Source: Vincent Kubi/Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Coordinator for Hon. Dr. Afriyie Akoto Campaign Team, Peter Oteng Darko, has urged policymakers to consider and adopt the four-pronged policies outlined by the immediate-past Minister of Food and Agriculture in his public lecture that was held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), as a National Development Policy since they hold the master key to turn the economy around. According to him, if Ghana had in the past decades rolled out the policies Dr. Afriyie Akoto shared with Ghanaians in his public lecture, it could have built a very resilient economy with Agriculture being the main pillar in driving the other sectors of the economy. Dr. Afriyie Akoto in his public lecture held at the UPSA on Monday, March 13, 2023, shared his vision with Ghanaians when he becomes President of the Republic of Ghana. Among the policies, he outlined include the Ghanaian farmer being a potential resource waiting to be tapped as well as the establishment of an Agricultural Management Team to be headed by the President. Also included in his policies was the exploitation of six tree crops under the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) which have the potential to bring into the economy between US$6 to 12 billion annually. He also highlighted the prioritization of agriculture transformation at the highest level of government through the implementation of a well-defined vision and strategy, something he added, needs political will to achieve. Speaking in an interview with journalists at the National Campaign Office of Dr. Afriyie Akoto in Accra on Saturday, March 18, 2023, Mr. Oteng Darko said the four-pronged policies should be taken very seriously and adopted by successive governments for implementation. These points highlighted in Dr. Afriyie Akotos public lecture should be well considered and adopted as a National Development Policy. If adopted and implemented, our situation will never be the same. Ghana will generate a lot of money from the agricultural sector to develop the other sectors of the economy, he noted. For instance, he explained that the success story of the governments flagship Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) Programme had to do with the minimal incentives of subsidy in the areas of farming inputs and fertilizer given to the Ghanaian farmer. This generated unprecedented growth in the agricultural sector, 8.4% in 2021, as alluded by Dr. Afriyie Akoto in his public lecture which clearly shows that such hard work of the Ghanaian farmer represents a resource that the nation ought to tap into to get us out of the clutches of borrowing to finance our development, he underscored. He is also convinced that the establishment of Agricultural Management Team to be headed by the President himself holds the key to prioritizing the allocation of funds into key sectors of the economy to yield the maximum benefits that Ghanaians are craving. To Mr. Oteng Darko, with the vision outlined by Dr. Afriyie Akoto, it is evidently clear that he stands tall among all the candidates who have declared their intention to contest the flagbearership race of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and urged all the delegates to vote for him, believing that the future of Ghana will be secured in his hands. 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 Donald Trump has stated that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday and has called on his supporters to stage mass protests. However, his lawyer has stated that there has been no contact from law enforcement, and Trump's claims are based on media reports. Reports suggest that prosecutors are considering indicting Trump next week, which would be the first criminal case against a former US president. The case centres on allegations that Trump's lawyer paid hush money to Stormy Daniels on his behalf prior to the 2016 presidential election. Trump is currently being investigated in several cases, although he denies any wrongdoing and has not yet been charged. He has vowed to continue his campaign for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, even if indicted. While it is not yet known if he will be charged this week or the specific charges, his prediction of arrest and call for protests is a significant development. Trump's loyal base of supporters and the violence that followed the January 6th Capitol riot have made the situation tense. Trump has accused the Manhattan district attorney's office of leaking information about his case to the press and calls this a political prosecution. The Republican Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, has criticized the investigation, calling it "an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA [district attorney]." If indicted, it would create a complicated situation for Trump's Republican rivals, who would have to decide whether to attack him or lay low. The Stormy Daniels case is about whether Trump reimbursed his lawyer, Michael Cohen, after Cohen paid Ms Daniels $130,000. Trump may have falsified business records, a misdemeanour in New York, by saying the payment was for legal fees. The case progressed when Trump was invited to testify to a grand jury, indicating that he could soon face criminal charges. US media outlets report that law enforcement agencies in New York are preparing for the possibility of Trump being indicted and appearing in court as early as next week. Source: graphiconline.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 Presidential Advisor on the Economy and former Member of Parliament for Tafo Pankrono in Kumasi, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei has passed on. He died on Monday a family source has confirmed to Graphic Online. He was on admission at a private facility in Accra from where he was referred to a tertiary hospital where he passed on Monday. Dr Akoto Osei served as Minister of Monitoring and Evaluation in President Akufo-Addo's first term 2017 to 2021. He served as Member of Parliament for Tafo Pankrono from January 2005 to January 2021. Anthony Akoto Osei was a Ghanaian banker and politician. Dr Akoto Osei was in the cabinet of President John Agyekum Kufuor as Minister of State for Finance and Economic Planning. Early Life and Education Dr Anthony Akoto Osei was born in Sunyani, the capital of Bono Region then Brong Ahafo Region on 18 April 1953. He had his secondary level education at Achimota School and Opoku Ware Senior High School. He furthered at Oberlin College in Ohio where he obtained a bachelor's degree in economics. He has a Master of Arts degree in Applied Economics from the American University in the USA. He also graduated from Howard University in 1987 with a Ph.D. in economics. Minister for Finance and Economic Planning Anthony Akoto Osei worked as deputy minister for Finance and Economic Planning in May 2003 and was a major economic adviser to the government. He was elevated to substantive Minister for Finance and Economic Planning after the death of the then Minister Kwadwo Baah Wiredu. He served in that role until 6th January 2009 when government was handed over to the National Democratic Congress who had won the 2008 General Elections. Minister for Monitoring and Evaluation In February 2017, Osei was sworn in as Minister of Monitoring and Evaluation after being nominated by President Nana Akufo-Addo and going through the vetting process in the parliament of Ghana. The ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation was a newly created Ministry to evaluate, monitor and plan review summits and forums in fulfillment of the government's policies on evaluating the progress of its own ministries. Source: Graphiconline.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 " " Judith Miller (left), a former New York Times reporter, is seen testifying during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in October 2005 on reporters' shield legislation. Miller she spent 85 days in jail to defend her right to protect confidential sources. Mark Wilson/Getty Images Freedom of the press is established in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which states that "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." Although the text of the amendment only specifically prohibits infringement by Congress, the Supreme Court has broadened the scope of the First Amendment to protect the freedoms of speech and press from censorship by any government entity, from the federal government down to the local police. However, the Supreme Court has also recognized specific situations in which the government is allowed to limit the freedom of the press. Advertisement There are legal limits, for example, to how much protection a reporter can provide a confidential source. Reporters often rely on confidential sources for inside information that exposes government or corporate corruption. But if the source violate a federal law in leaking the information to the press, the reporter can be subpoenaed and required to name names, as established by the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in Branzburg v. Hayes (1972) [source: Smolkin]. In 2005, New York Times reporter Judith Miller served 85 days in jail for contempt of court when she refused to name the source who leaked the identity of undercover CIA agent Valerie Plame [source: Miller]. The following year, two reporters for the San Francisco Chronicle also served jail time for refusing to name the source who leaked closed grand jury testimonies from the Barry Bonds perjury case [source: SFGate.com]. Defamation is also prohibited by law in specific cases. Defamation is the injury of an individual's reputation either by written or spoken word. Defamation by the press is called libel. In the landmark 1964 case New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, the court ruled that the press is not guilty of libel against public figures unless the injured party can prove actual malice knowingly and recklessly publishing false information rather than mere reckless reporting. The ruling lifted restrictions on the press that had prevented it from reporting fully on the civil rights movement in the South. However, the Court ruled in later decisions that the press can still be found guilty of libel in defamation cases involving private citizens and private matters without proof of actual malice [source: Legal Information Institute]. It's important to understand that in most cases, freedom of the press is identical to freedom of speech under the law. Members of the media enjoy the same rights and are subject to the same restrictions as members of the general public [source: Legal Information Institute]. However, some states have passed shield laws that offer journalists stronger protections against accusations of libel or naming confidential sources in non-federal cases. Obscenity is another a type of speech or published material that is not protected by the First Amendment. In its ruling on the 1973 case of Miller v. California, the Supreme Court established the "Miller test," also called the three-prong obscenity test, for deciding what types of material qualified as obscene [source: Cohen]. The material must be offensive to an average citizen applying "contemporary community standards" and have no redeeming "literary, artistic, political, or scientific value." Another limit on the press concerns speech designed to incite immediate violence or unlawful activity. These prohibitions were established in two separate rulings. In the 1969 case Brandenburg v. Ohio, the court ruled that only speech that is "directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action" can be legally censored. In an earlier decision, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes compared such speech to shouting fire in a crowded theater, creating a "clear and present danger" [source: Cohen]. "Fighting words" are also illegal. In Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire (1942), the Court ruled that speech that "inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace" has so social value and can be curtailed [source: Legal Information Institute]. " " You don't need thousands of people for a protest -- one man in a pig costume can often grab plenty of media attention on his own. See more protesting pictures. AP Photo /Aaron Favila Unless you've just recently wandered out of a magical kingdom, you've probably noticed something about the human race: People don't get along with each other all that well. Oh sure, in small groups, they'll forge unbreakable bonds of friendship and love. In larger numbers, they can even prove remarkably tolerant at times. Nevertheless, in the end, the old adage holds true: You can't please all of the people all of the time. The tiniest of issues, such as choosing a pizza topping, can prove violently divisive, and the big issues of religion, politics and human rights are the stuff of unending warfare and long-standing cultural division. When humans disagree with a stance or policy maintained by either the social majority or a center of political or economic power, they often lift their voice in protest. Advertisement The methods of protest vary greatly. One activist may create a stirring piece of art to highlight his or her cause, or a thousand activists may rally together in the streets. Either way, the aim is simple: Draw enough attention to a message, convince enough people of your cause's moral superiority and you can change the way a government, industry or society acts and thinks. But just how unified can such an argumentative species get? If you look back through the annals of recorded history, what protest has gathered the largest number of people to a single place? Read the next page to find out. " " A refugee talks on a cell phone on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey on an inflatable dinghy. Thomas Campean /Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Imagine, if you can, that you woke up tomorrow in a war zone. Your government is clashing with well-armed rebels, and both sides are ravaging your city with aerial bomb raids, mortar attacks and even random killing in the streets. You and your family need to leave. On foot. Now. What would you take with you? Clothing, canned food, water, a tent, cash, passports and your cell phone! Advertisement As tens of thousands of Syrian refugees seek asylum in the European Union, some politicians and news commentators are surprised and even angered to see images of refugees washing up on Europe's rocky shores clutching smartphones. How can Syrian refugees, who are supposed to be desperate, starving and homeless, afford to carry around a $300 Samsung Galaxy? Short answer: because they need it to survive. Most of us depend on our cell phones every single day to text and email friends, family and colleagues; to receive real-time news and updates; to provide GPS directions; to record and share photos and videos; and yes, to even make an occasional phone call. " " Migrants recharge their phones in front of Keleti railway station in Budapest, Hungary. Beata Zawrzel/Demotix/Corbis That's exactly how Syrian refugees use their cell phones, except in their case, a dead battery could mean the difference between a new life in Europe and deportation back to certain death. " " A mining machine in Germany displays a "Made in USA" sticker. Sean Gallup/Getty Images Many shoppers, even the savviest ones, may think the country on a product's label is the be-all and end-all of an items' origination. A label that reads "Made in USA" reveals everything, right? But products may have taken more than their fair share of cross-country journeys. "Made in," "assembled in," "manufactured in," "processed in" how can consumers really know where their products come from? The primary federal label-lingo gatekeepers are the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The FTC regulates product claims of U.S. origin under its general authority to act against deceptive acts and practices, while CBP monitors foreign-origin claims (like "Made in China" labels), thanks to the Tariff Act of 1930. CBP requires a country of origin mark on all imported products. Advertisement "The country in which a product is put together or completed is highly significant to consumers in evaluating where the product is 'made,'" the FTC's 1997 enforcement policy statement says of consumer perception. In fact, in 2016 Nielsen surveyed more than 30,000 online consumers in 61 countries, and found that a brand's country of origin is as important or more important than factors like price or quality to consumers. (However, this is debatable, as studies have shown people's preferences may vary depending on the type of product.) The "Made in USA" label is particularly important to American shoppers. According to a 2015 Consumer Reports survey, nearly 8 in 10 American consumers would rather buy an American-made product than an imported one, and about 60 percent of people surveyed would be willing to pay more for it. So, there's definitely money at stake for manufacturers when it comes to labeling. Scott Paul, president of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Alliance for American Manufacturing, says in an email, "The standard for products being labelled 'Made in USA' requires that 'all or virtually all' of a product is made in the U.S. That can mean different things depending on the product's manufacturing process." Put simply, it means all the significant parts of the products should be of U.S. origin, with a negligible amount of foreign content, if any. Consider a basic lamp assembly: a base and lampshade. The base may be an import, and the shade made in the U.S., but the entire lamp may be assembled in the U.S. When that happens, Paul says, "products can't use a 'Made in USA' label and may turn to the assembly labelling to show their U.S. footprint." The rules get even more finicky when the manufacturing process gets more complicated. For example, if a TV with an American-made picture tube is assembled in Korea and then shipped to the U.S., the CBP requires that the complete TV set be marked "Made in Korea," because that's where the TV was last "substantially transformed." And clothing and household textile and wool items would get the "Made in USA" stamp of approval if the final product and its fabric are manufactured in the U.S., even if the base materials like yarn or fibers were sourced elsewhere. The list of caveats and exceptions continues. Obviously, the guidelines for origin labeling are often confusing, and a "made in" tag may not tell a product's whole story. Some "Made in USA" labels contain misleading wording or are illegitimate, claiming U.S. origination that has not been verified. Considering the complexity of labeling policies and cases of fraudulent labels in the U.S., consumers and politicians have become wary. Still, some American companies are pledging to reinvest in American-made products, considering the stats on consumers' preferences and criticism about outsourcing. An estimated 80 percent of Wal-Mart's suppliers are in China, but the company pledges to spend approximately $250 billion on U.S. (made, assembled or grown) products by 2023. And GE Appliances promises to dedicate more than $1 billion to making "great American-made appliances." (GE does note, however, that some parts they use aren't made in the U.S. and some must be purchased globally to keep pricing competitive.) So, customers may not be able to get the whole scoop on a product's country of origin from its label. But they can be sure that there are a boatload of rules dedicated to making sure purchasers know where their products were made. Now That's Interesting Here's a little irony: Some U.S. flag kits used for stick flags contain Chinese-made wooden dowels. " " Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R) and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer. Will the nuclear option be a reality? Mandel Ngan/Bill Clark/Getty Some are calling it the end of the Senate as we know it. Later this week, Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, will press the big red button on the so-called "nuclear option" to kill Democratic obstruction of Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump's pick for the Supreme Court. The nuclear option deserves its name because it threatens to destroy not only the filibuster of Supreme Court nominees, but any hope of bipartisan cooperation in the Senate, ushering in post-apocalyptic levels of political division on Capitol Hill. Advertisement To understand how the nuclear option works, we spoke with Joshua Huder, a senior fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that educates government officials and curious journalists on the arcane inner workings of Congress. According to the current Senate rules, Huder explains, a Supreme Court nominee can only receive an up-or-down, "yea" or "nay" vote after the floor debate in the Senate has officially closed a process called "cloture." The only way to achieve cloture and move on to the actual vote is to win the support of 60 out of the 100 senators. The cloture rule gives individual members of the Senate incredible power, even if their party is in the minority. By voting "no" on cloture, they can hold the floor debate open indefinitely, one of a variety of delay tactics that qualify as a filibuster. Historically, this has meant that Senators from opposite sides of the aisle must work with each other to avoid a filibuster and win enough votes to reach the 60-vote supermajority. "It's been a mechanism that has fostered compromise," says Huder. "Recently, though, it's become something that fosters dysfunction. Filibusters are so prolific that the minority party is blocking everything. Senators are abusing their rights and privileges under the rules." The nuclear option would put an end to that. By exploiting some loopholes in parliamentary procedure, the nuclear option allows the party in power to lower the cloture requirement to 51 votes, a simple majority. This means that the majority party in the Senate would no longer have to compromise or even talk to the minority members to push through a Supreme Court nominee. For the actual vote on nominees, all you need is a majority to win confirmation. That's great news when your party is the majority, but what happens when the political winds shift and you're back in the minority? Ask the Democrats. Back in 2013, it was Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid who first opened this political Pandora's box by invoking the nuclear option to unblock Republican obstruction of nearly all of President Barack Obama's federal court nominees. The Democrats stopped short of establishing "majority rule" for Supreme Court openings, but the precedent was set. Now that the Republicans are back in power, they're using Reid's own parliamentary playbook to reinterpret the 60-vote rule once again, this time for nominees to the highest court in the land. "When Senators support these rule changes moving from a supermajority to a simple majority they're essentially giving up power," says Huder. "When the majority of Senate Democrats voted for the nuclear option in 2013, they were saying, 'In exchange for confirming these nominations of a Democratic president, I will give up my future ability to block nominees that I don't agree with.'" Like most Faustian bargains, the nuclear option can come back to bite you, which is why politicians have wisely avoided it for more than 60 years. Back in the late 1950s, majority senators frustrated by filibusters first floated the idea of what they called the "Constitutional option." According to a history of rule changes by the Congressional Research Service, the "Constitutional option" was based on a clause in the Constitution (Article 1, Section 5) stating that "Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings." Anti-filibuster types interpreted this clause to mean that senators could vote to change the rules at the start of each new Congress including the 60-vote cloture with nothing more than a simple majority. That's exactly what they do in the House of Representatives, Huder says. (Opponents of the Constitutional option say the Senate is a continuing body with continuing rules.) In 1957, Vice President Richard Nixon weighed in the issue, writing in an advisory opinion, "...the Senate should not be bound by any provision in those previous rules which denies the membership of the Senate the power to exercise its constitutional right to make its own rules." To be clear, even if the Republicans "go nuclear" for Supreme Court nominations, this doesn't affect Senate filibusters in general or the 60-vote cloture requirement for regular legislation. When a bill comes before the Senate, the sponsoring party will still need a few votes from the opposing side to reach the 60-vote threshold. Could partisan divisions in the Senate ever get so bad that the chamber decides to kill off filibusters altogether? "I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon," says Huder, finding it hard to imagine a point at which the majority says, "'You know what, there's just too much obstruction and we have to move forward on this crazy thing, of completely undoing the Senate process for the last 200 years.'" Now That's Nuts Congressional politics has never been pretty. In the late 19th century, Democrats in the minority pulled a delay tactic called the disappearing quorum, refusing to say "present" at the roll call, even though they were plainly sitting at their desks. Without a quorum, the House couldn't conduct business, which is exactly what the Democrats wanted. This resulted in the 1890 ban of the filibuster in the House, which still stands. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) The legal counsel of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. said expelling a House member is not simple since procedures need to be followed and congressional representation should be considered. Hindi basta basta ine-expel ang isang miyembro ng Kamara. Mawawalan ng representasyon ang ilang daang libo ng tao sa Kongreso, Ferdinand Topacio said in a press conference on Monday. [Translation: A House member is not simply expelled. Hundreds of thousands of people will lose their representation in Congress.] Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo was killed at his residence in Pamplona town on March 4. Two suspects earlier tagged Teves as the one who ordered the hit on the governor. In a separate interview on Sunday, Degamo's widow, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, said she appealed to the House of Representatives to expel Teves as a member. But Topacio said rules and procedures need to be observed before an official can be expelled from office, adding that Teves is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Ang krimen ay hindi nas-solve sa init ng ulo, sa gigil, at sa galit, [Translation: A crime is not solved in temper, in shock, and in anger.]" he added. Topacio also called out Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Mico Clavano for his recent remarks on the case and said he should stop making statements that would make Teves look guilty. You are not doing your organization any favors by slanting your statements na mukhang guilty na yung isang tao, [Translation: that the person already looks guilty.] Topacio said. On Saturday, after announcing the dismissal of one out of the eight complaints against Teves for lack of basis, Clavano said the lawmakers record is not yet clear since he and his sons are still facing multiple complaints related to illegal possession of firearms. READ: DOJ junks one of several illegal firearms complaints vs. Teves https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/3/18/DOJ-junks-one-illegal-firearm-complaint-Teves.html Clavano also said the government will ask Interpol to issue a Blue Notice to closely monitor movements of the suspects in the Degamo assassination, including Teves. READ: PH to seek Interpol Blue Notice vs. Degamo slay suspects 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: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels Australian workers are exhausted, unwell, at risk of quitting, and largely unprepared for future workplace challenges driven by automation and artificial intelligence, a new report from the University of Melbourne Work Futures Hallmark Research Initiative reveals. A comprehensive survey of 1,400 Australian workers fielded in June 2022 asked about their experiences at work since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings, published in the 2023 State of the Future of Work Report, reveals Australian workers were in poorer physical and mental health since the pandemic began, with prime aged workers (between 25 and 55 years of age) significantly impacted, one third of whom had considered quitting. Report co-author and sociologist Dr. Brendan Churchill said, "With high rates of fatigue and exhaustion among younger and middle-aged workers, it's no surprise that over a third of prime aged workers in Australia are considering quitting their jobs. "Australian workplaces must prioritize workers' well-being into the recovery to provide greater support in addressing burnout and mental distress." Automation and the use of AI are expected to have a major impact on the ways Australians work in the future, including the arrival of ChatGPT, which can write language with human-like efficiencies. AI advances are poised to reduce human decision-making, but the report found Australian workers are largely unprepared for these challenges. Report co-author and human geographer Professor David Bissell said, "We found that most Australians aren't too worried about being replaced by AI and automation at work, and believe that their skills are adequate to meet the challenges ahead. "However, our research shows that Australians are cautious adopters of new technologies in the workplace. One in five say they only adopt new technologies in the workplace when they are forced to, so we need to understand the reasons behind this and facilitate technology use that is inclusive to all." The pandemic severely impacted caregiverspeople providing care for others in their livesciting school closures, working from home and reduced access to outsourced care as additional stressors to working in a challenging pandemic environment. Working caregivers are more likely to be dissatisfied with their jobs and consider quitting than non-caregiver counterparts. Four in 10 working caregivers believe their career opportunities are limited. Report co-author and gender inequality expert Professor Leah Ruppanner said, "Caregivers are working harder than before the pandemic, and they're at risk of workplace attrition. We often focus on women caregivers, but our report finds that caregiving men are also exhausted, less productive, and seeing fewer opportunities for advancement. "Workplaces must take a more holistic approach to caregiving including ensuring men also have access to flexible work and employment policies." Of the workers, 38% said they had a chronic illnesshigher than the 32% found in the most recent Australian Census in 2021which researchers said may reflect the emergence of Long COVID and the growing mental distress of working during the pandemic. More than 40% of people with a chronic illness want to quit their jobs. Almost three-quarters of workers with a chronic illness said their illness is made worse by their job. The report also found discrimination at work is more widespread than previously identified. Discrimination remains pervasive, particularly against women, people with chronic illnesses and caregivers, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Almost two-thirds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander respondents said they were turned down for a job because they were Indigenous. Those with chronic illness report similar rates of being turned down because of their illness. Despite the bleak findings, Australian workers found flexible ways of working required during the pandemic made them happier and more productive, and the majority say ongoing flexible work arrangements are critical to their staying with their current employers. Professor Leah Ruppanner said, "There's this flawed assumption that in-person work was ideal for most prior to the pandemicbut for mothers, caregivers and people living with chronic illnesses, it wasn't. "A return to normal is a return to unequal employment experiences and outcomes for these groups. The pandemic has highlighted the personal and professional benefits of flexible and remote ways of working for many, and it's clear that most Australian workers don't want to go back to a 'traditional' work environment." The report calls for governments to improve Australia's preparedness for the future of work by providing free universal high-quality childcare; legislating workers' access to flexible and remote work as a workplace right consistent with other OECD nations; and providing equal access to technological upskilling, especially for traditionally underrepresented groupsto respond to the demographic, technological and geographic changes facing Australia. 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: 3D image of a Night Parrot skull and brain size. Credit: Flinders University Special cranial adaptations, including an asymmetrical 'wonky' skull and enlarged ears, may give the critically endangered ground-dwelling Night Parrot the edge it needs to make its way around the Outback in the dark even with limited eyesight and a big "bluffy" head. Flinders University paleontologists used an historic Night Parrot specimen from London's Natural History Museum to investigate its anatomy using high-resolution CT scans after finding it difficult to identify its fossil remains. "In our work we typically study the anatomy of extinct animals, but we also use our skills to investigate living speciesin this case one of the threatened bird species prioritized by the Australian Government for recovery over the next decade," says Flinders University researcher Dr. Elen Shute, who has published the latest study of this 'cryptic' nocturnal bird in EMUAustral Ornithology. "We hope ecologists can make the most of the next 10 years to find out as much as possible about the biology and behavior of Night Parrots and work out how many there are, how many locations they survive in, and what we need to do to put their populations on the upward trajectory." The new study sheds light on the life of the small nocturnal and very elusive Night Parrot, which was only photographed for the first time in 2013, after eight decades of outback expeditions failed to find a surviving population. Australia's Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis). Credit: Dr Steve Murphy The Flinders University researchers examined the museum specimen used by eminent British ornithologist John Gould to formally describe the Night Parrot in scientific literature in 1861. Carefully preserved for more than 160 years, the UK specimen gave the South Australian team new insights into the species. "The use of non-destructive CT imaging is paramount in studies on such rare material," says co-author Dr. Alice Clement, from Flinders University's Paleontology Laboratory. "In using CT scanning, we were able to digitally peel back the preserved layers of feathers and skin to reveal the skeleton beneath without any damage to the specimen. Furthermore, digital models of the Night Parrot's bones are now available for researchers around the world to examine without the need to capture new animals. One finding was that the bird, in a similar way to owls, has an asymmetrical skull and ears, which may help Night Parrots to locate where sound is coming from." The large size of the external ear region is also remarkable, the researchers found. One of the few photos of a captured Night Parrot. Credit: Dr Rachel Murphy "We were impressed by how far one of the Night Parrot's ears stick out sideways, and also the sheer size of the external ear region," says senior co-author, Flinders Professor of Paleontology Gavin Prideaux. "Taking up about one-third of the length of its head, its enlarged ear chambers may act like amplifiers which in turn would increase the volume of sound transferred to the inner ears." The advanced scanning revealed another evolutionary insight into how this skillful little bird manages to survive with limited night visionits advanced audio capabilities likely to compensate for small eyes and optic nerves. "Examination of the skull showed how the enlarged ear chambers appear to constrain the maximum size of the Night Parrot's eyes yet they are able to fly up to 30 km at night to forage before returning to roost at sun-up." "By measuring the scleral ringa ring of bone that sits inside the eyeballand comparing it to those of other birds, we found that a Night Parrot's cornea is about as small as it can get while still allowing visually-guided nocturnal flight. A millimeter or two smaller, and they really would be flying blind," says Dr. Shute. "This is probably why ornithologist John Gould described the Night Parrot as having an outsized or 'bluffy' head compared to its bodyevolution has crammed as much as it can into its skull." The historic specimen from the Natural History Museum of London collected in Australia by British ornithologist John Gould which was used in the study. Credit: Mark Adams. The Finders University researchers are calling for more investigations into the special sensory powers of this intriguing Australian bird, which lives in remote arid pockets of the country and is one of only two strictly nocturnal parrots in the world, along with New Zealand's Kakapo. Its diurnal relatives are the Eastern Ground Parrot and Western Ground Parrot, which are ground-dwelling species in sub-coastal habitats of Australia. More information: Elen R. Shute et al, Cranial adaptations of the Night Parrot (Psittaculidae: Pezoporus occidentalis), a cryptic nocturnal bird, EmuAustral Ornithology (2023). DOI: 10.1080/01584197.2023.2181185 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 California is once again being deluged by atmospheric rivers that have unleashed major flooding across the state, with river number 12 scheduled to dump more precipitation the week of March 19. Experts from Northeastern explained in a story that originally ran in January what causes these flowing streams of vapor that causing the record rains and deadly floods that have put millions of people under an evacuation order. They talked with Northeastern Global News about the science behind the weather eventsand whether climate change and global warming will increase the intensity of rainfall associated with these rivers in the sky. Atmospheric rivers are responsible for ferrying fresh water from the warm tropics eastward to the Western United States, where the associated vapors condense into rain and sometimes snow. The 'Pineapple Express' "There are these ribbons of very moisture laden air that extend out of the tropics," says Samuel Munoz, assistant professor of marine and environmental science at Northeastern's Marine Science Center and Coastal Sustainability Institute. "When they collide with a coast, that's the dominant mechanism by which California and much of the Western U.S. and Pacific Northwest in Canada get rain," he says. Because the atmospheric rivers originate in Pacific tropic areas such as Hawaii, meteorologists dub them "the Pineapple Express," says Lindsay Lawrence, a Northeastern Ph.D. student who has bachelor's and master's degrees in meteorology. "Generally speaking, atmospheric rivers are most extreme during winter months, December, January and February," Lawrence says. Even in a normal season, atmospheric rivers can wreak havoc. Capable of being 300 miles wide and thousands of miles long, the moisture-laden streams can carry many times the volume of water of the Mississippi River, says Auroop Ganguly, director of the Sustainability & Data Sciences Laboratory at Northeastern. "When these massive waterfrontsthe largest transporters of freshwater on the planet Earthhit land, they usually result in massive rain and snow events leading often to devastating floods." Not all atmospheric river events are catastrophic, but events such as the Pineapple Express have the ability to dump an immense amount of rain and snow in a short amount of time, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "We've had six storms in the last two weeks. This is the kind of weather you would get in a year and we compressed it just into two weeks," California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis said Wednesday, according to CNN, which reported that four more atmospheric rivers are supposed to hit the state in the next week or so. The new events are on top of the five that have already occurred and been associated with the deaths of 19 people, including a 5-year-old boy swept away in flood waters. "They have come one after another," Munoz says. "That's causing really huge amounts of water to be delivered all at once." The impact of climate change Atmospheric rivers may deliver even more rain in the future, scientists say. "Ongoing research suggests that they may get more intense in climate change," Ganguly says. As the atmosphere warms, it holds more moisture, Munoz says. As with hurricanes, some research associates the increased moisture to heavier rainfalls. Other scientists are looking into whether climate change is associated with changes in where atmospheric rivers make landfall, possibly moving southward, Munoz says. Atmospheric rivers have cold fronts and warm fronts located off a low pressure center, Lawrence says. As the rivers stream westward, the cold front tries to catch up to the warm front, forming a narrow band of water vapor, she says. If the location of the low pressure shifts, the entire system will move around, Lawrence says. "To know where they are going to move is unfortunately hard to say right now." Munoz says it appears that catastrophic atmospheric river events occur every 100 to 200 years, with the phenomenon contributing to the Great Flood of 1862. The flood is believed to have killed 4,000 people in California according to U.S. Today and other sources. Wildfires and drought are making floods worse The current flooding in California is being aggravated by historic wildfires and drought that are tied to climate change themselves. "When you burn a forest, the burning of organic compounds produces compounds that are hydrophobic, that repel water," in the form of ash, Munoz says. When rain falls on the ash it is less likely to seep into the soil and recharge into groundwater and more likely to run off toward streams and rivers and lakes, he says. The runoff contributes to flooding, Munoz says. Drought also poses a flooding risk because the soil can get so dry it loses its ability to absorb water, sort of like a too-dry sponge, he says. "When they're super dry, their ability to take up moisture is reduced." Planning for the future "California is sort of this world of extremes," Munoz says. "They do have prolonged periods of drought, and that's getting more severe. But they also have this history of really severe atmospheric river events that cause flooding. It's possible that in the future these kinds of events will become more severe." With access to water being such an issue in California, Munoz says he believes officials need to find ways to capture and store water during deluges as part of planning for the future. Right now, state and local California officials are concerned about saving lives and the infrastructure. But after the storms are over, Munoz says officials will face important and continuing questions about water supply. "Are there ways we can store some of this water that right now there's an abundance of but will very quickly flow back out to sea?" he asked. "Is there some way to capture that?" 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: Giant daisy trees in the cloud forests of Floreana, one of the Galapagos isles... yes, these are actual trees. Credit: Gonzalo Rivas-Torres An international research team led by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) is to search for invisible life in the Galapagos Islands. The diversity of bacteria and other microscopic organisms may not be evident to the naked eye, but it is essential to nature; for example, to the islands' giant daisies, unique endemic plants that are currently under threat. How unique and diverse is the invisible microbial life of the iconic Galapagos Islands? That's what the Galapagos Microbiome Projecta group of scientists from the Netherlands, Ecuador, Spain and Brazilintends to reveal. It could improve our understanding of the co-evolution of species. In this case, the researchers plan to sample both bacteria and fungi (the microbiome) and their host plants. "It's really motivating for us to follow in Darwin's footsteps and profile the diversity of microbes on and inside of wild plant species," says project leader Jos Raaijmakers, head of Microbial Ecology at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) and professor at Leiden University. Giant daisy, the Darwin's finch of plants Insights from the expedition could make an important contribution to the preservation of endangered plant species, including Scalesia, the giant daisy. It's found on the uninhabited islands in the archipelago in particular. Scalesia grows on fertile soil, which is in great demand for agriculture outside of nature reserves. Other threats to these unique endemic plants are grazing goats, invasive plant species and extreme climate conditions. Scalesia has been called the Darwin's finch of the plant world. Just like the famous group of bird species Darwin found in Galapagos and used as inspiration for his theory of evolution, the members of the Scalesia family differ substantially between sites and between islands. It's a modest shrub growing among pumice stones in one place, but a veritable tree surrounded by cloud forest in another. Adapting to local circumstances, Scalesia developed a huge variety that has resulted in at least 15 different species. Micro-friends But how about the micro-organisms? Did they, too, adapt and develop great diversity across the islands? And what is their role in the ecology of the endemic host plant? Finding out more about the plants' as yet unknown microbial partners will hopefully turn out to be the key to supporting their growth and survival. "It's an invisible world that would have been impossible to study in such detail in Darwin's day," Raaijmakers explains. "Current DNA-techniques allow us to unravel the diversity of microbes, and study if it is in line with their host plants' speciation on different islands in the archipelago." Scalesia in bloom, seen from up close in Galapagos. Credit: Gonzalo Rivas-Torres By ship The international team comprising six researchers and a filmmaker will start their 12-day expedition to a number of Galapagos Islands on 25 March, using their ship as a base. Project leader Raaijmakers has been working closely with Pieter van 't Hof and Gonzalo Rivas-Torres from the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador to make the search for the different species of giant daisy possible. These researchers and their team have ample experience when it comes to expeditions to Galapagos, and they play a key role in the Galapagos Barcode Project, an ambitious undertaking that aims to document the genetics of all species on the islands and in the surrounding waters. "We will be sampling the leaves and roots of the plants to profile the microorganisms living there," says Raaijmakers. "Just like people and animals, plants depend on microbes for their growth, development and health. We have billions of microbes on our skin and in our gut with which we co-exist. Plants have a similar microbiome: billions of beneficial bacteria, fungi and yeasts in and on their roots and leaves." These will not be the first plants sampled by Raaijmakers and his fellow researchers. "For a number of crop plants, we already have a fairly good overview of their microbiome and that of their wild ancestors. But so far, we only have a partial understanding of the diversity of functions we observe there," he says. It will be exciting to make comparisons with these wild species and their micro-friends. "Also, beneficial plant microbes may in the long run play a key role in preserving and restoring native species threatened by climate change and invasive plants," he adds. What is so special about the Galapagos Islands? The largely uninhabited Galapagos Islands are surrounded by open sea, about 1,000 km west of South-America. Because of their remoteness, animals, plants and possibly microorganisms have evolved independently from their counterparts on the mainland. The huge variety of closely-related species helped Darwin, who visited the islands in 1835, to develop his theory of evolution. Much research has been done on the various islands into the occurrence of genetic variation within individual animal species, eventually resulting in an explosion of new species and subspecies, as was the case with Darwin's famous finches. More recently, similar research has been done into native plants, with Scalesia displaying a similar variety: from small plant or shrub to tall tree. Trees are exceptional for the daisy and dandelion family. 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: Dead Douglas-fir trees in southwestern Oregon's Klamath Mountains. Credit: Chris Adlam, Oregon State University Extension Service Increases in mortality among Douglas-fir in the Klamath Mountains are the result of multiple factors that have the iconic tree in a "decline spiral" in parts of the region, a new study by the Oregon State University College of Forestry and OSU Extension Service indicates. Findings, which include a tool landowners and managers can use to assess a stand of trees' risk as the climate continues to change, were published in the Journal of Forestry. Douglas-fir, Oregon's official state tree, is the most abundant tree species in the Klamath Mountains, growing among ponderosa pine, sugar pine, white fir, incense cedar, Oregon white oak, California black oak and Pacific madrone. Dead Douglas-fir that are standing, as well as recently fallen Douglas-fir, can increase the potential for hotter, more extreme wildfires, the researchers note. So far, Douglas-fir in the region have been most likely to die at low to moderate elevations on the fringes of the Applegate, Rogue and Umpqua valleys, areas that receive less than 40 inches of precipitation annually, they added. "Douglas-fir mortality in southwestern Oregon occurs during and after drought on hot, dry, harsh sites that no longer provide enough water for the trees," said OSU's Max Bennett, who led the study. "It's not just a lack of rainfall from years of drought; elevated summer temperatures and atmospheric aridity are also contributing to increased stress in trees, and stressed trees are more susceptible to insect and fungi infestation." Douglas-fir trees provide vital wildlife habitat, sequester and store carbon and serve as a keystone species. A versatile timber tree, it is a source of softwood products including boards, railroad ties, plywood veneer and wood fiber. Oregon leads all U.S. states in softwood production and most of that is Douglas-fir. Native Americans traditionally used the wood of Douglas-fir for fuel and for tools, its sap as a sealant and many parts of the tree for medicinal purposes. Historically, cultural burning likely reduced the amount of Douglas-fir in the areas currently experiencing mortality, Bennett said, adding that fire suppression over the past century has allowed for significant expansion of Douglas-fir. Since 2015, southwestern Oregon has regularly experienced periods of below-average precipitation coupled with above-average temperatures and lower-than-usual humidity, particularly in the trees' growing season, the researchers say, and this has coincided with a major uptick in Douglas-fir mortality. The paper notes that between 1975 and 2019, an estimated nearly half-million trees were killed by the flatheaded fir borer, and more trees died from 2015 to 2019 than had done so in the previous four decades. "Our results are consistent with recent OSU research showing the sensitivity of Douglas-fir to higher atmospheric aridity, or vapor pressure deficit," Bennett said. "Douglas-fir can't handle the strain of hot, dry air as well as other species like oak." Bennett, OSU colleague Dave Shaw and Laura Lowrey of the USDA Forest Service identified hotspots of Douglas-fir mortality via data from the long-running Aerial Detection Survey, a partnership of the Forest Service and the Oregon Department of Forestry. They collected field data from a series of plots and also factored in climate information from OSU's PRISM Climate Group, as well as data and projections for climate water deficit, a measure of moisture stress faced by trees. The scientists' analyses suggest Douglas-fir mortality in the Klamath Mountains arises from multiple causative agents working in concert to produce a decline spiral, rather than because of a single, specific reason as is often thought to be the case when trees die. However, flatheaded fir borers were the predominant, final killer of trees, they said. Populations of the insect appear to be rising, and also its aggressiveness in killing large Douglas-fir with diameters of 12 inches or greater, the researchers believe. "A key factor in our study area was an overabundance of Douglas-fir trees growing on sites that are now too dry to provide water for all of the growing trees," Bennett said. "Stressed trees stop growing and defending themselves from pests as well as they otherwise would." Projections of future climate water deficit suggest that areas of Douglas-fir mortality will increase substantially over the next three decades, the authors say, with each hot drought year leading to more mortality. The researchers have developed a susceptibility and mortality risk measuring tool that combines numerous environmental variables. Landowners and managers can use the tool to predict a stand's chance of infestation by flatheaded fir borers, other insects and fungi and the likelihood and intensity of mortality events. "In southwestern Oregon, forest management that steers toward oaks, pines and other more drought-tolerant species may be warranted in places with less than about 40 inches of average precipitation a year," Bennett said. "But some individual trees and patches of Douglas-fir will likely persist on these dry sites at least for a time, so it's important not to use an all or nothing approach." More information: Max Bennett et al, Recent Douglas-fir Mortality in the Klamath Mountains Ecoregion of Oregon: Evidence for a Decline Spiral, Journal of Forestry (2023). DOI: 10.1093/jofore/fvad007 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 Estonia, a small country in northern Europe, reached a digital milestone when the country headed to the polls on March 5, 2023. For the first time, over 50% of voters cast their ballots online in a national parliamentary election. As a political science researcher who focuses on elections, I was in Estonia to learn about the process of internet voting. In the capacity of an international election observer, I visited standard polling places and also attended the final internet vote count held in the parliament building. As someone who also regularly volunteers as a poll worker in the United States, I found the contrast between Estonia's integrated information systems and internet voting, and the patchwork system operating in the U.S., to be notable. And with several U.S. states withdrawing from the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, that contrast is growing sharper. I believe Estonia offers America an important example of how information sharing can be used to enhance the integrity of elections. Estonia's e-governance system Estonia has long been seen as a pioneer in digitizing the democratic process. Internet voting, which began in Estonia in 2005, is just a small part of the e-governance ecosystem that all Estonians access regularly. Using a government-issued ID card that allows Estonians to identify themselves and securely record digital signatures, they can register a newborn baby, sign up for social benefits, access health records and conduct almost any other business they have with a government agency. This ID card is mandatory for all citizens. Central to the success of Estonia's digitization revolution is a secure data-sharing system known as the X-Road. Government agencies collect only the personal information they require to provide their services, and if another agency has already gathered a piece of information, then it is accessible through the X-Road. In other words, each piece of personal information is collected only once and then shared securely when it is needed. A person's home address, for example, is collected by the population register and no other government entity. If it's needed by election administrators, health care workers, a school or any other agency, those organizations request it from the population register online. So, imagine that you are applying for admission to a university, which requires both your date of birth and your school grades. These are stored by two different agencies. By using your ID card, you can auto-populate the application using data that the system instantaneously pulls in from the two agencies that store that information. Because of this information sharing, election officials know who is eligible to vote and which online ballot they should receive no matter where they live in the country. A decentralized approach in U.S. For many reasons, the U.S. system of election management is very different from Estonia's, and online voting is rare. Developing and maintaining an e-governance system requires technical, political and social forces to align. Because each U.S. state manages its own elections, and decisions can vary at the county level or below, it is difficult to envision a consistent technical solution. It is also more challenging to coordinate a solution across such a large country and safely implement secure online voting given current U.S. internet voting technology. Additionally, concerns about federal interference in state matters have prompted political and social pushback on recent election reforms. Public consensus on instituting a nationally mandated electronic ID similar to the one that forms the foundation of Estonia's internet voting appears unlikely. Research shows that most Estonians trust their e-governance systems, although there are skeptics. Some critiques focus on perceived security shortcomings. The internet voting process has also become politicized. In the most recent election, one political party that had discouraged its voters from using online votingand unsurprisingly trailed its rivals in the online countchallenged the process in court. Its effort to annul internet voting failed. The U.S. witnessed a similar dynamic around absentee ballots in the 2020 elections. Balancing security, efficiency and access While the United States' decentralized approach has its advantages, it also creates shortcomings in security, efficiency and access. Secure elections means that only people who have the right to vote are able to cast a ballot and that they aren't improperly influenced in the process. Efficient elections means the process is smoothvoters don't have to wait in long lines, and their ballots are counted quickly and accurately. And access emphasizes that people who have the right to vote can register, gather the information they need in order to vote, and successfully cast their ballot. Sometimes changes to voting practices that enhance one of these valuessay, securitymay create impediments for anothersay, access. Requiring a photo ID to vote, for example, may reduce the small likelihood of voter impersonation, but it also risks preventing a legitimate voter who forgets to bring, or doesn't have, a valid photo ID from exercising their right to vote. Finding an acceptable balance among these values is a challenge for citizens and policymakers alike. Misinformation derails digital efforts Several states, including my own state of West Virginia, recently made a decision that I believe undermines all three of these values by making our elections less secure, less efficient and less accessible. In early March, West Virginia joined Florida, Missouri, Alabama and Louisiana in withdrawing from the Electronic Registration Information Center. ERIC is a multistate, data-sharing effort to make voter rolls more accurate and encourage eligible citizens to vote. The 28 participating states and the District of Columbia provide voter registration and driver's license data to ERIC and receive an analysis that shows who has moved, who has died and who is eligible to vote but has not registered. These reports help states clean up their voter rolls, identify incidents of fraud and provide unregistered voters with information about how to vote. In other words, ERIC is designed to enhance security, efficiency and access. However, over the past year, unsubstantiated claims have circulated that ERIC is being used as a partisan tool to undermine election integrity. ERIC was established, however, as a nonpartisan information provider with bipartisan support. States that exit ERIC may be sacrificing the integrity of their election process based on unfounded conspiracies. The U.S. can learn a tremendous amount from Estonia's e-governance revolution. Estonia faces a hostile security environment with an antagonistic Russia next door. But its integrated systems have helped balance security, efficiency and access in a wide range of government services. With the decision to withdraw from ERIC, some states are in danger of pulling the U.S. in the other direction. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Supervisors assign more unpaid work to workers portrayed as loyal than disloyal, honest, or fair coworkers. Credit: Marco Verch - https://foto.wuestenigel.com/disappointed-and-tired-woman-laid-her-head-down-on-the-table/ Company loyalty is a double-edged sword, according to a new study. Managers target loyal workers over less committed colleagues when dolling out unpaid work and additional job tasks. "Companies want loyal workers, and there is a ton of research showing that loyal workers provide all sorts of positive benefits to companies," said Matthew Stanley, Ph.D., the lead researcher on the new paper and postdoctoral researcher at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. "But it seems like managers are apt to target them for exploitative practices." That's the main conclusion from a series of experiments conducted by Stanley and his colleagues Chris Neck, Ph.D. and Chris Neck, father-and-son researchers at Arizona State University and West Virginia University, respectively. The findings appeared online January 6 in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. For the study, Stanley recruited nearly 1,400 managers online to read about a fictional 29-year-old employee named John. The mangers all learned that John's company was on a tight budget, and to keep costs down, had to decide how willing they would be to task John with extra hours and responsibilities without any extra pay. (Participants handing out the unpaid work in Stanley's study were compensated $12 an hour.) No matter how Stanley and his colleagues framed the scenario, branding John as loyal always resulted in managers being more willing to ask him to shoulder the unpaid labor. Managers were more willing to exploit Loyal John over Disloyal John. And when a separate group of managers read a letter of recommendation about John, the letters praising John as loyal led to an increased willingness to recruit him for unpaid work over versions of John extolled for honesty or fairness. The reverse was true, too: when John was portrayed as having a reputation to accept extra hours and workload, managers rated him as more loyal than a John who had a reputation to decline the same workload. Agreeable John and Refusal John were rated as similarly honest and fair however, demonstrating that loyalty but not closely related moral traits is bolstered by a history of doing free labor. "It's a vicious cycle," Stanley said. "Loyal workers tend to get picked out for exploitation. And then when they do something that's exploitative, they end up getting a boost in their reputation as a loyal worker, making them more likely to get picked out in the future." One reason managers preyed on loyal workers over others is their belief that it's just the price to pay for being loyal. Stanley and his team found that managers targeted loyal workers because they believe that loyalty comes with a duty to make personal sacrifices for their company. It's not all malicious, though. Exploitation may be in part just due to ignorance, or what psychologists call "ethical blindness." "Most people want to be good," Stanley said. "Yet, they transgress with surprising frequency in their everyday lives. A lot of it is due to ethical blindness, where people don't see how what they're doing is inconsistent with whatever principles or values they tend to profess." The study doesn't provide a quick fix to eradicate employers' exploitative practices, but one partial cure might be simply having managers recognize the error of their ways and point out these ethical blind spots, Stanley said. While company loyalty seems to come with consequence, Stanley cautions that it doesn't mean we should just abandon work commitments or dodge uncompensated overtime. This is just an unfortunate side effect of a mostly positive trait, which Stanley recently found also happens with other aspirational traits, like generosity. "I don't want to suggest that the take-away of the paper is to not be loyal to anybody because it just leads to disaster," Stanley said. "We value people who are loyal. We think about them in positive terms. They get awarded often. It's not just the negative side. It's really tricky and complex." More information: Matthew L. Stanley et al, Loyal workers are selectively and ironically targeted for exploitation, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2022.104442 Journal information: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 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: Compound and median eyes of trilobites. (a) Aulacopleura koninckii (Barrande, 1846), Silurian, Czech Republik, partly with shell preserved. (b) Holochroal compound eyes of (a). (c) Compound eye of Gerastos cuvieri (Steininger, 1831), Middle Devonian, Germany. (d) Schizochroal eye of Eldredgeops (Phacops) rana crassituberculata Stumm, 1953, Middle Devonian, USA. (e) A. koninckii, two larval stages. f) Upper specimen with location of the median eyes indicated. (g) Median eyes. (h, g) enlarged). (i) Cyclopyge sibilla Snajdr, 1982, Ordovician, Morocco; 2 specimens, the lower larval. (j) Relevant specimen of (i). (k, j) Position of the median eyes indicated. (l) Median eyes in (j, k) indicated by white arrows. Yellow arrow: dorsal organ, comp. (h, i). Insert: dark structure in the fossil, which is not a median eye. m) Fully shelled glabella of A. koninckii (insert), no median eyes visible. (n 14 ) Left median eye of C. sibilla (l), different contrasts. (o 14 ) Median median eye of C. sibilla (l), different contrasts. (p 14 ) right median eye of C. sibilla (l), different contrasts. Credit: Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31089-7 Trilobites, prehistoric sea creatures, had so-called median eyes, single eyes on their foreheads, in addition to their compound eyes, research conducted by Dr. Brigitte Schoenemann at the University of Cologne's Institute of Zoology and Professor Dr. Euan Clarkson at the University of Edinburgh has now found out. Such single eyes are found in all arthropods and also in many relatives of the extinct trilobites. They are usually small cup eyes (ocelli), sometimes even equipped with lenses, and not unlike human eyes. These so-called median eyes are typical for all arthropods, but had not yet been discovered in trilobites despite 150 years of research. The scientists assume that these eyes were characteristic of the larval stage of the animals. The single eyes were located under a transparent layer of the carapace, which became opaque during the fossilization process. Both circumstances contributed to the ocelli not being discovered until now. The researchers also detected median eyes in other, approximately 500-million-year-old arthropods. Depending on their evolutionary status, these arthropods had different numbers of median eyes. In future, the number and shape of the single eyes will help to classify the evolutionary status of individual arthropod species. The researchers have published their findings in Scientific Reports. Arthropods usually have two types of eyes: compound eyes and the so-called 'median eyes' or middle eyes. The latter are located in the middle of the forehead between the compound eyes. Only trilobites, an important group of arthropods in the Paleozoic, did not seem to have had median eyes. This was the assumption until Schoenemann and Clarkson examined a specimen of the trilobite Aulacopleura koninckii in which part of the head had been scraped off. They found three almost identically shaped dark, inconspicuous and tiny oval spots of the same size at the front of the head. These three structures are parallel to each other and fan out slightly on the underside. All three spots are characterized by a smooth, clear outline and a uniform, dark brownish color. "This clear, regular appearance distinguishes this structure from random formations produced by decay or fossilization, and corresponds to the expected relics of simple median eyes equipped with a pigment layer. Even if it is a single find, it supports the assumption that trilobites originally had median eyes," Schoenemann explained. In the trilobite Cyclopyge sibilla, which lived in the free ocean, the researchers also found three cup-shaped median eyes on the so-called glabella, the region in the middle of the forehead between the large compound eyes, which even apparently had a lens not unsimilar to human eyes, and were thus clearly more differentiated and probably much more efficient than those of the bottom-dwelling trilobite Aulacopleura. In their article, the researchers also consider why the median eyes of trilobites have escaped detection until now: "These eyes are present in trilobites at the larval stage, but lie beneath what is probably a thin, transparent carapace (cuticle), which becomes opaque during fossilization. Both explain why they have remained undiscovered until now," she added. Thus, the researchers have solved the mystery of missing middle eyes in trilobites. Schoenemann said, "These cup eyes are derived from those of the primitive stump-footed animals, so-called velvet worms, small worm-like animals with legs. The original number of median eyes is 2, which present-day, very conservative arachnids still have. In phylogenetic, very primitive arthropods (e.g. Cindarella eucalla from the lower Cambrian of China) there are 4, modern animals, such as insects and crustaceans, have only 3. With the help of the number of median eyes in an arthropod, we now have an important tool to determine its position in the evolutionary tree." More information: Brigitte Schoenemann et al, The median eyes of trilobites, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31089-7 Journal information: Scientific Reports 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 quartet of seismologists at The Australian National University, in Canberra, Australia, has found that an earthquake that struck near the town of Woods Point, in Victoria, Australia, back in 2021, was due to a blind fault. In their paper published in Seismological Research Letters, Sima Mousavi, Babak Hejrani, Meghan Miller and Michelle Salmon describe their analysis of seismological data collected from multiple schools in the region and what they learned from it. Victoria is the second smallest state in Australia and is located in the southeastern part of the country. It is also the most densely populated, which means that a lot of people are at risk when an earthquake strikes. The state has a long history of earthquakes, though none have been responsible for heavy damage or loss of life. Still, seismologists are concerned that a large earthquake could occur close to more populous areas due to a blind faultwhere a fault exists but there is no evidence of it on the surface. Such faults tend to be discovered only when they cause earthquakes. Because of such risk, government officials have worked with local entities to install seismographs in various places across the state, allowing them to track small tremors from blind faults. As part of that program, seismographs have been installed in a number of schools, all of which are manned by teachers or others in the area who know how to work them. In 2021, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake occurred, with its epicenter near the town of Woods Point. Fortunately, the quake occurred in one of the few sparsely populated parts of Victoria, which meant that nobody was killed and there was very little damage. Most of the damage occurred in Melbourne, the largest city in Victoria, though it was over a hundred miles away. In this new effort, the researchers collected seismology data from the network of schools and then used it to pinpoint the true nature of the earthquake. In so doing, they found that the quake was centered over a blind faultone that had never been identified before. They noted also that there have been over a thousand aftershocks since 2021. They conclude by pointing out that tracking such information is a vital part of earthquake research for the country, helping to identify future threats. More information: Sima Mousavi et al, Hypocenter, Fault Plane, and Rupture Characterization of Australian Earthquakes: Application to the September 2021 Mw 5.9 Woods Point Earthquake, Seismological Research Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1785/0220220348 Journal information: Seismological Research Letters 2023 Science X Network 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: Cookie Kennedy was out for a walk with a friend one day this winter when she felt a familiar dread creep up on her. As the pair strolled the north shore of Indian Rocks Beach, the small Pinellas County city where Kennedy is mayor, they were forced to weave their way through a thickening crowd of beachgoers. The land where they stood had shrunk. Pinellas County's beaches are washing away. For decades, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers replenished them, pumping tons of sand every few years onto an 8-mile stretch of Sand Key, the barrier island home to the county's beach communities. Then a new Corps policy created a standoff with the county. A renourishment originally scheduled for 2024 won't happennot next year, anyway. Kennedy knew all this, but standing on the beach, she was so disturbed she felt local leaders had to try something new. Months later, they're on a path that may bring them the closest they've gotten yet to resolving the impasse. It goes through a building a Pinellas contingent visited earlier this month: the White House. "I think we were at a standstill for quite a while now and had lost hope," Kennedy said in an interview. "I just remember, once I saw the beach, I knew who to call." That was Pinellas County Commission Chairperson Janet Long. Long, too, has been stymied by what she and other officials characterized as a lack of communication with and accountability for the Corps. This time, they decided, they had to aim higher. The conflict began with a new policy from the Corps: It says to do the work, it needs permanent easements from the property owners along the beach. Those easements would include some beach and dunes, but also some private backyards. Many owners don't want to sign their land away. It created a bind for Pinellas County, which has plenty of reasons to want to replenish its beaches: They're a recreational asset for residents and the heart of the county's tourism industry. They provide crucial habitats for endangered sea turtles and birds. And in the event of a major storm, the beach provides "the first line of defense," said Kelli Levy, the county's public works director. Long, who has spent decades in state and local government, started reaching out to friends and acquaintances with White House connections. Last month, she met for a few minutes with President Joe Biden during his visit for Tampa and told him that Pinellas needed help saving its beaches. Soon, her connections yielded an offer for a video chat with a White House official. "I said, 'We're coming up there to see you, and I don't want to just have a Zoom call,'" Long remembered. "I said, 'We have to have eyeball-to-eyeball conversation.'" So on March 6, Long, Kennedy and Levyalong with Brian Lowack, the county's intergovernmental liaisongiddily found themselves in a West Wing conference room. Leading the White House contingent was its own intergovernmental affairs director, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, who's also a senior adviser and assistant to Biden. For more than an hour, Chavez Rodriguez and her team listened while Pinellas officials explained the conundrum. More than half of the property owners along the Sand Key project area have yet to provide easements. Though the county has promised that private property will remain private, some residents have said they fear the easements would make their backyards into public spaces. (The Sand Key project notably excludes ritzy Belleair Shore, notorious for keeping its beach private.) Officials, including Levy, were tasked with trying to convince the public that it was a necessary measure, but it was hard to fault some of the objections. Not only had the Corps never required permanent easements before, but some of the easements it now wanted were on or inland of protected dunes, land it couldn't touch anyway. Levy said the Pinellas group also emphasized the many important roles beaches play in Pinellas, especially in storms. A storm the size of Hurricane Ian would wreak havoc on Pinellas; a direct hit without the protection of the beaches would be even worse. "If that beach were not there, what would happen to all the public and private infrastructure out there?" she said in an interview. "What would be the losses?" The losses may already be coming. The Corps allowed a one-time exception to its policy so the 2018 renourishment could go on as scheduled, but it hasn't budged on this cycle. Even if it had a change of heart today, Levy said, it would be 2025 or 2026 before Sand Key got new sand. Meanwhile, Sand Key has been critically eroded, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection reported last year. At Indian Rocks Beach, where Kennedy noted the disappearing shore, 29% of the sand pumped in 2018 remains, Levy said. In North Redington Beach, it's 0%. There, seawater has begun to infiltrate water pipes, Long said, posing a slower but major threat to local infrastructure. The White House officials seemed receptive, Long said, and they quickly followed up to ask for more information. The Pinellas contingent doesn't know what will happen next, though Long said she expects to hear some news soon. "It gives us hope," she said. "I feel like we've moved the dial." The next day, waiting to board a plane home, the Pinellas group saw a familiar face: Bishop Emeritus Robert Lynch of the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg. They hoped it was one more good sign. If enlisting the president of the United States doesn't work, they might have to appeal to an even higher power. 2023 Tampa Bay Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) Senator Francis Tolentino called on the poll body to push back the July 3-7 filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE). Ako po ay nakiusap sa Commission on Elections (Comelec) na i-postpone ang filing of certificate of candidacy sa August, huwag po sa July. Dahil napakaaga po ng July. It will burden local government units. Magkakaroon ng napakaraming ban, Tolentino told reporters at the Senate on Monday. [Translation: I asked the Commission on Elections to postpone the filing of certificate of candidacy to August, not to July. Because July is so early. It will burden local government units. There will be so many bans.] At it will entail administrative expenses on the part of the Philippine National Police. Katakot-takot na checkpoint yan, gun ban na ang daming ide-deploy na tao, resources, he added. [Translation: And it will entail administrative expenses on the part of the Philippine National Police. So many checkpoints need to be put up, gun bans where a lot of people and resources will be deployed.] Tolentino maintained that moving the COC filing at a later period will not affect the rest of the activities for the elections. He also claimed that other lawmakers, including some members of the House of Representatives, have asked his help regarding the deferral of the COC filing. Meanwhile, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the proposal is being discussed by the poll body. The later filing date of COCs for the BSKE is sensible and will be seriously considered by the poll body. There were already initial discussions on this matter by the en banc several days ago, he said in a text message. Garcia stated that a final decision may be reached on Wednesday. According to Garcia, the early COC filing period was set to give the poll body ample time to resolve election-related cases. The Barangay and SK elections will take place on Oct. 30. Campaign activities are not allowed from July 8 to Oct. 18, ahead of the campaign period set for Oct. 19 to 28. 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: E. S. Nugraha/Shutterstock In an increasingly digitalized and automated world, education organizations worldwide have recognized critical thinking as a vital and valued skill in the 21st century. It equips students with the ability to criticize and sift through the large amounts of information now at their fingertips, and analyze unique problems to create novel solutions. In many countries, including Indonesia, critical thinking is enshrined in policy. Indonesia's newest curriculum, for instance, dubbed "Kurikulum Merdeka" (Freedom Curriculum) for its emphasis on personalized learning, explicitly states critical thinking as an essential quality for graduates. One of Indonesia's first policies that specifically mandated Indonesian teachers to embed critical thinking in their classroom was enacted in 2010more than a decade ago. Yet despite the existence of such policies, our recent study finds that many Indonesian teachers still struggle to teach and cultivate the skill. Though awareness of critical thinking is high, when teaching the skill, teachers still fall back on old habits ingrained in Indonesian education. This includes a culture of rote learning (lessons based on memorizing information) and "teaching to test." In the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests in 2018, Indonesian students ranked within the bottom ten out of nearly 80 participating countries. They attained very low marks in a number of critical thinking-related indicatorsnamely literacy and numeracy. Old habits die hard One reason for this problem lies in the questions Indonesian teachers pose in their classrooms. In our study of English classrooms in a number of Indonesian high schools, we found that instead of encouraging students to think and reflect, teachers strictly follow an "initiate-respond-evaluate" pattern of instruction. In other words, teachers stick to merely "testing" or "quizzing" students and telling them whether the answer is correct. This sort of teaching mentality is still pervasive in Indonesia. Teachers have long been expected to prepare students for high-stakes, largely multiple choice exams, such as the National Exams (Ujian Nasional). Though Indonesia's education ministry stopped these examsfirst introduced in 1965in 2020, their 55-year effects still linger among teachers. For instance, in addition to introducing learning objectives for critical thinking, the government also established a new PISA-like assessment to replace the old exams. These were low-stakes tests and used strictly for measuring and evaluating the progress of students' learning nationwide. In response, however, teachers still focused on ensuring students could ace these new standards and evaluations with high marks. The assessment methods changed, but the testing mentality remained. This obsession with high scores and right answers is not compatible with teaching for critical thinking, which requires students to apply, analyze, evaluate and create solutions to problems. Another finding in our study is that teachers often miss out on opportunities to promote critical thinking in their questioning activity. As they are stuck in these initiate-respond-evaluate patterns, after evaluating students' responses, teachers quickly move on to next questions instead of allowing further and richer discussion to emerge. This also deters students from asking questions and positions them as passive recipients of knowledge. Since students are fully aware teachers will evaluate their answers, they feel uncomfortable about participating in classroom activities. The fault doesn't just lie with teachers Although the government has included critical thinking as learning objectives for students, traces of the testing mentality are also still evident in recent education policies aimed at fostering the skill. In the current curriculum, teachers are tasked to design sets of questions to engage students' analytical cognitioncommonly known among teachers as "Higher Order Thinking Skills". But the goal is still assessing (rather than teaching) students. Indonesian policymakers seem to think fostering critical thinking merely means extending classic test-type questions beyond basic memorisation of facts and figures, to slightly more complex exam questions. Studies suggest this type of thinking is common among outcome-based education systems such as Indonesia. How to improve critical thinking instruction A better understanding of critical thinking is requiredone that requires students to consider alternatives, find solutions to problems and be able to explain their reasoning. But for this to flourish, a supportive and safe classroom climate is essential. Students need opportunities to express their ideas and voice their opinions and concerns. They must engage in open and reflective dialogue with each other and their teachers. In our ongoing research, we are currently collaborating with select teachers in West Java to experiment with project-based learning. One classroom, for instance, drew students to discuss and reflect on certain social issues in preparation for a podcast project. Through active groupwork and peer work, teachers dismantle the traditional initiate-respond-evaluate pattern, positioning students rather than themselves as the focal point of the class. Students independently research issues and develop their own podcasts to critically reflect on the causes and effects of selected social issues and to offer well-reasoned solutions. Traditional teacher-centric instruction has its benefits in terms of easier classroom management. But critical thinking needs a more democratic and inclusive learning environment. This way, students are more engaged with thought-provoking concepts. The permanent discontinuation of the National Exams in 2020 is a milestone that will hopefully be the start of ending the pervasive testing culture in Indonesian education. Now teachers must develop new strategies to engage their students in critical thinking. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: This research project tracked almost 600 mountain lions in 23 areas of California, assembling separate studies into a single, statewide study, a significant methodological advance for strengthening such scientific work. Credit: National Park Service Mountain lions are protected from hunting in California by a law passed by popular vote in 1990. However, a team of researchers working across the state found that human-caused mortality, primarily involving conflict with humans over livestock and collisions with vehicles, was more common than natural mortality for this protected large carnivore. Their findings were published March 20 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Most research on mountain lions is conducted at relatively small scales, which has limited understanding of mortality caused by humans across the large areas they roam. To address this, scientists from multiple universities, government agencies, and private organizations teamed up to better understand human-caused mortality for mountain lions across the entire state of California. The team tracked almost 600 mountain lions in 23 different study areas ranging from the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the northern redwoods, wine country north of San Francisco, the city of Los Angeles, and many other areas in the golden state. "Population dynamics of large carnivores operate at large scales, making it critical for researchers to collaborate across broad geographic regions that go beyond typical study areas to better understand population processes and connectivity," said John Benson, Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-lead author of the study. Benson and his colleagues found that mountain lions were at greater risk of mortality from humans when they were closer to rural development. Interestingly, they also found that mountain lions were less likely to die in areas where there were higher proportions of voters in favor of pro-environmental initiatives. Wildlife ecologist John Benson, an associate professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, poses with a coyote pup. Credit: University of Nebraska-Lincoln "Ecologists believe that human tolerance is critical to conserving large carnivores in landscapes shared with humans. However, it is rare that data on tolerance are included in the models we use to understand mortality risk," said Benson. "Of course, we acknowledge that voting records on environmental issues are not a direct reflection of this tolerance, but the strength of this result suggests that human mindset may be an important driver of mortality risk for mountain lions." A long-standing question in wildlife management is whether mortality of animals caused by humans adds to natural mortality, and therefore results in higher overall mortality. Managers often assume that some animals in wild populations exist as a "doomed surplus" that will die of natural causes if humans do not kill them first. If true, human-caused mortality should have minimal effects. However, the new study showed that populations of mountain lions in California experiencing greater human-caused mortality also had lower population-level survival rates, suggesting that humans do indeed increase overall mortality. Concerns about reduced landscape connectivity and local extinction of small, isolated populations in portions of the central coast and southern California led to the current consideration of mountain lions as a possible "threatened" species under the California Endangered Species Act in those regions. In contrast, large tracts of natural habitat in undeveloped public lands in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and northern California are occupied by large, healthy populations of mountain lions. The new research highlights the importance of understanding interrelationships between different populations across the state for long-term conservation of the species throughout California. "Young male mountain lions often move and breed long distances from where they were born, and are largely responsible for maintaining gene flow between populations," said Kyle Dougherty, a Ph.D. student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and co-lead author of the study. "Immigration of mountain lions from adjacent or more distant populations can also help compensate for high rates of human-caused mortality and maintain population persistence through a process known as 'source-sink' dynamics." To strengthen the understanding of factors that affect mountain lion survival, the research project incorporated a social sciences component by using a general gauge of human attitudes toward environmental concerns. Credit: National Park Service The new study of survival and mortality of mountain lions across most of California paves the way for a better understanding of these "source-sink" dynamics. "We tend to focus on survival of adult females because of their strong influence on growth or decline of individual populations," said Justin Dellinger, a carnivore biologist formerly at the University of California-Davis and co-author of the new study. "However, young males are the ones that move between populations meaning that their mortality, combined with barriers to movement imposed by roads and development, could limit the utility of seemingly healthy populations to act as 'sources' of new animals and genes for small, isolated populations." 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: Stanford University The United States has long touted itself as a nation built by immigrants. Yet there has never been a precise measure of immigrants' contribution to the country's economic and technological progress. Around the time that President Donald Trump was moving to curb employment visas for skilled foreigners, economist Rebecca Diamond and a team of researchers set out to examine this unresolved question. To find the answer, the researchers looked at the output of nearly 880,000 Americans who patented inventions between 1990 and 2016. They found that immigrants made an outsize contribution to innovation in the U.S. While they constituted 16% of inventors, immigrants were behind 23% of the patents issued over these years. It wasn't just a matter of quantity: The share of patents immigrants produced was slightly higher when weighted by the number of citations each patent received over the next three years, a key measure of their quality and utility. Moreover, immigrants were responsible for a quarter of the total economic value of patents granted in that period, as measured by the stock market's reaction to new patents. "The high-skilled immigrants we have in the U.S. are incredibly productive and innovative, and they're disproportionately contributing to innovation in our society," says Diamond, a professor of economics at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Past research has indirectly pointed to the sizable role immigrants play in American innovation. Studies have shown that immigrants represent nearly a quarter of the U.S. workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and more than a quarter of the nation's Nobel Prize winners. But this study, described in a recent working paper, is the first time economists have used patents to directly measure the output of foreign-born innovators living in the U.S. The data was clear: "The average immigrant is substantially more productive than the average U.S.-born inventor," write Diamond and her colleagues, Abhisit Jiranaphawiboon, a Ph.D. student at Stanford GSB; Beatriz Pousada, a Ph.D. student at Stanford; Shai Bernstein of Harvard Business School; and Timothy McQuade of UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. The researchers took a unique approach to their work. They started with a database of 300 million adults who had lived in the country between 1990 and 2016 and then used Social Security numbers to identify those who had immigrated after age 19. (The first five digits of a Social Security number encode the date it was issued; U.S.-born citizens typically receive their numbers at birth or in childhood.) Using names and address history, they matched individuals in the database to those listed as inventors with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. (When patents had multiple authors, each got credit for a proportional share.) The researchers found that immigrants generate patents across a broad swath of sectors, including computers, electronics, chemicals, and medicine. They also discovered that, while all inventors reach peak productivity in their late 30s and early 40s, immigrants decline from that peak at a slower rate than U.S.-born inventors over the rest of their careers, a disparity that remains unexplained. The immigrant innovation gap Diamond believes there are several potential reasons for the innovation gap between immigrant and native-born inventors. One is brain drain: "There's likely a pretty strong positive selection in terms of the types of people from every country that end up as high-skilled professionals with U.S. visas," she says. Another factor is cross-border collaboration: The researchers observed that foreign-born inventors are more likely to work with inventors based in other countries and cite foreign technologies in their patents. "Different pools of knowledge get imported by immigration, and diversity in background is good for innovation," Diamond says. Diamond and her team also found evidence that immigrant inventors are more likely to live in innovation hubs, such as Silicon Valley or Boston, and to work on patents in cutting-edge technology sectors. Still, the researchers estimate that these two factors explain just 30% of the gap in patent output. Immigrant inventors' contributions go beyond their own workthey also make their native-born collaborators more productive, the researchers discovered. To arrive at this finding, Diamond and her team identified inventors who died before they turned 60 and examined the output of people who had co-authored a patent with that individual before their early death. Compared to a control group of inventors that did not lose a collaborator, surviving inventors produced 10% fewer patents after the death of their co-author. The effect was larger for inventors whose deceased co-author was an immigranttheir productivity declined by 17%. This gap persisted even after the researchers controlled for a number of factors, such as the productivity of the deceased inventors. "At the end of the day, we weren't really able to explain the gap," Diamond says. "It seems there's something special about being an immigrant. Their knowledge has these huge external effects on who they work with, and what they know impacts what their collaborators can produce in the future." Diamond believes these findings have direct implications for policymakers who want to maintain the nation's role as a technological trailblazer. "Understanding the forces that make the U.S. one of the most innovative and productive countries in the world is important," she says. "The U.S. has done an amazing job of attracting the best and the brightest immigrants. Any policy that would revamp the visa process might want to consider how big a deal immigrants are in our innovation output." More information: The Contribution of High-Skilled Immigrants to Innovation in the United States: www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-r vation-united-states 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: High-speed camera frame of a detonation wave propagating through a liquid-filled, 3D-printed, high-explosive lattice. The lattice was switched on when it was filled with water. Credit: Los Alamos National Laboratory In an effort to mitigate accidental detonations of stored explosives, a multidisciplinary team of Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists developed a way to create "switchable" high explosives that won't detonate unless activated by being filled with an inert fluid, such as water. Their findings were published March 17 in Physical Review Letters. "A system that is completely insensitive to unplanned stimuli but switches to high performance during use is the holy grail of high explosives," said Los Alamos scientist Alexander Mueller, principal investigator for the project. "We've designed a high explosive system that won't work when it's not supposed to, like during transport and storage, but can quickly be made ready when required." For military planners, personnel who might work with explosives and communities near operations such as mining and munitions, the volatility of certain high explosives presents a potential hazard. Impact, heat and friction are all sensitivities that can produce an unplanned explosion with high explosive materials. For example, the accidental detonation of stored ammonium nitrate in Beirut, Lebanon, in 2020 killed more than 200 people, including workers and nearby residents. Equivalent to an earthquake, the explosion leveled the port district and was felt across the country and the region. While unusually large, the event was not unprecedented; one estimate showed that 500 unplanned explosions occurred at munitions plants from 1979 to 2013. The Los Alamos team used additive manufacturing techniques to fabricate high-explosive charges with a lattice structure that by themselves cannot sustain detonation. In experimentation that marked the first time quantifying the effectiveness of the high-explosive charges, the team found that an unfilled charge's Gurney energythe propulsion resulting from an explosive's gaseous products expandingwas 98% lower than that of an equivalent water-filled charge. That means that the unfilled high-explosive charges can be safely transported, handled and stored without risk of detonation. Their experimentation also had the team tuning the detonative performance of the system by changing the mechanical properties of the fluids in fluid-filled charges. The team found that replacing water with higher density fluids increased propulsion by up to 8.5% and decreased detonation velocity by 13.4%. The results point to the technology's possible tenability for a variety of industrial purposes. "The data suggest a tuneability allowing to optimize the energy delivery for different applications," said Cameron Brown, scientist at Los Alamos and lead author on the paper. "Insight into the Gurney energy and detonation velocity of filled and unfilled charges presents a path forward for quantifying the detonative performance of switchable explosives with different structural parameters, and optimizing them for mining, oil and gas exploration, blasting or military applications." Further experimentation and data will help evaluate performance with different charge structures and fill fluids. The improved technology, though, offers a path for improving industrial safety and even for making safe things like unexploded ordinance, which in many places can be a hazard for civilians during or after conflicts. The development of switchable high explosives technology, it is hoped, may make disasters and accidents a thing of the past. More information: Cameron B. Brown et al, Switchable Explosives: Performance Tuning of Fluid-Activated High Explosive Architectures, Physical Review Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.116105 Journal information: Physical Review Letters 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: Muscle membrane-derived Giant Plasma Membrane Vesicles (GPMVs). These isolated large membrane units, coupled with advanced microscopy applications, enabled a close analysis of the architecture of the otherwise difficult-to-study cell membrane lipid bilayer, giving insight into an unknown pathological mechanism of a recently discovered, severe human inherited disease. Credit: Cikes/IMBA Muscle degeneration, the most prevalent cause of frailty in hereditary diseases and aging, could be caused by a deficiency in one key enzyme in a lipid biosynthesis pathway. Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences characterize how the enzyme PCYT2 affects muscle health in disease and aging in laboratory mouse models. The findings are published in Nature Metabolism. Muscle degeneration in inherited diseases and aging affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Degeneration of skeletal muscles, the body's protein reservoir, leads to general physiological decline, a condition called frailty. Now, a research team led by Domagoj Cikes at IMBA and Josef Penninger at IMBA and the University of British Columbia (UBC) uncover the central role of an enzyme called PCYT2 in muscle health. PCYT2 is known as the bottleneck enzyme in a major synthesis pathway of ethanolamine-derived phospholipids, the phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs). Based on patient data and using laboratory mouse and zebrafish models, they show that mutations affecting PCYT2, or its reduced activity, are conserved hallmarks of muscle degeneration across vertebrates. Specifically, they demonstrate that PCYT2 deficiency in muscles affects mitochondrial function and the physicochemical properties of the myofiber membrane. Membrane rigidity, aging, and conservation in vertebrates Lipids are ubiquitously present in biological membranes and are present at particularly high concentrations in the membranes of nerve cells and neural tissues. Following reports that PE-based molecules enhance the membrane rigidity of liposomes, Domagoj Cikes, the study's co-corresponding author and a former postdoctoral researcher in the Penninger lab at IMBA, hypothesized that this lipid species may play an important role in tissues subjected to constant shear stress, such as muscle tissue. "This assumption prompted me to selectively deplete PCYT2 in muscle tissues of animal models and study the outcome. In parallel, clinicians reported patient cases of mutations affecting PCYT2. The patients presented a condition called complex hereditary spastic paraplegia, a severe, multi-symptomatic disease characterized by leg muscle weakness, stiffness, and muscle wasting that worsened with time. However, given that the disease was just recently discovered, the underlying pathophysiological biology is vastly unknown," says Cikes. The researchers demonstrated that the levels of functional PCYT2 are linked to human muscle health and affect the muscle tissues of mice and zebrafish. The mouse models in particular showed striking and severe phenotypes of muscle growth retardation and quick deterioration upon PCYT2 depletion. They noted that this phenotype of fast deterioration in the mouse models resembled accelerated aging. Thus, Cikes and colleagues showed that PCYT2 plays a conserved role in vertebrates. Muscle membrane-derived Giant Plasma Membrane Vesicles (GPMVs). These isolated large membrane units, coupled with advanced microscopy applications, enabled a close analysis of the architecture of the otherwise difficult-to-study cell membrane lipid bilayer, giving insight into an unknown pathological mechanism of a recently discovered, severe human inherited disease. Credit: Cikes/IMBA PEs are also abundant in mitochondrial membranes. Therefore, the researchers examined how PCYT2 depletion in muscle tissues affects mitochondrial membrane homeostasis and found that PCYT2 depletion indeed altered mitochondrial function and muscle energetics. However, a mitochondrial therapeutic approach was not sufficient to rescue the phenotype in mice. "This prompted us to think that there must be an additional mechanism driving the pathology," says Cikes. Indeed, the team showed that the organization of the cell membrane lipid bilayer played an additional role. "This represents a novel pathophysiological mechanism that might also be present in other lipid-related disorders," says Cikes. In addition, the team demonstrated that PCYT2 activity decreased during aging in humans and mice. Using a targeted delivery technique of active PCYT2, the scientists were able to rescue muscle weakness in PCYT2-depleted mouse models and improve muscle strength in old mice. Technical advances to understand the biology and pathophysiology Having linked muscle health in vertebrates with PEs and muscle membrane composition, the researchers studied the role of lipid species in biological membranes. As biological work with lipids is particularly challenging, they also needed to think of ways to advance the available research applications. By adapting a technique developed by Kareem Elsayad at the Vienna BioCenter Core Facilities (VBCF) to measure tissue stiffness using Brillouin Light Scattering (BLS), the researchers were able to examine the physical properties of biological membranes. With this technique, the team demonstrated a considerable decrease in membrane surface stiffness when PCYT2 was depleted in mouse muscles. "In addition, our current work makes another leap forward in the field of lipid biology, as we were able to peek into the lipid bilayer of cell membranes and examine the local properties of structural lipids," says Cikes. The technique is based on isolating Giant Plasma Membrane Vesicles (GPMVs) from biological tissues and studying the physicochemical properties and geometry of the membrane bilayer by means of an intercalating dye. This approach allows the scientists to examine how well the lipids in the bilayer are matched and whether they observe gaps, hydrophilic components, and leakages through the membrane. The biology of lipidscrucial, yet understudied "Current knowledge on the biology of lipids is largely over-simplified. The whole lipid field is summarized into a handful of molecular families, such as cholesterols, triglycerides, phospholipids, and fatty acids. It is a vast and unexplored molecular universe where the function of most species in health and disease is unknown," says Cikes. By shedding light on the central effect of a lipid biosynthesis pathway in muscle health, Cikes and the team wish to highlight the importance and discovery potential of lipid research. "Our current work demonstrates a fundamental, specific, and conserved role of PCYT2-mediated lipid synthesis in vertebrate muscle health and allows us to explore novel therapeutic avenues to improve muscle health in rare diseases and aging," concludes Penninger. More information: Domagoj Cikes, PCYT2-regulated lipid biosynthesis is critical to muscle health and ageing, Nature Metabolism (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00766-2. www.nature.com/articles/s42255-023-00766-2 Journal information: Nature Metabolism Provided by IMBA- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences 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: Shutterstock Some 70% of the World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island has been closed to non-essential visitors in response to a recurrence of the plant disease myrtle rust. Myrtle rust, native to South America, was first detected in Australia on the Central Coast of NSW in April 2010. It is caused by a fungus that belongs to a group of plant pathogens known as the rusts. Rusts are among the most feared of all plant pathogens. They spread rapidly over thousands of kilometers on wind currents and can cause huge losses in plant production. For example, wheat rust research over the past 100 years at the University of Sydney has shown clear evidence of wind-borne rust spores traveling from central Africa to Australia. Wheat production losses due to rust have at times totaled hundreds of millions of dollars. Myrtle rust rapidly invaded the entire east coast of Australia in the years after it was first detected. It has caused the near extinction of at least three rainforest species, including the native guava (Rhodomyrtus psidioides) and the scrub turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens). The disease was detected at Lord Howe Island in 2016, and eradicated. Now it has managed to spread there once again. There are concerns if the disease is left unchecked, it could seriously alter the unique ecology of the island. Lord Howe is home to some 240 native plant species, of which more than 100 are not found anywhere else. How can the disease be controlled? Rust diseases in agriculture are controlled by the cultivation of genetically resistant plants, or by use of fungicides. These fungicides can kill existing recent infections and provide protection for up to four weeks. In other situations, such as horticulture and native plant communities, fungicides are used together with removal and destruction of infected plants. The 2010 detection of myrtle rust in Australia followed its detection in Hawaii in 2005 and China in 2009. It was later found in New Caledonia (2013) and New Zealand (2017). Research has shown the same strainknown as the "pandemic strain"has appeared in all of these countries. Several other strains occur in South America. Lord Howe Island has around 100 native plant species that are found nowhere else. Credit: Shutterstock It is likely the fungus spread to Lord Howe Island from eastern Australia on wind currents. The especially wet conditions along the east coast of much of Australia in 2022 led to an increase in the disease there. This, in turn, increased rust spore load and hence the chance of long-distance spore dispersal. In addition to being spread on the wind, the rusty colored spores produced by these fungal pathogens stick readily to clothing. These spores remain viable for at least two weeks under ambient conditions. Several wheat rusts of exotic origin are believed to have been accidentally brought in to Australia on travelers' clothing from North America and Europe. The chance of inadvertent spread of myrtle rust on contaminated clothing is why access to Lord Howe island has been restricted since last week. The second incursion into the island clearly shows how incredibly difficult rust diseases are to manage once they reach a new region. It points to possible recurrences of the disease there in years to come even should current efforts to eradicate it succeed. On top of the ability of rust diseases to spread rapidly over large distances, a further complication in controlling myrtle rust is it infects a wide range of native plants. Some of these species hold great cultural significance and/or are endangered. Endemic species of the myrtle plant family Myrtaceae that are dominant in many of the plant communities on Lord Howe Island are highly vulnerable to myrtle rust infection. Of critical concern are two species that occur only on the island: the mountain rose (Meterosideros nervulosa) and the rainforest tree scalybark (Syzigium fullagarri). The rust infects young leaves and also flowers, where it causes sterility. Australia brings expertise to the battle Australia has some of the best plant pathologists in the world and has long been a leader in controlling rust diseases in agriculture. This expertise, combined with world-leading scientists in the ecology of Australian native plants, has enabled solid progress in understanding myrtle rust in the Australian environment. Australian scientists have joined hands with New Zealand scientists to boost efforts to control the pathogen in both countries. Research is also under way at the University of Sydney and Australian National University to develop new DNA-based diagnostics to allow rapid identification of the different strains of the pathogen. These tests are especially important given only one strain of myrtle rust occurs in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania regions. The success of managing the impact of myrtle rust on the region's iconic flora against a backdrop of climate change will rely heavily on undertaking the research needed to gain a much better understanding of this damaging plant pathogen. Recognizing this, staff at the University of Sydney have convened a conference for June 21-23 this year. It will bring together myrtle rust experts to exchange their latest research findings and identify priority areas for research. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Aleksey Kurguzov/Shutterstock The pandemic has exacerbated the problem of school absences. When schools reopened, fewer pupils went to school than before the COVID-19 school closures. In England, 25% of students were consistently absentmissing 10% or more of classesin the 2022 autumn term. Before the pandemic, that number was only around 10%. The reported increase in absenteeism is most likely the result of the difficulties that young people faced during the period of home learning, as well as for some, extended disengagement from school during school closures. Students who attend school less frequently perform worse academically and are more likely to be excluded from school and to drop out. They may also feel less connected to their classmates and find it hard to get back into school. This may hinder their social and emotional growth. Absences from school have long-term consequences that extend beyond school and into adulthood. In a pre-print study (which means it has not yet been reviewed by other scientists) we have found that children who are persistently absent are more likely to obtain no qualifications and to be out of the labor force by mid-adulthood. As a result, if the pandemic effects on school attendance are not addressed, they will have negative consequences for children's educational achievement and future outcomes. Causes of school absences There are numerous causes of school absence, but not all students are at the same risk of being absent from school. Growing up in socioeconomically disadvantaged circumstances is a major cause of persistent school absenteeism. In England, 35% of pupils on free school meals were persistently absent in the 2021-22 autumn and spring termscompared to 18% of pupils not eligible for free school meals. It is hard to find direct evidence of why this is the case. In part, though, it may result from the impact of low socio-economic status on parenting. For instance, parents in lower-income jobs may be on rigid work schedules without the flexibility afforded to jobs with higher salaries. This may mean that they are unable to be involved in school or are not able to keep a close eye on whether their children are attending. Poverty does not just affect unauthorized absences. Its known impact on health and family stress also leads to higher rates of authorized absences from school as a result of sickness or family emergencies. Specific sociodemographic groups are also at a much greater risk of persistent absenteeism, such as Gypsy, Roma and Traveler children. In this case, the poverty faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveler families is likely to be a cause, along with the discrimination and bullying children may face at school. A recent meta-analysis (scholarship which analyses the findings of numerous research studies) found additional risk factors for school absences. For example, pupils with physical or mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, are more likely to miss school. Risky behaviors, like drinking or using drugs, can also make it harder to go to school. Things that happen at school can also be a risk for non-attendance. For example, a bad relationship between a teacher and a student, a low-quality education, or a negative school or class climate can make it less likely for a student to go to school. Supporting schools and families Since family socioeconomic status is a key risk factor for not going to school, improving family finances and combating child poverty should be at the center of efforts to get more pupils to school. Methods to reduce absenteeism should be tailored to the needs of individual pupils. The emphasis should also be on addressing the causes of both authorized and unauthorized absences, as both are equally harmful. Improved communication between schools and parents, discussions with parents about the reasons for non-attendance, and planning support for students and their families to overcome attendance barriers are ways to tackle school absence. Overall, supportive approachessuch as parents encouraging their children to attend schoolare better than punitive ones, such as financial and legal penalties. This is partly because punitive approaches do not address the underlying causes of absences such as poverty or health difficulties. Reducing the negative effects of school absences on children's life chances is critical. This could be done, for instance, by providing extra academic support to frequently absent children during and after school, or by trying to get children more engaged by providing social activities and boosting connections between classmates and also between pupils and teachers. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Fig. 1. Schematic of experimental setup for generation (part 1) and measurement (part 2) of the complex optical coherence structures of random light fields. Credit: Compuscript Ltd Optical manipulation and applications involve numerous fields, such as physics, information, materials and life sciences. It has been included in the national "14th Five-Year Plan" major engineering and projects. To better promote manipulation and application of the light beams, developing precision measurement technologies of optical parameters (such as intensity, phase, polarization and frequency, etc.) is vital, which is also an interesting topic. Compared with the fully coherent beam, partially coherent beams viewed as the dynamic random light fields are robust in complex environments. The amplitude and phase of random light fields fluctuate randomly over time. Significantly, the valuable information is embedded in the statistical properties of random light fields. The optical coherent structure of a random electric field, as a second-order statistical parameter, can determine the beam evolution behavior, far-field intensity distribution and light-matter interaction. Until now, the random lights with prescribed optical coherent structures have been found applications in coherence tomography, ghost imaging, super-resolution imaging and free-space optical communication. Recently, using the coherent structure of random lights as information carrier for high-security encryption and far-field robust imaging has also been proposed. The rapid development of optical coherence structures related research highly requires the precise measurement of optical coherent structures in return. To fully recover optical coherent structure, as a complex function, we must precisely measure their real and imaginary parts (or amplitude and phase) simultaneously. The optical coherence structure has traditionally been measured using Young's interference experiment, wherein its magnitude and phase can be predicted based on the visibility and position of the fringes, respectively. However, this experiment only considers two position points. Full characterization of the optical coherence structure requires that each point be scanned independently across the beam plane, which needs significant time and effort. Improvements to this experiment have been proposed, such as wavefront-folding interferometers, phase-space approach and self-reference holography, Hanbury Brown and Twiss (HBT) effect and generalized HBT effect have been developed to measure optical coherence structures. These methods involve a complicated, misalignment- and vibration-sensitive setup, or are limited to Gaussian optical statistic. Despite all efforts, measuring the complex optical coherence structure remains an open and great challenge. Recently, the research group of Prof. Yangjian Cai from Shandong Normal University proposed a robust, convenient, and fast protocol for precise measurement of the optical coherence structures of random optical fields via generalized Arago (or Poisson) spot experiments. It had rigorous mathematical solutions. This method only required to capture the far-field intensity of the obstructed random light beams thrice, and was applicable to any optical coherence structures, regardless of their type and optical statistics. Fig. 2. Measurements of coherent structures of random light beams subjected to Gaussian optical statistics. Credit: Compuscript Ltd Fig. 3. Experimental results of the optical coherence structures and the recovered dynamic images. Credit: Compuscript Ltd The simulation and experimental results of the real and imaginary parts of the coherent structure were achieved by this method. Compared with theoretical results, the structural similarity SSIM of the simulated and measured results are both higher than 0.98, which strongly demonstrated the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed protocol. In addition, they also conducted the measurements of the Schell mode sources and the non-Schell mode sources with non-Gaussian optical statistics. The relevant results were given in the manuscript, and proved this method was independent of the optical statistics and beam types of random light beams. With aids of this protocol, they also achieved dynamic optical images encryption and decryption with random light fields, in which the coherent structure function of random light beams was used as the information carrier. A dynamic (shifting and rotating) optical image "OES" was encrypted into the coherent structure with a key. In the lab, an ideal 20fps video can be decrypted. This technology has potential applications in the fields of optical information encryption, orbital angular momentum measurement, and optical communication etc. The research is published in the journal Opto-Electronic Science. More information: Xin Liu et al, Measurement of optical coherence structures of random optical fields using generalized Arago spot experiment, Opto-Electronic Science (2023). DOI: 10.29026/oes.2023.220024 Provided by Compuscript Ltd 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: University of Wyoming student Maxwell Packebush works with Silvia Sanchez-Martinez, a senior research scientist, to purify one of the tardigrade proteins used in a study showing that the proteins can be used to stabilize an important pharmaceutical for people with hemophilia and other conditions without the need for refrigeration. Credit: Thomas Boothby University of Wyoming researchers' study of how microscopic creatures called tardigrades survive extreme conditions has led to a major breakthrough that could eventually make life-saving treatments available to people where refrigeration isn't possible. Thomas Boothby, an assistant professor of molecular biology, and colleagues have shown that natural and engineered versions of tardigrade proteins can be used to stabilize an important pharmaceutical used to treat people with hemophilia and other conditions without the need for refrigerationeven amid high temperatures and other difficult conditions. The findings are detailed in Scientific Reports. The pharmaceutical known as human blood clotting Factor VIII is an essential therapeutic used to treat genetic disease and instances of extreme bleeding. Despite being critical and effective in treating patients in these circumstances, Factor VIII has a serious shortcoming, in that it is inherently unstable. Without stabilization within a precise temperature range, Factor VIII will break down. "In underdeveloped regions, during natural disasters, during space flight or on the battlefield, access to refrigerators and freezers, as well as ample electricity to run this infrastructure, can be in short supply. This often means that people who need access to Factor VIII do not get it," Boothby says. "Our work provides a proof of principle that we can stabilize Factor VIII, and likely many other pharmaceuticals, in a stable, dry state at room or even elevated temperatures using proteins from tardigradesand, thus, provide critical lifesaving medicine to everyone everywhere." The human blood clotting cascade. The clotting cascade of human blood plasma follows two prominent pathways; intrinsic, measured by Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and extrinsic, measured by Prothrombin Time (PT). To activate the intrinsic pathway, Human Blood Clotting Factor XII (FXII) acts as the first protein in a cascade of clotting factor activation. FXII activates FXI which activates FIX which finally activates FVIII. FVIII subsequently binds to and activates FX. To activate the extrinsic pathway, FVII forms a complex with Tissue Factor, activating FX. After activation of FX, both coagulation pathways converge. FX forms a complex with FV, converting prothrombin into thrombin. Thrombin then converts fibrinogen into fibrin, in turn creating a fibrin clot. Human plasma deficient in Factor VIII (highlighted in red) is unable to clot properly through the intrinsic pathway, unless supplemented with this factor, and thus clots more slowly. Adapted from Zaragoza and Espinoza-Villafuerte, 2017. Credit: Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31586-9 Measuring less than half a millimeter long, tardigradesalso known as water bearscan survive being completely dried out; being frozen to just above absolute zero (about minus 458 degrees Fahrenheit, when all molecular motion stops); heated to more than 300 degrees Fahrenheit; irradiated several thousand times beyond what a human could withstand; and even survive the vacuum of outer space. They are able to do so, in part, by manufacturing a sugar called trehalose and a protein called CAHS D. According to the research paper, Boothby and his colleagues fine-tuned the biophysical properties of both trehalose and CAHS D to stabilize Factor VIII, noting that CAHS D is most suitable for the treatment. The stabilization allows Factor VIII to be available in austere conditions without refrigeration, including repeated dehydration/rehydration, extreme heat and long-term dry storage. The researchers believe the same thing can be done with other biologicspharmaceuticals containing or derived from living organismssuch as vaccines, antibodies, stem cells, blood and blood products. "This study shows that dry preservation methods can be effective in protecting biologics, offering a convenient, logistically simple and economically viable means of stabilizing life-saving medicines," Boothby says. "This will be beneficial not only for global health initiatives in remote or developing parts of the world, but also for fostering a safe and productive space economy, which will be reliant on new technologies that break our dependence on refrigeration for the storage of medicine, food and other biomolecules." Boothby and other researchers hope that their discoveries can be applied to address other societal and global health issues as well, including water scarcity. For example, their work might lead to better ways of generating engineered crops that can cope with harsh environments. More information: Maxwell H. Packebush et al, Natural and engineered mediators of desiccation tolerance stabilize Human Blood Clotting Factor VIII in a dry state, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31586-9. www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-31586-9 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: Temperatures seen in recent years have stoked destructive storms and flooding, crop-wilting heatwaves and deadly droughts. The world will cross the key 1.5-degree Celsius global warming limit in about a decade, the UN said Monday, warning that devastating impacts of climate change are hitting faster than expected. In the final instalment of a major series of reports, delivered in a crucial decade in human history, the UN's climate advisory panel urged dramatic reductions in planet-heating emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's key message is that while humanity has driven the planet to the precipice of climate catastrophe, there is still time to steer global temperatures to within relatively safe limits. That will require enormous global effort. "Rapid and far-reaching transitions across all sectors and systems are necessary to achieve deep and sustained emissions reductions and secure a liveable and sustainable future for all," said the report's "summary for policymakers". Distilling the weight of scientific knowledge on climate change, the IPCC's work will form the basis of intense political and economic negotiations in the coming years, starting with the UN COP28 climate negotiations in Dubai later this year. The 36-page summarya synthesis of six major reports since 2018is a brutal reminder that while humanity has the tools to prevent climate catastrophe, it is still not putting them to use. Graph showing five scenarios of the evolution of the Earth's surface temperature, according to the IPCC. But it represents a "message of hope", the head of the IPCC told AFP. "We have know-how, technology, tools, financial resourceseverything needed to overcome the climate problems we have known about for so long," Hoesung Lee said in a video interview. "What's lacking at this point is a strong political will to resolve these issues once and for all." 'Betrayal' The IPCC said the world is currently set to reach 1.5C above pre-industrial levelsthe more ambitious and safer target of the Paris Agreementin the early 2030s, which will ratchet up the severity of impacts in the near future. "The fact that the people in power still somehow live in denial, and actively move in the wrong direction, will eventually be seen for and understood as the unprecedented betrayal it is," climate activist Greta Thunberg told AFP. At just under 1.2C of warming so far, the world today has already seen a crescendo of deadly and destructive extreme weather. The most vulnerable populations have already been hit hard. Unit costs of wind energy dropped 55 percent between 2010 and 2019. Solar fell 85 percent. "The warmest years we have experienced to date will be among the coolest within a generation," Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London and lead author of the report, told AFP. The benefits to society and the world economy of capping global warming under 2C outweigh economic costs, the IPCC said. Breaching 1.5C could signal extinctions on land and in the oceans, crop failures and an increasing possibility of reaching so-called "tipping points" in the climate system, including the death of biodiversity-rich coral reefs and faster melting of the polar ice sheets feeding sea level rise. 'On thin ice' In response to the report, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said wealthy countries aiming for carbon neutrality in 2050 or beyond should speed up their goal to as close as possible to 2040 in order to "defuse the climate time bomb." "Humanity is on thin iceand that ice is melting fast," he said in a video message, likening the IPCC report to "a survival guide for humanity". The report comes as the world has scrambled to shore up energy security following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with countries in Europe and Asia turning to heavily polluting coal, even as renewables rise. Huge swathes of Pakistan were submerged in enormous climate-driven floods last year. One of the fastest transformations will need to be in energy, the report said, with solar and wind power already increasing dramatically. But greenhouse gas emissions from existing fossil fuel infrastructure will be enough to push the world beyond 1.5C, absent the use of costly and emerging technology to capture and store the carbon pollution, the IPCC said. While the underlying IPCC reports are compiled by scientists, the summary document is agreed by governments from nearly 200 countries. Week-long negotiations on that text in Interlaken, Switzerlandwhich went two full days into overtimewere bogged down by fights over language. According to observers, negotiators from Saudi Arabia in particular tried to dilute passages that emphasised the central role of fossil fuels in driving global warming. Even if warming is capped at 1.8Can optimistic scenario, according to some scientistshalf of humanity could be exposed to periods of life-threatening extreme heat and humidity by 2100, according to research. In the synthesis report, these findings are shown in a world map of projected deadly impacts of humid heat across the tropics, especially in Southeast Asia, parts of Brazil and West Africa. 2023 AFP (CNN) Indian authorities have blocked internet access for about 27 million people in the state of Punjab for a third straight day -- one of the country's most extensive blackouts in recent years -- as police search for a Sikh separatist on the run. The Punjab government initially announced a 24-hour internet ban on Saturday as authorities launched an operation to arrest Amritpal Singh, a popular leader within the separatist Khalistan movement that seeks to establish a sovereign state for followers of the Sikh religion. The internet shutdown -- which affects everyone in the northern Indian state -- was extended by the government for a third time to midday Tuesday under a law that allows the connection to be cut to "prevent any incitement to violence and any disturbance of peace and public order." Police in Punjab have justified the internet shutdown as a means to maintain law and order and stop the spread of "fake news." Dramatic scenes captured on video and broadcast on local television showed hundreds of Singh's supporters, some holding swords and sticks, walking through the streets of Punjab. Police and paramilitary troops were deployed across several districts in the state in a bid to maintain law and order. At least 112 people have been arrested, Punjab police said Sunday, while Singh remains on the run. For decades, some Sikhs have demanded that an independent nation called Khalistan be carved in the state of Punjab for followers of the minority faith. Over the years, violent clashes have erupted between followers of the movement and the Indian government, claiming many lives. The violence reached a climax in June 1984 when the Indian army stormed the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Sikhism's holiest shrine, to capture armed separatists, killing thousands and reducing much of the building to rubble. The carnage roiled the Sikh community and India's former prime minister Indira Gandhi, who ordered the operation, was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in the aftermath. The Khalistan movement is outlawed and considered a grave national security threat by the Indian government, but maintains a level of support among some Sikhs within the country and overseas. In a statement Sunday, the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) condemned the "draconian" operation to arrest Singh and said it feared "Singh's detention may be used to orchestrate a false encounter and facilitate his extrajudicial murder." Over the weekend, some of Singh's supporters vandalized the Indian High Commission in London, prompting UK authorities to condemn the incident. The British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, called the acts "disgraceful" and "totally unacceptable." In a statement late Sunday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said it is "expected that the UK government would take immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute" those involved in the incident. "There is no place in our city for this kind of behaviour. An investigation has been launched by the Met into today's events," London mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted Sunday. India's internet cuts Internet shutdowns have become increasingly common in India, which has more than 800 million internet users -- the world's second largest digital population, behind China. Earlier this month, a report by Access Now, a New York-based advocacy group that tracks internet freedom, said India imposed 84 internet shutdowns in 2022, marking the fifth consecutive year the world's largest democracy of more than 1.3 billion people has topped the global list. The disruptions "impacted the daily lives of millions of people for hundreds of hours," the report said. The internet has become a vital social and economic lifeline for large swathes of the population and connects the country's isolated rural pockets with its growing cities. The government has repeatedly attempted to justify blocking internet access on the grounds of preserving public safety amid fears of mob violence. But critics say the shutdowns are yet another blow to the country's commitment to freedom of speech and access to information. This story was first published on CNN.com, "India cuts internet to 27 million as Punjab police hunt Sikh separatist." 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: Ethiopia's controversial mega-dam on the Blue Nile is the subject of a regional dispute with Egypt and Sudan. With half the world experiencing water scarcity for at least part of the year, the huge dams being built by some countries to boost their power supplies while their neighbors go parched are a growing source of potential conflict. Ahead of a UN conference in New York on global access to water, AFP looks at five mega-projects with very different consequences, depending on whether you live upstream or downstream. Mega-dam on the Nile The waters of Africa's longest river, the Nile, are at the center of a decade-long dispute between Ethiopiawhere the Nile's biggest tributary, the Blue Nile, risesand its downstream neighbors Sudan and Egypt. In 2011, Addis Ababa launched a $4.2 billion hydroelectric project on the river, which it sees as essential to lighting up rural Ethiopia. Sudan and Egypt, however, see the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as a threat to their water suppliesEgypt alone relies on the Nile for about 97 percent of its irrigation and drinking water. Ethiopia has insisted the dam will not disturb the flow of water and turned on the first turbine in February 2020. Iraqi, Syrian thirst Long used to drilling for oil, war-scarred Iraq is now digging ever deeper for water as a frenzy of dam-building, mainly in Turkey, sucks water out of the region's two great rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates. Turkey launched the construction of a gigantic complex of dams and hydroelectric plants across the southeast in the 1980s. In 1990 it completed the huge Ataturk Dam on the Euphrates River, just 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Syria's border. More recently, in 2019, the ancient town of Hasankeyf on the Tigris was submerged to make way for the massive Ilisu Dam. Iraq and Syria say Turkey's dam-building has resulted in a drastic reduction of the water flowing through their lands. Baghdad regularly asks Ankara to release more water to counter drought, but Turkey's ambassador to Iraq, Ali Riza Guney, ruffled feathers last July when he said, "water is largely wasted in Iraq". Syria's Kurds meanwhile have accused their arch-foe Turkey of weaponising the Euphrates, accusing it of deliberately holding back water to spark a drought, which Ankara denies. The Itaipu hydroelectric dam on the Parana River is a source of tensions between co-owners Brazil and Paraguay. China's Mekong dam spree China is a frenetic dam builder, constructing 50,000 dams in the Yangtze basin in the past 70 yearsincluding the infamous Three Gorges. But it is China's projects on the Mekong River, which rises in China and twists south through Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam, that most alarm its neighbors. The Mekong feeds more than 60 million people through its basin and tributaries. Washington has blamed China's actions for causing severe droughts in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. In 2019, the US monitor Eyes on Earth published satellite imagery showing the dams in China holding "above-average natural flow". Beijing insists its reservoirs help to maintain the stability of the river, by storing water in the rainy season and releasing it in the dry season. Water rivalry in Kashmir The Indus River is one of the longest on the Asian continent, cutting through ultra-sensitive borders in the region, including the demarcation between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan in Kashmir. The 1960 Indus Water Treaty theoretically shares out water between the two countries but has been fraught with disputes. Pakistan has long feared that India, which sits upstream, could restrict its access, adversely affecting its agriculture. And India has threatened to do so on occasion. In a sign of the tensions, the arch-rivals have built dueling power plants along the banks of the Kishanganga River, which flows into an Indus tributary. Tensions on rio Parana The Itaipu hydroelectric plant, situated on the Parana River on the Brazil-Paraguay border, has often been the source of tensions between the two co-owner nations. One of the two hydroelectricity plants that produce the most power in the world, alongside China's Three Gorges, had its energy shared out under a 1973 treaty. But Paraguay demanded more and eventually got three times more money from Brazil, which uses 85 percent of the electricity produced. In 2019, a new deal on the sale of power from Itaipu nearly brought down Paraguay's government, with experts arguing it would reduce Paraguay's access to cheap power. The two countries promptly canceled the deal. 2023 AFP 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 Throughout Russia's war against Ukraine, there have been countless reports of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Now, there are also allegations of genocide involving the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. The International Criminal Court has just issued two arrest warrants in connection with the transfer of Ukrainian children for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian commissioner for children's rights. While this is a significant legal milestone, the warrants might not necessarily lead to an arrestdue to a lack of enforcement mechanisms and the likely reluctance of the Russian state and potentially other states to cooperate. Re-education and forced adoptions There have been many reports on the forced transfer of Ukrainian children, ranging in age from infants to teenagers, to various locations in Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea. These transfers date back to the beginning of February 2022; in the case of occupied Crimea, transfers of orphans and children without parental care commenced as early as 2014. Russia is now believed to be operating a large-scale, systematic network of at least 40 "recreational" re-education camps for thousands of Ukrainian children. The primary purpose of most of these camps appears to consist of pro-Russian indoctrination and, in some instances, military training. While Russia does not deny the evacuation of children or that they are now in Russia, the government claims it is part of a humanitarian project for war-traumatized orphans. However, not all of these children are orphans. According to an investigation by Yale School of Public Health's Humanitarian Research Lab, children with living relatives in Ukraine have been "recruited" to attend camps in Russia for ostensible holidays. Consent from families is given either under duress or routinely violated. Once the children are in Russia or Crimea, their communication with family members is either restricted or nonexistent. Most children have been unable to return home. Troublingly, Putin's "patriotic patronage campaign" is also strongly encouraging Russian families to adopt purported Ukrainian orphans. There have been legislative changes to expedite the adoption of Ukrainian children and financial incentives for Russian families who do this. The exact number of Ukrainian children being sent to Russia is unclear. The Ukrainian government has officially identified 16,221 deported children as of early March. Other estimates suggest the real number may be as high as 400,000. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba recently said the forced transfer of thousands of Ukrainian children constituted "probably the largest forced deportation in modern history" and "a genocidal crime." Is the forced transfer of children an act of genocide? International law dictates what types of crimes constitute an act of genocide. These acts are exhaustively listed in the Genocide Convention, adopted in 1948. The legal definition of genocide has not changed in 75 years, and is accepted by and applicable to all states worldwide. Article II of the Genocide Convention lists the forcible transfer of children of a group to another group as one of the acts which may amount to genocide if it is done with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. Ukrainian children would be protected under this legal definition as a national group. The evidence, to date, also suggests the forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia for the purposes of potentially "integrating," or indoctrinating, them into pro-Russian culture has taken place. While definite proof of this specialized intent is required, the removal of children from their families, homes and culture suggests the purpose of Russia's "evacuation" of children may be to erase Ukraine's identity. Whether or not Russia succeeds is irrelevant; the attempt to commit genocide is also a crime. Russia's actions are comparable to the Nazis' "Germanisation program" in the second world war, in which hundreds of Polish children were transferred to Germany and subsequently adopted by German families. In addition to being a potential act of genocide, the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia may also be a violation of international humanitarian and human rights law under the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as a crime against humanity. Russia is a party to all of these international instruments and is therefore legally obligated to adhere to them. Who is investigating this? To date, separate investigations into the transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia are being carried out by: The arrest warrants just issued by the International Criminal Court are the first related to alleged crimes committed during the Ukraine war. The judges of the responsible chambers agreed there were "reasonable grounds" to believe Putin and Lvova-Belova bore responsibility for the "unlawful deportation" of Ukrainian children. Why evidence is crucial Successful criminal proceedings would require proof that the alleged perpetrators have committed genocide beyond a reasonable doubt. Conclusive evidence to this end will be crucial; the court will not be satisfied with a lesser standard. The types of evidence that could support a prosecution could include everything from witness testimonies to satellite imagery or video recordings. Any evidence must meet international standards and protocols for criminal prosecutions. Importantly, prosecutors would also have to demonstrate that not only did the transfer of Ukrainian children take place, but also that the perpetrators acted with the intent to destroy Ukrainians as a national group. This evidence, in particular, will be difficult to collectbut not impossible with modern technology. This allows for the collection of evidence in real time and the preservation of otherwise perishable evidence through, for example, social media. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: CC0 Public Domain A UN report on climate change released on Monday shows that the window to meet the goal of a 1.5-degree Celsius global warming limit is narrowing, a senior UN climate official told AFP. The report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that the world will cross this key global warming limit in about a decade. It "sets out in very, very stark terms where we are, but it also signals that there is still an opportunity with significant global effort to meet that 1.5 goal," Simon Stiell, head of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), told AFP in Copenhagen. "That window is narrowing, but the window is still there," he said, adding that "everyone" should work to fight global warming. "To be more specific, we know that 80 percent of emissions are generated within the G20. That is the very, very clear starting point. "They have 85 percent of global GDP. So the technology, the financial capacity to address the crisis resides there." 2023 AFP 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 Twenty years ago, the United States led the "coalition of the willing" in an invasion of Iraq, in the shadow of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US by militant Islamic network al-Qaeda. Western forces justified the war by claiming Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (which would never be found) and intended to help al-Qaeda. A long, drawn-out war created a power vacuum in Iraq, leading to civil war between Iraqi Shias and Sunnis, and repeated insurgencies against occupying forces. Both were exploited by the emerging militant terror group Daesh, better known as ISIS, whose leaders met and radicalized in US detention camps. While most Western forces finally withdrew in 2017, Iraq faces continued insurgency and political crises. "The people that we choseand the people we empoweredwere leaders of ethnic or religious extremists," reflected Lieutenant Heather Coyne, as early as 2004. "We made them, we put them in charge." Coyne was one of the US military members and contractors whose experiences of the invasion were captured by the "Iraq Experience" Oral History Project. It reveals a snapshot of Iraq at a key moment in time: just over a year after the war began. Culturally diverse armed forces The soldier-force Western militaries deployed to fight the War on Terror was the most diverse in history: providing language skills, cultural competencies and the ability to communicate with local women. It was also a representational device, reflecting the invading forces' rhetoric of pluralism, tolerance and equality. Yet these soldiers waged a deeply racialized and gendered war. Military policies around "collateral damage" and "enemy combatants" dehumanized enemies, allies, and civilians alike. Common threads of religious humiliation, sexual violence and racism run through reports of soldiers' conduct. Allegations of war crimes by Western forces bear the hallmarks of white male supremacy. Women and minority soldiers faced epidemics of sexual violence and racism within Western military institutions. I'm researching the experiences of women and minority soldiers deployed with US, UK and Australian militaries in the war on terror. In the project's first stage, I read through existing archives of interviews with veterans. The Institute of Peace think tank conducted interviews with military and contractors between June and November 2004 for a "lessons learned" project. Six of the 35 interviewees met my criteria: three women (all white) and three men: one Navajo, one African American, and one Iraqi expatriate. Half had military experience; the three civilians all had expertise in conflict management. The interviewees were proud of their mission and buoyed by hopes for the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections. Yet underneath this confidence were deep anxieties. Good guys or bad guys? Navajo marine veteran Eric Bauer connected with Iraqis similarly to how he'd connect with other Native Americans: talking about relationships, family and community rather than resumes. By doing this, he explained, "they knew who I was as a person, and vice versa." Bauer was tasked with the practical process of setting up councils in Baghdad. He had to figure out if those who wanted to serve as representatives were, in his words, "good guys or bad guys." In practice, this was "just getting people to talk about themselves," often for hours. One major struggle for the occupying forces was the problem of governance: how to create a new Iraqi political system that was representative, cooperative, friendly to Western allies, and had popular support. The first step in this process was "de-Ba'athification", a policy of removing any members of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath party from positions of power. The Iraqi Army was disbanded and public sector employees affiliated with the Ba'ath party were removed and banned from future employment. Once the old system was removed, the US attempted to build one anew. Interviewing so many Iraqis helped Bauer understand the holes in the policy of de-Ba'athification: "if you wanted a job that was, let's say a teacher or a doctor within the government [] you would take active part in furthering the goals of the Baath party, or at least swear allegiance to them now [] technically then, we would have to dismiss all schoolteachers." But this empathy for the struggle to survive clashed with his view that the Ba'ath party were fundamentally evil, and by extension those who cooperated were the same: "for a lot of them it was a way to get by. If you didn't have a moral conscience you would do it. Like I said, they weren't loyal to the principles of it." Failures of reconstruction Denise Dauphinais worked for USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives. As a civilian with foreign policy expertise, she was critical of how the US military handledor neglectedseemingly obvious tasks such as clearing rubble, preventing looting, and making the cities feel safe and liveable. Electricity supply was another major problem. The US administration had believed an oil-rich country would quickly become self-sufficient, providing energy supply throughout Iraqalong with the revenue to fund the ongoing US occupation. In reality, years of prewar US sanctions had crippled Iraqi infrastructure, which was then bombarded in the invasion itself. Months into the occupation, the occupying forces were unable to provide electricity and other basic services. Lieutenant Heather Coyne had worked on terrorism and conflict management for the White House and spoke Arabic proficiently. She worked in civil affairs in Iraq, for the Coalition Provisional Authority, where she used her language skills to connect with locals and hear their stories. By the summer of 2003, two months after the invasion, "people were not only miserable because it was hot, but because food was spoiling. You could only buy a certain amount of food because they couldn't count on their refrigerators working. It created such destruction in their lives." 'We put them in charge' The US was determined to prevent concentration of power by any one group, so they allocated different offices to the parties representing different ethnic and religious groups. But the result was a system of quotas that fostered sectarian conflict between those groups, as potential leaders traded on identity to consolidate their power bases. Bauer, who worked on setting up these councils, was very defensive of the quota system: "We carefully structured the councils to ensure that there was diversity in the representation because otherwise there would not have been [] People say, "well, that's not a democracy." No, it's a republic trying to get fair representation, not just mob rule." But Coyne, who was lower down the ladder, pointed out that the occupying forces had empowered extremists. The civil war between Shia and Sunni militias that emerged in Iraq from 2006 was one legacy of the new sectarian political system. So were the waves of protests calling for political reform in 20192021. Coyne found the emphasis on equality and representation ironic, even hypocritical. She remembered sneaking into a meeting with military commanders who were insisting more women be represented in local council: "The commanding general was pounding the table, "we absolutely need more women in these councils." [] Around the table, nods of agreement, shaking heads, absolutely this is incredibly important. I looked around the room, of 40 people in the room I was the only female and I wasn't really supposed to be there in the first place [] they're going around telling the Iraqis you need to elect more women and the Iraqis look at [Americans] and see only men." Loss of legitimacy and growing insurgency This ongoing US interference in supposedly Iraqi democratic institutions meant a loss of legitimacy. As a result, several moderate Sunni groups boycotted the 2005 parliamentary elections. Lack of trust in the new local authorities, combined with the effects of de-Ba'athification, propelled the growing insurgency. Munthir Nalu was an Iraqi expatriate who fled Iraq in 1991 and was recruited into the Iraqi Reconstruction and Development Council, an advisory body of Iraqi experts assisting the US Defense Department. Nalu was highly critical of the decision to disband the Iraqi Army: "I have many, many friends in the former Iraqi army, and they were crying. They said, please, find us a solution, we have nothing. We are sitting home with no salaries, nothing those opposition, they are fighting against us and against United States Army and the coalition, most of them from the Iraqi army." The thousands of newly unemployed men of fighting age were then attracted by sectarian militias, established by newly empowered leaders such Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Increasingly dangerous Iraq felt increasingly dangerous, the interviewees reported. Many were concerned about the influx of foreign fighters across the borders, and increased attacks on anyone associated with the occupying forces. Bauer felt lucky he was still able to move freely, because of his Navajo looks: "In Baghdad, the city is pretty diverse. I would go to the restaurants and shopping markets in the city and I never got a second look." Still, he acknowledged, "Pretty much everybody that was involved, I mean in any way involved with the Coalition [] you were a legitimate target." The interviewees were aware the US had fostered the sense of insecurity within the country. But they still felt the Iraqis, not the US, were ultimately responsible for Iraqi security. They failed to see the links between the US presence and the lack of security. What was the real goal? The weapons of mass destructionthe stated justification for the war were almost absent from the Iraq Experience interviews, because in late 2004, it was already apparent they didn't exist. Only Bauer mentioned them, and only briefly, stating: "He had them. I met the people that said he had them and I believe them." Instead, the interviewees focused on two interlinked justifications for the war: removing a tyrant from power, and spreading democracy. The Institute of Peace clearly selected interviewees that share the US government's ideological views. In the next phase of my project, I aim to interview women and minorities with a much broader range of experiences, including those who have become critical of the War on Terror as a result of their service. Nonetheless, these interviews from 2004 foreshadow the next 20 years of Iraq's history. The interviewees accurately predicted the US would remain involved in Iraq for the next few decades. Despite their belief in the mission, they were not convinced of their success. "I still think it was the right thing to do," Coyne admitted, "but we did it so badly that it's now backfired." What should they have done differently? The answer seems to be: everything. These interviews call into question the entire concept of a foreign military undertaking the mission of "nation-building." Twenty years later, perhaps the most prescient warning comes from Dauphinais: "the best that we can hope for [is that] the Iraqis will forgive us." This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: CC0 Public Domain In recent years, teleworkingspurred by the implementation of information and communication technologies and the recent pandemic, particularlyhas become a feature of many jobs. Many companies have now made this form of working available to their employees, but it is still far from common practice in today's labor market. Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) researchers have analyzed the different perspectives and perceptions on teleworking, looking at the wide range of factors that affect it, including the psychosocial aspects, productivity or costs. Their work is published in International Journal of Manpower. "We explore and examine different models to identify the factors affectingpositively or negativelyperformance of employees teleworking, showing how trust, excessive workloads, social isolation and work-related fatigue impact their performance," said Pilar Ficapal-Cusi, associate professor at the UOC's Faculty of Economics and Business and one of the study's lead authors. Research into the topic has shown that teleworking has a positive impact on the individual, group and organizational performance of companies and organizations. More specifically, comparative studies have shown that teleworkers feel more productive and display lower levels of fatigue. Nevertheless, other studies also indicate that the very conditions of teleworking may lead to an intensification of work, and consequently, prolonged mental or physical effort impacting staff efficiency and performance levels. "These results raise a dilemma, since on the one hand, we see favorable conditions and beneficial effects, but on the other, there may be a dysfunctional impact and limitations on optimal staff performance," said Ficapal-Cusi, also member of the UOC's i2TIC research group. The pros and cons of teleworking After analyzing data on more than 200 employees at different Spanish companies that have implemented teleworking, the authors saw that if these employees trust in teleworking, they have the perception that it will help them to be more productive. However, if they do not trust this kind of labor relationship, this perception of performance is diminished, which could also lead to social isolation or work-related fatigue problems. "Fatigue is the factor that has the greatest (negative) effect on teleworking performance, followed by trust, which is positive, and social isolation, which is once again negative," she said. In this context, the term "trust" means that teleworkers have a perception of support from their superiors, that this form of working does not negatively impact recognition of their contributions or their career progression. "Trust in teleworking establishes favorable conditions for fostering it and obtaining optimal performance from teleworking employees. Whereas, a lack of trust can lead to and accentuate the negative impact of social and professional isolation, asgiven that there is less perception of social supportit may undermine the positive effects of telework," Ficapal-Cusi noted. It is here that the absence of social connectivity is a significant variable in individual performance. While it is true that a reduction in irrelevant interactions and the availability of more time leads to greater effectiveness, if employees suffer from a feeling of isolation, this can negatively impact their on-the-job performance. Ficapal-Cusi stated, "Social isolation refers to an individual's feelings of a lack of inclusion or connection at work. Isolated employees have less trust in their skills and knowledge and have few opportunities to interact with colleagues, as well as a diminished capacity to manage things. That's why the role of managers is essential in facilitating the effective social integration of staff who telework." There are also other factors, such as overworking and work-related fatigue, which can negatively affect people's mindsets and productivity. Work-related fatigue is extreme tiredness experienced during and at the end of the working day that diminishes employee's physical and mental capabilities. "If someone feels they cannot deal with the demands of the job due to its complexity, time pressures or the great effort required to complete tasks, this gives rise to an overload of work, which is an antecedent to work-related fatigue," Ficapal-Cusi observed. Indeed, there is plenty of data pointing to how teleworkers who work very intensely, both at home and at work, can experience higher levels of exhaustion. The implementation of teleworking in Spain It is estimated that in Spain, one in six people in employment teleworks: between 14% and 17%according to the latest figures from the Survey on Information and Communication Technology Equipment and Usage in the Home, published by Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE)although demand for it is far greater. According to Ficapal-Cusi, "Teleworking is seen as a tool for attracting and retaining talent. However, it still needs to overcome a number of hurdles for it to become widespread, as it calls for some effort on the part of public administrations, companies and workers." According to the authors of the UOC study, trust in telework and in the organization promoting it needs to be the cornerstone of its on-the-ground implementation. This means that companies and other organizations need to focus on creating trust, ensuring visibility and supporting the career progression of teleworkers, so as to enhance their performance. Ficapal-Cusi said, "Trust is key in adapting to teleworking, and also reduces any feeling of isolation or fatigue." In this regard, to ensure effective implementation, it is also important to address perceptions of isolation and loneliness on the part of employees through the implementation of certain practices. "Face-to-face interaction, the ongoing exchange of information and leadership training have all been highlighted as good practices for preventing isolation," observed Ficapal-Cusi. Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that teleworking is currently closely associated with technology-dependent professions, and its implementation in certain kinds of jobs is still far from being a reality. "Its use in other sectors requiring a degree of onsite working is more problematic and will call for new formulas," said Ficapal-Cusi. "Distance management and an organizational design for a smooth transition to teleworking require bolstering employees' trust in teleworking and in the organization behind it, and establishing mechanisms to minimize feelings of social isolation and fatigue," concluded Ficapal-Cusi. More information: Pilar Ficapal-Cusi et al, The telework performance dilemma: exploring the role of trust, social isolation and fatigue, International Journal of Manpower (2023). DOI: 10.1108/IJM-08-2022-0363 Provided by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya SARATOGA Veterans, families and fellow Americans are invited to the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery on March 29 for a National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony. In a news release, the cemetery said the ceremony is part of a nationwide event to thank and honor Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. The local ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and will be held at first Committal Shelter. There will be signage upon entering the cemetery leading guests to the service. Keynote speaker of the ceremony is Vietnam veteran Lt. Col. John Brownrigg, United States Army, retired. Following Brownriggs speech, a lapel pin presentation for all attending veterans and surviving spouses of deceased Vietnam veterans will be held. No distinction is made between veterans who served in country, in theatre, or stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period. The release said that the Saratoga National Cemetery wishes to thank all Vietnam Era veterans and spouses for their service. On March 29, 1973, the final U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam, making 2023 the 50-year commemoration. In addition, around this date, Hanoi reported releasing the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war. The Vietnam War Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law by President Donald Trump, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The Department of Veteran Affairs estimates that today there are over 7 million U.S. Vietnam Veterans living stateside and abroad, along with nearly 10 million families of those who served during this era, the release said. The cemetery asks for help locating and thanking Vietnam veterans, spreading the word about this ceremony, and attending Saratoga National Cemeterys even to shake veterans hands in person. GLENS FALLS The Common Council has approved a letter of intent from Northern Power and Light for negotiations over renewable power sources in the city. Northern Power and Light, based in Saranac Lake, said in the letter of intent that they would work with city officials to secure hydro electricity credits from the Warrensburg facility to offset 80% to 100& of Glens Falls electricity expenses. The contract would also allow NP&L to source US-based Hydro Renewable Energy Credits to match the usage of the citys accounts served by NP&L, allowing the city to make a renewable energy claim. They are a small hydro facility operator mostly in the North Country and Adirondacks. They purchased the small hydro facility in Warrensburg and they are looking to use it as a Community Distributed Generation project, Jeff Flagg, economic development director said at last weeks Common Council meeting. If any of you are familiar with community solar, which is where you subscribe to an offsite solar facility and get credits for that, its very similar to that. Glens Falls would have credits billed at a 5% discount. If E Value is adopted, credits would be billed at 10%. According to letter, the city would see net savings of $25,000 to $50,000 per year. NP&L proposed a contract for two years with the city that will renew on an annual basis, with the provision that Glens Falls can exit or reduce the contract volumes at any time with six months notice. A low-income discount program was also proposed, which offers a discount of 25% to eligible residents. The discount program would be included in an outreach campaign put out by NP&L, celebrating the citys choice of supporting local renewables. Flagg added that in order for the project to kick off, it has to dove-tail with the New York Power Authoritys assistance to the city in the development and analysis of solar systems at two Queensbury landfill and two Glens Falls rooftop sites. Energy costs went up rather extraordinarily in the most recent contract we had. One of the benefits of this is that the two projects cant overlap. The Community Distributed Generation project would need to conclude, Flagg said. FORT EDWARD Bridge projects totaling several million dollars were on the agenda Friday during the Washington County Board of Supervisors regular monthly meeting. The board created capital projects for a bridge over Gray Lane in Whitehall and another bridge on County Route 3 in Putnam. The board appropriated $628,950 for the costs of design and right of way for the Gray Lane bridge. Eighty percent of the cost is expected to be covered by federal funds and 15% by state aid, leaving 5% for the county to pick up. Expenses for the County Route 3 bridge are projected at $2.58 million. The county has been awarded $2.45 million in state Bridge NY funding, with the county to contribute $128,908, or 5%. The board also signed off on transferring $19,902 to cover additional construction inspection costs to complete the Church Street bridge in Granville. Federal and state funds paid all but $995 of the extra expense. The total cost of the project, which started in 2019, was $4.1 million, with the county picking up $205,101 and the rest coming as state and federal funds. Granville Supervisor Matthew Hicks said he hoped this would be the last of the Church Street bridge resolutions. He jokingly passed bridge resolutions on to Whitehall Supervisor John Rozell for the next five years. In other business: Supervisors approved transferring $438,700 from the fund balance to replenish the Workers Compensation Reserve. The resolution noted that there were significant worker compensation claims as the result of the death of a local volunteer firefighter. The transfer apparently stemmed from the death of Whitehall firefighter James Brooks Jr., who suffered a torn aorta while responding to a fire on May 2, 2020. Brooks spent months at Rutland Regional Medical Center and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Center before his death on Sept. 17, 2020. The state Workers Compensation Board and the countys insurer, Benetech, initially denied coverage, claiming the injury was due to a pre-existing condition, but Brooks family won an appeal in July 2021. The insurer paid $1 million for medical expenses and a $50,000 death benefit, according to published reports. The board accepted a $400,000 NYS Local Efficiency Grant for the joint county-town replacement of the Fort Ann highway barn. The board appointed Joseph Brilling as temporary executive director of the Washington County Sewer District, at a base salary of $105,000. Brilling, a former executive director of the sewer district, will replace Jason Denno, who has resigned. Brilling will serve until a new executive director can be appointed. Budget Officer and Hampton Supervisor Brian Campbell said the sewer district has more issues than I care to go into. Denno brought them into the light, Campbell said, but he warned that raising sewer rates to bring in more operating funds and not dealing with personnel problems would only reduce the value of the buildings on the system and drive up property taxes for everyone else in the county. We need a solution and a new person, Campbell said. County workers who were told not to report to work due to the March 14 winter storm will be paid for their scheduled shift, supervisors decided. Essential workers who worked through the storm will receive an extra day of vacation time. We closed (county offices) exactly when we should have, Board Chair and Argyle Supervisor Robert Henke said. Campbell, Greenwich Supervisor James Nolan and Salem Supervisor Sue Clary praised county workers for their efforts to keep residents safe during the storm. Clary said a Meals on Wheels volunteer making a delivery realized an elderly woman was without heat and alerted county authorities. The woman was moved to a hotel for the night. Shell go back in her home and we wont find her frozen, Clary said. Henke noted that most hypothermia deaths happen at temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees. Henke announced that Cambridge Supervisor Cassie Fedler was absent because she is recovering from a farm equipment accident. The board set a public hearing for 10:05 a.m., April 21, in the supervisors chambers on a proposed local law providing for use of best value purchasing. The law would allow purchase contracts to be awarded on the basis of best value to a responsive and responsible bidder. It has been a long haul for nursing home residents and their families over the last three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced them to navigate visitation guidelines that slowly shifted along with fluctuating case counts. Now, the New York State Health Department has issued new guidance to reflect where things stand at this stage of the pandemic. In guidance issued to nursing home operators and local health departments on Friday, the Health Department said nursing homes are no longer required to verify that visitors have a negative COVID-19 test before entry or conduct active COVID-19 screening. That means New York is aligning its nursing home screening and visitor testing guidelines with the federal standards issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Enabling families to visit their loved ones safely remains a priority for the Department of Health, Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a statement. Our new guidance aligns with CMS guidance and recommends that facilities use passive screening, which includes providing visitor and staff education on COVID-19 signs and symptoms, and post instructional signage throughout the facility. The Health Department also recommends that facilities continue other practices, such as the use of a face covering or mask, having specified entries, exits and routes to designated areas as well as encouraging hand hygiene. At their discretion, nursing homes also may choose to continue visitor testing or active screening, the latter referring to requiring a visitor to complete a symptom-screening questionnaire, do an in-person interview and/or have their temperature taken. Further, the Health Department encourages facilities in counties with high levels of community transmission to offer testing to visitors. Based on current weekly metrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers Erie County to have a medium COVID-19 community level, which recommends wearing a high-quality mask or respiratory in indoor public places if youre someone at high risk of getting very sick from the virus. In the eight counties of Western New York, five of them Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties are at the medium level, while Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties are in the low COVID-19 community level, CDC data show. Facilities that decide to continue visitor testing can continue requesting testing kits in the monthly Health Electronic Response Data System (HERDS) survey, the state said. The kits will then be distributed from the state stockpile while supplies last. Improving the quality of life for aging New Yorkers includes making sure they have visits from family and friends, said Adam Herbst, the Health Departments deputy commissioner for aging and long-term care. For those who call these facilities home, this new guidance supports our effort to make visitation more accommodating, while keeping residents and staff safe. GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP Officials are dismissing the possibility of allowing outdoor marijuana farms in the township, but people interested in the business still have hope about the viability of the project. The Township Council recently issued a resolution denying Grasshopper Farms NJ a letter of support needed to secure full licensing from state marijuana regulators. Grasshopper Farms had been planning to operate a facility for outdoor marijuana cultivation, an idea that has polarized residents. Township officials stressed that an indoor-grow site for marijuana cultivation would be a permitted use, and Grasshopper officials said they would work toward opening such a business at the site. Mayor Anthony Coppola said the township did not include outdoor grow as a permitted use. He said authorizing outdoor grow would be a time-intensive process to which the township was not ready to commit, one that would involve the passage of a new ordinance and the clearing of several municipal regulatory hurdles. One of the conversations that I had early on with the developer is that indoor is permitted in the zone that theyre in, so thats really the path they should be taking, Coppola said. I think that everybody thought (outdoor-grow approval) was going to be a quick and easy thing, but number one, outdoor grow was never something that Galloway has ever allowed or intended to allow to begin with. Grasshopper Farms NJ would be run by Duane and Pam Demaree, farmers in the township, and Will Bowden, a Delaware resident who is also the CEO of Grasshopper Farms in Paw Paw, Michigan. The Demarees run Homestead Nursery at Galloway LLC, a division of Absecon Irrigation that focuses on growing trees and is located on South Cologne Avenue. Galloway council tables redevelopment plan for cannabis facility GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP Marijuana still dominates regular Township Council meetings even when co Indoor grow just not sustainable Duane Demaree said he still believed outdoor grow was more viable than an indoor alternative. He said potential marijuana businesses would benefit if not saddled with the costly capital requirements of indoor grow, as would surrounding residents. He estimated that indoor grow would be about 10 times more expensive to run than an outdoor operation. We feel that the sustainable aspect of outdoor grow is much more desirable to the community, to the industry, Duane Demaree said. Look at the impact of indoor grow, both the electricity thats used for indoor grow, the buildings that have to go up for indoor grow. Its just not sustainable. Bowden, who said he is a former police SWAT officer and a retired Coast Guard lieutenant commander, said Grasshopper Farms in Michigan created 45 jobs for residents. He said he decided to explore operating a marijuana farm in New Jersey as it is his wifes home state. He added he has received offers to open a marijuana facility from other municipalities. I wanted to keep with this, because of Duane and Pam, because for me its all about the people, Bowden said. Resident Anna Jezycki indicated everyone in the township was supportive of local farmers but that more research was needed into outdoor grow to demonstrate it would not have a deleterious effect on residents. Thats all were asking, is some education here, Jezycki said. Other concerns Deputy Mayor Tony DiPietro raised concerns after the meeting about the impact of an outdoor-grow facility on quality of life and public safety for neighbors. While expressing trust in Demaree, DiPietro said the township had an obligation to do its due diligence before amending its cannabis code and should continue to research the outdoor cultivation of marijuana as it had researched indoor cultivation facilities. Hamilton Township issues resolution of support for marijuana cultivation center MAYS LANDING The Hamilton Township Committee issued a resolution of support for a proposed It was too premature to update an ordinance when we didnt have full understanding of potential negative impacts, DiPietro said. The decision of the council, which consists entirely of Republicans, to ban outdoor grow was challenged by local Democrats. Galloway Democrats President Josh Smith said he was appreciative of the creation of a cannabis code to help bring the marijuana industry to the township but said the continued prohibition of outdoor grow amounted to cumbersome regulation on local business. He said the idea of marijuana legalization was broadly popular in the township when the 2020 legalization referendum was held and said the township has an abundance of arable land suited for outdoor marijuana cultivation. Smith added any promotion of marijuana could help raise revenue to combat rising health insurance costs. State law authorizes municipalities to impose a local cannabis transfer tax on recreational marijuana sales as high as 2%. I believe our next move should be removing the roadblocks for the outdoor grow for our farmers, Smith said. Our farmers are trying to be at the forefront of this movement in New Jersey. ... We should listen to our farmers. We are a growing community. Two-thirds of New Jersey voters voted in favor of legalizing marijuana in 2020. A similar two-thirds majority voted to legalize marijuana in Galloway. The council voted to allow for all types of marijuana business except retail in 2021. After legalization, the township sought to respond to the concerns of residents with respect to the potential nuisance effects of marijuana, particularly the smell. The council adopted its cannabis code Feb. 14, promulgating standards for marijuana businesses in the township. The code was designed by the township cannabis committee, which spent more than 10 months researching the marijuana cultivation business to mitigate its impact on residents quality of life. Among residents principal concerns was the odor that could emerge from an indoor marijuana cultivation facility, leading the council to establish what members have described as strict filtration regulations. A clause permitting outdoor marijuana cultivation was added to the proposed township cannabis code just before it was introduced by the council Jan. 24. Township officials said then the outdoor-grow clause had been hurriedly added to the cannabis code after conversations with developers. Several council members said they were uncomfortable with its inclusion in the document given the lack of research into the topic and ultimately voted to excise it from the code. The Demarees said they visited a career fair this month at Stockton University, where Duane said Grasshopper Farms attracted considerable interest from students, something he said excited him about the future of the industry. Demaree said marijuana could serve as a vital cash crop for small farmers like the ones found in Galloway. Farming, its a, I hate to say it, a dying industry, Demaree said. This is an opportunity for farmers to farm a crop that they can actually be profitable with. Indoor plan moving forward While stressing his preference for outdoor grow, Demaree welcomed the idea of pursuing an indoor-grow project at the site. He said he would reapply to the township and explore indoor-grow options. Louis Magazzu, an attorney representing Grasshopper Farms NJ, said at the Tuesday meeting they were looking forward to having a collaborative relationship with the township. He said Grasshopper Farms would prepare an application for an indoor-grow site in short order. Bowden said he was similarly positive in his response to the indoor-grow proposal, saying he was very happy to work with the township on moving forward with licensure. He said he understood the confusion in the township and other municipalities over how to cooperate with the newly legalized industry. Believe me, I was on the enforcement side of this for a very long time, OK, so I understand the confusion, Bowden said. I never understood I would be working in this industry, but I can promise you this: If given the opportunity to work with Duane and Pam, you will be proud of what you see and you will be OK with it, I think. (CNN) Xi Jinping has landed in Moscow for meetings with Vladimir Putin, Russian state media TASS reported Monday, the first time China's leader has visited his neighbor and close strategic partner since Russia began its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Xi's visit comes days after the International Criminal Court in the Hague accused Putin of committing war crimes in Ukraine and issued a warrant for his arrest. Ukraine is expected to be a key point of discussion during Xi's three-day visit, which will be closely watched for any potential impact on an entrenched conflict that has killed tens of thousands and triggered a mass humanitarian crisis. Xi's trip is likely to be seen in some Western capitals as a ringing endorsement of the Russian leader in the face of broad international condemnation of his war -- unless the Chinese leader is somehow able to deliver a concrete diplomatic breakthrough. "One way or another, the topics which are touched upon in [Beijing's peace] plan, of course, will inevitably be touched upon during the exchange of views on Ukraine [between Putin and Xi]," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday. "Of course, exhaustive explanations will be given by President Putin, so that [Chinese] President Xi Jinping can get a first-hand view of the current situation from the Russian side," he added. China has billed the trip as a "journey of friendship, cooperation and peace," amid a push from Beijing to frame itself as a key proponent for the resolution of the conflict. But Western leaders have expressed skepticism about China's potential role as a peacemaker and its claimed neutrality. The United States and its allies have instead since last month warned that China is considering sending lethal aid to Russia for its war effort, which Beijing has denied. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Chinas Xi arrives in Moscow for first visit since Russia invaded Ukraine." TOMS RIVER The former Ciba-Geigy chemical plant poisoned the ground and water in Toms River, New Jersey, where the rate of childhood cancer cases rose significantly in the 1980s and 1990s. It was one of the nation's worst toxic waste sites, was added to the federal Superfund cleanup list and still has a vast plume of chemically contaminated groundwater beneath it. State officials and the current owner of the site, German-based BASF Corp., think the fenced-off land, with some restoration work, could once again be fit for the public. Under a proposed settlement with New Jersey environmental regulators, BASF would carry out nine environmental projects including restoring wetlands and grassy areas; creating walking trails, boardwalks and an elevated viewing platform; preserving woodlands and building an environmental education center at a cost of about $30 million. If two emotional public hearings are any indication, most residents of Toms River, an upscale Jersey Shore community about 55 miles north of Atlantic City, want the state to scrap the deal and start over. In addition to a widespread feeling that the settlement fails to punish BASF for the conduct of Ciba-Geigy something it is not designed to do many residents still voice deep distrust not only of the company but of government, citing decades of neglect and lax oversight that allowed Ciba-Geigy to dump chemicals and dyes into the Toms River and directly onto the ground for years with impunity. As longtime environmental activist Peter Hibbard put it, "It was like they had a golden ticket to pollute." During a hearing March 13 that lasted nearly six hours, several residents said the site is too toxic chemically and symbolically to ever be used for anything again. "Why not just re-wild the area?" asked Summer Bardier, whose uncle worked at the plant and when he came home on hot days would sweat the color of the dye he was working on. "Why potentially cause other people to be harmed, exposed, injured and possibly killed? That land is off-limits now; people don't want to go back there." "The public is not going to want to use this for passive recreation," resident Phil Solomon added. Sean Moriarty, a deputy commissioner with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, grew up next to the Ciba-Geigy plant; he and his friends would hop the fence and play in the plant's woods, much to the dismay of his mother, a cancer nurse. "I wouldn't stand here tonight in front of a place that I still say that I am from if I didn't personally believe in the settlement the DEP is proposing," he said. In response to a question about whether he would build a house on the site and move his family there, Moriarty said he plans to bring his children to walk the trails once the projects are completed. Starting in the 1950s, Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corp., the town's largest employer, was flushing chemicals into the river and the Atlantic Ocean and burying 47,000 drums of toxic waste in the ground. This created a plume of polluted water that spread beyond the site into residential neighborhoods. While it has been reduced in size, the plume remains, and cleanup efforts will need to continue for years. Officials say Toms River's water is safe to drink. The state health department found that 87 children in Toms River, which was then known as Dover Township, were diagnosed with cancer from 1979 through 1995. A study determined the rates of childhood cancers and leukemia in girls in Toms River "were significantly elevated when compared to state rates." No similar rates were found for boys. The company paid millions of dollars in fines and penalties on top of the $300 million it and its successors paid so far to clean up the 1,250-acre site an ongoing effort with no end in sight. The settlement announced in December aims to have BASF the corporate successor to Ciba-Geigy compensate New Jersey for the environmental damage done by decades of pollution. But instead of simply writing a check, the deal obligates BASF to preserve enough land to recharge groundwater that was polluted when Ciba-Geigy dumped chemicals into pits or directly onto the ground. BASF said it remains committed to the settlement, which has yet to be finalized. "We look forward to preserving the land, implementing the planned restoration projects, and opening new possibilities to encourage recreation, learning and community engagement at the site," company spokesperson Molly Birman said. She noted the company continues to carry out its responsibility to treat groundwater at and near the site, which is separate from the proposed natural resources settlement. In 1992, Ciba-Geigy paid $63.8 million to settle criminal charges that it illegally disposed of hazardous waste, and it and two other companies reached a $13.2 million settlement with 69 families whose children were diagnosed with cancer. Here are the places where air pollution levels could soon be considered dangerous by the EPA Here are the places where air pollution levels could soon be considered dangerous by the EPA At least 12 cities are already above recommended particulate standards Air pollution has been linked to respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and cancer In some cities, reporting bad smells can help scientists identify sources of pollution Look up your city's air pollution levels ATLANTIC CITY The Board of Education voted Thursday to propose a budget totaling just under $287.8 million for the 2023-2024 school year. Bolstered by a dramatic spike in state aid, the budget amounts to a significant increase over what was budgeted to be spent this year, with the school district eyeing a new administrative building, other capital investments and professional-preparation programs. Board President Shay Steele said his focus was to reduce the burden on city taxpayers while pursuing new projects and endorsing the policies of Superintendent LaQuetta Small. I think were just heading in the right direction, Steele said after the school boards special meeting Thursday. I can truly say that right now I feel very comfortable with the district financially. Small declined to comment after the Thursday meeting. The proposed budget appropriates about $227.9 million for the general fund, $54.8 million for grant spending and $5 million for debt service. This years budget amounts to a nearly $19.6 million increase over the $268.2 million originally budgeted for the 2022-2023 school year, according to the advertised 2022-2023 budget on the district website, implying a proportional increase of about 7.31%. This includes an $8.9 million increase in the general fund and a $10.7 million in grant appropriations with debt-service costs remaining steady. The spending increase is funded primarily through a surge in help from Trenton. State aid being sent to Atlantic City Public Schools for the 2023-2024 school year now totals $115.2 million, according to recently published figures from the state. This amounts to a 19.9% increase over the $96.1 million in state education appropriated in the 2022-2023 school year, sending an additional $19.1 million to the district. It was the largest dollar increase in South Jersey, behind only the Camden City School District, which received an additional $21.8 million. (The largest increase in New Jersey went to the Newark School District, which received about $114 million more in state funding for a total of $1.15 billion.) The growing state aid has allowed for the budget increase to be paired with a tax cut. The overall tax levy for the 2023-2024 school year is set at about $78 million, with about $73.9 million in revenue collected from taxpayers for general-fund spending and $4.1 million collected for debt service. This is collectively down $4 million from the $82 million in revenue that was expected to be collected from taxpayers this school year when the school board voted on the budget in 2022. Steele stressed that there had been a total $9.8 million tax cut since the 2020-2021 school year, when the tax levy was about $87.8 million. While this is largely the product of the expanding state aid, Steele also said the district had worked to rein in its finances by cutting staff and faculty, estimating the district had previously laid off about 200 employees. He said the district has sought to offset these cuts with new academic programs to improve efficiency. The increase in aid has helped, and weve also focused on instruction, Steele said. So, whatever money that we have were focusing on instruction and curriculum and not staff, because thats what hurt us before. Declining enrollment rates Some on the board said the district should be cautious about how the district handles the influx of state aid. John Devlin said that while the extra aid was a benefit to the district, it should be tailored to meet key state goals with proven strategies. He cited what he said was a need to increase grades and graduation rates, while abating absenteeism among students and teachers and staunching violence. It was vitally important, he added, to prevent declining enrollment rates, which is a component of the state aid formula. When designing programs, Devlin said, the district should spend time studying successful policies of other school districts facing similar challenges. For our district, its great to have money. ... The mentality is, though, spend it before you lose it, Devlin said before the meeting Thursday. We have a bad habit as a board of throwing money at problems. Devlin said the priority for the board was to use the new money to strike a new contract with the Atlantic City teachers, whom he said were more than deserving of a fair, ratified deal. Steele, when asked about the contract, noted that his wife works as an employee in the district and that he typically recused himself from negotiations. Devlin has been at the center of controversy in the district as he feuds with Superintendent Small and her husband, Mayor Marty Small Sr. The school board took the unusual step of voting as a body to file ethics charges against Devlin for comments he has made in the media about the school district, leading Devlin to say he was being unfairly punished for his attempts to hold the Small administration accountable. Devlin was absent from the special school board meeting Thursday. That boost in aid to Atlantic City is part of an increase of 10.8% in state funding for the 25 school districts across Atlantic County, a total of $47.9 million. Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township and Pleasantville school districts alone, however, account for $37.9 million of that total, while 10 Atlantic County school districts lost funding. Cape May County as a whole saw a 7.4% decrease in state aid across its school districts. The disparate fortunes of South Jersey school districts have led to some in Atlantic Countys delegation to the state Legislature to raise concerns about the budget. Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, said he wanted to investigate why some school districts saw their funding cut dramatically. Sen. Mike Testa, R-Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, called the cuts tragic for school districts he represents, particularly those looking to recover from shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board of Education separately issued a resolution Thursday amending its Long Range Facility Plan. The amendments appropriate an additional $6.5 million for the purchase of a new administrative building and $3 million to renovate the site of the old Indiana Avenue School to house a warehouse/district inventory facility. The school district administration and Board of Education leases space at the Citi Center building at 1300 Atlantic Ave. Steele said the additional funds have allowed the district to pursue those projects. Steele, although not commenting on what other districts had received, stressed that he believed the funding that went to Atlantic City schools was equitable. He said the state previously provided too little funding that did not account for what he said was the declining ratable base in the city and the level of need in Atlantic City. We in Atlantic City were shortchanged for so many years. Thats why our state aid is so significant now, Steele said. Thats our view as an administration, as a board, that this increased aid is overdue almost. Aid can disappear The large majority of state funds coming to Atlantic City is in the form of equalization aid. The formula for equalization aid is determined by what the state expects the cost of an adequate education to be in the district. That figure, in turn, is influence by qualities of the student body, such as total enrollment size, the number of students enrolled in free-or-reduced-price lunch programs and the number of students who have limited English proficiency. The local share of revenue the state expects a school district is expected to raise is expressed in terms of both property values and income levels in the district. Steele said the district was not dependent on perpetually growing state aid. He said the school board was aiming to closely monitor its finances and emphasis on efficient education in the event Trenton begins to produce more austere budgets in the coming years, so that the district would not have to resort to more layoffs. Since the states been coming in, giving us this aid, weve understood that this aid can disappear at any time, Steele said. If the state pulls the rug out, well be good for a little while. While the budget has not been published, Steele said it was the boards intention to send additional funding to the ensure school facilities could respond to heating, ventilation and air conditioning needs as well as other capital costs that arise, as well as an auxiliary-gym project at Atlantic City High School. He said there were also plans to launch a public-safety academy at the high school in the works before the COVID-19 pandemic that would offer students a chance to work with other local groups towards a career in policing, firefighting or emergency medical services. The budget is being submitted to Atlantic County Executive Superintendent Leslie White-Coursey for review prior to publication, as per state law. GALLERY: Atlantic City St. Patrick's Day Parade Riga, Latvia Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) launched "Current Time Baltics" on its Russian-language television and digital network Current Time. "Current Time Baltics" is a critical part of RFE/RLs strategy to counter Russian malign influence across Europe by providing new Russian-language audiences with trusted news and information. "Current Time Baltics" is a news and current affairs program that is an alternative to Kremlin state media for Russian-language audiences in the Baltic region and wider Europe. Through expert interviews and human interest stories, the program will cover Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia collectively as a region, focusing on their democratic freedoms and contributions to a rules-based international order. Latvian President Egils Levits was interviewed in one of the first shows, setting a high standard for future broadcasts. "Current Time Baltics will be an important check on the Kremlins corrosive lies about the Baltic states' democratic institutions and values," said RFE/RL President and CEO Jamie Fly. "Thanks to our talented team in Latvia, this program will reach new Russian-speaking audiences with trusted reporting that provides a positive vision for Russians seeking a better future." "Current Time Baltics" will air live for 30 minutes at 17:00 local time Monday through Friday from RFE/RLs Riga office. The show is produced by veteran Latvian television producer, Inese Karklina, and supported by a team hired locally in Riga, with additional staff in Tallinn, and Vilnius. Opened in January 2023, RFE/RLs Riga office is home to displaced Russian journalists and expanded production teams hired locally to meet the surging demand for independent news since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. From Riga, RFE/RL will continue to meet the demand for independent news within Russia with a new investigative unit, Systema; and a soon-to-be-launched streaming platform, Votvot, for cultural and other content banned by the Kremlin. RFE/RL is also launching a Digital Innovation Lab in Riga to respond to censorship and disinformation across the companys growing markets. Current Time is an award-winning 24/7 Russian-language television and digital network reaching growing audiences in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Baltics. It fulfills a critical part of an editorial strategy aimed at countering Kremlin propaganda. Despite significant state censorship, Current Time videos have been viewed over four billion times since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a record for the network. About RFE/RL RFE/RL relies on its networks of local reporters to provide accurate news and information to more than 40 million people every week in 27 languages and 23 countries where media freedom is restricted, or where a professional press has not fully developed. Its videos were viewed 15 billion times on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram in 2022. RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media. --- FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: press@rferl.org Chennai: Tamil mega Star, Rajinikanth's daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth (41) has lodged a complaint with the police that her gold jewellery and ornaments were missing from the locker in her residence. She has named three of her servants to be behind the burglary at the residence. Aishwarya is living with her two sons, and the jewellery was kept in the locker at her home. In her complaint with the Teynampet police station in Chennai, Aishwarya said that she was not staying in the home for long stretches and the house servants were frequenting the place. She said that the ornaments were worth Rs 3.6 lakh, but the value of the jewellery could be much more. Aishwarya, who is a film director and producer, is currently directing the movie, 'Lal Salam' with Vishnu Vishal and Vikrant in the lead roles and her father Rajinikanth playing a cameo role in the movie. IANS Parl proceedings washed out without transacting any business last week With the whole of last weeks 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. IANS Police seek more info over his sexual assault on women remark; Cong leaders take to streets 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 the former Congress president for his speech, a number of party workers gathered outside his residence in Tughlak lane area to stage a protest. 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. Gandhi had, during his speech, said that a few women met him and alleged that they were sexually assaulted. Gandhi scion seeks time Gandhi has assured the Delhi police that he will share the information about the claims. Gandhi said that the Yatra was so long and he needed to recollect who had connected him and his team. He has assured to share details with us, said a police official who did not wish to be named. IANS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cong will continue questioning on Adani row: Kharge Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the party 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. IANS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Harassment deepens our conviction: GoP The Congress said that Delhi polices cheap theatrics prove how rattled Prime Minister Narendra Modi is with the questions on Adani. Delhi Polices 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. IANS After returning from London, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended the meeting of the parliamentary committee on external affairs where, sources said he responded to the BJP MPs without naming him about MPs going abroad and speaking against the country. The meeting was held on Saturday. Sources said Rahul Gandhi said that he has not spoken anything which is against the country. The members of the ruling party objected to this, but Rahul was supported by the opposition members, sources said. After which external affairs minister S Jaishankar intervened and said the members should speak on the subject. Rahul has been insisting that he wants to speak in the House and met the Speaker a few days ago. He said four Ministers have raised allegations against him in Parliament House so he has the right to respond. IANS Congress Member Shaktisinh Gohil on Monday moved a suspension of business notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue of a conman who was arrested in Kashmir for posing as PMO official. Congress Member Shaktisinh Gohil on Monday moved a suspension of business notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue of a conman who was arrested in Kashmir for posing as PMO official. "How Kiran Patel was provided with a Z-plus security cover and was allowed to go to areas which are at borders," the notice read. Arrested on Thursday for posing as a top official of the PMO, Patel was on his third "VVIP" visit to Jammu and Kashmir when his luck failed him, an official said on Friday. He was picked up from the Lalit Grand Palace Hotel in Srinagar after the police got suspicious about his credentials. Local Illinois school districts are nearing statewide school board elections on Tuesday, April 4, with all looking to fill multiple open seats. Early voting is open for the Rock Island County consolidated elections from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at the County Clerk's Office on the first floor of 1504 3rd Ave. in Rock Island. Voters can also cast their ballots early from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 25, and Saturday, April 1. Election day voting will run from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the County Clerk's Office, with same-day registration also available. Those registering on election day must bring two forms of ID showing current name and address. If elected, candidates will serve their respective school districts for four years. Terms begin 40 days after the election, per the Illinois code. Here's an overview of Illinois school board candidates in the upcoming Quad-City elections: Rock Island-Milan Rock Island-Milan schools have three board vacancies up for election. Vice President Michael Matherly is running for reelection after joining the board in 2019. Another candidate, Jason Roessler, filed the necessary petitions and paperwork to run on the ballot. The following individuals have filed as write-in candidates: Joshua Behn. Nicole Durbin. Naythan James. Richard Phillis. Those running are asked to complete a candidate questionnaire" on the Rock Island Education Association web page under the School Board Election link, which will provide more information on each candidate by Monday, March 20. Current Rock Island-Milan School Board President Terell Williams and members Tracy Pugh, Dave Rockwell and Gary Rowe are halfway through four-year terms that end in 2025. The district plans to host a candidate forum with the NAACP of Rock Island County, according to Rock Island Education Association President Andrew Hains. Details for the event are not yet finalized. Moline-Coal Valley The Moline-Coal Valley board has four open positions available; of those, current board members Audrey Adamson and Justin Anderson seek reelection. Adamson has served in her seat since 2019, while Anderson was first elected in 2015. Five other first-term candidates are vying for the open seats: Michelle ("Mickey") Carter. Ramona Dixon. Lindsey Hines. Jason Farrell. Mariela Trevino. The Moline Education Association and the Moline Public Schools Foundation will host a "Board of Education Candidates Forum" at 6 p.m. Monday, March 20, in the Bartlett Performing Arts Center at Moline High School. The forum will be open to the public and will allow all candidates to introduce themselves, answer questions posed by a moderator. For questions, contact MEA president Susan Hafner at 309-743-8789 or slhafner@molineschools.org United Township United Township has three school board seats up for election. Two incumbents, Vice President Sue Ickes and member Jami Gonzales, are in the race uncontested, alongside first-term candidate Deborah Stevenson. Ickes was first elected in 2007, while Gonzales joined the board in 2019. East Moline Like neighboring UT, East Moline has three school board vacancies this election. Incumbent Debra Faralli is running for reelection, after serving in her seat since 2019. Four first-term candidates are vying for the open seats: Evelyn Gay. Kimberly Dyer. Ida DeBlieck. Toccara Medina. Regular candidates on the ballot were required to file a petition containing 50 signatures minimum of qualified district voters to the Rock Island County Clerk's Office in December. To qualify for Illinois school board candidacy, individuals must be an eligible voter residing in the school district they're running in for at least one year preceding the election. Candidates must also be a U.S. citizen over the age of 18 and cannot be defined in Section 11-9.3 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 2012. School districts can change four-year terms to six years through a referendum. School board vacancies caused by death or resignation are filled by appointment by remaining board members until the next regular election. For more information about upcoming local elections, contact Rock Island County Clerk Karen Kinney at kkinney@rockislandcountyil.gov or 309-558-3569/ Photos: Gov. Pritzker, officials, tout Smart Start Illinois in Rock Island visit The Rock Island Public Library, in collaboration with the Two Rivers YMCA, recently opened a new facility at 30th Street and 27th Avenue in Rock Island. Named the Watts Midtown Library in honor of a family two of whose members have given tireless service to the library over the years, this joint venture impressively stands as one of only three in the country to combine a library facility with the physical wellness programs offered by the YMCA. It also reflects a strong local commitment to the importance of books and learning to the people of Rock Island and surrounding communities. Now, this may seem to be a natural thing. After all, from our earliest years, weve been taught the importance of learning. We are instructed that this is how we come to understand the world around us; how we get ahead; and how we make ourselves better citizens. Yet, this basic notion of the value of books and learning seems to be under attack from a number of sources. The governors of several states, including Florida and Iowa, have sought to ban certain books and even ideas from being taught. Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida has promoted a law to prevent anything from being taught that might make students uncomfortable. Thus, teaching about our nations troubled past including the injustices of slavery or shameful mistreatment of Native Americans cannot be taught in public schools in Florida. If such a notion had been applied to Germany after World War II, it would have prevented children there from being taught about the horrors of Nazism and the Holocaust that cost the world over 7 million lives and brought Germany to ruin. Instead of such a blindered view of history, Germany, to its credit, taught its children about this sordid period of its past to better assure it never happened again. Being honest about its past, Germany today stands as a bulwark against Nazism and all its evil byproducts. Im also reminded of the wise persons admonition that Those who forget the lessons of history are condemned to repeat them. Books are one of historys key tools for passing knowledge from one generation to the next. Those nations that ban books or ban teaching ideas challenging prejudices and false assumptions historically have set themselves on a short path to decline and failure. Consider what the censors of the Spanish Inquisition did by suppressing science and freedom of expression. They undermined Spains once great global empire through prejudice and ignorance, making it into a second-rate power in a little over a century. Or consider how Nazi Germanys burning of books and driving out some of its greatest talents through prejudice and suppression of intellectual freedom, brought ruin to that nation. We do well in Illinois and Iowa, not only to expand our learning opportunities through such facilities as the new Watts Midtown Library and other libraries throughout the Quad Cities but to encourage and expand reading on a broad range of subjects without suppression of uncomfortable parts of our nations past. That way, we can better assure We don't forget the lessons of history and wind up condemned to repeat them. SPRINGFIELD Illinois produced some of the highest corn and soybean production yields in the nation in 2022, and multiple Central Illinois counties led the way. Illinois counties held the top spots for both corn and soybean production in 2022, the Illinois Department of Agriculture announced Monday, citing data from the U.S. Department of Agricultures National Agriculture Statistic Service. Piatt and McLean counties dominated in soybean yield and total corn production, respectively. Collectively as a whole, our farmers are good producers and good stewards of the land and produce a great crop, McLean County Farm Bureau Manager Mike Swartz told Lee Enterprises. The USDA compares crop production through two separate categories: bushels per acre and total yield produced. Counties smaller in size might rank higher on the bushels per acre ranking but lower in total yield produced because their farms simply dont cover as much area. Illinois is the overall No. 1 producer of soybeans in the United States, and the top 11 counties for soybean yield in 2022 were all located in Illinois. Piatt County topped the nation in soybean yield with 74.2 bushels per acre. The next ten highest ranking counties in soybean yield were, in order: Macon, Sangamon, Scott, Logan, Tazewell, Stark, Morgan, Christian, Champaign and Woodford counties. The state also had the top five counties in the country for total corn production, with McLean County coming out on top. The county produced nearly 71 million bushels of corn in 2022. The other top five counties in total corn production were Iroquois, Livingston, LaSalle and Champaign counties. Illinois is the second largest producer of corn in the country, behind Iowa. For centuries, Illinois has solidified its status as an agricultural stateand 2022 was no different, said Gov. J.B. Pritzker in a news release Monday. Thanks to the hard work of our farmers, Illinois counties produced more corn and soybeans than anywhere else in the nation exporting millions of bushels around the globe and generating billions in revenue. When we say Illinois farmers do it best, this is what we mean. Pritzkers statement was echoed by Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello. Our Illinois farmers have once again proved why agriculture is the No. 1 industry in the state of Illinois, Costello said. Our agricultural reach goes far beyond our state. In 2022, Illinois exports of corn and soybeans to the world totaled over $3.5 billion. Illinois farms are prime real estate for corn and soybean production for a number of reasons, Swartz said. Soils in Illinois can produce about anything, he said. But because we're so well suited with rivers, railways and highways, we can more easily move large quantities of grain, corn and soybeans more efficiently than other states. Corn and soybeans also dominate in Illinois because of agricultural manufacturing giants like Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, which takes in large amounts of local crops every year. Manufacturing processes for other commodities that could grow well in the state just havent developed over the past century, Swartz said. We could raise tobacco, we could raise cotton, but there's no manufacturers or distributors here that can utilize that, he said. The Illinois Department of Agriculture encourages all agriculture producers in the state to complete the 2023 U.S. Census of Agriculture. The census provides vital statistical information on the ag industry, the department said. West Dakota Water Development District Project Manager Dan Driscoll will receive the 2023 Sustainability Award from Rapid City's Sustainability Committee at Monday night's Common Council meeting. In May 2021, Driscoll headed up a sizeable erosion control project in Rapid City five acres off of East Boulevard in the Star Village area. A portion of land in the project area was recently gifted to the City by private landowners to be developed into a public park. West Dakota Water Development partnered with Tzadik Property Management the owners of Star Village and the Rapid City Parks Department to reduce and eventually eliminate runoff sediment into Rapid Creek. All of the work has been completed by volunteers, plus some staff time by the Parks Dept. The Rapid City Sustainability Committee said the area contains some of the steepest, largest and most challenging areas of erosion to address in the community. Geomorphic evidence shows as much as two feet of soil has been eroded in places. The Sustainability Award is presented several times a year to different businesses, individuals or organizations whose work contributes to the social, environmental and economic sustainability of the community. "The Sustainability Committee is awarding Dan Driscoll with West Dakota Water Development District an award because of their effort to minimize storm water run-off and prevent water quality degradation," the committee wrote in a press release. "We are proud to honor Dan and West Dakota Water Development District for their sustainable practices and being a wonderful example of sustainability in Rapid City, South Dakota." Monday's City Council meeting will take place in the second floor chambers at 300 Sixth Street beginning at 6:30 p.m. WASHINGTON An American aid worker who was kidnapped in the West African nation of Niger more than six years ago has been released from custody, the Biden administration said Monday. Jeffery Woodke was kidnapped from his home in Abalak, Niger, in October 2016 by men who ambushed and killed his guards and forced him at gunpoint into their truck, where he was driven north toward Mali's border. He had been doing humanitarian aid work in Niger for more than 30 years. A senior Biden administration official who briefed reporters Monday on condition of anonymity described the release as the culmination of years of efforts, but declined to say what exactly led to him being freed from captivity or where he is now. The official said no ransom was paid and no concession was made to captors. "I'm gratified & relieved to see the release of U.S. hostage Jeff Woodke after over 6 years in captivity," tweeted Biden administration national security adviser Jake Sullivan. "The U.S. thanks Niger for its help in bringing him home to all who miss & love him. I thank so many across our government who've worked tirelessly toward securing his freedom." Woodke's wife, Els Woodke, said at a 2021 news conference in Washington that her husband's captors had made a multi-million-dollar ransom demand for his release. She said at the time that she believed her husband was in the custody of a West African affiliate of al-Qaida known as JNIM and, at the news conference, pleaded with the group's leader to release him. In a statement Monday released through a family spokesman, Els Woodke said she had not yet had the chance to speak with her husband but had been told he was in good condition. "She praises God for answering the prayers of Christians everywhere who have prayed for this outcome," Woodke said. The Biden administration official did not identify the specific group believed responsible for keeping Woodke in captivity but said there were a number of overlapping and intersecting hostage-holding networks in that part of West Africa. Though Woodke was taken in Niger, officials believe he has also been moved over the years into Mali and Burkina Faso. A U.S. official credited the government of Niger for helping facilitate Woodke's release, and said that Woodke was freed outside of Niger and in the area of Mali and Burkina Faso. This story corrects first name of aid worker to Jeffery, instead of Jeffrey. This story will be updated. 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 concerned about providing special privileges to those nonresidents wealthy enough to afford the property, have noted issues 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 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 to own a large Montana ranch but 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 entire package through the whole process, but I think theyre clear-eyed enough to know that some may pass and some may not, he said. Police are asking the public's help locating three people after a man was shot in the leg on Sunday afternoon in Rapid City. The Rapid City Police Department responded to a call at 4:30 p.m. on the 1300 block of Lacrosse Street in Rapid City after someone had been shot. When police arrived, they found the man in a store at the address with a wound in his leg. He was taken to the hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries. One witness told police they were sitting outside the store with the man when two men and a woman they didn't know approached them. During the interaction, one of the men started to assault the person, the witness told police, before pulling out a gun and shooting the victim in the leg. The three people then ran away from the scene before law enforcement arrived. The shooter is described as a Native American male in his 20s, around 5'9" and 160 pounds, wearing a Carhartt jacket and brown pants at the time of the shooting. The second person is described as a Native American male in his 30s, around 58 and 180 lbs., wearing a blue t-shirt, black jeans, with tattoos on his neck and both arms. The third person is described as a Native American female in her 20s, approximately 511 and 200 lbs., dark colored hair, wearing a blue shirt and jeans, with a tattoo of a star on the left side of her face. Anyone with any information about the incident should contact Det. Brendan Lenard at 605-394-4134. An anonymous tip can also be sent by texting the letters RCPD and the information to 847411. Bill Lohmann Follow Bill Lohmann 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 For the 50th anniversary of Secretariats record-setting gallop through the Triple Crown, Ragged Branch distillery outside Charlottesville has made a special Secretariat Reserve bourbon made from a mix of grains that includes corn grown on the Caroline County land where Secretariat romped as a foal. Ragged Branch has made about 6,000 bottles for the 50th anniversary, and Virginia ABC announced Monday that the bourbon will become available at Virginia ABC locations on April 22, as well as at the distillery at 1075 Taylors Gap Road in Charlottesville. Plans are in the works to develop an ongoing brand of Secretariat Reserve in a few years, said Alex Toomy, one of the distillerys owners and founders and its managing member. Secretariat was born March 30, 1970 at The Meadow horse farm, which is now The Meadow Event Park, where the State Fair of Virginia is held each year. One of Ragged Branchs partners is Kevin Engel, whose company, Engel Family Farms, has been farming land that was part of The Meadow since 1982. The corn used for the special bourbon had been harvested in 2017 from land on the farm that borders the North Anna River. Toomy traced the lineage of previously barreled bourbon, pulled the barrels that had been made with corn from The Cove and rebarreled it as Secretariat Reserve, which has been aged for more than five years. All bottles are 750 milliliters and priced at $99.99 with a label from original artwork by New York-based artist Eric Helvie. Every Virginia ABC location will have one case (six bottles) for sale with a limit of one bottle per customer. There also will be an online lottery of 187 bottles signed by Ron Turcotte, Secretariats jockey during the Triple Crown races. Find out more at www.abc.virginia.gov Kate Tweedy, granddaughter of Chris Chenery who, in the 1930s, purchased The Meadow (and later founded both the Meadow Stud, the breeding operation, and Meadow Stable, the racing operation) and daughter of Penny Chenery, who took charge of The Meadow when her father fell ill in 1968, is very enthusiastic about the bourbon. I love the fact that Kevin, who is so passionate about The Meadow and the Secretariat story is growing the corn for it, she said. A cool story all around. Engel said The Meadow was pretty much where he started his farming career. As a result, he feels a strong connection to and appreciation for Secretariat and the Chenery family. When he learned about plans to bring a statue of Secretariat to Ashland for an anniversary event and possibly, if sufficient funds are raised, to make its permanent home there, he wanted to help. I made a donation in the beginning to help create some enthusiasm and, when I heard about them needing to get it here, I just raised my hand and said, I can do that, Engel said. So, later this month, he will climb into the drivers seat of his pickup truck and pull a flatbed trailer carrying the 1 1/2-times life-size statue of Secretariat from the foundry in Norman, Oklahoma where it was made to Ashland. It will arrive in time for scheduled anniversary events in Ashland on Saturday, April 1. The 1,300-mile drive is not a big deal, said Engel, whose Hanover County-based company farms a variety of grains on 25,000 acres across Virginia and North Carolina. I farm a pretty wide area so I do a lot of driving, Engel said. I have meetings and stuff around the United States, and I do a lot of driving and flying, so Im used to running around. He has invited one of his major landlords, Tim Roberts of Maryland, to ride with him. I was telling him about the trip, Engel recalled, and he says, Whos going with you? and I said, Well, you are, Tim. I think itll be fun. Unrelated to the anniversary but related to the story Engel and his family completed the purchase last week of the land where the corn was grown. After farming the land since 1982, renting it from various landlords, Engel now owns the 349 acres that he calls Meadow Cove. Aw, man, I cant tell you how much it means to me, Engel said about taking ownership. Ive seen the Cove go through so many different property owners, and Ive not really been able to take care of it and maintain like it should be because weve basically been on a 30-day rental deal for years. So, Im really looking forward to trying to get it back to its original formation when Mr. Chenery had it, as best I can. Photos: Secretariat Authorities on Monday released the name of a motorist killed in a crash in Dinwiddie County last week. Just after 11:20 a.m. on Thursday, Virginia State Police troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Boydton Plank Road, near the Green Acres trailer park. Markesse Baccari Dean, 21, of Dinwiddie was traveling north on Boydton Plank Road in a 2004 Volvo S60 when he made an unsafe lane change into a southbound traffic lane, according to a statement from Virginia State Police. That lane change caused a head-on collision with a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse being driven southbound by Monroy Marco Sagastume, 21, also of Dinwiddie. Dean, who was not wearing a seat belt, died of his injuries at the scene. Sagastume and his passenger were transported to Southside Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries that police called serious but not life-threatening. State police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Today in history: Mar. 20 1852: Harriet Beecher Stowe 1922: USS Langley 1969: Yoko Ono 1976: Patricia Hearst 1995: Aum Shinrikyo 1996: Erik and Lyle Menendez 2018: Vladimir Putin 2021: VCU WILLIAMBURG, Va. On March 11, 1773, Virginia leaders gathered inside Williamsburgs Raleigh Tavern to consult on the need for each of the colonies to work out a resolution that would later be approved by colonies along the eastern coast of the modern day United States, paving the way for unified colonies that would later fight for their independence from England. Exactly 250 years after the passing of that resolution, modern lawmakers met to discuss plans for a new resolution that will celebrate the American story for a semiquincentennial celebration in July 2026, with the goal of recognizing the fullness of American history and experience. Inside that tavern in 1773, an informal committee of Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee and Dabney Carr drafted a resolution that created a Committee of Correspondence. Approved on March 12, 1773, it called on all other English colonies to do the same, helping communicate news from their respective regions to unite people against overreach from the British crown. All colonies except for Pennsylvania soon created a committee. This loosely connected network of correspondence between the colonies played an important role in developing relationships that later led to the meeting of the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia in the fall of 1774. The Second Continental Congress later drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. More than 300 representatives from 34 U.S. states and 50 Virginia localities gathered this month back in Colonial Williamsburg for a weekend of exchanging ideas to celebrate the countrys 250th anniversary in three years time. Reenactors on the steps of the Tavern spoke to the crowd, talking about the history of the initial committee of correspondence and what it meant for the nation at the time. An actor playing Thomas Jefferson said Williamsburg has always been a host of civil political discourse. Virginia has taken a leadership spot for the organization of the nationwide celebration, in the planning stages for the past two years. I strongly feel Virginia is the birthplace of the nation. And I think Williamsburg and Virginia is the proper place to organize that event and bring everyone together, said state Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt, chair of the VA250 Commission. Standing with other states, we will affirm our commitment to a national commemoration that is multifaceted, invites participation, and celebrates the American story, much of which began here in Virginia. Austin said the General Assembly designated $7 million in the budget for the nations 250th and the current budget was around $16 million, including a $1 million pledge from Dominion Energy. Other states in attendance like Wisconsin and Wyoming, Austin said, were just in their initial phases of preparations and came to Williamsburg to confer on ideas they might want to bring back to their home states. Austin said the 250th celebration is meant to be an event that can bring the nation together, in all of its forms and groups. 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. Civica Inc. has agreed to a 10-year contract with the state of California to build insulin products for diabetic residents there, the latest disruption to a rapidly changing insulin market. The insulin will be built in a new facility in Petersburg for the immediate future. California committed $50 million to help Civica jump-start the process. Californias partnership with Civica is a game changer, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. We are proud to be working with Civica to bring true price competition into the insulin drug market and ease the financial burden for Californians living with diabetes. Last year, California announced plans to sell its own insulin in hopes of combating the high cost of the lifesaving hormone. The shelf price of a vial can reach $350, though what patients pay often depends on their insurance. According to HealthDay News, diabetic California residents on average pay $5,000 a year for short-acting insulin. How California would procure the insulin was unclear until now. Civica, a nonprofit drug manufacturer based in Utah, built a plant in Petersburg and announced plans to sell insulin at a fraction of the retail cost no more than $30 a vial and $55 for a box of five prefilled pens. The insulin headed to California will be branded as CalRx. Residents of the state can expect to pay the same out-of-pocket costs as Civica customers in the rest of the country. Civica will make essentially generic forms of the three most popular brands of insulin Lantus, Humalog and Novolog. Civicas CEO, Ned McCoy, said patients currently using those brands can switch to Civicas versions. Following Civicas announcement, the market was upended. Manufacturing giants Eli Lilly & Co., Novo Nordisk and Sanofi announced plans to drastically cut prices. The federal government also capped the out-of-pocket cost of insulin for seniors on Medicare to $35 a month. This is exactly what McCoy said he wants not to dominate the market, but to fix it. Diabetes has become an overwhelmingly expensive chronic condition, and it is heartbreaking that millions of people in California and across the U.S. are faced with the possibility of having to ration their care and put their lives at risk because they can no longer afford insulin, McCoy said in a statement. Manufacturing at Civicas 140,000-square foot-facility is expected to begin later this year. It will begin selling products in early 2024. Civica also plans to build a $28 million lab in Chesterfield County. It is undetermined how much insulin California will purchase, said Debbi Ford, a spokesperson for the company. Ford did not say how much California will pay. The $50 million already committed by California is a pre-launch contribution to the overall costs of bringing insulin to market, Ford said. A number of outside entities have made donations, including insurer BlueCross BlueShield, multiple health systems and foundations. Petersburgs plant has the necessary capacity to meet Californias demand, Ford said, plus demand for much of the United States. Civicas plans for Petersburg remain the same full speed ahead, she added. When California announced it would produce its own insulin, it committed $50 million to insulin manufacturing and $50 million to build its own facility. Civica is assessing options for the creation of a California plant, Ford said. 29 photos from The Times-Dispatch archives Calling the death of a shackled and handcuffed patient at Central State Hospital heartbreaking, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Monday that it is another tragic example of the need for a transformation of Virginias public mental health system. Seven Henrico County deputies and three hospital employees have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Irvo Otieno, 28, on March 6. Dinwiddie County Commonwealths Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill told a judge last week that the deputies held Otieno down for 12 minutes, smothering him to death. Youngkin said that while the judicial process needs to play out, We can just see the heart-wrenching nature of the challenge in our behavioral health system and why it is so important that we press forward with an aggressive transformation, after Otienos death. When I step back and really look at the challenges at our behavioral health system, it is overwhelmed right now and it is overwhelmed in so many ways, Youngkin told reporters after attending the open house at the new temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Henrico County. What we have is a system that is built today and overwhelmed with in-crisis moments, while we are so lacking in pre-crisis services, Youngkin said. It is why the new toll-free 988 helpline is so important, he said, as is his push for funding for more mobile crisis teams so we can meet people where they are and to decriminalize the process. Youngkin said he wants to make sure the states eight adult psychiatric hospitals and its hospital for children and teenagers have the capacity to care for people who need hospitals, and that they are no longer places where people are dumped or get stuck when there is nowhere else to go. We need to invest in capacity so that Virginians who are ready to transition from a hospital setting but not quite yet ready for independent living have a place to go, he said. That is why his budget calls for increased funding for supportive housing, he said. Youngkin said it is important to let the judicial process run its course before working on specific measures in response to Otienos death. He said a review of existing protocols for caring for patients in state facilities is underway. He also said he plans to watch the surveillance tape from Central State after it is released. Chetumal dump truck drivers block pirate out-of-state units Chetumal, Q.R. A group of local dump truck drivers blocked the passage of out-of-state workers outside Chetumal. The group from Caja Roja Volqueteros Union blocked the road to prevent the pirate trucks from working on the Maya Train project. Antonio Gonzalez Notario, the Unions General Secretary said We were working here, however, the company that is in charge has shut down talks with us and has preferred to bring in units from another company. He says they have found three more units that are similar in color to theirs, but do not belong to their union. The trucks are also without their local logo and are circulating with out-of-state plates. To date, they have located more than 40 pirate dump trucks this year working that section of the Maya Train project. He says they will fight back against being displaced and being deprived of work, adding that their union has more than enough units to provide the service. Maya Train work is being done in Chetumals old Expofer grounds. The old ground are being converted into a maintenance station that will be used for southern Maya Train railway construction. Foot patrols increased along Mahahual beaches to ensure security for vacationers Mahahual, Q.R. Foot patrols are part of the stepped-up security being implemented around the state for the Easter holiday season. Armed officers have included Mahahual beaches as part of their increased security strategies to deter crime. The Quintana Roo Public Security Secretariat (SSP) says they have deployed police in high tourists areas all around the state, including the south. The increased security is in collaboration with the Coordination Group for the Construction of Peace and Security in Quintana Roo. Uniformed officers are patrolling state beaches with the support of the Secretary of the Navy (Semar) to carry out foot tours. The tours in Mahahual and other tourist destinations will be constant during the Easter season so citizens are urged that in case of an emergency in the beach area, to make a report to the 911 hotline and to call 089 for anonymous complaints, explained Rear Admiral Ruben Oyarvide Pedrero who heads the SSP. He said that the commitment is to provide safe and peaceful places so that both residents and visitors from all over the world can enjoy their vacation and the natural beauties of Quintana Roo. Playa del Carmen hotel guest found dead in bed Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Managers of a centrally located hotel reported finding a deceased guest inside a room. Managers opened the hotels room several hours after the guest failed to check out and failed to answer the door. Upon entering, they found a deceased male. The man, who has not been identified, was found laying dead on the bed. Responding paramedics confirmed the man had died. Municipal authorities, including personnel from the State Attorney Generals Office, met at the scene. An investigation is underway. Authorities did not comment on the identity of the hotel guest. Circumstances surrounding his death are not known. It is also not known if the now-deceased was a tourist or local resident. 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 Roanoke man who had already been indicted in connection with a June 2022 shooting now faces a number of other felony charges after his arrest earlier this month. On March 10, members of the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the Roanoke City Police Gang Interdiction Unit arrested Ryan Tyrell Guerrant, 25, of Roanoke and charged him with three felonies: aggravated malicious wounding, using a firearm in the commission of malicious wounding and possession of a firearm by a violent felon. Last year, Roanoke police officers found a man in the 2800 block of Colonial Avenue Southwest who had been shot. "No suspects were located on scene and details about what led to the shooting are limited, police said at the time of the June 3 incident. In August, a Roanoke grand jury indicted Guerrant on the three previously mentioned felony charges for the June 3 incident, and warrants for his arrest were issued. On March 10, law enforcement attempted to apprehend Guerrant while he was in a vehicle, the Virginia State Police said in a press release Monday. As officers attempted to approach Guerrant, he intentionally put his vehicle in reverse, striking a Roanoke Police Department vehicle, state police said. Guerrant then attempted to run from his vehicle on foot, but was apprehended by law enforcement. Officers searched Guerrants vehicle with help from a police dog and recovered approximately 51 grams of fentanyl, 187 grams of methamphetamine, and a handgun, state police said. Additional charges will be forthcoming after consultation with the commonwealth attorneys office. Guerrant is being held at the Roanoke City Adult Detention Center without bond. He has a criminal record in Roanoke that dates from 2014 and includes drug and ammunition possession convictions. A single log from a black walnut tree, cut on federal property and sold to a timber buyer, brought $1,359 for William Riley Stump and four months in prison. Stump received the sentence Friday after pleading guilty earlier to removing timber from a Giles County portion of the Bluestone Project, a flood control reservoir owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Black walnuts are among the largest and longest-living hardwoods in the country, and are prized for their use in the making of fine furniture. But it is illegal to cut them in the Bluestone Project, a 21,000-acre property in Virginia and West Virginia where the trees play a vital ecological role and prevent flooding by stabilizing riverbanks along a stretch of the New River. Many individuals tempted to make a quick dollar from timber theft probably do not even realize the significant environmental harms of their conduct, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Baudinet wrote in a sentencing memorandum filed in Roanokes federal court. Baudinet asked U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Dillon to impose a five-month sentence on the misdemeanor charge, in part to deter others who might seek to profit from the valuable trees. Dillon opted for a four-month sentence that was requested by Stumps attorney. While removing trees was not ideal, it was an opportunity to make money that did not involve hurting others or himself, Donald Pender, an assistant federal public defender, wrote in court papers. His only crime is that he removed the trees from federal property. Stump is one of three men charged last year with the illegal harvesting of black walnut trees. A second defendant, Derrick Thompson, was convicted in November of conspiracy. But a jury acquitted him of three additional charges of aiding and abetting in the crime. Evidence showed that about 60 trees were cut on the federally protected land, where the New River can serve as a reservoir of sorts when there is high water from an upstream dam that forms a lake near Hinton, West Virginia. Stump sold one of the logs for $1,359 to a timber dealer in Lindside, West Virginia. There was no indication that the man who purchased the log knew that it was illegally taken. As part of a plea agreement, 22 additional charges against Stump, of Narrows, were dismissed. Pender wrote in a sentencing memorandum that his clients actions were motivated by his economic situation, but provided no details other than to say the 52-year-old entered the workforce as an eighth-grader and can barely read and write. Dillon allowed Stump to report to prison when notified, and directed that he be evaluated for drug treatment following his release. She also imposed $3,189 in restitution to the government a sum that Baudinet requested, while saying it will be inadequate to replace the fully grown trees. Even if new trees were replanted immediately, the prosecutor wrote, it would be decades before Bluestone returns to its previous condition. BLACKSBURG It turns out that red and blue lights, flashing together, are more noticeable than the all-blue lights that Virginia state troopers have used for decades to announce their presence. That was one finding from years of study by researchers at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, who set up mock traffic stops around the commonwealth and monitored how quickly passing drivers shifted over a lane. On Monday, transportation institute officials and troopers announced that the dual-color flashers will be on all new state police vehicles, and that motorists will see fewer and fewer of the traditional all-blue lights as older cars are replaced. As these cars get tore up or mile out these new lights are coming in, said state police Sgt. Rick Garletts. At a media event at the Smart Road Monday, a sedan equipped with all-blue lights the standard for state troopers was parked next to its successor, an SUV with red and blue lights mounted on all sides. Switching the lights to two colors isnt aimed at pulling over speeders, officers said. Instead, the intent is to make state police vehicles more visible, to improve safety for troopers who stop on highway shoulders during traffic stops or emergencies, and for everyone traveling past. Ron Gibbons of VTTI, who oversaw a team of researchers funded by a $1.2 million grant from the National Institute of Justice, said that tests that began in 2014 showed the red and blue lights were most effective at getting drivers attention. The two-color combination prompted passing drivers to change lanes earlier as they approached a parked trooper, moving over about 150 or 200 meters before drivers who encountered a stopped state police car showing only blue lights, Gibbons said. Many police agencies both regionally and across the United States, including the Roanoke County Police Department, switched to red and blue combinations years ago, Gibbons and officers noted. But Virginias troopers, who Garletts said were once required by state law to use only blue lights, held onto an only-blue tradition. Gibbons said that researchers tried a variety of color combinations but kept in mind that for many people, certain colors already had meanings. Having only red lights was associated with fire departments and amber lights with road maintenance, he said. Green happens to be mall security and purple is funerals, Gibbons added. A problem with blue lights is that they are less visible during daylight, sometimes blending in with the sky, Gibbons said. In highway settings, the more noticeable red and blue combination translates to an extra two or three seconds for drivers and troopers to decide what to do as vehicles approach a stopped police car, Gibbons said. Senior Trooper Brett Southern said that officers have numerous accounts of having to jump out of the way of oncoming vehicles as they work a traffic stop. Getting clipped by a passing vehicle is always in the back of your mind, Southern said. Garletts said that red and blue lights are not brand new but have been slowly appearing on state police vehicles for about two years. Now, however, there are so many state police vehicles with the new lights that it would be hard for drivers not to notice the new look, Gibbons said. Its always exciting when you see your work come into practice, he said. 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 have sparked widespread protests across Israel and to encourage compromise A lawyer who previously advised the key government witness in the hush money payment investigation into Donald Trump has been invited to appear before the Manhattan grand jury that is eyeing potential charges against the former president US: War crimes on all sides in Ethiopia's Tigray conflict The Biden administration has determined that all sides in the brutal conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region committed war crimes and crimes against humanity Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. MARION, S.C. MarCo Rural Water Company showcased a display of ongoing support for the Backpack Buddy Program, helping to feed Marion County School District students for through the weekends for nearly 10 years. General Manager Robert Winkeler along with board of directors president Tommy Larrimore presented a $4,000 donation to the program Wednesday. MarCo also donated to the program in 2016. Im proud to work for a company that tries to lookout for the citizens of Marion County, Winkeler said. Organizations like this help try and give back and Im just thankful I work for a company like that. Larrimore said he was glad to help. Organizers and Marion High School teachers Scott Collins and Sydney Hooks said more than 130 students receive bookbags filled food. The program provides food security through the weekend with packages that include fresh fruit, water, milk and juice. We are so glad that you guys can help us out, Collins said. That goes a long way. Its going to get us through the end of the year and get us established for next year as well. Were very blessed. Collins said the program feeds students in every public school in the county. Each backpack contains five entrees, a piece of fresh fruit, a fruit cup, a box of raisins, a juice and bottle of milk, two breakfasts, and three snacks. The kids get the bags Friday from their schools and then we start the process again, Collins said. To be able to keep this sustain we just got to have continual community involvement. Collins said he was thankful the program has supporters step up to provide. 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. Lynsey Lim, director and co-founder of Handmade Heroes. (PHOTO: Handmade Heroes) SINGAPORE When she first started making her own natural skincare products at home as a teenager, Lynsey Lim had no idea that someday she would be selling them all over the world. What started out as homemade skincare meant for personal use has now blossomed into a hot-selling brand on Amazon that has even been endorsed by Lily Collins of Emily In Paris fame. Lim credits her upbringing, along with the budget constraints of a teenager and frustration at the lack of suitable products in the market, as her reasons for experimenting when she was younger. "My mum is quite into a natural route. She's very 'simple' in the product that she uses, so that's what got me into using natural skincare. Back then, natural skincare on the market was so expensive that it didn't fit into a teenager's budget," she explained. Taking the plunge The idea of selling her homemade products didn't occur to Lim until she was in her 20s when a special family occasion sparked her confidence. Her sister was getting married, and she was asked to make gifts for the bride and her bridesmaids as a wedding favour. "It actually spread from word of mouth. Her bridesmaids started buying from me, and then it just snowballed from there," said Lim. The sales in those early days were a "happy by-product" of sharing her creations with others. As the positive feedback and demand for her homemade products grew, Lim soon realised that she had the potential to turn her passion into a thriving business. "After my sister's wedding, I knew there was interest in the products. So I was thinking to myself, 'why not give it a shot?' I was young and thought 'now is the time to try'. Back then, I didn't have a child yet, so if there was any time, it would have been then. I gave myself one year. "From there, I dedicated myself to refining my formulas, scaling up production, and building a brand that could reach a wider audience," said Lim. Story continues At the time, Lim worked full-time in a bank's treasury department dealing with foreign exchange her first job right after graduating from university. She left the stable job in 2014 to start Handmade Heroes with her then-boyfriend and now-husband, Adi Ong. Without as much disposable income as before, Lim who declined to share her bank salary said that she had to make some lifestyle sacrifices. "I had to be more careful with my spending. Another sacrifice was time because I would work long hours and often had no time for socialising with my family and friends," she recalled. Going online From the start, the couple were a two-person team selling their products at pop-up markets around Singapore. Lim would make all the products by hand while Ong was in charge of operations. She would spend Mondays to Thursdays making the products from a rented space that could barely fit two people, selling them at pop-up stalls from Fridays to Sundays, and then going back at night to make more products. "It was very labour intensive but at the same time, very fun as well," she said with a smile. After about eight months of doing this grinding routine, another vendor at the market told the couple about the e-commerce platform Amazon. It was information that was to take their business to the next level. "She was telling us about how great it was that you could have access to the whole global market and the US market especially, and how she was just sending her products there. I thought 'why not do that' because that would save me so much time and the cost wasn't much at all. "So I listed on Amazon and that took a load off my shoulders in terms of the selling. I didn't have to be physically there, especially because it was only just my husband and me, and we didn't hire any help," said Lim. The cost of having your business sell on Amazon depends on the selected selling plan, product category, fulfilment strategy, and other variables. Amazon charges a fee for each unit sold under an individual subscription plan, while its professional subscription plan charges a monthly flat fee of US$39.99, regardless of the number of units sold. Sellers would also need to consider paying referral fees as well as shipping and logistics costs if they are selling internationally. "One of Amazon's strengths is that it's really easy to get into and to list in another market from the US to Europe, or even Australia or Canada," said Lim. "They have services to help you with taxes and compliance. It made it a very natural path to go into," said Lim. Taking the top spot It wasn't long before Handmade Heroes began to grow rapidly with sales rolling in from Asia to America. Their Ultra Sexy Scrub has been the number one best-selling lip scrub on Amazon for several years now. When asked how the business is doing, Lim said that it is "going very well" and that they are "on track to double sales" this year. Another one of their products, the Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo, recently reached number two (in its category) on Amazon. Getting the lip scrub to number one on Amazon wasn't just by chance and involved several strategies. Lim attributed the success of the Ultra Sexy Scrub to a "customer-centric approach in our marketing strategy" and an upward trend towards vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable products. Additionally, Lim says that she paid a lot of attention to customer feedback and suggestions that were coming in. "We reformulated the lip scrub to make it more suitable for colder climates and adjusted the exfoliation factor to meet our customers' preferences," said Lim, referring to how she first discovered that the lip scrub tends to solidify when temperatures are low in places like the US. Since becoming the #1 best-selling lip scrub on Amazon, sales of the Ultra Sexy Scrub have increased fivefold. There are over 18,000 reviews of the product on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars. "Having our lip scrub and the dry shampoo as the number one and two on Amazon really means a big deal to us, because it shows that we can compete with the big brands out there. It puts us on the same playing field, and coming in as number one reaffirms that what we are doing is right," said Lim. Keeping up with demand Like many startups, Handmade Heroes faced the tough challenge of scaling up operations. By 2017, business was going so well that they couldn't keep up with the online demand. The couple then made the decision to reinvest their profits at that point into setting up a new factory in Malaysia. This required meticulous planning and coordination as they went from a two-person team to a full-fledged factory in a short span of time. "In addition to the daily challenges of running a business, such as managing inventory and production timelines, we were committed to upholding the highest quality and ethical standards for our products," said Lim, who noted that all of Handmade Heroes' products are Halal-certified, GMP-approved, dermatologically-tested, and "strives to be carbon neutral". "One way we tackled these challenges was by using Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) to reduce our manpower hours by up to 120 hours a week. This freed up time, so we could focus on perfecting our production processes," said Lim. The company let the service pick, pack, and ship our products, and take care of customer service and returns. The investment into scaling up paid off when they passed another milestone in 2020: the company hit seven-figure in sales in 2020. Currently, the company is in the midst of building its second factory in Malaysia and has set its sights on international expansion into markets such as the EU, UK, Canada and the UAE. Top product is the No. 1 selling natural lip scrub on Amazon. (PHOTO: Handmade Heroes) Mixing family and business Eight years since Lim and Ong started the business, Handmade Heroes now consists of a team of 20 people, along with several part-timers and freelancers. Aside from sharing responsibilities running the business, they also share parenting duties. For this couple, the lines between work and family tend to be blurred. "I think we are just quite used to it," said Lim on being asked about running a business with her spouse. "I would say it's not easy, and it's probably not for everyone. But if you can make it work and if the dynamic of your relationship is suited then why not? Empowering women On giving back to the community, Lim says that she does this by returning to her alma mater to speak and share her experiences with young women, and "give them a glimpse of what it's like to start a business". "If you have an idea or if you have always wanted to be an entrepreneur or start a business, go for it, because you don't know what you are capable of until you actually do it and give it a shot," said Lim. "Especially in this day and age where it's so easy to start a business online, and there are so many services that help and make things easier." Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. The United States has concluded that Ethiopian and Eritrean troops as well as rebels committed war crimes during the brutal two-year conflict, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday, days after he visited Addis Ababa. Blinken, who had sounded upbeat in Ethiopia about the prospects for peace after a breakthrough November 2 accord, made a forceful call for accountability. "Many of these actions were not random or a mere byproduct of war. They were calculated and deliberate," America's top diplomat said as he presented an annual US human rights report. He said the State Department carried out a "careful review of the law and the facts" and concluded that "war crimes" were committed by federal troops from Ethiopia as well as Eritrea -- a former adversary which allied with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in the offensive -- and by the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and forces from the neighboring Amhara region. Blinken added that the State Department also found "crimes against humanity" by Ethiopian, Eritrean and Amhara forces, although he did not mention the TPLF. "We urge the government of Ethiopia and the government of Eritrea as well as the TPLF to hold those responsible for these atrocities accountable," Blinken said. "The conflict in northern Ethiopia was devastating. Men, women and children were killed. Women and girls were subject to horrific forms of sexual violence. Thousands were forcibly displaced from their homes. Entire communities were specifically targeted based on their ethnicity." Blinken also spoke of accountability during his trip to Addis Ababa, where he held an unusually long meeting with Abiy and also met senior TPLF leader Getachew Reda. But he did not directly mention war crimes or crimes against humanity while in Addis Ababa. Abiy voiced anger when Blinken during the war spoke more generally about crimes against humanity and the Ethiopian leader has rejected UN-led efforts for a probe. Blinken, asked about the timing, said it was "appropriate to release the determination" at the time of the release of the human rights report. The United States has previously estimated that some 500,000 people died in the two-year conflict, making it one of the deadliest wars of the 21st century and dwarfing the toll from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. sct/mlm India has summoned a senior British diplomat in Delhi to protest scenes of violence and vandalism at the Indian High Commission in London. Apparent supporters of the Khalistan movement a Sikh secessionist movement that calls for a separate homeland for the religious community to be carved out of India protested outside the Indian High Commission building in Aldwych, Westminster on Sunday. Social media videos showed protesters taking down the Indian tricolour after climbing the first-floor balcony of the building and raising yellow Khalistan banners. Two security guards were injured and a number of windows at the High Commission were broken during the protest, the Metropolitan Police said after its officers were called to the scene at around 1.50pm. Police said a man was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and an investigation has been launched into the incident. The protests were against a recent massive crackdown by Indias police on the Khalistan movements members in the northern state of Punjab, a state with a large population of Sikhs and which has had a long, contentious history with the secessionist movement. Indias foreign ministry denounced the UK government in a sharp rebuke against the complete absence of British security around the High Commission and has demanded an explanation. The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned late evening today to convey Indias strong protest at the actions taken by separatist and extremist elements against the Indian High Commission in London earlier in the day, the statement said. India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK. Supporters of #Khalistan & Waris Punjab De' chief #AmritpalSingh pull down the indian flag at the indian high commission #London. Internet services have been suspended in Indian Punjab for the last 3 days,entire Indian state machinery is conducting raids to arrest Amrit Pal Singh pic.twitter.com/CMBkY7vfwc Ghulam Abbas Shah (@ghulamabbasshah) March 20, 2023 British deputy high commissioner Christina Scott was reportedly summoned by the Indian foreign minister as Alex Ellis, the high commissioner, was not in Delhi at the time. Story continues She was reminded in this regard of the basic obligations of the UK government under the Vienna Convention, a statement by the Indian foreign ministry added without mentioning the name of the diplomat. It said it expected the UK government to take immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute each one of those involved in the incident and put in place stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. In a tweet, Mr Ellis criticised the violent protest in London. I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the HCI-London - totally unacceptable, he said. The decades-old Khalistan movement is outlawed in India and considered a national security threat. Supporters of the movement in the UK, the US, Canada and Australia, however, have continued to raise demands for a sovereign state known as Khalistan. The incident occured after the Punjab polices mega crackdown to arrest Amritpal Singh, a self-styled preacher and leader of a radical organisation Waris Punjab De, or Heirs of Punjab. Mr Singhs separatist rhetoric had largely gone unchallenged until members of the group clashed with police last month. He has now become a popular figure within the separatist movement and is known among his followers for his distinctive dress sense, styled after Indian militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who led a major separatist movement in India in the 1980s before he was killed by the Indian army. Mr Singh gained notoriety in February after hundreds of his supporters stormed a police station and clashed with police with swords to free one of his jailed supporters. An unprecedented public police chase to arrest Mr Singh entered the third day on Monday and saw authorities impose a ban on internet services in Punjab, a move which police said was necessary to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours on social media. The ban was extended until at least noon on Tuesday as Punjab police continued an operation to chase the 30-year-old fugitive who drove through central Punjab with a cavalcade of supporters. Kuldeep Singh Chahal, a police commissioner in Jalandhar city, said Mr Singh was chased by police for about 20-25km before he managed to escape. His vehicle crashed into 5-6 motorbike riders, with some of them suspected to have been involved with him in a bid to divert police from the chase, another official said. In a video live-streamed on Facebook by Mr Singhs aides, scenes purportedly filmed inside his car showed the him speeding through dirt roads and along wheat fields in the agricultural state as they were chased by police. Punjabs police have so far arrested 78 of Mr Singhs supporters during the weekend, including his uncle Harjit Singh and his driver. The incident came days after Indian prime minister Narendra Modiraised the issue of unfortunate attacks on Hindu temples by members of a Khalistani group in Australia at a joint address with visiting Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. Its a matter of regret that for the last few weeks we have been getting regular news of attacks against temples, Mr Modi had said. It is only natural that this kind of news is very worrying and distressing for everyone in India. A dedicated centre for public health and a team that will be set up to better prepare Singapore for the next pandemic, said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday in Parliament. (PHOTO: MCI/YouTube) SINGAPORE To better prepare for the next pandemic, a dedicated centre for public health will be set up in Singapore to consolidate the country's disease control and pandemic management capabilities and expertise. There will also be a forward planning team to ensure Singapore prepares to fight future pandemics as effectively as possible, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong revealed in Parliament on Monday (20 March). The centre for public health is expected to contribute to the nation's growth in public health. At the same time, the forward planning team will assist the country in better anticipating the next bound, developing the next course of action, and pivoting more effectively as circumstances change, Wong said. The announcement comes after the release of a white paper on Singapore's response to the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this month, which examined how to build on Singapore's successes and avoid future pandemic errors. "Today, we have fully transitioned to living with Covid-19 as an endemic disease. The virus is still among us, and no one can tell how it will continue to evolve," Wong told the House. "But for now, the evolution seems to be plodding, with minor tweaks to its genetic code rather than major changes that require another Greek-letter name. So it is timely to take stock of our response, so we can start preparing for the next battle, whenever it comes." No 'perfect response' in a crisis like COVID Wong pointed out that the nature of dealing with a crisis meant that Singapore would always be faced with incomplete information. The DPM stressed how there would never be a "perfect response" in a crisis that is as complex, unpredictable and fast-moving as COVID-19. "We have to judge what is the best way forward, based on what we know and respond quickly, rather than wait for all the facts to come in, by which time it might be too late to act," Wong said. Story continues Wong emphasised three key lessons gleaned from the pandemic fortifying the public health system, enhancing forward planning capabilities, and strengthening Singapore's resilience. Wong also said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung would provide more information on plans for the dedicated public health centre, similar to what has been done in many other countries to set up centres for disease control. Singapore already has some of these public capabilities, particularly in the area of communicable disease control and management, which was strengthened after severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) hit in 2003. However, these currently reside in various parts of the country's healthcare system, Wong said, such as the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, the National Public Health Laboratory, and within the Ministry of Health itself. MPs gave a standing ovation lasting almost half a minute to a contingent of frontliners in Parliament. (PHOTO: MCI/YouTube) Standing ovation for front-line workers During Monday's debate on Singapore's response to COVID, Wong opened the debate with a standing ovation for front-liners who were involved in the fight. MPs applauded and thumped their seats in approval as 100 front-line workers were at the public gallery in Parliament, followed by an almost half-minute standing ovation to honour their hard work. Nursing, doctors, educators, social workers, transport workers, supermarket managers, ambassadors for safe distancing, Singapore Armed Forces officers, and staff from both the public and private sectors who ran critical backroom operations were among those present in the chamber. Wong noted that Singapore's policies and actions had distinguished it from other countries as it dealt with the pandemic. Air and sea ports were kept open, ensuring critical supplies were delivered uninterrupted. "We enhanced our reputation as a trusted node that can be relied upon, even when other parts of the world shut down," he said. Mr Wong also pointed out that Singapore stood out because its citizens had rallied together during this crisis. "Through all the trials and tribulations, we held together as a society, and pulled through as one united people. We kept faith with our fellow Singaporeans, took care of the non-Singaporeans in our midst, and everyone did our part in the interest of the common good," he added. Taking this opportunity to express appreciation for all who contributed to the COVID-19 fight, Wong noted that workers and unions, along with tripartite partners who marshalled resources and provided support, helped countless businesses and individuals cope with difficult times. In a Facebook post on the same day, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore's healthcare workers and front-line workers "led the fight and bore the brunt of the global crisis". "Many other essential personnel worked throughout our society. Despite the uncertainty and fear, they swung into action and went beyond the call of duty. All worked tirelessly and made sacrifices to keep Singapore going. They are a huge reason why we emerged from the pandemic stronger and more united," Lee wrote on his page. Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. *Includes 717 29th st parcel number 894716381013 additional taxes of 1288 per year.* Welcome to the Historic Chocolate Mansion in Sioux City, Iowa!! This stunning and unique property boasts a rich history and offers a luxurious living experience for those seeking a one~of~a~kind home. With 7 bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms, this expansive, Queen Anne style mansion offers ample space for families or those who love to entertain guests. As you step inside, you`ll be greeted by the grand foyer, which sets the tone for the rest of the home. You`ll immediately notice the exquisite woodwork that runs throughout the house, including the ornate details in the dining room and library with its stunning zinc leaded glass. 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Don`t miss this once~in~a~lifetime opportunity to own a piece of history in the heart of Sioux City... Exploring Xi's economic thought from local governance perspective: story in Zhejiang Xinhua) 09:47, March 20, 2023 This aerial photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows the night view of Laowaitan, a signature pedestrian street in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Han) BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A recently released report titled "Toward Modernity: The Value of Xi Jinping's Economic Thought" has explored the origins of Xi's economic thought from the perspective of local governance. When working in different localities, Xi put forward a series of new ideas, new ways of thinking and new measures concerning economic work. His years of solid practice on the ground have enriched his experience and enhanced the depth of his theoretical thinking, laying a solid foundation for his economic thought to take shape and evolve. Recounting Xi's stories of economic governance when he worked at the local level, the report, which was released by New China Research, the think tank of Xinhua News Agency, has offered a vivid illustration on how Xi's economic thought helped promote local development. The following piece tells Xi's story in Zhejiang. From October 2002 to March 2007, Xi served as deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Zhejiang Provincial Committee, acting governor of Zhejiang Province, and secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee. During his work in Zhejiang for more than 1,600 days, Xi traveled over all 90 counties, cities and districts in this province, and put forward a series of important statements and concepts that became an important source of his strategy for governing the country after becoming general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. GREEN DEVELOPMENT Located in the hinterland of the Yangtze River Delta, Anji County in Zhejiang Province has a vegetation coverage rate of 96 percent. At the entrance of Yu Village of Anji County, a sentence was written on a stone tablet: "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." This is the origin of the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets". On Aug. 15, 2005, Xi, then secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, visited Yu Village and put forward the concept for the first time. Yu Village had once developed a "stone economy" by selling high-quality limestone mined from mountains. It was covered in dust and smoke all year round. At the beginning of the 21st century, the village shut down all cement plants and mines to improve the environment. During the visit, Xi said: "It is a brilliant move for you to shut down the mines." "We used to say that we wanted both lucid waters and lush mountains, as well as mountains of gold and silver. In fact, lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," he added. A few days later, he published a commentary in a column for Zhejiang Daily, pointing out that lucid waters and lush mountains can bring mountains of gold and silver, but mountains of gold and silver can't buy lucid waters and lush mountains. The two have contradictions, but can be dialectically unified at the same time. Guided by this concept, Yu Village has formed a new type of rural ecological economy, in which the village can attract tourists and develop agriculture at the same time. In an interview with Xinhua in October 2022, Wang Yucheng, Party chief of the village and head of the village committee, said that Yu Village has been a direct beneficiary of the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," with villagers' per capita disposable income increasing sevenfold in the past decade. The concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" opened a new path for Zhejiang's development. In 2019, the province passed the acceptance test of the pilot project of national ecological province construction. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the level of public satisfaction with the ecological environment in Zhejiang Province has increased for 11 consecutive years. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi has summarized and interpreted the concept on many occasions. In 2013, he put forward the theory of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," featuring coordination between conservation and development, on the international occasion for the first time. In October 2015, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee put forward a philosophy of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development for the first time. In 2017, the concept was written into the CPC Constitution. The concept promotes economic development and ecological conservation in China at the same time, and injects positive energy into the harmonious coexistence between man and nature on a global scale. PRIVATE ECONOMY Zhejiang, one of the important birthplaces of China's private economy, is home to more than 9 million market entities, meaning there is one business owner in every seven people based on its permanent resident population. Vigorously developing the private economy was one of the tasks Xi attached great importance to during his stay in Zhejiang. When he worked in Zhejiang, Xi once said, "the biggest advantage of the province is the first-mover advantage of the private economy. I have been thinking about how to leverage this advantage." He reiterated that the private economy represented the vitality of Zhejiang, it is necessary to continue to encourage, support and guide the development of the non-public economy, and state-owned and private enterprises should be treated equally. He also led the formulation of a series of policies and measures to promote the new development of the private economy. During his survey in local areas of Zhejiang, Xi often paid visits to private companies, taking heed of their difficulties and demands. In December 2002, he visited some major private-economy cities -- Ningbo, Taizhou and Wenzhou. During the trip, Xi highlighted several keywords, including rebuilding advantages, deepening reform and improving the work style. "I am very concerned about the development of the non-public economy. If the company has important issues in the future, you can come directly to Hangzhou and meet me in my office," Xi said to Nan Cunhui, CHINT Group's chairman, during his inspection visit to the company. In 2003, in response to the requirements of the Zhejiang provincial Party committee and provincial government, the company planned to implement an internationalization strategy to build itself into an advanced electrical appliance manufacturing enterprise. Xi spent almost two hours in his office patiently listening to Nan's report and gave positive encouragement. Now, recalling the meeting at the time, Nan is still deeply moved. A slew of policy measures have significantly invigorated private enterprises in the province. In the 2022 list of China's top 500 private companies, Zhejiang had 107 companies listed, ranking first for 24 consecutive years. More importantly, the private and the state-owned economies in Zhejiang have been integrating with each other, complementing each other and developing side by side. RURAL REVIVAL In June 2003, Xi, then secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, initiated the Green Rural Revival Program. He planned to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages in the next five years and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year in 2003, Xi visited Hengkantou Village located at an old revolutionary base in Yuyao City of Zhejiang. During a discussion, he said, "Only when people in old revolutionary base areas become rich, can Zhejiang truly achieve common prosperity. Only when people in old revolutionary base areas live a well-off life, can Zhejiang truly turn into a well-off society in an all-round way." With the promotion of the Green Rural Revival Program, Hengkantou Village, once impoverished and backward, had become a well-off and civilized village by developing red tourism, which refers to visiting historical sites with revolutionary legacies, and utilizing green resources. On March 1, 2018, more than 2,000 villagers in Hengkantou Village received a reply from the Party's top leader. The villagers wrote a letter to Xi on Feb. 10, telling him the latest development of the village, but didn't expect him to reply soon. Although 15 years had passed, Xi had always been concerned about the villagers and was pleased with the development of the village. Great changes have also taken place in Xiajiang Village, Chun'an County, which is 300 kilometers away from provincial capital Hangzhou and also a grassroots work base for Xi when he worked in Zhejiang. He went to Xiajiang Village four times for investigation and wrote letters twice to encourage villagers. Adhering to the concept of green development, Xiajiang Village has changed from "the dirty, chaotic, and poor" to "the green, wealthy, and beautiful." The per capita disposable income of the village in 2021 reached 46,959 yuan (about 6,800 U.S. dollars), more than 20 times that of 20 years ago. "The great changes in the small mountain village benefited from Xi's care and the strategy of 'making full use of eight advantages and implementing eight major measures,'" said Jiang Lijuan, Party chief of Xiajiang, also a delegate to the 20th CPC National Congress. The strategy, put forward by Xi in 2003, called on the province to make use of its eight advantages, such as system and mechanism advantage, location advantage and industry advantage, to implement eight major measures for Zhejiang's development. Guided by the strategy, the Green Rural Revival Program, Mountain-Sea Collaboration Project, and other projects got implemented successively in Zhejiang. A large number of poor mountain villages have become ecological and well-off by utilizing green resources, expanding agriculture based on unique local features, and cooperating with developed districts and counties for development. More and more villagers began enjoying a better life. In 2015, Zhejiang became the first province in China to complete the task of poverty alleviation at a high level. In the past 10 years, the income gap between urban and rural residents in Zhejiang has narrowed from 2.37 fold to 1.94 fold, and the gap between the highest and lowest incomes of local residents has narrowed from 1.76 fold in 2013 to 1.61 fold. During Xi's tenure in Zhejiang, he pointed out that there should be no blind spots in the modernization drive, and not a single village, town, or person should be left behind in the pursuit of moderate prosperity in all respects. Xi has been committed to the concept of "not a single person should be left behind" throughout his work, whether it's winning the battle against poverty, building a moderately prosperous society in an all-around way, or promoting common prosperity steadily. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) MONDAY, March 20, 2023 (HealthDay News) Frozen organic strawberries packaged under a variety of names and sold at stores including Costco, Trader Joes and Aldi have been recalled as part of a hepatitis A outbreak investigation. In a notice filed Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cautioned against eating, selling or serving certain frozen organic strawberries packaged by Scenic Fruit of Gresham, Ore. The recall also includes strawberries packaged by California Splendor of San Diego and sold at Costco stores in Los Angeles and Hawaii, and to two San Diego business centers. The companies share a common supplier, farms located in Baja California, Mexico. To see if you have purchased a recalled item, see the full list of recalled products. Both companies have issued voluntary recalls. The FDA is continuing to work with the businesses to identify other stores where the products may have been sold. The recalled products should be returned or thrown away, the FDA said. Customers who consumed the strawberries over the last two weeks and who haven't been vaccinated against hepatitis A should immediately consult with their doctor to determine whether what's known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed. This is recommended for unvaccinated people who've been exposed to hepatitis A virus in the last two weeks because it can prevent a hepatitis A virus infection if given within 14 days of exposure. Those who have had a previous infection with hepatitis A or a vaccination will not need this. Five of the five people who have become ill in the outbreak reported eating the frozen organic strawberries. The berries were imported from the Mexican farms in 2022. Two of the people sickened were hospitalized. All the confirmed and probable cases were in Washington state. The strain of hepatitis A virus causing illnesses this year is genetically identical to that causing another outbreak of infections in 2022. It was linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico, and sold at various retailers. Symptoms of hepatitis A infection include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine and pale stool. Illness usually occurs within 15 to 50 days. Sometimes people with hepatitis A, especially children under the age of 6, can be asymptomatic. More information The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on hepatitis A. SOURCE: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, recall notice, March 17, 2023 SIOUX CITY -- Sometimes, March goes out like a lion and, sometimes, it goes out like a lamb. If Sioux City Art Center developmental coordinator Erin Webber-Dreeszen has her way, the month will go out like a March Hare. Indeed, the entire atrium of the 225 Nebraska St. facility is being transformed into an "Alice in Wonderland"-worthy spectacle for a "Through the Looking Glass" Gala, from 6 - 9 p.m. Friday. "Our spring gala will be unlike anything you've seen or attended before," Webber-Dreeszen said. "There will be delights to be discovered around every corner." Since the festivities will follow a Lewis Carroll "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" theme, things may get weird. Sure, they'll be food, drinks, music and, of course, plenty of art to dazzle your senses. But don't be surprised if you'll see strange visions, via a magic mirror. Plus you'll never know if a Mad Hatter or a Cheshire Cat might make an appearance. "I'm hoping that the Queen of Hearts won't come," Webber-Dreeszen said. "When I was a kid, it would creep me out when the Queen would say 'Off with their heads.' Seems a bit harsh, don't you think?" The "Alice in Wonderland" theme will continue with a family-friendly "Mad Hatter's Tea Party," from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. "We've spent so much time turning our atrium into a 'Wonderland,' it would've been terrible to tear everything down right away," Webber-Dreeszen said. "So, the 'Mad Hatter's Tea Party' is our April Fool's Day special." Though chances are great that there will be more treats and fewer tricks. Children will participate in art projects, be served a special luncheon, test out a "Shrinking Room Photobooth," while holding court with some of their favorite "Alice in Wonderland" characters. Webber-Dreeszen said a "Through the Looking Glass" Gala had been on the books for a while. "Once you think about it, 'Alice in Wonderland' captures the visual arts, the performing arts and the literary arts, all at the same time," she explained. Which is exactly what the Art Center's spring fundraiser is meant to celebrate. "During this event, we want to raise funds that will allow us to continue to benefit exhibitions and educational programs throughout the year," Webber-Dreeszen said. That's important since having a vibrant art community helps with tourism. "I can't tell you how many times an out-of-towner would be amazed that a town the size of Sioux City would have an art center like ours," Webber-Dreeszen said. Increasingly, art is considered a quality-of-life enhancement. "Everybody's life improves with a bit more art in it," Webber-Dreeszen said. SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man charged with having sex with a 15-year-old girl has pleaded not guilty. Joseph Bailey, 40, entered his written plea Monday in Woodbury County District Court to one count of third-degree sexual abuse. According to court documents, Bailey had sex numerous times with the girl from June 2021 to June 2022, when the girl was 15 and 16 years old. Bailey told police he had sex with the girl, but only after she turned 16. Time-stamped messages between the two indicated the two had sex when she was 15, court documents said. SIOUX CITY The Sioux City Community School District has removed the book "This Book is Gay" from West High School after the district was featured on a Twitter account calling the book "pornographic." The Twitter account Libs of TikTok tweeted out a screenshot of West High School's library catalog showing the book available; the tweet described the book as "pornographic" and said it "teaches kids about gay sex and encourages the use of sex apps." this book is gay.JPG Screenshot of Sioux City West High School's library catalog showing the book "This Book is Gay" by Juno Dawson available. After being featured District Communications Director Leslie Heying said after learning of the book and its content, the district removed the book from the library. The Sioux City Community School District has books in our libraries representing our diverse student population, however, we do not promote books that could compromise student safety," she said. The tweet also included photos of the book's content discussing the "ins and outs of gay sex," "how sex apps work" and a diagram explaining "boy-on-boy sex." "This Book is Gay" by Juno Dawson is a young adult non-fiction book that discusses sexuality and gender. "[Offers] answers to ... questions [about homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgender people], from sex to politics, hooking up to stereotypes, coming out and more. This ... exploration of sexuality and what it's like to grow up LGBT also includes real stories from people across the gender and sexual spectrums, not to mention [humorous] illustrations," according to West High School's library catalog. "Upon learning of the books contents, the district immediately removed the book from our library, Heying said. After learning of the book's removal, Libs of TikTok tweeted "Big win for students of Iowa!" If parents or guardians of a current student object to library materials, they can speak with the teacher librarians and explain why they dont want their child reading those books. If parents or guardians want books removed from the library completely, the district has a policy in place to address those concerns. A committee, called the reconsideration committee, would read the material and then meet to discuss the material and complaint. The committee would be comprised of: The director of curriculum, instruction and assessment; Director of elementary or secondary education, depending on what level the challenged material is; One district-level instructional director; One building administrator other than the building administrator who received the complaint; One teacher librarian; One parent or guardian of an enrolled student and; One student. At the open public meeting, the committee would listen to the complaint as well as the opinions of others, determine the appropriateness of the material and whether to keep the material, remove the material or limit its use. Heying said this process will not take place since the book was removed. SIOUX CITY The Sioux City Council, by voting in favor of its consent agenda Monday, approved a more than $3.8 million settlement agreement and release between the city and a California clay pipe manufacturer and supplier. There was no discussion on the item before council members cast their votes to approve the consent agenda. In April 2021, the city filed a lawsuit against various Mission Clay Products entities for damages sustained from the failure of vitrified clay sewer pipe, which was installed on the city's north side near Floyd Boulevard. The city discovered failures in the pipe in the beginning of 2019, according to city documents. The city's lawsuit, which was filed in Woodbury County District Court, states that sinkholes developed in the area where the pipe had been laid. The city ultimately determined the sinkholes resulted from pipe that was defective and had deteriorated. City documents state that Mission Clay Products companies have offered to settle in the amount of $3.875 million. The agreement does not involve any admission of fault by any party, according to the documents. When the lawsuit was initially filed, the city had expended over $1.5 million to remediate the damages and expected to incur additional expenses. SIOUX CITY The Sioux City Council, by approving its consent agenda on Monday, awarded a $62,501 grant and green-lighted a service contract with Downtown Partners to assist with lighting improvements on Fourth Street. Downtown Partners is an organization that promotes business interests in the historic core of the city. Its comprehensive lighting plan is focused on safely directing pedestrians to their downtown destinations. One of the projects within the plan includes the replacement of the tops of 71 decorative black lighting fixtures located along Fourth Street, from Iowa to Water streets. The poles are currently maintained by the city. Fourth Street lighting project A group of globe lighting fixtures are shown Monday along Fourth Street in downtown Sioux City. The Sioux City City Council approved a $65,501 The enhancement to the tops will send needed light onto the sidewalks, making navigation safer and easier for residents and visitors, according to city documents. The documents state that new tops have been fabricated and tested by a local company. The total project cost is $142,000. Downtown Partners will fund the remaining $79,499, according to the documents. The project is expected to be completed or before December 31. Fourth Street lighting project A fixture that directs lighting downward is shown Monday at Fourth and Court streets in downtown Sioux City. The Sioux City City Council appro With the rest of the meteorologists away this week, Sean Sublette talks with Jessica Whitehead, Executive Director of the Old Dominion University Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience, to discuss some of the hidden and subtle ways the warming climate is sneaking up on us. The impact goes of which goes beyond hotter summers. WASHINGTON One of President Joe Biden's nominees to a federal appeals court has generated rare concern from some Democrats and outside groups over his signature on a legal brief defending a parental notification law in New Hampshire, injecting the issue of abortion into his confirmation fight from an unexpected flank. Michael Delaney, nominated for the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Boston, said in written testimony to senators that he did not write the 2005 brief and otherwise had extremely limited involvement in the case that was brought while he was deputy attorney general in New Hampshire. But the signing of the brief, along with scrutiny of his representation of St. Paul's School, a private boarding school in New Hampshire that was sued in connection with a sexual assault, is complicating a confirmation fight in which the White House has little room for error. The close attention on an abortion case also shows how stakes are ever-higher in a post-Roe v. Wade world. Access to abortion could hinge on lower-level judges now that the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the constitutional right to the procedure and advocates on both sides want near-certainty as they assess nominees. The issue helped derail one proposed Biden pick last summer when the White House decided not to nominate an anti-abortion lawyer in Kentucky following an outcry from Democrats. Delaneys case will test how far Biden will push Democrats to support his nominees to the federal bench even after the White House set records in the number of appointments in his first two years. It will also test the power of personal persuasion in the clubby Senate, whose members can often be influenced by fellow members whose counsel they trust. In this case, both New Hampshire Democratic senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, strongly back Delaney and are deeply respected by other senators. Both are also fierce supporters of abortion rights. At issue is a New Hampshire law, passed in 2003 but repealed in 2007, that required minors to tell their parents before they obtained an abortion. As the states deputy attorney general, Delaney was among those who signed a brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court that defended the law because it does not present a substantial obstacle to any woman's right to choose an abortion. The law, according to the brief filed in the case, Ayotte vs. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, "promotes compelling state interests, not the least of which is protecting the health of the pregnant minor by providing an opportunity for parents to supply essential medical history information to the physician. Delaney's involvement is detailed in response to written questions from Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., that he submitted after his confirmation hearing last month. But his signature on the brief has caused consternation for Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a strong supporter of abortion rights. For me personally, reproductive rights is a fundamental, core issue," Blumenthal told The Associated Press. "And I think Id want to know why he put his name on the brief and what it reflects in his personal view. Besides Blumenthal, two other Democratic members of the closely divided Senate, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, have also expressed general reservations about his nomination, particularly as it relates to the St. Paul's case. And at least one other Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee is concerned about Delaneys involvement in the Planned Parenthood case, according to a person familiar with the senators thinking who spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing deliberations over the nomination. One factor being weighed is how much Delaney's involvement in the brief was just a matter of course in his job. Delaney told senators that he was not involved in the decision to appeal the case to the Supreme Court, nor did he represent New Hampshire during oral arguments there. He was not directly involved in formulating the brief's arguments, he said, and while he read the brief before it was submitted, he said he does not recall whether he offered substantive feedback. In a statement to the AP, former New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, said: Mike Delaney strongly supports womens reproductive freedom." Lynch said he disagreed with then-Attorney General Kelly Ayotte on the Planned Parenthood case. When Mike became my legal counsel, he worked with me to successfully repeal the law at issue in the case, he said. Still, in private conversations, groups that support abortion access have similarly raised questions about why Delaney signed a brief that defended abortion restrictions. They have been dissatisfied with the responses. In a previously unreported letter, the National Council of Jewish Women said it would oppose the confirmation of Delaney, the first nominee from the Biden administration that it has rejected. The group pointed to his representation of St. Pauls as well as to his signature on the Planned Parenthood brief. Saying federal judges should have a record that evidences fairness, independence, fidelity to constitutional values, and respect for the individuals who appear before the court seeking justice, the group wrote in the letter that unfortunately, after reviewing the record, we do not think that Mr. Delaney possesses those important qualifications. The White House continues to support Delaney's nomination. Privately, White House officials are concerned that focusing on one motion or case could set a precedent for Republican opponents of Biden's picks to undermine other candidates for the bench, according to a person with knowledge of the internal deliberations who insisted on anonymity to discuss them. YUTAN The Nebraska National Guard said goodbye Friday to 13 of its soldiers deploying to Germany to help train Ukrainian soldiers in their struggle to fend off a Russian invasion. Gov. Jim Pillen and U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts joined Guard leaders and family members for a sendoff ceremony at the headquarters of the 1st Squadron, 134th Cavalry Regiment on the units base near Yutan. Your mission ahead is really important, Pillen said. I know youre going to be incredibly successful. Maj. Cody Cade, who works as a historian for the Nebraska National Guard, will lead the team in its work at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in southeastern Germany. The Nebraskans will help teach their Armed Forces Ukraine counterparts as part of a new combined-arms training program. That training is designed to better prepare the Ukrainian forces to launch an offensive or counter any surge in Russian attacks. The Nebraska group will be gone for up to a year. Many members of the Ukrainian armed forces are civilians who were quickly sent to front-line combat units despite having little or no military training. Its a unique mission that will have real-world consequences for the people of Ukraine, Cade said. In a January visit to Grafenwoehr to mark the start of the combined-arms training, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described it as a key to helping Ukraine retake territory in the eastern and southern part of the country. This support is really important for Ukraine to be able to defend itself, Milley said. The U.S. had been doing combined-arms training inside Ukraine before the Russian invasion, Cade said. But after the war began, U.S. National Guard and special-operations forces serving as trainers left the country. The new training is a continuation of that effort, which also involves other European allies. Previously, the U.S. had focused mostly on training Ukrainian forces how to use and maintain certain weapons systems, including howitzers, armored vehicles and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS. The Nebraska team wont be the first Guard soldiers the Ukrainian forces have worked with. Ricketts said the California National Guard has a military-to-military relationship with Armed Forces Ukraine that dates back 30 years. The Nebraska National Guard has similar partnership programs with the militaries of the Czech Republic and Rwanda. To help the Ukrainians after the Russian invasion, California Guard leaders set up a 24-hour emergency operations center to provide daily advice. They also sent ballistic vests, helmets and portable field hospitals to Ukraine. The Ukrainians have fought bravely for the past year. And a large part of that was because of the training they received for the last several decades from the California National Guard, Ricketts said. The aggression of Russia cannot be allowed to stand. Cade said the soldiers will leave Monday for several weeks of preparation and training in Arkansas and Texas before heading to Germany. This will be the longest deployment of Capt. Jon Gronewolds 15-year National Guard career. Im excited to assist the Ukrainians fight for freedom, he said. It really is such a good mission, to help others who are in need right now. Gronewold said its hard to leave behind his wife, Emily, and 14-month-old daughter, Ada, in Lincoln although cellphones and the internet make it possible to keep in closer touch than when Gronewalds father, retired Brig. Gen. Scott Gronewold, deployed to Bosnia and Iraq two decades ago. Theres a piece of me thats incredibly proud of him, Emily Gronewold said. But having a daughter now, it makes me emotional thinking that hell be missing a year of her growing up. Scott Gronewold said it is harder to send a son off on deployment than to go himself. What he will see, the experiences he will have, theyre unique, he said. Their mission has real-world implications. I told (Jon) what you do matters. This report includes material from the Associated Press. Photos: 90 Nebraska National Guard soldiers returned from Iraq in July 2017 90 Nebraska National Guard soldiers return from Iraq 90 Nebraska National Guard soldiers return from Iraq 90 Nebraska National Guard soldiers return from Iraq 90 Nebraska National Guard soldiers return from Iraq 90 Nebraska National Guard soldiers return from Iraq 90 Nebraska National Guard soldiers return from Iraq 90 Nebraska National Guard soldiers return from Iraq 90 Nebraska National Guard soldiers return from Iraq 90 Nebraska National Guard soldiers return from Iraq 90 Nebraska National Guard soldiers return from Iraq 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 Jimmy Carter took great pride in pointing out that the United States didnt start any new wars during his term as president. However, after he left office he launched a war against neglected diseases those in far-off lands that most Americans will never suffer from and may not have even heard of. Diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, river blindness, schistosomiasis and a disease caused by a nasty little bug called a Guinea worm. Guinea worms are spread through contaminated drinking water and undercooked fish. The female worms, which can be up to 3 feet long once mature, cause incredibly painful, open blisters usually on the infected persons lower legs and feet through which the worms emerge. It can take a toll for weeks or months, and sometimes permanently, leaving some people unable to support a family. If someone with Guinea worm has contact with water perhaps to cool the burning pain caused by a worms emergence the worm may release tens of thousands of baby worms, contaminating the whole body of water. The effort to end this disease did not rely on high-tech methods. Guinea worm disease has no cure, no vaccination, basically the entire eradication effort is built on behavior change, said Kelly Callahan, a public health worker who spent years fighting Guinea worm disease in southern Sudan with the Carter Center, the charity the ex-president and his wife created in partnership with Emory University. That has meant teaching people in vulnerable areas to filter their water and giving them the low-cost tools to do so. Other strategies include providing access to safe water supplies, better detection of human and animal cases, cleaning and bandaging wounds, preventing infected people and animals from wading into water, and using larvicide to kill the worms. Because of Carter, the world has come incredibly close to wiping out Guinea worm. I would like to see Guinea worm completely eradicated before I die, Carter said at a news conference in 2015. Id like for the last Guinea worm to die before I do. I think right now we have 11 cases. We started out with 3.6 million cases. It did look as if the last Guinea worm was going to die before the 39th U.S. president. Then, a few years ago, scientists discovered the parasite was spreading among stray dogs in Chad and baboons in Ethiopia also were carrying the parasite. This long-overlooked reservoir of the worms was a setback for the global eradication program and showed that killing the last Guinea worm would be harder than previously thought. As the number of cases dwindled, new challenges emerged. In 2018, Guinea worm disease was found in Angola, a country not known to have had cases in the past. In 2019 the World Health Organization pushed back its expected eradication date for the disease a full decade from 2020 to 2030. Researchers are now looking for a treatment for infected dogs, and public health workers turned to new interventions, such as paying people to report infected animals. Nonetheless, Carters campaign has been remarkably successful. In an interview with NPR in 2015, he recalled the origins of his crusade. Carters former drug czar, Peter Borne, was working on a United Nations initiative called the Freshwater Decade. Borne came to the Carter Center to talk about overlooked diseases spread by drinking bad water. One of them was Guinea worm. The main reason (Borne) came to the Carter Center was because he couldnt get anyone else to tackle this problem, Carter recalled. Its a despicable disease. And it was in such remote villages that no one wanted to take on the task. So, we decided to take it on. That was in 1986. The Carter Center pledged to continue the fight against the Guinea worm after Carter's death. Christopher Plowe, adjunct professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, agrees that Carters advocacy helped governments and public health agencies around the world stay focused on eradicating Guinea worm disease. The Carter Center invested about $500 million since 1986. I think we should be optimistic that it is achievable, Plowe said. I think we shouldnt be overly optimistic about how quick its gonna be. Guinea worm was just one of the targets of Carters war. Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, has been eliminated from most of the Americas and dramatically reduced in Africa due to the work of Carter and the Carter Center. Major inroads were made against other neglected diseases including lymphatic filariasis, which causes horrific swelling of the legs and genitals. Those who know Carter well said it was his upbringing in an impoverished part of the South that left him with a strong sense of self-reliance and self-sacrifice, and a duty to help others. He did what he did out of a love for mankind, said Linda Fuller Degelmann, a co-founder of Habitat for Humanity, which has counted Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter among their many volunteers. The Carters worked on Habitat projects in 14 countries. All of these efforts reflect a simple yet profound tenet of his personal philosophy: to try to help one another instead of being willing to go to war with one another. Photos: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter through the years Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1966 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1970 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1971 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1976 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1976 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1976 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1976 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1976 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1976 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1977 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1977 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1977 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1977 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1977 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1977 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1978 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1978 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1979 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1979 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1980 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1980 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1984 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1985 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1988 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 1995 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2004 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2007 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2007 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2008 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2009 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2009 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2009 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2010 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2011 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2014 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2015 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2015 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2017 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2018 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2018 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 2019 Former President Donald Trump is in Florida, waiting out the possibility of criminal charges in New York City as the city braces for disruptions that could follow an indictment. Meanwhile on Tuesday, Republican contenders in the 2024 presidential race are sizing up the impact a prosecution could have on a campaign in which Trump is a leading contender. The New York grand jury investigating Trump over a hush money payment to a porn star appears poised to complete its work soon but not as soon as Tuesday, as Trump had predicted. Sioux City residents should expect temperatures in the 40s. The forecast calls for it to be a cool 45 degrees. A 29-degree low is forecasted. We'll see sunshine today, but also cloud cover at times. The Sioux City area should see a light breeze, with forecast showing winds from the North, clocking in at 10 mph. 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. This piece was originally published on Just Security, an online forum for analysis of U.S. national security law and policy. Twenty years ago, the United States invaded Iraq with faulty intelligence, inadequate planning, and the impossibly ambitious aim of constructing a new Iraqi nation to American specifications. The result was over a trillion dollars lost, thousands of U.S. service members killed and wounded, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis dead, a major setback in the war against al-Qaida, irreparable damage to Americas global reputation, and tears in the fabric of American politics and society. These enduring legacies of the war have served as a cautionary tale for future military interventions in the region. Advertisement But has the United States fully internalized the lessons of the Iraq War? Two decades later it is clear that Washington still has crucial lessons to absorb. Here are five of the most important: 1. An imperfect strategy may be the best strategy. The United States pursued a frustratingly imperfect strategy in Iraq for a decade after the first Gulf War. This strategy, known as containment, called for coercive economic and military measures to contain Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. There were many problems with containment, not least that Saddam seemed to be making progress obtaining weapons of mass destruction and evading international inspections. He also represented a threat to his own population and the region as a whole. But, in hindsight, containment was a much better strategy than attempting to overthrow him militarily in the hope of fashioning a stable, democratic Iraq. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2. Foreign policy decisions are often less rational than they appear. Key figures on the Bush national security teamVice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, President George W. Bush himselfprobably did not consider themselves to be men easily swayed by emotion. But looking back, its obvious they were. Domestic politics, bureaucratic interests, internecine feuding, and individual personalities shape foreign policy decisions, but the emotionally charged atmosphere after 9/11, and especially the intense fear of another mass terror attack, severely clouded their judgment on key issues. One of the most important of these issues was whether Saddam would use weapons of mass destruction against the United States or provide them to terrorists. With clearer heads, we can see that Saddam would have gained nothing and risked everything by using such weapons against the United State preemptively or giving such weapons to terroristshad he even possessed them in the first place. But pervasive fear after 9/11 impeded such clear thinking and led many policymakers to conclude the danger was real. Advertisement 3. Unilateralism is hazardous. The Bush administration did not entirely renounce multilateralism in the runup to the war. It tried to work through the United Nations to obtain legal authorization for the attack on Iraq, and when it went to war, it did so with a coalition of allies and partners. Nevertheless, choosing to invade Iraq over the objections of a powerful group of nations that included not only Russia and China, but also close U.S. allies France and Germany, violated the spirit of multilateralism, and eventually the letter of international law. A greater effort to address the concerns of these nations would have greatly reduced the diplomatic, bureaucratic, financial, and military costs of the war, and perhaps prevented it altogether. Advertisement 4. Open debate is crucial for avoiding strategic tunnel vision. The Bush administrationand much of Congressfailed to place the problem of Iraq in the broader context of Americas interests and role in the world. This strategic tunnel vision helped justify terribly high human and financial costs, while blinding those who favored the invasion to the ways it would damage other vital U.S. interests, such as the need to destroy al-Qaida, the preservation of a rules-based international order, and diplomatic relations with allies and adversaries. One of the main reasons U.S. leaders developed strategic tunnel vision was that they sidelined serious critics. For example, former Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs and current director of the CIA William J. Burns wrote a now legendary memo outlining the risks of war, only to be ignored. Secretary of State Colin Powell also reportedly didnt feel comfortable telling Bush he opposed the war. In the United Kingdom, the Blair government made the same mistake, ignoring or sidelining internal critics who questioned the march toward war. A more open debate about the policy options that included these critics would have provided crucial geopolitical context, underscoring the longer term risks and potential consequences of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 5. Wars always take longer and cost more than expected. The Iraq War was supposed to last weeks to months, but it lasted a decade, if not more, depending on how one counts. Other wars, such as the Kosovo intervention a few years earlier, the Libya intervention a few years later, and the concurrent Afghanistan war also lasted much longer than initially planned (World War I was famously supposed to end in a few months, but lasted four of the most costly years in human history). Pressed for action during a crisis, U.S. political leaders tend to downplay the unanticipated costs and consequences of war in the long term. Iraq should serve as a warning of the dangers of doing so. Advertisement Lessons like these should resonate with U.S. leaders today. For example, when it comes to Iran, the many imperfections of the nuclear deal may be vexing, but the alternatives would be much worse. Pretending otherwise may have some limited deterrent effect on Tehran, but Iraq is a clear reminder of how disastrous it would be if the United States ends up having to act on its own bluff. Similarly, the One China policy, which acknowledges Chinas position that Beijing is the only government of China, is fraught. But who has a better alternative? Anxiety about the state of American democracy is meanwhile feeding fears about the broader world. President Joe Biden has likened arms for Ukraine to defending freedom itself, and framed the current global moment as a struggle between autocracy and democracyjust as Bush once framed the so-called global war on terror. This is a deeply problematic framing, at once impossible to implement and yet hostile to many nations, especially after Americas regime-change operation in Iraq. Advertisement President Donald Trump threw multilateralism out the window, and no one in the Republican Party today seems ready to retrieve it. The Iraq War is an object reminder of how damaging an activist Republican foreign policy could be if unilateralist impulses are not tempered. There is a venerable Republican tradition of multilateral diplomacy, a tradition once practiced skillfully by President George H.W. Bush. Republicans should recover it. Advertisement As in Iraq, todays wars are also certain to last much longer and cost much more than anticipated. The war in Ukraine is poised to continue for many years, a fact that should raise questions about whether the United States and its allies are doing enough to bring the fighting to an end. Meanwhile, many members of Congress, eager to demonstrate their anti-China bona fides, are blithely ignoring how long and costly war with China would actually be. They do so at everyones peril. Unless lessons from the Iraq War are fully understood and retained, the United States runs the risk of blundering again. This should be concerning, because the tragedy of Iraq would pale in comparison to an ill-conceived war in todays era of great power competition. More From Just Security: The ICC Goes Straight to the Top: Arrest Warrant Issued for Putin How will the ICCs Arrest Warrant for Putin Play Out in Practice? A longer version of this piece was originally published on Just Security, an online forum for analysis of U.S. national security law and policy. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is apparently on the verge of charging Donald J. Trump under New York states business records statute for concealing hush money payments that may have affected the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. Falsifying business records under New York law can be charged either as a misdemeanor or a felony. The misdemeanor requires proof of one of several potential acts. Relevant to Trump is the statutes prohibition of making a false entry in the business records of an enterprise. The evidence indicates he personally signed checks to Michael Cohen as reimbursement for the hush money payment. If DA Bragg can prove that Trump signed those checksand it appears he canand that Trump knew the payment for hush money was being falsely recorded as legal expenses, then Trump committed a misdemeanor (or likely a number of misdemeanors, if each false entry is charged separately). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To establish a felony (i.e., falsifying business records in the first degree), prosecutors would need to prove, in addition to the elements of the misdemeanor, that Trumps intent to defraud include[d] an intent to commit another crime. There are a number of candidate crimesand we offer an assessment of just some of the more likely options: 1) federal campaign finance crimes; 2) state campaign finance crimes; and 3) conspiracy to promote or prevent an election. Some commentators, and Trumps defense attorney, appear to be trying to equate the hush money payments in this case to the contributions at issue in the unsuccessful prosecution of former senator and presidential candidate John Edwards. Let us state clearlywhereas the Edwards case was borderline as to whether it should have been brought, both legally and factually, the Trump case is relatively straightforward. Advertisement Edwards was charged in a North Carolina federal court with five counts of campaign finance violations and one count of conspiracy (essentially, to commit the scheme contained within the other five counts). Many of the facts in the case were uncontested. From early 2006 through approximately August 2008, Edwards had an extramarital affair with Rielle Hunter, a former campaign videographer. The National Enquirer published allegations of the affair in October 2007, and a subsequent article in December 2007 alleging Hunter was pregnant. Edwards initially denied the affair, and his campaign aide Andrew Young claimed paternity over the baby. Over months, Edwards used payments from donors, some of which Young had collected, to pay for travel and accommodations for Young and Hunter to escape media attention. In the background of the affair, its coverup, and Edwards presidential campaign was his wife Elizabeth, who had stage-IV breast cancer. In an April 2007 interview, she acknowledged the cancer was likely terminal. She passed away in December 2007, survived by three children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To secure a conviction, federal prosecutors had to prove that each of the six offenses were done willfully, which required a jury to find that Edwards knew his conduct was unlawful. That appears to have been one of their major challenges. The government relied almost entirely on the testimony of Youngwho was granted immunity for cooperating in the prosecutionand that of his wife, Cheri. Both had motivation to fabricate testimony. Young had the threat of criminal prosecution hanging over his head if he failed to implicate Edwards. And Young had significant exposure were he convicted: He testified that he kept approximately $1 million in payments for his own personal use. Cheris motivation to fabricate was not as strong, but a desire to support her husband and perhaps to seek revenge against the man she believed had wronged them likely played a role in the jurys minds. Additionally, the proof as to whether the donors knew where their payments were going or that the campaign solicited the payments for that purpose was less than ironclad, in part because the donors themselves were unavailable as witnesses. Advertisement Among Edwards defense teams many arguments were 1) that the money was personal and not election-related for the purpose of the Federal Election Campaign Act because he used the money solely to hide the affair from his dying wife, and subsequently from their surviving children; and 2) in any event, he did not know that he could be violating federal campaign finance laws. He mounted a robust defense, calling a number of witnesses, including both a former FEC chairman (who testified as to how complicated campaign finance law is) and one of Edwards former lawyers (who testified in support of Edwards contention that he did not know the payments were illegal). Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the jury deadlocked on five counts and acquitted Edwards of one count. Any prosecutor who tries these types of cases (or defense lawyer who defends them) will tell you that without a proverbial smoking gun, proving a willful violation of a complex statute is challenging. Nevertheless, the fact that the government came close in this case with a deadlocked jury suggests that when the proof is substantially more compelling, conviction is a real possibility. (In that case, the government decided against retrying the charges on which the jury hung). Advertisement Advertisement Trumps defense will lack many of the attributes that helped Edwards avoid conviction. Compare Cohen (an imperfect, yet credible, witness who already has served his time) with Young, whose motivation to stay out of prison clearly had an impact on his credibility. Trump also lacks the personal motivation that Edwards was able to arguewhereas Edwards wife was unaware of the affair, public evidence suggests that Melania already knew about Trumps affair with Stephanie Clifford (aka Stormy Daniels). Edwards therefore could credibly argue he had a strong motive to keep the affair secret from his wife and their children. The fact that Edwards even made a payment after he dropped out of the election further buttresses that point. Moreover, whereas both Karen McDougal and Clifford were in negotiations to go public about their affairs, there is no indication that Edwards mistress had any similar inclination. Advertisement Advertisement Whats more, the Trump payment was made only weeks before the election. And there is likely to be testimony from Cohen, David Pecker, and perhaps others that the purpose of the payment was related to the election (the non-prosecution agreement with Peckers AMI is one piece of evidence, and the audio recording of Trump and Cohen referring to the arrangement with Pecker is another). The Justice Departments sentencing memorandum in Cohens federal criminal case is also replete with references to how the arrangement was designedstarting two months after Trump announced his presidential runto suppress stories being published before the election. And whereas Edwards former lawyer testified in his defense as to his good faith, Trumps former lawyer (Cohen) will testify as to his bad faith. The proof as to the facts of a falsified business record and whichever likely predicate crime is alleged against Trump are also much stronger than were the facts of the campaign finance violations alleged against Edwards. Advertisement Advertisement In short, although the two cases share some overlaps involving presidential campaigns and secret affairs, the outcome of the cases is likely to be very different. The hush money payments were a significant matter for our democracy. The election of 2016 was a close one, in which Donald Trump was already coping with a sex scandal because of the Access Hollywood tape. Had the Clifford allegations emerged, they might have changed the outcome of the election. And the payments certainly seem to run afoul of the New York books and records statute. While bringing a felony case presents complexities, DA Bragg is to be applauded for taking the matter seriously. Trump for his part recognizes the peril he faces and is responding in a familiar fashion. His call to PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!! is reminiscent of his will be wild! tweet summoning the mob to Jan. 6. Bragg has said his office does not tolerate attempts to intimidaterightly so. Trumps incitement failed last time and will here as well. We await the DAs next move. More From Just Security: Remaking Iraq: How Iranian-Backed Militias Captured the Country Profiles of the January 6th Inmates in the D.C. Jail What do the Republicans challenging Donald Trump for the partys presidential nomination say about his supposedly forthcoming indictment in New York? Its a quandary. They cant celebrate it. The indictment, were it to happen, would surely go over poorly with most of the Republican primary electorate. They cant champion it, thereby praising the work of a district attorney in deep-blue New York City. But they still want to find some way of saying: Maybe dont support the guy whos on the precipice of indictment for his infamously scummy ways? Advertisement One challenger, former Vice President Mike Pence, played it safe. Rather than slip a dig or two at Trump, he referred to the potential indictment as another politically charged prosecution against the former president of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think many Americans are taken aback at the unprecedented indictment of a former president, Pence said in Iowa, 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. It tells you everything you need to know about the liberal left in this country. Trumps perceived top rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, was silent on the matter over the weekend. This did not go unnoticed by Trump allies, who put public pressure on DeSantis to make his thoughts known. Advertisement Pay attention to which Republicans spoke out against this corrupt BS immediately, Donald Trump Jr. tweeted Sunday, and who sat on their hands and waited to see which way the wind was blowing. DeSantis finally spoke up on the issue Monday morning at a press conference. Like Pence, DeSantis took shots at Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg, describing him as a Soros-funded prosecutor who, along with his fellow Soros-funded prosecutors, will weaponize their office to impose a political agenda on society at the expense of the rule of law and public safety. The criminals now run New York City, yadda yadda yadda. Anything else to add on the topic? Look, I dont know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair, DeSantis added, as an aside, before going back into his criticism of Bragg. Advertisement DeSantis took this shot at Trumpof the classic just state what the underlying controversy is genrewithout any knowing wink or laugh. But people in the room where he was speaking were laughing right away. Ron DeSantis is asked about a possible Trump indictment. He immediately blasts the Manhattan DA as a "Soros-funded prosecutor." But then he also says, "look, I don't know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair." pic.twitter.com/g63X2U3xlk Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 20, 2023 Advertisement Advertisement Don Jr. didnt love DeSantis response. Oh no! So DeSantis thinks that Dems weaponizing the law to indict President Trump is a "manufactured circus" & isn't a "real issue" Pure weakness. Now we know why he was silent all weekend. He's totally owned by Karl Rove, Paul Ryan & his billionaire donors. 100% Controlled Opposition. https://t.co/3fT06rlbH5 Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 20, 2023 Advertisement Advertisement The old man himself, posting on his own social media network, warned that one day DeSantis himself soon could be falsely accused of sex things by a member of an unspecified gender. Advertisement Trump responds to DeSantiss subtle dig: Ron will probably find out about this sometime in the future when hes unfairly and illegally attacked by a woman (or possibly a man!) with false accusations. https://t.co/Yfz29A1tq0 pic.twitter.com/AeSOZbljXJ Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) March 20, 2023 Trump deleted that, and then reposted, so he could zhuzh it up with some grooming insinuations. Advertisement In his press conference, DeSantis said that he has real issues to deal with and that he neednt involve himself any further in this circus. There, is, however, a way that Trump can drag DeSantiswho is, after all, his governorinto this. Advertisement In the unlikely event that the former president refuses to surrender, he would put Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, his leading but undeclared rival for the Republican nomination, in an awkward political position, the New York Times writes. Under law, the role of Mr. DeSantis would be essentially ministerial and he would have few legal options other than approving an extradition request from New York. In other words, the governor would have to authorize an arrest warrant for Trump and schlep him off to New York, where purple-haired, eye-pierced, left-wing LUNATICS would imprison him for the simple crime of being the Greatest President in American History. Would be a shame if we had to see that play out! Then again, Trump is an understanding person. He always gets it when his fellow Republicans hands are tied, and when they have no recourse but to execute essentially ministerial functions. Isnt that right, Mike Pence? Mike? You there? Sorry, were hearing that Mike Pence is being evacuated from the building Donald Trump is claiming, on his Truth Social social media site, that he is going to be arrested Tuesday and charged by the Manhattan district attorneys office on charges related to a 2016 payment to pornographic actress Stormy Daniels, who says the two had a sexual affair in 2006. (Trump admits having made the payment, but denies having had the affair. His legal representatives say potential charges would be without merit.) Sources besides Trump himself are less certain that his arrest is quite that imminent. The New York Times and Washington Post are reporting that no one in his inner circle is sure where he came up with the Tuesday claim. But multiple outlets have reported in recent weeks that charges may indeed be filed against him in the case for falsifying business records in order to conceal the payment to Daniels. (When Trumps onetime lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to charges related to Daniels in 2018, he was accused of keeping the payment secret in order to circumvent campaign finance disclosure laws. Its not clear whether the campaign-finance aspect will be part of the case against Trump.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the former president having recently increased his lead over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a number of polls of potential Republican primary voters, some observers have naturally begun to wonder how the potential indictment could affect Trumps chances in a 2024 general-election race against (presumably) Joe Biden. Because hey, what else is going on in the world? Opinionated billionaire Elon Musk and bestselling Beltway author Mark Halperin are among those who have predicted that a prosecution will all but guarantee another Trump presidencyin that it would be perceived by the average voter as a radical partisan attack, triggering a backlash against liberal Democrats that carries Trump to a victory in 2024. Halperin wrote Sunday that the indictment could change Trumps chances of winning dramatically, maybe even decisively. Advertisement Is this true? Maybe it would be for a typical politiciansomeone who would respond to a potential indictment by trying to appeal to the beliefs and attitudes of, you know, the average voter. As a thought experiment, it is hard to imagine that there would be national support for a sudden effort by the Manhattan district attorney to hunt down and imprison, lets say, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu. Advertisement But the former presidents reaction to the potential charges has been, characteristically, not typical. Trump, on Truth Social, has referred to Daniels repeatedly as Horseface and alleged that Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, who is Black, is a racist who is being pressured to file charges by [George] Soros and other Marxists. Hes called on his supporters to PROTEST!!! against his impending arrest in order to TAKE OUR NATION BACK, reiterating his belief that the 2020 presidential election was STOLLEN [sic] and comparing himself to convicted Jan. 6 rioters (AMERICAN PATRIOTS) who are being HELD IN CAPTIVITY LIKE ANIMALS. (Trump also recently released a recording, produced in collaboration with a former Fox News anchor named Ed Henry who was was fired from the network in 2020 after multiple sexual misconduct allegations against him were made public, in which he recites the Pledge of Allegiance while a chorus of Jan. 6 inmatesrecorded over the phone from prisonsing The Star-Spangled Banner. I am not making this up.) Advertisement Advertisement His posts, for what its worth, are interspersed with automated Truth Social advertisements urging followers to, for example, obtain a Free Trump 2024 Gold Bar by visiting freedonaldgold.com, where one learns that shipping and handling charges for 50 free barsthe number the site recommends buyingwill cost $199.50. Advertisement Advertisement Many political questions dont have answers that are even a little bit empirical. (How will Ron DeSantis perform in primary debates, for example?) No one knows what the future holds. (Is Ron DeSantis prepared to argue on national television that a short guy who wears high-heeled shoes can be an alpha male, as just another example?) We do, however, have opinion polls and election results that provide insight into what American voters think about Trump, his trustworthiness, his attitudes toward women and racial minorities, and his theories about being persecuted. Advertisement What this evidence says is that a decisive and consistent number of voters dont trust or like him (only 36 percent called him likable in one pre-2020 election poll, while about the same percentage have generally described him as trustworthy). Among the reasons voters dont like him: They believe hes sexist (51 percent to 34 percent here) and bad for race relations (67 percent here thought his reaction to George Floyds death made the situation worse), and that he acts often in criminal or at least unethical ways. (The Washington Posts Aaron Blake runs down the impressively long list of Trump scandals in which the public has sided against him here.) Voters also dont tend to believe his claims and counter-claims about being the victim of Deep State conspiracies. (See here for an example involving the 2020 election.) Advertisement In factin 2018, no lessmore voters believed Stormy Daniels story about the alleged affair than believed Trumps denial of it. Probably the least popular thing Trump ever did, moreover, was inciting his followers to riot in order to disrupt a legal proceeding, namely the ratification of votes in 2020. (As of July 2022, a CNN poll found that 79 percent of Americans said his involvement in the events of Jan. 6 was unethical or illegal.) Which, if his Truth Social posts about taking the country back are any indication, is on the table again this time. Advertisement There is also, at the least, a lack of evidence that the public responds to investigations of Trump (even those led by Democrats) by punishing the Democratic Party. Each of the last three election cycles have been awash in headline-dominating inquiry over Trumps conduct. In 2018, the Mueller investigation was underway; in 2020, hed been impeached for blackmailing the government of Ukraine; in 2022, there were both the Jan. 6 committee and the Mar-a-Lago classified document raid. Each time, Trump (and other Republicans) tried to frame the inquiries as hysterical partisan overreach. Each of those elections, particularly the most recent one, ended poorly for Trump and/or the Republican candidates most closely associated with him. Trump might not be found guilty by a jurythats what the experts say. But if pursuing an investigation that ends inconclusively about allegations that Donald Trump behaved unethically was good for him, he would probably still be president. And if someone tells you they know for certain otherwise, they are probably not an expert. Over the weekend, former President Donald Trump said he would be arrested on Tuesday and called on his supporters to protest on his behalf. He is facing more than a dozen investigations, criminal and civil: There are investigations into his handling of classified documents, his role in the riot on Jan. 6, and election interference in Georgia. But the case that he was referring to is the one being pursued by the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg Jr., which revolves around a one-time payment of $130,000, allegedly made on Trumps behalf to the porn star Stormy Daniels seven years ago, in exchange for her silence about a sexual encounter they had had. Advertisement Now, while we dont know whether an arrest is imminent, an indictment might be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN reports that city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in New York have discussed contingency plans in the case of an arrest. But there is at least one more witness who is expected to testify before the grand jury in this case, according to the New York Times. Sources told the paper that even if an indictment did come down Monday, logistics would likely delay an arrest beyond Tuesday. Still, we dont know much about how it will all play out. On Mondays episode of What Next, host Mary Harris spoke with Slates own Dahlia Lithwick to unpack the mystery of how a years-old payment to a porn star might lead to the first-ever criminal prosecution of a former president. Their conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity. Advertisement Mary Harris: Its been a long time since most of us heard the name Stormy Daniels or really thought about the elements of this case. Can you remind us all just what happened here? Dahlia Lithwick: In 2018 Michael Cohen, Donald Trumps former lawyer and fixer, pleads guilty to, at that time, a whole host of crimes. But one of them was federal campaign finance law violations, because he was the guy who was spearheading paying hush money in 2016 right before the electionspecifically, a $130,000 payout to Stormy Daniels, who alleged that she had had an affair with Donald Trump. Advertisement And this affair was, like, 14 years ago, 15 years agoa long time ago. Advertisement Yeah, and she had told people for years, openly, that shed had an affair with him. (The time frame here is tricky, and it will be one of the things that could be a technical impediment to this casethere is possibly a statute of limitations.) Advertisement And part of whats notable about that is that wed all found out about the Stormy Daniels allegations before Michael Cohen was laying all this out with the Department of Justice. Originally Cohen was telling newspapers like the Wall Street Journal that this didnt happen. And so its like he totally flipped his position. Right. And thats one of the weaknesses, in addition to the kind of questions about the statute of limitations and whether this is a state or federal crimeCohen is the star witness, and hes not deemed the worlds most reliable witness. And its never great to put someone like that in front of a jury and have them testify to the ways in which they denied it until they went to jail for it. Advertisement As you said, we dont exactly know whats going to happen this week. We just have these hints. But were you expecting thiswas a prosecution related to the Stormy Daniels hush payment on your 2023 dance card? Advertisement Advertisement In so many ways, this was the zombie caseit was just lurking there under the surface, waiting to be awakened. Alvin Bragg is the new Manhattan D.A. who would potentially bring these charges. Theres been so much back-and-forth about what Bragg is doing with this case and whether theres going to be a case there at all. Can you tell that story from the beginning? Because I think its part of what makes this puzzling. Advertisement I think that part of the problem is, Bragg was elected in a highly politicized moment. Weve got COVID, were worrying about crime, were worrying about all this stuff. The first thing Bragg does is release a memo where he asserts that he is going to have different prosecutorial priorities. And this immediately sets him into the column of those who may be soft on crime. Hes coddling criminals. So people go crazy at him. Advertisement Someone said: Its a real trick, in your first weeks in office, to have both the New York Post and MSNBC furious with you at the same time. And he manages to do it because, at the same time that he is laying out different prosecutorial priorities and incarceration priorities, hes also backing off the Trump prosecution. It turns into just a spectacular nightmare. Mark Pomerantz, one of the former prosecutors on the case, writes this resignation letter thats leaked to the papers that essentially says that the Trump case has been suspended indefinitely. And hes frustrated because he thinks they had a real case and that Bragg is a chicken. So, both of these things are happening, and poor Bragg is just getting walloped from all sides. Theres just no way to know what happens inside his office, but whatever it is that happened, we do get this huge prosecution of a tax fraud case against the Trump Organization that ends up in a conviction in December. Advertisement Advertisement The Trump Organizations chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, is indicted. He pleads guilty. Then, at some point, a decision was made to go after this fairly trivial set of misdemeanor offenses of falsifying financial records (the Michael CohenStormy Daniels case). Paying hush money to someone you had sex with seems very gross. But what makes this illegal? Like, why would the Manhattan D.A. be able to investigate this in the first place? Yeah, no, its totally OK to pay hush money to people you had sex with. [Laughs.] Note to self! [Laughs.] So thats not the problem. I think the problem was the falsifying of business records.This is kind of what Wall Street bigwigs are investigated for and prosecuted for all the time, which is just falsifying their records. And I think that what Cohen told federal prosecutors he did was, he said these checks he received, ostensibly as legal fees, went onto the books as a legal expense to pay Michael Cohen for his work. And that is, you know, false. At the most simple level, this is just bread-and-butter financial crimes. Dont say you are getting paid for legal services when youre being reimbursed for what could beor may or may not bea campaign donation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That seems tiny. The misdemeanor is just first-degree falsifying business records. Maximum four years in prison. Its a low-level thing. And I think that the question isand this is what people are scratching their heads aboutis there a way to make this a bigger thing? And can you connect it either to campaign violations or can you connect it to tax fraud? Can you connect it to something huge? Because if you do that, either in furtherance of a crime or to hide a crime, then you can vault yourself into felony land. Theres been a huge amount of infighting in the legal journalism world about whether this case is too tenuousand what happens if Bragg brings it and he loses. Like, its going to be horrible. You get all of the momentum not just blocked but reversed if it ends up feeling like a weak case. And then Charles Blow wrote a piece saying, Oh my God, just get what you can get, the low-hanging fruit. This is all stuff that Michael Cohen got tagged for where Donald Trump couldnt be tagged for it because he was sitting president at the time. So tag him. Advertisement Advertisement I think that one of the things that Donald Trumps thermonuclear response evinces is that he thinks that this is going to be a thermonuclear indictment. And it might just be, like, super-small french fried potatoes. What do we know is happening this week? Why do you think Trump has Tuesday on his mind in the first place? I think a couple of things happened last week. One is, we know that Michael Cohen was talking with the grand jury. And Stormy Daniels was in there talking. And we knowthis is importantthat Donald Trump was invited to come and talk to the grand jury himself, which is, by every measure that I understand, well, youre 1 yard from the end zone when you invite the person in question to come in and talk. And, needless to say, he didnt. So all of a sudden, this case that felt like a sleeper until, I dont know, late January suddenly is on fire. And then on Friday, news outlets reported that a bunch of different entities in New York were preparing for what would happen were Trump to be arrested, or at least [they] were having internal conversations about what they should prepare for, should an indictment come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And it went from Maybe something is happening very soon to Oh, somethings happening next week. And perhaps that is where Donald Trump got Tuesday from. I think this is one of those classic Trump moments: Hes about to get in trouble, but if he sets fire to everything before he gets in trouble, then he thinks he wont get in trouble. In truth, once the grand jury votes, it can be days and weeks before they actually sign the document listing the charges. So its not an automatic thing that if the grand jury votes to indict him, then theres a perp walk. In a lot of ways, it makes perfect sense for him to say, Hit the streets now. Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts Get more news from Mary Harris every weekday. Yeah, I mean, Trump is currently running for president in 2024, and hes scheduled to hold a campaign rally in Texas this week. Do you think hes going to be showing up for that campaign rally, with this sort of sword of Damocles hanging over him? I think this is why he ran, right? [Laughs.] I mean, in some sense, I think this is his amazing superpower: to say Im running. Because there are conventions around how we treat those who are running for president. These investigations are heading into a political season. And I think the clock is absolutely ticking, right? The campaign season starts very, very soon. To convene an actual grand jury to bring charges to have a trialits almost impossible for these things to happen before we are fully in the primary. He could easily be using this campaign to possibly insulate himself from whats coming. But the act of campaigning means that hes foreshortened the clock on the investigations into the criminal and civil investigations into him. Prosecutors will be really mindful of the fact that by, what?March? April of 2024?it may be over. Trump could be in the clear. Its become axiomatic in our political discourse that one of the reasons the anti-abortion crowd became so powerfully persuasive in the decades after Roe is that claiming to speak for a fetus is rhetorically unassailable. If every fertilized egg is a human life, nobody can claim to understand its preferences and hopes and dreams, so substituting the voice of the movement is a simple matter: All fertilized eggs want to live and thrive, goes the theory. End of policy debate. Advertisement This is why, as Barney Frank famously put it, these people believe that life begins at conception and ends at birth. Its why the quote from Dave Barnhart that went viral right before Roe was overturned is still so perfectly apt. As the pastor put it: The unborn are a convenient group of people to advocate for. They never make demands of you; they are morally uncomplicated, unlike the incarcerated, addicted, or the chronically poor; they dont resent your condescension or complain that you are not politically correct; unlike widows, they dont ask you to question patriarchy; unlike orphans, they dont need money, education, or childcare; unlike aliens, they dont bring all that racial, cultural, and religious baggage that you dislike; they allow you to feel good about yourself without any work at creating or maintaining relationships; and when they are born, you can forget about them, because they cease to be unborn. You can love the unborn and advocate for them without substantially challenging your own wealth, power, or privilege, without re-imagining social structures, apologizing, or making reparations to anyone. They are, in short, the perfect people to love if you want to claim you love Jesus, but actually dislike people who breathe. Prisoners? Immigrants? The sick? The poor? Widows? Orphans? All the groups that are specifically mentioned in the Bible? They all get thrown under the bus for the unborn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The emptiness of this interest in life is also why so many anti-abortion politicians mouthed platitudes after Dobbs about their increased focus on poverty, food insecurity, and maternal and child healthand why very little of this has actually materialized. But what many of us have missed is that the tactic of protecting the voiceless innocent unborn has now been deployed to deprive actual living, breathing, ambulating humans of moral agency as well. Its the tactic being used to ban books, to silence teachers, to go after drag performances, to deny health care to families seeking to support trans kids. The notion that everyone must be protected from a scourge of immorality is, in some ways, old wine in a new bottle. But it is also a creeping form of illiberalism that ensures that for some GOP politicians, we all remain fetuses forever. Advertisement It was, of course, never even true that pro-lifers could speak for all fetuses. As we are increasingly being made aware, wanted fetuses can become children with lives so difficult that it is unclear they really did want to be alive. Wanted fetuses can become medical emergencies for mothers who might not be prepared to sacrifice their own lives for the chance of a fetus life. There has been shockingly little attention paid to these facts and scenarios, which are always complicated and frequently heartbreaking. Advertisement But as we hear Republican politicians gunning to hide books about race from children in Florida, or deny gender-affirming health care to trans families, or ban drag shows, their rationale continues to be that everyone is a baby. Teenagers are now de facto babies, but lately, so are their parents. Advertisement Here is an example. In Georgia this week, voting to ban gender-affirming care for anyone under 18, Republican Rep. Josh Bonner said this: As parents, our role is to help our kids navigate through the confusion of growing up in a society that is often oversexualized and wants to place children in situations to make adult decisions they are not capable of making. Under this construction of the case, its not just teens, but also their parents who are the childrenwho cannot even be trusted to make decisions about how to make decisions themselves. Advertisement In Florida this week, defending his deliberately confusing and chaos-ridden program of book bans in schools, Gov. Ron DeSantis said this: I just think parents, when theyre sending their kids to school, they should not have to worry about this garbage being in the schools and that I think, though, there is a concerted effort to bring some of this sexualization into the classroom, particularly in these young grades. But of course the lists of books that have been removed from classrooms and libraries are not limited to porn and filth, as PEN America has meticulously detailed. (HB 1467 mandates that any library or instructional books must be reviewed by a district employee with a valid educational media specialist certificate to make sure that they dont contain porn or the fact that racism exists.) As a result, Florida textbooks are being edited so that someday schoolchildren may be spared the sentence, explaining Rosa Parks, that African Americans had to give up their seats on the bus if a white person wanted to sit down, in favor of the sentence She was told to move to a different seat. We are all the innocent unborn, deeply in need of protection, now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getting from parental rights to book bans means deploying, again, the meaningless language of grooming and Marxism and CRT and the sexualization of teenagers that reduces both them, and the parents who choose to send them to public school, to fetuses, with no moral agency to think or speak for themselves. Joan Walsh recently quoted the leader of a group called No Left Turn in Education who disrupted a Clay County School Board meeting last summer in his efforts to get the memoir Lucky, by Alice Sebold, banned because of its rape scene.* His rationale? They are trying to sexualize and normalize deviant behavior, he told reporters. Sexualizing our children is grooming. It is not acceptable. It is illegal. (The book in fact does the opposite of normalizing deviant behavior.) Advertisement Advertisement Same story with the drag show bans sweeping the country. As the Texas Tribune recently reported, most opposition to drag events has been driven by anti-LGBTQ groups that deliberately mischaracterize them as efforts to groom and harm children: The Texas Tribune reviewed more than two dozen anti-drag incidents, including protests and online harassment campaigns, that have occurred in the state since the beginning of Pride Month last June. Taken together, they show how a small but influential cadre of activists and extremist groups have fueled anti-drag panic by routinely characterizing all drag as inherently and nefariously sexual regardless of the content or audience. Those claims have then been used to justify harassment and legislation targeting the LGBTQ community as a whole, often under the guise of protecting kids. At least a quarter of the anti-drag incidents have been directed at events that organizers say are not even remotely sexual: drag queen story hours, where performers read childrens books, often at a library or bookstore, in an effort to promote literacy. Prominent anti-drag figures have made it clear that they think drag is obsceneregardless of the context. Advertisement Live human children, who have functioning human parents who either choose to take them to these events or do not, are being protected here, from being the ones to make decisions about their own lives. The opponents who insert themselvesinto protected free-speech activity, by the wayhave erased the moral will and decision-making choices of any player in this drama; have reduced them to nothing, zygotes in fluid. Their clarion call for parents rights now excludes parents. Who is being treated like a fetus now? Once you are introducing policies that regard both teenagers and their adult parents as incapable of reasoned decision making, you are committing the very same ethical fallacy for which Barnhart called out pro-lifers: You are claiming to love American teenagers and their parents, and you are advocating for them without substantially challenging your own wealth, power, or privilege, without re-imagining social structures, apologizing, or making reparations to anyone. We are all fetuses now. American teens and, increasingly, their grown parents have become, as Barnhart so aptly put it, the perfect people to love if you want to claim you love Jesus, but actually dislike people who breathe. The last time people were this worked up about chatbots, it was because Microsoft released one that became infamous for turning racist. Back in 2016, Tay seemed to validate skeptics of A.I.-fueled internet buddiesbut now the runaway success of ChatGPT has given A.I. optimists a future to cheer for. Released by OpenAI in Novemberand souped up just last week with the limited release of its GPT-4 learning modelChatGPT has left hundreds of millions of users in awe (and fear) of its advanced, automated word-processing capability, which is set to become only more powerful. It really is impressiveand its also spurring the dumbest tech-industry arms race since the pandemic-era crypto boom. Advertisement There are huge stakes when it comes to A.I. development: U.S.-China saber-rattling, the business ambitions of Big Tech, and the future of work. But its not just that ChatGPT has panicked once-untouchable juggernauts like Google, pushing them to fast-track their own A.I.-text tools with the hope of ushering in the next generation of online search. Its that countless developers, startups, companies, and software tools are rushing to incorporate ChatGPT-style bots into everything they possibly can, often in ways that are less scary than just plain weird. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weird and pointless. Say it with me: Not everything needs a chatbot. A few examples: You can chat with digital copies of your favorite books and essays and research papers now, even in PDF form! (Googles version of this sorcery is named Talk to Books. Who knew The Pagemaster would turn out to be so prescient?) You can chat with Wikipedia articles or with YouTube uploads; with a tool called SolidPoint, you can even get summaries of all your favorite YouTube vids and see what other summaries are trending (whatever that means in this context). Thanks to young companies like Interflexion and Kore.ai, you can converse with fake business professionals and fake employees and even fake clients. While youre at it, go ahead and chat with this one app in order to generate prompts that you can, in turn, use to chat with a different app. Or talk to your favorite monkey-faced NFT, courtesy of Alethea A.I. Or talk with a made-up Gen Z kid to learn TikTok lingo, thanks to Studio M64. You can even transform your own personal website into a chatbot, through the services of the cleverly named startup SamurAI. But why stop at your browser? Why not get a mini-ChatGPT for every single Microsoft or Google product you use, from PowerPoint to messenger apps, since both companies are rushing to put A.I. in every product? Or perhaps youd rather augment a chatbot on your favorite encrypted-messaging app? I mean, havent you always wanted to converse with your notes app??? Or with your dreams???? Perhaps there is a chatbot that can talk me down here! Advertisement Advertisement Look: There are plenty of useful applications for generative-text tech, and several programs make the prospect of more GPT-like skills quite attractive. For me, the worst note-taker and -tracker in the world, the thought of uploading all my research/outlines/drafts/screenshots/citations, across myriad platforms and devices, into an all-powerful app that will quickly sort through and organize them? Sounds amazing. And certainly, ifa very uncertain if!chatbot tech improves in terms of aggregating accurate info and citing sources, the rabbit-hole and discovery possibilities will be endless. Advertisement Still, theres one key reason that the rush to chatbotify everything feels premature. Despite their supreme advances, most A.I. and machine learning tools are inconsistent and unreliableas well as easily exploitablebecause at their core, theyre machines trained to play word association and syntax prediction, not to produce actual conversation. Any use of these apps in a fact-finding context requires at least some minimal oversight and scrutiny. Advertisement Plus, it really is an open question as to whether well enjoy all these personalized bots once theyre stuffed into our Word docs and presentations. Weve long had customer-service chats available for myriad servicestech support, insurance, pop-culture recommendationsand a sweeping majority of consumers do not care for the laggy, stonewalling, unhelpful experiences. Even if A.I. companies improve their tech, will that actually help us, or will the newer bots more effectively manipulate us on their makers behalf? Advertisement Advertisement A lot of this is gimmicky, but pushing chatbots out everywhere when theres tons of public excitement but little public understandingas with the previous blockchain and metaverse hype cyclesisnt a risk-free proposition. For one thing, if products from OpenAI, its partner Microsoft, and its competitor Google represent the apex of the category, not all chatbots will operate up to their standards. The chat apps trained on advanced language models like GPT-4 may have more guardrails and less room for errorbut theyll also be the most expensive ones, thanks in part to the sheer computing power required for best-case operation. The booming product lines of cheap or free chatware represent the worst the field has to offer, in terms of accuracy, trust, stability, and knowledge (not to mention, actual conversation). Upgrades like GPT-4 cant provide a mass solution to that just yetin part because of scaling limits, and in part because so far, real-life GPT-4 applications like Bings automated search engine are better known for their erratic nature and fallibility than for their workability. Advertisement Advertisement Weve been interacting with online chatbots of all kinds for years now. Its mostly been a gagand to some people, it still isbut the new promise is that these bots can communicate like virtual humans, and improve with every conversation they have with us. The problem? No matter how big your model, you cant optimize every odd facet of a live personality into a computer. As M64s own examples demonstrate, a Gen Z chatbot is more likely to ram in all sorts of slang terms into a given sentence than to actually reflect how Zoomers speak. The gold rush spurred by ChatGPT is reviving a once-deadened market, allowing for a slew of intriguing options beyond the Cleverbots of the world. No doubt, there will be fixes for accuracy and functionality down the line, and some exciting possibilities. But the biggest question of all is: Do we really want to chat with everything in our lives, all of the time? I suspect even GPT-4 wont have a great answer for that just yet. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Even before 2020s first horrific wave of COVID-19 deaths subsided, reports surfaced warning of a brutal second punch: Instead of recovering quickly after a mild infection, some people were suffering from symptoms that lingered or even intensified in the weeks and months that followed. The condition came to be called long COVID. In those early days, everything about it was uncertain, from what symptoms it caused to how long theyd last and how hard they would hit. Some speculated that the effects might be effectively incurable, and that a large percentage of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 would wind up succumbing to this life-altering condition. Months of illness could turn into years of disability, warned the Atlantics Ed Yong. Given the bodies piling up in makeshift morgues, it seemed reasonable to assume the worst. Advertisement The first reports of how COVID seemed to fundamentally change people were scrabbled together from anecdotal accounts and preliminary studies. The picture they painted was frightening: As many as a third of all people whod tested positive went on to report long COVID, according to a report published a year after the pandemic began. Few of these people had recovered much, and many were debilitated, unable to work or attend school. Newspapers and magazines ran articles that vividly described the complex litany of suffering endured by patients who werent getting any answers from their doctors. One early and influential story was by the British epidemiologist Paul Garner, who wrote in the medical journal BMJ about being flattened by a roller coaster of ill health, extreme emotions, and utter exhaustion. He described experiencing relentless, extreme fatigue, a muggy head, breathlessness, muscle pain, and a weird sensation in the skina parade of constantly shifting, bizarre symptoms that left him bedridden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Long COVID is an unusual condition not only in its kaleidoscope of symptoms but also in the fact that it hadnt been identified initially by doctors who encountered similar sets of symptoms in their patients. It was, rather, described by COVID patients themselves who, in the early months of the pandemic, found themselves mysteriously unable to get better. The complaints of early long-haulers were then picked up and amplified by activists, whose lobbying persuaded the government to allocate more than $1 billion in research funds. Long COVID has a strong claim to be the first illness created through patients finding one another on Twitter, researchers Felicity Callard and Elisa Perego wrote in the journal Social Science & Medicine. (They both suffered from long COVID themselves.) Patients desperately searching for answers were understandably dismayed to find little clarity from the medical community about their strange illness. Advertisement Now, three years later, the research is catching up to the anecdotal reports and the early evidence, and a clearer picture of long COVID has emerged. It turns out that, like COVID-19 itself, a lot of our early guesses about it turned out to be considerably wide of the mark. This time, fortunately, the surprises are mostly on the positive side. Long COVID is neither as common nor as severe as initially feared. As the U.S. government moves to end the countrys state of emergency, its another reassuring sign that, as President Biden put it during his State of the Union address, COVID no longer controls our lives. As vaccines rolled out across the country in 2021, researchers at the Mayo Clinic analyzed the symptoms of 108 patients whod come for post-COVID care. Their results suggested that these patients fell into two main camps. Some, mostly men, suffered severe illness and were still being plagued by symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath. Then there were others, mostly women, who had experienced relatively mild illness, or no symptoms at all, but were subsequently dogged by widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive impairment, including the commonly reported brain fog. The authors noted that this cluster of symptoms resembled a class of broadly similar conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), all of which can leave sufferers incapacitated for years at a time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How long could long COVID symptoms be expected to last? Researchers in Australia tried to answer that question by conducting phone interviews with every single person who was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the state of New South Wales between January and May 2020. They found that recovery followed a curve, with 80 percent of patients fully recovered after 30 days and 91 percent recovered after 60 days. Thereafter, the population of symptomatic patients continued to slowly dwindle, with 4 percent of the original patient population still suffering symptoms after four months. Their most common complaints were coughing and fatigue. Other work suggested that long COVID could affect a much larger slice of the population. In one influential study from early 2021, researchers at the University of Washington sent a questionnaire to 234 COVID patients between three and nine months after they fell ill. Of the 177 who responded, about a third reported ongoing symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and loss of smell. A subsequent Brookings Institution report used this statistic to estimate that 31 million working-age Americans may have experienced, or be experiencing, lingering COVID-19 symptoms. Advertisement There are several problems with survey-based research, however. One is that theres a risk of selection bias, in that people who feel that they have long COVID are more likely to want to complete a questionnaire on the topic. Another is that people may report having symptoms post-COVID that they also had pre-COVID, and so their maladies may not actually have been caused by the disease. To get around these problems, scientists began carrying out what are called retrospective cohort studies. These involve sifting through anonymized electronic medical records to find patients who tested positive for COVID and then returned complaining of subsequent symptoms. Patients who experienced the same symptoms both before and after they got COVID are filtered out. Those remaining are then compared with a second population, of COVID-negative patients, with whom they have been matched by age, gender, and other medically relevant criteria. The difference in the groups rate of post-COVID symptoms reveals just what medical mayhem the SARS-CoV-2 virus is leaving in its wake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This kind of research isnt quick, because, by definition, it concerns the patients whose maladies take the longest to resolve. But as 2022 progressed, results started to come in. Researchers expected to find many chronic aftereffects of COVID . Instead, they concluded there were very few. One study of patients in an Israeli health network looked at the incidence of 70 commonly reported long COVID symptoms in 150,000 patients. The researchers found that patients whod been infected were more likely than people in a control group to suffer for extended periods from certain symptoms, in particular loss of taste and smell, concentration and memory problems, difficulty breathing, weakness, hair loss, palpitations, and chest pain. But the difference between the infected and controls largely disappeared by the end of the first year, and to the extent that they remained, they affected a relatively small number of patients. For instance, 407 of the COVID patients reported having persistent concentration and memory problems at the end of the first year, while 276 of the controls also did. That meant that for every 10,000 people, only about 13 had cognitive difficulties that were attributable specifically to COVID. Advertisement The researchers had gone into the project expecting to find a large number of chronic COVID aftereffects. Instead, they concluded that there were actually very few. As we analyzed the data, the lead authors told Stat in January, we were surprised to find only a small number of symptoms that were related to COVID and remained for a year post infection and the low number of people affected by them. Other studies produced similar results. Researchers at the University of Oxford in the U.K. combed through the health records of more than a million patients in a retrospective cohort study that compared those whod tested positive for COVID with those whod had other respiratory infections but had not been diagnosed with COVID-19 or tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. After following patients symptoms for two years, they reported in the Lancet Psychiatry last August that they found no evidence of a greater overall risk of any first neurological or psychiatric diagnosis after COVID-19 than after any other respiratory infection. There was an elevated risk for certain symptoms, however. They found that 6.4 percent of COVID patients experienced cognitive deficit (known as brain fog), compared with 5.5 percent of patients whod had other respiratory infections. Although the Oxford researchers were looking at a different set of cognitive symptoms than the Israeli researchers were, the upshot was similar: In both cases, nearly as many controls suffered the symptom as COVID patients did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, researchers at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx looked at 18,811 patients whod tested positive for COVID-19 and 5,772 whod had influenza. The number of patients reporting new-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms after COVID-19 was 388, or 2 percent. This figure was actually less than that for patients with influenza, which was 2.5 percent. Theres another way to look at long COVIDs impact, and thats by examining how it has affected the workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic will almost certainly create a substantial wave of chronically disabled people, Ed Yong wrote in 2020. Others argued that this surge of long-haul cases would not only mean enormous suffering but would actually pose a threat to economic recovery. Long COVID is contributing to record high numbers of unfilled jobs by keeping millions of people from getting back to work, a Brookings report suggested last year. Advertisement There is no evidence that any of this has actually happened. Not only did disability claims not rise during the pandemic, they fell. You see absolutely no reaction at all to the COVID crisis, Nicole Maestas, an associate professor of health care policy at Harvard, told Benjamin Mazer of the Atlantic in June 2022. Its just not a mass disabling event. Further data bear this out. In January, the New York State Insurance Fund, which administers disability claims, released a report analyzing long COVID claims made between Jan. 1, 2020, and March 31, 2022. It found that while there were several hundred successful claims after the initial wave in March and April of 2020, the number subsequently fell to fewer than 10 per month, and spiked into the double digits only after the alpha and omicron waves. The percentage of people meeting the reports definition of long COVID in the overall COVID claimant population is declining, said Gaurav Vasisht, the NYSIFs CEO and executive director. The most recent data, from March 2022, shows that only about 5 claims for long COVID were being granted per month out of about 3,000 disability claims in the entire state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The best available figures, then, suggest two things: first, that a significant number of patients do experience significant and potentially burdensome symptoms for several months after a SARS-CoV-2 infection, most of which resolve in less than a year; and second, that a very small percentage experience symptoms that last longer. I want to be clear about this: Long COVID is a real illness that has dramatically affected many peoples lives. But its prevalence does seem significantly less worrisome than originally thought. Another insight that emerges from the cohort studies into long COVID is that its not so easy to prove causality between a particular infection and a symptom. Almost all the symptoms associated with long COVID can also be triggered by all sorts of things, from other viruses to even the basic reality of living through a pandemic. Fatigue, for instance, can be caused by COVID-19or by stress, depression, sleep disorders, anemia, and cancer, among other things. So, even though many patients insist that they are COVID long-haulersand their symptoms align entirely with the common understanding of the conditionits entirely possible that theyre dealing with something slightly different from long COVID. Data from the Census Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics released in January, collected in 20-minute online surveys, shows that 11 percent of American adults who have had COVID say they are currently experiencing lingering symptoms. But this self-reported information has not been borne out by more rigorously collected data. In the absence of any test for the disease, there is no way to definitively say that their symptoms are actually directly caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. There is no question that many people experiencing long COVID (or something like it) are struggling, both with symptoms and with a medical community that often fails to properly treat them. There are patients describing debilitating fatigue and neuropsychiatric symptoms today, just as there were in 2020; they are still expressing a sense of frustration at the lack of answers theyre getting from doctors. In February, Atlantic writer Katherine Wu described a Brazilian long COVID patient whose ordeal sounds worryingly similar to those of the very first long-haulers: Her days revolve around medications and behavioral modifications she uses for her fatigue, sleeplessness, and chronic pain, and she no longer has the capacity to cook or frequently venture outside. The patient tells Wu: Sometimes I think the person I used to be died in April of 2020. Even if the cohort of these patients with long COVID represents a very small percentage of those who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2and even if it includes people suffering not from COVID but from other lingering viruses or underlying conditionstheir needs are real. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But one cannot conclude that there is, as Wu puts it, an ocean of patients with titanic needs attributable specifically to COVID. The ocean of patients who experience long COVID appear to do so usually only to a moderate degree and for a limited time; the titanic needs are experienced by a relative few. Despite the ongoing failure of the long COVID tsunami to arrive, the media has continued to sound the alarm. Indeed, even patients who suffer the most debilitating form of long COVID can find themselves improving after weeks and months, not years. In January 2021, eight months after his first essay ran in the BMJ, Paul Garner published a follow-up article in which he described how he had achieved a total recovery through a process that included plenty of exercise. Im back to normal, he told me. Today he believes that the perception of a long COVID public health crisisone his own experience helped to fuelis overblown. The predicted long-term disability from tissue damage simply has not materialized, he said. The public narrative has morphed into continued catastrophic thought. Despite the ongoing failure of the long COVID tsunami to arrive, the media has continued to sound the alarm. Last month the editorial board of the Washington Post ran an opinion, under the headline Long covid haunts millions of people, that is typical of the prevailing mindset. The piece contends that while it is not yet known how many people have long COVID, why and what their prospects for recovery are, let alone what the long-term impact on society will be, the condition nevertheless must be regarded as a serious problem: The entire world will have to prepare for a legacy of long-COVID sufferers. Thats pretty much the same attitude Yong took when he wrote about long COVID in 2020. But back then, there was no data; everything was based on anecdote and speculation. Now COVID should have a clearer foundation. But it doesnt. Defining long COVID isnt an easy thing to do, said Paul Glasziou, a professor of medicine at Bond University and director of the Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare in Queensland, Australia, because there is no absolutely clear boundary that you can draw around the condition. Patients can present with dozens of symptoms in any variety of combination, and none of them are unique to the ailment. To be blunt, long COVID doesnt much look like what would normally be a called a disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Science columnist Derek Lowe wrote last year, So far there are no diagnostic findings that would allow you to even say for sure that post-Covid even exists, biochemically. (Critically, this means that no test can definitively diagnose long COVID as a unique condition. Studies have shown that symptoms following a COVID infection are associated with real changes in the body.) Instead, it looks more as if people who complain of long COVID are suffering from a collection of different effects. I think theres quite a heterogeneous group of people all sailing under the one flag, said Alan Carson, a neuropsychiatrist at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Some patients may be experiencing the lingering aftereffects that occur in the wake of many diseases; some patients with chronic comorbidities might be experiencing the onset of new symptoms or the continuation of old ones; others might be affected by the sorts of mood disorders and psychiatric symptoms youd expect to find in a population undergoing the stress of a global pandemic. I think the problem is, this was given a name before anyone had really worked out what it was, Carson said. And from then, people have been playing catch-up and trying to work out what the thing is, rather than the more traditional way of trying to work out what things are and then naming them accordingly. Whats important to understand, said Dacre Knight, a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, is that whatever symptoms they experience, most long COVID patients do get better. Theres a lot of talk about long COVID that has made patients concerned that, because theyve had symptoms for more than a week or two, maybe theyre going to be stuck with it for months and years, he said. So its reassuring for them to know that the majority actually do recover with full resolution of their symptoms. Now that cases of COVID have started to recede, theres evidence that long COVID is fading too. The Census Bureaus survey datahowever imperfect a measurementshow that the percentage of COVID-19 patients who currently say they have long COVID fell by 42 percent between June 2022 and January 2023. Knight said hes seen a decline in the number of long COVID patients coming into his clinic. Its just gradually decreasing, he said. Last year, his clinic was typically seeing 15 to 20 new patients a month; now, he said, I would say maybe 10 to 15. For those whose fatigue, sleeplessness, and chronic pain have proven more stubbornly persistent and debilitating, the tremendous concern about long COVID over the past few years might ultimately prove to be a blessing, regardless of whether its fair to call long COVID itself a major public health crisis. Whether their diagnosis is for chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia or POTS, many other people have been suffering such symptoms for a long time too, and long COVID research has demonstrated that viruses are capable of tinkering with the body in ways we do not yet understand. If research funding unleashed by fears of long COVID ultimately explains why, then that itself would be a significant achievementan acceleration toward the day when not only long COVID patients but a lot of other suffering people as well will be able to put their illnesses behind them for good. Friends are essential for mental health, but only one in three Ukrainian children in Slovakia are currently enrolled in school. Some Ukrainian students report being bullied due to their nationality. UNICEF works with schools so that they can provide a tolerant and respectful environment as well as activities that facilitate positive relationships and promote inclusion. (Source: UNICEF/UN0669438/Filippov) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled One year in the full-scale war in Ukraine, its impact on mental health and wellbeing is becoming apparent. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 10 million Ukrainians may be suffering from deteriorating mental health conditions. UNICEF estimates that 1.5 million children in Ukraine are at risk of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions. This includes Ukrainian families who have fled to Slovakia. A third of Ukrainian households surveyed by UNHCR in 2022 declared that at least one of them was so upset, anxious, worried, agitated, angry or depressed that it was affecting the person's daily functioning. Adolescents are particularly at risk of mental health concerns. Globally, more than 13 percent of adolescents aged 10 19 live with a diagnosed mental disorder. The WHO states that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for adolescent boys and girls aged 15 19 and the third most common cause of death for adolescent girls. Reality is that not many adolescents may be able to express that they need help. They usually employ non-clinical terms such as sadness, loneliness, fear, shame, boredom, anger and defeat. How can we make sure Ukrainian and Slovak adolescents get the support they need? Lets look at the world around adolescents. Schools Schools are not only about learning, but also about meeting friends and being part of a group. In fact, when we ask Ukrainian teenagers what they like the most about school, their answer is always the same: friends. They are essential for mental health and well-being; but only one in three Ukrainian children in Slovakia are currently enrolled in school. Some adolescents follow online school in Ukraine. While they can attend to their education needs, they still miss out on the social aspect of school. This becomes more important when we remember that many may be facing mental health challenges, and thats why we need to accelerate enrollment of Ukrainian adolescents in schools, so they can be integrated and thrive in Slovakia. Peers Strong connections with peers and the unique support they provide is essential for adolescents well-being. Many Ukrainian adolescents in Slovakia did not have a chance to meet friends. Thats a reason why UNICEF is working with Slovak youth organisations and authorities to increase leisure and peer-exchange opportunities for Ukrainian and Slovak adolescents. This is important because through arts or sports, teenagers can also deal with their emotions and process them in a safe space, while having fun and making new friends. However, peer relationships can also be challenging: some Ukrainian students, for instance, report being bullied due to their nationality. To address this, UNICEF works with schools so that they can provide a tolerant and respectful environment as well as activities that facilitate positive relationships and promote inclusion, but, unfortunately, much still needs to be done. Family Families play a central role for adolescents mental health and well-being. They can provide protection and a sense of stability and solid ground, but they can also exert violence, abuse and neglect or pressure and control. Families from Ukraine many forced apart and now headed by women are facing economic pressures, anxiety and trauma. Therefore, UNICEF and its partners provide mental health support, promote psycho-social wellbeing and parenting advice to families and caregivers from Ukraine. Olesia, from Kyiv, kisses her teenage son Matvii, who lives with a disability (Source: UN0668145 - The Village media) Social Media Social media is essential for Ukrainian adolescents to connect with families and friends, but they also represent a risk. With no real friends, adolescents become isolated and may face cyber-bullying and other online risks. This is why UNICEF is increasing direct engagement with adolescents, to make them feel more included, give them a voice and to increase protection from social media-related risks. Coping, self-help and help Ukrainian and Slovak adolescents can do a lot to improve their coping mechanisms, get self-help and lend each other a hand. The Child Helpline (Toll-free and anonymous hotline: 116 111) provides 24-hour support to children and adolescents in Slovakia. The Mental Health League offers community services in 80 locations. And finally, helping each other is a way to help ourselves. As President Zuzana Caputova said in the #Pomahajmesi (#LetsHelpEachOther) campaign: After two years as premier of an OLaNO-led government, Eduard Heger is leaving the populist movement of Igor Matovic and hopes to establish a new political culture in Slovakia. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled When Eduard Heger moved from the post of finance minister to become Slovakias prime minister in April 2021, his long-time friend and governor of Bratislava Region, Juraj Droba, described him as a calm unifier. Given the controversy over the coronavirus pandemic measures and the confrontational behaviour of his party boss and prime ministerial predecessor Igor Matovic, it was hoped that the conciliatory and reserved Heger might be able to help bring together a polarised society and fractious coalition. Yet one year into Hegers term, coalition feuds over personal, legislative and financial matters often provoked and nurtured by Matovic, who served as Hegers finance minister began intensifying. Accused of being weak and reluctant to fire his party boss from the government, Heger saw his cabinet shrink in September 2022 after one of the four coalition parties quit. Three and a half months later, Hegers government collapsed. Giving up is not a solution. Its what the mafia wants, Heger wrote on social media soon after, employing a term that Matovics OLaNO often uses to refer to previous governments led by Robert Ficos Smer party. In the months leading up to the break-up of the coalition, Heger was still siding with and defending Matovic. A case in point: he did not stop Matovics 1.2-billion family package from being adopted via fast-tracked legislative procedure with the support of far-right MPs last June, and he did not oppose millions of euros being doled out to people to convince them to get a Covid-19 jab in the second half of 2021. But following the murder of two queer people in Bratislava in October, and Matovics increasingly ultra-conservative views and attacks on LGBT people and President Zuzana Caputova, whispers about Heger parting ways with his friend Matovic began to be heard more frequently. For weeks, Heger went around assuring people he had a vision for Slovakia, yet wouldnt reveal anything more. And in the meantime, as head of an interim government with limited powers, Heger attempted to find a majority in parliament to avoid early elections but ultimately failed. So it was on March 6, shortly before midnight, that he wrote on social media that he had just left OLaNO. The following day, he stood before the television cameras and presented his new political party, Demokrati (Democrats). Today, I stand here as leader of Demokrati, a party that wants democracy, freedom, peace, justice, tolerance and cooperation to be the most important values in Slovakia, he said confidently. With four interim ministers, including Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad, standing behind him, alongside several other well-known OLaNO renegades, Heger called for a return to decency and dialogue in politics. PM Eduard Heger (l) and OLaNO head Igor Matovic (r) walk side by side in Bratislava on December 23, 2022. (Source: SME - Marko Erd) Matovics idea, Hegers party It did not take long for Matovic to begin putting forward a narrative about him being the inspiration for Hegers political project an idea the interim prime minister promptly dismissed. Matovic, a populist MP whose movement achieved a landslide victory in the 2020 elections on an anti-corruption ticket, later clarified and corrected his earlier statement. I came up with the idea of him [Heger] leaving the movement and merging small political parties into one, but Im not the author of Demokrati, Matovic said, perhaps looking toward the possibility of Demokrati and OLaNO forming a coalition government following the September early election. At the same time, Matovic criticised Heger for taking the interim foreign and economy ministers with him to Demokrati. Matovic disparaged Foreign Minister Rastislav Kacer for his liberal views as well as for damaging Slovak-Hungarian relations (speaking of Russias aggression in Ukraine on television in February, Kacer mentioned Hungarys possible territorial claims in Slovakia). And Economy Minister Karel Hirman, Matovic claimed, had been responsible for failing to deliver timely aid to people and firms during the energy crisis. Fico, one of the main opposition leaders, also derided Demokrati as a political project that originated at Matovics request. Nevertheless, Heger continues to reject the label of Demokrati as OLaNO v2.0, or that he might have coordinated the formation of Demokrati with Matovic. We want to build a robust party that is going to exist for many years to come, Heger has pointed out in interviews. OLaNO, on the other hand, is regarded by many purely as a vehicle for the ambition of one man Igor Matovic. In fact, Demokrati is not a completely new party, but rather has changed its name to Demokrati from Modra Koalicia (Blue Coalition), which was MP Miroslav Kollars small non-parliamentary party. Former prime minister Mikulas Dzurinda and his Blue group initially planned to join forces with Kollars party in the run-up to the September election, with the aim of uniting centre-right parties to stop Smer and Peter Pellegrinis Hlas, a party of Smer renegades, from winning the election. In the end, misunderstandings with Kollar led Dzurinda to start working on a new political party. Former PM Mikulas Dzurinda announces a new political party named Modri - Europske Slovensko (Blue - European Slovakia) with people from the Modri (Blue) political initiative in Bratislava on March 6, 2023. (Source: SME - Jozef Jakubco) Opposition accuses Heger of fraud Hegers announcement has left him facing several awkward questions: Why has he abandoned Matovic only now and not earlier when he could perhaps have saved his government? And why did he not try to defeat Matovic in a leadership vote for OLaNO? There was no demand for my vision in OLaNO. Thats why I took my vision and built my own project, is how he responded to the latter question. Matovic, however, maintains that Heger has never presented his own vision for OLaNO. As for his delayed decision to leave Matovics movement, Heger points to higher salaries for doctors and other adopted reforms that, he argues, would never have been passed if he had left OLaNO and the government prematurely. After announcing his new party, however, the opposition camp began questioning the legitimacy of Hegers interim cabinet and accusing the prime minister of committing a fraud on voters, since Demokrati has never taken part in any election. The opposition is now urging the president to remove the interim government and replace it with a caretaker government until the early election set for September 30. But Heger counters that the leaders of the former coalition parties have not requested his resignation, nor has the president expressed any interest in appointing a cabinet of experts if Heger continues to do his job well. A caretaker government would cause even more chaos, Heger argues. He went on to stress the importance of carrying on with reforms listed in the 6-billion coronavirus recovery plan and navigating the country towards the early election safely. On the day Heger presented his vision for Slovakia, he also named the parties that Demokrati would not cooperate with. These include far-right and nationalist movements, as well as the populist Smer and Hlas parties. Yet he did not rule out cooperating with OLaNO, despite his vision of seeing a return to dialogue, decency and professionalism in politics, which is hardly in line with how OLaNO and its leader Matovic see politics. I realised that if I want to fully develop that vision, I need to go my own way, he told the conservative daily Postoj. That is why I am the leader of Demokrati today. Simultaneously, Heger believes democratic parties must cooperate and not devour each other, although it doesnt seem likely that the bigger centrist and centre-right parties, such as the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), will be keen to join forces with Heger ahead of the early election, instead preferring to run on their own. Smer chair Robert Fico. (Source: SME - Jozef Jakubco) Hegers potential contribution to a democratic Slovakia Despite Heger and Dzurinda struggling to attract much trust among voters, neither of them are giving up on their ambitions to unite politicians from centrist parties, particularly from smaller parties. Yet observing the political scene several months out from the election, political scientists are not surprised by a lack of willingness to merge at the moment. In the past, different politicians shared the same ambition as elections drew nearer. Those ambitions often failed, though. The current political reality rather indicates that the dream of a grand coalition will not come true, political scientist Jozef Lenc from Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Trnava told the Pravda daily, adding that such a merger is often mentioned but nothing is done about it. Hegers centrist party is quite new, but an Ipsos poll for the Dennik N daily published on March 10 shows that Heger has begun well. Demokrati enjoys 4.8 percent support among voters and could go on to attract more voters from the pool of similar parties, its potential partners, before the election. OLaNO had the same level of support in this poll, meaning that the party might not make it into parliament if it cant reverse the loss of support to Demokrati and fails to reach the 5-percent threshold required to win seats. The moment it becomes clear that Demokrati will cause OLaNO not to get into parliament, a real fratricidal fight for voters and political survival will begin, Lenc predicts, adding that ousting OLaNO from power and parliament would be Demokratis biggest contribution to the future of a democratic Slovakia. Nevertheless, Juraj Marusiak from the Slovak Academy of Sciences does not think Demokrati, even if smaller parties decide to team up with Hegers party, can win more than about 5 percent of the vote. Heger is not a leader, he said, adding that his long history with Matovic might also be an issue for some voters. Another political scientist, Erik Lastic from Comenius University in Bratislava, regards Heger and his party as unconvincing. The interim prime minister comes with a vision and acts as if he has not had political power in his hands at least since 2021, when he became prime minister, he told the Aktuality.sk website. But what some observers cannot get their heads around is that the prime minister is joining a small non-parliamentary party, which will immediately become a ruling party. According to political analyst Grigorij Meseznikov, this does not mean that the interim government is now illegitimate he stresses Hegers cabinet has limited powers and is overseen by the president but he does see a problem elsewhere. Demokrati is different from OLaNO only in that there is no Igor Matovic, the expert said in an interview with the public broadcaster RTVS. This story was produced in partnership with Reporting Democracy, a cross-border journalism platform run by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network. Its not like Slovaks will get nothing from the transfer. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Welcome to your weekly commentary and overview of news from Slovakia. Hegers government will send Slovakias grounded MiG fighters to Ukraine. Fire has damaged buildings in the UNESCO-listed town of Banska Stiavnica. The country risks losing hundreds of millions of euros from its Recovery Plan. Slovakias unused jets will defend Ukraine When President Zuzana Caputova travels to Kyiv with the new Czech president, Petr Pavel, later this spring as agreed during the latters first visit to Slovakia on Monday she will not go empty-handed. At the end of last week the Slovak government finally found a solution to bypass its own limited powers and approved the transfer of Slovakias 13 grounded MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. The package also includes 14 obsolete 2K12 Kub air-defence systems. The government estimates it will take several weeks for the transfer to actually take place. The government stands on the right side of history, said acting Prime Minister Eduard Heger as he announced that the MiGs were going to go east soon. He is right about that, but it is also true that Slovakia will greatly benefit from the transfer of its defunct jets to the defenders of Ukraine in two significant ways. A group of old houses in Banska Stiavnica damaged by fire, Eduard Heger's new party, and 10 biggest tax debtors. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Good evening. Here is the Monday, March 20 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes. Retail chains agree on a food price cap The price of 400 food products has been capped by eight retailers. (Source: Sme) Inspired by France, eight retail chains, Slovak and foreign, have agreed to cap the prices of 400 Slovak food products for the next three months. The measure supported by Billa, CBA, Coop Jednota, Kaufland, Lidl, Labas, Terno and Tesco came into effect on March 20. The firms pledged to publish the lists on their websites by Monday. More stories from The Slovak Spectator website Opinion: The interim cabinet approved the transfer of Soviet-era jets to Ukraine, a move that will help both Ukraine and Slovakia. Politics: Interim PM Eduard Heger has left the ruling OLaNO party and founded a new party, Demokrati, dreaming of something nobody has achieved. Culture: Seven historical houses in downtown Banska Stiavnica have been damaged following a huge fire on Saturday. Taxes: Here's a list of the 10 biggest defaulters of the Financial Administration, Slovakia's supreme tax authority. If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you. FEATURE STORY FOR MONDAY Is the Gyrocopter Calidus a car or a plane? The Gyrocopter Calidus is equipped to fly, and drive on public roads. (Source: Archive of M.P.) Manufactured in Czechia, central Slovakia has a new attraction. A plane-like car that can drive and fly. YOUR MONDAY SONG Berlin Manson The past weekend, Slovakia learned who took home the Radio_Head Awards in various music categories. The event celebrates Slovak alternative music. Berlin Manson, a band of two Slovak musicians, became known after the release of its single "Netancujem, Kyvem Hlavou" (I Don't Dance, I Shake My Head) last year. The band was named the Best New Artist. video //www.youtube.com/embed/vOK2fc68BEc Last year, the band was attacked during a concert in Skalica, western Slovakia, after the duo erected a rainbow flag on stage. In a few lines: The registered unemployment rate in Slovakia ticked down 0.06 percentage points m-o-m to 5.76 percent in February, interim Labour Minister Milan Krajniak (Sme Rodina) said on Monday. The Labour Ministry changed the headline methodology for calculating unemployment as of January. Trnava-based car maker Stellantis will temporarily suspend production during the weekend shift from April 1, due to production transformation related to preparing a new production program. For the first time, light oil from the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli oil field of Azerbaijan has arrived at the Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava. This oil will begin to be processed in April. Events to look forward to this week : Francophonie Days across the week and the Day of Observatories and Planetariums on March 25-26. The house of murdered journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova will be demolished on Tuesday, March 21. A memorial will be constructed in lieu of the house in Velka Maca, Trnava Region. A giant bench in Pata near Galanta, Trnava Region. (Source: TASR - Dano Veselsky) WEATHER FOR TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Patchy showers or rain. Snow in the mountains. The highest daytime temperature will range from 13C to 18C. Light wind. (SHMU) Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us. P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. Or you can complain about our work. It can help us improve as well. Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook, Instagram (@slovakspectator) and Twitter (@slovakspectator). https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/us-welcomes-swiss-action-to-support-financial-stability-says-treasury-secretary-yellen-1108578369.html Yellen: US Welcomes Swiss Action to Support Financial Stability Yellen: US Welcomes Swiss Action to Support Financial Stability WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States has welcomed the decision of Switzerland's largest bank, UBS, to acquire Swiss-based global investment bank Credit... 19.03.2023, Sputnik International 2023-03-19T22:35+0000 2023-03-19T22:35+0000 2023-03-20T05:35+0000 world credit suisse group ag ubs swiss national bank janet yellen /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/01/0e/1106321025_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_03944a543cf9bc997f08cfb9d75ad76b.jpg "We welcome the announcements by the Swiss authorities today to support financial stability. 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," Yellen and Powell said on Sunday. Earlier on Sunday, the Swiss National Bank announced the acquisition of Credit Suisse by UBS, adding that it would provide necessary assistance for the deal. UBS said that it was going to purchase Credit Suisse for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.2 billion). 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 the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/swiss-biggest-bank-ubs-to-acquire-credit-suisse-for-over-3bln-1108577862.html 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 credit suisse group ag, ubs, swiss national bank, janet yellen https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/10-years-40-meetings-what-to-expect-from-xi-jinpings-visit-to-russia-for-talks-with-putin-1108575480.html 10 Years, 40 Meetings: What to Expect From Xi Jinpings Visit to Russia for Talks With Putin 10 Years, 40 Meetings: What to Expect From Xi Jinpings Visit to Russia for Talks With Putin Chinese President Xi Jinping will embark on a three-day state visit to Russia on Monday at the invitation of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. What issues are the two leaders expected to discuss? Whats the significance of the trip, and what message does he plan to convey to Moscow and the rest of the world? 2023-03-20T05:00+0000 2023-03-20T05:00+0000 2023-03-20T10:26+0000 analysis china russia xi jinping vladimir putin visit state visit trip relations ties /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/13/1108574642_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_8bf380e25ddf233ed2fb87dc0327c23c.jpg Xis visit to Russia will be the ninth such trip of his presidency, and the 40th time he meets with Putin. The trip, taking place March 20-22, matches almost to the day the March 22-23, 2013 visit the Chinese leader made to Moscow a decade ago when he chose to make Russia the first country he traveled to, just a week after being elected as president.Xi kept his word, and has traveled to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Ufa, and Vladivostok repeatedly over the past decade for formal state visits, less formal gatherings, and forums. The upcoming trip is symbolically once again Xis first visit abroad after his reelection for a historic third presidential term on March 10.The Chinese leaders appreciation for Russia is not a mere diplomatic courtesy. As a child and young man, he studied classics of Russian literature, including Chekhov, Dostoyevsky, Pushkin, and Tolstoy. His Chinese revolutionary and politician father, Xi Zhongxun, was reportedly sympathetic toward the Soviet Union and Russia throughout his life. During a 2019 trip to St. Petersburg, as Xi and Putin toured the Aurora the Russian cruiser which fired the first shot during the October Revolution of 1917, Xi sought to convey to his Russian host the importance of the cruiser to Chinas Revolution, and in the creation of Chinas Communist Party. Therefore, the cruiser carries great importance in our hearts, he said.ItineraryThe complete itinerary of Xis trip has not been released. However, Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian president, has dropped some big hints, saying the first day, March 20, will feature an informal closed meeting and dinner between Putin and Xi, while March 21 will feature meetings of Russian and Chinese delegations in the Kremlins St. George Hall.The second day of the trip will include a meeting between Xi and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. A plethora of senior Russian officials will be on hand for the broader ministerial meetings, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, Russias Central Bank chief, energy, finance, and transport ministers, and the heads of Rosatom and the Ministry of Military-Technical Cooperation. The meetings will be followed by the signing of nearly a dozen important bilateral documents, according to the Kremlin, with Putin and Xi to sign a joint statement on plans to develop Russian-Chinese economic cooperation to the year 2030, and a joint statement on deepening the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between the two countries.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin also dropped hints about the Chinese sides expectations for the visit, saying Xi would have an in-depth exchange of views with his Russian counterpart on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues, jointly draw a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations, and further deepen China-Russia mutually beneficial cooperation across the board.UkraineThe NATO-Russia proxy conflict in Ukraine will undoubtedly be a major topic of discussion between Putin and Xi, with Wang making clear that the Chinese presidents visit is also about peace, and that on the Ukraine issue, China always stands on the side of peace and dialogue and stands on the right side of history. Pointing to the recently announced Chinese 12-point peace plan, the Foreign Ministry spokesman emphasized that Beijings consistent position and practice stands in sharp contrast with the acts of certain countries that apply double standards on arms sales and keep adding fuel to the fire on the Ukraine crisis.Without calling out the United States and its NATO allies by name, Wang emphasized that China believes that political dialogue is the only way to resolve conflicts and disputes, and that fanning the flames, fueling the fight, unilateral sanctions and maximum pressure will only fuel the tension and make matters worse.Zelensky Phone Call?After Xis trip to Russia was announced last week, US media reported that Xi planned to have a telephone conversation with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine following his visit with Putin. This information, citing anonymous sources said to be "familiar with the plan," was immediately hailed by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who said Washington has been encouraging the Chinese leader to reach out to Zelensky to hear directly the Ukrainian perspective and not just the Russian perspective on this.Whether or not the call takes place, it wont be happening in Russia, Ushakov said. There will be no additional aggravating protocol features. The main thing is negotiations, negotiations, negotiations. The visit is called a state visit to emphasize its importance, and will be businesslike in nature, the presidential aide said after being asked to comment on the media reports.Its not immediately clear why the US is so interested in a Xi-Zelensky phone call anyway, since Biden has already dismissed Chinas peace plan, terming it as one-sided in favor of Russia. However, despite US efforts to sabotage the peace talks, perhaps China may be successful in bringing the two sides to the negotiating table. This could account for US interest in who Xi speaks to. Otherwise, Washington could suffer another diplomatic setback on the world stage like the one it did earlier this month when Iran and Saudi Arabia announced a surprise breakthrough normalization of relations agreement brokered by Beijing and with no input whatsoever from the US.TradeDuring Putin and Xis first meeting a decade ago, the Chinese president pointed out that despite the size of the two countries and their large economies, bilateral trade between them was only about $82 billion. The two leaders vowed to increase these figures, first to $100 billion, and then to $150 billion. According to Chinese Customs data, trade between Russia and China reached over $190 billion in 2022, setting a new record. Thats still significantly less than the $1.6 trillion in trade China does with the US and the European Union, but does signal Beijings slow, careful shift away from being the "workshop of the world" for rich Western nations in favor of more extensive cooperation with other global partners.Aside from raw trade data, a growing amount of economic cooperation between the two countries is being done in their national currencies the ruble and the yuan, with engagement also deepening in technology, ecommerce, digital economy, biopharma, and so-called green technologies. The yuans share in Russian bank balance sheets has been steadily rising, and the two countries have engaged in discussions on easing the use of one anothers payment systems.Energy cooperation also carries great import in the Russia-China economic relationship, Ambassador Zhang Hanhui told Sputnik on Friday, after being asked to preview Xis trip.Indeed, energy is an area where the often-touted Chinese diplomatic principle of win-win engagement rings particularly true, with Russia finding alternative markets for vast amounts of energy reorienting deliveries away from Europe and the US, and China gaining a close partner ready to assure reliability in energy deliveries at discount prices. The Peoples Republic purchased over 86 million tons of Russian oil in 2022 8 percent above the 2021 figures. LNG imports from Russia hit 6.5 million tons, while pipeline gas sales reached a record 11.5 billion cubic meters, with purchases to increase further with the implementation of new pipeline infrastructure projects, Zhang said.Political SymbolismIn light of the current atmosphere of tensions in international politics, Xis visit to Russia carries special significance, demonstrating Beijings confidence in global affairs, and readiness to pursue its interests without having to account for the opinions of Western countries. The trip shows that Xi and China simply dont care about the thousands of sanctions that have been slapped on Russia by the West, nor the political circus surrounding the "arrest warrant" put out against the Russian president by the ICC.Ushakov characterized Russian-Chinese relations as being at their best-ever state, and said they continue to actively gain momentum. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230317/xi-to-pay-state-visit-to-russia-on-march-20-22-at-putins-invitation-kremlin-1108494002.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230311/swift--severe-costs-us-lawmakers-push-sanctions-mechanism-to-deter-china-from-russia-support-1108287776.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230307/us-china-trade-shrinks-by-174-in-january-february-barely-surpassing-100-bln-1108136286.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20220916/chinas-appetite-for-russian-gas-grows-as-power-of-siberia-2-pipeline-project-in-the-works-1100872620.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230318/absurd-icc-warrant-under-us-aegis-proves-russia-faces-implacable-enemy-it-must-defeat-1108526617.html china russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov 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 Ilya Tsukanov xi jinping, russia visit, vladimir putin, visit, trip, state visit, diplomacy, preview https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/a-fateful-error-history-of-natos-expansion-1108611973.html A Fateful Error: History of NATO's Expansion A Fateful Error: History of NATO's Expansion NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg met with Finlands foreign and defense ministers on Monday following announcements by Turkish and Hungarian officials last week that they would move forward in ratifying the Nordic nations alliance membership bid after a lengthy delay. The fate of Sweden's bid remains unclear. 2023-03-20T17:00+0000 2023-03-20T17:00+0000 2023-03-20T17:00+0000 multimedia infographic nato nato expansion /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/14/1108611505_0:0:1280:720_1920x0_80_0_0_a2d8aac4460646ca19506c7480e3899b.png Finland is on course to becoming the 31st member of the Western alliance, with its entry to constitute the ninth wave of expansion by the US-led bloc.It is possible that Finland joins NATO before Sweden, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto told a Swedish broadcaster on Sunday. Should we have refused Turkiyes offer to ratify? That sounds a bit crazy. It would have been a terribly difficult situation if we had said no to Ankara, he said.In his own comments Monday, Jens Stoltenberg said that the most important thing is that both Finland and Sweden become members of NATO as soon as possible, not that they join exactly the same time.Since its creation in 1949, the original 15-member-bloc has doubled in size, expanding into Greece and Turkiye in 1952, West Germany in 1955 (prompting Moscow to create the Warsaw Pact), and Spain (1982). In 1990, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev agreed to the absorption of East Germany by Bonn after getting a verbal commitment from then-Secretary of State James Baker that NATO would not expand once inch east beyond a reunified Germany. One year later, in 1991, the USSR collapsed, and the Western blocs reason detre containing Soviet-style communism, disappeared.But the alliance did not follow suit, absorbing the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland in 1999, and adding seven more countries, including Bulgaria, Romania and five former Soviet and Yugoslav republics in 2004. Expansion continued with the addition of four more Balkan countries between 2009 and 2020.In 1997, ahead of the first wave of expansion, George Kennan, the US diplomat who authored the USs original containment doctrine at start of the Cold War, dubbed Washington's plans to expand the alliance eastward A Fateful Error, warning that doing so would ruin the then-friendly ties with Russia and make the world less safe.Explore Sputnik's infograpics to learn more! 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 nato expansion, nato eastward expansion https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/africa-changes-its-orientation-towards-russia-algerian-mp-says-1108610467.html Africa Changes Its Orientation Towards Russia, Algerian MP Says Africa Changes Its Orientation Towards Russia, Algerian MP Says The recent visit of Speaker of the Federation Council of Russia Valentina Matvienko to Algiers was "beneficial" and "proves the good relations between Algeria and Russia," Cheraitia Ayoub says 2023-03-20T15:55+0000 2023-03-20T15:55+0000 2023-03-20T15:55+0000 africa russia algeria vladimir putin mp relations second russia-africa summit swift wheat export /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0b/01/1102914691_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_59e38c0ffd640d1997f88b70232a3e51.jpg The recent visit of Speaker of the Federation Council of Russia Valentina Matvienko to Algiers was "beneficial" and "proves the good relations between Algeria and Russia," Cheraitia Ayoub, a member of the Budget and Finance Committee of the Algerian parliament, says in an interview with Sputnik.According to him, cooperation between the two countries is "now much more political than before" and economic development remains "the next objective" for Russian-Algerian relations. Making a case for this, Ayoub cites Algeria's official request to join BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). The MP also notes that he regrets the fact that the trade figures between Russia and Africa amount to only $20 billion against $200 billion between Africa and China.Towards the Next Russia-Africa SummitAs for the upcoming Russia-Africa Summit, set for July, the MP says he is sure that it will be "beneficial for everyone," because "we will sooner or later move towards a new multipolar world" without "monopolism."The example of the "monopolism," he says, is the SWIFT banking system, which is currently being used by the West as an economic "weapon of war" to impose sanctions.Speaking about the changes that have occurred in international trade, the lawmaker welcomes the "reliable commitments" given by Vladimir Putin on the export of wheat to poor countries and in particular Moscow's desire to do so free of charge. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/cooperation-between-russia-africa-reaches-new-level-president-putin-says-1108598711.html africa russia algeria 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 algerian mp, russia-africa parliamentary conference, african reorientation towards russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/africa-is-wests-excuse-to-boost-grain-deal--moscows-equal-partner-sa-youth-leader-says-1108598476.html Africa is West's Excuse to Boost Grain Deal & Moscow's Equal Partner, SA Youth Leader Says Africa is West's Excuse to Boost Grain Deal & Moscow's Equal Partner, SA Youth Leader Says The West used Africa as an excuse to speed up the grain agreement, promising to ensure food supplies to the countries in need, but eventually failing to live up to its commitments, says Khulekani Skosana, South African youth leader. 2023-03-20T16:05+0000 2023-03-20T16:05+0000 2023-03-21T06:27+0000 africa russia south africa parliament conference second russia-africa summit cooperation youth africa insight /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/14/1108608522_0:160:3075:1890_1920x0_80_0_0_ebc88e7c723bd682ff0c8f576dae0668.jpg The West used Africa as an excuse to speed up the grain agreement, promising to ensure food supplies to countries in need, but eventually failing to live up to its commitments, says Khulekani Skosana, South African youth leader, vice president of the International Union of Socialist Youth, in an interview with Sputnik. The deal on the provision of a humanitarian sea corridor for ships exporting food and fertilizers from Ukrainian Black Sea ports was signed by Russia, Ukraine, Turkiye, and the UN in July 2022. According to Skosana, the agreement was intended "to make sure that people who are starving and who need the grain receive it," especially those in Africa. However, most of the grain, he underlines, went to European countries.Skosana, who went to Moscow to participate in the second Russia-Africa International Parliamentary Conference, notes that he sees it as a platform for inaugurating a direct dialogue between Russia and African countries on food security and supplies to the continent. He believes that Russia, as one of the signatories to the agreement, has intentions to help countries truly facing food insecurity. In this regard, he states, the conversation within the framework of the Russia-Africa Conference is a great opportunity to talk directly, "without a man in the middle," on ways of ensuring the provision of grain to Africa. He also mentions other areas of cooperation between Moscow and African states, stressing that Russia has long been helping the continent to facilitate the end of conflicts and ensure security. Skosana notes that Russian expertise in the military sphere, its strategies, and the security exchange it promotes "would be prudent and important" in terms of protecting the sovereignty of Africans. The youth leader dubs Russia as a good friend of Africa, with which the latter is happy to cooperate, willing to further foster these relationships. He underlines that the main feature of Russia-Africa cooperation is that Moscow considers its partners as equals, "instead of being an instructor and dictator of Africa." This kind of behavior should be seen as a role model for countries across the globe, he explains.Talking about his expectations of what the conference could bring about, Skosana notes that the forum will provide for an enriched conversation between Russians and Africans, who "have a very beautiful and seamless historical relationship" that is continuing to deepen. In particular, he expects that the conference will allow to enhance political and economic relations "in terms of building a multipolar world, and ensuring peace, stability and prosperity for everyone."Noting that the forum is a follow-up to the previous International Russia-Africa Parliamentary Conference, he states that it is a good way of developing what the countries had agreed on before. In particular, he hopes that the forum will promote Russia-Africa cooperation in education, making it possible for more young Africans to study in Russia.Moreover, he says that the discussions at the conference could also touch upon the topic of how to empower young people from Russia and Africa to do business with each other and expand "the opportunities that they can all exploit in mutual benefit." Therefore, Skosana highlights, there are a lot of expectations concerning the event. He says that he is quite ecstatic to take part in the conference, looking forward "to all the good conversations," in particular, on the topic of how to expand the opportunities of youth and their participation in decision-making process. He also notes that his country, South Africa, and Russia need to enhance cooperation and learn from each other in the field of youth empowerment. He underlines that the future of the continent depends on younger generations and on the extent of their involvement in political life. About 70% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is young people under the age of 30, he explains, saying that this indicates the need to involve the youth in business, politics, and decision-making. In this regard, he states, the conference is a good opportunity to advance these ideas. Speaking about the events to come, Skosana states that this year is very important to South Africa as after this forum, the country will be hosting the BRICS summit in Durban in August. In this light, he says, the discussions and the agreements between the South African parliament and the Russian State Duma could be "a precursor" for the upcoming heads of state summit. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230307/europe-uses-grain-deal-to-profiteer-from-africa-expert-says-1108137213.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/moscow-parliamentary-conference-russia-africa-to-go-hand-in-hand-deepen-economic-ties-1108574164.html africa russia south africa 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 africa, russia, south africam cooperation, conference, forum, the second russia-africa international parliamentary conference https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/biden-offers-support-to-netanyahu-to-forge-compromise-on-judicial-reform-1108579755.html Biden Offers Support to Netanyahu to 'Forge Compromise' on Judicial Reform Biden Offers Support to Netanyahu to 'Forge Compromise' on Judicial Reform US President Joe Biden has talked to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the phone, offering support in resolving issues relating to the controversial judicial reform in Israel, the White House informs. 2023-03-20T01:27+0000 2023-03-20T01:27+0000 2023-03-20T01:27+0000 world israel jurisdiction israeli supreme court reform yariv levin benjamin netanyahu joe biden /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/19/1107796661_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_c1d894641e7b9cf5581d973feb7b1859.jpg According to the release, Biden told Netanyahu that there should be a genuine checks and balances system in all "democratic societies" and major changes must be enacted with a broad base of popular support.Netanyahus office said after the Sunday call that the conversation focused on the "Iranian threat."Netanyahu also thanked Biden for his commitment to Israel's security.Protests against the controversial judicial reform have been held in Israel for 11 straight weeks. Netanyahu urged the police and the prosecutor's office on Friday to take strict measures in response to violence against state officials by opponents of the government's judicial reform.In January, Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin rolled out a legal reform package that would limit the authority of the Supreme Court by giving the cabinet control over the selection of new judges, as well as allowing the Knesset to override the court's rulings with an absolute majority. In mid-February, the Israeli parliament approved the first part of the legislation. The second half was approved by the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, at the beginning of March.The reform's opponents argue it will undermine democracy in Israel and put the country on the verge of a social and constitutional crisis. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230316/mass-protests-amid-benjamin-netanyahus-visit-to-berlin-1108454907.html 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 netanyahu, benjamin netanyahu, netanyahu judicial reform, netanyahu coup, protests against netanyahu, biden offers netanyahu help, israeli juridical reform, israeli supreme court, us israel relations https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/cambodias-premier-explains-why-iccs-arrest-warrant-against-putin-risks-nuclear-war-1108606878.html Cambodias Prime Minister Explains Why ICCs Arrest Warrant Against Putin Risks Nuclear War Cambodias Prime Minister Explains Why ICCs Arrest Warrant Against Putin Risks Nuclear War The International Criminal Court put out an arrest warrant against Russias president and childrens rights commissioner on Friday over the purported unlawful transfer of children out of the Ukrainian conflict zone. The Kremlin shrugged off the development, while the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against the ICCs judges. 2023-03-20T14:23+0000 2023-03-20T14:23+0000 2023-03-20T14:30+0000 world hun sen cambodia russia vladimir putin international criminal court (icc) arrest arrest warrants arrest warrant /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/14/1108606576_0:195:2947:1853_1920x0_80_0_0_f29a63945e540295ed257a09fe747b8f.jpg The ICC arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin threatens to trigger a nuclear war, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned.Warning that the warrant would complicate efforts to find peace in Ukraine, especially in view of Chinese President Xi Jinpings visit to Moscow, where he is expected to offer to mediate, Sen asked how Putin could be expected to negotiate peace when the other side threatens to arrest him?Pointing out that a number of major powers, including Russia, the United States, India, and China do not recognize the ICCs jurisdiction, Sen stressed that the court does not have the power to arrest suspects without the cooperation of the respected governments.Sen suggested that the ICC may have not thought its arrest warrant through to the end.Sen said the ICC warrant will only serve to further separate the world instead of countries uniting in addressing common challenges, such as climate change and infectious diseases.I urge all parties to be cautious about the use of nuclear weapons and to refrain from talking about the use of nuclear weapon, Sen summed up.Sundays statement isnt the first time that the Cambodian leader has warned of a nuclear danger stemming from the Ukraine crisis. Last year, he said that if the conflict were to go nuclear, it would be the end of humanity. In an address at the United Nations General Assembly in September, he warned that the escalation of the Ukraine crisis to involve more and more actorscoupled with the threat of a nuclear war, have serious impacts on the world at large.Political CircusThe International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against President Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the presidential commissioner for childrens rights, for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and that of unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.Russian lawmakers reacted to the "warrants" with a mix of outrage and trolling.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed Monday how Putin reacted to the "warrant," saying the Russian president did not take the insult to heart. Therefore we are reacting calmly, carefully record everything, and continue to work. Most importantly, the president continues to work, the spokesman said.Russias Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against ICC Prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan and three ICC judges on Monday on the basis of their unlawful decisions against Putin and Lvova-Belova, given the absence of any grounds for criminal liability. Khan and the judges are charged with bringing a knowingly innocent person to criminal liability, unlawfully accusing a person of committing a grave or especially grave crime, as well as preparation for an attack on a representative of a foreign state enjoying international protection to complicate international relations.The Investigative Committee also pointed out that in accordance with the 1973 Protection of Diplomats Convention, heads of state enjoy absolute immunity from the jurisdiction of foreign states. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/berlins-stance-on-arrest-warrant-for-putin-flags-drive-for-escalation-russian-ambassador-1108571514.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230318/corrupted-icc-is-a-tool-to-be-used-by-nato-leaders-but-never-against-them-1108527736.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230318/icc-has-been-weaponized-to-buttress-us-imperialism--deserves-to-be-abolished-1108529397.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/russia-initiates-proceedings-against-prosecutor-judges-of-icc-investigative-committee-1108605754.html cambodia russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov 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 Ilya Tsukanov arrest warrant, hun sen, vladimir putin, cambodia, russia, international criminal court, icc https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/eu-to-mobilize-additional-one-million-ammunition-rounds-from-europe-to-ukraine-1108616331.html EU to Mobilize Additional One Million Ammunition Rounds From Europe to Ukraine EU to Mobilize Additional One Million Ammunition Rounds From Europe to Ukraine The European Union will provide Ukraine with one million ammunition rounds, European Council President Charles Michel said on Monday. 2023-03-20T18:22+0000 2023-03-20T18:22+0000 2023-03-20T18:22+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine europe european union (eu) ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103877/48/1038774820_0:100:1921:1180_1920x0_80_0_0_64d4a43fcbb8544ddba1e703ae6749fb.jpg Earlier in the day, a French news agency reported, citing diplomats, that the European Union has agreed on the ammunition plan for Ukraine worth two billion euros ($2.1 billion). EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said later that the EU support package will consist of 3 tracks. "A historic decision. Following my proposal, Member States agreed to deliver 1 mio rounds of artillery ammunition within the next 12 months. We have a 3 track approach: 1) 1 bn for immediate delivery; 2) 1 bn for joint procurement; 3) commission to ramp up production capacity," Borrell said in a tweet. Western countries ramped up their military support for Ukraine after Russia launched a special military operation there on February 24, 2022 there. The assistance includes air defense missiles, launch rocket systems, tanks, self-propelled artillery, anti-aircraft guns and various types of ammunition. The Kremlin has warned against further arms supplies that could mean the direct involvement of the US and NATO in the conflict. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/eu-warmongers-uncomfortable-with-truth-about-us--nato-proxy-war-in-ukraine-1108563551.html ukraine 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 european union, eu provide ukraine, ammunition rounds, charles michel https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/ex-iranian-deputy-ambassador-to-iraq-us-has-destroyed-all-iraqs-infrastructure-1108597938.html Ex-Iranian Deputy Ambassador to Iraq: US Has Destroyed All Iraq's Infrastructure Ex-Iranian Deputy Ambassador to Iraq: US Has Destroyed All Iraq's Infrastructure Seyyed Mousa Alizadeh Tabatabaei, head of the MFAs Directorate General of the Persian Gulf and Iran's former deputy ambassador to Baghdad, told Sputnik of the crimes committed by the Americans during the US invasion of Iraq and gave examples of the devastating consequences of the US military's disastrous actions in the country and the region. 2023-03-20T17:00+0000 2023-03-20T17:00+0000 2023-03-20T17:00+0000 20 years since us invasion of iraq iraq iraq war 2003 invasion of iraq iraq war war in iraq us /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105201/12/1052011277_0:300:5760:3540_1920x0_80_0_0_1af603593b8cb807e81132fe66f033bc.jpg Speaking of the reasons for the US invasion of Iraq, it should be noted that there were a number of obvious justifications given by America and its allies, and a number of real and unclear objectives that served as the main reasons for the attack. As for the stated US reasons for the invasion, ie the presence of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), first of all, the American and British public had serious doubts about this matter, which was reflected in mass anti-war demonstrations in England and even in the American media and in some feature films and documentaries.Of course, for many analysts, the illusory nature of the US reasoning was obvious even before the invasion. After more than a decade of tight encirclement and foreign intelligence infiltration of Iraq, the US leadership and its Western allies knew for a fact that there were no WMD in Iraq at that time. After numerous inspections, UN inspectors also confirmed this.It should be noted that during the war unleashed by Iraq against Iran, Saddam repeatedly used chemical weapons against the Iraqi people and Iranian citizens. Then there was no reaction from the major world powers. And this is because the main source of supply of these weapons was Western countries.This time the US needed a good reason to deceive global public opinion. After making sure that there were no WMD in Iraq, the US invaded Iraq under the pretext of their presence and accusing Saddam of having links with al-Qaeda*. It seems that the US and Britain were guided by a strategy of destroying the infrastructure of the Middle Eastern countries.These two countries have been pursuing this strategy in our region since at least the Second World War, first, to prevent economic stability and growth, and second, to maintain their influence and protect their economic and political interests. There are several examples of such interference and illegal actions. These include the coup against the legitimate government of Mohammad Mosaddegh in Iran, the organization of continued coups in the Middle East and Arab countries, the war unleashed by the Saddam regime against Iran, the invasion of Kuwait by this regime, and dozens of other examples.In all of these cases, we see the destruction of regional infrastructure, political instability, chaos, and the waste of human resources, leading to the slowing down and even halting of growth and development in these countries. The most recent examples are the events in Libya and the outbreak of civil war in Syria.According to Alizadeh Tabatabaei, the devastating effects of such interventions have continued long after the war and occupation:As deputy ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Iraq, I witnessed how the United States destroyed the entire infrastructure of that country during its invasion and occupation. And because of this, today - 20 years later - despite the availability of oil and other abundant natural resources, the Iraqi people face many problems in catering for their basic needs. Even in Baghdad, people suffer from water and electricity cuts for several hours a day and night. Despite high US military spending in Iraq - and contrary to US statements about rebuilding Iraq - the Americans have not even built a factory to produce powdered milk for Iraqi children. The US has also prevented the import of electricity and gas from Iran.Alizadeh Tabatabaei cited not only the emergence of Daesh** but also the loss of American hegemony in the region as one of the major consequences of the US invasion of Iraq.The result of the US invasion, in addition to the material and moral cost to the people of Iraq, has been an increase in tension in the region, human and financial losses, and the displacement of many people in the region. Among the major consequences: the emergence of Daesh in the region; the killing of civilians by the US Army; gross human rights violations by the US (as we have seen in Abu Ghraib and other places in Iraq); the humanitarian crisis and displacement of millions; the destruction of Iraq's economic infrastructure; and the costs of a long war being imposed on American taxpayers as well as on regional American allies.The former Iranian diplomat emphasized that the cost of the US invasion of Iraq is incalculable:Undoubtedly, because of the dominance of American media, Americans will never know the extent of the real damage caused by their actions and other follies of their government. The US has a long history of covering up real events and misleading people. And it is not just about Iraq, but also about Vietnam and Afghanistan. The US has tried its best to hide the facts of war everywhere. But among the stated and irrefutable evidence, we can mention the report of the US Budget Committee for last year, in which the material cost of the US war in Iraq is estimated at $1.9 trillion. In addition, the memories of many about the war reflect the deaths of thousands of American soldiers, the mental and psychological effects of the war on the American military and on the families of the infantry soldiers, who were mostly from the American lower classes. Certainly, the list of overt and covert losses suffered by the American people because of this war could be very long. And it should be addressed.Iran vehemently opposed the US attack on Iraq because the central principle of Iranian foreign policy is to oppose any foreign interference in determining the destiny of the peoples of the region, Alizadeh Tabatabaei added:We believe that the Iraqi people must make their own decisions about their destiny, and that the US is only interfering to create crises and exploit the wealth of the peoples of the region. America's objectives were clear to us: we saw the invasion of Iraq as a continuation of the US strategy in the region. The US had previously imposed a war on our country with Saddam's Iraq. The next step was the US intention to invade Iraq, and the Americans had given Saddam the green light to go to war with Kuwait.After the American aggression, we saw the damage done to the people of that country: thousands of Iraqis were killed, millions of innocent people were wounded and left homeless. But in my opinion, the saddest consequence of the US invasion of Iraq was the creation of the terrorist group Daesh, which, according to former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was to a certain extent created by the United States. Everyone has seen the damage and destruction that Daesh has brought to the region."Realizing the magnitude of this catastrophe, Iran took wise measures that led to the failure of the American strategy. The courageous resistance of the region's young people under the leadership of General Qasem Soleimani led to the downfall of Daesh. And after the defeat of Daesh, the United States, which claimed to be fighting against the group, organized an attack in Iraq in violation of all international principles, which resulted in the death of Soleimani.*Al-Qaeda is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries**Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS/Islamic State) is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/twenty-years-later-us-still-struggling-with-anarchy-unleashed-by-iraq-invasion-1108580081.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/us-nurtured-plans-of-destroying-iraq-years-before-2003-invasion-ex-official-says-1108572318.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 us military's disastrous actions, crimes committed by the americans https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/former-egyptian-foreign-minister-everyone-knew-there-were-no-wmds-in-iraq-1108589221.html Former Egyptian Foreign Minister: Everyone Knew There Were No WMDs in Iraq Former Egyptian Foreign Minister: Everyone Knew There Were No WMDs in Iraq Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmi was Egypt's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States at the time of the US invasion of Iraq. He shared his memories in an interview with Sputnik. 2023-03-20T12:00+0000 2023-03-20T12:00+0000 2023-03-20T12:00+0000 20 years since us invasion of iraq iraq iraq war invasion of iraq us weapons of mass destruction (wmd) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102231/10/1022311082_0:170:2000:1295_1920x0_80_0_0_c2fbf4b1b6e413f0858985d7288b1e92.jpg In his interview, Nabil Fahmi said that the American invasion of Iraq was already in place when George W Bush came to power, and he was simply looking for a suitable opportunity to carry out the plan.Sputnik: As an Egyptian diplomat at the time, how did you feel about the US decision to invade Iraq in 2003?Nabil Fahmi: At the time, in 2003, I was Egypt's Ambassador to the United States. Of course, the entire Arab diplomatic corps was discussing the invasion in one way or another. Even with the election of Bush Jr as President of the United States, I noticed a really unhealthy interest the neocons took in Iraq. US vice-president Richard ("Dick") Cheney was particularly prominent in this regard. On his first visit to Arab countries, he told me personally that he wanted to focus on Iraq.Sputnik: Why Iraq in particular?Nabil Fahmi: I asked him why Iraq and not, for example, the Palestinian issue. But he said that Iraq had caught his attention. I told the leadership in Cairo about the strange interest of the new American administration: but at that time, no one imagined that it would come to an open invasion in 2003.Sputnik: Could you please tell us about Egypt's position on the US invasion of Iraq?Nabil Fahmi: I conveyed a message from President Hosni Mubarak to the Chief of Staff of the US Army and to one of the military commanders in the region that an invasion of Iraq was not advisable, and that there was a big difference between the liberation of Kuwait from occupation - in which the Egyptians had also been involved - and the direct occupation of an Arab country. This message was also conveyed to various American officials in Washington, including Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell and others.The Egyptian delegation arrived in Washington about four weeks before the invasion in a last-ditch effort to acquaint the US side with Cairo's position. The delegation visited US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz. They were warned that an invasion of an Arab country would be disastrous for the region.Sputnik: And how did the Americans respond?Nabil Fahmi: The US administration questioned us point by point, ranging from the invasion and how to take control of certain places. Each time we responded, we emphasized that we did not support the US invasion. At one point, Rice specifically asked why this point was being repeated in every response. Our delegation explained that Egypt continued to oppose the invasion in any case: the Iraqi state must be preserved.Sputnik: What did Washington think of Cairo's response to the invasion?Our position put me, as Egypt's ambassador to Washington, in a difficult position before the US Congress. I explicitly said that Cairo did not support the war in Iraq, even though we were friends of America.Sputnik: And how did you assess the international position on the invasion?Nabil Fahmi: The US administration was determined to invade Iraq from the first day it came to power, and this was evident in the speeches of Cheney and Wolfowitz. The course of action had started taking shape after 9/11. The Bush administration had to justify this military operation to convince the American public that there was a real threat. To this end, they played the card of Iraq's possession of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. Although in fact everyone knew that there were no weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq.Sputnik: What then were the real reasons for the US invasion of Iraq?Nabil Fahmi: The US decision to invade Iraq was made regardless of the actions of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and the suffering of the Iraqi people, and there was no real evidence that Iraq possessed WMD. Either it was because they wanted to realize their ambitions after the liberation of Kuwait - because at that time the controversy about the need to end the war of liberation was raging - or maybe it was because the US was already developing the concept of a "New Middle East" and the easiest place to start implementing it was with a sanctions-weakened Iraq.Sputnik: In your opinion, what has been the most significant consequence of the US invasion of Iraq?Nabil Fahmi: I opposed Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and saw that it was unacceptable and a big mistake on the part of Saddam Hussein. I do not believe that any country has the right to invade another country without respecting international law. That is why I did not support the invasion of Iraq. However, this war caused a lot of trouble in the Levant and the Gulf Region, and later the emergence of Daesh* terrorists in the region. To this day, the Middle East is still dealing with the consequences of the US invasion of Iraq 20 years ago.Sputnik: Has there been a change in American policy toward Arab countries in the years since the invasion of Iraq?Nabil Fahmi: Nothing has changed. What has changed is the American reality and the Arab reaction. In the early 2000s, the US wanted to show the Middle East that after the collapse of the Soviet Union it could do whatever it wanted with Moscow's former allies - that was its interest.Circumstances are different now. Washington is no longer willing to give guarantees or sacrifice its wealth or forces to protect anyone in the region as a whole. For their part, the Arab countries began to realize - after the American invasion of Iraq - that the US could not be given preferential treatment. Thus, the Arab countries began to balance their foreign policies, giving the US the role of an important partner, but by no means the only one. The Arabs now realize that they must take the lead in solving most of the region's problems and not rely on others to do so.*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS/Islamic State) is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/abu-ghraib-horrors-of-us-occupation-of-iraq-1108563125.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/twenty-years-later-us-still-struggling-with-anarchy-unleashed-by-iraq-invasion-1108580081.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 us iraq war, us iraq invasion, us iraq war 2003, us iraq bombing https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/former-pakistani-prime-minister-khan-charged-with-terrorism-1108580638.html Former Pakistani Prime Minister Khan Charged With Terrorism Former Pakistani Prime Minister Khan Charged With Terrorism Islamabad police brought terrorism and other violations of national law charges against the country's former prime minister and chairman of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan, his 17 aides and several dozen supporters. 2023-03-20T03:39+0000 2023-03-20T03:39+0000 2023-03-20T03:45+0000 world pakistan tehreek-e-insaf (pti) imran khan graft charges terrorism /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/14/1108580491_0:160:3075:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_51dd3392ccc8f6b0fff5365eebf1b908.jpg The charges came after clashes between law enforcement officers and supporters of the former prime minister who had accompanied Khan's motorcade in Islamabad on March 17. The former Pakistani prime minister was on his way to a district court in the capital to attend a hearing on the sale of expensive gifts he received while in power from foreign leaders.As a result, more than 50 officers were injured, a police roadblock and several cars and motorcycles were set on fire. Police reported that they detained 59 of Khan's supporters. The hearing itself has been postponed until March 30.The list of charges included terrorism, obstructing police officers in carrying out their tasks, assaulting law enforcement officers, injuring police officers and endangering their lives. In addition to Khan, several former ministers and a former speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly (the lower house of parliament) are accused of these offenses.In his video message, the former prime minister said that his opponents intend to either put him in prison or kill him, and denounced the raid on his home in Lahore as "shameful tactics, conspiracies and plans."Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah accused Khan of "creating all the drama just to avoid" the courts.Khan was removed as head of the Pakistani government on April 10, 2022, following a vote of no confidence. Shortly before that, Khan claimed that his government had been threatened by the U.S. and the local opposition. The former prime minister also repeatedly said that the political process against him was inspired and financed from abroad. On November 3 last year, as Khan was leading a march in the city of Wazirabad, Punjab province, calling for early elections, he was shot in the leg.The former prime minister is accused of selling expensive gifts he received from foreign leaders while in power. In October 2022, the Election Commission of Pakistan suspended Khan and barred him from holding government posts for five years because of his improper income reporting as prime minister. The decision came amid suspicions that Khan had embezzled several million Pakistani rupees. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230307/islamabad-court-temporarily-halts-arrest-warrant-for-ex-pm-khan-media-reports-1108162148.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20221105/ex-pakistani-pm-imran-khan-survives-assassination-attempt-1103798124.html pakistan 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 imran khan, imran khan charges terrorism graft, imran khan shot, imran khan pakistan protests, pakistan tehreek-e-insaf, is it rue that west ousted imran khan, khan expensive gifts, what is happening in pakistan, pakistan imran khan latest news, pakistani terrorism https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/frances-national-assembly-rejects-no-confidence-vote-in-cabinet-over-pension-reform-1108618000.html France's Macron Narrowly Survives No-Confidence Vote Amid Chaos Over Pension Bill France's Macron Narrowly Survives No-Confidence Vote Amid Chaos Over Pension Bill The French National Assembly rejected on Monday a vote of no confidence in the government, put forward by opposition group LIOT because of the pension reform that caused riots across the country. 2023-03-20T19:52+0000 2023-03-20T19:52+0000 2023-03-20T20:27+0000 world france french national assembly vote of no confidence no-confidence vote pension reform /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/14/1108617852_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_23f44ae43e528318dd2245c43dc82be3.jpg Earlier, the centrists and former macronists, members of the LIOT faction in the lower house of the French parliament, put forward a vote of no confidence in the government of Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne over pension reform.On Monday, the French National Assembly began voting on a vote of no confidence.She added that 278 lawmakers supported the no confidence vote, and only nine were against it.On Thursday, Borne used article 49.3 of the French constitution to pass a bill to raise the country's retirement age without a vote in parliament. This step caused a wave of indignation among the lawmakers, who announced the "end of democracy."According to French law, if the government resorts to article 49.3 of the constitution, the opposition has the right to announce a vote of no confidence within 24 hours. If the parliamentary majority supports it, the prime minister and cabinet will have to resign. If the opposition does not declare a vote of no confidence, the law will be considered adopted. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230317/protesters-clash-with-french-police-during-demo-against-pension-reform-1108498858.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, pesnion reform, french national assembly, french cabinet no-confidence vote, french government vote of no confidence, liot, what is article 49.3 of the french constitution, france pensions protests, french pension bill https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/g7-countries-reportedly-have-little-interest-in-revising-russian-oil-price-cap-1108612676.html G7 Countries Reportedly Have Little Interest in Revising Russian Oil Price Cap G7 Countries Reportedly Have Little Interest in Revising Russian Oil Price Cap G7 countries currently have little interest in revising a price cap on Russian oil, despite indications that the sale price of crude is well below the $60 threshold, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter. 2023-03-20T16:09+0000 2023-03-20T16:09+0000 2023-03-20T16:09+0000 economy russia g7 2022 russian oil price cap /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/14/1108612495_0:168:3047:1881_1920x0_80_0_0_add09511f15b4198efd1933f6925bae5.jpg The European Commission informed EU member states as such over the weekend, the report said, while talks between the EC and the G7 on the matter will likely continue. The G7 had agreed to review the price cap in mid-March. An International Energy Agency report last week showed that some Russian crude oil and petroleum products were selling under the threshold last month. EU countries have sought to keep Russian oil flowing while curbing revenues in order to limit Russias financing of the conflict in Ukraine. Currently, companies in the EU and G7 are only permitted to provide certain services for transporting Russian oil to third countries if it was purchased within the price threshold. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/g7-may-compromise-with-eu-symbolically-lower-russian-oil-price-cap-amid-split-over-revision-1108596476.html 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 g7, russian oil price cap, russian oil, g7 has no interest in revising price cap, oil price cap at $60 https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/g7-may-compromise-with-eu-symbolically-lower-russian-oil-price-cap-amid-split-over-revision-1108596476.html G7 May 'Compromise' With EU, Symbolically Lower Russian Oil Price Cap Amid Split Over Revision G7 May 'Compromise' With EU, Symbolically Lower Russian Oil Price Cap Amid Split Over Revision The G7 may take a compromise decision with the EU to symbolically lower the Russian oil price cap, according to Russian stock market expert. 2023-03-20T12:44+0000 2023-03-20T12:44+0000 2023-03-20T12:44+0000 world russia 2022 russian oil price cap oil price sanctions g7 european union (eu) ukraine crisis joe biden janet yellen /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0b/0c/1104045331_0:183:2991:1865_1920x0_80_0_0_352fde7485a068b85f9677905b6ea0f9.jpg There is a split between the Group of Seven (G7) nations and the European Union (EU) regarding the reevaluation of the $60 per barrel price cap on Russian oil that went into effect on December 5, 2022, a Russian stock market expert claimed.The positions of the two sides are now diametrically opposed, so the decision to reappraise the cap in March may be delayed, according to Yevgeny Mironyuk of the financial holding BCS World of Investments.The G7 nations are scheduled to review the price cap on Russian oil to determine whether any recalibration is needed, as per the agreement reached late last year. However, amid differences between the G7 and Brussels, a compromise option is also possible, with a symbolic lowering of the cap by $5, to $55 per barrel, the expert added.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 have suggested that the G7 countries, in particular the United States, did not back a change to the Russian oil price cap.Mironyuk cited US media reports claiming that US President Joe Biden told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a recent White House meeting that Washington was averse to adjusting the oil price cap. The expert explained that such a position is justified by the strong dependence of the American economy on global oil prices.As for the economies of Poland and the Baltic states that have repeatedly pressed for a cap below $60 a barrel, they also depend on energy prices, but the impact on their GDP growth is less significant. For these countries, the political posturing towards Russia is fundamental, the expert concluded.Earlier, a Russian energy expert suggested 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."Even before the ceiling was imposed, [Russian] companies were able to move into new markets mainly through the provision of discounts, and this forced dumping, which intensified after the cap was introduced and has a downward effect on overall world oil prices," Sergey Kolobanov, deputy head of the Department of Fuel and Energy Sectors at the Central Center for Strategic Research, told Sputnik.As part of sanctions against Russia over its special military operation in Ukraine, on December 5, 2022, an embargo on maritime Russian oil shipments to the European Union came into force. G7 nations, the EU and Australia also agreed on a price cap for Russian oil delivered by sea. It was set at $60 a barrel, to be reviewed every two months so that it can remain at five percent below the International Energy Agency benchmark.Furthermore, as of February 5, 2023, Brussels had agreed to the European Commission's proposal of a $100 per barrel ceiling for Russian diesel fuel, and $45 per barrel for discounted products such as fuel oil. 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. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/lowering-russian-oil-price-cap-unprofitable-for-us-as-crude-costs-dip-would-hit-its-producers-1108571170.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230314/russia-building-up-shipping-fleet-to-transport-oil-amid-price-cap-coalition-1108390656.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230307/kremlin-g7s-oil-price-cap-does-not-exist-in-practice-1108144168.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 g7, eu, compromise decision, symbolically lower, russian oil price cap, sanctions, russia's special military operation in ukraine, to reevaluate, $60 per barrel price cap, recalibration of oil price cap, strong dependence, american economy, world oil prices. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/german-foreign-minister-calls-china-competitor-systemic-opponent-1108597272.html German Foreign Minister Calls China 'Competitor,' 'Systemic Opponent' German Foreign Minister Calls China 'Competitor,' 'Systemic Opponent' China is Germany's "competitor" and "systemic opponent," but Berlin still cannot separate itself from Beijing in the modern globalized world 2023-03-20T11:40+0000 2023-03-20T11:40+0000 2023-03-20T11:40+0000 world china germany initiative /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/03/03/1093558976_0:67:2993:1750_1920x0_80_0_0_dbdf21afcf7db76f0c9cb286f1b4c335.jpg "We agree that we can not separate ourselves from China in the globalized world. But we should not be naive ... China is a competitor, a partner, but also a systemic opponent," Baerbock was quoted by the newspaper as saying. In this regard, the top German diplomat urged Europe to be "geopolitically more active" in its systemic rivalry with Beijing. China's Belt and Road Initiative, sometimes also referred to as the New Silk Road, is a massive infrastructure project launched in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping and encompassing multiple development and investment initiatives initially aimed at linking East Asia and Europe by means of transport infrastructure. Over the last decade, however, the project has expanded to Africa, Oceania and Latin America, building up Beijing's economic and political clout and raising concerns in Western countries that the New Silk Road might be a transitional link to China-centered regional integration and military expansion. china 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 foreign minister, modern globalized world https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/how-bidens-room-for-maneuver-in-ukraine-is-dwindling-and-rift-with-kiev-growing-1108607954.html How Biden's Room for Maneuver in Ukraine is Dwindling and Rift With Kiev Growing How Biden's Room for Maneuver in Ukraine is Dwindling and Rift With Kiev Growing US President Joe Biden's window of opportunities in Ukraine is in danger of narrowing, warn some Western observers, while others hint that an apparent rift... 20.03.2023, Sputnik International 2023-03-20T15:01+0000 2023-03-20T15:01+0000 2023-03-20T15:01+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine us joe biden russia europe ukraine volodymyr zelensky antony blinken nord stream nord stream pipeline /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/14/1107624446_0:0:3015:1696_1920x0_80_0_0_53e5e9528007bce8964cf3f020956d06.jpg There are three factors that may potentially constrain the Biden administration's ability for maneuver in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, according to the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a US DC-based think tank.First, the situation on the battlefield is unfolding in Russia's favor, with Russian forces making progress towards encircling Bakhmut, also known as Artemovsk, a city in the Donetsk region. According to the think tank, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys all-out defense of the city could cripple Kiev's ability to mount an effective counteroffensive elsewhere. Furthermore, the Kiev regime is suffering from a shortage of ammunition and experienced troops, something the West cannot provide anytime soon. The West's stockpiles of artillery shells and missiles are dwindling, while NATO cannot throw its troops to reinforce the Ukrainian military, as that could escalate the conflict into a full-fledged nuclear confrontation, according to the think tank.Earlier this month, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned: "I certainly dont want to discount the tremendous work that the Ukrainians soldiers and leaders have put into defending Bakhmut but I think its more of a symbolic value than it is a strategic and operational value."However, speaking to Sputnik in January 2023, US military veteran and security analyst Mark Sleboda explained that Artemovsk is a key to Donetsk and the linchpin of the entire second line of defense of the Kiev regime. According to Sleboda, taking Artemovsk will open the door to further advances by the Russian military in other directions due to its geographical location. Given this, one would agree that Artemovsk is of a strategic and operational value, which makes Kiev's defeat there especially sensitive.Second, American popular opinion on the Russo-Ukrainian has been growing more polarized, according to the DC think tank, which cites its own recent poll among Republicans and Democrats. A staggering 47% of GOP voters believe that the United States is doing "too much" to help Ukraine, while only 27% think that it's about right. For comparison's sake, 62% of Democrats think Washington's support for the Kiev regime is about right. The think tank presumes that the polarization will grow even further as reports from the battlefield "chip away" at American optimism and the 2024 presidential campaign heats up. On top of this, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump who together are backed by more than three-quarters of GOP voters have recently called for peace in Ukraine and cessation of hostilities, stressing that the conflict is by no means viable for the US national interest. MAGA lawmakers in the House are also pushing for a peace settlement, which isn't a trifling matter, given that the GOP currently controls the lower chamber. Previously, the US mainstream press acknowledged that public support for Biden's proxy war in Ukraine is "softening" across all political stripes.Third, as the Biden administration is hesitating to broker peace between Kiev and Moscow, China has stepped forward with a comprehensive peace plan. Even though Washington has already denounced Beijing's initiative, there is a possibility that the People's Republic of China may find leverage to convince Kiev to join Moscow at the negotiating table, the think tank presumes. Russia has repeatedly signaled that it is ready for talks and lambasted the West for derailing the March 2022 peace negotiations in Istanbul and subsequent preliminary agreements between the Ukrainian and Russian representatives. "Beijings bid to play mediator could have appealed for Kiev if the Ukrainians perceive Washington as both unwilling to bring victory on the battlefield and unable to bring Russia around to an acceptable settlement," the think tank noted.Remarkably, the DC think tank somehow failed to mention that Beijing managed to broker a historic reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia earlier this month. The two rivals signed an agreement to restore full diplomatic relations, elevating Beijing's status as a sophisticated mediator.These three factors indicate that the window of opportunity for Washington's diplomacy is "in danger of narrowing," the report warned.Cracks Have Appeared in Biden-Zelensky BromanceMeanwhile, an earlier report by Politico unveiled growing cracks in US-Ukrainian unity, citing US officials, American lawmakers, and experts.First, there are growing differences behind the scenes between the Biden administration and the Kiev regime on the conflict's aims and the timing of its ending. As per Republican lawmakers, the White House doesnt have a clear policy objective and a clear goal when it comes to Ukraine. So far, it has been perceived as a "war of attrition" envisaging bleeding Russia white and coercing it into submission. This has not worked, and the Biden administration has not presented any "policy for victory" so far, as per Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.Second, the media outlet cites a new point of tension, which is the Nord Stream sabotage. The US press is continuing to push ahead with the theory that it was a pro-Ukrainian group who blew up the pipeline, something that many international observers and experts have shredded as nonsense.The US media points out that intelligence analysts do not believe that Zelensky and his were involved in the sabotage, but emphasizes that the Biden administration has already signaled to the Kiev regime that "certain acts of violence outside of Ukraines borders will not be tolerated." Earlier, Sputnik's interlocutors suggested that the New York Times' yarn about the "pro-Ukrainian group's" sabotage attack indicates that the White House is ready either to distance itself from the Kiev regime or to throw it under the bus altogether.Third, the Biden administration believes that the Ukrainian military should not spend so much manpower and ammo in Artemovsk, while Kiev is openly "ignoring" Washington's recommendation, as per the US media.Fourth, there is growing frustration among US officials about Kiev's ingratitude: the US media outlet explains that Washington has, by far, sent the most weapons and equipment to the front, with the Ukrainian leadership constantly requesting more and more aid and Zelensky, not showing appropriate appreciation for the White House's efforts.Fifth, it's not clear how the conflict will end: despite Biden signaling steadfast support, Kiev should understand that this aid won't be indefinite, the media outlet emphasized. It cites former US officials as criticizing Zelensky over his spat with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy: "Zelensky also stepped in it a bit with McCarthy coming across as needing to educate him, rather than work with him," said Kurt Volker, a special presidential envoy for Ukraine during the Trump administration.US officials also seem concerned about Kiev's insistence that not only the Donbass, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions should be "returned" to Ukraine before any peace talks with Moscow, but also Crimea, according to the media outlet. It noted that both Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Pentagon have warned the Kiev regime against trying to seize the peninsula.What's more, The Washington Post reported in mid-February that top Biden officials including Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, and Under Secretary of Defense Colin Kahl made it clear to Zelensky that in the coming months he should "retake as much territory as possible before sitting down with Putin at the negotiating table." According to American observers, the goal of taking "as much territory as possible" sounds like Washington's concession that Kiev may not be capable of reclaiming all of the territory it had "lost."In a word, even though the Biden administration is publicly stating that it is ready to do whatever it takes to support Kiev, "whispers have begun across Washington as to how tenable that will be," especially given that the 2024 presidential election is looming, the media admits. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230110/battle-for-bakhmut-why-the-city-is-key-to-russias-liberation-of-donbass-1106197085.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230210/will-ukraine-fatigue-among-us-lawmakers-bring-kiev-militarization-to-end-1107322654.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230308/ex-pentagon-officer-nato-divide-growing-us--eu-may-drastically-reduce-ukraine-aid-by-summer-1108188312.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230303/not-only-gop-but-also-left--independents-feel-team-biden-has-lost-its-way-in-ukraine-1107989511.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230315/what-message-does-black-sea-reaper-crash-send-about-us-spying-missions-and-double-standards-1108426861.html russia ukraine china 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 proxy war in ukraine, us military aid to ukraine, dwindling support for us aid to ukraine, ukraine fatigue resolution, china's peace agreement for ukraine, russia is encircling bakhmut, zelensky not expressing enough gratitude to us, nord stream sabotage, pro-ukrainian group blamed for nord stream sabotage https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/india-expresses-protest-to-uk-over-flag-incident-at-indian-mission-in-london-1108579631.html India Expresses Protest to UK Over Flag Incident at Indian Mission in London India Expresses Protest to UK Over Flag Incident at Indian Mission in London The Indian Foreign Ministry has expressed protest to British deputy high commissioner Christina Scott over the pulling down of the flag outside the Indian high commission in London. 2023-03-20T01:25+0000 2023-03-20T01:25+0000 2023-03-20T01:54+0000 world india london the sikh coalition sikh /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/13/1100966857_0:240:1280:960_1920x0_80_0_0_26926cce63566d3a3dc130ca690ac44a.jpg Scott was summoned to the foreign ministry on Sunday night. The foreign ministry demanded an explanation as to why the British security "allowed these elements to enter" the mission premises and urged the British government to take steps to arrest those involved in the incident. Earlier on Sunday, videos emerged on social media showing a group of supporters of the Khalistan separatist movement protesting outside the Indian mission in London. One of the protesters pulled down the Indian flag from the first-floor balcony of the building. The flag was replaced with a Khalistan flag.The protesters were demanding the creation of a Sikh homeland named Khalistan, they allege that the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi crackdown on pro-Khalistan Sikh activists in Punjab is an act of repression.It was later reported by The Guardian that one man was arrested in relation to the incident."Officers attended the location. The majority of those present had dispersed prior to the arrival of police," a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said as quoted by The Guardian on Sunday, adding that an "investigation was launched, and one male was arrested nearby a short time later on suspicion of violent disorder."London Mayor Sadiq Khan said on Twitter that he condemned the violence and vandalism at the Indian high commission. london 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 khalistan, khalistan movement, flag pulled from india house, indian embassy, protest, sikh activists https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/iraqis-suffering-from-disastrous-medical-diseases-caused-by-us-led-invasion-advocate-1108581535.html Iraqis Suffering From Disastrous Medical Diseases Caused by US-Led Invasion: Advocate Iraqis Suffering From Disastrous Medical Diseases Caused by US-Led Invasion: Advocate The US-led invasion of Iraq has resulted in a dramatic rise in birth defects in the country, a problem that will remain in Iraq "forever," anti-nuclear advocate Helen Caldicott told Sputnik. 2023-03-20T04:39+0000 2023-03-20T04:39+0000 2023-03-20T04:39+0000 20 years since us invasion of iraq iraq us iraq war /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107829/10/1078291040_0:61:2100:1242_1920x0_80_0_0_fda46e7a04dddf955f1f5e29bec833a1.jpg On March 19, 2003, at 10:16 p.m. EST, President George W. Bush in a televised address from the Oval Office said the US and coalition forces were in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq and "free its people," marking the start of an invasion and occupation that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians and combatants. She emphasized that the United States had deployed missiles armed with uranium 238, resulting in microscopic particles polluting the air and surrounding soil, "to be spread by the wind for the rest of time." According to Caldicott, the US and British militaries used more than 1,700 tons of depleted uranium in Iraq during the 2003 invasion. She added that in Fallujah, where two massive US military operations took place, 25% of newborns were seriously deformed and the rate of leukemia is 38 times higher, while the childhood cancer rate is 12 times higher than in populations in neighboring Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait. According to Pentagon data, during the war in Iraq, 4,431 soldiers were killed, while about 32,000 were injured. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 2003 and 2006 alone, up to 223,000 Iraqis fell victim to the war. International experts estimate that the war in Iraq claimed from 1 to 1.4 million lives of Iraqis. 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 us-led invasion of iraq, us iraq war, us iraq invasion, us iraq 2003 https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/le-pen-says-may-run-for-french-presidency-for-4th-time-1108598920.html Le Pen Says May Run For French Presidency For 4th Time Le Pen Says May Run For French Presidency For 4th Time Marine Le Pen, the leader of the right-wing National Rally party's faction in the French parliament, said on Monday that she had no desire to become France's prime minister but might run for the country's presidency for the fourth time in 2027. 2023-03-20T12:11+0000 2023-03-20T12:11+0000 2023-03-20T12:11+0000 world france marine le pen presidential election /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/12/1100933313_0:0:2536:1427_1920x0_80_0_0_bc6bd98990f6fc5d2f4c8662b0c70d41.jpg "No, I would not go to the Hotel Matignon [the residence of the French prime minister] ... As I have already been a presidential candidate three times, I will possibly run for the presidency for the fourth time. The decision has not been made yet," Le Pen told French broadcaster. At the same time, the politician added that there were already candidates for the post of prime minister among the members of the National Rally, but she did not disclose their names. The previous presidential election took place in France in two rounds on April 10 and on April 24, 2022. Emmanuel Macron, the incumbent president of France, won by getting 58.55% of the votes, Le Pen got 41.45%. The French president is elected every five years. The next presidential election in the country will be held in 2027. 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 marine le pen, french parliament, france's prime minister https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/one-arrest-made-after-flag-incident-at-indian-mission-in-london-reports-say-1108581190.html One Arrest Made After Flag Incident at Indian Mission in London, Reports Say One Arrest Made After Flag Incident at Indian Mission in London, Reports Say One man was arrested following the incident at the Indian high commission in London, where the Indian national flag was pulled down on Sunday 2023-03-20T04:16+0000 2023-03-20T04:16+0000 2023-03-20T04:16+0000 world uk india flag london /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/14/1108579487_0:240:1280:960_1920x0_80_0_0_c2bb3b9a87c54ebafa5deb434facd6a6.jpg "Officers attended the location. The majority of those present had dispersed prior to the arrival of police," a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said as quoted by media on Sunday, adding that an "investigation was launched, and one male was arrested nearby a short time later on suspicion of violent disorder." According to the police, windows were broken at the Indian mission. An investigation is underway and inquiries continue. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said on Twitter that he condemned the violence and vandalism at the Indian high commission. The Indian Foreign Ministry has expressed protest to British deputy high commissioner Christina Scott over the pulling down of the flag outside the Indian high commission. Scott was summoned to the foreign ministry on Sunday night and the ministry demanded an explanation as to why the British security allowed the activists to enter the mission premises.On Sunday, videos emerged on social media showing a group of supporters of the Khalistan separatist movement protesting outside the Indian mission in London. One of the protesters pulled down the Indian flag from the first-floor balcony of the building. london 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 indian high commission in london, indian national flag, flag incident https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/polish-prime-minister-says-germany-did-not-pay-war-reparations-to-warsaw-1108608654.html Polish Prime Minister Says Germany Did Not Pay War Reparations to Warsaw Polish Prime Minister Says Germany Did Not Pay War Reparations to Warsaw Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Monday that Germany has not paid out World War II reparations to Warsaw while delivering a speech at the Heidelberg University. 2023-03-20T14:33+0000 2023-03-20T14:33+0000 2023-03-20T14:33+0000 world poland germany world war ii reparations /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/05/16/1095703989_0:0:2797:1574_1920x0_80_0_0_8ffe48543ae0d6810a91752e8a6861af.jpg In September, Poland announced that it would demand 6.2 trillion zloty (about $1.3 trillion) from Germany in reparations for the damage caused during World War II. Later, Poland turned to the US Congress, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the UN, the EU and NATO, and other 50 countries with an appeal to help get reparations from Germany. Morawiecki noted that Poland was still dealing with the consequences of the war, adding that his country lost over 5 million citizens then, as well as its freedom and independence. The prime minister also said that the reparations were essential for the reconciliation of Poland and Germany. "The compensation is necessary to reconcile criminals and victims. At this key moment in the history of Europe, we need such a reconciliation, since we are facing enormous common challenges," Morawiecki said. The German government has repeatedly stated it will not pay reparations to Poland, since Warsaw has already received significant compensations and there was no ground to doubt its decision to waive its right to war reparations from 1953. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230104/polands-wwii-reparations-demands-of-germany-constitute-extortion-at-uss-behest-analyst-suggests-1106036031.html poland 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 poland, germany, war reparations, world war ii https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/presidents-putin-and-xi-pen-articles-in-each-others-countries-ahead-of-xis-visit-to-moscow-1108578541.html Presidents Putin and Xi Pen Articles in Each Others Countries Ahead of Xis Visit to Moscow Presidents Putin and Xi Pen Articles in Each Others Countries Ahead of Xis Visit to Moscow The relationship between both countries has grown as Russia and China have both found themselves at odds with the United States and NATO over Ukraine and Taiwan, respectively. 2023-03-20T00:36+0000 2023-03-20T00:36+0000 2023-03-20T10:27+0000 world xi jinping vladimir putin moscow ria novosti ukraine nato brics shanghai cooperation organisation (sco) people's daily /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/02/04/1092746874_0:0:3111:1750_1920x0_80_0_0_b77102a30ea8117aecf22c85e4fa6ed1.jpg Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is open to a diplomatic resolution in Ukraine and praised Chinas 12-point document laying out a path to peace in an article written by Putin and published in the Chinese newspaper People's Daily on Sunday.Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping penned an article for Russias RIA Novosti and Rossiyskaya Gazeta papers, praising the relationship between Russia and China and saying that his country is ready to play an unbiased role in ending the crisis in Ukraine.Both articles were published one day before Xi travels to Moscow to visit Russia, marking his first foreign trip since being reelected the leader of the country for a third five-year term earlier this month. Xi is expected to stay in Russia from March 20 to March 22.The Ukraine CrisisIn February, China released a 12-point document titled China Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis. The document was vehemently rejected by NATO countries and the Ukrainian government.Putin said that he welcomes Chinas attempts to restore peace in the region.Xi reiterated his countrys stance on the best course of action to achieve peace in the region:Friendship Between Russia and ChinaIn his article, Putin expressed admiration for China and Xi, calling the Chinese President his good old friend and said that the two enjoy a warm relationship.Putin also noted that trade between the two countries doubled in 2022, reaching a record $185 billion and that he has every reason to believe they will reach $200 billion this year instead of in 2024 as originally predicted. Putin said the relationship between China and Russia is stronger than it has ever been, including during the Cold War.In his article, Xi agreed with the Russian Presidents assessment of where the two countries stand.The parties are continuously bolstering political trust, creating a new paradigm for relations between the major powers," Xi wrote ahead of his visit to Moscow, adding that "China and Russia abide by the concept of eternal friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation."The relationship between China and Russia is continuously gaining new strength and [will] serve as a benchmark for a new type of state-to-state relations, wrote Xi.NATO and the Multipolar WorldThe Russian President also said that the Wests stance against Russia and China has become more fierce and aggressive, saying that the leaders of those countries are gambling on the fates of entire states and peoples to preserve its vanishing dominance.Russia has been under unilateral sanctions from NATO countries and the West, and China has also been threatened with sanctions stemming from unproven allegations that China is providing military support to Russia for the countrys special operation in Ukraine.Both Russia and China have been developing their relationships with other countries, and Putin specifically pointed towards BRICS, a coalition of emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) which includes India, Tajikistan, Russia, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan as evidence that the two countries serve as the cornerstone of regional and global stability. Putin compared the organizations to NATO which he says is persistently working to split the common Eurasian space into a network of exclusive clubs and military blocs that would serve to contain our countries' development and harm their interests, noting that the plan wont work.President Putin also praised Chinas Global Security Initiative, which he says is in line with the Russian approaches in this area.Putin noted that both China and Russia are building literal and figurative bridges with other countries through the promotion of BRICS and the SCO.On Saturday, the People's Daily called Xi's trip to Moscow the "Trip for peace" and noted that it would bolster ties to Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230224/forget-cold-war-stance--politicization-what-did-china-say-in-its-position-paper-on-ukraine-crisis-1107754814.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230311/swift--severe-costs-us-lawmakers-push-sanctions-mechanism-to-deter-china-from-russia-support-1108287776.html moscow ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino 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 Ian DeMartino putin's article in china, xi article in russia, ukraine, xi travels to moscow, visits moscow, brics, nato https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/ptsd-suicides-unhealing-trauma-war-vets-recall-iraq-invasion-1108599780.html PTSD, Suicides, Unhealing Trauma: War Vets Recall Iraq Invasion PTSD, Suicides, Unhealing Trauma: War Vets Recall Iraq Invasion US Marine Corps war veteran Lucas Gage said every single member of his unit got PTSD after being stationed in Iraq - some even took their own lives when they got home. 2023-03-20T12:17+0000 2023-03-20T12:17+0000 2023-03-20T12:17+0000 20 years since us invasion of iraq iraq iraq war us army veterans /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/08/17/1099903490_0:149:2800:1724_1920x0_80_0_0_1e6788395be04a3d030534cbb36bc094.jpg Gage served in the marines as a combat engineer during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004. He was part of the 8th Engineer Support Battalion stationed out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During his first tour, the actual initial invasion of Iraq from Kuwait, the unit began its convoy into the country's north. His units mission as combat engineers was to support the 1st Marine Corps Division in their advancement to Baghdad, which they did by constructing Medium Girder Bridges and Improved Ribbon Bridges to help them cross over a destroyed bridge and get vehicles across canals. Gages second tour was a humanitarian one. He said with the two tours combined, he spent a total year in Iraq, and will never forget the experience. In the years following the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, thousands of American soldiers have returned home with PTSD. The disorder can cause various symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. In addition, soldiers with PTSD can experience feelings of guilt, shame, anger, and difficulty concentrating and making decisions. Maj. Frank Phillips, who worked in contracting, sending equipment to troops on the ground, told Sputnik that the psychological impact of these types of war had to be acknowledged. Phillips recalled that a lot of the people that were sent to war were not military and when they came home with the trauma they got no help from the VA. Soldiers were used to the bombs but they would still be traumatized, Phillips said. Despite the prevalence of PTSD among veterans, many soldiers struggle to access the care and support they need. The stigma surrounding mental health issues in the military can make it difficult for soldiers to seek help, and some may worry that seeking treatment will hurt their career or their standing in their unit. According to data from the Department of Defense, between 2003 and 2018, there were a total of 4,544 reported suicides among all active-duty service members, including those who served in Iraq and other conflicts. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/twenty-years-later-us-still-struggling-with-anarchy-unleashed-by-iraq-invasion-1108580081.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/us-nurtured-plans-of-destroying-iraq-years-before-2003-invasion-ex-official-says-1108572318.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 us marine corps, war veteran, iraq war, iraq invasion https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/russia-armenia-azerbaijan-agreements-remain-key-to-nagorno-karabakh-settlement-lavrov-1108604746.html Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan Agreements Remain Key to Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement: Lavrov Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan Agreements Remain Key to Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement: Lavrov Russia has no doubt that trilateral agreements with Armenia and Azerbaijan remain key for the settlement of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway region that proclaimed its independence from Baku in 1991, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday. 2023-03-20T13:36+0000 2023-03-20T13:36+0000 2023-03-20T13:36+0000 world sergey lavrov nagorno-karabakh armenia azerbaijan /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/0f/1107472185_0:0:3121:1756_1920x0_80_0_0_df0b65472baffb6168c99124e92c1a55.jpg "We have no doubt that the trilateral statements of Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian leaders remain the key for the implementation of all decisions to ensure the stabilization of the situation. In the economic, military-political and international legal spheres," Lavrov said during a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. The decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh flared up again in September 2020, marking the worst escalation since the 1990s. Hostilities ended with a Russia-brokered trilateral declaration of ceasefire signed in November 2020. The two former Soviet countries agreed to the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in the region. Occasional clashes have since occurred on the border. Since December 2022, the Lachin Corridor a road which runs through Azerbaijani territory and serves as the only link between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh has been blocked by a group of people from Azerbaijan described by Baku as environmental activists protesting alleged illegal Armenian mining in the area. The United Nations' main judicial body ruled in February that Azerbaijan must ensure unimpeded movement along the Lachin Corridor. Armenia argued in the court filing that the activists were acting on Baku's command and demanded that it "cease its orchestration and support" of the blockade. nagorno-karabakh armenia azerbaijan 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 armenia and azerbaijan, situation in nagorno-karabakh, breakaway region https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/south-korean-unification-minister-to-discuss-north-korea-during-visit-to-japan-1108604522.html South Korean Unification Minister to Discuss North Korea During Visit to Japan South Korean Unification Minister to Discuss North Korea During Visit to Japan South Korean Unification Minister Kwon Young-se will visit Japan from Wednesday to Saturday to discuss cooperation on North Korea and other issues of bilateral interest 2023-03-20T13:34+0000 2023-03-20T13:34+0000 2023-04-06T12:15+0000 asia south korea dprk japan /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107646/50/1076465028_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_9b24cbb3f3bc029b1a56ee45ce13dba2.jpg Kwon will make the first-ever visit by a unification minister to Japan at the invitation of the latter's government, the Yonhap news agency reported. The South Korean minister plans to inform Japanese officials on his country's position regarding North Korea and his ministry's unification program. The politicians also look forward to improving their partnership on various issues including those kidnapped by North Korea during the 1950-1953 Korean War. The relations between the two neighbors deteriorated in 2018, after South Korea accused Japan of using forced labor during its 1910-1945 colonial rule. The top court of South Korea ordered Japanese companies, including Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to compensate the victims of forced labor. Following the ruling, Japan introduced trade sanctions against South Korea, while Seoul responded by submitting a complaint to the WTO and expressed intention to withdraw from the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA). The situation started to change for the better after Yoon assumed office as South Korea's president in May 2022 and set a course for mending ties with Tokyo in order to improve both bilateral relations and the trilateral security partnership with Washington. Kwon's upcoming visit comes on the heels of President Yoon's strengthening of cooperation with Tokyo and Washington amid North Korea's frequent missile test launches. On March 16, the South Korean president discussed denuclearization of North Korea with Kishida during a summit in Tokyo, where the two leaders negotiated ways to improve bilateral relations. The parties also agreed to resume the GSOMIA, military intelligence-sharing pact between the two countries. south korea 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 south korean unification minister, bilateral interest, north korea https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/sudanese-political-factions-to-form-transitional-government-in-april-reports-say-1108587919.html Sudanese Political Factions to Form Transitional Government in April, Reports Say Sudanese Political Factions to Form Transitional Government in April, Reports Say Sudanese political factions have agreed to establish a new transitional government on April 11, media has reported, citing the spokesperson for the political process in Sudan Khalid Omar Yousif. 2023-03-20T10:30+0000 2023-03-20T10:30+0000 2023-03-20T10:30+0000 africa north africa sudan military transitional council transitional government political transition political process /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/14/1108587594_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_d25c68dbf33a8a6ebccea0d25638047d.jpg Sudanese political factions have agreed to establish a new transitional government on 11 April, the media reported on Sunday, citing Khalid Omer Yousif, spokesman for the political process in Sudan.According to Yousif, the country's military leaders who took full control of the nation in 2021 and civilian political parties decided to speed up the restoration of civilian rule in Sudan at a meeting on Wednesday.He said that the participants agreed to create a committee for drafting the country's new constitution. The new constitutional document is expected to be a legislative basis for the upcoming transition in Sudan. The committee will include nine representatives of the civilian groups, one from the military and one from the Rapid Support Forces, Sudan's paramilitary government forces.Yousif also said that the discussions on the two remaining "complex matters, the transitional justice and military and security reforms", will continue within the framework of "the ongoing political conference that should end before the holy month of Ramadan".Once discussions are over, the committee will start drafting a final political agreement that is expected to lead to the formation of a new civilian government. It was noted that the factions that take part in the political process for restoration of civilian rule will sign a transitional framework for the agreement and a constitutional declaration at the beginning of the next month.Last week, the chairman of Sudan's ruling Transitional Sovereign Council, Colonel-General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, confirmed that the country's authorities are working to establish civilian rule and prevent the nation from falling into "authoritarian rule".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. The political process was facilitated by a so-called Trilateral Mechanism that includes the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the United Nations. The agreement aims to put an end to 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. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/sudanese-ruling-council-seeks-to-set-civilian-rule--prevent-authoritarian-one-reports-say-1108570928.html 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, transitional government, military coup, political process, meeting, restoration of civil rule, sudan's army chief abdel fattah al-burhan, capital khartoum https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/sweden-lacks-plan-b-for-nato-bid-as-finland-gears-up-to-join-first-1108584189.html Sweden Lacks 'Plan B' for NATO Bid as Finland Gears Up to Join First Sweden Lacks 'Plan B' for NATO Bid as Finland Gears Up to Join First While both nations originally intended to walk the NATO path together, Sweden's bid has stalled, whereas Finland's appears more promising, sparking a rift between the neighbors. 2023-03-20T06:59+0000 2023-03-20T06:59+0000 2023-03-20T06:59+0000 world sweden nato news scandinavia finland turkiye nato expansion nato enlargement /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/07/1108161560_0:161:3067:1886_1920x0_80_0_0_79f992ba2342d125276fda32f8a13b31.jpg Despite the recent delay in admission, Sweden has no alternative to joining NATO, the country's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom has proclaimed.So far, the Swedish application has been approved by 28 of the bloc's 30 countries, except for Hungary and Turkiye. Ankara initially voiced strong opposition to both bids over Finland and Sweden's "leniency" toward the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Turkish authorities consider to be a terrorist organization, yet softened its approach to Helsinki following months of negotiations. Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkiye's parliament would start ratifying Finland's accession. Hungary has meanwhile indicated that it would approve Finland's bid on March 27, signifying that Sweden's application will be discussed at a later date.Sweden's already troubled NATO talks were complicated further at the start of 2023 by a string of high-profile provocations, which include Turkish President Recep Erdogan hanged in effigy in Stockholm, a Quran-burning, ostensibly intended as a "lesson in free speech" for Turkiye, and, lastly, a cartoon contest held by a Swedish newspaper specifically to mock the Turkish leader.Billstrom admitted that his country "has a longer way to go than Finland," yet said he was "completely convinced" that Sweden would join the US-led military bloc during the alliances summit in Vilnius, Lithuania in July.Helsinki and Stockholm jointly applied for membership in May 2022, abandoning their long-standing non-alignment principle and citing changes in Europes security situation due to Russia's special operation in Ukraine. Since then, the leadership of both nations has emphasized the importance of the two Nordic neighbors, Finland and Sweden, "walking together." That, however, has appeared all the more unlikely, as ordinary Finns, the country's political parties and even the nation's top leadership are all increasingly in favor of going at it alone.Among others, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto confirmed that Helsinki may join NATO before Sweden. Niinisto noted that holding off and saying no to Turkiye's willingness was "far-fetched" and would have put Finland in a very difficult position." Meanwhile, he assured that Sweden wouldnt be worse off in the meantime, citing bilateral agreements with the US and its Nordic peers.With that said, Sweden's floundering NATO bid has sparked criticism from both allies of the minority government led by the liberal-conservative Moderates and the opposition. Among others, the Sweden Democrats, their right-wing rivals-turned-allies lambasted the Turkish head of state as an "Islamist dictator" and cautioned the government against going too far in trying to please him. Most recently Former Prime Minister and currently the leader of the opposition Social Democrats Magdalena Andersson argued that Billstrom himself may have made the NATO process more difficult by allowing himself to be pressured by the Turkish president.Stockholm's NATO quandary continues despite the government's apparent readiness to jump through hoops to accommodate Erdogan's demands, even at the cost of sacrificing what it previously presented as matters of principle and human rights causes. Among others, Sweden disavowed any support to the PPK, greenlit arms exports to Turkiye and extradited several people on Ankaras wishlist. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230227/pkk-receives-significant-financial-support-in-sweden-stockholm-admits-1107832052.html sweden scandinavia finland turkiye Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Igor Kuznetsov Igor Kuznetsov 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 Igor Kuznetsov nato expansion, sweden's and finland's nato bids, turkiye's approval, swedish-turkish bilateral relations, kurdistan workers' party https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/taiwan-starts-annual-air-navy-drill-amid-tensions-with-beijing-reports-say-1108604270.html Taiwan Starts Annual Air, Navy Drill Amid Tensions With Beijing, Reports Say Taiwan Starts Annual Air, Navy Drill Amid Tensions With Beijing, Reports Say Taiwan has launched its annual warfare drill with the participation of the air and naval forces, Taiwanese news agency said Monday. 2023-03-20T13:32+0000 2023-03-20T13:32+0000 2023-03-20T13:32+0000 military taiwan military drills china /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/04/15/1094942235_0:0:3640:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_f4cb03d9e842954024f7199bc6c22fc4.jpg The military said that the air forces have dispatched F-16V, Mirage-2000 5 and domestically-made IDF fighters, as well as P-3C submarine-hunting aircraft, which, together with the navy's S-70C anti-submarine helicopters and drones, will take part in the exercise, the report said. The drills are scheduled to last through Thursday, CNA added. The situation around Taiwan escalated drastically in August, 2022 after Nancy Pelosi, then the US House of Representatives Speaker, visited the island. China, which considers Taiwan as one of it's provinces, denounced the visit as a potential sign of support to the Taiwanese separatism by the US, and afterwards launched a large-scale military drill in the vicinity of the island. Since then, Chinese aircraft and military vessels have been routinely entering Taiwan's defense zone. Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan a territory with its own elected government maintains that it is an autonomous country but stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official contacts of foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable. china 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 annual warfare drill, air and naval forces, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-us-anti-war-movement-1108560954.html The Rise and Fall of the US Anti-War Movement The Rise and Fall of the US Anti-War Movement The US invasion of Iraq was marked by mass protests around the world, with the biggest rallies of 15 and 16 February of 2003 being attended by six to ten million people worldwide. 2023-03-20T06:00+0000 2023-03-20T06:00+0000 2023-03-20T06:00+0000 20 years since us invasion of iraq iraq iraq war 2003 invasion of iraq us mass media /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/13/1108561494_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_558b19bea9e653201d278e9a23ba567a.jpg One month later, a US-led coalition launched a massive invasion of the Middle Eastern nation, toppling Saddam Husseins government and bringing chaos to Iraq.Sputnik sat down with two prominent American anti-war activists to discuss the rise and the eventual decline of the US grassroots peace movement during the Iraq War.Michael Zmolek teaches world history, international studies, and development studies at the University of Iowa. In the early 2000s he was among those actively opposing the bombing, sanctions and military occupation of Iraq. Zmolek was one of the organizers of the February 15, 2003 protest in New York. He recalls that it was a big crowd, close to a quarter million in the Big Apple. The city was apparently unprepared for the rally, with many questions still arising about the actions of the police:Most demonstrators were angered by the official reason for the invasion. According to Zmolek, from the very beginning activists knew that the rationale behind the US-led invasion of Iraq namely Saddams alleged possession of chemical weapons, was completely made up, with the Bush administration pulling various tales out of its hat to justify the war:Political writer and activist Sara Flounders has been involved in the peace movement since the 1960s. She is currently serving as co-director of the International Action Center (IAC) a group that supports anti-imperialist movements around the world. Flounders traveled to Iraq herself before the war, and has a similar view on the reasons for the 2003 US invasion:Besides New York, the peace rallies of February 15, 2003 were held in London, Berlin, Rome, Paris, Moscow, and hundreds of other places. The Guinness Book of Records listed the march in the Italian capital with its three million participants as the biggest anti-war rally in human history.In the following years, protesters most of them representing grassroots organizations, even received support from Hollywood celebrities such as Sean Penn, Jane Fonda, and Danny Glover.Despite the emerging power of the peace movement, major media corporations sought to belittle and marginalize its activists.Both Zmolek and Flounders said that many mainstream outlets have been bringing grist to Pentagons mill, giving much less airtime to peace activists and mostly voicing talking points of the Bush administration:Sara Flounders, in turn, has called some journalists behavior a paid-for media prostitution, saying that they were purposely choosing pro-war angles.Even though the peace activists were at first successful in winning peoples hearts and minds, the situation started changing for the worse over the years, leading to the eventual overall decline of the anti-war efforts.Michael Zmolek says that at times, the movements diversity has played against it:Sara Flounders has pointed out that many activists were intimidated by the negative media coverage, growing tired of being treated as a non-person, with the cruelty of the war itself contributing to eventual mass disappointment:The chaos brought by the American invasion worsened the sectarian conflict in Iraq and led to the eventual rise of Daesh* in the region.The casualties of the conflict were immense, with Iraqi civilian death count estimates varying from 275,000 to 306,000. As per Watson Institute data, 4,598 members of the US military, 3,650 US contractors, as well as 282 international media representatives, and 63 NGO workers lost their lives in Iraq during the period between March 2003 and August 2021.The majority of US troops were withdrawn from the war-torn nation by the end of 2011, although around 2,500 are still stationed in the country to this day. In the years and months preceding the withdrawal, there was a sharp decrease in the number of demonstrators rallying in American and European cities. Around 100 peace activists were arrested outside the White House on March 19, 2011, with other streets in the American capital being virtually protester-free.*Daesh, or ISIS/ISIL, is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230318/us-needs-new-anti-war-movement-to-see-through-hypocrisy--lies-of-media-justifying-invasions-1108537020.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230308/us-lawmakers-applaud-senate-panel-for-passing-bill-to-end-gulf-iraq-war-authorizations-1108192179.html iraq Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Denis Bolotsky https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/06/0b/1083128270_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_8cd81dafcbaac1c176c25141f8af1d2a.jpg Denis Bolotsky https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/06/0b/1083128270_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_8cd81dafcbaac1c176c25141f8af1d2a.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 Denis Bolotsky https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/06/0b/1083128270_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_8cd81dafcbaac1c176c25141f8af1d2a.jpg us invasion of iraq, mass protests, biggest rallies, anti-war movement https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/the-us-learned-absolutely-nothing-from-iraq-1108602479.html The US Learned Absolutely Nothing From Iraq The US Learned Absolutely Nothing From Iraq In March 2003, the United States launched an invasion of Iraq on false pretenses and without a clear long-term strategy. Twenty years later, it is repeating many of the same mistakes in Ukraine. 2023-03-20T15:00+0000 2023-03-20T15:00+0000 2023-03-20T15:00+0000 20 years since us invasion of iraq iraq iraq war 2003 invasion of iraq war in iraq us /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104295/03/1042950353_0:212:4278:2618_1920x0_80_0_0_f91bc29adcff0627d9fe833bdb492a6a.jpg This time, however, the stakes are much higher. The United States is no longer the undisputed superpower that it was in the early 2000s. Two decades of failed military interventions abroad, poor economic governance at home, and dysfunctional culture wars have significantly undermined its potential.Iraq was a costly mistake, but Ukraine has the potential to be something much worse. By waging a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, the United States risks becoming drawn into a direct confrontation with another nuclear power. The recent MQ-9 Reaper incident demonstrates that instead of trying to avoid such a dangerous escalation, Washington is taking ever-more provocative actions against Russia. Such a reckless attitude is a recipe for disaster.IraqMore than a decade before the invasion of Iraq, senior US officials kicked-off a large-scale propaganda campaign depicting Saddam Hussein as the modern embodiment of evil. They denounced Hussein, who had been a trusted American ally in the 1980s, as a brutal dictator whose troops murdered Kuwaiti babies by throwing them out of incubators. They insisted that the Iraqi leader was secretly developing weapons of mass destruction and collaborating with the al-Qaeda* terrorist group. They went so far as to compare Hussein to Adolf Hitler, arguing that Iraq posed an immediate threat to the Middle East, but also to the United States and the rest of the civilized world.All these claims were blatant lies. In the lead up to the Iraq War, the US government manipulated and sometimes outright fabricated data used to justify military intervention. Analysts within the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies were instructed to write briefings according to talking-points developed by senior George W. Bush Bush administration officials. The US media was an active accomplice in selling the Iraq War to the American public. Intelligence officials leaked cherry-picked, unreliable data to major newspapers such as the Washington Post and New York Times, who published it on their front pages without any independent verification. Meanwhile, cable news outlets flooded the airwaves with supporters of the Iraq War, including many retired generals.Skeptics of the war were angrily denounced as unpatriotic and pro-Saddam. In some cases, they were threatened with professional and even legal reprisals for their dissent. One illustrative example is Scott Ritter, who served as the United Nations chief weapons inspector for Iraq from 1991 to 1998. Ritter told Sputnik that the FBI began harassing him and his family in 1996. When he resigned from his position two years later over the Bill Clinton administrations interference with his inspections, the agency leaked false accusations to the press about him handing classified information to the Israelis. That lie sparked a three-year legal investigation against Ritter, including on charges punishable by the death penalty. Although his name was eventually cleared, the ordeal came at a heavy professional cost for Ritter.Proponents of the invasion promised a quick, decisive victory. Their optimism didnt seem too far-fetched at first. In less than six weeks after the war started, the United States defeated the Iraqi military, captured Baghdad, and disposed of Hussein along with the rest of his senior leadership. This triumphant blitzkrieg prompted the Bush administration to move onto even grander ambitions. Many senior officials began speaking of Iraq as a potential democratic beacon in the Middle East, the beachhead from which they would transform the entire region along the lines of liberal ideology.The euphoria did not last long, however. Although the Bush administration was able to quickly crush Baathist Iraq on the battlefield, it had no clear strategy for managing or rebuilding the country. Instead of becoming a democratic utopia, Iraq was soon torn apart at the seams by sectarian violence. The Bush administration tried throwing money and additional troops at the problem, but without much success. The situation on the ground continued to degrade until it hit a new boiling point in summer of 2014, when hundreds of Daesh** fighters in pickup trucks routed the US-trained Iraqi army and captured nearly one third of the countrys territory. To add insult to injury, the jihadists not only seized Iraqs second largest city of Mosul and strategic oil fields, but also large amounts of US weaponry and ammunition.This begs the natural question: What exactly did the United States achieve in Iraq? Although Washington spent nearly $2 trillion and sacrificed more than 4,000 American soldiers in Iraq, it has no real positive accomplishments to show for it. The debacle exposed the incompetence of the US political and military leadership. Despite possessing the worlds largest economy and most powerful army, the Bush administration was defeated by rag-tag militias carrying Kalashnikov rifles. To make matters even worse for Washington, the geopolitical standing of the US in the Middle East is weaker in 2023 than it was in 2003. The recent Chinese-brokered diplomatic deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran is just the latest sign that the era of American hegemony in the region is coming to an end.UkraineTwenty years after the Iraq invasion, the US foreign policy establishment is attempting to use the same playbook in Ukraine. Just like it did with Iraq, Washington has sought to frame the conflict not only as a manichean struggle of good against evil. During his State of the Union address last year, US President Joe Biden declared that the fight between Ukraine and Russia was a great battle for freedom: a battle between democracy and autocracy. Needless to say, Biden conveniently omitted the fact that the democratic Kiev regime has shut down opposition political parties and television channels, actively persecuted Orthodox Christians, and restricted its ethnic Russian citizens from speaking their own language.Another tactic from the Iraq repertoire has been to depict the Ukraine conflict as an existential crisis for the West. US top general Mark Milley told reporters last year that Russias victory over the Kiev regime would put the entire global international security order at risk. Milley did not attempt to provide any explanation for why Ukraine, a country notorious for political dysfunction and corruption, supposedly held the key to international peace and stability. Furthermore, if the global international security order is truly so fragile that its survival depends on a loose-cannon like Ukraine, then why is such an order worth saving in the first place?Instead of posing these obvious questions to Washington policymakers, the mainstream media decided to once again serve as their propaganda machine. Ever since the beginning of Russias special military operation in Ukraine last year, the press has uncritically reported information received from the Pentagon, US intelligence officials, and the Kiev regime. At the same time, it has shamelessly accused skeptics of the US proxy war in Ukraine of parroting Russian talking points and acting as Putin apologists.Just as in the lead up to Iraq, US officials assured their public that they could achieve victory at little cost. They promised that Western-led sanctions would collapse the Russian economy and bring the countrys military-industrial complex to a grinding halt. As the Biden White House put it, Russia will very likely lose its status as a major economy, and it will continue a long descent into economic, financial, and technological isolation. Simultaneously, many US analysts openly expressed hope that economic unrest would help to fuel either massive street protests or an elite coup in Russia.However, this economic blitzkrieg strategy ended in total failure. Despite unprecedented sanctions, the Russian economy only experienced a minor downturn (2.5%) last year and is on pace to grow at a faster rate than Germany and the United Kingdom in 2023. Far from becoming an international pariah, Russia successfully moved to strengthen its cooperation with non-Western powers such as China, India, and Iran. Instead of political instability, Putins domestic support increased to its highest level in years, with a recent poll from Russian Public Opinion Research Center showing that 76% of respondents approve of his performance.Notwithstanding these failures, Biden has pledged to support Ukraine as long as it takes. That is easier said than done. Top US and NATO officials have begun sounding the alarm in recent months that the current level of arms shipments to Ukraine is not sustainable in the long run. Earlier this year, David T. Pyne, former US Army combat arms and headquarters staff officer, told Sputnik it could take decades to remedy some of the shortages caused by the US proxy war in Ukraine.Growing domestic political pressure could also force Washington to draw down American involvement in Ukraine just as it did in Iraq. An AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll last month showed that just 48% of Americans support continued weapons shipments to Ukraine, down from 60% in May 2022. Skepticism on Ukraine is also increasingly drawing support from Republican politicians such as former president Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and numerous conservative lawmakers.The United States allocated more than $113 billion to Ukraine in 2022, more than twice the amount it spent on Iraq during the first year of the war. How much longer will American taxpayers be willing to write out such massive checks to Ukraine all the while their standard of living continues to visibly worsen each year? Especially if the current banking crisis sweeping the United States and Western Europe turns into a global recession?Why History Repeats ItselfFor any healthy political system to learn from its mistakes, it needs to hold the people in charge accountable. The opposite has happened in the United States.Not only were the architects of the Iraq War not punished, many were promoted. Biden, who helped spearhead the Iraq invasion as chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was chosen by Barack Obama to become his Vice President in 2008. Twelve years later, Biden himself was elected President of the United States.Washington, DC has become an anti-meritocracy in which well-connected conformists are rewarded for their failures, while patriotic dissenters are demonized and marginalized. Unless that changes, the United States will continue marching from one foreign policy disaster to another. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/abu-ghraib-horrors-of-us-occupation-of-iraq-1108563125.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/us-nurtured-plans-of-destroying-iraq-years-before-2003-invasion-ex-official-says-1108572318.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230315/nato-game-us-may-directly-meddle-in-ukrainian-conflict-seymour-hersh-warns---1108410661.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 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Simes Dimitri united states launched an invasion, invasion of iraq, long-term strategy https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/these-madmen-reject-peace-french-politician-rebukes-polish-diplomat-for-ukraine-conflict-remarks-1108581741.html 'These Madmen Reject Peace!' French Politician Rebukes Polish Diplomat For Ukraine Conflict Remarks 'These Madmen Reject Peace!' French Politician Rebukes Polish Diplomat For Ukraine Conflict Remarks Leader of France's The Patriots party, Florian Philippot, rips Poland's Ambassador to France for remarks on Ukraine conflict. 2023-03-20T06:13+0000 2023-03-20T06:13+0000 2023-03-20T06:13+0000 france poland florian philippot andrzej duda world volodymyr zelensky nato /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0b/15/1104489920_0:0:3077:1731_1920x0_80_0_0_7a704fff6f6f4ececdaacb9350704f51.jpg Crazy statements made by Polands Ambassador to Paris have been denounced by the leader of France's Eurosceptic party, The Patriots, Florian Philippot.These madmen refuse Peace, wrote the French politician on Twitter, after the Polish envoy, Jan Emeryk Rosciszewski, weighed in on the situation that might force his country to take part in the Ukraine conflict. The crazy statement of the Polish ambassador to France: he announces his country's entry into the war against Russia if [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky loses, Philippot tweeted.The leader of The Patriots party went on to highlight that such remarks illustrate the unwillingness of NATO and the EU to achieve peace.Earlier, appearing on French television, Poland's Ambassador to France, Jan Emeryk Rosciszewski, claimed that a situation could arise in which Poland would have to enter the Ukraine conflict."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," the envoy's said in French.The Polish Embassy in France tried to backtrack on what the diplomat said, going on Twitter to urge users against "sensationalizing" the remarks which were taken "out of context".There was "no announcement of Polands direct involvement in the conflict, only a warning of the consequences that a Ukrainian defeat could have", the embassy said.This comes after an earlier announcement by Polish President Andrzej Duda that Warsaw would send MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. However, Poland's donation of the fighter jets to Ukraine does not affect the United States' position on the transfer of its F-16 jets to Kiev, John Kirby, National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator, said on 16 March.Kiev has long been lobbying Washington and other NATO nations to provide F-16 fighter jets to boost its forces as part Russia's ongoing special military operation. In February, US President Joe Biden said F-16 jets for Ukraine were off the table "for now". https://sputnikglobe.com/20230316/polands-transfer-of-mig-29s-to-ukraine-does-not-change-us-stance-on-f-16s-white-house-1108479830.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230205/poland-to-start-building-electric-barrier-on-border-with-russia-in-march-1106994521.html france poland 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 polands ambassador to france, france's eurosceptic party the patriots, florian philippot, ukraine conflict, president volodymyr] zelensky, nato https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/twenty-years-later-us-still-struggling-with-anarchy-unleashed-by-iraq-invasion-1108580081.html Twenty Years Later, US Still Struggling With Anarchy Unleashed by Iraq Invasion Twenty Years Later, US Still Struggling With Anarchy Unleashed by Iraq Invasion WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Rather than impose a Western-aligned order in the Middle East, as neoconservatives and neoliberals had hoped, the US-led invasion of... 20.03.2023, Sputnik International 2023-03-20T02:25+0000 2023-03-20T02:25+0000 2023-03-20T03:48+0000 20 years since us invasion of iraq war in iraq george w. bush /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103790/13/1037901321_0:0:870:489_1920x0_80_0_0_6c4c71ff092ec0bf6054724c366abbd7.jpg On March 19, 2003, at 10:16 p.m. EST, President George W. Bush in a televised address from the Oval Office said the US and coalition forces were in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq and "free its people," marking the start of an invasion and occupation that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians and combatants. Bushs foreign policy team, which included people like security aide Condoleezza Rice, Pentagon Chief Donald Rumsfeld, and Vice President Dick Cheney, who dubbed themselves the "vulcans" - a reference to the Roman god of fire - strongly believed only through military power could they transform the Middle East and install free market democracies. On the other hand, many Democrats also backed the invasion on humanitarian grounds and the conviction that the people of Iraq needed to be liberated from living under an authoritarian ruler. Political commentator and historian Dan Lazare believes Bush and his team and those who believed the humanitarian justification likely did not foresee that their bid to democratize the region would open a power vacuum that was eventually filled by terrorist groups like the Islamic State (IS) (banned in Russia). CIVILIZING MISSION CULMINATES, BACKFIRES The head of US Central Command in testimony to a senate committee on March 16, lending credence to this notion, said the IS branch in Afghanistan is about six months away from developing the capability to conduct an external attack on Western interests abroad. Lazare said that a direct line can be drawn from the path the US chose to take at the end of the Cold War to 9/11 and the war in Iraq. Instead of turning "swords into plowshares" following the demise of the Soviet bloc, he added, the US under both Republican and Democratic presidents began gearing up for a new age of war. Lazare suggested that bringing Western civilization to the Middle East was simply a new cover story for meeting purely geopolitical ends. In any case, decades of intricate Cold War maneuvering would come back to haunt the US, he said, including support for the mujahideen in Afghanistan. But then a Sunni insurgency erupted and the US got bogged down. Iraq, however, was simply a stepping stone for the US to destabilize the region further from the intervention in Libya to the Washington and Saudi-backed jihadist war against Damascus, he added. Democracy Institute Director Patrick Basham said so much Iraqi and Western blood has been spilled and trillions of dollars wasted by the US chasing the elusive dream of building a peaceful, stable, pro-Western liberal democracy throughout Iraq. The misguided interventionist urge, he added, can be seen across the Wests entire ideological spectrum. Meanwhile, he added, Western neoliberals in each case stressed humanitarian catastrophes, especially in the Syrian context. Basham also pointed out that the US not only failed to achieve its objectives, but the governments that followed Saddam Hussein turned their backs on Washington and embraced Tehran. According to California State University Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Beau Grosscup, the bid to replace a once pro-US dictator, who had decided to look after his own country's interests first, with a government friendly to Washingtons, was not just a failure - it proved counter-productive. In the long run, the invasion of Iraq ended up undermining the US establishments two strategic "New World Order" goals of preventing the rise of a competing power and maintaining access or possession of strategic resources. And the US during the process discovered that nationalism is a very strong sentiment for most populations, not only for America. "Regime change is very difficult," Grosscup observed. "Even when you appear to hold most of the cards." https://sputnikglobe.com/20230316/syria-has-evidence-that-united-states-training-terrorists-at-al-tanf-military-base-assad-says-1108445801.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/us-nurtured-plans-of-destroying-iraq-years-before-2003-invasion-ex-official-says-1108572318.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230318/iran-reminds-west-of-its-other-iraq-war-crime-giving-saddam-hussein-chemical-weapons-1108548947.html 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 war in iraq, george w. bush https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/ukraines-entry-into-eu-not-on-the-agenda-today-berlin-says-1108590132.html Ukraines Entry Into EU Not on the Agenda Today, Berlin Says Ukraines Entry Into EU Not on the Agenda Today, Berlin Says The Wests decades-long effort to break Ukraine off from cooperation with Russia lies at the heart of the present conflict. After a violent coup in Kiev in 2014, Ukraines new authorities amended the countrys constitution to list NATO and European Union membership as strategic goals. 2023-03-20T10:36+0000 2023-03-20T10:36+0000 2023-03-20T10:36+0000 world european union (eu) nato security guarantees germany ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0a/11/1101927347_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_b1620633c34f080ab9d582344216c648.jpg Ukraines accession into the EU and security guarantees from NATO are not on the agenda, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has announced.Baerbocks comments echo remarks she made last May, when the foreign minister said that although she sympathized with the courage of Ukrainians in the conflict with Russia, there would be no shortcut for Ukraine on EU membership.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky officially applied for Ukraine to join the EU in late February 2022, and has spent the past year lobbying Brussels to speed the process along.Baerbock did not elaborate on the state of the "reform process" in Ukraine today. The Zelensky government has been criticized even by some Western politicians and media for its crackdown on the media, the arrest of opposition figures and attacks on the Orthodox Church.The Wests aspirations to pull Ukraine into Western economic and security institutions lie at the heart of the present conflict.In late 2013, shortly after then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych agreed to sign an agreement on entering the Eurasian Economic Union with Russia, large-scale street protests began in Kiev, organized by pro-Western political forces and ultranationalist thugs. In February 2014, Yanukovych was overthrown, and the new government, handpicked by Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and then US Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt, announced a new, pro-Western policy. The new course, combined with the radical nationalist, anti-Russian sentiments of the new authorities, prompted Crimea to hold a referendum to break off from Ukraine and rejoin Russia. In the regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kharkov, Zaporozhye, Kherson, Nikolayev and Odessa, large-scale pro-Russian protests took place, many of them put down by force, with leaders arrested or killed. In the spring of 2014, after residents of the Donbass proclaimed independence, Kiev sent the military in to crush unrest, sparking a years-long war.Moscow worked to restore peace by signing on as a guarantor of the Minsk Agreements a 2015 peace deal designed to return Donetsk and Lugansk to Kievs control in exchange for broad autonomy. For more than seven years, Kiev refused to implement the peace deals terms, leaving the Donbass in a state of frozen conflict punctuated by regular Ukrainian shelling and sniping attacks. After the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis in February 2022, the former leaders of Ukraine, Germany and France who cosigned the Minsk Agreements along with President Putin each separately admitted that Kiev never intended to live up to the peace deal, and that it was signed to give Ukraine time to rearm, rebuild its army and prepare for a war with Russia.In 2018, Ukraines parliament officially approved amendments to the constitution to make NATO and EU membership central policy goals.After President Bidens inauguration in early 2021, the United States and its allies dramatically ramped up rhetoric about Ukraine joining NATO, rejecting Russias security concerns and repeating ad nauseam that the Western bloc would continue to pursue an open door policy on new membership.In late 2021, Russia published a pair of comprehensive security treaty proposals designed to dramatically reduce tensions between Moscow and NATO, saying that a reduction in the number of troops, missiles, aircraft and drills near one anothers borders, combined with a NATO pledge not to expand into Ukraine, Georgia and other former Soviet states, would put the security conflict to rest. Washington flatly rejected the proposals in January 2022. Weeks later, observing a Ukrainian buildup near the Donbass and a dramatic escalation of shelling, sabotage and sniping attacks, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine to demilitarize the country and de-Nazify its leadership. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230203/eu-leaders-set-to-pour-cold-water-on-zelenskys-dream-of-joining-brussels-bloc-1106945885.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230220/minsk-agreements-helped-ukraine-beef-up-its-military-merkel-tells-russian-pranksters-1107634431.html germany ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov 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 Ilya Tsukanov ukraine, european union, nato, membership, ukraine, application https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/us-announces-350mln-aid-package-for-ukraine-includes-himars-ammo-1108610649.html US Announces $350Mln Aid Package For Ukraine, Includes HIMARS Ammo US Announces $350Mln Aid Package For Ukraine, Includes HIMARS Ammo The United States will provide Ukraine with a new $350 million military assistance package that includes ammunition for Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), howitzers, Bradley combat vehicles, among other equipment, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday. 2023-03-20T15:27+0000 2023-03-20T15:27+0000 2023-03-20T16:16+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine us ukraine military aid /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102659/10/1026591004_161:0:1887:971_1920x0_80_0_0_f403f029277fcdf5d41e8cbfa6756068.jpg "Today, pursuant to a delegation of authority from President Biden, I am authorizing our 34th drawdown of US arms and equipment for Ukraine valued at $350 million," Blinken said in a press release. "This military assistance package includes more ammunition for US-provided HIMARS and howitzers that Ukraine is using to defend itself, as well as ammunition for Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, HARM missiles, anti-tank weapons, riverine boats, and other equipment."Since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Western countries have been providing Kiev with military, financial and humanitarian aid well in excess of $100 billion. In April 2022, Russia sent a note to NATO member states condemning their military assistance to Ukraine.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that pumping Ukraine with weapons did not contribute to the success of peace negotiations and would have a detrimental effect on the conflict. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/how-bidens-room-for-maneuver-in-ukraine-is-dwindling-and-rift-with-kiev-growing-1108607954.html ukraine 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 us announces $350mln aid package for ukraine, ukrainian crisis, ukrainian conflict, war in ukraine, arms supplies, military aid, fuelling the conflict, himars, howitzers, bradley combat vehicle https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/us-calls-for-immediate-implementation-of-serbia-kosovo-agreement-1108613617.html US Calls for "Immediate" Implementation of Serbia-Kosovo Agreement US Calls for "Immediate" Implementation of Serbia-Kosovo Agreement The United States has called for an immediate implementation of the agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar said on Monday. 2023-03-20T17:08+0000 2023-03-20T17:08+0000 2023-03-20T17:08+0000 world us serbia kosovo aleksandar vucic albin kurti /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/08/1c/1100093785_305:0:1585:720_1920x0_80_0_0_ea79d1afcf4f3a22b352d7831f0a6e15.jpg "The implementation has to start immediately. So, we are going to have to move through that was agreed on in an expedited fashion, and as they do, the countries will see benefits flowing." Escobar told reporters. 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. Escobar expressed hope that all parties will start announcing new initiative with regard to this agreement "very soon". US official pointed out that this agreement marks the start of the reconciliation process between Serbia and Kosovo. He also noted that all parties have a lot of work to be beyond this agreement. serbia kosovo 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 serbia, kosovo, serbia-kosovo agreement, aleksandar vucic, albin kurti https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/us-should-not-cooperate-with-international-criminal-court-on-putin-arrest-warrant-bolton-says-1108611345.html US Should Not Cooperate With International Criminal Court on Putin Arrest Warrant, Bolton Says US Should Not Cooperate With International Criminal Court on Putin Arrest Warrant, Bolton Says The United States should not cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) on its arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, former US National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Monday. 2023-03-20T15:56+0000 2023-03-20T15:56+0000 2023-03-20T15:56+0000 world us russia vladimir putin john bolton international criminal court (icc) arrest warrant /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0b/11/1090811478_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_6f232cd90246cb17e7181c6308e3dd5c.jpg "I believe and have for many years the International Criminal Court is fundamentally illegitimate. Its not something the United States should cooperate with," Bolton said in an interview with a British TV channel. Last week, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin, alleging potential war crimes related to Russias special military operation in Ukraine. Specifically, the ICC alleges that Russia unlawfully deported children from areas of active conflict. Russia, like the United States, is not a signatory to the Rome Statute - the treaty that established the ICC. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia will not recognize the warrant or the jurisdiction of the ICC. Ukraine, or even Russia, would have better jurisdiction for any potential trials against Putin, Bolton said. In addition, the ICC arrest warrant could hinder negotiations toward a diplomatic solution for the conflict in Ukraine, Bolton added. Bolton served as National Security Advisor under former US President Donald Trump and as US Ambassador to the United Nations under former President George W. Bush. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230317/kangaroo-court-what-is-the-international-criminal-court-that-just-issued-a-warrant-for-putin-1108521835.html 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 john bolton, international criminal court (icc), icc arrest warrant, icc arrest warrant for vladimit putin https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/what-happened-with-credit-suisse-and-why-is-ubs-buying-it-1108613201.html What Happened to Credit Suisse and Why is UBS Buying It? What Happened to Credit Suisse and Why is UBS Buying It? UBS agreed to buy troubled smaller banking rival Credit Suisse on March 19 in a $3.2 billion deal with with Swiss authorities expected to change the countrys laws to bypass a shareholder vote. 2023-03-20T17:21+0000 2023-03-20T17:21+0000 2023-03-20T17:53+0000 sputnik explains us europe switzerland ubs credit suisse group ag ubs group ag merger corporate merger /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107591/52/1075915288_0:53:1023:628_1920x0_80_0_0_f6d648b85a1f8771151dc0c4fa4803a7.jpg UBS Group AG is a multinational investment bank and financial services company incorporated and domiciled in Switzerland. On March 19, the financial institution agreed to take over its longtime rival Credit Suisse Group AG, with the terms of the deal having been heavily influenced by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and regulator Finma in a bid to prevent a banking crisis.Why is UBS Buying Credit Suisse?UBS agreed to step in and buy Credit Suisse in an emergency rescue deal to curb financial market panic, largely prompted by earlier collapse of the two regional US banks Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.On March 15, investors sent Credit Suisse shares down by as much as 30% after the SNB, its top shareholder, ruled out providing it with fresh funding earlier that week. Credit Suisse had suffered from a number of strategic mistakes, notably in investment banking activities, including its exposure to failed hedge fund Archegos and financial services firm Greensill. The magnitude of Credit Suisse losses resulted in the outflow of client money, which reached unprecedented levels in October 2022. All in all, customers withdrew a staggering $133 billion from Credit Suisse last year.What aused Credit Suisse to Fail?On March 16, it was announced that Credit Suisse would borrow over 50 billion Swiss Francs ($53.7 billion) from the SNB to stay afloat. However, according to the Swiss government, it was not enough. Over a few days, the nation's government brokered a hasty deal envisaging the acquisition of Credit Suisse by bigger UBS. The Swiss regulators signaled on March 19 that the deal was the best way of reassuring investors about the strength of the countrys financial sector. According to some reports, Swiss authorities raced against the clock to make the deal happen before Asian markets opened for the week.What are the Terms of the Deal?The deal will be an all-share transaction, with Credit Suisse shareholders receiving one UBS share for every 22.48 Credit Suisse shares, valuing it at about 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.2 billion). The Swiss government stated that it would disburse over $9 billion to compensate for losses that UBS may have by taking over its rival. The SNB also provided over $100 billion of liquidity to UBS to facilitate the conclusion of the agreement."The extraordinary government support will trigger a complete writedown of the nominal value of all AT1 shares of Credit Suisse in the amount of around SFr16 billion ($17 billion), and thus an increase in core capital," Finma announced.Some people involved in the deal's negotiations as well as some bankers told Financial Times that those steps would have wider repercussions and may lead to a sell-off of other bank debt and may even result in the nightmare in European debt markets.The US press raised concerns about the Swiss government literally changing laws and undermining shareholder rights in order to strike the deal quickly. As a rule of thumb, in any acquisition of a publicly traded company, the acquired company's shareholders have a right to vote for or against the move. Even though Credit Suisse shares were listed in both New York and Zurich, the Swiss government unilaterally eliminated the voting rights. One might ask whether the Swiss government sets a precedent which other governments will follow in order to prevent a banking crisis.Which Bank is Bigger, UBS or Credit Suisse?UBS Group AG and Credit Suisse Group AG were regarded as two pillars of the Swiss financial industry. UBS, formerly Union Bank of Switzerland, was founded in 1862 as the Bank in Winterthur. Its rival, Credit Suisse, was established a bit earlier, in 1856.For comparison's sake, UBS has about $3 trillion assets in management, more than 74,000 employees working in 48 countries and representing 150 nationalities.Remarkably, Credit Suisse managed to survive the 2008 financial crisis better than UBS. At the time, UBS fell victim to its high-risk strategy of expansion in the US. When the mortgage crisis erupted, UBS became the most exposed foreign bank on the US real estate funds and derivatives market. This prompted the Swiss government and the nation's central bank to step in and bail UBS out.What's so Special About UBS?UBS is Switzerland's biggest bank. Furthermore, it's the third largest bank in Europe. UBS is also one of the nine global "Bulge Bracket" banks. Bulge bracket banks are the world's largest multinational investment banks, serving large corporations and governments. The list includes Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Barclays Capital, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and UBS.Does UBS Operate in Russia?Following the beginning of the Russian special military operation to demilitarize and de-Nazify Ukraine, UBS brought its ties with Russia to naught. In February 2022, the Swiss government announced that it would adopt wholesale EU sanctions against Moscow.In March 2022, the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) revealed that approximately $200 billion of Russian wealth was held in Swiss banks, the majority of whom were not subject to sanctions. At the same time UBS halted new business in Russia. As of April 2022, UBS held around $22 billion in invested assets for Russian clients potentially affected by EU and Swiss measures imposed to punish Moscow, according to Reuters. According to the nation's State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), $6.8 billion of Russian assets had been frozen by July 2022.In December 2022, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation canceled the license of UBS on the basis of an application submitted by the Swiss bank. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/ubs-shares-plunge-after-emergency-rescue-of-embattled-swiss-rival-credit-suisse--1108603088.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230316/credit-suisse-sued-over-claims-of-failure-to-report-internal-control-weaknesses-1108483231.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230317/credit-suisse-collapse-was-inevitable-after-years-of-mismanagement-insider-says-1108509185.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/warren-buffett-advising-white-house-on-banking-dumpster-fire-as-economists-compare-it-to-2008-1108576804.html switzerland 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 ubs credit suisse, ubs credit suisse news, credit suisse news today, what happened to credit suisse, ubs credit suisse deal, ubs news, credit suisse share price, credit suisse collapse, what is issue with credit suisse, ubs buy credit suisse, deal ubs to buy credit suisse, credit suisse and ubs to merge, ubs is buying credit suisse, ubs and credit suisse, ubs and credit suisse merger https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/xi-jinpings-landmark-visit-to-moscow-shows-us-plan-to-isolate-russia-backfired-spectacularly-1108588806.html Xi Jinpings Landmark Visit to Moscow Shows US Plan to Isolate Russia Backfired Spectacularly Xi Jinpings Landmark Visit to Moscow Shows US Plan to Isolate Russia Backfired Spectacularly Chinese President Xi Jinpings visit to Russia shows that US plan to isolate Russia backfired, said Dr. Gerald Horne, Professor of History at the University of Houston. 2023-03-20T10:30+0000 2023-03-20T10:30+0000 2023-03-20T10:50+0000 analysis russia china xi jinping vladimir putin unipolarity multipolarity putin-xi moscow summit /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/02/04/1092757414_0:0:3111:1751_1920x0_80_0_0_4af60064bc536df4a51885692cb116b0.jpg The visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Russia is potentially a landmark one, author and historian Dr. Gerald Horne told Sputnik. It is glaring proof of the fact that no matter how vehemently Washington sought to isolate Russia, its plans backfired, he added.The three-day visit of Chinas president at the invitation of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, is taking place on March 20-22, 2023. This is a year that historians of the future may group with other bookmarks of an era, like 1989 and the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the researcher stated. The dissolution of the USSR in 1989 marked the start of an era of so-called unipolarity, when the United States was left as the so-called sole remaining superpower, Gerald Horne underscored.He went on to point out the widely-known fact that in 2022, Russias economic growth in many ways outstripped, for example, the economic growth of Britain, which has been at the tip of the spear with regard to opposing this special military operation.The current developments are, to a great degree, the result of Washingtons maniacal obsession with Moscow, the researcher emphasized.Half a century ago, there was a drive for major US corporations to embark on massive direct foreign investment in the People's Republic of China, he noted.China has come out as the beneficiary, the researcher pointed out. Beijing has continued boosting its growing economic, military, and diplomatic potential, despite the US ramping up its military deployments and diplomatic engagement with Asian partners to try to hem in China, both militarily and diplomatically. Meanwhile, all of the US-led attempts to isolate Russia failed.As for Washington, the Biden administration is overestimating its strength if it believes that it can take on both Moscow and Beijing as "threats" simultaneously, the historian suggested. European states are showing more foresight, according to Dr. Gerald Horne. Case in point is how German Chancellor Olaf Scholz travelled to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November 2022 the first European leader to do so in three years. French President Emmanuel Macron is also set to visit China in April.But Washington, whose dominating foreign policy thrust has been to isolate Russia, is clearly in some ways going to find itself isolated, Dr. Gerald Horne of Houston University stressed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/10-years-40-meetings-what-to-expect-from-xi-jinpings-visit-to-russia-for-talks-with-putin-1108575480.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230311/swift--severe-costs-us-lawmakers-push-sanctions-mechanism-to-deter-china-from-russia-support-1108287776.html russia 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 xi jinpings landmark visit to russia, three-day state visit of chinese president xi jinping to russia, attempts by west to isolate moscow, special military operation in ukraine, plan to isolate russia failed, 2023 will mark start of multipolarity, March 20 marked the 20th anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom, a Middle Eastern conflict that claimed the life of one of Culpeper Countys own. March, 20 2003 launched the start of the U.S. invasion of Iraq with preemptive airstrikes on Saddam Husseins Presidential Palace and military targets followed by approximately 67,700 boots on the ground with 15,000 Navy personnel on ships in the region, according to the U.S. Navy. Congress and President George W. Bush approved the invasion when Iraq was found to be in breach of U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 1441 which prohibits stockpiling and importing weapons of mass destruction, according to history.navy.mil. Baghdad fell five weeks later followed by an insurgency and influx of al Qaeda inspired fighters into the country which sparked guerilla warfare tactics against U.S. troops and civil war between the Sunni and Shia tribes. Dec. 15, 2011 marked the official end of U.S. Forces mission in Iraq after nearly nine years of conflict that claimed the lives of nearly 4,500 troops and hundreds of thousand of Iraqi civilians. The Authorization for Use of Military Force remains in effect in Iraq, a sticking point for some in Congress. Army 2nd Lt. Leonard M. Cowherd, of Culpeper, died May 16, 2004 serving more than a year into Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 22-year-old was killed by sniper and rocket-propelled-grenade fire while securing a building near the Mukhayam Mosque in Karbala, Iraq. Cowherd was a platoon leader with the 37th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Division, based out of Friedberg, Germany. He was in charge of 16 men and four tanks. Cowherd was scheduled to return home at the end of June in 2004, but had received an extension that would have kept him in Iraq until August, according to Associated Press. A 2003 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Cowherd left behind a wife of less than a year in Yorktown, his parents, a twin brother and a sister. His mother, Mary Anne Cowherd, said in a message Monday she has become active with American Gold Star Mothers, a nonprofit of American mothers who lost sons or daughters in service of the United States Armed Forces. I participate as chaplain with the Alexandria Chapter, she said, noting another chapter in Newport News. We are invited to many civic and military functions to raise awareness of our countrys sacrifice and loss. They garner attention wearing all white with tiny gold star pins. My heart aches, Cowherd said Monday of losing Leonard in the Iraq war nearly 19 years ago. Cowherd attended Wakefield Country Day School with his siblings growing up in Culpeper. The school in Rappahannock County annually awards a need-based scholarship in his name for individuals who exemplify the character traits exhibited by Leonard Cowherd and to honor his memory. While deployed, Cowherd wrote columns for the Culpeper Star-Exponent. An excerpt, as follows from March 15, 2004, two months before he died: My unit is currently living in what used to be a small amusement park known as Baghdad Island. Saddam Hussein diverted the Tigris River to create this small resort for him and his elite group of followers. We have taken it over as our FOB, or Forward Operating Base. Most just call it the Island. Some soldiers live in what used to be a bowling alley, others within site of a rickety roller coaster and ferris wheel. The guard towers on the west side afford a magnificent view of the Tigris River and Northern Baghdad. Since Ive been here, the temperature has ranged between the low 50s to the high 80s, although I am told that within a few days, the weather can jump to highs of above 100. Any time you go off the island, the danger is real, although not always apparent. For the most part, the Iraqi citizens accept our presence. The children especially chase down our vehicles, cheer loudly and give a thumbs up whenever we drive by. Vendors of bananas, cigarettes and soda line the streets, highways, even major bridges, and attempt to sell us their wares. U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Todd Young (R-IN), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Friday released a statement for the 20th anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In it, they asked for the end of the Authorization for Use of Military Force that remains on the books for Iraq. Twenty years ago, the United States invaded Iraq. Following great heroism by American troops, that mission is now over. The government of Iraq is now a strategic partner, the senators said. Yet, the Authorization for Use of Military Force remains on the books because Congress has abdicated our responsibility to repeal it, leaving it subject to potential presidential misuse. Its long past time for Congress to reassert its war powers. If our service members have the courage to risk their lives to protect our country, then Congress, by comparison, should be able to make important decisions on matters of war, peace, and diplomacy. In the coming weeks, the Senate will vote on final passage of our bipartisan bill to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs against Iraq, and we urge our colleagues to honor the more than 1.5 million Americans who served during the Iraq War and their families by passing it, the senators said in the statement. Mary Ann Cowherd, asked her thoughts on the measure, said in this case, in hindsight, the Iraq War was a proven mistake, as no weapons of mass destruction were ever found. Make no mistake, we supported the invasion, she added. No bitterness. Cowherd supported Kaines measure in saying shed like to see the military force authorization for Iraq taken away in the remote possibility that (former President Donald) Trump is elected. Cowherd said her son signed up and was in fully for his deployment to Iraq. It was the year after he graduated from U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He loved Culpeper! said his mother. The native son rests at Arlington National Cemetery. The trial of a Scottsbluff man accused in the Nov. 25, 2020, stabbing death of a 23-year-old man has been postponed. The trial of Gregory Moore, 57, of Scottsbluff, had been scheduled for trial in Scotts Bluff County District Court beginning March 20. However, the trial was postponed, with notice posted on the door for any potential jurors showing up for jury selection. Five days had been set aside for trial, according to court documents. According to court filings, Judge Andrea Miller, who is presiding over the trial, was advised during a hearing Monday in which attorneys and Moore appeared via video that defense attorney Kelly Breen had experienced a medical issue that would prevent him from participating in the trial. The defense sought a continuance, which was granted, and a scheduling conference has been scheduled for March 24 to set a new trial date. Moore is accused in the death of 23-year-old Fernando Camacho-McBride. Moore has been charged with second-degree murder, a Class IB felony; and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, a Class II felony. Police arrested Moore after being dispatched to an apartment in the 100 block of E. 15th Street after being called to a do a welfare check on the man. A disturbance had been reported to have been ongoing since the early morning hours, according to an arrest affidavit filed in the case. Arriving officers could see Camacho-McBride's body inside the residence as they attempted to speak to Moore. An autopsy determined Camacho-McBride had been stabbed several times, leading to his death. According to court filings, Moore is expected to contend at trial that he acted in self-defense. Moore is being represented by the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy. Doug Warner, an assistant attorney general with the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, is prosecuting the case. We would love to hear your thoughts... 1. How did you come up with the idea for your startup? 2. What was the hardest part in the early stages of the startups growth? 3. What are the services/solutions/products that the startup offers? Who are the targeted audiences? 4. What are your strengths and advantages over your competitors? 5. At the moment, how do you measure success? What are your metrics? 6. Is the company bootstrapped or funded? What milestones will the financing get you to? 7. What is the road map ahead? How are you planning to achieve it? Key Management : Founding Year : Milestones : Awards/Recognition : Clients : A second suspect in the shooting death of a 19-year-old on Wednesday was apprehended in West Virginia. Statesville police, in a news release, said that Tevin D. Seymore, 24, was taken into custody Saturday evening in Charleston, West Virginia. He is being held without bond in West Virginia and is awaiting extradition to Iredell County on charges of murder, attempted murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling, felony conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Police said U.S. Marshals apprehended Seymore. Dakota Duke, 25, of Troutman, was arrested Friday at his residence and charged with murder, attempted murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling, felony conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflecting serious injury and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was ordered held without bond. The whereabouts of a third suspect, Javis Black, 22, are still unknown. The three are facing charges in connection with the death of Zion Wilder, 19, of Statesville, and the wounding of a 15-year-old at a residence on Goldsboro Avenue on Wednesday night, police said. Police said the preliminary investigation indicates multiple shots were fired into the residence from the street, striking both victims. Three adults and three other juveniles, ages 14, 15 and 17, along with the two victims, were in the residence, police said. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Black or the shootings is asked to contact the Statesville Police Department at 704-878-3406. All callers may remain anonymous. Idaho is poised to become the fifth U.S. state to approve prisoner executions by firing squad after the proposed law cleared the Legislature on Monday on its way to the governors desk. House Bill 186, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, and Sen. Doug Ricks, R-Rexburg, passed the Senate with a 24-11 vote. The bill would establish a firing squad as the states backup method of execution to lethal injection. Backers argued that death sentences are effectively unenforceable in Idaho because prison officials have been unable to secure the drugs needed to carry out the states only current method. This is not talking about the merits of whether we should have the death penalty or not, Ricks said during Senate debate Monday. This is about justice. I do think this a humane way to do it. Oklahoma, Utah, Mississippi and South Carolina already have firing squads as an alternative method of execution on the books. The law has been challenged in court in South Carolina and is making its way through the legal process. Utah was the last U.S. state to carry out a firing squad execution, in 2010. The Idaho bill overwhelmingly passed the Idaho House earlier this month, 50-15. Skaug, an attorney and former Ada County deputy prosecutor, testified before a Senate panel last week that lawmakers should vote on the intent behind the bill and not based on whether they support or oppose the death penalty. Capital punishment is already Idaho law, he said. There needs to be retribution as part of our sentencing, Skaug testified. Thats what keeps me or some other people from taking vengeance on our own if we suffer in the family a murder, because we know the system will bring us justice. This is the justice system that we have set up and that is death penalty. Attorney General Raul Labrador helped draft the bill, an office spokesperson previously told the Idaho Statesman. Labrador, a former Republican U.S. congressman for Idaho, worked at Skaugs private law firm for nearly three years before voters elected him in November. The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho immediately rebuked the vote, labeling both the bill and the Senates passage as appalling. The ACLU opposes the death penalty outright. A firing squad is particularly gruesome. As we heard during testimony, the violence of such executions leave lasting scars on all involved, Leo Morales, the organizations executive director, said in a statement. Idaho has never used firing squad as a method of execution, presumably because it is inhumane. This archaic piece of legislation must not become law in Idaho. The Idaho Department of Correction, which manages the states death row and oversees executions, estimated the cost of modifying an area of the Idaho Maximum Security Institute outside Kuna for firing squad executions at $750,000. The bill was passed with an emergency clause and would take effect on July 1 if signed by Gov. Brad Little. Little, a Republican, told the Statesman last month that he supports the death penalty, but that the state should continue the practice in a way that considers the potential impact on state prison officials. I think its only in lieu of our current system not working, and I havent given up on our current system, Little said. Im a proponent for capital punishment, but we need to do it in the most dignified and humane manner that creates the least amount of stress for corrections officers. The Statesman has requested comment from Little and Labradors offices. 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: XRD patterns of the sample. a) Large area reciprocal space maps (HL projection). The scattered intensity is represented with a temperature-colored scale. b) The 3D representation of the 00L specular rod. In this representation, the scattering ellipsoids are obtained from the fitting of individual peaks in both the HL and KL projections. c) The conventional 2 spectrum. Credit: Advanced Functional Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202214201 University of Minnesota Twin Cities researchers, along with a team at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), have developed a breakthrough process for making spintronic devices that has the potential to become the new industry standard for semiconductors chips that make up computers, smartphones, and many other electronics. The new process will allow for faster, more efficient spintronics devices that can be scaled down smaller than ever before. The researchers' paper is published in Advanced Functional Materials. "We believe we've found a material and a device that will allow the semiconducting industry to move forward with more opportunities in spintronics that weren't there before for memory and computing applications," said Jian-Ping Wang, senior author of the paper and professor and Robert F. Hartmann Chair in the University of Minnesota Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. "Spintronics is incredibly important for building microelectronics with new functionalities." Wang said Minnesota has been leading this effort in a big way for more than 10 years with strong support by the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Wang's team has also worked with University of Minnesota Technology Commercialization and NIST to patent this technology, along with several other patents related to this research. This discovery also opens up a new vein of research for designing and manufacturing spintronic devices for the next decade. "This means Honeywell, Skywater, Globalfoundries, Intel, and companies like them can integrate this material into their semiconductor manufacturing processes and products," Wang said. "That's very exciting because engineers in the industry will be able to design even more powerful systems." The semiconductor industry is constantly trying to develop smaller and smaller chips that can maximize energy efficiency, computing speed, and data storage capacity in electronic devices. Spintronic devices, which leverage the spin of electrons rather than the electrical charge to store data, provide a promising and more efficient alternative to traditional transistor-based chips. These materials also have the potential to be non-volatile, meaning they require less power and can store memory and perform computing even after you remove their power source. Spintronic materials have been successfully integrated into semiconductor chips for more than a decade now, but the industry standard spintronic material, cobalt iron boron, has reached a limit in its scalability. Currently, engineers are unable to make devices smaller than 20 nanometers without losing their ability to store data. The University of Minnesota researchers have circumvented this problem by showing that iron palladium, an alternative material to cobalt iron boron that requires less energy and has the potential for more data storage, can be scaled down to sizes as small as five nanometers. And, for the first time, the researchers were able to grow iron palladium on a silicon wafer using an 8-inch wafer-capable multi-chamber ultrahigh vacuum sputtering system, a one-of-a-kind piece of equipment among academic institutions across the country and only available at the University of Minnesota. "This work is showing for the first time in the world that you can grow this material, which can be scaled down to smaller than five nanometers, on top of a semiconductor industry-compatible substrate, so-called CMOS+X strategies," said Deyuan Lyu, first author on the paper and a Ph.D. student in the University of Minnesota Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. "Our team challenged ourselves to elevate a new material to manufacture spintronic devices needed for the next generation of data-hungry apps," said Daniel Gopman, a staff scientist at NIST and one of the key contributors to the research. "It will be exciting to see how this advance drives further growth of spintronics devices within the semiconductor chip technology landscape." More information: Deyuan Lyu et al, Sputtered L10FePd and its Synthetic Antiferromagnet on Si/SiO 2 Wafers for Scalable Spintronics, Advanced Functional Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202214201 Journal information: Advanced Functional Materials This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Optimal distribution of wind power sites based on the current wind energy concept. Orange circles: largest wind turbines on the Swiss Plateau. Purple squares: medium-sized turbines in the foothills of the Alps and in the Jura Mountains. Turquoise triangles: smaller turbines in the Alps. Credit: Reto Spielhofer / ETH Zurich A study by researchers at ETH Zurich shows for the first time how a relaxation of Swiss spatial planning policy would affect the locations of wind turbines. If the aim is to have as few wind turbines as possible in the Alps and in Switzerland in general, it would be worth considering using windy agricultural areas on the western Swiss Plateau. By 2050, wind power is set to provide around 7% of Switzerland's electricity. According to the Energy Strategy, this amounts to around 4.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) per year. As of today, Switzerland is still far from achieving this goal: the country's almost 40 existing wind turbines produce only 0.14 TWh, or 0.3% of its power. Policymakers now want to accelerate energy production from wind power. Especially in winter, when demand exceeds the combined output from photovoltaic and hydroelectric power plants, electricity from wind turbines should prevent a shortfall. But where is the best place to generate wind power in Switzerland? In the Alps, on the plains of the Swiss Plateau, or in the foothills of the Alps and in the Jura Mountains? A study by ETH Zurich researchers led by Adrienne Gret-Regamey, Professor of Planning Landscape and Urban Systems (PLUS), now shows for the first time different scenarios of how wind turbines could be distributed regionally to achieve the goal set out in Switzerland's Energy Strategy 2050 as efficiently as possible. The paper is published in the journal Environmental Science & Policy. For the first time, the authors of the study also took into account areas in which wind turbine construction is currently prohibited. "If we used particularly good farmland, known as crop rotation areas, on the windy Swiss Plateau to generate wind power in addition to producing food, we would have to build far fewer wind turbines in the Alps," Gret-Regamey says. These 36 sites together could meet just under 5% of annual demand. Credit: Reto Spielhofer / ETH Zurich About 760 wind turbines in the reference scenario The study authors' reference scenario is based on the Swiss federal government's wind energy concept, which defines the areas where wind energy may be harnessed. It specifies, for example, that no wind turbines should be built in forests, on crop rotation areas or in the vicinity of heritage sites. To generate 4.3 TWh of wind power per year in this scenario would take about 760 wind turbines. In their calculations, the researchers assume that as few wind turbines as possible should be built in only a handful of particularly windy locations. Since it is neither reasonable nor technically feasible to build the same turbines at all locations, the study considers smaller ones (100 meters high, 39 meters rotor radius) for the Alps, medium-sized ones (125 meters high, 67 meters rotor radius) for the foothills of the Alps and the Jura Mountains, and the largest and most powerful wind turbines (150 meters high, 73 meters rotor radius) for the plains of the Swiss Plateau. The following should be noted: at full capacity, a large turbine on the plains of the Swiss Plateau generates over twice as much electricity as a small turbine in the Alps. Significant development necessary in the Alps Of the approximately 760 wind turbines required, some 40% would be located in the Grison and Pennine Alps. But these 300 or so small turbines would generate only about 20% of the annual output. "This is suboptimal, as the construction and operating costs of wind turbines tend to be higher in the mountains than on the plains, and the people of Switzerland find the thought of wind turbines in unspoiled, natural landscapes in the Alps particularly disturbing," Gret-Regamey explains. About half of the 4.3 TWh would be generated by some 260 of the largest turbines on the plains of the Swiss Plateau80% of them located in the cantons of Bern, St. Gallen, Lucerne and Fribourg. The remaining 30% of the wind power projected annually until 2050 would be met by around 180 turbines in the foothills of the Alps, most of these located in the cantons of Bern, Fribourg, St. Gallen and Appenzell Ausserrhoden. Based on these calculations, the researchers created a map showing the approximate distribution of wind turbines. "The points should be read as national focus areas and not as exact locations for wind turbines," says Reto Spielhofer, the lead author of the study, who is also a researcher in Gret-Regamey's research group. As part of the reference scenario, the researchers also identified 36 sites that would be particularly suitable for generating wind power. Without having to adjust spatial planning policy, these sites together could meet just under 5% of annual demand. Nine of these sites are located in the cantons of Graubunden and Valais, six in St. Gallen, five in Bern, two each in Vaud and Fribourg, and one in the canton of Uri. Crop rotation areas: If crop rotation areas are allowed to be used for wind turbines, a concentration of the largest wind turbines (orange circles) on the windy, western Swiss Plateau would be optimal. This would mean fewer small turbines (turquoise triangles) would be needed in the Alps. Credit: Reto Spielhofer / ETH Zurich 300 fewer turbines with crop rotation areas The study by the ETH Zurich researchers also examines what effect a relaxation of spatial planning requirements would have on the regional distribution of wind turbines. For example, in one scenario they assume that crop rotation areas may also be used for wind power. "We're aware that such use of this land is extremely controversial, as it's very good agricultural land that produces high agricultural yields," Gret-Regamey says. Nevertheless, the researchers wanted to show what scope there would be for expanding wind power if turbines could also be sited in crop rotation areas, especially ones where the wind blows frequently and strongly. Compared to the reference scenario, some 300 fewer wind turbines would be needed throughout Switzerland to generate the planned wind power of 4.3 TWh per year. Strong concentration on the western Swiss Plateau "If we relaxed the spatial planning regulations as they relate to crop rotation areas, we would need almost 200 fewer wind turbines in the Grison and Pennine Alps than in the reference scenario," Gret-Regamey says. Only just over 3% of the annual target of 4.3 TWh of wind power would have to be generated in the Alps and less than 1% in the foothills of the Alps and in the Jura Mountains. Meanwhile, more than 96% would come from the largest turbines on the plainsand in particular the western Swiss Plateau. Of the total of about 460 wind turbines in this scenario, just over 40% would be located in the canton of Vaud and about 13% each in the cantons of Fribourg and Bern. "There's a trade-off between the number of wind turbines and their distribution," Gret-Regamey says, "If we want to have as few wind turbines as possibleboth in general and in the Alps in particularwe have to build large, highly visible wind turbines where there is the most wind: on the western Swiss Plateau. If, on the other hand, we prioritize the protection of crop rotation areas, we will not be able to avoid expansion in the Alps." More information: Reto Spielhofer et al, How spatial policies can leverage energy transitions Finding Pareto-optimal solutions for wind turbine locations with evolutionary multi-objective optimization, Environmental Science & Policy (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2023.02.016 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 You have just returned home after a long day at work and are about to sit down for dinner when suddenly your phone starts buzzing. On the other end is a loved one, perhaps a parent, a child or a childhood friend, begging you to send them money immediately. You ask them questions, attempting to understand. There is something off about their answers, which are either vague or out of character, and sometimes there is a peculiar delay, almost as though they were thinking a little too slowly. Yet, you are certain that it is definitely your loved one speaking: That is their voice you hear, and the caller ID is showing their number. Chalking up the strangeness to their panic, you dutifully send the money to the bank account they provide you. The next day, you call them back to make sure everything is all right. Your loved one has no idea what you are talking about. That is because they never called youyou have been tricked by technology: a voice deepfake. Thousands of people were scammed this way in 2022. As computer security researchers, we see that ongoing advancements in deep-learning algorithms, audio editing and engineering, and synthetic voice generation have meant that it is increasingly possible to convincingly simulate a person's voice. Even worse, chatbots like ChatGPT are starting to generate realistic scripts with adaptive real-time responses. By combining these technologies with voice generation, a deepfake goes from being a static recording to a live, lifelike avatar that can convincingly have a phone conversation. The ability to clone a persons voice is increasingly within reach of anyone with a computer. Cloning a voice Crafting a compelling high-quality deepfake, whether video or audio, is not the easiest thing to do. It requires a wealth of artistic and technical skills, powerful hardware and a fairly hefty sample of the target voice. There are a growing number of services offering to produce moderate- to high-quality voice clones for a fee, and some voice deepfake tools need a sample of only a minute long, or even just a few seconds, to produce a voice clone that could be convincing enough to fool someone. However, to convince a loved onefor example, to use in an impersonation scamit would likely take a significantly larger sample. Protecting against scams and disinformation With all that said, we at the DeFake Project of the Rochester Institute of Technology, the University of Mississippi and Michigan State University, and other researchers are working hard to be able to detect video and audio deepfakes and limit the harm they cause. There are also straightforward and everyday actions that you can take to protect yourself. For starters, voice phishing, or "vishing," scams like the one described above are the most likely voice deepfakes you might encounter in everyday life, both at work and at home. In 2019, an energy firm was scammed out of US$243,000 when criminals simulated the voice of its parent company's boss to order an employee to transfer funds to a supplier. In 2022, people were swindled out of an estimated $11 million by simulated voices, including of close, personal connections. Researchers have been able to clone voices with as little as five seconds of recording. What can you do? Be mindful of unexpected calls, even from people you know well. This is not to say you need to schedule every call, but it helps to at least email or text message ahead. Also, do not rely on caller ID, since that can be faked, too. For example, if you receive a call from someone claiming to represent your bank, hang up and call the bank directly to confirm the call's legitimacy. Be sure to use the number you have written down, saved in your contacts list or that you can find on Google. Additionally, be careful with your personal identifying information, like your Social Security number, home address, birth date, phone number, middle name and even the names of your children and pets. Scammers can use this information to impersonate you to banks, realtors and others, enriching themselves while bankrupting you or destroying your credit. Here is another piece of advice: know yourself. Specifically, know your intellectual and emotional biases and vulnerabilities. This is good life advice in general, but it is key to protect yourself from being manipulated. Scammers typically seek to suss out and then prey on your financial anxieties, your political attachments or other inclinations, whatever those may be. This alertness is also a decent defense against disinformation using voice deepfakes. Deepfakes can be used to take advantage of your confirmation bias, or what you are inclined to believe about someone. If you hear an important person, whether from your community or the government, saying something that either seems very uncharacteristic for them or confirms your worst suspicions of them, you would be wise to be wary. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The notorious Emotet malware, in its return after a short hiatus, is now being distributed via Microsoft OneNote email attachments in an attempt to bypass macro-based security restrictions and compromise systems. Emotet, linked to a threat actor tracked as Gold Crestwood, Mummy Spider, or TA542, continues to be a potent and resilient threat despite attempts by law enforcement to take it down. A derivative of the Cridex banking worm which was subsequently replaced by Dridex around the same time GameOver Zeus was disrupted in 2014 Emotet has evolved into a "monetized platform for other threat actors to run malicious campaigns on a pay-per-install (PPI) model, allowing theft of sensitive data and ransom extortion." While Emotet infections have acted as a conduit to deliver Cobalt Strike, IcedID, Qakbot, Quantum ransomware, and TrickBot, its return in late 2021 was facilitated by means of TrickBot. "Emotet is known for extended periods of inactivity, often occurring multiple times per year, where the botnet maintains a steady-state but does not deliver spam or malware," Secureworks notes in its profile of the actor. The dropper malware is commonly distributed through spam emails containing malicious attachments. But with Microsoft taking steps to block macros in downloaded Office files, OneNote attachments have emerged as an appealing alternative pathway. "The OneNote file is simple but yet effective at social engineering users with a fake notification stating that the document is protected," Malwarebytes disclosed in a new alert. "When instructed to double-click on the View button, victims will inadvertently double-click on an embedded script file instead." The Windows Script File (WSF) is engineered to retrieve and execute the Emotet binary payload from a remote server. Similar findings have been echoed by Cyble, IBM X-Force, and Palo Alto Networks Unit 42. That said, Emotet still continues to use booby-trapped documents containing macros to deliver the malicious payload, employing social engineering lures to entice users into enabling macros to activate the attack chain. UPCOMING WEBINAR Master the Art of Dark Web Intelligence Gathering Learn the art of extracting threat intelligence from the dark web Join this expert-led webinar! Save My Seat! Such documents have been observed to leverage a technique called decompression bomb to conceal a very large file (over 550 MB) within ZIP archive attachments to fly under the radar, according to multiple reports from Cyble, Deep Instinct, Hornetsecurity, and Trend Micro. This is achieved by padding 00-byte at the end of the document to artificially inflate the file size so as to exceed the limitations imposed by anti-malware solutions. The latest development is a sign of the operators' flexibility and agility in switching attachment types for initial delivery to evade detection signatures. It also comes amid a spike in threat actors using OneNote documents to distribute a wide range of malware such as AsyncRAT, Icedid, RedLine Stealer, Qakbot, and XWorm. According to Trellix, a majority of the malicious OneNote detections in 2023 have been reported in the U.S., South Korea, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Poland, India, the U.K., Italy, Japan, and Croatia, with manufacturing, high-tech, telecom, finance, and energy emerging as the top targeted sectors. A banking trojan dubbed Mispadu has been linked to multiple spam campaigns targeting countries like Bolivia, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and Portugal with the goal of stealing credentials and delivering other payloads. The activity, which commenced in August 2022, is currently ongoing, Ocelot Team from Latin American cybersecurity firm Metabase Q said in a report shared with The Hacker News. Mispadu (aka URSA) was first documented by ESET in November 2019, describing its ability to perpetrate monetary and credential theft and act as a backdoor by taking screenshots and capturing keystrokes. "One of their main strategies is to compromise legitimate websites, searching for vulnerable versions of WordPress, to turn them into their command-and-control server to spread malware from there, filtering out countries they do not wish to infect, dropping different type of malware based on the country being infected," researchers Fernando Garcia and Dan Regalado said. It's also said to share similarities with other banking trojans targeting the region, like Grandoreiro, Javali, and Lampion. Attack chains involving the Delphi malware leverage email messages urging recipients to open fake overdue invoices, thereby triggering a multi-stage infection process. Should a victim open the HTML attachment sent via the spam email, it verifies that the file was opened from a desktop device and then redirects to a remote server to fetch the first-stage malware. The RAR or ZIP archive, when launched, is designed to make use of rogue digital certificates one which is the Mispadu malware and the other, an AutoIT installer to decode and execute the trojan by abusing the legitimate certutil command-line utility. Mispadu is equipped to gather the list of antivirus solutions installed on the compromised host, siphon credentials from Google Chrome and Microsoft Outlook, and facilitate the retrieval of additional malware. UPCOMING WEBINAR Master the Art of Dark Web Intelligence Gathering Learn the art of extracting threat intelligence from the dark web Join this expert-led webinar! Save My Seat! This includes an obfuscated Visual Basic Script dropper that serves to download another payload from a hard-coded domain, a .NET-based remote access tool that can run commands issued by an actor-controlled server, and a loader written in Rust that, in turn, executes a PowerShell loader to run files directly from memory. What's more, the malware utilizes malicious overlay screens to obtain credentials associated with online banking portals and other sensitive information. Metabase Q noted that the certutil approach has allowed Mispadu to bypass detection by a wide range of security software and harvest over 90,000 bank account credentials from over 17,500 unique websites. Grand Islands housing needs got another boost Friday as the citys Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Hoppe Developments Row Orchard at 1710 Peach St. in northeast Grand Island. The for-lease 24-unit row house development began accepting residents late last year. It is part of an 180-unit project being developed by Hoppe Development of Lincoln. Row Orchard is made up of one seven-plex unit; one five-plex unit; and three four-plex units. 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. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Add Illinois Eastern Community Colleges to the list of institutions partnering with Southern Illinois University Carbondale on the Saluki Step Ahead Program. SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane and Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Chancellor Ryan Gower signed an agreement for the Saluki Step Ahead program on March 13. Established in 2021, the program enables students who graduate with an associate degree from partnering community colleges to complete their SIU bachelors degrees online in accounting, business administration, criminology and criminal justice, early childhood, elementary education, health care management, history, nursing (RN to BSN), psychology and radiologic sciences. We are pleased to collaborate with Illinois Eastern Community College to provide another option for place-bound students in this region, Chancellor Lane said. If these students cannot come to Carbondale to complete their education, we will bring the experience and resources of a doctoral research university to them. The new Illinois Eastern Community Colleges agreement brings SIU Carbondale to a total of 43 Saluki Step Ahead pacts that the university now has with community colleges in Illinois, Missouri and Texas so far. The Saluki Step Ahead program will benefit many IECC graduates who are place bound by giving them another option to earn a four-year degree, IECC Chancellor Ryan Gower said. This partnership will expand and strengthen our transfer pathways and gives our alumni an accessible option to earn a bachelors degree in a number of high demand programs. Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 serves more than 17,000 students each year through transfer, career and technical, and workforce development programs. The district, which is made up of Frontier Community College in Fairfield, Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Olney Central College in Olney and Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, spans 3,000 square miles and covers all or part of 12 counties, serving approximately 111,000 total residents. Students in the Saluki Step Ahead program pay the community college rate for their first two years. In their third and fourth years, they receive an annual scholarship of $4,000. Photos: Stunning sunsets in Southern Illinois Kimberley Sellers is looking to share love and positivity through her new book, Even Now. The faith-based book is designed to cheer the spirits of those who need help and to do so using biblical references. Ultimately, I want people to come to God through this book, the Santee native said. Im hoping that they keep turning the pages and, furthermore, they turn the page of the Bible, because thats where the meat and potatoes is, and thats where the real instructions are. I wanted to give them a nugget. I want to clean up, plant a seed, Sellers said. The book is published by Christian Faith Publishing Inc. She says writing the book was extremely difficult for her. She needed to talk to God and needed inspiration herself to complete the book. I was not confident in myself to do it at first, but I got in my mind, You have to do this because this is what youre supposed to do. Youre supposed to tell people about God, youre supposed to let them know that theres still hope, Sellers said She hopes her readers learn about perseverance and faith. One of her favorite portions of the book discusses how God is bigger than any problems that people can face during their day-to-day lives. I want them to see that every day, even if its something small that they need, God is hearing you. He sees everything, he knows it all. He has not forgotten about you and he is fighting your battles. God is bigger than anything you could possibly face in your life, Sellers said. Her strong Christian beliefs stem from her upbringing. I have a praying family. Weve always been that way. I would sit with my great-grandmother just about every weekend. She lived right next door to my grandmother, and I got a lot of wisdom from them. It started there as a little girl, Sellers said. Shes using those values to help those in need of words from the Bible. We go through so many things in life and Im hoping that at least a chapter reaches them. If it reaches them and gives them a little bit of hope going forward, then Im happy, Sellers said. Sellers surprised herself by putting together the book. Im a behind-the-scenes kind of person. I really feel like those werent necessarily all my words. Sometimes I think they all came from God, Sellers said. You can purchase Even Now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and ReaderHouse under its name. The City of Orangeburg is seeking the best funding sources to permanently fix the Pine Top subdivisions drainage, which has caused problems with potholes and crumbling sidewalks. Repairs are estimated to cost at least $1 million. City officials claim the homeowners or the homeowners association assumed responsibility for the subdivisions drainage system upon the completion of the development back in the 1990s. The HOA or the homeowners, they expect and have expectations that the builder and developer have done everything to specifications, Orangeburg Assistant City Administrator John Singh said. They may have maintenance, but they are not going to have maintenance like we are talking about here. Pine Top is located off Livingston Terrace and includes the streets Chelsea Close, Livingston Terrace NW, Way Drive, Allington Close, Avian Court and Teaticket Court. City officials claim the drainage was not properly installed and that the roads are substandard with little asphalt subbase. The residents there have suffered a lot, Singh said. In order to fix the underlying drainage system, Singh said the city will have to work with the subdivisions homeowners association on how to address the drainage issues as well as the damage to the dam and dam road in the community. Singh said funding sources will have to be examined. One possibility is the creation of a special purpose tax district that would tax residents of the subdivision to help fund the repairs. Councilman Bernard Haire asked if the special purpose tax district has been explored with the homeowners. We have touched on it with the HOA, Singh said. We have not gotten into the details. There are a lot of ways to do that. Singh said the question is how much of an additional tax it would place on homeowners He estimates there are about 40 homes in the subdivision, though there are empty lots for further development. If the HOA does not help with the drainage, then we will be in trouble trying to find money, Councilman Dr. Kalu Kalu said. Singh said the city would also look at the South Carolina Department of Transportation for funding help. What we have to do is to cobble together the best means to do that, he said. Kalu asked about grant opportunities. The city typically tries to get Community Development Block Grants through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, but those grants are for low- to moderate-income areas. Singh said the Pine Top subdivision does not qualify for the grants. As to the roads in the subdivision, the city is responsible for fixing those, Singh said. Unlike most of the roads in the city, which are owned by the state, the city took over the roads in the subdivision shortly after it was developed, he said. The only exception is the road over the dam, which is the responsibility of the subdivisions homeowners association. Over time, that road fails, Singh said. If we came in and completely fixed the roads, the drainage is still going to come in and undermine all the work we do, which means it will be a vicious cycle of replacing roads. You are not talking about a $50,000 problem, Singh continued, referring to the roads. You are talking about probably, if it was just doing fixes, half a million to a million dollars. In order to make sure tax dollars are used most efficiently, the city has identified 28 locations where it can patch or stabilize the asphalt and maintain the areas. This project has been put out to bid. The residents wont have pot holes, Singh said. They will have fixed proper areas. Singh said about $600,000 has been allocated in capital project sales tax money for Pine Top roads, but said the money is not enough to do any sort of complete paving. In light of the Pine Top subdivision challenges, Singh said the city has since created a development ordinance to prevent a similar problem from occurring in other subdivisions within the city. I am glad of any kind of service that you can give them down there, Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler said. They have gone through it with those roads and those big potholes. Residents thoughts Chelsea Close Drive resident Michael Raysor has lived in the Pine Top subdivision for the past two years. I really dont have a problem with the road issue, Raysor said. He noted that when he turns off of Livingston Court onto Chelsea Close, there is a pretty good size pothole. There is a drain issue, especially when we get a pretty good rain, he continued. The ponds kind of overflow and everything comes straight down this way. Raysor says he wants to learn more about the extent of the possible tax increase. That is the main thing, he said. Raysor thinks its worth fixing the system. Tea Ticket Place resident Dr. Lamar Cato has lived in the Pine Top subdivision with his wife since 1997. My concern is the roadway, potholes, the erosion of the road, the sinkholes, the manholes down there, Cato said. Some of the manholes in the neighborhood are currently blocked off with safety barriers that were put in at the request of the Catos. They were concerned about the safety of the neighborhoods children. A sinkhole formed a couple of weeks ago and the city patched the hole, Cato said. A hole is already forming. You patch and you patch, Cato said. You can do a half a patch and you can do a real patch. Cato said there is water that drains and it is unknown where it comes from. On one persons property, the driveway is always wet, he said. Is there a spring up under that? Somebody should know where that waters coming from. Cato said he would have to know more details about the special purpose tax district before commenting. Taxed at what rate? Cato said, noting there are too many questions. Cato says more money needs to be allocated toward fixing the situation once and for all. City Council: they need to sit down and decide how they are going to come up with the money to repair this road, Cato said. Promises have been made to fix the road in the past, he said. They need to sit down with the homeowners and city council so we can discuss this. The question needs to be asked, he said. What do you want the homeowners pitch in? Do you want penny for penny? Cato said. Cato also questioned the rationale of patching the street if the drainage is not fixed. He wants the problem to be fixed permanently. (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. Chinese envoy calls for mitigating humanitarian consequences of Ukraine crisis Xinhua) 09:55, March 20, 2023 UNITED NATIONS, March 18 (Xinhua) -- 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A Wyoming State Penitentiary inmate alleges a corrections officer violated his Eighth Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment by slamming his head into a concrete floor while he was restrained, according to a lawsuit he filed in U.S. District Court. The incident, he says, was caught on camera. We are committed to achieving justice for our client in this case, Doug Bailey, a Cheyenne attorney representing the prisoner, told the Star-Tribune on Friday. Footage doesnt lie, and we believe that after viewing the footage in this case, a jury will see that our clients constitutional rights were violated. Lawyers for the guard deny the mans account. Jeremy Lambson was inside his cell at the maximum-security prison in Rawlins when he got into an argument with an officer on Feb. 5, 2021, the legal complaint filed in U.S. District Court states. The argument led to Lambson smashing his flat-screen TV against his cell door. Several officers gathered at his cell because of the commotion. A corrections officer allegedly gave an order to spray Lambson with a chemical agent through the cells cuff port, which is a hole used to access the hands of inmates while they are still inside their cell. Either pepper spray or tear gas was used. Lambson started coughing and tearing up immediately and turned on a fan, the complaint states. He pointed the fan towards the bottom of his cell door in the hopes of dispersing some of the spray from his room. Officers gave him a few minutes to catch his breath before asking him to come to the cuff port to have his hands restrained, the complaint states. He complied. Jacob Heibeck, a corrections officer at the facility, then told Lambson to kneel and face the wall. He did as he was told. Heibeck and other officers entered the cell and applied leg chains. Heibeck and another officer stood on either side of Lambson and walked him out of his cell towards a flight of stairs, the complaint states. He showed no resistance. Lambson was carried down the stairs without resisting, he maintains. The complaint alleges that surveillance footage shows Heibeck using his full body weight to slam Lambson head-first into the ground. [A]nd with no provocation or justification, Defendant Heibeck slammed Lambson into the concrete floor, head first, the complaint states. Defendant Heibeck put all of his weight into this slam while Lambson was in a completely vulnerable position. The impact caused Lambsons feet to fly upward and knocked him unconscious momentarily, which, the lawsuit says, angered other inmates who witnessed Heibecks unprovoked actions. Heibeck is accused of holding Lambson down and refusing to allow him back up for a prolonged period of time while the prisoner pleaded for him to get off as he couldnt breathe. Other officers eventually put a bag on his head, cuffed him to a chair and locked him in a cage for hours without treating his head injury. The next day, a doctor at the facility diagnosed Lambson with a closed head injury after trauma with mild concussion. Lambson developed neck pain that got progressively worse, and he says hes had headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and noise and memory issues ever since. Heibeck inflicted unnecessary pain on him maliciously and sadistically rather than in a good faith effort to maintain or restore discipline, the lawsuit alleges. Guard disputes allegations In his legal response, Heibeck admits he took Lambson to the ground while the prisoners ability to move was restricted. He also agrees that Lambsons feet momentarily moved upwards. But Heibeck argues that Lambson was showing resistance as they moved down the stairs, and although the correctional officer took him to the ground, he didnt use his full weight or slam his head into the ground. He denies that Lambson was knocked unconscious. Heibeck is being represented by the Wyoming Attorney Generals Office. His attorneys did not respond to requests for comment. Lambson was sentenced to five to six years for strangulation of a household member, and his maximum release date is in December 2024, said Paul Martin, a spokesperson for the Wyoming Department of Corrections. Martin was unable to comment on the case due to it being active litigation but provided some insight into inmate-staff lawsuits. Litigation in the corrections industry is a very common occurrence, so it is not a driver, in and of itself, for managing contact within the prison, said Martin. This essentially means that Heibeck and Lambson may still have regular contact within the facility. They are not automatically kept apart because of the lawsuit. The primary concern in a prison is to ensure management of risks to the security of the public, the population, staff and the facility, Martin said. If, because of litigation an inmate feels unsafe and that offender communicates that to staff, then we will actively manage that risk and investigate on a case-by-case basis. If a department employee is sued by an inmate, it typically does not trigger any sort of safety or security risk management or an investigation, according to Martin. There is a much more expedient way an offender can make allegations of staff misconduct, which would be much more likely to invoke an investigation, Martin said. Offenders have the ability to make allegations of staff misconduct through the Inmate Communications and Grievance Procedure. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus has again grown its ranks this year. Reps. Bill Allemand, Allen Slagle, Scott Smith, Tomi Strock and Jeanette Ward all of whom just finished their first legislative session were listed as official members of the far-right House caucus on a Sunday news release from the group. Its not clear if other new lawmakers joined but chose not to publicly disclose their membership. Wyoming Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. John Bear, a Gillette Republican, didnt respond to the Star-Tribune for comment by deadline. There are three new lawmakers Reps. Abby Angelos, Tony Locke and Sarah Penn whose names are also on the news release, but who arent listed as official members of the caucus. None of the new recruits come as a surprise; freshmen lawmakers arent allowed to be official members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, but it was clear even before the session began who was likely to join the group. Before the session, for instance, Ward, a Casper Republican who moved to Wyoming from Illinois in August 2021, authored and circulated a letter to the University of Wyoming condemning the school for its decision to revoke the tabling rights of a Laramie church elder who targeted a transgender student by name on a sign posted to his table. Many signatories of the letter were Wyoming Freedom Caucus members and sympathizers. Throughout the session itself, the new recruits voted in tandem with the Wyoming Freedom Caucus and took action to promote the groups goals, which include increasing restrictions on abortion services, expanding school choice, removing books with what the caucus has described as pornographic material from school libraries, safeguarding election integrity and blocking the growth of government disguised as free health care from D.C. For instance, all the new recruits voted in favor of House Bill 103 legislation sponsored by Wyoming Freedom Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Jeremy Haroldson that cracks down on crossover voting in Wyoming. Slagle, Smith, Strock and Ward cosponsored the bill. They also voted in favor of this years broad abortion ban legislation, the Life is a Human Right Act. That bill was sponsored by another Wyoming Freedom Caucus member, Cody Republican Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams. Slagle, Smith and Ward cosponsored that legislation. Gov. Mark Gordon allowed both bills to become law without his signature. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus announced its official launch and partnership with the State Freedom Caucus Network a Washington, D.C.-based organization that aims to establish state freedom caucuses across the country in early January before the beginning of the legislative session. The caucus, which has its origins in the far-right U.S. House Freedom Caucus that emerged in 2015, doesnt publicize a full list of its members. Its up to each lawmaker whether or not to disclose their membership. In 2017, the caucus had about six members. Then it bumped up to 17 members. Before the legislative session, Bear told the Star-Tribune that sympathizers of the caucus if not members had increased by roughly 10 lawmakers following the 2022 elections. The caucus growth mirrors splits in Wyomings Republican Party as the far right of the party has grown in power. Some lawmakers in Wyomings House of Representatives also said this session was more divided in the lower chamber than ever. 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. The venues and fixtures for the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) have been Theres always that small clique of rich girls who have it all and wont let anyone forget they have it all. Along the way, that clique shows off their claws and if you arent in, they make sure to keep you far out. Welcome to Mean Girls, the Tiny Fey penned musical that Broadway in Tucson is bringing to Centennial Hall March 28-April 2. Its the coming-of-age story of newbie Cady Heron (English Bernhardt) who just moved home to Illinois after spending 12 years in Africa with her zoological research scientist parents. For the first time, Cady, who was homeschooled in Africa, gets to experience American public school. She is warned on her first day at North Shore High School to avoid the Plastics, a trio of snooty, self-obsessed yet insecure frenemies who spend their energy fighting to be Queen Bee or to please the Queen Bee. On her second day in school, Cady is invited to the Plastics table and soon joins the clique. After being burned by the presumptive Queen Bee Regina George (Nadina Hassan), Cady plots to take her down and claim her crown. But when the power of her newfound position goes to her head, Cady finds herself treating her friends just as cruelly as the Plastics treat everyone outside their circle. Spoiler alert: She rediscovers her soul, sheds her selfish ways and returns to sweet, caring, fun-loving Cady. Fey wrote the screenplay for the 2004 movie starring Lindsay Lohan based in part on Rosalind Wisemans 2002 book Queen Bees and Wannabes. The musical, with the book by Fey, music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, ran 833 times on Broadway after opening in 2018. The national tour hit the road in fall 2019 and has garnered rave reviews, many of them including the word hilarious. Chicago Tribune called it by far the funniest musical of the year while USA Today, stealing a line from the movie/musical, teased, Well let you in on a little secret, because were such good friends: GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! When I was a line cook at a small restaurant in Richmond, Virginia, although my station was savory, I was often called upon to come up with desserts. At the time, my fellow chefs grumbled about having to dip into the pastry side of the kitchen, but I didnt mind. Despite my culinary school background, I didnt have much of a repertoire when it came to sweets, but I loved thumbing through cookbooks for inspiration, and one of the first desserts I memorized was Michel Richards Le KitKat from his 2006 cookbook Happy in the Kitchen. The Kit Kat-inspired confection combines a layer of wafery crispiness (thanks to Corn Flakes, because lets not forget Michel Richard was a genius) with a lighter-than-air chocolate mousse to create a dessert that transcends its origins while still managing to be delightfully playful. Because so many ingredients are forbidden at Passover (wheat, rice, corn, the list goes on), the lineup of desserts can be a bit repetitive. You see a lot of matzo toffee, which I love. Coconut macaroons and chocolate-covered fruit are also regulars on the dessert spread. But I wanted something that felt more like a composed dessert for Passover this year, and memories of my time cranking out Kit Kats came rushing back to me, whispering, Make it with matzo. So I listened. The dessert combines a crunchy chocolate-matzo layer topped with a light chocolate mousse layer. One of my daughters insisted on adding Farfel to the title, because the crunched-up matzo reminded her of matzo farfel, tiny pieces of matzo, the middle ground between matzo and matzo meal, thats popular in Passover cooking and sold in canisters in the Jewish section of grocery stores. Although you can buy matzo farfel, for this recipe I prefer the texture of slightly irregular shards that comes from crushing matzo with a rolling pin. It also allows you to use whatever type of matzo you prefer, including gluten-free matzo. Matzo Farfel Kit Kat is a simple recipe that requires zero baking and is satisfying enough to enjoy year-round, not just during Passover (although to be sure, I consume a lot of it during that long chametz-free week). This treat keeps for up to four days in the fridge, so it can easily be made ahead for snacking on for several days. I happen to love the gluten-free Yehuda matzo above all others, so thats what I use for this recipe, but any matzo will do. Just make sure to crush it by hand (I use a plastic bag and a rolling pin), not in a food processor, to ensure proper matzo shards, which will make the crisp bottom layer even more satisfyingly crunchy. Matzo Farfel Kit Kat Makes 16 bars 3 matzo sheets 7 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate (about 60% cacao), divided 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 3/4 cup kosher for Passover or regular chocolate-hazelnut spread 1 1/4 cups cold heavy cream 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder (optional) 1. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with plastic wrap, making sure there is excess hanging over the sides. 2. Place 3 sheets of matzo in a large zip-top bag, press out the air, and seal. Crush with a rolling pin into small shards (1 to 1 1/4 cups). Do not over crush to the point of matzo meal. 3. Fill a medium saucepan halfway with water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Place 2 ounces of the dark chocolate and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a medium heatproof bowl that can fit onto the saucepan without the bottom touching the water. Heat, stirring occasionally with a heatproof spatula, until melted and smooth. 4. Remove from the bowl from the heat, add 3/4 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread, and stir to combine. Add the matzo and stir until combined. Transfer to the baking dish and spread into an even layer. Refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes or up to two days. 5. Bring the water in the saucepan back to a simmer over medium heat. Place the remaining 5 ounces dark chocolate in another heatproof bowl, fit over the saucepan, and heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth. Remove the bowl from the heat and set aside to cool until lukewarm, about 5 minutes. 6. Meanwhile, place 1 1/4 cups cold heavy cream in a stand mixer (or large bowl if using an electric hand mixer or whisking by hand). Whisk with the whisk attachment on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 3 1/2 minutes. 7. Add a little bit of the chocolate into the whipped cream and stir until just combined. Add the remaining chocolate and gently fold until just combined. Transfer to the baking dish and spread into an even layer. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours and up to three days. 8. Uncover the bars. Grasping the excess plastic wrap, lift the slab out of the baking dish onto a cutting board. Run a large knife under hot water or dip into a tall glass of hot water, dry, and use the warm knife to cut the slab into 16 rectangular pieces (cut into quarters, then cut each quarter into 4 rectangular pieces). Warm and dry the knife between each cut for the cleanest cuts. Dust lightly with 1 teaspoon cocoa powder if desired. Recipe notes Substitution: Corn flakes cereal or feuilletine can be substituted for the matzo for the crunchy layer. Storage: The bars can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days. You dont have to leave the Sonoran Desert to attend an island party: Simply head to the Historic Pima County Courthouse for Take Me to Ibiza! Vecinos Block Party on April 15. Ibiza is a small Spanish island with big energy that knows how to have fun and the El Rio Vecinos encapsulate the same vibe. That was one of the main reasons behind this years theme. We are a small but mighty group that works hard to provide a good time for our sponsors and attendees at the ultimate benefit of the youth in our Southern Arizona community, said Shayla Sandoval, co-chair of the event with Shauna Vasquez. In the last decade, the annual themed block party staged by the group of young professionals has earned a reputation as both an incredible outdoor gala and a high-powered fundraiser with a goal this year of raising $175,000 to benefit the El Rio Health Peer Health Navigator Initiative. The Peer Health Navigator Initiative is a peer-to-peer program that provides teens with reproductive health education and wrap-around resources that can include transportation and telehealth visits with partner organizations. The program is facilitated by 10 youths, ages 15 to 21, who work at El Rio clinics and provide outreach through community events. Their mission is to educate other teens about reproductive health and associated issues. The Vecinos recognize the peer-to-peer program as the next generation becoming promoters of health. The idea of these youth reaching out to their peers was very inspirational: They recognize that these youth leaders could be the Vecinos of the future. We are talking about students, and this education and outreach amplifies their voices. The peer navigators are helping young people to access care and are advocating for healthy lifestyles and healthier communities, said Brenda Goldsmith, executive director of El Rio Foundation. The program often serves as a gateway to other resources and health services that students and their families might otherwise not access, according to Anthony Schaefer, a Vecino who is also the current El Rio Health Center Foundation board president. The peer-to-peer program has been championed here at El Rio, and there are other community health organizations that are interested in the model and possible replication because it has been so impactful for patients. The beautiful thing about the peer-to-peer model is the patients dont feel any level of judgement and as such are much more engaged, said Schaefer, associate broker with Long Realty. Support of the peer-to-peer work marks a departure for the service organization which has given more than $720,000 to El Rio childrens dental programs since the Vecinos which means neighbors in Spanish was founded 10 years ago. It makes an exciting change as the organization, which is comprised of young professionals ages 25 to 40, moves into its second decade, according to Vecinos President Alexis Chavez. She emphasized that it is an extremely active and diverse service group that you dont join just to put on your resume. Vecinos are such a great mix of people. We have real estate agents, physicians, surgeons, engineers, lawyers, hair stylists, marketing professionals and many more. What really impresses me is how proactive and motivated everyone is and how we continue to grow and develop and morph into an even better group. There is a lot of passion in this group, said Chavez, team leader of the Alexis Chavez Real Estate Team with Realty Executives Arizona Territory. Ultimately, Goldsmith said that the Vecinos recognize the connections between reproductive health, mental health and overall wellness. The Vecinos are focused on social justice and equitable care and have found that teens share more with other youth about all areas of health. Our navigators can be a conduit to helping with those resources as well, said Goldsmith. B.W. was born October 19, 1936 in Globe, Gila County, Arizona and died at age 86 on February 15, 2023 in a one-vehicle accident on an icy stretch of U.S. Highway 60 near Magdalena, New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his terrific wife of 61 years, Billie (Hunsaker) Cox and two sons: Len and Roland. He is survived by an uncle, a brother, and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces who range in age from 91 years old to those in their early 20's and in residences from Oregon and northern Utah though Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Iowa, and Ohio. B.W. lived a full life of being a ranch hand, a ranch manger, and a ranch owner. As he experienced these levels of ranching, he was always "pushing-the-envelope" to make the necessary decisions and to do the related jobs in the most efficient and resource saving and renewing way possible. He strived to accomplish all of this while causing the least amount of damage to the soil and pain or suffering to the plants and animals. B.W. also experienced a few enlightening years as a bank officer in Belen, New Mexico. He loved his extended family. I remember stories told with delight by many of the nieces and nephews and some of the younger cousins, of school vacations spent on the ranches in Arizona and New Mexico under the mentorship of B.W. and Billie. They told stories of the many lessons learned in caring for others and for Nature and about their own self-worth. He was a loving husband and a kind but firm father. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, 25 March 2023 in the "Chapel of the Living Waters" at the old campground on the Montosa Ranch, Magdalena New Mexico. Friends are encouraged to send, in lieu of followers etc., donations to the Saint Jude's Children's Hospital. Loving brother and friend, Laddie M. Cox Col. US Army (Ret.) Still reeling from an onslaught of powerful storms and destructive floods, California is bracing for a 12th atmospheric river that's expected to bring a new round of heavy snow and rain to the state. The latest in the parade of storms ushered moisture into California Sunday, lashing the state with high winds and dumping more rain and snow over the region before it was expected to spread inland Monday. Thousands were under evacuation orders Sunday in two small central California towns -- Alpaugh and Allensworth -- as officials worried roads could become impassable and isolate residents, according to the Tulare County Sheriff's Office. First responders from dozens of agencies, including the California National Guard, were out Sunday afternoon helping residents evacuate -- a sight that has become familiar in the flood-ravaged state this winter season. "The devastation is indescribable," Tulare County farmer Brandon Mendonsa told CNN affiliate KFSN. "The water is still coming -- this is far from being done." The next atmospheric river, mainly taking aim at southern California, is expected to be colder than the last and arrive Tuesday with high winds, heavy rain, mountain snow and the threat of more floods. Soils in the Golden State are still overly saturated from last week's storm, making the ground vulnerable to more flooding and rapid runoffs, the National Weather Service said. Though not forecast to be as potent as the atmospheric rivers of previous weeks, the system is expected to bring 1-3 inches of rain across the lower elevations and 2-4 inches across the foothills of Southern California through Thursday. Arizona could also see up to 3 inches of rainfall. Powerful winds are also a concern. Gusts could reach up to 80 mph -- strong enough to down trees and power lines from the central California coast to Southern California, according to the Weather Service. High wind watches were issued for Southern California, including Los Angeles, for Tuesday and Wednesday. In the Sierra Nevada and Southern California mountain ranges, snowfall could add up to several feet for some the highest terrain and likely make for hazardous travel over the next few days. Winter storm watches have already been issued for the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, where an additional 1-4 feet of snowfall is possible late Monday through Wednesday afternoon. The San Bernardino Mountains are also under a winter storm watch, with snowfall expected to reach up to 4 feet through Wednesday with gusts up to 85 mph. California severe drought cut by half This winter, California was hit with 11 different atmospheric rivers -- long, narrow bands of moisture that can carry saturated air thousands of miles like a fire hose. While the storms have upended life for many in the state, damaging homes and forcing evacuations, they've also helped put a dent in the state's historic drought. Last week's atmospheric river alone shattered daily rainfall records in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Santa Maria. There's been so much rain that the Southern California water board called off emergency drought conservation measures for over 7 million people. Severe drought in California was cut in half from the previous week, now covering only 8% of the state -- down from 80.6% just three months ago, according to the US Drought Monitor. Just over a third of the state remains in some level of drought. The abnormally wet winter -- combined with recent storms -- wiped out exceptional and extreme drought in California for the first time since 2020, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Moderate to exceptional drought coverage across the U.S. is at its lowest since August 2020 and is likely to continue improving, or end entirely, across much of California and the Great Basin," NOAA forecasters said. As the snowpack melts in the coming months, it's expected to further improve drought conditions across much of the western US, according to NOAA. But, that could also mean more floods. "Approximately 44% of the U.S. is at risk for flooding this spring," said Ed Clark, director of NOAA's National Water Center. "California's historic snowpack, coupled with spring rain, is heightening the potential for spring floods." The-CNN-Wire FRANKLIN, Tenn. One by one, the presenters inside the crowded hotel ballroom shared their computer screens and promised to show how easy it is to hack into voting systems across the U.S. Drawing gasps from the crowd, they highlighted theoretical vulnerabilities and problems from past elections. But instead of tailoring their efforts to improve election security, they argued that all voting machines should be eliminated a message that was wrapped in conspiracies about elections being rigged to favor certain candidates. "We are at war. The only thing that's not flying right now is bullets," said Mark Finchem, a Republican candidate for secretary of state in Arizona last year who continues to contest his loss and was the final speaker of the daylong conference. Finchem was among a group of Republican candidates running for governor, secretary of state or state attorney who disputed the outcome of the 2020 election and who lost in a clean sweep last November in important battleground states, including Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Yet deep distrust about U.S. elections persists among Republicans, skepticism fueled by former President Donald Trump's false claims and by allies who travel the country meeting with community groups and holding forums like the recent one outside Nashville, attended by some 250 people. Millions have been convinced that any election in which their preferred candidate loses was somehow rigged, a belief that has fed efforts among conservatives to ditch voting machines and to halt or delay certification of election results. "Voters who know the truth about our elections have faith in them," said Liz Iacobucci, election security program manager with the voter advocacy group Common Cause. "But the people who have been led into disbelief those people can be led into other things, like Jan. 6." A mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a bid to stop the certification of Joe Biden's presidential election win. Trump signaled that the 2020 election will be an integral part of his 2024 presidential bid. He pointed to polls that show a sizable number of people believe the 2020 election was stolen, even though there has been no evidence of widespread fraud or manipulation of voting machines in the U.S., and multiple reviews in the battleground states where Trump disputed his loss confirmed the election results were accurate. Trump allies such as MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn remain prominent voices calling for a ban on voting machines. They want hand-marked paper ballots counted individually without the aid of machines by poll workers in the nearly 180,000 voting precincts across the country. "We all have the same agenda, to get our elections fair and transparent and where they can't be hacked," said Lindell, who plans to form what he calls an "election crime bureau" to bring his legal, cybersecurity and legislative efforts under one organization. Lindell said he spent $40 million since the 2020 election investigating fraud claims and supporting efforts to ban voting machines. He said he is taking out loans to continue to fund the work. During an "America First Forum" held last month in South Carolina, Flynn told those gathered at a Charleston hotel that they were fighting not only Democrats but fellow Republicans who are dismissive of their concerns. "Our Republican Party, they want to move on," Flynn said via video conference. "And frankly, the American people are not going to move on." An investigation by the AP and the PBS series "Frontline" last year examined how Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, was spreading conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and vaccines as he builds a movement based on Christian nationalist ideas. He relies in part on groups such as The America Project and America's Future. Patrick Byrne, founder of Overstock.com, launched The America Project in 2021. He said elections remain a top priority for the group, though it also will focus on border issues. Recently filed tax forms do not detail where the group's $7.7 million in revenue came from that year, but Byrne and Michael Flynn's brother, Joseph Flynn, told the AP that most of it came from Byrne. The group reported giving $2.75 million to Cyber Ninjas for a partisan and much-criticized review of the 2020 election in Maricopa County, Arizona. At the Tennessee forum, people who work in information technology claimed election officials have little security knowledge or experience. Mark Cook walked attendees through the voting process, pointing out potential threats and playing a video he said was of an "Iranian whistleblower" accessing U.S. voter registration data to fraudulently request and submit military ballots. Cook said the video "could be legitimate." He did not mention that an influx of duplicate military ballots would be readily apparent because election workers log each person who casts a ballot, meaning a second ballot that appears to be cast by the same person would be caught. Election officials acknowledge vulnerabilities exist, but say multiple defenses are in place. 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 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 and controlled burn. 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 the news media covered up the disaster or that environmental scientists traveling to the site were 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-U.S. propaganda, the accounts show how easily authoritarian states and Americans willing to spread their propaganda can exploit social media platforms such as 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 national debate 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. MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin warmly welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the Kremlin on Monday, sending a powerful message to Western leaders that their efforts to isolate Moscow over the fighting in Ukraine have fallen short. Xis trip his first abroad since his re-election earlier this month showed off Beijings new diplomatic swagger and gave a political lift to Putin just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for the Kremlin leader on war crimes charges related to Ukraine. The two major powers have described Xis three-day trip as an opportunity to deepen their no-limits friendship. China looks to Russia as a source of oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy, and as a partner in standing up to what both see as U.S. aggression, domination of global affairs and unfair punishment for their human rights records. The two countries, among the five U.N. Security Councils permanent members, also have held joint military drills. U.S. officials have picked up indications China is considering supplying Russia with weapons for its fight in Ukraine but have seen no evidence theyve actually done so. The leaders smiled and shook hands before sitting down at the start of their meeting, calling each other dear friend and exchanging compliments. Putin congratulated Xi on his re-election and voiced hope for building even stronger ties. China has made a colossal leap ahead in its development in recent years, Putin said, adding that its causing genuine interest all around the world, and we even feel a bit envious, as Xi smiled. The Kremlin leader welcomed Chinas proposals for a political settlement in Ukraine and noted Russia is open for talks. We will discuss all those issues, including your initiative that we highly respect, Putin said. Our cooperation in the international arena undoubtedly helps strengthen the basic principles of the global order and multipolarity. Both Moscow and Beijing have accused Washington of trying to isolate them and hold back their development as they challenge it for regional and global leadership. In an increasingly multipolar world, the U.S. and its allies have been unable to build a broad front against Putin. While 141 countries condemned Moscow in a United Nations vote marking the first anniversary of Russian troops rolling into Ukraine, several members of the G-20 including India, China and South Africa abstained. Many African nations also have refrained from openly criticizing Russia. We hope that the strategic partnership between China and Russia will on the one hand uphold international fairness and justice, and on the other hand promote the common prosperity and development of our countries, Xi said. In their 4 hours of talks, along with a dinner that included a Pacific seafood platter and roast venison in cherry sauce, Putin would offer Xi a detailed explanation of Moscows actions in Ukraine, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Broader talks on a range of subjects are scheduled Tuesday. For Putin, Xis presence is a prestigious, diplomatic boost to show partnership in the face of Western efforts to isolate Russia over Ukraine. In an article published in the Chinese Peoples Daily newspaper, Putin described Xis visit as a landmark event that reaffirms the special nature of the Russia-China partnership and said the meeting signaled that the two countries arent prepared to accept attempts to weaken them. The U.S. policy of simultaneously deterring Russia and China, as well as all those who do not bend to the American diktat, is getting ever fiercer and more aggressive, he wrote. China portrays Xis visit as part of normal diplomatic exchanges and has offered little detail about its purpose, though Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters Monday that China will uphold its objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks. Xi didnt directly mention the Ukraine fighting or his peace plan when he sat down for the talks with Putin. Beijings leap into Ukraine issues follows its recent success in brokering talks between Iran and its chief Middle Eastern rival, Saudi Arabia, which agreed to restore their diplomatic ties after years of tensions. Following that success, Xi called for China to play a bigger role in managing global affairs. Although they boast of a no-limits partnership, Beijing has conducted a China First policy. It has refrained from supplying Russias military a move that could worsen relations with Washington and turn important European trade partners against China. On the other hand, it has refused to condemn Moscows aggression and criticized Western sanctions against Moscow, while accusing NATO and the United States of provoking Putins military action. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby urged Xi to press President Putin directly on the need to respect Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also said the U.S. administration believes Xi could play a constructive role by speaking directly with Zelenskyy. The Kremlin has welcomed Chinas peace plan, while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday any proposal that left Russian forces in place in Ukraine would merely let Moscow reequip and otherwise regain strength to resume its offensive. Calling for a cease-fire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest, he told reporters in Washington. The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms. With car thefts spiking in Colorado the past few years, three auto insurance carriers are now declining to cover certain vehicles, leaving at-risk owners with fewer options. Allstate, State Farm and Progressive are passing over new owners of some Kia and Hyundai vehicles, as thieves steal those cars at higher rates. In 2021, Colorado held the No. 1 spot in the nation for motor vehicle thefts, and those rates continued to skyrocket in the first half of last year, according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association. In 2022, the top 10 U.S. cities for car thefts included Denver, Aurora, Westminster and Pueblo, according to the nonprofit. From July through September of last year, the majority of Colorado's most-stolen vehicles were either Kia models Sportage, Optima, Sorento and Soul or Hyundai Tuscan, Sonata and Elantra. Truck owners were also targeted, with Chevy Silverados, Ford F-250s and GMC Sierras making the list. Some of these thefts are blamed on a social media trend teaching users how to easily steal Kia and Hyundai models, which robbers then take for joyrides. The Kia Boyz hashtag, popularized on TikTok and YouTube, yields video after video of victims showing the aftermath of their ravaged cars and even catching young thieves in the act. Its a nationwide trend, with recordings uploaded from Milwaukee, Atlanta, Memphis and other cities. Last year, four teens were killed near Buffalo, N.Y., when the stolen Kia they were riding in rolled over. Authorities presume the teens were participating in the social media challenge. A manufacturer defect in these cars lets thieves steal them with just a USB cable, said Carole Walker, Rocky Mountain Insurance Association executive director. Outside of the Kia Boyz trend, these cars are hijacked to commit other serious crimes in many cases, she added. Walker called the three corporations limitations on new policies an unusual decision for insurance companies. But theyre ultimately responding to the market, even if the makes and models of the impacted vehicles are fairly new, she said. This crime trend impacts the wallets of all drivers, too. Unfortunately, that also affects what we pay for car insurance, Walker said. We all foot the bill for auto theft. For 70-year-old Debbie McClung, the financial blow of car theft is outweighed by the psychological toll. The Green Valley Ranch resident suffered three car thefts over the past year and a half. The emotional impact on regular, ol Americans is tremendous, she said. Thieves with access to garage door openers and home addresses on insurance paperwork leave victims not knowing if youre safe in your house. The thefts of her gray 2017 Kia Sportage occurred after everyday errands. In December 2021, she parked at an RTD light rail station before eating lunch at Union Station. McClung returned to find her car missing, only for it to be recovered days later. In July 2022, she finished a shopping trip at the Town Center at Aurora, and realized her car was stolen again. After it reappeared, McClung was forced to wait weeks to use her vehicle, which was impounded as criminal evidence. And this past February, McClungs husband walked out of a restaurant to find a thief in the process of hijacking the car for a third time. The suspect fled the scene, but the car door lock and steering column were left in disrepair. The incidents absolutely make McClung reconsider buying another Kia or Hyundai. It, of course, gives you a creepy feeling. Shes not alone. McClung belongs to Colorado Stolen Cars, a Facebook group with more than 40,000 members. McClung acknowledges that shes in a better position than most theft victims, with good insurance, rental coverage and the means to buy another vehicle, if necessary. But shes read countless anecdotes about uninsured and undocumented Coloradans left without their cars, hindering their ability to drive to work, school and the doctors office. Its people without means that are being impacted, she said. Insurance companies must be just tearing their hair out. The thefts have caused repercussions: Now, some new Kia and Hyundai owners can only choose from limited insurance options, as Allstate, State Farm and Progressive take protective measures and decline new policies. Allstate decided to pause new coverage of select Kia and Hyundai model years in certain states, including Colorado, due to unusually high theft risk, said spokesperson Tanya Robinson. But current policyholders are in luck, as we continue to support existing policies for these vehicles, she added. State Farm took a similar approach, as its temporarily stopped accepting new customer applications in some states for certain model years and trim levels of Hyundai and Kia vehicles because theft losses for these vehicles have increased dramatically, said spokesperson Sevag Sarkissian. He didnt confirm if Colorado is one of the impacted states. This is a serious problem impacting our customers and the entire auto insurance industry, he said. The insurance company is open to adjusting its approach as the situation evolves, but, in this case, it became necessary to take action to protect our policyholders and our business, Sarkissian added. Progressive will also continue to insure its existing customers owning these models, but, in certain locations, have limited sales of new policies or boosted rates, spokesperson Jeff Sibel said. Hyundai and Kia publicly acknowledged the rise in thefts, offering solutions in the meantime. Both companies introduced free security software upgrades, and gave free steering wheel locks to law enforcement agencies to distribute to residents who own or rent the impacted models. PHOENIX The new head of the Arizona Department of Public Safety said there is a disproportionate use of force against people of color nationwide. But Jeffrey Glover told members of the Senate Committee on Director Nominations on Monday that he does not believe police officers are systemically racist. He said, though, they have been called upon to enforce what could be considered laws that have disparate effects on minority communities, including here in Arizona. The comments came as Glover, the pick of Gov. Katie Hobbs to head the DPS, survived a key hurdle, gaining unanimous recommendation. Glover now needs confirmation of the full Senate. Lawmakers on the panel queried Glover on who he intends to hire and whether he would quit if his views on funding DPS diverged from the governor. He said he has not decided on the former and could not answer the latter. But there was interest by members of the screening panel to question Glover, who is Black, about race relations. Youre talking about a complex issue when youre talking about racism, he said. On one hand, Glover told lawmakers overt racism is clearly not acceptable. But we do understand that there are implicit biases that people do carry, he continued. And that is a little more of a concern within law enforcement, which is why weve been training on it for the past 20 years to address these issues, to ensure that our officers are doing the right thing. And theres something else. I dont believe it is the people as much as maybe laws or things that we enforce at times that may have an effect on the minority community, Glover said. Theres different laws that may impact minorities greater than others. He cited, for example, SB 1070, a 2010 law designed to have state and local police enforce federal immigration laws. That included a requirement for police, when stopping a vehicle, to ask occupants to provide proof of legal presence in this country. Many of the provisions were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. But whats been referred to as the papers, please law remains on the books after the Attorney Generals Office agreed to issue an opinion on how that can be enforced and precautions against racial profiling. We saw that there were a lot of Hispanics that were being stopped or pulled over, Glover said, something that had a greater impact on people of color. Its not that the officers were racist, he said. Its just that we had a law that, quite frankly, was created with good intention. It just had a negative impact on a community. Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, who chairs the panel, pursued the issue. Even if I accept the premise that 1070 was racist, which I dont ... thats one instance, he said. It doesnt reflect a systematic issue. Glover repeated his assertion that he does not see systematic racism. Im saying that people are people and that youre going to have individuals that will do different things that may have an implicit connotation to it, he said. You have laws that may have an unintended consequence, Glover said. But Im not saying it from a systematic, racist connotation. There is a history within DPS. In 2006, seeking to end a five-year-old lawsuit, the agency agreed to collect meaningful data on its traffic stops for the following three years, including the race of those involved. Yet a follow-up of records of 2007 stops showed that DPS officers were still far more likely to ask Hispanic motorists for permission to search their vehicles than other groups. That study showed no evidence that Hispanics were more likely to carry contraband. In fact, the report said the research showed that Hispanics were not only the least likely to object to searches but also the least likely to be found in possession of illegal items when searched. Hoffman also grilled Glover on the fact that Living United for Change in Arizona endorsed Hobbs. But LUCHA also has been active in rallies to defund the police in favor of spending money on programs that invest in communities. The senator wanted to know what would happen if Hobbs, who has not pursued such an agenda, decided to go along. Glover said his role would be to show the governor and her staff data on crime, human smuggling, the fentanyl crisis all as a reason why you should not defund the police. Whats been happening across the country, he told lawmakers, is that communities that have taken money away from police have had to re-fund, at a very high price. Thats a significant issue because when you defund you tend to make your community victims of crime, Glover said. He spoke of the experience in Compton, California, where he grew up and where his father still lives, which disbanded its police department in 2000. It started a crime wave, Glover said. The people there just wanted good policing, he said. They didnt want the police department to go away. They just wanted to have good policing. Sen. Sine Kerr, R-Buckeye, queried Glover on how he would handle protests. He said all that starts ahead of an event. Most of the information is out there, most of the information is being posted, the social media, the announcement to gather, Glover said. He said that allows police to reach out to those involved. You will find a lot of times they will start providing you information or context as to what they are going to do, Glover said. That actually better prepares us as law enforcement professionals to be able to do our job. He said if organizers say they will seek mass arrests, then police know what resources they need to deploy. They have a right to protest, Glover said. But you have to do it under the law. It has to be lawful protest. And he said if there are indications up front that there will be illegal activity, you have to warn them that if you go outside these boundaries, you will be arrested. Glover also said that if there are issues, it isnt necessary for police to immediately go in and start to round up those responsible, especially if it looks like officers will be overwhelmed. With cell phones, with cameras, with monitoring systems, we have a better opportunity of being able to go after those offenders at a later date as well if we cant immediately effect an arrest, he said. Glover also told the screening committee panel he supports a decision by Hobbs to dissolve the Border Strike Force and reallocate the $12 million that lawmakers had previously allocated instead to other duties by DPS officers. That financial move, which still has to be approved by the Legislature, has come over the objections of several sheriffs who say the DPS officers, plus the funds for local law enforcement, have been crucial to dealing with fentanyl and human smuggling. Kerr said she also has heard from the local Border Patrol chief, who told her of atrocities that theyre seeing. Hobbs, however, has been unconvinced. Right now, the Border Strike Force is not actually being utilized at the border, she said at a February news conference. So, we want to coordinate those resources where they can be most helpful with law enforcement there. Kerr questioned Glover whether he believes DPS should simply play a secondary role to local law enforcement. What I have proposed is we work in conjunction with the sheriffs and with those local municipalities to address issues that are essentially the smuggling and the fentanyl issues, he responded. And Glover told Hoffman that there are good reasons for DPS to be in a collaborative role versus being the leader. Although they may not have the technology ... what they do have is actionable intelligence, he explained. LONDON (AP) Windows at India's High Commission in London and at the Consulate General of India in San Francisco were smashed during separate demonstrations by Sikh protesters, police in both cities said Monday. Londons Metropolitan Police force said a man was arrested Sunday afternoon on suspicion of violent disorder outside the diplomatic mission, where two security guards were slightly injured. In San Francisco, dozens of protesters gathered outside the consulate and smashed windows with their flagpoles after a skirmish with embassy workers, a protester said. San Francisco Police Officer Robert Rueca said in an email that embassy workers were injured, though he didn't say how many or the extent of the injuries. Suspects fled and have not been arrested, he said. The U.S. State Department was working with local authorities to investigate the incident and repair the damage. We certainly condemn that vandalism, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday during a briefing. The protesters were affiliated with a Sikh separatist movement that seeks to create a new homeland or breakaway state, called "Khalistan." The incidents came a day after police in Indias Punjab state launched a manhunt to capture Amritpal Singh, a separatist leader who supports the Khalistan movement. His supporters staged protests in the majority Sikh state over the weekend and 112 were arrested, the Press Trust of India news agency reported. In San Francisco, police officers arrived at the Consulate General on Sunday afternoon to find shattered glass windows. Workers described protesters trying to enter the building, Rueca said. He didn't immediately provide additional details on how the confrontation began. On Monday morning, more than a dozen protesters were again outside the building, which was protected behind police barricades and a police vehicle in front. Gurpreet Singh of Fresno, California, was outside the embassy both days and said protesters planned to keep up their demands for a separate Sikh state. Singh said he arrived too late to see what happened Sunday afternoon but was told embassy workers took down the Khalistan flags protesters had put up near the entrance. A worker then pushed a protester, cursed him and said dont put your dirty flag here," said Veer Singh, another protester who saw the confrontation. That led protesters to begin using their flagpoles to smash in the windows, Gurpreet Singh said. Rueca, of the police department, said protesters were blocked from entering the building. The Consul General of India in San Francisco did not respond to an emailed inquiry for comment. In London, footage posted on social media showed a man detach the Indian flag from a balcony of the building while a crowd of people below waving bright yellow Khalistan banners appeared to encourage him. Police said officers were called but protesters had largely dispersed by the time they arrived. An investigation was launched, and one male was arrested nearby a short time later on suspicion of violent disorder. Inquiries continue, the force said. The Indian government said it had summoned British Deputy High Commissioner Christina Scott in New Delhi to demand an explanation. India finds unacceptable the indifference of the U.K. government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the U.K., the Indian government said in a statement. On Monday, Punjab remained on high alert as police resumed their search for Singh, whom they accuse of inciting communal tensions. The Khalistan movement is banned in India, where officials see it and affiliated groups as a national security threat. But the movement still has some support in the state, as well as beyond, in countries like Canada and the United Kingdom which are home to a sizable Sikh diaspora. On Monday, at least 200 Sikh protesters affiliated with Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party held demonstrations outside the British High Commission in New Delhi over the incident in London. The protesters, who said they were also demonstrating against the insult to the Indian flag, tried to march inside the British embassy but were stopped by police. Some people in the cover of Sikhism are trying to create an impression that we support Khalistan. We are against Khalistan. We dont want Khalistan, protester Arvinderpal Singh said. U.K. Foreign Office Minister Tariq Ahmad said he was appalled by the violence in London. This is a completely unacceptable action against the integrity of the Mission and its staff, he wrote on Twitter. The U.K. government will always take the security of the Indian High Commission seriously. London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the violent disorder and vandalism. There is no place in our city for this kind of behavior, he said. Har reported from San Francisco. Associated Press Writers Krutika Pathi and Rishi Lekhi in New Delhi, and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Teri Patrick bristles at the idea she wants to ban books about LGBTQ issues in Iowa schools, arguing her only goal is ridding schools of sexually explicit material. Sara Hayden Parris says that whatever you want to call it, it's wrong for some parents to think a book shouldn't be readily available to any child if it isnt right for their own child. The viewpoints of the two mothers from suburban Des Moines underscore a divide over LGBTQ content in books as Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds pushes an especially sweeping crackdown on content in Iowa school libraries. The bill she's backing could result in the removal of books from school libraries in all of the state's 327 districts if they're successfully challenged in any one of them. School boards and legislatures nationwide also are facing questions about books and considering making it easier to limit access. Were seeing these challenges arise in almost every state of the union, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom. Its a national phenomenon. Longstanding disagreements about content in school libraries often focus this year on books with LGBTQ themes as policymakers nationwide also consider limiting or banning gender-affirming care and drag shows, allowing the deadnaming of transgender students or adults in the workplace, and other measures targeting LGBTQ people. The trend troubles Kris Maul, a transgender man who is raising a 12-year-old with his lesbian partner in the Des Moines area and wants school library books to reflect all kinds of families and children. Maul argued that those seeking to remove books take passages out of context and unfairly focus on books about LGBTQ or racial justice issues. LGBTQ people are more visible than even five years ago, Maul said, and he believes that has led to a backlash from some who hope limiting discussion will return American society to an era that didnt acknowledge people with different sexualities. People are scared because they dont think LGBTQ people should exist, Maul said. They dont want their own children to be LGBTQ, and they feel if they can limit access to these books and materials, then their children wont be that way, which is simply not true and is heartbreaking and disgusting. In Louisiana, activists fear a push by Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry to investigate sexually explicit materials in public libraries and recently proposed legislation that could restrict children and teens access to those books is being used to target and censor LGBTQ content. Landry, who is running for governor, launched a statewide tip line in November to field complaints about librarians, teachers, and school and library personnel. Landry released a report in February that listed nine books his office considers sexually explicit or inappropriate for children. Seven have LGBTQ storylines. In Florida, some schools have covered or removed books under a new law that requires an evaluation of reading materials and for districts to publish a searchable list of books where individuals can then challenge specific titles. The reviews have drawn widespread attention, with images of empty bookshelves ricocheting across social media, and are often accompanied by criticism of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican expected to run for president. The states training materials direct the reviews to target sexually explicit materials but also say that schools should err on the side of caution when selecting reading materials and that principals are responsible for compliance. Florida's largest teachers union is challenging the law, arguing its implementation is too broad and leading to unnecessary censorship. An education department spokesperson did not immediately comment. DeSantis said the state has not instructed schools to empty libraries or cover books. He said 175 books have been removed from 23 school districts, with 87% of the books identified as pornographic, violent or inappropriate for their grade level. The Iowa legislation comes amid efforts there to keep a closer eye on public school curriculums and make taxpayer money available to parents for private school tuition. Reynolds, the governor, has made such proposals the core of her legislative agenda, telling a conservative parents group that their work was essential to guarding against indoctrination by public school educators. Under a bill backed by Reynolds, the titles and authors of all books available to students in classrooms and libraries would be posted online, and officials would need to specify how parents could request a book's removal and how decisions to retain books could be appealed. When any district removes a book, the state Education Department would add it to a removal list, and all of Iowas 326 other districts would have to deny access to the book unless parents gave approval. At a hearing on Reynolds bill, Republican lawmakers, who hold huge majorities in both legislative chambers, said they might change the proposal but were committed to seeing it approved. The bill has passed a Senate committee and is awaiting a floor vote. The parents are the governing authority in how their child is educated, period, said Sen. Amy Sinclair. Parents are responsible for their childs upbringing, period. Patrick, a mother of two, expressed befuddlement about why anyone would want to make sexually explicit books available to children. I have to believe that there are books that cater to the LGBTQ community that dont have to have such graphic sexual content in them, said Patrick, a member of a local chapter of Moms for Liberty, a conservative group that has gained national influence for its efforts to influence school curriculum and classroom learning. There are very few books that have ever been banned and what were saying is, in a public school setting, with taxpayer-funding money, should these books really be available to kids? Hayden Parris, a mom of two from a suburb only a few miles away, understands the argument but thinks it misses the point. A kindergartner is not wandering into the young adults section and picking out a book that is called like, This Book is Gay, said Hayden Parris, who is leading a parents group opposed to Iowa's proposed law. Theyre not picking those books, and the fact that they can pick one out of several thousand books is not a reason to keep it away from everyone. Sam Helmick, president of the Iowa Library Association, said communities should decide what's in their libraries and that it's important for children to have access to books that address their lives and questions. Helmick didn't have that ability as a child, and students shouldn't return to that time, she said. Can we acknowledge that this will have a chilling effect? Helmick asked. And when you tell me that books about myself as an asexual, nonbinary person who didnt have those books in libraries when I was a kid to pick up and flip through, but now publishing has caught up with me and I can see representation of me those will be behind the desk and thats not supposed to make me feel less welcome, less seen and less represented in my library? Izaguirre reported from Tallahassee, Florida, and Cline from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Body camera video shows Louisville police officers being fired upon as they arrive at the bank where five people were killed and the harrowing BOISE, Idaho (AP) Idaho is poised to allow firing squads to execute condemned inmates when the state can't get lethal-injection drugs, under a bill the Legislature passed Monday with a veto-proof majority. Firing squads will be used only if the state cannot obtain the drugs needed for lethal injections and one death row inmate has already had his scheduled execution postponed multiple times because of drug scarcity. The move by Idaho lawmakers is in line with those by other states that in recent years have scrambled to revive older methods of execution because of difficulties obtaining drugs required for longstanding lethal injection programs. Pharmaceutical companies increasingly have barred executioners from using their drugs, saying they were meant to save lives, not take them. Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little has voiced his support for the death penalty but generally does not comment on legislation before he signs or vetoes it. Only Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma and South Carolina currently have laws allowing firing squads if other execution methods are unavailable, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. South Carolinas law is on hold pending the outcome of a legal challenge. Some states began refurbishing electric chairs as standbys for when lethal drugs are unavailable. Others have considered and at times, used largely untested execution methods. In 2018, Nevada executed Carey Dean Moore with a never-before-tried drug combination that included the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl. Alabama has built a system for executing people using nitrogen gas to induce hypoxia, but it has not yet been used. During a historic round of 13 executions in the final months of Donald Trumps presidency, the federal government opted for the sedative pentobarbital as a replacement for lethal drugs used in the 2000s. It issued a protocol allowing firing squads for federal executions if necessary, but that method was not used. Some lawyers for federal inmates who were eventually put to death argued in court that firing squads actually would be quicker and cause less pain than pentobarbital, which they said causes a sensation akin to drowning. However, in a 2019 filing, U.S. lawyers cited an expert as saying someone shot by firing squad can remain conscious for 10 seconds and that it would be severely painful, especially related to shattering of bone and damage to the spinal cord. President Joe Bidens attorney general, Merrick Garland, ordered a temporary pause on federal executions in 2021 while the Justice Department reviewed protocols. Garland did not say how long the moratorium will last. Idaho Sen. Doug Ricks, a Republican who co-sponsored that state's firing squad bill, told his fellow senators Monday that the state's difficulty in finding lethal injection drugs could continue indefinitely and that he believes death by firing squad is humane. This is a rule of law issue our criminal system should work and penalties should be exacted, Ricks said. But Sen. Dan Foreman, also a Republican, said firing-squad executions would traumatize the people who who carry them out, the people who witness them and the people who clean up afterward. I've seen the aftermath of shootings, and it's psychologically damaging to anybody who witnesses it, Foreman said. The use of the firing squad is, in my opinion, beneath the dignity of the state of Idaho. The bill originated with Republican Rep. Bruce Skaug, prompted in part by the state's inability to execute Gerald Pizzuto Jr. late last year. Pizzuto, who now has terminal cancer and other debilitating illnesses, has spent more than three decades on death row for his role in the 1985 slayings of two gold prospectors. The Idaho Department of Correction estimates it will cost around $750,000 to build or retrofit a death chamber for firing squad executions. Agency Director Jeff Tewalt last year told lawmakers there would likely be as many legal challenges to planned firing squad executions as there are to lethal injections. At the time, he said he would be reluctant to ask his staffers to participate in a firing squad. Both Tewalt and his former co-worker Kevin Kempf played a key role in obtaining the drugs used in the 2012 execution of Richard Albert Leavitt, flying to Tacoma, Washington, with more than $15,000 in cash to buying them from a pharmacist. The trip was kept secret by the department but revealed in court documents after University of Idaho professor Aliza Cover sued for the information under a public records act. Kempf was promoted to lead the Correction Department two years later and now is the executive director of the Correctional Leaders Association. He said the execution process is always challenging for all involved, including victims' relatives. Those challenges could be amplified in firing squad executions, he said. I've got to say at the same time, my thoughts go to staff members that may have to carry out something, per law, that looks like putting someone to death, Kempf told the AP during a phone interview earlier this month. That is nothing I would assume any correctional director would take lightly, asking someone-slash-ordering someone to do that. Biden pledged during his campaign to work at ending the death penalty nationwide, but he has remained silent on the issue as president. Critics say his hands-off approach risked sending a message that hes OK with states adopting alternative execution methods. Tarm contributed from Chicago. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups called Monday for blocking the planned elimination of North Carolinas corporate income tax, arguing that companies that benefit from operating in the state should pay a proper share for necessary public services. Prospects are low for passage of identical House andSenate legislation that would retain the state's current 2.5% corporate rate an idea that also was proposed in Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's budget proposal last week. The Republican-controlled legislature passed a budget law in 2021 that directs the corporate income tax be phased out by 2030, starting with a decline to 2.25% in 2025. Corporate income tax collections composed about 5% of the states $27 billion in overall collections during the 2020-21 fiscal year, according to the state Department of Revenue. Corporations pay other taxes, too. Keeping the current corporate income tax intact also will keep money coming in to state coffers to address deficiencies in public education, affordable housing and health care, Sen. Lisa Grafstein, a Wake County Democrat and bill sponsor, said at a news conference outside the Legislative Building. She said companies benefit from the states amenities and infrastructure. It would mean dollars to make sure that every person, no matter the race, no matter the ethnicity, receives a sound basic education, access to job training, and can drink safe water and breathe clean air, said Cassandra Stokes with the North Carolina Black Alliance. Representatives of the North Carolina Association of Educators and N.C. Budget & Tax Center also spoke Monday. GOP legislators already have lowered the corporate rate from 6.9% a decade ago. The head of the North Carolina Chamber suggested recently that it was willing to discuss foregoing a zero rate if it meant, for example, revenues could beef up child care options for the state's workforce statewide. Republican lawmakers contend individual and corporate tax redcutions have contributed to the state's booming economy, resulting in excessive collections to fund services. Some GOP legislative leaders are considering whether to propose accelerating income tax reductions contained in the 2021 budget law. Republicans are within one House seat of holding veto-proof majorities in both chambers, giving them leverage in budget talks. Cooper mentioned the North Carolina Chamber in his State of the State address while pitching to prevent the corporate rate from falling below 2.5%, which is already among the lowest in the country among state that have corporate income taxes. Cooper signed the 2021 budget into law, saying that the good inside outweighed the things he disliked, which included the corporate income tax rate phaseout. N.C. Chamber spokesperson Kate Payne said in a written statement later Monday that the business lobbying group was focused for now on efforts to eliminate the business franchise tax. While the chamber wants the state's personal and corporate tax rates to be the most competitive, Payne said, it also believes competitiveness is related to education, infrastructure and a talented workforce if we want to be able to continue to attract investment in North Carolina and its people. MILWAUKEE (AP) A man was arrested after he allegedly brought a gun into a library at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The 25-year-old man was seen loading the gun in Golda Meir Library on Thursday afternoon, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on Friday. A spokesperson for the university police department said officers responded within two minutes but by the time they arrived the man had left. Officers tracked him down in an off-campus neighborhood and arrested him. No one was injured. The police spokesperson said the university did not send out a campus-wide alert or evacuate the library because the man had left by the time officers arrived and didnt present an active threat. This story was first published on March 17, 2023. It was updated on March 20, 2023 to correct the name of the library. It is the Golda Meir Library, not the Gola Meir Library. Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. March 12, 2023. Editorial: Keep requirement to publish public notices in newspapers Some members of the Iowa Senate do not think that public notices published in newspapers remain relevant and necessary. A bill filed in the newly formed Technology Committee just over a week ago moved through committee in two days and last week moved through the Ways & Means Committee in one day. Senate File 546 would result in removing a major component of government transparency. This legislation would require legal notices to be posted on a website controlled by the very government legal notices are designed to oversee and notices would not be required to be published in a local newspaper. This is the wrong move today, tomorrow and for the future. Government transparency is more important than ever. In truth, it is critical. While the Telegraph Herald and other Iowa newspapers have an economic interest in seeing that the public notice publishing requirement remains, the issue goes far beyond a few dollars. Maintaining the legal requirement to publish government actions and meetings in local newspapers is crucial for ensuring accountability and keeping the public informed of important information that affects peoples lives. And it is the job of our local newspapers to serve as a check on government, not the government to check itself. The proposed savings under the guise of modernization would come at a very high cost to Iowas communities. While many people now browse digital platforms for information including TelegraphHerald.com not everyone has access to the internet or the technological know-how to navigate online platforms. And the staggering amount of information available online, representing every viewpoint, degree of accuracy, hidden agendas and motivations from every philosophy and side of the political spectrum, makes it more and more likely public notices posted online would be lost among the chaff. Worse, they might be vulnerable to manipulation or not easily accessible through search algorithms. By publishing public notices in newspapers, government bodies can ensure that critical information is available to everyone in a format that has stood the test of time for accuracy and accessibility. It requires that governments provide timely information for citizens to participate in their government. The notices are appearing in the communities in or very near where the decisions are made. Public notices cover a range of activities bids and leads for public projects, minutes from government meetings, foreclosures, petitions, election information, water-quality reports and other information that is important to citizens and vibrant communities. The basis for public notices published in newspapers remains as important as ever: Requiring an independent, third party to publish the notices in accordance with the law helps prevent government officials from hiding information they prefer the public not to see. The government cannot be in charge of holding itself responsible. A public notice must be published in a forum independent of the government. Publishing the notice in a newspaper ensures that the information is widely accessible to the public. Unlike social media or other online platforms, newspapers are trusted sources of information that are available to everyone, regardless of whether a person has access to the internet or social media accounts. Access to public notices in the TH is free to any reader not just subscribers. A public notice must be archived in a secure and publicly available format. Newspapers have always fulfilled this requirement because a public notice published in a newspaper is already archivable and accessible. This is particularly important for notices that contain information about government decisions and actions that impact individuals and communities for years to come. Requiring governmental bodies to publish legal notices in newspapers ensures that this information is always accessible. The public must be able to verify that a legal notice is not altered after being published. In a newspaper notice, an affidavit is provided by the publisher, which can be used in an evidentiary proceeding to demonstrate that a true copy was published as well as the exact wording that was used. Legal notices published in newspapers are subject to public scrutiny and can be easily monitored by journalists or concerned citizens. Many newspapers also publish the public notices on their websites and nearly all public notices across the state are also uploaded to a centralized website at iowanotices.org, a site run by newspapers at no additional cost to government or taxpayers. It is available for those who prefer accessing an electronic version. There might be parts of the country where newspaper readership is receding, but not in Iowa. Iowa has 241 community newspapers with one or more newspapers in every county. Market research conducted in 2022 showed that 84% of Iowa adults read local print or digital newspapers. And newspaper readers are more engaged in their community. Newspapers reach 93% of Iowans who report, I feel that I have a responsibility to help share the future of my community. It is true that newspapers charge a nominal fee, set by Iowa law, for publishing legal notices. This is a very small price for freedom, as it is typically under 1% of any government bodys spending. All Iowans should demand more scrutiny of government affairs, never less. While the bill does not prohibit local government bodies from publishing public notices in newspapers, it removes the current requirement for doing so. Removing the legal requirement would most certainly result in local governments discontinuing all public notice publications in their local newspapers. But the long-term costs that communities and citizens would pay far exceed the price paid by government bodies to publish legal notices in newspapers. We believe that requiring governmental bodies to continue publishing legal notices in local newspapers is crucial for ensuring transparency, accountability and accessibility in government decision-making. Newspapers especially Iowa newspapers remain a trusted source of information that is widely accessible and easily searchable. As a newspaper, we strongly urge Iowas senators to vote no on this short-sighted bill. As should all Iowans. Des Moines Register. March 19, 2023. Editorial: Iowa is wrong to single out transgender children The damage will not be easily, or quickly, undone. Nor will Iowas reputation for fairness soon be regained. Iowa Republican lawmakers are discriminating against a disfavored group, transgender persons. They are stretching or inventing facts to justify it. They are doing it despite obvious inconsistences with their professed stances on individual freedom. Some of the bills they are passing explicitly acknowledge the likelihood that they contradict laws that exist to protect disfavored groups. They are doing it after listening to well-reasoned pleas that such laws will balloon suicide risks for transgender Iowa children, who would be denied health care and in all likelihood subjected to increased bullying by uninformed classmates. It is wrong to ban gender-affirming care for children, full stop. It is wrong to vaguely prohibit classroom instruction on topics that might implicate sexuality or identity. It is wrong to single out transgender kids and police their bathroom use. These proposals are wrong regardless of whether they enjoy popular support. They are the antithesis of inclusion and courtesy and robust education. They are wrong regardless of how proponents try to justify them, but its worth pointing out the flimsiness of some of the most popular arguments for why Iowa supposedly needs these laws. Gender-affirming care isnt necessary: Wrong For nearly three years, many Republicans have been adamant that freedom means, among other things, never being required to wear a face mask, and being able to seek experimental and well-outside-the-mainstream treatments, such as ivermectin for COVID-19. It turns out the concern is selective. When it comes to puberty blockers and other gender-affirming care, Sen. Jeff Edler warns that treatments are experimental and irreversible. This is despite a Cornell University analysis in 2018 finding that 93% of studies it examined found positive effects from gender transition. Democratic senators pointed to research that suicide risk is reduced 73% for a transgender or nonbinary young person who receives affirming care. There are doctors, and national bodies in some countries, that have expressed doubts about certain treatments for minors. But pointing to those arguments hardly gives lay legislators in Iowa cause to declare the debate settled in their favor and start overriding the considered judgments of U.S. medical professionals and groups such as the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. The Republican majority during this legislative session has hammered away at the theme that parents get to decide things for their children. But if Gov. Kim Reynolds signs Senate File 538, parents wont be able to decide on whether their transgender child can receive lifesaving health care. Gender identity and sex shouldnt be discussed in schools: Wrong Bills that have progressed through varying stages of the legislative process require that bathroom selection and birth certificates align, that teachers keep quiet about sex and identity, and that educators and students not be punished for misnaming or misgendering people. Republicans say the bills dont single out anybody because they apply to everybody. But in each case, transgender people in particular would feel the brunt of the consequences. Its no more compelling a justification than the idea that barring same-sex marriage was neutral and evenhanded because straight men were also prohibited from marrying men. Another measure lawmakers are working on would require age-appropriate instruction. And one high-profile bill asserts that a school district shall not provide any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation to students in kindergarten through grade six. These requirements are unhelpful and unnecessary, but they also seem likely to chill reasonable conversations beyond their explicit scope. For example, maybe the quoted sentence above would allow an elementary school teacher to answer a question about various kinds of families. Maybe it wouldnt. Would you be eager to test that proposition and open you and your school to disciplinary action? Its OK to skirt existing civil rights protections: Wrong Senate File 482, the bathroom bill headed to Reynolds desk, begins, It shall not be an unfair or discriminatory practice Republicans know their ideas conflict with the Iowa Civil Rights Act and federal law and with these provisions seek a leg up in inevitable lawsuits. In subcommittee hearings, almost all of the problems that advocates said made the laws necessary were hypothetical cisgender boys lying about their identity to spy on or assault girls, for instance. Testimony about real situations in Iowa revealed that schools have mostly already had little trouble figuring out fair accommodations for all students. Discriminatory attacks represent the worst of us This Legislature has passed other laws that could inflict real harms on vulnerable people, such as the state government reorganization approved last week, which various advocates say threatens the quality of services for blind and deaf Iowans and an employment program for people with disabilities, among other concerns. But the flood of bills whose primary effect is to diminish the dignity of transgender Iowans is blatantly discriminatory. It makes all Iowans seem mean and ignorant. If these bills become law, they will inflict real harms on vulnerable people. The damage will not be easily, or quickly, undone. Nor will Iowas reputation for fairness soon be regained. END Detroit News. March 15, 2023. Editorial: Big Labor having its way in Lansing The new Legislature, ruled by thin Democratic majorities in each chamber and conducted by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has already handed over enormous power to unions in this term. Whats still on the union wish list is even more egregious. In passing the repeal of right to work, Democrats in Michigan have put the state on a backward course economically. But their aggressive union agenda has only just begun. We have to be worried and on guard that this majority seems hell-bent on ramming through the priorities of the unions, House Minority Leader Matt Hall told The Detroit News editorial board. Theyve been chomping at the bit to do this for 40 years. Now this is their chance. Democrats have already passed the repeal of the right-to-work law, depriving Michigan of a competitive tool for luring jobs and investment. Well on their way to final adoption are bills to make union dues fully tax refundable and to lift the cap on union political donations. Now, Democrats are squabbling internally over bills that include language to allow teachers unions to collectively bargain over a list of issues currently off-limits to negotiation. Included are decisions such as when the school term should start and permitting teachers to call a strike in the middle of the school year, something currently illegal under Michigan law. Teachers would also gain the power to get rid of an emergency manager if a school is bankrupt; to decide whether districts should permit school choice, and if a consolidation of districts should be undertaken. This would be an enormous win for the Michigan Education Association, the most influential force in the Capitol at the moment. Fortunately, school superintendents and and other education groups have managed to keep these extreme measures from coming to a vote. And rightfully so. Teachers should have a voice in how schools run, but they shouldnt run them. In addition, a prevailing wage substitute bill was eventually pulled back that would have required companies that receive state subsidies or tax abatements to also pay union wages, whether or not their workers were organized. A few Democratic lawmakers, who broke ranks with their caucus on these more extreme measures, have spared Michigan from complete capitulation to the union agenda. But the fight continues. Lots of bad policymaking is going on in Lansing, and its transactional nature cant be ignored. Freeing unions from campaign finance limits while at the same time foisting onto taxpayers the cost of their dues will enrich unions and provide them with more cash to shower on Democratic politicians. No consideration is given to the impact of turning over schools to the MEA, or of placing union interests ahead of sound economic policy. Theres suddenly a wide opening in Lansing, and Democrats are going to exploit it until it closes. And it will. Voters eventually recognize such self-dealing for what it is. Well look back at this time as when the Democrat Party put the priorities of these union bosses over workers and taxpayers, Hall said. Its a shame, but hes right. Traverse City Record-Eagle. March 12, 2023. Editorial: Sunshine Week celebrates need for open government A mere 45 words, penned by James Madison, lay the foundation for our representative democracy. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. These words, which comprise the First Amendment, are essential to the health and well-being of this country. These words arent just an expression of high-minded ideals; they are acted upon. They are practiced every day in this nation. And they are practiced in this newspaper. These words ensure more than 230 years after their ratification that this republic continues to withstand those who would tear it down or take it over. This is Sunshine Week in America, an annual observance launched in 2005 by the Association of News Editors now the News Leaders Association to raise awareness of the need for open government. The founders understood that the people need the press and still do to help them keep track of their government and the officials they have elected to serve them. The value of a free press is essential to ensure an open and accountable government. The press is not here to be liked by everybody or to curry favor with elected officials. Were here to report whats happening, without fear or favor, and to hold local government accountable to the people. In recent years, transparency in the functioning of government at all levels has diminished. And, with fewer news staffs working to ensure government accountability in communities across the state and nation, public scrutiny has been compromised. In addition, the ease of internet access allows for a lot of propaganda to spread from untrustworthy sources, with virtually no counterbalance from legitimate local news organizations. As a result, what we do as journalists has become even more important. Not only are we striving to support the public welfare by seeking facts through verification, we are accountable for what we publish. Heres what one reader recently wrote: Journalism on this and other Record-Eagle pages and beyond is essential to a community and to democracy itself. We need you, print media. Be proud of the term and of the now-more-difficult-than-ever job that you do! Thank you. During this week, as we reflect on the importance of open government to our democracy, we recognize the critical role we fulfill in informing the people about whether their government is serving them or not. END FARGO, N.D. (AP) A former employee at a North Dakota care center was sentenced Monday to two years in prison for the death of an elderly resident. Rachel Cooper, 60, pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in the August 2021 death of 78-year-old Gary Pearson. In addition to prison time, Cooper was sentenced to two years of supervised probation, court records show. A phone message left with Cooper's attorney wasn't immediately returned. Authorities said Pearson was pushed and fell on Aug. 3, 2021, at Maple View Memory Care center. He later died. A criminal complaint said Cooper was cleaning Pearson's bathroom and that the two appeared to have struggled over the bathroom door. The complaint said Cooper pushed Pearson with both hands, causing him to fall backward. She later told police Pearson was keeping her from leaving the bathroom. She said she pushed him with one arm, causing him to trip and fall. This story has been corrected to remove a reference to a jury sentencing Cooper. WATERBURY, Vt. (AP) A former Vermont State Police trooper is facing criminal charges alleging that he used his position to steal personal property from storage areas and other locations that he had access to as a police officer, the state police said Monday. Giancarlo DiGenova, 44, of Essex, turned himself in. He is due to appear in court in Burlington Thursday and in Barre on April 6. The Vermont Troopers Association, which previously represented him, said it no longer does and has no comment about the case. In a statement, Col. Matthew Birmingham, head of the Vermont State Police, called DiGenova's alleged actions an extraordinary betrayal of the publics trust said people were right to be outraged. "I also want you to know that the system worked as well as it can when someone is determined to commit crimes by abusing their power and trust," Birmingham said. The former troopers actions were uncovered by his peers, who reported him to supervisors. In addition to a lengthy and comprehensive investigation that led to the charges against DiGenova, the state police has reviewed its policies and procedures to increase oversight and maximize accountability. DiGenova started as a trooper in 2009. He was suspended in December after it was discovered that a bag containing more than $40,000 in valuables belonging to a person taken into custody could not be located. He resigned from the state police last month. Among the missing items was a $14,000 Rolex watch, diamond stud earrings, a designer wallet and keychain. The watch was recovered at the Massachusetts home of a relative of DiGenova's. The rest of the property remains missing, police said. The investigation began after another trooper, who knew about property having gone missing, reported that DiGenova had shown a Rolex he claimed to have bought online. During the investigation, investigators learned of additional property missing from storage areas DiGenova allegedly accessed. In one case he is accused of taking prescription pills prescribed to a juvenile. ATLANTA (AP) Georgia House members on Monday turned aside objections that tougher anti-gang sentencing laws would sweep too many young people into prison for long stretches, passing a bill backed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp that would crack down on people convicted of recruiting minors into a gang. Gangs must recruit in order to survive, and we are sending a strong message with this bill, that if you come into our state and you are recruiting our children, that we will have severe punishment for you," said Soo Hong, a Lawrenceville Republican who carries bills for Kemp as a floor leader. Senate Bill 44 passed on a 99-74 vote and goes back to the Senate for more debate because the House amended it to include a much-reduced version of stricter cash bail provisions that senators are seeking. The bill reverses a trend of Georgia lawmakers reducing mandatory sentences or refusing to add new ones. Now Kemp and other Republicans who campaigned last year on fighting crime say more criminals must be locked away for long stretches. Opponents say theres no proof that longer prison sentences work. They also warn that the law could be used against juveniles tried as adults, or older teens who recruit their younger siblings and friends into a gang. Our laws need to be flexible enough, they need to be nimble enough to allow us to deal with the most violent among us, and restore and rehabilitate the ones that we can, said Tanya Miller, an Atlanta Democrat and former prosecutor. This bill robs our criminal justice system of this carefully crafted balance. Today, people who are convicted of criminal gang activity under Georgias sweeping anti-gang law can be sentenced to an additional five to 20 years in prison, but a judge has the power to waive extra prison time. Under the new measure, judges ability to waive extra prison time would be reduced. Judges could order less prison time if they list specific findings, including that a defendant didnt have a gun, is not a gang leader, has no prior felony conviction or didnt cause death or injury. Penalties for recruiting minors into gangs would be much stiffer. Judges would be required to sentence those people to at least 10 years of actual prison time unless a prosecutor asked the court to cut the sentence because a defendant provided substantial assistance against other criminals. Prosecutors would also get a new right to appeal lenient anti-gang sentences. What this is going to do is those who are recruiting our youth 17 years of age or younger, you are going to have them off the streets for 10 or 15 years, said House Judiciary Non-civil Committee Chairman Tyler Paul Smith, a Bremen Republican. Democrats said long prison terms would be expensive for taxpayers, despite little proof that they dissuade anyone from committing a crime. Incarceration for incarcerations sake makes no sense," said Rep. Shea Roberts, an Atlanta Democrat. Taxpayers are going to bear this cost from this rising prison population. But Republicans argue that criminals respond to harsh penalties by changing their behavior. If you dont believe enhancing penalties has any effect, then I probably have lost you," said Rob Leverett, an Elberton Republican. "But I do believe that is part of a sound strategy for addressing this issue. The House version of the bill also includes some changes to bail eligibility that Hong characterizes as putting current practice into law. It would say that people could not be let out of jail before trial without putting up cash or property if they had been convicted of skipping out on bail in the last five years or if a warrant had been issued for a person's failure to appear in court for a crime other than a traffic offense in the last five years. It also calls for a judge to consider a person's criminal history before setting bail. However, that's much less severe than Senate Bill 63, which adds 53 additional crimes to a list of offenses requiring cash bail, including passing a worthless check, or misdemeanors such as reckle driving or fighting in a public place. That proposal says no one who has been convicted of three prior felonies, or has been convicted of any felony within the preceding seven years, can be let out of jail without posting cash or property bail. And it says no one could be automatically allowed to leave jail without being required to post bail unless they have appeared before a judge. - This story has been updated to correct that the Georgia House backed Kemp, instead of the Senate. __Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice on Monday ordered a sweeping investigation of the State Police after he accepted the resignation of the agency's superintendent and revealed allegations of wrongdoing, including that a video camera was placed inside a women's locker room. Justice said he has appointed Jack Chambers, the deputy director of the Capitol police, as interim superintendent to replace Superintendent Jan Cahill, who had served under Justice since the governor took office in 2017. Justice said Chambers will conduct an all-out investigation to replace one that started last month under Cahill and was nearing its completion. One focus of the investigation will be an allegation that a State Police employee hid a video camera in the womens locker room at a State Police facility in Kanawha County. To me, it is absolutely not to be tolerated in any way, Justice said. Justice did not specify when it occurred but indicated it was several years ago, perhaps before Cahill took over, and that the employee involved later died of an apparent heart attack while jogging. Justice said three troopers eventually found a thumb drive and from that they found the video. At least one of the troopers jerked the thumb drive out, threw it to the floor and started stomping on it. You can't make this stuff up, can you? Now we've got law enforcement officers destroying evidence." Justice acknowledged that maybe we wont be able to recover much information. Maybe many troopers are long gone. Maybe theres no way to recover evidence. But we ought to try, because we're better than this. A separate incident that will be investigated involved money allegedly stolen by a trooper from a man at a casino in the Charleston suburb of Nitro. The governor also said the investigation will look into an unspecified loss of life on Interstate 81 in the Eastern Panhandle. In the casino incident, a man was playing a video machine with a trooper close by, Justice said. As the man got up to go to the restroom, an envelope with him fell out of his seat. The trooper picked up the envelope and kept the money inside. Basically any way you cut it, that money was stolen, Justice said. The governor said State Police should have immediately begun a investigation, but we didnt do that. The governor did not specify whether the trooper was disciplined. Justice did not provide details of the I-81 incident, including when it occurred. The governor said he has seen video of what happened and it is very, very concerning. An investigation is ongoing, and Jack Chambers has to get into this as well, Justice said. News outlets, citing information from State Police, reported a Maryland man was walking along the interstate on Feb. 12, got involved in a struggle with troopers, became unresponsive and later was pronounced dead at a hospital. Three troopers were placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigations completion. In a November 2018 incident that Justice said cast a dark shadow on law enforcement, a police dashcam video showed an officer kicking and punching a handcuffed teenage boy on the ground and kneeling on his shoulder during a traffic stop in the Eastern Panhandle. State Police said the teen was involved in a crash with a sheriffs cruiser before a pursuit ensued, his vehicle crashing again before he was apprehended. Two troopers were fired before one of them won his job back. Two sheriffs deputies also were fired and later reinstated. Chambers served a combined 26 years with the Capitol police and State Police. The Capitol police, also known as the Division of Protective Services, was established in 1999 to provide security at the state Capitol Complex in Charleston and other state facilities. Justice said he met with Cahill at the superintendent's request Monday morning at the governor's residence, when Cahill submitted his resignation. I stand with and behind our police on every issue up to the point in time when it goes beyond what is right, Justice said. Before becoming superintendent, Cahill served as the sheriff in Greenbrier County, where the governor has a home and owns the posh Greenbrier resort. Before that, Cahill spent 23 years with the State Police in a variety of roles. He started as a field trooper in 1989 and retired as troop commander captain in Beckley in 2012, the year he was elected to the first of two terms as sheriff. RENO, Nev. (AP) State lawmakers nationwide are responding to the deadliest overdose crisis in U.S. history by pushing harsher penalties for possessing fentanyl and other powerful lab-made opioids that are connected to about 70,000 deaths a year. Imposing longer prison sentences for possessing smaller amounts of drugs represents a shift in states that in recent years have rolled back drug possession penalties. Proponents of tougher penalties say this crisis is different and that, in most places, the stiffer sentences are intended to punish drug dealers, not just users. There is no other drug no other illicit drug that has the same type of effects on our communities, said Mark Jackson, the district attorney for Douglas County, Nevada, and president of the Nevada District Attorneys Association, which is pushing for stricter penalties for fentanyl-related crimes. But the strategy is alarming recovery advocates who say focusing on the criminal angle of drugs has historically backfired, including when lawmakers elevated crack cocaine penalties in the 1980s. Every time we treat drugs as a law enforcement problem and push stricter laws, we find that we punish people in ways that destroy their lives and make it harder for them to recover later on, said Adam Wandt, an assistant professor of public policy at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. He said people behind bars often continue getting drugs often without receiving quality addiction treatment then emerge to find it's harder to get work. Since 2020, drug overdoses are now linked to more than 100,000 deaths a year nationally, with about two-thirds of them fentanyl-related. Thats more than 10 times as many drug deaths as in 1988, at the height of the crack epidemic. Fentanyl mostly arrives in the U.S. from Mexico and is mixed into supplies of other drugs, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and counterfeit oxycodone pills. Some users seek it out. Others don't know they're taking it. Ingesting 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, meaning 1 gram about the same as a paper clip could contain 500 lethal doses. That's what's driving some lawmakers to crack down with harsh penalties, along with adopting measures such as legalizing materials to test drug supplies for fentanyl and distributing naloxone, a drug that can reverse overdoses. Before this year's legislative sessions began, a dozen states had already adopted fentanyl possession measures, according to tracking by the National Conference of State Legislatures. And in this year, in one legislative chamber of liberal Oregon and one chamber of conservative West Virginia, lawmakers have agreed upon tougher penalties. In her State of the State speech this March, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, called on lawmakers to adopt a drug trafficking bill that includes tougher fentanyl sentences. In Nevada, where Democrats control the Legislature, a bill backed by Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford would give one to 20 years in prison for selling, possessing, manufacturing or transporting 4 grams or more of fentanyl into the state, depending on the amount. Its a change for Ford, who has supported criminal justice reforms including a sweeping 2019 law that, among other provisions, raised the threshold for such penalties to 100 grams. It would also remove fentanyl from the states Good Samaritan law, which exempts people from criminal drug possession charges while reporting an overdose. What weve learned is that lowering the thresholds for all drugs was overinclusive, Ford said. Harm reduction advocates are pushing Ford and others to rethink their support, arguing the thresholds for longer penalties can sweep up low-level users not just the dealers the law is aimed at as well as some who may not even know they are taking fentanyl. They warn that the states crime labs test only for the presence of fentanyl, not the exact amount in a mixture of drugs. Thus, people with over 4 grams of drugs containing a few milligrams of fentanyl could be subject to trafficking penalties, they say. Rosa Johnson runs a needle exchange where she meets people who could face consequences should the stricter fentanyl bill pass. For the dozens of people that show up each day, it is rare for them to cite fentanyl as their drug of choice. But its also rare that fentanyl test strips come back negative, with the drug being laced in a lot of things, Johnson said. Other lawmakers introduced two bills to create penalties for fentanyl with lower thresholds, though much of the internal debate surrounds the Ford-backed bill. Meanwhile, Nevada's Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, a former sheriff, has vowed to introduce tougher legislation that would make possession of any amount of fentanyl the same felony threshold as fentanyl trafficking. Both Republican-led chambers in South Carolina have passed fentanyl trafficking measures with bipartisan support, although lawmakers havent agreed on which version to send the governor. Senators also unanimously approved a bill allowing alleged drug dealers to be charged with homicide in overdose deaths. House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford slammed colleagues for selling a false bill of goods. While Republican Rep. Doug Gilliam said he understood concerns about ambiguity, he said lawmakers had to send a strong message to drug dealers. A Senate subcommittee heard emotional testimony from family members of people who died of a fentanyl overdose. Among them was Holly Alsobrooks, co-founder of an advocacy group that also supports more fentanyl test strips, opioid antidotes and rehabilitation centers. While Alsobrooks said there is no perfect solution, she said the fentanyl trafficking measures are the best answers she has heard. We are fully behind this bill, she said. And if people go to jail, theyre going to go to jail. Marc Burrows, who leads a Greenville-based harm reduction program that reports it has reversed 700 overdoses through the provision of opioid antidotes, said these bills could increase deaths by creating hesitancy among drug users to report overdoses. I just dont know if a policy like this is the way to do it, Burrows said. Pollard reported from Columbia, South Carolina, and Mulvihill from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Pollard and Stern are members for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit service program that places journalists in newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Election deadline: The deadline to submit absentee ballot requests for the April 4 school board election is 5 p.m. Monday. Area school districts with a seat on the April 4 ballot include Anderson, Berryhill, Bixby, Chelsea, Claremore Sequoyah, Inola, Mounds, Oologah-Talala, Sand Springs and Tulsa. Life after high school: The special education programs at Broken Arrow and Jenks are partnering to host two community resource nights for students with disabilities and their families to learn about services and programs available through community agencies, universities and technology centers. The first one is scheduled for Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at Broken Arrow High Schools media center and grand lobby. The second one is scheduled for March 30 from 5-8 p.m. at Building 6 of Jenks High School. Feedback opportunity: The State Department of Education will host two public hearings Monday in Oklahoma City over proposed administrative rule changes. Starting at 10 a.m., the morning session is over several proposed changes brought about by new laws on a range of topics, including drivers education, concurrent enrollment and school bus driver certification requirements. The afternoon session at 2 p.m. is over a proposal to make the emergency rules regarding school bathroom use permanent. As written, schools would be required to designate locker rooms and multi-stall bathrooms as either exclusively for males or exclusively for females as identified on their original birth certificates. Districts are also required provide access to a single stall bathroom for anyone who does not want to use a multiple occupancy bathroom. The sessions will be conducted in Room 1-20 of the Oliver Hodge Building, 2500 N. Lincoln Blvd. Written comments may be submitted until 4:30 p.m. Friday to rules@sde.ok.gov. Now hiring: Tulsa and Union each have teacher recruitment events scheduled for this week. TPS job fair is scheduled for Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the Education Service Center, 3027 S. New Haven Ave. Elementary school principals will be on site from 4-5:30 p.m., while secondary school principals scheduled to be there from 5:30-7 p.m. Unions job fair is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ellen Ochoa Elementary School, 12000 E. 31st St. Job seekers are encouraged to fill out application online at unionps.org/careers by Wednesday in order to schedule interviews in advance. Interviews with walk-in attendees will be scheduled based on availability. Stay-home days: Classes are not in session Monday at Owasso Public Schools. Friday is a previously scheduled distance learning day for Catoosa Public Schools. School board schedule: The boards of education for Catoosa, Liberty, Owasso and Tulsa are scheduled to meet Monday. The state CareerTech board and the state Board of Education are scheduled to meet Thursday in Oklahoma City. Three years ago, as the COVID-19 pandemic began hitting the area, churches were posting inspiring messages while local businesses sought to assure people they were still open. Take a look back at the area's signs from March 2020: OKLAHOMA CITY State officials say they are making progress toward eliminating a 13-year wait for developmentally disabled Oklahomans to receive government-funded services. Oklahoma Department of Human Services representatives say they are poised to eliminate the waiting list by next spring despite a shortage of providers and difficulties getting in contact with some of the 4,993 families awaiting services. Were learning a lot as we go about what families need and how to improve our processes, and were still right on track to end the wait, DHS Director Deb Shropshire said in a Monday news conference at the state Capitol. The goal is to connect as many families to services as quickly as possible, she added. DHS is working to rapidly approve thousands of Oklahomans with intellectual or developmental disabilities for in-home and community waiver services funded through Medicaid. Lori Wieder of Stillwater said coming off the waiting list and being approved for government services will have an immediate impact on her family. She has two children diagnosed with rare genetic disorders who have been on the list for 10 years. Now, she hopes they can get physical, occupational and speech therapy in addition to other assistance that can help them become more independent as they get older. Im really excited about the future for my children and for the rest of the people of Oklahoma, she said. The more services that we provide to people with disabilities, the better our great state will be. DHS is working through the developmental disability services waiting list that has been divided into seven groups based on when people signed up for services. Of the 340 applicants in the first group, which includes families who have been waiting for services since 2010, roughly half are now receiving services or their application is in process or has been approved. Of the other 50%, 44 applicants declined services, 12 did not qualify, seven moved out of state and four died. DHS has been unable to locate about 60 people and received no response from another 22 people after multiple contact attempts. DHS officials urged families on the waiting list to update their contact information with the agency to ensure they are notified about when they could qualify for services. There are some (people) that after really diligent searches, we cant find them, said Beth Scrutchins, DHS director of developmental disability services. If youre on the DDS waiting list, please reach out. The Oklahoma Legislature last year appropriated $32.5 million in new funding for DHS to eliminate the waiting list and increase provider rates by 25%. Even with the rate increases, Shropshire acknowledged the state needs more providers to care for all of the Oklahomans coming off the waiting list. But every industry is struggling to meet workforce demands, she said. The agency has held a series of regional meetings across the state to inform families of the process of clearing the waiting list and answer questions about the services for which they might be eligible. As DHS works to clear the waiting list, more people are signing up for services. Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, said the Legislature will continue to prioritize Oklahomans with developmental disabilities even after the 13-year backlog is eliminated. Eliminating the waiting list is truly one of the only things in this building where there is a consensus and a strong will to continue to fund the elimination of the waiting list, he said. OKLAHOMA CITY A measure moving through the Legislature would create a Civil Rights Trail, connecting Greenwood Rising to other notable sites. Senate Bill 509, by Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa, and Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City, passed the Senate by a vote of 45-0 and heads to the House for consideration. This is a great opportunity, said Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, a Senate author. Oklahoma is rich in civil rights history. Civil rights trails are being made in other states, as well, and we can link into them. The trail would start in Ponca City at the Standing Bear Museum, Coleman said. For those of you who dont know, Standing Bear was the chief of the Ponca Tribe whose son passed away in Oklahoma, Coleman said. The tribe had been moved from Nebraska to Oklahoma. Standing Bear wanted to bury him back in their native land in Nebraska, Coleman said. Standing Bear was arrested. A trial ensued that pretty much morphed into the question Was Standing Bear a human being. His trial was one of the first civil rights cases. At his trial in 1879, Standing Bear told the court: That hand is not the color of yours, but if you prick it, the blood will flow and I will feel pain. The blood is of the same color as yours. God made me, and I am a man. He was the first Native American granted civil rights under the law. Coleman said the trail would go through Fairfax, where the reign of terror occurred in the late 1920s and depicted in the upcoming feature film Killers of the Flower Moon, based on a 2017 book by David Grann of the same name. The trail would go through several of Oklahomas historic all-Black towns and then to Greenwood Rising. It would wind up at the planned Clara Luper Civil Rights Center, named after the civil rights leader who in 1958 led the Oklahoma City sit in movement. Greenwood Rising has already garnered top 10 tourism designation in America by USA Today, Matthews said. The opportunity to connect that to the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center and the Standing Bear Museum in Ponca City is a great opportunity for the state. Coleman said the project involves a one-time $1.5 million appropriation and private money to be raised to promote the civil rights trail. Matthews said the funds will allow entities to apply for grants to build, upgrade and promote facilities. The project will be housed within the Oklahoma Historical Society. Oklahoma has a pretty significant history when it comes to minorities, said Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Director Trait Thompson. At one point, Oklahoma had up to 50 all-Black towns, a figure now closer to 13, Thompson said. The locations were established as all-Black enclaves where people could be free from segregation and Jim Crow laws, he said. Those towns included Boley, Clearview, Taft and Rentiesville, Thompson said. Thompson said it would probably be 2024 before the project got off the ground. <&rule> Photos: The 13 historic all-Black towns that remain in Oklahoma All-black towns still in existence Clearview Vernon Langston Brooksville Grayson Lima Boley Tatums Rentiesville Red Bird Taft Summit Tullahassee All-black towns no longer inhabited A Tuesday meeting of the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board where a vote on a proposal to establish the nations first online religious charter school was expected has been postponed. Board chairman Robert Franklin said he made the call because he believes more time is needed because Gov. Kevin Stitt and House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, appointed new board members since the public bodys last meeting. According to our timeline, we have until late April to respond (to the Catholic charter school application). Im just trying to do my due diligence to make sure board members are making good, thorough decisions based on all of the documentation. The new board members also have video of the last meeting to review, if they choose, Franklin said. The Catholic Church in Oklahoma has applied for state sanctioning and taxpayer funding of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, which is proposed to serve students in towns without Catholic schools and to expand online course offerings to students in existing Catholic schools. Membership on the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board had fallen to two in November when one member stepped down to take a job as the governors chief of staff. That meant no meetings could be held in December or January. Then Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat appointed Nellie Tayloe Sanders of Kingfisher to the board, which met in February, where a lengthy presentation by Catholic education leaders in Oklahoma was made in person. In early March, Gov. Stitt appointed Scott Strawn, vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer at Southern Nazarene University, a private college in Bethany, and House Speaker McCall appointed Bill Pearson, an Oologah town trustee and chairman of the Rogers County Republican Party. Franklin, who works as a top administrator at Tulsa Technology Center, said he, personally, is still working to get some of his own legal questions and concerns addressed before being prepared to vote on the St. Isidore application. Oftentimes as a board member you can be sued collectively and individually, and in this case, there have been statements made that lawsuits will be filed no matter what, he told the Tulsa World on Monday. I have asked the executive director for clarity and whether we could find out what our legal counsels advice would be prior to a vote. The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa worked with attorneys at the Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Clinic for 18 months on the St. Isidore application because they see it as a likely test case bound for litigation. Already, the application has been the subject of disagreement between Gov. Stitt and former Attorney General John OConnor, whom Stitt had appointed, and the newly elected Attorney General Gentner Drummond. Late last year before leaving office, then-AG OConnor issued a legally nonbinding, advisory opinion that the states current ban on publicly funded charter schools being operated by sectarian and religious organizations could be a violation of the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment and therefore should not be enforced. Stitt applauded the move and it served as a green light to Catholic leaders to proceed with the application for sponsorship and taxpayer dollars of their new proposed private Catholic online school. In February, Drummond withdrew OConnors legal opinion and cautioned the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board against sponsoring St. Isidore. Drummond said the request for such legal advice should have been rejected when it was made in fall 2021 because it came from the Statewide Virtual Charter School Boards executive director rather than the governing board itself after a majority vote. Tulsa World Breaking News Editor Anna Coduttis reporting on marijuana extends to when Oklahomans passed medical marijuana use back in 2018. She recently provided in-depth stories into the issues surrounding recreational marijuana, which didnt pass earlier this month on a state question. She talks with Editor Jason Collington what the reality is now in the state, including where it stands out the most, and what could be next. Vietnams national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has resumed its regular flights linking Hanoi and Beijing after a three-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airlines flight VN513 departed from Beijing at 3:30 pm and landed in Hanoi at 5.55 pm on Sunday. Before the resumption of the Beijing-Hanoi flight, Vietnam Airlines held a welcoming ceremony for the passengers on board at Beijing International Airport, with the participation of Vietnam and China's competent agencies and enterprises and over 100 passengers. The air carrier is operating the Hanoi-Beijing air route with a frequency of three round-trip flights a week. The airline will start increasing its frequency from mid-2023, while planning to open an air route connecting with Beijings Daxing International Airport. China is one of Vietnam Airlines biggest international source markets. The air carrier has reopened most of its air routes linking Vietnam to China, said a representative of the airline. The airline will resume four air routes connecting Da Nang in Vietnams central region with Chinas Guangzhou, Shanghai and Chengdu, and between Hanoi and Chengdu in the coming months. Vietnam Airlines is set to use wide-body Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft for its routes with China. The resumption of air services between the two countries will contribute to speeding up the post-pandemic tourism recovery and driving up bilateral trading activities, apart from helping fulfill Vietnams target of attracting international tourists in 2023. Vietnam looks to serve 110 million tourists in 2023, with some eight million from abroad and 102 million domestic visitors. The country is also expected to earn about VND650 trillion (US$27.5 billion) in tourism revenue this year. In 2022, over 3.66 million international tourists traveled to Vietnam, a year-on-year surge of 23.3-fold, according to data from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam. Over 89 percent of the total arrived in Vietnam by air, up 29.5-fold against 2021, local media reported. After China added Vietnam to its list of approved countries for group tours on March 15, Vietnamese airlines are racing to transport passengers between the two destinations. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has resumed its regular flights linking Hanoi and Beijing after a three-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airlines flight VN513 departed from Beijing at 3:30 pm and landed in Hanoi at 5.55 pm on Sunday. Before the resumption of the Beijing-Hanoi flight, Vietnam Airlines held a welcoming ceremony for the passengers on board at Beijing International Airport, with the participation of Vietnam and China's competent agencies and enterprises and over 100 passengers. The air carrier is operating the Hanoi-Beijing air route with a frequency of three round-trip flights a week. The airline will start increasing its frequency from mid-2023, while planning to open an air route connecting with Beijings Daxing International Airport. China is one of Vietnam Airlines biggest international source markets. The air carrier has reopened most of its air routes linking Vietnam to China, said a representative of the airline. The airline will resume four air routes connecting Da Nang in Vietnams central region with Chinas Guangzhou, Shanghai and Chengdu, and between Hanoi and Chengdu in the coming months. Vietnam Airlines is set to use wide-body Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft for its routes with China. The resumption of air services between the two countries will contribute to speeding up the post-pandemic tourism recovery and driving up bilateral trading activities, apart from helping fulfill Vietnams target of attracting international tourists in 2023. Vietnam looks to serve 110 million tourists in 2023, with some eight million from abroad and 102 million domestic visitors. The country is also expected to earn about VND650 trillion (US$27.5 billion) in tourism revenue this year. In 2022, over 3.66 million international tourists traveled to Vietnam, a year-on-year surge of 23.3-fold, according to data from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam. Over 89 percent of the total arrived in Vietnam by air, up 29.5-fold against 2021, local media reported. After China added Vietnam to its list of approved countries for group tours on March 15, Vietnamese airlines are racing to transport passengers between the two destinations. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Surrounded by olive and palm trees in a Moroccan mountain village, a centuries-old collective granary preserves the ancient practices of the Amazigh culture. "The traditions are vanishing, but not here," said proud village elder Hossine Oubrahim, in Ait Kine in the Anti-Atlas mountains. High in the rugged hills some 460 kilometres (280 miles) south of the capital Rabat, Ait Kine is home to one of country's few remaining collective granaries called agadir in Amazigh, Morocco's Berber language. The imposing, fully functional structure, likely built in the 18th century and restored in 2012, is still used by local residents to store and protect their produce. "We were raised on the tradition of storing our grains, dried fruit, oil and valuables there," recalled Oubrahim, in his 70s and wearing an indigo-coloured tunic. Lahcen Boutirane, guardian of the collective granary of Ait Kine in Morocco's Tata region: the imposing, fully functional structure was likely built in the 18th century. Photo: AFP "And we continue to respect it." The village's granary is a "monument" that "represents our community spirit", said Abdelghani Charai, a 60-year-old merchant who returned to his ancestral home in Ait Kine after years away. Grains, fruit, family archives The granary, built using a practice known as rammed earth, sits in the village centre, protected by a fortified wall with a stone watchtower. The granary, built using a practice known as rammed earth, sits in the village centre, protected by a fortified wall with a stone watchtower. Photo: AFP In the past, during times of unrest and rebellion against the government, it offered a safe place for storage, Charai explained. "The granary guaranteed security," he said. Inside, 76 cubicles are arranged in three levels around an open courtyard with a water cistern. The agadir has stocks of barley, dates and almonds, but it is also used to safeguard documents like marriage and birth certificates, religious texts and contracts, and recipes for traditional medicine inscribed on palm stems. Lahcen Boutirane, the guardian of the collective storeroom, said the village's 63 remaining families use it. Unwritten laws have kept these granaries sacred and inviolable spaces, not only storing crops to use in drought but also protecting them from attacks. Photo: AFP "Others have left, but they keep their archives here," he told AFP. Unwritten laws have kept these granaries sacred and inviolable spaces, not only storing crops to use in drought but also protecting them from attacks, said archaeologist Naima Keddane. Boutirane stressed the importance of preserving Ait Kine's agadir, which "bears witness to our ancestors' ingenuity". 'Solidarity' Collective granaries can be found elsewhere in North Africa -- in Algeria's Aures mountains, Tunisia's south and Libya's Nafusa mountains -- but they are most common in Morocco, though many are no longer in use. The agadir has stocks of barley, dates and almonds, but it is also used to safeguard documents like marriage and birth certificates and religious texts. Photo: AFP The kingdom has more than 550 ancient igoudar -- the plural of agadir -- according to the culture ministry, which is preparing a UNESCO World Heritage nomination. They are located primarily across central and southern Morocco, in caves or on cliff sides, on hilltops and in valleys. "The challenge is to save Morocco's collective granaries, which have almost disappeared in Algeria, Tunisia and Libya," said architect and anthropologist Salima Naji. Passionate about these "institutions of solidarity", she had helped restore Ait Kine's agadir, now an attraction for both researchers and tourists. A group of Italian visitors appreciated the carved wooden door, adorned with forged iron. "We are doing a tour of granaries," said guide Emanuele Maspoli, describing them as "extraordinary places that attest to the historical wealth of Morocco's oases". "It's a magical place," said tourist Antonella Dalla. Surrounded by olive and palm trees in a Moroccan mountain village, a centuries-old collective granary preserves the ancient practices of the Amazigh culture. "The traditions are vanishing, but not here," said proud village elder Hossine Oubrahim, in Ait Kine in the Anti-Atlas mountains. High in the rugged hills some 460 kilometres (280 miles) south of the capital Rabat, Ait Kine is home to one of country's few remaining collective granaries called agadir in Amazigh, Morocco's Berber language. The imposing, fully functional structure, likely built in the 18th century and restored in 2012, is still used by local residents to store and protect their produce. "We were raised on the tradition of storing our grains, dried fruit, oil and valuables there," recalled Oubrahim, in his 70s and wearing an indigo-coloured tunic. Lahcen Boutirane, guardian of the collective granary of Ait Kine in Morocco's Tata region: the imposing, fully functional structure was likely built in the 18th century. Photo: AFP "And we continue to respect it." The village's granary is a "monument" that "represents our community spirit", said Abdelghani Charai, a 60-year-old merchant who returned to his ancestral home in Ait Kine after years away. Grains, fruit, family archives The granary, built using a practice known as rammed earth, sits in the village centre, protected by a fortified wall with a stone watchtower. The granary, built using a practice known as rammed earth, sits in the village centre, protected by a fortified wall with a stone watchtower. Photo: AFP In the past, during times of unrest and rebellion against the government, it offered a safe place for storage, Charai explained. "The granary guaranteed security," he said. Inside, 76 cubicles are arranged in three levels around an open courtyard with a water cistern. The agadir has stocks of barley, dates and almonds, but it is also used to safeguard documents like marriage and birth certificates, religious texts and contracts, and recipes for traditional medicine inscribed on palm stems. Lahcen Boutirane, the guardian of the collective storeroom, said the village's 63 remaining families use it. Unwritten laws have kept these granaries sacred and inviolable spaces, not only storing crops to use in drought but also protecting them from attacks. Photo: AFP "Others have left, but they keep their archives here," he told AFP. Unwritten laws have kept these granaries sacred and inviolable spaces, not only storing crops to use in drought but also protecting them from attacks, said archaeologist Naima Keddane. Boutirane stressed the importance of preserving Ait Kine's agadir, which "bears witness to our ancestors' ingenuity". 'Solidarity' Collective granaries can be found elsewhere in North Africa -- in Algeria's Aures mountains, Tunisia's south and Libya's Nafusa mountains -- but they are most common in Morocco, though many are no longer in use. The agadir has stocks of barley, dates and almonds, but it is also used to safeguard documents like marriage and birth certificates and religious texts. Photo: AFP The kingdom has more than 550 ancient igoudar -- the plural of agadir -- according to the culture ministry, which is preparing a UNESCO World Heritage nomination. They are located primarily across central and southern Morocco, in caves or on cliff sides, on hilltops and in valleys. "The challenge is to save Morocco's collective granaries, which have almost disappeared in Algeria, Tunisia and Libya," said architect and anthropologist Salima Naji. Passionate about these "institutions of solidarity", she had helped restore Ait Kine's agadir, now an attraction for both researchers and tourists. A group of Italian visitors appreciated the carved wooden door, adorned with forged iron. "We are doing a tour of granaries," said guide Emanuele Maspoli, describing them as "extraordinary places that attest to the historical wealth of Morocco's oases". "It's a magical place," said tourist Antonella Dalla. NEW YORK -- UBS Chair Colm Kelleher is buying Credit Suisse because he has to, not because he wants to. The 3 billion Swiss franc ($3.2 billion) rescue deal, brokered by Swiss authorities and announced late on Sunday, is designed to shore up confidence in the countrys financial industry rather than benefit the buyer. Even so, UBS is salvaging the most value from the wreckage. The Swiss government, central bank and regulator FINMA concluded that a UBS takeover was better than letting Credit Suisse fail, which could have sparked a wider banking-sector panic. The job for Kelleher was how to avoid infecting UBS with its arch-rivals problems. Hes secured some handy protections. The all-share offer values Credit Suisse at 60% less than its closing share price on Friday, and at a fraction of its 45 billion Swiss franc book value at the end of last year. FINMA will also let UBS write off its targets debt instruments, known as Additional Tier 1 (AT1) securities, boosting the combined groups equity capital by about 16 billion Swiss francs. Meanwhile the government will cover up to 9 billion Swiss francs of losses, such as markdowns on Credit Suisse assets, past a certain threshold. Thanks to a competition waiver, Kelleher can even keep Credit Suisses domestic unit, giving UBS a dominant position in local retail and corporate banking and allowing it to extract hefty cost savings. Chief Executive Ralph Hamers reckons the bank can cut about $8 billion of annual expenses by 2027. After deducting tax at 24% and capitalising using a 10% discount rate, those savings have a net present value of about $60 billion - roughly in line with UBSs market value before the deal. Yet its a sign of Credit Suisses predicament that the deal is far from a home run. On a call with analysts late on Sunday, UBS executives stumbled over some of the numbers perhaps unsurprising for a transaction negotiated over a weekend. Wealthy customers who have money stashed with both banks could move some of it to spread their risk, while UBS might have to ditch some of Credit Suisses dicier clients. Hamers and his team will have to rapidly shrink their new acquisitions investment banking arm, a tricky task even in less jittery markets. Longer term, Swiss authorities have concentrated more of the countrys financial risk in a bigger juggernaut. That means even more regulatory and political scrutiny. FINMAs decision to write off Credit Suisses AT1 securities just four days after it declared the bank was meeting all its capital and liquidity requirements will only increase the alarm felt by investors in other European lenders. A UBS takeover is preferable to the Swiss government nationalising Credit Suisse or winding it down. And Kelleher has improved the chances of the rewards outweighing the risks. Whether its enough to soothe the wider financial sector is less clear. UBS will rescue Credit Suisse in a deal worth about 3 billion Swiss francs, Swiss authorities and the two banks said on Sunday. Shareholders in Credit Suisse will get one new UBS share for every 22.48 shares they currently hold. Based on UBSs closing price on March 17 the offer values Credit Suisse shares at 0.76 Swiss francs each, well below the last closing price of 1.86 Swiss francs. Credit Suisses 16 billion Swiss francs of Additional Tier 1 securities will be written off to zero, boosting the combined groups regulatory capital. The Swiss government will also grant UBS a 9 billion Swiss franc guarantee against losses arising from certain assets that it will get as part of the deal. The guarantee kicks in if losses exceed a threshold, which the finance ministry did not quantify. The Swiss National Bank will offer up to 100 billion Swiss francs of liquidity support to UBS and Credit Suisse, plus a further 100 billion Swiss francs to the smaller bank backed by a federal guarantee. UBS estimates that the combined group could reduce its annual costs by roughly $8 billion. NEW YORK -- UBS Chair Colm Kelleher is buying Credit Suisse because he has to, not because he wants to. The 3 billion Swiss franc ($3.2 billion) rescue deal, brokered by Swiss authorities and announced late on Sunday, is designed to shore up confidence in the countrys financial industry rather than benefit the buyer. Even so, UBS is salvaging the most value from the wreckage. The Swiss government, central bank and regulator FINMA concluded that a UBS takeover was better than letting Credit Suisse fail, which could have sparked a wider banking-sector panic. The job for Kelleher was how to avoid infecting UBS with its arch-rivals problems. Hes secured some handy protections. The all-share offer values Credit Suisse at 60% less than its closing share price on Friday, and at a fraction of its 45 billion Swiss franc book value at the end of last year. FINMA will also let UBS write off its targets debt instruments, known as Additional Tier 1 (AT1) securities, boosting the combined groups equity capital by about 16 billion Swiss francs. Meanwhile the government will cover up to 9 billion Swiss francs of losses, such as markdowns on Credit Suisse assets, past a certain threshold. Thanks to a competition waiver, Kelleher can even keep Credit Suisses domestic unit, giving UBS a dominant position in local retail and corporate banking and allowing it to extract hefty cost savings. Chief Executive Ralph Hamers reckons the bank can cut about $8 billion of annual expenses by 2027. After deducting tax at 24% and capitalising using a 10% discount rate, those savings have a net present value of about $60 billion - roughly in line with UBSs market value before the deal. Yet its a sign of Credit Suisses predicament that the deal is far from a home run. On a call with analysts late on Sunday, UBS executives stumbled over some of the numbers perhaps unsurprising for a transaction negotiated over a weekend. Wealthy customers who have money stashed with both banks could move some of it to spread their risk, while UBS might have to ditch some of Credit Suisses dicier clients. Hamers and his team will have to rapidly shrink their new acquisitions investment banking arm, a tricky task even in less jittery markets. Longer term, Swiss authorities have concentrated more of the countrys financial risk in a bigger juggernaut. That means even more regulatory and political scrutiny. FINMAs decision to write off Credit Suisses AT1 securities just four days after it declared the bank was meeting all its capital and liquidity requirements will only increase the alarm felt by investors in other European lenders. A UBS takeover is preferable to the Swiss government nationalising Credit Suisse or winding it down. And Kelleher has improved the chances of the rewards outweighing the risks. Whether its enough to soothe the wider financial sector is less clear. UBS will rescue Credit Suisse in a deal worth about 3 billion Swiss francs, Swiss authorities and the two banks said on Sunday. Shareholders in Credit Suisse will get one new UBS share for every 22.48 shares they currently hold. Based on UBSs closing price on March 17 the offer values Credit Suisse shares at 0.76 Swiss francs each, well below the last closing price of 1.86 Swiss francs. Credit Suisses 16 billion Swiss francs of Additional Tier 1 securities will be written off to zero, boosting the combined groups regulatory capital. The Swiss government will also grant UBS a 9 billion Swiss franc guarantee against losses arising from certain assets that it will get as part of the deal. The guarantee kicks in if losses exceed a threshold, which the finance ministry did not quantify. The Swiss National Bank will offer up to 100 billion Swiss francs of liquidity support to UBS and Credit Suisse, plus a further 100 billion Swiss francs to the smaller bank backed by a federal guarantee. UBS estimates that the combined group could reduce its annual costs by roughly $8 billion. Some of the world's leading makers of flu vaccines say they could make hundreds of millions of bird flu shots for humans within months if a new strain of avian influenza ever jumps across the species divide. One current outbreak of avian flu known as H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has killed record numbers of birds and infected mammals. Human cases, however, remain very rare, and global health officials have said the risk of transmission between humans is still low. Executives at three vaccine manufacturers GSK Plc, Moderna Inc, and CSL Seqirus, owned by CSL Ltd - told Reuters they are already developing or about to test sample human vaccines that better match the circulating subtype, as a precautionary measure against a future pandemic. Others, like Sanofi, said they "stand ready" to begin production if needed, with existing H5N1 vaccine strains in stock. There has also been a push among companies to develop a bird flu vaccine for poultry, a market potentially far larger than that for humans. Less reassuring, however, is that most of the potential human doses are earmarked for wealthy countries in long-standing preparedness contracts, global health experts and the companies said. Many countries' pandemic plans say flu shots should go first to the most vulnerable while supply is limited. But during COVID-19, many vaccine-rich countries inoculated large proportions of their populations before considering sharing doses. "We could potentially have a much worse problem with vaccine hoarding and vaccine nationalism in a flu outbreak than we saw with COVID-19, said Dr Richard Hatchett, chief executive of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which helps fund vaccine research. An international framework for pandemic flu allocates 10% of global supply for the World Health Organization to share with low- and middle-income countries. By contrast, the WHO is seeking guarantees of 20% global supply for other types of pandemic in the wake of COVID-19. The U.N. agency said it has signed legally binding agreements with 14 manufacturers for 10% of their pandemic flu vaccine as it comes off the production line", in a mix of donated doses and doses to be bought by the agency at an affordable price. The agreements include six of the largest seasonal flu manufacturers, such as GSK, Sanofi and CSL Seqirus, the WHO said. WHO did not comment on the potential for vaccine hoarding in a flu pandemic but said mechanisms were being developed so that countries can work together not in competition with each other to respond to such a crisis. It said it was fully confident manufacturers and member states would meet their obligations. New approaches In a pandemic, vaccine manufacturers would shift production of seasonal flu vaccines and instead make shots tailored to the new outbreak when needed. They already have the capacity to make hundreds of millions of doses. Many of the potential pandemic shots are pre-approved by regulators, based on data from human trials showing the vaccines are safe and prompt an immune response, a process already used with seasonal flu vaccines. This means they might not require further human trials, even if they have to be tweaked to better match whichever strain does jump to humans. Data on how well the vaccines actually protect against infection would be gathered in real-time. In all, the WHO said there are close to 20 licensed vaccines against the broader H5 strain of flu. Existing antiviral treatments for people already infected will also help mitigate the impact. At the same time, moving to large-scale production of a more targeted shot could take months, the manufacturers said. Some potential shots use a traditional method, growing the virus used in the vaccines in chicken eggs over four to six months. Creating the first dose is the easiest, said Raja Rajaram, head of global medical strategy at CSL Seqirus. The hardest is manufacturing in large quantities. Experts have long advocated for new approaches in developing vaccines, both for seasonal and pandemic flu. COVID-19 proved the potential of mRNA technology to adapt more quickly to changing viruses because the vaccines use genetic information from the pathogen, rather than having to grow the virus itself. Modernas mRNA vaccine research actually began with pandemic flu, and was modified for COVID-19, said Raffael Nachbagauer, executive director of infectious diseases at Moderna. The company plans to launch a small human trial of an mRNA pandemic flu vaccine tailored to the new avian influenza subtype in the first half of 2023, he said, adding Moderna could respond very quickly in an outbreak scenario. The results will be closely watched, as the data on Modernas seasonal flu candidate was mixed. Nachbagauer said the company was mindful of the equity issue needing to be addressed but has no contracts yet. It would be premature to sign anything or commit to anything that we cant actually deliver on as of today, he said. Some of the world's leading makers of flu vaccines say they could make hundreds of millions of bird flu shots for humans within months if a new strain of avian influenza ever jumps across the species divide. One current outbreak of avian flu known as H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has killed record numbers of birds and infected mammals. Human cases, however, remain very rare, and global health officials have said the risk of transmission between humans is still low. Executives at three vaccine manufacturers GSK Plc, Moderna Inc, and CSL Seqirus, owned by CSL Ltd - told Reuters they are already developing or about to test sample human vaccines that better match the circulating subtype, as a precautionary measure against a future pandemic. Others, like Sanofi, said they "stand ready" to begin production if needed, with existing H5N1 vaccine strains in stock. There has also been a push among companies to develop a bird flu vaccine for poultry, a market potentially far larger than that for humans. Less reassuring, however, is that most of the potential human doses are earmarked for wealthy countries in long-standing preparedness contracts, global health experts and the companies said. Many countries' pandemic plans say flu shots should go first to the most vulnerable while supply is limited. But during COVID-19, many vaccine-rich countries inoculated large proportions of their populations before considering sharing doses. "We could potentially have a much worse problem with vaccine hoarding and vaccine nationalism in a flu outbreak than we saw with COVID-19, said Dr Richard Hatchett, chief executive of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which helps fund vaccine research. An international framework for pandemic flu allocates 10% of global supply for the World Health Organization to share with low- and middle-income countries. By contrast, the WHO is seeking guarantees of 20% global supply for other types of pandemic in the wake of COVID-19. The U.N. agency said it has signed legally binding agreements with 14 manufacturers for 10% of their pandemic flu vaccine as it comes off the production line", in a mix of donated doses and doses to be bought by the agency at an affordable price. The agreements include six of the largest seasonal flu manufacturers, such as GSK, Sanofi and CSL Seqirus, the WHO said. WHO did not comment on the potential for vaccine hoarding in a flu pandemic but said mechanisms were being developed so that countries can work together not in competition with each other to respond to such a crisis. It said it was fully confident manufacturers and member states would meet their obligations. New approaches In a pandemic, vaccine manufacturers would shift production of seasonal flu vaccines and instead make shots tailored to the new outbreak when needed. They already have the capacity to make hundreds of millions of doses. Many of the potential pandemic shots are pre-approved by regulators, based on data from human trials showing the vaccines are safe and prompt an immune response, a process already used with seasonal flu vaccines. This means they might not require further human trials, even if they have to be tweaked to better match whichever strain does jump to humans. Data on how well the vaccines actually protect against infection would be gathered in real-time. In all, the WHO said there are close to 20 licensed vaccines against the broader H5 strain of flu. Existing antiviral treatments for people already infected will also help mitigate the impact. At the same time, moving to large-scale production of a more targeted shot could take months, the manufacturers said. Some potential shots use a traditional method, growing the virus used in the vaccines in chicken eggs over four to six months. Creating the first dose is the easiest, said Raja Rajaram, head of global medical strategy at CSL Seqirus. The hardest is manufacturing in large quantities. Experts have long advocated for new approaches in developing vaccines, both for seasonal and pandemic flu. COVID-19 proved the potential of mRNA technology to adapt more quickly to changing viruses because the vaccines use genetic information from the pathogen, rather than having to grow the virus itself. Modernas mRNA vaccine research actually began with pandemic flu, and was modified for COVID-19, said Raffael Nachbagauer, executive director of infectious diseases at Moderna. The company plans to launch a small human trial of an mRNA pandemic flu vaccine tailored to the new avian influenza subtype in the first half of 2023, he said, adding Moderna could respond very quickly in an outbreak scenario. The results will be closely watched, as the data on Modernas seasonal flu candidate was mixed. Nachbagauer said the company was mindful of the equity issue needing to be addressed but has no contracts yet. It would be premature to sign anything or commit to anything that we cant actually deliver on as of today, he said. Read what is in the news in Vietnam today: Society -- A British traveler sustained injuries on his left foot after he slipped and fell while climbing a high rock cliff, widely known as the death cliff, at Ma Pi Leng Pass in Meo Vac District, northern Ha Giang Province to take pictures last week, local authorities said on Sunday. -- Seriously-degraded and stinky public toilets have smeared Hanoi, which has about 400 public bathrooms serving more than 8.3 million people. -- A storm with hailstones hit Dien Bien Phu City in northern Dien Bien Province and some neighboring localities for about 20 minutes on Sunday evening, causing negligible damage. -- The aviation security center at Da Nang International Airport in Da Nang City said on Sunday that it handed over the case where a homemade gun was detected in a package at the airport last week to police officers for further investigation. -- A Porsche lost control and crashed into many motorbikes, injuring several people before overturning on the connecting road of the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday. Business -- General director of Samsung Vietnam Complex Choi Joo Ho has refuted a report last month by The Korea Herald, which said that the group is moving smartphone production lines from Vietnam to India. -- Vietnam exported more than US$9.21 billion worth of cellphones and components in January and February, up 5.2 percent from the same period last year, according to the General Department of Customs. -- Vietnam Airlines conducted the first regular flight from Beijing, China to Hanoi on Sunday after a three-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Read what is in the news in Vietnam today: Society -- A British traveler sustained injuries on his left foot after he slipped and fell while climbing a high rock cliff, widely known as the death cliff, at Ma Pi Leng Pass in Meo Vac District, northern Ha Giang Province to take pictures last week, local authorities said on Sunday. -- Seriously-degraded and stinky public toilets have smeared Hanoi, which has about 400 public bathrooms serving more than 8.3 million people. -- A storm with hailstones hit Dien Bien Phu City in northern Dien Bien Province and some neighboring localities for about 20 minutes on Sunday evening, causing negligible damage. -- The aviation security center at Da Nang International Airport in Da Nang City said on Sunday that it handed over the case where a homemade gun was detected in a package at the airport last week to police officers for further investigation. -- A Porsche lost control and crashed into many motorbikes, injuring several people before overturning on the connecting road of the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday. Business -- General director of Samsung Vietnam Complex Choi Joo Ho has refuted a report last month by The Korea Herald, which said that the group is moving smartphone production lines from Vietnam to India. -- Vietnam exported more than US$9.21 billion worth of cellphones and components in January and February, up 5.2 percent from the same period last year, according to the General Department of Customs. -- Vietnam Airlines conducted the first regular flight from Beijing, China to Hanoi on Sunday after a three-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! While climbing a high rock cliff, widely known as the death cliff, in Vietnams northern mountainous province of Ha Giang to take photos last week, a British tourist slipped, fell about two meters off the cliff, and had his left leg injured. Authorities of Meo Vac District in Ha Giang Province, where the cliff is located, on Sunday night confirmed the incident, saying that it happed last Friday afternoon in Pai Lung Commune. The foreigner suffered profuse bleeding due to his injuries. Upon receiving reports of the incident, police and medical workers in Pai Lung Commune rushed to the scene to give first aid to the man. He was later transferred to Hanoi. The death cliff is a dangerous site with many large rocks overlapping each other but they are loose in places. The rock where tourists often stand to take photos is smooth, so tourists may easily slip. To ensure safety for tourists, the authorities of Pai Lung Commune and Meo Vac District have repeatedly called on travelers not to take photos on that rock. They have erected a warning sign and fences. However, many tourists still want to stand on the rock to take good photos. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! While climbing a high rock cliff, widely known as the death cliff, in Vietnams northern mountainous province of Ha Giang to take photos last week, a British tourist slipped, fell about two meters off the cliff, and had his left leg injured. Authorities of Meo Vac District in Ha Giang Province, where the cliff is located, on Sunday night confirmed the incident, saying that it happed last Friday afternoon in Pai Lung Commune. The foreigner suffered profuse bleeding due to his injuries. Upon receiving reports of the incident, police and medical workers in Pai Lung Commune rushed to the scene to give first aid to the man. He was later transferred to Hanoi. The death cliff is a dangerous site with many large rocks overlapping each other but they are loose in places. The rock where tourists often stand to take photos is smooth, so tourists may easily slip. To ensure safety for tourists, the authorities of Pai Lung Commune and Meo Vac District have repeatedly called on travelers not to take photos on that rock. They have erected a warning sign and fences. However, many tourists still want to stand on the rock to take good photos. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Security officers at Da Nang International Airport in the namesake Vietnamese city last week found parts of a homemade gun in a package at the cargo terminal. The aviation security center at the airport on Sunday said that it had handed over the case to police for further investigation. After detecting the parts, security officers found that they could be assembled into a gun. The package also included two bullets with copper casings. The bullets still had explosive materials. Two bullets with copper casings are detected. Photo: Supplied by the airports aviation security center The aviation security center found that the package was sent by P.T.Th., a male resident of Thanh Khe District in Da Nang, from the coastal city to Hanoi. Th. later admitted his violation. Under the prevailing regulation, explosives and explosive materials are banned from being brought to aircraft. They include weapons, guns, and other items which can hurt people. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The snipping sound of scissors, upbeat people cheerfully chatting about the trendiest hairstyles, along with the hustle and bustle of the street made a free haircut program held for local residents in Ho Chi Minh City over a week ago a joyful occasion. The meaningful program took place at the headquarters of the Peoples Committee of Ward 4 in Go Vap District. The event was hosted on March 12 by Sai Gon Cho Lac Xoong in coordination with the local authorities of Ward 4 and Vu Tri and Tom barbershops, among others. The free haircut event served more than 300 guests after two hours. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre 56 barbers, 2 hours, and over 300 new haircuts This mobile barbers served more than 300 guests after two hours. The faces of all the guests, from young to old, were glowing with happiness while they were getting a new haircut. Stopping her bike along the street, the mother of two, Kinh Tam, 5, and Kinh Phong, 3, spoke to the barbers with a radiant smile on her face: Hey! Can my kids join you guys? Phong, as fast as lightning, got off his mothers bike and took a seat to get his haircut. Truong Giang, his wife, and their two children also stopped by the event while on their way to a local market. Im so happy, for sure. [By getting a free haircut] Ive saved some money to buy milk for the kids, Giang joked. A local man receives a gift from the organizers after getting a new haircut. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre Happiness doubled: free haircuts and free gifts Huong, a local woman, finally had her long hair cut neatly after almost 30 minutes. As the 65-year-old stood up, people around cheered and clapped for her, because the new hair made Huong look much younger than her age. I never went to a barbers before. I always cut my hair by myself," she said. After getting the new haircut, Huong was given a gift by the program organizers. According to Bui Vinh The, co-founder of Sai Gon Cho Lac Xoong, the event was set to serve some 900 guests, so the organizers had prepared 900 gifts including eggs, rice, milk, and soya sauce. Sai Gon Cho Lac Xoong is a Facebook-based community with more than 81,000 members. It serves as a platform where online vendors sell a variety of products and others exchange, resell, or give away unwanted new and used stuff. This Facebook group also made a name for itself during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. At the time, when Ho Chi Minh City imposed lockdowns and travel restrictions, Sai Gon Cho Lac Xoong decided to form groups of volunteers citywide to assist the authorities with providing basic necessities and medical emergency services for people in need. During the post-pandemic period, the group still maintains its charity events, doing good deeds on a larger scale by visiting remote areas and offering help to the disadvantaged. The free haircut event today is among various activities that Sai Gon Cho Lac Xoong wants to give back to the community, The said. Barbers make the most of the sidewalk in front of the Ward 4 Peoples Committee headquarters in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City to offer the free haircut service due to an overwhelming number of participants. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre Do Linh Vu, head of Vu Tri Barbershop, cuts Truong Giangs hair. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre For young barbers, joining free haircut programs gives them chances to sharpen their barber skills. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre Many local women join the free haircut program to get a new hairstyle. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre Auntie Nam happily says goodbye to Minh Chanh, a barber taking part in the free haircut program, after she got a new haircut and a gift from the program. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The snipping sound of scissors, upbeat people cheerfully chatting about the trendiest hairstyles, along with the hustle and bustle of the street made a free haircut program held for local residents in Ho Chi Minh City over a week ago a joyful occasion. The meaningful program took place at the headquarters of the Peoples Committee of Ward 4 in Go Vap District. The event was hosted on March 12 by Sai Gon Cho Lac Xoong in coordination with the local authorities of Ward 4 and Vu Tri and Tom barbershops, among others. The free haircut event served more than 300 guests after two hours. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre 56 barbers, 2 hours, and over 300 new haircuts This mobile barbers served more than 300 guests after two hours. The faces of all the guests, from young to old, were glowing with happiness while they were getting a new haircut. Stopping her bike along the street, the mother of two, Kinh Tam, 5, and Kinh Phong, 3, spoke to the barbers with a radiant smile on her face: Hey! Can my kids join you guys? Phong, as fast as lightning, got off his mothers bike and took a seat to get his haircut. Truong Giang, his wife, and their two children also stopped by the event while on their way to a local market. Im so happy, for sure. [By getting a free haircut] Ive saved some money to buy milk for the kids, Giang joked. A local man receives a gift from the organizers after getting a new haircut. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre Happiness doubled: free haircuts and free gifts Huong, a local woman, finally had her long hair cut neatly after almost 30 minutes. As the 65-year-old stood up, people around cheered and clapped for her, because the new hair made Huong look much younger than her age. I never went to a barbers before. I always cut my hair by myself," she said. After getting the new haircut, Huong was given a gift by the program organizers. According to Bui Vinh The, co-founder of Sai Gon Cho Lac Xoong, the event was set to serve some 900 guests, so the organizers had prepared 900 gifts including eggs, rice, milk, and soya sauce. Sai Gon Cho Lac Xoong is a Facebook-based community with more than 81,000 members. It serves as a platform where online vendors sell a variety of products and others exchange, resell, or give away unwanted new and used stuff. This Facebook group also made a name for itself during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. At the time, when Ho Chi Minh City imposed lockdowns and travel restrictions, Sai Gon Cho Lac Xoong decided to form groups of volunteers citywide to assist the authorities with providing basic necessities and medical emergency services for people in need. During the post-pandemic period, the group still maintains its charity events, doing good deeds on a larger scale by visiting remote areas and offering help to the disadvantaged. The free haircut event today is among various activities that Sai Gon Cho Lac Xoong wants to give back to the community, The said. Barbers make the most of the sidewalk in front of the Ward 4 Peoples Committee headquarters in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City to offer the free haircut service due to an overwhelming number of participants. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre Do Linh Vu, head of Vu Tri Barbershop, cuts Truong Giangs hair. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre For young barbers, joining free haircut programs gives them chances to sharpen their barber skills. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre Many local women join the free haircut program to get a new hairstyle. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre Auntie Nam happily says goodbye to Minh Chanh, a barber taking part in the free haircut program, after she got a new haircut and a gift from the program. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Many hazardous types of rodenticides that were prohibited several years ago are now widely sold at pesticide shops, hawker stalls, and grocery stores, posing a threat to residents health and lives in Vietnam. In Hanoi, several types of rat poison, without labels or clear origin, are sold everywhere, from hawker stalls to convenience stores. At a grocer's at Thanh Cong B Wet Market, at least three types of rat poison are on sale at a price ranging from VND20,000 (US$0.85) to VND300,000 ($1.27). Rodenticides mixed with unhusked rice were less effective to kill rats, while rats die immediately eating the poison with red liquid inside, said the owner of the grocer's. The poisonous drug originates in China, said the owner. I do not know the ingredients of this type, but the rat poison works well. Rats die right after eating a piece of cake and food mixed with a few droplets of the liquid drug, stressed the owner. A search for rodenticides with keywords 'Rat poison' on e-commerce platforms quickly returned a series of rat poison results. A shop is selling a type of rat poison priced at a mere VND8,000 ($0.33). This type looks like red syrup with no label. The stores advertisement reads, Common types of rat poison with a low dose cannot kill rats, so this strong poison is recommended. After ingesting this drug, rats will suffer internal bleeding and die at once. This toxin has no label or black box warnings. Meanwhile, as per the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministrys regulations on plant protection products, including rat poison, these products must bear labels including names, ingredients, substances, doses, serial numbers, manufacturing date, expiration date, origin, usage and storage instructions, and unexpected reactions. Some rat poisoning cases in people have been reported in Vietnam In February 2023, the Anti-Poison Center at Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital admitted a female patient, a 21-year-old native of Ha Nam Province, who experienced nausea and went into a coma and convulsions. After a medical examination, the patient was diagnosed with fluoroacetate poisoning. Fluoroacetate is used as a rodenticide. This rat poison was banned a decade ago, said Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, director of the center. When ingesting fluoroacetate, patients will experience convulsions, coma, respiratory failure, arrhythmia, metabolic acidosis, and kidney failure, and die, according to Dr. Nguyen. Despite a ban on this rodenticide, residents can easily purchase it at pesticide shops, hawker stalls, pet shops, and grocers. The unsafe and rampant use of rat poison can result in poisoning, said Dr. Nguyen. Earlier on February 2, 2022, Nghi Loc District in the north-central province of Nghe An reported a death from rat poisoning. A little girl died after drinking rat poison. Nghe An also reported another poisoning case, in which a 32-month-old girl drank rat poison as she thought it was a soft drink. She fell into a coma and was hospitalized in critical condition. Dr. Nguyen advises residents to buy permitted rat poison with clear origin at certified pesticide shops. Residents should only use rodenticides in separate areas and those far from residential areas and water sources while keeping these hazardous products out of childrens hands," said Dr. Nguyen. "They should not store rat poison at home. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Many hazardous types of rodenticides that were prohibited several years ago are now widely sold at pesticide shops, hawker stalls, and grocery stores, posing a threat to residents health and lives in Vietnam. In Hanoi, several types of rat poison, without labels or clear origin, are sold everywhere, from hawker stalls to convenience stores. At a grocer's at Thanh Cong B Wet Market, at least three types of rat poison are on sale at a price ranging from VND20,000 (US$0.85) to VND300,000 ($1.27). Rodenticides mixed with unhusked rice were less effective to kill rats, while rats die immediately eating the poison with red liquid inside, said the owner of the grocer's. The poisonous drug originates in China, said the owner. I do not know the ingredients of this type, but the rat poison works well. Rats die right after eating a piece of cake and food mixed with a few droplets of the liquid drug, stressed the owner. A search for rodenticides with keywords 'Rat poison' on e-commerce platforms quickly returned a series of rat poison results. A shop is selling a type of rat poison priced at a mere VND8,000 ($0.33). This type looks like red syrup with no label. The stores advertisement reads, Common types of rat poison with a low dose cannot kill rats, so this strong poison is recommended. After ingesting this drug, rats will suffer internal bleeding and die at once. This toxin has no label or black box warnings. Meanwhile, as per the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministrys regulations on plant protection products, including rat poison, these products must bear labels including names, ingredients, substances, doses, serial numbers, manufacturing date, expiration date, origin, usage and storage instructions, and unexpected reactions. Some rat poisoning cases in people have been reported in Vietnam In February 2023, the Anti-Poison Center at Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital admitted a female patient, a 21-year-old native of Ha Nam Province, who experienced nausea and went into a coma and convulsions. After a medical examination, the patient was diagnosed with fluoroacetate poisoning. Fluoroacetate is used as a rodenticide. This rat poison was banned a decade ago, said Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, director of the center. When ingesting fluoroacetate, patients will experience convulsions, coma, respiratory failure, arrhythmia, metabolic acidosis, and kidney failure, and die, according to Dr. Nguyen. Despite a ban on this rodenticide, residents can easily purchase it at pesticide shops, hawker stalls, pet shops, and grocers. The unsafe and rampant use of rat poison can result in poisoning, said Dr. Nguyen. Earlier on February 2, 2022, Nghi Loc District in the north-central province of Nghe An reported a death from rat poisoning. A little girl died after drinking rat poison. Nghe An also reported another poisoning case, in which a 32-month-old girl drank rat poison as she thought it was a soft drink. She fell into a coma and was hospitalized in critical condition. Dr. Nguyen advises residents to buy permitted rat poison with clear origin at certified pesticide shops. Residents should only use rodenticides in separate areas and those far from residential areas and water sources while keeping these hazardous products out of childrens hands," said Dr. Nguyen. "They should not store rat poison at home. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! During her four-day visit to Vietnam, starting on March 15, to mark 25 years since the CDC Vietnam country office opened, Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) praised the partnership with Vietnam and expressed her desire to strengthen the collaboration in public health the two countries have established. Walensky said that on the first day of her visit, she signed a letter of intent with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health in which the CDC is committed to the development of a Vietnam National CDC. The coming Vietnam National CDC will enable Vietnam to coordinate its response in health emergencies with a trained workforce, a data and disease surveillance system, and a laboratory system so that it can detect a public health threat when it happens. Vietnam is linked to global health security, according to Walensky. So much of the work that we do together is in global health security. We recognize and want to do the important work of protecting the people of Vietnam. We also recognize that a threat anywhere is a threat everywhere and we work together to prevent those threats all over the world, she stressed. In 2021, the CDC opened a new regional office - Southeast Asia (ASEAN) Regional Office based in Hanoi. The office will take lessons learned in Vietnam to places in ASEAN where the CDC does not have a large, robust country office and Vietnam can play a role as a leader in public health. The CDC has cooperated with Vietnamese partners in providing field epidemiology training programs for decades to prepare for the next public health threat. Dr. Eric Dzuiban, Vietnam country director for the CDC who was at the meeting along with director Walensky, shared that the overall number of people attending this training was still lower than the mark Vietnam wants to see and the international standard it wants to meet. Different levels of training have been provided such as year-long and shorter courses to meet the needs of more practitioners. Regarding future threats, Walensky said that experts in the field anticipated that future pandemics would be influenza. The CDC is constantly on the lookout for influenza as well as avian influenza and the animal-human interface. As for COVID-19, Walensky believed the CDC in the U.S. and in Vietnam will continue to work together regardless of whether the pandemic is a pronounced public health emergency or it is scaled down. People should continue to be vaccinated and to get their level of immunity up against the virus, she recommended. Our work continues with the same importance and vigor and dedication as to whether or not there is a public health emergency. We recognize COVID-19 is still with us. There are still people with infection. There's still vaccination that can be delivered. Our work and commitment continues, she stressed. As no one can tell whether a new more invasive and aggressive variant will come, Walensky believes that working collaboratively is the answer to protect public health and to train the next generation of public health workers. The CDC has worked to support global health for over 60 years with a goal to create a world where people -- in the U.S. and around the globe -- live healthier, safer, and longer lives. The CDC has a global presence and extends to over 60 countries where the organization is working to address global challenges such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, influenza, tuberculosis, and more. The CDC Vietnam country office was established 25 years ago in 1998. The first cooperation was to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Vietnam. That partnership continues today and has saved many Vietnamese lives by engaging with the Ministry of Health alongside local and community partners. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! During her four-day visit to Vietnam, starting on March 15, to mark 25 years since the CDC Vietnam country office opened, Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) praised the partnership with Vietnam and expressed her desire to strengthen the collaboration in public health the two countries have established. Walensky said that on the first day of her visit, she signed a letter of intent with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health in which the CDC is committed to the development of a Vietnam National CDC. The coming Vietnam National CDC will enable Vietnam to coordinate its response in health emergencies with a trained workforce, a data and disease surveillance system, and a laboratory system so that it can detect a public health threat when it happens. Vietnam is linked to global health security, according to Walensky. So much of the work that we do together is in global health security. We recognize and want to do the important work of protecting the people of Vietnam. We also recognize that a threat anywhere is a threat everywhere and we work together to prevent those threats all over the world, she stressed. In 2021, the CDC opened a new regional office - Southeast Asia (ASEAN) Regional Office based in Hanoi. The office will take lessons learned in Vietnam to places in ASEAN where the CDC does not have a large, robust country office and Vietnam can play a role as a leader in public health. The CDC has cooperated with Vietnamese partners in providing field epidemiology training programs for decades to prepare for the next public health threat. Dr. Eric Dzuiban, Vietnam country director for the CDC who was at the meeting along with director Walensky, shared that the overall number of people attending this training was still lower than the mark Vietnam wants to see and the international standard it wants to meet. Different levels of training have been provided such as year-long and shorter courses to meet the needs of more practitioners. Regarding future threats, Walensky said that experts in the field anticipated that future pandemics would be influenza. The CDC is constantly on the lookout for influenza as well as avian influenza and the animal-human interface. As for COVID-19, Walensky believed the CDC in the U.S. and in Vietnam will continue to work together regardless of whether the pandemic is a pronounced public health emergency or it is scaled down. People should continue to be vaccinated and to get their level of immunity up against the virus, she recommended. Our work continues with the same importance and vigor and dedication as to whether or not there is a public health emergency. We recognize COVID-19 is still with us. There are still people with infection. There's still vaccination that can be delivered. Our work and commitment continues, she stressed. As no one can tell whether a new more invasive and aggressive variant will come, Walensky believes that working collaboratively is the answer to protect public health and to train the next generation of public health workers. The CDC has worked to support global health for over 60 years with a goal to create a world where people -- in the U.S. and around the globe -- live healthier, safer, and longer lives. The CDC has a global presence and extends to over 60 countries where the organization is working to address global challenges such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, influenza, tuberculosis, and more. The CDC Vietnam country office was established 25 years ago in 1998. The first cooperation was to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Vietnam. That partnership continues today and has saved many Vietnamese lives by engaging with the Ministry of Health alongside local and community partners. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Peoples Committee of Phu Quoc City, a popular tourist destination in Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam, on Monday dismantled six bungalows which were built illegally above the water within a marine protection area. Huynh Van Dinh, head of the Natural Resources and Environment Bureau of Phu Quoc, said the Peoples Committee of the city's Ham Ninh Commune on October 11 last year made a report on the illegal construction of the facilities. Covering more than 1,200 square meters, the bungalows belong to N.L.V., residing in Ham Ninh Commune. On November 7, 2022, the Phu Quoc Peoples Committee issued a decision to ask V. to pull down the bungalows but he failed to comply with the requirement. Local authorities dismantled six bungalows of V. today and will continue the dismantlement on many other illegally-built constructions, including 79 villas in Duong Bao Hamlet, Duong To District, Dinh said. Ham Ninh Commune is home to many bungalows which were constructed without licenses, directly affecting the marine protected area. On October 31, 2022, Huynh Quang Hung, chairman of the Phu Quoc Peoples Committee, said that more than 10 people were mobilized to help M.T.D., a local resident, dismantle eight illicitly-built bungalows with a total area of 524.6 square meters encroaching on the Phu Quoc marine protection area. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Peoples Committee of Phu Quoc City, a popular tourist destination in Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam, on Monday dismantled six bungalows which were built illegally above the water within a marine protection area. Huynh Van Dinh, head of the Natural Resources and Environment Bureau of Phu Quoc, said the Peoples Committee of the city's Ham Ninh Commune on October 11 last year made a report on the illegal construction of the facilities. Covering more than 1,200 square meters, the bungalows belong to N.L.V., residing in Ham Ninh Commune. On November 7, 2022, the Phu Quoc Peoples Committee issued a decision to ask V. to pull down the bungalows but he failed to comply with the requirement. Local authorities dismantled six bungalows of V. today and will continue the dismantlement on many other illegally-built constructions, including 79 villas in Duong Bao Hamlet, Duong To District, Dinh said. Ham Ninh Commune is home to many bungalows which were constructed without licenses, directly affecting the marine protected area. On October 31, 2022, Huynh Quang Hung, chairman of the Phu Quoc Peoples Committee, said that more than 10 people were mobilized to help M.T.D., a local resident, dismantle eight illicitly-built bungalows with a total area of 524.6 square meters encroaching on the Phu Quoc marine protection area. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Angela Bishop has just arrived back in Australia after covering the Academy Awards and making yet another appearance on The Bold & the Beautiful. And she couldnt be happier about returning to the global hit soap. JJ is back again! I cant believe it. Bradley Bell keeps writing the LAs greatest event planner back in and I love it. Its such a thrill. Bradley Bell knows and loves the fans and is respectful at all times of the story, the past and the relationships that the fans have with the characters. Bishop has been making cameos as event planner JJ for some 5 years, but this time not for a wedding. No, that would be big news. The last wedding I organised was Brooke & Ridges. Theres no wedding on the horizon at the moment. No, Im organising the opening party for Il Giardino because Deacons (Sean Kanan) just bought the restaurant and hes going to have a big opening, she explains. Bishop is always welcomed back by cast and crew whenever she steps onto Stage 31 at CBS Television City in Los Angeles. Its such a beautiful feeling. They literally come up and go, JJ is back! They say Its great to see you and the crew too. Theyve got female directors on the show and Im best buddies with the mistress of Props. Last time I left a photograph of JJ and Ridge in a frame on the sideboard behind the main desk in the Forrester office. Now, when you watch the show, youll see the sideboard in that office has a whole lot of photos of the Forrester family and cast -probably about 35 photos. When I was there last time, I put a photo of me and Ridge there just to see whether anyone would notice..I had viewers texting me saying The photos still there! But when I was filming this few weeks ago it was missing. The props mistress said, Brooke got jealous and she moved it. They found it in a drawer but its back in its rightful place on the sideboard. So even the crew are lovely to me. The cast learn 20 pages of dialogue and Ive got three lines so I just make sure that I dont stuff up those three lines! Thats my main mission. So just what is it about Bold that distinguishes it from other soaps? According to Bishop the show has had a lot of firsts. Theyre even welcoming of ideas suggested by Studio 10 viewers for storylines and new relationship ideas for characters. Overwhelmingly most of the viewers and fans said theyd like to see Brooke and Taylor (Krista Allen) get together. I put that two I put that to Krista and to Katherine and they both thought it was a sensational idea. Imagine if we saw that one day! These two people from the love triangle with Ridge (Thorsten Kaye), if they actually got together! The show has been groundbreaking in many ways and it moves with the times a lot faster I think, than all the other soaps. The thing to understand about these daytime dramas is the passion that fans have for them. Theres nothing like it in either any other form of TV. Im coming up to 34 years in May and Ive worked on a bunch of different shows, late night like The Panel, morning variety with Bert news, etc. and no fans come close to the passion and devotion of fans of Bold & the Beautiful and daytime soaps. And its a magic that comes in because Ive been lucky enough to look at it from the inside. You know, Its just a thrill to be around people with such respect to the medium. People Ive worked with every day at Studio 10, and on the news are the same as well and I think thats why I still love it here after 34 years. If you ever see people who are lucky enough to be in this business, treating the job with disdain because they dont love it anymore, or they just dont dont have that spark anymore, I think thats one of the saddest things. Were really lucky to be playing in this arena and thats what Id see every time Im lucky enough to visit the Bold set. As to whats coming up for the soap, Bishop is remaining suitable tight-lipped. The Bill (Don Diamont) and Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) relationship took everyone by surprise and I think its fair to say its going to be going in some interesting directions. I think thats the best thing I can say, she teases. And she remains fascinated watching Sheilas storylines -a character who originally appeared in The Young and the Restless , created by Bradley Bells parents William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell. Sheila usually just comes in, murders a couple of people, causes havoc and then disappears again for a while. But this time her storyline has really been long-lasting and developing. Its taken some amazing twists and turns. Fans have been loving it. Those fans including 10 viewers, the network that has a lifetime deal for the famed soap. If ever episodes are held over for news events, they are quick to unleash their wrath on the network. The switchboard melts down. People get on the phone and call as well as going through social media. The fans reach out to me too and ask me anything, which I love. Fittingly, she adds, I love anyone who loves TV! Angela Bishop appears on The Bold & the Beautiful at 4:30pm today on 10. Foreign Correspondent reporter Stephanie March and producer/cinematographer Matt Davis travel to Somalia but came under the gaze of terrorist group al-Shabaab or this story. Somalia is one of the most dangerous places on earth. Almost two decades of conflict with the al-Qaeda backed terrorist group al-Shabaab has taken a huge toll on the country. Now Somalia is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years. With the world distracted by the war in Ukraine, the crisis is escalating away from the public gaze. This week on Foreign Correspondent reporter Stephanie March and producer/cinematographer Matt Davis travel to Somalia where makeshift camps have become home to more than a million hungry children and their families. There, they meet mothers with babies who have walked for days without food and very little water. They hear incredible stories of courage and survival in a landscape that is unforgiving and unsafe. And they also face their own safety problems when their security team worries al-Shabaab has been told of their whereabouts. As the Somali government fights back against al-Shabaab, another threat, which they have no control over, is driving the extreme weather: climate change. In the midst of this turmoil, the Foreign Correspondent team meets extraordinary people who are determined to make their story one of survival. 8pm Thursday on ABC. Ita Buttrose AC OBE has been named national patron of advocacy group Women in Media. We are immensely proud that Ita Buttrose has chosen to support Women in Media, says Co-Chair Anita Jacoby. Ita is an icon and inspiration to generations of Australian women. A pre-eminent journalist, media industry powerhouse and trailblazer for women, her patronage will greatly assist Women in Medias efforts to improve diversity, equality and inclusion for all women in the media sector. Ms Buttrose said, I welcome the opportunity to encourage women to make the most of their talents as they pursue careers in the media. I was 11 years old when I made the decision to become a journalist. Its a decision I have never regretted. All the good things in my career have been through journalism. Ive enjoyed them all I still am. Buttrose will alswo give the keynote address at the 2023 Women in Media national conference, to be held for the first time in Sydney on September 8-9. 23-year-old Royston Sagigi-Baira, 15-year-old Phoebe Stewart, and 20-year-old Josh Hannan will compete for the Australian Idol title this Sunday, 26 March live (AEDT) on Seven. But it was farewell to 19-year-old Anya Hynninen, 24-year-old Ben Sheehy, and 16-year-old Amali Dimond, who were eliminated after failing to secure enough public votes last night. I cant believe this. This is crazy! Royston said. This is a testament [to the fact] that no matter where you come from, as long as you work hard, you can follow your dreams and they can come true. Thank you everyone for taking the time out of your life to appreciate music, the show and me. And Im really happy Im here. Thank you, said Phoebe. Its a bit emotional, said Josh. Everyone who voted for me. It is an absolute dream for me to be here. The winner of Australian Idol will receive a recording contract with industry giant Sony Music and $100,000 in prize money. Sundays finale will include performances by Harry Connick Jr. and former Idol success story, Jessica Mauboy. Voting is now open for the 2023 title. SMS the name of your chosen Idol Contestant to 0457 500 700 *Standard text message rates apply* Voting closes 26 March 2023 at 7.35pm AEDT. Veteran Australian character actor Terry Norris, best known for Cop Shop, Bellbird and Jack Irish has died, aged 92. Norris was one of Australias most experienced character actors with nearly 80 screen credits, not including stage and radio work. Married to veteran performer Julia Blake (Bed of Roses, Prisoner, Travelling North), meeting the love of his life in a theatre troupe after travelling to the UK age just 21. The West End was ones Mecca and so I went to England and I spent the next 12 years bumming around in repertory theatre. It was fantastic. Every town of every size had its own professional theatre. England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, even the bloody Channel Islands I played, he said in one of his last ever interviews with TV Tonight in 2018. We met in York, a lovely city, we were both in a company there. We got married between a matinee & evening performance of the show we were doing. A lot of performers you worked with in those days spent their entire lives in rep and I didnt want to finish up in a bloody bed sitting-room somewhere, down on my bean end, never going to get any further. We wanted to have a family so I persuaded Julia to come back to my hometown. Both were awarded Lifetime Achievement by the Equity Foundation in 2018. Settling in Melbourne in 1962, he had plenty of work. I had 20 years with the longest run of luck of any actor on the face of the earth! I was never, ever out of work. Sometimes doing two and three at the same time, because in those days there were lots of bits and pieces, he recalled. We did a radio play from Melbourne every week, so that was a little bit of jam on the bread, and at that same time you were doing a stage show or theatre restaurant, and two long-running soap operas. I did 20 years so bloody lucky, never out of work. Its amazing. So thats my story and Im sticking to it. In Bellbird he played mechanic Joe Turner, filmed at Ripponlea studios for 8 years. After a days work he would jump on a train for evening performances at Tikki & Johns Theatre Restaurant or Brian Hannans Squizzys. There were guest roles on Crawford Productions, Homicide, Division 4, Matlock Police before landing the role of the memorable Senior Sgt. Eric OReilly on hit police show, Cop Shop and winning a Silver Logie as Best Supporting Actor. It was a show that never took itself seriously. It had comedy in it which is most unusual for a police show. Gil Tucker (Constable Roy Baker) and I were the comedy relief, he said. They were a lovely, happy cast and another joy to go to work. I can never ever remember a moment in that show when anyone showed any temperament. His CV includes Power Without Glory, Blue Heelers, Changi, Stingers, Something in the Air, City Homicide, Killing Time, Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries, The Society Murders, Hawke, The Damnation of Harvey McHugh, Ryan, Consider Your Verdict, Bobby Dazzler, Hunter, The Last of the Australians, Bloom and films including Stork, Road to Nhill, Paper Planes, , The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Judy & Punch, Looking for Grace, The Dressmaker, Romulus my Father (produced by son in law Robert Connolly). In 1982 he detoured from acting to a 10 year term as a member of the Victorian Labor government, which he says emerged from union work for Actors Equity. Representing voters in Dandenong, he described it as an experience, if not necessarily enjoyable. But one that gave him insight into humanity. I had the biggest ethnic group in the state and the biggest unemployment and drug problem. It was challenging but nevertheless interesting. I worked my arse off and kindly (thanks) to the people I increased my vote at every election so I was doing something right, he recalled. But you never get what you want, totally so you come to some sort of agreement. But its like life anyway, isnt it? On the Guy Pearce drama Jack Irish he joined veteran performer John Flaus and the late Ronald Falk as one of the barflies at the Prince of Prussia pub. Weve struck a chord with a lot of viewers. Oddly enough, they represent an era thats gone. These old Australian types sitting in a bar -not a lot of them left. It has just struck a chord with many viewers who come up and say I know that bar. Its fun to go to work. All Ive got to do is sit there and say the words! Ive had such a bloody, charmed life. Its a terrible business that you wouldnt want any of your children or your best friends ever to go into. But he added, I call myself a jobbing actor. Ill do a reasonably professional job, and Ive been lucky enough to make a living from it. OSLO (Reuters) - Norwegian independent oil and gas producer Okea said on Monday it had agreed to buy a 28% stake in Norway's Statfjord production licence from Equinor for an initial price of $220 million. "In addition, the agreement contains contingent payment terms applicable for 2023-25 for certain thresholds of realised oil and gas prices," Okea said in a statement. The deal increases Okea's total production by between 13,000 and 15,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed) in 2023 and by between 16,000 and 20,000 boed in 2024, lifting overall output next year to more than 40,000 boed, it said. No new financing will be needed for the transaction, the company said. State-controlled Equinor in a separate statement said the deal was part of its portfolio optimisation and it would remain operator of the Statfjord field with a 54.7% stake. (Reporting by Terje Solsvik, editing by Anna Ringstrom) (Bloomberg) -- Russias seaborne crude flows slipped back last week, though there is still little sign that the country has cut production as it said it would this month. Most Read from Bloomberg In the seven days to March 17, Russias shipments were trimmed by 90,000 barrels a day to 3.23 million barrels a day. The less-volatile four-week average dipped by a similar amount. As yet, theres no substantial evidence of the 500,000-barrels-a-day output cut that Russia said it would impose in March though any drop in production at oil fields in Siberia may take some time to show up in flows from the Baltic or Black Sea ports. In another indication that Moscow may not yet be implementing the planned reduction, the countrys crude oil storage tanks have topped 15 million barrels for the first time since April. The increase in seaborne flows seen at the start of the year, which is most apparent in the four-week average data, probably reflects the diversion of crude previously delivered to Poland and Germany through the Druzhba pipeline. Flows to Germany halted at the end of 2022 and deliveries to Poland dropped to about 60,000 barrels a day under the countrys last remaining supply contract with a Russian company.The loss of those pipeline markets means an additional 500,000 barrels a day of Russian crude is now being exported through the countrys ports, despite the European Union ban on imports of almost all of Moscows crude and refined fuels and a G7 price cap that together prompted Moscows threat to cut output. The combined volume of crude on vessels heading to China and India plus smaller flows to Turkey and quantities on ships that havent yet shown a final destination slipped back in the latest four-week period, to an average 3.2 million barrels a day, giving up most of the gain seen the previous week. Story continues As the ultimate destinations of cargoes loading in late January and early February become apparent, flows to China have risen to new post-invasion highs. Historical patterns suggest that most of the cargoes currently identified as Unknown Asia and heading for the Suez Canal will end up in India. Ship-to-ship transfers of cargoes in the Mediterranean continue apace. This has been most visible off the Spanish north African city of Ceuta and off the Greek coast near Kalamata. At least 52 cargoes have been transferred between ships in those two locations since the start of the year. The volume transferred off the coast of Greece, mostly in the Bay of Lakonikos, soared in February, rising to more than 10 million barrels, equivalent to 360,000 barrels a day. That compares with 4.4 million barrels, equivalent to 156,000 barrels a day transferred off Ceuta. A tanker carrying a cargo of Russian crude remains anchored off the Ghanaian port of Tema more than three weeks after it arrived at the west African country. The National Petroleum Authority granted a delivery period for the cargo to be unloaded, but national security considerations have held up the process, according to people familiar with the matter. Crude Flows by Destination Crude flows in the week to March 17 slipped by 90,000 barrels a day from the previous week. On a four-week average basis, overall seaborne exports dropped by the same amount to 3.32 million barrels a day. All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. Those are shipments made by KazTransoil JSC that transit Russia for export through the Baltic ports of Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk. The Kazakh barrels are blended with crude of Russian origin to create a uniform export grade. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has rebranded its cargoes to distinguish them from those shipped by Russian companies. Transit crude is specifically exempted from European Union sanctions. Four-week average shipments to Russias Asian customers, plus those on vessels showing no final destination, were virtually unchanged at 3.18 million barrels a day in the period to March 17, compared with 3.19 million barrels a day previously. While the volumes heading to China and India appear to have declined, history shows that most of the cargoes on ships without an initial destination eventually end up in one or other of those countries. The equivalent of 831,000 barrels a day was on vessels showing destinations as either Port Said or Suez in Egypt, or which already have been or are expected to be transferred from one ship to another off the South Korean port of Yeosu. Those voyages typically end at ports in India or China and show up in the chart below as Unknown Asia until a final destination becomes apparent. The Other Unknown volumes, running at 356,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to March 17, are those on tankers showing a destination of Ceuta, Kalamata or no destination at all. Most of those cargoes go on to transit the Suez Canal, but some could end up in Turkey. An increasing number are being transferred from one vessel to another in the Mediterranean for onward journeys to Asia. Russias seaborne crude exports to European countries fell to a new low of 63,000 barrels a day in the 28 days to March 17, with Bulgaria the sole destination. These figures do not include shipments to Turkey. A market that consumed more than 1.5 million barrels a day of short-haul crude, coming from export terminals in the Baltic, Black Sea and Arctic has been lost almost completely, to be replaced by long-haul destinations in Asia that are much more costly and time-consuming to serve. No Russian crude was shipped to northern European countries in the four weeks to March 17. Exports to Turkey, Russias only remaining Mediterranean customer, fell to 78,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to March 17. Flows there are less than one-fifth of the high they reached in September. Despite not being a part of European sanctions on Russian crude exports, Turkeys role as a lifeline for Moscow since the EU import ban came into effect on Dec. 5 has dwindled. The Star refinery near Aliaga, owned by Azerbaijans Socar, is cutting down purchases of Russian crude, with flows to the plant averaging about 50,000 barrels a day in January and February, compared with about 180,000 barrels a day from August to October. Just one cargo of Russian crude has been delivered to the Star refinery so far in March, though three more are heading to the port of Aliaga, where the refinery is located alongside another belonging to Turkeys Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS, known as Tupras. Those cargoes could go to either plant. Flows to Bulgaria, now Russias only Black Sea market for crude, resumed their downward path, falling to a new low of 63,000 barrels a day. Despite Bulgaria securing a partial exemption from the EUs import ban, the use of Russian crude has fallen to one-third of what it was in October, with Lukoil PJSC switching back to using non-Russian crude in its refinery at Burgas. Flows of Russian crude to Bulgaria were the lowest since April. Flows by Export Location Aggregate flows of Russian crude edged lower to 3.23 million barrels a day in the week to March 17. A drop in exports from Baltic and Black Sea terminals was partly offset by increases in flows from the Arctic and the Pacific. Figures exclude volumes from Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. Export Revenue Inflows to the Kremlin's war chest from its crude-export duty edged lower by $1 million to $44 million in the seven days to March 17, while four-week average income was unchanged at $43 million. President Vladimir Putin has signed into law amendments to the way Russias oil price is assessed for tax purposes. From April, rates of mineral extraction tax and profit-based tax on oil companies will be calculated using a decreasing discount to prevailing Brent prices, rather than assessments of Urals crude. Export duty, which will be phased out at the end of 2023, will not be affected by the change. The duty rate for March was set at $1.94 a barrel, the first increase since December, based on a Urals price of $50.51 a barrel during the assessment period that ran from Jan. 15 to Feb. 14. April will remain virtually unchanged, with export duty on crude set at $1.95 a barrel. Thats based on an average Urals price of $50.80 a barrel, more than $34 below the average Brent price during the assessment period of Feb. 15 to March 14. Origin-to-Location Flows The following charts show the number of ships leaving each export terminal and the destinations of crude cargoes from the four export regions. A total of 30 tankers loaded 22.6 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to March 17, vessel-tracking data and port agent reports show. Thats down by 640,000 barrels, or 3%, from the previous week. Destinations are based on where vessels signal they are heading at the time of writing, and some will almost certainly change as voyages progress. All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. The total volume on ships loading Russian crude from Baltic terminals fell for a second week, dropping to a 10-week low of 1.15 million barrels a day. Shipments from Novorossiysk in the Black Sea fell back from the previous weeks three-month high of 688,000 barrels a day, dropping to just 230,000 barrels a day in the week to March 17. Arctic shipments recovered from a four-week low, with two Suezmax tankers loading in the week to March 17. Flows from the Pacific continued to climb. Thirteen tankers loaded at the regions three export terminals in the week to March 17, up from 11 the previous week. India is continuing to take an significant volume of ESPO crude, accounting for six out of 20 cargoes loading so far this month, compared with two out of a total 30 shipments in February. The volumes heading to unknown destinations are all Sokol cargoes that have recently been transferred to other vessels at Yeosu, or are currently being shuttled to an area off the South Korean port from the loading terminal at De Kastri. Most of these are also ending up in India. Note: This story forms part of a regular weekly series tracking shipments of crude from Russian export terminals and the export duty revenues earned from them by the Russian government. Note: All figures exclude cargoes owned by Kazakhstans KazTransOil JSC, which transit Russia and are shipped from Novorossiysk and Ust-Luga as KEBCO grade crude. Note: Data on crude flows can also be found at {DSET CRUDEJ }. The numbers, which are generated by a bot, may differ from those in this story. --With assistance from Sherry Su. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The 35-year-old returned to first-team action with Leicester as a late substitute against Chelsea earlier in March after nearly five months out, but missed Saturday's draw with Brentford. Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers said last week that the defender was expected to be fit after the Brentford game, but a fresh injury sustained during recovery from a long-term calf problem has ruled him out of international duty. It comes as a blow to O'Neill who has spoken about a lack of experienced players available for his side's Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, with Evans one of three selections who had been a part of his first Northern Ireland squad during his previous spell in charge a decade ago. Steven Davies and Corry Evans were also part of O'Neill's first squad in 2012 but will miss the upcoming internationals with injury, leaving Craig Cathcart and Shane Ferguson as the only pair to have been with the manager throughout. Former Manchester United defender Evans had been set to captain the side in the absence of regular skipper Davies. The manager had previously called on Middlesbrough's Paddy McNair, who has 56 caps, to step up in terms of leadership. "What will be interesting about this window in particular is how we will cope without, at this moment in time, Steven, Corry, Stuart (Dallas), players that have been with me a long time," O'Neill told the PA news agency in March, before Evans' withdrawal. "Players emerge all the time. You look at Paddy McNair, 27 years of age, McNair needs to become a huge player in this group, a really big player and he has to embrace that role." The article Euro 2024: Northern Ireland lose Leicester defender Jonny Evans to hamstring injury appeared first on Planetsport.com. FILE: Chief of the Australian Defence Force Gen. Angus Campbell delivering a report into alleged misconduct in Afghanistan (AP) An ex-Australian SAS soldier has been charged with murder after an investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. The 41-year-old, named by Australian media as Oliver Schulz, is the first serviceman or veteran to be charged with a war crime under Australian law. The charge came after an investigation found that 19 Australian special forces soldiers could face charges for illegal conduct during the conflict. It will be alleged he murdered an Afghan man while deployed to Afghanistan, Australian Federal Police said. The former Special Air Service regiment trooper is expected to appear before a Sydney court within days, when a magistrate will likely consider whether he can be released from custody on bail. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported Mr Schulz is the person referred to as Soldier C in a 2020 ABC Four Corners documentary exposing alleged war crimes. Footage showed Soldier C shooting an Afghan man in a wheat field in Uruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan in 2012. Schulz faces a potential sentence of life in prison if convicted. Police are working with the Office of the Special Investigator, an Australian investigation agency established in 2021, to build cases against elite SAS and Commando Regiments troops who served in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. A military report released in 2020 after a four-year investigation found evidence that Australian troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghan prisoners, farmers and civilians. The report recommended 19 current and former soldiers face criminal investigation. At the time, the Australian Defence Force blamed crimes on an unchecked warrior culture" among some soldiers. More than 39,000 Australian military personnel served in Afghanistan during the 20 years until the 2021 withdrawal, and 41 have been killed there. Letter bombs were sent to at least five journalists working in TV and radio stations in violence-plagued Ecuador Monday, one of which exploded without causing serious injury, Interior Minister Juan Zapata said. The prosecutor's office said it had opened an investigation into the crime of terrorism, without stating why the news stations were specifically targeted, or by whom. The interior minister said the envelopes were sent from the town of Quimsaloma, in the coastal province of Los Rios. Three were sent to Guayaquil in the southwest and two to the capital Quito. The "device is indeed the same in all five places," Zapata told reporters. In the port city of Guayaquil, journalist Lenin Artieda of the Ecuavisa private TV station received an envelope containing a pen drive which exploded when he inserted it into a computer, his employer said. Artieda sustained slight injuries to one hand and his face, said police official Xavier Chango. No one else was hurt. Chango said the USB drive sent to Artieda could have been loaded with RDX, a military-type explosive. Another package addressed to journalist Carlos Vera was intercepted by the police at a courier company in Guayaquil and did not reach its destination, Zapata said. Elsewhere in Guayaquil in Ecuador's southwest, the prosecutor's office said a letter bomb was also sent to the offices of TC Television. There is "an absolutely clear message to silence journalists," said the minister. - 'New escalation' - The Teleamazonas chain later said it had also received a USB stick at its offices in Quito "with the same characteristics" as the one sent to Ecuavisa. The Fundamedios NGO which advocates for press freedom, said the three "attacks used the same modus operandi." Envelopes with USB sticks were addressed to Artieda as well as to Mauricio Ayora of TC Television and Milton Perez of Teleamazonas, it said in a statement. The envelope addressed to Artieda contained a threat against the journalist, said Fundamedios. Story continues The one to Teleamazonas, it added, contained a note that claimed the stick contained information on "Correismo" -- a political movement named after former president Rafael Correa. The letters represented "a new escalation in violence against the press, said Fundamedios, and called for "immediate intervention of the State". The government said in a statement it "categorically rejects any form of violence perpetrated against journalists and media outlets." Any attempt to "intimidate journalism and freedom of expression are repugnant," it added. The CDH human rights watchdog also condemned the attacks on media "in the context of growing insecurity in Ecuador." Ecuador is sandwiched between Colombia and Peru, the world's two largest cocaine producers, and has itself become a hub for the global drug trade in recent years. Guayaquil is one of its most violent cities, with frequent clashes between criminal gangs disputing drug trafficking routes. President Guillermo Lasso has declared war on gangs who control the drug trade from prisons engulfed by extreme violence and riots that have left more than 400 inmates dead since 2021. Ecuador has seen its murder rate jump from 14 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2021 to 25 per 100,000 in 2022. Last year, the RTS TV station came under gunfire attack, and in 2020 a bomb exploded at Teleamazonas. pld/dga/mlr/jh/dw Watch: Finland is the happiest place in the world, again Want to live in the happiest country in the world? It might be time to move to Finland. The Scandinavian nation has just been named the happiest country in the world by the World Happiness Report for the sixth year in a row, beating other countries such as Denmark, Iceland, and Israel to nab the top spot. In fact, it seems as though there might be something in the water for the Scandi nations, as both Norway and Sweden join Finland in the top 10. Read more: UK areas with most improved rates of happiness, anxiety and life satisfaction revealed Other countries included in the top 10 are the Netherlands, Switzerland, Luxembourg and New Zealand. Lithuania is the only new country to be listed in the top 20, moving up more than 30 places since 2017. War-torn Afghanistan and Lebanon are the two unhappiest countries due to lower than average life evaluations. Finland has been named as the world's happiest country. (Getty Images) The happiest countries in the world for 2023 Finland Denmark Iceland Israel Netherlands Sweden Norway Switzerland Luxembourg New Zealand Austria Australia Canada Ireland US Germany Belgium Czechia UK Lithuania The UK comes in at 19 on the list, lower than the US placed at 15, Germany at 16, Ireland at 14, and Australia at 12. France is just below the UK in terms of happiness, however, as it stands at number 21. The happiness of the countries was measured using several factors, including: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and low corruption. Denmark is the world's second happiest country. (Getty Images) Average happiness and our country rankings, for emotions as well as life evaluations, have been remarkably stable during the three COVID-19 years, study author John Helliwell said. Changes in rankings that have taken place have been continuations of longer-term trends, such as the increases seen in the rankings of the three Baltic countries. Even during these difficult years, positive emotions have remained twice as prevalent as negative ones, and feelings of positive social support twice as strong as those of loneliness. Story continues Read more: How to be happy: The numbers that add up to a better life Fellow study author Lara Aknin noted that levels of everyday kindness remained above pre-pandemic levels. The unhappiest countries in the world for 2023 Afghanistan Lebanon Sierra Leone Zimbabwe Democratic Republic of the Congo Botswana Malawi Comoros Tanzania Zambia Madagascar India Liberia Ethiopia Jordan Togo Egypt Mali Gambia Bangladesh For a second year, we see that various forms of everyday kindness, such as helping a stranger, donating to charity, and volunteering, are above pre-pandemic levels, she added. Acts of kindness have been shown to both lead to and stem from greater happiness. One country whose happiness has taken a hit in the past year is Ukraine which, at place 92 on the list, continues to be invaded by Russia. Read more: Here's what happens to your body when you're happy The devastating impact of the war is evident to all, and so we also find that well-being in Ukraine has taken a real hit, study author Jan-Emmanuel De Neve said. But what is surprising, however, is that well-being in Ukraine fell by less than it did in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea, and this is thanks in part to the extraordinary rise in fellow feeling across Ukraine as picked up in data on helping strangers and donations the Russian invasion has forged Ukraine into a nation. Sigur Ross will be playing shows across Europe and the US this summer credit:Bang Showbiz Sigur Ros are hitting the road for a tour with a 41-piece orchestra. The band is due to release their first new studio album in 10 years this summer and they will debut their new songs on a tour of Europe and North America where they will perform alongside the London Contemporary Orchestra and the Wordless Music Orchestra. A statement posted on the band's website reads: "Sigur Ros have announced a limited run of very special dates, performed with a 41-piece orchestra in both Europe and North America. You can expect a new album in June, the first studio album in 10 years. "Having spent the past few years writing and recording, Sigur Ros will now debut these brand new songs to the world. The tour kicks off in London at Meltdown Festival, where the band will perform with the London Contemporary Orchestra, who also accompany them on their following European tour dates. "Accompanied by the Wordless Music Orchestra in North America, the band will perform their new material as well as favourites from their extensive catalogue. All orchestral dates will be conducted by Rob Ames." The first show will take place at London's Royal Festival Hall as part of the annual Meltdown Festival. They will then head to countries including France, Holland and Germany before taking the shows to Canada and the US with stops in Toronto, New York City and Boston before concluding the trek in Los Angeles on August 28. Sigur Ros will also be performing at festivals across Europe throughout the summer where they will be playing without the orchestra. The University of North Georgia's (UNG) poultry science program was awarded a $7,000 grant from the US Poultry & Egg Foundation. The grant will benefit students pursuing associate degrees in agriculture and poultry science and will be used to provide educational materials and help recruit students into the poultry program. UNG has applied for and received this grant since 2013. The money from the grant will mainly impact UNG's Gainesville Campus and can serve as a vessel for facilitating many opportunities for future student endeavors. "This grant helps prepare students for jobs and the industry our university serves," Dr. Linda Purvis, assistant professor of biology, said. "It means we can continue to help spread the information about our poultry program and recruit students into our program." The grant will enable students to host the annual Ag Career Day on March 31 on the Gainesville Campus and attend the International Production & Processing Expo, which was held in January in Atlanta. It will support students with additional student field trips, marketing materials, recruitment events, and industry visits. Georgia's multibillion-dollar poultry industry, the largest sector of the state's No. 1 agriculture and agribusiness industry, contributes an annual $24.6 billion to the state economy and generates an annual $2.1 billion in federal tax revenue and another $1.3 billion in state tax revenue, according to the University of Georgia. "Here at UNG, the poultry program truly feels like a little family," Jacque Conner, a junior from Dawsonville, Georgia, pursuing an associate degree in poultry science, said. "It is such a supportive group. We help each other obtain goals, whether it is my goal of going into hatchery work, or someone else's, wishing to go to veterinary school. No matter what your goal might be, you will always have support from this group." HOI AN Japanese pianist Keiko Borujeson will play a jazz charity concert at the U Cafe in the ancient town of Hoi An on March 24 to raise funds for children with cancer under treatment at a Nang Oncology Hospital. Usuda Reiko, the owner of the cafe, said the concert would feature singing and piano over two hours. The cafe can host a maximum of 30 people. Borujeson, an artist of international acclaim, has been performing worldwide since the eighties. She lives in Japan, the US and Sweden, and continues to tour worldwide. A jazz artist with classical roots, she has rendered a distinctive sound of innovation, contradiction, and academic precision that uniquely harmonises with the touch of her fingers. She also teaches in China, Latvia and other countries, and the Keiko Foundation assists young musicians in Latvia and Slovenia. Borujeson said its her first time visiting Hoi An, and the concert will help raise money to support children receiving treatment for cancer at the a Nang Oncology hospital. All the money donated by attendees in the concert will be sent to the children in the hospital in a Nang City. Borujeson also performed at the annual Japanese-Vietnamese Culture Exchange Day in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Viet Nam at a Nang's ong A University on March 9. According to Reiko, the charity concert in Hoi An is also a celebration of Japan-Viet Nam diplomatic ties. Reiko, who works as a volunteer of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in Kawasaki City, has, with other members, donated more than 12,000 bicycles to poor students in a Nang and Quang Nam Province since 2003. The concert will start at 5.30pm at 120 Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street in Hoi An City. VNS The Government Resolution No. 30 and Decree No. 07, which were issued a few days ago, are considered lifebuoys for public medical facilities to mitigate the bottlenecks in the procurement and bidding for drugs and medical equipment. Pham Khanh Phong Lan, a member of the HCM City Delegation of National Assembly Deputies, told Lao ong (Labour) newspaper that there should be long-term policies to address the issue. The Government has just issued Resolution 30 and Decree 07 to mitigate a number of issues over shortages of crucial medical supplies for the health sector. What are your opinions on this matter? I think these two documents have been issued to immediately and temporarily remove bottlenecks in medical equipment purchasing. Decree 07 mainly regulates the management of medical equipment. However, this decree does not mention the bidding process, which has many problems that need to be solved. I believe there are problems with medical equipment for public medical facilities. The first problem is finance. Obviously, the State's budget for investment in medical equipment is very limited. Public investment in hospitals has remained low compared to actual needs and hospitals must mobilise other sources to maintain their operation. The two legal documents have not yet mentioned these issues and the problem here is financial mechanisms. The second problem is about procedures and management which depends on circulation permits and import permits. After the COVID-19 pandemic, many medical devices do not have storage numbers or import licenses. There are private businesses that have medical devices stuck at the port because they are not able to clear customs due to legal procedures. There are decrees for medical equipment asking for extensions each year. We do not yet have proper management methods. Many medical units are still confused about the sustainability of these legal documents. What are your comments about this issue? We all know that as it is regulated, public units have to organise bidding if they want to purchase medical equipment. According to the regulations on bidding, medical equipment is like all other items and its compulsory to have three price quotes from suppliers. This regulation is somewhat impractical. There are devices that can be manufactured and supplied by only one supplier as they can ensure technical compatibility and copyright that cannot be obtained by others. Thus, it is impossible to have three quotes as required. Resolution 30 addressed these issues and tried to solve them. According to the new resolution, there are only one to two quotes required to build the bid package pricing, instead of three in the past. I think that Decree 07 and Resolution 30 have established the actual requirements. Its better late than never. However, it is only a temporary solution. The resolution is still a resolution and its not the Law on Bidding. What suggestions do you have to limit the risks and errors for public agencies to implement Resolution 30 and Decree 07? I think it is necessary for the National Assembly to have specific regulations for medical equipment and drugs in the Law of Bidding because this field is unique and has a great impact on society. This cant be treated as other goods such as steel or cement that conduct public bidding in a normal way. The law must have a section dedicated to this issue. In terms of the policy, bidding is not the only way to purchase equipment, but we can promote other methods. We can establish a national centre for bidding, which includes auditing and inspecting activities to avoid causing hesitation for medical units when implementing bidding. What do you think about the countrys current bidding? During the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the supply chain was disrupted in both our country and the world. The problems of inadequate mechanisms in bidding for equipment procurement had existed for many years, but the medical units were still trying to manage it, but they could no longer do it after the pandemic. Doctors cant give treatment to patients without medical equipment no matter how large hospitals are. Many countries in the world do not pay much attention to bidding, but to an autonomous mechanism instead. Governments are obliged to invest in the health sector, including maintaining a system of public hospitals to take care of poor people. They are very transparent in their activities to ensure the budget and have the autonomy of personnel in hospitals. In Viet Nam, we still follow the salary level regulations and there are too many procedures and mechanisms, which easily generate corruption. VNS In a recent interview with the media on the sidelines of a workshop on offshore wind energy development in Ha Noi, deputy head of the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission, Nguyen uc Hien talks about the progress of Power Development Plan VIII and the implementation of Resolution 55 of the Politburo on orientations of the Viet Nams National Energy Development Strategy to 2030. Resolution 55 serves as a critical guide for Viet Nam's energy development until 2030. How has it been implemented and how has offshore wind energy been developed in the country? It has been three years since the Politburo issued Resolution 55. The Party Central Committee's Economic Commission has been closely monitoring the implementation of this resolution, which includes the development of frameworks and policies for offshore wind energy in Viet Nam. This is an entirely new industry in the country, requiring a comprehensive approach to identify a development model and establish the necessary frameworks and policies. At this early stage of offshore wind energy development in Viet Nam, we are still in the process of learning from international best practices. We greatly value the insights, opinions, and experiences shared by experts from Denmark, the Global Wind Energy Council, and other international sources. These contributions will be invaluable as we work towards achieving our goal of developing offshore wind energy in Viet Nam. The Commission will gather the information and discussion from the workshop and incorporate them into our assessment report and work with relevant authorities to have timely directions to perfect the policies. How will the development of offshore wind energy contribute to energy security? Maintaining energy security has always been a top priority for Viet Nam, given its reliance on energy imports. As part of its economic growth targets for the 2021-30 period, Viet Nam aims to transition into a high-income country by 2030 and a developed, high-income country by 2045. Achieving these goals will require significant investments in energy, with projected investment growth in the energy sector estimated to be 1.5 to 1.8 times higher than the overall economic growth rate. The demand for energy investment in Viet Nam is significant, and traditional sources of energy are limited due to finite resources. As a result, there is a pressing need to shift towards renewable energy sources, including offshore wind energy, which offers several advantages. Firstly, offshore wind energy can serve as an essential base load power source, ensuring the stability and reliability of the entire energy system. Secondly, the decreasing costs associated with offshore wind energy make it an increasingly attractive option. Technological innovations in this sector have helped to significantly reduce costs, making it a more feasible and cost-effective alternative to traditional energy sources. In the past ten years, the cost reduced by 60 per cent. This shows the great potential of offshore wind energy, contributing to the energy security goals of Viet Nam. The Power Development Plan VIII was initiated in 2021 but after more than two years, it hasnt been approved yet. So what will the Commission to do push the progress of the plan? Under the resolution, relevant government offices and authorities are requested to develop national energy development strategy and finalise the Power Development Plan VIII (PDP VIII). The progress of the PDP VIII has been quite slow and we are currently working to understand the causes of this delay. The Commission will continue to work with competent authorities, ministries and agencies, especially the Ministry of Industry and Trade to ensure the PDP VIII is submitted to the Government in a timely manner. This planning document is of utmost importance, as it serves as the foundation for implementing energy investment projects and achieving national energy security goals. As such, we are closely monitoring and guiding the implementation of Resolution 55. It is very important to expedite the approval of PDP VIII to accelerate energy investment and development. VNS Crucial guide for Viet Nam's energy development Issued in February 2020, Resolution 55 of the Politburo is a crucial guide for the energy development of the country. The Resolution sets out targets and solutions to ensure national energy security and a sufficient, stable supply of high-quality energy at an affordable price for rapid and sustainable socio-economic development.Under the Resolution, Viet Nam aims to develop a transparent and competitive energy market in line with socialist-oriented market economy. Accordingly, the country will have renewable energy account for 15-20 per cent of the total primary energy supply in 2030 and 25-30 per cent by 2045.One of the tasks set out include formulating breakthrough mechanisms and policies to encourage and promote remarkable development of renewable energy sources with priority of wind and solar power for electricity generation. VNS HA NOI The Bangladesh-Viet Nam Friendship Society (BVFS) has been officially established as one of the activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Viet Nam-Bangladesh diplomatic relationship. The society includes the participation of former ambassadors of Bangladesh to Viet Nam, members of the Bangladesh-Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, war veterans, intellectuals, journalists, writers, and artists. Shamsher M. Chowdhury, BB, former Foreign Minister and former Ambassador of Bangladesh to Viet Nam, serves as BVFS President. In his remarks, the official stressed that the establishment of the association demonstrates the close ties between the two countries, as well as Bangladeshs efforts in promoting their solidarity. With his love for Viet Nam and his desire to keep contributing to the friendship and prosperity of Bangladesh and Viet Nam, especially to promote people-to-people exchanges, cultural exchanges, Shamsher M. Chowdhury and his Bangladeshi friends decided to establish the Bangladesh-Viet Nam Friendship Society. Secretary of Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury reviewed major milestones in Viet Nam-Bangladesh relations over the past 50 years. He said Viet Nam is one of the most dynamic countries in Asia and that he hopes with the engagement of the BVFS, the relations between the two countries and their peoples will grow in a more intensive and practical way. Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Pham Viet Chien emphasised that the formation of the BVFS is meaningful to the Viet Nam-Bangladesh relations as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. The diplomat noted his hope that the association will organise activities bringing peoples of the two countries together, and help promote Viet Nams land, people, culture, and achievements among Bangladeshi people. On this occasion, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga sent a letter of congratulations to the BVFS. In the letter, Nga said its establishment has contributed to cooperation and friendship as well as people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries, and expressed her hope for fruitful cooperation with the association in people-to-people diplomacy. VNS The latest report on the food delivery market in the top Southeast Asian markets by Momentum Works indicates that the total spending on food delivery services in the region will reach $16.3 billion in 2022, up 5 per cent after two years of explosive growth due to the pandemic. This growth is mainly driven by the food delivery markets in the region, including the Philippines ($800 million), Malaysia (up $600 million), and Vietnam (up $300 million). In the face of increasing pressure to make profits from investors, current and new food delivery apps are cutting down on promotions, while competing heavily on service quality and other unique services. At the 2023 Food and Beverage Conference organised by Vietcetera and MasterCard last week, Jinwoo Song, CEO BAEMIN Vietnam said, "The growth of the food delivery market in Vietnam is no surprise when it meets the modern consumption trends of customers, focusing on convenience and time savings. Still, businesses are facing significant challenges, among which is shifting from attracting customers by promotions to achieving profitability for sustainable development." Aside from making unique initiatives to maintain a witty and distinctive brand image, he emphasised the crucial role of strengthening the solid relationship between applications and merchant partners. "To achieve sustainability in a fiercely competitive market like Vietnam, in addition to understanding the users desires and improving the livelihoods of rider partners, the cooperation with merchant partners needs to be invested in and carefully nurtured through various activities. Therefore, BAEMIN aims to build a strong community among partners and help them enhance their long-term competitiveness and capabilities," he said. From the very first registration process, merchant partners will undergo a transparent, simple, and accessible five-step registration process. After that, the company continues to support partners in optimising sales operations and increasing profits through initiatives such as the "BAEMIN Academy" - an online and offline training ecosystem. The latest activity of the acadamey is the "Kitchen Know-It-All" livestream series, helping partners gather the necessary knowledge and experience to operate smoothly. Not only limited to business activities, the company also provides opportunities for partners to purchase eco-friendly packaging at discounted prices, keeping up with the green lifestyle of Vietnamese customers. "The BAEMIN B2B Mall initiative, launched in February, was warmly received by merchant partners. This is an in-app store providing recycled packaging products at favourable prices. We will continue to invest in education and training programmes to improve partners and users awareness towards sustainability." said Jinwoo. "At BAEMIN, we are constantly looking for opportunities and initiatives to connect stakeholders within our operating ecosystem, helping them understand each other better and thus forming closer relationships. In the future, we will continue to leverage our strengths to offer more unique products and services, helping everyone lead happier and more convenient lifestyles," he said Baemin Vietnam and Shinhan Bank launch co-branded credit card BAEMIN Vietnam application has officially partnered with Shinhan Bank to launch a co-branded credit card named "Gourmet Member" with a credit limit of VND100 million (about $4,000). Baemin Vietnam fast-forwards sustainable development Baemin Vietnam has stepped up its efforts to promote sustainable development in the online food delivery market in Vietnam. Beverage leaders plead for excise tax postponement, illustration photo/ Dung Minh The Vietnam Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Association met in the central city of Danang last week to discuss the Ministry of Finances (MoF) proposed tax increase on alcohol and sugary drinks. The association asked for a postponement of the excise tax for at least the next two years, as well as the removal of sugary drinks, barley drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages from consumption tax obligations. We acknowledge that there may be a need for additional taxes and fees in the future, but their effects should be carefully evaluated to make sure they help business recovery and do not hinder economic progress. For instance, the government should research how the proposed tax hike could affect both consumers and businesses, said Nguyen Quoc Viet, deputy director of the Institute for Economic and Policy Research. Viet explained that the beverage industry has grown in production, but its performance had fluctuated greatly in the past five years. An incident like the pandemic damages this industry much more than other industries, like food and tobacco. This proposal is inconsistent with government policies and guidelines on production and business recovery, especially tax reform policy towards 2025, he added. If the tax rate increases now, the total budget revenue is unlikely to increase. Total demand over GDP is decreasing, and raising taxes will cause this proportion to go down. Vo Tri Thanh, director of the Institute of Branding and Competition Strategy, said that taxes should not be changed during the current period to give more time to research, assess the social impact, consult businesses, and study international experience regarding the tax. He suggested that the authorities look at a mixed tax, applying the tax calculation according to an overall percentage and absolute tax, from 2026, when Vietnam should move closer to being an upper middle-income economy. Businesses need a stable tax and fee environment to return to pre-pandemic levels, and at the same time make sustainable tax payments to the state, Thanh said. Over the past 15 years, duty on the alcohol industry has been adjusted five times. The tax increased from 50 per cent in 2015 to 55 per cent in 2016, and then rose to 65 per cent in 2018. The taxable basis also shifted from the import price to the wholesale price. Other industry players claimed that any change in tax policy could undermine the Vietnamese governments efforts to improve the countrys business environment and competitiveness. The countrys socioeconomic progress has been significantly influenced by the alcoholic beverage industry, said Nguyen Van Viet, chairman of the Vietnam Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Association chairman. He highlighted how the industry generates employment and adds an estimated $2.6 billion to the state budget each year, encouraging the growth of other industries. Companies in the industry are also setting the bar for corporate social responsibility and sustainable growth. Multinational financial news site Business Insider predicted weakened consumer spending will impact the growth of beer sales in 2023. Moreover, some regulations, including the prevention and control of alcohol-related harm and a decree regulating strict fines for drink-driving introduced in 2020, are believed to have reduced alcohol consumption by 20-30 per cent. VBF: Agribusiness working group recommends digital transformation The working group argues that Vietnamese agriculture needs to apply technology and digital transformation to create a turning point in agricultural production, moving from a traditional agrarian economy to one based on scientific technology, digital transformation, and circularity. VBF: FIEs seek IRC easement for new locations Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) require the authorities to loosen regulations to grant investment registration certificates (IRCs) for their business locations and branches. Fostering ties with private sector in green growth The technical session of the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) took place on March 17 with a theme of partnership between the private sector and the government to foster green growth. VBF asks for digitalisation of learning (Education 4.0) To encourage the continued development of Vietnam's economy, the upskilling and education of its future labour force is essential. Business community leads call to action for authorities Significant focus was placed on revitalising the economy, smoothing out tax issues, and ensuring a green transition at last weeks Vietnam Business Forum. Brunei plans to build waste-to-electricity incinerator plant (Photo: VNA) Hanoi Brunei plans to build a waste incineration plant that can process 800 to 1,000 tonnes of waste per day to generate electricity, according to Minister of Development Dato Haji Mohd Juanda. Speaking at the 19th meeting of the Legislative Council on the ministry's annual budget on March 19, the minister said that the waste incineration plant will help achieve more resilient and efficient solid waste management and much smaller area for landfills. He stressed problems such as odour and leachate that are usually associated with landfills can be avoided. With the incorporation of the latest solid waste management technologies, pollution problems such as gas emissions from incinerators can be dealt with as best as possible. This approach also ensures more effective waste management for the next 20 years, he added. Brunei's Sungai Paku Engineered Landfill site, which covers 104 hectares and receives 90 per cent of the country's waste, is expected to reach its capacity limit by 2030. Fresh approaches sought for electricity transmission The plan to raise transmission tariffs for energy indicates that Vietnam must take further steps to alleviate system stress and entice private sector investment in transmission. Foreign experts have had to deal with additional procedures to work in Vietnam in recent times, Photo: Shutterstock Problems related to work permits for foreign experts in Vietnam were inevitably brought up at last weeks Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) event in Hanoi. In a document sent to the Vietnamese government, ministries, and agencies, foreign chambers of commerce in Vietnam again claimed that the issuance of work permits is too lengthy, causing many difficulties for production and business. The European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) acknowledged that many inadequacies in implementation of administrative procedures have been resolved in recent times. However, some enterprises are still struggling with procedures on new work permits and renewals. Many people from Europe used to work and live for a long time in Vietnam, but it is no longer as easy to do so. In just one example, many international schools here have a need to recruit teachers from overseas, but there are too many procedures to apply for a work permit, which affects investors, claimed Dang Tuyet Vinh, a representative of EuroCham Vietnam. Regulations note that it should take 10 days for approval of foreign labour demand, or five days for a work permit from the date of receiving a completed application. However, the reality is much different, and enterprises often take 10 weeks or more to complete the procedures, said Vinh. European enterprises are often large investors in Vietnam and, in addition to creating jobs for local workers and strengthening their skills, they still need foreign experts for the operating of their businesses. However, such enterprises have been confused with the rules since Decree No.152/2020/ND-CP on recruitment and management of workers at foreign employers was put into effect, according to Vinh. At the VBF, a representative of the Singapore Business Association in Vietnam cited one Singaporean enterprise in Ho Chi Minh City that transformed from a one-member company into a joint stock company. After this move, the company had to apply for new work permits for the same foreign employees who were already working for them. There should have been the option to update their permits, instead of applying for brand new ones and carrying out all the previous procedures. It takes too much time, said the representative. Some localities have found a way around the delays, however. Facing complaints from foreign business associations, Nguyen Van Lam, deputy director general of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, said the department has been able to remove obstacles in the amended Decree 152. We can grant a new permit within seven days, and permit renewals have been shortened from three working days to one only, Lam said. At Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, over 28,000 documents were received last year, including 15,400 on labour demand, 10,800 on new work permits, 1,120 on permit renewal, and 440 on extending work permits. Additionally, Lam pointed out some mistakes that businesses often make. Common issues include enterprises not collecting enough documents in terms of consular legalisation, certified copies, and notarised translations; while there can also be a lack of specific information related to the foreigners professional training and work experience, which may also be inconsistent with the employers report explaining the need for foreign workers. Foreign-invested enterprises also struggle with proving the foreign workers experience, which must include a university degree and document confirming at least three years of work experience in the role they want to take up in Vietnam. EuroCham and the US equivalent AmCham suggested at the VBF that businesses should be allowed to submit previous work permits of experts as proof that they have satisfied the recruitment conditions. They also believe that the requirement that work experience must be in the exact field they need the permit for should be abolished. However, a representative of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs told VIR that the degree of foreign employees must match the work experience and business recruitment strategy as stipulated in Decree 152s Article 3. A doctor or teacher must have enough degrees, knowledge, and skills. An art teacher cannot teach maths, also, and a dentist cannot be a cardiologist, the representative said. VBF: Agribusiness working group recommends digital transformation The working group argues that Vietnamese agriculture needs to apply technology and digital transformation to create a turning point in agricultural production, moving from a traditional agrarian economy to one based on scientific technology, digital transformation, and circularity. VBF: FIEs seek IRC easement for new locations Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) require the authorities to loosen regulations to grant investment registration certificates (IRCs) for their business locations and branches. Fostering ties with private sector in green growth The technical session of the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) took place on March 17 with a theme of partnership between the private sector and the government to foster green growth. VBF asks for digitalisation of learning (Education 4.0) To encourage the continued development of Vietnam's economy, the upskilling and education of its future labour force is essential. By Nguyen Manh Hung - Minister of Information and Communications The MIC aims to organise conferences and forums overseas that will focus on investment promotion, digital trade, and Vietnamese digital technology. It will also advise the government to sign digital partnership agreements with other countries, and establish a consulting group to support businesses that expand past our borders. And each month, the ministry will organise at least one event to help digital technology enterprises do business abroad. Going abroad means competing with the best. This is the way for our businesses to become internationally competitive. It also brings Vietnams knowledge and digital technology to the world, and means Vietnam can contribute to the development of humanity. Going abroad means taking on new challenges, expanding the knowledge system, and learning to build Vietnam, all to help improve the nations standing in the world. Without doing this, without competition, without conquest, and without revenue from foreign markets, Vietnam cannot become a high-income developed country. Last year, Vietnamese digital technology enterprises strongly ventured further in foreign markets by investing in business activities, and bringing digital transformation solutions to developed countries. Revenues from overseas markets at Viettel in telecommunications, for example, reached $3 billion, while FPTs revenues in IT and digital transformation reached $1 billion. The world has recognised Viettels contribution in developing rural telecommunications, closing the digital gap in many countries, from Asia and Africa to Latin America. It has made 5G network equipment and other high-tech products. Elsewhere, Vingroup can make cars to export to the United States. FPT and CMC also provide IT and digital transformation solutions for developed countries like Japan and the US. Many companies from the first day of establishment have aimed for foreign markets such as NTQ Solutions, SmartOCS, RikkeiSoft, OMI, VMO, and others. There are companies from the very beginning that have set their sights on developing new technologies on par with the worlds top tech groups. These businesses and entrepreneurs have inspired us and made us believe that it can be done. If hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese digital technology enterprises can do it, Vietnam has the opportunity to turn into a tech dragon. Vietnams IT and digital technology market is not yet a big one. Spending on IT and digital transformation is not substantial, but the number of businesses operating in this field is considerable. It is because of that competition that we are able to create quality products and services at low prices and successfully exploit the markets that large digital technology companies are leaving open. This offers up the competitiveness to be able to go abroad. In technology, there is no place for average products. Quality and low-cost products are suitable for this period of digitalisation, when all countries from rich to poor are accelerating digital transformation in a comprehensive manner. The opportunity for a country like Vietnam to improve its ranking is now. In a settled world, new opportunities are few. For developing countries there are even less; and the opportunity to go abroad can dwindle. In the next 10-20 years, there will be important transitions from telecommunications infrastructure to digital infrastructure; from IT to digital technology; from individual software to digital platforms; from processing and assembling to making truly Vietnamese-made products, and lots more. Digital technology becomes the basic production force; digital talent becomes the basic resource; and digital innovation becomes the fundamental driving force of development. Major tech companies are developing digital technology to solve big problems and meet universal needs, such as AI. Imagine that every Vietnamese civil servant in every field has a virtual assistant at the expert level. How much will the state of Vietnam change? How strong will the country develop? Vietnamese digital tech businesses could find opportunities in this area, for example. Over the years, Vietnam has only created a few unicorns. Maybe it will not be the Vietnamese way. What if a startup company is worth hundreds of millions of dollars and revenues are only trillions of VND, but it is excellent in its field, and the product and the market is number 1 in the world? They would be our Vietnamese unicorns. If we have many excellent digital tech companies that value hundreds of millions of US dollars, then Vietnam will still become a leading digital technology country. Whatever is done, domestic companies should always think of the Vietnamese way, based on the characteristics and core strength of the country. They should seek to modernise using the latest technology, and help to solve age-old problems. They should also aim to create products that are easy to use, that can become cheaper, and can become accessible so that modern digital products can reach everyone. How can 5G and digital transformation impact the performance of industries such as manufacturing, logistics, agriculture and e-commerce over the coming years? Denis Brunetti, president of Ericsson in Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos As a critical digital national infrastructure, 5G has the potential to significantly transform society, industries, and the economy, as well as benefiting the environment. In the past, developing economies depended on traditional inputs to fuel growth, such as low-cost labour and natural resources. Moving forward, the new economy will increasingly depend on more sustainable inputs, such as science, technology and innovation, whereby data will become the new oil that creates as much as drives a more inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic development, securing broader range prosperity for all. Through 5G, the introduction of Industry 4.0 will be accelerated across thousands of factory floors in Vietnam, enabling robots, digital twin technology, automatic guided vehicles, remote inventory tracking, and predictive maintenance to bring vastly improved efficiency and increased safety to production facilities. As well as helping increase the nations labour productivity growth rate towards 7.5 per cent per annum, it will also stimulate increased high-tech foreign direct investment and attract significantly more smart manufacturing investment to Vietnam over the coming years. This is crucially important, especially as we expect almost 70 per cent of the worlds multinational corporations to have their manufacturing hubs reside in Asia-Pacific within this decade. Similarly, we see agriculture, mining, logistics, energy, transport, healthcare, and education, among other industries, all benefiting from high speed, secure and reliable mobile broadband capabilities over the coming years, driving improved productivity, and increased efficiencies across all economic sectors, whilst concurrently providing a platform for innovation. Indeed, 5G is an innovation platform that will help create new Internet of Things use cases, companies, and industries, that will in turn create new jobs of the future centred around data science and technology. This is particularly important as we expect over 70 per cent of jobs to be in the field of science, technology and innovation by 2050. Vietnams national strategies highlight the importance of digital transformation in driving Vietnams next wave of inclusive and sustained development. How can technology and 5G support the countrys vision? 5G has the uniquely secure and reliable high-speed capability, coupled with very low latency to drive increased automation across all industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, energy, logistics, transport, mining, healthcare, finance, banking, and education, among others. For this reason, 5G is the ideal technology and mobile network capability that the government has highlighted in its digital transformation and Industry 4.0 strategy and vision to 2030. The government has created and articulated an obvious strategy and vision that Ericsson fully endorses and supports through our existing 4G and future 5G capabilities and plans in Vietnam. As part of our 30-year anniversary in Vietnam in 2023, Ericsson reaffirms its commitment to strategically partner with Vietnam to unleash the full potential and value of 5G to society, business, industry, the economy, and the environment. As well as consuming less energy than 4G, 5G technology will enable industries to digitally transform and reduce their energy requirements and subsequent carbon footprint. At Ericsson, we aim to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2040 across our total supply chain, whilst achieving net-zero emissions in our production environments by 2030. We commend and applaud the government of Vietnam for its ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with an expected 75 per cent of energy coming from renewable energy sources by 2045. Ericsson is committed to supporting Vietnam in achieving this objective through our partnership with Vietnams mobile operators, as well as through our strategic collaboration with Electricity of Vietnam. 5G will help support the seamless integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind, hydro and solar, into the existing energy grid. How does Ericssons strategy align with Vietnams future digital transformation and sustainable development strategies? Ericsson trusts that the commercialisation of 5G will deliver the triple bottom-line benefit to Vietnam social, economic, and environmental benefits. It places its full trust and confidence in the Vietnam governments vision and socioeconomic plans that are aimed at driving a sustained socioeconomic trajectory for continued prosperity for all the people of Vietnam. We fully support the governments ambition to become a regional AI hub in ASEAN, as well as a top 40 country on the Global Innovation Index, top 30 in the International Telecommunication Unions Global Cybersecurity Index and top 50 in the United Nations e-government Development Index by 2030. As well as building high-performance mobile broadband networks across the country, we are supporting the government in achieving these ambitions by investing in a joint Industry/Academia partnership with RMIT University through the establishment of an AI lab at their Ho Chi Minh City Campus in Q2 of 2023. Were also creating a regional cloud factory competence hub in Vietnam, comprising Vietnamese engineers that will work across the region, helping further develop Vietnams local IT competence and capabilities. We also continue to collaborate with a range of local universities in Vietnam with our Tech Talk series and internship scheme to further advance digital IT skills, helping further develop the human resource capacity requirements in Vietnam to support jobs of the future. As an example, we strategically partnered with RMIT University in Vietnam in 2022 as part of our Ericsson Educate initiative, opening our digital education portal for RMIT students studying 5G and related technologies. How important is the partnership among businesses, and between businesses and the state, to support Vietnam on this journey? Every country and market has its own path and journey, and Vietnam is very well-placed as one of the most dynamic and attractive investment destinations in the world with a fast-growing digital economy and strategic focus on nationwide digital transformation. Ericsson fully supports and endorses this vision, and we are committed to helping Vietnam achieve this important ambition. We are proud to be a trusted and valued strategic long-term partner of Vietnam, sharing our global insights, expertise, and experiences with Vietnam. The future of the ICT industry is to digitally transform all other industries, and we are committed to partnering with the government of Vietnam is driving accelerated digital transformation across all economic sectors through our 4G and 5G capabilities, as well as 6G looking further ahead. We jointly understand and appreciate the importance of digital transformation, enabled by 5G as a critical digital national infrastructure, as a key driver for improved labour productivity growth rates and efficiencies across all industries, especially manufacturing/production, logistics, agriculture, and energy, among others. We believe in the triple helix model that promotes government/industry/academia collaboration. Ericsson trusts in the value of collaboration in helping solve some of the leading challenges facing Vietnam, as with most countries, such as tackling climate change, digitally transforming the economy for improved efficiency, attracting high-tech funding, improving labour productivity growth rates, creating new high-tech jobs, and driving startup entrepreneurship and innovation. What are Ericssons key pressures now and how does it deal with them? We value and respect our competition, as it makes us better as well as the industry. Ericsson has already helped launch over 140 commercial 5G networks globally with our customers, and were a leading global 5G infrastructure vendor according to Gartner Magic Quadrant reports over the past three consecutive years. As a long term and trusted strategic partner to Vietnam since 1993, Ericsson will continue to share our global 5G experience with our customers in Vietnam, helping ensure successful coverage and capacity deployments with resilient network performance, scalability, simplicity and security as a primary focus. The key to our sustained success as a global company since 1876, operating across 185 countries with over 100,000 today, is our technology leadership. We contribute about 16 per cent of our annual turnover to research and development each year, with over 26,000 people employed in related roles across the world. Technology leadership, coupled with operational excellence, global scale, and skills are key ingredients. We also have strong core values that bind all our people across all our operations around the world, and they are respect, professionalism, perseverance, and integrity. Our corporate culture, our people culture, as much as our competence and capabilities, is what binds us and guides our decision-making and way forward. Through our sustained long-term journey of almost 150 years, we have also had our challenges, and we have learned from those experiences, becoming stronger and ever more resilient as a company. We pride ourselves on making the world a better place through our technology leadership and our people, and we are proudly committed to Vietnam as a long term strategic partner that shares in a common vision for the countrys sustained socioeconomic prosperity. Hanoi Centre for Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion (HPA) on March 17 held a press conference to introduce the upcoming event. Themed Connecting heritages for tourism development, the festival will have 150 booths from 14 cities and provinces nationwide, attracting about 100 businesses. Hanoi Centre for Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion held a press conference to introduce the festival on March 17 Nguyen Thi Mai Anh, deputy director of the HPA, said the 2023 festival will be held with many new and impressive things, focusing on heritage culture stories and promoting tourist destinations in Hanoi. The festival will include a conference on tourism product development and market development experience; a "Heritage journey" family trip programme, a tourist cyclo parade re-enacting the traditional wedding ceremony, a beer bar, and much more. The Hanoi Tourism Festival 2023 will be held with many new and impressive attractions promoting tourist destinations, introducing many attractive tourist destinations in Hanoi such as the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Old Quarter, and the Ba Vi area, among other attractive spots. There will also be a real-life experience tour connecting Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Yen Tu, and Co Loa Citadel. The Hanoi Tourism Festival 2023 is an opportunity to promote exchange activities, honour and connect heritage, develop tourist-oriented tourism products, and attract domestic and international tourists to Hanoi and other localities. Quang Nam promotes tourism in mountainous areas A spring festival kicked off at the Cong Troi (Heaven Gate) tourist site in the mountainous district of Dong Giang, central Quang Nam province, on March 10. Thailand eyes food trucks as new tourism trend Thailands Department of Business Development (DBD) is eyeing a new tourism trend - food trucks - in an effort to attract more visitors to the country. China reopens group tours to Vietnam from March 15 The Chinese government has announced a list of pilot countries, including Vietnam, to which China's group tours can be conducted starting from March 15. Calls to review visa procedures to boost tourism Tourism experts have called on the government to ease the current visa requirements in the hope of attracting more international travellers to the country and to provide a boost for Vietnams tourism sector. This is therefore an opportune time for the hospitality and real estate industry to reflect on what has happened and discuss was to increase competitiveness in both regional and international markets. Entitled Vietnam Hospitality and Real Estate - Time for a Level Up, the Meet The Experts' conference will take place on March 30th in Ho Chi Minh City, with more than 40 of the industrys leading experts discussing the latest trends and sharing industry insights. Some of the highlighted topics: Vietnam and regional market updates Megatrends and market changes - Unlocking opportunities Judging by numbers - Hotel profitability in ASEAN Real estate conversion in hospitality - Vietnam's potential Megatrends - Consumer experiences that create value Redefining luxury dining and F&B value in real estate Colour trends in interior architecture Lifestyle, boutique, and soft brand hotels - Vietnam's untapped opportunity Investment and development talks (branded residences and ultra-luxury) And many more Language: English (Vietnamese translation available by advance requests) Hosted by WeHub Community and Savills Hotels, in partnership with Vietceramics and Dulux Professional, and endorsed by the Vietnam Hotel Association, the conference will take place at the InterContinental Saigon Hotel from 1:30 PM. VIR is pleased to be the media partner for this exciting conference, altogether supporting the recovery in the real estate and hospitality industry. Registration is prioritised for investors, developers, hotel owners, sponsors, and senior industry partners. Entrance will only be granted with a confirmation email and an exclusive QR code from the event organising team. Register now at https://meettheexpertsevents.com/event/registration/ For detailed information, please contact Thao at dnguyenphuongthao@savills.asia Organic produce does not meet rising demand: experts The rapidly growing demand for organic agricultural produce offers huge potential for businesses to invest in production and develop retail networks, experts said at a workshop Thursday in HCM City. Meet the Experts on November 10 in Hanoi Vietnams largest hospitality and real estate conference Meet the Experts will come to Hanoi on November 10. The Japanese government has launched the Asia Energy Transition Initiative (AETI), which includes knowledge sharing, technology development, and deployment of decarbonisation and $10 billion in financial assistance to push forward green energy transition. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also proposed the Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) initiative during his visit to Vietnam last April. The initiative's goal is to achieve both sustainable growth and carbon neutrality amid growing energy demand in Asian countries. The Japanese government is willing to cooperate with ASEAN countries to achieve a pragmatic energy transition by providing financial and technical support for the demonstration and introduction of decarbonisation technologies. As one example, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, the Japanese Embassy to Vietnam, and the JCCI jointly organised a workshop on cooperation between the two countries for the development of power and energy fields focussing on the need for decarbonisation. It was a very meaningful opportunity to share information and exchange opinions on various aspects of Japanese energy strategy towards carbon neutrality, state-of-the-art decarbonisation tech, and financing methods for infrastructure development. Japanese decarbonisation measures, such as zero-emission thermal power technologies, energy-saving technologies on the consumer market, as well as on-site power generation and storage, have a strong affinity with Vietnamese energy policy. To promote further cooperation with the Vietnamese government in the future, as well as encourage the investment capital inflow from Japan in Vietnam, the JCCI has proposed the Vietnamese government speed up its announcement of the national Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8). Amidst growing electricity demand, Vietnam is facing power shortages, especially in industrial parks in the northern part of the country. In light of this, early release of PDP8 is essential to ensure investments in power generation in line with the growth of the economy, said Taketoshi Nagaoka, chairman of the JCCI. Japanese companies have been increasing their exposure in Vietnam for the growing demand for renewable power generation. However, the delay in PDP8 has seriously affected not only the renewable power plants but the linking industries such as biomass fuel production, which have been halted. I would like to reiterate our request for the early release of PDP8, he said. Furthermore, the JCCI has requested the Vietnamese government accelerate early implementation of gas-fired power generation, which contributes to meeting the rapidly increasing demand for electricity as well as facilitating the introduction of renewable energy. According to the JCCI, amendment of the existing investment and public-private partnership laws is also an urgent requirement because large-scale power generation projects such as gas-fired power generation and offshore wind power generation cannot be fully implemented by Vietnamese companies and local banks alone in terms of technology and finance, and it is essential to attract foreign companies and financial institutions. However, the current system provides insufficient or uncertain support for investors. Vietnam and Japan cooperate for a net-zero carbon future Japan is promoting green growth cooperation with Vietnam, with low-carbon value chains considered one of the leading priorities. Fostering ties with private sector in green growth The technical session of the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) took place on March 17 with a theme of partnership between the private sector and the government to foster green growth. According to a report given at the VBF by the Korean Chamber of Business in Vietnam (KoCham), many factories currently have dorms on their campus for their expat workers. However, a new regulation in Decree 35 asks foreign workers to live in specially built accommodation areas within IZs. In other words, according to the new rules, developers have to set aside specific land in the complex to build accommodation for their expat workers, instead of them living in dorms within the factory campus. Notably, the decree stipulates that accommodation facilities within the complex are to be built in the service area of the complex and at a safe distance in accordance with related laws. The company must ensure security and order and not affect the production and business activities of other enterprises in the industrial park. Pursuant to Decree No. 35/2022/ND-CP, Dong Nai Industrial Zones Management Authority has issued an official letter of implementation of regulations on the residence of foreign workers. The Immigration Department of Dong Nai Public Security implemented the contents of the decree, which has caused some difficulties. KoCham's reports said there have already been measures taken to suspend the registration of foreign workers who wish to take up residence on company grounds within IZs since last year. For foreign workers currently residing at these complexes, there will be some consideration given to allow their continuing residence until no later than July 15, 2023, when the company must terminate their residence according to Decree 35. The Immigration Department and the Industrial Park Police in Dong Nai are currently suspending the registration of new temporary residences for foreign workers. Hong Sun, chairman of KoCham, speaking at the VBF, said, In the case of an industrial complex located on the outskirts of the city, there are many things to consider when selecting facilities for foreigners to reside in, such as the distance to the company, security, and facilities that match the expected quality of environment of foreigners. So far, some companies that operate foreign dormitories have been experiencing difficulties. Adding to the matter is the conflict between the existing Dong Nai's decree, which states accommodation facilities are to be installed in areas that must be separate from production workplaces, and a protocol published in May last year that states accommodation facilities need only be simply separated from the factory building. With the current protocol in effect, the law is interpreted as allowing foreign workers to live only in spaces permitted as housing areas within the industrial complex. Despite the above problems, Dong Nai is applying the regulations before any other province or city and are implementation follow-up measures, thereby raising the issue of residence status for foreign workers in companies that operate existing dormitories. If the existing industrial complex currently has a housing area or if there is no licensed industrial complex, there is no clear information on whether the new land purchase plan and housing area permission procedure of the existing corporation are possible, and the majority of foreign-invested corporations engaged in production activities in the corporation are subject to it, adding to the confusion, Sun said. We ask for the cooperation of the related organisations so that foreign workers are allowed to live in company dormitories and recreational facilities, and normal company operation can be ensured by guaranteeing legal residence and the right to stay for those working in foreign-invested companies, he added. This issue was previously raised by several other businesses at a meeting discussing Decree 35 between Dong Nai Peoples Committee and the local business community in mid-February. VBF: Agribusiness working group recommends digital transformation The working group argues that Vietnamese agriculture needs to apply technology and digital transformation to create a turning point in agricultural production, moving from a traditional agrarian economy to one based on scientific technology, digital transformation, and circularity. VBF: FIEs seek IRC easement for new locations Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) require the authorities to loosen regulations to grant investment registration certificates (IRCs) for their business locations and branches. At last weeks tourism recovery conference in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that Vietnam will waive visas for more countries and extend the duration of stay for international tourists to accelerate the recovery of tourism. Better conditions will also be created for airlines to open direct routes to Vietnam. More flexible visa policy finally on cards after multiple gripes, Photo source: freepik.com The prime minister stressed that after Vietnam reopened its tourism market, it failed to attract foreign visitors as expected in 2022. There has been a lack of attractive tourism products and quality remains limited, he said. According to Pham Hai Quynh, director of the Asian Tourism Development Institute, easing visa requirements is a starting point for attracting more tourists to the country. It also encourages travellers to stay longer and explore more. With improvements in visa openness, Vietnam is likely to woo more tourists and investors to Vietnam. The rebound in inbound tourists will also have a spillover effect on other industries such as aviation, transportation, trading, and services, Quynh said. The restrictive visa policy means Vietnam cannot yet compete with the likes of Thailand. In September, Thailand extended the period of stay there to 45 days for tourists from countries entitled to visa exemptions and 30 days for those eligible for a visa on arrival. At the same time, Thailand has also applied modern technology for its e-visas, allowing visitors to enter the country multiple times. I hope Vietnam will create more conditions and increase international openness, Quynh added. If the visa policy is adjusted more openly, it will help Vietnam build an image as a dynamic country with ample tourism potential. The country should be flexible in tourism attraction policies to seize the golden opportunity to boost the recovery. Prior to the pandemic, Vietnams tourism industry achieved a two-digit growth rate for four consecutive years. In 2019, Vietnam was one of 10 countries with the fastest tourism growth rate in the world, welcoming 18 million international arrivals and serving 85 million domestic tourists. The country earned a revenue of $32 billion from its tourism industry at the time, accounting for nearly 10 per cent of GDP, and created an estimated 1.3 million jobs. According to data by HSBC, Vietnams tourism-related services are continuing to build up steam thanks to booming international tourism. In February alone, Vietnam welcomed around 933,000 foreign visitors, a record high since the start of the pandemic. Among all, mainland Chinese tourists edged substantially higher, reaching 55,000. While this was only 10 per cent of the pre-pandemic average of Chinese tourists, the numbers come against the backdrop of limited flight frequency and an absence of group tours. Tourists from South Korea have also held up firmly, with monthly inflows recovering to around 85 per cent of its pre-pandemic level. While global trade of goods has slowed significantly, international tourism could be a supportive growth pillar for Vietnam, HSBC says, if some bottlenecks can be eased. Further easing of visa policy, which the government has been stressing, is under consideration, says HSBC. For now, Vietnam does not have visa exemptions for major markets including mainland China, the United States, and Australia, while visa exemptions for some European markets allow travellers to stay up to only 15 days. Compared to peers, visa-free access remains relatively tight in Vietnam. Fortunately, this may change, and officials are considering the extension of the visa waiver period to 30 days and the issuance of electronic visas for citizens from all markets, it added. Late visa policy announcement challenges tourism The visa exemption policy for citizens of five European countries will expire in the next three months. Whether and when it might be renewed are still open questions, creating a headache for tourists and Vietnamese businesses that serve them. Visa policy is keeping tourists at bay With tourism a key area for growth, Vietnams strict visa policy is a barrier that is making foreign tourists choose other destinations instead. South Korea to see more Vietnamese visitors with new visa policy South Koreas new visa policy for Vietnamese citizens is expected to stimulate travel in the country, possibly doubling the number of Vietnamese visitors. New visa policy gives hand to delayed plans Restoring pre-pandemic visa policies should significantly contribute to the breakthrough of overseas investment in the country. Measures proposed to sustainably attract international visitors Despite the relaxation of travel restrictions, more work is needed to help the nation attract international tourists post-pandemic. Live: The 2nd Digital Transformation forum on March 21 Nguyen Manh Hung, Minister of Information and Communications, said that 2023 is a year for practical implementation of national strategies. These include separate plans on cybersecurity and safety; digital data; digital infrastructure; the digital tech industry; and digital government, economy, and society. VIR to host the 2nd Digital Transformation forum on March 21 This is the time to create practical results and values. The ministry (MIC) must stand out to ensure the quality of the data connection, and ensure the quality of inter-ministerial and inter-local public services, he said. Currently, a number of public services when connected with IT systems of other ministries or localities have degraded quality or cannot perform. The MIC will amend a number of laws and decrees to make new regulations more feasible to better development and management, while using advanced technologies to solve traditional problems in Vietnam while creating great value, Minister Hung stressed. A number of key tasks have been set out for 2023, according to the MIC. They include institutional quality, sustainability of digital infrastructure, data connectivity, and bringing Vietnamese digital tech enterprises abroad. Vietnam has already made a number of improvements in legal documents to facilitate its digital transformation acceleration and 5G commercialisation, identifying them as driving forces to drive the nations next wave of inclusive and sustained development. In 2022, the National Assembly adopted the amended Law on Radio Frequency. In February this year, new rules were introduced on the application of standards and technical regulations to data centres. The same month, a plan was approved to organise an auction of the right to use radio frequencies for the 2300-2400 MHz band, to pave the way for 5G rollout. Under the rollout plan, 5G has been in trial at provincial scale with 300 base transceiver stations since December, and will be commercialised nationwide in June when the devices are available. Many more amended decrees and circulars are in the pipeline or are underway. The MIC now plans to complete the draft revised laws on e-transactions and on telecommunications, and submit for adoption this year. Moreover, a draft law for the digital tech industry will be sent for discussion later this year and adoption in 2024. Before 2025, the ministry will work on national radio frequency spectrum planning and auctioning, while also planning a radio frequency control technical system for 2026-2030, while matching border frequency with Laos, Cambodia, and China across various bands. The moves to support the countrys twin digital and green transformation have received strong support from the business community. Pavel Poskakukhin, co-chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnams (EuroCham) Digital Sector Committee (DSC), told VIR, The pace and consistency of improvements being made give us a lot of reassurance that the Vietnamese authorities are on board to ensure digital transformation continues to accelerate and be applied successfully across different sections of society. The key lesson from our experience in the EU is to harmonise a data protection standard that has been tried and tested to minimise error and build public and business confidence. The DSC currently represents dozens of members including Amazon Web Services, Archetype Group, Asia Data Construction Vietnam, Bosch Global Software Technologies, and many others. In the ICT arena, Vietnam is continuing to strengthen global partnerships. On March 10, MIC Deputy Minister Phan Tam met with visiting US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago, and discussed investment cooperation between the two countries. Also in March, Israel and Vietnam held a roundtable to strengthen digital cooperation between the two countries and businesses. At the event, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung said, The Vietnamese government and MIC are determined to accelerate digital transformation in a comprehensive manner, in which international cooperation is one of the extremely important activities that the ministry identifies as a strategic mission. Furthermore, the recent establishment of an advisory group to support Vietnamese digital enterprises going global, initiated by the MIC, has received strong support among the business community because this will not only support local Vietnamese firms, but also international partners. Strong partnerships are critical in this journey and we welcome the advisory group, Poskakukhin of the DSC noted. We are on standby to work with various Vietnam stakeholders in this field to find consensus and ensure Vietnamese businesses can succeed in the European market and vice versa by adhering to high-quality standards and best practices. In alignment with Vietnams digital transformation strategies, multinational corporations are making their next steps. According to Poskakukhin, digital transformation by European companies is mainly driven by their ability to capitalise on innovation in the technology space in web3, AI, and data protection to ensure consumers are protected, as they stand to benefit most from this trend. We expect investment to pick up given positive macroeconomic trends in ASEAN and Vietnam in particular, and look forward to working closely with the authorities and business community to keep this on track, he added. This week, a delegation of 39 businesses from US-ASEAN Business Council will have working meetings with ministries and agencies in Vietnam to discuss cooperation opportunities in the digital economy, development of 5G, information security, and infrastructure development. Despite these developments, the business community still expects more enabling policies. At EuroChams Whitebook launch in February, the DSC recommended harmonisation of the Vietnamese personal data protection regulations with the EUs various acts and other international personal data protection laws, where the objective is to ensure the safety of users in the digital space through the regulation of major technological platforms. Empowering businesses to choose from a wider range of options for complying with laws and regulations, including effective, well-established international standards and codes of practice, will foster a favourable business environment for European investors and enterprises in Vietnam, said Poskakukhin. How has digital transformation helped Swedish businesses to be faster, smarter, and greener? David Liden, trade commissioner of Sweden to Vietnam The value of digital is always different for every single organisation, so giving a general answer is difficult. However, digitalisations contribution to overall business performance is almost always related to using digital platforms to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of daily operations. Using the fact that you can connect people within the organisation for each business process will reduce waste, which is key to becoming greener. In addition, you have more advanced digital players whose products help other companies become faster, smarter and greener. An example of this is Ericsson, which provides solutions for connecting not only people, but automated machinery and systems to support efficient operations through their 5G solutions. A typical example of partnering within digital among Swedish business is on simplifying administrative work. Sweden, along with other EU members, has recognised the legality of e-signatures since 2000 under the Qualified Electronic Signatures Act. This helps immensely when it comes to signing, archiving, and tracing important documents such as labour contracts or service contracts. What market factors and supporting policies are needed to help businesses in Vietnam accelerate digital transformation more efficiently? Sweden built up policies and sets of practice around digitalisation based on five pillars: competence, security, innovation, leadership, and infrastructure. We have spoken a lot about equipping the population with at least basic digital skills, which means that the Swedish educational system consistently needs to review and revise curricula to adopt the latest technologies. The programming courses I took at university in the 2000s still exist, but are teaching entirely different programming languages and methods today. Another important piece of the puzzle is promoting increased data transparency. Doing business in Vietnam in compliance still requires a fair share of physical paperwork in the mix with partial digital, causing issues in syncing and centralising data. To support this, clarity on data protection also needs to be bolstered. Upgrading data protection would help businesses and governmental bodies plan with confidence. Actions needed to improve data protection include standardising the framework for data protection among authorities, firms and the widespread community; emphasising data protection in education; and upgrading digital infrastructure to reduce the infrastructure gap among provinces. What should Vietnam do to strengthen partnerships to help promote digital transformation and sustainable development, thus driving the countrys next wave of sustained socioeconomic development? Digitalisation must be embedded in all aspects of the society to be impactful. One example is the use of e-commerce to increase consumer exposure. We are talking about the partnership of not only sellers, e-commerce platform providers, online payment service providers, and government agencies overlooking these online activities but also the educational institutions and households that have provided the digital exposure to generations of consumers. To form an effective nexus to spread the adoption of digital, strategies, and action plans, financing programmes need to be deployed drastically with great focus and clear goals to get all social actors involved in the digital transition. What the Swedish government has done to boost the digital revolution is to recognise and provide guidance and practical support to key stakeholders, including innovation hubs, academia, enterprises of different products and services, and governmental bodies to perform their function in the digital economy ecosystem. The Swedish digital transformation campaign covers not only the national level, but also regional and global. Swedish companies around the world seek to participate in both an individual and group capacity to inform and support local communities with the best possible practices to foster a sustainable vision. In Vietnam, Ericsson has been working closely with mobile operators in trialling 5G capabilities with initial 5G pilots since 2020. Ericsson is also one of the five companies in the Sweden-Vietnam Energy Alliance, alongside ABB, Hitachi Energy, Hexicon, and Linxon, advising the integration of renewable energy in the national energy plan. Other investors such as Tetra Pak, Assa Abloy, Polarium, and Hestra adopt sustainability as their operation motto and work to become local pioneers, such as by opting for a green set-up and implementing sustainable practices among staff members in daily operation. Swedish solution providers of standardised management system are also ready to work with Vietnamese industry to figure out best practice. The philosophy here is to create the stepping stones from adopting best practice from precedent cases, assessing the outcomes and investing in amplifying effective solutions. VIR to host 2nd digital transformation forum on March 21 Policymakers, international organisations, and domestic and foreign businesses will gather at the 2nd digital transformation forum on March 21 to discuss possible routes to a faster, smarter and greener future. Strengthening ties to enable a greener digital transition Vietnam is ramping up its digital evolution with a raft of new policies, strategies, and legal tweaks. The signing took place last week when the representative of Daegu visited the central city of Danang. With a plan to promote business connections and relationships between the two countries in the fields of energy and IT, the signing ceremony has opened up a new opportunity for Korean businesses to explore and invest in Danang. Trungnam Group is a leading investor in Vietnam in the fields of renewable energy, infrastructure, construction, real estate, and IT. The group has implemented many large-scale projects in localities throughout the country such as Ninh Thuan, Dak Lak, andTra Vinh, with more than 1.6 GW of electricity contributed to the power grid. Trungnam Group is also the only private enterprise in Vietnam to participate in the process of transmitting electricity with a 500kV substation and 500kV, 220kV power lines connected to the national power system, accompanying the Vietnamese government in the process of reducing carbon emissions. Daegu expects that the signing ceremony will open up more positive exchanges between Daegu and Danang. As of the end of 2022, Vietnam is the third-largest export market for Daegu with a value of $454 million, including main export items such as fabric, industrial equipment, and auto parts. Trungnam commits to assisting sustainable energy development As Vietnams largest renewable energy investor, Trungnam Group promotes investment in sustainable and safe power projects, working alongside the government and leading economies to generate environmentally friendly energy. Wind power project No.5 Ninh Thuan put into commercial operation Trungnam Group put its wind power project No.5 Ninh Thuan into commercial operation in the south central province of Ninh Thuan on September 21. Nguyen Thi Kim Dung, co-head of the VBF Working Group of Education and Training This goal can be achieved through partnerships between public and private educational institutions and providing teacher training for those working in the public-school system, the Working Group of Education and Training stated at the technical session of the Vietnam Business Forum 2023 (VBF) on March 17. "Online or blended educational programmes combining online learning with face-to-face studies for the training of Vietnamese teachers in the public-school sector would further provide local teachers with the international-standard skills needed to develop students into lifelong learners who equipped with the expanding skills necessary for future careers in emerging industries," said Nguyen Thi Kim Dung, representative of the working group. "In addition, the digitalisation of education offers potential for the development of skills across the workforce. However, regulations must allow online components of learning and qualifications to be further recognised," she emphasised. Technology has, and will increasingly play, a major role in defining what the future environment for education will look like. It will need to cater to the needs of Industry 4.0, deploy the potential of digital technologies, and create a blueprint for the future of learning from school-based learning to learning in the workplace. "Education must keep pace with the world it is training students for and have a more realistic and practical approach, resulting in greater outcomes. The benefits of effectively digitalising education are many and affect a range of stakeholders," urged Dung. Students will have better access to, and relationships with, other participants in the system. Students' learning outcomes will improve proportionately to how well digital education is implemented. The use of technology will also make it easier for teachers and lecturers to provide a personalised learning experience for students. This will result in better learning outcomes, which means better teaching outcomes because what teachers are doing actually achieves practical results. For management and non-academic staff, there will also be benefits as it allows them to reduce bureaucracy, instead focusing on improving the quality of support to the students and academic staff. To highlight the advantages of Education 4.0, the VBF Working Group said, "The benefit to industry is that the education system will supply higher quality graduates who are more work ready. This will improve the performance of the workforce and thus that of industry and the economy as a whole." VBF: Agribusiness working group recommends digital transformation The working group argues that Vietnamese agriculture needs to apply technology and digital transformation to create a turning point in agricultural production, moving from a traditional agrarian economy to one based on scientific technology, digital transformation, and circularity. VBF: FIEs seek IRC easement for new locations Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) require the authorities to loosen regulations to grant investment registration certificates (IRCs) for their business locations and branches. Since its inception in 2019, iPlay has been implemented in eight provinces and cities across the country. In 2023, iPLAY is entering its final phase and achieving numerous successes, contributing to the implementation of the General Education Programme (GEP) 2018. The initiative fulfils the demand for innovation in education, and enhances the holistic development of competencies and qualities among students from primary level. From the 2020-2021 academic year, to change the focus of the education programme from emphasising academic knowledge to practical skills, the MoET has started implementing the GEP 2018 from grade 1. This drive represents a fundamental change in education, focusing on students' holistic development to cope with rapid global changes. Accordingly, teachers need to play a guiding role to help students develop the necessary competencies and qualities and become proactive, autonomous, and active learners. In this context, iPLAY was implemented at the perfect time to assist the MoETs objectives for GEP 2018. iPLAY aims to improve primary school teachers' attitudes, expertise, and capacity to use Learning Through Play (LTP) to support student development. LTP is an educational approach that contributes to childrens holistic development (cognitive, social, emotional, creative, and physical development), builds the foundation for lifelong learning, and equips students with practical skills, such as problem-solving, creative thinking, communication, teamwork, and self-control. LTP helps students fully understand the lessons, encourages engagement, and enables the children to experiment, boosting social interaction and excitement when learning. From the end of 2020, the iPlay project has been applied in Ha Giang, Thai Nguyen, Lai Chau, Nghe An, Quang Ngai, Quang Tri, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City. After three years of implementation, the project has achieved many outstanding achievements. Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet, teacher at Chien Thang Primary School in Thai Nguyen province said, After participating in LTP training within the iPlay project, I realised that the teaching has become more comfortable and relaxing. Teachers can connect more easily and effectively with the students, who are also more interested in the lessons, actively participate in meaningful learning activities, and interact more with teachers and classmates in an open and creative environment, thereby increasing their learning autonomy. Dinh Van Phuong, principal official of the Department of Teachers and Educational Administrators at the MoET evaluated, "The iPLAY project is a significant help in supporting the GEP 2018, implementing the objectives of developing innovative teaching methods to help primary students build their competencies and qualities. Although the GEP 2018 is now in its final stretch, we will continue to work with VVOB to spread LTP nationwide." With the outstanding successes obtained in recent years, Karolina Rutkowska, country programme manager for VVOB in Vietnam proudly shared, "2023 is the last year to implement the iPLAY project. We will work with stakeholders to promote activities in eight provinces and cities, increasing the scope and impact of the LTP online course for school leaders and teachers all over Vietnam." "VVOB is committed to assisting MoET in improving teacher capacity to aid Vietnamese students in developing knowledge, qualifications, and competencies to keep up with the pace of globalisation and create lifelong learning," added Rutkowska. To wrap up the iPLAY project in 2023, VVOB will continue to publish and distribute the LTP guides, while also reaching out to instructors countrywide and raising awareness through the MoET's e-learning platform. To maximise the effectiveness of LTP, VVOB also continues to organise play days and incorporates LTP knowledge into parent meetings at primary schools. This helps call for their support in conducting LTP activities with their children at home. In general, it is predicted that by the end of 2023, LTP will have reached around 14,700 primary schools, 230,000 teachers, 681,000 students, and 1.43 million parents nationwide, supporting the implementation of the GEP 2018 objective and fostering the young generation of Vietnam to advance their abilities and competencies to become valuable citizens of their nation. For a sustainable future through education Belgian-Flemish organisation VVOB has made significant contributions to promoting sustainable development through education. Country programmes manager at VVOB in Vietnam Karolina Rutkowska shared with Thanh Van the organisations vision and action plan to help Vietnam achieve quality education for all. Partnerships blossoming in education Education remains one of the most attractive sectors for dealmaking in Vietnam. Night for friendly exchanges in Tokyo celebrates Chinese giant pandas Xinhua) 10:43, March 20, 2023 An event of warm and friendly exchanges featuring giant pandas is hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, on March 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Guang) "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." TOKYO, March 19 (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. Children visit an event of warm and friendly exchanges featuring giant pandas in Tokyo, Japan, on March 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Guang) 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) CEDAR FALLS The Volunteer Center of the Cedar Valley has announced the following needs of local organizations: Contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at (319) 883-3015 or information@vccv.org or go online to vccv.org for a complete listing of volunteer opportunities in the Cedar Valley. 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 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-14.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-01.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-13.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-11.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-03.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-06.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-08.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-12.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-02.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-10.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-05.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-15.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-07.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-09.jpg 090422-qc-nws-shotsfired-04.jpg WATERLOO A Waterloo woman has been arrested after her baby was taken to the hospital with a head injury in February. Waterloo police arrested Dominique Nicole Lloyd, 24, formerly of Cedar Rapids and Clear Lake, on Friday for one count of child endangerment causing serious injury. Bond was set at $75,000. Paramedics with Waterloo Fire Rescue were sent to her home at 351 Bates St. on Feb. 9 and found her child unresponsive with food and blood coming from the mouth. The child was taken to UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital and then moved to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City for further care. Doctors found a brain hemorrhage, bruising around the eyes and face and hemorrhages behind the eyes, according to court records. There were also several bruises around the body, and there was a bald spot on the childs head, indicating the child had been in one position for an extended amount of time without being moved, records state. Lloyd told officials the child had fallen from a sitting position, striking its head on a metal stand, but doctors said the injuries couldnt have come from such a short fall, according to court records. The US surpasses 140 mass shootings in 2023. Here's every event mapped Mass shootings take place in nearly every type of public and private space Mass shootings have happened in gun-friendly statesand some stricter ones Mass shootings have happened in gun-friendly statesand some stricter ones Mass shootings take place in nearly every type of public and private space WAUKON A Waterloo woman accused of setting a fire that destroyed her downtown Waukon business and killed a dog in 2022 has been released from jail. Mindy Jo Jones, 43, also known as Mindy Jo Riley, was released from the Allamakee County Jail after posting $25,000 bond. She is charged with first-degree arson, a felony, and animal abuse in connection with the Feb. 13, 2022, fire that leveled her store at 9 Allamakee St. and the apartments above the shop while damaging adjacent businesses. Jones was charged last week following a year-long investigation into the blaze. Authorities allege Jones had the motive and opportunity to start the fire, which came as she faced complaints from vendors and lenders doing business with her Tin Rust and Harmony stores. Mindy Jones had a financial motive to destroy the building and the business, Waukon Police Chief Paul Wagner wrote in a criminal complaint filed with the court. Jones was released from prison in 2017 after serving time for taking more than $100,000 from a Sumner couple. She set up a gift store in Harmony, Minnesota, and in 2020 obtained a $25,000 economic development loan to buy the storefront she had been renting. She opened a second Tin Rust and Harmony store across the border in Waukon, Iowa. By early 2022, she was behind on payments for her Minnesota loan and at least one vendor had gone to police to report thousands of dollars in bounced checks from the business, according to court records. She was also under investigation by Minnesota officials for an unapproved raffle that offered a John Deere Gator utility vehicle as a top prize, court records show. The Feb. 13, 2022, fire at her Waukon store was reported around 7 p.m. It drew firefighters from several neighboring departments and sapped the citys water supply. The blaze claimed the life of a dog that was in a rented apartment in the building. The investigation drew experts from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the State Fire Marshal, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and fire investigators from insurance companies. In addition to combing over the fire scene, they examined Jones bank and insurance records. Jones was at the store within minutes of the fire being reported, according to court records. Investigators found two separate fires had been started inside the business on the first floor one behind the sales counter and the second on the east wall near a cold air return duct. There were no electrical equipment or outlets in those areas, and testing ruled out the possibility of other heat sources, according to court records. While the fire investigation was ongoing, Jones pleaded to the raffle charges in Minnesota and in October 2022 was sentenced to work release and supervised probation. The following month, First Southeast Bank won a $191,034 judgment for unpaid loans. Jones insurance carrier, State Farm Fire and Casualty, refused to pay for the fire damages, court records state, and last month Jones filed a suit alleging breach of contract. Her attorney said the suit was filed to protect her interests in the face of statute of limitation issues as she sought a new lawyer, and he then withdrew from the case citing a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship. On Monday, the Waukon Police Department announced the arson and animal abuse charges. This isnt the first time Jones has been accused of being involved in an arson. In 2006, a fire gutted Mark Eugene Yungtums West Fourth Street home in Sumner. Yungtum told police he was attacked and stabbed by three assailants who threatened to kill him and torched his house. He told police the intruders said they were there on behalf of Jones, who was a former friend of Yungtum. He told authorities the two had a disagreement over financial matters that could have had an adverse effect on her because of prior and pending criminal charges, court records state. Authorities didnt believe Yungtum his financial records and sentimental belongings had been placed safely in his pickup truck and detached garage, and there was no evidence connecting Jones to the fire. Yungtum was charged with arson and making a false report to law enforcement, alleging he wanted to collect insurance money following a recent bankruptcy. Yungtum was convicted at trial and sentenced to prison. WATCH NOW: Business fire videos Tri-City Clothing fire Salvage yard fire, Cedar Falls, Iowa April 10, 2017 Luigi's Restaurant fire, Oelwein, Iowa, Nov. 12, 2016, Great Wall Fire, Cedar Falls, April 29, 2016 Recycling fire, Airline Highway, Waterloo, Iowa Jan. 24, 2018 Warehouse fire, Oelwein, Iowa May 2, 2017 WATERLOO Firefighters rescued a dog from a burning home in Waterloo on Monday afternoon. One woman was taken to the hospital for burns and is expected to survive, according to fire officials. The cause of the fire hasnt been determined. The fire broke out at 1400 Grant Ave. and crews with Waterloo Fire Rescue noticed heavy smoke coming from a basement window when they arrived. All of the residents escaped on their own. After several minutes, a firefighter carried a dog from the house and handed it to people outside. Officials said the fire appears to have started in a basement bedroom and worked its way upstairs to a dining room area. The American Red Cross was called to assist with emergency shelter. Close Firefighters rescued a dog from a burning house at 1400 Grant Ave., Waterloo, on Monday, March 20, 2023. Firefighters rescued a dog from a burning house at 1400 Grant Ave., Waterloo, on Monday, March 20, 2023. Firefighters rescued a dog from a burning house at 1400 Grant Ave., Waterloo, on Monday, March 20, 2023. A Waterloo woman is reunited with her dog after firefighters rescued the pet from a burning house at 1400 Grant Ave., Waterloo, on Monday. A Waterloo woman is reunited with her dog after firefighters rescued the pet from a burning house at 1400 Grant Ave., Waterloo, on Monday, March 20, 2023. Firefighters rescued a dog from a burning house at 1400 Grant Ave., Waterloo, on Monday, March 20, 2023. Photos: Dog rescued from house fire, March 20, 2023 Firefighters rescued a dog from a burning house at 1400 Grant Ave., Waterloo, on Monday, March 20, 2023. Firefighters rescued a dog from a burning house at 1400 Grant Ave., Waterloo, on Monday, March 20, 2023. Firefighters rescued a dog from a burning house at 1400 Grant Ave., Waterloo, on Monday, March 20, 2023. Firefighters rescued a dog from a burning house at 1400 Grant Ave., Waterloo, on Monday, March 20, 2023. A Waterloo woman is reunited with her dog after firefighters rescued the pet from a burning house at 1400 Grant Ave., Waterloo, on Monday. A Waterloo woman is reunited with her dog after firefighters rescued the pet from a burning house at 1400 Grant Ave., Waterloo, on Monday, March 20, 2023. Firefighters rescued a dog from a burning house at 1400 Grant Ave., Waterloo, on Monday, March 20, 2023. WAVERLY More than a hundred students, faculty and curious community members were on hand Saturday evening for Wartburg Colleges annual Drag Show. The event was organized by the Wartburg College Alliance, an LGBTQ-aligned organization. Wartburg College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Its for our students and the community to be able to express who they are and be able to have a safe space and just kind of enjoy a night, said Aurion Redding, the adviser for the Alliance. Its a small school, so that we even have the opportunity to put on a production this large, Im very grateful for that, she added. That we can provide a sense of representation for so many people. The show took place amid a surge in anti-LGBTQ legislation in Iowa and across the country. Iowas Legislature this session has passed a ban on gender-affirming treatment for minors, and has barred transgender students access to school bathrooms and dressing rooms that align with their identified gender. Last year, Iowa passed a law banning transgender athletes in girls and womens sports. Those measures are among roughly 150 bills targeting transgender people that have been introduced in state legislatures this year. A bill passed in Tennessee bans adult cabaret performances in public or around children. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis administration last week moved to revoke the liquor license of a Miami hotel that hosted a Christmas drag show. However, performer Cassidy Atchison said such legislation only made her more determined to go on. I think things like this are important, especially when there are bills being passed to try and take away our rights and stuff like that, but thats when you have to stand up and sing the loudest, Atchison said. You can pass whatever laws you want, youre not going to erase the gay community. There were 15 performances by eight drag artists, including professional performers and amateurs alike, along with one student and one alum. The performances mostly consisted of lip-synching and some singing and posing to retro hits like I Will Survive and Car Wash Song while collecting donations. Performer Andrea Knight Michaels was making her sixth appearance at Wartburg. She said events like the show Saturday night are about self-expression in a nonjudgmental and supportive environment. Its also a springboard for many who are interested in drag. Michaels said many of her colleagues started there. In my career, Ive had so many students start at the Wartburg drag show and then we meet them later on at an open stage, Michaels said. They remember that they got to meet these individuals, and it helps boost their confidence on being who you are. Even with the legislation and the law right now dont let that stop you. Atchison said the Wartburg event is important because of the limited venues for such performances. Kings and Queens bar in downtown Waterloo, one of those venues, is currently closed and up for sale. Well, drags not big around here, especially since Kings and Queens closed, Atchison said. So I would say for a lot of students and a lot of kids, this is their only chance to kind of go out and see people who look like them and think like them and are in the same community as them. The show was produced by Wartburg College students, with proceeds going to the Alliance the colleges LGBTQIA+ organization that provides a supportive and accepting environment for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Photos: Wartburg College's annual Drag Show at Neumann Auditorium Wartburg Drag Show 4 Wartburg Drag Show 3 Wartburg Drag Show 1 Wartburg Drag Show 10 Wartburg Drag Show 6 Wartburg Drag Show 11 Wartburg Drag Show 8 Wartburg Drag Show 12 Wartburg Drag Show 9 Wartburg Drag Show 13 Wartburg Drag Show 7 Wartburg Drag Show 5 Wartburg Drag Show 2 DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) No elected Republican has done more to restrict abortion rights in the U.S. than Donald Trump. But in the early days of the 2024 presidential contest, no Republican has worked harder to avoid the issue than the former president. Far more than his GOP rivals, Trump is sidestepping the issue just nine months after he and his party celebrated the Supreme Court's decision to strip away women's constitutional right to abortion. Look no further than Trumps trip to Iowa last week for evidence of his delicate balancing act. Moments after he stepped off his plane just outside Davenport, Trump repeatedly refused to say whether he would support a federal law restricting abortion in every state, a move that anti-abortion activists are demanding of the GOP's presidential contenders. Were looking at a lot of different things, Trump said when asked twice by The Associated Press whether he supports a federal abortion ban. The former president quickly shifted the conversation to immigration, the economy and radical-left lunatics. And in the hours that followed, he didn't mention the word abortion even once as he chatted with Iowans in a diner, delivered an hourlong speech and took almost a dozen questions from voters. Trump enters the opening stretch of the GOP primary in a strong position. But he faces a host of challenges in the coming weeks, especially as legal investigations surrounding the former president intensify. In a social media post this weekend, Trump said he expected to be arrested this week as a New York grand jury investigates hush money payments to women who alleged sexual encounters with the former president. Manhattan prosecutors, however, have not been in direct touch with Trump, leaving the timeline of potential charges unclear. But the ultra-cautious approach on abortion reflects a new political reality for Republicans this presidential season. Party leaders concede that the GOP's stunning success in persuading Trump's remade Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade last June ultimately triggered a fierce backlash that boosted Democrats in November's midterms. And while the 2024 political landscape is far from settled, leaders in both parties acknowledge that few issues may be more significant in the election of the next president than abortion. Meanwhile, abortion access is disappearing across America. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe just nine months ago, 24 states have banned abortion outright or are likely to do so, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Other states with Republican-controlled legislatures, including Florida, are moving toward restrictive laws that would ban abortion as soon as six weeks of pregnancy. The next step, according to anti-abortion leaders already playing a vocal role in the GOP's 2024 presidential primary, is to adopt a federal law that would force abortion restrictions upon every state. Majorie Dannenfelser, who leads the socially conservative organization Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, is pushing for a law banning abortions nationwide at 15 weeks of gestation if not sooner. She said she has spoken privately with most of the GOP's prospective field, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and believes they would all embrace such a federal ban. And while she's generally pleased by her conversations with the 2024 field so far, she has noticed Trump's lack of public commitment to continued abortion restrictions in recent weeks. No one gets a pass, Dannenfelser said, acknowledging that Roe would have not been overturned without Trump's three Supreme Court appointments. With Trump, this is his legacy. Its something that I believe he will get right, but hes clearly doing some soul searching right now." Meanwhile, Trump's rivals in the nascent presidential primary field have not shied away from their aggressive abortion plans as they court primary voters. In Florida, a DeSantis-backed measure to ban abortion after six weeks of pregnancy before many women realize they're pregnant is moving through the Republican-controlled state legislature. Democrats there admit there's nothing they can do to prevent the bill from becoming law, which DeSantis is using to strengthen his conservative bona bides ahead of a formal presidential announcement expected in the coming months. Former Vice President Mike Pence, another likely 2024 contender who has long promoted religious conservatism, has been one of the GOP's most aggressive anti-abortion voices since the Supreme Court's ruling. On the campaign trail in recent weeks, he highlighted his commitment to go further. Last month in New Hampshire, a state long known for protecting abortion rights, Pence openly vowed to support a federal abortion ban if elected. "If I was in the Congress of the United States or in a job at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, and they put a policy in front of me to limit abortions in the country, Id certainly support it, Pence said in a radio interview. He added that the issue would likely be decided by each individual state, however. Nikki Haley, who launched her Republican presidential bid a month ago, also believes the issue will be resolved at the state level, despite her personal wishes. She discussed the possibility of a 15-week federal ban during a February interview on the Today show. In a New Hampshire radio interview earlier this month, she reminded voters that she signed into law a 20-week ban while South Carolina governor. I can tell you that if it were up to me, every single state would be pro-life, Haley said. But I think the people need to decide that. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, another likely Republican 2024 prospect, celebrated the Supreme Court's Roe reversal last summer with his party. Last fall, he headlined a gala for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which is fighting for a federal ban. Democrats are closely tracking the Republican White House hopefuls, knowing that aggressive anti-abortion rhetoric and policies will likely alienate key groups of voters especially swing voters in the suburbs in the 2024 general election. Republicans are not going to be able to hide from their extremist anti-abortion rights agendas in the 2024 presidential election," said Alexandra De Luca of American Bridge, a pro-Democrat super PAC. "American Bridge and the Democratic Party will hammer Republican presidential candidates early and often, making it impossible for whoever emerges to walk back their extremist views during the general election. More than his Republican opponents, Trump seems acutely aware of such political risks. Before the 2022 midterms, he tried to persuade some of his preferred candidates to back off hard-line abortion positions especially those that opposed exceptions in cases of rape, incest or life of the mother. In distancing himself from aggressive anti-abortion policies, however, Trump opens himself up to a new set of challenges with religious conservatives. Already, some evangelical leaders have withheld their endorsement. Trump said such moves are a sign of disloyalty in an interview with David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network. And he accused anti-abortion leaders of failing to do enough to help GOP candidates in the midterms, which hasn't sat well with some evangelicals. Bob Vander Plaats, the president of Iowa's Family Leader, said that abortion remains a character-defining issue that helps voters determine whether they can trust candidates or not. So far, he said, it's unclear whether evangelicals can trust Trump in 2024. While were thrilled that he gave us justices to overturn Roe v. Wade, and were thrilled he did other things on abortion, frankly I think there's a big question mark out there, Vander Plaats said. Where is he on the sanctity of life? Does he really believe what he says he believes? When hes pivoting and when he doesnt want to talk about it and when he throws the pro-life community under the bus, those are all indicators that give us more cause for pause. Trump's campaign pushed back against such concerns. Campaign spokesman Steven Cheung listed Trump's unmatched record on abortion, highlighting Trump's Supreme Court nominations, his moves to block taxpayer-funded abortion and his decision to reinstate the Mexico City policy that required nongovernmental organizations as a condition of funding not to promote abortion as a family planning method in other countries. There has been no bigger advocate for the movement than President Trump, he said. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York and Brendan Farrington in Tallahassee, Florida, contributed to this report. Putins program article was also published in Peoples Daily timed to coincide with Xi Jinpings visit to Russia.. http://www.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/70743 Interesting points: Vladimir Putins article in the Peoples Daily Russia and China a partnership looking to the future 1. A great opportunity to see a good old friend with whom we have the warmest relationship. 2. The main thing has remained unchanged the strong Russian-Chinese friendship, which is consistently strengthened for the benefit and in the interests of our countries and peoples. The progress made in bilateral ties is impressive. Russian-Chinese relations have reached the highest level in their history and continue to grow stronger, they are superior in quality to the military-political alliances of the Cold War, there is no leader and follower, there are no restrictions or forbidden topics. 3. By the end of 2022, the already solid bilateral trade doubled and reached $185 billion. This is a new record. And we have every reason to believe that the $200 billion bar we set with President Xi Jinping will be exceeded not in 2024, but already this year. At the same time, it is important that the share of settlements in national currencies in mutual trade is growing and our relations are becoming even more sovereign. 4. Unlike some countries that claim hegemony and bring discord into world harmony, Russia and China are literally and figuratively building bridges. Thus, last year our border regions were connected by two bridge crossings over the Amur, which has long become a river of friendship. 5. We actively promote such democratic multilateral structures as the SCO and BRICS, which are becoming more authoritative and influential, gaining new partners and friends. The same goal is served by the work on conjugation of the construction of the Eurasian Economic Union and the One Belt, One Road initiative. 6. Together with like-minded people, our countries consistently advocate the formation of a more just multipolar world order based on international law, and not on certain rules that serve the needs of the golden billion. Russia and China are consistently working in the interests of creating an equal, open, inclusive security system not directed against third countries in the region and the world as a whole. In this regard, we note the constructive role of the Chinese Global Security Initiative, which is consonant with Russian approaches in this area. 7. The Collective West is clinging more and more desperately to archaic dogmas, to its elusive dominance, putting the fate of entire states and peoples at stake. The course pursued by the United States of dual containment of Russia and China, as well as all those who do not succumb to American dictates, is becoming more acute and assertive. The architecture of international security and cooperation is being dismantled. 8. Russia is open to a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. However, back in April 2022, the peace talks were by no means terminated by us. The future of the peace process depends solely on the readiness for a serious conversation, taking into account the prevailing geopolitical realities. MLA Kurasala Kannababu addresses the Assembly Budget sessions at Velagapudi in Guntur District on Sunday. (Photo: By Arrangement) Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Assembly proceedings were marred by turmoil again on Sunday due to protests by Telugu Desam MLAs, leading to the suspension of all the 11 opposition legislators for a day. Trouble started when Speaker Tammineni Sitaram rejected an adjournment resolution by TD legislators on the increase in electricity charges. After the completion of Question Hour, a discussion on the recent Global Investment Summit and on skill development for the youth continued in the assembly. TD MLAs led by deputy floor leader K Atchannaidu alleged that a Rs 6000crore "scam" took place in the name of fixing smart meters for electricity consumers. They argued that there was no need for smart meters as no other state had opted for it so far. They alleged that the government was trying to restrain farmers from getting free power. This led to heated arguments between the treasury and opposition benches. Energy minister Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy recalled that Chandrababu Naidu opposed the free power scheme by saying power lines would be used for hanging clothes due to scarcity of electricity. "Yet, YS Rajasekhar Reddy successfully implemented the scheme." The minister said that the government decided to fix 18.57 lakh smart meters to supply quality power, giving the right of question under the DBT scheme by disbursing the money directly into the bank accounts of farmers. "A majority of farmers, barring 10,025, opened their bank accounts and gave their consent to install smart meters." The minister refuted the allegations of TD legislators. Opposition MLAs raised slogans obstructing the house proceedings. TD MLAs rushed to the well in the assembly and climbed the Speakers Podium alleging a scam of Rs 6,000 crore in the smart meters-fixing programme. The speaker tried to pacify the members and minister Jogi Ramesh, legislators Jakkampudi Raja, Dr Srinivas Reddy, Umasankar Ganesh, Kursala Kannababu and others objected to the unruly behaviour of the TD legislators. As the commotion continued, the ruling party proposed suspension of TD MLAs, passed the resolution and the speaker announced the suspension of 11 TD legislators for a day. Among the suspended MLAs were Atchannaidu, Ganababu, Velagapudi Ramakrishna, Nimmala Chinnarajappa and Adireddy Bhavani. 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. && In this combo photo, right, the Indian national flag hoisted at the Indian High Commission, left, a protester, chanting pro-Khalistani slogans, attempts to grab the tricolour, in London, UK. (PTI Photo) New Delhi: India on Sunday night summoned the British deputy high commissioner and demanded an explanation over the complete "absence of security" after videos of pulling down of the Indian flag at the Indian mission in London during a protest by pro-Khalistan elements emerged on social media. 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. British Deputy High Commissioner Christina Scott was summoned to the MEA in view of the incident as High Commissioner Alex Ellis was out of Delhi, 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. "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. In a tweet, High Commissioner Ellis said, "I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the @HCI_London - totally unacceptable." Images of shattered windows and men climbing the India House building were circulating on social media and videos from the scene showed an Indian official grabbing the flag from a protester through the first-floor window of the mission, while the protester was seen waving a Khalistani flag hanging off its ledge. Scotland Yard said it was "aware" of an incident in the area but is yet to issue an official statement. Investor Presentation Meeting Sydney, Mar 20, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - PYX Resources Limited ( LON:PYX ) ( NSX:PYX ), is pleased to announce that Oliver Hasler, Chairman and CEO, will provide a live presentation relating to the Company's Annual Results via the Investor Meet Company platform on 27th March 2023 at 8:00am BST (6.00pm AEDT). The presentation is open to all existing and potential shareholders. Questions can be submitted preevent via your Investor Meet Company dashboard up until 9am the day before the meeting or at any time during the live presentation. Investors can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free and add to meet PYX RESOURCES LIMITED via: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/U9UCS76G Investors who already follow PYX RESOURCES LIMITED on the Investor Meet Company platform will automatically be invited. About Pyx Resources Limited PYX Resources Limited (NSX:PYX) (LON:PYX) is a global producer of premium zircon listed on the National Stock Exchange of Australia and the London Stock Exchange. The Company's flagship asset is the Mandiri mineral sands deposit, located in the alluvium sediment rich region of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Boasting the world's 5th largest producing deposit of zircon, PYX is a large-scale, near-surface open pit operation in production since 2015 and with exploration to date validating the presence of additional Valuable Heavy Minerals such as rutile, ilmenite among others within its mineral sands. loading......... Malibu, CA, Mar 20, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Join Ellis Martin for a discussion with Bradley Rourke, the CEO and President of Scottie Resources ( CVE:SCOT )( SCTSF:OTCMKTS )( SR8:FRA ). Mr. Rourke describes recent drill intercepts indicating significant high grade gold intercepts as well as the plan moving forward for this year's exploration season. It has often been said that the best place to look for gold is where it has been found before. Scottie Resources Corp. is an exploration stage company engaged in the exploration and evaluation of gold and silver properties located in the "Golden Triangle" of British Columbia, Canada, an area which has shown great potential to host high grade gold and silver deposits. The Company believes that mineral properties within the Golden Triangle are under-valued due to a lack of available infrastructure, a scenario which is currently changing. By acquiring undervalued properties and applying modern exploration techniques, data interpretation and 3-D modelling, Scottie Resources aims to build a substantial geological resource in the Golden Triangle. This approach is intended to dramatically increase the value of the Company's existing properties and advance them to a position where they may become operationally viable. Scottie Resources Corp. owns a 100% interest in (or the option to acquire) the Blueberry, Domino, and past producing Scottie Gold Mine zones of the Scottie Gold Mine Project located in the heart of the Golden Triangle. In addition, the Company owns 100% interest in the Georgia Project, Tide North and Sulu properties, and over 85% of the claims within the Cambria project, all located in the Stewart Mining Camp of the Golden Triangle. A Corporate Finance Executive with 30 years experience in Mining, Energy, and Real Estate, Mr. Rourke holds a proven track record with successful start-up companies. His leadership experience and entrepreneurial approach have given new direction and scale to the Scottie Resources efforts in the Golden Triangle. To Listen to the Interview, please visit: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/Y59VJZBC About Scottie Resources Corp. Scottie Resources Corp. (CVE:SCOT) (OTCMKTS:SCTSF) (FRA:SR8) owns a 100% interest in the Scottie Gold Mine Property which includes the Blueberry Zone and the high-grade, past-producing Scottie Gold Mine. Scottie also owns 100% interest in the Georgia Project which contains the high-grade past-producing Georgia River Mine, as well as the Cambria Project properties and the Sulu property. Altogether Scottie Resources holds more than 59,000 hectares of mineral claims in the Stewart Mining Camp in the Golden Triangle. The Company's focus is on expanding the known mineralization around the past-producing mines while advancing near mine high-grade gold targets, with the purpose of delivering a potential resource. The Company's focus is on expanding the known mineralization around the past-producing mine while advancing near mine high-grade gold targets, with the purpose of delivering a potential resource. All of the Company's properties are located in the area known as the Golden Triangle of British Columbia which is among the world's most prolific mineralized districts. About The Ellis Martin Report The Ellis Martin Report (TEMR) is an internet based radio program showcasing potentially undervalued companies to an audience of potential retail investors and fund managers that comprise our listening audience. TEMR is broadcasted on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel and The Opportunity Radio Network. CEO and company interviews are paid for by those represented on the program. ALMOST HIT ON A FLASHING YELLOW TURN: Linnea Sands asks in an email what does that flashing yellow arrow mean on the left turn from westbound Alameda onto Fourth Street? Linnea explains recently, I was in the intersection waiting to turn left when the traffic light turned yellow. Thinking Id better clear the intersection quickly, I initiated a left turn. To my horror, vehicles going eastbound on Alameda did not stop and there was almost an accident. My guess is that many drivers dont know how to interpret that flashing yellow. Could you clear it up? SIGNALS EXPENSIVE, CONFUSING: And Elizabeth Buchen adds flashing yellow turn arrows are a solution to a problem that doesnt exist, and they may even lead to confusion that could potentially be dangerous. The simple solution would be just to remove the red-turn arrow. Then drivers could turn with the right of way on a green arrow or turn after yielding to oncoming traffic with a green light as they always have. There is no need for the city of Albuquerque to install expensive and confusing new signals just because Santa Fe did it. WHAT THE TURN SIGNALS MEAN: A few years ago a city of Albuquerque spokesman explained in this column the flashing yellow turn arrow is an additional educational reminder to motorists that oncoming traffic has a green light and left-hand turns are permitted only after oncoming traffic, cyclists and pedestrians have cleared the intersection. A flashing yellow essentially means go when its safe. WHERE THEY ARE, MORE ARE COMING: Scott Cilke with the city of Albuquerques Department of Municipal Development has said the city has installed flashing yellow arrows at several intersections, including on Dennis Chavez, on Coors at 98th, and along Alameda in the general vicinity of Balloon Fiesta Park. And despite the concerns voiced by drivers like Elizabeth, he said they will become more commonplace in the future as they are the citys new standard on all new signals. However, due to their high cost, the city wont install them on existing signals but rather install them gradually as signals are replaced. SUNPORT EXTENDING TO SECOND STREET: Jeff Hartzer asks in an email when is the Sunport extension to Second Street due to open? Antonio E. Jaramillo, director of operations and maintenance for Bernalillo County, says the county is the agency that is spearheading the construction of the Sunport extension. As part of this project we have two separate bridge structures that have already been installed, and the paving for the project is ongoing and should be finalized soon. We have also secured an artist to implement a piece of her work for the corridor. We anticipate the project to be substantially complete by mid- to late June. LA BAJADA SIGNS UP, SILOS GONE: Gary E. Cordova emails that after a recent column, the double-fine zone signs are now very visible in both directions in the Interstate 25 construction zone up La Bajada just south of Santa Fe. Thank you. (Now,) the tall structures and large tanks are gone. What was their purpose? Jim Murray, public information officer of the New Mexico Department of Transportations District 5 Office, spoke with the manager of the almost $40 million interstate rebuild thats in great part to shore up the soil and keep lanes from sliding down the hill. He learned those structures/tanks are the cement silos for the soil-mixing shafts. They were moved off site to finish the southbound lanes and will return when they start working on the northbound lanes. That project is scheduled to last through November 2024. Editorial page editor DVal Westphal tackles commuter issues for the metro area on Mondays. Reach her at 823-3858; dwestphal@abqjournal.com; or 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109. More Road Warrior A wintery crash has turned out for the best. The East Mountain Companion Animal Project on Sunday hosted an animal rescue adoption event for dozens of Chihuahuas who were involved in a vehicle crash in January. There were 35 small dogs looking for homes at Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming, where people met the pups from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The BIGGEST little dog adoption event EVER!!, the animal project wrote on its Facebook page. The dogs were in a vehicle that wrecked in Guadalupe County near Vaughan on Jan. 3. A man fell asleep at the wheel and caused a head-on collision, according to an accident report. The dogs were being taken to a shelter in Juarez, Mexico at the time. Its believed there were 82 dogs in the van when it crashed into a tractor trailer. There were 64 dogs found alive and 18 dogs were killed. Some of the dogs were adopted prior to Sundays event. As of Sunday evening, all but two dogs had been adopted, an official with the animal project told the Journal. MOSCOW (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin warmly welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the Kremlin on Monday, sending a powerful message to Western leaders that their efforts to isolate Moscow over the fighting in Ukraine have fallen short. Xis trip his first abroad since his re-election earlier this month showed off Beijings new diplomatic swagger and gave a political lift to Putin just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for the Kremlin leader on war crimes charges related to Ukraine. The two major powers have described Xis three-day trip as an opportunity to deepen their no-limits friendship. China looks to Russia as a source of oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy, and as a partner in standing up to what both see as U.S. aggression, domination of global affairs and unfair punishment for their human rights records. The two countries, among the five U.N. Security Councils permanent members, also have held joint military drills. U.S. officials have picked up indications China is considering supplying Russia with weapons for its fight in Ukraine but have seen no evidence theyve actually done so. The leaders smiled and shook hands before sitting down at the start of their meeting, calling each other dear friend and exchanging compliments. Putin congratulated Xi on his re-election and voiced hope for building even stronger ties. China has made a colossal leap ahead in its development in recent years, Putin said, adding that its causing genuine interest all around the world, and we even feel a bit envious, as Xi smiled. The Kremlin leader welcomed Chinas proposals for a political settlement in Ukraine and noted Russia is open for talks. We will discuss all those issues, including your initiative that we highly respect, Putin said. Our cooperation in the international arena undoubtedly helps strengthen the basic principles of the global order and multipolarity. Both Moscow and Beijing have accused Washington of trying to isolate them and hold back their development as they challenge it for regional and global leadership. In an increasingly multipolar world, the U.S. and its allies have been unable to build a broad front against Putin. While 141 countries condemned Moscow in a United Nations vote marking the first anniversary of Russian troops rolling into Ukraine, several members of the G-20 including India, China and South Africa abstained. Many African nations also have refrained from openly criticizing Russia. We hope that the strategic partnership between China and Russia will on the one hand uphold international fairness and justice, and on the other hand promote the common prosperity and development of our countries, Xi said. In their 4 1/2 hours of talks, along with a dinner that included a Pacific seafood platter and roast venison in cherry sauce, Putin would offer Xi a detailed explanation of Moscows actions in Ukraine, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Broader talks on a range of subjects are scheduled Tuesday. For Putin, Xis presence is a prestigious, diplomatic boost to show partnership in the face of Western efforts to isolate Russia over Ukraine. In an article published in the Chinese Peoples Daily newspaper, Putin described Xis visit as a landmark event that reaffirms the special nature of the Russia-China partnership and said the meeting signaled that the two countries arent prepared to accept attempts to weaken them. The U.S. policy of simultaneously deterring Russia and China, as well as all those who do not bend to the American diktat, is getting ever fiercer and more aggressive, he wrote. China portrays Xis visit as part of normal diplomatic exchanges and has offered little detail about its purpose, though Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters Monday that China will uphold its objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks. Xi didnt directly mention the Ukraine fighting or his peace plan when he sat down for the talks with Putin. Beijings leap into Ukraine issues follows its recent success in brokering talks between Iran and its chief Middle Eastern rival, Saudi Arabia, which agreed to restore their diplomatic ties after years of tensions. Following that success, Xi called for China to play a bigger role in managing global affairs. Although they boast of a no-limits partnership, Beijing has conducted a China First policy. It has refrained from supplying Russias military a move that could worsen relations with Washington and turn important European trade partners against China. On the other hand, it has refused to condemn Moscows aggression and criticized Western sanctions against Moscow, while accusing NATO and the United States of provoking Putins military action. Western pressure has made Russia increasingly reliant on Beijing, observers said. Alexander Gabuev, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, noted that Beijing is aiming at getting Russia as a junior partner deeper into Chinas pocket. Dmitry Oreshkin, professor at Free University in Riga, Latvia, observed that Beijing benefits from tensions between Moscow and the West, by gaining access to cheap Russian energy resources. Its very convenient for China, which couldnt get such a discount before, he said. China last month called for a cease-fire and peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautiously welcomed Beijings involvement, but the overture fizzled. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby urged Xi to press President Putin directly on the need to respect Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also said the U.S. administration believes Xi could play a constructive role by speaking directly with Zelenskyy. The Kremlin has welcomed Chinas peace plan, while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday any proposal that left Russian forces in place in Ukraine would merely let Moscow reequip and otherwise regain strength to resume its offensive. Calling for a cease-fire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest, he told reporters in Washington. The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms. Kyiv officials say they wont bend in their terms for a peace accord. Ukraines allies, meanwhile, are stepping up their support. The State Department announced Monday that the U.S. will send Ukraine $350 million in weapons and equipment. The latest aid package includes ammunition, such as rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, fuel tanker trucks and riverine boats. In Brussels, European Union countries endorsed a fast-track procedure to provide Ukraine with artillery shells, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. He hailed a historic decision for the 27-nation bloc and Norway to send Ukraine 1 million 155 mm artillery shells within 12 months. Xis trip came after the International Criminal Court in The Hague announced Friday it wants to put Putin on trial for the abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine. The Kremlin doesnt recognize the courts authority and has rejected its move against Putin as legally null and void. China, the U.S. and Ukraine also dont recognize the ICC, but the decision tarnished Putins international standing. Chinas Foreign Ministry urged the ICC to respect the jurisdictional immunity of a head of state and avoid politicization and double standards. Russias Investigative Committee retaliated Monday by opening a criminal case against a prosecutor and three judges of the ICC over the arrest warrants issued for Putin and his commissioner for childrens rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. The committee called the ICCs prosecution unlawful because it was, among other things, a criminal prosecution of a knowingly innocent person. ___ Follow the APs coverage of Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine ___ Associated Press writer Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed. NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) A new report says an estimated 43,000 people died amid Somalias longest drought on record last year and half of them likely were children under 5 years old. It is the first official death toll announced in the drought withering large parts of the Horn of Africa. At least 18,000 people, and as many as 34,000, are forecast to die in the first six months of this year. The current crisis is far from over, says the report released Monday by the World Health Organization and the United Nations childrens agency and carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Somalia and neighboring Ethiopia and Kenya are facing a sixth consecutive failed rainy season while rising global food prices and the war in Ukraine complicate the hunger crisis. The U.N. and partners earlier this year said they were no longer forecasting a formal famine declaration for Somalia for now but called the situation extremely critical with more than 6 million people hungry in that country alone. Famine is the extreme lack of food and a significant death rate from outright starvation or malnutrition combined with diseases like cholera. A formal famine declaration means data shows more than a fifth of households have extreme food gaps, more than 30% of children are acutely malnourished and over two people out of 10,000 are dying every day. The risk of famine still remains, the U.N. resident coordinator in Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula, told journalists on Monday. Some humanitarian and climate officials this year have warned that trends are worse than in the 2011 famine in Somalia in which a quarter-million people died. The death rate was increasing as the year came to a close, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine professor Francesco Checchi told journalists. The hardest-hit populations are in Bay and Bakool in southwest Somalia and displaced people who have fled to the capital, Mogadishu. Millions of livestock have died in the current crisis compounded by climate change and insecurity as Somalia battles thousands of fighters with al-Qaidas East Africa affiliate, al-Shabab. The U.N. migration agency says 3.8 million people are displaced, a record high. A food security assessment released last month said nearly a half-million children in Somalia are likely to be severely malnourished this year. This time, the world is looking elsewhere, many humanitarian officials say. Many of the traditional donors have washed their hands and focused on Ukraine, the U.N. resident coordinator told the visiting U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, during a briefing in Mogadishu in January. TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) A firebrand Israeli minister claimed theres no such thing as a Palestinian people as Israels new coalition government, its most hard-line ever, plowed ahead on Monday with a part of its plan to overhaul the judiciary. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus coalition said it was pushing a key part of the overhaul which would give the coalition control over who becomes a justice or a judge before the parliament takes a monthlong holiday break next week. The development came a day after an Israeli and Palestinian delegation at a meeting in Egypt, mediated by Egyptian, Jordanian and U.S. officials, pledged to take steps to lower tensions roiling the region ahead of a sensitive holiday season. It reflected the limited influence the Biden administration appears to have over Israels new far-right government and raised questions about attempts to lower tensions, both inside Israel and with the Palestinians, ahead of a sensitive holiday season. As the negotiators were issuing a joint communique, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich delivered a speech in Paris saying the notion of a Palestinian people was artificial. There is no such thing as a Palestinian nation. There is no Palestinian history. There is no Palestinian language, he said in France late Sunday. He spoke at a memorial event for a French-Israeli right-wing activist who denied the existence of a Palestinian nation and advocated annexation of the West Bank. The lectern was adorned with what appeared to be an image showing the map of Israel that included the occupied West Bank, Gaza and Jordan. Jordans Foreign Ministry said that Smotrichs appearance with the icon was a reckless inflammatory act and a violation of international norms and the peace treaty between the two countries. It later summoned Israels ambassador over Smotrichs remarks. Ahmed Abu Zaid, a spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, said the Israeli ministers remarks deny the facts of history and geography (and) undermine the efforts aimed at achieving calm between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. Israels Foreign Ministry on Monday evening released a statement affirming that it is committed to the countries 1994 peace agreement. There has been no change in the position of the State of Israel, which recognizes the territorial integrity of the Hashemite Kingdom, the statement said. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said Smotrichs remarks were conclusive evidence of the extremist, racist Zionist ideology that governs the parties of the current Israeli government. In Brussels, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the ministers remarks certainly cannot be tolerated. I have to deplore this unacceptable comment. It is wrong, it is disrespectful, it is dangerous, it is counter-productive to say these kinds of things in a situation that is already very tense, Borrell told reporters after chairing a meeting of EU foreign and defense ministers. Could you imagine if a Palestinian leader would have said the state of Israel does not exist. What would have been the reaction? Borrell called on the Israeli government to disavow those comments and to start working with all parties to defuse tensions. A far-right settler leader who opposes Palestinian statehood, Smotrich has a history of offensive statements against the Palestinians. Last month, he called for the Palestinian town of Hawara in the West Bank to be erased after radical Jewish settlers rampaged through the town in response to a shooting attack that killed two Israelis. Smotrich later apologized after an international uproar. His remarks on Palestinians were reminiscent of those made by late Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir that caused an uproar in 1969. She later told The New York Times that she meant there had never been a Palestinian nation. But critics say the comments continue to tarnish her legacy. During Sundays talks in Egypt, a Palestinian gunman carried out another shooting attack in Hawara, seriously wounding an Israeli man. The new violence, along with Smotrichs comments, illustrated the tough challenges that lie ahead in soothing tensions after a year of deadly violence in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. 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. Sundays summit was held ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins this week. The Jewish festival of Passover is set to take place in April, coinciding with Ramadan. 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 an act the Palestinians view as a provocation. Clashes at the site in 2021 helped trigger an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. On Monday, Israeli police closed the offices of a Palestinian radio station in east Jerusalem, saying it worked for official Palestinian Authority media in violation of the 1994 interim agreements between Israel and the Palestinians. The PA condemned the closure. The heightened tensions with the Palestinians coincide with mass demonstrations inside Israel against Netanyahus plans to overhaul the judicial system. Opponents of the measure have carried out disruptive protests, and the debate has embroiled the countrys military, where some reservists are refusing to show up for service. Netanyahu has rejected a compromise by Israels figurehead president. During a call with Netanyahu, President Joe Biden appealed for caution, the White House said, as a friend of Israel in the hopes that there can be a compromise formula found. The president underscored his belief that democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship, the White House said, and added that fundamental changes should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support. Netanyahus government says the plan is meant to correct an imbalance that has given the courts too much power over the legislative process. Critics say the overhaul would upend the countrys delicate system of checks and balances and push Israel toward authoritarianism. They also say Netanyahu could find an escape route from his corruption trial through the overhaul. The protests, along with the rising violence with the Palestinians, have posed a major challenge for the new government. So far this year, 85 Palestinians have been killed, according to a tally by The Associated Press. The number of Israelis killed during the same period rose to 15 on Monday after Or Eshkar, 33, died. He was shot in the head at point-blank range by a Palestinian in Tel Aviv on March 9. Israel says most of the Palestinians 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. ___ Associated Press writers Isaac Scharf and Ilan Ben Zion in Jerusalem contributed to this report. SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday announced a sweeping plan to conduct in-person wellness checks on the thousands of adults who receive care as part of the Developmental Disability Waiver program in New Mexico. The interviews, which began last week, have already started to identify more cases of possible abuse. The announcement came in the wake of a client with developmental disabilities being seriously injured while under the care of a service provider. Though details of the clients injuries havent been made public, the governor described them as horrific during a news conference Monday. Last week, the state Department of Health terminated the contracts of four agencies that cared for the client as part of the waiver program, which enables for people to receive various types of services in the community. The programs, funded with state and federal money, are intended to be an alternative to institutional care. These are shocking and intolerable sets of circumstances, Lujan Grisham said at the news conference. The governor appeared, along with state and federal law enforcement officials and leaders of the states Human Services Department and Department of Health, to discuss how officials are responding to the abuse allegations. State health officials said they are conducting wellness checks on all clients who received services as part of waiver programs for adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities. That review, though still in its early stages, has already brought to light other possible abuse cases, which have been referred to law enforcement agencies, Lujan Grisham said Monday. Authorities didnt release many details about any of the possible abuse cases, citing ongoing investigations. Lujan Grisham said the Department of Health and other state employees plan to meet with all of the roughly 6,000 adults who receive services as part of a DD waiver program within a month. Whenever there is a horrific case of abuse, it always warrants a deeper look at the entire system, she said. Already, about 1,000 clients have been contacted for wellness checks. Five recently reported cases and eight new possible abuse or neglect case are under investigation, in addition to the case of the injured client that led to contracts being terminated. In three of those cases, the clients have died. Some of the suspected abuse possibly involves vulnerable adults who were malnourished, the governor said. Expect a knock on the door from us, Lujan Grisham said of the ongoing wellness review. Last week, officials announced contracts the state had with At Home Advocacy Inc.; A New Vision Case Management; Lynn Barbour, LLC; and Sylvester & Company were being terminated because of the allegations related to the injured client. About 700 adults were receiving care from those providers. The contractors are currently working to place those clients with other providers, said Department of Health Secretary Patrick Allen. At Home Advocacy Inc. of Albuquerque, provided residential in-home care; A New Vision of Corrales provided the case management; Sylvester & Company of Los Ranchos provided physical therapy services; and Lynn Barbour LLC of Albuquerque provided behavioral consultations. Karen Garcia, the area director for At Home Advocacy, said in a statement that the company immediately contacted authorities when it learned a caregiver had taken a client out of state and the client suffered serious injuries. We are shocked and heartbroken that anyone would hurt someone we support and grateful for the quick action of everyone who worked to protect the victim, Garcia said. The company said it disagreed with the state terminating its contract and the business will appeal. Efforts to reach the other businesses that lost contracts werent successful on Monday. According to DOH, the combined state and federal dollars paid to these providers for the 2022 calendar year was: At Home Advocacy, $17 million; A New Vision, $2.5 million; Sylvester & Company, $736,455; Lynn Barbour LLC, $439,696. He said no additional provider contracts have been changed yet as a result of the departments wellness checks The uncomfortable truth is that being disabled makes someone more vulnerable to abuse, Allen said. State government officials asked that if anyone suspects someone is being abused to report the matter to Adult Protective Services Statewide Intake at 1-866-654-3219. We have opened an active investigation. So we will not be commenting on any of those (investigations), said Department of Public Safety Secretary Jason Bowie. We want to assure everybody that if anything rises to the level of criminal in nature, that we stand in full support to make sure that our partners at that Department of Health have all the support that they need. Albuquerque police have arrested a 27-year-old man for allegedly exposing himself to two teenage students walking home from Manzano High School. David Benjamin Garcia of Albuquerque is charged with two counts of aggravated indecent exposure involving minors and one count of tampering with evidence, court records show. According to a criminal complaint, a 15-year-old Manzano student walking home from school Jan. 18 encountered a man with his pants down and masturbating in a parked white sedan with the windows down. The car followed her as she continued walking home, and she took a photograph of his car as he slowed in front of her residence. Less than two weeks later, a 16-year-old student called 911 to report an incident involving a white sedan in the same vicinity. As (the student) walked past the vehicle (passenger side on the sidewalk), she heard the male driver (sole occupant) call out to her, at which time she looked and observed him in the drivers seat with the seat back in a reclined position, his pants down towards his thighs or knees and, with his penis exposed, masturbating, the complaint says. The second student also had a photo of the vehicle, though it had no license plate, which led police to charge him with tampering with evidence. The Albuquerque Police Department is asking anyone else who might have been a victim to report it to 242-COPS. Garcias attorney did not immediately respond to a Journal message Monday. The Journals weekly captions contest allows readers to create a clever meme out of a photo we select from Journal photographers or our wire service. Well, there goes the neighborhood. DONALD DE NOON, Albuquerque How come that quack got orchestra and were stuck up here in the balcony? DAVE ROBERTS, Los Ranchos Easter is nigh. We will need all the eggs we can get; the duck stays. ROSE M. MEDINA, Albuquerque Ya know I just realized that life is like this chicken walk, too short and full of poop. ARTHUR D. ORTEGA, Albuquerque The Rosetta Stone course in chicken I took should let me fit in here. STEVE MCLARY, Las Cruces We say cluck, you say quack. But at the price of eggs these days, its all a bit daffy. JERRY M. ULLOM, Albuquerque They said this is the deluxe room? I wouldnt let my chicken tenders stay in there. LAWRENCE TALAHONGVA, Gallup Flash mob thefts at chicken coops have led to increased use of armed guard ducks. KEMPTON LINDQUIST, Albuquerque How do you expect me to lay any eggs if you keep looking at me? I need my privacy. JOAN NEWMAN, Albuquerque Now look guys: We didnt believe Chicken Little when she warned us about the sky. We should have believed her when she cried out, the ducks are encroaching, the ducks are encroaching! PAT ARMIJO DODSON, Albuquerque Something must be done about this housing problem. RAY REEDER, Albuquerque Obi Hen Kenobi senses a disturbance in the flock. RICK WELLER, Albuquerque This weeks challenge D.C. police are clamping down on psychedelic buses after district lawmakers legalized weed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida at Buddha Jayanti Park, in New Delhi, Monday, March 20, 2023. (AFP) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks here on Monday with Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, when both sides discussed Chinese military and economic assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region and the common "challenges" that both nations face on this score, with Mr Kishida hailing India as an "indispensable" partner for Japan and announcing a new plan for a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP) which includes Japanese investment to the tune of $75 billion for the development of infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region by 2030, in what is seen as a move to counter Beijing. During the talks, India and Japan decided to further ramp up ties in the defence and security sector, including defence equipment and technology collaboration encompassing co-design and co-innovation, trade and investment ties, health and digital partnership, development finance, food security, climate change, people-to-people ties, skill development, as well as reliable supply chains in semiconductors and other critical technologies. As the current chair of the Group of Seven, the Japanese PM invited Mr Modi as a guest for the G-7 summit to be held in May this year in Hiroshima. Mr Modi accepted the invitation and hoped that "India-Japan relations will continue to touch new heights". India, as the current G-20 chair, also discussed its priorities for the G-20 with Japan, which is also a member of the grouping. Two pacts were signed on Monday between the two sides, including one for the fourth tranche of a 300 billion yen Japanese loan (about Rs 18,000 crores) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR), which is commonly known as the bullet train project. The other was on Japanese Language Education in India. Both leaders also expressed satisfaction over the "good progress" on the target set last year of Japanese investment of 5 trillion yen (Rs 3.20 lakh crores) in India in the next five years. Delivering the 41st Sapru House Lecture here on his new plan for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), when he slammed the Russian "aggression" on Ukraine, Mr Kishida underlined the four pillars of this new plan that included peace with protection of vulnerable countries, strengthening of maritime security between Japans self-defence forces and the armed forces of other nations including the coast guards, safe use of the seas and airspace, and a multi-layered connectivity plan that includes Japan-Asean connectivity, linkages with Pacific island nations and an industrial value chain concept for the Bay of Bengal that links Bangladesh with Northeast India. With an obvious eye on China without naming it, the Japanese PM emphasised that disputes in the Indo-Pacific should be settled peacefully and without coercion by adhering to international law. Not surprisingly, therefore, the most significant part of Mr Kishidas speech was the announcement by him of a US$ 75 billion plan for development of infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region by 2030 that is expected to include both private investment and Japanese yen loans and also official Japanese government assistance. The announcement is seen as a move to counter China in the region. When asked at a special MEA briefing about whether China was discussed at the talks, foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said both leaders discussed the "challenges" that both nations face in the region. It may be noted that both India and Japan have territorial disputes with China. It may also be noted that both India and Japan have significantly stepped up their bilateral military exercises. Praising the Japanese PM, Mr Modi said: "I have felt his positivity and commitment towards India-Japan relations. Our meeting today is special for another reason as well. This year India is chairing the G-20, while Japan is chairing the G-7. And therefore, this is the perfect opportunity to work together on our respective priorities and interests. Today, I explained in detail to Prime Minister Kishida about the priorities of Indias G-20 presidency. Giving voice to the priorities of the Global South is an important pillar of our G-20 presidency." Mr Modi added: "The India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership is based on our shared democratic values, and respect for the rule of law in the international arena. Strengthening this partnership is not only important for both our countries, it also promotes peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In our conversation today, we have reviewed the progress made in our bilateral relations. We exchanged views on defence equipment and technology collaboration, trade, health, and digital partnership. We also had a fruitful discussion on the importance of reliable supply chains in semiconductors and other critical technologies. Last year, we had set a target of Japanese investment of 5 trillion yen in India in the next five years, that is, three lakh twenty thousand crore rupees. It is a matter of satisfaction that there has been good progress in this direction." Mr Modi further stated: "Today, Prime Minister Kishida extended an invitation to me for attending the G-7 Leaders Summit to be held in Hiroshima in May. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for this. A few months later in September, I will have the opportunity to welcome Prime Minister Kishida to India again for the G-20 Leaders Summit. May this series of our talks and contacts continue like this, and may India-Japan relations continue to touch new heights." Instagram Music It remains unclear why the 'Certified Lover Boy' artist unexpectedly ended' his set early, but he also leaves ans pissed off by canceling the live broadcast of his performance. Mar 20, 2023 AceShowbiz - Drake has angered his fans once again. The "Certified Lover Boy" artist reportedly cut his set short at the Lollapalooza Argentina and people were clearly disappointed by his decision. It remains unclear why the Canadian star "unexpectedly ended" his set early. He also made fans pissed off by canceling the live broadcast of his performance. Calling out the Grammy winner, one Twitter user argued, "wow drake's lollapalooza Argentina performance was complete trashhhhhhh. ended the set 30 min early, cut the livestream 5 mins before the show." Another tweeted, "Holy f**k this dude." "@Drake You come to Argentina to become a star, by prohibiting the show from being broadcast live, s**tty garbage," a third fumed. "Get out of our country broken face #LOLArgentina #Lollapalooza. One Instagram user also voiced their disappointment in the comment section of Lollapalooza Argentina's Instagram posts. "Started 10 minutes late, cut 30 minutes early, sang 30 seconds of each song, out of control just said the word literal 'control,' " the person detailed. "sound went off, screens stayed on black for minutes - a disaster." Just days prior, Drake caused an uproar after announcing his joint tour with 21 Savage. Fans were baffled by the pricey ticket prices. Those who had early access to the tickets were not happy to find out that there were no tickets for less than $100. Standard general admission tickets for nosebleed seats, which are the worst section, start at $137 and go up to $495+ as you get closer to the stage. Some others claimed that the ticket prices go as high as for $1,000. "Drake concert tickets are 1k??? he better chris brown me on dat stage," one fan tweeted, referring to CB giving a lap dance to audiences at his European concerts. Another exclaimed, "Drake concert tickets 1k for a seat??? He better sit in my lap and sing in my ears." You can share this post! Cover Images/Roger Wong Celebrity The 'Ant-Man' actor reflects on his sobriety journey years after he admitted that he used drugs in high school in an effort to self-medicate his 'undiagnosed depression issues.' Mar 20, 2023 AceShowbiz - David Dastmalchian has been sober for two decades. When reflecting on his journey, the "Ant-Man" actor said he's so grateful that he's gone this far after a five-year heroin addiction. The 47-year-old star expressed his gratitude when speaking to Page Six. "For nothing else, the endless pool of gratitude that I feel for the past two decades of this journey, living without drugs and alcohol, absolutely informs all the work that I do as an actor and think about the characters I want to bring to life," he said at the New York premiere of his new film, "Boston Strangler". Back in 2018, David admitted to The Hollywood Reporter that he used drugs in high school in an effort to self-medicate his "undiagnosed depression issues." He then developed a heroin addiction while attending Chicago's DePaul University before living out of his car at his lowest point. "The Suicide Squad" star eventually exited the unhealthy cycle after spending time at a psychiatric facility and rehab. "Getting the mental health treatment I needed is my greatest accomplishment, and my sobriety of 19 years is a huge part of that," he told NME in 2021. "But I'm still working at it, you know, there's no victory flags or anything like that," he added. "It's a daily journey, but I will say this: I could sit here with you now, and you could drink two bottles of wine in front of me and I wouldn't feel any desire to join you." David went on to share, "I have many friends who smoke pot, and it's not difficult for me to be with them socially because I don't have the desire." He then noted, "But if that [lack of desire] changed tomorrow, I know exactly what meeting I need to get to and who I need to contact to make sure I'm gonna be okay." You can share this post! Cover Images/INSTARimages.com Celebrity The 59-year-old English musician is grateful that his wife Lauren Monroe wasn't with him when he was violently assaulted by a 19-year-old teenager outside the Four Seasons Hotel. Mar 20, 2023 AceShowbiz - Rick Allen has broken his silence nearly a week after he was attacked by a teenager in Florida. In a statement issued on Sunday, March 19, the Def Leppard drummer expressed his gratitude for the support and well wishes after he was violently assaulted last week. "Thank you everyone for your overwhelming support. Your love and prayers are truly helping," he said in the statement provided to ABC News. "My wife Lauren [Monroe] was thankfully not with me at the time of the incident. We are together now, and working on recovering in a safe space." As he stated that they are focused on "healing for everyone involved," the 59-year-old asked "you to join us in our effort to move from confusion and shock to compassion and empathy." He continued, "We understand this act of violence can be triggering for so many people. To all of the fans, veterans and first responders in our global community, we are thinking of you all. Together with love, we can all get through these difficult times." On Monday, March 13, Rick was smoking cigarette outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Fort Lauderdale Beach, South Florida when Max Hartley, a 19-year-old Ohio resident visiting Florida for Spring Break, was hiding behind a pole. The man then ran at the drummer at full speed and struck Rick, causing him to fall backward and hit his head on the ground. Rick suffered a head injury as the result of the attack. A woman came out to help Rick, but the teen also attacked the woman. Max then fled to another hotel nearby, but was later arrested after security at the Conrad hotel found him allegedly damaging numerous cars in their parking garage. He was charged with two counts of battery, four counts of criminal mischief and a count of abusing an elderly or disabled adult. He was released after posting bail on Tuesday. The night before the attack, Rick was performing at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel with Def Leppard members. The band has been on tour, co-headlining with Motley Crue. You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity In a touching Instagram post, the 74-year-old royal and his wife Queen Consort Camilla join forces to show their support for mothers across the world while remembering their late mothers. Mar 20, 2023 AceShowbiz - King Charles has marked his first Mother's Day without the Queen by sharing a childhood photo of him standing on her knee with a poignant message. His Majesty, 74, joined with his wife Queen Consort Camilla to show their support for mothers across the world by also posting an image of the royal, 75, with her late mum Rosalind Shand, who died in 1994 aged 72 after a long battle with osteoperosis. Charles and Camilla captioned the two images, posted on Sunday, March 19, on The Royal Family Instagram account, "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." Charles is seen in his snap standing in a white baby smock while the Queen, who died aged 96 in September at her Balmoral estate and was Princess Elizabeth when the image was taken, wore a brown gown and pearl necklace for the portrait. Camilla's Mother's Day photo showed her wearing a bright red jacket and gold necklace while standing behind a smiling Rosalind, dressed in a polka dot top, bird-shaped brooch and pearl earrings. Charles said in a message to mark his first Christmas without his "beloved" mum that he had been moved by the outpouring of "love and sympathy" the public had shown in the wake of her death. And as he led Britain in mourning the Queen's death, he said, "The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family." "We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother," he continued. "I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world. During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity Seemingly downplaying the neighbors' concern, Rozay says his buffaloes are 'so kind' and 'so peaceful' and asks them to give the animals some carrots whenever they see them. Mar 20, 2023 AceShowbiz - Rick Ross has broken his silence after his unusual pets escaped his property. Addressing the question, "How did my buffaloes get out???", the rapper took to his Instagram Story to assure his neighbors that his buffaloes do not pose a danger to everyone around them. "Morning, glorious. It's a beautiful day," he opened a video posted on Sunday, March 19. He admitted that his bulls, cows and buffaloes got out in the community, but insisted that they're "so kind" and "so peaceful." "Make sure you always keep a collar on your animal. Mine have collar cuz you know their mine," the 47-year-old hip-hop mogul said with blaring music in the background. "So when you see my buffalo, give it a carrot, give it apple. They're so kind, they're so peaceful." "Thank everybody for watching. Thank everybody for making sure all of my animals got back into the Promised Land," he continued, before praising his neighbors, "All my neighbors, y'all the best." He added in the caption, "I thank my neighbors." Rick Ross addressed his escaped buffaloes. Rozay repeated the message in another video. "You saw me on TMZ this morning. Two bulls, buffaloes got out," he said. "I want to thank my neighbors in Fayetteville and, of course, my team, the whole squad, for making sure all my animals made it back safe." "Anytime you see one of my buffaloes, please give it a carrot. They are very peaceful," he added, claiming, "They are just grazers, they are not meat eaters." While Rick calmly talked about his escaped buffaloes, his neighbors didn't seem to take the issue lightly. According to TMZ which first reported the news, The Boss' two buffaloes have wandered onto his neighbor's property in Fayetteville, GA twice last week. The woman's worried the animals may pose a danger to her small children. In a video obtained by the site, the behemoth pets were seen running through the neighbor's front yard. She said she came home from work to discover the wild scene. She also took a photo of the two buffaloes grazing grass near a paved driveway full of parked cars. The woman also showed the aftermath of the buffaloes roaming through her lawn. They appeared to be tearing up her yard. The neighbor said she went to Rick's place to complain about the escaped animals and it led to a verbal dispute with a member of the rapper's team. She then filed a neighbor dispute with the city and tried calling police, but cops said it's a civil dispute and didn't take a report. Rick was gifted two of the buffaloes in March 2022 by Darius Burton, who serves as the director of brand operations at Ethika. "We are gifting Ross these Buffalo after a conversation at his birthday party back in January," Darius told Page Six. "I wanted to get him a giraffe but he wasn't ready for that commitment so he said let's start smaller, like a cow. I said nah, everyone has cows, I want you to have something nobody in your state has, I'm getting you a Buffalo." In February 2022, Rick also purchased a bull. "I'm ready for it right now. I'm happier than a muthaf**ka!" he announced it via Instagram at the time. "This a dream come true for Rozay! You know what this is for a young boy from Carol City to have horses and now a big boy?" You can share this post! Cover Images/Instagram/Lisvett Serrant Celebrity The Yeezy designer is pictured attending a church service in Los Angeles alongside his new wife as well as his 9-year-old daughter, whom he shares with Kim Kardashian. Mar 20, 2023 AceShowbiz - Kanye West took his wife Bianca Censori and his daughter North West to a church service in Los Angeles. On Saturday, March 18, the trio were pictured attending a service in a color-coordinated outfits. In some paparazzi pictures, the "Donda" artist opted for a black jacket, white T-shirt and black pants. Bianca echoed the style as she sported an all-black outfit that included a black crop top, tight black pants, black Nikes and a Balenciaga handbag that covered her entire right arm. As for North, the 9-year-old wore a black tee and pants that she paired with her white sneakers. The young girl, whom Ye shares with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, stood out among the group, thanks to her neon green braids. North has been spending time with her dad and stepmom in recent weeks. Prior to this, the Chicago rapper took her and Bianca to Universal Studios in Hollywood to spend some time together. For the outing, Ye donned an Army zip-up turtleneck sweatshirt and black pants that he paired with large black boots. He wore a balaclava that obscured everything but his eyes in an attempt to go incognito. As for Bianca, the Yeezy architectural designer was dressed in a black and white hoodie with short black shorts and black shoes. The 9-year-old also opted for an all-black ensemble. During the outing, the controversial star was seen holding hands with both Bianca and his daughter as they walked through the theme park. Bianca was also spotted walking hand-in-hand with the "Donda" artist, while holding numerous bags from the theme park as well. Some people, however, noted that North looked solemn as they walked through the theme park. Kanye called it quits with Kim in February 2021 after seven years of marriage. Following public drama with the Kardashian family, the Yeezy designer married Bianca at a private ceremony in January. The union, however, is reportedly not legally binding as they haven't filed a marriage certificate. You can share this post! Cover Images/Michael Simon Celebrity The 42-year-old reality TV star/DJ says she spent years 'going out' and 'travelling' so she could avoid having 'to think about what I had been through' as a teen. Mar 20, 2023 AceShowbiz - Paris Hilton is mourning the loss of her childhood after she was abused as a teen. The hotel heiress turned DJ, 42, now settled down with her venture capitalist husband Carter Reum, and their two-month-old son Phoenix, was groomed aged 14 by a teacher at her school and fears she was raped and drugged by an older man she met at a shopping mall a year later. She told The Guardian, "All of the things that every teenage girl would go through: going to school, going to the prom, going to college, I missed out on so much of that." Paris added she spent years fighting "so much trauma that I didn't want to think" while growing up, and was "going out" and "travelling" so she could avoid having "to think about what I had been through." Paris opened up on how her parents came home to find her in a car on the driveway kissing the older teacher who groomed her when she was 14. They were on the verge of moving from Bel Air to the Waldorf Astoria in New York at the time of the incident, and she said they got so "worried" to have "a young girl in New York City at that point" they sent her to live with her grandma in Palm Springs. She said being sent away from her family was the start of her "not being able to trust people, especially adults," and in Palm Springs she was drugged and most likely raped by a man she met in a shopping mall when she was 15. Her memories of the incident are fleeting and she never mentioned it to her grandmother or anyone else. But Paris, who spoke to The Guardian to promote her autobiography "Paris: The Memoir", says in the book she wants people to "move past the easy assumption" that "men are pigs and models are dumb." She added, "That's not fair or true or useful. Most men are basically decent, I think, and successful models travel all over the world." You can share this post! Facebook Celebrity The 'Star Wars: Return of the Jedi' actor is announced to have passed away at the age of 56 after he suddenly fainted outside King's Cross train station in London. Mar 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - "Star Wars" actor Paul Grant has passed away at the age of 56. Grant - who portrayed an Ewok in 1983's "Return of the Jedi" - fainted outside King's Cross train station in London on Thursday, March 16 and he was pronounced dead at 3.49 AM on Monday morning. "I'm heartbroken ... No girl deserves their dad to be taken away ... He was so well known and loved [for his work]. He's gone too soon," Sophie Jayne Grant, his daughter, told Sky News. A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service has confirmed that they treated Grant outside the train station before transporting him to hospital. The spokesperson said, "We were called at 2.08pm on Thursday March 16 to reports of an incident at St Pancras Station, Euston Road. We sent an ambulance crew and a medic in a response car. We treated a man at the scene and took him to hospital as a priority." Meanwhile, British Transport Police told the Daily Mirror, "Officers at King's Cross responded to a medical emergency outside the station at just after 2pm on March 16. They performed CPR on a man before paramedics arrived and took over his care. He was taken to a local hospital in a critical condition." Grant's other film credits included appearances in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", the 1988 movie "Willow", and "Labyrinth", the 1986 fantasy film that also starred David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly. Grant is survived by his girlfriend Maria, his two daughters, and his one son. The actor's family have already set up a Go Fund Me page to raise funds towards his funeral. The page reads, "He's going to missed if anyone could help would be much appreciated let's give him the best send off please (sic)." You can share this post! The Board of Directors of CEAT Limited, an RPG Group company, at its meeting held on March 20, 2023, named Anant Goenka as the Vice Chairman of the tyre major. This appointment, effective April 1, 2023, follows Anant Goenkas decade-long stint as MD and CEO of CEAT, a phase that witnessed a significant transformation of the tyre major, in technology, branding and production capabilities. The move also progresses the Boards succession plan for the company with Arnab Banerjee, currently Chief Operating Officer, taking charge as the new MD and CEO. Anant Goenka, son of RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka, will now take up strategic functions at the group level for its next stage of growth. Anant is an MBA from Kellogg School of Management and a graduate in Economics from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He was recognised by Forbes magazine as the Next Generation Business Leader of the Year in 2017 and as Indias 40-under-40 Business Leaders by Economics Times-Spencer Stuart. Anant led CEAT through a highly transformative ten-year period, which saw the market capitalisation of the company grow from Rs 370 crore to Rs 5,800 crore. The company became the only tyre maker outside Japan to receive the coveted Deming Prize and is now the only tyre facility in the world to receive the Lighthouse certification by the World Economic Forum. Anant has had an exciting time at CEAT and has been able to lead the company through a transformative phase where technology, brand-building and capacity-creation have been the key themes. As Vice Chairman of the Company, I am sure he will be able to focus more on specific subjects besides his deeper engagement in driving new businesses at the group level. I wish Arnab and his team success as they take CEAT to a new phase of growth and excellence, said Harsh Goenka, Chairman of CEAT and RPG Enterprises. Arnab Banerjee has executive experience of over 30 years, during which he has worked in CEAT, Marico and Berger Paints. Banerjee is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School, IIM Kolkata and IIT Kharagpur. He joined CEAT in 2005 as Vice President, Sales and Marketing. Under his leadership, CEAT has seen innovation in marketing, digital capabilities, sales and distribution strategy, manufacturing flexibility and seamless supply chain processes. The Board of the Company had been grooming Banerjee to take over the top post at the company, giving him company-wide exposure as its Chief Operating Officer. Irans extra-territorial targeting of journalists in the UK, Germany and across Europe has attracted criticism and concern at the 52nd session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in Geneva. At a side event to the session on Friday 17 March, jointly hosted by BBC World Service and Deutsche Welle (DW), serious concerns were raised regarding Irans significant increase in threats directed towards BBC News Persian and DW staff since Mahsa Aminis death in Iran in September 2022 and the subsequent protests seen across the country. Escalating risks to journalists reporting on Iran, outside Iran, were discussed with State missions to the United Nations in Geneva. Speaking by video at the event, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Professor Javaid Rehman, said that Irans actions against BBC Persian journalists violate the provisions of the international covenants, treaties and obligations, to which Iran is a state party and signatory: I am extremely concerned that such attacks to silence journalists violate the fundamental rights of journalists and are an assault on the principles of transparency, democracy and accountability. It is also regrettable that, in these circumstances, there is a chilling effect that is produced on the work of other journalists in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and indeed elsewhere, who are reporting on the country, and may deter them from reporting on issues of public interest and of public importance. In his video address, BBC World Service News Controller, Tarik Kafala, said that the pressures on the BBC Persian staff have never been greater and that there are constant attempts to undermine the audiences trust in BBC Persian and challenge the motivation for its work: We stand with all of our BBC Persian journalists and we stand by their journalism. We will not tolerate abuse, wherever it comes from. We will absolutely support our staff. We object to any action by the Iranian authorities aimed at targeting them, their families and our journalism in the strongest possible terms. We welcome the UNs consistent support for BBC Persian staff and their families and will continue to make our case to the world community until this completely unacceptable harassment ends. Head of DW Persian Service, Yalda Zarbakhch, said at the event: We are extremely concerned about the safety of our staff at DW Persian working in Germany and their families living in Iran. Since DW has been put on the sanctions list by the Iranian government, classifying journalists as terrorists for doing their legitimate work, we have seen a new level of threats. Family members are brought in sometimes daily by the authorities for interrogations. Pressure on our staff is constant. DW urges to recognise the paramount importance of independent reporting out of Iran and for the Iranian people, and that the safety of journalists and the freedom of the media is non-negotiable. Since 2017, BBC World Service has filed a number of UN complaints over the treatment of BBC News Persian staff and their families, represented by Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC and Jennifer Robinson at Doughty Street Chambers, and supported by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC and Jennifer Robinson, counsel for BBC World Service, stated: The targeting of BBC journalists by Iran is unlawful and designed to stifle and censor independent and objective reporting on events in Iran. The death threats, arbitrary detention of family members and economic sanctions imposed on BBC News Persian journalists violate international law and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Irans targeting and harassment of journalists inside and outside of Iran has now spread beyond that directed at BBC News Persian, underlining the need for urgent action from the UN and UN member states. Jeremy Dear, IFJ Deputy General Secretary, stressed in his video address the need for the special rapporteurs to understand the societal impact of the Iranian regimes action in denying citizens, at home and abroad, the right to independent information. But also governments in the UK, Germany and other countries need to take more seriously too the threats to journalists and their families. He pledged the IFJs continued support for all those journalists at risk until they can report freely from London, from Bonn, or from Tehran. NUJ General Secretary, Michelle Stanistreet, comments: The escalation in the targeting of UK-based journalists by Iran and the weaponising of their families is of enormous concern to the NUJ. It is having a profound impact on all journalists affected, impeding their daily lives and causing deep anxiety and strain for them and their loved ones. Irans strategic threats are clearly intended to send a collective message to journalists and media outlets that work hard to report and shine a light on events in Iran. The NUJ calls on the UN and its member states to act robustly to bring this targeting and abuse to an end. BBC News Persian is a multimedia news and current-affairs service with a weekly audience of 18.9m (BBC Global Audience Measure 2022). As part of BBC World Service, it delivers accurate and impartial news, information and analysis from a global perspective to Persian-speakers around the world. The Maharashtra cabinet has cleared a proposal to set up a cow service commission to strictly implement a 2015 law to ban beef. (Representational Image/PTI) Mumbai: The Maharashtra cabinet has cleared a proposal to set up a cow service commission to strictly implement a 2015 law to ban beef and take measures for the overall betterment of livestock, an official said. The decision was taken in the state Cabinet meeting held on March 17. The 'Maharashtra Gau Seva Aayog' (Maharashtra Commission for Cow Service) will supervise the rearing of livestock and assess which of them are unproductive and rendered unfit for milking, breeding, and carrying agricultural works etc, said the animal husbandry department official. The Cabinet has approved funds of Rs 10 crore for setting up the commission and a draft bill for its formation as a statutory body is likely to be placed before the state legislature this week. According to the official, the state government has estimated that the population of livestock will go up owing to the beef ban. The cow service commission is being formed by the Eknath Shinde-BJP government on the lines of similar bodies set up by other BJP-ruled states such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. "The commission is expected to coordinate with various government agencies to stop non-productive cattle from going to slaughterhouses, which is now illegal under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Animal Act, 1995, passed in March 2015," the official said. He said the commission will also monitor all gaushalas (cowsheds) formed to shelter stray and unproductive cattle and has the power to provide them financial assistance wherever required. The commission will be a 24-member body and its chairman will be nominated by the state government. "It comprises 14 senior officers from various government departments including commissioners from animal husbandry, agriculture, transport, and dairy development departments, a deputy inspector general of police, and nine nominated members who are associated with either cow protection organisations or NGOs involved in running gaushalas," said another senior official. He said the commission will not only execute all the existing schemes for gaushalas in the state but will also introduce new schemes and programmes for the betterment of the livestock. "The cow commission has also been mandated to take up the cultivation of improved breeds of cattle with the help of gaushalas and launch research schemes to increase local varieties. "It is expected to take up schemes for generating biogas and power from cow dung and their urine and coordinating with universities and other research institutes that are working in the field of cattle and cattle development among others," the official added. Saluting the spirit of women of India, the We Women Want Festival was held at Razzberry Rhinoceros at Juhu Hotel in Mumbai on 18th March 2023. Marking the second edition of the We Women Want Shakti Awards, the event honoured women achievers from all walks of life. From women military officers to top lawyers and business leaders, the event was an ode to the indomitable spirit of the women of India. The festival was graced by the august presence of Honble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis who felicitated the winners of the Shakti Awards 2023. Mr Fadnavis spoke about the Prime Ministers vision of women-led development. Mudra loan statistics show that maximum loans have been given out in Maharashtra and maximum have been given to women. On Womens safety, he said, We have changed the laws to make work at night safer for women adding that Mumbai is the safest city for women. Prime Minister Modi tweeted about the session with the women who had featured on Mann Ki Baat for their achievements. Over the past 98 episodes, #MannKiBaat has showcased inspiring life journeys of grassroots level champions. I would urge you all to know more about them and their hardwork. Prime Minister Modi tweeted. The event was also attended by women achievers in music, cinema and OTT including luminaries like Anuradha Paudwal, Rasika Dugal and Priyanka Chahar. Paudwal spoke about her musical journey, My father did not support my singing in the industry in the beginning but it was my mother who wanted me to sing just one song, that is how I began. Dugal spoke about how she derives her Shakti from her absolute dedication to her work which gives her strength. Chahar spoke about her humble beginnings, My father despite his reservations supported me when I decided to enter the industry and that is when I supported my family when times were tough. she said. The panel discussions included courageous stories of women naval officers, inspiring stories of acid attack survivors and heart-rending discussions on breaking stereotypes with women rickshaw drivers, dabba waali and fisherwomen. Indias leading women chefs, doctors, designers and nutritionists also spoke about womens health and the stereotypes they have to battle. Smt. Shakti Sharma, Trustee, iTV Foundation and the Honble Mayor of Ambala also felicitated the award winners. Smt. Sharma said, This festival honoured inspiring women who have been trailblazers for countless Indians. It represents and honours their invaluable contributions.' Aishwarya Pandit Sharma, Chairperson of the iTV Foundation said, This festival celebrates women, their achievements, their dreams, their hopes and their courage. It brings together women from diverse backgrounds and we can see how their stories are similar yet completely unique. Rajya Sabha MP and promoter of iTV Network Kartikeya Sharma spoke about the initiative and how We Women Want' is an initiative to showcase women's undefeatable spirit through stories of their grit and resilience and how it is a campaign to showcase inspirational journeys. We hope this community which we endeavour to build will grow leaps and bounds and we will be joined by several tenacious women and their stories of courage, Sharma said. The day-long festival was telecast live on NewsX throughout the day with repeat telecasts scheduled over the weekend. #WeWomenWant was also trending at the number one position on Twitter on Saturday. Initial Public Offer (IPO) is a landmark moment for companies as they become a publicly traded on stock exchanges. It means greater visibility for a company and also greater scrutiny as they have to disclose all important details about their business. IPOs are one of the most popular routes to raise funds by companies. In 2022, 40 Indian companies raised as much as Rs 59,412 crore, which was half of the previous years amount. As much as 35 percent of the money was raised by Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India alone. The year 2023 is likely to be better given tens of upcoming IPOs that are in the pipeline. As per media reports, as many as 90 companies have either applied for Securities and Exchange Board of Indias (SEBI) approval for the IPO or already have got the approval. SEBI is the market regulator and any company planning to raise money by IPO route needs to get its approval. Once applied for approval, SEBI takes a few months to give its nod and then the company can float its IPO in subsequent months. Among these 90 odd companies, below are some of the most awaited IPOs: Yatra Online Yatra Online Limited is one of the largest ticket booking platforms for flights, hotels and holiday packages. The company has already received SEBIs approval. The company plans to raise Rs 750 crore from investors. Yatra, which operates in a highly competitive industry, plans to use the fund received from the IPO for acquisitions and investment in other companies. inorganic growth and investment in customer acquisition, other organic growth initiatives and general corporate purposes. Navi Technologies TV9 Network with its pan India presence has a deep connect with healthcare professionals across the country. And over the last three years, the network has built its trust among viewers with an array of programmes and initiatives dedicated towards providing structured information in the healthcare space. In the post-Covid world, we have seen people prioritizing their health and fitness. However, oral health rarely features in the popular discourse. Thats why, TV9 Network has partnered with industry thought leader Sensodyne to raise awareness on oral hygiene, said Raktim Das, Chief Growth Officer (Broadcasting & Digital), TV9 Network. Talking about the Networks commitment to mainstreaming oral healthcare in the country, he said: In the run up to the World Oral Health Day, we along with Sensodyne brought together leading practitioners from the industry on one platform Oral Health Summit 2023. Its very encouraging to see Indias best oral health experts joining the cause. Speaking at the Summit, Navneet Saluja, General Manager, BU India Sub-continent, Haleon said: I extend my congratulations to the TV9 team for this partnership - Oral Health Summit and giving a platform to experts from the dentist fraternity, and eminent government official to engage in a dialogue on how to improve access to oral health and normalising oral care through education. Under the Be Sensitive to Oral Health campaign for World Oral Health Day, Sensodyne India aims to enable 100,000 dental check-ups across the country. We value our partnership with Indian Dental Association to conduct mega camps for oral health screening and education across the country. The guest of honour, Dr L Swasticharan, additional DDG & director (Emergency Medical Relief), DGHS, MoHFW, Government of India, spoke about the various initiatives the government has taken to make oral health accessible and affordable. The Ministry of Health is preparing to mark World Oral Health Day with month-long events in all dental colleges across the nation. This will contribute to raising awareness of the significance of oral hygiene, highlighted Dr Swasticharan. He said, "The mouth is the mirror of the body. Thus, it is crucial to take good care of our dental health. Our lifestyle habits, such as the use of tobacco in both smoking and smokeless forms, are one of the main causes of the most common oral health issues. Other experts including, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shree Awardee, Brig Dr Anil Kohli, Former President, Dental Council of India (DCI), Dr Mahesh Verma, Vice Chancellor of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and Dr Ritu Duggal, chief, Centre for Dental Education & Research, AIIMS were present at the event. Dr Ashok Dhoble, Hon. Secretary General, Indian Dental Association (IDA) shed light on improving the oral health conditions of the people in the country & role of the association in accelerating the development of dentistry in India. Also among the dignitaries at the Summit were Dr Sunita Gupta, senior professor and HOD, Oral Medicine and Radiology, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences and Dr Anil Kumar Chandna, professor & director (PG Studies) Institute of Dental Sciences Executive Committee Members, Dental Council of India. Dr Bela Jain, who is the chairman of dentistry at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi and Dr Amrita Gogia, Head - Dental Sciences, Medanta Hospital were also in attendance at the event, and they spoke widely about the need for a proper oral care regimen in India. Dr Gautam Khatak, HOD, Dental Department at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Dr Rajiv Kumar Chugh, president of the Indian Dental Association and Dr Sharad Kapoor, member, Dental Council of India also shared their valuable insights on the importance of dental healthcare in the country. Apart from the interesting sessions, the event was also graced by industry veterans like Dr Y K Virmani proprietor, Dr Virmani Dental Centre, Secretary General, International College of Dentists, Dr Anupam Bhargava, consulting Endodontist & Dental Surgeon, Santosh Dental Clinic and Dr Seema Sharma- Director & Senior Consultant, Focus Dental were also present at the event to share their knowledge, views, and vision on Oral health care. The august gathering deliberated on the significance of the day celebrated for propagation of oral hygiene. They also spoke about the necessity of dental care and why people should all be very careful about dental health. CM releases Rs 698.68 crore to 9.86 lakh students under Jagananna Vidya Deevena. (Photo: DC) VIJAYAWADA: "Today should be better than yesterday, tomorrow should be better than today and we should attempt to have the best future," Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has said, adding that the "best future" is possible only with a good education, which provides good livelihood. On Sunday, the chief minister released Rs 698.68 crore under the Jagananna Vidya Deevena towards total fee reimbursement of 9.86 lakh at Thiruvuru in NTR District. The beneficiaries comprised students pursuing ITI, Polytechnic, Degree, Engineering, Medicine etc for the quarter October to December 2022. The amount, released by the CM with a click of a button, would directly go into the bank accounts of students mothers. Addressing a huge gathering of students and parents, Jagan Reddy said that the fate of the poor can be changed for the better through education only. The Vidya Deevena was introduced with the sole aim of providing higher education to poor students, the CM said. Observing that the face of classrooms in schools is changing fast with digitalization, the chief minister vowed to bring the government schools in the state on par with the corporate schools. "Give me two years, I will remove the impression that government schools cant compete with corporate schools," he said. "The face of the government schools will undergo total change to force the corporate schools to compete with the former," the CM said and asked the students and parents to call 1902 if they faced any issue with colleges so that the CMO will directly intervene and engage the colleges. Citing the instance of IAS officer S Dilli Rao who hails from a poor family in Srikakulam district becoming the collector of NTR District, the CM said each and every student should strive to rise to eminent positions in life. Reiterating his stand that money spent on education is investment on students future, Jagan gave a clarion call to students to work hard and strive to become Satya Nadellas while leaving the fee burden to the government, which would "handhold them" as they pursue the best academic courses. Promising that the government is ready to bear the fee of professional students irrespective of the number of such students in each family and irrespective of the fee amount, Jagan said investment in education was a first priority for the government. The chief minister said the government has so far transferred Rs 13,311crore under the Jagananna Vidya Deevena and Vasathi Deevena. Out of this, Rs 9947 crore was spent on Vidya Deevena alone, benefitting 27 lakh students so far. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. (File Photo: DC) VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said that N. Chandrababu Naidu is the main accused in the skill development Siemens scam in which Rs 371 crore of public money was consumed by him and his men. Intervening in the discussion on skill development scam in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, Reddy said that Siemens had conducted an internal investigation and clarified that it has no connection with the scam, which is the biggest scam in the name of students in the country, Naidu knows how to pocket the looted money, he said. The Chief Minister elaborated on how Naidu skillfully orchestrated the scam by getting an unauthorised private note of estimates approved in a Cabinet meeting leading to the issue of a GO and then signing a totally different MoU with the unauthorized persons for looting Rs 371 crore. Reddy explained that Naidu had scripted and directed the scam so cunningly that the GO provisions and the MoU conditions were totally different. He further explained that while the Cabinet approved the private note and the related GO talked of 90% of the proposed total project cost of Rs 3,356 crore for the development of skills among youth coming from Siemens in the form of grant-in-aid, there was no mention of the grant-in-aid in the MoU. "The grant-in-aid never came from Siemens but the TDP government hurriedly paid 10% of the project cost equaling Rs 371 crore (including taxes) in five tranches in three months. The scam broke out during the TD rule as the intended taxes were never paid but the CID probe never moved ahead as it was stalled by Naidu," he said. The Chief Minister explained, "When the lower level officials objected to the release of 10% financial aid without the grant-in-aid coming in from the Siemens, Naidu ordered release of the amount. Note files were signed by the principal finance secretary and the chief secretary. Attempts were also made to destroy these note files but they have been dug out now with the use of shadow files from other departments. " He recalled that Siemens had told the court that it never implemented any skill development training schemes. Siemens also told the court in its affidavit that the arrested company officials with whom the TD government had signed the MoU never brought it to the notice of the higher management and they signed the MoU in their private capacity. Reddy said "Naidu and his men entered into a conspiracy with former officials of Siemens (now in judicial custody) to loot public money. How can a Cabinet meeting approve a proposed note of the cost estimates prepared by individuals for establishing the skill development centers and clusters for training the youth taking it as DPR? The 10 per cent of the project cost went to the shell companies abroad and rerouted to Naidus pockets through money laundering channels." Three years ago tomorrow, on March 21, 2020, American Thinker published the first nationally-read critical article about Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Deep State medical bureaucrat who would play a determinative role in the countrys draconian and failed response to Covid-19. I was the author of that blog. At the time, the United States was in the first days of an unprecedented nationwide lockdown as a result of the pandemic. The weeks and months ahead would witness the greatest disruption of life in the U.S. since World War II and arguably the most serious suspension of the constitutional protection of civil liberties, as well as harm to hundreds of millions of Americans health and personal freedom in the history of the country. Although Fauci, as director of the National Institutes of Healths National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), had a four-decade-long history of questionable influence on the nations health care, the media in March 2020, both left and right, were largely swooning over him. Having reported on Dr. Fauci starting in 1985, however, I knew better. My AT blog had the provocative but entirely justified title Anthony Fauci, the NIH's face of the coronavirus, is a Deep-State Hillary Clintonloving stooge. The gist of the article was substantive: Fauci, in my opinion and based on the record that I cited, had presided over the creation of an enormous, sclerotic medical bureaucracy in response to the first politically correct disease in history, the gay AIDS pandemic, in the 1980s. The AIDS-centric bureaucracy that he was largely responsible for grew to unprecedented proportions that eclipsed and crowded out research on more prevalent, but less trendy, diseases including diabetes, breast cancer, and heart disease. In the early 2000s, AIDS (which resulted in only 2.5% as many deaths as cancer between 1982 and 2020) was still inexplicably the dominant preoccupation of the U.S. medical establishment. In 2005, a quarter century after AIDS emerged, Fauci and his fellow bureaucrats were supporting draconian measures like mandatory testing of everyone for HIV, the virus they insisted caused AIDS, and a fruitless search costing hundreds of billions of dollars for an AIDS vaccine. Chart from my March 21, 2020 blog on Fauci, illustrating the gross mismatch in U.S. government research dollars accorded to various diseases during Faucis long tenure at the helm of the NIAID. Sources: Centers for Disease Control (top); American Diabetes Association. During the week of my March 21 AT blog, Faucis stellar reputation was being reported both here and internationally, including in the Sydney [Australia] Morning Herald in an article titled How Dr Anthony Fauci became America's truth-teller. Fauci, according to the article, was previously a revered figure in scientific circles but now he has become an almost omnipresent figure in American life. Soon after its publication, my March 21, 2020 article at AT on Fauci because of its novelty, timing, and compelling headline began to hit a nerve. On March 24, 2020, POLITICO was the first publication to pile on in Anthony Fauci becomes a fringe MAGA target: The far-rights most zealous Trump supporters have set their sights on Dr. Anthony Fauci. To a vocal minority of right-wing blogs and pro-Trump pundits, Fauci is the embodiment of the establishment forces that have been arrayed against the president since he came to Washington. And those voices are getting louder amid rumblings about Faucis standing with Trump as the president itches to get the economy restarted in the coming weeks. A Deep-State Hillary Clinton-loving stooge, read a Saturday headline on the American Thinker, a far-right website, latching on to a WikiLeaks-released email that showed Fauci praising Clinton for her Benghazi testimony as secretary of State. Two days later, the Washington Post published the first of four critical articles that referenced and linked to my AT blog. Also weighing in were the New York Times (two articles including one of them on page 1A), New York Magazine, Vanity Fair, Buzzfeed, and a large number of other left of center MSM outlets. Some excerpts of their reporting follow. Early in the first Post piece that dropped on March 26, 2020, one of the Posts premiere political reporters, former Rhodes Scholar Isaac Stanley-Becker, observed: Peter Barry Chowka, whose Twitter bio boasts that he has been retweeted by the president, recently referred to Fauci, who has advised multiple presidents of both parties, as a Deep-State Hillary Clinton-loving stooge. Trump has not brought these attacks to his own Twitter feed, but he has surfaced previous pieces by Chowka, including praise for Sean Hannity of Fox News. . . The attempt to discredit Fauci draws on a resource for which Trump has professed his love WikiLeaks. Among the emails hacked by Russian agents and released by the anti-secrecy organization in 2016 was a message Fauci sent in 2013 to one of Clintons top aides, Cheryl Mills. He praised the secretary of states stamina and capability during her testimony before the congressional committee investigating the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya. (snip) The same hacked email was the centerpiece of Chowkas piece, which appeared over the weekend on the conservative blog American Thinker. So Faucis a typical, deeply embedded administrative state hack who can be expected to be obsequious to his political bosses like Mrs. Clinton, Chowka wrote, going on to accuse the infectious diseases expert of contradicting and undermining Trump. . . Chowkas piece has generated nearly 20,000 interactions on Facebook alone more than the typical well-performing story in the mainstream media. [Emphasis added.] It has gained particular traction in Facebook groups devoted to Fox News personalities, suggesting an overlapping audience, as well as in state-specific groups, such as Maine for Trump 2020 and New York for Trump. In a group for Massachusetts-based supporters of the president, one user wrote, Never liked or trusted this person. The first Post article generated about 50,000 reader comments and not surprisingly a significant number of them expressed extreme hostility directed at yours truly. My Twitter account, which had about 8,000 followers at that point, became a magnet for hate tweets and threatening Direct Messages. It was decidedly unpleasant and extremely creepy to suddenly feel so much virtual hate directed at me. Previously in my so-called career, I had experienced this kind of (negative) 15 minutes of fame. But the advent of social media in 2020, the wildfire spread of politicized memes that social media encourages, and the vitriolic partisan hatred of anything deemed pro-Trump elevated the whole thing to a new, nuclear level. Virtually none of the MSM reporting that referenced my article mentioned the substance of it. The authors probably didnt read it beyond the title, after which I was lumped in with diehard supporters of the president, even though I never mentioned Trump beyond the fact that Fauci was the head of the presidents Covid Task Force. The primary message of my early writings on Covid at AT, including the very first blog, were summarized in a subsequent blog, Will the Covid-19 PsyOp succeed?, published on April 9, 2020. Heres the core of what I am saying: I began reporting on Dr. Fauci in 1985 in the context of the U.S. governments war on AIDS. The decade before, I started covering the war on cancer and in the 1980s the war on AIDS. Some of the same doctors and medical bureaucrats were the generals in charge of both of these wars. The substance of my reporting documents how Fauci and his colleagues engineered the growth of a massive bureaucracy dedicated to HIV/AIDS, while selling short research into other much more prevalent diseases deadly illnesses that are not caused by unhealthy personal behaviors. Several decades later now, things are completely out of whack. Heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are still the leading medical causes of death. But to this day, thanks to Fauci and his colleagues in government, they receive much smaller percentages of funding in terms of people who die from these diseases compared with AIDS, which kills hardly anyone. This should be a national scandal and along with everything else he has done, it should rule Fauci out of a leadership role in the Covid-19 pandemic. The NY Times is next, and the plot thickens The newspaper of record, the New York Times, got to the story in a page one article on Sunday, March 28, 2020, Medical Expert Who Corrects Trump Is Now a Target of the Far Right: In recent weeks, much of the online discussion of Dr. Fauci was benign or positive. Zignal Labs, a media analysis company, studied 1.7 million mentions of Dr. Fauci across the web and TV broadcasts from Feb. 27 to Friday [March 20] and found that through mid-March, he was mainly praised and his comments were straightforwardly reported. . . However, by Saturday March 28, according to the Times: Anti-Fauci posts spiked, according to Zignal Labs. Much of the increase was prompted by a March 21 article in The American Thinker, a conservative blog, which published the seven-year-old email that Dr. Fauci had written to an aide of Mrs. Clinton. In the email, Dr. Fauci praised Mrs. Clinton for her stamina during the 2013 Benghazi hearings. The American Thinker falsely claimed that the email was evidence that he was part of a secret group who opposed Mr. Trump. This last comment in the Times article about my blog inspired my March 30, 2020 reply at AT, New York Times publishes fake news about American Thinker. In its Sunday edition, with the biggest readership of the week, the New York Times published an utterly baseless accusation: The American Thinker falsely claimed that the [Fauci] email was evidence that he was part of a secret group who opposed Mr. Trump. In other words, the newspaper did exactly what it purported this website [American Thinker] did: falsely claimed something without a factual basis. Moreover, in its online edition, the Times failed to link to the post in question so readers could see for themselves that the accusation was untrue. On March 30, I wrote that my March 21 blog about Fauci made no mention of, nor did it imply the existence of an alleged conspiracy on the part of Fauci or anyone else in President Trumps circle of medical advisers to seriously undermine the presidents efforts to mitigate the problem of the coronavirus. I also objected to my blog being lumped in with misinformation campaigns as the Times described reporting that didnt adhere to the party line. Misinformation campaigns during a pandemic carry a unique danger because they may sow distrust in public health officials when accurate information and advice are crucial, said Whitney Phillips, an assistant professor at Syracuse University who teaches digital ethics. What this case will show is that conspiracy theories can kill, she said. The blowback was white hot In those last days of March and early April 2020, the blowback directed at me and AT grew white hot as the MSM reported that Dr. Fauci was now required to have 24/7 round the clock security because of threats to his safety. In another article in the New York Times that referenced me on April 1, 2020, After Threats, Anthony Fauci to Receive Enhanced Personal Security, the authors wrote online attacks against him [Fauci have] increased. The report recycled a description from the Times previous article about my March 21 blog on Fauci at AT: A seven-year-old email that he wrote to an aide of former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons was posted online by The American Thinker, a conservative blog. In the email, Dr. Fauci praised Mrs. Clinton for her stamina during hearings into the 2012 attacks on the American compound in Benghazi, Libya. The blog suggested falsely that the email proved that Dr. Fauci was part of a secret group who opposed Mr. Trump. The newspaper of record wasnt the only outlet to imply that this author shared responsibility for threats to the great doctor. The leftist program Democracy Now!, broadcast on many NPR and PBS stations around the country, ran a segment on April 2, 2020 Top Coronavirus Expert Dr. Anthony Fauci Gets Security Detail After Death Threats: Dr. Anthony Fauci has reportedly been given a security detail after receiving death threats. . . Hes been pilloried in conservative media circles in language echoing President Trump. [Authors note: FALSE.] For example, a recent headline in the American Thinker referred to Fauci as a Deep-State Hillary Clinton-loving Stooge. I wondered if I would be deemed responsible by the unseen powers that be for the reported anti-Fauci threats (I have always publicly abhorred and never advocated violence, by the way) and would receive an invoice for the costs of Faucis security detail. Fortunately, that did not come to pass. This spin made it across the pond to the Guardian (UK), which reported on Faucis need for a government security detail to protect him while, of course, citing my March 21 blog. Nationally-syndicated columnist Clarence Page, whose home base was the Chicago Tribune, celebrated Fauci in a column on March 27, 2020, and went on to note: The Washington Post reports, despite his valued service under presidents from both parties, Fauci has come under increasing and unfair fire from paranoids on the right fringe who long have fueled a conservative war against science and so-called deep state conspiracies. For example, Peter Barry Chowka, who has been retweeted by Trump on other occasions, recently called Fauci a Deep-State Hillary Clinton-loving stooge. Others have hint-hint-hinted that perhaps Fauci himself had a hand in creating what Trump, until recent days, called the Chinese virus. Such is the low quality of ideological discourse into which some would drag Fauci or anyone else who refuses to subscribe to their wing-nut ideology. After Pages column appeared, I succeeded in getting an email to him. He briefly acknowledged receiving it and I sent him a further email outlining the substance of my blog and requesting a correction or a clarification. I never heard from him again. The experience of the over-the-top blowback provided a painful insight into what President Trump and other individuals, who are continually in the limelight or crosshairs, have to endure day to day, every day. And so it went until around mid-April, when the news cycle finally moved on. In the three years since then, Anthony Faucis reputation has deservedly suffered a major decline, at least among most conservatives and people who can think independently. Members of Congress, including Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), have accused Fauci of lying under oath in Congressional testimony about Covid-19. And thats the least of it. A persistent Fauci critic, hardly on the MAGA right, is Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., whose non-profit Childrens Health Defense early on emerged as a uniquely credible and truth-telling professional group of attorneys and analysts deconstructing the various Covid-19 PsyOps and myths. Kennedys 480-page 2021 book, The Real Anthony Fauci, a confirmed best-seller, is the definitive analysis of the dark side of Fauci including his previous career overseeing the governments problematic responses to HIV-AIDS, SARS, Swine Flu, Zika, and Ebola. It should be noted that while my March 21, 2020 blog was the first article or blog at AT to headline and focus on Dr. Anthony Fauci the home page of American Thinker on Sunday, March 22, 2020, archived here, included a number of articles that very early on were beginning to report an alternative, fact-based narrative about Covid-19, including: Peter Barry Chowka is a veteran journalist who has covered national politics and the politics and economics of health care, popular culture, and media for over five decades. His web page with links to his work is http://peter.media. Peter's extensive American Thinker archive: http://tinyurl.com/pcathinker. Follow Peter on Twitter at @pchowka Caricature by Donkey Hotey CC BY 2.0 license I have argued on these pages that the Epstein scandal was a harbinger, and that the normalization of adult-child sexual relations was already in full swing. Nowhere does this seem to be more evident than in our public schools. This past month, Californian elementary school teacher and recently awarded "Teacher of the Year" Jacqueline Ma was arrested and charged with, among other things, three counts of "oral copulation" with a 13-year-old student. I wish this were an aberration, but all the evidence points to the opposite. In 2004, a Department of Education report estimated that approximately 10% of public school students will experience sexual misconduct (often unreported) at the hands of an educator by the time they finish high school. If that percentage has remained steady to today (it has in all likelihood increased), that means that approximately 4.9 million public school students have been sexually abused by their teachers. From the 201516 to the 201718 school years, Department of Education data show a 55% increase in sexual assault in schools to nearly 15,000 annual (reported) incidents. In 2022, nearly 350 public educators (grades K12) were arrested for child sex crimes. That averages to one a day (that we're aware of), and, as this timeline includes summer breaks, holidays, and weekends, the average is probably higher. In Chicago alone, the inspector general has substantiated more than 70 sexual misconduct allegations out of a total of more than 600 complaints in the 20212022 school year. Since 2018, the same office said that policy violations were found in over 300 investigations. This is out of a total of only 40,000 employees. There are laws prohibiting "passing the trash" (i.e., quietly shuffling a known abuser from one school district to another), but application of these laws varies from state to state, with some performing more lenient background checks than others. USA Today could find only a single instance of school administrators facing criminal penalties for such negligence (and the penalty was a $2,000 fine, community service, and 18 months' supervision). This trend is verified by a 2010 GAO study. Yet teachers' organizations continue to resist national databases, which could better track sexual predators posing as teachers. Two decades ago, the Catholic Church was called out for tolerating and covering up sexual abuse of children by pedophile priests, who likewise were quietly shuffled from parish to parish rather than fired and prosecuted. The national outcry was deafening. Investigations were launched. Movies were made. Heads rolled. And rightfully so. But the rate of sexual abuse by priests doesn't exceed the rate of sexual abuse by American males in general. In other words, our kids are in no more danger of being molested by a priest than they are by, let's say, a plumber or an accountant. What shocked our collective conscience, beyond the crimes themselves, is that they were covered up by institutions in which the public places its trust to protect our children. Nowadays, we have an identical scandal in our public schools, the only difference being that teachers are 100 times more likely to sexually abuse children as are priests. The numbers speak for themselves. Approximately 0.1% of Catholics reported sexual abuse by a priest compared to the nearly 10% of public school children who have reported sexual abuse by an educator. Or for a more topical comparison, from 2005 to 2019, there have been 104 law enforcement officers arrested for murder or manslaughter resulting from an on-duty shooting. Of those, only 35 have been convicted. According to Heather Mac Donald, in 2022, a total of seven allegedly unarmed black people were killed by police officers. The statistical evidence shows that, on the annual average of 61.5 million people having at least one encounter with an officer, 0.0016% of those encounters end with the officer killing someone. Of that infinitesimally tiny percentage, 94% were armed, and only 2% were unarmed black men. So if an unarmed black male's 0.000032% chance of being killed by police is proof, per Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, that "policing in our country is inherently and intentionally racist," then doesn't the fact that nearly 10% of K12 students are sexually abused by teachers constitute proof that public education is inherently and intentionally pedophilic? There are two ways you can look at these statistics: statistics are racist, or predation by teachers in public education goes far beyond a "few bad apples" or even negligence, but strongly suggests the calculated sexualization of our children, starting in kindergarten. The three parties responsible for this are the teachers' unions; the predators themselves; and the legions of woke, CRT/DIE-peddling ideologues posing as teachers. The teachers' unions have long been exposed for the corrupt rackets they are. Randi Weingarten and her minions are just the latest quislings in the in the decades-long stupification of our youth. When they don't get their way, they resort to striking the day before the fall semester starts, intentionally putting as much pain as possible unto working parents. When that fails, they occupy the rotundas of state governments and attempt to thwart the operations of democratic government (didn't Cheney and Kinzinger have a term for that?). They no longer care, if they ever did, about the students, their learning, their mental health, or their exposure to sexual assault. They're not the rapists themselves, but they're the traffickers who nod, wink, and look the other way, so long as the price is right. The predators themselves are simply that: predators. They belong in a cage or underground. It's not our responsibility to persuade them to seek professional help. It's our responsibility to protect ourselves, our fellow citizens, and especially our children from them. The ideologues are the biggest threat. The predators at least comprehend that society still finds their behavior morally repugnant and hence take steps to hide their actions. The ideologues take the opposite tack, openly and loudly preaching their malevolence. One example is New York elementary school teacher Debra Rosenquist, who was caught manipulating and coercing a fifth-grade girl into using male pronouns and identifying as a boy for an entire year, even though the student had never shown any indications of suffering from gender dysphoria. The parents discovered this abuse only after the girl started contemplating suicide. This is one of many examples. Their TikTok rants would be comical if they weren't so terrifying. What makes them terrifying is that these fanatics felt not only that there was nothing wrong with broadcasting their open indoctrination, but that they'd be protected by their schools' administrations. And why wouldn't they? In many schools, teachers are encouraged or mandated by administrations to deliberately hide students' gender transitions from their parents, as they were forced to do in Kansas. Not California Kansas. "If your parents aren't accepting of your identity, I'm your mom now," reads a classroom poster in a school in Wisconsin. In the case of the aforementioned Rosenquist (see above), the parents filed a lawsuit, which alleges that district officials were aware of Rosenquist's classroom activities (which included persuading her students to try "being gay") and did nothing. No criminal charges have yet been filed against her, and as of this writing, she continues to teach at her school. An investigation of teacher/student sexual abuse in several schools in southern California was temporarily thwarted because school administrators were destroying evidence. And in the now infamous Loudoun County, Virginia, the school board kept a rape investigation hidden from the public because it involved a male student raping a female student in the girls' bathroom. The victim's father was arrested at a school board meeting for engaging in "unlawful assembly," and his arrest was cited by the National School Boards Association in their request to the Department of Justice to investigate such parents as domestic terrorists. The motivations of the unions, the predators, and the ideologues may differ, but their message is identical. Your children are not yours. Your children are ours, and we are morally justified in doing whatever we want with them, be it brainwashing, grooming, or raping. Love is love, says the yard sign. Who are we to judge? asks Pope Francis. Against such fanaticism there is no reasoning, no debate, and certainly no agreeing to disagree. They don't believe in parental rights because they consider the nuclear family an oppressive structure. They believe they have exclusive rights to the molding of your child. No law, election result, court decision, or opinion poll will budge them. What do the unionists, the predators, and the ideologues have to do with one another? They enable one another. They are three posts of the same bar stool. Each pillar has nothing to gain and everything to lose from parental involvement in schools. To paraphrase Stalin, one child rape is a tragedy, but one million child rapes are a statistic. Over time, the sheer number of these incidents will cause their shock value to dissipate. And that's their strategy, to gradually wear us down with pressure and time. It worked with Obamacare. It worked with the dissolution of marriage. It worked with politically driven FBI raids on innocent citizens. The solution is not to endlessly retreat onto ever-shrinking turf. Private and home schooling are sound alternatives if done for the right reasons. But ceding public education to leftists will not sate them; it will embolden them. Your children might not be interested in unionized pedophiles, but unionized pedophiles are interested in your children. Many private schools have already been infected with the putrid rot of cultural Marxism, of which the sexualization of children is an integral part. Leftists routinely clean our clock in the culture wars because they inherently grasp what we don't: that there is nothing static in war, and that you are either retreating or advancing. We conservatives excel at playing eternal defense, at losing with class, and in lulling ourselves into complacency after rare victories. But there is no more consequential battlefield than our kids' schools. If we can't rouse ourselves off the couch to campaign, fundraise, phone-bank, canvas, raise awareness, create and join parental watch groups, or attend school board meetings, then our kids will suffer the ramifications. Image: jarmoluk via Pixabay, Pixabay License. For decades now, you have heard leftist ear sores bloviate endlessly about "climate change." The world will end in a decade if we don't take action now! screams AOC. However, the more skeptical and rational among us tend to question the true motivation of the environmentalist Green cult. The best example of a real environmentalist was probably conservationist John Muir, the founder of the Sierra Club. Muir's work helped to establish a number of national parks throughout the country, an act that did not regress the progress of society for the sake of nature, but sought to preserve nature while simultaneously allowing industrial society to progress at a steady rate. Thus, Muir sought to build something, while the modern environmentalist movement seeks only to destroy everything and anything that gets in the way of its climate crusade. Just take a look at the Sierra Club's website today, and see what its goals are for 2030. Within the next seven years, the Sierra Club hopes to eliminate enough coal and gas in the energy sector to make for 80% carbon "pollution"free electricity by that time, in addition to decreasing oil used in the transportation sector by 18%, ending the sale of gas appliances, and halting the fossil fuel market by banning oil and gas exports and petrochemical expansion at the same time. This is an ambitious plan...and also a complete load of BS and magical thinking. Although it may not faze most people at first, notice how they call carbon a "pollutant" and claim they want to reduce it by 80% in electricity production. Since when is carbon a pollutant? Carbon is an element necessary to all life on earth. No organism can survive without it. Indeed, the entire process on which all human life depends, photosynthesis, requires carbon dioxide. In order for plants to produce oxygen for living beings to breathe, they must first collect carbon dioxide dispelled from the living being breathing the air they are producing. Numerous studies have indicated that areas with higher carbon concentration are more green and more fertile, not less. So why would the Green cult want to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere? Also, if the Green cult is so concerned about the effects of fossil fuels, then why is it so opposed to using nuclear energy, a form of energy production that requires zero fossil fuel at all, while simultaneously endorsing solar panels and windmills, which use fossil fuels throughout their energy production processes? The Green cult knows that the wind isn't always blowing and the sun is only out for about half the day, so why would cultists favor unsustainable energy sources like wind and solar? Could it be because the "climate crisis" hysteria is actually just a mask that their movement is wearing? Do they actually believe the hyperbolic nonsense they spew? Or could their environmental alarmism be cover for something more sinister? It probably isn't a coincidence that most environmentalists, and especially the crowd at the World Economic Forum (WEF), also happen to be fairly Malthusian in attitude. Moral connotations aside, Malthusianism, named after English economist and demographer Thomas Malthus, essentially states that, by necessity, human population growth will outpace the scarce available resources within a given society and that, for a society to be stable, the population growth rate should be stabilized or reduced to match the available resources. The Green cult and their WEF allies clearly believe that a steadily growing human population is straining the Earth's resources and is causing irreversible damage to the natural habitat, the landscape, and especially the climate. The Environmentalist Conquistadors seek not only to preserve the ecosystem, but to destroy anything they deem as a threat to it, including humans. The WEF, for instance, predicts that by 2100, the population of the Earth will be between 6.3 and 8.8 billion people. As it stands now, the population of the Earth is about 8 billion people. That means that the entire population of the Earth will either be fairly dramatically reduced (by 1.7 billion people) at the low end, or hardly increase at all. Whether you think this would be a good or bad thing is irrelevant, the point is that the WEF wants, predicts, and is betting on a decreased population, and so are their environmentalist friends, who view a decreased human population as a "healthy" trend for the Earth's sake. Is the true goal of the modern environmentalist movement not carbon reduction, but instead, perhaps, human reduction? If so, what might they be willing to do to achieve that goal? Back to Malthus: He claims that if population growth is not restrained, then "positive checks" on population will result, such as war, famine, and epidemics. Is it a coincidence that the WEF and the most environmentally conscious leftist governments in the West also happen to be the staunchest supporters of the war in Ukraine, where roughly 180,000 Russian soldiers and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers plus 30,000 civilians have died thus far? Is it a coincidence that the same leftist "climate" governments in the West who preach ceaselessly about melting glaciers, rising sea levels, global warming, carbon dioxide "pollution," and so forth causing massive amounts of death are the same ones that allow their State Department and National Institutes of Health to send $1.7 million in taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the place where the first COVID strain likely came from, which kicked off a three-year pandemic, which was directly connected to the Chinese military, as the United States government did? Is it a coincidence that this same government knew since 2005 that the People's Liberation Army of China maintained an offensive biological weapons program called the "Fifth Institute" of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, which was drawing on research directly from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and sent the money anyway? Is it a coincidence that the same leftist environmentalist governments like Canada, who also proclaim that climate change is killing people, are at the same time restricting and reducing the use by Canadian farmers of chemical fertilizers required for industrial, mass-production farming that feeds millions of people? Is it a coincidence that at the same time the Trudeau government claims that the purpose of this fertilizer crackdown in Canada is to "reduce emissions" and slow climate change, Canadian farming organizations are claiming that "the Trudeau plan will significantly reduce crops, slash the income of farmers, and increase Canadian grocery prices"? Is it possible that Canada's restriction of fertilizer could result in food shortages and famines in Canada, the same way that massive food shortages and widespread starvation resulted after the Sri Lanken government implemented a similar policy banning chemical fertilizers only a few months before Canada? This article is not stating anything as official fact, nor is it meant to be construed as conspiratorial speculation, because I am not giving my opinion on it or stating that this is happening for a fact. The point is to prompt people to think and raise questions, including the following one: is it possible that the Green cult is only pretending to care about the environment and how it impacts not only the Earth, but people, too, in order to cover for the real purpose of its climate alarmism? Is the real goal to stealthily implement Malthus's "positive checks" on population by actively supporting war, famine, and pandemics in order to reduce the population and destroy humanity? Image: max_gloin via Pixabay, Pixabay License. The independence of the Judiciary enshrined in the Constitution and essential to both the rule of law and democracy itself has not been immune to attack. Acting through Congress, the federal government has on seven occasions changed the number of justices on the Supreme Court, chiefly for political gain. Such court-packing reflects badly on the American judicial system as a whole, since the perception of judicial independence or its absence permeates all levels of the courts. To end the pernicious practice, a group of 15 former state attorneys general eight Democrats and seven Republicans got together in 2019 to found the Coalition to Preserve the Independence of the United States Supreme Court. They proposed a constitutional amendment to permanently ban court-packing the one-sentence Keep Nine Amendment which says: "The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine Justices." It now has the support of over 200 members of Congress, 19 state legislatures, attorneys general, governors, and other government officials. Voters support the amendment, 62% for versus 18% against. Many justices, including Stephen Breyer and the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, agreed that nine is "a very good number," large enough to represent some diversity of views, small enough to allow the Court to be sufficiently deliberative. Nine is also the number of justices the Court has had since 1869. In September 2020, U.S. rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the amendment in the House of Representatives as House Joint Resolution 53; he reintroduced it in 2021 (H.J.Res. 11) and again in January 2023 (H.J.Res. 8). In October 2020, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced it in the Senate as Joint Resolution 76. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), too, proposed an amendment in 2021 that the Supreme Court bench shall constitute "not more than nine judges." According to Article V, there are two ways to amend the Constitution: by a two-thirds vote on a proposed congressional resolution or by a convention called by Congress in response to applications from two thirds of the state legislatures. According to Paul Summers, former attorney general of Tennessee and current chair of the Keep Nine coalition, this is an opportunity for American leaders to come together despite their deep differences to protect the independence of one of the key institutions that protects our republic. The immediate threat to judicial independence is from some Democrat lawmakers, who have proposed expanding the Court to 13 justices to counter a perceived conservative majority. The left views some recent judgments, such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health verdict in 2021, as unfavorable, and in packing the Court with liberals justices, the lawmakers see an easy way to push the progressive agenda. This is reminiscent of the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration's attempt in 1939, during the Depression, to add six justices to the extant nine to ensure favorable rulings on New Deal legislation. During the period, in rulings such as Schechter v. United States, with which FDR was unhappy, the Court struck down more legislation than any other time in history. Then, as now, it was a bipartisan group that opposed him; and the public saw his attempt as an undemocratic power grab. Congress never voted on FDR's motion. The Supreme Court was established by Article III, Section 1, of the Constitution, giving Congress considerable control (subject to constitutional limitations) to organize the Judiciary. Since the Constitution does not specify the number of justices for the Court, changing the number does not require an amendment. It has been decided from time to time by congressional legislation, signed by the president. The Judiciary Act of 1789 set the number at six a chief justice and five associate judges and led to the Court's first assembly in February 1790. The number of judges has been changed seven times since. President John Adams signed the Judiciary Act of 1801, reducing the number to five just before quitting office, but his successor, President Thomas Jefferson, immediately brought it back to six with the Act of 1802. In 1807, Congress increased the number to seven; in 1837, it was bumped up to nine; and it rose to 10 in 1863. The passage of the Judicial Circuits Act in 1866 shrank the number back to seven and prevented President Andrew Jackson from appointing anyone new to the Court. Three years later, Congress raised the number to nine, where it has stood since. Court-packing the strategic appointment of judges sympathetic to the ruling dispensation or prevalent ideology erodes the constitutional separation of powers among the three branches of government. The Supreme Court must be independent, and be seen as independent, to inspire public confidence and be able to rein in abuse of power by the other branches. Since the Court is non-partisan, politicians should not be able to weaponize it. While the Executive and Legislature are political, the Judiciary must necessarily remain apolitical to check and balance the other branches effectively. Judges are neither policy-makers nor activists legislating from the bench. Their loyalty is to the Constitution and, ultimately, to We the People not to the president or party in power. The desire to control judicial outcomes proceeding in recent years from the left's desire to reset America to its ideology has resulted in greater pressure on judges. Most concerning is the escalation of threats to judges, their families, and their homes. Last year, an armed man was arrested near the home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh; he confessed the intent to harm Kavanaugh and himself. Before the Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, about 150 protesters marched and chanted outside the home of Justice Samuel Alito. The Keep Nine coalition faces strong opposition from progressive groups like Take Back the Court and Demand Justice. The former views the Supreme Court as a vehicle to help "solve" the challenges of "climate change, racial justice, access to affordable health care, and economic inequality." The present bench, it believes, is partisan and guilty of "racist voter suppression, partisan gerrymandering, unlimited corporate political spending, union busting, and complicity in the right-wing assault on free and fair elections." It sees the reversal of Roe v. Wade as erasing "fundamental rights and inviting abortion bans," though there has never been a fundamental right to abortion. It also takes issue with the Supreme Court ruling that a New York law banning handguns for self-defense is unconstitutional despite the fact that the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect the right to bear arms. Both groups favor the addition of four seats to the Supreme Court bench. Take Back the Court has sponsored the Judiciary Act of 2021, introduced by Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Congressman Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), and Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). The act is backed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Black Voters Matter, Greenpeace, the SEIU, Voto Latino, and 63 Democrat members of Congress. Demand Justice, in addition to four more judges to "restore ideological balance," wants to institute a "binding code of ethics" for the Court, which it alleges is "the least accountable part of our government." With such pressure groups at work, it is critical that the independence of the Judiciary be maintained. The Supreme Court, as the guardian of the Constitution, must not be subject to the political winds of the day. One of the warnings of the "Anti-Federalists," which led to the Bill of Rights, was that expansive Court interpretations could undermine constitutional checks and enable the abuse of government power. Of late, government and bureaucracies have pushed progressive ideologies by arrogating to themselves extra-constitutional powers under the pretext of dealing with emergencies. We therefore need, even more, to preserve an independent Judiciary. Court-packing must be sent packing. Image via Max Pixel. South Africa, alas, is not our friend. Despite decades of financial and moral support from the United States, South Africa is drifting into alignment with our rivals for global supremacy. Daniel Greenfield reports for Front Page Magazine: In November 2022, Climate Envoy John Kerry announced a giveaway of $1 billion in foreign aid to South Africa. The failed racist state which regularly suffers blackouts from its socialist power system was being offered billions to subsidize electric cars and green energy. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen claimed that "President Ramaphosa and the South African Government have created a bold plan identifying a clear strategy for achieving South Africa's most ambitious climate targets." In reward for that $1 billion and the billions in foreign aid dispensed over the years, South Africa is conducting joint military exercises with China and Russia. The Biden administration had little to say except that it was "concerned", but wasn't about to tear up that $1 billion check to make sure that a crime-ridden country with $500 million in car thefts a year has all the electric cars its car thieves need to steal and resell. Naledi Pandor, the African National Congress' Foreign Minister, a Muslim convert, claimed that it was just "an exercise with friends" and that objecting to her government's decision to conduct military exercises with China and Russia was an "abuse of international practice." The ANC government has the right to conduct joint military exercises with our enemies. And we have the right to stop funding the corrupt ANC Communist party destroying the country. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa (YouTube screen grab). Unfortunately, bad things are in store for South Africa no matter what the U.S. does. Horrendous levels of violence are now commonplace. And matters could get much worse if, as appears increasingly likely, the power grid collapses. Frank Chung writes: South Africa is on the verge of "collapse" amid rolling blackouts and warnings a total power grid failure could lead to mass rioting on the scale of a "civil war". Western embassies including the United States and Australia have advised their citizens in the country to stock up on "several days worth" of food and water and be on high alert during extended blackouts sweeping the country. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national "state of disaster" on February 9 in response to the record electricity shortage, which has seen state-owned power company Eskom institute rolling blackouts dubbed "load shedding" lasting up to 12 hours in some cases. In case you haven't already guessed: Amid the swirling energy crisis, the outgoing chief executive of Eskom who survived a suspected cyanide poisoning attempt in December last week gave a bombshell interview detailing the scale of the corruption plaguing the public utility. Andre de Ruyter fell ill after drinking a cup of coffee suspected to have been laced with cyanide at his Johannesburg office on December 13, a day after tendering his resignation in the face of political pressure. "De Ruyter became weak, dizzy and confused, shaking uncontrollably and vomiting copiously," energy publication EE Business Intelligence first reported. "He subsequently collapsed, unable to walk. He was rushed to his doctor's rooms by his security detail, where his condition was diagnosed as cyanide poisoning, and treated accordingly. Tests taken subsequently confirmed massively elevated levels of cyanide in his body." Mr de Ruyter took the position in January 2020, embarking on a major crackdown on corruption and organised criminal behaviour, including sabotage at Eskom power plants. His last day was due to be March 31, but he stepped down with immediate effect on February 22 after alleging that an unnamed senior MP in the ruling ANC party was involved in systemic corruption at Eskom. If South Africa ends up hosting naval and air bases for the Chinese or Russians, the strategic ramifications are enormous, with the Cape of Good Hope commanding the passage from Asia to the Atlantic. Not to mention the incredible mineral resources of South Africa. But I am not sure the current vector of South Africa is reversible. The African National Congress has always been aligned with communist ideology. Now, with the country's infrastructure breaking down, it is hard to see that course changing. It's another consequence of the disastrous presidency of Calamity Joe. In what is a sign of administration insanity or an open act of anti-Israel animus, the Biden administration plans to give 5,000 Palestinians arms and commando training ostensibly to ensure that the Palestinians in the West Bank region do not engage in terrorist attacks against Jews, while at the same time insisting that the Israeli Defense Force cut down on its presence in the same area. Talking about the fox guarding the hen house. Writing at the Gatestone Institute, Bassam Tawil has the facts: The Biden administration believes that the best way to de-escalate tensions between Israel and the Palestinians is by allowing the Palestinian Authority (PA) to recruit more officers to the Palestinian security forces in the West Bank. According to reports, the Biden Administration officials recently proposed a plan to provide 5,000 Palestinians with commando training in Jordan and then deploy them to areas under the control of the PA. The 5,000 officers will bring with them 5,000 rifles to Palestinian cities and towns -- where almost every Palestinian already has a weapon. [snip] In addition, the plan would require Israel to sharply curtail IDF counterterror operations. The Biden administration, in other words, wants Israel to stop defending itself and rely on the Palestinian leadership and the new Palestinian commandos to go after the terrorists. Palestinian officials, meanwhile, are busy glorifying terrorism and paying visits to the families of terrorists. This would leave the Israelis with the rights to neither self-defense nor hot-pursuit. Terrorists will be able strike inside Israel, then run back to the Palestinian areas where they will be home free; instead of being arrested, they will be celebrated. The Zionist Organization of America, the oldest pro-zionist organization in America, founded in 1897, was rightly horrified by the proposal, which arms Israels most genocidal enemies to watch over Jewish communities while kicking Israel out of the picture: The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) denounces, in the strongest possible terms, the Biden Administrations unconscionable, illegal plan to provide commando training in Jordan to 5,000 Palestinian-Arab army of terrorists or future terrorists; and to then equip and deploy this Palestinian-Arab commando army in Judea/Samaria, along with foreign and U.S. forces. The administrations horrific, frightening, dangerous plan also requires Israel to sharply curtail IDF counterterror operations. U.S. security coordinator Lieutenant General (LTG) Michael Fenzel, who is currently responsible for training Palestinian Authority (PA) police in Judea and Samaria, proposed training the new 5,000-strong commando army, and deploying foreign forces, including U.S. military forces, on the ground. Thus, under the Biden administrations plan, Israel would be restricted from defending innocent Israelis from terrorists; and much of Judea/Samaria would become a safe haven for terrorists to retreat to and be celebrated after perpetrating murderous terror attacks in Israel, with no consequences. Moreover, American and other foreign forces on the ground would become sitting ducks, subject to Palestinian-Arab terror attacks. American and foreign soldiers would also become human shields, who block Israel from going after the terrorists, lest foreign forces be caught in the crossfire. Further, the PA will want foreign forces to include Iranians, thereby introducing even more terror into the region. The ZOA has much more to say on the subject, including the fact that it violates the 1995 Oslo Accords II, Article IV.3, which explicitly states that the only armed forces in the West Bank can be Palestinian police and the IDF. That means the Biden plan is illegal under international law, giving Israel the right to act against those 5,000 American-trained and armed commandos. What Im struggling to figure out is whether the Biden administration is stupid and deluded or, in keeping with my fox guarding the henhouse analogy, crazy like a fox, having come up with yet another way to destroy Israel. However, one views it, its a clear sign that the Democrat partywhich once strongly supported Israel as a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy; a continuum of the 3,000-year-long, unbroken Jewish connection to the land of Israel; and a bastion of light as the sole liberal democracy in the Middle Easthas now firmly embraced the tyrannical, genocidal Palestinian cause. Image: Palestinian proudly displays his bloody hands to a cheering crowd after lynching two Israeli soldiers. If the buzz in the news media is to be believed, it seems likely that President Trump could be indicted this week. President Trump also seems to believe he faces arrest this week. Following the gratuitous raid on Mar-a-Lago, this would be another draconian move by the Democrats to target their primary political opponent. So how should citizens react if President Trump is indeed arrested? What happens if citizens engage in protests by assembling peacefully and shouting slogans? Democrat-sponsored rioters could infiltrate these peaceful demonstrations and engage in violence. The violence will be a convenient excuse for nationwide crackdowns. They could fabricate a domestic terror threat to declare an emergency that gives them powers to trample over the civil liberties of citizens. The Democrats know that the mainstream media will unconditionally justify their actions, while the politicized government will function like the Stasi police and enable their crackdowns on opponents. Protesters could interminably be held in detention in subhuman conditions while they await trial. They could also receive severe prison sentences, with crucial evidence that proves their innocence being withheld. In the event of an arrest or detention or something worse, only you and your family suffer. Perhaps savings will be drained out due to legal expenses. Perhaps reputations and employability will be ruined due to the stigma of being a "right-wing extremist." Is it hence wise to remain indoors and let Trump's aides and lawyers defend him in court? Will it ensure "safety"? Let's dig deeper. First, the Democrats can stage a riot even without a single real Trump-supporter. All they have to do is get their thugs to wear MAGA hats with masks and engage in rioting. If the Democrats are determined, they can target Trump-supporters, irrespective of what happens. They could cite social media posts or attendance at a Trump rally or a Trump sticker on a vehicle or the consumption of "Alt-Right" news websites as an excuse to target dissenters. They could brand citizens as domestic terrorists for opposing their mandates for masks or COVID-19 vaccines or violating lockdown laws or opposing Critical Race Theory being taught in schools. They could target citizens for watching the movies which "studies" show inspire white supremacists. The only way to ensure "safety" is to totally surrender to the Democrats and accept them as supreme leaders. You will lose all freedoms. You and your children will be forced to consume medicines or take vaccines mandated by the government, irrespective of how damaging they are. The woke mob will decide what you can say, what you can read, what you can watch, what you can eat, and what vehicle you can drive. You will be persecuted for violating groupthink. Your actions and conversations will be monitored. Your young child could be coerced into transgenderism, and you could be called bigoted for opposing it or even asking questions. The government will decide if you have the right to affordable self-defense with firearms. Elections will be held, but the Democrats will always win in landslides Being critical of the government will be outlawed, and so will political opposition. The choice is clear. The choice is between short-term safety and long-term peril, or short-term peril and long-term safety. Both choices have their risks, but the second could lead to a better and safer future for you and your family. Since matters have gone haywire, we revisit the principles of representative democracy. In a representative democracy, the citizen owns the state, and since all citizens cannot run the state simultaneously, they lend power to their representative, senator, governor, president, etc. These representatives do not own power; they have been handed power on a temporary basis. The representatives are like tenants living temporarily on your property. If a tenant attempts to seize control of your property, how do you react? You defend your property. As owners of the state, that is exactly what you must do. But there needs to be a smart strategy after what happened on January 6. Assembling and chanting slogans on streets is an open invite to Democrat thugs to infiltrate and destroy. Hence, the resistance must be a collaborative effort with the empowered GOP officials of the state. Citizens must communicate with their representatives in Congress, their state senators, their U.S. senators, their governors, etc., and register their protests in writing, irrespective of whether the representative is a Democrat or a Republican. When demonstrations are indeed held, citizens must insist that their representatives join in. The presence of elected representatives will ensure the presence of security personnel, which reduces the possibility of Democrat thugs infiltrating with ease. Protesters can be issued small signs with the word "infiltrator" or "fed" to hold above any suspected Antifa infiltrator screaming racist slogans, attempting to set fires, fighting, or destroying property, for the consumption of the television cameras, which was an effective tactic employed by some Tea Party groups in the past. Traffic and railway track obstruction is a common tactic used during public protests and demonstrations in, for example, India. Perhaps that can be adopted, once again with elected representatives part of the demonstration. Perhaps truckers can join in and block roads, as they did in Canada to protest the vaccine mandates. The GOP must set up a legal fund for the defense of protesters in case of arrest or detention. What about reprisals? The Department of Justice states that at least 1,000 people so far have been arrested on charges related to the protests at the U.S. Capitol. In all, there were 2,000 protesters present on January 6. If, however, there are millions of peaceful protesters, there will come a point where the government will have to bend to the will of the people. There are other ways of democratic protest. Each and every Republican official on the federal, state, city, or local level must report to the office but refuse to work in an act of non-cooperation. A sort of government shutdown will be a strong statement. Perhaps government officials can report to their offices with a sign to demonstrate their protest. Investigations into Democrat wrongdoing in the past must be the sole focus of GOP lawmakers in D.C. Boycotts can also be an effective method of protest, but the effects may be seen in the long term. Perhaps the cancelation of a Netflix or Hollywood movies or other optional services that push the Democrat agenda will send a message. In the end, nothing focuses the mind better than financial losses. Since Twitter is the only social media tool that is relatively free from the tyranny of the left, it must be used to register protests. Words are very important at this stage. The trend or the slogan must not be about the GOP or MAGA or even Trump. The focus must be on the bigger picture. The protests are not for an individual or a party, but for the soul of the nation and the maintenance of democratic values. A slogan like Save America or Save Democracy or Defend Democracy could be very useful. This will be an important litmus test for Republicans. It's not about loyalty to Trump, but about commitment to democracy. While citizens could be forgiven for choosing safety over valor, there are no excuses for powerful elected officials. Republicans leaders who chose to remain neutral or silent in this situation will reveal themselves to be siding with tyranny. These individuals must be shunned. In perilous times, there is no greater sin than inaction. Image: Twitter screen shot from 2020. When law is tossed out the window, is anybody surprised that chaos follows? That's apparently what we have in the Manhattan district attorney's office, where Soros-financed district attorney Alvin Bragg is reportedly presiding over a chaotic shambles in the wake of news that his men intend to indict President Trump on politicized charges. NYC law enforcement sources telling me that the Manhattan DAs office is in chaos. Theyre telling me about 60% of the office wants no part of this and wishes Bragg and Reiss would just stop the nonsense. They all know there is no crime. pic.twitter.com/sGE1VR67Kj Bon Homme Patriots (@Samuel_Adams_22) March 18, 2023 Banana republic politics, banana republic office, just like what you might find in places like Caracas and Managua. The root of it seems to be in Bragg's stated Trump-hate, which he openly campaigned on when he ran for office in Manhattan. That's actually illegal, but the matter was ignored by voters. As a Soros man, Bragg has a positively disordered view of what the role of prosecutor is in the city's legal infrastructure and what rule of law is. Based on his history, he has a problem with the law. He's reduced about half the felony charges of actual violent criminals to misdemeanors and thrown the book at the innocent, such as the hapless Bronx bodega clerk Jose Alba, who was forced to defend himself against a poised killer during a robbery, taking the monster down. Alba was jailed at Rikers Island, the nastiest thug-filled lockup in New York, on murder charges for an obvious act of self-defense, and politicians from both sides of the aisle demanded that he drop that crap, which he eventually was forced to do. But as for real criminals, Bragg had other ideas and has made life in Manhattan a living hell. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has downgraded more than half of his felony cases to misdemeanors as crime continues to escalate in the Big Apple. Since taking office on January 1, the soft-on-crime DA has downgraded 52 percent of felony cases to misdemeanors compared to 39 percent in all of 2019, according to data published on the DA's website. However, under District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., the percentage of cases the office downgraded between 2013 and 2020 did not go over 40 percent. Bragg, who campaigned last year on a promise of criminal justice reform, issued a controversial 'Day One' memo after taking office stating he would only seek prison time in the most severe cases. That same month, career criminal William Rolon, who faced only misdemeanor charges for threatening a store worker with a knife ,was told by a judge that he should 'feel lucky' because of Bragg's new policies. Violent crime in the Big Apple has soared by nearly 30 percent from last year. So Trump, with his minions' hush-money payout to a porn star intended to keep news of his illicit affair with a tramp from his wife, is Bragg's "most severe" case: SWAT raid, handcuffs, perp walk, jumpsuit, mug shot, and then jail time. This is banana-republic justice, right up close and personal, and Bragg isn't even embarrassed that the world has noticed. The district attorneys in dissent in that office all know what the rest of the public knows, which is that this indictment is nakedly political. The entire case, as legal scholar Alan Dershowitz has noted, is based on "made up laws," obviously invented in the service of a political vendetta. That's not just an attack on Trump; it's a threat to everyone that what passes for "law" is now all about one's politics, a very scary prospect to the public. And it's not his first strike against Trump. He's laid junk charges against some of Trump's allies and associates: The whole case against Trump is based on Bragg's junk politics, and charges should never have been brought. Some exonerating factors for Trump include credible evidence that President Trump didn't even know about the payment, given that he didn't sign any agreement for it, and that his minion and fixer who did pay the hush money, Michael Cohen, is a known liar with credibility so challenged that he didn't pass muster as a witness during the two-year, cost-no-object Mueller investigation. Cohen, by the way, couldn't get Trump on the phone to tell him he'd made the payment. He claimed that an intermediary said she'd do it, and whether she agreed to do it or actually did it is anyone's guess. It gets worse now that news has broken that the five-year statute of limitations expired...two years ago. Obviously, the indictment is political, a bid to knock out President Trump from the 2024 presidential race and, as Maria Bartiromo noted, to distract public attention from the truly third-world-despot-style corruption charges rolling out from Congress about the $1.3-million in payoffs taken by the Biden family from China. The timing, she observed, was amazing. "Do you think it's a coincidence?" she asked. Now the word is out that maybe Bragg won't level charges at all, given the huge amounts of legal ridicule by actual scholars being laid on him in the press. According to Legal Insurrection: It appears that rumors of Trumps imminent arrest may have been greatly exaggerated. ... However, his attorney has confirmed that Trumps legal team has received no word from the DA regarding an arrest, let alone a specific day for the arrest. Obviously, something is going on in Bragg's office, given that communication has been shut down, as if the place were a war zone. When rule of law is turned into a political circus, all kinds of fourth-world chaos follows. We now see that in Bragg's running of his own office, just as we saw similar chaos in San Francisco wokester district attorney Chesa Boudin's office before he was recalled by disgusted voters fed up with violent crime. It's what we saw in Hugo Chavez's "justice" offices and in the prosecutorial offices of Cristina Fernandez of Argentina when she ran that country into the ground over there, a prosecutor was actually murdered. It's definitely what we saw in Quito with the recent junk prosecution of Chevron for oil spills committed by Ecuador's state oil company. It's not for nothing that Ecuador was the original "banana republic." It's banana republic chaos, all right, and now with the Trump indictment apparently falling apart, it's all over Bragg's office, too. Image: Screen shot from CBS 2 video via YouTube. Apparently, you don't have to be that bright to get into Stanford's law school, formerly regarded as highly competitive and demanding in its legal education. The budding totalitarians there who don't believe in free speech for people with whom they disagree also apparently believe that they have to right to control news coverage of their heinous acts. Are they ashamed of what they did, or do they just worry that they may not be able to cash in after graduation with lucrative offers or prestigious clerkships? Washington Free Beacon reporter Aaron Sibarium "appeared Sunday on Fox News and shared his blunt response to 'hypocritical' Stanford Law School students who have demanded their names be removed from his reporting about their controversial activism." The WFB summarizes: "They didn't just shout down a sitting federal judge," Sibarium explained to Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Will Cain. "They also posted the names and faces of ... every [Federalist Society] board member ... around the school in a concerted effort to shame their peers and pressure them out of hosting the event. And then those exact same students emailed me to say, 'Oh, by naming us in the story, you're ginning up harassment.' So, it's really quite hypocritical." Last week, Lily Bou claimed in a message to the Free Beacon that Sibarium had no right to quote her and other board members of Stanford's chapter of the National Lawyers Guild which helped organize the protest against Duncan praising the protesters' conduct as "Stanford Law School at its best." Mary Cate Hickman insisted the Free Beacon "anonymize" footage of a follow-up student protest of Stanford Law School dean Jenny Martinez over her apology to Duncan. Some of the hooligans (YouTube screen grab). Mike LaChance of Legal Insurrection covered the imbroglio and has collected a series of tweets from Sibarium that are to the point, well argued, and highly amusing: NEW: The same students who plastered the names and faces of the Stanford Federalist Society all over the school are now demanding anonymity from the Free Beacon. They say we've violated their right to privacy by identifying them. You can't make it up. https://t.co/ZESNwGzLl1 Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) March 17, 2023 On Sunday, I identified board members of the Stanford National Lawyers Guild--one of the groups responsible for the posters--who in a public statement described the protest as "Stanford Law School at its best." A few hours later, the board demanded I redact their names. Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) March 17, 2023 One of the board members, Lily Bou, demanding that we remove her name and those of her classmates. "Listing our names serves no purpose other than to invite abuse and harassment," she wrote in an email. I wonder what purpose the posters of the fedsoc board served. Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) March 17, 2023 "You do not have our permission to reference or quote any portion of this email in a future piece," she added. Needless to say, that's not how the First Amendment works. Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) March 17, 2023 We've gotten similar complaints about publishing imagespulled from social mediaof Stanford Law School dean Jenny Martinez's classroom, which protesters covered end to end in flyers after she issued an apology to Judge Duncan. Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) March 17, 2023 We received a note from Mary Cate Hickman demanding that we "anonymize the face of the student in the red hoodie" because "California is a two-party consent state, and you have no right to publish this student's identity/likeness/face without consent." Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) March 17, 2023 As we explain in our editorial: "California is a two-party consent state for the recording of oral communications, not photographs, and even that only pertains to situations in which there is a presumption of privacy." Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) March 17, 2023 There is no presumption of privacy in a law school classroom where student activists are snapping photographs and posting them to Instagram, especially in the wake of a nationally televised protest at your law school. Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) March 17, 2023 From our editorial: "What's eminently clear from the drama unfolding in Palo Alto is that while Stanford law students may be the vanguard of an anti-constitutional revolution, they don't know much about the law." Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) March 17, 2023 It is pertinent to note that Hayashi did not attend the Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in India due to domestic parliamentary sessions. Twitter New Delhi: Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Friday reached New Delhi to participate in Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting. "A warm welcome to FM Yoshimasa Hayashi of Japan @MofaJapan_en to New Delhi for the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting being hosted by India today. An opportunity for Quad FMs to exchange views on recent developments in #IndoPacific & other regional issues," tweeted the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. The meeting of the Quad Foreign Ministers will be hosted by India in New Delhi today. The meeting will be chaired by External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, and will see the participation of Foreign Ministers of Australia, Penny Wong and Japan and the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. The meeting will be an opportunity for the Ministers to continue their discussions held at their last meeting in New York in September 2022, read the MEA press release. They will exchange views on recent developments in the Indo-Pacific region and regional issues of mutual interest, guided by their vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The Ministers will also review progress made by the Quad in pursuit of its constructive agenda and implementation of initiatives aimed at addressing contemporary priorities of the region, added the release. It is pertinent to note that Hayashi did not attend the Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in India due to domestic parliamentary sessions. Instead of him, Deputy Foreign Minister Kenji Yamada attended the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Samsungs Exynos 2300 processor may be dead, but its spirit will seemingly live on inside the next-gen Tensor chip for Pixel smartphones. Thats because the company reportedly hasnt stopped the development of the Exynos 2300. It will likely serve as the base for the Tensor 3 processor powering the Pixel 8 series. The Pixel 8s Tensor chip could be a modified Exynos 2300 Google started using custom Tensor chips inside Pixel smartphones in 2021. The first-gen Tensor chip for the Pixel 6 series was based on a modified version of the Exynos 2100, which powered Samsungs Galaxy S21 series in some markets. Last years Tensor 2 for the Pixel 7 was a modified Exynos 2200, which you will find inside the Galaxy S22 as well. Going by this trend, the Tensor 3 for the Pixel 8 should be a modified Exynos 2300. However, the Exynos 2300 doesnt exist. Samsung went all-in with Qualcomm processors for the Galaxy S23 series this year. The latest Galaxy flagships ship with an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 globally. But, despite that, the companys semiconductor division was said to be developing a new flagship Exynos processor codenamed Quadra. While the chipset may not ever see the light of day, it appears the Korean firm will mold the Tensor 3 around it. According to an IT Home report, the Exynos 2300 will feature one Cortex-X3 prime CPU core operating at a maximum frequency of 3.09 GHz. For less-taxing tasks, the chipset will use four Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 2.65 GHz and four Cortex-A510 cores clocked at 2.1 GHz. Advertisement For graphics, Samsung will integrate its semi-custom Xclipse 930 GPU based on AMDs RDNA2 architecture. It could boast an operating frequency of up to 1.4GHz. Thats all we know about the Exynos 2300 at the moment. Google will work with Samsung to optimize its version of the chipset (Tensor 3) for Pixel smartphones from the development and design stage. The Korean firms mobile division, on the other hand, doesnt plan to use flagship Exynos processors anymore. It is looking to develop its own custom processors in a couple of years from now. Google has multiple products lined up for launch soon Google launched the Pixel 7 series in October last year. It will likely introduce the Pixel 8 around the same time this year. Ahead of that, the company is expected to unveil the Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. These devices will likely arrive during the Google I/O 2023 developer conference in May featuring the Tensor 2 from last year. We will keep you updated with the latest information about all of these upcoming Google products. Its no secret that over the past few years, TikTok has been under a lot of scrutiny regarding its data privacy practices. However, when reports of the company firing employees for using the app to spy on the locations of two journalists emerged last year, it sparked a new wave of controversy. Now, the FBI and the Department of Justice are also looking into the matter and have launched an investigation against TikTok over national security concerns. The incident was first confirmed in an internal ByteDance investigation, where the company found out that some employees accessed data on American journalists TikTok accounts to figure out which employees were leaking information to reporters. While ByteDance says they immediately fired the involved employees, this security lapse has caused US lawmakers to question the companys privacy practices as they worry that the Chinese government is using TikTok to gather intelligence on US citizens. The details of the investigation are still unclear, but Forbes says TikTok has already received subpoenas from the Department of Justice, and the FBI has also started conducting interviews related to the matter. In response to the investigation, ByteDance stated, We have strongly condemned the actions of the individuals found to have been involved, and they are no longer employed at ByteDance. Our internal investigation is still ongoing, and we will cooperate with any official investigations when brought to us. Advertisement Mounting pressure on TikTok This development also comes at a time when US regulators have been mounting pressure on ByteDance to sell off the US division or face a complete ban. However, TikTok has rejected the demand for divestiture, stating that it wont address the governments concerns. Instead, the company proposed Project Texas, a $1.5 billion initiative that would store US user data domestically and subject the company to an auditing process conducted by American tech giant Oracle. Samsung has launched a new wrist strap called Galaxy Watch Rugged Sport Band for its recent smartwatches. It is a ruggedized wristband compatible with the Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, Galaxy Watch 5, and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The strap comes in two sizes small/medium and medium/large priced at $49.99. Galaxy Watch 4 and 5 series get a sporty new wristband The Galaxy Watch Rugged Sport Band is a sporty strap featuring a ripple design on the outside. Samsung has made it using a fluoroelastomer material, allowing it to be extremely soft, flexible, and lightweight despite the added thickness. The in-box straps for Googles Pixel Watch and Apple Watch series are also made of the same material (via). It is strong and durable, ensuring a comfortable fit for a long duration. Samsungs newest wristband for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5 series has a buckle clasp locking system. It hides excess band under the strap, rather than leaving it on the outside. With its bold and versatile design, this sporty band will accompany you in your outdoor workouts and daily activities, the company says. The added thickness and texture help reinforce the band for long-lasting endurance to match your dynamic lifestyle. As said earlier, Samsung has priced the Rugged Sport Band for the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5 series at $49.99. Both sizes (S/M and M/L) are available to buy immediately in the US in black and gray colors. The company also teases this strap in green and taupe color options, but theres no known timeline for their availability just yet. If youre interested in the Galaxy Watch Rugged Sport Band, you can check it out here. Advertisement Of course, it isnt the only official strap that Samsung offers for the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5 series. The regular Sport Band is available cheaper at $39.99, while the Magnetic D-Buckle Sport Band is priced at $79.99. The Korean firm also has a few limited-edition options including a Star Wars band. Check out our collection of the best bands for the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. These lists contain both official and third-party options. We regularly update the lists to add new items. Samsung continues to release new accessories for Galaxy devices The Rugged Sport Band for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5 series comes shortly after Samsung launched a couple of camera accessories for the Galaxy S23 lineup. These are currently only available in the UK but the company will likely release them in other markets as well, including the US. We will keep you posted as the Korean firm continues to launch new accessories for its Galaxy devices. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks during a press conference (PTI file photo) New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday sounded the poll bugle for the party in Karnataka. Announcing the "Yuva Nidhi" scheme for the unemployed in the state, Mr Gandhi said: "The Yuva Nidhi scheme will immediately be implemented in the state, after winning the elections. The scheme will provide Rs 3,000 every month to unemployed youth with graduation degrees for two years. It will also provide Rs 1,500 every month as an allowance to those young people with a diploma and unemployed in the state." Mr Gandhi added: "The Congress government will come to power in Karnataka, and I can assure 10 lakh jobs in the span of the next five years. We will also fill the vacancies in the government sector, if voted to power." In his address, Mr Gandhi cautioned state-level leaders not to be overconfident instead be united as there was a "pro- Congress" wave in the state. He said: "As the Assembly elections are approaching, I can already see a pro-Congress wave in the state. I am ready to tour any district in Karnataka, if the state unit wants me to. We are going to dethrone the corrupt BJP government." The Congress has already announced three poll "guarantees" 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), and 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya). The Congress has been attacking the Basavaraj Bommai government in Karnataka, dubbing it as the "most corrupt government". He said: "It is a 40 per cent commission government." The party is keen to wrest the state from the BJP and has already got 124 out of the 224 seats cleared by the central election committee, while the rest will be decided soon. Sources say most of the sitting MLAs will be renominated. The party is concentrating specifically on local issues. As Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also hails from the state, he wants to ensure a clear victory for the party. The Assembly polls are due to be held in May this year. Britons are being encouraged to take up hundreds of thousands of volunteering roles highlighted as part of coronation celebrations that aim to reflect the sectors central role in the UKs national story. Love Island star Faye Winter and Dragons Den entrepreneur Deborah Meaden are among the celebrities promoting The Big Help Out, with more than 1,500 charities involved. New opportunities offered to members of the public via the organisations app from Monday March 20 include options to help the elderly, the environment, support animal welfare and work within their local communities. The initiative is a formal part of the Kings coronation, with people encouraged to either lend a helping hand on the May 8 bank holiday or arrange another opportunity to volunteer their time or skills. The King joins members of the Sudanese community at a reception in London (PA) The Big Help Out app can be searched by postcode, the type of activity needed or the organisations involved. The project aims to raise awareness of volunteering opportunities throughout the UK and was devised by leading charities, including the Scouts, the Royal Voluntary Service and Guide Dogs. Organisers hope for an unprecedented community mobilisation to underscore the central role volunteering plays in our national story and to inspire a new generation of volunteers throughout Charless reign. The minister for ceremonial events, including the coronation, Stuart Andrew, said: The Big Help Out will shine a spotlight on the power of volunteering to help our communities. It is a tribute to His Majesty the Kings lifetime of public service and a wonderful way to begin this new age. I encourage everyone to get involved to celebrate the coronation of Their Majesties the King and the Queen Consort. At Colchester Library, Their Majesties spoke to @age_uk volunteers and service users, as well as a group of special guests who have been exploring the magical world of books in the librarys Literacy Corner. pic.twitter.com/BN0YQOgxeP The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 7, 2023 Paralympian swimming gold medallist Ellie Simmonds, who is a volunteer and ambassador for the Scouts, said: Volunteering is central to our national story from families taking in refugees from Ukraine to volunteers running Scout groups and even just people looking in on a neighbour when times are tough. Today, were launching The Big Help Out app its your one stop shop for hundreds of thousands of volunteering opportunities across the country. Meaden said: I know a good idea when I see it and the Big Help Out is one. Thats why everyone is joining in. Charities, businesses and now the public can get involved too, she added. Winter, who is a volunteer with Guide Dogs, said: Its so rewarding being a fosterer for Guide Dogs and knowing that youre helping each dog on their journey to support someone living with sight loss. Its a fantastic cause and I would recommend volunteering to anyone who is able to donate some of their time. A total of 500 volunteers will be selected as the nations Coronation Champions and will receive a specially designed pin, a certificate, and a special invite to one of the official Coronation celebrations. Find out more: https://t.co/RRHIQluDsF pic.twitter.com/jIBbcw92p9 The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 20, 2023 Musicals star and Radio 2 presenter Elaine Paige, an ambassador for the Royal Voluntary Service, said: No matter what your level of skills or experience, everyone can have a positive impact through volunteering. I have seen it first-hand through my work with Royal Voluntary Service, not only can you make a real difference in your community, but volunteering does the world of good to the volunteers too. The coronation weekend will be held from Saturday May 6 to Monday May 8, with thousands of events expected to take place across the country. The Monday will be a special bank holiday and has been set aside for volunteering in a tribute to the Kings lifetime of public service. Buckingham Palace said the day will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas. Its aim is to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the coronation weekend. Banking stocks in London slid in value on Monday after an emergency rescue deal for Credit Suisse sparked volatility in the financial markets. Downing Street and the Bank of England both said the UKs banking system remains safe in an effort to reassure investors and businesses. The FTSE 100 dropped by almost 2% to its lowest since November on Monday but recovered back to positive territory during a choppy session, as traders and investors tried to digest the situation. By 2pm in London, the FTSE 100 was around 0.6% higher for the session, with early session gains seen also on the Dow Jones and S&P 500 on Wall Street. Nevertheless, market worries continued to particularly hit other banking stocks, which led the fallers in London and Europes other key markets, after the Swiss authorities agreed for UBS to buy out stricken rival Credit Suisse. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said on Monday that Rishi Sunak has been regularly updated on the situation by the Treasury and the Bank of England, and has been in touch with the Swiss president. Obviously it is good that a resolution has seen secured, the spokesman said. As the Bank of England has said, we believe the UK banking system remains safe and well capitalised. We have a strong regulatory system and we have taken a number of steps over the past 15 years, together with the Bank of England, to strengthen that system. During London trading, Standard Chartered and Barclays were among banks to witness a drop in share value, although losses were pared back somewhat throughout trading. Markets in Asia were struggling earlier in the morning, with shares in Hong Kong falling by more than 3% as the banking sector took a battering. It sets global markets up for what might be another grim week. Heavy uncertainty has gripped the banking sector ever since the USs 16th largest lender, Silicon Valley Bank, said it needed to raise money to stay afloat. Since then shares in Londons FTSE 100 index have fallen by close to 9%, and several other banks in the US and Europe have struggled to keep their doors open. The focus of investor anxiety appears to have now shifted on to high-risk bond holders in banks, after around 17 billion US dollars (14 billion) of more risky Credit Suisse bonds were wiped out as part of its rescue takeover. These bonds are a type of bank debt designed to take losses during a crisis, but concerns are mounting in the market over the Swiss regulators move to put shareholders ahead of bondholders, prompting regulators and central banks to issue statements to soothe fears. The Bank of England joined the ECB Banking Supervision, the Single Resolution Board and the European Banking Authority in clarifying over UK creditor hierarchy in the event of insolvency. They sought to reassure that common equity instruments, such as shares, are the first ones to absorb losses, after which AT1 bonds would be required to be written down. But Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, said the market volatility serves to reinforce concerns about these types of writedowns and any spillover effects on the rest of the banking sector. The Credit Suisse deal was announced on Sunday evening, as UBS agreed to pay around 2.7 billion for its former rival. The deal was brokered by the same Swiss regulators who had on Wednesday said they would lend up to 45 billion to Credit Suisse to keep it afloat. The bank has had problems for years but was pushed over the edge last week because of market jitters sparked by the failure of Silicon Valley Bank in the US, which was a mid-sized lender. Credit Suisse Group announces it has entered into a merger agreement with UBS. All details available here: https://t.co/IkG4X3wze5 pic.twitter.com/3Obz6zpxSC Credit Suisse (@CreditSuisse) March 19, 2023 On Sunday, Swiss president Alain Berset said an uncontrolled collapse of Credit Suisse could have sent ripples across the world which could cause incalculable consequences in the international financial system. The lender is seen as a systemically important bank whose collapse could spark widespread market turmoil. Rapid Action Force personnel stand guard amid a crackdown against 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh and his aides, in Amritsar, Sunday, March 19, 2023. (PTI Photo) Things have developed alarmingly in Punjab, causing deep consternation and giving a cause for alarm for an entire generation of Indians who have seen the rise of extremism in earlier decades. There are several reasons why the sudden rise in the popularity of a terrorist like Amritpal Singh, chief of the "Waris Punjab De" outfit, which openly promotes violence and breakaway from India and the creation of a separate Khalistan, bring a sense of doom and deja vu for many. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Congress Party led by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, allowed the rise of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a self-styled spiritual leader, who also advocated Khalistan and secession through violence, which spiralled out of control with terrible consequences for everyone. Mrs Gandhi was assassinated, the entire Sikh community was crestfallen both with the Army action at the Golden Temple, and anti-Sikh genocide that followed the Prime Ministers killing. It took nearly a decade for India to quell the militancy in Punjab and restore peace. Styling himself after Bhindrawale, the extremist preacher Amritpal Singh has used foreign funding and brainwashing techniques to create an atmosphere for suspicion, hatred and anti-India emotions to further his own political goals. Thankfully, there seems to be no political backing for his gameplan, and no support from ordinary people either. It is welcome and gives hope because without people and political support, such movements cannot go far, or long. There have been deeply concerning news of alerts given by the intelligence and security agencies of the kind of armed force that Amritpal Singh was trying to raise, the funds from aboard, including Pakistan, he was accessing and using; and the prospect of suicide squads and human bombs he was working on developing. Thankfully, both the Centre and the state government have reacted, albeit a bit delayed, but they have, and their actions seem to be singularly focused on arresting Amritpal Singhs conspiracy and crimes before he commits any more, and restoring order. Some of his accomplices have been arrested including his uncle, driver and a key financier. A wide net has been laid for nabbing most of the key players, and it is hoped its just a matter of time before he is apprehended too. The Punjab government has also shut down the Internet and SMS services in the state, never a good step to support but since it was done in national interest, one must hope the forces quickly nab the kingpin and it allows for the Internet ban to be removed as soon as possible. It is equally crucial that we quickly reach out to the people of Punjab, especially young people, to ensure there is an open dialogue which wins the hearts of all and the seeds of hatred and separation sowed already are aborted at the root-level. We cant let the same kind of rhetoric and brainwashing as it being seen amidst sections of NRIs in some countries like Britain and Canada reach our domestic communities. With the government having issued a high alert, it will be a matter of time before the Amritpal Singh episode is brought to a legal and logical conclusion, but we must strive to ensure that no remnants of the separatist ideology takes root. Peace in Punjab cannot be risked again. Home Secretary Suella Braverman has pledged to introduce new measures to tackle the unacceptable use of laughing gas, amid calls for tougher restrictions. A review commissioned by the Government to examine the harms of nitrous oxide stopped short of recommending a ban on the substance in a recent report. Speaking in the Commons, Conservative MP Anna Firth (Southend West) said: Last summer saw teenagers abusing hundreds of canisters of nitrous oxide along Southend seafront and today firefighters have reported cutting people out of vehicles due to nitrous oxide abuse behind the wheel. Given the very severe effects of this abuse, would (Ms Braverman) consider taking tougher action to restrict the sale and possession and abuse of nitrous oxide in the UK? Ms Braverman replied: The Psychoactive Substances Act provides police with the powers to clamp down on supply of nitrous oxide for non-legitimate use. But she is right and I am clear that the use and proliferation of nitrous oxide is unacceptable and we will be announcing new measures soon. Ministers earlier this year looked at outlawing both the sale and possession of laughing gas as part of a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour. The assessment by the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) said the substance should not be subjected to control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It concluded the sanctions for offences under the act would be disproportionate with the level of harm associated with nitrous oxide and that such control could create significant burdens for legitimate uses of the substance. Examples of legitimate use cited in the report included as an anaesthetic in medical and dental contexts and as a gas for whipped cream. Existing legislation means the production, supply and importation of nitrous oxide for its psychoactive effects is illegal but not possession. Derby is expected to be named as the new headquarters of Britains railways, it has been reported. The East Midlands city will be confirmed as the home of new public sector body Great British Railways (GBR), according to the Guardian newspaper. Derby is understood to have fought off competition from other shortlisted locations including Birmingham, Crewe, Doncaster, Newcastle and York. Among the selection criteria were alignment to levelling-up, transport connections, railway heritage and value for money. Derby is expected to be named as the new headquarters of Britains railways, it has been reported (MediaWorldImages/Alamy Stock Photo/PA) Derby is already home to the UKs largest train factory owned by Alstom where around 2,000 people are employed. The headquarters will host high-skilled jobs and provide a strategic direction to GBR. The Department for Transport (DfT), which will announce the decision shortly, said it does not comment on speculation. It is hoped GBR will simplify the rail network and improve services for passengers by absorbing the state-owned infrastructure management company Network Rail and taking on many functions from the Department for Transport. The bodys tasks will including issuing passenger service contracts to private companies to run trains. It was due to be launched in early 2024 but that timetable has been scrapped. Then-transport secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan told MPs in October last year that the Government axed its plan to introduce a Transport Bill during the current parliamentary session because legislation to deal with the energy crisis was being prioritised. Derbys bid to host the headquarters named a potential location as the former site of the Railway Technical Centre in the south-east of the city, which has been developed into a business park. The region has been hit by the delayed Midland Mainline electrification project and the decision to axe a planned HS2 station at Toton. Job losses are expected at Credit Suisses UK office after the historic sale of the Swiss bank to its bigger rival UBS on Sunday, with an impact on the lenders British workers seen as being inevitable. UBS said it plans to run down the investment bank division of Credit Suisse as part of its merger plans, but stressed it is too early to say exactly how staff across the regions will be affected. Credit Suisse employs around 5,500 people in the UK, based in Londons Canary Wharf, which includes investment bankers, wealth and asset managers, as well as staff across teams such as technology, risk and compliance. The stricken lender has been scooped up by UBS in a rescue deal in efforts to avoid further turmoil in global financial markets, and will mean the two businesses merge together. UBS has about 6,200 people in the UK with offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh. The former chief executive of UBS in the UK, Mark Yallop, said he thinks job losses will be inevitable as a result of the merger and chopping down the investment bank. He told the BBCs Today programme: The two firms together employ about 120,000 staff, of which about 11,000 sit in London, and I think its inevitable that a merger of this sort will result in some further job losses. I would imagine those would be concentrated in the risky investment banking business at Credit Suisse which is partly the cause of the problems the firms is experiencing. And in middle-office, technology and operational roles where bringing two firms together will mean you can run one bigger firm, without doubling up the infrastructure needed to manage it. But the chairman of UBS, Colm Kelleher, said at a news conference in Berne, Switzerland, that any impact on workers will be carried out in a rational way. He said: We will be running down the investment banking part of Credit Suisse because UBS itself has an investment bank-like model, which is a model our shareholders want. As regards job cuts, its just too early to say. We are clearly cognisant of Swiss societal and economic factors. UBS offices in the City of London (Philip Toscano/PA) We will be considerate employers but we need to do this in a rational way, thoughtfully, when weve sat down and analysed what we need to do. Furthermore, UBS chief executive Ralph Hamers agreed that the takeover was an emergency rescue but one that would be beneficial to its shareholders and clients. He added: 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. Credit Suisse said UBS has expressed confidence that the employment of its staff will be continued. Credit Suisse was already in the midst of a big turnaround plan which included cutting around 9,000 jobs from its global workforce of more than 45,000 over the next three years. It would mean it was set to lose about 10% of its investment bankers in Europe even before the takeover was agreed. UBS made no comment on the plan for jobs following the merger. Credit Suisse also declined to comment as it is too early to say what the impact will be. Meanwhile, experts have considered whether the high-profile takeover has implications for the safety and stability of other big banks in the UK. Gary Greenwood, an equity research analyst for Shore Capital Markets, said: We have said for a while that we believe the UK banks could not be in a stronger position to withstand the current economic downturn and we stand by this view. Following more than a decade of regulatory tightening, their balance sheets are in excellent shape with strong capital, funding and liquidity, and asset bases that are now much lower risk. As such, we do not believe the UK banking systems or any of the major UK banks are in imminent danger of collapse. Furthermore, the policy chairman at the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, said it is critical that confidence in the banking sector is restored and that the UKs role as a global financial centre is renewed. It announced it was working with banks including Lloyds Bank, JP Morgan and Barclays to come up with a plan over the long term. The Government has insisted it has no plans to renegotiate the Windsor Framework Brexit deal despite the DUP vowing to vote against it in Parliament. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said DUP officers met on Monday morning and unanimously agreed to vote against the first aspect of the framework to be considered by Parliament, the Stormont brake. While the vote only concerns one aspect of the accord, the Government itself has suggested the vote will be indicative of support for the overall agreement. The DUP is currently blocking devolution at Stormont in protest at the terms of the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The protocol was designed to prevent a hardening of the land border on the island of Ireland and moved regulatory and customs checks to the Irish Sea, creating economic barriers on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The UK and EU agreed the framework as a way to cut the red tape created by the protocol. While the DUP says the Windsor Framework has gone some way to address its concerns about the protocol, it says some significant problems remain. Downing Street said ministers stood ready to have further consultations with the DUP ahead of Wednesdays Commons vote on the Windsor Framework. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has announced that he will meet the EUs Maros Sefcovic in London on Friday to formally adopt the Windsor pact at a meeting of the joint committee on the Withdrawal Agreement. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We remain confident that this is the best deal for Northern Ireland. Of course we wanted to give the DUP and other parties as much time as possible to consider the deal and come to a view. Equally we need to provide certainty to the people and businesses of Northern Ireland which is why we have started the process of votes. The DUP are important partners in this. We want to answer any further questions they have and provide any necessary reassurance and we stand ready to do that. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly (Yui Mok/PA) The brake would allow a minority of MLAs at Stormont to formally flag concerns about the imposition of new EU laws in Northern Ireland a move that could see the UK Government veto their introduction in the region. The first Commons vote on the EU/UK agreement on trading arrangements for Northern Ireland will be on the secondary legislation that would give effect to the Stormont brake. The legislation was published on Monday and set out in detail how the brake would operate. The DUP has highlighted that the brake only applies to new EU rules proposed for Northern Ireland, not the existing ones already in place under the terms of the protocol. The Government contends that existing EU law in Northern Ireland will be subject to a consent vote in the Assembly in 2024 under the original terms of the protocol. Announcing the partys intention ahead of Wednesdays vote, Sir Jeffrey said: Whilst representing real progress, the brake does not deal with the fundamental issue which is the imposition of EU law by the protocol. Sir Jeffrey did not rule out ultimately backing the Windsor Framework but insisted the Government would first have to address and resolve the outstanding issues his party has. Clearly there is still some way to go, there is a lot more work to be done, were engaged with the Government on that, and we will make our judgments whenever we see the final picture of all of this, he told the PA news agency. The DUP leader suggested those changes could be secured by way of domestic legislation at Westminster, rather than a renegotiation with Brussels. We do believe that the UK government has within its power the ability to bring forward legislation that safeguards Northern Irelands place within the United Kingdom and our ability to trade within the internal market of the United Kingdom, so it is to the Government we are looking, and will continue to look for the change that is required to meet the concerns that we have highlighted already, he said. The deal is done & huge economic opportunities are before us. The Brexit Joint Committee meets 24 March to adopt the deal into EU law & we move onto implementation stage. The onus is on the British & Irish Governments & all parties not least the DUP to now get Stormont moving Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) March 20, 2023 The DUP leader did also not definitively rule out the prospect of his party rejecting the framework but still returning to devolution at Stormont. Clearly we will continue to assess any change that is made to the proposed arrangements, including through legislation that will come forward in Parliament, and of course well then take a view as to what progress has been made and if that progress is sufficient to enable the institutions to be restored, he said. London, Brussels and Washington are keen for the Stormont institutions to be restored ahead of next months landmark 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. President Joe Biden is among those set to visit Northern Ireland next month to mark the deal that established powersharing in Belfast. Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle ONeill has said the Windsor Framework negotiations were done, and the onus was now on getting devolution restored. The deal is done & huge economic opportunities are before us, she tweeted. The Brexit Joint Committee meets 24 March to adopt the deal into EU law & we move onto implementation stage. The onus is on the British & Irish Governments & all parties not least the DUP to now get Stormont moving. SNP leadership contender Humza Yousaf said his party should not restart the contest following criticism of its handling of a row over membership numbers. However, the Health Secretary conceded that the last 72 hours had been a difficult period for his party. It follows high-profile resignations of media chief Murray Foote and SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, who is First Minister Nicola Sturgeons husband. A row erupted after the party initially rubbished claims it had lost 30,000 members since 2021 a number which was later revealed to be correct. Humza Yousaf meets volunteers and care-experience members during a visit to Who Cares? Scotland in Glasgow (Jane Barlow/PA) The SNP went on to confirm membership numbers fell from 103,884 in 2021 to 72,186 in February 2023. Mr Yousaf, who is vying to replace Ms Sturgeon in the top job against Kate Forbes and Ash Regan, conceded that the contest had been hit with difficulty in recent days. But the Glasgow Govan MSP was clear it would not make sense to start from scratch with just one week remaining in the contest. Asked whether the contest should be started afresh, Mr Yousaf told the PA news agency: No. Its clear that all three candidates have now said that they have faith in the integrity and all three candidates will respect the outcome of the ballot. Humza Yousaf has a laugh with volunteers at Who Cares? Scotland in Glasgow (Jane Barlow/PA) Im pleased the other candidates have agreed with my position which Ive had from the beginning which is that the integrity of the ballot is not in question. However, Ms Regan has issued a public plea to SNP HQ to allow members to update or change the vote. In a statement published on Twitter, she said her campaign emails had seen a surge from concerned SNP members on whether the ballot will go ahead unaltered. She wrote: In 2015 selection contests for Westminster candidatures had varying end dates. In some cases, candidates were removed from the ballot before a race ended, where this happened members were able to update their vote. However, Mr Yousaf said the proposals were unnecessary. Speaking on a visit to Who Cares? Scotland in Glasgow, where he pledged to protect the promise made to care-experienced children under Ms Sturgeons tenure, he said: I just dont think its needed given that all three candidates say that they respect the integrity of the ballot but also that they will respect the outcome. I dont know why, in the last week, wed want to change the system which could probably cause some level of confusion. The Glasgow Govan MSP said he disagreed with SNP president, and interim chief executive, Mike Russell, that the party was in a tremendous mess. He said: The last 72 hours have clearly not been great for the SNP and the issue around the membership numbers was an avoidable own goal that shouldnt have happened. I agree with that. I dont think the party is in a tremendous mess. I think were still a party that enjoys the most popular support, and by far the largest party in Scotland, and we shouldnt ever take that for granted. Theres an opportunity, theres difficulty with transition, theres no getting away from that, but theres also an opportunity with transition. With a new leader of the SNP, a new chief executive of the SNP, theres a chance to do things differently, to re-energise and refresh and build upon the good legacy that Nicola Sturgeon and indeed Peter have left us. Justice ministers from around the world will gather in London to support the International Criminal Courts investigations into war crimes in Ukraine. The move comes after the ICC issued a warrant for Russian leader Vladimir Putins arrest, accusing him of bearing personal responsibility for the abduction of children from Ukraine. The UK is boosting its financial support for the court, based in The Hague in the Netherlands, to 1 million this year and other countries are also expected to commit to financial and practical assistance. Statement by Prosecutor #KarimAAKhanKC on the issuance of arrest warrants against President Vladimir Putin and Ms Maria Lvova-Belova Read more https://t.co/qGNPQrBV5O #Ukraine Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) March 17, 2023 More than 40 nations will be represented at the meeting hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, and Dutch justice minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, at Lancaster House. Justice Secretary Mr Raab said: We are gathering in London today united by one cause to hold war criminals to account for the atrocities committed in Ukraine during this unjust, unprovoked and unlawful invasion. The UK, alongside the international community, will continue to provide the International Criminal Court with the funding, people and expertise to ensure justice is served. Ahead of the conference, the UK Government offered new support and funding for psychological help for victims and witnesses of crimes, more UK experts to work for the ICC and training for investigators to use digital evidence to bring war criminals to justice. The conference will be opened with speeches from Ukraines justice minister Denys Maliuska, and prosecutor general Andriy Kostin, along with the ICCs prosecutor Karim Khan KC. The ICCs arrest warrant for Mr Putin was the first issued against a leader of one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. The court also issued a warrant for the arrest of Maria Lvova-Belova, Russias commissioner for childrens rights. The Kremlin dismissed the move against Mr Putin as outrageous and unacceptable. Two leaders in dementia research have been appointed to chair the UKs dementia mission, which was launched in memory of Dame Barbara Windsor. Alzheimers Research UK chief Hilary Evans and Professor Nadeem Sarwar, a senior leader at pharmaceutical company Eisai, will chair the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission. The former Eastenders and Carry On actress, who died in 2020 aged 83, campaigned for funding to find a cure or way to halt dementia following her own diagnosis with Alzheimers. The appointments of Ms Evans and Prof Sarwar are due to be officially announced by science minister George Freeman at Mondays World Dementia Council Summit in London. Health Secretary Steve Barclay said Ms Evans and Prof Sarwar will bring together industry leaders, the NHS, researchers and families living with dementia in an effort to tackle the condition. He said: Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK, but cutting edge research into new technologies that can help to detect and measure indicators of the condition has the potential to improve diagnosis, treatment and care. Today were taking another step forward to spearhead efforts into beating this disease and potentially help many people across the UK. Hilary Evans and Nadeem Sarwar will be crucial to accelerating the development of the latest treatments and technologies, as well as driving collaboration across partners in industry, the NHS, academia and people affected by dementia. Dame Barbara discovered she was suffering from Alzheimers in 2014 and went public with her diagnosis four years later (John Stillwell/PA) The Government also pledged to double funding for dementia research to 160 million by 2024. One million people are predicted to be living with dementia by 2025 a figure which rises to 1.6 million by 2040. Ms Evans said she aims to ensure people with dementia are at the heart of the mission. She said: Dementia research has made great strides in recent years, but there is still important progress to be made on multiple fronts and this needs effective collaboration across the whole dementia landscape. Dame Barbara with former prime minister Boris Johnson (Simon Dawson/PA) This significant initiative will drive forward progress in dementia research and bring us closer to a cure. The Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission was launched by former prime minister Boris Johnson in August 2022 to develop innovative research tools and increase the number and speed of clinical trials in dementia and neurodegeneration. Dame Barbara discovered she was suffering from Alzheimers in 2014 and went public with her diagnosis four years later. She was credited with helping others to speak openly about their own experiences of dementia after the decision to make her diagnosis public. The FTSE 100 is expected to open lower after struggling bank Credit Suisse was sold to Swiss rival UBS. Londons top index is on track to fall by around 1% as it opens trading on Monday following a bruising session last week. Markets in Asia were struggling earlier in the morning, with shares in Hong Kong falling by more than 3% as the banking sector took a battering. With Credit Suisse shareholders and some bondholders taking a huge hit, banks in Asia have taken a hit on similar concerns about (some of their) bond-holding values, said Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets. While the weekend deal still presents the Swiss National Bank and Swiss Government with untold headaches, with the size of the newly merged bank set to dwarf the size of the Swiss economy. The phrase too big to fail really does spring to mind here, and this mornings weakness in Asia markets serves to reinforce concerns about these types of writedowns and any spillover effects on the rest of the banking sector. The Credit Suisse deal was announced on Sunday evening, as UBS agreed to pay around 2.7 billion for its former rival. The deal was brokered by the same Swiss regulators which had on Wednesday said they would lend up to 45 billion to Credit Suisse to keep it afloat. The bank has had troubles for years but was pushed over the edge last week because of market jitters sparked by the failure of Silicon Valley Bank in the US, which was a mid-sized lender. But the rescue deal with UBS is not expected to calm markets much. Around 17 billion dollars (14 billion) worth of Credit Suisse bonds were wiped out as part of the deal. Having come off the worst week for European equity markets this year, volatility looks set to continue this week now that the fate of Credit Suisse appears to have finally been sealed, Mr Hewson said. A Government decision to grant a short-term contract renewal to Avanti West Coast has been condemned by Labour and trade unions. The operator has struggled with reliability and punctuality during parts of the past year. It was forced to provide an improvement plan to the Department for Transport (DfT) as part of a six-month contract renewal which was due to expire at the end of March. Transport Secretary Mark Harper insisted the plan is working as he awarded another extension of the same length. Avanti West Coast passengers were hit by serious disruption last year (Luciana Guerra/PA) But Labour said the operator has broken records for poor performance over the last six months, while Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) general secretary Mick Lynch accused the Government of rewarding failure. Avanti West Coast runs trains on the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Glasgow Central, with branches to Birmingham, North Wales, Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh. It is a joint venture between FirstGroup (70%) and Italian state operator Trenitalia (30%). Avanti West Coast slashed its timetable in August 2022 in a bid to improve reliability. This came after passengers suffered weeks of short-notice cancellations, partly due to a sharp decline in the number of drivers voluntarily working on rest days for extra pay. A new timetable introduced in December 2022 with a significantly reduced reliance on overtime working has seen the number of weekday services increase from 180 to 264, the DfT said. The proportion of services cancelled has fallen from nearly 25% in August 2022 to 4.2% in early March, and 90% of trains are arriving within 15 minutes of the schedule, the department added. But Labour said 24.6% of Avanti West Coast services were at least 15 minutes late in the four weeks to January 7, which was the second highest of any train operator in Britain at any time on record. Mr Harper said: The routes Avanti West Coast run are absolutely vital, and I fully understand the frustrations passengers felt at the completely unacceptable services seen last autumn. Following our intervention, rail minister Huw Merriman and I have worked closely with local leaders to put a robust plan in place, which Im glad to see is working. However, there is still more work to be done to bring services up to the standards we expect, which is why, over this next six months, further improvements will need to be made by Avanti West Coast. Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said: Avanti has literally broken records over the last six months for delays and cancellations, and the Conservatives answer is to reward failure with millions more in taxpayer cash. If this is what success looks like to ministers, it shows that, under the Conservatives, our broken railways are here to stay. The next Labour government will put passengers back at the heart of our railways, and build the infrastructure fit for the century ahead unlocking jobs and growth. Mr Lynch said: The Government is keeping privatisation afloat regardless of the cost to the rail passengers, rail workers and the taxpayer and the service itself. It is quite clear that the West Coast contract should be brought back into public ownership along with the rest of the railway. Mick Whelan, general secretary of train drivers union Aslef, said: It is, frankly, extraordinary that the Government is yet again rewarding failure. Avanti West Coast has continued to cancel services and, every day, continued to let passengers down. FirstGroup chief executive Graham Sutherland said: Performance at Avanti is steadily improving and, since the introduction of the new timetable in mid-December, the number of services has increased by more than 40% compared to last summer, with more seats and better frequencies. Todays agreement allows our team to continue their focus on delivering their robust plans to continue enhancing services for our customers, including further progress on our train upgrade and refurbishment programme. The contract for TransPennine Express another FirstGroup-owned operator with performance problems expires on May 28. This will be considered separately with a further announcement in due course, the DfT said. Commentary: Why Washington does not support ceasefire in Ukraine Xinhua) 10:45, March 20, 2023 BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia from March 20 to 22 at the invitation of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Xi's visit to Russia will be a trip of friendship, cooperation and peace, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Friday in a daily news briefing. He also reiterated China's position on the ongoing Ukraine crisis, saying that "China will continue to uphold its objective and just position on the Ukraine crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks." Surprisingly, or not, U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby responded by saying that Washington opposed a possible call by China for a ceasefire in Ukraine because it would allow Russia to "restart attacks." No matter what the United States will do to defend its position, the international community can now easily see that Washington does not want to see an end to the conflict it has done so much to foster and escalate all along. Moreover, the United States is apparently not willing to see a political solution to the crisis, nor does it want to see that both sides can settle for peace. Although Washington always tries to portray itself as a sympathizer with the weak, that is certainly not who it is. The fact is that the United States, together with its allies, are piling up military assistance to Ukraine, and would rather let the conflict-torn Ukrainians continue to suffer from the bloody crisis until their last drop of blood is spilled than put a stop to the conflict. It might seem cold-blooded and even self-contradictory. Yet if take a deeper look into why it is so, you can find that the United States as a matter of fact takes the crisis as a business in which it can make a big fortune. To be more specific, Washington, by prolonging the conflict, can weaken Russia and force Europe to further rely on the United States in security matters so that it can consolidate its hegemony. Plus, it can also profit enormously from the crisis. The recent news claiming that the United States was responsible for explosions of the Nord Stream pipelines can tell so much. According to the latest data from market research firm Kepler, in the context of the escalating crisis in Ukraine, natural gas transmission channels of Russia-Europe pipelines have been restricted, and the demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the EU has surged. Specifically, the EU's LNG imports from the United States increased by 23.59 million tons compared with 2021, a year-on-year rise of 154 percent. The world has suffered terribly because of an egoistic and self-serving United States. Because of the conflict, the Ukrainians have lost hugely; the Europeans are dragged into a quagmire, and the world is being forced to be separated along an ideological divide. Moreover, the food, energy and financial crises the conflict has triggered continue to wreak havoc. Now it is increasingly clear that to pursue its self-interests, Washington can do anything, like stalling peace efforts and opposing a ceasefire. To be a responsible major country, the United States should stop being the destroyer of peace and creator of crises, shift to the right side of history, and help bring this disaster to an end. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Axis of Resistance led by Iran threatens Israel during Ramadan By Yoni Ben Menachem web posted March 20, 2023 Sometime on March 11 or 12, a terrorist infiltrated from Lebanon into Israels Galilee and launched a bomb attack in the Megiddo area using a sophisticated explosive device. The actions were major intelligence and operational failures of the IDF. The political echelon should have ordered a military response; the lack of response further erodes Israels deterrence. It is believed that the terrorist who infiltrated Israeli territory was a Palestinian who belonged to the Hamas forces in southern Lebanon and trained by Hizbullah experts on how to activate the sophisticated shaped explosive device. Hamas is recruiting in the Tyre and Sidon refugee camps. Hamas military chief Saleh Al-Arouri and Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah knew about the infiltration operation and approved it. It was a joint operation by Hizbullah and Hamas without leaving fingerprints, and the two organizations took no responsibility for the attack. According to intelligence data from various sources, Israeli security officials assess that approaching the month of Ramadan there will be an unprecedented conflict with the Palestinian terrorist factions on several fronts that may deteriorate into a military conflict more acute than the conflict in the Gaza Strip in May 2021. Visible signs also testify to this: the Hamas and Islamic Jihad organizations have increased the incitement against Israel in recent weeks and launched a campaign of psychological warfare to weaken Israel morale. Hamas Terrorist Chiefs Warning Saleh al-Arouri, the vice chairman of the Hamas movement and head of its military wing in the West Bank, the man who coordinates in Beirut the activity with Hizbullah, said in an interview to the official website of Hamas on March 14, 2023, that the events to come will be very difficult for the occupation and its settlers. The resistance in the West Bank is in a state of escalation and it is diversifying its weapons. Marwan Issa, the shadowy deputy commander of Hamas military wing in the Gaza Strip, hinted at the possibility of massive rocket fire from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. He told the Al-Aqsa channel on March 15, 2023, that the political project in the West Bank has ended; the enemy brought the Oslo Accords to an end; and the coming days will be eventful. Issa continued: A political solution in the West Bank is a thing of the past. Any escalation in the Al-Aqsa Mosque area will result in a reaction in the Gaza Strip; Hamas in Gaza will not [just] be an observer to events in Jerusalem. The desire to commit suicide among the (Muslim) residents of the West Bank is unprecedented, and the state of resistance in the West Bank is excellent. So is the state of national unity in the face of the Occupation, the Hamas official claimed. The Iranian Connection A spokesman for the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad threatened Israel with a new intifada and a conflict it had never experienced before. The accumulation of these statements by the heads of the terrorist organizations in the media and intelligence information indicate an impending escalation. The security meeting initiated by the United States in Aqaba on February 26, 2023, has failed, and the fate of the next meeting, scheduled in Sinai, is uncertain. It is very doubtful whether Israel will be able to stop the approaching tsunami of terrorism since this is a strategic decision by the terrorist organizations in coordination with Iran. The terrorist cells are showing the increasing use of explosive devices in the territories of Judea and Samaria and an attempt to activate them also within the territory of Israel itself. The Shin Bet has recently foiled several attacks using explosive devices by Palestinians from the West Bank who were recruited by Hamas from the Gaza Strip through social networks. According to officials in the military wing of Hamas, the attack on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv on March 9, 2023, marks the organizations decision to resume attacks within the Green Line. Hizbullah Tightened Coordination with Hamas and Islamic Jihad According to security sources, Hizbullah Secretary-General Nasrallah increased his coordination meetings in the al-Dahiya neighborhood in Beirut with Ziyad al-Nakhala, the Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad, and with Saleh Al-Arouri, the head of the military wing of Hamas, toward the beginning of the month of Ramadan. An agreement was reached between Hizbullah, Hamas, the Islamic Jihad, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Iran for increasing terrorist activities in the coming days. Hassan Nasrallah said last week that Israel would collapse even before it marks the 80th year of its founding. The internal dispute in Israel and the wave of protest over the legal reform issue increased the feeling among the terrorist organizations that Israel is on the verge of disintegration and that this is the time to increase the pressure through terrorist acts. Despite the hoopla at the time, the agreement designed by the United States on the division of Lebanons economic territorial waters, signed on October 27, 2022, did not reduce Hizbullahs motivation for terrorism against Israel. Moreover, it allows the Hamas organization to strengthen its military infrastructure in southern Lebanon and in the refugee camps in Tyre and Sidon. Hamas officials say that the attacks on Israel in the coming days will be from all directions according to the doctrine of unification of the fronts, including rocket fire from southern Lebanon and infiltration operations from southern Lebanon into Israeli territory. According to security officials in Israel, behind all this malevolent activity is Iran, which in the past year has smuggled arms and funds through Jordan to the northern West Bank into the hands of the terrorist organizations. The axis of resistance led by Iran is preparing for a major escalation in the month of Ramadan. Israel is also seriously preparing for a scenario that may be bigger than the military conflict that took place in May 2021. Yoni Ben Menachem, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center. He served as Director General and Chief Editor of the Israel Broadcasting Authority. Home The UK Government must end its support for the oil and gas industry, campaigners have said, in light of a renewed warning from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) In a synthesis report published on Monday, the IPCC said there is still more public and private finance going to fossil fuels than to climate mitigation and adaptation. It will be impossible to meet the internationally agreed target of stopping the global average temperature exceeding 1.5C above pre-industrial levels if CO2 emissions from existing fossil fuel infrastructure are not reduced, the authors said. To meet this target requires deep and drastic emissions cuts across all sectors of society, they said, though some difficult-to-decarbonise industries, such as aviation, shipping and agriculture will have to be supported by carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). Current policies are projected to heat the Earth to 3.2C above pre-industrial levels, which could set off dangerous and unpredictable tipping points such as melting of the polar ice caps, scientists have previously warned. Alexander Kirk, fossil fuel campaigner at Global Witness, said: Year after year, the IPCCs reports keep sounding the alarm, but business is still booming for the oil and gas industry and governments continue to top up their immense profits with billions in tax relief and other subsidies. This is bankrupting the planet and threatening the lives of millions while making a handful of executives and shareholders incredibly wealthy. All Government support for the oil and gas industry needs to be urgently redirected to renewable energy and to shifting us onto a green economy. Current worldwide policies on emissions cuts are not enough to stabilise the Earths temperature at a safe level, IPCC scientists said (IPCC handout/PA) This will also help hand a lifeline to countries that are already sinking under rising sea levels and suffering extreme drought. The IPCC said the cost of mitigating climate change will be less than the damage caused by higher temperatures. They also emphasised the knock-on benefits of climate solutions such as how switching to clean energy will improve health and lower healthcare costs by reducing air pollution. In 2017 alone, the cost to the NHS and social care because of air pollution was estimated to be 42.88 million, according to Public Health England analysis. Lowering air pollution and improving peoples health will be a knock-on effect of switching away from fossil fuels, the IPCC said (Nicholas T Ansell/PA) Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: The IPCC is spot on the fossil fuel era is over. So if our own Government is to heed this warning, it must cancel the Cumbria coal mine, drop the proposed Rosebank oil field and unblock onshore wind and solar with immediate effect. The evidence is clear and the solutions are here this is our last chance to secure our survival. Environmental groups are waiting for the Governments so-called Green Day, expected before the end of March, when it must respond to a High Court order and revise its net zero policies. Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said: Strengthening this will be the Governments best opportunity to show that it is listening to the science and put the UK on course to become a thriving green economy. If political leaders dont act with greater ambition *now* our kids and grandkids will look back at this moment with such anger & bewilderment. How on earth could it be, knowing what we know, we didnt act faster when we still had time? Its the question that haunts me #IPCC Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) March 20, 2023 For this to happen, we need to see a huge drive to insulate the UKs heat-leaking homes, faster development of cheap, clean, renewable energy, fewer roads being built and an end to new fossil fuel infrastructure. A Government spokesperson said: Todays report makes clear that nations around the world must work towards far more ambitious climate commitments ahead of Cop28. The UK is a world leader in working towards net zero, but we need to go further and faster. That is why we are committing to building more wind, solar and nuclear capacity, as well as driving forward hydrogen and CCUS, supporting up to 480,000 well-paid green jobs, and leveraging up to 100 billion of private investment by 2030. This will bolster our energy security and help ensure we bring down wholesale electricity prices to among the lowest in Europe. The Princess Royal has visited the set of Coronation Street to learn about the soaps upcoming acid attack storyline. Future episodes of the ITV programme will see Daisy Midgeley, played by Charlotte Jordan, become the victim of an acid attack at the hands of her stalker. Anne visited ITV Studios on Monday and met members of the cast and production team involved with the storyline. The Princess Royal today (Monday March 20th) visited ITV Studios Coronation Street to meet cast and members of the production team involved in the acid attack storyline. Read more about the visit:https://t.co/MCzw0WXXFD pic.twitter.com/APANMgTwCn Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) March 20, 2023 They have worked with The Katie Piper Foundation and Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) of which Anne is a patron to ensure the episodes are accurate and authentic. After viewing upcoming scenes, Anne met producer Iain MacLeod and cast members Jordan, Rob Mallard, Sally Ann Matthews and Andrew Still, who plays Daisys stalker Justin Rutherford. Script writers, members of the story team and the make-up department also spoke with Anne during her visit. Mr MacLeod and John Whiston, head of ITV in the North and managing director of continuing drama, led a guided tour of the Coronation Street set for the royal party. Anne in the Rovers Return (ITV/PA) Mr Whiston said: Working with ASTI on this storyline has been invaluable to all of us. HRHs patronage of the charity is clearly of huge importance to both Her Royal Highness and the charity and it was an absolute honour to have them join us at Coronation Street today. The visit gave both cast and colleagues the chance to discuss how they have worked together to create and portray such a delicate and important storyline, an opportunity none of us will forget. Acid attack survivor Sammear Hussein, Sharman Birtles, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, and Chris Boyes, mayor of Trafford, were also in attendance. Anne on the Coronation Street set (ITV) The storyline will see Daisy preparing for her wedding to Daniel Osbourne, played by Mallard, when she is subject to an attack by Justin at the Rovers Return Inn. Before the attack Justin has been convinced he is in a relationship with Daisy. His behaviour led to his arrest, but after being released on bail he is free to carry out the the acid attack on Daisy. Coronation Street will air the storyline on Monday March 27 on ITV1 and ITVX. It has been known for some time that animals can taste sweet, salty, sour and bitter foods, but whether they can taste alkaline food has remained unclear until now, researchers suggest. According to a new study, fruit flies can sense alkaline substances those with a pH greater than seven through a newly identified taste receptor. Scientists say that although the research was conducted in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster commonly used for studying taste it could provide a basis for future studies on alkaline taste in other animals. When it comes to choosing what to eat, taste influences the decision-making process of animals as it allows them to sample their food before consuming it. Food sources contain many acids and bases, and pH measures a substances acidity or alkalinity. Therefore, pH sensation enables the animal to select healthy food and reject potentially harmful options. pH, the scale of how acidic or basic (alkaline) a substance is, plays an essential role for living organisms. This is because many biological processes, such as breaking down food and enzymatic reactions, need the level of pH to be just right. Yali Zhang, principal investigator at the Monell Chemical Senses Centre, in America, said: Detecting the alkaline pH of food is an advantageous adaptation that helps animals avoid consuming toxic substances. He added: Our work has settled the argument about whether there is a taste for alkaline things. There definitely is. While researchers are familiar with sour taste, which is associated with acids and allows us to sense the acidic end of the pH scale, little is known about how animals perceive bases on the opposite end of the pH spectrum. Detecting both acids and bases, which are commonly present in food sources, is important as they can significantly impact the nutritional properties of what animals consume. The researchers found that when given a choice between neutral food (pH 7) and alkaline food (pH 12, for example), wild-type flies predominantly choose neutral food. The authors discovered a gene called alkaliphile (alka), which is responsible for detecting alkaline substances. Overall the team established that alka is a new taste receptor dedicated to sensing the alkaline pH of food. In the future they hope to explore whether there are comparable high-pH detectors in mammals. The Supreme Court of Ireland has allowed an appeal by Patrick Quirke over his murder conviction and declared the seizure of a computer during the investigation as unlawful. The court said further argument will be required regarding the consequences of this ruling. It said gardai did not specify that they wanted to examine a computer and why that may yield evidence in the sworn information they provided to the judge that was granting a search warrant. It therefore found that analysis of a computer seized during the search was not lawful. Information found during the analysis of the computer was relied upon by the prosecution in the murder trial. After a 71-day trial at the Central Criminal Court in 2019, Quirke was convicted by a majority verdict of 10-2 of murdering Bobby Ryan in Tipperary between June 3 2011 and April 30 2013. Mr Ryans family said he had inexplicably vanished, were deeply worried and reported him missing on June 3 2011. On April 30 2013, Quirke notified gardai that he had found human remains in an old run-off tank on a farm he had been leasing at Fawnagowan. The decomposed remains turned out to be the body of Mr Ryan. Mr Ryan had entered into a relationship with farm owner Mary Lowry after they met towards the end of 2010. Quirke, 52, had also previously been in a relationship with Ms Lowry, who owned land he farmed on, which started around January 2008. Ms Lowry gave evidence that Quirke did not take it well when she ended their affair, and that he seemed to be depressed. Pathologists said Mr Ryan died of blunt force trauma, but the cause was disputed by a witness not called by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Quirke made no admission to homicide and denied any involvement. He appealed against the conviction on a number of grounds to the Court of Appeal in 2021 but the conviction was upheld. He further appealed to the Supreme Court on two issues of general public importance. One issue related to a search warrant for Quirkes home which was executed on May 17 2013, and a computer that was seized which revealed internet searches that were relied upon by the prosecution. The searches included a human corpse post mortem: the stages of decomposition, How DNA works, and other searches relating to the rate and extent of body decomposition following death. Quirkes lawyers said this was crucial in his conviction and the validity of the search warrant was challenged on the basis that gardais sworn information did not include any reference to electronic devices or computers. The Supreme Court held that the sworn information leading to the grant of the warrant did not include any reference to electronic devices or computers, and that gardai should only have seized personal items of Mr Ryan and any other relevant evidence found on the premises. The Criminal Justice Act 2006 gives judges the power to issue a warrant for the search of a place and any persons at that place. Delivering the judgment, Mr Justice Peter Charleton said interpreting the word place in the act as meaning a computer rather than a physical place was a distortion of the legislation and would result in a misapplication of the courts function. The wording of the legislation should be given its plain meaning where possible, he said. Mr Justice Charleton held that under the wording of the statute, the definition of place was specific to physical places and could not be extended or altered to include digital spaces such as computers. A computer could be seized in the same way as any ordinary item but using it to access digital space would be searching beyond a physical place, he added. It would be necessary for gardai seeking a warrant to specify that they wanted to examine a computer and why that may yield evidence. In this instance, no such information was given to the judge and there was insufficient judicial analysis to allow entry into the digital space through the devices. The intrusion into the digital space was not permitted because it was never authorised by the judge issuing the warrant and therefore was not lawful. This involved a more significant intrusion into the privacy rights of the accused. Sufficient judicial analysis could have been obtained through a clear reference to computer devices in the sworn information provided by the issuing judge and a sworn statement indicating why such a digital search might be reasonably needed. The other issue the Supreme Court examined related to the DPP calling expert witnesses. It was alleged the agency failed to call pathology evidence from one expert whose report differed from others on whether Mr Ryans injuries could have been the result of a collision with a vehicle. Delivering judgment at the Supreme Court on Monday, Mr Justice Charleton said the lack of requirement on the defence to call evidence at a criminal trial was not undermined through their calling of contradictory pathology evidence in this instance. He said, generally, the prosecution should call relevant evidence but may be entitled not to. A trial remains fair if the defence has notices of the witnesses available and is able to call its own witnesses. This point of appeal was dismissed. Unanimously concurring with the decisions on both points of appeal were Chief Justice Donal ODonnell, Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne, Ms Justice Iseult OMalley, Ms Justice Marie Baker, Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe and Mr Justice Brian Murray. Chief Justice ODonnell directed an exchange of submissions on the remaining issues for March 29. A woman was propelled into the air and under a parked bus as it was shunted forward outside Londons Victoria railway station, a court has heard. Melissa Burr, 32, suffered multiple injuries and died following the rush hour crash on Terminus Place on the morning of August 10 2021. Bus driver Olusofa Popoola, 60, is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of causing her death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to bus driver Diane Mathuranayagum. Opening his trial on Monday, prosecutor Alex Williams said the bus terminus at Victoria was particularly busy that morning because the Circle and District Tube line was down. The defendant was queuing up third in a line of 507 buses taking passengers from Victoria to Waterloo, with Ms Mathuranayagums bus in front of him. When the first 507 bus moved off, Ms Mathuranayagum moved up to the front, put on the brake and got out, standing by the open door, jurors heard. Ms Burr, from Rainham, Kent, was the first of three pedestrians to cross in front of the line of buses. Mr Williams said: The parked bus lurched forward. It hit Ms Burr who was propelled up and forward. The people behind her jumped back out of the way. The driver of the bus was thrown out of the door of the parked bus and on to the pavement. The driverless parked bus did not stop but continued to go forward, running over Ms Burr who ended up under the bus and very sadly died as a consequence of the multiple injuries that she received. An off-duty police officer on the bus was thrown to the floor and received minor injuries, the Old Bailey was told. An investigation into the crash found the defendant did not apply the brake and his right foot was in the vicinity of the accelerator. And following the impact with the rear of the stationary bus, the defendant continued to apply the accelerator pedal rather than applying the foot brake, before finally stopping his vehicle with the parking brake, the court heard. Mr Williams said: The force of the impact from the bus driven by the defendant, into the rear of the parked bus, pushed the previously stationary bus forward and into Ms Burr, who had been crossing the bus bay ahead of it. The parking brake had remained applied to the front bus throughout this movement. Data from the defendants bus found it was travelling at around 8mph at the point of collision and reached a peak speed of around 10mph. Mr Williams said Popoola, from Peckham, south London, had admitted causing Ms Burrs death by careless driving but denied his driving was dangerous. He told jurors: The prosecution does not say that the defendant drove dangerously deliberately, but his intentions are neither here nor there. He depressed the accelerator pedal with his foot, moving the electric bus forward driving it forward and he continued to drive it forward even after his bus had hit the bus in front. He then drove forward for pretty much the whole length of the bus in front, accelerating as he did so, shunting that parked bus, which had its own parking brake on, in a way that was obviously dangerous and which caused both the pedestrians death and serious injury to the other driver. He added: Even if the defendant unintentionally pressed the accelerator pedal when he meant to press the brake pedal, that mistake may explain why it is that he drove in the way that he did, but it does not mean that his driving did not fall far below the standard one would expect of a careful and competent driver. Jurors were told they would have to view distressing CCTV of Ms Burr being struck by the bus to assess how Popoola was driving. The Old Bailey trial continues. Workers are 11,000 worse off per year due to 15 years of wage stagnation, according to the Resolution Foundation. In new figures shared with BBC Panorama, the think tank calculated that, had wages continued to grow at the pace seen before the 2008 financial crash, the average worker would make 11,000 more per year than they do now, taking rising prices into account. Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, told the BBC the wage stagnation of the past 15 years is almost completely unprecedented. He said: Nobody whos alive and working in the British economy today has ever seen anything like this. Typical UK household incomes have fallen further behind those in Germany, according to the think tank (Aaron Chown/PA) This is definitely not what normal looks like. This is what failure looks like. The think tank also found typical UK household incomes have fallen further behind those in Germany: in 2008, the gap was more than 500 a year, now it is 4,000. A Treasury spokesman told the broadcaster the Government was increasing incentives for investment and signalled low unemployment as well as its plan to increase growth as signs the country was on the right track. Caught on film. The Vanderpump Rules midseason trailer offered the first glimpse at Ariana Madix and Tom Sandovals intense conversation about his affair with Raquel Leviss. Read article In new footage from season 10, which was released on Monday, March 20, Ariana, 37, and Tom, 40, address his bombshell cheating scandal in a tense conversation. I wish we both would have tried harder, the TomTom co-owner tells his ex-girlfriend, who replies, You dont deserve one fking tear from me. Youtube (2) Viewers see Ariana seemingly screaming at Tom before he later asks if she wants anything from the kitchen. For you to die, she quips in response. The trailer also hints at Raquels issues within the group after her hookup with Tom Schwartz. In the sneak peek clip, the California native, 28, is seen sharing multiple scenes with Sandoval while her intentions are called into question by Lala Kent, Katie Maloney and Scheana Shay. Fati Sadou/ABACAPRESS.COM/Shutterstock Ariana found out [about the affair] after looking at Toms phone while he was on stage performing his new song, a source shared with Us. Its still unclear when Tom Schwartz knew or if he was blindsided. The insider noted that the Missouri native and Raquel were looking forward to a future together. Tom and Raquel are the real deal, the source revealed to Us, noting that it isnt a regrettable fling or one-night stand for the pair. They have confided to pals that its love and they have fallen hard for each other. According to the source, the reality TV duo were not worried about the public response. Its no excuse for what they did and the people they hurt, but they see a long-term future together. Only time will tell if their bond can survive the backlash, the insider concluded. The cameras havent stopped rolling since Wednesday night. Its not an understatement to say this will be the most explosive season of Vanderpump Rules ever. Read article Amid news of his romance with Raquel, Sandoval broke his silence after Vanderpump Rules fans posted negative comments about his restaurants online in response to the controversy. He issued a second statement after fans pointed out that his first didnt mention Ariana. I want to first and foremost apologize to everyone Ive hurt through this process. Most of all, I want to apologize to Ariana, Sandoval wrote via Instagram on March 7. I made mistakes, I was selfish and made reckless decisions that hurt somebody I love. No one deserves to feel that pain so traumatically and publicly. He added: I can only imagine how devastating this has been for Ariana and everyone around us. I feel really horrible about that. My biggest regret is that I dishonored Ariana. I never meant to disappoint so many people, including our loving families and friends. MediaPunch/Shutterstock Raquel, for her part, also addressed the controversy in a statement, sharing via Instagram, I want to apologize for my actions and my choices foremost to Ariana, and to my friends and the fans so invested in our relationships. There is no excuse, I am not a victim and I must own my actions and I deeply regret hurting Ariana. Read article The beauty pageant contestant said she was speaking to a counselor about her personal issues. I have sought emotional validation through intimate connections that are not healthy without regard for my own well-being, sometimes negatively affecting others and often prioritizing the intimate connection over my friendships, she continued. I am taking steps to understand my behavior and make healthier choices. Before new footage of the hit Bravo series dropped, Ariana made her social media return after taking a short break. Hi. where to begin? i want to express my most sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love and support i have received from friends, family, and people ive never even met in the last two weeks, she captioned an Instagram post on Thursday, March 16. When i have felt like i couldnt even stand, you all have given me the strength to continue and seen me through my darkest hours. to say i have been devastated and broken is an understatement. however, i know that i am not in this alone. The Florida native continued: So many of my closest friends are also grieving this loss right now and reeling from this betrayal on so many levels. i am so fking lucky to have the best support system in the world and i hope i can repay every single person for the love you have shown me. what doesnt kill me better run. love, ariana. Sign up for Us Weekly's free, daily newsletter and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more! Vanderpump Rules airs on Bravo Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET. The offending berries were sold under multiple brand names. If youve got any frozen fruit in your freezer, you might want to go take a peek at it. According to an announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Scenic Fruit Company is recalling frozen organic strawberries and a frozen organic tropical blend made with strawberries because of an outbreak of Hepatitis A illnesses. The frozen strawberries were distributed to and sold at Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets across multiple states, while the tropical fruit blend was distributed to and sold at Trader Joes stores nationwide. Michelle Arnold/Getty Images Related:What to Do If You Have Recalled Food In Your Kitchen The now-recalled items were sold under several different brand names, including Simply Nature and Kirkland Signature. Additional recall information is below: Simply Nature Organic Strawberries, 24 oz. UPC: 4099100256222 Best By Date: 6/14/2024 Distributed in: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin Vital Choice Organic Strawberries, 16 oz. UPC: 834297005024 Best By Date: 5/20/2024 Distributed in: Washington Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberries, 4 lbs. UPC: 96619140404 Best By Date: 10/8/2024 Distributed in: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. (Note: There was a separate recall involving Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Strawberries distributed to stores in Los Angeles, Hawaii, and two San Diego business centers.) Made With Organic Strawberries, 10 oz. UPC: 814343021390 Best By Date: 11/20/2024 Distributed in: Illinois and Maryland PCC Community Markets Organic Strawberries, 32 oz. UPC: 22827109469 Best By Date: 10/29/2024 Distributed in: Washington Trader Joes Organic Tropical Fruit Blend Pineapple, Bananas, Strawberries & Mango, 16 oz. UPC: 00511919 Best By Dates: 04/25/24, 05/12/24, 05/23/24, 05/30/24, and 06/07/24 Distributed: Nationwide Although Hepatitis A has not been detected on any of these products, out of an abundance of caution the FDA is urging consumers to stop consuming these items and dispose of them immediately or return them to their local store for a refund. Furthermore, any products that have been impacted by this recall should be removed from store shelves. Related:Granola and Yogurt Bars Recalled From Walmart Stores in 28 States Due to Listeria In the meantime, Scenic Fruit Company has ceased the production and distribution of these items as the FDA and the Oregon-based brand continue their investigation into what caused the issue. And even though there dont seem to be any illnesses related to this recall to date, Hepatitis Aa contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from foodcan have a negative impact on ones overall health. More specifically, it can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks, to a serious illness lasting several months. In rare cases, particularly when there is a pre-existing condition involved or when an individual is immune-compromised, Hepatitis A infection can lead to liver failure. However, a Hepatitis A vaccination can prevent illness if administered within two weeks of exposure to a contaminated food. Typically, illness occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure to Hepatitis A. Symptoms include fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine, and pale stool. Those who may have consumed any affected products, or are exhibiting symptoms, should consult with their health care professional immediately. Related:How Often Should You Clean Your Fridge? (Plus Expert Tips on How to Do It Right) Consumers with questions about this recall may contact the company at customer.service@scenicfruit.com. For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Real Simple. FILE - This booking photo released by Sherburne County Jail shows Anton Lazzaro. The formerly well-connected Republican donor goes on trial in Minnesota on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, on federal charges of sex trafficking minors. (Sherburne County Jail/Star Tribune via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) 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. 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. (Getty Images) Warnings had been coming for days that insurgents were planning to blow up a hotel in Baghdad used by foreigners. The sheer amount of lethal violence prevalent in 2005 often led to such rumours, but this one was persistent and seemed serious. Most international news organisations in the Iraqi capital stayed behind the walls of the American-controlled Green Zone. We had always stayed outside and decided to continue doing so; security checks getting in and out of the zone were tremendously time-consuming and, besides, the queues were often targeted by bombers. There seemed to be no point in moving from the Hamra; we spent a day looking at other hotels but none seemed to provide any better security, so we stayed. At 8.20 the next morning, 18 November, a truck packed with explosives was driven into the blast wall at the back of the hotel, smashing it to bits. The plan was for a second truck with more explosives to drive through the gap into the complex and blow itself up; that would have brought down the building, killing those inside. The first truck was packed with so much ordnance (around 400 pounds, it was later estimated) that it gouged a crater in the ground too big for the second truck, a twoand-half-ton flatbed with thousand pounds of explosives on board, to get through. As a result, the second driver blew up his explosives, and himself, a little way from the hotel buildings. Many adjoining houses collapsed and more than 60 were killed, mostly hotel employees and their families. The real targets journalists escaped the worst. I was lying in bed, reading, and a horizontal shower of jagged glass flew over me across the room. My lethargy had saved me: I would have been seriously injured or worse if up and about. Instead, I got only cuts and bruises. A colleague, Catherine Philp from The Times, later found a ten-inch shard of glass sticking out of the mattress next to my pillow which I had not noticed. There was wild gunfire which always seemed to follow bombs in Baghdad at the time. We went out after it died down and found bits of the bombers bodies; a piece of scalp in the swimming pool with thick, black bristly hair. An American commander, Brigadier General Karl Horst, arrived to examine the wreck of the two lorries. Standing in a puddle made by shattered water pipes, we asked him why Sunni insurgents would want to do this. What makes you think it was the Sunnis? he responded. He told us the Americans thought the bombing had been organised by some leading figures in the intelligence ministry fed up with reports we had been writing about death squads run by the Shia government. Just a few days earlier, there had been uproar when we had described how 169 beaten and starving captives had been found in an underground prison run by the Shia Badr militia which controlled part of the Interior Ministry. A few years later, I met the senior official who we thought had ordered the blast still an influential member of the Iraqi government at a diplomatic reception in London. Fuelled by several gin and tonics, I told him of the strong rumour he had been behind it. There was a sharp intake of breath all around, and minders tried to usher him off but he waved them away. Unfazed, he pinched the bridge of his nose as if trying hard to recall, and asked: Remind me again, which month was the Hamra bombing? French President Emmanuel Macron's government faces unprecedented risk ahead of crucial elections due to widespread protests opposing the country's planned pension reform. On Monday, the country's National Assembly is set to examine no-confidence motions filed after Macron's government bypassed parliament on Thursday. The latter move was made to push through a widely unpopular pension reform that would raise the retirement age requirement from 62 to 64 years old. Macron Facing Mounting Pressure The latest move follows several weeks of protest against overhauling the country's pension system. It also triggered three nights of unrest and demonstrations in Paris and other regions in France. The situation is reminiscent of the Yellow Vest protests in late 2018 that were sparked by high fuel prices. On Sunday, Macron issued a statement where he expressed hope that the "text on pensions can go to the end of its democratic journey." This result is expected to occur as the votes on Monday would display anger at the president's government but are unlikely to take it down, as per France24. Furthermore, Liot, a centrist group, proposed a multiparty no-confidence motion co-signed by the left-wing Nupes alliance. Hours after that move, the country's far-right National Rally party, which currently has 88 National Assembly members, also filed a no-confidence motion. However, despite Macron's party losing its absolute majority in the lower house in last year's elections, there is only a minuscule chance for the multi-party motion. This is unless a surprise alliance of lawmakers is created from all sides, including the far left and the far right. Conservative Les Republicans (LR) party leaders have also prevented such an alliance from forming. None of them sponsored the first no-confidence motion that was filed on Friday. Read Also: Turkey To Restore Diplomatic Ties with Egypt France's Planned Pension Reform The protests included some people holding an altered photograph of President Macron sitting on a pile of garbage. According to ABC News, the image references both the trash that is going uncollected with Paris sanitation workers holding a strike and what many residents are thinking about their country's leader. Macron had been optimistic that his continued push to raise the retirement age requirement would cement his leadership as the president who transformed the country's economy for the 21st century. However, he has found himself and his authority contested in parliament and on the streets of the country's major cities. The president's bold move to force the pension reform bill without a vote incited fury among political opposition. It could curb his government's efforts to pass legislation for the remaining four years of his term. In its push to implement the pension reform, the French government has argued that raising the retirement age is crucial to preserve the country's "share-out" system. This is based on a single fund that workers pay into and pensioners draw money out of. With people continuously having longer lifespans, the only alternatives to the pension reform would be to cut the value of pensions or increase contributions from those still working, said BBC. Related Article: North Korea Reports Massive Military Enlistment @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. ORLANDO, Florida House Speaker Kevin McCarthy urged calm Sunday and said Americans should not protest if former President Donald Trump is indicted and arrested in a hush-money investigation in New York, contradicting Trump, who called on his supporters Saturday to Protest, take our nation back! I dont think people should protest this, no. And I think President Trump, if you talk to him, he doesnt believe that, either, McCarthy, R-Calif., said in response to a question from NBC News during House Republicans retreat in Orlando. He said later: Nobody should harm one another ... We want calmness out there." But during the same news conference, McCarthy gave a full-throated defense of Trump, dismissing New York County District Attorney Alvin Braggs investigation as politically motivated and saying hes uninterested in cracking down on rising crime in New York City. Lawyer after lawyer will tell you this is the weakest case out there, trying to make a misdemeanor a felony, said McCarthy, flanked by members of his leadership team in an outdoor courtyard at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. The last thing we want is somebody putting their thumb on the scale [of justice] simply because they dont agree with somebody elses political view, McCarthy added. That is whats wrong, and thats what infuriates people. And this will not hold up in court if this is what he wants to do. Trump said Saturday on his social media platform Truth Social, that illegal leaks from Bragg to the media suggest that he, the far & away leading candidate for president, will be arrested Tuesday, and he called for his supporters to protest. Bragg has been investigating allegations that Trump made a hush-money payment to the adult film star Stormy Daniels during his victorious 2016 presidential campaign. Multiple sources said last week that law enforcement agencies in New York were preparing for a possible Trump indictment as soon as this week. On Saturday, McCarthy took to Twitter to announce he was directing GOP-led House committees to launch investigations into whether any federal funding was being used to support Bragg's probe and "subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions." A day later in Orlando, McCarthy reiterated his pledge to investigate, saying he had already spoken to Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who also leads the select subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. "This applies directly to that," McCarthy told reporters. "I think you'll see actions from him." Asked if Trump should still run for president even if he's ultimately convicted, McCarthy punted to the nation's founders. "The Constitution allows him to," he said. "He has a constitutional right to run." After McCarthy's news conference, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a top Trump ally, said people have the constitutional right to peacefully protest. But she joined McCarthy in urging Trump supporters not to protest an indictment, saying they should instead join Trump at a March 25 rally in Waco, Texas. "I'm planning to go; I can't wait to go down there. I'm not going to New York. I'm going to go to Waco, Texas, and I'm going to join up with a bunch of people that support President Trump," Greene told reporters. "Because Save America rallies are like a great, big love fest. We're all just saying how much we love America and President Trump. I don't need to protest." FILE - President Joe Biden welcomes Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. A year ago, with Russian forces bearing down on Ukraines capital, Western leaders feared for the life of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the U.S. offered him an escape route. Zelenskyy declined, declaring his intent to stay and defend Ukraines independence. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WASHINGTON (AP) The State Department announced Monday that the U.S. will send Ukraine $350 million in weapons and equipment, as fierce battles with Russian forces continue for control of the city of Bakhmut, and troops prepare for an expected spring offensive. The latest package of aid includes a large amount of various types of ammunition, such as rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and an undisclosed number of fuel tanker trucks and riverine boats. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a statement, said the package also provides more ammunition for howitzers, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, high-speed anti-radiation (HARM) missiles and anti-tank weapons. Russia alone could end its war today. Until Russia does we will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes, said Blinken. The new aid comes as Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday, giving a political lift to Russian President Vladimir Putin against the West just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for the Kremlin leader on war crimes charges related to Ukraine. The American weapons will be taken from Pentagon stocks through the presidential drawdown authority, so it will be able to be delivered quickly to the warfront. The U.S. has provided more than $32.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022. OnlyFans model Mikayla Saravia is suing her ex-boyfriend for more than $6bn, accusing him of taking control of her social media accounts and posting explicit images and videos following their 2022 split. Ms Saravia, 25, of Cooper City, Florida has filed a revenge porn lawsuit against Nicholas Hunter, 27. Their erratic and at times volatile relationship ended in October, according to court documents. The case was filed in Florida Southern District Court on 13 March. Ms Saravia claims that Mr Hunter changed the login details on her Twitter and OnlyFans accounts and started publishing images and footage without her approval. Ms Saravia has two OnlyFans accounts one free and another costing subscribers $30 a month and is labelled as being more explicit. Mr Hunter stands accused of hijacking the second account. Attorney Joseph DiRuzzo represents Ms Saravia in the case. He wrote in the complaint that the couple were both in a romantic and in a business relationship. Mikayla Saravia is suing her ex-boyfriend for posting revenge porn (Screenshots / TikTok / itsmikaylasaravia) During the relationship, Mr Hunter had access to images, including sexually explicit ones, he wrote. In the lawsuit, Mr Hunter is also accused of assaulting Ms Saravia after they experienced personal relationship difficulties. Ms Saravia previously brought a petition for injunction for protection against domestic violence, Mr DiRuzzo noted. As a result of the deterioration of the Parties relationship the Defendant changed the password to, and effectively locked the Plaintiff out of, her Twitter and one of the two Only Fans, the lawsuit states. On or about January 28, 2023, the Defendant used the Plaintiffs Twitter account to send a sexually explicit image of the Plaintiff to Plaintiffs 628,700 Twitter followers in order to sexually cyberharass the Plaintiff, the attorney claims in the complaint. Mr DiRuzzo argues that Mr Hunter used the Twitter account to drive traffic to the OnlyFans account where explicit images were being sold. The lawyer claims that Mr Hunter posted the images with the intent to cause substantial emotional distress to Ms Saravia, as well as for economic gain. He wrote that the content shared without consent was based on material he had amassed prior to the severance of their business and personal relationship. The abuse is alleged to have been ongoing between October and January when Ms Saravia was able to regain control of her accounts after Mr Hunter allegedly misappropriated her phone and laptop. The lawsuit also states that Mr Hunter took control of Ms Saravias Facebook and Instagram accounts, changing not only the passwords but the email addresses associated with the accounts on the various platform. The legal filing claims that the seizure of her accounts has caused Ms Saravia more than $5,000 in damages. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, viewed the sexually explicit images and video of the Plaintiff that the Defendant posted to Only Fans from October 2022 through January 2023 without the consent of the Plaintiff, Mr DiRuzzo wrote. Ms Saravia is seeking $6.287bn in damages $10,000 for each of the Twitter followers she had in October of last year. In the alternative, Ms Saravia seeks actual damages to be determined during discovery, the lawsuit adds. Mr DiRuzzo also claims Mr Hunter used Ms Svaraias accounts and likeness to drive trade and commercial user traffic to his own sites and enterprise. The lawyer told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that Ms Saravia has posted explicit images in the past but that she was then in control of what was being published. Just because you consented to an image in the past, it does not mean youre giving someone permission to post additional content without your consent, he told the paper. Legal filings in the case dont show if Mr Hunter has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf. The lawyer representing Mr Hunter in a civil domestic violence case in Broward County, in which the former couple are suing each other, told the Sun Sentinel that hes not connected to this lawsuit. Marines kneel and pray as the 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment prepares to leave Camp Shoup, north of Kuwait City near the Iraqi border, on March 20, 2003, to start their advance into southern Iraq. (Cris Bouroncle/AFP via Getty Images) This week marks the 20th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Then-President George W. Bush and his British counterpart, Prime Minister Tony Blair, signed off on a war based on the myth that the Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, harbored weapons of mass destruction. In less than a month, Hussein's government would be overthrown and the country would be plunged into a state of chaos that has lasted decades. Between 2003 and 2019, an estimated 275,000 Iraqi civilians were killed by direct violence stemming from the invasion. On March 17, 2003, Bush ordered Hussein and his sons to leave Iraq within 48 hours, or the country would be invaded. Two days later, on March 19, Bush declared war with Iraq, stating that it would be a broad and concerted campaign. A long U.S. military convoy moves through southern Iraq on 21 March, 2003. (Romeo Gacad/AFP via Getty Images) Operation Iraqi Freedom began with an aerial bombardment, in a bid to topple the Iraqi leadership and allow for a ground invasion. The next day, 150,000 troops from the U.S.-led coalition, composed of American, British, Australian and Polish soldiers, marched over the border from Kuwait into Iraq. The same day, Hussein called on the people of Iraq to take action against the criminal junior Bush. His criminal act comes from and the act of those who helped him, and his followers, Hussein said in a public address. This is added to the series of their shameful crimes against Iraq and humanity. U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division 3-7 infantry squads take a brief break as they proceed into Iraqi territory March 21, 2003. (Scott Nelson/Getty Images) The battle of Nasiriyah began on March 23, as U.S.-led forces pushed towards Baghdad, and it continued until April 2, when the Iraqi resistance was defeated. By April 9, coalition troops had successfully occupied Baghdad, forcing Hussein into hiding. Images of American soldiers toppling Husseins statue in Firdos Square were broadcast around the world. Then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld described the scene at the time as breathtaking. One year later, then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan would call the war in Iraq illegal, stating that the invasion was not sanctioned by the Security Council. From our point of view and from the charter point of view, it was illegal, Annan told the BBC at the time. The war in Iraq would continue for another seven years. On to Baghdad U.S. soldiers keep their rifles ready as they prepare to search surrendered Iraqi soldiers near the southern border city of Safwan on March 21, 2003. (Laurent Rebours/AP) U.S. Marine Maj. Bull Gurfein pulls down a poster of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on March 21, 2003 in Safwan. (Chris Hondros/Getty Images) The bombing of Baghdad on March 21, 2003. (Mike Moore /Mirrorpix via Getty Images) A British Royal Marine from 42 Commando fires a Milan wire-guided missile at an Iraqi position on the al-Faw peninsula in southern Iraq on March 21, 2003. (Jon Mills/Pool via AP) Soldiers attached to Britain's 3 Army Air Corps patrol the desert around the oil fields of north Rumaila during a sandstorm, March 25, 2003. (Ian Jones/Pool via Reuters) U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Dominguez, of Mathis, Texas, stands guard next to a burning oil well at the Rumaila oil fields near the Kuwaiti border on March 27, 2003 in Rumaila, Iraq. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) British tank crews wait on the front line at Basra, Iraq, on March 27, 2003. (Dan Chung/Pool via AP) U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman HM1 Richard Barnett, assigned to the 1st Marine Division, holds an Iraqi child in central Iraq on March 29, 2003. (Damir Sagolj/Reuters) A U.S. Army soldier walks toward a burning oil well in Iraq's vast southern Rumaila oilfields, March 30, 2003. (Yannis Behrakis/Reuters) An Iraqi woman carries her young child on the outskirts of Basra as she flees with others from the southern Iraqi town on March 30, 2003. (Anja Niedringhaus/AP) U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Chad Touchett, center, relaxes with comrades from A Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, after a search of one of Saddam Hussein's palaces in Baghdad damaged by a shelling on April 7, 2003. (John Moore/AP) 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 Baghdad on April 9, 2003. (Jerome Delay/AP) A U.S. soldier watches as a statue of Iraq's President Saddam Hussein falls in central Baghdad on April 9, 2003. Youths had placed a noose around the statue's neck and attached the rope to a U.S. armored recovery vehicle. (Goran Tomasevic/Reuters) Books are displayed at the Banned Book Library at American Stage in St. Petersburg, Fla., Feb. 18, 2023. In Florida, some schools have covered or removed books under a new law that requires an evaluation of reading materials and for districts to publish a searchable list of books where individuals can then challenge specific titles. (Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times via AP) DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Teri Patrick bristles at the idea she wants to ban books about LGBTQ issues in Iowa schools, arguing her only goal is ridding schools of sexually explicit material. Sara Hayden Parris says that whatever you want to call it, it's wrong for some parents to think a book shouldn't be readily available to any child if it isnt right for their own child. The viewpoints of the two mothers from suburban Des Moines underscore a divide over LGBTQ content in books as Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds pushes an especially sweeping crackdown on content in Iowa school libraries. The bill she's backing could result in the removal of books from school libraries in all of the state's 327 districts if they're successfully challenged in any one of them. School boards and legislatures nationwide also are facing questions about books and considering making it easier to limit access. Were seeing these challenges arise in almost every state of the union, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom. Its a national phenomenon. Longstanding disagreements about content in school libraries often focus this year on books with LGBTQ themes as policymakers nationwide also consider limiting or banning gender-affirming care and drag shows, allowing the deadnaming of transgender students or adults in the workplace, and other measures targeting LGBTQ people. The trend troubles Kris Maul, a transgender man who is raising a 12-year-old with his lesbian partner in the Des Moines area and wants school library books to reflect all kinds of families and children. Maul argued that those seeking to remove books take passages out of context and unfairly focus on books about LGBTQ or racial justice issues. LGBTQ people are more visible than even five years ago, Maul said, and he believes that has led to a backlash from some who hope limiting discussion will return American society to an era that didnt acknowledge people with different sexualities. People are scared because they dont think LGBTQ people should exist, Maul said. They dont want their own children to be LGBTQ, and they feel if they can limit access to these books and materials, then their children wont be that way, which is simply not true and is heartbreaking and disgusting. In Louisiana, activists fear a push by Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry to investigate sexually explicit materials in public libraries and recently proposed legislation that could restrict children and teens access to those books is being used to target and censor LGBTQ content. Landry, who is running for governor, launched a statewide tip line in November to field complaints about librarians, teachers, and school and library personnel. Landry released a report in February that listed nine books his office considers sexually explicit or inappropriate for children. Seven have LGBTQ storylines. In Florida, some schools have covered or removed books under a new law that requires an evaluation of reading materials and for districts to publish a searchable list of books where individuals can then challenge specific titles. The reviews have drawn widespread attention, with images of empty bookshelves ricocheting across social media, and are often accompanied by criticism of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican expected to run for president. The states training materials direct the reviews to target sexually explicit materials but also say that schools should err on the side of caution when selecting reading materials and that principals are responsible for compliance. Florida's largest teachers union is challenging the law, arguing its implementation is too broad and leading to unnecessary censorship. An education department spokesperson did not immediately comment. DeSantis said the state has not instructed schools to empty libraries or cover books. He said 175 books have been removed from 23 school districts, with 87% of the books identified as pornographic, violent or inappropriate for their grade level. The Iowa legislation comes amid efforts there to keep a closer eye on public school curriculums and make taxpayer money available to parents for private school tuition. Reynolds, the governor, has made such proposals the core of her legislative agenda, telling a conservative parents group that their work was essential to guarding against indoctrination by public school educators. Under a bill backed by Reynolds, the titles and authors of all books available to students in classrooms and libraries would be posted online, and officials would need to specify how parents could request a book's removal and how decisions to retain books could be appealed. When any district removes a book, the state Education Department would add it to a removal list, and all of Iowas 326 other districts would have to deny access to the book unless parents gave approval. At a hearing on Reynolds bill, Republican lawmakers, who hold huge majorities in both legislative chambers, said they might change the proposal but were committed to seeing it approved. The bill has passed a Senate committee and is awaiting a floor vote. The parents are the governing authority in how their child is educated, period, said Sen. Amy Sinclair. Parents are responsible for their childs upbringing, period. Patrick, a mother of two, expressed befuddlement about why anyone would want to make sexually explicit books available to children. I have to believe that there are books that cater to the LGBTQ community that dont have to have such graphic sexual content in them, said Patrick, a member of a local chapter of Moms for Liberty, a conservative group that has gained national influence for its efforts to influence school curriculum and classroom learning. There are very few books that have ever been banned and what were saying is, in a public school setting, with taxpayer-funding money, should these books really be available to kids? Hayden Parris, a mom of two from a suburb only a few miles away, understands the argument but thinks it misses the point. A kindergartner is not wandering into the young adults section and picking out a book that is called like, This Book is Gay, said Hayden Parris, who is leading a parents group opposed to Iowa's proposed law. Theyre not picking those books, and the fact that they can pick one out of several thousand books is not a reason to keep it away from everyone. Sam Helmick, president of the Iowa Library Association, said communities should decide what's in their libraries and that it's important for children to have access to books that address their lives and questions. Helmick didn't have that ability as a child, and students shouldn't return to that time, she said. Can we acknowledge that this will have a chilling effect? Helmick asked. And when you tell me that books about myself as an asexual, nonbinary person who didnt have those books in libraries when I was a kid to pick up and flip through, but now publishing has caught up with me and I can see representation of me those will be behind the desk and thats not supposed to make me feel less welcome, less seen and less represented in my library? ___ Izaguirre reported from Tallahassee, Florida, and Cline from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Colorado River cuts through Marble Canyon in the Navajo Nation en route to the Grand Canyon. This segment of the river joins two vast reservoirs: Lake Powell in Utah and Lake Mead in Nevada. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) A divided Supreme Court confronted on Monday the question of whether the government must do more to provide water for the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona. And the answer, by the narrowest majority, appeared to be yes. Most of the justices said they were wary of even considering plans to take more water from the mainstream of the drought-stricken Colorado River. But five of them, led by Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Elena Kagan, mostly agreed with a lawyer who said there was a 150-year history of broken promises to the Navajo Nation. A treaty signed in 1868 promised a "permanent home" where Navajo Nation residents could farm and raise animals. "Is it possible to have a permanent home, farm and raise animals without water?" Gorsuch asked. No, replied Frederick Liu, an attorney in the solicitor's general office. But he quickly added that the treaty did not impose a legal duty on federal government to supply more water to the reservation, or even to study the problem. Nearly a third of Navajo households do not have running water and must rely on water that is trucked in. Two years ago, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Navajo Nation could bring a breach-of-trust claim against the U.S. government for failing its duty under the treaty. At issue Monday was whether to overturn that decision or instead to allow the Navajo Nation to press ahead with a lawsuit that seeks a federal plan to supply its residents' unmet need for water. During the two-hour argument, Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor sounded as though they leaned in favor of allowing the Navajo Nations suit to proceed. Four others were decidedly skeptical. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Brett M. Kavanaugh questioned reading the 1868 treaty as imposing new duties now. The treaty itself did not mention water. They also repeatedly noted that the Colorado River is the main source of water in the region, but its waters have been already allocated to seven states, including California and Arizona. Washington attorney Shay Dvoretsky, representing the Navajo Nation, said the court did not need to consider the Colorado River at this stage of the case. "Today the average person on the Navajo reservation uses just 7 gallons of water a day. The national average is 80 to 100 gallons," he said. "The Nation asks only that the United States, as trustee, assess its people's needs and develop a plan to meet them." For more than a decade, the Navajo Nation has been fighting its water rights claims in federal court. It won a preliminary victory in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2021, which said it had a claim for breach of trust, noting that the 1868 treaty referred to agriculture. "The Nation's right to farm reservation lands ... gives rise to an implied right to the water necessary to do so," the appeals court said. However, it stopped short of deciding whether this included "rights to the mainstream of the Colorado River or any other specific water sources." But in the fall, the Supreme Court agreed to hear appeals from both the Interior Department and Arizona that seek to toss out the 9th Circuit's decision. U.S. Solicitor Gen. Elizabeth B. Prelogar argued the 1868 treaty said nothing about water and established no specific duties for the government related to water. Moreover, the Navajo Nation has been given water rights from two tributaries of the Colorado River, including San Juan River in Utah, she said. Lawyers for Arizona, joined by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, said the high court's decrees have allocated the waters from the lower Colorado River, and it is too late for lawsuits that seek new rights to the same water. The cases are Arizona vs. Navajo Nation and Department of Interior vs. Navajo Nation. The justices are likely to hand down a decision in June. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. FILE - Els Woodke speaks about the 2016 kidnapping of her husband Jeffrey Woodke, photo on video monitor, in West Africa, during a news conference in Washington, Nov. 17, 2021. The Biden administration says the American aid worker who was kidnapped in Niger six years ago has been released from custody. Jeffrey Woodke was kidnapped from his home in Abalak, Niger, in October 2016 by men who ambushed and killed his guards and forced him at gunpoint into their truck, where he was driven north toward Malis border. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WASHINGTON (AP) An American aid worker who was kidnapped in the West African nation of Niger more than six years ago has been released from custody, the Biden administration said Monday. Jeffery Woodke was kidnapped from his home in Abalak, Niger, in October 2016 by men who ambushed and killed his guards and forced him at gunpoint into their truck, where he was driven north toward Malis border. He had been doing humanitarian aid work in Niger for more than 30 years. A senior Biden administration official who briefed reporters Monday on condition of anonymity described the release as the culmination of years of efforts, but declined to say what exactly led to him being freed from captivity or where he is now. The official said no ransom was paid and no concession was made to captors. Im gratified & relieved to see the release of U.S. hostage Jeff Woodke after over 6 years in captivity, tweeted Biden administration national security adviser Jake Sullivan. The U.S. thanks Niger for its help in bringing him home to all who miss & love him. I thank so many across our government whove worked tirelessly toward securing his freedom. Woodke's wife, Els Woodke, said at a 2021 news conference in Washington that her husband's captors had made a multi-million-dollar ransom demand for his release. She said at the time that she believed her husband was in the custody of a West African affiliate of al-Qaida known as JNIM and, at the news conference, pleaded with the group's leader to release him. In a statement Monday released through a family spokesman, Els Woodke said she had not yet had the chance to speak with her husband but had been told he was in good condition. She praises God for answering the prayers of Christians everywhere who have prayed for this outcome, Woodke said. The Biden administration official did not identify the specific group believed responsible for keeping Woodke in captivity but said there were a number of overlapping and intersecting hostage-holding networks in that part of West Africa. Though Woodke was taken in Niger, officials believe he has also been moved over the years into Mali and Burkina Faso. A U.S. official credited the government of Niger for helping facilitate Woodke's release, and said that Woodke was freed outside of Niger and in the area of Mali and Burkina Faso. ___ This story corrects first name of aid worker to Jeffery, instead of Jeffrey. A US marine watches as the statue of Saddam Hussein falls in central Baghdad's Firdaus Square, 9 April, 2003 (Reuters) It is now 20 years since the United States-led coalition invaded Iraq with the intent to remove the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein and usher in democracy. Despite the hundreds of billions spent for this effort, Iraq is still not a functioning democracy and continues to struggle to build coherent state institutions. Instead, the invasion and subsequent occupation unleashed wave after wave of crisis, from the rise of salafi-jihadi organizations like al-Qaeda or Isis to fallout from the US confrontation with Iran. Today, conflict continues to be an everyday reality in Iraq, from armed groups competing for territory and influence, to the structural violence of a corrupt system where political elites pocket state funds meant for the provision of basic services, leading, for instance, to the proliferation in the healthcare system of fake medicine. Deprived of a decent standard of living - despite the countrys massive oil wealth Iraqis have tried to mobilise in mass protest. But time after time, demonstrations have been violently repressed by state forces, making Iraq today at times as dangerous as ever for anyone who wants to exercise their democratic rights against the kleptocracy. Chatham House has collated reflections from a range of Iraqi and international officials and experts who were involved in, or impacted by, the war and subsequent efforts to rebuild the country. These reflections on the failures of the invasion and occupation offer critical lessons for the many conflicts that rage around the world today. From the very start, the US and its allies prioritised quick wins to show their home audience that the invasion was a success, resulting in rushed decisions that lacked a longer-term strategic vision. The consequences were grave. The US quickly decided to disband Iraqs military and remove more than 40,000 senior civil servants from the state bureaucracy, citing their ties to the Baath Party. These decisions represented a shift in the aim of the invasion from "regime change" to the wholesale destruction of the state. Rebuilding a coherent state after this would require significantly more time and effort than originally envisaged. A missile hits the planning ministry in Baghdad on 20 March, 2003 (AFP/Getty) The US quickly pushed for the formalisation of a new constitution and national elections to show the world that Iraq was swiftly transitioning to a democratic system. However, rather than reaching out to Iraqis across the country to oversee a truly representative process, US leadership relied on a small group of returned Iraqi exiles who had a narrow vision of what the new Iraq should look like. In the long term, this decision ensured the continuation of the conflict by exacerbating divisions and empowering leaders who were disconnected from the society they claimed to represent. A key lesson for international forces seeking to support regime change or political transitions in other states can be taken from this: working with a small group of exiles who have lived outside the country to form a new system will likely not lead to democracy. The conflicts in Venezuela or Iran involve similar dynamics, where governments in exile or opposition figures work closely with the US against the status quo. Where exiled political opposition is the only advisory source for international actors, resulting policies may not completely speak to the needs of society in those states. The US and its allies believed that a political settlement based on an elite bargain would lead to democracy and the end of conflict. But instead, it entrenched a system of corruption where Iraqi officials across the ethno-sectarian spectrum gutted state coffers for their own gain and left little to be redistributed to society, which remains today without basic services or essentials. In many other conflicts, from Libya and Lebanon to Colombia, international actors support a dialogue with the elite which often does not represent the wider populations and who critically, pursue their own economic interests which sustain corrupt systems that harm ordinary people. Over two decades, billions of dollars have been spent on development aid and stabilisation projects in Iraq, but have not led to improvements in the daily lives of citizens. Around the world, international donors continue to fund development projects that fail to factor in political, security and societal dynamics. This means that many projects from schools to hospitals often are not sustained in the long term. George Bush makes his mission accomplished speech from the deck of the the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (AP) Despite President George W Bushs fateful "mission accomplished" announcement just five weeks after the invasion, a crucial lesson that can be drawn from the Iraq experience is that the peaceful building or rebuilding of a state cannot be achieved by military means. This was a lesson that more a decade later, President Trump failed to learn, with his announcement of a military victory over Isis. The US bombing campaign helped successfully dislodge the groups from the territory they controlled, but failed to address any of the root causes of their emergence in the first instance. The shadow of Iraq's divisive war has left a fear and hesitancy of the US and other states to become involved in "boots on the ground" conflicts and an incoherence in interventions. This hesitation can be seen from the disjointed international involvement in Libya and war ravaged Syria to the more blatant and sudden withdrawal of international troops and aid from Afghanistan and the continuing blind-spot of civil war in Yemen. Iraqs ongoing statebuilding challenges can be traced back to decisions made by US and formerly exiled Iraqi leaders in the immediate aftermath of the invasion, while others can be laid at the feet of Iraqi officials and international allies in the years that followed. Understanding what went wrong can offer valuable lessons for not only those working in Iraq today, but also in other conflict zones around the world - whether they will be heeded, remains to be seen. Dr Renad Mansour is Project Director of the Iraq Initiative at Chatham House and author of 'Once Upon a Time in Iraq' YEREVAN, March 20, ARMENPRESS. Resource scarcity and the need for sustainable practices are key issues in the transition towards a green and Circular Economy. For this reason, under the European Union (EU) funded, EU4Environment programme, UNIDO is helping industries in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region become greener by introducing practices related to Circular Economy and Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP). Concretely, on 13 March 2023, a hybrid event took place in Armenias capital to introduce the potential impact of the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology in Armenian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The methodology, part of the EU Single Market for Green Products (SMGP) initiative, has emerged as a valuable tool in recent years, as it measures the environmental impact of a product across its entire lifecycle (from production to disposal). By using PEF to assess products, SMEs can identify ways to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and minimize environmental harm. PEF is also a crucial component in the drive towards a more sustainable future, as producers and consumers become increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of products and manufacturing practices. On behalf of the Ministry of Environment, I would like to emphasize that the engagement with SMEs and the business community is crucial in the shift towards a green economy. Whereas the Government can provide support and help exchange experiences, the green transition depends on the ability of Armenian enterprises to seek and utilize the opportunities available at hand. Such an opportunity is embracing a green mindset when it comes to production. Here, Armenia is already piloting several novel concepts which are also resource efficient, said Ms. Gayane Gabrielyan, Deputy Minister of Environment, Republic of Armenia. Gathering over 50 participants, the event was packed with presentations and discussions with experts in the field and provided a comprehensive understanding of the concept of PEF and that of environmentallyfriendly products. The introduction of the EU SMGP initiative is a crucial component in our efforts to embrace a green economy, as we firmly believe that its success depends on the collaboration of all relevant stakeholders. As Government representatives, we are committed to working together with the private sector and creating a regulatory framework and level playing field for all producers. In this sense, todays event is an important way to provide information and a platform for discussion and collaboration, said Mr. Alik Sargsyan, Head of EU Programmes Division, Department of EU Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Economy, Republic of Armenia. The three major topics that marked the event revolved around the applicability of green product instruments to support sustainable economic growth, the EU policy landscape on green products (with a focus on the EU SMGP, PEF and the EU Green Deal), and ways to apply PEF at the company level (by looking at preliminary assessments on green products initiatives in Armenia, existing eco-labelling practices, and the relevant legislative background). When it comes to promoting green production, we have come a long way both within the European Union and outside it. The EU has high ambitions when it comes to green, sustainable development, and tools such as the EU Green Deal will help transform the economy into a modern, competitive, and resourceefficient one, while decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation and leaving no one behind. In this sense, we appreciate our cooperation with UNIDO in the country as well as in the EaP region to promote sustainable economic growth, said Mr. Frank Hess, Head of Cooperation Section, EU Delegation to Armenia. Within the EU4Environment Action, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is introducing the EU SMGP and PEF methodology in the EaP region, including Armenia, where it is supported by Civitta (a consultancy firm with extensive experience in environmental and sustainability projects). While remembering the results of a previous regional programme on resource efficiency, EaP GREEN, we are grateful to the Government of Armenia for being receptive and results-oriented in both programmes. Resource efficiency is a core aspect in developing industries as it orients them towards the benefits of becoming greener. From theory to practice, as the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) methodology encourages circularity, today, we also have a first attempt to speak about green products, starting with their very design. Here, we bring forth the opportunities of the EU SMGP and encourage SMEs to become pioneers in the Armenian market by looking at their environmental footprint and by greening their supply chains. We also work to bring this notion closer to stakeholders and industries to boost inclusive and sustainable industrial development, said Ms. Tatiana Chernyavskaya, EU4Environment Project Manager, UNIDO. Background The European Union for Environment (EU4Environment Green Economy) Action helps the Eastern Partnership countries preserve their natural capital and increase people's environmental well-being, by supporting environment-related action, demonstrating and unlocking opportunities for greener growth, and setting mechanisms to better manage environmental risks and impacts. It is funded by the European Union and implemented by five Partner organizations - OECD, UNECE, UNEP, UNIDO, and the World Bank over the 2019-2024 period, with a budget of EUR 20 million. For more information about the Action, please visit: www.eu4environment.org. For more information about resource efficiency in Armenia, please visit: www.recp.am A recent study found that healthy cats and dogs can transmit multi-drug-resistant bacteria to humans. Multidrug-resistant organisms, also known as MDROs, are bacteria that can resist drug treatment from more than one kind of antibiotic. These types of bacteria slowly evolve and become even more resistant to the drug people use to eliminate them. Drug-Resistant Microbes in Pets A scientific estimate noted that these MDROs caused 1.3 million deaths; nearly five million deaths worldwide in 2019 were linked to microbes. The latest research, which has yet to be presented at this week's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Copenhagen, argues that the chances of cross-infection are relatively low. The study was led by Dr. Carolin Hackmann from Charite University Hospital in Berlin and involved more than 2,800 hospitalized patients and their accompanying pets. Animals that harbor a number of these bacteria and microorganisms have become a serious concern among the scientific community worldwide, as per Geo News. To conduct a study on the situation, researchers collected samples of hospitalized patients and their animal companions living inside their homes. The team's genetic sequencing method allowed them to identify the genes that cause drug resistance, and they found that 30% of the patients had such bacteria. The study found that cat owners had a 9% positivity rate as opposed to dog owners, who had a higher rate of 11%. The owners were also asked to send the samples, and the researchers found that in four cases, the organisms of the same species were in both pets and owners with the same levels of drug resistance. Hackmann said that despite the relatively low level of sharing between patients and their pets, carriers are capable of shedding the types of bacteria into their environment for several months. These can be a significant source of infection for other, more vulnerable people, including those with weaker immune systems or the very young and old. Read Also: COVID-19 Origin Investigations Update Observational Study In a statement, Hackmann added that the team's findings verify that the sharing of multidrug-resistant organisms between people and their pets is entirely possible. The researchers focused on the most common superbugs found in hospital patients, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to SciTechDaily. They also identified vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), 3rd generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (3GCRE), as well as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). The latter is resistant to several antibiotics, including penicillin and cephalosporins. The team noted that their study was observational and cannot prove whether close contact with pets is causing colonization with MDROs. However, it suggests the possibility of co-carriage but does not detail a specific transfer direction. The situation comes as a separate team from the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) published a collaborative study showing parasitic hookworms resist one of the most critical drugs humans have and are widespread in pet dogs throughout the United States, said UCalgary. Related Article: CDC Reports Rise in Tick-Borne Disease Cases in Northeast @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. The CSTOs actions and reaction are insufficient for Armenia, Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan has said. He said the matter cant be resolved simply with a visit by the Secretary General of the organization. The term CSTO is leaving the region means that the CSTO is not doing the actions that it ought to do, and is showing its absence, the Speaker said, explaining Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans earlier comments. Commenting on a reporters observation that the CSTO hasnt said that it is leaving Armenia, while the organizations Secretary General visited the country on an official trip, the Speaker said: So what that he visited? What changed? Regardless of anything Armenia is making its moves, Simonyan explained. Being a member of the CSTO is no obstruction for us in making any move. Regardless of which organization we hold membership in and what conclusions we can draw from this situation, we continue to seek all possible ways to ensure the security of the Republic of Armenia. And politically, he came and left, let them come and go, the issue wont be resolved by doing so. Theyll come and leave and it wont stand in the way, for example, for some action two days later. Weve had that experience after the visit of even higher ranking officials, Speaker Alen Simonyan said. Simonyan said that regardless of what system Armenia is part of, it will always try to ensure its security by all means. And often this causes a strong reaction from other CSTO members. Those strong reactions happen because of this. At the same time, we are committed to our signature. And at this moment, the actions and reaction by the CSTO which we have are insufficient for Armenia. And the visit, ensuring the theoretical part so to say, I dont know to what extent will be sufficient enough to stop anything on the ground, Simonyan said. YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. On March 20, the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Alen Simonyan received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia Giorgi Sharvashidze to the Republic of Armenia. Alen Simonyan congratulated the Ambassador on the occasion of starting a diplomatic mission in our country. The President of the National Assembly greatly highlighted the relations with Georgia, reminding him that in the Armenian Governments Action Plan 2021-2026 the development of special neighbourly relations with Georgia is highlighted as a priority. He noted that Armenia is interested in establishing a strategic partnership with Georgia. The close cooperation established with the legislative body of a friendly country was discussed at the meeting. Touching upon the periodic meetings of the Parliament Speakers, Alen Simonyan informed that the next meeting at that level will take place this year in Armenia. Close cooperation of inter-parliamentary friendly groups and relevant Committees was highlighted at the meeting. The Ambassador of Georgia, thanking the National Assembly President for the warm reception, noted that Armenia is a dear country to him, mentioning his Armenian-Georgian friends who lived in the same yard during his childhood. He underlined that Georgia is difficult to imagine without Armenian rich culture. The parties expressed willingness to make efforts in strengthening Armenian-Georgian historical friendship and neighbourly potential among the youth. The Supreme Court had stepped in to check the Modi governments inaction in one case, and lack of transparency in the other At a time when Prime Minister Nare-ndra Modis government seems to be the monarch of all it surveys, and there is no check on its impudent and imprudent arbitrariness, the Supreme Court is slowly evolving into a tribune of the people, expressing the anguish of ordinary citizens as the political Opposition across the nation is scattered. In the hearing before the apex court over the role played by former Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari in the fall of Uddhav Thackerays MVA coalition government last year, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud last week during the hearing stage criticised political meddling by governors, a rap on the knuckles of the governors and of the Narendra Modi government by implication. It should send out a strong message to the country that the constitutional office-holders like governors are abandoning propriety to bat for the ruling party at the Centre. It is a rap on the knuckles of the Modi government about the people chosen to be governors. In two of its earlier decisions, the Supreme Court had stepped in to check the Modi governments inaction in one case, and lack of transparency in the other. The first is the appointment of a court-nominated committee to report on how the citizen-investor can be protected from manipulated market volatility; the second is the court-directed framework in choosing the chief election commissioner and the two election commissioners. The display of authoritarianism in the approach and attitude of the Narendra Modi government has been both nonchalant and impudent because it is based on its 300-plus plus strength in the Lok Sabha and the increasing numerical strength of the ruling coalition in the Rajya Sabha. It is, however, necessary to look a little closely whether the apex courts intervention is adequate in the case of the committee appointed by it to look into market volatility and the safety of peoples investments in the stock market, and whether it is right for the court to say how election commissioners are to be appointed. These involve both legal and constitutional aspects. In the first case, the issue came up before the court because of the sharp fall in the share price of the Adani group of companies after the Hindenburg Report, which said that the Adani conglomerate violated laws by propping up shell companies in Mauritius to transfer funds and hype their market value. The court should have addressed the issues arising out of the Hindenburg Report on the Adani group. Instead, the court has approached it tangentially in talking about protecting the interests of investors in cases of manipulated market manipulation. The court expects the committee to suggest safeguards against manipulated bounce and fall in the share prices of companies. It tries to skirt the Adani question. Why did the court feel that it was not right to address the Adani issue directly? It could be that the court felt that it cannot take cognisance of the report of a New York-based short-seller whose motive was to make profits, and the manipulation had happened in shell companies operating in Mauritius. Had the court ordered an inquiry into the charge of the Adani group manipulating the markets to leverage the share value of their companies, it would have been interpreted that the court was chasing the Adanis wrongdoing, when it is the duty of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to do so. There seems to be no provision for the Supreme Court to ask Sebi to submit a report on the Adani companies in the wake of the Hindenburg Report and the beating that the Adani companies shares got, which involved the loss of investments of thousands of investors. The Narendra Modi government has indeed tried to dissuade the court from going into the issue of market volatility and the losses suffered by investors. It also tried to pressure the court by saying that it would suggest the names of those who should be members of the committee, who would then inquire into the matter of market volatility. But Chief Justice Chandrachud fended off the governments ploy. The Adani question is the proverbial elephant in the room and there was no way of avoiding it. As the Supreme Court sees its role more in terms of a constitutional court, it would have been embarrassing for the highest court in the land to probe the Adani affairs. Perhaps the Supreme Court could have asked a lower court to inquire into the issue. The apex court laying down the method for choosing the CEC and the two election commissioners, comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha or of the largest Opposition party, and the Chief Justice of India, raises more questions than it answers. Is this a recommendation to Parliament to make a suitable law to uphold the independence of the Election Commission, or it is a direction that has to be followed? Asking Parliament to enact a suitable law passes muster in a sense but it is for Parliament to decide whether it should bring in such a law. The second option of the government following the ruling of the court as to how election commissioners are to be appointed raises questions about who should be doing what in a constitutional framework based on the three distinct wings of the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. The other key issue is whether the Supreme Court can declare a ruling by the Election Commission as invalid? While laws passed by Parliament and all decisions and orders of the government can come under judicial review, the rulings of the Election Commission can also be called into question. And they will relate to a particular decision or ruling. The Supreme Court should not be saying how an election commissioner is to be appointed, but it can say that a particular decision of the Election Commission violates the constitutional principle of free and fair election, a line of argument adopted by Justice K.M. Joseph in his judgment. The general mood, however, seems to be that this is not the time to scrutinise the merits of these two decisions of the Supreme Court because they provide a measure of relief from the arbitrary decisions of an executive that enjoys untrammelled power because of its huge parliamentary majority. The writer is a Delhi-based commentator and analyst Hun Manet, eldest son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, criticised the Cambodia Daily for citing an investigation linking him to illegal logging in a protected area bordering Laos. An independent investigation found that the logging in pristine forests is linked to a government-connected tycoon, known as Oknha Chey. Phnom Penh (AsiaNews) - General Hun Manet, eldest son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, commander of the army and according to some observers, future leader of the country, criticised The Cambodia Daily for accusing him of links to the illegal timber trade. On the Telegram messaging service, the prime minister also asked the newspaper to present its evidence, noting that if it had no malicious intent to publish false information, it should make changes if it lacks the evidence. Just last month, the prime minister shut down the Voice of Cambodia, one of the few independent media outlets that remained in the country. According to the Khmer Times, a newspaper linked to the ruling Cambodian People's Party, the Cambodia Daily cited an investigation into deforestation in Siem Pang and Sesan districts, Stung Treng province, and published on Mongabay, a conservation news web portal. The latters research documents logging operations by the TSMW company in northern Cambodia, and explains how these activities are not only illegal but also linked to "Oknha Chey", a pseudonym that in the Khmer language means "victorious tycoon, i.e. a three-star military general who also serves as a top Interior Ministry official. According to Mongabay, residents who live along the banks of the Sekong River, in Stung Treng province, on the border with Laos, say that after the construction of a road between March and April 2022, dozens of lorries began crossing the waterway only at night carrying timber from an area of 6,000 hectares of pristine rainforest that stretches between the districts of Siem Pang and Sesan and that was not protected at the time logging commenced. The area, however, was classified as public land, owned by the state, so clearing the forest without government permission was a crime. What is more, the region is also part of a biodiversity corridor managed by the Ministry of the Environment, which in mid-February announced the creation of a protected area of over 110,000 hectares that would also include the two aforementioned districts. Yet, the government has never disclosed the boundaries of this area, while satellite imagery confirmed that logging activities go far beyond the boundaries of the concession given to TSMW. Access to the area in recent months has also been restricted by the creation of a series of checkpoints that prevent local people from reaching it. Locals claim that the new logging operations are linked to Okhna Chey, a name they heard from loggers and lorry drivers who came to work on the Sekong River. According to residents, these workers come mostly from provinces of Cambodia where the sale of timber is a profitable activity, especially to Vietnam where profits are greatest. No one knows for sure who Okhna Chey is, but several environmental activists report that the name appeared several times in connection with investigations into illegal logging activities. Local journalists identified him as Meuk Saphannareth, a three-star general linked to Prime Minister Hun Sen and his son Hun Manet, who serves as deputy director of the General Department of Prisons at the Ministry of the Interior. The Mongabay investigation confirmed Meuk Saphannareths identity by showing a photo of him to a factory representative who bought TSMW's timber and knew him as Okhna Chey. At the same time, links with the prime minister and his son emerged. After the publication of the investigation, Saphannareth removed pictures with Hun Sen and Hun Manet from his social media accounts, as well as photos with his family, including one from 2019 that shows him with TXMWs sole director. Ouch Leng, a Goldman Environmental Prize-winning activist, says that, with each passing year, "the government tries to find benefits from exploiting the forests," and illegal logging seems to increase before each election, and the next one is this July. Leng calculated that Saphannareth could be earning about US$ 3.75 million per month from logging. In his view, the government's signal to the tycoons is clear: take the timber and the money, and support the Cambodian People's Party. The structure, which runs for 132 kilometres, directly supply diesel to northern Bangladesh from the Numaligarh refinery in Assam, bypassing rail transport. This marks further cooperation between the two countries, which already share the Ganges River and resumed rail and road transport links interrupted by war. New Delhi (AsiaNews/Agencies) The prime ministers of India and Bangladesh, Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina, took part in a virtual ceremony to inaugurate a cross-border pipeline capable of supplying northern Bangladesh with a million metric tonnes of diesel per year from India's Numaligarh refinery in Assam. The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline will reduce the time and cost of fuel supplies from India, and By boost energy cooperation between the two countries The Numaligarh refinery has been supplying petroleum products to Bangladesh since 2015, but until now transport was done via rail. Calling the pipeline a new chapter in bilateral relations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the petroleum trade with Bangladesh had crossed the US$ 1 billion mark. For her part, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Hasina explained that the pipeline is crucial for Bangladesh's energy security, especially because of the impact of the war between Russia and Ukraine on the energy sector. Built thanks to an Indian grant, the pipeline, whose ground-breaking was done in September 2018, runs for 132 kilometres to Parbatipur, 127 in Bangladeshi territory. In her address, Hasina highlighted the steps taken by the two countries over the years to forge stronger ties, such as the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, resuming rail and road links cut during the 1965 war between India and Pakistan, the delineation of land and maritime borders, and greater energy cooperation. Bangladesh currently imports 1,160 megawatts of electricity from India and the first unit of the Rampal coal-fired power plant, jointly built by the two countries, has come into operation. Hasina also reiterated her offer to India to use the ports of Mongla and Chattogram and the international airports of Sylhet and Chattogram and urged Indian companies to invest in the 100 special economic zones that Bangladesh is creating. IRAN-SAUDI ARABIA Riyadh has invited Iranian President Raisi to the Saudi kingdom for an official visit. The revelation comes from the Iranian government, according to which the invitation came in a letter from King Salman. Last week the two countries signed an agreement brokered by China to restore diplomatic relations. INDIA The hunt is on in Punjab for Amritpal Singh, leader of a Khalistani separatist group (Waris Punjab De), who has been on the run from the police for three days. More than 100 people are currently arrested in the operation; the police have also seized weapons, and the northwestern state is on 'high alert'. CHINA-PHNG The Chinese and Phnom Penh navies have begun the first joint exercises in Cambodian waters. More than 3,000 troops and 300 vehicles are involved. Last year, Beijing got the go-ahead for the expansion of the Cambodian naval base in Ream, built partly with US funds in recent years. THAILAND In the latest polls for the general elections in May, incumbent PM Prayuth Chan-ocha is given in third position (15.65%). He is preceded by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, grandson of former prime minister (now in exile) Thaksin, who increases his lead (38.2%). Also ahead of the head of government is Pita Limjaroenrat with 15.75%. AUSTRALIA-AFGHANISTAN Australian police arrested a former soldier accused of committing war crimes while serving in Afghanistan: the 41-year-old man allegedly killed a defenceless civilian. In 2020, the authorities in Canberra launched an investigation into the alleged murder of 39 Afghan prisoners by their own special troops. RUSSIA Opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, who has been detained for several months, was unable to attend the session of the trial against him due to the 'significant deterioration of his health condition'. This was announced by his lawyer Vadim Prokhorov, who said that his client's precarious state of health was due to repeated attempts to poison him. KAZAKHSTAN Astana is facing a sudden increase in pressing demands from many Russian companies for help in circumventing sanctions after Turkey's refusal to allow the passage of Russian-bound cargoes. Moscow urgently needs to smuggle in aircraft materials or rare metals from Australia, as do many others. The association set up to continue the work of the Christian minister slain in 2011 underwrites an initiative in the village of Khushpur that is backed by the Diocese of Treviso (Italy). For Shahbaz Bhattis brother, Paul, in 2022 the effects of COVID-19, floods and Pakistans political instability have had a serious impact on the poorest of the poor. Treviso (AsiaNews) A new mother and child health facility has opened in Khushpur, a village in Pakistans Faisalabad district; it is named after Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian activist who served as federal Minorities Minister until he was killed on 2 March 2011. The project is designed to provide medical services in an area that lacks proper healthcare facilities, far from hospitals. The new medical centre will follow expectant mothers during their entire pregnancy, without ethnic or religious discrimination. The initiative is the work of the Missione Shahbaz Bhatti, an Italian association, whose sponsors include the Diocese of Treviso (Italy); the latter raised funds, in particular on the occasion of the ordination as bishop of Vicenza of Treviso-born Mgr Giuliano Brugnotto. Shahbaz Bhatti was the first Pakistani Catholic to hold a federal cabinet post, working for social justice and against the so-called blasphemy law, which is often used against Christians in the Muslim-majority country. Bhatti was closely involved in the Asia Bibi case, which saw the Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy, who was released only in 2018, after nine years in prison. Paul Bhatti, a medical doctor who practises in Treviso, is directly involved with the association named after his brother; like him, he was involved in several outreach activities in his native Pakistan. Today, the Missione Shahbaz Bhatti is engaged in interfaith dialogue and education, promoting rural and crafts development to help poor families, also providing a voice to the most vulnerable whose basic rights are often violated. It is currently present in seven different locations in Pakistan: Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Multan, Quetta and Karachi. The new mother and child health facility in Khushpur now has some basic equipment [that] was bought with funds from Treviso, like an anaesthetic machine, a power generator, and an ambulance, Dr Bhatti explained. A gynaecologist, four nurses, two operating room assistants and other technical staff were hired. We work with the University of Faisalabad, which provides short training courses for midwives, while the facility in Khushpur now admit patients in case of emergency. Ultimately, The goal is to offer financial support to the centre for three years, then make it self-sufficient with funding from fees for specialist exams and visits. The facility is open to everyone, especially given the countrys current situation. For Paul Bhatti, in 2022, post-Covid effects have had a major impact on everyone in Pakistan, in particular on poor people, like those who belong to religious minorities, who have suffered irreparable harm. To this must be added the unprecedented flooding that hit Pakistan in August, claiming many lives and leaving thousands homeless and jobless, not to mention the countrys great political instability, which has progressively reduced economic resources, making the poor even poorer. Two Jewish extremists wearing a yarmulke and a tzitzit carried out the attack against the church, a major site for pilgrims from around the world. The attackers, who tried to hit the bishop celebrating the service, wounded a priest. The local Christian community is now afraid of what might happened during Holy Week and Easter. Jerusalem (AsiaNews) The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Primate Theophilos III, united with the synod, all the clergy and the faithful, issued a statement following yesterdays heinous terrorist attack during the Sunday morning liturgy by at least two Jewish extremists. The target was the Church of Gethsemane in Jerusalem, where the Tomb of the Virgin Mary is located, one of the holiest sites for Orthodox Christians. The Patriarchates statement goes on to slam the attempt to cause physical harm to Archbishop Joachim, who was leading the service, as well as the attack on one of the priests in the church. It equally deplores this atrocious crime, which came at the time of Lent preparations for the Easter celebrations. For Jerusalems Greek Orthodox Church, this attack is a natural progression of the wave of hate speech and incitement to violence that is developing in Israel, especially from the countrys leaders, which is spilling over into society. Attacks affect Christians, but also Muslims in a spiral of hatred, provocations, violation of the status quo, and a strategy designed to raise tensions that could lead to open conflict. Local sources report that two Jewish extremists, from southern Israel, broke into the church of the Tomb of Mary yesterday morning, one of whom brandishing an iron bar. The church is one the most important Orthodox places of worship in the Holy Land, a major destination for pilgrims, located in East Jerusalem. The two men tried to destroy and deface sacred objects inside the building and physically attack the bishop and two priests who were celebrating the Sunday service. A priest suffered head injuries as a result of the assault. The attackers were stopped by some worshippers who held them until the arrival of the security forces. In the afternoon, police confirmed the arrest of a 27-year-old from southern Israel, without providing further information about his identity. Bilal Abu Nab, a vendor who works near the church, told AFP that the attack was carried out by two Jewish men, one wearing a yarmulke (skullcap) and the other a tzitzit (tassel). This terrorist attack comes at a time of high tensions in the Holy Land, and for different reasons. First, within Israel, tens of thousands of Israelis are still taking to the streets along with judges and magistrates to protest against a justice reform package pushed by the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Secondly,), a visit by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound (Temple Mount, al-Haram al-Sharif) is sparking clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza that could turn into a new intifada. Lastly, Jewish extremists are increasing their violent acts against both Christians and Muslims, further fuelling sectarian tensions. Before yesterdays incident, the last episode occurred in early February, when the Church of the Flagellation was targeted, while at the start of the year, extremist groups desecrated a cemetery on Mount Zion and before that struck at other targets, including a church near the Upper Room or Cenacle on Mount Zion, the Basilica of Nazareth as well as other Catholic and Greek Orthodox sites. In its press release, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate notes that attacks against Christian holy places, property, heritage, and identity constitute a violation of international law. They stress the need to respect religious freedom, a fundamental human right, urging the international community to provide security and protection to Jerusalems holy sites, especially to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 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 Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Former United States President Donald Trump recently called on his supporters to protest against his looming indictment as federal prosecutors are considering charging him over a hush money controversy involving an adult film star. On Sunday, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, said that the "circus continues" following a question regarding Trump's remarks to his followers. Christie argued that the former president profits from chaos and turmoil, so he wants to create such an environment under his terms. Could Trump be Arrested? Trump, who is now running for another term as president with a 2024 campaign, said he believes he will be arrested on Tuesday. His remarks come as a New York grand jury probe argues that he was part of a hush-money scheme during his 2016 campaign. In a Saturday post on his social media platform, Truth Social, the former president called on his supporters to "protest, take our nation back!" Christie noted that in the end, being indicted for anything was not helpful to anyone, as per The Hill. Despite the possibility of Trump being indicted over the hush money scheme, any trial involving him would still be more than a year away. Legal experts argued that it could coincide with the final months of the 2024 presidential campaign as the Republican businessman aims to take back the White House. In contrast to Trump's claims that he would be arrested on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the former president said that he had not been notified of any pending arrest. In the waning days of the 2016 presidential campaign, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg presented evidence to a New York grand jury regarding the hush payments allegedly made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The money was said to have been in exchange for her keeping silent about an alleged affair with the former president. However, the Republican businessman has denied the accusations, and his lawyer argued that the adult film star, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is extorting Trump. Read Also: Presidential Candidate Marianne Williamson Responds to Staff Abuse Claims Trump Denies Hush Money Accusations If the Republican businessman does get charged criminally, he will become the first former U.S. president to face criminal prosecution. Recent polls also show Trump leading other potential rivals for the Republican nomination for president, according to Reuters. The average criminal case in New York takes more than a year to move to trial from an indictment, said former Manhattan chief assistant district attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo. This means there is a high chance that the former president would stand trial amid the 2024 presidential campaign or potentially after Election Day. When asked whether a judge could put Trump on trial close to the election, Agnifilo said the situation was so unprecedented that it was hard to determine. The hush money case is only one of many lawsuits targeting the former president. In his Truth Social post, Trump said that the Manhattan district attorney's office was corrupt, highly political, and had illegal leaks that pointed to his arrest. However, despite his claims, the former president did not provide any evidence of the leaks, said Inquirer. Related Article: Hunter Biden Files Countersuit Against Computer Repair Shop Owner @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. But here's another reason why I think the 1960s were cool. While GM, Ford, and Chrysler were busy battling for horsepower glory, some dealers were allowed to customize their orders. That's how we got and 1969 COPO Camaro twins, the 1968 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet (created by Tasca Ford), and the Royal Bobcat Pontiacs. There was also Grand Spaulding Dodge, the Chicago-based dealership that built some of the greatest Mopars out there. They're known as "Mr. Norm" cars and they're as rare as they get.Established in 1962 and co-owned by Norm Kraus, Grand Spaulding became the biggest Dodge dealership in the U.S., thanks to Norm's focus on high performance. Much like Yenko, Royal Pontiac , and Dick Harrell, the Chicago-based dealership rolled out beefed-up muscle cars alongside regular factory cars. And the lineup included all the cool Dodges of the era, like the Charger, Challenger, and the Super Bee.Mopar enthusiasts might also remember the Dodge Dart GSS that Mr. Norm created in 1968 by dropping the massive 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) V8 in the A-body compact. But this blurb is about a Dodge that we rarely see with a "Mr. Norm's" decal: a 1966 Coronet. One that left the factory with a very special engine: the 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) Wedge V8.Originally a Coronet 500, this Mopar was taken off the assembly line and fitted with the iconic Street Wedge following a special order placed by Grand Spaulding Dodge . And that's a rather puzzling thing to do in a year when the mighty 426 HEMI was already available and the Wedge was pretty much discontinued. Shipped to Chicago in December 1965, the car was sold to its original owner in early 1966.Fast forward to 2023 and the Coronet is still around but it looks like a classic that's struggling with an identity crisis. That's because it's sporting "Coronet 500" and "383" badges on its front fenders, it rides on wider-that-usual rear wheels, and it no longer packs its original Wedge V8. Fortunately enough though, the folks over at "BackWoods Performance," who recently purchased the car, got in touch with the first owner, who was able to confirm that this Plum Crazy Mopar is indeed a "Mr. Norm's" car.And get this, they did a bit of extra digging, including getting in touch with Chrysler expert Galen V. Govier, to find out that it's one of only two Wedge-powered 1966 Coronets known to exist. All options and exterior color considered, it's a one-of-one gem that got lucky enough to survive for more than five decades. And I say "lucky enough" because the original owner used to take this Mopar to the drag strip. Yup, that's why it has wider rear tires and cut-out rear fenders.But what's with the "Coronet 500" and "383" badges, you ask? Well, one of the fenders was damaged during an accident and the original owner replaced both of them with parts from a different Coronet and didn't bother to change the emblems. And according to him, the car has been like that since the 1970s, even though it changed ownership around 1995 when it also went off the radar.Granted, it's far from being 100% original and it won't be reunited with the engine and other parts it lost on the way but it's the perfect definition of a survivor race car. The new owner isn't planning on restoring it to its original specifications, which is a bit disappointing, but this unique "Mr. Norm's" car is better off as a project than a junkyard gem. Check it out in the video below. MQB ICE kWh Loosely inspired by the modular design of the Volkswagen Groupsplatform, the CMF entered production with much pomp and circumstance in 2013. Multiple variants that cover the A to D segments are currently in production. Low-cost automaker Dacia uses the CMF-B for the Sandero, Logan, and Jogger, and come 2024, this platform will also underpin the Duster.Fast forward to 2025, and the Bigster concept will enter series production with CMF-B underpinnings as well. The attached press release confirms overall lengths between 4.1 and 4.6 meters for Dacia models built around the CMF-B platform, a choice of front- and all-wheel drive, plusand hybrid-assisted powertrains.Presented as a concept in January 2021 , the Bigster measures 4.6 meters fore to aft. Its pretty obvious the series-production variant will mirror this overall length, and its also obvious that three-row seating will be available. The only three-row model that Dacia currently makes is the Jogger, the indirect successor to the Lodgy multi-purpose vehicle and Logan MCV station wagon.The press release below further notes a few manufacturing-related changes, with the Jogger set to be manufactured exclusively at the Tanger Plant in Morocco from the second quarter of 2024. The Mioveni Plant in Romania will thus be able to welcome the Bigster, which will be produced alongside the Duster.Mioveni also makes the Sandero Stepway crossover-styled hatchback and Logan four-door sedan, whereas the Sandero is made in Tanger. Turning our attention back to the next-generation Duster and all-new Bigster, what does the switch to CMF-B underpinnings entail?For starters, the Duster will go up in price due to the higher complexity of the CMF-B in comparison to the B0+ platform of the second-generation Duster. Prospective customers should also look forward to improved passive and active safety, as well as better on-board technology and superior handling. In regard to the suck-squeeze-bang-blow department, the CMF-B platform accommodates three- and four-cylinder mills.Back home in Romania, the Duster is presently offered with the ECO-G 100 as the base powerplant. The Brits get the TCe 90 as standard, and with the next generation, Dacia will drop the 1.5-liter turbo diesel. The K-type engine was introduced back in 2001 under the 1.5 dCi moniker, with Mercedes referring to it as the OM607.The 1.3-liter turbo gasser from the Nissan HR engine family is expected to soldier on, and the final piece of the puzzle comes in the guise of the hybrid powertrain from the Jogger . Rated at 138 horsepower and up to 151 pound-feet (205 Nm) for the traction motor, this setup also includes a multi-mode gearbox and a 1.2-battery. Headquartered in Augsburg, Germany, the air mobility company manufactures its electric aircraft in China, and has recently sold 200 units of its eVTOL to an Asian aviation operator based in Singapore. What makes it even more interesting is that this isnt a conventional airline, but one thats dedicated to the new generation of electric air taxis, called EVFLY.All of the 205 AutoFlight aircraft will be operated by EVFLY in the Middle East, proving once again that the AAM industry was born to be global. Out of these, the first ones to take to the sky will be ten cargo eVTOLs, set to make their commercial debut in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. From there, operations will be expanded later on, to Asia and Africa.This comes approximately a month after the eVTOL manufacturer smashed air mobility records with what claimed to be the longest flight ever recorded of an eVTOL. It happened back in February and wasnt a single flight from point A to point B, but a total of 20 circuits, which were completed on a pre-defined flight track.There was no pilot in Prosperitys cockpit. The historic eVTOL flight was an uncrewed one, with the aircraft being controlled remotely, by an on-ground test team.The whole thing lasted for an hour and 38 minutes, and was carried out at the companys testing facility. The eVTOL known as Prosperity officially covered 155 miles (250 km) on a single charge.This is the maximum range for which Prosperity was designed, since its powered exclusively by ion-lithium batteries (unlike hybrid VTOLs that also use hydrogen or sustainable aviation fuel, for an increased range). While covering this distance, the Prosperity aircraft can also handle up to 900 pounds (408 kg), cruising at more than 130 mph (209 kph). It can be configured either as a four-seat (pilot included) air taxi or a cargo eVTOL.Fitted with state-of-the-art avionics and highly-redundant systems, Prosperity 1 also claims to combine the guarantee of high-level safety with low operational costs (the lowest operations costs per seat in the industry, allegedly).Its also worth noting that AutoFlight managed to get to this point relatively quickly. It was less than a year ago when it first demonstrated what the Prosperity prototype could do. The prototype, now having reached the fourth generation, was initially built in 2021.AutoFlight is just one of the eVTOL manufacturers that are working together with EVFLY. This pioneering air mobility operator will offer eVTOLs not just for cargo and air taxi operations, but also for emergency ambulance services, and private VIP transportation. EV Photo: Joaquim Rodrigues Photo: Gruber Motors Photo: Dana Brems Car Complaints brought up the allegations Tesla made to dodge a class action related to the door handles in the Model S. According to themaker, they were not due to manufacturing defects, which was what the warranty covered. Tesla argued the class action lacked standing because a design defect was a breach of express warranty. In other words, it did not deny the door handles did not work as they should: it just said it was not obliged to fix them. A quick search on the website revealed seven other cases related to design defect allegations with seven different brands.The bad news is that this has worked for companies such as GM , Mercedes-Benz, and Jeep. The judges in charge of these lawsuits agreed that express warranty terms did not mention design defects. I have never heard of any consumer rights protection organization focusing on how harmful this can be to customers, but I hope I just failed to see it anywhere. Even if I did, the fact that express warranties still leave design defects out means no effort to change that has made any difference.These decisions are based on technicalities. Judges frequently say they are paid to apply the law, not to judge it. That said, if the legislation is so clear that there is no room for interpretation, the judge is restricted to deciding if the case goes against it or not. Theres even a saying for that: Quod non est in actis non est in mundo, meaning that what is not in the lawsuit is not in the world. However, judicial discretion the power a judge has to make a decision is not that limited.The decisions in which other companies tried to use the design flaw argument and failed show that pretty well. The cases involved Land Rover, Subaru, Jaguar, and Nissan. Land Rover was accused of fitting defective diesel particulate filters in Range Rovers and other vehicles from model years 2016 up to 2020. The automaker filed a motion to dismiss the class action, and Judge Claire C. Cecchi ruled that the allegations were also enough to establish a manufacturing defect. The lawsuit was not dismissed. Subaru customers faced a 12V battery drain issue with Outback, Forester, Legacy, WRX, and Ascent vehicles from model years 2015 up to 2020. The Japanese carmaker tried to escape trial by arguing that the issues were caused by design defects. However, Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez said the court could not decide as a matter of law if the problem was due to a design defect or errors in implementing an otherwise functional design" and denied the request.Any judge could use this argument to keep a lawsuit going. After all, the automakers should prove the design defect they say their vehicles have instead of the manufacturing problems that express warranty terms cover. Without access to everything that happened in these lawsuits, it is hard to understand why Rodriguez followed a more sensible reasoning. Several other judges just accepted that design flaws were a good argument to dismiss a case. In the cases in which judges accepted that argument, carmakers must have proved the project's mistake, but that leads us to even more crucial questions.If the design error was demonstrated in the lawsuit, why wasnt the automaker forced to take action to correct it? Does it make a difference what caused it, especially if safety is affected? That reminds me of something people also loved to repeat in law college. They used to say that you never know what will come out of a judges head or a babys butt. Thats why it is so hard to achieve legal certainty: pretty similar cases could have very different results.Jaguars case involves the InControl Touch Pro and InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment systems that all vehicles both from Jaguar and Land Rover offer. The model years range from 2018 to 2020 in most models and up to 2021 with the Range Rover Evoque Affected customers claimed that these computers froze and failed to respond. That would distract drivers and prevent them from controlling critical features such as climate control. The backup camera also did not work as it should. Jaguar Land Rover tried to dismiss the case with the design defect excuse. Judge William J. Martini said the allegation was not enough at that stage of the lawsuit.The last lawsuit I found involved Nissan . Sentra owners from model years 2013 until 2017 with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) sued the automaker. They were well assisted by their lawyers, who told the judge the cars were defective in design, materials, and/or workmanship. When Nissan tried to argue that the vehicles had a design defect, Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. couldnt agree more. That was exactly what the plaintiffs told him. Sadly, I did not find out how this 2018 lawsuit ended.There are probably several more cases in which automakers tried to dodge responsibility by alleging even worse problems in their cars. Manufacturing can be fixed, but a design flaw needs a new design and affects all units made before the necessary changes. Although Tesla was not the first to use such a preposterous claim, it happily joined legacy automakers in doing so. For a company that frequently states it wants to cause a revolution in personal transportation, the design defect claim is more disappointing than it is for older carmakers. Youd expect them to behave like that. However, you could be entitled to have higher expectations from the car company whose mission is to save the world. PHEV EV Design evaluation Photo: Hyundai Interior assessment HVAC Photo: Hyundai Driving take kWh WLTP "On our own." This seems to be the motto of Hyundai Motor Corp when it comes to technological innovations. The Koreans have developed in-house dual-clutch gearboxes, turbocharged engines,propulsion systems, and in the new electric era, they are building their own batteries within the Hyundai Mobis division. Additionally, Hyundai is the only major manufacturer, alongside Porsche, to have released a dedicated 800V electric platform, with significant advantages in terms of faster charging.The E-GMP platform is used by three Hyundai electric models: the 2021 Ioniq 5 CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle), based on the 45Concept, the Ioniq 6 sedan, based on the Prophecy concept, and the future Ioniq 7, a three-row seat model based on the SEVEN concept.The design of the Ioniq 6 has sparked greater controversy than the BMW models from the Bangle era. Some say it's ugly, while others claim that it copies the Porsche 911, Taycan , or Panamera at the rear, or that it resembles a Tesla or Lamborghini from the front. However, Hyundai didn't copy anyone, but rather wanted to create a very aerodynamic sedan. And if we talk about a source of inspiration, Hyundai said that it was the streamliner era of the '30s. The aerodynamics epoque from the early 1930s to World War II served as an example for Hyundai.Returning to people's opinions on social media, indeed, the large rear spoiler with red LEDs that light up when you press the brake pedal is very similar to the "duck tail" of the 1975 Porsche 911 Turbo 930. But its purpose is to limit the turbulence that occurs at the rear and ensure a smooth air flow. Moreover, almost all design elements have a functional aerodynamic role: the active flaps at the front, air curtains at the front wheels, and exterior door handles integrated into the bodywork.Another major issue regarding aerodynamics arises regarding the wheels; Hyundai has solved this by using closed alloy wheels (18-inch on the test model, 20-inch optional) and completely minimizing the gap between the wheel arches and the wheels.Last but not least, the floor is completely covered underneath, and as an option cameras are provided instead of rearview mirrors. This made achieving a Cd of 0.21 possible, just 0.01 below the much more expensive Mercedes EQS , which holds the aerodynamics record.With simple, curved lines and a low silhouette, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 looks quite compact, but it's actually a large sedan with a length of 16 feet (4.86 meters) and an ample wheelbase of 9.67 feet (2.95 meters). Therefore, it's only 3.93 inches (10 cm) shorter than the Porsche Taycan, but the wheelbase is 1.96 inches (5 cm) longer.Thus, theres no surprise that the room in the back is huge. Passengers can stretch their legs without touching the backrests of the front seats with their knees. And if they sit normally, there are still about 11.81 inches (30 cm) of kneeroom.The feeling of roominess in the back of the car resembles that of the Mercedes S-Class . Due to placing the battery under the floor, this is completely flat; Hyundai didn't have to resort to any tricks, like in the case of the Porsche Taycan, where the battery has a clearance near the rear passenger's feet. Thus, the third rear passenger can sit almost as comfortably.The driver is also highly advantaged, as to enjoy a low and very comfortable driving position. However, the seats in the standard version do not offer great lateral support. The Relaxation Comfort seats can be ordered as an option; they are 30% thinner and allow for a greater tilt, almost turning into a bed when, for example, you are waiting at a charging station.Due to the very rounded rear, the trunks volume is affected, with only 14.47 cu-ft (410 liters), but you can split the rear bench. However, there is a cable compartment under the trunk's floor that can be used to store additional luggage. This is because the Ioniq 6 comes with a 1.58-cu-ft (45-liter) frunk for single-motor versions (0.51-cu-ft/14.5-liter for versions with a second motor on the front axle).The dashboard layout draws inspiration from the Hyundai Ioniq 5, mixing a classic design with a minimalist hi-tech look: two 12.3-inch displays and anpanel with touch controls placed below the infotainment system screen.The gear shifter reminiscent of the VW ID.3's is hidden in the lower right part of the steering wheel. Kind of curiously, the window controls are placed on the center tunnel, and the interior hosts many hard, dark-hued plastics. Moreover, there aren't many options when it comes to interior colors: Dark Gray with Light Gray or Black Monotone are the only ones available. Therefore, the interior ambiance is quite sober and dull.Hyundai prioritized the use of as many recyclable materials as possible. Thus, the fabric upholstery and headliner lining are made of recycled PET bottles, the bio paint on the door cards is derived from vegetable oils, and for the first time in the Ioniq range, the floor mats use materials recycled from fishing nets recovered from the world's oceans.The interior atmosphere is brightened up by the ambient lighting with 64 colors and six themes, as well as the four LEDs that communicate with you and light up when you get in, use the voice command, or choose the Eco driving mode. A laser color head-up display provides various information, including navigation system data.The infotainment system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and uses Bluelink services that offer over-the-air updates for maps and car software systems, cloud navigation, the ability to lock or unlock the car remotely or to program battery preconditioning, parking location, and more. Voice command allows control of the Bose sound system, as well as commands for steering wheel heating, seat cooling/heating, and other functions.Ioniq 6 is available in three versions: with a small 53battery combined with a 151 ps (149 hp) motor on the rear axle (range of 267 miles or 429 km), with a large 77.4 kWh battery combined with a 228 ps (225 hp) motor on the rear axle (WLTP range of 382 miles or 614 km), or with two motors totaling 325 ps (320 hp) and electric all-wheel drive (WLTP range of 362 miles or 583 km). The versions with the small battery have only 18-inch wheels, while the other two can be ordered with 20-inch wheels that, however, affect the range, which is shortened by 43 and 40 miles (69 and 64 km), respectively. We tested the version with the large battery, of 77.4 kWh, combined with the more powerful rear motor that provides 168 kW (228 ps/225 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. On the left bottom of the steering wheel, there is a rotary switch like in Porsche from which you can select the Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes. These vary the steering response, the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal, and the power of the motor, but do not modify the suspension stiffness. Hyundai doesn't disclose how much power is reduced in Eco mode, but it is obvious, while driving, that the engine loses some tens of horsepower when that setting is selected. In Sport mode, the steering requires a slightly greater force to operate, and the accelerator pedal reacts more spontaneously to pressure. With a decent weight for this class, of 4,376 lb (1,985 kg), the Ioniq 6 feels quite light and drives pleasantly, and in Sport mode, the 228 ps (225 hp) electric motor performs honorably. The car accelerates vigorously up to 87-93 mph (140-150 kph), yet without being truly sporty. However, handling is safe, neutral, the rear axle has very good grip, and the steering provides decent feedback.There are no different levels of regenerative braking, only a One Pedal mode that is activated from the paddles located behind the steering wheel. It doesn't brake as intensely as, for example, the Nissan Leaf , but allows for brakeless driving if you anticipate the traffic a little bit. It should also be noted that the brake pedal is linear, as there is no noticeable difference between the transition from the first part of the pedal stroke, when regenerative braking is active, and the second part, when hydraulic braking takes over. In this regard, Hyundai has handled the situation more elegantly than the Mercedes EQS, for example. Many pages from the press release focus on the assistance systems. Hyundai offers the maximum in this regard, but these systems are a little too cautious. The parking assistant beeps even when the car is 19.7 in (50 cm) away from a lateral obstacle. On the other hand, the lane assistant with active steering correction works better than in some rival models, as it keeps the car in the center of the lane and the direction corrections are soft. For the first time on a European model, the Ioniq 6 has Matrix LED headlights, and they boast no less than 700 parameterized pixels, used for daytime running lights, taillights, and for the large rear spoiler, as well. Photo: Hyundai mpge kW Even though it lacks an adaptive suspension, the five-arm multilink rear suspension provides great ride comfort when combined with the standard 18-inch wheels and is very quiet. Only when passing over sewages or potholes can one feel that the suspension is set slightly stiffer. The overall noise level is low almost nothing can be heard since the wind noise, too, is lower than in other rival models. The Ioniq 6 cuts through the air like a spaceship, while the driver only hears an artificial sound with four varying intensities in accordance with the driving style.In faster corners, the Ioniq 6 has moderate roll; but it performs best on long journeys on the highway, where the long wheelbase contributes to increasing comfort.The test route was relatively short, at 93 miles (150 km), and alternated highway sections with passing through a few small Spanish towns and a short mountain course. We used all driving modes, selecting the Sport mode on the highway and Eco mode in cities. The real average fuel consumption was impressive: only 147.5(14.2 kWh/100 km). In the end, we still had a range of 208.15 miles (335 km).Considering the 77.4 kWh battery capacity, this consumption leads to an equivalent range of 310.68 miles or 500 km (381.5 miles or 614 km official WLTP range). The exceptional aerodynamics played an important role, especially on the highway, when we reached speeds of 87-93.2 mph (140-150 kph). A range of 310.6 miles (500 km) provides extra comfort on long journeys, so you don't have to stop too often for charging.Ioniq 6 uses an 800V platform which is also compatible with 400V networks. In addition, the high-voltage system allows for fast charging at DC stations of up to 232. Thus, at a high-power DC station, the battery only needs 18 minutes to charge from 10 to 80%. Moreover, in Europe, the Ioniq 6 owners can enjoy a free 1-year subscription to the IONITY network.Like the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 is one of the few cars that offer bidirectional charging, the so-called V2L (vehicle to load) system . Thus, the car can provide up to 3.6 kW, enough for you to power an LCD TV and a refrigerator or air conditioning and some light bulbs for 24 hours solely using the battery energy. Also, there is a 220V socket at the bottom of the rear seats where you can charge a laptop or other device. Photo: Hyundai Pros: Very good range Huge interior room Impressive package of assistance systems Unbeatable price Bidirectional charging Cons: Dull interior ambiance Controversial design Some cheap plastics Relatively small trunk Window controls on the center tunnel The Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a starting price of 43,900 euros in Europe, same as the Ioniq 5. For an additional 8,487 euros, you get the larger battery and more powerful motor, and 14,453 euros over the base version provide you with the top model with two motors. In this regard, any comment would be out of place because no other manufacturer offers such a spacious sedan with a similarly long range at this price. The generous interior room, excellent ergonomics, and practical aspects of bidirectional charging are other important advantages. Full Self-Driving NHTSA FSD Crashes involving Tesla cars get more attention from the media, often because of its safety assist systems, Autopilot or. Especially when thestarts an investigation, many automatically assume this has to do with the agencys probe into Teslas safety assist systems. That was also the case with the Tesla Model S crash in Newport Beach on May 12, 2022. The collision was one of the 34 involving self-driving tech investigated by the NHTSA since 2016, with 28 involving a Tesla vehicle.On May 12, a Tesla Model S traveling in great excess of the speed limit did not make a right turn on the Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach and slammed into construction equipment . Three people inside the Tesla were killed in the crash, and three on-site workers were injured. After the NHTSA included the collision as part of its probe into Autopilot-related accidents, the media quickly blamed Tesla Autopilot as the cause of the crash.Tesla has retrieved the pre-crash data from the cars black box computer, revealing that the Autopilot was not activated during the crash. This means that the vehicle was under the drivers control. After analyzing all the information, investigators now consider that substance abuse and speeding caused the tragic accident. This is a small victory for Tesla. Its safety assist features have been under scrutiny for years.This is not the first time Teslas safety assist features have been questioned after high-profile crashes. In a recent collision in Contra Costa, California, a Tesla Model S crashed into a firetruck on Interstate 680. The collision looked like dozens of others involving Teslas colliding with emergency vehicles. This was one of the reasons why the NHTSA opened a special investigation into this incident. Interestingly, the Tesla Model S involved in the crash was a 2014 model that may not have had Autopilot capabilities. Tesla only fitted Autopilot on its cars from September 2014.Out of the 28 crashes involving Tesla and investigated by the NHTSA, more than half have happened while using advanced driver assistance systems such as Autopilot or. The others are also suspected, although the investigations have not yet concluded. There are only four cases, including this one, when the authorities have ruled out the use of Autopilot. Early statistics released by the NHTSA show that almost 32,000 people were killed in car crashes in the U.S. in just the first nine months of 2022. United States President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning him against the proposed judicial system reform that has been met with widespread protests from the people and other lawmakers. The Democrat said on Sunday that democratic values, including "genuine checks and balances," must remain pillars of the U.S.-Israel relationship. It was considered a hidden warning over Netanyahu's planned reform bill. Biden Speaks with Netanyahu During their conversation, the U.S. president expressed his concern regarding Netanyahu's judicial reform plan in a "candid and constructive conversation." The discussions lasted roughly 45 minutes, said an anonymous senior administration official familiar with the matter. The White House, in a readout of the call, said that Biden underscored his belief that democratic values have long been and still are the hallmark of the relationship between the U.S. and Israel. They added that fundamental changes should be pursued using the broadest possible base of popular support, as per the Washington Post. Furthermore, the Democrat said that he supported the political talks that were now being held in Israel to find the best way forward regarding Netanyahu's judicial system reform plans. The White House said that Biden offered his support for the negotiations for a compromise. The Israeli prime minister's proposed changes would grant Knesset lawmakers the power to control judicial appointments. They will be able to eliminate judicial review of legislation and allow parliament to vote against decisions of the Supreme Court. The proposal has resulted in widespread protests in Israel, joined by tens of thousands of citizens who warned that the changes would destroy the country's democratic system. They argue it would no longer protect the nation's court from the political system. Israeli President Isaac Herzog was the one that issued a proposed compromise that Netanyahu initially rejected. In response, the Israeli prime minister said that Israel was, and will continue to be, a strong and vibrant democracy, according to the Times of Israel. Read Also: North Korean Reports Massive Military Enlistment Israel's Proposed Judicial Reform Reporters asked whether or not the U.S. president used the phone call with Netanyahu to extend an invitation to visit the White House. The administration official avoided directly answering the particular question, saying that the government was looking forward to having the two leaders together again in the future. Last month, an American official said that plans by Biden to host the Israeli prime minister have been delayed amid frustrations with the new government's policies vis-a-vis the Palestinians. As it stands, the opposition said that the plans would weaken Israel's democratic character. However, reform supporters call it a much-needed chance to rein in what they called an activist court. On the other hand, Netanyahu on Sunday said that the proposed legal chances would be carried out responsibly while also protecting the fundamental rights of all the country's citizens. The prime minister's government, seen as the right-most leaning party in history, argued that the reform aims to balance the power given to courts and prevent lawmakers from carrying out the voting public's will, said Politico. Related Article: Trump Urges Supporters To Protest His Looming Indictment @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. SUV EV Although the IRA tax credits have hit them hard, the Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia have a solid business plan regarding electric vehicles. Many think they are better positioned at challenging Tesla than the Big Detroit Three, and for a good reason. Hyundai-Kias E-GMP platform has proven a hit, mostly thanks to its 800-volt architecture enabling fast charging times and improved efficiency. Kia EV6 is an accomplished EV , having won many fans since its launch in 2021.Kia intends to build upon EV6s success and bring more E-GMP electric cars into the market. The Korean carmaker has recently presented the first pictures of the EV9 mid-size, showing how the carmaker intends to take the segment by storm. The EV9 features an interesting seating system, with the second-row seats swiveling to create various setups. Still, the most impressive feature was that the production EV9 looks just like the concept unveiled at the 2021 LA Auto Show.Two weeks later, the Korean brand used the ChineseDay event to preview a new model in its crossover-heavy EV lineup. The Kia EV5 concept has more in common with the EV9 than the letters in its name. It looks like a mini-EV9, showing little imagination, and we expect it to be a lot like its bigger brother, except for the third seat row. The EV5 concept also features swiveling chairs, although the idea has been elevated to a new level thanks to the lack of a center pillar. We dont expect this feature to land in production, but one can only dream.Kia EV5 lines are inspired by the brands Opposite United design language, which was introduced with the EV9. Kia will introduce a new brand identity with the two EVs in the coming years. For the upcoming Kia EV5, this means a new form of Digital Tiger Face that projects an image of strength and robustness, although it doesnt look very aerodynamic. Sculpted lines and square fenders complete the appearance of a mini-EV9.Kia says that the EV5 concept will be followed by a production model that will launch in China by the end of the year, with other regions announced at a later time. Just as with the EV9 , we expect the EV5 to be not much different from the concept. This features a completely flat floor and plenty of space for passengers and cargo. Its signature feature is the swiveling rear seats, allowing occupants to blend with the surrounding outdoors. The transparent roof integrates solar panels, providing electricity during the day. Photo: Randy Grubb Photo: Randy Grubb Photo: Randy Grubb Randy Grubb has been creating automotive art for years, both on his own and as part of the Blastolene collective. His name might not ring a bell even with passionate car enthusiasts, but maybe his works are familiar: he did Jay Lenos now famous Car Tank and the DecoLiner that was everywhere in the media in the early 2010s and then again in early 2020, when Grubb sold it for half a million dollars. In between, he did a variety of other stuff, from award-winning hot rods to deco-pods.Grubbs work might be occasionally controversial, but there is no disputing the quality of his work or the kind of dedication he puts into every piece. Grubbs latest project is also perhaps his least famous outside of U.S. borders, though through no fault of its own. It is actually a spin on and a next level-type of project for the DecoLiner, which Grubb once described as the only double-decker motorhome in the world, which allows operation both from inside the cabin and from the open flybridge.If the DecoLiner is crazy and it is, by all means the Magic Bus is crazy times two, though not necessarily for its functionality. It is a Volkswagen bus stacked on top of a GMC Motorhome, swathed in hand-molded shiny aluminum sheets and bathed in the most deliciously retro pastels, designed to be a touring limousine.Despite being based on a motorhome , it doesnt actually offer the accommodation of one, though you can still sleep in relative comfort on either floor. But unlike the DecoLiner, the Magic Bus has an elevator, and thats a phrase youre unlikely to read in relation to few other motorhomes out there.The idea for the Magic Bus came from the DecoLiner, with which it shares the same GMC Motorhome chassis that Grubb finds so convenient due to the fact that its front-wheel drive. Produced between 1973 and 1978, the GMC Motorhome wrote history for the fact that it used a front-wheel drive, which allowed a much roomier interior and a lower profile. For Grubb, that works out just fine, because it gives him more to work with.Power comes from a 455-cubic-inch (7.5-liter) V8 engine sourced from a 1973 Oldsmobile Toronado, mated to a GM TH425 three-speed automatic transaxle, all of it meticulously restored by Grubb himself. The nose is from a Divco milk truck, which Grubb saw and instantly knew he had to have even though it was not a fit for the 74 GMC Motorhome and he then had to widen it by 8 inches. It all worked out in the end, because it allowed him a wider base of the automotive pyramid he was building.The upper part is a 1962 VW bus, originally an 11-window that he converted into a 23-window and then added the biggest skylights he could. Because Grubb doesnt do anything halfway; as he often says in interviews, he wants to build automotive sculptures that make people smile, but that are also functional and fun to be in or what he calls moving smiles machines that deliver mechanicalocity.Before mounting the bus, Grubb built a supporting structure with aluminum girders, running down the sides of the lower body and integrating them into the bus. Parts that were not borrowed from other cars are handcrafted by Grubb; the rear fender, for example, is inspired by Marilyn Monroes cleavage and goes just perfectly with the curvy silhouette of this art-deco-inspired build.While the Magic Bus is entirely Grubbs idea and design, it might not have happened had it not been for Michael Birch, co-founder of the San Francisco-based members-only club The Battery. Birch had heard of the DecoLiner and he thought it would be a great fit for the kind of promotional vehicle /touring bus he had in mind. He traveled to Grants Pass, Oregon to buy it off Grubb, only to find out that it already had a buyer. So Gruff offered to build him a new one, one that would be a sort of tribute to the city of San Francisco.Since its main purpose is to offer tours, the Magic Bus doesnt offer accommodation, but thats not to say its not as impressive inside as its visually striking from a distance. The ground floor offers limo-style seating, with a couple of rows of seats facing each other, and a sort of conversation pit with a single curved sofa at one end. A vintage Coca-Cola fridge is available in the front, and oversize dual AC units keep temperatures at a comfortable level in the California heat.Behind the drivers seat is the elevator that takes you to the upper section. Based on the elevator from the Jupiter 2 spacecraft from the TV series Lost in Space, its a one-person contraption that zaps you to the second floor with help from a winch used on ATVs and hidden cables but it does it way more slowly. The entire floor of the bus is a lounge, with comfy pillows for support and impressive 360-views. It might not have a bed or as much as a sofa, but its actually quite cozy thanks to the amount of space available and the expansive glazing throughout.It took Grubb 18 months to take the Magic Bus from the drawing board to completion, and he never disclosed the full price. Artists are notoriously shy about financial details where their work is concerned, but in this case, the omission makes sense since the Magic Bus was a paid commission. Not that this means its not a labor of love as well you only have to listen to Grubb talk about it to see that for yourself. The Wraith's departure is not exactly news. We already know that Rolls-Royce has already announced an all-electric successor, the Spectre, for the 2024 model year, but it's really nice of the Brits to give the already iconic coupe a proper send-off. And yes, the Black Arrow is special in many ways.For starters, it introduces "gradient paint," which Rolls-Royce describes as "one of the most complex surface finishes." In layman's terms, it's a Bespoke finish that showcases a full-color graduation between two tones. In this case, it's Celebration Silver and Black Diamond with a glass-infused Crystal layer that enhances the transition between the two hues. The British brag that it took them about 18 months to test and develop this gradient finish.Somewhat unexpected on a somber car like this, the Wraith Black Arrow features bright yellow bumper inserts and wheel pinstripes. The same hue adorns the base of the Spirit of Ecstasy emblem. These details recall a 1930s land speed record car called Thunderbolt, which used a pair of Rolls-Royce V12 aero engines to hit 357 mph (575 kph) at the Bonneville Salt Flats.The contrasting theme continues inside the cabin with yellow seats and matching details on the dashboard, steering wheel, and door panels. And I must say it's one of the liveliest color combos I've seen in a Rolls-Royce in a long time. But the uniqueness of the Black Arrow extends far beyond the color palette.The coupe also boasts unique open-pore Black Wood trim, which comprises over 320 multi-directional marquetry pieces that mimic the cracked surface of the Bonneville Salt Flats. You'll see this complex design on both the door panels and the panel that separates the rear seats. The front center console, on the other hand, includes a miniature, polished aluminum version of the Thunderbolt.But wait, there's more. Rolls-Royce also developed a new "Club" leather upholstery with emphasized natural markings for this car. There's also a special Black Arrow clock with a yellow bezel and the Thunderbolt's speed record engraved behind the glass and a Starlight Headliner that includes no fewer than 2,117 fiber-optic lights. That's the greatest number ever seen in a Rolls-Royce. The headliner depicts the Milky Way as it would have appeared over the Salt Flats on 16 September 1938, the date of the Thunderbolt's world speed records. If that's not fancy detailing, I don't know what is.Finally, Rolls-Royce added an exclusive Bespoke plaque on the engine cover to celebrate that the Wraith Black Arrow is the last coupe to feature V12 power. Machined from a single piece of polished metal, the plaque includes a V12 monogram in bright yellow and "Final Coupe Collection" lettering in black.As far as oomph goes, the Black Arrow is a stock Wraith Black Badge . So it draws juice from the same twin-turbo, 6.6-liter V12 rated at 624 horsepower and 642 pound-feet (870 Nm) of torque. The massive coupe needs only 4.4 seconds to hit 60 mph (97 kph) on its way to a top speed of 160 mph (250 kph) so it's no slouch either.The Wrath Black Arrow is limited to only 12 units worldwide, one for each engine cylinder, I guess. There's no info on pricing. But if you have to ask you probably can't afford it. Jokes aside, because all 12 have already been sold, Rolls-Royce probably charged more than $450,000 a pop. They have gained popularity among small businesses because, besides simplicity and functionality, they also offer mobility, and this is an important perk for someone who needs a mobile retail store that can be easily moved from one location to another.Karina Brez, a jewelry designer and certified gemologist, has seen the potential of tiny houses and contracted Movable Roots to design and build a space specifically for her brand. Since she regularly travels to diverse shows across the nation to promote and sell her equestrian-themed jewelry, she dreamed of having a transportable shop ready to showcase her jewelry pieces anywhere she goes.The team at Movable Roots turned her dream into reality. The Jeweled Barn is not only a jewel of a tiny commercial building but also a demonstration of how tiny homes can teach us to think big in small spaces. And the most important thing, it is specifically designed to represent the clients brand story and design standards.Boasting an aesthetic inspired by the equestrian lifestyle, the Jeweled Barn is a beautiful 20-foot (6-meter) long, off-grid tiny house functioning as a mobile storefront. Designed as a homage to the home of the horse, it looks just like a barn from the outside. It might seem odd to see jewelry being sold from a barn, but it is an interesting concept. The equestrian theme carries on to the interior as well, where you will find custom-made display cases and accent lighting strategically placed to highlight Karinas stunning jewelry.The Jeweled Barn is inspired by the spirit of the equestrian lifestyle, both rustic and refined. An interpretation of an English tack room, it is sophisticated, incorporating green, gold and reclaimed wood, Karina Brez states. With so many retail spaces costing so much to operate, the next decade is going to be about going mobile. I always like to think outside of the box, and I encourage people to take that leap of faith in going tiny. Jewelry is small, so you dont necessarily need all of that space.The mobile store is also an environmentally-friendly design, as it was developed to be carbon neutral, with eco-friendly products and items sourced from several local vendors. For instance, the lights are from Barn Light Electric, a company based in Titusville, Florida, and the windows are from PGT, a local window company.It is surrounded by potted plants and is equipped with an off-grid system to ensure energy needs are met while traveling. The solar system consists of a 3,000KVA Victron Multiplus Inverter, a 10kWh LifeP04 battery bank, and six Jinko 410w modules (2,460 Watts), and there is also the possibility to use shore power when available.As mentioned, the tiny house boutique looks like a rustic barn featuring a dark stained exterior with large windows and ebony-stained cedar wood siding. The copper gutters and copper lights are a nice touch and add to the crisp look of the shop. Black window boxes complete the exterior design and are the perfect solution for adding a splash of color into the mix.The interior is also a celebration of the equestrian aesthetic, with a harmonious combination of green and plaid. The aim was to make it look like an English tack room, and that was achieved by furnishing it with shiplap walls painted green, using reclaimed hardwood floors, and decorating the space with equestrian antiques. Additionally, a Ralph Lauren tartan wool fabric was repurposed as wallpaper and old tobacco barns were used to craft open shelves.A standout feature in the interior is the handmade leather trunks with plenty of drawers that the jewelry designer uses as storage space. These trunks have been commissioned from Nick Coggon in Nottingham, England, and they add a tinge of elegance to the store.Plenty of gorgeous glass display cases are scattered throughout the meticulously detailed interior , some sitting on the leather trunks and others mounted on the walls, and they are all illuminated to optimize the visual appeal of the products on display. Golden accents on the trunks and the strategic lightingLarge windows on both sides of the house that allow light to pour in and the high, vaulted ceiling help make the interior feel extra spacious.This is a well-executed jewelry shop design that conveys confidence and a strong brand presence, while also ensuring a great shopping experience for customers.The first stop for the Jeweled Barn mobile store is at the Winter Equestrian Festival at Wellington International in Wellington, Florida, an event that started in January and runs through April 2, 2023. It overlooks some picturesque grounds, and the owner says stunning sunsets can be enjoyed from inside the tiny house. TC Nighthawks uses Tile trackers to determine the location of a stolen vehicle The tracker is initially installed in the car in a random place where the thief cant find it. When the vehicle is stolen and the company is notified, it determines its location and reaches out to law enforcement.The police are provided with the live location of the vehicle, along with additional information to catch the thief. In some cases, the company can even send a drone to the found location to record the surroundings and collect information about the thief, including their face. All the data is submitted to the police.TC Nighthawks also offers additional services that would help recover the car.The company has a dedicated team of retired policemen and trained agents that can go to the found location and bring your car back. Its working with a towing service that will pick up the vehicle, while the trained staff will guarantee everybodys security.Everything is powered by a custom application that relies on the information provided by the tracker.Tile trackers use crowd GPS, a system that relies on Bluetooth to send location data to a master device. The tracker can connect to paired smartphones nearby using a regular Bluetooth connection . When its installed in a vehicle, the mobile companion app displays the most recent location on a map. The tracker permanently tries to connect to other phones running the companion app to share updated location information.Tile uses an approach similar to Apples AirTag . The tracker developed by Apple connects to nearby iPhones to send such data to the master device. Tile can connect to any smartphone that has the companion app installed to send location updates.TC Nighthawks says its representatives also met with Apple to discuss implementing the AirTag into its system. Eventually, they decided to go with Tile, with its custom software offering advanced integration of providing real-time information to law enforcement.The company promises it takes less than 4 minutes from the moment vehicle owners report the theft to send a police report. As such, law enforcement can locate the stolen car much faster, in many cases not allowing thieves to drive too far.All these services are offered with a yearly subscription, with more services projected to be included in the offering, including a social media account where all stolen vehicles would be publicly shared. This should help increase the likelihood of finding a car in a timely manner, as netizens can chime in when they spot the vehicle. What is Australia's commitment to the AUKUS submarine deal and whether it will help Taiwan had problematic answers. Canberra said it did not vow to help the US repel China if it would raid Taipei. Australia Denies Promise To Help US Defend Taiwan Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles told ABC Television that it's not part of the access to submarines, including a deal to help the US if China tries to invade Taiwan. He added that Canberra is not obligated to have it part of the deal, mentioned ABC. The Aussie defense minister added that the government did not vow to back up the US if a military conflict due to Taiwan is the price to buy American nuclear-powered attack submarines on Sunday. Recently, the Indo-Pacific region has been a hotbed of tension as Washington has been allegedly acting provocatively by encouraging its allies to get involved. On Monday, the AUKUS was revealed again, including the US, Australia, and Britain as partners in the deal. This deal revolves around selling Virginia-class submarines and the UK, Canberra, who will be building and operating a new type of submarine called SSN-AUKUS, noted Alarabiya News. The deal, which costs about A$368 billion ($246 billion) according to the Australian Centre-left Labor government, is needed to stem the military buildup of China. This is one of the most comprehensive military developments after the Second World War, reported ANews. Read Also: China - Solomon Islands Security Deal: Foreign Minister Claims US, Allies' Concern Is Manipulative, Untrue AUKUS Submarine Deal Is Not Against China China has consistently held that the democratically ruled Taiwan is part of China's sovereignty and is not separate. The mainland government did not deny that it has taken the option of recovering the island enclave by force anytime soon. This concern for Taiwan to keep its independence from Beijing has led to a difficult situation that has pitted Washington and Beijing into raised tensions. US President Joe Biden has taken the opportunity to say that the US forces will be protecting Taipei if China finally decides to subdue the enclave. The US, which is the primary author of the AUKUS deal, that a few Asian allies have embraced, but not all. Except for Beijing, which sees the hand of Washington as causing the spread of nuclear weapons instead of keeping them less. Under the terms of the deal, that will sell Canberra three nuclear subs by the early 2030s and two more should it be the chosen option. On Sunday, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell stated that he is confident that a scheduled visit to China meeting Chinese trade minister Wang Wentao is going ahead even as AUKUS is muddling everything. Farrell mentioned, for all intents, that the meeting signals lessening tensions between the opposing countries. He added that scheduling a visit by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2023 to Beijing based on a transcript mentioned by Sky News. AUKUS will have a A$6 billion ($4 billion) investment for up to 4 years to develop a submarine base with shipyards and expert workers as part of the venture. It is to expand the US and UK shipbuilding capacity to construct the USN Virginia-class submarines. Australia stressed the submarine deal is for security, not to defend Taiwan. Canberra stressed the deal is not a quid quo pro to fight alongside Washington. Relate Article: Former Australian PM Slams Quad, G7 for Excluding China, Urges US To Withdraw from AUKUS Security @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Sal Moretti served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, is a retired city superintendent and a former county supervisor district director. You can email him at morettis3313@gmail.com. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The EU gets flak regarding the importation of raw materials that should reduce dependence on China, with which members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have voiced dissatisfaction. EU attempts to lessen the acquisition of important raw materials, like unleashing subsidies and financial incentives to have them in Europe instead. EU Updates Its Policies on Imports One of these primary concerns is how these policies will impact crucial raw materials, and imports from China are only one of the many concerns that affect Chinese trade, reported by Express UK. There is a drive to produce more at home than import many things from China. It is where the European Commission is the bloc executive entity trying to lessen importation from China. Another is to be more independent, as geopolitics has become a roller-coaster ride. The Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton remarks that Brussels is trying to control its dependence on entities like Beijing. This has been compared to the Chinese approach to taxpayers, which controls every aspect of taxing. Italian MEP Marco Zanni reacted to Brussels, saying it was pivoting to China, like controlling economics that is not welcome, noted Knews Media. The same ex-European commissioner from Germany, Gunther Oettinger, says "This direction is quite dangerous." He added that it's not only a single market but a planned economy with centralized control. EU To Lessen Dependence on China for Raw Materials An observation that has been cited about the proposal is how it should achieve the goal of 40 percent clean tech in 2030, which the bloc would reach. Another is that 65 percent of critical raw materials will be 65 percent from a third country like China. Read Also: Russia's Frozen $200 Billion Assets Are Missing These critical raw materials, which the bloc gets 98 percent of rare earth material, lithium at 97 percent, with magnesium at about 93 percent, all from China, are used in solar panels, heat pumps, and electric cars. While trying to wean itself from getting too dependent on China, it seeks partners like the US and Canada. Others see this in the bloc as only making instability more apparent, cited AP News. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that they are developing more cooperation with better trading partners besides having a few sources. But the plans should be accepted by the EU's members, with the parliament cementing it as official. One drawback to the process is that it will take months to a year. Based on sources that state clean technology and important goals, the bloc is shifting its economics from a free market to another option. The change will come in establishing state aid rules as the primary mover to enable a shift to a renewable energy-based economy. The EU commission added that the suggestion points to private financing as insufficient to start projects with the raw material that will entail public support and state aid. It informed that it had ratified state aid rules to facilitate more versatility member states need to give aid. EU Commission wants to simplify the processes involved in following the critical raw materials plan in the Net-Zero Industry Act. The harsh policies that increased dependence on China as a source of the material the EU got flak from MEPs' opposition. Related Article: Russian Oil Ban Is Detrimental for Energy Market Stability @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Executives from Spirit AeroSystems and Astraius sign a collaboration agreement to enhance future satellite launch capabilities from Prestwick Spaceport: from left, Sam Marnick and Scott McLarty, Spirit; Scottish Trade Minister Ivan McKee; and Kevin Seymour and Sir George Zambellas, Astraius Spirit AeroSystems Belfast team has secured work on a major new project aiming to transform Prestwick Spaceport into Europes premier location for carrying small satellites into orbit via aircraft. And the US owner of the former Bombardier business hopes to harness expertise in design, manufacturing, integration and testing of aerostructures at both its Belfast and Prestwick sites to gain an even greater foothold in the UK space sector. The UK government has identified orbital launch as a key priority, with the National Space Strategy outlining plans to increase its presence in a global space economy forecast to reach 490bn by 2030. Spirit is collaborating with Astraius to advance and accelerate the system components and key processes required for Astraius horizontal launch platform. Expression of agreement to proceed has been reached on the project, which will send small satellites into orbit via rockets launched from an aircraft flown out over the ocean. Scott McLarty, Spirit senior vice president, Airbus and Regional/Business Jet Programs, said: Spirit is well-positioned to develop new skills and technologies to contribute to the UKs resilience and supply chain in the space sector and support high-value manufacturing regional hubs. We are delighted to be working with Astraius to explore opportunities to contribute further to the expansion of the UK Space Sector, through the design, manufacturing, integration and testing of aerostructures for launch activities. Astraius horizontal launch solution uses C-17 transport aircraft, combining innovative technology with proven delivery platforms catering for payloads designed to carry out a variety of tasks from orbit such as monitoring climate change and supporting disaster relief efforts. Ian Annett, deputy chief executive officer at the UK Space Agency, said: We are committed to becoming the leading provider of commercial small satellite launches in Europe by 2030 and we welcome the partnership between Spirit AeroSystems and Astraius, which brings Astraius another step closer towards conducting a launch from the UK. Developing orbital launch capabilities is already helping the space sector to generate growth across science and engineering supply chains, catalyse investment, create new jobs and career paths, and inspire the next generation of space professionals all over the UK. Spirits new contract is the latest in a series of space sector wins for Northern Ireland firms, with Portadown-based SpringCo supplying a spring instrument release mechanism for the European Space Agencys mission to Jupiter launching next month. And earlier this year, it was announced two Northern Ireland projects are to receive funding from the UK Space Agency. A pilot programme pairing smaller firms to work with large companies to overcome technology challenges is receiving 495,000, while a further 223,000 will enable a space cluster manager to work with government, businesses and academia to coordinate space activity. Northern Irelands space sector generates 46m annually for the UK economy, according to latest figures from the UK Space Agency. And Belfast is set to host the UK Space Conference, a biennial event spanning the UK and international space sectors, over November 21-23. Jobs at Credit Suisses UK office could be at risk after the sale of the Swiss bank to bigger rival UBS (Yui Mok/ PA) Yui Mok Job losses are expected at Credit Suisses UK office after the historic sale of the Swiss bank to its bigger rival UBS on Sunday, with an impact on the lenders British workers seen as being inevitable. UBS said it plans to run down the investment bank division of Credit Suisse as part of its merger plans, but stressed it is too early to say exactly how staff across the regions will be affected. Credit Suisse employs around 5,500 people in the UK, based in Londons Canary Wharf, which includes investment bankers, wealth and asset managers, as well as staff across teams such as technology, risk and compliance. The stricken lender has been scooped up by UBS in a rescue deal in efforts to avoid further turmoil in global financial markets, and will mean the two businesses merge together. UBS has about 6,200 people in the UK with offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh. The former chief executive of UBS in the UK, Mark Yallop, said he thinks job losses will be inevitable as a result of the merger and chopping down the investment bank. He told the BBCs Today programme: The two firms together employ about 120,000 staff, of which about 11,000 sit in London, and I think its inevitable that a merger of this sort will result in some further job losses. I would imagine those would be concentrated in the risky investment banking business at Credit Suisse which is partly the cause of the problems the firms is experiencing. And in middle-office, technology and operational roles where bringing two firms together will mean you can run one bigger firm, without doubling up the infrastructure needed to manage it. But the chairman of UBS, Colm Kelleher, said at a news conference in Berne, Switzerland, that any impact on workers will be carried out in a rational way. He said: We will be running down the investment banking part of Credit Suisse because UBS itself has an investment bank-like model, which is a model our shareholders want. As regards job cuts, its just too early to say. We are clearly cognisant of Swiss societal and economic factors. UBS offices in the City of London (Philip Toscano/PA) Philip Toscano We will be considerate employers but we need to do this in a rational way, thoughtfully, when weve sat down and analysed what we need to do. Furthermore, UBS chief executive Ralph Hamers agreed that the takeover was an emergency rescue but one that would be beneficial to its shareholders and clients. He added: 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. Credit Suisse said UBS has expressed confidence that the employment of its staff will be continued. Credit Suisse was already in the midst of a big turnaround plan which included cutting around 9,000 jobs from its global workforce of more than 45,000 over the next three years. It would mean it was set to lose about 10% of its investment bankers in Europe even before the takeover was agreed. UBS made no comment on the plan for jobs following the merger. Credit Suisse also declined to comment as it is too early to say what the impact will be. Meanwhile, experts have considered whether the high-profile takeover has implications for the safety and stability of other big banks in the UK. Gary Greenwood, an equity research analyst for Shore Capital Markets, said: We have said for a while that we believe the UK banks could not be in a stronger position to withstand the current economic downturn and we stand by this view. Following more than a decade of regulatory tightening, their balance sheets are in excellent shape with strong capital, funding and liquidity, and asset bases that are now much lower risk. As such, we do not believe the UK banking systems or any of the major UK banks are in imminent danger of collapse. Furthermore, the policy chairman at the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, said it is critical that confidence in the banking sector is restored and that the UKs role as a global financial centre is renewed. It announced it was working with banks including Lloyds Bank, JP Morgan and Barclays to come up with a plan over the long term. A Government decision to grant a short-term contract renewal to Avanti West Coast has been condemned by Labour and trade unions (Luciana Guerra/PA) Luciana Guerra A Government decision to grant a short-term contract renewal to Avanti West Coast has been condemned by Labour and trade unions. The operator has struggled with reliability and punctuality during parts of the past year. It was forced to provide an improvement plan to the Department for Transport (DfT) as part of a six-month contract renewal which was due to expire at the end of March. Transport Secretary Mark Harper insisted the plan is working as he awarded another extension of the same length. Avanti West Coast passengers were hit by serious disruption last year (Luciana Guerra/PA) Luciana Guerra But Labour said the operator has broken records for poor performance over the last six months, while Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) general secretary Mick Lynch accused the Government of rewarding failure. Avanti West Coast runs trains on the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Glasgow Central, with branches to Birmingham, North Wales, Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh. It is a joint venture between FirstGroup (70%) and Italian state operator Trenitalia (30%). Avanti West Coast slashed its timetable in August 2022 in a bid to improve reliability. This came after passengers suffered weeks of short-notice cancellations, partly due to a sharp decline in the number of drivers voluntarily working on rest days for extra pay. A new timetable introduced in December 2022 with a significantly reduced reliance on overtime working has seen the number of weekday services increase from 180 to 264, the DfT said. The proportion of services cancelled has fallen from nearly 25% in August 2022 to 4.2% in early March, and 90% of trains are arriving within 15 minutes of the schedule, the department added. But Labour said 24.6% of Avanti West Coast services were at least 15 minutes late in the four weeks to January 7, which was the second highest of any train operator in Britain at any time on record. Mr Harper said: The routes Avanti West Coast run are absolutely vital, and I fully understand the frustrations passengers felt at the completely unacceptable services seen last autumn. Following our intervention, rail minister Huw Merriman and I have worked closely with local leaders to put a robust plan in place, which Im glad to see is working. However, there is still more work to be done to bring services up to the standards we expect, which is why, over this next six months, further improvements will need to be made by Avanti West Coast. Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said: Avanti has literally broken records over the last six months for delays and cancellations, and the Conservatives answer is to reward failure with millions more in taxpayer cash. If this is what success looks like to ministers, it shows that, under the Conservatives, our broken railways are here to stay. The next Labour government will put passengers back at the heart of our railways, and build the infrastructure fit for the century ahead unlocking jobs and growth. Mr Lynch said: The Government is keeping privatisation afloat regardless of the cost to the rail passengers, rail workers and the taxpayer and the service itself. It is quite clear that the West Coast contract should be brought back into public ownership along with the rest of the railway. Mick Whelan, general secretary of train drivers union Aslef, said: It is, frankly, extraordinary that the Government is yet again rewarding failure. Avanti West Coast has continued to cancel services and, every day, continued to let passengers down. FirstGroup chief executive Graham Sutherland said: Performance at Avanti is steadily improving and, since the introduction of the new timetable in mid-December, the number of services has increased by more than 40% compared to last summer, with more seats and better frequencies. Todays agreement allows our team to continue their focus on delivering their robust plans to continue enhancing services for our customers, including further progress on our train upgrade and refurbishment programme. The contract for TransPennine Express another FirstGroup-owned operator with performance problems expires on May 28. This will be considered separately with a further announcement in due course, the DfT said. The Ballymena actor, who stars in the movie Marlowe, has racked up a century of films Liam Neeson with Laura Linney ahead of the 'Love Actually' premiere in 2003. They played husband and wife in The Crucible and Kinsey. Photo by Munawar Hosain/Getty Images Liam Neeson at the UK premiere of his new film Marlowe last week. Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty Images Has Liam Neeson just been lucky? Well, it seems any successful actor has a degree of luck in the fickle movie business right time; right place; or having a director seeing something in them at the right moment (eg Steven Spielberg casting him in Schindlers List after seeing a semi-naked Neeson hug Spielbergs mother-in-law backstage at a Broadway show. Spielberg said its the kind of thing Oskar Schindler would have done). But then there is hard work, of putting yourself in those lucky situations as much as you can and the very fact that he has been in 100 films is testament to his commitment. That said, there is a genetic luck at play with the great actors. Some of them just simply look insanely amazing on camera when the rest of us would just resemble sweaty potatoes. With Neeson, it is not just the towering height 6 ft 4ins and the poet/boxer looks, its that extraordinary voice. Interviewing actors is usually quite easy as theyre literally trained to charm people; rarely do you have a holy s***, its..! moment. Yet almost every second when youre talking to Neeson youre having holy s***, its Liam Neeson! moments; and its because of that voice. Its so deep and gravelly and sonorous that my dog upstairs starts going bonkers, believing theres some kind of seismic catastrophe shaking the flat. He is also very cool and no-nonsense in that Liam Neeson way that we know from Taken and Non-Stop and Batman Begins and Darkman, and keeps saying really cool and no-nonsense Neeson things. For instance, when I ask him quite a trendy question about looking after his mental health in the film industry, he talks about how hes good at separating his life from his work and then goes: I dont allow smoke to be blown up my ass. Im not comfortable with receiving compliments. I never was. And its an industry where a lot of smoke gets blown up a lot of asses. Especially if youre in front of the camera. It can be dangerous, you know? All things considered, its strange that hes only now playing Philip Marlowe. Raymond Chandler might as well have written the hardboiled novels, featuring the hard-nosed but morally upstanding detective, in some cosmic anticipation of the existence of Liam Neeson, so suited is he to the role. The film in question is Marlowe, a Sky adaptation of John Banvilles 2014 novel The Black-Eyed Blonde, which revived Chandlers character. Its a period film with some beautiful Thirties sets and clothes (It is cool, says Neeson. High-waisted trousers. Ties that come just to there. And especially putting on the trilby. Lighting up a cigarette.), all delivered by director Neil Jordan in suitably classic style. Its one very much for film noir fans, and suitably full circle for Neesons 100th. Im a film noir fan, he says, Growing up, they were always playing on Sunday afternoons on our little black and white TV. With Alan Ladd or John Garfield. Always raining. Guys in trilby hats. The occasional bit of gunfire. It feels like Ive grown up with that. Liam Neeson as Philip Marlowe in his latest film set to be broadcast on Sky. Quim Vives Philip Marlowe has been played on screen by some of the all-time heavyweight greats Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum, Elliott Gould but Neeson stayed away from watching their work again. No I didnt go back. I took inspiration from the novels. I never got into Chandlers work at all until I knew I was doing this film. It was beautiful, a real discovery. This extraordinary style of writing. Terrific stories. Complicated but terrific. His Marlowe, who in the film is hired by a beautiful heiress to find her missing lover, and uncovers a complex tangle of corruption and drugs, is shown at the start of his career as a private detective, fresh from being fired from the police and still haunted by fighting in the First World War. Neeson says of his introspective take: If youre playing the lead you have to have a certain energy because youre carrying the story. Chandler always wrote in the first person, you could hear Marlowes thoughts. And I wasnt sure whether our film needed that or if audiences needed that: [puts on even more gravelly and sonorous voice] It was a Tuesday. The rain was falling hard. I saw her for the first time you know what I mean? I thought it might enrich it but the powers that be decided not to do that. But I certainly wanted to show a world weariness. And we also have Marlowe serving in the Somme in the First World War, which was kind of added belatedly but it was important for me to know that. Hes seen some horrible, horrible violence. It doesnt attract him. And when he has to be physically violent, a couple of times in the story, it costs him. Indeed, Marlowe is not Taken. Those who mostly know Neeson from his late career reinvention as an action hero (and, erm, Love Actually) will have to readjust their thinking for this one (although, yknow, when he goes for it, he goes for it I do enjoy the combat), which is a far more old Hollywood throwback, not just in the subject matter and sets but in the pacing, the atmosphere and the attention you must pay to it. Liam Neeson with Laura Linney ahead of the 'Love Actually' premiere in 2003. They played husband and wife in The Crucible and Kinsey. Photo by Munawar Hosain/Getty Images One of the most pleasing things is the use of character actors, in the manner of the old films when youd have Peter Lorre and Lauran Bacall trying to steal scenes from under Humphrey Bogarts nose. Neeson plays alongside Diane Kruger, Jessica Lange, Danny Huston, Colm Meanery and Alan Cumming, to name a few, many of whom hes worked with before. Well, its a terrific script, and the chance to work with Jessica again, and Diane; Danny Huston, Colm Meaney, all the pals. Danny Huston youre aware of his lineage: his father, John Huston. Angelica, his sister. To see Danny play a smooth, evil bastard it doesnt get any better, he says. The icing on the cake was Alan Cumming. I dont know him terribly well. But he was in an amazing production of Cabaret with my late wife, 20 years ago, which was terrific. Its also the fourth film hes made with Neil Jordan. The first one, Neeson remembers, didnt work out so well: High Spirits, with Peter OToole, Daryll Hannah and Steve Guttenberg. A comedy done at very bleak old Shepperton studios. I remember being in Los Angeles with Stephen Woolley, the producer, sitting at an industry screening. This comedy started and you could have heard a pin drop for the next hour and forty-five minutes. Stephen Woolley was slipping slowly slowly down the seat, going f***, f*** I ask him whats changed in films since he started; he doesnt think much has. Digital cameras. You can film scenes forever. In the old film stock days youd have to change reels. But thats about it. The crew and departments are essentially the same. What has perhaps changed it the level of responsibility he has on set now, as the lead on most productions. He takes it pleasingly seriously, very much insistent on films being a team effort with no room for movie star bullshit. I take responsibility, in a very basic way if youre called to the set, you go to the set. You dont wait twenty minutes, half an hour. Ive worked with some actors and actresses who pull that stunt and I cant stand it. It insults the crew. Keeps them waiting. I learnt that from Harrison Ford. I did a movie with him some years ago, and when there is that knock on the trailer door, Mr Ford, were ready for you, hes there before any other actors. Youve got to get your shit together. Its important. And at the same time not paint yourself as more important than anybody else. This no-nonsense attitude has taken him from those Sunday afternoons in his house in Ballymena in County Antrim, to the very top of film stardom without losing his sense of self. He tells me he never has a career path in mind, he simply follows the writing. Our cinema drama depends on the spoken word. The spoken word depends on writers. So its all about the writing for me. No matter what the genre is. Maybe not superheroes, Im so not into those at all. But I like well written scripts. Thats key. Thats the foundation. Indeed, despite loving those black and white movies, his ambition as a young man was not about films. I did lots of school plays at 11 or 12, but any ambition I had was about being a theatre actor. Possibly to get invited into the National Theatre was the extent of my ambition. It was only after I did John Boormans Excalibur, that the curtains opened to the world of cinema. And I absolutely loved it. Acting in front of a camera was a different discipline to theatre. And John Boorman became a mentor. Bringing me behind the camera. Showing me what he was shooting. Telling me what the next shots would be. It was a terrific learning curve. Three months on the job. Nicol Williamson. Helen Mirren. All these fantastic actors. Liam Neeson and Forest Whitaker attend the 'Taken 3' Fan Event Screening in New York in 2015 Photo by Mike Pont/FilmMagic Speaking of this, theres real warmth and enthusiasm there behind the growl, and you suddenly understand why hes risen to the top: yes its partly luck and his physical presence and his dog-terrifying voice, but more than anything its his straight-up passion for filmmaking. At 70 years of age, still thrilling audiences, Marlowes dip into old Hollywood is a great place to check in with him again, for they really dont make em like this anymore. A study performed by the Pentagon uncovered high cancer rates among military pilots. In addition, it has been demonstrated for the first time that the ground workers who fuel, maintain, and launch these aircraft are also becoming ill. The Pentagon released the analysis at the beginning of February. Retired military aviators have longed for the data. For years, the military aviators had expressed concern over the amount of air and ground crew members with cancer they knew. Higher Cancer Rates in Military Pilots They were informed that prior military research determined they were not at a higher risk than the US population. A one-year study of over 900,000 service personnel who flew on or worked on military aircraft between 1992 and 2017 revealed that aircrew members had an 87% higher prevalence of melanoma and a 39% higher rate of thyroid cancer. Men had a 16% greater incidence of prostate cancer, whereas women had a 16% higher incidence of breast cancer. Aviation workers had a 24% higher prevalence of all forms of cancer. According to the study, ground crews experienced a 19% higher prevalence of brain and nervous system malignancies, a 15% higher rate of thyroid cancer, and a 9% higher rate of kidney or renal cancers. Similarly, according to the same study, women experienced a 7% greater incidence of breast cancer. The overall rate of all forms of cancer increased by 3%. James Seaman, a Navy A-6 Intruder pilot, was among those who died of cancer at age 61. His passing occurred in 2018. He is among a group of pilots who have been diagnosed with cancer. His widow Betty Seaman is part of a big group of aviators and surviving wives who have fought Congress and the Pentagon for years to investigate the number of malignancies aviators and ground staff face. Per Fox News, the Pentagon recognized that the study's flaws led to a probable undercount of cancer cases. The database of the military health system utilized for the study did not contain accurate cancer data until 1990; therefore, it may not have included pilots who flew planes of earlier generations. Congress mandated the research in the military bill for 2021. Now that greater rates have been discovered, the Pentagon must conduct a more extensive investigation to determine why personnel fall ill. Isolating potential causes is challenging, and the Pentagon was careful to note that this study "does not imply that military service in aircrew or ground crew occupations causes cancer" due to the multiple potential confounding factors that could not be controlled for in this analysis, such as family histories, smoking, and alcohol use. However, aviation crews have long requested that the Pentagon examine the environmental factors to which they are exposed, such as jet fuels and solvents used to clean and maintain jet parts, sensors and their power sources in aircraft nose cones, and the massive radar systems on the decks of the ships on which they land. The study found that when crew members were diagnosed with cancer, they were more likely to survive than members of the general population, CBS News reported. The study hypothesized that this was because they were diagnosed earlier due to required medical checkups and were more likely to be in better health due to military fitness requirements. The Pentagon recognized that the study's flaws led to a probable undercount of cancer cases. The database of the military health system utilized in the study did not contain accurate cancer data until 1990. Therefore it may not have included pilots who flew planes of earlier generations. In addition, the research did not include cancer data from the Department of Veterans Affairs or state cancer registries, meaning it did not cover cases of former crew members who became ill after leaving the military medical system. Read Also: China Accuses US of 'Unreasonably Supressing' TikTok Hazardous Chemicals Linked to Aviation Operations According to the report, the Military will gather data from these registries to contribute to the overall count. In the second part of the investigation, causes will be isolated. The bill of 2021 mandates that the Department of Defense not only identify "the carcinogenic toxicants or hazardous chemicals linked with military flying operations" but also specify the kind of aircraft and areas where crews with cancer served. Now that greater rates have been discovered, the Pentagon must conduct a more extensive investigation to determine why personnel fall ill. The Pentagon carefully noted that the study "does not imply that military service in aircrew or ground crew occupations causes cancer, as there are multiple potential confounding factors that could not be controlled for in this analysis," such as family histories, smoking, and alcohol consumption. However, aviation crews have long requested that the Pentagon examine the environmental factors to which they are exposed, such as jet fuels and solvents used to clean and maintain jet parts, sensors and their power sources in aircraft nose cones, and the massive radar systems on the decks of the ships on which they land. Captain Jim Seaman's gear reeked of jet fuel when he returned from a deployment on an aircraft carrier, according to his wife, Betty Seaman. Per ABC.net, the study found that crew members were more likely to survive when they were diagnosed with cancer than members of the general population. The study hypothesized that this was because they were diagnosed earlier due to mandatory medical checkups and were more likely to be in better health due to military fitness requirements. Related Article: Turkey's 5th Gen TF-X Fighter Succeeds on Taxi Testing on Runway @YouTube @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The moment Justin Rutherford returns to Weatherfield to attack Daisy Midgeley on her wedding day (Danielle Baguley/ITV) The Katie Piper Foundation has supported Coronation Street in understanding the long-lasting impact of an acid attack as the soap explores the issue in an upcoming storyline. In a future episode, Daisy Midgeley, played by Charlotte Jordan, is getting ready for her wedding day at The Rovers Return when her stalker Justin Rutherford, played by Andrew Still, shows up in Weatherfield following his arrest. Justin, holding a glass full of clear liquid, throws the acid on Daisy ahead of her wedding ceremony to Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard). Sarah Green, chief executive of The Katie Piper Foundation, said the charity was happy to support the production team in understanding both the initial and long-lasting impact of an acid attack. TV presenter Katie Piper founded a charity named after her which is dedicated to helping victims of burns and other disfigurement injuries (Ian West/PA) Ian West She added: Coronation Street have shown determination in their research to portray the reality of such attacks and the long-lasting impact they have, not only on the individual, but also the family and the wider community. We hope that story line delivers much-needed awareness around the life of all survivors of burns not just the initial impact but the proceeding hours, days, months and years of their lives. The charity, which helps victims of burns and other disfigurement injuries, was founded by TV presenter and former model Piper who suffered life-changing burns in an acid attack in March 2008 when she was 24. The 39-year-old activist and former Loose Woman panellist presents Katie Pipers Breakfast Show on Sundays on ITV1 and became an OBE for services to charity in the 2021 New Year Honours list. Jordan, who is also known for Netflix series Free Rein, said she was surprised to see such a storyline on TV. The 27-year-old actress added: There is a fear lurking in the back of Daisys mind since Justin was released on bail. She has always been thinking will Justin retaliate in some way? Charlotte Jordan is also known for Netflix series Free Rein (Suzan Moore/PA) Suzan Moore Seeing him again after he has been warned multiple times by officials to stay away from her, she is certainly scared of how he is going to react. I dont think Daisy really thought about how obsessed Justin was going to become. Coronation Street producer Iain MacLeod said the soap will also explore the social fallout of having your appearance profoundly changed, both in terms of your own ability to process that and how the wider world reacts to you. The story will at times be heartbreaking but we felt it was an important one to tell. Acid Survivors Trust International (Asti) executive director Jaf Shah, whose charity also gave advice to the programme-makers, said they hope to raise awareness of their vision to end attacks, thereby preventing further pain and suffering. Mr Shah, whose organisation has campaigned to change laws in Cambodia, UK, Pakistan and Bangladesh, added: Our hope is that the airing of this storyline paves the way to increased understanding of the devastating and complex impact on the lives of survivors. Coronation Street will air the storyline on Monday March 27 on ITV1 and ITVX. American media scholar Noam Chomksy will be among key speakers in a political brainstorming convention in Belfast this week. The ideas and politics festival, Imagine, is themed Brain Food: A Feast of Ideas for A Better World. With 130 in-person and online events, a diverse program of events includes speakers, artists, workshops, theatre and poetry, all aiming to promote healthy and topical discussion. Known as the father of modern linguistics, Noam Chomsky is just as famous for his political analysis. With 150 books written on everything from war and politics, to linguistics and the mass media, Chomsky is a Laureate Professor of Linguistics at the University of Arizona, and one of the founders of the field of cognitive science. He will be quizzed in an online feature by Belfast journalist Alan Meban, on Saturday. There, they will discuss threats to modern democracy and progressive politics. Other key speakers include The End of History author Francis Fukuyama, another US based political scientist; environmentalist Jonathon Porritt, Belfast poet Meabh McGuckian; political activist George Monbiot, satirist Oliver Callan, artist Colin Davidson and journalist Sally Hayden. BBC NIs Evening Extra host, William Crawley, will be hosting a Poetry and Politics special in which representatives from the main political parties will recite their favourite poems at the Crescent Arts Centre. Readers will include UUP leader Doug Beattie, Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl and SDLP MP Claire Hanna. The poetry recital will be followed by a discussion on how the arts impact modern Northern Irish society. Carrying on with this theme is Owen McCafferty, and his new play, Agreement. It will premiere at the Lyric Theatre on March 25. The play examines the key historical moment of the Good Friday Agreement, right before the upcoming 25th anniversary this April. Other shows will include Five Days by Joe Nawaz, showing from Monday to Wednesday, and Reunion by Julie Dutkiewicz and Kabosh Theatre, premiering on Wednesday. Musicians taking part in Imagine will include Australian song writer Robert Foster and John Otway. A talk by Paul Gormon will discuss the rise and fall of the music press. Comedic takes will be represented by Tiff Stevenson and Fin Taylor, with poets such as Claire Pollard, Henry Normal and Luke Wright also taking the stage. Festival director and founder of Imagine, Peter ONeill, said he hopes it will put the fun into politics. Mr ONeill said: This years programme is jam-packed with a diverse range of events that will cater to a variety of tastes. Our events will nourish the mind and provide food for thought in this volatile world. We aim to put the fun into politics with lots of humour, performance and discussion, so please join us for this feast of ideas. Events are due to take place both online and in venues across Belfast, running to March 26. More information and tickets can be found at imaginebelfast.com A thriving market still exists for second-book books which are rare, beautiful, very old or niche, writes Alyson Magee People are looking for well-presented books to look good on their shelves, if not to read The only thing the internet will tell you about the value of second-hand books is what theyre not worth, according to a Northern Ireland bookshop owner. Jim Townsends shop Bookends Bangor on Dufferin Square is celebrating 20 years in business in 2023 and carries around 40,000 second-hand books, from Penguin paperbacks to first editions and antiquarian volumes valued into the thousands. The shop ships worldwide with, for example, an American buyer paying 2,000 for a first edition of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley in the last week. It sold within minutes of listing. The guy who bought it said he used to own this book but had to sell it because he was in financial difficulty, said Jim. He had been looking out for it because it never comes on the market. People often come into the shop with books they have price-checked on the internet, but Jim said its not a reliable source unless you can find out sale rather than asking prices. If you see a book at 100 and nobody has bought it, its not worth 100, he said. Often people are chancing their arm. It does help to get a reasonably expert opinion and the problem is there are not many experts, even in auctions, said Jim. I know books generally, and I will get people who come in and collect books on butterflies or some other niche area. Sometimes I get books in and know someone I can phone and if that person doesnt buy it, no-one else is ever going to buy it because its weird and wonderful. At one time Jim had two premises selling books in Bangor, running a 50p shop out of one but couldnt make any money from it. Very often my business is not related to volume, he said. Im better having six customers in a day who buy good books than 50 customers in a day that buy the latest novel. With quality second-hand book shops few and far between, Bookends Bangor has welcomed customers from the Republic of Ireland and England wishing they had shops like it at home. Bookends Bangor carries around 40,000 volumes Physical books offer a different experience from reading on devices, with every inscription and coffee stain becoming part of your own story. A book has its own life, said Jim. People who value books value the object as well as the story in it. For example, his historian daughter followed a trial of inscriptions in one old book to find a fascinating story of a young man from Moy who had studied at the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich as a cadet with the East India Company and been involved in archaeology in Egypt. If you think you might have any books of value at home, Jim explains whats on offer in his shop and what buyers are usually looking for. Bella, an 'employee' of Bookends Bangor What sort of books do you stock at Bookends Bangor? With books that cost 1,000 or more, then youre probably talking about 100. We would have more worth 10, 50 or 200. We stock a lot of old paperback literature but are not really into the latest potboiler by James Patterson. It would be more John Steinbeck or whatever and they would tend to be the old orange and green Penguins. Theyre about 4 each and youre getting lovely wee books that could be 40 years old. On the other side of the shop, we do a lot of Folio editions and at any one time would have maybe 500 of those in stock. Theyre very collectible but generally not expensive. They start from about 3 but most Folio editions tend to be between 10 and 30 for a single volume to maybe 100 for a set of five. Then we do first editions and would have a set of Oscar Wilde valued at about 2,000, and we have first editions of WB Yeats, George Orwell and Somerset Maughan. We have about 1,000 quality books of significant value. Does the shop specialise in any specific categories? The shop is divided into categories and alphabetically within the categories. We have the largest local history collection in Ireland according to one of the lecturers at Queens University. We do a lot of local history, books on the troubles, Irish literature, first world war, second world war, British, American and world history, and transport. Not many of them would cost more than 25, and a lot might only be 5 so they would not be classed as valuable books. Individually they may not be worth very much, although if you come to me with a library of books like that, we may give you 1,000 for the collection. Where do you find your stock of second-hand books? Locally. We only buy them from local collectors, we dont buy them from auction. You get people who are serious collectors but have died or gone into a nursing home or are having to downsize and move and are being forced to get rid of their collection, and thats the sort of stuff we buy. Good books are hard to get; the average person does not have good books. What makes a second-hand book good in terms of resale value? With antiquarian books, we have books from 1563, 1633 and quite a few books from the 1700s. For a book to be valuable just because of its age, it really needs to be old. When you get to the 1800s, there were millions of books being printed then so youre talking about content and condition, but if youve got a book from 1500, the content and the condition is less important. Just the very age of the book, who printed it, where it was printed and why becomes important. The key things you should be looking at are question one, are they desirable? Who would want them? Are they attractive looking? If youve got books, and theres no dust jacket on them and you look at the shelf and its all dark blue and black and dusty, largely no-ones going to want them unless theres something really good about the content. But if you look at the shelf and theyre beautiful books, bound in leather with gilt titles and gilt markings on them, people may never read the book but they will dress a bookshelf. For someone to want to put it on their bookshelf, its got to have a nice dust jacket and its got to be a desirable author. Condition and appearance become less important the more rare the book is. If you have a history of Bangor from 1820 or something like that, it doesnt matter so much about the condition if the book is sufficiently rare. First editions have got to be desirable and scarce. JK Rowling first editions are commonplace, the ones that make big bucks are first editions signed with the original errors in printing. Who are your main customers for second-hand books? Everyone. We get an amazing number of young people coming in to look at quality books who will even buy one book at 20 to add to their collection, and these are books they will keep and treasure. There was an article in the Sunday Times about how a lot of teenagers still have a bookshelf in their bedroom and feel the books represent who they are. And there are niche collectors out there. I have one collector who only buys books on Irish transport. He will only buy them if theyre in mint condition, and he will buy multiple editions of the one book to make it more scarce. A Belfast pub has been awarded the prestigious title of Pub of the Year by Northern Ireland's Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA NI) branch. The Sunflower Public House on Union Street, picked up the award from the voluntary consumer organisation, which singled it out for its atmosphere and customer service as well as their value for money. Famous for its simplistic style and daily live music, The Sunflower has been a popular spot for drinkers in Belfast for over 10 years. Its No Topless Bathing, Ulster has suffered enough sign is also one of the citys most Instagramd pictures. "Were delighted, its always great to win things like this, said Sunflower owner Pedro Donald, who also owns The American Bar, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph. "The Sunflower is known for its beer, and were very much beer focused. Some other bars do food, or cocktails or specialise in other things, but its great that we are recognised and known in Belfast for our commitment to our beer. "So for that reason alone, we are beyond delighted." The Sunflower Pedro added CAMRA NI recognises traditional pubs, and is happy they incorporate all different times of venues like those with their own breweries including their own. He said despite a wealth of options in the Belfast area specifically, The Sunflowers continued success is down to their simplicity. When we set up in 2012, we knew we wanted to be a pub-pub. A proper pub without any airs or graces, no gimmicks, no themes, no one-offs. "So we knew because of that we would last the distance. People like a pub, sure there may be the latest thing out there, but at the end of the day people just want a pub-pub. The organisation also shared their congratulations to the Union Street spot. "Congratulations to The Sunflower for winning the pub of the year award this year," said CAMRA NI on social media. "A fantastic bar championing local beer, cask beer and local communities. Everything that we think makes a fantastic pub!!" She also told police that she had "nothing to live for". A Belfast mother phoned police to declare she planned to shoot her three children and go out with a bang, a court heard today. The 34-year-old woman was given a six-month suspended prison sentence for making threats which led to armed response officers being deployed. She cannot be named to protect the identities of her children. Belfast Magistrates Court heard the woman made a 999 call on December 16, 2021 in which she threatened to kill her ex-partner and three kids at an address in the city. During the call she told police: I have nothing to live for, Im going out with a bang and it will be memorable. The woman then stated: I will kill my children, I will shoot them. Backed by an armed support unit, PSNI officers attended the scene and arrested the defendant. She admitted making threats to kill and improper use of a public electronic communications network. The woman was also convicted of disorderly behaviour and criminal damage in connection with two separate incidents at hospitals in Belfast. Prosecutors said she broke the door handle off a police car after being detained on May 7 last year for shouting and screaming in a waiting area at the Mater Hospital. The woman was arrested again when officers were called to the Royal Victoria Hospital on October 23. She was aggressive to staff and threw a fan at nurses, but this was caught by a doctor, a Crown lawyer said. Defence barrister Michael Boyd told the court there was no excuse for his clients drink-fuelled behaviour. But he added: She is a deeply vulnerable lady who has had a whole host of genuinely awful things happen to her over the years. Imposing a total of six months custody, District Judge Steven Keown suspended the term for two years. Newry Magistrates Court heard how the charges relate to five million cigarettes and 700 kilos of rolling tobacco, with an alleged customs duty evasion of about 2m. Facing a charge of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the duty chargeable are Jacqueline Jean Cooper (57), from Frenchpark Street in Belfast, William Millen (73), also from Frenchpark Street in Belfast, Denise Dougan (35), from Ballyfore Road in Newtownabbey, Paul Eamon Quigley (64), from Dundrum Park, Londonderry, and Stephen Harold Trimble (59), from Kensington Avenue in Banbridge. While all five are jointly accused on the duty-evasion charge, Cooper and Millen are also accused of having 4,000 of criminal property, while Trimble is accused of having 21,640 of criminal property, with all of the offences allegedly committed between April 5, 2018 and August 13, 2019. None of the alleged facts giving rise to the charges were opened in court, but a prosecuting lawyer submitted there was a prima facie case against each of the defendants, which was conceded by their various lawyers. The five accused were asked if they wished to comment on the charges or call evidence on their behalves, but they declined. Freeing each of them on 500 bail, District Judge Trevor Browne returned the case to Newry Crown Court for trial but did not set a date for the arraignment. A construction company and a council charged with offences following the tragic death of an electrician killed during a storm are to try to have the charges dismissed, a court has heard. Matt Campbell (24) was working for Lagan Construction at Slieve Gullion Forest Park in Co Armagh as strong winds lashed Northern Ireland during Storm Ali in September 2018. Just the week beforehand, Matt and his fiancee Robyn Newberry had sent out save the date cards in preparation for their wedding in August the following year. On the day tragedy struck, she had collected the couples wedding rings. Prosecuting counsel Fiona OKane told Newry Magistrates Court on Monday that senior counsel for the two defendants had confirmed to her they would be seeking a Preliminary Investigation before the case against Lagan Construction Ltd and Newry Mourne & Down Council could progress to the Crown Court. For any case to be elevated to the Crown Court, a judge must be satisfied there is a prima facie case against a defendant and while, in the majority of cases, defence lawyers usually concede there is, lawyers can ask for the PPS to call evidence. If that evidence does not meet the test, the charges are dismissed. NMD council and Lagan Construction Ltd were each charged with two offences of breaching health and safety legislation on 19 September 2018. The council, with their head offices at Downshire Civic Centre in Downpatrick, and Lagan Construction Ltd, with offices on the Sydenham Road in Belfast, are both charged with failing to make appropriate risk assessments for non-employees and employees respectively. They are also charged with failing to ensure, so far as would be reasonable practicable, to ensure the health and safety of employees and non-employees. Mrs OKane told District Judge Trevor Browne that while no witnesses would need to be called to testify at the PI, there would be written and brief oral submissions. The PI is scheduled to begin on 15 May. A passenger who attacked a taxi driver in Belfast has been given 18 months probation. Thomas Glassey was also ordered to carry out 80 hours community service and pay for damage he caused to the victims car. A judge warned the 39-year-old that he faces imprisonment for any failure to comply with the sentence. Glassey, of Cliftonville Road in the city, admitted common assault, criminal damage, and assault on a police designated person. Belfast Magistrates Court heard he became increasingly aggressive during a cab ride at an undisclosed location on September 23 last year. A Crown lawyer said Glassey called the taxi driver a c*** and began to flail his arms around. When the car stopped he got out and kicked the vehicle, causing 200 worth of damage as the driver tried to restrain him. He kicked, punched and spat at the injured party during the struggle, resulting in an injury to his knee, the prosecutor added. Glassey continued with the outburst following his arrest, spitting on the chest of a custody detention officer. Based on his guilty plea and lack of any recent offending, District Judge Steven Keown decided not to send him jail. Imposing probation and community service, he told Glassey: Be under no illusion, if you come back to court for breaching the combination order there is every likelihood you will go to prison. Mr Keown added: There will also be 200 compensation. A new inmate is facing indefinite segregation over organic material detected by X-ray body scanners introduced in Northern Irelands prisons, the High Court heard today. Sean Paul OHalloran claims the technology being used to combat illegal contraband has put him in an impossible situation - because he is concealing nothing. The 30-year-old west Belfast man was jailed earlier this month for common assault, attempted criminal damage and attempted assault on police. He is challenging the Prison Service for subjecting him to full body X-ray scans and detaining him in a Care and Supervision Unit (CSU) since his arrival at HMP Maghaberry. The equipment has just been brought in to check new inmates and those returning from temporary release for any drugs, mobile phones, weapons or other prohibited items. OHalloran, who is in custody for the first time, denies attempting to smuggle anything into the jail. But having been scanned up to four times, he remains in a CSU away from the general prison population. His barrister, Dessie Hutton KC, told the court: The prison says that some organic material has been detected (in him). But he is made up of organic material from the tips of his toes. Seeking to have the judicial review case fast-tracked, counsel submitted: As a result of these scans he will continue to be detained indefinitely until he passes whatever is thought to be inside him, and he says there is nothing to pass. From his perspective there is no way out of this. Tony McGleenan KC, for the Prison Service, outlined the approach taken in the circumstances. When someone appears to have a foreign body of this nature in their person they will remain under observation until processes take their course, he said. In the first case of its kind, OHalloran claims the authority has unlawfully failed to formulate a policy about the use of body scanning X-ray machinery. Mr Justice Colton agreed to list the challenge for a hearing early next month. Outside court OHallorans solicitor, Owen Beattie, said: This litigation is an illustration of the ongoing reform required so that prison procedures are compliant with human right standards. It is not just important for our client, but for prisoners throughout the country. The brother of a former republican prisoner killed by loyalist paramilitaries has spoken of the damage his death had on their family and community. Sam Marshall was 31 years old when he was killed by the UVF on March 7 1990 as he left a police station in Lurgan. Mr Marshalls family has previously expressed concerns of state collusion due to the fact that he was under heavy security force surveillance at the time of the attack. John Marshall, Mr Marshalls elder brother, spoke at the opening of the inquest in Belfast on Monday about the impact of his brothers death. Sams death on March 7, 1990 had a devastating effect on his family, he said. Mr Marshall became involved with republican politics following his release from prison in 1982, where he became a focal point in the community in Lurgan, his brother told the court. Several thousand people attended Sams funeral on March 10, he added. This indicates the high regard he was held in within his local community. The family are hoping the inquest will give them answers they have been waiting 33 years for. We see it as the only credible process whereby the full circumstances of Sams death can be properly investigated, John Marshall said. Frank ODonoghue, the consul for coroner Judge Gilpin, said the inquest will seek to answer questions about the broader circumstances surrounding Mr Marshalls death. The first part of the inquest will focus on the evidence from the scene of the shooting. Evidence relating to issues of greater controversy will be left to later modules, Mr ODonoghue said. At the time of the shooting, Mr Marshall was with two other men who were injured in the attack Colin Duffy and Tony McCaughey. The court heard that Mr Duffy gave a statement after the shooting where he disclosed that himself and Mr Marshall would vary their routes to and from the police station. Mr Duffy also said in his statement that they noticed a car driving past them several times and he believed this car to be a part of a surveillance operation being carried out by the police and the British Army. A previous Historical Enquiries Team (HET) report found that a number of undercover soldiers were deployed near the site of the shooting, with their commander monitoring from a remote location. The inquest is set to continue with input from civilian witnesses. Discovery of a dead teen close to the Murdaugh home will be exhumed for an autopsy if there is a link to the convicted lawyer. Stephen N. Smith,19, a South Carolina nursing student, was discovered dead on a road that was situated close to the family's hunting estate. Dead Teen Found Near Alex Murdaugh's Home Case Reopens How the teen died in 2015 is the subject of intense scrutiny after the conviction of dual killer Alex Murdaugh early in the month. He was jailed on two counts for shooting his wife and son dead at their home in June 2021, as reported by Law and Crime. The teen's mother said last Thursday that she would be pursuing the exhumation of her son after a fund-raising app 'GoFundMe' enabled her to raise about $53,000 for that purpose. She stated the fundraiser was more successful than she thought and got a good start. The mom thanked all those who did not allow what happened to him to be forgotten. Added the exhuming of the body will be done and how it goes along. Stephen Smith's Body To Be Exhumed for Independent Autopsy The corpse of Smith, a classmate of Buster, the surviving Murdaugh, was found precisely 65 miles north of Savannah, Georgia. The body was seen in the middle of Sandy Run Road in Hampton County on July 8, 2015. The conclusions of the South Carolina Highway Patrol investigator indicated that a blunt object struck the victim due to a hit-and-run incident, but this was not convincing due to not enough evidence to verify the cause of death, WCBD-TV mentioned. Read Also: Louisiana Boy Starved to Death by Abusive Parents Looking over the place where the teen was run over, that had no vehicle debris, even skid marks, or injuries showing getting struck by a vehicle. This was noticed in the notes from the station and talking to the MAIT, which could not prove it was caused by getting run over. Too suspicious why the Smith case was never closed properly Stephen Smith had the hallmarks of a cold case that was never resolved, but in June 2021, there was a significant change. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) stated it would revive the case immediately after the fatal killing of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. Tommy Crosby, SLED spokesman, on June 23 this year, stated that SLED reopened the case to investigate the death of Stephen Smith, which was echoed by the Murdaugh double murder probe, per Bluffton Today. Details weren't released by the cops about what they dug up, and neither said if the teen was one of the ex-lawyer's murder victims. Smith's mother said she would prefer to take matters into her own hands, despite the investigators' decision to reopen the case. She added that the goal was to pursue an independent exhumation immediately, even if the state could fund the exhumation and the autopsy. She remarked that it would be done at MUSC to prove it was not a hit-and-run with alleged proof to support the initial conclusion. "We need a new, unbiased look at his body and an accurate determination of his cause of death based on facts," she added. Related Article: Alex Murdaugh Cheats Housekeeper's Death via Financial Scams @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. James Nesbitt pictured at Cheltenham in 2017 with Zara Tindall (then Zara Phillips). Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Getty Images James Nesbitt was one of 71,500 racegoers to attend Gold Cup day at this years Cheltenham Festival, but the Coleraine-born actor has affirmed that he isnt able to party like he used to. The 58-year-old, who is also the co-owner of 2012 Ryanair Chase-winning horse Riverside Theatre, attended all four days of the 2023 racing extravaganza. The Daily Mail reported that on Friday Gold Cup day he confessed: I am staying with Zara and Mike Tindall. Last night I went quite large so when we got back Zara sent me to my quarters and I was supposed to change for dinner. But I never made it, so I had 12 hours' sleep, which is why I'm quite fresh today. They didn't cook breakfast, but they ate breakfast with me. We had Dom Perignon 2010 at 10am. Zara Tindall is the daughter of Princess Anne, and a niece to King Charles III. She is also an experienced equestrian and Olympian. Her husband Mike is a former English rugby union player and last year, became the first member of the Royal family to be a contestant on Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! Bookies favourite Galopin Des Champs stormed clear to win this years coveted Cheltenham Gold Cup. The 7-5 favourite gave jockey Paul Townend and Willie Mullins, who triumphed twice with Al Boum Photo, their third win in five years. He also compares Liz Truss leadership reign as Prime Minister to a Mr Bean tribute act Belfast-born Conservative MP Conor Burns has spoken of being traumatised over his humiliating and egregious sacking from his ministerial post over allegations of sexual misconduct, from which he was later exonerated. In an interview with the Sunday Times, the former Northern Ireland Office minister also described ex-Prime Minister Liz Truss leadership reign as a sort of Mr Bean tribute act. Back in October of last year, Mr Burns, who is gay, was sacked from his post as trade minister following allegations that he touched a mans thigh at a hotel bar during the Tory Party conference. He was also suspended as a Tory MP, before subsequently being cleared of misconduct and having the whip restored. The Tory MP who was born in north Belfast during the Troubles before his family moved to Hertfordshire, away from the corset of sectarian identity when he was eight-years-old said the circumstances behind his sacking were farcical. His sacking came during Ms Truss tenure as Tory leader. I never thought Id see a day when the leader of the Conservative Party, of all parties, would so casually, so easily cast aside the ancient principle of innocent until proven guilty to destroy someone, Mr Burns said. I was frankly traumatised. Mr Burns said he received no apology from the whips office, or party HQ, when he was later exonerated after what he describes as a drive-by shooting. The MP for Bournemouth West said he believes his praising of Ms Truss leadership rival Kemi Badenoch played a huge role in his sacking, and also alluded to homophobia possibly being a factor in the incident. When asked if he feels this was the case, Mr Burns nodded and said: Look at the recent composition of cabinets. There isnt currently a gay member of the cabinet. There wasnt a gay member under Truss. I dont think there was under Boris. And gays are not under-represented in the parliamentary party. Mr Burns previously said his sexuality had been no impediment to his political career, but when asked if he would still say that he replied: No, I would not. What I dont want to do is come across as a pleading, moaning victim, right? he added. He said that, when he was cleared of misconduct, PM Rishi Sunak said to him: You have earned the admiration and respect of so many people with the dignity with which you have publicly handled this. Mr Burns said he told Mr Sunak: I realise you had nothing to do with this. Nor did you have a role in tanking the UK economy and decimating our poll lead. But while youre trying to clear those up, Id like you to add [my sacking] to the list of Trussterf***s that you clear up. Mr Burns said he found Ms Truss utterly untroubled by the rationality and emotions which would govern the lives of others. The tragedy is, that period (of Ms Truss leadership reign) was written up to be inspired by the success of the Thatcherite revolution. Sadly it turned into a sort of Mr Bean tribute act, he said. Former PM Liz Truss The Tory MP was previously known as one of former PM Boris Johnsons biggest cheerleaders, famously stating during the partygate scandal that Mr Johnson had been ambushed by a cake. I was loyal to Boris, I was with Boris on the journey, Mr Burns said. I remember the wilderness year, when he resigned [as foreign secretary in Theresa Mays cabinet] in the July of 18. We were about as popular as vomit for a period. Mr Burns said Boris Johnson was the only one with the merchant adventurism to win us a thundering majority, but added, my existence now is no longer to be the chief cheerleader for Boris Johnson. The former NIO minister also spoke of devoting his time last summer to finding a solution to the Northern Ireland Protocol, and suggested he is owed some credit for Rishi Sunaks Windsor Framework deal. Immodestly I think what we did last summer accelerated it. I think others would acknowledge that I played a positive part, he said. He added that he feels the new Brexit deal is probably as good as were going to get. Asked who should take the greatest credit, Mr Burns replied: Well, theres no question that the Prime Minister has led it. But without wishing to overblow my part, I wanted to get the ball onto the line. And then it was up to somebody to either kick it or not kick it. He also joked at the beginning of his interview that it would be the second-longest suicide note in history a reference to the late Labour MP Gerald Kaufmans description of his partys 1983 general election manifesto. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the announcement of the Windsor Framework deal The DUP is set to vote against a key element of Rishi Sunaks Windsor Framework deal, it has been reported. MPs are set to debate and vote on a motion on the Stormont Brake in the Commons on Wednesday, in what is seen as a proxy vote on the overall deal. The brake is designed to give MLAs a greater say on how EU laws are applied in Northern Ireland. It would require the signatures of 30 MLAs from two or more parties to be activated. Once this has happened and if MLAs are able to demonstrate that the new EU rule has a significant impact specific to everyday life that is liable to persist then the UK would notify the EU that the brake has been applied and the rule is suspended from coming into effect. Read more New Stormont Brake details to be revealed as Ian Paisley confirms he will vote against it The EU and the Government would then review the rule in question, with the UK ultimately having a veto to disapply the rule permanently. According to a report in the Sunday Telegraph, DUP MPs are likely to vote against the brake on Wednesday. A source said they fully expect this to happen, and also criticised the Prime Minister for his parliamentary tactics in taking one part of the Framework for a Commons vote. You cant take one part of [the Windsor Framework] and leave aside all the rest, especially at the same time as theyre briefing out that this would be taken as a signal on the overall agreement which of course it would be by the Government. This vote has been brought forward without the necessary information and texts and details being provided. Its just an outrageous attempt to try to force this through without proper scrutiny or debate or vote. On a visit to Washington DC last week, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said: It is my current assessment that there remain key areas of concern which require further clarification, reworking and change as well as seeing further legal text. The Stormont brake motion is still set to pass with or without the DUPs support, as Labour has said it would support it. 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. The Government has insisted it has no plans to renegotiate the Windsor Framework after the DUP said it would vote against the deal in Parliament. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We remain confident that this is the best deal for Northern Ireland. Of course we wanted to give the DUP and other parties as much time as possible to consider the deal and come to a view. Equally we need to provide certainty to the people and businesses of Northern Ireland which is why we have started the process of votes. The DUP are important partners in this. We want to answer any further questions they have and provide any necessary reassurance and we stand ready to do that. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said his party will vote against the Stormont Brake when it goes to the House of Commons on Wednesday. The DUP leader said: Since the announcement that the Stormont Brake is to be debated and voted upon in Parliament on Wednesday there have been a number of indications that this vote will be read as indicative of current positions on the wider Windsor Framework package. Our party officers, the only decision-making mechanism in our party on these matters, met this morning and unanimously agreed that in the context of our ongoing concerns and the need to see further progress secured whilst continuing to seek clarification, change and re-working that our members of Parliament would vote against the draft statutory instrument on Wednesday. We will continue to work with the Government on all the outstanding issues relating to the Windsor Framework package to try to restore the delicate political balances within Northern Ireland and to seek to make further progress on all these matters. The brake is designed to give MLAs a greater say on how EU laws are applied in Northern Ireland. It would allow a minority of Assembly members at Stormont to formally flag concerns about the imposition of new EU laws in Northern Ireland - a move that could see the UK government veto their introduction in the region. Senior DUP MP Ian Paisley already confirmed earlier on Monday that he will vote against the Government on the brake mechanism. In an interview with the News Letter, Mr Paisley said: "I am categorically voting against, and I would be surprised if my colleagues do not join me". He affirmed that the new deal does not meet any of the DUPs seven tests, which the party say must be met before the agree on any deal related to the NI Protocol. Fellow party MP Jim Shannon echoed this sentiment. "The government hasn't convinced us - legally or otherwise - that the Stormont Brake actually means anything. It is a platitude of words and we need something more concrete, he said. "The government needs to take a good hard look at where they are with it. The statutory instrument on the brake was published on Monday ahead of Wednesdays vote. Although future votes on other aspects of the deal are expected, Sir Jeffrey said Wednesdays vote will be read as indicative of the partys position on the wider agreement. TUV leader, Jim Allister, believes the DUP need to go even further in repudiating Windsor Whitewash. In welcoming the DUP decision to vote against the limited statutory instrument debate, it is imperative that unionism stands firm and makes it abundantly clear that the Windsor Framework is incapable of restoring UK sovereignty over NI and expunging EU colonial control, he said. To talk of the need to see further progress secured whilst continuing to seek clarification, change and re-working is to avoid grasping the nettle and facing the reality that the Windsor Framework will never address the core issues because its parameters are set by the legal framework of Art 164(5)(d) of the Withdrawal Agreement, which prohibits any change to the essential elements of the Protocol. Thus Windsor sets in stone our subservience to the EU customs code and single market laws - something which no unionist should ever contemplate implementing through Stormont. It is here that the DUP statement falls short by failing to declare that there are no circumstances whereby Stormont can be restored so long as implementation of the Irish Sea border and foreign law is its price. While Wednesdays vote will be a key moment, the DUP has set up a special panel to examine all the details of the Windsor Framework before the party decides whether to return to Stormont. Tory Brexiteers in the European Research Group (ERG) have not yet offered a formal verdict on the protocol compromise, as it prepares to publish a report by its star chamber of lawyers on Tuesday morning. But the ERG is widely expected to give the deal a thumbs down. The Tory hardliners will dismiss the so-called Stormont brake as unusable, according to The Times warning that any block would have to be ultimately agreed by the EU. Tory MPs in the ERG also claim that the Windsor agreement could stop the UK from diverging from Brussels rules because of new barriers between Britain and Northern Ireland. Boris Johnson said earlier this month that he would find it very difficult to vote for the deal in parliament, while ex-cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg had suggested many Brexiteer MPs would want to follow the DUPs lead. The PM could be forced to rely on Sir Keir Starmers Labour party if close to 40 Tory rebels embarrass the government by opposing the Stormont brake on Wednesday. Mr Sunaks spokesman said No 10 believes the brake to be the most significant element of the UK-EU deal. Meanwhile, the UK foreign secretary James Cleverly has announced that he will meet the EU's Maros Sefcovic in London on Friday to formally adopt the Windsor pact. Following the news, Sinn Fein MP John Finucane called for the immediate restoration of the Executive and said huge opportunities to strengthen the economy and create better jobs must be seized. The negotiation between the EU and the British government has concluded. Its now time to move forward, said the North Belfast representative. We need the Assembly and Executive restored and parties working together to tackle the problems in our health service and deliver for workers, families and businesses. Ten months ago, the people voted in an democratic Assembly election, yet no power-sharing coalition government has yet been formed. The democratic outcome of that election must be respected. The onus is now on the British and Irish governments, the Stormont parties, not least the DUP, to get back to business and form a government which will support families and workers. The Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee formally meets in London on March 24 to adopt the deal into EU law, and as we move to implementation stage it is imperative that the Good Friday Agreement institutions are fully restored. A sign on a lamp post outside Larne Port with the word 'No Irish Sea Border'. (Picture date: Monday March 8, 2021) PA More information around how the controversial Stormont Brake element of the Windsor Framework will work, is set to be released on Monday. A key element of Rishi Sunaks new post-Brexit trading deal for Northern Ireland, it has already been reported that the DUP is likely to vote against the legislation. MPs are set to debate and vote on a motion on the Stormont Brake in the Commons on Wednesday, in what is seen as a proxy vote on the overall deal. The brake is designed to give MLAs a greater say on how EU laws are applied in Northern Ireland. It would allow a minority of Assembly members at Stormont to formally flag concerns about the imposition of new EU laws in Northern Ireland - a move that could see the UK government veto their introduction in the region. Senior DUP MP Ian Paisley has confirmed that he will vote against the Government on the brake mechanism. In an interview with the News Letter, Mr Paisley said: "I am categorically voting against, and I would be surprised if my colleagues do not join me". He added: "My initial reaction to the Windsor Framework was that I didn't think it cut the mustard in terms of addressing our seven key tests (on restoring NI's place within the UK internal market). "After taking time to study it and a least one legal opinion on it, and going through the details, and also having conversations and messages back and forward to the Secretary of State, I am still of that opinion - that it doesn't address any of our seven tests. "It is the old substance dressed up in a new package with a ribbon around it, but it hasn't actually changed, or addressed the fundamental issue of Northern Ireland trade being disrupted in our internal UK market." The DUP is currently blocking devolution at Stormont in protest at the terms of the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol. While the party says the Windsor Framework has gone some way to address its concerns, it says some "fundamental problems" remain with the new accord. Military Cross recipient and now Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie has said he is proud of those he served with during the Iraq War despite the invasion taking place under a false premise. 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) Sue Gray Report/Cabinet Office 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. 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 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. 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 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. A man accused of acting as a spotter in the gunpoint robbery of Amir Khan has told a jury he did not know who the former world boxing champion was. The 2004 Olympic silver medallist, 36, was targeted as he and his wife, Faryal Makhdoom, 31, left the Sahara Grill restaurant in Leyton, east London, on April 18 last year. Khan was forced to hand over his 70,000 bespoke rose gold diamond-encrusted Franck Muller watch by gunman Dante Campbell, 20, Snaresbrook Crown Court has heard. The custom-made Franck Muller watch (Metropolitan Police/PA) Metropolitan Police Campbell and Ahmed Bana, 25, who drove the robbers to and from the scene in a silver Mercedes coupe, have admitted their roles in the plot. Two other men 24-year-old Ismail Mohamed and 25-year-old Nurul Amin are on trial accused of acting as spotters with Hamza Kulane, who is not on trial. The three are said to have dined in the restaurant to keep track of Mr Khans movements and relay them by phone to Bana. Mohamed, from Edmonton, and Amin, from Harringay, both in north London, deny conspiracy to rob. Amin chose not to give evidence, while Mohamed told jurors on Monday he had not heard of Khan before accompanying his friends to the restaurant to break their Ramadan fast. I didnt know who Amir Khan was, he said. He was taking pictures with fans. Hamza pointed him out and said, Thats Amir Khan, the boxer. Amir Khan (right) fighting Kell Brook last year (Nick Potts/PA) Nick Potts Mohamed said he then told Bana about the sportsmans presence during a phone call. I said, Guess whos in the restaurant Sahara Grill with us? Amir Khan, the boxer. Ahmed said, No way, whats he doing there? I said, Hes probably breaking fast. Mohamed said Bana arranged with him to come to meet the group to buy cannabis. The robbery, which lasted just seconds, was captured on CCTV which has been played to the jury. Khan, who was a unified world champion at light-welterweight, said he looked into the handguns barrel when the robber pointed it weapon in his face and told him: Take off the watch. Campbell, from Hornsey, and Bana, from Tottenham, both in north London, have admitted conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of an imitation firearm. The trial continues. President Xi Jinping should use his visit to Russia to urge Vladimir Putin to halt the bombings and other atrocities in Ukraine, Downing Street has said. The Chinese leader arrived in Moscow on a three-day visit on Monday, just days after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Mr Putins arrest, accusing him of bearing personal responsibility for the abduction of children from Ukraine. The visit is being watched closely in the West for any shift in Chinas position on the Russian invasion, amid simmering tensions with Beijing. China has tried to portray itself as neutral in the conflict and Beijing called for a ceasefire last month. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: China has spoken previously about the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity in Ukraine. We would like to see President Xi advocate for this point when he speaks to Putin. This war and its assault on Ukraines sovereignty could end today if Russia withdrew its troops from Ukraine. So we hope President Xi uses this opportunity to press President Putin to cease bombing Ukrainian cities, hospitals, schools, and to halt some of these atrocities that we are seeing on a daily basis. Rishi Sunak, who has come under pressure from senior Tories to take a tougher line on China, described the country as an epoch-defining challenge earlier this month. North Korea must be prepared to unleash nuclear counterattacks at any time to deter war, leader Kim Jong Un was cited by state media on Monday, as he accused the United States and South Korea of escalating joint military exercises along the country's border. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong Un's remarks came after "trying to direct" nuclear counterattack simulation drills of operational units simulating a nuclear counterattack against North Korea's enemies over the weekend, which he described as having "greatly improved the actual war capability of the units." Kim Jong Un Calls for Nuclear Attack Readiness State media said that a North Korean ballistic missile equipped with a dummy nuclear warhead was launched on Sunday and traveled around 800 kilometers (500 miles) before striking a target at an altitude of 800 meters (0.5 miles) in a nuclear assault scenario. KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un stated that the exercises helped North Korean forces become "acquainted with all unexpected conditions and more completely equipped to launch a quick and overwhelming nuclear response at any time." Kim featured in state-run media photographs beside his daughter Kim Ju Ae, stated that it was "crucial to arrange and perform these drills under simulated war situations consistently." North Korea disclosed their nuclear counterattack simulation after US strategic bombers participated in combined air drills with South Korean forces on Sunday as part of "Freedom Shield," the largest joint military exercise between the two nations. Photos revealed the launch used a KN-23 short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), but unlike previous tests, the engine exhaust looked to be discharged from both sides at the launch, which might indicate a silo was utilized. According to a defense ministry spokesperson who declined to disclose, the North is making significant technological gains in its nuclear program. Kim Jong Un stated that the exercises enhanced the military's combat capacity and urged the armed forces to be prepared for an "immediate and overwhelming nuclear retaliation at any time." Per NBC News, Kim was using the abbreviation for the official name of his nation, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. On Sunday, South Korea and Japan reported a launch of a short-range ballistic missile by North Korea off the east coast, the latest in a series of missile tests conducted in recent weeks. North Korea has responded angrily to the joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, labeling it an invasion rehearsal. This month, the partners have conducted exercises, including air and sea operations on Sunday with US B-1B bombers. Monday will mark the beginning of the US and South Korean fleets' and marine corps' first large-scale Ssangyong amphibious landing drills in five years. The exercises will last for two weeks, until April 3. Read Also: Vladimir Putin Arrest Warrant for War Crimes US-South Korea Military Drills Last month, the United States and South Korea conducted tabletop exercises simulating a nuclear attack by North Korea in response to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's call for greater confidence in US extended deterrence - the United States military capability, particularly its nuclear forces, to deter attacks on its allies. In a separate dispatch, KCNA stated that more than 1.4 million North Koreans have enlisted or re-enlisted in the military to fight against Seoul and Washington, an increase from the 800,000 reported by a state-run publication just two days before. Kim's sister warned earlier this month that it would constitute a "clear declaration of war" if North Korean missiles were intercepted during their test launches over the Pacific Ocean. North Korea has responded angrily to the South Korea-US summit. Combined military exercises, referred to as an invasion rehearsal. Since the beginning of this month, the allies have conducted several of their yearly exercises, including air and sea operations on Sunday involving US forces. Strategic bombers B-1B. The South Korean Defense Ministry subsequently released photographs of the Sunday drills. Above South Korea, two US Air Force B-1B bombers were flanked above South Korea by F-16 and F-35A aircraft from Seoul. Daily Mail reported that the exercise has been ongoing for eleven days and is the largest cooperative exercise between the two nations in the past five years. Yoon Suk Yeol, president of South Korea, has advocated for more faith in the United States extended deterrence - its military capabilities, particularly nuclear forces, to deter assaults on its allies. The Freedom Shield exercises began on Monday and will continue for ten days. Allies have stated that the Freedom Shield drills will focus on the "changing security environment" caused by North Korea's renewed aggressiveness. North Korea regards all such exercises as invasion preparations and has repeatedly vowed to respond with "overwhelming" force. The launch overshadowed the summit between Yoon and his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida. At the meeting, both presidents decided to continue defense discussions and bolster trilateral security cooperation with the United States. Related Article: China Criticizes AUKUS Alliance, Warns 'Path of Error, Danger' @YouTube @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A convicted terrorist jailed alongside London Bridge killer Usman Khan can be freed from prison despite being recalled three previous times, the Parole Board has said. Mohammed Chowdhury, 33, and Khan were among nine members of an al Qaida-inspired group sentenced in 2012 for plotting to bomb the London Stock Exchange and build a terrorist training camp in Pakistan. Khan was automatically released halfway through his 16-year jail term and had been out on licence for 11 months when he launched an attack at a prisoner education event at Fishmongers Hall in November 2019. Mohammed Chowdhury (West Midlands Police/PA) West Midlands Police The 28-year-old was shot dead by police after stabbing to death Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23. Chowdhury, from east London, was sentenced to 13 years and eight months in 2012 after being described as the lynchpin of the group who plotted to plant a pipe bomb in the toilets of the London Stock Exchange. He spoke about carrying out a Mumbai-style attack at the Houses of Parliament or the London Eye and a handwritten target list found at his home listed the names and addresses of then London mayor Boris Johnson, the Dean of St Pauls Cathedral, two rabbis, the American Embassy in London and the Stock Exchange. Chowdhury was also handed a nine-month consecutive sentence in December 2015 after he was convicted of violent disorder in prison. He has been recalled to prison three times since he was first automatically released in January 2018 but the Parole Board said on Monday that he has managed to move away from extremism and is suitable for release on licence. Chowdhury could have been held in jail until February 2030 if he was not found suitable for a return to the community by a parole review. Usman Khan (West Midlands Police/PA) West Midlands Police His case was reviewed at an oral hearing in October last year and on Monday the Parole Board said: After considering the circumstances of his offending and time on licence, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was satisfied that Mr Chowdhury had managed to move away from extremism. It determined that he was suitable for release. His release was approved on conditions including living at a designated address, observing strict curfews and submitting to enhanced monitoring including GPS tagging, polygraph testing and measures to manage desistance from extremist behaviour. He must also comply with limits to his contacts and activities, as well as restrictions on the use of electronic technology. Chowdhury was first released on January 25 2018 but was recalled to prison around six months later on July 19. He was released for a second time on October 3 that year on the direction of the then justice secretary when it was determined the recall was not justified. Chowdhury was again recalled on November 15 but re-released on June 25 2019 at the direction of the Parole Board after an oral hearing. He was then recalled a third time on July 17 that year due to concerns about his behaviour. The Parole Board said the there had been no evidence to suggest he had committed further offences but given the circumstances, the panel found the decision to recall him to custody at this time had been appropriate. Despite concerns about his behaviour including violence since he was last recalled, the panel said he had been helped with his mental health and he has been compliant with prescribed medication. A professional assessment determined that Mr Chowdhury had since fully recovered, the board said. The panel noted that the evidence before it demonstrated that Mr Chowdhurys level of engagement and intent to engage in terrorist activity is now low, and that this would be unlikely to change providing his mental health remains stable. In oral evidence, the panel was told there was no evidence of any return to extremist behaviour and no further security concerns had been identified in prison. The panel said Chowdhury had undertaken programmes to address the underlying causes of extremist offending and ways of disengaging, along with working with professionals to better understand his faith. It also noted his wish to lead a better life and to work with the professionals involved in his case. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has arrived in Moscow on a three-day visit that shows off Beijings new diplomatic swagger and offers a welcome political lift for Russian President Vladimir Putin as the fighting in Ukraine slows to a grinding war of attrition. China and Russia have described Mr Xis trip as part of efforts to further deepen their no-limits friendship. China looks to Russia as a source of oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy and as a partner in opposing what both see as US domination of global affairs. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that over dinner on Monday, Mr Putin and Mr Xi will touch on issues related to Ukraine, adding that Russias president is likely to offer a detailed explanation of Moscows view on the current situation. In this grab taken from video provided by RU-24, Chinas President Xi Jinping during an official welcome ceremony upon his arrival at the Vnukovo-2 government airport outside Moscow (RU- 24 via AP) Uncredited Broader talks involving officials from both countries on a range of subjects are scheduled for Tuesday, according to Mr Peskov. For Mr Putin, Mr Xis presence at the Kremlin is a prestige visit and a diplomatic triumph, allowing him to tell western leaders allied with Ukraine that their efforts to isolate him have fallen short. In an article published in the Chinese Peoples Daily newspaper, Mr Putin described Mr Xis visit as a landmark event that reaffirms the special nature of the Russia-China partnership. Mr Putin also specifically mentioned that the meeting sent a message to Washington that the two countries are not prepared to accept attempts to weaken them. The US policy of simultaneously deterring Russia and China, as well as all those who do not bend to the American diktat, is getting ever fiercer and more aggressive, Mr Putin wrote. Mr Xis trip comes just days after the International Criminal Court in The Hague announced it wants to put Mr Putin on trial for the abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine. China portrays Mr Xis visit as part of normal diplomatic exchanges and has offered little detail about what the trip aims to accomplish, though the nearly 13 months of war in Ukraine cast a long shadow on the talks. A TV screen in a cafe in St Petersburg, Russia, displays Chinese President Xi Jinping attending an official welcome ceremony upon his arrival at the Vnukovo-2 government airport outside Moscow (AP) Uncredited At a daily briefing in Beijing on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Mr Xis trip was a journey of friendship, co-operation and peace. On the war, Mr Wang said: China will uphold its objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks. Beijings leap into Ukraine issues follows its recent success in brokering talks between Iran and its chief Middle Eastern rival, Saudi Arabia, who agreed to restore their diplomatic ties after years of tensions. Flushed with that success, Mr Xi called for China to play a bigger role in managing global affairs. President Xi will have an in-depth exchange of views with President Putin on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common concern, Mr Wang said. Chinese President Xi Jinpings motorcade drives from the Vnukovo-2 government airport outside Moscow (AP) v.v.s. He added that Mr Xi aims to promote strategic co-ordination and practical co-operation between the two countries and inject new impetus into the development of bilateral relations. China last month called for a ceasefire and peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautiously welcomed Beijings involvement, but the overture fizzled. The Kremlin has welcomed Chinas peace plan and said it would be discussed in talks between Mr Putin and Mr Xi that will begin over dinner. Washington strongly rejected Beijings call for a ceasefire as the effective ratification of the Kremlins battlefield gains. Kyiv officials say they will not bend in their terms for a peace accord. 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 The first and main point is the capitulation or withdrawal of the Russian occupation troops from the territory of Ukraine in accordance with the norms of international law and the UN Charter, Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, tweeted on Monday. That means restoring sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, he wrote. Mr Xis trip to Russia comes after the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday issued a warrant for Mr Putins arrest on war crimes charges. The Kremlin does not recognise the authority of the ICC and has rejected its move against Mr Putin as legally null and void. China, the United States and Ukraine do not recognise the ICC, either, but the courts announcement tarnished Mr Putins international standing. Chinas Foreign Ministry on Monday called on the ICC to respect the jurisdictional immunity of a head of state and avoid politicisation and double standards. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russias Security Council, said on Monday that the International Criminal Courts move to issue an arrest warrant for Mr Putin will have monstrous consequences for international law. A gloomy sunset of the entire system of international relations is coming, trust is exhausted, Mr Medvedev wrote on his messaging app channel. In this grab taken from video provided by RU-24, Chinas President Xi Jinping disembarks his plane upon his arrival at the Vnukovo-2 government airport outside Moscow (RU- 24 via AP) Uncredited He argued that in the past the ICC has destroyed its credibility by failing to prosecute the purported US war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also cautioned that the court in The Hague could be a target for a Russian missile strike. Mr Medvedev has in the past made bombastic statements and claims. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin during their visit to Mariupol in Russian-controlled Donetsk region (Russian Presidential Press Office via AP) Uncredited Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the occupied port city of Mariupol, his first trip to Ukrainian territory that Moscow illegally annexed in September and a show of defiance after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest on war crimes charges. Mr Putin arrived in Mariupol late on Saturday after visiting Crimea, south-west of Mariupol, to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsulas annexation from Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday. He was shown chatting with Mariupol residents and visiting an art school and a childrens centre in Sevastopol, Crimea. Mariupol became a worldwide symbol of resistance 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. Much of the city was pounded to rubble by Russian shelling. Mr Putin has not commented on the arrest warrant, which deepened his international isolation despite the unlikelihood of him facing trial anytime soon. The Kremlin, which does not recognise the authority of the ICC, has rejected its move as legally null and void. Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin during their visit to Mariupol in Russian-controlled Donetsk region (Russian Presidential Press Office via AP) Uncredited The surprise 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 Mr Putin in his confrontation with the West. In an essay published in the Peoples Daily, the newspaper of the Chinese Communist Partys Central Committee, Mr Putin said: 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. China in February released a position paper calling for an end to fighting in Ukraine and for upholding all countries sovereignty and territorial integrity. It did not address how to resolve Russias illegal claim to have annexed four regions of Ukraine. 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 US 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. Mr 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 Mr Putin chatting with locals outside what looked like a newly built residential complex, and being shown around one of the apartments. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin inside the Mariupol theatre (Pool Photo via AP) Uncredited Following his trip to Mariupol, Mr Putin met with Russian military leaders and troops at a command post in Rostov-on-Don, a southern Russian city about 112 miles farther east, and conferred with Gen Valery Gerasimov, who is in charge of the Russian military operations in Ukraine. Mr Peskov said the trip had been unannounced, and that Mr Putin intended to inspect the work of the (command) post in its ordinary mode of operation. Speaking to the state RIA-Novosti agency, 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, Mr Khusnullin told RIA. Mykhailo Podolyak, chief of staff for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, heaped scorn on Mr Putins trip to Mariupol. The criminal is always drawn to the crime scene, he said. While the countries of the civilised world are announcing the arrest of the war director in the event of crossing the border, the organiser of the murders of thousands of Mariupol families came to admire the ruins of the city and mass graves. 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 of shattered or hollowed-out buildings. Mariupols plight first came into international focus with a Russian airstrike on a maternity hospital on March 9 2022, less than two weeks after the invasion of Ukraine began. A week later, about 300 people were reported killed in the bombing of a theatre being used as the citys largest bomb shelter. Evidence obtained by The Associated Press suggested the real death toll could be closer to 600. Russian President Vladimir Putin during the visit (Pool Photo via AP) Uncredited A small group of Ukrainian fighters held out for 83 days in the sprawling Azovstal steel works in eastern Mariupol before surrendering, their dogged defence tying down Russian forces and coming to symbolise 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 in 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 Mr Putin of bearing personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine. UN 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. While the ICCs move was welcomed by Kyiv, the chances of Mr Putin facing trial are slim because Moscow does not recognise the courts jurisdiction or extradite its nationals. Ukrainian officials reported on Sunday that at least three civilians had been killed and 19 wounded by Russian shelling in the previous 24 hours. The deaths were in the eastern Donetsk region, amid fierce battles for control of the city of Bakhmut, according to Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko on Ukrainian TV. Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said in a Telegram update that a 51-year-old woman was fighting for her life after being hit by shrapnel as Russian troops fired on the border town of Dvorichna. Top Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak said Ukrainian troops were holding the line near Bakhmut, a key target of a long, grinding Russian offensive, adding that the enemys plan to occupy the city are now foundering. The spokesman for Ukraines eastern forces said Russian troops are tactically unable to complete Bakhmuts capture. Yes, there are very active battles, (the Russians) continue to carry out several dozen attacks by inertia, but they suffer huge losses, Serhii Cherevaty said on Ukrainian TV, adding that Ukrainian defences are bleeding the enemy, breaking his fighting spirit. Taking Bakhmut would give the Kremlin a battlefield victory after months of setbacks, and could pave the way for Russia to threaten other Ukrainian strongholds in the region, including Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Russian forces shelled a house in Bilozerka, a suburb west of the southern city of Kherson, and a woman who was pulled from the rubble was taken to hospital, according to the Kherson regional military administration, writing on Telegram. Bath and tile showroom boss hitting the water for Cancer Research and Marie Curie David Heaney's parents Debra and Davis, Uncle Eric and Aunt Mona with twins David (far left) and James and older brother Andrew David with his five children, twins Ella and Olivia (19), Lucy (9), Joshua (7) and Declan (4) David Heaney will delight in helping his five children celebrate Mothers Day while also thinking of his mum, who died when he was 10. Debra was 31 when she passed away 31 years ago from breast cancer, leaving husband Davis and their three boys, David, twin brother James and older brother Andrew, completely shattered. Now more than three decades on, David is set to remember his mum by taking part in a fundraising challenge in aid of two cancer charities. He is calling on people to join him in supporting Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie by signing up for the Swimathon in May. My experience means I understand why events such as Swimathon are so crucial to help fund the work of charities like Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie, he said. You dont need to be a super swimmer to take part. Im hoping to do 5km, which is the longest by a long shot I have ever swam in one go. Fingers crossed, I will be able to complete it in my target of two hours. David Heaney's parents Debra and Davis, Uncle Eric and Aunt Mona with twins David (far left) and James and older brother Andrew David (41), who runs the Tide bath and tile showroom in Lisburn with wife Tina, has five children, twins Ella and Olivia (19), Lucy (9), Joshua (7) and Declan (4). He and his identical twin, James, were just five, and older brother Andrew seven, when their mum was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 26. After Debra recovered following treatment, it seemed life had returned to normal. Three years later, however, things were turned upside down when the cancer came back. This time there was no cure, and Debra died three years later. Her loss had a profound impact on her three sons and husband. David said: Losing my mother left us all, my brothers and my father, with pain, suffering and loss that was on many occasions too much to bear. It shaped us, broke us and yet made us who we are today. Me, my twin and older brother were completely lost without her. Its hard to say how I felt at such a young age, but I remember crying myself to sleep for what felt like months on end. Then I just felt empty, almost like someone had taken the pain away. It was too much to bear or face, yet it [had to be] faced. My father was heartbroken and left with three young boys, but our grannies, June and Meta, and grandfather James stepped in to help look after us. Life moves on, and I have been very lucky to have met an amazing wife, Tina, and have five wonderful children, none of whom ever got to meet my mother, but she is still in our hearts and minds and is known as granny in Heaven. My brother, James, has four children and Andrew has five. There are 14 grandchildren in total for my dad, so there are plenty to keep him occupied. David Heaney's mum, who died aged 31 Even now, 31 years on, the pain of Debras death is still there and is felt acutely on special occasions such as Mothers Day. It feels like there is always someone missing, David said. My two older girls are away from home now, and when they are not with us, you really feel it. When they are here, you feel more complete. Growing up, you feel [the loss] at any milestone passing your driving test, getting married, having kids... these were things Mum didnt get to share. You just hope she is looking down on you. Ive been through a very spiritual journey the last couple of years with the highs and lows of depression caused by that sense of loss and searching for someone who is missing. Ive been through years of counselling to keep myself sane and try to be the best I can so that I dont pass that hurt and trauma onto my kids and am able to make their lives as happy as I can. Mothers Day can be difficult, and I always phone my granny for a chat or would go to see her. When you have kids, you get on with life for them and try and make it special for them and my wife, but you dont forget. Mum is always in my thoughts. Debra with twins David and James and older brother Andrew Debras anniversary is on May 2, and this year David will pay tribute to her memory when he takes part in Swimathon on May 13. The annual fundraiser runs over two days, from May 12 to 14, at pools and venues across the UK. David will undertake the challenge at Lagan Valley Leisureplex. Any swimmers who cant make one of the organised sessions can sign up to MySwimathon, choosing a time and venue that suits them. By sharing his story, David hopes to inspire people to support the charities close to his heart. He said: It is a fun and simple way to encourage people to dip their toe in the water and get swimming. It doesnt matter if youre not the fittest or the fastest. I hope swimmers of all ages and abilities grab their caps and costumes to help thousands of families. With rising energy costs putting community pools at risk of closure, not only does the event support vital causes, but 2.50 from each entry fee will be donated to protect these pools for the future. David Heaney with wife Tina Cancer Research UKs Jean Walsh praised the initiative. Whether you supercharge your swim and take on the 30.9k challenge or 5k is more in your lane, with Swimathon theres a distance to suit everyone, she said. One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime, but all of us can support the research that will beat it. From proving the link between smoking and cancer to laying the foundations for modern radiotherapy, our scientists have been at the forefront of cancer research for 120 years, and were not stopping now. Thats why were urging swimmers to dive in, raise money and help us keep making new discoveries and breakthroughs. Together we will beat cancer. Marie Curies Jayne Waterhouse added: This exciting and inclusive challenge sees thousands of people take the plunge with sponsored swims up and down the country, while raising money to help Marie Curie support those affected by terminal illness. The money that Marie Curie receives through Swimathon fundraisers goes towards helping our nurses, bereavement counsellors and support line staff to deliver vital care and support to people with a terminal illness and their families across the UK. Local venues for Swimathon include the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre in Ballymoney, the Olympia Leisure Centre on Belfasts Boucher Road and Queens Sport on Stranmillis Embankment. For information or to sign up, visit swimathon.org The late musician Eamon Wall wrote: Kilkenny, the Marble City, home sweet home to me, and see the lovers hand in hand as they walk along Johns Quay, then take me to its castle grounds lookin over The Nore, flowing gracefully down to meet the River Suir. Walking through those cobbled streets, lined with an array of bars and cafes, its almost like going back in time. We spent two nights at the Avalon Hotel in the centre of Castlecomer, a 15-minute drive from Kilkenny city. The hotel has been in the hands of the Comerford family on and off over the years. It recently underwent a 4million redevelopment to restore historic details and add new elements. Driving up to the hotel, which is tucked just off Main Street, you are greeted by the sight of creepers lining its front facade around a brilliant red door and statues of two lions at either side of the entry to the courtyard. Outside the hotel The main building has 30 traditionally decorated rooms, a bar and a restaurant. There is another bar adjacent to the courtyard that, for the summer months, has a retractable roof to cater for outdoor dining. Larks Bar, inside the hotel, is full of charm and character, with a wood-burning stove creating a cosy atmosphere. The drinks menu is extensive the Gin Bramble is top-notch and the kitchen serves up a good range of dishes, from prime Irish sirloin steak and burgers made from Hereford beef to Massaman curry. The restaurant on the first floor of the hotel offers a hearty breakfast with all the favourites to keep you going until lunch. For dinner, we were in for something of a treat. Head chef Eddie Walsh and his team have put together a impressive menu based on seasonal produce. For starters, there was chicken liver parfait on toasted ciabatta, and pan-fired garlic chilli prawns. Both dishes were cooked perfectly and bursting with flavour. For mains, we chose the 10oz sirloin steak with portobello mushrooms, and pan-fired duck breast with a confit duck croquette, honey roast vegetables and redcurrant jus. Vegetarians are well catered for, with spring pea and citrus risotto with arborio rice, leeks, rocket and red onion on offer during our stay. Dessert options included white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake, warm chocolate brownies with salted caramel ice cream, and toffee apple eclair with creme chantilly. Little Jim's bar Avalon House general manager Peter Wilson gave us a warm welcome, and the staff couldnt have been more pleasant or helpful. The hotel hosts weddings and other events in its 150-seater ballroom, which is housed in what was once Castlecomers fire station. Avalon House is ideally situated. Just a few yards away is Castlecomer Discovery Park, offering canoeing, ziplining, axe throwing, mountain biking and more. Surrounded by stunning woodland and lakes, you could easily while away an afternoon with a leisurely stroll. Just down the road is the town of Castlecomer itself, which is quaint and dotted with historic buildings, cafes and pubs. The Castlecomer Craft Yard is well worth a visit. It hosts workshops and events throughout the year, with collections of jewellery and crafts from local designers on offer. A short drive away is Kilkenny itself, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. It underwent extensive restoration in the 1960s to preserve its historic features. Scores of buildings were restored and re-opened to the public, including Kilkenny Castle, which welcomed visitors for the first time in 1976. Lark's Bar The castle is something to behold. Founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, it is now largely a remodelling of the 13th century structure and is surrounded by 50 acres of beautiful rolling parkland. Take a tour through its impressive and majestic rooms, adorned with huge paintings of those who walked its halls. From the tapestry room and the picture gallery, you get a glimpse of what life was like for the earls and countesses who once lived there. A short distance away is St Marys Cathedral, which was opened in 1857 and took 15 years to build. It features huge stained glass windows, and if you tilt your head up when approaching the altar, youll see the beautifully decorated high ceiling, gilded with gold. The winding cobbled streets transport you to another age. One stop along the way is Kytelers Inn on St Kierans Street. It is the oldest inn in Kilkenny and is said to have been at the centre of Irelands only witch trials in 1324. If youre looking to take in as much of the citys history as possible during a short stay, explore Kilkennys Medieval Mile, a discovery trail which stretches from the castle all the way to St Canices Cathedral. A family bedroom There is also a selection of walking tours, each with its own twist, like the Haunted Dark Tour, which is held in the evening and allows visitors to hear about some of the citys more ghostly goings-on over the years. Back at the hotel, we settled at the lively bar and enjoyed a few beverages, the perfect way to cap off a busy day. Overall, our trip to Avalon House and Kilkenny was a complete success, and one things for sure: well definitely be back. Travel factfile Avalon House Hotel, Kilkenny Overnight bed and breakfast from 92 for a double room, two sharing Visit www.avalonhousehotel.ie The United Nations refugee agency has acknowledged it transported Myanmar junta officials aboard unmarked boats to Bangladeshi refugee camps last week, a move that has been criticized as risky to humanitarian workers and a serious breach of the agencys neutrality. UNHCR supports efforts that could lead to the verification of all refugees and pave the way for eventual return, the agency said in a statement on Sunday. This most recently included providing logistical support to members of the Myanmar delegation to cross into Bangladesh for the technical verification process. The agency reiterated its previous assessment that conditions in Myanmars Rakhine state are currently not conducive to the sustainable return of Rohingya refugees. U.N. boats with markings removed from them were used to carry officials from Myanmars ruling military junta to Coxs Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh on Wednesday. Junta officials have been negotiating a pilot project recently that would repatriate about 1,000 Rohingya from Bangladesh to Myanmar. Wednesdays trip in the unmarked boats was made so officials could engage in talks and meet with refugees who could return under the pilot program. Last weeks trip was made in support of efforts to preserve the right to return among the Rohingya, the UNHCR said in Sundays statement. Consultation and dialogue with Rohingya in Bangladesh by all parties is important to enable refugees to make an informed choice about return and build confidence amongst the community, the agency said. Rohingya board a bus as they prepare to leave a meeting venue with Myanmar officials in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, March 15, 2023. [Image grab from AFP video] Refugees again and again One Rohingya leader did not seem surprised that the UNHCR would play a role in bringing the delegation from Myanmar to Bangladesh, even though the agency has said current conditions arent safe for repatriation. [T]he U.N. is not above suspicion, Muhammed Jubair, the acting chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights told BenarNews. The role of the U.N. was questionable during the repatriation of Rohingya in 1978 and 1992, he said, referring to government-to-government repatriation programs that involved force or resulted in famine, according to humanitarian groups. That is why we have become refugees again and again, he said. We will become helpless if the U.N. works for the political interest of any country, whether Myanmar or Bangladesh. We hope the U.N. will show respect to us. A delegation from Myanmar has been in Bangladesh since Wednesday and has interviewed 475 members of 154 Rohingya families thus far, according to Md. Khalid Hossain, a member of Bangladeshs Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission. The Myanmar team will go home within a day or two, he said. The Coxs Bazar region, which borders Myanmar, houses about 1 million refugees from the persecuted Rohingya minority, including about 740,000 who fled Myanmar following a military crackdown in Rakhine state beginning in August 2017. Kutupalong Rohingya camp resident Mohammad Hossain told BenarNews that the goal of the refugees is to eventually go back to Myanmar. We are expressing our thanks to Bangladesh for giving us shelter, but we are not good here, he said. We are not interested in coming back here again as refugees. In that case, our main place of trust is the U.N. We expect a role from the U.N. that will be unequivocally humanitarian, he added. Reputational risk The U.N.s resident coordinator in Myanmar, Ramanathan Balakrishnan, said in an email sent to colleagues on Thursday that the UNHCR and the World Food Program provided the boats last week at the very firm request of Myanmar junta officials. He also said he was worried the trip created a reputational risk for all U.N. agencies and could jeopardize staff security. The email was obtained by the Myanmar Accountability Project and sent to Radio Free Asia (RFA), a news service affiliated with BenarNews. Chris Gunness, a former U.N. official who is director of the London-based NGO, said last week that it was extraordinary that the U.N. officials, on the one hand, would make statements saying that the conditions in Rakhine are unsafe while also playing a supporting role in the juntas pilot project. Removing U.N. markings from the boats was a serious breach of U.N. neutrality, Gunness said. It puts in danger U.N. convoys across Myanmar, he told RFA last week. If rebel groups, if opposition groups and others feel that these transports, these aid convoys are being used by the junta to be transported, they may come under attack. And that puts at risk the lives of humanitarian workers across Myanmar. Trump suggests he will be arrested next week Xinhua) 10:55, March 20, 2023 WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Saturday that he will be arrested next week. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, wrote that "illegal leaks" from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office indicate that he "will be arrested on Tuesday of next week." "Take our nation back," Trump added, issuing a call for his supporters to protest. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is reportedly investigating whether Trump falsified business records in connection with an alleged hush-money payment made to an adult film star during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump's lawyer has said he has no plans to participate in the probe, and the Republican, who served as U.S. president from January 2017 to January 2021, has denounced the investigation as a witch hunt. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) In Westchester County, a horrific single-vehicle crash claimed the lives of five children. According to investigators, it occurred around 12:20 a.m. on Sunday, March 19, on the northbound Hutchinson River Parkway in Scarsdale. Four boys and a girl, all from Connecticut and aged 8 to 17, were in a Nissan Rogue that veered off the parkway near the Mamaroneck Road exit, collided with a tree, and caught fire, according to Westchester County Police. Connecticut Children Killed in Fiery Crash in New York According to authorities, the car was presumably driven by a 16-year-old kid. A 9-year-old kid, the sole survivor in the car, was transported to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. He was traveling in the rear hatchback or luggage area and fled through the rear hatch. Further information, including the victims' names and particular Connecticut hometowns, has not yet been disclosed. Per Daily Voice, the accident is under investigation by the Westchester County Police Accident Investigation Team and the General Investigations Unit. Matt Conway, the superintendent of public schools in Derby, Connecticut, where the children reportedly resided, stated that the children were all from the same family. Conway stated that the family has yet to enroll in Derby schools despite having just relocated from New York to Derby, a former manufacturing town ten miles west of New Haven that is regarded as "Connecticut's smallest city." According to NY Times, Conway spoke with the children's father. The collision occurred as the automobile traveled north on the Hutchinson River Parkway between Mamaroneck Road and Mamaroneck Avenue, close to the Scarsdale-White Plains line. According to authorities, the vehicle went off the road for unexplained reasons and collided with a tree, catching fire. Although trucks occasionally collide with a low bridge that crosses the Hutchinson River Parkway near Mamaroneck Road, the location of Sunday's crash was not a recognized accident hotspot, according to the police. In 2015, however, a local news investigation using state data acquired through the Freedom of Information Law revealed New York's most hazardous stretches of roadway. The list included the Hutchinson River Parkway at Mamaroneck Avenue. Read Also: US Drone, Russian Jet Collide New York Car Crash Victims' Identity The children's identities and ages are now undisclosed. However, family members have posted tributes and photographs of the deceased. In a GoFundMe page created by mourning family members, seven individuals were depicted in a blend of group and selfie photographs of the deceased. As of Sunday evening, GoFundMe had raised little more than $6,500 toward its $50,000 goal. Others have swamped the contributions area with their thoughts and prayers for the family. While the family grieves, the inquiry into the accident continues. At a tough time, the family has sought prayers and thoughts through social media posts, per Daily Mail. The tragedy occurred in affluent Scarsdale, a hamlet of around 18,000 people. In 2020, the average household income in the city was $452,000. This made it the second wealthiest city in the United States, barely behind the community in Silicon Valley. About 35 miles north of New York City sits Scarsdale. Related Article: New York Teen Fatally Shot by Gunman During Broad Daylight @YouTube @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Sailors salute as they stand on the jetty of Bangladesh's first submarine base, the BNS Sheikh Hasina, located off Kutubdia island in Coxs Bazar district, March 20, 2023. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday inaugurated Bangladeshs first submarine base near Kutubdia island, Coxs Bazar, via a video conference from the capital. The U.S. $1.21 billion (127 billion taka) base serves as home port for two refurbished Chinese submarines purchased in 2016 to enhance Bangladeshs naval capacity, after the demarcation of its maritime boundary with India and Myanmar. We do not want war with anyone. But we must be prepared to give a befitting response if anyone attacks us, Hasina said in an online message to naval officials gathered at the new base, BNS Sheikh Hasina, in Pekua, about 322 km. (200 miles) southeast of Dhaka. I believe, by building the base, BNS Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Navys capacity to protect its maritime boundary is further enhanced, she said, according to a transcript of her remarks. The prime minister said that since she assumed power again in 2009, her government had added 31 warships including four frigates, six corvettes, four large patrol craft and five diesel-powered craft. In November 2016, Bangladesh paid the Chinese government $205 million (21.5 billion taka) for the submarines, named Nabojatra (New Journey) and Joyjatra (Victory March). Hasina commissioned them on March 12, 2017. That same day, she laid the foundation stone for the base in Pekua near the Kutubdia channel in the Bay of Bengal. During its construction, the submarines were housed at a naval base in Chittagong. At the time they were commissioned, Bangladeshs military communications unit described the submarines as conventional diesel-electric powered craft, 76 meters long and 7.6 meters wide. It said the submarines could reach a maximum speed of 17 nautical miles per hour. The statement said they were fitted with torpedoes and mines and would be capable of attacking enemy ships and submarines. The Chinese will help us build the base and impart training to our personnel to operate the submarines and base. The Chinese submarines will not come here. The base is for our submarines, Faruk Khan, chairman of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, told BenarNews in 2019. Retired Maj. Gen. Abdur Rashid, a defense analyst, said the base would enhance the capacity of the Bangladesh Navy to protect the vast sea region. Given the growing importance of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh must enhance the capacity of its navy to protect its sovereignty and thwart all security challenges and non-traditional security threats, Rashid told BenarNews. Bangladesh procures weapons and military hardware from China as the United States and other countries usually do not sell those to us, he said. The launching of the submarine base will definitely enhance our maritime power, he added. Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou plans to visit China from March 27 until April 7, becoming the first ex- or sitting leader of the democratic island to visit the Chinese mainland, his office confirmed. He will embark on the trip amid tensions across the Taiwan Strait as China intensifies pressure on Taiwan ahead of the next presidential election there, in January 2024. Ma served as president of the Republic of China from 2008 until 2016 and remains a senior member of Kuomintang, or KMT, which ruled Taiwan for a long time and now is the main opposition party. The Republic of China (ROC) is the official name of Taiwan. Beijing considers Taiwan a Chinese province that should be reunified with the mainland, but the islands ruling Democratic Progressive Party considers Taiwan an independent and sovereign country and rejects the One China Principle, which says there is only one China in the world. The Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation confirmed on Sunday that Ma planned to visit several Chinese cities, including Nanjing, Wuhan, Changsha, Chongqing and Shanghai. It said the main purpose of his trip to China was for Ma to worship his ancestors during the upcoming traditional Tomb Sweeping Festival, or Qingming Festival in Chinese. Ma will also bring a group of Taiwanese students for an exchange program with their Chinese counterparts, as well as visit historical sites related to Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China, and the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, told the media on Monday that Beijing welcomed Mas visit as worshiping ancestors on Qingming Festival is a common custom of compatriots on both sides of the strait. We will provide necessary assistance for Mr. Ma Ying-jeous visit and wish him all the best for his trip, the spokesman said. Ma Xiaoguang also said that strengthening exchanges between young people can add new strength and inject youthful vitality into the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. Boosting peaceful cross-strait relations According to Xiao Xucen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, Ma Ying-jeous visit will help promote peace in the Taiwan Strait. Communications between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been frozen in recent years, Xiao told a press briefing on Monday. If young people are allowed to connect and get to know each other better, that will definitely reduce the current tension. The office of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, meanwhile, said it has not yet received any report about Mas trip to China. Chen Ting-fei, a lawmaker from Tsais ruling party, said Ma only could represent himself and not the 23 million people in Taiwan, adding she could not figure out what role Ma would play during his trip to China. It is unclear whether Ma Ying-jeou will meet with President Xi Jinping or any senior Chinese official during the trip. Ma previously met with Xi in Singapore in 2015. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou (right) enter a room at the Shangri-la Hotel for their meeting in Singapore, Nov. 7, 2015. [Joseph Nair/Pool/Reuters] The KMT was defeated by the Communist Party in the Chinese Civil War and had to move the ROC government to Taiwan in 1949. The Kuomintang is considered to be supportive of a closer relationship between Taiwan and mainland China. Ma Ying-jeous visit may be intended to persuade voters that the KMT can promote dialogue and take the lead in easing cross-strait tensions, said Yoshiyuki Ogasawara, a Japanese political scientist and expert on Taiwans politics. The Democratic Progressive Party will criticize Mas visit and amplify the narrative that Kuomintang is pro-China. There is also a possibility that the United States, which takes a strong stance against China, will warn against the KMT, said Ogasawara, a professor at the School of Global Studies at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. The impact on Taiwanese voters will depend on how Ma Ying-jeous visit is being analyzed and discussed. Most people in Taiwan are of the view that they reject unification [with the mainland] but support dialogue with China, the analyst said. Ma, who turns 73 in July, is the only high-ranking Taiwanese official that has never been to mainland China despite being engaged in cross-strait relations for more than 40 years, said Ma Ying-jeou Foundations Xiao Xucen. Under the provisions of Taiwans National Secrets Act, former presidents are subject to exit restrictions for five years after leaving office. It has been more than five years in Mas case, but according to the Cross-strait Peoples Relations Ordinance he must submit an application for a mainland visit two days before departure and submit a report within seven days after returning to Taiwan. Eva Xia for RFA Mandarin contributed to this report from Taipei. This report was produced by Radio Free Asia (RFA), a news service affiliated with BenarNews. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha speaks to the press after chairing the National Rice Policy and Administration Committee at Government House in Bangkok, March 20, 2023. King Maha Vajiralongkorn granted a request by Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Thailands embattled prime minister and former junta chief, to dissolve parliament, signaling the kickoff of official campaigning for a general election in May. The monarchs signature on a decree submitted by Prayuth sealed the dissolution of parliament effective March 20 and started the countdown to national polls, which must be held within 45 to 60 days, according to an announcement Monday in the Royal Gazette. Although it was widely expected that the vote would take place on Sunday, May 7, there now is the possibility it could be held instead on Sunday, May 14, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam told reporters. As the prime minister informed [the King] that the parliament has operated since 2019 and was entering its last year, deserving a dissolution for a new election therefore the parliament is announced dissolved, read an excerpt from the announcement in the Royal Gazette published online in the afternoon. Prayuth, the former army chief who turns 69 on Tuesday, has seen his grip on power slip in recent years after he survived several parliamentary confidence votes. This head of a government dominated by ex-generals now faces a challenge to his power from Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon a fellow former general and fellow contender in this years polls as well as from contenders representing pro-democracy parties. These include Pheu Thai party politician Paetongtarn Ung Ing Shinawatra, the daughter of deposed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who leads Prayuth in opinion polls. Should Prayuth and his United Thai Nation Party emerge victorious after the May election, he could return as prime minister, but would have to vacate the post in April 2025 because of constitutional term limits. Thank you very much, everyone. We will be together for a while, Prayuth told reporters at Government House in Bangkok on Monday. For the benefits of Thailand, I have no regrets. Im the same person, he said, as he bid the press corps farewell for the time being because a caretaker government was to take over during the electoral season and transition to the next government. Pheu Thai Party candidate Paethongtarn Shinawatra (left) speaks to fellow party members after a party meeting at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok, March 9, 2023. [Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP] The upcoming election will occur close to the ninth anniversary of the day that Prayuth led a military coup that toppled Thaksins sister, then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Prayuth has stayed in power since but, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, he had to contend with massive anti-government protests that broke out and were led by young pro-democracy activists. The nations economic recovery from the pandemic, which battered most sectors, especially the lucrative tourism industry, is the main issue that the parties and contenders will be vying over to win votes. More than 52 million Thais will be eligible to vote on Election Day. They will be choosing their representatives from 400 parliamentary constituencies and 100 party-list hopefuls. The voters will cast two ballots one for a constituency MP and one for their party of choice. The pro-democracy Pheu Thai Party, with allies including the Move Forward Party, could win more than half of the 500 seats in parliaments lower house to form a new government, according to polls. But the opposition coalition likely would need support from members of the 250-seat Senate, who were hand-picked by Prayuths administration, to reach the 376-vote threshold to name the next government leader. The Thai constitution was changed before the last election to allow the Senate, whose members are finishing their terms this year, to join lower house lawmakers in voting for the prime minister. This has spurred complaints that the upcoming nationwide polls could be skewed to favor the ruling party even if it lost the popular vote. According to the latest survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), and whose results were released Sunday, the likely prime ministerial nominee for Pheu Thai, Ung Ing, who is 36 and pregnant, is comfortably ahead of Prayuth and the frontrunner, by 38.2% to 15.65%. A businessman in Songkhla, a province in Thailands southern border region, said he was fed up with political turmoil and the 2014 military coup which, in his view, proved to be a failure in solving the nations troubles. No more coups, Somchai San-in, 55, told BenarNews. I want a government that has transparency to govern the country, to seriously tackle corruption and to make peoples livelihoods better. Mariyam Ahmad in Pattani, Thailand, contributed to this report. 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 World Happiness Report, published on Monday, found that Finland has retained its title as the nation with the happiest people for the sixth consecutive year. The study, developed by American researchers and based on Gallup polls, analyzes a nationally representative sample of people on their level of life satisfaction. Denmark and Iceland completed the top three in the World Happiness Ranking together with the Finns, according to a report from DW. Israel placed fourth, with the Netherlands fifth. Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and New Zealand round out the top 10 nations in the World Happiness Ranking. However, Germany slipped two positions from the previous year, landing in 16th. World Happiness USA rank, United Kingdom, and France were 15, 19, and 21, respectively. World Happiness Report Basis "Our measurement of subjective well-being continues to rely on three main well-being indicators: life evaluations, positive emotions, and negative emotions (described in the report as positive and negative affect)," per the World Happiness Report website. It also indicated that the happiness rankings were founded on "life evaluations as the more stable measure of the quality of people's lives." The importance of one's mental health as a "risk factor" for eventual physical "health and longevity" was underlined. In spite of years of turmoil, including the COVID-19 epidemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the accompanying energy and cost of living difficulties, the researchers of this year's happiness report praised humankind's resilience. Laura Aknin, a psychology professor and the study's author, said the latest report offers many discoveries, but the one she found especially interesting and promising has to do with pro-sociality. "For a second year, we see that various forms of everyday kindness, such as helping a stranger, donating to charity, and volunteering, are above pre-pandemic levels. Acts of kindness have been shown to both lead to and stem from greater happiness," Aknin noted. The study in observation of World Happiness Day stressed that everyone is entitled to fundamental human rights, such as liberty and the right to life, the freedom from slavery and abuse, the freedom of speech and association, and the right to employment and education, without exception. The World Happiness Day was established by the UN General Assembly in July 2012 to promote the notion that "happiness is a fundamental human goal." Read Also: Donald Trump Makes Facebook Comeback Which Countries Are at the Bottom Ranks of the World Happiness Report? Afghanistan is ranked as the 137th country from the top. At No. 136, Lebanon is one position higher. On a scale from 0 to 10, these nations' average life ratings are more than five points worse than those of the top 10 in the World Happiness Ranking. Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, people may be wondering where these two conflicting countries rank. The Russia-Ukraine war thrust both nations into the international limelight just as the 2022 Happiness study was being conducted. Russia and Ukraine are ranked 70 and 92, respectively, in this year's standings. Despite the scale of suffering and loss in Ukraine, life ratings in "September 2022 remained higher than in the aftermath of the 2014 annexation," reinforced today by a greater feeling of shared purpose, compassion, and "trust in Ukrainian leadership," according to a CNN feature on the latest World Happiness Report. The study found "much greater in Ukraine than in Russia" government confidence in 2022. And there was no longer any support from the Ukrainian people for the Russian authorities. Here are the Top 20 countries in the World Happiness Ranking 2023: Finland Denmark Iceland Israel Netherlands Sweden Norwegian Switzerland Luxembourg New Zealand Austrian Australia Canada Ireland United States Germany Belgium Czech Republic United Kingdom Lithuania Related Article: The Effects of Healthy Cats, Dogs To Humans @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A seasoned healthcare management professional, Dr Shetty comes with close to two decades of leadership experience across various hospital chains Aster DM Healthcare, one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the GCC and India, has announced the appointment of Dr Nitish Shetty as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its India business. In this capacity, Dr Shetty will oversee the companys overall India operations and lead the growth of Aster DM Healthcare in India. Dr Shetty joined Aster DM Healthcare in 2014, taking charge as the CEO of Aster CMI Hospital in Bengaluru and then rose to become the Regional Director of Aster Hospitals in Karnataka and Maharashtra, alongside assuming responsibility as a Director for Aster Labs. His promotion to the role of CEO of Aster DM Healthcare India is in alignment with the Groups strategy to further strengthen Aster DM Healthcares presence in the country. Before joining Aster, Dr Shetty worked for some of the reputed healthcare companies in India including BGS Global and Narayana Hrudayalaya. For more than 23 years, Dr Shetty has specialised in strategic planning and management. Over last 8 years he has played a significant part in the commissioning and establishment of numerous projects including Aster CMI Hospital, Aster RV Hospital, Aster Whitefield Hospital and Aster clinics at Bangalore. He has also taken charge of Aster Labs recently. Focus on developing talent in the areas of Synthetic Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Aragen Life Sciences and Kewaunee Labway India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for conducting a skill development programme focused on developing skills in Advanced Synthetic Organic Chemistry and pertinent Analytical Chemistry fields. It is a Finishing School programme enabling hands-on training to postgraduate students in chemistry to make them industry-ready by the end of their curriculum. The training will be offered by the scientists of CSIR-IICT in association with teaching assistance from Aragen at CSIR-IICT campus in Hyderabad. The MoU was signed by Dr D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR-IICT, Manni Kantipudi, Chief Executive Officer, Aragen Life Sciences, and Sathyamurthy, Managing Director, Kewaunee Labway India in the presence of Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh. India has historically been a major hub for chemistry talent pool. It is estimated that in the past decade, there have been about 80% growth in demand for chemistry graduates and around 37% for post-graduates driven by the growth in key sectors such as pharma, biotech and other life sciences and allied industries. With the continued focus on further boosting the life sciences and manufacturing sectors, demand for this talent pool is expected to pick momentum. This tripartite MoU will enable leveraging the power of public-private partnership in further boosting the chemistry talent pool in the country and will benefit both students and industry. Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia The African continent has made significant progress in its decades-long fight against polio, a life-threatening and vaccine-preventable disease caused by the poliovirus. Over the past decade, the African health community has worked towards increasing the number of children receiving vaccines, resulting in increased immunisation rates across the continent. In 2019, basic immunisation coverage in Africa reached 76%, an impressive increase from 9% in 1980 and 56% in 2020. Further, in 2020, the African region of the World Health Organization was certified as free of wild polio. Although a grand milestone, this only lasted two years and variant outbreaks continue to spread in communities that have low-vaccination rates. Despite great strides towards a polio-free Africa, latest figures from WHO/Unicef Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WEUNIC) show that vaccination rates have substantially declined, and the continent is seeing the lowest coverage since 2013. The reason for this decline can be attributed to disruptions in delivery of routine immunisation services during the Covid-19 pandemic. In response to the situation, former African Union chair and president of Senegal, Macky Sall, organised the Forum for Immunization and Polio Eradication in Africa on 10 December, 2022, in Dakar. A vision of universal immunisation One of the main goals of the forum was to remobilise heads of State on the Addis Declaration on Immunization, a historic pledge adopted in 2017 to ensure that every person in Africa receives routine vaccinations to achieve universal immunisation on the continent. Further, the forum called on civil society organisations, financial and technical partners, and African health experts to mobilise and advocate for universal vaccination access for all Africans, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalised populations. On the occasion of this forum, Sall said, "It must be said loud and clear that immunisation is a safe intervention. From their conception to the first injection, vaccines follow a rigorous and standardised scientific protocol that leaves no room for chance. Immunisation saves lives, especially those of women and children, who are in many ways vulnerable groups in society. Immunisation is effective. It prevents human suffering and disabilities, and helps to build strong immune systems in children. The right to health Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization said, "The right to health includes the right to vaccines. We must ensure that routine immunisation services guarantee equitable access to all children wherever they live. Concerted regional and global action to expand access to life-saving vaccines will enable us to protect against multiple and concurrent outbreaks of diseases such as polio, measles, yellow fever, cholera, and diphtheria. This will save lives, prevent disease and help us better prepare for future crises. The forum emphasised the need for an increase in political and financial investments in immunisation programmes and services. The key institutions present, including WHO, Unicef, Gavi, Africa CDC, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dakar Pasteur Institute, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and Rotary International reiterated the important role of civil society organisations (CSOs). Through a joint CSO statement in support of the Addis Declaration, close to 200 African civil society organisations pledged to tackle the gap in immunisation and work together to address polio outbreaks. Similar to CSOs, the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) founded in 2002 by 37 African First Ladies pledged their support for the remobilisation to fulfill the commitments made in the Addis Declaration. Engagement Labs has released its sixth annual ranking of America's most loved brands, with Trader Joe's, the American grocery store, ranking first while Lego, the iconic toy manufacturer, moves up to the second top spot of the list of brands most positively talked about in offline conversations, ahead of more than 650 brands across all consumer categories. Source: Tim Douglas pexels A consumer study by Engagement Labs shows net sentiment of consumer conversations continues to be positive for everyday categories such as beauty and personal care, childrens products, food and home American Family Insurance holds the top position for the most loved brands in online talk, while Lush moved to the number two spot. This analysis ranks the most loved brands based on net positive conversations happening online (via social media) and offline (via face-to-face conversations as well as phone, emailing, texting, IMing, video chat in other words, via any channel other than posting on social media) to determine its annual TotalSocial Brand Awards winner. The TotalSocial most loved brands this year showcase the enduring, strong emotional bond between consumers and the brands they love, Steven M Brown, president of Engagement Labs. Consumers are passionate about brands, and this generates brand talk. Our total social data reveals the importance of earning positive talk and recommendations from consumers goes beyond connecting with them and delivering great experiences brands that deliver become beloved, explains Brown. Our work with Fortune 500 brands has consistently emphasised the importance of cultivating brand love to maximise marketing ROI, and this focus will continue throughout 2023, adds Brown. Positive consumer conversations for everyday categories Net sentiment of consumer conversations continues to be positive for everyday categories such as beauty and personal care, childrens products, food and home. Consumers tend to place a significant emphasis on these categories as they directly relate to their daily lives and well-being which generate consumer conversations. Brands that can successfully generate positive conversations and engagement with consumers in these categories are likely to see increased sales and brand loyalty. Consistent winner Trader Joes is a consistent winner on the TotalSocial Most Loved Brand awards with a sentiment score of 91 and the retailer enjoys a significant competitive advantage. Other supermarkets lag behind at quite a distance earning scores well below Trader Joes, including H-E-B (77), Aldi (68), Food Lion (63) and Publix (61). Engaging with consumers online American Family Insurance does a great job engaging with consumers online. The company itself, employees and agents share helpful tips to protect your home and in the companys words protect your dreams". Charles Schwabs improvement in offline brand love grew the most last year than any other top brands with 126 rank change. While Sams Club rank change increased by 65 moving up to the fourth position for online most loved brands. Online and offline conversations impact business differently From the research, it is clear that the impact of online and offline conversations on business outcomes are distinct from one another and usually have no correlation. Despite both types of conversations having an impact that leads to sales and business outcomes, they do so in different ways, necessitating different marketing strategies. According to Engagement Labs' data and analytics, these consumer conversations drive 19% of all purchases. "The adjusted lifestyles and return to normalcy in 2022 are reflected in the brands that appear on our 'most loved' list, and in the brand landscape of those that have earned the most positive recommendations and talk from consumers," explains Brown. "In the offline space, Olay, Lysol, Doritos, Charles Schwab, and Bath & Body Works have seen the biggest surge in popularity, while Sam's Club, OshKosh B'Gosh, and Urban Decay have gained the most significant positive attention online. Trader Joes, Lego, Dawn, Dove, Dove Men+Care, American Family, Lush, Express, Clean & Clear, TripAdvisor and Clinique continue to demonstrate what consumers have engaged with and spoken about with great sentiment over the past year and the prior year, says Brown. Marketers aim to achieve more positive conversations, both online and offline, to become "conversation commanders," which are the most successful brands in both conversation arenas. To accomplish this, marketers require two distinct measurement and marketing strategies to ensure that these separate, yet equally important conversations are optimised. By utilising data and social intelligence, marketers can gain insights into consumer behaviour and preferences, which can help drive business goals, such as increased sales and brand The IAB SA is calling for nominations to some of its councils and various committees including its Digital Influencer Marketing committee, IAB SA Education Council, and IAB Digital Content Marketing council. Source Canva Studio pexels The IAB is calling for nominations tol various councils and committees including Education Council which aims to accelerate skills development in the industry by creating access and value within the IAB network. Committee and council participation is open to IAB SA member companies, as long as that companys membership status is active. The IAB SA councils and committees represent and lead the agenda of the IAB SA interactive members in the context of the industry at large and in alignment with its IAB global vision to empower the media & marketing industry to thrive in a digital economy. IAB SA Digital Influencer Marketing committee The IAB SA Digital Influencer Marketing Committee provides an organising structure to enable the discussions and development of guidelines, best practice and benchmarking for Digital Influencer Marketing in South Africa. The overall aim of the IAB SA Influencer Committee is to empower the media and marketing industry to make better digital decisions regarding best practice and standard definitions for influencers in the digital space. Nominate here for IAB SA Digital Influencer Marketing committee IAB SA Education council The IAB South Africa calls on members to nominate their industry peers for a seat on the IAB SA Education Council. The Education Council is tasked with galvanising the industry to support the development of industry-specific occupational qualifications that meet the ever-growing and evolving industry needs and skills gap areas, while ensuring diversity and inclusion at every level. "The Education Council aims to accelerate skills development in the industry by creating access and value within the IAB network. Our prerogative includes facilitating the training and up-skilling of young black creatives in the digital marketing industry so that they can participate and contribute to the digital economy," says Su Little, IAB SA Education Council lead. "Were looking for members who understand the need for industry diversity and inclusion, mentorship of young talent, alongside skills development in emerging innovative technologies, and who care enough about the future of the industry to partake in addressing these needs proactively and productively, adds Little. 2023 is set to be an exciting year for the Education Council with numerous projects in the pipeline. Nominate here for IAB SA Education council IAB SA Content Marketing council Content marketing has historically been underrepresented in the South African advertising industry, and frequently misunderstood by agencies and brands alike. One of the reasons is that it has the ubiquitous word content in its name. But not all content is created equally, and not all content constitutes content marketing. The council seeks to develop content marketing as a unique, independent discipline and an effective tool for brands to communicate with their audiences and deliver on business objectives. 2023 is set to be an exciting year for the Content Marketing committee which will play a critical role in key areas. Nominate here for IAB SA Content Marketing committee This exciting series features two classes this year. The Media Challenge pits leading automotive journalists against each other as they battle it out on racetracks across the country, while young motorsport enthusiasts also get to show their grit and talent out on the track as part of the Junior Drivers Challenge. Journalists Mark Jones (The Citizen), Denis Droppa (TimesLIVE Motoring), Brendon Staniforth (Maroela Media), Chad Luckhoff (AutoTrader), Setshaba Mashigo (ASAMM) and Reuben van Niekerk (Wheels24) are racing in the Media Challenge in 2023. Theyre driving the new GR 86 rear-wheel-drive, rather than the all-wheel-drive GR Yaris models used in 2022, and all have been putting their Dunlop Direzza Semi Slick tyres through their paces. Racing on last years race vehicles at this years TGRSA GR Cup are a mix of youngsters with a passion for motorsport, some of them from the GR Junior Academy racing mentorship and training programme created by Toyota South Africa and racing legend Leeroy Poulter. The junior racers are Nikki Vostanis, Saaad Variawa, Karah Hill, Bjorn Bertholdt, Taariq Adam and Ryan Naicker. With Dunlop as official tyre partner, drivers in the Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa GR Cup have the support of the ATS Motorsport Dunlop Service Crew, who provide full trackside tyre service at all national and regional meetings. This support service operated from a fully equipped Dunlop Racing mobile workshop staffed by a skilled and knowledgeable team is free to all drivers competing on Dunlop tyres. The junior drivers and their GR Yaris cars are supported by Bucket List Racing. Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa GR Cup is one of four out of seven National Extreme Festival categories in which Dunlop provides the tyres. The others are Global Touring Cars (GTC), GTC SupaCup, and Compcare VW Polo Cup. Lubin Ozoux, CEO of Dunlop manufacturer and distributor Sumitomo Rubber South Africa, said the iconic tyre brand continues to prove its world-class road tyre tech on the racetrack. Racing plays a big role in the development of Dunlops tyre technology for the public. We leverage the same technology, research, development and key learnings from our global motorsport heritage to influence the tyres you drive on every day. Dunlop tyres are designed with performance, safety, stability, grip and durability in mind to give drivers the confidence to take the road, or hit the track, and enjoy a racing thrill like no other. We believe in elevating the local motorsport fraternity and ensuring these talented drivers can do what they love in the safest and most exhilarating manner possible, he said. Last years Toyota Gazoo Racing SA cup action saw six of South Africas foremost motoring writers slug it out on the track including Ashley Oldfield, Sean Nurse, Jeanette Kok-Kritzinger, Thomas Falkiner and Lerato Matebese. The full schedule of Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa GR Cup dates and tracks is*: Round Track Date Regional Round 1 Zwartkops 18 February 2023 National Round 2 Cape Town 18 March 2023 National Round 3 Zwartkops 20 May 2023 National Round 4 Port Elizabeth 17 June 2023 National Round 5 East London 22 July 2023 National Round 6 Cape Town 09 September 2023 National Round 7 Zwartkops 14 October 2023 *dates may be subject to change To be fair, the code isn't that new - it came into effect in March 2022. But due to its far-reaching consequences, many HR departments and managers are still struggling to come to terms with the impact of the code and what it requires of them. Workplace harassment in South Africa is governed by several Acts, among them the Employment Equity Act. To help practitioners understand and implement the requirement of this Act, the government publishes a number of Codes of Good Practice. Although these codes are not binding laws, its important to take them into account since inspectors and judges use them as a guideline when determining whether an organisation is compliant. The 2022 Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace replaces the original 2005 Code of Good Practice on the Handling of Sexual Harassment Cases in Workplaces. In the name itself lies a clue to one of the most significant changes in the new Code a far broader definition of harassment that extends far beyond sexual harassment. Lets explore this new definition, as well as other key changes and employers new obligations. A new understanding of harassment in the workplace Impact 1: A far broader range of actions constitute harassment The code has an exceptionally broad definition of harassment. It includes what one would expect physical harassment (both actual and threatened), verbal bullying and psychological abuse but additional and perhaps more surprising examples of harassment have also been included. Sarcasm Slander and spreading rumours Constant criticism Condescending eye contact, facial expressions or gestures Racist, sexist or LGBTQIA+ phobic language Gossiping or joking at someones expense Conduct that humiliates, insults or demeans Social exclusion or marginalisation Sabotaging or impeding work performance Abuse or selective use of disciplinary proceedings Pressuring an employee to not exercise their legal rights Pressuring an employee to resign Surveillance of an employee without their knowledge and with harmful intent Intolerance of a psychological, medical, disability or personal circumstance Withholding work-related information or supplying incorrect information Impact 2: Harassment can be a once-off or repeated event The code explains that harassment can occur as a result of a pattern of consistent conduct, or a single event. In other words, where the conduct is of a serious nature, a single instance is sufficient to constitute harassment. Impact 3: Harassment can occur to anyone who has dealings with the business The code recognises that managers, supervisors and employees are not the only possible perpetrators and victims of harassment. Victims and perpetrators could include a number of additional role players, all of whom are covered under the Code. Job seekers and job applicants Interns, apprentices and people on learnerships Volunteers Suppliers and contractors Clients and customers All others who have dealings with the business Impact 4: Harassment can occur in any work-related environment Employees must be protected in any situation that is related to their work, including the following: Public and private spaces in the workplace Home office (in the case of remote working) Places where employees rest, eat or receive medical treatment When commuting to and from work in transport provided or controlled by the employer Work-related trips, training, events and social activities Employer-provided accommodation Employers new obligations under the code Employers have a legal obligation to take proactive and remedial steps to prevent all forms of harassment in the work environment. To meet these requirements (and ensure your adherence to the Code) we recommend the following steps: Step 1: Get the HR department up to speed Reading this article is just the starting point your HR department will need to get to grips with the full content of the 30-page code and all its various requirements. This is likely to require an in-depth training course or even a facilitated session by an expert. Step 2: Conduct a risk assessment The code requires that organisations assess the risk of harassment that employees are exposed to while performing their duties. This should include identifying historical and current risks, and compiling a risk register with appropriate mitigating measures. Step 3: Compile or update your harassment policy If your previous harassment policy extended beyond sexual harassment, youre already one step ahead. If not, youll probably need to start from scratch. The code requires your harassment policy to contain some very specific statements, and its best practice to include the following as well: A clear statement of your position regarding harassment, and especially that you have a zero-tolerance approach towards harassment Your commitment to creating and maintaining a work environment in which the dignity of employees and others who have dealings with the business is respected A description of the reporting procedure, and confirmation that those who raise complaints will not be victimised A description of the action that will be taken in the case of harassment, up to and including the disciplinary process (the Code has some specific requirements in this regard) A description of the counselling, treatment, care and support programmes for perpetrators and victims of harassment Step 4: Drive awareness Everyone who has dealings with your business should understand your position regarding harassment. The Wine Tourism Conference, now in its seventh year, takes place at Lanzerac, Stellenbosch on 17 May. The annual event will feature a list of international and local speakers addressing the theme of "brands, brand building and brand distinction" - all within wine tourism, a major contributor to the GDP of the Western Cape. Source: Supplied The keynote address will be delivered by Pepe Marais, co-founder and group chief creative officer of Joe Public United, one of the countrys foremost branding and communication agencies. Margi Biggs, convenor of the annual event, now in its seventh year, has marshalled an impressive list of international and local marketing, branding and tourism experts and innovators as speakers for the event. "On the whole, local wine tourism is doing well and is approaching recovery to 2019 levels, says Biggs. While we fervently hope this trend will continue, the global economic outlook remains uncertain. If we are to continue to attract long-haul international visitors as well as those closer to home, including domestically, we are going to have to be that much smarter, nimbler, and more compelling in our offerings and the way we deliver them." Taking wineries to customers According to Andile Ntingi, founder of GetBiz, writing for Business Day, the South African government hopes to attract 21m international visitors a year by 2030. In 2019, a total of 10,2m travellers entered the country. "Prominent wine commentator Michael Fridjhon highlighted last year how useful attendance at the conference can be for winery CEOs and managers. As he stressed, now, more than ever, we must find convincing new ways to take our wineries to customers. We believe delegates will come away inspired and enthused by what they learn this year." A much-in-demand Australian to take the podium will be Peter McAtamney, who heads Wine Business Solutions (Australia), global specialists in wine market research, wine education and direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine business. He works actively in the South African, Australian, New Zealand and Spanish markets. Another major drawcard will be Australian wine tourism suprema, Robin Shaw. Founder of the celebrated consultancy Wine Tourism Australia, she is a popular speaker on the global wine tourism circuit and the brains behind Wine Australias newest Growing Wine Tourism programme. She works with a range of wine and tourism bodies, not only in Australia but globally, and has even consulted with VinPro. Building collective brand identities Mike Ratcliffe, CEO of the Stellenbosch Wine Route, who has been a leading player in re-establishing the pre-eminence of Stellenbosch as a centre of excellence, will be addressing ways in which to build collective brand identities. He was a major contributor to the success of Warwick Wines and more recently, Vilafonte, established as the first South African/US joint wine venture. Stellenbosch Wine Route is also a sponsor of this event. The day-long event will feature several other prominent tourism and branding specialists. They include Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa; Katlego Flocart Ditlhokwe, founder of brand strategist agency The Hyphen; Chantel Botha, MD of Brandlove Training, who will discuss cultivating brand warriors; and Hardy McQueen, executive producer, The CyberCellar Wineshow, who will be talking about diversity and inclusion of audiences. Wesgro will open the conference. Delta Air Lines will talk about changing trends in air travel. While Paul Siguqa, CEO of Klein Goederust in Franschhoek, will be looking at building a new South African brand; DTC futurist Andrew Douglas will be moderating a discussion on rebuilding established brands. Panellists to appear will be wine personalities Hein Koegelenberg, Kevin Arnold and Pieter Cronje. A panel discussion on how eco-conservation can impact brand building will be moderated by Andre Morgenthal, project manager of the Old Vine Project. Panellists will include Shelly Fuller of WWF South Africa, Jeremy Borg of Painted Wolf Wines and Kathryn Cilliers of Spier. More information here. As finance minister Enoch Godongwana took to the podium for this year's budget address I knew healthcare would not take centrestage. The minister had to contend with a multitude of issues, chief among them being the worst energy crisis our nation has ever faced. Yet it was encouraging to see a few healthcare touchpoints worked into his address. But more than that, the full budget report illustrates continued budgetary support for government's health policy direction. Godongwana touched on essential points poignant in our nation's struggle against a severely constrained healthcare sector. We all know public healthcare has been struggling to keep up with infrastructure decay, capacity issues and skills shortages. It is optimistic that this fund allocation will help address service backlogs and alleviate critical funding pressures in healthcare personnel, medicine, laboratory services, medical supplies and other vital goods and services. Though vacant posts in noncritical areas will not be filled in most cases, government intends to recruit and retain personnel in key areas such as healthcare, education and peace and security, mainly through the allocation of additional funding. An amount of R2.2bn over the medium term is allocated to the direct national health insurance grant for provincial health departments to the contract health professionals and healthcare services including primary healthcare doctors, oncology services and mental-health services. NHI indirect grant The department also manages the national health insurance indirect grant, which has three components and a budget of R6.9bn over the medium term: The nonpersonal services component of R2bn over the next three years supports activities aimed at strengthening the health system, such as health information systems, quality improvement initiatives and the dispensing and distribution of chronic medicines. The personal services component is allocated R299.9m over the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) period and is aimed at piloting the establishment of contracting units for primary care through which public and private healthcare providers will be contracted. The third component of the grant, which seeks to revitalise health facilities, falls within the department's infrastructure interventions. NHI: Implementation headaches loom for health dept By Ndivhuwo Mukwevho 4 Jan 2023 I'm pleased to see the additional commitment to help provinces deal with the accumulated backlog in core health services such as surgery, oncology, antiretroviral treatment and tuberculosis screening and treatment that resulted from disruptions to routine healthcare services due to the pandemic. The Budget Review shows that healthcare functions have been allocated an additional R23.4bn over the next four years. That is R7.5bn in 2023/24, R7.8bn in 2024/25 and R8.1bn in 2025/26. However, the backlog and shortfall that has marginalised so many South Africans remains. So, what about the National Health Insurance (NHI) elephant in the room? Last year I commented that the minister never mentioned the NHI in the 2022 budget address. This year the minister followed the same brief, though how could we blame him given the prominence of the energy crisis? In the detailed estimates of the national expenditure released alongside the budget speech, the document mentions that the NHI sub-programmes will increasingly focus on evolving health-financing functions such as user and provider management, healthcare benefits and provider payment, digital health information, and risk identification and fraud management. Revitalisation of SA's health infrastructure with its shortcomings is the aim of the Hospital Systems programme. A key objective of the programme includes improving the financing and delivery of healthcare infrastructure by March 2026 by constructing or revitalising 58 primary healthcare facilities, constructing or revitalising 50 hospitals, and maintaining, repairing and/or refurbishing 600 public-health facilities. To this end, the department plans to invest a projected R26.9bn primarily for health-facility revitalisation, which includes the construction of the 488-bed Limpopo Central Hospital in Polokwane. This public-private partnership (PPP) project will establish the first central hospital in the province and form part of the academic health complex attached to the University of Limpopo's medical school. The minister announced that the project is shovel ready and that construction of the hospital will finally begin in March this year. The NHI debate seems to have publicly entered a bit of a lull. However, the immediate needs of national healthcare interests seem to be better served with hospitals and skills, so we should applaud the minister's healthcare priorities. Even though the energy crisis impacts our nation significantly, I believe the progress towards achieving universal health coverage needs to remain on track. I am hopeful that this can be done given this year's budget address. However, the proof will lie in the actions we see over the course of this new financial year. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Moscow on Monday to express support to Russian President Vladimir Putin and to discuss probable measures for achieving peace in Ukraine. Following three days in Russia, Xi will contact Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. That would be their first chance to speak since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out. Experts claim that given how far apart the Russian and Ukrainian negotiation stances remain, there is little chance of a significant development in the Ukraine situation, according to NPR. Last month, Xi Jinping became the first Chinese president in history to be reelected for a third consecutive term, making Xi Jinping Russia visit an ideal opportunity to cement ties with a strategic neighbor and reliable ally. Likewise, the trip has the potential to enhance the reputation of China a world powerhouse. The three-day Xi Jinping Russia visit has been billed as a chance for the two superpowers to strengthen their "no-limits friendship," according to AP News. Both countries perceive the United States as a threat to international order and look to Russia as a potential supplier of oil and gas for China's energy-hungry economy and a partner in challenging this dominance. China and Russia, two permanent UN Security Council members, have also undertaken military training. Read Also: 800,000 Young North Koreans Volunteered To Join Fight Against US Xi Jinping To Dine with Vladimir Putin Despite Russian Leader's War Crimes Allegations Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, stated that during Monday's dinner, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping would likely provide a thorough explanation of Moscow's operations in Ukraine. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Wang Wenbin described Xi's trip as a "journey of friendship, cooperation, and peace" at Monday's daily briefing in Beijing. Wang stated, China would maintain its "objective and fair" stand on the Russia-Ukraine war and play a positive role in facilitating peace negotiations. On Friday, hours after the announcement of Xi Jinping Russia visit, the International Criminal Court ordered an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes connected to Moscow's illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. At a time when Putin's military is running low on supplies and Russia's economy is suffering as a result of Western sanctions, Xi Jinping Russia visit is seen by the United States and most of Europe as a sharp demonstration of backing for the increasingly isolated leader. Concerns have been raised in the West in recent weeks that China is contemplating giving deadly support to Russia's military. China denies the accusation and instead blames the US for "adding fuel" to the Russia-Ukraine war, as per a report from CNN. US officials have stated they would be keeping a close eye on Xi and Putin's encounter for any indication that China is providing weaponry to Russia. Related Article: Australia Comments on Submarine Deal with US @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Marianne Lehikoinen, self-made entrepreneur and founder of Smart Mentoring , which specialises in the growth of coaches, creators and consultants, announces her first free masterclass for women in business in Africa. Marianne is a passionate advocate for inclusivity and equity in the business world, and her masterclass will focus on creating a roadmap for building a successful business while providing networking opportunities between Africa and Europe. At the age of 20, Marianne embarked on an entrepreneurial journey with a strong desire to create a life that aligned with her personal values and goals. She envisioned the freedom to work on her own terms and make decisions that best served her business. However, it wasn't until the birth of her daughter at the age of 24 that she found true success, achieving a million-dollar turnover the following year. Still, as a mother and an entrepreneur, Marianne found balancing the two roles to be challenging. This experience taught her the significance of establishing boundaries and delegating tasks, which ultimately led to the acceleration of her business. Marianne is now blessed to lead a team of 15 individuals. Each woman's path to success in business is as unique as her background and struggles. I am dedicated to helping women navigate these paths and find their own way to success. - Marianne Lehikoinen Her personal connection to Africa, through her half-sister in the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), has given her a deep understanding of the struggles women face and the crucial role of social giving in business. Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, Marianne has used her platform to support women in education and business in at-risk countries through NGOs, and she is excited to take the next step by hosting her first masterclass for women in business in Africa. This free masterclass is in collaboration with Womens Bank - a non-profit organisation that supports the livelihoods of women in fragile contexts. In addition to providing valuable business insights, the masterclass will offer co-founding opportunities, collaboration, and networking across Africa and Europe. Marianne's community of business women in Europe will also be invited to participate, creating a unique opportunity for women from different backgrounds to learn from each other and build meaningful connections. Don't miss this free masterclass, a one-of-a-kind opportunity for women in Africa to learn from Marianne as a successful entrepreneur and from each other. The masterclass will take place online across Africa and Europe on 11th April 2023. Register for the masterclass here: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/40/10p38tp5 This is the most successful shutdown ever in the history of striking. Source: Reuters. This was the message of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, speaking from Church Square in Pretoria on Monday, 20 March, as thousands of demonstrators gathered nationwide to protest. The EFF is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign and for an end to rolling blackouts. "South Africans must realise that there is life outside of the ANC. The ANC is not a synonym of life; it is just another failed liberation movement," Malema said. Malema said that there had been no looting or destruction of property during the national strike, and he slammed government for its narrative that the strike was unsuccessful. In his speech he said that those attending the strike and those who chose to continue to run their businesses instead are equally impacted by load shedding and want an end to it. We are now entering Sandton! Its a #NationalShutDown! No retreat! No surrender! pic.twitter.com/q8ksW2kg4G Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) March 20, 2023 Malema framed government's deployment of SANDF members on the ground as an intimidation tactic aimed at stopping the national strike from happening. "Looting is not our mission; addressing load shedding is - addressing unemployment and poverty is. The whole world must know the shenanigans going on in this country. Our people stay in shacks; our people don't have water; our people don't have electricity." He praised the bravery of those who showed up to strike in the face of "more than 3,000 soldiers on the streets, the more than 1,000 policemen deployed and the helicopters flying overhead". Citizens reported that security forces were present at malls and roads. Malema said government had sabotaged EFF's plan to strike by sending out an email to bus operators at 2am on Monday, 20 March, saying that they were no longer going to transport demonstrators to Church Square. "These buses are sponsored by government," Malema said. The EFF stepped in, Malema said, by paying for the strikers' transport to Church Square. "The aim was to intimidate you," he said. Addressing the demonstrators, he added: "It's time to say to all those dictators in Africa that their days are numbered. They want to arrest us, they will never kill or arrest our souls. We will die with our consciences and our souls intact. We will know that we never sold out." Imagine if the EFF was to pull a #NationalShutdown prank every now and then so this Apartheid government can prepare the SANDF every weekend and also reduce load shedding stages pic.twitter.com/y5Eh15XVJg TSOGANG (@Tsogang3) March 18, 2023 Soweto under attack In the meantime, leader of the Soweto Parliament Nhlanhla Lux Dlamini, claimed the EFF was behind an attack on his home The attack reportedly happened in the early hours on Monday morning. Dlamini said two bombs hit his home and that they completely shattered his windows and that of a neighbour's house. He fingered the EFF saying EFF supporters had taken videos of his house the day prior, outing out his address and posting this on social-media platforms. "It speaks to the quality of leadership in this country when people have a different viewpoint to you; when people beat you at your own game." Dlamini said he stopped a shutdown in Soweto and that it was business as usual there. "We worked tirelessly through the night with the police and the communities to make sure a granny can go to the shops; an ambulance can come and collect the granny that's having a heart attack, so that when the sun rises you've got a beautiful Soweto." Gauteng reports the most arrests Reports show that people began protesting as early as Sunday night, 19 March. By 10am on Monday, claims were that already 57 people around South Africa had been arrested in connection with the national shutdown, and that the numbers could escalate, while another account put the numbers down to more than 80 in the early hours of this morning. At the time Minister of police, Bheki Cele said that Gauteng had recorded the most arrests so far with the Free State following close behind and Eastern Cape recording the third-highest number of arrests. No major incidents to report regarding the so called national shutdown in the WC. We want to see the high visibility maintained across our province & thats a fight we will continue to take up with Nat. Gov. as we are 20yrs behind in the ideal amount of officers required pic.twitter.com/AhsV2c7O4h Reagen Allen (@ReagenAllen) March 20, 2023 In Cape Town, the DAs High Court victory prevented the EFF from closing down institutions. The City of Cape Town's Joint Operations Centre has had a multi-departmental plan in place to ensure communities, businesses and residents are kept safe during the national shutdown. Brigadier Athlenda Mathe spokesperson for the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure said 24,300 tyres had been confiscated as early as Monday morning. Law enforcement continues to monitor the national strike, which is expected to end at 00h00 on Monday, 20 March. It aims to prevent and combat any acts of lawlessness and criminality. The Biden administration and National Security Council say they closely monitored multiple days of rare joint naval drills between China, Russia, and Iran held in the Gulf of Oman. The "Security Bond-2023" exercises took place from Wednesday through Saturday, and were focused on deepening "practical cooperation between the participating countries navies ... and inject positive energy into regional peace and stability," according to China's Defense Ministry. The allies confirmed the exercises concluded Saturday and hailed their 'success'. Via AP Iranian state as well as Russian media published and circulated footage of the drills, which involved joint warship maneuvers, deployment of aircraft, and day and night artillery firing. NSC spokesman John Kirby indicated in Friday press remarks that the US isn't particularly concerned about these drills. "Were going to watch it, well monitor it, obviously, to make sure that theres no threat resulting from this training exercise to our national security interests or those of our allies and partners in the region," he told CNN, conceding that, "But nations train. We do it all the time. Well watch it as best we can." According to The Wall Street Journal, "Still, the exercise is significantly smaller than those anchored by the U.S. military, which is winding up an 18-day naval exercise in the Middle East involving 42 other nations, including Israel, Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E." Iran, China, and Russia hold joint drills in Sea of Oman Dubbed "the Marine Security Belt 2023", the military maneuver aims to strengthen regional security. Follow Press TV on Telegram: https://t.co/7h1TYXZOQt pic.twitter.com/cvuDJgBizb Highlights (@highlightsnews1) March 17, 2023 While it's not the first time the Russians and Chinese have trained together in or near the Persian Gulf region, it's another sign of deepening cooperation after they declared their 'no limits partnership' in February 2022. The timing of the drills also came days before Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to arrive in Moscow to meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the war in Ukraine, and possible paths toward peace negotiations. Biden in 1997... In a series of tweets on Friday, CNN correspondent Kyung Lah described how her rental car's rear window was smashed within seconds by thieves who then made off with her bags. "Got robbed. Again," Lah wrote. "[CNN producer Jason Kravarik] & I were at city hall in San Francisco to do an interview for @CNN. We had security to watch our rental car + crew car. Thieves did this in under 4 seconds. Security stopped the jerks from stealing other bags. But seriously- this is ridiculous." Got robbed. Again. @jasonkCNN & I were at city hall in San Francisco to do an interview for @CNN. We had security to watch our rental car + crew car. Thieves did this in under 4 seconds. Security stopped the jerks from stealing other bags. But seriously- this is ridiculous pic.twitter.com/3zcCzckavW Kyung Lah (@KyungLahCNN) March 17, 2023 Even though Lah hired 'private security,' the crooks were able to flee the scene. Our hired security guard tried to grab the crooks (Im glad he didnt get hurt!) but he got this picture of the getaway car. To the jerks who stole our stuff I hope someone on this site sees your plate and you get caught pic.twitter.com/k7VL0J9JHJ Kyung Lah (@KyungLahCNN) March 17, 2023 The irony is that the reporter at the left-leaning news outlet was filming a segment on "rampant street crime" in San Francisco, now considered the "shoplifting capital of America" because of progressive prosecutors who refuse to enforce criminal laws. Surging crime, open-air drug dealing, and robberies are a byproduct of failed social justice reforms by progressive politicians, such as George Soros-backed District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who was booted out of office last June by angry voters. Twitter users had fun with this: defund the police is going great Shibetoshi Nakamoto (@BillyM2k) March 18, 2023 Looks smashy but mostly peaceful Sam Ikin (@sam_ikin) March 18, 2023 You sure this wasn't climate change? Chris Walkey (@ChrisWalkey) March 18, 2023 "We have a lot of joint tasks, goals," Putin told his Chinese counterpart while also congratulating him on re-election as the head of the Chinese state for a third 5-year term. Xi in return said "Russia succeeded in promoting prosperity under Putins leadership." Putin further expressed that "we will discuss your initiative [on Ukraine] which we view with respect." "We are open for a negotiating process on Ukraine," the Russian leader added. He noted to Xi that "we have looked at your proposals for the resolution of the Ukraine conflict" and previewed that "we will discuss this question." "Welcome to Russia" Xi Jinping has arrived in the Kremlin, an informal meeting with Vladimir Putin has started pic.twitter.com/BQ4rzfmynT AZ (@AZgeopolitics) March 20, 2023 The day prior in media interviews, White House NSC spokesperson John Kirby declared that any "call for a ceasefire" in Ukraine is "unacceptable." Likely Moscow will only be satisfied with nothing short of a full Kiev recognition of the Donbass being under Russia; however, this is the very thing Washington will condemn and seek to induce the Zelensky administration to resist. According to state media commentary (RT), "Moscow has said that it would consider the proposal but has pointed to several factors that stand in the way of a peaceful resolution in Ukraine." And more of Moscow's perspective headed into more Xi meetings: "Those include the insistence of Kiev and its Western backers on inflicting a military defeat of Russia, their firm opposition to any sort of ceasefire, as well as a law enacted by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky that forbids holding negotiations with Russia as long as Putin remains in office." Kirby on Xi meeting Putin: If there's some sort of call for a ceasefire well that's just going to be unacceptable. -> Only US mediated ceasefires are good! pic.twitter.com/4SrnKLBu3o Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) March 20, 2023 * * * Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Moscow on Monday for what Beijing is calling a "trip for peace" - but at a moment the White House is emphasizing "We dont support calls for a ceasefire right now," according to the words of White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. "We certainly dont support calls for a ceasefire that would be called for by the PRC in a meeting in Moscow that would simply benefit Russia," Kirby said. The three-day trip was kicked off as Xi's plane touched down at Moscows Vnukovo airport, where Russias deputy prime minister for tourism, sport, culture and communications, Dmitri N. Chernyshenko, greeted him a red carpet ceremony and military brass band. His first stop was the Kremlin for an initial and informal meeting with President Putin. Image: Kommersant/AFP "I am very glad, at the invitation of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, to come back to the land of our close neighbor on a state visit," Mr. Xi said upon arrival. He added: "China and Russia are good neighbors and reliable partners connected by mountains and rivers." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that China's 12-point peace plan in Ukraine will top the agenda. "One way or another, issues raised in (Beijing's) plan for Ukraine will be touched upon during the negotiations," he said. "Comprehensive explanations will be given by President Putin" of the Russian position." Just hours ahead of the Chinese presidential plane being en route, both Xi and Putin published separate articles previewing the bilateral summit, with Xi emphasizing Chinas push to end the Ukraine crisis reflects global support. Putin for his part wrote that he has "high expectations for the upcoming talks" with his "good old friend". Putin said he enjoys the "warmest relationship" with Xi, in a partnership between countries which is "consistently growing stronger" and has reached "the highest level in their history". Speaking of the talks, the first in-person summit with the Chinese leader since the start of the Ukraine war, Putin stressed, "We have no doubt that they will give a new powerful impetus to our bilateral cooperation in its entirety." According to more from Putin's letter, published also in English on state websites: Yet the main thing has remained unchanged: I am talking of the firm friendship between Russia and China, which is consistently growing stronger for the benefit and in the interest of our countries and peoples. The progress made in the development of bilateral ties is impressive. The Russia-China relations have reached the highest level in their history and are gaining even more strength; they surpass Cold War-time military-political alliances in their quality, with no one to constantly order and no one to constantly obey, without limitations or taboos. We have reached an unprecedented level of trust in our political dialogue, our strategic cooperation has become truly comprehensive in nature and is standing on the brink of a new era. Putin also at one point took a swipe directly at the United States: Sticking more stubbornly than ever to its obsolete dogmata and vanishing dominance, the "Collective West" is gambling on the fates of entire states and peoples. The US's policy of simultaneously deterring Russia and China, as well as all those who do not bend to the American dictation, is getting ever more fierce and aggressive. The international security and cooperation architecture is being dismantled. Russia has been labelled an "immediate threat" and China a "strategic competitor." Meanwhile, Washington is watching the Xi trip very closely, also as the Chinese leader is at some point soon expected to hold a phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky.... Ahead of a meeting between Putin and Xi, White House NSC spokesperson John Kirby declares that any "call for a ceasefire" in Ukraine is "unacceptable." pic.twitter.com/Z1MUvdlTwS Aaron Mate (@aaronjmate) March 20, 2023 And on China's mediation efforts in the Ukraine crisis in particular, Putin vowed that efforts to split the major Eurasian allies "won't work"... "The crisis in Ukraine, which was provoked and is being diligently fuelled by the West, is the most striking, yet not the only, manifestation of its desire to retain its international dominance and preserve the unipolar world order," the Russian leader wrote. "It is crystal clear that NATO is striving for a global reach of activities and seeking to penetrate the Asia-Pacific." He continued: It obvious that there are forces persistently working to split the common Eurasian space into a network of "exclusive clubs" and military blocs that would serve to contain our countries' development and harm their interests. This won't work. Chinese President Xi arrives in Moscow to meet with the Russian President Putin. pic.twitter.com/4GLcnf3nkt Clash Report (@clashreport) March 20, 2023 Putin concluded near the end of his letter, "We appreciate the well-balanced stance on the events in Ukraine adopted by the PRC, as well as its understanding of their historical background and root causes." He emphasized: "We welcome China's readiness to make a meaningful contribution to the settlement of the crisis." The NY Times notes based on Chinese state media that Xi as accompanied to Moscow by "senior officials including Wang Yi, Chinas highest ranking diplomat; Foreign Minister Qin Gang; and Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Partys Central Committee." Ukraine at the same time issued a call for Russia to remove all of its troops, saying this is the proper formula for the successful implementation of China's 'Peace Plan'. This new book by Graeme MacQueen (click here for a free e-copy) contains a collection of his articles and essays on the attacks of September 11, 2001, the subsequent anthrax attacks, and analyses of other false flag operations. They are profoundly important and shatter the official versions of those events. No one reading this book can come away from it not convinced that the U.S. government is a terrorist state. MacQueens conclusions are not based on rhetoric but on a deep empirical analyses, facts not propaganda.With this volume, Graeme MacQueen takes his place alongside David Ray Griffin as a prophet without honor in his own time. History will declare him a hero. To write the following introduction is a great honor, for my esteem for Graeme and his work is immense. * Graeme MacQueens work is a testament to a man devoted to the search for truth and the freedom and peace that ensue from its discovery. I think it is surely not an accident that he is a Buddhist scholar and a former professor of religious and peace studies. In this regard, he reminds me of two other inspired theologians who carry the message of love and peace into the political realm where their extraordinary writing has given great hope to those yearning for truth and justice: James W. Douglass and David Ray Griffin, the former the great JFK scholar and the latter the author of a dozen or so groundbreaking books on the events of September 11, 2001. In this book, which is a primer on government propaganda, Graeme continues to teach how illusions must be punctured and the veil of government secrecy parted, lessons gleaned from the core of the worlds religions. That the truth will set us free is the essence of these teachings. Yet truth is a hard taskmaster and requires great courage, fortitude, and determination, which Graeme possesses in abundance, both in his person and in his writing. Exposing the lies of the official versions of September 11, 2001, the anthrax attacks, etc. takes guts, for it causes conflict with family, friends, and authorities. It brands one a conspiracy theorist who has lost his reason. In Graemes case this is hilarious, for you will nowhere find a writer who is less doctrinaire and who sticks more closely to evidence. In fact, I, an impetuous type, have sometimes found his approach a bit too cautious, but I have always come around to see the value in it and to trust that his conclusions are based on rigorous logic and evidence. Sometimes a photograph can reveal a persons soul. I think the photo of Graeme that precedes his preface, taken in 2006 when he first embarked on his writing about the official lies of September 11, 2001, truly shows his spirit. Although in his late fifties, he looks very boyish, a bit of a rake, but with the countenance of a man deeply disturbed by what he is seeing through the eidola of official propaganda. There is a trace of both sorrow and determination in his eyes. His behatted head suggests a man ready to fish for truth in the deepest depths of an ocean of lies. As a Buddhist scholar who has long known that creative writing and speech come freely from a state of mind different from, and higher than, the normal, I think it is self-evident that his inspired writing in this book is the result of a mind clarified by the realization that the inner and outer cannot be divorced, that life and death are one, and that looking out involves looking in. For it seems to me self-evident, that those who oppose the consensus realty of a cruel and violent social order are also trying to redeem themselves from the profound tricks the ego plays on us all, while they probe the deceptions of official propaganda. And while Graeme does not explicitly state the connections between his religious writing and research and the political analyses in this book, it is evident that his work makes manifest that Reality is one whole, and that the isolated individual self that separates the personal from the political has led to a badly broken world. About a decade ago, I had the privilege of being asked to review his brilliant book, The 2001 Anthrax Deception, that forms the basis for a few of the chapters in this collection. We became great friends. And if I have yet to say anything about the content of The Pentagons B-Movie, it is because while it is obvious that books are written by human beings (although this is changing with AI), who those authors really are is often elided. Great men do not play stage tricks with the doctrines of life and death: only little men do that, wrote John Ruskin. As a compelling exposer of official stage tricks, Graeme is great, but you would never hear it from him. He is humble and self-deprecating in the extreme. His laugh and sense of humor is contagious, although his writing only reflects this in a sentence here or there. But I have learned that those without a sense of humor or the ability to laugh at themselves are not to be trusted. Egos block the door to truth. And even as he has battled very serious illness over recent years, Graemes laughter on the subject of death is to me a sign of a man pure of heart and grateful for his life in all its complexity. The articles in this collection were written over a span of sixteen years. Divided into three sections, they intersect to form a devastating critique of multiple matters, such as the government assassinations of JFK and MLK, various false flag events, but most especially September 11, 2001 and the subsequent anthrax attacks. It is impossible to read them sequentially and not be convinced of their truths. Each in its turn, reinforces the adage that the emperor has no clothes. More so, by stripping away every claim of the official narratives step-by-step, we see the emperor skinless as well, a skeleton caught dead to rights with its lethal lies conclusively exposed. In many ways, the opening chapter, 9/11: The Pentagons B-Movie, a tour-de-force, serves to foreshadow many of the themes that follow, concluding with The Triumph of the Official Narrative: How the TV Networks Hid the Twin Towers Explosive Demolition on 9/11 with co-author Ted Walter. Graeme makes clear from the start that it is the moving images of television and film that are central to the official propaganda. This is Platos allegory of the cave updated where shadows on the wall are used to delude people into not seeing what obviously happened if they turned toward the light. As he writes: This 9/11 movie reveals itself to careful investigators as scripted, directed and produced by the U.S. national security state. The movie does not represent the real world. It violates the rules operative in the real world, including the laws of physics. Audiences will remain in thrall to the spectacle and violence of the War on Terror only as long as they remain mesmerized by the B-movie of 9/11. But as he knows, B-movies are often popular, especially when they are of the horror genre with their ability to traumatize the viewers, even when they might suspect they are being taken for a ride. One enters a monster film with belief suspended and often leaves it forgetting it was an illusion, for the movie has penetrated deep into ones psyche. Only when people sense the genuine danger, he tells us, and leave behind fiction and special effects will they be in a position to deal with the real monster that confronts us. This demands seeing the evil and pitiless oligarchy responsible for 9/11 as the monsters they are. Such truth can only be distinguished from the shadows when the audience leaves the theater of the absurd, exits into the light, and snaps out of the hypnotic state. Many never do, especially because the movies are not confined to movie theaters anymore. They are integral to modern day-to-day screen life. The moving images in peoples heads often supplant reality, as Graeme makes clear: But imagine what would happen if audiences remained convinced by the suspension of the laws of physics after they left the theatre? This, it seems to me, is what has happened with the events of September 11, 2001. Many people are still deceived by the special effects. They are still captured by the movie of 9/11. And since the only way to exit from such horrors is mental, one often needs a wise guide. Graeme is that guide. This book will jolt you back to reality with its concluding chapters where TV video news reports are used to show how the official narrative was quickly fashioned after initial television reports clearly showed that the buildings were blown up from within. MacQueen again [my emphasis]: Our conclusion was that evidence-free claims, combined with repetition and a dramatic yarn, were the major mechanisms used. We also found that the evident precision and coordination demonstrate the existence ofyes, we should acknowledge itan extremely ambitious and detailed conspiracy. In conclusion, I would be remiss if I didnt mention how Graeme uses the concept of imagination as a probe to understand how it can be used to manipulate images by propagandists, particularly through moving images, but also how it can be used as a first step in undermining those official narratives. In this regard his castigation of leftists Noam Chomsky Alexander Cockburn, Chris Hedges, et al. and leftist media for their acceptance of the official lies of the JFK assassination and September 11, is significant. These people, by their overt or covert support of the governments propaganda, have been key cogs in its success. Graeme writes: Indeed, much of the Western left leadership and associated media not only trusted the FBI while ignoring Furtado, Chavez, the Venezuelan National Assembly and Fidel Castro; they also, through silence and ridicule, worked to prevent serious public discussion of the 9/11 controversy. Among the U.S. left media that kept the silence, partially or wholly, are: Monthly Review Common Dreams Huffington Post Counterpunch The Nation The Real News Democracy Now! Z Magazine The Progressive Mother Jones Alternet.org MoveOn.org Thus all these leftists, no matter what they say in their defense, bear great moral responsibility for the so-called War on Terror, the Patriot Act, the invasion of Iraq, the deaths of Muslims, etc., all of which emanate from the insider attacks of September 11 and the subsequent anthrax attacks. With leftists like these, the CIAs courting of the compatible left (a term coined by the CIAs Cord Meyer), begun in the 1950s, has achieved its greatest success. The pacification of the liberal/left bourgeoise has been extremely successful and continues to the present day. There is no need for me to tell you more about the material in this great book. Just read it. As an adjunct to Graemes fundamental book, The 2001 Anthrax Deception, this work tears off the veil of lies that has become the normative order for so many over the past few decades. Whether this work frees many from the official lies or not, it is clear that Graeme has fulfilled his destiny to set us all free, if we so choose. He pulls no punches and shows how September 11, 2001 and the anthrax attacks are an integrated inside job, serving to reinforce each other. You can ask no more of anyone. He is an exemplar of a beautiful human being and a writer of profound importance. This collection confirms that. The UBS Group's state-backed buyout of Credit Suisse looked to seal off one source of fear for the global banking industry, helping to boost banking equities in the United States and Europe on Monday. Swiss authorities agreed on Sunday to sell 167-year-old Credit Suisse Group AG to UBS Group AG for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.2 billion), according to a Reuters report. Major European banks' bonds declined as some Credit Suisse bondholders were wiped out in the transaction, while UBS shares rose 2%, recovering from a 16% decline brought on by doubts about the UBS Credit Suisse take over long-term advantages and the future of Switzerland, which was formerly seen as a model of ethical banking. After days of intense discussions between financial authorities in Switzerland, the United States, and the United Kingdom, an emergency takeover was finally agreed upon. Financial powerhouses UBS and Credit Suisse's combined assets of about $1.7 trillion place them among the world's 30 most significant banks. Read Also: World Happiness Report: Which Country Ranks First This Year? UBS' Credit Suisse Takeover Draws Mixed Reactions Global authorities in charge of regulating the financial markets applauded the UBS Credit Suisse takeover. US officials approved of the move and coordinated with their Swiss counterparts to facilitate the takeover, according to CNN. Credit Suisse AT1 bondholders are upset by the decision since their investments seem to have been destroyed, while stockholders will get dividends as part of the buyout. Compared to AT1 bonds, equity investments are often considered a lower priority. In a Sunday research note, Goldman Sachs credit analysts said the move may be viewed as "an effective subordination of AT1 bondholders to shareholders." Experts also stated that the UBS Credit Suisse takeover reflects the "largest loss ever inflicted on AT1 investors" since establishing the "asset class post-global financial crisis." Despite this, Elisabeth Rudman, global head of financial institutions at DBRS Morningstar, said the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority's action was expected, CNBC reported. She said the move should come as no surprise since AT1s are intended to "absorb losses." "They've done what they were supposed to do," Rudman remarked. Related Article: First Republic Bank Avoids SVB-Like Collapse @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Arresting Putin Or Arresting All-Out Western Public Revolt? By Finian Cunningham March 20, 2023: Information Clearing House -- " SCF " - Western propaganda outlets (also known as news media) are suddenly full of reports that The Hague-based International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The over-the-top coverage (that is, orchestration) is intended to give the ridiculous legal ploy an impression of gravitas and significance when in reality the so-called arrest warrant is meaningless and oozes with kitsch politicized theater. Along with Putin, the Russian Childrens Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova is also named as a wanted person to face war crimes prosecution. The alleged crimes are in connection with the supposed deportation of children to Russia during Russias special military operation in Ukraine conducted since February 2022. The basis for the ICC move is as flimsy as an errant weather balloon. It is also an audacious distortion of reality. Russia has evacuated thousands of civilians, including children, from the regions formerly of eastern Ukraine that are now part of the Russian Federation for the precise reason of taking them out of harms way from the NATO-backed Nazi regime in Kiev whose forces have been indiscriminately shelling the Donbass and other areas.Ukraine If anyone should be facing prosecution for war crimes it is Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and his Nazi-adulating commanders, as well as their sponsors: American, European, and NATO leaders. The Kiev regime has been shelling the Donbass for nine years since the CIA coup brought to power this fascist junta. NATO trained the Azov Battalion and other Waffen SS-style paramilitaries which are firing U.S.-supplied HIMARS rockets with the help of American, British, French, German, Canadian, and Polish mercenaries. Russia intervened in Ukraine last year to put an end to the genocide that Washington and Europe along with their Western media are complicit in. Not a word of this is reported in so-called bastions of journalism, the New York Times and BBC. Theyre too busy selling propaganda about the ICC and Russia. Is this the best case that the ICC and its Western handlers can really find against Russia? Kidnapping children? What about all the other allegations about Russia shelling apartment blocks and civilians? If there were any truth to these widely peddled claims in Western media then why havent those allegations been cited for prosecution? They havent because there is so little evidence. In fact, the NATO-backed Kiev regime is guilty of using apartment blocks and civilian human shields. Hence, the fallback on an emotively appealing issue of alleged child kidnapping. The cringe-worthy sense alone tells you it is a fit-up. But the tenuousness of it all only makes the Western claims and the ICC look even more absurd than they already do. In any case, the ICC has no jurisdiction over Russia, so the arrest warrants are dead letters. Theyre not meant to be taken seriously anyway. This is all political theater aimed at smearing Moscow. Neither has the court jurisdiction over the United States. Just as well, it might be said, because if there were any genuine principles of justice, U.S. President Joe Biden should be in the dock facing multiple war crime charges in connection with Americas illegal wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, and Yemen among other countries. On more recent crimes, Biden and his NATO crime partners should be in dock over the blowing up of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Or for sponsoring and weaponizing the Israeli regimes renewed war crimes against Palestinians. Or for persecuting and torturing publisher Julian Assange because he dared to reveal the truth about American and British war crimes. The astounding hypocrisy and double standards are another proof if such proof were needed that the latest ICC maneuver against Russia is a cheap political stunt to bolster badly needed authority for the United States and its Western minions. This week, as American and British leaders hail the ICC indictments on Russia, also marks the 20th anniversary of the U.S.-led war in Iraq. A war that killed as many as one million civilians and destroyed a nation, based on outright fabricated lies, lies that Biden as a then-senator helped to promote. The main architects of those crimes, George W Bush and Tony Blair have never been mentioned even in passing by lawyers at the ICC. Why is that? Because the ICC is a Kangaroo Court and a political plaything that Western imperialism uses to pursue political enemies. Meanwhile, in other news We have more reports confirming previous allegations of Joe Biden and his family having received illegal payments worth millions of dollars from Chinese businesses. Biden and his drug-addict son Hunter (who was banging the widow of his dead brother) are up to their eyes in corruption from shady wheeling and dealing using the big guys political office as collateral. The same scam routine was used in Bidens unofficial business dealings with Ukraine after the CIA coup in 2014. Meanwhile, the past week has seen the U.S. banking system teetering on another historic collapse following the implosion of indebted Silicon Valley Bank and others. To prop up the coming financial avalanche across the entire financial sector, the Biden administration is once again throwing hundreds of billions of taxpayers money to bail out Wall Street. Meanwhile, in the U.S. and across Europe millions of workers are taking to the streets in unprecedented strikes and protests against corrupt capitalist regimes. The revolutionary conditions are at boiling point in France where the elitist President Emmanuel Macron (a Louis the XVI figure if ever there was one) is ramming through public spending cuts by decree, deliberately bypassing the parliamentary process (well, it is a sham anyway). But all across Europe and the United States the public mood is becoming increasingly intolerant and contemptuous of so-called governments that are spending hundreds of billions on sponsoring an insane proxy war in Ukraine against nuclear-powered Russia while at the same time, these same Western elite rulers are demanding more economic austerity on the suffering public. This is while inequality, deprivation, homelessness, hunger, and poverty are crushing societies. Meanwhile, we get supposedly upbeat Western media reports this week that the U.S.-led NATO axis is now moving to send warplanes to the Kiev regime on top of previous moves to supply Leopard, Abrams, Leclerc, and Challenger battle tanks craziness that will lead to all-out war with Russia. The dissonance among Western elites and their media echo chambers is so gulf-like it is courting revolutionary anger, a la Marie-Antoinette, and her reputed let-them-eat-cakes remark. The charge list goes on of daily mounting anger and disgust over the collapse of the corrupt Western racket otherwise called Western capitalist democracy, otherwise known as the dictatorship of billionaires and warmongers. Biden, Macron, von der Leyen, Stoltenberg, Trudeau, Sunak, Scholz & Co (fill in your clowns name here) arent actually concerned about arresting Putin. They are shitting themselves to arrest the mounting public revolt against the Western capitalist clown show. Finian Cunningham has written extensively on international affairs, with articles published in several languages. He is a Masters graduate in Agricultural Chemistry and worked as a scientific editor for the Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, England, before pursuing a career in newspaper journalism. He is also a musician and songwriter. For nearly 20 years, he worked as an editor and writer in major news media organisations, including The Mirror, Irish Times and Independent. Brandeis launches initiative to study the Jews of Latin America The Centro de Documentacion e Investigacion Judio de Mexico, designed and constructed by architects Ezra Cheremand Alan Cherem, including the restoration of the Rodfe Sedek synagogue and mikva. In order to expand knowledge and appreciation of the cultural, communal and religious traditions of Latin American Jewry and their distinctive contributions to the global Jewish diaspora, Brandeis University is launching the Brandeis Initiative on the Jews of the Americas (JOTA). The initiative, based at Brandeis Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies, will support academic research and cultural programs focused on Jews who live in Latin America and those who immigrated elsewhere, including to the United States. The initiative will launch with a symposium on Sunday, April 16: The Latin American Jewish Experience: A Kaleidoscope of Shared Pasts, Present Activism and Future Legacies. The launch event of the Brandeis Initiative on the Jews of the Americas will gather extraordinary Latin American trailblazers in conversation, in order to promote new ways of thinking about global Jewish peoplehood, immigrant and diaspora life, and the larger lessons that can be learned by the Jewish experience when understood as part of the Americas writ large. Speakers include leading figures in fields of journalism, literature, art, architecture, human rights, entrepreneurship, the museum world, communal organizations and political figures, and they represent a host of countries including Mexico, Argentina, Panama, Venezuela and Chile. The history and the cultural and religious expression of Latin American Jews is a rich area for Jewish Studies, and one that merits deeper academic exploration, said Dalia Wassner, director of the Jews of the Americas. This initiative will provide a base for scholars working to advance our knowledge of this significant community and their contributions to Latin American history, politics and culture, and to the Jewish world. Despite its size and importance, Latin American Jewry has been relatively under-examined. Estimated to number more than 750,000 individuals, the Latin American Jewish community is diverse and includes Ashkenazi, Mizrachi, and Sephardi Jews nearly half of whom live in the United States. Latin American Jews also constitute an important segment of modern Israeli society, and the exploration of the relationship between Jewish communities in the Americas and Israel is an important and necessary contribution to the study of Israel-Diaspora relations. JOTA advances its mission to explore and elevate the Jewish experience in the Americas through three core pursuits: Academic innovation scholarly research, teaching, publishing, and preserving archival histories of individuals and communities Cultural engagement programs that illuminate Latin American Jewish identity, culture, arts, and literature, and that foster dialogue with other Jewish and non-Jewish communities; Integration a nexus for interdisciplinary collaboration and advocacy with local, national, and international partners. Designed as a hub for creativity and collaboration, the Brandeis Initiative on the Jews of the Americas includes academic research and cultural programs. The initiatives approach incorporates perspectives from the humanities, social sciences, and the arts and engages international academic and community institutions. About Brandeis University Brandeis University is a highly competitive private research university with a focus on undergraduate education. Founded in 1948 by the American Jewish community and named for Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis, the university embraces the values of academic excellence, critical thinking, openness to all and a commitment to making the world a better place. Located just west of Boston in Waltham, Massachusetts, Brandeis is a member of the Association of American Universities, which represents the leading research universities in the United States and Canada. Brandeis distinguished faculty are dedicated to the education and support of 3,600 undergraduates and more than 2,000 graduate students. About the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies Founded in 1980, the Maurice and Marilyn Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies (CMJS), is a multi-disciplinary research center that incorporates the latest concepts, theories, and techniques of social science in the study of contemporary Jewish life. Amazon on Monday said it would axe another 9000 roles, piling on to a wave of layoffs that has swept the technology sector as an uncertain economy forces companies to get leaner. In a remarkable turn for a company that has long touted its job creation, Amazon will have eliminated 27,000 positions in recent months, or 9 per cent of its roughly 300,000-strong corporate workforce. Once touted for its job creation, Amazon will have fired about 9 per cent of its workforce over recent months. Credit: Bloomberg The latest cuts focus on Amazons highly profitable cloud and advertising divisions, once seen as untouchable until economic concerns led business customers to scrutinise their spending. The layoffs will affect Amazons streaming unit Twitch as well, following cuts that began in November focused on the companys devices, e-commerce and human-resources organisations. Amazon aims to finalise whom it will terminate by April. . Frum with authoring George W. Bushs infamous Axis of Evil speech, which marked the beginning of an unprecedented era of U.S. military expansionism and humanitarian interventions in geostrategically valuable nations after 9/11. In just the second sentence of his article Frum opens with an absolute scorcher of a lie, saying an arsenal of chemical-warfare shells and warheads were discovered in Iraq to suggest that the weapons of mass destruction narrative had been proven at least somewhat true. As The Intercepts Jon Schwartz , the only chemical weapons in Iraq were either (A) munitions sealed in bunkers at an Iraqi weapons complex by U.N. inspectors in the nineties and left there because they were too dangerous to move, and (B) some old munitions that had been lost and forgotten after the Iran-Iraq War. In neither of these cases is it true that Saddam Hussein was hiding any weapons of mass destruction. Frum claims that The United States went to war to build a democracy in Iraq, which is an infantile fairy tale only idiots and children believe. Iraq was invaded because it was an oil-rich nation in a geostrategically crucial region whose leader had been insufficiently servile to U.S. energy interests. Probably didnt help that it was also moving toward re-normalizing relations with Iran. Frum hilariously claims that What the U.S. did in Iraq was not an act of unprovoked aggression, and shows that he has learned absolutely nothing about anything by criticizing the Obama administration for not invading Syria to enforce its own declared red lines on chemical weapons allegations. Frum begins the article by calling the war a grave and costly error, but by the end he has completely walked this back by gushing about how much better it made things for Iraqis. He says that ISIS has been destroyed in Iraq and reduced to a tiny foothold in Syria and Jihadist terrorism has receded across the Arab Middle East, and that the ensuing stability has had economic benefits for Iraqis, like greater oil exports. Frum makes the unfalsifiable fantasy claim that things would have been just as bad for Iraqis if the U.S. hadnt invaded, saying Whether Iraq had an alternative future that would have been much better for the country and its people seems very doubtful to me. [For one thing, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis would still be alive.] Imperfect as Iraqi governance is, thanks to the U.S. intervention, the country has for the first time in its independent history a political system that is in some measure accountable to its people, Frum writes. Frum closes with a paragraph that continues The Atlantics long and ongoing pattern of churning out think pieces which use the war in Ukraine to rehabilitate the image of the neocons: The invasion of Ukraine has recalled the peoples of the Western democracies to themselves. There are times when free people must fight in self-defense. That truth must not be lost, whatever lessons we draw from the Iraq War. And perhaps the commitment to share that freedom with the people of Iraq is not yet lost either. They have gained a chance, and their story is not over. Max Boots article is titled What the Neocons Got Wrong, and its published in Foreign Affairs. Boot was one of the earliest influential proponents of the Iraq invasion, penning a now-notorious essay for the neoconservative Weekly Standard titled The Case for American Empire a month after 9/11. Boots 2001 screed called for a U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, predicting a swift and easy victory and saying that Once we have deposed Saddam, we can impose an American-led, international regency in Baghdad, to go along with the one in Kabul. Boots sentiments on Iraq today are more contrite than Frums, unequivocally denouncing the war and the idea of promoting democracy by military force, but theres still a lot of warmongering bullshit in his Foreign Affairs piece. Both South Korea and South Vietnam were worth defending from communist aggression, but the Koreans showed greater skill and willingness to fight for their own freedom than the South Vietnamese did, Boot proclaims out of fucking nowhere. I am a neocon no more, Boot declares, before making it clear that he has simply pivoted from supporting Republican wars to supporting Democrat wars like the proxy war in Ukraine. Boot says Ukraine easily meets the test for justifiable U.S. interventionism, and calls President Volodymyr Zelensky a Churchillian figure worthy of the United States unstinting support. Despite his denunciation of neoconservatism, Boot has been an exceptionally hawkish supporter of the same U.S. proxy war that all his Bush-era neocon buddies have rallied behind in the last year. In his regular opinion column for The Washington Post he has been one of the loudest voices pushing for the U.S. to pour more powerful weapons into Ukraine, and even went on a trip with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to write war propaganda about the need for the U.S. alliance to send more tanks there. (While were on the subject, why does The Washington Post need to give regular opinion columns to Max Boot, John Bolton, Jennifer Rubin, and Josh Rogin? Theyre all warmongering neocons. I think even neocons would agree thats too many neocons.) But of greater significance than the specific words that David Frum and Max Boot have published is the fact that their words are being published at all. It is absolutely insane that the people who helped unleash the horror that was the Iraq War upon the world are not only not in prison, but are actively uplifted and celebrated on the most influential platforms in the western world. These freaks shouldnt be able to get jobs of any greater influence than working behind a cash register, and they should have a harder time getting those jobs than convicted felons. They certainly shouldnt be given a platform to write about the very crime they helped orchestrate. But such is the civilization we find ourselves in. The empire elevates those who serve the empire, and marginalizes those who speak out against it. David Frum and Max Boot are massively amplified celebrity pundits not in spite of their past misdeeds but exactly because of them. They have proved themselves to be reliable servants of the empire, and the empire has rewarded them accordingly. In a remotely sane society, this would not be the case. In a remotely sane society, such creatures would be regarded with the same revulsion and rejection as child molesters. These people are worse than serial killers, because theyve got body counts that Jeffrey Dahmer or John Wayne Gacy could only dream of. Heres hoping that one day we live in a society that has become so healthy that it is no longer acceptable to be a neocon. Caitlin's articles are entirely reader-supported, so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around, liking her on Facebook, following her antics on Twitter, checking out her podcast, throwing some money into her hat on Patreon or Paypal, or buying her book Woke: A Field Guide for Utopia Preppers. New book! Lao Sue And Other Poems, available in paperback or PDF/ebook. - https://caitlinjohnstone.com Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. So whatever happened to the promised reduction in those elevated airfares that travellers have endured for more than a year? Seems they were a mirage. If anything, fares have kicked up a bit over February and March at both ends of the spectrum from business fares to the best discount fares, according to the latest numbers from statistics collator the Bureau of Transport and Infrastructure Economics. Geoff Culbert says stagnant capacity and high fares are the culprits. But this was not how the script was meant to play out. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which provides a quarterly report of airline pricing, heralded that prices had come down from their December peaks in January. And this was supposed to be the start of a slow return to more normalised pricing. Now nobody is saying apologies are easy, but nobody seems terribly impressed by food site Delicious.com.au which has taken its sweet time to issue a mea culpa over that restaurant review by veteran critic John Lethlean. Bite-sized version: Lethleans piece on a Perth eatery that included this gem the maitre d/meet and greeter wears an outfit that threatens to expose more than just her inexperience when she bends over to set a table, sparked a storm of protest in the industry last month. Despite the offending review being promptly taken down from the Delicious site, the controversy hasnt gone away and has prompted much debate and commentary about the treatment of women in the hospitality industry. Late last week, nearly a full month after the review was published, the Delicious team posted a note on its site, making a general apology and explaining that it already reached out to the restaurant in question with a direct apology over Lethleans inappropriate sentence directed at a staff member. Advertisement Eating outJust open Settimo is Guy Grossis soulful love letter to the Amalfi Coast In an elegant, playful Brisbane dining room its serving pasta al limone, and hand-cut seafood scialatielli allamalfitana served with traditional anchovy sauce. Theres also a 170-bottle wine list, amari, grappa and a tight collection of cocktails. Matt Shea March 20, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Settimo restaurant in Brisbane. Kirsty Sycz Guy Grossi remembers the first time he went to the Amalfi Coast. There was this purity about it, he says. The people there, they seemed to have a joy about them, and this feeling of lightness. Its just the sheer beauty of the place. Advertisement You walk from the blue of the sea to the lovely colours of the sand and the pebbles, and up into the village. And as you walk through the village, say somewhere like Cetara, you go past the eating houses and theyre all prepping or serving food. The smells in the street are just intoxicating, with beautiful olive oil and fish stewing and the onions sweating away, and of course the colatura [a barrel-aged fish sauce made with anchovies]. Skull Island prawns at Settimo restaurant in Brisbane. Kirsty Sycz These colours and textures and flavours of the Amalfi have inspired Settimo, Grossis new 150-seat restaurant, which opened in a first-floor space at The Westin Brisbane on Mary Street in late February. Theres no shortage of Amalfi-referencing eateries scattered around south-east Queensland these days but Grossi has the chops to lean into the concept better than most. Advertisement Crudo di Pesce at Settimo. Kirsty Sycz The menu spread across assaggini, antipasto, primi, pesce, carne and dolci features Amalfi lemon chicken with chilli and rosemary; a dead simple pasta al limone; and a scialatielli allamalfitana made with hand-cut scialatielli and served with seafood and colatura di alici, the anchovy sauce set to become one of the restaurants signature flourishes. The other day we did a beautiful centre cut of swordfish, cooked on the charcoal grill, and that was really lovely just served with these really beautiful mixed leaves, Grossi says. Things like that really represent the restaurant well. Pasta al Limone. Kirsty Sycz The food is accompanied by a wine list 170 bottles strong that leans towards Italian vino and Australian drops made in an Italian style. Theres also a small selection from Queensland producers such as Ballandean Estate and Golden Grove, and more esoteric drops such as a Bodega Chacra Barda pinot noir from Patagonia. Other drinks include a tight combo of signature and classic cocktails, and a collection of amari and grappa. Advertisement The design itself captures the spirit of the Amalfi through the use of terracotta tiling, timber tabletops, weathered VJ-boards, plenty of greenery and a liberal use of orange and blue. It throws together textures in a way thats elegant and playful. Settimos wine list leans towards Italian vino and Australian drops made in an Italian style. Kirsty Sycz We just thought an Amalfi feel would be great because the food is beautiful and pure and has this richness to it, but also this lightness to it, Grossi says. So thats the brief we gave to Mills Gorman Architects ... So, earthy textures and materials that were beautiful but not necessarily overly shiny just a bit of roughness to them. [Creative Studio] Years Months Days did our brand collateral. They asked us, If this restaurant was a character, who would it be? We had to write our answers down individually and I think three of us out of six wrote down Sophia Loren: sophisticated and a little bit cheeky some rough patches but in an elegant way. Advertisement Open Mon 6.30am-10.30am; Tue-Fri 6.30am-10.30am, noon-3pm, 5.30pm-10pm; Sat 6.30am-11am, 5.30pm-10pm; Sun 6.30am-11am The Westin Brisbane, Level One, 111 Mary Street, Brisbane, 07 3557 8826. settimo.com.au This article was originally published on The Chainsaw. Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) prices are on the rise. Are investors using cryptocurrencies as a safe harbour in the banking storm? The demise of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Signature Bank and Silvergate continues to cause a ripple effect across both the traditional and digital financial markets in Australia and abroad. Some crypto proponents suggest that SVBs failure might well be doing the digital asset industry a favour. Since the fallout, Bitcoin and Ethereum have seen price gains, with Bitcoin trading for $41,946 on Monday morning, increasing by more than 33 per cent over the last week. Bitcoin is benefiting from the banking chaos. Credit: Bloomberg According to Australian crypto platform Swyftx, trading activity among the countrys high-volume crypto traders returned to pre-FTX levels in February, after the rally in global markets. So, was the crypto market on the rise even before the bank collapses? Tasmanias government has joined Victoria in a push to ban the Nazi salute after outrage following an anti-transgender rights rally in Melbourne. About 30 men dressed in black performed the salute at the rally on Saturday on the steps of Victorias Parliament house. Tasmanias Liberal government on Tuesday announced plans to introduce laws to ban the Nazi salute. They are aiming to include the ban as part of legislation that criminalises the public display of Nazi symbols, which was coincidentally set to be debated this week. It comes a day after the Victorian government committed to banning the salute. The group performed Nazi salutes on the steps of Parliament House on Saturday. Credit: Chris Hopkins Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the process would be complex, and the government would carefully draft the bill. There are some other jurisdictions, some European countries who have successfully been able to do this, he told reporters. There have been some challenges, as in court challenges, and then theyve had to refine their laws. Well look to all of them and make sure that we do this in the most practical and meaningful way, and try and do it in a way that it cant be challenged in the courts. AAP A decorated former special forces soldier faces life in prison after becoming the first current or former Australian Defence Force member to be charged with war crimes under Australian law. Oliver Schulz, 41, was arrested on Monday morning by the Australian Federal Police in the NSW southern highlands. The AFP said in a statement it will be alleged that Schulz murdered an Afghan man while deployed to Afghanistan with the ADF. Schulz was charged with one count of War CrimeMurder, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The recent federal election was heralded by many as the climate election. People passionate about climate change celebrated as a government that had rejected liberalism in favour of populism was booted from office, washed away by a teal wave. The early signs are that the federal Coalition has not learnt its lesson rejecting market-based decarbonisation tools (such as the governments proposed changes to the safeguard mechanism) in favour of shallow slogans that seek to recapture the political magic of Tony Abbotts wildly successful no carbon tax campaign against the Gillard government. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on the campaign trail on Monday. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer As the Morrison government fell, all and sundry within the climate advocacy movement from high-profile commentators to NGOs and Climate 200 independents tripped over themselves to reject accusations they were partisan agents who cared less about climate action and more about destroying those on the centre-right of the political spectrum. For a select few, this is undoubtedly true. Some of the new independents are among the most effective members of the 47th parliament. But an ugly truth is emerging within the climate advocacy movement: many of those proclaiming to want bipartisanship in reality want nothing of the sort. Captivated by a voter/membership/donor base that has a visceral dislike of capitalism, the free market and the centre-right of politics, they support climate action only if it is enacted by those on the left and only if the policy mechanics proposed to achieve it align with their ideological radar. Police arrest man after Gold Coast stabbing Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss The Queensland government will consider whether there are grounds to prosecute a Redlands childcare centre after a four-year-old child was left on a bus on a hot day. The child was left on the bus at Capalaba Kids Early Learning Centre 2 after an excursion. Credit: Google Maps The child, who attends Capalaba Kids Early Learning Centre 2, south-east of Brisbane, was left unattended on the bus on Thursday, the same day the Redlands recorded a maximum temperature of 31.1 degrees. The centre waited until late Friday to notify the government, which is now investigating through the early childhood education and care section of the Department of Education. I cant comment on the specifics of this case while that investigation is underway, but the department does not hesitate to take serious action up to and including prosecution when providers fail to ensure childrens health and safety, acting Education Minister Di Farmer said. Voters have backed federal Labor on national security and almost every other major policy amid last weeks AUKUS deal on nuclear submarines, while giving the party a lead of 39 to 30 per cent over the Coalition in core political support. Labor has confirmed its lead on policies ranging from education to health while gaining a small advantage on national security and defence, with 35 per cent of voters backing the government on the issue compared to 32 per cent who favour the Coalition. Anthony Albanese has a lead of 51 to 22 per cent over Opposition Leader Peter Dutton when voters are asked to name their preferred prime minister, but his rating has slipped from 55 per cent last month. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen But voters have cooled slightly on whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his party are the best for the country and have a vision for the nations future, continuing a gradual decline from a surge in support after the May election. An exclusive survey shows Albanese has a lead of 51 to 22 per cent over Opposition Leader Peter Dutton when voters are asked to name their preferred prime minister, but his rating has slipped from 55 per cent last month. By Terry Ahwal March 20, 2023: Information Clearing House -- " MEE " - The killing of the Palestinian people continues at full throttle. Not a day goes by without maiming, injuring, imprisoning, condemning schools, displacing families, and demolishing Palestinian homes. Yet, when somebody points to the similarities to pogroms, apartheid countries, Kristallnacht, and other examples of state terror, western leaders act incredulous and condemn the people who point to the similarities. They sidestep the actual crimes and terror committed and sanctioned by a powerful state and concentrate on those who stand with the Palestinians. I, for one, am not surprised one bit about the terror imposed in the occupied territory by the Israeli government and its settlers. No, it is not just the right-wing Israeli government that is ruled by Netanyahu and his fascist coalition that started the terror. These terrors, in all their forms, have been imposed on the Palestinian people since the creation of the state of Israel. What astonishes me, however, is the continued reaction of even the most progressive human rights advocates in both the U.S. and the European governments. They scream holy hell because someone dares to compare the similarity to pogroms and apartheid. They compete to show off their alliance with the colonial state of Israel the so-called only democracy in the Middle East. The truth is I should not be surprised! During my career in politics, I was taken to the woodshed more than once when I wrote about Israels poor human rights issues in my local Detroit newspapers. Some responses advocated for my dismissal from my job, others told me to refrain from writing about Israel. During one Israeli bombardment of Gaza, where buildings toppled on innocent men, women, and children, many of whom were killed while sleeping, I wrote an article and used the word genocide to describe the carnage. I was told such a word should not be used in conjunction with Israel. The liberal candidate I was working for at the time did not dispute the killing, nor did he express his sorrow or dismay over the deaths of innocent people. His main concern was about the language I used to describe the continuous killing of the Palestinian people, especially the people in Gaza. What I find repugnant is the extent to which liberal politicians in the West take umbrage and offense to people who describe the carnage and devastation Israel inflicts on Palestinians daily in the terms that fit ethnic cleansing, pogrom, apartheid, and so on. So, I have questions for those apologists who support the suppression of my speech because I point out the hard truths on the ground in Israel and the occupied territory. What label do you give to Israels revocation of the residency status for thousands of Palestinians from East Jerusalem despite continuously living in their community for a thousand years? How should we describe the deaths of sick people who plead with soldiers at illegal checkpoints that separate families from their medical facilities? Remember, these people must pass through Israeli checkpoints to get permission to visit a hospital. I personally watched with horror as an 18-year-old Israeli soldier shouted at a heartbroken mother who was forced to choose between leaving her ten-year-old son behind to take her other sick son to a hospital. The soldier refused to allow the ten-year-old to accompany his mother. Or tell me how I should characterize a country that allows its military to seal the main door of a home while the children are inside crying and watching their terrified mother pleading for mercy? In what universe is this not a crime against humanity? What do we label a country that shuts down the border to millions of people and separates them from their families? Israeli authorities blockading the Gaza Strip in 2008 went so far as to calculate the minimum calories needed to avert a humanitarian disaster in the impoverished Palestinian territory, according to declassified military documents. The crimes inflicted on the Palestinians since 1948 fit the descriptions and labels of ethnic cleansing, genocide, and crimes against humanity. Since its founding, Israel has strategically set policies to build a Jewish-supremacist state which would remove the non-Jewish indigenous Palestinian Christians and Muslims and replace them with settlers. Israel intentionally sets laws to prevent Palestinians from living a natural life in their homeland. Yet, despite condemning the illegal activities that Israel commits, the U.S. and European countries are criminalizing anyone who dares to point out this truth. In the U.S., efforts to stifle any criticism of Israel and the freedom of speech have been instituted or are floating in the halls of Congress and state and local governments. What gives Israel the superiority to get a free pass? As for the mainstream media, which claims to be free and fair, it plays deaf and dumb to the truth about these atrocities until one or two Israelis are killed by Palestinians. And when they cover the story, they pretend that the occupiers and occupied people stand on the same footing. But all these hypocrisies pail in comparison to the insincerity of Anthony Blinken. Not a day goes by without him touting the U.S. commitment to human rights around the world on Twitter and his speeches. I find myself enraged by his refusal to condemn Israels barbaric actions. For example, this recent tweet: This tweet came after Jewish settlers, protected by the Israeli military, went on a bloody rampage in various Palestinian neighborhoods, including Al- Huwwara, killing and injuring Palestinians while burning their homes and cars. My message to all who are enraged by labeling Israel for what it is, a settler-colonial criminal state, is to heed the words of former U.S. President and humanitarian Jimmy Carter, who said, aggression unopposed becomes a contagious disease. The rage should not be about pointing out the accurate facts but about how fascism is the norm in Israel. Former Coalition prime minister Malcolm Turnbull will take over from ex-Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd as the head of the campaign for a royal commission into Rupert Murdochs Australian media empire. The man who was Liberal leader less than five years ago has urged Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to distance his party from Sky News to boost its electability, saying the party he once led had been in coalition with News Corp. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull will head the campaign for a royal commission into Rupert Murdochs Australian media empire. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Turnbull, who will co-chair Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission alongside trade unionist Sharan Burrow, said he would continue to donate to the movement and attempt to influence the behaviour of advertisers in a bid to diminish the media empires power. In an opinion piece for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Turnbull and Burrow argue that revelations in the Dominion Voting Systems case of Fox News on-air talent indulging former president Donald Trumps stolen election lies justify the rigorous inquiry that only a royal commission can bring. The independent agency charged with scrutinising the cost of election promises has warned Labor may struggle to secure the savings needed to pay for higher public service wages, in a new assessment which also concludes the party would deliver smaller budget deficits in the next two years than a Coalition government. The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) assessment triggered a war of words four days before Saturdays poll, with Premier Dominic Perrottet accusing the opposition of deceiving voters and Labor arguing it had presented a more responsible budget plan. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on the campaign trail on Monday. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Wages have been one of the most contentious policy debates in the election campaign and the Coalitions key economic weapon against Labor. Perrottet has repeatedly warned that removing a cap on pay rises for frontline workers would blow a hole in the budget and threaten the states infrastructure pipeline. In an unexpected intervention, the PBO drew attention to Labors pledge to scrap the governments 3 per cent cap and pay for any additional wages expenses through productivity savings. The speakers at Saturdays rally ranged from young feminists who said they were once trans allies but had flipped, to older (often lesbian) women worried about losing female-only spaces and claiming people who would otherwise be lesbians were being hoodwinked into transitioning. One woman, wearing a Greens T-shirt told a story of being punished by her former party for insisting on the rights of real women. The audience numbered about 400 mostly middle-aged women. I hope you have a good lawyer. Activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull to Liberal leader John Pesutto These activists were once dismissed by their opponents as TERFs (trans-exclusionary radical feminists), but many now embrace the title. The movement has brought together elements from the right, including the religious right, and the old left. The principal organiser of the Melbourne rally, Angie Jones, describes herself on Twitter as Gender Heretic. Woman ... Leftie. Womens Rights Activist. Radfem. At the extremes, some anti-trans rights activists claim, without any evidence, that increasing the rights of trans people licenses paedophilia. Deeming, for now a Liberal upper-house MP, accompanied Keen-Minshull from the members car park at Parliament House to her post at the start of the rally. Later, Deeming sipped champagne in a live conversation with Keen-Minshull, Jones and the former Liberal candidate for Warringah, Katherine Deves. They then prepared for dinner and karaoke. This, according to Pesutto, was enough to expel Deeming from the party. I know Moira is not a Nazi. But my point is that shes associating with people who are and that brings them into a place where its unacceptable for me as a leader, Pesutto told 3AW. One problem, Pesutto says, was that Deeming did not leave the rally when the 20-odd neo-Nazis turned up to perform their salutes. But the accusation goes further. Keen to stamp his ideological mark on the party early, Pesutto says Deeming was closely associated with Keen-Minshull, who, he alleged, had a long rap sheet of associating with Nazi sympathisers. This, Pesutto claims, is based on interviews Keen-Minshull has done with Jean-Francois Gariepy, a prominent far-right YouTuber who calls for a white ethno-state, and whose other guests have included former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. She was also once interviewed by a channel called SOCO, or Soldiers of Christ Online. Thomas Sewell (centre) leads his neo-Nazi contingent towards the steps of Parliament House on Saturday. Credit: Chris Hopkins Keen-Minshull is on record saying she had not fully vetted her interviewers to check their beliefs, but added that her cause was too important to be fussy about which YouTube channel she appeared on. She has said she abhors white supremacy and the racism that fuels it, but that, as a free speech advocate she thought dialogue, even with those with the most odious prejudices, is essential. To that end, perhaps, Keen-Minshull took to another far-right media outlet, with activist Avi Yemini from Rebel News, in an interview posted on Sunday, to threaten Pesutto with a defamation claim under what she called Australias pretty robust defamation laws. I hope you have a good lawyer, she said in the interview. The left-wing protesters are also unhappy with the weekends events. The two main groups that turned up on Saturday were the Campaign Against Racism & Fascism (CARF), a union-backed online lobby group with 18,000 Facebook followers whose position can be summed up by one of its signs: Pro-vax. Pro union. Anti fascist. Liberal MP Moira Deeming speaks at Saturdays anti-trans rights protest. Credit: Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull Fighting transphobia, they say in their literature, is part of fighting the right. A second group came from Trans Queer Solidarity Naarm, whose Twitter profile says it is Bulding [sic] rad trans queer solidarity. They were furious with police officers who, in blocking their protest from getting closer to the group at the parliament steps, made several arrests, including one in which a police officer drove his knee into a mans upper back. But its the mostly unimpeded presence of the neo-Nazis thats caused most angst. The bulk of the police faced the left-wing protesters while having their backs to the Nazis as they sauntered past repeatedly delivering the Sieg Heil salute. Members of the counter-protest at Saturdays protest in Spring Street. Credit: Chris Hopkins Police are also under fire from the womens anti-trans activists. Organiser Jones told The Age the Nazis from the National Socialist Network turned up about halfway through their rally and were let in by police. She said she initially thought they were Antifa (anti-fascist activists) seeking to join their mates in the counter-protest. Then the police opened up the line, said Jones, who is Jewish and says she abhors Nazis. She worried they were there to attack the women, but they stood on the steps away from them. As soon as we realised who they were, we went into a huddle and concentrated on our speakers and ignored them [the Nazis], except for a couple of people who took selfies just to take the piss. Deeming said the police should have had the move on powers, but didnt due to Labors removal of those powers. She said she had been horrified to see masked men ... inside the buffer zone. In a statement, police said they were mediating between at least six groups, some of which failed to engage with police ... or altered their plans without notice. 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 police statement said. Loading Three people were arrested, two allegedly for assaulting police. The only people who are happy were the Nazis, who regard Saturday as a propaganda triumph. So, who are the National Socialist Network? They are the group infiltrated by The Age and 60 Minutes for a series of reports that revealed they were an all-male group of avowed Hitler-lovers training physically in hope of bringing about societal collapse or a white revolution. They urge members to hang onto their guns, raise funds to buy rural property to form the genesis of a new, white-supremacist state and, behind the scenes, some of their number praise the Christchurch terrorist Brenton Tarrant. 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. Nairobi, Kenya: A new report says an estimated 43,000 people died in the longest drought on record in Somalia last year, half of them likely children. It is the first official death toll announced in the drought withering large parts of the Horn of Africa. A woman and a child wait to be given a spot to settle at a camp for displaced people on the outskirts of Dollow, Somalia in September. Credit: AP At least 18,000 people are forecast to die in the first six months of this year. The current crisis is far from over, says the report, released on Monday by the World Health Organisation and the United Nations childrens agency and carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Eighty-two Australian children have been abducted in Japan Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss Ukraines Defence Ministry says an explosion in Dzhankoi in the north of the Crimean Peninsula has destroyed Russian cruise missiles intended for use by Moscows Black Sea fleet. A Russia-installed official in the peninsula, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014, said the blast was caused by drones laced with shrapnel and explosives and targeted civilian sites. One person was injured. A statement by the intelligence directorate of Ukraines Defence Ministry said: An explosion in Dzhankoi city in the north of temporarily occupied Crimea destroyed Russian Kalibr-KN cruise missiles as they were being transported by rail. Latest News Pepper Money launches innovative fixed rate product Two-year home loan rate has no break fees Property scheme promoter receives eight-year jail sentence Many of his victims were pensioners, says ASIC AMP has announced that the first stage of the sale and transfer of the AMP Capital real estate and domestic infrastructure equity business to Dexus Funds Management will be completed on March 24, in a deal worth approximately $337 million. The deal will take place after both parties enter into an unconditional agreement on a revised transaction structure for the sale of the business. At first completion, AMP will receive $337 million in payment from Dexus comprising: $175 million of the $225 million base purchase price for the real estate and domestic infrastructure equity business $105 million for sponsor investments $57 million for the cash, net of the remaining liabilities, held on the business balance sheet The remaining $50 million of the base purchase price will be paid contingent on the transfer of AMPs interest in China Life AMP Asset Management Company (CLAMP) out of the sale perimeter by Sept. 30, 2024. After that transfer, the remaining AMP Capital legal entity will move to Dexus, leading to the final completion of the transaction. Part of the delivery of AMPs simplification strategy, the deal follows the divestment of the remaining interest in AMP Life, the sale of AMP Capitals Global Equities and Fixed Income business, the Infrastructure debt platform, and the International infrastructure equity business. Completion of the sale of the remaining AMP Capital business will mark the delivery of a key pillar of our strategy to simplify AMP, said Alexis George (pictured above), AMP CEO. The sale allows AMP to have a clear focus on our go forward businesses of retail banking and wealth management in Australia and New Zealand. We will continue to build on the hard work of the past 12 months to position AMP to win in those markets, deliver for customers, and drive value for shareholders. Next phase of AMPs simplification strategy With the remaining AMP Capital transaction soon to be completed, AMPs simplification will move into its next phase with a comprehensive review of its balance sheet and its cost base. The review will be conducted with the aim of returning excess liquidity to shareholders and/or reducing outstanding debt. The review will consider, amongst other things, if AMP is holding any further surplus capital and the appropriate cost base for AMP going forward, George said. AMP has identified surplus capital of $500 million which it plans to retain. After completion of the review, the company will reconsider the return of excess liquidity. Over the next six months, AMP will determine the appropriate operating model and cost base for the future business that will reflect the forward-looking focus on the bank and the Australian and New Zealand wealth management businesses, together with the China partnerships. The outcomes of the reviews, including the quantum and intended use of any identified surplus liquidity and timing for delivery of identified cost savings, will be released to shareholders no later than the announcement of its 1H 23 results in August. AMP said it does not intend to make any material acquisitions whilst the reviews are ongoing or prior to their outcomes being announced. Have a thought about this story? Include it in the comments below. The National Superintendency of Crypto Assets of Venezuela, or Sunacrip in Spanish, will be reorganized, according to an order signed by President Nicolas Maduro on March 17. The country is taking this step in an effort to protect its residents from the damaging effects of economic sanctions, Cryptopolitan writes. Sunarcrip Will Have A New Board Structure The next steps for the crypto department, which will be headed by Anabel Pereira Fernandez, will be planned by the new board structure. However, Joselit Ramirez, who has been in charge of the division since its formation in 2018, will be left out. According to Venezuela's local media, Ramirez was reportedly detained on March 17 on suspicion of corruption. Following his arrest on corruption-related accusations and connections to drug lords, Ramirez, who supervised crypto tax regulations and the Petro, was fired from the department. Meanwhile, his replacement, Fernandez, is a lawyer who served as president of the Fondo de Garantia de Depositos y Proteccion Bancaria. According to Coin Telegraph, the other directors in the board include Julio Cesar Mora Sanchez, Luis Alberto Perez Gonzalez, and Hector Andres Obregon Perez. The decree aims to shield the nation's citizens from economic consequences but does not give any precise reasons for the restructuring. Read More: FBI Says OneCoin Scam by 'Cryptoqueen' Cost Investors 4 Billion Here Are More Details On Ramirez's Arrest Since June 2020, Ramirez has been listed as one of the country's most wanted criminals. The US government is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Ramirez's capture. Ramirez is accused by US investigators of having "deep political, social, and economic ties" to alleged drug lords including Tareck El Aissami, a former vice president of Venezuela. The U.S. government offered $15 million for the apprehension of Maduro, the president of the nation, making Ramirez's payout the lowest of the four suspected conspirators. Given that Ramirez has been the department's head since it was established in 2018, his departure is important and is likely to have a substantial impact on the department's functioning, particularly with relation to Petro. Ramirez oversaw the development and use of the Petro, which has drawn criticism for being a means of getting over international sanctions. Cryptopolitan notes that Ramirez's arrest on corruption-related accusations is another addition to the long list of allegations against prominent Venezuelan government officials. It can be remembered that El Aissami and other high-ranking officials are subject to $10 million bounties. It is also important to note that Ramirez's inclusion in the Most Wanted List indicates the severity of the charges against him. It is unclear how the Venezuelan government will react to his arrest or whether it would do anything to address the claims of corruption against it. The US government has shown via its actions that it is committed to battling regional corruption and drug trafficking. The Venezuelan administration, however, has denounced the US's measures as an effort to meddle with its sovereignty. Relate Article: Former NBA Player Paul Pierce Pays $1.4 Million Settlement for Promoting EthereumMax Shares of First Republic fell 46% to $12.41 as investors fretted that the $30 billion deposited by several big U.S. banks into the lender would not be enough to ease its troubles. by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika SyamnathJPMorgan Chase & Co CEO Jamie Dimon is leading talks with the chiefs of other big banks about fresh efforts to stabilize First Republic Bank, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. A Bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and MM Sundresh allowed the Committee of Creditors (CoC) of RCap to go ahead with the extended challenge mechanism to maximise the value of the debt-ridden assets. The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant interim relief to Gujarat-based Torrent Group, which wanted a stay on the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order allowing the lenders of Reliance Capital (RCap) to hold a second round of auction for the sale of the bankrupt firm. The matter will be heard again in August. Issue notice returnable in the month of August. In the meanwhile, the parties will participate in the process in terms of the impugned judgment (NCLAT order), without prejudice to rights and contentions... reply, if any, may be filed in six weeks, the Bench said. The second round of auction is likely to be held on March 29, advocates privy to the matter told Business Standard. But when Hinduja group put an upgraded offer of Rs 9,000 crore on the table, Torrent objected, claiming that late offers violated the norms of the insolvency resolution process. While NCLT restricted further auction of the bankrupt firm, the NCLAT allowed it. RCap was sent for debt resolution in November 2021 after the company defaulted on loans worth Rs 24,000 crore. In the first round of auction held in December 2022, Torrent had emerged as the highest bidder with a Rs 8,640-crore offer. Also Read Cosmea-Piramal consortium pulls out of Reliance Capital's bidding CoC approves 90-day extension for Reliance Capital resolution process Administrator seeks RBI nod to restructure Reliance Capital into four CICs Nippon Life-Birla Sun Life merger talks fail ahead of RCap deal deadline Aditya Birla Capital to seek regulator role in RCap resolution process WinZO to invest $50 mn in gaming ecosystem as part of Game Developer Fund PepsiCo to invest $400,000 for expansion of safe water access in UP SpiceJet restructuring balance sheet; to push for fleet expansion: CEO Samsung to invest in smart manufacturing capability, research in India Optiemus, Primebook join hands to manufacture Made-in-India 4G laptops This includes Rs 13,500 crore of claims belonging to Life Insurance Corporation of India, Employees Provident Fund Organisation, other provident and pension funds, and Army Group Insurance Fund, and Torrent has sought unjust enrichment at public expense. In their written submission filed with NCLAT, the lenders had said that Torrent is a private entity, while RCap has admitted claims of over Rs 25,000 crore, most of which is public money. The lenders had argued that according to the terms of the auction, the CoC has full freedom to choose any method or process of negotiations, and it can include a challenge mechanism. They said there was no limit on the number of methods of challenge mechanisms adopted. The auction rules sufficiently support the power of lenders to hold multiple challenge mechanisms, the CoC had said. The committee of lenders had voted unanimously for an extended challenge mechanism or the second round of auction, as the outcome of the first challenge mechanism was sub-optimal and unsatisfactory. The lenders said that even if there was a successful resolution applicant, the CoC was free to negotiate with other applicants before voting. A 72-year-old woman, whose ordeal on an Air India flight in November when a co-passenger allegedly urinated on her had made headlines, has moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to aviation regulator DGCA and airlines to frame SOPs to deal with such incidents. The woman said she was constrained to approach the court because Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) failed to treat her with care and responsibility after the incident. "In addition, the wide-ranging national press reportage full of conjecture and surmises has severely undermined the petitioner's rights as a victim under Article 21 of the Constitution, and in fairness has also affected the rights of the accused as well. "Their rights to a free and fair trial have also been substantially affected due to a selective leaking of the 'AIR SEWA' complaint of the petitioner, the FIR and selective witness statements being released to the media to match specific narratives," she said in her plea. The petition said an absence of clear guidelines for media outlets on what requires reporting, whether they ought to make conjectures where matters are sub-judice, and the impact of media coverage based on unverified statements end up impacting the victim as well as the accused. The petitioner further said her intentions were inspired and motivated in the interest of the general public and are a sincere attempt to set up a framework within the airline industry so that such incidents are prevented, and if they do occur, they are dealt with in a manner that does not cause additional trauma to the passengers. Also Read AI urination case: Pilots' body mulls legal course after pilot suspended Kerala co-bank scam: Complainant appears before ED, alleges Rs 300-cr fraud Air India urination case: Delhi Court sends accused to 14-day custody Case filed in American Airlines urination incident, accused out: Police AI urination case: Victim moves SC for guidelines on unruly behaviour Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes Tamil Nadu Budget 'XBB' Covid variants unlikely to cause new wave, don't create panic: Expert Security up near Indian mission in UK post vandalism by pro-Khalistanis Kerala gets first transgender person as lawyer in Advocate Padma Laxmi Power producers owe Rs 16,629.41 cr to Coal India for fuel supplies: Govt She also sought a direction to the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA to ensure that Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) norms adhere to the highest standards laid down internationally. The woman sought directions to the DGCA and the airline companies to comply with the legal requirements of the SOPs, operation manuals and reporting protocols to be followed by airline crew and staff. Referring to the incident, she said, it "caused the petitioner to go into shock and distress during this 12-hour long flight and the crew was both unhelpful and uncooperative". The plea said that the suffering of the woman was significantly compounded as the crew coerced her to enter a "settlement" with the passenger who urinated on her. "She continues to deal with the trauma of the incident", the plea said. She alleged that during the incident and after it, there have been multiple violations by Air India including the cabin crew as they facilitated the handing over of her phone number to the passenger who had urinated on her in order to reimburse the cost of shoes, dry-cleaning, etc. It said that the cabin crew initially asked the petitioner to sit on the very same seat that was wet and smelled of urine and they did not offer her alternative accommodation for over two hours, even though there were seats available on the aircraft. "The petitioner was told that the pilot in-command had not sanctioned the use of fresh seat for the petitioner as the pilot was sleeping", the plea said. While the petitioner was shocked and disturbed by the incident and had unequivocally told the crew that she had no intention of meeting the perpetrator, the cabin crew brought the perpetrator to the petitioner, where he attempted to apologize to the petitioner, it said. She said, "At this stage, the cabin crew actively coerced a settlement between the petitioner and the perpetrator". Citing several counts of violations, the woman alleged that the response from Air India has been tardy and insensitive, with selective leaks to the press about various aspects including witness testimony so that those responsible for institutional protocols not being in place are protected. Referring to the Aircraft Act, 1934 and Rules of 1937, the woman said that the provisions deal with acts by any person on board an aircraft that constitute assault, damage to property of any passenger or consumption of alcohol which can lead to jeopardizing other passengers as offences which are to be dealt with very firmly. "Section 5 of the Aircraft Act, 1934 provides for directions to be issued by the DGCA in order to ensure compliance with the various norms laid down in the Act and the Rules. "Rule 133A provides specifically for the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) which are laid down and revised from time to time that are norms to ensure compliance with various rules", the plea said. The petition also referred to various other incidents like ruckus by inebriated passengers, smoking in the lavatory and urination on co-passengers, which had happened in Air India flights from 2014 onwards. "In stark contrast, just last week on March 4, 2023, when an inebriated passenger on American Airlines flight AA292 from New York to New Delhi urinated on a fellow passenger who was similarly unsure of escalating matters, American Airlines followed protocols. "It reported the matter to Air Traffic control which alerted CISF which intimated the Delhi police who took the passenger into custody on disembarking", the woman's plea said. On January 31, a Delhi court granted bail to Shankar Mishra, accused of urinating on the woman co-passenger on the Air India flight from New York to Delhi. The trial court had granted the relief to Mishra on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and a surety of the like amount. It had also imposed various conditions on him, including that he will not tamper with evidence, influence any witnesses or contact them in any manner. Mishra was also asked not to leave the country without the court's prior permission and to join the investigation and trial as and when called by the investigating officer (IO) or the concerned court. Mishra was arrested from Bengaluru on January 6 and sent to judicial custody by a court here on January 7. He allegedly urinated on the woman in an intoxicated condition in the business class of the Air India flight on November 26 last year. The national-security and mental-health risks posed by TikTok are shared by other social media platforms, according to an advocacy group thats urging Congress to also hold US companies accountable ahead of high-profile testimony from TikToks chief executive officer. By Anna Edgerton All of these platforms have force fed children dangerous and harmful content with predatory algorithms, aided US adversaries and worked against US national interests at home and abroad, and failed to protect users personal data, the group says in a memo shared with Bloomberg News. The Tech Oversight Project, a nonprofit, says Meta Platforms Inc., Alphabet Inc.s Google, Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. employ the same harmful business practices as TikTok and are increasingly copying some of the video-sharing apps design features. TikToks critics say its Chinese ownership gives the government in Beijing special authority to obtain user data and manipulate the platform despite promised safeguards. While the memo is sharply critical of TikTok, it echoes some of that companys arguments that lawmakers should focus on general data practices, rather than the Chinese ownership of TikToks parent company, ByteDance Ltd. This argument is likely to feature prominently in the testimony of TikTok CEO Shou Chew when he appears before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday. Also Read Govt to soon launch national tele-mental health prog, toll-free helpline no Tiktok employees 'improperly accessed' data of two journalists: ByteDance ByteDance-owned TikTok inching toward US security deal to avoid sale Top headlines: Adani stcks remain in MSCI indices, TikTok fires India staff Short video app TikTok hands over pink slips, fires entire India staff Doctors protesting against Right to Health Bill clashes with cops in Jaipur 10 passengers put on 'No Fly List' this year till March 15: Government Air India confident on funding for world's biggest aircraft deal CAPA Summit 2023: At 12 million, fliers in Feb up 56.82%, says DGCA Fugitive Mehul Choksi's name removed from Interpol's 'red' notice list Spokespeople for Meta, Google, Amazon and Apple didnt respond to requests for comment. The Tech Oversight Project is funded by private philanthropy including the Omidyar Network and Economic Security Project Action. The White House has urged Congress to focus on passing one bipartisan Senate bill that would give the administration the authority to evaluate and mitigate the national security risk of any adversary-owned technology such as TikTok. Congress is considering several proposals that could limit TikToks US operations, which is happening in parallel with the Biden administrations national security review of the platform. The Justice Department, along with other government agencies that make up the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, has rejected TikToks multilayered plan to protect US users from Chinese influence. Senator Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, urged Congress this month to take this TikTok issue and broaden it to look at what US companies are doing. Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, said Congress should focus on a comprehensive policy that starts closing the gaps in privacy protections online. Some lawmakers have already questioned why TikTok is being singled out when the abuses of US social media companies are well documented. The Tech Oversight Project not only outlines the oft-reported mental health impact of all social media, but also argues that US companies dont handle user data responsibly and can be used to spread Chinese propaganda. The memo lists news reports tying some of the largest US tech firms to Chinese influence, such as hosting state-owned media without proper disclosure and supply-chain dependence on Chinese companies. Major US tech companies have publicly laid low as TikTok fights off congressional attempts to ban the platform in the US. Social-media stocks such as Snap Inc. and Meta have traded higher on news reports of their chief competitor facing scrutiny in Washington. 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. Also Read Security arrangements for the annual Amarnath Yatra underway: CRPF official Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury seeks discussion in parliament on Jammu-Kashmir Attack of the Kamikaze drones: Russia's Iranian wildcard in Ukraine war Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar likely to host G20 event: Govt official J-K LG Sinha chairs Amarnath shrine board meeting, reviews projects Amritpal Singh arrested by police, claims legal advisor to Waris Punjab De Wind energy projects made 64.54 bn electricity units in April-Jan of FY23 Delhi-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express train to run before April: Vaishnaw Foreign lawyers, law firms cannot appear in courts, judicial forum: BCI Untimely rain hits standing rabi crops in north, central and south India 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. Pro-Khalistan supporter and radical preacher Amritpal Singh, who is on the run following a massive crackdown on his outfit 'Waris Punjab De', has allegedly been maintaining close links with drug peddlers and Pakistan's ISI to further his goal for a separate country for the Sikhs, officials said. While drug lords were allegedly helping the pro-Khalistan preacher financially, including gifting him a high-end Mercedes SUV, the ISI was helping him with arms, ammunition and other logistics, they said. At the time when police was chasing Singh, he was travelling in a Mercedes SUV, allegedly gifted by Ravel Singh, who is accused of peddling drugs, they said. This is the same SUV from whose sunroof he used to wave people and his supporters. On Saturday, when police was trying to apprehend the radical preacher, he had abandoned the SUV to evade the police and rode a bike and fled the scene. The SUV has since been seized by the Punjab Police. Singh tried to project himself as a social reformer and was running de-addiction centres with the objective of setting up a private militia with those who come to his fold, they said. A private militia was built by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in early 1980s, during the peak of Punjab terrorism. Also Read Amritpal Singh maintaining close links with ISI, terror groups: Sources Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh's uncle, driver surrender: Police Amritpal Singh and Waris Punjab De: Everything you need to know about them WhatsApp rolls out Apple FaceTime Links-like feature: Here is how it works Another operative of ISI-backed terror module held in Punjab, says police India to be among top 5 markets for Cisco globally by 2025: Chittilapilly Amritpal Singh case: Alert sounded in Himachal, security along state border India can play leading role in sustainable aviation fuel, says Aditya Ghosh Maha govt employees to get monetary benefits equal to OPS, call off strike Evaluating crop damage due to recent rains, says Rajasthan government The de-addiction centres were allegedly also used to stockpile illegal weapons, they said. Singh and his trusted lieutenants tried to inculcate a radical, violent way of thinking among those at the de-addiction centres, which had no doctors but low quality, cheaper antidotes of drugs, making the victims continue to depend on narcotics, they said. At those centres, if the inmates do not follow his diktats, they were beaten into submission, they said. Singh has been successful in getting people to do what he wanted under the guise of religion and this helped ISI carry out its design in Punjab, they said. He also has links with chief of International Sikh Youth Federation Lakhbir Singh Rode, who is wanted for trial in India and in cases of arms and explosive smuggling, including RDX, conspiracy to attack government leaders in New Delhi and spreading hatred in Punjab. K-pop girl group TWICE poses for a photo during the Billboard Women in Music 2023 in Inglewood, California, U.S., March 1. AP-Newsis K-pop girl group TWICE has snatched its career-high ranking of No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart. Billboard said on social media Sunday (U.S. time) that the nonet's "Ready to Be" debuted at No. 2 on Billboard 200 for this week with 153,000 equivalent album units earned, the act's biggest week ever. "Ready to Be" is the band's 12th EP released March 10. The group previously went as high as No. 3 with its 11th EP "Between 12" by garnering 100,000 equivalent album units in September. The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units comprising physical album sales and other digital sales records. Of the 12th EP's 153,000 equivalent album units earned, album sales comprise 145,500, according to Billboard. The group had broken its own album preorder records with "Ready to Be" by surpassing 1.7 million copies in preorders as of March 7. It topped weekly albums charts of Hanteo Chart and Circle Chart, both track album sales, upon its release, heralding another hit album from the group after "Between 12." The latest album's prereleased English-language single, "Moonlight Sunrise," reached No. 84 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart last month. In April, the band will kick off its fifth world tour that will take it to 14 major cities around the world, including Seoul, Tokyo and Los Angeles. (Yonhap) "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 the voice calls, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab shall be further suspended from March 20 (12.00 hours) to March 21 (12.00 hours) in the interest of public safety, to prevent any incitement to violence and to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order," according to an order of the home affairs. The Punjab government on Monday extended the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services in the state till Tuesday noon as the hunt for Amritpal Singh continued for the third day. The services were suspended on Saturday. Singh's uncle and driver have already surrendered before the Police. According to reports, the Police have also seized a Mercedes car used by the Khalistan sympathiser, Singh. During the ongoing crackdown operations against elements of Amritpal-led "Waris Punjab De" and persons attempting to disturb peace and harmony in the state, the state police have so far arrested 112 people. The broadband services are not being suspended so that banking facilities, hospital services and other essential services are not disrupted, said the order issued by the additional chief secretary. What is Waris Punjab De? The crackdown came weeks after Amritpal and his supporters barged into the Ajnala police station near Amritsar, extracting an assurance that an arrested man would be released. With the state on high alert, senior officers of Punjab police have asserted that the law and order situation is under control and appealed to the public not to lend an ear to rumours. Also Read Top headlines: UBS eyes Credit Suisse takeover, Amritpal declared fugitive LIVE: Kisan Mahapanchayat underway at Ramlila Maidan, police deployed In Punjab, a political vacuum and remote control bring back the K-word LIVE: Delhi Police to deploy 20,000 personnel for 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh still on the run from Punjab cops: Report First Hajj flight to take off from Kerala on June 7: State Committee TMS Ep392: Gopinathan's exit, angel tax, Jim Rogers, m-cap to GDP ratio AI urination case: Victim moves SC for guidelines on unruly behaviour No information when delimitation will be over, says Assam CM Himanta Sarma Tamil Nadu govt presents Budget, says revenue deficit on decline Before Amritpal Singh, Sidhu headed Waris Punjab De. In an event in 2021, Sidhu said that the organisation would "fight for the rights of Punjab against the Centre and raise voice whenever there will be any attack on the culture, language, social fabric and rights of Punjab." Waris Punjab De, which roughly translates as "Heirs of Punjab", is an organisation floated by actor-turned-activist Sandeep Singh alias Deep Sidhu on September 30, 2021. The organisation's primary aim was "to protect and fight for rights of Punjab and raise social issues". The organisation took a pro-Khalistan turn after Sidhu extended his support for the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) of Simranjit Singh Mann. "It is a platform for those who are not satisfied with the social reality of Punjab in the current scenario. It is a social platform. We take everything to elections but I want to clarify that it is a social platform. It is not a poll gimmick. We are not supporting any political party. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian, it is for all those who will fight with us for the rights of Punjab. Before 1947, we lived together in harmony, but the British snatched that brotherhood from us. Our Gurus fought against casteism," he had said. On September 29, 2022, Amritpal, a Dubai returnee dressed like Jarnail Singh Bindranwale, took over as the head of Waris Punjab De. The ceremony took place at Rode in Moga district, the ancestral village of Bhindranwale. On February 15, 2022, Sidhu died in a car accident while travelling to Punjab to campaign for Mann. Mann later won the Lok Sabha seat from Sangrur. He demanded a judicial probe into Sidhu's death. Sidhu was cremated amid pro-Khalistan slogans in Ludhiana. Who is Amritpal Singh? Sidhu's family has, however, distanced themselves from Singh. In 2022, he was anointed as the head of "Waris Punjab De". Singh and his supporters claim that Sidhu was murdered by the "state". Singh never met Sidhu but was "strongly influenced" by him. Singh said he stopped shaving his beard and cutting his hair in 202 at Sidhu's advice. Born in Amritsar's Jalluur Khera village in 1993, Singh passed his class 12th in India and then moved to Dubai in 2012. There, he worked in his uncle's transport company. In an interview with a news channel, Singh said he was drawn to activism after Bargari sacrilege and Behbal Kalan firing in 2015. In 2022, after his "dastaar bandi" (turban-tying) ceremony, he started dressing like Bhindranwale. Some followers even started calling him Bhindranwale 2.0. He has been espousing the cause of Khalistan on Facebook for a while now. Fugitive pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh has been arrested by the Punjab Police at Shahkot police station, Imaan Singh Khara, the legal advisor to Waris Punjab De claimed on Sunday. Despite Punjab Police's statement that Amritpal Singh is still on the run and efforts are on to nab him, Advocate Imaan Singh Khara claimed that the Khalistan sympathiser has been arrested at Shahkot Police Station. The Advocate also alleged that the police wants to kill Singh in a "fake encounter". Citing a threat to the life of Amritpal Singh, Advocate Khara has approached Punjab and Haryana High Court and filed a writ petition. "Today I have filed a criminal writ petition (Imaan Singh Khara vs State of Punjab) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This is a Habeas Corpus writ petition," he told ANI. Advocate Khara said, "as per the Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which is the Right to Life, police cannot beat anyone without the due procedure of court." Also Read Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh declared fugitive: Jalandhar Police Fugitive Amritpal Singh's 'close aide and financer' arrested: Report Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh on run, will be arrested soon: Police Crackdown on Amritpal: SMS, internet suspension extended till March 20 Top headlines: UBS eyes Credit Suisse takeover, Amritpal declared fugitive Wind energy projects made 64.54 bn electricity units in April-Jan of FY23 Delhi-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express train to run before April: Vaishnaw Foreign lawyers, law firms cannot appear in courts, judicial forum: BCI 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 "In this plea, we have appealed to the Punjab and Haryana High Court that there is a threat to Amritpal Singh's life and that he is arrested at Shahkot Police Station," he said. The lawyer further alleged that despite their [police's] duty of producing a person before the magistrate within 24 hours, police haven't produced him [Amritpal Singh]. "Police have a malicious intention," he alleged further. Earlier in the day, however, 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. In sharp contrast to this, Advocate Khara said, "police can kill him in a fake encounter and can trap him in false and fabricated cases by utilising the time." "Regarding this, we have filed a writ petition," he added. He also claimed that Punjab and Haryana High Court have directed the Punjab police to come up with a missive in Amritpal Singh's case. "Justice NS Shekhawat, whom the writ petition was marked in the Punjab and Haryana court, heard it. The matter was debated for 1.30 hours, wherein Punjab Advocate General and other Punjab government Advocates were also present and submitted their side," he said. "After hearing the argument of both sides, the Judge has issued a notice to the Punjab government and also directed the Punjab Police to come up with the missive in Amritpal Singh's case," he added. These issues were raised as the aviation industry gathered at the CAPA India Aviation Summit here on Monday. Air travel is on the upswing and carriers are drawing up strategies to capture a larger pie of passenger traffic but issues like shortage of engines and non-availability of flight attendants are forcing airlines to adjust their growth plans. The demand has been so high that Air India charged 28.6 per cent higher fares on the India-US routes in the April-November period of 2022, as compared to 2019, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Currently, Air India runs 47 flights a week from India to New York, Newark, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington DC. It will cut three weekly flights each to Newark and San Francisco. Even though flights on the India-US routes are in high demand, Air India will be operating six fewer weekly flights between these two countries over the next two-three months due to the non-availability of flight attendants for wide-body planes. The airline hopes to reinstate them (the cancelled flights) in two-three months as the crew get progressively inducted into flying duties, Air India CEO & MD Campbell Wilson told reporters. The airline has expanded its network after a change in ownership last January. Grounded aircraft are being restored and new frequencies are being added. The airline has over 1,400 cabin crew under training and has inducted 100 pilots for its Boeing 777 aircraft, which it flies to the US. An extra 140 expatriate pilots, too, are being hired to support the expansion. But a mismatch in addition of aircraft and non-availability of crew has resulted in the airline delaying and cancelling some of its flights. Due to the shortage of flight attendants, some of Air India's flights to Bangkok and Dubai would be operated on Airbus A320 aircraft, instead of the wide-body Boeing 787. Also Read Amid record aircraft orders, aviation remains a long-term play: Analysts Aviation ministry lists five-point action plan to decongest Delhi airport When customer is king but unpleasant: How bad behaviour affects air crew Aviation regulator DGCA recommends measures to boost mental health of crew Alcohol should be served in a 'reasonable, safe manner': AI to cabin crew Carborundum Universal partners DRDO for 'ceramic radome' technology 17 scheduled airlines in country, DGCA issues 718 Air Operator Certificate AI Express-AirAsia India merger will present big opportunities: CEO Singh Ceat's Anant Goenka resigns to focus on group; Arnab Banerjee to take over 737 Max's grounding was bigger disaster for us than Covid: SpiceJet CMD According to CAPA India estimates, more than 100 aircraft (15 per cent of total fleet) of Indian carriers are on the ground due to supply chain and non-supply chain issues. Domestic and international air traffic is expected to grow upwards of 20 per cent in FY24 as Indian carriers grow their fleet size, CAPA India stated during the summit. Air traffic has made a strong return already after Covid-19 pandemic-led disruption but aircraft manufacturers are struggling to keep pace with demand. Engine makers, too, are grappling with supply-chain issues, resulting in a shortage of engines and parts. To help fill the gap, India has tweaked its airplane leasing programme, including more wet leasing or renting of planes with a crew, for domestic and international routes, Scindia added. The minister also announced measures taken to strengthen institutions, including the hiring of staff at the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Air traffic controllers, too, are being hired to support the growth. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, too, touched upon the issue in his inaugural address at the summit. "Surprisingly and shockingly, the situation has turned the other way. Where at one point we did not have passengers to fill our airplanes ... now we do not have enough airplanes to fly our passengers, he mentioned. On how long it would take (to bring grounded aircraft back to service), he said: I think you should ask OEMs rather than me. The quicker it gets resolved, the better it is. According to Cirium, around 34 of 304 planes of IndiGo are currently grounded. This is due to the delay in the supply of engines by engine maker Pratt and Whitney. When asked about the grounding of aircraft, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers replied: Look at the fleet situation today. We are the first airline to operate 300 aircraft. We have taken a host of steps to deal with supply-chain challenges. One is the lease extension of the existing aircraft. Then we are wet leasing the aircraft and operating to Istanbul. There is a robust market demand and Indian consumers are back to travelling. With the initiatives that we have taken, we are at least able to provide that capacity towards our consumers. The Supreme Court on Monday noted that Centre is facing difficulties in clearing the pension arrears of retired defence personnel under One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme in one go, but emphasised that it is duty-bound to comply with its 2022 judgment on the payment of arrears and asked it to pay dues for 2019-2022, amounting to nearly Rs 28,000 crore, by February 28 next year. Attorney General R. Venkataramani submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud that the budget outlay was not sufficient to meet the expenses and the total pensioners are over 20 lakh, and the OROP arrears would be in the range of Rs 28,000 crore. The Centre has proposed to pay the arrears by April 30, 2024. The bench, also comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Pardiwala, noted that out of 25 lakh pensioners, four lakh did not qualify for the OROP scheme as they were getting enhanced pensions. It said the arrears should be cleared by February 28, 2024, and formulated the schedule for payment of arrears to different groups of pensioners under the OROP scheme. The bench directed that the six lakh family pensioners and gallantry award winners should be paid their OROP dues by April 30, 2023, and retired servicemen aged 70 years and above, who are nearly 4-5 lakh, should get their dues in one or more instalments by June 30. The bench further added in three equal instalments by February 28, 2024, the dues should be paid to the remaining 10-11 lakh pensioners. It stressed that Centre is duty-bound to comply with its judgment in the terms of the OROP scheme and also made it clear that the payment of the dues would not affect further equalisation of pension of ex-servicemen to be done next year. Also Read Supreme Court fixes deadline to pay Rs 28k crore arrears under OROP scheme Union Cabinet revises OROP for defence personnel, family pensioners Govt committed to welfare of armed forces personnel: PM Modi on OROP scheme Ex-servicemen body praises PM Modi for pension revision under OROP Union Budget: Rs 28,138 cr allocated to meet requirements for OROP scheme India conveys strong protest to US over vandalism at Indian Consulate Power sector dues to coal companies over Rs 20,000 cr for supply of fuel Education ministry preparing guidelines for students' mental wellbeing ISI instigating pro-Khalistanis elements in support of Amritpal: Officials All social media platforms have TikTok-like risks, says transparency group At the beginning of the hearing, the top court declined to accept the Central government's sealed cover note about its views on the payment of OROP arrears to ex-service personnel. It asked the AG to share a note with senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the ex-servicemen. As the AG replied that it is a confidential note, the Chief Justice said: "We need to put an end to this sealed cover practice in the Supreme Court." The bench wondered what could be secrecy in the matter, which is pertaining to the implementation of the court orders. The Chief Justice said, "I am personally averse to sealed covers. What happens is, we see something, he does not see. And we decide the case without showing it to him. This is fundamentally contrary to the judicial process. There cannot be secrecy in the court. The court has to be transparent." The bench further added that this is a payment of pension in pursuance of directions in the judgment of the court. The Chief Justice told the AG, "What can be the great secrecy in this?" The top court made these observations while hearing the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement's (IESM) plea over payment of OROP dues. Last week, the top court pulled up the Central government for "unilaterally" deciding to pay OROP dues in four instalments. On March 13, the Supreme Court asked the Ministry of Defence to come up with a roadmap for the payment of arrears under the OROP scheme by next week, and also told the ministry that it cannot take law in its own hands by issuing communication on payment of arrears in four instalments --IANS ss/vd Rajasthan BJP president Satish Poonia on Monday met farmers in Amber assembly constituency whose crops have suffered damage due to the recent rains and hailstorm, and demanded that the state government compensate them. Rains triggered by Western Disturbance have lashed several parts of the state in the last three days. Crops have been completely destroyed by the hailstorm, and the farmers have suffered huge losses. The state government should assess the damage to the crops and give compensation to the farmers as soon as possible, he said after visiting farms in Amber constituency. A minor clash broke out between police and agitating doctors from private health care centres during a protest rally here, officials said on Monday. The doctors were marching to the state assembly to demand withdrawal of the Rajasthan government's proposed Right to Health Bill. The police resorted to using mild force after the protesting doctors tried to jump the barricades after their march was stopped near the Statue Circle, the officials said. Later, they staged a 'dharna' at the spot where senior police officials met and tried to pacify them. After some time, a delegation of five doctors was called to the assembly to hold talks with the government. "Our demand was to meet the chief minister but the health minister met us in the assembly. We apprised him of our demand to withdraw the bill. Our agitation will continue," said Dr Vijay Kapoor, secretary of the Private Hospitals and Nursing Home Society. Also Read Gujarat govt to form task force to deal with protesting Jain community CBI questioning of Sisodia: AAP leaders detained for protesting near office As protesting farmers march towards Mumbai, Maha CM meet their delegation Jaipur to host mega jewellery show with over 900 stalls from Dec 23-26 Don't go on strikes, tie black ribbon instead: Gehlot appeals to doctors Air India confident on funding for world's biggest aircraft deal CAPA Summit 2023: At 12 million, fliers in Feb up 56.82%, says DGCA Fugitive Mehul Choksi's name removed from Interpol's 'red' notice list Child marriages will be eliminated in Assam by 2026, says CM Himanta Staff still in possession of accommodation at Air India colonies: Ministry Rajasthan's proposed Right to Health Bill seeks to give residents the right to avail themselves of free health care from hospitals, clinics and laboratories, including private establishments. Kapoor said, "We are against this bill because it will give bureaucratic control on private hospitals. We are already giving free medical services to patients under government schemes and, in such a situation, there is absolutely no need for this bill. "It is only aimed at increasing the inspector-raj on hospitals and that is not acceptable." Doctors running hospitals, clinics and nursing homes are taking part in the agitation, he added. Medical services at private hospitals and nursing homes have been affected since Sunday after the doctors went on a strike against the proposed bill. Another doctor said the bill would put extra burden on private hospitals. The Education Ministry is preparing a comprehensive framework of operational guidelines to safeguard the mental and emotional well-being of students, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Monday. The education and skill development minister asserted that there should be zero tolerance for any discrimination in educational institutions across the country. "The ministry is preparing a comprehensive framework of operational guidelines to safeguard the mental and the emotional well-being of students which will holistically cover schools to higher education institutions," Pradhan said. "The framework will institutionalise safeguards and mechanisms that can ensure comprehensive protection to students from any threat or assault -- physical, social, discriminatory, cultural, and linguistic; causing psychological distress leading to self-harming and self-destructive tendencies among students," he said. Pradhan on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting focusing on the mental wellness of students. It was attended by senior officials from the school and higher education department, Central Board of Secondary Education, All India Council for Technical Education and University Grants Commission. He directed the senior officials to put in place an effective grievance redressal system with shared responsibility. Also Read Govt to soon launch national tele-mental health prog, toll-free helpline no Health workers facing Covid 'burnout', must address health concerns: Expert Buy an adequate OPD cover to take care of mental health treatment World Mental Health Day: Know all about theme, history and significance HUL to acquire majority stake in OZiva and 19.8% in Wellbeing Nutrition All social media platforms have TikTok-like risks, says transparency group Doctors protesting against Right to Health Bill clashes with cops in Jaipur 10 passengers put on 'No Fly List' this year till March 15: Government Air India confident on funding for world's biggest aircraft deal CAPA Summit 2023: At 12 million, fliers in Feb up 56.82%, says DGCA Gender equality, caste sensitivity, academic ease of pressure and a robust system of counselling, were among the measures suggested by Pradhan to ensure the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of students. "Academic life is a critical phase of psychological and behavioural changes for students. It involved complex patterns of social interactions, relationships and career trajectories. "The issues that may affect the mental health of the students are varied and cover a wide spectrum ranging from academic pressure, peer pressure, intensely competitive educational environment, behavioural issues, performance issues, stress, career concerns and depression among others," he said. According to ministry officials, the framework will include creation of an inclusive, integrative and non-discriminatory environment, sensitisation and capacity-building programmes for faculty members, and orientation, counselling and hand-holding mechanisms. It would also include early detection mechanisms for immediate intervention, promoting close-knit student faculty interactive communities, incorporating team activities within the curricular exercises, effective and speedy grievance redress mechanism, physical fitness provisions and programmes, emphasis on nutrition, personal involvement and monitoring by the heads of institutions, faculty and parents, they said. The Delhi High Court has directed authorities to provide food, clean drinking water, livelihood and transport facilities to individuals who will be relocated from the slums at Bhairo Marg here that have to be demolished. The high court said that though the Delhi government has sought to make efforts to rehabilitate slum dwellers on paper, the ground reality is far from desirable. Due to this, this court finds it necessary to reiterate that the right to housing, being a part and parcel of the right to livelihood, health, food, clean drinking water, sewerage and transport facilities, such facilities must be provided to individuals who will be relocated to Geeta Colony, Dwarka, a bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad said. The court also noted that it has already been directed that an alternative shelter should be provided to the cattle staying in a cow shelter run by the petitioner organisation on the land. The order by the division bench came while dismissing an appeal by a trust challenging a single judge's decision to reject its plea against an eviction notice issued by the Public Works Department (PWD). The eviction notice has asked all the slum dwellers of Bhairo Marg, near Pragati Maidan to voluntarily demolish their dwellings or else they will be removed with the help of police. Also Read No exit from Rajiv Chowk Metro post-9 pm on New Year's eve, says DMRC Interpol event to affect Traffic in central Delhi from Oct 18-21: Police Traffic restrictions in Delhi in view of Interpol meeting; jams likely Delhi traffic police issues advisory in view of R-Day parade rehearsals Nations must regulate, invest in clean energy to bring down costs: Report Tamil Nadu annual revenue deficit down by Rs 3,000 cr: Finance Minister Gujarat government hikes minimum wages for labourers by almost 25% RBI fines RBL Bank Rs 2.27 cr for failure on internal ombudsman scheme DMRC-RInfra controversy shows potential glitches in framing PPP contracts Tax demands of Rs 13,566 cr raised in 4 fiscals under black money law: Govt The notice stated that the persons residing there will be sent to a shelter home in Dwarka or Geeta Colony where the maximum period of stay will be three months. Petitioner Keshaw Sanyasi Gawo Shewasharam' said it is a registered trust and is running a cow shelter and temple at Bhairon Marg. It said it is involved in looking after old, ailing and abandoned cows in a gaushala which is situated upon the land regarding which the notice was issued. The division bench noted that it has already been directed that alternative shelter should be provided to cows residing at the premises. This alternative shelter is not for the limited period of three months, as directed by the single judge. In light of this, this court finds no reason to interfere with the order of February 10, 2023 passed by the single judge, the division bench said. It said the trust has made a passing reference to the fact that the cow shelter and the temple have existed on the premises for 15 years and 30 years respectively. As this is a pure question of fact to be proven by leading evidence, the same cannot be adjudged by this court in its writ jurisdiction, it said. In its February order, the single judge had directed authorities to provide an alternative shelter home for the cows of the gaushala' situated in the slum area at Bhairo Marg and had clarified that the condition of the maximum period of stay of three months shall not be applicable to the cattle which are to be moved to the alternate bovine shelter. The counsel for DUSIB had submitted that the trust's jhuggi cluster does not belong to the notified clusters under the Delhi Slum Rehabilitation Policy. By Yi Whan-woo The bankruptcy of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) appears to be weighing on Korea's four largest banking groups in the lead-up to their shareholders' meetings scheduled for this week as they come under pressure to commit to reforms. Scheduled for Thursday for Shinhan and Friday for KB, Hana and Woori, the annual shareholders' meetings will come as financial regulators press the banks to manage more responsibly the financial struggles of their customers in the midst of economic unrest. The regulators are especially trying to break the oligopolistic banking system dominated by the four financial groups and are calling for transparency in management and governance structure. The government's "meddling" in private businesses can be controversial in a free market economy. In the case of the banking industry in Korea, however, such "meddling" has been witnessed repeatedly, after the major banking groups prospered through a series of restructuring efforts led by the government since the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. "Under the circumstances, the U.S. government measure to prevent fallout from SVB shows that regulators can give up on salvaging management of a banking group if it fails to serve customers properly," Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, a Seoul-based civic group, said Monday. The activist group referred to the Joe Biden administration's rescue plan for SVB as being centered on protecting depositors of the bank, not its management, on the path to safeguarding the nation's banking system. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an economics professor at Hanyang University voiced a similar view. "The way the Biden administration handles the SVB crisis can set a new example for the Korean government in dealing with banks that do not act responsibly and yet need financial assistance," the professor said. The professor pointed out that the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol was even considering expanding banking business licenses for insurance and brokerage houses as a measure to break the oligopoly among banking groups. For Shinhan and Woori, a major topic on both their agendas for their respective shareholders' meetings includes the official appointment of their new chairmen. Shinhan Financial Group picked Jin Ok-dong as its new leader, while Woori Financial Group selected Yim Jong-ryong for its top post. Whether to replace outside directors whose terms have expired will be also discussed during the shareholders' meetings of the four banking groups. The issue is drawing keen attention because the financial regulators' assessment of outside directors failed to monitor management closely. Such failures have led to lax regulatory control and other problems associated with management. The shareholders of the four banking groups will discuss whether to increase the dividend payout ratio, after raking in massive interest incomes worth more than 40 trillion won ($30.4 billion) in total. Annual Hajj flights from India will begin May 21, with the service starting off from Kerala on June 7. Tomorrow is the last day to make a Hajj application. Pilgrims will start heading to Saudi Arabia on May 21 for this years Hajj, which takes place in the last week of June. Hajj departure flights should be finished by June 22. The pilgrims' return journey will begin on July 2, following the end of the ceremonies. On May 21, the first Hajj flights from India will begin. The second phase of the Hajj includes scheduled flights from Kerala, beginning June 7. From June 7 to June 22, Hajj flights will depart from Kozhikode, Kochi, and Kannur airports. Their return process will be from July 13. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has invited tenders for Hajj services. As many as 138,761 pilgrims are to be served through the Indian Haj Committee. Through the Hajj Committee, approximately 13,300 people from Kerala perform the Hajj. From Kerala, 19,025 individuals have applied for the Hajj so far. The Hajj history Muslims trace the route of the hajj back to Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail, or Abraham and Ishmael as they are referred to in the Bible. They do this by following a path that the Prophet Muhammad once took. Also Read Former Chief Justice of India AM Ahmadi passes away at 90 at his home Pak court dismisses plea of visa to Indian who wants to do Hajj on foot Saharanpur: 307 madrassa declared illegal, government survey finds Gujarat BJP's Mehsana Corporator booked for giving 'triple talaq' to wife Senior citizens to also have flight travel option for pilgrimage: Chouhan TMS Ep392: Gopinathan's exit, angel tax, Jim Rogers, m-cap to GDP ratio AI urination case: Victim moves SC for guidelines on unruly behaviour No information when delimitation will be over, says Assam CM Himanta Sarma Tamil Nadu govt presents Budget, says revenue deficit on decline SC agrees to hear pleas seeking CBI probe in Palghar lynching case Muslims accept Ibrahim's faith was tested when God directed him to sacrifice his primary child Ismail. In the Christian and Jewish versions of the story, Abraham is ordered to kill his other child, Isaac. Pilgrims also follow Hagar, Ibrahim's wife, who Muslims say ran seven times between two hills in search of water for her dying son. According to tradition, God then created a spring that still runs. The Hajj importance Every Muslim must perform the Hajj once in their lifetime as it is an essential part of Islam. Muslims believe this demanding journey provides a chance to repent of past sins and begin anew before God. Many people insist on walking the routes despite the physical obstacles, using crutches or canes. Charities and community leaders provide financial assistance to those who cannot afford the hajj. Others make savings their whole lives to make the pilgrimage. India is the mother of one billion solutions and should lead the globalisation of compassion, Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi said at the inauguration of the Civil20 India 2023 inception conference here on Monday. C20 India 2023 is one of the official Engagement Groups of the G20 that provides a platform for Civil Society Organisations (CSO) around the world to voice people's aspirations to the world leaders of G20. The inauguration of the conference was attended by spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. More than 200 delegates from India and abroad will be attending the three-day conference. Speaking on the occasion, Satyarthi said India may be a land of 100 problems, but it is the mother of one billion solutions. The C20 is driven by the core values of spirituality and it does not mean any religion. It is the driving force soul of humanity, he said. Also Read Kailash Satyarthi starts nationwide campaign for child marriage free India Nobel Peace Prize 2022: A look at the past 10 awards and their work What does Nobel laureate Douglas Diamond think of dominance of PSBs? G20 presidency: C20 Inception conference in Nagpur between March 20-23 Nobel Prize season is here: 5 facts to know about the prestigious awards India has made sustained efforts to achieve balanced trade with China: Govt Yogi government set to build 20 new hi-tech prisons in Uttar Pradesh 11 flights to Delhi airport diverted to Jaipur, Lucknow due to bad weather EPFO adds 1.48 mn subscribers in January 2023, says labour ministry Air India urination: Complainant moves SC for strict compliance with SOPs Satyarthi expressed concerns that out of a global fund of USD 11 trillion raised by the G7 countries for the revival economy of low income, least developed and needy countries from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, only 0.13 per cent was allocated to such nations. When we talk about the world as one family, we need to address the challenges of economic and political injustice in the global society, he said. There is a need for a more inclusive and dynamic United Nations (UN), he said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should lead the countries that come under the Global South. India should lead the globalisation of compassion, Satyarthi said. Welcoming the delegates to Nagpur, Fadnavis said the city has always been the epicentre of social change, where the architect of the Indian Constitution Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar along with thousands of people embraced Buddhism. The role of civil society is very important and in democracy, everyone should be heard and civil society can make it happen, he said. Speaking on the occasion, Mata Amritanandamayia said that since the ancient times, the world is one family' has been the mantra on the Indian soil and it will continue to be so in the future. The presidency of the G-20 nations is a unique opportunity to model this truth before the world, she said. Earlier in the day, a working committee meeting of the Civil20 India 2023 was attended by members of the steering committee, International Advisory Committee (IAC), and working group coordinators of CIVIL-20 India 2023, a release said. Swami Amritswarupananda, a steering committee member and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (India) president, said "time, effort and divine praise are the most essential elements in life". He said spirituality was an integral part of life and that it is necessary for governments to listen to the grassroot level problems of the common man and find a solution. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying his best in this endeavour through his policies, he said. Civil 20 India 2023 sherpa Ah Maftuchan said CIVIL-20 as an official engagement group of G20 is still relevant and helps to incorporate the social issues. The local chapter of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday welcomed the Tamil Nadu Budget, particularly with the announcement of Metro Rail Project for Coimbatore allocating Rs 9,000 crore. State Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan presented the budget for 2023-24 in the Assembly today. In a statement, Chamber president B Sriramulu appreciated and thanked Chief Minister M K Stalin for announcing allocation of Rs 77,000 crore for developing Mega Power Project generating 14,500 MW of power by 2030. This will support industrial development and overcome power shortage problem, he said. To felicitate the students from Tamil Nadu to get trained to appear for Civil Services exams, he said the stipend of Rs 7,500 per student each for a period of 10 months will motivate them from this region to join the Civil Services. The announcement for integrated projects for planned development to be launched for Coimbatore Ezhilmigu Coimbatore and allocating Rs 172 crore for Semmozhi Poonga in Coimbatore are good initiatives, he said. Also Read Budget 2023-24: Manufacturing sector eyes revised taxations, new PLIs Union Budget 2023: Experts don't expect surprises in social sector outlay Budget 2023: A look back at some major announcements in previous Budget Bangladesh, Vietnam seen as competitors in textile and garment trade Crypto industry wants 0.1% TDS, Sebi-like regulator in Budget 2023 Security up near Indian mission in UK post vandalism by pro-Khalistanis Kerala gets first transgender person as lawyer in Advocate Padma Laxmi Power producers owe Rs 16,629.41 cr to Coal India for fuel supplies: Govt Railway meting out injustice to managers in terms of pay: Employees' union Yet to receive report from states on crop damages by untimely rains: Govt The allocation of Rs 2,000 crore in the budget for rural roads covering more than 5,140 KM, bank loans to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore for Women SHGs and announcement of Tamil Nadu Tech City in Coimbatore in addition to Chennai and Hosur are welcome step, he added. In total, the budget is a well balanced one with decrease in revenue deficit, Sriramulu said. Southern India Mills' Association (SIMA) chairman Ravi Sam thanked Stalin, Handlooms & Textiles Minister R Gandhi and Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu for the right initiatives in the budget. He appreciated the State Government for enhancing the free power supply to powerloom sector from 750 units to 1,000 units, which would strengthen the competitiveness of the powerloom sector in Tamil Nadu benefitting 1.64 lakh powerloom weavers who account around 25 per cent of the woven fabrics production in the country and play a major role in exports. The announcements in budget are initiatives in the right direction, specifically the new SIPCOT industrial parks to be set up in Virudhunagar, Vellore, Kallakurichi and Coimbatore. The target fixed to double the installed power generation capacity by 2030 and increase the share of green energy to 50 per cent is laudable, more so, when the export market scenario is prioritizing sustainability and utilising green energy would go a long way in supporting the textile manufacturing exporters, Ravi Sam said. He also hailed the government for announcing that a new Textile Policy would be released with a focus on holistic development of the entire value chain, latest design development and textile machinery manufacturing. Pakistani intelligence agency ISI, which has been the brain behind growth of radical preacher Amritpal Singh, has now instigated overseas Khalistan supporters to organise protests and demonstrations abroad including London, San Francisco and Canberra in his support, officials said on Monday. They said the overseas protests were the desperate attempt by the ISI to build followership of Amritpal who has been hiding from the Punjab Police for the last three days. While pro-Khalistan supporters vandalised the Indian High Commission in London and the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, there were sporadic protests in Australia. All theses acts by the pro-Khalistan elements were orchestrated by ISI agents operating in different countries, the officials said. Citing recent incidents in different parts of the world, they said there has been a design by ISI agents to organise protests, vandalism of places of Indian interests through Khalistani elements exploiting their religious sentiments. Last week, the Honorary Consulate of India in Australia's Brisbane city was forced to close down due to safety concerns after Khalistan supporters organised an unauthorised gathering and blocked the entry of the office, days after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured India that his government will not tolerate "extreme actions". Also Read Amritpal Singh and Waris Punjab De: Everything you need to know about them Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh's uncle, driver surrender: Police Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh on run, will be arrested soon: Police Amritpal Singh maintaining close links with ISI, terror groups: Sources Amritpal maintains close links with ISI, drug dealers who gifted him SUV Education ministry preparing guidelines for students' mental wellbeing All social media platforms have TikTok-like risks, says transparency group Doctors protesting against Right to Health Bill clashes with cops in Jaipur 10 passengers put on 'No Fly List' this year till March 15: Government Air India confident on funding for world's biggest aircraft deal Several Hindu temples in Melbourne were also vandalised by Khalistan supporters in recent months. Canada has also seen a rise in anti-India activities recently by Khalistani supporters who have vandalised some Hindu temples. Last September, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement condemning the rise of hate crimes against Indians and anti-India activities in Canada, expressing concern with stern language. The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) has also blamed Pakistan's spy agency ISI for instigating and funding Sikh radicalisation with false propaganda. The Punjab Police on Saturday carried out a massive crackdown on Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal and members of his group 'Waris Punjab De' following which the radical preacher has been on run. Amritpal was last year anointed head of 'Waris Punjab De', which was founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu who died in a road accident in February 2022. The event was held at Moga's Rode, the native village of slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The Ministry of External Affairs noted the Exchange of Notes of tranche-IV JICA ODA Loan of JPY 300 billion for Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) as one of the outcomes of the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida who is on a two-day bilateral visit to India to discuss economic cooperation, the upcoming Quad summit and the Indo-Pacific. India and Japan have signed an agreement to facilitate the fourth tranche of loans for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, being financially supported through overseas development assistance by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In July 2022, JICA had signed a loan agreement with the government of India to provide an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of 100,000 million Japanese yen (approximately Rs 6,000 crore) as the third tranche for the construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail. The fourth tranche of loan agreement between India and Japan was signed during this visit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said at a press briefing after the talks. The leaders also took stock of the status of implementation of the bullet train project, he added. The National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) plans to complete Indias portion of the infrastructural works for the corridor by 2026. The total financial outlay of the project is Rs 1.08 trillion. In 2017, JICA had committed a loan package of approximately Rs 18,000 crore. Also Read L&T bags new large order in proposed Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project Megha-HCC joint venture lowest bidder for BKC bullet train station Has Vande Bharat Express made the Bullet train less aspirational? SAIL sends 4k tonnes TMT bars for bullet train project in Chhattisgarh Bombay HC paves way for Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project TN govt announces Rs 75,000 assistance for civil services aspirants Untimely rains continue in several parts of India, farmers count losses CBDT asks Mumbai, West Bengal to step up efforts to raise revenue Delhi Mayor underlines need for more representation of women in govt bodies Study reveals how food insecurity is inked to children's learning Both countries also renewed the memorandum of cooperation on the Japanese language. As of October 2022, the Centre had completed acquisition of 98.87 per cent of the land in Gujarat and 95.45 per cent in Maharashtra. While Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai, the terminal station of the corridor, is making progress, another land parcel in the state remains stuck. Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing and NHSRCL remain in dispute over compensation for a land parcel of approximately 10 acres. Free and open Indo-Pacific Kishida invited PM Modi for the G7 leaders meeting scheduled to be held in Hiroshima in May. They also spoke about Indias G20 goals as the host nation this year. Stressing that his government was committed to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific that was proposed by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Kishida said Japan will strengthen diplomatic efforts in the region through the expansion of its Overseas Development Assistance programme. He said Japan will mobilise more than $75 billion in public and private funds, through private investments, yen loans and other means, in the Indo-Pacific region by 2030 in infrastructure. Japan will enhance the connectivity of the Indo-Pacific, foster the region into one that values freedom, the rule of law free from force or coercion, and make it prosperous, Kishida said earlier in the day, delivering the 41st Sapru House Lecture hosted by the Indian Council of World Affairs. Also, the Japanese parliament is considering changes to Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) laws, which will add to JBICs loan portfolio foreign companies that support Japanese firms supply chains. By making it possible to invest in start-ups with overseas operations, it will encourage private companies to expand in growth areas such as digital and decarbonisation while ensuring economic security, Kishida said. Kishida announced that the Japanese government will introduce a new framework for private capital mobilisation-type grant aid that will attract investments. This is a new menu to support start-ups of motivated young people in each country. This is a new attempt to generate synergy effects of public and private funds, and Japan will work together with regional partners that support this idea, he said. Share values, says Modi The India-Japan partnership is based on shared democratic values and respect for the rule of law, and promotes peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, PM Modi said on Monday after holding wide-ranging talks with Kishida. Last year, we had set a target of Japanese investment of 5 trillion yen in India in the next five years, that is, Rs 3.2 trillion. It is a matter of satisfaction that there has been good progress in this direction, Modi said, adding that fast progress was being made on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project. The two prime ministers largely focused on boosting cooperation in areas of clean energy, semiconductors and co-development of military hardware besides exploring ways to deal with regional security challenges amid the increasing assertiveness of China. (With inputs from PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha invited business leaders from the United Arab Emirates to become partner in development and move together towards creating a more prosperous, equitable and vibrant Union Territory. Sinha addressed the India-UAE Investment Summit and interacted with the business delegates from the UAE and across the country at the SKICC here. Highlighting the scope for private and foreign investments in various sectors in J&K, the Lt Governor said the Union Territory has made impressive progress with structural reforms in recent years and growth trajectory makes it an attractive investment destination. "We will ensure the investors receive every kind of assistance, facilitation and support from the administration," he said. Sinha said under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has made remarkable progress towards ambitious infrastructure development programme, modernisation and expansion of airports, rail network and highways for ease of doing business and to fuel faster economic growth. "We have been successful in removing the impediments and hurdles to great extent. We are upgrading our infrastructure both in capacity and quality to meet new demands and ready to raise our partnership with industries to higher levels," the Lt Governor said. Also Read J&K L-G lays foundation stone of 1st direct foreign investment project Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury seeks discussion in parliament on Jammu-Kashmir Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar likely to host G20 event: Govt official Jammu-Kashmir's LG Manoj Sinha condoles loss of lives in Kathua mishap Doors of party always open for secular-minded people: J&K Congress chief Amarnath Yatra: Drones, mine-proof vehicles to be used for security Amritpal Singh arrested by police, claims legal advisor to Waris Punjab De Wind energy projects made 64.54 bn electricity units in April-Jan of FY23 Delhi-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express train to run before April: Vaishnaw Foreign lawyers, law firms cannot appear in courts, judicial forum: BCI "The path of reforms that we have embarked upon in the last three years is the outcome of a well-considered long-term comprehensive strategy to provide a conducive investment climate for domestic and foreign investments in J&K," he added. Sinha said the historic India-UAE Investor meet was a unique opportunity for free and frank exchanges of views on issues and opportunities for investment in J&K. He appreciated the enthusiasm and faith of foreign investors in the resilience of the Union Territory. "The constructive discussion held on various sectors particularly agriculture and allied sectors, hospitality, education, tourism and other industry sectors will explore investment opportunities which will further strengthen our long-term partnership with UAE and rest of the Gulf countries," the Lt Governor said. It was decided in the summit to constitute a joint group for speedy clearance of proposals and to ensure faster implementation. "Our Agriculture Sector is growing rapidly, driven by growth in allied sector and adoption of modern technology like GI tagging for premium crops. The investors will find attractive opportunities in food processing industries, which are also beginning to emerge as an important segment of the industrial development," Sinha said. "We are working with the right intent and have developed the infrastructure needed for industries. This has infused new confidence in foreign investors and will lead to the Jammu and Kashmir's economic growth, increasing employment and creating a peaceful environment," he added. The Lt Governor also shared the efforts to identify more land to ground all the investment proposals received. He emphasized the digital transformation of J&K which will enable and empower the industrial units. The Lt Governor assured the investors that the land will be allocated within 15 days from the submission of the proposal."The transparent regulatory framework and incentive structure will allow individual enterprise to prosper and to create a modern, globally competitive and humane industrial economy. In this journey of rapid industrialization of Jammu Kashmir, we are partners. I invite companies from across the world to set up shop in Jammu Kashmir. We are ready to welcome you with open arms, the LG said. The Union Territory government is also willing to utilize the technological expertise of other states in various projects like developing Yatri Niwas of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, he added. The Lt Governor expressed gratitude to Aman Puri, Consul General of India in Dubai. He said an officer will be appointed and remain in touch with the Council. Chairman UIBC-UC and KEF Holdings, Faizal Edavalath Kottikollon, said they are keenly working with the government of Jammu and Kashmir for investment and will be bringing a world class climate wellness resort in the Union Territory. Beijing greenlights operation of unmanned self-driving vehicles Xinhua) 10:59, March 20, 2023 BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Beijing greenlighted the commercial operation of autonomous driving service without in-car safety supervisors for the first time on Friday. The first batch of two fully-driverless ride-hailing platforms, which were operated respectively by Chinese tech giant Baidu and autonomous vehicle startup Pony.ai, received approval after a three-month pilot program on public roads. The pilot program involved the unmanned autonomous vehicles' ability to deal with complex scenarios such as intersections, narrow roadways, as well as extreme weather conditions like rain, snow and sandstorms. Previously, safety supervisors were required to stay in the driver's seats, passenger seats or second-row seats when the vehicles underwent road tests and commercial operation. The permit allows Baidu and Pony.ai to provide fully driverless rides without a safety supervisor aboard in a 60-square-kilometer area of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area. Residents can summon a driverless car without a safety supervisor inside to travel to various destinations, such as subway stations, key commercial areas, public parks and residential communities, through mobile applications. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A TV screen shows an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, Monday. A human rights activist has called on the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Kim over the regime's systemic human rights violations and crimes against humanity. AP-Yonhap Advocates call for action marking 10th anniversary of landmark UN report on North Korea's human rights abuses By Jung Min-ho Jung Gwang-il, a longtime human rights activist from North Korea, was surprised to hear the news on March 17 that the International Criminal Court (ICC) approved an arrest warrant for Russia's President Vladimir Putin for allegedly deporting Ukrainian children against their will following Moscow's invasion last year. As a North Korean escapee who has been trying to raise awareness of the horrendous rights violations under the North's regime over the last 20 years, Jung was astonished by the court's swift action against Putin the action it has not taken against North Korean rulers in spite of overwhelming evidence collected for decades. "I thought it was extremely difficult (to have the court issue the arrest warrant) I still have no idea why the court hasn't issued an arrest warrant for Kim Jong-un until now," Jung said during a forum on North Korea's human rights situation at Yonsei University in Seoul, Monday. After being subject to horrific torture in a North Korean political prison camp, Jung has tried to bring the North Korean leader and his predecessor, Kim Jong-il, to justice at the court at the Hague, the Netherlands. Yet jurisdiction and other issues have frustrated all such attempts. Nawi Ukabiala, a New York-based lawyer who was taking part in the forum via the internet, said the difference over where the alleged crimes were committed in the territory of Ukraine, in the case of Putin was probably the reason for the differing stances by the ICC. But that does not mean the governments and activists around the world should rule out the possibility of the ICC's action on North Korea. "We have to keep up the pressure because we don't know when the geopolitical situation will change to make the prosecution viable," he said. Nawi Ukabiala, a New York-based lawyer, speaks during his online presentation for a North Korean human rights forum held at Yonsei University in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap Maharashtra government employees agitating for restoration of the old pension scheme on Monday called off a week-long strike after a successful meeting between their representatives and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over key demand, a union leader said. Vishwas Katkar, the striking unions coordination committee's convenor, said the state government has 'in principle' agreed to extend monetary benefits equivalent to the OPS to employees who are part of the New Pension System (NPS). The government employees were on an indefinite strike since March 14 demanding restoration of the OPS, which was discontinued in 2005. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recommended a CBI inquiry against Aman Biradari, an NGO established by writer and human rights activist Harsh Mander, for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, officials said on Monday. Mander, who was a member of the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council during the previous UPA government, has established Aman Biradari -- "a people's campaign for a secular, peaceful, just and humane world". A CBI inquiry has been recommended against Aman Biradari for violation of various provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, they said. All NGOs receiving foreign funding has to mandatorily register with the Home Ministry under the FCRA. Ways to confront pressing global challenges like rising food and energy prices, ensuring peace and stability in Indo-Pacific and expansion of overall bilateral ties will be key focus of wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida on Monday. The Japanese prime minister arrived in Delhi at around 8 am on Monday on a nearly 27-hour visit to ramp up bilateral ties in a range of areas and discuss how convergence between India's presidency of G20 and Japan's presidency of the G7 can help address various global problems. On the bilateral front, the two sides are expected to focus on enhancing cooperation in a range of areas, including defence and security, trade and investment and high technologies. During his visit to India in March last year, Kishida announced an investment target of five trillion Yen (Rs 3,20,000 crore) in India over the next five years. In a piece in the Indian Express, Kishida mentioned that the international community is at a historic turning point now and identified food security, climate and energy, fair and transparent development as key challenges. "As Japan and India assumed the presidencies of the G7 and the G20 respectively this year I look forward to engaging in candid discussions with Prime Minister Modi on the roles that the G7 and the G20 should play in overcoming such challenges," he wrote. Also Read Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrives in India on 2-day visit 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 Delhi excise policy case: K Kavitha likely to appear before ED today Action against Rahul a cowardly act by panic-stricken Modi govt: Patole We will defeat BJP on all 80 seats: Akhilesh Yadav on 2024 Lok Sabha polls Thousands of farmers to descend at Ramlila Maidan for 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' J-K SIA raids Lashkar commander's house in Pulwama's Kakapora region "I would also like to take this opportunity to deepen the multi-layered bilateral relationship between our two countries, which is based on shared values and principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law," he said. He said Japan-India relations have advanced in various fields and that Japan would like to further enhance cooperation with India in its "smart city" projects. The Japanese prime minister is expected to unveil his plan for a "free and open Indo-Pacific" with a focus on India's increasingly significant role for the region during the visit. The evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military assertiveness is also likely to figure in the wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Modi and Kishida. Kishida is expected to unveil his 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace' during a lecture at a leading think-tank in the afternoon. The plan is expected to highlight India's significance for the Indo-Pacific. Delivering the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June last year, Kishida said he would lay out the plan for Indo-Pacific next spring. "I will lay out a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace' by next spring, which will strengthen Japan's efforts to further promote the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, with an emphasis on providing patrol vessels and enhancing maritime law enforcement capabilities, as well as cyber security, digital and green initiatives, and economic security," he had said. The plan is expected to provide details of Japan's policy and approach towards the Indo-Pacific. In the last few years, almost all leading powers have come out with their strategies for the Indo-Pacific. Japan has been pushing for a free and open Indo-Pacific with a view to maintaining and strengthening the rules-based international order in the region. Ahead of the Parliament budget session on Monday, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari gave a suspension of business notice under rule 267 to discuss the need to constitute a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into the Adani issue. Pramod Tiwari has given the suspension of business notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 of Rules and Procedure and Conduct of Business. The Congress leader said in a statement that he had moved the motion to discuss the need to constitute a JPC to investigate the "government's role in promoting the business interests of Adani Group". "That this House do suspend Zero Hour and relevant rules relating to Question Hour and other businesses of the day to discuss on the need to constitute a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the Government's role in promoting business interests of the Adani Group, including through inaction on serious charges of corporate fraud, political corruption, stock-market manipulation and financial mismanagement, illegal coal mine allocations, negotiations with foreign countries for big-ticket projects, etc," the Rajya Sabha MP said in his statement. It is pertinent to note that the Opposition has demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Adani use, ever since the report by US-based firm Hindenburg came out, levelling serious allegations against the Adani group. On the other hand, the BJP-ruled centre has been demanding an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Democracy in London, accusing him of "defaming" the nation and the Parliament. Also Read Adani-Hindenburg row: Why is PM afraid of ordering JPC probe, asks Congress Oppn decides to participate in parliament proceedings to demand JPC probe Congress' Pramod Tiwari gives business notice suspension in RS on Adani row Opposition parties to meet today to discuss strategy for parliament Budget session: Oppn gives Suspension of Business Notice for both Houses NEP 2020 brought education out of narrow thinking, says Amit Shah LIVE: Leaders from Oppn parties meet Cong Prez Kharge ahead of session Constitution has to evolve through Parliament, not judiciary: V P Dhankhar I should be in good and clean politics: Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai Statsguru: Six charts explain India's changing energy landscape The first leg of the budget session also faced repeated disruptions. The Railway Board is treating train drivers and managers in the "most inhuman manner" and meting out injustice to them in terms of their pay and duty hours, its largest employees' union alleged as it staged protests across the country on Monday. All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF) general secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra demanded that the authorities address the long-pending demands and grievances of the "running staff" without any further delay as there is a serious sense of disappointment and resentment brewing among them. According to the AIRF, all loco pilots -- shunting, goods trains, passenger trains, and express/mail -- are placed in a common pay-level under the seventh Central Pay Commission. The shunting loco pilot pilots a loco from platform to shed and back. "Similarly, traffic running staff, or trains managers, are also allotted same pay scale from Trains Manager (Passenger) to Trains Managers (Mail/Express). The pay scales of the loco and traffic running staff have not been improved despite persistent demand for the past several years," Mishra said. "They are even being denied financial upgradation under Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) on the plea that they are enjoying three or more promotions during their service career, which attributes further gross injustice with them," he claimed. Mishra further said that their duty hours are not being restricted to eight hours despite persistent demand from the federation. Also Read Metal stocks: Will export duty rollback help? 'Deshbhakti' curriculum to teach to raise voices against injustice: Sisodia Kapil Sibal announces new platform 'Insaaf' to fight 'injustice' in India Train cancelled? Know IRCTC rules to check status, get ticket refund Rail stocks may chug along till budget; book profit selectively: Analysts Power producers owe Rs 16,629.41 cr to Coal India for fuel supplies: Govt Yet to receive report from states on crop damages by untimely rains: Govt MHA recommends CBI inquiry against Harsh Mander's NGO for FCRA 'violation' Mundra petrochemical work suspended as finances not tied-up yet: Adani Amritpal maintains close links with ISI, drug dealers who gifted him SUV The Railway Board, on the demand of AIRF, had earlier issued instructions in regard to their return to their headquarters within 36 hours, but the orders were subsequently withdrawn. "This has resulted in long working hours as well as their unrestricted out-of-station duties. Running duty on passengers trains are even coming to more than eight hours which will have an adverse effect on train safety. On some of the loco/traffic staff lobbies, duty rosters are such that the staff end up working continuous night duties for more than a week, resulting in several ailments," Mishra said. He alleged that these staff are being treated in the "most inhuman manner" by the Railway Board by issuing various "retrograde instructions". "In case of negligible SPAD (train passing signal at danger) cases they are subjected to extremely harsh punishment of removal from service, although such cases of SPAD may be attributable to various other factors. "It may be noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic more than 3,000 railwaymen sacrificed their lives while performing their duties, majority of whom belonged to running staff categories who did not bother for their lives in operating freight as well passenger trains.... However, they were not treated as 'frontline staff' for the purpose of grant of ex-gratia," Mishra said. According to recent studies, Indian children's schooling may suffer if their families have trouble getting adequate nutrient-rich food. The Food Security for Inclusive Futures research team from Lancaster University, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, and the University of Barcelona conducted the study and published it in the Journal of Nutrition. Food insecurity--difficulties accessing enough nutritious food--can occur over only a short period, or can be a persistent experience for a household, occurring over many months or years. It can also range from mild food insecurity, such as worrying about where the household will get food, to severe food insecurity, which can include skipping meals, going hungry, or going a whole day without eating because of a lack of money or other resources. The study found that both more persistent and more severe food insecurity were linked to lower test scores and fewer years of education completed. However, food insecurity generally declined between 2009 and 2016. In 2009, 30.4% of households in the study were food insecure. This figure went down to 24% in 2013, then rose slightly back to 25.8% in 2016. Also Read World Food Day: 19 million Afghans face food insecurity, says WFP Pact to set up Tata-Airbus project in Guj inked under MVA rule: Maha min Quadrilateral agreement inked on Black Sea submarine electric cable Pakistan floods: Damaged crops raise fears of hunger amongst citizens Food pantries can reduce food insecurity, improve students' health: Study India should lead globalisation of compassion, says Kailash Satyarthi India has made sustained efforts to achieve balanced trade with China: Govt Yogi government set to build 20 new hi-tech prisons in Uttar Pradesh 11 flights to Delhi airport diverted to Jaipur, Lucknow due to bad weather EPFO adds 1.48 mn subscribers in January 2023, says labour ministry This study did not cover the Covid-19 pandemic period (the period since 2019), and there is strong reason to believe food insecurity increased during Covid-19. Food insecurity is associated with many child development outcomes and can negatively affect children's cognitive, academic, and psycho-emotional developments. And, while evidence on links between food insecurity and children's educational outcomes is well-established in the Global North, it is scant in the Global South. The paper 'Children's educational outcomes and persistence and severity of food insecurity in India: Longitudinal evidence from Young Lives' fills this gap. The study is based on data from 2009, 2012, and 2016 of the Young Lives survey for India, which has followed the same children over time. The research team examined whether severe and persistent food insecurity were associated with children's educational outcomes. These educational outcomes, measured when children were aged 8, 12, and 15 years old, included scores on a vocabulary test in the local language, scores on a maths test, and the number of years of education the child completed. The study found that both more persistent and more severe food insecurity were linked to lower test scores and fewer years of education completed. In fact, this study showed even the mildest form of food insecurity is detrimental for children's educational outcomes. This was true even after the team accounted for a wide variety of child and household characteristics that might have explained this association. For years of education, the researchers looked at how many fewer years of education children in food insecure households completed compared to those in food secure households. Researchers took the overall average score of vocabulary and mathematics tests for all children in the study. They then looked at how far away children in food insecure households were from that overall average and compared the figures to those for children in food secure households. Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr Thomas Argaw, who led the study, said: "These values may seem to be small in magnitude. However, previous research shows the average effect of educational interventions in the Global South to improve learning do not often go beyond 0.10 standard deviation; this is considered a strong effect." The study provides evidence that studies focusing on food insecurity should consider disaggregating food insecurity scores to show how different levels of severity might matter. It adds value to the scant literature on this topic from the Global South, mostly importantly for adolescents, who are known as 'the forgotten population' in food insecurity research. It also paves the way for similar studies from the Global South, and provides evidence for policymakers to come up with proactive solutions to tackle food insecurity during the early stages of children's development. Dr Argaw added: "We say children are the future and education is the key to open doors. We should therefore proactively work to look for options that can reduce the burden of food insecurity on children and help children focus on their education." Principal Investigator on the Food Security for Equitable Futures project Dr Jasmine Fledderjohann, from Lancaster University, said: "Children's educational outcomes can have lasting implications across the lifecourse. When household food insecurity means children are reducing their food intake, this can result in micronutrient deficiencies, impair cognitive development, and impact children's ability to concentrate in class. "But, even beyond this, when children are in food insecure households, they might experience reductions in spending on their school fees and supplies. They may cut back on study time or miss school to earn money for the household. They might experience stigma and shame, and may be impacted by parental distress. Our findings highlight how consequential food insecurity can be for children's learning and educational progression. Quarantine officials block a road leading to a pig farm in the county of Yangyang, Gangwon Province after confirming an African swine fever case there, Feb. 12. Yonhap Korea reported another African swine fever case after a one-month hiatus on Monday, and issued a standstill order on pig farms and related facilities in the country's northern regions, the agriculture ministry said. The animal disease was found at a pig farm in the city of Pocheon, 41 kilometers northeast of Seoul, which raised 12,842 pigs, after 50 of the pigs died last week and an in-depth inspection was conducted, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. It marked the fifth ASF case in the country so far this year, with the last case being reported in the northern county of Yangyang in mid-February. The authorities are culling pigs raised there as a preventive step and issued a 48-hour standstill order in the western city of Incheon, Gyeonggi Province, and the northern part of Gangwon Province to be effective through 5 a.m. Wednesday, it added. They will also carry out inspections into adjacent and other related farms and facilities. There are 80 pig farms within a 10-km radius of the affected farm, which raise about more than 170,000 pigs combined, according to the ministry. ASF does not affect humans but is deadly to pigs. There is currently no vaccine or cure for the disease. (Yonhap) A United Nations report on Monday also warned of irreversible climate change. The per capita figure rose from 1.42 tCO2e (tonne carbon dioxide equivalent) in 2011 to 1.94 tCO2e in 2021. Indias per person emissions have gone up by 36 per cent since 2011, according to an analysis from the Global Carbon Project compiled by World Resources Institute. The emissions are more than four times higher in China (8.12 tCO2e) and Japan (8.49 tCO2e), and more than seven times than the US (15.09 tCO2e). India has amongst the lowest annual per capita emissions among key economies. The latest figure is nearly 8 times the level of 1960. The number is still lower than the global figure of 4.74 tCO2e. The government has stated that energy consumption remains below what is required to meet the human development index (HDI) goals. This is also true of the historical burden of emissions. India accounted for 3.8 per cent of the global emissions since records are available. China is at 17 per cent. The US tops the list with 21.2 per cent emissions. According to sources, the white paper will comprise two parts each dedicated to the achievements of the state government over the past six years, and the first year of the second term. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will release a White Paper to highlight his achievements on completing the first year of his second successive term on March 25. The state dispensation will mount a 360-degree media and publicity blitzkrieg to engage with the people about the good work of the government and the agenda going forward. It will contain details of flagship projects and schemes of the Yogi Adityanath government, and big events organised since 2017, including investors summits, defence expo, etc. The booklet will talk about the recently held UP Global Investors Summit 2023, wherein the state garnered investment proposals of ~33.5 trillion with prospects of creating millions of fresh job opportunities, he added. Apart from the booklets containing the achievements of the government, short films highlighting the works in different sectors will also be played across the state. The films would focus on specific themes of achievements industry, health, women empowerment, law and order, agriculture, etc, and screened in all major cities and towns on big LED screens. Also Read From Uttar Pradesh to Madhya Pradesh, the 'greening' of investor summits No near-term boost likely for auto stocks from Expo 2023, say analysts Has the rally in defence-related stocks run its course? Maruti Suzuki unveils concept electric SUV 'eVX' at Auto Expo 2023 How atmanirbhar is India when it comes to defence? Delhi govt tables Eco Survey, per capita income grew by 14.18% in 2022-23 Assam to discuss security for 4 Amritpal aides lodged in Dibrugarh jail ED attaches assets worth Rs 47.1 cr under PMLA in Cosmos bank loan fraud Inclusive internet must for bringing on board next 1 bn users: Experts SC refuses to accept Centre's sealed cover note on payment of OROP dues Adityanath, along with his deputies Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak and senior leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are likely to share the dais with him. Besides, the ongoing works on mega infrastructure projects, including expressways, waterways, airports, industrial hubs, etc, will find mention in the purported white paper. With the Lok Sabha elections scheduled in the first half of next year, the BJP government is getting into the election mode by using the power of media to mobilise peoples support and generate positive sentiments. 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. Also Read PM Modi asks BJP MPs to work to promote millets, sports during address Indian govt lays out action plan to promote millet export starting Dec 2022 Indian missions to be roped in for branding, promotion of domestic millets From packaged food to hotel menus: ITC goes gung ho on millets India organises exhibition on millets at UN headquarters in New York Esma to penalise but let European Union banks deal with India CCPs Centre, civil society continue to spar over manual attendance for MGNREGS Urban infrastructure principles on the cards in July G20 meeting India, EU conclude another round of talks for proposed trade agreement OilMin accepts all major Kirit Parikh panel recommendations on gas pricing 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. 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. Also Read Karnataka AAP opposes Centre's decision to import areca nut, pepper Siddaramaiah slams Centre for permitting areca nut import from Bhutan Carry out relief work on priority in flood-hit areas: Karnataka CM Bommai Aero India 2023: Karnataka to add to strength of defence, says Bommai Union Budget to be pro-people, will boost economic growth: Basavaraj Bommai India, World Food Programme sign MoU during Global Millets Conference Esma to penalise but let European Union banks deal with India CCPs Centre, civil society continue to spar over manual attendance for MGNREGS Urban infrastructure principles on the cards in July G20 meeting India, EU conclude another round of talks for proposed trade agreement 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. People wearing face masks get on a bus at a stop in Seoul, Monday, on the first day of the lifting of the mask mandate for public transportation. Yonhap By Jun Ji-hye Most people kept wearing their face masks on buses and the subway, Monday, although the mask mandate for public transportation came to an end starting at midnight. Coincidentally, the worst levels of ultrafine dust affected the country, also Monday, offering people yet another reason to remain masked up. Health authorities lifted one of the last-remaining COVID-19 restrictions amid a COVID-19 downtrend, two years and five months after wearing a mask on public transportation (buses, subways, taxies and airplanes) became mandatory in October 2020 at the height of the pandemic A young woman without a mask is seen standing up next to an old woman wearing a mask on a bus in Seoul, Monday, the first day of the lifting of the mask mandate on public transportation. Yonhap Of the 12 commuters who were waiting for buses at a stop near Namseong Station in Seoul's Dongjak District in the morning, nine were wearing masks. One man, who was not wearing a mask while waiting for a bus, took a mask out of his pocket and wore it as his bus approached. "I have become accustomed to wearing a mask for the last few years," Lee Myung-soo, a 52-year-old officer worker, said. "It feels as if something is missing when I get on a bus without wearing a mask." Kim Seoung-joo, a 24-year-old student, said she kept wearing a mask because she still felt anxious about the risks of infection. "The government said COVID-19 numbers such as the daily confirmed cases have decreased, but I think, it does not mean that the actual number of infected people has declined," she said. "I think there are still many people who are infected with COVID-19 but not counted in official statistics. So, I want to keep wearing a mask for the time being." Lee Jeong-ja, 70, who was waiting for a subway train at Seodaemun Station in Seoul's Seodaemun District, said she will continue to wear a mask on public transportation regardless of changes in government policies because of concerns over her weak immunity. "I think most people of my age do not want to take off a mask when they are in a crowd, as the level of immunity weakens when you get older," she said. The trend of continued mask-wearing was also reflected in recent surveys. In a Gallup Korea survey conducted between Jan. 31 and Feb. 2, 71 percent of respondents said they were willing to remain masked up indoors. On the other hand, several people were seen enjoying the lifting of the mask mandate. A woman in her 40s at Seodaemun Station, who asked not to be named, said, "I was surprised as many people were still wearing masks on the subway despite the end of the mandate. I don't want to wear a mask anymore as it is hard to breathe." Most people on a subway carriage passing Sindorim Station are wearing face masks, Monday, although the mask mandate on public transportation ended starting at midnight. Yonhap OncoC4 will get a $200 million upfront payment and is eligible to receive development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments as well as double-digit tiered royalties. Germany's BioNTech SE said on Monday that it signed a deal with privately held OncoC4 Inc to co-develop and commercialise its cancer antibody drug candidate. Former President Donald Trump's calls for protests ahead of his anticipated indictment in New York have generated mostly muted reactions from supporters, with even some of his most ardent loyalists dismissing the idea as a waste of time or a law enforcement trap. The ambivalence raises questions about whether Trump, though a leading Republican contender in the 2024 presidential race who retains a devoted following, still has the power to mobilize far-right supporters the way he did more than two years ago before the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. It also suggests that the hundreds of arrests that followed the Capitol riot, not to mention the convictions and long prison sentences, may have dampened the desire for repeat mass unrest. Still, law enforcement in New York is continuing to closely monitor online chatter warning of protests and violence if Trump is arrested, with threats varying in specificity and credibility, four officials told The Associated Press. Mainly posted online and in chat groups, the messages have included calls for armed protesters to block law enforcement officers and attempt to stop any potential arrest, the officials said. The New York Young Republicans Club has announced plans for a protest at an undisclosed location in Manhattan on Monday, and incendiary but isolated posts surfaced on fringe social media platforms from supporters calling for an armed confrontation with law enforcement at Trump's Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. But nearly two days after Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that he expected to be arrested on Tuesday and exhorted followers to protest, there were few signs his appeal had inspired his supporters to organize and rally around an event like the Jan. 6 gathering. In fact, a prominent organizer of rallies that preceded the Capitol riot posted on Twitter that he intended to remain on the sidelines. Ali Alexander, who as an organizer of the Stop the Steal movement staged rallies to promote Trump's baseless claims that Democrats stole the 2020 election from him, warned Trump's supporters that they would be "jailed or worse if they protested in New York City. Also Read Donald Trump seeks $475 million in defamation lawsuit against CNN Trump lawsuit claims Woodward audiobook violates copyright, seeks $50 mn Donald Trump again hints at running for office in 2024 presidential polls Writer who accused Trump of rape files upgraded lawsuit in New York Trump's company strikes new overseas deal, raises old ethics issue Jinping to meet Putin in boost for isolated Russian leader amid allegations Joe Biden calls Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu with judicial plan 'concern' Ahead of Xi's visit to Russia, Putin accuses West of fueling Ukraine crisis Pakistan government mulling legal options to ban Imran Khan's PTI Pak police register terrorism case against PTI leaders for vandalism You have no liberty or rights there, he tweeted. One of Alexander's allies in the Stop the Steal campaign was conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who amplified the election fraud claims on his Infowars show. Alexander posted that he had spoken to Jones and said that neither of them would be protesting this time around. We've both got enough going on fighting the government, Alexander wrote. No billionaire is covering our bills. That stands in contrast to the days before the Capitol riot when Trump stoked up supporters when he invited them to Washington for a big protest on a Jan. 6, tweeting, Be there, will be wild! Thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol that day, busting through windows and violently clashing with officers in an ultimately failed effort to stop the congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden's victory. Since then, about 1,000 participants in the melee have been arrested, many racking up steep legal bills and expressing regret and contrition in court for their actions. Some have complained of feeling abandoned by Trump. And conspiracy theories that the riot was fueled or even set up by undercover law enforcement informants in the crowd have continued to flourish online, with Trump supporters in the last two days citing that angst as a basis for steering clear of a new large-scale protest. How many Feds/Fed assets are in place to turn protest against the political arrest of Pres Trump into violence? tweeted Rep. Marjorie-Taylor Greene. The Georgia Republican also invoked a conspiracy theory that an FBI informant had instigated the Jan. 6 riot. Has Ray Epps booked his flight to NY yet? she tweeted on Sunday. Epps, an Arizona man, was filmed encouraging others to enter the Capitol. Conspiracy theorists believe Epps was an FBI informant because he was removed from a Jan. 6 wanted list without being charged. In January, the House committee that investigated the Capitol attack said the claims about Epps were unsupported. John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab who has tracked the Stop the Steal movement online, said anxiety over being entrapped by so-called agent provocateurs feeds a paranoia that if they go and do violence, they may get caught and there may be consequences. It seems to reduce a lot of people's willingness to make big statements about being wiling to go out and engage in violence, he said. A grand jury is investigating hush money payments to women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump. Prosecutors have not said when their work might conclude or when charges could come. The conflicted feelings over how far to support Trump in his fight against prosecution extends into the political realm as well. His own vice president, Mike Pence, who is expected to challenge Trump for the Republican nomination, castigated Trump in an ABC News interview this weekend as reckless for his actions on Jan. 6 and said history would hold him accountable - even as he echoed the former president's rhetoric that an indictment would be a politically charged prosecution. I have no doubt that President Trump knows how to take care of himself. And he will. But that doesn't make it right to have a politically charged prosecution of a former president of the United States of America, Pence said. The opening day of the House Republican conference in Orlando, Florida, was quickly overshadowed with the news of a potential indictment. Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other House Republicans called the possibility outrageous and criticized District Attorney Alvin Bragg for what they called reckless crime in New York City. McCarthy said he has assembled congressional investigators to probe if Bragg used Justice Department grants to pursue the Trump case. But despite the heated rhetoric toward Bragg, Republican leaders stopped short of Trump's calls for protesters to take our nation back. I don't think people should protest this. I think President Trump, when you talk to him, he doesn't think that either, McCarthy said. The India-Japan global partnership is based on shared democratic values and respect for the rule of law and promotes peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday after holding wide-ranging talks with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. The two prime ministers largely focused on significantly boosting cooperation in areas of clean energy, semiconductors and co-development of military hardware besides exploring ways to deal with regional security challenges amidst the increasing assertiveness of China. During the talks, Modi conveyed to Kishida that one of the areas of very strong cooperation between India and Japan could be co-innovation, co-design co-creation in the defence manufacturing sector, officials said. Modi and Kishida also vowed to work together to deal with pressing global challenges under India's presidency of the G20 and Japan's chairship of the G7 grouping. Kishida, who was in India for just about 27 hours, said he invited Modi to the G-7 summit in Hiroshima in May, and the offer was immediately accepted. On the sidelines of the talks, a note was exchanged between the two sides concerning the provision of the fourth tranche of a Japanese loan of up to 300 billion yen (around Rs 18,000 crore) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail. Also Read Has the rally in defence-related stocks run its course? Quad committed to supporting Pacific Island countries: Joint statement India stands for open, rule-based maritime borders in Indo-Pacific: Rajnath US to help India play 'broader stabilising role' in Indo-Pacific: Pentagon India, Aus discuss telecom capacity building, cooperation in Indo-Pacific Donald Trump's call for protests get muted reaction from supporters Jinping to meet Putin in boost for isolated Russian leader amid allegations Joe Biden calls Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu with judicial plan 'concern' Ahead of Xi's visit to Russia, Putin accuses West of fueling Ukraine crisis Pakistan government mulling legal options to ban Imran Khan's PTI "The India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership is based on our shared democratic values, and respect for the rule of law in the international arena," Modi said in his media statement. "Strengthening this partnership is not only important for both our countries, but it also promotes peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In our conversation today, we have reviewed the progress made in our bilateral relations," he added. The Japanese prime minister arrived in Delhi this morning on a brief visit amid global geopolitical turmoil over the Ukraine conflict and increasing concerns over China's aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific. Modi said he and Kishida exchanged views on defence equipment and technology collaboration, trade, health, and digital partnership. There was also a fruitful discussion on the importance of reliable supply chains in semiconductors and other critical technologies, he said. "Last year, we had set a target of Japanese investment of 5 trillion yen in India in the next 5 years, that is, Rs 3,20,000 crore rupees. It is a matter of satisfaction that there has been good progress in this direction," Modi said. Modi said "fast" progress is being made on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project. "Our meeting today is special for another reason as well. This year India is chairing the G20, and Japan is chairing the G7. And therefore, this is the perfect opportunity to work together on our respective priorities and interests," Modi said, adding he explained in detail to Kishida about India's priorities for its G20 Presidency. In his remarks, Kishida said Tokyo's economic cooperation with New Delhi continues to grow rapidly and it will not only support further development of India but create significant economic opportunities for Japan. Briefing reporters, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said Modi and Kishida held substantive discussions commensurate with the depth of the India-Japan engagement and that the talks covered cooperation in areas of defence and security, economic partnership, climate and energy, people-to-people exchanges and skill development. Asked whether challenges being faced by the two countries from China figured in the talks, Kwatra indicated that the matter figured in the meeting. "They spoke about the challenges that we face in the region and how India and Japan and other like-minded countries can work together to address those challenges and cooperate in the wider expanse of the Indo-Pacific," he said. PM Modi conveyed to Kishida that one of the areas of very strong cooperation between India and Japan could be co-innovation, co-design co-creation, Kwatra said. The foreign secretary said Prime Minister Modi made it clear to his Japanese counterpart that when it comes to private investment and foreign direct investment in the field of defence, the two spheres are completely open in India. Kwatra said the Japanese companies are not only invited but are also encouraged to harness the opportunities and advantages that are inherent in the Indian manufacturing ecosystem and that the 'Make-in-India' initiative is not just for India but also for the rest of the world. He said the two leaders also discussed regional issues of significance including the Indo-Pacific. India experienced significant human rights issues in 2022, including unlawful and arbitrary killings, freedom of press and violence targeting religious and ethnic minorities, a US report claimed on Monday. Released by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the annual human rights reports of the State Department is a mandatory requirement of the US Congress giving details of human rights status in countries across the world. The latest edition of the annual report slams Russia and China for the massive violation of human rights in these two countries along with some other nations like Iran, North Korea and Myanmar. Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine beginning in February 2022 has resulted in massive death and destruction, with reports of members of Russia's forces committing war crimes and other atrocities, including summary executions of civilians and horrific accounts of gender-based violence, including sexual violence against women and children, Blinken said in the report. In Xinjiang, China, the country report describes how genocide and crimes against humanity continued to occur against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups, he said. "Democracy, human rights, and labour rights are mutually reinforcing, and support for democratic renewal is essential to promoting these rights," Blinken said as he announced that President Joe Biden will co-host the second Summit for Democracy with the Governments of Costa Rica, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Zambia on March 29-30. Also Read Necessary to include human rights issues in climate policies: NHRC Rajasthan's Dr. Kriti Bharti bags Global Youth Human Rights Champion Award UN economic body accredits 9 human rights, minority groups after US push UN committee calls for probe into Xinjiang Uyghur human rights violations NHRC issues notices to Bihar, TN govts on abuse of orphaned children Stop funding new oil & gas plans, expanding reserves: UN Chief Guterres UN chief urges faster shift to 'net zero' after report shows climate threat Climate ministers meet in Copenhagen for 1st high-level meeting since COP27 6 central banks to boost flow of US dollar through global financial system UBS takes over Credit Suisse: Everything you need to know about the crisis The India portion of the country report notes a lack of accountability for official misconduct persisted at all levels of government, contributing to widespread impunity. Lax enforcement, a shortage of trained police officers, and an overburdened and under resourced court system contributed to a low number of convictions, it said. India in the past rejected similar reports by the State Department. The Indian government has asserted that India has well-established democratic practices and robust institutions to safeguard the rights of all. The government has emphasised that the Indian Constitution provides for adequate safeguards under various statutes for ensuring the protection of human rights. Among the significant human rights violations in India in the year 2022, as per the State Department, are unlawful and arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings; torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by police and prison officials; and harsh and life-threatening prison conditions. Arbitrary arrest and detention; political prisoners or detainees; arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy; restrictions on freedom of expression and media, including violence or threats of violence, unjustified arrests or prosecutions of journalists, and enforcement of or threat to enforce criminal libel laws to limit expression; are some of the other human rights violations in the country. It also mentions restrictions on internet freedom; interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association; and harassment of domestic and international human rights organisations; among serious rights violations in India. Among other issues, it lists lack of investigation of and accountability for gender-based violence, including domestic and intimate partner violence, sexual violence, workplace violence, child, early, and forced marriage, femicide, and other forms of such violence; crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting members of national/racial/ethnic and minority groups based on religious affiliation, social status or sexual orientation. "There were reports that government authorities accessed, collected, or used private communication arbitrarily or unlawfully or without appropriate legal authority and developed practices that allow for the arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy, including the use of technology to arbitrarily or unlawfully surveil or interfere with the privacy of individuals, it said. Observing that independent media were active and generally expressed a wide variety of views, the State Department said citizens generally enjoyed freedom of speech, but the government continued to restrict content based on broad public and national interest provisions. Speaking at the launch of the Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on Monday, Guterres said while the climate time bomb is ticking, a concerted effort can still defuse it. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called upon nations to cease the funding of all new oil and gas discoveries and projects, and stop the expansion of existing oil and gas reserves if the world has to avert a climate catastrophe. The UN secretary-generals comments come at a time when the Indian government is looking to expand the area under hydrocarbon exploration to 1 million square km by 2030. It also plans to almost double its oil refining capacity to 450 mt in the next 10 years to meet the rising domestic fuel demand, as well as cater to the export market. He called for shifting subsidies from fossil fuels towards a clean energy transition, along with a global phase-down of existing oil and gas production, compatible with the 2050 global net-zero target. Eyes on G20 Last year, Guterres proposed to the G20 a Climate Solidarity Pact in which all big emitters make extra efforts to cut emissions, and wealthier countries mobilise financial and technical resources to support emerging economies in a common effort. Also Read Crisis in multilateralism affecting developing nations most: PM at G20 meet G20 foreign ministers' meeting today: Schedule, agenda, other details here LIVE: Blinken asks for 'contact' with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov 'US looking forward to support India's G20 presidency': Janet Yellen G20 foreign ministers' meeting to kick off in Delhi today; all details here UN chief urges faster shift to 'net zero' after report shows climate threat Climate ministers meet in Copenhagen for 1st high-level meeting since COP27 6 central banks to boost flow of US dollar through global financial system UBS takes over Credit Suisse: Everything you need to know about the crisis N Korea launches latest missile simulated nuclear counterattack on S Korea Guterres said net-zero carbon electricity generation by 2035 should be attempted by all developed countries, while the rest of the world should target 2040. "Leaders in emerging economies must commit to reaching (overall) net zero as close as possible to 2050," he said. On Monday, he announced an urgent all-hands-on-deck Acceleration Agenda to achieve this. This starts with parties immediately hitting the fast-forward button on their net zero deadlines to get to global net zero by 2050 in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances, he said. By the end of COP28 (in November 2023), I count on all G20 leaders to have committed to ambitious new economy-wide nationally determined contributions encompassing all greenhouse gases and indicating their absolute emissions cuts targets for 2035 and 2040, Guterres said. He also called upon the G20 nations to pool their resources and scientific capacities, as well as their proven and affordable technologies through the public and private sectors to make carbon neutrality a reality by 2050. Climate funding for adaptation and energy transition has been a key area of focus for India during this ongoing presidency of the G20. However, talks have moved forward slowly as nations have focussed much more on the Ukraine war and the geopolitics over energy supply chains. The transition must cover the entire economy and partial pledges wont cut it, he added. However, the existing pace of negotiations makes this a difficult target. Onus on the private sector I am also calling on CEOs of all oil and gas companies to be part of the solution," Guterres said. According to the International Energy Agency, global investments in upstream oil and gas rose for three years in a row to reach $483 billion in 2019, before crashing to $328 billion in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. These plans must clearly detail actual emission cuts for 2025 and 2030, and efforts to change business models to phase out fossil fuels and scale up renewable energy. This acceleration has already started in some sectors, but investors now need crystal clear signals, Guterres said. Guterres said CEOs should present credible, comprehensive, and detailed transition plans, in line with the recommendations of the UN High-Level Expert Group on net-zero pledges. It called for massively fast-track climate efforts by every country and every sector and on every timeframe. The latest IPCC report has argued that arresting global rise in temperatures to the 1.5-degrees C limit above pre-industrial levels is achievable, but it will take a quantum leap in climate action. The rate of temperature rise in the last half-century is the highest in 2,000 years while concentrations of carbon dioxide are at their highest in at least two million years, it said. Exports of IC chips which are pivotal components of electronic appliances, computers and smartphones to China and Hong Kong dropped 31.3% from a year earlier, according to data from Taiwans Ministry of Finance. It was the worst decline since 2009, topping Januarys 27.1% fall. Taiwans exports of integrated circuit chips to China and Hong Kong fell for a fourth month in February as Washington-Beijing tensions simmer and demand for electronics continues to drop off. Chinas market share of Taiwanese IC exports plunged to the lowest level since February 2019, based on Bloomberg calculations of official data. Taiwan is the worlds largest producer of cutting-edge chips, and demand has cooled rapidly for that advanced technology that has bolstered its economy. Taiwan is also a geopolitical hotspot, contributing to the fall. The total amount of semiconductors Taiwan shipped worldwide declined 17.3% last month from a year ago. Exports to the US jumped 22.3%. Also Read Technological battles heat up between US and China over semiconductor chips Apple main supplier TSMC will start mass production of 3nm chips soon HCL Tech to double semiconductor biz in 4 yrs, needs 2 yrs to build fab Chinese military holds large-scale joint strike drills aimed at Taiwan Chip-maker Qualcomm may launch 'Snapdragon 8 Gen 3' chip in October Pak's effort to curb trade deficit leads to rising unemployment: Report IMF to approve $2.9 bn bailout package for Sri Lanka: Central bank governor Oil pipeline with India to play vital role in fuel security: Bangladesh PM UN confirms extension of Black Sea grain deal for exports from Ukraine India assuming global leadership: Guyana Prez at Global Millets Conference Chinese President Xi Jinping recently railed at US efforts to hinder its technology progress, rallying his countrys private sector to help overcome containment by the US and other countries a rare direct criticism of Chinas biggest trading partner. As China has tried to develop its own advanced technologies, the US has moved to block the worlds second-largest economy from doing so. In January, the Biden administration secured an agreement with the Netherlands and Japan to restrict exports of some advanced chipmaking machinery to China. Breakdown of Taiwans chip-related exports Feb. Jan. Dec. Nov. Oct. Sept. Aug. July 2023 2023 2022 2022 2022 2022 2022 2022 YoY% Integrated circuits -17.3 -18.3 0.8 -3.4 19.4 3.5 14.3 17.4 China & Hong Kong -31.3 -27.1 -4.4 -13 13.8 0.2 7.1 13.2 China -30.4 -22.7 1.6 -13.9 44.2 -10.4 29.6 35.3 Hong Kong -32.3 -32.6 -11.1 -11.9 -18.2 13.4 -15.8 -6.1 Semiconductor facilities 14.6 -37.5 13.2 5.3 4.9 0.2 4.2 19.3 Chip-making machines 3.2 -42.8 7.5 -3 -1.8 0.6 -2.3 21.2 China & Hong Kong -32.8 -51.9 -12.3 -42.6 -29.3 -17.5 -19.8 -3.7 China -33.2 -51.7 -13.2 -42 -29.3 -17 -19.3 -3.2 Hong Kong 36.9 -77.7 57.1 -75.3 -26 -58 -52.2 -34.6 USD Millions Integrated circuits 11,993 11,787 14,914 13,927 15,620 15,640 15,691 15,518 China & Hong Kong 6,133 6,226 8,568 7,637 8,659 9,494 8,806 8,718 China 3,176 3,654 4,818 4,126 5,621 4,707 5,373 4,856 Hong Kong 2,957 2,571 3,750 3,511 3,038 4,787 3,433 3,863 Semiconductor facilities 451 389 620 502 580 493 585 636 Chip-making machines 317 299 450 356 427 376 450 502 China & Hong Kong 74 91 152 92 126 122 158 191 China 74 90 148 91 125 121 156 189 Hong Kong 1 0 4 1 1 1 1 2 China & Hong Kong -32.8 -51.9 -12.3 -42.6 -29.3 -17.5 -19.8 -3.7 China -33.2 -51.7 -13.2 -42 -29.3 -17 -19.3 -3.2 Hong Kong 36.9 -77.7 57.1 -75.3 -26 -58 -52.2 -34.6 Note: Semiconductor facilities refer to equipment in the semiconductor manufacturing process. US President Joe Biden has also repeatedly stated that Washington would defend against a Chinese attack of Taiwan, comments that have angered Beijing. Source: Ministry of Finance, Republic of China. After a weekend of frantic talks to forge a solution before markets opened in Asia, the firm struck a deal to buy its smaller rival for about $3.3 billion in an share deal that includes extensive guarantees and liquidity provisions. Here are some of the big winners and losers to emerge from the deal. UBS Group AG is emerging as a rare winner in Credit Suisse Group AGs crisis after a historic, government-brokered deal that contains a raft of financial shock absorbers. The Winner: Ralph Hamers UBSs chief executive officer will see the banks wealth and asset management invested assets soar to about $5 trillion and got a special waiver to keep Credit Suisses profitable Swiss unit that many analysts said was worth more than triple what UBS paid for the whole firm. 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 Credit Suisse offers to buy back debt securities worth 3 bn Swiss francs Bank stocks can slide more; stay away for now: Analysts UBS agrees to buy Credit Suisse for more than $2 billion: Report Disney instructs to identify layoff candidates, may cut 4K jobs in April SpaceX Starship's may take first orbital test flight in April: Elon Musk Credit Suisse crisis nears finale as UBS discussions on takeover heat up Top headlines: UBS eyes Credit Suisse takeover, Amritpal declared fugitive While UBS will suspend its share buybacks for now, it said its still committed to a progressive dividend. Ralph Hamers, the former ING Groep NV executive, and his team will have plenty to work through as they consider which businesses and people to keep, alter or jettison. But hell have 56 billion francs of so-called badwill to help cover any writedowns, as well as 9 billion francs of guarantees from the Swiss government to take on certain losses. And the firm can access a huge liquidity line from the central bank. The (Many) Losers: Credit Suisses Top Shareholders The Qatar Investment Authoritys pain came over a much longer period, as it first invested in the last financial crisis, but it likely lost an even greater amount. In addition to being the banks second-biggest holder, it had owned in the past the firms AT1 bonds that were written to zero in the deal, though its unclear if QIA still held that debt. Shareholders wont even get to vote on this deal after Switzerland changed its rules to rush the merger through. Gulf investors old and new are hurting. Saudi National Banks investment was stunning in its brevity: the lender lost 1.1 billion francs less than 15 weeks from when it finished buying its stake in Credit Suisses latest capital raise. The firm thought it was buying at a bargain when it became the Swiss banks largest shareholder just a few months ago. Saudi National Banks chairman helped fuel the panic this week when he ruled out raising its stake in Credit Suisse. Ulrich Koerner Michael Klein AT1 Bondholders The former Citigroup Inc. investment bank heads grand plan to revive the First Boston brand and build it into a Wall Street advisory powerhouse now looks in ashes. Michael Klein, who had been tapped to lead the CSFB spinoff, was already in the process of selling his advisory boutique to Credit Suisse for a consideration of about $210 million when the banks fortunes suddenly unraveled in recent weeks. While UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher didnt directly address CSFB at a press conference late Sunday, he did indicate that the firm was happy with its own investment bank and planned to cut back Credit Suisses substantially as well as pare back risk. Swiss regulators Bond investors are typically better protected from losses than shareholders, but not in this case. The Swiss regulator will impose losses on $17 billion of high-risk debt known as Additional Tier 1 bonds that make up part of a buffer of debt and equity intended to prevent taxpayers from having to shoulder the bill for a banks collapse. The total writedown marked the biggest loss yet for Europes $275 billion AT1 market. Shareholders, who typically are first to take a hit in a writedown scenario, got at least a small consideration. Finma became the first regulator to watch a bank deemed systemically important have to be rescued since the financial crisis. The Swiss government had to step in an provide billions of francs in guarantees to UBS and the central bank was forced to provide extensive liquidity backstops to facilitate the rescue, putting taxpayers at risk 15 years after they bailed out UBS. Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter acknowledged it was the only way to stabilize international financial markets. Credit Suisses chief executive officer is expected to depart, having inherited a broken lender that he was unable to revive. Ulrich Koerner, who only took the top job last summer, had already mapped out a plan to cut back risk after a torrent of scandals and losses to focus more on wealth management. Bolder still was a plan to break out the banks best-performing investment banking businesses. But the firm was unable to recover from a crisis of confidence that caused billions of dollars to exit in October. In recent days, the pressure intensified until the Swiss government was forced to step in. By Jon Dunbar A performer asks the audience to shout out words. Once selected, the word is used to inspire the musicians on stage, and they launch into a new and unique creation. No two shows will ever be the same for LAproviKO, a Latvian-Korean fusion band whose name stands for "Latvia," "improvisation" and "Korea." "I think that there are no better or worse words," said Martins Baumanis, the Latvian keyboard player and leader of the band. "We've had the most mundane words generate the most elaborate and beautiful soundscape or piece. It just gives us a little springboard to start with and I usually go with my first instinct and encourage our band to do the same. I really enjoy the openness feeling of this format and it also makes the audience listen a bit more, as they are a part of the creation process." The band mixes Western instruments like keyboard and guitar with Korean instruments such as the "gayageum" (zither) and "daegeum" (bamboo flute). They use those instruments to blend different musical traditions together, which results in something that sometimes resembles jazz, and at other times takes inspiration from the Korean genre of "samulnori" hardly an easy fit. "There is a limit to the volume of Korean traditional music," said Kim Min-ji, the gayageum player. "Even if you use a microphone, it's difficult to catch the sound of Korean traditional music instruments. When we performed for the first time, we were busy playing individually, so we only made our own sounds loudly, but now we are trying to understand each other's instruments and balance them." "When I first tried playing improv music with Martins, I felt like I was naked on stage because I was doing something I had never done before, but now I feel free when playing improve," said daegeum player Kim Myeon-su. But Baumanis savors the complexity of weaving disparate sounds and rhythms together. "It almost is better when it's hard to incorporate the instruments it always forces us to make creative solutions," Baumanis said. "Limitations are very useful in music. For example, if the traditional instruments can only play certain modes, for me as a pianist it is really easy to predict their playing and then I can really mess or support it easily." He coordinates the musicians during songs with the elaborate use of hand signals, a technique he picked up from Peter Wiegold, his professor at Brunel University London. Wiegold had founded Club Inegales, a performance venue in London specializing in improvisational music. "The formula was simple," Baumanis said. "Peter's band had some of the best cross-genre performers in the U.K. and they would invite a variety of guests. The band would only have one rehearsal before the performance with no or little amount of score. Peter would bring it all together with his gestures, and the result would be different every time." One of the members of the house band was a daegeum player named Hyelim Kim. "the 'gugak' (traditional Korean music) element was very apparent, but it was never something forced or intentional," Baumanis said. "I never heard of the word gugak until I came to Korea." As a student, Baumanis went to one of the club's first concerts in 2012, and he had a chance to grow and develop alongside the music venue. "It was such an experience as a student to see the growth of the club and to start with helping voluntarily at the door, checking tickets, to being part of the band and to be responsible for recordings and mixing," he said. "Peter always says that it's not world music, it's not jazz, but at the same time that it is all of these things. I really became enamored with the club and probably that's why wherever I go, I try to keep the spirit alive." After earning his bachelor's degree in music composition at Brunel, he completed a master's degree in music leadership from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. His first job after his studies was coordinating music education programs in Montserrat, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. When he finished that job, he returned to his home country where he served as CEO for an orchestra called Sinfonietta Riga. But lured by the thought of connecting different cultures with music, he went to Korea in early 2020 with plans to start an improvisational choir, which he said was a lot of fun before the pandemic shut down live rehearsals. Then he met Dana, a gayageum player looking to make a new band, who introduced him to her musician friends, and they formed the band together. This included the gayageum and daegeum players, as well as Allen, the band's guitarist, who took an interest in combining Korean music with rock elements after listening to bands like Maluihan and Jambinai. After practicing in Baumanis' apartment a few times, they had a chance to play in The Studio HBC. Their biggest show so far was at Seoul Friendship Festival 2022 in October. "Our music is naturally suited to intimate spaces with attentive listeners, but it was a real adventure to also try out a big, loud place such as the central plaza in Seoul," Baumanis said. "In that particular performance, we had two protests going on simultaneously in close proximity. I think that will always stay in my memory trying to create new music with my band members on the spot as fervent speakers shout their lungs out." , a fellow gugak fusion band that mixes Korean traditions with Jamaican music styles. Visit to hear clips of the band's past performances. Also Read Who is Rajiv Jain, and how he built his $92 billion empire at GQG Partners Adani Group shares rally up to 10% as GQG Partners buy Rs 15,446 cr stake Adani promoters sell stakes worth Rs 15,446 crore to GQG Partners Buoyed by $1.9 bn investment by GQG Partners, Adani rally enters 2nd week GQG Partners trims its stake in HDFC AMC from 5.33% to 2.76% Sensex crashes over 900 points: Top 5 factors behind Monday's market rout Reliance, Wipro, Jubilant FoodWorks, Crompton Greaves hit 52-week lows Tata Consumer dips 2% after withdrawing plans to acquire Bisleri 3 Adani group stocks out of ASM, Should you be bullish? Banking crisis triggers oil price fall; temporary phenomenon, say analysts Shares of Adani Green Energy (AGEL) surged 4.4 per cent to Rs 853 in Mondays intra-day trade and extended its two-week rise in an otherwise a weak market, amid heavy volumes. The stock of power generation company traded higher for the fourth straight day as it rallied 21 per cent, during the period.At 02:33 pm; shares of AGEL was up 2.4 per cent to Rs 836.55, as compared to 0.92 per cent decline in the S&P BSE Sensex.The average trading volumes on the counter nearly doubled as around 6.9 million shares changed hands on the NSE and BSE.In the past 13 trading days, the stock bounced back 94 per cent from its 52-week low level of Rs 439.35, which it had touched on February 28, 2023. However, the stock was down 72 per cent from its record high level of Rs 3,048, which it had hit on April 19, 2022.AGEL is a renewable energy platform from the Adani Portfolio. The company has one of the worlds largest renewable portfolios, with locked-in growth of 20.4 gigawatt (GW) across operational, under-construction, awarded, and acquired assets, catering to investment-grade counterparties.Moreover, the company develops, builds, owns, operates, and maintains utility-scale grid-connected solar, and wind farm projects. AGEL is focused on decarbonisation of power generation and is helping India meet its sustainability goals.On March 2, 2023, GQG Partners, a leading US based Global Equity investment boutique, announced the completion of a Rs 15,446 Crore ($1.87 billion) in a series of secondary block trade transactions in the Adani Portfolio companies AGEL, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, Adani Transmission and Adani Enterprises.GQG Partners had purchased 55.6 million equity shares of AGEL for Rs 2,806 crore at around Rs 504.60 per share.Meanwhile, with the successful operationalisation of the 700 megawatt (MW) plant at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, the worlds largest wind-solar hybrid power plant, AGEL now has the largest operating renewable portfolio in India with 8,024 MW. The plant is housed under AGELs 100 per cent subsidiary, Adani Hybrid Energy Jaisalmer Four. Backing his bet in the group, Jain advised the company to not change anything to please the market. Adani Groups white knight investor Rajiv Jain, chairman and chief investment officer of GQG Partners, believes it would be a mistake for the conglomerate to slowdown to manage the debt levels. Jains firm infused $1.9 billion into the embattled Indian conglomerate at a time when it has been dealing with allegations of stock manipulation and accounting fraud levelled by US-based short seller Hindenburg Research. The group has denied the allegations. GQG Partners became the first major investor in four of the companies of Adani Group after the short-sellers report. The objective is to keep growing. It will be a mistake to slow down to get the debt level down. I think these businesses (are) supposed to be leveraged, Jain said in an interview with television channel CNBC-TV18 on Monday. Earlier this month, Jain had indicated that GQG Partners may expand their investment in the group. The context of these allegations is, was there the intent to defraud investors or was it a little bit of optically problematic and is being cleared up, said Jain. Also Read Who is Rajiv Jain, and how he built his $92 billion empire at GQG Partners TMS Ep385: India's economic indicators, GQG, markets, Phone Link app Adani promoters sell stakes worth Rs 15,446 crore to GQG Partners Adani Group shares rally up to 10% as GQG Partners buy Rs 15,446 cr stake GQG Partners trims its stake in HDFC AMC from 5.33% to 2.76% Metal stocks: A buying opportunity for traders or a deeper fall? Fear of financial crisis keeps investors away from stock exchanges Markets drop after Credit Suisse-UBS slide, investors move to gold, bonds Shipping Corporation fixes March 31 as record date for demerger; stk up 4% Adani Green trades firm in weak market; stock zooms 94% in 13 days However, Jain made it clear that his firm did not reach out to any regulator before making the investments but has taken the risk based on the groups capability for earnings in the future. Appreciating the groups position to deliver complex projects, Jain added, We believe that these are remarkably good assets run by an extremely competent promoter. The way we think about it is, where are the earnings going to be in 3-5 years. From that vantage point, some of the businesses are prime as the capex begins to stabilise, he added. Also Read This Chris Wood owned stock hit a 52-week low. What's worrying the Street? Wipro Q2 preview: Revenue may jump 17% YoY; profit seen dropping up to 6% Wipro slips 6%, hits 52-week low on weak Q3 revenue growth guidance Greaves Mobility to start a new focus on over Rs 1 lakh electric scooters Ahead of searing summer, analysts bet on consumer appliance stocks Tata Consumer dips 2% after withdrawing plans to acquire Bisleri 3 Adani group stocks out of ASM, Should you be bullish? Banking crisis triggers oil price fall; temporary phenomenon, say analysts Sunflag Iron up 15% in two days on acquiring 11.89% stake in Lloyds Metals Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is quoting at Rs 358.5, up 2.02% on the day as on 12:44 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 0.36% in last one year as compared to a 1.36% slide in NIFTY and a 9.78% slide in the Nifty Auto. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is up for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 358.5, up 2.02% on the day as on 12:44 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 1.26% on the day, quoting at 16884.4. The Sensex is at 57259.54, down 1.26%. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd has gained around 10.9% in last one month. Meanwhile, Nifty Auto index of which Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is a constituent, has gained around 0.71% in last one month and is currently quoting at 22659, down 0.71% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 44.3 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 39.26 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark March futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 359.9, up 1.91% on the day. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is up 0.36% in last one year as compared to a 1.36% slide in NIFTY and a 9.78% slide in the Nifty Auto index. The PE of the stock is 0 based on TTM earnings ending December 22. Powered by Capital Market - Live News Fiem Industries informed that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Gogoro India, a group company of Gogoro Taiwan, to expand its product portfolio in 2-wheeler electric vehicles (EV) segment. In addition to lighting & rear view mirror business, Fiem Industries will manufacture hub motor assembly, electric control unit (ECU) and motor control unit (MCU) for Gogoro. In terms of MoU, Gogoro will provide the technical know-how and other support in setting up manufacturing facility as well as production, quality and testing support for above new product line. Fiem Industries is a tier-1 two-wheeler OEM supplier in India for automotive lighting, signaling equipments, rear view mirrors, plastic molded & sheet metal parts and bank angele sensors etc. FIEM's two-wheeler OEM customers include Honda Motorcycles and Scooters, TVS Motors, Yamaha, Suzuki Motorcycles, Harley Davidson and many others. FIEM supply its products in India as well as export to Japan, Thailand, Europe, USA and other countries. The company's consolidated net profit rose 37.47% to Rs 31.92 crore on a 13.54% increase in sales to Rs 437.90 crore in Q3 FY23 over Q3 FY22. The scrip declined 2.16% to currently trade at Rs 1558.80 on the BSE. Also Read Fiem Industries signs MoU with Gogoro India Industrials shares edge higher Industrials shares edge higher Barometers turn rangebound, auto stocks decline Capital Goods shares edge lower Caplin Point Laboratories Ltd leads gainers in 'A' group Tata Consumer ceases talks with Bisleri for potential acquisition Volumes jump at PVR Ltd counter Paras Defence bags order worth Rs 64 cr from CSIR NSE SME Prospect Commodities climbs on debut Powered by Capital Market - Live News For expansion of its product portfolio in 2-wheeler EV segmentFiem Industries has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gogoro India (A group company of Gogoro Taiwan) to expand its product portfolio in 2-Wheeler Electric Vehicles (EV) segment. In addition to Lighting & Rear View Mirror business, Fiem Industries will manufacture Hub Motor Assembly, Electric Control Unit (ECU) and Motor Control Unit (MCU) for Gogoro. In terms of MoU, Gogoro will provide the technical know-how and other support in setting-up manufacturing facility as well as production, quality and testing support for above new product line. Fiem Industries is seeing a huge business potential in 2-Wheeler EV segment and looking to expand its product portfolio to cater this segment in addition to Automotive Lighting and Rear View Mirrors etc. Powered by Capital Market - Live News Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) announced that it has received BIS certification to manufacture India's first fire resistant steel structures at its rail mill & special profile mill in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. The hot rolled structural steel can be used for high-temperature or fire-prone areas and can withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees celsius for a maximum duration of 3 hours. Fire protection has been a challenge in the design of steel structures. The availability of fire resistant steel will result in more efficient designs of structures. The new BIS 15103 grade will be used to manufacture steel structures for infrastructure projects such as industrial structures, refineries, bridges, metro projects, and steel & power plants as well as in hospitals, and commercial and residential buildings. Bimlendra Jha, managing director of Jindal Steel & Power, said, The license provided to Jindal Steel & Power to produce fire resistant steel will be a game-changer in strengthening India's infrastructure & its safety standards. Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) is a leading Indian infrastructure conglomerate with a presence in the steel, power, and mining sectors. The company's consolidated net profit declined 67.92% to Rs 518.67 crore as sales remained flat at Rs 12,452.44 crore in Q3 FY23 over Q3 FY22. Also Read Sharda Cropchem Ltd leads gainers in 'A' group Sensex adds 153 pts, metal stocks tumble Indices turn range bound; Nifty hovers above 17,850 Benchmarks trade with modest losses; breadth turns negative Sensex plummets 731 pts, Nifty below 17,100, VIX jumps over 6% Godawari Power board OKs Rs 250-cr share buyback NSE SME MCON Rasayan India makes strong debut Sumitomo Chemical restarts production at Bhavnagar site Bliss GVS Pharma declines after Palghar units gets Form 483 with 3 observations from US FDA Cochin Shipyard spurts on bagging order for zero emission feeder container vessels The scrip fell 1.84% to currently trade at Rs 561.65 on the BSE. Powered by Capital Market - Live News Shaktikanta Das, the Governor of Reserve Bank of India stated in a speech that widespread use of mobile phones, coupled with availability of internet services, have provided thrust to digital payments. This has led to "anytime anywhere" banking which transcends traditional branch banking hours. About 1,050 crore retail digital payment transactions worth Rs 51 lakh crore processed in January 2023 stand as testimony to the size and efficiency of India's digital payments. He noted that it is the combined effort of all the PSOs, the Government and the Reserve Bank that has made India a shining star in global payments space. The Reserve Bank acknowledges the efforts put in by each one of the stakeholders for accomplishing this. Going by the theme of this conference (Payments Rendezvous - Reminisce, Revitalise), it is an opportune time to reminisce about this journey and identify the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Over the years and guided by key initiatives of the Reserve Bank, the payments landscape in India has evolved into a state-of-the-art system that is affordable, accessible, convenient, fast, safe and secure. India's payment infrastructure caters to the needs of a diverse group of consumers. It comprises a wide array of payment options for executing large value payments, retail credit transfers, fast payments, cheque clearing, card payments, bulk repetitive payments, bill payments, toll collections, offline payments, etc. In India, there are about 114 crore mobile phone connections, with urban and rural share being 55% and 45% respectively. Powered by Capital Market - Live News Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) gained 2.10% to Rs 64.23 after TTIPL-RVNL consortium emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for a National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) project aggregating to Rs 1,271.99 crore. The cost of the project is Rs 1,271.99 crore in which Tracks & Towers Infratech (TTIPL) share stands at 51% while the remaining 49% remains with RVNL. The scope of the project entails six-lane Greenfield Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata highway from Sonepurbigha village to junction with NH-22 (Chatra Bypass) near Chatra under Bharatmala Pariyojana in the state of Jharkhand on hybrid annuity mode (Package-8). The PSU company said that the project is expected to be completed within 2 years. Meanwhile, the civil construction company on Friday announced that it emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for composite contract package in connection with new BG Railway Line of Haryana Orbital Rail Corporation (HORC) project. The cost of the project is Rs 1,088.49 crore and it is expected to be executed within 1,460 days. Rail Vikas Nigam is in the business of executing all types of railway projects including new lines, doubling, gauge conversion, railway electrification, metro projects, workshops, major bridges, construction of cable stayed bridges, institution buildings etc. As of 31 December 2022, the Government held 78.2% stake in the company. Also Read PNC Infratech declared L1 bidder for NHAI road project worth Rs 1260 cr RVNL gains on emerging as L1 bidder for HORC project worth Rs 1,088 cr RVNL gains on bagging highway project RVNL jumps after order win RVNL inks JV with Kyrgyzindustry Ujjivan Financial Services Ltd leads losers in 'A' group Volumes soar at Aarti Drugs Ltd counter Metal shares fall Real Estate stocks slide Basic materials shares edge lower The company had reported 30.5% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 382.42 crore in Q3 FY23 from Rs 293.01 crore posted in Q3 FY22. Revenue from operations declined marginally to Rs 5,012.09 crore in Q3 FY23 as against Rs 5,049.24 crore posted in the same quarter last year. Powered by Capital Market - Live News South Korean and U.S. troops hold tactical discussions during the combined Korea Combat Training Center drills in Inje, 165 kilometers east of Seoul, which began March 13, in this photo provided by the South's Army, March 20. Yonhap South Korea and the United States are conducting combined high-tech military drills with increased "intensity and realism," the Army here said Monday, as part of joint efforts to bolster deterrence against growing North Korean threats. The drills are under way at the Korea Combat Training Center (KCTC), a facility employing cutting-edge technologies for realistic ground drills, in Inje, 165 kilometers east of Seoul. The maneuvers are to run through Friday, in connection with the allies' ongoing Freedom Shield exercise. For the drills, the U.S. military deployed a battalion-size unit for the first time. The South mobilized wheeled-armored vehicles and reconnaissance drones, while the U.S. brought Stryker armored vehicles and other assets. The latest drills are divided into two three-day parts of separate defense and attack operations to heighten its "intensity and realism," according to the armed service. Previous KCTC sessions were held for four days in total. "Through this combined exercise, (we) were able to enhance the interoperability of the combined assets through tactical collaboration with the Stryker Brigade Combat Team," a South Korean official was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, the allies kicked off their first large-scale amphibious landing exercise in five years on Monday. The Ssangyong training is to take place in and around Pohang, 272 kilometers southeast of Seoul, through April 3. It had not been held since its last edition in 2018 amid the preceding Moon Jae-in administration's drive for inter-Korean rapprochement. (Yonhap) Sumitomo Chemical India announced that the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has revoked the closure issued to the company's Bhavnagar site for three months. On 25 February this year, a fire accident had occurred at the company's Bhavnagar site in the multi product plant, which produces two products. In the first week of March, the GPCB had issued closure order for the company's Bhavnagar site. Offering updates on the same, Sumitomo Chemical stated that the GPCB has revoked the said closure order for 3 months subject to the company fulfilling the stipulations specified in the closure order and complying with the undertaking given by it in the matter. In view of the above, the company has restarted production at its Bhavnagar site, Sumitomo Chemical said in a statement. Sumitomo Chemical India manufactures, imports and markets products for crop protection, grain fumigation, rodent control, bio pesticides, environmental health, professional pest control and feed additives for use in India. SCIL has also marked its presence in Africa and several other geographies of the world. Also Read Sumitomo Chemical India intimates of a fire accident at Bhavnagar site Anupam Rasayan receives directive from Gujarat Pollution Control Board Balaji Amines commissions Phase 1 of plant Indices drop on subdued global cues; weak market breadth LIC raises stake in IRCTC NSE SME MCON Rasayan India makes strong debut Bliss GVS Pharma declines after Palghar units gets Form 483 with 3 observations from US FDA Cochin Shipyard spurts on bagging order for zero emission feeder container vessels Torrent Pharma's Gujarat facility gets one USFDA observation NCLT grants approval to merger of HDFC with HDFC Bank The company's consolidated net profit rose 1.74% to Rs 90.48 crore on a 6.57% increase in sales to Rs 753.65 crore in Q3 FY23 over Q3 FY22. The scrip shed 0.41% to currently trade at Rs 435.70 on the BSE. Powered by Capital Market - Live News Tata Consumer Products: The company has ceased negotiations with Bisleri with regard to a potential transaction and to confirm that the company has not entered into any definitive agreement or binding commitment on this matter. Navin Fluorine International: The board of Navin Fluorine Advanced Sciences (NFASL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the company has approved a capital expenditure of Rs 450 crore for setting up a new 40,000 tonnes per annum hydrofluoric acid capacity at Dahej. Torrent Pharmaceuticals: The USFDA conducted Pre-Approval Inspection [PAI] of Oral-Oncology manufacturing facility at Bileshwarpura, Gujarat from 13 March 2023 to 17 March 2023. At the end of the inspection, it has issued a 'Form 483' with 1 observation, which is procedural in nature. Havells India: The company has started commercial production of Air-Conditioners at its Sri-City plant, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh from 17 March 2023. SKF India: The board of directors of the company has agreed to make an investment in M/s Cleanmax Taiyo Private Limited ('the Investee Company') by acquiring 2,600 fully paid up equity shares of Rs. 10/- each equivalent to 26% of the total issued and paid-up share capital of the Investee Company. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL): RVNL emerged as the Lowest Bidder (L1) for composite contract package in connection with new BG Railway Line of HORC project. The cost of project is Rs. 1088.49 crore. Also Read Dhunseri Tea spurts on inking pact with Apeejay Tea Industrials shares edge higher Tata Coffee soars after Q2 PAT rises 174% YoY Industrials shares edge higher Industrials shares gain TCS, Infosys, Dr. Reddy's Lab, Voltas to be watched Federal Bank, Patanjali Foods, Sunflag Iron, Godawari Power in focus Cipla, TVS Motor, RailTel Corporation in focus Lupin, Tata Chemicals, Divgi TorqTransfer, Surya Roshni to be watched M&M, IndusInd Bank, Lupin, Nazara Technologies in focus Powered by Capital Market - Live News Torrent Pharmaceuticals said that the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) had pre-approval inspection (PAI) at its oral-oncology manufacturing facility at Bileshwarpura, Gujarat.The inspection was conducted from 13 March to 17 March 2023. Following the inspection, the USFDA issued a Form 483 with one observation. We will respond to the USFDA within stipulated timeline and work closely with USFDA to address the observation at the earliest, the company said in exchange filing. Torrent Pharmaceuticals is the flagship company of the Torrent Group. It is ranked 7th in the Indian Pharmaceuticals market and is amongst the top 5 in the therapeutics segments of cardiovascular (CV), gastro intestinal (GI), central nervous system (CNS), and vitamins minerals nutritionals (VMN). On consolidated basis, the company's net profit rose 13.7% to Rs 283 crore on 18.17% jump in net revenue from operations to Rs 2,491 crore in Q3 FY23 over Q3 FY22. The scrip was down 0.21% to Rs 1,527.35 on the BSE. Powered by Capital Market - Live News The collapse of Credit Suisse, a storied Swiss institution only a few years younger than the Swiss Confederation itself, is at some levels hard to explain. There is no clear link between the troubles in the US banking sector led by the problems at now defunct Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and questions about Credit Suisse. As pointed out last week by analysts at Citibank, there should be limited read-across from the failure of Silicon Valley Bank to banks in Europe, which, analysts said, have less deposit concentration, are still seeing healthy deposit flows, operate with large liquidity portfolios, and remain well capitalised. This seems to demonstrate the US banking system had idiosyncratic flaws, caused, in part, by Washingtons decision to regulate only certain banks as systemically important. One bank in Europe, however, did stand apart from the description: And that was Credit Suisse, which has been seeing steady deposit outfl Or Ahead of the Parliament session on Monday, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his UK speech, and said that 'along with freedom comes a sense of responsibility'. Speaking to the media this morning, Puri said, "If any individual goes outside the country he has the freedom to speak but along with that freedom comes what I call the need to have a sense of responsibility. We are the world's oldest democracy but Mr Gandhi goes to the UK and says Indian democracy is facing an attack on the basic structure." He also reminded the Congress that it was under the Indira Gandhi regime that civil liberties were curbed. Puri questioned Rahul Gandhi's objective behind his statement and asked him to apologise. Minister further said, "It was only the Indira Gandhi government that curbed civil liberties during the emergency. "His grandmother invoked Article 356 150 times to suspend and dismiss legitimately elected state governments." Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while in his address in London recently, said, "Everybody knows and it's been in the news a lot that Indian democracy is under pressure and under attack. I am an Opposition leader in India, we are navigating that (Opposition) space. The institutional framework which is required for a democratic Parliament, free press, the judiciary, just the idea of mobilisation, moving around all are getting constrained. So, we are facing an attack on the basic structure of Indian democracy." BJP president J P Nadda on Sunday lashed out at the Congress, saying it does not have any ideology and cannot think "beyond one family". At the same time, he said, BJP is a party with ideology, "so we have to move forward by working with 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas'". "They (Congress) cannot think beyond one family," Nadda said addressing BJP's 'Shakti Kendra Samagam' at Samalkha in Panipat, according to a party release. BJP workers of six Lok Sabha segments in the state were among those present at the event, which was also addressed by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and state BJP chief O P Dhankar. Earlier in the day, after virtually inaugurating the 'National Youth Parliament' of his party's youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha being held in Chennai, Nadda had accused Rahul Gandhi of overstepping all bounds of democracy and said he should be sent packing "lock, stock and barrel" in a democratic manner. The Congress has become mentally bankrupt, the BJP chief said while alleging that Gandhi "instigated" foreign powers like the US and European countries to interfere in India's internal affairs by claiming that they were "oblivious" while democracy was under threat in India. Also Read J P Nadda begins whirlwind tour of Himachal for pro-incumbency votes BJP President Nadda to visit Odisha tomorrow, to address 2 public meetings BJP meeting likely next month in Delhi to endorse extension of Nadda's term J P Nadda's tenure as BJP president extends till June 2024 amid elections PM Modi has changed political culture of the country: BJP's J P Nadda Paradise regained: J&K puts in elbow grease to get Srinagar ready for G20 BJP trying to topple Delhi govt by offering money to MLAs, alleges AAP AAP hits out at LG amid row over allotment of Sisodia's govt residence Akhilesh slams Centre for misusing central agencies, to meet Mamata today Delhi govt overcoming various hurdles being put in its way: Kejriwal At the event in Panipat, Nadda while praising leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said the PM's leadership has raised India's prestige globally. He advised the workers that even though BJP is the largest party in the world and the opponents also accept this, "but we should not stop being satisfied with it, rather we have to work continuously to further increase the party base". He expressed confidence that the way BJP is currently working in Haryana, soon the party will grow four-fold more in the coming times than what it is at present. Nadda told the workers to take the schemes of the Modi government to masses. On the occasion, he also mentioned several welfare schemes of the Central government for the poor and other sections of society, and said that the hard work of each and every worker of the party is paying off. BJP in Haryana is eyeing to come to power again after the 2024 state assembly polls. At present, the 10 Lok Sabha MPs from Haryana also belong to BJP. Earlier, in his address at the event, Chief Minister Khattar said his government's aim is to ensure that the last person standing in queue should get the benefits of the government's schemes. Khattar said the state government is continuously working in the interest of the society. Working with the spirit of 'Antyodaya', he said the government is committed to uplifting of the weakest section of the society and ensure that the last person standing in queue gets benefits of schemes. Khattar called upon party workers to work unitedly to take the schemes and achievements of the government to the masses. "The state government has launched important schemes to strengthen the economic condition of the needy, farmers and backward classes so that their standard of living could be improved," he added. The premium smartphone market in India is set to grow despite the economic slowdown, Dr T.M. Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, said on Monday. Rising adoption of 5G smartphones and global consumer trend to buy smartphones that are more reliable will lead to growth in the Indian market, Dr Roh told IANS. "Demand for premium smartphones, with a price tag of over $400 in India, is rising quickly as the 5G network expands. The 5G smartphone market here is expected to grow by over 60 per cent in 2023, with the premium smartphone market projected to grow by more than 30 per cent," he elaborated. Samsung recently said it had notched over 140,000 pre-bookings for its premium Galaxy S23 series in just 24 hours in India, twice the number of pre-bookings it received for Galaxy S22 series last year. "It is being very well received by Indian customers, especially the Galaxy S23 Ultra in green," he said. Dr Roh, the youngest President ever appointed at Samsung, said the Indian smartphone market will keep growing and Samsung will be there for the ride. Also Read Samsung announces Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus, Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphones Samsung Galaxy S23, S23 Plus with Qualcomm SD 8 Gen 2 unveiled: Details Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus review: Packs quite a punch in slender form factor Samsung unveils Galaxy S23 series smartphones, Galaxy Book3 series laptops Samsung Unpacked event highlights: Galaxy S23 series, Book3 series unveiled Twitter's two-factor authentication moves behind paywall effective today Google adds contact photos to conversation threads in messages Non-Twitter Blue users now have last chance to switch away from SMS 2FA Mobile users to lose $58 bn in scam calls globally this year: Report Acer launches new laptop with AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors in India According to analysts, India will have nearly 1 billion smartphone users by 2026, driven by rapid adoption of smartphones in young consumers. India has over 600 million Gen MZ consumers, the largest in the world. Dr Roh said Samsung will continue to invest in its R&D center in India and advance the smart factory technology at its manufacturing center in India. "2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Korea and India's diplomatic relationship. I am looking forward to the next 50 years and please continue to show your love and support for Galaxy products, which are created with effort, dedication and innovation," he added. --IANS na/vd Google has added a contact's profile photo to the top of conversations in messages for Android, following larger changes to "RCS" branding and read receipt icons in recent weeks. Messages have always allowed users to open Google Contacts by tapping a person's name in the app bar -- the company is now emphasising that shortcut by showing their profile pictures as well, according to 9to5Google. It is the same image that appears in the main list of conversations when tapping on the space in group conversations opens that detail page. This design is consistent with other apps, with Facebook Messenger and Telegram displaying avatars in the same left position, while iMessage displays it in the centre, the report said. Moreover, the magnifying glass icon has been removed as part of this change, and "Search" has been added to the overflow menu. In January, Google rolled out end-to-end encryption in group chats for messages app users enrolled in the beta programme. Also Read Google Photos users complain of older photographs getting 'corrupted' Microsoft enables Apple iCloud Photos integration in Windows 11 Photos app This is how India's new Parliament building will look like: Pics inside WhatsApp new update soon let users share high quality photos on iOS beta Google Messages to add new feature to let users make own profiles Non-Twitter Blue users now have last chance to switch away from SMS 2FA Mobile users to lose $58 bn in scam calls globally this year: Report Acer launches new laptop with AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors in India Samsung to invest in smart manufacturing capability, research in India Optiemus, Primebook join hands to manufacture Made-in-India 4G laptops With this feature, one-on-one texts sent using messages by Google will be encrypted so they are private and secure and can only be seen by the sender and recipient. The Google messages app already includes end-to-end encryption when messaging someone who also has the RCS (Rich Communication Services) chat features enabled, however, this has so far been limited to messages between two parties and not group chats. --IANS shs/prw Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security measure to prevent an external threat from hacking a users account. Users have to confirm their identity with their password and a security key or a second mode of authentication, such as an SMS text message on the phone, to be able to access their account and prevent bad actors from breaking into the account. Security features for non-Blue subscribers accounts are in a bit of a spot, as Twitter places its two-factor authentication behind paywall, effective Monday. Non-Twitter Blue subscribers who have already enrolled will have 30 days to disable this method and enroll in another. After 20 March, 2023, we will no longer permit non-Twitter Blue subscribers to use text messages as a 2FA method. At that time, accounts with text message 2FA (that is) still enabled will have it disabled, the blog read. On February 15, Twitter updated its social media blog, informing users to either subscribe to the platforms new premium service in order to keep 2FA, or lose the two-factor authentication via text message. The feature was shut down for regular Twitter users, to prevent phone-number-based 2FA from being abused by bad actors. Currently, Twitter Blue is available in India for Rs 650 on the web and Rs 900 on mobile. Twitter also offers subscriptions for an annual fee of Rs 6,800 per year or around Rs 566 per month. However, users can continue to access the security feature, using a hardware security key or a third-party authentication app. Also Read India leads in adoption and usage of multi-factor authentication: Report How will Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter change the public square? Twitter Blue 'verification' rolled out in India, to cost Rs 719 per month What is Twitter's blue tick? What is two-factor authentication? Google adds contact photos to conversation threads in messages Non-Twitter Blue users now have last chance to switch away from SMS 2FA Mobile users to lose $58 bn in scam calls globally this year: Report Acer launches new laptop with AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors in India Samsung to invest in smart manufacturing capability, research in India After Elon Musk acquired Twitter last year, the micro-blogging site made multiple cost-cutting changes, such as laying off about 50 per cent of the workforce, along with firing top executives. 2FA is a result of this drive. According to Musks tweet, Twitter is getting scammed by phone companies for $60 million per year of fake 2FA SMS messages. Further, spending of Twitters top 30 advertisers fell by 42 per cent to an estimated $53.8 million, until the end of 2022, as reported by Reuters. To avoid the subscription fee yet maintain 2FA using an authentication app, users will need to go to the settings page on the Twitter app, select Security and Account access, and choose Security to enter the two-factor authentication page. Disable the Text Message option if it is enabled and then select Authentication App'. There are multiple third-party authentication apps including reliable ones such as Google Authenticator and Duo Mobile. Open the app, and then scan the QR code displayed on Twitters website. A six-digit numeric code will be displayed to confirm the process, and the set-up is completed, using an app-based two-factor authentication. An emergency meeting was called by James Musk when President Joe Bidens tweets on SuperBowl were getting more views than Elon Musks tweets. As a result of changes made by engineers, Musks tweets were artificially inflated by 1000 factors. This has not only increased the viewership of Musks tweets by his followers but has been pushed to the For You tab of the apps home page, for all users. Twitter has also banned tweets on competitive platforms, as well as blocked third-party apps like Tweetbots that aim to improve the user experience. Twitter has also suspended access to its API by other alternative platforms. Earlier this year, Musk announced the first part of much-awaited UI changes that would allow users to swipe right/left to move between recommended and followed tweets. Twitter introduced the blue-tick verification for a subscription of $8. On March 31, Twitter is set to open source all code to recommend tweets. Elon Musk is also planning to set up a Content Moderation Council, responsible for all content-related decisions. The option to upload video content behind a paywall is also being explored. In a most recent move, Musk enabled an automated off-colour emoji reply to journalists contacting the companys press department. Rajesh Gopinathans decision to step down as chief executive officer or CEO of Tata Consultancy Services or TCS has surprised analysts. However, they are not too worried regarding continuity of operations of the firm. So, with the board naming another company veteran K Kritivasan as his successor, what does Gopinathans exit mean for TCS? The government is set to make a crucial change through the Finance Bill 2023 with regard to the provisions of angel tax. The tax will now be applicable even when shares are issued to non-resident investors. Experts believe this may not be very conducive to Indias image as a destination of foreign investment. Markets have been on a roller-coaster ride last week, amid developments with regard to select US banks and Credit Suisse in Europe. Puneet Wadhwa caught up with JIM ROGERS, chairman of Rogers Holdings, for his views on the developments and his investing strategies in this backdrop. Like the global banking sector, the Indian stock markets have remained subdued, with the market cap-to-GDP ratio falling to a three-year low.Indias market cap-to-GDP ratio fell below 100% for the first time in three years as correction in stock prices over the last few months eroded the aggregate m-cap of all the BSE-listed companies. However, despite the correction, India remains richly valued. In this episode of the podcast, find out what an m-cap-to-GDP ratio is, and how investors should read it. Two U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers, upper left, fly in formation with South Korean Air Force F-35A fighter jets and U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets over South Korean skies during a joint air drill, Sunday. Courtesy Ministry of Defense Pyongyang will continue to raise belligerence, experts say By Lee Hyo-jin The United States' strategic assets deployed to South Korea seem to be having a limited effect in deterring North Korea's evolving nuclear threats, according to experts on Monday, as seen by Pyongyang's latest provocation that came just minutes before U.S. strategic bombers entered South Korean skies. North Korea test-fired yet another ballistic missile on Sunday, the same day U.S. strategic bombers took part in joint air drills with the Republic of Korea Air Force. According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JSC), a short-range ballistic missile was launched from the North's northwestern Tongchang-ri area around 11:05 a.m. and flew about 800 kilometers over land before falling into the waters off its east coast. The missile was launched some 25 minutes before the two B-1B bombers entered South Korean airspace in a scheduled joint training exercise involving South Korea's F-35A stealth jets and U.S. F-16 fighters. The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Monday that the missile launch was "a part of drills simulating a tactical nuclear counterattack against its enemies." This was a reference to Seoul and Washington, which are currently holding the 11-day Freedom Shield joint drill that began March 13. Experts said Pyongyang's latest show of force is somewhat different from previous ones in that it came in the face of U.S. strategic assets. Strategic assets usually refer to nuclear-powered submarines, nuclear-capable bombers and aircraft carriers. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, center, and his daughter Ju-ae, left, oversee the country's two-day drills simulating tactical nuclear attacks over the weekend, in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, Monday. Yonhap Hytera Communications (SZSE: 002583), a leading global provider of professional communications technologies and solutions, has been providing Guardforce Security Thailand with its newest Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) radios and Hytera HyTalk software suite to facilitate nationwide instant group communications and better team collaboration among Guardforce staff. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230314006104/en/ Guardforce security personnel on duty with Hytera PoC radios (Photo: Business Wire) Guardforce Thailand is a major security company that supplies technology-driven security solutions to a wide range of clients across Thailand, including banks, government organizations, retailers, shopping malls, hotels, airports, and enterprises. It currently employs approximately 5,000 security personnel nationwide across its three divisions. The security provider used to rely on analog two-way radios for communications and found that the limitations of the legacy radio system had a detrimental effect on the efficiency of day-to-day operations. Guardforce, therefore, decided to upgrade to a new communications system with more extensive coverage, greater capacity, and better audio quality. Guardforce chose Hyteras PoC solution after extensive research. The one-stop solution, comprising Hyteras HyTalk platform and PNC380 and PNC360S PoC radios, provides substantial improvements in both connectivity and functionality and serves as the choice of Guardforce moving forward in a competitive security market. Our staff is now equipped with Hytera PNC380 and PNC360S PoC radios that allow us to communicate over long distances, said Kanayos Manaakkarakul, Sale and Innovation Manager of Guardforce. I would say, these PoC radios have solved many problems for us. They helped our security personnel meet customer requirements with much higher efficiency. The partnership between Guardforce and Hytera will lead to more innovations for Guardforce to better serve its clients. About Hytera Hytera Communications Corporation Limited (SZSE: 002583) is a leading global provider of professional communications technologies and solutions. With voice, video, and data capabilities, we provide faster, safer, and more versatile connectivity for business and mission-critical users. We make the world more efficient and safer by enabling our customers to achieve more in both daily operations and emergency response. Learn more at https://www.hytera.com/en/industries/security.html View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230314006104/en/ This undated photo provided by the Incheon Transit shows graffiti on the outside of a subway train. Newsis A 27-year-old American man arrested for secretly painting graffiti on Korean trains last year admitted to all of the charges in his court trial in Incheon on Monday, saying he is an artist. The man has been indicted on six charges, including property damage, after allegedly breaking into nine subway train garages across the country between Sept. 14-24 and spray-painting graffiti on trains, together with a 28-year-old Italian accomplice. He was apprehended in Romania last November and brought back to Korea in January, but the Italian accomplice still remains at large. A 27-year-old American man arrested for secretly painting graffiti on Korean trains last year admitted to all of the charges in his court trial in Incheon, March 20. Newsis Rhee Keun, a Navy SEAL-turned-YouTuber, attends a hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, March 20. Yonhap Rhee Keun, a Navy SEAL-turned-YouTuber known for entering Ukraine to fight against Russia's invasion, punched another Youtuber on Monday after attending a court hearing for the unauthorized entry. The clash happened in the hallway outside a courtroom of the Seoul Central District Court when the other YouTuber, whose identity was withheld, hurled accusations that Rhee failed to repay debts and demanded an apology. Rhee cursed at the other YouTuber and punched him once in the face. The other YouTuber immediately reported the incident to the police. Both have previously made various allegations against each other on their respective channels. Last May, Rhee returned home after serving as a volunteer fighter in Ukraine for three months, violating a travel ban to the region. Since February last year, the Korean government has banned its nationals from traveling to Ukraine. During the court hearing Monday, Rhee admitted to the charges of violating passport laws. (Yonhap) Chun Woo-won is seen in this image captured from his Instagram post. Yonhap Police have launched a preliminary investigation into a grandson of former President Chun Doo-hwan over suspected illegal drug use, officials said Monday. Chun Woo-won, who is currently in New York City, recently made allegations about corruption involving his family as well as suspected drug offenses by him and some of his acquaintances. He was rushed to a hospital Friday (Korean time) after appearing to take narcotics while live streaming on YouTube. "We are currently conducting a preliminary investigation and checking the safety of the subject through an attache there," an official from the National Office of Investigation said. The police have also started inquiries into suspected drug offenders mentioned by him. The agency applied for warrants to seize their social media accounts to identify them. The former president, who died at the age of 90 in 2021, seized power in a 1979 military coup and served as a president from 1980 to 1988. He was imprisoned for treason and corruption in 1996, but was released through a presidential pardon the following year. Chun Woo-won is the son of the former strongman's second son, Jae-yong. Last week, he posted undisclosed photos and fresh revelations about his family on social media, which have gone viral in Korea. He referred to his grandfather as "a slaughterer," due to a bloody crackdown on the pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju in 1980. He accused his family of living luxuriously using a huge amount of hidden slush funds of his grandfather. The former president had been ordered to forfeit about 220 billion won ($167.7 million) but refused to pay in full, citing a lack of money. So far, about 58 percent of the total has been collected. Chun Woo-won claimed his father is working to obtain U.S. citizenship to evade the law and use the illegal fund hidden in the United States, while accusing his uncle of operating an expensive winery in California with black money. On Monday, a civic group filed a complaint with the prosecution against the Chun family's alleged irregularities, including hiding and using criminal proceeds, and obstructing justice. Prosecution and police officials said they are looking into Chun Woo-won's remarks for possible investigation into the family members. (Yonhap) Among the handful of businesses that not only generates income for a nation but also opens up a large number of options for employment creation as well as provides jobs that arise well outside the industry is tourism. As a result, it is crucial for social progress in many nations around the world. Individuals go to various nations to become acquainted with indigenous civilizations, see historical sites, learn interesting facts, do business, and for other reasons. These factors are leading to an enormous increase in the demand for people across numerous industries who can handle things effectively. Graduates of the BBA Tourism programme can find employment in a variety of fields, including hospitality management, tour operation, transportation, and more. Students who complete their BBA in Tourism programme successfully can pursue their professions and succeed in their fields. The course is beneficial for candidates who can own their businesses or work in any industry. It also has significant use in educational institutions, where the applicant may easily adapt to the role of a lecturer or instructor in any institution. Career Opportunities in BBA Tourism Here are some of the career prospects in the aforementioned course, Transportation Management Travelers require transportation not only to and from destinations but also while they are independently exploring such destinations. With a BBA in Travel and Tourism, you may find work as a tour guide, voyage planner, itinerary manager, supervisor of rail and road transportation, and more. You are qualified for a wide range of career options in the transportation sector of the industry thanks to the degree's adaptability. Tour Operators The best professional path in the tourism industry is that of a tour guide. You will be leading tours and overseeing all aspects of the tourists' stay, including their initial vacation plans, meals, and lodging, as a tour guide. One of the most in-demand jobs in the travel and tourism sector is the tour guide. Additionally, they are in charge of helping tourists make lodging arrangements and enlightening them about important cultural, economic, and cultural landscapes. Travel Consultant The role of a travel consultant is to assess customer requirements and provide them with the most appropriate solutions. Travel consultants earn a lot of money since they put a lot of effort into giving great customer service to avoid interfering with clients' vacation plans. Travel Coordinator Travel Coordinator coordinating the company's travel arrangements. Arranging flights, scheduling meeting spaces, distributing information to the appropriate people, managing support employees, etc. Travel PR Manager The reputation of the company is managed in several ways by public relations managers. Their important responsibilities include raising knowledge of the company and establishing a solid image in the travel and tourism sector. They coordinate amongst various divisions within the travel agency, create media releases, and manage events. Conference Room Supervisor The operations and profitability of a conference centre are under the control of conference centre management. They must coordinate everyday routines with numerous divisions, including marketing and reception, manage finances, keep an eye on inventory and machinery, and bargain with consumers and vendors. Hotel Managers Hotel managers make sure that everything runs well daily. In addition to ensuring that guests are satisfied, hotel managers oversee finances, hire staff, conduct sales, coordinate maintenance, verify that safety requirements are met, check supply levels, and handle complaints from clients. gettyimagesbank By Jun Ji-hye Public officials of all ages appear reluctant to engage in team lunches, according to a research report published by the Korea Institute of Public Administration, Sunday. The Institute surveyed 1,021 public officials of various ages from May to June last year. It found both the MZ Generation and older generations showed negative responses to the question of whether having lunch with co-workers is necessary. The MZ Generation is a term referring to Millennials and Generation Z. There was a slight difference in their degree of reluctance though. Responses of the MZ Generation stood at 2.23 points on a 5-point scale, while those of the older generations were tallied at 2.70 points. Among the MZ Generation, the younger Generation Z appeared to be more reluctant than Millennials about team lunches with 1.95 points and 2.30 points, respectively. The institute categorized those born in 1981 or earlier as belonging to older generations, and those born in 1982 or later as the MZ Generation. Those born between 1982 and 1994 were categorized as Millennials, while those born between 1995 and 2004 were categorized as Generation Z. During an interview with the institute, public officials from older generations said they hesitate to have lunch with co-workers as they are worried that younger people may feel uncomfortable when having lunch with older or more senior co-workers. When asked whether it is important for team members to get to know each other, responses of the MZ Generation and older generations stood at 3.44 and 3.70, respectively. According to statistics tallied by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, public officials from the MZ Generation accounted for 41.4 percent of the total as of 2020. "As the ratio of public officials from the MZ Generation is expected to keep increasing, the way of working in the public sector should be adjusted in a way to respect how younger generations want to utilize their time," an official from the institute said. CRH receives first fossil-free steel construction hauler 20 March 2023 At CONEXPO 2023 in Las Vegas, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) handed over the first construction machine made from fossil-free steel for a North American cement producer. Volvo CEs A30G articulated hauler was handed over by President of Volvo CE, Melker Jernberg, to Scott Parson, President Americas Materials at CRH, a long-standing customer of Volvo CE. Pennsy Supply Inc, a CRH company will use the fossil-free A30G at its East Petersburg Quarry in Pennsylvania. Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB produced the fossil-free steel using a completely new technology with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. The result is a significantly lower climate impact in SSABs production process, an at least 90 per cent reduction in CO 2 emissions, and an important step towards a net-zero emissions value chain. Scott Parson, president Americas Materials at CRH, comments: No business can solve the complex challenges such as climate change alone. We need to actively partner with key players throughout our value chain to innovate and create new business solutions. Volvo and SSAB have converted emerging technology in the steel industry into a working model of what the future will look like. We are delighted to be the first recipient of this technology in the US. Published under Akmenes Cementas to import SRF to replace coal 20 March 2023 Lithuania-based Akmenes Cementas plans to import up to 200,000t of solid recovered fuel (SRF) each year, replacing its use of coal. According to the Baltic Business Daily, the company currently uses around 130,000t of coal each year. By 2024 SRF will replace 75 per cent of the coal, rising to 90 per cent by the end of 2027. Akmenes Cementas is reportedly in the process of installing specialist equipment for the handling and burning of the SRF, which will arrive via the port of Klaipeda. On arrival, the SRF will be stored at the port before being transported to Naujoji Akmene by road or rail. The company is intending to source the new fuel from supplies in Lithuania and across Europe, including Poland and the UK. Published under 400,000 gallons of radioactive water leaked from U.S. nuclear power plant Xinhua) 11:02, March 20, 2023 WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- About 400,000 gallons of radioactive water has leaked from a nuclear power plant in Monticello, the midwestern U.S. state of Minnesota, regulators revealed recently. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) said this week that state agencies are monitoring Xcel Energy's efforts to clean up "a release of water contaminated with tritium" detected at the company's Monticello nuclear-generating plant. Xcel Energy reported the leak to the Minnesota Duty Officer and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in late November 2022 after finding unusual results during routine groundwater monitoring. The four-month delay in making public the leak of radioactive water has sparked concerns about public safety and transparency. The MPCA said in a news release that the leak has been stopped and has not reached the Mississippi River or contaminated drinking water sources. There is no evidence at this time to indicate a risk to any drinking water wells in the vicinity of the plant, the release also read. Tritium is a naturally occurring radioactive form of hydrogen that is produced in the atmosphere. It is a byproduct of the production of electricity by nuclear power plants. Xcel Energy said the leak came from a water pipe running between two buildings at its Monticello facility and was stopped. The company also said it is monitoring the groundwater plume through two dozen wells while pumping contaminated groundwater through extraction wells. "We are working to ensure this cleanup is concluded as thoroughly as possible with minimal or no risk to drinking water supplies," said Kirk Koudelka, MPCA assistant commissioner for land and strategic initiatives. Xcel Energy is said to be exploring building aboveground storage tanks or installing a retention pond to store water containing tritium that has been collected during ongoing recovery activities. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Most passengers remain masked up on a subway train in Seoul, the first day the mask mandate is lifted for public transportation, March 20. Yonhap Most commuters remained masked up on Monday, the first day the yearslong mask mandate was lifted for public transportation, as many stay wary of lingering infection risks and under peer pressure to wear a mask in public spaces. Wearing a mask is no longer mandatory on public transportation, such as buses, the subway or taxis, as one of the last-remaining COVID-19 restrictions came to an end in the country's efforts to return to pre-pandemic normalcy. The decision came two years and five months after the government made it mandatory to wear a mask on public transportation in October 2020 at the height of the pandemic. The mask mandate remains in place for medical facilities, pharmacies and other vulnerable facilities, such as nursing homes. Pharmacies at open public spaces, such as discount stores or train stations, will be exempt from the mask requirement. On early Monday morning, all 12 people who were waiting for a train on the platform of Subway Line 9's Express Bus Terminal Station were wearing a mask. One of them had his mask tucked under his chin but wore the mask back over his mouth and nose in haste to board the train as it arrived at the platform. Most commuters at other busy subway stations in Seoul, such as Seoul Station, Jonggak and Sindorim, were also wearing masks in the early morning. "I know I don't have to wear it, but I am wearing it by habit," Keum Hyung-cheol, a 30-year-old man, told Yonhap News Agency while waiting for a subway train at Sindorim Station. "People may start to take it off when the weather becomes hot, and I think I might follow suit when that time comes. But for now, I am in for a mask," he said. Another subway rider, a 64-year-old woman named Jeong Suk-jin, cited peer pressure as the reason why she continues to wear a mask on the subway. "It may feel wrong to take off the mask when everyone else is wearing it," she said aboard a train on Subway Line 1. "I will take it off when others do so." Only one of the 23 passengers who were on the first car of the train that left Subway Line 3's Sinsa Station in southern Seoul at around 7 a.m. was without a mask on. Most passengers on high-speed KTX trains and buses were also seen wearing a mask. Most passengers remain masked up on a subway train in Seoul, the first day the mask mandate is lifted for public transportation, March 20. Yonhap Chattanooga Police on Sunday afternoon were on the scene of a barricaded suspect. P olice responded at 1:37 p.m. to a residence on N. Howell Avenue on a call of unknown trouble. Once at the scene, police were advised of a domestic stabbing. The suspect was no longer at the scene. A short time later, police were alerted to the 800 block of Eddings Street where the stabbing suspect was alleged to be hiding. The ongoing Washington circus arising out of the search of ex-president, Donald Trumps palatial estate, Mar-a-Lago, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the voluntary surrender of various papers by President Joseph Bidens attorneys in January 2023 has brought up the subject of what are classified documents! (The political and legal maneuvering of the Democrats and Republicans prior to the 2024 elections will be left to the non-partial experts on Fox News and CNN, newspapers, and other media geniuses): DEFINITIONS 1. Classified information, or classified national security information, refers to documents or other mediums of intelligence that the government has deemed sensitive and therefore a potential threat to national security if released in an unauthorized way. 2. According to the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the three main levels of classified information are: a. Top Secret: information would cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security if there were an unauthorized release. b. Secret: information that would, with unauthorized release, be expected to cause serious damage to the national security. c. Confidential: information that is determined to have the potential to cause danger to the national security with unauthorized release. 3. The current topic of public interest was enumerated in an Executive Order signed by President Barack Obama in 2010 (since allegedly invalidated), but the most famous example of a release of a group of documents, the Pentagon Papers, dealt with the unauthorized release in the 1970s by Daniel Ellsberg, an analyst for the Secretary of Defense, that upended the American political climate and was ultimately decided by a decision of the United States Supreme Court. (No less is expected in the current political atmosphere in Washington between the Democrats and Republicans. The legality of the seizure/surrender of any documents will be a dual publicity bonanza to the media and financial benefits to the legal profession). * * * You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com An artist and Sewanee native, Sarah Campbell majored in anthropology at Sewanee and has owned two art galleries. Her mother lives in Sewanee, and Sarah regularly asks her to order her a few things from the South Cumberland Market since she doesnt have a farmers market nearby. When Sarah realized the Signal Mountain Farmers Market is not reopening, she decided to do something about it. She reached out to the SCM for guidance on how the farmers market is structured, and she found it. You may wonder how her background prepared her for this undertaking, which may seem like a long time coming but actually makes perfect sense. Ive taken slow steps over many years to make changes in my life to better support local businesses, the environment, and my own health. I have always loved going to farmers markets. I still have close ties in Sewanee and have been in awe of its farmers market, the South Cumberland Market, for a number of years. The market is all online, and you pick up your order on a certain day. They have a huge base of vendors and things run really smoothly, Sarah said. This community-minded gal has organized a farmers market on Signal Mountain, and lots of folks are not only involved but excited! Every Thursday, you will find everything from fresh vegetables and herbs to soaps, tinctures and nursery seedlings! The well-organized market should run like clockwork. Able to easily check the offerings for the week, customers can order and pay online. But they cant dawdle. There will be a four-day window to order, which will close on Tuesday morning. At that point, the growers and vendors will receive their orders and get to picking and plucking and preparing their goods for market. This way farmers only have to harvest what orders they fill, and it will also save customers time, Sarah explained. All orders will be delivered on Thursday mornings and ready for pick up at Bachman Community Center between 4-6 p.m. If thats not easy enough, there is also a delivery option. Want to know who grew those fabulous, juicy flavorful tomatoes or who made that amazing moisturizing bar of soap? Sarah plans to encourage a community spirit with the market, introducing makers on a regular basis. "We will at times likely showcase a vendor and have them set up in Bachman with their products so people can meet our growers, Sarah said. Although the market has yet to open, Sarah has big plans for it and believes it has the potential for great growth. And she is committed to this endeavor. I have been told that the hardest part of any farmers market is to continually have fresh produce since produce is often seasonal, but we are going to work really, really hard to find fresh produce throughout the year. I think this will be a big asset to the people of Signal Mountain and for the farmers who participate in it. It also has room for great growth, Sarah said. Part of that growth involves a community outreach program that is dear to Sarahs heart. "Once we get this market going, I will be starting a nonprofit program to take a home-cooked meal to folks who wish to remain in their home as they age. I want to help be part of changing the way we care for our elderly, and this will be the first step towards that vision. By delivering home cooked meals, this can help combat loneliness, [concerns about nutrition], and is a good way for families to supplement and have someone check in on their loved ones, Sarah explains. The market is scheduled to open the second week of March, but you can stay up to date on details at https://www.signalmountainfarmersmarketpickup.com or email Sarah at sewaneesarah@gmail.com. * * * Ferris Robinson is the author of three childrens books, The Queen Who Banished Bugs, The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds, and Call Me Arthropod in her pollinator series If Bugs Are Banished. Making Arrangements is her first novel. Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity is a collection of true tales about mans best friend. Her website is ferrisrobinson.com and you can download a free pollinator poster there. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror. Police responded with the fire department to McKee Foods Corporation for a fire involving a semi-trailer that was fully involved upon their arrival. The fire department was able to contain the blaze and put the fire out. Officers responded to a verbal disorder at the car wash in the 5000 block of Ooltewah Ringgold, near Four Corners, involving a dog chasing ducks at the duck pond. A property damage report was taken at the Hawthorne at the Summit apartment complex, involving a tenants vehicle. Officers responded to verbal disorder at a restaurant in the Robinson Corners Shopping Center involving a customers use of a coupon during a purchase. Police and the fire department were dispatched to the Spring Green apartments, across from Ooltewah Middle School, after receiving reports of smoke coming from a building. No fire or signs of smoke were found. A Collegedale fugitive was booked on a petition to revoke bond warrant from an original charge of theft. A night shift officer made contact with an occupied vehicle parked at a closed business in the 8800 block of Old Lee Highway. The occupants decided to leave the area. A Collegedale fugitive was booked for a failure to appear warrant after not appearing in court for a traffic citation. A vehicle crashed into a deer in the 10400 block of Lee Highway. The deer was not immediately located. An officer responded to the 9000 block of Jetrail Drive after receiving an unknown 911 call from somewhere in the surrounding area. The area was checked but no emergency found. A passerby reported what appeared to be a dying deer on the side of the road in the 10300 block of Lee Highway, near the site of the previously reported crash. An officer dispatched the deer. Walmart employees reported a theft that had occurred the previous day. Collegedale police were requested to assist Chattanooga police with a fight at Fu Lins restaurant in Cambridge Square. Collegedale officers responded and made contact with one of the suspects. Chattanooga police were advised and chose not to respond as it was believed to be a fight between mutual combatants. A resident of the Hawthorne at the Crest apartments reported that someone had attempted to use their credit card to make a large on-line purchase. A Collegedale fugitive was transported from the Bradley County Jail to the Hamilton County Jail on failure to appear warrants from drug related charges. Bonding agents brought in a Collegedale fugitive who had a bond revocation warrant for DUI. The fugitive was booked and transported to the jail. Officers responded to the Circle K gas station located at the intersection of Apison Pike and Little Debbie Parkway, in reference to an individual who appeared to be passed out behind the wheel of their vehicle. Contact was made with the driver who advised that they had just come back from California and had jet lag. The driver was determined to be okay. Police responded to the Hawthorne at the Summit apartment complex after receiving reports of an intoxicated resident. Due to the level of intoxication the officers called for EMS. Police responded to the Village at Apison Pike apartment complex for a domestic assault. A resident alleged that their partner had assaulted them and pushed them to the ground while they had been holding their two-month-old baby. The suspect fled the scene before officers arrived, and warrants for domestic assault, child abuse, and felony theft were obtained for their arrest. An officer was called to the 4400 block of University Drive for debris in the roadway. The officer cleaned up as much as they could and notified Public Works to clean up the rest. A traffic stop in the 10600 block of Lee Highway resulted in the drivers arrest for driving on a revoked license. They were also found to have Hamilton County warrants for failure to appear and domestic assault and were transported to the jail. An alarm was activated at Rhodes Storage, in the 5100 block of Ooltewah Ringgold Road. Nothing was located and the building was secured. An alarm was activated at Cracker Barrel, in the 8800 block of Old Lee Highway. Nothing was located and the building was secured. Safety is non-negotiable. Two mayors, Seattle and Chicago, didnt understand it and now theyre relegated to the waste bin of history. A progressive member of San Franciscos Board of Supervisors, who demanded laying off police officers in 2020 (SF Examiner, M Barba 8/21/20), didnt understand the consequences as she now demands more police in her crime filled district (SF Standard, M Ege 3/15/23). In a bi-partisan vote in the Congress, the woke criminal code reforms in DC were rejected. The Democrat, non-voting DC Rep called it an attack on home rule showing her utter lack of understanding that Congress has veto power over DC because of Article 1 8, Clause 17 of the US Constitution and the Home Rule Act of 1973. The DC council plan would have reduced penalties for burglaries, robberies and car-jackings. They didnt understand that would get the attention of Democrats in Congress, especially after Rep Angie Craig, D-MN was assaulted in her DC apartment building by a man with a long criminal history (ABC, L Barr 2/14/23). This shows officials understand they need to act when their own safety is threatened. NYC Mayor Adams said the Chicago mayors defeat is a warning sign to the rest of the country. He wouldnt have said that unless he understands that safety is non-negotiable. Ralph Miller * * * Mr. Ralph Miller uses liberal cities governed by Democrats to cleverly imply the Republicans would provide better safety, presumably at every level of government. But what is safety? There are many correct answers. My response focuses on only one answer that is far beyond the simplicity of Mr. Millers letter. That is the safety of our Constitution and the Rule of Law at all levels of government. Todays Republicans provide neither, by (1) appointing Supreme Court Justices, not with impartiality or judicial prudence, but by his or her lying under oath so each can promote Republican agendas, (2) promoting the Big Lie to attack voting, (3) attacking the freedoms of speech, press and religion of the First Amendment, (4) defending the sacrosanctness of the Second Amendment over human life; and the Republican lead States calling for a Constitutional Convention, and were on the cusp of one. Can we expect a new Republican initiated Constitution to provide the freedoms we enjoy today? Not if the Republicans are in control. Ive yet to see any attempts to compromise, and not many attempts by Democrats. In the meantime though, what are the Republicans doing to ensure the safety of our Constitution and the Rule of Law at all levels of government? According to Mr. Millers implication, they would be promoting new laws and processes affecting physical safety, such as strengthening impartial policing without using excessive force, and aggressively prosecuting crime. Instead, the safety of the Constitution and Rule of Law continues to be imperiled. (1) The Republicans call for releasing the political prisoners of the insurrection. Yet many have plead guilty to crimes of violent trespassing, property damage, and interfering with the activities of our government. This makes those people above the law. (2) Republican states are enacting laws to overrule the voters by allowing the removal of local prosecutors by more regulation if, in the opinion of the state, the wrong crimes are the subject of prosecution instead of the right crimes. (3) Todays Republican House of Representatives is investigating the weaponization of the Justice Department for political purposes since the targets of that so-called weaponization are Trump and MAGA extremists. (4) Todays Republican House of Representatives is investigating Twitter and Facebook because of their belief that Republicans, but not Democrats, rights to free speech were violated. Yet its clear that the Trump Administration was attempting to limit the Democrats rights to free speech on those platforms. Many, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, do not understand free speech may be limited by contract. Her free speech was never limited; she violated the contract to which she voluntarily agreed. And if free speech cannot be limited, why are there so many non-disclosure agreements required by Donald Trump, such as with Stormy Daniels, Karen McDougal, or any of the catch and kill agreements for disclosures about Trump executed by Fox? Even Ivana Trump was subject to a nondisclosure agreement in he divorce from Donald. Ironically, she died just as the agreement expired. (NY Daily News) (5) Todays Republican House, clearly in violation of the Tenth Amendment, is weaponzied to interfere in the legal investigation of Donald Trump for violation of New York campaign finance laws and cover up. They want Trump and MAGA to be above the law. That House weaponization may extend into Fulton County, Ga. for its legal investigation of MAGA interference in the 2020 Georgia Presidential election Im sure there will disagreement with this letter. Ironically, rather than civil disagreement supported by facts, Im sure many readers will exercise their freedom of speech by resorting only to name calling or vitriolic allegations of how I am wrong. They will want to restrict my First Amendment right. Didnt I say that earlier? And where will we be in 2025 and beyond if under Republican our way only rule? Joe Warren By Kim Se-jeong A man stopped his car in the middle of a heated argument with his wife on a busy highway on Sunday, causing his wife to be killed when a bus crashed into their vehicle. The husband told police that he stopped the vehicle in a bus-only lane of the highway near Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. The man survived by escaping the car before the crash. Tennessees 2023-24 fishing regulations are now in effect and anglers are encouraged to obtain the new Tennessee Fishing Guide now available at locations throughout the state, on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website (www.tnwildlife.org) and on the TWRA On the Go App. This years guide is in a digest format. The new size is a change from the previous years 8 x 11 inches size. This new size will allow you to easily store the guide in your tackle box or pack, said Mark Thurman, TWRAs Fisheries chief. The guide will help you to stay up-to-date with fishing regulations across the state. Hard copies of the guide are available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold and at the TWRAs four regional offices located in Jackson (Region I), Nashville (Region II), Crossville (Region III), and Morristown (Region IV). This years statewide and specific region regulation changes are featured in the Whats New section. The TWRA offers a reminder that hunting and fishing licenses and permits are now valid for one year from the date of purchase. Licenses are available online anytime at www.GoOutdoorsTennessee.com, on the TWRA On the Go App, or at one of 474 license agents across the state. You can also select to auto-renew your license and never worry about your license expiring again. Customers can also purchase a new design of the collectors card for any annual license. This newest waterproof, durable card features a choice of a turkey, crappie, or a racoon, the State of Tennessees wild animal. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will preview its recommendations for the 2023-24 hunting and trapping seasons at the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commissions one-day meeting on Friday, starting at 9 a.m. at Buffalo Ridge Refuge in Humphreys County. The preview will include harvest summaries of the 2022-23 elk, bear, deer, and turkey seasons and recommendations for the 2023-24 statewide hunting seasons and bag limits. Proposed regulation changes on various Wildlife Management Areas will also be presented. The Fisheries Division will preview a proposed changed to a commercial fishing regulation which would allow 5-inch mesh gill nets to be fished on Pickwick Reservoir. A summary of other states regulations regarding non-resident fishing licenses will be given. The meeting will be the first for Tommy Woods (Piney Flats) as TFWC 2022-24 Chairman. Other officers elected during the February meeting were Vice Chairman Jimmy Granbery (Nashville) and Secretary Chris Devaney (Lookout Mountain). Earl Bentz, who was announced as the TFWC Commission Legacy Award winner for 2022, will be present to receive his honor. Past TFWC Chair Angie Box will make the presentation. A flash fire left a worker with injuries at an apartment complex Monday morning in Chattanooga. CFD companies responded at 10:45 a.m. to the Marina Pointe Apartments on Lake Resort Drive. Someone was working in a vacant apartment at the complex resurfacing a bathtub. During that process, chemicals were sprayed and with no ventilation, vapors built up. The vapors caught a spark and caused a small explosion, blowing out the windows of the apartment and blowing the bathroom door off its hinges. The worker was left with burns and she was transported to the hospital for further treatment. The apartment building was evacuated and firefighters carefully monitored the air quality of every unit to make sure that it was safe for residents to return to their homes. Everyone is back in their apartments at this time. A city building inspector came to the scene to check the structure out of an abundance of caution. CFDs Special Operations Division responded, along with Quint 16, Ladder 19, Squad 19, Battalion 3, Squad 1, Hazmat 1 (Red Shift) and HCEMS. Chancellor Flora W. Tydings has been named as one of USA Todays Women of the Year for 2023. This recognition from the news organization is given to women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. The USA Today network includes The Tennessean, The Knoxville News Sentinel and The Commercial Appeal, as well as the Columbia Daily Herald, Oak Ridger, The Daily News Journal, The Jackson Sun and The Leaf-Chronicle.Officials said, "Chancellor Tydings recognition is a testament to her outstanding leadership and dedication to education, particularly in the state of Tennessee.Under her leadership, the states community and technical college system has expanded extensively, with new degree programs and partnerships throughout Tennessee. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that students have access to high-quality education and that the states workforce needs are met."USA Today asked Chancellor Tydings what has been her proudest moments, professionally or personally, and she replied that, personally, as a mother, shes proud of her four children and their accomplishments. She added, On the professional side, very similarly because I think I feel like all 120,000 of these students belong to me. Whenever they walk across the stage and realize one of their goals a graduation is probably the moment when I am the most proud. I love to be on stage and hear when a graduate is walking across the stage, somebody in the back yells, Go Grandma! You know that you are changing not just that person's life, but a familys life, and that is just a feeling that you cannot replicate.In addition to her contributions to education, Chancellor Tydings has also been recognized for her dedication to the broader community. She has served on various boards and committees, advocating for initiatives that promote economic development and education."Her commitment to improving the lives of those around her is inspiring and serves as a model for future leaders," officials said. "This recognition from USA Today highlights the importance of education and leadership, and the positive impact community and technical education has on individuals and communities alike. The Tennessee Board of Regents congratulates Chancellor Tydings on this well-deserved recognition and thanks her for her leadership and service to the state of Tennessee." On 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way Season 4, Debbie Aguero finds out that her fiance, Oussama, wants her to return to the United States. Now she believes he lied to her and tricked her into moving to Morocco to be with him. Debbie Aguero, 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way Season 4 | TLC Debbie moved to Morocco 67-year-old Debbie and 24-year-old Oussama fell in love after connecting online through poetry and art. The two felt like their connection transcended age and distance. During their 3-year-long online romance, the Georgia peach has traveled twice to Morocco to visit Oussama, where he lives and works on his family farm. Debbie and Oussama, 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way | TLC On their last trip, Oussma asked Debbie to marry him. Debbie said it would be difficult for Oussma to get approved for a K-1 or fiance visa because of their 43-year age gap. So, as documented on 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way, the eccentric artist left her two adult children, her jewelry business, and her home behind in Sugar Hills, Georgia, to be with her much younger fiance in Morocco. Oussama tells Debbie he wants her to go back to America During the March 19 episode of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way Season 4, Debbie couldnt be more thrilled about her new life in Morocco with Oussma. Shes setting into her new place and preparing for their first romantic evening to discuss their future. Oussama reveals Debbie must be willing to live with his parents on the farm for a while before moving out together. But Debbie isnt willing to live according to their rules, including no alcohol in the house. I didnt give up my life in the United States and my comfort zone to live with mom and dad for an indefinite period of time, Debbie said. While she thought that was the worst of her concerns, Oussama revealed he changed his mind about getting married immediately. When Debbie said she wanted an apartment in Rabat for them, he told her hed rather save money. As you will stay here two months or one month, and after, you will leave to the US because I know you will come back for your business for your home, or for something important [sic], Oussama said. Of course, Debbie is confused by Oussamas sudden change of plans. You say Im going to be here two months at your mom and dads house, and then you want me to go back to the United States, she told him. This is a decision of life, first you have to know my family, how they are, how they live, [and] tradition [sic], Oussama told her. We have to know each other so deeply. And after, we will get married. Wow, Oussama. I wish you would have told me that before I came, Debbie said. But Oussama believes they need to spend some time in reality, not just online. Debbie accuses Oussama of tricking her. Debbie admits she doesnt understand where her fiance is coming from. I dont like what Im hearing. It makes me feel sick. She disagrees that their online relationship for the last three years wasnt based on reality. I moved mountains to come over here, I hurt my kids, I had expectations, and I believe your word to me that you loved me and we were to get married. And now youre telling me youre not going to marry me, and this is a two-month test drive? she told him. Oussama, 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way Season 4 | TLC Oussama admitted that he didnt want to tell her before she came to Morroco because he knew she wouldnt come under those circumstances. You really screwed up big time, Oussama, Debbie told him. You lied to me. But Oussama still claims he wants to marry her, just not until theyve gotten to know each other better. Last year, when he was in Morocco, he was ready to marry me. He was rushing me to the US embassy to get the required paperwork. And how he comes this time, and its like, What happened to him?' she said. Now Debbie doesnt trust Ousssma will marry her. Shes second-guessing their entire relationship and wonders where she will go now. Audiences will have to keep watching 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way to find out if they will end up getting married or not. New episodes of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way Season 4 air Sundays at 8 pm EST on TLC. Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and Jenn Harley arent together now, but theyre both planning to move to Miami, Florida once their homes on the West coast sell. Heres what we know about their individual plans to move, plus the Jersey Shore: Family Vacation stars relationship statuses in 2023. Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and Jenn Harley | MTV Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and Jenn Harley were together from 2017 to 2019 Like Ronnies relationship with Sammi Sweetheart Giancola, much of his relationship with Jenn was showcased In the MTV series. The couple started dating in 2017 and welcomed their daughter Ariana Sky in April 2018. But things between Ronnie and Jenn werent perfect. The couple was on-again-off-again and included multiple arrests for domestic violence and Ronnie in and out of rehab. The couple officially ended things in 2019. Jenn Harley works in real estate now Though not an actual Jersey Shore cast member, Ronnies ex-girlfriend was known as the Baby Mama in earlier seasons of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation. I wasnt an actual cast member, Jenn told the Las Vegas Review Journal in February 2023. My role was Baby Mama. However, my daughters father was part of the show, and we were part of his life. Since leaving the show, Jenn earned her real estate license and now works as a listing agent in the Las Vegas market. She has sold residential properties for the last three years. I wanted to get out of that lifestyle and into something else, Jenn said. The real estate in Vegas is amazing. Ive done very well in my career. Ronnie and Jenn are reportedly moving to Miami, Florida According to The Sun, Ronnie wants to move to Miami after his Los Angeles home sells. Jenn has similar plans. Ronnie and Jenn are moving to Miami for a fresh start, an insider said. They each havent purchased a new house yet. Theyll be relocating after their homes are sold. Im moving to Miami after the house sells, Harley later told the Review Journal. Im excited about a fresh start. Its always been a dream of mine to live in Florida. Despite the impending move, Harley plans to keep her Las Vegas Realtor license and sell real estate in Nevada and Florida. Ronnie and Jenn are both single in 2023 After ending things with Jenn, Ronnie began dating Saffire Matos in 2020. He was arrested for alleged domestic violence in April 2021, then proposed to Saffire in June 2021. However, by November 2021, their relationship was on the rocks. The couple officially called it quits in 2022 and Ronnie is reportedly single at publication. Jenn also moved on after Ronnie and started dating Joe Ambrosole in 2021. They also got engaged, but their relationship was reportedly over by August 2022 (via The Sun). At publication, Jenn hasnt publicly shared that shes in a new relationship. Jersey Shore: Family Vacation doesnt feature Ronnie or Jenn anymore Jenn hasnt been part of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation for a while. Ronnie was last seen in season 5 of the MTV series but has since stepped away to focus on his sobriety, mental health, and daughter. The Jersey Shore cast are filming season 6 at publication, but Ronnie still doesnt appear to be part of the reality TV series anymore, especially with the return of Sammi Sweetheart. Keep up with Ronnie on social media and watch new episodes of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation Thursdays on MTV. In an old clip from Sister Wives, Robyn Brown talks about her views on money, which differ significantly from those of her husband, Kody Brown. Many Sister Wives fans find what she says controversial, given the context of her history with money within the family. Robyn Brown, Sister Wives | TLC Robyns controversial views on spending money In an old Sister Wives clip from season 13, the Browns were preparing to move from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Flagstaff, Arizona. In the clip (via Reddit), Robyn talks about how she and Kody view money differently. Kody and I are different in the way that we look at money. He talks a lot about saving money and not spending money and stuff like that. And I think saving is good, but I also think that quality of living is important. If Flagstaff could improve our quality of living, then it would be worth the money to me, Robyn said in the clip. In 2019, Kody and Robyn moved into their 4,400-square-foot home in Flagstaff they bought for $900,000. According to Janelle, they took $222,500 from the familys shared account as a downpayment for Robyns home. The lavish home, worth over $1.5 million in 2023, has two master suites, three other bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a four-car garage. Robyns alleged shopping addiction Before Robyn married Kody, she was married to David Jessop from 1999 to 2007. During their eight-year-long marriage, Robyn had accrued quite a debt. When Robyn was added to the family in 2010 with her three children, Dayton, Aurora, and Breanna, she brought thousands of dollars of debt with her. According to Starcasm, Robyn had over $32,000 in debt from multiple store credit cards. The outlet claims that those stores comprised Sears, Target, and Victorias Secret. Its rumored that Robyn has a shopping addiction, which is how she racked up so much credit debt. For the family to qualify for a home loan during their move to Las Vegas, they had to pay off Robyns debt. The family funds that was made up of Janelle Brown and Meri Browns income. Does Robyn have a job? For someone to have such a lax view of money and expensive taste, many Sister Wives fans want to know what she brought to the family financially. If Robyn did have a job, there was never any mention of it on the 17 seasons of Sister Wives or in the family 2012 memoir, Becoming Sister Wives: The Story of an Unconventional Marriage, where Christine, Janelle, and Meris employment was often mentioned. Dayton, Ariella, Robyn, Kody, Solomon, Breanna, and Aurora Brown, Sister Wives | TLC In the early seasons of Sister Wives, Robyn had worried her sister wives wouldnt find the value in her joining the family in 2010. She added four more mouths to feed, and another mortgage to the familys already tight budget. She felt the pressure to find a job and said she was looking. In the meantime, she made herself useful by caring for the wives other 13 children alongside Christine. Despite saying she was looking for employment, she never found a job in Lehi, Utah, as the family quickly moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. The family invested in her idea of having a polygamy-inspired jewelry brand, My Sister Wifes Closet. Unsurprisingly, many monogamous people couldnt relate to the concept, and it seems the shop is defunct, as the designs on the website havent been updated since 2019. Mykelti Brown, Christine and Kodys daughter, claims that Robyn alleges shes still filling orders for My Sister Wifes Closet in 2023. Of course, many Sister Wives fans find Robyns comments about money insensitive, given the circumstances of her joining the struggling family with debt, never contributing to the finances, and buying the most expensive homes. Sister Wives Season 18 is rumored to return in September 2023. Lee Myung-ae, the owner of catering company Jinmiga Foods, poses with fresh vegetables in her kitchen in southwestern Seoul's Yeongdeungpo District, March 7. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul This is the first in a series of interviews featuring North Korean defectors and their assimilation into South Korean society. ED. Fighting cancer, N. Korean defector tries to rebuild her once-thriving catering business By Kang Hyun-kyung Lee Myung-ae, a veteran chef and the owner of a catering company called Jinmiga Foods, said there is a single, universal factor that influences people's choices when it comes to eating: food served should be good enough to delight their taste buds. Once this condition is met, she added it doesn't matter to customers where the chef comes from. She learned these lessons from her decades of experience in the food industry, first as a chef and restaurateur in North Korea and now as the owner of a catering business in South Korea. "In my own experience, there is no cultural difference whatsoever in the food industries of the two Koreas," she said during a recent Korea Times interview at her kitchen in southwestern Seoul's Yeongdeungpo District. "People revisit and reorder if they like the food served. They don't know whether the owner of the restaurant or catering business is a North Korean defector or a person born in the South." Under her leadership, Jinmiga Foods had been a thriving business until it closed temporarily two years ago because of her health problem. "There are a set of principles I always underline whenever I have a chance to talk to aspiring founders of food startups," she said. "The dishes you are serving must be good enough to encourage your customers to revisit. Don't feel guilty about throwing away meat or other food ingredients no matter how expensive they are, if they are not good enough to serve. Pay your chefs well. They are the ones who will make your business take off." She said these are the principles that made her business successful. Jinmiga Foods is a lunch box caterer. After taking orders by phone, Lee prepares various dishes with fresh ingredients. Her employees put them into lunch boxes and deliver them to clients. Lee resumed her catering business one month ago as her health has been recovering. Coming out of a two-year hiatus, however, Lee is under growing pressure. Many changes took place in the food industry during her absence. Most importantly, the outlook of the catering business is not as positive as it was in the past when her thriving company kept her busy and generated solid revenue. Her business is facing fierce competition from cheaper lunch boxes available in convenience stores as well. Lee has to start from scratch again, just as she did back in 2010 when she and her husband arrived in South Korea after defecting from the North. This time, she needs to do it by herself. Her husband passed away years ago in a traffic accident. Misfortunes never come alone. She is also fighting cancer. About 10 years ago, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which later developed into cancer at a time when she was grieving for her husband. "My doctor knew that I came from North Korea, so he didn't know how to start when we sat down for the results of medical tests that I had taken days earlier," Lee said. "Sensing that something bad was happening to me, I told him that I had no other family members, so he had to tell me directly. I confronted him, asking if I had cancer. And he said yes." Albeit in deep shock, Lee had little time for sadness. She felt growing financial stress as the cancer treatments continued. Most of the money she earned during the past decade since she started her own business in Seoul has been spent on treatments. Despite the tough reality, she has been trying to overcome it with humor. "Last year when I was hospitalized, I got a phone call from my employee. She said she had good news for me, telling me that there's no income tax I should pay," Lee said. "I responded, 'Wow, that's great news!' After hanging up the phone, I had mixed feelings. I was relieved because I don't need to spend extra money on taxes, but at the same time, I had bitter feelings as zero income tax means that I didn't make any money that year." Lee Myung-ae poses in her kitchen in Seoul, March 7. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul Everyone wants to smell nice. Most people probably have at least one favorite scent they wear daily. But others like to switch it up and might have as many bottles of perfume as they do articles of clothing. Do you have a vast assortment of perfumes? Well, I bet it cant top this fragrance experts collection. TikToker Josephine (@jusderose) has always been obsessed with fragrances, and shes sharing the five she could never live without. So why does she even have 400 bottles of perfume in the first place? While in college, she aspired to become a neurosurgeon but quickly realized how much schooling that would require. So then, she switched gears and landed on one of her other passions, fragrances. I liked the fact that fragrances mix science and creativity, and so I found a masters degree that covered both the scientific aspects of perfume and also the business side, which was what I was super interested in, too, elaborated Josephine. She studied at a perfumery school that many famous perfumers, or noses as theyre often called, attended as well. Josephine found the marketing side of perfumery the most interesting, so that was the career path she chose. Later, she moved to London, where she got her first real job in the beauty industry. For several years, she worked in operational marketing, but the field didnt feel like a perfect fit. So thats when she launched a perfume blog called Jus de Rose. A year ago, she quit her full-time job to focus on her work as a content creator. I absolutely love what I do. For me, its really important to live out my passion, which is perfume. Now you know why I have over 400 bottles of perfume, she concluded. Out of a whopping 400, here are five affordable perfumes from her collection under $60 that Josephine recommends: Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. A disgraced former Southern Baptist president is suing the denomination he once led, saying he was defamed by allegations he assaulted another pastors wife. In a complaint filed in the federal court for the Middle District of Tennessee, lawyers for the Rev. Johnny Hunt, a longtime Georgia megachurch pastor, admit Hunt had a brief, inappropriate, extramarital encounter with a married woman in 2012, but claims the incident was consensual and that it was a private matter that should not have been made public in a major 2022 report. Some of the precise details are disputed, but at most, the encounter lasted only a few minutes, and it involved only kissing and some awkward fondling, according to the complaint. The complaint said Hunt sought counseling and forgiveness for the incident, which the complaint said was a sin. However, Hunt never disclosed the incident to the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia, where he was the pastor for three decades, or to the SBCs North American Mission Board, where he was a vice president until resigning in 2022. But the incident became public in May 2022, after it was discovered by investigators at Guidepost Solutions, a consulting firm that had been hired to investigate how SBC leaders had dealt with the issue of abuse. Guideposts investigators included the incident as part of their report and described it as a sexual assault. Those investigators said they found the allegations against Hunt credible. The former SBC president at first denied the allegations, then claimed the incident was consensual. The complaint alleges the SBC and Guidepost engaged in defamation and libel, that they invaded Hunts privacy, and intentionally caused emotional harm. The decision to smear Pastor Johnnys reputation with these accusations has led him to suffer substantial economic and other damages, according to the complaint. He has lost (his) job and income; he has lost current and future book deals; and he has lost the opportunity to generate income through speaking engagements. Hunt also claims he was made a scapegoat to pay for the SBCs past sins. He said current SBC leaders and Guidepost were engaged in damage control to repair the 13 million-member denominations reputation. By focusing on the allegation against Pastor Johnnyan allegation by an adult woman that involved noncriminal conductand by then taking aggressive action against Pastor Johnny, the Defendants sought to create the appearance that the SBC has learned from its previous mistakes and is now working to protect victims of sex crimes, the complaint claims. The complaint accused current SBC leaders and Guidepost of intentionally causing him personal anguish and harm. Defendants decision to feature the allegation against Pastor Johnny in their public report was a strategic decision to deflect attention from the SBCs historical failure to take aggressive steps to respond to reports of child sex abuse and other sex crimes in its past, the complaint claims. A spokesperson for the SBCs Nashville-based Executive Committee said SBC leaders are aware of the suit. We are reviewing the complaint and will not be commenting on active litigation at this time, the spokesman said in a statement. Guidepost Solutions declined to comment. Hunt made a defiant return to the public in January at a Florida megachurch, after a group of pastors announced that Hunt had been through a restoration process and was fit to return to ministry after a brief hiatus. During that sermon, Hunt said false allegations had ruined his life. But he told the congregation that if God calls someone to do something, that calling cant be undoneand God called that person, knowing the person might sin and fail. Anybody can quit, he said. Thats why so many do. Its easy. I mean, it hardly takes any energy whatsoever. Hiland Park Baptist Church in Panama City, Florida, which hosted Hunt and whose pastor oversaw Hunts restoration, could face consequences at the upcoming SBC annual meeting in June. The church has been reported to the SBCs Credentials Committee for hosting an individual who has been credibly accused of sexual abuse, according to the standards adopted by the Convention. Hunt spoke Sunday at New Season Church in Hiram, Georgia, as part of the churchs series entitled Battle Ready, about resisting the devil, according to Baptist News Global. My attorney has asked me to allow the case to play out, Hunt told Baptist News Global. However, if I had done what that report says Ive done, there is no way I could have preached today. Worship Leader Probs was a meme account and podcast dedicated to the challenges of music ministry, but last week its creators revealed that theyve lost social media pages and had to censor their brand due to a company claiming ownership to two out of the three words in their original name. That company is Authentic Media, which runs a church resource called Worship Leader, once a print magazine and now available online. Authentic Media holds the trademark for worship leader and last year publicly stated that it planned to continue to defend our trademark, as we have for decades. The dispute between Worship Leader and Worship Leader Probs dates back to October 2022, when Authentic Media explained its concerns about the name during a phone call with the creators of the meme account. According to Joshua Swanson, editor in chief of Worship Leader and managing partner at Authentic Media, the company woke up to the fact that people were using our brand, and in 2022, he and others at Authentic Media became particularly concerned about brand confusion with Worship Leader Probs. It became a material issue for us. Our mission and their mission do not align, Swanson told CT. It became a major conflict. We would be at events, and people thought we were them and they were us. The phone call last fall did not resolve things, and after months at an impasse, Authentic Media began reporting Worship Leader Probs social media accounts for trademark infringement in February 2023. Before losing its accounts, Worship Leader Probs had 15,000 followers on Facebook and 45,000 followers on TikTok. Its YouTube page has also been taken down. On Instagram, where it has the largest following133,000Tabor has been able to rebrand and keep the account as Worship Probs, with a Band-Aid over the L in its WLP logo. What started as an anonymous meme-sharing account has grown into a community and resource for worship leaders looking for inspiration and commiseration. Its growth from a silly diversion into a full-fledged ministryrunning it has become creator Brian Tabors full-time joblikely led to the conflict with Worship Leader. Tabor started Worship Leader Probs in 2016 and joked about the scenarios worship leaders know all too well: tech crises, unrehearsed musicians, and holiday exhaustion. It started to catch on and grow. People started to ask Who are you? How do you know what Im dealing with today? said Tabor, who has served as a worship pastor in Indianapolis since 1993. The conflict between Worship Leader Probs and Worship Leader was not public until last week, when another popular social media creator got caught up in the trademark infringement dispute. This third account, Rogue Worship Leader, was known for Star Warsthemed memes and mash-ups poking fun at the tropes and quirks of worship music and music ministry: One popular entry is a video of the band Leeland performing Way Maker spliced together with footage from The Phantom Menace of Anakin Skywalker yelling, Its working from his podracer. Scott Leonard, the pages creator, was blindsided when the Facebook page was taken down without warning for violating community guidelinesspecifically, for trademark infringement. Leonard appealed to Facebook and found that it too had been reported by Authentic Media. On March 16, Leonard posted a video to Instagram, saying (with Cantina Band from A New Hope playing in the background), Hey worship leaders your job title is actually a trademarked term. Authentic Media told CT that it was not their intention to initiate the removal of the Star Warsthemed meme page but that it included it in a list of other similar accounts in the process of reporting Worship Leader Probs. Swanson claims Facebook made that decision and acted without the prompting of Authentic Media. We made a mistake and were owning up to that, Swanson said. As of Monday afternoon, he said the company was able to get six reported accounts restored on Facebook. Before its removal, the Rogue Worship Leader page had thousands of followers on Facebook its accounts on Instagram and TikTok have 82,500 followers and 46,600 followers, respectively. Leonard isnt convinced that his page was just collateral damage. He told CT that he was able to confirm that eight individual posts on his page had been reported to Facebook for copyright infringement by Authentic Media. Leonard also said that after he posted his video to Instagram last week, Authentic Media reached out to the church office where Leonard leads worship, as well as to the churchs pastor and elder board. Leonard is pursuing an appeals process through Facebook and fears that he may soon be reported on TikTok and Instagram and lose those accounts too. A veteran worship leader of 18 years, Leonard was surprised to find himself in a conflict over a phrase that he considers very much part of his identity. I expected to have to fight off Disney and Lucasfilm, not a Christian company, said Leonard. Copyright, CCLI, there is room for all of that to maintain some order in the worship community, but this goes beyond that. In other trademark conflicts between Christian entities, leaders have had to weigh the importance of protecting and stewarding their brands with the desire to avoid legal fights with fellow ministries. In 2011, the former Mars Hill Church in Seattle dropped its cease-and-desist against a church with a similar name and logo. At the time, several executive pastors and lawyers saw some benefit to trademarking church names to avoid confusion, though Jim Tomberlin of MultiSite Solutions told CT, Since most church names are derived from the Bible or commonly used words, it would be difficult to trademark their name only, but it is certainly appropriate to protect a church's name and logo from those who would misrepresent it accidentally or misuse it intentionally. Since 2016, Authentic Media has owned the rights to the phrase worship leader when applied to periodicals, online publications, and websites with resources around worship. Prior to that, the trademark had been owned by Maranatha Music, Worship Leaders previous owner, since 1993. The company also holds trademarks for worship leader workshop and song discovery. The Worship Leader website featured the claim that the organization literally coined the term worship leader, citing its founder, Chuck Fromm, who died in 2020. We have a long history that goes back to the Jesus Revolution and were just fortunate enough that our founder [Fromm] and his team essentially created this term worship leader and then trademarked it and built our business off of it, Swanson wrote in an article titled Why We Defend Our Worship Leader Trademark on the publications website in June 2022. That article was removed last weekend. Swanson said that before Worship Leader Magazine began in 1991, the term worship leader was not one commonly used in church ministry. Its been our name since the beginning, he told CT. Prior to us, they were music ministers, and they were off to the side. A quick search of American newspaper archives reveals the term was in use to describe music ministers and church leaders across Christian denominations throughout the 20th century. A 1959 article from the Sunday Times of Bridgeport, Connecticut, refers to the Rev. Joseph Church, worship leader at First Methodist Church. A 1958 article in the Lewiston Daily Sun (Maine) detailing plans for ecumenical Lenten services gives six different individuals the title worship leader. Its also not difficult to find hymnals from the early and mid-20th century that occasionally use the term. Another page on the Worship Leader website offers a more circumspect take on Fromms use of the term: While Chuck did not invent the term worship leader, he did more than anyone to define the role, to establish its significance, and to equip those who were called to this ministry. Here, the claim seems to be that although the term worship leader was used prior to the 90s, it had no standardized definition. And when Worship Leader trademarked the words, it was because Fromm had identified and codified an emerging concept of what or who a worship leader was in the contemporary worship space. But its difficult to say whether Fromms use and elevation of the term was a singular accomplishment or part of a larger movement that was already underway. Historians Lester Ruth and Lim Swee Hong trace the rise of the term back to the late 70s, particularly to influential books on praise and worship like David Blomgrens The Song of the Lord. Ruth and Lim note that Blomgren used three terms for the lead vocalist in worship services: song leader, leader in worship, and worship leader and that he preferred the latter because it indicated the spiritual leadership inherent in the musical role. Ruth and Lim cite Fromms dissertation as a useful and influential source on the changes in worship music culture during the 60s and 70s. Fromm completed his dissertation in 2005. Branding worship leader Despite any questions about the origins and development of the term worship leader, Authentic Media has the trademark and therefore has a stake in protecting its Worship Leader brand. Our own business has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years on our trademark, wrote Swanson. We have invested in our trademarks and so we are compelled to continue to defend all of them and ensure that our investments are protected. The creators of the meme accounts insist that itd be difficult to confuse their brands, full of movie clips and jokes, with the polished and ministry-oriented articles and interviews offered on WorshipLeader.com. Worship Leader recently began speaking out about the trademark issue on its Instagram, days after the concerns from Worship Probs and Rogue Worship Leaders became public. Can I still use Worship Leader on my website, my Facebook group, my job title, Instagram, etc? Yes. You can, read a post on its Instagram account on Sunday. The narrative that we are going after all accounts using Worship leader is a lie and a manipulation tactic to divide the worship community. In the past, Christian ministries have faced trademark disputes with brands like Adidas or the Italian denim company that secured the trademark for clothes branded with Jesus name, but they also have come into conflict with each other. Attorney Brock Shinen weighed in a decade ago around the issue of churches claiming name trademarks. If a church is on the receiving end of a cease-and-desist letter, it should ask this question: Does the church that sent the letter have an exclusive legal right to the name? If the answer is yes, then why be offended? Comply. Romans 13 obligates us to submit to government laws like this, he wrote for CTs Church Law and Tax. But Shinen also said, A church applying for trademark protection won't necessarily take away another church's right to have its name and logo: If a churchs name and logo are unique, trademark protection will be granted. If the name and logo are generic or descriptive, it wont. Worship Leaders protection of its trademark is nothing new; in 2017, when the magazine was still owned by Maranatha! Music, it sent a cease-and-desist letter to Alex Enfiedjian, creator of Worship Ministry Training (originally Worship Leader Training). They basically said, either change the name, or theyd take me to court, Enfiedjian said. He was able to arrange a personal meeting with Fromm through a friend to try to resolve the conflict person-to-person. I really wanted to do the Matthew 18 thing. You know? Im not going to go to court, Enfiedjian said. In person, [Fromm] obliged and said, Its okay, well just make it work, you can keep the name. But on the drive home, they called and changed back to their original stance, that I need to change the name. At that point, Enfiedjian decided to let it go. The next Scripture to follow is what the apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:7, where he says that we should not take each other to court in front of a watching world. Its better to be defrauded. He says, Why not rather suffer wrong? (ESV). Enfiedjian changed the name of his organization and podcast and moved on. In hindsight, he has no regrets. Watching the current conflict unfold six years after his experience with Worship Leader, Enfiedjian says that he hopes for healthy, kingdom-oriented perspective for everyone involved. What we have is not our own, he said. God has entrusted us to build the kingdom. Not our kingdom, his kingdom. The now-public nature of the dispute between Worship Leader and Worship Leader Probs raises some uncomfortable questions about the nature of branding, ownership, monetization, and power in the worship music industry. Fans of Worship Probs defended the creators in the comments to the recent post about the ongoing dispute over their name. Many were surprised or dismayed that a company would attempt to restrict the use of a term as common in todays churches as worship leader. Trust us, no one is confusing the brands! one wrote. Were with you Worship [redacted] Probs! Ex-SBC Pres. Johnny Hunt confesses to only kissing and some awkward fondling in defamation suit Former Southern Baptist Convention president Johnny Hunt has admitted to "only kissing and some awkward fondling" between himself and the wife of a younger minister who accused him of sexual assault while on a beach vacation with his family in Panama City, Florida, 12 years ago. The details come from a defamation lawsuit filed by Hunt's lawyers Friday in a federal court in Tennessee against multiple parties, including the SBC, the SBC Executive Committee and Guidepost Solutions, which investigated the allegations against Hunt. The lawsuit describes the incident as a "brief, inappropriate, extramarital encounter with a married woman." "At most, the encounter lasted only a few minutes, and it involved only kissing and some awkward fondling," the lawsuit states. "This was a private failing by Pastor Johnny and the woman involved, and the story should have ended there. But it didn't." Hunt takes issues with being named in the May 22, 2022, report compiled by outside investigation firm Guidepost Solutions detailing the results of an investigation into allegations that SBC leaders intimidated whistleblowers and exonerated churches with credible claims of negligence of sexual abuse victims. Hunt's attorneys argue that naming him in the Guidepost report was a "strategic decision to deflect attention from the SBC's historical failure to take aggressive steps to respond to reports of child sex abuse and other sex crimes in its past." The lawsuit asserts that Hunt "was named because the woman with whom he had the brief, extramarital encounter in 2010 had disclosed that encounter to the Guidepost investigators." "The encounter involving Pastor Johnny had nothing to do with the types of reports that led to Guidepost's engagement. It should not have been included in Guidepost's report. Indeed, it should not have been published at all," the lawsuit contends. "By focusing on the allegation against Pastor Johnny an allegation by an adult woman that involved noncriminal conduct and by then taking aggressive action against Pastor Johnny, the Defendants sought to create the appearance that the SBC has learned from its previous mistakes and is now working to protect victims of sex crimes." An SBC Executive Committee spokesperson told Baptist Press that the committee is "aware of the complaint against the Convention filed by former SBC president Johnny Hunt." "We are reviewing the complaint and will not be commenting on active litigation at this time," the spokesperson said. In January, six months after he was suspended as pastor emeritus by First Baptist Church Woodstock in Georgia following an investigation into allegations he sexually assaulted the younger pastor's wife, Hunt returned to public preaching and declared that God's call on his life is "irrevocable." Pastor Jeremy Morton and other members of the leadership team at First Baptist Church Woodstock suspended Hunt last summer after the release of the Guidepost report. "We have recommended to our former pastor, Johnny Hunt, a clear process of counseling, accountability, and restoration," Morton and other members of the leadership team at First Baptist Woodstock noted in a letter announcing Hunt's suspension. "We also believe it is in the best interest of FBCW to suspend his role as Pastor Emeritus." The wife of the younger pastor, who considered Hunt a mentor, told investigators that while she was on a beach vacation with his family in Florida, Hunt sexually assaulted her and told her he wanted to have sex with her three times a day. The woman and her husband, both 24 years younger than the 69-year-old Hunt, who served as SBC president from 2008 to 2010, told investigators that the assault took place after the June 2010 SBC annual meeting in Orlando that year. She claims the advances were unwanted. Hunt, in a May 27, 2022, statement addressed to the church on his Instagram account, admitted that while he did have an encounter with the younger pastor's wife, the Guidepost Solutions report was "sensationalized" and included details that were not true. "Our brief, but improper, encounter ended when in response to an overwhelming feeling of conviction I stopped it, and I fled the situation. I remember saying just before leaving the condo, 'This is not right. I have no business being here. I love my wife.' I have never been in a room again privately with the woman involved," Hunt wrote. As a result of being named in the report, Hunt claims he lost his job, money from speaking engagements as well as publishing opportunities. "His losses are substantial, and Defendants should be held liable," the lawsuit states. Reacting to questions from a reporter about the lawsuit at New Season Church in Hiram, Georgia, on Sunday, Hunt said that he would "not be preaching this morning if the assault and abuse charge was true," according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In November, Pastors Mark Hookver of NewSpring Church in Kansas; Mike Whitson of First Baptist Church in Indian Trail, North Carolina; Steven Kyle of Hiland Park Baptist Church in Panama City, Florida; and Benny Tate of Rock Springs Church in Milner, Georgia, claimed that Hunt was eligible to return to professional ministry after completing a restoration program. SBC President Bart Barber pushed back on that claim and said those pastors don't speak for the convention. "Indeed, it is not clear that they even speak for their own churches," wrote Barber. "For those Southern Baptist churches who practice ordination to ministry, the authority to ordain is generally considered to arise from the congregation, but no indication has been given that any of these four congregations have consented to or given their authority to this process." How a NASA astronaut found Jesus: 'Christ completely turned my life upside down' Jeff Williams' fascination with science began at a young age growing up in Winter, Wisconsin, where he avidly consumed books on the subject. Encouraged by a teacher, he pursued his passion. Little did he know that it would lead him to a remarkable career in the military, and he would eventually break a record by spending 534 days in space as an astronaut with NASA. In an interview with The Christian Post, the 65-year-old revealed how his lifelong love of science and his faith in Christ intersect. Although he didn't spend much time in church during his childhood, he detailed how he and his wife came to Christ during a tumultuous time in their marriage. Growing up, Williams said he "was always pretty good at school" and especially enjoyed studying "math and science and engineering." "And eventually, [those were] areas in which I decided I wanted to study and grow into, and that's what ended up happening once I got to the [U.S.] Military Academy," Williams shared. "I did well in school. It was a very small school. There were only 34 people in my graduating class, but I graduated high school as the valedictorian class president and as president of the student council." While in eighth grade, Williams explored what faith in God should look like. His family considered themselves Christian, but they never attended church. "On my own, I went and joined a confirmation class with a local Lutheran pastor. At that phase in my life, I had a lot of questions about faith and the Bible. And I remember that was a very profound year for me," Williams said. "Joining the confirmation class was something I did on my own. It was not in the context of my family. And following the class, my faith kind of went on pause once I got into high school. So I always had very little participation in a church, even in that year I did the confirmation class." Williams graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1980, and six months later, he married his wife, Anna-Marie, who was raised as a non-religious Catholic. According to Williams, they did not become active in their faith until about seven years later when they faced "some pretty significant difficulties" in their marriage. During this time, Williams said, "God put Christians around us." The couple moved to Texas because of his military status. It was in Texas that his wife came "to faith after hearing the Gospel." "And then, I spent the next several months trying to understand what happened to her by studying the scriptures. I studied the Gospel of John and the letter to the Romans, primarily," said Williams. Following their move to Texas, Williams was stationed in Alabama, where he continued to read the Bible to better understand his wife's newfound faith. "One day, I asked her to come to Alabama for a long weekend in January of 1988. And I asked her to help me pray to commit my life to Christ on that weekend," Williams detailed. "And that's when we began to rebuild our marriage and how we raised our children and how we approached life altogether." From there, Williams said, he and his family started attending church together whenever he was home. "Christ completely turned my life upside down," he shared. "Instead of living for myself and without a greater purpose, now I had a purpose for myself and my family," Williams said. "I became aware through a growing awareness and understanding of calling in life that we've been created for a purpose, and that purpose is to serve God and our fellow man. So that was a profound change in my approach to life." After graduating from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School class 103 in 1993, Williams was selected as an astronaut in 1996. By then, he already had a firmly established belief in Jesus and believed science and Christianity were not in conflict. "By the time I was selected to be an astronaut, I knew that questions would come up a lot," said Williams. "So, I spent a lot of time and effort studying the material to address those questions and, for example, the apparent conflict between the theory of evolution and all of the associated philosophies." "Since the early '90s, I've been studying this area because of the questions I knew I would get, the questions that I continue to get, and the requests that I get to come speak on the topic." In 2016, Williams broke the record for most cumulative days spent in space, which was later broken by Peggy Whitson. During his career, he was the commander of Expedition 47/48 in 2016, a flight engineer and lead spacewalker for STS-101 in 2000, a flight engineer for Expedition 13 in 2005, a flight engineer for Expedition 21 in 2009, and commander of Expedition 22 in 2009. In 2010, after returning from Expedition 21, Williams released his book The Work of His Hands: A View Of God's Creation From Space, which recounts his observations as he orbited the Earth more than 2,800 times and took more photographs of the Earth than any astronaut in history. Every shot contains lessons about God's creation, according to the book's description. Williams said the often-promoted idea that "science is the reason we progress" while "the Bible draws us back and regresses us" is false. "Even the term of the so-called 'dark ages,' which were, in fact, not so dark, is a derogatory term that supports that thesis that 'religion, in general, Christianity specifically, is regressive. It wants to take us back. It wants to draw us back,'" said Williams. "So that's the biggest challenge." According to Williams, failing to engage with the Bible and understand how science and Christianity can coexist poses a significant risk. "I regard the ultimate authority to be the Word of God. The Word of God is true. It is the Word of God, the Creator of all things, and the One who we know is our Redeemer. So it is authoritative," Williams said. "I just have to do the work to understand it, to draw the truth out of it, and to apply that truth to the world around us. If you don't regard the Bible as authoritative, then you're going to replace it with something else." The Williamses have two adults sons and four grandchildren. They reside in Battle Ground, Washington, where they serve at Word of Grace Bible Church. In addition to his degrees in aeronautical engineering and national security, Williams has a doctor of ministry from The Masters Seminary. Woman chained by husband, subjected to electric shocks for following Jesus JUBA, South Sudan For leaving Islam to accept Christ, a young mother in Sudan was chained in her home, subjected to electrical shocks at a psychiatric hospital and has lost her children, a local source said. Awatif Abdalla Kaki, a 27-year-old mother of four in Omdurman, became a Christian on Jan. 27 after a relative told her about salvation through faith in Christ, said the source, whose identity is withheld for security reasons. A few days after accepting Christ, she had a dream in which He appeared to her, and she told her relatives about it and her new faith at her parents home in Omdurman, across the Nile from Khartoum, where she, her husband and children lived, the source said. Her husband tried to force her to renounce her faith by chaining her legs and tightening the chains, the source said. Asserting that she was mad, he then forcibly took her to a psychiatric hospital, where she received an unidentified injection and electrical shocks against her will, the source said. Abdallas legs were injured from the chains, and although her husband has taken their children to his parents house to live with him, he maintains a large influence on her family and remains a threat, the source said. The oldest of her four children is 8 years old. She continues to live in mental anguish, the source said, adding that her parents and siblings are all Muslims who believe she is suffering mental illness for believing in Christ. I fear for her safety and pray that she can get a refuge outside her home so that she has peace of mind and can grow in her new faith. Abdalla is receiving no assistance from any Christians, the source said. In Open Doors 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Sudan was ranked No. 10, up from No. 13 the previous year, as attacks by non-state actors continued and religious freedom reforms at the national level were not enacted locally. Sudan had dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in six years when it first ranked No. 13 in the 2021 World Watch List. The U.S. State Departments International Religious Freedom Report states that conditions have improved somewhat with the decriminalization of apostasy and a halt to demolition of churches, but that conservative Islam still dominates society; Christians face discrimination, including problems in obtaining licenses for constructing church buildings. The U.S. State Department in 2019 removed Sudan from the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) that engage in or tolerate systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom and upgraded it to a watch list. The State Department removed Sudan from the Special Watch List in December 2020. Sudan had previously been designated as a CPC from 1999 to 2018. Following two years of advances in religious freedom in Sudan after the end of the Islamist dictatorship under Omar al-Bashir in 2019, the specter of state-sponsored persecution returned with the military coup of Oct. 25, 2021. After Bashir was ousted from 30 years of power in April 2019, the transitional civilian-military government had managed to undo some Sharia (Islamic law) provisions. It outlawed the labeling of any religious group as infidels and thus effectively rescinded apostasy laws that made leaving Islam punishable by death. With the Oct. 25, 2021, coup, Christians in Sudan fear the return of the most repressive and harsh aspects of Islamic law. Abdalla Hamdok, who had led a transitional government as prime minister starting in September 2019, was detained under house arrest for nearly a month before he was released and reinstated in a tenuous power-sharing agreement in November 2021. Hamdock had been faced with rooting out longstanding corruption and an Islamist deep state from Bashirs regime the same deep state that is suspected of rooting out the transitional government in the Oct. 25, 2021, coup. Persecution of Christians by non-state actors continued before and after the coup. The Christian population of Sudan is estimated at 2 million, or 4.5% of the total population of more than 43 million. Wyoming passes first-of-its-kind law criminalizing sale, prescription of abortion pills Wyoming has passed legislation criminalizing the sale and prescription of abortion pills after Republican Gov. Mark Gordon signed a bill on Friday dubbed the "first of its kind." The legislation, SF 0109, was sponsored by Republican Sen. Tim Salazar and will take effect on July 1. The bill makes it a felony to prescribe, sell or use "any drug for the purpose of procuring or performing an abortion." Violators face up to six months in prison and a $9,000 fine. The bill includes an exception for contraceptive agents "administered before conception or before pregnancy," the "treatment of a natural miscarriage according to currently accepted medical guidelines" and "Treatment necessary to preserve the woman from an imminent peril that substantially endangers her life or health." The bill defines "imminent peril" as "only a physical condition and shall not include any psychological or emotional conditions." "No medical treatment shall form the basis for an exception under this paragraph if it is based on a claim or diagnosis that the pregnant woman will engage in conduct which she intends to result in her death or other selfharm," the bill states. Thanking Gov. Gordon, the anti-abortion advocacy organization National Right to Life Committee President Carol Tobias says the law will "protect mothers and their babies from this deadly drug." "In a chemical abortion, a perfectly healthy mother of a perfectly healthy baby ingests a drug that takes the life of the unborn child and has the potential to endanger the life of the mother," Tobias said in a statement. Mini Timmarajupro, president of the pro-abortion activist group NARAL Pro-Choice America, called the bill "alarming," adding that 17 states are enforcing bans on abortion since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June. "There's no stone that anti-choice extremists will leave unturned as they seek to do everything they can to ensure that abortion is banned across the nation," she said. "Anti-choice Republicans don't care if real people are harmed they only care about banning all abortion, everywhere." The chemical abortion drug regimen requires two drugs mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone, also known as RU-486, chemically destroys the environment in the uterus to starve the baby to death. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandates using misoprostol to induce cramping and contractions to expel the baby from the mother's womb. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a leading national pro-life grassroots network, said abortion drugs can cause "hemorrhaging, the need for surgery and even death." "According to Medicaid data, the rate of chemical abortion-related ER visits have increased 500% since mifepristone was approved," SBA Pro-Life America Western Regional Director Adam Schwend said in a statement. "Wyoming's new law will limit the abortion industry's ability to jeopardize the health and safety of women and girls." On Friday, Gordon allowed a second, more sweeping pro-life bill to become law without his signature. This legislation, known as the Life is a Human Right Act, bans abortion under most circumstances, with penalties of up to five years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Exceptions to the ban include cases of incest, sexual assault, when the mother's life is in danger or instances of "lethal fetal anomaly." The Life is a Human Right Act, which took effect Sunday, states that "abortion as defined in this act is not health care," referencing the Wyoming constitution. The act further says, "instead of being health care, abortion is the intentional termination of the life of an unborn baby." Gordon's office issued a statement warning that the new law, HB 152, may result in a new lawsuit, delaying any resolution to the constitutionality of the abortion ban in Wyoming. After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced earlier this year that it will allow pharmacies to dispense abortion pills, the major pharmacy retail chain Walgreens said it is taking steps to begin offering the drug. But that led to backlash from various pro-life groups and nearly two dozen state attorneys general. Walgreens responded to the attorneys general by stating that it will not dispense abortion pills in states where it is not legal to do so. "We have responded to the state attorneys general letter to Walgreens dated February 1 by indicating we will not dispense Mifepristone in their respective states," Fraser Engerman, senior director of external relations for Walgreens, told The Christian Post earlier this month. Last month, Attorney General Andrew Bailey of Missouri led a coalition of 20 attorneys general in sending letters to Walgreens and CVS, promising to take legal action if the company began distributing the drugs. The letters were signed by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and West Virginia. Earlier this month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said his state will withdraw from a $54 million contract with Walgreens in response to Walgreen's announcement that it would not sell abortion pills in states threatening consequences. Newsom accused Walgreens of caving to "extremists [to] cut off critical access to reproductive care and freedom." A Walgreens spokesperson told The Christian Post that "Walgreens is facing the same circumstances as all retail pharmacies, and no other retail pharmacies have said that they would approach this situation differently, so it's unclear where this contract would now be moved." President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the end of their joint news conference after their summit in Tokyo, March 16. Yonhap President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed the government Monday to take follow-up measures to his visit to Japan to ensure the public feels the improvement in relations between the two countries, his office said. Yoon gave the instruction during a weekly meeting with senior presidential secretaries after returning from a visit to Tokyo on Thursday and Friday, which included a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and signaled a thaw in the two countries' long-strained relations. "Each ministry should make every effort to take follow-up measures to ensure the people actually feel the improvement and cooperation in Korea-Japan relations," Yoon said, according to presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon. Yoon also spoke to the labor ministry's plan to revise the 52-hour workweek, saying it should come up with "sure guarantees" to ensure the people do not worry about compensation in terms of pay or vacation days. The ministry's initial proposal to raise the legal cap on weekly work hours to 69 hours, on the condition that the total work hours in a month or longer periods do not exceed the limit in the current 52-hour workweek system, has faced backlash especially from young generations. (Yonhap) 5 things pastors can do to support the truth and beauty of creation Our cultures deconstruction of male and female is happening rapidly with devastating effects. The media and schools encourage children to question whether theyre trapped in the wrong body. Those who fall prey to this deception are led down a dangerous path. Their search for fulfillment in a new gender identity might begin with pronouns and clothing and end with sterilizing hormones and surgeries. The deconstruction of the sexes ultimately leads to the destruction of peoples ability to form marriages and families of their own. As the cultural confusion grows, the Church can illuminate the darkness by pointing to the truth and beauty of Gods creation. Here are five things pastors can do: 1.Pastors can pray for the truth of the Gospel to form the next generations identities Generation Z and those coming up behind them face fierce cultural headwinds. They are told that their status is based on identities determined by skin color, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The culture pits them against each other in an endless power struggle regardless of their individual circumstances, decisions, and actions. Helena Kerschner, for example, was labeled part of a privileged group because of her race. She sought a way to escape the labels stigma by adopting a new gender identity. Young people need to know that relationship with Christ offers a source of identity that doesnt depend on any human act of penitence for the misdeeds of a group. Understanding this truth can inoculate them against the cultures attempts to shame them. They also need to hear Genesis 1 and 2 why Gods design for men and women, marriage, and the family leads to human flourishing. Silence cedes ground to the cultures aggressive attempts to deconstruct all three. 2. Pastors can counsel those struggling with gender confusion After being dressed in girls clothing by his grandmother, Walt Heyer struggled with being a man and lived as a woman for years. When a church harshly rejected him because of his struggles, he found it challenging to trust Christians. Pastor Jeff Farrar created a safe environment when Walt eventually tried church again. Through the course of many discussions, Walt realized transgender identities were mans idea, not Gods. Although doctors made a total wreck of his life, Pastor Jeffs care led Walt to see himself as Jesus does: a beloved son in need of love and redemption. Because of legal restrictions on counselors, the Church is specially situated to meet this urgent need. Laws in 20 states and the District of Columbia forbid licensed counselors from telling boys and girls that they can become comfortable with their bodies. But pastors in these states can still typically counsel people who want to bring their hearts, minds, and conduct in line with their faith and biology. 3.Pastors can prepare parents to teach their children about Gods design The Church can equip parents to give their children a biblical alternative to the prevailing cultural narrative. Rev. Jim Supp hosted an event for parents at his church. They learned about rapid-onset gender dysphoria, received Alliance Defending Freedoms Parents Toolkit on Critical Theory, and heard teaching on how to talk with their own children about the beauty of Gods created order. When schools undermine the ability of parents to teach the truth, pastors can support them. In Albemarle, Virginia, students were told that their races, sex, and religious beliefs put them into categories of oppressed or oppressor. When a Catholic student was called transphobic for expressing biblical beliefs, his school treated him as the troublemaker. Five families are now bravely challenging the school districts policies in court. 4.Pastors can stand alongside courageous truth-tellers Those who stand up for truth face strong opposition. Elementary school teacher Tanner Cross watched a 60 Minutes episode on young people who regretted gender transition. Tanner knew his own school district was considering a policy that would require teachers to validate those transitions, so he spoke up. After he told the school board, I love all of my students, but I will never lie to them regardless of the consequences, the district swiftly suspended him. Rev. Gary Hamrick stood alongside him and publicly defended his freedom to speak according to his conscience. 5.Pastors can speak truth to everyone everywhere Pastor Zach Ritz of Veritas Church testified in support of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkins proposed model policies. The policies protect children by ensuring that parents determine how a school treats a childs gender confusion. Pastor Ritz says he was motivated to speak because parental rights are a scriptural commandment Americas legal tradition protects. The Church speaks truth clearly not just to preserve a cultural place for Christians, but so that all can flourish according to Gods design. Pastors can treat gender-dysphoric individuals like they would anyone suffering from disordered thinking. Anorexia distorts a persons self-image and can lead to self-harm. Similarly, gender dysphoria creates mental incongruence between sex and gender identity. As Walt Heyer writes, Affirming false cross-gender identities is not love; helping someone reclaim their true identity in Christ is. Some Christian leaders accept and encourage the use of pronouns at odds with a persons sex, but affirming disordered thinking doesnt lead to healing. The path to healing affirms the truth of Creation. To cope with the trauma of an abusive father, KathyGrace Duncan once identified as a man. She writes that had she not encountered caring leaders in my church, I might still be living a lie. When I confessed the truth of my identity, however, they lovingly stood by me as I explored a return to womanhood. It was a decisive turning point in my faith. Lies harm, but truth heals. Shining the light on Christs love and His design for male and female can lead more people to find their true identity in Christ. By praying, counseling, teaching, standing, and speaking, pastors and ministry leaders can point the next generation to the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Britains 1984 moment Apparently, the United Kingdom has decided to shift its loyalties from courageously defying tyranny in the 20th century to embracing it in the 21st. Recently, a conservative-led British Parliament made George Orwells fictional accounts of thought crime a reality. After establishing censorship zones around abortion clinics in England and Wales, the MPs voted 299-116 to continue criminalizing even silent prayer in the vicinity of such clinics. As a lawyer for the U.K.s Alliance Defending Freedom put it: "Todays vote marks a watershed moment for fundamental rights and freedoms in our country. Parliament had an opportunity to reject the criminalisation of free thought, which is an absolute right, and embrace individual liberty for all. Instead, Parliament chose to endorse censorship and criminalise peaceful activities such as silent prayer and consensual conversation." The law is no idle threat. Last month, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce and Sean Gough were thankfully found not guilty in a Birmingham, England, court for the supposed crime of praying in public. Neither were arrested for some kind of loud, amplified prayer that disrupted public activities or woke people in the dark of the night. They were arrested for praying silently outside an abortion clinic. While Gough held a sign saying that he was praying for free speech, Vaughan-Spruce was arrested because the police thought she might be praying. Gough was even rebuked by the police for wearing his priestly cassock since it could be seen as intimidating. On March 6, the day before the recent vote, Vaughan-Spruce was arrested again for praying silently near an abortion facility. When she protested to the policeman that she wasnt engaging in any prohibited activity, the officer replied that she was engaging in prayer, and that is the offense. Let that sink in: the internal operations of ones own mind can be a criminal offense? These stories are part of a wider trend. Recently, a British man was contacted by the police for tweeting something negative about pride flags. He was told that because his comments would be considered grossly offensive, they were in violation of the law. He was then required to meet with police for a voluntary interview and, if he did not respond within 10 days, would be liable for prosecution. And in an almost-laughable situation, a taxpayer-funded anti-terrorism task force recently included not only 1984 and Brave New World but Tolkiens The Lord of the Rings, G.K. Chesterton poems, and all of Shakespeare as possible signs of far-Right leanings. How did Britain, with its rich history of defending liberty, devolve into a place of banning prayer and peaceful protest while categorizing as dangerous some of the greatest classics their culture has offered the world? How could a nation with a delightfully well-developed appreciation for irony worry that too many people are reading 1984? The late, great social critic Neil Postman once observed how Americans prided themselves that the year 1984 came and went without the West devolving into George Orwells dystopia, but had failed to see that we were far more in danger of living out Aldous Huxleys version of a totalitarian nightmare, Brave New World. As Postman put it, "What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism." At the time, Postman was right. We were able to avoid inhumane detention centers, torture chambers, and Big Brothers screens. But we had fallen captive to the glowing rectangles in our own homes and pockets. Our culture has long resembled Huxleys imagined world of trivial pleasures more than the overt totalitarianism of Orwells imagination. But what Postman may have missed is how much easier it is to make 1984 a reality in an already Brave New World that is caught up in chasing our personal peace and affluence and silencing anyone who rocks the boat. The right to dissent once stood as one of the most prized cultural possessions of the West. Now our most cherished freedoms are being watered down to the mere right of agreeing with whatever the combined interests of state and society demand. True liberties of conscience arent just Western or even American values: They are universal rights, bound up in our very nature as human beings. The Church has an opportunity to champion liberty in a world that has forgotten what it means to be human. By doing so, we remind our neighbors that something or, dare we say, Someone, exists to which we owe our allegiance first and foremost. The liberty of conscience is a common good worth defending because it points to the image of God in all people and to an authority higher than all earthly powers. And, it is a real protection against the tyrannies that seek to censor the unpopular. Originally published at BreakPoint. Methodist college fires lecturer for tweet lamenting homosexuality's 'invasion of the church' 'If sin is no longer sin, we no longer need a Savior' A 37-year-old Christian theology lecturer at the Methodist-run Cliff College in England has been dismissed after he shared his views in a tweet saying, homosexuality is invading the church. Aaron Edwards, who has worked for seven years at Cliff College, said he was also threatened with a counter-terrorism referral by the college, according to The Telegraph. The institution in Calver, Derbyshire, which positions itself as a global center for evangelism and missiology, dismissed the father of five for misconduct last week, deeming his tweet had brought the institution into disrepute. The lecturers tweet read: Homosexuality is invading the Church. Evangelicals no longer see the severity of this b/c they're busy apologizing for their apparently barbaric homophobia, whether or not its true. This is a Gospel issue, by the way. If sin is no longer sin, we no longer need a Savior. The tweet sparked a viral debate on social media, and during a disciplinary hearing, college officials suggested he could be reported to Prevent, the governments counter-extremism program. In response, the college tweeted, Cliff College, with the Methodist Church in Britain, is committed to being a safe and hospitable place, where those with differing convictions are welcomed and challenged to live together as faithful disciples of Christ. Edwards maintains his tweet was not homophobic and was intended for Evangelicals who share his views but fear backlash. In a follow-up tweet, he wrote: The acceptance of homosexuality as 'not sinful' is an invasion upon the Church, doctrinally. This is not controversial. The acceptance is controversial. Most of the global Church would agree. It is not homophobic to declare homosexuality sinful. He argues that the dismissal is disproportionate and fails to respect his freedom to express his Christian beliefs. Cliff College, which was founded in 1883, had asked Edwards to take the tweet down, claiming it violated the colleges staff social media policy. However, he refused, arguing that doing so would compromise his conscience and admit to intentional provocation when the tweet expressed his deeply held beliefs. Subsequently, Edwards was suspended and an investigation was launched. Following the disciplinary hearing, he was dismissed and is now appealing the decision. The Methodist Church welcomed the introduction of same-sex marriage last year. In the U.S., people employed by secular companies have lost their jobs after publicly sharing their views on Twitter that run afoul of LGBT ideology. In January, American video game distributor Limited Run Games terminated one of its employees amid social media backlash over the fact she followed several right-leaning Twitter accounts and made statements deemed by critics as "transphobic." In 2020, The Tobias Literary Agency, which has offices in Boston, New York City and Nashville, ousted one of its assistants, Sasha White, from her job for tweeting that transgender-identifying men who say they are women are not biologically female. Russia condemned for punishing American pastor over peaceful prayer gathering: Tyranny The European Court of Human Rights has condemned Russia for punishing an American Evangelical pastor for organizing a peaceful prayer gathering in his home, ruling that Moscow violated the pastors right to religious freedom and discriminated against him. In a judgment issued this month, the ECHR ruled that Russian authorities breached the human rights of Pastor Donald Ossewaarde by imposing a fine on him for inviting local residents to his house for worship, singing and Bible study in his house in Oryol, Russia, human rights group Alliance Defending Freedom International said in a statement. In 2016, Ossewaarde was arrested, taken to the police station, sued and convicted under Russias anti-terrorism law, which provides higher penalties for non-Russian citizens. He was fined 40,000 roubles (about $700). After the sentence was upheld by Russian courts, Ossewaarde appealed to the ECHR. The ECHR ruled that any penalty for missionary work violates the right to religious freedom and confirmed that the freedom to manifest ones religion includes the right to express ones religious views. The court also dismissed the distinct penalties for foreign citizens as discriminatory, violating the right not to be discriminated against. I was unjustly punished for exercising my basic human right to speak about my faith and pray with others, Ossewaarde said. My wife and I invited people into our home to sing hymns, read the Bible, and pray together. Millions of people around the world are free to do this without interference, but I was treated like a criminal and convicted under a Russian law directed at terrorists. He added he was now encouraged that the Court has clearly affirmed the individual right of religious freedom, and the key importance of protecting group worship and evangelism efforts. Nobody should be criminalized for praying, or for inviting others to partake in peaceful religious gatherings, he continued. Criminalization of religion leads to tyranny. Ossewaarde, originally from Michigan, had been living in Oryol since 2005 and regularly organized prayer gatherings and Bible readings, the group said. In August 2016, three police officers entered his home and subsequently ordered Ossewaarde to come to the police station for fingerprinting. He was soon convicted for carrying out missionary work. In July 2016, Russia introduced a new anti-terrorism law, criminalizing missionary work by individuals in many instances. ADF's Director of Advocacy Europe Dr. Felix Bollmann called on Russia to respect the international human rights framework in accordance with the ruling. Nobody should be discriminated against or persecuted for sharing their faith, regardless of their religion or denomination," he said. "The European Court of Human Rights has yet again affirmed that evangelization and mission work is a key, and robustly protected, element of the freedom of religion under the European Convention on Human Rights. American Missionary Released From Jail, Only 50% Of Pastors Satisfied With Their Job, Liberty University Sued For $8.5M link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 10:23 10:23 Top headlines for Saturday, March 18, 2023 An American missionary pilot and two other men who were jailed in Mozambique for more than four months on suspicion of supporting insurgents in the war-torn nation have been released from prison. Only half of U.S. pastors are very satisfied with their vocation, marking a steep decline in pastoral satisfaction over the past decade, according to a study released by Barna Group. Former Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr. has filed a lawsuit against the Evangelical institution his late father founded, claiming he's owed $8.5 million in retirement funds. A historic church in Virginia that the nation's first President George Washington helped design recently installed a pair of plaques to honor those who built the structure, including those who were enslaved. Does the Church need apologies more than apologetics? A recent Barna study found that while a majority of Americans want to grow spiritually, many experience significant times of doubt. Specifically, the study found that the top reasons U.S. adults gave for experiencing doubt were past experiences with a religious institution and the hypocrisy of religious people. It is no secret that the Church has been rocked with numerous scandals and allegations in recent years. And of course, these public disgraces do not even include the private mistreatment by professing Christians that many individuals have experienced, which simply never made the news cycle. Because of this, some well-meaning and respected believers have said the Church needs apologies more than apologetics. It reminds me of a message from the 1995 DC Talk album Jesus Freak that said, The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, but they dont by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable. Does the Church really need apologies more than apologetics arguments? There is no question that apologies are in order in many different situations. It should also go without saying that professing Christians are called to be doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22). Respectfully, however, I am not convinced that apologies are the answer to the issue of doubt. If we are honest with ourselves, the truth is that most people are lazy when it comes to critical thinking. We believe things for any number of misguided or sometimes nonsensical reasons. Why should we vote a certain way? Because that is what our family has always done. Why do we not believe some truth claims? Because social media fact-checkers said they were false. Why do we believe other truth claims? Because they make us feel good and work for our preferred lifestyles. Why do we think a particular way about a controversial issue? Because we watched a Hollywood-produced movie or YouTube video about it one time. In the U.S. culture especially, there is a never-ending stream of celebrities, movies, books, and music making authoritative pronouncements, sometimes subtly, on any number of issues that influence the way we think about reality. To be sure, we all believe things on the basis of some authority all the time. This is in fact part of what biblical faith actually means. None of us can investigate all truth claims or have expertise in all relevant subjects such that we can make authoritative judgments about everything by ourselves. We all need help. The question is whether we have good reasons to believe the things we do and trust the authorities to whom we pledge our allegiance. More importantly for the current question at hand, are the personal actions of professing Christians, whether good or bad, valid reasons to make a judgment about the validity of Christianity? In John 13:35, Jesus told His disciples, By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. Believers should seek the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to live this out each day. But notice what Jesus did not say. He did not say they will know Christianity is actually true, that Jesus actually rose from the dead, and that the Gospel is our only hope of salvation because we love people. If being loved and receiving apologies when wronged are the reasons someone believes a particular truth claim, then on what basis can we distinguish contradictory truth claims? For example, you will be hard-pressed to find people more loving and committed to family values than many Mormons. Does this mean we should believe the truth claims about Mormonism? Likewise, many atheists will claim they do not need God in order to be a moral and loving person. This is true to a certain extent. I know several atheists who are more loving and giving than many professing Christians. Does this mean atheism is true? Of course not! Moreover, despite all the sinful scandals and atrocities committed by professing Christians, there are many more believers daily attempting to live out their faith by loving their neighbor as themselves. Why are these Christians not considered counterexamples for those appealing to hypocrisy as the reason they do not follow Christ? In no way do I wish to minimize the pain and trauma experienced by those wronged inside the Church. My point here is simply that while love and apologies may be necessary conditions for demonstrating that someone is a true follower of Christ, they are not sufficient conditions for demonstrating that Christianity is in fact true. It is logically possible that every person professing Jesus as their Savior could be a liar and that Jesus still rose from the dead. The only reason anyone should believe anything is that they have reason to believe it is true (i.e., it corresponds to reality). That is the sole reason anyone should become a Christian. We see this echoed all throughout the pages of Scripture. From Jesus and the Apostles performing miracles (especially the resurrection) to Paul constantly arguing with, reasoning with, and persuading unbelievers, people were given reason to believe the Gospel is actually true. Paul goes so far as to say that if the resurrection is not true, nothing else matters (1 Cor. 15). No apology for sinful behavior can overcome this fact. The stark reality is that the problem of churches and professing believers not acting like Christians is nothing new. Just read Pauls epistles and most of the book of Revelation. If more social media apologies and public displays of repentance were necessary for the Gospel to change lives, then Christianity would have never gotten off the ground. The truth of Christianity stands or falls on its own, regardless of its professed followers. As Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES) graduate Dr. Frank Turek has said, if people claim that hypocrisy is the reason they do not go to church, then let them know there is always room for one more hypocrite. None of us are innocent in that regard. What the Barna study actually shows is that people often base their beliefs on very shaky foundations. These insufficient building blocks can crumble when tested and often lead to very poor judgments. My prayer is that those struggling with the waves of doubt because of the sinful actions of professing Christians would find the solid foundations that show the truthfulness of Christianity which can withstand the turbulence of personal circumstances. This is one of the many values of Christian apologetics. Yes, the Church needs to act like the Church, but in reality, it also needs more apologetics, not less. Yes, we need to weep with those who weep and do what is possible to seek biblical justice and restoration, but in reality, our culture needs a revival of critical thinking. These are not either/or propositions where we must seek love and justice or do apologetics. Instead, we need to do both while helping unbelievers understand why the Gospel matters despite what some professing Christians have done. Christianitys hope is in the truth of the Gospel not the actions of individuals. Indeed, God must be true, even if everyone is a liar (Rom. 3:4). 'The Judas principle' should humble us It causes my heart to skip a beat every time I read it. If youve ever heard a message on the first set of John 15 verses, chances are the thrust has been somewhat warm and fuzzy. You and I are to abide with Jesus and well be good Christians, doing the things we ought. Except thats not really the main principle of whats being taught in that section. Its a tad more ominous than it might first appear. I call it the Judas principle. Lets rewind the clock just a little and see how we get to chapter 15. In chapter 13 we find Jesus not only celebrating the Passover and instituting the Lords Supper, but we witness another important event take place thats full of significance for whats recorded later in chapter 15. After Jesus washes the disciples feet all the disciples feet, including Judas He zeroes in on His traitor and quotes the prophecy related to His betrayal (John 13:21). So, there would be no mistake about who Christs defector was, Jesus tells them, That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him (John 13:26). And whats the significance of that act? A host giving a morsel of bread to a guest at a dinner was a sign of friendship. Its amazing to watch Jesus actions towards the son of perdition (John 17:12), isn't it? But instead of His kindness being returned to Him, were told that Satan took full possession of Judas and he went out immediately, to which John adds symbolically, and it was night (vs. 29). Here we have the Judas principle in action he was leaving the Light of the world and returning to the darkness where hed been abiding since Day One. Truth is, hed never left. Youre always abiding somewhere Now lets return to chapter 15. The eleven true disciples remain in the room; the one false believer has left. And what does Jesus talk about? Abiding. Its a simple Greek word, meno, which means to stay; to remain. Its a key word in Johns theology and occurs 11 times in this chapter alone, 40 times in his Gospel, and 27 times in Johns epistles. In other words, John thinks remaining with Jesus is a pretty big deal. At the beginning of chapter 15, we find the last of Christs great I am statements in this Gospel, with Jesus describing how we identify true believers vs. fake and what end awaits the latter: I am the true vine Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples (vv. 1-6, 8). Remain (abide) with Christ and bear fruit, which proves youre the real thing. Or leave Jesus, do nothing where glorifying God is concerned and end up being burned. The latter is the Judas principle and is horrifying to think about. I cant help but wonder if John was reflecting back just a little to Judas leaving them that night when he referenced unbelievers this way in his first epistle: They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us (1 John 2:19). Many years ago, John Piper had someone approach him and ask how they could know if they were truly saved. Piper leaned in and quietly said, Lets see where you are 10 years from now. When it comes to the wonderful doctrine called the perseverance (or preservation) of the saints, its important to remember that our perseverance does not ensure our salvation but rather our salvation ensures our perseverance. In other words, God gets the credit for it, not us. We abide with Jesus because of His grace (Eph. 2:8-9) and only by His doing do none of us leave Him and go out, like Judas, into the night. President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at their joint news conference after their summit in Tokyo, March 16. Yonhap South Korean business communities Monday hailed last week's summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as a "turning point" in bilateral relations, expressing hope for Kishida's return visit to Seoul soon. The summit, which came days after Seoul's announcement on plans to resolve the issue of compensating Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor, signaled a thaw in bilateral ties that have remained badly frayed over historical and other thorny issues stemming from Japan's colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910-45. The two countries also agreed to begin the process of removing retaliatory trade measures they have taken against each other, including Japan's export controls of key industrial materials vital to South Korea's tech industry. But the summit outcome has come under strong criticism from the liberal bloc, with the opposition party denouncing it as "submissive diplomacy" that chose to overlook the past. "President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to Japan has set a turning point for improving bilateral relations, and we welcome that it has laid the foundation for economic cooperation between Korea and Japan," a joint statement by six business lobbies read. "The summit is considered very timely, as it was held at a time when there is an increasing need for cooperation due to the rapidly changing global political and economic environment, such as intensifying global strategic competition, the reshaping of supply chains and evolving North Korean nuclear threats," the statement said. The business circle said the summit will help further expand cooperation in trade and investment, as "unnecessary trade obstacles" have been removed. "We ask the two governments to make consistent efforts to build mutual trust and help expand economic cooperation, and we hope that Prime Minister Kishida will visit Korea at an early date," it said. The statement was jointly released by the Federation of Korean Industries, the Korean Chamber of Commerce, the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Federation of SMEs, the Korea Enterprises Federation and the Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea. (Yonhap) President Yoon Suk Yeol applauds with participants of the ASEAN+3 summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 12, 2022. From left are Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Yoon, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Yonhap Korean, Japanese leaders agree on need for trilateral cooperation By Nam Hyun-woo President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recognized the necessity of resuming high-level talks between South Korea, Japan and China when they held a summit in Tokyo last week. This came initially as a surprise, because the two countries have stressed the importance of the trilateral cooperation between Seoul, Tokyo and Washington to counter North Korea's nuclear threats. With tensions increasing between China and the United States over regional issues including the South China Sea, experts said resuming a trilateral summit involving Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing is possible. After the Yoon-Kishida summit, March 16, the Japanese prime minister said at a joint press conference that he and the South Korean leader were on the same page regarding "the importance of resuming a high-level process between Japan, South Korea and China." A senior aide to Yoon also said, "The remark can be interpreted as improvements in Seoul-Tokyo relations providing better positions for the countries to hold a trilateral summit." He added that "we (South Korea) are also expecting the trilateral event as the host country." The aide was referring to the suspended South Korea-China-Japan Summit. The inaugural edition of the event was held in December 2008, when the leaders of the three countries met in Fukuoka, Japan. Since then, there have been seven more three-way summits, with the last one taking place in December 2019 in Chengdu, China. However, due to soured relations between South Korea and Japan over the wartime forced labor issue, the trilateral summit has been suspended. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic weighed heavily on international exchanges and the U.S.-China rivalry began to emerge, making both Seoul and Tokyo engage in respective balancing acts. From left, Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in, former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pose for a photo after the eighth trilateral summit between the three countries in Chengdu, China, Dec. 4, 2019. AP-Yonhap Reminder: Anunt pentru selectarea participantilor in cadrul unui program de instruire in ceea ce priveste gandirea critica, alfabetizarea media, analiza, rezistenta la dezinformare si reflectarea informatiilor de interes public intr-un mod impartial Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate. Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele A mobile phone app has launched to link prospective volunteers with charities ahead of King Charles coronation weekend. Hundreds of thousands of volunteering opportunities, hosted by more than 1,500 charities, have today been made available through the Big Help Out app . Members of the public are being encouraged to sign up via the app to volunteer on the bank holiday Monday of the coronation 8 May in their community or to sign up to future opportunities. People can search by their postcode, the type of activity they want to do and the organisation they would like to volunteer with. Hundreds of thousands more activities are expected to be added before the day. The Big Help Out is a formal part of the coronation celebrations, supported by the Together Coalition and devised by charities including the Scouts, Royal Voluntary Service, Guide Dogs and thousands of smaller local groups. Civil society and ceremonials minister Stuart Andrew said: The Big Help Out will shine a spotlight on the power of volunteering to help our communities. It is a tribute to His Majesty the King's lifetime of public service and a wonderful way to begin this new age. The Together Coalition said in January that it aims to make the Big Help Out the start of the biggest volunteering effort in our countrys history. Toynbee Hall appoints first permanent female chief executive Rebecca Sycamore has joined Toynbee Hall as its first permanent female chief executive since it was established in 1884. Sycamore, who was previously executive director of strategy and development at St. Mungos, succeeds interim chief executive Alex Botha. Stephen Burns, chair of Toynbee Hall said: Her expertise across a range of organisational areas including strategic planning, fundraising and income generation, policy development and research, communications and senior management and governance is very relevant to the challenges the charity faces. She has a long-standing commitment to social justice and is motivated by finding ways to empower those experiencing disadvantage and exclusion. We look forward to welcoming her to Toynbee Hall. Engage Britain appoints CEO Miriam Levin has been appointed CEO of Engage Britain, replacing Julian McCrae, the former managing director. Prior to taking up the role, Levin was Engage Britains programme director and head of community action for the UK government. She said: Its a great privilege to have been appointed as chief executive of Engage Britain at such an exciting time in the organisations evolution. Policies to improve our health and care systems developed by those who draw on services and on the frontline are gaining real traction and we will continue to push hard for their adoption by decision makers. New CEO for Overcoming MS Overcoming MS has announced the appointment of Alex Holden as CEO. Holden comes from Target Ovarian Cancer where she held the role of deputy CEO. She replaces Stephen Richards who had been Overcoming MSs interim CEO since April last year. With more than 20 years of experience in the voluntary and corporate sectors, Holden previously worked at Bupa, Virgin Media and Mencap among others. Dowshan Humzah, chair of Overcoming MS, commented: Im excited to welcome Alex to Overcoming MS. The charitys core purpose is to enable everyone with MS to achieve optimal wellness by being able to take control of their health and wellbeing through making informed lifestyle choices. Alex brings considerable transferable experience from a range of corporate and voluntary roles that will be invaluable in helping us more effectively drive that purpose. Acorns Childrens Hospice appoints CEO Trevor Johnson has joined Acorns Childrens Hospice, which provides specialist palliative care to babies, children and young people across the West Midlands and Gloucestershire, as its new CEO. He takes over from Toby Porter, who stepped down in September last year after spending six years in the role. Before joining the charity, Johnson was CEO of Katharine House Hospice. Matt Bullock, the hospices director of people and culture and interim CEO, said: Were delighted to welcome Trevor to the charity someone we know brings with them a wealth of knowledge and experience from within the childrens palliative care and charity sectors. New CEO for Groundswell The homelessness charity has appointed Michael Chandler as its new CEO, effective 7 June 2023. Chandler currently leads the Union Chapel and has more than two decades of experience working for social justice organisations. He previously worked at charities Cardboard Citizens and Shelter. Groundswells chair Jenny Yates said: We were inspired by Michaels passion, commitment and ideas. In his first few months he will be meeting Groundswells people and partners as we look to refresh our organisational strategy; the past few years have been challenging but were confident Michael can drive forward Groundswells impact, with participation at the core. Royal Marsden Cancer Charity welcomes chair and vice chair C.S. Venkatakrishnan and Sasha Wiggins have been appointed as chair and vice chair of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Venkatakrishnan is Barclays Group chief executive and Wiggins is Barclays Group head of public policy and corporate responsibility and chief of staff. Antonia Dalmahoy, managing director of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, said: Were so pleased to welcome Venkat and Sasha. They bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise which will be immensely valuable in helping the charity grow its support from the corporate sector and I look forward to working alongside them to help The Royal Marsden continue to save and improve the lives of people affected by cancer. New chair at the Royal Academy of Music Simon Robey has been appointed as the new chair of the Royal Academy of Musics governing body. An investment banker, Robey has been involved with the charity for nearly 20 years, serving as a trustee from 2004 to 2014. He will take over from current chair Jenny Abramsky in July 2024. He commented: I have a long-standing affection for the Academy and a deep admiration for the work it does and the young people it serves. Im thrilled to take on this role as the academy moves into its third century. Now, more than ever, we must work hard to ensure that the finest music education and performance can flourish, and that talented young people are equipped with every opportunity to make music important in peoples lives. JRF welcomes new trustee The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has welcomed Anita Bhatia as a new trustee to its board. Bhatia, who is Guys & St Thomas Foundations investment director, joins the team responsible for setting the JRF-Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) groups direction and strategy. She simultaneously became chair of JRFs investment committee, which manages the foundations endowment. Tracey Preece, JRF-JRHTs director of finance, said: Were delighted to have Anita join JRF at this pivotal point for our new strategy as we work towards directing more of our endowment towards our mission through our investment practice. Her experience, drive and passion will be an invaluable guide for Trustees as we navigate this journey. Westminster Foundation appoints new trustee David Holmes has become a trustee of the Westminster Foundation. Holmes is currently CEO of Family Action and the chair of Children England, a membership body that represents charities working with children and young people. The Duke of Westminster, chair of the Westminster Foundation said: Im delighted to welcome David to the board of the Westminster Foundation. He brings tremendous experience and independent perspectives on supporting children and young people. Two trustees join Scottish SPCA Ed Alford and Caroline Trotter have joined the board of the Scottish animal welfare charity to provide oversight, support and challenge as it delivers its 10-year strategy. Alford is a global chief information officer while Trotter has worked in the investment industry for more than 35 years. Chair Fiona MacLeod said they both bring a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge to the board. Oversight Trust welcomes board members The trust has welcomed three new non-executive directors to join its board from the end of the month. David Lindsell is a chartered accountant. Vicki Thornton is chief financial officer at Age UK. Rob Bell is joint CEO of the Bettys & Taylors Group. Chair Stuart Etherington said: We very much welcome the addition of new members to the board who will add to the breadth of experience and perspectives that can be brought to bear for the on-going oversight of the dormant assets scheme in England. Guys & St Thomas Foundation appoints chief people officer The foundation has appointed Cynthia Duodu as its chief people officer to ensure equity, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the organisations culture. Duodu joins from the Low Carbon Contracts Company and Electricity Settlements Company where she was director of people and organisation development. Guys & St Thomas Foundations chief executive officer Kieron Boyle said: Its great to have Cynthia joining us at the Foundation at an exciting time in our journey. This new role will help shape how we deliver our five-year strategy. Cynthias extensive experience will be an asset to our team as we look to consolidate and build on our growth of the last few years and continue to work to establish the foundations of a healthier society. Awen Cultural Trust announces new commercial director Steve Dimmick has been appointed as commercial director at the Awen Cultural Trust and its wholly-owned trading subsidiary Awen Trading Ltd. Prior to this, Dimmick was the co-founder and CEO of real-time online survey platform doopoll. Awen Cultural Trusts chief executive Richard Hughes said: Awens purpose of making peoples lives better, and our core values, really resonate with Steve. As an entrepreneur and founder of several public-facing companies, he understands the importance and principles of developing a social business where generating revenue is underpinned by the social mission and embedding a customer-first culture. DEC appoints two trustees The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has welcomed two new trustees. Farmida Bi, who joined as vice chair, is a solicitor and Julian Douglas, who joined as an independent trustee, is the international CEO of global advertising agency VCCP. The appointments come as the charitys three active appeals, namely the Pakistan floods, Ukraine and the Turkey-Syria earthquakes, have raised more than 580m. DECs chair Sue Inglish said Bi and Douglas both bring great expertise from their industry sectors and invaluable support to the board. sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, On Saturday morning, Donald Trump tweetedsorry, truthedthat he will be arrested on Tuesday. Trumps claim immediately blew up into a major story across the media landscape, feeding a slurry of push notifications, stories, commentary, and tweets. But it wasnt clear what the claimand, in particular, its specific datewas actually based on. A few hours later, a spokesperson for Trump said that he didnt have any special knowledge of a Tuesday arrest; the New York Times subsequently reported that Trump may simply have been echoing guesswork on the part of his advisers. A lawyer for Trump later confirmed that the Tuesday claim was based on press reports. (No one tells us anything which is very frustrating, the lawyer added.) As microcosms of the broader Trump-press relationship go, its hard to think of one more exquisite than the media breathlessly amplifying a seemingly newsy and incendiary claim that Trump actually just gleaned from the media itself. But Im open to other suggestions. Reports of an imminent Trump indictment first surfaced ten days ago in the pages of the Times, under the headline Prosecutors Signal Criminal Charges for Trump Are Likely, with the signal in this case not being anything prosecutors said publicly, but the fact that they invited Trump to testify before a Manhattan grand jury thats been investigating his role in the payment of hush money to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, to cover up an affair in the runup to the 2016 presidential election. (It would be unusual, the Times reported, for prosecutors to invite Trump and not then charge him.) In recent days, reporters have closely tracked developments in the case, including a meeting between prosecutors and Daniels herself; some reporters have also been keeping track of Danielss tweets about the case, including one in which she speculated that Trumps social-media typos might be down to slippery fingers from lube and KFC and another in which she did a better job than some members of the DC press corps in fact-checking Trumps Tuesday-arrest claim. Meanwhile, the legal-pundit-industrial complex (remember them?) whirred into action once more. Some soberly explained, as did the Timess initial story, that potential charges against Trump in the hush-money case would be complex and legally untested. Another questioned, on MSNBC, why were starting with the stripper case. Starting with was a reference to other possible indictments of Trump that could come soon, and that have themselves been big news in recent weeksperhaps none more so than a case in Fulton County, Georgia, where a special grand jury recently concluded an investigation into Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the state. The coverage of that case has focused not only on Trump and his associates but also on some unlikelier media characters, not least Emily Kohrs, the foreperson of the special grand jury. The Associated Press identified Kohrs using court records and requested an interview, which Kohrs granted; she also spoke with the Times, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and CNN, among other outlets. Kohrs mostly offered behind-the-curtain insights into what the experience of the investigation was like; in one typical anecdote, she described swearing in a witness while holding a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ice pop. She also spoke to the number and type of indictments the special grand jury may have recommended (It is not a short list), without naming names. And, when asked about a Trump claim that the process had totally exonerated him, Kohrs replied, Did he really say that? Oh, thats fantastic. Thats phenomenal. I love it. Lawyers for Trump were quick to hit back, claiming that Kohrss media tour had undermined the integrity of the investigation and Trumps due-process rights. Right-wing pundits amplified that general idea, decrying Kohrss interviews as not how justice in America is supposed to work (Sean Hannity), and Kohrs herself as a woman who acted like a vapid immature high school teenager (Gregg Jarrett) and an actual witch (Rod Dreher, pointing to some old online posts by Kohrs). Over on the opinion pages of the Wall Street Journal, Gerard Baker, the papers former editor in chief, loftily cast Kohrs as an avatar of an age of unseriousness. For good measure, he sneered at her employment status (she has described herself as being between customer-service jobs) and accused her of giggly gallivanting, injudicious incontinence and verbal laxity while giddily skipping from television studio to newspaper office sharing the sober deliberations of a secret judicial process like a fluttery teenager dishing the dirt on the saucy goings-on at last nights junior prom. So far, so predictablebut these voices werent alone in slamming Kohrs and her interviews, which attracted criticism right across the political and media spectrum, including among the aforementioned legal-pundit-industrial complex. On CNN, Elie Honig called them a horrible idea; on MSNBC, Barbara McQuade called them reckless, while a headline in New York magazine declared them weird and risky. Terry Moran, a senior national correspondent at ABC News, said that Kohrs had beclowned herself (she looked like a fool, like, somebody looking for their fifteen minutes this is no way to run a popsicle stand, much less a grand jury investigation of the former president of the United States); on the same show, Donna Brazile, a former acting chair of the Democratic National Committee, said that Kohrs may have done her media round with a view to creating a GoFundMe to pay eventual legal fees. Shouldnt she be keeping her big bazoo shut? Joy Behar said, on The View. This girl, I mean, why is she going around talking? She wants attention. Everyone is a Kardashian now. Everybody wants attention. And thats what this is about, I think. But I think that she could destroy this case. (It must be noted, here, that not every legal expert thinks that Kohrs has destroyed this case, with several pointing out that Georgia has looser grand-jury secrecy rules than apply at the federal level, and that Kohrs appears not to have stepped outside of them in her commentary. Joining them, apparently, in this assessment: the judge in the case itself, who seemed to suggest, in rare comments to ABC, that the whole media furor over Kohrs was misplaced.) Sign up for CJR 's daily email Outside of the Manhattan and Fulton County cases, Trump is under investigation at the federal level, with Jack Smith, a special counsel, overseeing parallel probes into Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his mishandling of classified documents after leaving office. Both these stories, too, have attracted ample media attention of late and have their own casts of characters. Lately, a prominent one has been Mike Pence, who has so far refused, despite a subpoena, to testify before a grand jury in the election case. Last weekend, Pence did agree to appear at the Gridiron Dinnera yuckier than yuck off-camera gathering of DC bigwigs, including journalistsand said (among other things, including a homophobic jab at Pete Buttigieg) that history will hold Donald Trump accountable for his role in the insurrection of January 6. As Politicos Michael Schaffer noted last week, Pences speech got a rapturous ovation from the white-tie crowd in the room. On the outside, it drove a mini news cycle. Yesterday, Pence sat for an interview on ABC and was asked to elaborate on what he meant by his historical reference. It will be the judgment of history, Pence said. I truly believe it. The cases facing Trump are different in their particulars, and its legitimate to question and scrutinize the specifics of the charges that he might face, how they might stand up in court, and the political context around them. Its legitimate, too, to compare them. What is less legitimateor, to borrow a term from Baker, unseriousis for members of the media to dismiss any of them as a trivial matter because they feel that the stakes are higher in one of the other cases. The claim that Trump paid off Daniels in possible violation of fraud and campaign-finance laws does not deserve flippant treatment because it only involves a stripper, and not the storming of the US Capitol. As Ive written many times, Trump has, perversely, often benefited from the low expectations many members of the media set for him. Each case against Trump is a big deal in its own right and deserves sober coverage of its merits. If there is a problem of what we take seriously when it comes to Trump, there is also a problem of who we take seriously. Comparing the coverage afforded to the different characters in these three casesDaniels, and to a greater extent Kohrs and Pencereveals it. Despite the claims of her attention-hoggery, it would appear that Kohrs, at least initially, did not seek out the limelight; nor did she seem to break any actual rules, and she certainly did not deserve to have a shower of sexist and classist bile poured down on her head. While Kohrs has been ridiculed as a silly little girl for talking to the media, Pence has been, if not lionized, then at least treated like an adult in the room for stating an anodyne observation about Trump in a setting that suited him. Pence has received media scrutiny for dodging his grand-jury subpoena; plenty of it. He also gets to go on television and claim, without much pushback, that America has a two-tiered justice system that is stacked against a former president. Talk about unserious. Any indictment of Trump would be the first ever handed down against a former president; the prospect has driven media chatter for years, and the possibility that an arrest may be imminent has, understandably, supercharged it. As always with stories that get a lot of attention, some of this chatter has been insightful, dissecting the various investigations Trump faces and what they might mean legally, politically, socially, and historically. (It will, after all, be the judgment of history.) And, as always, weve also seen a lot of nonsense, from American-exceptionalist pearl-clutching about indicting former presidents not being the sort of thing we do here to shallow political punditry musing that, actually, an indictment might be good for Trump. On ABC yesterday, one voice of reason countered that being indicted never helps anybody. That this came from Chris Christiea man who knows a bit about high-profile indictments, and whose political interests (hes weighing a bid for president) would be served by an indictment not being good for Trumpprobably says as much as anything else about our political and media climate. One thing that is certainly good for Trump is media coverage that amplifies his unevidenced talking points, be they demeaning a special grand juror or announcing his imminent arrest. In the latter post over the weekend, Trump also called on supporters to TAKE OUR NATION BACK, an unmistakable echo, as the Times put it, of his incendiary tweets in the run-up to January 6, and which also, for better or for worse, was amplified across the media landscape. In this contextual sense, at least, the hush-money and election probes Trump faces are connected, even if the immediate legal stakes differ. After last time, we should probably take it seriously. Other notable stories: Yesterday saw the debut of a new show on MSNBC hosted by Jen Psaki, Bidens first White House press secretary. Psaki majored on the Trump-arrest story and her show did not feature much criticism of the Biden administration, Deadlines Ted Johnson writes. An interview with Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, was largely friendly territory for Jeffries, Johnson writes, though Psakis questions were not superficial. The Journals Alexandra Bruell reports on intensifying tensions over labor at the Times, where bosses have accused the papers union of slow-walking talks on a new contract, and unionized staffers have pushed back, including in an internal messaging forum, by pointing to bosses high pay packets. Union members are themselves split over how to proceed, with some favoring the appointment of a mediator and others wanting a strike. For Air Mail, Brian Stelter profiled David Sirota, a former adviser to Bernie Sanders whose news site, The Lever, has been ahead of the media pack on several recent stories, including the train derailment in Ohio and the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. I think that the economic class war is the most important war going on in America, Sirota told Stelter. I think that by and large the culture war is a deliberate distraction from that. The Washington Posts Katherine Ellison spoke with Mary Louise Kelly, of NPR, about her experience of hearing loss, a subject that Kelly broaches in a new memoir. When Im anchoring, I never have trouble, because the NPR studio is soundprooftheres no background noise to distract you, and I wear great headphones that I can crank loud, Kelly said. Its harder when I do interviews from home or when Im out in the field. And Peter Baker, of the Times, landed a four-decade-old scoop after Ben Barnes, a one-time Texas politician, reached out to the paper to confess that he participated (unwittingly, he says) in an effort to sabotage President Jimmy Carters 1980 reelection bid by trying to convince Iran that it should wait for a new administration before resolving the US hostage crisis. Barnes told Baker that he wanted to break his silence about the effort following the recent news that Carter had entered hospice care at the age of ninety-eight. Confirming Barness account is problematic after so much time since many of the central players have long since died and Mr. Barnes has no diaries or memos to corroborate his account, Baker writesbut Barnes has no obvious reason to make up the story, and friends of Barness confirmed that theyd heard it before. ICYMI: Bank failures are not campaign events Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, after a dinner at a restaurant for their summit in Tokyo, March 16. Yonhap Korea has expressed regret to Japan over a series of "distorted" reports on last week's summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and asked that such reports not be repeated, a presidential official said Monday. Japan's Sankei Shimbun reported the same day that Kishida asked Yoon to faithfully implement a 2015 agreement on the issue of Korean women forced into sexual slavery for Japanese troops during World War II, as well as the lifting of restrictions on imports of seafood from Fukushima. Other Japanese news outlets carried similar reports last week, saying the issues of the "comfort women" and Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo, which Japan has repeatedly laid claim to, were raised during the summit. "With regard to the completely groundless or distorted reports coming out of Japan after the summit, I understand that our diplomatic authorities have expressed regret and asked for a prevention of a recurrence," the presidential official told reporters. On whether the import restrictions were discussed, the official said he cannot disclose the details of the summit discussions. He noted, however, that the subject was brought up by Japanese lawmakers during a separate meeting they had with Yoon. On the issues of the comfort women and Dokdo, the official repeated Seoul's previous statement that neither topic was discussed during the summit. (Yonhap) Yoon Suk Yeol shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 13, 2022. Korea Times file Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida invited South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to a G-7 summit to be held in Hiroshima in May, a news report said Monday. According to Japan's Kyodo News Agency, Kishida told reporters he invited leaders of South Korea, Brazil, India, Vietnam and four other countries to the upcoming G-7 summit during his ongoing visit to India. Japan has the authority to invite countries to the G-7 summit this year as the host nation. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form By Yi Woo-won In early spring of 1995, I went to Japan on a package tour. It was my first trip to the neighboring country, from which our nation was liberated from occupation in 1945. I had multiple, mixed emotions about the country of my childhood, although I was thrilled at the prospect of looking around the country. Our destination was Beppu, a geothermal city in Kyushu. I was with my wife, my eldest daughter, her husband and their little son. The total number of our party was nine including another family of three and another Korean woman who was our guide. When the plane landed at Oita International Airport after a little less than an hour's flight, we headed for Beppu city in two taxis. For the first time in my life, I was riding in a vehicle which was traveling on the left side of the highway. I was under the illusion that our car was going to crash head-on with the oncoming vehicles and it scared me stiff all the way. When we arrived on the outskirts of the city, our guide led us to the steaming mountain park with geysers and natural hot ponds. Each of the spots had unearthly, weird names in Japanese such as "jikoku" or "hell" and "umijikoku" or "sea hell." Gazing at the ceaseless emanations of steam and gases from the depths of the earth, I thought the earth was not only alive but it was actually expressing its feelings violently. It was getting dark and we boarded the bus to go for a bath at a hot spring, the main attraction of the day. We walked into a public bathhouse of an aged wooden structure. The dressing room was packed with many people, of whom more than a half seemed to be Korean. Their loud talking in Korean made me forget I was in Japan. While crossing the gravel yard to go for a warm-sand bath, I suddenly realized I was wearing only a of Japanese yukata (a bathrobe). The sand bath was so comfortable and relaxing that I was momentarily enjoying a snooze, when I was startled to hear a woman's voice nearby. She was lying alongside me only a yard away. It was a unisex bathhouse. Everything went smoothly and enjoyably after that, including a hearty buffet dinner in town. We were now anticipating a good night's rest in a deluxe hotel after a long day. However, our bus kept running on a quiet, rural road for over an hour and stopped finally in front of a small two-story wooden building. We thought something was wrong. It was not a hotel. It was a cheap, traditional Japanese ryokan in the country an obvious breach of contract. We were angry because we were scheduled to stay at the Suginoi, a renowned five-star hotel in downtown Beppu. The guide's excuse was that there were no rooms in the hotel, but it was impossible. Thus, an argument ensued between the guide and female members of our party. It was after one o'clock in the morning and the disagreement still unsettled. Finally, I walked over to the manager of the ryokan who had been watching the unintelligible dispute for almost two hours. I apologized to him for the disturbance and explained to him what it was all about. Then I politely asked him if he could possibly find a more appropriate ryokan for us in the region. To my surprise, he was very polite and sympathetic to me after hearing all the details. He said he would see what he could do and started making phone calls. He walked to me a little while later, saying he had found a place and offered to take us there in his vehicle. We were deeply grateful to him for his kindness and felt terribly sorry for his trouble driving us in the wee hours of the morning. The new place he had found wasn't fancy, but it was an elegant-looking, charming, little ryokan, much better than we had expected. He smiled when everybody seemed satisfied with it. Then he raised his hand to say goodbye. We all thanked him profusely and I stood there waving to him, a truly selfless manager with extraordinary personality. Yi Woo-won (yiwoowon1988@gmail.com) lives in Waegwan, North Gyeongsang Province, and has been writing since 1986. By Deauwand Myers I have lived in Asia for most of my adult life. What I have found most fascinating is the great PR game America has created for the rest of the world. What I mean is this: Why on earth would Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, or Singaporean citizens, living in societies with low crime, good physical infrastructure, lack of police violence, high literacy rates, and universal healthcare ever want to leave his or her own country and live in the United States? Because of the movies? Food? It is just breathtaking to me that a Korean would want to live in such a violent, underdeveloped country as the United States. Besides our military, the little secret is very simple, in every metric, Korea is just a much better country to live in. The only truly poor metric for both Korea and Japan is high suicide rates, lack of women's participation in the workforce and unequal pay parity in the workplace. But by almost every measure, the United States is woefully behind in its social and physical infrastructure. Take Korean mothers and childbirth. Maternal death rates and infant mortality rates in Korea are some of the lowest in the developed world. Meanwhile, the maternal and infant mortality rates in the United States are some of the worst in the world, worse than most developing countries. Even democracy is better in Korea than in the United States. Disgraced and impeached former President Park Geun-hye was swiftly indicted and imprisoned for corruption, graft, and improperly sharing classified documents. She spent several years in prison before being pardoned. Even the scion of the powerful Lee family was imprisoned and later pardoned, for his role in the graft former President Park's friend gladly participated. Former President Trump, and all federally-elected officials involved in the Jan. 6th insurrection, and a lot of alleged crimes before and after that shocking day, have not been indicted nor convicted, and may never be. Korea, a true democracy for less than 30 years, can hold its highly ranked leaders accountable, but the United States, a democracy for well over 200 years, cannot imprison the most corrupt president in American history? It would be laughable, if it were not so sad. Koreans have a long average lifespan. Lifespans are declining in America. Koreans have some of the highest levels of literacy of any developed country, meanwhile, the United States has some of the lowest. The same with tertiary education. The only thing the United States is good at anymore is the military and the military-industrial complex. The thing is, you cannot eat a gun or live in a nuclear missile. Even Korean housing, though the housing market is still overheated, is better than my home country. In this, I mean there are few homeless in Korea. But the developed country with the most homeless? The United States. Then there is American gun violence and violent crime in general. The United States has the most gun crimes of all developed democracies on the planet, combined. Which brings me back to American PR. The quality of life, even for the middle classes in the United States, is far less good than in Korea. And I am wondering what then, is the allure Koreans have in wanting to live, (not visit) the United States? Is it because of the American victory during World War II? Is it because American military forces have been stationed in Korea all these years? I get part of it is culture. The movies, music, food and television. That can all be consumed online or in Itaewon, however. Especially in a larger American city, Koreans from Korea would not be safe and have a high chance of getting robbed. And then this anti-Asian racism brought on by COVID only makes the chances higher that verbal and physical violence might ensue. The United States is not all bad, but it seems a lot of Asians have fallen for the hype that the United States is somehow a great country to live in. And that is just empirically, demonstrably untrue. I love watching food videos on YouTube. The amount of young restaurant owners originally from Korea and Japan and Taiwan is high. And I am just astounded by that. Life is not perfect anywhere. Korea's high household debt, poor work-life balance, the hyper-competitive nature of schooling, college, and working at a famous Korean company like Samsung are all challenging. The population is aging and not being replaced. The government is prone to move too slowly to address the overheated housing market and household debt, and is still prone to lesser forms of graft. I would take all that in spades compared to the utter decline of American society. And it is sad, because it could do better. Koreans, please do not believe the hype. Deauwand Myers (deauwand@hotmail.com) holds a master's degree in English literature and literary theory, and is an English professor outside of Seoul. Japan PM Fumio Kishida arrives in India; set to discuss defense, tech deals Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in New Delhi today morning to explore ways to boost bilateral ties in a range of areas, including defence and security, trade and investment, and high technologies. Indian PM Narendra Modi (right) and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@PIB_India In their talks later in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PM Kishida also discussedd priorities for India's presidency of G20 and Japan's presidency of the G7. The Japanese prime minister is expected to unveil his plan for a "free and open Indo-Pacific" with a focus on India's increasingly significant role for the region during the visit. The evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military assertiveness is also likely to figure in the wide-ranging talks between PM Modi and PM Kishida. The Japanese prime minister's visit is expected to last around 27 hours. He unveiled his 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace' during a lecture at a leading think-tank in the afternoon. The plan is expected to highlight India's significance for the Indo-Pacific. Delivering the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June last year, PM Kishida said he would lay out the plan for Indo-Pacific next spring. "I will lay out a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace' by next spring which will strengthen Japan's efforts to further promote the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, with an emphasis on providing patrol vessels and enhancing maritime law enforcement capabilities, as well as cyber security, digital and green initiatives, and economic security," he had said. The plan is expected to provide details of Japan's policy and approach towards the Indo-Pacific. In the last few years, almost all leading powers have come out with their strategies for the Indo-Pacific. Japan has been pushing for a free and open Indo-Pacific with a view to maintaining and strengthening the rules-based international order in the region. Sales of Chinese-brand passenger vehicles soar 37.3 pct in February Xinhua) 11:09, March 20, 2023 BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Sales of Chinese-brand passenger vehicles continued to log rapid expansion in February and further increased their market share, industry data shows. Last month, 873,000 domestic-brand passenger vehicles were sold in China, surging 37.3 percent year on year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The domestic market share of these vehicles was 52.8 percent in this period, up 10.1 percentage points from a year ago. During the first two months of 2023, sales of domestic-brand passenger vehicles topped 1.63 million units in China, with their market share up 7.6 percentage points year on year to 52.3 percent, the data also revealed. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) By Mitch Shin On March 6, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin announced a plan that could be a momentum to resolve one of the country's major obstacles between South Korea and Japan compensating South Korean victims of wartime forced labor. After months of coordination with the forced laborers and Tokyo since South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol took office in May 2022, Seoul finally unveiled its plan to circumvent the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling that has been a key cause of the cacophony over bilateral relations with Japan. Yoon said the decision was made in order to build a future-oriented relationship with Japan, an important state actor for coping with the growing aggression of North Korea. According to the released polls, however, more than half of South Koreans criticize the government's new plan in the absence of Tokyo's sincere apologies toward the forced laborers. Among the many controversial aspects of Park's announcement, an eye-catching one is Seoul's consideration shown to the Japanese corporations that were ordered to compensate their victims directly. Thanks to Seoul's new plan on the forced labor victims, they are no longer required to follow the Supreme Court's ruling, while South Korean companies, such as the steelmaker POSCO, have made donations to the foundation that would compensate plaintiffs on behalf of the Japanese corporations Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. In the announcement, Seoul will also seek to create a "future youth fund" to sponsor scholarships for students in a bid to make the impression that this decision was for moving forward to the future, not staying in the past. However, since the fund was never discussed with the victims and their representatives in the past few months when Park was trying to persuade them of the government's new idea, it is questionable why this funding program was included as part of Seoul's plan to resolve the years-long historical disputes with Tokyo. Furthermore, as Japanese students have limited access to the historical facts on the war crimes Japan committed against Korea under imperial annexation, enticing Tokyo to give a proper history lesson to Japanese students could have been a more welcome approach for the victims and their families. During the press conference, Park said it is not everything to receive apologies from Japan. However, Tokyo has never made apologies for its wartime forced labor. Japan has unilaterally argued that it had already made apologies for the historical disputes with South Korea so as not to hold any accountability. Also, it has repeatedly mentioned that the historical disputes are off the table ever since South Korea received a package of $300 million in economic aid and $500 million in loans from Japan under the 1965 treaty. However, what the victims have ceaselessly demanded was a sincere apology from Japan, which has compromised contemporary Japanese leaders. Hours after Park's announcement, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi held a brief press conference and said Tokyo defers to the 1998 agreement made between then leaders of South Korea and Japan Kim Dae-jung and Keizo Obuchi as a friendly response. Considering the governments of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's attempts to misrepresent historical facts concerning its war-time crimes during World War II since Shinzo Abe regained power in 2012, however, it is uncertain whether Tokyo will make any provocative moves on the historical disputes such as its nonsense territorial claim on the island of Dokdo, wartime sex slavery and forced labor issues. Unfortunately, even after Seoul's voluntary announcement was made, Tokyo has not admitted that the South Korean laborers were forced to work for the Japanese corporations. Given the circumstances, Seoul again failed to negotiate with Japan to resolve the victims' deep sorrow. Wrapping up the historical disputes which cannot even be resolved in one shot, Seoul wounded the victims who already have indelible scars. As a follow-up on Seoul's dedication to mend ties with Tokyo, the leaders of the two countries had a formal one-on-one meeting in Tokyo on March 16, the first of its kind since former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visited Tokyo in 2011. The sudden notice of holding the summit meeting between Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida implied that Yoon pushed the foreign ministry to devise a plan, snowballing criticism among the opposition parties that the cost Yoon paid for having a meeting with Kishida is incomparable to what he did to the South Korean victims and their families. In an interview with Yomiuri Shimbun published on March 15, Yoon proudly introduced the plan and said it was his idea. He also guaranteed that this issue will not be reignited even after his presidency. Unlike autocratic countries, the leaders of democratic countries have a limited term to serve the people. Yoon's term will end in 2027, and he is then ineligible to serve a second term by law. In light of the term limits on leaders in democratic countries, it is important for them to know that there are things they cannot control or handle even though they are the most powerful ones in their countries. One of the untouchable matters is a historical dispute because what the victims and bereaved families experienced in the past cannot be resolved through diplomacy between temporary government officials. They are the ones who live with insurmountable pain, and it is not what the government can handle. That is why Germany has been consistently making apologies to the victims of the Holocaust and their bereaved families even though it already apologized multiple times in the past. "We honor the victims of the Holocaust by remembering them and by learning from their plight. That is our everlasting responsibility for today's and future generations," former German Chancellor Angela Merkel said during her video address for the first Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, an event organized by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, the United Nations and UNESCO in January 2021. Unlike Japan, Germany has been fully taking "everlasting responsibility." Not only making apologies and paying tribute to the victims, it also has not hesitated to pay aid and support to the survivors of the Holocaust. JTBC, a South Korean television network, reported on August 2019 that Germany has spent about $80 billion to support Holocaust victims. Therefore, Japan's claim that the historical disputes have already been resolved by the 1965 treaty demonstrates how it views its history of victimizing countless innocent Koreans during the 35 years from 1910 to 1945. Yoon's unilateral decision to cross the victims' will to mend ties with Japan is intolerable as he clearly abandoned the victims' deep-rooted grudge. He said he would take full responsibility for his decision but he will never be able to take that responsibility, because the one who should take the responsibility over the historical conflicts between the two countries is not the president of South Korea but the emperor of Japan. Mitch Shin is an assistant editor at The Diplomat. Shin was a nonresident Korea Foundation fellow at Pacific Forum and a nonresident research fellow at Institute for Security & Development Policy, Stockholm Korea Center. Fair Trade Commission Chairman Han Ki-jeong, front row fifth from left, and American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) Chairman James Kim, front row fourth from left, pose with participants of a special luncheon event at Grand Hyatt Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of AMCHAM By Park Jae-hyuk Foreign business representatives expressed their concerns over Korea's antitrust policies during a meeting, Monday, with Fair Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Han Ki-jeong and members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM). "You mentioned the fact that the FTC chose its investigation into the monopolistic mobility platform as one of its key tasks," an official of UT, a joint venture between Uber and SK Telecom's subsidiary Tmap Mobility, told Han. "UT has also suffered difficulties regarding this issue, so we are wondering whether the FTC can accelerate its investigation." The antitrust watchdog decided earlier this year to issue a fine of 25.7 billion won ($20 million) on Kakao Mobility, the nation's leading taxi-hailing service, for its alleged manipulation of algorithms to give more calls to cabs under its franchise, while excluding taxi drivers affiliated with the company's rivals, including UT and Tada. Kakao Mobility, however, protested the FTC's sanction at that time, threatening to take legal action. The FTC chairman said the antitrust agency will do its best to conduct prompt investigations regarding cases related not only to the mobility sector, but also to other industries. "We are not allowed to talk about the ongoing case," he said. Google Korea raised concerns over possible regulations on big tech firms here, as the antitrust chief said that the government will boost international cooperation to prevent discrimination against the Korean market after the enforcement of the European Union's Digital Markets Act coming in May. "As a U.S. company, we prioritize U.S. laws when offering all of our products and services globally," a Google Korea official said. In response, the FTC chairman said his agency has yet to devise specific plans regarding this issue. He also promised that the FTC will guarantee a company's right to defense, as Jeffrey Jones, chairman of AMCHAM Partners for the Future Foundation, asked how the antitrust regulator will respond to complaints about crackdowns on businesses. During the event, Han said the main tasks for the FTC this year are to create a market environment facilitating innovative competition, promote fair trade for small businesses, ensure better regulations for large business groups and create a trade environment that guarantees consumer rights and interests. He also explained that the FTC will strengthen its independence and fairness this year by separating the roles of its investigation and deliberation bureaus. WTI, BRENT PRICE, CHARTS AND ANALYSIS: Trade Smarter - Sign up for the DailyFX Newsletter Receive timely and compelling market commentary from the DailyFX team Subscribe to Newsletter READ MORE: UBS Rescues Credit Suisse, Fed Increases Dollar Liquidity, Gold Hits a One-Year High WTI FUNDAMENTAL OUTLOOK Crude Oil faced renewed selling pressure this morning as recession risks have once again reared their ugly head. WTI printed a low of $64.40 in the European session before a bounce for risk assets dragged oil higher, trading around the $67.00 handle at the time of writing. Last week saw Crude Oil prices drop 13.55%, its largest drop since February 2020. A sign of the fear which engulfed markets last week from the continuing Banking sector fallout. The decline this morning was a further sign of the ongoing pessimism around potential demand concerns and recessionary risks resurfacing. Over the weekend the Federal Reserve announced on Sunday that the major Central Banks (SNB, BoC, BoE, BoJ, ECB) would take coordinated action to enhance the provision of liquidity via the standing US dollar liquidity swap line arrangements. Last week we heard comments from Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman who discussed the G7 price cap on Russian Oil and tighter global oil production capacity. Prince Abdulaziz reiterated the need to stick by the OPEC decision in October 2022 to cut production by 2 million bpd until the end of 2023. However, given the recent decline in prices speculation continues to rise as to how low will OPEC want oil prices to go before stepping in once more? Foundational Trading Knowledge Macro Fundamentals Recommended by Zain Vawda Start Course Another point of interest is that Oil prices are currently trading just below the range initially earmarked by the US to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The US is expected to see further declines in the SPR between April 1-June 30 as prices remain favorable to replenish the reserves. On Friday comments from US Energy Envoy Hochstein claimed that President Biden is committed to replenishing the SPR, which could in theory boost oil prices. The question is will such a boost be sustainable given current market conditions? For all market-moving economic releases and events, see the DailyFX Calendar Bent Prices have been on the exact same trajectory this week as WTI as it tapped the $70 a barrel psychological level which lines up with the 200-day MA. Facing the same challenges, the $70 a barrel hurdle will remain key if we are to see further downside with a daily candle close below opening up potential support tests of the $65.60 and $62.60 levels respectively. On the Upside resistance at the $75.30 handle will be key if we are to see a sustained recovery moving forward. Recommended by Zain Vawda How to Trade Oil Get My Guide TECHNICAL OUTLOOK From a technical perspective, WTI broke the 2022 lows last week printing a fresh multi year low this morning. Last week on Thursday saw us print a doji daily candle close which hinted at a potential recovery from the $68 a barrel mark. However, the return of market pessimism on Friday derailed any such hopes as WTI closed the week just above the $65 a barrel Mark. This morning saw quite an aggressive bounce of the daily low around $64.40 as risk sentiment showed signs of improvement heading into the US open. Todays daily candle close will be interesting as the RSI is also in oversold territory at the moment. However, any further moves are likely to depend on overall sentiment improving at this stage. WTI Crude Oil Daily Chart March 20, 2023 Source: TradingView Written by: Zain Vawda, Market Writer for DailyFX.com Contact and follow Zain on Twitter: @zvawda Credit Suisse Price and Chart Analysis UBS buys Credit Suisse as the SNB looks to stem any potential financial contagion Global central banks increase US dollar liquidity. Safe-haven bid, gold hits a one-year high. Trade Smarter - Sign up for the DailyFX Newsletter Receive timely and compelling market commentary from the DailyFX team Subscribe to Newsletter European bank shares open the session lower despite the news over the weekend that Swiss bank UBS bought troubled rival Credit Suisse for around $3.2 billion in a deal pushed by the Swiss government. To help facilitate the deal, the Swiss government has offered to guarantee any losses up to $9.6bn, while the Swiss National Bank will offer up to $110 billion of liquidity. According to SNB president Thomas Jordan, it was important to act quickly to shore up confidence in the sector before financial markets opened on Monday. As part of the rescue package, Credit Suisse AT1 bonds will be written down to zero with holders shouldering a $16 billion loss. A host of other G7 bankers were burning the midnight oil over the weekend. The Federal Reserve announced on Sunday that the Bank of Canada, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the Swiss National Bank, and the Federal Reserve would take coordinated action to enhance the provision of liquidity via the standing US dollar liquidity swap line arrangements. Federal Reserve Dollar Liquidity European Banks opened the week on the back foot despite the coordinated action seen over the weekend. E Stoxx Banking Futures Investors continue to flock to safe-haven products with the yield on the 2-year German bond (Schatz), the de-facto Euro Area benchmark, falling to a fresh multi-month low. 2-Year German Bond Yields Chart via TradingView Recommended by Nick Cawley Building Confidence in Trading Get My Guide Other safe-haven assets rallied on early Monday. The Japanese Yen made a new one-month high against the US dollar, short-dated US Treasury yields continued to fall, while gold fleetingly broke above $2,000/oz. and made a new one-year high. Gold Daily Price Chart Looking ahead, this week we have monetary policy decisions by both the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England, with a range of options seen for both central banks. The Bank of England is likely to increase the Bank Rate by 25 basis points but may well hold fire and leave rates unchanged, while the a 25bp rate hike is seen as a coin toss by the Federal Reserve. For all market-moving data and events see the DailyFX Economic Calendar What is your current market view bullish or bearish?? You can let us know via the form at the end of this piece or you can contact the author via Twitter @nickcawley1. GOLD PRICE OUTLOOK: Gold s rally loses momentum after prices fail to sustain a key technical resistances breakout Improving sentiment reduces demand for safe-haven assets, preventing XAU/ USD from powering higher However, market turbulence could soon resurface if the Fed fails to convince investors this week that the worst is over in terms of financial instability Recommended by Diego Colman Get Your Free Gold Forecast Get My Guide Most Read: US Dollar Outlook Hinges on Feds Next Steps. Will the FOMC Hike or Pause? Gold (XAU/USD) rallied in overnight trading, briefly hitting ~$2,015, its highest mark in over a year, but gains fizzled out during the New York session, with the precious metal flatlining around the $1,975 level despite broad-based U.S. dollar weakness in the FX space. In recent days, gold has been partly boosted by risk-off mood triggered by fears that the turmoil in the U.S. and European banking sector could lead to financial Armageddon, but those concerns appear to be abating on Monday. It is too early to say that the crisis of confidence has been resolved, but recent measures taken by various central banks and other government authorities around the world have helped to reduce runaway panic, curbing the risks of contagion for now. In the U.S. the Fed has adopted emergency actions to shore up troubled banks in need of liquidity following the collapse of SVB and SBNY. In Europe, Swiss regulators at the eleventh hour this weekend brokered a deal for UBS to acquire its beleaguered and long-time rival Credit Suisse, a move that was applauded by global investors. With sentiment on the mend, defensive assets could lose some of their appeal, preventing gold prices from extending their recent advance. However, if the banking system upheaval were to increase again, XAU/USD could pick up strong bullish momentum in the blink of an eye to power higher and challenge its 2022 highs just a touch below $2,080. Well have more clues about the near-term outlook on Wednesday when the Fed announces its March monetary policy decision. There are many doubts among retail traders, but one thing is clear: if policymakers fail to convince markets the worst is over in terms of financial instability, gold prices next leg higher could be just around the corner. Gold Mixed Data provided by of clients are net long. of clients are net short. Change in Longs Shorts OI Daily 6% 9% 7% Weekly 4% 0% 2% GOLD PRICE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS Gold rallied and briefly pierced the $2,000/$2,005 area on Monday, but the breakout was not sustained, with prices slipping below that region over the course of the day, a rejection that may trigger some profit-taking but is unlikely to invalidate the metals bullish bias. If the reversal scenario plays out, initial support rests at $1,975/$1,965, followed by $1,920. On the flip side, if bulls regain decisive control of the market, the first ceiling to keep an eye on lies at $2,000/$2,005. If this barrier is taken out on daily closing prices, we could see a move towards channel resistance at $2,050, followed by a retest of last years swing high. Recommended by Diego Colman How to Trade Gold Get My Guide GOLD PRICES TECHNICAL CHART Gold Futures Chart Prepared Using TradingView From left, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, and Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong attend a Korea-Japan business round table held at the Keidanren Hall in Tokyo on March 17. Yonhap By Kim Hyun-bin The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) succeeded in bridging Korea-Japan economic ties by hosting a meeting between major business conglomerates in the two countries last week. The heads of four major Korean conglomerates, including Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, took part in the FKI event, which signaled a resumption in the role of the business lobby group after it was embroiled in a national corruption scandal seven years ago that put former President Park Geun-hye behind bars, prompting major conglomerates to withdraw their memberships. All eyes are now on whether these companies will rejoin the FKI, which is the main task the organization needs to achieve to become the country's leading business lobby group once again, according to officials, Monday. The FKI led an exchange event with the Japanese business community during President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to Japan and is known to be preparing for a meeting with the U.S. business community during Yoon's visit to the Washington, D.C. next month. "The FKI is in favor to host the U.S. business roundtable as they have a strong network in the U.S.," an industry official familiar with the matter said. "The FKI has strong connections in both Japan and the U.S." Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo attended an event hosted by the FKI in Tokyo on March 17 along with Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) representatives. Industry officials believe the FKI is aiming to make a turnaround to regain friendly ties with the government by appointing as its acting chairman Community Chest of Korea Chairman Kim Byong-joon. Kim served as the head of Yoon's election committee during the last presidential election. "It is crucial to regain the public's support for the FKI, so that not only the four major groups but also those who run companies in Korea feel that they should work together with the Federation of Korean Industries," FKI Acting Chairman Kim Byong-joon said during a press conference on February 23. In 2016, the four major business groups withdrew from the FKI, rapidly weakening its status and excluded the lobby group from main events held during the former Moon Jae-in administration. "It is true that the FKI is boosting its presence in line with the improving Korea-Japan relations backed by acting chairman Kim Byung-joon heading the FKI," another industry official said. "From the perspective of the FKI, it is an opportunity to strengthen its status." The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has served as the leading economic organization by hosting key business events, with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won serving as the head. Chey is also the head of a private-sector bidding committee for Busan to host the World Expo 2030. However, the FKI is seeking to compete with KCCI to regain its status in the business community. The business world is paying attention to the possibility of the four major groups rejoining the FKI. It is crucial for the FKI to be supported by the four major conglomerates to function as the key business lobby organization. However, officials at four major groups drew the line, saying, "We are not thinking about rejoining yet, and there is nothing currently being discussed." Should the Elgin Marbles be returned to Greece? The question may not be the number one topic down at the Dog & Duck, but I wager that it provokes strong views in many Britons. A poll two months ago suggested that 53 per cent of British people believe that the sublime Marbles acquired by Lord Elgin more than 200 years ago should be sent back to Athens from their home in the British Museum. I admit that my own sympathies have until very recently inclined in that direction. I have asked myself: how would we feel if some foreign nob had carted off objects we associate with our own history for example, bits of the standing stones at Stonehenge? On the whole, Ive thought to myself, it might be sensible to assuage Greek anger by handing over the Marbles, though theres no prospect of their being restored to the Parthenon, a temple built in the fifth century BC. They would sit in a museum in Athens. But having read a pamphlet by the historian Sir Noel Malcolm, published today by the excellent Right-wing think-tank Policy Exchange, I am persuaded that we have every right to hang on to the Elgin Marbles. 'This is a proposal that has been cooked up, almost entirely in secret, by the present chairman of the Trustees of the British Museum, George Osborne' The Elgin Marbles in London's British Museum Not that Sir Noel has written a polemic. His report is measured and even-handed. It acknowledges arguments on both sides. In his opinion, the sculptures have been well cared for by the British Museum, where visitors from all over the world can observe them without charge. Sir Noel argues compellingly that they were legally acquired by Lord Elgin, and that without his intervention they might well not have survived. He points out the dangers of loaning the Marbles to Greece, though he doesnt entirely rule out the idea. This is a proposal that has been cooked up, almost entirely in secret, by the present chairman of the Trustees of the British Museum, George Osborne. He was our supercilious chancellor of the exchequer between 2010 and 2016; the man who prophesied instant Armageddon if the British voted to leave the EU. Since being fired by Theresa May in 2016, Mr Osborne has done a number of highly lucrative jobs and become extremely rich. He even tried his hand as a newspaper editor, though lacking any journalistic experience. His present berth is a partnership at the Mayfair investment bank Robey Warshaw. Last December, the bank announced that a payout of 26.5 million would be shared among four partners, of whom Mr Osborne is one. But the former chancellor is not only interested in money. He craves power and influence, perhaps on a domestic stage with a view to re-entering politics, but more likely, I would guess, on a global scale, where he would be able to pull very big levers. Mr Osborne, it should be noted, is a schmoozer par excellence. He is seldom happier than when hobnobbing with the international elite at the World Economic Forum in Davos, or at meetings of the secretive Bilderberg Group. He was never one to get his hands dirty. On the face of it, the chairmanship of the British Museum might not seem an ideal platform for a man with such far-flung ambitions, though he is more cultured than most Tory former ministers, besides being an able administrator. An employee poses as he views examples of the Parthenon sculptures, sometimes referred to in the UK as the Elgin Marbles The role does, however, satisfy his desire to cut a figure on the international stage or is capable of doing so. Having become chairman in September 2021, Mr Osborne reportedly embarked on private discussions with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister, about the Elgin Marbles. One consideration that must have weighed heavily on both men was that, because of an Act of Parliament, the British Museum doesnt have the right unilaterally to return the Marbles to Greece. But it could negotiate a loan deal of some or all of the Marbles, which is what Mr Osborne has evidently being trying to do. This might seem a sensible compromise. The trouble is that the Greek government wont recognise British ownership. As recently as January, its ministry of culture declared: We repeat, once again, our countrys firm position that it does not recognise the British Museums jurisdiction, possession and ownership of the Sculptures, as they are the product of theft. Not very flexible. If an agreement were reached, the Greeks might hang on to what had been lent them. They might not do this immediately, but after a loan of a few Marbles had been followed by a more comprehensive one, they might simply refuse to return the whole lot. In other words, a loan of any sort would be a perilous course until or unless the Greek government openly accepts that the British Museum is the rightful custodian of the Elgin Marbles. Such an acknowledgement is highly unlikely. You would think Mr Osborne would realise this. And yet this sinuous man has been negotiating away in the shadows, though why he should believe that he has the right to jeopardise this countrys possession of the Marbles baffles me. Last week, Rishi Sunak into whose political ambit, by the way, Mr Osborne has been deftly insinuating himself entered the fray by saying that there were no plans to change the law that keeps the sculptures in Britain. Some people may draw comfort from this statement. Unfortunately, no plans today can easily turn into a plan to do something different tomorrow. Besides, Mr Sunaks intervention appears not to rule out a loan, which would be a dangerous path for the reasons I have mentioned. Later this week, the trustees of the British Museum are meeting under Mr Osbornes chairmanship. He will doubtless have some ruses up his sleeve. I do urge the trustees to read Sir Noel Malcolms learned pamphlet, which could scarcely be more fair-minded. The Elgin Marbles werent stolen. They were removed lawfully and with the approval of the Ottoman rulers, who were using the Parthenon as a fort and had previously (and disastrously) stored gunpowder in it. Without Lord Elgins involvement, the sculptures would probably not have survived. They have been cared for by the British Museum, where they can be seen for free by anyone who travels to London, an international city to a far greater extent than Athens is. Moreover, if the Elgin Marbles were returned there would be a long queue of petitioners demanding the return of other artistic objects. I suppose its useless to remind Greeks of Britains role in the creation of modern Greece in 1832, or of its assistance in seeing off communist rebels and keeping Greece out of the Soviet orbit between late 1944 and early 1947, committing some 75,000 troops. Good turns in international relations are seldom remembered. If only the Greek government would accept reality that the Marbles were lawfully acquired and have been lovingly preserved by the British Museum. The way would then be open to loaning some of these precious objects, as artistic treasures are frequently shared between great museums. But without a cast-iron assurance, backed by law, lets keep the Elgin Marbles safely in London. If George Osborne wants to win international renown and the applause of the global elite, he must try another way. Many serious questions have been asked about whether the Commons committee investigating if Boris Johnson misled Parliament is a 'kangaroo court'. It sneakily changed its rules to make it easier to find the ex-prime minister guilty. And its interim report condemned him even before he gives evidence on Wednesday. Now, an extraordinary twist. We learn that top mandarin Sue Gray was allegedly advising the Government on what potentially damning information to divulge to the inquiry even as she held secret talks about jumping ship to Labour to help oust the Tories from office. But won't this undermine the probe? As one source says: 'You don't have to be Boris's biggest fan to think it's a bit dodgy.' No wonder Sir Keir Starmer has been so reluctant to say when he began to tempt Ms Gray into a new and spectacularly ill-judged political partnership as his chief of staff. So much for the strong moral compass he boasts of possessing! 'Now, an extraordinary twist. We learn that top mandarin Sue Gray was allegedly advising the Government on what potentially damning information to divulge to the inquiry' Not only does this inflict more damage on the civil service's reputation for impartiality. It inevitably heightens suspicion that Ms Gray whose report into No 10 parties helped topple Mr Johnson was latterly operating under cover for Labour. A Whitehall investigation is already under way into whether she has broken propriety rules. After today's staggering allegations, shouldn't that be extended? Sense in Strasbourg? We report today that the European Court of Human Rights could back down over controversial powers it used to block Britain from sending cross-Channel migrants to Rwanda. If judges in Strasbourg do agree to rein in their use of flawed Rule 39 orders, it would be a huge victory in the UK's battle to end the small boats crisis and smash the callous people-trafficking gangs. For it would remove a major obstacle to deporting illegal migrants to the African country, where they could claim asylum. It was always scandalous that the court halted the Rwanda policy ruled lawful by UK judges at a secretive late-night hearing. If the Home Secretary can reverse this travesty of justice and get flights off the ground, it will reward her determination and guile, boost the Government's credibility and enact the electorate's express will. Of course, Labour and metropolitan liberals are up in arms. Mrs Braverman's visit to Kigali brought predictable opprobrium from them, as they denounced her and the scheme as inhumane. 'If the Home Secretary can reverse this travesty of justice and get flights off the ground, it will reward her determination and guile' But these self-righteous zealots should feel shame. By helping thwart the Rwanda deterrent, they boost evil people-smugglers who risk the lives of more asylum seekers. For all they pose as humanitarians, their actions make them collaborators in cruelty. Rishi takes on yobs Day in and day out, we hear horror stories of decent, despairing families whose lives are made a misery by anti-social behaviour. Entire communities exist in fear especially as mindless vandalism often escalates into more serious crime. So tough new rules forcing louts to clear up their graffiti or fly-tipping within 48 hours of being caught are welcome. But how many times have ambitious schemes to fight street crime been announced only to flop spectacularly? Indeed, who can forget Tony Blair's suggestion that rowdy drunks should be marched to the nearest cashpoint and made to pay a spot fine? The idea was rightly dropped as ridiculous and impractical. The police already barely bother responding to crimes such as burglary. Would they really trouble themselves with spray-can vandals? But Mr Sunak seems to have a knack for solving problems. We hope this crackdown will be more than a well-intentioned gimmick. Given their proclivity to aligning with woke movements, it was probably only a matter of time before Harry and Meghan joined the gender extremists. But todays revelation that the Sussexes are throwing their weight behind an organisation who describe the very concept of boyhood as fluid and socially constructed in an out and out attack on ordinary families is terrifying nonetheless. As the couples true agenda is gradually revealed, its becoming obvious that destroying the British Royal Family is only the start of their ambition of a hard left Californian revolution of western society. A big part of that agenda is erasing so-called toxic masculinity, which is slowly morphing into a general war on men and boys plaguing our society. Harry and Meghan (pictured with their children) are throwing their weight behind an organisation who describe the very concept of boyhood as fluid and socially constructed in an out and out attack on ordinary families is terrifying nonetheless The couples Archewell foundation says it is investing in gender equity via the so-called Global Boyhood Initiative on a guide for promoting gender equity by fostering positive masculinity in boys and men. Pictured: Global Boyhood Initiative workshop last July, held at Ravenstone School in Balham The couples Archewell foundation says it is investing in gender equity via the so-called Global Boyhood Initiative on a guide for promoting gender equity by fostering positive masculinity in boys and men. So far so woke. However, it is only when you pull the bonnet up on the organisation that you discover just how radical their aims are. The activist organisation, which is, somewhat worryingly, already working in UK schools via a curriculum pilot, asks primary school kids to question what they describe as gender norms which are not tied to sex organs. While it is becoming clear that Harry has been emasculated, most likely out of choice, throughout the course of his relationship with Ms Markle, that doesnt mean hapless schoolboys should do the same. But thats just the start of this nonsense. In a report called The State of UK Boys, published last year, the group goes to war with families and schools for acting as gender and heterosexuality factories. It specifically takes aim at white, middle-class, heterosexual masculinity as a so-called structuring norm. Parents are even attacked for gendering their unborn children based on the identification of external genitalia in scans, including through elaborate gender reveal parties and a stream of purchases along gender lines. So thats right, according to Harry and Meghans new pals, simply expressing your happiness on social media that youre expecting a little boy or a girl, makes you part of the problem. Id love to know at what age they think its appropriate for a parent to decide they are indeed raising a young boy or young girl. After birth, there is criticism of assuming that boys or girls are naturally predisposed to behave in particular ways, with the phrase boys will be boys coming in for particular criticism. It would be ludicrous to suggest this sort of rhetoric was not infecting our education system. Because thats exactly what the Global Boyhood Initiative wants to do, with the aim for school students aged between seven and 11 being educated about the role gender norms play in their lives through activity-based questioning and critical reflection. Theyll also be asked to internalise these new gender attitudes and norms by applying them in their relationships and lives. What the hell would this do to our kids? And why on earth are Harry and Meghan associating themselves with an organisation clearly about indoctrination rather than education? The activist organisation, which is, somewhat worryingly, already working in UK schools via a curriculum pilot , asks primary school kids to question what they describe as gender norms which are not tied to sex organs. Pictured: Global Boyhood Initiative workshop last July A report called 'The State of UK Boys' was written by the Global Boyhood Initiative last year, which claimed that families can be gender 'factories' by 'enacting gender roles and identities' Tory MP Miriam Cates, who has been bravely campaigning against inappropriate sex education, agrees that the Global Boyhood Initiative is wrong to train young children to become agents of change for gender and social justice. As she puts it: Attempting to re-educate small children for reasons of political activism is indoctrination and an abuse of the trust that children place in teachers and parents place in schools. It is also concerning that the Global Boyhood Initiative says they have widened their net to include children of all genders, which suggests they hold to an extreme position on gender ideology. It feels as if those on the left are unable to learn from the catastrophe of gender extremism that has already ruined countless lives thanks to now discredited organisations like the Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service. Now, before Im dismissed as an old white man with no interest in talking about such issues, Id like to briefly bring my own experiences at school into this debate. Having grown up as a closeted gay child bullied in the playground, I am well aware of just how threatening gender stereotypes can be. But, trust me, pretending they dont exist in the classroom is only creating a far bigger problem. Increasingly, thanks to this sort of dogma, young gay and lesbian children are being convinced into thinking that they must have been born into the wrong body. Rather than accept that their hormones are running wild as they slowly come to terms with their sexuality, youngsters and teens are assuming that they just must be the opposite gender because theyre a tomboy who loves sport not ballet or a camp young boy who wants to play with barbie dolls. I fear that if I were at school today, the fact I preferred dressing up as the panto dame doing am-dram with my girlfriends to rugby with the lads, would have seen a woke teacher suggest I might actually be a girl. The consequence of such a system is young woman like Keira Bell, a victim of the Tavistock Clinic who was prescribed puberty blockers at 16 and underwent a double mastectomy at 20 before detransitioning, realising that she was simply struggling to deal with her sexuality and a host of other relatively normal mental health issues. Of course, no child should be forced to follow gender stereotypes, and schools and parents should adapt to the unique needs of individual children struggling with their identity. But suggesting that there should be no celebration or acknowledgement by parents they are having or are indeed raising a boy is counterproductive and unnecessary. Besides, its not how Harry and Meghan personally dealt with the arrival of their two children. Its now largely forgotten that the couple used the March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where they wrongly accused the Royal Family of racism, to announce to the world that they were expecting their second child. Its a girl, Prince Harry revealed, after the pair had a play argument over who would share the news. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are partnering with the US-based Global Boyhood Initiative According to the doctrine of the Archewell-backed Global Boyhood Initiative hed just made a major faux pas by linking the gender of the unborn Lilibet Diana to her sex organs. Indeed, the social media announcement of the birth of Archie on their now-shuttered Sussex Royal Instagram account was even more explicit, with a disgustingly stereotypically coloured blue graphic reading: Its a BOY! Id love to know how they made that determination, presumably simply by looking at young Archies sex organ, rather than waiting years to discover how they wanted to identify themselves! Look, Harry and Meghan know that, when it comes to their own children, this ideology was not one they followed. So they should stop being so damn irresponsible by supporting it so they can keep up with their uber-woke Californian contemporaries. As a noticeably puffy-faced Vladimir Putin welcomed his dear friend Xi Jinping to the Kremlin yesterday, the Russian despot acted as if he was hosting his equal. After all, he no doubt reasoned, China needs Russian oil and gas for its energy-devouring economy. The Kremlin is also a handy ally for Beijing in opposing what the two dictators see as Americas domination of global affairs. When the two met in China last year, they issued a statement declaring that the friendship between their regimes has no limits. Xi seemed happy to play along with this fiction yesterday. He knows that the presence of a bona fide world leader travelling to Moscow is of huge domestic propaganda value to Putin, enabling him to show his subjects that his gruesome war has not left him entirely isolated on the international stage. Paying gushing tribute to Putins strong leadership and insisting he was convinced that the mass murderer enjoyed the Russian peoples support, Xi even said they were partners in comprehensive strategic cooperation. I have been studying Russian culture and politics for 15 years. Let me tell you: Putin will have lapped all this up with glee. But if the Russian dictator truly believes that Xi is his equal, he is delusional. For Beijings approach to world politics is far cleverer than Moscows. Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) meets with China's President Xi Jinping (left) at the Kremlin in Moscow The Chinese President and Russian President walk after their talks at the Kremlin While Putin lashes out, miscalculates and sees the world in crude terms of status, Xi is infinitely more cunning. And for all he presented himself as a man of peace yesterday, even claiming to have a 12-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, Xi wants the war to continue. The Americans have suggested that he plans to supply Putin with weapons. If so, you can be sure that he will let the Russians have just enough arms to extend this terrible conflict for months or years, but not to bring it to an end. Why? Because, every day that the war drags on, Xi and his henchmen in the Chinese Communist Party gain new and valuable insights into how the West might react if he goes ahead with what really matters to him. That is his plan to invade and capture Taiwan, the island democracy of 23million people that has been governed independently since 1949 but which China believes belongs in its empire. Only last month, the CIA revealed that Xi has ordered his vast Peoples Liberation Army to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. Xi, a dictator-for-life, knows that as long as the war in Ukraine dominates the international agenda, the Wests attention will be distracted. Meanwhile, he calculates, several long and punishing years of a bloody and expensive proxy war in Ukraine will weaken Americas resolve to fight elsewhere or defend its allies. Nato taxpayers, he presumes, will resent paying for conflicts in far-off lands. Which brings me to another reason that Xi wants the war to drag on. Accepting Chinese weapons and support means that Russia is drawn ever closer under Beijings control. Remember: Chinas infamous Belt and Road infrastructure project has seen it lend billions to African countries in a decades-long effort to bring the continent under its sway. Putin can look closer to home to learn the same lesson. Chinese logging companies have taken advantage of Russias isolation and its desperation for exports to level swathes of Siberian forests at knock-down prices. 'Xi will have had no compunction in endorsing a man who has shelled maternity wards and playgrounds in Ukraine, slaughtered tens of thousands of civilians and kidnapped thousands of children' In 2020, China imported almost 6.5million cubic metres of logs from Russia, leaving behind stretches of scarred earth studded with dying stumps. Putin can be sure, then, that Xis generosity can only come at a heavy cost. Yes, the two men have similar worldviews, hold freedom and democracy in contempt and yearn for a new world order no longer controlled by the West. Xi will have had no compunction in endorsing a man who has shelled maternity wards and playgrounds in Ukraine, slaughtered tens of thousands of civilians and kidnapped thousands of children. And he will have viewed the arrest warrant recently issued to Putin by the International Criminal Court as little more than a diplomatic trifle. Nevertheless, Xi will expect repayment for his largesse with interest. Last night, the two despots were due to feast on a banquet including quail, venison and wines from some of Russias finest vineyards. How long this sordid friendship will last remains to be seen. But, sadly for the world, its continued existence means that, whatever the weasel words of Chinas president, peace is set to remain a distant dream. Dr Jade McGlynn is Research Fellow at Department of War Studies, Kings College London, and author of Russias War, published this week The BBCs latest Sunday night drama, The Gold, concluded last night. I am delighted a second series has been commissioned. It began with the 1983 Brinks-Mat robbery, with six men breaking into a warehouse near Heathrow intending to steal 1 million, and instead stumbling upon gold bullion worth approximately 26 billion. But how to move that amount of gold? One of the nuggets relayed is that any gold bought in the UK since 1984 is likely to contain traces of Brinks-Mat bullion. The show is rich in period detail, but something else it conveys effectively is golds power to dazzle; to make maddened dreamers of even the most grounded. Eleanor Cattons Booker-winning The Luminaries is set amid a gold prospecting town in 19th-century New Zealand Eleanor Cattons Booker-winning The Luminaries is set amid a gold prospecting town in 19th-century New Zealand. When Scot Walter Moody arrives in Hokitika, Thomas Balfour quizzes him about his prospecting plans: Youve dreamed it kneeling in the water, sifting the metal from the grit! I suppose, answers Moody, that Ive dreamed of what comes afterwards; that is, what the gold might lead to what it might become. That seems the dream that drives treasure-hunters: that gold, refined, will deliver wealth and status. H. Rider Haggards swashbuckling imperialist adventure stories (King Solomons Mines/She) were written during the scramble for Africa. H. Rider Haggards swashbuckling imperialist adventure stories (King Solomons Mines/She) were written during the scramble for Africa Wilbur Smith, a 20th-century heir, mined the colonial era, too, notably in his series about the gold-mining Courtney dynasty, launched with When The Lion Feeds. His more modern take on the brutality of mining, especially in apartheid-era South Africa, is his 1970 novel Gold Mine. That all that glitters is not gold is a lesson learned by George Eliots Silas Marner. After being wrongly accused of robbery and shunned by his community, the linen weaver moves to the countryside where he leads a solitary life. His only comfort is the gold he has earned. When it is stolen, he is distraught. But after an orphaned child comes into his life, Silas feels he has been blessed with something greater. These are tales worth valuing. A woman was left with a life-threatening tear to her bowel and womb after a botched operation to remove her contraceptive coil. Beki Reilly, 34, had to undergo emergency surgery to repair the perforation after a string of unsuccessful bids to remove it were made by medics. Four attempts were made to remove Ms Reilly's device during two appointments with sexual health services in Wandsworth, south west London on June 25 and July 8, 2021. During her first appointment with Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, staff tried three times to remove the device, which had no visible threads, using forceps. On her second appointment Ms Reilly, of Merton, south west London, was seen by a doctor. Beki Reilly, 34, from London was left with a life-threatening tear to her bowel and womb after a botched operation to remove her contraceptive coil Beki Reilly in a hospital bed following emergency surgery to repair a perforated bowel and womb following unsuccessful attempt to remove contraceptive coil Anaesthetic gel was administered, and Hartmann's forceps were used again to try and remove the coil. But the attempt was abandoned after Ms Reilly complained of severe pain. She initially agreed to a fifth attempt, but then stopped the procedure from going ahead. Art director, Ms Reilly said: 'The doctor had only been trying for a couple of minutes when I felt a different, new, and incredibly excruciating pain inside and I asked her to stop in a panic. 'She continued, only for a few seconds and I screamed and yelled "no" impulsively as the pain became unbearable. I've never felt pain like it and I was extremely upset. Beki Reilly enjoys time outdoors before her perforated bowel and womb. She had to have trauma counselling after her medical ordeal Beki Reilly in a hospital bed following emergency surgery. She was told that she wouldn't have survived if she was older or had an underlying health condition Beki Reilly shows surgical staples in stomach following emergency surgery. She's been left with a large scar on her stomach 'A few hours after I left the clinic my tummy pain had become so severe I couldn't stand up straight and I started to vomit uncontrollably.' Ms Reilly was admitted to hospital on July 9, 2021, following phone calls with a GP and sexual health workers. The trust emailed Ms Reilly a referral letter with a copy of her medical notes so that she could provide these to the hospital upon attendance, because it was thought she may have an infection. But the notes were incomplete, and Ms Reilly's condition deteriorated. She underwent surgery on July 12 2021, to remove her coil and during the procedure doctors found her womb and bowel had been perforated. Ms Reilly needed emergency surgery to repair the tear and spent a further eight days in hospital with limited mobility and extreme vomiting. She added: 'When I came around from surgery the severity of what had happened kicked in. 'I woke up in the ICU with my entire tummy stapled together. I had tubes coming out of my nose, my tummy and I was hooked up to monitors. 'My heart rate was through the roof. I was told that had I been older or had an under-lying health condition, I wouldn't have survived. What is a contraceptive coil? There are two types of contraceptive coil, an IUD and an IUS. An IUD is a small, T-shaped plastic and copper device that's put into your uterus. It releases copper to stop you getting pregnant and protects against pregnancy for between 5 and 10 years. An IUS is a hormonal coil that is also placed into your uterus. It releases progestogen to stop you getting pregnant, and protects you from pregnancy for between 3 to 5 years. There are two brands of hormonal coil used in the UK, Mirena and Jaydess. Source: NHS Advertisement 'I lost it and broke down in tears. I went for a routine coil removal and ended up having emergency surgery.' Ms Reilly was off work for four months while she recovered and needed trauma-based cognitive behavioural therapy to help her process what she had been through and physio to help her with her abdomen and mobility. She underwent further surgery last July to repair hernias and muscle separation, following which she was signed off work for a further three months. It comes after Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the service, admitted liability and apologised for the substandard care she received. Through NHS Resolution the trust admitted it failed to use Hartmann's forceps with due care and as a result caused Beki's perforated bowel. It also admitted that during her appointment on July 8 it failed to obtain informed consent from Ms Reilly because it didn't discuss expected levels of pain, possible complications and give advice for any worsening symptoms related to the removal of her coil. The trust also accepted that it failed to accurately document Beki's examination history in her hospital referral letter. It admitted that if the trust had used the forceps with due care and skill, on the balance of probabilities, Beki would have avoided her perforated bowel and womb on July 8. The trust acknowledged that if her medical notes had accurately reflected her medical history, on the balance of probabilities, she would have received antibiotics sooner, would have avoided a three-day delay in diagnosing the perforations and would have avoided emergency surgery on July 12, 2021 and scarring. Abbie Taylor, a medical negligence expert at Irwin Mitchell representing Beki, said: 'Beki has been traumatised by what happened to her, especially as she originally thought the removal of her coil would be a relatively straightforward procedure. 'Coming to terms with both the physical and psychological injuries she suffered has been particularly difficult. 'A perforated bowel is an incredibly serious life-threatening condition which can have devastating consequences if not diagnosed and treated quickly. 'While we welcome the Trust's admissions and pledge to work towards a settlement, allowing Beki to access the specialist support she needs, extremely worrying issues in her care have been admitted. It's now vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety.' Ms Reilly is fearful whether what happened to her will also affect her chances of starting a family in the future with her partner Joel, 40. She added: 'It's around 18 months later, and I still can't really believe what's happened and the impact this has had on my life. 'A year after the trauma of emergency surgery, I had no choice but to have further surgery to fix multiple hernias and muscle separation. 'I was cut open again and they even had to remove my belly button which had a hernia in it. I look like an alien. 'Corrective surgery was just as traumatic as the first time around, as I knew how long and hard recovery would be. 'Being bed bound and unable to work for months has taken a massive toll on my mental health too. No one should have to go through what I went through once, never mind twice. 'Although I'm grateful to be alive, this has really impacted my self-esteem, my relationship with my body and my anxiety. 'I've been through a terrible ordeal and I'll always be left with this huge scar and disfigured tummy. I just want my life and my body back. 'I've been left with question marks over my fertility. Both peritonitis and a uterine perforation can cause infertility due to the scar tissue. 'I feel I've been left in limbo of whether I can have a child in the future or not.' Beki is now a patient representative for the NHS to help advise on areas such as sexual health, mental health and understanding patient pain. She added: 'I just hope that by speaking out about what happened to me and its lasting impact on my life, I stop anyone else from going through the same.' Beki instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help her access the specialist support she requires and joined her legal team in calling for lessons to be learned. A 23-year-old who set up her first business when she was still a sixth form student now has two successful companies. Ella Deakin, from Melling in Merseyside, runs a glamorous sleepover business and a pamper parlour for young girls who want to be treated on special occasions. The young entrepreneur was inspired by a trip to Australia when she attended a teepee party, and decided to set up a similar enterprise in the UK after realising there was a gap in the market. Despite the fact that she felt people didn't take [her] seriously at first, she is now the proud owner of two Merseyside-based businesses - her original venture Teepee Sleepee and Ella Bella's. Six years on from first opening her business, Ella now has the two companies to her name and claims she is 'regularly fully booked'. Ella Deakin (pictured) opened Ella Bella's in 2020 following the roaring success of her first business, Teepee Sleepee, which offers themed sleepovers for young girls. Ella pictured inside the Ella Bella's pamper parlour Ella began Teepee Sleepee in 2017 when she returned home from a trip down under and had seen a 'glamping'-style sleepover where the girls enjoyed sleeping in teepees. At the time, she was studying for her A Levels and working part-time as a waitress, but she realised her area didn't offer anything similar and saw an opportunity, the Liverpool Echo reports. From there, she bought four teepees and began offering different sleepover packages for children's parties. Within months, her business expanded until she had 30 teepees as demand continued to grow. With more resources, she was able to offer 12 different themed sleepover parties with Teepee Sleepee. Ella (pictured inside her pamper parlour) first got the idea for Teepee Sleepee when she was just 17 years old Ella set up a site for Ella Bella's in March 2020 (pictured inside), although her official launch was put on ice due to the pandemic Ella, pictured outside her pamper parlour which offers children's parties, claimed she wasn't taken seriously when she first opened her businesses The young entrepreneur revealed she was inspired by seeing themed sleepover parties when she went to Australia on holiday Ella has now expanded to offer even adult pampering at Ella Bella's, after the success of her children's parties Three years later after the success of Teepee Sleepee, she opened Ella Bella's, a pamper party company - and was still just 20 years old. She said the decision 'felt right' after she realised her interest in hair and beauty began to cross over into Teepee Sleepee parties. Ella would end up staying at the parties until 9pm doing the girls' hair and make up, and had a light-bulb moment to set up a site where she could offer this full-time. 'I feel like people dont take you seriously at that age and you come across obstacles you don't think you'd come across,' she said. 'Not many people my age can relate, so I struggled in that sense but obviously it's a huge accomplishment and sometimes I forget how young I was when I first started. As she prepared to open Ella Bella's, Ella had a site ready to launch in Warbreck Moor, Aintree, in March 2020, but the pandemic and lockdown put her plans on ice, as parties were banned. Determined not to let the time go to waste, Ella spent lockdown learning more about business ownership and advertising her packages. By the time the pamper parlour was open again, she says bookings began to fly in. Now offering mini spa days, pamper parties and also treatments for adults, Ella is a fully-fledged owner of two businesses at just 23 years old. She said: 'When I opened I never thought it would be as big as it is, were regularly fully booked.' A poster for Netflix's drama "The Glory" part 2" / Courtesy of Netflix By Baek Byung-yeul Netflix, Wavve, Tving, Coupang Play and other over-the-top (OTT) video streaming platforms are suffering due to the illegal streaming site, Noonoo TV, as their respective paid content can be easily viewed for free with just a few clicks, presenting a big obstacle to the country's growing media industry, according to industry officials Monday. Claiming that they have lost around 4.9 trillion won ($3.7 billion) due to the illegal streaming site, streaming service providers, broadcasters and other organizations in the media industry formed an alliance and filed a criminal complaint against Noonoo TV on March 9. Upon receiving the complaint, the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency launched an investigation into the pirate streaming site. An official in the OTT industry said that they are closely communicating with broadcasters, telecommunications companies and the government to root out this illegal website. The worry is that the issue could grow to the point where it shakes the very foundations of the country's media industry, if the situation is left unresolved. "The illegal site is known to be serviced in the Dominican Republic. Even if telecom companies block the address of this service, their servers do not disappear, which means they can continue to provide this illegal service by simply changing their address," a spokesman of one of the local OTT providers said on condition of anonymity. "The operators of this illegal service have to be arrested through a police investigation, so we are currently watching the progress of the investigation." Noonoo TV is known to have begun its streaming service in 2021. The site streams movies, dramas and animations for free, and makes a profit by advertising illegal gambling sites. This site has about 1.5 billion views with around 10 million monthly users. The number of users increased, peaking on March 10 when the second part of Netflix's popular drama "The Glory" came out. Online messages were posted directing people to watch it for free on Noonoo TV, and some posts even mentioned the illegal streaming site's website address, so that it can be found easily online. Citing the case of Bamtoki, an illegal website that provided online cartoons for free, and which was ordered in 2021 to pay compensation to comics creators for using their works without permission, the industry official said Noonoo TV's operator should be arrested and punished according to the law. "We don't expect such illegal services to be completely uprooted even though the police launched an investigation. However, they should be punished by the law to stop other illegal service providers. As we saw in the case of Bamtoki, there are still illegal websites providing comics but the number of illegal cases has decreased," the official said. Some pointed out that users should have a civic consciousness that steers them away from using these illegal streaming sites. Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, said, "It is impossible for us to illegally watch Korean content through these sites. If we don't protect our culture ourselves, who will? It is important for a culture powerhouse to create good content but at the same time, we should never forget that citizens must follow in using the content properly." A TikTok creator has revealed how strangers troll her because of her looks and plus size figure. The US-based entrepreneur, who shares videos under the username PressedbySativa, has hit back at her critics online in a series of videos. While the woman loves her curves and showcases them in revealing outfits on her page, many have left mean-spirited comments on her looks, especially her stomach. Sativa has confronted the comments head on, claiming back the mean labels and calling herself the 'Queen of FUPAs,' in reference to her 'Fatty Upper Pubic Area'. She can also count on the support of her followers, who have been cheering her on against trolls. An US-based entrepreneur who shares videos under the username PressedbySativa on TikTok has hit back at critics making fun of her weight online in a series of videos Sativa showed how little she cared about mean comments in videos shared on her profile, where she counts more than 212,200 followers. The nail tech, who says she is 'fat not ugly,' loves to share her outfit and makeup picks on her TikTok page. However, many mean-spirited trolls have commented on her looks, with some saying she looked 'unhealthy,' and mocking her 'FUPA,' her Fatty Upper Pubic Area. But Sativa has not let the trolls bring her down, and has flipped the table on her critics. In one video, she can be seen donning a small tube top and black sweatpants showing her midriff under the caption: 'When I'm wearing something comfortable and someone says then don't want to see my belly.' 'Sorry but I'm gonna wear what makes me comfortable,' she wrote alongside the video. In another clip, the nail tech, who has been in a relationship for nine years, can also count on the support of her husband, who says that her belly is his favorite part of her body. One video also sees her showing off her belly in a pair of velvet sweatpants. The nail tech likes to show her plus size figure in clips on TikTok, calling her curvaceous belly 'abs' In another clip, Sativa can be seen pointing to her belly while wearing a tube top and sweatpants, saying she will wear the clothes that she feels comfortable in The nail tech's followers are always on hand to compliment her on her looks and applauding her for clapping back at trolls Showcasing a comment calling the Queen of FUPAs, she is seen putting a tiara on her head, as if accepting the title. Her followers have been very supportive of Sativa, complimenting her on her looks and applauding her for clapping back at trolls. 'Just a Queen suits better I think,' one said. 'I'm loving that crown though. You're beautiful babe,' while another agreed that Sativa looked 'still damn beautiful.' 'Girl, let them hate. You are gorgeous,' another said. 'Damn right. If they don't want to see, then don't look, it's real simple. You are gorgeous,' another said. It's an accessory favoured by glamorous stars including Meghan Markle and Gigi Hadid, but is the 'bland bag' the must-have wardrobe item for this season and beyond? As purse strings tighten amid a cost-of-living crisis, fashion websites are reporting a rise in demand for functional bags that can be paired with any outfit, rather than statement items with ostentatious branding. The Times reported that 'timeless' and multi-functional bags are more in demand as people live hybrid lives, working between home and the office and are more on the move. Celebrity stylist Rochelle White told FEMAIL the shopping trends are a 'reflection of the times' as consumers become more aware of their carbon footprint and steer away from fast fashion. She added that many classic bags from luxury brands cannot meet the requirements of our demanding lives - which is another reason why people are turning to understated designs. Fashion experts are tipping the so-called 'bland bag' to be this season's hottest fashion accessory. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has often been spotted out and about carrying chic and elegant bags with more functional designs, which don't display ostentatious logos. Pictured: Meghan leaving Prince Archie's christening in 2019 in New York carrying a Carolina Herrera tote The Duchess of Sussex is often known to step out with stylish yet understated bags on her arm, making headlines in 2017 when she attended the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada, carrying Everlane's The Day tote in tan (which Angelina Jolie had also been pictured carrying months earlier). Two years later, she attended her glitzy baby shower in New York while pregnant with Prince Archie carrying another understated cream tote bag from Carolina Herrera, in the Matryoshka design. Supermodel Gigi Hadid has also been spotted carrying chic yet functional bags in public appearances, stepping out ahead of Milan Fashion Week in 2021 carrying The Row's timeless Park tote. Rochelle explained that, as people become more aware of the impacts of fast fashion, they are opting for products with more longevity. Meghan Markle pictured with Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Toronto, 2017, carrying Everlane's The Tote bag in tan Arket's Landscape tote is a somewhat more affordable at 259 and is a simple yet versatile design, with a plain strap and a buckle on the top Gigi Hadid, pictured in Milan in 2021, has been spotted carrying The Row's timeless tote bag 'There has been such a change in shopper behaviour and how they view brands and items,' Rochelle explained. 'Consumers are making more considered purchases and want to do their part for the environment.' She added that, as well as considering the impact of fast fashion, consumers are choosing more modest options, even if they are spending lots of money on an item. 'Having bags that are not heavily branded is a more modest look and can actually be more adaptable to outfits and environments,' she said. 'Sometimes it's knowing that you have a luxury item either brand new or second hand, that you know is a piece that is worth something but not screaming it.' Liane Wiggins, head of womenswear at Matchesfashion, said this season's trend can be described as 'luxury but almost unidentifiable' as people opt for quality without caring to display logos on their items. Rochelle further explained: 'A lot of luxury bags with all the whistles and bells can't hold much and these 'everyday' luxury bags are usually more practical for everyday wear and use. They are timeless and can last longer seasons.' Of course, bags from luxury brands that aren't bursting with logos can still be unaffordable for many - which makes way for another emerging trend. The Times reported second-hand luxury fashion platform Vestaire has confirmed it has seen an increase in demand among its customer base for 'less pristine' bags, with searches tripling in the last year. And for those who aren't looking for luxury, there are plenty of high-end high street brands offering their answers to the 'bland bag'. Arket's Landscape tote, made of leather, is a simple design which comes in neutral colours including black and burgundy, costing 259. Meanwhile Osprey's Primrose Hill tote, costing 175 at full value but currently on sale for 79.00, is a classic black leather option with crocodile print. Kate Middleton showed off her and her children's love of a high street outfit as she shared a new Mother's Day photo. Yesterday, 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. The images are part of a set taken in private on the Norfolk estate last year by one of their favourite and trusted photographers, Matt Porteous. They were posted on Instagram alongside a caption that read: 'Happy Mothers Day from our family to yours.' In the first image, the mother-of-three is pictured posing in a tree in Norfolk surrounded by her three children. The second image shows her cradling her youngest child, four-year-old Prince Louis. The snap of the three children and their mother shows the quartet sporting coordinating outfits in complementary shades of blue and white. The royals showed off their love of high-street fashion in this snap shared by the family on Instagram to mark Mother's Day (pictured L-R: Prince Louis, the Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte) Prince George, nine, wears a 55 Ralph Lauren polo shirt, 40 Charlie Chino navy shorts from Trotters' Thomas Brown collection, and 30 Nike Revolution trainers. His younger sister, seven-year-old Princess Charlotte, is dressed in a blue denim playsuit embroidered with strawberries and red pom-poms. From Spanish brand Sfera, the suit is thought to have cost just 17. Charlotte paired the outfit with a simple pair 30 pair of blue Hampton Canvas pumps. The youngest royal in the snap, Prince Louis, wears a blue and white stripe polo and 40 pale blue chino shorts from Trotters. Meanwhile, Kate Middleton re-wore some trusty pieces from her wardrobe, including a 255 blouse from M.i.h Jeans, her 18 Orelia hoop earrings and a classic pair of 59 Superga white trainers. These images show off Kate's 'bittersweet' feelings about motherhood, according to body language expert Judi James. She also noted that the photographs suggest the Princess' children feel 'protective' of their mother. Speaking about the snap showing the children and their mother in the tree, Judi told FEMAIL: 'It's the children that have adopted the more protective-looking poses around [Kate]. The second photo shared by the Wales on Mother's Day shows the princess cradling her youngest child Prince Louis 'Charlotte's 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 Kate's, 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.' Describing the setting of the photograph, Judi noted how the tree the family are sitting in symbolises 'strength and continuity' - while Kate appears to be 'one of the team'. She explained: '[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. As she beams down at him, Louis is seen adorably clutching onto his mother's hand. The two photographs shared yesterday were part of a set taken by photographer Matt Porteous last year on the family's Norfolk estate 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. 'If he is going to be her last child, these feelings of sadness mixed with love could be magnified for her, too.' Next time you receive an email from your child's teacher you might want to pay more attention to the wording. Jess Smith, a former 3rd, 5th, and 6th grade teacher from New Hampshire, has revealed how teachers use a 'secret code' when messaging parents of disruptive children. Speaking via the popular TikTok account @bored_teachers - which regularly shares comical anecdotes from those within the teaching community - the educator details some of the coded language she has previously used. 'When we use phrases like, "Your child is very social," that means they won't stop talking,' the TikToker says in the 19-second clip which has been viewed more than 68,000 times. Jess Smith, a former 3rd, 5th, and 6th grade teacher from New Hampshire, has revealed how teachers use a 'secret code' when messaging parents of disruptive children Speaking via the popular TikTok account @bored_teachers the educator details some of the coded language she has previously used She goes on to detail if a teacher says a child's 'excitement in the classroom is contagious' they really mean they are unable to calm down. And lastly, the creator reveals if a child is deemed a 'natural born leader', they are in fact 'super bossy.' In response to the post, some viewers appeared to agree with the teacher's insights with one commenter writing '100 per cent can confirm.' However, one teacher spoke out against the 'secret code.' She commented: 'I'm a teacher and do not use these "codes". It's not helpful to anyone to sugar coat an issue. I stick with facts and observations. 'Never had a problem with a parent relationship if I am direct but in a respectful and collaborative way.' Other commenters offered up some alternative 'coded' suggestions. One viewer suggested that 'dances to the beat of their own drum' is code for 'doesn't listen to anything they are told.' While another surmized that when a teacher says 'your son is going to make a great lawyer' it really means 'your kid won't stop arguing with me.' 'THIS IS TEACHERS' SECRET CODE' Jess Smith, a former 3rd, 5th, and 6th grade teacher from New Hampshire, reveals three things teachers say versus what they really mean: WHAT TEACHERS SAY Your child is very social Your child's excitement in the classroom is contagious Your child is a natural born leader WHAT THEY REALLY MEAN They won't stop talking They are unable to calm down They are super bossy Advertisement In response to the post, some viewers appeared to agree with the teacher's insights with one commenter writing '100 per cent can confirm' Mother-of-two Smith no longer works in the teaching profession and works for the platform Bored Teachers full-time Along with running a hugely popular TikTok account with more than six million followers, the teachers-turned-performers regularly tour around the country The post also caused some viewers to think back on some of the things they had been told about their children in the past. Tina Marie mused: 'My sons pre-k teacher told me he was the most scientific kid shes ever had, she prob meant he asks a million questions allll day long.' Mother-of-two Smith no longer works in the teaching profession and works for the platform Bored Teachers full-time. Along with running a hugely popular TikTok account with more than six million followers, the teachers-turned-performers regularly tour around the country. The Bored Teachers website describes it as 'a platform for educators to escape the chaos and find humor in the frustration and exhaustion that comes with the teaching profession. 'Its inspired by the sweat, the tears, and the unrelenting passion of underpaid and overworked teachers all over.' Queen Maxima of The Netherlands opted for a statement denim dress as she arrived at the Casablanca international Airport. The Dutch royal, 51, wore an indigo and ochre dip dye denim midi dress as she touched down at the airport in Morocco. The Argentine-born queen is visiting the North-African country as Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Financial Inclusion and Development. Maxima was seen grinning as she was welcomed at the airport, holding a camel coat and wearing a navy scarf. Queen Maxima of The Netherlands as arrived in Morocco as part of a multi-day visit in her capacity as Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Financial Inclusion and Development The stylish royal opted for comfortable yet chic camel wedges as she walked along a red carpet from her car at the airport. The mother-of-three kept her blonde hair loose and in a casual side parting for her arrival at Casablanca International Airport. She opted for a minimal neutral make up with her signature dark eyeliner, while keeping her jewellery to a minimum. Inside the airport the Dutch Queen was pictured taking traditional Moroccan tea with officials. The Dutch Queen was seen taking traditional tea at Casablanca International Airport after she was greeted on the tarmac. The stylish Queen wore a dip dye indigo and ochre midi denim dress for her arrival Maxima beamed as she met with officials at the airport. She carried a camel coat and wore a navy blue scarf as she walked along a red carpet to the airport Pictured in deep conversation here, the stylish Dutch queen, 51, wore a pair of chic camel wedges and carried her coat over her arm Queen Maxima of The Netherlands has served as the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA) since 2009. She was appointed by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and in this role is a leading global voice on advancing universal access to and responsible usage of affordable, effective and safe financial services. During a multi-day visit, Maxima will attend meetings and discussions that will focus on key investments to kick start Morocco's digital payments market, especially for undeserved groups such as women and small merchants. There will also be talks about how Morocco's fintech sector can further progress, including support for technology that can help address risks, costs, and geographic barriers to financial services in the country. The mother-of-three kept her blonde hair loose and in a casual side parting for her arrival at Casablanca International Airport and kept her make up neutral Maxima is pictured here at Casablanca International Airport in Morocco taking refreshments with officials Maxima grinned and laughed as she was served traditional Moroccan tea during her first engagement at the airport Queen Maxima will also highlight inclusive green finance, particularly the role of financial services to build resilience and support adaptation from climate risks. As an active leader, it was only last week that the Dutch Queen was visiting various social institutions as part of the Oranje Fonds Entrepreneurship Programme against Loneliness in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands. As usual, she wore her blonde locks loose over her shoulder, with her make-up light and natural bar some heavy mascara. And she also looked splendid in red leather boots and a long red dress with a deep split up the thigh. The top of the dress was a roll neck, and it was cinched at the waist, with long elegant sleeves. The Queen matched it with a red hand bag and her trademark red nails. She also wore gold earrings, seemed in great spirits and appeared happy to show off her leg as she arrived at the event. During a multi-day visit, Maxima will attend meetings and discussions that will focus on key investments to kick start Morocco's digital payments market, especially for undeserved groups such as women and small merchants The Dutch Queen was served traditional Moroccan tea as she touched down in the country as UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusion Finance for Development The couple hosted a welcome party for guests in Cape Town over the weekend Lady Amelia Spencer kicked off her wedding celebrations with a glamorous pool party in Cape Town over the weekend. Princess Diana's niece, 30, and her fiance Greg Mallett, 30, hosted a welcome party for their guests at a luxury villa overlooking the ocean. The bride-to-be looked suitably stylish in a silk halterneck white gown while her partner of 11 years was smart in a white shirt and blue suit trousers. The happy couple posed for photos next to the pool and shared images of them exchanging kisses and loving looks on their Instagram Stories. Posting a photo of his future wife with her arms wrapped around him, Greg gushed to his 8,400 followers: 'You'll never not make me laugh. And I will never stop looking at you in awe.' Princess Diana's niece Lady Amelia Spencer pictured with her arms around her fiance Greg Mallett at their wedding welcome party in Cape Town over the weekend The groom then finished off his loving post with a single red love heart emoji and tagged Amelia - who then re-shared it with her 48,400 followers. Wedding guest Jacinta Spencer - who is a makeup artist friend and not a direct relation - also posted a photo of Lady Amelia posing on the terrace as the sun set behind her. She wrote: 'The most beautiful pre-wedding reception for you. I love you with all my heart.' But while Amelia's twin sister Eliza featured in pictures on social media, their father Earl Spencer, 58, did not appear in any of the shots. Princess Diana's younger brother did not attend his eldest daughter Lady Kitty's wedding to retail millionaire Michael Lewis in July 2021 - prompting rumours of a rift between the father-of-seven and his daughters from his first marriage. Instead, Lady Kitty - who is 32 years younger than her husband - was walked down the aisle by her brother Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp, 29, and half brother Samuel Aitken, whose father is businessman Jonathan Aitken. A source told MailOnline at the time: 'Kitty and Charles were very close when she was growing up, but their relationship has cooled and been more distant since his marriage to his third wife Karen in 2011. 'Charles recently suffered an injury and perhaps that will be the reason for him not travelling, but it is just easier for everyone that he is not there. Jacinta Spencer - who is not a relation of the family - shared a photo of the bride and gushed: 'I love you with all my heart' Earl Spencer (pictured in December 2015) was noticeably absent from Lady Amelia's wedding welcome party over the weekend. It comes after he missed his eldest daughter Lady Kitty's wedding in 2021 'The four children are all close to their mother Victoria and get on well with their step siblings, and their Spencer aunts and have forged their own relationships with one another without needing Charles to bind them together.' Although Lady Amelia's mother Victoria Aitken did not feature in photos from the welcome party, she was included on the guest list for Lady Kitty's wedding in 2021 and is expected to attend her second daughter's nuptials later this month. Charles was married to Victoria from 1989 until 1997. The couple moved to Cape Town, South Africa, where Kitty and her siblings Lady Eliza, Lady Amelia and Louis were brought up away from the glare of public attention. Princess Diana's death occurred while their divorce case was in progress; shortly after their split was finalised, Earl Spencer moved back to the UK. Following their separation, Earl Spencer went on to marry Caroline Freud in 2001 before then tying the knot with entrepreneur Karen Spencer in 2011. Bride-to-be Amelia Spencer shared glimpses of her wedding welcome party with her 48,000 Instagram followers. Pictured with guests and her twin sister Eliza (centre right) Guest Alessandro Maria Ferreri gushed about Lady Amelia and her twin sister Lady Eliza were 'stunning by the seaside' Lady Amelia Spencer pictured with her mother Victoria Aitken and her brother Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp in June 2017 Earl Spencer and his third wife Karen Spencer pictured arriving at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Windsor wedding in May 2018 In July 2020, Lady Amelia Spencer got engaged to long-term boyfriend Greg Mallett following a romantic proposal in South Africa. The society beauty, who is the Princes William and Harry, met her real estate beau while they were both studying at the University of Cape Town. The couple were together for 11 years before Greg, 32, popped the question at the exclusive Clouds Wine & Guest Estate in Stellenbosch. In 2021, the couple relocated from South Africa to London shortly after Amelia's big sister Kitty's lavish wedding in Rome - with celebrations being spread over four days. Anne was invited to meet with the crew to learn about the upcoming episodes The Princess Royal, 72, is Patron of The Acid Survivors Trust International Princess Anne has visited the set of Coronation Street as the soap opera gears up to introduce a devastating new acid attack storyline. The royal, 72, was taken on a tour of the filming locations in Greater Manchester today in her role as Patron of The Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI). The charity has been advising the show's producers and writers on a series of upcoming episodes, which will see Daisy (played by Charlotte Jordan) be targeted in an acid attack by her stalker Justin. During her visit, the Princess Royal - who previously visited the set in 2016 - was given a preview of some of the scenes, which will air next week. As well as speaking with producers of the soap opera, Anne also met Charlotte to discuss her experience of filming. Princess Anne pictured visiting Coronation Street's Rovers Return Inn ahead of the show's devastating new acid attack storyline Alongside this, Anne was introduced to Andrew Still - who plays Daisy's attacker Justin. Other cast members who spoke with the royal included Ryan Prescott (who plays Ryan Connor), Rob Mallard (who plays Daniel Osbourne) and Sally Ann Matthews (who plays Jenny Bradley). Series producer Iain MacLeod and Head of ITV in the North John Whiston were on hand to give Princess Anne a guided tour of the set - which involved going into the Rovers Return Inn. To learn more about how the show is handling the topic, acid attack survivor Sammear Hussein was also in attendance alongside Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Councillor Chris Boyes Mayor of Trafford. Pictures from the tour showed the Princess Royal beaming as she admired the exterior of the set buildings. Commenting on the royal's visit, the show's producer Iain said: 'Working with ASTI on this storyline has been invaluable to all of us. 'HRH's patronage of the charity is clearly of huge importance to both Her Royal Highness and the charity and it was an absolute honour to have them join us at Coronation Street today. 'The visit gave both cast and colleagues the chance to discuss how they have worked together to create and portray such a delicate and important storyline, an opportunity none of us will forget.' The royal, 72, spoke with cast members Charlotte Jordan, Ryan Prescott, Andrew Still, Rob Mallard and Sally Ann Matthews The Princess Royal was taken on a tour of the set by series producer Iain MacLeod and Head of ITV in the North John Whiston Earlier today, Coronation Street bosses confirmed that Daisy will be at the centre of an acid attack storyline next week, as her wedding to Daniel takes a devastating turn. The bride-to-be's big day has been beset with drama as she continues to be tormented by her stalker Justin. After succeeding in getting Justin arrested by police by goading him into punching her, Daisy was stunned to learn he'd been released on bail, sparking yet more fears the wedding could be cancelled. Ahead of the episodes, actress Charlotte Jordan told MailOnline that Daisy's ordeal culiminates in being 'constantly let down' by the police who failed to take her concerns seriously. Even after she requested a Stalking Protection Order, Justin's defence has meant her request was denied, leaving her even more fearful of his threats. Princess Anne visited the location in Greater Manchester in her role as Patron of The Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI). Princess Anne pictured sharing a laugh with actress Charlotte Jordan, who plays Daisy. The character will be the target of an acid attack in episodes airing next week Producer Iain MacLeod said of royal's tour: 'The visit gave both cast and colleagues the chance to discuss how they have worked together to create and portray such a delicate and important storyline, an opportunity none of us will forget.' Also in attendance were acid attack survivor Sammear Hussein, Mrs Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Councillor Chris Boyes Mayor of Trafford She said: 'I think everyone thought at the beginning it was sort of a harmless crush. I think these are some of the words that we use. She's used to male attention. 'She's used to that. But I don't think she ever could have understood quite how obsessed he was going to become. 'It's just so evil just to decide to take away someone's identity in someone's face like that. It's just so heinous. Asked for her reaction when she was told about the storyline, Charlotte added: 'I cannot say on camera, but F me that's dark. Yeah, I really didn't see that coming. 'I didn't think they'd go that route with it because it's not. It's not something you see a lot on. On television, Yeah, I was. I was. I was really caught by surprise by it.' Princess Anne isn't the first royal to visit the set of Coronation Street - as the late Queen looked delighted to also be given a tour of the soap opera in July 2021. A Texas mother has shared her heartbreak after being forced to carry her unborn baby who has a rare brain anomaly to term because of the state's abortion ban. Kylie Beaton, 32, and her husband Seth, 38, from Weatherford - almost 60 miles west of Dallas, were initially 'really excited' when they found out she was pregnant with a baby boy, ABC News reported. The couple, who are already parents to a four-year-old girl, have faced a tough couple of years after Seth ended up in hospital with COVID pneumonia in July 2021 and was there for six months before he was able to return home. After his release, they began trying to conceive and they were thrilled when Kylie learned she was expecting as she has polycystic ovary syndrome, which can make it difficult for women to fall pregnant. Kylie Beaton and husband Seth, from Weatherford - almost 60 miles west of Dallas, were initially 'really excited' when they found out she was pregnant with a baby boy But their joy soon turned to heartbreak when they learned their unborn child had alobar holoprosencephaly at their 20-week scan But their joy soon turned to heartbreak when they learned their unborn child had alobar holoprosencephaly at their 20-week scan. The birth defect means the 'baby's brain hasn't divided into two hemispheres,' according to the Cleveland Clinic. Children born with this condition are often stillborn or die shortly after birth. Kylie will have to carry her nonviable pregnancy until the end because Texas law won't allow her to get abortion care. Her due date is later this year. Her doctor told her their hands were tied and they couldn't do anything unless she suffered from a 'severe health issue.' Abortion is not allowed at any stage of pregnancy unless a doctor determines that there's a threat to the pregnant person's life, and Texas law does not provide exceptions for cases involving incest or rape. In August 2022, Texas made performing an abortion a felony that carries a jail sentence of up to life in prison and doctors who provide them could face a civil penalty of up to $100,000. 'To have a woman go through so much torture along the way that's going to stay with them forever,' Kylie told ABC News. 'Whatever the case may be, you have to look at things from a different perspective.' Kylie will have to carry her nonviable pregnancy until the end because Texas law won't allow her to get abortion care Seth added he was 'terrified for his wife,' and it wasn't fair for her and other women to go through this. 'I was really excited when we found that it was a boy, but that was short-lived,' he said. 'Right now, I'm just terrified for my wife. She's the strongest person I know and she's just helpless right now. Rare birth defect that sees baby's brain not developing properly Alobar holoprosencephaly means a baby's brain hasn't divided into two hemispheres. It results in the loss of midline structures in the child's brain and face. The cavities of the brain also fuse together and the condition often causes severe facial deformities. Babies who develop alobar holoprosencephaly are usually stillborn or die shortly after birth. SOURCE: Cleveland Clinic Advertisement 'We have a daughter, I couldn't imagine my daughter ever having to go through this.' The Beatons have also looked at out-of-state options. They had an abortion appointment in New Mexico booked in for February, but was told they had missed the cutoff. The clinic's cutoff for an abortion was 23 weeks and six days, and Kylie said she was told her baby's head was considered too big to get the procedure. The mom was then referred to a Colorado clinic, but she told ABC News they would have to pay much more than the $3,500 they would have spent in New Mexico. The couple were told in Colorado the abortion would be between $10,000 to $15,000, which the Beatons say they cannot afford. Kylie said she did not believe abortion should be 'a way of birth control,' but she thought for cases like hers, women should be allowed to get the care that they required. 'I mean, for them to say, "Well, you need to wait until you're in a health crisis, a health issue to where your life's in jeopardy, then that's when we can take it." Well, then why do we have doctors?' she told ABC News. 'Never in a million years would I expect or believe that we will be going through what we're going through now.' Kylie's story comes after it emerged five women were suing the state of Texas after being denied abortions despite risks to their lives and their unborn children as doctors claim they fear repercussions even in the rare circumstances they are legally allowed to terminate pregnancies. The suit claims that the women risked hemorrhage or life-threatening infection, and some doctors refused to suggest options or forward medical records to other providers, The New York Times reported earlier this month. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands stunned in Casablanca today as she visited the Bank of Africa. The Dutch royal, 51, opted for a colourful orange and white paisley patterned matching two-piece, which consisted of a long-sleeve blouse and a floaty maxi skirt. She paired the vibrant look with comfortable-but-chic brown wedges and tangerine coloured dangly earrings. Styling her shoulder-length hair straight, the mother-of-three opted for minimal makeup other than her signature smokey eyeshadow. Queen Maxima is visiting the Morocco as Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Financial Inclusion and Development. The Dutch royal, 51, opted for a colourful orange and white paisley patterned matching two-piece, which consisted of a long-sleeve blouse and a floaty maxi skirt The royal grinned as she visited the Bank of Africa welcomed by CEO Othman Benjelloun, along with having a meeting with Fintech partners at the Hyatt Hotel. In-keeping with colourful look, the Queen touched down in Casablanca sporting an indigo and ochre dip dye denim midi dress as she arrived at the airport. Queen Maxima of The Netherlands has served as the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA) since 2009. She was appointed by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and in this role is a leading global voice on advancing universal access to and responsible usage of affordable, effective and safe financial services. During a multi-day visit, Maxima will attend meetings and discussions that will focus on key investments to kick start Morocco's digital payments market, especially for undeserved groups such as women and small merchants. There will also be talks about how Morocco's fintech sector can further progress, including support for technology that can help address risks, costs, and geographic barriers to financial services in the country. Queen Maxima will also highlight inclusive green finance, particularly the role of financial services to build resilience and support adaptation from climate risks. As an active leader, it was only last week that the Dutch Queen was visiting various social institutions as part of the Oranje Fonds Entrepreneurship Programme against Loneliness in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands. The dazzling royal grinned as she visited the Bank of Africa welcomed by CEO Othman Benjelloun She let her golden blonde tresses lose as she opted to have her hair down and went for natural makeup, wearing her distinctive eyeliner and bronzer Maxima also had a meeting with Fintech partners at the Hyatt Hotel during her trip to Morocco Queen Maxima of The Netherlands as arrived in Morocco as part of a multi-day visit in her capacity as Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Financial Inclusion and Development Maxima opted for a similarly colourful ensemble when she stepped out in a scarlet dress for an engagement in the Netherlands. The Dutch royal was visiting various social institutions as part of the Oranje Fonds Entrepreneurship Programme against Loneliness in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands. She was seen greeting people outside with a beaming smile on her face. Famed art dealer Larry Gagosian and his rising artist girlfriend Anna Weyant, who is 50 years his junior, were spotted in New York City together on Sunday less than a year after she signed with his gallery amid a bitter fallout with her former dealer. The gallery owner, 77, and the Canadian painter, 27, who have been dating for about two years, were both dressed in black as they arrived in the Big Apple aboard a private helicopter. Weyant, who is represented by her beau's Gagosian galleries, was dressed in a turtleneck sweater dress paired with white sneakers. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a loose braid and topped with a dark cap that obscured half of her face. She flashed a bright smile as she carried a black Gagosian tote bag and a merlot Hermes Birkin bag while her coat was slung over her arm. Birkins start at around $10,000, but they can sell for $100,000 or more, with bags similar to Weyant's fetching up to $75,000 on resale websites. Art dealer Larry Gagosian, 77, and his artist girlfriend Anna Weyant, 27, were spotted in New York City together on Sunday Weyant flashed a smile after they arrived in the Big Apple aboard a private helicopter The gallery owner and painter, who were both dressed in black, have been dating for about two years Gagosian, a longtime bachelor whose net worth is an estimated $600 million, was bundled up in a dark coat, pants, and sneakers. He topped off his jet-set look with a pair of black aviator sunglasses. The couple was seen loading up the back of a black SUV with their belongings before being driven to their next destination. Nearly four years ago, Weyant was selling her paintings on a sidewalk for around $400 apiece. She has since become the toast of the art world, with several of her works fetching more than $1 million at auction. The artist, who first gained attention for her paintings on Instagram, signed a global representation agreement with her boyfriend's Gagosian galleries in May 2022 following a bitter business split with dealer Tim Blum of Blum & Poe. Weyant and Gagosian spoke out about her meteoric rise in a lengthy profile for the Wall Street Journal last June. 'I'm just trying to protect her from the big bad wolves,' Gagosian told the Journal, insisting that when it comes to discussions about Weyant's career, he treats her the same as any other artist with his gallery. At the heart of Weyant's split with her former dealer, Blum, appears to be her painting 'Falling Woman,' which she said she sold to him in 2021 for $15,000 just half what his gallery was charging collectors for other works in her spring 2021 show. Gagosian, a longtime bachelor whose net worth is an estimated $600 million, was bundled up in a dark coat, pants, and sneakers Weyant, who is represented by her beau's Gagosian galleries, was dressed in a turtleneck sweater dress paired with white sneakers Weyant carried a black Gagosian tote bag and a merlot Hermes Birkin bag while her coat was slung over her arm The artist's blonde hair was pulled back in a loose braid and topped with a dark cap that obscured half of her face As interest in her paintings soared, Blum then sent the painting to Sotheby's for auction, and in May 2022, it fetched $1.6 million, a record for Weyant's work. Blum didn't break any rules in doing so, although dealers don't usually consign their own artist's paintings to auction. It's unclear if he was still representing Weyant when the artwork was dispatched to the tony auction house. Though Weyant declined to describe her falling out with Blum in detail, she told the Journal that she was unhappy with how things ended and that the consignment of 'Falling Woman' was the final straw in her decision to switch to Gagosian. Blum declined to comment to the Journal and could not be immediately reached by DailyMail.com at the time. 'Falling Woman' has since been featured on the cover of Jen Beagin's novel 'Big Swiss,' which was published last month. Born in 1995 in Calgary, Canada, Weyant studied painting at the Rhode Island School of Design, which she said she attended because it was the closest school to New York City that accepted her. Far from having an artistic upbringing, she is the daughter of a lawyer and a provincial court judge. But she took to painting in college and even placed in the top three of a Canadian art contest the summer after her senior year. After graduating in 2017, she spent six months painting at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, where she said the city's sepia tones influenced her now-signature muted palette. The couple was seen loading up the back of a black SUV with their belongings before being driven to their next destination Weyant appeared to be in great spirits as she juggled all of her bags Nearly four years ago, Weyant was selling her paintings on a sidewalk for around $400 apiece. She has since become the toast of the art world Weyant signed a global representation deal with Gagosian last year after a falling out with her former dealer Tim Blum At the heart of Weyant's split with her former dealer, Blum (pictured), appears to be her painting 'Falling Woman,' which she said she sold to him in 2021 for $15,000 As interest in her paintings soared, Blum then sent the painting to Sotheby's for auction, and in May 2022, it fetched $1.6 million, a record for Weyant's work Weyant got her big break when she moved to New York in 2018 and began assisting the established painter Cynthia Talmadge, who promoted her work on her own Instagram account. Talmadge introduced Weyant to her own dealer Ellie Rines, owner of the New York gallery 56 Henry, who recalled to the Journal: 'I saw a lot of potential in her.' 'Falling Woman' has since been featured on the cover of Jen Beagin's novel 'Big Swiss,' which was published last month Rines helped Weyant make some of her first sales in the summer of 2019, laying out her paintings on a sidewalk at a Hamptons art fair, selling a few for $400 apiece. Group shows followed and then Weyant's first solo show at 56 Henry, titled 'Welcome To The Dollhouse.' Gagosian galleries described that series as 'a sequence of darkly cinematic vignettes depicting a dollhouse and the strange, cloistered lives of its inhabitants.' The show sold out, with every piece going for between $2,000 to $12,000. It was around this time that Gagosian first became aware of her work, and purchased one of Weyant's paintings, titled 'Head,' which he hung in his home. By the spring of 2021, Weyant was being exclusively represented by the Los Angeles gallery Blum & Poe, and some of her paintings were selling for nearly $50,000 apiece. Gagosian, who visited her spring 2021 show, invited the artist to have dinner at his Beverly Hills mansion, recalling that he was struck when she asked if he had any gin, which is one of his favorite drinks. The couple was soon dating and vacationing together in exotic locales such as Paris and Saint-Tropez. However, she has tried to remain grounded amid her increasing travels. Gagosian (pictured with Jeffrey Deitch and Weyant last year) told the Wall Street Journal last year that he treats his girlfriend the same as any other artist with his gallery At the time of the Wall Street Journal interview, Weyant was still living and painting in a modest 675-square-foot apartment on New York's Upper West Side Weyant has tried to remain grounded and stick to her routines while traveling in Gagosian's jet-set circles At the time of the interview, she was still living and painting in a modest 675-square-foot one-bedroom apartment on New York's Upper West Side, where she resided since moving to the city. Despite her tension with Blum over the matter, it was the Sotheby's sale of 'Falling Woman' last year that set heads spinning and put Weyant's name on the lips of every collector. First on the docket for the prestigious evening show, 'Falling Woman' blew past all expectations, with the final bid coming in at eight times the high-end estimate. Weyant's relationship with Gagosian has also set tongues wagging in the art world. Prior to dating Weyant, Gagosian and his longtime girlfriend, Chrissie Erpf, a senior director at the gallery, split in 2019, according to Page Six. Gagosian also briefly dated Holly Bawden, his 35-year-old former personal assistant, later in 2019, the outlet reported. Weyant's allies harshly denounce any speculation that her romance with the legendary gallerist has given her a leg up in the cutthroat art world. 'When someone becomes successful, people kind of forget that that's a human being,' Rines, Weyant's first dealer whom she remains close with, previously told the Daily Beast. 'She's a 27-year-old woman, and I think it's really wild that men, mostly middle-aged men, are spreading all these rumors about her. I think it's so pathetic.' Chung Mong-won, chairman of HL Group / Courtesy of HL Group By Baek Byung-yeul Chung Mong-won, chairman of HL Group, has hit an obstacle because a proxy advisor here is opposed to an attempt by the construction and auto parts conglomerate to appoint him as director of the group's affiliates, explaining that there could be a conflict of interest concerning the possibility of internal transactions, according to the proxy adviser Monday. The Center for Good Corporate Governance (CGCG) has already stated its opposition to the appointment of Chung as the in-company director of HL D&I Halla, a construction arm of the group and the auto parts subsidiary, HL Mando, at their upcoming shareholders' meetings, scheduled to be held on March 23. The reasoning is that the chairman's compensation for working as a director for both affiliates is too much. "HL Group affiliates proposed a reappointment agenda for Chung, as an in-house director. Chung has served as the in-house director of HL Holdings, HL D&I and HL Klemove. He owns a 24.31 percent stake in the group's holding company, HL Holdings," the CGCG said adding that the internal transactions with its affiliate accounted for 43.48 percent of HL Holdings' sales over the past three years. "HL Holdings is a beneficiary company receiving profits through internal transactions and Chung, who owns a stake in HL Holdings, is also a beneficiary. Thus, the CGCG is opposed to the item to appoint him as an in-house director," the CGCG added. The CGCG is a research center that specializes in enhancing the governance structures of Korea's family-owned conglomerates and improving the soundness of the financial market here. Regarding the CGCG's objective, an HL Group spokesman said "we do not agree with that opinion and the item will be decided by votes at the shareholders' meetings." The CGCG also recommended against the approval of the proposed director's compensation for the chairman. This is because it is not reasonable to pay a significantly higher salary to the chairman compared to other directors. HL D&I Halla has set its director's compensation limit for this year at 4.5 billion won ($3.4 million). Last year, the company paid Chung 1.46 billion won, which was about 35 percent of the total compensation paid to the eight directors. HL Mando set its director's compensation limit at 10 billion won. In 2022, the company paid 2.46 billion won to Chung, about 53 percent of the total compensation paid to the seven directors. King Charles and the Queen Consort were among guests who flocked to the streets of Dorset today to pay their respects to Camilla's brother-in-law Simon Elliot. The businessman was married to the royal's younger sister Annabel for over 50 years and passed away at the age of 82 earlier this month. Grieving friends and family of the late businessman were pictured arriving at the service at Holy Trinity Church in Stourpaine, Dorset, this afternoon. Police sealed off all roads to the church during the service to allow Simon's coffin to be driven through the small village. Following the service, guests were seen making their way to the local pub The White Horse Inn. The then Camilla Parker Bowles with her brother-in-law Simon Elliot at the Westminster Boating Base for Henry Dent-Brocklehurst's 30th birthday party Simon, who passed away at the age of 82, was brother-in-law to Queen Consort Camilla. She and King Charles were amongst the mourners at Holy Trinity Church in Stourpaine on Monday Although King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla were not pictured arriving at the funeral, they are understood to have attended the service in a show of support to his widow Annabel - Camilla's sister. The church in Stourpaine is where funerals of the Queen Consort's brother, Mark Shand, and her father Major Bruce Shand, had previously been held. The Queen Consort was so close to her brother-in-law that she invited him and her sister Annabel to join her and Charles on their honeymoon in Scotland. Leading the mourners were Simon's three children, former Conservative Party co-chairman Ben Elliot and his sisters, Alice and Catherine. The mourners braved the wet English weather as they made their way to the village church. Annabel wed the landowner, whose father was an Air Chief Marshal of the RAF, in 1972 at the age of 23. Simon Elliot and his wife Annabel, the Queen Consort's sister, pictured attending a memorial service for Major Bruce Shand, Camilla's father, in 2006 Mourners pictured paying their respects to Simon Elliot. The brother-in-law of Queen Consort Camilla died earlier this month aged 82 Simon Elliot passed away on March 8. His funeral was held on Monday at Holy Trinity Church in Stourpaine, Dorset Police blocked off the road to the church as the hearse carrying Simon's coffin made its way through the village Mourners gathered in the village of Stourpaine to pay their respects to the late landowner and brother-in-law of Queen Consort Camilla Police sealed off all roads to the church during the service and afterwards, while some guests went to the local village pub The White Horse Inn Leading the mourners were Elliots three children, former Conservative Party co-chairman Ben Elliot and his sisters, Alice and Catherine. Pictured: Guests making their way to the church The mourners braved the wet English weather as they made their way to the village church Although not pictured, Queen Consort Camilla and King Charles III were among those paying their respects on Monday Guests were pictured arriving in Stourpaine, Dorset, ahead of the funeral It has been reported that Camilla is devastated by the death of her brother-in-law. Pictured: Guests gathering in the village Camilla invited her interior designer sister and her husband on her Balmoral honeymoon after she wed the then Prince Charles in 2005. The now King and Queen Consort frequently visited the couple in Stourpaine when they were dating. And it was at Annabel's 50th birthday party at the Ritz Hotel when her sister stole the limelight by 'coming out' as Charles' partner. The couple used the occasion to pose for their first public pictures together on the hotel steps. Annabel's interior design skills have seen her run her Dorset business for over 30 years, with the King employing her to redesign various royal households over the years. The younger brother of Camilla and Annabel, Mark Shand, died in 2014 following a fall in New York. Aldi Australia is once again bringing back their popular hot cross bun gin after two years in a row of selling out. The $24.99 Easter favourite by Manchester Drinks Co will be available from Wednesday 22 March in selected stores and online. The limited edition gin liqueur is infused with a delectable combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Aldi Australia is once again bringing back their popular hot cross bun gin after two years in a row of selling out The gin liqueur was produced in the UK by Manchester Drinks Co and was released for the first time in 2021, with the limited edition item suspected to sell out fast. It's crafted with the traditional spices found in your favourite Easter treat, simply mix with soda, sparkling wine or serve on the rocks. Customers are encouraged to check their ALDI Special Buys Delay page to know if the items will be available at their local ALDI, and when. The limited edition gin liqueur is infused with a delectable combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger Aussies are excited to get their hands on the special edition liqueur. 'Delicious combination of flavours - very festive!' 'I love hot cross buns, this is so exciting.' Bartenders have revealed the biggest red flags customers should look out for when ordering a pint. Servers from British bar Pins Social Club in Liverpool listed the things bartenders should never do including using a glass to scoop ice and pouring a drink into a warm glass straight from the dishwasher. They also said to be wary of servers who use shot measuring cups, lean on the bar and put their hands around the rim of the glass. They shared the 'red flags' in a series of videos prompting a heated discussion between viewers. Many slammed the venue for not letting their staff lean on the bar while most agreed using the glass to scoop up ice was 'gross' and 'unhygienic'. Scroll down for video Staff from British venue Pins Social club have listed their biggest bartender red flags from scooping ice with a glass to using a shot measuring cup or jigger to make mixed drinks In a TikTok clip, the Pins Social Club bartenders said a server who touches the drink glass to the ice tray was a major red flag. Commenters were quick to agree with one saying: 'One of the dirtiest place in the bar or restaurant if the ice well!'. 'If the glass breaks, all ice is gone,' another added. 'Always use ice scoop,' a third replied. The second red flag is using the steel shot measuring cups or 'jiggers' to pour drinks which viewers said can appear 'stingy' while others commented on how the bartender splashed the drink into the glass. 'If I see a bartender using that measuring thing. I'm out. Nothing like an old school bartender pour those are real drinks,' one person said. 'Also bad free pour, never splash the shot in the glass,' a second pointed out. However, not everyone agreed as some said jiggers are useful for properly balancing a mixed drink while another pointed out they are helpful when learning how to make cocktails. 'Bartenders that care about the craft and make repeatable consistent well-balanced cocktails use jiggers,' someone argued. Nine major bartender red flags Using a glass to scoop ice Measuring mixed drinks and cocktails in a jigger No beverage napkins Hot pint glass from the dishwasher Leaning on the bar Ignoring customers Putting hands around the rim of the glass Sneaking dregs of a cocktail Skimming a pint Advertisement 'Using a small measuring cup is not a red flag, it's consistency which means you're not being over or under poured. Good for the customer and the business,' another wrote. The third red flag was not using napkins or coasters under drinks but many disputed the claim with some bartenders saying they were taught the opposite. 'I hate bev naps,' one man said and another agree: 'Bev naps are dumb'. 'I have been told stemware does not need a bev nap,' a third recalled. The fourth red flag was serving drinks in a warm glass straight out of the dishwasher as it can raise the temperature of the beverage. In a follow-up clip, the Pins Social Club staff listed more red flags to lookout for including bartenders who lean on the counter. The video was slammed when it claimed staff leaning on the bar was a red flag however many agreed holding a glass by the rim was a major no-no 'Time to lean, time to clean,' the clip said however many bar workers slammed the claim. 'Created by a manger who spends half their shift sitting in the office,' one said. ''Time to lean time to clean' said by every place with a constant hiring sign,' a second quipped. 'Let me lean on the bar, we're on our feet for longer than anyone's office job,' a third complained. Another red flag was ignoring customers while the third was when a server puts their hands around the rim of the glass. 'OMG! The hands on the rim thing! Thank you! A local bartender does that and it bugs me!' one woman commented. They said bar tenders sneaking 'dregs' of a cocktail is a no-no as is 'skimming' a pint which is when the server uses a straw to remove excess foam from the top of a beer. The two videos have been viewed more than 2.7million views combined and riled up many in the comments. 'If I get given a pint with a hot glass I'm not paying,' one person replied. 'OMG I JUST GOT FRUSTRATED SEEING ALL OF THESE,' another exclaimed. 'Big no no...I'm out the door. Good way to burn the bar,' a third wrote while a fourth said: 'If I get given a pint with a hot glass I'm not paying.' The mum revealed the island is extremely emotionally significant to her family A mum who says her 'true love' is Bali has visited the tourist hub more than 30 times in 23 years. Sarah Neal, 40, from Darwin, first visited the Indonesian island when she was 17 years old after her mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her family lived in Port Fairy, Victoria, where the community rallied behind them and funded the trip. 'It was our last ever family holiday - Bali is a really special and significant spot to me,' Sarah told FEMAIL. The mum has since continued to go back with her family - taking three trips that cost $25,000 in 2022 alone. Sarah Neal [pictured with her family], 40, from Darwin, first visited the Indonesian island when she was 17-years-old after her mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer Sarah's family has travelled all over Europe and North America - and even lived in the UK for a few years - but Bali remains close to their heart. 'It's not about the amount of times I've gone - I understand that people have been there more than me, this is just my story,' Sarah said. 'I was in Bali after our Year 12 exams with my girlfriends the day my mum passed,' she revealed. 'We'd only just landed and gotten to the motel when I got the call and had to go back.' But the space is associated with dozens of fond memories for Sarah's family, and she looks forward to the long weekends she spends in Bali. The mum moved to Darwin a few years ago, which is only a two-and-a-half hour flight to the popular beach town Seminyak. 'It's a long weekend destination for us - and we spend Christmas and all significant birthdays there. We always fly Jetstar - they have the best prices and flight times.' She recently celebrated her 40th birthday in Bali in 2022 - where she booked out a huge villa for her family and friends. Sarah recently celebrated her 40th birthday in Bali in 2022 - where she booked out a huge villa for her family and friends Sarah's go-to spots in Seminyak Family dining: Jackson Lilys Dessert: Fresco ice creamery Beers and Football: The Goat Coffee: Revolver Fine dining: Merah Putih Parents night out: Motel Mexicola Family: Waterbom park, Bounce Bali Girl's Day: Glo Day Spa & Salon Advertisement Sarah's family has set roots down in Indonesia - as her husband, David, plays AFL in the Bali Masters annually. The mum also revealed that her daughters, aged 12 and 9, learn Indonesian as a foreign language at school. The family do not engage in much active tourism and use their time on the island to relax after long months of running a strenuous building and renovation business in Darwin. 'It's nice to set our 'Out of Office' emails on and just relax,' Sarah said. 'We love the beach - the kids can just swim and paddleboard and we don't have to worry about crocodiles or jellyfish.' 'We meet friends and family there and it's like a big, joint holiday. There's just so much history for us.' Sarah's family has travelled all over Europe and North America - and even lived in the UK for a few years - but Bali remains close to their heart The mum also revealed that the proximity to Darwin was a huge aspect. 'It was six hours from Melbourne, but it's so much closer and more accessible now - it's very convenient for an international family holiday.' Sarah recommends investing in travel insurance because you never know what could go wrong on a holiday. 'My husband slipped in the shower and broke his arm,' she recalled. 'He had to have surgery - he'd split the skin open to the bone.' 'It was 2007 and before Facebook, we had to call our family in Australia on flip phones to keep them updated.' 'Especially with kids, it's better to be safe than sorry.' The mum also revealed that her daughters, aged 12 and 9, learn Indonesian as a foreign language at school Jetstar Group CEO, Steph Tully, also said Bali is still the go-to destination for Australian travellers. 'A lot has changed in the last 12 months, but one thing that hasn't is Australians love of Bali and Jetstar's commitment to offering great value low fares,' Ms Tully said. 'Demand for our flights to Bali is booming and we're on track to carry 10 per cent more passengers between Australia and Bali in 2023 compared to 2019, as customers continue to prioritise travel post-COVID.' A sweeping health care data breach has left the names, addresses and social security numbers of 4.2million Americans vulnerable. Independent Living Systems (ILS), based in Miami, Florida, is a firm that provides administrative services to Medicare and Medicaid providers. It serves 5million Americans. The firm suffered a data breach between June 30 to July 5, 2022. It confirmed the breach which caused the firm to lose control of its systems earlier this year. This week, ILS revealed that nearly its entire base was affected. Included in data breached also was driver's licenses, financial account information, Medicare or Medicaid identifications, and mental or physical treatment and condition information. It comes as part of a rising trends of data breaches striking American health care systems in recent years. ILS confirmed this week that 4.2million of the 5million people whose data it has stored were exposed in last year's breach 'Some information stored on the ILS network was acquired by the unauthorized actor, and other information was accessible and potentially viewed.,' the firm wrote in a statement Tuesday. 'Upon containing the incident and reconnecting its computer systems, ILS conducted a comprehensive review to understand the scope of potentially affected information and identify the individuals to whom such information relates. 'ILS received the results of this review on January 17, 2023, and then worked as quickly as possible to validate the results and provide notice to potentially impacted individuals and entities.' Despite the breach, ILS said there have been no instances of identity theft or fraud attached to it. The company could not say with certainty what information was acquired by the unnamed hacker. Once it was reconnected with its internal computer system last July, ILS said it conducted a comprehensive review to understand the scope of the breach. The firm operates in all 50 states and the US territory Puerto Rico. In employs 800 people across the US. Recent history shows that hacking into healthcare systems and the private data associated with them is a growing problem. A report at the end of last year found that 42million Americans had their data breached since 2016 more than 10 percent of the population. Earlier this month, a Russian hacking group attacked Lehigh Valley Health Network, in Pennsylvania, and threatened to leak naked pictures of cancer patients if they did not receive a ransom. Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, which serves nearly 400,000 patients across Florida, was forced to use pen-and-paper for five days after a hack took down its systems. As part of the event, the emergency room became limited and some patients were turned away. Infamous Russian cybergang Killnet took down the website of 14 top US hospitals, including Duke University and Stanford in January. More than 20million Americans were exposed in a hack of CommonSpirit Health's systems last year. These include being active, learning new skills and connecting with people It's a place the average person will spend 90,000 hours at over their lifetime. While going to work is a necessity for the vast majority, long hours, tiresome commutes and overwhelming to-do lists are easier if a job is enjoyable. But many may not know what they can do to feel happier at work. Professor Cary Cooper is a psychology and health professor at the University of Manchester, who led a UK government research project on how wellbeing and resilience changes throughout a person's life. Writing for The Conversation, Professor Cooper, with the help of think-tank New Economics Foundation, revealed his seven tips for finding happiness at work. It's somewhere an average person will spend 90,000 hours at over their lifetime, so as work is more of a necessity than a choice, it helps if it's enjoyable but what can you do to feel happier at work? (stock image) Be active Squeezing in exercise around work may be the last thing workers want to do after a long day. But Professor Cooper says keeping active outside of business hours could be key to happiness in any workplace. He says while exercise won't make your problems or stress disappear, it can reduce 'emotional intensity' and give you 'mental space' to sort out issues. And the NHS describes it as a 'miracle cure', saying exercise can reduce risk of major illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Research has found that exercise really does improve your mood, as it boosts levels of the happy hormones serotonin and dopamine. Exercising also increases your heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain. A well-oxygenated brain has been found to help manage anxiety and depression. Professor Cooper suggests walking to and from work as a means of creating separation from the work day. But he says if that isn't possible, you can get off the bus a stop early, be active at lunchtime or find an exercise class to do before you start work. Connect with people It can sometimes feel like you should keep your head down at work. But Professor Cooper says that relationships with others are often what makes people happiest. 'Its also worth getting to know your colleagues,' he adds. 'The more you invest in your relationships at work, the more enjoyable you may find your day.' And working as part of a team or helping others can enhance your self-esteem, according to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Adolescence. As well as those in the office, your relationships outside of work can also be key to you feeling happy when you're there, according to Professor Cooper. He says that during the pandemic people felt isolated and their wellbeing suffered due to a lack of social contact. He explained: 'A good support network of family and friends can minimise your work troubles and help you see things differently.' Learn new skills Having hobbies is a great way to unwind after busy work days. But whether it's learning to knit, bake or draw, Professor Cooper says staying 'cognitively active' is critical to your psychological and mental wellbeing. Research shows that learning a new skill can stimulate neurons in the brain. Learning something new is also beneficial for career progression and could open up new opportunities, he says. The UK has some of the longest working hours in Europe, so Professor Cooper stresses the importance of having interests outside of work. When your time is mostly taken up by work it can be hard to find a slot to do things you enjoy, but Professor Cooper says you should 'ensure you make time for socialising, exercise, along with activities you find fun'. READ MORE: The five signs you're not getting enough sleep Advertisement Stay present Living in the moment rather than focusing on what has been or is to come could also lead to a healthy work life balance. Professor Cooper says that if you enjoy the present, you will appreciate daily life more. The NHS says paying more attention to your thoughts and feelings in the present can improve your mental wellbeing. Mindfulness is the term given to paying attention to what is going on inside and outside ourselves and getting out of our heads. While it is often associated with meditation, mindfulness can just be the daily act of giving a name to your thoughts and feelings, keeping time aside for yourself to go for a walk or have a cup of tea and noticing the small things. Professor Cooper says you don't have to meditate for hours in order to stay present, but that it is just about being aware of your surroundings 'the sights, sounds, smells'. Recognise the positives It is often hard to see the positives when bogged down by stress. But trying to be more of a glass-half-full person rather than a glass-half-empty could help you recognise the good things in your life, Professor Cooper says. 'Accept there are things at work or in life you cant change and concentrate on the things you have control over,' he adds. Professor Cooper also recommends reminding yourself to be grateful. Avoid unhealthy habits Many people turn to unhealthy vices as a way of coping with stress. Whether it be alcohol, coffee or smoking that is a person's coping mechanism of choice, research shows that is not the best way to be de-stress. In fact, any of these alone, or in combination with each other, can have a negative impact on your wellbeing. This is according to a 2012 study, published in the Journal of Caffeine Research, which looked at the effects of these substances on health and anxiety in young people. Work smarter, not longer The effects of working long hours can be exacerbated by needing to do extra work in your free time. But Professor Cooper says your workload should be kept to work hours and organising your work day in the most efficient way will help make this possible. He says that you need to accept there will always be jobs that you could be doing, so focusing on the most important tasks will ensure what really needs done gets done. And he says taking control of the balance between your work and personal life is the key to feeling happier at work. This is all the more important given that 60 per cent of all long-term sickness in the UK is stress-related. Professor Cooper concludes that you should prioritise your wellbeing and try to reduce work stress where possible. Plans form part of measures aimed at preventing suicides in new parents New fathers should get better mental health support so they can help take the 'pressure' off mothers, NHS chiefs have said. The NHS in England is expanding support services for partners of women who have had a baby, with options being trialled including face-to-face counselling, organised 'dad-and-kids' pram walks and Zoom games nights. Research shows around one in four women experience mental health issues during pregnancy or in the postnatal period. Up to half of partners of mothers with postnatal depression also have depression themselves. In a blog post, NHS England's associate national clinical director for perinatal mental health, Dr Giles Berrisford, and chief midwifery officer, Professor Jaqueline Dunkley-Bent, praised new services which were supporting 'fathers who are scared and overwhelmed or unsure how to support their partners'. The NHS in England is expanding support services for partners of women who have had a baby, with options being trialled including face-to-face counselling, organised 'dad-and-kids' pram walks and Zoom games nights They wrote: 'Through [these] activities, new dads can gain confidence as parents and talk about their mental health and this makes a real difference to how they can then support mothers.' They also raised concerns the image of mothers as 'our modern times superheroes' was heaping pressure on pregnant women and new mothers. 'Mothers are often seen as the pillars of family life. This comes with a lot of pressure and can negatively impact women,' they wrote. 'Pregnancy and becoming a mother can be extremely challenging... 'We need to take the pressure off and support mothers, especially those who face depression, anxiety, psychosis and/or trauma.' Read more: Pregnant women are being abandoned by NHS, damning report warns in wake of horrifying maternity scandals Advertisement The plans to increase mental health support for fathers is part of a raft of measures aimed at preventing suicides in new parents. Other plans include extending the period within which women can access postnatal mental health support to two years after birth, up from 12 months, and rolling out dedicated Maternal Mental Health Services which combine services for women experiencing pregnancy and postnatal mental health conditions, as well as those dealing with infertility, baby loss and birth trauma. Pregnancy and postnatal mental health problems cost the NHS an estimated 1.2 billion every year, while costing the wider economy around 8.1billion largely due to the impact of mothers' mental health problems on their children. Suicide is one of the leading causes of maternal deaths in the UK, with the latest figures showing suicide rates during or up to six weeks from the end of pregnancy tripled in 2020, compared to 2017 to 2019. There are thought to be just four perinatal mental health services in the country which offer support to partners - in Leeds, Cornwall, Nottingham and Southampton. In Leeds - the first NHS trust to introduce a service for fathers - partners of women who are under the perinatal mental health team are able to access support including a monthly Zoom general knowledge quiz. The quiz is designed to encourage fathers to bond so they ultimately end up sharing their experiences. Peer support worker Errol Murray said: 'It's a bit of fun but it helps them feel distracted from whatever is happening at home and helps to lighten the load. 'It's a way of getting men to bond and feel confident talking with other people. Unless you have got that, no one is going to share how they're feeling.' The service also offers face-to-face group sessions - which offer more in-depth discussions of issues like how to bond with babies - and monthly 'dad and kids' park walks. Fathers are also able to attend baby sensory classes within NHS premises, which are specifically aimed at encouraging fathers to bond with their babies. 'By supporting partners we are able to help mums in their recovery [from perinatal mental health conditions],' Murray added. A North Carolina woman who quit smoking for vaping thinking it was a healthier option has died after her lungs 'shut down'. Amanda Lee Hall, 44, from the city of Sanford in the east of the state, was smoking half a pack of Marlboro's a day but took up e-cigarettes in 2014 amid fears for her health. She switched to vaping but would puff on the device so much that her wife Kristen Hensley would joke there was a 'fruity cloud' following her wherever she went. But in the fall of 2019, things took a turn for the worse when the warehouse worker started struggling to breathe and was put in a coma. When she woke she found herself struggling to use her hands and with a paralyzed voice box. She died a year and a half later. Many Americans see vapes as safe, but evidence is mounting that e-cigarettes also cause severe damage to the lungs and heart comparable to traditional tobacco products. Ms Hall pictured with her vape while inside a restaurant. The vape is clasped in her right hand Ms Hall's widow said she was puffing on her vape constantly. It was so much that she even joked there was a 'fruity cloud' following her around. Ms Hall is shown above vaping in hospital Ms Hall is shown above in hospital receiving help with her lungs. Doctors said the initial damage was likely caused by the vapes Ms Hall's widow said: 'If you know anyone who vapes, please ask them to stop. I don't want anyone to go through what Amanda has been through. 'It's not only the vapes containing THC, or bought on the black market... It's the regular flavored vapes and those with nicotine that are also causing the vaping illness.' She added: 'It's killing people. I have had several people say they thought the warnings about vaping were simply propaganda from the tobacco companies to get people to start smoking again. This is not true.' Vapes have soared in popularity in the US with an estimated 8.1million Americans now puffing on the devices every week, if not every day. This includes more than 3million children in middle and high school, who have been taken in by brands offering fruity flavors. Studies have suggested they leave users with the same risk of heart problems and don't help people quit cigarettes. Ms Hall began smoking cigarettes when she was just 14 years old and continued for 22 years. At the height of her addiction, she was smoking about 10 Marlboro Lights a day. But she decided to swap to vaping in 2014 after her lifelong-smoker father was diagnosed with a terminal lung condition. Amanda Lee Hall (right), 44, from Sanford, North Carolina, pictured with her wife Kristen Hensley and their dog. She quit smoking cigarettes in 2014 and took up vaping amid concerns for her health After five years of vaping, Ms Hall was rushed to the hospital with lung damage that her widow says was caused by the devices. She is shown above in hospital Ms Hall started using vapes and was a particular fan of fruity flavors. Her widow Ms Hensley told DailyMail.com: 'Almost every picture had her vape pen somewhere in it. She vaped nonstop. 'I joked that she had a fruity cloud with her everywhere she went. She would take it into the movie theater or anywhere. 'When I would complain, she would say that it was just vapor and she was just getting some low doses nicotine that helped calm her nerves.' Ms Hall vaped constantly for five years before starting to struggle to breathe in September 2019. She was taken to the doctors and diagnosed with bronchitis and given antibiotics. But the following day - when the breathing problems continued - she was rushed to the ER. Tests showed that her blood oxygen level was 65, compared to a normal range for people of 95 to 100. Doctors put her in an induced coma and on a ventilator which breathed for her to let her lungs 'recover'. After 10 days, she was then moved to a rehabilitation clinic, where she had to re-learn how to use her hands and speak. People on ventilators may have reduced blood flow to their extremities, such as the hands. This can lead to the areas becoming starved of oxygen, triggering damage to the nerves there. Patients can also suffer a paralyzed voice box because of the tubes placed down the throat for the ventilator. Ms Hensley said that doctors believed at the time her hospitalization was down to the vape. She said: 'Doctors believed she suffered the initial lung injury from vaping. 'The entire first hospitalization was due to the vaping injury. 'After that, they believe she had a previously undiagnosed autoimmune disorder that once her lungs were injured launched a full-out attack on them believing them to be the enemy.' Chemicals breathed in from vapes can damage the small airways of the lungs, triggering inflammation and scarring, say doctors at Johns Hopkins University. This reduces the amount of oxygen the lungs are able to absorb with each breathe, raising the risk of a host of health issues. Ms Hall is pictured above with her vape pen while shopping and sightseeing. She would take it everywhere with her Ms Hall with her father. She decided to switch from smoking to vaping after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness due to smoking Ms Hall pictured before her lung problems began with wife Ms Hensley. They got married in 2014 An autoimmune condition is when the immune system misfires and starts to attack the body's own cells, mistaking them for a threat. Ms Hall was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease, where an attack by white blood cells leads to inflammation and scarring in the organ. Ms Hall stopped vaping immediately after the first hospitalization, but she continued to struggle with lung problems. She was re-admitted to hospital again in February 2020 for double pneumonia, and again in December 2020 after she woke up to find she had turned blue and could 'barely stand up'. Her widow drove her to the hospital and doctors rushed out to get her inside. '[But] when they came out to the car to help get her they asked me if she was normally that color,' Ms Hensley said. 'That was the longest she was on the ventilator December 30, 2020, to February 4, 2021.' Tests at the time also showed her blood oxygen levels were in the 50s. Ms Hall was kept in hospital on a ventilator, but doctors said she was not going to make a recovery. 'I completely believed her lungs would heal from the vaping injury and she would be healthy again but I was wrong,' said her widow. 'I was told there was no meaningful chance of improvement and that it was unlikely she would ever be able to survive without the ventilator, especially as her stats wouldnt improve where they told me to say my goodbyes. 'I was able to talk to her and hold her hand while she was dying until she closed her eyes and took her last breath.' Doctors recorded her cause of death as post-tracheostomy bleeding, or when there is bleeding from the windpipe or trachea into the lungs. They also recorded secondary causes of staphylococcal pneumonia and interstitial lung disease. Talking about the loss, Ms Hensley said: 'We lost the heart of our family and its a loss that we will never recover from. 'Since losing her, life has been miserable and I feel adrift every day is a struggle just to function and her absence is felt to the core. 'Amanda wanted others to be aware of the dangers of vaping and the opportunity to share her story, even if it only helps one person, would be amazing. 'People are dying from this habit. 'With smoking, at least doctors know what the long-term effects are but this is new and unregulated. 'No one knows what it is really doing to people.' Ms Hensley said she had now been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder because of the ordeal and is struggling to sleep due to nightmares. She says she also wakes up crying. 'She was the first woman I went out with and I was terrified at first, but I had so much fun with her,' she said. 'She put me at ease, made me laugh and was just so adorable. 'Life isnt the same without her, but my love for Amanda will always stay alive she was my everything and so much more. 'I hope my wife's story will help others who are trying to deter this deadly habit and hopefully avoid the same devastating fate we've all suffered.' Since Ms Hall's death, her family, including her sister, Angela, 48, are struggling to piece their lives back together. She has launched a GoFundMe to help cover hospital bills, where she has raised $2,080 (USD), with an end goal of $5,000 (USD). He was rushed to the hospital where doctors removed the 9mm bullet in his skull The gunshot wound bled excessively and left the boy unable to lift his left arm A Ukrainian boy who was shot at point-blank range during Russia's invasion of his country has miraculously lived. The 16-year-old civilian victim, who has not been named, took a bullet to the back of his neck from a Soviet-issued pistol just six inches away. The failed execution-style shooting saw the 9mm bullet penetrate his neck, graze the tip of his spine and get lodged in his upper jaw. The teenager was taken to a hospital in the central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia and, amazingly, made a full recovery. An X-ray of the head and neck showed the bullet had lodged in the skull of the 16-year-old Ukrainian boy The bullet doctors removed measured 9mm x 18 mm His tale was revealed in the American Journal of Case Reports by doctors at the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University. The boy's face was lopsided due to the left side of his face and neck swelling up and he could not open his mouth fully, nor lift his left arm, due to the damage to his spinal cord. From looking at his 6mm gunshot wound, doctors estimated he had been shot from around 15cm by a Makarov handgun. The report did not explicitly say a Russian soldier fired the gun, but throughout the war there have been reports of Russian army men carrying out execution-style killings on civilians, including children. The Ukrainian boy was X-rayed and given a neck brace for support to ensure his head and neck was kept in place. During surgery, doctors made an incision by the lower part of his jaw, dissected soft tissue in the area and removed the bullet shell from his skull. They then treated the site with an antiseptic solution and drained the wound and stitched it up. The boy was discharged from the hospital nine days post-surgery. He was recommended to continue 'sanatorium-restorative treatment according to the individual rehabilitation plan'. The boy was treated at the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University hospital in Vinnytsia in central Ukraine From looking at the teenager's injuries, doctors estimated he had been shot from around 15cm by a Makarov handgun The main principles of the sanatorium regime are fresh air, exercise and good nutrition. He also had postoperative physical therapy. According to Ukraines leading war crimes prosecutor, more than 100,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed during the Russian invasion. That is ten times more than the current official death toll of 8,000. The siege of port city Mariupol alone was thought to have caused more than 10,000 Ukrainian civilian deaths. Meanwhile, Russian casualties are estimated at 200,000. Last week, a furious Vladimir Putin condemned the International Criminal Court's 'outrageous' decision to issue an arrest warrant for him over war crimes in Ukraine. The ICC called for Putin's arrest and accused the despot of committing war crimes by abducting Ukrainian children from their homes and deporting them to Russia to be given to Russian families. It also issued a warrant for the arrest of Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, Russia's 'Children's Rights Commissioner', on the same charges. The Kremlin slammed the court's decision to issue an arrest warrant for Putin 'outrageous and unacceptable'; in contrast, Ukraine hailed the decision and said 'the wheels of justice are turning'. The ICC's chief prosecutor Karim Khan said hundreds of Ukrainian children have been taken from orphanages and children's homes to Russia. He said: 'Many of these children, we allege, have since been given up for adoption in the Russian Federation.' United Nations data showed that more than 7,199 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and 11,756 have been injured since Russia's invasion. Loss of appetite, feeling sick and having no energy are all warning signs of stomach cancer. There are around 4,200 deaths due to tumours in the stomach in the UK every year, says Cancer Research, while there are about 11,130 in the US. But symptoms of the cancer can be hard to spot, according to the NHS. This week, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber shared the 'devastating' news that his eldest son Nicholas, 43, is 'critically ill' in hospital battling gastric cancer. Following the 74-year-old's heartbreaking statement, MailOnline reveals the warning signs of stomach cancer. As pictured above, having no energy, unintentionally losing weight, constant indigestion, difficulty swallowing, feeling sick and a lump at the top of your tummy are all warning signs and symptoms of stomach cancer Indigestion Indigestion usually goes away on its own. But if you find that it is long-lasting, it may be a sign of cancer, experts say. It is often caused by acid from the stomach irritating the stomach lining or throat called acid reflux. This is common and not usually caused by cancer, with certain food and drink, stress or medication often acting as triggers. But it can also be a sign the cancer has spread to the tissue lining your abdomen, which can cause a build up of fluid, says Cancer Research UK. The NHS advises seeing your doctor if you have had heartburn most days for three weeks or more. Having no energy Feeling tired all the time and getting breathless could be a warning sign of stomach cancer. This is because fatigue can be down to low levels of red blood cells, according to Cancer Research. Early and advanced stomach cancer can bleed into the stomach, which reduces the number of red blood cells in your blood over time. This can make sufferers feel tired, weak and breathless because their blood is carrying less oxygen. It can also lead to passing blood in stool, which may appear darker and almost black. A lack of red blood cells can also give you pale skin and heart palpitations, according to the NHS. Weight loss Losing weight when you are not trying to is a common sign of cancer. With stomach cancer, this could be due to several reasons including a loss of appetite and feeling full after eating just small amounts, according to Cancer Research. This may be caused by a tumour in or around parts of the gastrointestinal tract, says the American Cancer Society. Or it could be caused by cachexia changes in the way the body uses proteins, carbohydrates and fat, leading to fat and muscle loss due to a severe illness. In cancer patients, medics believe cachexia is caused by the chemicals that tumours release. But unintentional weight loss is a common symptom of many different types of cancer. And it can occur in the advanced stages of other illnesses, such as heart and kidney disease, as well as HIV. Along with cancer, it can occur in the advanced stages of illness, such as heart and kidney disease, as well as HIV. Scientists don't fully understand the mechanisms behind cachexia Difficulty swallowing Stomach cancer can cause difficulty swallowing. A tumour in or around the stomach could cause pain and a burning sensation when you swallow. It can also make your food stick in your throat or chest, according to Cancer Research UK. Difficulty swallowing can also lead to weight loss, simply because you are unable to eat enough. Although other conditions such as acid reflux can cause these symptoms, experts urge people who have difficulty swallowing to get it checked by a doctor. Feeling sick Feeling and being sick could be caused by many illnesses, but it is also a warning sign of stomach cancer. The cancer can cause a blockage in the stomach making it hard to keep food down, says Cancer Research. This blockage stops food from passing through your digestive system which can make you feel sick. The cancer charity says that although there is rarely blood in the vomit, if it is red, it could be a sign of fresh bleeding. But, if it is dark brown 'like used coffee grounds' it could mean the blood has been in the stomach for a while, experts say. Stomach cancer can cause a blockage in the stomach making it hard to keep food down, says Cancer Research. The blockage stops food from passing through your digestive system which can make you feel sick A lump at the top of your tummy A lump or pain at the top of your tummy is a sign of stomach cancer, the NHS warns. This pain or lump could be a sign that the cancer has spread to the tissue that lines the abdomen. The resultant build up of fluid in the lining of the abdomen called ascites can make you feel bloated or your clothes feel tighter. The lump or swelling can make it uncomfortable to sit, move around and eat, which can lead to a loss of appetite. Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company's cargo crane is seen at Pusan Newport in Busan. Screenshot from Pusan Newport Company's website By Park Jae-hyuk The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries recently probed Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company's (ZPMC) cargo cranes installed in Korea's major ports, as controversy broke out in the U.S. earlier this month over a claim that the Chinese-made equipment's software possibly serves as a "spying tool." With the aim of helping Korean ports to reduce dependence on Chinese products, the ministry also plans to carry out full-scale inspections of cargo cranes at ports nationwide, in collaboration with the country's spy agency. "Along with the National Intelligence Service, our department in charge of port security will conduct the inspections," a ministry official said Monday. The decision came after concerns have also grown in Korea over the possibility of ZPMC's cranes serving as "Trojan horses" by using sensors that can track the origin and destination of freight. Last Thursday, Rep. An Byung-gil of the ruling People Power Party pointed out that Korea is not an exception of countries facing security concerns over the Chinese-made cranes. Data given by the oceans ministry to the lawmaker showed that 427 out of 809 cranes operated at Korea's 10 ports were manufactured by ZPMC. In particular, 21 out of 28 cranes in Pyeongtaek, home to U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, the world's largest overseas U.S. military installation, were made by the Chinese company. "We need to carry out security inspections on all cranes at local ports," An said. ZPMC's Korea operation denied the suspicion, saying the claim is groundless. "Amid the conflict between the U.S. and China, it seems that one of our competitors spread the rumor in the U.S.," a ZPMC Korea official said. "Korean ports independently operate cranes we deliver to them, so it is impossible for us to leak their data." He added that the oceans ministry had pointed nothing out after its first inspection. ZPMC, however, may lose its ground in the Korean market, as the suspicion over Chinese surveillance has prompted the government to accelerate its efforts to make Korean ports use more local cranes. Earlier this year, the oceans ministry unveiled its plan to increase the use of domestic equipment at ports, saying it will help Korean firms build smart ports by utilizing their own technologies. Until early 2000s, Korean manufacturers had been supplying port cranes worldwide. However, their market share tumbled in mid-2000s, as their Chinese rivals began providing products at lower prices. As a result, Korean firms' combined global quay crane market share has stayed below 1 percent since 2013. One in 24 road bridges in Britain are no longer suitable to withstand the weight of the heaviest vehicles, a new review of structures has highlighted. Local authorities identified 3,090 bridges as being 'substandard' at the end of last year, the RAC Foundation said. This means they are too weak to be used by 44-tonne lorries. Many are subject to weight restrictions, while others are under programmes of increased monitoring or even managed decline, due to structural issues related to their age or problems over the years. Britain's troubled bridges over land and water: A new report published in the last week says one in 24 local road bridges are unsuitable to carry lorries weighing 44-tonnes - the heaviest vehicles on our roads The annual analysis of the condition of Britain's road bridges found that councils reported 14 'partial collapses' during the 2021/22 financial year. They were in the local authority areas of Aberdeenshire, Barnet, County Durham, Lancashire, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Shropshire, Tower Hamlets, Warwickshire, Conwy and Newport. Devon has the most substandard bridges at 224, followed by Cheshire East (194), Essex (151), Somerset (128) and Suffolk (119). Some are substandard because they were built to earlier design standards, while others have deteriorated through age and use. Included among these is Hammersmith Bridge in west London. Cracks identified in the pedestals have led to motor vehicles being banned from using the 136-year-old cast iron structure since April 2019. The bridge was reopened for pedestrians and cyclists in 2021 but has remained off-limits for cars and other vehicles. Cracks identified in the pedestals of Hammersmith Bridge in west London saw the route closed to motorists in 2019 The iconic capital bridge was reopened for pedestrians and cyclists in 2021 but has remained off-limits for cars and other vehicles The total of 3,090 substandard bridges is down from 3,211 a year earlier. Between them, local authorities said they would ideally want to bring 2,506 of their substandard bridges back up to full carrying capacity. But budget constraints mean they anticipate that only 387 will have the necessary work carried out on them within the next five years. The analysis was based on data provided by 196 councils in response to freedom of information requests, and was carried out in partnership with Adept, a group representing local authority bosses responsible for transport and other sectors. Bridges included in the research range from major structures across estuaries to stretches of road at least 1.5 metres in length spanning culverts carrying water under carriageways. AUTHORITIES WITH THE HIGHEST PROPORTION OF SUBSTANDARD BRIDGES Rank Local Authority Number of bridges Number of substandard bridges Proportion of substandard bridges 1 Hammersmith and Fulham 4 2 50% 2 Bristol 140 52 37% 3 Waltham Forest 51 17 33% 4 Kensington and Chelsea 4 1 25% 5 Brent 40 9 23% 6 Conwy 278 57 21% 7 Cheshire East 1047 194 19% 8 North Tyneside 73 13 18% 9 Wolverhampton 58 10 17% 10 Warrington 231 36 16% Source: RAC Foundation RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: 'This latest study shows the scale of the challenge local authorities are valiantly wrestling with to protect the critical road infrastructure we all rely on in the context of huge funding and resource pressures. 'The numbers illustrate how important it is for significant sums of money to be spent tackling at least the higher priority work. 'Whether it is potholes or bridges, there is only so long that councils can continue to patch things up before bigger cracks literally start to appear in the road network. 'One other key finding of the report is the need for local authorities to have a very precise inventory of what they are responsible for. 'Attention to detail is critical on what, by any road user's reckoning, must be regarded as critical infrastructure.' Kevin Dentith, vice chairman of Adept's national bridges group, said: 'Bridge owners have shown in the data an aspiration to reduce the number of substandard bridges by 81%. 'The data suggests to achieve this will require Government funding of 918 million but there is currently a skills shortage of senior engineers able to take on this work which will also need addressing.' AUTHORITIES WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF SUBSTANDARD BRIDGES Rank Local Authority Number of bridges Number of substandard bridges Proportion of substandard bridges 1 Devon 2714 224 8% 2 Cheshire East 1047 194 19% 3 Essex 981 151 15% 4 Somerset 1499 128 9% 5 Suffolk 1287 119 9% 6 Cornwall 1009 98 10% 7 Northumberland 977 93 10% 8 Gloucestershire 856 91 11% 9 Lancashire 1481 78 5% 10 Aberdeenshire 1677 74 4% Source: RAC Foundation Councillor David Renard, transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said: 'Bridges, whether for rail, local highways or motorways, are a vital part of our transport infrastructure that connect communities and business. 'Not all bridges are the responsibility of councils, but for those that are, they are doing their best to ensure they are well maintained and withstand extreme weather, the like of which communities have been experiencing for much of the last few months. 'However, this is becoming increasingly challenging in the face of a backlog of nearly 12 billion to bring our local roads up to scratch.' When the Government was approached to comment on the the report, a spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: 'The Government is providing more than 5 billion of investment over this Parliament to local authorities across England to support the maintenance of their local highway infrastructure, including the repair of bridges and the resurfacing of roads up and down the country.' The report comes just months after the British Parking Association warned that multi-storey and underground car parks could collapse under the weight of electric vehicles. Electric cars, which are roughly twice as heavy as standard models, could cause catastrophic damage, according to a review by the BPA that concluded in December 2022. It has urged for local authorities to conduct urgent structural surveys to ensure they are suitable for the increasing weight of vehicles using them. Most of the nations 6,000 multi-storey and underground facilities were built according to guidance based on the weight of popular cars of 1976, including the Mk 3 Ford Cortina. But the electric cars currently on the UK market are far bulkier. For instance, the best-selling Tesla Model 3 weighs 2.2 tons fully loaded, making it more than 50 per cent heavier than a 1.4-tonne Cortina. Good advice is hard to come by. Whether you're unsure of where to invest your money or are in need of a lawyer, it's important to put your trust in people who have the expertise to support you - whatever your goals or ambitions. From investing in famous artworks to sound legal support, here are Checklist's top 10 financial and legal tips this March. Need to sell your timeshare? 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Hallie Biden, the president's daughter-in-law, was on Hunter's company payroll, indirectly received thousands of dollars from his suspect Chinese ventures, and had her rehab visits paid by Joe Biden, DailyMail.com can reveal. The 49-year-old widow of Joe's late older son Beau is the latest target of the Republican-controlled Congressional investigation into the First Family, after subpoenaed bank records revealed Hunter's business partner and family friend wired her $35,000 around the time he received $3million from their Chinese business partners. Now DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal material from Hunter's abandoned laptop laying bare Hallie's involvement with Hunter's firm, Rosemont Seneca, her own struggles with drug addiction, and her toxic relationship with the president's only surviving son. Hallie, who grew up in Delaware and whose mother was friends with Joe, joined the Biden clan in 2002 when she married Beau. He became state attorney general in 2007. DailyMail.com can reveal Hallie Biden was on Hunter's company payroll, indirectly received thousands of dollars from his suspect Chinese ventures and had her rehab visits paid by Joe Biden After Beau died in 2015 from brain cancer at age 46, Hallie began an affair with her brother-in-law Hunter, 53. The relationship erupted in scandal when they were outed in 2017 In July 2018 Hunter sent a recording to his father of himself talking on the phone arguing with Hallie. Joe responded: 'Got your text. Can't say I'm surprised. Going to bed I'll call you tomorrow morning. Love you. Be strong. Love Dad' After Beau died in 2015 from brain cancer at age 46, Hallie began an affair with her brother-in-law Hunter, 53. The relationship erupted in scandal when they were outed in 2017. Hunter wrote in messages that Hallie had been to rehab four times, costing over $100,000 some of it allegedly paid for by Joe Biden Though Hunter's prolific drug addiction and downward spiral into binges with prostitutes has been well-publicized, messages and videos from his laptop reveal that Hallie was also in the throes of addiction during their controversial relationship. In a January 2019 phone call Hunter recorded with Hallie she begged him to come and take drugs with her, telling him: 'I'm going to use regardless, but I would rather use with you.' Hunter videoed himself having another phone call with Hallie in which she asked him to get drugs for her. 'I want to help you from f***ing up, Hal. You're gonna lose your children,' Hunter said. 'Just help me get it, please,' she replied. She added that she planned to ask a friend for cocaine. 'Hallie, there is no way in hell you think that Lisa doesn't know that you've been in and out of rehab, all the struggles you're going through, and is going to get you cocaine,' he said. 'I don't know. I still think she would,' Hallie replied. 'You don't think she would call your sister who would call your mom who would call my dad? Absolutely 100% she would,' Hunter said. Hunter wrote in messages that Hallie had been to rehab four times, costing over $100,000 some of it allegedly paid for by Joe Biden. In December 2018 Hunter wrote a ranting text to Hallie referring to '$57,000 I paid for you at Passages ($5,700 per day) or the $45,000 Dad paid at Caron (4500 per day you stayed).' Both Passages and Caron are rehab centers. Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015 and in the wake of his death, Hallie began dating his brother Hunter. Joe, Jill, Beau and Hallie pictured in 2012 Hunter discussed which rehab center he will be attending, and revealed his father spent $45,000 on a ten-day rehab stay for Hallie. 'It's 3 Months because you have told me and anyone who would listen that I need long term It's closer. D more accessible to my children and dad then Caron is by far,' he wrote Venomous texts sent by Ashley Biden, Hunter's sister, blame Hallie for Hunter's drug spiral and accuse her of picking up crack from a dealer in Delaware, even suggesting that she was being monitored by law enforcement 'Don't think anyone wants that on front page of news journal. ''Attorney Generals widow buying crack and meth'' something has to give,' Ashley wrote. 'Enough is enough. My brother wouldn't stand for this s***' Their addictions created rifts in the family, with Hunter's texts full of accusations and drama about their arguments that enveloped the whole clan. Venomous texts sent by Ashley Biden, Hunter's sister, blame Hallie for Hunter's drug spiral and accuse her of picking up crack from a dealer in Delaware, even suggesting that she was being monitored by law enforcement. 'Don't think anyone wants that on front page of news journal. ''Attorney Generals widow buying crack and meth'' something has to give,' Ashley wrote. 'Enough is enough. My brother wouldn't stand for this s***.' 'I don't have proof of this but I would be careful as s*** because what was implied to me was whomever is giving them s*** is being monitored by law enforcement.' Texts also show Joe was aware of Hallie's addiction. In July 2018 Hunter sent a recording to his father of himself talking on the phone to Hallie, arguing over how she planned to buy and cook crack cocaine. Joe responded: 'Got your text. Can't say I'm surprised. Going to bed I'll call you tomorrow morning. Love you. Be strong. Love Dad.' The financial relationship between Hunter and his sister-in-law-cum-lover also grew from around 2016. Amid Hunter's split with his first wife Kathleen Buhle, she emailed him furiously about expensive gifts he was buying Hallie Kathleen sent the emails in July 2016, after reportedly discovering romantic texts between her husband and Hallie. 'I'm leaving you because you are having an affair and you have been emotionally abusive,' Kathleen wrote on July 28, 2016 In an email with the subject line 'Final words', Kathleen writes 'You cheated on me. Not only did you cheat on me, Viagra and Cialis, you actually bought her expensive gifts' Photos on Hunter's laptop include Hallie posing in a fur coat he appears to have bought her Amid Hunter's split with his first wife Kathleen Buhle that year, she emailed him furiously about expensive gifts he was buying Hallie. On July 18, 2016 Kathleen emailed Hunter about Hallie, writing: 'You cheated on me. You continued to cheat on me while I worked with [their therapists] to get you help. Not only did you cheat on me, Viagra and Cialis, you actually bought her expensive gifts.' Photos on Hunter's laptop include Hallie posing in a fur coat he appears to have bought her. Documents show Hunter also hired Hallie at his consultancy firm Rosemont Seneca in 2018. His secretary, Katie Dodge, sent Hunter a document showing Hallie listed on the firm's health insurance plan, and when he asked for a payroll review in December 2018 she texted that Hallie had been on the books since March that year. Hunter even divulged to his lover and brother's widow some of the most concerning allegations surrounding his multi-million-dollar deal with Chinese oil giant CEFC which bank statements now show Hallie profited from. On December 14, 2018, Hunter texted her a desperate screed, confessing that his client was Beijing's 'chief of intelligence'. 'I find myself (because I've chosen to alienate all my friends and family and employees and you and the kids and my kids etc..) very alone in dealing with rebuilding an income that can support an enormous alimony and my kids costs and myself,' he wrote, 'dealing with the aftermath of the abduction and likely assassination (that's what NYT's suspects) of my business partner the richest man in the world, the arrest and conviction of my client the chief of intelligence of the people's republic of China by the US government, the retaliation of the Chinese in the ouster and arrest of US suspected CIA operatives inside China, my suspected involvement in brokering a deal with Vladimir Putin directly for the largest sale of oil gas assets inside Russia to China, a tax bill that Eric [Schwerin, his Rosemont business partner] left hanging over my business and Dads running for president.' A December 2018 text message exchange obtained by DailyMail.com shows Hunter whined about finding himself 'very alone' in rebuilding an income to support himself and his family, as well as dealing with the arrest of his client, the abduction of his business partner, and his 'suspected involvement in brokering a deal with Putin', all while his father was running for president Hallie is the latest target of the Congressional investigation into the Biden family An analysis of Cathay Bank statements obtained by DailyMail.com of Hunter's joint venture with CEFC, Hudson West III LLC, show the Chinese plowed $10,893,907.69 into the scheme. Hunter and his uncle Jim Biden, who was part of the Chinese venture, received $5 million from it, a 2020 report by Congressional investigators has shown. And $3million was wired to Robinson Walker LLC, the firm of Hunter's business partner and Biden family friend, John 'Rob' Walker, by a CEFC-affiliated company, State Energy HK Limited, on March 1, 2017, according to a memo released by Comer on Thursday. Comer's review of bank records for Walker's firm shows Walker wired $35,000 in two transactions to Hallie around the same period, and $1million to Hunter, Jim and another bank account labeled only 'Biden'. The first wire to Hallie was February 13 2017 for $10,000, before the Chinese payment, and then another $25,000 on March 20, 2017. The Oversight Committee chair wrote he is still investigating 'why Hallie Biden publicly reported to work as a school counselor received money from Robinson Walker'. Comer's review of bank records for Walker's firm shows Walker then wired $35,000 in two transactions to Hallie, and $1million to Hunter, Jim and another bank account labeled only 'Biden' 'The Oversight Committee is concerned about the national security implications resulting from President Biden's family receiving millions of dollars from foreign nationals,' Comer said in a statement. 'We will continue to follow the money trail and facts to determine if President Biden is compromised by his family's business schemes and if there is a national security threat.' Despite receiving money from the Chinese venture, Rosemont Seneca, and a $2million life insurance check in 2016 after Beau's death, Hallie got into financial hot water with her kids' private school. The school resorted to suing her in March 2019 for $55,740 in unpaid school fees for her children Hunter and Natalie from the previous year. The case was settled in October 2019, three months after Joe announced his candidacy for president. Comer's is the latest Congressional investigation, but ground was first broken by Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson, who led a four-year probe into Hunter Biden's business dealings and published a report in 2020 warning of national security concerns over his relationship with CCP-linked Chinese businessmen. They were the first to discover the $3million sent to Robinson Walker LLC by CEFC affiliates, and traced $5million sent by the Chinese energy giant to Hunter, Jim and Sara Biden's companies. Hallie's spokeswoman did not answer questions about the Chinese money, and declined to comment on her relationship with Hunter. 'This is just another shameful attempt to smear the reputation of Beau Biden's widow, and the Biden family by extension,' the spokeswoman said in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'Ms. Biden will not dignify it with a comment.' A spokesperson for Hunter released a statement following Comer's revelation this week of the $35,000 payments to Hallie, saying that the First Son was 'involved' and 'sharing expenses' with her in 2017, and that the money went to 'nobody else'. '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,' the statement said. '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 at the time, and sharing expenses,' the spokesperson said in a statement. 'The accounts so dramatically listed by Rep. Comer belonged to Hunter, his uncle and Hallie nobody else.' White House spokesman Ian Sams issued a statement slamming Comer for suggesting in a Fox Business TV interview this month that the Delaware prosecutor investigating Hunter should have also prosecuted Beau Biden, who died in 2015. 'After a disgusting attack lamenting that the President's deceased son Beau was never prosecuted while he was alive, Congressman Comer has now decided to go after Beau's widow,' Sams said. 'Instead of bizarrely attacking the President's family, perhaps House Republicans should focus on working with the President to deliver results for American families on important priorities like lowering costs and strengthening health care.' On September 26 last year, one of the most brazen and sophisticated attacks of the entire Ukraine war took place with the destruction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline. New intelligence leaks from the US and Germany reveal that suspicions have now fallen on a pro-Ukraine sabotage group - allegedly including a 'Ukrainian Commando' and 'government-trained divers. A flurry of reports last week said investigators have identified six saboteurs - five men and a woman - who could have planted explosives on the pipelines sometime in early September. Leaks to the German press suggest the group planted the bombs using a yacht rented from a Polish firm which was owned by two Ukrainians. Watch the video guide to learn more: The Manhattan district attorney supposedly preparing to arrest Donald Trump for allegedly hiding hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels received $1million from a political action committee funded by billionaire George Soros. Alvin Bragg, who was elected Manhattan DA in November 2021, had been involved in numerous investigations into Trump and his family before being sworn in last year, even bragging he had sued Trump 'more than 100 times' while serving in the NY Attorney General's Office. While campaigning to become the next Manhattan DA, he received more than $1million in support from the Color Of Change PAC, a racial justice group which receives funding from Soros, a Hungarian-born billionaire financier-turned American mega donor. Half of that money was clawed back by Color of Change after an unidentified woman made an unspecified allegation against him (Bragg told DailyMail.com at the time that he'd done nothing wrong). George Soros has reportedly sunk at least $40million into electing liberal district attorneys Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is one of at least 75 liberal district attorneys who have received millions in funding from George Soros-backed political action committees Bragg is just one of at least 75 district attorneys Soros has backed in recent years as part of an ongoing campaign to reshape American society in his liberal vision. In a 2022 op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Soros defended his donations and said the strategies he supports reduce crime, based on the data that he had seen. Though Bragg inherited the investigation into Trump over the alleged 2016 hush-money payment, he pursued it with zeal as soon as he was sworn into office. It could be coming to a head as soon as next week, after Trump announced he had been leaked information indicating he would be arrested on Tuesday. Over the years Soros has thrown millions behind liberal DAs - either with outright donations or funneled through political action committees - effectively buying elections and leading to the installment of prosecutors who support his leftist agenda. Soros has spent at least $40million on the project, according to Matt Palumbo, author of The Man Behind the Curtain: Inside the Secret Network of George Soros a minuscule sum for a man worth at least $32billion. The billionaire's DAs have stripped away bail laws and opted to forgo prosecuting crimes like theft and reckless driving, effectively giving criminals a free pass and leading to the breakdown of law and order across the United States. Crime has since soared in major cities overseen by Soros's DAs. In 2021 under Kim Foxx's reign, Chicago had the most murders it's seen since 1994. And in Philadelphia, drug use and violent crime has seen a surge since Larry Krasner took office. Soros has long backed liberal politics. In the 2000s he was an outspoken opponent of President George W. Bush and donated millions to hinder his reelection, and later donated heavily to the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton. The billionaire has long been outspoken about his disdain for Trump. As recently as February, he referred to Trump as a 'pitiful figure... whose 'narcissism has turned into a disease,' at the Munich Security Conference. Soros has funded the campaigns of dozens of liberal prosecutors across the US. He has defended it, saying America needs to invest less in prisons and more in other strategies that he claims will reduce crime In a 2022 op-ed for The Wall Street Journal , Soros defended his donations and said the strategies he supports reduce crime, based on the data that he had seen During that speech, Soros expressed his hopes that Ron DeSantis would win the Republican nomination and lead Trump would in turn run as an independent, which would result in the two candidates dividing the Republican party and leading to a landslide Democrat victory. Throughout Trump's presidency, Soros was a constant critic. He warned that Trump's economic policies would lead to American economic calamity, called him a 'con man' shortly after his election victory in 2016, and predicted that infighting among Trump's cabinet and advisors would lead his administration's failure. Bragg had a long history of chasing legal action against Trump. He was a prominent member of the team which sued the Donald J. Trump Foundation in 2018 for misusing the non-profit organization for his own professional and political gain. Trump admitted to the allegation and was ordered to pay at least $2million in restitution to various charities. Bragg used his track record of going after Trump as a primary selling point during his DA campaign. Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney, could charge Donald Trump over alleged hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels during the run up to the 2016 presidential election 'I have investigated Trump and his children and held them accountable for their misconduct with the Trump Foundation,' Bragg said during a Democratic candidate forum during the race. 'I know how to follow the facts and hold people in power accountable.' 'It is a fact that I have sued Trump more than a hundred times,' he continued. His opponents during the campaign argued that Bragg's zeal against Trump was an inappropriate bias for a district attorney. When Bragg first took office, he famously declined to prosecute Trump over allegations of questionable business practices. But he leaned into the investigation into the hush-money payment to Daniels that Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen admitted to paying. Cohen plead guilty violating campaign finance laws over the payments in 2018. DailyMail.com revealed last year that the million-dollar donation from Soros' PAC to Bragg was later cut in half after an allegation was made against Bragg, which he strongly denied. Beyond his focus on Trump, during his tenure as DA Bragg has vowed to reduce penalties for armed robberies, and to no longer prosecute resisting arrest. He has also let a litany of shoplifting offenses slide. Theft from pharmacies, bodegas, and supermarkets in New York City has left store owners locking merchandise to shelves with chains and padlocks. His lenient policies have tracked with countless other DAs that Soros has propped up with his billions. Below are some of his most notorious DAs and their policies. Kim Foxx: Lenient on gun violent and shoplifting in Chicago Kim Foxx, DA for Cooks County, Illinois The District Attorney for Cooks County, Illinois, Foxx received at least $2million for Soros backed PACS. Upon taking office Foxx raised the threshold in Chicago for a shoplifting offense in to qualify as a felony from $300 worth of merchandise to $1,000. With little more to fear than a slap on the wrist for theft, criminals have run rampant in the city and raids on stores have skyrocketed. Foxx also faced ire from Chicago officials after she refused to prosecute individuals filmed in a daylight shootout, because she characterized the violent crime as a 'mutual combat' incident. Larry Krasner: Lax arrests despite hundreds of murders in Philly Philadelphia's District Attorney, Krasner received about $1.5million from Soros backed groups. Under his watch at over 1,000 people have been murdered in the City of Brotherly Love. Despite those staggering numbers, in only 38.5 percent of deadly shootings were any suspects arrested. The other 61.5 percent saw nobody detained. Kim Gardner, DA for St. Louis, Missouri Kim Gardner: Murders reach 50-year high in St. Louis The St. Louis, Missouri, DA received about $116,000 from Soros backed PACs. Under her watch, murder in St. Louis his a 50-year high. George Gascon, DA for Los Angeles County, California Despite those numbers, Gardner has charged fewer and fewer felonies. George Gascon: Los Angeles' woke DA The DA for Los Angeles County, California, was supported by about $4.7million from the Soros-backed California Justice and Public Safety PAC. Gascon pushed for and secured a host of lax criminal justice reforms since he took office, including stripping away bail for some crimes and adjusting offense thresholds. Crime - especially home burglaries - have soared, and even led to 'crime tourists' from South America to wealthy communities, and then flea home with their loot once released on lax bail. Joe Gonzales: Homicides spike 50 percent DA from Bexar County, Texas, Gonzales received $1million from Soros. Murders have skyrocketed 50 percent since he took office in 2018, according to The Post. Jose Garza, DA from Travis County, Texas Jose Garza: Vowed to stop 'over-prosecution' in Texas The DA from Travis County, Texas, received about $600,000 from the Soros-backed Texas Justice and Safety PAC. Garza vowed to end 'over-prosecution' of minorities and impoverished residents. He has also drawn ire from the Austin Police Department for arresting officers for incidents which had been handled through department's internal process. John Creuzot: Allows robbery 'for necessity' in Dallas Creuzot was given at least $236,000 from Soros while running for DA from Dallas County, Texas, Creuzot. His office doesn't prosecute theft of 'personal items' worth under $750 of the good were 'stolen out of necessity.' Steve Descano: Rescinded cash bails for crimes in Virginia Descano, the DA for Fairfax County, Virginia, received $600,000 in donations from Soros. He has rescinded cash bails for many crimes, arguing it 'exacerbates socioeconomic disparities' and leads to more crime. A protester wearing a gold mask and sunglasses was arrested as doznes of demonstrators clashed outside a Drag Story Hour event in New York City on Sunday. The LGBTQ+ family event hosted by State Attorney General Letitia James drew more than 100 protesters and counter-protesters to the Greenwich Village neighborhood where police were forced to take control. The masked protester was taken into custody around 11:30 a.m. after allegedly assaulting another demonstrator outside the LGBTQ Community Center on West 13th Street, the New York Daily News reported. Video posted to social media showed counter-protesters chanting 'Love wins' and protesters across the street from the center responding: 'No, we win! When President Trump becomes president again he's going to shut this s*** down.' In recent months, similar events across the country have drawn increasingly heated protests from groups alleging that they are intended to sexually 'groom' young children. A protester wearing a gold mask and sunglasses was arrested for allegedly assaulting another protester as demonstrators clashed outside a Drag Story Hour event in NYC on Sunday The LGBTQ+ family event hosted by State Attorney General Letitia James drew more than 100 protesters on both sides to Greenwich Village where cops were forced to take control Video posted to social media showed counter-protesters chanting 'Love wins' and protesters across the street from the center responding: 'No, we win! When President Trump becomes president again he's going to shut this s*** down' The NYPD and the City Council's Sergeant-at-Arms squad were at the event on Sunday that drew protesters who lined both sides of the street on Sunday. Many of the protesters waved Trump signs and wore shirts that supported the White Supremacist group Proud Boys. 'I'm against kids being exposed to sexually explicit material, to grown men in dresses twerking in front of them showing their breasts, showing off their behinds to little kids and trying to indoctrinate them into trangenderism,' John McGuigan of New Jersey, told The New York Post. Counter protester Michael Henry shot back: 'I'm here to actually protect our vulnerable communities our trans community, our kids. There's a whole lot of ignorant people in this world.' Outside the event, Councilman Erik Bottcher (D-Manhattan) told The New York Post that there were 'a couple dozen kids with their families' inside. The 'Drag Story Hour' on Sunday was hosted by State Attorney General Letitia James The NYPD and the City Council's Sergeant-at-Arms squad were at the event on Sunday that drew protesters who lined both sides of the street on Sunday Protesters supporting Drag Queen story hour hold signs outside of The Center, a support space for LGBTQ+ people on Sunday in NYC A protester yells and points as the NYPD holds back the protesters during the story hour He addressed the question of extra security being at the event: 'The council security team goes to all these events where the council members go and there's a chance of someone being hurt.' 'A couple dozen kids with their families just sitting on mats and being read stories. 'Guess what? It was like any other story hour. It just happened to be read by a colorful character in a costume. 'And the idea that this is going to make kids want to grow up to be drag queens is ludicrous,' he said. More than 100 protesters on both sides gathered at the event in NYC on Sunday LGBTQ supporters held up signs that read 'Stop the Hate' and 'Love wins' Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement on Sunday that the whole point of the event was 'to condemn hate and combat rampant disinformation Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement on Sunday that the whole point of the event was 'to condemn hate and combat rampant disinformation. 'The recent rise in anti-LGBTQ+ protests, rhetoric, and policies has left New Yorkers myself included devastated and disappointed,' James said. 'But I know better than anyone that when the choice is between love and hate, between joy and venom, New Yorkers will always choose love, and New Yorkers will always choose joy.' The event, among others, are co-sponsored by the nonprofit Drag Story Hour NYC, which has received more than $200,000 in city contracts since 2018, according to records obtained by The Post. 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. Kim Jong-un has ordered his troops to prepare for an 'immediate and overwhelming' nuclear counterattack against his enemies - as he accused the US of holding aggressive military drills with South Korea. He warned that North Korea was ready to launch just hours after commanding his own 'guided' military exercises - which included firing a ballistic missile with a mock nuclear warhead. Jong-un said the exercises improved the military's actual war capability and highlighted the need to ensure its readiness posture for any imminent nuclear warfare the country may need to unfurl against its enemies. The North Korean leader was accompanied by his nine-year-old daughter Kim Ju Ae during the missile tests - continuing a trend that has led to speculation the young girl is being lined up to inherit the hereditary hermit kingdom. State media, KCNA, said on Monday that the missile launch and accompanying military exercises on Saturday and Sunday were aimed at bolstering North Korea's 'war deterrence and nuclear counterattack capability'. He made specific reference to the 'reckless' and 'aggressive' behaviors of his enemies - in this instance, the US and South Korea. Kim Jong Un is accompanied by his nine-year-old daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as he watches missile launches on Sunday Kim and his daughter are seen walking together towards the site of the missile launch, in a photo released on Monday In the exercises, a ballistic missile equipped with a mock nuclear warhead flew 500 miles before hitting a target at the altitude of 800m under the scenario of a tactical nuclear attack, KCNA said. '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. The drills make the North Korean army 'familiar with any unexpected circumstances and make them more perfectly prepared in their active posture of making an immediate and overwhelming nuclear counterattack [at] anytime.' 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 some 800,000 reported by a state newspaper just two days before. South Korea and Japan on Sunday reported a launch of a North Korean short-range ballistic missile off the east coast - the latest in a series of missile tests in recent weeks. Missiles were launched on Tuesday, Thursday and again at the weekend. Sunday's 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. Sunday's ICBM test launch is pictured by North Korean state media, in a photo published on Monday The missile launch is at least the third since the US and South Korea began military exercises last week: other tests were carried out on Tuesday and Thursday Trails from the missile launch are seen on Sunday in the skies above North Korea A TV screen shows file footage of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Yongsan Railway Station in Seoul. North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) towards the East Sea on Sunday North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches on Thursday what it says is an intercontinental ballistic missile test, launched at the Sunan international airport in Pyongyang North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, is pictured witnessing the launch of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Pyongyang International Airport on Thursday 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. 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 was North Korea's third round of weapons tests since the US and South Korean militaries began their joint military drills last week. Earlier this month, Kim's sister warned that it would be a 'clear declaration of war' if North Korean missiles were shot down during their test launches over the Pacific Ocean. 'It will be regarded as a clear declaration of war against the DPRK, in case such military response as interception takes place against our tests of strategic weapons,' said Kim Yo Jong on March 6. 'The Pacific Ocean does not belong to the dominium of the U.S. or Japan.' 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 a multitude of their annual exercises since earlier this month, including air and sea drills on Sunday involving U.S. B-1B strategic bombers. The South Korean Defense Ministry subsequently released images of the drills carried out on Sunday. Two US Air Force B-1B bombers were flanked by F-16 jets and Seoul's F-35A planes as they flew over South Korea. The exercise has been ongoing for 11 days now and is the largest joint drill between the two countries for five years. Ywo US Air Force B-1B bombers (right) fly over South Korea with South Korean Air Force F-35A (top right) and US Air Force F-16 (bottom) fighter jets The combined air drill between the US and South Korea was carried out on Sunday at an undisclosed location in South Korea Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of Kim Jong Un, on March 6 warned any attempts to intercept missile testing by US or South Korea will be considered an act of war People watch the news at a station in Seoul, South Korea, on Sunday A woman walks past a television on Sunday showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test 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 on Thursday At the beginning of this month North Korea's foreign ministry accused the United States of 'intentionally' ramping up tensions. 'The recent joint air drill... clearly shows that the US scheme to use nuclear weapons against the DPRK is being carried forward at the level of an actual war,' it said in a statement published by KCNA. 'We express deep regret over the irresponsible and worrying muscle-flexing of the US and South Korea.' Their anger is only set to increase. On Monday, 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, with a two-week run which will continue until April 3. In February, the two countries staged tabletop exercises simulating North Korea's nuclear attack. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has pushed for more confidence in U.S. extended deterrence - its military capability, especially nuclear forces, to deter attacks on its allies. Known as Freedom Shield, the drills started Monday and are set to run for 10 days. The Freedom Shield exercises focus on the 'changing security environment' due to North Korea's redoubled aggression, the allies have said. North Korea views all such drills as rehearsals for invasion and has repeatedly warned it would take 'overwhelming' action in response. The launch overshadowed the summit between Yoon and his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida. At the meeting, both leaders agreed to resume defense dialogue and further strengthen their three-way security cooperation with the US. Photo provided by the North Korean government shows what it says is an intercontinental ballistic missile in a launching drill at the Sunan international airport in Pyongyang on Thursday Thursday's launch was North Korea's third show of force since Sunday and took place as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol headed to Tokyo for a summit with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Pictured: Kim Jong Un and his daughter, believed to be aged nine, are seen watching Thursday's missile launch on North Korea in pictures released by state media Kim's daughter (right) has appeared at several events tied to his military since first being showcased at a missile test launch in November. She is pictured with him on March 9 Kim and his daughter are seen together overseeing military drills on March 9 The summit comes after Yoon's government took a major step toward improving bilateral ties strained by historical grievances. It announced plans last week to use local funds to compensate Koreans who had won damages in court against Japanese companies that enslaved them before the end of World War II. Yoon's plan was widely criticized at home, where many South Koreans harbor deep resentment toward Japan over its brutal colonial rule of the Korea Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. Yoon said dramatic steps were necessary to improve ties with Tokyo as he pushes to strengthen South Korea's defense in conjunction with its alliance with the US. 'The ever-escalating threat of North Korea's nuclear missile program poses a huge threat to peace and stability not only in East Asia but also to the (broader) international community,' Yoon said. 'South Korea and Japan need to work closely together and in solidarity to wisely counter the threat.' North Korea has long portrayed regular U.S.-South Korean military drills as rehearsals for a potential invasion, although the allies describe those exercises as defensive. Many experts say North Korea uses its rivals' drills as a pretext to aggressively expand its nuclear arsenal and overall military capability. They said it seeks to force the U.S. government to accept the North's status as a nuclear power and to negotiate on issues of economic sanctions from a position of strength. Besides the ICBM, the North has test-fired cruise missiles from a submarine and fired short-range missiles into the sea since last week, attempting to show it could conduct potential nuclear strikes on both South Korean targets and the U.S. mainland. A ballistic missile is pictured being launched from an undisclosed location in North Korea, February 20 A missile is displayed during a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea's army, February 8 Earlier this month, scientists in Beijing simulated the ICBM launch and said they believe Pyongyang would be able to hit the United States, should their defense fail to intercept the missile. The team of scientists from the Beijing Institute of Electronic System Engineering said North Korea's nuclear-capable Hwasong-15 missile with a range of over 8,000 miles (around 13,000 km) would be 'sufficient to hit the entire US homeland'. The simulation also suggested that there were gaps in the U.S. nuclear defense armory. The scientists said their tests showed the existing US missile defense network had gaps in its 'kill chain' and would struggle to identify and defend against an attack. The new research and simulation published by China's top institute for aerospace defense was led by scientist Tang Yuyan and released in the Modern Defence Technology Journal for February. The simulation started with a launch from Sunchon, a North Korean city south of capital Pyongyang, and targeted Columbia in Missouri. The specific location was selected for its centrality in the middle of America. Running the tests, the team said a theoretical launch would cause the U.S. to receive an alert 20 seconds later. Within 11 minutes, the U.S.'s nuclear defense would fall into action as intercepting missiles would blast out of Fort Greely in Alaska's Southeast Fairbanks Census Area.] A second phase of missiles would then launch Vandenberg Space Force Base in California should the first defense fail. Tang's team said the U.S. defense was impressive but they said the simulation identified some gaps in the 'kill chain' that a nation such as North Korea could exploit. The study claimed that the reason for the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of U.S. nuclear defense capabilities. But Ms Palaszczuk was put on the spot by Sunrise host Natalie Barr She has been trying to shake her image as the red carpet-obsessed 'party premier' in recent months. But last week Annastacia Palaszczuk was inadvertently sucked right back into the celebrity world during a surprise appearance on Seven's Sunrise. The Queensland premier was asked about the Oscar prospects of Baz Luhrmann's locally produced-produced Elvis Presley biopic by hosts David Koch and Natalie Barr. Sunrise host Natalie Barr suggested to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk she was close with Hollywood director Baz Luhrmann It was a touchy subject for the embattled leader given that last year's Elvis premiere - where she posed for pictures on the red carpet with Hollywood stars such as Tom Hanks and Baz Luhrmann - was the starting point of her much-criticised 'party premier' image. Matters were made worse when Barr suggested Ms Palaszczuk was 'best mates with Baz' and that she had met up with the Oscar-nominated director, best known for his adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, in London. Sources claimed Ms Palaszczuk's spin team were displeased with her friendship with Luhrmann being brought up live on air, according to The Australian's Media Diary. The moment was a gift to her political rivals. Queensland's Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie shared a picture of Ms Palaszczuk on Sunrise on Twitter with the caption: 'Hollywood Anna at it again!' Ms Palaszczuk (right) posing with her celebrity weight-loss surgeon boyfriend Dr Reza Adib (left) and Director Baz Luhrmann (middle) on the red carpet at the Elvis premiere last year He followed it up the day after with another tweet, this time poking fun at Ms Palaszczuk's red carpet-obsessed image. 'Qld Government Job Advertisement - Immediate Start 'Red Carpet Coordinator' This role will report directly to the Premier,' he wrote. 'Tasks include. Rolling out the red carpet for Hollywood Anna, bouquet preparation & handing to Anna & liaising with celebrities.' The quips did not stop there, however. Mr Bleijie mocked Ms Palaszczuk's 'party premier' image on Twitter He suggested the Labor Party Premier was primarily concerned with red carpet appearances rather than budgeting for the Olympics Mr Bleijie tore into the Ms Palaszczuk in parliament last week, attacking her over the Queensland Government's plans to keep the Olympics in-house at a projected cost totalling $7.1 billion. He pulled a stunt in parliament by sharing a mocked-up image of the Labor Party's supposed plans for the Gabba stadium re-development ahead of the 2032 Olympics. It was a picture of the back of an envelope with the figures $1billion, $2billion and $5billion scored out on one side alongside a question mark and then 'red carpet!' written in red pen underneath the headline 'Labor priority' on the other. Mr Bleijie continued his spray by claiming Ms Palaszczuk had effectively 'stolen the Olympics from the Queensland public'. 'This Premier is the modern-day equivalent of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, the last king of Rome,' he said. 'What was he known for? As his name suggests in Latin, he was known for arrogance and being lofty. We know that the Premier wants to stay in the job and open the Olympics in 2032. He then invited representatives to picture 'Empress Palaszczuk' entering the new 'Gabba colosseum' on a chariot being pulled by Labor Party backbenchers. 'She is waving to the crowdsthe colosseum has only 8,000 additional seats, I might add, for a $2.7 billion cost,' he said. 'She would be like Caesar, giving the thumbs up or down depending on whether or not she likes the performance or the athletes. That is how silly this proposal from the government is in terms of blowouts.' It is not the first time Ms Palaszczuk has fought back against her image as a celebrity-obsessed 'part-time premier'. In February, she shut down rumours that she was told to skip a star-studded press conference with Russell Crowe to repair her public image amid reports that she is 'addicted' to red carpet photo opportunities and was losing 'relatability'. The Queensland premier was noticeably absent at Burleigh Heads in January as the Gladiator star announced the The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards Awards (AACTA) would move from Sydney to the Gold Coast. Labor sources claimed Ms Palaszczuk had been advised against attending as they were concerned she was losing relatability in the polls but her office denied the claims. A spokesperson said the speculation was simply 'not true' and that Ms Palaszczuk had other commitments. Last month, Daily Mail Australia revealed she made a low-key appearance at Harry Styles' concert on the Gold Coast alongside her celebrity weight-loss surgeon boyfriend Dr Reza Adib. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Palaszczuk's office for comment. A tourist in Bali has been left with six broken ribs and a fractured skull after he and his girlfriend claimed they were mugged while riding a motorbike in the holiday hotspot. Dilor Yeretzian and his partner Cosette Karam, both from Lebanon and who now live in Sydney, had been enjoying their final night on the Indonesian holiday island last Monday when they decided to go on a midnight McDonald's run. The pair were driving a scooter home from the fast food restaurant when Ms Karam whipped out her phone for directions. However the couple claim this quickly caught the attention of two men clad in black helmets and black bodysuits, who pulled up beside them and snatched the phone out of Ms Karam's hand - causing Mr Yeretzian to lose control and crash. Dilor Yeretzian is recovering in hospital in Bali after he was allegedly mugged while riding a scooter in the holiday hot spot last week Dilor Yeretzian and his partner Cosette Karam, both from Lebanon and who now live in Sydney, had been enjoying their final night in Bali when they claim they were suddenly attacked Mr Yeretzian is now lying in a hospital bed in Bali facing a $69,000 medical bill because he had not purchased his trip with a credit card that usually provides him with travel insurance. A fundraiser has since been set up to help bring the tourist back to Australia. Along with several broken ribs and a fractured shoulder, Mr Yeretzian has had blood and fluid build up in his lungs and suffered a minor fracture to his skull. He and his girlfriend were travelling at about 50km/hour when they were allegedly attacked, Mr Yeretzian's cousin Anthony Matta wrote on the GoFundMe. 'Cosette got up immediately and saw her loving boyfriend on the floor, with his eyes rolling to the back of the head, and making unusual sounds,' Mr Matta said. 'She immediately burst into tears. A scene out of a scary movie. Mr Yeretzian has suffered six broken bones, a broken shoulder and a minor fracture to his skull 'Along with multiple areas of her body being grazed, scratched and bruised, there is also the traumatic image of her injured partner that Cosette will have engrained in her brain forever. 'We are grateful that they are simply breathing, it is a miracle that they are both even alive after this horrendous assault.' Ms Karam said in a Facebook post the police had been unable to help and because her partner was unfit to fly home, he needed to have surgery in Bali. 'We really need all the help we can get right now,' she said. The fundraiser has so far received more than $50,000 in donations. Protesters chant slogans in Paris, March 19. A spattering of protests were planned to continue in France over the weekend against President Macron's controversial pension reform, as garbage continued to reek in the streets of Paris and beyond owing to continuing action by refuse collectors. AP-Yonhap President Emanuel Macron faces a critical moment on Monday when the French National Assembly is due to vote on no-confidence motions filed after his government bypassed parliament on Thursday to push through an unpopular rise in the state pension age. The move, which followed weeks of protests against the pension overhaul, triggered three nights of unrest and demonstrations in Paris and throughout the country, with hundreds of people arrested, reminiscent of the Yellow Vest protests that erupted in late 2018 over high fuel prices. In a sign that Macron was holding firm, his office on Sunday evening said the president had called the heads of the Senate upper house and of the National Assembly to say he wanted the pension reform to go to "the end of its democratic process". Macron also told them the government was mobilized to "protect" members of parliament who are facing pressure ahead of the vote. However, while Monday's votes may put on display the level of anger at Macron's government, they are unlikely to bring it down. Opposition lawmakers filed two motions of no-confidence in parliament on Friday. Centrist group Liot proposed a multiparty no-confidence motion, which was co-signed by the far-left Nupes alliance. Hours later, France's far-right National Rally party, which has 88 National Assembly members, also filed a no-confidence motion. But even though Macron's party lost its absolute majority in the lower house after elections last year, there was little chance the multi-party motion would go through - unless a surprise alliance of lawmakers from all sides is formed from the far-left to the far-right. The leaders of the conservative Les Republicains (LR) party have ruled out such an alliance. None of them had sponsored the first no-confidence motion filed on Friday. But the party still faced some pressure. In the southern city of Nice, the political office of Eric Ciotti, leader of Les Republicains, was ransacked overnight and tags were left threatening riots if the motion was not supported. "They want through violence to put pressure on my vote on Monday. I will never yield to the new disciples of the Terror," Ciotti wrote on Twitter. A police officer arrests a protester in Paris, March 19. AP-Yonhap A young tenant who was slapped with a $350 a week rent increase is taking her fight to court after her landlord refused to negotiate the price hike. Chantelle Schmidt, a writer based in the inner Sydney suburb of Redfern, received an email from her landlord in February advising her rent would increase from $1,900 to $2,600 a fortnight. Ms Schmidt is on a monthly contract, meaning the landlord can increase her rent at any point with no limits. The frustrated Sydneysider tried to negotiate the 'aggressive', almost 37 per cent increase with her landlord and real estate agent but was told 'we're not budging'. Ms Schmidt shared an update of her rental crisis in a TikTok video on Saturday and told her followers she was taking the matter to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Chantelle Schmidt (pictured) received an email from her landlord advising her rent would increase from $1,900 to $2,600 a fortnight 'We basically tried to negotiate with the landlord and real estate agent and just try and find a happy median or middle ground that wasn't as aggressive as $350 a week,' Ms Schmidt said. 'Essentially we were told this was not negotiable. Obviously as a household we freaked out. We had to sit down and talk about our limited options in this market. 'Because the real estate agent and landlord had said "we're not budging on this $350 a week figure" ... after much deliberation we decide we are going to have to take this to tribunal.' The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal is an independent body that hears and decides on disputes between tenants and landlords. The tribunal can make orders on disputes including payment of rental bond, rent increases, unpaid rent, termination of tenancy agreement, compensation, repairs and other breaches of the residential tenancy agreement. Ms Schmidt said she was reluctant to take the matter to tribunal but is feeling really confident it will be resolved. 'Basically it was really, really stressful in the beginning, like no one wants to go down this path,' Ms Schmidt said. 'We tried not to but at this point we are feeling really confident and really good about taking this to tribunal. So, fingers bloody crossed.' The writer (pictured), who is based in the inner southern Sydney suburb of Redfern, is disputing the $350 a week rental increase with the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal The video has received more than 2,900 comments, with many praising Ms Schmidt for taking the matter to the tribunal. 'Good on you for fighting the good fight! Give em hell,' one person wrote. 'Landlord here. Youre in the right. If the landlord cant come up with an extra $18K a year how does he expect you to? Good luck,' another commented. A third chimed: 'That's absolutely insane. Pure greed. This is why we need rental caps in Australia. There's no protection for renters. Good on you for fighting it!' 'Its quite amicable that you are taking it to tribunal and best of luck,' a fourth added. In another video, Ms Schmidt shared a message she received from one of her followers claiming they were experiencing a rental increase with striking similarities. The anonymous renter said they lived in the same suburb as Ms Schmidt and their rent was being increased to $2,600 a fortnight as well. Ms Schmidt said it was 'wild' when the pair discovered they shared the same property manager. It comes as Australia is struggling with a rental crisis with national residential vacancy rates remaining at an all time low of 1 per cent over February, according to SQM Research. It comes as the nation's rental vacancy rate remained at an all time low of 1 per cent over February (pictured, tenants lining up at an open home) Over the past 28 days to 12 March, capital city asking rents rose by another 2.6 per cent, with the 12-month rise standing at 21.4 per cent, according to SQM Research. The national median weekly asking rent for a dwelling is recorded at $567 a week, with Sydney recording the highest weekly rent for a house at $936 a week. Adelaide units offered the best rental affordability of all capital cities at $406 a week. Weekly rent in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Darwin rose to $561, $600, $594 and $555 respectively. While the average asking price for weekly rent in Canberra and Hobart fell to $655 and $522. Mark McGowan says WA may be given a public holiday The coronation of King Charles III will be held on May 6 Aussies could get an extra public holiday to mark the coronation of King Charles III after Western Australia flagged a possible day off for the historical event. Buckingham Palace confirmed the King's coronation would be held in London's Westminster Abbey on May 6, eight months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. West Australian Premier Mark McGowan revealed his state may be given a public holiday. 'We'll consider that in the future. No doubt it will be a historic occasion,' he said on Sunday. The federal government is yet to reveal whether there would be a Coronation Day public holiday but a spokesperson said the Albanese government had not ruled it out. Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles's coronation will be held at London's Westminster Abbey on May 6, eight months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II No other state or territory leader has referred to the occasion or hinted at a public holiday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be in attendance at King Charles' coronation. Mr McGowan confirmed that WA Governor Chris Dawson would also be at the event. Like Australia, New Zealand and Canada have no plans set in place for a national holiday. Britons have been given an additional bank holiday on May 8. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the extra bank holiday - like that of the holiday that marked Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953 - would be an opportunity for families and communities across the country to come together. 'The coronation of a new monarch is a unique moment for our country,' he said. 'In recognition of this historic occasion, I am pleased to announce an additional bank holiday for the whole United Kingdom next year. 'I look forward to seeing people come together to celebrate and pay tribute to King Charles III by taking part in local and national events across the country in his honour.' Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) said he was considering giving West Australians the day off to mark the historical event Australians enjoyed a public holiday for the late Queen's coronation ceremony (pictured) in June 1953 A public holiday would have precedent in Australia. When Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in June 1953, Australians received a special one-off public holiday. More than 500,000 Sydneysiders packed the harbour foreshore to mark the big occasion, held 16 months after she became head of the monarchy - the beginning of a seven decade reign. Australians did get a day off for The Queen's memorial service, called the National Day of Mourning, on September 22 last year. Mr Albanese wrote to advise state and territory leaders of the decision to make the day a one-off public holiday. The broadcaster, 61, has not been on TV since Timothy Schofield went on trial at the end of March. His close friend and co-host Holly Willoughby is unwell with a bout of shingles, so Rochelle Humes stepped in at the 11th hour. Phillip began the ITV programme by thanking fans for their 'kind messages' to him after his younger sibling was convicted of sexually abusing a teenager over three years. He said: 'I'd just like to say, it is really lovely to be back. I have missed the show and everyone here and also you. I wanted to say thank you for your kind messages and support which were really appreciated. Thank you very much indeed. On with the show... Shall we?' This Morning's main guest was Paul Gascoigne, who is the star of the new reality show Scared Of The Dark, where stars live without light 24 hours a day. Gazza spoke of his fear of the dark, but soon sent Phil and Rochelle into fits of giggles when he joked about having three testicles after a challenge on the show. The hosts also looked shocked and then laughed when Gascoigne said of fellow contestant Chris Eubank: 'I thought that he was born with a d**k up his backside'. Later he and Rochelle toasted the 'nostalgic' taste of Babycham in a feature on the sparkling perry cider. 'Great in the summer. And only 6% volume so it won't knock you off your stool', Phil said. Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd is set to be freed after serving half of his sentence for the champagne-fuelled accident that killed Charlotte Brown during the pair's first date. Shepherd, 34, was given a six-year determinate prison sentence after being convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence following the death of Ms Brown, 24. She was killed when the boat she and Shepherd were in crashed on the Thames in December 2015. The pair were on a first date on his boat when it hit a log and they were both were thrown into the icy water. Her father told The Sun that their family is 'devastated' that Shepherd will likely go free in January and has slammed the UK's criminal justice system as 'outrageous'. Jack Shepherd is set to be freed after serving half of his sentence for the champagne-fuelled accident that killed Charlotte Brown Charlotte Brown died after Shepherd's boat hit a log in the water and she was thrown into the icy depths of the River Thames Graham, Ms Brown's father, told the newspaper that the family will 'never get over' what happened to his daughter, who would've turned 31 this month. He said: 'Shepherd has shown no remorse. 'It goes to show how outrageous our criminal justice system is.' Shepherd last year was moved to a category A prison where he was set to serve the rest of his sentence alongside Sarah Everard's killer, ex-police officer Wayne Couzens, and other notorious inmates. He was being held at HMP Frankland, in County Durham. Among the other prisoners at the jail was Soham murderer Ian Huntley and serial killer Levi Bellfield. Shepherd had fled Britain after being charged with Ms Brown's manslaughter, and was given a six-year prison sentence in his absence. The fugitive finally handed himself into Georgian police after an international manhunt was sparked and the Daily Mail put up a 25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. In July 2020, Shepherd had 78 days cut from his 10-year jail term because of time he served waiting for extradition after fleeing the UK to Georgia. Three appeal judges said the 78 days Shepherd spent in custody awaiting extradition in Georgia should count as part of the jail term he is serving. Ms Brown's family is 'devastated' that Shepherd will likely go free in January and has slammed the UK's criminal justice system as 'outrageous'. Pictured: Shepherd's speedboat Shepherd's trial in July 2018 heard how he had bought the 1980s boat on Gumtree and had tried to impress women with it. But his first date with Ms Brown ended in tragedy when the 14ft Fletcher Arrowflyte GTO, which was riddled with defects, hit a log and capsized, throwing them into the river near Wandsworth Bridge. He later sparked outrage by launching an appeal against the conviction while on the run in Georgia - and he was awarded funds to do so. After spending ten months on the run, Shepherd was finally extradited and ordered to serve six years with six months consecutive for skipping his bail in April 2019. The web designer then admitted hitting a barman over the head with a vodka bottle in a hotel in Devon and was given four more years. In 2019, Shepherd was moved to a different high-security jail after being bullied by other inmates. He was transferred for his own safety to HMP Woodhill, near Milton Keynes. A Ministry of Justice source told The Sun that Shepherd has 'kept his head down and quietly done his time'. The insider alleged that the convict knows his case won't have to go to a Parole Board because he has a determinate sentence. 'If he behaves then there is no reason to keep him in jail beyond his halfway point,' the source reportedly said. 'He will be free to simply walk out the door.' The UK has 'nothing to apologise for' over the Elgin Marbles and must resist pressure to loan or return them to Greece, a think-tank says today. Policy Exchange is launching a report on the sculptures ahead of a meeting of the British Museum's trustees later this week. Former chancellor George Osborne, who is now chairman of the institution, has been exploring the possibility of returning the 2,500-year-old antiquities to their homeland as part of a 'cultural exchange'. But UK law prevents the museum from giving away objects in its collection. The Marbles, taken by Lord Elgin from the Acropolis of Athens at the beginning of the 19th century when he was ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, have long been at the centre of dispute between Greece and Britain. But historian Sir Noel Malcolm, who wrote the report for Policy Exchange, says the claim that Elgin's removal of the sculptures was illegal is false but it is true that his actions saved the Marbles from serious damage, dispersal and destruction. The UK has 'nothing to apologise for' over the Elgin Marbles, Policy Exchange has said The Marbles were taken by Lord Elgin from the Acropolis of Athens at the beginning of the 19th century when he was ambassador to the Ottoman Empire He also argues the claim that Greek identity is essentially harmed by their absence from the country is greatly exaggerated. Sir Noel, a senior research fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, says today: 'The Elgin Marbles are the Crown Jewels of the British Museum a national museum with a universal mission. We should feel proud of our ability to show them to the world in London. There is nothing to apologise for here.' The report also argues there would be a significant risk of non-return if the Marbles were lent to Greece. Polling separately commissioned by Policy Exchange revealed that only 11 per cent of the public think the Elgin Marbles would return to London at the end of a loan period. It comes after Rishi Sunak last week poured cold water on the idea that they might be sent to Greece and claimed there were 'no plans' to change the law that keeps them in Britain. The report recommends the Government should affirm its support for retaining the Marbles, and should make no change to the current law. It adds that the British Museum should revise its loans policy, explicitly excluding loans to countries which do not recognise the museum's ownership of the objects concerned. Backing the report, Tory MP Tim Loughton, chairman of the British Museum all-party parliamentary group, said recent calls to give the Marbles to Greece are 'misguided and dangerous and threaten to open the floodgates for the despoliation of our world institutions'. Shocking video of the helicopter going down has been circling social media President Gustavo Petro confirmed the deaths and the identities of the four people killed in a tweet Sunday afternoon sending their families condolences A Colombian military helicopter carrying four service members went down Sunday afternoon, killing all individuals on board, President Gustavo Petro confirmed. Horrifying video posted to social media on Sunday shows the moments the helicopter falls from the sky and into the trees in the Quibdo area in Choco. The officers on board who were later identified by the country's leader were doing supply work in the area when the aircraft went down due to unknown reasons. 'It is with sadness that I am sorry to report that there were no survivors in the plane crash in Quibdo,' President Petro tweeted out. 'I accompany the families of the CT. Hector Jerez, TE. Julieth Garcia, SS. Johan Orozco and SS. Ruben Leguizamon in this painful moment. We will not leave them alone,' he said in a translated tweet. A Colombian military helicopter carrying four service members went down Sunday afternoon killing all individuals on board, President Gustavo Petro confirmed These are the four Colombian military members killed in the helicopter crash Sunday. Julieth Garcia (top left), Johan Orozco (top right), Hector Jerez (bottom left), and Ruben Leguizamon (bottom right) According to Colombian outlet Vanguardia, the Public Force helicopter crashed around 4pm as the aircraft was flying over the residential area. President Petro confirmed shocking video of the crash on Twitter, telling his nearly seven million followers he had authorized police to move into the area. 'A few minutes ago, an Army helicopter crashed in Quibdo while carrying out supply tasks,' Petro wrote. 'I have given the order to the authorities to move immediately to the area to deal with the emergency and investigate the causes of what happened,' he continued. Less than an hour and a half later, President Petro shared the news of the deaths and the names of those killed while offering their family his thoughts. After the crash, Petro ordered local authorities to continue their investigations. In one video posted to social media Sunday afternoon, the helicopter is seen falling from the sky as the aircraft spins. Another view of the incident shows residents nearby watching in shock and horror as the helicopter falls to the ground. Commander of the Titan Joint Task Force Hector Alfonso Candelario told local press outlets that the crash was a 'tragic accident.' According to Candelario, the aircraft was 'totally incinerated' after hitting the ground. Two bodies were immediately found while officials looked for the other two Army members. Julieth Garcia was one of the four National Army members killed Sunday in a helicopter crash Un segundo video aficionado capto la caida de un #helicoptero en #Choco. En el hecho murieron cuatro uniformados del Ejercito Nacional. pic.twitter.com/O4lJJa1peU Vanguardia (@vanguardiacom) March 19, 2023 Another view of the incident shows residents nearby watching in shock and horror as the helicopter falls to the ground Hace pocos minutos se precipito un helicoptero del Ejercito en Quibdo que cumplia labores de abastecimiento. He dado la orden a las autoridades desplazarse inmediatamente a la zona para atender la emergencia e investigar las causas de lo sucedido. Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) March 19, 2023 Con tristeza lamento informar que no hubo sobrevivientes en el accidente aereo en Quibdo. Acompano a las familias del CT. Hector Jerez, TE. Julieth Garcia, SS. Johan Orozco y SS. Ruben Leguizamon en este doloroso momento. No los dejaremos solos. Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) March 19, 2023 Among those killed in the crash was Hector Mauricio Jerez Ochoa, a National Army pilot from Bumangues. Ochoa's photo was first shared by Vanguardia late Sunday afternoon. Just hours later, Julieth Garcia's photo was shared by Colombian magazine Semana. According to the outlet, Garcia was the first woman of her rank and stature in the Colombian National Army to fly a UH 1N helicopter. The woman was a native of Cucuta, Norte de Santande and was especially skilled in advanced combat, skydiving, and communication. Little information has been released about Johan Orozco and Ruben Leguizamon at this time. Farlin Perea Renteria, the governor in charge of Choco, said in a message Sunday she is sending her support to 'the relatives and friends of the members of the Colombian Army who were part of the supply work in the department.' She also said she is 'supporting the pertinent investigations into the event that occurred today in Quibdo.' This is a developing story. DailyMail.com will continue to update as more information becomes available. Prisoners at Rikers Island are still being shackled and handcuffed to metal restraint desks when they are in classrooms at the facility despite a New York correction commissioner promising to remove them last year. Correction Commissioner Louis Molina told the city Board of Correction at a meeting last week that the desks are a 'critical tool in managing a challenging population prone to acts of serious violence.' His comments were opposite from last July when he told WNYC in July: 'We're removing the restraint desks that were part of our restrictive housing system.' But the specially-built desks, which have been used at Rikers for six years, are still being used by 74 inmates at three Rikers housing units, correction sources told The New York Daily News. Prisoners at Rikers Island are still shackled and handcuffed to metal restraint desks when they are in classrooms despite correction commissioner promising to remove them last year The specially-built metal desks are used to restrain 'potentially disruptive inmates during therapeutic, educational, programming, and/or recreational sessions in a classroom setting' In July, the Department of Corrections (DOC) was preparing to begin a program called the Risk Management Accountability System, which would serve as a replacement for solitary confinement that allowed detainees more out-of-cell time. But then Molina announced that he would be going with a different model called Enhanced Supervision Housing - which allowed the restraint desks. There are two versions of restraint desks. One with a single seat, and another with double seats in which detainees face each other. Inmates' legs are chained through a steel bar in the desk, which is bolted to the floor. One arm is secured with handcuffs and a chain, which is looped through a ring welded to the desk. According to the DOC, the specially-built metal desks are used to restrain 'potentially disruptive inmates during therapeutic, educational, programming, and/or recreational sessions in a classroom setting.' DailyMail.com has reached out to the DOC for comment. Correction Commissioner Louis Molina acknowledged that use of the desks has continued for the purpose of securing, as he put it, 'individuals with a high propensity for violence' Molina told the city Board of Correction at a meeting last week that the desks are a 'critical tool in managing a challenging population prone to acts of serious violence' Molina had explained that the desks were a way to provide greater security for violent detainees. But he pointed out that he had initially wanted to use 'mitts,' which cover the hands and are intended to prevent slashings and stabbings. However, he said that federal monitor Steve Martin, a court-appointed overseer of the jails, and Correction Department consultant James Austin advised him to use the restraint desks. 'Our expert and the monitor had reservations about using restraint mitts when out of cell,' Molina said. 'So the alternative we had was the restraint desk. When we submitted that to the federal monitor, that is what was approved.' At the meeting last week, Molina acknowledged that use of the desks has continued for the purpose of securing, as he put it, 'individuals with a high propensity for violence.' 'The desk enables the consistent provision of programming and socialization with peers [while] also ensuring safety,' Molina said. He was challenged by Board of Correction member Bobby Cohen, who is also a medical doctor, who pointed to Molina recently testifying that stabbings and slashings were down system-wide 14.4 percent in the last nine months. 'Now you are telling us that violence is down and yet a month ago, you reinstituted the restraint chairs. Why did you do it?' Cohen asked. 'The board spent a long time trying to end this tortuous process.' Correction Department consultant James Austin told the Daily News that the violence had declined 'significantly' in the Enhanced Supervision Housing units, where the desks are used. Austin then confirmed that when a detainee proves they are not a risk, they are only then transferred to another unit where restraint desks are not used. 'Commissioner Molina is correct this is a much better approach than the handcuff/mitts as it allows one to actively participate in rehabilitative programs in a more normal manner,' Austin added. At the meeting last week, Cohen also argued that the desks are medically dangerous and that the board had not been consulted on the change. 'Restraint desks are not a sound medical option,' he said. 'They are medically dangerous. They are torturous. They are humiliating and I hope you take them down as soon as possible.' Molina shot back: 'The problem, Dr. Cohen, is that death is also a very dangerous thing. And we cannot allow an opportunity for someone to kill another person.' A teenage bottle shop attendant has allegedly been stabbed to death by a 'regular customer' minutes before he was due to finish his shift. The horrific stabbing unfolded at the Airport Tavern BWS drive-through bottle shop in Darwin just before 9pm. The worker, aged 19, was stabbed after refusing service to a customer just before closing time, sources told News Corp. Police allege the worker was stabbed with a knife before the offender fled the scene in a vehicle. The employee was dead when paramedics and officers arrived, despite several attempts by shocked witnesses to try and revive him. A man, also aged 19, was arrested by police several hours later. He remains in police custody and is expected to be charged later today. The Airport Tavern and BWS bottle shop in Darwin remained a crime scene on Monday morning following the tragic death of a worker A second person is assisting police with inquiries, Acting Northern Territory Police Assistant Commissioner Danny Bacon told Darwin radio station Mix 104.9. He described the alleged attack as a 'senseless loss of life.' 'That investigating is taking priority this morning,' he added. Police are expected to provide more details later on Monday as investigators continue their inquiries. A man who was among the first on the scene and tried to save the worker's life described the worker as a 'beautiful boy'. It's understood his distraught family members rushed to the scene shortly after the incident. The bottle shop is part of Airport Tavern, a popular pub described on its Facebook page as the heart of the community, which Jingili residents regard as their local. Both the tavern and bottle shop remained cordoned off as a crime scene on Monday morning, with several police vehicles onsite. The bottle shop attendant died at the scene (pictured) after he was allegedly stabbed The worker's death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from the hospitality industry and Endeavour Group, which owns the tavern and bottle shop. 'Our thoughts are with the team member's family, friends and loved ones,' Endeavour Group chief executive Steve Donohue said. 'We thank the emergency service workers who attended the scene. 'We will offer counselling and support to all our team members in Darwin across BWS and ALH Hotels, and the team member's family.' The tragedy has also saddened federal Senator Jacinta Price, whose Darwin office neighbours the tavern and bottle shop. 'This is very hard to come to terms with. The victim of this horrendous crime is the same age as one of my sons,' she said. 'We cannot continue to experience such horrific and dehumanising crime and violence. The Territory government maybe celebrating a bi-election win but the people of the NT continue to suffer. 'I can only image the pain the family of this young man is suffering. No more crime no more violence it has to stop!' 'Its the devastating message no parent, sibling, or loved one can imagine hearing & the grief will be immense. The bottle shop worker's death has sparked an outpouring of tributes, including federal Senator Jacinta Price (pictured) NT Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison also described the incident as a tragedy as she expressed her condolences to the victim's family, friends and colleagues. MP for Blain Mark Turner added: 'As a father, even trying to imagine the hurt & loss brings me to tears. 'To the Northern Territory Police, thank you for responding so swiftly. St John Ambulance, thank you for trying to save lives every day. I know youll be hurting too.' The hospitality industry has been rocked by the tragic death of one of its own. 'There has been a tragic accident overnight that took the life of a valued member of our industry, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,' NT Hospitality said in a statement. 'We are committed to supporting each other and to ensuring that we honour the memory of our colleague in the best way possible. 'We will be reaching out to the family to offer our condolences and support. 'This valued member of our industry came to work yesterday like thousands of other staff around the country, to work in a job he loved, to provide a service to others, to earn a living. 'His life was cut short by a heinous act of violence. The hospitality industry of the NT and around Australia stands in mourning today.' Teachers would be prevented from discussing LGBTQI matters or engaging in discussions about 'culture wars' under proposed reforms to the NSW education system. One Nation's Mark Latham today unveiled his party's education policy, which will limit the scope a teacher has in the classroom to a more traditional curriculum. The proposed policy extends across Catholic, Independent and public schools and vows to clamp down on 'unnecessary' curriculum points which draw focus from core learning areas. The party is hoping to secure four seats - up from the two they currently hold - at the NSW election on March 25, which could potentially give them the balance of power. If successful, the newly formed government would be required to work with One Nation to effectively govern. Mr Latham summarised the proposed reform in an 11-point policy which encourages performance-based pay for teachers and a blanket ban on gender fluidity lessons, which he has branded 'a form of child abuse'. 'In the Leftist march through institutions, schools are now in the frontline of the culture wars,' the manifesto reads. Mr Latham summarised the proposed reform in an 11-point policy which encourages performance-based pay for teachers and a blanket ban on gender fluidity lessons, which he has branded 'a form of child abuse' 'The attempt to displace the role of parents must be reversed. A starting point is to eliminate woke political content and teaching in the classroom.' Mr Latham noted there are 17,000 students in NSW who begin high school with limited basic reading and writing skills. He said international testing determined the average 15-year-old NSW student is 'four years behind their Chinese counterparts in mathematics and 3.5 years behind in science'. The same age group are almost 18 months behind where a student would have been in NSW in 2000, Mr Latham said, describing a '20-year downward trend' in the state's academic output. 'NSW is now in the second tier of Australian school results, behind the ACT, Victoria, Western Australia and even Queensland,' he said. 'This is a full-blown crisis for our state.' Mr Latham said literacy and numeracy classes have fallen to the wayside to 'find time and space for junk lessons on gender fluidity... full of fads, experiments, woke political nonsense and an over-emphasis on student wellbeing (with some schools resembling community health centres instead of centres of academic excellence). One Nation's Mark Latham today unveiled his party's education policy, which will limit the scope a teacher has in the classroom to a more traditional curriculum 'High School English has become a long-running tutorial in gender studies... At some schools, there is now more indoctrination than education.' The One Nation education policy will demand 'explicit teaching' in which a teacher will be once again required to stand at the front of a classroom directing students. Poll Do you support One Nation's proposed education reform? YES NO Do you support One Nation's proposed education reform? YES 351 votes NO 21 votes Now share your opinion Focus would again return to literacy, numeracy, history, science and 'other basics', Mr Latham said, leaving no room for discussions on race, gender and sexuality. The policy slams modern teaching methods in which children are given the opportunity to be 'self starters' and explore the curriculum at a more individualised pace. A review of the NSW curriculum last took place in 2020 and concluded that a change was necessary to give students the best possible opportunity to succeed. Teachers complained that they're expected to get through too many syllabus points, without enough time to thoroughly teach each section. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, one teacher said it's 'almost impossible' to get through everything that is now expected of them. 'Class numbers are only getting bigger each year, and we're expected to cover more than ever,' the grade four teacher said. 'It's really just driving us away from the profession... I got into teaching because I love children, but it's hard to keep up that passion.' Data shows teachers are leaving the industry in droves, primarily fuelled by burnout. Mr Latham's policy also noted the government's vaccination policy during Covid forced some teachers out of the profession. He's vowed to reinstate the jobs of individuals who were stood down as a result of the mandates But Mr Latham's policy also noted the government's vaccination policy during Covid forced some teachers out of the profession. He's vowed to reinstate the jobs of individuals who were stood down as a result of the mandates. One Nation will also advocate for parents to have a legal right to pull their children from classes that do not align with personal morals and beliefs and a 'no surprises' policy, which would ensure all teaching points were thoroughly explained to parents ahead of time. As part of the 11-point policy, Mr Latham would implement a blanket ban on phones in schools, encouraging 'genuine face to face interactions in the playground' and allowing students to focus on education in the classroom. Finally, Mr Latham is calling on schools to seek approval from parents before engaging in any discussion with students aged under 18 about gender fluidity or potential gender transitions. 'If teachers need to express their politics they can run for parliament, rather than using their students as political guinea pigs,' he said. A wildlife expert has revealed how he sent a massive crocodile running back into the ocean after it started to size him up as a piece of prey. David McMahon was collecting cockles along a remote stretch of Arnhem Land coast in the Northern Territory on March 17 when he noticed the giant reptile sizing him up from afar in the crystal clear saltwater. The wildlife veteran, who has 10 years experience working with some of Australia's deadliest animals, grabbed his phone to film what happened, explaining why he was seen as prey. Mr McMahon then revealed how he managed to flip the tables on the reptile in a matter of seconds. 'While I'm crouched down like this I'm a potential prey item, but in a second here when I stand up I go from being potential prey to a potential threat,' Mr McMahon said in the video. David McMahon was collecting cockles when he filmed a croc sizing him up as prey (pictured) Mr McMahon (pictured) has worked with crocodiles both in and out of captivity for over 10 years Mr McMahon is a naturalist and has worked in both education and the management of captive crocs but said he still respects the dangers they pose. 'If youre not intimidated by crocodiles then there is something wrong,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Crocodiles are opportunistic predators and to stay safe all you have to do is take away the opportunity.' In the video posted online, Mr McMahon showed how quickly the crocodile moved away after he asserted his dominance. While Mr McMahon had the upper hand and was able to spot the crocodile in the shallow and clear waters, he said things would've been much different if he were in in a deep or murky river. 'In a muddy river bank itd be all over before I even knew what was going on,' he said. Mr McMahon said he'd had a number of terrifying experiences with crocodiles. '[One night] I was with a few mates in a small boat along the Arnhem Land coast and we were woken at 3am by a big crocodile chewing the bottom of the boat,' he said. 'We scanned the water for the croc's eye shine but it wasn't until an hour later he came back and did it again. 'We were able to hit the croc with a spear in its tail before it could sink us and then it left us alone for the rest of the sleepless night.' David McMahon was collecting cockles along a remote stretch of the Arnhem Land coast (pictured) in the Northern Territory when he noticed the apex predator edging closer Mr McMahon (pictured) is a naturalist and has worked in both education and the management of captive crocs Mr McMahon is a strong supporter of protecting crocodiles in remote areas because they are the main apex predator in the region and naturally regulate the ecosystem. Alongside the environmental benefits of keeping the 160-million-year-old species around, they also bring in droves of tourists keen to see the national icon. Mr McMahon uses his expertise to help educate others how to stay safe around crocodiles, even making documentary series and films about his travels through the bush. 'Whenever youre in croc country keep your wits about you and stay away from the water,' he said. In this file photo taken on September 5, 2017, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, left, and China's President Xi Jinping pose for a group photo before the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries on the sidelines of the 2017 BRICS Summit in Xiamen in southeastern China's Fujian Province. AFP-Yonhap Chinese President Xi Jinping begins a state visit to Russia Monday, a trip Beijing has touted as a "visit for peace" as it seeks to play mediator in Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. Xi's three-day trip is his first to Russia a major Chinese ally for nearly four years, and has been described by Moscow as ushering in a "new era" in relations. It also comes over a year after Russia's attack on its European neighbor isolated Moscow on the international stage. The trip will be closely watched in Western capitals for signs Xi may push for peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv. The Wall Street Journal has reported Xi could also be planning his first call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since the war began. Xi and Putin will have an "informal" one-on-one meeting and dinner on Monday before negotiations on Tuesday, Putin's top foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told Russian news agencies. They will sign an accord "on strengthening (the two countries') comprehensive partnership and strategic relations entering a new era", the Kremlin has said, as well as a joint declaration on Russian-Chinese economic cooperation until 2030. Fresh from buffing its credentials as an international power broker by mediating a surprise diplomatic reconciliation between Middle East rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, Beijing is keen to position itself as a peacemaker. But analysts say Xi is unlikely to orchestrate a similar rapprochement in the Ukraine war given China's warm ties with its massive northern neighbor, and its relative lack of influence on the Kremlin. China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, refusing to condemn Russia's invasion while rebuking the United States and NATO countries for providing military support to Kyiv. That stance has drawn criticism from Western nations, which view Beijing as tacitly supporting Russia's aggression and providing diplomatic cover for Moscow. They argue that China's proposals for ending the war are heavy on grand principles but light on practical solutions. For his part, Putin on Sunday welcomed China's willingness to play a "constructive role" in ending the conflict in Ukraine, and said he had "high expectations" of his talks with Xi. In an article written for a Chinese newspaper and published by the Kremlin, he added that Sino-Russian relations were "at the highest point" in history. In this file photo taken on November 13, 2019, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, right, and China's President Xi Jinping attend the 11th edition of the BRICS Summit in Brasilia. AFP-Yonhap An air steward working on a flight waiting to take off on 9/11 told FBI investigators there were six suspicious people on her plane, and believes her jet was intended as a fifth plane in the terror attack. Sandy Thorngren was a flight attendant on United 23, which was on the tarmac at New York's JFK airport on the morning of 9/11, lined up to take off at 9am. The plane was called back to the gate after the second tower of the World Trade Center was hit at 9:03am. 'The day after we were all called by the FBI telling us that they needed to interview us regarding the incident of what had happened on the airplane,' Thorngren told TMZ INVESTIGATES: 9/11: THE FIFTH PLANE, which airs on Monday at 9pm ET on Fox. 'They came to our hotel rooms and individually talked to us. I did tell them that I felt there were some suspicious people on the airplane. 'And I pointed out exactly the four people in first class and two gentlemen in business. And the one that had the t-shirt on that had uncontrollable perspiration.' United 23 did not feature in the official report of the 9/11 Commission, and there were never any confirmed arrests of those on board. U.S. officials have not commented on the years of speculation about the flight being a possible fifth plane planned for attack. Sandy Thorngren, a flight attendant on United 23, said she told the FBI that there were six suspicious passengers onboard the plane The World Trade Center towers are seen billowing with smoke on September 11, 2001, after the second plane hit at 9:03am September 11, 2001, remains the deadliest terrorist attack in American history, and saw 2,977 people killed in four separate massacres. The five planes of 9/11? 7:59am: American Airlines Flight 11 takes off from Boston, headed for Los Angeles, with five hijackers onboard. At 8:46am, it crashes into the World Trade Center's North Tower. 8:14am: United Airlines Flight 175 takes off from Boston, also headed for Los Angeles, with five hijackers onboard. At 9:03am, it crashes into the WTC's South Tower. 8:20am: American Airlines Flight 77 takes off from Dulles, outside of Washington, DC, headed for Los Angeles, with five hijackers onboard. At 9:37am, it crashes into the Pentagon. 8:42am: United Flight 93 takes off from Newark, New Jersey, after a delay due to routine traffic. It was headed for San Francisco, and has four hijackers onboard. At 10:02am, it plows into an empty field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers staged a revolt and brought it down. Its intended target is thought to be the White House or Capitol. 9:00am: United Flight 23 was on the tarmac at JFK, waiting in line to take off to Los Angeles. At 9:08am New York Air Traffic Control announced that there would be no takeoffs from the airport, so Flight 23 returned to the gate. Advertisement Four planes were intentionally crashed that morning. American Airlines Flight 11 took off from Boston bound for LA, and crashes into the World Trade Center's North Tower at 8:46am. United Airlines Flight 175 also took off from Boston, 15 minutes after the AA flight, heading for LA: it crashed into the WTC's South Tower at 9:03am. At this point, United 23 was on the tarmac, and told to return to the gate. At 9:37am, American Airlines Flight 77, which had taken off from Washington DC, crashed into the Pentagon. And finally, at 10:02am, United Flight 93, which had taken off from Newark bound for San Francisco, was downed in a field in Pennsylvania. Analysts now believe the hijackers were aiming for the White House or Capitol. Thorngren, a flight attendant on United 23, told filmmakers: 'I definitely think Flight 23 was the fifth plane.' She said that, after they returned to the gate, the passengers disembarked and the crew were interviewed by the FBI. 'They wanted to take us to show us a line up of people at the Port Authority,' she said, in a preview clip of the documentary obtained by DailyMail.com. 'They got us all in a van, a windowless van. I felt like we were getting snuck into this van. And driven over to the Port Authority offices where everyone - I mean, gates were locked and guarded with armored military that had machine guns, or whatever rifles they were using. 'We were escorted to this one room with those double windows where you could see in but not out. 'And they asked us if we could identify any of the people that were behind that window.' The documentary says four passengers traveling in first class and two in business class were reported as behaving suspiciously, but no one was ever arrested. Tom Mannello, the captain, said he was sitting on the tarmac in the cockpit of United Flight 23 at 9am, waiting to take off, when air traffic control ordered all flights back to their gates. Mannello later learned box cutters were found on a plane parked at the neighboring gate, and believes a ground crew assisting the terrorists got the wrong plane, thwarting any attempted attack. 'There is a good chance that somebody was plotting to try to use our airplane as a weapon of mass destruction,' he said. He suspects that a hijack team had on-the-ground help - but they got the wrong plane. 'The chief pilot reported to me that they had found two box cutters in the seat pockets in first class in the plane next to it, which had a tail number one digit off,' Mannello told TMZ INVESTIGATES: 9/11: THE FIFTH PLANE. Tom Mannello was the captain on board United Flight 23, which was on the tarmac at JFK awaiting takeoff when the second plane hit the Twin Towers. All planes were then ordered to return to their gates Sandy Thorngren, a flight attendant on the plane, said she was convinced the plane was intended to be hijacked on 9/11 John McCain is seen holding up a copy of the 9/11 Commission Report. The report makes no mention of United 23 'If somebody was on the ground cooperating with them, they just simply made a mistake and put the box cutters on the wrong airplane. 'You have people who clean the airplane, people that load food on the airplane, that have access to the airplane. 'If somebody was in cooperation with the group they could have been put there. It wouldn't be the hardest thing in the world to get on an airplane like that. 'It's the one thing that makes me think that there's a good chance that somebody was plotting to try to use our airplane as a weapon of mass destruction.' Nineteen hijackers were onboard the four planes, and died in the attacks. People run away as the North Tower of World Trade Center collapses on 9/11 Smoke billows from the Pentagon after one of the four planes crashed into it on September 11 Firefighters and emergency workers investigate the crash site of United Flight 93 after the jet was hijacked during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and passengers brought it down near Shanksville, Pennsylvania Within two months of the attacks, law enforcement authorities had detained, at least for questioning, more than 1,200 people. The Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba was turned into a prison to house those arrested on what became George W. Bush's 'War on Terror': at its peak, the camp held 780 men, but now has only 32. They include Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the attacks, whose trial has been scheduled to start for decades. Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden said he was behind the attacks, and on May 2, 2011, under orders from Barack Obama, a special operations unit raided the Pakistan compound where he was living and killed him. The attacks led to George W. Bush bombing Afghanistan in October 2001, where the Taliban regime was supportive of al-Qaeda. The Taliban was toppled in a month, and bin Laden fled. Bush then sent U.S. troops to Iraq in March 2003, purportedly to destroy Iraqi weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and end the dictatorial rule of Saddam Hussein. There was little if any sign of a connection between al-Qaeda and Iraq, and no WMD were ever found. A botox company has revealed it hopes to be Elsa Pataky's knight in shining armour after the failed skincare line she founded went into administration despite the backing of her Hollywood superstar husband. Purely Byron sold a range of skincare products that were inspired by the 'raw beauty' of the northern NSW beachside town and had 'clinically proven actives and formulas'. It was co-founded by Pataky, with BWX brands owning a 47.4 per cent stake, and her husband Chris Hemsworth's Byron Bay 1st Management owning 3.2 per cent. The business went into administration on March 10, leaving customers questioning when and if they'd be able to order any more items for their daily skincare routines. Dr Vivek Eranki, the CEO of Cosmetique, has now expressed an interest in acquiring Purely Byron after it collapsed less than a year after its official launch. The skincare company co-founded by Elsa Pataky (pictured with husband Chris Hemsworth) Purely Byron has gone into administration Cosmetique was started in Perth in 2017 and now has 20 locations around Australia. It specialises in injectables like botox and fillers, as well as laser hair removal. Dr Eranki said the company was now looking to expand into skincare with the majority of its clients being females aged between 18 and 35. 'The vast majority of our clients have some kind of skincare routine and from a commercial sense we currently have zero footprint in this space,' he told Daily Mail Australia. He said while celebrity endorsements were always helpful for brands, they only worked if the product itself was up to scratch. 'The underlying product of Purely Byron is what drew us. If there's a celebrity endorsement on top of that, it incentives us further and helps with the marketing side and the spread of information of the product,' he said. 'But the underlying product has to work well.' The chief executive said Purely Byron appealed to Cosmetique because it used Australian ingredients and sustainable materials. Purely Byron sold a range of skincare products that were inspired by the 'raw beauty' of the northern NSW town and had 'clinically proven actives and formulas'. The business went into administration on March 10 'Their brand ethos matches ours and one of our key requirements was that we wouldn't use offshore ingredients,' Dr Eranki said. Purely Byron released a statement on Wednesday after its social media pages were inundated with comments from confused customers. The company's statement came five days after it went into administration and encouraged customers to be patient as it was 'in the process of being restructured'. 'We hope the products will again be available for you to purchase soon,' the company said. Underneath the post, many customers expressed their disappointment the company collapsed, and heaped praise on the skincare line. Dr Vivek Eranki, the CEO of Cosmetique, has now expressed interest in acquiring Purely Byron Dr Eranki said usually when a business went into administration, there are reviews and comments from a lot of unhappy customers. 'Whereas here, the customers are still very keen on ordering it,' he said. Dr Eranki believed the brand's downfall may have been due to issues facing their shareholders. Purely Byron's collapse is the latest blow for BWX, which owns stakes in popular beauty brands such as Zoe Foster-Blake's Go-To Skincare and Sukin. Foster-Blake sold 51.5 per cent of her business to BWX for $89million in 2021 and had been expected to sell her remaining share to the same company for a similar amount. However, the value of her share was written down by $30million in December after BWX recorded a staggering $336million loss during the 2021-22 financial year. BWX revealed last month it bled another $100million in the first half of the current financial year with the company's chief executive Rory Gration stepping down. The company's latest woes are expected to again severely reduce the value of Foster-Blake's 48.5 per cent share of Go-To, with BWX retaining the option of buying her out, reports said. Purely Byron was co-founded by Pataky, a Byron Bay local and Spanish-born actress who lives in the popular holiday destination with Hemsworth and their three young children. She was revealed as the brand's co-founder last year, alongside Jacqueline Rosen Weisz as chief executive and Kate Norbiato as brand director. Directors Ido Leffler and Lance Kalish own about 22 per cent each. Purely Byron's website has the message 'coming soon' underneath each of its products Cameron Gray and Justin Holzman from DW Advisory were appointed as administrators to Purely Byron. 'The business operations of Purely Byron are currently suspended while the administrators offer the business and assets of Purely Byron for sale,' the pair said in a statement last Wednesday. Despite Pataky repeatedly spruiking the high-end brand to her 5.4million followers, her actual role within the company - or its potential future sale - is unclear. 'Elsa Pataky has never been appointed as a director of Purely Byron, and any arrangements Elsa Pataky has with Purely Byron are strictly confidential,' the administrators said. Purely Byron's products currently have the message 'coming soon' underneath them on the website. However on Monday, the company shared an Instagram story of New Zealand-born influencer Ayse Tezel unveiling a gift box from the brand. Dr Eranki said while it was unclear how much Purely Byron would sell for, Cosmetique's accounting team had been in contact with the administrators. West End star Ruthie Henshall is pushing for a new law to ensure no elderly or vulnerable people will be left to die alone in a care home again. Henshall, 56, whose mother died aged 88 during the lockdowns when families were unable to visit their loved ones in care homes, took 'Gloria's Law' - named after her mother - to be debated in parliament after finding 274,000 backers on change.org. Speaking ahead of the third anniversary of the first lockdowns this week, the actress told The Mirror how she 'cried with anger and with utter devastation' upon learning politicians had been holding social events through the pandemic when public health restrictions forbade her from visiting her sick mother. 'It brought it all back, what I had been through and how we played by the rules.' She said her mother, Gloria, was stuck in her room for four months without any stimulation before she died. She added: 'It was the cruellest thing I have ever seen - to watch my mother dying through a window and her not even being able to have a family member touch her.' Ruthie Henshall joins members of Rights For Residents to hand in a petition at 10 Downing Street, London to protest about the inequality, discrimination and abuse of human rights of those in care (pictured in September 2021) In a message to ministers, speaking to The Mirror, she said: 'How do you want your last days to be? 'Maybe one day you'll be in a care home and being waved at by your family. 'If we can get Gloria's law passed it means they didn't die in vain.' Henshall, who is now preparing for a guest appearance on Coronation Street, has been leading the campaign for a new law to end isolation for care home residents since the pandemic. Her change.org page, titled 'please let me hug my family before it's too late!', has 274,260 of a target 300,000 signatures at the time of writing. Its motion was debated in parliament in October last year. The actress from Orpington, Kent, wrote: 'Care home residents have spent large parts of the last three years separated from their loved ones and from each other, as they've often been required to isolate in their own small rooms. 'Family contact is an essential part of care that has been denied them during the pandemic and the huge deterioration in their mental and physical health has been catastrophic.' Ruthie Henshall leads relatives of care home residents to No 10 Downing Street calling for 'Gloria's Law' which would outlaw bans on care home visits She has called for the government to pass legislation ('Gloria's Law') giving all those in health and care settings the legal right to at least one care supporter in all circumstances. The petition also calls for care homes to return to pre-Covid, unrestricted visiting arrangements without the need for appointments or limits on time or the number of visitors. Rights for Residents campaigners celebrated the debate of Gloria's Law in parliament late last year. The group has nearly 8,000 members nationwide and was set up during the pandemic to fight for visitation rights for care home residents. Ruthie Henshall made her West End debut in Cats in 1987. She is a five-time Olivier Award nominee and won the 1995 award for Best Actress in a Musical as Amalia Balash in She Loves Me. Henshall has produced four solo albums, has a wide collaborative discography and has extensive stage credits for roles in performances including Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Chicago and Billy Elliot. A male model is suing a millionaire trucking tycoon he met while working for an escort website called Cowboys 4 Angels after she allegedly ruined his life through a campaign of stalking and abuse after they split. Trevor Dutch Shapiro, 34, had a passionate fling with married Trudy Jacobson, 71, after she moved from Kansas to New York in 2018 to 'find' herself. Jacobson - who nicknamed herself 'Lady Trucker' after making millions through a Midwest big-rig company founded with her husband - lavished Shapiro with vacations, Rolex watches and other gifts before their relationship ended badly around the beginning of 2021. Shapiro claims that in March 2021, a stranger approached him outside his apartment and handed over a folder that contained personal information including a list of Shapiro's relatives and his social security number. 'This is for you from the people in Italy,' the stranger declared. In his $1.8 million suit against Jacobson, he claims the incident was part of a 'malicious' campaign by Jacobson and a team of private investigators to wreck his life - leaving him in therapy to deal with the trauma. Model and escort Trevor Dutch Shapiro met married trucking millionaire Trudy Jacobson on an escort website called Cowboys 4 Angels - but they split and she launched a campaign of stalking and harassment against Shapiro, he claims in a lawsuit Shapiro has accused Trudy Jacobson, 71, of masterminding a campaign of stalking and harassment against him, alleging that she defamed him, disrupted his business connections, and intentionally caused him emotional distress Shapiro claims private eyes hired by Jacobson also went friends of his that she'd never met, including in Philadelphia and Florida. Jacobson called the suit 'nonsense' and labeled Shapiro and 'opportunist trying to cash in on a private situation' Shapiro claims private eyes hired by Jacobson also followed friends of his that she'd never met, including in Philadelphia and Florida. Jacobson called the suit 'nonsense' and labeled Shapiro and 'opportunist trying to cash in on a private situation'. In another alleged incident, Jacobson had posters which hinted Shapiro and his new girlfriend, a New York nurse, were human traffickers. Posters were put up around the nurse's neighborhood in December 2021 that included pictures of Shapiro and the nurse with the words 'STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING'. Shapiro initially filed a lawsuit against the website Law Enforcement Today (LET), a far-right conspiracy site, and its executive director Kyle S. Reyes, alleging it published 'defamatory' stories about him. A filing on March 10 this year seeks to add Jacobson and a group of private eyes as defendants on allegations of defamation, tortious interference with business relations, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. It claims some of the defamatory stories were published after the sites conspired with Jacobson. Jacobson's lawyer, Alexander R. Klein, told The Daily Beast: 'The plaintiff is asking the court for permission to change his complaint. 'Whatever the merits were of his first version, he was wise to not include some of the new parties and claims he is trying to add now. We expect that the plaintiff will learn that lesson the hard way.' In a dramatic and complicated series of claims about the alleged harassment, the updated suit also claims Jacobson sabotaged Shapiro's business ventures and that the saga ruined the marriage of one of his friends. Jacobson (right), moved to New York in 2018 to discover herself and thrust herself into the glitzy social scene. She's pictured at the Playboy Club New York Grand Opening on September 12, 2018 Trudy Jacobson has been married for more than 40 years to John Jacobson, left Shapiro alleges Jacobson, pictured, was behind the plot to defame him, interfere with his business relations, and intentionally inflicted of emotional distress upon him The Jacobson's company, which started with a fleet of 170 vehicles before growing to 3,600, now rakes in an annual revenue of nearly $250million Shapiro's attorney, former federal prosecutor Kenneth McCallion, has also declined to comment on the lawsuit. The court papers reveal how Jacobson's relationship with Shapiro lasted until December 2020. Jacobson remains married to her husband of 40 years, John. The couple founded TransAm, a premier trucking company, in 1987. The company grew from a fleet of 170 vehicles to nearly 4,000, with revenues of $300 million. The couple are still married but Jacobson left their home state of Kansas in 2018 to join New York City's 'socialite' scene and explore the 'sexy part' of her personality, according to a New York Post profile written at the time. She met Shapiro through Cowboys 4 Angel, an escort website that offers 'straight elite male companions for women' and 'the perfect boyfriend experience with no strings attached.' One of Shapiro's associates said that when he asked why Jacobson became so obsessed after their split, Shapiro replied: 'Because Im good, because Im that good.' Shapiro's lawsuit accuses Jacobson of then conspiring with LET and other parties to portray him 'as a prostitute, thief, perpetrator of assault, and general criminal.' Jacobson is said to have grown fond of Shapiro but after their relationship ended, Jacobson allegedly became obsessed with him hiring private investigators to follow him and his friends In January 2022, Shapiro contacted Jacobson's husband, John, in a desperate plea for help Trudy Jacobson and her husband, John, made millions running a success trucking company based in Kansas According to the court papers, the surveillance of Shapiro and his friends continued throughout 2021, with numerous instances of stalking and harassment. In January 2022, Shapiro contacted Jacobson's husband, John, in a desperate plea for help. In the email, which is included with the court filings, he detailed his affair with Jacobson and the alleged harassment he and his friends faced after the split. The note read: 'My name is Trevor Shapiro. I'm sorry to write to you like this but it is time for me to reach out, since you are my last resort here. This email is about Trudy.' He initially explains the positive side of their fling, adding: 'She helped me financially, which was a huge blessing, and we traveled to places I could only have dreamt about if it wasn't for her. I will be forever grateful for her.' But he goes on to note the pair fought and things 'became rocky' with 'the majority of our fights were about her feeling a need to have control over me.' Shapiro described Jacobson as 'having trust issues over friends that I was spending time with,' while noting 'Trudy has admitted to having me followed and photographed.' Shapiro pleaded: 'I have no other choice than to reach out to you, asking for you to speak to her to put an end to this harrassment [sic] that me and my friends are having to deal with. Several police reports, even with all the evidence, have gotten us nowhere. Can you please help.' Shortly after Shapiro's email, Jacobson allegedly hit him with a cease-and-desist letter. Jacobson also filed a suit against a private investigator firm she allegedly used to track Shapiro, alleging 'confidential information was maliciously leaked by the company'. The BBC has urged staff to delete TikTok from work devices unless they need it for business reasons amid fears about the social media firm's relationship with the Chinese government. However, corporation bosses are considering going further and banning the app outright on work smartphones. Last week TikTok was banned from all Government phones over fears that sensitive data could be accessed by China's government. The BBC has now issued its own guidance for staff despite the fact that the broadcaster has targeted TikTok as a key way to reach younger audiences. Staff have been told that usage of TikTok on corporate devices is still allowed for 'editorial and marketing purposes'. But the guidance states: 'We don't recommend installing TikTok on a BBC corporate device unless there is [a] justified business reason. We will continue to monitor and assess the situation.' The BBC has urged staff to delete TikTok from work devices unless they need it for business reasons The BBC has now issued its own guidance for staff despite the fact that the broadcaster has targeted TikTok as a key way to reach younger audiences TikTok said last night it was disappointed by the move, which it said was 'based on fundamental misconceptions'. In further guidance, staff were also told: 'If the device is a corporate device, and you do not need TikTok for business reasons, TikTok should be deleted from the BBC corporate mobile device.' The BBC was keen to make clear how seriously it takes any potential threat to cyber security. Despite its new guidance, it is understood that it will continue to serve audiences with news content on TikTok. A Q&A in the guidance for staff said the decision reflected 'concerns' raised by governments around the world about security and data privacy. It said that if people had TikTok on a private phone it was up to the individual to decide whether to keep the app. In a section about whether the Corporation would impose a ban on TikTok on corporate devices, it added: 'We are reviewing the TikTok concerns and will provide further updates based on the Government and National Cyber Security Centre guidelines.' TikTok's owner previously admitted it had used data from the app to track journalists, including an individual at the Financial Times and another at Buzzfeed, to try to identify the source of company leaks. Experienced BBC journalists have raised fears about the Corporation's enthusiasm for the Chinese social media platform. The Corporation said: '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.' A spokesman for 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 ... '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.' Messages reveal that the former PM tried to find out about other gatherings Boris Johnson will today hand over a bombshell dossier of evidence to show he did not try to mislead MPs about lockdown parties in Downing Street. The former prime ministers legal team has unearthed messages from officials at the time advising him that a series of gatherings in No 10 did not break the rules. Messages reveal that Mr Johnson made active efforts to find out the truth about a number of raucous gatherings at which he was not present. Sources close to Mr Johnson said he was preparing to give a robust defence of his conduct to the Commons privileges committee in a televised evidence session on Wednesday. The committee is set to decide if Mr Johnson was reckless about whether his statements could be misleading a much lower bar than the deliberately misleading test usually applied. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during the Global Soft Power Summit in London Allies of the former PM have accused the committee of moving the goalposts. The dossier will also raise questions about the impartiality of the group, which some branded a kangaroo court. In particular, it will question the decision of Labours former deputy leader Harriet Harman to continue leading the inquiry after it emerged she had called Mr Johnson guilty on Twitter before it even began. READ MORE: Arise Sir Stanley? Boris Johnson nominates his father for a knighthood Advertisement The new dossier, which is thought to run to at least 40 pages, could be published as soon as this afternoon. A source close to Mr Johnson said he was up for it and confident. The committee will find Boris did not mislead Parliament it has to based on the evidence, which is totally in his favour, they said. He is in good spirits and he has a great defence. In an interim report earlier this month, the committee said it should have been obvious to Mr Johnson that rules were broken, not least because he was at some of the events in question. It included a message from a communications director saying he was struggling to explain how at least one event was within the rules. Mr Johnson is expected to ask the inquiry to publish all the evidence to provide a balanced picture to the public. If the privileges committee finds that he misled Parliament, it can recommend that he is suspended. Any suspension for ten days or more which would have to be voted on by MPs could trigger a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency. Divorce laws dating back 50 years could be overhauled to make it easier for separating spouses to avoid spending huge sums on lawyers. The Government is to review the 1973 The Matrimonial Causes Act which determines how financial assets are split after divorce in England and Wales. Critics say the legislation is uncertain and unpredictable as it has been developed by case law, allowing judges to use their discretion to assess each case and make different awards. Spouses are therefore often forced to fund costly legal battles due to a lack of clear guidance on how wealth should be divided. The Government is to review the 1973 Matrimonial Causes Act with the aim of reducing divorce costs Baroness Fiona Shackleton, a peer and leading divorce lawyer who has represented clients including King Charles, Princess Haya and Paul McCartney, told the House of Lords this month: Divorce practitioners like me make a fortune in arguing, because the guidelines are 50 years out of date. READ MORE: Parents going through a divorce could soon be given time off from work under new scheme backed by Tesco, Asda and NatWest Advertisement Justice minister Lord Bellamy plans to ask the Law Commission, the independent agency which reviews legislation, to examine whether the act needs updating. He said: The Government is in close consultation with the Law Commission, which we consider the most appropriate body to carry out that review. These matters will be considered fully in a forthcoming review, hopefully by the Law Commission. The Government thinks that the Law Commission is best placed to investigate all these matters, establish what the existing law and practice is and where the problems lie, and make comparative studies of various other jurisdictions, including Australia and elsewhere, as has already been mentioned. The English legal system tends to split the combined wealth of divorcing spouses equally even if one partner is the breadwinner in contrast to many other European countries. As a result, London has become a magnet for wealthy couples seeking a divorce because of the generosity of financial awards given to ex-wives. Lawyers also highlighted regional variations in how divorces are settled, with London courts tending to award more generously. Some also argue that the law fails to reflect the way British society has changed in the past 50 years - with women more financially independent and couples both earning becoming the norm. Prenuptial agreements, which have been recognised since 2010 following a Supreme Court case involving German paper industry heiress Katrin Radmacher, should also be put on a more formal footing and be enshrined in law, experts say. Jo Edwards, chairman of the family law reform group Resolution, which represents family justice professionals, told the Financial Times: There are undoubtedly areas which need greater clarity such as spousal maintenance payments - whether any should be paid and if so, how much and for how long. Baroness Deech, a crossbench peer in the House of Lords who is calling for reform of the 1973 legislation, said: There can be no doubt that the state of the current law is unacceptable. She also pointed out that many spouses on lower incomes now have to represent themselves in court, since legal aid has been removed from most family law cases. She told the House of Lords this month that the current law is lagging 50 years behind nearly every other country in the western world, including Australia. The Ministry of Justice declined to comment further. Comes ahead of three-year anniversary of the pandemic lockdowns next week Professor Jason Leitch has admitted it might have been a mistake to close schools during the Covid pandemic. Scotlands national clinical director said different decisions might have been made if the full impact of lockdown had been known. Professor Leitch, who fronted the Covid campaign, added that he was drafted in for Scottish Government TV briefings over fears that only half the nation liked First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. His comments appear to undermine the hardline tactics adopted by the Scottish and UK governments, which caused huge disruption to education, the NHS, businesses and society for two years. Scotland's health chief suggested different decisions might have been made with hindsight Yesterday, a parents group welcomed his apparent acknowledgement that shutting schools was a terrible choice. Professor Leitch stressed that during the pandemic he was a spokesman for the SNP Government and not a decision-maker. But he would advise ministers when he felt that it was necessary to go hard on this. Professor Leitch added: We needed public consent because we are a democracy. The feeling was that a clinical leader would be better than a politician because only half [of the country] liked Nicola Sturgeon and the other half didnt. But more than half trusted her. His comments came at a talk entitled Faith in the Covid era, at Christ Church in Morningside, Edinburgh, last week. He went on: I made some missteps. We did what we did because of the knowledge we had at the time. I dont know if wed do it the same way again because we have different knowledge now. 'I wonder if closing the schools is something wed reconsider. Lockdown is an old-fashioned approach to managing a disease that is going around the world in an aeroplane. Professor Leitch, a 54-year-old qualified dentist and member of Airdrie Baptist Church, Lanarkshire, said that during the pandemic it felt un-Christian not being able to hug and make human connections. In his talk, he said: In answer to the question what did we do to faith? It is more important to ask what we did to humans and that will live with me forever. 'I had family I did not see and that were not being educated. There were old people in my church who were dying alone. That was horrible. And what was happening in care homes and in schools will stay with me forever. A spokesman for childrens rights group UFTScotland said: Now we are seeing an acknowledgement that home schooling was a terrible political decision that impacted a generation. We knew from the data at the time that Covid was affecting older people and was not an issue for younger people and the harm of closing schools was never considered. Everyone lost their mind and children were thrown under a bus. Now Professor Leitch is admitting children were not being educated. Younger children were the most affected by the Covid lockdowns, with teachers reporting kids more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviours and feelings of being overwhelmed in groups Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: 'We repeatedly called on Nicola Sturgeons government to put schools first when it came to easing lockdown restrictions to limit the enormous disruption to pupils education yet they were invariably last to see curbs lifted. 'Professor Leitchs comment suggest he believes we were right. The Scottish Government said it was committed to a public inquiry into its handling of the pandemic. A spokesman added: Our priority throughout the pandemic was to save lives and reduce the harms of the disease. 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 his local beach. The shark, believed to be a smalltooth sand tiger, was found by walkers on Lepe Beach near Southampton over the weekend. But before the body could be recovered by biologists planning to study it, the shark was 'butchered overnight' with its head and tail removed. Mr Snow, 44, now has called for the creature's remains to be returned so they can be studied by experts, telling the shark thief: 'The scientists want to have a look at it and then it's yours to keep.' The shark, believed to be a smalltooth sand tiger, was found by walkers on Lepe Beach near Southampton over the weekend But before the body could be recovered by biologists planning to study it, the shark was 'butchered overnight' with its head and tail removed. TV historian Dan Snow (right) now has called for the creature's remains to be returned so they can be studied by experts The walkers found stumbled upon the shark carcass on Saturday on a beach in the New Forest. A photo shared by Mr Snow on Twitter shows it's head and tail were still attached at the time of discovery. The historian claimed he was asked by his biologist friends to 'secure' the 'exceptionally rare visitor' so they could study it. 'I failed,' he tweeted yesterday of his quest. 'We went to secure the shark for science last night. But we were too late! '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 there's no judging but if you took the head please get in touch, let the scientists have a look and then it's yours to keep.' A spokesman for The Shark Trust described the discovery as 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). '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.' The walkers found stumbled upon the shark carcass on Saturday on a beach in the New Forest. A photo shared on Twitter shows it's head and tail were still attached at the time of discovery The historian made an appeal to the thief, saying: 'It is not illegal to take parts from dead fish washed ashore so there's no judging but if you took the head please get in touch, let the scientists have a look and then it's yours to keep' Smalltooth sandtiders are usually found towards the seabed and considered a globally vulnerable species, with numbers thought to be in decline. The expert claimed that large smalltooth sandtigers, which can grow to 4 meters in length, have long, slender teeth and feed on small fish and squid. The spokesman also explained that the shark's head is particularly important to their research as it 'holds the key to unlocking intricate details of the shark's life, even from before birth.' 'Sighting records like this help shape our knowledge of species distributions,' he said. 'This sighting may have been a vagrant, but by maintaining records of occasional finds new patterns may start to emerge, making all records important.' The shocking moment a gang of far-right thugs marched down a busy Melbourne street performing Hitler salutes has been caught on camera in an ugly weekend for the Victorian capital. Neo-Nazis hijacked a 'Let Women Speak' rally, organised by English women's rights campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, in front of Victoria's State Parliament on Saturday. Pro-trans counter protestors had turned up to challenge and heckle Ms Keen-Minshull's event but then found themselves opposing the black-clad group of men who taunted them with Hitler salutes. Footage showed mounted police officers corralling the crowds as they hurled abuse at one another, while cops on the ground formed a human chain to prevent the opposing protestors clashing. A group of around a dozen men wearing balaclavas and black vests stood in formation while ring-leader Thomas Sewell shouted: Come here you communist f***ots! The group, who were flanked by two individuals carrying Australian flags, brandished a sign that said destroy paedo freaks. The men stood is silence with their arms raised in a Heil Hitler salute while the far larger opposition crowd chanted over and over: Unite, unite to fight the right! The thugs then walked towards the crowds of protestors who were being held back by police and taunted them while throwing Hitler salutes. One man, who was wearing a black cap and had his balaclava down around his neck, could be seen smiling and laughing. Non-binary activist Deni Todorovic said the scenes were 'beyond dangerous'. Todorovic, who faced recent criticism for becoming a Seafolly swimwear ambassador, posted on social media: 'As I sit here crying into my phone catching up on the news of the Neo-Nazi Anti-Trans protests that took place in Melbourne over the weekend, I feel terrified.' Meanwhile, Victoria Police were slammed for failing to stop the neo-Nazis from brazenly performing their Heil Hitler salutes. 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 would 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.' Controversial Seafolly swimwear ambassador Deni Todorovic said they were 'terrified' by the scenes 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 One man was seen smiling and laughing while he performed what appeared to be a Nazi salute in front of counter protestors '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. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Vice President Joe Biden talk prior to a meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in this Jan. 21, 2016 file photo. AP-Yonhap President Joe Biden spoke Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express "concern" over his government's planned overhaul of the country's 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 judiciary's insulation from the country's 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 country's 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 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. 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. President Joe Biden speaks with reporters as he walks to Marine One upon departure from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, March 17. AP-Yonhap New York Community Bank has agreed to buy a significant chunk of the failed Signature Bank in a $2.7 billion deal, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp said late on Sunday. Signature's collapse was announced by the FDIC on March 12, having failed as contagion spread from the demise of Silicon Valley Bank. The 40 branches of Signature Bank will become Flagstar Bank, starting Monday. Flagstar is one of New York Community Bank's subsidiaries. The deal will include the purchase of $38.4 billion in Signature Bank's assets, a little more than a third of Signature's total when the bank failed a week ago. The FDIC said $60 billion in Signature Bank's loans will remain in receivership and are expected to be sold off in time. 'Today, we entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of New York Community Bancorp, Inc., to purchase and assume deposits and assets out of Signature Bridge Bank,' the FDIC tweeted. A woman leaves a branch of Signature Bank in New York on March 13 - the day after the government announced it had taken it over. A week later the government said a third of the bank's assets had been bought Signature's branches will reopen on Monday as Flagstar bank - a subsidiary of New York Community Bank Signature Bank was the second bank to fail in this banking crisis, roughly 48 hours after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Signature, based in New York, was a large commercial lender in the tristate area, but had in recent years delved into cryptocurrencies as a potential growth business. After Silicon Valley Bank failed, depositors became nervous about Signature Bank's health due to its high amount of uninsured deposits as well as its exposure to crypto and other tech-focused lending. By the time it was closed by regulators, Signature was the third largest bank failure in U.S. history. The FDIC says it expects Signature Bank's failure to cost the deposit insurance fund $2.5 billion, but that figure may change as the regulator sells off assets. The deposit insurance fund is paid for by assessments on banks and taxpayers do not bear the direct cost when a bank fails. Employees should have the right to ignore work-related emails, calls and texts once they clock off, as part of a Greens push for new fair work protections. Greens leader Adam Bandt on Monday introduced a proposal to parliament which would amend existing laws to give employees the 'right to disconnect'. If passed, the bill would prevent employers from contacting employees outside work hours and ensure employees are not required to monitor, read or respond to emails, calls, or any other work-related communication once they have logged off. The Greens Party have proposed a new bill that would give worker the 'right to disconnect' and ignore calls, emails and texts from their bosses after they clock off for the day The bill allows for an exception in the case of an emergency and genuine welfare matters or if the employee is entitled to an availability allowance as part of their salary. 'There's a simple principle underlying this bill, when you clock off you should have the right to log off (and) you shouldn't have to answer phone calls, emails or texts from your employer unless you're getting paid for it,' Mr Bandt told parliament. 'The bill is not about limiting the ability of employers to communicate with their employees to get work done. 'It will promote a healthier work culture that empowers working people to screen their boss's calls when they're off the clock.' Mr Bandt said existing fair work laws were drafted and passed before advances in technology enabled people to be constantly connected to their work. Greens leader Adam Bandt (pictured wit wife Claudia Perkins) said the bill 'will promote a healthier work culture that empowers working people' He urged the government to support the proposal and said it was about recognising work should not consume every aspect of life and people should be allowed to recharge. 'The right to disconnect is about giving workers the freedom to switch off and focus on their personal lives outside of work,' he said. 'Your time is your own and your employer does not have the right to contact you by text, email, or phone when you're enjoying your leisure.' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are in partnership with a group that wants boyhood to be seen as 'fluid' and aims to destroy the phrase 'boys will be boys'. Prince Harry and Meghan's organisation Archewell and podcast Archetypes now have a partnership with the Global Boyhood Initiative, a group which 'promotes gender equity by fostering positive masculinity in boys and men'. A report written by the group, named 'The State of UK Boys', suggested that families can be gender 'factories' by 'enacting gender roles and identities' and that parents can 'gender' their children before they are even born. It reads: 'Parents may begin gendering their children even before birth based on the identification of external genitalia in scans, including through elaborate 'gender reveal' parties and a stream of purchases along gender lines. 'While the family is a place of nurturing and support for many children, it can also be where gender and sexuality are regulated and policed.' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are backing a UK campaign group that slams parents for gendering their children before they are born The Global Boyhood Initiative is a group which 'promotes gender equity by fostering positive masculinity in boys and men' The group also says that it aims to challenge the phrase 'boys will be boys' as it could be dangerous in enforcing and accepting aggressive behaviour in boys. Archewell, the organisation founded by the Sussexes, said: 'Labeling someone pigeonholes them, and then ripples out to influence norms in communities, workplaces, and society including equal treatment of genders. 'To confront this issue, Archewell has partnered with The Global Boyhood Initiative on a guide for promoting gender equity by fostering positive masculinity in boys and men.' Last year, the group published a curriculum that is currently being piloted in schools in London which suggests ways in which primary school children should question 'gender norms'. The report also noted that schools are the setting for 'the process of (re)producing gender identities, masculinity cultures and heteronormativity and of sustaining gendered violence'. The group reportedly hopes that its curriculum will be used in relationships and sex education classes in schools across the country. Children aged between seven and 11 will be taught about 'gender norms' and how they define elements of their day-to-day lives. They will be encouraged to 'explore equitable, inclusive and nonviolent attitudes and behaviours in a safe and comfortable space' and 'internalise these new gender attitudes and norms by applying them in their relationships and lives'. It comes as last week Maggie Blyth, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for violence against women and girls, said primary schools should teach boys about the boundaries of acceptable behaviour as part of a 'whole society' approach to tackling misogyny. Ms Blyth, who was appointed in 2021 to tackle what Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary called the 'epidemic' of female violence, also said children should learn in school about the danger of toxic masculinity and toxic influencers such as Andrew Tate. Her comments come as women's trust in the police has been severly damaged by a series of scandals including the case of Wayne Couzens, who abducted, raped and murdered Sarah Everard in March 2021. In January, David Carrick, who joined the Met in 2001 before becoming an armed officer with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command in 2009, was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years behind bars after admitting to 49 charges, including 24 counts of rape. She said that despite measures being put in place to tackle misogyny and violence against women within the country's police forces, the problem is 'much bigger than policing' and needed a whole-society approach because forces alone cannot put an end to misogyny and violence. She added: 'The bigger debate for society is around prevention. And how do we stop men and boys developing a [harmful] type of behaviour or attitude?' Archewell, the organisation founded by the Sussexes, said: 'Labeling someone pigeonholes them, and then ripples out to influence norms in communities, workplaces, and society including equal treatment of genders' Prince Harry pictured with his son Archie, 3, in the couple's Netflix documentary However, some experts have questioned the need for external groups to teach children relationships and sex education classes in schools. Tanya Carter, of Safe Schools Alliance UK, said: 'We don't understand why a school would need to get an outside agency in to challenge gender stereotypes in a primary school. 'This is done simply by ensuring all children get access to resources and that no activities are deemed 'for boys' or 'for girls',' she said according to The Telegraph. A Los Angeles meteorologist is in recovery after she suddenly collapsed during the morning newscast - just a few years after she threw up on air at another TV station. Alissa Carlson Schwartz was about to start her weather forecast on KCAL News on Saturday morning when the color suddenly drained from her face, her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fell with a jolt to the ground. The former Mrs. California has since posted on social media that she is 'going to be ok' and said she was thankful it wasn't her heart this time. Carlson Schwartz was referring to being diagnosed in 2014 with a leaky heart valve, which was discovered after she had thrown up in the middle of a TV broadcast. KCAL News meteorologist Alissa Carlson Schwartz collapsed on air Saturday just a few years after she threw up on air in 2018, which led to being diagnosed with a leaky heart valve in 2014 She has since posted on social media that she is 'going to be ok' and said she was thankful it wasn't her heart this time, referring to being diagnosed in 2014 with a leaky heart valve Just hours after collapsing on air Saturday morning, Carlson Schwartz posted an update on her Facebook page around 2.30pm, writing: 'Thanks for all the texts, calls, and well wishes. I am going to be ok!' On Sunday, she continued to update her viewers on her Instagram stories along with photos of well wishes, flowers and gifts, writing that she was out of the hospital and recovering. 'Thanks for all the kind wishes as I recover from a head injury. I am out of the hospital and doing ok. lots of sleep and even some pizza - TY' Another post confirmed that this incident wasn't about her heart. 'Thankfully, it's not my heart this time. I had over a hundred text messages, and they keep coming so if I don't respond, that's why.' Carlson Schwartz update her viewers on her Instagram stories along with photos of well wishes, flowers and gifts, writing: 'Thanks for all the kind wishes as I recover from a head injury. I am out of the hospital and doing ok. lots of sleep and even some pizza - TY' Carlson Schwartz posted that she appreciates the prayers as she recovers from the collapse Schwartz posted an update on her Facebook page just hours after the incident Saturday, writing: 'Thanks for all the texts, calls, and well wishes. I am going to be ok!' Carlson Schwartz (pictured here in 2018) posted that she is 'going to be ok' and said she was thankful it wasn't her heart this time, referring to being diagnosed in 2014 with a leaky heart valve, which was discovered after she had thrown up in the middle of a broadcast During the broadcast on Saturday, Carlson Schwartz had tried to maintain a smile on her face but her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she slowly fell forward onto her arms until her head was inches from the desk. Her legs then gave out and she fell with a jolt to the ground. Her co-anchors Nichelle Medina to Rachel Kim didn't seem to notice that Schwartz had fainted at first, with Medina directly addressing the former Mrs. California, saying: 'Alissa, this really is the calm before the storm.' Seconds later, Kim lets out a surprised 'oh' and can be seen squirming in her chair as she tries to see Schwartz across the room. 'You know, we're going to go ahead and go to break, right now,' Medina tells the audience. KCAL News posted later that day that Carlson Schwartz was 'recovering and back on social media.' 'We've heard from many people as well worried about Alissa's wellbeing. We also want to thank those of you who reached out for your thoughts and prayers. Alissa will be back with our Next Weather team on KCAL News as soon as she's well enough to return.' Carlson Schwartz told her viewers via social media that she was thankful that it wasn't her heart. Her co-anchors Nichelle Medina to Rachel Kim (left) didn't seem to notice, but seconds later, Kim let's out a surprised 'oh' and can be seen squirming in her chair as she tries to see Schwartz (right) across the room Carlson Schwartz was crowned Mrs. California in 2018 and served as the American Heart Association's 'Circle of Red' Chairman from 2017-2019 After Carlson Schwartz threw up on air in 2014, she was diagnosed with a leaky heart valve and doctors told her they didn't know when the valve would wear out. 'They told me that, eventually, the valve would probably have to be replaced. They didn't know when it would wear out,' Carlson Schwartz said in a 2018 interview with KGET Bakersfield, where she previously worked as a chief meteorologist. Carlson Schwartz, who joined KCAL in 2021, and her husband Neil Schwartz, took on a healthier lifestyle and welcomed a baby girl into their lives - a baby who helped heal her heart. 'It comes back that the valve had actually started to repair itself. The stem cells from my baby had started to heal my heart,' Carlson Schwartz said at the time. Carlson Schwartz was crowned Mrs. California in 2018 and served as the American Heart Association's 'Circle of Red' Chairman from 2017-2019. Heart disease is the number one killer in the US and can manifest with a variety of symptoms, including chest pain, stomach pain, sweating, leg and arm pain, and extreme fatigue, among others. A decorated SAS veteran has been arrested by police probing alleged war crimes by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan after a two year investigation. Video footage of former trooper Oliver Schulz, 41, allegedly shooting an Afghan man in a wheat field in Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan in 2012, was broadcast in Killing Fields, an episode of ABC's Four Corners in 2020. Australian Federal Police is understood to have arrested Schulz at an address in Goulburn in the NSW Southern Highlands on Monday morning. Footage showed Australian SAS troops allegedly shooting an unarmed Afghan man in a field Schulz - who was awarded the Commendation for Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan - is now expected to be the first Australian Defence Force member to be charged with a war crime under Australian law. The Office of the Special Investigator - believed to be made up of homicide detectives and an intelligence officer - was set up in 2021 to probe alleged war crimes. It followed an inquiry by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force inquiry led by Paul Brereton, an Army Reserve major general and NSW Supreme Court judge. 'A joint investigation between the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) and the AFP has today resulted in the arrest of a New South Wales man,' confirmed the AFP in a statement. 'It is expected he will be charged with one count of War CrimeMurder under subsection 268.70(1) Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). 'Investigators arrested the man, 41, in regional NSW this morning and he is expected to appear in a NSW Local Court later today [Monday]. 'It will be alleged he murdered an Afghan man while deployed to Afghanistan with the Australian Defence Force. 'The maximum penalty for a War CrimeMurder offence is life imprisonment.' Oliver Schulz (pictured) - who was awarded the Commendation for Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan - is now expected to be the first Australian Defence Force member to be charged with a war crime under Australian law The statement added: 'The OSI and AFP are working together to investigate allegations breaches of the Laws of Armed Conflict by Australian Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. 'As the matter will be before the court and the investigation is ongoing, no further comment will be made.' The car was driven by 16-year-old Malik Smith who veered off the road and struck a tree which caused the car to burst into flames The children were all siblings and cousins. A nine-year-old boy who was in the trunk survived the crash, according to police Five children were killed in a single vehicle car crash in Scarsdale, New York Sunday just after midnight Five children from the same family were killed Sunday in Scarsdale, New York after the group's SUV crashed into a tree and caught fire. The horror crash happened just after midnight. According to local police, the vehicle was driven by 16-year-old Malik Smith, who did not have a license. The victims - who were all siblings and cousins - are Andrew Billips, eight, sisters Shawnell, 11, and Zahnyiah Cross, 12, and 17-year-old Anthony Billips Jr. They were being driven home to Connecticut from Westchester by Malik when police say he may have fallen asleep at the wheel at around 12.30am. The only survivor was a nine-year-old who was in the trunk of the car and escaped as flames engulfed the vehicle. Family members posted this image of the three children - who are all related - on a GoFundMe after they died in the car crash in Scarsdale, New York Five children were killed Sunday in Scarsdale, New York after the group's SUV crashed into a tree and caught fire just after midnight One of the victims (pictured) was posted by grieving family members online following the fiery crash It remains unclear why the children's parents had allowed them to ride with Malik, or if any were nearby in a different vehicle. Police have not yet confirmed who the car belonged to. Now, the family is asking for donations via a GoFundMe page. A nine-year-old boy who was riding in the 'rear hatchback/cargo area' managed to survive the crash and escape the vehicle. The parents of the five children - whose ages ranged from eight to 17 - posted heartbreaking tributes to social media Sunday afternoon. 'This is the most painful post I ever had to write in my life,' said father Anthony Billips in a Facebook post. 'We wouldn't wish this to happen to anyone in this world.' According to WABC, police said the 16-year-old who was at the wheel may have fallen asleep causing him and the Nissan Rogue to travel off the road. After hitting the tree, the car burst into flames and killed the driver, three young boys, and two girls, all from Derby, Connecticut. In a GoFundMe post set up by family members, grieving relatives pictured seven individuals in a mixture of group and selfie photos of the kids. While speaking with media, Westchester Police spokesperson Kieran O'Leary said the one child who survived was able to get 'out the back somehow.' The 9-year-old boy who survived was taken to Westchester Medical Center. He was in stable condition Sunday afternoon. The crash remains under investigation as the family grieves the losses. In social media posts, the family has asked friends and loved ones for prayers and thoughts during the difficult time. 'Lord Jesus I dont understand why you had to take our babies from us,' wrote Nicole Cross - who said her children were killed in the wreck. 'Please give us the strength Lord God,' Cross said. 'These kids didn't deserve this like why is this happening please keep my family in your prayers. don't know what to do or how to handle this God please help us,' the grieving woman wrote. 'This is the most painful post I ever had to write in my life,' said father Anthony Bilips (pictured) in a Facebook post. It's understood that he is the dad of some of the five children who died A GoFundMe set up by the family. In the image, the grieving relatives uploaded photos showing seven individuals - five of which died in the crash. Their names have not yet been disclosed According to WABC, police said the 16-year-old who was at the wheel may have fallen asleep causing him and the Nissan Rogue to travel off the road After hitting the tree, the car burst into flames and killed the driver, three young boys, and two girls, all from Derby, Connecticut The GoFundMe was started by Da'Shawna Cross who identifies herself as one of the mothers of the children killed. 'I am making a fundraiser to help bury our children we lost,' she wrote. 'We as parents lost 5 of our children in a very tragic accident and need help deeply with giving them a great home going service,' the fundraiser's description reads. The GoFundMe has a $50,000 goal and is at just over $6,500 as of Sunday evening. 'Please anything will help we just want to put our babies to rest,' the mother wrote in her heartbreaking plea. The donations section has since been flooded with individuals leaving their thoughts and prayers for the family. 'I cant even imagine the pain this family is going through. I pray that God helps them find peace and healing,' one person wrote. 'May their memories be a blessing,' said another person who left a donation. 'You and your family are in my prayers.. God bless you,' wrote one person. In a statement to WABC, the superintendent of the local Connecticut school district where the family lives called the event 'the unimaginable.' Superintendent Matt Conway said he reached out to one of the parents to offer condolences and resources if the family is in need. 'It's the unimaginable. Having to now make arrangements for five of your children to be buried is a very difficult thing for anyone - one child, never mind five that you're going to have to now make arrangements for,' Conway said. According to Business Insider, the city where the crash occurred is the upscale Scarsdale, a town of about 18,000 residents. In 2020, the city had an average household income of $452,000, making it the second richest city in the U.S. that year, just behind a city near Silicon Valley. Scarsdale is located just 35 miles north of New York City. Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com A BWS worker, 20, who was allegedly knifed by a customer over a bottle of alcohol texted his father to say 'love you, been stabbed' moments before he died. Declan Laverty was minutes away from finishing his shift at the Airport Tavern BWS drive-through bottle shop in Darwin just before 9pm on Sunday when he refused to serve a 19-year-old male. The teenager allegedly stabbed Mr Laverty and fled the scene in a blue 2014 Toyota Camry. Mr Laverty sent his dad a final text message, but was dead when paramedics and officers arrived - despite several attempts by shocked witnesses to try and revive him. The 19-year-old was arrested by police several hours later and remains in custody. Police also arrested two others, 15 and 16, in relation to the alleged stabbing, and two other alleged robberies around Darwin earlier in the evening. Charges are expected to be laid later on Monday. Mr Laverty's father, who did not want to be named, told Darwin radio station Mix FM on Monday morning that his son had been looking for a new job because he 'couldn't handle' abusive customers anymore. Declan Laverty (left) was allegedly stabbed while working at BWS in Darwin. His sister Bridget Laverty (right) remembered him as 'the best brother' 'He's had screwdriver pulled on him only a few weeks ago,' the father said. 'One of the other staff members has been physically attacked and he couldn't come back to work. 'They get attacked quite often at that particular one as far as I am aware. He was looking for another job. He just couldn't handle it anymore.' The doting dad said he got home on Sunday night and found his son's half-eaten dinner in the fridge. He remembered Mr Laverty as a 'wonderful, opinionated, strong lad' who had moved to the NT from Cairns in Queensland two years earlier. 'He loved his football, and he was really into music at the moment. 'He was trying to get some songs released and working 30-odd hours at the pub at the airport.' The father called for an end to violence in Darwin and said 'something needs to be done'. 'It's getting very very bad out there for everyone. Whether it's my son or someone else.' Mr Laverty's sister Bridget wrote a tribute on Facebook on Monday: 'Declan, you were the best brother I could ask for.' 'Your silly laugh your lovingness, your big head will miss you so much my brother, forever 20,' she said. Mr Laverty (pictured) was dead when paramedics and officers arrived, despite several attempts by shocked witnesses to try and revive him During a press conference on Monday, Assistant Police Commissioner Michael White said detective believe the alleged stabbing is linked to two separate matters around Darwin earlier that evening. 'Two other people are also in custody, age 15 and 16, are assisting police with inquiries in relation to this matter, and also a separate matter at the bottle shop at the beach front hotel earlier that evening,' he said. Police believe the first incident took place at the Beachfront Hotel in central Darwin, and the second on the street in Karama - in the city's eastern suburbs. 'It is our belief that these two incidents are linked, and potentially a third incident earlier in the evening in Karama where a young person was assaulted and a number of items stolen from them,' the assistant police commissioner said. Investigators have seized a blue 2014 Toyota Camry which they allege was present at all three incidents. A friend of Mr Laverty said on Facebook that he was 'shattered' and called for an end to violence. 'Fly high my bro. Too young,' he wrote. '#puttheknifesdown this has to stop.' Shocked members of the community also flooded social media with tributes. One woman said: 'Everyone has the right to be safe at work and go home to their loved ones at the end of their shift.' Another wrote: 'This is so awful. Just doing his job, following the RSA law and doesn't get to go home?' 'Sending love to his family, friends and workmates.' The Airport Tavern and BWS bottle shop in Darwin remained a crime scene on Monday morning following the tragic death of Mr Laverty A second person is also assisting police with inquiries, Acting Northern Territory Police Assistant Commissioner Danny Bacon told Darwin radio station Mix 104.9. He described the alleged attack as a 'senseless loss of life.' 'That investigating is taking priority this morning,' he added. Police are expected to provide more details later on Monday as investigators continue their inquiries. A man who was among the first on the scene and tried to save the worker's life described the worker as a 'beautiful boy'. It's understood his distraught family members rushed to the scene shortly after the incident. The bottle shop is part of Airport Tavern, a popular pub described on its Facebook page as the heart of the community, which Jingili residents regard as their local. Both the tavern and bottle shop remained cordoned off as a crime scene on Monday morning, with several police vehicles onsite. Mr Laverty's death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from the hospitality industry and Endeavour Group, which owns the tavern and bottle shop. 'Our thoughts are with the team member's family, friends and loved ones,' Endeavour Group chief executive Steve Donohue said. 'We thank the emergency service workers who attended the scene. 'We will offer counselling and support to all our team members in Darwin across BWS and ALH Hotels, and the team member's family.' Mr Laverty's father said his son was looking for a new job before he was allegedly stabbed during a shift at BWS The tragedy has also saddened federal Senator Jacinta Price, whose Darwin office neighbours the tavern and bottle shop. 'This is very hard to come to terms with. The victim of this horrendous crime is the same age as one of my sons,' she said. 'We cannot continue to experience such horrific and dehumanising crime and violence. The Territory government maybe celebrating a bi-election win but the people of the NT continue to suffer. 'I can only image the pain the family of this young man is suffering. No more crime no more violence it has to stop!' 'It's the devastating message no parent, sibling, or loved one can imagine hearing & the grief will be immense. NT Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison also described the incident as a tragedy as she expressed her condolences to the victim's family, friends and colleagues. MP for Blain Mark Turner added: 'As a father, even trying to imagine the hurt & loss brings me to tears. 'To the Northern Territory Police, thank you for responding so swiftly. St John Ambulance, thank you for trying to save lives every day. I know you'll be hurting too.' Tens of thousands of Australians could be missing out on their share of $200million in unclaimed Medicare payments. Australians have been urged to check if their bank details are correct on their Medicare account to find out if they are owed one or several rebates. Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said it was common for people to forget to update their details with Medicare after moving house or changing banks. In Tasmania alone, up to 20,000 people are currently missing out on their share of $4million of unpaid Medicare benefits. Hundreds of thousands of Australians could be missing out on their share of $200million in unclaimed Medicare payments (pictured, the MyGov app) 'Medicare payments are held by Services Australia when a customer's bank details aren't valid,' Mr Shorten explained. 'Services Australia will try to contact people with held Medicare payments to let them know, however contact details are often also out of date.' Australians can check if their banking details are correct by using the new MyGov app which can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play. The new app was released last December and was designed to make connecting with multiple government services more efficient for users. People who don't have a Medicare online account can create one in a matter of minutes and easily link in to their MyGov app. Aussies are being urged to check if their banking details are correct on their Medicare account to find out if they are owed one or several rebates (pictured, a Medicare card) After personal details have been updates, any unclaimed benefits will be paid by Services Australia in a matter of days. Tasmanian senator Anne Urquhart urged residents of the Apple Isle to check if they were one of the 20,000 people who are owed a share of the $4million. 'I urge Tasmanians to check their details are up-to-date. It's important that people don't miss out on any Medicare rebates they might be owed,' she said. 'Simply log into your Medicare online account, check and update your bank details.' For more information on updating banking details with Medicare, click here. A Queensland man who groomed and raped an 11-year-old girl has been given probation after serving almost nine months in pre-sentence custody. Kurt Robert Bush, 20, of the Moreton Bay region, faced Brisbane District Court on Monday after pleading guilty to grooming the girl by sending her explicit videos and messages via Snapchat and two counts of rape. The court heard Bush befriended the girl on camping trips with her family and they started exchanging messages from January 2022. The crown prosecutor said Bush told the girl they should 'date in secret' and later sent her videos of himself engaged in lewd acts. Bush twice raped the girl while he was staying the night at her family's home in April last year. Kurt Robert Bush, 20, will serve a suspended sentence after grooming an 11-year-old girl on Snapchat (above) and raping her twice 'These were invasive acts committed in a deliberate way with secrecy and manipulation. This was serious offending,' the prosecutor said. The girl's victim impact statement, read to the court by the prosecutor, said she now has a harder time trusting people and had self-harmed. 'Kurt's actions have impacted my life severely. He has made my life a lot harder in a lot of different ways. He has made my life depressing, by making my family suffer as much as they have,' the girl stated. 'Sometimes I feel like it was all my fault and I hold a lot of feelings of guilt. I feel like everyone would be better off without me.' Bush's barrister Michael Anderson said his client was willing to undertake any treatment recommended, had good prospects of rehabilitation and a low risk of reoffending. 'He has support in the community, he will live with (a family member) upon release who is aware of his offending and the need for him to continue treatment,' Mr Anderson said. Judge Nicole Kefford said Bush had been given chances to pause and reflect during his offending, including when the girl told him it would not be a good idea to exchange explicit videos, but he chose to keep going. 'You took advantage of a vulnerable child for your own sexual gratification. That is appalling conduct and the community will not tolerate it,' Judge Kefford said. 'The victim impact statement was really quite upsetting with the child blaming themselves. They are innocent and have nothing to be ashamed of. You have taken that innocence.' The young girl told the court she has since struggled with depression and self-harm and deals with feelings of guilt from Bush's actions Judge Kefford said Bush telling the child to keep their interactions secret was a sign he knew what he was doing was wrong. The judge ordered Bush to complete treatment recommended by Corrective Services, noting a psychological report stated his offending was influenced by emotional and sexual immaturity rather than attraction to children. Bush was sentenced to three years imprisonment for the rape charges, suspended in light of his 263 days already spent in custody, and he was released on a three-year probation order for the grooming charge. Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged five to 25) A woman branded a 'drunk Karen' after she was escorted off a Gold Coast flight by five police officers became the 'internet's No.1 star' because of the vicious social media attention she received, a court has been told. Erica Jayne Carlson, 42, achieved online infamy after she was filmed being escorted off a Jetstar flight bound for Victoria earlier this year. The footage captured passengers cheering and singing the tune of Steam's 1969 hit Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) as uniformed police surrounded Carlson. But Southport Magistrates Court was on Monday told the real reason she became belligerent with airline staff was because she did not want to pay for another ticket. Carlson's lawyer Michael McMillan said the accompanying social media fallout had a 'gigantic' impact on the single mum of two. 'She was the internet's No.1 star,' Mr McMillan said of the international media coverage that ensued from the confrontation. Erica Jayne Carlson, 42, is seen outside the Southport Magistrates Court on Monday Carlson pleaded guilty to a single Commonwealth charge of behaving in an offensive or disorderly manner on an aircraft. The charge carries a maximum penalty of a $13,750 fine. The court was told flight JQ361 from the Gold Coast to Avalon Airport in Victoria was ready to take off on January 8, 2023, when the altercation unfolded. Carlson was due to fly into the southern state to see her two boys, who were staying with their father. A cabin crew member observed Carlson 'fall into her seat' and believed she was intoxicated, legal officer Kate Thomson said. The cabin crew member formed the opinion that Carlson was not fit to fly and asked her to leave the plane. Ms Thomson said Carlson repeatedly refused and became argumentative, filming the confrontation as Federal Police officers were called. The footage captured passengers cheering and singing the tune of Steam's 1969 hit Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) as uniformed police surrounded Carlson (pictured) Footage uploaded to TikTok accompanied with the text 'When there is a drunk Karen on board' captured officers dragging the 42-year-old from her seat during the incident. One person is heard quipping 'five coppers we could have all done it for free' as others laugh and film the encounter on their phones. Another is heard joking: 'Come on mum, get off.' Mr McMillan explained the infamous footage began upon federal police entering the plane and did not capture his client's altercation. He said the 'miscommunication' with the flight staff escalated after Carlson became upset that she might not be able to fly again unless she paid for another ticket. Mr McMillan also said his client's intoxication level was not taken after she was escorted off the plane despite the cabin crew's initial opinion of her. Footage uploaded to TikTok accompanied with the text 'When there is a drunk Karen on board' captured officers dragging the 42-year-old from her seat during the incident The court was told Carlson had endured extra-curial punishment after footage of the altercation went viral including with news sites in the UK and US. 'She has already endured an unhappy, unhealthy public spotlight,' Mr McMillan said. 'The only thing she says that didn't make this the worst experience of her life is because she wasn't named at the time.' He said Carlson who had no criminal history risked losing her part-time job in Lennox Head because of the unwarranted publicity. Magistrate Veena Goverdhan ordered Carlson to undertake a recognisance release order with a $1,500 surety, allowing her to avoid a conviction. She was ordered to be of good behaviour for nine months. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shake hands after making press statements following their meeting in New Delhi, Monday. AP-Yonhap Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday invited his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for the Group of Seven major industrial nations' summit in May and announced action plans for a new Indo-Pacific initiative aimed at countering China's influence in the region. Kishida, who is on a two-day trip to India, said he hopes to promote a vision of free and open Indo-Pacific, a Tokyo-led initiative for greater security and economic cooperation that is geared toward curbing Beijing's growing assertiveness. It includes Japan's assistance to emerging economies, support for maritime security, a provision of coast guard patrol boats and equipment and other infrastructure cooperation. It fits with Japan's new national security strategy adopted in December under which Tokyo Japan is deploying long-range cruise missiles to strengthen its strike-back capability, and using development aid more strategically in support of like-minded countries. India, which is heading this year's Group of 20 industrial and emerging-market nations, says ties with Japan are key to stability in the region. The two nations, along with the United States and Australia, make up the Indo-Pacific alliance known as the Quad. China's territorial claims in the East China and South China seas have rattled Beijing's smaller neighbors in Southeast Asia as well as Japan, which is also facing threats from North Korea's nuclear and missile development. The relationship between New Delhi and Beijing also has deteriorated since 2020, when Indian and Chinese troops clashed along their undefined border in the Himalayan Ladakh region, leaving 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead. Kishida also held talks with Modi to deepen bilateral cooperation while also addressing food security and development financing. The two leaders said they will closely cooperate in dealing with a wide range of global challenges, including soaring prices of energy and food supplies that have exacerbated since Russia's war in Ukraine. Kishida said Modi accepted his invitation to participate in the G-7 summit, which will be held in Japan's western city of Hiroshima in May. In his statement, Kishida said he told Modi that he hopes to take up challenges at the summit including upholding the rules-based international order and strengthening partnership with the international community that goes beyond G-7 and includes the Global South, a term used for developing nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The two leaders also discussed their priorities for their respective presidencies of the G-7 and G-20, Modi said in a speech. Japan holds the G-7 presidency in 2023 and has sought deeper ties with developing countries to lay the groundwork for a successful summit. In an article for the Indian Express newspaper Monday, Kishida said "the foundation of order in the international community was shaken by Russia's aggression against Ukraine" and its impact on food access and fertilizer prices were felt everywhere, including in the Indo-Pacific region. "In order to respond effectively to the various challenges that the international community is currently facing, cooperation between the G-7 and the G-20 has greater significance. Such pressing challenges include food security, climate and energy, fair and transparent development finance," Kishida wrote. India and Japan share strong economic ties. Trade between the two was worth $20.57 billion in fiscal year 2021-2022. The Japanese investments in India touched $32 billion between 2000 and 2019. Japan has also been supporting infrastructure development in India, including a high-speed rail project. (AP) Women's Health Australia and Men's Health Australia magazines have told their staff the publications will shut down. It is the latest in a series of job cuts hitting the media and tech industries as companies confront a looming economic crisis. NCA NewsWire understands both Women's Health and Men's Health magazines - owned by Sydney-based B-2-B publishing house Paragon Media - are due to be shutdown. Staff were told Women's Health and Men's Health magazines (pictured) would closed with most of the 20 staff given just two weeks notice. The two titles were bought by Paragon Media in December 2020 A source told NCA NewsWire staff at the two major lifestyle mastheads were shocked when the news was broken to them on Monday morning. It is understood that the entire staff of 20 will be impacted. The team have been offered their leave entitlements, with most staff receiving just two week's notice. In a post to the Women's Health Australia Facebook page, the brand's social media staff posted a screengrab of an email exchange with the caption: 'Monday vibes.' The screengrab showed a meme of someone postponing a meeting, saying they had 'lost control of the day.' The recipient replied: 'Easily the most relatable email I've received.' In a post to the Women's Health Facebook page, the magazine's social media staff posted a screengrab of an email with the caption: 'Monday vibes' It is a major blow for staff after Paragon Media purchased the two lifestyle brands in December 2020 promising to 'recharge the iconic brands'. Former editors, Jacqui Mooney and Scott Henderson returned to the publication after the magazines were wiped out with six other magazines owned by Bauer Media Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Harper's BAZAAR, ELLE, InStyle, Men's Health, Women's Health, Good Health, NW and OK! were all shutdown in July 2020. NCA NewsWire has contacted Paragon Media for comment. An OnlyFans model in Florida is suing her ex-boyfriend for $6.3 billion for allegedly posting sexually explicit content from her social media accounts without her consent. Mikayla Saravia, 25, alleges that Nicholas Hunter, 27, changed the passwords on her accounts and posted the graphic photos and videos after they broke up in October, according to the revenge porn lawsuit filed in federal court this week. Saravia - who has millions of fans across many social media sites - has two accounts on OnlyFans - one that is free and a more 'explicit' one that is $30 a month. The lawsuit claims that Hunter - who was in business with Saravia before their breakup - took control of both, and used them to sell videos and photos of her. Mikayla Saravia, 25, is suing her ex Nicholas Hunter, 27, for $6.3B in a revenge porn lawsuit for allegedly taking control of her social media and posting sexually explicit content Saravia alleges that Hunter changed the passwords on her accounts and posted the graphic photos and videos after the pair broke up in October 2022 The lawsuit claims that Hunter took control of both of her accounts on OnlyFans without her consent - and used them to sell videos of Saravia for $35 and photos for $10 and $13 The lawsuit claims that Hunter posted 'numerous, sexually explicit images' and videos of Saravia, including for sale, from October 2022 through January 2023. On January 28, 2023, Hunter used Saravia's Twitter account to send a sexually explicit image of her to her 628,700 Twitter followers, the lawsuit alleged. Saravia was able to take back control of her accounts shortly after. Her lawyer Joseph DiRuzzo acknowledged that his client had posted explicit content on her own, but pointed out that she was the one in control of those posts. 'Just because you consented to an image in the past, it does not mean you're giving someone permission to post additional content without your consent,' DiRuzzo wrote in the complaint. 'Defendant used the OnlyFans account to sell sexually explicit videos and images of the plaintiff based on material he had amassed prior to the severance of their business and personal relationship.' The lawsuit seeks damages of $6.3 billion which equates to $10,000 for each of the 628,000 Twitter followers she had in October when their relationship ended. On January 28, 2023, Hunter used Saravia's Twitter account to send a sexually explicit image of her to her 628,700 Twitter followers, the lawsuit alleged Her lawyer Joseph DiRuzzo acknowledged that his client had posted explicit content on her own, but pointed out that she was the one in control of those posts The lawsuit claims that Hunter posted 'numerous, sexually explicit images and videos of Saravia, including for sale, from October 2022 through January 2023. Saravia was able to take back control of her accounts in January 2023 The lawsuit seeks damages of $6.3 billion which equates to $10,000 for each of the 628,000 Twitter followers she had in October when their relationship ended Hunter was identified in the lawsuit as being in business with Saravia, which was listed as KKVSH, LLC. The pair also produced YouTube videos together. According to Yahoo Finance, Hunter is an entrepreneur known as Nick Yardy and his most significant client success story at the time was Saravia. The article stated that Hunter managed KKVSH and 'successfully grew her account through his innovative growth strategies from a mere 1,000 fans to nearly 5 million.' The couple broke up in October 2022 and it was alleged in the complaint that exceeded his authorized access of Saravia's electronic devices. The lawsuit also mentioned that Hunter and Saravia are also involved in a civil domestic violence case in Broward County, Florida. Saravia previously made headlines for making more than $100,000 a year with her long tongue. Saravia made headlines in 2019 for making more than $100,000 a year with her long tongue A Pennsylvania woman was killed after she was attacked by her neighbor's dogs that she had gone over to feed while their owner was away. State police said 38-year-old Kristin Potter died after she was attacked on Thursday evening by the two Great Danes in Centre Township southwest of New Bloomfield. Perry County Coroner Robert Ressler said Potter had gone to the home with her young son, who ran for help when two of the three dogs present suddenly attacked her. Ressler said emergency responders and police officers were unable to reach her until animal control personnel arrived and tranquilized the dogs. Potter's young son had accompanied her to feed the dogs and quickly sought help when the dogs turned suddenly turned on her. Kristin Potter, 38, was mauled to death by her neighbor's two Great Danes as she went over to feed them while their owner was away Potter of Centre Township in Perry County, died on Thursday despite the efforts of emergency responders and police officers 'He was present at the scene, but I don't think he was there for much of it,' Ressler said. 'As soon as he saw the dogs starting to attack his mother, he ran across the road to have his brother call 911.' The two animals involved in the attack were later taken to a veterinarian and euthanized. Officials said a third dog was present but didn't take part in the attack. Brandon Zeiders, who is engaged to Potter's sister, said that state police informed him that the two Great Danes might have initially been fighting and then directed their aggression toward Potter when she tried to intervene. Potter was described as a kind-hearted person who had faced previous tragedies. Potter was engaged to Jacob Presley Fickett, right, and planning to move to Florida with him Potter had fed the dogs before and had gone to the house with her young son, who eventually ran to get help after the dogs attacked his mother right in front of him The dogs' owner expressed her devastation over the incident, stating she was in shock and disbelief. 'I'm heartbroken, I'm in shock, I'm in disbelief and I just want to die,' Wendy Sabathne said. 'I can't believe this happened.' Potter's father mentioned that one of the dogs had bitten Potter a few years earlier. Having already experienced the loss of her husband and the death of one of her sons in a bike accident in 2020 at the age of 11. Potter was engaged and planning to move to Florida with her fiance. Potter's fiance Jacob Presley Fickett posted a tribute to her online Her younger sister recalled the mother of two from Centre Township as someone with a wonderful personality who made everyone feel better when around her. 'When you're around her, you just feel better,' Jennifer Keefer told WGAL. 'When you talk to her, you just feel better. "With all the tragedy that has happened in her life, she still had a high belief in God," Keefer said. "She was just like that. She felt like there is a reason for everything." 'She was just loveable to be around. Everyone loved her.' A GoFundMe page has been set up to help provide for Potter's two sons. Police are searching for a thief who stole more than 100 number plates from parked cars in an early morning crime spree. Between 1am and 5am on Sunday, more than 100 vehicles in the Brighton-Le-Sands area, 13km south of Sydney, had their plates removed and stolen. Streets targeted included Bay, O'Neill, Bay, Princess, Bruce and Gordon Streets, Crawford and Teralba Roads, Brighton and Moate Avenues. As investigations continue, police have released CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to who may be able to assist with their enquiries. The man is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged 25 to 30-years-old, of medium build, a bald head, and dark beard. Police have now released CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to after more than 100 cars in Brighton-Le-Sands had their number plates stolen on Sunday Streets targeted included Bay, O'Neill, Bay, Princess, Bruce and Gordon Streets, Crawford and Teralba Roads, Brighton and Moate Avenues in the Brighton-Le-Sands area (stock image pictured) He is shown wearing a black t-shirt, grey shorts and thongs. A video uploaded to social media on the weekend showed carnage across four streets in Brighton-Le-Sands, with thieves either completely stealing car number plates or bending them out of shape. Number plates are commonly targeted by criminals who place them on other vehicles to avoid being caught when breaking the law. Police may then issue fines or even arrest the unsuspecting motorists who had their number plates stolen. Community groups are urging drivers to increase both security and anti-theft measures to curb the outbreak of number plate crime. Instances of plate thefts have jumped in Australia since the pandemic as criminals become more savvy, moving on from syphoning fuel and breaking into cars to steal belongings. While the latter still happens, police and the RACV have warned drivers to secure their plates in order to avoid receiving thousands in backlogged fines in the mail. A video uploaded to social media showed cars in Brighton-Le-Sands having had their number plates removed Police and community groups have started urging drivers to increase both security and anti-theft measures to curb the spate of criminal acts 'Offenders use stolen number plates on cars to help them carry out other crimes without being traced and identified,' a RACV spokesperson said in a statement. 'The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) reports that over 50 per cent of fuel theft, and various other crimes, involves stolen number plates.' Along with thieves using other's plates and registration to get away with not paying for fuel, other more serious crimes include burglaries, drug trafficking, and avoiding speeding, parking and tollway fees. Anyone who may have information is urged to call police. Australia is set to ban popular video sharing platform TikTok from all government devices over fears the popular Chinese app is used by Beijing to spy on users. The move would follow similar bans in the US, UK and New Zealand on government-issued devices, with a number of Australia government departments already instructing staff not to download TikTok on work devices. Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil is expected to announce the ban after receiving a security report into TikTok that she instigated last year amid heightened concerns the app was harvesting sensitive user data and sending it back to China. It is expected Ms O'Neil will advise politicians to delete TikTik from their personal devices, although how far this advice will apply more widely to the ranks of government is unclear. States and territories are waiting for a lead from the Commonwealth to decide their policies on the controversial platform, according to a report in The Australian. Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil has received a security review she ordered into TikTok over spying fears Chinese owned video-sharing app TikTok could be banned on all Australian government devices over fears it can be used to spy by Beijing Owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, TikTok has around a billion active users worldwide but has faced accusations it pushes pro-Beijing propaganda. Australian online security firm Internet 2.0 last July reported it had cracked the source code for the app, which has been downloaded by more than 7.5million Aussies. Internet 2.0 CEO Robert Potter accused ByteDance of hiding the unusually high amount of trackers in the source code and how much of the data being captured was sent back to China. 'Their source code is at odds with their public statements about how their app functions,' he told the Nine network. Mr Potter said the Beijing-backed app taps into smartphone calendars, contacts list and scans the device's ID and hard drive to monitor all other apps that have been installed. TikTok also checks the device's location at least once an hour and will persist in seeking data from contacts even if permission is denied, according to the report. Mr Potter said his team had identified that on Apple smartphones the app was connecting with servers in China and they could not say what information was being sent. 'There was significant amounts of traffic flows to servers in China,' he said. These figure released by Australian online security company Internet 2.0 show how the most popular social media and messaging platforms stacked up according to how much personal data they were able to take from users HOW DOES TIKTOK WORK? Users post videos of themselves and broadcast them on the app Anyone can find these videos and post comments on them It also allows you to message that person privately Some of the most popular videos are watched more than 10 million times Each TikTok video is generally 15 to 60 seconds long The videos are typically set to music, often showing the user dancing, doing a trick, or lip-syncing Advertisement In response TikTok claimed all user data for the region is hosted in Singapore and only accessed by a small number of people who need it to maintain the site. 'The IP address is in Singapore, the network traffic does not leave the region and it is categorically untrue to imply there is communication with China,' the company said in a statement. TikTok also said the information it gathers is in line with standard industry practices and is securely encrypted. Mr Potter pointed out that as the company was based in China it is governed by Chinese laws and would be forced to hand over any data requested by the Communist Party. 'Because it is domiciled and is a Chinese company its governed by Chinese law first, which means it operates in a very different privacy culture,' he said. Under Chinese law organisations and individuals are required to 'support, assist and co-operate with the state intelligence work'. TikTok has stated its employees would never share information with the Chinese government and have never been asked to. China is a world leader in data collection, AI and facial recognition software. The US Senate has been conducting hearings into TikTok and has heard the sobering news that one third of Americans rely on it for their daily dose of news. The US Congress is considering a bill that give the federal government broader powers to regulate and ban foreign-linked technology, such as TikTok, that is considered a threat to national security. Xi Jinping will meet Putin in Moscow today in show of support for Russian despot China's president Xi Jinping today landed in Moscow where he is set to meet Vladimir Putin in a show of support after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader over war crimes. Xi today said his first state visit to Russia since Putin invaded Ukraine would aid bilateral ties between the two nations. 'I am confident the visit will be fruitful and give new momentum to the healthy and stable development of Chinese-Russian relations,' Xi told journalists at Moscow's Vnukovo airport where he was met by stern-faced honour guards. He described Russia and China as 'good neighbours' and 'reliable partners'. Xi is expected to present China as a global peacemaker intent on brokering an end to the Ukraine war a move that has been met with scepticism in Kyiv and the West, with world leaders questioning the real motive behind Beijing's plan for peace. China has not offered any concrete proposals to end the war other than a 12-point 'peace plan' which included calling for an end to Western sanctions, negotiations that would see Ukraine ceding territory, a NATO pull-back from its eastern borders and reconstruction efforts that are likely to benefit Chinese contractors. And despite its calls for peace, Beijing has continued to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Russia and parroted the Kremlin's talking points about NATO expansionism. China's President Xi Jinping today landed in Moscow where he is set to meet Vladimir Putin in a show of support for the isolated Russian despot after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him over war crimes in Ukraine China's President Xi Jinping, accompanied by Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, walks past honour guards during a welcoming ceremony at Moscow's Vnukovo airport Xi is set to meet Putin (pictured together in September) in Moscow today Meanwhile, Putin will attempt to present Xi's trip the first world leader to visit since the ICC charged the Russian leader with war crimes as evidence that Russia has a powerful friend prepared to stand with it against a hostile West. Indeed, Dr Alan Mendoza, Executive Director of the think tank Henry Jackson Society, tells MailOnline: 'Xis visit to Russia is of great propaganda value to Putin, as it enables him to show Russians that his war has not left them isolated. 'Its also a huge slap in the face for the ICC and for ideas of justice, given that the trip is taking place just as a war crimes arrest warrant has been issued for Putin. 'China is sending a clear message to the West about where it stands geopolitically and on shared values shoulder to shoulder with its aggressive, authoritarian Russian ally and also to Ukraine that it cannot rely on China acting neutrally in this conflict.' The Chinese government said Xi would visit Moscow from today until Wednesday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that over dinner tonight, Putin and Xi will touch on issues related to Ukraine, adding that Russia's president will likely offer a 'detailed explanation' of Moscow's view on the current situation. Broader talks involving officials from both countries on a range of subjects are scheduled for tomorrow, according to Peskov. For Putin, Xi's presence at the Kremlin is a prestige visit and a diplomatic triumph, allowing him to tell Western leaders allied with Ukraine that their efforts to isolate him have fallen short. Xi's trip comes just days after the ICC in The Hague announced it wants to put Putin on trial for the abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine. Indeed, despite its calls for peace, China has continued to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Russia. It looks to the country as a source of oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy and as a partner in opposing what both see as American domination of global affairs. Beijing has portrayed Xi's visit as part of normal diplomatic exchanges and has offered little detail about what the trip aims to accomplish, though the nearly 13 months of war in Ukraine cast a long shadow on the talks. At a daily briefing in Beijing today, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Xi's trip was a 'journey of friendship, cooperation and peace'. On the war, he said: 'China will uphold its objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks." Beijing's leap into Ukraine issues follows its recent success in brokering talks between Iran and its chief Middle Eastern rival, Saudi Arabia, which agreed to restore their diplomatic ties after years of tensions. Flushed with that success, Xi called for China to play a bigger role in managing global affairs. 'President Xi will have an in-depth exchange of views with President Putin on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common concern,' Wenbin said. He added that Xi aims to 'promote strategic coordination and practical cooperation between the two countries and inject new impetus into the development of bilateral relations'. Today's meeting gives Putin and Xi a chance to show they have 'powerful partners' at a time of strained relations with Washington, said Joseph Torigian, an expert in Chinese-Russian relations at American University in Washington. 'China can signal that it could even do more to help Russia, and that if relations with the United States continue to deteriorate, they could do a lot more to enable Russia and help Russia in its war against Ukraine,' Mr Torigian said. Xi landing at Vnukovo airport ahead of meeting with Putin A car of a motorcade transporting members of the Chinese delegation, including President Xi, in Moscow today Ukrainian servicemen fire an artillery called M777 howitzer cannon aiming to Russian positions in the frontline nearby Bakhmut in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine on March 18 In an article published at the beginning of his visit to Moscow, Xi said China's 12 point peace plan, which was released last month, reflects global views and seeks to neutralise consequences, but acknowledged that solutions are not easy. 'Complex problems do not have simple solutions,' said Xi. Ukraine and its Western backers would be likely to dismiss any attempt to secure a ceasefire as little more than a ploy to buy Putin time to reinforce, and delay a widely expected Ukrainian counter-offensive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will only consider peace settlements after Russian troops leave Ukrainian territory. China's proposal contains only general statements and no concrete proposal on how to end the year-long war in which tens of thousands of people have been killed, cities have been destroyed and millions forced to flee. In an article for a Chinese newspaper, published on the Kremlin website, Putin said he had high hopes for the visit by his 'good old friend' Xi, with whom he signed a 'no limits' strategic partnership last year. He also welcomed China's willingness to mediate. 'We are grateful for the balanced line... 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. The United States and its allies are deeply sceptical of China's motives, noting it has declined to condemn Russia and provided it with an economic lifeline as other countries heap sanctions on it. The United States and NATO have recently accused China of considering supplying arms to Russia and warned it against doing so. China has dismissed the accusations. Some commentators have pointed to a possible parallel between Russia's claims to Ukrainian territory and Beijing's claim to Taiwan. The Communist Party said the self-ruled island democracy, which split with China in 1949 after a civil war, is obliged to unite with the mainland, by force if necessary. Xi's government has been stepping up efforts to intimidate the island by flying fighter jets nearby and firing missiles into the sea. Ukrainian soldiers fire at the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Saturday Governments that recognise the court's jurisdiction would be obligated to arrest Putin if he visits. He has yet to comment on the announcement, but the Kremlin rejected the move as 'outrageous and unacceptable'. In a show of defiance, Putin over the weekend visited Crimea and the occupied Ukrainian port city of Mariupol to mark the ninth anniversary of Russia's seizure of the Crimean peninsula. Russian news reports showed him chatting with residents and visiting an art school and a children's centre in Sevastopol in Crimea. For Ukraine, Xi's visit to Moscow will be met with apprehension as Kyiv fears China may ultimately decide to supply its strategic ally with arms, influencing the outcome of the war. 'Ukraine's expectations are at a minimum level: for things not to deteriorate,' Sergiy Solodky, first deputy director of New Europe Center think-tank in Kyiv, said. The topic is so sensitive that Ukrainian authorities do not wish to comment publicly on the trip, during which Putin and Xi are supposed to meet at least twice. 'Ukraine will follow this visit closely,' a senior Ukrainian official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'For us it is critically important that China maintains its policy of unwavering respect for the territorial integrity of other countries,' the source said, in reference to how Russia has claimed the annexation of five Ukrainian regions. Justice ministers from around the world will meet in London today to discuss support for the ICC after it issued an arrest warrant for Putin. 'We are gathering in London today united by one cause: to hold war criminals to account for the atrocities committed in Ukraine during this unjust, unprovoked and unlawful invasion,' British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said. Several European Union countries will sign an agreement in Brussels today to buy 155 mm artillery shells for Ukraine, with the first orders possibly placed by the end of May. Ukraine has identified the supply of the shells as critical, with both sides firing thousands of rounds every day. Fierce fighting continued in the eastern town of Bakhmut with each side launching counter offensives. Ukrainian forces have held out in Bakhmut since last summer in the longest and bloodiest battle of the war. Giving its regular morning roundup from the front, Ukraine's military said defenders in Bakhmut, Lyman, Ivanivske, Bohdanivka and Hryhorivka all towns in the Donetsk region had repelled 69 Russian attacks in the past day. Bakhmut remains the epicentre of hostilities, it said. It also said that Russian forces were on the defensive in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions to the south. Russia's Wagner mercenary group, which is spearheading the assault on Bakhmut and has suffered heavy losses, plans to recruit some 30,000 new fighters by the middle of May, its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Saturday. 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 pardon if they survived six months. Ukrainian officials have said that some 30,000 of Wagner's fighters have deserted or been killed or wounded, a figure that could not be independently verified. Xi and Putin publish separate articles setting out their hopes of bilateral relations between their two nations ahead of Chinese leader's visit to Moscow China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin published separate articles today, as Xi was due to begin a visit to Moscow, setting out their hopes for bilateral relations and praising each other. What did Xi say in Rossiiskaya Gazeta? (Translated from the Russian by Reuters) 'China and Russia are the largest neighbours, strategic partners of comprehensive cooperation, leading world powers and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. Both countries pursue an independent and autonomous foreign policy, and consider relations between China and Russia as one of the main priorities in diplomacy. 'Both sides are continuously strengthening political mutual trust, creating a new paradigm of relations between major powers. 'China and Russia adhere to the concept of eternal friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. 'The parties are implementing the concept of friendship passed down from generation to generation, and traditional friendship is growing day by day. 'The international community is well aware that no country in the world is superior to all others. There is no universal model of government and there is no world order where the decisive word belongs to an individual country.' A Chinese proposal on the Ukraine crisis, a 12-point paper released last month, represents 'as much as possible the unity of the world community's views', Xi said. He called for a 'rational way' out of the crisis, which would be 'found if everyone is guided by the concept of common, comprehensive, joint and sustainable security, and continue dialogue and consultations in an equal, prudent and pragmatic manner'. China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin (pictured together in June 2019 in Moscow) published separate articles today, as Xi was due to begin a visit to Moscow, setting out their hopes for bilateral relations and praising each other What did Putin say in China's People's Daily? (Translation from Russian text supplied by the Kremlin) '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. 'Russia is open to a politico-diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. However, back in April 2022, the peace talks were by no means terminated by us. The future of the peace process depends solely on the readiness for a serious conversation, taking into account the prevailing geopolitical realities. 'I met Comrade Xi Jinping in March 2010, when he came to Moscow at the head of a representative Chinese delegation. Our first meeting was very businesslike and at the same time sincere and friendly. This style of communication personally impresses me deeply. I know that China attaches great importance to friendship and human relationships. It is no coincidence that the sage Confucius said: 'Isn't it a joy when a friend comes from afar!' We in Russia also highly appreciate these qualities, for us a true friend is like a brother. In this, our peoples are very similar. 'A decade has passed, which by the standards of the history of our countries, bound by the ties of centuries'-old traditions of good-neighbourliness and cooperation, is just a moment. During this time, a lot has changed in the world, and often not for the better, but the main thing has remained unchanged is a strong Russian-Chinese friendship, which is consistently strengthened for the benefit and in the interests of our countries and peoples. 'The "collective West" clings more and more desperately to archaic dogmas, to its elusive dominance, putting the fate of entire states and peoples at stake. The course pursued by the United States of dual containment of Russia and China, as well as all those who do not succumb to American dictates, is becoming more acute and assertive. The architecture of international security and cooperation is being dismantled.' Britain's workers are 11,000 worse off per year due to 15 years of wage stagnation, a think-tank has concluded in a damning report. The Resolution Foundation made the calculations based on whether wages had continued to grow at the pace seen before the 2008 financial crash. The think-tank said if this had happened, the average worker would have made 11,000 more per year than they do now, taking rising prices into account. It also found that average UK household incomes have dropped behind those in Germany - with the gap now at 4,000 a year, having been over 500 in 2008. In new figures shared with BBC Panorama, which airs on BBC One tonight at 8pm, the think-tank studied how 'real wages' have not had sustained growth for 15 years. Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, told MailOnline: 'The wage stagnation of the past decade and a half is almost completely unprecedented. 'Nobody who's alive and working in the British economy today has ever seen anything like this, and the toxic combination of low growth and high inequality has left poorer households particularly exposed. 'This is definitely not what normal looks like. This is what failure looks like, and we urgently need an economic strategy to turn this state of affairs around.' And a Treasury spokesman told MailOnline: 'The jobs market remains strong, but inflation remains too high. To help people's wages go further, we need to stick to our plan to halve inflation this year. 'Last week's Budget set out how we will go further to bear down on inflation, reduce debt and grow the economy, including by helping more people into well paid work. 'We have also increased the National Living Wage to 10.42, taken millions out of paying tax altogether through increases to the tax-free Personal Allowance since 2010, provided hundreds of pounds in cost of living support for the most vulnerable and continue to hold down energy bills, fuel prices and the cost of a pint in the pub.' Workers are 11,000 worse off per year due to 15 years of wage stagnation, according to the Resolution Foundation. Pictured: Nurses on a picket line outside a hospital in Bath last month The data follows a major Resolution Foundation report in July 2022 about wage stagnation, which found that real wages grew by 33 per cent a decade from 1970 to 2007 on average, but this dropped to below zero in the 2010s. That study also found that income inequality in the UK was higher than in any other large European country in 2018. Meanwhile, unions are accusing the Conservatives of presiding over the worst period for living standards in modern history. An analysis by the TUC released today suggested that by the end of this Parliament, household disposable incomes will have fallen for nearly half of the time the Conservatives have been in office. By the date of the next general election, household disposable income will have fallen for six of the 14 years the Conservatives have been in power, the union predicts. The TUC said the current squeeze on family budgets is the longest and deepest since records began in the 1950s. BBC Panorama: Surviving the Pay Squeeze airs on BBC One at 8pm tonight The Metropolitan Police unit which rapists Wayne Couzens and David Carrick served in could be 'effectively disbanded' as part of a scathing review of the force's culture, set to be published tomorrow. Baroness Casey's report is expected to uncover failings in every department examined and will reveal examples of rampant homophobia, sexism and racism in Britain's biggest police force. In it, she is expected to recommend the Met's parliamentary and diplomatic protection command, in which Sarah Everard's killer and one of Britain's worst serial sex offenders David Carrick held posts in, be wound down. Also today it emerged that 144 Met Police officers being investigated for domestic abuse or sexual misconduct are being allowed to remain on normal duties. Data obtained by Freedom of Information request (FOI) found that 548 officers were under investigation for allegations of domestic and sexual abuse. Former Metropolitan Police officer was given a whole life sentence in September last year for the abduction, murder and rape of Sarah Everard Earlier this year David Carrick, 48, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 32 years after carrying out a 'catalogue of violent and brutal' sex attacks between 2003 and 2020 against 12 women The Liberal Democrats said the figures 'undermine public trust' and called for 'swift action and proper answers form the Met about how they determined which officers should be allowed to continue working as normal - and how their vetting procedures allowed this in the first place.' Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap said: 'We recognise identifying and bringing to justice those in the Met who corrupt our integrity by committing abuses against women and girls is vital in rebuilding the trust of our communities and increasing reporting.' The Met's parliamentary and diplomatic protection command is known as one of the highest commands for officers, protecting diplomatic and government communities in central London. But it has come under intense scrutiny after the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard at the hands of Wayne Couzens in March 2021, with the killer - who was issued a licence to carry firearms - joining the unit one year earlier. And earlier this year rapist officer David Carrick, 48, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 32 years after carrying out a 'catalogue of violent and brutal' sex attacks between 2003 and 2020 against at least a dozen women. Carrick joined the Met Police in 2001, before joining the same armed protection unit in 2009. At his sentencing, the court heard how Carrick would use his police-issued gun to intimidate and coerce victims, even holding a handgun to the head of a woman he then violently raped. Suella Braverman (pictured) vowed to change the police disciplinary process if a major report into the culture at Scotland Yard concludes it is required It now faces being broken up - as well as other part of the Met - if the forces does not fix a widespread 'toxic' culture that is set to be laid out in the highly critical report. The damning report, which was ordered after Sarah Everard's murder, is to accuse the Metropolitan Police of racism, sexism and homophobia, and failure to change despite repeated warnings to do so. It comes at a time of turmoil for the Met, with other sexual abuse related crimes involving serving officers eroding the public's trust in the force. Today a former Met Officer has opened up about a toxic 'lads culture' which she says exists in Britain's biggest police force. Alice Vinten, who served with the force for 10 years, believes the police service can only change if bosses admit it attracts more 'wrong-uns' than other professions, after claiming the job attracts bullies chasing power. Ms Vinten said that while the focus has been on the Met, she believes the same problems exist throughout the entire police service. 'I hope that the toxic culture of sexism within the Met will be exposed for the reality it is, the fact that 'lads culture' still exists,' she told the PA news agency. 'That women often don't feel supported by their male colleagues, especially when they do have to make a complaint about a male colleague, men do not often stand behind them. 'The reality is that there is still a stigma attached to reporting 'one of your own' and this needs to be turned on its head - officers should be praised for reporting dangerous or corrupt officers, not ostracised for it. 'I don't think these issues are specific to the Met at all, I think these things are happening in every force across the UK. 'The focus has been mainly on the Met since the murder of Sarah Everard, however if we gave each UK police service the same level of scrutiny we would find exactly the same issues - sexist jokes, unacceptable WhatsApp discussions, harassment of female officers and men using their power to access vulnerable women.' The police constable turned author wants to see measures including a unit of female detectives to investigate allegations of sexual offences made by women officers and staff, and a system where two people separately vet job candidates. She said the force also needs to accept that policing attracts power hungry bullies. 'They need to admit that power attracts bullies and perpetrators, and that the police service as a whole attracts more 'wrong-uns' than other occupations,' Ms Vinten said. 'They need to admit that they are a profession that is targeted by bad people, who want to abuse their power. Yesterday, the Home Secretary 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 Britain's biggest police force. 'Nothing is off the table when it comes to restoring public confidence in policing,' the source said. 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. 'I've 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. 'We've 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 Everard's murder and a string of scandals that ultimately led to the resignation of the Met's 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. 'What's 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 report's 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 London's mayor that would systematically review the force's 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. Rail operator Avanti West Coast was today handed a short-term contract extension by the Government despite passenger fury over 'completely unacceptable' delays. The operator has left travellers irate over the past year due to poor reliability on the services it runs between London Euston, the Midlands, North West and Scotland. The FirstGroup-owned company's contract was due to expire at the end of this month, but the Department for Transport has now extended it until October 15. Passengers and social media users were left irate by the extension, with one calling it a 'disgrace' and another claiming that Avanti had been 'rewarded for failure again'. Even today, Avanti trains between London and Glasgow were delayed by a points failure at Carstairs - and they will also be hit again by strikes on March 30 and April 1. But Transport Secretary Mark Harper justified the renewal by saying that Avanti's improvement plan following its previous six-month renewal in October 'is working'. Avanti West Coast has faced passenger fury over 'completely unacceptable' delays (file image) All eyes will now likely be on the operator for a major upcoming test on the weekend of April 22 and 23, when fans of Manchester City and Manchester United will both be travelling to and from London for the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium. Louise Haigh, Labour's shadow transport secretary, said today: 'Avanti has literally broken records over the last six months for delays and cancellations, and the Conservatives' answer is to reward failure with millions more in taxpayer cash. 'If this is what success looks like to ministers, it shows that under the Conservatives our broken railways are here to stay. 'The next Labour government will put passengers back at the heart of our railways, and build the infrastructure fit for the century ahead unlocking jobs and growth.' Labour also said 24.6 per cent of Avanti services were at least 15 minutes late in the four weeks to January 7, which was the second highest of any train operator in Britain at any time on record. Avanti runs trains on the West Coast Main Line between London and Glasgow, with branches to Birmingham, North Wales, Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh. Avanti West Coast operates trains between London, the Midlands, North West and Scotland It is a joint venture between FirstGroup (70 per cent) and Italian state operator Trenitalia (30 per cent). READ MORE: Light at end of the tunnel as rail union votes on deal 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. RMT boss Mick Lynch at Euston on Saturday Advertisement Avanti slashed its timetable in August 2022 in a bid to improve reliability. This came after passengers suffered weeks of short-notice cancellations, partly due to a sharp decline in the number of drivers voluntarily working on rest days for extra pay. A new timetable introduced in December 2022 with a 'significantly reduced reliance on overtime working' has seen the number of weekday services increase from 180 to 264, the DfT said. The proportion of services cancelled has fallen from nearly 25 per cent in August 2022 to 4.2 per cent in early March, and 90 per cent of trains are arriving within 15 minutes of the schedule, the department added. FirstGroup also announced that Andy Mellors has been appointed managing director of Avanti West Coast with immediate effect. Mr Mellors previously held senior roles at Great Western Railway, South Western Railway and most recently as managing director of the group's non-franchised rail businesses. He takes over from First Rail managing director Steve Montgomery, who has been acting managing director of Avanti West Coast since September 2022 following the resignation of Phil Whittingham. FirstGroup chief executive Graham Sutherland said today: 'We are working closely with Government and our partners across the industry to deliver a successful railway for our customers and communities. 'Performance at Avanti is steadily improving and, since the introduction of the new timetable in mid-December, the number of services has increased by more than 40 per cent compared to last summer, with more seats and better frequencies. 'Today's agreement allows our team to continue their focus on delivering their robust plans to continue enhancing services for our customers, including further progress on our train upgrade and refurbishment programme.' Transport Secretary Mark Harper (pictured in Blyth on March 6) said an improvement plan produced by Avanti West Coast 'is working' Transport Secretary Mark Harper said an improvement plan produced by Avanti West Coast after the DfT previously handed the operator a six-month contract renewal in October 2022 'is working'. He said: 'The routes Avanti West Coast run are absolutely vital, and I fully understand the frustrations passengers felt at the completely unacceptable services seen last autumn. 'Following our intervention, rail minister Huw Merriman and I have worked closely with local leaders to put a robust plan in place, which I'm glad to see is working. 'However, there is still more work to be done to bring services up to the standards we expect, which is why over this next six months further improvements will need to be made by Avanti West Coast.' The contract for TransPennine Express - another FirstGroup-owned operator with performance problems - expires on May 28. This will be 'considered separately with a further announcement in due course', according to the DfT. Rishi Sunak suffered a blow today as the DUP announced it will vote against his new Brexit deal this week. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the party's officers had 'unanimously agreed' that its eight MPs should oppose measures implementing the package on Wednesday. In a statement, he said the DUP were continuing to seek 'clarifications, change and re-working' of the so-called Windsor Framework and so could not support it in the House of Commons. The move will heap pressure on Tory Eurosceptics ahead of Wednesday's vote, with the European Research Group (ERG) )of Conservative backbenchers set to reveal the verdict of its 'Star Chamber' of lawyers on the deal tomorrow. But many ERG members are already believed to have made up their minds to oppose the Windsor Framework - although sources told MailOnline that there are conflicting views among the MPs. MPs will be asked to approve regulations to introduce the 'Stormont Brake' section of the Windsor Framework on Wednesday. Pictured, the border with the Republic in Londonderry Tory Eurosceptics are preparing to revolt against Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal in a crunch vote this week DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the party's officers had 'unanimously agreed' that its eight MPs should oppose measures implementing the package on Wednesday MPs will be asked to approve regulations to introduce the 'Stormont Brake' section of the Windsor Framework on Wednesday. The plan is set to be passed with support from the bulk of Conservative MPs and Labour, but the size of any rebellion will be crucial for Mr Sunak. The Prime Minister will be disheartened by the DUP's unwillingness to back the Windsor Framework, after the party also refused to support Theresa May's Brexit deal and the original Northern Ireland Protocol signed by Boris Johnson. In his statement today, Sir Jeffrey said: 'Our party officers - the only decision-making mechanism in our party on these matters - met this morning and unanimously agreed that in the context of our ongoing concerns and the need to see further progress secured whilst continuing to seek clarification, change and re-working that our MPs would vote against the draft statutory instrument on Wednesday. 'We will continue to work with the Government on all the outstanding issues relating to the Windsor Framework package to try to restore the delicate political balances within Northern Ireland and to seek to make further progress on all these matters.' DUP MP Sammy Wilson went further in his criticism of the Stormont Brake and accused Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris of having 'misled the public' over how it would operate. 'For weeks, the Windsor Framework has been oversold and now the wildest assertions are being laid bare as its details are examined and publically revealed,' Mr Wilson posted on Twitter. Downing Street has lined up the Stormont Brake which potentially gives the UK a veto over the imposition of new EU rules in Northern Ireland as the subject matter for a key vote over the Windsor Framework on the basis that it is the 'most significant part' of the agreement. The PM's official spokesman this afternoon rejected suggestions the DUP had been misled over the operation of the Stormont Brake. 'It is set out in the legal text,' he said. 'The EU has no role in deciding whether the brake is used or whether the rule is disapplied. 'The treaty is clear it is for the people of the UK alone. It is up to MLAs in the Northern Ireland Assembly to decide whether to trigger the brake and then if triggered the rule in question is suspended automatically from coming into effect. 'The UK Government has an unequivocal veto to enable the rule to be permanently disapplied.' Downing Street insisted ministers stood ready to have further talks with the DUP but vowed to push ahead with Wednesday's vote. 'We remain confident that this is the best deal for Northern Ireland,' the PM's spokesman added. 'Of course we wanted to give the DUP and other parties as much time as possible to consider the deal and come to a view. 'Equally we need to provide certainty to the people and businesses of Northern Ireland which is why we have started the process of votes. 'The DUP are important partners in this. We want to answer any further questions they have and provide any necessary reassurance and we stand ready to do that.' Wednesday's vote will be the first Commons test for Mr Sunak's deal with the EU, which was generally well-received, although criticism has been slowly mounting. 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. A senior ERG member told MailOnline: 'It is unlikely that we will vote as a bloc. There have always been differences of view within the group.' The DUP has been blocking devolution at Stormont in protest at the Protocol, and while Sir Jeffrey has conceded the Windsor Framework is an improvement, he has insisted 'fundamental problems' remain. The PM had already been warned of the DUP's opposition when one of the party's senior MPs, Ian Paisley Jr, refused to offer his support for the Windsor Framework. He told the News Letter: 'I am categorically voting against, and I would be surprised if my colleagues do not join me'. He added: 'My initial reaction to the Windsor Framework was that I didn't think it cut the mustard in terms of addressing our seven key tests (on restoring NI's place within the UK internal market). 'After taking time to study it and a least one legal opinion on it, and going through the details, and also having conversations and messages back and forward to the Secretary of State, I am still of that opinion that it doesn't address any of our seven tests. 'It is the old substance dressed up in a new package with a ribbon around it, but it hasn't actually changed, or addressed the fundamental issue of Northern Ireland trade being disrupted in our internal UK market.' China's foreign ministry releases report on state of democracy in U.S. in 2022 Xinhua) 13:02, March 20, 2023 BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday released a report on its website titled "The State of Democracy in the United States: 2022." Based on facts, media comments and expert opinions, the report aims to present a real picture of American democracy over the past year. It reveals that American democracy was in chaos at home and that a trail of havoc and disasters were left behind as the United States peddled and imposed its democracy around the globe. It is hoped that the report will help remove the facade of American democracy for more people worldwide, the report says. In addition to the preamble and conclusion, the report has two parts titled "American democracy in chronic ills" and "The United States' imposition of 'democracy' has caused chaos around the world." In 2022, the vicious cycle of democratic pretensions, dysfunctional politics and a divided society continued in the United States, the report says, adding that problems such as money politics, identity politics, social rifts, and the gulf between the rich and the poor worsened. The maladies afflicting American democracy deeply infected the cells of U.S. politics and society, and further revealed U.S. governance failure and institutional defects, it says. However, the United States refuses to acknowledge the many problems and institutional crises confronting its democracy at home and stubbornly claims to be the template and beacon of democracy for the world. Such imperiousness perpetuates the ills of its democracy and causes dire consequences for other countries, says the report. Democracy is humanity's common value. However, there is no single model of political system that is applicable to all countries in the world, says the report. It goes on to say that it should be up to the people of a country to judge whether the country is democratic or not and how to better promote democracy in their country. The few self-righteous countries have no right to point fingers. Those who have many flaws themselves have little credibility to lecture others, and attempts to undermine others for one's own profit and destabilize the world must be unanimously opposed, says the report, adding that black-and-white division of countries as democratic or authoritarian is both anachronistic and arbitrary. What our world needs today is not to stoke division in the name of democracy and pursue de facto supremacy-oriented unilateralism, but to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and uphold true multilateralism on the basis of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, according to the report. It continues by saying that what our world needs today is not to interfere in other countries' internal affairs under the guise of democracy, but to advocate genuine democracy, reject pseudo-democracy and jointly promote greater democracy in international relations. What our world needs today is not a "Summit for Democracy" that hypes up confrontation and contributes nothing to the collective response to global challenges, but a conference of solidarity that focuses on taking real actions to solve prominent global challenges, the report says. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) British Justice Secretary Dominic Raab greets prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Khan, right, ahead of their speeches during the Justice Ministers' conference at Lancaster House, London, Monday, in support of the International Criminal Court and the investigation into the situation in Ukraine. AP-Yonhap Russia said Monday that it had opened a criminal investigation into International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan after the court based in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin. "The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case against the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Ahmad Khan" and several ICC judges, the Investigative Committee said, based on their "unlawful" decision to seek Putin's arrest. Khan is being investigated on the grounds of "criminal prosecution of a person known to be innocent... and preparation of an attack on a representative of a foreign state enjoying international protection," the statement from the Investigative Committee said. The ICC on Friday announced an arrest warrant for Putin on the war crime accusation of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children. The Hague-based ICC said it had also issued a warrant against Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights, on similar charges. Moscow dismissed the orders as "void." 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. (AFP) A British minibus driver who was taking a Jewish group back to London has died and 16 others were injured after the vehicle he was driving overturned in Belgium. A 15-year-old boy remains in critical condition and is fighting for his life after the driver lost control of the minibus after allegedly hitting another car in the northern city of Antwerp at around 3.30am on Sunday morning. The 67-year-old driver allegedly failed to stop after hitting a BMW and continued his journey at speed before losing control of the steering while attempting to turn onto the ring road, according to local media reports. The minibus then hit a tram pole and flipped over onto its side, killing the driver instantly and leaving the 15-year-old boy in critical condition. Police say 15 other passengers were injured in the crash. The 15-year-old boy, who is suffering from life-threatening injuries, is currently being treated in Sint Vincentius Hospital in Antwerp. A minibus carrying British Jews crashed in Belgium, killing the driver and injuring 16 others Police and ambulance at the scene of the accident in Antwerp, Belgium, on Sunday night The injuries sustained by the remainder on board were described as minor, and most had already been discharged from hospital by Monday morning. The driver of the BMW involved in the minor collision was also taken to hospital after he went into shock when he saw the minibus crash. It is not clear from local media reports how severe the collision with the BMW was. Images from the scene showed that part of the car's bumper was missing following the crash. Antwerp police spokesperson Wouter Bruyns told local media: 'The driver of the BMW followed the bus but stopped when he saw a police car. 'The man reported the collision, and the police patrol pursued the bus. 'When the patrol arrived at the intersection of Sint-Bernardsesteenweg and Generaal Armstrongweg, the bus was already on its side. 'The medical intervention plan has been declared. Most of the passengers were lightly injured but still taken to the hospital. Police and ambulance at the scene of the accident in Antwerp, Belgium, on Sunday night 'A 15-year-old is so seriously injured that he is in critical condition. Unfortunately, all help came too late for the driver. He died on the spot.' The victim ran a regular bus service between the Jewish community in London and the Hasidic community led by Rabbi Leibish Leiser in Antwerp. The group was returning to London when the accident happened. The Pshevorsk movement led by Rabbi Leiser - the only internationally recognised Hasidic movement based in Antwerp - also has followers in London and Manchester. Bus services run from the UK to Antwerp nearly every week so believers can attend Saturday prayers and meals at the synagogue on Mercatorstraat. The visitors then usually stay with family or friends in the city before returning to the UK. MailOnline has contacted the UK Foreign Office for comment. This is a breaking news story, more to follow... More than 1,000 people contributed over 21K to an appeal for Eleanor Williams The mother of fantasist Eleanor Williams who was jailed for falsely claiming she was raped by men including an Asian grooming gang is being sued amid claims she has not returned 21,000 raised by duped well-wishers. Labour councillor Allison Johnston, from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, was handed 21,104 to pay for legal fees to bring her daughter's 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. Tory councillor Shane Yerrell, 39, who organised the appeal - which had more than 1,000 backers - said the money was originally intended to help Williams pay for a flat away from Barrow, where she lied about being a rape victim and sexually trafficked. But when it emerged that Williams was facing a charge for perverting the course of justice, Mr Yerrell decided to draw up a contract so that the money could only be spent on legal fees and counselling for Williams, he told The Times. Eleanor Williams posted this photo of injuries she said were caused by a gang. In fact, she inflicted them herself Labour councillor Allison Johnston pictured with her daughter Eleanor Williams It also said that if no prosecution was brought against her alleged abusers, the money would be split between two charities, Women's Community Matters and The Maggie Oliver Foundation, but both refused the money after the trial. Mr Yerrell, a Tory councillor in Essex, said communication between himself and Ms Johnston broke down when he arranged to give the donations to the James Bulger Memorial Trust and Furness Multicultural Community Forum but Williams' mother wanted to pick her own charities. Speaking to the Times, Mr Yerrell said: 'At the end of the day, there was a guilty verdict. The money was raised to help her fight this grooming gang, which doesn't exist.' Ms Johnston has been contacted for comment. Tory councillor (pictured) Shane Yerrell organised the appeal and raised more than 21,000 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. 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. Eleanor Williams's mother speaking to Sky News Ms Johnston, a councillor on Barrow Borough Council, was suspended by the Labour Party in January after Williamss conviction. 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. Three men who Williams falsely accused of rape tried to kill themselves as a result of her lies. Rogue elements within Iran's most powerful armed forces tried to target Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's official residence with artillery, a leaked file reveals. The file details a meeting held on January 3 between 58 commanders of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG) and Khamenei himself. During the meeting, several commanders expressed their frustration over the ongoing protests and warned Khamenei about the future of the Islamic Republic. Iran has been swept by popular protests demanding fundamental economic, social and political changes in the country since Mahsa Amini's death in custody on September 16. The 22-year-old woman had been arrested for allegedly wearing a hijab improperly. The file details a meeting held on January 3 between 58 commanders of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG) and Khamenei (pictured) himself During the meeting, several commanders expressed their frustration over the ongoing protests (pictured) and warned Khamenei about the future of the Islamic Republic The commanders confirmed that the majority of the forces under their command refused to confront the people and had rejected orders to shoot at civilians (pictured: a protest in Istanbul following the death of Mahsa Amini) The commanders confirmed that the majority of the forces under their command refused to confront the people and had rejected orders to shoot at civilians. The meeting also highlighted the decline in troop morale and an increase in conflicts among rank-and-file IRGC officers. Khamenei's representative within the IRGC, Abdullah Haji Sadeghi, told the meeting that the forces were not in the same situation as last year, particularly with respect to their morale. Gholamali Rashidi, another commander who attended the meeting, warned that the Islamic Republic is facing an even bigger challenge. He described an incident in which an individual tried to target the Supreme Leader's residence with artillery at the peak of anti-establishment protests. He said: 'Since the start of the protests, we have had personnel who have defied orders.' 'One incident involved an individual targeting the Supreme Leaders residence with artillery. Thanks to the immediate response of our fellow members in the unit, the perpetrators were identified and apprehended,' he added. The leaked file provides insight into the turmoil within Iran's most powerful armed forces, with elements refusing to confront their own people and expressing frustration with the current state of affairs. 'Based on our reports, it appears that IRGC forces are not in the same situation as last year, particularly with respect to their morale, as there has been a decline,' Abdullah Haji Sadeghi, Khamenei's representative within the IRGC, told the meeting according to IranWire. 'We have gathered information and statistics from various units across divisions, which reveal the existence of conflict [within the ranks],' he said. 'This must be managed properly. It is important to note that we are not talking about just one or two individuals, but rather an armed force consisting of over 600,000 personnel,' he warned the Supreme Leader and his commanders. Iran has been swept by popular protests demanding fundamental economic, social and political changes in the country since Mahsa Amini's (pictured) death in custody on September 16. The 22-year-old woman had been arrested for allegedly wearing a hijab improperly The leaked file provides insight into the turmoil within Iran's most powerful armed forces, with elements refusing to confront their own people and expressing frustration with the current state of affair (pictured: people burning an Iranian national flag during a demonstration following Mahsa Amini's death) The commanders also discussed corruption and widespread misconduct among senior armed forces, which are believed to have contributed to worsening disagreements and criticism among personnel in these units. During the meeting, the deputy commander of the IRGC forces in Alborz, Ehsan Khorshidi, warned his colleagues about the frustration among his troops. 'Recently, we have witnessed instances of disruption and assistance by armed forces towards civilians,' he said. He added that a week prior to the meeting, a group of conscripts and a lieutenant from the Alborz units had stolen from a military storage facility. But 'upon investigation, security forces concluded that there was no robbery, and the agents responsible for the transfer [of items] had distributed everything among the underprivileged neighbourhoods of Karaj,' Khorshidi added. The Revolutionary Guard was established in parallel with Iran's existing armed forces to consolidate power under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Today, the group is estimated to have between 125,000 and 150,000 members, but it is uncertain how many of those members are part of the Quds Force, an elite branch of the IRGC responsible for foreign operations. The group, which is enshrined in the constitution, answers only to Iran's Supreme Leader. The IRGC oversees the country's ballistic missile program and has conducted several tests since the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. In 2019, the United States included the IRGC on its 'Foreign Terrorist Organizations' list. This designation was part of the 'maximum pressure' campaign that then-President Donald Trump imposed on Iran after withdrawing the United States from the nuclear deal, which had limited Iran's nuclear activity in exchange for relief from sanctions. An Australian tourist has been found dead after attempting a demanding hike to a remote cave in Thailand. Edward Alchin, 69, from Sydney, was discovered unconscious at the Tiger Cave in Krabi province on Friday afternoon. Just moments earlier he posted a photo of the stunning view to Facebook showing the steep stairs leading to the top with the caption: 'Just 1000 more steps' The Aussie - who had been travelling alone - made the difficult journey to climb 1,260 steps to the popular tourist spot. Mr Alchin reached the observation deck at the mountain's summit, but felt dizzy from fatigue and later collapsed. Mr Alchin (pictured) reached the observation deck at the mountain's summit, but felt dizzy from fatigue and later collapsed Just moments earlier he posted a photo of the stunning view to Facebook showing the steep stairs leading to the top with the caption: 'Just 1000 more steps' He was found near the base of a Buddha statue by a passing local who raised the alarm. Tourists called rescuers who performed CPR, but it took an hour for emergency services to reach the platform. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate Mr Alchin but he was pronounced dead at the scene. It took another hour to carry his body back down the steps. Police Lieutenant Attakowit Sungkasit of Mueang Krabi Police Station said Mr Alchin had arrived at the temple alone on a rented motorcycle. Lieutenant Sungkasit said the man left his bag and passport with temple staff and told them he 'would be back soon' before embarking on the hike. 'Witnesses said he was healthy and had a lot of energy,' the officer said. 'There are no suspicious circumstances, but it was very hot that day, so the conditions would have made it harder.' A doctor who conducted a brief post-mortem examination said Mr Alchin may have suffered a cardiac arrest after climbing the steep stairs. Temperatures reach more than 35C in the south of the country, making strenuous exercise dangerous in some cases. Attempts to revive Mr Alchin were unsuccessful and he died at the scene Edward Alchin, 69, from Sydney, was discovered unconscious at the Tiger Cave in Krabi province in Thailand on Friday afternoon Mr Alchin had climbed the 1,260 steps to the popular Thailand tourist spot, the Tiger Cave Emergency services were called to the scene but it took an hour for them to reach the platform Mr Alchin's body was transported to Krabi Hospital while officers contacted the Australian embassy to inform relatives of his death. Temple staff have since requested visitors refrain from hiking to the cave if they were not physically prepared. In Februrary, a German tourist was rescued after falling into a limestone cave in Krabi. Fried Ingeborg, 61, was exploring the caves of the Khao Khanab Nam mountains when she slipped and injured herself, with paramedics arriving to bring her down a 100ft flight of steps on a stretcher. A 17-year-old boy has been arrested after a transgender woman was shot dead and left lying in the road in Houston as cops say the second suspect is still at large. Marisela Castro, 39, was found lying in the road outside a home on Centerwood Street, in the North Shore neighborhood, shortly before 2 a.m. on July 29, 2022, according to Houston police. Castro and another person had just left her car when she was shot, police said. A single shot struck her in the back, ABC13 reports. The two suspects left the scene in Castro's car before ditching the vehicle, police said. Marisela Castro, 39, was found lying in the road outside a home on Centerwood Street, in the North Shore neighborhood, shortly before 2 a.m. on July 29, 2022, according to Houston police. Police discovered the car abandoned at a jogging trail a few blocks away, according to ABC13. Houston Police Department was able to obtain surveillance video at the time of the shooting that gave them a clearer picture of what happened. Police announced on Thursday that a 17-year-old, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, is now in custody on a capital murder charge. However, police believe the 17-year-old was not the one who shot Castro and authorities say they are still searching for the unidentified second suspect. Because the 17-year-old is charged in juvenile court, there has been little to no information provided about him. Police would not comment on a possible motive. Castro and another person had just exited her car when she was shot, police said. The two suspects left the scene in Castro's car before ditching the vehicle, police said 'Sadly, that is life sometimes,' Castro's brother said. 'The person who commits these crimes is out in the streets. Sometimes they are never caught, but God will take care of that.' Castro's brother, who lives out of state, said the 39-year-old lived with him before she moved to Houston. Elia Chino, executive director of Fundacion Latinoamericana De Accion Social, a group that aids Houston's LGBTQ Latino community, told ABC News in a statement: 'I am so happy that finally the law enforcement is doing something about it to find those responsible.' 'Our lives matter,' Chino said. In 2019, there were 280 murders reported in Houston. That number increased in 2020, with 400 reported. In 2021, there were 465 murders reported in the city and in 2022 there were 435 murders reported. Houston police asked anyone with information to call its homicide division at 713-308-3600 or submit a tip anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. Nicola Sturgeon will begin saying her goodbyes as First Minister of Scotland today - as the race to replace her drives her party into meltdown. At the start of her last week in office, she will give a speech in London this afternoon, 400 miles from chaos enveloping the SNP at Holyrood over how her successor is chosen. Ms Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, was forced to quit as party chief executive at the weekend over a row over the release of party membership figures. And his interim replacement, party president Mike Russell, admitted the nationalists were in a 'tremendous mess', just a week before the new First Minister is due to be unveiled on March 27. Mr Russell told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme he has been brought in to 'steady the ship' and will focus on doing that for the next week. Asked what has gone wrong, Mr Russell told the BBC: 'A whole host of things quite clearly. Ms Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, was forced to quit as party chief executive at the weekend over a row over the release of party membership figures. Ms Forbes said she has confidence in the process to find a new leader. 'But my focus as I said yesterday and I'm saying again today, is to ensure we get to next Monday to the declaration of the (leadership) result in a much better form and do it in an orderly fashion and that's what I'm going to be doing this week: making sure that we focus on the important things for the people of Scotland actually because we have a duty to the people of Scotland. 'The person that the party selects will be the party's nominee for First Minister and we've got to get this right and we've got to do it in the proper way, so that's the focus just now. 'I think then the new leader needs to look very closely at a whole range of issues, including the organisation of party HQ, and also the fact that we haven't had a leadership election in 19 years and I have to say it shows.' Mr Murrell quit with immediate effect on Saturday following a row over the party's membership numbers. 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'. The party this week confirmed there had been a big drop in membership numbers. His departure came shortly after that of media chief Murray Foote, who said there had been a 'serious impediment' to his role. 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. Ms Forbes said she has confidence in the process to find a new leader. Asked whether she would like the leadership contest to be rerun, Kate Forbes told BBC Radio Scotland: 'Personally, no. I personally would like us to get to the end which is next week.' During the interview, Ms Forbes was also asked what she makes about the drop in SNP membership, which has fallen by more than 30,000 in the past two years. Party president Mike Russell admitted the nationalists were in a 'tremendous mess', just a week before the new First Minister is due to be unveiled. She said: 'I think that absolutely demonstrates that this needs to be a change election.' On Sunday Ms Forbes said decisions in the SNP are being taken by too few people. She is on maternity leave from her government role as Finance Secretary, and 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.' Russia's former president today threatened to target the Hague with hypersonic nuclear-capable missiles after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin over war crimes in Ukraine. A ranting Dmitry Medvedev warned the ICC's judges to 'look carefully to the sky' as he threatened to unleash the hypersonic anti-ship Onyx missile from a Russian ship on the court. His warning came after the ICC on Friday called for Putin's arrest and accused the Russian despot of committing war crimes by abducting Ukrainian children from their homes and deporting them to Russia to be given to Russian families. Medvedev warned the ICC's decision will have 'monstrous' consequences for international war as he said he would target the court with hypersonic nuclear-capable missiles. 'Everyone walks under God and missiles. One can well imagine a point-blank use of a hypersonic Onyx from the North Sea by a Russian ship on The Hague courthouse,' Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council, warned. A ranting Dmitry Medvedev warned the ICC's judges to 'look carefully to the sky' as he threatened to unleash the hypersonic anti-ship Onyx missile from a Russian ship on the court Deputy head of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, second right, and Deputy Defense Minister and State Secretary Nikolai Pankov, second left, visit a military enlistment office during their visit to Leningrad region, in Russia, on Thursday Ukrainian servicemen fire an artillery called 2S7 Pion howitzer cannon aiming to Russian positions in the frontline nearby Bakhmut in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine on March 17 He continued: 'It cannot be shot down, alas. And the court is only a miserable international organisation, not the population of a NATO country. 'So they won't start a war either. [The judges] are afraid. And no one will be sorry. So, citizen judges, look carefully to the sky.' Medvedev also warned the ICC's decision to issue a warrant for Putin's arrest would have horrible consequences for international law. 'They decided to try a president of a nuclear power that does not participate in the ICC on the same grounds as the United States and other countries. 'The consequences for international law will be monstrous.' Medvedev had previously compared the arrest warrant for Putin to toilet paper. 'The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin. No need to explain WHERE this paper should be used,' Medvedev wrote on Twitter, adding a toilet paper emoji. Medvedev - once seen as a Kremlin liberal but now a hectoring hardliner - was president between 2008 and 2012, and had two separate stints as Russian prime minister. His threat to unleash a series of hypersonic nuclear-capable missiles at the Hague came after Putin's favourite TV propagandist Vladimir Solovyov demanded a nuclear strike on any Western country seeking to implement the dictator's arrest. Solovyov called for a Satan-2 intercontinental ballistic missile to be unleashed on 'scumbag' German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann after he said Putin faced arrest if he set foot in Germany. He asked: 'Do you want to wake up a Russian bear? You will wake it up... It will tear your gentle flesh to pieces.' He stressed that the US, China and India - like Russia - do not recognise the court's jurisdiction. 'Just so they know, any attempt at implementation [of the arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin] is a declaration of war, and an immediate nuclear strike on the country - immediate,' he told viewers across Russia's 11 time zones. 'Any attempt to go against the will of the Russian people must be a strike. 'And that moron [German] Justice Minister [Marco Buschmann] should meet the Sarmat [Satan-2 hypersonic missile] 'If we have to put troops in Holland for this purpose, then we have to put troops in Holland. And I don't care if it is a NATO country.' Solovyov called for a Satan-2 intercontinental ballistic missile (pictured during a test launch in April 2022) to be unleashed on 'scumbag' German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann after he said Putin faced arrest if he set foot in Germany Solovyov asked the West: 'Do you want to wake up a Russian bear? You will wake it up. You will wake it up.' Margarita Simonyan, head of propaganda network RT, said: 'As we know it anyway wakes up in spring.' READ MORE: How CAN Putin be arrested for war crimes? The unlikely circumstances that could see Vladimir held to account for invading Ukraine and abducting children Advertisement Solovyov said: 'And it's hungry in spring. It will tear your gentle flesh to pieces. There will be no negotiations with you, ever. Until you are destroyed. Until you moan for forgiveness.' Loyalist MP and reservist Lt-Gen Andrey Gurulev told state TV channel Rossiya 1: 'It's time to decide that a step to the right, or the left - and you guys [the West] will get a nuclear strike on your heads. 'We shouldn't be scared of it. It wasn't our president [Putin] who was charged with this criminal case [by the ICC]. 'It was to all Russian people, who support our president All Russian people were declared illegal.' The ICC's president, Piotr Hofmanski, has admitted that while the court's judges have issued the warrants, it will be up to the international community to enforce them. The court has no police force of its own to enforce warrants. 'The ICC is doing its part of work as a court of law. The judges issued arrest warrants. The execution depends on international cooperation,' Hofmanski said. A possible trial of any Russians at the ICC remains a long way off, as Moscow does not recognise the court's jurisdiction and does not extradite its nationals - a position reaffirmed on Friday by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova in a first reaction to the warrants. He drove after the thief his dashcam on, when they turned around with a knife A man had a knife pointed at his neck and was robbed of a 1,000 phone This is the horrifying moment a knife-wielding thief chases after a driver whose phone he had just stolen using a ten-inch blade. The victim caught the shocking scenes on his dashcam in Dagenham, east London, as he bravely tried to get an image of the robber to help police. The 36-year-old wanted to sell a brand new unopened iPhone 14 Pro Max and offered it for sale on selling site Shpock before agreeing a normal price. But when it came to the handover, the buyer got into his car and then pointed the knife towards his neck and told him to hand it over. The victim says he was left fuming after the robbery because more than two weeks later the crook has still not been arrested. A man who had his new iPhone robbed from him in east London, caught a video of the thief on his dashcam as the knife-wielding thug chased after him A message exchange on the selling site Shpock shows that the victim agreed to sell his iPhone 14 Pro Max for 1,025 The victim put his iPhone for sale on Shpock and agreed the 1,025 price from a user called Michael A. The new phone, which was still in its packaging, was unwanted and the man decided to sell it as he has a baby due in April and needed to take time off from his job as a delivery driver to help his wife. He and 'Michael A' agreed to meet by a primary school in Dagenham, east London, on March 3, where the man could buy the phone, putting the money straight into the seller's account. The victim drove there and waited in a residential road next to a primary school for 'Michael' to turn up. Seconds before the meeting, the victim said he started to feel uneasy when he was receiving texts from the buyer but could see he was also on the phone as he walked towards his car. Describing what happened, he explained: 'When he got into the car he said 'Can I see the phone?' 'He had a look, then asked for the IMEI number which I gave to him to check. 'Once that was done he said ''alright then, give me the phone'' and he took out the knife. The victim risked his safety to capture this clear image of the thug who chased after him while waving a knife 'It was an 8-10 inch knife, a proper steel blade, military grade. Like one you'd see in a movie. 'He took it out and he kept saying 'Give it to me' and I said 'You will take it just like that?' and he said 'Yeah, just like that' then he put one hand on my shoulder and pointed the knife towards my neck. I thought ''This has gone too far.'' 'I was shocked as I'd never been in a similar situation before.' The robber left and ran up the road, at which point the victim noticed a car loitering nearby. He believes those in the car were with the thief and part of a gang in the area robbing people of brand new iPhones. Knowing he needed to get a clear image of the thug for the police, and remembering he had a dash cam, he gave chase, following the robber as he ran away up the road. But in shocking scenes, the criminal then turned around and chased him, waving the knife in the air and running down the middle of the street. It was only when the stolen phone fell from his pocket that he stopped to pick it up - and the victim reversed and managed to drive away. An unopened iPhone 14 Pro Max (pictured) often sells online for just over 1,000 The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: 'I knew that the police wouldn't be able to do anything unless I got an image of his face, so I was thinking ''All I need to do now is get a photo of him'', so I followed him in my car. 'I was very shaken up by it. I realised that I could actually have got killed. 'I was shaking when the police came. The police put a patrol in the area, I got in their car and we went round looking for him. 'They got Ring footage, took my statement, but this man is still out and about. 'It has been ten days, with a clear picture, proper evidence, Ring footage, and still they haven't caught him. 'What else can a regular citizen like me do? Go out and catch him for the police and bring him to them? 'I give myself credit. I'm a normal guy. I couldn't do any more.' 'We have a massive crisis among our young men. These people get caught, they get short sentences and then they get out and do it again. 'They do it again because they're not scared and the law and enforcement doesn't work.' He wrote to London Mayor Sadiq Khan about the crime but says he is convinced no-one will be arrested for it. The thief initially runs at the car before turning back around and heading back up the road After continuing driving down the road, the thug turns around and starts running at the car with a knife (pictured: the moment the new iPhone falls out of his pocket) Before robbing the victim, the thief first tried to lowball the seller with a bid of 995 'If they were going to arrest him they would have done it by now,' he added. 'It seems like they will only do something when someone is actually stabbed and they are in the news.' A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'Police are investigating a report that a man was threatened with a knife by a man who stole his phone in Bromhall Road, Dagenham, at around 14:40hrs on Friday, 3 March. 'Officers responded at the time, however the suspect had already left the area. 'Officers investigating the incident are currently pursuing a number of inquiries in an attempt to identify the suspect, including work relating to the vehicle the suspect left the scene in and location of the stolen phone. 'This remains an active investigation and the victim is being kept up to date regarding any developments.' A Metropolitan Police officer who used CCTV cameras to stalk his ex-partner after she ended their relationship is facing a possible jail term. PC Jonathan Simon, 44, sent the woman unsolicited messages using withheld numbers and suggested she should become a sex worker, a court was told. Simon, from Colchester in Essex, met the woman when he was called to her address after a neighbour dispute on May 17, 2021 - before they 'became intimate' that evening. A relationship started but the woman ended it because she thought Simon only wanted her for sex, the court heard. Simon then watched his victim on CCTV when she picked her children up from school, turned up at her address uninvited and went to her home with his colleague. He denied but was convicted of stalking. PC Jonathan Simon walks outside Westminster Magistrates' Court on October 6 last year Prosecutor Harry MacDonald told Westminster Magistrates' Court: 'The officer was in a position of trust as a responder and investigator. This defendant then manufactured reasons to returned to the victim's address later on in the day. He did so twice and was alone. 'His final attendance was late in the evening, and he was let in by the victim. They initially discussed her complaint, before discussing her feelings more generally, where she confided in the defendant about her distresses and difficulties. 'He then offered her a massage [to relax her] and they then became intimate that evening.' Giving evidence from behind a screen, the woman told the court: 'I didn't know what type of person he was. I think him being a police officer meant I let my guard down a bit. 'He was very friendly at the start and then I started to get to know what sort of man he is. I realised over time [the relationship] was only for sex for him and I started getting concerned for my children.' During the autumn of 2021 she faced financial difficulty when her car needed repairing and she turned to Simon for advice. The woman said Simon encouraged her to take up sex work in order to help her financial situation. She told the court: 'He told me to offer myself to prostitution. He told me how to do, it where to go, how long it would take me then to buy a brand-new car... so these are all factors that contributed to me to worrying about the type of person he was.' Mr Macdonald asked: 'What action, if any, did you take to end the sexual relationship?' Simon denied but was convicted of stalking, at Westminster Magistrates' Court (file image) She replied: 'I went along with it, and [I realised] what type of person he is. I tried to get away, but he was very persistent. I felt like he wanted to take advantage of my emotional state...but I couldn't [carry on] I was sick. 'I was physically sick...and I made my mind up I was like 'no I've had enough'... so that's when I decided to block him on everything.' 'You made reference to him watching you on close circuit television, can you just tell the court about that?' asked the prosecutor. She replied: 'I remember it was after school, I picked up my kids at my usual stop and I parked there. He texted me saying he could see me. I thought he had driven by because I couldn't see anyone there. 'He carried on saying he could see me from the CCTV camera that's up the road. He was texting me saying "why are you taking so long, what are you doing?" 'He was very persistent and controlling, he kept trying to [contact me with] private numbers so I would answer the calls.' Simon then turned up at the victim's address uninvited one evening and texted the victim telling her he was outside. She sent a message back saying she was not well. 'I was scared to open the door in case he would push through and I couldn't get away from him,' she said. 'I just wanted to be nice. He tried to get to me again and the way he was talking, he asked me to 'keep him warm' which I believed meant he wanted to be intimate again.' In January 2022 Simon attended the victim's address with a colleague. 'The colleague rang the doorbell so the victim would open the door, then Simon said he needed to speak to the victim,' Mr MacDonald said. 'She recalls a part of the exchange where he started to cup her face in a way that made her feel uncomfortable. 'Between May and June 2022, the victim recalls the defendant attending her address unsolicited, and manufacturing a reason to speak with her. 'It is on one occasion the prosecution say he entered her personal space to hug her, she didn't want to hug him, but it was an awkward situation and she felt trapped and went along with it. 'The prosecution say the defendant then grabbed her bottom and said, 'I've missed this.' Simon was arrested on July 4 when he arrived at work at the start of his shift and said: 'What the f***'. He joined the police as a special constable in 2010 before becoming a salaried officer in 2013. District Judge Daniel Sternberg found the officer guilty of stalking and harassment. He said: 'It is right that at the very outset of your relationship you attended for a purpose connected to crime, however so far as dates in the charge I don't believe any of your acts were under reasonable circumstances. 'I am sure you pursued a course of conduct that amounted to the harassment of the complainant. 'I am sure your course of conduct amounted to stalking... those acts included contacting the complainant face to face on January 18, 2022... and at the beginning of June 2022 and on July 1, 2022 when you loitered outside her address. 'I am sure that from no later January 18, 2022 you knew or ought to have known your conduct did amount to harassment. 'If you didn't you would not have had another officer attend the address with you on January 18, that is compelling evidence. 'I find the prosecution has proved its case on the basis I have set out on this decision I therefore find you guilty of this charge.' Simon denied but was convicted of stalking. He was bailed ahead of sentence on April 4. Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, responsible for policing in East Area Command Unit, said: 'PC Simon's behaviour was unwarranted, unwanted and caused significant concern to the victim. 'Our officers cannot behave like this and we will be proactive in identifying and taking positive action against those who do. 'Despite being repeatedly asked to stop he subjected the victim to a campaign of harassment which caused her considerable distress. He abused his position as a police officer and has now rightly been convicted as a result.' Simon remains suspended from duty and misconduct proceedings will now take place as soon as possible. The widow of a British Army Commonwealth recruit who collapsed and died during a fitness test is suing the MoD and its civilian recruitment company for over 200,000 compensation. Youngson Nkhoma, 30, from Malawi, was taking part in a timed 2km run at an assessment centre in Lichfield, Staffordshire, on November 27, 2019, when he collapsed 200m from the finish line. The father-of-one died in hospital later that night from catastrophic organ failure, just ten days after another Commonwealth recruit, Kamil Iddrisu, 25, had died in an almost identical manner during a similar test at Lichfield. Now his widow Latia Nkhoma is suing the MoD and its commercial recruitment partners Capita Business Services Ltd, demanding a payout of more than 200,000 to compensate her and their baby for her husband's death. Mr Nkhoma had applied to join the British Army as part of a recruitment drive begun in November 2019, during which rules requiring Commonwealth nationals to have lived in the UK for five years before applying to the forces were temporarily relaxed. Youngson Nkhoma, from Malawi, died in hospital from catastrophic organ failure after collapsing during a timed 2km run at an assessment centre in Lichfield Both recruits were training at Whittington Barracks in Staffordshire and suffered from undiagnosed sickle cell disease - a blood condition that be fatal during extreme exercise and most commonly affects people with African ancestry A coroner's inquest following the deaths of the recruits revealed Mr Nkhoma and the other man who died both had sickle cell trait, an inherited condition more common in people with certain genetic backgrounds, including those with African heritage. What is sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease is the umbrella term for a group of inherited conditions that severely affect red blood cells. Around 15,000 people in the UK are sufferers and it is particularly common in people of African or Caribbean descent. Healthy red blood cells - produced by stem cells within bone marrow - are biconcaved discs that can bend and flex easily. However, in those with sickle cell disease, faulty stem cells produce red blood cells that are crescent shaped. They are rigid, unable to squeeze through smaller blood vessels and prone to causing blockages that deprive parts of the body of oxygen. Sufferers are not expected to live beyond 60 and treatment mainly focuses on alleviating symptoms, such as pain and infections, through blood transfusions and painkillers. Advertisement The condition can lead the body to fatally break down when triggered by overexertion or strenuous exercise, especially in extreme temperatures. Muscles start to disintegrate, releasing fibres into the bloodstream, which clog vital organs in a deadly process known as rhabdomyolysis. In 2021, the Defence Safety Authority held an inquiry into the deaths and the collapse of several other Commonwealth Army hopefuls who survived, finding that lapses had occurred in the selection process and in the provision of health and safety equipment on the days of the tests. As a result of the coroner's findings, the MoD now routinely screens recruits for sickle cell trait with blood tests. The MoD are now being sued along with Capita, a business services company which has had a contract to handle army recruitment since 2012. In papers lodged with the High Court, Irwin Mitchell, lawyers for widow Latia Nkhoma, say: 'The claim arises following an accident that took place on 27 November 2019 at the Army Assessment Centre in Lichfield. 'The deceased, a Malawian national who had applied to the British Army through the Commonwealth Recruitment Initiative, was undertaking the physical assessment stage of the recruitment process, which consisted of a 2km run. 'As the deceased approached the finish line he collapsed and was hospitalised, but passed away that evening. 'The cause of death was later determined to be multi-organ failure, exertional rhabdomyolysis, sickle cell trait and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. 'The claimant alleges that the first and second defendant were negligent or in breach of their duty of care by reason of the acts or omissions of its employees, servants or agents and is therefore liable to compensate the claimant for the injuries and losses sustained.' The High Court writ puts the value of the widow's claim at more than 200,000. A spokesperson for Youngson's family said after the inquiry: 'Youngson had been chatting about the Army for a long time and was excited about being invited to the selection process. 'When he collapsed just short of the finish line, it was a huge shock, but not for one minute did we expect to get told he had passed away. At that moment, our whole world changed and the grief has been overwhelming. 'Losing Youngson at such a young age was nothing short of traumatic and something we'll never get over, but we're grateful that the inquest has at least provided us with some answers. 'We just hope that noone else will have to go through what we have; we wouldn't wish this pain on anyone.' Defences to the action by the MoD and Capita have not yet been made publicly available by the court. A former TikTok executive allegedly asked a female colleague to perform a sex act on him in his London office and said he wanted to 'rip her clothes off' but the social platform mishandled complaints, it was claimed today. Steve Ware, head of TikTok's UK ecommerce studio operations until last year, is accused of making inappropriate advances to young female staff and even influencers behind key content for the video app. Ware had resigned from TikTok in September 2022 before a probe into his alleged behaviour was over. He has told the Financial Times, who has seen messages they claim corroborate some of the claims, that all allegations against him are 'false'. One worker, called Sarah, claims she was denied 'justice' by TikTok after allegedly being repeatedly propositioned by Ware. She said he twice inappropriately touched her, once tried to kiss her and also threatened to 'slap her a**e'. Ware is said to have asked a woman for oral sex in an office and also told her he wanted to 'rip her clothes off', it is alleged, with the FT speaking to four women who worked with him at TikTok. Two colleagues claimed Ware discussed the sexual act of 'teabagging' with young women at work - and had also allegedly asked them personal questions about their sex lives. TikTok's office in Farringdon, London, where Steve Ware, head of TikTok's UK ecommerce studio operations worked until last year Sarah said that her case was not properly investigated and she claims she lost her job as a result. TikTok told the FT that their investigation found Ware had made inappropriate comments and that messages he sent had fallen short of its code of conduct on harassment. But they claimed that Sarah and Ware were in a 'consensual romantic relationship', which Sarah denies. A TikTok spokesman told MailOnline: 'Harassment of any kind in our workplace is completely unacceptable and will be met with the strongest form of disciplinary action possible. We're fully confident in the rigour of our process for surfacing, investigating and taking action on any and all complaints of this nature'. Sarah says that after the investigation was over, her fixed-term employment contract was terminated with a month's notice. She told the FT: 'They realised he had left, and it did not reflect badly on TikTok anymore. I was left waiting for six months without any outcome. I did not get any justice. 'I was scared of losing my job if I said something and [that is what happened] in the end'. Mr Ware has deleted his LinkedIn account, but said in a post as he left TikTok: 'I stepped down from my role as Head of UK studio operations at TikTok after an extremely crazy year! Working to develop TikTok shop UK has been a huge privilege and learning curve within an industry that will continue to grow expediently. 'I am immensely proud of the team and I know they shall continue to be a pioneering department within TikTok shop for the months / years to come'. Last year it emerged that TikTok's London staff were quitting or being sacked because of a culture clash with its Chinese owners who were accused of forcing them to work through the night and during holidays - or demoting them if they refused, whistleblowers claimed. In June 2022 it was claimed that more than 20 staff have left the firm's e-commerce team since it launched TikTok Shop eight months ago, with anonymous current and former workers slamming 'toxic' and stressful working practices in the UK HQ. Last year a row broke out over how TikTok runs its UK online shop and the treatment of staff The raft of resignations and sackings have been linked to October's UK launch of the company's online retail business, branded an anglo-Chinese QVC selling luxury brands on social media. Two people were reportedly paid off after complaints over working conditions amid allegations those who failed to hit 'unrealistic' sales targets were singled out and reprimanded on internal message boards. TikTok said it was investigating. One former team leader told the Financial Times: 'The culture really is toxic. Relationships there are built on fear. They don't care about burnout because it is such a big company they can just replace you. They coast on the TikTok brand'. Joshua Ma, who led the app's European ecommerce team, stepped back last year after telling shocked UK TikTok staff that as a 'capitalist' he 'didn't believe' firms should offer maternity leave as more claims about the company's alleged 'toxic' culture emerged Another said: 'People are leaving every week. It is like a game: every Monday we ask who has been fired, and who has quit'. The row came as a senior executive at the tech giant is to 'take some time off' after he said he 'didn't believe' in maternity leave because it conflicts with 'capitalism'. Joshua Ma, a manager with TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance, stepped back from his role leading the app's UK online shopping operation after the comments emerged as part of an investigation into its aggressive work culture. Staff at TikTok's London offices were left outraged after Mr Ma said at an employee dinner that, as a 'capitalist', he 'didn't believe' companies should offer maternity leave. In an email to staff, TikTok said it was investigating the allegations, which it branded 'disheartening'. 'Hopefully, this painful experience will make us a stronger, closer and better team over the long term,' it said. Ma's comments, reported by The FT, came amid a culture clash within TikTok's London ecommerce team, which reportedly suffered an exodus of staff amid complaints of a toxic company culture that set unrealistic targets and ran counter to standard UK working practices. Staff said they were frequently expected to work over 12 hours per day, while some team members found themselves removed from client accounts after taking annual leave. Working into the early hours of the morning or while taking holiday was also celebrated by the company as an example of good practice. Two employees were also thought to have been paid compensation in relation to working conditions at the firm. The raft of resignations was linked to the UK launch of TikTok Shop, the company's online retail business, in October last year. Products sold through the app include those from brands such as L'Oreal and Lookfantastic, with TikTok often encouraging sellers to offer heavy discounts and 'flash sales' which are often subsidised by the company itself. Employees complained that TikTok set 'unrealistic' sales targets for the division following the launch in a bid to drum up business. In an email to staff seen by the Financial Times, TikTok said it was investigating the claims. In the email, which was titled 'Maintaining a positive working culture', the firm responded to 'some disheartening allegations' about the ecommerce team in the UK. 'Hopefully, this painful experience will make us a stronger, closer and better team over the long term,' it said. Justice ministers from around the world are gathering in London today after the issuing of an arrest warrant for Russia's Vladimir Putin. More than 40 nations will be represented at the Lancaster House meeting in support of the International Criminal Court's investigations into war crimes in Ukraine. The ICC's unprecedented issuing of an arrest warrant for Mr Putin - the first to target a leader of one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - has been hailed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a 'turning point'. He last night insisted 'evil' Russia will be 'held accountable for every act of terror' against his countrymen. The Lancaster House summit is being hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab and Dutch justice minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius. Vladimir Putin made a defiant visit to Mariupol, a Ukrainian port captured by Russia, at the weekend following the issuing of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last night insisted 'evil' Russia will be 'held accountable for every act of terror' against his countrymen The Lancaster House summit is being hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab (pictured) and Dutch justice minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius. Britain is boosting its financial support for the ICC, based in The Hague in the Netherlands, to 1million this year and other countries are also expected to commit to financial and practical assistance. Mr Zelensky is due to open today's meeting via videolink and, in an address to Ukrainians last night, he praised the ICC's issuing of an arrest warrant for Mr Putin. 'The evil state will be held accountable for every act of terror against Ukrainians,' he said. 'This week has finally brought a truly significant international legal result for Ukraine, for justice. 'There is a warrant of the ICC for the arrest of the Russian leader, and this is a turning point. The moment after which it becomes undeniable 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 destabilisation of the world caused by Russian aggression.' The ICC has issued the warrant for Mr Putin over Russia's alleged deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children during the conflict. Kyiv says more than 16,000 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia since the start of Mr Putin's invasion, many of them placed in institutions and foster homes. The court also issued a warrant for the arrest of Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's commissioner for children's rights. The ICC's 123 member states are now obliged to detain and transfer Mr Putin if he sets foot on their territory. But the Kremlin has dismissed the move against the Russian President as 'outrageous and unacceptable'. Mr Putin made a defiant visit to Mariupol, a Ukrainian port captured by Russia, at the weekend. He is also welcoming Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Moscow today. Ahead of the Lancaster House gathering, Mr Raab - who is Justice Secretary as well as Deputy PM - said: 'We are gathering in London today united by one cause to hold war criminals to account for the atrocities committed in Ukraine during this unjust, unprovoked and unlawful invasion. 'The UK, alongside the international community, will continue to provide the ICC with the funding, people and expertise to ensure justice is served.' Poland would have 'no choice' but to 'enter the conflict' in Ukraine if the war-torn country fails to defend itself, Warsaw's ambassador to France has warned. Jan Emeryk Rosciszewski said Poland would have to enter the war if Ukraine failed to defend itself against Russia because the basis of its 'civilisation and culture' would be threatened. Mr Rosciszewski made the claims in an interview with French TV channel LCI yesterday. He said: '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. Jan Emeryk Rosciszewski said Poland would have to enter the war if Ukraine failed to defend itself against Russia as the basis of its 'civilisation and culture' would be threatened Jan Emeryk Rosciszewski said Poland would have to enter the war if Ukraine failed to defend itself against Russia because the basis of its 'civilisation and culture' would be threatened. Pictured: Ukraine fires at Russian positions in Bakhmut '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 civilisation and our culture will be threatened. Therefore, we will have no choice but to enter the conflict.' But Poland's Embassy in France slammed some media outlets as 'sensationalist' for claiming Mr Mr Rosciszewski announced Poland's direct involvement in the conflict. The Embassy released a statement which said: '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 Poland's 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.' Poland suggested last week it would be supplying Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets within 'four to six' weeks. It has already sent 14 German-made Leopard 2 tanks and offered to send the fighter jets just weeks after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This is the moment a fearless Ukrainian woman shouted 'It's all lies, it's all for show' at Vladimir Putin during his visit to the occupied city of Mariupol on Sunday. Video shows the brave Mariupol resident heckling the Russian leader as he put on a staged show of meeting supposedly grateful Ukrainian civilians in Mariupol. Risking arrest and the wrath of Putin's security forces, the woman can be heard shouting: 'It's all lies, it's all for show.' The woman's heckling, which appears to have come from a nearby building, prompts Putin's security guards to begin frantically looking around to identify where the woman's voice came from. However, the security officials are unable to identify the brave Ukrainian woman. A fearless Ukrainian woman defiantly shouted 'It's all lies, it's all for show' at Vladimir Putin during his visit to the occupied city of Mariupol Video shows the brave Mariupol resident heckling the Russian leader as he put on a staged show of meeting supposedly grateful Ukrainian civilians in Mariupol In the video, Putin continued to speak to supposed Mariupol residents outside what looked like a newly built residential complex and asked them if they liked everyone. Despite the heckling in the background, the 'locals' nodded vigorously and said that they lived in Mariupol, a southern Ukrainian city that was razed to the ground by invading Russian forces. Putin's visit to Mariupol marks the Russian despot's first trip to the Ukrainian territory that Moscow illegally annexed in September. He arrived in Mariupol late on Saturday after visiting Crimea, south-west of Mariupol, to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsula's annexation from Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday. Following Putin's visit, Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak said on Sunday Putin had returned to view the city's 'graves' after Mariupol faced some of the worst shelling seen during the invasion so far. '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,' Podolyak said on Twitter. Mariupol became a worldwide symbol of resistance 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. Much of the city was pounded to rubble by Russian shelling. The timing of Putin's 'spontaneous' visit to contested areas will raise concerns for the West, as they took place just days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader accusing him of war crimes. Speaking to the state RIA-Novosti agency, 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,' Mr 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 of shattered or hollowed-out buildings. Damaged buildings are being demolished by heavy duty machine as Russia-Ukraine war continues in Mariupol's Russian controlled territory, Ukraine on March 16 Damaged buildings are seen as Russia-Ukraine war continues in Mariupol's Russian controlled territory, Ukraine on March 16 Mariupol's plight first came into international focus with a Russian airstrike on a maternity hospital on March 9, 2022, less than two weeks after the invasion of Ukraine began. A week later, about 300 people were reported killed in the bombing of a theatre being used as the city's largest bomb shelter. Evidence obtained by The Associated Press suggested 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 defence tying down Russian forces and coming to symbolise Ukrainian tenacity in the face of Moscow's aggression. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world denounced as illegal, and moved in September to officially claim four regions in Ukraine's 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. UN 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. While the ICC's move was welcomed by Kyiv, the chances of Mr Putin facing trial are slim because Moscow does not recognise the court's jurisdiction or extradite its nationals. Ukrainian officials reported on Sunday that at least three civilians had been killed and 19 wounded by Russian shelling in the previous 24 hours. The deaths were in the eastern Donetsk region, amid fierce battles for control of the city of Bakhmut, according to Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko on Ukrainian TV. Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said in a Telegram update that a 51-year-old woman was 'fighting for her life' after being hit by shrapnel as Russian troops fired on the border town of Dvorichna. Top Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak said Ukrainian troops were holding the line near Bakhmut, a key target of a long, grinding Russian offensive, adding that the enemy's plan to occupy the city 'are now foundering'. The spokesman for Ukraine's eastern forces said Russian troops are 'tactically unable to complete' Bakhmut's capture. 'Yes, there are very active battles, (the Russians) continue to carry out several dozen attacks by inertia, but they suffer huge losses,' Serhii Cherevaty said on Ukrainian TV, adding that Ukrainian defences are 'bleeding the enemy, breaking his fighting spirit'. Taking Bakhmut would give the Kremlin a battlefield victory after months of setbacks, and could pave the way for Russia to threaten other Ukrainian strongholds in the region, including Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Russian forces shelled a house in Bilozerka, a suburb west of the southern city of Kherson, and a woman who was pulled from the rubble was taken to hospital, according to the Kherson regional military administration, writing on Telegram. They say police were voting in NSW state election A police car spotted in a disabled parking spot has sparked a furious debate among social media users. The vehicle was snapped in a space reserved for the disabled in the inner south Sydney suburb of Mascot with many slamming the cop. The photo was posted online by a Reddit user with the caption: 'Police parking in a disabled spot so they can vote in Mascot. Where should I complain?' The user confirmed they had watched the officers park in the space to lodge an early vote for the upcoming NSW state election on Saturday. 'I have no issue with them voting while on the clock, I do have an issue with them having to park in a disabled spot,' the user wrote. A Reddit user has expressed their frustration at seeing a police car parked in a disabled spot so the officers could cast an early vote in the NSW state election 'They have 5 more days to vote, even if they can't find time when they're not working, they can at least wait until they're not disadvantaging a disabled person. 'As a disabled person, this is really disappointing.' Another user defended the action. 'Arguably, emergency services are probably better off parking in convenient accessible locations,' they wrote. 'I agree a disabled spot sounds a bit sh***y but you wouldn't want them having to rush to level 4 of a nearby multi story carpark to take an urgent call like a domestic violence response. Poll Is it okay for a cop to park in a disabled parking space? Yes No Depends Is it okay for a cop to park in a disabled parking space? Yes 79 votes No 311 votes Depends 105 votes Now share your opinion 'Re the issue of voting - as a healthcare worker who often works 7 day stretches I kind of get the need to just vote when you can as a weekend election day isn't really suited to shift workers schedules. 'Even a full week to early vote doesn't help if you're on a week long run of 12hr days.' However, not everyone was convinced by this line of argument. 'There's open parking behind and in front of the disabled parking lol. They just had to pull forward like 5m,' another user pointed out. Another was also less than convinced. 'If that's the case where their time is that precious they can't take a 30 second walk to the car, and have no possibility due to roster scheduling of doing it off duty, they should be doing a postal vote,' they argued. 'They shouldn't be making their disorganisation a problem for disabled citizens. My understanding is unless they are responding to an emergency, parking in disabled bays is no bueno.' NSW legislation states that restrictions on emergency vehicles, such as police cars, parking in disabled spots do not apply where the driver is taking reasonable care and it is 'reasonable' the provision should not apply. NSW police have been contacted for comment. A former grammar school teacher who met the Prince and Princess of Wales seven years ago has been banned over 'sexually motivated' texts to a pupil. Mother-of-three Lindsey Bauer, 46, admitted to the Teaching Regulation Agency she had 'abused her position of trust'. Then history teacher Ms Bauer met William and Kate in Tresco back in 2016 and appears to be talking to the Princess in a picture shared publicly on social media at the time. The professional conduct hearing was held in private back in April 2022, but the result was published on Thursday. It found Ms Bauer had made 'inappropriate communications with the pupil which the panel concluded was sexually motivated'. Mother-of-three Lindsey Bauer, 46, admitted she had 'abused position of trust' with her actions The former head of history had met royals William and Kate when they visited Tresco in 2016 The Secretary of State approved a decision she should be banned from teaching in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England. She had taught history and geography at the posh Colyton Grammar School, Devon, and in 2019, she was Head of History, The Sun reported. Three allegations had been laid against Ms Bauer and she admitted two of them. She confessed to failing to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with a student and 'abused her position of trust by encouraging the student in activity which was viewed to be sexual in nature'. Three allegations had been laid against Ms Bauer and she admitted two of them, with another judged proved by the panel Ms Bauer taught history and geography at the posh Colyton Grammar School, Devon, and in 2019, she was head of history Ms Bauer had denied that this was 'sexually motivated' but the TRA found it to be true. The agency panel said: 'After considering all the evidence before it, the Panel found that all allegations were proven. 'The Panel then went on to make findings that Ms Bauer was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute, namely that Ms Bauer failed to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with a pupil at a secondary school and abused her position of trust, which included engaging in inappropriate communications with the pupil which the Panel concluded was sexually motivated. 'The Panel was of the view that prohibition was both proportionate and appropriate. The Panel decided that the public interest considerations outweighed the interests of Ms Bauer. The TRA said Ms Bauer's actions were sexually motivated and banned her from the classroom 'The fact that Ms Bauer's actions were sexually motivated was a significant factor in forming that opinion. 'Accordingly, the panel made a recommendation to the Secretary of State that a prohibition order should be imposed with immediate effect. The Panel further recommended that Ms Bauer should be able to apply for a review of the prohibition order after a period of 5 years.' A Colyton Grammar School spokesperson said: 'Following a timely investigation instigated by us in line with our commitment to the wellbeing and safeguarding of our students, we can confirm that a former employee has received a prohibition order from the TRA.' Despite not being charged with anything it was recorded as a 'hate incident' A feminist teacher has overturned a 'hate incident' recorded against her by police following her social media posts about trans issues. Cathy Kirby had police officers contact her after trans activists claimed her posts on Twitter were 'transphobic'. Despite not being charged with any criminal offence, Ms Kirby was later told by Norfolk Police a 'non-crime hate incident' had been recorded against her. Though the incident was overturned, the 57-year-old from Norwich, Norfolk, said she was never told which of her tweets were considered 'transphobic'. Ms Kirby who regularly posts about the threat to womens' rights posed by trans ideology, said she believed activists had used police to indirectly harass her. Cathy Kirby, 57, had to overturn a 'hate incident' recorded against her by police after someone reported her over a tweet about not liking the trans colours on the new pride flag The letter to teacher from Norfolk Police confirming the removal of the non-crime hate incident from her police record Ms Kirby believes the police incident could have followed her post about the rainbow pride flag having extra colours added to represent trans people. She said: 'I made a comment on Twitter calling out the new Pride flag, saying that I didn't particularly like the trans colours being added because I felt the original was fine as it already represented trans people.' The officers gave her words of advice, but it was only later she discovered that the non-crime hate incident had been placed on her record after she asked Norfolk Police for more information about her case. The phrase is defined by the College of Policing's current guidance as 'any non-crime incident which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice'. Ms Kirby said she feared it would impact background checks for her career teaching English to school pupils online, despite it not being a criminal record. She said the reference was only removed from her record last October after a long battle involving legal experts and a cybercrime charity. She said: 'These people tried to destroy not only my income and my career but my reputation. Norfolk police went along with it. 'It's really frightening and quite sinister. Basically this small group has been targeting me for my beliefs and I feel police sending around PCs to tell me off for something I've tweeted is harassing me by proxy. 'There are lots of real crimes they could be investigating, not calling on the doorstep of a 58-year-old woman about people being offended by a tweet.' Ms Kirby who describes herself online as a 'wife, mother, feminist, dog-lover, nature-lover and passionate advocate for children's rights' said she had been targeted by a 'very outspoken small group' due to her gender critical views. She added: 'Over the last five years they have used upwards of 20 anonymous Twitter accounts to slur and smear me.' Norfolk Police visited her home after she named a Twitter account which she believed was behind an anonymous account making death threats against her. Ms Kirby said that she had also been visited on further occasions by officers investigating her claims that she had been harassed on social media. Writing on her blog, she described the claims that she was transphobic as 'untrue and totally laughable'. She added: 'I stand up for the rights of women, children and the gay, lesbian and bisexual community. Nothing I have said resembles transphobia. 'We live in a democracy built on free speech and my views are worthy of respect. The rights of others is clearly not important to the group targeting me, they just wanted to cause me distress by any means possible. 'This was a unified effort, to get me to lose my income. I am a teacher and if an NCHI shows on an enhanced DBS check, I would lose my job.' Ms Kirby said she believed her case raised further questions about the extent to which police get involved in controversial online debates. Home Secretary Suella Braverman told forces to stop recording online arguments as non-crime hate incidents Last week Home Secretary Suella Braverman unveiled draft guidelines for forces, requiring them to prioritise freedom of speech over people taking offence and to stop recording online arguments as non-crime hate incidents. Ms Braverman said: I have been deeply concerned about reports of the police wrongly getting involved in lawful debate in this country. 'We have been clear that in recording so called non-crime hate incidents, officers must always have freedom of expression at the forefront of their minds. The new code will ensure the police are prioritising their effort where its really needed and focusing on tackling serious crimes such as burglary, violent offences, rape and other sexual offences. Norfolk police and crime commissioner Giles Orpen-Smellie also recently said he wanted officers to focus on investigating crimes like burglary and domestic violence, and to resist being drawn into policing arguments on social media. He added that he didn't want Norfolk officers spending their time 'sitting on Facebook looking for people being rude'. Ms Kirby said she had received death threats about her tweets, relating to education issues, including one from an anonymous account calling for her crucifixion which she reported to police. She was told UK residents had been visited by officers as a result of her complaints, but that a man in the US was outside the jurisdiction of British police. A Norfolk Police spokesperson said: 'Over the last five years we've investigated numerous allegations and counter allegations of online harassment concerning four people. 'Following enquiries, no further action has been taken in any investigation and all parties involved have been offered words of advice. 'If a member of the public reports harassing behaviour, we have a duty to investigate and will respond in a proportionate manner.' A female charity worker whose male bosses called her a 'stupid b****' and told her to 'obey' after she refused to 'hug and kiss' her manager has won 70,000 after suing the care company. Nura Aabe was working as the only female director of Bristol-based Happy Care when Axmed Carab phoned to ask if she 'was in her bedroom', an employment tribunal heard. When she went to hang up, he asked why she 'was running away from him', the hearing was told. Another male director, Ahmed Ibrahim, then urged Mrs Aabe to 'spend more private time' with Mr Carab, telling her to 'hug and kiss' him before saying she 'should learn to obey', the panel heard. When the directors - who were also Muslims of Somali background - became 'aggressive', Mrs Aabe said she was going to the police and later reported the company to the local authority. Nura Aabe (pictured) was working as the only female director of Bristol-based Happy Care when Axmed Carab phoned to ask if she 'was in her bedroom', an employment tribunal heard Mrs Aabe, who holds a British Empire Medal for services to people with autism, has sued the Happy Care company and the two male directors and won 73,474.70 The tribunal ruled the two bosses decided to take 'revenge' in an 'ill thought out, cunning plan' to fire her. Mrs Aabe, who holds a British Empire Medal for services to people with autism, has successfully sued the Happy Care company, Mr Carab and Mr Ibrahim and won 73,474.70. The tribunal heard Mrs Aabe began working for Happy Care, which provides home service care to people with disabilities, in March 2019. They were told the harassment started on June 4, 2020, when Mr Carab called Mrs Aabe and asked if she 'was in her bedroom'. When she tried to hang up, he asked why she 'was running away from him' and said they 'needed to meet alone', she told the tribunal. The following night he tried to ring her at 21:30, but she did not pick up and texted him to say she would call him tomorrow. The tribunal heard that on June 6, Mr Carab said he needed to speak to her during a break in a meeting. He 'closed the door behind them and stood very close to her', she told the hearing. The tribunal heard that Finance Manager Ahmed Ibrahim (pictured) tried to persuade Mrs Aabe to 'spend more private time' with Mr Carab According to Mrs Aabe, he said he had stayed up until 3am waiting for her to call, and asked her why she had not called and why they could not go out together. Mrs Aabe told him she wouldn't be going out alone with him, before he became 'upset' and 'stormed out'. She said that at the reconvened meeting, he 'undermined her, dismissing her suggestions and told the other directors not to listen to her'. The tribunal heard that later that month, Finance Manager Ahmed Ibrahim tried to persuade her to 'spend more private time' with Mr Carab. This conversation lasted for three hours, she said. 'I was told to go to Mr Carab and hug and kiss him.' Mrs Aabe said the next day Mr Ibrahim called her 'stupid' and a 'b****', telling her she 'should learn to obey' - all of which he denied. At another meeting on June 23, the managers were discussing the cancellation of a care package for a disabled lesbian woman. They claimed Mrs Aabe had decided to cancel it because she was 'uncomfortable with the client's sexual orientation' and that the couple had been 'having sex whilst she was present at the property'. She denied the allegations, and on July 10 reported the firm to Bristol City Council. Five days later, Mr Carab said he wrote to tell her she was suspended due to homophobia. Mrs Aabe denied receiving this letter, and after she failed to attend a disciplinary meeting on August 3, they fired her for misconduct. She then took the company to the tribunal - held in Bristol - and won claims including unfair dismissal, sex and religious discrimination and sexual harassment. Employment Judge Colm O'Rourke accused the two men of 'egregiously abhorrent' behaviour, concluding Mrs Aabe was a director 'in name only, and they certainly expected her to 'obey' them'. He said: 'Did [Mr Carab] treat [Mrs Aabe] less favourably as a result of her rejecting his advances? 'We find that he did as, until at least the point that [Mrs Aabe] began to make disclosures to third parties, there was no other obvious motivation for his actions. 'Perhaps combined with general misogyny and resentment of [Mrs Aabe's] status, her obvious intelligence and capability, despite her sex. 'We are clear that if she had acquiesced to his advances, it seems inherently unlikely that the following less favourable treatment would have occurred. '[Mr Carab] must have realised that his approaches to [Mrs Aabe] would not be reciprocated, and his focus turned more to 'revenge' for her disclosures and the risk they posed to his and [Mr Ibrahim's] control of [Happy Care]. '[Mr Carab and Mr Ibrahim] acted entirely in concert against [Mrs Aabe], and it is therefore entirely plausible that [Mr Ibrahim] would have sought to pressurise [Mrs Aabe] to acquiesce to his friend's demands. 'The reason [Mr Carab and Mr Ibrahim] advanced her alleged homophobia...was an entirely spurious, concocted and malicious accusation against her.' A Metropolitan Police officer harassed a former partner by bombarding her with 'offensive' WhatsApp messages, some alluding that most people the Prophet Mohammed saw in hell were women, a court heard. PC Joynal Ahmed allegedly sent 'persistent' messages to his former partner, which included a photo of the bed they used to share with the caption 'Anyone want this wh**eish bed?' The 36-year-old denies harassing the woman he shares two children with by sending the messages and will stand trial later this year. He was suspended from duty from the Met's Crime Recording Investigation Command, after the claims were made last year. Over a period of 20 days last July, Ahmed allegedly sent the woman a series of WhatsApp messages that were 'of an insulting and offensive nature' to her. He appeared at Stratford Magistrates' Court today and denied harassment without violence only for the trial to be adjourned until June because the complainant was unable to attend. PC Joynal Ahmed, 36, of Met's Crime Recording Investigation Command, was suspended from duty after the claims were made last year According to the charge, between July 4 and July 24 last year, in Ilford, east London, the officer 'pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment' of his alleged victim which he knew or ought to have known amounted to the harassment of her by sending 'numerous insulting messages via WhatsApp despite her asking you stop on numerous occasions'. Stratford Magistrates' Court heard today the serving officer's ex-partner agreed to contact PC Ahmed over their children, but would not speak with him about her private life. However, he sent the woman several messages about a new partner he had found out about who had 'longer than you and your daughter'. Linda Hudson, prosecuting, said: 'This is a very serious matter. The defendant is a serving police officer. The defendant allegedly sent messages of an offensive and insulting nature. Despite the woman repeatedly telling him that she did not want to talk about her private life, he persisted in sending her various messages. 'The messages included the fact that he was aware that she was seeing someone else. 'He told her on July 4: 'You think this man has longer hair than you. You think this man is a role model for your kids?''. The defendant posted a photo of the bed they used to share with the caption: 'Anyone want this w***eish bed?'' The defendant has written to her stating: 'Never marry someone with a cheap past. It is in their bloodstream. Don't think that you can change someone''. Ahmed appeared at Stratford Magistrates' Court today before the trial was adjourned He also told her: 'The prophet Mohammed said that most of the women he saw in hell were women. There's a reason for that.' Ms Hudson added: 'The harassment has been of a persistent nature.' Defending PC Ahmed, Robert Morris, said certain messages sent between the estranged couple painted 'an entirely different picture' to the one alleged. District Judge William Nelson adjourned the case, due to the alleged victim being unable to attend court today, as she was caring for one of their children, who is ill. Judge Nelson told the court: 'I am going to adjourn this matter. 'This is clearly a case in the public interest because of the nature of the employment of the defendant. 'It is a matter to be tried in these circumstances.' Judge Nelson adjourned the trial until June this year - after the holy month of Ramadan - because both PC Ahmed and his ex-partner are practising Muslims. Ahmed was bailed ahead of his trial. The two children who stabbed a 12-year-old girl to death in Germany could be locked away in a psychiatric ward or sued for compensation by the victim's family - but the killers aged 13 and 12 cannot be prosecuted. Luise was stabbed more than 30 times with 'a nail file' in 'revenge' after she told an adult her attackers had been bullying her for months, according to German newspaper Bild. Other theories include that she was killed after fighting about a boy. Her body was found in a pool of blood a week ago, on March 12, in a wooded area near the town of Freudenberg on the same day one of her killers reportedly posted a dance video on TikTok. Under German law, children under 14 are under the age of criminal responsibility and cannot be charged - but there are other means to punish Luise's killers. The two girls have now left Freudenberg and could be 'in an institution with support for teenagers, possibly a psychiatric ward', Judge Thorsten Schleif told Bild. The victim, known only as Luise, was found in a pool of blood on Sunday in a wooded area near the town of Freudenberg, in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, after she was stabbed more than 30 times Luise, 12, was stabbed more than 30 times with 'a nail file' by two girls aged 13 and 12 'in revenge' after she told an adult they had been bullying her for months, according to German newspaper Bild. Other theories include that she was killed after fighting about a boy If they will be housed in a closed facility depends if they are considered a danger to themselves or others, he added, which will be determined by the child protective services responsible for the 13 and 12-year-old. Mobile phones and leaving the premises of the closed facility would be forbidden, with fixed times for school and therapy. The girls could also be ordered to pay compensation to Luise's family as soon as they are earning money - an order that could be valid for 30 years. Children aged seven upwards, under the condition that the child was aware they were doing something 'harmful', can be ordered to pay damages under German civil law. Being given a new identity to start a new life in another town will also be unlikely for the young assailants. 'It's neither mandatory nor the rule,' Judge Schleif explained. The girls and their families will likely move away from Freudenberg permanently. Child therapist Miriam Hoff doesn't believe the girls can return to a 'normal life' any time soon: 'It will take years of therapy to get over a crime like that. 'Also crucial: Do the perpetrators have personality disorders that manifested early on? Or do they have a history of mental illnesses?' she said. Another psychologist, Dr Albert Wunsch, added: 'If they both grew up within good social structures and if they acted in the heat of the moment, they will be confronted with feelings of guilt about their actions their whole lives.' But, he also told Bild that the brutality and the lack of remorse point toward a conscious act: 'Luise's death wasn't an accident. She wasn't pushed in a fight and hit her head. Many things indicate it wasn't an act in the heat of the moment.' The future of the two teenage girls depends on the child protective services, who will decide how the girls responsible for Luise's murder should be dealt with, according to Ms Hoff. Flowers and candles were placed where Luise's body was found in the woods near Freudenberg Luise's disappearance triggered a frantic search operation that featured a helicopter, sniffer dogs and drones To decide the best course of action, one would have to involve the parents as well, Dr Wunsch explained. They would be asked if they were any signs for growing conflict behaviour in the girls, how the girls accessed the murder weapon, as well as how the parents can live on after their children's actions. In light of growing demands to lower the age for criminal responsibility in Germany, Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann told Bild on Sunday: 'Such serious crimes cannot go unnoticed. 'Children under the age of 14 are not prosecuted. However, our legal system already has the means to react to serious acts of violence by children under the age of 14.' Those means include referring assailants to closed institutions or homes in psychiatric wards. Other means could include providing the parents with help in raising their children or housing the girls in foster homes - the latter only with the approval of a family court of the parents themselves. According to media reports, the 13 and 12-year-old are living away from their families right now, likely in accommodation provided by the child protective services. They are reportedly still in contact with their families. Luise went missing on the afternoon of Saturday, March 11, after a sleepover from Friday to Saturday with the 13-year-old friend at her house, in the town's Hohenhain district, two miles from Luise's own home. Although they had known each other for years, took the school bus together and were even in the same class in school, it is not clear why Luise and her killer met up in light of the bullying accusations. Later that day, the 12-year-old joined in and the trio walked to a nearby forest. There, they allegedly stabbed Luise more than 30 times in a case that has shocked Germany. Luise's body was found in the woods the following day, March 12, after her parents reported the girl missing on Saturday afternoon, sparking a massive police search of the area. The two girls, who were spotted by a neighbour as they were walking into the woods with Luise, 'made statements about the matter and in the end admitted the crime', said Florian Locker, head of Koblenz police's homicide department. Luise went missing on Saturday, March 11, after a sleepover from Friday to Saturday with the 13-year-old friend at her house, in the town's Hohenhain district, two miles from Luise's home A book of condolences for Luise and a card reading 'We mourn Luise' are on display in the Protestant church in Freudenberg After the stabbing, the girls returned to the 13-year-old's house, where the younger girl was later picked up by her father. Afterwards, the older girl called Luise's parents and told them a tale of lies, saying Luise started making her way back home at 5.30pm and wanted to let her know once she had arrived. As Luise had failed to call, the 13-year-old allegedly phoned her several times as she was 'worried' about her, while she knew where Luise really was: stabbed and left to die in the woods. Police said that during the search and later under questioning, the two girls made contradictory statements and both finally confessed on Monday, March 13. The two girls attended the same school as Luise and they were said to be friends. The parents of the suspects have moved away for the moment but are still in contact with their daughters. Luise's disappearance triggered a frantic search operation that featured a helicopter, sniffer dogs and drones. When she was found dead with multiple stab wounds, the community in the small town with just 18,000 residents was shocked. Police said on Monday, March 20, that they gave up on trying to find the murder weapon - said to be a nail file - after not being able to locate it after a week-long search. A book of condolences for Luise and a card reading 'We mourn Luise' are on display in the Protestant church in Freudenberg. A University of Central Florida professor who said 'white Americans and white culture were under siege' has filed a lawsuit accusing the board of trustees of violating the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Associate psychology professor Charles Negy was fired and then reinstated after making several comments about 'black privilege.' An arbitrator ruled last year that Negy did nothing wrong, and he is now claiming he suffered 'severe emotional distress' as a result of the termination. Negy also accused the board of negligence and abuse of process in the lawsuit he filed last week. UCF unsuccessfully tried to fire him after he made several posts online, with his lawyer saying he was 'persecuted with a relentlessness and cruelty that is rare even among university administrations.' Associate psychology professor Charles Negy was fired and then later reinstated in his job at University of Central Florida after making several comments about 'black privilege' Negy also accused the board of negligence and abuse of process in the lawsuit that he filed last week after he was fired for making comments on 'black privilege' on Twitter Negy is claiming that he cannot be compensated for the massive losses at the hands of UCF, and say that they 'mistreated him'. In a statement, his lawyer Samantha Harris said: 'When Charles Negy dared to express views at odds with the university's sacred orthodoxies, UCF persecuted him with a relentlessness and a cruelty that is rare even among university administrations. 'While Dr. Negy has since been reinstated thanks to his union and the decision of a wise arbitrator, that alone cannot compensate him for the massive losses he suffered due to UCF's mistreatment of him, and it cannot undo the profound chilling effect UCF's unconstitutional actions had on his speech. 'He is asking a court to ensure that UCF will never again be able to persecute a professor for protected speech the way it did to him.' A spokesman for UCF said they do not comment on pending litigation. The white professor said in a now-deleted tweet: 'If Afr. Americans as a group, had the same behavioral profile as Asian Americans (on average, performing the best academically, having the highest income, committing the lowest crime, etc.), would we still be proclaiming 'systematic racism' exists?' Negy, author of 'White Shaming: Bullying based on Prejudice, Virtue-Signaling, and Ignorance' said in follow-up tweets: 'Black privilege is real: Besides affirm. Action, special scholarships and other set-asides being shielded from legitimate criticism is a privilege. But as a group, they're missing out on much-needed feedback.' He continued: 'This subgroup of Blacks has *lots* of problems (many likely missing fathers, having dysfunctional, uneducated mothers, surrounded by peers with sociopathic tendencies). Lots of obstacles in life. No one knows what the solution is to this complicated situation. A spokesman for UCF said that they do not comment on pending litigation, but confirmed that Negy is continuing to teach this semester UCF initially released a statement on Twitter slamming the professor's remarks but stressed they would need to be 'mindful of the First Amendment Many eviscerated the professor, who was granted tenure by the university in 2001, for the racist stereotypes he tried to push off as proven data. He claims that he became the 'target of a Twitter mob that demanded he be fired' and he was forced to seek police protection following several protests at his home and on campus. The investigation by the school lasted for seven months, and Negy says he was 'interrogated' for nine hours at one stage. In the lawsuit, he states: 'Forbidden by the First Amendment to explicitly fire him for his tweets, UCF administrators publicly solicited people to come forward with complaints of discrimination and harassment against Professor Negy and then launched a malicious, pretextual investigation into every aspect of his 22-year career at the university.' He argued that as a tenured faculty member, he should have received six months' notice of termination but was immediately fired which he says resulted in him losing his home. The professor, author of 'White Shaming: Bullying based on Prejudice, Virtue-Signaling, and Ignorance' said in follow up tweets: 'Black privilege is real: Besides affirm. action, special scholarships and other set asides, being shielded from legitimate criticism is a privilege. But as a group, they're missing out on much needed feedback' Court documents state: 'As a result of this sudden loss of income, Negy who is the sole caretaker of his mentally and physically disabled brother was forced to sell his home and move in with a relative. 'The award cannot compensate Negy for the massive loss he incurred on the sale of his home; for the out-of-pocket medical expenses he faced after UCF's destruction of his life led him to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression; or for the severe emotional distress he suffered for nearly two years at the hands of UCF administrators who, because they disliked his political views, treated him as less than human.' In his lawsuit, he identified himself as a minority, saying he was Hispanic and gay and was hired by the university in 1988. The associate psychology professor is getting paid $114,399 a year and is currently teaching this semester, according to Florida Politics. Donald Trump said early Monday morning that the statute of limitations has already passed for charges he is expecting in the Stormy Daniels case, as his ally prepared to appear before the grand jury. The former president wrote on Truth Social: 'They are MANY years beyond the Statute of Limitations which, in this instance, is TWO YEARS. More importantly, THERE WAS NO CRIME!!!' He posted as lawyer Robert Costello was set to testify to the Manhattan grand jury investigating the hush money payments made to the porn star, which Trump says he will be arrested for on Tuesday. Costello, a Trump ally, could make the President's case that he should not be charged and attack the prosecution's star witness, Michael Cohen. It could be one of the final testimonies members of the panel hear before a decision on whether Trump is charged will be announced. Donald Trump said early Monday morning that the statute of limitations has already passed for charges he is expecting in the Stormy Daniels case, as his ally prepared to appear before the grand jury The former president wrote on Truth Social: 'They are MANY years beyond the Statute of Limitations which, in this instance, is TWO YEARS. More importantly, THERE WAS NO CRIME!!!' The two-year statute of limitations Trump is referring to is for bookkeeping fraud in relation to the Trump Organization reimbursing Cohen for paying Daniels $130,000. The hush payment, just before the 2016 election, was over the adult film actress' claim that she had an affair with Trump. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is investigating claims Trump and his business hid the real purpose of the payments, and instead falsely filed them as a legal retainer. Trump said on Saturday that he is expecting to be arrested on those charges, which carries a four-year prison sentence, on Tuesday. Bookkeeping fraud, only a misdemeanor in New York, has a two-year statute of limitations as a misdemeanor, but five years as a felony. Under New York law, that can be extended if the defendant spends long periods outside the jurisdiction. Trump lived at the White House until January 2021 and spends most of the year in Florida at his Mar-a-Lago club. The New York Times also reported that the statute of limitations was extended by a year during the COVID pandemic. Manhattan prosecutors could also be considering another charge that Trump violated state election laws with the payments. The suggestion would be that Trump paid off Daniels to keep quiet about the alleged affair to benefit his election campaign. Costello was asked to appear by the Manhattan district attorney's office after he said he had information raising questions about the credibility of Cohen. He briefly acted as a legal adviser to Cohen after the FBI raided Cohen's home and apartment in 2018. At the time, Cohen was being investigated for both tax evasion and for payments he helped orchestrate in 2016 to buy the silence of two women who claimed to have had sexual encounters with Trump He posted as lawyer Robert Costello was set to testify to the Manhattan grand jury investigating the hush money payments made to the porn star, which Trump says he will be arrested for on Tuesday Costello (left) was asked to appear by the Manhattan district attorney's office after he said he had information raising questions about the credibility of Cohen. He is pictured with members of Steve Bannon's legal team after the former Trump aide was indicted for contempt of Congress One potentially critical factor is if D.A. Bragg is able to charge a felony crime related to falsification of business records. As the National Review reported, this could become a felony crime if prosecutors are able to to prove they were falsified -to conceal another crime.' That could get the statute of limitations up to five years, up from two for a misdemeanor. The last check signed personally to reimburse Cohen for the 'hush' payments came in 2017. If the Trump Organization then made statements in its tax and other filings relating to the payments that later proved to be fraudulent, that could fall within the five-year statute of limitations, depending on when the bookkeeping occurred. Later Monday, Trump fired off another attack this time at former prosecutor Mark Pomerantz, who quit his post last year with a blistering resignation letter where he told Bragg his decision 'not to prosecute Donald Trump now, and on the existing record, is misguided and completely contrary to the public interest.' He then wrote a book titled, The People vs. Donald Trump. 'THE LEAD PROSECUTOR FOR THE CORRUPT MANHATTAN D.A.s OFFICE WORKED AS A LAWYER FOR CROOKED HILLARY CLINTON AND HER LAW FIRM, LEFT THIS DEMOCRAT FIRM WITH OTHERS TO VOLUNTEER TO GET DONALD TRUMP AT THE D.A.s OFFICE, FOR FREE,' Trump wrote in all capital letters. 'HE QUIT IN A HUFF WHEN D.A. BRAGG SAID THERE WAS NO CASE HERE,' Trump said, referencing Bragg's decision to suspend the probe. 'HE THEN UNETHICALLY & ILLEGALLY WROTE & PUBLISHED A BOOK ABOUT THE CASE WHILE IT WAS GOING ON. THIS IS UNHEARD OF STUFF. THE CASE IS NOW COMPLETELY COMPROMISED & REPORTS ARE THAT MARK POMERANTZ IS IN TROUBLE,' Trump wrote. He did not elaborate on what trouble the former prosecutor might be in. Trump lawyer Joseph Tacopina threatened to sue Pomerantz in January if he went ahead and published his tell-all. Lidl is embroiled in a 'flag-washing row' after it was accused of purposely making the Union Jack more prominent on its lamb products which have been imported from New Zealand. The German supermarket boasts about its support for British farmers in its marketing and supermarket aisles in a bid to appeal to patriotic customers. However some of its lamb products in the fresh meat aisles - where packaging is festooned with Union Jacks - comes from producers on the other side of the world. British farmers are now furious with supermarkets for stocking imported lamb when there is plenty of supply available from UK producers who are struggling against the backdrop of huge increases in production costs and a fall in the prices they are paid. A leading retail industry analyst suggested that the labels used by Lidl appear, at first glance, to identify the lamb steaks and kebabs as British. Steve Dresser, CEO of management consultancy Grocery Insight, shared a photo of a pack of six lamb kebabs embossed with the flag of New Zealand and accused the German firm of a 'strategic use of the flag so it looks almost British' Shoppers agree that the packaging is clearly 'misleading' and even 'fraudulent'. Pictured: The New Zealand national flag He has been backed by a number of shoppers who argued that the packaging is clearly 'misleading' and even 'fradulent'. However, others pointed out that the Union Jack is actually part of the flags of Australia and New Zealand - which include it against a blue background with either white or red stars. Steve Dresser, of Grocery Insight, said it is important that food labels are clear and suggested in this case that they had been designed to fool busy shoppers. He questioned the design saying: 'It's the strategic use of the flag so it looks almost British. 'Imagine you are shopping in store and this is adjacent to the British-sourced product with the Union Jack everywhere. 'At first glance, you are drawn to the Union Jack, like you are with everything else in the aisle that's British.' Some shoppers also objected to the labels, with one saying it 'is incredibly misleading' and another describing the tactic as 'rather naughty'. One customer said: 'Disingenuous at best. Fraudulent at worst. 'There is only one reason to feature the Union Jack and it's for provenance... Hope Lidl stop this deception quickly and have words with the branding manager.' Meanwhile, the National Sheep Association (NSA) and the National Farmers' Union (NFU) recently criticised a decision by Lidl's rival Aldi to junk a previous pledge to only stock British lamb. Twitter users pointed out that the packaging reproduced the New Zealand flag exactly as it appears in real life Speaking about Lidl's labelling, the NFU said: 'The NFU has long called for clear, unambiguous labelling to ensure shoppers can make informed decisions about the food they buy. Clarity of labelling, and marketing, is absolutely key.' NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said there are ample supplies of British lamb, which is particularly popular around Easter, and called for support for UK farmers. He said: 'Farmgate prices for lamb are currently under huge pressure, with GB prices down by 13 per cent compared to the same week last year, at the same time as producers are dealing with extreme inflation of input costs across fuel, feed and fertiliser. 'Farmers at the beginning of the supply chain need support from everyone within it, to acknowledge that red meat is costing more to produce and get to market. We also need a showcase on every supermarket shelf for lamb and other products produced in the UK.' He added: 'The agricultural industry is combating a period of extreme and unprecedented volatility within the marketplace, supply chains and input costs. Now is the time to champion British.' However, a number of people from New Zealand and Australia rejected the criticism of the labels, arguing they included a fair representation of the flags of their country. One said simply: 'I mean dude, that's literally our flag.' German-owned Lidl presents itself as a champion of British farming on its website, saying: 'At Lidl, we're so committed to backing the future of British farming, that 100% of our fresh milk, butter, eggs, cream, chicken and beef comes from our British suppliers. 'Working with trusted suppliers and young farmers across the country, we're investing 15billion into British food and farming in the next 5 years, continuing to bring you fresh, quality produce now and long into the future.' Two years ago, Lidl's Birchwood British lamb minted kebabs were named 'Best Lamb Product' at meat industry awards. The firm is currently selling a near identical product using NZ lamb, including a prominent Union Jack. The store had no comment on the criticism. The father of a teenager stabbed to death at a house party over the weekend has paid tribute to his son. Four males have now been arrested by police investigating the murder of Trust Junior Jordan Gangata, 17, who was attacked at a terraced house in Armley, Leeds, West Yorkshire. Trust, whose nicknamed was TJ, was from Zimbabwe and was enjoying a house party in Salisbury Grove, Armley, on Saturday night. Officers were called to the address in at 2.48am on Sunday, after they received reports of a disturbance at an address. West Yorkshire Police are set to quiz the four males in relation to the stabbing. Today, his father Trust Gangata wrote: 'Fly high my son until we meet again. Loads of love TJ'. Trust Junior Jordan Gangata, 17, was stabbed to death at a terraced house in Armley, Leeds, West Yorkshire early on Sunday morning His father Trust Gangata wrote: 'Fly high my son until we meet again. Loads of love TJ' A force spokesperson said: 'Four men have been arrested by detectives investigating the murder of a 17-year-old boy in Leeds. 'An 18-year-old man, from Huddersfield, and three men, one aged 18 and two aged 19, all from Bradford, have been arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the death of the 17-year-old who was stabbed and fatally wounded in an incident at a house in Salisbury Grove, Armley, in the early hours of yesterday. 'The men remain in custody and detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries into the boy's murder.' A scene remains in place around the address in Salisbury Grove to undergo forensic examination and specialist searches. 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 Information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Vladimir Putin was mocked by Ukraine today for allegedly sending a lookalike to war-ravaged Mariupol in a high security visit. Kyiv official Anton Gerashchenko posted three images of Putin's chin and questioned whether they belonged to the same man. He taunted: 'What's up with your chin, Putin?' The Interior Minister advisor posted: 'Looks like lately his make-up artists (i.e. for the recent trips of the bunker man to the occupied Crimea and Mariupol) had to work with quite a low-quality copy, not even a double but its copy. I wonder which one of them was real?' One picture showed Putin, 70, one month ago in an address to the Federal Assembly in Moscow. Putin one month ago in Moscow (left), his trip to Sevastopol on March 18 (centre) and his visit to Mariupol on March 19 (right) READ MORE: Chinese president lands in Moscow to meet Putin in boost for the Russian leader days after ICC issued warrant for his arrest Advertisement Another was Putin's reported visit to naval port Sevastopol in Crimea on 18 March. And the third was from footage released the following day evidently showing the dictator in war-blitzed Mariupol. The first image showed his chin tight and precise. But the image in Sevastopol - grabbed from Ukraine in 2014 - incited a sagging chin, while the Mariupol chin appears firmer but less so than in the Moscow picture. A Russian source said: 'He has these moments when he looks like a babushka [grandmother] without teeth.' There have been repeated claims that Putin uses body doubles on some trips outside Moscow, or when there are many people around. Today Telegram channel General SVR insisted Putin had not been to Sevastopol or Mariupol, a city invaded after a bloody battle last year. 'The information from the Kremlin's resources that Vladimir Putin visited Crimea and Mariupol is NOT true,' claimed the channel which says it has insider sources. In Crimea, a double of the president was noted with a short visit and solely for the sake of a video photo shoot.' The double was 'forbidden to conduct meaningful conversations and hold long meetings, fearing embarrassment or another [mistake] of the understudy.' The Russian anti-Putin channel alleged: 'The same applies to the visit to Mariupol. 'The double was filmed [but]did not talk much and did not stay anywhere for a long time.' In Mariupol, the president was seen on a nocturnal drive not wearing a seatbelt with scant visible security. 'The 'spontaneous' rides of 'Putin' around Mariupol at the wheel, without blocking the streets, without a motorcade of guards, and going out 'to the people' in the front-line occupied city is not only unrealistic, it's not even funny. 'The President was at that time many hundreds of kilometres away, warm and completely safe.' Putin with his 'pathological cowardice' was not 'risking his precious life'. Today Telegram channel General SVR insisted Putin had not been to Sevastopol or Mariupol, a city invaded after a bloody battle last year. Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during an annual extended meeting of the Board of the Russian Interior Ministry in Moscow today The channel claimed: 'Actively using a double, recently, Putin is increasingly becoming a 'fake' president. 'The whole country is already laughing over the inconsistency of the understudy with the original' in appearance, behavior and habits. Instead the real Putin was 'undergoing treatment' and preparing for today's state visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. It was also claimed that in Mariupol, Putin had met with looters when he was greeted by locals who had been allocated new housing. Mariupol.Sprotiv channel identified a pensioner who showed the president his new flat as Nikolay Lotkov, 70. Next to him was his son Dmitry and daughter-in-law Ekaterina, who Ukrainian sources alleged were involved in looting during the siege of Mariupol last year. Another woman who met Putin, named Irina Volosatova, is also accused of looting. She thanked Putin for taking over the city and creating 'a small piece of paradise'. But a source told the resistance publication: 'It was her and her family who looted both my parents' flat, and our neighbour's flat from a floor above.'Her entire family was busy looting and threatening my parents.' Yet this may only deepen suggestions that this was a Putin doppelganger as normally protesters never get close to the dictator. She was heard on footage shouting: 'It's all lies, it's all just for show.' Yet this may only deepen suggestions that this was a Putin doppelganger as normally protesters never get close to the dictator. One security man is ringed as she searches to see the barracker - but there were few operatives visible in Mariupol on his 'spontaneous' trip to the city. A loving mother has fallen victim to cruel scammers who stole $11,600 by posing as the woman's daughter, even sending love heart emojis to make it more convincing. Victorian mum Nina Merrilees, who lives near the state's border with NSW, said she was busy at work when she received what appeared to be an innocent text from her daughter. The message that appeared on Ms Merrilees phone via WhatsApp read: 'Hi Mum, my phone is broken, this is my new number'. Ms Merrilees, a mother-of-two, said that this type of message from her daughter, who lives in New Zealand, was not out of the ordinary. 'With our daughter that's a fairly standard practice,' Ms Merrilees told Channel Seven. 'She's lived overseas for quite a few years and has lost her phone, broken her phone ... so this was just normal to get a new number from her.' Victorian mother Nina Merrilees lost 11,600 to a scammer posing as her daughter, who lives in New Zealand The person posing as Ms Merrilees' daughter asked her to make some urgent payments as the phone was new and didn't have a banking app installed. Once more this did not strike Ms Merrilees as anything out of the ordinary. 'I'm not sure about other parents, but we quite often make payments for our kids and they always pay us back straight away,' she said. Ms Merrilees also knew her daughter was buying a dog with her husband and assumed the money was for that. The scammer said they had payments they had to make that day and peppered the texts with love heart emojis to maintain the facade of being Ms Merrilees' daughter The mother-of-two sent the sums of $3,450, $3800 and $4,350 using online payments system Osko while the person poising as the daughter promised to pay it all back promptly the next day. During the text conversation the scammer maintained the facade by peppering the messages with love heart and smiley face emojis. Despite sending the money Ms Merrilees felt uneasy about the transaction and emailed her daughter straight after. Her daughter immediately called Ms Merrilees using her previous phone number. 'As soon as I saw that number flash up I just knew I had been scammed out of $11,600 and just felt physically sick,' Ms Merrilees said. Con artists have used WhatsApp (pictured) where they play the part of the son or daughter, telling them they have a new phone number and to delete their old one Ms Merrilees immediately informed her bank of the scam but is yet to get any money back. As a public service Ms Merrilees has decided to warn others by sharing her story. 'My advice is to perhaps not act straight away,' Ms Merrilees said. 'We thought we were pretty switched-on people and it can just happen so easily.' A Scamwatch spokesman said the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) received more than 9700 reports of 'Hi Mum' scams in 2022, totalling losses of nearly $7.2 million. 'Victims are contacted - most often through WhatsApp - by a scammer posing as a family member or friend,' the spokesman said. 'They will claim they have lost or damaged their phone and are making contact from a new temporary number. 'The scammer will ask for personal information such as money to help urgently pay a bill or replace their phone.' Scamwatch said anyone who gets a message from a number they don't recognise should independently verify the contact by reaching out to the person the messenger is purporting to be. Another way of thwarting a would-be fraudster is to ask a question that only the child would know and insisting it be answered. The devoted wife of a traumatised army medic has revealed the desperate lengths needed to keep her suicidal husband alive amid a lack of services for veterans. Alison and Dave opened up on ABC's Q&A program on Monday night about their harrowing experiences after Dave served for Australia in East Timor. Dave said he was haunted by the things he saw during his service as a solider and medic, and has tried to take his own life 'more than 30 times'. Fighting back tears, Alison said after his last suicide attempt she tied herself to her husband while they waited nine days for a bed to become available in an inpatient care centre. 'Nine days I had to tie myself to my husband so he wouldn't have any more attempts to end his life at night while we slept,' she told the stunned panel. Dave said he has horrific nightmares 'every night'. 'I'm in full body pain constantly, even my eyelids hurt,' he said. When asked by host Stan Grant what it was like for her, Alison replied: 'If I was just a wife it'd be good, but I am Dave's career, counsellor, psychiatrist, psychologist, doctor, chemist - everything. 'I cut him down when he's hanging from the roof, I perform CPR when he's overdosed, and I've done that many times.' Alison said the pair had received help from the Veterans Centre of Australia, but since it recently closed 'there's nowhere for us to go'. 'There is no impatient care in Australia for disabled suicide veterans anymore,' she said. Veterans Centre Australia closed its doors last month after nearly 12 years of operation, becoming insolvent after its major funder withdrew support. The service handled up to 600 clients at a time across Australia, advocating for veterans and helping them and their families navigate healthcare, financial support, and employment services. Alison offered panel member and Minister for Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh an invitation to be guest in the couple's home so he can understand what they're going through. Couple Alison and Dave (pictured) spoke on Monday night's ABC Q&A program about their heartbreaking experiences after Dave served in the army in East Timor Minister for Veteran's Affairs Matt Keogh said 'It is really clear governments on both sides have dropped the ball in how we support our veteran community when they're in need' '[To] experience first hand the crisis resulting in your government's neglect of Australian veterans and their families by closing the Veterans Centre Australia,' she said. 'I don't want you to send your secretary or your offsider, I'd like you to come to our home.' Alison said the Veteran Centre had meant 'everything' to many veterans and had saved lives, including Dave's. 'To you he might be Joe Blow but he's my husband who signed up and served this country and he's everything to me,' she said. A stunned Mr Keogh said he was sorry for what the couple have endured, and thanked Dave for his service and Alison for 'looking after him'. 'It is really clear governments on both sides have dropped the ball in how we support our veteran community when they're in need,' he said. Mr Keogh said he was happy to 'get in touch' with the couple after the program. Stan Grant said there were 'no words' for what Alison and Dave had gone through. If you or anyone you know needs help you can contact: Lifeline 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 As former President Donald Trump stares down the barrel of an indictment for hush money payments he allegedly gave to porn star Stormy Daniels, the tawdry case of John Edwards - the early noughties Democrat darling - springs to mind. Edwards ran as John Kerry's running mate in 2004, ultimately losing to President Bush and VP Dick Cheney. In 2008, he sought the Democratic presidential nomination, going against Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. He withdrew from the race after The National Enquirer revealed his affair with a campaign staffer while his wife, Elizabeth, battled cancer. Seven months after Elizabeth's death, Edwards was charged with campaign finance violations. It was alleged that he funneled nearly $1million in donations from wealthy socialite Bunny Mellon to his mistress - Rielle Hunter - with whom he fathered a child. But after a six week trial in North Carolina, a jury failed to reach a decision on five of the six counts he'd been facing. The acquitted him on the sixth, and a year later, the federal prosecutors who so zealously went after him agreed to drop the case. A victorious John Edwards emerges from the federal courthouse in Greensboro, North Carolina, after being acquitted on one of the six violations charges he faced. A jury failed to reach a verdict on the other five 'We knew that this case like all campaign finance cases would be challenging. 'But it is our duty to bring hard cases when we believe that the facts and the law support charging a candidate for high office with a crime,' Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division Lanny Breuer said in a statement at the time. The verdict bodes well for Trump, who has always maintained that he had no knowledge of the payments made to Daniels, and Karen McDougal - a playmate who Cohen also paid. 'There was no crime. Period,' he said in a Truth Social post yesterday. Edwards admitted throughout the trial and afterwards that he 'did wrong - but did not break the law'. He admitted taking $900,000 from two prominent donors - Bunny Mellon and Fred Baron - but said the money was a gift. He conceded that he did use the money to try to conceal the affair but said he was trying to hide it from his wife - not his voters. Edwards with his wife Elizabeth, who died in 2010 following a public battle with cancer. His affair with staffer Rielle Hunter began in 2007 Hunter had been hired to produce documentaries for the Edwards campaign. Their affair was first reported by The National Enquirer Hunter in a GQ spread. She ended up testifying before a federal grand jury about receiving payments from Edwards, his aides, and his campaign Edwards with his children at their mother's funeral service in 2010 He admitted the affair and even giving some cash to Hunter but was acquitted of federal campaign finance laws following a scandalous trial where jurors couldn't reach a decision on whether he had deceived donors in his acquisition of their money. Rielle Hunter with Quinn, the baby fathered by Edwards He initially denied the affair, which was first reported by The National Enquirer in in October 2007. They did not name the woman involved, but said he had been unfaithful. He denied it vehemently, claiming to have only ever been in love with one woman - his wife. In January 2008, as support grew for groundbreaking candidates Clinton and Obama, Edwards bowed out of the race. It wasn't public at the time, but Hunter was heavily pregnant with his child. A month later, she gave birth to their baby girl, Quinn. The affair was still contested when Edwards and his wife announced in March of 2008 that her cancer had returned. It wasn't until August 2008 that he finally admitted he'd been unfaithful, telling Bob Woodruff that he had an affair with Hunter - but denying being the father of the baby. In January 2010, he finally admitted fathering the child. Edwards was given hundreds of thousands of dollars by Bunny Mellon, a socialite and philanthropist, who died in 2014. She is shown, right, with Jackie Kennedy Edwards in his smiling mugshot in 2011, after he was indicted on six federal campaign violation charges By then, Hunter had already testified before a federal grand jury investigating Edwards' campaign finances. She told how her film company received $100,000 from his campaign, and a further $14,000 was given for unused footage. Edwards was supported throughout the trial by the donors who said they'd given him gifts instead of campaign donations. In Mellon's case, she tried to disguise some of the payments as being for antique furniture. After being cleared, Edwards gave an emotional statement outside the courthouse, where he said he was a 'sinner' but not a criminal. In the years since, he has stayed away from politics and instead focused on reviving his legal career. He was stopped in his tracks by one passerby who held him until police arrived A shocking video has shown the moment a Good Samaritan took down an armed man who was fleeing from police. Suspect Jason Fleming, 39, was arrested after he entered a shop in Manhattan, New York City, and brandished a loaded rifle and handgun following a dispute. Police were quick to the scene and approached Fleming, but he took off on foot, disposing of the semi-automatic carbine rifle on the way. While being chased by several NYPD officers, Fleming was stopped in his tracks by one passerby who heroically stood in his way and knocked the suspect to the ground. Fleming was knocked down, falling onto a fence and foliage, where he quickly gave up his escape. He raised his hands and turned back to be taken into custody by police. While being chased by several NYPD officers, Fleming was stopped in his tracks by one passerby who heroically stood in his way and tackled him to the ground Fleming was knocked down, falling onto a fence and foliage, where he quickly gave up his escape. He raised his hands and turned back to be taken into custody by police The United States Attorney, for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams said: 'As alleged, the defendant illegally brandished two loaded firearms in broad daylight on a Manhattan street, one of which was a carbine rifle, frightening numerous New Yorkers, including a child. 'Thanks to our law enforcement partners and the heroic efforts of a Good Samaritan, the defendant was apprehended before he could hurt anyone, and his weapons are now off the streets.' The incident allegedly started after Fleming entered a crowded bodega - a small New York grocery shop - in a Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan. Fleming was involved in a verbal dispute with a man where he proceeded to stand in in the doorway and flash a handgun as a girl attempted to leave the bodega, the criminal complaint stated. The small girl then ran away from the store and was able to pass by Fleming onto the sidewalk. CCTV footage showed Fleming outside the small shop where he pulled back his coat momentarily. A rifle that had been swung over his shoulder was visible. A witness then called 911 and Fleming was approached by NYPD officers. He immediately took off, according to the statement, running down the sidewalk. Seeing that Fleming was running towards him with a revolver in his hand and police chasing behind, the unnamed civilian stood in his way and pushed Fleming into a nearby fence The incident allegedly started after Fleming entered a crowded bodega - a small New York grocery shop - in a Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan Fleming was brandishing a semiautomatic carbine rifle in broad daylight while frightened civilians began running away from him He managed to hold onto Fleming until police officers arrived and placed Fleming under arrest and handcuffed him New York police charged Fleming with possession of firearms after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison At this point, he was brandishing a semiautomatic carbine rifle in broad daylight while frightened civilians began running away from him. Fleeing from officers, Fleming threw the rifle over a nearby fence that led to the outside dining area of a restaurant. Police later recovered the semiautomatic Hi-Point carbine rifle. But Fleming also had a revolver on his person, according to the statement, and he continued fleeing authorities as they followed in pursuit. But seeing that Fleming was running towards him with the firearm in his hand and police chasing behind, the unnamed civilian stood in his way and pushed Fleming into a nearby fence. He managed to hold onto him until police officers arrived and placed Fleming under arrest and handcuffed him. Fleming has two prior felony convictions for unlawful firearm possession and is therefore not permitted to be in the possession of them, police said. New York police charged Fleming with possession of firearms after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. But it found British people often say 'right' in response to new information The way the word 'right' is used by British people causes Americans to think they know more than they really do, a recent Rutgers study has found. When British people use the word 'right' they are often acknowledging something new they've just been told, but Americans interpret it to mean they already know. The study also noted that in American English the word more often appears as part of the phrase 'yeah right', whereas in British English 'right' is more often deployed as 'oh right'. The research was informed by recordings of casual conversations between family and friends as well as helpline and medical conversations collected in the last 50 years. The way the word 'right' is used by British people causes Americans to think they know more than they really do, a recent Rutgers study has found An excerpt of a transcript of a conversation examined by the Rutgers University study, which was published in the Journal of Pragmatics in February One example cited in the paper involved a situation in which an anecdote was told and the British English speaker said simply: 'Right'. 'Wait. You knew this already?' asked the confused American English speaker. 'The analysis shows that, in American English, right conveys the speaker's knowing stance and, in certain environments, the speaker's claim of primary knowledge,' wrote an author of the paper, which appeared in the Journal of Pragmatics this year. The article appeared in the February issue of the journal, which has been published since 1977. Pragmatics is a field within linguistics concerned with how context affects the meaning of language. 'In contrast, in British English, 'right' registers provided information as previously unknown, informative, and relevant to the current speaker's ongoing project.' The term 'right' is treated by the researchers to be a 'response particle' or 'response token', meaning it acknowledges, agrees with, or takes some stance towards information it follows. It noted that there is an Australian right too, which conveys a 'shift-of-activity'. However, the study did note that American and British speakers intonate the word differently. US 'rights' are 'typically pronounced with falling intonation,' whereas UK rights are 'often pronounced with rising intonation'. The reason for the difference was not a focus of the paper but it was suggested that with time 'OK' and 'right' took on each other's meanings in the two versions of English. The article appeared in the February issue of the journal, which has been published since 1977. Pragmatics is a field within linguistics concerned with how context affects the meaning of language. Pictured is the Journal of Pragmatics cover in April 2023 A YouGov survey in 2019 found that there were a number of other instances in which terms used in British English are misunderstood by Americans, or taken too literally A YouGov survey in 2019 found that there were a number of other instances in which terms used in British English are misunderstood by Americans, or taken too literally. It found that 'half of Americans wouldn't be able to tell that a British person is calling them an idiot' and cited as a main example, 'with the greatest respect'. Forty-nine percent believe this is a way of letting someone know their views are being heard. In contrast, 68 percent of British people consider the phrase to be a patronizing social code for 'I think you are an idiot'. Another example was, 'I'll bear it in mind'. Some 43 percent of Americans tended to think something would actually then be done, but the majority of British people took it to be a polite way of disregarding something. The lack of willingness to directly confront was evident in other examples too. British people took 'I hear what you say' to imply disagreement, whereas the survey suggested Americans took it more literally. Similarly, dinner invitations seem to be taken more seriously by Americans. Most Brits considered 'you must come to dinner' to be a nicety, whereas Americans perceived it more sincerely. If Donald Trump is indicted for his role in a hush money payment to a porn star, the former president will be treated like any other suspect - he will be read his Miranda rights, fingerprinted, and pose for a mug shot. He may even be handcuffed. But Trump will likely be spared the indignity of a perp walk in which a suspect is led out of the police station or the Manhattan District Attorney's office in handcuffs in front of the cameras for the world to see. Instead, he will likely walk in, wearing a suit and tie, surrounded by aides and Secret Service agents. And he could even make a deal with prosecutors to come in via a back entrance, skipping the growing media frenzy. If Donald Trump is arrested, he will face a typical booking procedure - fingerprints and mugshot Trump faces criminal charges for $130,000 in payments his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, sent to porn star Stormy Daniels toward the end of his 2016 campaign. Prosecutors say the payment violated campaign finance laws, and was made to silence Daniels about an affair with the business titan. Trump denied he ever had an affair. And, on March 18, the former president declared that he would be arrested on the 21st. He issued a rallying call for his supporters to protest the matter. He would be the first president arrested since Ulysses S. Grant was pulled over for speeding in his horse and buggy at the corner of 13th and M streets in Washington, D.C - in 1872 - but police let him go with a fine. Local, state and federal law enforcement and security agencies are preparing for an expected frenzy of media, protestors and onlookers even though New York prosecutors haven't confirmed an arrest is coming. DailyMail.com looks at what may happen should an indictment comes down. THE SURRENDER Any indictment would require Trump, who lives at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., to surrender to an NYC police precinct or the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. He would have to fly to his former home state, likely on his campaign jet, which is known as Trump Force One. Since a financial crime is considered a 'white-collar crime' and considered non-violent, Trump is expected to be allowed to self-surrender, skipping the perp walk. In white-collar cases, the defendant's lawyers and the prosecutors typically agree on a date and time for the person to surrender rather than arrest the person at home. The booking procedure typically takes four to six hours and includes being fingerprinted and photographed. The former president could be released on a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT), meaning he has to appear at the courthouse later for the arraignment of charges. Trump would have to travel from his Mar-a-Lago estate (above) to New York Trump would likely make the trip on his campaign plane, know as Trump Force One IF TRUMP DOESN'T SELF-SURRENDER If Trump refused to surrender voluntarily, prosecutors could seek to have him extradited from Florida. Ironically, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican and former ally of Trump, would have to formally approve extradition. Technically, it would be a strictly administrative move, carried out in his capacity as governor of the state. Politically, it's an entirely different story. DeSantis has all but declared he'll run for president next year - making him a rival to Trump for the GOP nomination. Even though DeSantis has few legal options other than to approve extradition, it will likely infuriate the conservative MAGA base he is trying to win over. If DeSantis didn't approve an extradition, New York would probably sue, setting up a long legal battle. Some lawyers working for Trump have said the former president will surrender. 'There won't be a standoff at Mar-a-Lago with Secret Service and the Manhattan DA's office,' Trump attorney Joe Tacopina told the New York Daily News. The timing remains unclear despite Trump's proclamation on the date. Once Trump has been formally indicted, prosecutors would contact his lawyers to negotiate his surrender, which could take several days. If Donald Trump refuses to surrender, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would have to sign an extradition order - the two men above in June 2019 for a Trump campaign rally HANDCUFFS AND MUGSHOT Trump would face a typical booking procedure like any other defendant. He would be told he has the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. He could be handcuffed and have his mugshot taken. Most defendants have their hands cuffed behind their backs, but some white-collar defendants - usually deemed non-violent - have their hands cuffed in front of them. Or his lawyers could make a deal with prosecutors to allow the former president to escape the indignity of handcuffs and walk inside unincumbered. His Secret Service detail - which is legally bound to protect all former presidents - would be at his side. In New York, mugshots are not typically released to the public, although they're occasionally leaked to the media. THE ARRAIGNMENT Trump would then appear for arraignment in Manhattan district court. He would likely be released on his own recognizance and allowed to head home. Given Trump's substantial ties to the community and his ongoing 2024 presidential campaign, the judge likely wouldn't deem him a flight risk and would probably immediately release him on bond, former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti told Time magazine. Trump has a campaign rally scheduled in Waco, Texas, on March 25th and is expected to keep his normal campaign schedule. PREPARATIONS BEING MADE The New York Police Department, New York State Court Officers, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the Secret Service, and the FBI are reportedly preparing for an arrest. That includes preparing for possible protests. Security barriers were now around the Manhattan courthouse and the district attorney's office. Additionally, more than a dozen senior officials in the police department and two of Mayor Eric Adams' top public safety aides held a virtual meeting on March 19th to discuss security, staffing and contingency plans in the event of any protests, the New York Times reported. The White House is also monitoring the situation. 'We're always monitoring the situation here, as best we can,' National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said during an interview on Fox News Sunday. 'And we obviously don't want to see any activity go violent certainly nothing to the extent that we saw on January 6,' he added. 'But we're watching this. We're watching it, of course, closely.' Additionally, Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg could see his security detail expanded. Bragg, a Democrat who is the first black person to lead the New York City office, has become a target of Trump's ire. The former president claims his investigation is politically motivated. A New York Police Department vehicle sits in front of Trump Tower in New York City New York Police Officers move barricades near the courthouse ahead of former President Donald Trump's anticipated indictment THE TRIAL Any trial would still be more than a year away, which would put it during the 2024 presidential election in which Trump is a candidate. The average criminal case in New York takes more than a year to move from indictment to trial, said Karen Friedman Agnifilo, former Manhattan chief assistant district attorney, told Reuters. Meanwhile, the specter of the trial would allow Trump to use it as a political issue, which he has made clear he will do. The former president is expected to target Bragg and President Joe Biden, even though the Stormy Daniels case is a local New York case and not a federal matter. Trump will also be watching to see what Republicans defend him, particularly his 2024 rivals. A trial has other complications, such as a jury selection process. Trump is obviously well-known, and a majority of people have an opinion about him - one way or another. Both the prosecution and the defense will use the questioning process to try and ensure fair and impartial jurors. The judge could also issue jurors a 'gag order' to keep them from talking to the media. The jurors also could be sequestered. OTHER CHARGES Former President Trump is also facing other investigations - two federal and one state probe in Georgia. The Justice Department is investigating two separate matters: Trump's possession of hundreds of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and his efforts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election, including his role in the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol. Additionally, a special grand jury in Georgia has been convened to hear evidence of whether or not Trump and his allies tried to pressure officials to overturn Biden's 2020 victory in the state. The district attorney will decide whether or not to bring charges this spring. While the US is famed for its hamburgers and chicken wings, there are bizarre culinary creations which have established their own cult followings. From the fried bull testicles of Colorado, known as Rocky Mountain oysters, to the cannibal sandwich of Wisconsin, raw mincemeat on rye - regional cuisine from the times of cowboys and first settlers have become symbols of pride. There are also late-night fast-food favorites unique to each state, like the slinger in Missouri which consists of eggs, hash browns and a meat patty all liberally covered in chili and cheese. The slopper in Colorado is another calorific preparation which involves drowning a burger in a pork and pepper stew. Here DailyMail.com looks at 11 of the most outrageous dining experiences from across the US... Slopper - an invention from Pueblo, Colorado which involves drowning a burger in pork green chili Slopper The slopper is a messy delight which was invented in Pueblo, Colorado and involves drowning a burger in pork green chili. It includes all of the fixings of a regular burger and some add grilled onions, avocado and guacamole, while others serve it with a side of French fries. The bun becomes soggy and saturated so diners usually eat it with a knife and fork. There is heavy debate over which restaurant first served the dish which has been around since the 1950s. And the unusual meal is said to have gotten its name after a customer said the meal looked like slop. Slinger The slinger is a late-night diner meal which originated in St Louis, Missouri, and is famed for its heaviness. It consists of two eggs, hash browns and a meat patty, all covered in chilli con carne and generously topped with cheese. And the dish, served in 24-hour diners across the city, usually comes with a side of toast although some offer upgrades to French toasts or biscuits. It is not known where this combination first began but a few local joints claim to be the first to invent it. Many get creative with the dish and allow customers to customize their eggs and choose their meat. Slinger - a late-night diner meal which originated in St Louis, Missouri and consists of two eggs, hash browns, and a meat patty topped with chili, cheese, and onions Rocky Mountain Oysters Rocky Mountain Oysters are another Colorado invention, more specifically Denver, and it is a popular delicacy across the city. The dish itself has got nothing to do with oysters and they are actually just deep fried bull testicles. They are coated in flour, pepper and salt and are most often served as an appetizer. Rocky Mountain oysters are also known for being cowboy caviar as it was the meat cowboys would eat at the end of a cattle drive. It was invented in the region where cattle ranching and farming was prevalent as a way of life. The castration of young males was common as a way to reduce their aggression and so the meat was used to feed the cowboys. One Denver restaurant claims to have been serving the strange dish for more than 125 years and roughly sell 500 pounds a week of it. Rocky Mountain Oysters- another Colorado invention which are deep fried bull testicles coated in flour, pepper and salt Cannibal sandwich Cannibal sandwiches are a Wisconsin staple and is perhaps the strangest meal on this list. They consist of fresh raw beef on rye bread topped with chopped onion, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. The dish has been a long standing custom in the city and families usually serve it at festive gatherings. But people have been warned to stay away by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services who say 'eating them poses a threat for salmonella, E. coli 0157:H7, campylobacter and listeria bacteria that can make you sick. Health officials say the beef has to be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 F to kill any bacteria lurking inside -although plenty of people in Wisconsin ignore this and continue the tradition. Cannibal sandwich- Wisconsin dish which consists of fresh raw beef on rye bread topped with chopped onion, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper Garbage Plate Its name doesnt sound particularly appetizing but the Garbage Plate is loved in Rochester and is widely regarded as the citys signature dish. The meal traditionally consists of a mash up of a cheeseburger or hamburger, hotdogs, Italian sausage, chicken, or grilled cheese and is served on top of any combination of home fries, baked beans, and/or macaroni salad. It is usually topped with a Rochester-style meat hot sauce and is served with a side of buttered bread. The name is trademarked by Nick Tahou Hots which invented the dish and it is said to have gotten its name after a group of college students requested a plate with all the garbage on it. Garbage plate - Rochester meal which is a mash up of a cheeseburger or hamburger, hotdogs, Italian sausage, chicken, or grilled cheese and is served on top of any combination of home fries, baked beans, and/or macaroni salad Scrapple Scrapple is one of the most famous Pennsylvania Dutch foods and is hugely popular across the mid-Atlantic region. The dish is made from scraps of pork meat, usually trimmings, and they are combined with cornmeal, wheat flour and spices. Each of the individual ingredients are cooked separately and then put together in a loaf pan to chill and once the loaf is formed it is sliced, cooked and eaten. It was invented by Pennsylvania Dutch settlers and rural immigrants and was a way to prevent any parts of the animal from going to waste. Scrapple- hugely popular meal across the mid-Atlantic and is made from pork scraps combined with cornmeal, wheat flour and spices, typically pan-fried before serving Livermush Livermush is a pork food dish which is common in Western North Carolina and is made using pig liver, parts of pig heads, cornmeal and spices. By law, the product must consist of at least 30 per cent pig liver. It is usually eaten at breakfast and lunch and it remains an important food tradition in the region and Shelby, North Carolina hosts an annual Livermush Exposition to celebrate the unique delicacy. The dish is thought to have derived from scrapple and likely originated from German settlers who traveled south through the Appalachian Mountains in the 1700s. Livermush- pork food dish which is common in Western North Carolina and is made using pig liver, parts of pig heads, cornmeal and spices Chop Suey Sandwich People in Salem, Massachusetts have been enjoying a Chop Suey sandwich for decades. It is loaded with a healthy portion of savory, saucy bean sprouts and bits of chicken which are barely contained by a bun. The popular dish had been served in a sea-view Chinese restaurant since 1912. Chop Suey- sandwich from Salem, Massachusetts which contains a healthy portion of savory, saucy bean sprouts and bits of chicken Frogmore Stew The Frogmore Stew is a melting pot from South Carolina with just four simple ingredients- shrimp, corn on the cob, new potatoes and smoked sausage. Although sometimes it is served with live blue crab or stone crab claws along with onions. The dish, which has become a favorite on resorts along the Carolina coast, originated in a small Lowcountry fishing community on St. Helena Island named Frogmore. Historians believe it was invented by local shrimpers who used whatever food items they could get their hands on to make a stew. Frogmore Stew- a melting pot from South Carolina with just four simple ingredients- shrimp, corn on the cob, new potatoes and smoked sausage Chow Mein Sandwich The Chow Mein sandwich is a unique blend between Chinese and American food culture and has been served in Fall River, Massachusetts since the 1930s. It consists of deep-fried noodles, morsels of pork, and sauteed vegetables piled onto a hamburger bun and drenched in gravy. This sandwich was created to provide a low-cost meal in an economically depressed region inhabited by recent immigrants. Chow Mein sandwich- it has been served in Fall River, Massachusetts since the 1930s and is made from deep-fried noodles, morsels of pork, and sauteed vegetables drenched in gravy Pork tenderloin Sandwich This comically oversized sandwich is made from a thin breaded and fried pork cutlet which hangs over the edges of a bun. It is exclusively made from pork tenderloin which is hammered thin with a meat mallet before it is dipped in flour, eggs and breadcrumbs and deep fried. The dish is popular in the Midwest, especially in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, but it is claimed to have originated at Nick's Kitchen restaurant in Huntington, Indiana in 1908. An uncle who murdered his 15-year-old niece and refused to reveal the whereabouts of her body could kill again if released, a parole report has revealed. Stuart Campbell, now 64, is serving a life sentence for murder of teenager Danielle Jones, who was last seen near her home in East Tilbury, Essex, on 18 June 2001 while walking to a bus stop. Her body was never found, but after police discovered a pair of white stockings with Danielle's DNA on them in Campbell's home, as well as a lip gloss used by her, he was arrested and later found guilty. Campbell was found to have lured her into his blue transit van to abduct her. In December 2002 Campbell was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and ten years for abduction, with the two to run concurrently. The High Court ruled that Campbell should not be considered for parole until he had served a minimum of 20 years. He became eligible for a hearing in 2022. Stuart Campbell, now 64, abducted and murdered his niece Danielle Jones, and never divulged the location of her body. He was refused parole in January as he still presented 'a high risk of causing serious harm' Danielle Jones, 15, was last seen near her home in East Tilbury, Essex, on 18 June 2001 In January, Mail Online revealed that Campbell's parole appeal had been rejected at the first stage under a Member Case Assessment, whereby the Parole Board considers written evidence. The panel decided that after assessing Campbell's file, he didn't reach the threshold for a full parole hearing and was still too dangerous to be released. Mail Online has obtained the Parole Board's detailed 'decision summary' which outlines the reasons why Campbell was denied parole or a move to a lower risk Category D open prison. In a stark assessment, it reveals that the parole panel believe that if Campbell was released he 'would present a high risk of causing serious harm.' The summary continues: 'The risk in this case to children would be of significant physical harm caused in the commission of an abduction. 'In the panel's view there would be the potential for this harm to be fatal.' The review noted that Campbell had undertaken various courses in jail to help him deal with 'anger management, his relationships, victim awareness and drug and alcohol misuse.' But it added: 'Mr Campbell has been identified as potentially needing further work to address his offending behaviour and reports have indicated that an assessment will take place to consider this. Danielle's parents Tony and Linda at the scene of a search for Danielle's body in Thurrock, May 2017 Campbell denied any involvement in his niece's disappearance and has never revealed where her body is 'Mr Campbell had been unwilling to engage with that assessment, although he indicated in legal representations that he would be interested in engaging. 'Plans will be put into place for the assessment to take place.' The summary concluded: 'After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented in the dossier, the panel was not satisfied that Mr Campbell was suitable for release. 'Nor did the panel recommend to the Secretary of State that Mr Campbell should be transferred to an open prison. 'The panel considered that Mr Campbell was appropriately located in custody where outstanding levels of risk could be addressed.' Despite appeals by Danielle's family and Campbell's brother Alix Sharkey to the ex-builder to reveal where he hid the body, Campbell has refused to disclose any information. As a result, the case was one of the first to be assessed under Helen's Law which legally requires the Parole Board to consider whether a prisoner has admitted guilt or expressed remorse. This makes it harder for killers like Campbell to be released if they refuse to give up details on where they hid the victim's body and give full disclosure of their crimes. Police discovered a pair of white stockings with Danielle's DNA on them in Campbell's home, as well as a lip gloss used by her Helen's Law is named after Helen McCourt, a 22-year-old insurance clerk who was murdered in 1988. Her killer, Ian Simms, has never revealed the location of her body. In his trial for Danielle Jones' murder, it was revealed that Campbell faked texts from the teenager to himself to make it seem like she was still alive. On the 20th anniversary of the schoolgirl's death, Danielle's family appealed to Campbell to reveal where he hid her body. Her mother Linda said she hoped Campbell would 'do the right thing and allow us to lay our darling daughter to rest'. Danielle left her home in East Tilbury, Essex in June 2001 to catch a bus to St Clere's School in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex - and her parents never saw her again. Campbell, a father-of-two and bodybuilder, denied any involvement in his niece's disappearance, but the prosecution produced evidence that he had developed an 'irresistible sexual attraction' for her. He regularly picked her up from the school bus stop in his van, sent her 'an inordinate amount of text messages' and kept a diary chronicling his contact with her. Campbell's brother Alix Shakey, also 64, who is currently living in Barbados, has written a book about his brother's crimes and spoke of his 'profound scorn' for Campbell. He said in an interview in the Sunday Times Magazine last year he is 'furious' with his brother for not telling Danielle's parents where her body is, and hopes his book will encourage Campbell to do the right thing. Pictured: The blue van belonging to Stuart Campbell. During the investigation police looked into a sighting of a blue van, whose driver was seen speaking to a girl resembling Danielle 'I hope it will shift something in him, to make him understand that you cannot pretend to anyone, including yourself, that this is over, that you can start again,' he told the publication. 'You can't do that. I won't let you. You have to tell these people what you did with that girl's body. 'I was so angry with him, because I could see what he was trying to do,' Sharkey said. 'I realised with Ian Simms that with the way the law stands you can leave prison without confessing your crime, without expressing remorse for what you did you can still get out of prison. Then I was furious. I was furious with myself for being complacent about the whole thing, and furious with him.' He added that he believes his brother feels shame for what he did, demonstrable by the fact Campbell has never replied to any of his letters. 'A response means a conversation, a conversation means being confronted with his crime. I guess he can't handle that,'Sharkey said. Campbell will be eligible for another parole review in 2024. Two London schools have piloted a curriculum about 'challenging limiting gender stereotypes' run by a charity backed by Prince Harry and Meghan, it emerged today. The Global Boyhood Initiative, which wants boyhood to be 'fluid', has run workshops with staff at Ravenstone School in Balham and Sherwood Primary School, Mitcham. The organisation 'promotes gender equity by fostering positive masculinity in boys and men' and has warned that the phrase 'boys will be boys' is dangerous. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's organisation Archewell has partnered with the US-based initiative which also accuses parents of 'gendering' unborn children. But its aims have proven controversial, with one Conservative MP warning that the group was trying to 're-educate small children for reasons of political activism'. And a family campaign group has slammed the initiative, telling MailOnline: 'Schools should not be lying to children about gender 'not being tied to sex organs'.' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are partnering with the US-based Global Boyhood Initiative A Global Boyhood Initiative workshop at Sherwood Primary School in Mitcham last July Another Global Boyhood Initiative workshop last July, held at Ravenstone School in Balham The initiative was founded in 2020 by US gender equality group Equimundo and a French anti-women's violence organisation called the Kering Foundation. It was then piloted at the two UK schools in July last year by a London-based educational group called Lifting Limits which aims to 'challenge gender stereotypes'. The schools were initially not identified, but the organisation then revealed their locations in tweets. The initiative states that its curriculum for seven to 11-year-olds is about 'about gender equality, developing healthy masculine identities and challenging limiting gender stereotypes'. Following the pilot, the group said it 'hopes to widen and deepen its work on boyhood across the UK - including promoting the uptake and development of the curriculum nationally'. A report called 'The State of UK Boys' was written by the group last November, which claimed that families can be gender 'factories' by 'enacting gender roles and identities'. It said: 'Parents may begin gendering their children even before birth based on the identification of external genitalia in scans, including through elaborate 'gender reveal' parties and a stream of purchases along gender lines. 'While the family is a place of nurturing and support for many children, it can also be where gender and sexuality are regulated and policed.' But Miriam Cates, the Conservative MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, told The Sunday Telegraph: 'Attempting to 're-educate' small children for reasons of political activism is indoctrination and an abuse of the trust that children place in teachers and parents place in schools. A report called 'The State of UK Boys' was written by the Global Boyhood Initiative last year, which claimed that families can be gender 'factories' by 'enacting gender roles and identities' 'It is also concerning that the Global Boyhood Initiative says they have widened their net to include 'children of all genders', which suggests they hold to an extreme position on gender ideology.' The group has said the curriculum aims to help children learn about 'the role gender norms play in their lives through activity-based questioning and critical reflection'. They are also helped to 'explore equitable, inclusive and nonviolent attitudes and behaviours in a safe and comfortable space' and 'internalise these new gender attitudes and norms by applying them in their relationships and lives'. However a spokesman for the Family Education Trust, which researches family breakdown, told MailOnline that the initiative was trying 'undermine parents'. She said: 'The suggestion by the Global Boyhood Initiative that families may be 'regulating and policing' gender and sexuality is an attempt to undermine parents and the family unit. 'Parents are best placed to teach their children about relationships and sex, and schools should not be lying to children about gender 'not being tied to sex organs'. 'Gender ideology has no place in schools as there is simply no evidence to support it. 'While boys and girls must of course be treated equally, the reality is that there are biological differences between males and females and it is unwise to pretend otherwise. Conservative MP Miriam Cates issued a warning over attempt to 're-educate' small children for reasons of political activism, saying this is 'indoctrination and an abuse of the trust' 'A better approach for schools would be to ensure that boys have appropriate male role models who embody positive masculinity and can teach boys how to be respectful to women and girls.' There is also a partnership between Harry and Meghan's podcast Archetypes and the initiative, which includes guides on teaching boys about healthy masculinity. But the Sussexes are not thought to be partnering with the curriculum programme itself. An announcement on the Archewell website last November said: 'Inspired by Archetypes, the Archewell Foundation has partnered with Equimundo's (fka Promundo) Global Boyhood Initiative on a guide for promoting gender equity by fostering positive masculinity in boys and men. 'Equimundo's trainings, tools and resources are actively promoting healthy and equitable masculinities starting at an early age. 'Equimundo works to achieve gender equality and social justice by transforming intergenerational patterns of harm and promoting patterns of care, empathy and accountability among boys and men throughout their lives.' Last week Maggie Blyth, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for violence against women and girls, said primary schools should teach boys about the boundaries of acceptable behaviour as part of a 'whole society' approach to tackling misogyny. Ms Blyth, who was appointed in 2021 to tackle what Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary called the 'epidemic' of violence against women, also said children should learn in school about the danger of toxic masculinity and toxic influencers such as Andrew Tate. The US-based Global Boyhood Initiative is advertising this webinar next month Her comments come as women's trust in the police has been severly damaged by a series of scandals including the case of Wayne Couzens, who abducted, raped and murdered Sarah Everard in March 2021. In January, David Carrick, who joined the Met in 2001 before becoming an armed officer with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command in 2009, was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years behind bars after admitting to 49 charges, including 24 counts of rape. She said that despite measures being put in place to tackle misogyny and violence against women within the country's police forces, the problem is 'much bigger than policing' and needed a whole-society approach because forces alone cannot put an end to misogyny and violence. She added: 'The bigger debate for society is around prevention. And how do we stop men and boys developing a [harmful] type of behaviour or attitude?' A spokesman for Equimundo told MailOnline: 'The Global Boyhood Initiative is a campaign present in different countries around the world that focuses on helping teachers and parents with information and resources so that they can accompany their boys and girls to have a healthier and more caring childhood. 'These resources come as a result of research implemented in each context and country where we work. 'This campaign is coordinated globally by Equimundo and implemented in each country through our partnership with universities, private companies, schools and international organizations that share a concern for matters related to children, bullying and mental health. 'Some of GBIs more important results are bullying reduction, greater gender equality in schools, improved mental health and greater social connection between students of all ethnicities. All the background research on GBI activities can be seen on the website.' Archewell, Lifting Limits, Ravenstone School and Sherwood Primary School have all been approached for comment by MailOnline. Nigel Farage and his former political party trailed a 'big' political announcement today - before unveiling 75-year-old ex-Tory minister Anne Widdecombe as a new supporter. The Reform Party, formerly the Brexit Party, had trailed a 'major press conference' this morning in Central London. It sparked speculation that a sitting Tory MP might be defecting, or that Mr Farage, now a television presenter, might be returning to frontline politics. But reporters who attended were bemused to discover that the big announcement was that Ms Widdecombe - a former star of Strictly Come Dancing - and her fellow ex-Brexit Party MEPs were joining a party many assumed they were already part of. Ms Widdecombe, who was Conservative prisons minister under John Major in the mid 1990s and a shadow home secretary before defecting, used her time at the podium to swiftly rule out a run for a seat at the next general election. She said that she would instead just be 'an extremely active supporter'. She revealed that she had been reluctant to join the party for several years, despite 'pressure' to come on board, but had been spurred in recent days by Rishi Sunak's Windsor Framework, which seeks to untie the Brexit Gordian Knot around Northern Ireland. The Reform Party, formerly the Brexit Party, had trailed a 'major press conference' this morning in Central London. It sparked speculation that a sitting Tory MP might be defecting, or that Mr Farage, now a television presenter, might be returning to frontline politics. But reporters who attended were bemused to discover that the big announcement was that Ms Widdecombe and her fellow ex-Brexit Party MEPs were joining a party many assumed they were already part of. She told the audience: 'I am here to save the union. It is my overwhelming motive in joining Reform after having refused to do so for some time. I have been subject to quite a lot of pressure, which I have resisted. 'But there was recently a meeting of the Brexit Party MEPs who just said 'we ain't got Brexit, and what is much worse we are losing Northern Ireland'.' Mr Farage, who is now the party's honorary president, also ruled out running after seven previous failed attempts to win a Westminster seat. It came as the DUP revealed it will vote against the Government in this week's first parliamentary vote on the new Windsor Framework Brexit deal. Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said DUP officers met on Monday morning and unanimously agreed to vote against the first aspect of the Windsor Framework to be considered by Parliament, the Stormont brake. The brake would allow a minority of MLAs at Stormont to formally flag concerns about the imposition of new EU laws in Northern Ireland - a move that could see the UK government veto their introduction in the region. The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party said: 'Since the announcement that the Stormont brake is to be debated and voted upon in Parliament on Wednesday there have been a number of indications that this vote will be read as indicative of current positions on the wider Windsor Framework package. 'Our party officers, the only decision-making mechanism in our party on these matters, met this morning and unanimously agreed that in the context of our ongoing concerns and the need to see further progress secured whilst continuing to seek clarification, change and re-working, that our Members of Parliament would vote against the draft statutory instrument on Wednesday. 'We will continue to work with the Government on all the outstanding issues relating to the Windsor Framework package to try to restore the delicate political balances within Northern Ireland and to seek to make further progress on all these matters.' He documented his day-to-day travels and obstacles he faced to complete the challenge Firesheets started his globe-trotting adventure on March 8 and celebrated his victory on March 19 Nathan Firesheets completed his wild dream of conquering 12 Disney theme parks across the world in 12 days While many people could claim to be the world's biggest Disney fan, one Georgia man's wild 12-day mission to conquer every single ride at every one of the 12 parks worldwide might just have won him that accolade. Nathan Firesheets started his journey known as the Disney Global Ride Challenge at Disneyland Paris on March 8 and ended his globe-trotting adventure at Walt Disney World in Florida on March 19. Firesheets documented his day-by-day travels on Twitter, including his airport adventures, food indulgences and 216 ride challenge leading up to one final post on Sunday night as he announced his victory while high up on Astro Orbiter. 'Twelve days ago, I set out to ride every operating ride every ride at all 12 Disney parks around the world, I started with the Orbitron at Disneyland Paris and tonight I finished with the Astro Orbiter at the Magic Kingdom,' Firesheets said as fireworks went off in the background. The challenge was the latest on Firesheets' list as he previously completed the US coast-to-coast challenge by traveling from Disneyland in California to Disney World in Florida to ride each attraction in 36 hours. March 8 and 9: Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Firesheets started off his journey on March 8 at the first Disneyland Paris park. He is pictured above riding the tea cups He traveled around with this flyer on his backpack and was recognized by fans across the globe Firesheets started off his journey on March 8 with a selfie at Walt Disney Studios in Paris before taking on the 17 rides offered throughout the park. Ride-by-ride, Firesheets documented himself on Pirates of the Caribbean, Phantom Manor and Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Rain kept Firesheets from getting on the outdoor car ride of Autotopia, but he appeared to make a quick stop back at the theme park the next day to finish the quest before heading on his next flight. On day two, Firesheets took on Disneyland Paris bringing his ride total up to 28. He deemed Tower of Terror as his favorite attraction overall. March 11: Shanghai Disneyland Firesheets updated his followers every hour about his what rides he was able to make it on and which were closed. Pictured: Shanghai Disneyland He documented himself traveling from one country to the next to complete his challenge Shortly after leaving Disneyland Paris, Firesheets ran to the airport for his nearly 13 hour flight to Shanghai. He officially made it into the theme park on March 11, local time, to take on 16 rides starting with TRON Lightcycle Power Run. Firesheets updated his followers every hour about his what rides he was able to make it on and which were closed. He appeared to admire the theme park the most, especially the castle and Pirates of the Caribbean ride. The crowd and high wait times didn't stop him from completing his mission before heading to Hong Kong. March 12: Hong Kong Disneyland 'Guess where I am!' Firesheets wrote in a Tweet while posing at the entrance of Hong Kong Disneyland Firesheets ended the night at the theme park about six hours after he arrived with the Mad Hatter Tea Cups 'Guess where I am!' Firesheets wrote in a Tweet while posing at the entrance of Hong Kong Disneyland. On March 12 local time, Firesheets took on the challenge of riding 16 attractions starting in the late afternoon around 2pm. He visited attractions similar to the one's in the US, including Jungle River Cruise, Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway. Others such as the Mystic Manor he suggested is needed in the states. 'We need a Mystic Manor (or something like it) in the US. Such a cute and fun and cool little ride!' he wrote. Firesheets ended the night at the theme park about six hours after he arrived with the Mad Hatter Tea Cups. He returned to the theme park the next day to waste time before heading to Tokyo. March 14 and 15: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea On March 14 and 15, Firesheets visited Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Firesheets started his day bright and early on March 14, local time, on Space Mountain. He tackled 23 rides at the theme park and waited nearly three hours for some, including the Beauty and the Beast attraction. To make it around the park faster, he opted in to pay for Disney's fast pass, referred to as premier access. While making his way across the park, he stopped to take a picture of what he called the 'saddest castle.' The iconic Disney castle wasn't as elaborate as others and featured two brick-like walls in front of it. Firesheets spent March 15 at Tokyo's second theme park bringing his total number of rides to 106. March 16: Disneyland, California Firesheets hopped on a plane and traveled across the world to Anaheim, California for a day at Disneyland Firesheets hopped on a plane and traveled across the world to Anaheim, California for a day at Disneyland. The time change allowed for Firesheets to spend March 16 at the park to complete the challenge of 32 rides. He found himself on classic attractions, such as Splash Mountain and the newest theme park territory of Star Wars land. Firesheets snapped a photo of himself and other riders on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Before the day ended at midnight, he barely made it to his Peter Pan ride, Pan's Flight, 'with a few minutes to spare.' March 17: California Adventure After sleeping through several alarms, Firesheets landed at Disneyland's sister park, California Adventure After sleeping through several alarms, Firesheets landed at Disneyland's sister park, California Adventure. He was at the park at around 10am on March 17 and was 'gutted' in belief he wouldn't make it through all the rides before closure. Regardless of the time crunch, he managed to smile his way through several selfies and somehow finished his challenge before the park closed at 8pm. March 18: EPOCT, Florida Firesheets made it to EPOCT in Bay Lake to take on 11 rides. Several attractions had over an hour wait time but he didn't appear to mind By March 18, Firesheets made it to EPOCT in Bay Lake to take on 11 rides. Several attractions had over an hour wait time but he didn't appear to mind. He noted similarities to rides across the parks he visited. 'Ratatouille is basically identical to the Paris version,' he wrote. 'The only differences I noted were getting splashed by water from the broom and some smells towards the end. And no Chez Remy as you exit.' Firesheets finished the last ride at the park, Spaceship Earth, bringing his ride total to 170. He later squeezed in another park into his busy day and headed toward Disney's Animal Kingdom in Bay Lake March 18: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Florida Firesheets visited several Disney parks in Florida on the same day Lucky for Firesheets, there were only eight rides for him to tackle at Disney's Animal Kingdom. He started with Na'vi River Journey and ended with TriceraTop Spin a few hours later. His ride total sky rocketed to 179. March 18 and 19: Disney World, Florida Firesheets managed to make it to Disney World before the end of March 18 to kick start his 25 ride challenge at the massive theme park. He completed the quest the next day on March 19 Firesheets managed to make it to Disney World before the end of March 18 to kick start his 25 ride challenge at the massive theme park. He kicked off his adventure with TRON Lightcycle and made it through seven rides before closing time. The Disney fanatic woke up on March 19 for the final stretch. He got an early start and made it on his first ride at 8.30am and finished number 25 by the late afternoon. 'Eleven...count 'em...**ELEVEN** Parks Complete!!' he wrote. March 19: Disney's Hollywood Studios, Florida With hours to spare, Firesheets was at his final eight rides at Disney's Hollywood Studios by 2pm on March 19 Firesheets then spent the day on 'bonus rides' at the Disney World to celebrate his victory With hours to spare, Firesheets was at his final eight rides at Disney's Hollywood Studios by 2pm on March 19. He happily took selfies once again on every ride until he hit the final one, Alien Swirling Saucers. Firesheets then spent the day on 'bonus rides' at the Disney World. Xi Jinping said he was ready to 'stand guard over a world order based on international law' as he met Vladimir Putin in Moscow today. In his first state visit to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, the Chinese leader spent more than four hours in talks with his 'dear friend' Putin, discussing proposals to end the war previously outlined in a 12-point peace plan. 'We are always open to negotiations,' the Russian leader said, welcoming China's plan to settle his 'acute crisis' in Ukraine. Xi, who descended a red-carpeted set of steps at Moscow's Vnunkovo airport serenaded by a military band, hailed his 'close ties' with Russia as Putin said the two countries had 'plenty of common objectives and tasks'. The Chinese premier expects his time there to prove 'fruitful'. Presented as a 'journey of friendship, cooperation and peace', the summit marks the deepening of ties between China and an increasingly isolated Russia, who have relied on Beijing to soften the impact of western sanctions by buying Russian energy and commodities. The leaders are set to meet again tomorrow for more formal talks. A Kremlin spokesman said tonight: 'The conversation is still going on.' A shaky-looking Vladimir Putin praised his 'dear friend' President Xi Jinping while he gripped the arms of his chair during the Chinese leader's visit to Moscow today Xi and Putin shake hands during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, on Monday The Unites States today said that Xi Jinping's visit to Russia - which came just days after Vladimir Putin was charged with war crimes in Ukraine - suggests that China does not believe the Russian despot should be held accountable for the atrocities. In a scathing speech, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also voiced scepticism over Xi's 'peace' proposals aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, warning they could be a 'stalling tactic' to help Russian troops on the ground. 'The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms,' Blinken said. Blinken added that Xi's trip suggests that Beijing does not think that Putin should not be held accountable for atrocities committed in Ukraine by Russian forces. It came after the International Criminal Court on Friday called for Putin's arrest and accused the despot of committing war crimes by abducting Ukrainian children from their homes and deporting them to Russia to be given to Russian families. Earlier today, a shaky-looking Putin, who gripped the arms of his chair during a meeting with Xi, said he was willing to discuss Beijing's plan to end the war in Ukraine - a move that has been met with scepticism in Kyiv and the West due to China's unwavering support for Russia. 'We are always open to negotiations,' Putin, who appeared to be trembling and clutching his seat, told Xi during a meeting in the Kremlin. 'We will certainly discuss all these issues, including your initiatives which we treat with respect, of course.' Xi cosied up to Putin today and stroked the Russian leader's ego by saying he was 'convinced' the despot enjoyed the Russian people's support ahead of a presidential election scheduled for next year In a scathing speech, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken )pictured today) also voiced scepticism over Xi's 'peace' proposals aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, warning they could be a 'stalling tactic' to help Russian troops on the ground 'We are always open to negotiations,' Putin told Xi during the visit. 'We will certainly discuss all these issues, including your initiatives which we treat with respect, of course.' They were later due at a seven-course banquet including nelma, a freshwater fish from the Pechora River in northern Russia, a traditional seafood soup, pancakes with quail, and Russian wine. China has not offered any concrete proposals to end the war other than a 12-point 'peace plan' which included calling for an end to Western sanctions, negotiations that would see Ukraine ceding territory, a NATO pull-back from its eastern borders and reconstruction efforts that are likely to benefit Chinese contractors. Indeed, Blinken today raised doubts that China was safeguarding the 'sovereignty and territorial integrity' of Ukraine with its 'peace' plans. 'Any plan that does not prioritise this critical principle is a stalling tactic at best or is merely seeking to facilitate an unjust outcome. That is not constructive diplomacy,' Blinken said. 'Calling for a ceasefire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest,' he added. Blinken, who earlier on Monday announced $350 million (287 million) in new US military aid to Ukraine, renewed support for the stance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who has demanded a Russian withdrawal. 'If China is committed to supporting an end to the war based on the principles of the UN Charter - as called for in point one of its plan - it can engage with President Zelensky and Ukraine on that basis and use its influence to compel Moscow to pull back its forces,' he said. Despite its calls for peace, Beijing has continued to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Russia and parroted the Kremlin's talking points about NATO expansionism. Indeed, Xi cosied up to Putin today and stroked the Russian leader's ego by saying he was 'convinced' the despot enjoyed the Russian people's support ahead of a presidential election scheduled for next year. During the Putin and Xi's meeting, the Chinese leader told Putin in Mandarin: 'I know Russia will hold a presidential election.' 'Under your strong leadership, Russia has made great strides in its prosperous development,' Xi gushed. 'I am confident that the Russian people will continue to give you their firm support.' As Xi's words were translated into Russian, Putin looked Xi in the eye and smiled briefly. But during the meeting, Putin was seen gripping the arm of his chair in an attempt to hide the fact that his hands were visibly shaking amid rumours the Russian strongman is battling cancer or Parkinson's disease. He was also seen nervously tapping his left foot on the floor. This isn't rare for Putin whose health has visibly worsened since he decided to invade Ukraine more than a year ago. He often grips table edges for support, twitches his hands, and fidgets nervously with his feet. On one visit to a war monument in July, he was seen sweating and stumbling on unsteady legs as he attempted to swot mosquitos away from his head with one arm while the other hung limply by his side. And he has been unable to hide a constant cough which has plagued many of his recent speeches and addresses. These factors have precipitated claims from a host of sources - including exiled Russians, 'insider' Telegram channels and even Ukrainian intelligence chiefs - that he is battling severe health conditions, including Parkinson's and cancer. Xi's visit to Moscow - his first trip abroad since his re-election earlier this month - gave a political lift to the increasingly isolated Russian leader just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for the Kremlin leader on war crimes charges related to Ukraine. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Monday said that Xi's trip suggests that China does not think that Putin should be held accountable for Russia's atrocities in Ukraine. Blinken, speaking to reporters at a briefing, said the world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia that is supported by China. While the West has backed Ukraine, Putin has been left with the likes of China, North Korea, Belarus and Iran for support. Russia and China have described Xi's three-day trip as an opportunity to deepen their 'no-limits friendship.' China looks to Russia as a source of oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy, and as a partner in standing up to what both see as U.S. domination of global affairs. The two countries, which are among the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, also have held joint military drills. They shook hands before sitting down and making brief statements at the start of their meeting, calling each other 'dear friend' and exchanging compliments. Putin congratulated Xi on his re-election and voiced hope for building even stronger ties. Xi gestures while speaking to Putin during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on Monday Putin attends a meeting with Xi at the Kremlin in Moscow on Friday Xi and Putin were due to hold one-to-one talks on Monday and then dine. The menu included blini with quail and mushrooms; sterlet sturgeon soup; pomegranate sorbet, nelma - an Arctic fish - with vegetables; venison with cherry sauce; pavlova; and wines from Russia's southern Krasnodar region He welcomed China's proposals for a political settlement in Ukraine and noted that Russia is open for talks. 'We will discuss all those issues, including your initiative that we highly respect,' he said. 'Our cooperation in the international arena undoubtedly helps strengthen the basic principles of the global order and multipolarity.' Xi said: 'We hope that the strategic partnership between China and Russia will on the one hand uphold international fairness and justice, and on the other hand promote the common prosperity and development of our countries.' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that, over dinner on Monday, the two leaders' discussions are likely to include a 'detailed explanation' of Moscow's actions in Ukraine. The menu included blini with quail and mushrooms; sterlet fish soup; pomegranate sorbet, nelma - an Arctic fish - with vegetables; venison with cherry sauce; pavlova; and wines from Russia's southern Krasnodar region. Moscow and Beijing have a common cause: Earlier this month, Xi accused Washington of trying to isolate his country and hold back its development as it challenges for regional and possibly global leadership. In an increasingly multipolar world, the U.S. and its allies have been unable to build a broad front against Putin. Last month, on the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, although 141 countries voted to condemn Russia at the United Nations, several members of the G-20 - including India, China and South Africa - chose to abstain. Many African nations haven't openly criticised Russia over its invasion, either. Indeed, Xi said his first state visit to Russia since Putin invaded Ukraine would aid bilateral ties between the two nations. 'We are partners in comprehensive strategic cooperation. It is this status that determines that there should be close ties between our countries,' the Chinese leader said, according to translated remarks carried by Russian state television. Xi Jinping waves as he disembarks off his aircraft upon arrival at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Monday China's President Xi Jinping, accompanied by Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, walks past honour guards during a welcoming ceremony at Moscow's Vnukovo airport A car of a motorcade transporting members of the Chinese delegation, including President Xi, in Moscow today Some commentators have pointed to a possible parallel between Russia's claims to Ukrainian territory and Beijing's claim to Taiwan. The Communist Party said the self-ruled island democracy, which split with China in 1949 after a civil war, is obliged to unite with the mainland, by force if necessary. Xi's government has been stepping up efforts to intimidate the island by flying fighter jets nearby and firing missiles into the sea. And today, Putin told Xi that their countries shared many 'common' tasks and objectives. 'We have plenty of common tasks and objectives,' Putin told Xi, adding it was 'symbolic' that the Chinese leader chose to travel to Russia for the first foreign visit of his new term. In an article published in the Chinese People's Daily newspaper, Putin described Xi's visit as a 'landmark event' that 'reaffirms the special nature of the Russia-China partnership.' Putin also specifically said the meeting sent a message to Washington that the two countries aren't prepared to accept attempts to weaken them. 'The U.S. policy of simultaneously deterring Russia and China, as well as all those who do not bend to the American diktat, is getting ever fiercer and more aggressive,' he wrote. Indeed, Dr Alan Mendoza, Executive Director of the think tank Henry Jackson Society, tells MailOnline: 'Xi's visit to Russia is of great propaganda value to Putin, as it enables him to show Russians that his war has not left them isolated. 'It's also a huge slap in the face for the ICC and for ideas of justice, given that the trip is taking place just as a war crimes arrest warrant has been issued for Putin. 'China is sending a clear message to the West about where it stands geopolitically and on shared values shoulder to shoulder with its aggressive, authoritarian Russian ally and also to Ukraine that it cannot rely on China acting neutrally in this conflict.' The Chinese government said Xi would visit Moscow from today until Wednesday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that over dinner tonight, Putin and Xi will touch on issues related to Ukraine, adding that Russia's president will likely offer a 'detailed explanation' of Moscow's view on the current situation. Broader talks involving officials from both countries on a range of subjects are scheduled for tomorrow, according to Peskov. Xi's trip comes just days after the ICC in The Hague announced it wants to put Putin on trial for the abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine. Beijing has portrayed Xi's visit as part of normal diplomatic exchanges and has offered little detail about what the trip aims to accomplish, though the nearly 13 months of war in Ukraine cast a long shadow on the talks. Ukrainian servicemen fire an artillery called M777 howitzer cannon aiming to Russian positions in the frontline nearby Bakhmut in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine on March 18 Ukrainian servicemen fire an artillery called 2S7 Pion howitzer cannon aiming to Russian positions in the frontline nearby Bakhmut in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine on March 17 Ukrainian serviceman drives a tank along the frontline north of Bakhmut, Ukraine on March 17 At a daily briefing in Beijing today, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Xi's trip was a 'journey of friendship, cooperation and peace'. On the war, he said: 'China will uphold its objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks.' Xi also said on Monday that he is expecting a new impetus to Russo-Chinese relations from his visit to Moscow, and that China is ready to defend a world order based on international law alongside Russia. Beijing's leap into Ukraine issues follows its recent success in brokering talks between Iran and its chief Middle Eastern rival, Saudi Arabia, which agreed to restore their diplomatic ties after years of tensions. Flushed with that success, Xi called for China to play a bigger role in managing global affairs. 'President Xi will have an in-depth exchange of views with President Putin on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common concern,' Wenbin said. He added that Xi aims to 'promote strategic coordination and practical cooperation between the two countries and inject new impetus into the development of bilateral relations'. Although they boast of a 'no-limits' partnership, Beijing has conducted a China First policy. It has shrunk from supplying Russia's war machine - a move that could worsen relations with Washington and turn important European trade partners against Beijing. O On the other hand, it has refused to condemn Moscow's aggression and has censured Western sanctions against Moscow, while accusing NATO and the United States of provoking Putin's military action. Today's meeting gives Putin and Xi a chance to show they have 'powerful partners' at a time of strained relations with Washington, said Joseph Torigian, an expert in Chinese-Russian relations at American University in Washington. 'China can signal that it could even do more to help Russia, and that if relations with the United States continue to deteriorate, they could do a lot more to enable Russia and help Russia in its war against Ukraine,' Mr Torigian said. In an article published at the beginning of his visit to Moscow, Xi said China's 12 point peace plan, which was released last month, reflects global views and seeks to neutralise consequences, but acknowledged that solutions are not easy. 'Complex problems do not have simple solutions,' said Xi. Ukraine and its Western backers would be likely to dismiss any attempt to secure a ceasefire as little more than a ploy to buy Putin time to reinforce, and delay a widely expected Ukrainian counter-offensive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will only consider peace settlements after Russian troops leave Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian soldiers fire at the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Saturday krainian servicemen fire an artillery called 2S7 Pion howitzer cannon aiming to Russian positions in the frontline nearby Bakhmut in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine on March 17 A Ukrainian serviceman from the Special Operations Forces (OPFOR) 214 Brigade rides a tank along the frontline north of Bakhmut, Ukraine on March 16 China's proposal contains only general statements and no concrete proposal on how to end the year-long war in which tens of thousands of people have been killed, cities have been destroyed and millions forced to flee. In an article for a Chinese newspaper, published on the Kremlin website, Putin said he had high hopes for the visit by his 'good old friend' Xi, with whom he signed a 'no limits' strategic partnership last year. He also welcomed China's willingness to mediate. 'We are grateful for the balanced line... 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. The United States and its allies are deeply sceptical of China's motives, noting it has declined to condemn Russia and provided it with an economic lifeline as other countries heap sanctions on it. The United States and NATO have recently accused China of considering supplying arms to Russia and warned it against doing so. China has dismissed the accusations. For Ukraine, Xi's visit to Moscow will be met with apprehension as Kyiv fears China may ultimately decide to supply its strategic ally with arms, influencing the outcome of the war. 'Ukraine's expectations are at a minimum level: for things not to deteriorate,' Sergiy Solodky, first deputy director of New Europe Center think-tank in Kyiv, said. The topic is so sensitive that Ukrainian authorities do not wish to comment publicly on the trip, during which Putin and Xi are supposed to meet at least twice. 'Ukraine will follow this visit closely,' a senior Ukrainian official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'For us it is critically important that China maintains its policy of unwavering respect for the territorial integrity of other countries,' the source said, in reference to how Russia has claimed the annexation of five Ukrainian regions. Justice ministers from around the world will meet in London today to discuss support for the ICC after it issued an arrest warrant for Putin. 'We are gathering in London today united by one cause: to hold war criminals to account for the atrocities committed in Ukraine during this unjust, unprovoked and unlawful invasion,' British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said. An eldery woman stands in front of a destroyed apartment building after a strike, in the city of Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, on March 18 An eldery man collects wood from debris in front of a destroyed apartment building after a strike in the city of Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, on March 18 Ukranian serviceman from the Special Operations Forces (OPFOR) 214 Brigade drives a tank along the frontline north of Bakhmut, Ukraine on March 16 Several European Union countries will sign an agreement in Brussels today to buy 155 mm artillery shells for Ukraine, with the first orders possibly placed by the end of May. Ukraine has identified the supply of the shells as critical, with both sides firing thousands of rounds every day. Fierce fighting continued in the eastern town of Bakhmut with each side launching counter offensives. Ukrainian forces have held out in Bakhmut since last summer in the longest and bloodiest battle of the war. Giving its regular morning roundup from the front, Ukraine's military said defenders in Bakhmut, Lyman, Ivanivske, Bohdanivka and Hryhorivka all towns in the Donetsk region had repelled 69 Russian attacks in the past day. Bakhmut remains the epicentre of hostilities, it said. It also said that Russian forces were on the defensive in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions to the south. Russia's Wagner mercenary group, which is spearheading the assault on Bakhmut and has suffered heavy losses, plans to recruit some 30,000 new fighters by the middle of May, its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Saturday. 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 pardon if they survived six months. Ukrainian officials have said that some 30,000 of Wagner's fighters have deserted or been killed or wounded, a figure that could not be independently verified. Xi and Putin publish separate articles setting out their hopes of bilateral relations between their two nations ahead of Chinese leader's visit to Moscow China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin published separate articles today, as Xi was due to begin a visit to Moscow, setting out their hopes for bilateral relations and praising each other. What did Xi say in Rossiiskaya Gazeta? (Translated from the Russian by Reuters) 'China and Russia are the largest neighbours, strategic partners of comprehensive cooperation, leading world powers and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. Both countries pursue an independent and autonomous foreign policy, and consider relations between China and Russia as one of the main priorities in diplomacy. 'Both sides are continuously strengthening political mutual trust, creating a new paradigm of relations between major powers. 'China and Russia adhere to the concept of eternal friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. 'The parties are implementing the concept of friendship passed down from generation to generation, and traditional friendship is growing day by day. 'The international community is well aware that no country in the world is superior to all others. There is no universal model of government and there is no world order where the decisive word belongs to an individual country.' A Chinese proposal on the Ukraine crisis, a 12-point paper released last month, represents 'as much as possible the unity of the world community's views', Xi said. He called for a 'rational way' out of the crisis, which would be 'found if everyone is guided by the concept of common, comprehensive, joint and sustainable security, and continue dialogue and consultations in an equal, prudent and pragmatic manner'. China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin (pictured together in June 2019 in Moscow) published separate articles today before the two leaders met each other in Moscow What did Putin say in China's People's Daily? (Translation from Russian text supplied by the Kremlin) '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. 'Russia is open to a politico-diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. However, back in April 2022, the peace talks were by no means terminated by us. The future of the peace process depends solely on the readiness for a serious conversation, taking into account the prevailing geopolitical realities. 'I met Comrade Xi Jinping in March 2010, when he came to Moscow at the head of a representative Chinese delegation. Our first meeting was very businesslike and at the same time sincere and friendly. This style of communication personally impresses me deeply. I know that China attaches great importance to friendship and human relationships. It is no coincidence that the sage Confucius said: 'Isn't it a joy when a friend comes from afar!' We in Russia also highly appreciate these qualities, for us a true friend is like a brother. In this, our peoples are very similar. 'A decade has passed, which by the standards of the history of our countries, bound by the ties of centuries'-old traditions of good-neighbourliness and cooperation, is just a moment. During this time, a lot has changed in the world, and often not for the better, but the main thing has remained unchanged is a strong Russian-Chinese friendship, which is consistently strengthened for the benefit and in the interests of our countries and peoples. 'The 'collective West' clings more and more desperately to archaic dogmas, to its elusive dominance, putting the fate of entire states and peoples at stake. The course pursued by the United States of dual containment of Russia and China, as well as all those who do not succumb to American dictates, is becoming more acute and assertive. The architecture of international security and cooperation is being dismantled.' Suella Braverman has been subjected to another sickening 'Nazi' jibe over her controversial plan to send Channel migrants to Rwanda. An image of the Home Secretary laughing in Kigali was edited into an image of the Auschwitz concentration camp by trolls opposed to the plan. The image was shared on Twitter by figures including noisy parliamentary protester Steve Bray, attracting criticism of the analogy days after the row over Gary Lineker's tweets denouncing the rhetoric around migrants. Mr Bray, a former Lib Dem parliamentary candidate, responded to criticism by defending the creator of the image. 'I have indeed deleted the Tweet! The Holocaust started with the vilification of groups of people: Jews, Romany Gypsies, travelers, the disabled, mentally ill & immigrants,' he said. 'We haven't got back there...yet! But the seeds are being sown! Good people don't stand back and allow it!' But Conservative Party deputy chairman Lee Anderson told MailOnline: 'This is just another example of how out of touch radical Remoaners are with ordinary Brits. 'The public has had enough of listening to Steve Bray and his gobby gang spout disgraceful nonsense like this. 'Mr Bray should stop sounding off on Twitter and get a real job.' An image of the Home Secretary laughing in Kigali was edited into an image of the Auschwitz concentration camp by trolls opposed to the plan. The image was shared on Twitter by figures including noisy parliamentary protester Steve Bray The original image contains two guides she was sharing a joke with. In the Commons today, Conservative MP Aaron Bell attacked those making the comparison, saying: 'Those who have compared this Government's policies to those of 1930s Germany are not only appallingly ill-informed, but represent a grotesque slander against the victims and the survivors of the Holocaust.' Ms Braverman replied: 'Many people have commented on this, but all I will say is that when you are resorting to those kinds of analogies then you have already lost the argument. It came after Ms Braverman last night attacked 'snobbish' critics of the deal after a doctored version of the same photograph was circulated on social media. It showed her laughing outside a migrant accommodation centre, suggesting it was the hardline scheme that she was laughing about. It was tweeted by LBC radio presenter James O'Brien. 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. Mr O'Brien's 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. It came as it was revealed that a private company that helps find hotels for asylum seekers has seen its profits treble to more than 6million. Calder Conferences, which is based in Leeds, received 20.6m from the Home Office in 2021, increasing to 97m in 2022, official documents showed. Turnover for the year ending February 2022 rose from 5.98m to 23.66m and pre-tax profits trebled to 6.3m. Mr Bray has been protesting outside Parliament for several years despite failing to stop Brexit Meanwhile, company director Debbie Hoban saw her annual remuneration multiply nearly ten times to 2.2m. Home Office data uncovered by the BBC showed a total of 395 hotels are being used to house 51,000 asylum seekers due to a shortage of official accommodation. The total bill for taxpayers comes in to more than 6m a day. Out of these hotels, the majority - 363 - are in England, 20 in Northern Ireland, 10 in Scotland and two in Wales. Calder Conferences, which is based in Leeds, received 20.6m from the Home Office in 2021, increasing to 97m in 2022, official documents showed Outsourcer Serco provides around 109 hotels in England, mainly in the Midlands, East and North West. Another company, Gloucester-based Mears Group, runs 80 hotels in north-east England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The firm increased its annual revenue by 22 per cent in 2021, with its annual report saying this was 'largely driven' by its work housing asylum seekers. Asylum applications hit a near two decade high of 74,751 last year, according to Home Office data. Overall, people arriving on small boats accounted for 45 per cent of applications. There have been numerous complaints from guests of bookings at hotels being cancelled at short notice after the venues were handed government contracts. Lawyers for President Donald Trump filed a motion in a Georgia court seeking to block the report produced by a special grand jury while seeking to force the Fulton County DA to be removed from the case entirely. The brash legal move comes amid reports that Georgia prosecutors are considering bringing racketeering and conspiracy charges in their probe of the 2020 election overturn effort by Trump and some of his allies. The motion would 'preclude the use of any evidence derived' from the report and comes after the jury forewoman on the case gave public indications that multiple people could be charged. The legal maneuvering in Georgia comes days after Trump posted on his Truth Social site that he would be arrested Tuesday in connection with the Stormy Daniels 'hush' money scheme and called for protests, amid tense preparations in Manhattan for possible charges. Lawyers for former President Donald Trump filed a motion to 'quash' or block the final report of a special grand jury in Georgia that investigated the election overturn effort by Trump and some of his allies The Georgia filing asks the court to ensure the removal of Fulton County DA Fani Willis, who has been the subject of repeated Trump attacks, asking that she be 'disqualified from any further involvement in this matter.' Trump's lawyer Drew Findling told the New York Times he had issued the filing on his client's behalf. The special grand jury heard testimony in the case for months beginning in May, although a separate grand jury would actually bring charges. The jury forewoman, Emily Kohrs, drew attention with a string of media appearances including one where she said it would have been an 'awesome moment' if she got to swear in Trump following a subpoena. She also appeared to indicate there could be multiple indictments in the case. 'Can you imagine doing this for eight months and not coming out with a whole list' of recommended indictments, Kohrs told CNN last month. 'Its not a short list. Its not.' There had been indications that Trump's legal team would seek to quash any indictments, partly by pointing to media statements about the case. Trump, at the time, called it a 'kangaroo court.' The filing seeks to disqualify Fulton County DA Fani Willis The move comes after Trump said he could be arrested Tuesday in connection with a separate case in Manhattan, where DA Alvin Bragg has been investigating 'hush' payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, who alleges she had an affair with Trump. Trump denies her accusations Emily Kohrs, a forewoman of the Atlanta-based grand jury that investigated former President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election, went on a media tour where she dropped hints about indictments that could be coming 'I wanted to hear from the former president, but honestly, I wanted to subpoena the former president because I got to swear everybody in,' she said. 'And so I thought it would be really cool to get 60 seconds with President Trump, of me looking at him and be like, "Do you solemnly swear," and me getting to swear him in,' she continued Willis has been probing conduct related to the effort by Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 elections, including the former president's infamous phone call with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger asking him to 'just find 11,780 votes.' The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which spoke to multiple members of the special grand jury, reported that members also heard a recording of an additional Trump call to former Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, now deceased. The Republican former speaker cut Trump off, according to a grand juror, telling Trump 'I will do everything in my power that I think is appropriate.' According to the Times, experts say Willis is building a case that 'could target multiple defendants with charges of conspiracy to commit election fraud or charges related to racketeering.' CNN also reported that prosecutors are looking at possible charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), frequently used to fight organized crime. US Security advisers confirmed that there were no payments made to terrorist organizations to secure his release An American aid worker who was kidnapped in Niger more than six years ago and held hostage by an Al-Qaeda terror group has finally been released. President Joe Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that Jeff Woodke was released on Monday. Woodke was kidnapped in Abalak in October 2016 by members of JNIM, the umbrella organization which includes Al Qaeda. The long-time aid worker was the first American citizen to be abducted in the Sahel region. Sullivan said in a statement: 'I'm gratified & relieved to see the release of U.S. hostage Jeff Woodke after over six years in captivity. The U.S. thanks Niger for its help in bringing him home to all who miss & love him.' Jeff Woodke was released on Monday after being kidnapped in Abalak in October 2016 by members of JNIM, the umbrella organization which includes Al Qaeda President Joe Biden 's national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed Woodke's release 'I thank so many across our government who've worked tirelessly toward securing his freedom. 'We are working closely with partners in the region and beyond to ensure safe transport and immediate access to the best medical and psychiatric support we can offer. 'Where exactly Jeff chooses to go will be a bit up to him.' Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger earlier this month, with a senior official confirming that the release of Woodke was discussed during the trip. The official confirmed that the US did not pay any ransom to terrorists and thanked the government of Niger who was involved in the efforts to secure Woodke's release. 'There was no direct negotiation here between the US government and the terrorist organizations, it is worth making that clear,' the official said. 'Certainly, we did not pay a ransom a concession to a terrorist organization here. 'Emerging as our best line of effort among many that we have tried over the years was working to see what a very good and capable and thankfully willing partner in Niger was able to deliver in their own engagement.' Woodke's wife, Els, said she had not yet had the chance to speak with her husband but had been told he was in good condition The U.S. official confirmed that the US did not pay any ransom to terrorists and thanked the government of Niger who was involved in the efforts to secure his release Woodke was abducted from his home by terrorist network JNIM which operates across Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The last attack that the organization took responsibility for was the suicide bombing of the Malian headquarters of the G5 Sahel, an international anti-terror taskforce in 2018 where two soldiers and a civilian were killed. Woodke was released outside of Niger in the Mali-Burkina Faso area according to a senior Biden administration official. He dedicated 25 years of his life to a ministry he founded in Niger, according to the Redwood Coast School of Missions, after moving from California. During a 2021 news conference in Washington his wife, Els Woodke, said that her husband's captors had made a multi-million-dollar ransom demand for his release. She said at the time that she believed her husband was in the custody of a West African affiliate of al-Qaida known as JNIM and pleaded with the group's leader to release him. Woodke committed 25 years of his life to a ministry he founded in Niger before his abduction in 2016 During a 2021 news conference in Washington his wife, Els Woodke, said that her husband's captors had made a multi-million-dollar ransom demand for his release In a statement Monday released through a family spokesman, Els Woodke said she had not yet had the chance to speak with her husband but had been told he was in good condition. They added: 'She praises God for answering the prayers of Christians everywhere who have prayed for this outcome.' Woodke was abducted by gunmen in the middle of the night, with his guardian and a National Guard soldier shot and killed during the incident. His kidnapping marked the first time an American citizen was taken in the vast Sahel region, where al-Qaeda and criminal gangs have long targeted French nationals and other Europeans for kidnappings and demanded millions of dollars for their release. The abduction took place in the town of Abalak, northeast of the capital Niamey, in the Tahoua region of Niger. Despite a peace accord and a 2013 international military intervention, large tracts of Mali are still not controlled by domestic or foreign troops and remain subject to attacks by jihadists. The family of a 12-year-old Scottish schoolgirl who has been missing for nearly a week said they are 'worried sick'. Jamie-Lee Harvey, 12, was last seen at Ayr railway station at around 3.30pm on Tuesday where she got on a train headed for Glasgow. It is believed she may have disembarked at Irvine, and she is known to frequent the Irvine, Kilwinning, and Saltcoats areas. Police Scotland said they are 'very concerned' about her welfare and have appealed for information. Jamie-Lee's uncle, Steven Harvey, shared a plea for help on social media as the search continues. Jamie-Lee Harvey, 12, was last seen at Ayr railway station at around 3.30pm on Tuesday where she got on a train headed for Glasgow. It is believed she may have disembarked at Irvine, and she is known to frequent the Irvine, Kilwinning, and Saltcoats areas In the post, Mr Harvey said: 'My wee niece, aged 12 years, has been missing since Tuesday the 14th of March. The family is worried sick and doing everything we possibly can to try to figure out where she possibly could be. 'Going by when she went missing she was wearing a black puffy jacket, black leggings black shoes (all black) height 5'ft hair colour brown. 'Where she's recently been seen is the Moor as the shows have been there, traces from Ayr, Kilwinning, Irvine we've gotten so far. 'Any information whatsoever please do contact myself or others as following, Kimberley Findlay, Khloe Miller, Frankie Harvey thanks.' Mr Harvey continued: 'Jamie-lee Harvey if you do end up seeing this you are not in any bother it's more so for your safety and to make sure you are safe. We know what's going on and we'll fix it - just let one of us know.' Police searches are ongoing throughout Ayrshire and also in Glasgow city centre Police searches are ongoing throughout Ayrshire and also in Glasgow city centre, as the schoolgirl previously travelled to the Union Street area. Inspector Alex Beagrie, of Irvine Police Station, said: 'Although Jamie-Lee has been reported missing before, she has never been away for this length of time. She is only 12 years of age and she has not been seen since Tuesday. 'We are very concerned. Searches and enquiries are ongoing to trace her as soon as possible to ensure that she is safe and well. 'If you have seen Jamie-Lee since Tuesday morning or if you have any information regarding her whereabouts, we urge you to contact us as soon as possible through 101 quoting incident number 2277 of March 14, 2023.' A spokesperson for Scotland Police told MailOnline: 'Enquiries remain ongoing to trace Jamie-Lee Harvey.' Ron DeSantis attacked 'Soros-funded' prosecutor Alvin Bragg for creating a 'manufactured circus' in his first comments on rumors Donald Trump will be indicted. The Florida governor made the comments Monday after Trump's inner circle criticized him for staying silent on claims the former president will be arrested in the Stormy Daniels hush money case on Tuesday. And it illustrates how the latest legal twist offers a dilemma to Trump's likely rivals for the Republican 2024 nomination: Do they bash the former president for his indiscretions, or do they steer clear for fear of alienating the vocal, restless party base? DeSantis managed both, saying he did not know 'what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair', before moving on to accuse Bragg of ignoring rising crime in New York and instead going after Trump. 'So I've seen rumors swirl, I have not seen any facts yet,' he said. 'The Manhattan district attorney is a Soros-funded prosecutor. Ron DeSantis attacked 'Soros-funded' prosecutor Alvin Bragg for creating a 'manufactured circus' in his first comments on the rumors of Donald Trump's indictment George Soros has reportedly sunk at least $40million into electing liberal district attorneys 'He, like other Soros-funded prosecutors, they weaponize their office to impose a political agenda on society at the expense of the rule of law and public safety. 'He has downgraded over 50 percent of the felonies to misdemeanors. He says he doesn't want to even have jail time for the vast, vast majority of crimes. 'What I can speak to, is that if you have a prosecutor who is ignoring crimes happening every single day in his jurisdiction, and he chooses to go back many, many years ago, to try to use something about porn star hush money payments. 'You know, that's an example of pursuing a political agenda and weaponizing the office.' Bragg's office is believed to be coming to the end of its investigation in to payments to adult movie star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an affair with Trump allegations he has long denied. His office is not funded by Soros, although his campaign to become district attorney received $1 million from the Color Of Change Political Action Committee, a racial justice group backed by the Hungarian-born billionaire financier. Soros is a favorite target of conservatives. Since the Jan. 6 attack on Congress, he has used his extensive wealth to back candidates he says are promoting democracy and the rule of law. But extremists in the far reaches of the internet have seized on his family history to suggest he is part of a Jewish conspiracy that secretly holds the levers of power. The Florida governor made the comments Monday after Trump's inner circle criticized him for staying silent on claims the former president will be arrested in the Stormy Daniels hush money case on Tuesday. Trump has long denied having an affair with adult movie star New York Police Department staff install barricades around the Lower Manhattan court complex ahead of former President Donald Trump's anticipated indictment Trump's eldest son Don Jr. punched back at DeSantis, saying he was weak to suggest that Democrats 'weaponizing the law to indict President Trump' wasn't a real issue In his comments during a press conference, DeSantis also made clear he would not be getting involved in the Trump case. 'I've got real issues I got to deal with here in the state of Florida,' he said. 'We've got so many things pending in front of the legislature. I've got to spend my time on issues that actually matter to people. 'I cant spend my time worrying about things of that nature.' The Trump-allied Make America Great Again PAC blasted DeSantis for dismissing the issue. 'Democrats abusing the justice system to target Republicans is a real issue that impacts all Americans,' it said in an email blast. And Donald Trump Jr accused the Florida governor of being weak. Trump used a social media post on Saturday to call on his supporters to protest as he claimed he expects to be arrested as early as Tuesday. Aides say they do not know the timing The New York Young Republicans Club is holding a protest on Monday evening. 'Join us in peaceful protest of Alvin Bragg's heinous attack on President Donald J. Trump ... ' it says 'So DeSantis thinks that Dems weaponizing the law to indict President Trump is a "manufactured circus" & isn't a "real issue." Pure weakness,' he tweeted. 'Now we know why he was silent all weekend. He's totally owned by Karl Rove, Paul Ryan and his billionaire donors. 100 percent controlled opposition.' Meanwhile New York police are preparing for the worst. New York police built barriers around the Manhattan court complex on Monday morning amid fears of violent demonstrations. That includes the district attorney's office. In an email to staff on Saturday, first reported by Politico, Bragg sought to assure prosecutors and other members of his office that he has been working with police and court officials to ensure their safety. 'We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York,' he wrote. 'Our law enforcement partners will ensure that any specific or credible threats against the office will be fully investigated.' A drunken Army Captain 'forcefully' groped a female captain between the legs while she was dancing with friends on the dance floor at a military event he organised, a court martial heard today. Captain Stuart Lindsay, 27, was branded a 'creep' after he allegedly intimately grabbed the officer while she was performing a spin at the Army bash. The 'significantly intoxicated' officer was walking by the alleged victim - also a Captain - when he is said to have given her the 'concerted squeeze'. She told a court martial she shoved Capt Lindsay 'as far away as she could' and shouted 'what the f**k are you doing?!' However, the court heard Capt Lindsay - who was seen 'stumbling everywhere' - was 'too drunk to care' and had a 'vacant' look in his eye. Captain Stuart Lindsay, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, denies one count of sexual assault Capt Lindsay, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, denies one count of sexual assault following the incident at Denison Barracks in Hermitage, Berkshire. Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire was told that during the event Capt Lindsay was given a 'shout out' during dinner and awarded a bottle of whiskey for hosting the event. He claims organising the official party was 'stressful' and he was 'drinking to excess', and that the sexual assault didn't happen. Prosecutor Captain James Farrant told a panel of Army officers the female victim - who cannot be identified due to legal reasons - did not know Capt Lindsay. Capt Farrant said: 'During the course of the evening there was a dinner, drinks, and thereafter dancing. The Crown say Capt Lindsay became intoxicated, significantly intoxicated. While the victim was on the dance floor, he walked past her and grabbed her vagina. She was wearing a dress and this took place over clothing. She said it lasted for a second. 'Her reaction was to push him away and shout 'what do you think you are doing?' He stumbled back to his friends.' Capt Farrant said the alleged victim told her friend about the incident and reported it to Royal Military Police the following morning, with Capt Lindsay denying it from the outset. Giving evidence, the female Captain said she was dancing with friends and performing a spin when she was allegedly attacked. The two day trial is being staged at Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire She said: 'We were dancing as friends do and I turned around during my dance move and that's when Capt Lindsay walked past me. 'He walked past to the side of my eye line then he grabbed me between the legs with his left hand quite forcefully. His full hand cupped my vagina, then he went to shake or hold it so then by default I shoved him as far away from me as I could and shouted at him. I shouted 'what the f**k are you doing?!' I remember quite starkly he turned and looked at me. 'I could tell that he could not hear me or was too drunk to care. 'I told [her friend] 'did you see that? what a creep, he just tried to grope me', it was too loud and she could not hear me.' The officer insisted it 'couldn't have been an accident'. 'It was a concerted squeeze', she said. 'I think he was slowly moving past me and took advantage of that moment.' The female Captain said Capt Lindsay got more intoxicated during the evening. She said: 'I remember him getting the whiskey [earlier in the night] and he seemed quite drunk then, but then later when it happened he was stumbling around everywhere, he didn't have control of himself and he looked quite vacant.' The servicewoman said the 'severity' of what he did hit her the next day. She also said after the alleged sex assault, she witnessed Capt Lindsay having a 'domestic' with his girlfriend. 'It was a big, loud argument', she told the court. Capt Lindsay is part of 6 Armoured Close Support Battalion REME, a battalion of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The two-day trial continues. A group of builders have become convinced that a mystery man in a bowler hat they saw scoping out a famous site where the illusive artist Banksy left a mural is actually the artist himself - though not everyone is convinced. The secretive man in a bowler hat, long black coat and glasses was seen taking pictures at the site of the anonymous artist's latest work in Broomfield, near Herne Bay, Kent. Last week it emerged that the piece - which could have sold for millions - was torn down by contractors who had no idea it was a genuine Banksy. The remains of the mural, called Morning is Broken, have since been fished out of a nearby skip. A figure wearing sunglasses, a bowler hat and a long coat has been likened to Banksy Builders say the mysterious looking figure is actually Bansky himself He was seen visiting the spot of the graffiti artist's latest work in Herne Bay The piece named 'Morning is Broken' was inadvertently destroyed by construction workers Banksy posted a picture on his Instagram on Thursday of the stencilled image on the side of the 500-year-old former farmhouse - before and after it was demolished. And the arrival of the enigmatic figure at the building site morning has sparked speculation that it was the man himself. Sofia Akin, who witnessed the man arrive at the site and take pictures on a mobile phone, said she arrived at about 9.30am where three workmen were continuing to knock down the building. She said: 'I went to speak to them and ask for further details. Before I had the chance, a man appeared in a long black coat, bowler hat and glasses, seeming mysterious. 'The contractors said 'that's Banksy, we saw him yesterday, he was here taking a picture of the mural'. 'They said he was with a crew yesterday before and after the mural was demolished. 'The men were all asking if he is Banksy, including some dog walkers that passed and he just laughed, not denying it. 'He then disappeared off but was seen taking pictures of the site.' Whilst whole, it depicted a young boy drawing open the curtains with aluminum chunks Despite the excitement, pictures of the mystery man have been shared with someone who claims to know the famous artist - and they expressed doubts the individual in the footage is Banksy. The elusive graffiti artist's identity has never been officially confirmed. In a 2003 interview with The Guardian, Banksy was described as 'white, 28, scruffy casual - jeans, T-shirt, a silver tooth, silver chain and silver earring'. The journalist said he looks like a cross between Jimmy Nail, from Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, and Mike Skinner of The Streets. Then in 2008 a picture emerged of a man in Jamaica who was said to be Banksy. The individual in the photograph was claimed to be Robin Gunningham, who grew up in Bristol. Other reports have suggested he is artist and musician Robert del Naja of Massive Attack, who is also a graffiti artist and member of the Bristol collective the Wild Bunch. In 2020 Art Attack presenter Neil Buchanan was forced to deny a bizarre conspiracy theory that he was Banksy. Whoever he is, his artworks never fail to cause a stir - and many have sold for millions of pounds. The latest, near Herne Bay, was a silhouette of a boy and a cat pushing apart some curtains constructed from corrugated iron. Workmen at the site said they 'felt sick' after finding out the stencilled image at Blacksole Farm - which has been earmarked for 67 homes - was a genuine Banksy. The remains of the work have since been pulled out of the skip and attempts have been made to piece it back together. Are there any Banksy pieces near you? Take a look at our interactive map to find out. Your browser does not support iframes. Now, Banksy expert John Brandler has said he would 'love to restore' the piece and display it in Dover museum. He said: 'We can restore this. This isn't a major disaster if we are given access to the property and can sort it out. 'We have a big show starting in the summer, then I'd love to lend it to Dover museum to display. 'The piece itself is wonderful - I'd love to have it in my collection.' Mr Brandler could not say how much the destroyed art could be worth, but that it would 'depend on how much is salvageable, how much can be restored and how much would be original'. He added: 'To rebuild it, what we would do is get the two sheets of metal, we'd get the surface it was painted on and the surrounding bricks to create the original picture. 'We would then mount it on a backing material so it doesn't fall apart.' Sightseers gather at a Banksy artwork that appeared in Margate at the beginning of the year Pictured: The Banksy piece in Dover before it was painted over in 2019 Resident Adam Brooks said workmen at the site spotted a man in dark clothes taking a picture of the building, not long before the photos were uploaded to Banksy's Instagram. Mr Brooks said: 'I spoke to the builders and they said they had seen someone in black on the hill this morning taking a photo of the building but did not think anything of it.' While Mr Brooks was speaking with the contractors, others on the site managed to find a large piece of rubble which had most of the artwork on. He said: 'It was like finding treasure. I have a couple of Banksy prints but not originals. 'To see a piece that had freshly come off a building was pretty cool. It was like the holy grail coming out of a skip.' Mr Brooks lives close to the site and said it is exciting to think Banksy could have been right on his doorstep. He added: 'I think it is more exciting that he has come to Herne Bay. It is nice to see something so local. 'I really like Banksy art and to have it initially in my road it makes me think 'did he drive past my house, did I walk past him on the street?' - it is a bit exciting. 'I think he must have wanted it to be destroyed because he usually posts his work if he wants people to see it. 'He has obviously been hanging around for it to be demolished so it is obviously his intention that it was destroyed in some way for this particular piece. 'I know a lot of his pieces tend to be more political whereas the 'Morning has broken' piece really was about a derelict building being torn down.' This is the fourth Banksy piece to have been created in Kent - with the latest being a woman in 50s-era dress painted onto the side of a home in nearby Margate, called Valentine's Day Mascara. It is currently being removed ahead of being relocated to Dreamland on the seaside town's promenade. Perhaps the most famous is the giant Brexit mural the artist created in Dover, Kent, before it was mysteriously whitewashed in 2019. Although there are now plans for it to be recreated when the building is redeveloped. Banksy's first work in the county was a piece called Art Buff in Folkestone.. That too was removed and sent to America where it went up for auction but failed to sell. It is now back in the town and on display in the Old High Street. An Israeli tourist was rescued by Colombian authorities after he was kidnapped following a Tinder dinner date. The 36-year-old man, whose identity has not been disclosed, met the woman on Friday after matching with her on the dating platform and agreed to meet at a Medellin restaurant, according to police. The victim decided to visit another establishment with the woman. As their date ended, she ordered a rideshare. Once inside the vehicle, the Israeli man was beaten by three men and held against his own will as they sped off, leaving the woman behind. Colombia authorities arrested three men for the kidnapping of an Israeli tourist in Medellin on Friday. The 36-year-old was abducted after going on a Tinder date with a woman, who was not involved in the incident. The man was mugged and beaten, and rescued after the captors crashed the vehicle during a high-speed police pursuit Police became suspicious of the driver's erratic movement as he drove through the nearby town of Sabaneta. The driver led the police on a high-speed pursuit, 'performing dangerous zigzag maneuvers' before crashing in a residential neighborhood. The Israeli man exited from the back seat and told the cops that he had been kidnapped, mug and beaten. The suspects, aged 21, 24, 26, were all taken into custody. Police confiscated two guns that were used to carry out the abduction and discovered that the vehicle's license plates were fake. Police also seized the license plate of a car that was used in the murder of British tourist Kyle Mackenzie in the Medellin neighborhood of Belen on February 28. Authorities are investigating if the three men were also involved in the murder of British tourist, Kyle Mackenzie, in the Medellin on February 28 after cops confiscated the license plate of a vehicle that was used by the suspects to flee the attack Mackenzie was exercising when he was approached by three men and beaten with a gun and was thrown into a ravine. Residents rushed to his aid after hearing his screams for help in English. Mackenzie was taken to an urgent care clinic in Belen and then transferred to Medellin General Hospital, where he died six hours after undergoing surgery for injuries to the head and body. Police data shows that at least 11 tourist were killed in Medellin in 2022. Mackenzie was the first foreign national murdered in the city this year. Boris Johnson today handed over his Partygate dossier to MPs probing whether he misled the Commons. The former PM's legal team have submitted his evidence to the cross-party Privileges Committee ahead of a potentially explosive showdown on Wednesday. A source close to Mr Johnson urged them to publish the information 'as soon as possible'. But the ex-premier's defence is not expected to be made public tonight, with the commitee's clerks and lawyers still combing through the lengthy document. The file is said to include messages from officials at the time the scandal erupted, advising him that a series of gatherings in No10 did not break the rules. They are said to show that Mr Johnson made active efforts to find out the truth about a number of raucous gatherings at which he was not present. Boris Johnson (left, today) is due to appear before the Privileges Committee chaired by Labour's Harriet Harman (right) on Wednesday Mr Johnson's dossier is thought to be in the form of a lengthy submission from his barrister Lord Pannick KC. The Privileges Committee confirmed it received the document at 2.32pm on Monday. A spokesman for the group of MPs said: 'The committee will need to review what has been submitted in the interests of making appropriate redactions to protect the identity of some witnesses. 'The committee intends to publish this as soon as is practicably possible. The material will be published on the committee website.' Downing Street has denied scheduling a crunch vote on the Northern Ireland Brexit deal for the same time as Mr Johnson is giving what could be four hours of public evidence on Wednesday. 'It's wrong to suggest Government business changes as a result of this committee hearing,' the spokesman said. The PM's spokesman also risked inflaming the Tory infighting by warning Mr Johnson's supporters against trying to undermine the inquiry. Conor Burns, a Tory MP who served as a minister in Mr Johnson's government, has raised questions about the committee's chairwoman, the Labour grandee Harriet Harman. And Tory peer Lord Greenhalgh backed a campaign for the four Conservative MPs on the Tory-majority committee to pull out of the 'kangaroo court'. The long-standing ally of Mr Johnson, who served under him at Westminster and City Hall, told Times Radio: 'I'm concerned that it will be a witch hunt.' But No10 responded by saying Mr Sunak 'firmly believes it's a matter for Parliament', adding: 'Parliament empowered the committee to carry out its work.' He endorsed Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt's warning that 'a very dim view will be taken' of anyone who 'tries to prevent them from carrying out this serious work'. She also said the committee must be able to 'work without fear or favour'. Mr Sunak's spokesman added: 'We think this is a committee that's carrying out a function asked to by Parliament, it's a parliamentary matter, and the Leader of the House set out how we would want parliamentarians to engage with it.' Sources close to Mr Johnson insist he will give a 'robust defence' of his conduct to the Commons privileges committee in a televised evidence session on Wednesday. The committee is set to decide if Mr Johnson was 'reckless' about whether his statements could be misleading a much lower bar than the 'deliberately misleading' test usually applied. Allies of the former PM have accused the committee of 'moving the goalposts'. The dossier will also raise questions about the impartiality of the group, which some branded a 'kangaroo court'. In an interim report earlier this month, the committee highlighted photographs of Mr Johnson attending events in Downing Street during lockdown In an interim report earlier this month, the committee said it should have been 'obvious' to Mr Johnson that rules were broken, not least because he was at some of the events in question. It included a message from a communications director saying he was 'struggling' to explain how at least one event was within the rules. Mr Johnson is expected to ask the inquiry to publish all the evidence to provide a 'balanced' picture to the public. If the Privileges Committee finds that he misled Parliament, it can recommend that he is suspended. Any suspension for ten days or more which would have to be voted on by MPs could trigger a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency. Nicola Sturgeon today spoke about how she attended a public memorial service in 2011 while still having a miscarriage. The outgoing SNP leader described how she turned up to an event to mark the 40th anniversary of the Ibrox disaster despite being 'in a lot of pain'. She noted how photographs from that day in January reveal the 'clear' anguish she was experiencing. Ms Sturgeon, who will formally stand down as Scottish First Minister in a week's time, admitted she went on to 'bury' her hurt over the loss. The 52-year-old suggested leaving frontline politics would allow her to deal with the 'emotional impact' of her long spell in office including having to deal with the Covid crisis although she stressed she was not 'about to rush to a counsellor'. Nicola Sturgeon, who will formally stand down as Scottish First Minister in a week's time, today told ITV's Loose Women she went on to 'bury' her hurt over the loss The outgoing SNP leader described how she turned up to an event to mark the 40th anniversary of the Ibrox disaster in January 2011 despite being 'in a lot of pain' Ms Sturgeon noted how photographs from that day reveal the 'clear' anguish she was experiencing Speaking to ITV's Loose Women this afternoon, Ms Sturgeon acknowledged how her establishment of a baby loss memorial book in one of her final acts in office was partly motivated by her own experience. The new initiative will give women who have miscarriages, or lose babies before 24 weeks, the opportunity to record it and apply for a certificate to recognise the loss. 'When I look back to when I had a miscarriage, at the very end of Hogmanay in 2010, I think back then if there had been some way of recognising it, that would have brought quite a lot of comfort at a really difficult time,' Ms Sturgeon said. Describing how she attended the Ibrox disaster memorial event just days later on January 3, the First Minister added: 'If you go online and Google, you can find a photograph of me at an event, actually while I was still having a miscarriage, a public commemoration for a disaster that happened many decades ago in Scotland. 'Looking at me, looking at that photograph now, it's clear I'm in a lot of pain.' Addressing how she dealt with the loss, the First Minister said: 'I can only speak for myself, but I think it's more common than just me you just bury it. 'You effectively don't deal with it, you don't process it. I've been doing that to one extent or another for all my adult life.' The 52-year-old suggested leaving frontline politics would allow her to deal with the 'emotional impact' of her long spell in office Ms Sturgeon also spoke about the toll of leading Scotland through the Covid pandemic when asked if she would consider counselling once she stands down as First Minister. 'I'm not complaining about this, my job wasn't the most difficult in the country at all, but I probably went a year of standing up every single day, speaking to the country, I didn't take a single day off,' she said. 'The emotional impact of that I don't think I've even begun to process that. So I'm not saying I'm about to rush to a counsellor but I recognise what you're saying.' The SNP leader revealed she was hoping to 'find out who Nicola Sturgeon the person is' once her long career in frontline politics ends. 'I joined the SNP when I was 16, I've been in parliament since I was 29, I became deputy first minister when I was 37, I will be 53 this summer,' she said. 'So I have spent my whole life being Nicola Sturgeon the politician. 'I'm not leaving politics, there are issues I care deeply about I want to make a contribution. 'But I want to have more time in this next phase of my life to find out who Nicola Sturgeon the person is.' A family found a toad and a snake in their toilet and had to call an expert to remove them after they failed to flush the unwanted visitors away. The Argentinian family discovered the green-coloured toad in their toilet bowl sitting at the water line after a family member went to the bathroom. The large toad nearly filled out the entire bottom of the bowl. Footage shows it trying to climb up on the sides of the slippery surface of the toilet using its legs equipped with sticky toe pads. When the family tried to remove the amphibian from their toilet bowl, they realised it wasn't the only thing hiding in the bathroom. The Argentinian family discovered the toad in their toilet bowl sitting at the water line after a family member went to the bathroom. The large toad, which nearly filled out the entire bottom of the bowl, tried to climb up using his hands equipped with sticky pads to As the family tried to remove the amphibian from their toilet bowl, they realised it wasn't the only thing hiding in the bathroom. A snake has slid under the toilet rim and - in footage captured by the family of their unwanted visitors - the serpent is seen poking its tongue out from under the rim. Pictures show the reptile curled up behind the toilet, looking straight at an insect crawling just a few inches in front of it Footage captured by the family shows the toad as well as a snake which had slid under the toilet rim. READ MORE: Monster 'Toadzilla' cane toad weighing a record 2.7kg is found on a hiking trail Advertisement The serpent can be seen poking its tongue out from under the rim. The family flushed the toilet to remove the toad and force the snake out of its hiding place but to no avail. They quickly closed the lid and immediately called the local authorities in Alta Gracia in the Cordoba province in Argentina. Roberto Peralta, head of Civil Defence of Alta Gracia, said the family did the right thing by calling the authorities. He said: 'Always be careful with snakes. 'Do not touch them and seek specialised personnel with matters like this, just like this family did.' Mr Peralta said the snake had vacated the toilet and was found on the floor by the time experts arrived at the house. A picture shows the reptile curled up behind the toilet after it had escaped from the toilet. It looked straight ahead at an insect crawling just a few inches in front of it. Mr Peralta said it was a Wagler's snake, which is not considered dangerous to humans. He added: 'It is not poisonous, but in any case you have to be careful.' The middle class backgrounds of murdered German schoolgirl Luise Frisch's killers can be revealed by MailOnline. Luise, 12, was found stabbed multiple times in secluded woodland in a crime that has shocked Germany after it emerged her attackers were a similar age. Initially, two girls aged 12 and 13 had denied any involvement but the pair eventually confessed after police found contradictions in their stories. All three girls were in the same class at the Esther Bejarano secondary school in Freudenberg near Cologne and in another shocking twist were described as 'best friends'. Because of the ages of those involved, police and prosecutors have released few details and possible motives circulating include a TikTok falling out, rivalry over a boy and revenge after Luise claimed she was being bullied at school. Luise Frisch's body was found in a wooded area near the town of Freudenberg, in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia A 13-year-old classmate (pictured) and another girl, 12, have confessed to the killing that has shocked Germany, given the girls' ages Both suspects who come from middle-class backgrounds and their families, have been relocated by authorities and they will not face trial as they are below the age of criminal responsibility in Germany, which is 14. The 12-year-old suspect's father works in a local bank and is the treasurer of the village band where he plays the bugle. The family live in a large two-storey house on the outskirts of Freudenberg, and it was there Luise had spent the night before she was murdered following a sleepover there. The girl lived there with her parents, grandfather and two siblings and neighbours have been left shocked by the tragic events. A note on the door asked the media to keep away and a police car made regular sweeps past the house. One man, who runs a nearby cafe, told MailOnline: 'We used to see [the 13-year-old girl] nearly every day. She was like any other girl of her age, sweet and innocent or so we thought. Luise's body was found on March 12 a day after she was reported missing by her worried parents Flowers and candles placed close to the scene of where Luise's body was discovered last week 'She would come into the cafe quite regularly because she would get food for herself and her grandfather as her parents were working. 'It's the age of everyone who is involved that has left everyone shocked. They are all just children. Who knows what possessed them to do what they did, to stab someone more than 30 times is horrible.' The other girl, 13, lived with her parents a few minutes drive away. Her father is said to be a fireman and is thought to have taken part in the search for Luise after she was reported missing on March 11. Neighbours there were left bewildered by the murder, with one saying:' It's just so difficult to understand. They are all just children. We haven't seen the family for days and we don't know if they will return.' Although neither girl faces a criminal trial, it has emerged that they could be forced to pay compensation to Luise's heartbroken family as civil law kicks in at seven years old 'if they knew they were doing something harmful'. Damages would be set in a civil court and they would have to begin repayments as soon as they get jobs and it could last as long as 30 years. Both suspects have also been given psychiatric counselling as have their families and they may also have to be given new identities. Germany's law on criminal responsibility was passed in 1923 under the Old Weimar republic but following the murder there have been calls for it to be reviewed. Opposition Christian Democrat Unionist MP and lawyer Gunter Krings told MailOnline: 'We need to take a look at the age for criminal responsibility in Germany as a matter of urgency. 'There has to be a proper debate and we are calling for the ruling government to look into as soon as possible. There must be an urgent study, the law as it stands is currently 100 years old. 'Children have developed quickly in the past few decades, and they are mature now than they were 50 years ago, let alone 100 years ago. 'This crime is particularly shocking given the age of the victim and the age of the suspects and children of 12 or 13 years old are mature enough to know that they should not kill.' But German's justice minister Marco Buschmann told popular daily Bild:' Such serious crimes cannot remain without consequences. Any debate about adjustments to criminal law should be conducted with a cool head. 'Children are the age of 14 are not prosecuted. However, our legal system already has the means to react to serious acts of violence by children under the age of 14.' A dentist arrested in the murder of his wife and mother of his six children allegedly researched poisons that can't be detected in an autopsy before lacing his wife's protein shakes with arsenic and cyanide to start a new life with his lover. James Toliver Craig, 45, of Aurora, Colorado used a shared computer at his workplace to conduct multiple online searches about poison before his wife Angela, 43, died in hospital this week, according to his arrest warrant. The searches on YouTube and Google included: 'how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human.' 'Is Arsenic Detectable in Autopsy.' 'Top 5 Undetectable Poisons That Show No Signs of Foul Play,' 'how to make poison,' and 'The Top 10 Deadliest Plants (They Can Kill You).' Craig was at the same time exchanging 'intimate' and 'sexually explicit' emails with an orthodontist from Austin, Texas and flew the woman to see him while his wife was fighting for her life in hospital before doctors turned off her life support. The affidavit said Craig planned to: 'end his wife's life by searching for ways to kill someone undetected, providing her poisons that align with her hospitalized symptoms, and working on starting a new life with [his lover].' James Toliver Craig was arrested for murder on Sunday after detectives discovered his wife Angela Craig, 43, had been fatally poisoned James and Angela Craig pose for a family picture with their six children aged eight to 20 The dentist allegedly ordered the arsenic online on February 27 and received a package at home on March 4, said police who arrested him on suspicion of first-degree murder. Angela soon began experiencing symptoms of dizziness and headaches and visited hospital several times before she was admitted for the last time on Wednesday, March 15, but doctors could not determine the cause of her illness and family members thought it was a sinus infection. Craig reportedly told an office manager on March 6 he was expecting a package and not to open it, according to the affidavit. He allegedly gave Angela 'extra protein' that morning before a workout 'because she was feeling sluggish' but it landed her in hospital. 'After the workout, Angela became faint and dizzy, and ultimately James took Angela to the hospital,' the affidavit said. Angela returned to hospital on March 9 and was released again on March 14 as mystery surrounded the cause of her symptoms. Craig's second package arrived at work on March 13 and when an employee opened the box she found a bio hazard sticker and a canister marked 'Potassium Cyanide'. She googled the chemical compound and realized the symptoms of cyanide poisoning was similar to the symptoms Angela was experiencing. When the employee heard Angela had been readmitted to hospital on March 15 she told Craig's business partner about her shock discovery and he then told a nurse during a visit to check up on her. The nurse called police and her death was investigated by Major Crimes Homicide Unit detectives who determined she was poisoned. 'As a mandatory reporter, the nurse called the police, and an investigation ensued,' the affidavit states. Angela's condition deteriorated rapidly as she began suffering from seizures and at 2pm on March 16 she was placed on a ventilator in the intensive care unit. Craig told investigators that his wife had been intentionally overdosing on opioids since had asked for a divorce in December 2022. Police raided his home and business seizing protein powders, shakers, a computer tablet, phones and two Ziploc bags with powdery substances. Craig was a practicing dentist and part of the Summerbrook dental office in Colorado, which filed for bankruptcy protection in 2021 Craig's internet history showed he placed an Amazon order for 'Arsenic Metal 99.9999% Crystalline Metalloid 10 grams for Element Collection' among other poisons he ordered online A data analysis of his devices revealed the chilling searches he had conducted online, including a $13 Amazon order for 'Arsenic Metal 99.9999% Crystalline Metalloid 10 grams for Element Collection.' When police combed through his email account jimandwaffles@gmail.com they found additional purchases of poison, according to the affidavit. There was an order on March 9 from Midland Scientific for Sigma 207810-25G which is the technical term for potassium cyanide. Emails between Craig and a Midland Scientific employee who requested additional information for the order show the dentist claiming he was a surgeon who was performing a craniofacial reconstruction. Craig also attempted to purchase $330 worth of 3 Oleandrin 1mg from AdooQ Bio Science but cops intercepted the order. Angela was pronounced dead on at 4.29pm on March 18 after doctors made the decision to turn off her life support. Craig flew the woman whom he had exchanged sexually explicit messages with from Texas to Colorado while Angela on life support. 'It appears James was flying this woman into Denver while his wife and the mother of his children was dying in the hospital,' police said. Craig had told the seller of the poison that he was a surgeon and intended to use the potassium cyanide for a medical procedure. He proceeded to give the seller his dental license number and work email to order the poison. Text messages Craig sent his wife Angela while she was hospitalized after he allegedly poisoned her An individual close to Angela Craig's family told the Daily Beast that she was a 'phenomenal woman, outgoing, and the best mother you could imagine.' 'She was very supportive of her husband, even working in his practice during financial difficulties.' Craig and his practice, Summerbrook Dental, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2021, according to court records. The couple had been married for more than 20 years and were parents to six children - five girls and a boy - aged eight to 20. The individual who spoke to the Beast said: 'One of her brothers who lives in Salt Lake went out to be with her.' There was, until her admission to hospital, no reason to suspect foul play. But, after Angela was hospitalized, James apparently made himself scarce. 'He had not been around the family much in the last few days,' which, 'led to some suspicion,' said the source. In a 2021 press release, Craig described himself as 'happily married' to Angela. The release went on to say that the pair 'have six children, and they all enjoy the outdoors, especially camping, snowboarding, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking.' 'They also enjoy visiting theme parks and are often traveling to Disney, Universal, and Sea World.' It noted as well, that James Craig volunteered with WE CAN HELP, an anti-bullying program sponsored by the Denver Police Department. Poisoning is a rare method murder. According to studies, poisoning accounts for less than 0.5 percent of cases. By population Great Danes are fifth most likely to be involved in a fatal attacks A third dog and its puppies were confiscated and taken to an animal shelter Two Great Danes killed a mother in Pennsylvania as she tried to feed them A Great Dane and puppies have been surrendered to a Pennsylvania animal rescue after their owner's two other dogs killed a neighbor who was trying to feed them. Kristen Potter, 38, was killed on Thursday after going over to feed her neighbors Great Danes, Perry County Coroner Robert Ressler said. The two dogs involved were put down, according to authorities, and a third Great Dane and its five puppies, also owned by the neighbor, were surrendered to a shelter. Potter had gone over to her neighbor's house with her young son, who witnessed the beginning of the attack before heading back home to urge his brother to call 911. Although Great Danes are generally considered safe, a study by the CDC on dog attacks between 1979 and 1998 found that they were the fifth most dangerous breed, relative to population. Katie Potter, 38, was killed on Thursday by two Great Danes she was feeding on behalf of her neighbor in Pennsylvania Pictured is a third Great Dane that was not involved in the attack but owned by Potter's neighbor. The third dog along with its five puppies were surrendered to an animal shelter whereas the dogs involved in the attack were put down Pictured are the puppies that were also confiscated from owner Wendy Sabathne Coroner Ressler said of Potter's son: 'He was present at the scene, but I don't think he was there for much of it. 'As soon as he saw the dogs starting to attack his mother, he ran across the road to have his brother call 911.' Are Great Danes dangerous? Despite their large size, a weight of 120 pounds for males and 100 pounds for females, Great Danes are widely considered to be good-natured and gentle animals. 'Great Danes are typically good family dogs and do well with children,' according to PetMD. Although they are usually calm, improper care can make them dangerous. However, if and when they do attack, their size can make them especially dangerous. The dogs were once bred by German nobility to hunt and kill wild boars. They combined the height of the Irish wolfhound with the speed of the greyhound and the brawn of a mastiff. As boar hunting went out of popularity they were bread to be more docile. Advertisement Troopers said Potter died after being attacked by the Great Danes in the 700 block of Clouser Hollow Road in Centre Township, around 20 miles northwest of Harrisburg. Ressler said the neighbor had asked Potter to feed the dogs while they were away and that it was something she had done before. He said that even after emergency services arrived they were unable to get to Potter and help her as the dogs were being so aggressive. Eventually they were tranquilized by animal services and eventually euthanized by a vet. The dogs' owner, Wendy Sabathne, told Penn Live she was 'heartbroken'. 'I'm heartbroken, I'm in shock, I'm in disbelief and I just want to die,' Sabathne said. 'I can't believe this happened.' Potter's father, Bill Keefer, told the outlet that one of the dogs had bitten her around two or three years ago. A Facebook post has also emerged that reveals Potter asking for help earlier this year in dealing with a difficult neighbor. In it she also notes that she suffered the loss of her son and her husband. 'I lost my son on this road almost 3 years ago, I don't want to see another person getting hurt on this road when it is totally unnecessary,' she wrote in January. 'Kristin just had a very beautiful personality,' Jennifer Keefer, Kristin's younger sister, told WGAL. 'When you're around her, you just feel better. When you talk to her, you just feel better,' she added. Although Great Danes are generally considered safe and good-natured, a study by the CDC on dog attacks between 1979 and 1998 found that they were the fifth most dangerous breed, relative to population A Facebook post has also emerged that reveals Potter asking for help earlier this year in dealing with a difficult neighbor. It is not clear whether that neighbor was Sabathne 'With all the tragedy that has happened in her life, she still had a high belief in God,' she said. 'She was just like that. She felt like there is a reason for everything.' 'She was just loveable to be around,' Keefer said. 'Everyone loved her.' Keefer says Kristin was a great artist and took a lot of pride in her land and animals and that she was a wonderful mother, and her two boys meant everything to her. 'She was my best friend,' Keefer said. 'You can talk to her about anything. She never judged you. She never judged anyone based on anything. She gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. She always wanted to make up with people. Even people that did her wrong.' In August last year, an Iowa woman was found in a ditch after being mauled to death by her five Great Danes. Mindy Kiepe, 43, was found at a roadside a short distance from her farm surrounded by the animals by a man who initially believed she had been killed in a traffic accident. It was later determined her fatal injuries were the result of dog bites. The five dogs were euthanized. A convicted terrorist jailed alongside London Bridge killer Usman Khan can be freed from prison despite being recalled three previous times, the Parole Board has said. Mohammed Chowdhury, 33, and Khan were among nine members of an al Qaida-inspired group sentenced in 2012 for plotting to bomb the London Stock Exchange and build a terrorist training camp in Pakistan. Khan was automatically released halfway through his 16-year jail term and had been out on licence for 11 months when he launched an attack at a prisoner education event at Fishmongers' Hall in November 2019. The 28-year-old was shot dead by police after stabbing to death Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23. Chowdhury, from east London, was sentenced to 13 years and eight months in 2012 after being described as the 'lynchpin' of the group who plotted to plant a pipe bomb in the toilets of the London Stock Exchange. Mohammed Chowdhury (pictured), 33, was a member of an al Qaida-inspired group sentenced in 2012 for plotting to bomb the London Stock Exchange London Bridge killer Usman Khan (pictured) was in the same group as Chowdhury in 2021, before he killed two people less than a year after being released from prison He spoke about carrying out a 'Mumbai-style' attack at the Houses of Parliament or the London Eye and a handwritten target list found at his home listed the names and addresses of then London mayor Boris Johnson, the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, two rabbis, the American Embassy in London and the Stock Exchange. Chowdhury was also handed a nine-month consecutive sentence in December 2015 after he was convicted of violent disorder in prison. He has been recalled to prison three times since he was first automatically released in January 2018 but the Parole Board said on Monday that he has 'managed to move away from extremism' and is suitable for release on licence. Chowdhury could have been held in jail until February 2030 if he was not found suitable for a return to the community by a parole review. His case was reviewed at an oral hearing in October last year and on Monday the Parole Board said: 'After considering the circumstances of his offending and time on licence, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was satisfied that Mr Chowdhury had managed to move away from extremism. 'It determined that he was suitable for release.' His release was approved on conditions including living at a designated address, observing strict curfews and submitting to enhanced monitoring including GPS tagging, polygraph testing and measures to manage desistance from extremist behaviour. He must also comply with limits to his contacts and activities, as well as restrictions on the use of electronic technology. Chowdhury was first released on January 25 2018 but was recalled to prison around six months later on July 19. Chowdhury has been recalled to prison three times since he was first automatically released in January 2018 but the Parole Board said on Monday that he has 'managed to move away from extremism' He spoke about carrying out a 'Mumbai-style' attack at the Houses of Parliament or the London Eye and a handwritten target list found at his home listed the names and addresses of then London mayor Boris Johnson, the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, two rabbis, the American Embassy in London and the Stock Exchange He was released for a second time on October 3 that year on the direction of the then justice secretary when it was determined the recall was not justified. Chowdhury was again recalled on November 15 but re-released on June 25 2019 at the direction of the Parole Board after an oral hearing. He was then recalled a third time on July 17 that year due to concerns about his behaviour. The Parole Board said the there had been 'no evidence to suggest he had committed further offences' but 'given the circumstances, the panel found the decision to recall him to custody at this time had been appropriate'. Despite concerns about his behaviour including violence since he was last recalled, the panel said he had been 'helped with his mental health and he has been compliant with prescribed medication'. 'A professional assessment determined that Mr Chowdhury had since fully recovered,' the board said. 'The panel noted that the evidence before it demonstrated that Mr Chowdhury's level of engagement and intent to engage in terrorist activity is now low, and that this would be unlikely to change providing his mental health remains stable.' In oral evidence, the panel was told there was no evidence of any return to extremist behaviour and no further security concerns had been identified in prison. The panel said Chowdhury had undertaken programmes 'to address the underlying causes of extremist offending and ways of disengaging', along with working with 'professionals to better understand his faith'. It also noted his 'wish to lead a better life and to work with the professionals involved in his case'. The Italian is now appealing against his conviction of assault by beating An Italian pot washer who headbutted a school dinner lady on Armistice Day after she told him to be quiet during the two-minute silence is appealing against his conviction, a court heard. Mario Dellafazia, 54, assaulted catering assistant Natasha Jones after a row erupted at Teddington School, Middlesex, on Armistice Day in 2021. The pair, who had worked together for four years, were eating in the canteen on November 11 when Mr Dellafazia continued to chat to colleagues after the two-minute silence was announced. Ms Jones said she gestured at her colleague to stop talking and Dellafazia asked her: 'What's your f***ing problem?' Dellafazia jumped to his feet and approached Ms Jones at the other end of the table to headbutt her. Mario Dellafazia, 54, denied assaulting Ms Jones but was found guilty of headbutting her at Wimbledon Magistrate's Court Catering assistant Natasha Jones told her colleague to stop talking during a two-minute silence before he assaulted her Ms Jones was left with a bruise on her forehead and had to take four weeks off work, the court heard. Dellafazia, assisted by an Italian interpreter, denied headbutting Ms Jones and insisted there was no contact. He said he had not understood the announcement for the two-minute silence. Harriet James, prosecuting, told Wimbledon Magistrates' Court: 'Both the defendant and the victim were kitchen staff at Teddington school at the time of the offence. 'The incident took place at the school on 11 November 2021 following a dispute during the two-minute Armistice silence. 'The victim states that the defendant and another staff member were talking during the silence. 'She held her finger to her lips to tell them to shush. 'After the two minutes were finished, she told the defendant he could talk again. 'He got out of his seat and said: ''What's your problem?'' and called her stupid. Dellafazia was dismissed from his job in the kitchens at Teddington School (pictured) following the incident 'An argument ensued and the victim states the defendant was pretending to headbutt her, throwing his head back to make a headbutting motion. 'He moved away and she said: 'Who the f*** are you trying to headbutt?' She states he didn't even sit back down before he approached her again and actually headbutted her. 'She says he didn't use full force but he made contact with his forehead on her nose. It did hurt and it was red. 'As soon as it happened she left and spoke to her HR manager and left the workplace. 'He is of good character prior to the commission of this offence. We say there was an intention to cause fear of serious harm. Headbutting is said to be a weapon equivalent.' In a victim statement read to the court Ms Jones said: 'I suffered a lot of depression and was off work for over four weeks. 'I suffered really bad anxiety and found it difficult to communicate with men after the incident. 'I suffered loss of sleep as the incident played over and over in my head and I had to take up therapy. 'I also left my company after six years of working for them because of the stress this has put me through.' Indicating an intention to appeal his conviction, Charles Worthington, for Dellafazia, said: 'Mr Dellafazia intends to appeal and doesn't admit that he committed the offence, so there is a limit and what I can say. 'The lead suggestion is that there was a head push rather than a headbutt. It is my understanding that there was also no visible injury. 'There was a heated exchange between the two parties. Ms Jones was verbally abusive towards him. The dispute was about a two-minute silence for Armistice Day. 'The tannoy was in English and he did not understand it. He was sat down with a colleague and the colleague also did not understand the announcement. 'He was talking to his colleague, whispering at the time, but he did not understand the significance of the event. 'Had he realised he would not have been talking and Ms Jones did not tell him about the reason for the silence until after it had finished. 'He gave up a good job in Italy to come to the UK to support his partner and has worked constantly in the UK since then to support them both, but struggles due to his limited English. 'He has only in the last three months during the daytime as a kitchen porter. 'He is very worried on the effects of further publicity on his job and there is a reporter here today. Already there has been a serious impact on him.' Dellafazia, of Twickenham, denied but was convicted of assault by beating after a trial last month. Sentencing him to a 12-month community order and 60 hours unpaid work, bench chair Samantha Lamplough said: 'We note that Mr Dellafazia has no previous convictions and that he went to trial but was found guilty. 'This was a work situation with colleagues the victim was clearly upset and we have heard her victim impact statement but after the close contact there was no significant physical injury to her. 'We are sentencing to a community order of 12 months in which there will be unpaid work of 60 hours. 'That means that in your own time and as directed by the unpaid work supervisors you will have to make yourself available to complete 60 hours of work in the community. 'We have considered whether Mr Dellafazio should pay compensation to the victim but we make no order for compensation in this case because it is not appropriate given the history.' The total cost of the trial came to 775 with an additional 95 court surcharge. Dellafazia confirmed he will pay the 870 - 775 costs and 95 surcharge - within 28 days. A homeowner who dragged a grandmother down stairs after she mistook his seaside home for a B&B inflicted a 'catastrophic' liver injury on the 71-year-old during the brutal attack, a court has heard. Frail Margaret Barnes was allegedly attacked after mistakenly going to David Redfern's five-storey home instead accommodation just a few houses down the seafront parade in Barmouth, Wales. A court heard 'tipsy' Mrs Barnes had undressed, unpacked and climbed into a bed at his house before being discovered by angry Redfern who dragged her downstairs by her feet. It is claimed he then threw her out onto the street, with the medical experts saying the attack on July 11 last year left her with damage similar to car crash injuries. The murder trial at Caernarfon Crown Court previously heard Mrs Barnes mouthed the word 'lying' when Redfern told 999 he thought she was a thief. Margaret Barnes (pictured) suffered fatal injuries after being allegedly attacked after mistaking a stranger's home for a B&B It is claimed that David Redfern (pictured) dragged the grandmother down stairs, causing 'catastrophic' liver injuries to her Jurors were told today that the grandmother suffered 'catastrophic deep tearing' of her liver during the attack - with damage so sever it fell apart when removed from her body. Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers said: 'That degree of liver damage wasn't survivable. 'The rupturing and damage to the liver is a reflection of the degree of force and reminded me of the impact damage you would see in a liver following a road traffic collision.' He believed it was 'severe blunt force trauma' with bruising was consistent with a forceful kick or stamp. Mrs Barnes also suffered bruising and broken ribs in the alleged attack by senior bank employee Redfern at his home in Barmouth, North Wales. Prosecutor Michael Jones asked Dr Rodgers if Redfern had 'clattered' into Mrs Barnes would it explain the injures. But the pathologist felt there wouldn't be sufficient force to cause the fatal injury. Mr Jones has described Redfern as a 21-stone 'angry bully' for the way he treated Mrs Barnes. Mrs Barnes had suffered serious injuries as he dragged her out of his house by the feet in a 'furious reaction' at her blunder in his house. Jurors have been told Mrs Barnes mistook Belmont House (pictured) for the B&B where she was meant to be staying The retired factory worker had booked to stay at the Wavecrest B&B (pictured), several doors down the seafront The court heard she had 'simply mistook' his large five-storey seaside home for her hotel after travelling more than 100 miles to a seaside resort for a break. Retired factory worker Mrs Barnes had booked into the Wavecrest B&B several doors away on Marine Parade, Barmouth, when she travelled from Birmingham. But she mistook Redfern's large seafront home called Belmont House for her intended hotel - and tipsily went into the wrong home, straight up to bed and fell asleep. The court was read his statements to police after Redfern rang to speak to them about her injuries. He denied hearing the dying Mrs Barnes say 'Lying'. He accepted the whole situation had been 'out of control' but denied being an aggressive person. The large house had formerly been a hotel before being bought to be renovated by Redfern and his partner. Mrs Barnes had bought a bottle of gin after going for an evening walk in July last year before making her tragic mistake. A court heard she was discovered by Redfern who dragged her downstairs by her feet before attacking her in a fury and throwing her suitcase into the road. Prosecutor Michael Jones KC said Mrs Barnes suffered an 'utterly gratuitous' and 'totally unjustified' by Redfern. There she bought some gin and at about 10pm she walked to the Wavecrest B&B - pulling her small suitcase on wheels and carrying her handbag - but ended up in Belmont House, a large five storey townhouse, which was on the same side of the street, but several doors down from the Wavecrest. After the incident Redfern (pictured) told 999 he had thought Mrs Barnes was a thief Belmont House, on the same street Marine Parade, was being renovated by Redfern and his partner Nicola Learoyd-Lewis. Prosecutor Jones said: 'Mrs Barnes had been drinking and, whether she thought this was the Wavecrest, she went in and went to bed. She mistook the defendant's address for the B&B but it was a mistake which ultimately cost her her life.' She went into an upstairs bedroom, took out her false teeth and put them on a bedside table and poured a gin into a glass while holding a bottle of tonic. Mrs Barnes fell unconscious, and went into cardiac arrest as neighbours tried to resuscitate her. She died at the scene from 'traumatic injuries'. But Mr Jones added: 'The reason Mrs Barnes died is she had the misfortune of coming across a man who was an angry bully.' She was identified to police by her husband Raymond. Redfern, of Barmouth, denies both the murder or manslaughter of Mrs Barnes. The trial at Caernarfon Crown Court continues. House Republicans are now demanding testimony from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg ahead of his potential indictment of former President Trump. Trump revealed over the weekend that he believed he would be arrested on Tuesday in relation to a case Bragg has been working on for years related to hush money payments he made to Stormy Daniels. The letter came before Bragg even officially took any action, and the chairs of three committees demanded Bragg answer for 'what plainly appears to be a politically motivated prosecutorial decision.' Reps. James Comer (R-Ohio), chair of the Oversight Committee, Jim Jordan (R-Kentucky), chair of the Judiciary Committee, and Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin), chair of the House Administration Committee, asked Bragg to sit for a transcribed interview with them 'as soon as possible.' Three Republicans, including Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) chair of the Judiciary Committee asked Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg to sit for a transcribed interview with them 'as soon as possible' House Republicans are demanding Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg testify even before he's formally indicted Trump The Republicans also requested all documents and communications between Bragg's office and the Department of Justice (DOJ). 'Was the Manhattan DA's office in communication with DOJ about their investigation of President Trump?' Jordan, R-Ohio, mused in a tweet announcing the letter to Bragg. 'Was the Manhattan DA's office using federal funds to investigate President Trump? Alvin Bragg owes our committee answers.' The Manhattan DA operates independently of the federal government, so it's unclear how much sway Congress can have. House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., told DailyMail.com in an interview that Bragg should be 'hauled in' to testify before Congress for his 'non-case.' 'It's essentially a form of Alvin Bragg trying to meddle with the 2024 elections,' she said. 'You have a radical, far-left district attorney and Alvin Bragg who's been funded by George Soros by over a million dollars pursuing political vengeance and political witch hunt against the leading political opponent of Joe Biden.' Democrats sounded off about the letter, accusing Republicans of interfering in a criminal investigation. 'Trump demanded this nonsensical interference over the weekend, and these Committee chairs have acted totally outside their proper powers to try to influence a pending criminal investigation at the state level,' said Rep. Jamie Raskin, ranking member on the Oversight Committee. 'House Republicans have opened a kangaroo investigation into the Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg just as he seeks to prosecute Donald Trump,' said New York Democrat Rep. Ritchie Torres. 'Defending Trump is not a legitimate legislative purpose for Congress to investigate a state district attorney,' said Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y. 'Congress has no jurisdiction to investigate the Manhattan DA, which receives no federal funding nor has any other federal nexus.' Goldman added: 'With four separate criminal investigations into him, Donald Trump announced his candidacy absurdly early in order to create an 'election interference' defense. This is a meritless, disingenuous, bogus and circular defense, created by himself to defend himself.' Donald Trump said early Monday morning that the statute of limitations has already passed for charges he is expecting in the Stormy Daniels case, as his ally prepared to appear before the grand jury The letter comes after House Republicans set up a select committee to investigate 'weaponization' within government with the power to investigate 'ongoing criminal investigations.' 'Using a congressional committee to bully a state DA sounds likethe weaponization of the federal government,' House Judiciary Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) wrote on Twitter. Trump said he expects to be arrested this week on New York state charges related to his payment before the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors argue that he violated a New York law prohibiting falsifying business records when he marked a $130,000 payment to Daniels as 'legal expenses.' Trump could be charged with falsifying business records in relation to payments to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who served jail time after pleading guilty to using campaign finances about Daniels. The former president could also face charges linked to violations of election law. A suspected Islamist encouraged people to cut off the heads of blasphemers and retweeted praise for a terrorist 'just to have some more followers', a terror trial has heard. Ajmal Shahpal, appearing at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, claimed he did not believe that the killer of French school teacher Samuel Paty was 'as brave as a lion' or that the victim 'deserved to be killed' in France in October 2020. Prosecutors allege that Shahpal, of Birkin Avenue, Nottingham, encouraged others to commit acts of terrorism through his social media coverage, including one retweet containing an image of Mr Paty's severed head. The 41-year-old is also accused of tweeting support to a Pakistan-based political party which supported the 'out-of-hand murder of those who it thinks have committed blasphemy'. Under cross-examination from prosecutor Dan Pawson-Pounds, Shahpal, who is originally from Pakistan and was assisted by an Urdu interpreter, denied pretending to have a poor understanding of English to try to escape responsibility for his tweets. Ajmal Shahpal, appearing at Birmingham Crown Court (pictured) denied retweeting praise for a terrorist to incite acts of terror He claimed he did not believe that the killer of French school teacher Samuel Paty (tribute pictured) was 'as brave as a lion' Mr Pawson-Pounds told Shahpal, who passed a taxi exam and studied for a diploma in English and business management after coming to the UK in 2009: 'The Crown suggests that you were a radicalised follower of extreme Islam and that you both supported and encouraged the murder of people for what you considered to be blasphemy. 'You used your Twitter account to encourage people to do this by saying on that account repeatedly that blasphemers should be killed and should be killed immediately.' After the defendant accepted that Mr Paty did not deserve to die and that the teacher's killer was not 'as brave as a lion' - contradicting one of his retweets - Mr Pawson-Round asked him: 'Why did you retweet a tweet saying all these things then?' Shahpal responded: 'As I have already told you, the reason behind this was just to have some more followers. 'At the time when I retweeted it, that picture (of a severed head) wasn't fully open at that time on the feed of Twitter. 'So at the time I did not know what picture it was that I was retweeting.' Claiming he had only read the first line of the message before retweeting it, Shahpal added: 'I did not fully read it. 'What I have read, it did not say that his chopped off head was lying on the floor. A friend of mine who set up this account for me, he told me that if you do this, you are going to get more followers.' When quizzed about a further tweet which called for rapists to be stoned to death, Shahpal said it did not accord with his beliefs and he had 'just copied and pasted' a message written in English 'because the issue was ongoing' in Pakistan. Shahpal continued to insist that he retweeted praise for a terrorist 'just to have some more followers'. (file image) After Shahpal denied that he had intended to encourage terrorism, he was asked if he had realised there would be a risk that his tweets would encourage acts of terror. He answered: 'I was just posting them (tweets). I didn't have a clue.' Later in his evidence, asked about a tweet containing a call for someone to be 'killed immediately', Shahpal added: 'My English is not that good. I just copied and pasted.' The defendant denies two counts of encouraging others to commit, prepare, or instigate acts of terrorism, and two alternative charges of the same offence being reckless as to whether such acts would be encouraged. The trial continues. A 'white supremacist' hosted a a 'highly racist and antisemitic' podcast station called Radio Aryan to stir up hatred, a court has heard. James Allchurch, 50, from Pembrokeshire, is charged with 15 counts of distributing audio material to stir up racial hatred over a two-year period. The jury at Swansea Crown Court heard today that Allchurch was heard on the podcast being 'threatening, abusive and insulting' about ethnic minorities, and perpetuating the idea that black and white people in Britain are in a race war. Allchurch previously pleaded not guilty to all 15 counts, BBC reported. His trial began in July last year but it had to be adjourned due to barristers' strikes. A new jury was selected at the court today. James Allchurch, 50, (pictured last year) from Pembrokeshire, is charged with 15 counts of distributing audio material to stir up racial hatred over a two-year period. The prosecution alleges he hosted a a 'highly racist and antisemitic' podcast to stir up hatred Jonathan Rees KC, prosecuting, said each charge relates to a separate audio file uploaded between May 17, 2019 and March 18, 2021 to a public website called Radio Aryan, which was later renamed Radio Albion. Mr Rees claimed the content of the episodes was 'highly racist and antisemitic', and 'white supremacist in nature'. Often uploaded along with inflammatory cartoons, the recordings had titles such as Rivers Of Blood, Banned In The UK, the Leftist Supremacist Mindset, and the Usual Suspects. It is the prosecution's case that Allchurch was the owner of the website, the main host and was responsible for distributing the audio recordings, despite often being joined by co-hosts and guests such as National Action co-founder Alex Davies. Davies, 27, from Swansea, was jailed in June last year for eight and a half-years for being a member of the banned far-right organisation. Other guests included Laurence Nunn, also known as Max Musson, and American neo-Nazi Daniel Kenneth Jeffries, who went by the nickname Grandpa Lampshade - 'a joke' about the skin of Jewish people being made into lampshades, teh court heard that Allchurch had claimed. The court heard that Allchurch went by the alias Sven Longshanks, a reference to King Edward I, who was also known as Edward Longshanks and was responsible for expelling Jews from England in 1290. Mr Rees said: 'The prosecution say that this defendant was responsible for the creation of a number of audio files containing commentary of a highly racist and antisemitic nature which were then uploaded to a website that was open to the public. 'Despite the change in name from Radio Aryan to Radio Albion the virulently racist content of the website remained unchanged. 'In his own words, the defendant is an avowed racist and considers himself to be a National Socialist. 'The very purpose of Radio Aryan was to spread his propaganda about racial conflict.' The jury at Swansea Crown Court (stock photo) heard today that Allchurch was heard on the podcast being 'threatening, abusive and insulting' about ethnic minorities, and perpetuating the idea that black and white people in Britain are in a race war Mr Rees said Allchurch is a fan of Adolf Hitler and has praised the propaganda films created by the Third Reich and the Nazis' research on racial science. He also said Allchurch had referred to well-known far-right organiser and anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, who founded the English Defence League (EDL), as 'too moderate'. Allchurch is said to have pre-recorded each podcast episode from his house in Wales and he claimed each show attracted around 4,000 listeners. More than nine hours of podcast episodes are to be played to the jury, made up of six men and six women. Themes in a number of episodes include negative stereotypes of black and Asian people, and the idea that 'non-white' people are responsible for all the crime, violence and sexual violence in the UK. There are also discussions about so-called replacement theory, with Allchurch propagating the idea of segregating people by their ethnicity as well as using violence to 'protect white people' and fight against 'the invasion', the prosecutor said. One of the charges relates to an episode entitled May Refuses To Step Down, which was a discussion about Brexit negotiations during which Allchurch introduced a song he said was 'one of his favourite tracks'. The lyrics - deemed to be 'threatening' by counter-terror investigators - include overt references to hanging black and Jewish people, and claim society was better 200 years ago when black people were enslaved, and 80 years ago when Hitler was persecuting Jews in Europe. Allchurch was arrested by police at his home on December 17 2019 and interviewed. Mr Rees said: 'He (Allchurch) described that he was building up a community of 'positive-minded individuals'. 'He claimed that what he did on Radio Aryan actually stopped people getting involved in extremism.' The trial continues. A British father-of-two has fallen to his death on his first holiday abroad to Spain less than a day after ringing his own father to tell him how 'wonderfully warm' it was. Dion Atherton, of London, 'fell from a balcony' and died after being in Spain for less than a day, according to his family. Mr Atherton's cousin Naomi Brooks described his death as an 'absolutely devastating' and 'unbelievable' situation for his partner Leanne Colman and the entire family. Mrs Brooks said he was particularly excited about the holiday because he had missed out on his trip last year due to his passport not arriving in time. The family realised Mr Atherton didn't have travel insurance which has made bringing him home 'extremely difficult'. Mr Atherton's cousin Naomi Brooks described his death as an 'absolutely devastating' and 'unbelievable' situation for his partner Leanne Colman (pictured, right) and the entire family Dion Atherton (pictured), of London, 'fell from a balcony' and died after being in Spain for less than a day, according to his family Writing on GoFundMe, Mrs Brooks said: 'The family have since discovered that, due to an oversight, there wasn't any travel insurance in place. This means that bringing Dion home has been made extremely difficult. 'Dion had settled into a wonderful life with Leanne and her two girls, and loved spending as much time as he could with his two adorable children. 'They had some great times on their visits and are really going to miss their Dad.' This is the moment that two car thieves managed to steal a Ford Fiesta in just 90 seconds - as part of a five-month crime spree in which they stole 59 vehicles worth more than 366,000 across the Midlands. Kaine Guest-Scott, 22, and Theon Lynch, 21, who targeted vehicles at train stations and car parks in broad daylight, have both been jailed. At Birmingham Crown Court, Guest-Scott, of Cosely, was sentenced to four years in prison, while Lynch, of West Bromwich, will serve three years and one month. The brazen thieves used transmitter devices to unlock the cars - which were registered between 2012 and 2017 - without triggering the alarms. The criminals then broke steering locks with angle grinders and reprogrammed blank keys before fleeing the various scenes. Kaine Guest-Scott (L), 22, and Theon Lynch (R), 21, who targeted vehicles at train stations and car parks in broad daylight, have both been jailed The pair became so expert in stealing Ford Fiestas, CCTV captured them stealing one in 90 seconds (pictured above) Between June and November last year, Guest-Scott and Lynch stole 59 Ford Fiestas worth more than 350,000, which police say were then stripped for parts. Read more: Ford Fiesta thefts rose by 53% last year Britain's most-owned car is also the most stolen, with Ford Fiesta thefts increasing 53%i n 2022, according to official data exclusively shared with This is Money last month. DVLA figures show 5,979 Fiestas were reported stolen last year compared to 3,909 in 2021. It means a criminal made off with one every 88 minutes on average. The Fiesta's ranking as the most-stolen car in Britain doesn't come as a huge surprise given that around 1.5 million are registered on the road. But experts have warned they could be at greater risk after Ford announced last year that it will stop making them, which would see the cost of Fiesta parts rise. > Read more about the 10 most stolen cars of 2022 A police investigation was launched by West Midlands Police which culminated in the them being arrested in November. CCTV captured the pair targeting Fiestas in car parks where commuters often left their vehicles while they travelled to work. On September 14, the pair arriving at The Hawthorns station car park in a red Ford Fiesta belonging to Lynch. They parked the car a few roads away before heading to the station car park and picking up another Fiesta. On October 20, at around 2.15pm, they were filmed at Rowley Regis car park stealing yet another Ford Fiesta. Inside the car was the victim's credit card which Guest-Scott and Lynch were caught using at a shop later that day on CCTV. On November 14, Guest-Scott was arrested at his home despite trying to evade officers by jumping out of a window to escape. A week later his co-defendant Lynch was also arrested. Following a search of both addresses, police recovered clothing that matched what the pair were wearing in the CCTV. Officers then seized the suspect's phones and analysis placed Lynch at the car parks and the shop where a stolen bank card was used. Transmitter devices, blank Ford keys, and specialist auto locksmith tools, including a turbo decoder to defeat car door locks and reprogramming devices were also recovered. Police recovered a number of devices linking the pair to the crimes including transmitters, blank Ford keys and specialist auto locksmith tools At Birmingham Crown Court, Guest-Scott (L), of Cosely, was sentenced to four years in prison, while Lynch (R), of West Bromwich, will serve three years and one month. The pair both admitted conspiracy to commit theft of motor vehicle covering 59 thefts, theft of a bank card and fraud at Birmingham Crown Court before they were sentenced. Sergeant Mitch Darby, from the Vehicle Crime Taskforce, said: 'This is a great result and has meant that two prolific car thieves have been brought to justice and prevented from stealing any more cars. 'Guest-Scott and Lynch brazenly committed these crimes again and again in the middle of the day when their unsuspected victims were at work who would return to these car parks to find that their car had gone.' Bookshops are displaying uncensored versions of Enid Blyton's bestselling novels on their shelves - amid fury over librarians placing them in hidden spots to prevent the public from 'stumbling upon' outdated language. Blyton composed more than 700 books, including beloved titles like The Famous Five series and Noddy, from the late 1930s until she died in 1968. But some of the famed author's classics have been rewritten to remove 'outdated' language, while it has also emerged that some uncensored versions are being placed in 'off-limit storage spaces' in libraries to prevent the public from 'stumbling upon' the old wording. In defiance, bookshops have been sharing pictures online showing her books proudly displayed on their shelves. It comes amid a backlash in which librarians hiding the books have been accused of showing 'tin-eared sensitivity'. Blyton composed more than 700 books, including beloved titles like The Famous Five series and Noddy, from the late 1930s until she died in 1968 Belfast Books said: 'Take yourself back to your schooldays with an Enid Blyton paperback. 'Most are the originals from a time before sensitivity readers told us what we could and couldnt read.' TreasureChest Books, a shop in Felixstowe, Suffolk, added: 'So is Enid Blyton going the same way as Roald Dahl? (Not for the first time) Original, unaltered texts 1 each in the Felixstowe shop.' Blyton fans have followed suit, sharing photographs of books stacked on shelves at their homes. One said: 'Enid Blyton books are proudly displayed on my bottom shelf, you cant rewrite or relegate history, it is written.' A second added: 'Wandsworth Libraries withdrew Enid Blyton before 1969, when I started reading the Famous Five, so I had to buy my own. 'We acquired some hardbacks too which I still have.' Toby Young, general secretary of the Free Speech Union, also said: 'Enid Blyton is the latest children's author whose work has been 'modernised' by tin-eared sensitivity readers. 'Who knew unexpurgated Noddy could be so subversive?' It comes as recently edited works are displayed publicly across Devon's libraries, but tales which have not yet been amended are not so easy to access. If a reader requests an original version of titles like The Famous Five, they will be shown a verbal trigger warning, according to The Telegraph. The original versions are catalogued online and if a reader chooses to access one, a warning system will remind them of the language used within the older editions. The changes were revealed in Devon County Council documents. It was explained that Library Unlimited - which runs the council's library service - regularly audits books, replacing them with altered versions. The documents say that where popular titles contain 'increasingly outdated' language, libraries purchase new, edited versions. The off-limits area of libraries also contains books that have been removed due to staff or customer complaints - such as the autobiography of previously-incarcerated Tommy Robinson, the founder of the far-right English Defence League. In January last year, Jacqueline Wilson gave The Magic Faraway Tree a rewrite to remove 'sexist expectations' of female characters, with domestic chores for the girls replaced with a lesson on gender equality. And in February, Blyton's Famous Five and Malory Towers books saw words such as 'brown' with reference to tanned faces, 'queer' and 'gay' changed to bring them up to date. A description of 'a brown-faced fisher-boy' was 'changed to a suntanned fisher-boy', while 'Where's George? She wants spanking' became 'She wants a good talking to.' English Heritage released updated blue plaque information in 2021 saying Blyton's booked had been linked to 'racism and xenophobia'. Examples of 'racism' within the books include 1966's The Little Black Doll, in which the main character 'Sambo' is only accepted by his owner 'once his "ugly black face" is washed "clean" by rain', while in Noddy, 'golliwogs' were changed to 'goblins'. English Heritage also now cites that publisher Macmillan refused to publish The Mystery That Never Was over its 'old-fashioned xenophobia' towards foreign characters. Dr Byrn Harris, legal counsel for the Free Speech Union told The Telegraph: 'We are bemused by the decision to treat the author of Noddy as dangerous and subversive samizdat.' He claimed that libraries have a duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient service and alleged 'holding back certain works and making them less accessible might fall short of that standard.' Dr Harris also alleged the reasoning for the books being placed out of public sight was of 'dubious relevance', despite the many previous criticism of Blyton's works. 'If public libraries insist on having a censorship policy then users, especially children and their parents or guardians, must be clearly informed that the librarys holdings may not be comprehensive as a result of the policy,' Dr Harris added. A woman has been killed after being propelled into the air and under a parked bus outside London's Victoria railway station. Melissa Burr, 32, from Rainham, Kent, suffered multiple injuries and died following the rush hour crash on Terminus Place on the morning of August 10. Bus driver Olusofa Popoola, 60, from Peckham, south London, is on trial at the Old Bailey and is accused of causing her death by dangerous driving after he put his foot on the accelerator instead of the brake, the court heard. He is also on trial for causing serious injury to bus driver Diane Mathuranayagum. Prosecutor Alex Williams told the court on Monday that the bus terminus at Victoria was particularly busy that morning because the Circle and District Tube line was down. Melissa Burr, 32, from from Rainham, Kent, was propelled into the air and under a parked bus outside Victoria railway station Olusofa Popoola, 60, from Peckham, south London, is seen at Westminster Magistrates Court The defendant was queuing up third in a line of 507 buses taking passengers from Victoria to Waterloo, with Ms Mathuranayagum's bus in front of him. When the first 507 bus moved off Ms Mathuranayagum moved up to the front, put on the brake and got out, standing by the open door. Ms Burr was the first of three pedestrians to cross in front of the line of buses. Mr Williams said: 'The parked bus lurched forward. It hit Ms Burr who was propelled up and forward. The people behind her jumped back out of the way. 'The driver of the bus was thrown out of the door of the parked bus and on to the pavement. 'The driverless parked bus did not stop but continued to go forward, running over Ms Burr who ended up under the bus and very sadly died as a consequence of the multiple injuries that she received.' An off-duty police officer on the bus was thrown to the floor and received minor injuries, the Old Bailey was told. An investigation into the crash found the defendant did not apply the brake and his right foot was in the vicinity of the accelerator. The scene at Victoria Station after the crash on August 10 Ms Burr had been in a relationship with James Watson since May 2018 Following the impact with the rear of the stationary bus the defendant continued to apply the accelerator pedal rather than applying the foot brake, before finally stopping his vehicle with the parking brake. Data from the defendant's bus found it was travelling at around 8mph at the point of collision and reached a peak speed of around 10mph. Mr Williams said Popoola had admitted causing Ms Burr's death by careless driving but denied his driving was dangerous. He told jurors: 'The prosecution does not say that the defendant drove dangerously deliberately, but his intentions are neither here nor there. 'Even if the defendant unintentionally pressed the accelerator pedal when he meant to press the brake pedal, that mistake may explain why it is that he drove in the way that he did, but it does not mean that his driving did not fall far below the standard one would expect of a careful and competent driver.' Jurors were told they would have to view 'distressing' CCTV of Ms Burr being struck by the bus to assess how Popoola was driving as the Old Bailey trial continues. President Joe Biden issued the first veto of his presidency on Monday stopping a Republican-led bill that would overturn his administration's rule letting retirement account planners take 'environmental, social and governance,' referred to ESG factors into account. Because climate change, social impacts and ongoing lawsuits have significant financial repercussions, administration officials argue that the investment limits are courting possible disaster. Republicans in Congress who pushed to overturn the Labor Department's actions say ESG investments provide sizable funding to 'woke' political agendas, such as a drive against climate change, rather than on earning the best returns for savers. Biden, in a video released by the White House, said he vetoed the measure because it 'put at risk the retirement savings of individuals across the country.' President Joe Biden issued the first veto of his administration, rejecting a bill that would overturn a Labor Department rule on fund managers who take into account 'environmental, social and governance' Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, one of two Democrats who joined the Republicans in passing the legislation, called Biden's decision 'absolutely infuriating' and denounced the administration's 'radical' and 'progressive agenda' ahead of the needs of investors and the country. 'West Virginians are under increasing stress as we continue to recover from a once-in-a-generation pandemic, pay the bills amid record inflation, and face the largest land war in Europe since World War II.' 'This ESG rule will weaken our energy, national and economic security while jeopardizing the hard-earned retirement savings of 150 million West Virginians and Americans,' Manchin continued. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana was the other Democrat to vote with the Senate GOP. The measure cleared Congress by tight margins in both chambers - the House voted 216-204, and the Senate passed the legislation in a 50-46 vote - indicating Republicans and a sliver of Democratic allies don't currently have the votes to meet the required two-thirds requirement to override a veto. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green of Georgia is among Republicans who have blasted the movement toward ESG investing What do two despotic world leaders have for lunch? No, that's not the start of a joke. Here's what was on the menu for the tyrants who came to tea. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin held one-on-one talks in Moscow on Monday before dining with their entourage of officials. After a long morning of talks in which they discussed relations between their two countries and their 'no-limits friendship', it appears the two sat down for a rather decadent meal. Putin - who appeared shaky-looking as he continually clenched the armrest of his chair - sat down with Xi to dine over some old Russian classics. From fish caught in the Black Sea, to venison, pomegranate sorbet, and pavlova, the two despots might need a short lie down before resuming their talks. Putin sat down with Xi and the two country's officials to dine over some old Russian classics Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin held one-on-one talks in Moscow on Monday before dining with their entourage of officials The menu started with a blini with quail and mushrooms. A blini is a traditional eastern European savory pancake made from either buckwheat flour or wheat. It appears blinis might be a go-to for the Kremlin kitchen. The dish frequently appears on the menu for state events. Both Putin and Xi even made the traditional Russian pancakes together at the Eastern Economic Forum in eastern Russia in 2018. Next up was a sterlet fish soup. The small sturgeon is another favorite of the Russians, fished from the Black Sea and the rivers of Siberia. It is known for its tender flesh and is even frequently noted as the best producer of caviar. The sterlet was said to be a favourite of 16th century tsar Ivan the Terrible. The fish would be prepared to look as though it was a dragon or flamboyant bird before being placed on his table. It's unclear if the preparation of today's sterlet soup was as impressive though. A pomegranate sorbet came next in a much needed palate cleanser. The frozen dish is generally made using lime and mint. More fish was on the menu next. Given speculation about his health, it's possible the Kremlin chose to limit the red meat at lunch in favour of a healthier omega-3-packed menu. Nelma - a giant Arctic whitefish - is another favourite of the Russians. The silver fish which can weigh up to 60lbs (27kg) has a flakey flesh and can be rather oily. It was served with a side of vegetables. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with China's President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow today For those perhaps not so concerned about their health, venison was on the menu. It was served with a cherry sauce. But rather devastatingly for Australians and New Zealanders, pavlova appeared to be on offer for dessert. The two countries down under have fought over the egg-white and sugar dessert for decades. But the pudding was said to be named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova who toured the two countries in the 1920s. It seems as though a recipe made its way back to Moscow where the Russians have now adopted it as their own. And what would a state dinner be between two world leaders without wine? Today's bottles came from Russia's southern Krasnodar region. There is a vast 30,000 hectares of vineyards in the region and is the source of around 40 per cent of Russia's wine. Putin also happens to have one of his palaces in the region. It had been something of a secret hideaway for the Russian leader before its construction was exposed to the world by a whistleblower in 2010. With two more days of talks between Xi and Putin, it appears the two leaders will be eating well no matter the outcome of the talks. A teacher has described her 'frightening and sinister' treatment by police who secretly recorded a non-crime hate incident against her over social media posts about trans issues. Cathy Kirby was given 'words of advice' by officers after activists claimed her tweets were 'transphobic'. But she was not told which posts were potentially offensive and only discovered Norfolk Constabulary had formally logged the incident when she requested any information they held about her. She has accused the force of allowing the activists to harass her 'by proxy' and complained it could have damaged her reputation and income as background checks would have revealed the record, even though she hadn't committed an offence. It has now been expunged after she enlisted the help of a cybercrime charity to clear her name. Teacher Cathy Kirby (pictured) was given 'words of advice' by police after activists claimed her tweets were 'transphobic' Ms Kirby has now won a battle to get the 'hate incident' recorded against her removed from her record. Pictured: The letter from Norfolk Constabulary confirming it has removed the incident from her record 'These people tried to destroy not only my income and my career but my reputation. Norfolk Police went along with it,' said Mrs Kirby, who revealed she'd had home visits from police on two previous occasions following complaints by the same people. 'It's really frightening and quite sinister. Basically, this small group has been targeting me for my beliefs and I feel police sending round PCs to tell me off for something I've tweeted is harassment by proxy. 'There are lots of crimes they could be investigating, not calling on the doorstep of a 57-year-old woman about people being offended by a tweet.' Mrs Kirby still remains in the dark about which messages were deemed unacceptable but believes one may have involved changes to the Pride flag. 'I didn't particularly like the trans colours being added because I felt the original was fine as it already represented trans people,' she said. The married mother-of-two began tweeting about trans issues around 18 months ago as she became increasingly concerned about the transitioning of children. Her 'kafkaesque' experience began in July last year, when a police officer phoned to say she had been accused of making transphobic comments. Mrs Kirby, from Norwich, retorted that her accusers were harassing her but said the force refused to take action against them. The following month she asked for information they held about her and was horrified to discover a non-crime hate incident (NCHI) on her file, which could appear in enhanced DBS checks routinely carried out on teachers by employers. It was only towards the end of September that it was expunged and only after she spoke to campaign group the Bad Law Project who contacted the force to argue her case, she said. Mrs Kirby believes she was targeted because of her strong views, which she has tweeted about for five years, including criticising zero tolerance policies in schools whereby children must walk in single file in corridors and focus on their teacher at all times. She said a small group of people had set up 20 anonymous Twitter accounts to 'slur' her and made complaints to police leading to the two visits from officers. The first was in March 2021, when two PCs turned up in connection with a Twitter spat where she railed against Donald Trump's alleged inciting of violence at Capitol Hill. Despite the complaint coming from someone in the USA, beyond their jurisdiction, she said they 'told me off, said I should rise above it and come off Twitter'. Home Secretary Suella Braverman (pictured) has unveiled draft guidelines for forces requiring them to prioritise free speech over taking offence The second visit was at 9pm on a December night the same year, when two WPCs remonstrated with her about a tweet she wrote complaining about a 'death threat' from an individual who mentioned her being crucified. She explained she had used the person's online name, not their real name, and asked if action would be taken against her accuser but the request was 'refused'. 'I believe these people saw an opportunity [over the trans tweets] to cause me distress,' she added. Mrs Kirby quit teaching English at evening classes because she was concerned for her safety after her personal details were posted online. She now teaches online but remains 'afraid' and has been prescribed anti-depressants due to the impact on her mental health. 'Freedom of speech is under attack. The fact that you can be cancelled for holding beliefs that are completely reasonable makes me afraid. But I'll keep doing it anyway,' she said. Last week, Suella Braverman unveiled draft guidelines for forces which required them to prioritise free speech over people taking offence and to stop recording online bickering as NCHIs. A Norfolk Police spokesman said: 'Over the last five years we've investigated numerous allegations and counter-allegations of online harassment concerning four people. 'Following enquiries, no further action has been taken in any investigation and all parties involved have been offered words of advice.' The boyfriend of a 21-year-old soldier found dead in a burning car was arrested for her murder. Samuel Jones, 25, was arrested on March 13 after police found Laau Jordan Laulusa dead in the Mililani High School parking lot with a stab wound to the neck. Witnesses said they saw a man fitting Jones' description 'opening and closing' the car doors before he 'fled on foot' with a 'blade' at around 6.40am, according to Hawaii News Now. Jones was followed by witnesses until police arrived to arrest him. He was charged on Wednesday with second-degree murder. His bail was set to $1 million. 'Its too bad because shes still young, a beautiful girl, real kind, and she didnt deserve this,' Sasoa Feagai, Laulusa's uncle, told Khon 2. Laau Jordan Laulusa was found dead in a burning car with a stab wound to the neck outside of Mililani High School on March 13 Samuel Jones, 25, was arrested last Monday after witnesses saw him walking away from the burning car. He was formally charged on Wednesday Laulusa worked for the Hawaii Army National Guard as a supply specialist since 2019. Her family referred to her as a 'dreamer' with ambitions to grow in her career and travel with the military. Feagai remembered his niece as being a 'real kind person,' who would sacrifice anything for those she loved. 'She's the kind of person that would do anything for anybody,' Feagai told KITV 4. According to her family, Laulusa didn't have any known issues with Jones. 'Shes the type of person that she never says anything. She just keeps everything to herself,' Feagai added. While the family is waiting for answers as to why Jones killed Laulusa, they are willing to 'forgive.' 'My sister said she's willing to forgive,' Feagai told the news outlet. 'I guess it's about all we can do now.' Officers were seen attending to the scene shortly after they were called around 7am on March 13 A memorial was set up for Laulusa by her family members. One person can be seen attaching balloons and flowers to the gate Laulusa worked for the Hawaii Army National Guard as a supply specialist since 2019. She is pictured above with a family member 'I miss you terribly,' @leahmalae wrote on Instagram. The family member posted several photos in remembrance of Laulusa It is unclear what series of events lead up to Laulusa's death Laulusa was mourned by a family member, who referred to her as 'my beautiful twin.' 'I miss you terribly,' @leahmalae wrote on Instagram. 'Time feels frozen. my heart is so f****** sore Laau. the pain is f****** unbearable. i am so empty. lost. broken. i miss you, i will miss you forever until the day i die,' @leahmalae. 'i want to say a part of me died yesterday, but that wouldnt be my full truth. i feel so dead inside. living without you feels like a life not worth living. please hold me. our family. please. i miss you so f****** much, i love you forever & ever my beautiful twin.' A series of photos were posted to honor Laulusa from when she was a child to present day. 'This is unreal,' one person commented. These photos show the outboard motors used by migrants to cross the Channel in small boats - as it was confirmed nearly 3,700 have arrived in the UK by this method so far this year. The engines, which have been seized by the authorities, can be seen laid out at a warehouse facility in the Port of Dover, close to where Border Force patrols bring in migrants caught making the crossing. The startling image showing 28 devices on the ground was taken today - the same day it was revealed 3,680 migrants have arrived in Britain in 86 small boats so far this year. On Sunday alone 118 migrants crossed the Channel in just three boats which were intercepted by a Border Force vessel. It comes as Suella Braverman reaffirmed the government's commitment to the controversial Rwanda scheme - which would send Channel migrants to the African country - during a visit to its capital Kigali. An aerial view of outboard engines used on small boats to cross the Channel at a warehouse facility in Dover on Monday The 28 propeller engines were removed from small boats carrying migrants from France to England Meanwhile, yesterday a French navy vessel was also called out on the same day to rescue a further 25 migrants, including two with hypothermia, at the start of the day and were dropped off in Calais. Their services were required again later in the day to rescue a boat with 40 asylum seekers aboard. Sunday's crossings come after 155 people were detained after arriving in four boats on Saturday, with men, women and children being brought to shore. One toddler was seen being carried by a Border Force officer up into the immigration processing centre at the former jetfoil terminal at the Kent port. The weekend crossings bring the total figure so far for 2023 to 3,680 migrants arriving in 86 boats. The crossings have all come since it was announced that Channel migrants could be hit with a life-time ban on entering Britain under proposed laws. Tough new measures will see any asylum seeker arriving illegally by small boat indefinitely banned from re-entering the country. Though the migrants arrived after the bill was introduced they will still be processed in the normal way, according to the Home Office. Migrants try to start an outboard engine after boarding a smuggler's boat on a beach near Dunkirk in October last year Nine migrants drift in the English Channel after the outboard engine on their inflatable dinghy failed An aerial view of rolled-up inflatable dinghies and engines removed from small boats in Dover on March 6 READ MORE HERE: Fury at new 'Nazi' jibe at Suella Braverman as left-wing Twitter trolls photoshop image of Home Secretary laughing in Rwanda during migrant visit into Auschwitz picture Advertisement The new laws are also expected to further prevent migrants from using human rights laws to avoid removal from Britain. It comes as Home Secretary Suella Braverman visits Rwanda to reaffirm the government's commitment to sending asylum seekers arriving by small boat to the country. The government has already handed over 140 million to the Rwandan Government for the scheme to deport people who arrive in the UK illegally. It hopes the first migrants will be flown to the African country in the summer. A total of 45,728 people made the treacherous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits in 1,104 boats last year, compared to 28,526 in 2021. Officials have predicted that as many as 80,000 people could make the crossing this year. A spokesperson for the Home Office said: 'The unacceptable number of people risking their lives by making these dangerous crossings is placing an unprecedented strain on our asylum system. 'Our priority is to stop this illegal trade, and our new Small Boats Operational Command - bolstered by hundreds of extra staff - is working alongside our French partners and other agencies to disrupt the people smugglers. 'We are also going further by introducing legislation which will ensure that those people arriving in the UK illegally are detained and swiftly removed to another country.' Fresh protests have erupted in France after President Emmanuel Macron's government today survived two no-confidence votes - one by just nine votes - over hugely unpopular pension reforms. Demonstrators took to the streets Monday night, marching with banners that said 'passed by force', after the poll in the National Assembly was triggered by the head of state raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote. The first no-confidence motion, by centrists, needed 287 votes to pass but got 278 - a tiny margin of victory for Mr Macron. A second by the far-right won just 94 votes. It means that the hugely unpopular pension reform will now pass straight into law, but further opposition is inevitable. Rioters have been on the streets of France since Mr Macron ignored the National Assembly last Thursday, so as to bring the new legislation in by presidential decree. Demonstrators took to the streets Monday night, marching with banners that said 'passed by force', after the poll in the National Assembly was triggered by the head of state raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote A pile of rubbish burns during a demonstration in Paris on Monday night French firefighters extinguish burning garbage bins after a demonstration in Paris on Monday night, the day the National Assembly debated and voted on two motions of no-confidence against the French government As the censure motion result was read out, opposition MPs from the Left-wing France Unbowed party held up printed signs saying 'RIP', while shouting 'Resignation! Resignation!' The narrow vote is a personal disaster for Mr Macron's prime minister, Elisabeth Borne, who had tried to rally a parliamentary majority for the legislation. Numerous politicians had been threatened with the guillotine if they supported President Macron's government. Police said macabre messages had been sent to MPs preparing for the crucial poll. 'I am now receiving death threats,' said Agnes Evren, MP and vice-president of the Republicans party. She said anonymous tormenters had evoked the guillotining of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette in Paris during the so-called 'Terror' that followed the 1789 Revolution. 'These extremist refuse debate - they have no respect for their political adversaries and are openly inspired by the Terror,' Ms Evren Tweeted. 'Do not underestimate the danger any longer. Every threat of this type will now be the subject of a complaint.' Emmanuel Macron, pictured here on Thursday at the foreign ministry in Paris, has pushed through pension reforms without a vote Protestors march next to a fire during a demonstration on Monday night after the French government survived two no-confidence motions in parliament Far-left lawmakers hold papers reading '64 years. It is no', 'appointment in the street' and 'we are continuing' at today's confidence vote Protesters walk past a damaged bus shelter which reads as 'angry', during a demonstration in Dijon, central France, on Monday night People walk past burning garbage bins near the Opera Garnier in Paris on Monday night A protester, holding a red flag, walks past a bus shelter displaying a poster for a pension group which reads as "our values commit us", during a demonstration in Dijon on Monday Rubbish burns in the streets on Lyon on Monday night after the government pushed a pensions reform through parliament without a vote A firefighter starts to extinguish a fire, during a demonstration in Dijon on Monday night A protester takes a photograph of a fire during a demonstration in Dijon on Monday night READ MORE HERE: French politicians receive GUILLOTINE death threats as Macron faces vote of no confidence Advertisement Frederique Meunier, of the Republicans party, said: 'It's as if they want to decapitate us.' And Guillaume Gouffier Valente, an MP with Mr Macron's Renaissance Party, saw a hangman's sign scrawled outside his office in Vincennes, east of Paris. 'He has since made a formal request to the Ministry of Interior for police protection for colleagues under threat,' said a party spokesman. Renaissance MP Brigitte Klinkert reported graffiti outside her office reading: 'You vote against us, we will remember.' Other politicians were clear in their condemnation of the proposed reforms and the way they were being pushed through. Centrist MP Charles de Courson, who with his group introduced the motion supported by the left, deplored the government's decision to use a special constitutional power to skirt a vote on the pension bill last week. 'How can we accept such contempt for parliament? How can we accept such conditions to examine a text which will have lasting effects on the lives of millions of our fellow citizens?' he said. Hard-left MP Mathilde Panot told the government that 'the people are looking at you like we look at someone who betrayed, with a mix of anger and disgust'. She said: 'Only nine votes are missing to bring both the government down and its reform down. 'The government is already dead in the eyes of the French, it doesn't have any legitimacy any more.' Laure Lavalette, of the far-right National Rally party, said 'no matter what the outcome is, you have failed to convince the French'. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said her group would file a request for the Constitutional Council to examine the bill on Tuesday and possibly censure it. There was a fourth night of violence across France on Sunday following Mr Macron's decision to bypass parliament last Thursday. French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne (pictured) tried to rally a parliamentary majority for the legislation today A police officer clashes with protesters at a demonstration in Lille, France, today as lawmakers attended votes on pension reforms and no-confidence in Emmanuel Macron's government Pedestrians walk past a fire made of household waste during demonstrations in Bordeaux, south west France on Saturday A French police officer in riot looks on at fire during a demonstration in Bordeaux, south west France, on Saturday, against the plans A protester holds a placard with the face of Macron reading 'they have to come for me' at a protest in Paris on Saturday Protesters carry a puppet figure of Emmanuel Macron at a demonstration in Nice, south France, on Suday A French police officer attempts to extinguish flames at the entrance of a town hall in Lyon following a protest on Friday night Gangs roamed through the streets of major cities including Paris, burning effigies of the President and senior ministers before police responded with teargas and baton charges. Strikes by rubbish collectors in reaction to the bill, which have now reached 15 days in a row, have seen waste pile high in the capital. The three main incinerators serving the French capital have been mostly blocked, as has a rubbish sorting centre northwest of Paris. 'The goal is to support the workers on strike in Paris, to put pressure on this government that wants to pass this unjust, brutal and useless and ineffective law,' said Kamel Brahmi, of the CGT union, speaking to workers at the Romainville sorting plant. Some refineries that supply petrol stations are at least partially blocked, and transport minister Clement Beaune said on France-Info radio that he would take action if necessary to ensure that fuel still gets out. Unions, demanding that the government simply withdraw the retirement bill, have called for new nationwide protests on Thursday. The Ben & Jerry's founder previously attempted to stop selling their ice cream in certain parts of Israel, which they called 'occupied Palestinian territory' A group funded by Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen is running a campaign calling for the U.S. to stop providing military support to Ukraine in its war with Russia. The Eisenhower Media Network has been pitching outlets on claims that the United States is spending too much money helping Ukraine ward of Vladimir Putin. The EMN is run by a group called the People's Power Initiative, of which Cohen is president and a major financial backer. The longtime progressive Democrat and backer of Bernie Sanders has forked over more than $1million to the initiative via the Ben Charitable Trust, according to a report in the Daily Beast. Ben Cohen (left) and Jerry Greenfield (right) - the original founders of now-Unilever owned ice cream company Ben & Jerry's. Cohen was recently discovered to be the single largest funder of left-wing foreign policy group Eisenhower Media Network Ukraine has been battling Russia since it invaded more than a year ago. Though support for the conflict has fallen out of favor with some factions of US politicians, the US continues to send billions of dollars in aid across the ocean Cohen told the outlet that he thinks 'the US should use its power to negotiate an end to the war, not prolong the death and destruction by supplying more weapons.' The project promotes the utilization of a group of military veterans as experts and pundits willing to speak about the ongoing war overseas. Some have said that continued US military support for Ukraine is extending and intensifying the fighting between Russia and Ukraine and suggesting that expanding NATO was one of the causes of the war. The position is shared by members of the far-right including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz, who believe the fighting in Ukraine is not America's problem. They additionally argue that the government is overspending U.S. tax dollars to pay for billions and billions worth of aid in a depressed economy and amid a soaring deficit. Several candidates and potential Republican presidential nominees recently claimed that the war in Ukraine was not a 'vital national interest' to the US in a survey circulated by Fox News host Tucker Carlson. According to the Beast, during the recent debt ceiling crisis, EMN claimed that spending on the Ukrainian cause was so high that the U.S. government may have to default on its duty to pay members of the military and cut their social security and pension checks. Former State Department staffer, Marine Corps captain and current EMN associate director Matthew Hoh said: 'The outrageous federal spending on the Ukraine war is missing from the discussion on the national debt Its time to think about pausing funding for Ukraine if we cannot afford it.' Last month, Hoh was quotes in Newsweek saying that the US agreeing to provide tanks to President Volodymyr Zelensky would escalate the war with Russia. 'We should expect a reciprocal escalation by Russia that solidifies the stalemate and threatens expansion of the war. Only de-escalation, ceasefires and negotiations will bring an end to the war,' he said. EMN's somewhat isolationist foreign policy philosophy reflects that of some parts of the conservative right wing, including the views shared by Reps. Gaetz and Taylor Greene about the war in Ukraine Former State Department staffer, Marine Corps captain and current EMN associate director Matthew Hoh said: 'The outrageous federal spending on the Ukraine war is missing from the discussion on the national debt Its time to think about pausing funding for Ukraine if we cannot afford it' Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky has been the beneficiary of billions and billions of US aid and military dollars since the outbreak of the war with Russia In an interview with the outlet, EMN Director Dennis Fritz - a former Command Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force - spoke about Cohen's leadership in the organization. 'I have never talked about that before but it is Ben Cohen, remember him - Ben & Jerrys - he is our biggest funder. He is the reason we came about,' he said. 'We do feel that our military budget is too large in some ways, and he believes that if we just target our budget on what we actually need, then we buy more social programs for the United States of America, more social programs that people might also need in Ukraine.' 'Ukraine cannot win this war. The bottom line is: It's done. They are against a mad man and his ego - he will not lose. Whether we like it or not, we have to give Putin something,' he continued. EMN has previously opposed bouts of vast US military spending since long before the war in Ukraine began. In an email, Cohen wrote: 'The Pentagon budget is insane. Example: The atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima killed over 100,000 people. Todays nuclear arsenal is the equivalent of 120,000 Hiroshima-sized bombs. 'I think wed be a lot more secure if we spent money wasted on Pentagon overkill for Medicare for all and preventing lead poisoning.' Though Ben & Jerry's is at this time entirely owned by consumer giant Unilever, its independent board of directors has special dispensation to promote the socially progressive causes for which its original owners were known. Last year, not long before the war in Ukraine broke out, the company was lambasted for tweeting: 'You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war. We call on President Biden to de-escalate tensions and work for peace rather than prepare for war. 'Sending thousands more US troops to Europe in response to Russia's threats against Ukraine only fans the flame of war.' You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war. We call on President Biden to de-escalate tensions and work for peace rather than prepare for war. Sending thousands more US troops to Europe in response to Russias threats against Ukraine only fans the flame of war. Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) February 4, 2022 In 2021, Ben & Jerry's also unsuccessfully attempted to stop Unilever from selling its ice cream in parts of Israel In 2021, Ben & Jerry's also unsuccessfully attempted to stop Unilever from selling its ice cream in parts of Israel. The company initially announced it would no longed sell its ice cream in 'occupied Palestinian territory,' areas of land that are considered part of the modern state of Israel and have been for decades. However, the founders and their company were ultimately stopped from carrying out their goal by Israeli license-holder Avi Zinger, who has continued to produce the ice cream in his factory in the suburbs of Tel Aviv and distribute it to the Israeli settlements. At the time, the company was slammed by some for its anti-zionist position, which its critics said reflected anti-Semitic values. The building's manager suggested that the elevator, which has been taken out of service as part of the investigation, plunged because of excess weight Eleven passengers boarded the lift in the 10th floor and it descended without issues to the lobby, but the doors did not open before it violently dropped At least three people were seriously injured after 11 passengers crammed into an elevator before it plunged into the basement of a condominium in northeast Brazil. The incident took place Sunday afternoon in Mangabeiras, Maceio, after the passengers boarded the elevator and ignored its limit of eight people. A surveillance video showed a woman appearing to press the lifts button to keep the doors from closing so that the rest of the people could get in. The elevator descended from the 10th floor to the lobby without any issues. However, the doors did not open, causing it to drop violently to the basement. The elevator was crowed with 11 people, surpassing its limit of eight. The building manager suggested that the excess in weight could have caused it to suddenly drop from the first floor to the basement A woman is tended to moments after suffering an injury as a result of a overcrowded elevator dropping from the lobby to the basement of a condo in Brazil on Sunday The passengers were trapped for about nine minutes and were helped out after building residents broke the doors open. The injured people were taken by cars to a local hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown. Leonardo Pereira, who has been managing the building for one year, told news outlet G1 that the elevators excess weight may have contributed to the accident. In a separate interview with UOL Noticias, he said he heard a loud thud when the elevator made contact with a safety spring box located below the basement. A passenger presses the elevator button to keep the doors from closing before 11 people packed the lift in the 10th floor of a Brazilian condominium on Sunday. The elevator made it to the lobby but its doors did not open before it violently dropped to the basement, injuring 11 people The passengers were eventually escorted out of the elevator by condominium tenants who pried open the doors The elevator has been placed out of order while a full investigation is conducted by a third party. Sao Paulo Fire Department captain Andre Elias told news outlet Estado that passengers should always exercise caution when boarding elevators. It is essential to respect the operating limits of the elevator, he said. The person should pay attention to the maximum load of occupants and check if the elevator is stopped on the floor, that is, if it is at the same level of the floor. Elias added that building administrators are have to stay on top of the elevators maintenance schedule to ensure it operates efficiently. Donald Trump's first public reaction to Ron DeSantis' remarks on a possible indictment was to post a repeated unsubstantiated allegation that the Florida governor had inappropriate relationships with 'underage' classmates. The two-sentence, quick post included several suggestions including that the governor is inexperienced because of his age as well as questions over his sexuality and if he's had inappropriate interactions with men. Trump, 76, warned DeSantis, 44, that he would soon have to endure even more 'false accusations and fake stories' with his rising national prominence as a leader within the Republican Party. The post to Truth Social came after DeSantis broke his silence on a possible imminent indictment by attacking the 'Soros-funded' Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg during his press conference on Monday. Trump also used his new favorite moniker for the governor Ron 'DeSanctimonious' as he quickly became the biggest threat to the former president's chances of earning the nomination. Donald Trump responded to Ron DeSantis' comments about a potential indictment by repeating allegations the Florida governor and former teacher had inappropriate relationships with his students and suggesting that he had such relationships with men, as well Ron DeSantis broke his silence on a rumored imminent indictment by attacking 'Soros-funded' Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg for creating a 'manufactured circus' DeSantis slammed Bragg for creating a 'manufactured circus' in his first comments since rumors sparked that Trump will be indicted as early as Tuesday and soon after called on his supporters to 'protest' any arrest. 'Ron DeSanctimonious will probably find out about FALSE ACCUSATIONS & FAKE STORIES sometime in the future, as he gets older, wiser, and better known, when he's unfairly and illegally attacked by a woman, even classmates that are 'underage' (or possibly a man!),' Trump wrote. 'I'm sure he will want to fight these misfits just like I do!' the former president added in the post to his Truth Social platform. Trump's inner circle criticized DeSantis and other announced and perceived 2024 hopefuls for staying silent on claims the former president will be arrested in the Stormy Daniels hush money case on Tuesday. It illustrates how the latest legal twist offers a dilemma to Trump's likely rivals for the Republican 2024 nomination Do they speak out against the former president for his indiscretions, or do they steer clear for fear of alienating his vocal, restless base? DeSantis managed both on Monday, saying he did not know 'what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair', before moving on to accuse Bragg of ignoring rising crime in New York and instead going after Trump. 'So I've seen rumors swirl, I have not seen any facts yet,' he said. 'The Manhattan district attorney is a Soros-funded prosecutor. Trump posted to Truth Social that DeSantis will come across more 'false accusations and fake stories' like the ex-president claims he has endured 'He, like other Soros-funded prosecutors, they weaponize their office to impose a political agenda on society at the expense of the rule of law and public safety. 'He has downgraded over 50 percent of the felonies to misdemeanors. He says he doesn't want to even have jail time for the vast, vast majority of crimes. 'What I can speak to, is that if you have a prosecutor who is ignoring crimes happening every single day in his jurisdiction, and he chooses to go back many, many years ago, to try to use something about porn star hush money payments. 'You know, that's an example of pursuing a political agenda and weaponizing the office.' Bragg's office is believed to be coming to the end of its investigation in to payments to adult movie star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an affair with Trump allegations he has long denied. His office is not funded by Soros, although his campaign to become district attorney received $1 million from the Color Of Change Political Action Committee, a racial justice group backed by the Hungarian-born billionaire financier. Soros is a favorite target of conservatives. Since the Jan. 6 attack on Congress, he has used his extensive wealth to back candidates he says are promoting democracy and the rule of law. But extremists in the far reaches of the internet have seized on his family history to suggest he is part of a Jewish conspiracy that secretly holds the levers of power. George Soros has reportedly sunk at least $40million into electing liberal district attorneys DeSantis made the comments Monday after Trump's inner circle criticized him for staying silent on claims the former president will be arrested in the Stormy Daniels hush money case on Tuesday. Trump has long denied having an affair with adult movie star New York Police Department staff install barricades around the Lower Manhattan court complex ahead of former President Donald Trump's anticipated indictment Trump's eldest son Don Jr. punched back at DeSantis, saying he was weak to suggest that Democrats 'weaponizing the law to indict President Trump' wasn't a real issue In his comments during a press conference, DeSantis also made clear he would not be getting involved in the Trump case. 'I've got real issues I got to deal with here in the state of Florida,' he said. 'We've got so many things pending in front of the legislature. I've got to spend my time on issues that actually matter to people. 'I can't spend my time worrying about things of that nature.' The Trump-allied Make America Great Again PAC blasted DeSantis for dismissing the issue. 'Democrats abusing the justice system to target Republicans is a real issue that impacts all Americans,' it said in an email blast. And Donald Trump Jr accused the Florida governor of being weak. Trump used a social media post on Saturday to call on his supporters to protest as he claimed he expects to be arrested as early as Tuesday. Aides say they do not know the timing The New York Young Republicans Club is holding a protest on Monday evening. 'Join us in peaceful protest of Alvin Bragg's heinous attack on President Donald J. Trump ... ' it says 'So DeSantis thinks that Dems weaponizing the law to indict President Trump is a 'manufactured circus' & isn't a 'real issue.' Pure weakness,' he tweeted. 'Now we know why he was silent all weekend. He's totally owned by Karl Rove, Paul Ryan and his billionaire donors. 100 percent controlled opposition.' Meanwhile New York police are preparing for the worst. New York police built barriers around the Manhattan court complex on Monday morning amid fears of violent demonstrations. That includes the district attorney's office. In an email to staff on Saturday, first reported by Politico, Bragg sought to assure prosecutors and other members of his office that he has been working with police and court officials to ensure their safety. 'We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York,' he wrote. 'Our law enforcement partners will ensure that any specific or credible threats against the office will be fully investigated.' Departing SNP leader uses farewell speech in London to warn of dangers Nicola Sturgeon today hit out at online trolls as she warned of a 'harsher and more hostile' environment for female politicians created by social media. The departing Scottish First Minister, beginning her last week in office, used a speech in London to despair at how online platforms 'mis-shape' issues. She claimed that politicians could lose an ability to 'address the massive, era-defining issues the world faces' without the rediscovery of 'civil' debates. Ms Sturgeon, speaking at the RSA, also admitted she agreed with ex-prime minister Sir Tony Blair's recent assertion that social media is a 'plague on modern politics'. The SNP leader's visit to London, in which she also conducted a series of TV interviews, comes as she counts down her final days in power. Nicola Sturgeon, the departing SNP leader, used a speech in London to despair at how online platforms 'mis-shape' issues Speaking at the RSA, the Scottish First Minister admitted she agreed with ex-prime minister Sir Tony Blair's recent assertion that social media is a 'plague on modern politics Ms Sturgeon claimed that politicians could lose an ability to 'address the massive, era-defining issues the world faces' without the rediscovery of 'civil' debates Ms Sturgeon's trip to the capital also put her 400 miles from the chaos enveloping her party at Holyrood over how their new leader is chosen. Her husband, Peter Murrell, was forced to quit as the SNP's chief executive at the weekend amid a row over the release of party membership figures. His interim replacement, party president Mike Russell, admitted the SNP were in a 'tremendous mess' just a week before Ms Sturgeon's successor is due to be unveiled on March 27. In her RSA speech, Ms Sturgeon acknowledged that social media 'has many benefits' but warned the 'damage' it causes was 'outweighing the benefits'. 'I haven't always or even often in my political career agreed with Tony Blair,' she said. 'But I recently heard him express the view that social media is a plague on politics and while I don't agree that this is an inevitability, I do think it is the reality right now. 'It is distorting debate. The sheer pace of rolling news encourages us all to speak first and think later. 'Minor dramas become crises and then catastrophes in what can feel like nano seconds. 'Algorithms create echo chambers, obliterate nuance, and force us into binary positions that polarise even the most complex of issues. 'The distinction between objective fact and subjective opinion has all but disappeared.' The First Minister added the 'amplification effect' of social media 'too often leads politicians to think that extreme opinions are the view of the majority, when they are most definitely not'. She continued: 'Politics has always been tough and it should be. 'But social media is creating an environment that, frankly, is harsher and more hostile particularly for women and those from minority communities than at any time in my political career. 'It gives racism, misogyny, sexism, bigotry generally not new phenomena by any means a platform and a vehicle.' Ms Sturgeon warned that if social media 'continues to dominate and shape or rather mis-shape debate in the way it does now... we risk destroying our ability to address the massive, era-defining issues that the world faces'. 'We must, as a matter of urgency, rediscover and recharge one of the basic functions of democracy to peaceably and civilly resolve our differences,' she added. Ms Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, was forced to quit as SNP chief executive at the weekend over a row over the release of party membership figures Kate Forbes, who is competing to be Ms Sturgeon's replacement, said she has confidence in the process to find a new party leader Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and former community safety minister Ash Regan are currently competing to be Ms Sturgeon's replacement. She advised whoever takes on her job to be bold 'especially on the issues that matter the most'. In an appearance on ITV's Loose Women earlier today, Ms Sturgeon insisted the SNP was 'not in a mess' despite the bitter infighting that has marked the ongoing leadership contest. She put the party's woes down to 'growing pains', which she said were 'necessary but difficult'. Mr Russell told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme this morning he has been brought in to 'steady the ship' and will focus on doing that for the next week. Asked what has gone wrong, Mr Russell told the BBC: 'A whole host of things quite clearly. 'But my focus as I said yesterday and I'm saying again today, is to ensure we get to next Monday to the declaration of the (leadership) result in a much better form and do it in an orderly fashion and that's what I'm going to be doing this week: making sure that we focus on the important things for the people of Scotland actually because we have a duty to the people of Scotland. 'The person that the party selects will be the party's nominee for First Minister and we've got to get this right and we've got to do it in the proper way, so that's the focus just now. 'I think then the new leader needs to look very closely at a whole range of issues, including the organisation of party HQ, and also the fact that we haven't had a leadership election in 19 years and I have to say it shows.' Party president Mike Russell admitted the SNP were in a 'tremendous mess - just a week before Ms Sturgeon's successor is due to be unveiled Mr Murrell quit with immediate effect on Saturday following a row over the party's membership numbers. 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'. The party this week confirmed there had been a big drop in membership numbers. His departure came shortly after that of media chief Murray Foote, who said there had been a 'serious impediment' to his role. And last week, two of the SNP leader candidates to succeed Ms Sturgeon as first minister: Ms Forbes and Ms Regan, questioned the independence of the election process. Ms Forbes said she has confidence in the process to find a new leader. Asked whether she would like the leadership contest to be rerun, Ms Forbes told BBC Radio Scotland: 'Personally, no. I personally would like us to get to the end which is next week.' During the interview, Ms Forbes was also asked what she makes about the drop in SNP membership, which has fallen by more than 30,000 in the past two years. She said: 'I think that absolutely demonstrates that this needs to be a change election.' On Sunday, 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. '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.' Former Speaker scheduled to speak at a WSJ forum at Lincoln Center on Tuesday Nancy and Paul Pelosi arrived in New York City on Monday, the day before Donald Trump claimed the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg would issue an indictment against the former president. The Speaker Emerita and her husband arrived in a bevy of SUVs surrounded by federal marshals who still provide protection even though she stepped down from the Democratic leadership. Congress extended her security detail for a year following the near-fatal attack against Paul Pelosi in their San Francisco home by an assailant looking for the then-Speaker. On Tuesday, Pelosi is scheduled to appear at the Wall Street Journal forum at the Lincoln Center. Pelosi's office did not immediately respond to Dailymail.com's request for comment. Nancy Pelosi was spotted in New York City on Monday. She's in town as part of a Wall Street Journal forum at Lincoln Center on Tuesday The couple was in Washington D.C. over the weekend as the former House speaker attended a Women's History Month event at Vice President Kamala Harris' residence on Saturday and the Mark Twain Prize at the Kennedy Center on Sunday, according to posts on social media. They arrived in New York as the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg signaled an indictment for the former president is imminent but not communicated any timeline to Trump's lawyers, according to the New York Times. Trump, on Saturday, claimed he would be arrested on Tuesday, although officials have not confirmed that date as the grand jury must still hear the testimony of one remaining witness. New York police began installing barriers around the Manhattan court complex on Monday morning, where Trump is expected to surrender. The former president faces criminal charges for $130,000 in payments his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, sent to porn star Stormy Daniels toward the end of his 2016 campaign. Prosecutors claim that Trump's company 'falsely accounted' for the monthly payments to Daniels as legal expenses claiming a non-existent retainer agreement with Cohen. Cohen served jail time after pleading guilty in two criminal cases, one of which included using campaign finances about Daniels and another woman who allegedly had an affair with Trump. Trump's former personal attorney said he had been acting at his command and that the payoffs were supposed to keep the affair stories out of public knowledge before the 2016 election. Trump has admitted to reimbursing Cohen however, he's denied having an affair. He since issued a rallying call for his supporters to protest the matter. Nancy Pelosi and Donald Trump were bitter enemies while he was president - he called her 'Crazy Nancy' while she questioned his mental capacity to be president. Donald Trump said Monday morning that the statute of limitations has already passed for charges he is expecting in the Stormy Daniels case, as his ally prepared to appear before the grand jury Paul Pelosi was with Nancy Pelosi in New York Nancy Pelosi is helped out of her SUV by her security She stepped down as leader of the House Democrats after the 2022 election but was awarded the honorary title of speaker emerita. And she has shown her unencumbered side now that she's no longer a party leader. 'I'm emancipated now!,' she told the Los Angeles Times. 'Liberated! Freedom! Free at last!' The Times previewed her post-speaker life, including details like she eats ice cream for breakfast, a hot dog for lunch and is trying to dance more. Additionally, she told the paper: 'I'm writing a book.' She didn't offer details about what it was about or when it was coming out. During her lunch with the LA Times reporter, she was careful not to say Trump's name. And when it accidentally slipped out, she instructed him. 'Don't write that down. Just say she burped.' The nurse denies murdering seven babies and attempting to murder ten others In messages from her to a doctor saying she said she'd 'made a fool of herself' Jurors were told Letby fainted after accidentally pricking herself with a needle Lucy Letby fainted on duty soon after she murdered the second of two identical triplets, a court heard today. The neo-natal nurse is accused of injecting air into the tummies and bloodstreams of the premature siblings, who died on successive day shifts at the Countess of Chester Hospital, in Cheshire, at the end of June 2016. Manchester Crown Court heard that the three brothers were born weighing around 4lbs each and were doing well when the first infant, known as Baby O, 'unexpectedly' collapsed and died around 5.45pm on June 23. Less than 23 hours later his older brother, Baby P, also deteriorated and died. Jurors were told he was repeatedly resuscitated but doctors were ultimately unable to save him. Lucy Letby, pictured here holding baby clothes while in her nursing uniform, fainted after allegedly murdering the second to two identical triplet, a court heard today The nurse is accused of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder ten others in Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit (pictured) Soon after his death, at 4pm, Letby WhatsApp-ed another nurse, who was not at work, saying: 'Life is too sadlost another triplet.' Other Facebook messages between Letby and a doctor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were read to the court. The messages revealed that Letby had accidentally pricked herself with a needle during the resuscitation attempts and went to A&E to have blood tests shortly after Baby P died. She told the doctor, who colleagues had previously teased her about flirting with, that, while in the casualty department, she'd 'made a fool of herself'. The medic asked: 'How did you make a fool of yourself? Letby replied: 'I fainted.' The medic said: 'I asked them to see you quickly as a favour. Are you ok now?' Letby answered: 'Bit shaky but ok. Writing my notes. They were reluctant to let me go as on my own.' A jury at Manchester Crown Court (pictured) today heard text messages from the nurse to a colleague after the baby's death In messages read out in court, Letby (pictured) told a doctor she had 'made a fool of herself' by fainting The doctor then offered to give Letby, who was late finishing her shift and had been on duty for more than 15 hours, a lift home. Their messages resumed after he dropped her off, just after 10pm, and continued into the early hours of the morning, when Letby told him she 'wanted to cry' and 'kept thinking' about the deceased babies 'in their cot together.' Around midnight the doctor messaged Letby to ask her what she was doing, adding: 'I can't concentrate on anything.' Letby replied: 'Wanting to (cry emoji).' He said: 'Did in car, must have looked a right mess when I got in.' Letby: 'I keep thinking of them both in the cot together, so peaceful yet beyond words how awful it is.' Doctor: 'I know, dad was pushing them back to you he stopped to thank me and I gave him a hug, it seemed the only thing to do (sad emoji). Letby said: 'So sad. Family all thanked me when I took Baby P in dressed. I know age doesn't make it any easier/hard but it is such a lot to go through at a young age.' Doctor: 'I don't know how it would be possible to get over losing a child, let alone two.' Letby sent a crying emoji back and added: 'Think may head may explode.' The doctor later told jurors there was no 'clear cause' for what happened to Baby P. Asked by prosecutor Simon Driver if he understood the 'course his life took,' the medic replied: 'No.' In other messages, Letby also said she had received a 'huge' lecture off her mother, Susan, 63, when she told her what had happened with the needle. Letby said her parents worried 'massively' about her because she was an only child and could be 'a little suffocating' at times. Letby, of Hereford, denies the murder of seven children and attempted murder of ten others between June 2015 and June 2016. The case continues. Trump insiders on Monday said they believed the former president had a strong defense to beat out any charges coming a New York grand jury, saying it would be very hard to prove that he paid an adult movie star to keep quiet about an affair in order to improve his chances of being elected president. After all, said one Trump world figure, Trump's busy sex life was no secret and had been the stuff of frontpage headlines in New York for decades. While Trump has huddled with advisers working out the best way to deal with impending charges, insiders offered an optimistic outlook. They said they believed the legal action would only strengthen his position with the party base, particularly after his likely 2024 Republican rival Ron DeSantis had bungled his response. As if to prove the point, DailyMail.com has heard from multiple Republican supporters who said that having distanced themselves from Trump after the Jan 6. attack they were now ready to march in his defense. Trump insiders shrugged off the threat of indictment on Monday, saying the legal case was weak and that it had made the former president stronger, particularly as they said Ron DeSantis had missed the mood of Republican primary voters A grand jury in New York was hearing from witnesses on Monday in the investigation into 2016 hush money payments to adult movie star Stormy Daniels, 44 'It is very obvious that this is helpful,' said one former adviser. A grand jury in New York was hearing from witnesses on Monday in the investigation into 2016 hush money payments to adult movie star Stormy Daniels, 44. Trump himself at the weekend offered the clearest indication yet that it would hand down charges, when he claimed he was preparing to be arrested on Saturday. Since then supporters have rallied to his defense, accusing the Manhattan district attorney's office of pursuing a purely political case. The grand jury has reportedly heard evidence that the Trump Organization misstated the $130,000 payment to Daniels as a legal expense, which is normally considered to be a misdemeanor under New York law. That could rise to the more serious category of a felony if it can be proved to have hidden a more serious crime, such as wire fraud or a campaign finance offense. Trump's lawyers believe there is little chance of that. 'Of course no one wants to be indicted, but it is helpful politically and legally it's not even that much of a threat because the case is so weak and looks nakedly political,' said a member of Trump's inner circle. 'To get their business wire fraud charge, which they are elevating to a felony, they first have to prove that it was a campaign finance violation, because the purpose of concealing was to help his campaign. 'The reality is, what the f- are you guys talking about? 'Does anyone really think Trump concealed this for the campaign when for 20 years his affairs have been the front page of the New York Post?' Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has been accused of a liberal witch hunt Trump used a social media post on Saturday to call on his supporters to protest as he claimed he expects to be arrested as early as Tuesday. Aides say they do not know the timing Trump's allies also criticized DeSantis for taking two days to respond to the legal twist, and then playing down the impending indictments. 'I don't know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair,' the Florida governor told reporters. He went on to criticize Alvin Bragg the Manhattan district attorney, but then said he had more important things to worry about. 'I've got real issues I got to deal with here in the state of Florida,' he said. 'We've got so many things pending in front of the legislature. I've got to spend my time on issues that actually matter to people. 'I can't spend my time worrying about things of that nature.' New York Police Department staff install barricades around the Lower Manhattan court complex ahead of former President Donald Trump's anticipated indictment The New York Young Republicans Club is holding a protest on Monday evening. 'Join us in peaceful protest of Alvin Bragg's heinous attack on President Donald J. Trump ... ' it says He said it was a 'manufactured circus.' Trump supporters blasted his stance publicly and privately, saying he had misread the mood. The former president's eldest son expressed his amazement on Twitter. 'So DeSantis thinks that Dems weaponizing the law to indict President Trump is a "manufactured circus" & isn't a "real issue,' he wrote on Twitter. 'Pure weakness. 'Now we know why he was silent all weekend. He's totally owned by Karl Rove, Paul Ryan and his billionaire donors. 100 percent Controlled Opposition.' A former adviser familiar with thinking inside Trump's circle said DeSantis had badly miscalculated. 'We have seen Republican after Republican even those who had fallen out of love with Trump saying they are ready to get out in the streets to defend him,' he said. 'DeSantis could have nailed his colors to the mast on Saturday. 'It took him two days to work out his line, and then he completely blew it.' Another source said: 'Talk about a gigantic misread of Republican primary voters who pretty much all think this is the most important issue.' ABC presenter Sarah Ferguson has ripped into Russia's ambassador to Australia in a tense TV interview. Ferguson grilled ambassador Alexey Pavolovsky over his country's war with Ukraine and questioned how he could support its leader Vladimir Putin. Dr Pavlovsky was immediately taken aback and appeared uncomfortable as he copped the difficult questions on ABC's 7.30 program on Monday. 'Ambassador, you're here in Australia enjoying the benefits of a free and open society,' Ferguson said. 'How do you live with yourself representing the repressive, dictatorial Putin regime?' ABC presenter Sarah Ferguson has ripped into Russia's ambassador to Australia in a tense TV interview Ferguson grilled ambassador Alexey Pavolovsky over his country's invasion in the Ukraine and questioned how he could support its leader Vladimir Putin Dr Pavlovsky broke out in an awkward smile prompting Ferguson to fire back. 'You find that funny?' she said. 'What I find funny is your way to start an interview,' Dr Pavlovsky responded. 'It was a pretty straight question,' Ferguson said. 'Yes, too straight,' he said. 'First, let me tell you that I never had problems living in my country. I lived there for 13 years after my previous appointment before I came to Australia. 'I never had the impression that I lived in an authoritarian - how did you put it?' 'Repressive and dictatorial,' Ferguson said. 'This is a regime that invaded its neighbour. It's a regime where protests are suppressed, where your free media is muzzled, where dissenters are murdered or imprisoned, where the extent of your war casualties are hidden from the public. 'How would you describe this form of government, if not as a dictatorship?' Moving on, she brought up Dr Pavlovsky's previous claim that Australians had been 'brainwashed' into supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russia's invasion. 'The Russian invasion of Ukraine was a criminal action, and the Russian military has terrorised the people of Ukraine. Do you understand that you don't need to be 'brainwashed' to understand that?' Ferguson asked. The Russian ambassador responded by bringing up Australia's military and political support of the US invasion of Iraq 20 years ago, which he labelled 'immoral aggression'. Moving on, she brought up Dr Pavlovsky's previous claim that Australians had been 'brainwashed' into supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russia's invasion 'When we are talking about the public being brainwashed, it involves not being able to see events in a context, and especially the context of national history,' Dr Pavlovsky said. Ferguson pointed to a just-released United Nations report detailing various war crimes allegedly committed by the Russian army in Ukraine, including 'torture, rape, execution', the 'indiscriminate' shelling of civilian infrastructure, and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. 'How can you claim that this is a war to 'liberate' Ukraine?' she asked. Dr Pavlovsky suggested the assessments of both the United Nations and the International Criminal Court were slanted against Russia because they did not mention 'war crimes by the Ukrainian side'. 'I would like to see these reports. From what I have seen so far, I have gathered that the bodies you are referring to are more than biased. They have tunnel vision. They choose not to notice the ample evidence of war crimes committed by the Ukrainians,' he insisted. Dr Pavlovsky repeatedly refused to agree that Russia was engaged with war with Ukraine, instead repeating the Kremlin's favoured euphemism, 'special military operation'. 'The host then asked about how it can be regarded as anything but a war when there were 'more than 8000 Ukrainian civilians' killed in the conflict. 'In his speech to the Russian Federation last month, President Putin said, 'We are not at war with the people of Ukraine'. My question was, why are you killing them?' 'How do you live with yourself representing the repressive, dictatorial Putin regime?' Ferguson asked Dr Pavlovksy Dr Pavlovsky then tried to put the conflict into the context of a sequence of events that began long before Russian tanks rolled over the eastern Ukraine border last year, tracing it back to the US-backed coup in 2014 against the pro-Russian Ukraine government. 'I would say that this tragedy of Ukraine started when the West sponsored a coup in Kyiv and brought to power an ultranationalistic, xenophobic government. That was the government that, in fact, burnt alive 50-plus people in Odessa,' Dr Pavlovsky argued. Ferguson interjected to say: 'If you're just going to repeat Russian propaganda tropes from the past, I'll ask you to move on'. He countered to accuse the ABC of 'repeating the western propaganda, and it's OK?'. Dr Pavlovsky also argued Australia's provision of 90 Bushmasters vehicles to the Ukraine war effort, and other western military support, was only serving to prolong the war and prop up the Kyiv government that would otherwise come to the negotiating table. 'The Australian government knows our position. The position is that it is very straightforward, the more you give weapons to Ukraine, the longer this war is protracted, the more are the casualties and destructions of Ukraine,' he said. In a statement to 7.30, the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, said his nation was grateful for Australians' support. 'The war would end tomorrow if Russia simply withdrew to the borders it has illegally crossed to invade a peaceful and smaller neighbour, and practice ethnocide against its people,' he said. 'If it does not do so, the fastest way to end the war, achieve peace and return stability to the world and Australia, is to help Ukraine be victorious in the coming months.' House GOP Conference chair Elise Stefanik is pressing full steam ahead with her support of former President Trump ahead of his potential indictment on Tuesday. 'We need Trump more than ever before,' the New York Republican told DailyMail.com in a sit-down interview at the House GOP retreat in Orlando, Florida. 'I actually think Trump is going to be in a stronger position than ever before,' Stefanik said, assuring that she would support the former president even if he were convicted of a crime. House GOP Conference chair Elise Stefanik is pressing full steam ahead with her support of former President Trump ahead of his potential indictment on Tuesday The GOP conference chair said she had spoken to Trump since he broke the news of a potential indictment by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office but would 'not get into specifics' of what they discussed. 'We communicate on a regular basis.' 'I'm focused on the work of the weaponization select subcommittee,' she said. 'I believe Alvin Bragg should be hauled in front of Congress to testify under oath.' This morning three Republican leaders of the Judiciary, Oversight and Administration committees demanded Bragg testify before them and provide any communications between the New York district attorney's office and the Department of Justice. Stefanik stood by Trump's call for protests if he is indicted, even as Speaker Kevin McCarthy urged 'calmness.' 'When President Trump put that out, he said peacefully protest,' Stefanik said. 'It's up to the American people to make sure that we're communicating that that's fundamentally unAmerican, and an overreach by a radical DA.' The GOP conference chair also signaled that she would accept if Trump asked her to run as his vice president. 'I would be honored to serve in a Trump administration,' the chairwoman said. 'I'm focused on doing my job as House Republican conference chair. I'll tell you that's a long time in politics. That's like a lifetime in politics between now and then.' Trump said he expects to be arrested this week on New York state charges related to his payment before the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors argue that he violated a New York law prohibiting falsifying business records when he marked a $130,000 payment to Daniels as 'legal expenses.' Trump could be charged with falsifying business records in relation to payments to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who served jail time after pleading guilty to using campaign finances about Daniels. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY (left) and former President Donald Trump (right) Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that his arrest is imminent and issued an extraordinary call for his supporters to protest as a New York grand jury investigates hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, who alleged sexual encounters with the former president. 'It is a non-case. It's what's considered a zombie case because there is no case there,' said Stefanik. While House Republicans were in Florida to discuss their agenda, Trump once again dominated the news cycle and coverage of his potential indictment has overshadowed any new policy plays. More moderate Republicans are more hesitant to comment on a potential indictment that has not yet been released. 'I'd withhold any judgment on the indictment until I see it,' Rep. Dusty Johnson, chair of the centrist GOP Main Street Caucus, told DailyMail.com. 'I don't even know what's been confirmed that it's really coming. It sort of seems like we've got more whispers that anything at this point.' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and potential rival to Trump in the 2024 bid for the White House, counted himself among those reticent to defend the former president, drawing ire from Trump world. 'So, I've seen rumors swirl; I have not seen any facts yet,' DeSantis finally said Monday morning. 'The Manhattan district attorney is a Soros-funded prosecutor.' DeSantis added that he does not know 'what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair.' Asked about the Florida governor's lukewarm remarks, Stefanik said: 'Well, people are going to have to stand behind their own statements. I've been very clear - I think it's important for people to stand up for equal justice under the law.' Later in the day, she gave a more forceful rebuke of DeSantis and his remarks to reporters. 'I think he's going to start slipping in the polls. He's already seen slippage in the past couple weeks.' Whoopi Goldberg slammed 'all the snowflakes in the world' on Monday during a conversation on 'The View' about Stanford law students who shouted down a conservative judge. Goldberg referred to Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan, who was invited to speak at the California college on March 9 about 'COVID, Guns and Twitter' at the Federalist Society. Duncan, 51, was heckled by liberal students that shouted obscenities at him, including, 'We hope your daughters get raped.' The television host slammed the hostility Duncan received as a 'disagreement' of viewpoints that people need to learn to live with. 'I think back to the State of the Union and this is what were teaching people to do, were teaching people how to be inappropriate. Yelling at the president of the United States. Calling him a liar, 'Goldberg said. 'Doing all these things that now our students are saying, well, if its OK for you to do it, and youre supposed to be a lawmaker, I feel the same way because this is my right. So maybe all the snowflakes in the world need to get over the fact that people are going to disagree with them, you see?' Whoopi Goldberg called out 'all the snowflakes in the world' in a discussion about the Stanford law students who heckled a conservative judge Goldberg referred to Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan, who was invited to speak at the California college on March 9 about 'COVID, Guns and Twitter ' at the Federalist Society Goldberg continued: 'Its not just one side or the other. Everybody has to understand this is how we live. We dont all agree. 'We do disagree, and its your right to stand up and say, "Hey, I dont agree" and either leave or let somebody else tell you what the issue is, but we dont show our kids that. We show them the nasty part now.' The view co-host Sunny Hostin chimed in and added Stanford was the perfect place for a debate. 'College and law school is a wonderful place to have this exchange of ideas. It gets heated sometimes,' Hostin said. 'Thats the part that I like. I like the Q&A. I mean, come at me. Lets have those discussions because that is what the free exchange of ideas is about.' Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin added 'free speech is a two-way street' and acknowledged students' right to gather and protest. 'Its the free exchange of ideas, everyone learns from it. Academia is the place to be challenged by ideas and not to be shut down,' Griffin said. Duncan, 51, was heckled by liberal students as he arrived on campus that shouted obscenities at him, including, 'We hope your daughters get raped' During his seminar, the judge was rudely interrupted by a mob of students and Tirien Steinbach, the Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Before Duncan's March 9 arrival to the campus, he was warned prior to his arrival that there may be protesters and the school had to allow it, but reassured him they were 'on top of it.' If there was any disruption, the school would handle it, he was told, but Duncan said that didn't happen. Students stormed into the classroom with signs reading 'FED SUCK' and 'Trans Lives Matter' to heckle him about his judicial decision in the case US vs Varner, where a 'federal prisoner serving a term for attempted receipt of child pornography...petitioned our court to order that he be called by feminine pronouns.' 'As my opinion explained, federal courts cant control what pronouns people use. The Stanford protesters saw it differently: My opinion had "denied a transwomans existence."' Despite the abuse, the Federalist Society president still tried to introduce Duncan so he could give his speech, but the students interrupted 'every third word.' '"The Federalist Society (You suck!) is pleased to welcome Judge Kyle Duncan (Youre not welcome here, we hate you!). He was appointed by President Trump to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (Embarrassing!)" And so on,' he wrote about the introduction. He tried to persevere but eventually stopped to asked the students to cut out the insults. But they kept going so eventually he asked for an administrator to step in. He eventually asked for an administrator when the heckling wouldn't stop and in stepped the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Tirien Steinbach. She asked to speak before the group, which confused Duncan, who said 'something felt off' The Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Tirien Steinbach, stepped in but instead of calming the students down, she 'insisted she wanted to talk to all of us,' Duncan said. 'Something felt off,' he wrote. 'Students began screaming, and I reluctantly gave way. Whereupon Ms. Steinbach opened a folio, took out a printed sheaf of papers, and delivered a six-minute speech addressing the question: "Is the juice worth the squeeze?"' Video footage of the event shows the altercation between the associate dean and the judge. Stanford apologized to the judge on the Steinbach's behalf but she remains in her position 'Can I say something to him, is that okay?' Steinbach asked the students before turning to Duncan. 'Is that okay?' Duncan reiterated that they were 'heckling' him and asked for an administrator, which caused to students yell that she was. Steinbach's head can be seen aggressively nodding yes, but the students yelling made it unable to hear what she was telling him. 'I would like to help,' she told Duncan. 'In what way?' he replied. As students screamed that his 'racism was showing' and to 'respect black women,' the judge eventually conceded, saying: 'I guess I have to let her.' She then took the lectern and said: 'I had to write something down because I'm so uncomfortable up here,' before launching into her six-minute speech. In her address, Duncan claimed she called his work 'abhorrent' and said it had 'caused harm' because it 'literally denies the humanity of people.' She also claimed that his presence on campus put her in a tough spot because it was her job to 'create a space of belonging for all people.' 'She assured me I was "absolutely welcome in this space" because "me and many people in this administration do absolutely believe in free speech,"' he claimed she told him. 'I didnt feel welcome - who would?' After opening the floor back up to him, a student asked the others to tone it down so they could ask questions. Duncan resumed with his prepared material, but students began to 'hurl abuse, including vile sexual innuendo.' Two US Marshal then escorted Duncan off campus. The students demanded an apology from the Dean Jenny Martinez after she apologized to Duncan for the students' behavior In a Facebook post, the group labeled the students 'fascists' who 'dressed in black and formed a mob to ambush Dean Martinez to heckle and shame her' Law School Dean, Jenny Martinez, and Stanford President, Marc Tessier-Lavinge, have since 'formally apologized, confirming that protesters and administrators had violated Stanford policy' days later. Jenny Martinez, the dean of Stanford Law School, found her classroom had been vandalized on Monday 'Im grateful and I accepted. The matter hasnt dropped, though,' he wrote. Duncan was slammed in the media for calling the protestors 'appalling idiots' and 'bullies,' but he claims in his op-ed that 'sometimes anger is the proper response to vicious behavior.' He also slammed the elite law school for failing to teach future lawyers the 'basic concepts of legal discourse: That one must meet reason with reason, not power. That the law protects the speaker from the mob, not the mob from the speaker.' 'Worst of all, Ms. Steinbachs remarks made clear she is proud that Stanford students are being taught this is the way law should be.' Martinez and Tessier-Lavinge admitted that staff 'should have enforced university policies' and had 'failed' to do so. They said Steinbach 'intervened in inappropriate ways that are not aligned with the universitys commitment to free speech.' Paul Grant revealed just weeks before he died that he had been 'drinking too much' and admitted to 'blowing' his Star Wars fortune. The actor, in an interview conducted at London's King's Cross station last month, explained how he had spent his money on sex workers and drugs. Grant declared in the interview that it was 'my last day of drinking', adding: 'I need to stop doing this.' The father of three was found collapsed outside that same station on Thursday afternoon. He was rushed to hospital where he was declared brain dead, and his life support machine was eventually switched off on Sunday, his family said. His cause of death has not yet been announced. Paul Grant, left, in an interview conducted at London's King's Cross station last month, revealed that he had been 'drinking too much' and admitted to 'blowing' his Star Wars fortune Grant, who famously played an Ewok in Return of the Jedi, said three weeks ago: 'I've been thinking about this, it's my last day of drinking. I've been drinking too much' The father of three collapsed outside that same station on Thursday afternoon. He was rushed to hospital where he was declared brain dead. Pictured: Grant in Labyrinth where he appeared as part of the goblin corps Grant, who famously played an Ewok in Return of the Jedi alongside Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill, suggested three weeks before his death that it was time to quit drinking. 'I've been thinking about this, it's my last day of drinking,' the Harry Potter actor told the YouTube channel Revelation 22:13. 'I've been drinking too much.' Grant admitted that he 'had money' from his work in the industry, but had spent all his funds. He said that he 'enjoyed my life' and joked: 'You only live once, don't ya?' When asked if he was battling alcohol or drug addiction, he reiterated that he was 'not addicted to anything' and was 'only enjoying myself'. The actor said: 'I can drink a whole f***ing day or a month, but I'm not addicted to it.' Paul Grant's family confirmed that he died aged 56 after collapsed at King's Cross station The British actor also played a stunt double for Hoggle in Labyrinth (pictured) Star Wars actor turned to drink, drugs and sex workers after splitting from his wife Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Paul Grant has tragically died at the age of 56 after a long battle with drugs and alcohol. His family confirmed that the father of three collapsed outside King's Cross station by police on Thursday afternoon. He was rushed to hospital where he was declared brain dead. It has not yet been established what caused Grant's death, but the 4ft 4in dwarf had previously opened up about how he turned to drink, drugs and sex workers after splitting from his wife. The actor spoke about his troubles almost a decade a go when photos of him snorting cocaine surfaced online. Aged 47 at the time, the dwarf who played a goblin in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, said his life spiraled out of control after splitting up with his wife Janet Crowson. At the time, Paul told The Sunday Mirror that he had cheated on her several times and went 'AWOL' as he blamed himself for the collapse of their marriage. He admitted: 'I need help. I've been on cocaine and it has just got worse. I'm drinking and smoking what I can get.' Advertisement Grant, from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, previously spoke out in 2014 about how he blew all his cash on drink, drugs and sex workers as his life spiraled out of control after breaking up with his wife. He told The Sunday Mirror he cheated on her a number of times, went 'AWOL' and blamed himself for the collapse of their marriage. Speaking at the time, he admitted: 'I need help. I've been on cocaine and it has just got worse. I'm drinking and smoking what I can get.' 'I had a family, I was married, now I'm divorced. I've lost everything. I've not got anything, my things, pictures, clothes are all over the place,' he added. 'I don't know what I want at the moment. I had money, I blew it all, I spent it on drugs and prostitutes.' Grant is survived by his girlfriend Maria, his two daughters and one son, as well as his stepchildren and grandchildren. His daughter, Sophie Jayne Grant, 28, spoke out after his passing. She said was 'devastated' and described the actor as a 'legend in so many ways'. Speaking to The Sun, she said: 'He always brought a smile and laughter to everyone's face.' She added: 'My dad I love you so much sleep tight.' Grant was a father, grandfather and actor who would do anything for anyone, his devastated daughter said. She spoke of how much he loved his daughters, son and girlfriend Maria Dwyer, 64. Ms Dwyer described Grant as the love of her life who made her life complete in a heartbreaking tribute. A family friend also told the newspaper: 'He was a lovely bloke. He's always battled with drugs and alcohol addiction but he was a talented actor. A family friend said of Grant: 'He was a lovely bloke. He's always battled with drugs and alcohol addiction but he was a talented actor.' The Star Wars and Harry Potter actor with his partner Maria Dwyer Grant appeared in the 1986 film Labyrinth as part of the goblin corps 'He called himself the 'King of the Dwarfs'. It's so sad.' The 4ft 4in dwarf appeared as an Ewok in Return of the Jedi and previously told the Mirror he stood in for actor Kenny Baker as R2D2 in the final scenes. He played a goblin in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Mr Grant also appeared in the 1986 film Labyrinth as part of the goblin corps, as well as Hoggle's stunt double. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details. Those struggling with alcohol addiction can also find support at www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk. Vaping has become one of Australia's biggest public health issues, with children as young as 14 taking up e-cigarettes. New research by the Australian National University is being used to back a call for a government crackdown on access to e-cigarettes. Vaping is often framed as a 'better' alternative to smoking cigarettes but the report identified a multitude of risks, including unintentional poisoning. Vaping has become one of Australia's biggest public health issues, with children as young as 14 taking up e-cigarettes 'Our lungs are designed to breathe fresh air,' lead research Professor Emily Banks said. 'People using vapes are inhaling a complex cocktail of chemicals.' More than 240 chemicals were found in toxicological analyses of non-nicotine e-cigarettes. That compares to around 7,000 chemicals in traditional cigarettes. At least 38 of those chemicals were listed poisons and another 27 were associated with adverse health outcomes. Users of nicotine e-cigarettes could also be poisoned by the nicotine itself, the report said. Nicotine poisoning can cause seizures and respiratory depression, which can result in death, according to Cancer Council Victoria. Australians can only legally access nicotine vapes if they have a prescription to use the products for the purpose of quitting smoking. But the lack of strong law enforcement against the illegal sale of e-cigarettes is threatening Australia's hard-fought tobacco control successes, a Cancer Council spokesperson said. 'Every state and territory government must crack down on the hundreds of retailers illegally selling e-cigarette products outside of pharmacies, under the noses of authorities,' council chair Anita Dessaix said. The report also found that most use of e-cigarettes is not for smoking cessation, since most smokers who vape continue to smoke, and most use in young people isn't about quitting smoking. Vaping is often framed as a 'better' alternative to smoking cigarettes but the report identified a multitude of risks, including unintentional poisoning. More than one-third of e-cigarette users in Australia are under 25, with 11 per cent of the population aged 14 and over reporting e-cigarette use in 2019. The Australian Medical Association is urging the government to clamp down, given the increasing use of vapes by children. 'Australian governments need to act now,' AMA president Professor Steve Robson said. 'This will help us to start to tackle the issue of vapes being marketed and sold to children.' At least 32 countries ban the sale of nicotine e-cigarettes, 79 countries allow them to be sold while fully or partially regulating them and the remaining 84 countries do not regulate them at all. The study is published in the Medical Journal of Australia. The Ambassador of the United in Mauritius, Henry V. Jardine, made his closing remarks after the Cutlass Express Exercise 2023 in the Le Chaland Coast Guard Base. It is with great pride that I address you here today, for the closing ceremony for Cutlass Express 2023. For the last 10 days over 18 total countries have participated in over 20 at sea exercises, not including a week of academic requirements prior to the at sea portion of the Cutlass Express 23. This training has enabled our services to come together from across the globe, take part in training exercises and to build strong relationships and expertise. As we all know our security and prosperity in this region are inextricably linked, and an exercise like Cutlass Express helps us demonstrate our ability to work together across oceans. I was very glad when Mauritius volunteered to host Cutlass Express this year. These exercises provide a unique opportunity for participating nations to improve interoperability and effectively execute missions together. From boarding operations, the law of the sea, and all other training that has taken place, you have met these objectives and requirements to prove yourselves as experts in working together to maintain the safety and security of the seas. This expertise is critical for the Indian Ocean countries and for the partner countries to combat the shared threats we face in the high seas: drug and human trafficking, illegal fishing, and piracy. You ALL should be extraordinarily proud of this achievement. I want to sincerely thank our hosts, the Government of Mauritius, the Mauritius National Coast Guard, and the Mauritius Police Force. The United States values the strong relationships that have been forged during Cutlass Express 2023, and I know that the U.S. is committed to building and sustaining enduring relationships with all participating nations. While Mauritius was host, I want to acknowledge the exercises themselves as an outstanding model of ongoing international cooperation. I want to give a special thanks to the U.S. military for demonstrating to our partners as well as our adversaries that we can collectively conduct critical security cooperation operations. These regional and interagency partnerships reflect our enduring promise to one another for a cooperative, prosperous, and secure hemisphere. Congratulations to Mauritius and all our partner nations on executing a highly successful Cutlass Express 2023!! Thank you. A small group of Donald Trump supporters today gathered outside his Manhattan tower vowing to continue backing the former president despite rumors he could be arrested on Tuesday. As the die-hard fans, mainly New Yorkers, stood in the sun waving flags and voicing support, small clashes erupted outside Trump Tower with other locals who want to see him indicted. Trump faces criminal charges for $130,000 in payments his former lawyer sent to porn star Stormy Daniels toward the end of his 2016 campaign. Prosecutors say the payment violated campaign finance laws, and was made to silence Daniels about an affair with the business titan. On Sunday, Trump claimed that he would be arrested on the 21st and issued a rallying cry for his supporters to 'Protest, protest, protest!' A group of Trump loyalists gathered outside of Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan on Monday afternoon on the eve of the former president's rumored indictment Jeffrey Shinko (right), 64, and Tina Dudson (left), 62, clashed on the issue of whether Donald Trump should be arrested for alleged payments to porn star Stormy Daniels Dion Cini, 54, founder of TrumpSwag.com, stood outside Trump Tower on Monday afternoon. He is pictured here eating what he described as a 'Trump burger' Dion Cini, 54, is the founder of TrumpSwag.com, a company that manufactures MAGA political merchandise. Cini, a native of New York, said he thought the indictment of Trump was wrong but expected the move would only boost his ratings, referring to a 'Trump bump'. 'The good news is it's a win win, no matter what happens tomorrow,' said Dion. 'I call it the Trump bump. No matter what happens tomorrow, there's a 10-15 point bump in Trump's ratings. 'If they if they arrest him, he gets a Trump bump. If they don't arrest him, he gets a Trump bump' he said. Dion criticized the Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who is rumored to have orchestrated the indictment and who said on Saturday that his office would not be intimidated by Trump's rhetoric. 'The DA should be arresting criminals,' said Dion. 'Even subway, jumping the subway, that's where the law in New York should start, and they're trying to use Trump as a case for hush money. 'Hush money is legal. It's severance pay,' he said. 'They won't use the word bribery because they know hush money is legal,' he said. Cini also commented on the small turnout of protestors on the eve of the rumored indictment. 'The media scared the shit out of a lot of people that normally come here because they were told there's gonna be a riot,' he said. Stephanie Lu, a 59-year-old Chinese-American woman, said she thought Trump's arrest would either end in a landside victory for the former president in 2024, or civil war. 'If there's a civil war I am fighting. I will fight with my life,' she said Lu, who immigrated to New York from China more than 20 years ago, claimed Trump's attitude towards crime and immigration resonated with her There was a small police presence, and steel barriers had been laid out, but it was a largely peaceful scene on Fifth Avenue outside Trump Tower Also present was Stephanie Lu, a 59-year-old Chinese-American woman who moved to New York City more than 20 years ago. She said she was in front of Trump Tower because Trump's values align with Chinese Americans. She didn't vote for him in 2016 but once he became president she came to realize she likes what he stands for. 'We value hard work, law abiding, the conservative value is what Chinese Americans treasure, we have the same conservative values,' she said. She also spoke ill of the Manhattan DA, who she said wasn't doing a good job of fighting what she called real crime in the city. 'This district attorney didn't do nothing to those criminals. The real criminals,' Lu said. Her prediction was that if Trump is arrested it will result in either a landslide victory or a civil war. 'If there's a civil war I am fighting. I will fight with my life. And the Democrats, they should wake up. We are fighting for them too. They're the next generation. If they become communist serfs their children will suffer. We are fighting for them, especially white people,' said Lu. 'If Chinese CCP take over America, they're going to suffer. We came from there. We know how evil they are,' she added. Jeffrey Shinko, 64, says he grew up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. When challenged by a woman with a college degree who wanted to see Trump arrested, he told her: 'Street smart and common sense goes farther than book smart' A Trump supporter outside Trump Tower on March 20 waves a banner reading: 'Trump 24 or before' As the Trump loyalists stood outside the building a woman, Tina Dudson, 62, walked past them on Fifth Avenue and told them they had no place in New York City. 'I am woke!' she shouted at them. 'This is New York. This is not Trump town,' she told the Trump fans. Dudson said she thought Trump should be arrested and was looking forward to it. 'He deserves it. He's a crook,' she said. 'If he did something wrong, I think he should be arrested, but I'm on the fence about making a big deal about because this is what you get.' But 64-year-old Jeffrey Shinko, who grew up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, quipped back when she told him of her college education. 'This woman talking about four years of college, "I know it all". You know if you're a New Yorker, street smart and common sense goes further than book smart. Believe me. I'm in my 60s right now,' said Shinko. He later said whether or not Trump is arrested doesn't matter too much to him. 'I really don't want to see him arrested but I don't really care because I know it's not gonna hurt him at all,' he said. 'I'm 63-years-old now. I never voted at all in my life. This was the very first guy I ever voted for because when I was younger my father said politicians are nothing but liars and crooks,' he said. 'This guy wasn't a politician. He was the very first guy ever voted for, and I made the right decision.' Kalman Brudo, a 66-year-old from Brooklyn, said that if Trump is arrested it could work in his favor Kalman Brudo, a 66-year-old from Brooklyn, also said getting arrested could work in his favor. 'We're in New York City, New York City is the belly of the beast of the liberal, but I think it's going to help Trump tremendously because people are going to see its a scam,' Brudo said. 'I don't want to see him arrested but if he is arrested, I think it's gonna work for him. They just want to do a perp walk. They want him humiliated. They want to take that picture,' he said. 'I used to be a left. The leftists know to speak. We're with the program. We're smart. The right, except for exceptions are like idiots. They don't know how to respond.' Police in Houston have arrested two teenagers over a shocking 'jugging' robbery that left a women paralyzed. Joseph Harrell, 17, and Zy'Nika Ayesha Woods, 19, were charged after Nhung Truong, 44, was attacked after taking $4,300 from an ATM. Shocking video of the incident shows Truong violently grabbed and body slammed onto the ground by an attacker who followed her for more than 23 miles after she withdrew cash from an ATM on February 13. Houston police described the incident as a 'jugging' attack, where thieves target victims who've recently used an ATM. The police department said Truong had withdrawn money from the Bank of America on Blackhawk Boulevard in Houston and was followed by the suspects for nearly 24 miles to a shopping center on Bellaire around 11:30 a.m. Joseph Harrell, 17, and Zy'Nika Ayesha Woods, 19, were charged after Nhung Truong, 44, was attacked after taking $4,300 from an ATM The family said the robbers made off with about $4,300. They said Truong had been saving up the money to visit her family in Vietnam In the video, the thief could be seen snatching an envelope that police believe he thought was Truong's cash from her scattered belongings. He began to flee but then turns around and body slammed Truong to the ground and fled with the money. Announcing the arrests at a press conference on Friday, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said: 'This type of violence will not be tolerated in our city. It is just senseless. 'I just spoke to Ms. Truong... and assured her, and I want the city of Houston to stand behind us. These are very serious injuries. The recovery is very long. And I want her to know the love of our agency but also our great citizens in this city.' Woods was arrested for a traffic violation then confessed to detectives about the robbery. She also implicated Harrell, Detective Tyrus Fontenot said. Houston's Democrat mayor, Sylvester Turner, added: 'I just want people to know if you are foolish enough to commit these types of crimes, we will find you. 'It may take a few days. It may take a few weeks. But we will find you, and well get you off the streets. Then I will trust the other parts of our system, criminal justice system, to make sure that they remain off the streets, so it doesnt happen to somebody else.' Harrell was reportedly out on bond over a separate incident when the attack took place. He also allegedly attacked another woman 12 days after Truong was targeted. Truong's family said the cash she'd withdrawn was for a visit to relatives in her native Vietnam. The single mother of three children, who are 13, 15, and 20, who now relies on them for help, said: 'I'm feeling very horrible and sad at the same time' More than a month has passed since the attack and Truong is in rehab, holding onto hope that she'll be able to walk again. She said she just wants people to be aware of what can happen 'It's not a big loss of the money,' her daughter Linh Duong said. 'The big loss is her leg.' Now the single mother of three children, who are 13, 15, and 20, now relies on them for help. 'I'm feeling very horrible and sad at the same time,' Truong said. 'They don't know when my leg can walk again.' She has start rehabilitation to try and regain the use of her legs. 'I just need to practice, try to walk and stuff,' Truong said. 'I'm very sad that this happened to me and I just want to let people know to be careful.' Her children said they are worried about how their family will get by. 'I can still go to school, but my mind is just messed up thinking about her, worrying that nobody is going to watch out for her,' An Duong, Truong's son, said. Her other daughter Van Duong said they were told by the doctors that there's only a 50 percent chance Truong will fully recover. A GoFundMe page for Truong's medical bills have raised a $270,684 - after initially starting with a $120,000 target - by Monday afternoon. Buckingham Palace is 'monitoring' the volatile political situation in France, which has seen widespread strikes and disruption, ahead of the King's first state visit to the country later this week. French President Emmanuel Macron's government last night narrowly survived a no-confidence motion in parliament over an unpopular pension reform that has sparked violent protests. Oil refinery workers and bin collectors have gone on strike with another nationwide day of action called for Thursday. King Charles and the Queen Consort are expected to arrive in the French capital on Sunday for what is viewed by the UK Government as a hugely significant first state visit. There is no suggestion that the visit will be cancelled but sources told the Mail that the palace was keeping a 'close eye on the situation' which may affect their logistics. King Charles and the Queen Consort are expected to arrive in the French capital on Sunday Oil refinery workers and bin collectors have gone on strike and riots have broken out over the past few days in protest to the new legislation French President Emmanuel Macron's government last night narrowly survived a no-confidence motion A source said royal aides will take advice from the UK Foreign Office and French authorities. While nothing has changed yet programme wise, they added, it is possible that there may be an 'impact on logistics'. The royal visit is designed to celebrate the UK's relationship with France, and beleaguered President Macron is certainly rolling out the red carpet with a glittering state banquet at the Chateau de Versailles. Several engagements during their four-day visit, after which they will travel on to Germany, will be in highly public venues. These include a wreath laying with President Macron and his wife at the Arc de Triomphe in central Paris and a procession down the Champs-Elysees before a meeting between the King and the French leader at the Elysee Palace. This could be a high-risk magnet for protesters determined to publicly humiliate President Macron. Mr Macron's wife Brigitte and the Queen Consort will also officially open a new exhibition at the Musee d'Orsay, which will be seen as less problematic. READ MORE HERE: French politicians receive GUILLOTINE death threats as Macron faces vote of no confidence Advertisement The King will also become the first British monarch in history to address the French senate as part of a new post-Brexit charm offensive, while he and his wife will also visit Bordeaux before travelling onto Germany. There has been some surprise that the couple's first foreign tour since the accession is not to a Commonwealth partner or a realm, where the king is still head of state. But Whitehall sources last night made clear that the Government sees Europe as an immediate priority, particularly in light of the war in Ukraine. They are keen to use the King and Queen Consort's power of 'soft diplomacy' to build on the UK's strong historic ties with some of its closest neighbours. But it comes at a difficult time for President Macron who is facing a national revolt over his attempts to force pension legislation through the French parliament without a vote, which will see the national retirement age rise from 62 to 64 and extend the number of years people must pay into the system to receive a full pension. Last night in the National Assembly, 278 MPs voted in favour of a tripartisan, no-confidence motion tabled by a centrist party and others, just nine short of the 287 needed for it to succeed. The outcome will be a relief to Macron, because a successful no-confidence vote would have sunk the government and killed the legislation. This now means that the widely unpopular pension reform will pass straight to law. However, further opposition is inevitable and experts are predicting another bout of violent anti-government protests. Rioters have been on the streets since Mr Macron ignored the National Assembly last Thursday and attempted to bring the new legislation in by presidential decree. Groups of angry protesters burned effigies of the President and senior ministers before riot police fought back with tear gas and force. The capital has seen rubbish collectors striking for 15 days in a row in reaction to the bill, meaning that waste is piled high on the streets. The three main incinerators serving the French capital have been mostly blocked, as has a rubbish sorting centre northwest of Paris. Another consequence of the protests was that politicians were threatened with the guillotine if they supported Macron in the parliamentary no-confidence vote. Pedestrians walk past a fire made of household waste during demonstrations in Bordeaux, south west France on Saturday A protester holds a placard with the face of Macron reading 'they have to come for me' at a protest in Paris on Saturday Protesters carry a puppet figure of Emmanuel Macron at a demonstration in Nice, south France, on Suday Far-left lawmakers hold papers reading '64 years. It is no', 'appointment in the street' and 'we are continuing' at today's confidence vote Police said hundreds of macabre messages had been sent to MPs yesterday who were preparing for the crucial vote in the National Assembly in Paris. Agnes Evren MP and vice-president of the Republican party said she was 'receiving death threats' which alluded to the guillotining of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette during the 'Terror' which followed the French Revolution in 1789. She tweeted: 'These extremist refuse debate they have no respect for their political adversaries and are openly inspired by the Terror.' Unions are demanding that the government withdraw the retirement bill and have called for further nationwide protests on Thursday. Video footage has emerged of Dr. Anthony Fauci and Washington D.C. Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser making a series of house calls during the pandemic as they attempted to convince vaccine-hesitant residents to get the coronavirus injection. In a clip released from a new PBS documentary about Fauci, 82, who retired on Christmas Eve, the former Chief Medical Advisor to the President of United States can be seen going door to door, only to be rejected by one homeowner after another, who are not convinced of the benefits of the jab. The footage, shot in 2021, shows Fauci face questioning from a man in Anacostia, in southeast D.C., who flatly refuses to get the vaccine despite the nation's former top doctor attempting to offer several reasons as to why he should. Fauci and Bowser visited that part of the nation's capital because it was a historically African-American community with low vaccination rates. Dr. Anthony Fauci and Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser went door-to-door in 2021 to encourage hesitant people to get vaccinated against COVID Many residents remained unconvinced about the vaccine's benefits, questioning its development timeline and expressing concerns about the incentives offered 'I heard [the vaccine] doesn't cure it, and it doesn't stop you from getting it,' one woman says Fauci even described the area as 'disenfranchised' during his tenure as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' director. The man, who is not named in the footage, claims that Americans are not satisfied with the information they had received about the vaccine. He expresses his reluctance to get vaccinated due to the perceived lack of clarity around the vaccine. 'I'm not going to be lining up taking a shot on a vaccination for something that wasn't clear in the first place,' he states. He displays skepticism over the apparently short time it took for the vaccine to be developed. Fauci and Bowser visited a part of the nation's capital because it was a historically African-American community with low vaccination rates One man can be seen confronting the well-known doctor and the Democratic mayor, claiming that Americans were not satisfied with the information they had received about the vaccine 'Nine months is definitely not enough for nobody to be taking no vaccination that you all came up with,' he says. Bowser attempts to justify the vaccine by explaining that she could speak with the man close up because of the fact she had been vaccinated, emphasizing that if many people remained unvaccinated, the virus will continue to spread. 'The only reason I'm talking to you right now, as close as we are, is that I've been vaccinated. If thousands of people like you don't get vaccinated, you're going to let this virus continue to percolate in this country and in this world,' Bowser said. 'Something like the common flu then, right?' the man interrupts. The man remains unconvinced, questioning the official data and expressing further doubt about the various incentives being offered to people for getting vaccinated. 'When you start talking about paying people to get vaccinated, when you start talking about incentivizing things to get people vaccinated, it's something else going on with that,' he says as he holds firm on refusing to get the jab. 'Nine months is definitely not enough for nobody to be taking no vaccination that you all came up with,' he says Mayor Bowser attempts to justify the vaccine by explaining that she could speak with the man close up because of the fact she had been vaccinated Fauci tries to defended the vaccine explaining how the technology used to develop it had been worked upon for 20 years Fauci tries to defended the vaccine explaining how the technology used to develop it had been worked upon for 20 years. 'Your campaign is about fear. It's about inciting fear in people. You all attack people with fear. That's what this pandemic is. It's a fear, it's fear, this pandemic. That's all it is,' the skeptical resident rants. Fauci and Bowser also face skepticism from another woman who questions the vaccine's efficacy in preventing infection. 'I heard that [the vaccine] doesn't cure it, and it doesn't stop you from getting it,' she says. 'No,' Fauci replies. 'On the very, very, very rare chance that you do get it even if you're vaccinated, it's a very you don't even feel sick. It's like you don't even know you got infected. It's very, very good at protecting you,' he protests. Fauci attempts to reassure her that although the chances of infection after vaccination were minimal, the vaccine provides excellent protection. At the time, vaccination data on Bowser's website revealed at least 60,000 breakthrough COVID cases in the city. During their conversation, Bowser asks Fauci about states that had not mandated the vaccine, to which he responded that such states would simply allow the outbreak to persist. At another point, Bowser asked Fauci, 'What are we going to do about those other states?' referring to states that refused to mandate the vaccine. 'Oh my God, they're going to keep the outbreak smoldering in the country,' Fauci replied. 'It's so crazy. I mean, they're not doing it because they say they don't want to do it. They're Republicans. They don't like to be told what to do. And we got to break that, unpack that,' he said. Joe Biden signed on Monday a new law that could shed light on the links between the coronavirus pandemic and a Wuhan lab in China from which it stemmed. The move requires all U.S. intelligence related to that link and the origins of COVID-19 to be declassified within 90 days of the law's enactment. 'We need to get to the bottom of Covid-19's origins,' Biden wrote in a statement. He noted any released material should also 'include potential links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.' 'In implementing this legislation, my administration will declassify and share as much of that information as possible,' he added. President Joe Biden signed into law on Monday a bill that requires U.S. intelligence to release all materials related to the origins of COVID-19 This specifically would include declassifying intelligence related to links between the COVID-19 leak and the infamous lab from which it allegedly came in Wuhan, China The bill passed unanimously in the House and the Senate before being passed along to the White House. Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley originally sponsored the bill. Biden's signature now instructs Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to declassify any information the U.S. intelligence community has collected related to the origins of the COVID-19 virus in the next three months. The debate in Washington, D.C. over China intentionally leaking the virus from a lab in Wuhan was recently refueled. The Wall Street Journal reported last month the Energy Department assessed albeit with low confidence that the pandemic likely arose from the alleged Chinese laboratory leak. Beijing denies this assessment. The president claims that he believes in Congress' goal of making available as much information as possible about where and how the coronavirus pandemic originated. But he claimed that national security risks would still need to be assessed when it came to what his administration decides to release to the public. 'In implementing this legislation, my administration will declassify and share as much of that information as possible, consistent with my constitutional authority to protect against the disclosure of information that would harm national security,' Biden said in a statement on the declassification. Lawmakers are engaged in a highly politicized debate over the origins of coronavirus, which plunged the world into a three-year pandemic since the first cases were reported in Wuhan in late 2019. It comes as Republicans and even some Democrats have pushed Biden to be tougher on rising threats from China. DNI Haines must create a report from the declassified information and submit it to Congress. Stand on the edge of this bleak runway, with the light fading and the wind spiteful enough to cut through the thickest of coats, and I swear you can hear the thunderous ghosts of the Lancasters that once took off from here. For it is from this very spot on a plateau north of Lincoln that, 80 years ago, a squadron of the mighty RAF bombers took off on one of the most daring missions of World War II the celebrated Dambusters Raid. Few need reminding what happened that night in May 1943. Nineteen Lancasters left their base at RAF Scampton with a mission to cripple the Nazi war effort by destroying three dams in the Ruhr valley. Each plane was equipped with that most Heath Robinson of weapons the bouncing bomb which would be delivered under a hail of anti-aircraft fire to skip across the water and explode against the side of the dams. The raid was deemed a success. Two of the targets were breached, the third was damaged. The Nazis had to use vast amounts of money and manpower to restore the dams, which supplied vital hydroelectric power and water for the factories on the Ruhr. 80 years ago, a squadron of the mighty RAF bombers took off on one of the most daring missions of World War II the celebrated Dambusters Raid. Pictured: Bomber crews at RAF Scampton in 1940 a But, of course, for the men of the newly formed 617 Squadron, the raid came at a terrible cost. Out of the 19 Lancasters and 133 airmen who left Scampton that night, eight aircraft were never to return. Fifty-three men were killed. The decorations were plentiful, not least for the leader of the mission, Guy Gibson, who was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was only 24, and died 16 months later when his de Havilland Mosquito crashed while returning from a mission. This link with the Dambusters would surely be enough to ensure that Scampton officially closed by the RAF last September will always have a special place in British history. But this spot is significant for other historical reasons, too: it has been the home of not only the Red Arrows, but also the Vulcan bombers that for many years stood ready to carry Britains nuclear deterrent. It is hard to think of somewhere more worthy of being preserved for future generations to perhaps visit the officers mess where Gibson and his colleagues spent their days and nights or see the grave of Gibsons beloved Labrador which was run over and killed on the morning of the raid. Until last week, it looked like Scampton would indeed be saved. Thanks to the far-sighted efforts of the local Conservative-led council, some 300 million of private finance had been secured to turn the site into a hub for business, innovation, hospitality and heritage. Scampton was to become a showcase for the Governments much-vaunted levelling-up agenda in a relatively deprived part of the country, and a model for the preservation of our recent past. But now, all this is at risk. For the Home Office is considering turning RAF Scampton into an immigrant detention centre housing an estimated 1,500 asylum seekers. If the decision goes ahead, it will be a historical tragedy, as well as an economic one the revamp of the site would have provided thousands of jobs. Opposition to the Home Offices plan here has nothing to do with Nimbyism or any resistance to asylum seekers. When I visited last week I found nobody, from either side of the political divide, who supported the plan. And so opposed are some Conservative councillors to it that they are now questioning their loyalty to the Tory Party. The leader of the mission, Guy Gibson (pictured centre), was awarded the Victoria Cross The fact is that the Dambusters is Scampton. The local pub is the Dambusters Inn, and its interior is festooned with curios celebrating the raid and 617 Squadron. Visit the gents the door is marked Pilots, while the ladies is WAAF (a nod to the Womens Auxiliary Air Force) and you come face to face with a mural of Barnes Wallis, inventor of the bouncing bomb. Owner Greg Algar who has a Labrador called Bomber has, over the past 14 years, stuffed the hostelry with 600 or so pieces of wartime memorabilia, some of which are associated with his grandfather and father, who served in Bomber Command during the war and between them undertook 111 operations into Nazi-held Europe. Scampton is the most important wartime airbase in the country, Greg tells me over a pint in a section of the pub called the Officers Mess. I see it as my job for the heritage to be returned. But I dont see how that can happen if the place is turned into an asylum centre. Darrell Harding, a history teacher at a secondary school in Lincoln who was in a past life an RAF crewman on a Chinook helicopter and served in Northern Ireland and Afghanistan, agrees. Whenever we used to fly into Scampton, you would get a chill down your spine, Darrell says. We all knew just how historically important a place it is, and you felt proud to be there. Behind him on the wall is a map marked Lincolnshire Airfields 1939-1945, which features 42 airfields. So why, out of all of them, choose Scampton? Hamish Falconer, a former member of the Foreign Office, who has been selected by the Labour Party to fight the Conservative-held seat of Lincoln at the next General Election, is baffled: It flies in the face of the Governments own levelling-up policy. The Home Office is considering turning RAF Scampton into an immigrant detention centre housing an estimated 1,500 asylum seekers. Pictured: The ATC tower at the first airshow held on September at RAF Scampton in 2017 Showing me round the airbase is Sarah Carter, a professional cake decorator who has lived in a house at the bottom of the airfields taxiway for eight years, and whose husband served in the RAF for more than two decades. we are treated, by chance, to our own private display by the Red Arrows. Though no longer based at Scampton, they regularly use the air space above to practise. Sometimes I have to bring my washing in because the coloured smoke from their trails ends up on my clothes, Sarah laughs. She takes me to the real officers mess where Gibson and his fellow pilots ate their last meal before the raid. It stands forlorn and boarded up. In his book, Dam Busters, historian James Holland recounts a conversation that took place in the building between Gibson and one of his flight commanders, Melvin Dinghy Young. Can I have your egg if you dont come back? Young asked Gibson, referring to the breakfast that would await them on their return. Gibsons reply is unprintable. Holland chair of the Chalke Valley History Festival, which is sponsored by the Mail is another who is appalled by the Home Office plan. Scampton has an extraordinarily rich heritage, he tells me, and while its best known for the dams raid, its history goes back to World War I, right through into the Cold War and beyond. It is, in many ways, the embodiment of Britains aviation past and should be part of its future. To turn it over as an asylum centre would be a terrible cultural and heritage desecration. Holland is among some 40 leading historians including Sir Antony Beevor, Sir Max Hastings and Dan Snow who have written an open letter to the Home Secretary, urging her to reconsider. We firmly believe that there are better suited locations for the compassionate and dignified processing of refugees, the letter states. As for the buildings at Scampton most likely earmarked for the asylum seekers, they are said to be unfit for purpose, having been abandoned for well over a decade, and in a poor state of repair. Roger Patterson has been a Conservative councillor for West Lindsey District Council up here for years. The whole thing destroys what was going to be a huge attraction for visitors, and was going to be the biggest investment in Lincolnshire I can remember, he says. And now were about to be left with nothing. It makes me wonder whether this Government really is Conservative after all. The tragic truth is that, if the plan goes ahead, nobody is likely ever again to gain entry to this moving site. In the graveyard of the church at Scampton are the headstones of 107 airmen who died on active service. Another eight of the graves are of German airmen, killed in raids on Britain between 1941 and 1945. The fact the Germans bodies were buried by the RAF with full military honours tells you so much. And indeed, the 1,600 civilians and forced labourers who died in the floods after the dams were breached were not forgotten not least by Guy Gibson himself. The fact that people . . . might drown had not occurred to us, he said later, adding: No one likes mass slaughter and we did not like being the authors of it. If the young men of Bomber Command showed so much respect to their enemy, surely the minimum we can do as a nation is to honour the memories of our own young heroes by preserving the highly important site from where so many flew to their deaths. The White House on Monday said President Joe Biden is not at fault for China's President Xi Jinping's continued embrace of Russian President Vladimir Putin despite Russia's brutal war in Ukraine. White House security spokesman John Kirby was asked about the two powers 'teaming up', as Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Xi for a series of meetings during a critical time in the war. 'Russia and China, it seems like these two superpowers are teaming up now against the U.S., Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked him. 'Why did President Biden let this happen?' Kirby responded that the two nations had 'long chaffed at U.S. leadership,' adding, 'This is not something that these two countries just cooked up since President Biden got elected. Putin met with Xi on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics in Beijing days before Russia launched its invasion last year. Now, the administration has warned China not to provide lethal weapons to Russia as its war carries beyond a year. The White House was asked Monday about Russia and China 'teaming up' The two leaders met for four hours, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China's peace plan could be a 'stalling tactic' and said the world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia.' Kirby was asked about the leaders not seeming to care about pressure Biden has applied, amid numerous nations condemning Russia and imposing stiff sanctions. 'I think if you ask a lot of Russians they certainly care, Kirby retorted. 'Their economy is barely being propped up by some pretty radical measures by Mr. Putin. Their military has been roundly embarrassed inside Ukraine and they continue to lose ground there,' he said. Kirby also was asked about the power balance between China and Russia. Both are nuclear powers, but China's influence is growing, and its economy is substantially larger. 'I would say there's in that particular bilateral relationship, they certainly have the junior role,' Kirby said. National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications John Kirby again called Russia the 'junior partner' in relations with China, whose economy is far larger China has refused to condemn Russia's brutal war on Ukraine He also spoke about China's 12-point 'peace plan,' which he warned should not be grounds for Russia to try to lock in territory seized through force. He called for Russia to 'immediately completely and unconditionally withdraw in the Ukraine' and said 'efforts to end this conflict must take Ukraine's position into account.' He called for Xi to play a 'constructive role' by speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which hasn't happened since the invasion last February. He said China should 'hear directly from the Ukrainians, not just from the Russians.' He said the White House was concerned about China's call for a cease fire 'that leaves Russian forces inside Ukraine sovereign territory. Any ceasefire that does not address the removal of Russian forces from Ukraine would effectively ratify Russia's illegal conduct, enabling Russia to entrench its positions and then to restart the war at a more advantageous time,' he said. China and Russia suffered a split during the Cold War but forged new bonds after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Both countries regularly inveigh against U.S.. power and the reach of western economic and military alliances. Kirby also referenced Putin's recent unannounced nighttime visit to the city of Mariupol in occupied Ukraine. 'Its far from the front lines. I hope he did get to see the damage and destruction that his troops did to that city,' he said. Boris Johnsons defence team last night accused the controversial Partygate inquiry of suppressing evidence that could exonerate him. A bombshell internal briefing from his team states that the Commons Privileges Committee has received thousands of documents that support his claim that he did not deliberately mislead Parliament over lockdown gatherings in No 10. The document also accuses the inquiry of refusing to release the testimony of dozens of witnesses who told the committee that they also believed the notorious gatherings were within the rules. The note, a copy of which has been seen by the Daily Mail, states: The committee should do the right thing and publish all the evidence it has gathered so that the public can make up their own mind. Boris Johnsons defence team have accused the controversial Partygate inquiry of suppressing evidence that could exonerate him The documents allegedly support his claim that Johnson (pictured in No10 during lockdown) did not deliberately mislead Parliament over lockdown gatherings in No 10 Sue Gray, who reported on Downing Street parties in Whitehall during the coronavirus lockdown, pictured in Westminster Less than neutral views of MPs deciding his fate - These are the seven MPs who will grill Boris Johnson about Partygate: Andy Carter (Con) Wrote on his website when the PM quit: I believe this is the right thing to do, and is in the nations best interests... Contempt is a matter which would require Mr Johnson to resign if he were to be found in breach. Alberto Costa (CON) Told a news website: Its not my fault that hes had to resign, its not Rishis fault, its not anyones fault but the man that has held or holds that office. He has to look himself in the mirror and ask himself why he felt that he was unable to maintain the trust of the parliamentary party and the country at large. Allan Dorans (SNP) Wrote in a newsletter last year: People ...were understandably furious that while they were following the Covid rules and making personal sacrifices, Boris Johnson was breaking them by holding illegal Downing Street parties. It is then welcome news that the Metropolitan Police have recently confirmed that the law was broken and initial fines have been issued. However, Boris Johnson should have resigned a long time ago it cannot be one rule for us, and another, or none, for the Tory Government. Yvonne Fovargue (LAB) Posted on Twitter ahead of the 2019 election: Boris Johnson tells disgraceful lies. Here are just ten of them. Harriet Harman, Chairman (LAB) Tweeted last April: If you get Covid regs FPN [penalty] you can either admit guilt or go to [court] to challenge it. If PM and CX [chancellor] admit guilt, accepting police right that they breached regs, then they are also admitting that they misled the House of Commons. Sir Bernard Jenkin (CON) Told Sky News in February last year: We are looking for a change in the capability and character of the Government. So that we can have confidence nothing as clumsy or mortifying as this Partygate episode could ever happen again. Sir Charles Walker (CON) Told Channel 4 News early last year: I think theres so much grief and pain out there that if he was to say, Look, I understand that I asked so much of the country and it needs to come to terms with that grief and pain and start the process of healing and if it could do that better without me in No10 then I shall stand aside, that would show great courage on behalf of the Prime Minister. Advertisement Mr Johnsons legal team yesterday submitted a formal defence dossier to the inquiry ahead of a televised grilling tomorrow. But the committee had failed to publish it by last night. One former minister said: Its a shame the committee is sitting on Boriss evidence. They have previously cherry-picked evidence that they liked, rather than letting Boris get his case out there. The Privileges Committee is holding an unprecedented investigation into whether Mr Johnson deliberately or recklessly misled Parliament when he told MPs that all guidance was followed in No 10. It plans to question Mr Johnson in public for up to four hours. If he is found guilty of deliberately misleading Parliament he could face suspension or even a by-election. Allies of the former PM fear the inquiry, led by Labours former deputy leader Harriet Harman, has become a witch hunt. In an interim report this month, the committee said it should have been obvious to him at the time that lockdown rules were not being observed. It published messages from No 10 aides, including one suggesting it was hard to explain how a Cabinet Room gathering to mark Mr Johnsons birthday was within the rules. And the inquiry was granted access by No 10 to a vast cache of internal documents. But the document produced by Mr Johnsons team suggests many messages showing him in a more favourable light have been suppressed. The leaked briefing states evidence will show he was given direct assurances by his advisers, before statements in the House, that the rules were followed. It also says: The Privileges Committee evidence shows that dozens of witnesses said they believed the same thing as Boris Johnson that the regulations were being followed and that any events he attended were work events. There is no evidence in thousands of documents obtained by the committee that anyone in No 10 ever said they thought the rules or guidance had been broken at the time, or that his statements to Parliament were untrue. The team also warn that the committees chairman Ms Harman is already on record saying she believes Boris Johnson is guilty of misleading Parliament. The fact the committee failed to publish the dossier of evidence running to more than 50 pages submitted by Mr Johnsons legal team yesterday leaves him unable to make his case in public ahead of the hearing tomorrow. Last night it said it had only received the former PMs evidence at 2.32pm and would need longer to assess it. A spokesman said: The committee will need to review what has been submitted in the interests of making appropriate redactions to protect the identity of some witnesses. 'The committee intends to publish this as soon as is practicably possible. Baby zebra sharks, named Charlie and Kathlyn, are the first of 500 set to be released in the first-ever effort to revive an endangered shark species. Organizations from 15 countries are working to bring 500 zebra sharks back to their native waters in Indonesia, where they are believed to have gone extinct. This giant undertaking is constructing a nursery in Raja Ampat, where eggs are being shipped and developed, allowing pups to swim freely into their new home, according to National Geographic. Zebra sharks have nearly disappeared around the archipelago in the West Papua province of Indonesia due to overfishing - only three zebra sharks have been seen in the area from 2001 through 2021. A pair of baby zebra sharks, named Charlie and Kathlyn (the shark), is the first of 500 set to rewild in the first-ever effort to revive an endangered shark species 'It's such a milestone,' Nesha Ichida, an Indonesian marine scientist helping manage this work for ReShark, told National Geographic. 'This is such a hopeful, momentous moment.' The effort is ReShark and pulls inspiration from other rewilding programs that saw California condors and China's giant pandas be reintroduced - but this is the first to do so with animals in the sea. The group includes 44 aquariums and 70 organizations and released the two sharks in January, with more set through the year. Raja Ampat was selected due to its globally acclaimed conservation success as Asia's first shark and ray sanctuary, bolstered by a healthy and well-managed network of nine marine protected areas (MPAs). National Geographic photographers Jennifer Hayes and her husband David Doubilet documented this effort in Raja Ampat. The eggs, called mermaid purses, are bred in laboratories and then sent to hatcheries in Indonesia, where they hatch and are cared for by 'shark nannies,' a team that nurtures the babies until they are strong enough for the wild. Like Kathlyn and Charlie, future zebra shark pups will be released into Marine Protected Areas patrolled by conservation rangers and monitored by scientists. However, the team understands that reintroduction can also fail - juvenile sharks are prone to disease, predators and struggle to find food on their own. The eggs, called mermaid purses, are bred in laboratories and then sent to hatcheries in Indonesia, where they hatch and are cared for by 'shark nannies,' a team that nurtures and cares for the babies until they are strong enough for the wild Organizations from 15 countries are working to release 500 zebra sharks back to their native waters in Indonesia, where they had gone extinct This is why the team aims to send at least 500 zebra sharks swimming into the Indonesian waters. When the first pups were released in January, a crowd went to the coast to see the epic event - including actor Harrison Ford. Before letting Charlie leave her hands, Ichida said goodbye to the shark, hoping it would spark a movement to restore ocean predators. 'I'm feeling very hopeful that Charlie is going to be the ambassador' for all shark species, she said, letting Charlie slip away. 'Like everyone else, Ford stood in the crowd and held up a phone to document the scene himself,' National Geographic reports. Like Kathlyn and Charlie (the shark), future zebra shark pups will be released into Marine Protected Areas patrolled by conservation rangers and monitored by scientists The success of this program could lead to saving more shark species, as scientists revealed in 2021 that nearly 40 percent of all sharks and rays are near extinction. The findings, which span eight years, show that the number of sharks, rays and chimaera a group known as chondrichthyan fish threatened with extinction has doubled to 32.6 percent since 2014. Eight years ago, 24 percent of species were estimated as threatened. The researchers note that overfishing is the primary driver of the population loss among the species, but habitat loss, climate change and pollution are also to blame. 'Habitat loss and degradation compound overfishing for nearly one-fifth of threatened species,' the researchers wrote in the study. 'Climate change is a rapidly emerging concern for threatened chondrichthyans and compounds the effects of overfishing and habitat loss for 6.1 percent of species. Climate change is not only causing 'the loss and degradation of habitat' due to coral bleaching, but rising water temperatures are also to blame. Some habitats are becoming less suitable for certain species, such as the Thorny Skate, which has seen its population decline by more than 80 percent over the past three generations. An unassuming village in North Yorkshire may soon become a hotspot for stargazers, as it will be dimming all of its streetlights to give a better view of the night sky. Officials with the North York Moors National Park have announced a project to make Hawnby, near Helmsley, England's first 'Dark Skies' village. This means that all streetlights and exterior lighting will be turned down to help counter light pollution and allow for improved visibility of the Milky Way. These include lights on individual properties as well as public spaces, like the village hall and local pub. They will only be turned down to the threshold to be 'dark skies-friendly', and will still provide necessary lighting for security or visibility purposes. Officials with the North York Moors National Park have announced a project to make Hawnby, near Helmsley, England's first 'Dark Skies' village. Pictured: a building with the original streetlights All streetlights and exterior lighting will be turned down to help counter light pollution and allow for improved visibility of the Milky Way. Pictured: the building with the dimmed lights Mike Hawtin, the Dark Skies Officer for the North York Moors National Park explains: 'A recent study concluded that people worldwide now see less stars with the naked eye due to skyglow caused by artificial lighting. Visibility of stars at night is DECLINING by 10% per year, study warns - READ MORE London's sparkling skyline may soon be a thing of the past, as new legislation could force high-rises to turn off their lights at night (stock image) Advertisement '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. 'We're definitely not anti-light as it is needed for many different reasons, whether simply for unlocking your front door or operating machinery at night. 'The steps needed to prevent light nuisance can be as simple as altering the angle of a floodlight to ensure no rays are wasted by casting a harsh glare down an otherwise dark valley.' The project, run jointly by the National Park and landowner Mexborough Estates, will see more than 100 lights on 30 properties being converted to dark skies-friendly alternatives. Artificial light that's excessive, obtrusive and ultimately wasteful is called light pollution, and it directly influences how bright our night skies appear. With more than nine million streetlamps and 27 million offices, factories, warehouses and homes in the UK, the quantity of light we cast into the sky is vast. While some light escapes into space, the rest is scattered by molecules in the atmosphere, causing a glow that makes it difficult to see the stars against the night sky. The project, run jointly by the National Park and landowner Mexborough Estates, will see more than 100 lights on 30 properties being converted to dark skies-friendly alternatives. Left: before, right: after The project in Hawnby, which is partway through, allows local people and visitors to get a clearer view of the Milky Way, which appears to us as a hazy band of stars. WHAT ARE 'DARK SKY RESERVES'? The North York Moors National Park is one of 21 sites in the world designated by the International Dark-Sky Association as an international dark sky reserve. Others include the Snowdonia, Exmoor and Brecon Beacons national parks, Kerry in Ireland and Greater Big Bend in the US and Mexico. To be approved, areas need to have low light meter readings and at least 67 per cent of their properties equipped with dark skies-friendly lighting. These are fixtures which serve a necessary purpose, only illuminate the area required, are connected to a timer or motion sensor, are not too bright for purpose and are warm in colour. The application to be an international dark sky reserve must also have support from at least 80 per cent of the area and population to be approved. Advertisement Stargazers may also be able to see other planets and meteors with the naked eye, as well as, occasionally, the Northern Lights. Last month, 'aurora borealis' was visible in the UK as far south as Cornwall, thanks to a particularly strong eruption of charged particles from the sun. Some lights in Hawnby are being given special LED bulbs which prevent upward light and emit a softer, warmer colour which has less impact on nocturnal wildlife. Research has show that light pollution negatively affects our 'circadian rhythm' - the body's internal clock - which has been linked to depression, weight problems and even cancer. It also affects wildlife, and some experts say is driving an 'insect apocalypse'. For example, lighting fixtures can fatally attract moths and beetles, and allow other insects be spotted by predators more easily. They can also disrupt the sleeping patterns of magpies and pigeons and the 'lunar compass' of marine life. The North York Moors says that the 'Dark Skies' initiative will reduce energy consumption and bills, as well as the village's carbon footprint. Mexborough Estates owner Jamie Savile said: 'Hawnby is a small, traditional moorland village blessed with big and far-reaching open skies over the surrounding hills and moorland. 'With hospitality and accommodation all close we hope the village will be able to offer a new, cosy style of nocturnal astro-tourism in a spectacular setting, both day and night.' The North York Moors National Park is one of 21 sites in the world designated by the International Dark-Sky Association as an international dark sky reserve. Others include the Snowdonia, Exmoor and Brecon Beacons national parks, Kerry in Ireland and Greater Big Bend in the US and Mexico. To be approved, areas need to have low light meter readings and at least 67 per cent of their properties equipped with dark skies-friendly lighting. These are fixtures which serve a necessary purpose, only illuminate the area required, are connected to a timer or motion sensor, are not too bright for purpose and are warm in colour. The project in Hawnby, which is partway through, allows local people and visitors to get a clearer view of the Milky Way, which appears to us as a hazy band of stars. Pictured: Milky Way over Ravensca in the North York Moors The North York Moors National Park is one of 21 sites in the world designated by the International Dark-Sky Association as an international dark sky reserve. Pictured: Night sky over a playground in Dalby in the North York Moors The North York Moors National Park is one of 21 sites in the world designated by the International Dark-Sky Association as an international dark sky reserve The application to be an international dark sky reserve must also have support from at least 80 per cent of the area and population to be approved. After a five year assessment process, the North York Moors achieved the status in December 2020, as well as the Yorkshire Dales. There, four prominently-located businesses - including a pub near the Ribblehead viaduct and the The Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes - have been given grants to allow them to make their exterior lights dark skies-friendly. The pub, The Station Inn, has already installed 19 directional strategically placed exterior LED lights, helping to reduce glare and give clearer a night sky. Publican Claire Hobbs said: 'We have been delighted with the very positive difference to our business that the International Dark Sky Reserve designation has brought about. 'By working with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the Dark Skies initiative we have not only had support to make the inn 'Dark Sky friendly', with modifications to our outdoor lighting, but we also had support in terms of promotions and access to astronomers. 'We are now running regular star gazing evenings and incredibly each is a sell-out irrespective of whether they're midweek or weekend events. This is generating much needed trade in the always tricky off-season.' MAKONI West legislator Jenfan Muswere (Zanu PF) has told villagers in Manicaland province to vote for the ruling Zanu PF party for them to continue receiving free agricultural inputs and computers. Muswere is also the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) minister. Officially opening computer laboratories at three schools in Makoni West last week, Muswere ordered villagers to vote for President Emmerson Mnangagwa in this years polls. His ministry handed over 30 computers to Chemarima and Chamakumba secondary schools as well as Nerwande Primary School in Makoni West. The computers are being distributed through the ICT ministry and the Postal Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz). Muswere also distributed rice, mealie meal, food hampers, and a grinding meal to villagers. He donated 300 bags of cement to the three schools for construction of classrooms. I want you to remember that we are going to vote for only one President and he is Emmerson Mnangagwa and no one else. You are getting farming inputs for free from President Mnangagwa. If you vote for anyone to that position, that person whom you would have voted for will not be able to provide you with farming inputs like what President Mnangagwa is doing. President Mnangagwa and Zanu PF are the only ones with the capacity to provide you with these inputs. If President Mnangagwa loses, we will all be ashamed. Muswere said Mnangagwa had intensified digital capability to rural schools through the national e- learning strategy that is aimed at bridging the digital divide between rural and urban schools. These ICT labs that we have launched today are going to connect the kids and teachers to have digital skills. These skills are now essential in the fourth industrial revolution. A child should not only see a computer at the workplace. A child should start to know computers from the primary level going upwards. We want to bridge the gap between a rural child and someone in America, London or Harare, he said. Potraz deputy director-general Alfred Marisa said: If we are to achieve economic development, it is going to be a result of all sectors working together to digitise. The country has made strides in increasing internet penetration in rural areas. Newsday ChatGPT is back online, after a crash left users around the world unable to use the AI chatbot. According to Down Detector, the problems started at around 08:45 GMT and affected users globally. While the reason for the outage remains unclear, of those who reported issues, 82 per cent said they were having problems with ChatGPT, 11 per cent with login and seven per cent with the website. Users flocked to social media to express their dismay at not being able to access the revolutionary artificial intelligence tool. One said: 'OMG!!! Thought it was just me! ChatGPT is down globally. And I can no longer think for myself, so that's a problem!!!' ChatGPT crashed this morning, leaving users around the world unable to use the AI chatbot According to Down Detector, the problems with ChatGPT started at around 08:45 GMT and are affecting users globally Another added: 'Thousands of people dont know what to write at this point of time Since #ChatGP #OpenAI is down!' WHAT IS CHATGPT? ChatGPT is a large language model that has been trained on a massive amount of text data, allowing it to generate eerily human-like text in response to a given prompt OpenAI says its ChatGPT model has been trained using a machine learning technique called Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF). This can simulate dialogue, answer follow-up questions, admit mistakes, challenge incorrect premises and reject inappropriate requests. It responds to text prompts from users and can be asked to write essays, lyrics for songs, stories, marketing pitches, scripts, complaint letters and even poetry. Advertisement The OpenAI status page noted an incident today that read 'Outage on chat.openai.com'. At 02:18 PDT (09:18 GMT), an update was added saying that the firm was investigating the issue. Nearly a full hour later, the incident was resolved. Some users expressed their disappointment that those who are paying the $20 (16.40) monthly subscription for ChatGPT Plus are not getting their money's worth as a result of the outage. This service currently offers a pared-down version of GPT-4 - the new and even more powerful version of the AI chatbot. One Twitter user wrote: 'ChatGPT+ users who are actually paying so that they don't get c****y service, have been unable to use Chat GPT for hours now.... 'That's ok if you don't pay for a service, but I am not paying 20$ per month for this. Worst, no updates / communication on the issue' OpenAI, the firm behind ChatGPT, has yet to provide a reason for the outage. When asked about its problems, the AI chatbot itself says 'I don't have access to information about ChatGPT's specific technical issues or outages' and 'I don't have the ability to monitor the functioning of the system or its components.' ChatGPT is a large language model that has been trained on a massive amount of text data, allowing it to generate human-like text responses to a given prompt. The current version, released by start-up OpenAI in November, is known as GPT3.5, and has been found to have a huge range of capabilities. Users flocked to social media to express their dismay at not being able to access the revolutionary artificial intelligence tool, ChatGPT For example, it has been used to pass exams, deliver a sermon, write software and give relationship advice. But the new, more powerful version, GPT-4, was released to ChatGPT Plus subscribers last week. This can accept inputs in the form of images as well as text, but still outputs its answers in text, meaning it can offer detailed descriptions of images. If asked, 'What's funny about this image?' GPT-4 will reply. Among other things, it can instantly calculate people's tax liability and can pass the Uniform Bar Exam. The OpenAI status page noted an incident today that read 'Outage on chat.openai.com'. At 02:18 PDT (09:18 GMT), an update was added saying that the firm was investigating the issue OpenAI, the firm behind ChatGPT, has yet to provide a reason for the outage OpenAI has already developed a text-to-image AI, DALL-E, which was released last year. The reason for this outage has yet to be confirmed, but the platform often denies users access when it reaches capacity. According to analytics firm SimilarWeb, ChatGPT averaged 13 million users per day in January, making it the fastest-growing internet app of all time. It took TikTok about nine months after its global launch to reach 100 million users, and Instagram more than two years. OpenAI, a private company backed by Microsoft Corp, made ChatGPT available to the public for free in late November. A computer mouse that inspired Steve Jobs to create Apple's first mice has clicked with bidders at a $178,936 (147,000) auction. The early mouse and coding keyset was created by computing legend Douglas Engelbart, a pioneer of the controller system. The lot sold for approximately 12 times its estimate of $14,640 (12,000) in a sale by Boston-based RR Auction on Thursday. The rare, early three-button computer mouse designed by Engelbart utilises two metal discs which correspond to the X-axis and Y-axis on the bottom to locate the position of the cursor, rather than a ball or optical light that came to be used later. The coding keyset, features five keys, permitting 31 key-press combinations, for typing and entering commands. The early mouse and coding keyset was created by computing legend Douglas Engelbart, a pioneer of the controller system While touring the research facility in 1979, Steve Jobs witnessed the concepts of the mouse and the graphical user interface (GUI) in action The pair of early input devices are like those used in Engelbart's iconic 1968 'Mother of All Demos.' Unopened original iPhone is set to fetch 41,000 at auction after owner shelved it because it wouldn't work on her network in 2007 - READ MORE An original iPhone, still in its packaging, is set to sell for more than $50,000 (41,000) at auction. Here Steve Jobs holds the iPhone that was introduced January 9, 2007 Advertisement The live demonstration featured the introduction of a complete computer hardware and software system. It demonstrated for the first time many of the fundamental elements of modern personal computing. The 'Mother of All Demos' would prove to be massively influential, though it took well over a decade for Engelbart's ideas to become mainstream, partly thanks to Steve Jobs' adoption of some of the concepts. In the early 1970s, much of Engelbart's original team ended up at Xerox PARC, where they continued their research in human-computer interaction and kept improving upon the mouse. While touring the research facility in 1979, Steve Jobs witnessed the concepts of the mouse and the graphical user interface (GUI) in action. Impressed by their user-friendliness, he aimed to simplify and incorporate these intuitive features into Apple's computers. The Xerox mice cost $300 (245) apiece, didn't roll around smoothly, and had three buttons. Jobs wanted a simple, single-button model that cost $15 (12). Apple licensed Engelbart's mouse patent from SRI for around $40,000 (33,000), and Jobs hired the design firm IDEO to bring the mouse to the masses. Apple's mouse-which used a rollerball mechanism-was introduced with the expensive Lisa computer in 1983, but achieved fame and popularity when the more affordable Macintosh was released in 1984. 'Engelbart's invention would, in part, change the course of modern life,' said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. 'This device played a crucial role in the evolution of computer history.' The rare, early three-button computer mouse designed by Engelbart utilises two metal discs which correspond to the X-axis and Y-axis on the bottom to locate the position of the cursor, rather than a ball or optical light that came to be used later Beavers are to return to an urban part of London for the first time in 400 years. The rodents were once hunted to near extinction in the UK. But now they are to return to a built-up area of the London Borough of Ealing in a project led by local community and conservation groups to demonstrate their benefits to people and nature. Beavers have been reintroduced to the UK since 2008 in a bid to restore natural environments. Paradise Fields, a 10 hectare (24 acre) area of woodland and wetlands in urban Greenford in the north of Ealing has undergone feasibility studies and a licence application to Natural England supported by Beaver Trust. The site will be open to the public for 'safaris' after the beavers are brought in from Tayside, Scotland, expected to be this autumn. Beavers are to return to a built-up area of the London Borough of Ealing in a project led by local community and conservation groups to demonstrate their benefits to people and nature Paradise Fields, a 10 hectare (24 acre) area of woodland and wetlands in urban Greenford in the north of the borough, has undergone feasibility studies and a licence application to Natural England supported by Beaver Trust How BEAVERS are helping fight UK drought - READ MORE Beavers at the Knepp estate in Horsham have transformed what was once a small stream into a network of ponds and channels with lush green plants Advertisement The project is a collaboration between Ealing Wildlife Group, Citizen Zoo, Friends of Horsenden Hill and Ealing Council with support from Beaver Trust. It was also funded by Amazons Right Now Climate Fund, operated in partnership with the Mayor of London and the London Wildlife Trust, and which opened for applications in October 2022 after a 750,000 commitment from Amazon. Dr Sean McCormack, vet and chairman of Ealing Wildlife Group says: 'Many people assume beavers to be a wilderness species, in fact we've just forgotten how closely we used to live alongside them. 'We're so excited to study how beavers interact with an urban river catchment and, crucially, with urban communities.' Beavers are considered 'ecosystem engineers' and in recent years have been recognised as helping to prevent flooding by slowing water flow in times of high rainfall and mitigate drought by holding more water on the land. The project is hoped to prevent flooding downstream around Greenford Station and surrounding streets. Elliot Newton, co-founder of Citizen Zoo, welcomed the beaver licence approval, commenting: 'We are hoping to challenge perceptions, and demonstrate how London too, can embrace these ecosystem engineers as we strive for a healthier, wilder future in which our Capital can become a leader in urban rewilding. 'Which will greatly benefit not only wildlife populations but local communities too.' Beavers are considered 'ecosystem engineers' and in recent years have been recognised as helping to prevent flooding by slowing water flow in times of high rainfall and mitigate drought by holding more water on the land The introduction of beavers in Ealing is considered to be the first truly urban reintroduction Head of restoration at Beaver Trust, Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, was also pleased to hear of the licence approval, stating: 'Now that beavers are back in Britain, learning to coexist with them is fundamental to the species' successful restoration. 'We look forward to continuing to support the team to make the most of this superbly located site.' Beavers were reintroduced to a site in Forty Hall, Enfield, on the very outermost fringes of London last year, but sadly one of the two died soon after. Ealing is considered to be the first truly urban reintroduction. The incredible moment a colossal 'solar tornado' that is 14 times larger than Earth swirls on the sun's surface has been captured by NASA in a new video. The twister, composed of plasma and heat, measured more than 74,500 miles high and moved up to 310,000 miles per hour. The cosmic show was spotted by astrophotographer Apollo Lasky, who used images from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory to create the amazing video. Lasky, from Illinois, said the cyclone had been twisting on the sun's North Pole for three days, hurling a massive cloud of magnetized gas into space. The cosmic show was spotted by astrophotographer Apollo Lasky, who used images from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory to create the amazing video Solar tornadoes occur due to spiral-shaped magnetic structures that rise from the sun and are rooted to the solar surface at both ends. When a column of plasma, known as a prominence, shoots up inside this structure, it is guided along its helical magnetic field, causing the plasma to rotate and form a twister. 'I've never seen anything like it in all my years of watching the sun,' Lasky shared. 'It never stops -amazing.' The sun has been experiencing bizarre behavior recently - in February, a piece of its northern pole broke off. A video shows a giant filament of plasma, or electrified gas, shooting out from the sun, separating and then circulating in a 'massive polar vortex.' While astronomers are baffled, they speculate the prominence has something to do with the reversal of the sun's magnetic field that happens once every solar cycle. The video was shared on Twitter by space weather forecaster Tamitha Skov, who said the clip was taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. Lasky, from Illinois, said the cyclone had been twisting on the sun's North Pole for three days, hurling a massive cloud of magnetized gas into space The sun has been experiencing bizarre behavior recently - in February, a piece of its northern pole broke off. A video shows a giant filament of plasma, or electrified gas, shooting out from the sun, separating and then circulating in a 'massive polar vortex' 'Talk about polar vortex! Material from a northern prominence just broke away from the main filament & is now circulating in a massive polar vortex around the north pole of our star,' Skov shared in the tweet. NASA describes solar filaments as clouds of charged particles that float above the sun, tethered to it by magnetic forces. These appear as elongated, uneven strands that shoot out from the sun's surface. The prominence mentioned by Skov, appears precisely at the 55-degree latitude around the sun's polar crowns every 11 years. Solar physicist Scott McIntosh, the deputy director at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, told Space.com: 'Once every solar cycle, it forms at the 55-degree latitude and it starts to march up to the solar poles. 'It's very curious. There is a big 'why' question around it. Why does it only move toward the pole one time and then disappears and then comes back, magically, three or four years later in exactly the same region?' While astronomers have previously observed filaments breaking away from the sun, this is the first time one has circulated the region in a whirlwind. Coronation Street and I'm A Celebrity star Sue Cleaver checks in to our travel Q and A This week Coronation Street and I'm A Celebrity star Sue Cleaver checks in to our travel Q and A. She recounts a hellish cruise around the Mediterranean, reveals the highlight of her time in the I'm A Celebrity jungle and discusses her plans for a Scottish road trip. EARLIEST HOLIDAY MEMORY? Staying on a farm outside Lyme Regis in our family caravan as a child. My brother and I would get up at 5am to help milk the cows and then bring back a jug of milk. Id also walk up and down the Cob. FIRST TRIP ABROAD? Going on a solo summer holiday to Canada aged 14 to convalesce after having glandular fever. I stayed with a cousin in Ottawa and got to see Niagara Falls among other sights. It was a huge adventure. Sue's first trip abroad was to Canada aged 14, during which she got to see Niagara Falls (above) HOLIDAY FROM HELL? Going on a two-week cruise to the Mediterranean. We hit a terrific storm in the Bay of Biscay and I learned that Im not one of lifes cruisers I just felt trapped. Perhaps I simply picked the wrong cruise? ARE YOU A GOOD FLYER? Im a great flyer when I get to go business class. Ive reached that age where if the flights more than five hours long I want to turn left. HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR TIME IN THE IM A CELEB JUNGLE? Waking to bizarre bird sounds that Id never encountered before, and falling asleep to the sounds of the tree frogs, which I initially thought was Boy George meditating. It was deafening but lulled me to sleep. A two-week Mediterranean cruise turned out to be Sue's holiday from hell, as the vessel hit a terrific storm in the Bay of Biscay (pictured) WORST IM A CELEB MOMENTS? Being gunged with entails and molasses, and bitten by green-head ants which really hurt. I never considered leaving though because I was having too much fun. Culinary-wise, I dont recommend crocodile feet. TOP TIP FOR FUTURE CONTESTANTS? Smuggle in an extra pair of socks because they take days to dry. Check your boots for scorpions. And accept that you will have the company of wildlife in the dunny [loo]. FAVOURITE FOREIGN DESTINATION? The Maldives for the chance to swim with whale sharks and manta rays; Botswana for the amazing wildlife; and Iceland with its geysers for an otherworldly experience. Sue lists Botswana as one of her favourite foreign destinations, thanks to its 'amazing wildlife'. Above are elephants in the country's Moremi Game Reserve MUST HAVE TRAVEL ACCESSORY? A silk eye mask, noise cancelling headphones - and cosy lounge wear for a long haul flight. WHERE NEXT? A road trip to the west coast of Scotland. DREAM DESTINATION? The Galapagos Islands for their uniqueness, the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, Turkey and Valentine Warners restaurant in Norways wild Lofoten Islands. Lanzarote's president has sought to allay the fears of British tourists by insisting: 'You are and will always be welcome here.' Maria Dolores Corujo hit back after being rattled by the reaction to her claims the holiday island was saturated and needed to reduce its dependence on British tourism. Earlier this month Corujo faced more criticism after heaping praise on Germans and saying the German market adapted to its intentions of aiming at 'higher-quality' holidaymakers ahead of the Berlin Tourism Fair. The unrepentant island president said again overnight the island's tourist capacity had reached its limit and it had to prioritise a 'rational and lasting development based on quality.' But Corujo insisted in an open letter in island newspaper La Voz de Lanzarote: 'It's categorically false that in Lanzarote we do not want British tourism or that we want to reduce the numbers of British tourists. Lanzarote's president has sought to allay the fears of British tourists by insisting: 'You are and will always be welcome here' (file image of Playa Blanca in Lanzarote) 'I will say it once and for all. British tourism has always, is and will always be welcome on the island of Lanzarote.' Around half of all the tourists who visit Lanzarote are British and Corujo has pinned the island's future tourism strategy on one of 'diversification to reduce the dependence on the British market' and welcome more 'upmarket' holidaymakers. Lanzarote, dubbed 'Lanzagrotty' in the past, is expected to focus its efforts on targeting more French, Italian, Dutch and German visitors as well as Spanish tourists from the mainland. But Corujo insisted that Britons will 'always be welcome on the island'. 'In Lanzarote we are also lucky to have an excellent long-time resident British community, a community that is sensitive to the environment and involved in caring for and defending sustainable development for our island. 'We share our island character with the British and that makes the existence of limits in an insular, fragile and small territory like ours very well understood.' Insisting the backlash her comments have sparked was part of a 'false controversy fuelled by misinformation', she added. 'Some have taken it out of context and others have misrepresented the assessment I made about the future of the tourism sector on the island.' She went on to point the finger of blame for 'fuelling the controversy' on a 'media outlet owned by a hotelier with a court order to demolish one of his establishments' although she didn't name names. Defending her comments around the time of the Berlin Tourism Fair, Corujo, who belongs to the same left-wing PSOE party which currently governs Spain with the support of hard-left party Unidas Podemos, added: 'All tourist destinations attend fairs to show their attractions and capture new markets to diversify the tourism they receive. 'Lanzarote has also been doing it for years because common sense and the basic laws of the economy advise us not to depend on a single country, especially in times of uncertainty such as those we are experiencing derived from the war in Ukraine. 'But that does not mean that we do not want those who visit us the most, British tourists, quite the opposite.' Maria Dolores Corujo (pictured) hit back after being rattled by the reaction to her claims the holiday island was saturated and needed to reduce its dependence on British tourism Hotel chiefs in Lanzarote have insisted it is unwise to talk of tourist saturation. Francisco Martinez, vice-president of Lanzarote's Island Association of Hotels and Apartments, said political leaders were opening an unnecessary debate and being 'badly-advised'. And late last week it emerged Jet2 boss Steve Heapy had written to Mrs Corujo asking her to explain what she said and clarify whether or not she wanted British tourists coming to the island. Lanzarote's opposition leader Astrid Perez also waded into the debate at the weekend, saying Mrs Corujo had been 'irresponsible' but adding: 'I don't expect the British to boycott Lanzarote just because of the irresponsible comments of a politician whose words don't represent islanders' feelings.' Lanzarote has an annual influx of 1.3million British holidaymakers who contributed to its 2.1billion annual tourist income last year, according to the Lanzarote Data Centre. Around half of all the tourists who visit the island are British. British expats make up five per cent of Lanzarote's 130,000 population. Irish-born Geraldine McFadden, who co-owns a number of bars and restaurants on the island, told the Sun at the weekend: 'The English and the Irish bring us our bread and butter. 'They're the ones ordering beers since nine o'clock in the morning.' Coronation Street bosses have confirmed that Daisy will be at the centre of an acid attack storyline next week, as her wedding to Daniel takes a devastating turn. The bride-to-be's big day has been beset with drama as she continues to be tormented by her stalker Justin. After succeeding in getting Justin arrested by police by goading him into punching her, Daisy was stunned to learn he'd been released on bail, sparking yet more fears the wedding could be cancelled. Things get worse when everything from her skin, to the cake, to the car, begins to fall apart, but despite this, Daisy manages to don her dress and is ready to head to the venue. As she heads out to the Rovers Return, a furious Justin emerges with a bottle of clear liquid in his hand - who will fall victim to his attack? SPOILER: Coronation Street bosses have confirmed that Daisy will be at the centre of an acid attack storyline next week, as her wedding to Daniel takes a devastating turn Stunning: After finally donning her wedding dress, the bride-to-be's big day is hit by tragedy, after she learned Justin has been released on bail In the upcoming episodes, Daisy's wedding day gets off to a bad start when she wakes up with a bloodshot eye. Things get even worse when Ryan is forced to step in as chauffeur as the wedding car has been stolen and the cake arrives decorated with a retirement message. With Jenny and Glenda's help, Daisy arrives downstairs looking a million dollars and Jenny and Glenda leave for the venue. As Ryan loads his car, Alya wishes him well with his new venture in Ibiza, and as he goes into the pub to get Daisy, they're shocked to find Justin lurking there. Justin advances on Daisy holding a glass full of clear liquid, telling Daisy that no one will want her after this. As Justin throws the acid at Daisy - will she escape his vile attack? The hard-hitting scenes are the thrilling climax of Corrie's dark storyline which has seen Daisy stalked and harassed by Justin after he took an interest in her social media following. Ahead of the episodes, actress Charlotte Jordan told MailOnline that Daisy's ordeal culiminates in being 'constantly let down' by the police who failed to take her concerns seriously. Drama! In the upcoming episodes, Daisy's wedding day gets off to a bad start when she wakes up with bloodshot eye Will it ever end? Things get even worse when Ryan is forced to step in as chauffeur as the wedding car has been stolen and the cake arrives decorated with a retirement message Time to go! With Jenny and Glenda's help, Daisy finally arrives downstairs looking a million dollars and Jenny and Glenda leave for the venue Even after she requested a Stalking Protection Order, Justin's defence has meant her request was denied, leaving her even more fearful of his threats. She said: 'Fear is gonna be lurking in the back of her mind reall, since [Justin] was released on bail. It's that she played a bit dirty to get him arrested. So she's sort of thinking ''OK, well, is he gonna retaliate in some way?'' 'She will be thinking that for sure, and but there's so it's so it's so many layers. Of what she's thinking with. And just things like I said, she's been scared. She's been angry. She's been all sorts of things. 'So seeing him again after he's been warned multiple times by officials to stay away from... she's certainly gonna be scared of how he reacts to what she did before. 'I think everyone thought at the beginning it was sort of a harmless crush. I think these are some of the words that we use. She's used to male attention. 'She's used to that. But I don't think she ever could have understood quite how obsessed he was going to become.' Terrified! As Ryan loads his car, Alya wishes him well with his new venture in Ibiza, and as he goes into the pub to get Daisy, they're shocked to find Justin lurking there Scary! Justin advances on Daisy holding a glass full of clear liquid, telling Daisy that no one will want her after this. As Justin throws the acid at Daisy - will she escape his vile attack? Emotional: Unaware his fiancee is at the centre of a dark attack, Daniel is left waiting at the altar for his bride to arrive Charlotte added: 'It's just so evil just to decide to take away someone's identity in someone's face like that. It's just so heinous. I don't even know. 'How can you really start to think about that was someone's intention for you. So I think she's at the minute when it happens. She's just trying to think ''OK, well, how do I get through it? How do I get to the hospital? How do I stop this from getting worse?'' And then the deeper mentality behind that will come later with the later episodes?' Asked for her reaction when she was told about the storyline, Charlotte added: 'I cannot say on camera, but F me that's dark. Yeah, I really didn't see that coming. 'I didn't think they'd go that route with it because it's not. It's not something you see a lot on. On television, Yeah, I was. I was. I was really caught by surprise by it.' Coronation Street airs these scenes on Monday, March 27 at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Vicky McClure was back in action as bomb disposal officer Lana Washington while filming scenes for Trigger Point in North London on Tuesday. The actress, 39, was kitted out in black protective gear as she got to work on the ITV drama's second series, following its initial release in January 2022. Joined by her co-star Mark Stanley, who plays DI Thom Youngblood, her dark grey jacket featured a light grey Union Jack emblazoned on its sleeve. The regalia was paired with a sturdy black helmet with its protective eye mask lifted up to reveal the star's blue eyes. It was combined with black leather fingerless safety gloves which she used to hold an electronic tablet in snaps shared to Instagram two days later. Exciting: Vicky McClure was filming scenes for Trigger Point in North London on Tuesday Talented: She was back in action as bomb disposal officer Lana Washington Busy bee: The actress, 39, was kitted out in black protective gear as she got to work on the ITV drama's second series, following its initial release in January 2022 Spellbinding: Trigger Point was written by screenwriting newcomer Daniel Brierley and produced by Jed's HTM Television Costume: Her dark grey jacket featured a light grey Union Jack emblazoned on its sleeve The Line of Duty star shared pictures from the set of the London-based thriller with her 721,000 followers, teasing the release of its second series. Despite the intensity of the drama, the This Is England alum showed it wasn't all work and no play on the set as she shared a selfie with show producer Jed Mercurio. Vicky and the Line of Duty creator, 57, grinned for the photo, both displaying their pearly white teeth. The actress removed her helmet for the picture, revealing her slicked-back cropped brunette hair. Co-star Eric Shango, who plays Danny, can be seen in the background, cheekily photobombing the pair with a peace sign. Among the photos was an adorable shot of two Playmobile explosives experts placed on top one of the show's cameras. She also teased fans by including a snap of the nodding dog toy who stole the fan's attention and hearts in series one. She captioned the post: 'Back with another bang...Trigger Point series two incoming!' In-action! The ensemble was combined with black leather fingerless safety gloves Plot: The crime drama centres on Metropolitan Police Bomb Disposal Squad officers who risk their lives daily on 'the long walk' towards danger Wow! Nearly 11 million viewers watched the first episode and the series averaged 9.24 million viewers per episodes 1-4, as the audience enjoyed the series on ITV, ITV Hub and BritBox Behind-the-scenes: Vicky looked ready for action as she made her way across the on-location set Serious work: The actress had a straight face while walking about on location, dressed in her police uniform Standing out from the crowd: The star was noticeably different in her black uniform as she stood alongside a member of the crew She also joked: 'Swipe to see who's back' with a dog emoji, referring to the fan favourite car ornament. The Nottingham native's friends and fans were delighted with the announcement, many commenting their joy over the show's return. Her Line of Duty co-star Martin Compston, 38, couldn't help but use the selfie as an opportunity to poke fun at his former boss' bronzed complexion. The Scottish actor wrote: '[Did] Jed get caught in the blast or [has he] been hitting the hitting the sun beds again?' Trigger Point was written by screenwriting newcomer Daniel Brierley and produced by Jed's HTM Television. The crime drama centres on Metropolitan Police Bomb Disposal Squad officers who risk their lives daily on 'the long walk' towards danger. Series one focused on a terrorist campaign that threatened the capital over the summer with the bomb disposal operatives or 'Expos', at the forefront of urgent efforts to find out who is behind the bombings before fatalities escalate. Nearly 11 million viewers watched the first episode and the series averaged 9.24 million viewers per episodes 1-4, as the audience enjoyed the series on ITV, ITV Hub and BritBox. Fans, however, were left disappointed at the series' finale, which they branded 'predictable' and 'rushed'. Trigger Point will return to ITV later this year. Series one can be watched on ITV, ITVX, and Britbox. The new season of Trigger Point will be available later this year, only on Stan in Australia. Realistic: White police cars had been brought on to the set to ensure the filming was as real as possible Keeping entertained: Vicky could be seen laughing as she spoke to a member of crew on set in a break between filming All stars: Eric Shango, who plays the character of Danny, was also on location to film for the new series Coronation Street will tackle an acid attack storyline as Daisy will face a surprise assault on her wedding day. In dramatic scenes that will air next week (Monday 27th March) the character, played by Charlotte Jordan, will become the target of a sinister act of revenge. Her stalker Justin (Andrew Still) will appear in a pub face-to-face with her, holding a glass of pure liquid, moments before she is set to become Daniel Osbourne's bride. Working alongside The Katie Piper Foundation and Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI), Coronation Street decided to tell this story to highlight the devastating impact and long lasting effects of such heinous attacks. Sarah Green, Chief Executive of The Katie Piper Foundation, said: 'The Katie Piper Foundation were happy to support the team at Coronation Street to understand both the initial and long-lasting impact of an acid attack. Tragic: Coronation Street will tackle an acid attack storyline as Daisy will face a surprise assault on her wedding day 'The Katie Piper Foundation supports survivors of burns and traumatic scarring. Burns can happen in an instant, to anyone at any time, and within seconds survivors can be faced with a lifetime of recovery. 'We focus not only on the physical recovery of a survivor, but also the mental recovery addressing issues such as sight loss, PTSD, limb loss and new visible differences. 'Coronation Street have shown determination in their research to portray the reality of such attacks and the long-lasting impact they have, not only on the individual, but also the family and the wider community. 'We hope that story line delivers much needed awareness around the life of all survivors of burns not just the initial impact but the proceeding hours, days, months and years of their lives' After pushing her fears of a 'cursed wedding' aside, Daisy gets ready to leave The Rovers for the final time as Miss Midgeley. Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott), who has stepped in as wedding chauffeur, then goes behind the bar to get Daisy - but comes back horrified to find Justin lurking in the shadows of the pub. Justin, holding a glass full of clear liquid, then advances on Daisy to throw acid at her. On the importance of tackling this storyline Coronation Street Producer Iain MacLeod said: 'We were keen to show the long-term reality for people who are subjected to this kind of attack. 'It is something we might often read about in the papers but perhaps don't fully understand, in terms of the depth and variety of effects it can have. 'As well as the medical impacts, we explore the social fallout of having your appearance profoundly changed, both in terms of your own ability to process that and how the wider world reacts to you. The story will at times be heartbreaking but we felt it was an important one to tell.' In danger: In dramatic scenes that will air next week (Monday 27th March) the character, played by Charlotte Jordan, will become the target of a sinister act of revenge Assault: Her stalker Justin (Andrew Still) will appear in a pub face-to-face with her, holding a glass of pure liquid, moments before she is set to become Daniel Osbourne's bride Charlotte Jordan who plays Daisy Midgely added: 'When I was first told about this storyline, I really didn't see this coming. 'It's not something you see a lot on television so I was really surprised. There is a fear lurking in the back of Daisy's mind since Justin was released on bail. Acid Attacks In 2021, there were 420 reported acid attacks in the UK When a person is attacked with acid the effects are immediately visible, prompting instant and excruciating pain Injuries are usually directed at the face causing life changing injuries including disfigurement and blindness The premeditated act is designed to disfigure, maim and blind, but not to kill Advertisement 'She has always been thinking, "will Justin retaliate in some way?" Seeing him again after he has been warned multiple times by officials to stay away from her, she is certainly scared of how he is going to react. I don't think Daisy really thought about how obsessed Justin was going to become.' Jaf Shah, Executive Director of ASTI, said: 'Due to the distressing nature of an acid attack, it can be easier to look away. 'Coronation Street is to be commended for confronting this particularly brutal form of violence, a single act of violence that carries lifelong consequences. 'Our hope is that the airing of this storyline paves the way to increased understanding of the devastating and complex impact on the lives of survivors. 'In turn we also hope it will help to amplify and accelerate ASTI's vision - the absolute necessity to end attacks, thereby preventing further pain and suffering.' It comes after Daisy admitted she didn't know if she wanted to marry Daniel Osbourne anymore after he put her court case at risk in Coronation Street. Daisy had been left in fear after being stalked by Justin Rutherford and the ongoing storyline culminated in a dramatic court case during last Friday's episode. However, she wasn't granted a stalking protection order against Justin after he arrived in a neck brace and told the court Daniel had attacked him the night before. Daisy was left furious after learning that Daniel had jeopardised her court case and admitted that she needed some space from her partner as her stalker hell continued. Oh no! It comes after Daisy admitted she didn't know if she wanted to marry Daniel Osbourne anymore after he put her court case at risk in Coronation Street. As the tense episode came to a close, she dropped the bombshell that she didn't know if she wanted to marry Daniel (Rob Mallard) anymore as their future hangs in the balance. An emotional Daisy (Charlotte Jordan) was near tears as she confessed: 'I don't know if I want to marry you anymore.' The drama kicked off earlier in the episode when Daisy was seen in court in a bid to get a stalking protection order against Justin (Andrew Still). She bravely opened up in court about her horrific stalking ordeal, with her fiance Daniel sitting nearby to support her, while Justin was nowhere to be seen. She told the court: 'My life has been destroyed by the actions of the respondent Justin Rutherford. We met a few months ago at a hospital and since then, he has become obsessed with me. 'I been totally clear and told him I do not want any sort of relationship with him, but he ignores everything I say. 'I'm engaged to someone else, and we're supposed to be planning my wedding but he harasses me online and in person. It's sucking all the joy out of what should be the happiest time of my life. 'I can't turn on my phone without getting bombarded with messages. He won't leave me alone and I am scared all the time. He found out where I live and sends me flowers with delusional notes, he hangs around my street waiting to see me. Tense: Daisy had been left in fear after being stalked by Justin Rutherford (pictured) and the ongoing storyline culminated in a dramatic court case during Friday's episode Shock: However, she wasn't granted a stalking protection order against Justin after he arrived in a neck brace and told the court Daniel had attacked him the night before 'I work in a pub and he comes in there, he pretended to be my fiance to get into a wedding fair where I was. He got a job as a delivery driver in my area just so he could get my phone number and hound me with calls. 'He contacted my mother and took her out just to get close to me and he let himself into my house. You can see him on the doorbell camera, it's all on file. 'It's relentless, I don't feel safe and I need some help, please.' However, things then took a turn as Justin arrived in court wearing a black neck brace and mumbled his apologies for being late, with Daisy looking shocked. Taking his turn in the stand, Justin then denied being a stalker and claimed the situation had got 'out of hand' as he gave excuses for his actions. He said: 'I'm sorry but this thing is a whole misunderstanding that's got out of hand... I just keep bumping into her, not on purpose. I work as a delivery driver so I have been on her street a few times. 'And like I said, we knew each other so connected on social media. I did go into her house but it was only because I was worried about her. I thought her fiance was jealous and he might have done something to her.' Daisy was then left completely shocked after Justin revealed Daniel's attack on him the night before. He continued: 'And ever since then I have tried to steer clear but last night, I was finishing my deliveries when him and this guy did this to me. 'I went to A&E, they thought I might have said some cracked ribs, they're just badly bruised thankfully. That's why I was late today, I have my discharge form here. I'm sorry Daisy's upset but I am not a stalker, if anything I am the victim here.' Daisy was left concerned that his actions could change the outcome of her court case, and she was proven right as the judges returned with their verdict. Ruling that the criteria for a stalking protection order had not been made, they said: 'This is a civil application in a criminal court and therefore the case must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.' Daisy jumped up and fumed: 'Why? I've told you everything and it's all true. You're making a mistake, I'm telling you, he is dangerous.' Later, after returning home, Daisy asked Daniel how he could have put her court case at risk as she begged him to explain his actions, accusing him of making her look like a 'liar'. Fight: It comes after Daniel and Justin came to blows outside the pub after Justin said Daisy would be better off with cancer than engaged to Daniel She asked: 'Can you explain, how you could do this to me?' 'He is still out there! You are going to go and do something stupid again,' she added. To which Daniel hit back with: 'That's not fair, you hit him too remember.' But Daisy said: 'That's not fair, I was scared, and I still am. My life is falling apart and it was supposed to be sorted today.' Daisy then stormed out in tears only to be greeted by Justin, who was sinisterly lurking outside her doorway. He said: 'I just wanted to see how you were.' But seeing Justin, Daniel fumed: 'What are you doing in here? Get out! Now!' Justin told Daisy: 'They want to push us apart, we need to be together.' He went on: 'Give us a chance, we could have an amazing time together. Don't marry him Daisy, I'm only looking out for you.' But Daisy insisted: 'I am marrying Daniel because I love him.' Justin said: 'You love me, you know you do.' However, Daisy said: 'I will never love you!' After returning to their flat, Daisy said she had only said everything was OK between her and Daniel to keep Justin at bay. Daniel assured her: 'The important thing is we're OK.' But she replied: 'We are so far from OK.' 'I said those things for Justin to go away. This nightmare is going to carry on now and it is all your fault,' she added. Daniel begged: 'I made a mistake.' But Daisy insisted: 'You ruined everything.' 'I would feel safe right now if it wasn't for you and your macho heroics,' she added. Shock: Daniel then saw red and launched himself at Justin resulting in a dramatic end to the show Daisy then refused to return home with Daniel and asked him to leave as she remained devastated by his actions. Later returning to speak to Daisy, Daniel assured her that he would return the next day to check on her, but Daisy asked him not to. She said: 'I'm sorry but I need some space, cos right now I just don't know about us.' To which Daniel asked: 'What are you saying?' And Daisy confessed: 'I don't know if I want to marry you anymore.' Coronation Street airs these scenes on Monday, March 27 at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Bella Hadid celebrated reaching five months without having any alcohol with a video that was shared to her TikTok account on Sunday morning. In the clip, the 26-year-old model spent time with her friends in what appeared to be a casino while taking in the sights. The fashion industry personality, who recently attended the opening of a restaurant in Las Vegas, has been open about reducing her consumption of alcohol in the past. Hadid wore a gorgeous low-cut black dress while spending time with her friends. The influencer's beautiful brunette hair cascaded onto her shoulders and paired well with the dark tone of her clothing. Major milestone: Bella Hadid celebrated reaching five months without having any alcohol with a video that was shared to her TikTok account on Sunday morning The model previously spoke about having to limit her drinking during an interview with InStyle, where she expressed that she previously stopped herself from going out when she felt that her well-being would be put at risk. 'I have done my fair share of drinking. I loved alcohol and it got to the point where even I started to, you know, cancel nights out that I felt like I wouldn't be able to control myself,' she recalled. Hadid also remarked that, after she was shown scans that showed the effects of alcohol on her brain, she found it to be much 'harder to pick up the glass.' The model then stated that she was starting to place less value in going out and drinking. She said: 'There's just this never-ending effect of, essentially, you know, pain and stress over those few drinks that didn't really do much, you know?' The fashion industry personality went on to express that she would be heavily cutting back on drinking in the future. 'I don't feel the need because I know how it will affect me at 3 in the morning when I wake up with horrible anxiety thinking about that one thing I said five years ago when I graduated high school,' she said. Hadid has largely switched out alcohol for various products from her Kin Euphorics beverage line. Having fun: In the clip, the 26-year-old model spent time with her friends in what appeared to be a casino while taking in the sights Being honest: The fashion industry personality, who recently attended the opening of a restaurant in Las Vegas, has been open about reducing her consumption of alcohol in the past Taking precaution: The model previously spoke about having to limit her drinking during an interview with InStyle, where she expressed that she previously stopped herself from going out when she felt that her well-being would be put at risk Substitution: Hadid has largely switched out alcohol for various products from her Kin Euphorics beverage line The model signed on as the wellness company's co-founder in September of 2021. The fashion industry personality has since appeared in several promotional images for the brand. Hadid also told InStyle about how she felt that regularly using Kin's products, particularly its Lightwave beverage, had a positive effect on her routine. 'It doesn't put you slap on your butt, asleep for 15 hours, but it does really calm your brain, your nervous system, and those late-night thoughts. I drink it before bed and I sleep like a baby,' she said. Chinese embassy donates smart classroom to Bangladeshi college Xinhua) 13:13, March 20, 2023 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Taylor Swift declared that she loves teaching 'men how to apologize' when she performed to 70,000 fans on Friday night, kicking off her record-breaking Eras Tour in Glendale, Arizona. The 33-year-old superstar who rocked a pink rhinestone leotard and belted out a 44-song set list opened up about 'recurring themes' in her music as she candidly spoke to State Farm Stadium with a guitar in her arms. 'So, sort of a recurring theme in my music is that I love to explain to men how to apologize. I just love it,' said the 12-time Grammy winner, per footage posted to Twitter. 'Its kind of my thing,' added Taylor. 'I love to tell them step-by-step, "Heres how simple this is to fix things if you just follow these easy steps that Im laying out for you in a three-minute song." I just love the idea of men apologizing.' The Bad Blood songstress was explaining how her eighth studio album Folklore was inspired by her imagination instead of her own life. The art of apologizing: Taylor Swift, 33, declared that she loves teaching 'men how to apologize' when she performed to 70,000 fans on Friday night, kicking off her record-breaking Eras Tour in Glendale, Arizona Taylor's passion: 'So, sort of a recurring theme in my music is that I love to explain to men how to apologize. I just love it,' said the 12-time Grammy winner, per footage posted to Twitter '[My songs are] kind of like journaling for you or something,' Taylor told her massive audience. '[And] I wanted to do a different thing that I had done before [with Folklore].' Earning thunderous applause, the pop megastar went on to describe the 'excruciatingly autobiographical' nature of her first seven albums, likening them to 'live-streamed public autopsies.' 'You know,' she explained, 'my albums have characteristically been, sort of, excruciatingly autobiographical where, like, when I put out an album, it just feels like getting some sort of live-streamed, public autopsy.' Taylor continued to discuss the different approach she took when writing Folklore, crafting 'characters and storylines' instead of purely using her own experiences. The hitmaker said: 'With [Folklore], I thought, "Wouldnt it be so fun to create characters and storylines? Theyll live in different times, and theyll do all these things and fall in love and hurt each other, go to wars and all these things." So, I created all these characters.' Released in 2020, Swift's smash hit album Folklore featured a pair of characters inspired by the two daughters of her close friends Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively James, seven, and Betty, three. Taylor wove the two characters into a storyline for the song called Betty, which revolved around a very romantic apology. Swift said: 'This is a song about a teenage [boy] named James trying to apologize to the love of his life and her name is Betty.' "i love to explain to men how to apologise" pic.twitter.com/QIvLamcQ4l rafia (@repromantic) March 18, 2023 Kind of her thing: 'Its kind of my thing,' added Taylor. 'I love to tell them step-by-step, "Heres how simple this is to fix things if you just follow these easy steps that Im laying out for you in a three-minute song." I just love the idea of men apologizing' Inspiration: She said her eighth studio album Folklore was inspired by her imagination instead of her own life, saying that she created 'characters and storylines' Candid creativity: The pop megastar went on to describe the 'excruciatingly autobiographical' nature of her first seven albums, likening them to 'live-streamed public autopsies' Putting it all out there: 'My albums have characteristically been, sort of, excruciatingly autobiographical where, like, when I put out an album, it just feels like getting some sort of live-streamed, public autopsy' No apology necessary: Taylor has been in a relationship with English actor Joe Alwyn, 32, since 2016, and the pair are intensely private about their life together (Swift and Alwyn pictured in 2019) Taylor has been in a relationship with English actor Joe Alwyn, 32, since 2016, and the pair are intensely private about their life together. Swift rarely discusses Alwyn, but she did give her handsome partner a sweet and subtle nod at a Grammys after-party in February when she wore his black leather jacket. Performing for 3 hours and 15 minutes Friday night, the chart topper belted out hit songs such as Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince, Cruel Summer and You Need to Calm Down from the Lover era. About an hour into her performance, Taylor told the sold-out audience, 'Is it just me or do we have a lot of things to catch up on? Its been a really long time since Ive been on tour.' Emily Clarkson gave fans a glimpse at her newborn baby as she celebrated Mother's Day on Sunday. The daughter of The Grand Tour Host Jeremy Clarkson, 28, announced she'd welcomed a baby girl named Arlo Rose with husband Alex Andrew last month. And this weekend she shared some new pictures of herself cradling the little girl a she enjoyed her first Mother's Day. Emily wrote on Instagram: 'My first one as a mummy and so beyond grateful to my own phenomenal mum for her endless love and support, particularly over the last six weeks feeling very very very lucky xxxxx. 'Happy Mothers Day to all the mums out there, whatever that looks like for you and sending so much love to anyone who needs it.' New beginnings: Emily Clarkson, 28, gave fans a glimpse at her newborn baby as she celebrated Mother's Day on Sunday Happy couple: The daughter of The Grand Tour Host Jeremy Clarkson announced she'd welcomed a baby girl named Arlo Rose with husband Alex Andrew (pictured) last month Meaningful words: 'Happy Mothers Day to all the mums out there, whatever that looks like for you and sending so much love to anyone who needs it,' she wrote on Instagram Emily shared a number pictures of herself with Arlo, including some black and white images of herself sitting in bed while gently brushing her wisp of hair. The pair could be seen alongside a pair of beautiful flowers which had been gifted to Emily. Meanwhile, Emily could be seen standing and holding baby Arlo in her hands as she wore a cream winter coat and stood outside. She was also seen enjoying a country walk with husband Alex as the happy couple smiled and cradled their baby. Elsewhere, Emily paid tribute to her own mother Francis Cain, who she could be seen in a picture with while out for a walk with the dog. Emily announced she had given birth to her first child with her husband Alex Andrew last month. She revealed she had welcomed a baby girl named Arlo Rose, who was doing 'really well'. Emily shared the news with her Instagram followers, announcing that she had given birth on February 1. Beautiful moment: Emily shared a number pictures of herself with Arlo, including some black and white images of herself sitting in bed while gently brushing her wisp of hair Special moment: The pair could be seen alongside a pair of beautiful flowers which had been gifted to Emily Emily wrote: 'Arlo Rose Andrew 1/2/23. We're all doing really well at home and just loving this time hanging out as a family so will be back online in a little bit xxxxxxx.' Hours after they first announced the news, Emily's father Jeremy shared a photograph from his first meeting with the newborn. Alongside the snap, he wrote: 'The happiest a man can be.' Emily and her husband, who have been together for 10 years and married last year, were flooded with comments of congratulations from her followers. Emily announced she that she was expecting her first baby in September. The podcast host shared a black and white clip of herself with her husband as he tenderly touched her blossoming bump while standing in their kitchen. Mother-daughter duo: Meanwhile, Emily could be seen standing and holding baby Arlo in her hands as she wore a cream winter coat and stood outside Emily captioned the clip: 'We're so delighted to share that we're expecting a baby girl in early 2023.' Their adorable dog could be seen jumping up and joining the couple in the sweet video. Emily married her beau Alex in May last year, two years after getting engaged. She took to her Instagram account at the time to reveal the first look at her stunning countryside wedding. The blogger and author looked beautiful in a vintage inspired high-necked wedding dress by Temperley Bridal that featured intricate beading detail. The lace back gown showed off a hint of skin as Emily wowed in the show-stopping ensemble. She completed her classic look with a floor-length lace veil, with her blonde locks scraped back into an elegant pony tail. Emily announced her engagement to the Dublin-born publicist back in March 2020. Family moment: Elsewhere, Emily paid tribute to her own mother Francis Cain, who she could be seen in a picture with while out for a walk with the dog Aw! Hours after they first announced the news of Arlo's birth last month, Emily's father Jeremy Clarkson shared a photograph from his first meeting with the newborn She declared Alex had made her 'the happiest girl in the whole wide world,' while her father also shared the photo, writing: 'Very very happy father.' She completed her classic look with a floor-length lace veil, with her blonde locks scraped back into an elegant pony tail. Emily announced her engagement to the Dublin-born publicist back in March 2020. She declared Alex had made her 'the happiest girl in the whole wide world,' while her father also shared the photo, writing: 'Very very happy father.' Sydney Sweeney has been enjoying the summer weather in Australia. The actress, 25, who has been taking in the sites and sounds of her namesake city, showed off her toned and soon-to-be tanned body as she modeled a bikini in her Instagram Stories Sunday. The Euphoria actress wrote 'Soaking up the Aussie sun' on the photo of her lying on a chaise lounge on a wooden deck. She put on a busty display in a brown halter top embroidered with white flowers and swirls. Sydney tagged the top as being from her collaboration with Frankies Bikinis. Busty display: Sydney Sweeney, 25, put on a busty display as she showed off her toned and soon-to-be tanned body while modeling a bikini in her Instagram Stories Sunday The Tia Triangle Bikini top sells for $85 on the company's website. The matching Venice Skimpy Bottom retails for $85 as well. The website describes the collaboration with The White Lotus star as the sexiest yet. 'Love Letters by Sydney Sweeney is inspired by the girl who follows her heart, with pieces that highlight Sydneys gorgeous femininity and sweet romantic aura,' the web page reads. The actress turned designer has collaborated on a number of looks in a variety of colors, including green, pink and white. 'This collection introduces bombshell bikini tops made to tease, one pieces made to flatter, clothing designed to inspire confidence, and personal details from Sydney herself.' Sydney has been in the land down under working on as-yet unnamed romantic comedy being directed by Will Gluck. Glen Powell, 34, from Top Gun: Maverick is starring in the project as is Dermot Mulroney, 59. Love Letters: The swimsuit is from Sydney's Love Letters collaboration with Frankies Bikinis Wow! The beauty proudly showed off her incredible physique while lounging in the sun Sexy: Sydney flaunted her toned abs in the video. The swimsuit company calls the collaboration with Sydney it's sexiest yet. Each piece retails for about $85 Sultry: The TV star also recently shared some snaps with Frankies Bikinis designer herself, Francesca Aiello The plot is being kept under wraps at this time. Sydney has recently wrapped work on the horror film Immaculate about a woman who is hired by a convent in Italy. She has also been signed to co-with Julianne Moore, in the thriller Echo Valley for Apple+ TV. Lewis Hamilton shared a heartwarming message to both of his mums on Instagram for Mother's Day on Sunday. The racing driver, 38, took to social media to commemorate the day by posting a sweet message to his mum Carmen and step-mum Linda. The F1 star gushed over how both his mum's have influenced his life and also extended the lovely wishes to 'all amazing mums' in the world. Hamilton wrote: 'Growing up with a Mum and a step Mum who have always supported me is such a gift. 'No matter what happened in school or on the track, the amount of love and care never changed. 'The amount of love and care never changed': Lewis Hamilton shared a heartwarming message to both of his mums on Instagram for Mother's Day on Sunday 'Making them both proud is one of my top achievements, so Ill do everything I can to make them proud today. 'Happy Mothers Day to them and all amazing Mums out there.' The sweet message came ahead of the British star's third practice session of the Saudi Arabia Formula One Grand Prix. It comes as Hamilton said Red Bull have built the fastest Formula One car he has ever seen after Sergio Perez saw off Max Verstappen to win the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Perez cantered to victory from pole position at the circuit on the Jeddah Corniche as Verstappen blasted his way from 15th to second following a mechanical failure in qualifying. George Russell took third place after Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was demoted a position following a controversial post-race 10-second penalty. Hamilton finished fifth. Hamilton started seventh and was the only one of the main players to begin the race on the hard tyres - the slower but more durable compound - and the British driver struggled for speed. He dropped to eighth on lap eight when Charles Leclerc cantered by, and then fell behind Verstappen to leave him in ninth. He was also shown a black and white flag by the stewards for weaving on the straight as he earlier attempted to keep Leclerc back. 'It's a gift': The racing driver, 38, took to social media to commemorate the day by posting a sweet message to his mum Carmen and step-mum Linda 'Making them both proud is one of my top achievements': The F1 star gushed over how both his mum's have influenced his life and also extended his wishes to 'all amazing mums' in the world But his night suddenly changed for the better when Lance Stroll broke down in his Aston Martin on lap 18. Out came the safety car and Hamilton was effectively handed a free pit stop, moving him ahead of both Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. By then, Verstappen was already fourth. The race restarted on lap 21 and the Dutchman made light work of Russell and then Alonso to take second place. Hamilton looked primed to launch an assault on Russell but his challenge never materialised. He took the chequered flag 5.1 seconds behind his team-mate. 'I still don't have the confidence with the car, but I am doing the best I can with it,' he concluded. 'I struggled in qualifying so I am pleased to turn it into a positive and George got a great result and some good points for the team.' The Greens recently proposed a nationwide rent freeze for the next two years to curb the cost of living crisis - rejecting criticism from some experts that the plan could cause trigger a mass landlord sell-off. The suggested plan comes amid a national cost of living crisis with rents rising seven times quicker than wages - according to a recent analysis - with shocking examples coming to light of landlords even renting out their balconies as rooms in the major cities for $300 a week. Max Chandler-Mather, a Greens MP for Griffith in Brisbane's south, argues that the controversial policy would provide renters with some stability and relief amid soaring prices across the board. The minor party are also calling on the government to end no-grounds evictions as part of its suite of proposals - all of which have been blanked by the Labor government. Labor is instead arguing in favour of its Housing Australia Future Fund, injecting $10billion into building 30,000 more homes in the span of five years - which Mr Chandler-Mather argued would provide little to no relief for tenants. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia about the housing crisis and the government's response, Mr Chandler-Mather said: 'An emergency two-year freeze on rent increases will give everyday renters' incomes a chance to catch up.' The Greens recently proposed a nationwide rent freeze for the next two years to curb the cost of living crisis Earlier this month, Mr Chandler-Mather asked a question to Dr Chalmers, referring to recent analysis which determined renters would pay an extra $10billion to landlords this year in rental hikes. He said: 'Will the government finally agree to do the same for rents and put a freeze on rent increases on the National Cabinet agenda as well as doubling rent assistance in the budget to help stop this mounting crisis?' Dr Chalmers skirted around the question, instead pointing to Labor's housing fund. 'I don't think it's any secret to anyone in this place that we don't have enough rental properties in this country,' Dr Chalmers said. 'Vacancy rates are incredibly low. Rents are far too high. 'We recognise that Australians are under the pump. We recognise that Australian renters are particularly doing it tough in the context of low vacancy rates and unacceptably high rents. 'The best way to deal with that is to build more properties, and that's what we intend to do.' Mr Chandler-Mather later described the answer as a non-response. 'The Treasurer didn't answer my question on the rental crisis because Labor doesn't have a single policy to help the millions of renters facing another $10 billion worth of rent increases this year alone,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Labor's Housing Australia Future Fund does nothing for renters, locks in half a billion dollars in cuts to housing funding, and will see the shortage of social and affordable housing grow to over 680,000 homes in five years. Max Chandler-Mather, a Greens MP for Griffith in Brisbane's south, highlighted the importance of such a policy after recent analysis determined renters would pay an extra $10billion to landlords this year in rental hikes And on his Facebook page, Mr Chandler-Mather doubled down on that criticism, stating: 'It's time for Labor to stop making decisions that will make the housing crisis worse.' But there are vocal critics of such measures, who suggest rent freezes actually put tenants at increased risk of long term homelessness. Propertyology head of research Simon Pressley spoke about the shortfalls of the proposal when it was first raised, explaining that landlords are unlikely to accept any cap on their earning potential. 'Lots of them are already fed up from being consistently squeezed,' he told Your Investment Property. 'Many landlords will sell and tens of thousands of tenants will be displaced and will have nowhere else to go. When that happens, the blood will be on the hands of politicians who refused to support rental supply policies.' And while the idea is seductive - particularly for tenants - there are concerns that if landlords all suddenly decide against renting them out, it could spell disaster. Mr Chandler-Mather told Daily Mail Australia even that would be a win-win scenario, and something his party has considered. The Greens' proposal would include taxing vacant properties and phasing out negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions in addition to the rent freeze. As a result, Mr Chandler-Mather said, 'even where an investor tried to leave their property vacant it would be taxed, pushing them to either sell to a renter or rent out their property. 'At the end of the day many people who want to buy their first home are being locked out by sky-high house prices and wealthy investors hoarding properties. 'If investors don't want to see reasonable caps on rents, they can sell their investment properties and allow a renter to buy their first home.' Dr Chris Martin, Senior Research Fellow from the UNSW City Futures Research Centre, also addressed the proposal last year. In an article written for the university, Dr Martin argued housing is often utilised as a means to grow wealth, rather than necessity. 'There should be regulation of rents in principle because everyone needs housing, and the consequences of not having it are dire,' he said. Mr Chandler-Mather surveyed 500 renters in his electorate of Griffith and found that 75 per cent supported freezing further increases. Dr Chalmers skirted around the question, instead pointing to Labor's Housing Australia Future Fund, which plans to build more houses. He instead shifted focus to the Future Fund, saying: 'I don't think it's any secret to anyone in this place that we don't have enough rental properties in this country. Vacancy rates are incredibly low. Rents are far too high' He said: 'More broadly we have been overwhelmed with messages from renters across the country encouraging us to keep pushing the government to act.' As part of the plan, following the two-year freeze, landlords would only be permitted to implement a two per cent increase every second year. The current rental crisis was put on full display last month when a Sydney landlord advertised his balcony as a room available to rent for $300. The tiny room, which is barely big enough to hold a single bed, generated 'a lot of interest' according to the landlord, who specified the tenant must be 'one boy' and must list their nationality. Carrie Bickmore has found a shoulder to cry on following her split from partner of 11 years, Chris Walker. The mother-of-three, 42, has grown close to her Hit FM co-host Tommy Little, 38, who is also single following his breakup with girlfriend Natalie Kyriacou in 2021. Tommy rushed to Carrie's side in January when she confirmed her marriage split in January, leading insiders to speculate their friendship could evolve into something more. In recent months Tommy has shared several gushing tributes to Carrie on Instagram, and in one post called her the 'best in the business' who 'lifts up everyone around her and makes them look good'. Ahead of Carrie's last day on The Project last November, Tommy also treated the blonde bombshell to a private helicopter ride across Melbourne. Rumours are swirling Carrie Bickmore, 42, and Tommy Little, 38, (pictured together) 'are growing close' following their respective breakups Tommy rushed to Carrie's side in January when she confirmed her marriage split in January, leading insiders to speculate their friendship could evolve into something more. (Pictured together at the Melbourne Cup in 2019) He is often seen close to her at glitzy events, including the 2022 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) last October, where he didn't leave her side even as guests got up from their tables and mingled with others. The duo are regularly seen posing for cosy selfies on social media, which has prompted curious fans to question whether romance is on the cards. 'You guys make a lovely couple,' one recently commented on a photo of the pair. 'Get a room already, you two,' another said. In recent months Tommy has shared several gushing tributes to Carrie on Instagram, and in one post called her the 'best in the business' who 'lifts up everyone around her and makes them look good' Ahead of Carrie's last day on The Project last November, Tommy treated the blonde to a private helicopter ride across Melbourne It's not hard to see why fans are hoping for love to blossom, as Tommy and Carrie are already known for their electric chemistry. Their professional relationship began in 2016 when Tommy joined Carrie on the panel of The Project. A year later, the pair began co-hosting Hit Network's Melbourne drive show in 2017, and immediately gained a cult following thanks to their entertaining and organic banter. He is often seen close to her at glitzy events, including the 2022 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) last October, where he didn't leave her side even as guests got up from their tables and mingled with others The duo are regularly seen posing for cosy selfies on social media, prompting curious fans to question whether romance is on the cards It's not hard to see why fans are hoping for love to blossom, as Tommy and Carrie are already known for their electric on-air chemistry In November 2022 it was confirmed the show had been renewed for another four years. Carrie announced her split from her longtime partner Chris in January this year via Instagram, saying the pair are focused on co-parenting their three children, Ollie, 15, Evie, seven, and Adelaide, four. The news came just one month after Carrie hosted her last episode of Channel 10's The Project after stepping down because she wanted to spend more evenings at home with her family. Almost a year earlier, in February 2021, it was reported that Tommy had split from his ex, social media manager Natalie. At the time, the couple vanished from each other's social media feeds and he was spotted on dating app Tinder. Carrie announced her split from Chris (pictured in happier times) in January via Instagram, saying the pair are focused on co-parenting their three children, Ollie, 15, Evie, seven, and Adelaide, four Jennifer Lawrence opted for casual comfort as she arrived at the bustling JFK airport in New York on Sunday alongside her husband Cooke Maroney. The Oscar winner, 32, who recently enjoyed a date night with the art gallery director in Los Angeles, sported an oversized coat and sneakers as she strolled through the crowded lobby. The mother of one made an appearance in the trailer for her upcoming comedy, No Hard Feelings, which dropped earlier this month, branching into a genre she doesn't often tackle, much to the delight of her fans. The star was spotted putting on a thick black parka that contained an orange inner lining as she made her way through the airport, while effortlessly carrying a large brown leather bag over the crook of her right arm. For a bit of warmth, the Hunger Games alumna donned a light gray turtleneck sweater along with comfy black trousers. Busy day: Jennifer Lawrence, 32, opted for casual comfort as she arrived at bustling JFK airport on Sunday alongside her husband, Cooke Maroney Jennifer slipped into a pair of gray-colored Adidas sneakers to make her day of traveling easy and simple. Her long, blonde locks were parted in the middle and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in natural light waves. She opted to wear a bright red face mask for a colorful addition to her rather monochromatic look. Her husband, whom she tied the knot with back in October 2019, also chose stylish comfort and was seen wearing a light gray, crew neck sweater along with a pair of black pants. The art gallery director layered the ensemble with a black coat that fell down towards his knees, and slipped into a pair of black and white Vans. The two lovebirds were first romantically linked in 2018, and became engaged the beginning of the following year. The Silver Linings Playbook actress met Cooke through a mutual friend and opened up about first crossing paths with him on the Naked With Catt Sadler podcast in 2019. 'I definitely wasn't at a place where I was like, 'I'm ready to get married,' Jennifer admitted, per People. 'I just met Cooke and I wanted to marry him. We wanted to marry each other, we wanted to commit fully.' Keeping it casual: The star was spotted shrugging into a thick, black parka with a vibrant, orange inner lining as she made her way through the airport Comfy style: For a bit of warmth, the Hunger Games alum donned a light gray, turtleneck sweater along with comfy, black trousers 'He's my best friend, so I want to legally bind him to me forever,' the beauty humorously gushed at the time. 'And fortunately the paperwork exists for such a thing. It's the greatest. You find your favorite person on the planet and you're like, 'You can't leave!' So I wanted to take that offer.' After tying the knot, the couple soon welcomed their first child, a son named Cy, last year in February 2022. While the two keep their relationship and baby mostly out of the public eye, Jennifer opened up about motherhood during an interview with Vogue last year in September. 'The morning after I gave birth, I felt like my whole life had started over. Like, Now is day one of my life,' the actress recalled. 'I just stared. I was just so in love.' Lawrence continued, 'I also fell in love with all babies everywhere. Newborns are just so amazing. Theyre these pink, swollen, fragile little survivors. Now I love all babies. Now I hear a baby crying in a restaurant and Im like, 'Awwwww preciousssss.' After briefly stepping away from Hollywood, the actress tackled a leading role in the 2022 film, Causeway, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year. The movie, which follows a U.S. soldier's adjustment after returning home after suffering an injury in Afghanistan, garnered critical acclaim for Jennifer, as well as her co-star, Brian Tyree Henry, who received an Oscar nomination for his performance at the 95th Academy Awards. Earlier this month, the actress tackled the genre of comedy in the newly dropped trailer for No Hard Feelings, which is slated to premiere later this year on June 23. Motherhood: After tying the knot, the couple soon welcomed their first child, a son named Cy, last year in February 2022; seen in February in Los Angeles Upcoming project! Earlier this month, the actress tackled the genre of comedy in the newly dropped trailer for No Hard Feelings, which is slated to premiere later this year on June 23 Star-studded: Other cast members in the feature include Matthew Broderick, Andrew Barth Feldman, and Laura Benanti Positive reaction: Shortly after the trailer was released, fans jumped to social media to express their excitement to see Jennifer step away from dramatic roles to take on a more comedic one Excited: One fan tweeted, 'Jennifer Lawrence doing physical comedy??? Yes!! She looks good in this!' while another penned, 'Jennifer Lawrence being hot and funny is all I need from a film so my ticket is sold' Other cast members in the feature include Matthew Broderick, Andrew Barth Feldman, and Laura Benanti. The plot follows Jennifer's character, Maddie, who responds to an ad by a family who offer a car in exchange for her to date their son, who hardly leaves his room, before he heads off to college. Shortly after the trailer was released, fans jumped to social media to express their excitement to see Jennifer step away from dramatic roles to take on a more comedic one. She is known for portraying more serious characters in films such as The Hunger Games franchise and American Hustle. One fan tweeted, 'Jennifer Lawrence doing physical comedy??? Yes!! She looks good in this!' while another penned, 'Jennifer Lawrence being hot and funny is all I need from a film so my ticket is sold.' In a rare public outing together, Billy Crudup and Naomi Watts were spotted taking a stroll with her dog after enjoying dinner in New York City. The two actors were photographed chatting and laughing as they made their way along the streets of the Downtown Manhattan neighborhood of Tribeca on Sunday. The Storeham, England native, who moved to Sydney, Australia when she was a teenager, bundled up to stay warm in a brown and black-patterned overcoat and scarf. She also donned baggy blue jeans and a pair of white sneakers, black-frame glasses, and had her blonde tresses falling around shoulder level with a part in the middle. From the looks of things, the two-time Academy Award nominee was in change of her four-legged family member, as she held on to her Yorkshire terrier's pink leash during the leisurely stroll in her adopted hometown. Lovebirds: Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup took a leisurely stroll together after dinner in the Downtown Manhattan neighborhood of Tribeca with her dog on Sunday night Crudup also kept it casual in the fashion department dressed in dark blue jeans and a brown hoodie, which also served as a hand-warmer on this chilly night in the big city. The Manhasset, New York native, 54, also sported a pair of black and white sneakers, and had his dark hair cut short and pushed back off his face. This is a rare sighting of the two, who have tried to keep their relationship private and away from the public eye over the years. The couple have been dating since they co-starred in the Netflix drama series Gypsy (2017), but they didn't make their red carpet debut until the 2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards, where Crudrup was nominated for his role on The Morning Show. While they've made an effort to keep their romance on out of the spotlight, making only a handful of public appearances together and rarely discussing each other, they have shared a few sweet moments with fans on social media. Happy birthday my love,' she gushed alongside a photo of the couple snuggled up together for a photo while visiting the Louvre Museum in Paris, France on July 8, 2022. Watts also referred to Crudup as 'my darling' in the caption of a photo of the pair relaxing on a lounge chair this past February 14. Watts shares her two sons, Sasha, 15, and Kai, 14, with her ex-partner, actor Liev Schreiber, 55, with whom she started to date back in 2005. Chilly: The Storeham, England native, who moved to Sydney, Australia when she was a teenager, bundled up to stay warm in a brown and black-patterned overcoat and scarf to go along with her baggy blue jeans and sneakers Casual: Crudup also kept it casual in the fashion department dressed in dark blue jeans and a brown hoodie, which also served as a hand-warmer on this chilly night in the big city The couple decided to split and go their separate ways in 2016 after 11 years together, but they have remained to be committed to amicably co-parenting their children. The Ray Donovan actor has since moved on to date the much younger actress and model, Taylor Neisen, 30, who was formerly Miss South Dakota and competed in the Miss USA pageant in 2012. Watts is best known for a number of acclaimed films including 21 Grams (2003), ,Mulholland Dr. (2001), King Kong (2005), J. Edgar (2011), The Impossible (2012), St. Vincent (2014) and Birdman (2014). A four time Tony Award nominee of the stage, Crudup has also starred in such films as Almost Famous (2000), Big Fish (2003), Mission: Impossible III (2006), Watchmen (2009), Public Enemies (2009), The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015), Jackie (2016) and Alien: Covenant (2017), as well as the series The Morning Show (2019-present). Sweet sentiments: While they've made an effort to keep their romance on out of the spotlight, making only a handful of public appearances together and rarely discussing each other, they have shared a few sweet moments with fans on social media, including this post in February Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes has spoken of his 'harrowing' near-death experience after the light plane he was flying in almost collided with a bird. The comedian, 52, was the sole passenger in the plane that departed from 'outback South Australia' over the weekend. He was livestreaming the take-off for his Instagram followers when a bird suddenly 'flew straight into us' but narrowly missed. The pilot told Hughes that while it may not have seemed like a big deal, they had just avoided a potentially fatal crash. '[It was] just me and the pilot in the plane, and then I had a harrowing moment,' he explained on the Hughesy, Ed and Erin show on Monday. Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes (pictured) has spoken of his 'harrowing' near-death experience after the light plane he was flying in almost collided with a bird He then played a recording of his livestream in which he could be heard shouting 'woah' as the bird zoomed past the plane. 'That doesn't sound [like] much there, but that "woah, a bird" was me after a bird flew straight at us and missed us by millimetres,' Hughes explained. 'Right after we cut off the audio, the pilot said, "Oh, lucky." I said, "What do you mean?" He said, "If that bird had hit us, it might have taken us down." 'I was millimetres away from dying in a light plane because of a bird.' The 2Day FM breakfast show also shared a chilling screenshot from Hughes' livestream that showed a control panel in the plane right before the near-collision with the bird. Hughes recounted the terrifying story on the Hughesy, Ed and Erin show on Monday (left, his co-host Erin Molan). He had been livestreaming the take-off for his Instagram followers (right) when a bird suddenly 'flew straight into us' but narrowly missed. The pilot told Hughes that while it may not have seemed like a big deal, they had just avoided a potentially fatal crash Light plane crashes are becoming a disturbingly common occurrence in Australia, with the latest incident happening at Bankstown Airport on Friday afternoon. A pilot was revived after going into cardiac arrest when his plane crashed and flipped on impact at the airport in Sydney's southwest. The male pilot, aged in his sixties, was the only one on board and became trapped in the cockpit for more than an hour. The pilot went into cardiac arrest after being freed but was revived through CPR. He was rushed to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition with injuries to his spine, chest, leg and arm. Eight fire trucks responded to the crash with crews having to manage a fuel leak as they attempted to free the pilot, covering the aircraft in fire retardant foam. It is understood the plane had travelled from the Gold Coast and a strong gust of wind was potentially to blame for the crash. Oprah took to Instagram on Sunday to share a number of snaps from her trip to Jordan, which she visited with best friend Gayle King. The talk show host, 69, reminisced about the eventful trip with her CBS Mornings co-host gal pal, 68. The voyage saw Oprah enjoying a camel ride and visit the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. The Queen of All Media - who recently attended a star-studded Hollywood party with Kim Kardashian - looked comfortable sitting atop the colorfully-clad animal, and shared another snap posing next to him while sending a kiss to the camera. 'Visited Jordan this week and there was so much to see and experience! We visited the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus, Petra and all its fascinations, camels, and the spot where the big boulder comes rolling out of Indiana Jones,' she wrote in the caption. 'So much history there in the "Rose City," voted one of the 7 new wonders of the world. It takes 3 days to really see it all we only spent 3 hours. Put it on your must see list if you havent already!' Traveling: Oprah, 69, took to Instagram on Sunday to share a number of snaps from her trip to Jordan, including one of her riding a camel Besties: The billionaire visited the country with her best friend Gayle King, 68. The ladies were seen matching their outfits on the eventful trip She was dressed for sightseeing, sporting a pair of khaki pants, sneakers, a warm cream coat and a green bandana. The Mississippi-born mogul wore her tresses in voluminous curls and accessorized with a pair of eyeglasses on the trip. Another picture saw her and Gayle wearing matching warm brown coats with a dark lining while posing in the desert. They continued to sightsee, and took another snap together in front of a large canyon. However, many of her 22M followers took umbrage with the fact that she rode a camel on the trip. 'Stop getting on camels. They abuse them. You should know that,' one person wrote. 'Youd think someone like Oprah would be kinder to animals,' another added. 'Camel riding is not okay. These poor animals are mistreated and abused. They should not be used as transportation,' yet another commentated noted. Eventful: 'We visited the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus, Petra and all its fascinations, camels, and the spot where the big boulder comes rolling out of Indiana Jones,' she wrote in the caption Four-legged friend: The mogul shared another snap posing next to the camel while sending a kiss to the camera Advice: 'It takes 3 days to really see it all we only spent 3 hours. Put it on your must see list if you havent already!' she advised her followers Oprah and Gayle have been longtime friends, and in January the journalist helped Oprah ring in her 69th birthday. 'Happy everything to the girl who lives her best life everyday & does what she can to help everybody else do the same,' Gayle wrote in an Instagram post dedicated to her friend. The pair also joined up with a group of friends for an end-of-year gratitude hike, as a way to bid farewell to 2022 and hello to the year ahead. Winfrey looked to be doing great after undergoing two knee surgeries during the latter half of 2021. She then went through many difficult months of rehabilitation. The two ladies' friendship dates back more than 46 years when they met in the early 20s while working at WJZ-TV in Baltimore in 1976 Winfrey as a news anchor and King as a production assistant and writer, according to Yahoo. Oprah famously addressed their very close bond with O magazine back in 2006: 'I understand why people think we're gay. There isn't a definition in our culture for this kind of bond between women. So I get why people have to label it - how can you be this close without it being sexual?' She added, 'I've told nearly everything there is to tell. All my stuff is out there. People think I'd be so ashamed of being gay that I wouldn't admit it? Oh, please.' Sophie Guidolin was spending some time with her ex-husband on Sunday. The fitness influencer was visited by her first husband Nathan Wallace, who is the father of her twin daughters, Evie and Aria, eight, and teenage sons Kai and Ryder. The bodybuilder was spotted leaving Sophie's home in Kingscliff, NSW with a box of health food. He carried a Happy Way parcel, with the brand known for protein powders and healthy snacks, as well as a box from Youfoodz, a meal plan service. Nathan appeared focused on his task and was dressed casually in a black shirt and spotted shorts. Sophie Guidolin was spending some time with her ex-husband on Sunday. The fitness influencer was visited by her first husband Nathan Wallace (pictured), who is the father of her twin daughters, Evie and Aria, eight, and teenage sons Kai and Ryder The bodybuilder was spotted leaving Sophie's home in Kingscliff, NSW with a box of health food. He carried a Happy Way parcel, with the brand known for protein powders and healthy snacks, as well as a box from Youfoodz, a meal plan service Nathan appeared focused on his task and was dressed casually in a black shirt and shorts The couple quietly parted ways before the Covid pandemic, promising to raise their two daughters and two sons together. Instead of an arrangement that would see one parent have the kids during the week and the other on the weekends Sophie and Nathan have decided on a 'flow parenting' approach with very few rules. 'We don't have any set custody arrangements or parenting plans,' Sophie told FEMAIL. 'We still live a few doors away from each other and the kids come and go between houses whenever they feel. We all still very much do things together as a family and attend events and dinners frequently in an amicable way.' The ex-couple, who built their fitness empire together in 2015, say they have a very mutual respect for one another which allows them to be able to put their egos aside and ensure that they always do what is best for the kids. The couple quietly parted ways before the Covid pandemic, promising to raise their two daughters and two sons together. Pictured together Instead of an arrangement that would see one parent have the kids during the week and the other on the weekends Sophie and Nathan have decided on a 'flow parenting' approach with very few rules. Pictured with three of their kids Sophie recently celebrated her 34th birthday with her son Kai, 15, revealing that they had recently been reunited after the teen had spent some time with his grandparents in Adelaide. It comes after the influencer broke her silence on her split from husband Dr Andrew Firgaira, just days after he announced their separation. Dr Firgaira, a high-profile Gold Coast dentist, confirmed the couple's split last Wednesday, following weeks of rumours they had quietly ended their marriage just four months after their dream wedding. In a series of Instagram comments last Friday, Guidolin claimed that - contrary to rumours doing the rounds online - 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 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'. One of her followers asked in the comments section, 'Where's your hubby?' to which Guidolin replied, 'I left him.' 'We don't have any set custody arrangements or parenting plans,' Sophie told FEMAIL Sophie recently celebrated her 34th birthday with her son Kai, 15, revealing that they had recently been reunited after the teen had spent some time with his grandparents in Adelaide. Pictured together 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.' 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'. It comes after the influencer broke her silence on her split from husband Dr Andrew Firgaira (left), just days after he announced their separation Dr Firgaira (left) confirmed last Wednesday the couple had ended their marriage. The dentist said he was 'not willing' to discuss the reasons for the split, which came after Guidolin gave birth to a stillborn baby while he was on holiday in Europe with his daughters Dr Firgaira confirmed the couple had ended their relationship in an emotionally raw Instagram post. The dentist said he was 'not willing' to discuss the reasons for the split, which came after Guidolin gave birth to a stillborn baby while he was on holiday in Europe with his daughters from a previous relationship. 'In order to remove the constant speculation I'll answer this once by saying we are no longer together,' he wrote in a comment on his own post. 'I have my reasons why and I'm not prepared to discuss this matter any further.' He stressed he 'wants people to refrain' from commenting on the relationship as 'nothing positive can come from discussing it further'. His comments come after Guidolin quietly unfollowed Dr Firgaira on Instagram weeks earlier, and wiped all evidence of him from her own feed. Photos of Guidolin and Dr Firgaira at their wedding were deleted, as well as their engagement post and a photo announcing Guidolin's pregnancy over Christmas last year. The couple tied the knot in November, and announced a month later they were expecting their first child together (pictured) Rumours about the couple's marriage had been swirling for months, after fans noticed the model had stopped posting photos of Dr Firgaira on social media. Last month, Guidolin added more fuel to the fire by uploading 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'. She then alluded to her need for 'closure' after a difficult time, writing: 'Forgiveness is key, but some things are unforgivable and closure is the choice.' Guidolin 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 couple tied the knot in November, before announcing a month later they were expecting their first child together. Guidolin, who has four children from a previous relationship, encountered serious health problems during her fifth pregnancy. In January, she told fans she had been diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness. In January, Guidolin told fans she had been diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness. (Pictured recovering from the condition in hospital) When asked by her followers where her husband was, Guidolin said he was overseas in Europe While recovering from the condition in hospital, Guidolin shared a post complaining about how lonely she felt without Dr Firgaira by her side. When quizzed by fans where her husband was, she said he was overseas on a long-promised European holiday with his two daughters. Guidolin announced in late January her fifth child, and first with Dr Firgaira, a girl named Pixie, was stillborn. '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.' New mother Heather Rae Young shared adorable photos of her and her husband Tarek El Moussa giving a bath to their newborn baby on Sunday. In the photos, which were seemingly taken at different times, the 33-year-old Selling Sunset star showed off her son Tristan's face as she gently bathed him and kissed him on the forehead. 'Mommy and daddy loving every moment with our baby,' she wrote in the caption of her latest post. 'Tristan is still not sure if he likes bath time, but he loves being snuggled up in his cozy robes,' she continued. 'Just like mama.' The couple welcomed their baby boy their first child together earlier this year on January 31. Bath time! New mother Heather Rae Young, 33, shared adorable photos of her and her husband Tarek El Moussa, 41, giving a bath to their newborn baby on Sunday Forehead kiss: After giving her newborn baby a bath, she took a snap of herself giving him a kiss on the forehead In one shot, the former Playboy model donned a simple black ensemble and threw her platinum blonde tresses up in a messy bun. After giving her newborn baby a bath, she took a snap of herself giving him a kiss on the forehead. In the photo, Heather wrapped him up in a cozy blanket and cradled him closely to her chest. Another picture showed the blonde bombshell in a fuzzy, cheetah-print robe and supporting Tristan's head as the real estate investor, 41, gently rinsed off their baby. Previously, the reality TV personality revealed she was expecting last July. In the last year, she had been open about the couple's struggle to conceive a baby. Last summer, she announced on social media that they would soon be welcoming a baby with help from in vitro fertilization. In 2019, Heather and Tarek met after being introduced by mutual friends during a Fourth of July celebration in Newport Beach, California. Snuggled up: In another photo, Heather wrapped baby boy Tristan up in a cozy blanket and cradled him closely to her chest Expanding their family: The couple welcomed their baby boy - their first child together - earlier this year on January 31 A few weeks later, they confirmed their relationship status and went Instagram official. The couple who tied the knot in October 2021 also co-parent two children with Tarek's ex-wife Christina Hall. During his nearly-a-decade-long marriage with the Flip Or Flop host, Tarek welcomed a daughter named Taylor, 12, and a son named Brayden, seven. The former couple called it quits in 2018 and now co-parent their children amicably. Zendaya's 'image architect' Law Roach has finally addressed the viral video of him and the actress at the Louise Vuitton show at Paris Fashion Week, after his shock resignation. The 26-year-old actress was caught on camera taking her place on the front row next to Emma Stone at the show before ushering her longtime stylist to an empty chair behind. The clip prompted fierce debate on social media as dozens of commenters slammed Zendaya for not 'showing him respect' - with some suggesting that the awkward moment was the catalyst for 44-year-old Law's shock resignation. However, the stylist has now spoken out to defend Zendaya and explain what really happened. Speaking to The Cut, he recalled that they'd arrived late due to traffic causing a lot of 'anxiety'. Having his say: Zendaya's 'image architect' Law Roach has finally addressed the viral video of him and the actress at the Louise Vuitton show at Paris Fashion Week, after his shock resignation Viral: The 26-year-old actress was caught on camera taking her place on the front row next to Emma Stone at the show before ushering her longtime stylist to an empty chair behind Law said: 'So, it was a lot of anxiety, because Zendaya is really respectful, and she doesnt like people to have to wait on her, and so it was just anxiety.' He added that the Vuitton team started 'shuffling' them to their seats rapidly but that there was confusion when he found there was no seat next to Zendaya, because he 'always' sits with her. He added: 'In my mind, my seat was next to her. So, when I got there and it wasnt, you know, it wasnt a problem, but there was nobody to tell me where my actual seat was.' Law further explained that Zendaya gesturing behind her was not her offering him the seat, but telling him that seat was reserved for her assistant, Darnell. He said: 'And so I was standing there I was really just kind of confused. And remember, we had just made a mad dash to get there, so its anxiety, like, you sweating.' He refuted the notion 'that Zendaya wasnt taking care of me and wasnt making sure I was taken care of'. It falls in line with Law's Twitter comments last week, where he denied any suggestion of a feud between him and Zendaya, while describing her as his 'little sister'. 'So yall really think Im breaking up with Z.. we are forever!' he wrote on Twitter, adding in a second post: 'Shes my little sister and its real love not the fake industry love.' He then posted a third tweet featuring a gif of two little girls in a flower-filled meadow featuring the words 'me & u must neva part', writing alongside it: 'Literally me and Zendaya...' Roach's posts come after his decision to quit the fashion industry - a choice that he claimed was the result of 'the politics, the lies and false narratives.' Following the intense social media furor, Roach broke his silence to furiously deny that the pair had fallen out - but did not give any other information about why he has quit his fashion job The fashion star dropped his bombshell resignation on Instagram on Tuesday, saying he has had enough with 'the politics, the lies and false narratives' in the fashion world After he shared the news, furious speculation began circulating about the pair's awkward interaction at the Louis Vuitton show in Paris on March 6 But the 13 seconds of video was enough to spark fierce debate on social media - in one camp, there were those that slammed the Euphoria star for not doing more The 13-second video of the Louis Vuitton show exchange was more than enough to spark fierce debate on social media. In one camp, there were those that slammed the Euphoria star for not doing more. One wrote: 'In my opinion, the moment Zendaya saw that Law Roach did not have a seat next to her on the front row she should have left the show and made phone calls. 'Sometimes sticking up for people that have your back comes with sacrifices, and that was her moment to stick up for him.' Another quipped: 'Zendaya should've offered Law her seat if it was no big deal with sitting second row.' And a third said: 'We love Zendaya in her roles, but we have to hold her accountable. 'That was a ugly move to point to the back when your stylist was expecting a seat next to you.' But others rushed to the actress's defense by pointing out that there was nothing that she could have done and that all the seats were assigned by the brand. Someone commented: 'Louis Vuitton disrespects Law Roach by not having a front row seat for him - but Zendaya is the rude one?' But there were others that pointed out there was nothing that she could have done and that all the seats were assigned by the brand Another said: 'There was nothing Zendaya could've done here except sit in her *assigned* seat likes she's supposed to. 'The fault lies with the staff not directing Law to his correct seat and so making him awkwardly stand in front.' One added: 'I am obviously mystified by the "Zendaya should have given up her seat" discourse.' The video resurfaced following Law's shock retirement just a days after he dressed a number of stars for the Vanity Fair Oscars party, including Kerry Washington, Megan Thee Stallion, Hunter Schafer, Hailee Steinfeld, and Eve Jobs. He posted a picture to Instagram which showed a red sign that had 'RETIRED' written in large white letters. 'My Cup is empty.. thank you to everyone who've supported me and my career over the years. Every person that trusted me with their image, I'm so grateful for you all,' he wrote in the caption. 'If this business was just about the clothes I would do it for the rest of my life but unfortunately it's not!' he added. 'The politics, the lies and false narratives finally got me! You win I'm out.' It has since been claimed that Zendaya's rumored appointment as Louis Vuitton's newest ambassador could have been a catalyst in his decision to step down, according to Highsnobiety. Law has yet to comment on his plans post-retirement, sparking speculation that he may have something big in the works. There have been rumors that he has been hired as a creative director of a brand or is about to launch something of his own, W Magazine reported. Law is best known for curating Zendaya's unforgettable Cinderella look for the 2019 Met Gala while taking on the role of her red-carpet Fairy Godmother. The 44-year-old celebrity stylist is the man behind Zendaya's incredible red carpet looks (together left in 2021 and right in 2022) Law is best known for curating Zendaya's unforgettable Cinderella look for the 2019 Met Gala while taking on the role of her red-carpet Fairy Godmother (pictured) Law worked with Zendaya numerous times over the past few weeks, pulling multiple looks for her to wear to the NAACP Image Awards (L) and the Screen Actors Guild Awards (R) He was also the genius behind Celine Dion's style renaissance in 2016. After working with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, he has turned into a star in his own right. Over the years, he served as a judge on fashion competition shows America's Next Top Model and Legendary, and he was honored with the inaugural stylist award at the 2022 CFDA Awards last fall. Law suffered a personal tragedy in 2021 after his three-year-old nephew Lamar Roach Jr. fell to his death from 17th-story apartment building in Chicago. In a since-deleted Instagram post, he thanked his supporters for their 'prayers and well wishes,' saying, 'This is the toughest thing I've ever had to deal with.' Nicole Williams multitasked on Sunday, as she breast pumped while eating ramen in her PJs. The new mum took to her Instagram Stories, where she uploaded a series of videos of herself and admitted and she was pretty sure that it 'just turned some sicko on.' Nicole was make-up free as she videos herself in a full length mirror while holding her bowl of food, after putting her three-month-old baby girl down for a nap. The reality TV star admitted: 'I just walked past a mirror and laughed at myself. Ramen, portable breast pumps - by the way, whoever invented these, thank you. 'And I look like a mum. I love it. It's been quite a day. I just got India down finally. And I'm eating. That's all I have time to do: Pump and eat.' Multitasking: Nicole Williams multitasked on Sunday, as she breast pumped while eating ramen in her PJs Mum life: Nicole was make-up free as she videos herself in a full length mirror while holding her bowl of food, after putting her three-month-old baby girl down for a nap Real talk: The new mum took to her Instagram Stories, where she uploaded a series of videos of herself and admitted and she was pretty sure that it 'just turned some sicko on' This comes three months after she welcomed a baby girl - India Moon - with husband Larry English. The model announced she was expecting during Miami Swim Week in July. She confirmed she had welcomed her firstborn weighing in at 6 lbs. 11oz on January 13, in an interview with People. The star revealed the delivery had been the 'scariest moment' after she was rushed into labor due to developing potentially life-threatening condition, pre-eclampsia. She said: 'Our sweet baby girl is here and we are over the moon in love! We went in for our routine fetal monitoring appointment, and it turned out that I was developing preeclampsia. My doctor said, 'we are having this baby like, TODAY.'" 'We drove directly to the hospital, and within a few hours, our baby girl was in our arms. It was the scariest moment but as soon as we both heard her cry it was the happiest moment of our lives. Larry and I can't stop staring at her! Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication that causes high blood pressure, which can be deadly for both a woman and her unborn baby if untreated. It usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure is typically normal. The most effective treatment is an early delivery; usually via C-section. Grateful: The reality TV star admitted: 'I just walked past a mirror and laughed at myself. Ramen, portable breast pumps - by the way, whoever invented these, thank you' Nicole added: 'I'm just taking my time now to heal and recover and enjoy being her mom. We are so grateful we were blessed with a healthy baby girl. That's all we ever wanted.' The couple had trouble conceiving naturally, so they turned to In vitro fertilization for help starting their family. For the runway model, who is scared of needles, it was a difficult process. She explained: 'It was emotional because theres a lot of unnatural drugs that you have to pump into your body. 'So Larry gave me needles in my stomach because I couldnt bear it. Im terrified of needles. The first time I was like, "Oh my God, what, what what?" The second time was a little easier.' Because Nicole had always wanted to have a daughter, she chose a female embryo to become their oldest child. 'We went back and forth about it, but I really wanted a girl first,' she explained, 'and Larrys so easy and so supportive. 'Hes like, "Im totally fine being a girl dad." He has little girls around him and has a little sister whos a bit younger than he is. Hes the only boy, so yeah, he was just totally fine with having a girl first.' Nicole has modeled for Kim Kardashian's SKIMS brand as well as Khloe Kardashian's Good American lines. Gary Ablett Jr's wife Jordan is expecting her third child. And the mother-of-two showed off her growing bump in an Instagram Stories post on Monday, in which she took a mirror selfie during a recent family vacation to Tamborine Mountain in Queensland. In the caption, a delighted Jordan wrote: 'Home time! Our next holiday we'll be a family of five'. In the image, the AFL WAG was glowing as she cradled her bump while wearing a casual striped maxi dress. Gary, 38, and his wife of eight years already share four-year-old son Levi and baby daughter Grace, who they welcomed late last year. Gary Ablett Jr's wife Jordan (pictured) is expecting her third child. And the mother-of-two showed off her growing bump in an Instagram Stories post on Monday Jordan posted the good news of her pregnancy to Instagram in January, sharing a photo of their son Levi on his birthday, clutching a sonogram in his hand. 'We have another gift on the way,' she wrote, sharing a photo of smiling Levi. 'Happy Birthday to our big four-year-old! You're so loved.' It comes months after Jordan shared an update on the health of the couple's son, Levi, as he battles a degenerative illness. Jordan, who has not disclosed what illness Levi has been diagnosed with, revealed in April that it's unlikely he will ever learn to talk. 'It's really difficult from a practical point of view but also really difficult just being his mum and not being able to hear his voice or know what he needs,' she told The Herald Sun in an emotional interview. Gary, 38, and his wife of eight years already share four-year-old son Levi (pictured) and baby daughter Grace, who they welcomed late last year Jordan posted the good news of her pregnancy to Instagram in January, sharing a photo of their son Levi on his birthday, clutching a sonogram in his hand 'When he gets upset, I have to guess what the problem is,' Jordan, who has been married to AFL legend Gary since 2016, continued. 'It's also difficult because I'd love to just hear his thoughts, have conversation with my boy and for us to know that he understands how much we love him.' In November, Gary and Jordan announced they had secretly welcomed their second child, Grace Honour. 'We are overjoyed to share with you all that our precious boy, Levi, has become a big brother to his very own little sister, Grace,' Gary wrote on Instagram. The Bachelorette's Carlin Sterritt has revealed a special detail on his wedding band after marrying his girlfriend Emily Bradwell last week. The personal trainer, who won Angie Kent's heart on the Channel 10 dating show in 2019 only to split months later, shared a close-up photo of his ring to Instagram on Monday. Carlin, 31, revealed his band was produced in Bali and features his wedding date in roman numerals on the inside. 'Designed my wedding band and had it produced by my manufacturer in Bali. It's my style and blends well with my other @natvejewellery pieces,' he wrote. 'Wedding date in Roman numerals engraved on the inside,' Carlin added. Bachelorette star Carlin Sterritt revealed a special detail on his wedding band after tying the knot to Emily Bradwell in intimate ceremony Carlin tied the knot with his partner Emily in an intimate ceremony at Dunes Palm Beach, north Sydney, on Thursday. He posted a video on Instagram of the newlyweds leaving their reception with their guests holding sparklers, and wrote: 'Hitched! What a night.' He looked sharp on his big day in a white shirt and a black bow tie, while his bride opted for a classic white dress with a strapless design. The couple's guests also shared pictures from the nuptials showing Carlin and Emily sharing their first kiss as husband and wife and looking happier than ever. Emily completed her bridal look with a long white veil, and swept her long brunette locks back off her face to highlight her flawless makeup. The personal trainer, who won Angie Kent 's heart on the Channel 10 dating show in 2019 only to split months later, shared a closeup photo of his ring to Instagram on Monday She carried a bouquet of white flowers that perfectly complemented her dress. Carlin and Emily announced their engagement in October last year. They went Instagram official in December 2020. He announced his break-up with Angie Kent in July 2020 after just 10 months of dating. They met on The Bachelorette in 2019. The pair chose to part ways because her lifestyle clashed with his Christian values. Zac Efron has been in Australia the past few weeks filming his new comedy, Ricky Stanicky. The shoot has now wrapped, with the cast heading out to dinner together to celebrate on Sunday. Bosnian actress Anja Savcic, 30, shared a few behind-the-scenes moments to Instagram as she reflected on the filming experience. 'So many wonderful moments. Here's to movie making and the weird circus life we lived this summer in Australia,' the Nancy Drew star wrote in her caption. The photos showed Anja out to a meal with Zac, 35, as well as their co-stars, American comedian Andrew Santino, 39, and American actress Lex Scott Davis, 32. Zac Efron has been in Australia the past few weeks filming his new comedy, Ricky Stanicky. The shoot has now wrapped, with the cast heading out to dinner together to celebrate on Sunday. Zac is pictured with co-stars Anja Savcic, Lex Scott Davis and Andrew Santino Bosnian actress Anja, 30, shared a few behind-the-scenes moments to Instagram as she reflected on the filming experience. One image saw her enjoy a sweet cuddle with Zac and the film's director Peter Farrelly Another image depicted a sweet cuddle between Zac, Anja and the film's director, Peter Farrelly, 66. Andrew Santino also shared some moments from the shoot, including a photo where he and Zac were riding in a car with their co-star John Cena, 45. 'Go down unda on me again and again. Love you Australia. Can't wait for you to see #rickystanicky,' he wrote. The film was made entirely in Melbourne over an eight-week period, with the Victorian capital being a double for Providence, Rhode Island. The comedy, which also stars Jermaine Fowler, tells the tale of three teens who pull a prank and burn down a house in their neighbourhood. Andrew Santino also shared some moments from the shoot, including a photo where he and Zac were riding in a car with their co-star John Cena (left) 'So many wonderful moments. Here's to movie making and the weird circus life we lived this summer in Australia,' Nancy Drew star Anja wrote in her caption To get out of trouble, they blame it on a made-up person who they call Ricky Stanicky. Twenty years on, they keep using the fictional alibi to get out of any tricky situations they find themselves in. When their wives want to meet the infamous Mr Stanicky, they hire an actor to play him. Farrelly is a seasoned comedy director with hits including Dumb and Dumber; Shallow Hal, Me, Myself and Irene and There's Something About Mary under his belt. He worked with Efron on recent Apple TV movie Greatest Beer Run Ever, and has picked up multiple Oscar's for 2018 smash hit Green Book. Efron is no stranger to Australia spending time Down Under to film Netflix docuseries Down to Earth. During his last stay Down Under, he dated part-time model Vanessa Valladares High School Musical heartthrob Efron is no stranger to Australia spending time Down Under to film Netflix docuseries Down to Earth. During his last stay Down Under, he dated part-time model Vanessa Valladares. Their relationship became public knowledge in July 2020 when Zac was pictured giving Vanessa a kiss on the cheek at Byron Bay's General Store & Cafe, where she was working as a waitress. Vanessa would go on to accompany her famous boyfriend as he travelled around Australia for various work projects from late 2020 to early 2021. But it was confirmed in April 2021 they had called it quits, with Zac's friend Kyle Sandilands announcing the split on his KIIS FM radio show. 'I can confirm [the break-up], after speaking with him yesterday' the shock jock said at the time. Hugh Grant stepped out for dinner on Sunday with his wife Anna Eberstein and Chris Pine in Berlin. The actor, 62, cut a suave figure in a grey shirt and black blazer, teamed with a black pair of jeans. He graciously stopped to sign autographs for a group of lucky fans outside of the restaurant. Chris, 42, looked handsome in a brown double breasted jacket and a pair of coordinating trousers. Underneath he wore a white T-shirt with a gold necklace, while finishing his look off with a patterned pocket square. Eating out: Hugh Grant stepped out for dinner on Sunday with his wife Anna Eberstein and Chris Pine in Berlin Smart: The actor, 62, cut a suave figure in a grey shirt and black blazer, teamed with a black pair of jeans Kind: He graciously stopped to sign autographs for a group of lucky fans outside of the restaurant Anna, 43, looked sophisticated in a black and gold T-shirt under a black jacket adorned with gold buttons. She added a pair of black trousers and her light brown tresses were left down to billow in the breeze. Hugh and Chris are currently on the promotional trail for their film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Development on Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves began in 2013, when a project centered on the long-running role playing game was greenlit by Warner Bros. Pictures executives. The feature experienced a lengthy development process, during which figures such as Joe Manganiello and Dwayne Johnson were attached to the project. Goldstein and Daley were reported to have been in talks to headline the feature in 2019, and it was revealed that they had written a new script for the movie the following year. Chris signed on to appear in the film in 2020, and the rest of its cast was added over the next two years. Other figures set to be featured in the movie include Jason Wong and Rege Jean Page. It tells the story of a charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers, who embark on an epic quest to retrieve a long lost relic, but their charming adventure goes dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people. Physical production on the movie began in April of 2021 with filming taking place in both Iceland and Ireland. Dapper: Chris, 42, looked handsome in a brown double breasted jacket and a pair of coordinating trousers Suave: Underneath he wore a white T-shirt with a gold necklace, while finishing his look off with a patterned pocket square Stylish: Anna, 43, looked sophisticated in a black and gold T-shirt under a black jacket adorned with gold buttons Film: Hugh and Chris are currently on the promotional trail for their film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Beginnings: Development on Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves began in 2013, when a project centered on the long-running role playing game was greenlit by Warner Bros. Pictures executives Casting: Chris signed on to appear in the film in 2020, and the rest of its cast was added over the next two years Plot: It tells the story of a charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers, who embark on an epic quest to retrieve a long lost relic, but their charming adventure goes dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people After several months of work, the project's crew wrapped in August of that year. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was initially supposed to be released in 2021, although its premiere date was pushed back several times. The fantasy-adventure feature is now scheduled to be released to the public on March 31. A television program centered on the role-playing game is currently in development. Diane Buswell has revealed she was unable to move at the height of her bulimia battle. The Strictly Come Dancing professional, 33, appeared on Monday's Lorraine where she discussed the importance of movement for her mental health. Diane - who first opened up about her eating disorder last year - confessed: 'One thing that I really realised when I wasn't well, is how much movement made me happy. How good that was for my mental health. 'When that was taken away from me because my body wasn't able to produce what I wanted, it really got me down. Movement is something I need to keep myself happy.' Last year, the Australian dancer detailed how her bulimia began, and how extreme it became, resulting in her passing out and left at risk of a heart attack. Candid: Diane Buswell, 33, appeared on Monday's Lorraine where she revealed she was unable to move at the height of her bulimia battle as she discussed her mental health Throwback: Diane confessed: 'One thing that I really realised when I wasn't well was how much movement made me happy. When that was taken away from me because my body wasn't producing what I needed to do it, it really got me down' (Pictured in 2014) Opening up on BBC1's Freeze The Fear with Wim Hof, Diane revealed: 'I worked on a cruise ship for quite a while. It's tricky, because as a dancer you get weighed. 'We got weighed every week and had a thing called a WW, which was a Weight Warning. I had two of them in my time and I weighed two more kilos than I do now. 'I would have a bit of spinach and would watch all the other girls and they would be the same - you just wouldn't eat. 'I went through one point where I just wouldn't eat, so I just had like a drink for my lunch and a drink for my dinner. 'I got really sick. I had nothing. If I did have some food, I would make myself sick because I wouldn't want it in me.' 'I adore dancing but, I guess, as I became more successful, the pressures also grew. 'That can really spiral you into this awful self-doubt and the pressure of that makes you do crazy things. 'You're constantly checking your weight, you're thinking, ''I need to be a certain way and I need to look a certain way''. Real talk: Last year, the Australian dancer detailed how her bulimia began, and how extreme it became, resulting in her passing out and left at risk of a heart attack (Pictured in 2015) Oh my! Opening up on BBC1's Freeze The Fear with Wim Hof, Diane revealed: 'I worked on a cruise ship for quite a while. It's tricky, because as a dancer you get weighed' (Pictured in 2014) 'I definitely took the body image thing to an unhealthy level. It had come to a point where I couldn't go any further. 'I was passing out on the side of the stage, my body almost felt like it was starting to shut down.' Dianne also revealed that she visited a doctor and underwent tests before being told that her heart: 'was under so much pressure' that she could have a heart attack. 'There is still that slight voice in the back of my head - I don't think it fully ever 100 per cent goes away - but it's the way I deal with it now that is so much stronger and healthier and better for me,' admitted the dancer. Georgia Harrison discussed the 'biggest hurdles' she faced after becoming a victim of revenge porn by her ex Stephen Bear on Monday. Stephen, 33, who won Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, is serving a 21 month jail sentence for voyeurism and two counts of 'revenge porn' after uploading footage of the pair having sex to his subscription based OnlyFans, without her consent. Georgia, 28, said despite having 'constant flashbacks' of the video, the hardest part was 'proving how distressed' the distribution of the clip had made her feel. The illicit filming took place at Bear's home in Loughton, Essex, back in 2020, with Georgia set to tell her story in her upcoming ITV2 documentary, Revenge Porn: Georgia vs Bear. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, she explained: 'I think violation is a good word. You feel extremely exploited and hurt. Having to deal with that scale. It was a really devastating time for me.' Georgia Harrison, 28, discussed the 'biggest hurdles' she faced after becoming a victim of revenge porn by her ex Stephen Bear on Monday Guilty: Stephen, 33, is serving a 21 month jail sentence for voyeurism and two counts of 'revenge porn' after profiting from footage of the pair having sex, without her consent Georgia continued: 'One of the biggest hurdles is to prove that someone knew you'd be distressed if they shared that video. 'Six percent even manage to get the perpetrator charged - that's just arrested. 'You are using another human being. It doesn't matter what your motivation is. 'It's quite frankly evil. What I really want other victims to know is don't feel like you can't come forward. The only thing that's shameful is distribution without consent.' Recalling finding out that the footage had been shared online, she explained: 'I would have constant flashbacks of all of the other footage that was in there. It was important for me that the police put a stop to it.' 'I think we're getting there. In politics a lot of people talk about things but it's actually getting it done.' When asked by hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls about if she would consider stepping into politics, she sad: 'Over the past 2 years I've spoken to victims on a daily basis. I really have educated myself on this, so I feel like I have the skills to take this forward.' It comes after Georgia said she 'will always fear' she is being secretly recorded while having sex, in an exclusive chat with MailOnline. Strong: Georgia said despite having 'constant flashbacks' of the video, the hardest part was 'proving how distressed' the distribution of the clip had made her feel The TV star says she 'spiraled into a dark depression' when she discovered Stephen had contrived to use their sex life for financial gain - and the trauma has impacted her relationship with men to this day. 'It's definitely impacted the way I deal with intimate situations,' she says. 'Especially if I find myself in a relationship where it is going to become intimate or sexually active, I will always have this fear in the back of my head. Even though I feel safe, I think "Is there a camera? Is someone recording me?". 'I always have this hypersensitivity. It's definitely affected me with future relationships. I'm doing my best to work through it.' Georgia says she is getting therapy and doing everything she can to 'get rid of the trauma patterns'. The reality star says Stephen shattered her confidence so much that she has found herself in a toxic circle of dating men who 'don't value my worth'. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, she explained: 'I think violation is a good word. You feel extremely exploited and hurt. Having to deal with that scale. It was a really devastating time' Proof: Georgia continued: 'One of the biggest hurdles is to prove that someone knew you'd be distressed if they shared that video' 'It bleeds into other relationships and I worry because it lowered my self worth so much that I'm naturally attracted to people that don't value my worth,' she says. 'That's something that I'm really trying to shake off,' Georgia admits. Georgia found the strength to go to police while being goaded by Bear with 'snarls' about the CCTV footage. She said: 'Bear was making quite a few snarls at me online. Him and his girlfriend did a porn video with the title "at least she knows I'm filming her". All of it was just jibes. 'There were so many times where I wish I could just respond but obviously I couldn't. 'It was really healing to document my own journey but I knew one day I was going to get a guilty conviction and I was going to tell my story. 'People that judged me were also the people that supported me so I want them to see what truly happens. 'I'm hoping it can bring people some form of emotional healing, seeing how I've overcome because I really am. I'm not fully healed,' she adds. Brave: When asked by hosts if she would consider stepping into politics, she sad: 'Over the past 2 years I've spoken to victims on a daily basis. I feel like I have the skills' Exes: The illicit filming took place at Bear's home in Loughton, Essex, back in 2020, and, in a new ITV2 documentary, Revenge Porn: Georgia vs Bear, Georgia tells her story 'I'm so much stronger than I used to be. When I talk about things now. I don't tear up. 'It is something that happened and is now in my control. If you look at me at the start of the journey I was complete and utter mess. It's hard for me to look at myself in that state. 'Two years on I can definitely see that everything happens for a reason and maybe I was meant to go through to help other people and also to prevent it from happening.' Watch Revenge Porn: Georgia vs Bear ITV2 & ITVX 10pm Monday. Andrew Lloyd Webber's composer son Nicholas spoke about making his own way in the theatre world away from his famous family name in a 2011 unearthed interview. The 43-year-old has previously said he wanted to be 'judged on his own merits' so dropped his surname when working to see what the reaction would be. It comes after on Sunday his father Andrew revealed that Nicholas is 'critically ill' in hospital as he bravely battles gastric cancer. The 74-year-old legend 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. Candid: Andrew Lloyd Webber's composer son Nicholas spoke about making his own way in the theatre world away from his famous family name in a 2011 unearthed interview Fair: The 43-year-old (left) has previously said he wanted to be 'judged on his own merits' so dropped his surname when working to see what the reaction would be And now in an uncovered old interview he touched on his career and how he wanted to be recognised for his talent alone and not for his family connections. In 2011 and 2012, Nicholas saw his musical adaptation of The Little Prince performed at the Lyric Belfast. At the time, he said he was 'very nervous,' and aware that there'd be some 'attention' on him. 'But I'd just like to think that the show will be judged on its own merits,' he said. 'That's all anyone can ask for.' 'For a long time, I dropped the Lloyd bit - to see what the reaction would be,' he told The Times in 2011. 'I got some stuff on the radio, so I thought, 'OK, I'm obviously not a complete idiot. 'Then I thought, 'Hang on, if other people are prepared to work with me without the surname, then maybe I should just get on with it.' ' On whether Dad, Andrew, has been involved in the project, he added, 'He's too busy for one thing. We did send him Act 1 when we finished it. Sad: It comes after on Sunday his father Andrew revealed that Nicholas is 'critically ill' in hospital as he bravely battles gastric cancer (pictured in 1990 Son: Andrew 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) 'I said to him, 'Be honest don't be Dad, be composer.' And he gave us some notes some of which we agreed with, some of which we didn't.' 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. Nicholas is known for scoring the BBC One drama Love, Lies And Records and a theatrical and the symphonic version of The Little Prince. He also produced his father's Symphonic Suites at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London and was nominated for a Grammy alongside his father for a musical theatre album for Lord Lloyd-Webber's Cinderella. He is married to musician Polly Whiltshire who appeared on the soundtrack of his father's 2019 movie Cats. Andrew made the announcement that his son was ill on Sunday 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.' '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'. 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. 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. 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) 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. Channel 4 show Flirty Dancing will reportedly not be returning to our TV screens in Britain. The hit series, hosted by Ashely Banjo, first aired in 2019 and lasted two seasons as well as a celebrity special. The show saw the Diversity star teaching two singletons a dance routine, which they would then perform together when they met for the first time. The idea was that people would fall in love through the medium of dance through these blind dates. Speaking to The Sun, a TV insider said: 'Flirty Dancing was a brilliant show but when Covid hit it became too difficult to film. Axed: Channel 4 show Flirty Dancing will reportedly not be returning to our TV screens in Britain Popular: The hit series, hosted by Ashely Banjo, first aired in 2019 and lasted two seasons as well as a celebrity special 'Once it was safe to go again, bosses decided the appetite for the show was over and Ashley was really busy working on other projects. 'Ashley ended up making loads of money off the show though as he sold it to America.' The US version of the show aired on Fox and was hosted by dancer and actress Jenna Dewan. Speaking about the series in the past, Ashley said: I do think that nowadays dating is kind of disposable. It's like swipe left, swipe right, your social media profile is almost more important than your actual persona. With Flirty Dancing were completely going back to the old ways of dating when people would meet on the dance floor, feel a connection and then hit it off. Obviously were bringing the dancing up to date, its much more modern but I want to see our guys and girls blending different styles of dance to see if we can ignite a spark in them. To give the blind dance dates a helping hand, Ashley and his team came up with a string of romantic locations for the couples to meet and perform together. From dancing in the Tate Modern at midnight and on the roof of Bristols Clifton Observatory to a bandstand in Battersea Park on a balmy summer evening, the series sizzled like a Hollywood romantic comedy. Matchmaker: The show saw the Diversity star teaching two singletons a dance routine, which they would then perform together when they met for the first time Love match: The idea was that people would fall in love through the medium of dance through these blind dates We really like to set the tone and create these lovely environments for them to meet and hopefully feel a spark, said Ashley. In my mind it's like a short film, like a little rom-com in it's own right. All of them are placed in what could be scenes from a Hollywood film. Lets hope sparks fly! After the couples finished their routine they were whisked away without uttering a word to each other. Then, if they felt a connection during their dance, they were offered a second date where they could finally get to know their match. Roman Kemp accidentally ate a special Creme Egg which his followers pointed out could have been worth up to 10,000. The Capital Breakfast Host, 30, shared a photo of his discovery after unwrapping a half white, half milk chocolate treat while kicking back in front of the TV on Sunday. But his relaxing day soon descended into chaos when he discovered the truth behind the 'new Cadburys egg.' In the hilarious Twitter exchange, Roman added that the treat 'tasted like regret' after scoffing it down. Addressing the situation on Capital Breakfast on Monday, the presenter and his co-hosts Sian Welby and Chris Stark, asked Cadbury's to help. Disaster: Roman Kemp, 30, accidentally ate a special Creme Egg which his followers pointed out could have been worth up to 10,000 Cadbury's launched the prize draw earlier this year, with one of the half and half eggs being worth 10,000 and another 22 of them worth 50. Sharing a photo of the Creme Egg to Twitter, Roman penned: What is this??? HALF WHITE HALF MILK CHOCOLATE?' The panic soon set in after his fans revealed that he could have just 'eaten 10,000.' 'I've already eaten it and people are saying it's worth 10k? I have eaten it what do I do now? HELP' 'People saying it's a prank or that I've tippexed it. I f****** wish. THIS IS NOT FUNNY. IT TASTES LIKE REGRET,' Roman wrote. Speaking on Capital Sian said: 'You wallow in shame, I mean its the most ridiculous, why, why did you go straight to the thought it was an error.' Roman explained: 'Becauseand this is the only reason why I bring up the fact, heres the problem, anytime I say something related to a brand they think its an advert, because I do a lot of adverts, and thats fine. 'But this is a factIve eaten an egg thats worth 10,000.' Oops: The Capital Breakfast Host shared a photo of his discovery after unwrapping a half white, half milk chocolate treat while kicking back in front of the TV on Sunday Chaos: But his relaxing day soon descended into chaos when he discovered the truth behind the 'new Cadburys egg' Sian explained: 'Basically it turns out, people were tweeting him going "oh my god how have you not realised this, Cadburys have been doing this competition for months now" 'Obviously these eggs are so rare, theres only about 5 in the whole UK. Trust him over there to get one! And hes eaten it!' 'So whats the deal now,' Chris questioned. Gutted: He explained: 'But this is a factIve eaten an egg thats worth 10,000' 'I've eaten it, Ive taken a picture of it at the time because I thought it was weird, the only thing that identifies me with said Egg is my weird bendy thumb,' Ronan replied. 'What do I do? People last night on Twitter saying youve tipp-exed that as if I have the time! 'Someone who works for Cadburys and listens to the show, can you please come and talk to me. Its a dark time right now!' Listen to Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp weekdays from 6am 10am across the UK and on Global Player. Filming for All Creatures Great And Small season four has begun. In first look photographs, Rachel Shenton wrapped up warm in a camouflage print coat between takes on the set of the Channel 5 drama in Yorkshire. The Hollyoaks actress, who plays Helen Herriot, did not let the weather dampen her spirits on Thursday, as she looked delighted to be back on set. While Rachel kept cosy in the camo coat, which boasted a bright pink lining, she strolled along in black tights and a pair of furry boots. Her co-star Anna Madeley - who returns as the matriarch of Skeldale House, Mrs Hall - wore a long black coat, with a bright pink hair net. It's back! In first look photographs, Rachel Shenton wrapped up warm in a camouflage print coat between takes on the set of All Creatures Great And Small, in Yorkshire on Thursday Happy: The Hollyoaks actress, who plays Helen Herriot, did not let the weather dampen her spirits as she looked delighted to be back on set Cosy: While Rachel kept cosy in the camo coat, which boasted a bright pink lining, she strolled along in black tights and a pair of furry boots They were joined by actor Keith Hyland and Samuel West, who is back as co-owner of Skeldale House, Siegfried Farnon. Set during World War II, the show is based on the memoirs of vet Alf Wight - written under the pen name James Herriot. The period drama follows the life of veterinarian James, who has moved to the Yorkshire village of Darrowby in 1930s England. The North Yorkshire town of Grassington is used as a filming location, standing in for the fictional market town of Darrowby in the show. Rachel and her family's farm is located in the small village of Airton, which is a half-hour's drive from Grassington. In season three, Helen Alderson tied the knot with her on-screen husband James Herriot (played by actor Nicholas Ralph). Last year, All Creatures Great And Small was renewed for a third and fourth series. On the double series order, Sebastian Cardwell, Channel 5 said: 'It is clear that our viewers adore James Herriot's adventures in Darrowby and so do we at Channel 5. Between takes: Her co-star Anna Madeley - who returns as the matriarch of Skeldale House, Mrs Hall - wore a long black coat, with a bright pink hair net Cute: The actress had a chat with a member of the crew who wore the same jacket at Rachel Braving the cold: Between scenes, Rachel and Anna wore big warm coats over their period costumes Filming underway: They were joined by actor Keith Hyland Back at it: Samuel West is back as co-owner of Skeldale House, Siegfried Farnon 'I am looking forward to us all being reunited with the Skeldale House family when series three arrives on our screens this year.' Executive Producer Louise Pedersen, CEO of All3Media International, commented: 'All Creatures Great and Small has proven to be a perfect tonic for audiences around the world seeking a top quality production with a warm and positive view of the world. 'We are pleased to be able to offer these further series to build the brand globally.' On the announcement of a third and fourth series, Jim Wight and Rosie Page, Alf Wight's children said: 'For many years the books of James Herriot have provided a source of comfort to tens of thousands of people worldwide at difficult times in their lives. 'With this recent adaptation of his books, a new generation has been introduced to the joys of the Herriot stories. Off-duty: The cast and crew chatted between takes on the set in Yorkshire Happy days: The actresses looked at ease and delighted to be back filming Stunning set: Actor Samuel strolled though a field of sheep 'We are delighted that there are to be at least two more series of All Creatures Great and Small, and we are especially pleased that the same excellent actors and producers are to be involved.' Never out of print, the books have become a global cultural phenomenon with devoted fans around the world. With a sharp focus on the importance of community, James' world and spirit is a very much needed antidote to the challenges of our modern times, transporting viewers to a gentle past, populated with wonderfully observed characters. All Creatures Great And Small will return to Channel 5 in the UK and PBS' Masterpiece streaming service in the US soon. Sir Patrick Stewart has confessed he nearly turned down his iconic lead role in Star Trek since he had 'theatre commitments'. The actor, 82, who is well known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the cult sci-fi franchise, made the shock admission while appearing on Monday's This Morning. He told hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: 'I was visiting California giving lectures and talking at universities and I got call from my Hollywood agent who I'd never met. 'He said, "I've got two questions... what were you doing at UCLA last night and why would Gene want to see you this morning?" 'Back then, it seemed improbable and unlikely. It was a six year contract. I said, "No, I have theatre commitments. My agent said, "You'd be lucky to make it through the first year." 'It seemed improbable and unlikely!' Sir Patrick Stewart has confessed he nearly turned down his iconic lead role in Star Trek since he had 'theatre commitments' 'I quickly found the experiences I had at the Royal Shakespeare Company were perfect and ideal for putting on the captain's uniform and commanding the enterprise.' The Los Angeles Times had called the Yorkshire-native an 'unknown British Shakespearean actor' when he was cast in Star Trek: The Next Generation, which ran between 1987 and 1994. He still plays the role in the Paramount+ series, Star Trek: Picard, in which he is also executive producer. Having made a visit to London's Television Centre for his daytime TV appearance, Sir Patrick gushed about his love of the historic studios. He claimed to have been visiting the White City building complex 'every day' to shoot the 1976 BBC series I, Claudius. The Golden Globe nominee said: 'I love hearing those voices and seeing those sets again because it was such a huge and important part of my life. 'Also, this building. I love coming here, there was a point when I was coming here every day.' Sir Patrick recently teased that there might be more seasons of Star Trek: Picard ahead of the 10-episode third (and so-called 'final') season premiere February 16 on Paramount+. Throwback: The actor, 82, is well known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the cult sci-fi franchise (pictured in 1990) Veteran: He still plays the role in the Paramount+ series, Star Trek: Picard, in which he is also executive producer (pictured in 2022) 'If we can maintain the work that we did on Seasons one, two, and three of Picard, then absolutely, yes,' the 82-year-old Yorkshireman said at the Television Critics Association's 2023 winter press tour. 'Because there is still enormous potential for narrative in what we've been doing, and there are doors left open, still. We didn't close all of them.' Executive producer Alex Kurtzman agreed the prospect was promising: 'Anything is possible. If a show blows the doors off the place, as we're certainly hoping it will, and we're very, very proud of season three, who knows?' Patrick not only stars as retired Admiral Jean-Luc Picard in the critically-acclaimed sci-fi spin-off, he also serves as executive producer. 'There is no doubt that in that time the world has changed, but I have changed too,' he said. 'I wanted the series to show the impact of those years that have passed and how much one might change, and whether fears become greater.' It's been well over 35 years since the four-time Emmy nominee originated the role of Picard on CBS series Star Trek: The Next Generation, which aired for seven seasons spanning 1987-1994. The Next Generation cast Jonathan Frakes (Riker), Gates McFadden (Crusher), LeVar Burton (La Forge), Michael Dorn (Worf), and Marina Sirtis (Troi) returns as well as Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine) and Michelle Hurd (Musiker). Season three's villain is Captain Vadic, the commander of the Shrike, played by Tony-winning powerhouse Amanda Plummer. Other baddies this season include Brent Spiner as Data's nefarious android brother Lore and Daniel Davis as Sherlock nemesis Professor Moriarty. Reflecting: He said on Monday's This Morning: 'I was visiting California giving lectures and talking at universities and I got call from my Hollywood agent who I'd never met' Story: 'He said, "I've got two questions... what were you doing at UCLA last night and why would Gene want to see you this morning?"' Wow! 'Back then, it seemed unprobeable and unlikely. It was a six year contract. I said, "No, I have theatre commitments. My agent said, "You'd be lucky to make it through the first year"' Eamonn Holmes has opened up about being bullied in school as he weighed in on how children should react to such incidents on Monday. The 63-year-old presenter told viewers on GB News that he had 'learned through experience' that it's better to 'get the punch in first'. His comments come after Bianca Austin, who is married to former Southampton striker Charlie Austin, divided the internet after she praised her teenage daughter for punching another student who had been calling her names, as exclusively reported by Mail on Sunday. Speaking to his co-host Isabel Webster, Eamonn said: 'I have to say that I have learned through experience and through school and growing up in a very tough Belfast, it's better to punch ... Get the punch in first. 'You are doing your child no favour at all by saying, "Turn the other cheek" or "Just give in." Having his say: Eamonn Holmes has opened up about being bullied as he spoke to co-host Isabel Webster about how children should react to bullying at school on Monday 'This is because the bullying doesn't go away and I will say this to anyone, it's there in the workplace as well all the time. 'If someone knows you are not going to stand for it then you are less likely to get it.' Isabel cut in to say disagree, saying: 'I think there's a difference if your kid is being punched. I would say, 'Punch back and stand up for yourself.' 'But I wouldn't say if there was a situation where they had been bullying you, that you should just go up to them and lamp them in the face. 'I wouldn't agree with that because that can get your child expelled and that would have consequences for your outcomes in life.' Eamonn agreed with this but added: 'Remember, if you are going to hit someone...' Isabel finished: 'Do it properly.' On Saturday, the wife of a top footballer ignited a debate over using violence to retaliate against child bullies after praising her teenage daughter for punching one in the face. Experience: The 63-year-old presenter told viewers on GB News that he had 'learned through experience' that it's better to 'get the punch in first' Support: His comments come after Bianca Austin, who is married to former Southampton striker Charlie Austin, divided the internet after she praised her teenage daughter for punching a bully (Charlie and Bianca pictured) Austin in action for Queens Park Rangers against Reading in the EFL Sky bet Championship Mrs Austin, 35, tweeted: After numerous phone calls to the school and nothing changing, today when being called names my daughter finally punched the bully in the face. Proud mum As reported by the Mail On Sunday, Mrs Austin, 35, tweeted: After numerous phone calls to the school and nothing changing, today when being called names my daughter finally punched the bully in the face. Proud mum. Her post, seen by 1.9 million users of the social media site, had two clapping emojis to back her daughter, who is studying for GCSEs. Mother-of-three Mrs Austins admission prompted much debate among her 11,000 followers, with many backing her belligerence. One wrote back: Good on her, she did exactly what was needed to be done. Shame on the school though for not sorting the bullying out when you first called them. Another said: Im generally a pacifist but the best bit of advice I was ever given was that you dont let bullies get away with it. Ignoring it didnt work; ignoring a fire doesnt put it out. If you are bullied, fight. If you see someone being bullied, fight for them. But Mrs Austin, who is training to be a nurse, was criticised by others. One said: Your daughter should not be hitting anyone, ever. I get that bullying is awful and harmful but when I said your daughters actions would make things worse, you can now see where I was going. Bullying someone back by hitting is also bullying. Mrs Austin replied: Id be interested to hear how youd suggest a resolution to the bullying, Michelle. School couldnt stop it, it was wrecking her mental health and affecting her GCSE studies, what is the right course of action here?! Also she didnt bully back. Bullying is repeated behaviour intended to hurt someone emotionally and physically. She has no intent of malice, all she wants is to be left alone to quietly enjoy school! Mrs Austin, whose husband, 33, has been in the England squad but now plays for League Two Swindon, also shared details of how her daughter was allegedly punished more severely than the girl who was bullying her. Proud mum: Her post, seen by 1.9 million users of the social media site, had two clapping emojis to back her daughter, who is studying for GCSEs She told how she called the school to find out what punishment her daughters rival was given. She wrote: ********* is in school exclusion at the moment while the other child is in class. I asked what sanction she [the bully] would be receiving and was told she was only verbally abusive but other students sanctions are not allowed to be discussed with me, so who knows. Mrs Austin later shared more about the bullys punishment, while taking a swipe at the school by writing: Two days in-school exclusion for my daughter, whilst the other child has gone to class because she was only verbally abusive. No wonder bullying is never stopped in schools... head high *********. The National Bullying Helpline says if parents and carers do not think teachers are taking satisfactory action, they should contact their local authority to remind it that it has a statutory duty to ensure all children in schools are safe at all times. Pixie Geldof was spotted with husband George Barnett and their baby daughter as they enjoyed a Mother's Day stroll in London's Chelsea on Sunday. The doting mum, 32, looked chic in a smart black coat teamed witch matching trousers and chunky boots. The couple announced they had welcomed their first child in August 2021 but have yet to reveal her name or when exactly she was born. Pixie tied back her blonde tresses and accessorised with large gold earrings and a cross-body bag. Pushing the little ones scooter Pixie and George took it in turns in carrying their daughter as they made their way down the busy street. The musician, 34, cut a casual figure in a dark jacket which he layered over a white t-shirt and jeans. Stroll: Pixie Geldof, 32, was spotted with husband George Barnett, 34, and their baby daughter as they enjoyed a Mothers Day stroll in London's Chelsea on Sunday Doting: The doting mum looked chic in a smart black coat teamed witch matching trousers and chunky boots Pixie has been married to These New Puritans drummer George since 2017, when the couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Majorca. Close friends Alexa and Daisy Lowe were bridesmaids, with guests including Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Nick Grimshaw. The couple are also pals with Princess Eugenie and attended her wedding to industry executive Jack Brooksbank in 2018. Pixie is the third daughter of Bob and Paula Yates, who tragically died aged 41 in 2000 after a heroin overdose. The couple married in 1986, and had Pixie, Fifi, 38, and Peaches, but tragically, history repeated itself in April 2014 when their middle child died Peaches of an overdose aged 25. Last week Channel 4 aired a two-part documentary Paula, in which friends of the stars and collaborators reflected on Yates' rise to fame before her untimely death. The documentary retraces Paula's rise to fame as well as the later years of her life, following the death of her partner, Michael Hutchence. The presenter could be heard saying that the public were 'waiting for [her] to die' in previously unheard tapes recorded shortly after the death of her partner that were unearthed for the programme. Family: The couple announced they had welcomed their first child in August 2021 but have yet to reveal her name or when exactly she was born Audio clips of Yates, who died aged 41 in her Notting Hill home after an accidental heroin overdose, were played on a new documentary examining her extraordinary career and her troubled personal life. The presenter also addressed going back to work after having four children, Pixie, Peaches and Fifi Trixibelle with Bob Geldof and Heavenly Haraani Tiger Lily with Hutchence. She revealed how she considered her changed personality. 'I didn't have all those stupid girly tricks to fall back on anymore because they'd kind of gone,' she reveals. 'I was pushing 40, four children, very very happy. I was kind of curious what it would be like working again without all that stuff.' Head of specialist factual at Channel 4 Shaminder Nahal said: 'Paula Yates exploded onto our screens in the very first week that Channel 4 came on air in 1982, a whirlwind of wit, verve and charisma - a totally unique style. Mother: Last week week Channel 4 aired a two-part documentary about Pixie's mum Puala Yates, in which friends of the star reflected on Yates' rise to fame before her untimely death 'Looking at what she achieved now, it feels like no one has ever quite matched her as a TV presenter. 'So as Channel 4 reflects on 40 years, it feels right to look at her life and career, and what an impact she made. 'As ever, (documentary producers) Curious Films has made a riveting and sensitive series that will, I hope, introduce Paula to a new generation.' Charlene Chika Osuagwu, producer at Curious Films, said: 'Paula is the real story of a singular woman who was both ahead of her time and totally of it, which explores how she shaped, and was shaped by the seismic changes in British culture and celebrity and what it meant to be a successful woman in that era. 'Paula's battle to 'have it all', torn between the duties of family life and her own personal career and happiness in the magnifying glare of a world determined to judge her, provide a powerful lesson for today's world and women fighting the same issues 40 years later.' Hollyoaks has released it's brand new spring trailer offering fans a glimpse of it's upcoming storylines. Starting and ending with scenes from Chester races, many of the character can be seen trying to turn their fortunes around. With Felix (Richard Blackwood) and Mercedes (Jennifer Metcalfe) enjoying their new relationship and Tonys son Beau (Jon-Paul Bell) also getting close to Maxine (Nikki Sanderson) the soap will see romance as well as heartbreak over the coming months. Lovestruck Peri (Ruby O'Donnell) and Juliet (Niamh Blackshaw) are seen to be remaining inseparable as they support each other through Juliets cancer diagnosis. However Peri struggles with the weight of carrying the secret that Juliet hasnt had the stem cell treatment and blurts the truth to shocked mum Donna-Marie (Lucy-Jo Hudson). Drama: Hollyoaks has released it's brand new spring trailer offering fans a glimpse of it's upcoming storylines Smooch: With Felix (Richard Blackwood) and Mercedes (Jennifer Metcalfe) enjoying their new relationship and Tonys son Beau (Jon-Paul Bell) also getting close to Maxine (Nikki Sanderson) the soap will see romance as well as heartbreak over the coming months High hopes: Launching and ending with scenes from Chester races, many of the character can be seen trying to turn their fortunes around Meanwhile Julia's brother James (Gregory Finnegan) gets desperate in his bid on finding private treatment for her. He is seen visiting Incel Eric (Angus Castle-Doughty) in prison for help, but as James puts his sister first, is he signing a deal with the devil? Also three generations of the Andersons are seen reunited when Pearls daughter Sharon (Jamelia) makes a return to the village. But daughter Zoe (Garcia Brown) is less impressed and suspicious of her motives when her mum reveals she is back for good after splitting with her fiancee. The McQueen's are also faced with a cash crisis with Mercedes planning to save them with schemes including opening the cellar as a speakeasy and investing in the garage. However Warren (Jamie Lomas) not happy as three makes a crowd, but the loved up Felix is falling hard for the beauty and he can see no wrong in a McQueen being part of their business. Meanwhile mystery is also in the air when Rayne (Jemma Donovan) is fearful (Owen Warner) Romeo he has found out the secret of her ex-boyfriend Brent. It comes after Danny Beard swapped the sparkles for the soap star life as they made their appearance in the show last week. Heartybreak: Lovestruck Peri (Ruby O'Donnell) and Juliet (Niamh Blackshaw, pictured) are seen to be remaining inseparable as they support each other through Juliets cancer diagnosis Shocking: Meanwhile Julia's brother James (Gregory Finnegan) gets desperate in his bid on finding private treatment for her and vistits Incel Eric (Angus Castle-Doughty, pictured) Reunion: Also three generations of the Andersons will be united when Pearls daughter Sharon (Jamelia, left) makes a return to the village (pictured with co-star Dawn Hope, who plays Pearl) Unimpressed: But daughter Zoe (Garcia Brown) is less impressed and suspicious of her motives when her mum reveals she is back for good after splitting with her fiancee The reigning Ru Paul's Drag Race UK champion even appeared in the show's opening title sequence in a one-off switch-up for the special crossover. Starring characters Peri Lomax (Ruby O'Donnell) and Juliet Nightingale (Niamh Blackshaw), the episode is set in Brighton and sees the reality TV star offer advice to the rekindled couple. Speaking from the set of the soap, Danny jested that a soap award was 'on the way' following the cameo. The grand finale of the episode also features an extravagance performance by the star on the Love Boat, which was filmed in the seaside town last month. In the storyline, the newly-reunited couple Peri and Juliet are enjoying some alone time with a weekend away in the episodes, when they lose all of their belongings. But to the rescue is Danny's character, who will offer the duo a lift back home to Cheshire. And giving them some advice during the trip in the unexpected cross-over, the Drag Race star will even perform on the episode. During filming, a one-off title sequence with Danny included was even recorded to swap out the usual Hollyoaks beginning. Love is in the air: Felix (Richard Blackwood) and Mercedes (Jennifer Metcalfe) are enjoying their new relationship Sneaky: The McQueen's are also faced with a cash crisis with Mercedes plans saving them with schemes including opening the cellar as a speakeasy and investing in the garage Tensions: However Warren (Jamie Lomas, left) not happy as three makes a crowd, but the loved up Felix is falling hard for Mercedes and he can see no wrong in a McQueen being part of their business Speaking from the set of the soap as they filmed, Danny shared: 'We are filming a title sequence today. I thought it would be a really good idea and now everyone's on board. There's a soap award on the way for me I can feel it.' While actress Niamh was delighted to work with the star, saying: 'Working with Danny Beard was absolutely incredible. Doing the storyline that we are doing, we rarely get laughs, and Danny brought all of them. 'They were an incredible light to set just by being themselves. They were not only fun but very professional too. It was an amazing opportunity and we all feel so lucky to have worked with them.' 'There's a soap award on the way for me':It comes after Danny Beard swapped the sparkles for the soap star life as they made their appearance in the show last week Cameo: The episode is set in Brighton and sees the reality TV star join the cast and even give a special performance New start: The reigning Ru Paul's Drag Race UK champion even appeared in the show's title sequence in a one-off switch up for the special crossover In the title sequence, the drag star caught the eye in a bright pink leopard printed skirt and colourful feathered top. While stars Niamh and Ruby opted for colourful ensembles while filming in one of Brighton's LGBTQ+ bars. Danny won season four of the UK series, after appearing on Britain's Got Talent in 2021. Hollyoaks airs weeknights from 6.30pm on Channel 4. Ex Love Island star Ollie Williams has come under fire again for bragging about shooting deer and posing with their dead bodies. The Cornish aristocrat, 23, who left the ITV2 reality show just three days into the 2020 Winter series, shared the bloody image to Instagram on Monday. Following his post, animal rights group PETA slammed the 'cold-hearted' viscount-in-waiting, in a statement exclusively shared with MailOnline. Floods of his fans filled the comments section with shocked responses, calling him 'disgusting' while vowing to unfollow him. PETA Vice President Mimi Bekhechi said: 'It takes a cold heart to enjoy traumatising, hurting, and killing animals who are minding their own business. EXCLUSIVE: 'It takes a cold heart to enjoy killing animals!' Love Island aristocrat Ollie Williams has been slammed by animal rights group PETA after he bragged about shooting deer AGAIN Shocking: The Cornish aristocrat, 23, who left the ITV2 reality show just three days into the 2020 Winter series, shared the bloody image to Instagram on Monday 'The UK public objects to gratuitous violence, so its no surprise that Ollie Williams is in the firing line for his callous behaviour. 'PETA urges him to retire his rifle and recognise that animals deserve care and protection, not to be hunted down and shot.' In the caption of his post, Ollie had written: 'A fantastic morning with @paulchilderley on the Chinese Water Deer. 'They are prolific breeders with a hell of an appetite for seedling crops! 5/6 for the Grand Slam, Sika to go! '@fieldsportschannel @benelli_armi @steiner_hunting @seelanduk @gmk_ltd @gateway1_footgear #deerstalking #deercull #deerhunting.' In response to PETA's statement, James Aris, a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance said: 'All serious conservationists are agreed that we need to be culling deer to protect the environment and other wildlife. 'There are more deer in the United Kingdom than at any time since the Norman Conquest, and in many places, densities are far too high. 'Overgrazing by deer has been having a huge impact on other species, as well as the biodiversity of our environment due to the excessive browsing of vegetation, including shooting shrubs and sapling trees, that must be protected so they grow to soak up carbon and help fight climate change. Oh no! Ollie - who has denied he is a trophy hunter - previously left fans 'traumatised' as he posed with dead deer, which he killed while taking part in a cull in Dartmore 'With a minuscule carbon footprint and probably the largest variety of environmental benefits of any meat venison as a food source is hard to argue with. 'It is packed with protein, zinc and iron, as well as having the added bonus of being good for the climate. It is irresponsible of PETA or any other animal rights group to criticise those conducting this vital service.' Ollie - who has denied he is a trophy hunter - previously left fans 'traumatised' as he posed with dead deer, which he killed while taking part in a cull in Dartmore. Taking to Instagram, the influencer who once branded himself a 'passionate conservationist. insisted 'hunting is conservation' as he boasted about 'great evening' spent 'stalking' deer. In one photograph, Ollie crouched down next to the beautiful fallow buck, and in the second could be seen dragging a Roebook by its hind legs. Ollie captioned the post: 'A great evening's stalking with the legend Tom @dartmoor_deer_services... 'Chuffed to have got my first fallow buck as well as taking a Roebuck in poor condition that was good for the cull. Hats available to buy @cornishsportingagency. '@fieldsportschannel @cornishsportingagency #huntingisconservation #deerstalking #cornishsportingagency.' Showing off: Taking to Instagram, the aristocrat insisted that 'hunting is conservation,' as he boasted about 'great evening' spent 'stalking' deer What happened: In one photograph, Ollie crouched down next to the beautiful fallow buck, and in the second could be seen dragging a Roebook by its hind legs Made In Chelsea's Charlie Mills showed his support, commenting: 'Yes mate! Well done! Keep it up x.' But Love Island's Shaughna Phillips was shocked, and many of Ollie's fans were unimpressed, branding his post: 'sickening.' One follower commented: 'This is horrible how you are putting this all over social media. Another beautiful animal gone out of the wild due to people like yourself. What do you get out of ending such a magnificent animals life ??' 'It's so upsetting that this is your passion, such a beautiful animal whose life you have stolen. You have no right,' wrote another furious fan. 'How could you just kill something so majestic?' asked someone else, while another Instagram user fumed: 'This is so horrible how can you enjoy this?' One follower said: 'This is so evil in the first pic it's alive and in the second it's dead I'm acc traumatised.' In March 2020, Ollie shocked fans by taking to social video with a video of himself shooting a deer and boasting about his kill, labelling it: 'My kind of stockpiling!' amid the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe. The Love Island star recorded a short film about how to shoot for venison, which he shared on YouTube and promoted on Instagram - leaving fans aghast. Upset: One follower said: 'This is so evil in the first pic it's alive and in the second it's dead I'm acc traumatised' The footage titled: 'Hunting Wild Venison: My Kind Of Stockpiling' starts with Ollie driving to a gun shop with his friend Eddie. The Love Island star says: 'We are currently off to get some bullets to do some shooting and stalking this week!' Once inside the shop he then tells his followers: 'I always end up walking away from here with something I don't need...ie, a gun.' Back at his family's estate, he gives a lesson in the basics of shooting, explaining about the bullets he likes to use. He says: 'When it strikes the animal, it tends to inflict a lot of damage and tends to cause a quick and painless, death. It's obviously very humane, which is the sort of thing we are looking at.' The aristocrat then practices shooting at a target, before heading out into the bushes clad in camouflage gear. Ollie says: 'Instead of stockpiling in a supermarket, I'm stockpiling in different ways.' He then finds some innocent deer roaming around, with the sound of a pulsating heartbeat in the background. Shock! In March 2020, Ollie - who denied he is a trophy hunter - shocked fans by taking to social video with a video of himself shooting a deer and boasting about his kill Very humane!? 'When it strikes the animal, it tends to inflict a lot of damage and tends to cause a quick and painless, death. It's obviously very humane' said Ollie while showing the bullets The kill: Ollie himself then hung up the dead venison up inside a giant fridge, before focusing in on the carcass The Love Islander lies down and fires his gun. The screen goes black - presumably for dramatic effect. Then footage shows Ollie himself hanging up the dead venison up inside a giant fridge, before focusing in on the carcass. Turning to the camera, he says: 'I wasn't sure whether or not in the first video I should show the shot. 'The shot was successful and we've got some venison for the larder. But moving forward, if you do wanna see the shot then let me know and I'll be happy to put it in a video.' He concludes: 'But yeh, a successful harvest of wild venison. That's my kind of stockpiling for you,' before smiling and giving a thumbs up. His shocked followers on social media commented in their droves, branding him 'a disgrace', 'sick,' and 'a weirdo.' MailOnline contacted Ollie's representatives for comment at the time. Ollie caused outrage after images of him posing next to slaughtered animals in Africa emerged earlier this year, with his family being forced to employ security to keep a 24-hour watch on their Cornish home from animal activists. In 2020, it was reported that Ollie tried to sell a buffalo head for 8,000 online - five months before the star denied he is a trophy hunter after quitting the ITV2 reality show. A photo obtained by The Sun shows a now-deleted listing for a Taxidermy Cape Buffalo Shoulder Mount with an asking price of 8,000 and allegedly posted by the star. Claim: A photo obtained by The Sun shows a listing for a Taxidermy Cape Buffalo Shoulder Mount with an asking price of 8,000 allegedly posted by him (above with the dead animal) Controversy: Love Island received 576 Ofcom complaints about Ollie Williams' inclusion on the show after posing with dead animals in Africa Outrage: The aristocrat caused outrage after images of him posing next to slaughtered animals in Africa emerged (pictured with a dead warthog) According to the website Ollie bought the buffalo head - described as used - at an auction for 648.70 and had hoped to make a healthy profit from the sale, putting the item on eBay in August. A source told The Sun: 'Ollie had gone to Holts auctioneers in Norfolk in June and spotted this cape buffalo shoulder mount. 'He thought it would be an investment and hoped he'd be able to sell it and make a profit but nobody ever bought it.' The website also confirmed the buffalo head was taken down from eBay. The Cape Buffalo is one of the dead animals Ollie was seen posing with in photos that sparked a furious viewer backlash and a petition calling for him to be axed. The heir to the Lanhydrock Estate, who received 'vile' threats since leaving the show, insisted that he is 'passionate about conservation' and that he left the show on his own terms because he was still in love with his ex. Ollie said in a statement at the time: 'Having left the Love Island house I have become aware of the press stories circulating in the UK. I would like to make a number of comments on the various claims and accusations. 'I had no knowledge of the stories until I had left the Love Island villa and all cast members are unaware of any news stories while they are on the programme. My reasons for leaving Love Island are as communicated on the show. 'I did not shoot any of the animals shown in the photographs nor have I ever shot as a trophy hunter. Backlash: This comes after it was reported that Ollie tried to sell a buffalo head for 8,000 online - five months before the star denied he is a trophy hunter after quitting the reality show 'I did volunteer to take part in the conservation and anti-poaching programme in Mozambique, a part of which involves old or sick animals being culled. I was there as an observer. 'The Cornish Sporting Agency was set up in 2017 and has never traded. I feel very passionately about conservation and will continue to support sustainable conservation causes around the globe. 'These benefit the natural world and the animals which live within it, even if certain elements appear controversial when viewed out of context. As I am no longer in Love Island, I will comment no further on this issue.' Ollie was pictured posing with a dead warthog, water buffalo and a giant eland listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The now deleted snaps were said to have been uploaded on to the Instagram account of Ollie's hunting business, Cornish Sporting Agency. The business is listed on Companies House as a 'hunting, trapping and related service activities' and is registered at the Lanhydrock estate, now controlled by the National Trust after being given away by Ollie's great-great uncle in 1953. In one of the photos, Ollie is seen kneeling beside one of the animals with the caption: 'You've gotta love it when you put your binos up and see a bull like this on the other end!' The Cornish Sporting Agency, which was taken offline in November 2018, offered hunting trips to countries like Mozambique and South Africa as well as bird shooting in the South West of England and deer stalking in New Zealand. Sources close to Ollie claimed the photos were of him 'culling sick animals' and that it was untrue that he is involved in hunting for sport. She is back living in the UAE where she works as an estate agent. And on Monday, Yazmin Oukhellou put on a very busty display as she showed off her bronzed tan while sunbathing in Dubai on her lunch break. The former TOWIE star - who announced in January that she's quit the reality show - took to Instagram where she uploaded a glimpse of her day. First, Yazmin relaxed in a skimpy zigzag print bikini, which barely contained her surgically enhanced breasts. Returning to her desk, the Essex born beauty switched into a low-slung cream crop top and posed for selfies. Wow! On Monday, Yazmin Oukhellou put on a very busty display as she showed off her bronzed tan while sunbathing in Dubai on her lunch break Bronzed: The former TOWIE star - who announced in January that she's quit the reality show - took to Instagram where she uploaded a glimpse of her day Back to work: Returning to her desk, the Essex born beauty switched into a low-slung cream crop top and posed for selfies It comes after she quit the ITVBe reality show last year and jetted out of the UK in favour of a career as an estate agent in Dubai. Yazmin was recently revealed to have been embroiled in a 'secret feud' with her former TOWIE co-stars Junaid Ahmed and Dani Imbert - which is said to be another reason behind her shock exit from the show. It emerged the reality star had decided to walk away from the hit ITVBe series almost six years after she first joined, according to The Sun. It was claimed that Yazmin has decided against joining the next series to process the 'trauma' of what she has been through with the loss of her ex boyfriend Jake McLean - and now it is understood a feud with her friends has contributed to her exit. Yaz has unfollowed Junaid and Dani on Instagram - and they the same to her - amid their bitter dispute. An insider told the publication: 'Yaz has fallen out with Junaid and Dani and no longer follows them on social media, while they have also unfollowed her. 'The reason for their beef is a bit of a mystery, but it's been rumbling for a while and things got pretty toxic.' 'While it wasn't the sole reason for Yaz choosing to leave Towie, it certainly contributed to her decision as she didn't want to film with them. Tan lines: Yazmin revealed the tan lines which she'd be left with Feud: Yazmin was recently revealed to have been embroiled in a 'secret feud' with her former TOWIE co-stars Junaid Ahmed and Dani Imbert 'After what she has been through in the last year with the crash and losing Jake, she doesn't want that kind of friendship drama in her life.' Her exit comes just seven months after escaping a horror car crash which killed her ex-boyfriend Jake McLean. Yazmin was caught up in a horror crash in Turkey in July when Jake's blue Mercedes E class saloon plunged down from a mountainous road and into a ravine in Bodrum. The on-off couple were on holiday together when Jake crashed the car off a cliff in Bodrum and died at the scene. Yazmin told The Sun that to survive the smash she climbed down a cliff covered in blood with a broken arm and now she has permanent physical scarring. Hard times: Yazmin was caught up in a horror crash in Turkey in July when Jake's Mercedes E class saloon plunged down from a mountainous road and into a ravine in Bodrum After being told by doctors that she was lucky to walk away from the devastating accident, Yazmin confessed to experiencing sleepless nights and needing therapy because she couldn't understand why she had been given a second chance at life. In July last year, she said: 'I severed an artery and a nerve, that's why I bled so much. The doctors called me an angel, a miracle, because it's a notorious spot and people have never survived.' 'Now I'm just wondering how the hell did my partner die while I've survived? It's made me look at life totally differently.' Yazmin was reportedly banned from attending Jake's funeral after his family blamed her for his sad passing and said the couple had been arguing at the point of the crash. Kylie Minogue oozed sophistication as she arrived at the ProWein trade fair in Dusseldorf, Germany on Monday. The pop icon, 54, looked ageless in a baby blue suit that boasted sweet button and bow detailing on the trousers. She completed the look with a black vest top underneath which contrasted her co-ordinated suit perfectly. Kylie accentuated her gorgeous features with a light dusting of make-up and wore her blonde tresses in loose waves. The stunner strutted her stuff in towering black boots as she tucked her hands in her pockets. Chic: Kylie Minogue oozed sophistication as she arrived at the ProWein trade fair in Dusseldorf, Germany on Monday Actress Kylie beamed for the cameras and posed confidently before heading inside to the event. It comes after it was reported the Neighbours icon along with former co-star Jason Donovan were planning a small screen reunion. The Aussie stars reunited for a special episode of hit BBC sitcom Ghosts as part of this year's Comic Relief fundraiser. 37 years after they first starred together as Charlene and Scott on Neighbours, the two took on new roles in the one-off special of Ghosts. The pair, who once dated in real life, shot the episode which aired during the night of fundraising on Friday March 17. The episode of Ghosts, which portrays a group of spirits haunting a country house, will reportedly include nods to their famous pop career, including their iconic 1988 duet Especially For You. Prior to the special, a TV insider told The Sun: 'Getting Kylie and Jason back together is a real coup and the results are hilarious. 'The episode is really tongue in cheek and they crack gags about their history and music. Beauty: The pop icon, 54, looked ageless in a baby blue suit that boasted sweet button and bow detailing on the trousers All smiles: She completed the look with a black vest top underneath which contrasted her co-ordinated suit perfectly Natural beauty: Kylie accentuated her gorgeous features with a light dusting of make-up and wore her blonde tresses in loose waves Wow! Actress Kylie beamed for the cameras and posed confidently before heading inside to the event 'It was all kept hush-hush on set to keep the secret that they were both reuniting for the show.' Kylie and Jason appeared on screen together last year in what was thought to be the final episode of Neighbours. The famous pair reprised their roles for a brief cameo in the last episode of the soap, which has since been renewed for a new run starting later this year. Kylie quit Neighbours in June 1988, having become the first person to win four Logie Awards in one year and the youngest ever recipient of a Gold Logie. She went on to launch a phenomenally successful music career, selling more than 80 million albums worldwide. Now we're back together: Kylie and Jason Donovan are planned a small screen reunion as part of this year's Comic Relief fundraiser (pictured together in last year's Neighbours) A step back in time: 37 years after thy first starred together as Charlene and Scott on Neighbours, the two took on new roles in the one-off special of Ghosts After leaving Neighbours in 1989, Jason, like Kylie, pursued a pop career and while he may not have been as successful as his on-screen bride, he had a string of hits including Too Many Broken Hearts and Sealed With A Kiss. Off screen, the couple dated from 1986 to 1989. They were so popular at this time, they even recorded the Christmas Number 1 single Especially For You. Jason told the Mirror in 2016: 'It was an extremely painful parting of the ways and, without a doubt, I took a long time to recover from it. Years, definitely.' Kylie then dated the late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence. She is now in a romance with British GQ's Creative Director Paul Solomons and Jason is married to Angela Malloch. Orlando Bloom gushed over fiance Katy Perry and daughter Daisy Dove on Monday as he called them his 'biggest fans'. The actor, 46, said he and hitmaker Katy, 38, 'support each other' in all their ventures because they are 'fans of one another'. He explained how the couple are 'doing great' and that their little girl Daisy Dove, two, is 'growing fast'. The Carnival Row star told People: 'I think we support each other because we are fans of one another, you know what I mean? What she does is so empowering for young musicians with everything with [American] Idol. Then she can go and put on a powerhouse show in Vegas. 'We support, it's who we are': Orlando Bloom gushed over fiance Katy Perry and daughter Daisy Dove on Monday as he called them his 'biggest fans' 'It's great': The actor, 46, said he and hitmaker Katy, 38, 'support each other' in all their ventures because they are 'fans of one another' (pictured in 2019) 'We support, it's who we are. Katy's a force and we both have these pools we swim in and we recognize each other's pools and we go, "Hey, I'm over here. We're doing this." And it's great.' Orlando welcomed daughter Daisy Dove, shortly after getting engaged to Katy in 2019, and said he is 'blessed' by how strong and beautiful his little girl is. He continued: 'She's beautiful, she's growing fast, big, strong and healthy. And you can't be more blessed than that.' Orlando ended his three-year marriage to ex-wife Miranda Kerr, 39, in 2013, and the pair share a son together Flynn, 11. Katy and Orlando began dating in 2016, briefly separating in 2017 before rekindling their relationship the following year. Their 2019 engagement was followed by the birth of Daisy, who they welcomed on August 26, 2020. The family-of-three recently enjoyed the Christmas holiday together in Tokyo, Japan, with the couple taking to Instagram to share outtakes. Speaking about her wedding plans on The Drew Barrymore Show, Katy said: 'There's still a [wedding] plan but the location is challenging. 'I love a big celebration. I am all about big, fun, exotic, great celebrations. So, hopefully, soon.' It will also be the second time down the aisle for the Firework hitmaker, who divorced English comedian Russell Brand in 2012. It looks like the Witherspoon ladies have been modeling lately. On Monday a new image of Reese Witherspoon's daughter, Ava Phillippe, posing with a Celine purse was posted to Instagram. The 23-year-old college student looked pretty with her blonde hair down as she presented a butter yellow purse which tagging the designer. It sells for $3,950. Hours earlier her mother Reese was seen pushing her Draper James purse that costs $108. The 46-year-old Oscar-winning actress added a blue and white gingham dress. This comes just after Reese's son Deacon Phillippe shared a new song on social media. Celine girl: On Monday a new image of Reese Witherspoon 's daughter, Ava Phillippe, posing with a Celine purse was posted to Instagram. The 23-year-old college student presented a butter yellow purse which tagging the designer; the purse costs $3950 Ava was seen leaning out of a window with floral print drapes as she let the purse dangle from her shoulder. The young beauty had on a blue top with yellow suns adding gold hoop earrings and layers of gold necklaces. 'Feels like spring,' wrote the LA native as she added emojis. She also tagged Celine. In mom Reese's new image she had on a gingham dress as she held a blue and white purse with a red handle on her arm. Reese shares her daughter, Ava, and son Deacon, with her ex-husband and Cruel Intentions actor, Ryan Phillippe. She also is raising another son, Tennessee, with her current husband, Jim Toth. In December, Ava put on a stylish display as she attended the star-studded Celine Fashion Show in Los Angeles. Her model moment: Hours earlier her mother Reese was seen pushing her Draper James line. The 46-year-old Oscar-winning actress had on a gingham dress while holding a $108 purse The model flaunted her sense of fashion in a monochromatic ensemble and showcased her fiery red locks for a quick photo session at The Wiltern. The beauty recently ditched her natural blonde locks and showed off the vibrant new color when attending the Saks event in West Hollywood earlier on Wednesday. The media influencer donned a black and white-striped miniskirt with two large pockets and a line of metallic-colored buttons on the front. She also wore a matching, short-sleeved jacket that was left unbuttoned to showcase her midriff and to give a glimpse of a black bralette underneath. Ava slipped into a pair of open-toed, strappy black heels to coincide with the color scheme of her overall ensemble. Lookalikes: Here Ava and Reese are seen side by side during a beach vacation in 2022 Mother daughter duo: During an interview on Today in October, Reese admitted that she didn't see a big resemblance between herself and daughter Ava To support the French brand, Reese Witherspoon's daughter slung a cream-colored Celine bag over her right shoulder while pausing for the paparazzi to take a few photos before the fashion event commenced. Ava accessorized her look for the evening by adding a pair of gold-hooped earrings and dainty, gold-chained necklaces. She also threw on an assortment of stylish rings on each hand. For her makeup look, the star opted for a smoky eyeshadow along with black mascara to make her blue eyes pop. A thin amount of shadow was also added under her eyes. A pink-colored blush along with a touch of highlighter was added onto her cheekbones, and a dark pink lipstick was donned for a finishing touch. The Celine Fall/Winter 2023 fashion show drew in other talented stars in the industry to LA, such as Emma Roberts, Paris Hilton, and Priscilla Presley. When talking to E!'s Daily Pop, Ava revealed the beauty tip that she had gotten from her mother over the years was, 'Pretty is as pretty does.' Stylish: Phillippe opted for a chic look as she attended the Celine Fashion Show in Los Angeles in December She further explained, 'As pretty as you ever look on the outside, you're only as pretty as you are on the inside and the way that you treat other people, and if that's not a beauty tip, I don't know what is.' While Ava and Reese appear to be lookalikes, The Morning Show actress recently admitted that she actually doesn't see much of a resemblance between herself and her daughter. 'She and I dont see it that much,' the mother of three admitted during an interview on the Today show earlier this year in October. The Sweet Home Alabama star also opened up about her relationship with her children as they have gotten older throughout the years. She explained that, 'you have to really nurture your adult relationship with your children too. And give them respect and space to become who they are, not who you want them to be.' Karrueche Tran revealed that she cut her hair and released it into the ocean along with a portion of her father's ashes in a post that was shared to her Instagram account last week. The 34-year-old actress posted several photos to her account to show off her newly cut hair and included a shot of herself holding a braid and a container of ashes before she released them into the water. The performer, who recently attended the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards, previously announced that her father, Devon Minters, had passed away this past January. Tran wrote a short message in her post's caption to express her feelings about the moment where she let go of both her hair and the ashes. 'Being able to release my hair in the ocean along w some of my dads ashes was magical.. a full circle moment as my dad was also a hairstylist lol,' she said. Healing: Karrueche Tran revealed that she cut her hair and released it into the ocean along with a portion of her father's ashes in a post that was shared to her Instagram account last week The actress added, 'Life is really LIFING right now and it was time for me to let go of a lot of old energy.' The Daytime Emmy-winning actress also wrote that she had been interested in taking on a new look for an extended period of time. 'I've always wanted to cut my hair short short but never had the balls to do it.. I feel like a weight has been lifted...I feel so free and I honestly love it,' she wrote. Tran concluded her message by writing: 'Out with the old, in with the new.' Tran included a video of her hairstylist, Cesar Deleon Ramirez, trimming off the braid that she later released into the ocean. The actress went on to take a mirror shot to show off her new look to her 13.3 million followers. The Bel-Air star wore a form-hugging pair of black leggings and a matching long-sleeve top while having her hair cut. She accessorized with various articles of jewelry that gave her monotone outfit a bit of shine during her appointment with her hairstylist. Trying it out: The actress went on to take a mirror shot to show off her new look to her 13.3 million followers Long time coming: The Daytime Emmy-winning actress also wrote that she had been interested in taking on a new look for an extended period of time The big moment: Tran included a video of her hairstylist, Cesar Deleon Ramirez, trimming off the braid that she later released into the ocean Sad news: Tran announced that Minters had passed away by sharing a post to her Instagram account on January 29 Tran announced that Minters had passed away by sharing a post to her Instagram account on January 29. The performer included several throwback shots to illustrate how close she and her father had been throughout her life. The actress also wrote a short message in her post's caption that partially read, when translated from Italian, 'a kiss my love.' Several of her friends and followers shared their condolences in the post's comments section. EastEnders viewers were left feeling extremely emotional after watching devastating scenes unfold between Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson during Monday evening's episode. Zack had decided that he wanted to plant a tree in honour of their lost child, Peach. But in a heated confrontation, Whitney had told him his gesture was 'meaningless' and that she didn't want to take part. The pair were left devastated by the death of their little girl earlier this month, after doctors revealed she had Edwards' Syndrome. But in a bid to pay tribute to their daughter, Zack had come up with the idea and surprised Whitney. Tragic: EastEnders viewers were left feeling extremely emotional after watching devastating scenes unfold between Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson during Monday evening's episode He said: 'I bought a tree. It's a peach tree... to plant in memory of our baby girl. Martin said we can use his allotment. 'I've invited a few people - Sharon, Martin, Sonya, Stacey. I was gunna see who else you wanted to invite.' 'Invite? Like it's a party?', Whitney replied. 'Well, people want to be there to support us', he said firmly. Whitney questioned: 'Us? But there is no us, is there Zack?' Zack replied: 'Well I meant us, as in Peach's parents.' Going into a rant, Whitney continued: 'Well we aren't are we? Peach ain't even here. We never changed a dirty nappy. We never heard her cry. We never had sleepless nights. So we ain't her parents. You ain't her dad and I ain't her mum.' Confused, Zack asked: 'But you wanted to do something to remember her?' Opposed: Zack had decided that he wanted to plant a tree in honour of their lost child, Peach Heated: But in a heated confrontation, Whitney had told him his gesture was 'meaningless' and that she didn't want to take par Whitney responded: 'Yeah well guess what I changed my mind okay, I think it's meaningless.' Shocked, Zack said: 'What? I don't agree Whit. It's not - It's people showing how much they care. It ain't meaningless, it's what life's all about. 'Do you know what? I'm gunna leave her ashes there and you can do what you want with her. But I'm gunna plant this tree because she was my daughter too. And I need to say goodbye.' Later in the episode, Zack gathered, as he said he would, around friends and family to pay his respects. After issuing an emotional speech, Whitney then appeared from behind, asking, 'Am I too late?'. She went on to address her friends and family, saying: 'I'm really sorry for pushing you away. I just felt like today ain't about me. I never got to hold my baby girl. And so I thought that meant I wasn't qualified to be a mum. 'But I know that I'm wrong. Because in my heart, I am a mum. I am a mum - not just to Peach but to Jordan and Lily and all the other kids in my life. 'I'm really grateful that all of you have been there for me. Maybe one day I'll have a little brother or sister for Peach, and I know that you'll all be there for me.' In memory: Later in the episode, Zack gathered, as he said he would, around friends and family to pay his respects Support: After issuing an emotional speech, Whitney then appeared from behind, asking, 'Am I too late?' Spreading her ashes she then said: 'Goodbye my baby girl.' 'Goodbye darling Peach', Zack followed. Taking to Twitter as the episode aired, fans were left with an abundance of emotions. One fan tweeted: 'Aww Zack has been carrying his daughter around'. 'Whitney's really struggling. Zack is grieving too though', another commented. A third said: 'Zack and Whit planting a tree for Peach is beautiful', while a fourth added: 'How said and heartbreaking'. Whitney and Zack were recently devastated at the diagnosis of their unborn daughter's Edwards' syndrome and underwent a termination to bring on early labour. After Peach's death, Whitney and Zack were left to pick up the pieces at the hospital and grieve. She and Zack described Peach's life, from birthdays to her being a tomboy like her mum and said their goodbyes. The pair returned to Albert Square, where Zack said he could picture Peach's wedding and further children with Whitney. Viewers at home were in tears at the tragic scenes, and took to Twitter to voice their sadness and praise the soap for its handling of the topic. EastEnders airs on Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Natalia Dyer seems to have suffered an injury. The Stranger Things actress was seen walking with the help of crutches in New York City on Monday morning. The 26-year-old star moved slowly as she made her way from a building to a waiting car. The star also had a small bruise on her forehead as her hair was pulled back by a headband. When the star was last seen in public at the Saint Laurent Womenswear show during Paris Fashion Week in late February, she did not use crutches. Tough turn: Natalia Dyer seems to have suffered an injury. The Stranger Things actress was seen walking with the help of crutches in New York City on Monday morning Hard time walking: The 26-year-old star moved slowly as she made her way from a building to a waiting car. The star also had a small bruise on her forehead as her hair was pulled back by a headband. When the star was last seen in public at the Saint Laurent Womenswear show during Paris Fashion Week in late February, she did not use crutches. DailyMail.com has contacted Dyer's rep for comment. Dyer stood out while wearing a multicolored button-up jacket that featured the logo for the New York Rangers. And she also donned a knitted beige crewneck sweater. The Velvet Buzzsaw actress also wore a black maxi skirt, as well as multicolored socks and Adidas Samba sneakers. The performer kept her neck warm with a patterned scarf and accessorized with a fashionable pair of green sunglasses. Her dyed red hair remained free-flowing and cascaded onto her back and shoulders. Although Dyer is best known for her work on Stranger Things, she has also made strides into the film industry over the years. The performer is currently preparing for the release of the horror feature All Fun and Games, in which she will star. Bruised? The star also had a small bruise on her forehead as her hair was pulled back by a headband It was revealed that the actress was attached to the project in January of last year, when it was also announced that she would star alongside Asa Butterfield. The movie will be centered on a pair of siblings who take part in a game in which they interact with demonic figures. It was subsequently announced that performers such as Keith David and Annabeth Gish had joined the cast of the feature. All Fun and Games, which was reported to have entered the post-production phase last November, currently does not have a set release date. Cool clothes: Dyer stood out while wearing a multicolored button-up jacket that featured the logo for the New York Rangers. And she also donned a knitted beige crewneck sweater Comfie shoes: The Velvet Buzzsaw actress also wore a black maxi skirt, as well as multicolored socks and Adidas Samba sneakers. The performer kept her neck warm with a patterned scarf and accessorized with a fashionable pair of green sunglasses Dyer opened up about working on film projects as opposed to series during an interview with Cosmopolitan UK. The actress expressed that, while 'it's amazing to get to be on huge sets, I also really love the intimacy of small films.' The performer went on to speak about working on the set of Velvet Buzzsaw and being inspired by how cast members Jake Gyllenhaal and John Malkovich interacted with the project's creative team. 'It was amazing to work with people to see how they carry themselves, how they communicate with the director and what they ask for,' she said. A former Love Island Australia star has sparked outrage for saying that OnlyFans encourages men to cheat. Maddy Gillbanks, who appeared on the racy dating show last year, shared her controversial opinion after she was asked if she would ever sign up for the adults-only subscription service. The former HR advisor, 26, said she believes OnlyFans 'contributes to so many issues modern couples are facing' and said it's not 'empowering to take your clothes off'. 'It's definitely a no for me. Now it's my turn to offend people - I think OnlyFans, porn, and social media are contributing to so many issues modern couples are facing. And I want to minimise my part in that,' Maddy began in an Instagram post. 'Why would a man want to stay faithful when he can get sexually gratified from a thousand different women online. There's less and less incentive for a man to stay loyal to his partner especially when he is surrounded by temptation.' Former Love Island Australia star Maddy Gillbanks has sparked outrage for saying that OnlyFans encourages men to cheat 'It's passed off as empowering and sexual liberation but I don't see how it's empowering to take your clothes off and have an incel paying $20 a month to w**k over your pics. Even less so if your posting bikini/half naked soft porn on IG and not even being paid for it?' She added: 'On the other hand, I see why so many women do it. It's the best way to make money from a society that has been built to suppress us, so I understand from that perspective. I wouldn't judge my friends or any individual for wanting to get their piece of the pie.' Influencer Updates AU shared her statement, sparking the ire of reality TV fans. 'Didn't she walk around in a 'bikini half naked' for three weeks on Love Island?' one of the account's followers asked. The former HR advisor, 26, said she believes OnlyFans 'contributes to so many issues modern couples are facing' and said it's not 'empowering to take your clothes off' Influencer Updates AU shared her statement, sparking the ire of reality TV fans. 'Didn't she walk around in a 'bikini half naked' for three weeks on Love Island?' one of the account's followers asked 'She probably thought she really did something here,' another added. 'Okay but here me out, men not being faithful in a relationship due to temptation online is not anyone else's problem but his own.' Another male follower however agreed with Maddy, writing: 'As a male (currently single but someone who doesn't subscribe to OF) I will say she is 100 per cent on the money.' 'I hear the locker room talk and what's going on, the world is pretty f**ked up.' OnlyFans is a subscription-based adult website where content can range from something as innocent as a suggestive selfie, all the way to hardcore pornography. There are a number of celebrities on OnlyFans, including former Married At First Sight star Olivia Frazer, Hayley Vernon, Jessika Power and Ines Basic. OnlyFans is a subscription-based adult website where content can range from something as innocent as a suggestive selfie, all the way to hardcore pornography. There are a number of celebrities on OnlyFans, including former Married At First Sight star Olivia Frazer MAFS bride Olivia Frazer boasted about earning six figures in a matter of months since joining the subscription-based website in May. Rapper Iggy Azalea is now on the platform, charging a $25-per-month subscription fee. It comes after Olivia boasted late last year she pocketed $500,000 in her first four months as an OnlyFans creator. In addition to her income from subscribers, the blonde is open to personal requests and has been sending images to fans privately. Coronation Street viewers were left shocked as Stephen attempted to kill Rufus with a hole punch after he threatened to expose him on Monday. Stephen attempted to strike again after Rufus threatened to tell everyone how he has been drugging Carla with LSD to take over the factory. Rufus appeared at the Underworld with an ultimatum for Stephen and ordered him to tear up the American contract and if he doesn't play ball he will spill the beans about Carla. Furious Stephen grabbed the nearest weapon to hand and stalked up behind him ready to strike before being interrupted by a worker. One fan joked: 'O oh, hole puncture and Rufus ...here we go.. #corrie' 'Here we go again': Coronation Street viewers were left shocked as Stephen attempted to kill Rufus with a hole punch after he threatened to expose him on Monday 'It so is gonna happen Sarah & Damon': Meanwhile, Sarah Platt got close to the baddie Damon Hay in the most recent episode and seemingly having no idea who he is Another added: 'He loves a hole punch,' while a third wrote: 'Just in the nick of Time that hole punch is Stevens favourite toy #corrie' A fourth penned: 'Oh never mind the hole punch will wait until another time #Corrie'. Meanwhile, Sarah Platt got close to the baddie Damon Hay in the most recent episode and seemingly having no idea who he is. Despite his recent drama with her brother Nick Tilsley, the pair had a drink and it wasn't long before they headed up to her hotel room. As the pair enjoyed a bottle of champagne in the room together, viewers were quick to take to Twitter to say they feel an 'affair brewing'. One wrote: 'I see an affair brewing.#corrie #coronationstreet' Another added: 'Sarah why would you go back and see him. #Corrie' 'Stevens favourite toy': Stephen attempted to strike again after Rufus threatened to tell everyone how he has been drugging Carla with LSD to take over the factory 'He loves a hold punch': Fans were quick to joke that a 'hole punch is Steven's favourite toy' 'Her knickers will be off before the end of the week,' joked a third. 'It so is gonna happen Sarah & Damon #Corrie,' said a fourth. As the pair popped open the fizz, Sarah quickly had a change in heart after reading a note from her husband Adam Barlow, after there marriage hit the rocks recently. She later joined her husband downstairs in the bar and realised Damon is a new client of Adam's at his lawyer practise. Sarah is left less than impressed as shed realised Adam is representing him as they have an extremely awkward run in. She said: 'Your the bloke who's the drug dealer!' Damon made a comment that she won't want Adam representing him and Sarah quickly added: 'Adam can represent whoever he likes, even people like you.' Making sure to not cause a scene Damon departed: 'I'll get out your way, nice to meet you.... Sarah.' No idea: Despite the drama with her brother Nick, Sarah and Damon enjoyed a drink together and it wasn't long before they headed up to her hotel room 'Sarah's face!!': Sarah had a change of heart about hooking up with Damon and joined her husband downstairs in the bar 'That was a close shave Sarah': The couple had an extremely awkward run in with Damon, who Sarah then realised is a new client of Adam's at his lawyer practise Adam was left questioning 'what changed' Sarah's mind about him representing a drug dealer. She responded: 'It made me think how would it make me feel if you told me who I could and couldn't do work with.' Feeling happier Adam asked whether they should go upstairs to the hotel room to enjoy the champagne, (which she had already drank with Damon). She said: 'No let's just go home and have a quite night in. I've drank the bottle of champagne.' Fans were quick to take to social media to comment on the shock on Sarah's face during the unexpected run in. One said: 'That was a close shave Sarah #Corrie'. A second added: 'Sarah's face was a picture just then when she realized who Damon was! #Corrie'. '#Corrie ...yes Sarah....that's Damon. You know the stranger you invited back to your hotel room...with the champagne and grapefruit shampoo'. Another wrote: 'Sarah's face!!' Secret meet up: As Sarah and Adam head back to their place, she told him she fancied a takeaway and wine so the pair headed off in different directions to collect the goods 'Affair brewing': Taking a detour, she called Damon and met him in the ginnel and begged him to stay away from Nick and drop Adam as his solicitor Viewers jokes Sarah's face was a picture when she realised who he was and fans also took to Twitter to say they feel an 'affair brewing' between the pair As Sarah and Adam head back to their place, she told him she fancied a takeaway and wine so the pair headed off in different directions to collect the goods. Taking a detour, she called Damon and met him in the ginnel and begged him to stay away from Nick and drop Adam as his solicitor. He said: 'I was just drowning my sorrows when a beautiful girl was talking to me at a bar. I'm just me Sarah. It takes two to tango.' She added: 'I know I'm as guilty.' Damon said: 'Nothing happened,' and the pair stared into one another's eyes just a second to long before she added: 'And it never will'. Australian character actor Terry Norris died on Monday at the age of 92. He is survived by his three children Dominic, Jane and Sarah, his wife Julia Blake, and their four grandchildren, reports TV Tonight. Norris was one of Australia's most experienced actors with nearly 80 screen credits to his name, in addition to a ten-year term in the Victorian Labor government. He was best known for his roles in Cop Shop, Bellbird and Jack Irish. He met his wife, an actress known for starring in Bed of Roses, Prisoner and Travelling North, in a British theatre troupe when he was 21. Both actors received the Equity Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Australian character actor Terry Norris (pictured) died on Monday at the age of 92 After his stint in the UK, Norris returned to Melbourne in 1962, where he had '20 years with the longest run of luck of any actor on the face of the earth'. 'I was never, ever out of work. Sometimes doing two and three at the same time, because in those days there were lots of bits and pieces,' he once told TV Tonight. He portrayed mechanic Joe Turner in Bellbird, which was filmed at the ABC's Ripponlea TV studios, for eight years while also performing at Tikki & John's Theatre Restaurant and Brian Hannan's Squizzy's. Norris (left) is survived by his three children Dominic, Jane and Sarah, his wife Julia Blake (right), and their four grandchildren. (Pictured in Sydney on December 13, 2000) Norris (pictured here in Cop Shop) was one of Australia's most experienced actors with nearly 80 screen credits under his belt, as well as a ten-year term in the Victorian Labor government After several more guest roles, he landed a starring role as Senior Sergeant Eric O'Reilly in the police comedy show Cop Shop, for which he won a Silver Logie for Best Supporting Actor. In 1982, Norris did a sharp turn into politics, serving for a decade as a member of the Victorian Labor government where he represented Dandenong constituents. He said it was a natural step forward from his union work for Actors Equity. After the end of his political career, Norris scored several more film and TV roles, and notably played a barfly at the Prince of Prussia pub in Guy Pearce's drama Jack Irish. After a stint working in the UK, Norris (pictured in 2004) returned to Melbourne in 1962, where he had '20 years with the longest run of luck of any actor on the face of the earth' Martin Foley, former Labor Member for Albert Park, posted a tribute to the late actor and politician on Twitter. 'A sad loss for Victorian Labor on news of passing of Terry Norris aged 92. Actor, reformer, gentlemen and Member of Parliament for SE Melbourne,' he wrote. 'A great mentor to all those who followed him. Condolences to Julia and his family and many friends. Vale Terry Norris. Deeply missed.' Wendy Williams was seen drinking during a raucous night out in New York City on Friday according to a new report - five months after leaving rehab and amid her ongoing health challenges. The host, 58, who is plotting a return to TV, went club-hopping in Manhattan where she visited venues including Fresco by Scotto and gay bar The Townhouse, with a source telling Page Six: 'She kept saying she wanted to get drunk tonight.' Naughty But Nice podcast host Rob Shuter told the publication the star 'looked lonely' sat by herself but then 'lit up like a Christmas tree to see someone she knew.' Talking about their meeting on his podcast, he said: 'We had a bite, we had some drinks, but then when we were getting ready to say goodbye, Wendy didnt really want us to leave' before allegedly suggesting going to a bar. A diner also told the publication: 'She kept saying she wanted to get drunk tonight. She wasnt hiding [her drinking]' before claiming the star said she is moving to LA in three weeks. Night out: Wendy Williams was seen drinking during a raucous night out in New York City on Friday according to a new report - five months after leaving rehab and amid her ongoing health challenges (pictured last month) The source added that Williams said: 'She told this table that she was looking for love and like in Sex and the City, shes willing to f***.' Ex Real Housewives of New Jersey star Kim DePaola greeted her at the restaurant before the group went to The Townhouse where Williams is said to have asked the doorman: 'Do you watch The Wendy Williams Show? Im Wendy Willams.' The star's presence at the club saw her pose for photos with fans. DailyMail.com has contacted Wendy Williams' representative for comment. In October it was revealed the star was 'home and healing' after going back to rehab to focus on 'health and wellness' following a streak of erratic behavior and claims of substance abuse. 'Wendy is excited about the road ahead and looking forward to releasing her many projects,' the former talk show host's publicist Shawn Zanotti said in a statement to E! News on Tuesday. Zanotti continued: 'She wants to say, "thank you to my fans for your love, support and many prayers, I am back and better than ever."' Zanotti confirmed the previous month that Williams had entered a 'wellness facility' in an effort to 'manage her overall health issues.' Spotted: Naughty But Nice podcast host Rob Shuter told the publication the star 'looked lonely' sat by herself but then 'lit up like a Christmas tree to see someone she knew' (pictured together) A diner also told the publication: 'She kept saying she wanted to get drunk tonight. She wasnt hiding [her drinking]' before claiming the star said she is moving to LA in three weeks (pictured last month) She was 'being treated by a team of some of the best doctors in the world,' Zanotti told the outlet, adding that Williams was preparing 'for a major comeback for the next level in her career with The Wendy Experience Podcast.' No details about the facility or its location were revealed. Williams has past been in treatment at locations in New York and Florida. At the time, a source told Page Six that Williams' substance issues had 'gotten worse,' as 'she went from [drinking] wine to straight up vodka.' Williams has had difficulties in controlling her drinking, to the detriment of her overall health, which one source described as 'failing. They added: 'She can't stop drinking and she needs to stop drinking; it's just making her health worse.' The talk show host told a photographer recently that she was 'formerly retired' amid reports about her comeback, Page Six reported. Wendy 'is working on several projects,' her rep told the outlet, adding that she 'is ready to get things rolling and get back to being Wendy Williams.' The outlet reported that her podcast called The Wendy Williams Experience was still in the works, which Shawn confirmed: 'Yes, the podcast is still in the works.' Wendy is focused 'on her overall wellness' a source previously revealed, with the star ready to get back to work. The star told a photographer while on a grocery run that she is 'formerly retired' and is hoping to appear on The View and Late Night with Seth Meyers, via Page Six. Last week, the outlet reported that Wendy was filming a project inside Manhattan restaurant Fresco by Scotto. 'Basically it was a regular night... and then all of the sudden the Wendy Williams train arrived,' an insider said. In October it was revealed the star was 'home and healing' after going back to rehab to focus on 'health and wellness' following a streak of erratic behavior and claims of substance abuse (pictured last month) 'She had a huge crew that basically turned Fresco by Scotto into a movie set... approximately 30 people in the crew. Lights, cameras, audio, producers, etc. [It] looked like a reality show.' The upcoming project will mark Wendy's first return to media since The Wendy Williams Show wrapped last June. Sherri Shepherd, who filled in for the star during the final season due to the former host's medical issues, took over the time slot with her own show, Sherri. It remains unclear when The Wendy Williams Experience will premiere on podcast platforms. BBC Breakfast's Nina Warhurst has announced she is pregnant with her third child. The presenter, 42, revealed that after months of 'vomiting and migraines' she discovered she was expecting with her husband Ted. She shared a beaming snap of herself posing in a skin-tight black dress, while cradling her growing baby bump in the BBC studio. Nina penned on Instagram: 'Happy Mother's Day to all of those who are any part of this endless handover of love, values, genes, chaos and perpetually crumb-infested kitchens. 'I'd like to say "you got this Mama!" But maybe you haven't. I dunno. It's hard isn't it?' Congratulations! BBC Breakfast's Nina Warhurst has announced she is pregnant with her third child The presenter, 42, revealed that after months of 'vomiting and migraines' she discovered she was expecting with her husband Ted 'That said we are doing it again. It's been a funky few months involving intense migraines, vomiting, morning kebabs, first time acne, small acts of violence against fruit, afternoon kebabs, tears, spontaneous snoozes, anxiety and more kebabs. 'I am settling in to the middle chunk (emphasis on chunk) and enjoying the wonders of Mother Nature and her tiny kicks and flutters. The boys and the cat have been enjoying their new chair God willing, Baby Doner-Shish joins the outside world in the summer. 'I am blown away that we do this. And acutely aware of the privilege, born of nothing but fortune.' She signed off by adding: 'Sending love to those who've had to say goodbye to the babies they lost and the ones they dreamed of.' It comes after Nina says she feels guilty for losing patience with her father's forgetfulness as he struggles with the degenerative symptoms of dementia. The presenter has filmed a short feature for the BBC in which she shines a light on the plight of dementia sufferers and the wider impact it has on family members left to care for their loved ones. Warhurst and her sisters Amy and Mel are currently co-caring for elderly father Chris, who was diagnosed with the condition in 2022 - but the presenter admitted she's still coming to terms with the toll it has already taken on his cognitive ability. 'We have been fortunate that my dad has never gotten angry,' she told Monday's BBC Breakfast . 'I know that can happen with different forms of dementia, but he didn't understand it was happening. She announced on Instagram: 'We are doing it again. It's been a funky few months involving intense migraines, vomiting, morning kebabs, first time acne, small acts of violence against fruit, afternoon kebabs, tears, spontaneous snoozes, anxiety and more kebabs.' Ouch: Nina also showed the acne outbreak which has been one of her pregnancy symptoms Opening up: Nina says she feels guilty for losing patience with her father's forgetfulness as he struggles with the degenerative symptoms of dementia 'When we had conversations about changing the set-up, maybe giving some respite care he thought nothing was wrong. 'Having to tell little fibs all the time just broke your heart but it was in his best interest. There were times when "if I don't fib to him to get us over this hump, we are not going to get there". 'And he would phone me 10 times a day, saying "I need you to come round" and then I'd get there and he would say "What are you doing here?"' She added: 'At that point, it is hard not to be cross and that was the surprising thing, I felt really guilty because I was getting angry with him. 'I was taking it out on him and I had two tiny kids at home that I wasn't seeing as much and I wasn't focused at work. There are these ripples that then go through your family as well.' Dementia, a degenerative condition with no known cure, commonly affects the brain's ability to think, remember, and function normally, with suffers typically losing their memories over time. Taking to Instagram last year, Warhurst admitted she was devastated after her father failed to recognise her. Sharing a photo of herself and Chris, she wrote: 'My Dad. I missed him so much this week. Dementia means he's here, but not here. Today was the first time he couldn't quite place me. 'Then he got out a new glasses case. He was clearly chuffed with it but knew it was funny to be chuffed with a new glasses case. Family: Warhurst and her sisters Amy and Mel are currently co-caring for elderly father Chris, who was diagnosed with the condition in 2022 Emotional: Warhurst was seen breaking down as she discussed her father's condition Taking to Instagram last year, Warhurst admitted she was devastated after her father failed to recognise her 'In some ways, he taught me to laugh. Properly from the tummy. And to laugh at myself.' She added: 'We're all holding on to those deep-rooted connections for as long as we can. Dementia isn't the end. It's the start of a new chapter. 'So much respect for his key worker today who told me that it's all about cherishing those connections, instead of missing the ones we've lost. The staff are superstars and it means the world.' If you've been affected by anything in this article, please call the Dementia UK helpline on 0800 888 6678. ADP Hyderabad hosts Walkathon in support of Gender Equality at Workplace. Photo: By arrangement Hyderabad: ADP India has organized weeklong celebrations on the occasion of International Womens Day 2023. Over 400 associates of the company joined an all-gender walkathon event, said a release. The company also held an All-Women's Recruitment Drive, to encourage and accelerate marginalized female talent. The company has organized exclusive walk-in interviews for 115 women and recruited several women associates across India for numerous roles in technology, service, payroll processing, and finance, among others. ADP Indias Hyderabad and Pune offices have celebrated International Womens Day with fun and meaningful internal community engagement activities, such as the networking sessions for ADP Women Leaders, a clay modelling workshop for all associates, adorned with fun zumba and yoga sessions, said the press release. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Vipul Singh, senior vice president and head of HR, CSR and Communications said, "At ADP, we are fortunate to be backed by 41% women talent that we deeply appreciate and nurture. The wealth of benefits and practices like women leadership networking and development workshops, certifications and trainings, equal opportunities to grow on merit, and many more that ADP provides, encourages our women associates to stay for longer, with an average service tenure of 7 years in the organization." Before flying back to Mumbai, Bachchan said the doctor at a Hyderabad-based hospital, where he underwent a CT scan, advised him to rest. PTI file image Mumbai: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Monday expressed gratitude towards his well wishers for their concerns and prayers as he recuperates from an on-set injury. The 80-year-old actor took to his official Instagram page and shared an old picture of him walking the ramp at a fashion show, hoping to get back to the grind soon. "Thank you for all the prayers and wishes for my recovery... I repair... hope to be back on the ramp soon," Bachchan wrote in the caption. In a previous post on his personal blog, the screen icon said he continues to be in "extreme pain". "the rib continues in its painful journey .. but another erupts at the toe and draws attention greater than the rib .. so .. the rib diminishes and the attention drifts to the toe... "a blister under the callus .. never heard or experienced before , but there it is and yes extreme pain .." he added. In the March 5 post on his blog, the industry veteran said he injured himself while filming an action sequence on the Hyderabad set of his upcoming movie "Project K". "In Hyderabad at the shoot for Project K, during an action shot, I have got injured .. rib cartilage popped broke and muscle tear to the right rib cage .." he said. Before flying back to Mumbai, Bachchan said the doctor at a Hyderabad-based hospital, where he underwent a CT scan, advised him to rest. The shooting on Nag Ashwin's "Project K" and other commitments Bachchan is involved in are on hold. Also starring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, the film will hit the screens on January 12, 2024. Niharika's counsel, accused the police of damaging her image, affecting her mental state and adversely impacting her studies. (Photo: DC) Hyderabad: Engineering student Katta Niharika Reddy, 20, who was arrested by the police in connection with the murder of Nenavat Naveen, was on Saturday granted bail on the grounds that she was not involved in the murder and that the pictures shared by the main accused with her were done without her consent. Niharikas counsel contended in the court that the main accused, Hari Hara Krishna, was harassing her and had sent her messages and photos of the murder without her consent. Further, the counsel argued that she was in deep shock over the incident and that the investigation officers failed to submit concrete evidence against her and instead, took her to the scene of the crime based on Krishnas statement. Sources said that Niharikas uncle is a leading criminal advocate and he contended that in footage collected from a CCTV camera near Tirumala Wines on February 17 the day of the murder Naveen, Krishna and his friend Prabhaliti Hassan were spotted, but there was no evidence of Niharikas association with Krishna immediately before or after the murder. Krishna surrendered to the police on February 24. Niharikas counsel, accusing the police of damaging her image, affecting her mental state and adversely impacting her studies, claimed she was falsely framed and requested bail, assuring that she will be available whenever required. A previous bail petition filed by Niharikas counsel on the day of her arrest was dismissed after the police filed a counter. Hassan and Niharika were arrested by the police on March 6. The police said that as per the technical evidence collected, Hassan helped Krishna dispose of the body parts of the victim and that Niharika was aware of the incident at the time it was happening, as the accused shared pictures with her. They said they will use the pictures shared by Krishna with Niharika as technical evidence during the prosecution. Hassan and Niharika were produced at the Hayathnagar court following their arrest and remanded to 14-day judicial custody. After the court rejected the initial bail plea by Niharikas counsel, the second one was accepted as the custody was coming to an end. Rythu Bandhu Samithi chairman and MLC Palla Rajeshwar Reddy DC Image HYDERABAD: The enumeration of crop loss due to heavy rains was underway in the districts and once the district collectors submit final reports, the state government will take a decision on extending compensation to the farmers, asserted Rythu Bandhu Samithi chairman and MLC Palla Rajeshwar Reddy. Speaking to the media at the BRS Legislature Party (BRSLP) office on Monday, he claimed that the enumeration of crop loss so far revealed that 80,000 farmers suffered losses to an extent of 1.50 lakh acres. "The state government has divided agricultural lands in Telangana into 2,603 clusters. We have ordered cluster-wise enumeration of crop loss due to heavy rains in the last three days. Collectors are on the job. We expect to obtain final reports from all the districts in two or three days. Once the government receives them, the Chief Minister will take a decision on extending compensation to the farmers," he stated while demanding the Centre to send its teams to Telangana to assess the crop loss. "In the previous years, the state suffered crop loss of up to Rs 7,000 crore. But what the Centre gave was just Rs 250 crore. The BJP government at the Centre is discriminating against Telangana on all issues and it is discriminating against us even in extending funds for crop loss assistance," he added. Palla justified the state government's decision to scrap the PMFBY stating that the scheme turned out to be more beneficial for insurance companies than farmers. "What insurance companies received through premium amounts was much more than what farmers got towards settlements and claims. For that reason, the state government has decided to opt out of PMFBY. Several BJP-ruled states also opted out of PMFBY. Will the BJP leaders in Telangana answer why the BJP-ruled states opted out of PMFBY," he asked. Opposition MLAs led by Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan stage a walkout from the Kerala Legislative Assembly (PTI file photo) Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress-led UDF on Monday disrupted the state Assembly claiming that neither the Left government in Kerala nor the Speaker were creating an environment where the opposition can cooperate with the House proceedings. In view of the disruption created by the opposition, the Speaker -- halfway through the question hour -- adjourned the House till 11 AM. He said that the House was being adjourned temporarily as the question hour could not proceed effectively. Even before the question hour began, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly V D Satheesan accused the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, of "deliberately provoking" the UDF to create a situation where it cannot cooperate with House proceedings. "We want to co-operate with House proceedings. However, the government under the Chief Minister's leadership was trying to escape issues raised by the opposition without answering them. "They are deliberately provoking the opposition. Neither you (Speaker) nor the government is, unfortunately, creating a situation where we can cooperate with House proceedings," he said. Satheesan also said that a false case has been lodged against 7 UDF MLAs, including two women, for offences which carry a punishment of 10 years imprisonment. He also contended that no decision has been taken nor any discussions held with regard to issues raised in the Assembly by the UDF. "Therefore, we are unable to cooperate with the House proceedings," the LoP said following which several UDF MLAs trooped into the well of the House raising placards, like 'rights are not favours' - and shouting slogans -- 'Modi bhakti is increasing' -- in front of the Speaker's dais. Request by the Speaker to maintain order in the House and to return to their seats was not acceded to by the opposition and thereafter, the Assembly was temporarily adjourned. The bench at the outset refused to accept the sealed cover report submitted by Attorney General R Venkataramani. (File Photo) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to clear all One Rank One Pension(OROP) arrears totalling Rs 28,000 crore for ex-servicemen by February 28 next year, saying the government is duty-bound to comply with its 2022 judgement on the matter. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud took note of the financial difficulties pointed out by the Centre in paying the entire Rs 28,000 crore OROP dues in one go, and laid down the schedule to the Ministry of Defence to pay the arrears to the ex-servicemen, categorised under several heads. It noted that out of 25 lakh Defence pensioners, four lakh did not qualify for the OROP scheme as they were getting enhanced pensions. During the hearing, it also took strong note of the Centre's sealed cover report giving details on the payment of the OROP dues to retired military personnel, saying it wanted to put an end to this sealed cover procedure which is fundamentally contrary to the basic principle of fair process in a court of law. While on the one hand, the Union government is bound to comply with the terms of the OROP scheme and as a matter of fact the UOI is duty-bound to comply with the judgement of this court in terms of the OROP scheme. But at the same time while fixing a time schedule for payment, the materials, which have been placed on the record now, has the significant bearing on the nature of the order which should be passed by this court with regard to the compliance of the time lines, the bench noted in its order. The bench at the outset refused to accept the sealed cover report submitted by Attorney General R Venkataramani and asked him to read the report as pertained to compliance of the court's judgement. The bench said there cannot be anything secret about the report which cannot be divulged to the ex-service personnel seeking payment of OROP arrears. We want to put an end to this sealed cover procedure which is being followed by the Supreme Court because the high courts will follow it and this is fundamentally contrary to the basic principle of fair process in a court of law, the bench observed at the outset, and said it was not averse to considering the financial difficulties as pointed out by the Centre in paying the entire amount in one go. Considering the financial difficulties cited by the Centre, the bench, also comprising justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, allowed it to clear the dues in a staggered manner. The Ministry of Defence was seeking extension of the deadline for clearing the OROP dues. Reducing the time limit to February 28 next year, the bench gave the time schedule for payment of arrears to different groups of pensioners under the OROP scheme. The bench directed that the six lakh family pensioners and gallantry award winners shall be paid their OROP dues by April 30, 2023. It said around four-five lakh retired servicemen aged 70 years and above shall be paid their OROP arrears in one or more instalments by June 30. The OROP dues for 10-11 lakh remaining pensioners shall be paid in three equal instalments by February 28 next year, the bench said, making it clear that the payment of the dues "will not affect further equalisation of pension of ex-servicemen to be done in 2024". The attorney general said the Defence ministry had taken up the matter with the Finance Ministry, which expressed its inability to provide the funds in one go and suggested a staggered payment. Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the ex-servicemen, said these payments were due way back in March 2019. Giving a schedule of the payment of OROP arrears, the government had said, The outlay for the arrears is of the order of Rs 28,000 crore. The planned budget outlay for 2022-23 is not in a position to assimilate the huge outlay in one go. The Ministry of Defence being a strategic sector has to strike a fine balance between the financial outgo on its operational commitments and the expenditure incurred on its personnel including the defence pensioners. Since the resources are limited..., the expenses are needed to be regulated in such a way that the individual needs are met without compromising the operational readiness of our armed forces...it is for the reason that (like in the past) OROP has been approved for disbursement in four instalments, it had said. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. (Photo: By Arrangement) VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed 10 Bills on Monday, including the Andhra Pradesh Education (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Andhra Pradesh Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Andhra Pradesh Prohibition (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Andhra Pradesh Advocates Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Also passed by voice vote were Andhra Pradesh Education (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Andhra Pradesh Public Libraries (Amendment) Bill, 2023 after they were moved by minister for education Botcha Satyanarayana. The two Bills were tabled on Sunday. The Assembly also passed the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2023, moved by deputy chief minister (Endowments) K. Satyanarayana; the Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Commission (Amendment) Bill,2023 moved by deputy chief minister (minority welfare) S.B. Amzath Basha, the Registration (Andhra Pradesh) Amendment Bill, 2023 that was moved by revenue minister Dharmana Prasada Rao. The Andhra Pradesh Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and Andhra Pradesh Prohibition (Amendment) Bill, 2023, moved by deputy chief minister (excise) K. Narayana Swamy was passed by voice vote. The Andhra Pradesh Advocates Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was tabled by municipal minister Audimulapu Suresh, the Andhra Pradesh Commission for Backward Classes Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the State of Andhra Pradesh (Amendment) Bill, 2023 moved by minister for BC welfare Ch. Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna were also passed by voice vote. The Andhra Pradesh Milk Procurement (Protection of Farmers) and Enforcement of Safety of Milk Standards Bill, 2023 was also passed. Narayana Swamy said that the government is avowed to reduce consumption of alcohol in the state with a view to improve the physical health of the people. He further said that accordingly, amendments were carried out in 2020 to the relevant provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition Act, 1995 enhancing imprisonment up to eight years and fine up to `five lakh for offences. Swamy said that simultaneously this has also resulted in heavy pendency in the number of cases in the trial courts resulting in heavy workload, which has brought to the fore the need to recognize the difference between offences of grave and non-grave nature. He said the amendments were made to make provision for grave and non-grave offences and enabling compounding of offences involving smaller quantities of intoxicants, committed for the first time. This will augur well for efficient utilisation of manpower in enforcement agencies for focused investigations and reduce pendency in trial courts. Council passes three bills: Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council passed three government bills here on Monday. Minister for revenue Dharmana Prasada Rao moved the first bill dealing with the Andhra Pradesh Dotted Lands (Updation in Re-Settlement Register) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which will help removal of lands from prohibited list so that farmers could take up cultivation of crops and clear titles would be given to such lands. The minister moved the second bill pertaining to Andhra Pradesh Rights in Land and Pattadar Pass Books (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which will provide farmers pattadar passbooks following the conduct of ongoing comprehensive land survey. The minister also moved the Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Area) Inams (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) (Amendment) Bill, 2023 for consideration and accordingly, the bill was passed. All the three bills have been passed in the Assembly earlier. Minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao examines the damaged crops in Warangal district (Photo by arrangement) HYDERABAD: Crops on five lakh acres were damaged in 25 districts due to unseasonal rains that lashed the state in the last three days, but farmers have no recourse because the state government has stopped implementing the Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana scheme (PMFBY) in the last three years, beginning with kharif 2020. After the scrapping of PMFBY, the state government is entirely depending on the Centre for funds to extend input subsidies to farmers under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). However, the Centre released Rs 13 crore under the NDRF last year, when the state experienced high rains and crop loss. The state government, after scrapping the PMFBY, promised to implement its own crop insurance plan, which has yet to materialise after three years. Telangana has effectively had no crop insurance policy since 2018, when the state government refused to release its share of the premium amount to insurance companies under the PMFBY scheme even after the Centre released its share. This forced insurance companies to stop settlements and claims until the state government released its share. Finally, when a few farmers took the matter to the High Court, the state government released its share in 2020. Following this, farmers were compensated for crop losses caused by heavy rains between 2018 and 2020. The unseasonal rains dealt a blow to the farmers in undivided Warangal, Khammam, Rangareddy, Karimnagar, Nalgonda, Medak, Nizamabad and Adilabad districts. As many as 25 districts from these eight undivided districts suffered huge losses as per the preliminary estimates on crop loss done by the agriculture department. Paddy, maize, pulses, chilli, horticulture, mango and vegetable crops suffered losses due to heavy rains in the last three days. States such as West Bengal implemented their own insurance plans after scrapping the PMFBY. Andhra Pradesh, which also left the PMFBY in 2019, later rejoined it in 2022. Farmers unions in Telangana want the state government to either introduce its own crop insurance scheme like West Bengal or rejoin PMFBY like AP. BRS MLC K Kavitha arrives at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, in New Delhi, Monday, March 20, 2023. (PTI Photo) HYDERABAD: BRS MLC and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Raos daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha, who appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the second time in connection with the Delhi liquor scam case on Monday, was grilled for more than 10 hours at the ED office in New Delhi beginning at around 10.30 am and left around 9.15 pm flashing a victory symbol. Following more than 10 hours of interrogation, the ED summoned Kavitha again and asked her to appear before it at 11 am on Tuesday, sources said. Kavitha's husband, Devanapalli Anil Kumar, accompanied her until she reached the ED office main gate about 10.30 am on Monday. Kavitha and her family members, who arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, met with legal experts on Monday before she was deposed before the ED officials for questioning under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to sources, the BRS MLC was confronted with the statements made by Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandran Pillai, an arrested accused in the case apart from her former auditor Gorantla Buchi Babu. Following five hours of questioning Pillai and Kavitha, ED officials produced Pillai before the court, and the court placed him on judicial remand till April 3, with the EDs police custody ending on Monday. At around 1 pm on Monday, Kavitha was interrogated by a group of ED officials including women officers based on her bank account statements and financial transactions. Following this, Kavitha, Pillai, and Buchi Babu were each individually questioned by the investigating agency officials. After lunch, the ED resumed questioning Kavitha. About 7 pm, a team of advocates led by Telangana state additional AG Jayaramachander Rao, Kavitha's counsel Soma Bharath Kumar, and Gandra Mohan Rao entered the ED office. Minutes after a team of lawyers entered the ED office, tension gripped BRS leaders and activists gathered there. After more than 10 hours of questioning, Kavitha and her lawyers emerged from the ED office at about 9.15 pm and proceeded to Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Raos residence in the national capital. Kavitha was first questioned in the case on March 11 following which she was summoned again on March 16 but skipped the deposition last week citing her pending plea before the Supreme Court for relief against the ED action in the case. The Central probe agency rejected her claims and asked her to depose on March 20. The Supreme Court has decided to hear her petition on March 24. During her last questioning on March 11, she was questioned by the agency sleuths for more than nine hours. Her statement was recorded under the PMLA. Meanwhile, YSRC MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy will appear before the ED on Tuesday after the agency issued summons. Earlier, Srinivasulu Reddy skipped the ED summons, claiming that he left for Chennai because one of his family members was ill. Srinivasulu Reddy was served with a fresh summons on Monday, asking him to appear before the ED on Tuesday. Kavitha has claimed that she had done nothing wrong and alleged that the BJP-led Centre was "using" the ED as the saffron party could not gain a "backdoor entry" in Telangana state. Pillai, the ED had said, "Represented the South Group", an alleged liquor cartel linked to Kavitha and others that paid kickbacks amounting to about `100 crore to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to gain a larger share of the market in the national capital under the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy for 2020-21. Kavitha was earlier been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at her residence in Hyderabad. The ED has so far arrested 12 people in the case, including former Delhi deputy CM and AAP leader Manish Sisodia. Union minister for tourism and culture G. Kishan Reddy addressed mediapersons in Hyderabad on Sunday. (Photo: DC) Hyderabad: Union minister for tourism and culture G. Kishan Reddy on Sunday said that the Narendra Modi government has not harassed any state government or opposition leaders, but that it dealt strictly with corrupt leaders. "BJP taken a policy decision to curb corruption and familial rule in the country. There is no need for either Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP to haunt any political opponent. BJP government is busy with ensuring India can compete with other developed countries in the world; it has no time to chase political opponents," he said. Addressing mediapersons in Hyderabad on Sunday, Kishan slammed Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, claiming that his familys involvement in the liquor business came to the fore only due to the central agencies probe into the Delhi liquor scam. "Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao dishonoured the sacrifices of Indian Army personnel, but on facing severe charges, the Kalvakuntla family members are posing like freedom fighters," he said. Kishan also found fault with IT minister K.T. Rama Rao over the TSPSC paper leak, claiming that 30 lakh youths were affected due to the inefficiency of the BRS government. Kishan Reddy, announcing that the BJP will give 33 per cent of its MLA tickets to women in the next elections, took a swipe at K. Kavitha saying that she has no moral right to agitate for the Womens Reservation Bill. "To shield herself from the investigation agencies probe into the Delhi liquor scam, Kavitha began the agitation. The BRS government, in its first Cabinet, ignored womens representation, like Islamic nations," he said. Kishan Reddy said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Hyderabad in April to lay the foundation stone for Secunderabad Railway Station remodelling work, at RS 720 crore. The minister also said that a textile park will be set up in the state with F5 vision, at Rs 4,445 crore. "I am personally favouring a textile park in Warangal, which is geographically at the centre of Telangana and is close to ports in Andhra Pradesh," he said. Congress Telangana's observer Girish Chodankar participated in the party's padayatra at Himayatnagar along with Khairatabad DCC president, C. Rohin Reddy here on Sunday. (Photo: Twitter) Hyderabad: Former Goa PCC chief and Telangana's observer for Haath se haath jodo abhiyan, Girish Chodankar participated in a party padayatra at Himayatnagar along with Khairatabad DCC president, C. Rohin Reddy here on Sunday. He described Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar as an administrator who had failed to deliver on all fronts and had dashed the hopes and aspirations of the people of the state. Chodankar , who is on a tour of the State, also visited Mahbubnagar district later in the evening. During his door-to-door interaction in Himayatnagar, he said that there was a lot of enthusiasm for the Haath se haath jodo initiative, which is taking forward the message of Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo yatra. He alleged that Rao has converted the state into an illegal family business venture. Rohin Reddy said that the yatra was getting good response from the locals. "Most of the households are worried because of the rising prices. As part of our yatra we are listening to the grievances of the residents and trying to address them," he said. TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy observed deeksha in Gandhari of Yellareddy Assembly constituency in Kamareddy district on Sunday. (DC Image) HYDERABAD: Telangana Congress chief A. Revanth Reddy accused IT minister K.T. Rama Rao of playing a key role in the TSPSC question paper leak, citing over 100 students from Malyala mandal the native place of the ministers PA and accused Rajasekhar Reddy scoring over 100 marks in Group-1 exams. "K.T. Rama Raos personal assistant Tirupati is a shadow minister and is the neighbour of accused Rajasekhar Reddy in Karimnagar district. Tirupati helped Rajasekhar Reddy to get a job in the TSPSC. Minister KTRs office is directly involved in the scam," he alleged. Holding a day-long Deeksha against the paper leak at Gandhari Mandal headquarters in Yellareddy of Kamareddy district on Sunday, Revanth said: "K.T. Rama Rao is acting cleverly to escape from the TSPSC issue. He deserves to be dismissed from the Cabinet and lodged in Chanchalguda jail." Earlier in the day, Revanth held a padayatra from Juvvadi to Shivaji Chowk as part of the Haath Se Haath Jodo Abhiyan. Revanth claimed that the accused in the TSPSC case were threatened with encounters if they failed to take the blame. He slammed the BRS government for issuing NOCs to TSPSC employees for writing the exams, despite there being no provision for the same. The TPCC chief called for an inquiry into all recruitments of the TSPSC since 2016. "Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is responsible for the plight of unemployed youths. After dismissing KTR from the Cabinet, the government should hand over the case either to the CBI or a sitting judge for an inquiry," he said. Revanth said they will also lodge a complaint into the incident with Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on March 21. He later ended the deeksha by consuming lime juice offered by MLC T. Jeevan Reddy. Nikkei Asia reported that Kishida, who is likely to visit India for three days from March 19, has been eager to confirm with Modi that Tokyo and New Delhi, as this year's G-7 and G-20 presidents, will work together more closely to tackle issues stemming from Russia's war in Ukraine, the source said. AP Tokyo [Japan]: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida plans to visit India later this month for talks with his counterpart Narendra Modi, a government source said on Friday, even as Tokyo holds the presidency of the Group of Seven nations this year, the Nikkei Asia reported. Kishida's trip to India, currently chair of the Group of 20 economies for 2023, would come weeks after his government did not send Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi to a meeting of the G-20 top diplomats, held for two days through Thursday in New Delhi. Hayashi's absence triggered a backlash that Japan's decision not to dispatch the country's foreign minister to the G-20 gathering could cast a shadow over relations between the two Asian nations. Nikkei Asia reported that Kishida, who is likely to visit India for three days from March 19, has been eager to confirm with Modi that Tokyo and New Delhi, as this year's G-7 and G-20 presidents, will work together more closely to tackle issues stemming from Russia's war in Ukraine, the source said. In tandem with other G-7 members, Japan has been bolstering economic sanctions on Russia. But India has abstained from implementing punitive measures against Russia. India has also emerged as a key nation of the "Global South," a term that collectively refers to developing countries in areas such as Asia, Africa and Latin America. Nikkei Asia reported that Kishida has been keen 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, the source said. During the envisioned meeting, Kishida is expected to invite Modi to participate in the G-7 summit, the source added. Along with the G-7, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union, the G-20 also includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey. A shortage of aircraft is hampering IndiGo airline operator Interglobe Aviation Ltd's efforts to ride a travel boom in India and globally, Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers said on Monday. "There's an opportunity in the markets where we would like to serve our customers and we cannot do it yet to the extent we would like to do that," Elbers told Reuters in an interview, citing pressure from the shortage of aircraft supply. India's aviation market is booming as demand for air travel picked up pace from the pandemic lows. However, given the global demand for new planes Boeing and Airbus are scrambling to meet the overflowing orderbook. "A year ago, our operation in terms of size was probably half of where we were. So we have put all our emphasis in moving back to 1800 flights per day." Read | IndiGo not happy with pressure from aircraft shortage IndiGo has an orderbook of 500 aircraft, which would give the airline "a steady flow" of deliveries until the end of ths decade, Elbers said. Aviation consultancy CAPA India has said it expects at least 1,300 more orders from Indian airlines in the next one to two years, weeks after Air India announced a record order for 470 jets. IndiGo, which has until now been an exclusive buyer of narrow-body jets from Airbus, is in talks with Boeing , too, to smash Air India's record with an order for more than 500 passenger jets, industry sources told Reuters earlier this month. The airline has so far ordered a total of 830 Airbus A320-family jets of which over 400 have yet to be delivered. Elbers said the delivery trajectory of the A321 XLRs, Airbus' newest and largest narrowboy airliner, is "all work in progress". "We haven't finalised that one yet". Your daily commute will likely be disrupted on Monday as Bengaluru auto-rickshaw drivers are going on strike. Garbage collection and transportation may also be slightly affected as the BBMP Pourakarmika Sangha has called a protest. A majority of the citys 2.1 lakh auto-rickshaws will stay off the roads as a federation of 21 drivers unions has called a day-long strike to push for a ban on bike taxis. The strikes are the latest in a series of work absenteeism announced by government employees and emergency services workers. State government employees withdrew their strike recently after the chief minister announced a 17% pay rise for them. Road transport corporation (RTC) workers similarly called off their strike after the governments promise of a 15% hike with effect from January 1, 2020. However, the strike by auto drivers could really hit citizens hard. For months now, we have been petitioning the government about bike taxis but it has been indifferent, M Manjunath, president of the Bengaluru Auto Drivers Unions Federation, told DH. Auto drivers feel bike taxis have threatened their livelihoods. Manjunath claimed their earnings had been hit by a whopping 60%. People prefer bike taxis for short commutes and cabs for long-distance intra-city travel. We have been left in the lurch, he said. Auto drivers have two grievances: the government should ban the use of personal two-wheelers (whiteboard number plates) as bike taxis and withdraw permission for e-bike taxis. In December 2022, the Transport Department issued licences to two companies Bounce and Blu Smart for operating e-bike taxis under the Electric Bike Taxi Scheme, which was introduced in 2021. The use of personal two-wheelers as bike taxis is another sore point. While rules do not allow personal vehicles to be used as bike taxis, the High Court of Karnataka has restrained the government from taking any coercive action against bike taxi firms such as Rapido. Manjunath said that auto drivers had to follow so many rules to make passengers journeys safe and comfortable but bike taxis had none of it. C Sampath, General Secretary of Adarsha Auto and Taxi Drivers Union, is confident that up to 85% of the auto drivers would participate in the strike. Auto drivers ferrying schoolchildren may skip the strike, he added. About 10,000 auto drivers will also try to march from Majestic to the chief ministers official residence on Race Course Road, Manjunath said. He hoped that the chief minister would address their concerns. A decision on continuing the strike will be taken on Monday evening, he added. The protest by the BBMP Pourakarmika Sangha is unlikely to affect waste collection and transportation significantly. The protest is for the direct recruitment of drivers and loaders responsible for the door-to-door collection of waste. An association of garbage contractors said they would collect waste without any issues. Bike taxi drivers protest On Sunday, bike taxi drivers protested at Freedom Park demanding that the government protect them from attacks by auto drivers. In early March, an auto driver smashed a Rapido taxi drivers helmet near the Indiranagar metro station to protest bike taxis. Rapido has condemned the dastardly assault. Rapido has and will always stand by its captains and will do whatever is required to protect and support them, it said. It asked its customers and captains to report such incidents to its customer support. Autorickshaw drivers, who have been on strike in the city demanding that the government ban bike taxis, have been detained by the city police. C Sampath, General Secretary of Adarsha Auto and Taxi Drivers Union said that around 300 autorickshaw drivers were detained and taken away from the city railway station, including 8-10 women drivers too. "We were piled into a BMTC bus that brought us to the City Armed Reserve Headquarters ground on Mysore Road," he said. However, M Manjunath, president of the union, alleged that nearly 500 people were arrested at the railway station, with the number being much higher across the city. "I have been informed that around 2,000 auto rickshaw drivers have been arrested across stations in the city," he said. Read | Karnataka HC stays 5% cap on service fee for online autorickshaw-hailing Autorickshaw drivers have been on strike demanding that the government ban bike taxis that are running "illegally" and adversely impacting their earnings. Several other union leaders reportedly haven't been letting autorickshaw drivers run their vehicles across the city, with one such occurrence being reported on Bannerghatta road. Tanveer Pasha, President, Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Association said that around 10.30 am, autorickshaw drivers gathered in front of the KSR Railway Station, Majestic to demand a ban on bike taxis running "illegally" in the city. He said that the police began arresting the drivers soon after. "It seems there is no freedom to even strike here. Auto drivers are demanding action against illegal bike taxis in the city but the government is acting as if they know nothing," he said. Cottonpet police confirmed that 150-200 people were detained at the City railway station and taken to the City Armed Reserve Headquarters, Cottonpet. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has offered India to utilise the country's ports in Chattogram and Sylhet, asserting that it would boost connectivity and enhance people-to-people contacts in the region. The Chhattogram port is an important seaport in Bangladesh, which is strategically located due to its proximity to India's North-Eastern states. "India can use our Chattogram and Sylhet ports if they want," Dhaka Tribune newspaper quoted Prime Minister Hasina as saying when Ram Madhav of India Foundation called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban on Sunday. Also Read | Modi endorses Hasina's development claim ahead of 2024 polls in Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina said this move would increase regional connectivity and enhance people-to-people contacts. During her interactions with Madhav, Hasina also conveyed her greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the report said. Madhav appreciated the socioeconomic advancement in Bangladesh under Hasina's leadership. "Bangladesh and India have excellent friendship as neighbouring countries and hope that this relationship will continue in future," he was quoted as saying in the report. Chinese President Xi Jinping told President Vladimir Putin on Monday that he was convinced Russians would support him in a presidential election due in 2024, even though the Kremlin chief has not yet said if he will seek another term. Putin, who came to power on the last day of 1999 when Boris Yeltsin resigned, has ruled Russia for longer than any other leader since Josef Stalin. "I know that next year there will be another presidential election in your country," Xi told Putin at the start of talks in the Kremlin. "Thanks to your strong leadership, Russia has made significant progress in achieving prosperity ... in recent years. I am sure that the Russian people will strongly support you in your good endeavours." As Xi's words were translated into Russian from Mandarin, Putin looked Xi in the eye and smiled briefly. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov swiftly pointed out that Xi had not specifically spoken about Putin's participation in next year's election but added that the Kremlin shared his confidence in Russians' support for Putin. Also Read | Xi arrives in Moscow to discuss Ukraine conflict 'Dear friend' When he first came to power, Putin vowed to end the chaos that gripped Russia after the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union, but the invasion of Ukraine has triggered by far the biggest challenge of his rule. The war ushered in the gravest confrontation with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, while Russia's military has suffered a series of defeats in Ukraine and the West has slapped the toughest sanctions ever on Russia's $2.1 trillion economy. China's "no limits" partnership with Russia has come under greater scrutiny, with the US concerned that Beijing might be considering supplying weapons to Moscow. Beijing has denied that and also pushed back against what it casts as the West's fanning of the Ukraine war. Xi was the first leader to meet the Russian president since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him on Friday over the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia during its year-old invasion of Ukraine. Moscow said the charge was one of several "clearly hostile displays" and opened a criminal case against the ICC prosecutor and judges. Beijing said the warrant reflected double standards. Xi called Putin his "dear friend", and Putin used the same term to his guest. "In recent years, China has made a tremendous leap forward in its development," Putin said. "It arouses genuine interest all over the world, and even we envy you a little." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday voiced skepticism over Chinese President Xi Jinping's "peace" proposals in Moscow, warning they could be a "stalling tactic" to help Russia on the ground in Ukraine. "The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms," Blinken told reporters. He said the United States welcomed any diplomacy for a "just and durable peace" but raised doubts that China was safeguarding the "sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Ukraine. Also Read | Putin welcomes China's Xi to Kremlin amid Ukraine war "Any plan that does not prioritize this critical principle is a stalling tactic at best or is merely seeking to facilitate an unjust outcome. That is not constructive diplomacy," Blinken said. "Calling for a ceasefire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest." Blinken, who earlier Monday announced $350 million in new US military aid to Ukraine, renewed support for the stance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who has demanded a Russian withdrawal. "If China is committed to supporting an end to the war based on the principles of the UN Charter -- as called for in point one of its plan -- it can engage with President Zelensky and Ukraine on that basis and use its influence to compel Moscow to pull back its forces," he said. Radical preacher Amritpal Singh's uncle and driver have surrendered before the police in Jalandhar while the Khalistan sympathiser was still on the run, police said on Monday. Amritpal's uncle Harjit Singh and driver Harpreet Singh surrendered near a gurdwara in the Mehatpur area in Jalandhar late Sunday night, Jalandhar Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Swarandeep Singh said. The hunt for Amritpal, however, is still on, the SSP said. Also Read Arrests rise as Amritpal hunt continues in tense Punjab The state police has so far arrested 112 supporters of Amritpal. on Sunday, it conducted flag marches and searches across the state in their manhunt for Amritpal. The day before, the Punjab government launched a major crackdown against Amritpal and his Waris Punjab De, with the police arresting 78 members of the outfit on that day. The preacher, however, escaped their dragnet somehow after his cavalcade was intercepted in Jalandhar district. 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. The Punjab government has extended the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services till Monday noon.. Parliament was stalled for the sixth consecutive day without any business, as the ruling BJP and the Opposition stuck to their script on the demand for Rahul Gandhi's apology and setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation into the Adani Group issue. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed identical scenes with BJP MPs shouting slogans demanding Rahul's apology for his 'democracy in danger' remarks in London while Opposition vociferously raised the Adani affair. The official proceedings were drowned in competitive sloganeering though official papers were laid in both the Houses. The Opposition blamed the ruling BJP for the stalling of Parliamentary proceedings with Congress Deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari told reporters that once again Parliament was adjourned because the government was not willing to accede to the demand for a JPC probe in the country's biggest scam in 75 years. Also Read | The BJP is proving Rahuls point "From March 13, this is happening. This would not happen without the Prime Minister's direction. Why is the government shying away from JPC... The BJP is running away from JPC and is finding ways to divert attention and is not allowing Parliament to function," he said. As soon as the Lok Sabha convened in the morning, Congress MPs demanded that Rahul be allowed to speak to which Speaker Om Birla said they should allow the Question Hour to function and he would allow any MP to speak by going through notices and following rules. With the BJP MPs also joining the sloganeering, Birla said, "You come, sit and discuss. Both the ruling side and opposition come to the chamber and discuss. We will find a solution and run the House. We will discuss your (Opposition) topics and issues also. Birla also took exception to Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Badal displaying a poster and said, "you want Parliament to function and bring placards in the House? Is it your way of running Parliament? .Placards are not allowed. Sit down. Let the Question Hour continue.Nation wants to watch the House proceedings. This House belongs to you...Why are you sloganeering. House is not for sloganeering. This is not right, he said even as he adjourned the House till 2 PM. Similar scenes repeated in the afternoon though official papers were laid on the table before the House adjourned till Tuesday. In Rajya Sabha too, no business was conducted in the morning and afternoon session. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge arrive in Karnataka, to address public rally Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the House till 2 PM in the morning session while Deputy Chairman Harivansh wound up the proceedings in the afternoon in less than a minute after reconvening the House after he called BJD's Sujeet Kumar to initiate the debate on the working of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. During the morning session, Dhankhar has said that 13 Opposition MPs had given notices on Adani Group and demanded a JPC probe while another MP has given notice on a conman posing as PMO official in Jammu and Kashmir. Both Opposition and BJP rose on their feet even before Dhankhar gave his ruling, leading to the adjournment of the House. As Dhankhar read out the subject of Opposition notices and named Adani, Trinamool Congress's Sukhendu Shekhar Roy said, "we are happy that you have mentioned the holy name repeatedly." Trinamool Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek O'Brien then said that to avoid "any confusion", he was making it clear that Roy meant Adani when he mentioned "holy name". Outside the House, Opposition leaders attacked the BJP government for stalling the proceedings. They also held a meeting -- fifth one since the second leg of the Budget Session started on March 13 -- in the morning where they decided to intensify the protests against the government on the Adani issue. Samajwadi Party's Ramgopal Yadav said the BJP will be "exposed" and that is why they were stalling a JPC probe. Also Read | Opposition blames government for impasse in Parliament "If a JPC probe is held, then the real culprits will come out. We are seeing for the first time that there is no statement from the government at a time when the public is concerned about such a serious issue. People's money in banks is on the verge of being 'squandered'. Still the government is silent," he told a joint press conference of Opposition leaders. BRS leader K Keshava Rao said, "we are not satisfied with the Supreme Court probe. Adani Group has taken over many companies. We want a JPC probe. It is a political scam. This is not a simple scandal or a scam, it is more than that. It is going to affect the economy and people's money," he said. DMK's A Raja said the Prime Minister should come to Parliament and answer the questions raised while CPI(M)'s Elamaram Kareen said the Prime Minister and the Home Minister are scared of holding a discussion in Parliament. Holding the BJP responsible for the adjournments, Kareem said they would not go back on their demand for a JPC probe though the government is trying to divert attention. The Delhi Police will deploy over 2,000 security personnel at Ramlila Maidan where thousands of farmers will gather for Monday's 'Kisan Mahapanchayat', officials said. Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the event goes smoothly, the police said on Sunday. "We have made elaborate security arrangements for the Kisan Mahapanchayat. We will ensure the safety and security of people... "We have deployed more than 2,000 security personnel to ensure that the event goes peacefully and law and order is maintained," a senior police official said. Police personnel will be deployed for crowd management and to ensure that no unauthorised person gains entry and disrupts law and order, he added. According to an advisory by the Delhi Traffic Police, around 15,000-20,000 people are likely to participate in the Mahapanchayat. They are expected to start arriving at Ramlila Maidan from Sunday night. The public and motorists have been advised to avoid roads around the Ramlila Maidan, especially JLN Marg from Delhi Gate to Ajmeri Gate Chowk, a traffic police official said. The Kisan Mahapanchayat will be held to press for a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP), the Samyukt Kisan Morcha -- an umbrella body of farmers' unions -- said in a statement on Sunday. Lakhs of farmers from various states and Union Territories are headed to Delhi to attend the event, it said. Addressing a press conference here, Morcha leader Darshan Pal said, "The Centre must fulfil the assurances it gave to us in writing on December 9, 2021, and also take effective steps to mitigate the ever-increasing crisis faced by farmers." The Morcha spearheaded an over a year-long agitation against the Centre's now-repealed farm laws. It suspended the movement in December 2021 following a government assurance to consider the farmers' pending demands, including the withdrawal of cases lodged against farmers during the agitation and a legal guarantee for MSP. It has also urged the Centre to dissolve the committee on MSP, alleging that it is contrary to their demands. The farmers' unions' demands also include pension, debt waiver, compensation for those who died during the farmers' stir and withdrawal of the Electricity Bill. "The Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022, referred to the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) should be withdrawn. The Centre had given a written assurance that the bill will be introduced in Parliament only after discussion with the SKM but despite this, it introduced the Bill," the Morcha said in its statement. It also reiterated the demand for free power for agricultural purposes and 300 units for rural households. The PM-Ayushman Bharat Health infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) has turned out to be a major laggard in the financial year 2022-23 based on the expenditure of the fund allocated to the scheme, a parliamentary committee has observed. In its 144th report tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday, the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare highlighted that the department has been able to utilise just about 20 per cent of its budget estimates allocation. It said 2021-22 is the second year of the implementation of the PM-ABHIM scheme. Also Read | Fix 'all bottlenecks' behind delay in HC judges' appointment: Parliament panel to Govt "Considering that the scheme has a fixed timeline for completion, the committee is surprised that the activities under the scheme have not moved beyond nascent stages of implementation," the report said. The committee in its report stated that the scheme was allocated Rs 690.00 crore in budget estimates 2022-23, which was reduced to Rs 378.27 crore in the revised estimated 2023-24. Again out of this reduced budget, the department has only been able to spend Rs 135.56 crore till date i.e. fund to the tune of Rs 242.71 crore still remains unused. The committee stated that the department should have done the preparatory work viz. exploring expenditure avenues of the new scheme well in advance so that funds allocated do not remain unutilised. The committee further noted that period of PM-ABHIM scheme is from 2021-22 to 2025-26 only and DHR/ICMR has a major role in implementing scheme's key components like biosecurity preparedness, establishment of integrated public health laboratories in all 730 districts, setting up of a national institution for One Health, four new National Institutes for Virology, a regional research platform for WHO South East Asia region and nine biosafety level III laboratories. The committee thus recommended the department to address the shortcomings and bottlenecks which are hampering the smooth implementation of projects undertaken by it under the PM-ABHIM scheme. "With only three years left in the period of the scheme, the department cannot afford to miss deadlines of completion of its projects otherwise it will not only lead to loss of precious money but also affect deadlines of other prospective projects," the report said. The committee noted that all the critical projects viz. Institute for one Health, Nagpur, four regional NIVs, and Regional Research Platform for WHO South East Asia 8 Region under the PM-ABHIM are yet to see the light of the day. It views the shift in location of NIV from Chandigarh to Jammu as a lack of coordination between the department and state government and feels that such last minute changes only cause unnecessary delay in the projects and in that turn procrastinate the completion of the other associated projects. It recommended the department to finish the tendering process at the earliest and begin the civil construction work so as to adhere to the deadline of finishing the projects within 15 months. A groom had to return home without his bride when the latter realised that he belonged to Rajasthan, and not Prayagraj, as claimed earlier. The newly-wed bride refused to go that 'far' to live with her in-laws and called up the police. According to the woman's family, the man had claimed to be from Prayagraj. Chakeri ACP Amarnath Yadav said that the woman had approached policemen deployed at a Police Response Vehicle (PRV) Dial -112 on the Varanasi-Kanpur highway, seeking their help to go back to her parents' house. "I have been travelling for the last seven hours from Varanasi, and yet have not reached my in-laws' place. I am feeling completely exhausted and now I do not want to go to Rajasthan. I will not go that far," she told the ACP when he visited the spot. The girl's marriage had been fixed with the man, a resident of Bikaner, Rajasthan. Read | Tale of a runaway groom, frantic wife, and Bangalore traffic The 'baraat' reached Varanasi where the wedding was solemnised. After the wedding, the newly-wed couple and the 'baraat' were returning home in a bus. When the bus stopped at a highway petrol pump in Kanpur, the bride started crying, saying that her in-laws' house could not be reached even after seven hours of journey. She called up the police and narrated her problem after which the ACP told the sub-inspector on duty to interrogate the groom. The groom Ravi told the police that the girl's family members were aware of everything. On the other hand, when the police contacted the bride's mother, she, too, denied any knowledge that the groom belonged to Rajasthan. Subsequently, her mother asked the police to send the bride back to Varanasi. The police sent the bride to Varanasi and the groom returned to Bikaner without her. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held wide-ranging talks with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida to expand India-Japan strategic partnership for a peaceful, stable and prosperous post-Covid world. The Japanese prime minister arrived in Delhi around 8 am on Monday for a nearly 27-hour visit to ramp up bilateral ties in a range of areas and explore convergence between India's presidency of G20 and Japan's presidency of the G7 to address various global problems. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hold delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House in Delhi (Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/qL9Hh6YGKH ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023 Ahead of the talks, officials said the focus on the bilateral front would be to enhance cooperation in areas of defence and security, trade and investment, and high technologies. "PM @narendramodi welcomed PM @kishida230 of Japan ahead of bilateral delegation level talks. An opportunity for leaders to review progress in our bilateral ties and further expand the India-Japan Partnership for a peaceful, stable and prosperous post-COVID world," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. PM @narendramodi welcomed PM @kishida230 of Japan ahead of bilateral delegation level talks. An opportunity for leaders to review progress in our bilateral ties and further expand the India-Japan Partnership for a peaceful, stable and prosperous post-COVID world. pic.twitter.com/DrM8U1q28q Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 20, 2023 On Sunday, Kishida said the aim of his visit would be to further deepen the "special strategic and global partnership" between the two countries. "This year, Japan holds the presidency of the G7, while India chairs the G20. I intend to engage in a thoroughgoing exchange of views with Prime Minister Modi on the question of what role Japan and India should play within the international community," he said. "Alongside that, with regard to bilateral Japan-India relations, I want to confirm the further deepening of the special strategic and global partnership between India and Japan," Kishida said. "I will also deliver an address in India on a new plan for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. I will clearly lay out my thinking regarding the role that a Free and Open Indo-Pacific will play at this historic turning point," he added. The evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military assertiveness is also likely to figure in wide-ranging talks between Modi and Kishida. During his visit to India in March last year, Kishida announced an investment target of five trillion Yen (Rs 3,20,000 crore) in India over the next five years. The Supreme Court on Monday decided to hear on March 27 a plea against board examination for students of standards V and VIII in schools affiliated to the Karnataka state board. The plea mentioned by the Associations of Unaided Private Schools before a bench presided over by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud contended since the examinations are scheduled to begin on March 27, the matter should be taken up earlier. The court, however, refused the plea, saying the High Court knows what is best in the interest of the state and it would hear the matter on March 27 only. On March 15, a division bench had stayed the single judge bench order on March 10, which had quashed the Government circulars on the ground that they were issued in violation of the procedure under the Right of Children To Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. The Unaided Recognised Schools, the Registered Unaided Private Schools Management Association Karnataka and Karnataka Unaided Schools Management Association had questioned validity of the government circulars of December 12, 2022, December 13, 2022 and January 4, 2023 contending that changing the assessment method by conducting State-level board exams instead of school-level assessment will adversely impact students and teachers. On Wednesday, the court allowed the state government to go ahead with the new method of assessment similar to board exams for classes V and VIII and to reschedule the examinations from March 27. The interim order passed by a special division bench comprising Justices G Narendar and Ashok Kinagi directed the government and schools to inform students that no student will be detained based on performance. The division bench earlier had directed the government to keep the March 13 and 14 examinations in abeyance considering the writ appeal filed by the government. The appeal was filed challenging the March 10 single-judge bench order quashing circulars on the new assessment method. The division bench had stayed the order of the single-judge bench and directed that evaluation should not be in public domain. The bench had directed the government and all schools to inform students that they would not be detained in their respective classes based on performance in the new method of assessment. No person, be it the media or governmental agencies, has the right to peep into the private lives of citizens without a valid reason, the Kerala High Court held recently. The court also observed that certain media personalities' "so-called crusade for truth and justice" or personal vendetta cannot be excuses for impinging the right to privacy of the general public. It said that it was "disheartening" to see that some news channels "are in the habit of publishing sleaze more than news." "A section of the public also devours such sensational and salacious news. In the absence of any mechanism to curb the menace, it is for those channels to introspect and decide whether, by the action of a few, faith in the fourth estate, a powerful pillar of our democracy, is getting eroded," the court said. Also Read | Being housewife is not a reason for reducing motor accident compensation: Kerala HC The strong observations by Justice V G Arun came while dismissing a plea by two mediapersons seeking anticipatory bail in a case against them for various offences under the IPC, Information Technology Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (PoA Act). The two journalists are accused of publishing on their online channel news items containing disparaging remarks against a woman who had lodged a complaint against her employer, also a mediaperson, alleging that he compelled her to videograph her nudity for creating a morphed video of a lady Minister of the State. The disparaging news items were published after the arrest of her employer who also used to run an online news channel. The complainant alleged the news items were published with the knowledge that she belonged to a Scheduled Tribe community. The accused moved the High Court after a Sessions Court rejected their plea for anticipatory bail. Before the High Court, they denied the allegations against them in the complaint and claimed that their news items were an expression of protest against the false implication of the complainant's employer. They also contended that their custodial interrogation was not necessary and offences under the PoA Act would not be attracted. Justice Arun, while rejecting their claims and contentions, said, "In my opinion, publication of another person's private moments for public viewing is, by itself, an offensive act, even if there is no law preventing such action. "No person, whether it be the media or governmental agencies, has the right to peep into the private lives of the citizens of this country, without there being a valid reason." The court also said that in the instant case, the allegations against the accused media persons was that they had knowledge the complainant belonged to ST community and therefore, publication of news with content to insult or abuse her was sufficient to attract offences under PoA Act. "Hence, the contention that there is no material or circumstance to attract the offences under the PoA Act can only be rejected. Consequently, the bar under Section 18 of the Act, against grant of pre-arrest bail, will come into play. "Hence, the finding of the Special Court (sessions court), in that regard, does not warrant interference. For the aforementioned reasons, the appeal is dismissed," the court said. With the Chief Ministers ambitious breakfast scheme showing improvement in the attendance of students, the Tamil Nadu government on Monday announced that the scheme will be expanded to cover all 30,000 government primary schools from the 2023-2024 academic year benefitting a total of 18 lakh students from class one to five. In his Budget speech, Finance Minister P T R Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said the government introduced the scheme after it came to light that some children studying in government schools are suffering from stunted growth and malnutrition". The scheme to provide nutritious breakfast to students from classes one to five in 1,543 schools across the state was launched by Chief Minister M K Stalin on September 22, 2022. It was extended to another 500 schools earlier this month. Also Read | Rs 1,000 for eligible women heads of family from September 15: Tamil Nadu Thiaga Rajan said a study done by the State Planning Commission has found that attendance has increased in 1,319 of the 1,543 schools where the scheme was implemented last year. Attendance increased by 10 per cent in 624 schools, 20 per cent in 462 schools, and 30 per cent in 193 schools. In Tiruppattur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, and Tiruvarur districts, the attendance of students has increased in all schools where the scheme was implemented. The Chief Ministers breakfast scheme will be expanded to cover all the 30,122 government primary schools in the state from the coming academic year. Rs 500 crore is allotted for this scheme in this Budget which will benefit 18 lakh students studying from Class I to Class V, he added. Also Read | Tamil Nadu government presents Budget, says revenue deficit on decline Viewed as an extension of the mid-day meals, which is now replicated across India and abroad, the Chief Ministers Free Breakfast Scheme is aimed at tackling nutrition deficiency among children and ensuring their attendance in schools. Spending Rs 12.75 for a child to provide breakfast -- the menu ranges from 'rava upma' and 'pongal' to 'semiya upma' and 'kesari' the scheme is not only aimed at taking care of the nutritional needs of school-going children but also ensures daily attendance of students. Millets available in the area will also be part of the menu for at least two days a week. Tamil Nadu has had a long history of providing food to students at schools -- the mid-day meals scheme -- which is now being implemented across the country, was first conceived by the Justice Party dispensation which provided free meals to school children in government schools in Chennai. However, the then-British regime stopped it a few years later citing a lack of resources. The scheme was then relaunched by Congress Chief Minister K Kamaraj in 1957 and expanded to the entire state. Then came M G Ramachandran who expanded it further by providing nutritious meals to children between two and nine years. M Karunanidhi added eggs on all days to the menu and bananas for children who dont eat eggs while Jayalalithaa introduced a variety of rice. The Finance Minister also said the scheme providing Rs 1,000 to girl students from government schools pursuing higher education has resulted in an addition of 20,466 girl students in the state in 2022-2023. At present, 2.20 lakh girl students are benefitting under this scheme every month. The fact that many girls who did not pursue higher education after completing their schooling have now enrolled in colleges is a testimony to the success of this scheme, Thiaga Rajan said. Maharashtra government employees agitating for restoration of the old pension scheme on Monday called off a week-long strike after a successful meeting between their representatives and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over key demand, a union leader said. Also Read Maharashtra government employees strike reaches High Court Vishwas Katkar, the striking unions coordination committee's convenor, said the state government has 'in principle' agreed to extend monetary benefits equivalent to the OPS to employees who are part of the New Pension System (NPS). The government employees were on an indefinite strike since March 14 demanding restoration of the OPS, which was discontinued in 2005. Chevron Corporation, through a network of subsidiaries, engages in integrated energy and chemicals operations worldwide. The company is the 7th largest integrated oil company worldwide, the 2nd largest in the US, and has been in operation since 1879. Chevron was part of the original Standard Oil Company and is one of the 34 successor companies that were formed when it was broken up. Today, the company brings in roughly $160 billion in annual revenues and is the last remaining oil and gas component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Originally called Standard Oil Of California the company grew quickly via mergers and acquisitions. It was hailed as one of the Seven Sisters to dominate the US and global production throughout the mid-20th century and became even bigger in 1985 when it merged with Gulf Oil. The merger with Gulf Oil resulted in the rebranding from Standard Oil Of California to Chevron (a brand used by the company outside its California jurisdiction) and then ChevronTexaco Corporation in 2005 when that merger took place. The company rebranded again in 2005 to what we know today as Chevron Corporation. Chevron Corporation is now based in San Ramone, California, and has operations in 180 countries. The company employs more than 42,500 people who operate 5 refineries and 8,000+ Texaco, Chevron, and Standard Oil service stations in the US alone. The company's Exploration and Drilling operations produced a record 3.1 million barrels per day and its US refineries process more than 1 million barrels per day. At the end of 2021, the company has more than 11.3 billion barrels of proven oil and liquid-equivalent reserves and boasted a 112% reserve replacement rate. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment explores new reserves, develops known reserves, produces petroleum and gas products as needed, transports, processes, pipes, stores, and markets petroleum worldwide. The Downstream segment refines and markets the full line of petroleum-based products including but not limited to fuels such as gas, diesel, and aviation fuel, as well as lubricants, petrochemicals, and plastics. The company transports products via pipeline, rail, marine vessels, and truck. Chevron recognizes the need to lower the worlds carbon output and is working toward that end. The companys strategy is two-pronged and includes reducing its own carbon output while investing in green and lower-carbon technologies. The companys goal is to invest $10 billion or more into lower carbon energy sources and technologies by 2028. Chevron is a Dividend Aristocrat. The company has been paying a dividend since 1989 and it has raised it every year since its inception. Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Portfolio Monitoring Top Stock Lists Premium Reports Stock Screeners Live News Feed Premium Support Free for your first month. Pfizer Inc. is a US-based multinational biotech company. The company operates as a research-based pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, production and marketing of medicines and vaccines. It is the 2nd largest drugmaker globally by revenue and is ranked 64th on the Fortune 500 list. The companys avenues of research include Immunology, Oncology, Cardiology, Endocrinology and Neurology. Regarding its product line, the company has at least ten blockbuster drugs producing more than $1 billion in avenue revenue each. The company brought in over $81 billion in total revenue in 2021. The US is its main market and represents roughly 50% of all revenue. China and Japan make up roughly 12% of the business, while the rest come from the rest of the world. It employs roughly 79,000 people and is headquartered in New York state. Pfizer Inc. was founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer Sr. and his cousin Charles Earhart. The two were German immigrants and chemists that set up shops outside New York City to make medicinal compounds. The first major success was an antiparasitic called santonin, and the commercialization of citric acid-making technologies quickly followed that up. Their success with citric acid led to the companys expansion and other major discoveries. World War I caused a shortage of materials for making citric acid and forced the company to seek alternatives. The one they latched on to was the fermentation of certain fungi known to produce citric acid naturally. This led to the advancement of fermentation technology that was later used in the commercial production of penicillin and then the advancement of antibiotics in general. Pfizer Inc was incorporated on June 2nd, 1942 in Delaware, and another period of expansion began. The postwar drop in demand for penicillin led to the discovery of newer, more marketable antibiotics and cemented the companys role in modern medicine. By the time he 80s rolled around, the company was trading on the New York Stock Exchange and on the path to developing todays blockbuster lineup. The companys top seller in 2021 was Comirnaty, a COVID-19 vaccine. It generated nearly $37 billion in 2021 and was followed by Prevnar, Ibrance and Eliquis with just over $5 billion in sales each. Other blockbuster names on Pfizers list include Xeljanz and Enbrel, each bringing in $3.5 billion. Pfizer operates 39 research and production facilities worldwide and sells its products in 125 countries. As of 2022, the company had a robust pipeline of potential treatments, with more than 220 in some stage of clinical trials. Among its leading candidates is a vaccine for RSV, a life-threatening respiratory disease affecting children. 2021 highlights include 8 FDA approvals, four new regulatory submissions and 13 new trial startups. Pfizer is also a well-known dividend payer and has returned more than $8.7 billion to shareholders since going public. Suncor Energy Inc. operates as an integrated energy company. The company primarily focuses on developing petroleum resource basins in Canada's Athabasca oil sands; explores, acquires, develops, produces, transports, refines, and markets crude oil in Canada and internationally; markets petroleum and petrochemical products under the Petro-Canada name primarily in Canada. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Corporate and Eliminations segments. The Oil Sands segment recovers bitumen from mining and in situ operations, and upgrades it into refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, or blends the bitumen with diluent for direct sale to market. The Exploration and Production segment is involved in offshore operations off the east coast of Canada and in the North Sea; and operating onshore assets in Libya and Syria. The Refining and Marketing segment refines crude oil and intermediate feedstock into various petroleum and petrochemical products; and markets refined petroleum products to retail, commercial, and industrial customers through its other retail sellers. The Corporate and Eliminations segment operates four wind farms in Ontario and Western Canada. The company also markets and trades in crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products, and power. The company was formerly known as Suncor Inc. and changed its name to Suncor Energy Inc. in April 1997. Suncor Energy Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. A Sinn Fein councillor is calling on the Department for Infrastructure to invite former US President Bill Clinton to open the new Dungiven bypass and A6 dual carriageway next month. Councillor Kathleen McGurk last night said the historic opportunity 'must be seized' by the department. The former president and current US President Joe Biden are set to visit the North after being invited to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Councillor McGurk (pictured below), who is also Deputy Mayor for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, has written to the department asking them to consider asking Mr Clinton to officially open the multi-million pound project. It is understood the road, which was originally supposed to open in Spring last year, could be fully opened to traffic just days before Easter. Speaking last night, Councillor McGurk said: "I have sent a request to the Department for Infrastructure following confirmation that the bypass is on track for opening in the next few weeks. "The contractors and the department have been working extremely hard over the past couple of months to see the final stages of this project completed. "It's likely that the opening of the new road will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and given Bill Clinton's instrumental involvement in negotiating the Agreement, we thought it would be too good of an opportunity to miss. "The opening of the new Dungiven bypass and A6 is a historical moment, due to historic under-investment of the North West - something that the signatories of the Good Friday Agreement hoped to change. Councillor McGurk continued: "I have also asked the Chief Executive for Causeway Coast and Glen's Council to assist in providing a wrap around reception for the event. "I am hopeful that the Department and the Council will see the merit in having such a high profile guest open the road and the wonderful conclusion it would be to such a long awaited project." The Department for Infrastructure has been contacted. A call has been made for tougher sentences for those who attack emergency workers as the number of assaults rise. With thousands of assaults on emergency workers recorded every year in Northern Ireland and the figures increasing, former health service nurse Bernadette Vassallo has started an online campaign for tougher sentences. More than a thousand people have signed a petition calling for the extension of Harpers Law to Northern Ireland, and to also increase sentences for those convicted of assaults on emergency services staff, as well as a change to legislation in terms of what is classed as a deadly weapon. The law, named after Constable Andrew Harper who was killed in the line of duty in 2019 in England, introduced mandatory life sentences for anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker. Harpers Law comes into force today, named in memory of PC Andrew Harper who lost his life while fighting crime.#HarpersLaw will introduce tougher sentences for those who kill emergency workers in the line of duty, including police officers, prison officers and paramedics. pic.twitter.com/Bf8mRR2JRv Ministry of Justice (@MoJGovUK) June 28, 2022 It went on the statute book for England and Wales last June, and means anyone convicted of the killing of a police officer, firefighter, nurse, doctor, prison officer or paramedic would be jailed for life with a mandatory minimum term of 40 years. It has been backed by the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, a representative body for rank and file officers, who have said real deterrents are needed to curb the rising numbers of assaults on emergency workers. According to figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, police are the most often assaulted emergency service, with 1,541 incidents recorded in 2021 which rose to 3,159 in 2022. Last month, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said the number of assaults resulting in injury to officers had hit a five-year high, from 516 recorded between April 2018 and March 2019, to 923 from April 2022 to February 2023. The next most-targeted group are Ambulance Service workers, with 508 targeted in 2021, which went up to 648 in 2022. Meanwhile, attacks on 66 Prison Service workers and four Fire Service personnel were recorded in 2022. Assaults can range from verbal abuse and threats to being spat at, head-butted, kicked, punched, bitten and broken limbs. Last week police officers in Derry were attacked by youths with masonry during a search operation. There were also thousands of attacks on health service staff between January 1 2021 to October 31 2022. Most happened in Belfast, the largest health trust, where 6,308 were recorded, followed by 2,466 in the Western Trust, 1,094 in the South Eastern Trist and 359 in the Northern Trust. Police Federation Northern Ireland secretary Damian Walsh said the effect of the assaults on can be significant. We need real deterrents to curb this growing and worrying trend of assaults on our officers, he told the PA news agency. We have officers who are kicked, punched, bitten and left with broken bones and lacerations. The effect on an officer can be significant. Many have to take time off work to recover from their injuries. That, in turn, puts added pressure on colleagues and are left to take up the slack. Mr Walsh said they feel tougher sentences would deter the assaults. We look to the courts to take action. In our terms, that must mean tougher sentencing guidelines for assailants. A fine or a suspended sentence for assaulting a police officer on a street is simply not good enough, he said. Would-be attackers have to know that if they strike an officer they can expect to go to jail. As it stands, these people have no respect for officers and arent deterred by the punishments that are meted out. There has got to be zero-tolerance. An attack on a police officer is not part of the job, but rather its an assault on our justice and law and order system. Things have got to change before this problem gets any worse. The petition calling for the extension of Harpers Law to Northern Ireland can be found at change.org/p/bring-harper-s-law-to-northern-ireland-increase-sentences-assaults-on-emergency-services. Around 20,000 households in Northern Ireland have still not redeemed their 600 energy support vouchers. The Post Office said there is less than two weeks left for households that were part of the initial 500,000 rollout to redeem their voucher before it expires at the end of March. It said that more than 95% of vouchers have been redeemed. Those who pay their electricity bills by direct debit received the 600 Government support directly into their bank accounts. However, thousands of others received the payment via a voucher posted to their house to be redeemed at a Post Office. The money includes a 400 payment as part of a UK-wide support scheme and an additional 200 in recognition of Northern Irelands dependence on home heating oil. Electricity companies are being funded directly for the scheme to deliver money to households amid the cost-of-living crisis. The Post Office said that customers who have had a voucher reissued will have a longer time to redeem them, as these vouchers last for three months from their new issue date. The scheme has also seen a surge in the number of cash deposits over the counter at Post Office branches across Northern Ireland. Between January 16 and March 12, customers deposited 347 million of cash into their personal bank account at Post Offices, an increase of 104% from the previous year. Andrew Goddard, head of payments for the Post Office, said: The Northern Ireland rollout has reminded people just how important Post Offices are to local communities. None of this would have been possible without our postmasters who have been working hard to help people redeem their vouchers quickly. The success of the rollout also highlights why Post Office is uniquely placed to handle projects in the bill payment and cash disbursal space. Were urging anyone who has not yet redeemed their voucher to do so before the expiry date. Consumer and Energy Affordability Minister Amanda Solloway said: We worked at breakneck speed to deliver this support to the people of Northern Ireland, and its fantastic to see the majority of vouchers issued have now been redeemed. This means hundreds of thousands of households have received 600 to help with energy bills, but I urge anyone who has still not yet done so to redeem your voucher so that no one misses out on this vital help. Senior DUP MP Ian Paisley has said he will vote against the new Windsor Framework Brexit deal and expects his party colleagues to do the same. The first Commons vote on the EU/UK agreement on trading arrangements for Northern Ireland will take place on Wednesday. The vote will be on secondary legislation that would give effect to one particularly aspect of the framework, the Stormont brake mechanism. The brake would allow a minority of MLAs at Stormont to formally flag concerns about the imposition of new EU laws in Northern Ireland a move that could see the UK government veto their introduction in the region. The proposed statutory instrument on the brake is due to be published on Monday ahead of Wednesdays vote. The DUP is currently blocking devolution at Stormont in protest at the terms of the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol. The protocol was designed to prevent a hardening of the land border on the island of Ireland and moved regulatory and customs checks to the Irish Sea, creating economic barriers on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The UK and EU agreed the framework as a way to cut the red tape created by the protocol. While the DUP says the Windsor Framework has gone some way to address its concerns about the protocol, it says some fundamental problems remain with the new accord. Mr Paisley has been one of the most outspoken critics of the framework. In an interview with the News Letter, Mr Paisley said: I am categorically voting against, and I would be surprised if my colleagues do not join me. He added: My initial reaction to the Windsor Framework was that I didnt think it cut the mustard in terms of addressing our seven key tests (on restoring NIs place within the UK internal market). After taking time to study it and a least one legal opinion on it, and going through the details, and also having conversations and messages back and forward to the Secretary of State, I am still of that opinion that it doesnt address any of our seven tests. It is the old substance dressed up in a new package with a ribbon around it, but it hasnt actually changed, or addressed the fundamental issue of Northern Ireland trade being disrupted in our internal UK market. What makes the HP OMEN 17 stand out in the fiercely competitive world of gaming laptops? Vickram Bedi from HP India gives us a lowdown on HPs flagship Gaming Laptop, the all-new OMEN 17! 1) The HP Omen 17 has been the flagship gaming laptop from HP, with the latest version, what has changed besides the jump to the latest Intel 13th Gen processor and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU? The new OMEN 17 has levelled up to become HP's most powerful gaming laptop. We have introduced newer features to the device to enhance the experience for gamers. With a 17.3-inch screen, the device provides gamers with an immersive gaming experience. We have added a new QHD 240Hz refresh rate display in OMEN 17. The new larger display offers a wider field of view and allows for better detail and clarity, which is particularly important for gamers who require precision and accuracy in their gameplay. Better thermals help regulate the device's temperature during intense gaming sessions. This technology uses a multi-heat-pipe design and powerful fans to dissipate heat away from the device, ensuring that it remains cool even during extended use. Also Read: 5 features of the newly launched HP Omen 17 2023 2) Does (or will) the HP Omen 17 have more variants with lower configurations or do buyers have any customization options? The OMEN 17 caters specifically to the needs of serious and professional gamers, who rely on high-performing devices for their gameplay. These gamers appreciate top-of-the-line graphics, processing power, and performance, and the OMEN 17 delivers on all fronts. We also have multiple options in OMEN 17 gaming laptop lineup with minor changes in the configurations to cater to the diverse needs of gamers including i9 and i7 processors built with Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, 4080, 4070, and 4060 graphics. Additionally, for casual and entry-level gamers, we have curated the range of Victus laptops. These laptops are designed to provide a balance between performance and affordability, making them an ideal choice for those who want to enjoy a casual gaming experience. 3) With top-of-the-line hardware under the hood, what kind of technology has HP introduced in the HP Omen 17 to manage power consumption and thermal management? Our innovation philosophy is based on improving the overall gaming experience. While we have brought the most powerful gaming PC in India with 4000 series graphics, our innovations in internal design continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. We have also brought in an upgraded fan design that is slimmer and has twice the number of fan blades as the previous generation so that airflow is increased to meet the demands of powerful internals. 4) At CES 2023, when HP first showcased the HP Omen 17 laptop, one of the highlights of the laptop was the optical-mechanical keyboard, which is a first from HP. We assume the Indian version also gets it. Is there any more information on the keyboard, like the claimed response time of the keyboard? Did HP collaborate with keyboard manufacturers for the optical mechanical keyboard or is it HP's own solution? HP has made a significant contribution to the gaming community in India by being the first brand to launch a gaming device with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU. The launch of this device demonstrates HP's commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to the Indian gaming market. Furthermore, we have observed a growing excitement around mechanical keyboards in the gaming community. HP is aware of this demand and is actively working to bring mechanical keyboards to the Indian market. The new mechanical keyboard has a response time of 3ms and HP collaborates with leading manufacturers for best-in-class keyboards. 5) On the software side and overclocking, does the Omen 17 offer any on-the-fly overclocking or hardware tweaking options? Given that the large laptop chassis is expected to lend itself well when it comes to additional headroom for power users to push the Omen 17 to its maximum limits. OMEN 17 is powered with preinstalled Software: OMEN gaming hub which is ONE STOP SHOP FOR CUSTOMIZATION & PERSONALIZATION. It offers features targeted to improve gameplay & performance. Few Examples: OMEN optimizer-Booster helps Boost your performance, and easily disables unnecessary services while gaming. With the Performance control feature user can Control performance with Balanced & Performance modes with thermal fan control. With the Graphics switcher, users can easily switch between Hybrid and Discrete options. The new ECO mode is chosen for low power and heat setup. ..Best use-case is when running the notebook on battery. With Light studio, gamers can Coordinate colour schemes, and easily sync lighting effects across their OMEN devices. 6) The press release mentions the HP Omen 17 being targeted at professional gamers, can you give us some more information on how the HP Omen 17 appeals to professional gamers? What kind of features and technology has HP baked in, keeping in mind professional gamers? Professional gamers need a device built with the best technology that delivers exceptional performance coupled with powerful graphics. The all-new OMEN 17 boasts the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, which features the ultra-efficient NVIDIA Ada Lovelace architecture and AI-powered DLSS 3 for stunning graphics and lifelike virtual worlds with full ray tracing. This supports Max TGP (Total Graphic Power) upto 175W in performance / GPU stress mode*. The device also comes with a dynamic processor, the 13th Gen Intel Core, that distributes performance to where it's most needed, allowing for better multitasking and increased productivity for gamers. With a 17.3-inch screen and up to a QHD (Quad HD) 240hz display[1], the powerful OMEN 17 provides an immersive experience for gamers. The OMEN Gaming Hub is another notable feature of the device. It's a one-stop shop for all things gaming-related, from software enhancements to hardware control and live services, making it easy and simple for gamers to elevate their experience. The device also features Wi-Fi 6E technology, which provides faster speeds, improved performance, greater capacity, and lower latencies compared to earlier iterations. The HP Wide Vision 720p HD camera with temporal noise reduction and integrated dual array digital microphones ensures an exceptional audio and visual experience for gamers. 7) Do you see the premium tech and design used in the HP Omen series trickle down to the HP Victus and Pavilion gaming series laptops as well? At HP, we strongly believe in making our technological innovations accessible across all devices, regardless of their price point. Our aim is to mainstream technology, making it available to a wider range of users. In the past, we have successfully implemented this principle with our premium range of consumer products. We understand that even entry-level gamers require high-performing devices to enjoy a seamless gaming experience. Therefore, we have incorporated some of the advanced technology from our OMEN laptops, such as the superior thermal cooling system, into our entry-level gaming products as well. This allows us to provide a similar level of quality and performance to users across all price points. Moving forward, we are committed to incorporating more such technological innovations into our products, ensuring that all users can benefit from the latest advancements in technology. 8) How does HP see the overall PC gaming scenario evolve in India? What role does HP Omen as a brand play when it comes to esports and professional gaming in India? The past few years have seen an acceleration of gaming across the world, especially in India. In fact, India is all set to emerge as the top 3 PC gaming countries in the world. Post-pandemic, the laptop segment quickly became an all-in-one solution for those who had to study, work, play, or do all those things in an affordable single device. The rise of laptops can be attributed to not just more gamers, but also more use cases for gaming machines. India has emerged as a roughly 1 million + Gaming notebook market, witnessing a growth of over 2000% in the last 5 years. At HP, we understand that gaming is no longer specific to a certain segment of the audience. No matter what type of gamer professional, enthusiast, mainstream - HP has the gaming solution for everyone. Todays professional gamers need the right experience and technology to get the most out of gaming. Innovative thermal technology and winning horsepower, stunning visuals supported with great accessories bring games to life by enhancing the overall experience. Based on this user insight, HP engineered its gaming ecosystem with OMEN laptops and desktops range that not only caters to professional gamers but also lets them get more immersed, involved, and improve their level of play. 9) What next can we expect from the HP Omen series when it comes to innovation and performance leadership in the gaming arena? In 2023, we can expect more breakthroughs in the Indian gaming community, which allows for more innovations to meet the growing demands. At HP, we share our users passion for the game, and we continue to provide the best-in-class products and experiences to cater to their needs. We are committed to raising and developing the gaming community to encourage creativity and innovation while also providing a safe environment for all types of gamers. As a brand, we analyze and understand consumer behavior and continue to innovate our offerings for all types of gamers. If you are looking for an entry-level smartphone with very basic configurations and cheap prices, heres a comparison of three entry-level smartphones that are Samsung Galaxy M01 Core, Redmi A1 and Realme C30. Samsung Galaxy M01 Core vs Redmi A1 vs Realme C30: Design The Samsung Galaxy M01 Core is built with a plastic body and weighs around 150g. It has a textured back panel that provides a good grip. It is available in three colours: Black, Blue, and Red. Redmi A1 also has a plastic body with a thickness of 9.1mm and a weight of 192g. It comes with a modern smartphone design with a simple back. It has a small camera module on the back holding two cameras. It comes in three colours that are Light Green, Light Blue and Black. The back cover of the Realme C30 displays a unique vertical grid pattern and houses a solitary camera module with an LED flash in the upper left-hand corner. There are no secondary macro or depth sensors. Realme C30 is available in two colours; Lake Blue and Bamboo Green. Samsung Galaxy M01 Core vs Redmi A1 vs Realme C30: Display Samsung Galaxy M01 Core features a 5.3-inch LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1480 pixels. Redmi A1 comes with a 6.52-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. Realme C30 is equipped with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. Samsung Galaxy M01 Core vs Redmi A1 vs Realme C30: Performance Samsung Galaxy M01 Core is backed by the Mediatek MT6739 chipset paired with up to 2GB RAM and up to 32GB storage. The phone runs on the Android 10 operating system. The phone packs a 3000mAh battery. Redmi A1 is powered by the Mediatek Helio A22 processor paired with up to 3GB RAM and storage of up to 32 GB. It runs on the MIUI 12 OS based on Android 12. It comes with a 5000mAh battery with 10-watt fast charging support. Realme C30 has a Unisoc Tiger T612 SoC paired with up to 4GB RAM and storage of up to 64 GB. This phone runs on the Realme UI Go based on Android 11. It is packed with a 5000mAh battery with 10-watt fast charging support. Samsung Galaxy M01 Core vs Redmi A1 vs Realme C30: Camera The Galaxy M01 Core and Realme C30 come with a single 8-megapixel camera on the back and along with that a 5-megapixel selfie shooter. On the other hand, Redmi A1 comes with an 8-megapixel primary camera and a 0.08-megapixel depth sensor on the back. On the front, it has a 5-megapixel selfie shooter. Samsung Galaxy M01 Core vs Redmi A1 vs Realme C30: Price and availability Flipkart is offering the Samsung Galaxy M01 Core at a starting price of 5,990 and the Realme C30 at 5,549. Redmi A1 is available on Amazon at a price of 5,899 For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page. Jio, Airtel, and Vi all have the 296 plan. So, it is obvious that one might get confused between their plan benefits. To make things easier for you, we have compared Jio 296, Airtel 296, and Vi 296 plans. Best 296 plan from Jio, Airtel, and VI 1. Validity All three viz. Jio 296 plan, Airtel 296 plan, and VI 296 plan is valid for 30 days. 2. Data You get 25GB of high-speed data on all three plans. Once you use up that, the mobile data will be available at 64 Kbps on the Jio plan. Airtel and VI, meanwhile, will start charging you 50p/MB post the quota completion. 3. Voice All three plans offer unlimited local, STD and roaming calls. 4. SMS You get 100 SMS/day with all three. Post that limit, Airtel and VI charge their users 1 for local messages and 1.5 for STD messages. 5. Subscription bundles With the Jio 296 plan, users get access to Jio apps like JioTV, Jio Cinema, JioSecurity and Jio Cloud. Airtel 296 plan subscribers get 3 months of Apollo 24/7, 100 cashback on contactless FASTTag, free Hellotunes, and Wynk Music. Vi 296 plan comes with Vi Movies and TV service. So, even though the rest of the offerings are comparable, Airtel and Jio offer more bundle offers. And that could be a deciding factor for some. For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page. The Government has insisted it has no plans to renegotiate the Windsor Framework Brexit deal despite the DUP vowing to vote against it in Parliament. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said DUP officers met on Monday morning and unanimously agreed to vote against the first aspect of the framework to be considered by Parliament, the Stormont brake. While the vote only concerns one aspect of the accord, the Government itself has suggested the vote will be indicative of support for the overall agreement. The DUP is currently blocking devolution at Stormont in protest at the terms of the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol. The protocol was designed to prevent a hardening of the land border on the island of Ireland and moved regulatory and customs checks to the Irish Sea, creating economic barriers on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The UK and EU agreed the framework as a way to cut the red tape created by the protocol. While the DUP says the Windsor Framework has gone some way to address its concerns about the protocol, it says some significant problems remain. Downing Street said ministers stood ready to have further consultations with the DUP ahead of Wednesdays Commons vote on the Windsor Framework. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has announced that he will meet the EUs Maros Sefcovic in London on Friday to formally adopt the Windsor pact at a meeting of the joint committee on the Withdrawal Agreement. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We remain confident that this is the best deal for Northern Ireland. Of course we wanted to give the DUP and other parties as much time as possible to consider the deal and come to a view. Equally we need to provide certainty to the people and businesses of Northern Ireland which is why we have started the process of votes. The DUP are important partners in this. We want to answer any further questions they have and provide any necessary reassurance and we stand ready to do that. The brake would allow a minority of MLAs at Stormont to formally flag concerns about the imposition of new EU laws in Northern Ireland a move that could see the UK Government veto their introduction in the region. The first Commons vote on the EU/UK agreement on trading arrangements for Northern Ireland will be on the secondary legislation that would give effect to the Stormont brake. The legislation was published on Monday and set out in detail how the brake would operate. The DUP has highlighted that the brake only applies to new EU rules proposed for Northern Ireland, not the existing ones already in place under the terms of the protocol. The Government contends that existing EU law in Northern Ireland will be subject to a consent vote in the Assembly in 2024 under the original terms of the protocol. Announcing the partys intention ahead of Wednesdays vote, Sir Jeffrey said: Whilst representing real progress, the brake does not deal with the fundamental issue which is the imposition of EU law by the protocol. Sir Jeffrey did not rule out ultimately backing the Windsor Framework but insisted the Government would first have to address and resolve the outstanding issues his party has. Clearly there is still some way to go, there is a lot more work to be done, were engaged with the Government on that, and we will make our judgments whenever we see the final picture of all of this, he told the PA news agency. The DUP leader suggested those changes could be secured by way of domestic legislation at Westminster, rather than a renegotiation with Brussels. We do believe that the UK government has within its power the ability to bring forward legislation that safeguards Northern Irelands place within the United Kingdom and our ability to trade within the internal market of the United Kingdom, so it is to the Government we are looking, and will continue to look for the change that is required to meet the concerns that we have highlighted already, he said. The deal is done & huge economic opportunities are before us. The Brexit Joint Committee meets 24 March to adopt the deal into EU law & we move onto implementation stage. The onus is on the British & Irish Governments & all parties not least the DUP to now get Stormont moving Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) March 20, 2023 The DUP leader did also not definitively rule out the prospect of his party rejecting the framework but still returning to devolution at Stormont. Clearly we will continue to assess any change that is made to the proposed arrangements, including through legislation that will come forward in Parliament, and of course well then take a view as to what progress has been made and if that progress is sufficient to enable the institutions to be restored, he said. London, Brussels and Washington are keen for the Stormont institutions to be restored ahead of next months landmark 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. President Joe Biden is among those set to visit Northern Ireland next month to mark the deal that established powersharing in Belfast. Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle ONeill has said the Windsor Framework negotiations were done, and the onus was now on getting devolution restored. The deal is done & huge economic opportunities are before us, she tweeted. The Brexit Joint Committee meets 24 March to adopt the deal into EU law & we move onto implementation stage. The onus is on the British & Irish Governments & all parties not least the DUP to now get Stormont moving. Tourists visit Palace Museum in Beijing Xinhua) 13:18, March 20, 2023 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) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Rural crime, online scams, and the spread of drugs into villages around Cork topped the agenda at this months Joint Policing Committee which brings together local gardai and politicians. Castletownroche based Independent Cllr Frank Roche said fuel such as diesel and home heating oil in rural areas is being stolen but people not reporting it enough. In my locality theres an awful lot of it being stolen, he said. Many people are not reporting it because they feel that the gardai cant do anything about it. He encouraged more people to report it as a preventative measure. At least if they report it, it might make people lock their tanks and be more conscious of it being stolen, he said. In Summer, you cant even leave a tractor out in a field anymore by night because when you come back in the morning, there are these little holes where they can suck the diesel out of them in minutes. Its an awful problem, he said. Danny Crowley of Youthreach Bantry said thefts from older people in scam calls are still taking place in west Cork. I know from living on the Beara peninsula, a lot of our older population seem to be targeted an awful lot by these scam calls. Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Looney said illegal drugs are spreading from the cities into towns and villages. Its after going from the villages out into rural Ireland now. Is there any way of slowing that down? We were perfectly clean years ago. Were not now. The interest we have is in protecting our youth. In rural areas now, there are a lot of drugs transactions. Its not easy to detect them, but there is a big influence from Cork city all the way back to Kerry. Its the main feedway for them, said Mr Looney. People are afraid to report it for fear these thugs will come back at them. Independent Cllr Karen Coakley said many people are too embarrassed to report being a victim of online scams. Ms Coakley said she has no problem putting it up on social media warning about the latest scam. If more people reported it, the figures would be much higher. If you are scammed, dont be afraid, dont feel embarrassed, she said. Its about protecting the older people. Chief Supt Vincent OSullivan emphasised the importance of reporting crime as vital. As a manager, I need to know where to have my resources. We have a better chance of catching them if we know whats going on, and if we know where people are being victims of thefts. Mr OSullivan said no crime is too small to report. In west Cork, there is a downward trend in online fraud crimes. Some of that is down to Covid. There arent as many people at home online, said Garda OSullivan, but also that victims arent reporting them as much anymore. I was delighted to see the banks advising people, he said. The first reaction should be to try and stop the transaction with the bank, but the second action should be reporting it to Gardai. If we know who is involved, we can take steps. We can use our resources to tackle the problem. There is no shame in being caught in an online scam, he said. These are professional people who are doing it. They are using very advanced methodologies. They are working off of scripts. They are working from systems that have worked in the past, said Garda OSullivan. Internationally, the gangs are highly organised, working in shift patterns, and using it as a business. They will keep going until they find that weakness to get at your money. Please report your crimes, said Garda OSullivan. Their schemes are clever and well thought out and its very easy to get caught out. Operation Tara was launched to tackle the drugs problem, said Garda OSullivan. New technology and greater connectivity have made it easier for drug dealers to get drugs into rural areas. Members of Crosshaven RNLI assisted in the medical evacuation of a patient from Spike Island in Cork on Saturday. Shortly after 8pm on Saturday evening, Valentia Coast Guard requested the assistance of a Crosshaven lifeboat to effect a medical evacuation of a casualty from Spike Island. The lifeboat crew with Dave Venner in command made their way to Spike Island where they were met by staff and driven up to Spike Island forts medical room. The patient required casualty care before being moved and Paramedics at the scene of the lifeboat station were able to remotely advise the first aiders on a care plan. The patient was transferred to the lifeboat and onwards to the lifeboat station. A NAS ambulance conveyed the casualty to Cork University Hospital. We wish the casualty well, said the RNLI spokesperson. The lifeboat was recovered, washed down and declared ready for service at 10.15pm. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. The Texas State Board of Education changed its guidelines last month to emphasize the positive aspects of fossil fuels in science textbooks, Scott Waldman reported last week. The Republican-controlled board approved changes proposed by climate denier Patricia Hardy, who wants teachers to offer both sides of climate science. The edits aim to portray the Earths warming temperatures as the result of natural fluctuations, Waldman wrote, flying in the face of the consensus among climate researchers that humans are causing it by burning fossil fuels. While the board guide isnt legally binding, it certainly deters school districts from covering climate because they try to play it safe and dont want to weigh into politics generally, according to Carisa Lopez of the Texas Freedom Network, adding that it certainly politicizes, deeply, climate change. It politicizes science. The Texas State Board of Education consists of five Democratic party members and 10 Republicans, including a Shell Oil lawyer Will Hickman and oil-field service company CEO Aaron Kinsey, who worked with Hardy on the changes. Our schools are paid for by the fossil fuel industry for the most part, Hardy told Waldman. For a Deeper Dive: Scientific American via E&ENews, Gizmodo For more climate change and clean energy news, you can follow Climate Nexus on Twitter and Facebook, sign up for daily Hot News, and visit their news site, Nexus Media News. Option 4 for non-solar related pages Aviagen East Africa delivers first parent stock chick shipment In recent months, Aviagen East Africa delivered its first shipment of Ross Parent Stock (PS) to Biyinzika Poultry International in Uganda and Harsho Milling Company Limited in Tanzania. Aviagen delivered the first PS chicks to both customers by truck, which significantly reduced the logistical times due to the birds coming from a local production facility rather than the company's European facilities. This plays a major role in achieving Aviagen's sustainability goals and enhancing its welfare standards. Harsho Milling Company is a newly established company in Tanzania who have just placed its first flock of Ross 308. "This is our first shipment of Ross 308 Parent Stock," said Dr. Felician Tarimo, designation veterinarian at Harsho Milling Company Limited. "We are very satisfied with the local customer service that we have received from Aviagen East Africa Limited to enable us to manage the first PS placement. We are confident that we will get the best out of our flocks with the support of the Aviagen East Africa team. We hope to achieve impressive breeder results like we have seen in the field with other companies." Biyinzika Poultry International was founded in 1990 and is the leader in the production and sale of day-old chicks (DOC) and specialised poultry feed in Uganda. The company has more than 30 outlets across the country and produces approximately 200,000 DOC per week. Martin Ndengu, production director of Biyinzika Poultry International, said: "Our first shipment from the new, local facility, Aviagen East Africa went extremely well. I visited the brand new state-of-theart facilities before they started production and I was fully confident that we were getting even better quality from the local production facilities than we previously received. The delivery highlighted that this was indeed true, as we received extremely good quality chicks. The Ross 308 has proven to be the best breed for our operation and for our customers due to it being more tolerant towards the changing environmental conditions that we face in Uganda. We are achieving impressive breeder results with the Ross 308 with more chicks per hen housed compared to competitive breeds. We look forward to working with the Aviagen East Africa team in the future to ensure that the Ross 308 continues to be the preferred breed of choice in the Ugandan market." William Opiyo, commercial and technical manager at Aviagen East Africa, said: "We are proud of our modern facilities and look forward to supplying the Ross 308 breed to our long-term, loyal customers, and, of course, potential new customers. Aviagen is well-known for superior genetics and customer support worldwide and our customers in the East African region choose the Ross 308 in order to receive the best quality PS chicks and achieve excellent breeder and broiler results, with the best local customer service. - Aviagen France's farmers step up grain production in light of war in Ukraine 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. 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. 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 tonnes 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. "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." 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% to countries including Algeria, Egypt and Morocco, according to the French grain trade association, 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% of its vegetable protein needs for animal feed compared to 35% for Europe, according to Rosso. "We need to preserve this, and improve on it. Our goal is to produce 60% to 65% of our animal feed," he said. By factoring in animal feed, however, both 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 due to its land availability and technical capacity. The focus is now 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. "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," said Rosso. - RFI Norway embassy co-hosts seminar focused on aquaculture cooperation with Vietnam The Embassy of Norway along with Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) co-hosted a seminar called "Norway-Vietnam: Cooperation opportunities in aquaculture and seafood" on last February in Hanoi, Vietnam. The seminar was attended by Ambassador of Norway to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien, Director General of the Fisheries Department Tran Dinh Luan, SEA director of the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) Asbjrn Warvik Rrtveit and State Secretary of Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Erling Rimestad. The purpose of the event was to discuss the potential for business-to-business cooperation in aquaculture and processing and import-export of seafood products as well as for both countries to share their experiences and expertise and learn from each other, the Voice of Vietnam reported. In addition, the announcement of an official plan to be more active in Vietnam was made by Rrtveit during the seminar. "In 2023, NSC will strengthen promotional activities in Vietnam so that many consumers know about the presence of Norwegian seafood, as well as build programmes to meet, connect and promote trade between import and export enterprises of the two countries," said Rrtveit. "Any Vietnamese importer can register to use the trademark "Seafood from Norway" to attach to their products. The simple registration process will bring great benefits to businesses when the demand for product origin transparency is increasing in the Vietnamese market." Considering that Norway and Vietnam are at the top list of seafood exporters in the world, Rimestad said both countries are "in the fortunate position that this does not make us competitors in fact we complement each other as seafood nations." According to the Voice of Vietnam, the two countries have not focused on only implementing their cooperation on the fields but they also intend to boost their fisheries industry with greener and sustainable practices. - ScandAsia Finland mulls establishing fund for farmers affected by salmonella Authorities in Finland are considering setting up a state salmonella fund to help farmers. The country's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said it was looking for a solution to finance the control of salmonella on livestock farms, as conditions around insurance coverage on such farms have changed. A report from the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) found the establishment of a state salmonella fund would seem to be the most viable option. The costs of eradicating salmonella can reach several million euros on a large pig farm. Previously, the farm and insurance company mainly covered the costs. Recently, Finland has been able to compensate for part of the value of animals killed due to salmonella infection. However, this compensation option, which is intended as a temporary solution, will stop at the end of 2023 unless it is granted an extension until 2024. The decision on killing pigs to prevent the spread of salmonella infection involves the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) and considers economic and animal welfare points, in addition to a commitment by the owner of the animals to carry out cleaning and disinfection at the site. A permanent solution could include collecting payments from livestock farmers, which would be put into the fund and compensation would be paid to producers for the costs of eradicating disease cases and outbreaks. Similar state animal disease funds exist in other European countries. Variables include the number of animals on a holding, farm size and the level of disease protection. A majority of at least two-thirds of votes cast in parliament would be required to approve such a bill. Luke undertook a survey to get the views of insurance providers and pig farmers on salmonella insurance and their thoughts on state aid. Costs for salmonella-related renovations on farms, especially in the pig sector, have increased in recent years, as the number of cases has risen and farms have grown. Such factors have increased the price of salmonella claims, leading to higher premiums and tighter insurance terms and conditions. Simulations using past data seemed to show that support needed for the pig sector would be higher than what should be required in cattle and poultry production. - Food Safety News Post Office Seeks Expressions of Interest in Governor's Hill Isle of Man Post Office (IOMPO) is seeking expressions of interest (on the Isle of Man Government procurement website) in the provision of counter and/or parcel collection services in Governors Hill. The current Sub Postmaster has given IOMPO notice to terminate the contract for service. IOMPO is seeking to maintain counter, postal and bill payment services in this area and is keen to understand what interest there may be from existing or new businesses in the community. IOMPOs preferred outcome would be to select a single preferred supplier covering both the Counter Services and Parcel Collection Services. However, consideration will be given to submissions from interested parties who could provide one or more of the services. This opportunity is for a fixed period, until 30th June 2025, with the option to extend one year. Stu Peters MHK, Chairman of Isle of Man Post Office said: I would like to place on record our grateful thanks to the outgoing sub postmaster for the services he has provided on our behalf and that of our commercial partners for the past 20 years. He continued: The expression of interest exercise is a great way to consider the opportunity informally prior to the official tender process. It will run until noon on Friday 14th April 2023 and we hope anyone interested will get in touch. Information can be found online on IOMPOs website www.iompost.com/about/procurement-activities/ and on the Isle of Man Government website www.gov.im/categories/business-and-industries/expressions-of-interest/ An update following the expression of interest exercise will be issued in due course. RSE Lessons: Education Minister to update Tynwald investigation The Education Minister will update the progress of an independent investigation of the RSE curriculum on the Isle of Man. Julie Edge will give a statement during Tuesday's sitting of Tynwald. She said: I would like to thank Mr President for this opportunity to set the facts straight following the first part of the RSE investigation. I look forward to updating Honourable Members and all those listening in. The teaching of the curriculum was introduced last September but was paused earlier this month following concerns from parents and teachers about certain material and themes being taught. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ordered an urgent review on sex education lessons in the UK. Manx Lottery Trust supports Naseem's Manx Brain Tumour Charity A local charity which offers support to brain tumour sufferers and their families will be able to provide psychological therapy sessions, thanks to a grant from Manx Lottery Trust. Naseems Manx Brain Tumour Charity has been awarded a grant of 3,960 which will fund vital therapeutic support for any Isle of Man residents affected by brain tumours. The charity was registered in 2009 and dedicated to Naseem Pishvaie who passed away with a brain tumour. Since launching, the charity has continued to provide financial assistance and support for local residents and family members impacted by brain tumours. The therapy sessions will be a joint venture for the charity with Isle Listen, and by coming together they will be able to offer expert therapeutic support to a number of people who have been impacted by brain tumours. NYC braces for Trump indictment after he urges protests The New York City police department began erecting metal fencing in lower Manhattan on Monday as a potential criminal indictment for Donald Trump appeared imminent. Los Angeles, CAThe most detailed historical biography about infamous serial killer Bill Bonin, Without Redemption: Creation & Deeds of Freeway Killer Bill Bonin, His Five Accomplices & How One Who Escaped Justice, is gaining international attention with sales in Canada, Australia and across Europe. Bonin's exploits garnered worldwide headlines, in the early 1980s, and have continued to create interest over 40-years later. Amazon has seen Kindle and print versions sold in the UK, Germany and France. What sets Without Redemption apart from other serial killer biographies is the sheer volume of factual material the authors had at their disposal. Co-author Vonda Pelto, Ph.D., a Clinical Psychologist who held ersatz counseling sessions with three of the Freeway Killers, was given over 40 boxes of investigative documents about Bonin by a former law enforcement officer. Amongst those documents were his long-hidden jailhouse diaries and confession murder stories, the latter which allowed the authors to solve two homicides and shed light on many aspects of Bonin's life and the Freeway Killer cases. Readers in the UK, with its rich history of murder mystery literature, seems to be keenly interested in the Bonin story with print books selling well. During radio appearances, co-author Michael B. Butler has emphasized that Without Redemption is a beginning to end historical biography, one that carefully charts the psychological evolution of Freeway Killer Bill Bonin and reveals the inner workings of his mind. Aside from this, so much never known detail about the murders is chronicled using materials boxed up for 42-years. Then an added bonus, one never revealed in such detail before, are the tales of what took place following Bonin's final arrest, when detectives believed they had their man but could prove nothing. Possessing little or no physical evidence, they had no idea how many murders he might have committed or who else might be involved? Plenty of betrayal, lying, deception and political backstabbing can be found in that section of the book. Right now, the Without Redemption Kindle is on Sale for 99 Cents and the 6x9 Softcover print version is $11.00 Watch a Radio Show Video of Vonda Pelto on the Gary Nolan Show at http://bit.ly/41yfUWc Watch a Radio Show Video of Vonda Pelto on James Lowe Radio Show at http://bit.ly/3IRx3BE Watch Radio Show Video of Vonda Pelto on Thunderstruck Radio at https://bit.ly/3EGzK85 What is Without Redemption: The book was written on a number of parallel tracks that constantly intersect: First, it is the most detailed historical biography ever written about Bill Bonin, the notorious Freeway Killer responsible for murdering 22 teenage boys over ten-months in 1979-80. Second, it is a psychological roadmap which charts the evolution of Bonin's personality from abused child to sexual predator to serial killer. This is accomplished using documents from his childhood, war service, multiple California government mental health and penal institutions, witness testimony and the expertise of Clinical Psychologist Vonda Pelto, Ph.D., who had many sessions with Bonin and two of his accomplices while working in Los Angeles Men's Central Jail. Third, it is a narrative which, using long hidden documents, reveals the inner workings of Bonin's mind, showing how he thought, felt, planned and viewed the world. The narrative displays Bonin, an abused high school dropout, cleverly manipulating lawyers, judges, doctors, social workers, friends, family, probation officers, government bureaucrats, detectives, journalists and, most tragically, the innocent victims of his rage. Fourth, Without Redemption reveals the complex story of what happened after Bonin's final arrest, when so much was in flux and so many moving parts were swirling about. Archived investigative documents, collected from a variety of sources, brings to light a number of surprising, shocking, sad and even funny events from those ten tumultuous months from June 1980 to March 1981. Finally, it is a book which solves two 40-year-old murder mysteries and unlocks how one day of crossroads and coincidences, in the midst of the murder spree, profoundly impacted many lives and future events. Watch the Without Redemption Book Trailer http://bit.ly/3Y7gebu The most detailed bio of serial killer Bill Bonin ever written using previously hidden documents. How childhood abuse & Vietnam War service helped create what followed. How Bonin manipulated California judicial, mental health & prison systems for nine years before the killings. Interviews of Bonin, Miley & Munro with Vonda Pelto, Ph.D. before, during & after his Los Angeles trial. Bonin's jailhouse writings offer new perspective on his brutality, methods, thoughts and personality. How & Why Bonin covered for accomplice Eric Wijnaendts, who helped him with two murders. How & Why March 24, 1980 is a key date in the Bill Bonin story. Without Redemption: Creation & Deeds of Freeway Killer Bill Bonin, His Five Accomplices & How One Escaped Justice, Paperback ISBN: 979-8841931249, Hard Cover ISBN: 979-8844477775. For more info go to www.WithoutRedemption.com and purchase copies at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Media Contact: For interviews or to request review copies contact Flotsam PR at 319-504-3788 or flotsampr@pm.me. Gov. Josh Shapiros first state budget proposal perpetuates unsustainable spending and fails to address the most promising ideas he put forward during his campaign. For starters, his budget calls for $45.9 billion in ongoing General Fund spending but the state has only $43 billion in net revenues, so the governor is positioning us for a nearly $3 billion annual deficit. Spending that exceeds revenue is unsustainable and fiscally irresponsible for individuals, businesses, and certainly for government. In November 2022, the Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released revenue and spending projections, showing that the state faces a structural deficit over the next several years. Shapiros budget spends even more than IFO projections, exacerbating the structural deficit. Rather than rein in spending, Shapiros proposal continues to practice deficit spending draining all state reserves over the next few years and setting Pennsylvanians up for a future tax hike. By limiting spending growth now, lawmakers could bring the budget into balance and avoid raising taxes on families. Shapiro neglects the need to adopt significant Medicaid reform. Medicaid is the largest state program and among the fastest-growing. It accounts for approximately one-third of total state spending. After the pandemic, federal mandates required Pennsylvania to provide Medicaid benefits to ineligible recipients. Starting on April 1 of this year, the commonwealth begins redetermining Medicaid eligibility for over 3.6 million Pennsylvanians. Nearly 600,000 currently enrolled in the program are not eligible for benefits, and an additional 600,000 have not submitted the information needed to determine if they are still eligible. Prioritizing the upcoming Medicaid redeterminations would protect the program for the individuals and families that truly need it, while promoting personal independence. As a candidate, Shapiro promised to cut corporate tax rates to 4% by 2025, transforming Pennsylvania from among the nations worst business climates to one of its most competitive. During his budget address, Shapiro said that he was tired of losing out to other states and called on lawmakers to work with him to accelerate Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) reductions. Despite this rhetoric, he did not incorporate any further reductions into his budget. Shapiro backtracked on another campaign promise by supporting a tax on energy. His budget includes $663 million in revenue from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) effectively with a new electricity tax. This tax would result in homeowners paying an estimated 30% more on their utility bills at a time when Pennsylvanians cite rising energy costs as the most pressing environmental issue. Finally, Shapiro promised to ensure that every child, regardless of zip code, has access to a high-quality education. But his budget proposal flatlines the states successful tax credit scholarship programs programs critical for giving students access to high-quality schools of their choice. Shapiro had previously said that he supported expanding them. The proposed budget also omitted any mention of another scholarship program Shapiro had endorsed Lifeline Scholarships, which provide students in the lowest-performing public schools with funding to find the best educational option that meets their needs. Instead, Shapiros budget proposal includes nearly $900 million more for public schools, even after last years record increase. The states recent education-funding lawsuit ruling rejected the idea that simply spending more money given that Pennsylvania is already among the highest-spending states will improve education. The Commonwealth Court said that the legislature must ensure that every student receives a meaningful opportunity to succeed. Too many students in chronically underperforming, zip-code-assigned schools are denied this chance. The only way to provide a fair chance to all students is to let funding follow the child. While Shapiro laid out several priorities, Pennsylvania has divided government, and legislators get an equal say. Indeed, Senate Republicans, led by President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, unveiled their own priorities including the Lifeline Scholarship idea that Shapiro skipped over. Over the next few months of negotiation, lawmakers should hold Shapiro to his bipartisan campaign promises. A final budget that avoids overspending and draining reserves, implements more competitive business tax rates, rejects new energy taxes, and delivers on the promise of educational opportunity would help unleash prosperity allowing Pennsylvania families to flourish. A major surge in thefts of quad bikes is putting extra pressure on sheep farmers at the busiest time of year, NFU Mutual has warned. A continued increase in thefts this year has prompted a warning to farmers to ramp up their security. Latest theft claims figures from the rural insurer show a 26% annual increase in the cost of quad theft bringing the total value to 2.8m in 2022. Quad thefts at busy lambing time can leave farmers struggling to look after their sheep when they are at their most vulnerable. With thieves targeting farms where quads are a vital tool, NFU Mutual said farmers must take extra security measures to avoid becoming victims. A shortage of new machines has driven the price of second-hand quads higher, which has led to a 'feeding-frenzy' from gangs who steal vehicles to sell across the globe. Bob Henderson, from the agricultural engineering team at NFU Mutual said: Farmers are waking up to noises in their farmyards to find that thieves have cut through toughened locks and smashed barn doors to steal their quads. The thefts leave farmers with extra work when their sheep and new-born lambs need constant attention, and bad weather means quads are often the only way to get to them in remote hilly areas. The supply chain problems which are driving up prices are also making it difficult for farmers to source replacement machines when their quads are stolen. To help protect farmers, NFU Mutual is working with quad manufacturers to provide customers with free tracking and immobilisation equipment on vehicles bought to replace stolen quads and ATVs, following a paid claim. The rural insurer is also working with MPs and the government to help support legislation going through parliament, which will see increased security as standard on new ATVs being sold in the future. Mr Henderson added: To reduce the risk of becoming a victim of quad theft its vital to always remove keys when not on the machine and always secure your quad when its not in use. Thieves often will return to a farm where they have stolen a quad in the hope of being able to steal its replacement. "To beat repeat quad thefts, were working with manufacturers to provide our customers who have had a quad stolen with free tracking devices and immobilisers. DC Chris Piggott, from the National Construction and Agri Thefts Team, which forms part of the National Rural Crime Unit, said that tracking, immobilisation and security marking were the most effective measures. He added: To avoid buying a stolen piece of kit and fuelling the criminal trade, were urging farmers to obtain serial numbers for the quad and check these with companies such as HPI who can fully provenance them. Also speak to your local dealership to see if they have any records of the quad or ask for copies of original invoices from the seller. Do not meet people in lay-bys or service stations, go to their house and conduct your business inside to ensure they are a resident there." What advice is there for farmers? NFU Mutual and the National Rural Crime Unit have told farmers to: Always remove keys and keep them stored securely, away from the vehicle When not in use, keep quads and ATVs locked up out of sight Install tracking devices and immobilisers to make it easier for police to recover stolen vehicles - most modern tracking devices are GPS enabled, with alarms/alerts that will send a message informing you if your machine is being tampered with. Use CESAR marking to deter thieves and enable police to identify stolen machinery Target-harden your quad by creating a security cage or use a mechanical device such as steering brake/lock, ground anchor or wheel clamp when not in use - these devices are both visible and physical deterrents to thieves Know what you own keep records of serial numbers and photographs of your kit including unique identifying features When buying a new quad ask for a chipped key and immobilisation system The Association of the Lao Garment Industry recently urged the government to reduce taxes on imported raw materials to lower production costs and make the industry more competitive globally. More domestic garment production warrants such a step, its deputy chairman Xaybandith Rasphon said. Reducing tax on imported raw materials is needed for the garment industrys survival, Rasphon said, as the government wants people to use more indigenously-manufactured garments and also expects factories to generate more employment. The countrys clothing exports comprise 10 per cent of its total exports and the sector employs slightly more than 1 per cent of the countrys labour force, according to a 2016 World Bank report. The Association of the Lao Garment Industry has urged the government to reduce taxes on imported raw materials to lower production costs and make the industry more competitive globally. As the government wants people to use more indigenously-manufactured garments, such a step is needed for survival of the sector, its deputy chairman Xaybandith Rasphon said. In recent years, the industry has been affected by labour shortages, with many workers migrating abroad for better options, an Asian radio network reported. Out of the 77 garment companies in Laos now, 51 are large firms producing for export, according to government statistics. There are also 26 small and medium companies producing clothes for domestic consumption. Of the 53 companies that are members of the garment association, seven are owned by Lao citizens, six are joint venture companies and 40 are foreign owned. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) The value of Australias home textiles imports from the Asia-Pacific region slipped further in 2022. After a rise during the COVID year of 2022, the imports had declined in 2021. However, the Asia-Pacific region continues to remain as the major supplier of home textiles, ahead of Europe and Africa. Australias home textiles imports from Asia-Pacific topped to $2,837.785 million in 2018. Subsequently, it fell to $2,082.851 million in the next year 2019. However, the shipment bounced back to $2,107.311 million in 2020 as consumers increased buying of home furnishing items during COVID-related lockdowns. The next year 2021 saw imports down to $1,611.137 million. The value has further fallen to $1,510.128 million in 2022, according to Fibre2Fashions market insight tool TexPro. Australia's home textile imports from the Asia-Pacific region fell to $1.51 billion in 2022 from $2.84 billion in 2018. Despite the decline, the Asia-Pacific region remains the major supplier of home textiles to Australia. The COVID-related lockdowns led to an increase in home textile imports in 2020, but the trend did not continue in the following years. Australias home textiles imports from Europe were $91.169 million in 2017, which increased to $104.310 million in 2018. But it came down to $91.619 million in 2019. The inbound shipment increased to $94.512 million in 2020. It further jumped to $118.407 million in 2021. However, it decreased to $94.931 million during 2022, as per TexPro. The import from Africa was recorded at $19.478 million in 2017, which was the highest in last six years. It eased down to $11.029 million in 2018. But the import increased to $13.865 million in 2019 and again to $14.944 million in 2020. However, the shipment slipped to $13.003 million in 2021 and $12.745 million in 2022. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) The Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, and the Swiss National Bank have announced a coordinated action to enhance the provision of liquidity via the standing US dollar liquidity swap line arrangements. To improve the swap lines effectiveness in providing US dollar funding, the central banks currently offering US dollar operations have agreed to increase the frequency of 7-day maturity operations from weekly to daily. These daily operations will commence today, and will continue at least through the end of April, the central banks said in a joint press release. Major central banks have agreed to enhance the provision of US dollar liquidity by increasing the frequency of 7-day maturity operations from weekly to daily. This will improve the effectiveness of the swap lines in providing US dollar funding. The swap lines serve as an important liquidity backstop and will continue at least through the end of April. The network of swap lines among these central banks is a set of available standing facilities and serves as an important liquidity backstop to ease strains in global funding markets, thereby helping to mitigate the effects of such strains on the supply of credit to households and businesses. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB) Andaz Apna Apna (1994) Hera Pheri (2000) Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) Jab We Met (2007) 3 Idiots (2009) Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (2013) Piku (2015) In this world, there are two types of movies. We divide them into two categories in this purely subjective list: the occasional or one-time watches, and the fallbacks. These latter films fall under the genre of soothing and comforting movies, ones that cheer you up in good times and help you in bad. Those are the movies you can't stop watching for a variety of reasons, such as how much you love them, how nostalgic they make you feel, or even how terrible they are but still manage to be fantastic. We have chosen a few of our favourite go-to comfort movies in this non-exhaustive list. Even if not all of them are contenders for the top movies ever created, they all manage to give us a boost when we desperately need it.In Bollywood, the term "cult classic" is rarely given to a film. The first name that will be mentioned is Andaz Apna Apna, and for good reason. It is a treasured experience to seefor the first time, especially in a nearly full theatre with the audience clapping and cheering and laughing heartily as if there were no tomorrow. Andaz Apna Apna's attractiveness comes from its carefree self-awareness, thanks to which it can afford to be corny. Amar and Prem, the main characters, both fantasise in the opening scene, which is a classic scene because it is so relatable. None of the key characters are shown in a favourable light; a little cynicism gives the motivations some validity. All of the songs are exquisitely captured on camera, although it is true that the language elegantly overshadows the music. The great writing and direction of Andaz Apna Apna are the main contributors to its success. It has a remarkable rewatchability since the story-telling experimentation made it feel new and fresh for its day.was the best comedy film many people who were growing up in the 1990s and the early 2000s had ever seen. And with good cause. It contains equal parts wit and slapstick humour, both of which are expertly delivered by the Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, and Suneil Shetty trio. It was impossible to not like Paresh Rawal as Babu bhaiya because he portrayed the character with such ease and impeccable timing. Paresh Rawal improved every scene he was in, whether it was when he showed Suniel Shetty's Shyam the house, when he became impatient with all the calls for Devi Prasad, or when he was thrilled to receive the money near the end of the movie. Hera Pheri is now considered a classic and has extreme rewatch value since it still has humour and charm after more than 20 years.First, let's address the obvious: Is2 as good as the original movie? Simply said, yes, and better in many ways. The premise is original in an offbeat way, Munna and Circuit odd-couple chutzpah are still present, and the bhaigiri recipe is still loaded to the brim. Finding the Gandhi inside each of us is the movie's main message, but it never comes across as being didactic or preachy. Instead, the entire journey makes you laugh and cry as it hits on a variety of topics like parental negligence, the stagnation of the elder generation, corruption, superstitions, and the whole nine yards! Lage Raho Munna Bhai deftly avoids the obvious problem that almost all sequels encounter by faithfully recreating an original setting without even a whiff of deja vu. And for that reason alone, Munna Bhai 2 is one of the best comedies to watch again.When the iconicand Kareena Kapoor Khan film was first released, it won the hearts of the country. It utterly romanticised the adage "opposites attract" in the cutest, most endearing way imaginable. We all wanted to board a train in search of our own personal "angry man," spend some time with him in a sketchy motel, travel with him, engage in incredibly intricate falsehoods, nearly lose him, and then spend the rest of our lives with him. Jab We Met will always be the best pick-me-up movie because it was filled with humorous situations and clever one-liners.Among its Bollywood contemporaries,stands out for its original story and emotionally resonant characters, both of which further its powerful message that life should be about pursuing perfection, even when it cannot be measured. 3 Idiots took aim at our perennially deficient educational system while also highlighting the grim reality of engineering students. 3 Idiots, a story about lagging behind in knowledge and failing, made us chuckle at our flaws. The films speech and catchphrases are so memorable that they had the audience in fits of laughter.Years after its premiere,is still one of the most popular films to watch again and again. It inspired us to give our aspirations a little more fuel so they can take flight like Bunny (Ranbir Kapoor) in the movie, and it turned Himachal Pradesh into the most Instagrammable holiday destination. You will feel good, warm, and snug watching the entire movie, including the Manali journey, Aditi's lavish wedding, Naina's sadness on both occasions and basically every single shot of Bunny. YJHD is the best mood booster ever, whether you watch it for Instagram captions or to swoon over Aditya Roy Kapoor. The non-linear back-and-forth structure with Padukones character Naina narrating the story from her point of view makes the film relatable and instantly strikes a chord. The way the narrative progresses while highlighting some simple, heart-melting moments lends YJHD great rewatch value. Ayan Mukerjis screenplay and Hussain Dalals dialogues work.is a film about a father-daughter connection, but when you look closely, you realise it's about much more: it's about finding your origins, and it's about accepting, loving, and eventually learning to live with people despite their flaws. It's also about the journey of life. You are left wanting more because all of this was presented to us with such humour that it was seamlessly integrated with everyday activities (not to mention Bhashkor Banerjee's bowel issues). About the sale of their ancestral property in Kolkata, there is constant back and forth. Piku (Deepika Padukone) travels to Kolkata by car with Rana (Irrfan Khan), along with her father Bhashkor Banerjee (Amitabh Bachchan). This results in a beautiful movie as the three protagonists quarrel and joke around on their journey. Piku made our list because there are just so many aspects about it that are excellent. Mumbai police have increased security around Salman Khan after one of his team members received threats through e-mail on Saturday evening.The actor's close friend has also filed a complaint under IPC sections 506(2) [Punishment for criminal intimidation], 120(b) [Punishment for criminal conspiracy], and 34 [common intention] against gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, and another individual for allegedly making threats against the actor.According to reports, The threat mail was sent to the actor's city office on Saturday afternoon. The email was sent to Rohit Garg which stated that Canadian gangster Goldy Brar wanted to speak with Salman Khan in person. It also appeared to link to gangster Bishnoi's recent interview in which he declared that killing Salman was his life's ambition.Police have also detained Lawrence and Goldy in connection with the incident. Lawrence, who is currently detained in Tihar, had before warned Salman to accept responsibility or prepare for the worst.Lawrence Bishnoi is the alleged mastermind behind the murder of Punjabi musician Sidhu Moose Wala.Lawrence Bishnoi claimed that Salman Khan had offended the Bishnois, a group whose beliefs include a love of animals, in 2018 when the blackbuck poaching case trial was in progress. The actor was ultimately found not guilty of this accusation.Last year in November, Salman and his father, lyricist Salim Khan, got a 'threat letter, after which the Maharashtra government decided to provide Salman Khan with Y+ category security cover, an upgrade of two levels, in light of previous threats against him purportedly by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Swara also took to her Instagram stories and shared a glimpse of her dressed in the lehenga and wrote, "A sneak peek into the stunning @alixeeshantheaterstudio. Lehenga set that @alixeeshanempire kindly made and sent across to me from all the way across the border! Special thanks to @natrani for making this possible!" Swara Bhasker and Fahad Ahmad celebrated their marriage with a second reception on Sunday at his family's home following her vidai, which preceded the lengthy celebrations in Delhi. The majority of those present were his friends. Swara was dressed in a beige lehenga by Pakistani designer Ali Xeeshan and stole the show with a big nose ring and matha patti. She was joined by Fahad, who was dressed in a white sherwani, a white and gold dupatta, and a golden kurta.A few pictures from the wedding reception were posted by Samajwadi Party leader Suhaib Ansari on Twitter. Sharing the pictures, he wrote, "Many congratulations, Fahad bhai and Swara Ji. Wishing you a blessed and happy life ahead."Last month, Swara took to Instagram to share that she has found love in Fahad. "Sometimes you search far & wide for something that was right next to you all along. We were looking for love, but we found friendship first. And then we found each other! Welcome to my heart @FahadZirarAhmad Its chaotic but its yours!" she had captioned her post. The couple tied the knot via marriage registration under the Special Marriage Act. BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - The People's Bank of China will announce its latest loan prime rate numbers, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The rate is expected to hold steady at 3.65 percent. Malaysia will provide February numbers for imports, exports and trade balance. Imports are expected to rise 6.8 percent on year, up from 2.3 percent in January. Exports are called higher by an annual 4.5 percent, accelerating from 1.5 percent in the previous month. The trade surplus is pegged at MYR18.30 billion, up from MYR18.20 billion. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Australian dollar retreated from recent highs against other major currencies in the Asian session on Monday. The Australian dollar fell to 1.5948 against the euro and 88.26 against the yen, from recent highs of 1.5870 and 89.23, respectively. Against the U.S. and the Canadian dollars, the aussie dropped to 0.6689 and 0.9179 from recent near 2-week high of 0.6730 and near 3-week high of 0.9214, respectively. The aussie edged down to 1.0697 against the NZ dollar, from a recent high of 1.0728. Earlier in the session, the aussie fell to nearly a 3-month low of 1.0673. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.60 against the euro, 86.00 against the yen, 0.63 against the greenback, 0.90 against the loonie and 1.05 against the kiwi. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYCB) announced Monday that its bank subsidiary, Flagstar Bank, N.A., has acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Signature Bridge Bank from its receiver, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. or FDIC. The company noted that all regulatory approvals, including approval from the OCC, have been obtained, and the transaction has closed. In connection with the deal, Flagstar Bank will take over all of Signature's branches. This includes 30 branches in the New York City metro area and several branches on the West Coast. These branches will open Tuesday morning and operate under the Flagstar Bank brand. Last week, Signature Bank was closed by the New York State Department of Financial Services or NYDFS after significant deposit outflows, following the failure of Silicon Valley Bank. NYDFS appointed the FDIC as Signature Bank's receiver. The FDIC also transferred all the deposits and substantially all of the assets of Signature Bank to a newly created, full-service FDIC-operated 'bridge bank', Signature Bridge Bank, N.A. In a statement, New York Community Bancorp noted that Flagstar Bank acquired only certain financially and strategically complementary parts of Signature that are intended to enhance its future growth. Under terms of the purchase and assumption deal with the FDIC, the Bank purchased assets of around $38 billion, including cash totaling around $25 billion and around $13 billion in loans. Included in the $25 billion of cash is $2.7 billion arising from a discounted bid to net asset value. The bank also assumed liabilities approximating $36 billion, including deposits of approximately $34 billion and other liabilities of approximately $2 billion. New York Community Bancorp said it is working on an agreement to sub-service the legacy Signature multi-family, commercial real estate or CRE, and other loans it did not acquire. The deal also included Signature's wealth-management and broker-dealer business. In addition, all of legacy Signature's core bank deposit relationships, including both the New York and the West Coast Private Client teams, as well as the wealth management and broker-dealer business are included in the transaction. The company plans to use its significant liquidity position to pay down a substantial amount of its wholesale borrowings, leaving the balance sheet in an even stronger cash position. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 2022 Annual Results Highlights: Gross profit grew 31.43% YoY to RMB 2.576 billion. Total sales volume of differentiated products increased 31.25% YoY to 1.47 million tons. Profit attributable to the Company's owners surged 28.84% YoY to RMB 1.117 billion. Basic earnings per share were RMB 0.159, up 28.84% YoY. The board of directors recommended the payment of a final dividend of HKD 0.0623 per share. HONG KONG / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / Sinofert Holdings Limited ("Sinofert" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries collectively known as the "Group") (stock code: 297.HK) announced the annual results for the twelve months ended 31 December 2022 (the "Period"). The fertilizer industry faced headwinds in 2022 amid complicated and ever-changing global economic environment. During the Period, revenue of the Group increased 1.6% year-on-year to RMB 23,003 million; gross profit climbed 31.43% year-on-year to RMB 2,576 million and profit attributable to the Company's owners surged 28.84% year-on-year to RMB 1,117 million. Basic earnings per share were RMB 0.159, up 28.84% year-on-year. In order to strengthen its market leadership, the Group enhanced R&D capacity in crop nutrition and cooperated with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences as well as other research institutions to create the platform of the "National Engineering Research Center for Arable Land Protection". Leveraging the national-grade R&D platform, the Group established an initial R&D system on "biotechnology - soil health - nutrient efficiency", and achieved breakthroughs in various biologics and "Bio+" fertilizer products. Meanwhile, the Group adhered to the strategy for cross-business collaboration with Syngenta Group in China, pushed for comprehensive collaboration among different business units, and promoted quality and rapid development of crop protection and seed businesses. It launched crop protection bio-activation products such as "Guanwushuang" and "Rui Keming", realized the R&D innovation of compound fertilizers whereby ensuring the supply of modern agricultural crop nutrition products. In 2022, revenue from collaborative development of crop protection business amounted to RMB 336 million, representing a compound annual growth rate of 24% for the past three years. The Group continued to enhance strategic cooperation with international suppliers in the Period to secure potash procurement at lower prices in the global market. Renewal of the exclusive distribution agreement for 2023-2025 with Arab Potash Company of Jordan enabled it to obtain the supply of quality products. At the same time, the Group continued to optimize its product structure by shifting towards the development of environmentally-friendly and high-efficiency fertilizers and launching a series of differentiated products. While trimming down low-margin products such as nitrogen fertilizers and sulfur, it developed new types of phosphate fertilizers and high-end compound fertilizers as stellar products. A total of 1.47 million tons of differentiated products were sold in 2022, up 31.25% year-on-year. The sales volume of differentiated compound fertilizers went up 34.44% year-on-year to 1.21 million tons, the sales volumes of new type of phosphate fertilizers soared 66.67% year-on-year to 200,000 tons, and the sales volume of bio-fertilizers increased 73% year-on-year to 600,000 tons. Progress was made in the Group's three business segments: Basic Fertilizers, Distribution and Production during the Period. As for the Basic Fertilizers segment, the Group proactively responded to the government's call for ensuring adequate supply at stable prices. With the support of superior supply chain, it ensured direct supply to end-users in the industrial and agricultural sectors. Besides, the Group further enhanced the market development and promotion of differentiated products, integrated online and offline operations to strengthen its technical services and to satisfy customers' needs. Profit before taxation of this segment amounted to RMB 700 million in 2022, up 16.70% year-on-year. The Distribution segment saw quality and rapid growth, as its technical service capability was further enhanced and the marketing standards were reinforced in tandem with the continued expansion of diversified channels. Profit before taxation of the Distribution segment for 2022 amounted to RMB 185 million, up 10.94% year-on-year. As for the Production segment, the Group overcame the negative impacts arising from rising raw material costs, gave full play to its resource advantages, and made relentless efforts to ensure stable, sustainable and optimal operations. As a result, the gross profit margin of this segment hit a record high with its sales volume reached 660,000 tons. Profit before taxation for this segment amounted to RMB 516 million, up 86.35% year on year. As at 31 December 2022, the Group's current ratio was 1.34, and its debt-to-equity ratio was 18.69%. With a relatively high amount of available bank credit and an easy access to financing channels, it maintained a sound financial structure. Mr. Liu Hongsheng, Chairman of Sinofert, commented, "In the face of complex and changing market environment in 2022, the Company's board of directors adhered to the mission of maximizing shareholder value, continuously improved our corporate governance and optimized the management system. In 2023, the Group will continue to fulfill its role as a state-owned enterprise, strictly implement the national policies of ensuring fertilizer supply, stabilizing their prices as well as securing food safety. Under the umbrella of Syngenta Group in China, the Group will actively implement the national policy of securing supply and stabilizing prices, further cultivate the procurement channels and fully utilize our own resource advantages to support the strategic transformation of the Group by strengthening and extending the industrial chain. We will remain committed to ensuring the well-being of domestic farmers and driving the transformation of the Chinese agriculture. We will vigorously promote technological innovation and industrial upgrading, focus on the soil health-centric transformation and the development of bio-fertilizers, strive to promote the sustainable and healthy development of agriculture in China, and support the transformation of China from a large agricultural country to a strong agricultural country, thereby creating value for our shareholders." ~END~ About Sinofert Holdings Limited Sinofert Holdings Limited is a comprehensive crop nutrition enterprise centering on distribution services and vertically integrating production and network distribution. Major businesses of the Group include the production, import and export, distribution and retail of raw materials and finished products of crop nutrition products, provision of technological research and development and services relating to the crop nutrition business and products, exploration and exploitation of phosphate mine, and production of monocalcium/dicalcium phosphate. The Company was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 28 July 2005. The Group strives to become China's leading technology-based marketing service provider of crop nutrition. This press release is issued by PRChina Limited on behalf of Sinofert Holdings Limited. For investor and media enquiries: PRChina Limited Alana Li / Joanne Liu / Rachel Chen Tel: (852) 2522 1838 / (852) 2522 1368 Email: ali@prchina.com.hk / jjyliu@prchina.com.hk / rchen@prchina.com.hk SOURCE: Sinofert View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/744611/Sinofert-Announces-2022-Annual-Results-Profit-Surges-Approximately-29-YoY BAODING, China, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 15th, GWM held a GWM Brand Model Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. GWM officially launched its new global pickup model POER KINGKONG in the Middle East market. At the press conference, the person in charge of the Middle East market of GWM detailed the global development achievements and highlights of GWM PICKUP to local media and guests. POER KINGKONG, as the latest global model of GWM PICKUP, debuted in Saudi Arabia. It features an upgraded design and performance. POER KINGKONG adopts a large grille, a new style of headlamps, and more three-dimensional lines, creating a stylish and dynamic visual effect. As for the power, it is equipped with a 2.0T engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. This power system is efficient and reliable, which can meet the driving needs of consumers under different road conditions. "POER KINGKONG inherits the classic tough style of GWM PICKUP and strong performance. These advantages can better meet consumers' needs in different scenarios. This undoubtedly demonstrates the strength of GWM PICKUP," said a senior representative of a distributor after experiencing the vehicle. Pickup trucks are GWM's earliest export models to the international market. To meet the differentiated needs of different markets around the world, GWM has launched multiple models of Pickup, such as GWM POER, POER KINGKONG, and POER SHANHAI. Up to now, more than 2 million GWM PICKUP trucks have been sold worldwide, making them the best partner for users with reliable quality. GWM POER, as a high-end intelligent model under GWM PICKUP, has been launched in over 50 countries, including China, Australia, Chile, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, and has achieved sustained sales growth. According to the latest report released by GWM, the global sales of GWM POER in February this year reached 12,882, and its cumulative global sales have exceeded 400,000 units since its launch just over three years ago. GWM POER has also won a number of authoritative awards for its outstanding quality. It received a five-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) safety rating. In the South African market, GWM POER won the "Light Commercial Newcomer Vehicle of the Year" award and quickly ranked among the top ten in the market segment. In Chile, GWM POER has been recognized by the market and users, and won the "Best Pickup of the Year" award by MT Online, a local professional automotive media. In the future, GWM PICKUP will be committed to constantly creating smarter and safer models and continuing to expand the product lineup in the global market. POER KINGKONG is expected to be launched in multiple markets this year, providing consumers with more personalized pickup truck choices. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2035846/Leading_the_Trend_of_Pickup_Trucks__a_New_GWM_PICKUP_Model_debuts_in_the_Middle_East.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/leading-the-trend-of-pickup-trucks-a-new-gwm-pickup-model-debuts-in-the-middle-east-301775817.html MUNICH, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ESY SUNHOME ("ESYSH"), a new energy storage products company, will showcase its latest residential products at the K.EY 2023 held in Rimini, Italy from 22 to 24 March 2023. The expo, its first edition and exhibiting the most updated energy transition innovations from around the world, will feature the company's all-in-one energy storage systems at booth D2-53, including the recently released HM6 and the upcoming HM12 which is set to launch in October. Following the K.EY 2023, ESYSH will celebrate the opening of its new German office in Munich on 29 March. "We are thrilled to kick off our international exploration journey in Europe, following the successful launch of our HM6 energy storage system earlier this year," said Mr. Lee, founder of ESYSH. "Our participation in K.EY 2023 and the opening of our German office demonstrate our commitment to the European market and our confidence in the potential for growth in this region. We hope that more customers will have the chance to experience our HM6 and HM12 models in person and discover research and development of ESY SUNHOME, as well as manufacturing capabilities. We would also love to share our plans for product development in the coming years with our customers and friends in Europe and around the world." ESY SUNHOME has secured the first batch of orders for its HM6 All-in-one Home Energy Storage on the product launch days and received many inquiries. Integrated with a 12 KW inverter and batteries of up to 30 kWh, the new all-in-one HM12, also features stacking installation and IP66 waterproof and dustproof performance. It also has an additional feature that utilizes air cooling to dissipate heat for better equipment protection and prolonged product lifespan. Furthermore, the HM12 is equipped with a more powerful AI data and system and comes with a 10-year product warranty. "At ESYSH, we prioritize safety and quality in all aspects of our product development, from R&D and manufacturing to quality control and testing," Lee said. "We strive to improve the quality of life for our consumers and deliver products that exceed their expectations. A good product is more convincing than any story. Our commitment to delivering exceptional products is always at the heart of our brand." Following the K.EY 2023 conference, ESYSH will hold an opening ceremony for its new German office in Munich. This milestone signifies the company's determination and persistence in expanding its presence in the European market to serve more customers better, reaffirming its commitment to making clean energy available to every family. ESYSH invites all attendees of K.EY 2023 to visit their booth and discover their innovative energy storage solutions firsthand and welcomes customers who are interested in working with ESY SUNHOME to provide safe and high-quality products for every family to join its ceremony in Germany. For inquiries, please visit: www.esysunhome.com, or contact: info-global@esysunhome.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2035165/ESY_SUNHOME_K_ey_Energy.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/esy-sunhome-takes-new-energy-storage-solutions-in-key-2023-and-expands-presence-in-europe-with-german-office-opening-301774927.html March 22-24: 26 th Congress of the Medical-Scientific Advisory Committee of the German Society for Myopathic Patients (DGM), followed by a patient Day on March 25 th , both held in Essen, Germany Congress of the Medical-Scientific Advisory Committee of the German Society for Myopathic Patients (DGM), followed by a patient Day on March 25 , both held in Essen, Germany March 24th: Spring 2023 meeting of the British Peripheral Nerve Society (BPNS) in Winchester, UK PARIS, France, March 20th, 2023, 08:30 am CET - Pharnext SCA (FR001400BV89 - ALPHA) (the "Company"), an advanced late-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases with high unmet medical need, today announces its support to the organization and participation in two events dedicated to neuromuscular disorders in Europe: 26th Congress of the Medical-Scientific Advisory Committee of the German Society for Myopathic Patients (DGM) on March 22-25 to be held in Essen, Germany, and the Spring 2023 meeting of the British Peripheral Nerve Society (BPNS) on March 24th in Winchester, United Kingdom. The DGM congress aims at gathering all healthcare professionals involved in diagnosis, treatment and care of neuromuscular disorders to exchange on the newest development in this field. This biannual meeting also holds a live patient day to offer specific support for patient advocacy groups and provide lively discussions between patients and medical specialists. Our representative in Germany, Udo Werner, will be hosting a Pharnext booth throughout the congress. You can access to the German-only website of the event here: www.dgm-kongress.de The BPNS Sring meeting aims at bringing together physicians and scientists interested in peripheral nerve diseases in the UK, in order to share information and resources, to improve the management of and research into peripheral nerve diseases. Our representative in the UK, Roger Rolph, will be hosting a Pharnext booth throughout the congress. More information on this medical education event is available here: www.bpns.org.uk Pharnext is pleased to support and participate in both congresses in Europe dealing with diseases of the peripheral nervous system resulting in neuromuscular disorders, as its lead candidate, PXT3003, is in pivotal Phase III clinical development.in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A), a debilitating, inherited progressive and chronic peripheral neuropathy. Both meetings will provide an opportunity to combine the clinical updates and latest scientific information on neuromuscular diseases. About Pharnext Pharnext is an advanced clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases currently without satisfactory therapeutic solutions. Pharnext has a first-in-class drug candidate, PXT3003, in development for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A), a rare, debilitating, inherited peripheral neuropathy. PXT3003 benefits from orphan drug status in Europe and the United States. In 2018, PXT3003 completed a Phase III clinical trial, the PLEO-CMT trial, with encouraging topline results. This trial was followed by an open-label extension study, the PLEO-CMT-FU trial, with 120 patients continuing treatment with PXT3003. Long-term data suggest a sustained benefit, safety, and efficacy, after 5 years of total trial time. An international pivotal Phase III study of PXT3003, the PREMIER trial, is currently ongoing with 387 CMT1A patients enrolled. PREMIER topline results are expected in Q4 2023. PXT3003 originated from the Pleotherapy R&D approach. Pharnext draws the attention of investors to the financial and other risk factors detailed in its financial reports. More information can be found at www.pharnext.com . Pharnext is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris (ISIN code: FR001400BV89). Contacts Relations Presse Financiere ACTUS finance & communication Deborah Schwarz dschwartz@actus.fr +33 (0)1 53 67 36 35 Relation Investisseurs ACTUS finance & communication Jerome Fabreguettes Leib pharnext@actus.fr +33 (0)1 53 67 36 78 ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: lGxvlcqXk5fGnppwlsaYZ2KXZ2xnw2WdlpWak2hxYsmcaG2UlG1lmZnGZnBpnmtq - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-78964-2023.03.20_dgm-bpns_en.pdf STOCKHOLM, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Storytel's new dramatization of George Orwell's masterpiece 1984 is a finalist in the 2023 Audie Awards, the "Academy Awards" for the audio industry. Storytel is competing in the audio drama category. The winners are to be announced next week at the Audies Gala in New York City - a prestigious event celebrating the talent of internationally recognised audio creators and narrators. 1984 is Storytel's first global audio drama, launched in 2022. It is a story about resistance, love and the strength of the human spirit, fighting dark forces against all odds. The audio drama was released in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Poland, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Turkey, Italy, Spain and Mexico in their respective local languages - as well as in English for listeners all over the world. It is also available at Storytel's American platform, Audiobooks.com. The English production is the version competing in the Audie Awards, to be held on March 28th, 2023. "To be nominated for an Audie is a wonderful international recognition, showing the high level of production that our team is capable of. We are both humble and proud to be included in these nominations, together with so many other inspiring creators, all of them taking the listening experience to the next level," says Helena Gustafsson, Chief Content Officer at Storytel. The other finalists in the audio drama category are Clean Sweep by GraphicAudio (a division of RBmedia), Pipeline by L.A Theatre Works together with Coraline and Good Omens by HarperAudio. The Audie Awards are presented by the Audio Publishers Association (APA). Ana Maria Allessi, president of APA, acknowledges the nominees in an official comment on behalf of the association: "This year's finalists are representative of the immense talent in the audiobook community and beyond." Storytel's international marketing campaign for the production, "2022 sounds like 1984", created with the agency B-Reel, was awarded silver in the well-renowned Shots Awards EMEA last year. FNCA Sweden AB is the Company's Certified Adviser. For more information, please contact: Emma Boethius, PR Manager Tel: +46 70 2235673 Email: emma.boethius@storytel.com About Storytel Storytel is one of the world's largest audiobook and e-book streaming services and offers over one million titles on a global scale. Our vision is to make the world a more empathetic and creative place, with great stories to be shared and enjoyed by anyone, anywhere and anytime. The streaming business within the Storytel Group is conducted under the brands Storytel, Mofibo and Audiobooks.com. The publishing business is managed by Storytel Books, and by the audiobook publisher StorySide. The Storytel Group operates in over 25 markets and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The following files are available for download: https://news.cision.com/storytel/i/storytel-s-audio-drama-1984,c3157027 Storytel's audio drama 1984 https://news.cision.com/storytel/e/storytel-s-1984-campaign-video,c3157029 Storytel's 1984 campaign video View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/storytels-audio-drama-1984-nominated-for-an-audie-301775861.html 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. SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Samarkand International Airport (SKD/UTSS) has celebrated the first anniversary of its terminal opening. Operated by Air Marakanda in partnership with Uzbekistan Airports, the first public-private partnership in the history of Uzbekistan aviation is now looking ahead to welcoming more airlines and expanding its international route connections. Equipped with the latest technology and services for customer comfort and security, including e-Gates and self-check-in services, the airport has been recognised by SkyTrax as one of the top ten airports in Central Asia and has joined the Airports Council International (ACI Europe). Samarkand has also recently welcomed Kuwait's Jazeera Airways for the first time, connecting Uzbekistan with Kuwait City and the wider Gulf region, and has now restarted twice weekly flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan, by Kazakhstani carrier FlyArystan. Samarkand will also soon welcome first flights from Russia's low-cost Pobeda Airline while other international airlines already flying to the airport include Turkish Airlines, Air Dubai, Azerbaijan Airways, and Wizz Air (Hungary). Looking ahead to 2023, Samarkand International Airport will undertake further development, including aiming to secure international safety and security standard certificates and systems, alongside implementing an automated car parking system. It further aims to increase passenger traffic by almost 65%, working towards its long-term route and passenger development plans that aim to increase its destinations to 30 with annual passenger traffic increasing from 480,000 to two million. Dmitry Martynenko, Commercial Director of Air Marakanda, operators of Samarkand International Airport, said: "As we celebrate our first anniversary we look back over the past year with pride and forward with ambition and commitment. Ambition to improve every facet of our offering, from customer service to operational efficiency, security to international connectivity; and commitment to the 'new Uzbekistan' as we connect our people to the world and the world to our nation, growing opportunities, creating jobs, and contributing to the national economy." About Air Marakanda Air Marakanda was established in 2020 to manage airports, provide support services to passengers and airlines, including handling baggage, cargo, mail and facilitate the technical maintenance of aircraft. Air Marakanda follows international standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, and international best practice in its operations generally. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/samarkand-international-airport-celebrates-first-anniversary-of-terminal-opening-301775921.html As a global industry leader in decarbonization Black Veatch has joined the UK's Powering Net Zero Pact, an effort committed to a fair and just transition to net zero carbon emissions. The pact includes five areas of ambition, shared commitments and topics for collaboration, which together encourage the delivery of common goals for a sustainable future across the global power sector. A legacy of COP26, 2022's United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, the pact was founded by SSE; Balfour Beatty; DEME Group; GE Renewables; Hitachi Energy; NKT; RJ McLeod; Siemens Energy; Siemens Gamesa; Subsea 7; and Vestas. "The way we conduct business at Black Veatch demonstrates decarbonization leadership across the globe, in addition to the projects we deliver for the renewable energy and green hydrogen sectors. Becoming a signatory to the Powering Net Zero Pact aligns with our commitment to sustainability," said Robbie Gibson, Black Veatch's UK Director. "Having companies like Black Veatch join the driving force for change is powerful for the sector, and I have no doubt that the company will bring a wealth of knowledge to the table," said Laura Cooper, Supply Chain Sustainability Lead, SSE Renewables. SSE's Powering Net Zero Pact website provides full details of the pact's aims and provisions, click here to access the site. Before committing to the pact, Black Veatch undertook a detailed assessment of how well the company's sustainability commitments and performance as documented in the 2022 Sustainability Report and other company sources aligned with the ambitions, commitments and areas of collaboration outlined as part of the effort. Editor's notes Black Veatch is a Hydrogen Council member, advisor to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee, and is an executive member of the Center for Hydrogen Safety. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005001/en/ Contacts: MALCOLM HALLSWORTH +44 1483 319287 p +44 7920 701764 m HallsworthM@BV.com 24-HOUR MEDIA CONTACT Media@bv.com Cellebrite's LegalView add-on for RelativityOne to simplify how modern data is collected and reviewed PETAH TIKVA, Israel and TYSONS CORNER, Va. and CHICAGO and NEW YORK, March 20, 2023capability as a direct add-on to Relativity's proven SaaS product, RelativityOne, bringing more ease and speed to corporate investigations. "Mobile data is often the most critical piece of evidence. As legal practitioners across the private sector struggle to manage this type and volume of data, the courts increasingly demand it be collected, reviewed, and produced. Our collaboration with Cellebrite addresses one of the industry's most pressing needs by optimizing the collection, review, and management process without compromising investigative confidence," said Chris Brown, Chief Product Officer at Relativity. Combining the power of Cellebrite LegalViewand RelativityOne simplifies and streamlines the inclusion of data from multiple mobile devices into formats for review. Compared to processes that require data be manually transferred from system to system, this new solution allows for easier, faster, and safer uploads of all types of data into the platform, readily providing complete visibility into critical communications from phones, tablets, and cloud chat applications. "Integrating Cellebrite LegalView with RelativityOne makes increasingly pertinent mobile data available quickly to corporate investigators while conserving resources and removing the time-consuming process of manipulating data into a digestible format," said Ken Basore, General Manager at Cellebrite Enterprise Solutions. "We look forward to seeing the positive impact this integration has on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of legal investigators' workflows." The LegalView add-on is expected to be released to RelativityOne and Cellebrite users in spring 2023. The companies will preview the integration during Legalweek, March 20-23 in New York City. For more information about Cellebrite LegalView, please visit the Cellebrite websiteor visit booth #2128. To schedule a demo, please contact Monica.Harris@cellebrite.com. More information about RelativityOne is available onlineor at booth #1600. About Cellebrite Cellebrite's, https://investors.cellebrite.com, or follow us on Twitter at @Cellebrite. About Cellebrite Enterprise Solutions In a world that's evolving rapidly, Cellebrite Enterprise Solutions looks beyond the horizon to design solutions to keep data within reach, transform it, and reveal important insights to protect your business and employees. From headquarters to home office, eDiscovery professionals and corporate investigators can access endpoints anywhere with Cellebrite's enterprise solution offerings. About Relativity Relativitymakes software to help users organize data, discover the truth and act on it. Its SaaS product, RelativityOne, manages large volumes of data and quickly identifies key issues during litigation and internal investigations. Relativity has more than 300,000 users in approximately 40 countries serving thousands of organizations globally primarily in legal, financial services and government sectors, including the U.S. Department of Justice and 198 of the Am Law 200. Please contact Relativity at sales@relativity.comor visit www.relativity.comfor more information. Cellebrite Contacts Media Victor Cooper Sr. Director of Corporate Communications + Content Operations Victor.cooper@cellebrite.com +1 404.804.5910 Investors Investor Relations investors@cellebrite.com Relativity Contact Pr@relativity.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / Condor Resources Inc. - ("Condor" or the "Company") (TSXV:CN) announces the resignation of Mr. Andres Recalde as Director, and as VP of Community and Social Relations. Condor CEO Lyle Davis said: "We thank Andres for his commitment and efforts to develop our community relations policies, and relations with local stakeholders, and wish him well in his future endeavours". Condor is an active explorer focused exclusively on Peru, supplemented by a project generator and royalty model designed to generate exploration capital whilst minimizing shareholder dilution. Our objective in advancing our portfolio of projects is the discovery of a major new precious metals or base metals deposit in Peru. Project acquisition and exploration activities are managed by the Company's Lima based exploration team. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Lyle Davis, President & Chief Executive Officer For further information please contact the Company at 1-866-642-5707, or by email at info@condorresources.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. SOURCE: Condor Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/744610/Condor-Corporate-Update JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - The Government of Israel and the Palestinian National Authority have agreed on a set of commitments that will help de escalate tensions in the Middle East. The two sides reaffirmed their joint readiness and commitment to immediately work to end unilateral measures for a period of 3 to 6 months. This includes an Israeli commitment to stop discussion of any new settlement units in Palestinian territory for 4 months, and to stop authorization of any outposts for 6 months. At a five-party meeting held in Egypt's Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh, Egyptian, Jordanian, Israeli, Palestinian and U.S. political and security senior officials discussed ways and means to de-escalate tensions on the ground between Palestinians and Israelis, in order to pave a way forward towards the peaceful settlement between the two hostile entities. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to advancing security, stability and peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and recognized the necessity of de escalation on the ground, the prevention of further violence, as well as of pursuing confidence building measures, enhancing mutual trust, creating political horizon, and addressing outstanding issues through direct dialogue. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to all previous agreements between them, including the legal right of the Palestinian National Authority to carry out the security responsibilities in the West Bank. The two sides agreed to develop a mechanism to curb and counter violence, incitement, and inflammatory statements and actions. They reaffirmed the commitment to all previous agreements between them, and agreed to address all outstanding issues through direct dialogue. A mechanism will be established to take necessary steps to improve the economic conditions of the Palestinian people, and to significantly enhance the fiscal situation of the Palestinian National Authority. The two sides made a commitment of upholding the historic status quo at the Holy Sites in Jerusalem. They emphasized the necessity of both Israelis and Palestinians to prevent any actions that would disrupt the sanctity of these sites, especially as the upcoming Holy Month of Ramadan coincides with Easter and Passover this year. The meeting was organized under the mediation of Egypt. A follow-up meeting will be held in Sharm El Sheikh in April. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and welcomed the meeting in Sharm El Sheikh. He 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, the White House said. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX The Solo Winner's Prize Fund Totals $250,000 Aster DM Healthcare's ' Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award' is one of the world's most prestigious awards in nursing carrying with it the highest prize money of USD 250,000 to be won by one nurse. Over 52,000 registrations have been received from nurses from 202 countries; a 116% growth from the 1st edition of the award of 2022 which received 24,000 registrations. Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2023 will be held on International Nurses Day (12th May, 2023), at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / Speaking on this year's entries, Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare who is based in Dubai said: "We are extremely excited to see the overwhelming response that the initiative has received from nurses across the world. With over 52,000 registrations from over 202 countries for the second edition of the Award, it will be a daunting task for the Jury to decide the winner this year. He added: They have started the review process and shall present the top 10 finalists soon. These finalists will then undergo a public voting process and Q&A interaction with the Grand Jury for the final winner to be determined." The 2023 Grand Jury consists of six leading experts in healthcare and nursing: Dr. Peter Carter, an OBE awardee (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), an independent healthcare consultant and former CEO of the Royal College of Nursing; Mr. Howard Catton - Chief Executive Officer, International Council of Nurses, Switzerland; Prof. Sheila Tlou - Co-Chairperson, Global HIV Prevention Coalition and Ex - Minister of Health & Member of Parliament - Govt. of Botswana; Prof. James Buchan - Adjunct Professor, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing; Dr. J Carolyn Gomes, Vice-Chair of the Strategy Committee - The Global Fund Board and Board Member of The Developing Country NGO Delegation to the GF Board; and Dr. Niti Pall -Senior Digital Advisor for AXA (EC), she is also Board Chair of Harbr and Managing Director of Health4all advisory. In addition Dr. Niti is a senior doctor with deep expertise in digital health innovation. Anna Qabale Duba, the recipient of the inaugural Aster Guardians Global Nursing Awards in 2022, said, "As nurses, we have the chance to heal our patients -hearts, minds, and bodies. It is truly a very rewarding experience to be able to help people who need assistance, and sometimes, these stories are worth sharing with the world. Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award is one such initiative which is bringing forth these stories and giving nurses like us a chance to share them on a global platform." Mr. Howard Catton, CEO of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a strong advocate for nurse leadership and is committed to ensuring that ICN and its network of National Nurses Associations work to put nurses at the centre of our health systems. Professor Sheila Tlou has played a key role in the development of national nursing and medical education programs throughout her career. She is also a former Minister of Health of Botswana, former Professor of Nursing at the University of Botswana and Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Development in Primary Health Care for Anglophone Africa. Professor James Buchan is an Adjunct Professor at the WHO Collaborating Centre, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia and a Visiting Professor at the University of Edinburgh . He is also Editor in Chief of the Human Resources for Health Journal. He has extensive experience as a policymaker, policy analyst and consultancy on health workforce and health systems, Dr. J Carolyn Gomes, Vice-Chair of the Strategy Committee - The Global Fund Board and Board Member of The Developing Country NGO Delegation to the GF Board, has a distinguished record as a Human Rights advocate. A medical doctor since 1980, Dr. Carolyn has worked in public and private medicine in Trinidad and Jamaica until 2002 when she gave up practice to work full time on issues related to human rights. Dr. Peter Carter, An independent healthcare consultant and former CEO of the Royal College of Nursing, Dr. Peter Carter comes with a diverse experience. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing, an honorary fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners, and an Ad Eundem of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. In 2011, he was awarded the inaugural Presidents medal of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. In 2006, he was awarded the OBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth for his service to the NHS. Since leaving the RCN, he has worked across the UK and internationally. Dr. Niti Pall - Senior Digital Advisor for AXA (EC), Board Chair of Harbr and Managing Director of Health4all advisory. Dr. Pall is a visionary senior clinical leader, who has extensive prior experience in leading developmental roles and has a passion for the delivery of top quality primary care to disadvantaged communities. She has experience in scaling payer and provider models both in the UK, India and many other emerging markets. She continues to work as a clinician part-time in Birmingham , UK. She has worked in 44 countries. ENDS About Aster DM Healthcare Aster DM Healthcare Limited is one of the largest private healthcare service providers operating in GCC and in India. With an inherent emphasis on clinical excellence, we are one of the few entities in the world with a strong presence across primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary healthcare through our 30 hospitals, 125 clinics, 496* pharmacies, 20 labs and 157 patient experience centers in seven countries, including India. We have over 29,108 plus dedicated staff including 3,820 doctors and 8,299 nurses across the geographies that we are present in, delivering a simple yet strong promise to our different stakeholders: "We'll treat you well." We reach out to all economic segments in the GCC states through our differentiated healthcare services across the "Aster", "Medcare" and "Access" brands. * Including 239 Pharmacies in India operated by Alfaone Retail Pharmacies Private Limited under brand license from Aster. Aster has appointed Ernst & Young LLP (EY) as 'Process Advisors' for this edition. EY will review the applications based on the defined eligibility criteria, moderate shortlisting process of the entries by an independent panel of experts and present a list of shortlisted finalists to the Grand Jury For further information about us, please contact: Charlotte Joseph / Markettiers Tel: +971 (0)55 9418449 Email: charlotte@Markettiers4dc.com SOURCE: Aster DM Healthcare Limited View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/744615/2023-Grand-Jury-Announced-for-Aster-Guardians-Global-Nursing-Award Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2023) - Millennial Potash Corp. (TSXV: MLP) ("MLP" "Millennial" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Dr. Mark D. Stauffer, Ph.D. and P.Ag. has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors. Dr. Stauffer is the former President of the Potash and Phosphate Institute of Canada ("PPIC"), and former Senior Vice President of International Programs, at the Potash and Phosphate Institute ("PPI"), now the International Plant Nutrition Institute. He is also a past Director of Migao Corporation, a China based specialty potash producer, a past Chairman of Allana Potash Corp. and a past Director of Gensource Potash Corp. Farhad Abasov, Millennial's Chair, commented, "We are very pleased that Dr. Stauffer has decided to join Millennial's Board. Dr. Stauffer has a long, distinguished career in potash, phosphate and fertilizer applications and marketing as well as the junior mining sector. Over his career he has developed international programs promoting the benefit of balanced fertilizer applications, particularly in developing countries including Africa, and he will be instrumental in our efforts to bring increased food production to the region. The addition of Dr. Stauffer continues our efforts to form a strong potash-focused Board and we are looking forward to his contributions as we accelerate the development of our Banio Potash Project in Gabon." Dr. Stauffer has had an extensive career in agriculture development and the fertilizer business. He has worked in both the public and private sectors in research, education and chemical production and sales. In 1988, Dr. Stauffer became a regional director of PPI and PPIC and in 1994 was promoted to the position of Vice President, International Programs at PPI and became the President of PPIC. During his tenure as President of PPIC, Dr. Stauffer coordinated PPIC's seven international research and education-based potash and phosphate market development programs throughout Asia and Latin America. Dr. Stauffer has lectured on the role of potash and phosphate in increasing food production and the role of balanced fertilizer practices in maximizing crop yield and income opportunities for the farming community. Dr. Stauffer's mining experience includes time as Allana Potash's Chairman from 2010 to 2015 where he successfully guided the company through the exploration and feasibility stages at its Danakhil Potash Project in Ethiopia culminating in the sale of Allana to Israel Chemicals Ltd. in 2015. Dr. Stauffer obtained his B.Sc. (Agriculture) and M.Sc. from the University of Guelph and obtained his Ph.D. in Agronomy from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. The Company would also like to announce the resignation of Luke Norman from the Board and wish him the best in his future endeavours and mining projects. GRANT OF A TOTAL OF 250,000 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS The Company has granted 100,000 incentive stock options exercisable for a period of five (5) years at an exercise price of $0.50 per share. The Company has granted a further 150,000 incentive stock options for a period of two (2) years at an exercise price of $0.50 per share to Oak Hill Financial as described below. ENGAGEMENT OF OAK HILL FINANCIAL FOR INVESTOR RELATIONS The Company has entered into an agreement (the "Agreement") with Oak Hill Financial Inc. ("Oak Hill Financial") to provide business and capital markets advisory services including investor relations. Oak Hill Financial's investor relations services will focus on providing turn-key solutions for investor relations, marketing in the investment community, targeting advisor channels of distribution and identifying existing and new investors in Canada. The Agreement has a three-month term (automatically renewable on a monthly basis unless terminated by either party) commencing effective March 20, 2023. The Agreement can be terminated by either party at any time on five (5) days' notice. Under the terms of the Agreement, Oak Hill is to receive a fee of $12,000 per month. The Company has granted 150,000 incentive stock options exercisable for a period of two (2) years at an exercise price of $0.50 per share (the "Oak Hill Options"). The Oak Hill Options are subject to applicable resale and vesting provisions of the TSX Venture Exchange. Oak Hill owns no securities of the Company other than the Oak Hill Options which it holds for investment purposes and has no intention to sell at this time. The Agreement is subject to its approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. About Oak Hill Financial Oak Hill Financial is a leading Canadian marketing and distribution firm, focused on IIROC retail brokerage networks, servicing both asset managers and public companies. Oak Hill Financial's experienced team of former asset management wholesalers, research analysts and capital market professionals specialize in providing advice to listed Canadian companies and in building credibility for their clients to a network of over 10,000 Canadian IIROC retail brokers and over 300 North American funds. Oak Hill Financial a private company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. To find out more about Millennial Potash Corp. please contact Investor Relations at (604) 662-8184 or email at info@millennialpotashcorp.com. MILLENNIAL POTASH CORP. "Farhad Abasov" Chair of the Board of Directors Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "intend", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals including approvals of title and mining rights or licenses and environmental, local community or indigenous community approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, changes in laws, rules and regulations in Gabon or any other jurisdiction which may impact upon the Company or its properties or the commercial exploitation of those properties, currency risks including the exchange rate of USD$ for Cdn$ or other currencies, fluctuations in the market for gold/silver and potash or potash related products, changes in exploration costs and government royalties, export policies or taxes in Gabon or any other jurisdiction and other factors or information. The Company's current plans, expectations and intentions with respect to development of its business and of the Banio Potash Project may be impacted by economic uncertainties arising out of COVID-19 pandemic or by the impact of current financial and other market conditions on its ability to secure further financing or funding of the Banio Potash Project. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, environmental and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/159044 BATON ROUGE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / Louisiana has the potential to see significant investment by new and emerging companies due to its unique access to infrastructure and skilled workforce. An imperative to attracting these opportunities is safe, reliable power - and increasingly important, access to renewable power. To do its part to protect the environment and help the state grow through economic development, Entergy Louisiana recently made the largest renewable power expansion request in state history. On March 13, the company filed a request with its regulator, the Louisiana Public Service Commission, for approval to add an additional three gigawatts of solar power to its generation portfolio. This is on top of the nearly 225 megawatts of solar power the company requested earlier this month. In that regulatory filing, Entergy Louisiana sought approval for approximately 175 megawatts from a facility in Iberville Parish and approximately 49 megawatts from what would become the Sterlington Solar Facility in Ouachita Parish. Collectively, 3,225 megawatts of solar power are in the approval queue for potential construction, development and placement on the grid through agreements with Entergy Louisiana, a major step forward in meeting the sustainability needs of its current and future customers. "Like never before, our state has opportunity to retain businesses, support expansion projects and attract new companies on a global scale, but it's going to take meeting their operational and sustainability needs," said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO. "Our latest request for up to three gigawatts of renewable power, the largest such expansion request in state history, shows we're serious about not only protecting the environment by reducing our carbon footprint, but also continuing to be a major driver of economic development. This is not only a net-positive for our company and industries, but for the future of our state. "I'm incredibly thankful to the countless local partners and officials who are helping bring projects such as these to the finish line. These are true partnerships that are formed for the betterment of Louisiana." The individual resources that make up the three-gigawatt proposal would be constructed in Louisiana, meaning local communities and economies would benefit from job creation and additional tax revenues generated during construction of the facilities. In addition, further diversifying the company's generation portfolio will help protect all customers from the volatility of natural gas prices and other factors outside of Entergy's control. Currently, Entergy Louisiana has approximately 280 megawatts of renewable resources, including the Capital Region Solar facility, which began delivering power to the grid in October 2020. Along with nuclear generation, nearly 25% of the company's portfolio comes from carbon-free resources. These solar additions in Louisiana are consistent with Entergy Corporation's plans for as much as 15 to 17 gigawatts of renewable resources by the end of 2031. The company previously announced a commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. These projects are another milestone in the modernization of Entergy's power generation portfolio, helping meet customers' needs for cleaner, more efficient and diverse energy solutions. Learn more about our renewable energy generation growth at entergy.com/renewable-energy. About Entergy Louisiana Entergy Louisiana, LLC provides electric service to more than 1 million customers in 58 parishes and natural gas service to more than 94,000 customers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Entergy Louisiana is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), an integrated energy company engaged in electric power production, transmission and retail distribution operations. Entergy delivers electricity to 3 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy owns and operates one of the cleanest large-scale U.S. power generating fleets with approximately 24,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including 5,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, Entergy has annual revenues of $10 billion and approximately 12,000 employees. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Entergy Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Entergy Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/744633/Entergy-Seeking-To-Boost-Economic-Development-in-Louisiana-Through-Renewable-Power-Expansion LISBON, Portugal, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hovione, the specialist integrated CDMO, leader in spray drying and particle engineering, and Ripple Therapeutics, a leading ophthalmic sustained drug delivery company, have entered a strategic partnership to expand the use of Ripple's Epidel platform beyond ophthalmic applications. The core feature of Ripple's Epidel technology is the ability to deliver sustained-release pharmaceuticals with surface erosion release kinetics without the use of polymers or excipients. This enables higher drug loading, smaller size implants, defined and predictable biocompatible degradation products with straightforward and scalable manufacturing processes. Surface erosion-based drug release provides a highly effective way to control dose and duration. By incorporating Ripple's Epidel platform into its toolbox, Hovione can expand its portfolio of novel drug delivery solutions to the pharmaceutical industry. "The combination of technology synergy, innovative vision and cultural fit makes collaborating with Hovione an exciting next step in the advancement of the Epidel platform beyond the ophthalmic field," stated Dr. Wendy Naimark, Ripple co-founder and Chief Technology Officer. "Hovione's expertise in controlled, sustained drug delivery, along with their experience in chemical synthesis and pharmaceutical manufacturing, makes for a great partnership." "We are thrilled to partner with Ripple, who developed a state-of-the-art platform for sustained release," says Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Hovione's CEO. " Our shared goal is to accelerate and broaden the access to this highly innovative and enabling technology for the benefit of our pharmaceutical customers and their patients worldwide." By extending the use of the Epidel platform beyond ocular applications, this partnership will enable the development of a diverse range of new products with optimal sustained release profiles. About Hovione: Hovione is an international company with over 60 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing operations. As a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with a fully integrated offering of services for drug substances, drug product intermediates and drug products. The company has four FDA inspected sites in the USA, Portugal, Ireland and China and development laboratories in Lisbon, Portugal and New Jersey, USA. Hovione provides pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative drugs, including highly potent compounds, and customized product solutions across the entire drug life cycle. In the inhalation area, Hovione offers a complete range of services, from API, formulation development and devices. Hovione's culture is based on innovation, quality and dependability. Hovione was the first Chemical/ Pharmaceutical Company to become a Certified B Corp, is a member of Rx-360, EFCG and participates actively in industry quality improvement initiatives to lead new global industry standards. About Ripple Therapeutics: Ripple Therapeutics Corporation is a clinical stage, privately held company that is focused on ophthalmic therapeutics with controllable, sustainable drug delivery. The core feature of Ripple's Epidel technology is the ability to engineer sustained-release pharmaceuticals with surface erosion release kinetics without the use of polymers or excipients. Ripple's novel therapeutics provide for better outcomes for patients, easier management of care for physicians and lower costs for payors. Ripple has a full product pipeline in development. www.rippletherapeutics.com For more information, please visit www.hovione.com or contact: Vanessa Romeu | Communications Director | vromeu@hovione.com |Tel: +351 21 982 9000 Or visit www.rippletherapeutics.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hovione-and-ripple-enter-strategic-partnership-to-expand-epidel-platform-into-non-ophthalmic-space-301776012.html WATERLOO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / 2023 continues to see growth opportunities as VueReal builds off the momentum gained from 2022. VueReal remains focused on its vision of enabling new, innovative, and enriching products through sustainable micro-pixel fabrication. VueReal The significant growth opportunity in automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, health and medical demands detailed planning to stay focused on its vision. In addition, different fabrication scaleup opportunities for VueReal in North America require deep and tough strategic discussion and planning. To ensure that VueReal can scale up successfully and strategically, the company is excited to welcome Kevin Soukup to its Board of Directors. Dr. Reza Chaji, CEO of VueReal, said, "We're excited to announce that Kevin Soukup has joined VueReal's Board of Directors. Kevin brings a wealth of semiconductor knowledge and experience and will play a key role in helping VueReal scale its business." Kevin started his career in the semiconductor industry with Samsung in 2000, where he spent 11 years in a variety of engineering and operations leadership roles. Kevin joined GlobalFoundries in 2011, where he supported the ramp-up of its semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility in Malta, NY. He currently serves as the company's Chief Strategy Officer, responsible for long-range planning, integrated strategy and corporate development. With the added expertise to our Board and organization, VueReal has set its sights on establishing itself as a critical supplier of micro-pixel fabrication for strategic markets in North America and Europe. "I'm excited to join VueReal's board of directors at such a pivotal time for the company," said Kevin Soukup. "Their talented team has developed innovative technologies which enable mass production of high-quality custom displays that will significantly accelerate the uLED adoption curve. I look forward to working with the VueReal team to help steward this next stage of growth." About VueReal VueReal, a semiconductor and cleantech company, has developed a revolutionary semiconductor fabrication process called the microSolid Printing platform, enabling the efficient, practical, and scalable production of microLED/microSensor applications. This platform extends the use of microLED/microSensors to automotive, aerospace, smartwatch, smartphone, TV, IT, medical, and more. VueReal has established strong partnerships with leading industry players to commercialize its solutions. VueReal also offers customized display manufacturing services for niche and mainstream markets, leveraging its state-of-the-art facilities and multidisciplinary research team. VueReal has used its platform to develop and commercialize microLED displays for different applications in North America. Contact Information Reza Chaji CEO mailto:info@vuereal.com SOURCE: VueReal Inc. NEWSLETTER REGISTRIERUNG: Aktuelle Pressemeldungen dieses Unternehmens direkt in Ihr Postfach:http://www.irw-press.com/alert_subscription.php?lang=en&isin=US0000000003Mitteilung ubermittelt durch IRW-Press.com. Fur den Inhalt ist der Aussender verantwortlich.Kostenloser Abdruck mit Quellenangabe erlaubt. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / We're helping solve our customers' big challenges by innovating and delivering solutions that are better for their business - and for the environment. Project At-a-Glance: The opportunity: Help Fife Creamery (Scotland) improve the efficiency and sustainability of its operations by moving away from diesel-powered units. The solution: Modernizing their fleet with 30 new vehicles featuring engineless, compressor-driven refrigeration systems and two additional inverter-powered systems for 18-ton vehicles. Sustainability outcomes: Reduced fuel consumption of up to 200,000 liters a year Reduced emissions of 1,929 mtco2e Estimated savings of $427,280 per year As one of Scotland's leading chilled and frozen food wholesalers, Fife Creamery understands the importance of investing in partnerships and technologies that create a more sustainable cold chain. The company, which considers itself "Scotland's Original Chilled Food Service," determined that replacing its diesel-powered units would be a critical step in improving the efficiency and sustainability of company-wide operations. The benefits of diesel-free refrigeration When looking for diesel-free refrigeration systems for two new drawbar trailer vehicles, Fife Creamery opted to partner with Thermo King. The company needed a high-performance system capable of coping with a high-demand, multi-drop operations environment while also delivering fuel savings and emissions reduction. Thermo King's Frigoblock FK25RL unit, powered by an alternator and inverter system, proved to be the right solution for the 18-ton vehicles. The immediate success of the Frigoblock systems inspired Fife Creamery to turn to Thermo King's high-power compressor-driven solutions for a secondary project: A new fleet of thirty 7.5-ton vehicles. "Fife Creamery operates long-haul and intensive deliveries in busy urban centers such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen," explains Fife Creamery logistics manager Richard Wishart. "Rising fuel costs and expanding low-emission urban zones across the country have put emission reduction, fuel efficiency and performance at the forefront of priorities when selecting new vehicles and refrigeration systems for our fleet." To meet the needs of the high-demand fleet, Fife Creamery opted to install Thermo King's multi-temperate V-800 MAX Spectrum diesel-free refrigeration systems in each of the new vehicles. In addition to immediate fuel and emission reduction, the new systems, approximately 250 kg lighter than the diesel-powered equivalent, offered a secondary benefit of reduced weight, allowing Fife Creamery to increase their vehicles' payload on each route. Customer-focused solutions without compromise "By partnering with our customers, we can help accelerate the industry's transformation to electrification, proving that sustainable and diesel-free transport refrigeration is possible without compromising the cold chain," says Jon Jerrard-Dinn, sales manager at Thermo King UK. "Our collaboration with Fife Creamery demonstrates that Thermo King has the solutions. We can help them lower their carbon footprint, reduce the impact of rising fuel costs, and keep transporting food and perishable goods efficiently and reliably." Fife Creamery estimates that by choosing Thermo King's diesel-free refrigeration systems, the company will reduce its fuel consumption by up to 200,000 liters annually, reducing emissions by 1,929 mtco2e and saving the company an estimated $427,280 per year. Most vehicles in Fife Creamery's new fleet are already in operation, delivering chilled, frozen, and ambient-temperature products to customers across Scotland. Working in partnership for bold, sustainable refrigeration solutions, Fife Creamery, Thermo King, Frigoblock, and Trane Technologies are leading the way in reducing emissions and costs - without compromising efficiency or reliability of the cold chain. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Trane Technologies on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Trane Technologies Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/trane-technologies Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Trane Technologies View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/744647/Sustainability-in-Action-Fife-Creamery BANGKOK, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) at a meeting held today granted investment privileges to projects worth a combined 56.6 billion baht (US$1.64 billion) that will strengthen the country's infrastructure especially in the energy and digital sectors, and announced that this month saw the start of operations of the "HQ Biz Portal", an integrated service setup in close coordination with other Thai regulators to provide swift and convenient support to international companies seeking to setup regional management operations in the country. The board also acknowledged the recent approval by the country's Cabinet of a series of updates to the qualification criteria, and the list of skills and activities eligible for the 10-year Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR Visa) in the "Highly Skilled Professionals" category, a move that adds flexibility to this program aimed at attracting foreign talent to help develop the economy and the industries of the future. "The projects that have been granted investment privileges today will help strengthen the country's infrastructure, which is a key factor in attracting more foreign investment," Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General to the BOI, told reporters at a briefing held at Government Houses after the board meeting chaired by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. Investment Project Approvals The projects presented by both local and foreign investors that were approved today, and granted a series of both tax and non-tax benefits, include a 32.7 billion baht investment in a liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal project, and a 5 billion baht investment in a cogeneration power plant project by a Thai-Singapore joint venture. Two data center projects, representing a combined investment value of 10.4 billion baht, were approved to help address the rapid growth of the digital sector, and the rising domestic and international demand for large-scale storage and management services. One of the projects is by a U.K.-Singapore joint venture, that will use renewable energy to reduce its carbon footprint and ensure environmental sustainability. The meeting also approved other projects worth 8.5 billion baht in combined investment value, including an investment in a project for the production of cold rolled steel for use in the automotive and electrical appliances industries, a gold and silver production project, and an industrial waste treatment facility. Regional Headquarters Policy Update: Kick Off of the "HQ Biz Portal" Service The Secretary General announced that the "HQ Biz Portal", an integrated service setup by the BOI, the Revenue Department, the Department of Business Development, and the Bank of Thailand, started operations this month, following the earlier approval by the board. The service was setup to further strengthen Thailand's position as a regional headquarters destination. The HQ Biz Portal is a one-stop service providing a comprehensive list of consultation and facilitation services for companies considering the establishment in Thailand of international business centers (IBC) or regional headquarters, consisting of an online appointment system and information center. The service is coordinated by a working group comprising officials of the four agencies. In the first two month of 2023, the BOI has granted investment promotion benefits to four new IBC projects by companies coming from countries including Norway, Japan, and Singapore. The BOI has since the year 2000 already granted investment promotion privileges to more than 500 companies to setup IBC or headquarters in Thailand, including well know companies such as Agoda, Ajinomoto, Toyota, Honda, Nissin Food, Michelin, Harley Davidson, and Huawei Technologies. Japanese companies rank top in setting up such offices in Thailand, accounting for 40% of the promoted projects, followed by the U.S., Singapore and Hong Kong. The top 3 promoted industries for headquarters are the automotive sector, the machinery and equipment industry, and the electrical appliances and electronics sector. Updated Qualification Criteria, Eligible Skills for the 10-Year LTR Visa The improvements include new type of activities as well as renamed and broadened activities, that match the BOI's updated list of targeted industries in which it wants to attract foreign talent. "The improvements will increase the program's flexibility and the industry coverage and provide an easier path to applications for talent we need to attract in key sectors," said Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the BOI. "Some of the new types of eligible activities include non-technological skills, such as international business center (IBC), trade and investment promotion, or financial advisory services, which will support our plan to attract more companies to setup regional headquarters in Thailand, and contribute to the country's economic development over the long term." The LTR Visa program, which started accepting applications in September 2022, is opened to 4 categories of eligible individuals, namely the "Wealthy Global Citizens" category, targeting investors, "Wealthy Pensioners", targeting retirees, "Work from Thailand Professionals", targeting remote workers, and "Highly Skilled Professionals", targeting talents and experts in key industries. So far, some 3,000 foreigners have applied for the scheme, led by citizens from Americans, followed by Chinese and Europe. The improved list of targeted industries for the LTR program has been expanded to cover talent working in activities including the transport and logistics sector, the food industry, the petrochemical and chemical industry, and the setup of international business centers. The list of special skills eligible for LTR has also been expanded to include the following: Research and development in targeted industries or targeted technologies such as Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Advanced Material Technology, Digital Technology. Human resource development in science and technology at the vocational or higher education level Application of automation and robotic technology in business operations Digital planning and development to enhance business production and services Provision of financial or marketing services or advice Environmental and energy management Management or consulting of incubation programs, accelerator programs, and innovation support programs and startup ecosystem programs Alternative dispute resolution services Promotion and support of economic development, trade and investment by institutions such as foreign chambers of commerce in Thailand , and foreign trade and investment promotion organizations. Individuals interested to apply to the LTR Visa program can contact the BOI at its headquarters in Bangkok, and at its 16 offices around the world, or visit the website at https://ltr.boi.go.th/. For more information, please contact: Thailand Board of Investment Tel. +66 (0) 2553 8111 Website: www.boi.go.th YouTube: Think Asia, Invest Thailand Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2036119/DSC03772_SELECTED.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/thailand-boi-approves-56-6-billion-baht-investment-projects-announces-march-kick-off-for-hq-biz-portal-service-details-updated-ltr-visa-criteria-301776188.html A two-year commitment of $400,000 will further advance Constellation's water stewardship in communities where it operates. VICTOR, N.Y., March 20, 2023(TNC), whose mission is to "conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends." This contribution will help fund TNC conservation projects focused on improving the quantity and quality of inflows to the Rio Grande, which is the fifth longest river in the world and supplies drinking and irrigation water for more than 6 million people and 2 million acres of land across the U.S. and Mexico 1 . These projects are aimed at helping to provide adequate and safe water supply for downstream users, including in Piedras Negras, Coahuila - a local community near Constellation Brands' operations in Mexico. A portion of the contribution will be used to support expanding TNC's Sustainable Agriculture Program to the Rio Grande Basin. This program will scale TNC's existing partnerships with state agencies, agricultural producers, and landowners to expand sustainable agriculture and grazing practices in the Rio Grande Basin and help landowners with technical assistance and cost-share programs. This program is designed to partner with agricultural producers to implement changes in water management practices to support conservation and provide meaningful benefits to both water quantity and quality in priority areas. The remaining contribution will support an ongoing Groundwater Protection Program focused on protecting the regional aquifer systems that feed into the Lower Rio Grande, which are critical to maintaining its health and resiliency. By building strategic partnerships, investing in groundwater conservation science development, and developing groundwater conservation agreements with landowners, this project will be aimed at helping improve water management to protect the largest portion of borderlands water originating in Texas. These programs complement the company's water stewardship efforts originating in Mexico and benefitting the local communities surrounding Constellation Brands' operating facilities in areas like Zaragoza, Coahuila where the company recently helped implement new water infrastructure which has improved water accessibility for the majority of families, or approximately 13,000 people, in this town. "We look forward to collaborating with TNC to deliver sustainable water solutions that help support the livelihoods of our families, neighbors, and local residents in communities near our operations," said Mike McGrew, Constellation Brands' Executive Vice President and Chief Communications, CSR, and Diversity Officer. "When members of the business community, local residents, government officials, and NGOs work together to ensure the long-term viability of our communities, everyone benefits." In addition to helping improve water quality and quantity for the broader community, these programs are expected to provide volumetric benefits toward Constellation's water restoration goals. Between Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2025, Constellation is targeting to restore approximately 1.1 billion gallons of water withdrawals from local watersheds, while improving accessibility and quality of water for communities where the company operates. To achieve this target, Constellation developed a strategy focused on water efficiency, watershed restoration, and water accessibility and quality. More information about Constellation's water stewardship strategy and efforts can be found on the company's website at www.cbrands.comunder the Sustainabilitysection or within the company's ESG Impact Report. To watch a brief video highlighting Constellation's ESG strategy, click here. For more information about Constellation's previous contributions to TNC, click here. 1 According to data from the International Boundary and Water Commission FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The word "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These statements may relate to our business and ESG strategies, future plans, events, performance, targets, goals, or objectives, future operations, future environmental, financial, or social metrics and programs, or expected actions of third parties. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. No assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur. The forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and Constellation Brands does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. In addition to risks and uncertainties associated with ordinary business operations, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are subject to the risk, uncertainty, and possible variance from our current expectations regarding: future global economic conditions; market conditions; regulatory conditions; unanticipated environmental liabilities and costs; changes to governmental rules and regulations; the actions of competitors; consumer expectations and preferences; and other factors and uncertainties disclosed from time-to-time in Constellation Brands' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2022 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2022, which could cause actual future performance to differ from current expectations. ABOUT CONSTELLATION BRANDS At Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ), our mission is to build brands that people love because we believe sharing a toast, unwinding after a day, celebrating milestones, and helping people connect, are Worth Reaching For. It's worth our dedication, hard work, and the bold calculated risks we take to deliver more for our consumers, trade partners, shareholders, and communities in which we live and work. It's what has made us one of the fastest-growing large CPG companies in the U.S. at retail, and it drives our pursuit to deliver what's next. Today, we are a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. Every day, people reach for our high-end, iconic imported beer brands such as Corona Extra, Corona Light, Corona Premier, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, and Pacifico, our fine wine and craft spirits brands, including The Prisoner Wine Company, Robert Mondavi Winery, Casa Noble Tequila, and High West Whiskey, and our premium wine brands such as Meiomi, and Kim Crawford. But we won't stop here. Our visionary leadership team and passionate employees from barrel room to boardroom are reaching for the next level, to explore the boundaries of the beverage alcohol industry and beyond. Join us in discovering what's Worth Reaching For. To learn more, visit www.cbrands.comand follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. MEDIA CONTACTS INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS Mike McGrew 773-251-4934 / michael.mcgrew@cbrands.com (mailto:michael.mcgrew@cbrands.com) Amy Martin 585-678-7141 / amy.martin@cbrands.com (mailto:amy.martin@cbrands.com) Joseph Suarez 773-551-4397 / joseph.suarez@cbrands.com (mailto:joseph.suarez@cbrands.com) Snehal Shah 847-385-4940 / snehal.shah@cbrands.com (mailto:snehal.shah@cbrands.com) David Paccapaniccia 585-282-7227 / david.paccapaniccia@cbrands.com (mailto:david.paccapaniccia@cbrands.com) A downloadable PDF copy of this news release can be found here: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/9dd6e0ec-507d-4434-9a1e-2798bc58c073 With 435 stores and growing, the company will feature the Feel Good Shop+ as a "store within a store" concept. LAS VEGAS, NV and FORT WORTH, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / GPO Plus, Inc. (OTCQB:GPOX), a leading manufacturing and distribution company that develops consumer branded products for convenience stores, specialty retailers and eCommerce announced they have entered into an Agreement with Yesway to launch The Feel Good Shop Plus (Feel Good Shop+) in all eligible locations. The agreement creates an opportunity to serve all Yesway and Allsup's stores. With over 435 locations, Yesway is the 12th largest and one of the fastest growing convenience store chains in the United States, with plans to open additional locations. The Feel Good Shop+ is an innovative "store within a store" retail concept offering an extensive range of CBD and other hemp-derived cannabinoid products. The Feel Good Shop+ offers consumers an extensive range of hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including Delta-8, HHC, and other leading products from trusted companies like Hempacco, Kill Cliff, Canopy Growth, and CaliGold's Flavorz. Consumers will be able to find all of their favorite products in one place. The Feel Good Shop+ is managed and serviced by DISTRO+, GPOX's distribution division, and GPO for specialty retailers and wholesalers. The Feel Good Shop+ will be deployed throughout a network of retailers and DISTRO+ Direct to Consumer (DTC) model and serviced by its direct store delivery "DSD" model. In addition to the Feel Good Shop+, DISTRO+ will distribute products in other categories for Yesway and Allsup's, including, but not limited to, beverages, healthy snacks, and tobacco alternatives. Joseph Jaconi, President of DISTRO+, said, "We are truly excited to grow the partnership with Yesway, bringing new and innovative products across the health and wellness sector combined with best-in-class DSD (direct to store delivery) and white glove service to all of the Yesway and Allsup's stores. Our investment in supply chain and logistics is creating jobs and entrenching us further with the communities we serve." Brett H. Pojunis, CEO of GPOX, said "we believe partnering with Yesway creates an amazing platform to introduce our products to a large number of consumers while creating new revenue streams for GPOX. With such a large retail footprint of stores spanning across nine states, we have the opportunity to scale in-house brands rapidly while attracting new customers. We are confident this retail concept (Feel Good Shop+) will provide customers with a convenient and enjoyable shopping experience while also providing them with access to the best products available in the market today." Derek Gaskins, CMO of Yesway, said "We believe this relationship with GPOX is going to provide a nice boost to our existing sales made through this channel. We're extremely pleased to be able to offer an expanded range of products combined with best-in-class DSD delivery, for our customers matching our focus on quality, service, and value." Connect with us on social media to view live video updates, content, and general information about GPOX and its GPOs: https://gpoplus.com/social. Sign up for your FREE account on the GPOX Investor Relations Portal: Once you Activate your GPOX Investor Account you will have immediate access to real time information available on GPOX. Sign up for alerts (email and SMS) to be the first to know about news, SEC Filings, Investor Events, updated Investor Presentations, and more: www.GPOPlus.com/ir. About Yesway Yesway is one of the fastest-growing convenience store operators in the United States. Established in 2015, Yesway is a multi-branded platform headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, which operates 435 stores located in Texas, New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. Yesway operates its portfolio primarily under two successful brands, Yesway and Allsup's, with sites that are differentiated through a leading food service offering, featuring Allsup's famous deep-fried burrito, and a wide variety of high-quality grocery items and private-label products. Yesway's geographic footprint consists of stores located in attractive rural and suburban markets across the Midwest and Southwest, where it is often the convenience retail destination of choice and effectively the local grocer. The Yesway team has a successful track record of growing through acquisitions and believes it is well positioned to continue to solidify its market position and grow its store count. Yesway has received numerous industry awards for its growth initiatives, management team, loyalty program, and employees' contributions to the industry. www.yesway.com. About Feel Good Shop+ The Feel Good Shop+ is an innovative "store within a store" retail concept offering an extensive range of CBD and other hemp-derived cannabinoid products. The Feel Good Shop+ offers consumers an extensive range of hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including Delta-8, HHC, and other leading products from trusted companies like Hempacco, Kill Cliff, Canopy Growth, and CaliGold's Flavorz. Consumers will be able to find all of their favorite products in one place. About DISTRO+ We help retailers save money + simplify purchasing! DISTRO+ is a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) + distributor of premium products for the emerging specialty retailer sector and wholesalers. DISTRO+ proudly represents best-in-class brands focusing on nutraceuticals, hemp-derived Farm Bill Compliant products and Kratom. DISTRO+ operates a direct to store "DSD" distribution model, which provides its customers the highest level of service. It's backed by a robust technology portal that gives our partners and customers (we call them "Members") the IT backbone to manage logistics, inventory, and payments while shopping from real time product catalogs and inventory. Through the power of Group Purchasing, DISTRO+ offers its network competitive pricing with low MOQs that realize similar discounts as major retailers with large buying power. Visit DISTRO.Plus for more information. About GPOPlus+ (GPOX) Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, GPOPlus+ (OTCQB:GPOX) is a leading manufacturing and distribution company that specializes in the development of consumer branded products for specialty retailers as well as online eCommerce sales. For more information please visit www.GPOPlus.com. To activate your free GPOX Investor Account at www.GPOPlus.com/ir. Information about Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that include statements regarding expected financial performance and growth information relating to future events. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond the control of the Company and its officers and managers, and which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, that performance or those results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time they are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in, or suggested by, the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to; inability to gain or maintain licenses, reliance on unaudited statements, the Company's need for additional funding, governmental regulation of the cannabis industry, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the demand for the Company's products, and other risks that are detailed from time-to-time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can typically identify these forward-looking statements through use of words such as "may," "will," "can" "anticipate," "assume," "should," "indicate," "would," "believe," "contemplate," "expect," "seek," "estimate," "continue," "plan," "point to," "project," "predict," "could," "intend," "target," "potential," and other similar words and expressions of the future. The Company expresses its expectations, beliefs and projections in good faith and believes that its expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. However, there is no assurance that these expectations, beliefs and projections will prove to have been correct. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to its operations and future events, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to its proposed operations, including the risk factors set forth herein. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Company's actual results may vary significantly from those intended, anticipated, believed, estimated, expected or planned. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, any favorable forward-looking events discussed herein might not be realized and occur. The Company has no obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting GPO Plus, Inc. GPOX, please refer to the Company's recent Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which are available at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Company Contacts: Yesway Contacts: Warner Communications Erin Vadala Email: erin@warnerpr.com Phone: 978.468.3076 DISTRO+ and Feel Good Shop+ Contacts Joseph Jaconi, President Email: joe@distro.plus GPOX Shareholder Success Team+ Investor Relation Contacts: Brett H. Pojunis, CEO Email: ir@gpoplus.com Shareholder's Line: 855.935.GPOX (4769) SOURCE: GPO Plus, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/744650/GPOPlus-Announces-Partnership-with-Yesway-to-Launch-The-Feel-Good-Shop-Plus-in-its-Yesway-and-Allsups-Locations CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:EPL) ("EPL" or "Eagle Plains") and Brunswick Exploration Inc. ("Brunswick") have executed a formal option agreement whereby Brunswick has the exclusive right to acquire a 100-per-cent interest in the Hanson North lithium project located in Saskatchewan for total consideration of $70,000 in cash, shares or combination of both, and exploration expenditures of $100,000 over a two-year period. Additional milestone payments may occur as a payment of $250,000 in cash, shares or combination of both on filing of a resource estimate and a payment of additional $250,000 in cash, shares or combination of both on filing of a preliminary economic assessment. Brunswick will grant a 2-per-cent NSR (net smelter return) of which half (1 per-cent) may be repurchased by Brunswick for $1 million. The agreement is subject to regulatory approval. As reported on March 2, 2023, EPL has successfully acquired by staking 2 properties in British Columbia and 4 in Saskatchewan comprising a total of 19,503 ha which are considered prospective for the presence of LCT pegmatites and lithium mineralization. The individual projects were targeted for lithium bearing minerals such as spodumene, based on the presence of favourable stream and lake sediment geochemistry, geological mapping, and significant mineral occurrences within the subject areas. Updates to the Eagle Plains website are underway to reflect the recent acquisitions. Eagle Plains also holds a number of REE and other critical metals projects that are available for option. Please visit the Projects page of our website at https://www.eagleplains.com/projects for additional details. Qualified Person Charles C. Downie, P.Geo., a "qualified person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has prepared, reviewed, and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release. Mr. Downie is a director and officer of Eagle Plains. About Eagle Plains Resources Based in Cranbrook, B.C., Eagle Plains is a well-funded, prolific project generator that continues to conduct research, acquire and explore mineral projects throughout western Canada. The Company was formed in 1992 and is the ninth-oldest listed issuer on the TSX-V (and one of only three that has not seen a roll-back or restructuring of its shares). Eagle Plains has continued to deliver shareholder value over the years and through numerous spin-outs has transferred over $100,000,000 in value directly to its shareholders, with Copper Canyon Resources and recently Taiga Gold being notable examples. The Company is committed to steadily enhancing shareholder value by advancing our diverse portfolio of projects toward discovery through collaborative partnerships and development of a highly experienced technical team. In late 2022 Eagle Plains announced the formation of a separate division within the Company; Eagle Royalties Ltd. ("ER") which holds many of Eagle Plains' diverse portfolio of royalty assets. The restructuring will enhance the valuation of Eagle Plains' extensive royalty interests, enabling ER to market and develop its royalty assets while seeking additional royalty acquisition opportunities. Eagle Plains' royalties cover a broad spectrum of commodities on projects controlled by Cameco Corp., Iso Energy Corp., Denison Mines Corp., Skeena Resources Ltd. and Hecla Mining Co./Banyan Gold Corp., among others. Planning is underway to spin-out Eagle Royalties during H22023 which will enable Eagle Plains to continue to focus on its core business model of acquiring and advancing grassroots critical- and precious-metal exploration properties. Expenditures from 2011-2022 on Eagle Plains-related projects exceed $30M, the majority of which was funded by third-party partners. This exploration work resulted in approximately 45,000m of diamond-drilling and extensive ground-based exploration work facilitating the advancement of numerous projects at various stages of development. Throughout the exploration process, our mission is to help maintain prosperous communities by exploring for and discovering resource opportunities while building lasting relationships through honest and respectful business practices. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Eagle Plains "Tim J. Termuende" President and CEO For further information on EPL, please contact Mike Labach at 1 866 HUNT ORE (486 8673) Email: mgl@eagleplains.com or visit our website at https://www.eagleplains.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. SOURCE: Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/744699/Eagle-Plains-Options-Hanson-North-Lithium-Project-to-Brunswick-Exploration The third edition of the Blockchain4SDG challenge of the CBCat and Bitcoin Association for BSV rewards innovative solutions that encourage sustainable forest management using blockchain technology. GIRONA, Spain, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The CBCat (Blockchain Center of Catalonia), of the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona, held last Thursday an awards ceremony for the participants of its third Blockchain4SDG challenge; a programme aimed at university students that encourages training in blockchain technology, and its subsequent application in real projects, always focused on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This third edition was launched jointly with the Bitcoin Association for BSV, a non-profit association that supports the BSV blockchain protocol and advocates for the construction of an ecosystem favourable to the regulation, encourages legal conduct and, at the same time, promotes digital currency and the innovation of the blockchain. "For the first time, this challenge has combined the talent of Catalan students with others from international universities," explained Carles Agusti, director of the BlockchainxODS programme. "Being an international challenge, we have had to overcome some difficulties such as the different time zones, but in the end the experience has been positive with multidisciplinary contributions from all over the world." In the first round, more than eighty university students registered for the challenge. After a selection process, around fifteen participants continued with the contest, distributed in two teams, who presented, last Thursday, their solutions to the public in attendance today. In the awards ceremony, besides the CBCat and Bitcoin Association for BSV, there was also the participation of Bet Piella, councillor for economic promotion, trade and culture of the city of Vic, where the CBCat has an important presence with a vertical that applies blockchain technology to the agri-food sector. "The city of Vic is becoming a benchmark in the implementation of blockchain technology, even beyond the borders of Catalonia, as this challenge demonstrates," said the councillor, "together with the CBCat, Vic City Council is carrying out an important project with some of the main companies in our territory, to build a carbon footprint measurement standard and then redeem it, a project very much in line with the solutions that are being presented today." In this edition, in order to make possible a meeting between the different members of the challenge, from students and organisers to mentors and members of the jury, the awards ceremony was held at CatVers, the Catalan metavers developed by the CBCat. At the event, the two team captains, Alvaro Bravo, a student at the University of Oviedo in Spain, and Britt Trago, from the Wageningen University in the Netherlands, presented the solutions of the teams they lead. Said proposals are aimed at calculating and incentivising the decarbonisation provided by the areas covered, thus responding to SDG 13, to adopt urgent measures to combat climate change and its effects, and also to SDG 15, to sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt the loss of biodiversity. Bryan Daugherty, The Bitcoin Association for BSV's Global Public Policy Director, said: "The BlockchainxODS programme's international challenge has successfully brought together students from Catalonia and around the world. It has allowed a multidisciplinary approach to finding solutions, promoting legal conduct and innovation in the cryptocurrency/blockchain technology industry. The collaboration between CBCat and other entities highlights the importance of building a supportive ecosystem and the growth of digital innovation, paving the way for a favourable regulatory ecosystem." Finally, the jury declared both teams joint winners, and recommended the merger of the two proposals, in order to arrive at a solution that encourages sustainable forest management thanks to a data tokenisation system enabled by blockchain technology. About the CBCat The CBCat (Blockchain Centre of Catalonia), of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and promoted by the Catalan Government, aims to promote the adoption of digital assets and decentralised technologies (DLTs) in Catalonia through the dissemination and digital literacy, not only among each and every industrial sector but also, and without exception, among those actors, individual or collective, private or institutional, potentially concerned. It promotes, explains and educates about blockchain technology, current cases of application and future possibilities. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cbcat-awards-two-projects-that-propose-applying-blockchain-technology-to-reverse-climate-change-301776402.html Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares For immediate release 20 March 2023 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announces that it has today purchased 125,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 857.71 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company. The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 17 January 2023. Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 15,931,310; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 209,059,993. The figure of 209,059,993 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. For and on behalf of Frostrow Capital LLP Company Secretary For further information, please contact: Victoria Hale Frostrow Capital LLP Tel: 020 3 170 8732 During its 45th session, King Faisal Prize Recognized Other Outstanding Figures in the Fields of Arabic Language & Literature, Islamic Studies, and Service to Islam Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On 20 March, Harvard University and Oxford University professors Dan Barouch from the US and Sarah Gilbert from the UK received the King Faisal Prize for Medicine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for their innovative vaccine technologies. They developed Covid-19 vaccines, which saved millions of lives. Furthermore, Northwestern University Professor, Chad Mirkin, and the A*STAR Senior Fellow and Director at NanoBio Lab, Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying, were awarded the Science Prize for helping define the modern age of nanotechnology and for their various advancements and applications of nanomaterials. Professor Dan Barouch; the Director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the William Bosworth Castle Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Professor Sarah Gilbert; the Said Chair of Vaccinology in the Nuffield Department of Medicine at Oxford University, employed a novel technology in developing Covid-19 viral vectors vaccines: the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, respectively. Novel Vaccine Technology and Quick Response to the Pandemic Instead of the traditional vaccines' methods which use a weakened or killed form of the original infection and require a long time to develop in the human body, professors Dan Barouch and Sarah Gilbert genetically modified a harmless version of a different virus to carry genetic material to body cells and deliver protection. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was based on engineering a harmless adenovirus (called Ad26) which was a common type of virus that caused mild cold symptoms.. In his acceptance speech during the ceremony, Professor Barouch said, "The Ad26 vaccine for COVID-19 demonstrated robust efficacy in humans, even after a single shot, and showed continued protection against virus variants that emerged. This vaccine has been rolled out across the world by the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson, and over 200 million people have received this vaccine, particularly in the developing world". Like the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the essence of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, (called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19), is a genetically modified weakened version of a common virus which caused a cold in chimpanzees and no infection when injected in humans. The modified virus in both vaccines carried the genetic instructions for the coronavirus spike protein. When entering the body cells, the virus used a genetic code or instructions to produce the specific surface spike protein of the coronavirus inducing an immune response and preparing the immune system to attack coronavirus if it infects the body. Both vaccines were achieved in few months of work; the Johnson & Johnson vaccine required 13 months and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine took 10 months of work. This was due to previous research work and clinical trials to develop vaccine candidates for multiple pathogens of global significance. The development of the Ad26 vaccine platform, which was the base for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, came as a result of Dan Barouch's accumulated work on HIV, Zika virus, and tuberculosis. He is considered a pioneer in the creation of a series of vaccine platform technologies that can be used when developing vaccines for emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. Moreover, Barouch led the world's first demonstration of Zika vaccine protection in preclinical studies and launched a series of phase 1 Zika vaccine clinical trials. Likewise, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine's innovative technologies were also applied by Sarah Gilbert to Malaria, Ebola, Influenza, and MERS, with clinical trials of the latter taking place in the UK and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In fact, the patented ChAdOx1 technology was developed by Professor Gilbert and other researchers at the University of Oxford in 2012. In 2014, she led the first trial of an Ebola vaccine after a large outbreak of the disease in West Africa. "I am humbled to join the other 2023 laureates today, and to follow-in the footsteps of the men and women whose work has been recognized by the Foundation over more than four decades. This award is in recognition of my work to co-create a vaccine for COVID-19. A low-cost, accessible, efficacious vaccine that has now been used in more than 180 countries and is estimated to have saved more than six million lives by the start of 2022", said Professor Gilbert in her acceptance speech during the awarding ceremony. Nanotechnology Inventions Topping 100 Scientific Discoveries that Changed the World In this year's King Faisal Prize for Science about "Chemistry", Professor Chad Mirkin (from the US); the Director of the International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN) and the Rathmann Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Medicine, Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University, and Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying (from the US); the A*STAR Senior Fellow and Director at NanoBio Lab, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, received the prize. The work of Professor Chad Mirkin, which has been at the forefront of nano chemistry for over three decades, has helped define the modern age of nanotechnology. He is widely recognized for his invention of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), which are nanostructures composed of nucleic acids in a spherical configuration which enter human cells and tissues and overcome biological barriers, making it possible to detect or treat a disease on the genetic level. More than 1,800 products for medical diagnostics, therapeutics, and life science research were based on this technology. "One vital component of our work aims to use nanotechnology to restructure DNA and RNA into forms that make them more potent medicines for treating debilitating types of cancer and neurological disease. Through this work, we hope to usher in a new era of powerful and precision genetic medicines where we can attack and treat disease at its genetic routes", said Mirkin in his acceptance speech. Professor Mirkin has over 1,200 patent applications worldwide. He also founded several companies, including Nanosphere, AuraSense, TERA-print, Azul 3D, MattIQ, and Flashpoint Therapeutics. He pioneered artificial intelligence-based materials discovery inventing a method to create patterns directly on different substances with a variety of inks called "dip-pen nanolithography", which was described by National Geographic as one of the "top 100 scientific discoveries that changed the world". He also developed HARP (high-area rapid printing) technology, a 3D printing process that can manufacture different products like ceramics at record-breaking throughput. As for Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying, her research focused on synthesis of advanced nanomaterials and systems, and their application in biomedicine, energy conversion, and catalysis. Her inventions have been used to solve challenges in different fields of medicine, chemistry, and energy. "I am deeply honored to be receiving the King Faisal Prize in Science, especially as the first female recipient of this award," she said in her acceptance speech. Her development of stimuli-responsive polymeric nanoparticles led to a technology which can autoregulate the release of insulin, depending on the blood glucose levels in diabetic patients without the need for external blood glucose monitoring. Dr. Ying's laboratory has pioneered the synthesis of mesoporous and microporous transition metal oxides; a class of nanomaterials used in energy storage and conversion, by supramolecular templating (organizing or assembling entities). Dr. Ying has more than 180 primary patents and patent applications; 32 of which have been licensed to multinational and start-up companies for a range of applications in nanomedicine, drug delivery, cell and tissue engineering, medical implants, biosensors, medical devices, and others. Her work is at the intersection of nanotechnology and technical medicine and has culminated in the establishment of six successful start-ups and spinoff companies. Four Exceptional Thinkers and Leaders Recognized in Arabic Language & Literature, Islamic Studies, and Service to Islam Along with Medicine and Science, the King Faisal Prize recognized outstanding thinkers and scholars in Arabic Language & Literature and Islamic Studies this year and honored exemplary leaders who have contributed to serve Islam, Muslims, and humanity. Professor Abdelfattah Kilito, from Morocco, received the "Arabic Language & Literature" prize focusing on "Classical Arabic Narrative and Modern Theories". He has been a visiting professor and lecturer at the New Sorbonne, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Chicago, the University of Oxford, and the College de France. Professor Robert Hillenbrand, from the UK, Honorary Professorial Fellow in the department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) at the University of Edinburgh, was awarded the "Islamic Studies" prize in "Islamic Architecture". His work was distinguished by its geographic and temporal expansiveness, which covered North Africa, Egypt, Palestine, and Central Asia, and spanned from the early Islamic period till the 19th Century. As for the "Service to Islam" Prize, Professor Choi Young Kil-Hamed (from South Korea) and His Excellency Shaikh Nasser bin Abdullah Al Zaabi (from the UAE) were this year's laureates. Since 1979, King Faisal Prize in its 5 different categories has awarded 290 laureates who have made distinguished contributions to different sciences and causes. Each prize laureate is endowed with USD 200 thousand; a 24-carat gold medal weighing 200 grams, and a Certificate inscribed with the Laureate's name and a summary of their work which qualified them for the prize. Attachments Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2023) - Scryb Inc. (CSE: SCYB) (OTCQB: SCYRF) (FSE: EIY) ("Scryb' or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company intends to complete a non-brokered financing of up to 40,000,000 units (each, a "Unit") in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.125 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $5,000,000. Each Unit is comprised of: (i) one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share"); and (ii) one Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Common Share at an exercise price of $0.15 on or before the date that is eighteen (18) months from the date of issuance. In addition, the Company is pleased to announce it has completed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") through the issuance of 10,555,000 Units at a price of $0.125 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,319,375. Gross proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The securities issued upon closing of the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of closing, pursuant to applicable securities laws. The closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. Certain eligible persons (the "Finders") were issued 210,000 Units representing (a) cash commission in the amount of $26,250 The Offering constituted a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as insiders of the Company acquired 1,384,000 Units. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the participation in the Offering by insiders does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Offering, which the Company deems reasonable in the circumstances so as to be able to avail itself of the proceeds of the Offering in an expeditious manner. About Scryb Inc. Scryb develops and productizes emerging technologies and builds disruptive, high-growth businesses. Scryb's team identifies high-potential applications and its expert operators apply its proven technology development platform to rapidly scale growth. Scryb's most recent successes include exciting early-stage companies like cybersecurity company Cybeats Technologies (CSE: CYBT) which Scryb maintains approximately 65% ownership, as well as ventures in the fields of applied AI, digital health, medical devices, and biotech. If you would like to learn more about Scryb or receive updates about the company, visit our website at http://scryb.ai . Contact: W. Clark Kent President Office. 647-872-9982 TF. 1-844-247-6633 Email: info@scryb.ai Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for the technology described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/159194 Skupos, a Denver, CO-based technology company that connects both retailers and brands to their shoppers, raised $22.5M in funding. The round was led by Brex Asset Management and SQN Venture Partners. The company intends to use the funds to scale its product suite, expand and go to market, while maintaining its customer success and support. Founded in 2016 and led by Jake Bolling, CEO, Skupos drives revenue growth across all segments of the convenience retail industry through technology that connects both retailers and brands to their shoppers. With a focus on independent stores and small chains, the platform enables both retailers and brands to compete through better understanding and serving their customers. Founded in 2016, the company serves a growing network of 15,000+ customers across all 50 states. FinSMEs 20/03/2023 Soul Wallet, a Santa Monica, CA-based startup building an online, self-custodial Ethereum wallet, raised $3.1m in seed funding. Backers included Struck Crypto, Game7DAO, NGC Ventures, Dispersion Capital, Alchemy, Ankr and Signum Capital, as well as David Hoffman, Ryan Sean Adams, Kristof Gazso, Marc Zeller, Scott Moore, Terence Tsao and Tim Beiko. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts. Led by founder Jiajun Zeng, Soul Wallet is building a wallet built on top of the ERC-4337 standard, which is designed to allow verification to be performed by smart contracts. The company is currently advancing the wallet internally with plans to launch it in Q3 or Q4. The team has a distributed team across the U.S., Japan, Thailand and China. FinSMEs 20/03/2023 TTV Capital, an Atlanta, GA-based early-stage fintech venture capital firm, has closed its sixth fund, at $250m. Fund VI includes both new and existing limited partners comprising institutional and strategic investors, as well as family offices. Led by Gardiner Garrard, and Tom Smith, TTV Capital is one of the first and only early-stage fintech funds focused exclusively investing in companies in the financial services ecosystem. In 2022 alone, TTV Capital made 18 investments in early-stage fintech companies across payments, banking, investing, cybersecurity, Web3, and embedded finance, with an average initial check size of $2 million to $7 million. The firm also has an exploratory fund for investments starting at $250,000. To date, TTV Capital counts more than 100 financial technology companies in its portfolio, and seven of those have reached unicorn status. The firm has led early investments in multiple category-creators, including Bill.com, Shopkeep, Green Dot, SmartAsset, and others, and backed multiple Atlanta-based companies, including Greenlight, Cardlytics, Greenwood, Carputty, Featurespace, and Instant. FinSMEs 20/03/2023 Samsung introduced the Galaxy A34 and A54 5G smartphones last week, and the Galaxy A14 4G was also introduced in some countries alongside the phones. The company confirmed in that it will launch the Galaxy A24 in Turkey in coming months. Now, an Israeli website has revealed the images and the specifications of the Galaxy A24 4G phone ahead of the launch. The successor to the Galaxy A23 which was introduced last March is said to get an AMOLED screen, an upgrade from the LCD screen, while retaining the Snapdragon 680 SoC. Similar to the other models, this is said to feature 3 rear cameras, and retain the Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, 5000mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging from the predecessor. Samsung Galaxy A24 rumoured specifications 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-V display, 90Hz refresh rate Octa Core Snapdragon 680 6nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 610 GPU 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, expandable up to 1TB via micro SD card Android 13 with Samsung One UI 5.0 Dual SIM 50MP rear camera with f/1.8 aperture, LED flash, OIS, 5MP ultra-wide-angle camera with f/2.2 aperture, 2MP macro camera with f/2.4 aperture 13MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture Side-mounted fingerprint sensor 3.5mm audio jack, Dolby Atmos Dimensions: 162.1 x 77.6 x 8.3mm; Weight: 195g Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5, GPS + GLONASS 5,000mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging The Samsung Galaxy A24 is expected to come in Black, Silver, Red-Burgundy and Lime colours. We should know more details in the coming weeks. Source 1, 2 While Microsoft has traditionally had a weaker presence in smartphone app distribution, this appears to be changing. Microsoft is now planning to launch its own mobile game store in order to break the duopoly of Apple and Google. Microsofts gaming chief, Phil Spencer, told the Financial Times that the EUs Digital Market Act (DMA) will help the company achieve its mobile app store goals. To recap, the Digital Markets Act seeks to prevent gatekeepers such as Apple and Google from imposing unfair terms on businesses and end users, as well as to ensure the openness of critical digital services. The DMA will take effect in March 2024 and will allow companies to load their app stores on iPhones and Android phones by requesting that Apple and Google open up their systems. We want to be in a position to offer Xbox and content from both us and our third-party partners across any screen where somebody would want to play. Today, we cant do that on mobile devices but we want to build towards a world that we think will be coming where those devices are opened up. Phil noted the companys goal of providing Xbox and content on any screen, and expressed regret that its not currently possible to implement on mobile devices. To get around this, the company would be relying on EU regulations. This would be an excellent move for Microsoft, which is aggressively expanding its gaming portfolio. The company has expressed interest in acquiring Activision Blizzard, one of the largest gaming companies, but the transaction has been halted due to regulatory issues. Aside from this previous interest, the company has recently signed a 10-year agreement to make Xbox PC games available on NVIDIAs GeForce NOW cloud gaming platform. Source | Via Delegation of foreign consular corps, business communities in HK starts GBA tour Xinhua) 13:36, March 20, 2023 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) EL DORADO, Ark., March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Standard Lithium Ltd. (Standard Lithium or the Company) (TSXV: SLI) (NYSE American: SLI) (FRA: S5L), a leading near-commercial lithium company, announced today the commencement of a drilling program at its South West Arkansas Lithium Project (the Project) to support the forthcoming Preliminary Feasibility Study ("PFS" see news release dated May 02nd 2022). The drilling program will inform the resource definition and de-risk the resource estimate, provide additional porosity and permeability data through the entire thickness of the productive zones in the Smackover Formation, and optimize production-wellfield design. Dr. Andy Robinson, President and COO of Standard Lithium commented, Since beginning the PFS work at our South West Arkansas Lithium Project last year, the team has been advancing numerous engineering and process studies, while simultaneously completing all the leases and permits required to start the drilling program. This systematic drilling program for both new wells and re-entries into pre-existing, plugged and abandoned wells will collect all necessary resource data for the forthcoming PFS as well as the majority of resource data for the subsequent Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS aka Bankable Feasibility). Our ongoing engineering and costing work at Phase 1A of our nearby LANXESS Property Project will also help inform the PFS. When complete, the PFS will provide an updated view of project feasibility and economics. The drilling program covers two new locations and three re-entries of plugged and abandoned (pre-existing) oil and gas wells. Typically, when a pre-existing well is being re-entered, it will be deepened to gather more data from the entire Smackover Formation thickness underlying the Project area. The first re-entry into a pre-existing oil and gas well, the Beulah-Taylor #1 has been completed. Refer to Figures 1 and 2 below for images of the drill site. The original well was a dry hole (from an oil/gas point of view) drilled for hydrocarbon in July 1982 and subsequently decommissioned in August 1982, and the drill pad had been unused since then. The drill rig commenced drilling on 21st February, 2023. The drill string reached the base of the previous bore on 03rd March, 2023 (measured well depth was 8,690 ft), which penetrated into the upper Smackover Formation by 183 ft. The rig then continued to deepen the hole and drill new core in the upper and mid Smackover Formation limestones to a total measured depth of 8,940 ft on 8th March, 2023. The new core has been sent for logging and porosity and permeability analysis, as have additional side-wall cores. Perforation of key production zones is currently being completed by a workover rig, while the drill rig has moved to the next location. Brine will be sampled from key productive zones in the Smackover Formation over the coming weeks, and permeability tests and other in-situ testing will also be completed. Figure 1: Drill rig at the Beulah-Taylor #1 well re-entry site in Lafayette County, Arkansas. This reused a pre-existing drill pad (note existing powerline running through the wellpad area). The drill rig has since demobilized from this location after reaching a total measured depth of 8,940 ft,and has been replaced by a workover rig to complete perforations, final testwork and sampling. Figure 2: Close-up of the drill rig used to re-enter and deepen the pre-existing Beulah-Taylor #1 well. The drilling program will continue through Q2 until completed, though not all the data collected will be required for the forthcoming PFS. Some key data from the drilling program (e.g., lithium concentrations in brine) will be made available as independent third-party verified data becomes available. Quality Assurance Steve Ross, P.Geol., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the relevant scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Ross is a consultant to the Company. About Standard Lithium Ltd. Standard Lithium is a leading near-commercial lithium development company with a portfolio of projects in process. The Companys flagship projects, the LANXESS Property Project and the South West Arkansas Project, are located in southern Arkansas near the Louisiana stateline. The Company is focused on the evaluation and testing of commercial lithium extraction and purification from brine sourced from approximately 180,000 acres of leases across these two projects. The Company operates a first-of-a-kind industrial-scale Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Demonstration Plant at the LANXESS Property Project. The scalable, environmentally friendly process eliminates the use of evaporation ponds, reduces processing time from months to hours and greatly increases the effective recovery of lithium. A Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and Front-End Engineering Study (FEED) for Phase 1A of the LANXESS Property Project commenced in September 2022. A Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) of the South West Arkansas Project commenced in May 2022. The Company is also pursuing the resource development of other projects in the Smackover Formation, as well as approximately 45,000 acres of mineral leases located in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. Standard Lithium is jointly listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American under the trading symbol SLI; and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol S5L. Please visit the Companys website at https:// www.standardlithium.com . Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain Forward-Looking Statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, target, plan, forecast, may, schedule and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to development of a commercial lithium plant, completion of definitive feasibility study, future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration and drilling activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, fluctuations in the market for lithium and its derivatives, changes in exploration costs and government regulation in Canada and the United States, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Companys current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1a819ef0-ceae-4d56-904e-4d5dc01c2f1a https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/89665c98-36b9-439d-8996-4c8d1458119a Did you lose money on investments in Credit Suisse? If so, please visit Credit Suisse Group AG Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com to discuss your rights. NEW YORK, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Credit Suisse Group AG (Credit Suisse or the Company) (NYSE: CS) between December 1, 2022 and February 17, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Credit Suisse, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services in Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. The Company offers wealth management solutions, including investment advice and discretionary asset management services; risk management solutions, such as managed investment products; and wealth planning, succession planning, and trust services. In October 2022, Credit Suisse began experiencing a sharp increase in customer outflows, or withdrawals of client funds, after a series of quarterly losses and risk and compliance failures significantly decreased the Companys American Depositary Share (ADS) price. On December 1, 2022, Credit Suisses Chairman, Defendant Axel P. Lehmann (Lehmann), stated in an interview with Financial Times that customer outflows had not only completely flattened out, but had, in fact, partially reversed. The following day, in an interview with Bloomberg Television, Defendant Lehmann reiterated his previous statements, reassuring investors that as of November 11, 2022, customer outflows had basically stopped. Following Defendant Lehmanns statements, Credit Suisses ADS price rose $0.29 per ADS, or 9.36%, to close at $3.38 per ADS on December 2, 2022. Plaintiff alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Specifically, Plaintiff alleges that Defendants failed to disclose that: (i) contrary to Defendant Lehmanns representations in December 2022, the sharp increase in customer outflows Credit Suisse began experiencing in October 2022 remained ongoing; (ii) accordingly, Credit Suisse had downplayed the impact of the Companys recent series of quarterly losses and risk and compliance failures on liquidity and its ability to retain client funds; and (iii) as a result, Credit Suisse had overstated the Companys financial position and/or prospects. On February 9, 2023, Credit Suisse issued a press release announcing its 2022 financial results. The press release revealed that, contrary to Defendant Lehmanns prior statements, large customer outflows had continued through year-end 2022. Specifically, the press release reported customer outflows of 110.5 billion Swiss francs in the final three months of 2022, a figure which far exceeded market expectations. On this news, Credit Suisses ADS price fell $0.56 per ADS, or 15.64%, to close at $3.02 per ADS on February 9, 2023. Then, on February 21, 2023, Reuters reported that the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) was reviewing Defendant Lehmanns previous comments regarding customer outflows. On this news, Credit Suisses ADS price fell another $0.10 per ADS, or 3.31%, to close at $2.92 per ADS on February 21, 2023. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 8, 2023 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member. If you purchased or acquired Credit Suisse securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Credit Suisse Group AG Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com. Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journals Plaintiffs Hot List thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. 2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. Contact Information: Peter Allocco Bernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com (212) 951-2030 pallocco@bernlieb.com English Lithuanian AB SNAIGE insolvency administrator Aurimas Valaitis applied to Kaunas Regional Court to approve the companys restructuring plan. The basis of this application is the meeting of creditors of the company held on 16.03.2023 at which this issue was discussed. The decision to approve the restructuring plan in the group of non-mortgage creditors was taken by a majority vote (79%), and was not taken in the group of mortgage creditors. According to Mindaugas Sologubas, general director of AB "SNAIGE", the company respects the opinion of all creditors, is grateful to those who approved the draft restructuring plan and hopes that Kaunas regional court will approve this plan. In the opinion of Mindaugas Sologubas, the company's restructuring plan is in the interests of both the company and its creditors and gives optimism that the company will be able to resolve temporary financial problems. "The main strategic goal during the restructuring period is to optimize and restructure the company's activities so that the company can meet its obligations to creditors as soon as possible," said M. Sologubas. Currently, the company has more orders than it can produce due to lack of working capital, develops new refrigeration appliances, pays with employees and the state on time. Since the start of the restructuring, the company has paid over EUR 0.5 million. Eur to Sodra and more than EUR 0.6 million. Eur in taxes to the state. According to M. Sologubas, AB SNAIGE is not only a significant company in the region, employing almost 400 people, but also the only manufacturer of refrigerators in the Baltic States More than a hundred different Lithuanian companies supply AB SNAIGE with their products, therefore, in the opinion of M. Sologubas, approval of the restructuring plan will preserve jobs for employees and income for related companies. During the restructuring plan, the company will implement the measures envisaged, which will help to increase the production and sales of professional and medical refrigeration appliances with a higher added value, as well as the production and sales of more profitable household refrigeration appliances. According to M. Sologubas, the company is already continuing its activities in the chosen direction. "Industrial products account for more than half of our turnover. Our goal is to have a fundamentally changed product portfolio in 2025, where professional refrigeration equipment will account for more than 70%. We're working on it at full capacity, we have a plan for how to do it, so I have reason to believe we'll succeed." Managing Director Mindaugas Sologubas Phone no. +370 652 11997 Dublin, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Thailand Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Thailand data center market size is expected to reach a value of $1,338 million by 2028 from $764 million in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 9.79% from 2022 to 2028. This report analyses the Thailand data center market share. It elaboratively analyses the existing and upcoming facilities and investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. It discusses market sizing and investment estimation for different segments. The entry of new players such as OneAsia Network, Telehouse, Nautilus Data Technologies, Edge Centres, and Chindata Group and the development of cloud regions by major operators such as Amazon Web Services and Google is likely to attract more global players to invest in the Thailand data center market during the forecast period. In Thailand, operators must obtain a Board of Investment (BOI) Promotion Certificate for planning, constructing, and operating data centers. The three companies, AIS (Advanced Info Service), Singtel, and Gulf Energy, formed a joint venture and partnership to develop data centers across the country. The construction will begin and is expected to be online by 2023. Datacenter development in Eastern Corridor might attract nearby customers from heavy industries (Automotive, Manufacturing, & Petro Chemical) and food processing industries to opt for their IT operations in the data center. KEY HIGHLIGHTS The Thailand data center market has around 32 operational colocation data centers. Most colocation facilities are being designed according to Tier III standards. The country also has a presence of global operator NTT Global Data Centers, which operates two facilities and is certified as Tier III. The rising adoption of cloud-based services is helping grow retail and wholesale colocation services. The Thailand data center market is witnessing increased demand for colocation spaces across existing and upcoming data centers. Small-scale companies across industries such as educational institutions, e-commerce, insurance, cloud-native start-ups, the public sector (city councils), and others (mentioned above) will prefer retail colocation to other services such as managed hosting/cloud-based connectivity solutions. Wholesale colocation demand will come from local governments, travel & tourism, BFSI Sector, & Hospitals (mainly those that operate across the country). Hyperscale demand will come from content providers & cloud operators, followed by leading e-commerce companies, public sector agencies, and the banking sector. The publisher estimates that Vantage Data Centers, Equinix, Digital Realty, Princeton Digital Group, and others might enter the Thailand data center market in the next few years. The deployment of 5G networks will boost the digital economy of the country and will lead to higher demand for high-bandwidth networking infrastructure. The adoption of Software Defined Networking (SDN) is likely to increase owing to smart city initiatives carried out by government agencies. COLOCATION SUPPLY VS DEMAND Thailand colocation data center revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 15%, whereas wholesale colocation is likely to grow at a CAGR of around 40%. Cloud Service Providers are expected to take up the majority of the upcoming capacity in the market. In early 2022, Alibaba entered the market, establishing a cloud region, followed by the announcements for new cloud regions by Google and AWS. The Thailand data center market has a strong presence of on-premises data centers. In the next 3-5 years, we will witness a significant decline in on-premises facilities owing to the increase in digitalizing initiatives in several sectors. Thailand is becoming an emerging market in Southeast Asia, with over 30 operational colocation data centers, and Telehouse, OneAsia Network, Edge Centres, and Chindata Group (Bridge Data Centres), among others, are the new entrants involved in developing data center facilities in the country. WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH? Market size available in the investment, area, power capacity, and Thailand market revenue. Assessment of the revenue share between retail colocation and wholesale colocation across the Thailand market. Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across locations in the Thailand market. A detailed study of the existing Thailand data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about industry size during the forecast period. Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in Thailand Facilities Covered (Existing): 32 Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 07 Coverage: 5 Cities Existing vs. Upcoming (Area) Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity) Data center colocation market in Thailand Colocation Market Revenue & Forecast (2022-2028) Wholesale vs. Retail Colocation Revenue (2022-2028) Retail Colocation Pricing Wholesale Colocation Pricing The Thailand market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast. A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry. Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors in the industry. A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the industry. VENDOR LANDSCAPE Some key investors in the Thailand data center industry are Telehouse, Chindata Group, Edge Centres, Nautilus Data Technologies, OneAsia Network, True IDC, Singtel, Gulf Energy, AIS, Korea Telecom (KT) & Jasmine Telecom Systems (JTS), ST Telemedia Global Data Centres and Frasers Property Thailand. In December 2022, the hyperscale operator Amazon Web Services launched an edge zone in Bangkok. In addition, the company also planned to develop a new cloud region with three availability zones in the country. The country is also witnessing an increase in the development of cloud regions. Alibaba Cloud launched a new cloud region with one availability zones. Google has also announced its plan to develop a new cloud region in the country. Chindata Group, one of the new entrants in the market, announced its entry into the Thailand data center market with the acquisition of a facility from WHA Logistics in Bangkok. The company's subsidiary, Bridge Data Centres, acquired the facility. Telecom operators such as True Corporation, AIS (Advanced Info Service), and dtac have either deployed 5G technology in some cities on a trial basis or are launching commercial 5G services across the region. The operators are increasing their market share and presence across the country by acquiring data center operators or investing in the company. For instance, in January 2022, Etix Everywhere (Vantage Data Centers) acquired around 67% stake in Genesis Data Center by investing around USD 10.8 million. KEY ATTRIBUTES Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 107 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $764 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $1338 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 9.7% Regions Covered Thailand VENDOR LANDSCAPE IT Infrastructure Providers: Arista Networks Atos Cisco Systems Dell Technologies Fujitsu HPE Huawei Technologies IBM Inspur Lenovo NetApp Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors: Arup Architects 49 Chaan Finishing Touch Design Studio Meinhardt Group Plan Architect PPS Group QTC Group Support Infrastructure Providers: ABB Airedale Caterpillar Cummins Cyber Power Systems Delta Electronics Eaton Fuji Electric HITEC Power Protection KOHLER Legrand Mitsubishi Electric Piller Power Systems Rittal Schneider Electric STULZ Siemens Vertiv Data Center Investors: AIS Business (CSL) Alibaba Cloud Internet Thailand (INET) NTT Global Data Centers ST Telemedia Global Data Centres SUPERNAP Thailand Tencent Cloud True IDC New Entrants: Amazon Web Services (AWS) Chindata Group Edge Centres Google KT Corporation Nautilus Data Technologies OneAsia Network Telehouse GROWTH FACTORS Improvement in Inland and Submarine Connectivity Adoption of Cloud Services Enables the Digitalization Big Data & IoT Technology driving Data Center Investments EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS Existing Facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity) Bangkok Other Cities List of Upcoming Facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity) REPORT COVERAGE: The segmentation includes: IT Infrastructure Servers Storage Systems Network Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems Generators Transfer Switches & Switchgears PDUs Other Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems Rack Cabinets Other Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems CRAC & CRAH Units Chiller Units Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers Other Cooling Units General Construction Core & Shell Development Installation & commissioning Services Engineering & Building Design Fire Detection & Suppression Systems Physical Security DCIM Tier Standard Tier I & Tier II Tier III Tier IV For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/amlik0 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "APAC Data Center Construction Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The APAC data center construction market is expected reach a value of $24.17 billion by 2028 from $15.17 billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 8.07% from 2022 to 2028 The region's market is among the majorly growing markets across the globe, led by factors such as governments across countries supporting data centers, development of multiple industrial zones, rapid growth in submarine cable connectivity, significant investments from cloud service providers, entry of global colocation operators in the region in joint ventures and other factors. The growing potential of the market has led data center operators to show interest in some other emerging markets in the region, such as the Philippines, Vietnam, New Zealand, and others. Data center operators in the region are also participating in the government's efforts for sustainable energy adoption by using renewable energy, signing power purchase agreements, or setting targets for carbon-free operations. For instance, in August 2022, Microsoft announced a partnership with Ecotricity to power its data center region in New Zealand with 100% renewable energy. KEY HIGHLIGHTS The deployment of 5G service and the growing demand for connectivity in new locations and tier 1 and tier 2 cities across multiple countries has significantly attracted investments from edge data center operators. For instance, edge operators such as EdgeConneX, Digital Edge, Leading Edge Data Centres, and Edge Centres are actively investing in establishing multiple edge data centers across countries such as Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Thailand, and others. The region has witnessed a growing interest by governments and operators in renewable energy. Almost all governments across all countries have taken up initiatives to promote the adoption of renewable energy sources. For instance, Taiwan aims to generate 20% of its electricity through renewable energy by 2025 via wind and solar PV promotion plans. Renewable power capacity is expected to reach over 26 GW within the next five years in Taiwan. The APAC data center construction market has been growing significantly in terms of connectivity owing to the deployment of several upcoming submarine cables such as Asia Link Cable, SEA-H2X, Asia Connect Cable-1, Hawaiki Nui, 2Africa, and others. KEY TRENDS Growing Digitalization in the Region Digitalization has been growing as a major agenda by governments across all countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand, India, Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, New Zealand, and others. Several Governments are announcing their digital strategies to strengthen the digital growth of respective markets. For instance, the Government of Australia has launched its Digital Economy Strategy 2022 Update with the aim for the development of the digital economy of Australia by 2030. Growing Mergers & Acquisitions and Joint Ventures The significant growth potential and revenue-generating opportunities in the APAC data center construction market are prompting operators to continuously invest in merger & acquisition deals and sign joint ventures for data center projects. Several global organizations are entering the market through joint ventures. For instance, STACK Infrastructure entered the South Korean market in a joint venture with ESR Cayman to develop a data center. SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS The development of colocation data centers dominates the APAC data center construction market in terms of the number of investments. Several new entrants are entering the market for the development of colocation data centers, and hyperscale operators are also increasing their market presence with investment in cloud regions. Some countries, such as Indonesia, Australia, and Myanmar, also witnessed investments in enterprise data centers in 2022. Regarding electrical infrastructure, the APAC data center construction market has strong growth potential for lithium-ion and nickel-zinc batteries for UPS systems. Operators can also adopt new-age generator sets that run on fuel types such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), natural gas, and others. The APAC data center construction market has adopted air- and water-based cooling solutions in terms of cooling infrastructure. Especially in Southeast Asia, operators are more tilted towards adopting water-based cooling solutions due to the tropical climate. Also, the market has an opportunity for rack infrastructure vendors with the growing adoption of racks between the height range 42U to 52U. Some locations also witness the adoption of racks below 42U height. GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS China has been dominating the APAC data center construction market in the region. Followed by markets such as India, Australia, Japan, India, Singapore, and Hong Kong, among the other major markets for facilities development in APAC. The market for data center development in Hong Kong is also aided by growing demand for data storage in Hong Kong due to The Personal Data Ordinance that mandates organizations to store data within Hong Kong borders. High levels of digitalization in New Zealand, especially with 5G coming into play, will contribute to a surge in data generation and generate data traffic and storage and computation requirements, which will lead to a rise in demand for data centers in the country. Several cloud service providers will likely develop cloud regions to increase their reach in the country. Other markets such as South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Malaysia are also emerging markets, witnessing significant growth, especially as a result of digitalization and growth in connectivity. Countries such as the Philippines, New Zealand, and Vietnam have started witnessing new investments and are expected to grow as unique preferences from data center operators. In Southeast Asia, Singapore has been a major shareholder in the overall investments in the APAC data center construction market. Although, due to the moratorium, the investments slowed down but are expected to slowly gain pace in the coming 2-3 years with the expected increase in project announcements after lifting the moratorium in 2022. VENDOR LANDSCAPE The APAC data center construction market has the presence of several global and local construction contractors. AECOM, Arup, Aurecon, CSF Group, DSCO Group, Gammon Construction, Larsen & Toubro, NTT Facilities Group, PM Group, Powerware Systems, Red Engineering, DPR Construction, ISG, Kienta Engineering, Rider Levett Bucknall, Turner & Townsend and others are offering their services for data center development in the region. The APAC data center construction market, in terms of support infrastructure vendors, has several global vendors. ABB, Airedale, Caterpillar, Cummins, Delta Electronics, Eaton, HITEC Power Protection, Airedale, Trane, Siemens, KOHLER Power, Legrand, Piller Power Systems, Rolls-Royce, Rittal, STULZ, Green Revolution Cooling, Mitsubishi Electric, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, and others are offering traditional as well as innovating data center solutions in the industry. The market has been growing with a strong presence of several local and global colocation and cloud operators such as AirTrunk, Digital Realty, Equinix, GDS Services, Keppel Data Centres, NTT Global Data Centers, NEXTDC, BDx, Chayora, Chindata Group, Princeton Digital Group, SpaceDC, and others. The growing opportunities and demand in the industry have also attracted several new entrants, including AdaniConneX, Evolution Data Centres, Data Center First, MettaDC, Hickory, Vantage Data Centers, YCO Cloud, and Yondr. Initiatives such as Open Compute Project are expected to bring several new cooling techniques and technologies to the market, thereby creating more competition among vendors. Operators also look for vendors providing systems with real-time monitoring and management solutions. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 504 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $15.17 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $24.17 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.0% Regions Covered Asia Pacific Market Dynamics Market Opportunities & Trends Increased Digitalization Edge Data Center Deployment Fueled by 5G Investments Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Adoption of Big Data & Internet of Things Market Growth Enablers Rise in M&As & Jvs Incentives for Data Center Construction Growth in Adoption of Renewable Energy Increased Submarine Cable & Inland Connectivity Market Restraints Data Center Security Challenges Lack of Skilled Data Center Professionals Data Center Power & Network Outage Challenges Data Center Design Certifications Uptime Institute Tier Standards Leed Certification Tia 942 Certification Major Vendors Key Construction Contractors AECOM Arup Aurecon Group CSF Group DSCO Group Gammon Construction Larsen & Toubro (L&T) NTT Facilities PM Group Studio One Design Other Prominent Construction Contractors AWP Architects BYME Engineering Chung Hing Engineers Group Corgan CTCI DPR Construction Faithful+Gould Fortis Construction Hutchinson Builders ISG Kienta Engineering Construction Linesight LSK Engineering M+W Group Nakano Corporation Obayashi Corporation Powerware Systems (PWS) Sato Kogyo Sterling and Wilson Red Engineering Rider Levett Bucknall Turner & Townsend Prominent Support Infrastructure Vendors ABB Caterpillar Cummins Eaton Rittal Schneider Electric STULZ Vertiv Other Prominent Support Infrastructure Vendors Airedale Alfa Laval Canovate Cyber Power Systems Delta Electronics EAE Fuji Electric Green Revolution Cooling (GRC) HITEC Power Protection KOHLER Power Legrand Mitsubishi Electric Narada Piller Power Systems Rolls-Royce Shenzhen Envicool Technology Siemens Socomec Trane Prominent Data Center Investors AirTrunk Amazon Web Services (AWS) Digital Realty Equinix GDS Services Keppel Data Centres NTT Global Data Centers NEXTDC ST Telemedia Global Data Centres Other Prominent Data Center Investors Bridge Data Centres Big Data Exchange (BDx) CDC Data Centres Chayora Chindata Group Colt Data Centre Services CtrlS Datacenters Digital Edge DC Facebook (Meta) Google Huawei Technologies Iron Mountain LG Uplus Microsoft Nxtra by Airtel OneAsia Network Open DC Pi Datacenters Princeton Digital Group (PDG) Regal Orion SpaceDC SUNeVison Holdings (iAdvantage) Sify Technologies Tenglong Holding Group Viettel IDC VNET Yotta Infrastructure Solutions New Entrants AdaniConneX Data Center First Edge Centres EdgeConneX Evolution Data Centres Hickory MettaDC Nautilus Data Technologies Pure Data Centres Group Vantage Data Centers YCO Cloud YTL Data Center Yondr For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1d8l4 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment OAK BROOK, Ill., March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beth will join the Employee Benefits Group at TI-TRUST and will be an active member of its Fiduciary Team. Beths more than 15 years of experience in banking and lending to ESOP companies and ESOP transaction expertise will be a great addition to our multidisciplinary Fiduciary Team, said Brian Ippensen, President. Beth is extremely dedicated to the development of employee ownership and has a distinguished career assisting clients, said Dawn Goestenkors, Executive Vice President. We are very excited to have her join TI-TRUST and look forward to her insights contributing to our clients success. B.S. Finance, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign; J.D., University of California, Berkeley. Beth brings knowledge and experience gained over three decades of experience as an attorney, corporate finance professional and commercial banker working with ESOP-owned companies at all stages of the ESOP life-cycle to her role at TI-TRUST. For the past fifteen years, Beth has integrated her previous careers as an ERISA and employee benefits attorney and a finance professional to serve ESOP-owned companies as a commercial banker, an internal ESOP advisor assisting other commercial bankers, and the leader of the ESOP lending teams of two regional banks. She is a member of The ESOP Association and the National Center for Employee Ownership. She is a frequent speaker at NCEO and ESOP Association regional events. She is a member of the advisory board of Ownership America, a nonprofit advocacy organization seeking to expand employee ownership. TI-TRUST is nationally recognized as a premier provider of fiduciary services that serve clients across the country. We are an independent Trust Company chartered to provide Trust Services, Farm Services and Employee Benefit Services. Our team is a devoted group of professionals dedicated to meeting the needs of the trust and beneficiaries we serve. We have extensive experience in fiduciary services and can serve as a trustee or agent based on the clients needs. Our focus has been on controlled growth in order to maintain quality, control risk and deliver timely service to our clients. Growing organically allows us to be a stable and long-term trustee for decades to come. TI-TRUST manages over $16 billion in assets and has offices in Illinois, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0bf7a115-bdf4-4423-b597-de3d206d521c Toronto, Ontario, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has been honoured by Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine with a 5-Star Safety Cultures Award for the second consecutive year. This award recognizes Canadian organizations that consistently promote a culture of safety by implementing programs and taking actions to ensure healthy and safe working environments. TSSA doesnt just have a strong internal safety culture, but it also helps organizations across Ontario create their own resilient safety cultures, while holding them to the highest safety standards within the industries it oversees, said Shane Mercer, Senior Journalist, COS magazine. I applaud TSSA for its commitment to ensuring safety within its own organization and several sectors of the Canadian economy, as well as its passion to protect the people who work in them. After being identified as a nominee by COS magazine, TSSA was shortlisted as a finalist for the award following the completion of an in-depth submission detailing TSSAs internal safety programs. In the second qualifying round, a sample of TSSA employees completed a safety culture satisfaction survey and gave TSSA an overall satisfaction rating of more than 75 per cent. Day in and day out, TSSA employees make every effort to fulfill our organizations purpose to enhance safety where Ontarians live, work and play safety comes first in all that we do, said Bonnie Rose, President and CEO, TSSA. TSSAs Executive Leadership Team is proud to see the organization recognized in such a meaningful way and grateful to our employees who are passionate about safety, live our values, and have made receiving this award possible. Since 2018, TSSA has been undergoing a complete organizational transformation to become a more modern Outcome-Based Regulator that relies on data to understand risk and drive decision-making and takes a risk-informed approach to safety oversight. Enhancing TSSAs internal safety culture has been essential to the organization realizing its transformation. Rose shares more about TSSAs safety culture in a COS feature article highlighting the award winners. About TSSA Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) enforces provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support, enforcement, and prosecution activities. -30- For more information, please contact: Alexandra Campbell Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations Technical Standards and Safety Authority Telephone: 416-734-6227 Email: media@tssa.org For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org. Attachment Dublin, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Digital Education Market (2022-2027) by Learning Type, Course Type, End-Users, and Geography, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Digital Education Market is estimated to be USD 13.7 Bn in 2022 and expected to reach USD 20.7 Bn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.6%. Market dynamics are forces that impact the prices and behaviors of the Global Digital Education Market stakeholders. These forces create pricing signals which result from the changes in the supply and demand curves for a given product or service. Forces of Market Dynamics may be related to macro-economic and micro-economic factors. There are dynamic market forces other than price, demand, and supply. Human emotions can also drive decisions, influence the market, and create price signals. As the market dynamics impact the supply and demand curves, decision-makers aim to determine the best way to use various financial tools to stem various strategies for speeding the growth and reducing the risks. Competitive Quadrant The report includes a Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc. Ansoff Analysis The report presents a detailed Ansoff matrix analysis for the Global Digital Education Market. Ansoff Matrix, also known as Product/Market Expansion Grid, is a strategic tool used to design strategies for the growth of the company. The matrix can be used to evaluate approaches in four strategies viz. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development and Diversification. The matrix is also used for risk analysis to understand the risk involved with each approach. The analyst analyses the Global Digital Education Market using the Ansoff Matrix to provide the best approaches a company can take to improve its market position. Based on the SWOT analysis conducted on the industry and industry players, the analyst has devised suitable strategies for market growth. Why buy this report? The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Digital Education Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies. The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry. The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report. The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies. The report also contains the competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's competitive positioning tool. Report Highlights: A complete analysis of the market, including the parent industry Important market dynamics and trends Market segmentation Historical, current, and projected size of the market based on value and volume Market shares and strategies of key players Recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the market Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 184 Forecast Period 2022 - 2027 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $13.7 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2027 $20.7 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.6% Regions Covered Global Market Dynamics Drivers Increased Internet and Smartphone Penetration Rising Investments in Digital Education Technology Development High Demand for Microlearning Restraints Lack of Face-to-Face Interaction and Direct Monitoring Technical Issues and More Screen-Time Opportunities Growing Demand for Game-Based Learning Robust Adoption of Adaptive Learning Challenges Online Learning Requires Additional Training for Instructors Unreliable Infrastructure in Developing Countries Market Segmentation The Global Digital Education Market is segmented based on Learning Type, Course Type, End-Users, and Geography. By Learning Type, the market is classified into Instructor-Led Online Education and Self-Paced Online Education. By Course Type, the market is classified into Entrepreneurship and Business Management Courses and Science and Technology Courses. By End-Users, the market is classified into Academic Institutions, Enterprises, Government Organizations, and Individual Learners. By Geography, the market is classified into Americas, Europe, Middle-East & Africa and Asia-Pacific. Companies Mentioned Alison Edureka (Brain4ce Education Solutions Pvt. Ltd.) Coursera, Inc. Edmodo Company Edx Inc. FutureLearn Company Federica Web Learning Intellipaat Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Jigsaw Academy Kadenze, Inc. Khan Academy LinkedIn Corp. Linkstreet Learning NovoEd, Inc. Pluralsight LLC. Skillshare Telefonica Educacion Digital Udacity, Inc. Udemy, Inc. XuetangX For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fre85h About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment PHILADELPHIA, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global B2B digital marketing agency DemandLab today released Insentric, a marketing intelligence platform. The product is a revenue attribution solution developed for large enterprises and Fortune 2000 B2B marketers who need to measure and prove their impact on revenue. Insentric provides a flexible way to track and measures source, channel, and revenue attribution across the entire buyer journey. Implemented as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Insentric provides marketing teams with an easier-than-ever solution that extracts, aligns, and reconstitutes essential data into a foundational data layer that provides marketing insights with an out-of-the-box set of reports as well as endless custom visualizations for key marketing decision-making needs. This new offering brings the power of a data scientist to the fingertips of marketing from day one. Insentric is designed for enterprises that use Adobe Marketo Engage and Salesforce Sales Cloud. It is a people-centric, API-powered approach that seamlessly transforms and aligns marketing data, unlocking valuable observations such as revenue attribution, source and channel performance, and campaign timing and budgeting. Insentric continuously automates and self-heals data in the background, orchestrating end-to-end unified marketing data. By adopting a people-first approach, Insentric addresses issues other attribution solutions cannot, emphasizing the importance of comprehending the needs and preferences of individuals within buying teams for generating revenue. DemandLab will exhibit Insentric at the 2023 Adobe Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 21-23; visit Booth #444A to learn more. Since 2009, DemandLab has been implementing marketing attribution strategies and solutions for our clients. We understand the concerns of B2B enterprise marketing leaders and are committed to helping them achieve their unique goals within a market that has become more competitive than ever and even more reliant on accurate, reliable data to make sound decisions, said Rhoan Morgan, co-founder, and CEO of DemandLab. Thats why we developed Insentric: to provide marketing and business leaders with easy-to-access and accurate insights that enable them to make informed decisions, improve customer experience, and truly drive growth. Insentric has three key components: Automation: Provides consistency, quality, and streamlined processes with advanced self-healing web traffic attribution, automatic analytics tracking in Marketo emails, and data capture. Attribution: Analyzes source, channel, and revenue attribution across the entire buyer journey using people-centric processes and buying team identification to scale marketing and sales performance measurement. Insights: Reporting serves long-term trend analysis, marketing performance, and detailed storytelling. With over a decade of partnering with Marketo customers to deploy attribution solutions, its clear: Marketers arent getting the information and clarity they need to drive better decisions, added Casey Grimes, DemandLab Manager of Martech Innovation. We created Insentric to address the gaps between the dream of data-informed insights and the real-world challenges marketing departments face. DemandLab and its products and services maintain an unwavering commitment to ensuring the security, availability, and confidentiality of our customers data and are SOC 2 certified. Our customers can rest assured that their data is in safe hands, as our company has undergone a thorough audit process that evaluates the effectiveness of our security controls. We are confident in providing our customers with a highly secure, reliable, and efficient solution that meets their business needs. For more information, please visit Insentric.com. About DemandLab We create marketing-led customer experiences for global B2B enterprises. Through connected platforms, mastered data, and reporting, we build marketing engines that support revenue growth, business insights, and customer engagement. By orchestrating and optimizing your most valuable marketing assets, we empower marketing leaders to re-envision the journey through the eyes of the customer, redefine the lifecycle, and transform your organizations revenue potential. Learn more about our award-winning consultancy at www.demandlab.com. About Insentric Insentric is a revenue attribution platform developed for large enterprises and Fortune 2000 B2B marketers who need to measure and prove their impact on revenue. It measures source, channel, and revenue attribution across the entire buyer journey. Designed for enterprises that use Adobe Marketo Engage and Salesforce Sales Cloud, Insentric works continuously in the background of your existing technologies and workflows to automate, orchestrate, and generate meaningful insights through end-to-end marketing attribution data. Learn more at www.insentric.com. Media Contact: Tracy Simon 267-679-2774 tracy@tlsimonpr.com Rochester Hills, Michigan, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leader Dogs for the Blind currently has an urgent need for people to volunteer as puppy raisers for Labrador retriever and Labrador cross puppies. Puppy raisers play a critical role in the ability of Leader Dog to provide guide dogs to people who are blind or visually impaired. Because of our current need to increase our community of volunteer puppy raisers, we are providing $100 gift cards to Premier Pet Supply to help offset the cost of food and other needs. These cards are available to the next 100 puppy raisers who pick up a dog. Volunteer puppy raisers foster a puppy in their home and provide skills training for 12-14 months. Puppy raisers come from all walks of life: single, couple, family with children, retired or working, and are not required to have prior experience with raising or training dogs. They can have pets of their own in their home and are not required to have a fenced-in yard. Volunteer puppy raisers: Teach basic obedience (stay, sit, walking on a leash) Teach good house manners (relieving outside, not chewing household items) Meet with their Leader Dog-assigned volunteer puppy counselor monthly Pick-up and return their assigned dog at the Leader Dog campus in Rochester Hills, MI Leader Dogs for the Blind support includes: A puppy counselor and puppy raiser group for assistance Veterinary care on Leader Dogs campus Initial toys, leash, brush and other needed items Online training modules and puppy raiser manual Benefits to the puppy raiser are: Giving independence and a partner to someone who is legally blind Learning how to properly train a puppy from experts in the field Meeting like-minded people in their community For more information, call 888-777-5332 or go to LeaderDog.org and choose the Volunteer tab to apply or register for an orientation session. ### About Leader Dogs for the Blind Leader Dogs for the Blind is a nonprofit providing people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel. All services are provided free of charge. Leader Dog was the first organization in North America with a dedicated program to train guide dogs for people who are deaf and blind, and is the only guide dog organization offering an entire continuum of services for people who are blind including classes on learning to travel safely with a white cane and a summer camp for teens ages 16 and 17. Leader Dog also holds seminars for orientation and mobility (O&M) professionals and university students, and partners with agencies and O&M professionals throughout the U.S. to provide their clients with supplemental O&M training. Attachments Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On 20 March, Harvard University and Oxford University professors Dan Barouch from the US and Sarah Gilbert from the UK received the King Faisal Prize for Medicine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for their innovative vaccine technologies. They developed Covid-19 vaccines, which saved millions of lives. Furthermore, Northwestern University Professor, Chad Mirkin, and the A*STAR Senior Fellow and Director at NanoBio Lab, Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying, were awarded the Science Prize for helping define the modern age of nanotechnology and for their various advancements and applications of nanomaterials. Professor Dan Barouch; the Director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the William Bosworth Castle Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Professor Sarah Gilbert; the Said Chair of Vaccinology in the Nuffield Department of Medicine at Oxford University, employed a novel technology in developing Covid-19 viral vectors vaccines: the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine, respectively. Novel Vaccine Technology and Quick Response to the Pandemic Instead of the traditional vaccines methods which use a weakened or killed form of the original infection and require a long time to develop in the human body, professors Dan Barouch and Sarah Gilbert genetically modified a harmless version of a different virus to carry genetic material to body cells and deliver protection. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was based on engineering a harmless adenovirus (called Ad26) which was a common type of virus that caused mild cold symptoms.. In his acceptance speech during the ceremony, Professor Barouch said, The Ad26 vaccine for COVID-19 demonstrated robust efficacy in humans, even after a single shot, and showed continued protection against virus variants that emerged. This vaccine has been rolled out across the world by the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson, and over 200 million people have received this vaccine, particularly in the developing world. Like the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the essence of the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine, (called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19), is a genetically modified weakened version of a common virus which caused a cold in chimpanzees and no infection when injected in humans. The modified virus in both vaccines carried the genetic instructions for the coronavirus spike protein. When entering the body cells, the virus used a genetic code or instructions to produce the specific surface spike protein of the coronavirus inducing an immune response and preparing the immune system to attack coronavirus if it infects the body. Both vaccines were achieved in few months of work; the Johnson & Johnson vaccine required 13 months and the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine took 10 months of work. This was due to previous research work and clinical trials to develop vaccine candidates for multiple pathogens of global significance. The development of the Ad26 vaccine platform, which was the base for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, came as a result of Dan Barouchs accumulated work on HIV, Zika virus, and tuberculosis. He is considered a pioneer in the creation of a series of vaccine platform technologies that can be used when developing vaccines for emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. Moreover, Barouch led the worlds first demonstration of Zika vaccine protection in preclinical studies and launched a series of phase 1 Zika vaccine clinical trials. Likewise, the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccines innovative technologies were also applied by Sarah Gilbert to Malaria, Ebola, Influenza, and MERS, with clinical trials of the latter taking place in the UK and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In fact, the patented ChAdOx1 technology was developed by Professor Gilbert and other researchers at the University of Oxford in 2012. In 2014, she led the first trial of an Ebola vaccine after a large outbreak of the disease in West Africa. I am humbled to join the other 2023 laureates today, and to follow-in the footsteps of the men and women whose work has been recognized by the Foundation over more than four decades. This award is in recognition of my work to co-create a vaccine for COVID-19. A low-cost, accessible, efficacious vaccine that has now been used in more than 180 countries and is estimated to have saved more than six million lives by the start of 2022, said Professor Gilbert in her acceptance speech during the awarding ceremony. Nanotechnology Inventions Topping 100 Scientific Discoveries that Changed the World In this years King Faisal Prize for Science about Chemistry, Professor Chad Mirkin (from the US); the Director of the International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN) and the Rathmann Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Medicine, Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University, and Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying (from the US); the A*STAR Senior Fellow and Director at NanoBio Lab, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, received the prize. The work of Professor Chad Mirkin, which has been at the forefront of nano chemistry for over three decades, has helped define the modern age of nanotechnology. He is widely recognized for his invention of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), which are nanostructures composed of nucleic acids in a spherical configuration which enter human cells and tissues and overcome biological barriers, making it possible to detect or treat a disease on the genetic level. More than 1,800 products for medical diagnostics, therapeutics, and life science research were based on this technology. One vital component of our work aims to use nanotechnology to restructure DNA and RNA into forms that make them more potent medicines for treating debilitating types of cancer and neurological disease. Through this work, we hope to usher in a new era of powerful and precision genetic medicines where we can attack and treat disease at its genetic routes, said Mirkin in his acceptance speech. Professor Mirkin has over 1,200 patent applications worldwide. He also founded several companies, including Nanosphere, AuraSense, TERA-print, Azul 3D, MattIQ, and Flashpoint Therapeutics. He pioneered artificial intelligence-based materials discovery inventing a method to create patterns directly on different substances with a variety of inks called dip-pen nanolithography, which was described by National Geographic as one of the top 100 scientific discoveries that changed the world. He also developed HARP (high-area rapid printing) technology, a 3D printing process that can manufacture different products like ceramics at record-breaking throughput. As for Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying, her research focused on synthesis of advanced nanomaterials and systems, and their application in biomedicine, energy conversion, and catalysis. Her inventions have been used to solve challenges in different fields of medicine, chemistry, and energy. I am deeply honored to be receiving the King Faisal Prize in Science, especially as the first female recipient of this award, she said in her acceptance speech. Her development of stimuli-responsive polymeric nanoparticles led to a technology which can autoregulate the release of insulin, depending on the blood glucose levels in diabetic patients without the need for external blood glucose monitoring. Dr. Yings laboratory has pioneered the synthesis of mesoporous and microporous transition metal oxides; a class of nanomaterials used in energy storage and conversion, by supramolecular templating (organizing or assembling entities). Dr. Ying has more than 180 primary patents and patent applications; 32 of which have been licensed to multinational and start-up companies for a range of applications in nanomedicine, drug delivery, cell and tissue engineering, medical implants, biosensors, medical devices, and others. Her work is at the intersection of nanotechnology and technical medicine and has culminated in the establishment of six successful start-ups and spinoff companies. Four Exceptional Thinkers and Leaders Recognized in Arabic Language & Literature, Islamic Studies, and Service to Islam Along with Medicine and Science, the King Faisal Prize recognized outstanding thinkers and scholars in Arabic Language & Literature and Islamic Studies this year and honored exemplary leaders who have contributed to serve Islam, Muslims, and humanity. Professor Abdelfattah Kilito, from Morocco, received the Arabic Language & Literature prize focusing on Classical Arabic Narrative and Modern Theories. He has been a visiting professor and lecturer at the New Sorbonne, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Chicago, the University of Oxford, and the College de France. Professor Robert Hillenbrand, from the UK, Honorary Professorial Fellow in the department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) at the University of Edinburgh, was awarded the Islamic Studies prize in Islamic Architecture. His work was distinguished by its geographic and temporal expansiveness, which covered North Africa, Egypt, Palestine, and Central Asia, and spanned from the early Islamic period till the 19th Century. As for the Service to Islam Prize, Professor Choi Young Kil-Hamed (from South Korea) and His Excellency Shaikh Nasser bin Abdullah Al Zaabi (from the UAE) were this years laureates. Since 1979, King Faisal Prize in its 5 different categories has awarded 290 laureates who have made distinguished contributions to different sciences and causes. Each prize laureate is endowed with USD 200 thousand; a 24-carat gold medal weighing 200 grams, and a Certificate inscribed with the Laureates name and a summary of their work which qualified them for the prize. Attachments NEW YORK, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Allianz SE (Allianz or the Company) (OTCMKTS: ALIZY). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Allianz and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On February 17, 2022, during market hours, Allianz announced that it had booked a provision of 3.7 billion with regards to the pending court and governmental proceedings in the U.S. in relation to the Structured Alpha Funds. Then, on May 17, 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued a press release announcing that it had charged Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC (AGI US) and three former portfolio managers with a massive fraudulent scheme that concealed the immense downside risks of a complex options trading strategy they called Structured Alpha. That same day, the U.S. Department of Justice also issued a press release providing further information about the alleged fraudulent scheme. On this news, Allianzs American Depositary Receipt (ADR) fell $0.98 per ADR, or 3.8%, to close at $24.33 per ADR on May 18, 2022. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com . CONTACT: Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting:Road map to economic recovery must restore investor confidence Dr Ankrah Charles Benoni Okine Business News Mar - 20 - 2023 , 06:15 An investment banker has challenged managers of the economy to chart a clear, unambiguous and detailed road map that will restore the economy and ensure sustained growth. He said the thrust of such a policy should be on the need to regain the confidence of the investing public, especially after the implementation of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) that threatened to wipe out investor confidence in the economy. Dr Sam Ankrah, who is also the President of the African Investment Group, noted that with confidence in the economy at an all-time low, what would be required to restore sustained growth in the economy were pragmatic investment plans that had the potency to revive the most productive sectors of the economy and create the needed jobs. He was speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic ahead of the Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra tomorrow (Tuesday 21st March). The quarterly thought-leadership meeting, which is on the theme: DDEP: Lessons and Implications for How you Invest, will assemble experts on the economy, capital markets, finance and investment leaders to discuss issues on how the country can explore ways to restore investor confidence post-DDEP. Investor confidence Dr Ankrah was of the opinion that the implementation of the DDEP had disorganised the investment plans of many investors and therefore naturally, confidence in the economy will be low. To him, this is where the government has to be transparent with the people and implement the necessary programmes and policies in a more prudent and cost-effective manner to gain the confidence of the investing public to spur investments back into the economy. He said although it is envisaged that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement with the country will automatically restore confidence in the markets, and subsequently attract the needed direct foreign investment to cover the financing gap, prudence is key, However, Dr Ankrah pointed to the fact that government did not have the fiscal, as debts to GDP was over 105 per cent, adding that this shows that there is need for serious measures to be implemented in both revenue mobilisation and cutting down on costs. Failure to implement such revenue and expenditure policies would further expose the government and cause a further loss of investor confidence, Dr Ankrah warned. Event outcome Dr Ankrah was hopeful that the event would provide the panellists, the opportunity to proffer other solutions to help the government to restore investor confidence. No matter how bad the situation, there is the need for all to get on board to restore confidence because the economy needs it, the people need it and we cannot fail. In the end, we should also not do the same old things and expect new results. This time, the government must listen and implement what the experts say and that can help turn things around, Dr Ankrah concluded. Speakers Abena Amoah Managing Director, Ghana Stock Exchange, to chair the event, Rev. Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, paneilist, Prof. Ebo Turkson Professor of Development Economics, University of Ghana, paneilist, Dr Daniel Seddoh Former CEO of the NPRA, paneilist The first quarter Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting will be chaired by the Managing Director of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), Ms Abena Amoah. Other speakers are; Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Rev. Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh, who will speak on the Role of Investments in the National Development Agenda and its Benefits to Investors. An Associate Professor of Economics, Prof. Festus Ebo Turkson, will also speak on the Triggers of the DDEP, Lessons and Strategies to Prevent a Repeat. A chartered accountant and former Chief Executive Officer of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Dr Dan Seddoh, will speak on The Future of Investments and How to Regain Public Trust. Objectives The event is aimed at exploring the lessons and implications of the DDEP a prerequisite to access assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to resuscitate the economy. The DDEP resulted in the swapping of about GH87 billion short-dated bonds that had an average coupon rate of 19 per cent for long-dated ones with yields averaging nine per cent. Government currently is engaging its external creditors in a bid to provide the government with the fiscal space to meet the IMF conditionalities in accessing a US$3 billion budgetary support. NPA Boss elected President of African Refiners Association Daily Graphic Business News Mar - 20 - 2023 , 06:10 The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has been elected President of the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA). He succeeds Senegals Marieme Ndoye Decraene, who has ended her tenure. The Executive Committee of the continental body approved Dr Abdul-Hamids nomination last week and the annual general meeting (AGM) last Thursday unanimously ratified the appointment at the 18th ARDA Week held in Cape Town, South Africa from March 13 to 17. This is the first time a Ghanaian is leading the association and also the first time a petroleum downstream regulator is leading the body. In submitting the nomination, Dr Abdul-Hamids sterling leadership and visible results in the Ghanaian petroleum downstream were considered. Marieme Decraene, the immediate past President, African Refiners and Distributors Association, handing over to the newly elected President, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the association, Annibor Kragha, said Dr Abdul-Hamid's honesty and integrity in public life made him a suitable candidate for the top job. As President, Dr Abdul-Hamid will be responsible for chairing and running the AGMs and the executive committee meetings of the organisation. The ARDA is an organisation with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, but its operational office is in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire. Founded in 2006, it is the first-ever pan-African organisation for the downstream oil sector, with members comprising African oil refiners, importers, terminal operators, major marketers, distributors and industry regulators who share a common interest in matters pertaining to the refining, as well as storage, distribution and regulation of petroleum products in Africa, according to its constitution. At the end of its conference and AGM in Cape Town, Mr Kragha emphasised the simultaneous need to both prioritise energy transition and ensure the security of current supplies. The conference has been the backdrop for a call for Africans to keep funds invested in the continent rather than offshore to provide financing for the estimated $190 billion annual energy funding needed in Africa. This was followed by the announcement of two African banks injecting $16 billion into oil and gas projects on the continent. Separate implementation strategies are needed for cleaner, lower carbon generating fuels to meet the critical current demands and the urgent progress towards sustainable renewable energy, he said. He stressed that a measured decade-by-decade sustainable financing plan to ensure that investments were made to deliver a unique African energy transition was essential. The ARDA, the Executive Secretary declared, was committed to securing project financing for strategic opportunities for the African downstream oil sector and providing funds for refinery upgrades for clean fuels storage and distribution, as well as petrochemical and LPG sector development. Induction To officially induct him into office, Dr Abdul-Hamid was decorated with a sash and presented with a presidential staff as a symbol of authority. In his inaugural speech, the new ARDA President promised to make the association more inclusive and attractive to increase membership in order to achieve the stated objectives. He also congratulated the Executive Secretary on his re-election. Mr Kragha was re-elected for a second term in a unanimous vote by the organisation. Having held the position since 2020, the Executive Secretary has led the organisation through some of the worlds most challenging times, with his re-election serving as a testament to his commitment to champion a new era of energy security in Africa. Ghana Education News Saint Thomas Aquinas topples Accra Girls in inter-school quiz Jemima Okang Addae Education Mar - 20 - 2023 , 13:42 Accra Girls Senior High School, the reigning champions of the inter-school debate organised by the Ghana Culture Forum (GCF) has been toppled at the second edition of the competition by The Saint Thomas Aquinas School. They took the first place with 245 points with Accra Girls slightly behind with 242points. The other schools are Saint Johns Grammar Senior High School (SHS) and Abor SHS coming in third and fourth places with 241 points and 220 points respectively. The debate was on the theme, Culture, technology and current trends-making the youth the centre of transformation. The theme explores how Africas contribution to technology is underrated, celebrate development, and explore how technology can be used to uplift the identity of Africa. The competing schools debated on topics relating to the theme; Are Africans taking good advantage of the opportunities in the tech space? and Social media is devaluing the identity of African youth. Event The Vice President of GCF, Ahuma Bosco Ocansey said the debate was part of events leading to the Ghana Culture Day celebration, which marked the 12th edition. He noted that the idea of the debate was for the students to appreciate the essence of culture. That is the way to get the youth to appreciate the role of culture in development, he stated. He explained that, as part of the celebration, a symposium and delegate conference to elect a leader for the forum, would be held on tomorrow (Tuesday). Mr Ocansey said the competing schools of the debate would be awarded at the conference. If you read the Constitution, it states that the directive principles of state policy; that culture is central to our national development and that was what the Ghana culture forum is all about, he added. Influence of technology The Chairperson for GCF, Asare Konadu Yamoah said that, although technology had influenced our culture, it could also be said that it had also devalued cultural values. He noted that, technology affected all aspects of culture and determined the direction of its development. That, he explained, each invention influenced the way people relate to each other and how cultures eventually expand or decline. With the advent of digital technology and artificial inteligence, the pace of technological developments and their application in different aspects of our lives can be highly overwhelming, he stated. Mr Yamoah said technology was rapidly changing our expectations and realities through the boosting of emerging trends that could inure to the boon or bane of cultural integrity. Given the global domination of industrialised countries, Africans have embarked on a quest for cultural renaissance, identity, freedom, and the recognition of our contribution to the advancement of human civilization including technology over the ages, he added. He explained that the future of the continent and its transformation lied in the hands of the youth and that it was strategic to centre their focus on the agenda of rebuilding Africa. Platform The Director of Culture Education Unit at the Ghana Education Service, Benedicta Yevu said the debate was a good platform to educate the youth on their cultural identity. She expressed her desire that, students would use technology to promote the countrys culture values and norms. We wish they will use it to do anything that is going to make them feel and appreciate the identity of Ghanaians, she explained. Ms Yevu noted that, GES supported the idea that we need to use technology to advance our culture. Missing excavators: Police probe Frimpong-Boatengs allegations Emelia Ennin Abbey Mar - 20 - 2023 , 07:13 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the Ghana Police Service to commence investigations into allegations made by a former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, concerning the engagement of some New Patriotic Party (NPP) bigwigs in illegal mining activities, popularly known as "galamsey". The President gave the directive last week, and Daily Graphic checks indicate that the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has commenced investigations into the matter. Allegations Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, in a recent interview with the state broadcaster, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), alleged that some officials of the ruling government were involved in galamsey. He claimed that the alleged missing excavators story was used against him by his own party and other government officials involved in galamsey as a weapon to remove him from office. He alleged that the loss of his position paved the way for some bigwigs in the ruling NPP to continue their galamsey activities. The excavators were seized from galamsey operators at various points across the country. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng claimed in the interview that allegations concerning the loss of some 500 excavators seized from persons engaged in illegal mining in 2020 were untrue, adding that the stories were made up by some persons in government to tarnish his reputation in order to chase him out of office. During the interview on GBC, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said: There was an orchestration within the party and the government to get me out, and when I left, galamsey activities increased. Now things are coming up and we know those who are doing galamsey, even within the party and even people at the Jubilee House. He disclosed that the very actions of military personnel deployed to effect the arrest of illegal miners triggered the entire falsehood about him being responsible for the missing excavators at the time. The true story is that at the start of Operation Vanguard, the soldiers were supposed to arrest the excavators, but they went into the forest, removed the control boards of the excavators and came back to report. But when they went away, the owners went with different control boards and moved the excavators away," he said. Following his interview, a number of people and groups, including the Minority in Parliament, have called for investigations into the allegations made. Investigations commenced A highly placed source in the police told the Daily Graphic that last week the CID commenced investigations into the issues raised by Prof. Frimpong-Boateng. According to the source, the police had dispatched a letter to Prof Frimpong-Boateng to assist the police in their investigations. Ill co-operate However, when contacted yesterday, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng told the Daily Graphic that he had not received any letter from the police on the matter. Nevertheless, he said, he would co-operate fully with any investigations into the matter if he was approached Calls for probe Last Friday, the Minority in Parliament called for investigations into the galamsey claims made by Prof. Frimpong-Boateng. The Ranking Member on the Lands and Forestry Committee, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, told journalists that the allegations were grave and must be probed. We have reports of key government officials being key galamsey operators involved in destroying lands in forest reserves. We wish to call on the government to investigate the allegations made by the former Minister of Environment. It is also our expectation that the government must desist from joining illegal immigrants engaged in galamsey because today most of the lands destroyed have not been restored, he said. Ahead of the call by the Minority, the Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr Clement Apaak, had called for a probe into the allegations. The MP, in a statement, appealed to the state security agencies, such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the CID to investigate the matter. He added that such allegations could not be swept under the carpet, and that investigations must be done to bring the perpetrators to book. Ghanaians expect the requisite state agencies/institutions (OSP, BNI, CID) to show loyalty to Ghana by initiating investigations into the allegations made by Prof. Frimpong-Boateng. Given his stature and previous position in this NPP government, these allegations cannot and must not be ignored, he added. Kejetia fire started by trader cooking near combustibles - Bawumia Enoch Darfah Frimpong Mar - 20 - 2023 , 19:28 Last week's Kumasi Kejetia Market fire was started by a trader who was cooking with gas in a shop, the Ghana National Fire Service has established. The shop where the cooking was taking place, was near other shops where turpentine, gunpowder and other combustibles were sold. That is what resulted in explosions in the market, when the fire started, the investigators have established. The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia made this known when he visited the market on Monday to inspect at first hand the damage caused to the new market. "We have visited the spot of the fires and 33 shops were gutted. I have asked for a reason. I have been told investigations so far have suggested someone was cooking in his shop with gas. That is where the fire started, Dr Bawumia said. Other shops close by also sell turpentine, gunpowder and other combustible that resulted in explosions in the market, he added. Areas not affected by fire to reopen on Tuesday In Kumasi today, it was announced that the areas in the Kejetia Market, which was not affected by the fire would be reopened Tuesday (March 21) for trading activities. The authorities had initially decided to close the entire market for one week as part of the investigations into the fire outbreak but the traders disagreed with that move. The authorities suspected an electrical fault and wanted to do a thorough audit of the entire market. But the establishment of the cause and where the fire started has made them to change that initial plan of entire closure of the market for one week. Not electrical fault Making the announcement, the Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service have been able to identify that the fire was not started by an electrical fault. This means, areas that were not affected by the fire outbreak can reopen for business while investigations continue at the affected part. Parts of the Kejetia Market, one of the monumental projects in Kumasi, was last Wednesday [March 15] engulfed in fire which burnt wares estimated at millions of Ghana cedis. There were no casualties but a few people collapsed due to suffocation and were rushed to hospital. The fire started from a shop on the second floor of the market around 4 p.m. and extended to the third floor. Many traders wailed uncontrollably as thick black smoke from the burning shops in the market drifted into the afternoon sky. A total of about 50 shops were affected out of which 33 were completely burnt. Writer's email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Follow @enochfrimpong Follow @Graphicgh NDC to deliver "True State of the Nation Address" in response to Prez Akufo-Addo's SoNA GraphicOnline Politics Mar - 19 - 2023 , 16:36 The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is set to deliver what it calls the "True State of the Nation Address" at the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA) on Monday, March 20. The address will be delivered by NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and is expected to counter the recent "State of the Nation Address" delivered by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on March 8. The NDC's address, organized by the party's National Communications Bureau, will focus on the economy and the factors that have led to Ghana's recent IMF bailout. Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has expressed doubt over the government's claim that Ghana will secure International Monetary Fund (IMF) board approval at the end of March 2023. According to the Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, the government has not been able to satisfy the financing assurances related to the IMF bailout, including the board documents. Mr Forson also stated that China has not agreed to provide financing assurance to Ghana, making it unlikely that the IMF board will approve the country's bailout by the end of this month. The event is likely to draw significant attention from both supporters and critics of the opposition party. NPP to respond to NDC's 'True state of economy address' - Justin Kodua Zadok Kwame Gyesi Politics Mar - 20 - 2023 , 19:26 The leadership of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) say they have taken notice of a propaganda-laced press conference organised on Monday by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to discredit the party and its officials, including the President and his Vice. The national Chairman of the NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah during the said press conference which was tagged "the true state of the nation address" made some allegations against the Akufo-Addo-led government, describing the claim by the President to revive the country's economy as a scam. Related: Full text of NDC's 'True State of Nation address' For the NDC chairman, the President and his appointees have plunged the country into a ditch due to recklessness and mismanagement. However, reacting to the NDC press conference in a statement Monday evening, (March 20, 2023), the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said the press conference was deliberately organised by the opposition party with the sole intention to throw dust in the eyes of Ghanaians. The party has therefore served notice that it will also organise a press conference to correct the misconceptions that the opposition party has created in the minds of the public. NPP Statement President Akufo-Addo has desecrated Ghana's national awards - Asiedu Nketia Zadok Kwame Gyesi Politics Mar - 20 - 2023 , 15:05 The Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia is of the view that President Akufo-Addo has desecrated Ghana's national honours by conferring the honours on corrupt individuals in his government. He said the awards scheme was established by the Ghana's first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah to honour distinguished Ghanaian nationals and institutions for their contributions to the development of the country. For him, it was therefore untenable for the President to confer such honours on corrupt individuals whose cases are before Parliament for investigations with such honours. The the NDC's national chairman was speaking at an event organised by the party to present what they call the "true state of the country's economy" in Accra on Monday afternoon, March 20, 2023. He explained that awarding appointees whose corrupt acts are under investigations with national honours is tantamount to rewarding criminality, saying "Kwame Nkrumah did not establish the awards to reward criminality." Ghana national honours Some Ghanaians who have excelled in their various fields of national endeavour over the years on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, received national honours and were presented with awards for their meritorious services, hard work, sacrifices and contribution to national development. The awards, were dominated by workers in the health sector and their leaders who were at the forefront of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as individuals and organisations that supported the fight. Forty-seven national icons in various national endeavours were given the Order of the Volta for their exploits and sacrifices for the country, while in the event brochure it was stated that 19,557 frontline health workers across the country were also being recognised for their roles. All the awards were presented by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. It was a moment of pride for the recipients as they showed up with enthusiasm and excitement and absorbed the warm and welcoming atmosphere at the Accra International Conference Centre, which was draped in the national colours. Mismanagement Mr Asiedu Nketia also accused President Akufo-Addo of allegedly clearing his appointees of corruption without allowing state institutions mandated to do such works to do so. That, he said, the President's actions of clearing his appointees of corruption has now emboldened his appointees to engage in corruption. Akufo-Addo's claim of knowing how to revive economy is a scam - Asiedu Nketiah Zadok Kwame Gyesi Politics Mar - 20 - 2023 , 15:13 The national Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has described President Akufo-Addo's claim that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government knew how to revive the economy as a scam. For him, the President has failed in all indications of restoring Ghana's economy and therefore cannot claim to know how to revive the economy. He said whereas the President continue to attribute the country's economic woes to the impact of COVID-19, Ghana's neighbouring country's were all doing even though they were also affected by COVID-19. He said the President Akufo-Addo-led government has plunged Ghana's economy into a ditch due to reckless spending and mismanagement. The NDC national chairman was speaking at an event organised by the party to present what they called, the "True State of the Economy" in Accra on Monday afternoon, (March 20, 2023). In one of his addresses on measures the country was taking to contain the COVID-19 disease during the pandemic, President Akufo-Addo admonished the public to observe the safety protocols since any life lost could not be brought back to life. President Akufo-Addo said, although the effects of the COVID-19 situation on Ghana's economy could be dire and was going to prolong, his government knew how to bring the economy back to life and not the lost lives. "As we have demonstrated over the course of the last three years, where we inherited an economy that was growing at 3.4% and transformed it into one which has grown by an average of 7% over the last three years, I assure you that we know what to do to bring back our economy back to life," President Akufo-Addo stated. Asiedu Nketiah However, presenting the NDC's true state of the economy, Mr Asiedu Nketiah said the President's claim cannot be true since what he had done so far contradicts what he claims. He explained that President Akufo-Addo's government told Ghanaians that his government will not go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance but it was already seeking help from the IMF. He further alleged that President Akufo-Addo told Ghanaians there will be no 'haircut' but Ghanaians are today experiencing haircut, pointing out that the President cannot be trusted with his words. Another week down, so let's look back at the top stories. Samsung's Galaxy A34 and A54 were finally unveiled. The duo, which is bound to be among the most popular phones of the year, has 1080p 120Hz Super AMOLED displays, 5,000mAh batteries with 25W charging, and IP67 water resistance. The Galaxy A54 has a smaller 6.4-inch display, a 50MP main camera, and a 5nm Exynos 1380 chipset. The A34 has a 6.6-inch display, 48MP main camera, an a 6nm Dimensity 1080. Both are on sale - the Galaxy A54 starts at 490, while the A34 is 390. We got a bunch of Google leaks this week. The Pixel 7a was handled in the wild and even went on sale on eBay as a prototype. It has a 6.1-inch display, 8GB of RAM, a Tensor G2 chipset, and a 64MP main camera plus a 12MP ultrawide. The Pixel 7a will launch in June alongside the Google Pixel Fold, which we learned will cost 1,700. We also got a look at the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro through leaked renders. The new design is more rounded at the corners, moving from a boxy look into a more curvy one. The camera island is different, though unmistakably Pixel-esque. Rumor has it the Pixel 8 Pro will have a 6.52-inch display - smaller than the Pixel 7 Pro's 6.7-inch display. The Pixel 7 will have a 5.8-inch display - smaller than the 6.3-inch on Pixel 7. Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 7+ gen 2. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 promises substantial performance and power efficiency improvements. The main Kryo CPU core is clocked at 2.91GHz and the whole 1+3+4 CPU package delivers over 50% jump in performance compared to the SD7 Gen 1. An unnamed Adreno GPU, on the other hand, boasts a 2x performance increase. Efficiency gains are a bit more modest - 13% in various scenarios. We hope this chipset will make it to more phones than its predecessor. That's it for this week's recap. You can check out the full list of top stories below. Xiaomi-backed Duoqin Qin 3 Ultra is a tiny smartphone that wants to fight off addicting apps The phone boots a custom Android 12 UI with its own app store that does not include games and short video apps. Samsung Galaxy A54 and A34 listed on Austrian retailer with pricing and specs The prices are higher than the A53 and A33 last year but not as high as some rumors claimed. Infinix GT 10 Pro coming with 260W fast charging The upcoming Infinix GT lineup is said to replace the Zero series. Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23 Ultra Enterprise Edition launch in Australia It's the same hardware as the consumer S23 models, but with extra layers of security and features for the IT departments of large companies. Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 debuts, coming to devices this month Qualcomm is skipping two Snapdragon 7 series releases and goes straight to the SD7+ Gen 2. Samsung Galaxy A34 and A54 arrive in European stores The duo is already available in France and will need a week or two before it starts shipping in other regions. Redmi Note 12 series launches internationally on March 23 This is the third launch for these devices, believe it or not. Indian preinstalled apps clampdown causes controversy Reuters sources and government officials clashed over the upcoming changes. Samsung Galaxy A24 specs leak alongside some promotional renders The phone should soon join the Galaxy A34 and A54 in the Korean company's portfolio. OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite tipped to launch on April 4 Note that this isn't about the Nord 3 or even the Nord CE 3, which leaked recently, it's about a new CE Lite model. The Office of the Attorney General currently does not have enough attorneys and will temporarily stop representing the government at some hearings before the Civil Service Commission, according to Attorney General Douglas Moylan. Moylan on Monday said he is uncertain how many attorneys currently are employed by his office two more resigned recently, he said but the ideal number of attorneys on staff is about 50. Weve shifted the lawyers into prosecution to protect the crime victims in this community, and we are having a problem pulling in enough lawyers to make up for some of the civil work thats required, Moylan said. He said services will resume when more attorneys are on staff, and he has been actively recruiting off-island attorneys. The Civil Service Commission hears appeals by GovGuam employees who believe they were wrongfully suspended, reprimanded or terminated or who have an employment-related grievance against their agency. The commission holds several status hearings in connection with each case, which could lead to a hearing on the merits and a ruling by commissioners, who can decide whether the adverse action should stand or be rescinded. If the government or the employee believes the commissions decision is incorrect, they can appeal to the Superior Court of Guam. The attorney generals office normally represents the governments line agencies in hearings before the commission, and the governments autonomous agencies hire their own attorneys to represent them in cases involving their employees. For example, a decade-old case filed by a fired Port Authority of Guam employee is scheduled for a status hearing Tuesday, and the port is represented by attorney James Canto, who recently left the attorney generals office and was hired by the port. Moylan said the civil attorneys at his office recommended that the AGs office withdraw from providing in-person services at the Civil Service Commission. Well continue to advise behind-the-scenes the department heads on whether they should take adverse action, how they should take the adverse action, and what approach they should take when appearing before the Civil Service Commission, Moylan said. He said the attorney generals office also will represent the government in Civil Service cases that end up in court. The Office of the Attorney General will no longer make its attorneys available to provide legal representation at hearings before the Civil Service Commission, Chief Deputy Attorney General Joseph Guthrie stated in a March 14 memo to all government of Guam departments and agencies. The attorney generals office will assist with existing Civil Service Commission cases on a case-by-case basis, the memo states. Moylan said his office will continue to work on existing Civil Service cases filed by Department of Corrections employees. Several DOC corrections officers were fired in recent years in connection with inmate escapes from the Mangilao facility and have appealed their firings to the commission. This is all arising out of an overall problem that Guam is having, with the lack of attorneys on Guam, Moylan said about the shortage of attorneys at his office. My lawyers are being recruited by other law firms and by other government departments and agencies. In a way, Im also happy that a lot of these guys left, because they were overpaid and underworked, Moylan said. I would rather have fewer lawyers that are more dedicated to what the voters elected into office than many incompetent lawyers with attitude problems. Schools with poor conditions may have to comply with sanitation regulations sooner than expected, with lawmakers advancing legislation to speed up enforcement during an emergency session Monday. The emergency session was called after parents and teachers spent hours talking about the bad state of local schools at a roundtable on Friday. By the end of the night, it was very clear that almost every public school system on this island is suffering from the same conditions, said education chair Sen. Chris Barnett Monday, adding that Division of Environmental Health officials have said most schools would likely fail their sanitation inspections. Oceanview Middle School, Southern High School, and Simon Sanchez High School recently failed their sanitation inspections due to pest infestations and poor conditions, but they have not been shut down. However, local school building regulations give the Guam Department of Education until next year to come into compliance. Barnetts Bill 29 would require immediate sanitation inspections of local schools, and schools to comply by the start of the next school year. Though potential school shutdowns may be disruptive, Barnett said, allowing kids to remain in unsanitary and unsafe conditions was unacceptable, because youre basically telling them that we dont care, we dont care if the roof is falling down around their head. Public Health would be required to conduct immediate site inspections of all schools, and provide monthly reports of corrective action taken to both the Legislature and the Guam Education Board. Inspections would be required every year before school sanitation permits are required, something Public Health isnt required to do by current law. The Director of Public Health would be able to grant exemptions to schools that are working to comply with sanitation regulations. But that wont be an option if the schools violations are so serious they result in closure or condemnation. The measure was placed on the voting file without objection. Shut it down Sen. Will Parkinson said it wasnt likely that schools would pass their sanitation inspections if they were given another year to comply. Whether its this year or next year will lead to school closures. But thats not necessarily a bad thing. Our student population is dropping, and perhaps the most useful thing we can do to stretch our resources is to close schools and consolidate our students, Parkinson said. Former school counselor Dwayne San Nicolas said he was cautious about the measure, My only reservation with this and I support it is the timeline and the timeliness. I wouldnt want to impose something that you know, with limited time on something that you obviously needs time to get fixed, San Nicolas said. Enforcement should be sped up, said Sen. Joe San Agustin, so that schools that failed could begin to come into compliance. We gotta wait until August? No. Tell us today. If this bill passes, what are you going to do for every school that could be closed? How are you going to fix it? And what are the steps? San Agustin said. Students had already gone through shutdowns and online learning through the pandemic, said Sen. Telo Taitague, which could be a solution for closures. And if it takes August, September, October to continue on to get these schools repaired, then they can do this online. There are ways around it. But there is no way around it when a child gets hurt because we were not responsible enough to put them in a place that was safe. Is that what we have to wait for? she said. A long-term lease for military property at Eagles Field currently is being reviewed by the attorney generals office, according to the governor, who said the agreement is a lifetime opportunity to work with the federal government to build a new medical campus there. The Navy last Wednesday notified the governor that a lease for the 112-acre property in Mangilao is ready for her signature, but it must be signed within 30 days, or the identified land will be rededicated to future military use. The lease is for an initial period of 50 years, with an optional 25-year extension. Although the entire lease document has not been made public Navy Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson last week said it will become public after it is signed Nicholson said the document requires the governments new hospital to meet specific requirements in order for the lease to be free. The military normally charges fair market value for the use of its property, and Nicholson said that amount would be significant in the case of Eagles Field. Its unheard of that they are going to lease 112 acres of federal prime property to us at no cost, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said during an interview Monday on K-57 radio. The governor said the existing Guam Memorial Hospital already provides services to military personnel and their families. Services are paid for by the militarys TRICARE insurance. For example, the Naval Hospital does not have a pediatric unit, the governor said. When they dont have the specialty or the care, they come to us. So were partners with them already its just expanding the services. A new, four-story, 161-bed hospital, which is expected to cost at least $700 million, is the centerpiece of the proposed government medical campus, which also will include a Centers for Disease Control laboratory and facilities for the Department of Public Health and Social Services and the Behavioral Health and Wellness Center. Requirements Nicholson last week said the lease requires the new hospital to have the following: the ability to treat mass casualties; hyperbaric oxygen treatment; inpatient rehabilitation services; inpatient hemodialysis; a pediatric intensive care unit; a heat-resistant landing pad for military aircraft; and an interventional radiology facility that can be used for cardiac catheterization. Gov. Leon Guerrero has said work at the site could start this year, and that the $32 million laboratory, which already has been funded by the federal government, will be the first building. A federally funded master plan for the medical campus states infrastructure improvements, including roads, power, water and sewer, will be the first phase of development and could take several years to complete. Leon Guerrero on Monday said the new hospitals emergency department will be capable of handling mass casualties. She said the administration told the attorney general that, there are really no major issues with the negotiated lease. This negotiation has been going on for a couple of years, to a point where both parties feel that this is a very reasonable lease, the governor said. Of course, theres always amendments that can be made, and thats allowed in the lease. We need to urgently get this medical care center complex going, the governor said, because the existing Guam Memorial Hospital has only about four years of life remaining, the people of Guam need quality health care, and this is an opportune time to get federal land for the project. Weve looked at other properties, and theyre not as advantageous as this property, she said. If we dont use it if we dont sign this lease in 30 days it will no longer be available. Leon Guerrero has asked several federal agencies, including the military, to provide grants to help build the new hospital. Im going to try as best as I can to get as much federal money, but I cant do that until I secure this property, the governor said. Funding for a 22% general pay raise for government of Guam employees was tabled until Tuesday by the Guam Legislature. The delay comes as lawmakers weigh separate legislation to fund fixes for local schoolswhich would come out of the same pot of money the Leon Guerrero administration is eyeing for raises. It's uncertain whether GovGuam will have enough money to pay for both raises and repairs. Bill 24, which would fund the raises through the end of the fiscal year in September, was blocked by Republican lawmakers last week. The raises are set to take effect on April 1. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero responded by calling the Legislature into a special session at 10 a.m. Monday, to have them address the stalled funding measure which she said was urgently needed to keep critical GovGuam personnel onboard. But the session lasted just a few minutes before education chairman Sen. Chris Barnett called for a recess. Senators were set to deal with several measures involving the poor state of schools in the Guam Department of Education in a separate, emergency session on Monday afternoon. I know that there's much support for pay raises within this body. I've spoken to many of our members however, I feel like it's incumbent upon us to deal with the emergency session that is clearly on our plate, Barnett said. Parents testified for around five hours during a roundtable last Friday, shortly after which Barnett called for the emergency session. Despite an objection from Sen. Will Parkinson, a majority of lawmakers voted for the recess. Gov. Leon Guerrero repeatedly called lawmakers makers back into session to address pay raises. She called for a second session at 1 p.m., which was recessed again, and a third at 2:30 p.m., after lawmakers began their emergency session to deal with schools. A fourth was called for 3:20 p.m. Barnett said he did not appreciate the political gamesmanship holding up discussion about schools after lawmakers had committed to addressing the pay raise. Adelup spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin did not immediately respond when asked why repeated calls for session were put forward. Competing for funds Bill 24 would pay for raises using $26 million from excess tax revenue thats been collected this fiscal year. Around $45 million in excess revenue was reported as of Monday, according to Director of Administration Ed Birn. However, Sen. Chris Duenas has also proposed Bill 32, which would use $30 million of that same source to reimburse schools for maintenance repair money that was instead used for an educator pay raise last year. Bill 32 was one of three bills set for discussion during the Monday afternoon session. Republican Sen. Duenas has been a critic of the new round of raises, and the bill states money for raises is better spent on school repair. The PDN asked budget chair Sen. Joe San Agustin if it was possible for both schools and raises to be funded, or for the pool excess tax collections to grow. GovGuam continued to bring in excess revenue into the second half of last fiscal year. San Agustin, who has been pushing to fund the raises, said Monday that his first priority was determining where the $30 million for schools was needed. What does the $30 (million) really entail? That's the key, right? Because it's just saying give them money to fix the school, he said, when Guam DOE already had $130 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds for repairs. And the question that should be on the minds of the people of Guam (is), They have $130 million. If you haven't spent $130 million, why should we give you additional? We need to move on. Administration director Birn Monday morning said he had to review additional information related to the raises, which could change some of the numbers around. We're trying to implement it. That study previously was held up because of lack of funds, we don't believe that's the case now, but the legislature has to determine where they want to prioritize spending, he said. A groundbreaking was held April 2, 2022, for the Ypao Beach Park ponding basin project. From left: Rotary Club of Tumon Bay Past President Jason Miyashita, Rotary Club Guam Sunrise President Luckie Sakamot, Rotary Club Guam Sunrise Secretary Liza Provido and Rotary Club of Guam President Bonnie Alig. While celebrations of the past are held throughout Guams villages during Mes CHamoru, the islands history is still being discovered each day in a small, windowless room at the Micronesian Area Research Center. Books line the walls of Carlos Madrids office from floor to ceiling, providing the backdrop for his research. But most of the history Madrid studies has not yet been published in books. The amount of information that has yet to be uncovered is spectacular. Amazing, he says. Madrid, originally from Spain, has always been fascinated by Spanish history in the Pacific. After getting his doctorate, he came to the region to work, and hes now the director of research at MARC. He pores over official records, forms and documents filed with a long-gone bureaucracy to piece together accounts of the lives of everyday 19th Century CHamorus. Many of the same mundane paper trails we leave today business license applications, tax records, complaint forms, census data, land grants, school records, baptismal certificates were used in the 1800s. Individually, they dont have much meaning. But collectively, they paint a picture of daily life on Guam. Not so much political history or colonial history, Madrid says. But history of individuals. By looking at business licenses, he can get an idea of the number and types of establishments owned by women, for example. In some of the documents, the voices of the people are recorded, he says. Its like gold in terms of historical data. By the 1800s, you find here an administration of justice, an administration of government, really these areas of records, of census, etc. You find a number of records of people addressing the government for a number of reasons. The people of the Marianas were Spanish nationals. They learned CHamoru and Spanish in school, and many also knew English so they could communicate with crews on whaling ships. Madrid says what we think we know about the Guam of the 1800s doesnt always mesh with how things really were. CHamorus were teachers, police officers and merchants active in trade. We tend to perceive it over time as less developed than it was. But the CHamoru community, they had a very high percentage of people who could read. It was about 70%, he says. Every time people have to communicate with the government, they sent a letter. And in those days, like now, you have to fill out a form. Among those documents are where you find the voices. One such voice belonged to Ramona Chargualaf, who on Sept. 7, 1850, filed a complaint against the lieutenant governor. She said she was forced to wash his clothes, for little pay. She described him as picky and cruel, saying he complained about every detail, and he made her afraid and uncomfortable. She reported that she felt unwell, with pains in her stomach. But she was forced to obey. Chargualaf had assistance preparing her complaint she could not write, so she signed it with a cross. Madrid also found the lieutenant governors response to the complaint. He described Chargualafs allegations as a fabrication, woven of lies. Madrid translates the words that were written more than 170 years ago by a government official defending himself against the accusations of a laundry worker. Shes not a model of a woman. And what was the outcome of the complaint? That bit of history has yet to be uncovered. Lost to time As with any bureaucracy, the records detailing the actions of the government and its citizens were filed and stored. But they werent always preserved. What happens with those documents is they get scattered, Madrid says. Between three and five copies of each document were made, with one copy staying on Guam, and others going to Spain, the Philippines or Mexico. The documents that stayed on Guam were, for the most part, destroyed by war or deterioration. But other copies survived. What we need to do is train a generation of local scholars, Madrid says, to investigate the clues to the past. He says the university will be offering a course in archival research in the future. While the records of the 1800s provide strong documentation of daily life, the paper trail is fainter in earlier years. The earlier we go, the less detailed the documents are, he says. The earliest accounts are tales told by missionaries and colonial officials. They are outside observations of the islands people. Still, they can provide insight. Same references, different years Many of the Spanish officers wrote their own memoirs, often including their personal feelings and reflections on life on Guam. The memoirs usually werent published, but remained in their families, and Madrid has been able to study them. Frequently, hes come across references about the extraordinary marksmanship of CHamorus. Unusual. Unusual, he says. You find scattered the same references across different years by different officers. They cannot believe it. They said, This is spectacular. Madrid recalled a story written by one of the officers, who said he was at home one day, and a CHamoru soldier knocked on the door. The soldier said he had a rifle, but he didnt have a bullet. If the officer gave him a bullet, he would kill a deer and give the officer one of the back legs. The officer said, Sure, of course, here. But have more. More bullets, just in case. And the soldier said, No, only one, its OK. Sure enough, he gets one bullet. In the single shot, he kills it, Madrid says. This same episode, in different times it is told by a governor, by other people. Bottom line, extraordinary marksmanship. It is carried from the time of the sling into the times of the rifle. By Aisha Adnan | Published on 2023/03/19 All the K-Drama fans can vouch for the fact that K-Dramas have significantly evolved over time. They have started to bring more advanced ideas to the table and even stepped up their game when it comes to romance. Nonetheless, there are still many dramas that have a nostalgic touch to them, like "Crash Course in Romance". Advertisement One thing that is still seen in K-Dramas is the concept of black and white. Though we do see an evolution in this concept too, it's nothing revolutionary. K-Dramas divide the characters into either being extremely pure or the ultimate evil to formulate viewers' perspective and to glorify the main characters. Before, the main characters were often righteous and pure-hearted. In recent years, we have witnessed main characters who are morally grey. Their flaws are accepted as wrong, Like Oh Soo-jae (Seo Hyun-jin) from "Why Her?". Despite being degraded for the lack of academic achievements, her greed for success makes her wrong. Like how she silenced an innocent voice. Yet in these dramas, it is only them who are grey. Otherwise, the background is clearly organized. The other characters are either black or white. And it is because of this dynamic, that even the grey characters appear more white and gain the viewers support. Another example of this could be from "The Glory". Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo) claims herself to be cold, and someone who isn't fond of being righteous. She deceived and manipulated many to get her revenge. But we cannot claim her to be dark. Not only is her objective justified, she still has humanity left in her. She only used Yeon-jin's (Lim Ji-yeon) daughter as a bait to make her feel fear. She could have tortured the child but she didn't. Instead, she saved her from the predatorous teacher who took pictures of her beneath her skirt. On the other hand, Yeon-jin's ugly image was maintained throughout the drama. Initially, we saw her as a loving mother, but that wasn't given much importance. There weren't many scenes of them interacting or any sort of motherly warmth shown in Yeon-jin, so as to not provoke any sympathy from the viewers. Then there are characters like Kang Hyeon-nam (Yeom Hye-ran), Joo Yeo-jung (Lee Do-hyun) and the building owner. They stood by Dong-eun's side like white knights. They might be flawed, but they bring back faith in humanity. Another recent example of how writers use this concept can be taken from "Call It Love". The drama shows the dark reality of loneliness and the beauty of overcoming it. Hong Dong-jin (Kim Young-kwang) and Sim Woo-joo (Lee Sung-kyung) both live in despair, both being closed off because of their past. Sim Woo-joo's father had cheated on her mother with another woman. He left her life when she was only young. Now she lives with her siblings. After his death, his stepmother sold the house. If Woo-joo was not scornful enough, this provoked her to take revenge. She turned to Dong-jin to take her revenge. Now, even though she isn't cheerful nor are her moments justified, we still find ourselves sympathising with her. How? Its the people around her. Not only did her father abandon her family, there wasn't even a single aunt or uncle that they had good relations with. She met them years later at his funeral. They were selfish and still had to return the huge amount of money they took from their mother. Despite it being their brother being wrong, there was no one who comforted her or acted like family. Instead, we see them gossiping about how the house was sold. This makes Woo-joo appear more lonely and we still see her in a brighter light because she stands in a cruel dark world. It is interesting how K-Drama writers weaponize the concept of black and white to formulate the viewers' thoughts about each character. Even if we claim that there have been more grey characters lately, they are purposely made to be seen on the white side. By Aisha Adnan News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Chinese oil firm catering for educational needs of South Sudan's children Xinhua) 13:38, March 20, 2023 JUBA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese oil firm China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has expanded educational opportunities for South Sudan's children and recently handed over the renovated Paloch Primary School, which is the only learning facility in the entire oil-producing region of Upper Nile state. Akuma Onymou, the principal of Paloch Primary School, said the learning institution which was established in 2007 had been dilapidated and in poor condition. Onymou said that with the timely support from CNPC, the school's renovation which commenced in 2022 has transformed the learning environment for about 600 teachers and pupils. "CNPC is delivering opportunities for learning and that shows China is a friendly country," Onymou said during the handover ceremony of the renovated Paloch Primary School held Saturday, adding that the school requires more teachers and a road to facilitate movement of learners during the rainy season. Deng Jok Angok, the commissioner of Melut County, said the renovation of the eight classrooms and offices for teachers is a demonstration of China's goodwill to the people of South Sudan. "In Melut County, as a government, we are responsible for delivering services to our people, but China is also contributing much, the services the community has gotten shows China is delivering," Angok said. Lu Jiangbo, president of CNPC (Nile), said the oil company has always attached great importance to its social responsibility by actively devoting resources to charitable causes in South Sudan. "CNPC has not only launched cooperation with the South Sudan government in terms of crude oil exploration and development by investing in Dar Petroleum Operating Company (DPOC) and Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) with other foreign partners, but always attached great importance to its social responsibility," Lu said, pledging to make further efforts and create a better learning environment for the children. He added the good cooperation and friendship between CNPC and South Sudan's Ministry of Petroleum has enabled both sides to register great achievement in the petroleum upstream sector based on a win-win formula. Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan Ma Qiang said that over the past 12 years of the diplomatic relationship between China and South Sudan, CNPC in close collaboration with the South Sudanese government has established a strong footprint in the East African nation, and shared weal and woe with its people. "Faced with major challenges such as armed conflicts, oil price fluctuations, the COVID-19 pandemic, and floods, CNPC has always insisted on oilfield production, invested huge sums of money to restore production facilities, and made important contributions to the recovery and development of the oil industry of South Sudan," Ma said. He said CNPC has also actively fulfilled its corporate social responsibility, through endeavors including building the Friendship Hospital in Paloch Oilfield, the Juba No. 3 Protection of Civilians (POC) site, and the University of Juba E-classroom, and funding for the training of professional talent in the oil industry and donating textbooks to students. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) 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 Nowrooz is the most important holiday in Persian culture, and it marks the beginning of the new year. This ancient holiday has been celebrated for over 3,000 years and is deeply rooted in Persian history and tradition. Nowrooz is celebrated on the spring equinox, which falls on March 20th or 21st, depending on the year. In 2023, Nowrooz falls on March 20th, and Persians around the world are preparing to welcome the new year with open arms. Nowrooz is a time of renewal, rejuvenation, and reflection. It is a time to put the past behind and focus on the future. The days leading up to Nowrooz are filled with cleaning and decluttering the home, as it is believed that a clean home will bring good luck in the new year. People also purchase new clothes to wear on Nowrooz, as this is a symbol of starting fresh and beginning anew. On the day of Nowrooz, Persians gather with their families and loved ones to celebrate. The centerpiece of the Nowrooz celebration is the Haft Sin, which is a table set with seven symbolic items that begin with the Persian letter "sin." These items represent health, wealth, love, beauty, wisdom, fertility, and patience. Each family adds their own personal touches to the Haft Sin, and it is a source of pride and joy for all. Haft Sin is a traditional table setting that is a centerpiece of the Persian New Year (Nowrooz) celebration. The table is typically set with seven items that start with the Persian letter "sin" (). The items may vary depending on the region and the family's traditions, but the most common items on the Haft Sin include: Sabzeh () - wheat, lentil, or barley sprouts growing in a dish, which represents rebirth and renewal. Samanu () - a sweet pudding made from wheat germ, which symbolizes affluence and fertility. Senjed () - the dried fruit of the lotus tree, which represents love. Sir () - garlic, which symbolizes good health. Sib () - apples, which represent beauty and health. Somaq () - sumac berries, which represent the color of sunrise and the victory of good over evil. Serkeh () - vinegar, which symbolizes age and patience. Other items that may be added to the Haft Sin include coins (for wealth), a mirror (for reflection and self-awareness), a book of poetry (for knowledge and wisdom), and painted eggs (for fertility and new life). In recent times, some people have added additional items to the Haft Sin that start with the Persian letter "sin," such as a goldfish () for life or a clock () for time. However, the seven traditional items remain the core of the Haft Sin. Another important tradition on Nowrooz is the Chaharshanbe Suri, which is a fire-jumping ceremony that takes place on the last Tuesday night of the Persian year. People jump over bonfires to symbolize purification and the burning away of negativity from the past year. It is a joyous celebration, and people sing and dance around the fires as they jump over them. Nowrooz is a time for feasting and indulging in delicious Persian cuisine. Sabzi Polo Mahi, which is rice cooked with herbs and served with fish, is a popular dish during Nowrooz. Other traditional dishes include Kookoo Sabzi, which is an herb omelet, and Ashe Reshte, which is a soup made with beans and noodles. Nowrooz is not only celebrated in Iran but also in other countries with a Persian diaspora, such as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It is a time for all Persians to come together and celebrate their shared history and culture. The exact moment of the vernal equinox in Helsinki, Finland in 2023 will be on March 20th at 11:24 PM local time in the Eastern European Time Zone, which is UTC+2. Nowrooz is a cherished holiday in Persian culture, and it is a time for renewal, reflection, and celebration. As Persians around the world prepare to celebrate Nowrooz in 2023, let us all come together to wish each other a happy and prosperous new year. Happy Nowrooz! HT Carita Prokki , the director of business operations at TAMK, told YLE on Friday that the institute has signed a new agreement on the commissioned nursing and physiotherapy education with Kenyas Max Global Group. TAMK University of Applied Sciences believes it has found a solution to its dispute over unpaid tuition fees of Kenyan students with Uasin Gishu County in Kenya. The students stay in Finland has been secured, she assured. TAMK terminated its agreement with Uasin Gishu County in late February, citing the non-payment of tuition fees. Prokki revealed that the dispute concerns roughly a hundred nursing and physiotherapy students, whose future at the university of applied sciences was uncertain due to the non-payment of tuition fees. Cornelius Kiplagat, the Tampere-based CEO of Max Global, said the company has agreed on the payments with the students parents in a way that is as transparent as possible. A Finnish delegation learned earlier this year that the tuition fees had been paid by the parents rather than Uasin Gishu County, which had been the expectation in Finland. The parents had stopped making the payments due to lack of trust in the county and expressed their readiness to make the payments directly to TAMK, but such an arrangement was not allowed under Finnish law. The institute will re-examine what kind of international programmes are worthwhile for it in future, according to Prokki. All commissioned education will be examined to determine whether its worth it, she said to the public broadcasting service. Also other Finnish education institutes have experienced problems with the tuition fees of students from Kenya, including Edusampo, the joint municipal education and training consortium of Southern Karelia. Around 50 Kenyan students were to begin studies this year in Imatra and Lappeenranta, but their arrival was cancelled due to the non-payment of tuition fees by Uasin Gishu County. Terhi Toikkanen, the head of Edusampo, told YLE that the consortium has made an agreement with another operator that enables the students to start their studies in food and cleaning services later this spring. Aleksi Teivainen HT The report is based on a digital evaluation of the learning outcomes of roughly 12,500 ninth-grade pupils across Finland in 2021. THE MATHS SKILLS of primary school pupils have declined in the past two decades in part because of the insufficient vocabularies of pupils, indicates a report published by the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (Karvi). When a mathematical problem is presented verbally, you have to understand words such as face, function and probability just to understand the problem, Jari Metsamuuronen, a senior evaluation specialist at Karvi, commented to YLE on Thursday. Educators, he believes, should pay attention to developing the vocabularies of pupils also from the viewpoint of mathematics starting with the very first grades. The report reveals that for some pupils weak maths skills are associated with lack of patience. The decline in maths skills, though, may also stem from the fact that pupils are not necessarily motivated to try their hardest in tests that have no impact on their grades of future study opportunities. Karvi assessed the maths skills of ninth-grade pupils completely digitally for the first time, discovering that pupils fared worse than previously with problems that required a visual answer or visual problem-solving skills. Pupils, for example, struggled to determine the number of triangles a square could hold, underestimating the total by half compared to analogue tests. We had several problems where performance worsened even for straight-A pupils, said Metsamuuronen. He added that on a general level one contributing factor may be that pupils are simply not motivated to memorise knowledge in the modern-day world where much of memory capacity has been outsourced to technology. Were outsourcing our knowledge. Someone could say theres no need to know something by heart because it can be found on Google or ChatGPT has the answer, he said. Karvi has previously reported based on the same data that pupils at the end of their primary school journey can be divided more clearly than before into three groups based on maths skills: pupils with weak skills, with adequate skills and with excellent skills. The maths skills of some ninth-grade pupils are very weak. Metsamuuronen revealed to the public broadcasting company that more than a third of the pupils participating in the test performed at most at the level of the average sixth-grade pupil. Karvi is recommending that pupils be provided more intensive support starting with the early school years because the further into their journey through primary school are the more difficult it becomes to bridge skills differences. Aleksi Teivainen HT Finland has been named the world's happiest country for the sixth year running, according to the World Happiness Report released on Monday. The annual report, which measures happiness in more than 150 countries worldwide, is produced by the United States' Sustainable Development Solutions Network and uses data from sources like the Gallup World Poll. The ranking is based on six key factors: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and the absence of corruption. Following Finland in the top three are Denmark and Iceland, with Israel and the Netherlands rounding out the top five. Other countries in the top ten include Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and New Zealand. Germany fell two spots from last year to 16th place, while the United States, United Kingdom, and France ranked 15th, 19th, and 21st respectively. Israel's high ranking in the World Happiness Report is controversial and basically considered misinformation as the Palestinian population living under Israeli occupation has not been included in the survey. The happiness and well-being of Palestinians have been significantly affected by the ongoing conflict, systemic discrimination, and human rights violations they face on daily basis. Including them would have probably put Israel close to the bottom, and among unhappiest countries. Afghanistan and Lebanon remained the two unhappiest countries in the survey, with war-torn nations experiencing significantly lower life evaluations compared to the happiest countries. Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, and Congo were among the five unhappiest countries in the world. Experts attribute Finland's happiness to factors such as the country's robust welfare system and urban planning, which help citizens feel secure, healthy, and connected to their communities. The report also found that everyday acts of kindness, such as helping strangers, donating to charity, and volunteering, have risen above pre-pandemic levels. The United Nations General Assembly declared March 20 as the International Day of Happiness in 2012, emphasizing the pursuit of happiness as a fundamental human goal. World's 20 Happiest Countries in 2023: Finland Denmark Iceland Israel Netherlands Sweden Norway Switzerland Luxembourg New Zealand Austria Australia Canada Ireland United States Germany Belgium Czech Republic United Kingdom Lithuania World's 20 Unhappiest Countries in 2023: Afghanistan Lebanon Sierra Leone Zimbabwe Congo Botswana Malawi Comoros Tanzania Zambia Madagascar India Liberia Ethiopia Jordan Togo Egypt Mali Gambia Bangladesh HT Finland and Sweden submitted their applications to join NATO on the same date in May 2022. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto has assured Sweden that their security will not be compromised even if Finland joins NATO first. Niinisto stated that Swedens security is not in a vulnerable position, and that he does not believe their chances of joining NATO have weakened. The comments were made in an interview with Swedish public broadcaster SVT. While both Nordic countries have been in negotiations with NATO, Turkey and Hungary have yet to ratify their bids. Turkey has been the main obstacle, as it has voiced opposition to Finland and Sweden's stance on the PKK, which they consider a terrorist organization. However, during his visit to Ankara last Friday, President Erdogan said that Turkey would move forward with ratifying Finland's NATO application. This has led to speculation that Finland may join the alliance before Sweden. President Niinisto defended the move, saying that Finland had no choice but to accept Turkey's offer to ratify. Niinisto also stated that the three Nordic neighbors - Finland, Sweden, and Denmark - are in separate talks with the United States on security matters. They are trying to reach a bilateral military pact similar to what Norway has concluded with Washington before. Niinisto called these talks a big change and almost more significant than NATO membership. He said that if the Nordic countries have a direct and similar military agreement with the United States, it would mean a lot for their security. While Finland and Sweden have pledged to enter NATO together, it seems increasingly unlikely given the slow progress of Sweden's application. However, Niinisto emphasized that Finland and Sweden are determined to enter the alliance hand in hand as long as it is in our hands." Hungary has indicated that it will approve Finland's NATO bid on March 27th, while Sweden's application will be discussed at a later date. Niinisto acknowledged that the ratification of Finnish NATO membership is in the hands of Turkey and Hungary. NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will receive Finlands Foreign Affairs Minister, Pekka Haavisto, and Defence Minister, Antti Kaikkonen, at NATO Headquarters today. HT The first lie on the list was that Saddam Hussein was responsible for the 9/11 attacks. On the 20th anniversary of the Iraq War, it is essential to reflect on the 20 lies that led to one of the most disastrous foreign policy decisions in American history. In 2013, author and journalist Glenn Greenwald compiled a list of the "20 lies about the Iraq War," which remains just as relevant today. Today, it is widely accepted that there was no collaboration between Iraq and al-Qaeda regarding the 9/11 attacks. The 9/11 Commission Report confirmed that there was no evidence of a collaborative relationship between the two. The second lie was that Iraq was an imminent threat to the United States and had weapons of mass destruction. Despite the overwhelming evidence that Iraq did not possess WMDs, the U.S. government continued to push this narrative to justify the invasion. The U.S. intelligence community's pre-war assessments were also flawed and relied on unreliable sources, including forged documents. The third lie was that the U.S. had evidence that Iraq had WMDs. This was a claim that was used to justify the invasion, but after the war, it was revealed that there were no WMDs in Iraq. The fourth lie was that the U.S. needed to invade Iraq to protect America. This claim was used to gain public support for the war, but it has been widely criticized for its lack of evidence. The fifth lie was that the U.S. had the support of the international community for the invasion of Iraq. The U.S. did not have the support of the United Nations Security Council, and several countries opposed the invasion. The sixth lie was that the U.S. would be welcomed as liberators in Iraq. This proved to be far from the truth, and instead, the war led to prolonged violence and insurgency in the country. The seventh lie was that the U.S. had a post-war plan for Iraq. The lack of proper planning and preparation contributed to the chaos and violence that followed the invasion. The eighth lie was that the U.S. would not need to use force to bring about regime change in Iraq. This proved to be false, as the U.S. ultimately used force to remove Saddam Hussein from power. The ninth lie was that the war in Iraq would be quick and easy. The war lasted for over eight years and resulted in the loss of many lives. The tenth lie was that the U.S. would not need to deploy a large number of troops to Iraq. The U.S. ended up deploying hundreds of thousands of troops to Iraq. The eleventh lie was that the U.S. military was prepared for the war in Iraq. The lack of proper planning and preparation contributed to the chaos and violence that followed the invasion. The twelfth lie was that the U.S. would not need to spend a lot of money on the war in Iraq. The war in Iraq ended up costing the U.S. government more than $2 trillion. The thirteenth lie was that the war in Iraq would pay for itself through Iraqi oil revenues. This was another claim that proved to be false. The fourteenth lie was that the U.S. military would be able to secure Iraq's borders. The U.S. military was not able to secure Iraq's borders, which allowed militants and weapons to flow into the country. The fifteenth lie was that the U.S. military would be able to prevent sectarian violence in Iraq. The U.S. military was not able to prevent sectarian violence in Iraq, which contributed to the instability in the country. The sixteenth lie was that the U.S. military would be able to prevent a civil war in Iraq. The civil war in Iraq was one of the major consequences of the war. The seventeenth lie was that the U.S. would be able to create a stable, democratic government in Iraq. The instability in Iraq and the subsequent sectarian violence made it challenging to establish a stable democratic government. The eighteenth lie was that the war in Iraq would make the U.S. more secure. Instead, the war fueled anti-American sentiment and increased the threat of terrorism. The nineteenth lie was that the war in Iraq would increase stability in the Middle East. The opposite proved to be true, as the war destabilized the region and led to increased violence and instability. Finally, the twentieth lie was that the U.S. had a moral obligation to invade Iraq. This was a claim that was used to justify the war, but in hindsight, it is clear that the invasion was a grave mistake. In conclusion, the Iraq War was a tragic and costly mistake that was based on lies and false information. The lies that were used to justify the war have been exposed, and it is essential to reflect on these lies and learn from them. As we mark the 20th anniversary of the Iraq War, we must continue to hold our leaders accountable and demand transparency and honesty in our foreign policy decisions. We must also work towards a world in which war is no longer seen as a viable solution to conflicts and prioritize diplomacy and peaceful resolutions. While experts and human rights organizations have accused the US and its allies of committing war crimes, and have called for the ICC to investigate the actions of the US and its allies during the Iraq War, the lack of jurisdiction over US citizens and the lack of a Security Council referral has prevented the ICC from taking action. The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established in 2002 to investigate and prosecute individuals for the most serious international crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. However, the ICC can only exercise jurisdiction over crimes committed by individuals from countries that are parties to the Rome Statute, which created the ICC. The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute and has not ratified the treaty, which means that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over US citizens. Additionally, the ICC has limited jurisdiction over crimes committed by non-party states unless the United Nations Security Council refers a case to the ICC. One of the most publicized war crimes was the use of torture and abuse of detainees in US custody, including at the Abu Ghraib prison. The use of these tactics has been widely condemned as a violation of the Geneva Conventions and international law. In 2014, a Senate report on CIA torture found that the agency engaged in "brutal" and "ineffective" practices that constituted torture. Another is the unlawful killings of civilians by US and allied forces, including the 2007 "Collateral Murder" video released by Wikileaks that showed a US helicopter attack that killed Iraqi civilians, including two Reuters journalists. While Julian Assange is in prison for revealing those crimes, those who committed the crimes have never been pursued. In addition, the US-led coalition has been accused of using indiscriminate force in civilian areas, leading to high numbers of civilian casualties. Human rights organizations have argued that the coalition did not take sufficient steps to protect civilians during the war. HT A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. NOBODY writes gentle comedy quite like Alan Bennett and opening this week at the Henley Regal Picturehouse is the film version of his 2018 play about the staff and patients on a hospital geriatric ward. Penned as Bennetts tribute to the NHS, Allelujah (12A) is set in a Yorkshire cottage hospital under threat of closure and stars a line-up of veteran British acting talent. Headed by Judi Dench as a retired librarian, the cast includes Derek Jacobi, Julia McKenzie and David Bradley playing patients who help the hospital fight back against the planned efficiencies. Russell Tovey is the NHS management consultant and government adviser, whose ex-miner dad just happens to be one of the patients, with Jennifer Saunders as the formidable ward sister who has devoted her life to the NHS. When a concert is planned in honour of this distinguished nurse as she prepares for retirement, the hospital invites in a TV news crew to galvanise the local community in its fight for life. Filmed in real hospitals in Wakefield and London, Allelujah is directed by Richard Eyre and adapted for the screen from Bennetts play by Call the Midwife writer Heidi Thomas. It has a running time of one hour, 39 minutes. Peckham forms the backdrop for Rye Lane (15) a black British romcom. Rye Lane is a real street in the south London suburb where two youngsters, both recovering from bad break-ups, form a connection as they stroll around the local bars, shops and restaurants. Vivian Oparah is Yas, a wannabe fashion designer who overhears heartbroken Dom (David Jonsson) sobbing in the next cubicle in a gender-neutral toilet. The pair team up to face an unlikely lunch date with Doms glamorous ex and her new beau before landing themselves in some comedy scrapes as they open up to each other about their woeful love lives. Including scenes shot in neighbouring Brixton, Rye Lane is directed by debutante director Raine Allen-Miller and has a running time of one hour, 22 minutes. The Regal is also showing Oscar winners Everything, Everywhere, All The Time, The Whale, Women Talking and Navalny while Whats Love Got to Do With It? and Puss in Boots the Musical both continue. The complete renovation of five panoramic corner suites in Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest was recently finished, the design for which was prepared by the Hungarian Biva Atelier. Together with these five, a total of 15 Executive Suites are available to guests. A lot of natural light flows into the new suites through the huge bay windows in the living room, and thanks to their special location within the hotel, they offer a view of two streets, Deak Ferenc and Becsi Street. The suite consists of a spacious living room, a bedroom and two bathrooms. The elegant cognac leather-covered sofa in the living room can be transformed into a bed. If the guest also books a room adjacent to the suite, they will receive a two-bedroom family suite - separated from the rest of the guest corridor and expanded with a lockable antechamber. Designers Szilvia Lorincz's and Bea Zsilinszky's vision was to create an interior that fulfils the requirements of business guests as much as it does those of discerning leisure travellers in a contemporary, subdued but cosmopolitan design environment. Due to the pastel colour harmonies, the new suites satisfy the tastes of guests of various genders, ages and nationalities. Working and resting areas are separated, allowing for small business meetings to take place in the living room. The design creates exciting aesthetics by pairing distinct materials. The iconic Giorgetti armchair perfectly contrasts with the atmosphere of the other uniquely designed furniture and echoes Lorincz's and Zsilinszky's penchant for juxtaposition: the armchair amalgamates Louis XVI and post-war American industrial design trends. For those who love beauty and elegance, the suite's sophisticated lighting brings a new dimension. The lights with adjustable intensity, sometimes hidden throughout, radiate calmness and an elevated mood, and create harmonious transitions within the suite. The technical solutions also serve comfort: in the bedroom, the curtains can be drawn and closed electronically; in the bathroom, the lighting and dehumidification built into the mirror increase the feeling of comfort. The suites are decorated with the works of Gyula Sagi, a young Hungarian artist living in Berlin, who symbolises the synthesis of geometric and organic abstraction. Hotel website Regent Santa Monica Beach, poised to open late 2023, is pleased to announce the appointment of Younes Atallah as the resort's general manager. Atallahawarded Outstanding General Manager of the Year 2022 by California Hotel & Lodging Associationjoins Regent Hotels & Resorts to open the first destination in the Americas for IHG Hotels & Resorts' reimagined upper luxury brand. He will oversee the launch and operations of the beachfront resort. Atallah joins Regent Santa Monica Beach with more than two decades of luxury hospitality experience. He is an expert at delivering luxury service, with a focus on growth, positive guest and team member experiences, and bottom line profit. Most recently, Atallah held the position of general manager at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, where he lead the property through the pandemic, returning stronger than ever with a record setting year in 2022, yielding the highest top line revenues in the history of the hotel. Prior, Atallah spent 10 years with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and 11 years with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts (including the lauded Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort) in prime destinations such as Palm Beach, Florida, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Wailea, Hawaii. An engaged hospitality leader who actively contributes to local associations and industry programs, Atallah serves on the Board of Directors as vice-chair for Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, as well as the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. Atallah is passionate about community organizations and giving back, and has partnered with non-profit organizations including Santa MoniCARES, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Elemental Music, and more. Born and raised in Jordanand a citizen of the world holding three nationalitiesAtallah is fluent in Arabic and English, and proficient in French. Atallah received a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a focus in hospitality management from the University of Central Florida, as well as a professional certificate in hospitality administration and management from ESSEC Business School. Lore Group, the London based hospitality company behind Sea Containers London, Pulitzer Amsterdam and the recently launched One Hundred Shoreditch, has made a key addition to it's executive team with Matthew Thomson joining as Chief Operating Officer. Matthew Thomson, the group's new Chief Operating Officer (a role previously held by CEO David Taylor) joins Lore Group from the Timothy Oulton Hospitality Collection where he held the position of CEO.Prior to this Matthew was with Soho House, holding General Manager roles in New York and Istanbul before being promoted in 2015 to COO of Soho House for Europe. In his new role Matthew will oversee the operations of the group including hotels, restaurants and bars. Lore Group is an international hospitality company that designs, transforms, manages and operates hotel and food and beverage concepts in notable cities across Europe and the United States. From its offices in London and New York City, Lore Group delivers approachable and inspired spaces to guests from around the world. The group's properties - including award-winning Pulitzer Amsterdam, Sea Containers London, Riggs Washington DC and Lyle Washington DC- are widely celebrated for their thoughtful design and interesting use of space. Global CEO of Les Roches since March 2022, his work focuses on promoting the international expansion of the institution, considered one of the most important in the world in its field. Founded in Switzerland Founded in 1954, Les Roches has campuses in Switzerland (Crans Montana), Spain (Marbella), and China (Shanghai). Considered one of the 150 most influential tourism professionals in hospitality and tourism in Spain1, Carlos Diez de la Lastra contributes with his experience to different groups of experts, and he is a reference for the global hospitality industry. Carlos Diez de la Lastra Buigues (Madrid, 1970) was appointed Global CEO Les Roches in March 2022. Previously, for the past eight years, he was Managing Director of Les Roches Marbella where he focused on consolidating the leadership of the University in Spain in the training hotel managers and executives for the global hospitality industry and related luxury sectors and drive its continued expansion to international scale as part of the Sommet Education group based in Switzerland. He has developed a long professional career in the higher education sector, including among his most recent positions the Vice Presidency of Expansion of the European University and the General Director of the European University of the Canary Islands, as well as different management positions in Spanish and international universities. He has taught at the Centre for Economic and Commercial Studies (CECO) and at the Institute for Insurance Mediation and Finance (IMAF) and has lectured at various national and international institutions. He also formed part of the team involved in the proposed introduction of the single European currency collaborating with the Spanish State Society for the Transition to the Euro and the National Consumer Institute. Carlos Diez de la Lastra graduated in Economics and Business at the University Complutense of Madrid and holds a Master in Business Administration MBA from IEDE. He is currently working on his PhD in Education. Bob Hunter of Hunter Hotel Advisors created the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference (HUNTER) more than 30 years ago. Back then, hospitality conferences catered solely to major industry players, little attention paid to emerging entrepreneurs. Bob dreamt of a conference where all could learn, connect, and do business in a welcoming environment. Through a partnership with the Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality at Georgia State University, a new hospitality conference was born. Bob's hometown of Atlanta, hosted the first HUNTER conference in 1989. HUNTER has since grown into the premier hospitality conference where relationships and deals are made. HUNTER welcomes anyone involved in the financing, management, and development of hotels franchisors/franchisees, owners, management companies, lenders, consultants, designers, lawyers. This event is organized by Hunter Hotel Advisors London, United Kingdom - The World Travel and Tourism Council ( WTTC ) has released new information on the climate footprint of the Travel and Tourism sector in Spain. In one of the largest research projects of its kind, the international body can, for the first time, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment. According to the data, the Spanish Travel and Tourism sector has experienced continuous growth in terms of its contribution to GDP, while reducing the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2019, the sector represented 11% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in all of Spain. However, this percentage saw a decrease of six percentage points, reaching 5% in 2020, mainly due to the reduction in tourist activity during the pandemic. Between 2010 and 2019, the economic growth of the Spanish Travel and Tourism sector was decoupled from its greenhouse gas emissions. During this period, the sector's total contribution to national GDP grew by an average of 2.3% per year, while greenhouse gas emissions increased by only 0.9% per year during the same period. The figures also show that the sector's emissions intensity continues to decline. In 2010, Viajes y Turismo produced 0.44 kg of greenhouse gases for every euro generated by the Spanish sector. This figure fell by an average of more than 11.3% per year in 2019, when the sector was at its peak, to reach 0.39 kg for every euro of GDP. In the following years, this amount decreased even more. , reaching 0.36 kg and 0.33 kg in 2020 and 2021, respectively. This significant decline illustrates the impact of the changes implemented by the Spanish Government and business leaders to create a more sustainable sector. Spain's Travel & Tourism sector has decoupled its economic growth from its greenhouse gas emissions and continues to reduce its emissions intensity, but we know there is still a lot of work to be done. do. We need continued government support to increase production of sustainable aviation fuels, which will have a significant impact on our footprint, as well as to bring more renewable energy into our national grids, in order to minimize our absolute emissions to meet our targets. and ambitions. Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the WTTC Energy use The world body for tourism also provides information on the sector's energy use and efficiency, showing that between 2010 and 2019, the sector's total energy use decreased by 1.2% per year, showing that while Travel and Tourism continued to grow, it also became more energy efficient. Between 2010 and 2021, the share of low-carbon energy sources in the national energy mix has gradually increased from 10.9% in 2010 to 12.8% in 2021, while the sector's dependence on fuels Fossils as an energy source has also declined. This comprehensive study covers 185 countries from all regions and will be updated each year with the latest figures. This research has been made possible through a partnership between the WTTC and the Saudi Arabia-based Global Center for Sustainable Tourism. Under the Saudi Green Initiative, more than 60 initiatives were launched last year, representing more than $186 billion of investment in the green economy. About WTTC The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector. WTTC Press Office WTTC Japan-based TRIAD Co., Ltd (TRIAD) has just acquired the 291-key ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kyoto (ANACPHK), by raising a staggering JPY7.2 billion through real estate crowdfunding COZUCHI. Launched in 2019, COZUCHI has managed to raise over JPY22 billion, with its goal to achieve total assets of JPY100 billion and acquire JPY1 billion worth of real estate assets. The ANACPHK is situated opposite of the prominent UNESCO World Heritage site Nijo-Castle and a minute walk away from Nijojo-mae Subway Station. The property is managed by UK-based IHG Hotels & Resorts and consists of six restaurant and bars, ten meeting rooms, a fitness centre, an indoor pool and sauna. Aman to Open its First Sister Brand Hotel, Janu, in Tokyo Switzerland-based Aman Resorts (Aman) is set to debut its sister brand, Janu, in Tokyo this autumn 2023. Janu Tokyo will be a 13-storey building with 122 guest rooms, with majority of the rooms having private balconies that faces at the Tokyo Tower. Janu Tokyo will also feature the Janu Wellness Centre that span over 4,000 square metres, making it the largest luxury hotel wellness centre in Tokyo. Next to the Janu Tokyo, the Aman Residences will also be opening in 2024, featuring 91 apartments and a 1,400 square metres Aman Spa. Former Metropolitan YMCA Residences Rebranded as The Assembly Places First Service Apartment Singapore-based The Assembly Place (TAP) will open its first service apartment at 58 Stevens Road The Assembly Place @ Stevens (TAPS). Rebranded from the former Metropolitan YMCA Residences, the 27-key TAPS is located seven minutes walk away from the Stevens MRT station and within a short distance to Orchard Road. TAPS will be the first out of the four service apartments that will be launched under the TAP brand this year. A total of 1,500 rooms are expected to be in operation for TAP by June 2023. Good Housing Plans to Develop a 15-storey Co-living Development in Newcastle, Australia Australia-based Good Housing (GH) has announced its plan to develop a 15-storey co-living apartment in Newcastle, Australia. Located at 28 Denison Street, the proposed property will be in walking distance to the Newcastle Interchange Railway Station. Each of the 72 co-living unit will have their own private space, but also access to facilities such as communal kitchens, indoor and outdoor communal space such as a roof terrace. Co-living was introduced into the New South Wales Housing Policy in 2021, and it is eligible for a density bonus of 10 percent until August 2024. About HVS HVS is the world's leading consulting and valuation services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 4,500 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. Through a worldwide network of over 50 offices staffed by 300 experienced industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com. Seniors need to feel a sense of purpose and connect with like-minded people to continue living their lives to the fullest. Staying active, engaging with friends, and community support contribute to their happiness and well-being. Older adults may need special equipment and facilities to continue doing what they love to do without risking their safety. Fortunately, senior community centers are designed especially for such needs. These facilities are open to seniors who want to socialize, stay active, and access resources about aging with less fear or worry. Below are some facts you might not know about these public facilities. 1. Senior Community Centers Provide Comprehensive Services These specialized facilities offer valuable services accessible to older adults aged 60 and older in the hopes of improving their well-being. Assistance programs vary from one facility to another, but most senior community centers provide these: To promote physical soundness and fight diseases: fitness and health programs, meal subsidies, exercise programs To boost their sense of purpose: employment assistance, volunteering, civic engagement opportunities For information dissemination: benefits counseling, legal aid, and consultations For socialization: out-of-facility trips, social events, recreational activities, community support groups, intergenerational activities For skills enhancements: educational and arts programs Other types of assistance As mentioned, senior community centers don't have the same programs and activities lined up for their participants. Ask your nearest facility to discover their services. In the US, over one million older adults take advantage of the resources and amenities offered by about 11,000 senior centers countrywide, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA). 2. Senior Community Centers Are Free Unlike other social groups, participants don't need to pay for membership and additional fees to access such resources. As senior community centers are public facilities, they're open to anyone who's over 60 and wants to network with other older adults in the community. These centers are publicly and privately- funded and don't discriminate. Because of this, most of these facilities rely on volunteers to run their programs. Besides putting in the time, volunteers often provide other means of operational support, including fundraising initiatives and transportation assistance. 3. Seniors Can Volunteer Or Find Work In These Facilities Center volunteers don't have age limits. Thus, participants who think they have what it takes to make a good paid or volunteer worker can spend their time contributing to improving the services. Working at a senior center is a good way to supplement one's retirement funds. For instance, Caregiver-Direct Support Professionals earn USD$23 per hour. But, as with other jobs, hourly rates will depend on your locality and the position. Similarly, these community centers link retired workers with local staffing agencies and headhunters for job placements. Job offers are either on-call, temporary, part-time, or full-time. Senior centers can accommodate participants who want to volunteer elsewhere and occasionally. These facilities launch activities like feeding programs, community pantries, and other assistance activities for those in need. 4. Senior Centers Don't Discriminate Research has discovered the average age of participants in senior community centers is 75, from all races-from Caucasian to African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. The research also found that about 70% of participants are women, half of them living alone. Moreover, approximately 75% of guests visit once to three times weekly, spending more than three hours each time. 5. Anyone Can Donate Funds Or Provide Support To Senior Centers Because these facilities offer free services, senior centers need all the support they can get to continue operating. While the bulk of funding sources come from federal and state governments, these establishments accept funding boosts from any of the following: Town or city contributions Contributions from participants Fundraising activities Private and public grants Business donations Personal donations Some extra services offered in these places also come with minimal fees, for instance, for outside trips or Zumba classes. For example, participants who joined the Smart Driver Course last March 15 at Madison Senior Center in Wisconsin were asked USD$20. 6. Senior Centers Help Elders Stay Healthy The NCOA research referenced earlier suggests that senior center participants have higher health, social interaction, and life satisfaction levels than non-center participants. Such a finding isn't surprising, as senior community centers have multiple health programs encouraging participants to stay physically and mentally active. Indeed, the National Institute on Aging recommends self-care, regular health screenings, physical and mental activity, social activities, and stress management to maintain cognitive health in older adults. More than launching exercise programs, these facilities likewise help their guests manage the symptoms of chronic diseases and conduct regular health check-ups. Periodic health screenings are helpful if you don't have wearables or the Internet of Things for tracking your health condition. Concluding Thoughts Senior community centers are vital establishments that improve the elderly's quality of life. These facilities allow seniors to stay active, socialize, and be happy. These centers also make the transition less scary for older adults with the available knowledge and resources they provide. Ultimately, these services benefit the center participants and their family members. With the increasing older adult population, the demand for such services will rise in the coming years. Global hotel group, YOTEL is the most recent hotel group to join Userguest. The partnership between the disruptive hospitality brand, with hotel website revenue booster Userguest, is a conscious effort to optimize the groups direct revenue stream. Many hotels still struggle to convert direct bookings, having to rely on third-party booking sites to drive results, recently the industry has seen a shift as hoteliers look to technology to resolve this. YOTEL was looking for a solution that would be suitable for multiple properties within the group, and at the same time, help automate the personalization aspect on the websites - aligning purchase intent with the hotels revenue priorities. We found exactly what we were looking for in a hotel tech partner through Userguest. Increasing direct bookings from our hotel websites was the starting point, however when we learnt about RevMarketing Automation and saw how the tool automatically helped boost revenue and optimize occupancy, we knew this would be a key differentiator. Augustin Cacot, Vice President of Demand at YOTEL YOTEL will add Userguest to multiple properties and locations - Amsterdam, Edinburgh, New York, Porto, Singapore and Miami are just some of the hotels that will rely on the power of automation to boost direct revenue. We are thrilled to welcome YOTEL onboard, were especially excited to see such great results on a multiple-property level. We worked closely with YOTEL to ensure the initial set-up of the tool was exactly as they wanted it to be for each hotel and location, then we let smart technology take over and the results are incredible said Hicham Benyebdri the founder of Userguest. During the initial pilot, one of the best-performing properties was YOTEL New York Times Square, in just one month Userguest helped draw user attention to specific dates that needed to be filled, resulting in an increase in incremental revenue of nearly $200K. Inventory that could have been left unsold and revenue lost if the dates had not been promoted to visitors directly on the hotels own website. Userguest connects the dots between our hotels tech stack, allowing us to optimize inventory and bring attention to specific periods that match with what the website visitor is looking for. When we apply this across multiple properties, the overall impact could be huge for YOTEL. stated Augustin Cacot. About YOTEL Hotels With 22 properties in sought-after locations globally, YOTEL is for people on the move. People who are experiencing, doing and achieving; Non-Stop. From buzzing cities to bustling airports YOTEL exists to challenge to status quo of the hospitality industry and deliver a different experience for guests through smart design, creative technology, and awesome people. YOTEL is the pit stop for the Non-Stop. The global hospitality brand is based in London with regional offices in the US and Asia and has a portfolio of three brands: YOTEL (city centre hotels), YOTELPAD (extended stay option) and YOTELAIR (airport hotels). The company operates fourteen city centre hotels in New York, Boston, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Miami, Singapore, Edinburgh, London (2), Amsterdam, Porto, Glasgow, Manchester, and Park City, and six airport hotels in London Gatwick, Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris, Charles de Gaulle, Istanbul Airport (2), and Singapore Changi. YOTEL's major shareholders include a controlled affiliate of Starwood Capital Group, the Talal Jassim Al-Bahar Group, United Investment Portugal, and Kuwait Real Estate Company (AQARAT). YOTEL was originally created by YO! founder Simon Woodroffe OBE who took inspiration from the experience of first-class travel and translated that ethos, language and design into small but beautifully designed rooms. www.yo.co.uk About USERGUEST USERGUEST is a travel tech company founded in Amsterdam in 2019 by Hicham Benyebdri, Assil Bernossi, and Ahmed Chami. The start-up strives to empower hotels to be less dependent on OTAs, helping to close the gap between revenue managers and marketers. After identifying that most hotels seek to increase their unmediated revenue stream, the founders set out to develop a tool that would boost direct bookings. They developed a SaaS solution that leverages data to maximize hotel website revenue and improve customer experience. About the Tool Userguest is a smart notifications tool. It uses smart algorithms to display personalized notifications to each website user, prompting them at crucial points in the booking process to complete their reservation. The tool is compatible with all booking engines, which makes its integration and implementation easy and flawless for each hotel. Through RevMarketing Automation the tool automatically matches the hotel's needs and objectives to those of the visitor and their intentions. Find out more via the Userguest website: https://userguest.com/. Follow Userguest on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/userguest/. Nicole Varela Head of Marketing SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Highgate, a leading hotel management, investment and development company, and Flynn Properties, a San Francisco-based owner of luxury resorts, commercial real estate and select service hotel properties in America and abroad, today announced the acquisition of The Huntington Hotel. Located in San Franciscos Nob Hill neighborhood, the storied property has long been a nostalgic symbol of a bygone era, having originally been constructed in 1924 as the first steel and brick high rise west of the Mississippi. Together, Highgate and Flynn Properties intend to restore and elevate every aspect of The Huntington Hotel to the very highest standard, returning it to its original glory while reestablishing it as the single finest luxury hotel in San Francisco. In addition to a comprehensive renovation of its public areas and guest rooms, the beloved Big 4 Restaurant will undergo upgrades with a keen sensitivity to the charm cherished by local residents and out-of-town visitors alike. The award-winning Nob Hill Spa will be renovated to reflect the finest design details and offer the latest treatments and amenities available in the industry. Upon reopening, expected in 2025, The Huntington Hotel will again occupy its important place in the community all while celebrating its rich history. I could not be more excited about the opportunity to bring the iconic Huntington Hotel back to its former glory and beyond. Being a San Francisco native and current resident, I am deeply committed to this city. The opportunity to contribute to its renaissance through investment in one of its true treasures is a privilege, and I am committed to making sure that it is done to perfection. I am also excited to partner with Highgate. This is our second partnership with the firm, and they bring an invaluable wealth of experience and expertise to the project. Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Greg Flynn With the largest average room size and one of the highest suite mixes amongst all luxury hotels in San Francisco, The Huntington Hotel is ideally suited to become the top luxury hotel in the city. Furthermore, the propertys superb location atop Nob Hill not only affords exquisite views in all directions as well as easy access to Union Square and the downtown business district, but it does so in the attractive backdrop of Grace Cathedral and the lovely Huntington Park. San Francisco-based Flynn Properties has deep experience in redeveloping and owning luxury assets. Its holdings include the Carneros Resort & Spa and Solage, both located in Californias Napa Valley; Esperanza and Chileno Bay, both located in Los Cabos, Mexico; and the Hotel Madeline in Telluride, Colorado. With a more than 30-year track record as a global investment manager, operating partner and developer, Highgate brings deep experience owning, operating and redeveloping hotels in San Francisco, including the recent comprehensive renovation and rebranding of the Hyatt Regency SoMa in San Franciscos Arts District. Highgate has also recently completed the revitalization of several other historically significant luxury hotels in core urban markets, including the Newbury Boston, and the Knickerbocker Hotel and Park Lane Hotel in New York City. Highgates philosophy has always been to pursue opportunities where we have a distinct ability to add value. Under our stewardship, The Huntington will reclaim its mantle as an indispensable component of the San Francisco community, through a revitalization project that will celebrate its heritage while making significant upgrades to meet the expectations of todays guests. We look forward to partnering with the associates, the community and Flynn Properties in achieving these objectives, and we are thrilled to make another significant investment in the San Francisco hotel market. Arash Azarbarzin, Chief Executive Officer at Highgate The Huntington Hotel is the latest addition to Highgates growing luxury and lifestyle division, which includes over 7,500 keys with 2,100 keys under development. About Flynn Properties Inc. Flynn Properties Inc. has substantial experience investing in commercial and hospitality real estate. Founded in 1994 and based in San Francisco, CA, its commercial investments include in excess of 3 million square feet of tech-oriented office buildings on the West Coast. Its hospitality investments include 115 mostly Marriott and Hilton-branded select service hotels across 23 states, as well as the luxury resorts Esperanza and Chileno Bay, both located in Los Cabos, Mexico, the Carneros Resort and Solage, both located in the Napa Valley, and the Hotel Madeline in Telluride. Its affiliate, Flynn Restaurant Group LP, is the largest franchise restaurant operator in the world, owning and operating 2,400 restaurants in 44 states, generating $4.4 billion in sales, and directly employing approximately 73,000 people. For more information, visit: www.flynnholdings.com. About Highgate Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company with over $20 billion of assets under management. Highgate has a 30-year track record as an investment manager, operating partner, and developer for REITs, private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, high net worth individuals, and other institutional investors. With a particular focus in hospitality real estate, Highgate's portfolio includes over 500 owned and/or managed hotels comprising over 84,000 rooms across the United States, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate's capabilities extend to adjacent real estate verticals including multifamily, short-term rentals, and diversified healthcare real estate, as well as investments in real estate-linked securities, technology platforms, and hospitality-related operating businesses. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Seattle, Waikiki and London. For more information, visit: www.highgate.com. Chicago, IL (60637) Today Windy with on and off snow showers during the morning. High 43F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 34F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Click here for a Print Subscription with Online Digital included. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. Below you will see test that reads Print Subscribe Access. Click this to then Get Started attaching your account number and zip code to you online user account. Click on the banner above if you would like to become a print subscriber with digital access. If you simply want online access without print click get started below. Subscribers to Register-Star or The Daily Mail are eligible to receive full access to HudsonValley360. If you have an existing print subscription, please make sure your email address on file matches your HudsonValley360 account email. Hudson, NY (12534) Today Cloudy with occasional light rain...mainly in the morning. High 59F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 43F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Berkshire Planning Commission, Senator Talk Rural Affairs PITTSFIELD, Mass. State Sen. Paul Mark and the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission say the governor's creation of a statewide director of rural affairs is a good sign for the region. The senator was thanked for his support of rural communities over the years. "I think that's a very big step for our small towns across Massachusetts," Executive Director Thomas Matuszko said at last week's meeting. The position, which is housed in the Executive Office of Economic Development, will cultivate rural economic development and coordinate with secretariats and state agencies to ensure that state government is attuned to the unique needs of rural communities. "I think it's a really strong signal from [Gov. Maura Healey] that she is committed to actually paying attention to us actually, making sure that rural communities aren't forgotten," Mark said. "And hopefully this person, as it will exist, will be a direct interface with both the Rural Policy Advisory Commission and with the members of the rural caucus in the legislature, and then with town and regional governments as well." He was one of the co-sponsors of a 2015 bill filed by the late Stephen Kulik, former representative of the First Franklin District, to establish an office of rural policy. This session, the bill is filed in the House and Senate. "Long story short, the bill would have created this office of rural policy with a rural policy executive director, and they would report to the board of directors that would be the Rural Policy Advisory Commission," Mark explained. He has heard that actions as simple as helping small towns access grants and resources, which was the intention of the bill that was filed. "I am still going to push for that bill, but we'll see how the first year or two goes," he said. "I imagine the governor is going to want to test it out the way she wants to test it out at first and we'll see how that goes." Sheffield alternate Rene Wood asked if Mark has input on the position's duties as an appointee to the Rural Policy Advisory Commission. He believes that Healey wants the position to work as closely with people who are well versed in rural affairs to be as successful as possible and imagines that the person will become a member of the RPAC. "I guess what I would hope from people I serve is, as we give this a chance, if we find it to be useful to let us in the Legislature know what is going well and if there are things that they're not doing that we want to fix," Mark said. BCHS Lecture on Early History of Brewing in Pittsfield PITTSFIELD, Mass. On March 23 at 5:30 pm, the Berkshire County Historical Society (BCHS) explores the city's brewing history as well as contemporary Berkshire brewing with a lecture by Cynthia Brown, historian and BCHS President. The presentation will be followed by a tasting from Berkshire Brewing Co., Hot Plate Brewing Co., and Shire Breu-Haus at Berkshire Theatre Festival's "The Garage" at 111 South Street. Additional flights and full pours will also be available for purchase. Tickets are $25 for BCHS, $30 for non-members and can be purchased in advance at https://berkshire-county-historical-society.square.site/events; you must be 21 years of age to participate in the tasting, but the lecture is open to all ages. Brown's talk, Beer for Their Refreshment: Brewing in Pittsfield from the 18th Century to Prohibition, will present original research and images that will illuminate this part of Pittsfield's history and culture. Gimlich of Pittsfield brewery firm in 1886 employed over 100 workers and manufactured tens of thousands of barrels a year at its peak. Later known as the Berkshire Brewing Association, this long-time Pittsfield business was the apogee of a series of commercial brewing concerns that supplied Pittsfield taverns, inns, families, and individuals with their beer, starting before 1800 and lasting into the first years of Prohibition. More recently, Pittsfield as well as Berkshire County have seen the rise and success of several new breweries, growing out of the microbrewery movement that took hold in the 1990s. 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. FEMA Awards Nearly $1.4 M to BMC for COVID-19 Testing Costs BOSTON The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will send almost $1.4 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reimburse the Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) for the cost of of testing the public and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The $1,390,865 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the private 302-bed teaching hospital in Pittsfield affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical School for the cost of contracting to administer 22,968 COVID-19 tests between September 2020 and January 2021. The hospital also purchased supplies such as lab coats, masks, gloves, and propane for the testing tent, and contracted to provide security and cleaning services. "FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the Berkshire Medical Center with these costs," said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. "Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation." Construction Grant Changes No Longer Align with Berkshire Atheneum's Goals PITTSFIELD, Mass The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has adjusted this round of its construction grant program, no longer aligning with the Berkshire Athenaeum's goals. This grant round is really no longer a renovation program, library Director Alex Reczkowski said during a trustees meeting last week. Interested applicants need at least two locations that they would be interested in pursuing as possible libraries or locations, not just the current library, he said. Acceptance of the award is once every 30 years. Although the library has some physical upgrades to the building in its strategic plan, it does not have enough data for a bigger project than that, Reczkowski said. In the past, the grant program has been a good option for libraries to do renovations. Previously there were two steps, a design and then a construction phase. The city had to put up $25,000 for the planning and design and the state would double match it so the library would have $75,000. Now these two steps have been rolled into one requiring that the library and city come up with $150,000 to do all of the planning ahead of time before the construction. Reczkowski said the goal of the change is so that state can offer these construction grant rounds more frequently but it's been 12 years since the last round the library was in so it could potentially miss a window. "I think we were really enthusiastic about a potential renovation of the building, seeing how some of our needs have changed, but I don't think that we're at a place where we have a good sense of our citywide building needs," he said. At this point, Reczkowski said his gut feeling would be to look into spaces for a branch or branches within the city, but the library is not quite ready to commit to a 30-year process. "Especially seeing how our staff has been adjusting and our services are changing. So some of the people coming in are different. So I feel like we just aren't quite there yet. But I don't want you to feel like we're missing an opportunity," he said. In other news, Reference Services Supervisor Madeline Kelly has agreed to supervise the local history department and reference department. This change will expand the reach of the local history research so other departments can use it in library projects, including restarting the progress on the veterans grant, "lovingly called the Schrab grant." At the end of 2022 the first of the new American Ford class CVN (nuclear-powered aircraft carrier) finally left for its long delayed operational stress test cruise. This means two months at sea, operating as a fully functional aircraft carrier. Unfortunately this cruise revealed more equipment flaws, the main ones being continued problems with EMALS (the catapults) and arrestor gear. That was not expected as the recent repairs to four JBD (Jet Blast Deflectors) mounted on the flight deck were monitored and found to have worked. The JDBs are relatively ancient tech, first introduced in the 1950s as more powerful jet aircraft became standard on aircraft carriers and deck crews needed protection from the dangerous blats of heat coming out of jet engines as the aircraft prepared to take off. In August 2022 the Ford JBDs were found to have defective components that corroded and caused JBDs to fail. Substandard components have long been a problem in shipbuilding, especially when it comes to warships. These require a lot of exotic components not found on commercial vessels. Suppliers will often deliver substandard parts, either because of incompetence or attempts at fraud. This is another item on the long list of failures by the navy shipbuilding bureaucracy. The Ford-class ships are not exceptional when it comes to these problems, just the most expensive ship plagued by these problems. There seemed to be no end of problems that delayed this operational stress test cruise, which is meant to demonstrate that the Ford, the first of a new class of carriers, is ready for decades of service. The stress test cruise showed that the Ford could operate under simulated combat conditions, but not as effectively as existing Nimitz class CVNs. Nimitz uses older tech while the Fords were equipped with updated versions of many key items, some of which didnt perform as expected and, of those, some were predicted to fail with those predictions ignored. There were several reasons for this, starting with poorly thought out new technology that was not adequately tested before being accepted for installation on the Ford. The flawed items included new catapults, arrestors systems and elevators that brought munitions to the flight deck where they were attached to aircraft. There were some other problems with the radars and engines, but these proved easier to fix than the flight deck equipment. The JBDs were not new tech and failures were the result of substandard parts. There may be other substandard components in the Ford that will not perform reliably for as long as expected. The growing list of problems has grown and the delays have kept the Ford from entering service. The original deployment date was 2018 and many of the delays involved getting all the problems resolved for the 2022 cruise. Until 2021, it was feared that 2024 might be a more realistic deployment date. Many delays were avoided by borrowing components from those stockpiled for the second Ford-class carrier, the Kennedy. None of the borrowed parts are exotic, but the Ford did not have enough available to deal with all the needed modifications and repairs required to meet the 2022 deployment date. The parts problem was resolved in time to meet the 2022 deadline, or so it was thought. Ford has successfully completed many tests so far. Ford underwent the three required FSST (Full Ship Shock Trials) test explosions in mid-2021 and examination of the Ford after the last explosion was described as successful, with less damage than expected. The Ford had developed a reputation for being the cause of unwanted firsts. This applies to the frequent delays in carrying out the Ford FSST. In early 2020 the navy asked for another delay in performing mandated shock tests because it was feared that, while most of the ship could probably handle the explosion, this would damage some of the equipment with problems that were still being fixed. An FSST was supposed to reveal what equipment was not sufficiently built or installed to handle shock as well as confirming that the hull and ship can handle the stress. One of those sensitive systems was the new AWE (Advanced Weapons Elevators). These high-speed elevators were more sensitive to shock damage. The navy wanted to delay shock tests until the second Ford-class carrier entered service in the mid-2020s because, it admitted, it was unsure how badly shock tests would damage new systems and design features unique to the Ford class. Five of the seven elevators were fixed by the time the first shock test took place. Work was still under way with one of the radar systems that was not at risk because of FSST. The results of the first shock test were reassuring, but did add to the list of replacement components that the Ford builders did not have handy, thus the need to borrow those components from the Kennedy rather than wait for new ones to be manufactured and delivered. A ship, especially a warship that has a lot of problems, is often referred to as a cursed ship. The USS Ford, the first of the class, has become a major disaster rather than a more effective new ship design. The number and severity of problems are certainly cursed at often enough by those who built or now serve on the Ford. It was not supposed to be that way. Several innovative new technologies were supposed to have made the Fords more effective and cheaper to operate than the previous Nimitz class. Two of those new technologies; EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System) catapults and the new AAG (Advanced Arresting Gear) that handles landings more effectively, were disappointing. The navy believes it has these problems solved and has carried out 10,000 launches with the problem-prone EMALS and AAG. One thing the first cruise provides is more practice for launch with recovery crews, and that worked this time. The AWE high-speed electromagnetic ammunition elevators, for getting explosive items to the deck more quickly, failed multiple times. All the elevators are now operational and able to move more munitions from the magazines to the flight deck twice as quickly as the elevators used on the previous Nimitz CVNs. There are lesser problems with the nuclear propulsion system, the new dual (X and S) band radar and several other systems have all combined to make the Ford unable to do the job it was designed for. The propulsion and radar problems were fixed. The Ford flaws also caused some unexpected modifications to the new F-35C stealth fighter. This made it possible for the F-35C, the model designed for carrier operations on the existing Nimitz class CVNs, to survive using the cranky landing equipment unique to the Fords. Eventually the navy compiled a list of 60,000 lessons learned while building and trying to get the Ford ready for service. That ultimately meant Ford was four years behind schedule. As of early 2020 the navy believed the EMALS problems were solved. Just to be sure the Ford underwent months of intensive use to confirm that the capability and reliability problems EMALS suffered from were indeed fixed. Many EMALS problems were fixed but some major ones remained. The worst of these is the fact that if one EMALS catapult develops problems, all four EMALS catapults are out of service until the malfunctioning one is fixed. That was not a problem with steam catapults. Testing and tinkering with EMALS had, by 2021, led to over 8,000 successful launches with EMALS and recoveries with AAG. Despite that, more work was required before the EMALS could match and then exceed the steam catapult when it came to handling heavy use, like during combat operations. An EMALS failure now only puts two catapults out of service until the problem is found and fixed. The two-month cruise is a final test to see if the EMALS is reliable enough for heavy use. Fixing the AWE weapons elevators was still underway at the time of the FSST. At that point all eleven of the elevators were moving, which was progress, but several of them were still not certified for regular use. By the end of 2021, all elevators were for service. That was tested when all eleven elevators were used to load 1,200 tons of munitions into the magazines. This required 1,400 trips by the elevators over nearly three days. This was much faster than using the older elevators found in the Nimitz. The older elevator design, used successfully for decades on existing Nimitz class carriers, moves up to 2.3 tons of ammo from the magazines to the deck at a speed of 30 meters (100 feet) a minute. The new elevators each move 10.9 tons to the deck at 45 meters a minute. The new elevators were meant to increase the number of combat sorties by 30 percent over 24 hours. At the end of 2018, the navy said all the elevators would be working by July 2019. That did not happen because it turned out the elevators were not built to spec and major repairs were still underway to fix that. This was a problem that could have been avoided if the navy had built an elevator ashore to test the design before proceeding with the construction of the carrier. That was predicted would be a mistake and it was. Many of the problems with the current errors are because construction was sloppy and not caught by quality control personnel. The nuclear propulsion system problems were the kind that only get discovered once the ship is at sea for an extended period. To a certain extent that is also true with the new dual-band radar. The EMALS problems were more fundamental and even though a test EMALS was installed on land first and tested, it was not tested thoroughly enough. The AAG landing arrestor system also used new technology like EMALS and performed poorly at sea for the same reasons; sloppy design and testing. The AAG is now considered reliable. There are still questions about how well EMALS will perform once the Ford is declared ready for deployment. That means heading overseas with its Carrier Task Group escorts and operating at least as effectively as the older Nimitz class carriers it is to replace. The nuclear reactor problems were fixed but there were still problems with the dual-band radar. In the meantime, the next Ford class carrier will revert to the two separate radar systems instead of the theoretically more efficient and less-expensive new design. Some of the F-35C problems were minor in comparison. Sturdier jet blast deflectors had to be installed to deal with much higher heat levels generated. It was necessary to rearrange space on the hangar deck to provide secure limited access areas for work on highly classified F-35 components. The needed F-35C mods have already been made, tested, and approved on one Nimitz class carrier. This problem was mainly allocating enough time and money to do it for the first Ford class carrier and all subsequent ones. The Ford is now six years late. Much of those delays could have been avoided if many of these new technologies were not installed on the first of the Ford class. Originally these new technologies were to be introduced separately in the first three Fords. Those early CVNs could have the new tech installed during the major refurbishment/upgrade periods that take carriers out of service for a year or more every decade. Before construction began on the USS Ford it was decided to try and save some money by introducing all this new tech in the first ship. That may still produce cost savings in the long run, but in the short run it exposes the navy and the shipyards that build its ships to more criticism for poor management and shoddy construction and testing practices. That is nothing new, its been happening more and more since the 1970s. That is a key problem that has not been fixed and keeps getting worse. It wasnt until February 2018 that the navy confirmed that it was having major problems with the design and construction of its new EMALS catapults, then installed only in the newly completed USS Ford (CVN 78) and eventually the three other Ford-class carriers under construction. During the first sea trials, the Ford used EMALS heavily, as would be the case in combat and training operations, and found EMALS less reliable than the older steam catapult. EMALS was also more labor-intense to operate and put more stress on launched aircraft than expected. Worse, due to a basic design flaw, if one EMALS catapult became inoperable, the other three catapults could not be used in the meantime as was the case with steam catapults. This meant that the older practice of taking one or more steam catapults offline for maintenance or repairs while at sea was not practical with the EMALs design. The navy admitted that in combat if one or more catapults were rendered unusable, they remained that way until it was possible to shut down all four catapults for repairs. The landing and recovery system also failed far more frequently than with steam catapults. In effect, these problems with launching and recovering aircraft made the Fords much less effective than the older CVNs. The navy has long had a growing problem with developing new ships and technology and the Ford is the worst example to date. Some of the problems with EMALS were of the sort that could be fixed while the new ship was in service. That included tweaking EMALS operation to generate less stress on aircraft and modifying the design of EMALS and reorganizing how sailors use the system to attain the smaller number of personnel required for catapult operations. But the fatal flaws involved basic reliability. An EMALS catapult was supposed to have a breakdown every 4,100 launches but even after some initial fixes, in heavy use, EMALS failed every 400 launches. By the end of 2017, the Navy concluded that an EMALS equipped carrier had only a seven percent chance of successfully completing a typical four-day surge; which involves maximum aircraft launches for a major combat operation. Ford had only a 70 percent chance of completing a one-day surge operation. That was mainly because when one EMALS catapult went down all four were inoperable. In effect, the Ford-class carriers are much less capable of performing in combat than their predecessors. The navy said it would come up with solutions and it eventually did. Those fixes have been implemented and tested. The 2022 cruise will determine if EMALS is able to operate as effectively as existing steam catapults. Until that is validated the new Ford carrier is less useful than older CVNs. There were no easy solutions. The most worrisome part of this is the apparent inability of Navy shipbuilding and design experts to come up with a solution for the problem they created. This EMALS catastrophe was avoidable and the problems should have been detected and taken care of before the Ford was on sea trials. The EMALS disaster calls into question the ability of the navy to handle new, untried, technologies. That is not a new problem and has been around since World War II. In retrospect, not enough was done to test and address what are now obvious problems. The current solution was to delay the moment of truth if possible and then conclude that it was unclear exactly how it happened but that measures would be taken to see that it never happens again. That approach is wearing thin because more people understand it is just a cover for the corruption and mismanagement that has been developing within the industries that build warships. The navy has been having a growing number of similar problems with the design of the LCS, the DDG 1000 and a lot of smaller systems. Meanwhile, there is a critical need for new carriers. The first ship of the new class of carriers, the Ford is about the same length (333 meters/1,092 feet) and displacement (100,000 tons) as the previous Nimitz class, but looks different. The most noticeable difference was the island set closer to the stern (rear) of the ship. The internal differences are much more obvious, including the power generation and electrical system. The Nimitz ships are rapidly wearing out and with the EMALS disaster, the Navy had to fix the problems or be forced to improvise and do without for a decade or more. The Fords were not just replacements for the aging Nimitz class; they were designed to be cheaper to operate. There is a lot more automation and smaller crews. The Ford will be the first modern American warship built without urinals. There are several reasons for this. The Ford will have a smaller, by at least 20 percent, crew and more of them will be women. Currently, about ten percent of American warship crews are women, but the Ford crew will be at least 15 percent female. Since women sleep in all-female dormitories ("berthing areas"), a toilet ("head") will now be attached to each berthing area instead of being down the hall. Moreover, berthing areas will be more spacious because of the smaller crew and hold a third to half as many bunks as previous carriers. Finally, drain pipes for urinals more frequently get clogged than those coming from toilets. Eliminating the urinals means less work for the plumbers. There are a lot of other visible changes to enhance habitability and make long voyages more tolerable. Before the EMALS crisis, the Ford was expected to cost nearly $14 billion. About 40 percent of that is for designing the first ship of the class, so the actual cost of the first ship (CVN 78) itself will be at least $9 billion and about the same for subsequent ships of the class. Except, that is, for the additional cost of fixing unexpected crises like the EMALS and high-speed ammo elevators. Against this, the navy expects to reduce the carrier's lifetime operating expenses by several billion dollars because of greatly reduced crew size. Compared to the current Nimitz class carriers, which cost over $5 billion each, the Fords will feel, well, kind of empty because of the automation and smaller crews. There will also be more computer networking, and robots, reducing the number of people (6,000) constantly moving around inside a Nimitz class carrier. The most recent Nimitz class ships have a lot of this automation already but adding EMALS was considered too expensive because of the major engineering changes to the power plant and electrical systems. As early as 2018 the navy realized it needed a plan to deal with major delays in getting the USS Ford, and the other three Fords under construction, into service before older CVNs were scheduled to retire. Currently only two Fords have been built and the second one (the Kennedy) is still fitting-out (having all its equipment installed and tested), and will not be ready for service until 2024. In mid-2019 the U.S. announced that it was not going to retire the aircraft carrier Truman (CVN-75), which entered service in 1998. Two months earlier the decision had been made to retire the Truman to save the cost of its mid-life upgrade and refueling (of the nuclear reactors). The mid-life upgrade costs $3.5 billion and takes five years to complete. At that point, Truman would be able to operate another 25 years. That would come to $20 billion in operating costs. By retiring the Truman, the navy would save about $24 billion over 30 years and that money would be used to build new, smaller, ships and buy new weapons. Retiring Truman early also allowed the navy to order and build two new Ford class CVNs at once, which would save time and money. The decision to keep Truman in service was not about money, but the fact that the new Ford class CVNs faced major problems that delayed these ships from entering service. Keeping the Truman was also about the seemingly intractable problems the navy has building ships and developing new designs. Keeping the Truman is seen as a positive move towards fixing some fundamental management problems. As of 2023, the plan to keep Truman in service means the Truman is going through the mid-life refueling operation that includes making repairs and installing updates. The five-year long refueling process is underway as of 2023 and will be completed by 2027. This publication is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in the Indian market and includes a gu... Advertisements PARIS, March 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Delsey Paris, the leading European premium luggage manufacturer, has today announced its operational results for 2022. Net global sales grew 124% year over year ('YoY') reaching 207 million, exceeding pre-pandemic levels of 2019 and outpacing by nearly 4 times the rate of post-pandemic sector recovery. EBITDA margin grew to 11.4% on net sales, 6 times the pre-pandemic levels. Davide Traxler, CEO of Delsey, said: "We are proud to have achieved such results cementing our position as one of the leading brands globally. We will be working hard to build on this success and to deliver on our ambition to reinvent the luggage-making business in the new age of travel." Delsey's growth figures have been especially impressive in the US, where the company's net sales in US dollars almost tripled YoY to $96.6 million, beating the sector which rebounded at a rate of 35.6% YoY over the same period. The company's strategy of introducing new premium product lines and brand partnerships with well-known companies such as Roland-Garros, Air France and others, turning luggage into an extension of apparel style. This has helped Delsey to push up the average unit selling price by more than half while increasing the number of sold units by 54%. Founded in 1946 in France, Delsey had long held the second place in the global luggage market before running into financial difficulties in 2017-2018. After the acquisition by a group of investors led by Pemberton Asset Management, Delsey re-emerged as one of the most prominent luggage brands globally. Delsey's strategic priorities are to maintain current momentum and secure long-term growth by capitalising on the ongoing recovery in the travel industry. According to the UN World Tourism Organisation, international travel arrivals in 2022 rebounded to 63% of the pre-pandemic levels (compared to 2019). The global luggage market is projected to grow at a CAGR 6-7% to 2030. DELSEY PARIS is a French company founded in 1946. It sells its collections online and in more than 6,000 stores in over 110 countries. It ranks number two in the global luggage market, which features a very large number of players, and is a newcomer to the equally fragmented backpack market. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2033983/Delsey_Paris_2022_Result.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/delseys-2022-full-year-results-show-124-yoy-net-sales-growth-ebitda-6-fold-increase-compared-to-pre-pandemic-levels-301773437.html Alia Bhatt is riding high on success. With back-to-back blockbusters like Brahmastra, RRR, Darlings and Gangubai Kathiawadi, Alia is unstoppable. She is now ready to make her Hollywood debut with Heart Of Stone and will return donning a Dharma film Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani soon. Also Read: 'What Has She Done In RRR?', Internet Is Disappointed As Alia Bhatt Wins HCA's Spotlight Award Instagram In a recently held Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Award, Alia won the Best Actress for Gangubai Kathiawadi. Rekha who was also honoured with the Outstanding Contribution To The Film Industry award couldnt resist but pour her heart out for Alia. While receiving the award, Rekha quoted, I dedicate my award today to the future legends of our country and she is the beginning of that. An overwhelmed Alia reacted feeling flooded with a turrr sound. Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Insha Allah which starred Alia and Salman Khan fell apart after the latter stepped back. But fresh reports suggest that SLB is planning for a recasting. A source close to Pinkvilla revealed, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is keen to revive Inshallah. Being a mature romantic comedy, the filmmaker is planning to two of the top 3 mega stars from the 90s for the film. The source further added, He is clear on making Inshallah with the right names. At once upon a time, he was planning this film with Salman Khan, but things fell off due to financial issues between the duo. Now, he is silently considering approaching other two top mega-stars to check on their availability and interest. Pinkvilla Netflix representative Oli Marmur told Variety recently, "One of the things that got us really excited was the idea of doing a film in a genre thats often dominated by men. Its Mission: Impossible. Its Bourne. Those movies always have men at the centre of them. This has two strong women in Gal Gadot and Alia Bhatt who are in the middle of things. Along with Jamie Dornan, they form a central trio." Also Read: Alia Bhatt Looks Extremely Different At Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Birthday; Internet Has Thoughts On the professional front, Bhatt has 43 awards to her credit. She is the recipient of four Filmfare Awards, one Best Actress (Critics) for the film Highway (2014) and three Best Actress for Udta Punjab (2016), Raazi (2018) and Gully Boy (2019). Alia is a new B Town mommy to daughter Raha with actor Ranbir Kapoor. (For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment, and let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments below.) A Pennsylvania woman died after she was attacked by a neighbours dogs she had gone over to feed while their owner was away, authorities said. State police said 38-year-old Kristin Potter died after she was attacked on Thursday evening by the two Great Danes in Centre Township southwest of New Bloomfield. great-dane Her younger son witnesses the attack Perry County Coroner Robert Ressler said the victim had gone to the home with her young son, who ran for help when two of the three dogs present attacked. Ressler said emergency responders and police officers were unable to reach the victim until animal control personnel arrived and tranquilized the 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." cops Both canines were later euthanised The two animals were later taken to a veterinarian and euthanised. Officials said a third dog was present but didnt take part in the attack. State police say the case is under investigation. "Im heartbroken," the dogs' owner Wendy Sabathne told the Penn Live, 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." death Not certain if owner will face charges 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 Fox News that there has not yet been a decision on whether Sabathne will face charges. 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. For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News. After work, colleagues often go out for drinks in large cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and Gurgaon. As Friday evening rolls around, many workplaces have "team parties" where employees drink heavily well into the early morning hours. Some workers drink like a fish, and the situation spirals out of control. Caleb Friesen, a Twitter user based in Bangalore, described seeing a young man from a well-known business choke on his vomit at a bar as the rest of his team partied. Unsplash "Reminder to the work hard, party harder startup founders out there: no party is worth losing an employee," he wrote. Reminder to the "work hard, party harder" startup founders out there: no party is worth losing an employee. Spotted a young man from a prominent Bengaluru startup choking on his own vomit tonight, face up, alone in a bar, while his team partied. pic.twitter.com/Q0yu09BNV5 Caleb Friesen (@caleb_friesen2) March 17, 2023 The man convulsed while Caleb and his wife sat upstairs in the bar. Convulsions are violent muscle contractions that make the body jerk. Was sitting on an upper floor with my wife when I noticed him convulsing. Rushed down to the dance floor. Luckily he had already fallen off the couch and was breathing again. Called some of his team to take care of him and said, "Someone needs to keep an eye on him at all times." pic.twitter.com/rkUDpPVifl Caleb Friesen (@caleb_friesen2) March 17, 2023 The man had luckily fallen off the sofa and was still alive when he approached him. The response of his colleagues when they found out what was occurring, though, was disturbing. The attitude was, "Bro, what a party animal, he's wasted!" By the time I had walked back up the stairs to my table, they had moved him to a more secluded spot, away from the dance floor. He was puking again. Ran back downstairs and explained the severity of the situation. pic.twitter.com/7mZNAOnBPR Caleb Friesen (@caleb_friesen2) March 17, 2023 Was able to find team members who were sober and responsible enough to realise he was blackout drunk and likely had alcohol poisoning. Moral of the story for founders: always send a supervisor who won't be drinking, to keep an eye on the group and make sure everyone is safe! pic.twitter.com/QCMGUADmB1 Caleb Friesen (@caleb_friesen2) March 17, 2023 Several people said online that keeping cool in situations like this one is important. Your company is your family lol https://t.co/exTmKyqx5t soyciety disrespector (@rationalistcus) March 18, 2023 this thread is scary wow and i learned something https://t.co/j616KDU0uh ara (@engravein) March 18, 2023 Party-hard-drink-hard culture is relatively new to India (like a lot of other things that have blown up since the 2000s). It's no longer only for nawabs/bollywood. We need mass education for awareness about alcohol poisoning, mixing drugs, drunk driving, peer pressure. https://t.co/SFasUHspJy Anagha Chandratrey (@AnaghaC) March 19, 2023 Many office parties involving drinks involve at least one person drinking more than they should. They sound fun to young people but can turn out to be a liability to the company. Companies should rethink their party culture. Pankaj (@UchihaCoder) March 18, 2023 In the west folks neither work hard nor party harder. Both are horrible tendencies. Youth in their twenties when they have to have good sex and relationships and develop healthy lifestyles are made to toil with this dumtaka. https://t.co/DhTtKJgesD (@geechugalu) March 20, 2023 For anyone doubting whether people actually die from alcohol poisoning or from asphyxiation caused by blocked airway after passing out, see this reply: https://t.co/BUTFMcztnx Caleb Friesen (@caleb_friesen2) March 18, 2023 Read a comic about the ghost of a guy who choked on his own vomit and passed away. I was pretty surprised at the storyline but I realise that it might be more common than were willing to accept and that it is essential for us to keep our safety in mind when we go out to drinkz Sha (@aditi4shasha) March 18, 2023 Others have even said that office parties aren't a good idea because they're usually more of a bother for the other workers than a fun time for everyone. There's no shame in unwinding over drinks with coworkers after a long day. Drinking to excess and endangering one's safety is unacceptable. (For the latest trending stories, keep reading Indiatimes) An assault on a 21-year-old Sikh student from India in British Columbia, Canada, has been described as a serious hate crime. CTV reports that Gagandeep Singh was attacked on his way home on Friday night. Seeing Gagandeep after the incident, Councilwoman Mohini Singh said the victim was in a "horrific" condition. Mohini said his eyelids were swollen shut, and he spoke in hushed whispers due to his pain. She also said that a group of 1215 teenagers had harassed Gagandeep on the bus, tossing a wig at him at one point. Unsplash After getting off the bus, they surrounded him and began punching him in the face, ribs, arms, and legs before dragging him across the sidewalk by his hair and ripping off his turban. YouTube Mohini Singh said that the fact that Gagandeep is a Sikh and from India undoubtedly played a factor in the attack, which in her view, was racist and should be investigated as a hate crime. "They got off after him, waited for the bus to leave, and then they swarmed him, they beat him in his face, in his ribs, arms, and legs and then proceeded to grab his turban, pull his hair and drag him," Mohini Singh said, adding that the group took the turban with them when they left Gagandeep in a pile of "dirty snow" on the side of the road. Friends and other international students of Gagandeep were so upset and terrified by the incident that they gathered at the bus stop to talk about how they no longer felt safe. Unsplash After someone was "hit from behind and attacked" by a group at the bus stop on Friday evening, the Kelowna Royal Canadian Mounted Police have stated that they are investigating the incident. Officers arriving on the scene saw the victim "lying on the ground," and paramedics transported them to the hospital. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Kelowna have expressed grave concern about this crime. Constable Mike Della-Paolera, the force's spokesman, said the attack was their top investigation priority. Many groups and individuals have voiced their condemnation of the assault on Gagandeep. In light of this incident, the International Sikh Organization of Canada has released a statement condemning all acts of hatred. As everything was going on, Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran remarked that his city was "better than this," He urged the public to rally alongside Gagandeep and his family. (With inputs from PTI) (For the latest trending stories, keep reading Indiatimes) Docker had a bad week. Whats less clear is whether Docker deserved it. For those who havent heard, last week Docker announced that it was sunsetting Free Team subscriptions. Some in the open source world read this as pay up or lose your data. In light of the uproar, Docker was quick to apologize: We did a terrible job announcing the end of Docker Free Teams. Unsurprisingly, this failed to placate its most vociferous critics: The open source community is not alarmed because of how you communicated, but because of what you communicated and how you implemented the transition, one person commented. If this sounds like just another day at the open source office, thats because it is. After more than 20 years working in and around open source, Ive learned that often people get the most upset about things they havent paid for. Free as in beer, free as in outrage. Talking with Scott Johnston, CEO of Docker, it becomes clear that this change reveals no nefarious plans to force open source projects into paying. If it did, Johnston probably wouldnt deserve his CEO title, given that the change impacted less than 1.8% of all Docker users. You dont optimize revenue by targeting a rounding error on your income statement. Instead, the change is perhaps best explained by Dockers multiyear journey to refocus its business on developers. Yes, really. Lets talk about how. Bad at math If Docker were trying to shake down open source projects (for the whopping sum of $420/year, as some erroneously claim), it probably shouldnt offer a sponsored open source tier with better benefits than the retired Free Team tier, like no rate limits and improved discoverability on Docker Hub, and better analytics. All for $0. This results in a better experience for both the open source project publisher, but also [for the] end users of their software, says Johnston. The Free Team tier, by contrast, was ending up being this catchall for a bunch of different types of customers and users and wasnt serving any of them particularly well, Johnston says. Was Docker trying to push customers out of that Free Team tier? Clearly. Thats what sunsetting does. But was it trying to force open source projects, some of which found themselves affected by the change, into paying $420 each year? No. Instead, Johnston suggests, the idea is to make it simple for open source projects to move to the sponsored open source program: You dont have to do anything with your account. All you have to do is apply. And if you apply, then were just going to bless you, wave you in, youre good. It sounds like some users havent had this seamless of an experience, though it appears to be getting better. Again, this raises the question as to how this fits into Dockers business plan. I hate to be the bearer of bad news to open source conspiracy theorists (of which there are plenty on Hacker News ) , but if Docker were looking to grow revenue, going after a Lilliputian percentage of users wouldnt be the way to accomplish that. Nor would it be overly smart to pinpoint open source projects, which are notoriously short on cash. (Remember, weve spent decades debating how to make open source sustainable.) So for those accusing Docker of trying to grow its revenue through rapacious business practices targeted at 2% of its users with limited bank balances, you need to find a better villain. The math behind Docker is trying to squeeze open source projects! simply doesnt add up. What does? Party like its 2019 Back in November 2019, Docker went through an incredibly painful restructuring. The company had lost its way a bit and grew dependent on larger deals that serviced operations executives within enterprises. Looking back at that time, Johnston said the executive team and board of directors came to a realization that developers, not operations, was the companys future, as InfoWorld has previously covered. That meant a different mindset, a different revenue model, a different everything. The company sold off a big percentage of its business to Mirantis, leaving a fraction of its employee base to chart a new course centered on developers. Out went Docker Enterprise and Swarm. In came a focus on app velocity and security. Today Docker automatically creates a software bill of materials (SBOM), giving developers visibility into whats inside a container, without the developer having to do anything. Then theres Docker Scout, which automatically indexes all the packages that are going into that image before it gets built, then checks that against the public Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) databases so that it can notify the developer of the need to upgrade, for example, because a newer version may be CVE-free. The point is to give developers a guided experience to help them make smart decisions locally right there on their laptop. The revenue model is much lower price points, geared toward developers and aligned with developer productivity. None of that benefits from alleged shakedowns of open source projects or of developers generally. If we view the Free Team tier decision in light of the pragmatics of Dockers business, as well as its guiding company virtues, while recognizing that imperfect humans were involved, it becomes much easier to see the decision exactly as Docker described it: good intentions, poorly communicated and executed. One of those Docker Virtues, Open Collaboration, is reflected in how the company tries to collect feedback. First, Docker maintains a public road map on GitHub. Developers are encouraged to comment there, and comments are reviewed at least weekly by the leadership team, Johnston says. Second, Docker has external Docker Captains, similar to Microsoft MVPs or AWS Heroes, who both advocate for Docker while also giving feedback. (I imagine their private Slack channel was buzzing after the news about sunsetting the Free Team tier came rolling in.) And third, Docker relies on a Technical Advisory Group that includes a dozen or so senior technologists from outside organizations who advise on product direction. Should these open collaborators have caught the Free Team snafu before it happened? Perhaps. But the point with Docker, as with any company, is not what it does at a given moment in time, but rather its general direction over time. In this light, its hard to look at Docker since 2019 and not come to the conclusion that this is a company that takes developers seriously and keeps looking for ways to boost their productivity. Its easy to deride how Docker managed the Free Team tier change, but doing so overlooks just how much Docker has changed, and continues to change, into a developer-oriented company. Chinese-built Belgrade-Novi Sad railway celebrates 1st anniversary Xinhua) 13:43, March 20, 2023 NOVI SAD, Serbia, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese-built Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway marked its first anniversary on Sunday, having transported nearly 3 million people between Serbia's two largest cities since operation last year. The around 80-km-long, Belgrade-Novi Sad railway section has been carrying passengers at speeds of up to 200 km per hour since March 2022. The anniversary also marked a significant turning point in the further development of Serbia, Ana Brnabic, Serbia's prime minister, said at the ceremony at the Novi Sad railway station. "Today ... we know that we are capable, and we are ready to move forward, and we know that we will construct the remaining section to the border with Hungary," she said, referring to the about 350-km-long Belgrade-Budapest railway. Brnabic praised the achievements in vital infrastructure projects, trade, and investments under the comprehensive strategic partnership between Serbia and China. She also said that the country aims to intensify exchange with China, especially in technologies. The Belgrade-Novi Sad railway section is "a symbol and a fine example of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Serbia within the Belt and Road initiative," said Chen Bo, Chinese ambassador to Serbia. Since its operation, the Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway had been operating well, and it had significantly improved Serbian people and foreign tourists' travel experience, Chen said. "The operation of the railway proved in practice that the section was built with high technology, reliable engineering, and delivered significant economic and social benefits," said Ju Guojiang, chairman of China Railway International Co., Ltd. Ju said that "the new beginning inspires new hope." He stressed that his company is committed to the delivery of the remaining Novi Sad-Subotica section as soon as possible and with the highest quality possible. Construction of the second section, 108.1-km-long between Novi Sad and Subotica, started in November 2021. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The survey also found that 73% of respondents are concerned about the risk of mould after a flooding event, and 24% of Canadians say their home or workplace has already been affected by mould. Additionally, 66% of respondents are worried about the cost of major renovations and 53% expressed concerns about their level of insurance. One case study has demonstrated the power of an insurance service that keeps the focus on customer needs. Life and health insurer AIAs Vitality app saw more than 300,000 sign-ups in the first year it launched. The app, which caters to young families in Thailand, offers wellness information, trackers for family events and vaccines, and online parenting forums. This is the first time the Biden administration has weighed in on legislation to deal with the app, which the White House says pose national security risks. Critics of TikTok say it allows the Chinese government access to data and viewing trends of the roughly 100 million Americans as well as users globally who have made it one of the worlds most popular apps. A shareholder in a software company set up to help people with hearing difficulties has claimed before the High Court that the firm has been damaged due to the "irrational, unfair, wholly unfounded and oppressive" actions of well-known British entertainer John Bishop. The claims have been made by Maltese-registered BAK Holdings Limited which says that its interests as a shareholder in Hears Technology Limited are being oppressed by Mr Bishop, who is a shareholder and a director of Hears. Other shareholders in Hears include Mr Bishop's son, Joseph Bishop, and U2 drummer Larry Mullen. The dispute arising out of the breakdown of the relationship between John Bishop and BAK is the subject of two sets of proceedings currently pending before the High Court. In one of the actions, which was mentioned before Ms Justice Eileen Roberts on Monday, BAK claims Mr Bishop has set Hears on a course for "its dissolution and demise". Among its claims, BAK says Mr Bishop terminated the employment contracts of all of Hears staff on June 24 last while "he was attending the Glastonbury music festival" and terminated the lease the company had for a premises in Co. Kilkenny. Mr Bishop, it is also claimed, is not acting in the company's best interests and was in effect winding down the business. BAK further claims that Hears is only being kept in existence by Mr Bishop to pursue litigation in other separate proceedings against the Maltese entity and its director Mr Brendan Morrissey. Those proceedings, BAK adds, are an attempt to "intimidate and bully" BAK and Mr Morrissey into "walking away from Hears." Mr Bishop denies any wrongdoing. A letter from his solicitor in response to allegations made against him stated that all employment law has been adhered to and the company was left with no choice but to "implement redundancies" due to BAK's attempts to "scuttle" the company. In its proceedings BAK, which rejects Mr Bishop's claims, seeks a High Court declaration that due to Mr Bishop's actions the affairs of Hears are being conducted in a manner oppressive to the applicant. BAK seeks an order that it be paid compensation by Mr Bishop, or in the alternative that the court make an order directing Mr Bishop and the other shareholders to purchase BAK's shareholding in Hears. It is claimed that Hears' main shareholders are Mr Bishop and BAK. a technology development company, with each holding 42.5% of Hears' shares. Mr Mullen, Joseph Bishop and GF Portfolio Ltd, which are notice parties to the oppression proceedings, each hold 5% of Hears Technology's shares, it is claimed. Oppression proceedings BAK's oppression claim is the second set of proceedings brought arising out of what the court was told was a falling out between the shareholders of Hears. Last year, Hears had proceedings against BAK and Mr Morrissey admitted to the fast-track Commercial Court list. It is claimed by Hears in that action that Mr Morrissey has allegedly defrauded the company of approximately 1m, which it is alleged was paid to BAK for software development services which were independently valued as being worth approximately 215,000. It also alleged that a 548,000 credit for software services allegedly made available to Hears by BAK in consideration for shares in the plaintiff company was never actually provided. The claims are fully denied. Mr Morrissey a businessman of the Pink House, Kells, Co. Kilkenny, says in his defence to the commercial court proceedings that all of the payments made by Hears to BAK were legitimate. That action has yet to be determined. In a sworn statement in the oppression proceedings, Mr Morrissey said he played "a central" and "pivotal" role in establishing and developing Hears. He said his solicitor Mr Landers has sought clarification from Mr Bishop on certain matters, including Mr Morrissey's removal from being a director of Hears in May 2022. These include a clarification on the Hears company records where it is stated that Joseph Bishop exercised a proxy vote on behalf of Mr Mullen on the vote to remove Mr Morrissey as a director. This was in circumstances where Mr Mullen's solicitors have confirmed that the musician said that he returned a proxy to abstain from that vote, Mr Morrissey said. Clarification has also been sought on the July 2022 establishment of a separate IT services company called Kleara Limited, in which Mr John Bishop is listed as a director. Through his lawyers Mr Bishop denies any wrongdoing, saying that company law has been adhered to, and that Kleara does not use any assets of, and has no relationship with Hears. Monday's hearing On Monday, Padraig Lyons SC with Brendan Savage, instructed by solicitor Setanta Landers, for BAK said that the accusations made against his client in the commercial court are "false, trumped-up allegations." which are quite serious for his client. Arising out of those proceedings, and the alleged manner in which Mr Bishop has been running Hears, his client has brought a claim under the 2012 Companies Act alleging oppression, counsel said. Eoghan Cole Bl for the comedian said his side's view was that BAK's proceedings are premature and should adjourned generally with liberty to re-admit pending the outcome of the related proceedings before the Commercial Court. Having two sets of proceedings before two different courts arising out of the same dispute, counsel added, would be costly and time consuming. Counsel said that it was also significant that BAK had been invited last year to have the oppression action heard by the Commercial Court but had declined to do so. BAK, Mr Cole said, had delayed and had only initiated the oppression proceedings in recent weeks. In reply, Mr Lyons said that his side was opposing any application to stay the oppression proceedings, and that his client's action is a genuine and legitimate effort to protect its interests. Any stay application should be made formally to the court, and grounded on a sworn affidavit from Mr Bishop, Mr Lyons added. In her ruling, Ms Justice Roberts expressed her general opposition to two sets of proceedings arising out of the same dispute running before two different courts. However, the court said that any application to stay the oppression proceedings should be formally made to the court. The judge agreed to adjourn the matter for a month to allow Mr Bishop's lawyers prepare the stay application. Interview Powerful Shan Party Refuses to Re-Register Under Myanmar Juntas New Law SNLD general secretary Sai Leik and the party's logo The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) is one of the most powerful political parties in Myanmar. Founded in 1988, the SNLD has strongly rejected the poll proposed by Myanmars military regime. The party has decided not to register with the junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC), even though the new Political Parties Registration Law enacted by the regime in February requires political parties to re-register with the UEC within two months or face dissolution. The SNLD won 42 seats in the 2020 general election, the third-highest number of seats at the national level. It also won the second-highest number of seats in the 1990 general election. One previous SNLD party chair, Khun Tun Oo, resigned from the National Convention staged by the previous military regime to draft the 2008 Constitution. Khun Tun Oo and SNLD party secretary Sai Nyunt Lwin were also prosecuted and jailed on an array of charges including high treason for founding the Shan State Consultative Council in February 2005. The men were released in 2012. SNLD general secretary Sai Leik talked to The Irrawaddy recently about the partys decision not to re-register with the junta-controlled UEC, and how the party will continue to play a role in Myanmars politics regardless. We heard that the SNLD will not re-register with the UEC. Why? Firstly, it is difficult to travel because of security concerns. We dont have enough time to meet party members and seek their opinions. It is especially difficult to meet our party members in Kayah and Kachin states. Secondly, we dont think it is fair to order political parties to re-register when the regime hasnt announced the day the election will be held. So we have decided not to register. If you dont re-register the SNLD faces being dissolved, its members possibly arrested and its assets potentially seized. How will the SNLD survive? They [the junta] havent enacted an election law. And they havent announced the day of the election. The military has extended its rule, using what it calls an extraordinary situation as an excuse. So can the election law be enacted in an extraordinary situation? If we dont re-register, our registered status will be annulled. But we dont think the regime will take punitive action for failing to register. There are previous cases. Formerly, they asked political parties to get their financial records audited. But some parties refused and [the military] didnt do anything to them. Anyway, as they call it an extraordinary situation, we should expect unusual circumstances and we have braced ourselves for that. Some ethnic parties have re-registered, saying that elections are the foundation of democracy and that an election will help solve the current political crisis. What is your view on that? It is just an assumption that an election is the way out of the current political crisis. But the question is when and how that election will be held and what the election law says. Nothing is ready yet. And the most important thing is that we need to make sure that the election can bring about change. If the election cant trigger positive change for the country, it cant be the answer. Rather than one party hastily holding the election, it would be more meaningful if we all work together for a poll that is acceptable and beneficial to the Myanmar people and that the international community would recognize, and that meets the democratic norms and would definitely bring democratization to the country. How will the SNLD engage in politics if it is dissolved? We are a member of the Committee for Shan State Unity. We once issued a statement as a member. We have a policy for the peaceful co-existence of all people living in the Union. There are many things that we can do for the betterment for the country, either in the peace process or social welfare work or research work. We in the SNLD will always do our part for the interests of the country by representing and helping the people. We will continue to help the people. Burma Indian Border Security Forces Incursions Into Myanmar Alarm Chin Residents Assam Rifles troops are seen in Shwe Lai Wa village on March 13. / CDF-Paletwa Members of the Assam Rifles, an Indian border security force, have entered Paletwa Township twice so far this year, causing concern among ethnic Chin residents and resistance groups in Myanmars Chin State. About 15 troops from the Assam Rifles, an Indian paramilitary force responsible for guarding the border, entered Shwe Lai Wa Village in Paletwa Township on March 13 and fired their guns in the air as they left, according to the Chin Defense Force (CDF)-Paletwa. Shwe Lai Wa, a village located on the border between Myanmars Chin State and Indias Mizoram State, and nearby areas form the base of the CDF-Paletwas Battalion 2. Salai Paul, chairman of the group, said it was the second time the Indian force had trespassed in the area. Salai Paul wrote on his social media page that, Assam Rifles troops entered the village and every time they enter, columns of the juntas military also come around to the Paletwa area. I want to ask why these Indian troops are moving into the area frequently and rashly. According to resistance groups and local news reports, Assam Rifles personnel do not merely trespass in the area, but also frequently arrest ethnic Chin ethnic people with ties to the anti-junta resistance, including some who have been members of the resistance since mid-2021, when armed revolt against the regime began. Residents of Shwe Lai Wa confirmed that Assam Rifles troops arrived in the village on March 13 and fired 10 rounds into the air. They said the group earlier moved into the area in February. Residents of the whole township are still very concerned that they will be trapped in an intense conflict situation again. If something happens suddenly, our township will be trapped and we could all face shortages of food and all necessities, said a 43-year-old man who operates a civil society organization in Paletwa. He recalled the situation faced by the township during the peak of the fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar military back in 2019. At that time, residents of Paletwa Township suffered shortages of all necessities as all routes in and out of the area were blocked due to the conflict situation. Some members of resistance groups in Chin State said the Indian military is in negotiations with the junta, while the Indian government also continues to deal with the junta regarding its ongoing Kaladan Project. The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is a US$484-million project connecting the east Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Myanmars Rakhine State by sea. Paletwa is a strategic hub on the route, as it links Sittwe seaport and Mizoram via the Kaladan River boat route. The Kaladan projects Paletwa phase is almost finished. This project is also important for India. We understand thats why [India] is dealing with the military council and also it seems it is attempting to check if the project is still safe by occasionally sending its border security force in, said a liaison officer of the CDF. Burma Myanmar Armed Ethnic Coalition and Chinese Special Envoy Meet in Kunming FPNCC leaders meet in Panghsang in 2017. Leaders of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), a coalition of seven ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) based in northern Myanmar, met the Chinese special envoy to Myanmar, Deng Xijun, in China last week. The meeting, which was held in Kunming, Yunnan province, followed discussions between the FPNCC members in Panghsang in Myanmars Wa State, an autonomous enclave run by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), on March 15-16. We welcome and support Chinas involvement to end the domestic conflicts in Myanmar, the FPNCC said in a statement following the March 15-16 meeting, adding that it would continue working together with the Chinese government to improve the stability of border areas. The coalition also thanked China for the assistance it had provided during COVID-19 outbreak. The FPNCC is made up of the UWSA, Kachin Independence Army, National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), Arakan Army, Taang National Liberation Army, and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army. The FPNCC opted out of signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the Myanmar government and military, and is seeking alternatives to build peace and solve political problems in Myanmar. In its statement, the FPNCC vowed to establish a federal, democratic Union by making permanent peace with Bamar-majority areas. There might be various ways to establish the Union, but in the end, we ethnic people will have to rely on ourselves, it said. The Irrawaddy was unable to reach FPNCC members to ask about their latest meeting with the Chinese representative at the time of reporting. The latest meeting between the FPNCC and Deng is the third since Deng was appointed Chinese special envoy to Myanmar in December. At their second meeting in February, Deng pointed out the lack of unity among FPNCC members, saying some members are holding talks with the Myanmar military regime while others are not. He urged all of them to hold talks with junta boss Min Aung Hlaing. Deng has also met Min Aung Hlaing twice in Naypyitaw. The two discussed promotion of ties and trade between the two neighbors, according to junta-controlled media. A political observer said the seven EAOs might give in to pressure from China and meet with the regime, but it was unlikely that China could compel some of the members into agreeing a truce with the regime. Of the FPNCC members, only the UWSA, SSPP and NDAA have held talks with the regime since the coup. For five years between 2016 and 2020, China urged them to join peace talks but with the exception of the Wa and NDAA, they refused to do so. The EAOs that were fighting the regime continue to fight it, said the observer. China however has the power to bar EAOs from fighting along the border, and this has allowed the Myanmar military regime to maneuver its troops from northern Shan State to launch operations in Kayah (Karenni) State, the Chin Hills, and Sagaing and Tanintharyi regions, said observers. Burma Myanmar Junta Chief Visits Sagaing as Terror Campaign Intensifies Min Aung Hlaing talks to troops at Northwestern Command in Monywa on March 19, 2023. / MWD Myanmar junta boss Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday visited Sagaing Region, the hotbed of resistance to the military regime in central Myanmar, where he met junta personnel in Monywa serving under the Myanmar militarys Northwestern Command. The regime chief called for unity within the military, and gave long lectures about how soldiers should fully utilize the military training they have been given. In February, the military regime declared martial law in 14 townships in Sagaing, placing them under the direct control of Northwestern Command. Since the imposition of martial law, the junta has stepped up its terror campaign in Sagaing, perpetrating more massacres and arson attacks targeting both resistance fighters and civilians. Observers say Min Aung Hlaing went to Sagaing to give detailed guidance about the ongoing military operation. Min Aung Hlaings visit to Northwestern Command was his first since the imposition of martial law in Sagaing Region. The command has a huge part to play for the regime, as five townships in Magwe Region and seven in Chin State are also under martial law. Resistance to the regime is also strong in Magwe and Chin, meaning Northwestern Command has to deal with resistance attacks in 26 townships under martial law. The junta has recently launched fresh assaults in both Magwe and Chin. Last week, deputy junta chief Soe Win visited another anti-regime hotbed, Kayah State, and instructed junta troops based there to fully utilize their weapons. The regime has sent around 2,000 reinforcements into Kayah, according to local resistance forces. Yet over two years after the coup, the regime is still far from controlling Myanmar. At a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council last month, Min Aung Hlaing admitted that half of the country is unstable. Only 198 of Myanmars 330 townships have 100 per cent stability, and security needs to be beefed up in the rest, said the junta boss. A March 4 statement from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that around 750,000 civilians have been displaced by armed conflict in Sagaing Region since the 2021 military takeover. Burma Myanmar Regime Reinforcement Convoy Ambushed by Resistance in Chin State Junta convoy driving from Matupi to Magwe in 2022 / HKL Mindat Myanmar junta troops have suffered heavy casualties after being ambushed by resistance forces while heading to Matupi and Mindat townships in Chin State. A convoy of more than 80 trucks carrying junta soldiers left Magwe Regions Pakokku last week, and arrived at an artillery battalion base in Kyaukhtu on the border of Magwe and Chin State on March 13. Three days later, around 35 trucks departed for Mindat Township and were ambushed by two resistance groups, who carried out several mine attacks on the convoy. A number of military regime troops were killed and injured and vehicles were damaged, said Ko Yaw Marn, a leader of Chinland Defense Force-Mindat (CDF-Mindat). Many soldiers were hit by the mine explosions. Two military trucks were also damaged and dragged back to Kyaukhtu, he told The Irrawaddy. Mindat is 18 miles from Kyaukhtu. CDF-Mindat has warned local people not to use the Kyaukhtu-Mindat-Matupi road as fighting could break out at any time. The junta convoy is made up of troops from the Pakokku-based 101st Light Infantry Battalion. CDF leader Ko Yaw Marn said: 80 trucks arrived in Kyaukhtu. 35 of them traveled onto Mindat, and 28 others left for Htilin. We guess that they are heading to Hakha [the Chin State capital]. Around 10 other trucks remained in Kyaukhtu. Another regime convoy of around 30 trucks and two armored cars left Sagaing Regions Kale on March 7 for Thantlang and Hakha. Resistance groups have been ambushing them since March 10, said Salai Htet Ni, spokesperson for the Chin National Army (CNA). We, CNA, and local resistance forces are ambushing them along the road. They have not yet arrived in Falam, he told The Irrawaddy last Friday. Over 20 junta soldiers were killed and dozens injured in six mine attacks between March 10 and 17, according to Salai Htet Ni. The Irrawaddy could not verify casualties independently. Military observers said the convoys were delivering food and weapons to Myanmar military outposts in Chin State ahead of the rainy season. In April last year, a convoy of over 70 military trucks was also sent from Magwe to attack resistance forces in Mindat and Matupi. Scores of junta soldiers were subsequently killed and injured in ambushes. Burma UN Helped Myanmar Junta Officials Travel to Bangladesh for Rohingya Return Talks A Rohingya family arrives for a meeting with Myanmar junta officials in Teknaf on March 15, 2023. / AFP BANGKOKThe United Nations refugee agency helped officials from Myanmars junta travel to Bangladesh this week for repatriation talks with Rohingya refugees, two UN officials told AFP, despite maintaining that conditions in the country remain unsafe for their return. Bangladesh is home to around a million Rohingya, most of whom fled neighboring Myanmar following a 2017 military crackdown, now subject to a UN genocide investigation. On Wednesday a 17-member team led by a senior official in Myanmars immigration ministry arrived in the border town of Teknaf to interview refugees for potential repatriation to Myanmar. A UNHCR spokesperson in Myanmar told AFP on Thursday that UNHCR had facilitated the transport of some officials from Myanmar to Bangladesh in support of interaction between the de facto authorities in Myanmar and refugees. The transport had been facilitated by both UNHCR and the World Food Program in Myanmar, who provided boats for the junta officials to travel in, a senior UN official in Bangladesh told AFP on Friday. I can confirm that UNHCR and WFP provided boats to junta officials to come, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. This month Johannes van der Klaauw, UNHCRs representative in Bangladesh, said there was no prospect for a safe, dignified and sustainable return in the immediate future, for Rohingya seeking to come back to Myanmar. UN markings removed The Rohingya are widely viewed in Myanmar as interlopers from Bangladesh and rights groups say those still in the country are denied access to healthcare and education, and require permission to travel. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who was head of the armed forces during the 2017 crackdown, has dismissed the Rohingya identity as imaginary. The UNHCR spokesperson said the decision was made within the framework of a non-binding memorandum of understanding signed with Myanmar in 2018, aimed at creating the conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingya refugees. UN agencies were not involved in the discussions that took place in Bangladesh, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson did not give details on how many boats had been provided, or whether members of the Myanmar military, police or security forces had ridden in the boats. The UN provided boats for the journey to Bangladesh after a very firm request by junta officials, and the UN markings were removed prior to the journey, according to a leaked email from UNHCRs resident coordinator in Myanmar seen by AFP. The UNHCR spokesperson did not elaborate on the nature of the very firm request from the junta for the boats. Repatriation plan The delegation from Myanmar had planned to interview more than 700 Rohingya to assess the suitability of their return to Myanmar, an official from the commission said. A Myanmar junta spokesman confirmed to AFP the trip was taking place but would not give details. A repatriation plan agreed by Myanmar and Bangladesh in 2017 has failed to make any significant headway in the years since, partly over concerns the Rohingya would not be safe if they returned. Progress ground to a complete halt during the coronavirus pandemic and after the military ousted Myanmars civilian government in 2021. War Against the Junta Over 120 Myanmar Junta Troops Killed in Five Days of Resistance Attacks Troops of Bawlakhe-PDF / Bawlakhe PDF At least 121 Myanmar junta troops were reportedly killed in the last five days as Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) stepped up attacks on regime targets nationwide. Incidents were reported in Karen, Kayah and Chin states and Sagaing and Magwe regions. The Irrawaddy has collected the following reports of significant attacks from PDFs and EAOs. Some military casualties could not be independently verified. 40 soldiers killed in resistance attack in Karen Regime forces come under drone strikes and surveillance by Karen resistance forces in Kyainseikgyi Township last Wednesday. / Lion Commando Battalion At least 40 junta soldiers were killed and 30 others injured in Kyainseikgyi Township, Karen State on Wednesday when several resistance groups including the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) attacked 200 regime troops from three military battalions invading resistance-held territory, claimed resistance group Lion Battalion Commando Special Force, which coordinated the attack. There were no resistance casualties, the revolutionary group said. A drone video shows regime troops fleeing. 48 junta forces, PDF fighter killed in clash in Magwe Regime forces are bombed in Tilin Township, Magwe Region last week. / YRA-Tilin At least 48 regime soldiers were killed in a series of attacks and land-mine ambushes by PDF groups against a military detachment escorting a military convoy of 32 vehicles carrying ammunition in Tilin Township, Magwe Region from last Wednesday to Saturday, said Yaw Revolution Army-Tilin (YRA-Tilin), which was involved in the attacks. At 4 p.m. on Friday, regime forces from the advance unit of the convoy were blown up while searching for PDF land mines on a road. In the attack, four soldiers were killed. On the next day, the PDF groups ambushed junta patrols traveling behind the military convoy. Four more soldiers and a resistance leader were killed in the raid. On March 15 and 16, the PDF groups conducted five attacks including mine ambushes against the military detachments, killing at least 40 soldiers, according to YRA-Tilin. A PDF video shows foot soldiers being ambushed on a road. Another video shows regime forces being blown up while defusing land mines planted by the PDF groups. PDF base raided by junta troops in Magwe At least six junta troops were killed during three days of firefights from last Friday to Sunday in Yesagyo Township, Magwe Region, said local PDF group Myingyan Black Tiger. Resistance fighters of Myingyan Black Tigers engage in a clash with regime forces in Yesagyo Township last week. / MBT-PDF Clashes broke out when a military detachment attacked the base of the PDF group in the Yay Lal Kyun area in the township. On Saturday, the PDF group lost the base to junta forces and two resistance fighters were injured, the group said. At the same time, the PDF group used improvised rocket-propelled grenades to attack regime forces stationed at the junta-run township General Administration Department office in the town of Yesagyo on Saturday night. Many regime forces are believed to have been killed or injured, it said. Junta base occupied in Kayah A commando unit of Karenni resistance groups managed to occupy a junta base of Military Infantry Battalion 135 in the east of Kayah State last Thursday, said the Karenni Military Information Center, the media unit of the Karenni Army (KA). In the raid, resistance forces found the bodies of three dead soldiers and seized six weapons and some ammunition. The surviving regime forces escaped after abandoning their base. Karenni resistance forces clash with military detachment in Kayah Bawlakhe PDF said it and several other resistance groups attacked a military detachment of 120 junta troops near Yay Ni Pauk Village in Bawlakhe Township, Kayah State last Thursday. In an hourlong firefight, three regime forces were killed and 10 injured. There were no resistance casualties. Four civilians also suffered injuries as regime forces randomly shelled nearby villages during the clash. Junta troops also arrested seven civilians in the area. Regime troops ambushed with land mines in Sagaing Local resistance group Myaung Special PDF (MSPDF) claimed to have killed five regime forces as it used two land mines to ambush 30 regime forces from the Kyauk Yit police outpost in Myaung Township, Sagaing Region on Saturday. PDF groups uses drones and improvised rocket-launched explosives to attack a military detachment in Myaung Township on Saturday. / MSPDF The junta forces were ambushed while they were traveling near Koe Pin Village. On the same day, MSPDF and five other PDF groups used drones and improvised rocket-launched explosives to attack a junta special task force between two villages in the township. The commandos of the junta task forces killed and beheaded around 36 resistance forces and civilians during their raid on resistance strongholds in Ayadaw, Sagaing, and Myinmu townships between Feb. 23 and March 6. Nine junta troops killed by PDF land mines in Sagaing At least nine regime forces were killed and 12 injured in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region on Saturday morning when two PDF groups used land mines to attack 40 regime forces traveling on the Shwebo-Kyauk Myaung road, said Nay La Satkyar-Shwebo PDF group, which joined the attack. Prior to their ambush, the regime forces also faced land-mine attacks from other PDF groups on the same highway. After the ambushes, the regime forces torched houses in Tal Pin Village nearby. The PDF groups used rocket-launched explosives and mortar shells to strike the regime forces who were torching houses. Military casualties were unknown. Regime forces bombed in Sagaing The resistance group Freedom Revolution Force (FRF) claimed to have killed six soldiers as they used 40-mm improvised mortar rounds to attack regime forces arriving in the town of Depayin in Sagaing Region last Friday evening. After facing casualties, the regime forces torched 13 houses in the town. Soldier patrols ambushed in Sagaing A soldier was killed in Myaung Township, Sagaing Region last Thursday when combined PDF forces ambushed regime forces from Kyauk Yit Police Station, said Myaung Bo Tauk Tun Special Force, which coordinated the ambush. The regime forces were attacked while patrolling. Military convoy ambushed by resistance in Chin Chin Defense Force-Mindat said it used a cluster of 20 land mines to attack a military convoy of 85 vehicles on the Kyaukhtu-Mindat road as it was traveling to the town of Mindat, Chin State last Thursday. Vehicles were damaged but the number of military casualties was unknown. After facing the land-mine ambush, 35 vehicles from the convoy returned to Kyaukhtu in Magwe Region. The military forces retrieved the damaged vehicles on Saturday, said CDF-Mindat. March 20, 2023 Outside of Almaty, Kazakhstans largest city, there is a mountain valley where the original apple comes from. The original apple is smaller and not as sweet as what were used to eating today, but all apple species can trace their genetic origin to Kazakhstan. Professor Colin Johnson of the Department of Political Science at Idaho State University has been conducting research in Kazakhstan, but not about apples. Johnson says that Kazakhstan is massive, the 9th largest country by land area in the world, but it has always been connected. We might look at Kazakhstan and say what an isolated society, but historically its always been a connected society, he says. Thats what this program is trying to improve. Maybe we can look at Kazakhstan and instead of thinking Borat, we can think apple and shift perspective about how to interact, engage, and expand our connections to this part of the world. Johnson was recently selected to participate as a fellow in the Kazakhstan Futures Program, which connects American and Kazakhstani scholars on collaborative research regarding Kazakhstan's pressing sociopolitical issues. As part of this program, Johnson traveled to the capital, Astana, for an organizational meeting for the research groups of Kazakhstani think tanks and governmental entities. This endeavor started with the US Embassy in Kazakhstan, which launched a pilot program around envisioning and providing support for possible Kazakhstani futures. This region of the world is landlocked and its usually seen as Russias backyard, or Chinas, Johnson says, and thats ramped up since the war in Ukraine. Johnson says that Kazakhstan is not interested in continuing to be told what to do by these neighbors. They have been investing time and money in building up local expertise, and this project stems from their efforts to become more independent. Coming out of the Soviet Union they were tired of outside sources telling them what to do. They began to invest in human capital, he says. Russia and China arent as interested in new ideas and fostering other interests or collaborating beyond their own priorities. This pilot program is an attempt to engage. One of the things that the U.S. can help provide is to help Kazakhstan with research in pressing societal issues. The mission aligned with the purpose of facilitating connections. Applications were limited to American and Kazakhstani citizens with PhDs and five years of research experience. Theyd identified eight thematic areas of interest, which applicants could apply under. That helped them recognize natural fits between Kazakhstan and American researchers. Johnson applied under Migration and Social Issues. My background is studying migration in this region. Kazakhstan is a new case for me, Johnsons says. That was a connection they wanted, someone capable of working in this area, who has not yet had the opportunity, and connecting with local expertise. In the collaborative process Johnson explained that American researchers, himself included, primarily listened to their Kazakhstani colleagues and engaged in honest dialogue regarding research possibilities. The more linkages we have with Kazakhstani society, the better, Johnson says. This was a program to bring researchers together to increase connectivity, to make other opportunities available to Kazakhstani researchers, and to help with new ideas. This is what the Kazakhstan Futures program is about, Johnson says. There are so many possibilities for Kazakhstan. How do we lift those voices within Kazakhstan, how do we amplify the perspective of those experts in Kazakhstan? Johnson was part of two groups that were brought together to combine interests in language policy and migration policy. One of the big questions is what does it mean to be Kazakhstani? Johnson says. We generally talk about Kazakhstani society from an ethnic or linguistic lens. We talked about an overarching idea leveraging all our expertise to do one project. Johnsons team will continue to meet via Zoom over six months, and will be evaluating the role of the census in Kazakhstan as an instrument to foster national belonging. Johnson says that censuses really matter for how a state measures a society. Kazakhstan has held three censuses since independence. Johnsons team will evaluate and present to the Kazakhstan government in a research brief showing what researchers find about the census process, what the process encourages in the society, and then engage in open discussion about what they really want. This is an opportunity for them to improve processes for their own future and hopefully empower and strengthen the relationship between the citizens and the government," Johnson says. In the coming months, Johnson will participate in weekly meetings where teams will continue to collaborate, and will write a policy brief together. This will be translated into Russian and Kazakh and distributed in June. Johnson says this might be a point of collaboration for additional research. Thats exactly what the program is meant to provide, he says. Its meant to elevate local perspectives, create dialogue between nations, then create the interest in collaboration to continue. It was a wonderful room of researchers, so friendly, so collaborative, Johnson says. And it connects me back to my work as a professor at ISU. While Johnson was doing dissertation fieldwork in Russia in 2014, Russia annexed Crimea and that started to shut off access to Russia, his primary research site. This limited his ability to research in the field because his expertise is in qualitative research, which means going to the region and conducting interviews, and that was limited further by the pandemic. Going there is unbelievably important for building trust, Johnson says. This was an opportunity for me to get back to the region and work in a society that has gone through a lot of turmoil and instability over the last decade. Johnson says that for his students, its a means for them to connect to opportunities and possibilities of what they can pursue now. One student, who is in the TRIO McNair program, is going to shadow Johnsons research group to inform them of their own work. This is hopefully building better connections for research, collaboration, and how to strengthen ties and bring more ISU students to the region for research, Johnson says. This is the foot in the door for me and hopefully pushing the door wider open for students. A New York resident has been arrested on charges of allegedly running the BreachForums web site which was used to provide information about data leaks to prospective buyers. Conor Brian Fitzpatrick was arrested on Wednesday [15 March], according to a report published by Bloomberg. The forum, however, is still accessible. Data from both Australian medical insurer Medibank and telco Singtel Optus was published on the same forum last year. Fitzpatrick, who used the alias Pompompurin, is due to appear before a court on 24 March. Both the Optus and Medibank breaches expectedly received wide publicity in Australia, with the first lot of Optus data being published on 17 September 2022. Data from Medibank was released data in a staggered manner. Data that appeared to be related to customers' mental health issues was released on 14 November. The parties responsible for these attacks have not been found so far. The website Engadget said one of the FBI agents involved in the arrest had signed a sworn affidavit saying that Fitzpatrick had admitted to being the owner of the forum. Contacted for comment, security firm Emsisoft's senior threat researcher Brett Callow said: "While the forum is still online, users may not have much confidence in the integrity of the operation. "They have no way to know how deeply the FBI infiltrated it or whether the current admin is co-operating with law enforcement." COMPANY NEWS: Hitachi Vantara , infrastructure, data management and digital solutions subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd. , has announced results from TechTargets Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) technical review of Hitachi Content Platform (HCP), validating the platforms scalable high performance and showcasing breakthroughs for modern applications and analytics workloads. Designed to measure performance with small and large objects, the Hitachi Content Platform: High-performance Object Storage for Cloud-native Applications Report also assessed the cost effectiveness customers can achieve in their data center modernisation and data-driven analytics initiatives. Hitachi Vantara says the ESG technical review validated that HCP provides optimal object storage performance for modern cloud-native workloads, highlighting the platforms ease of use, efficiency, and massive scalability. Testing showed average throughput performances more than eight times more efficient than previous years with small object performance outpacing 2020 results by more than fifteen times in read throughput, and the test results show HCP delivers excellent responsiveness, which means organisations can trust HCP with even more performance critical workloads, Hitachi Vantara notes, adding that ESG validated the following performance increases over prior testing: 50% improvement in time to first byte. 8x large object read performance and write performance. 15x small object average read and 10x average write performance. Novel uses for the vast amounts of unstructured data that organisations are generating have put new strains and requirements on applications and infrastructure. Unstructured data has gone from being thought of as a cost to the business to now being a source for new revenue streams. This trend is compounded by the rise of cloud-native applications, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), and the processing and analysis of IoT data, HitachiVantara says. The key is for organisations to know their data and find, use and analyse this data expeditiously. To meet this need, the underlying infrastructure and object storage must be able to process data faster. Faster applications result in accelerated analytics, faster problem solving and insights, improved productivity, and faster time to market for organisations and in many cases an improved customer experience. Almost every organisation today understands the critical value that accelerated information processing and access brings both in terms of speeding insights and expediting time to value, said Mark Ablett, President, Digital Infrastructure, Hitachi Vantara. However, many companies are still struggling to keep up as the volume and variety of workloads increase, and more data is highly fragmented and distributed between on-premises, edge, and cloud. In short, their needs have extended far beyond traditional data storage and management approaches, which is why performance, scalability, and data intelligence matter now more than ever. Based on the budget we have to work with, HCP can help us to keep data longer-term, which provides a deeper analysis of our users and data. Previously, we could retain just one to two months of data, said an IT Services Director for a Government Agency, quoted in the ESG review. With HCP, we can keep more than a year of data on the same budget, and scale far beyond that in the future. Flexibility is a top priority for us and were very happy with this architecture because HCP allows us to have data-dependent scalability without compromising on performance requirements. Hitachi Vantara says this newest validation complements the recognition Hitachi earned last year through a performance audit of Hitachi Content Software for File, which demonstrated 5x the metadata IOPS of the next highest file system solution. In the technical review, ESG verified the ability of Hitachi Content Platform for File to outperform all-flash storage arrays and to use its distributed, parallel file system to expand performance. Hitachi Vantaras HCP portfolio has been rated as exceptional for metadata analytics, big data analytics, compliance, and security. In addition to recent recognition from GigaOm and DCIG, this performance validation adds to HCPs strong resume and confirms a wide range of unstructured data performance needs spanning cloud-native applications, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and IoT data for the performance and scalability enterprises require for driving business-critical workloads. Connect With Hitachi Vantara Additional resources GUEST INTERVIEW: With ANZ and NAB just two of the 270+ banks worldwide running on Intellect Design Arena's platform, iTWire spoke with COO of Global Transaction Banking, Uppili Srinivasan, to learn more! Intellect Design Arena, which normally goes by the name Intellect Design, claims the world's largest cloud-native, API-led, microservices-based multi-product FinTech platform for global leaders in Banking, Insurance, and Capital Markets - and given banking is its business, this is a great asset to have. Offering a full spectrum of banking and insurance technology products through its three lines of business, being Global Consumer Banking, Global Transaction Banking, and Intellect AI, the company proudly boasts over 30 years of deep domain expertise, making Intellect Design the brand it says "progressive financial institutions rely on for digital transformation initiatives." Indeed, the company offers a rich suite of products across the organisation, making it an authority on vertical and integrated products that enable institutions to meet their ambition to be the principal service provider to their customers. In mid-March, 2023, Intellect Design also launched eMACH.ai, described as a revolutionary cloud-native and future-ready open finance platform with embedded artificial intelligence, powered by AWS. With 285 pre-built microservices available on the cloud, and access to 1,214 APIs and 200 events, eMACH.ai enables financial institutions to design the future of banks and financial institutions. Having pioneered "Design Thinking" to create cutting-edge products and solutions for banking and insurance, with design being the companys key differentiator in enabling digital transformation, the company also created FinTech 8012, which it dubs "the worlds first design centre for financial technology." We're told it reflects Intellect Design's commitment to continuous and impactful innovation, addressing the growing need for digital transformation. The company provides "Large Enterprise-Grade Composable and Contextual solutions", which drive higher business growth, reducing cost and risk on a sustainable basis, within an ever-evolving global world of finance, across 57+ countries having their financial systems run on Intellect Design technology. Intellect Design also believes in leveraging the power of the design mind and achieving dreams, focusing its energies towards accelerating digital journeys for its trusted customers, and given the Banking and Financial Services industry is innovative and dynamic, the company styles itself likewise, being ahead of the FinTech curve through sustained research and development. So, to learn more, we spoke with Uppili Srinivasan, the COO of Global Transaction Banking at Intellect Design Arena, with that video interview embedded directly below, after which is a summary of the topics we spoke about, so please watch, and read on! I started by welcoming Uppili, who also goes by Upps, and asked him to tell us about Intellect Design Area, and the products and services it offers to financial institutions in Australia and across the globe. Given Upps was in Australia when we filmed the interview, he explained the main area of banking he was in the country to talk about, after which he told us about some of his global customers, including ANZ and NAB locally. Next we touched on the economic times we're now in, and various global shocks, and Upps spoke about the differences in both the banking and external environments between now and the GFC, especially in the era of open banking that we're now in. Note - the interview was conducted late last week before news of SVB, First Republic and Signature bank issues, so we weren't able to discuss the situation as the news hadn't broken at the time of the interview. Note - the interview was conducted late last week before news of SVB, First Republic and Signature bank issues, so we weren't able to discuss the situation as the news hadn't broken at the time of the interview. After this, Upps and I discussed the fact banks are using technology and AI to mitigate downside risk, launch new products and services, and overall get a grip on the good and bad capital parked with them, with Upps explain how Intellect Design's technology is helping banks in those areas. Next was a discussed on how AI is also proving helpful in managing ESG investments and risks - with pros and cons to the whole concept of ESG - with Upps explaining how Intellect's products are helping companies assess their investments and project potential ESG risks. We continued with Upps giving a view on how he sees Intellect Design evolving over the next couple of years, memories of his first computer, what interested him in the world of finance and what excited him about joining Intellect Design, followed by great advice received in life, and his final final message to iTWire viewers and readers, and to his current and future customers and partners. So, to learn about Uppili Srinivasan, Intellect Design Arena, their products, services and more, please watch the video interview above! Below you'll also find a video from Intellect Design's YouTube page on Design Thinking at Work. Here is a brief recap of Arun Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of Intellect, launching eMACH.ai: Conversational commerce platform operator Attentive is opening an Australian office, its first in the region and the second outside the US. "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 Attentive vice president and general manager of international Anup Khera. "While Australia is familiar with text messaging as a marketing channel, there is a desire to drive higher ROI via personalisation 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, including regional names such as Charlotte Tilbury, CASETiFY, Cupshe, and HartCo. Home & Body. Attentive has appointed Zach Hotchkiss as its Sydney-based APAC regional vice president, and he will be responsible for building out Attentive's Australian presence. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Justice ministers from more than 40 countries will meet in London on Monday to discuss boosting international support for the International Criminal Court's (ICC) as it investigates possible war crimes in the Ukraine conflict. The meeting comes after the ICC, based in The Hague, issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, on Friday for the war crime of "illegal deportation" of Ukrainian children following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. "We are gathering in London today united by one cause, to hold war criminals to account for the atrocities committed in Ukraine during this unjust, unprovoked and unlawful invasion," UK Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab said in a statement. "The UK, alongside the international community, will continue to provide the International Criminal Court with the funding, people and expertise to ensure justice is served." In December, the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, who will be present at the London conference, called on the international community to increase its support for the court, which needs financial and technical resources to conduct its investigations. London has already announced additional funding of nearly 400,000 (EUR452,000) to fund psychological support for witnesses and victims of crimes or to reinforce British experts with the ICC. The Netherlands Justice and Security Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius said the international community must take responsibility for making sure that the perpetrators of the crimes committed during the war in Ukraine are prosecuted. "Together we must establish the truth, achieve justice and ensure security," he said in the statement. "The Ukrainian people have shown more than once they will have the last word on their future. "They might be angry and frustrated, but never defeated. They deserve our support in finding justice." In 2022, the Netherlands dispatched two forensic investigation teams under the banner of the ICC to collect evidence to be used in investigations into crimes committed in Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion. The ICC has more than 900 staff with a budget of 169 million euros for 2023. Last July, it requested 175 million euros for 2023. Its 123 member states share responsibility for ensuring the court's finances. It also receives voluntary contributions from international organisations, individuals and corporations. The conference in London is jointly organised by the UK and the Netherlands. Between 40 and 50 delegates from various countries are due to attend. Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin applauded on Monday the solidity of their alliance as the Chinese leader headed to Moscow for a summit with the internationally isolated Russian president. Xi described his trip as a "journey of friendship, cooperation and peace", though China has been criticised by Western nations for what they consider tacit backing and diplomatic cover for Russia's war in Ukraine. "I look forward to working with President Putin to jointly adopt a new vision" for relations, Xi wrote in a signed article in the newspaper Russian Gazette that was also carried by Chinese state news agency Xinhua. China has sought to portray itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine war, and its foreign ministry said last week that Beijing would "play a constructive role in promoting peace talks" between Kyiv and Moscow. Beijing in February issued a 12-point position paper calling for dialogue and respect for all countries' territorial sovereignty. Putin has welcomed Beijing's statements on Ukraine as being indicative of a willingness to play a "constructive role" in ending the conflict, while saying Chinese-Russian relations were "at the highest point". Kyiv on Monday reiterated calls for Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine ahead of Xi's arrival. "The formula for the successful implementation of China's 'Peace Plan'. The first and foremost point is the surrender or withdrawal of Russian occupation forces from (Ukrainian territory) in accordance with international law and the UN Charter," the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, Oleksiy Danilov, wrote on Twitter. - ICC warrant - Xi's trip serves to bolster an isolated Putin, who in a defiant move on Sunday went to the Ukrainian city of Mariupol -- his first visit to territory captured from Kyiv since Moscow's invasion in February 2022. Xi's visit also comes just days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin on the war crime accusation of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children. Beijing said on Monday the ICC should avoid what it called "politicisation and double standards", and respect the principle of immunity for heads of state. The court should "uphold an objective and impartial stance" and "respect the immunity of heads of state from jurisdiction under international law", foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing. The solution to the Ukraine conflict, he added, remained "dialogue and negotiation". Neither China nor Russia are signatories to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC. - 'No limits' friendship - Xi, who broke longstanding precedent to begin a third term as president this month, has referred to Putin as an "old friend". Beijing and Moscow have drawn closer in recent years under a "no limits" partnership that has served as a diplomatic bulwark against the West. China has lambasted what it sees as a US-led campaign of pressure against Russia as Moscow's war in Ukraine drags on, instead calling for what it calls "impartial" mediation of the conflict. "No single country should dictate the international order," Xi wrote in his Russian media article Monday. "China has all along upheld an objective and impartial position based on the merits of the issue, and actively promoted peace talks," he added. Beijing's stance has drawn criticism from Western nations, which say China is providing diplomatic cover for Moscow's war. They argue that China's proposals are heavy on grand principles but light on practical solutions. The United States last week said China's proposals would simply consolidate "Russian conquest" and allow the Kremlin to prepare a fresh offensive. "We don't support calls for a ceasefire right now," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Friday. "We certainly don't support calls for a ceasefire that would be called for by the PRC in a meeting in Moscow that would simply benefit Russia," he said, referring to the People's Republic of China, the country's official name. Washington has also accused Beijing of mulling arms exports to Moscow -- claims China has vociferously denied. - 'A new vision' - Analysts say Xi's moves are unlikely to yield a rapprochement in the Ukraine war. Nevertheless, his trip will be closely watched in Western capitals. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Xi could also be planning his first call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since the war began. Zelensky has said he would welcome talks with his Chinese counterpart. Xi and Putin are set to have an "informal" one-on-one meeting and dinner on Monday before negotiations on Tuesday, Putin's top foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told Russian news agencies. They will also sign an accord "on strengthening (the two countries') comprehensive partnership and strategic relations entering a new era", the Kremlin has said, as well as a joint declaration on Russian-Chinese economic cooperation until 2030. An Australian former soldier was arrested Monday over allegations that he murdered a man while deployed in Afghanistan, part of a long-running investigation into war crimes. The arrest comes more than two years after a damning internal investigation found 39 civilians and prisoners had been "unlawfully killed" by Australian elite special forces. A 41-year-old veteran was expected to be charged with a war crime and could face life in prison if found guilty, Australian Federal Police said. "It will be alleged he murdered an Afghan man while deployed to Afghanistan with the Australian Defence Force," police said in a statement. Public broadcaster ABC reported the charges related to the shooting of a man in 2012 in the southern Afghanistan province of Uruzgan. A 2020 inquiry revealed allegations of summary executions, body count competitions and torture by Australian forces, and recommended police investigate 19 people. The findings were a watershed moment for Australia, which holds its military in high esteem and had attempted to suppress whistleblower reports of the alleged wrongdoing. Australian police even investigated reporters involved in bringing the allegations to light. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, more than 26,000 Australian uniformed personnel were sent to Afghanistan to fight alongside US and allied forces against the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and other Islamist groups. The arrest was part of ongoing investigations into alleged war crimes committed by Australian troops in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016, police said. The man is expected to appear before a local court in the state of New South Wales on Monday. "Twenty Five, Twenty One" lead star Nam Joo Hyuk bids farewell to his fans as he begins his military journey. Keep on reading the article for his enlistment details. Nam Joo Hyuk Begins Mandatory Military Service A media outlet reported that Nam Joo Hyuk is confirmed to enter the military camp today, March 20. It has been said that the actor will receive basic military training for five weeks. The admission ceremony will be held privately. In addition, Nam Joo Hyuk applied for the military police squad and received a notice and acceptance. Accordingly, after completing military training, he plans to fulfill his military service in the SWAT team. However, his agency Management Soop is yet to release a statement regarding Nam Joo Hyuk's enlistment. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 4 K-Dramas, Film To Premiere Starring K-Heartthrobs Enlisting This 2023 On the other hand, while Nam Joo Hyuk is completing his mandatory military service, the celebrity has a drama to be released this 2023. He will headline the crime-action series "Vigilante," which is expected to premiere on the streaming platform Disney+. Park Jinyoung, Ong Seong Wu, More K-Actors To Enlist in Military This 2023 Apart from Nam Joo Hyuk, several Korean actors are preparing and rumored to enter the military camp this 2023. GOT7 member Park Jinyoung, who just concluded his Asian fan meeting tour, is already preparing for his enlistment. Though his management said that there's no confirmed date yet, it is expected that he will enter the camp in the first half of this year. On March 16, Fantagio announced that idol-actor Ong Seong Wu is confirmed to begin his mandatory service starting April 17. He is said to carry out his military service as an active duty soldier of the army. "The Glory" actor Lee Do Hyun, Song Kang, and Kim Min Gyu are also rumored to enlist in the first half of this year. However, as there is no confirmed announcement yet for their training, these K-heartthrobs will continue with their scheduled activities. Lee Do Hyun has new projects set for release this year. Song Kang is making his much-awaited Netflix comeback through "Sweet Home." He is also being courted to join Kim Yoo Jung to lead a new romance series. Kim Min Gyu, on the other hand, is currently appearing in the rom-com drama "The Heavenly Idol" and has scheduled fan meetings in Asia. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Is It True? Chae Jong Hyeop Exempted From Military Service - Here's What We Know What can you say about Nam Joo Hyuk's military enlistment? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article. Shai Collins wrote this. The revenge drama "The Glory," starring Song Hye Kyo and Lee Do Hyun, continues to gain global attention a week after its Part 2 was released. With its sound premise and gripping performances of its cast, fans couldn't help but tune in to the work and witness how the main character extracted her revenge from her perpetrators. Fans might see Song Hye Kyo, Lee Do Hyun and the rest of the cast of the series on the small screen with a new installment. Here's what we know. 'The Glory' Speculated To Produce Part 3 Song Hye Kyo and Lee Do Hyun might be teaming up for the third time as they hint at a new "The Glory" installment! Since its initial release in December 2022, Netflix Korea's revenge drama "The Glory" has stolen countless viewers' attention all around the world. Headlined by Song Hye Kyo, the drama tells the life of a school violence victim who avenges her painful past by becoming her perpetrators' daughter's homeroom school teacher. The two-parter work has received critical acclaim from fans and critics alike, all thanks to its raw and spine-chilling narrative. It also took the No. 1 in the Netflix global charts in many countries like South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Canada, Pakistan and more. The series ended with a satisfactory conclusion but fans are still on for a new season. Viewers' expectations skyrocketed when Lee Do Hyun, who plays a plastic surgeon in the series, mentioned the possibility of a third part in a recent interview with Cosmopolitan Korea. After thanking the fans and his co-stars for the great work, the actor hinted at a possible production for Part 3, saying, "It would be great if it comes out quickly. I won't comment on anything (whether there will be a new installment)." Whether there will be a new brand new season for "The Glory," the work will surely appeal to the public after the two-parter received great reception not only in South Korea but also in international scenes. 'The Glory' Part 3 To Focus on Lee Do Hyun's Revenge With Lee Do Hyun's small hint at the production of Part 3, viewers' curiosity about the work is through the roof! Part 1 and Part 2 of the revenge series told the life of Moon Dong Eun, played by Song Hye Kyo, and how she planned her life-long revenge on the people who tortured her in the past. It also showcased the love story between Song Hye Kyo and Lee Do Hyun who helped her realize her dreams by becoming her own executioner. At the end of Part 2, things changed. Song Hye Kyo, who completed her revenge plan, volunteers to become Lee Do Hyun's executioner to accomplish his revenge on the man who murdered his late father. She transferred Kang Young Cheon, played by Lee Moo Saeng, the cold-hearted killer, to Jisan Prison, where Lee Do Hyun works as a doctor while she works as a counseling teacher, settling themselves near their target. In addition to that, Song Hye Kyo also sent a message to Yeom Hye Ran, her assistant, implying for a new job. Part 3 is expected to follow Lee Do Hyun's long awaited revenge with the help of Song Hye Kyo, raising viewers' excitement. Are you excited for Part 3? Tell us what you think in the comments below! KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. 53 Shares Share In a growing social media world population, one cannot ignore the technological invasion of the medical world. From the discovery of penicillin to electronic medical records and the digital health revolution, real medical revolutions are not too many. However, social media is disrupting the medical ecosystem and how we practice medicine. Information to the public is moving from a push system, where the teacher or the publisher decides what information to diffuse, into a pull system, where all the information is publicly available, and people are free to extract whatever catches their curiosity. Therefore, it becomes extremely difficult to control the quality of information posted. Anyone, knowledgeable or not, can post, comment or publish on every medical topic. That is why we believe that the education of future patient generations is needed to critically judge which source to trust and how to select reliable information. This difficult task of orienting the public in searching for reliable and relevant information has been treated in a previous article published by the senior author as it was recommended to doctors to orient their patients in their medical research, hence embracing the fact that people constantly look up their symptoms and diagnoses. In this article, we outline and briefly present some aspects of medical social media that affect patients and physicians in their online medical experience. Rating physicians Studies show that 80 percent of patients look up their doctor online in search of their ratings. Today, this step is considered a decisive phase in choosing providers, leading to new business ventures like reputation management firms. However, rating a physician is not as simple as rating a pizza parlor. Despite the common knowledge that mostly unsatisfied or unhappy patients rate their doctor, multiple factors affect the scorings that are mainly separate from the direct interaction with the physician or the quality of care. These factors should be considered, such as booking appointments, cleanliness of the office, office staff attitude, waiting time in the office. This can be especially unfair to employed physicians (increasing in numbers in the U.S.), who have little to say regarding office operations and workflow outside their direct face-to-face interaction with patients. Also, in a world where everyone looks up everyone, there are two types of physician rating websites: institutional and independent. A major discordance exists between how physicians and patients look at these websites. While doctors tend to agree with health system sites but see that online comments increase their job stress, patients tend to trust independent websites for rating health professionals. Patient support groups This social media aspect is particularly interesting to patients with rare symptoms and diseases. These support groups help them realize they are not alone. They can share experiences and understand what to expect from the evolution of the disease or other peoples experiences with the side effects of treatment. Regarding patients fighting long-term illnesses or rare diseases, these online groups have proven to redress knowledge deficits, improve self-management by learning behaviors from others, build a community of like individuals, and cathartic release. This is encouraged by dissociative anonymity and invisibility as a facilitator for expression. These patients, avid for emotional support, spend limited time engaged with their medical professionals compared to the time they spend trying to get by every day to manage their conditions. The support groups dont replace a doctors visit but may help improve patients every day and have a supportive psychological effect on them. Physician-only communities There was a time when social networking meant attending a cocktail party and handling business cards. A survey of 4,000 conducted by QuantiaMD found that over 90 percent of physicians use some form of social media for personal use, and over 65 percent use it for professional use. Physicians use communities like Sermo, QuantiaMD, Doximity, and Medpedia to enhance their professional networks, connect with peers, share cases, discuss practice management, and make referrals. These websites differ in whether they are open to the public or limited to medical professionals. Some even use the NPI database to verify providers; others also provide CME credits. Social media facilitates closed physician groups within the same specialty and provides a safe platform to discuss practice issues, patient cases, supply shortages, and billing issues. These online discussions and exchanges help keep physicians up to date, ultimately improving patient care. During the pandemic, with no in-person conferences, the closed groups were of great value to many physicians who were not comfortable attending general online meetings or conferences. Blogs and digital grand rounds Blogs are designed to be personal pages where people post articles, some highly specialized in a specific pathology, a medical specialty, or even a cause. Some blogs have become very popular and are followed by physicians worldwide. This widespread information has been an eye opener on many changes in health care, which results in impelling changes within the medical profession. The comprehensive accessibility of medical information through blogs has many benefits to the community, like the deprofessionalization of physicians, to some degree, leading to a better understanding of medical issues, enhancing doctor-patient communication, and humanizing physicians as they explore ways to express themselves in open, informal ways. On the other hand, medical bloggers use these platforms to assert their reputation and affirm trust in their expertise. Tumblr, WordPress, and Blogger are examples of these platforms. The intersection between digital media and health care, a phenomenon called Health 2.0 by Hughes, Joshi, and Wareham led to a new way of conducting grand rounds in hospitals. Among other tools like forums and podcasts, these timeless digitalized grand rounds gained popularity and value among health professionals who can now exchange ideas with experienced peers and contribute widely to medical research. However, there is growing concern about the ethical use of social media. That is why the American Medical Association (AMA) has published guidelines for the ethical use of social media, highlighting the need to respect HIPAA rules while posting online. Medical bloggers should also avoid discussing legal cases, which can be easily discovered online. Knowledge aggregation Nonmedical websites like Wikipedia are usually the go-to websites for patients, medical students, and even physicians before digging into peer-reviewed data. As it regularly ranks high in Google searches, Wikipedia is the most visited resource for health information for the public, patients, students, and even practitioners. In an article by Denise Smith, published in Nature journal, the authors stipulated that the number of errors found in Wikipedia was comparable to Encyclopedia Britannica. Behind this page is a diverse community of altruistic editors who believe that accurate information should be available and accessible to everyone and everywhere. Today, Wikipedia is the 7th most frequently accessed website in the U.S. According to the article Situating Wikipedia as a health information resource in various contexts: a scoping review, Wikipedia was as accurate as the NIH website. It surpassed WebMD, another prominent health-related site. However, there is some wariness to using Wikipedia. Other studies have shown contradictory results regarding whether Wikipedia suits medical students. Keeping this information in mind, physicians are recommended to visit Wikipedia occasionally to be aware of the information to which patients and medical students are exposed. Peer-reviewed literature Peer-reviewed medical literature is now on social media. PubMed and high-impact-factor journals followed the online trend and embraced social media to increase their reach with a broad range of potential benefits to key stakeholders. These have hired specialized social media editors (SMEs) to manage content, mainly interactions and postings, and publish post-publication feedback. Among the responsibilities of the SME, we highlight the role of vulgarizing medical vocabulary to be understandable to everyone outside the medical community, making this online medical literature a reliable source of information for patients. Finally, social media has effectively conveyed health-related issues, especially during the fast-changing policies like Ebola and COVID-19 health crises. In conclusion, social media is here to stay. In 2019, the FSMB published guidelines on the appropriate use of social media in medical practice. Highly engaged patients are a reality that physicians need to embrace and guide as much as possible. Both physicians and patients should be aware of the right and relevant sources of information. As Erik Qualman said: We dont have a choice on whether we do social media; the question is how well we do it. Homer Moutran is an otolaryngologist. Caline El-Khoury is a clinical project manager. Danielle Wilson is a medical student. ESPO: ... Kilkenny students have been urged to consider an accountancy apprenticeship programme which will create 150 jobs in the private and public sectors nationally 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. Large firms and smaller practices, as well as industry and the public sector, have all embraced the programme. 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. Though my background career was in accounting, I needed to update my skills to reflect Irish standards after moving here with my family, said Tsuika. 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. Gillian Noonan, finance manager at Siro and Tsuikas workplace mentor, said the programme is a win-win for the employer and the apprentice. The Accounting Technicians Ireland Apprenticeship has been a huge success for Siro, said Gillian. 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. Gabriela Airini, Head of Education at ATI, said the Apprenticeship enables employers to recruit and upskill staff in a cost-effective manner. 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, she said. 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'. 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. MBABANE With over 6 000 pregnant women flocking into the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital to deliver their babies, concerns have been raised about the high maternal mortality rate at the health institution. Members of Parliament (MPs) recently called for the improvement of other clinics across the country to ease the pressure of pregnant women flocking to the RFM Hospital. This was raised by MPs during the Ministry of Health annual report debate, which was held in Parliament two weeks ago. Manzini Region MP Busisiwe Mavimbela, while making her submissions on managing health conditions on maternal mortality, said there was a serious concern regarding the high number of women who die while giving birth. Effort I heard that the minister has said the number of women dying while giving birth had decreased but we need to put more effort so that we dont lose more women, said Mavimbela. She said the RFM Hospital had been cited to be having the highest maternal mortality rate. She then posed a question to the Minister of Health, Lizzie Nkosi, to find out the efforts put in place to try and assist the hospital in managing the maternal mortality. I dont want to delve much into the issue. I have been to RFM Hospital and I know what I am talking about. May there be quick help provided to the hospital, more especially on weekends, said the MP. In response, Minister Nkosi said being at the centre of the country was what led many people to visit the hospital. There is a high number of pregnant women who come to RFM in a state of emergency, because it is in the centre of the country. These are the women who end up passing away while giving birth, she said. Nkosi said they were engaging RFM Hospital in ensuring that the number of women who died while giving birth was a thing of the past. We hope that RFM will reach a stage in the future of ensuring that no woman dies while giving birth. We also need to engage them in some of the challenges they face, she said. In a period of four years, 45 women out of 25 551 deliveries died while giving birth at RFM Hospital. This was revealed by the hospitals Matron, Sandile Malaza, last Friday in an interview while breaking down the maternal mortality statistic for the past four years. Comparison Malaza said it was true that the number of maternal mortality was high between 2019 to 2022, in comparison with the number of deliveries in each year. In 2019, four women out of 5 780 who gave birth died. About 10 women out of 6 079 deliveries died in 2020. Out of 6 712 women who gave birth in 2021, 16 of them died while giving birth. Last year alone, out 6 980 deliveries, 15 of them passed on, said Malaza.He said there was an increase in the number of maternal mortality within the period of four years. The increase in maternal mortality is a concern as it is at its peak. However, we may not know the main cause of the increase. Government conducts an investigation once discovering that a woman has died while giving birth. We usually submit all the files to government to find out the root cause of that maternal mortality case. There are so many reasons that can lead to death, which could be complications during delivery, our negligence or those who gave birth at home, Malaza said. RFM Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Benjamin Simelane, said maternal mortality was a serious concern as it formed part of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) number three, which speaks about good health and well-being for all. Statistics He further stated that there had been an increase also in the number of women giving birth before arrival (BBA) between 2019 to 2022. When unpacking the above statistics of women giving birth before arrival, Acting Director of Health Services Dr Velephi Okello said the issue of BBA was of serious concern and dangerous to pregnant women. She said most of these women never took the initiative of coming to hospital on time to seek medical attention. 20 years after U.S. invasion, tragedy of Haditha massacre not forgotten by Iraqis Xinhua) 13:45, March 20, 2023 A photo taken on Feb. 10, 2023 shows Khalid Salman Rasif holding pictures of some of the victims of the Haditha massacre. Many family members of Rasif were killed during the massacre, which was committed by American soldiers on Nov. 19, 2005 in western Iraq. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) BAGHDAD, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Twenty years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the residents of Haditha, a city located on the banks of the Euphrates River in Iraq's western province of Anbar, still recall with great pain and anger the massacre committed by U.S. soldiers against innocent civilians. In the early morning on Nov. 19, 2005, a massive explosion occurred near his house in Haditha, about 200 km northwest of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, recalled Khalid Salman Rasif, a 49-year-old lawyer. The blast killed a U.S. Marine and wounded two others in a convoy, prompting the surviving soldiers to go on a revenge raid on local civilians. Hours later, Rasif managed to sneak into his uncle Salim's house to check if any of his family were fine. There he met 11-year-old Safa, Salim's granddaughter, who told him that eight of her family members were killed by American soldiers earlier and she was the only survivor. Seven family members of Abdul Hameed, another uncle of Rasif, were also killed by American soldiers, including Rasif's sister and her child, Safa told Rasif. When Rasif reached the home of Hameed the next day, he "found something tragic and unbelievable" because blood was everywhere. "It appeared that the American forces had dragged the bodies before transferring them to the Haditha Hospital. The same thing happened in my cousin's house, where I found blood everywhere," he told Xinhua. A photo taken on Feb. 9, 2023 shows Dham Badr, an Iraqi visual artist who was imprisoned, tortured, and humiliated by American soldiers. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) During the massacre, American soldiers also stormed the house of Jamal al-Ghurairi, driving her four sons into one room and shot them dead. Covered in blood, she rushed to knock on the door of the home of her neighbor, Aws Fahmi al-Shammary. But when Al-Shammary went out of his home to see what was happening, he immediately received a shot by an American sniper in his hip. "The shooting hurt me. My wife and I suffered a lot because I couldn't move properly and I had to receive treatment regularly for about a year and a half," Al-Shammary told Xinhua. Victims of the massacre also include four students who were traveling to college in a taxi. The American soldiers stopped the taxi, took the students and driver out, and killed them all. Jamil Ayada, the brother of two of the college students killed, described the day of the killing as "bloody" and "dark." "After they searched them and took all their documents (ID cards), they horrifically executed them," he told Xinhua, with tears in his eyes. "The victims did not leave their homes to fight, they were living in peace when they were killed. They were children, women, men and elderly people," said Ayada. "We look at America with contempt, because the U.S. occupation forces are terrorists, killers, and creators of terrorism," he said, adding that those American soldiers responsible for the massacre should be prosecuted. A photo taken on March 7, 2023 shows Jamil Ayada, who is recounting how his two younger brothers were killed in the Haditha massacre committed by American soldiers on Nov. 19, 2005 in western Iraq. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) However, Haditha's tragedy did not end with the massacre, as local residents were constantly subjected to random arrests, detentions and torture by American troops. In 2006, Dham Badr, a visual artist in the city, was arrested by U.S. soldiers and tortured without charges before he was transferred to the Bucca detention center in the southern city of Basra. Badr said that, in addition to being stripped naked and urinated on his head and body, he was also punched, slapped, kicked and battered with sticks and metal rods by American soldiers. During the U.S. occupation of Iraq, Iraqis were subjected to U.S. punishment if they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Ghassan Eyada Menshid, a resident of Haditha and a journalist working for a Baghdad-based private TV channel, was arrested by the U.S. soldiers on July 10, 2005 while driving with his friend, a police officer, near the town of Heet, some 160 km west of Baghdad. Both Menshid and his friend were injured after they were caught in an exchange of fire between Sunni insurgents and U.S. forces. After that, Menshid was detained for over a year and subjected to severe physical and mental torture. The American soldiers left him out in the sweltering sun for long hours and put him in a small iron cage for 23 days, allowing him only to go to the toilet twice a week and take a shower once a week that lasted no more than two minutes. Menshid said he had spent eight months of his imprisonment in the notorious Abu Ghraib prison, where he was insulted and tortured. And American soldiers either blocked or deliberately delayed the visits by his family members. He criticized the Americans for lying about their promise to turn Iraq into a democratic and free country. "We have not seen anything. They turned over control of the nation to competing sectarian and ethnic parties, who divided the wealth while the Iraqi people are groaning in hunger and poverty," he said. A photo taken on Feb. 9, 2023 shows Ghassan Eyada Menshid, an Iraqi journalist who was arrested by the American soldiers on July 10, 2005 and was subjected to physical and mental torture in U.S.-run prisons. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) MANZINI - A group of concerned parents want the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) closed for at least two years. In fact, the parents have expressed their doubt on the quality of education provided by the university, following a litany of challenges it faced that led to its closure. The parents prayers are for the solution to UNESWAs challenges that have been eroding the institution, recently resulting in its closure. The stakeholders of the university have decried the avalanche of challenges; from finances, structures and safety, leading to sporadic protests by both students and employees alike. The concern by the parents on the compromise of the quality of education started about a fortnight ago, when employees of the university under the Association of Lecturers, Academic and Administrative Personnel (ALAAP) downed tools over award performances (notching). Deadlock The strike by the employees was initiated after a deadlock was reached on the dispute between UNESWA and its employees, where a certificate of unresolved dispute was issued in February this year. The university had been taken to the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC) following grievances by employees on the issue of salary adjustments. Management had offered employees three per cent cost-of-living adjustment (CoLA) but refused to allow the staff to notch, yet all along, each CoLA award came with notching. The employees have not been receiving their notching since 2018, due to that the university had declared that there was a shortage of funds. The legal strike by the employees resulted in the closure of the university last Thursday, and it was declared that there would be no teaching and learning for full-time and part-time students. The university stated that the closure was effected due to the interest of safety and security of staff and students. Universities Worth noting is that UNESWA is ranked 107th in the top 200 universities in Africa 2023 by the Uni Rank. It follows the University of Malawi, which is number 106, while it is followed by the University of Mohamed Khider de Briskra in Algeria. Meanwhile, this has not been taken lightly by a group of concerned parents, some of whom suggested that the university should shut down for two or three years, while a way forward was being mapped on the management of the institution. According to the concerned parents, the quality of education of the university was no longer at par with what it originally was since its inception in 1982. The parents were of the view that the institution was no longer living up to its slogan of being the University of Choice in Africa. A parent shared with this publication that what was happening in the university was appalling and unbelievable. As a parent, I am appalled by the events that are happening, where we see lecturers downing tools. It is beyond my comprehension. What example are they setting for the children? the concerned parent questioned. He was of the notion that what was wrong in the employees strike was that they were demanding to get their award performances. The parent suggested that what needed to be done was for the employees to sit down to take the annual report on the financial status of the university, to understand its challenges. While we were growing up, there was something called pro patria mori, which means one has to die for his or her fatherland. It means there are certain things that I have got to sacrifice for the sake of my country. But what is happening now is concerning, employees no longer have the best interest of students at heart. Oh cry the beloved country, lamented the parent. He reiterated that what was happening in the university was disappointing. The parent disclosed that he studied Communications Engineering in the very same university and the quality of education was top notch. However, according to the parent, the only description he had now was that it was poor. The parent questioned what the lecturers were imparting to the younger generation of students who were supposed to be learning from them. Another parent was of the view that the university must shut down for a period of two or more years. He recommended that the closure should come with retrenchments, so that the university would return to employing lecturers on contractual basis. Issues This will prevent issues where employees will find themselves outside engaging in strikes when students should be learning. There would be a calibre of employees who know what they come to work for, said the parent. Another parent asked when the university would reopen. He expressed concern on the number of days which were passing by while students were losing a great deal of time away from class. Bayocedza nini labantfwana bo? We are breeding another type of generation which is hell-bent on strikes and spending more time away from books, and this is really concerning to say the least, the parent stated. He wished that he could be able to provide tuition fees for a university which was outside of the country, as he could no longer boast about the education provided at UNESWA. The parent suggested that even local tertiary institutions that were once looked down upon were better off compared to the main university. In the same breath, another parent observed that it was shocking to see that learned employees with Degrees and PhDs were on strike. He said this was a result of a poor system, which was not prioritising the education system in the country. The parent also said he was disheartened for students who were self-sponsored as their hard-earned cash was being wasted. She suggested that the university be sold to people who could better manage the institution. Challenge UNESWA Registrar Dr Salebona Simelane said closing the university may not solve the national challenge, supply of trained personnel in specific disciplines annually. The training of manpower should not be interrupted. Otherwise, it would take the country 50 years backward. We need those skills in large numbers yearly. The strike action is caused by an unresolved dispute between the employees and the employer, the university, he explained. Dr Simelane added that terms of employment may change but if the root cause was not solved, change of contract might help. He added that the university provided quality education. The registrar mentioned that quality measurement tools may be very difficult to attain, depending on what exactly one wanted to measure and for what purpose. If it is about passing from one level of study to another in a particular programme, UNESWAs product might surprise you. Our graduates still do well regionally and globally at post-graduate level in terms of performance in class, the registrar alluded. He also pointed out that the university trained students academically, which according to him, was their mandate. MANZINI About 22 ministries and government departments owe pensions and taxes of about E150 million for the past financial year. The ministries and departments are said to owe the aforesaid amount due to failing to remit Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) deductions, pension fund and value added tax (VAT) to the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS). The Auditor General (AG), Timothy Matsebula, in his Consolidated Government Financial Statements (Annual Accounts) of the Kingdom of Eswatini for the financial year ended March 31, 2022, listed the various ministries and departments as having failed to remit the said money. Figure The actual figure for all the ministries and departments is E149 576 246.19. The highest outstanding amount was recorded with the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT). The AG said the Princess Sikhanyiso-led ministry had an outstanding VAT valued at E111 137 101. Matsebula reported that he notified the controlling officer (principal secretary in the ministry) that according to information sourced from the ERS, the ministry had a significantly huge outstanding VAT balance. He said the debt period spanned from 2015 to 2022, which was over eight years. The AG said, however, he was unable to confirm disclosure of this amount in the financial statements and an explanation on how the debt was created, why it was not settled and reasons for its accumulation were not provided during the audit. The AG said entities were required by law (Income Tax Order of 1975 as amended) to remit taxes in accordance with the tax law. I raised my concern that reported liabilities balances could be misstated and therefore misleading to users of the financial statements. Further, the ministry could be subjected to late payment interest, penalties and/or lawsuits hence resulting in financial losses, reads the report. Matsebula said he then advised the controlling officer to request for a budget to settle the VAT debt and effectively manage its debts in order to avoid their accumulation and to appropriately disclose the debt in the financial statements. Matsebula said he further requested the controlling officer to provide an explanation, which should be supported with documentary evidence, on how the debt was created, why it was not settled and the reasons for its accumulation. In response, the controlling officer stated that the VAT was accrued by different departments and parastatals, and the ministry had embarked on a tracing exercise to ascertain the implicated departments or parastatals, reads the report in part. Response Furthermore, he said the controlling officers response was noted, however, at the time of compiling the report, the matter had not been resolved. The AG further said there were unremitted deductions of the national provident fund and taxes. He said: I reported that unremitted deductions in respect of the ENPF increased from E3 507.85 in the 2020/2021 financial year to E9 367.85 in 2021/2022 and unremitted taxes remained unchanged at E2 791 105.36 as at March 31, 2022. This shows that the matter as reported in my previous financial years audit report was not addressed. Also, he reported that the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) had an outstanding VAT debt amounting to E10 850 476 as at March 31, 2022. The AG said VAT debts related to tax periods dating from 2016 to 2019, which were now a period over six years. He said the effect of the outstanding VAT was that the country was deprived of receiving revenue in the form of taxes by the ministry. Matsebula said the controlling officer was advised to remit the VAT debts to the ERS and provide proof of settlement and report monthly on the status of this tax debt to the Ministry of Finance and AG. However, during an exit meeting with the controlling officer, he explained that the tax was charged on donated items and as a ministry they were making consultations with the Ministry of Finance and Eswatini Revenue Services to establish whether the Ministry of Defence could be exempted from paying tax on donated items, reads the report in part. Also, the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development had outstanding taxes amounting to E9 188 180.80 and unremitted deductions in respect of the national provident fund amounting to E26 428.61 as at March 31, 2022. The AG reported that the PS under the ministry reported that the ministry was working tirelessly in cleaning the accounts. Deductions Matsebula further said the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development had unremitted deductions amounting to E6 308 009.43, which consist of ENPF amounting to E219 906.97, S.G. civil servants and teachers pension of E14 612.36, car advance interest subsidy banks of E7 201.34 and taxes amounting to E6 066 288.76. On the other hand, he reported that the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development had VAT debts worth E4 267 852 and pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) tax debt worth E1 853, as at March 31, 2022. He said the VAT debt related to tax periods dating from 2015, 2017 to 2019 and PAYE tax debt relates to tax periods dating from 2013 to 2014, which is a period of over 10 years. The AG also reported that there were unremitted deductions of the ENPF amounting to E58 788.16, unremitted taxes amounting to E1 749 354.95 and tax refund worth E389 226.14. Furthermore, he reported that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy had E713 874.17 while the Ministry of Agriculture had E745 517.18 outstanding taxes. The Ministry of Agriculture also has an outstanding VAT debt of E94 126. Matsebula reported that through a report referenced; Ref: A15 Vol. XIV/12 dated February 3, 2023, he notified the controlling officer that records from ERS revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture had a VAT debt. The AG said the VAT debt related to tax periods dating from 2017 to 2022, which was now a period of over five years. Also, he reported that the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) had unremitted deductions of national provident fund and taxes amounting to E4 420 and unremitted taxes worth E51 216. Response Furthermore, he reported that Parliament had an unremitted debt to the ENPF of E56 220.10. Matsebula reported that in response, the controlling officer submitted that the deductions worth E56 220.10 due to the ENPF had not been paid, since the transaction of transferring such funds was managed by the Treasury Department, and Parliament was only tasked with making the follow-up to ensure that the deducted funds do reach the ENPF. He said the controlling officer did not provide any evidence of prior follow up on this matter. Also, the AG reported that at the time of compiling this report, the matter had not been solved. Also, the Private and Cabinet Offices had unremitted deductions of the ENPF amounting to E9 790 under Centre 1101. The AG reported that he further advised the controlling officer that the deductions of the ENPF and taxes should be remitted to ENPF and ERS. Matsebula reported that the controlling officer responded by stating that the Standing Cash Advance of E1 646.90 was a matter dating back to 2001, hence the office was still trying to gather information on this matter and would keep the esteemed office of the AG posted. He further stated that the reconciliation of the credit balance of E9 790 due to the ENPF was on-going because it dates back to 1999. Matsebula said when the exercise was complete; a report would be submitted to the esteemed office of the AG. Deductions The AG further reported that the Ministry of Tourism had unremitted ENPF deductions, civil servants, teachers and also pension and taxes. Matsebula reported that there were unremitted deductions in respect of national provident fund amounting to E2 353.66, SG Civil Servants Pension of E12 705.60 and unremitted taxes amounting to E26 315.06. Matsebula said in response, the PS stated that the ministry made an effort to reconcile the provident and the pension fund, however, the process was put on hold and deadlines for submissions were missed. He said the controlling officer further stated that the ministry eventually solved the anomaly in the account, and that the ministry balanced the account for ERS item. The AG said the non-remittance of deductions deprived the beneficiaries of the ENPF and the pension fund from benefitting from their rightful contributions. Also, the Deputy Prime Ministers Office reported that there were unremitted deductions in respect of the ENPF amounting to E5 365 and civil servants and teachers pension deductions amounting to E16 438.66. Also, he said the taxes; amounting to E3 192.75, were not remitted to the ERS. COLUMBIA MU medical students are responding to pieces of legislation that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) education and training requirements in any institute that receives state funding. Senate bill 410, otherwise known as the "Do No Harm Act," is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday. Jay Devineni, a medical student at MU, wrote a position statement that opposes both SB 410 and House bill 489. He said he asked fellow MU School of Medicine students to sign it if they wanted to take that position. "We've had 200 plus, very courageous students, which I think is a lot of students who have joined me in opposing this bill," Devineni said. Devineni has a master's degree in both journalism and public health. "Working as a journalist and working in public health, I realized that medicine is still something I wanted to do, and policy is something that I wanted to be part of my journey in medicine," Devineni said. "I applied for medical school, I got into Mizzou. I wanted policy to be a big part of what I do, so I got very involved in some of the advocacy efforts some of our students participate in." Devineni is also the legislative/advocacy chair for the Mizzou Medical Society, a student advocacy group. He plans to testify at SB 410's public hearing Tuesday. "We have five to 10 students from Mizzou's medical school who will be going," Devineni said. "In addition, we have been coordinating with a lot of different groups including people in medical education, physicians in general, other education experts and other advocacy groups who will all be there testifying against this bill." Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Devineni said the bill threatens MU's accreditation and curriculum. "It threatens our accreditation, because we have diversity, equity, and inclusion expectations that need to be met in our curriculum in order for us to meet the accreditation standard," Devineni said. "We also just really feel like it's important that students learn the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion in order to be able to become physicians who can practice high-quality, patient-centered care." The American Medical Association (AMA) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) oversee the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). LCME determines what needs to be present in the medical curriculum and in medical education in order for physicians to be considered qualified. "If your school doesn't meet those standards, then regardless of what your degree says, a lot of places just aren't going to be able to hire you," Devineni said. "You're not going to be able to practice medicine in most places in the U.S. if you don't have a degree from an LCME or COCA accredited institution. If we lose our accreditation, we lose the value of our degrees essentially and lose our ability to practice medicine in most places in America." Devineni said it's important for health care professionals to learn about DEI because of health care disparities. "There are certain statistics that are just alarming. For example, Black women in America are three to four times as likely to die from maternal mortality than white woman are," Devineni said. Devineni said the state needs a physician workforce that is representative of Missouri's diverse patient population. "We need a physician workforce that, regardless of their background, is trained to understand the unique perspectives of other people from different backgrounds, and DEI education is really necessary for that," he said. "So if we're prohibited from requiring that then a lot of students simply just won't be learning it and will not be able to provide the best care possible for their patients." The Missouri's House Special Committee on Government Accountability held public hearings last week for the SB 410's House counterpart HB 489. The committee also heard HB 1196, which would prohibit the requirement of DEI statements from job applicants, students and employees. Those bills have not been scheduled for a vote yet. SB 410's sponsor, Sen. Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester), did not respond for KOMU 8's request for comment. The approval of East Campus replats required by a lawsuit settlement agreement is also scheduled for discussion. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at the closing meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 13, 2023. MBABANE - In line with the Kings call to silence the guns, prosecutors have been instructed to argue for custodial sentences against those arrested for being found in possession of illegal firearms. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), had reportedly issued a directive, instructing prosecutors to fight for custodial sentences against those who were arrested and charged for contravening the Arms and Ammunition Act. The prosecutors were reportedly informed that this move was meant to curb the increasing number of guns, which ended up in the wrong hands and subsequently used for criminal activities. Presently, people arrested for being found in unlawful possession of firearms and live rounds of ammunition are afforded an option of a fine. Sentenced Mostly, they are sentenced to five years imprisonment and afforded an option of a fine, which is usually fixed at E5 000. It is said that the Acting DPP, Lomvula Hlophe, impressed upon the prosecutors that they should argue for custodial sentences instead of just accepting the plea when the accused person pleaded guilty. Previously, upon entering a plea of guilty, the prosecutors would not lead evidence against that accused and this resulted in the courts sentencing the accused persons as per his or her own plea and consequently, affording him or her an option of a fine. According to the Act, the court can impose both. Firearms The latest development means that those who would be found in possession of illegal firearms, would be, upon arrest, also have the task of convincing the court why it should not impose a custodial sentence as per the entreat by the Crown. The penalty for such an offence is stipulated in Section 14 (2) of the same Act, to be imprisonment for a period not less than five years or a fine not less than E5 000. The maximum sentence is 20 years and a fine not exceeding E20 000, irrespective of whether the accused is a first-time or subsequent offender. Notably, there is plethora of past judgments, where custodial sentences were imposed on accused persons who were found in possession of illegal firearms. Meanwhile, a legal expert said the custodial sentences on those who were found in unlawful possession of firearms, would serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders. He said illegal firearms were all over the country and it was the duty of the police and prosecution to put this to an end. This is a good move as, clearly many guns are in the wrong hands and when people know that they might face custodial sentences, they will surely desist from buying unlawful firearms. This is a step in the right direction, said the legal expert, who preferred to remain anonymous. When sought for comment, Acting DPP Hlophe declined to comment, saying this was an administrative issue. Meanwhile, in December last year, National Commissioner (natcom) of Police William Dlamini, indicated that crime trends in the country indicated that, currently there were many illicit firearms held in the wrong hands and were being used to terrorise emaSwati through various crimes. During that time, the NATCOM further indicated that they recorded 100 cases of illegal possession of firearms, which was a huge jump when compared to the past year. Cases of illegal firearms have gone up by 92 per cent since 2021. He said they would continue intensifying their efforts through the staging of operations that would ensure that more arrests were made and illegal firearms were recovered. Silence On the issue of silencing the guns, Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo said the call to silence the guns by His Majesty King Mswati III was never directed to the national security forces, especially the police service. In a statement, Nxumalo, however, reiterated that the call from the throne was legitimate, urgent and imperative. Government has noted with concern the obvious misinterpretation and application of the call to silence the guns. His Majesty King Mswati IIIs call was inspired by the African Unions Agenda 2063. It aspires to end wars and conflicts, prevent genocide and stop gender-based violence, the spokesperson explained. Further, he stated that there was a need to categorically put things into perspective concerning the call from the King, which he made during the official opening of the Fifth Session of the 11th Parliament. His Majesty King Mswati IIIs call was inspired by the African Unions Agenda 2063. It aspires to end wars and conflicts, prevent genocide and stop gender-based violence, the spokesperson explained. He added; It seeks to free Africa from the many destructive effects of gun-related violence and armed conflicts by the year 2030. Primarily, guns that need to be and must be silenced are those which are illegitimately or illegally in the hands of people in the country. The call to silence the guns was never directed to the national security services, especially the police service, Nxumalo said. Meanwhile, he made inferences that the call meant that the police could no longer legitimately use guns to protect themselves when being attacked by criminals and by other rowdy elements in society, which was not only mischievous but also plain naive. Theres no politician or parliamentarian worth the honour, who does not know that police are permitted by law to use certain force when executing their duties, especially when they are being attacked or there is resistance to a lawful arrest. Section 189 of the national Constitution, as read with the Police Service Act, mandates the police the duty to preserve peace and prevent crime. In the execution of such, they are empowered to carry firearms, he clarified. Symbols Nxumalo went on to point out that the symbols of lapel pins, badges and emblems attached to the uniform of national security service officers were representative of the nation itself/people and the State. They are the visible authority and power endowed upon the national security services. They are endowed upon them by the Constitution and by other subordinate legislative Acts. That is the reason why the uniform of all national security services is protected State property. That is why a national security services officer, whether short or tall; male or female; black or white or anything in between, will stop a huge truck on the road by simply raising one hand, he further explained. Also in the statement, Nxumalo specifically stated that anyone who attacked a uniformed officer of the State was good as having attacked the people of that country, the institutions of the country and the State itself. Angola, IN (46703) Today Snow this morning will transition to snow showers for the afternoon. High 38F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight Cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 31F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. In one of the rare medical cases recorded in the world and the first in the Middle East, a 32-year-old woman who lives on an artificial pump assisting the heart has given birth to a healthy baby through a successful caesarean section. The procedure was done by a medical team at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) without any complications, a release said. The mother had been suffering from severe weakness in her heart muscles, which necessitated the implantation of an artificial auxiliary pump. When it was discovered that she was pregnant, she was referred to KFSH&RC for treatment, and the team promptly set a date for her to give birth to avoid any complications that could arise, including managing the artificial heart pump's performance at each stage. Highest level of care From the moment she arrived at the hospital, the patient was given the highest level of care by a multidisciplinary medical team of seven specialties. They monitored her closely and ensured she was healthy enough to undergo a caesarean surgery in the 32nd week of pregnancy. After the procedure was completed without complications, the mother was transferred to intensive care to continue monitoring her condition. Meanwhile, the baby was placed under the supervision of the neonatal intensive care team. Physicians usually advise against pregnancy in patients who have received an artificial heart-assisting pump implant due to the potential complications for both the mother and the foetus, including pump malfunctions that could endanger their lives. Therefore, it is remarkable that the KFSH&RC medical team was able to perform this successful surgery and ensure the safe delivery of a healthy baby.-- TradeArabia News Service I'm all for the pursuit of knowledge, but there are some things out there that seem better to leave well alone. I'm talking ancient Egyptian tombs, black holes, and huge, ominous caverns descending into the depths of the ocean. Think about it - is whatever potentially horrific thing we find really going to be worth the lessons we learn from it? My answer would usually be no, but an exploration of Belize's Great Blue Hole has proved that sometimes disturbing discoveries can be worth it. The huge hole in the ocean is located approximately 60 miles off the coast of Belize, and descends more than 400 feet into the ocean. For a long time, divers were unable to explore too much of the hole as they didn't have the proper equipment to tackle its depths. But that changed with the advancement of technology - and when the hole caught the interest of billionaire Richard Branson. The Virgin founder embarked on an expedition to the hole when diver Fabien Cousteau travelled there to capture high-quality photos and videos of the mysteries hidden beneath the surface. Unfortunately, what lay at the bottom of the beautiful, mysterious ocean formation partly just sums up humanity as we know it. Divers needed special equipment to explore the hole. Credit: Ian Bottle / Alamy Lying at the bottom of the Great Blue Hole was, of course, some rubbish. The team found a two-litre plastic bottle, as well as a long-lost GoPro with some photos of someone's holiday on it. But that wasn't all. The team also discovered two bodies in the hole; divers who had gone missing in the great cavern. Though the sight definitely would have been unnerving, the team decided to leave the bodies where they were, determining the hole to be a good final resting place. However, they did let the Belize government know the divers had been found. The Great Blue Hole is more than 400 feet deep. Credit: Belize / Alamy The shocking discoveries didn't end there, as when the crew dove in a submersible vehicle into the depths of the hole, they found a large series of caves which were home to hanging stalactites - but scientists didn't think it was possible for stalactites to form beneath the surface of the water. The revelation indicated that the caves, located hundreds of feet beneath the surface of the ocean, were once on dry land. Branson highlighted how disturbing this discovery is for the state of the planet in a post on Virgin.com, writing: The Blue Hole is made of a complex system of caves that once formed on dry land. It is proof of how oceans can rise quickly and catastrophically. "Sea levels were once hundreds of feet lower. 10,000 years ago the sea level rose by about 300 feet when a lot of ice melted around the world. At 300 feet down you could see the change in the rock where it used to be land and turned into sea." Majid Al Futtaim, a leading shopping mall, communities, retail, and leisure pioneer in the region, today (March 20) inaugurated a 6.2 megawatt-peak solar power plant at The Bahrain Mall, operated by Carrefour Bahrain. With over 11,500 solar panels installed, the facility is the largest in the kingdom, that has been set up on the roof of The Bahrain Mall, spanning more than 40,000 sq m. The project was developed through a solar power purchase agreement (PPA), signed between Majid Al Futtaim and Yellow Door Energy, the leading sustainable energy partner for commercial and industrial businesses in the Middle East, Africa and beyond.. It can produce 10 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy in the first year of operation, equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by 7,100 metric tonnes. Yellow Door Energy recently announced its successful completion of a $400 million capital hike to continue developing sustainable energy projects in the Middle East, Africa and beyond. In December 2021, the duo had jointly commissioned a 17-megawatt solar park, providing clean electricity to 35 Carrefour stores in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. By working with Yellow Door Energy, leading businesses can reduce their energy costs without any upfront investment or operational risk, while maintaining focus on their core business and enjoying the benefits of clean, affordable energy. Laurent Hausknecht, the Regional Director of Gulf at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, said the installation of the solar panels on the roof of The Bahrain Mall brings the group one step closer to achieving its Net Positive Strategy. "This will not only help us take forward the companys vision of creating great moments for everyone, everyday, but it will also allow us to translate the savings and environmental benefits into memorable experiences for all visitors at The Bahrain Mall every year, stated Hausknecht. Yellow Door Energy COO Rory McCarthy said the group was proud to commission its first project in the Kingdom of Bahrain with Majid Al Futtaim Retail. "This announcement is made extra special, following our agreement to bring solar power to an additional 18 shopping malls within Majid Al Futtaim in the UAE, Oman and Bahrain," he noted. Gurugram (Haryana) [India], March 20 (ANI/NewsVoir): BML Munjal University (BMU), a Hero Group initiative in collaboration with FICCI Women in Science and Entrepreneurship (WISE) and G20 Empower Jan Bhagidari successfully hosted the Women in Leadership (WIL) conference on Tuesday - March 14, 2023, at India Habitat Centre, Delhi. The day-long conference successfully brought the agenda to present, discuss and exchange ideas and perspectives on women in leadership, celebrating the achievements of women from diverse backgrounds, the unseen challenges faced by women, gendered interventions, and women's empowerment especially at grassroot level, the riveting discussions paved the way for a more inclusive workforce in the ecosystem. Also Read | #TamilNadu Health Minister #MaSubramanian Asked the People to Maintain #Covid Protocol by Latest Tweet by IANS India. The first edition of the Women In Leadership (WIL) Forum set the stage and brought to light the long road ahead of us in battling systemic and non-systemic biases and prejudices to create a more welcoming and diverse environment for women across all walks of life. The conference also saw stellar examples of people, corporations and organizations driving this change. Rajeev Chaba - President & Managing Director, MG Motor India, and Dr. Sangita Reddy - Joint MD, Apollo Hospitals Group & Former President, FICCI delivered the keynote address at the forum. Sunil Kant Munjal, Chancellor - BML Munjal University made a special address at the event. The conference featured an impressive line-up of eminent speakers and panelists, including Chhavi Rajawat - Former Sarpanch, Soda Rajasthan, India; Jayna Kothari - Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India; Mike Clarke - COO & CHRO, Hero MotoCorp Limited; Anandi Iyer - Director & Head of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, India Office Chairperson, FICCI (WISE), to name a few. Also Read | Acer Launches New Nitro 5 Laptop Powered by AMD Ryzen 7000 Series Processors in India; Check Key Details Here. The conference encompassed four-panel discussions including, first - Women - Shaping the Culture & Economy of the Country, second - Women Rising through the Invisible Barriers, third - Women Empowerment at Grassroot Level, and fourth Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Women in Leadership for invigorating exchange and dialogue. The first panel shed light on the global under-representation of women in leadership roles, revealing that only six countries have achieved gender parity in their parliaments. To address this issue, it is crucial to redefine the concept of leadership and dismantle stereotypical barriers that hinder women's progress. Recognize that gender should never impede success, and that performance, hard work, and merit should be the only factors that matter. The second panel stressed the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in providing women with the guidance and support they need to achieve success. The third panel celebrated the vital role that grassroots leaders play in India's villages, encouraging women to come together as a collective force by embracing their femininity and supporting one another. The concluding panel stressed that effective leadership goes beyond gender boundaries and encouraged women to avoid doubting themselves, many times due to the constant juggle between societal norms and living life on their own terms. They asserted that women already possess the innate capability to lead and should not allow external factors to limit their potential or dictate their aspirations. The spirit of the conference was further lifted up with a string of inspiring stories shared that showcased how one should pursue their passion unapologetically. The conference acted as a reminder of the transformative power that comes from embracing different viewpoints and experiences. Speaking at the conference, Sunil Kant Munjal, Chancellor, BML Munjal University, said, "We need more action and less conversation on the ground, and this platform is just a beginning. He reiterated that women are the much smarter half of the population and are inherent multi-takers and excel in everything they do. He further added that to take India's growth to next horizon we need to have more women in leadership and how women as leaders bring a higher level of efficiency and productivity at the front." Swati Munjal, President, BML Munjal University, said, "Women as leaders not only fuel large corporates and big initiatives but they empower fellow women at the foundational level to drive positive changes in communities and society as a whole. We at BMU lay equal emphasis to recognize and celebrate women leaders as change-makers at the grassroots level, as they are the ones who impact the lives of those around them be it by building businesses, impacting communities, and driving social change, all without any formal training and strong support from the society they operate in." Swati further added, "I congratulate 17 exceptional women who have graduated with flying colors from our WIL programme and left us in awe with their success stories. Let's continue to inspire and support them for they are the harbingers of change and the key to building a better nation." Speaking at a panel, Chhavi Rajawat, Former Sarpanch, Soda, Rajasthan, said, "I would like to thank BML Munjal University for bringing this event to life. As I echo the sentiments of powerful women that are present here today, I emphasize the need to empower ourselves with the right tools to reach much greater heights. It is time we recognize the inherent beauty and strength that lies in being a woman and to embrace it fully. Let us strive to break barriers, shatter stereotypes and emerge as leaders who empower the generations to come." WIL conference is an initiative by BML Munjal University underlining 'where there is a WIL, there is a way', it is inline with an Executive Education Programme (Women-In-Leadership) launched by the university six years ago. The nine-month programme has been curated to foster new-age skills, helping talented women managers across industries to be equipped with the right acumen for becoming effective leaders and creating a leadership pipeline that is more diverse, inclusive, and innovative. The conference was attended by researchers, academicians, feminists, students, gender specialists, professionals, leaders of NGOs, policy-makers, writers, change agents, and activists. The event concluded with the graduation and awards ceremony for 17 bright trailblazers from the WIL programme, where the university recognized the remarkable achievements of these individuals. The ceremony was a poignant reminder of the hard work and dedication that goes into breaking down barriers and achieving success, and it left all attendees inspired. In addition to the conference sessions and graduation ceremony, the program featured a line-up of work by women micro-entrepreneurs highlighting growth, achievements and providing inspiration and encouragement to aspiring women leaders. Named after the late Founder Chairman of the Hero Group, BML Munjal University (BMU) is a unique not-for-profit initiative founded by the promoters of the Hero Group. BMU was mentored by Imperial College London and is engaged in creating, preserving, and imparting internationally benchmarked knowledge and skills. The university seeks to transform higher education in India by creating a world-class innovative teaching, learning, and research environment. It envisions becoming a nursery for the leaders of tomorrow and a repository of knowledge. The School of Management at BML Munjal University has been ranked 54th among all management institutions in All India in the NIRF Rankings 2022. It has also attained the diamond subject rating by QS I-Gauge. The University offers undergraduate to doctoral programmes comprising BA (Hons) in Economics, BBA, BCom (Hons), BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), BBA-MBA Integrated Programme, B.Tech at the undergraduate level, and MBA, LLB (Hons) and Ph.D. at the postgraduate level. For more details, log in to www.bmu.edu.in. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 20 (ANI): Tamil Nadu presented the annual state budget for the financial year 2023-24 in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday.It was DMK government's third Budget since it came to power in May 2021. Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan announced a monthly honorarium for eligible women family heads in Tamil Nadu, which was one of the major decisions taken by the government. Also Read | Credit Suisse, UBS Shares Sink After Last Minute Takeover. "Rs 1,000 to women heads of families will be given to eligible beneficiaries from September 15th for which Rs 7000 crores (for 2023-24) will be allocated," Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said. September 15 happens to be the birth anniversary of DMK Founder and former Chief Minister Annadurai. However, the eligibility criteria are yet to be announced. Also Read | Gudi Padwa 2023: How To Make Gudi Flag on Marathi New Year? Easy DIY Video To Make Gudi at Home. This was one of the important election manifesto promises of DMK. The finance minister also announced that Rs 30,000 crore as loans will be given to women Self Help Groups. Further, a monetary allocation of Rs 18,661 crore and Rs 40,299 were made for State Health Care and School Education, respectively, in the Budget for 2023-24. Another Rs 16,262 crore for the Co-Operative department was made available. A financial assistance initiative for civil service aspirants in the state was also announced. "For this 1,000 students will be shortlisted and will be given Rs 7000 financial assistance per month and Rs 25,000 financial assistance, per month, will be provided to the aspirants who clear the mains exam," he said. He also announced the construction of 3,959 houses for Sri Lankan Tamils which will be built at the cost of Rs 223 crore. Also, an announcement was made for the construction of Memorials for Tamil language agitation martyrs -- Thiruvalargal Thalamuthu and Natarajan -- which will be set up in Chennai. In order to propagate the ideals of Annal Ambedkar, the state government will provide a grant of Rs 5 crore to translate his works into the Tamil language. Efforts will also be taken to promote and support sea cruises that will connect places of significance in Tamil culture. The state government will expand the widely popular Chennai Sangamam cultural programme to eight major cities in the coming years. To preserve folk arts and to ensure that these traditions continue to flourish in the future, 25 part-time folk art training centres will be set up across the State. To highlight the contribution of the ruler Cholas, and to preserve artefacts and relics of that era, a grand "Chola Museum" will be set up in Thanjavur. Recognising the valour and supreme sacrifice made by security forces in guarding the nation, the ex-gratia that is being offered by the state government to the next of kin of armed forces personnel hailing from Tamil Nadu who are killed in war or war-like operations will be doubled from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dhar (Madhya Pradesh) [India], March 20 (ANI): A 'boat ambulance' initiative has been started with the aim to provide better health services to tribal population living on the banks of Narmada river in the districts of Dhar, Alirajpur and Barwani in Madhya Pradesh. The boat ambulance will run between hilly regions of Vindhyachal and Satpura to ensure that the tribal people living on the banks of Narmada in these districts can get the emergency health facilities. Also Read | Tamil Nadu Budget 2023: Rs 10,000 Crore Allotted to Chennai Metro Rail Project; Coimbatore and Madurai To Put On Map at Rs 17,500 Crore. The initiative has been started by an organisation Narmada Samagra Nyas and it has been working continuously for the last 15 years to provide health, education, and agriculture related services. The aim of the organisation is to provide better health services to every person. Speaking to ANI, Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Rajvardhan Singh Dattigaon said, "Narmada Samagra Nyas has done good work. I would like to remember the efforts of former BJP Rajya Sabha MP late Anil Kumar Dave who provided the inspiraton to continue wit the work. He started this initiative in 2011 and at that time the villagers feared it wont succeed but it succeeded and villagers have received its benefit." Also Read | Tamil Nadu Budget 2023: Rs 500 Crore Allocated for Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme for Government School Students. "Now, this new boat ambulance is more advanced, it has 1.5 times more space. The ambulance is powered by a petrol engine of 40 HP and it will run silently. The ambulance will cover about 100 km radius in a week according to its route map. There will be a resident doctor in it, essential life saving services will be provided and its route of five days will also be pre-planned," he added. The administration has been asked that the people should be informed about the ambulance. All the necessary support, including the government team which include, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, 108 ambulances, will be given to them, the minister said. He added that not only Madhya Pradesh but also the districts of Gujarat and Maharashtra would benefit from the boat ambulance as the border of three states were joining here. The boat ambulance would be very helpful in the coming days in the area. "Besides, we face a challenge in this area that we don't communicate properly due to unavailability of mobile towers. Therefore, we have planned to set up a temporary radio station in the old boat. A discussion about the frequency is going on with the police department. We also requested BSNL to set up a few towers in the area to improve the communication" Dattigaon 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) New Delhi, Mar 20 (PTI) The Ministry of Education is preparing a comprehensive framework of guidelines to safeguard mental and emotional wellbeing of students, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Monday. The education and skill development minister asserted that there should be zero-tolerance for any discrimination in educational institutions across the country. Also Read | The Home Ministry Conveyed Its Observations to the Delhi Government on March 17. The Latest Tweet by ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan. "The ministry is preparing a comprehensive framework of operational guidelines to safeguard the mental and the emotional wellbeing of students, which will holistically cover school to higher education institutions," Pradhan said. "The framework will institutionalise safeguards and mechanisms that can ensure comprehensive protection to students from any threat or assault- physical, social, discriminatory, cultural, and linguistic; causing psychological distress leading to self-harming and self-destructive tendencies among students," he said. Also Read | Royal Bengal Tiger Attack in Odisha: Panic Grips Villagers After Big Cat Eats Woman Fetching Firewood in Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary; Forest Officials Issue Alert. Pradhan on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting focusing on mental wellness of students and it was attended by senior officials from the school and higher education department, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and University Grants Commission (UGC). (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, March 20: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived here on Monday morning to explore ways to boost bilateral ties in a range of areas, including defence and security, trade and investment, and high technologies. In their talks later in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kishida are also set to discuss priorities for India's presidency of G20 and Japan's presidency of the G7. The Japanese prime minister is expected to unveil his plan for a "free and open Indo-Pacific" with a focus on India's increasingly significant role for the region during the visit. The evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military assertiveness is also likely to figure in the wide-ranging talks between Modi and Kishida. Japan PM Fumio Kishida Arrives in Delhi for 2-Day Visit: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrives in Delhi on a two-day visit. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar receives PM Fumio Kishida. pic.twitter.com/JjUfcmB5b6 ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023 The Japanese prime minister's visit is expected to last around 27 hours. He is expected to unveil his 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace' during a lecture at a leading think-tank in the afternoon. The plan is expected to highlight India's significance for the Indo-Pacific. Delivering the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June last year, Kishida said he would lay out the plan for Indo-Pacific next spring. "I will lay out a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace' by next spring which will strengthen Japan's efforts to further promote the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, with an emphasis on providing patrol vessels and enhancing maritime law enforcement capabilities, as well as cyber security, digital and green initiatives, and economic security," he had said. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar Receives PM Fumio Kishida at the Airport. #WATCH | Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrives in Delhi on a two-day visit. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar receives PM Fumio Kishida at the airport. pic.twitter.com/oPqGAAWkr3 ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023 The plan is expected to provide details of Japan's policy and approach towards the Indo-Pacific. In the last few years, almost all leading powers have come out with their strategies for the Indo-Pacific. Japan has been pushing for a free and open Indo-Pacific with a view to maintaining and strengthening the rules-based international order in the region. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Belagavi (Karnataka) [India], March 20 (ANI): Belagavi Police on Sunday seized tiffin boxes which portrayed pictures of former Hindalga Gram Panchayat President Nagesh Mannolkar. "These tiffin boxes portrayed the picture of Nagesh Mannolkar," a police official said. Also Read | Prime Minister @narendramodi Meets Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Hyderabad Latest Tweet by DD News. "Officials have confiscated thousands of tiffin boxes collected for distribution to voters in Kudremani village of rural assembly constituency of Belagavi. It was kept at home to give gifts to voters. A case has been registered in the rural police station under the code of conduct violation," a police official added. Nagesh Mannolkar is a close-aide of MLA Ramesh Jarakiholi. Also Read | Happy World Sparrow Day 2023: Conservation Efforts Offer Hope for Sparrows Return to Delhi. The elections in Karnataka are likely to be held in mid-April or the beginning of May. Earlier on March 9, top Congress leaders held consultations on ticket distribution for constituencies in Karnataka's Vijayapura district, as part of its preparations for the upcoming electoral contest. Among those present at the meeting were Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, the party's Election Ticket Scrutiny Committee chairman Mohan Prakash, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president DK Shivakumar and former chief minister and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, Siddaramaiah. On March 6, Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar talked up his party's prospects in the upcoming elections, claiming that the ruling BJP would not be able to secure more than 65 seats. Earlier Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in an exclusive interview with ANI also stated that the BJP will win the Assembly elections with a full majority and the Congress's attempt to wrest power by making false promises will not succeed. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thane, March 20: A 37-year-old businessman from Mira Road in Thane has been cheated of Rs 33.65 lakh after he was tricked into investing in bitcoins on the false promise of lucrative returns, police said on Monday. Police have registered a case against two persons under section 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code. Cryptocurrency Fraud: Thane Man Loses Rs 10.55 Lakh in Cyber Conman Who Lured Him To Invest Money in Bitcoins, Case Registered. An official said the complainant came into contact with the accused persons through a WhatsApp group. In February 2022, he received a message from two persons, including the group administrator, asking him to become a bitcoin investor if he wants lucrative returns. "The businessman agreed and invested money. He got good returns initially, but later he suffered losses and stopped trading. But the accused contacted him and assured him that he will get guaranteed returns and demanded a 20 per cent commission. Later, he saw an amount of USD 2,47,210 in his bitcoin account but couldn't withdraw due to technical issues," the official said. After a couple of days, he received a message that the bitcoin application was frozen as the "contract has expired". The accused duo also became incommunicado, following which the businessman lodged a complaint with the police. Online Fraud in Mumbai: Performing Sexual Acts on Video Call Proves Costly For 65-Year-Old Man, Duped of Rs 60 Lakh. No arrest is made so far and further investigation is underway. Bitcoin, a virtual currency, is not regulated in India and its circulation has been a cause for concern among central bankers the world over for quite a while now. The Reserve Bank of India has also cautioned users, holders and traders of virtual currencies, including bitcoins. (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 20 (ANI): Delhi's Tis Hazari court has granted bail to Manish Lakra, who is accused in the Mundaka building fire case, after a period of custody of ten months. He is the owner of the building where the fire incident took place on 13 May 2022 in which, 27 people died and many were injured. Lakra was arrested on May 15, 2022. Also Read | Earthquake in Gujarat: Mild Tremor of 3.2 Magnitude Recorded in Kutch, No Damage to Life or Property. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hem Raj on Saturday granted default bail to Lakra subject to furnishing a personal bond of Rs. One lakh and two sureties in the like amount. The court has imposed some conditions to ensure his presence during the trial. Also Read | Ukraine war propels arms maker Rheinmetall into DAX index. The High Court on March 14, directed the trial court to decide expeditiously the bail plea of Manish Lakra. Justice Yogesh Khanna directed the trial court to decide the default bail plea of Lakra in view of the order passed by the coordinate bench. The bench headed by Justice Amit Mahajan had granted default bail to Harish and Varun Goyal in the matter. Their plea seeking default bail, over non-filing of the charge sheet in 60 days, was dismissed by the sessions court. They had challenged the order before the High court. However, the default bail plea of Lakra was pending before the sessions court. Advocate Pradeep Kumar Arya and advocate Kapil Dhaka had moved the bail petition. The counsels apprised the court that the two co-accused have been granted default bail by the High court. He is also entitled to a default bail as the charge sheet was not filed within the period of 60 days. During the hearing in the High court Advocate Pradeep Kumar Arya submitted that it is a case of section 304 A (Death due to negligent act) of IPC. Despite this, Delhi police have invoked section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Arya submitted. He argued and referred to the case of Union Carbide in which 1000 people died. Finally, the supreme court held that it was a case of section 304 A of IPC only. The petitioner had moved an application seeking bail over the non-filing of the charge sheet in the case. His plea was dismissed by the Magistrate Court on August 6, 2022. This case pertains to a fire incident in the Mundaka area on May 13 in which 27 people were killed. An FIR was registered on May 14, 2022, was registered under sections 308/304/120B/34 IPC, at Police Station, Mundka. The magistrate court had granted bail to the wife Sunita Lakra and mother Sushila Lakra. They were summoned by the court after taking cognisance of the charge sheet. They were named as accused in the charge sheet but had not been arrested during the investigation. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) 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 Northeast Frontier Railway and RailTel Corporation of India Ltd signed an MoU. (Photo/ANI) Guwahati (Assam) [India], March 20 (ANI): Northeast Frontier Railway (NF Railway) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RailTel Corporation of India Ltd, for the installation of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to avert train-elephant collisions and disaster mitigation measures. NF Railway has been taking many initiatives to prevent and detect the movement of wild animals, especially elephants, approaching the tracks. Also Read | Pro-Khalistan Twitter Accounts, Including of Canadian Lawmaker Jagmeet Singh, Blocked in India. Installation of IDS in important sections is one such of them. The MoU was signed by GR Das, Chief Communication Engineer, NF Railway and Zakir Siddiqui, Executive Director/Eastern Region/Railtel in presence of Anshul Gupta, General Manager of NF Railway and Sanjay Kumar, Chief Managing Director/RailTel Corporation of India Ltd. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi, Japan PM Fumio Kishida Relish Golgappa, Idlis, Lassi and Aam Panna at Buddha Jayanti Park (Watch Video). After 100 per cent success of the pilot project on IDS that was undertaken by NF Railway in the Chalsa - Hasimara section of the Dooars area under the Alipurduar Division in West Bengal and Lanka - Hawaipur section under the Lumding Division in Assam, it has now been decided to install the system gradually in all other elephant corridors spread over NF Railway. The system is based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and existing optical fibres will be used as sensors to identify the movements of wild animals at locations and alert control offices, station masters, gatemen and loco pilots. It uses a fibre optic-based acoustic system working on the principle of dialysis scattering phenomenon to sense the real-time presence of elephants on the track. The AI-based software can monitor unusual movements up to a stretch of 60 km. In addition to it, the IDS will also help in detecting rail fractures, trespassing on the railway tracks and alert about disaster mitigation due to unauthorised digging near railway tracks, landslides near tracks etc. It is important to mention here that the pilot project has already been immensely successful in saving the lives of many elephants approaching railway tracks from being hit by trains. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 20 (PTI) The Congress-led UDF on Monday disrupted the state Assembly claiming that neither the Left government in Kerala nor the Speaker were creating an environment where the opposition can cooperate with the House proceedings. Also Read | The Auto Driver Unions in #Bengaluru Are Staging a Protest Urging Government to Prohibit Latest Tweet by IANS India. In view of the disruption created by the opposition, the Speaker -- halfway through the question hour -- adjourned the House till 11 AM. He said that the House was being adjourned temporarily as the question hour could not proceed effectively. Also Read | Ukraine war propels arms maker Rheinmetall into DAX index. Even before the question hour began, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly V D Satheesan accused the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, of "deliberately provoking" the UDF to create a situation where it cannot cooperate with House proceedings. "We want to co-operate with House proceedings. However, the government under the Chief Minister's leadership was trying to escape issues raised by the opposition without answering them. "They are deliberately provoking the opposition. Neither you (Speaker) nor the government is, unfortunately, creating a situation where we can cooperate with House proceedings," he said. Satheesan also said that a false case has been lodged against 7 UDF MLAs, including two women, for offences which carry a punishment of 10 years imprisonment. He also contended that no decision has been taken nor any discussions held with regard to issues raised in the Assembly by the UDF. "Therefore, we are unable to cooperate with the House proceedings," the LoP said following which several UDF MLAs trooped into the well of the House raising placards, like 'rights are not favours' - and shouting slogans -- 'Modi bhakti is increasing' -- in front of the Speaker's dais. Request by the Speaker to maintain order in the House and to return to their seats was not acceded to by the opposition and thereafter, the Assembly was temporarily adjourned. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guwahati (Assam) [India], March 20 (ANI): Assam Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha on Monday pitched for the acceptability of Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate stating that he is the "only leader" of the country who can lead India in the right direction. This comes at a time when there are debates over the acceptance of Gandhi's leadership for the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Also Read | Pro-Khalistan Twitter Accounts, Including of Canadian Lawmaker Jagmeet Singh, Blocked in India. "If Rahul Gandhi will become the Prime Ministerial face, then he can lead the country in the right direction and he can save the country. People of the country now feel after seeing the current situation of the country that Rahul Gandhi is the leader who can lead the country in the right direction and represent the country on the global platform," Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha told ANI. The Assam Congress MLA further said that the country is in need of a leader like Rahul Gandhi. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi, Japan PM Fumio Kishida Relish Golgappa, Idlis, Lassi and Aam Panna at Buddha Jayanti Park (Watch Video). "Rahul Gandhi has the potential to represent the country. If Rahul Gandhi will become the Prime Ministerial face then I think no opposition leader will oppose it. All oppositions will accept Rahul Gandhi. 90-95 per cent of people want to see Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister. It's the demand of the people of the country," Purkaystha said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that Rahul Gandhi is the TRP of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "If Gandhi becomes the face of the opposition then nobody could attack PM Modi," Mamata Banerjee said. Earlier on Sunday, while addressing party workers at an internal party meeting in Murshidabad district the Trinamool Congress leader had accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to shift attention from current issues by attempting to portray Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as a "hero" and stalling Parliament proceedings over his comments in the UK. "BJP is trying to make a hero out of Rahul Gandhi so that no one questions PM Modi," she told party workers. "The BJP is trying to divert attention from the burning issues by stalling the parliament proceedings over Rahul Gandhi recent remarks in the UK," she 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) New Delhi, Mar 20 (PTI) The Supreme Court Monday clubbed three FIRs lodged against Congress leader Pawan Khera for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and transferred them to the Hazratganj police station in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. Extending the interim bail till April 10, a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and K B Pardiwala took note of the facts that three FIRs were lodged against Khera. Also Read | A Delhi Court on Monday Sent #Hyderabad-based Businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai to Latest Tweet by IANS India. Out of the three FIRs, two were lodged at the Cantonment police station in Varanasi and the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow. The third FIR was lodged in Assam. The apex court bench directed that the three FIRs stand transferred to Hazratganj police station in Lucknow. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat Push: India Can Achieve Energy Independence by 2047, Says US Report. Khera, whose interim bail was extended till April 10, will have to appear before the court of competent jurisdiction in Lucknow to seek regular bail in the matter. The apex court, from time to time, had been extending the interim bail of Khera who was arrested by the Assam Police on February 23 in connection with his alleged remarks against Modi made at a press conference in Mumbai on February 17. 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. He obtained bail from a magisterial court here on February 23 after the CJI-led bench granted him interim bail during an urgent hearing earlier in the day. (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 20 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday clubbed the FIRs against Pawan Khera and directed that FIRs registered in Varanasi and Assam shall stand transferred to Hazratganj police station in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh and extended his interim protection from arrest till April 10 in his alleged controversial remark. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud directed that FIRs registered in Varanasi and Assam shall stand transferred to Hazratganj police station in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Also Read | Maharashtra Government 'Ready' for Implementation of Old Pension Scheme, Employees Call Off Weeklong Strike. The court also said that Khera will be at liberty to apply for regular bail before jurisdictional court. Meanwhile, Soliciter General Tushar Mehta, apprised the court that after tendering the apology in court earlier, in his rejoinder, Khera said that it was made in a fair speech. Also Read | Bees vs Dogs! Unusual Bee Attack Claim Lives of Two Pet Dogs in South Texas. SG also said that Khera is yet to apologise for his remark and it is only his counsel has apologised. The court noted that it grants interim protection to Khera because he apologised. SG Mehta told the court the statement was innocent and the probe agency wants to see who was behind the statement. SG also said that how can someone stoop to this level of bringing someone's parents. Earlier, in an affidavit, the Assam police and Uttar Pradesh Police has opposed the Pawan Khera plea seeking clubbing of FIRs. Assam Police had questioned Khera over his apology before the court whereas UP police said that he is trying to stall investigations into deliberate utterances of defamatory words relating to one of the highest Constitutional functionaries of this Country. The response of the UP and Assam Police came on a counter affidavit filed in response to Khera's plea seeking clubbing of FIRs. In reply, Assam police had told the SC a closer look at the available audio video clearly reveals that Pawan Khera has mischievously uttered sentences only with an extreme degree of irresponsibility but reducing the level of discourse at its lowest. Assam Police had also told the SC that Pawan Khera has had neither tendered any apology in the petition nor has tendered any apology after the Court passed an order on Feb 23 2023 and the submission made before this top court tendering an apology clearly appears to be a practical submission to get a preventive order without any repentance. Assam police also cited recent order passed by Apex court whereby it was stated that even an FIR registered subsequently as a leading FIR/First FIR and to be investigated by the investigating agency where the subsequent FIR has been registered. "Such decisions it is respectfully submitted, are taken on the basis of facts and circumstances of a case and Judicial discretion in this respect cannot scuttle by contending any straight-jacket rule," Assam Govt said. Assam Govt opposed the prayer of transfer and clubbing of the FIR. Three separate FIRs were registered against Pawan Khera for allegedly making an objectionable comment against Prime Minister. One was registered at Halflong Police Station in District Dima Hasao in Assam, and two in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow Police and Varanasi Police have lodged separate FIRs against Khera. Uttar Pradesh police told the SC that any interference in the course of an investigation is impermissible, and Pawan Khera is not entitled to seek the intervention of the top court in the course of an investigation. UP Police submitted that the relief which survives for consideration by the Court is limited to clubbing and consolidation of all FIRs, lodged pursuant to the deliberate attempt of the petitioner to denigrate a constitutional functionary, in one jurisdiction. UP Police said that Khera through his petition is trying to stall due to investigations into deliberate utterances of defamatory words relating to one of the highest Constitutional functionaries of this country. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow, March 20: The Yogi Aditynath government in Uttar Pradesh has decided to increase the grant given to farmers, especially marginal and small farmers, under the 'Har Khet Ko Paani' scheme as a mission to improve the condition and double the income of the farmers in the state. The grant has been increased from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.75 lakh for medium deep tube well borings. Under the Chief Minister Minor Irrigation Scheme (Mukhyamantri Laghu Sinchayi Yojana) several amendments were made in the previous order related to medium deep tube wells and deep tube wells to provide water to every field. UP: Temple Dedicated to CM Yogi Adityanath Opens Up in Ayodhyas Maurya Ka Purwa Village (See Pics). The grant has also increased for deep tube well boring from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.65 lakh. The 'Har Khet Ko Pani' scheme is a component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). Yogi Adityanath Government Transfers 11 IPS Officers in Uttar Pradesh, Check List of Names With New Postings. The amendments introduced by the UP government are intended to provide relief to small and marginal farmers. The amount for the water distribution system has been raised from Rs 10,000 to Rs 14,000. However, the fixed amount for separate electrification on tube wells will still remain at Rs 68,000. For the installation of tube wells farmers in the general category will receive Rs 2.57 lakh, up from Rs 1.53 lakh previously. The Scheduled Caste-Tribe category farmers will also receive a grant of Rs 3.85 lakhs for the mandatory installation of a solar-powered pump on their tube wells of 5 horsepower capacity. Scheduled caste category farmers will get a maximum grant of Rs 5.74 lakh on tube wells, up from Rs 4.70 lakh for medium deep tube wells borings. The grant for the tube wells has been increased from Rs 1.78 lakh to 3.47 lakh for the general category farmers, the grant amount for the electrification of tube wells will remain the same as earlier Rs 68,000. Scheduled caste category farmers will get a maximum grant of Rs 6.64 lakh on tube wells for deep tube well borings, up from Rs 4.95 lakh. The purchase of solar pumps will be done through UPNEDA and its registered vendors and through the Gem portal. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Etah (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 20 (ANI): Three persons were killed and two others sustained injuries as a bus fell down after breaking the railing of an overbridge near Tatarpur on the National Highway on Monday morning, the police said. The incident occurred when the bus was on its way to Mainpuri from Delhi, police added. Also Read | #WATCH | UP: Local Administration Demolishes the Property of Shooter Ghulam in Prayagraj. Latest Tweet by ANI UP/Uttarakhand. This accident took place near NH Highway Tatarpur of Pilua Police Station, Etah. According to police, one person died on the spot while other two succumbed to their injuries during treatment at a hospital. Also Read | Child Porn: Telangana Police Told To Expedite Probe in Child Pornography Cases; Government Employees, Students and Techies Among Suspects. After getting the information about the accident police reached the accident spot and got the injured admitted to the medical college. The bodies have been sent for postmortem, police said, adding that further investigation 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 20 (PTI) The Agriculture Ministry on Monday said it has roped in cooperative Nafed for promotion of the government's millets initiative at global scale, including installation of millet vending machines and setting up of an experience centre in Delhi-NCR. Nafed, which has entered into a MoU with the ministry in this regard, will set up a millet corner in Nafed Bazaar Retail Stores, install millet vending machines across Delhi-NCR, an official statement said. Also Read | Delhi University Student Drowns To Death in Swimming Pool During Birthday Party in Gurugram, Investigation Underway. It will also establish a millets' experience centre at Delhi Haat, to promote nutritious millets and create awareness on the rich history of India through millet-based dishes. Nafed will extend marketing linkage to millets-centric startups, it added. "Nafed has entered into an MoU with the Ministry of Agriculture to extend its support to millets initiatives," an official statement said. Also Read | India's Domestic Air Passenger Traffic Grew to 1.20 Crore in February 2023, Says DGCA. India, the world's major millets producing country, is promoting millets as part of the International Year of Millets (IYoM) celebration this year. That apart, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has requested all central ministries, state governments, leading food and beverage bodies and industries to make IYoM a people's movement alongside positioning India as the "Global Hub for Millets". India has assumed the G20 Presidency this year and coincides with the IYoM and therefore provides an opportune time to showcase India's strength in the area of food security and nutrition in which millets will play a very important role, Tomar said. To build the momentum for popularisation of millets and to make the IYoM 2023 a huge success, inclusion of millets across all international and national events is crucial to take forward the proposed interventions as part of IYoM celebrations, he added. All central ministries and state governments have been requested to provide a millet experience in form of millet-based hampers, millet branding-right from airport, city side and in the venue, millet cuisine and snacks to be included in lunch/dinner, millet stalls and cafe, millet rangolis and millet literature. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jaipur, Mar 20 (PTI) Telecom gear maker Cisco is bullish about India's business prospects where rapid digitisation across sectors and 5G play are fuelling robust growth, a top executive said on Monday, adding India is well on its way to be counted among top five markets for the company globally by 2025. On the new regulations in offing in India's telecom and IT sectors, Daisy Chittilapilly, President, Cisco India and SAARC, told PTI that guardrails are important and "needed" as connectivity improves, digital touches lives of more and more people, and new areas such as AI emerge. Also Read | Air Traffic in India Jumps 75% in January-February 2023 Year-on-Year. The guardrails are in fact good for the industry and Cisco is supportive of any regulation and law that drives towards establishing such guardrails, she said, lauding the extensive industry-wide consultations being undertaken by the government, as new rules are drafted in tech and telecom sectors. The company believes that the Indian market will be resilient for the next decade in terms of growth. Also Read | 7th Pay Commission: DA Hike Announcement Likely Next Week, Know How Much Salary Will Increase. Chittilapilly said India has been a top-performing market in APJC (Asia Pacific, Japan and China) and well on the way to becoming a top five market globally. "India is currently a top 10 country for Cisco, and our ambition is to get into the top 5 by 2025. We are on a good trajectory to be there," Chittilapilly said. The company continues to see robust growth in India powered by digitisation across sectors. "Every sector you can think about is adopting technology at a scale we have never seen before. We believe India will be resilient for the next decade in terms of growth. There may be volatility, but long-term forecast is one of growth for India...," she said. While people are more cautious and spends are being scrutinised, there is no postponement or reduction in IT spends. "The forecast is consistent and robust across hardware, software, services...cloud, SAAS...worldwide too," the Cisco India top honcho said. There is a realisation post-COVID that tech debt is not a good formula for long-term success of any enterprise or organisation. "So caution is up, but spends and budget have remained unwavering and we don't see any negative trends in the growth forecast. And we in India are doing quite well. It is one of the fastest-growing markets for APJC (Asia Pacific Japan China) and Cisco Worldwide," she said. The growth in India is being led by digitisation across sectors, massive connectivity programmes, 5G roll-out and tech adoption by SMEs -- all of which augur well for tech players and certainly Cisco, she said. Also, global ambition of Indian enterprises is driving faster adoption of tech as these companies look to diversify footprint and leverage technology to up their game. "There is digitisation of India, mass roll-out of connectivity programmes, 5G, digitisation in sectors like transportation, utilities, agriculture and others. Also, Indian enterprises are global in ambition and outlook, and for many a significant part of the revenue is coming from outside India. As they look to be leaders in their space, it calls for a certain degree of level-playing field in technology that they want to adopt," Chittilapilly said. SMBs are an "amazing story in India" and adding to the growth momentum of the market. "For us we see very democratic growth across public-private enterprise as well as SMB, which is best way for digital India to happen. That means possibilities of digital divide are lesser and lesser," she noted. Globally too, the company's latest quarterly results have shown that all the important metrics are doing well. On the new laws in India like the proposed telecom bill and digital personal data protection legislation that are on the anvil, she said, Cisco's philosophy is all about being compliant to laws in the markets it operates in. Regulations and guardrails are a part of the equation, according to her. "We believe we need guardrails. As new areas emerge, data privacy, security, artificial intelligence, as telecom connectivity improves and it touches everybody in India, you need guardrails. Guardrails are good for the industry to have a common set of standards and benchmarks to operate against. So we are supportive of any regulation and law that drives towards establishing that guardrail and common parameters of operation for all of us," Chittilapilly said. Lauding the consultation on various draft bills, she said, the government's extensive dialogue with the industry "is a welcome and forward looking position". "It is a welcome move from the government to be able to define things which have been in vague space for a long time in India," she said. When these bills become law, "we will find a way to be compliant and operate", Chittilapilly pointed out. "That is the cost of doing business in any country and geopolitical situation in the world is such that, in every country there are a set of regulations that the country wants everyone, who does business in that market, to abide by," she said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 20 (PTI) The Finance Ministry has asked central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) to issue letters of comfort (LoCs) on the basis of their own financial strength so that no liability devolves on the Government of India. The Office Memorandum dated March 20, 2023, has been issued following a request from some CPSUs in the oil and power sector seeking relaxation with regard to the issuance of LoCs. Also Read | Air Traffic in India Jumps 75% in January-February 2023 Year-on-Year. "In view of requirements, it has been decided that CPSUs may issue LoCs on its own financial strength and all such LoCs shall only be issued after specifically inserting the following clause--under no circumstances, the liability under this Letter of Comfort shall devolve on the Government of India," the memorandum said. Under the provision of the fiscal responsibility law, the budget requires to provide details of guarantees given by the government. Also Read | 7th Pay Commission: DA Hike Announcement Likely Next Week, Know How Much Salary Will Increase. It further clarified that ministries and departments will not issue any letters of comfort as specified under the Office Memorandum dated March 31, 2022 on behalf of the Government of India. Issuance of LoCs based on own financial strength is a part of regular business practice. It enables these entities to raise resources at competitive rates for their capex or working capital needs as well as furthering the business interests of their joint ventures or subsidaries or Group companies. It is to be noted that the finance ministry last year permitted state-owned NBFCs to issue 'Letter of Comfort (LOC)' to banks for fund tie-up for infra projects. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Hong Kong, March 20 (ANI): China reacted furiously to a March 13 announcement by the three AUKUS partners of Australia, the UK and US about Canberra's pursuit of nuclear-powered attack submarines. Yet its arguments are largely hypocritical and lame. Beijing is lambasting AUKUS for proliferating nuclear technology - in this case nuclear propulsion, which has nothing whatsoever to do with weapons - whereas Chairman Xi Jinping kept silent when President Vladimir Putin threatened nuclear escalation in Ukraine after his failed offensive to subdue Kyiv, or benevolently winks at Kim Jong-un's nuclear antics in North Korea. Also Read | Pulling Down of Indian Flag at London Mission: UK Asked To Quickly Arrest Culprits Involved in Incident, Says Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra (Watch Video). Australia will initially buy three Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (known by the common naval acronym SSN) from the USA. These are likely to be second-hand boats from the US Navy (USN), plus there is an option for obtaining two more Virginia-class submarines should plans to build a new class of SSN-AUKUS boats be delayed. The SSN-AUKUS submarine will be largely based on a British SSN design, but with the incorporation of some American technology. Both the UK and Australia will obtain SSN-AUKUS boats, with British production kicking off slightly earlier than in Australia, which is a total novice at such sophisticated shipbuilding. The whole intent is for Canberra to be able to build and maintain a fleet of SSNs as a sovereign capability, but with support from the UK and USA. Also Read | Bees vs Dogs! Unusual Bee Attack Claim Lives of Two Pet Dogs in South Texas. Australia will become the seventh country in the world to operate nuclear-powered submarines. Of course, it should be pointed out once again that these Australian SSNs are not capable of carrying ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads. They are not ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), which only a very exclusive club of nations operate. Part of the optimal pathway for Australia to gain SSN experience is for the USN to increase its SSN port visits to Australia beginning this year, and the Royal Navy from 2026. Then, in 2027, Submarine Rotational Force - West will be created, comprising one British Astute-class and up to four American Virginia-class SSNs that will operate from HMAS Stirling, a naval base in Western Australia. Eventually, Australia will also establish a nuclear submarine base on its eastern seaboard. This part of the agreement is hugely important, as it gives the USA in particular a new submarine base in the Indo-Pacific besides the existing ones of Guam and Hawaii. This greatly complicates China's calculus in trying to detect and track American submarines, for they can arrive from a completely different direction than the Western Pacific. The Australian, British and American national leaders said the AUKUS deal demonstrated a shared commitment to a "free and open Indo-Pacific region", one where the PLA Navy (PLAN) is increasingly throwing its weight around as it modernizes at a staggering rate. The Office of Naval Intelligence in the USA expects China's submarine fleet to grow from around 66 boats today to 76 by 2030. The PLAN could have up to eight SSBNs by 2030, plus it is snowballing its total inventory of nuclear warheads. The Pentagon estimates the PLA will have up to 700 deliverable nuclear warheads by 2027, and 1,000 just three years after that. For some inexplicable reason, China believes it should be allowed as many SSNs, SSBNs and land-based nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles as it wants, but that Australia should not adopt nuclear propulsion. This is sheer hypocrisy, especially given the secrecy and obfuscation that China engages in regarding its nuclear forces. It has not offered any explanation, and hasissued only denials, about several enormous fields of missile silos for intercontinental ballistic missiles that it has been building over the past few years. Indeed, China's disingenuous propaganda is attempting to muddy the waters as it roundly criticizes Canberra, London and Washington DC. Chief among the arguments is Beijing's deliberate blurring between nuclear propulsion and nuclear weapons. They are completely different things, but China will not stop shaking this bone. China also makes much of weapons-grade highly enriched uranium being transferred to Australia, but this is misleading. The nuclear reactors for the SSN-AUKUS submarines will be transferred to Australia as complete, sealed units. No nuclear materials can be diverted into nuclear weapons, plus all three AUKUS partners have categorically denied any interest in nuclear weapons for this deal. Another important prong to China's criticisms of AUKUS is "grave concerns over nuclear proliferation". Beijing claims blatant violations of the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the 1986 Rarotonga Treaty. As an example, China's mission to the United Nations tweeted that the deal "constitutes serious nuclear proliferation risks, undermines the international non-proliferation system, fuels an arms race, and hurts peace and stability". Chinese academics misleadingly allege that AUKUS "is essentially equivalent to directly arming a non-nuclear country with nuclear weapons". This is sheer guile and misdirection. Australia has signed up to both the NPT and Rarotonga Treaty. However, an examination of both treaties quickly silences Chinese complaints. Crucially, the NPT only applies to nuclear materials associated with nuclear weapons. Indeed, Article 4 has a carve-out covering nuclear materials for "peaceful purposes", which ironicallyenough covers nuclear propulsion since it encompasses anything except nuclear weapons. The NPT also discusses processes whereby the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitors nuclear programs and materials even if used for peaceful purposes. Australia has existing subsidiary arrangements with the IAEA discussing how such safeguard arrangements would work. For example, Article 14 says "non-proscribed military purposes" are permitted. Australia thus fully complies with the NPT, and has fully undertaken to comply with safeguard obligations with the IAEA. Nuclear fission materials are exempted from IAEA monitoring if they are used for non-explosive military use. China calls this transfer of material from a nuclear weapon state to a non-weapons state as a "loophole" and "setting a bad precedent", but Australia is completely following the rules to which China itself adheres. Nonetheless, China continues to bang on about nuclear proliferation, even while Beijing winks at dangerous regimes like Iran and North Korea developing nuclear weapons. This is where the true double standards and hypocrisy lie. The aforementioned Rarotonga Treaty, also known as the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, supports the NPT. Signatories agree to maintain a nuclear weapon-free zone in the South Pacific, but it certainly does not prevent members from using nuclear propulsion. Again, China's reference to these two treaties is pointless, forAUKUS does not violate them in any way. As Lauren Sanders, Senior Research Fellow on Law and the Future of War at the University of Queensland, stated: "On the face of the announcements made so far, the deal complies with international law, despite accusations to the contrary from China and other critics." Another argument that China raises is that AUKUS perpetuates a "Cold War mentality". Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, "This is a typical Cold War mentality, which will only stimulate an arms race, undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation system, and damage regional peace and stability." Yet China is the one rapidly multiplying its nuclear forces, while Australia has clearly stated it will not obtain nuclear weapons. Nobody has damaged regional peace and stability as much as China with the PLA deliberately bludgeoning and coercing neighbors with military strength, and actively threatening war on Taiwan. An opinion piece published on a website affiliated with the PLA said "AUKUS" countries should drop their double standard and respond to the international community's concerns. They should fulfil their non-proliferation obligations and maintain candid and transparent communication with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect under the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency." Such finger pointing should be reflected straight back at China. Beijing should respond to regional and international concerns, should transparently communicate why it is expanding its nuclear weapons arsenal, and treat others with mutual respect. Blame should also be assigned to China for proliferating nuclear weapons. A 1983 National Intelligence Estimate in the USA said China, during the 1980s and 1990s, transferred nuclear and missile technology to other countries' weapons programs. "China provided assistance to Pakistan's nuclear weapons program and engaged in nuclear cooperation with Iran. Beijing exported missiles to Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Iran." Even as recently as 2019, a US State Department report commented, "Chinese entities" continued in 2018 "to supply Missile Technology Control Regime-controlled items to missile programs of proliferation concern, including those in Iran, North Korea, Syria and Pakistan." As part of its smear campaign, China is also dragging out the old tropes that Australia thinks it is the USA's "deputy sheriff" in the Asia-Pacific region. Another opinion piece concluded "Australia's inexplicable sense of insecurity when facing China is basically the result of being spiritually controlled for many years by the US." When all else fails, China simply throws mud at opponents in the hope that some might stick. Wang, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, said "they completely disregard the international community's concerns and are walking further on the dangerous and wrong path for the sake of their selfish geopolitical interests". This is perhaps the closest Beijing comes to raising a relevant point. Australia is pursuing a policy of being able to militarily strike at opponents well beyond its ownshores. However, Canberra has said little about how this might impinge upon neighbors, plus the secrecy surrounding AUKUS has put regional countries like Indonesia on the back foot.Apart from vitriol, how else will China react? One serious concern is that Beijing will use this AUKUS plan as a pretext to accelerate expansion of its own SSN and SSBN fleets. Let it be noted that this would be a pretext. China has already been progressively improving its submarine platforms, even though qualitatively it still trails the USA. China has also expanded its nuclear submarine-building facilities at Huludao in Liaoning Province, so the time is already ripe for it to expand production. AUKUS would therefore make a convenient scapegoat for what China has already predetermined will happen. If Xi does take China on such a trajectory, this will gravely alarm the USA. Indeed, China's actions may spark a greater arms race, as the USA sees the need to keep pace with the PLAN. Wang said, without a trace of irony: "China is always committed to maintaining the international order which has the United Nations at its core and is based on international laws, upholding genuine multilateralism, promoting a multipolar world and the democratization of international relations, and pushing global governance in a more just and reasonable direction." Such sentiments are laughable, as are Xi's similar comments prior to a visit to see his friend Vladimir Putin in Moscow. China and Russia have no interest in international law, democratization and just global governance. These authoritarian regimes are all about sustaining their power and bending others to their wills. There must be considered a possibility, then, that AUKUS might push China closer into a bilateral partnership with Russia. It is not impossible that the two partners might create their own "anti-AUKUS" axis involving undersea technology and platforms. Russia still possesses better submarine technology than China, so it might be prepared to horse trade it for other forms of Chinese military or industrial aid that it needs to sustain war in Ukraine. Might Iran even be invited into the fold to create a true trilateral axis? Iran has been willingly supplying loitering munitions and drones to Russia for use against Ukraine. Such a Sino-Russian deal would complicate the situation for the USA and the West. Chaos stemming from submarine technological knowhow sharing could spread from Russia to the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East. The proliferation of far more effective Chinese nuclear-powered submarines would vastly complicate matters for the USN. But what does China have to lose? Its relations with the USA are already at a low ebb, and it is furious about AUKUS. On the other hand, Xi continues to profess undying love for Putin and Russia, and it would be no surprise if AUKUS is a topic of discussion between the two dictators. (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, Mar 20 (PTI) The IMF on Monday rubbished claims that it has attached nuclear-programme-related strings for the revival of Pakistan's much-anticipated bailout programme that has been stalled for months, a media report said. Cash-strapped Pakistan is awaiting a much-needed USD 1.1 billion tranche of funding from the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF), which was originally due to be disbursed in November last year. Also Read | Pulling Down of Indian Flag at London Mission: UK Asked To Quickly Arrest Culprits Involved in Incident, Says Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra (Watch Video). The funds are part of a USD 6.5 billion bailout package the IMF approved in 2019, which analysts say is critical if Pakistan is to avoid defaulting on external debt obligations. Pakistan, currently in the throes of a major economic crisis, is grappling with high external debt, a weak local currency and dwindling foreign exchange reserves enough to shore up for barely one month's imports. Also Read | Bees vs Dogs! Unusual Bee Attack Claim Lives of Two Pet Dogs in South Texas. Esther Perez Ruiz, IMF's resident representative in Islamabad, has denied attaching any strings to the External Fund Facility (EFF), according to Geo TV. Regarding recent speculation that programme discussions with the authorities for the ninth review under the IMF-supported programme may have covered Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme, I want to be categorical that there is absolutely no truth to this or any insinuated link between the past or current IMF supported programme and decision by any Pakistani government over its nuclear programme, the report said, quoting the official. The IMF chief said discussions have exclusively focused on economic policies to solve Pakistan's economy and balance of payments problems, in line with the Fund's mandate for promoting macroeconomic and financial stability. It comes days after Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar assured Parliament that the federal government would not make any compromise on the country's nuclear and missile programme despite tough economic conditions and hurdles to secure a loan from the IMF. Let me assure you that nobody is going to compromise anything on the nuclear or the missile programme of Pakistan no way, Dar told Parliament last week. Dar also indirectly held Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and its chief Imran Khan responsible for the delay in the IMF funding as he blamed the then government of Imran Khan for agreeing on tough conditions to get the funding. Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan's nuclear programme was being jealously guarded by the state. Pakistan has been hosting the IMF mission since early February to negotiate the terms of the deal, including the adoption of policy measures to manage its fiscal deficit ahead of the annual budget due around June. (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 20 (ANI): India and Japan on Monday signed two documents on the renewal of a memorandum of cooperation on the Japanese language and exchange of notes on a 300 billion Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan for Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train. At a special briefing by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on the visit of Japan's PM Fumio Kishida to India, he said, "There were two documents signed on the sidelines- Renewal of MOC (Memorandum of Cooperation) in the Japanese language, essentially focussing on higher level language learning and second agreement was Exchange of notes on JICA loan for 300 bn on Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed railway project." Also Read | PM Narendra Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat Push: India Can Achieve Energy Independence by 2047, Says US Report. Earlier in 2022, JICA signed a loan agreement with the Government of India to provide an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of 100,000 million Japanese Yen (approx. Rs 6,000 Crore) as Tranche 3 on the 'Project for the Construction of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR).' The objective of the project is to develop a high-frequency mass transportation system by constructing the High-Speed Rail between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, using Japan's Shinkansen technology (also known as the "Bullet Train"), thereby enhancing mobility in India and contributing to regional economic development. Also Read | Nude Bathing Banned, Naked Spa Goers Asked To Wear Swimsuits by Harrogate Turkish Baths After Incident of Inappropriate Behaviour. "4th tranche of loan agreement between India, Japan signed during this visit.. (leaders took stock of) current status of implementation of the project", said FS Kwatra on the bullet train project. PM of Japan, Fumio Kishida is on an official visit to India to meet with PM Narendra Modi. The relations with Japan have always occupied a very special place for India. Japan is one of the very few countries with which India has a system of annual summits. In 2014, PM Modi made his first bilateral visit outside India, his immediate neighbourhood Japan. During that visit, the India-Japan relationship was upgraded to a special strategic global partnership. "Guided by strong political will on both sides, the partnership has made significant progress in the last few years covering the entire gamut of mutual engagement as witnessed in the growing convergence of our political strategic and economic interests. In fact, PM Modi has referred to the India-Japan relationship as one of the most natural partnerships in the region," said Kwatra. "India-Japan special strategic global partnership built on the shared values of democracy, freedom and respect for rule of law is crucial for fostering peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region," added Kwatra. The last annual summit (14th annual summit) Between PM Kishida and PM Modi took place in March of last year in New Delhi. The Foreign Secretary also told that India and Japan have been talking about the larger vision of act East. "India & Japan have been talking about, in the larger vision of act East for us, in a sub-segment of how India & Japan can cooperate on this issue which essentially strengthens 3-4 key aspects of regional, sub-regional and bilateral engagement which links it through as part of act East," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra "So there how do you build connectivity projects which link India's north-east with the rest of the countries that fall under the act East member including Bangladesh, and Myanmar," added Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra. He also announced 2023 as the India-Japan year of tourism, saying, "We also announce 2023 as the India-Japan year of tourism. PM Modi express his desire with PM Kishida to declare the next year as the year of Youth Exchanges between the two countries," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra. Meanwhile, Japanese PM Fumion Kishida formally invited Prime Minister Modi to G7 Hiroshima Summit and PM Modi accepted the invitation. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kathmandu [Nepal], March 20 (ANI): Nepal's newly elected Vice-President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav on Monday took the oath of office and assumed charge in a special ceremony here. President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to newly-elected Vice-President amid a special ceremony at the Office of the President, Sheetal Niwas. Also Read | Exclusive: Credit Suisse Says Some Clients May Want to Move Wealth Assets After UBS Latest Tweet by Reuters. Yadav was elected the Vice-President of the country on March 17. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Speaker Debraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chair Ganesh Timilsina, former President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, outgoing Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun, former prime ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba and Madhav Kumar Nepal and ex- chairperson of the council of ministers, Khilraj Regmi were also present during the oath-taking ceremony of Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav. Also Read | Ramadan 2023 Date: Moon Sighting Tomorrow in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar; Ramzan Timetable To Be Decided. Likewise, the deputy prime minister, ministers, lawmakers, constitutional bodies' chiefs, high-ranking government officials, security agencies' chiefs, representatives from diplomatic missions in Nepal, leaders of different political parties and journalists were also present on the occasion. Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav was the founding general secretary of the Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum and had an active role in the first Madhesh Movement (2007). He began his parliamentary career in the first Constituent Assembly in 2008. He was elected a lawmaker from the Bara district on the then Forum ticket and was re-elected from the same place in 2017. He had served as the Minister of Forest and Environment in the former Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government. Yadav was elected to the House of Representatives from Bara-2 in the polls held last November. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Damascus, Mar 20 (AP) A commander of the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad killed in Syria in what the group described as an assassination by Israeli agents was buried on Monday at a Palestinian refugee camp in the Syrian capital, Damascus. His wife, speaking at the funeral, said the killers of 31-year-old Ali Ramzi al-Aswad used silencers. She said he had left their second-floor apartment in a Damascus suburb on Sunday morning, as he regularly did, and within less than a minute, she heard a crackling noise coming from the outside. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat Push: India Can Achieve Energy Independence by 2047, Says US Report. They were waiting for him. He was killed with a weapon equipped with silencer, al-Aswad's wife, who identified herself as Um Abdul-Rahman, told The Associated Press. Al-Aswad was buried at the Martyrs Cemetery in the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk on the southern edges of Damascus. Also Read | Nude Bathing Banned, Naked Spa Goers Asked To Wear Swimsuits by Harrogate Turkish Baths After Incident of Inappropriate Behaviour. The wife said she checked the stairs after hearing the crackling but saw nothing. After 45 minutes she received a call from people asking about him and when she looked from the window she saw her husband's body lying in their backyard. He appeared as if he was sleeping," she said. The 29-year-old woman said the couple have two daughters and one son. There was no statement from Israel on al-Aswad's killing . The Islamic Jihad said in a statement that the family had settled in Syria in 1948 after Israel was created. The group said al-Aswad joined the organisation as a young man. In 2019, Israeli warplanes fired missiles at the Damascus home of Akram Ajouri, a member of Islamic Jihad's 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. The militant group had warned Israel in a statement 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) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, Mar 20 (PTI) A group of pro-Khalistan protesters on Sunday attacked and damaged the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, prompting sharp condemnation from Indian-Americans who demanded immediate action against those responsible for it. "We are also appalled by the complete law and order failure in both in London as well as in SFO where a few radicalised separatists attacked India's diplomatic missions," Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) said after pro-Khalistani protesters attacked the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat Push: India Can Achieve Energy Independence by 2047, Says US Report. Raising pro-Khalistan slogans, the protesters broke open the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two so-called Khalistani flags inside the Consulate premises. Two consulate personnel soon removed these flags. Soon thereafter, a group of angry protesters entered the consulate premises and started hitting the door and windows with the iron rods. Also Read | Nude Bathing Banned, Naked Spa Goers Asked To Wear Swimsuits by Harrogate Turkish Baths After Incident of Inappropriate Behaviour. There was no immediate comment from San Francisco police on the incident. Community leader Ajay Bhutoria strongly condemned the attack by pro-Khalistan protesters on the Consulate of India building in San Francisco. "This act of violence is not only a threat to the diplomatic relations between the United States and India but also an attack on the peace and harmony of our community," he said. In a statement, Bhutoria urged local authorities to take immediate action against those responsible for this attack and bring them to justice. "I also call on all members of our community to unite and promote peace and harmony," he said. FIIDS said it is extremely concerning to see that the UK and the US have failed to fulfil the commitments as per Vienna Convention to protect diplomatic missions. "We would urge law and order institutions like Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FBI as well as the CIA to ensure that terrorism finds no place and support in the United States of America, FIIDS said. It said that Pakistan's spy agency ISI is behind instigating and funding Sikh radicalisation with false propaganda. "We ask Indian Americans including Sikh-majority to rise against the extremism, FIIDS said. Expressing his heartfelt solidarity with the government of India, Bhutoria said he stands with them during this difficult time. Such heinous acts of violence have no place in our society, and we must all come together to condemn and resist them, he said. "Let us work together towards a world where all communities can live in peace and mutual respect. We must not let such incidents divide us or sow the seeds of hatred and violence. Our strength lies in our unity, and together we can overcome any challenge, he said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Streaks of Light Seen in California. (Photo Credits: Video Grab) Kathmandu, Mar 20 (PTI) Ramsahaya Prasad Yadav, a senior Madhesi leader, was on Monday sworn in as Nepal's third Vice President, days after he comfortably defeated a candidate fielded by the CPN-UML. At a special ceremony at Sheetal Niwas, the President's Office, President of Nepal Ram Chandra Poudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to 52-year-old Yadav. Also Read | Indian High Commission in London Vandalised: Man Arrested in Connection With Vandalism by Pro-Khalistani Groups, Mayor Sadiq Khan Condemns Incident. Yadav, a candidate from the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), defeated his nearest rival, Ashta Laxmi Shakya of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) [CPN-UML] led by former prime minister K P Sharma Oli, by a comfortable margin in the election for the post held on March 17. He becomes the Himalayan nation's third Vice President and the first from the Madhes region, bordering India. Also Read | New York Community Bank to Buy Failed Signature Bank for USD 2.7 Billion. Yadav took the oath in the Nepali language, wearing the Nepali national dress at the swearing-in ceremony. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire, former prime ministers, ministers, and Members of Parliament were among the dignitaries present at the occasion. Yadav had the support of the Nepali Congress, CPN-Maoist Centre, CPN-Unified Socialist, and other fringe parties during the vice presidential voting held last week. Last week's Vice-Presidential election was the third since the country adopted the federal democratic republic system in 2008. Yadav's election to the post further boosts the coalition government headed by Prime Minister 'Prachanda', as the CPN-UML, led by former prime minister Oli, withdrew its support to his government following a rift over backing Poudel for the presidential poll. Poudel of the Nepali Congress was elected as the new president of Nepal on March 9. Like the President, the Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprising the members of the Federal Parliament (House of Representatives and the National Assembly) and the Provincial Assembly. The tenure of the Vice-President is five years. Yadav, a Madhesi leader, will replace incumbent Nanda Bahadur Pun after the latter completes his tenure. The Madhesi community in Nepal's southern Terai region is mostly of Indian origin. Vice President Yadav is a permanent resident of Simraungadh Municipality of Bara district in southern Nepal. He has been active in the Madhes movement for the rights and representation of the Madhesi people. Yadav started his political journey in 1990 with Nepal Sadbhawana Party. He was the founding general secretary of the Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum and had an active role in the first Madhesh Movement (2007). Yadav was elected to the House of Representatives from Bara-2 in the polls held in November last year. PTI SBP AKJ (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Tehran, March 20: Welcoming the deal between the "two brotherly countries," King of Saudi Arabia has invited Iran President to visit Riyadh, Al Jazeera reported quoting an Iranian official. On March 10, Iran and Saudi Arabia announced a Chinese-brokered deal to restore ties seven years after they were severed. "In a letter to President (Ebrahim) 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. The deal is expected to see Shia-majority Iran and 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, Al Jazeera reported. Saudi Arabia King Mohammed bin Salman Invites Iran President Ebrahim Raisi to Riyadh: Reports. Riyadh cut relations after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in 2016 following the Saudi execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr - just one in a series of flashpoints between the two long-standing regional rivals. As per the report by Al Jazeera, 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 where. Al Jazeera reported that Amir-Abdollahian stressed, "That both countries are exchanging technical teams to inspect the embassies in Tehran and Riyadh and see whether they're ready for both missions to be deployed there". "The Iranians suggested, according to Amir-Abdollahian, three locations for the meeting. The exchange took place now through the Swiss embassy, and not through the Chinese. This could indicate that there are several channels between the Iranians and Saudis right now," reported Al Jazeera. 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 Houthi rebels are aligned with Tehran and a military coalition supporting the government is led by Riyadh. 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, Al Jazeera reported. Amir-Abdollahian 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. In the past, Bahrain accused Iran of having trained and backed a Shia-led uprising in the Sunni-ruled kingdom in order to topple the Manama government. Tehran denies this. "An agreement was reached two months ago for Iranian and Bahraini technical delegations to visit the two countries embassies. We hope that some obstacles between Iran and Bahrain will be removed and we will take basic steps to reopen the embassies," Amir-Abdollahian said. There was no immediate comment from Manama. Ramadan 2023 Date: When Is Moon Sighting in Your Country? Know Ramzan Start Date in India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Other Countries. Bahrain, together with other Gulf Arab states, welcomed the agreement between Riyadh and Tehran to restore relations. In September, Iran welcomed a United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on March 16 in yet another sign of the shifting relations in the region, as per the report by Al Jazeera (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Streaks of Light Seen in California. (Photo Credits: Video Grab) Prague, Mar 20 (AP) The speaker of the Czech Parliament's lower house is set to visit Taiwan to boost mutual ties, a step that has angered China. Marketa Pekarova Adamova said Monday she will be heading a large delegation on the March 2530 trip that focuses on business, trade, research, education, culture and other relations. Also Read | Bees vs Dogs! Unusual Bee Attack Claim Lives of Two Pet Dogs in South Texas. She will be accompanied by around 150 people, including representatives of some 100 Czech companies as well as academia, lawmakers and others. The Czech Republic, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but it maintains robust informal contacts. Taiwan's high-tech companies are also significant investors in the Czech Republic. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat Push: India Can Achieve Energy Independence by 2047, Says US Report. Pekarova Adamova said she will meet the island's leaders, including Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and the prime minister, and she will address the Parliament. She said China has warned against the trip. China in recent years has upped its threat to bring Taiwan under its control, by force if necessary, prompting new sales of tanks and missiles to the island by key ally the United States and steps by Tsai's administration to extend compulsory military service and bolster the domestic defence industry. The Chinese government recently condemned a phone call between newly elected Czech President Petr Pavel and Tsai. A representative of Pavel's office will also fly to Taipei. Taiwan split from mainland China amid a civil war in 1949, but Beijing considers the self-ruled island part of its territory. The Czech government recognises the one-China principle. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kabul, March 20: Taliban have banned the celebration of the Afghan festive Nowruz in the central Daikundi province, warning residents if they are caught celebrating the occasion, they will be treated accordingly, Khaama Press reported. Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice in an announcement said the group's regulators have told people "Islam prohibits the celebration of Nowruz". Nowruz (Navroz) 2023: Date In India, History, Significance & Celebrations Of The Festival Related To Persian New Year. According to this announcement, Taliban observers have met with the worshipers of at least 35 mosques in Daikundi, and have asked them to resist the "Western ideas, Khawarij and rituals that are not in line with Islam", Khaama Press reported. In this declaration, Nowruz is attributed to the "era of ignorance" and people are warned that the occasion is promoted by "foreigners" among Muslims. The ministry of vice and virtue of the Taliban has warned ordinary people to refrain from celebrating "alien and un-Islamic customs, and days that are not "holy in Islam", Khaama Press reported. The popular festival was banned during the Taliban's previous rule between 1996 and 2001. However, last year the group said they will not celebrate the Nowruz, but have no problem with those celebrating it. Nowruz has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years, observed by adherents of both the main branches of Islam, Sunnis and Shias in Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East - and usually marked by a public holiday. Persian New Year 2023 Greetings & Nowruz HD Images: WhatsApp Messages, Quotes, HD Wallpapers, SMS and Wishes to Share With Family and Friends. Banning the Nowruz celebration, which marks the arrival of spring in Daikundi, indicates the ruling regime's opposition to the popular festive, which prompted widespread criticisms in the past as well. Nowruz celebration is one of the ancient rituals of the people of Afghanistan, being celebrated in different ways, similar to other countries' so-called "Nowruz region". The United Nations officially recognized the "International Day of Nowruz" with the adoption of Resolution 64/253 by the United Nations General Assembly in February 2010. Nowruz is to be observed on March 21 this year. (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 20 (ANI): Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday said that he will announce his new plan on Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) on the soil of India, which he said is an "indespensable partner" of his country. "It gives me great pleasure to be able to unveil my new vision on the soil of India which is our indispensable partner in realising FOIP: Kishida said during a joint press statement after holding delegation level bilateral talks at Hyderabad House here. Also Read | Dog Brutally Beaten, Set on Fire in UKs Wirral; RSPCA Initiates Probe Into Gruesome Act of Animal Cruelty. The visiting Japanese PM will also deliver the 41st Sapru House Lecture on the Indo-Pacific policy. Incidentally, the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe initially discussed the Indo-Pacific cooperation on his trip to Delhi fifteen years ago. "I also intend to further strengthen the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan. In addition, during my stay in India, I will announce a new plan related to the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)," Kishida said in a tweet before departing for India. Also Read | Canada: Turban Ripped, Sikh Student From India Dragged by Hair in British Columbia. The Japanese Prime Minister also extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Modi to attend the G7 Hiroshima Summit, scheduled to take place in May this year. He said that the invitation was "immediately accepted" by PM Modi and added that both countries will cooperate to have a successful G7 Hiroshima Summit and G20 New Delhi Summit. During the joint press statement, the Japanese Prime Minister said, "I formally invited PM Modi to G7 Hiroshima Summit and on the spot, my invitation was immediately accepted." The two leaders took up the issue of challenges faced by the international community and decided to have close cooperation between G7 and G20 as the two countries are holding the presidencies of the summits, respectively. Speaking further, Kishida said that Japan affirmed its strong commitment to uphold the international order. "PM Modi shared his thoughts on various themes in the international community, especially in areas of development finance, food & security, and climate energy, Kishida added. Regarding strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Japan, Kishida said that New Delhi is Tokyo's special strategic global partner and a wide range of discussions took place regarding it. "Our economic cooperation with India which continues to grow rapidly will not only support the further development of India but also create significant economic opportunities for Japan. In this regard, we welcome that steady progress is being made towards realising 5 trillion yen of public & private investment in financing from Japan to India in 5 years," Kishida said further during the joint statement held in Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday. On Tourism, Kishida said that 2023 will be the year of the Japan-India tourism exchange. It will promote exchanges between India and Japan through tourism. "2023 will be the year of the Japan-India tourism exchange to promote our exchanges through tourism. I welcome the renewal of our MoC on Japanese language education," the Japanese PM said. The Prime Minister of Japan also highlighted that it will continue to work on decarbonisation and energy with India. As Kishida arrived in India earlier this morning, he paid a floral tribute at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial in Rajghat. Following that, he reached Hyderabad House where delegation talks were held between the two leaders. "Delegation level talks led by PM @narendramodi and PM @kishida230 of Japan commence. Wide-ranging agenda on the table with a focus on cooperation in economy & commerce, climate & energy, defence & security, P2P, skill development," the official spokesperson of MEA, Arindam Bagchi wrote on Twitter. The visit of Kishida offered an important opportunity for both counties to engage on a bilateral level since the last Summit meeting between India and Japan took place in March 2022. In terms of commercial and economic ties, the bilateral trade between India and Japan stood at USD 20.75 billion last year, which was the largest ever. Japan is a very close partner of India and both countries hold an Annual Summit and a 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kanpur, March 20: A groom had to return home without his bride when the latter realised that he belonged to Rajasthan, and not Prayagraj, as claimed earlier. The newly-wed bride refused to go that 'far' to live with her in-laws and called up the police. According to the woman's family, the man had claimed to be from Prayagraj. Chakeri ACP Amarnath Yadav said that the woman had approached policemen deployed at a Police Response Vehicle (PRV) Dial -112 on the Varanasi-Kanpur highway, seeking their help to go back to her parents' house. Uttar Pradesh: Groom Refuses to Marry Over Brides Poor Marks in Class 12 Examination in Kannauj, Complaint Lodged. "I have been travelling for the last seven hours from Varanasi, and yet have not reached my in-laws' place. I am feeling completely exhausted and now I do not want to go to Rajasthan. I will not go that far," she told the ACP when he visited the spot. The girl's marriage had been fixed with the man, a resident of Bikaner, Rajasthan. The baraat reached Varanasi where the wedding was solemnised. After the wedding, the newly-wed couple and the 'baraat' were returning home in a bus. When the bus stopped at a highway petrol pump in Kanpur, the bride started crying, saying that her in-laws' house could not be reached even after seven hours of journey. She called up the police and narrated her problem after which the ACP told the sub-inspector on duty to interrogate the groom. Groom Refuses to Marry After Not Getting Bike in Dowry, Viral Video Surfaces. The groom Ravi told the police that the girl's family members were aware of everything. On the other hand, when the police contacted the bride's mother, she, too, denied any knowledge that the groom belonged to Rajasthan. Subsequently, her mother asked the police to send the bride back to Varanasi. The police sent the bride to Varanasi and the groom returned to Bikaner without her. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 20, 2023 09:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Jaipur, March 20: A man was abducted from Rajasthan's Ajmer district and his nose cut off allegedly by the family members of his wife who did not approve of their marriage, police said on Monday. The victim filed a police complaint on Monday, alleging that he was abducted by the brother and other relatives of his wife on March 18 and taken to a village in Nagaur district, where they cut off his nose, said Station House Officer, Gegal, Ajmer Sunil Kumar. Rajasthan Shocker: Mans Relatives Chop Off Fathers Nose After He Ends His Daughters Engagement. Some of the accused have been detained and are being questioned in connection with the matter, Kumar said. The man got married a while ago and his wife's family did not approve of the marriage, he said. Various Parsi communities around the world, including India, celebrate Nowruz or Navroz, the Persian New Year or the Iranian New Year that ushers in the spring season, with great fervour and excitement. A new day is meant when the words "now" and "ruz," meaning new, are combined. Nowruz, typically observed on March 20 or 21 around the world, heralds the start of Farvardin, the first month of the Solar Hijri cycle. On this holiday, regarded as a significant day to carry out good deeds and utter good words, people clean their homes, purchase new clothing, and prepare a lavish spread for their family and friends. Here's a collection of Nowruz 2023 wishes, Happy Persian New Year 2023 greetings, Nowruz images, Persian New Year HD wallpapers, and Happy Navroz messages for WhatsApp and Facebook to share with your family and friends. Persian New Year 2023 Greetings & Nowruz HD Images: WhatsApp Messages, Quotes, HD Wallpapers, SMS and Wishes to Share With Family and Friends. Many nations with a sizable Persian cultural influence, including Iran, Iraq, India, Afghanistan, and portions of Central Asia, observe Nowruz. Kurds in Iraq and Turkey, as well as Iranians, Shi'ites, and Parsis in the Indian subcontinent and its diaspora, all observe Nowruz. Iranian populations also commemorate Nowruz in the Americas and Europe, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Toronto, Cologne, and London. Nowruz is observed as the Persian New Year Festival in Phoenix, Arizona. The Shahenshahi calendar, which ignores leap years, is used by the Parsi community in India to celebrate the celebration around August 1617. As a result, the holiday has moved 200 days from its original date. But it's also widely observed in March. Patra Ni Macchi, Akoori, Falooda, Dhansak, Ravo, Sali Boti, and Saffron Pulao are classic Nowruz recipes. We have some of the best Navroz Mubarak messages, greetings and photos that can be sent across social media sites. We exchange festive greetings through messenger apps such as Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal. Nowruz Greetings (File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: The Wind Is Whispering That the Coming Year Will Be a Safer and Happier One. Happy Nowruz, Everyone. Nowruz Greetings (File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: A Warm Nowruz Mubarak to You All. I Hope This Nowruz Gives You and Your Loved One's Loads of Love and Warmth. Nowruz Greetings (File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: May the New Year Be Filled With Vibrant Colors and Happiness for You and Your Loved Ones Every Single Day. Wishing You and Your Family a Happy Nowruz. Nowruz Greetings (File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: Nowruz Mubarak to Everybody out There. Have a Safe One This Year. Nowruz Greetings (File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: May You Have the Most Fun and Blessed Nowruz With Your Dear Ones in a Safe Environment This Year. Happy Nowruz to You All. Nowruz (Navroz) 2023: Date, History, Significance Of The Festival Related To Persian New Year The Persian king Jamshed is attributed to developing the Persian or Shahenshahi calendar, and the festival of Nowruz bears his name. According to tradition, Jamshed averted an impending apocalypse that would have killed everyone if it hadn't been for a winter. Scriptures claim that King Jamshed's kingdom was free from extreme heat or cold, early deaths, and unhappy living conditions for everyone. According to legend, Nusservanji Kohyaji, a wealthy tradesman from Surat who frequently visited Iran, brought the holiday to India and started Nowruz celebrations there. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 20, 2023 04:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Riyadh, March 20: Moon sighting committees in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar will meet tomorrow (March 21) to determine Ramadan 2023 start date. The beginning of Ramadan 2023 in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and other countries will be determined following a moon sighting. Ramadan, also spelt as Ramzan, is considered a holy month by Muslims who observe dawn-to-dusk fast to learn self-restrain and discipline. The Ramadan 2023 timetable will also be set once the beginning of the holy month is finalised. Muslims follow lunar-based calendar. The beginning and end of Islamic months are decided by moon sighting. On 29th day of each month, moon sighting committees meet to see if the moon is visible. If the moon is sighted, the ongoing month ends and a new month begins. If the moon is not sighted, a new month begins after the ongoing month completes 30 days. March 21 marks 29th of Shaban, the month before Ramadan, in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar. Ramadan 2023 Date: When Is Moon Sighting in Your Country? Know Ramzan Start Date in India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Other Countries. Ramadan 2023 Date in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar: As mentioned above, moon sighting committees will assembly on March 21 to see if Ramadan 2023 moon is visible. If the moon is sighted, Shaban shall end and Muslims will welcome Ramadan 2023 and observe their first Roza or fast on March 22. If the crescent remains invisible, Shaban month will complete 30 days on March 22. In this case, the first Ramadan fast will be observed on March 23. List of Long Weekends in 2023 in India: Get New Year Calendar With Holiday Dates To Make the Most of Your Vacations. Like every Islamic month, Ramadan will last for either 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon sighting. Muslims will mark end of Ramadan 2023 by celebrating Eid Ul Fitr 2023 or Eid al-Fitr. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 20, 2023 12:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Finally we tracked him to Kalol in Gujarat. He was caught just before midnight and brought to Mumbai. The accused has at least 15 cases registered against him and he will be handed over to the Malabar Hill Police today," said a top officer. International Day of Happiness, or World Happiness Day's celebrations take place on March 20 every year. The United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Happiness on June 28, 2012. International Day of Happiness is celebrated to recognise the necessity of happiness in the lives of people around the world and its positive impact on an individual's mental and physical well-being. As per the UN, Happiness is a fundamental human goal. As the day of happiness and joy is here, here are some International Day of Happiness 2023 wishes, Happy World Happiness Day greetings, Happiness Day 2023 messages, World Happiness Day 2023 images and WhatsApp stickers that you can share and spread happiness among your near and dear ones. Happy International Day of Happiness (File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: The Most Important Things in My Life Are You and Your Happiness. Please Always Keep Smiling, Sweetheart. I Love You and Happy Happiness Day! Happy International Day of Happiness (File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: Best Wishes on World Happiness Day! May You Get Uncountable Reasons To Be Happy Today! Happy International Day of Happiness (File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: My Dear Family and Friends, I Hope Your Day Is Filled With Smiles and Laughter and Lots of Joy on This International Happiness Day. International Day of Happiness 2023 (File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: I Hope I Can Bring a Smile to Your Face, My Dear Friend. Happy Happiness Day! International Day of Happiness (File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: Happiness Is Wherever My Family Is! Happy World Day of Happiness to My Sweet Home! (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) New Delhi, March 20 : India has been ranked first in South Asia based on government requests for user data from Big Tech companies, a report showed on Monday. From 2013 to 2021, Meta and Google received the highest number of account requests from India, according to popular VPN service Surfshark. Tech Layoffs in US Will Bring Lot of Work to India, Says GlobalLogic CEO Nitesh Banga. India ranked seventh in all of Asia with 58.7 accounts requested per 100,000 people. The research showed that globally, countries requested more than 6.6 million accounts combined during the 9-year period, while India requested 823,000. The overall disclosure rate in India is 55.3 per cent, said the report. Apple Joins AI Chatbot Bandwagon: Tech Giant Reportedly Working on AI-Powered Next-Gen Siri. Looking at requested accounts per population, India ranks 36th in the world based on the user accounts requested by authorities over this time period. The number of accounts requested increased more than five times from 2013 to 2021, with 2021 seeing a year-over-year increase of around 25 per cent. India shows the same trend, with a 1,476 per cent increase from 2013 to 2021. Requested accounts grew by 55 per cent in 2021 compared to 2020, the report showed. In total, over 6.6 million accounts were requested in 177 countries from 2013 to 2021, with a steady increase in the latest years. The US and the EU authorities requested data the most. Apple complied with the most user data requests (82 per cent), compared to Meta, Google, and MicrosoftA (72 per cent, 71 per cent, and 68 per cent, respectively). "Besides requesting data from technology companies, authorities are now exploring more ways to monitor and tackle crime through online services. For instance, the EU is considering a regulation that would require Internet service providers to detect, report, and remove abuse-related content," said Gabriele Kaveckyte, Privacy Counsel at Surfshark. The research analysed the just-released information on user data requests that Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft received from 177 countries' local authorities between 2013 and 2021. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 20, 2023 11:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). TIMES STAFF WRITER For much of the 1960s, the CIA provided the Tibetan exile movement with $1.7 million a year for operations against China, including an annual subsidy of $180,000 for the Dalai Lama, according to newly released U.S. intelligence documents. The money for the Tibetans and the Dalai Lama was part of the CIAs worldwide effort during the height of the Cold War to undermine Communist governments, particularly in the Soviet Union and China. In fact, the U.S. government committee that approved the Tibetan operations also authorized the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. The documents, published last month by the State Department, illustrate the historical background of the situation in Tibet today, in which China continues to accuse the Dalai Lama of being an agent of foreign forces seeking to separate Tibet from China. Advertisement The CIAs program encompassed support of Tibetan guerrillas in Nepal, a covert military training site in Colorado, Tibet Houses established to promote Tibetan causes in New York and Geneva, education for Tibetan operatives at Cornell University and supplies for reconnaissance teams. The purpose of the program . . . is to keep the political concept of an autonomous Tibet alive within Tibet and among foreign nations, principally India, and to build a capability for resistance against possible political developments inside Communist China, explains one memo written by top U.S. intelligence officials. Relationship Was Mutually Beneficial The declassified historical documents provide the first inside details of the CIAs decade-long covert program to support the Tibetan independence movement. At the time of the intelligence operation, the CIA was seeking to weaken Mao Tse-tungs hold over China. And the Tibetan exiles were looking for help to keep their movement alive after the Dalai Lama and his supporters fled Tibet following an unsuccessful 1959 revolt against Chinese rule. Tibetan exiles and the Dalai Lama have acknowledged for many years that they once received support from U.S. intelligence. But until now, Washington has refused to release any information about the CIAs Tibetan operations. The U.S. intelligence support for the Tibetans ended in the early 1970s after the Nixon administrations diplomatic opening to China, according to the Dalai Lamas writings, former CIA officials and independent scholars. The Dalai Lama wrote in his autobiography that the cutoff in the 1970s showed that the assistance from the Americans had been a reflection of their anti-Communist policies rather than genuine support for the restoration of Tibetan independence. The newly published files show that the collaboration between U.S. intelligence and the Tibetans was less than ideal. The Tibetans by nature did not appear to be congenitally inclined toward conspiratorial proficiency, a top CIA official says ruefully in one memo. The budget figures for the CIAs Tibetan program are contained in a memo dated Jan. 9, 1964. It was evidently written to help justify continued funding for the clandestine intelligence operation. Support of 2,100 Tibetan guerrillas based in Nepal: $500,000, the document says. Subsidy to the Dalai Lama: $180,000. After listing several other costs, it concludes: Total: $1,735,000. The files show that this budget request was approved soon afterward. A later document indicates that these annual expenses continued at the same level for four more years, until 1968. At that point, the CIA scrubbed its training programs for Tibetans inside the United States and cut the budget for the entire program to just below $1.2 million a year. In his 1990 autobiography, Freedom in Exile, the Dalai Lama explained that his two brothers made contact with the CIA during a trip to India in 1956. The CIA agreed to help, not because they cared about Tibetan independence, but as part of their worldwide efforts to destabilize all Communist governments, the Dalai Lama wrote. Naturally, my brothers judged it wise to keep this information from me. They knew what my reaction would have been. The Dalai Lama also wrote regretfully in his book that the CIA had trained and equipped Tibetan guerrillas who conducted raids into Tibet from a base camp in Nepal. The effect of these operations only resulted in more suffering for the people of Tibet. Worse, these activities gave the Chinese government the opportunity to blame the efforts of those seeking to regain Tibetan independence on the activities of foreign powers--whereas, of course, it was an entirely Tibetan initiative. Lodi Gyari, the Dalai Lamas personal representative in Washington, said last week that he had no knowledge of the CIAs $180,000-a-year subsidy or how the money was spent. I have no clue whatsoever, Gyari said. Speaking more generally of the CIAs past support for the Tibetans, Gyari acknowledged: It is an open secret. We do not deny it. Agency Has Resisted Release of Details The CIA has long resisted efforts to disclose information about its Tibetan operations. In 1993, then-CIA Director R. James Woolsey promised to declassify and release the records of six CIA covert operations during the Cold War, involving France, Italy, Indonesia, Laos, North Korea and Tibet. But this year, CIA Director George J. Tenet said the agency did not have the money or personnel to do this for the foreseeable future. The Tibet documents were released not by the CIA but by the State Department, which has responsibility for regularly publishing documents that show the history of U.S. foreign policy. Warren W. Smith Jr., author of a recent book on the history of Tibet, said he believes that the newly published documents are the first to describe the CIAs Tibetan operations. Until now, information about the CIA plans has come from [Tibetan] exiles and a few old CIA agents, Smith said. None of the agents involved would know detailed information about things like the budget. The CIA was not the only intelligence service to support the Tibetans. India also helped, and, according to Smiths book, Indian intelligence officials even organized a Tibetan unit within the Indian army. The newly published documents show, however, that Tibetan leaders sometimes complained to Washington that they werent getting sufficient backing from India. The documents provide no details about the $180,000-a-year subsidy to the Dalai Lama. But they suggest that the money was used to pay for the staff and other costs of supporting his activities on behalf of the Tibetan people. The same 1964 memo speaks of continuing the support subsidy to the Dalai Lamas entourage at Dharamsala, the city in northern India that has served as the Dalai Lamas headquarters and the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile. Eisenhower Team Gave Initial Approval A brief internal history of the CIAs Tibet operations shows that the Eisenhower administration first formally approved covert support to the Tibetan resistance in September 1958, at a time when the Tibetans were conducting guerrilla raids against Chinese army units. The U.S. intelligence operations were overseen in Washington by the executive branchs top-secret 303 Committee. On May 20, 1959, only a few weeks after the unsuccessful Tibetan revolt, the 303 Committee approved the first covert support specifically for the Dalai Lama, who had just arrived in India. These covert CIA programs were re-approved several times during the 1960s. In 1964, the CIA decided that one of the main problems facing the Tibetans was a lack of trained officers equipped with linguistic and administrative abilities. As a result, it decided to educate 20 Tibetans. Cornell University has tentatively agreed to provide facilities for their education, the CIA explains in one memo. The Cornell program did not last long. In 1967, after Ramparts magazine disclosed that the CIA had been secretly funding the activities of the National Student Assn. in the United States, the CIA restricted its activities on U.S. university campuses. The files show that the Tibetans were keeping close track of U.S. policy toward China. In fact, they sometimes had a better sense of what the U.S. was about to do about China than did the rest of the world. On Dec. 6, 1968, a month after Richard Nixon was elected president but before he took office, the Dalai Lamas brother told a senior State Department official that the Tibetan exiles were afraid of an accommodation the United States might make with the Chinese Communists. Undersecretary of State Eugene V. Rostow told him not to worry. Rostow said that we [the United States] would not make any accommodation with the Chinese Communists at the expense of Tibet. Over the next four years, the Nixon administration carried out its opening to China, and the CIAs Tibetan operations were shut down. Now, more than a quarter of a century later, the U.S. government is providing some financial support for Tibetans, but openly and through other channels. In recent years, Congress has approved about $2 million annually in funding for Tibetan exiles in India. Congress has also urged the administration to spend another $2 million for democracy activities among the Tibetans. TIMES STAFF WRITER Pediatrician Kevin Anderson was convicted of second-degree murder by a Pasadena jury Monday for strangling a colleague pregnant with his child, dousing her body with gasoline and shoving her car off a cliff in the San Gabriel Mountains. After five days of deliberation, jurors rejected the contention that Anderson committed premeditated murder worthy of the death penalty. Prosecutors had argued that he lured Dr. Deepti Gupta, 33, to her death at the turnout on Nov. 11 under the pretext of stargazing, because their affair threatened his marriage and career. But jurors also rejected the defenses argument that the crime was voluntary manslaughter because Anderson, 41, snapped in the heat of passion after Gupta made an implied threat against his daughter. Advertisement The jurors apparently decided that Anderson committed second-degree murder because he should have known that by tightening his tie around her neck, he would kill her. Anderson, who never denied he killed Gupta, showed signs of relief, smiling slightly after the clerk read the verdict and nodding repeatedly as Pasadena Superior Court Judge Teri Schwartz thanked the jurors for their service. But Guptas husband, Vijay Gupta, a UCLA professor of engineering, said outside court that he will pray every day that [Anderson] goes to hell. Ask a 10-year-old whether this evidence points to anything other than first-degree murder with special circumstances, he said. Deputy Dist. Atty. Marian M.J. Thompson also expressed disappointment. How many people do you know who drive around with a full gas can for two months, she said, referring to the prosecution argument that Anderson brought a murder kit to the scene on Angeles Crest Highway that included a rope, tie, gloves and matches, because he planned to make the death look like a traffic accident. But that plan fell apart when Anderson drove Guptas vehicle too close to the edge of the cliff and it slid down before he could ignite it, and a passing motorist then saw him, she said. Thompson said it was a hard case for jurors, who tend to believe doctors. He had his head down most of the trial, with his hands in his lap, as if he was praying. And that certainly had some impact on the jury. So were disappointed. Nevertheless, they found that he was a liar, as far as Im concerned. She said Anderson will face 15 years to life for Guptas murder and another five years because she was pregnant and he knew it. Anderson was a prominent Pasadena doctor and head of pediatrics at St. Luke Medical Center. His life is over, Thompson said. He will be going away for an extremely long time. Sentencing is set for Feb. 21. Jurors would not comment on the trial. But Vijay Gupta, who had watched most of it, criticized the defenses efforts to cast his wife as a woman in pursuit of Anderson, whom he called a sexual predator. Its a travesty of the American justice system that put the victim on trial, Gupta said. I just cant imagine that she is gone. . . . [Its] a complete loss to everybody in this world. Andersons attorney, Michael Abzug, said he was not disappointed by anything the jury did. He said the case should never have been filed as a first-degree murder with special circumstances. Despite a year of preparation, 188 exhibits and extensive giant post boards laying out the crime, Abzug said, prosecutors came up very short in this case. Ultimately, he said, two families were shattered. TIMES STAFF WRITERS A U.S. Navy spy plane and a Chinese fighter jet collided Sunday over the South China Sea, causing the American craft to make an emergency landing in China and the Chinese plane to crash, U.S. and Chinese officials said. The 24 crew members aboard the EP-3 U.S. reconnaissance plane were unhurt, but U.S. defense officials said they have been unable to establish contact with the crew since the craft came to ground on Hainan island, a Chinese province off the countrys southern coast. The pilot of the downed Chinese jet was reported missing. American diplomats from Beijing were to arrive this morning on Hainan to press for the release of the crew and plane, but it remained unclear how the Chinese would respond. The incident puts more strain on increasingly shaky Sino-U.S. relations. Advertisement U.S. officials said they would not be able to determine responsibility for the incident until they talked to crew members. They also warned the Chinese not to enter the top-secret aircraft, which the Americans insisted was sovereign territory. China blamed the U.S. for the crash, which occurred about 9:15 a.m. Sunday in China (5:15 p.m. Saturday PST). Two Chinese F-8 fighters were conducting normal flight operations about 65 miles southeast of Hainan when the American EP-3 suddenly veered toward one of the Chinese jets, a statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. The nose and left wing of the U.S. plane hit the Chinese plane and caused it to crash, the statement said, adding that rescue crews were searching for the downed Chinese pilot. The U.S. should bear full responsibility, declared Zhu Bangzao, a Foreign Ministry spokesman. But Adm. Dennis Blair, chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, said common sense suggests that the lighter, faster Chinese jets caused the collision with the heavier, clumsier EP-3, which is about the size of a Boeing 737. Big airplanes like this fly straight and level on their path. Little airplanes zip around them, Blair told reporters in Honolulu. Its pretty obvious who bumped into who. Im going on common sense now because I havent talked to our crew. According to U.S. officials, the American craft was on a routine surveillance mission out of Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, when the two fighter jets came up alongside the EP-3 and intercepted it. Although the intentions of the Chinese pilots were unclear, when two fighter jets come up on [you], theyre generally not coming up to say hi, said Lt. Cmdr. Sean Kelly, a spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Command. Kelly said the EP-3 and one of the Chinese planes bumped into each other, causing enough damage that the pilot of the American craft issued a mayday distress signal and landed the disabled plane at an airfield on Hainan. Kelly said that under international convention, any military aircraft is essentially sovereign territory of its owner. So it cannot either be boarded, seized or inspected without the express permission of the U.S. government. U.S. defense officials said they expected China to respect the integrity of the aircraft and the well-being and safety of the crew and to facilitate the repair and return of the EP-3. Beijing said proper arrangements had been made for the U.S. crew but did not say where they were. Sundays collision is likely to complicate already edgy relations between Washington and Beijing, including on the military front. A few months ago, a high-level Peoples Liberation Army officer defected to the U.S. in an embarrassing setback for Beijing. In China, authorities have arrested two scholars with U.S. ties and charged one with spying. This month, the Bush administration is to decide on an arms package for Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. Supporters of Taiwan on Capitol Hill have urged the White House to sell the island advanced weapons, including several naval destroyers, to increase its ability to fend off any attack from the mainland. U.S. officials said the air maneuvers leading up to Sundays crash are not uncommon, with an intercept by Chinese planes occurring in about one of every three U.S. patrol flights along the Chinese coast. But Blair said that the intercepts have become more aggressive over the last couple of months. The U.S. has protested about the pattern of increasingly unsafe behavior but did not get a satisfactory response, he said. U.S. Aircraft Belongs to Sophisticated Class The collision appeared to be the first between Chinese and American military planes. The EP-3 belongs to a sophisticated class of land-based, long-range, anti-submarine patrol aircraft. Military analysts say that it contains top-of-the-line electronic data-gathering equipment that can intercept telephone calls and e-mail as well as radar and fax data. Military analysts said the crew members would be able to erase all data and disable the surveillance equipment if such moves were deemed necessary. Defense officials said the U.S. military sought to contact the downed EP-3 on Sunday but was unsuccessful. Rear Adm. Craig Quigley, the Pentagons chief spokesman, said that could have meant that the planes communications gear was broken as a result of the collision or that the crew had left the plane. Quigley said he was unaware of any policy that would require crew members to remain on a plane to guard classified equipment after a landing on foreign soil. We are waiting right now for the Chinese government to give us the kind of cooperation that is expected of countries in situations like this, Blair said. But as time goes on, its increasingly worse, and its been 18 hours that we dont have a phone call yet from our crew. Were talking about a place that has telephones. American Military an Irritant to Many Some China experts predicted that the disabling of the U.S. plane would be read by many in China as a small victory against the powerful U.S. military, which is an irritant to many in the country. Bates Gill, a China expert at the Brookings Institution in Washington, said that from Chinas perspective, youve sent the message about intruding in airspace. You forced [the plane] to land. Youve got your hands on it. Reaction in some Chinese Internet chat rooms was bellicose, echoing the angry response following the North Atlantic Treaty Organization bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in 1999, which set off anti-American riots across China. This is another armed provocation following the bombing of our embassy, wrote one Internet user who signed his posting as Common Man No. 689. Interrogate the U.S. pilots, confiscate the plane, and compensate us for our losses. Security around the U.S. Embassy was tightened, but no untoward incidents were reported by midmorning today. State Department officials said that on Sunday, Joseph Prueher, the U.S. ambassador to China, and Chinas vice foreign minister held an initial meeting to resolve the situation. A retired Navy admiral, Prueher was head of U.S. forces in the Pacific before Blair and has close knowledge of U.S. military strategy and tactics in the region. In Washington on Sunday, State Department spokeswoman Michelle King said: Weve been in touch with the Chinese since last night and throughout the day. We have been assured by the Chinese government that the crew are safe and well. President Bush, who returned to the White House on Sunday afternoon from Camp David, was briefed on the incident shortly after it occurred, White House officials said. We are monitoring the situation, said Gordon Johndroe, a White House press aide. U.S. military officials said it is routine for Chinas planes to swoop alongside American planes flying off its coast, just as it is for U.S. planes to approach foreign military aircraft that fly in airspace off the United States. The purpose is to let the visitors know that the home nation is aware of their presence, and to test reactions. The EP-3 is about 106 feet long. In a collision, the craft has the potential to do great damage to a smaller plane. One U.S. defense official said Sundays collision would be akin to a crash between a BMW and an 18-wheeler truck. Of the 24 crew members on board the EP-3, all but a pilot and co-pilot were probably in the rear of the plane, involved in the electronic eavesdropping operation, defense officials said. The group included 22 Navy personnel, plus one Marine and one Air Force service member. The Navy plane is part of the VQ-1 electronic countermeasures squadron based at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Washington state. Beijing claims a broad swath of the South China Sea as Chinese waters, but other countries dispute those claims. Hainan island, which is close to Vietnam and the disputed Spratley Islands, is dotted with military bases. U.S. lawmakers appearing on Sunday TV talk shows underscored the sensitivity of the matter and the impact its resolution might have on Sino-U.S. relations. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on NBCs Meet the Press that the airplane should not be inspected or entered by any Chinese authorities because of the nature of the equipment on board. Noting the recent tensions over Taiwan and the Chinese crackdown on the Falun Gong spiritual movement, McCain added, This could be another episode in a series of problems that were having in our relations with China. Its obviously serious whenever a military collision like this takes place, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said on CNNs Late Edition. Albright said the incident pointed to the importance of keeping diplomatic channels open with China so that incidents between the two nations can be dealt with quickly and peacefully. * Chu reported from Beijing and Richter from Washington. Times staff writer Megan Garvey in Washington contributed to this report. (BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC) Aerial Surveillance The crew of a U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane was reported unhurt after the craft collided with a Chinese fighter jet and made an emergency landing in China, which was searching for its missing pilot. U.S. officials warned Beijing against entering the EP-3, a top-secret American aircraft like that in the photo below. * The plane * Maker: Lockheed * Size: 100-foot wingspan; 106 feet long * Crew: Consisted of one member of the Air Force, one Marine and 22 Navy personnel; most are technicians and equipment operators. * Engines: Four, propeller-driven * Range: 3,450 miles TIMES RELIGION WRITER Its one of the greatest stories ever told: A baby is found in a basket adrift in the Egyptian Nile and is adopted into the pharaohs household. He grows up as Moses, rediscovers his roots and leads his enslaved Israelite brethren to freedom after God sends down 10 plagues against Egypt and parts the Red Sea to allow them to escape. They wander for 40 years in the wilderness and, under the leadership of Joshua, conquer the land of Canaan to enter their promised land. For centuries, the biblical account of the Exodus has been revered as the founding story of the Jewish people, sacred scripture for three world religions and a universal symbol of freedom that has inspired liberation movements around the globe. But did the Exodus ever actually occur? On Passover last Sunday, Rabbi David Wolpe raised that provocative question before 2,200 faithful at Sinai Temple in Westwood. He minced no words. Advertisement The truth is that virtually every modern archeologist who has investigated the story of the Exodus, with very few exceptions, agrees that the way the Bible describes the Exodus is not the way it happened, if it happened at all, Wolpe told his congregants. Wolpes startling sermon may have seemed blasphemy to some. In fact, however, the rabbi was merely telling his flock what scholars have known for more than a decade. Slowly and often outside wide public purview, archeologists are radically reshaping modern understanding of the Bible. It was time for his people to know about it, Wolpe decided. After a century of excavations trying to prove the ancient accounts true, archeologists say there is no conclusive evidence that the Israelites were ever in Egypt, were ever enslaved, ever wandered in the Sinai wilderness for 40 years or ever conquered the land of Canaan under Joshuas leadership. To the contrary, the prevailing view is that most of Joshuas fabled military campaigns never occurred--archeologists have uncovered ash layers and other signs of destruction at the relevant time at only one of the many battlegrounds mentioned in the Bible. Today, the prevailing theory is that Israel probably emerged peacefully out of Canaan--modern-day Lebanon, southern Syria, Jordan and the West Bank of Israel--whose people are portrayed in the Bible as wicked idolators. Under this theory, the Canaanites who took on a new identity as Israelites were perhaps joined or led by a small group of Semites from Egypt--explaining a possible source of the Exodus story, scholars say. As they expanded their settlement, they may have begun to clash with neighbors, perhaps providing the historical nuggets for the conflicts recorded in Joshua and Judges. Scholars have known these things for a long time, but weve broken the news very gently, said William Dever, a professor of Near Eastern archeology and anthropology at the University of Arizona and one of Americas preeminent archeologists. Devers view is emblematic of a fundamental shift in archeology. Three decades ago as a Christian seminary student, he wrote a paper defending the Exodus and got an A, but no one would do that today, he says. The old emphasis on trying to prove the Bible--often in excavations by amateur archeologists funded by religious groups--has given way to more objective professionals aiming to piece together the reality of ancient lifestyles. But the modern archeological consensus over the Exodus is just beginning to reach the public. In 1999, an Israeli archeologist, Zeev Herzog of Tel Aviv University, set off a furor in Israel by writing in a popular magazine that stories of the patriarchs were myths and that neither the Exodus nor Joshuas conquests ever occurred. In the hottest controversy today, Herzog also argued that the united monarchy of David and Solomon, described as grand and glorious in the Bible, was at best a small tribal kingdom. In a new book this year, The Bible Unearthed, Israeli archeologist Israel Finklestein of Tel Aviv University and archeological journalist Neil Asher Silberman raised similar doubts and offered a new theory about the roots of the Exodus story. The authors argue that the story was written during the time of King Josia of Judah in the 7th century BC--600 years after the Exodus supposedly occurred in 1250 BC--as a political manifesto to unite Israelites against the rival Egyptian empire as both states sought to expand their territory. Dever argued that the Exodus story was produced for theological reasons: to give an origin and history to a people and distinguish them from others by claiming a divine destiny. Some scholars, of course, still maintain that the Exodus story is basically factual. Bryant Wood, director of the Associates for Biblical Research in Maryland, argued that the evidence falls into place if the story is dated back to 1450 BC. He said that indications of destruction around that time at Hazor, Jericho and a site he is excavating that he believes is the biblical city of Ai support accounts of Joshuas conquests. He also cited the documented presence of Asiatic slaves in Egypt who could have been Israelites, and said they would not have left evidence of their wanderings because they were nomads with no material culture. But Wood said he cant get his research published in serious archeological journals. Theres a definite anti-Bible bias, Wood said. The revisionist view, however, is not necessarily publicly popular. Herzog, Finklestein and others have been attacked for everything from faulty logic to pro-Palestinian political agendas that undermine Israels land claims. Dever, a former Protestant minister who converted to Judaism 12 years ago, says he gets hissed and booed when he speaks about the lack of evidence for the Exodus, and regularly receives letters and calls offering prayers or telling him hes headed for hell. At Sinai Temple, Sundays sermon--and a follow-up discussion at Mondays service--provoked tremendous, and varied, response. Many praised Wolpe for his courage and vision. It was the best sermon possible, because it is preparing the young generation to understand all the truth about religion, said Eddia Mirharooni, a Beverly Hills fashion designer. A few said they were hurt--I didnt want to hear this, one woman said--or even a bit angry. Others said the sermon did nothing to shake their faith that the Exodus story is true. Science can always be proven wrong, said Kalanit Benji, a UCLA undergraduate in psychobiology. Added Aman Massi, a 60-year-old Los Angeles businessman: For sure it was true, 100%. If it were not true, how could we follow it for 3,300 years? But most congregants, along with secular Jews and several rabbis interviewed, said that whether the Exodus is historically true or not is almost beside the point. The power of the sweeping epic lies in its profound and timeless message about freedom, they say. The story of liberation from bondage into a promised land has inspired the haunting spirituals of African American slaves, the emancipation and civil rights movements, Latin Americas liberation theology, peasant revolts in Germany, nationalist struggles in South Africa, the American Revolution, even Leninist politics, according to Michael Walzer in the book Exodus and Revolution. Many of Wolpes congregants said the story of the Exodus has been personally true for them even if the details are not factual: when they fled the Nazis during World War II, for instance, or, more recently, the Islamic revolution in Iran. Daniel Navid Rastein, an Encino medical professional, said he has always regarded the story as a metaphor for a greater truth: We all have our own Egypts--we are prisoners of something, either alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, overeating. We have to use [the story] as a way to free ourselves from difficulty and make ourselves a better person. Wolpe, Sinai Temples senior rabbi, said he decided to deliver the sermon to lead his congregation into a deeper understanding of their faith. On Sunday, he told his flock that questioning the Jewish peoples founding story could be justified for one reason alone: to honor the ancient rabbinical declaration that You do not serve God if you do not seek truth. I think faith ought not rest on splitting seas, Wolpe said in an interview. For a Jew, it should rest on the wonder of Gods world, the marvel of the human soul and the miracle of this small peoples survival through the millennia. Next year, the rabbi plans to teach a course on the Bible that he says will pull no punches in presenting the latest scholarship questioning the texts historical basis. But he and others say that Judaism has also traditionally been more open to nonliteral interpretations of the text than, say, some conservative Christian traditions. Among Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist Jews, there is a much greater willingness to see the Torah as an extended metaphor in which truth comes through story and law, said Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. Among scholars, the case against the Exodus began crystallizing about 13 years ago. Thats when Finklestein, director of Tel Aviv Universitys archeology institute, published the first English-language book detailing the results of intensive archeological surveys of what is believed to be the first Israelite settlements in the hilly regions of the West Bank. The surveys, conducted during the 1970s and 1980s while Israel possessed what are now Palestinian territories, documented a lack of evidence for Joshuas conquests in the 13th century BC and the indistinguishable nature of pottery, architecture, literary conventions and other cultural details between the Canaanites and the new settlers. If there was no conquest, no evidence of a massive new settlement of an ethnically distinct people, scholars argue, then the case for a literal reading of Exodus all but collapses. The surveys final results were published three years ago. The settlement research marked the turning point in archeological consensus on the issue, Dever said. It added to previous research that showed that Egypts voluminous ancient records contained not one mention of Israelites in the country, although one 1210 BC inscription did mention them in Canaan. Kadesh Barnea in the east Sinai desert, where the Bible says the fleeing Israelites sojourned, was excavated twice in the 1950s and 1960s and produced no sign of settlement until three centuries after the Exodus was supposed to have occurred. The famous city of Jericho has been excavated several times and was found to have been abandoned during the 13th and 14th centuries BC. Moreover, specialists in the Hebrew Bible say that the Exodus story is riddled with internal contradictions stemming from the fact that it was spliced together from two or three texts written at different times. One passage in Exodus, for instance, says that the bodies of the pharaohs charioteers were found on the shore, while the next verse says they sank to the bottom of the sea. And some of the storys features are mythic motifs found in other Near Eastern legends, said Ron Hendel, a professor of Hebrew Bible at UC Berkeley. Stories of babies found in baskets in the water by gods or royalty are common, he said, and half of the 10 plagues fall into a formulaic genre of catastrophe found in other Near Eastern texts. Carol Meyers, a professor specializing in biblical studies and archeology at Duke University, said the ancients never intended their texts to be read literally. People who try to find scientific explanations for the splitting of the Red Sea are missing the boat in understanding how ancient literature often mixed mythic ideas with historical recollections, she said. That wasnt considered lying or deceit; it was a way to get ideas across. Virtually no scholar, for instance, accepts the biblical figure of 600,000 men fleeing Egypt, which would have meant there were a few million people, including women and children. The ancient desert at the time could not support so many nomads, scholars say, and the powerful Egyptian state kept tight security over the area, guarded by fortresses along the way. Even Orthodox Jewish scholar Lawrence Schiffman said youd have to be a bit crazy to accept that figure. He believes that the account in Joshua of a swift military campaign is less accurate than the Judges account of a gradual takeover of Canaan. But Schiffman, chairman of Hebrew and Judaic studies at New York University, still maintains that a significant number of Israelite slaves fled Egypt for Canaan. Im not arguing that archeology proves the Exodus, he said. Im arguing that archeology allows you, in ambiguity, to reach whatever conclusion you want to. Wood argued that the 600,000 figure was mistranslated and the real number amounted to a more plausible 20,000. He also said the early Israelite settlements and their similarity to Canaanite culture could be explained as the result of pastoralists with no material culture moving into a settled farming life and absorbing their neighbors pottery styles and other cultural forms. The scholarly consensus seems to be that the story is a brilliant mix of myth, cultural memories and kernels of historical truth. Perhaps, muses Hendel, a small group of Semites who escaped from Egypt became the intellectual vanguard of a new nation that called itself Israel, stressing social justice and freedom. Whatever the facts of the story, those core values have endured and inspired the world for more than three millenniums--and that, many say, is the point. What are the Egypts I need to free myself from? How does the story inspire me in some way to work for the freedom of all? asked Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben of Kehillat Israel in Pacific Palisades. These are the things that matter--not whether we built the pyramids. The Buckskin coal mine in Wyomings Powder River Basin, one of the worlds most profitable sources of fossil fuels. The vast black canyons have not always been here and they are not supposed to stay. After the coal has been carved out and hauled to market, the sprawling surface mines that helped make the Powder River Basin one of the worlds most profitable sources of fossil fuels are supposed to return to what they were before: unspectacular grassland. No more hard hats and signs warning of toxic orange clouds released by blasting. Just ranches and antelope and the relentless Wyoming wind. For four decades, mining companies have been required to repair land they mine to a form and function similar to its previous condition. The process is called reclamation, and, done well, it can be convincing. Some of the smoothest slopes and meadows here were shaped not by time and the elements but by federal law and heavy equipment. Advertisement What youre looking at right now just won a national award, Mark Dunn, the environmental manager for Cloud Peak Energys Cordero Rojo mine, said this month, pointing to a panorama that included active mining to the west and a restored stream and wetlands to the east. We try to make it close to the way it was before or better. Now, however, amid a stunning collapse of the coal industry that has prompted some of the nations largest mining companies to file for bankruptcy, there are new questions about how the giant holes dug in Wyoming and elsewhere across the West will be filled and who will pay to fill them. Wyoming produces nearly 40% of the nations coal used for electricity. Amid a stunning collapse of the coal industry that has prompted some of the nations largest mining companies to file for bankruptcy, there are new questions about how the giant holes dug in Wyoming and elsewhere across the West will be filled and w Under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, for mining to go on, reclamation has to go on. But in some cases, big companies have persuaded government regulators to let them operate under terms that seem to turn the law upside down: For reclamation to continue, mining has to continue. Last month, prompted by a complaint from environmental groups, the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement challenged Wyoming regulators to show that two major companies that have both filed for bankruptcy in the last year, Arch Coal and Alpha Natural Resources, have enough money to do the reclamation work they are obligated to do. In the weeks since then, following more complaints from environmental groups, the agency has made similar demands related to mines operated in Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Indiana and Illinois by another imperiled company, Peabody Energy. All three of the companies have been allowed to meet many of their financial commitments for reclamation through a process called self-bonding. Under self-bonding, the companies do not have to pay a third party to guarantee that reclamation money would be there if the mining company suddenly failed. Instead, the companies essentially are allowed to say their financial strength is proof enough that they could meet their obligations. The problem with self-bonding, basically, is that its based upon this notion of these companies being so wealthy and substantial, said Mark Squillace, who teaches environmental law at the University of Colorado Law School. Its sort of like the banks being too big to fail, right? Arch Coal and Alpha Natural Resources are now trading for pennies on the stock market even as, combined, they are responsible for about $900 million in reclamation work in Wyoming alone. Peabody, which traded for $1,090 a share in 2011, was at just above $2 on Friday. Though self-bonding is legal under federal law, states choose whether to allow it. Critics say states like Wyoming should not have allowed struggling companies to self-bond as coal began its steady decline in recent years. Mining companies, they say, have little incentive to stay ahead of their reclamation work if they have no bond debts to pay down. And in a crisis like the current one, there is no third-party guaranteeing that it will pay for the reclamation. Joseph Pizarchik, the director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, said in an emailed statement that his agency could not end self-bonding, only Congress can stop it. This month, in Wyomings response to the federal government regarding Alpha Natural Resources, Kyle Wendtland, the administrator of the land quality division of the state Department of Environmental Quality, said there were certain systemic problems with self-bonding. But Wendtland, a former environmental manager for Cloud Peak Energy, also defended an agreement the state recently reached with Alpha Natural Resources that committed the company to paying the state a maximum of $61 million for reclamation while it is in bankruptcy, even though the company currently is obligated to do $411 million worth of work. Wendtland said the state would maintain its claim on the full amount after the company emerged from bankruptcy though there is no assurance it will have the money. The state recently proposed a similar deal with Arch Coal, agreeing to accept what it says would be $92 million instead of the $486 million it is obligated to perform in reclamation. In an interview Friday, Wendtland defended the states approach to reclamation. He said about 45% of the mined land in Wyoming had been reclaimed, a figure he said remained steady because mines were continuously moving. Because of the amount of electricity Wyoming coal creates, he said, keeping the companies mining here was important for more than just Wyoming. Theres a state interest, a local interest, a jobs interest and a national interest in these mines, Wendtland said. As Squillace put it, if you force the company to post an actual bond, then they have to put up some actual money, which theyre going to say they dont have, Squillace said. They need to be able to continue to mine, because thats the only continuing income they have. Some of the environmental groups that have filed complaints say they want to see the companies continue to mine, with the hope that the revenue, however reduced it may be in the current market, will preserve jobs and give companies time to transition to other means of financing reclamation work. At least at this point in time, it is in everyones interest to try to keep these mines going, said Shannon Anderson, a lawyer for the Powder River Basin Resource Council, which filed complaints in Wyoming. As long as they keep operating, they can keep reclaiming, she added. ------------ FOR THE RECORD Feb. 24, 5:20 p.m.: An earlier version of this article misidentified lawyer Shannon Anderson as a man. Anderson is a woman. ------------ Mining around Gillette and in the Powder River Basin soared for many years as global demand, particularly from China, increased the appetite for coal. But exports and production have declined in recent years, threatening the jobs of some of the 6,500 people employed in Wyoming through coal mining. See more of our top stories on Facebook >> In an opinion piece published after Arch Coal declared bankruptcy last month, Gov. Matt Mead wrote: Our focus is [ensuring] that financial restructuring does not impact jobs, reclamation, salaries or pensions of employees in Wyoming. In the three decades that Karla Oksanen has lived in Gillette, she has watched the earth open next to her neighborhood and has seen new mountains rise as well. Her house is adjacent to the massive Eagle Butte mine, operated by Alpha Natural Resources. She feels the rumble of blasting work, and her view has been altered by the soil that miners dig out and pile high to gain access to coal. I have seen the view in the neighborhood change, Oksanen said. Supposedly theyre going to put it back the way it was. I havent seen it yet. william.yardley@latimes.com MORE NATIONAL NEWS: Conservatives push back on transgender bathroom rights in North Carolina Scalias death probably linked to obesity, diabetes and coronary artery disease, physician says Art collective builds a dream house in Santa Fe with millions of dollars and junk Lucca Poni, 23, hoped to finish school but she was married in exchange for 10 cows. When the girl was 16, her uncle told her he was taking her to the family village. Excited about the trip, she packed the few things she had. She thought the plan was to meet relatives and see the birthplace of her father, who died when she was 10. She didnt understand yet that in South Sudan, being taken to village has another meaning: She would be married off, against her will, to an elderly man she had never met. She would be the newest of his six wives. Advertisement My uncle needed cows, she explained. In many communities here in one of the worlds poorest nations, daughters grow up with a single purpose: to be sold into marriage for cows to expand a familys herd the closest thing most people have to a bank account and to buy wives for her brothers. Because it makes financial sense to marry off a daughter quickly, the brides are often children. Independence for South Sudan in 2011 brought widespread hopes for prosperity, an end to years of civil war and rudimentary rights for the new countrys 11.3 million people. But little of that has materialized. A wave of killings and sexual assaults has accompanied a new outbreak of fighting, and much of the nation remains trapped in deep poverty. Though South Sudans assembly even before independence passed a law in 2008 limiting the marriage age to 18 and over, it is rarely enforced, particularly in rural areas. Across much of the troubled country, young girls remain as much a commodity for marriage as they ever were. NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >> Roughly 17% of girls marry before they are 15, and nearly a quarter marry between 15 and 17, according to the governments last survey in 2010. The vast majority of those marriages are thought to be families trading their daughters for cows. The bride price is typically 20 to 40 cows, each worth up to $500. A girl who is seen as beautiful, fertile and of high social rank can bring as many as 200 cows. The United Nations, which says the country has the worlds fifth highest prevalence of child marriage, has attacked the practice as a violation of human rights, a serious impediment to literacy and a major cause of persistent poverty. But attempts to wipe it out have faltered because under customary law here and elsewhere in Africa, women have fewer rights than men. The eight-year-old marriage law is resisted in many communities because it demands that impoverished rural families put at risk their biggest potential commodity: their daughters. Once a girl is taken to village, there is no way back. Schools empty. Friends and sisters are suddenly gone. Some remain, kicking the dusty path to school, dreams still singing in their heads. Some girls go meekly, melting away to a distant village to haul water and firewood, sweep, clean, wash, cook, give birth, work a lifetime. Not Agnes Keji. He slashed me, and he cut my throat, Agnes Keji said of her brother after she refused to be married off to a 70-year-old man. (Sara Hylton / For The Times ) When her father informed her that she would be married off to a man who was about 70, she explained, I refused. She had fallen in love with another man when she was 13 but the romance was unthinkable because he had no cows. If you want to kill me, kill me now because I dont want to go to a man I dont know, she said she told her father. So he beat her. Her brother did worse: He needed the cows she would bring so he could marry the girl he wanted. So he took his machete, Keji said, and found her in the village square. He slashed me, and he cut my throat, she said. The cut was deep, and I was taken to hospital. Neither her brother nor father could be reached for an interview. The left side of her neck bears a scar about an inch long. Keji tried running away to the capital of Juba, 53 miles and a three-hour drive on cratered dirt roads from her town of Terekeka on the Nile River. But her brother caught her and brought her back, she said. Now 19, she was expecting to soon be married to the older man: I dont have power. Im finished. Theres nowhere to go. Theres nothing I can do. :: To understand how women are valued here, consider the story of a 12-year-old girl killed by a hippo in a swamp a few years back. Thomas Buom, a 40-year-old canoe operator in the eastern town of Nyal, came upon the scene two hours after the attack. We were shocked, and we couldnt even talk, he recalled. The tragedy of her death, however, wasnt the mere fact that a young girl had died. It was a sad situation, Buom explained, because we lost that girl who would have been married off for cattle just three years later. The price of a daughter in cows is determined in a negotiation between her father and would-be husband. Many daughters are married off to elderly suitors because those men tend to have the most cows. Once girls are married, they are expected to work and bear many children, especially daughters, who are seen as assets to acquire more cattle. They obey their husbands or face violence. Iklas Anur watched her older sister, Sumaya, suffer in an unhappy marriage after being sent to village. She recounted the story under a shady tree in Terekeka as chickens and naked toddlers wandered in the dirt. Sumaya begged her father not to marry her off to an old man who had come calling. But the man had offered 30 cows, leaving her no say in the matter. My mother didnt say anything, but you could tell from her face how unhappy she was, Anur said. But she had no voice. As a woman, there was nothing she could do. She just looked so tired and weary. Sumaya fled back to her family, which promptly returned her to her husband. The cows cant be given back, Anur said. Its quite impossible. Determined to avoid her sisters fate, Anur discovered a way to work within the system and found a man she liked who could pay 12 cows enough to satisfy her father. At 23, she still wishes she could have finished school instead of marrying. She knows she faces a lifetime of hard work. Iklas Anur, 23, found a man she liked who could pay her father 12 cows for her hand in marriage, but she regrets not finishing school. (Sara Hylton / For The Times ) Some families have shunned the tradition of collecting a bride price and instead have sent their daughters to school. But in a culture in which the value of a woman is measured in cows, those families are in the minority. Just 7% of girls finish primary school, and fewer than 2% go to high school. Girls are three times more likely to die in childbirth than complete their studies, according to the U.N. As a girl, from a young age, you will be told to focus on being a good wife, said Lily Akol, a former deputy agriculture minister and one of the few women to earn a university degree. Once you go and get educated, you are not seen as a good traditional African or South Sudanese girl. Educated women are seen as arrogant, disrespectful and promiscuous, she said. Phuong Nguyen, the UNICEF representative in South Sudan, said some families worry that sending girls to school exposes them to dangers such as sexual assault that could lower their value when it comes time to look for marriage offers. You have some communities that are very anti-education because they dont understand the value of it, she said. Girls are considered a commodity. The earlier theyre married off, the less the burden. In March, the U.N. announced a campaign to eliminate child marriage worldwide by 2030. This type of culture takes time to change, Nguyen said. For some girls, running away is the only escape. In a shelter for vulnerable children in the capital, a 16-year-old girl told the story of how she had fled three years earlier after her father died and her brothers planned to marry her off. Her mother secretly encouraged her to run. So one day, the girl pretended she was going to fetch water and never came back. Like other girls who fled their families or their marriages, she spoke on condition that her name not be used, out of fear that she could be traced and returned. She heard they married off her 13-year-old sister last year. I cried for two days, and I couldnt even eat, she said. Living in the shelter, lost from her family, she attends school and dreams of becoming the minister of education someday: Id make sure young girls are taken care of, and early marriage comes to an end so everyone can go to school. A more likely fate for girls who fled to Juba are the brothels. At one lodge, as the establishments are known, the girls are as young as 13. One bony child with short hair, wearing a T-shirt and pants, could be mistaken for a boy. Another was abandoned at age 9 and found on the street by a soldier. He sent the girl to live with his mother, then married her when she was 12. Then I got his first child, she explained. Now she is 23 and a widow, her husband killed in war three years ago. Their son lives with his grandmother. Also here is the 19-year-old whose uncle took her to village three years ago to become the sixth wife of an elderly man. The higher-ranking wives were constantly forcing her to fetch firewood and grind maize. They all treated me like a child in their house, she recalled. I didnt have enough food or clothing. They made me work so hard. After less than a year, she fled and eventually wound up at the brothel. At first, she hoped she could stay there without having to sleep with men, but it doesnt work that way. I sell myself, she said. It was a hard decision. I feel very uncomfortable. But I can get something to eat. I can dress myself with what I do. Some days I can go with only three men, and thats enough money. She has vowed never to return to her husband, and her uncle has said he would kill her if she tried to return home. Sometimes her life at the brothel feels so hard that when there are no customers, she just sleeps, to escape thinking at all. Robyn Dixon and Sarah Hylton prepared this story as part of a fellowship with the International Womens Media Foundation. ALSO Zikas unrelenting march across the Americas: An emergency that we need to address Powerful Syrian opposition group splits with Al Qaeda but not with its philosophy Killed in a car accident, cremated, and then he returned: Mystery shrouds one mans disappearance in China Americans are traveling to Mexico because medicines are cheaper there as well as healthcare. However, the U.S. warned about fake pills being sold in Mexican pharmacies, including some that may even contain fentanyl and methamphetamine. According to Axios, the U.S. State Department told citizens to "exercise caution when purchasing medication in Mexico." It comes as reports of fake pills being laced with illegal drugs like fentanyl and meth being sold in Mexico are spreading. "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," said the travel alert, which was posted on Friday. READ NEXT: Mexico: Teen Boy 'El Chapito' Arrested for Drug-Related Killings of 8 People Counterfeit Pills Sold in Mexico Look Like Legitimate Medication Brands The Los Angeles Times was the first to report on incidences of American tourists buying fake pills in Mexico, with many being fooled by how real these pills look. However, the report noted that these fake pills are being sold on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. These pills are often represented as legitimate medications, such as OxyContin, Percocet, Xanax, and others. The State Department's advisory noted that these pills might be fake as they often do not require a prescription. Most people who take fentanyl do not know they are taking fentanyl until it is too late, with many of them dying of overdose after taking these fake pills. "Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments," the State Department advisory noted. It added that these fake medicines are "readily advertised on social media and can be purchased at small, non-chain pharmacies in Mexico along the border and in tourist areas." Mexico had long attracted Americans for "medical tourism" because it is cheap. However, when four Americans were kidnapped by a notorious drug cartel, resulting in the deaths of two of them, it brought more scrutiny into this practice. It exposed much of what is happening in the U.S. with rising healthcare costs. Mexico President Teases Fentanyl Ban and Blames U.S. Drug Policy After denying that the fentanyl being smuggled into the U.S. was being produced in Mexico, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) has been grappling with the issue of fentanyl and has now admitted that it is now a major security concern in the country. U.S. authorities stated that the majority of the fentanyl being illegally smuggled into the U.S. comes from Mexico, and they are usually made in clandestine Mexican labs and made using chemicals imported from China. AMLO has recently called the anti-drug policies in the U.S. a failure before proposing that Mexico should ban fentanyl in medicine, according to ABC News. The Mexican president added that he would ask doctors and experts whether the use of fentanyl could be ended and also reduce its illicit use. He said the Mexican government would also ask the U.S. if it could end the medical use of the drug in the country. READ MORE: Mexico Kidnapping Update: Drug Cartel Sends Apology Letter This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Cartels Are Making Millions on Fentanyl-Laced Medicine - From VICE Miami spring break celebrations were interrupted after two fatal shootings and "excessively huge and disorderly crowds" prompted the mayor of Miami Beach to declare a state of emergency and impose a curfew on Sunday. "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 an 11:59 p.m. curfew to take effect on Sunday, March 19, 2023, through 6 a.m. Monday, March 20, 2023," the statement said. "The city will hold a special commission meeting on Monday afternoon to discuss potential restrictions beyond Monday," it added. The announcement noted that the city manager intends to impose an additional Miami Beach curfew from March 23 to March 27, CNN reported. A person was fatally shot, and another was injured on Friday as the Miami shooting erupted in South Beach, a famous destination for St. Patrick's Day and Spring Break celebrations. According to authorities, four guns were found at the scene. One person was also fatally shot, and another was hurt Sunday morning, according to Miami Beach Police. READ NEXT: 2 Spring Breakers Arrested for Drugging, Raping a Woman Miami Shooting Incidents One man died, and another was critically wounded in the Friday night shooting, which sent panicked patrons fleeing into the streets from nearby bars and restaurants, according to ABC News. Police discovered four firearms at the location, and one person was apprehended, but no other information has been released. Another shooting happened Sunday around 3:30 a.m. on Ocean Drive in South Beach, said Miami Beach police. A man was shot and died shortly at a hospital while authorities pursued a suspect on foot, police said on Twitter. No other infirmation was also released. A video message from Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber was posted on Sunday. He warned that despite a significant police presence and several city-sponsored events designed to keep people safe, the threat that cannot go unchecked is the large crowds and the presence of multiple firearms. "We don't ask for spring break in our city," the mayor said, adding that they do not want spring break in Miami since it is "too rowdy, it's too much disorder, and it's too difficult to police." Miami Beach Curfew The curfew restrictions require businesses to close at midnight. However, hotels can stay open to serve their customers. The curfew will not apply to residents, persons traveling to and from work, emergency services personnel, or hotel guests, according to the city's press release, adding that restaurants may remain open solely for delivery, NBC Miami reported. Travel disruptions are expected, with certain highways closed, and visitors at some hotels may be required to produce confirmation of their reservations. A Miami Beach similar curfew was also imposed in 2017 after two shootings occurred. Moreover, during a particularly violent Miami spring break the year before, Miami Beach authorities took measures to simmer things down by making over a thousand arrests and seizing dozens of guns. "I'm at my wit's end trying to figure out how to deal with this crowd with the numbers that are here and with what we are encountering during the policing of this particular event," Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Clements said at the time. READ MORE: Florida Beachgoers During Spring Break at Risk This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Miami Beach Implements Curfew Following Fatal Shootings During Spring Break - From WPLG Local 10 Former President Donald Trump said he expects to be arrested on Tuesday in relation to the yearslong probe of the hush money scheme that involved adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump then called on his supporters to protest any such move. The former president referred to himself as the "leading Republican candidate," when he announced in a social media post about his possible arrest, according to CNN. However, he did not detail the reason behind his potential arrest this week. Trump's team noted after he published the post that they had not received any notifications from prosecutors. Joe Tacopina, an attorney for Trump, said the former president based his announcement on press reports. CNN's John Miller noted Friday that several meetings were being held throughout the week discussing preparations for a possible indictment of Trump. A source familiar with the matter noted that another witness is expected to testify Monday before the grand jury probing the hush money payments. READ NEXT: Donald Trump Visits Ohio Town After Train Derailment, Says Officials 'Indifferent' Kevin McCarthy Dissuading Protests and Violence House Speaker Kevin McCarthy tried to diminish the calls for protests and violence after Donald Trump announced that he expected to be arrested on Tuesday and called his supporters to protest on his behalf. McCarthy said in a press conference that he does not think "people should protest this stuff," The Hill reported. The House Speaker went on to say that Trump was calling for others to "educate people about what's going on," and was not talking "in a harmful way." The Republican leader also said that if the arrest were to happen, they would want "calmness" instead of violence or harm. Trump said to "protest" and "take our nation back," if the arrest were to take place. His rhetoric has caused worried about possible violence, citing comparisons to the January 6 Capitol riot, wherein he claimed that the 2020 election was stolen against him. Donald Trump to Be Arrested Donald Trump's allies had commented about his potential arrest. Former Vice President Mike Pence said the possibility that a former president being indicted "is deeply troubling" for him, The Guardian reported. Democrat Nancy Pelosi also commented on the matter, saying that Trump's announcement was "reckless." The former House Speaker noted that Trump will not be able to hide his "violations of the law," disrespect for the elections, and inciting violence. Trump said he would continue his presidential campaign even if indicted. When asked if Trump should drop out if he was indicted, Pence noted that it is a "free country" and everyone can make their own decisions. Pence is seen to launch a campaign for the Republican nomination, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has yet to confirm his projected White House bid. The case pertains to Stormy Daniels receiving $130,000 n 2016, aimed at discouraging her from going public during the election about allegations that she had a sexual relationship with Trump in 2006. The former president was married at the time. Trump has denied the claims of infidelity against him. READ MORE: Donald Trump Says FBI Agents Raided Mar-A-Lago Home; Agency's Visit Unannounced This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Donald Trump Calls for Protests as Possible Arrest Looms - From CBS Evening News As the first pope from Latin America, Pope Francis has been very busy with matters concerning the region. During his weekly Sunday noon blessing, he offered prayers to the people of Ecuador and Peru following a massive earthquake. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocked the coastal areas between Ecuador and Peru, with at least 14 deaths in Ecuador and at least one in Peru. The disaster brought down homes and buildings in various communities, as well as injured hundreds of people. According to the Associated Press, Ecuador was the hardest hit, with Pope Francis saying in his Sunday address, "I'm close to the Ecuadorean people and assure them of my prayers for the dead and suffering." Rescue Operations Still Ongoing in Ecuador After Deadly Earthquake As Pope Francis sent his prayers for the people affected by this massive earthquake, rescue operations are still happening in Ecuador as search and rescue crews sift through the rubble of collapsed buildings to look for any survivors or the dead. One town on Ecuador's South Pacific Coast, Machala, known in the country as the "Banana Capital of the World," was among the hardest-hit areas in the country. Some of its streets have been covered in rubble after the quake, with neighbors holding funerals to bury the dead. READ NEXT: Nicaragua: Daniel Ortega's Government Shutters Catholic Universities, Aid Agency The devastation in Machala was so big that even its port was destroyed, and is now essentially gone, according to the Associated Press. Nine residents have been confirmed dead, with more expected to be reported as rescuers comb through the rubble of fallen homes and buildings. The earthquake was centered just off the Pacific Coast, which is around 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Guayaquil. Of the 14 reported deaths, 12 happened in the state of El Oro alone, which is where Machala is. The earthquake also rocked the highland state of Azuay, causing two more deaths. Vatican City Closes Embassy in Nicaragua as Row Intensifies Over Political Repression Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Church is facing its own crisis just north of Peru and Ecuador. The Vatican continues its years-long struggle for the people of Nicaragua as the Daniel Ortega regime continues its political repression of all dissidents, including members of the Church. The Vatican announced that it had already closed its embassy in Nicaragua after the Ortega administration proposed suspending diplomatic relations. This comes after the Nicaraguan government arrested several priests, including Matagalpa Bishop Rolando Alvarez, and stripped them of their citizenship without any trial. Last year, Nicaragua expelled the Papal Nuncio, the Vatican ambassador to Nicaragua, as well as expelled two congregations of nuns, including the Missionaries of Charity order founded by Mother Teresa, now Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Pope Francis had largely remained silent on the issue until Bishop Alvarez's sentencing. The usually peaceful and calm pope called Ortega's government a "rude dictatorship" comparable to Hitler's that was led by an "unbalanced" president, according to the Associated Press. The Vatican Embassy in Nicaragua was entrusted to the care of the Italian government, following diplomatic conventions. READ NEXT: Pope Benedict XVI: The Complex Legacy He Leaves Behind to Catholics This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Pope Francis calls Nicaragua government 'gross dictatorship' amid Catholic church crackdown - NBC News One Florida woman was arrested after threatening a fast-food employee at a McDonald's drive-thru and pointing a gun at them. The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Quavi Young. She was booked into jail on three charges: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, open carry of a weapon, and driving with a suspended license. Officers arrived at the scene and found a black M&P gun with a drum-style magazine, which has the capacity to hold up to 50 rounds. The magazine and the gun were found in the Florida woman's passenger seat, according to Law and Crime. Young's arrest report noted that she was aware that her license was suspended. She is set to be arraigned on April 23, 2023. READ NEXT: Florida: Ron DeSantis Takes Drastic Action Amid Fears of Mass Migration Florida Woman at McDonald's Drive-Thru Click Orlando News reported that the commotion started when Young allegedly ordered a "cheeseburger bundle," which was a combo similar to what can be done for McDoubles or McChickens. However, it was not part of the fast-food restaurant's menu, which prompted the employee to offer to sell her a cheeseburger and an a la carte order of small fries instead. Police said that Young pulled up to the drive-thru window and demanded that her order be taken. The McDonald's employee asked her what her problem was and why she was so mad. Young responded by pulling out a gun and pointing it at the worker and said, "she'll push her shit back." Police said that Young then later drove to the next window. The employee said that it was not the first time that Young visited the branch. The employee added that things were "a little busy" in the drive-thru lane during the first encounter with Young. Young was given a $7,5000 bond amount and bonded out Saturday morning, according to records. It was not the first time that the fast-food chain had a such incident. Florida Woman Brandishing Gun at McDonald's In February, a Florida woman from Altamonte Springs was arrested and booked into jail after she reportedly loaded a handgun and waved it at a McDonald's drive-thru, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando. The suspect was identified as 24-year-old Amari Bente Hendricks. She was detained in the Seminole County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, an improper exhibit of a firearm, battery causing bodily harm, and resisting an officer. The McDonald's worker told police that the woman was asked that no one asked her if she was using the fast-food chain's rewards program, which led to her not receiving a free cookie, according to arrest records. The worker told officers that Hendricks grabbed a handgun, inserted a magazine, and proceeded to rack the slide. They then heard clicking sounds "associated with someone chambering a round." Employees then locked the door out of fear for their lives while Hendricks was forcing herself inside the restaurant. One employee was struck multiple times, and Hendrick forced him out of the building. The employee had multiple scratches on his face and neck. READ MORE: Ron DeSantis Beats Donald Trump in Hypothetical 2024 Match-up for Republican Presidential Nomination: New Poll This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Florida woman pulls gun in McDonalds drive-thru over item not on menu, police say - from WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando At a vigil held at the same location where two others were shot the day before, four people were injured in a Texas mass shooting on Saturday night, according to authorities. It marks this year's fourth mass shooting in Dallas. A vigil was being held Saturday night around 9 p.m. for the one person who was killed and another who was injured in a shooting on Friday, The Dallas Morning News noted. That same night, a passing car's passenger opened fire on the crowd, and several of the crowd members fired back. Four people were shot and taken to the hospital, said the Dallas police. No one has been arrested in connection with the shooting on Saturday, but the car is described to be a white Chrysler, according to Dallas police. READ NEXT: Texas Walmart Shooting The Recent Texas Mass Shooting Incident The incident occurred in the 7400 block of S. Westmoreland Road before 9:30 p.m. Donavon Jones, 19, was killed recently, and a candlelight vigil was organized outside a store in his honor. A white Chrysler allegedly drove by the vigil and fired fire, according to the police. Participants in the vigil fired back at the vehicle before it drove away. The shooting resulted in the hospitalization of four individuals, but they are now in stable condition, according to police. The mother of a teen who died Friday was also a victim during Saturday's shooting. She was wounded in the back but was released from the hospital on Sunday, per Fox 4. The police officials from Dallas returned for the third consecutive time to the scene of an ongoing investigation at the Discount Food Store at the intersection of Gannon Lane and South Westmoreland Road Sunday. The Saturday night Texas mass shooting scene, which left four people injured, was examined by crime scene investigators who collected shell casings and photographed the scene. A vigil from the previous night, cut short by gunshots, has left behind a trail of flowers and balloons. The Previous Shooting Incident Dallas police have provided details of the Texas mass shooting in the same neighborhood on Friday afternoon, but there is no evidence to suggest that the two are related, WFAA reports. Jacory Simpson, 23, was found with a gunshot wound inside a shop, and he was sent to the hospital in critical condition, according to the police. Another male, identified by police as 19-year-old Donavon Jones, had been shot, brought to a nearby hospital, and died Saturday, as confirmed by authorities. An investigation by the police showed that Simpson and Taquan Cooks, 20, had gotten into an altercation outside the establishment. Following that, Cooks allegedly shot Simpson, according to the authorities. Simpson allegedly shot Jones in the parking lot after that and fled into the store, according to the police. Although Simpson is still in the hospital, police say he will be charged with murder and unauthorized carrying of a firearm, and Cooks have been detained and charged with assault causing bodily injury. Since the Texas mass shooting investigation is still underway, no additional information has been made public. READ MORE: Miami Spring Break Curfew Set After 2 Fatal Shootings This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: 4 people shot in Dallas, police say - From WFAA A delegation of the Supreme Court of Kenya which was led by the Hon'ble Chief Justice Martha Koome visited India last week. They were invited to the Rashtrapati Bhavan where they met President Droupadi Murmu along with Professor SP Singh Baghel, Law and Justice Minister for State. During the discussion, the Kenyan delegation applauded the ability of the Indian Judiciary for the use of modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence to translate its judgements. Justice Koome tweeted about this and also compared the challenges that countries like India and Kenya have to face. She also said that both the countries need to use modern technologies to make access to justice a reality for everyone and not just a select few. In January, Honble Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud had launched the initiative of translating judgements from English into regional languages using AI. The aim behind this was to make justice more accessible as the English language with its legal jargon is not comprehensible for 99% of the population. This move inspired several High Courts to follow the footsteps of the Apex Court. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close A former Fianna Fail Local Area Representative has attacked the Government for putting a new school for Portlaoise for children with severe learning disabilities on hold. Donal Kelly also accused Fianna Fail Minister of State Sean Fleming and Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan of procrastination on the issue when news broke earlier this month. Mr Kelly claimed the most vulnerable in society have been abandoned by the government with the sickening decision to halt the building of the school. I have never been a believer in an either/or scenario although it is hard not to fall into this trap with the news concerning Kolbe School in Portlaoise, he said. As we watch the tedious completion of the new library on Main Street which has shot millions ahead of budget, without so much as a book having been bought so far, it defies all credulity that the Government cannot find the funds to start works on the Kolbe Centre immediately, Mr Kelly stated. Funds are magically, freely available for all and any other less important projects. The fact that the students in this facility are the most in need and vulnerable in our community and have been abandoned by Government is sickening to the core. Any elected representative in our community who has a shred of humanity and common decency now has the opportunity to demonstrate these virtues, he continued in the statement issued on Wednesday, March 8. Sean Fleming had been very quick to make the announcement of the developments at Kolbe in April 2021 and now the silence of the grave has descended on him with respect to the facility. Anybody with a modicum of common sense can see through the fudge he has thrown out with respect to the ESB carrying our preliminary works at the site, this is merely a delay and diversion tactic on his behalf and will undoubtedly be used as an excuse for nothing happening on the site somewhere in the future. While he and his government coalition buddy Charlie Flanagan procrastinate on this matter, the most cherished and vulnerable members of our community have been tossed aside like an old sweater, he wrote. I call on Sean Fleming to make a clear and unambiguous statement with respect to this vital piece of infrastructure immediately and end the suffering of the children and their parents. Quite frankly they have enough to put up with, without the added stress of this reprehensible, cruel and callous decision being brought to bear on them, Mr Kelly concluded. Since Mr Kelly issued the statement, Deputy Charlie Flanagan said he has received assurance from An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the Minister of State for Special Education, Josepha Madigan, on the matter of Kolbe Special School. Following reports that the project may be delayed along with 57 other school projects, I had an early meeting with Minister Madigan who assured me that any delays of a technical appraisal will be no more than four weeks, he said. At the same time, Minister Fleming contacted Minister for Education Norma Foley and Kolbe School Principal Orlagh Mahon. I fully understand that the pupils in Kolbe Special School are the most vulnerable in our society as they have severe and profound disabilities and special needs. I believe we should do everything possible to provide the best facilities for the pupils to spend their childhood and adolescent years as urgently as possible, Minister Fleming said. A new Kolbe Special School is my top priority. This will happen despite this delay, Minister Fleming added. The Department of Education says it is in discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure on the cost of developing Kolbe and 57 other schools around Ireland that have been put on hold. Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has said he wants to know if there is enough money in a 12 billion National Development Plan fund to pay for all the schools. The Kolbe school is costed at 9 million. Planning permission is already in place. A road in south Laois is so treacherous that it could have be included in a TV programme about some of the worst roads in the world. Thats according to Cllr James Kelly, Independent, who called for action on the Old Camp Lane, Ballaghmore, He tabled a motion calling on the council to carry out urgent remedial works because it is in a dangerous state of repair. Cllr Kelly elaborated saying it could be on an episode of BBC show presented by Irish actor Adrian Dunbar. This is a treacherous laneThere is a programme on TV called the World's Most Dangerous Roads and I would say this road could fit the bill, he said. He said there is an open drain on the side of what is a busy road. He said residents, farmers and trucks use the road. He welcomed the promise to fix the open drain. I would urge that the works be done this year as there is going to be a serious accident, he said. Cllr Kelly was backed by Cllr Conor Bergin, Fine Gael, who said it was an extremely dangerous road. He said theres also a risk of collapse caused by subsidence. He hoped an application from residence for funding under the Community Involvement Scheme would be approved for work. However, Cllr Bergin was concerned at the cost faced by residents in contributing to the repair due to the road being 1km in length. In a written reply, Edmond Kenny, District Engineer, said Laois County Council would arrange to meet the Elected Member to inspect the Lane. He said an application to resurface the Lane will be considered under a Community Involvement Scheme. The issue was raised at the recent Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting in County Hall, Portlaoise. A public meeting is being held over the government decision to put Kolbe Special School building on hold. The decision, which was widely condemned, caused distress to staff, parents and students attending the school for children, many of whom have severe learning disabilities. Now the community is being invited to attend a meeting to discuss the plight of the long awaited facility which caters for 43 students. Students at Kolbe Special School are being taught in unsuitable conditions and there had been hope of a new school building by the end of 2024. However, just days after preliminary works began at the site in Portlaoise, staff, parents and students were informed that the works were being placed on hold pending a budget review. The decision was met with anger, frustration and heartbreak and the government has yet to confirm the decision has been reversed. Elected members of Portlaoise Municipal District recently called for the decision to not only be reversed but for the building process to be expedited. The public meeting is taking place in St Mary's Hall in Portlaoise this Wednesday, March 22 at 7.30pm. Portlaoise Mens Shed will paint a town bench yellow as part of a new initiative to highlight the supports available from the Irish Cancer Society. Councillors Thomasina Connell, Caroline Dwane Stanley, Catherine Fitzgerald, Marie Tuohy, Barry Walsh, John Joe Fennelly and Willie Aird put down a motion on the matter at the last Portlaoise Municipal District meeting. They asked that Laois County Council allow the use of an existing bench in Portlaoise town area, that will then be painted Daffodil Yellow by the local Men's Shed. Once painted, they will place a QR Code plaque, with all relevant logos, on the bench that will link people directly to Irish Cancer Society supports and services. Benches are a place of rest but also a place of reflection. A place where people take time to think things through and set things straight. The Irish Cancer Society have contacted all the Portlaoise MD councillors for their support and have commented that people aren't aware of the volume of supports and services that the Irish Cancer Society provide and this project represents a way of putting a visual reminder of those supports right in the heart of our communities." In his response, Senior Executive Engineer, Wes Wilkinson said I will make myself available to meet with the Portlaoise MD Councillors to choose a bench in a suitable location for this initiative. Cllr Barry Walsh expressed his belief that the bench should be located in a location that was well used in the town. He said the Southern Circular is being proposed and he believed it was a suitable location. Cllr John Joe Fennelly welcomed the councils response to the motion. I think it is a project that should be rolled out to all the towns and villages. Everybody is affected in different areas, he said. Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley also supported the motion. She also said it was important to recognise that the Irish Cancer Society provides fantastic services and carries out great work. 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. AccountancySchool.ie students Fearghus Mahon and James Doyle from Celbridge and Manman Wu from Maynooth all celebrated success recently in their ACCA (Association of Certified Chartered Accountants) exams. Fearghus ranked first in the world (and in Ireland) in Advanced Performance Management while James secured first in Ireland and 17th place in his Audit and Assurance exam. Additionally, Manman Wu from Maynooth secured first in Ireland and 4th place in the world rankings in her Advanced Financial Management exam. Commenting on why he chose to study for ACCA qualifications, Trinity College Dublin alumnus Fearghus commented, I was looking for a qualification that would allow me to apply my problem-solving and data analysis skills in the financial services sector, and the ACCA provided exactly that. With its globally recognized qualification and diverse curriculum, I was able to gain a broad range of skills and knowledge to build my career in this field." James explains he initially chose accounting for its broad scope and flexibility, opting for internationally respected ACCA as his pathway to qualification. With high praise from colleagues, Accountancy School's platinum approved education provider offered the best possible tuition. Post-qualification, James aims to explore career prospects in financial planning and analysis. With a background in foreign exchange policy research at the Central Bank of China, Manman chose Accountancy School for its high-quality tutors and courses that are tailored to non-native English speakers. Her advice for those starting their ACCA journey is to choose the right tutor, as it can greatly impact their success. AccountancySchool.ie is a Platinum Approved Learning Partner of the ACCA, the globally recognised accountancy qualification. It is a badge of quality and professionalism that ensures the ACCA tuition provider is of the highest standard. AccountancySchool.ie is one of only four Platinum Approved Learning Partners of the ACCA in Ireland with the School achieving consistently high pass rates of up to 96 percent. The School offers a flexible approach to students studying for ACCA exams where they can choose either to study fully online or take a blended learning approach. AccountancySchool.ie is based on Fitzwilliam Street in Dublin 2 and can be contacted through its website at: www.accountancyschool.ie. Fitness Qigong gains popularity with younger generation People's Daily Online) 13:54, March 20, 2023 Baduanjin, a form of fitness Qigong, has been trending with Chinese younger generations, thanks to its health benefits. Last year, fashion designer Jiang Xi took up Baduanjin. She posted videos of her practicing Baduanjin on social media, and attracted more than 10,000 followers in four months. Most of her followers are aged between 20 to 30. When practicing Baduanjin, all you need to do is to focus on your body and health, moving slowly in a comfortable rhythm, and liberate yourself from the anxiety of living alone in big cities, said Jiang Xi. Jiang Xi posts Baduanjin practice videos on social media. (Photo/Xinhua) Under her influence and persuasion, Jiang Xis older brother Jiang Nan also became a vlogger of Baduanjin. Living in different cities, the siblings have found new kinship ties in Baduanjin. Jiang Nan (second from left) and his friends practice Baduanjin by the sea. (Photo/Xinhua) Every week, a group of youngers practice Taichi by the lake in Xiaogang park of Guangzhou city, south Chinas Guangdong Province. Feng Junhua is the organizer of martial arts practicing. He gathers youngsters interested in martial arts and health maintenance, and finds a comfortable place in the park to let them relax their bodies. Practicing martial arts is low-cost and people are free from the burden of socializing. These attributes attract young people living in the metropolis to participate, said Feng. Traditional regimens have not only gained popularity among youngsters in China, but also become famous abroad. Liu Jianan, 31, is a Chinese teacher in the United Arab Emirates. He and his friends organize non-profit lessons of Chinese regimens and have attracted many foreign students. At Expo 2020 Dubai, Liu and his friends were invited by the China Pavilion to perform traditional martial arts. During the practices, people felt the profound Chinese culture and benefits to their bodies, said Liu. Liu Jianan teaches foreign students Chinese martial arts in front of the China Pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo/Xinhua) Traditional Chinese culture requires the inheritance of young generations. Young people are seeking their inner order in an evolving world. Traditional martial arts and regimens have brought a concrete and natural way of life in conformity with their inner selves. This is where young people and traditional Chinese culture blend. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Live maggots and a bloody plaster in a curry were just some of the growing number of complaints received by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in the past year. A total of 7,363 queries and complaints were handled by the FSAI Advice Line in 2022. Announcing details today of the complaints and queries last year, the FSAI stated that there were 4,058 complaints from consumers, with 31% of complaints relating to unfit food and 28% to poor hygiene standards. Overall, the 2022 complaints saw a 18.9% increase compared with 2021 figures, continuing an overall upwards trend over the past decade. Foreign body contamination of food was frequently reported in 2022. Commonly reported objects in food included: pieces of glass; wood; plastic; paper; metal; hairs; small stones; medicine tablets; and insects. Examples include: a live snail in a pack of spinach; live maggots in fried chicken; part of a disposable glove in a rocky road biscuit; a dirty and possibly bloody plaster in a curry; a false nail in garlic cheese chips; a piece of glass in coffee beans; and metal shavings in chicken wings. Complaints regarding unfit food cited meats not cooked completely; mould found on food products; food on sale past their use-by date; and food served cold instead of hot. The second most frequently reported topic related to poor hygiene standards. Hygiene issues reported included: fish deliveries left outside in the sun; excessive flies and overall dirty food business premises; rodent droppings spotted; bathrooms lacking soap; and staff not washing hands and other poor staff hygiene habits. Aside from unfit food and poor hygiene standards, other consumer complaints ranged from reports of suspected food poisoning to a failure to display allergen information. The breakdown of complaints are as follows: Unfit food: 1,258 Hygiene standards: 1,124 Suspect food poisoning: 1,122 Labelling: 150 Allergen information: 127 Unregistered food business: 63 Others: 214 All complaints received by the FSAI in 2022 were followed up and investigated by food inspectors throughout the country. Food businesses should refer to the FSAI website for the most up-to-date advice on issues such as how to determine product shelf-life and how to declare it on a label; how to develop and implement a food safety management system; and how to comply with microbiological criteria to ensure that food is of acceptable quality. Those thinking of starting a food business can also find resources and training on the FSAI website. The FSAIs Advice Line also offers advice and information and during 2022, there were 3,305 food safety queries from people working in the food service sector; manufacturers; retailers; distributors; researchers; consultants; and consumers. Popular topics included: best practice in food businesses and food safety legislation; food supplement legislation; requests for FSAI publications; imports/exports and several others. Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI commented that the reporting of food safety issues plays a vital role in complementing the work of the food safety inspectorate. "We commend members of the public, as well as the food industry for reporting food safety issues. Food businesses have a legal obligation to provide safe food and people noticing and contacting us is of great benefit to the Environmental Health Officers, veterinary and agricultural inspectors, sea-fisheries inspection officers and the laboratories. "While they carry out routine inspections throughout the country and analyse food samples, complaints assist in targeting an issue and ensure possible threats to public health are dealt with quickly. The increase in complaints is a positive indication of peoples heightened awareness of their right to expect high standards of hygiene and food safety in relation to food. In 2022, the FSAI ran a digital communications campaign entitled See Something, Say Something which aimed to raise awareness amongst consumers of our online complaint service. We encourage anyone who encounters poor hygiene or food safety standards in a food business to report the matter to the FSAI, so that it can be investigated by the relevant food safety inspectorate," said Dr Byrne. The FSAI Advice Line is open during usual working hours from 10am to 4pm weekdays, manned by food scientists and trained advisors and can be reached at info@fsai.ie or through the online complaint form make it better on the FSAI website. The FSAI Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages are also resources with up-to-the-minute information in relation food safety: www.facebook.com/FSAI and @FSAIinfo. Leitrim Public Participation Network (PPN) has issued an invitation to community and voluntary groups in Leitrim to join Leitrim PPN and help build a better future for the county. The call-out comes as a new national brand identity and awareness campaign for Public Participation Networks was launched recently by Minister for Community Development and Charities, Joe OBrien in Dublin. Each county and city in Ireland have its own PPN. Leitrim PPN is one of 31 PPNs that have been established in all local authority areas in the State, and its membership stands at 361 organisations. Nationally, more than 18,000 community and voluntary groups are currently members of a PPN. Public Participation Networks allow local authorities to connect with community groups around their county. PPNs give people a greater say in local government decisions that affect their communities. Lar Power, Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council explains The PPN structure offer Local Authorities a way to collaborate directly with community and voluntary groups, who give so freely of their time to contribute to making their communities the best that they can be. Leitrim PPN plays an important role in developing our key policies and strategies within the Local Authority by sitting on a number of committees such as SPCs, JPC and PEACEPLUS Partnership committee and being involved in consultation on Strategies such as Leitrim Recreation Strategy 2022-2031 and Leitrim Economic and Community Plan 2023-2029. Leitrim County Council and Leitrim PPN work collaboratively to ensure that PPN members are kept informed of all funding streams available to community and voluntary groups in the County. We also work together on activities such as annual Love Where You Live Awards. This campaign will boost the profiles of PPNs, which is well-deserved in light of their work. I would encourage all community and voluntary groups in the County to join your PPN and avail of the many benefits of being a PPN member. We in Leitrim Development Company are delighted to be hosting the Leitrim PPN and seeing it up and running again for the benefit of the community groups in County Leitrim. Whenever the local authority and other agencies needs representative from the community to participate in consultations or sit on the committees that form policies it will call on the PPN to select these people by holding elections from amongst its members. It does not cost anything to register with the PPN and we encourage all eligible voluntary, community and environmental groups to register. They circulate an e bulletin to registered member groups every two weeks with invaluable information on funding, training and community news. The purpose of the PPN is to allow registered groups to give input and have their voices heard within the formal decision-making structures of the council and other bodies, said Chris Gonley CEO of LDCo. Jan Melia from The Organic Centre in Rossinver who is a member of Leitrim PPN, said: As a member of the PPN the Organic Centre hears the latest news and views from organisations across Leitrim and is able to network with a wide range of groups. The time allocated to the PPN is invaluable and as Manager I would encourage groups to get involved in the PPN to make sure that they can share their views on the local area, environment and economy. The PPN connects members to community and regional events and activities, like the Love Where you Live Awards developed and delivered in conjunction with Leitrim County Council. Since joining the PPN the Centre is better connected, and we have access to new opportunities and information. All groups are invited to get involved and join the PPN. Teresa O'Callaghan, Manager/Administrator of Carrick-on-Shannon Heritage Group & St George's Heritage & Visitor Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon said Carrick-on-Shannon Heritage Group has been a member of the Leitrim PPN since 2014 and we have been pleased with the support, training courses and opportunities to meet other PPN groups and members of community & voluntary groups several times per year. We have hosted several events and consultations involving the PPN. Mary Mc Keon Leitrim PPN Resource Worker added Leitrim PPN hold two plenary meetings a year, they are an opportunity for PPN member groups to meet, network and have a say on the work of the PPN. We offer free training courses for members; share information on funding, grants and proposals or decisions being made in the county. We want our PPN to be representative of the people of Leitrim in all their diversity, and invite all community and voluntary groups in the county to visit our website and follow Leitrim PPN on social media for the latest community news. We look forward to the website being re-developed this year, linkage groups set up and re-registration of all groups. Speaking at the launch of the PPNs new national brand identity and awareness campaign, Minister OBrien encouraged volunteer-led groups around the country, and particularly young people, to join their local PPN. He said: Public Participation Networks give communities across Ireland a voice in local decision-making and bring valuable on-the-ground, experience and expertise into local and national policy development The strength and impact of PPNs can be seen in how they represented volunteers and community groups within the responses to Covid-19, working with local authorities and state agencies. Through local action, PPNs also contribute to policymaking at national level, such as the development of the Climate Action Plan 2021, when PPNs hosted and facilitated important local community conversations around the country. PPNs play an important role in developing our key policies and strategies, and each Local Authority provides considerable support to their local PPNs in recognition of this. This campaign will boost the profiles of PPNs, which is well-deserved in light of their work. Leitrim PPN is funded by the Department of Community and Rural Development and Leitrim County Council and hosted by Leitrim Development Company in Drumshanbo. Further information www.leitrimppn.ie and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/leitrimppn Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (right) at a ceremony on Sunday, March 19, in Paris, organized by a French Jewish organization close to the far right. TWITTER ACCOUNT OF NILLI KUPFER-NAOURI (EVENT ORGANIZER) The Israeli ultranationalist Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister in Netanyahu's government and open Jewish supremacist, participated on Sunday, March 19, in a gala evening in Paris, organized by "Israel is Forever," a French Jewish association close to the far right. Although it had been announced 10 days beforehand, Smotrich's arrival on the banks of the Seine was a surprise. In the middle of the previous week, following protests from pro-Palestinian movements and human rights organizations, Israeli media reported that the 43-year-old leader of the Religious Zionist Party had given up on the trip. Smotrich, who arrived from the United States, where he had no official meeting, only stayed a few hours in Paris and did not meet with government officials. The French Foreign Office had made it known last week that it had no intention of receiving the controversial Israeli minister. During the ceremony, Smotrich spoke from behind a lectern decorated with a map that included not only the Jewish state and the occupied Palestinian territories but also the territory of present-day Jordan: the Greater Israel area for the proponents of an expansionist ideology. He gave a speech in which he urged French Jews to settle in Israel, a common call from Israeli leaders visiting France. But Smotrich (who recently called for the Palestinian village of Huwara in the West Bank to be "wiped out" in retaliation for the murder of two Jewish settlers) also made remarks full of contempt for the Palestinians. 'There are just Arabs' "Do you know who the Palestinians are?" Smotrich asked at the start of his diatribe, which was streamed live on Facebook. "I am Palestinian," he replied to the cheers of the audience, about 100 people, judging by the images on Facebook. "My grandfather, a 13th-generation Jerusalemite, was Palestinian. The Palestinian people are an invention of less than a hundred years. Do they have a history, a culture? No, they do not. There are no Palestinians, there are just Arabs." The evening took place in Les Salons Hoche, a luxurious reception center near the Champs-Elysees, decorated for the occasion with Israeli flags. The event was dedicated to the memory of the founder of "Israel is Forever," Jacques Kupfer, a controversial figure in French Judaism. This former leader of the Likud of France and ex-member of the leadership of the World Zionist Organization died in 2021 in Israel. A supporter of the annexation of the West Bank, known for his anti-Arab racism, Kupfer distinguished himself after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin in November 1995 by declaring that he regretted that the late Israeli prime minister had not been tried by a military tribunal for high treason, as a signatory of the Oslo peace agreements. You have 53.62% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. Two International Committee of the Red Cross employees kidnapped in early March in northern Mali were released on Sunday, March 19 the organisation's Malian branch announced. "We confirm that the two ICRC employees kidnapped on March 4 between (the cities of) Gao and Kidal in northern Mali were released this evening," it said on Twitter. "Our colleagues are well and have been released unharmed without conditions. We thank all those who contributed to their release." Read more Two Red Cross employees kidnapped in Mali 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 ? Mali has been gripped by a security and political crisis since 2012 when jihadist and separatist insurgencies broke out in the country's north. Jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have escalated their operations into central Mali, and the unrest has spread to neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso. Thousands of civilians, police and troops have been killed across the region, and more than two million people have fled their homes. The ICRC has been in Mali for over three decades. Its director of operations, Martin Schuepp, said last year that crime was rife in the country and posed a security challenge. Security woes Mali is ruled by a junta that last year forced France to remove troops deployed there a decade ago on an anti-jihadist mission. In the absence of French troops, the junta has brought in Russia's Wagner group to boost government forces. With government control weak in some parts of the country, kidnappings have become common. Motives range from ransom demands to acts of reprisal. A World Health Organization doctor was abducted in Mali in January, and was freed in February. In May, armed men kidnapped three Italians and a Togolese national in the country's southeast. Le Monde with AFP Only three years ago, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, France was rocked by its first Covid-19 lockdown. "We are at war," Emmanuel Macron declared in an address that has stuck in the minds of many. The initial Covid-19 outbreak was progressing rapidly and worryingly, as Macron sounded a "general call to arms" against a virus described as an "invisible, elusive enemy." Since then, two further less strict lockdowns have followed, along with nine waves, and 53 million French people vaccinated. Three years after the lockdown, the country seems to have turned the page on a pandemic that caused the deaths of at least 165,000 people in France. However, while infection rates are no longer worrying, and everything suggests that collective immunity is high on French soil, Covid-19 still circulates in France. Slowing down Peaking at the end of December 2022, the ninth wave has passed, but not without difficulties for the French hospital system which was faced with a triple case of viruses this past winter, including bronchiolitis and the flu. "In general, we can say that the virus is probably still circulating with a fairly high level of activity and is still causing its share of hospitalizations and deaths, as well as long Covid," said Antoine Flahaut, director of the Institute for Global Health in Geneva. But the good news is that vaccination and immunity acquired from multiple waves of the pandemic "have transformed the situation, given that hospitals and intensive care units are no longer saturated." The national agency Sante Publique France (Public Health France, SPF), noted on March 8 that indicators were at "low levels," with "stabilization" of the incidence rate, "a slight increase" in the positivity rate, and hospitalizations "down." With fewer than 300 new daily admissions in February, the number of patients in the hospital has been broadly stable for more than a month. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Is the Covid-19 epidemic really over in 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 ? On the virological front, the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant is gaining ground. It's a variant of Sars-CoV-2 that the World Health Organization (WHO) considers to be "the most contagious detected to date." However, available data "do not suggest that XBB.1.5 poses additional public health risks compared to other Omicron sublineages." "It's less severe but highly transmissible, and responds well to the vaccine with respect to protection against severe forms," summarized Antoine Flahaut. On its way to becoming the next dominant strain, this sub-variant seems to be at the root of pandemic growth observed in early March. More than 6,000 daily cases of Covid-19 are being detected, up from 3,500 just a few days ago. New hospitalizations are also increasing (8% compared to last week) with 336 new daily hospital admissions. However, these indicators perhaps skewed by the easing of screening rules are still "at low levels" said SPF. The elderly and immunocompromised on the front line Covid-19 has caused more than 6.8 million deaths worldwide according to the WHO, including 2.2 million in Europe and about 165,000 in France (with 40,000 deaths in 2022). Although the Omicron sub-variants prevalent in France are not as virulent as its predecessors Delta and Alpha, and a very large part of the population is now vaccinated (8 out of 10 French people have received at least two doses), the virus still kills. Today, between 20 and 30 French people die from Covid-19 every day. It's a figure far removed from the 500 daily deaths recorded in the first wave, but not negligible. The majority of deaths occur in hospitals and affect men more than women (58%, compared to 42% for women). This isn't an unprecedented trend. The Directorate of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics (DREES) was already observing an overrepresentation of men in hospital deaths in March 2022. Covid-19 deaths by age group Between March 2022 and March 2023, more than 60% of Covid-19-related deaths involved French people aged 80 and over. Source : Source : Data.gouv.fr The elderly have increased vulnerability to viruses and a higher risk of severe illness and death. In the past six months, 85% of French people who died of Covid-19 were more than 70 years old. Only 5% were younger than 60. "We have the impression that we're out of the pandemic, especially since the ninth wave had a moderate impact on intensive care services. But there are still patients arriving due to Covid-19," said Jean-Michel Constantin, a member of the anesthesia ICU department at the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris (AP-HP). "And among patients who were not originally admitted for Covid, but whose condition has worsened because of the disease, they're mainly elderly people whose vaccination statuses are not up to date." This finding echoes the failure of the winter 2022 vaccine booster campaign. Fewer than 10% of those over 80 years of age had received a new injection by early December as the country experienced a rebound. Individuals with comorbidities or who are immunocompromised are also at risk for severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In 2022, this population approximately 230,000 people accounted for 30% of Covid-19-related life-support in some hospitals. The risk is higher than for the flu virus. "It's the most vulnerable people who are still dying from Covid-19," confirmed Antoine Pons, an anesthesiologist-life support medic at Strasbourg University Hospitals. This means "patients with weakened immune defenses, heart, liver, lung problems, those who've had transplants, and so on." The practitioner cites the vulnerability of transplant patients who've developed a poorer vaccine response, and whose use of antiviral drugs (such as Paxlovid) is contraindicated. While Covid-19 is currently causing fewer infections, hospitalizations and deaths, professor of global health at the University of Geneva Antoine Flahaut reminds us that we shouldn't trivialize a virus that circulates "in the manner of flu but all year round." The Haute Autorite de Sante (French National Authority for Health) is also making an appeal in favor of vaccination, even during a stable situation, given the "unpredictable nature of a new wave and the emergence of new, more virulent variants likely to lead to a decline in immunity against severe forms and deaths." Assma Maad Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr; the publisher may only be liable for the French version. French President Emmanuel Macron reacts during the National Roundtable on Diplomacy at the Foreign Ministry in Paris on March 16, 2023. MICHEL EULER / AFP French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday, March 19, he hoped his bitterly contested pensions reform plan, forced through parliament without a vote, could complete "its democratic journey", a day before crucial votes in parliament. The controversial legislation, which has led to months of protests in parliament and on the streets, will be adopted in parliament Monday unless either of two motions of no-confidence in the government passes. "After months of political and social consultation and more than 170 hours of debate which resulted in the vote of a compromise text between the (two parliamentary chambers)...", Macron expressed his wish "that the text on pensions can go to the end of its democratic journey with respect for all". If passed, Macron's reform would raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 as well as increasing the number of years people must pay into the system to receive a full pension. The government's decision last week to resort to Article 49.3 of the constitution to force the bill through parliament without a vote has prompted anger in the streets after weeks of mostly peaceful protests. Two leading members of the right-wing Republicans party, whose leader has said they will not support no-confidence motions, reported threats and intimidation against them Sunday. Monday's two no-confidence motions have been filed by a small group of centrist MPs and the far-right Rassemblement National. If the no-confidence motions fall, as most observers expect will happen, left-wing deputies have said they will appeal to the Constitutional Council, to challenge the way the government forced through the reform. "There will be no majority to bring the government down, but it will be a moment of truth," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said of the two efforts to unseat the cabinet planned for Monday afternoon. 'Growing resentment' The government's decision last week to resort to Article 49.3 of the constitution which allows for the forcing of a bill through parliament without a vote led to a fourth consecutive day of protests on Sunday. "I'm overwhelmed with a feeling of immense anger," Isabelle Desprez, a 54-year-old maths teacher demonstrating in the northern city of Lille, told AFP. Laurent Berger, head of the moderate CFDT union, told Liberation newspaper: "We went from the feeling of being despised to a feeling of anger, in particular because we deprived employees of the result of their protests". "The growing resentment and anger must serve the demonstrations in a peaceful framework and not be politically exploited," he added. A ninth day of strikes and protests is planned for Thursday. Police on Saturday closed Paris' Place de la Concorde opposite parliament for demonstrations following two successive nights of clashes. Some 122 people were arrested as some set rubbish bins on fire, destroyed bus stops and erected improvised barricades around a 4,000-strong demonstration in the capital. On Sunday, police arrested another 17 people as protesters invaded the Les Halles shopping complex in central Paris. Away from the streets of major cities, the CGT said Saturday that workers would shut down France's largest oil refinery in Normandy, warning that two more could follow on Monday. So far, strikers have only prevented fuel deliveries from leaving refineries but not completely halted operations. Industrial action has also halted rubbish collection in much of Paris, with thousands of tonnes of waste now on the streets, even as the government forces some binmen back to work using requisition powers. The government says the pensions reforms are needed to avoid crippling deficits in the coming decades linked to France's aging population. "Those among us who can will gradually need to work more to finance our social model, which is one of the most generous in the world," Le Maire said. But opponents of the reform say the law places an unfair burden on low earners, women and people doing physically demanding jobs, and polls have consistently showed majorities opposed to the changes. On Monday over half a million high school students will begin the first day of the 2023 Baccalaureat exams, against a backdrop of strike threats by supervisors. Le Monde A COUNTY Limerick publican and farmer couldnt sleep after coming across a scene of slaughter on his land. Patrick OKelly called to an outside farm in the vicinity of Newcastle West shortly after 6pm on Sunday evening, March 5 to check on his 23 sheep and feed them some nuts. It was awful. Four were dead - a ram, ewe and two lambs. Another four had been bitten and torn by dogs, said Mr OKelly, who walked his land to see if he could find all his sheep. I couldnt find them that night - I didnt know if they were stuck in dykes or ditches. They could have gone anywhere in the panic. I couldnt sleep that night and I was up at first light to look for them. Thankfully, four more turned up the next morning, said Mr OKelly. He contacted gardai who called to the land on that Sunday evening and are investigating the sheep kill. Mr OKelly caught the two dogs who had been chasing the sheep for hours. He says they were Labrador mixed breeds and gave them to his vet as they try and find their owners. Those two dogs were two of the friendliest animals youd come across. When I went up to them they laid down in front of me and they wanted to be rubbed. I was thinking to myself that the person who owns these dogs thinks that butter wouldnt melt in their mouth. They were doing it for pure sport. It wasnt for food, it was for sport, said Mr OKelly, who has put his remaining 19 sheep back into a shed to help them recover from the ordeal. While Mr OKelly is more concerned for his sheeps welfare he is out of pocket by more than 1,000 when you count the cost of the sheep, veterinary bills and knackery. He appeals to dog owners to ensure their pets cant stray. At IFAs 2023 campaign on dog control, IFA president Tim Cullinan criticised the failure of the authorities to tackle what is a growing problem on farms. IFA began the No Dogs Allowed campaign in 2021. Unfortunately, the situation has worsened over the last two years, with sheep farmers dreading the prospect of a call to say ther has been an attack on their flock, he said Mr Cullinan said those who want a dog as part of their family will have to accept the responsibilities that go with ownership. The level of sanctions that can be applied do not reflect the savagery and trauma these uncontrolled dogs are causing. The absence of a centralised database to identify ownership and those responsible for the dogs, and the lack of enforcement of microchipping, are all contributing to this persistent and escalating problem, said the IFA president. IFA sheep chairman Kevin Comiskey said all dog owners should take heed that they are fully liable for all damage and suffering caused to farmers and their sheep by their dogs. The irresponsible behaviour of some dog owners continues to lead to devastating consequences on farms and must stop, he said. Mr Comiskey said this is a critical time of year on sheep farms and dog attacks are causing unimaginable suffering for sheep and lambs and huge economic losses for farmers. A TEENAGER who videoed a scrambler bike being stolen pleaded guilty to the offence. The defendant, who cannot be named because he is aged 17, appeared before Judge Carol Anne Coolican, at Newcastle West Court, with his mother. Inspector Gearoid Thompson, prosecuting, said the accused and another person kicked in the door of a shed at the rear of a property in Newcastle West. A small scrambler bike valued at 400 was stolen. It has not been recovered. He chose to video the matter and was later identified. He admitted his role. He acted in consort with another. The co-accused was previously dealt with, said Insp Thompson. Solicitor Lee-Ann Purcell, who represented the teenager, said her client would benefit from a pre-sanction report from the Probation Service. He co-operated with An Garda Siochana. He was on the periphery of the matter but he accepts he was present. He is trying to stay away from those involved. He is willing to engage with the Probation Service, said Ms Purcell, who added that the accused had been very distressed over the matter. Judge Coolican adjourned the case until the end of March to facilitate preparation of the report. A PUBLIC meeting in Limerick is set to highlight the "increased risk" to safety faced by immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community as far right movements are on the rise. Organised by the Socialist Party, "Unite and Fight The Fascist Far Right No To Racism, Transphobia and Misogyny," is calling on Limerick people to take a stand this Monday night at the Absolute Hotel. The meeting, which takes place this Monday night, will be addressed by Socialist TD Mick Barry, Belgian antifascist organiser Geert Cool, and Brazilian socialist feminist Nayara Silvestre. The organisers will propose an alternative as they believe there is a need to act urgently to stop the development of a fascist movement all across the country. Speaking of the meeting, Cork North Central Socialist Party TD, Mick Barry, said that the far right promotes the politics of hatred and division. "Everywhere they organise in Europe there is an increased risk to the safety of immigrants, the LGBTQ community and people who are active on the political Left. Now that they are emerging as a small force in Ireland, it is important that antifascism is organised as a force throughout the country. I look forward to the public meeting in Limerick," said Mr Barry. "Unite and Fight The Fascist Far Right No To Racism, Transphobia and Misogyny," meeting will be held this Monday, on March 20 at the Absolute Hotel, from 7pm. LIMERICK properties will be featured on an RTE Nationwide programme about dereliction and vacancies this Monday. Limerick City and County Council will make an appearance in the programme as they are in support of property owners bringing new life to vacant and derelict properties, in a bid to help renew local communities. The programme will feature a number of properties in Limerick that have been returned to use, this Monday, March 20, at 7pm on RTE One. Limerick City and Council are encouraging owners and potential purchasers of vacant or derelict sites to engage with them. Director or Services, Community, Tourism and Culture, Gordon Daly, commented: Making better use of our vacant and derelict building stock helps with the physical regeneration of our city, towns and villages but equally important, it breathes new life into our communities including sustaining schools, shops and community and sporting organisations all of which contributes to enhancing the quality of life for existing and new residents. Limerick City and County Council are encouraging owners and potential purchasers of vacant derelict sites to engage with them, as there are a number of schemes available to help owners reactivate vacant or derelict properties. For example, with the vacant property refurbishment grant, homeowners will receive support with up to 50,000 grant to help them make a vacant or derelict property their principal private residence. And, even a property that had prior commercial use can be supported to become residential. Further information can be found via www.limerick.ie A MEMBER of a "mob" who threatened to kill a woman after a "vigilante" gang of men forced their way into her home will have his sentence increased next week, after a successful appeal by the State. The three-judge Court of Appeal heard today that William Lyons made his way with three others into the home of a woman whose small children and partner were in the house with her at Caherconlish, County Limerick, on February 17, 2021. At a sentencing hearing at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court in November 2021, prosecution lawyers said that Lyons (49) was "suited and booted" alongside a total of ten "vigilantes" when he arrived at Cois Rioga, Caherconlish, at around 6.20pm in the evening. The sentencing court was told that Lyons of Mount Singland, Garryowen, Limerick, arrived at the house with others who had their faces covered and were carrying pitchforks and hurleys. In sentencing Lyons to two-and-a-half years' imprisonment, Judge Tom O'Donnell said the incident smacked of vigilantism that was unacceptable in any civilised society. Judge ODonnell said what happened was outrageous and premeditated and was clearly designed to instill fear and intimidate those in the house. Lyons had pleaded guilty to burglary, making a threat to kill and violent disorder. At the Court of Appeal, this Monday, the State successfully appealed against what they submitted was the "unduly lenient" two-and-a-half year jail sentence Lyons received. Monika Leech BL, for the State, submitted that Judge O'Donnell was too lenient when fixing a pre-mitigation headline sentence of five years' imprisonment before discounting 18 months due to Lyons' guilty plea and other mitigating factors. Ms Leech said Judge O'Donnell then suspended a further year of the sentence to enable rehabilitation and to take into account Lyons' personal circumstances. Mr Lyons is the sole carer for his children as his wife has serious medical issues. Ms Leech said the maximum jail-time for burglary is 14 years and that the trial judge erred in identifying five years as a headline sentence as it "failed to reflect the seriousness of the offending" and the "physical and psychological harm done to the victim". Ms Leech said a "forceful mob" had turned up at the house and damaged lights and windows with the victim's "very small baby" suffering small cuts to its forehead from smashed window glass. Ms Leech said the incident was aggravated because it occurred at a private dwelling and that the respondent had led the "mob" to the house before telling the victim that he would return to her home and kill her. Counsel added that the victim could recognise Lyons as he was not wearing any face covering unlike the other members of the group. The woman's partner was in the house at the time and let off a firework in an attempt to push back the three of the gang who gained entry. Lyons and two others then retreated back outside but kept banging on the door. Ms Leech said that the incident lasted four minutes but had had a "detrimental" effect on the victim due to its "intensity". Ms Leech said the woman's partner had been a godparent to one of Lyons' children and that there had been a breakdown in their relationship. Counsel added that Lyons had one previous conviction for making a threat to kill dating back to 2007. Michael Bowman SC, for Lyons, said that while there was no doubt it had been a "deeply unpleasant" experience for the victim, there had been no "substantial departure" made by the sentencing judge in fixing five years as a headline sentence. Mr Bowman said the trial judge was a "very experienced" one, who was "fully aware" of all the mitigating and aggravating factors in the case. Counsel added that the lower area of the mid-range had been identified by the judge when choosing the headline sentence. Mr Bowman said that while the incident was "terribly serious" it did not fall outside of the mid-range of offending. Counsel added that, due to a dispute, it was the woman's partner who was the actual target of the attack. Mr Bowman said Lyons had five children and a partner in ill health with a prognosis that is "not terribly optimistic" due to her condition "deteriorating markedly". Mr Bowman said his client had written a letter expressing his remorse for his actions and had pleaded guilty at an early stage. Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, indicated that the court agreed with the State that the sentence had been unduly lenient and said that it would give its reasons next week. Mr Justice Edwards then adjourned the matter to 10.15am on March 28 for re-sentencing. The mini SUV segment is gaining popularity among first-time car buyers in India, with the Tata Punch currently ranking as one of the top sellers. If you are in the market for an affordable SUV, here is a list of four upcoming small SUVs that are priced under 15 lakhs. Hyundai Ai3 Before the end of this year, Hyundai, the Korean automaker, is set to release a new micro SUV with the codename Ai3 in the Indian market. The small SUV has already been spotted testing on numerous occasions in the brand's home market. Positioned below the Venue in Hyundai's SUV lineup, the new model will compete with the Tata Punch, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, and the upcoming Maruti Fronx. It is likely that the Ai3 will share its underpinnings with the Grand i10 Nios and come equipped with an 83bhp, 1.2L NA petrol engine, available in both manual and automatic gearbox options. Additionally, a CNG version may also be launched in the Indian market. Maruti Suzuki Fronx In the first half of April 2023, Maruti Suzuki is set to launch the Fronx crossover in India, which will be available for purchase at NEXA dealerships or via online booking for a deposit of 11,000. Essentially, the Fronx is a crossover version of the Baleno hatchback and shares many of its components and features. The Fronx will be available with two engine options - a 90PS, 1.2L NA petrol engine and a 100PS, 1.0L turbo petrol engine, with both manual and automatic gearbox options. Maruti Jimny 5-Door Maruti Suzuki has announced the launch of the Jimny lifestyle SUV by May 2023, which will be sold through NEXA dealerships and can be booked for a token amount of 25,000. The Jimny will be available in two trim levels - Zeta and Alpha - with an expected price range of 10 lakh to 14 lakh. The SUV will be powered by a 1.5-litre K15B 4-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 103bhp and 134.2Nm of torque, with transmission options including a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed torque converter automatic. Additionally, it comes equipped with Suzuki's AllGrip Pro 4WD system, which features a manual transfer case and a low-range gearbox with WD-high, 4WD-high, and 4WD-low modes. New Tata Nexon Tata Motors is currently road-testing its new Nexon compact SUV in India. The upcoming model, expected to be launched sometime this year or early next year, will feature design changes and an upgraded interior, as well as a new turbo petrol engine. The new Nexon will take design cues from the Curvv SUV Coupe and come equipped with a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a digital driver display, and a revamped dashboard layout. The SUV will also feature a new 1.2L turbo petrol engine capable of producing 125PS and 225Nm of torque, with a dual-clutch automatic transmission expected to be available as well. Air India has kicked off financing for a plane order worth tens of billions of dollars by asking leasing companies to submit proposals for sale-leaseback deals, the airline said on Monday as industry executives play down the impact of recent banking-sector turmoil on aviation. Aircraft lessors are expected to play a significant role in financing the Tata-owned airline's aircraft spending spree, worth an estimated $70 billion or half that after discounts. Air India Chief Executive Campbell Wilson confirmed the airline had gone to the leasing market with a request for jet financing and said he was not worried about financing the orders following its recent takeover by Tata Group. When asked whether Air India had sought lessor bids on the 470-plane plane order, Campbell told Reuters on the sidelines of a CAPA India conference that they had on "portions of it". "Clearly the delivery stream is over quite a number of years. We don't do it all at once." The first few Airbus A350 aircraft, originally sold to Russia's Aeroflot, are due to arrive later this year. Wilson expressed confidence in Air India's ability to fund the orders. "The benefit of having a strong, patient capital provider like Tata does accord us a lot of flexibility." In sale-leaseback deals, lessors buy jets from an airline the moment they are delivered and rent them back - a potentially profitable deal for both sides if conditions work. India's largest airline, IndiGo, has regularly used the financing tool for the past decade as it built up a large fleet. "As India as a country grows, and Indian aviation grows, it will also be viewed as a more mature and maturing market," IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers told Reuters at the same event. "If you refer to the mini-banking crisis, these are longer-term leases, so we don't see any (impact)," he told Reuters. Even so, some experts say lessors may limit exposure to India, which has seen several airline failures and past disputes over the right of lessors to repossess jets. India has ratified a key treaty on lessor rights but has yet to implement it fully. "Lessors have done a lot of business in India but many will be reluctant to have more than 15% to 20% of their portfolios exposed to India," said aviation adviser Bertrand Grabowski. "Despite some obvious progress, it remains a complicated, bureaucratic and inefficient jurisdiction, not an easy one for foreign banks," he said in a telephone interview. Amazon.com Inc. is laying off an additional 9,000 employees, adding to cuts that were already the largest round of firings in the companys history. Chief executive officer Andy Jassy announced the cuts internally Monday, saying they would occur in the coming weeks and primarily affect Amazon Web Services, human resources, advertising and the Twitch livestreaming service groups. Given the uncertain economy in which we reside, and the uncertainty that exists in the near future, we have chosen to be more streamlined in our costs and headcount," he said in his memo, published later to Amazons corporate blog. The e-commerce giant has been laying off mostly corporate workers after a hiring spree during the pandemic left Amazon with too many people. The company last month wrapped up a round of job cuts that totalled about 18,000 workers. Those layoffs landed heaviest on Amazons recruiting and human resources teams, its sprawling retail group and devices teams. Amazon shares fell 1.7% to $97.29 at 11:25 a.m. in New York. The stock is up about 16% this year. The cuts come less than a week after Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc. announced that it was laying off another 10,000 employees and closing about 5,000 additional open roles in its own second major round of job cuts. Meta chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg told employees during a recent internal meeting that the economic climate of layoffs and restructuring could last many years." Other tech giants have reduced their headcount, including Google parent company Alphabet Inc., Microsoft Corp., Dell Technologies Inc. and International Business Machines Corp. As of early February, more than 67,000 jobs had been eliminated across the industry since the beginning of the year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. We are not surprised," D.A. Davidson analyst Tom Forte said in a note, pointing to recession concerns as a backdrop to Amazons plans. Its a continuation of a worrying trend from 2022, when the tech sector announced 97,171 job cuts, up 649% compared with the previous year, according to consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. Amazon last month said operating profit may continue to slump in the current quarter, hit by the financial impact of consumers and cloud customers clamping down on spending. The company has scaled back or shut down entire services like its virtual primary care offering for employers in recent months. Earlier this month, the company said it would pause construction on its headquarters building in northern Virginia, though the first phase of that project will open this June and welcome 8,000 employees. Amazons workforcewhich encompasses warehouse workers as well as corporate rolesdoubled to more than 1.6 million people in about two years.But demand slowed as the worst of the pandemic easedand the company began pausing or cancelling its warehouse expansion plans last year to make sure it doesnt bleed unnecessary money. As fears over a potential recession started growing, it also began making other trims in areas. In the past few months, it has shut down a subsidiary thats been selling fabrics for nearly 30 years and shuttered its hybrid virtual, in-home care service Amazon Care among other cost-cutting moves Amazon employed 1.54 million people worldwide at the end of December. The vast majority of those workers are hourly employees who pack and ship products in warehouses. Before the first round of layoffs began in November, the firm had roughly 350,000 corporate employees. Jassy said the latest cuts came after teams completed another phase of the companys annual planning process. The overriding tenet of our annual planning this year was to be leaner while doing so in a way that enables us to still invest robustly in the key long-term customer experiences that we believe can meaningfully improve customers lives and Amazon as a whole," he said. Reuters and AP contributed to the story. Even before Credit Suisse Group AG was forced into crisis talks over the weekend, the Swiss lender was in the process of cutting 9,000 jobs in an effort to save itself. Thats only the beginning should the firm be pushed into a takeover by rival UBS Group AG, according to people familiar with the discussions, with one person estimating the final toll could be a multiple of that number. The two lenders together employed almost 125,000 people at the end of last year, with about 30% of that in Switzerland. Government-brokered talks to contain the crisis of confidence that has gripped Credit Suisse hit a snag early Sunday, with the firm pushing back against an offer by UBS to buy it for about $1 billion, people familiar with the matter said. Should a deal be reached, one likely scenario would involve UBS buying Credit Suisse to obtain its wealth and asset management units, while possibly divesting the others, Bloomberg has reported. Switzerland, where about 37,000 of the two firms employees are based, could see steep cuts to the group functions of Zurich-based Credit Suisse. There are also talks about the fate of Credit Suisses profitable Swiss universal bank, which is likely appealing to UBS but may leave the domestic banking sector too concentrated. UBS may try and keep the Swiss units private banking business, which accounts for about half the assets overseen for wealthy clients at Credit Suisse. In Asia, where the two firms rank among the largest wealth managers, a deal carries the risk that clients who currently have money with both firms move part of it to a competitor to avoid having too much exposure to a single firm. Finews estimated that several thousand jobs could be cut there in a deal. The talks have also raised questions about the investment banking operations that Credit Suisse was planning to spin out under the storied First Boston brand. The lender was already in the process of scaling back the trading operations, and sold its securitized products group. Credit Suisse Chief Executive Officer Ulrich Koerner said Tuesday he had already cut about 8% of headcount. NEW DELHI : GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd, the group holding company that was formerly known as GMR Infrastructure Ltd, on Monday announced the merger of GMR Airports Ltd, the operator of Delhi and Hyderabad airports, with itself, resulting in French airport operator Groupe ADP becoming the second largest shareholder in the merged entity. The merger is expected to be finalized in the upcoming fiscal year, and after the merger, GMR Group will continue to be the largest stakeholder in GMR Airports Infrastructure (GIL), holding a 33.7% ownership interest. Groupe ADP will be holding 32.3%, and the public holding will be at 34% of the paid-up share capital. This is achieved through categorizing Groupe ADPs shareholding in merged GIL into two instruments - ordinary equity shares and optionally convertible redeemable preference shares (OCRPS)," the company said. As envisaged earlier in 2020 to simplify the corporate structure and strengthen the balance sheet, this merger is a step in the right direction, taken at the right time. The merger will achieve financial and operational excellence and encourage innovation and adoption of new technologies, enabling GIL to stay ahead of the competition. We will continue to focus on selective growth opportunities whilst simultaneously maintaining our approach towards a conservative Balance Sheet," Kiran Kumar Grandhi, corporate chairman of the GMR group, said in a statement. The statement also said that the two companies expect the move to help in scaling up their airport business overseas in India, South Asia, South East Asia and the Middle East as they anticipate that the privatization initiatives of governments across the world will speed up following a substantial increase in demand for air travel post the covid pandemic. In India, the government plans to invite bids for 11-13 government-owned airports, including profitable and money-losing ones, on a public-private partnership basis. Bids are expected to be aggressive, as companies like Zurich International Airports, Adani Group, and others will look to expand. In 2020, GMR Group entered into a strategic partnership with Groupe ADP with the latter agreeing to purchase a 49% stake in GMR Airports Ltd. It added that the GMR Group would continue to have management control over the merged entity while Groupe ADP will be categorized as co-promoters of GIL and have commensurate board representation. The company said the merger would enable help it raise around 2,900 crore from Aeroports de Paris SA or Groupe ADP through 10-year foreign currency convertible bonds. GIL will raise ~EUR 331 mn ( 2,900 crore) from Groupe ADP through a 10-year 6.76% p.a. coupon (simple interest) FCCBs due in 2033. The coupon on FCCBs will be accrued till the end of the tenure. The conversion price is 43.67/- which is a 10% premium to the FCCB regulatory floor price under the FCCB Scheme," the company said, adding that this will further deleverage by repaying corporate debt and also settling most of the contingent liabilities. The merger would result in taking GMRs partnership with Groupe ADP to the next level. In addition, it will enable an earlier and full settlement of the earnouts, which for two years were adversely impacted due to the pandemic. With the subscription of FCCBs by Groupe ADP, GIL will be further deleveraged by repaying corporate debt and also settling most of the contingent liabilities related to GMR Power and Urban Infra Ltd, the non-airport business of GMR Infrastructure Ltd, which was de-merged into GMR Power and Urban Infra Ltd in December 2021. Labor tensions at the New York Times are intensifying, with the publisher expressing concerns about the unions tactics in the negotiations and Times staffers taking to Slack to vent frustrations with management. 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. NEW DELHI : Umesh Modi Group, the local partner of Revlon, will invest 100 crore to expand its distribution network a year after the global cosmetics firm filed for bankruptcy following covid-linked supply chain issues disrupting business. Umesh Modi, chairman of U.K. Modi Group, which markets Revlon and Street Wear, said it will build its presence and distribution network considering the significant rise in competition in Indias beauty and personal care market with online retailers giving enough reason to consumers to experiment with new brands, while several direct-to-consumer brands also gain market share. We will have to invest over 100 crore over a span of three years," Modi said at the companys headquarters in New Delhi. The investment will go into building the sales teams, distribution networks and to fund marketing activity. The India business can become a 800-1000 crore entity in the next five years." As part of the plan, it is set to roll out more mass-premium coloured cosmetics under the Revlon brand, targeting consumers at the 300-500 price point and effectively competing with Loreals Maybelline and Hindustan Unilever Ltds Lakme. It will also launch hair colours for the Color N Care brand for less than 250. To be sure, Revlon entered the coloured cosmetics market in India in 1995 via Modi-Mundipharma Beauty Products Pvt Ltd (formerly Modi-Revlon), which was part of Umesh Modi Group. It sells colour cosmetics, fragrances, and hair care of products through a network over 50,000 outlets in India. In June last year, American cosmetic maker Revlon Inc., filed for bankruptcy as covid-led supply-chain disruptions caused resulted in high raw material prices, and the companys debt ballooned. Global supply issues also led to product shortage. Meanwhile, globally, newer, emerging brands are also giving stiff competition to the likes of Revlon. Covid has changed the market dynamics, pushing shoppers online and discovering new brands. You have to adopt yourself to the market. During covid, the e-commerce boom led to a discovery of certain products at lower price points. Brands like Sugar and MyGlamm entered the market. Revlon will take advantage of its premium positioning and go to mass-premium," he said. If you want a large company, then you have to have a large base of consumers. So thats what we are targeting both in personal care and colored cosmetics," he added. To be sure, Modi-Mundipharma has rights to sell the Revlon brand for life. The pandemic and news of the brands weakened financial state had a temporary impact on the India business. However, Modi, said sales at Revlon has grown as market mobility improved. They got sold to banks. We have the brands for life, but it does affect. A new player has come on the anvil; that player will arrive in April. The management of Revlon US has not yet changed. The new owner, a fund will definitely take over. When a fund takes over, their objective is to grow the business two-to-three times. Im very sure a new strategy will emerge worldwide," he added. After a weekend of frantic talks to forge a solution before markets opened in Asia, the firm struck a deal to buy its smaller rival for about $3.3 billion in an share deal that includes extensive guarantees and liquidity provisions. Here are some of the big winners and losers to emerge from the deal. Also Read: UBS vows to shrink tricky Credit Suisse investment bank The Winner: Ralph Hamers UBSs chief executive officer will see the banks wealth and asset management invested assets soar to about $5 trillion and got a special waiver to keep Credit Suisses profitable Swiss unit that many analysts said was worth more than triple what UBS paid for the whole firm. Ralph Hamers, the former ING Groep NV executive, and his team will have plenty to work through as they consider which businesses and people to keep, alter or jettison. But hell have 56 billion francs of so-called badwill to help cover any writedowns, as well as 9 billion francs of guarantees from the Swiss government to take on certain losses. And the firm can access a huge liquidity line from the central bank. While UBS will suspend its share buybacks for now, it said its still committed to a progressive dividend. The (Many) Losers: Credit Suisses Top Shareholders Gulf investors old and new are hurting. Saudi National Banks investment was stunning in its brevity: the lender lost 1.1 billion francs less than 15 weeks from when it finished buying its stake in Credit Suisses latest capital raise. The firm thought it was buying at a bargain when it became the Swiss banks largest shareholder just a few months ago. Saudi National Banks chairman helped fuel the panic this week when he ruled out raising its stake in Credit Suisse. Also Read: Credit Suisses 9,000 job cuts are foretaste of UBS takeover The Qatar Investment Authoritys pain came over a much longer period, as it first invested in the last financial crisis, but it likely lost an even greater amount. In addition to being the banks second-biggest holder, it had owned in the past the firms AT1 bonds that were written to zero in the deal, though its unclear if QIA still held that debt. Shareholders wont even get to vote on this deal after Switzerland changed its rules to rush the merger through. Ulrich Koerner Credit Suisses chief executive officer is expected to depart, having inherited a broken lender that he was unable to revive. Ulrich Koerner, who only took the top job last summer, had already mapped out a plan to cut back risk after a torrent of scandals and losses to focus more on wealth management. Bolder still was a plan to break out the banks best-performing investment banking businesses. But the firm was unable to recover from a crisis of confidence that caused billions of dollars to exit in October. In recent days, the pressure intensified until the Swiss government was forced to step in. Michael Klein The former Citigroup Inc. investment bank heads grand plan to revive the First Boston brand and build it into a Wall Street advisory powerhouse now looks in ashes. Michael Klein, who had been tapped to lead the CSFB spinoff, was already in the process of selling his advisory boutique to Credit Suisse for a consideration of about $210 million when the banks fortunes suddenly unraveled in recent weeks. While UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher didnt directly address CSFB at a press conference late Sunday, he did indicate that the firm was happy with its own investment bank and planned to cut back Credit Suisses substantially as well as pare back risk. AT1 Bondholders Bond investors are typically better protected from losses than shareholders, but not in this case. The Swiss regulator will impose losses on $17 billion of high-risk debt known as Additional Tier 1 bonds that make up part of a buffer of debt and equity intended to prevent taxpayers from having to shoulder the bill for a banks collapse. The total writedown marked the biggest loss yet for Europes $275 billion AT1 market. Shareholders, who typically are first to take a hit in a writedown scenario, got at least a small consideration. Swiss regulators Finma became the first regulator to watch a bank deemed systemically important have to be rescued since the financial crisis. The Swiss government had to step in an provide billions of francs in guarantees to UBS and the central bank was forced to provide extensive liquidity backstops to facilitate the rescue, putting taxpayers at risk 15 years after they bailed out UBS. Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter acknowledged it was the only way to stabilize international financial markets. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. India is considering imposing retaliatory tariffs on European Union exports in response to the blocs proposed carbon tax that could disrupt over $8 billion worth of Indian metal exports to the EU, two government officials aware of the development said. Starting 1 October, iron, steel, and aluminium exports to European Union countries from across the world will face added scrutiny under the blocs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), or carbon tax. Suppliers will have to report greenhouse gas emissions embedded in their consignments before taxes are levied from 1 January 2026. View Full Image Graphic: Mint The proposal has triggered trade tensions with the rest of the world and particularly angered the developing world. In India it has raised concerns among metal producers, who fear it will create a new trade barrier for exports to Europe. Several countries, including India, have called the measure discriminatory and running against internationally accepted principles that give developing countries greater flexibility in climate change policies as they are not historically responsible for creating the crisis. To be sure, the European Parliament is yet to formally clear the proposal. When it does become law, its compliance with World Trade Organization principles could be tested. CBAM impacts imports from all non-EU nations except those that possess an emission trading system (ETS) linked to the EUs ETS. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa collectively condemned the CBAM policy as discriminatory in a joint statement in April 2021. A senior government official said on condition of anonymity, We are yet to have the final details of the tax, but we have begun looking at the issues. The government is consulting with the industry, and the carbon tax is expected to have a negative impact on the fossil fuel-based industry. But companies using green hydrogen or solar energy for their productions will benefit. India would also consider imposing tariffs on products coming from the EU." Queries sent to the spokespeople for the finance ministry, and commerce and industry ministry remained unanswered till press time. According to industry estimates, India has around 78 GW of installed captive power capacity, of which around 56GW is fuelled by coal. Indias metal industry will face a significant challenge because of CBAM, given that 27% of Indias iron, steel, and aluminium exports worth $8.2 billion in 2022 went to the EU, according to Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). The impact is expected to rise as the EU adds more products to the CBAM list, leading to potentially billions in lost exports and increased costs. India announced plans to hike non-fossil fuel power generation capacity to 500GW by 2030 at the COP-26 summit in Glasgow. The government has been pushing for clean energy, but the EUs carbon tax has been a major concern for the exporters. We dont know if it will impact Indias negotiations with the EU, but we are looking into it, and all options are on the table, including imposing tariffs on EU imports," another official stated, also requesting anonymity. Under the Paris Agreement, developed countrieswhich have generated 79% of historical carbon emissionshave agreed to bear greater burden in climate mitigation. CBAM goes against the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities accepted in the Paris Agreement. It imposes the environmental standards of developed countries on developing countries. Instead of helping, the EU will now collect revenue from developing countries through the CBAM mechanism. The EU will use this money as a budgetary resource and not for helping developing countries with climate adoption," the GTRI report added. Mint earlier reported that steel and aluminium makers such as JSW Group, Vedanta and state-run Steel Authority of India Ltd are working together to reduce their carbon footprint through measures such as moving away from coal and requisitioning more green power. An EU official said that CBAM is not a trade tool nor a protectionist instrument, and it is simply there to help fight climate change by addressing the risk of carbon leakage. It will be applied in an even-handed manner in a way that does not constitute arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination against third-country producers or a disguised restriction to trade. Through CBAM, all efforts to decarbonise and abate emissions will directly translate into a reduction of the CBAM financial obligation from 2026. The greener the goods brought into the EU, the lower the adjustment. The higher the carbon price paid at the origin, the lower the adjustment will be when goods are imported into the EU. CBAM will apply to actual greenhouse gas emissions embedded in the exported products. In addition, CBAM will take into account carbon prices actually paid in the originating country," the EU official added. The CBAM is constructed to treat foreign producers in a manner equivalent to domestic producers. For example, the CBAM charge foreign producers will face will be reduced to reflect any free allowances received by domestic producers and will be adjusted progressively as free allowances are phased out, the official said, defending the proposed carbon tax. Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday directed National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) to contribute and promote the International Year of the Millet 2023 on a global scale, according to a government release. NAFED, a government nodal agency procures pulses and vegetables, has entered into a MoU with the agriculture ministry to extend its support to millets initiatives. Under the collaboration, NAFED has started extending marketing linkage to millets-centric Startups, and setting up a millet corner in NAFED bazaar retail stores and installing millet vending machines across Delhi-NCR. The agency is also in process to set up a millets experience centre at Delhi Haat, INA to promote nutritious millets and create awareness about the history of India through millet-based dishes. All Central departments, state governments and leading public and private food and beverage bodies and industries should pitch in to make IYoM-23 a Peoples Movement alongside positioning India as the Global Hub for Millets," the farm minister said. Through G-20 Leaders Summit under the presidency of India, the country aims to showcase its strength in the food security and nutrition sector and millets would play an important role, Tomar said. To build the popularise millets and make the IYM 2023 a huge success, the inclusion of millets across all international and national events is crucial to take forward the proposed interventions as part of IYM celebrations," the minister added. Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja informed that the Centre has urged all Central ministries and state governments for visibility of IYM-23 during all G-20 meetings. For all ministerial level meetings, Central departments and state governments have been asked to ensure arrangements of millet-based cuisine and snacks, millet rangolis and literature. The farm secretary has also asked to provide one or two millet hampers to the working group during meetings. Millet branding at the venue and airport should also be done by putting up stalls and cafe," Ahuja directed. Aiming at showcasing cultural history, health and nutritional benefits of millets and DIY recipes, NAFED will provide curated millet-based hampers. The agency has developed premium quality millet gift hampers, which have been showcased at the G-20 1st employment working group meeting under the aegis of Ministry of Labour and Employment at Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Promotion of millets and its products would be done through these hampers for IYM-2023. The speed with which four banks collapsed and one continues to struggle has left investors reeling. While the failures came in the span of just 11 days, the scenarios that brought them down were each unique. Heres how the companies turmoil played out, and how regulators responded, amid concern the crisis might still spread: Silvergate Silvergate Capital Corp. was the first US bank to collapse, done in by its exposure to the crypto industrys meltdown. With authorization from the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. had tried to step in, discussing with management ways to avoid a shutdown. But the La Jolla, California-based company couldnt recover amid scrutiny from regulators and a criminal investigation by the Justice Departments fraud unit into dealings with Sam Bankman-Frieds fallen crypto giants FTX and Alameda Research. Though no wrongdoing was asserted, Silvergates woes deepened as the bank sold off assets at a loss to cover withdrawals by its spooked customers. It announced plans on March 8 to wind down its operations and liquidate its bank. Silicon Valley Bank With Silvergates obituary mostly written, investors and depositors in SVB Financial Groups Silicon Valley Bank were already on edge when the company on March 8 announced a plan to sell $2.25 billion of shares as well as significant losses on its investment portfolio. Shares of the company sank 60% the next day on the news, and it collapsed into FDIC receivership the following day. US regulators moved toward a breakup of the bank when they failed to line up a suitable buyer. But more hopeful news emerged on Monday, when the FDIC extended the bidding process after receiving substantial interest" from multiple potential buyers. First Citizens BancShares Inc., one of the biggest buyers of failed US lenders, is still hoping to strike a deal for all of Silicon Valley Bank, Bloomberg News reported Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. Signature Bank Signature Bank became the third-largest bank failure in US history on March 12, following a surge in customer withdrawals that totaled about 20% of the companys deposits. Silvergates implosion four days earlier had left clients skittish about keeping their deposits at Signature Bank, despite its much smaller exposure to crypto. Federal regulators said they lost faith in the companys leadership, and they swept the bank into receivership. Both insured and uninsured customers were given access to all their deposits, under a provision regulators tapped known as the systemic risk exemption." Signature Banks deposits and some of its loans were taken over by New York Community Bancorps Flagstar Bank late Sunday. The acquirer agreed to purchase $38 billion of assets, including $25 billion in cash and about $13 billion in loans, from the FDIC. It also assumed liabilities of about $36 billion, including $34 billion in deposits. Signatures branches will now operate as Flagstar locations. Credit Suisse Credit Suisse Group AG fell Sunday when Swiss officials brokered a deal with UBS Group AG for a 3 billion-franc ($3.2 billion) acquisition aimed at avoiding a broader financial crisis. The only other option under consideration was full or partial nationalization. The end of the 166-year-old Swiss institution followed Chief Executive Officer Ulrich Koerners attempt to save the bank with a massive outreach to clients, who had pulled an unprecedented amount of funds from the bank last year. The attempt ultimately wasnt enough to counter multiple scandals and multibillion-dollar losses on Credit Suisses dealings with disgraced financier Lex Greensill and failed investment firm Archegos Capital Management. On March 9, the US Securities and Exchange Commission queried the banks annual report, forcing it to delay its publication. Panic spread after the failure of US regional lenders, and the chairman of the banks largest shareholder, Saudi National Bank, ruled out investing any more in the company. First Republic First Republic Bank has fallen victim to the same customer flight that ultimately sank three of its US rivals, with one estimate of potential deposit outflows pegging the figure at $89 billion. Eleven US lenders tried to prop up First Republic Bank with a $30 billion cash infusion last week. But the San Francisco-based company, which caters to the personal-banking needs of techs elite and other wealthy individuals, has nonetheless dropped to an all-time low amid multiple credit-rating downgrades. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon has hatched a new plan to aid First Republic that would convert some or all of the 11 banks $30 billion deposit injection into a capital infusion, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing people familiar with the situation. NEW DELHI : The union ministry of finance on Monday reduced the windfall tax on the locally-produced crude oil to 3,500 per tonne. Over the past fortnight, the windfall tax stood at 4,400 per tonne. The export duty on diesel has been increased to Re 1 per litre from 0.50. The taxes are reviewed every fortnight. The revised tax would be applicable from March 21. Crude oil pumped out of the ground and from below the seabed is refined and converted into fuels such as petrol, diesel and ATF. The windfall profit tax was imposed last year after crude oil prices soared in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war, fetching large profits for oil producers. The government reviews the tax rates every fortnight to calibrate the tax mop-up. According to officials, the tax rate absorbs only a part of the extra profits that the companies earn in global markets during a period of high prices. Revenue secretary Sanjay Malhotra had told Mint in a post-budget interview on 4 February that the government estimates around 25,000 crore of revenue receipts in the current fiscal from the windfall profit tax. Malhotra also said then that in the case of petrol, it has already been removed and the levy will apply to crude oil and products only if there is a windfall profit. During the previous revision, Centre had scrapped the duty on export of aviation turbine fuel. The reduction in the windfall tax on crude oil comes on the back of the recent ease in global crude oil prices. The May contract of Brent on the Intercontinental Exchange is at $72.67 per barrel, lower by 0.41% from its previous close. The April contract of West Texas Intermediate on the NYMEX fell 0.42% to $66.46 per barrel. NEW DELHI : Bharti Airtel, the countrys second largest telecom services provider, introduced family plans for postpaid subscribers starting from rental of 599 a month with two postpaid SIMs, unlimited calling, 105 GB data that can be rolled over and OTT subscriptions for up to a year. The plans come close on the heels of Reliance Jio launching postpaid plans, targeting the lucrtative segment of higher revenue generating customers that tend to have higher brand stickiness. The postpaid plans go up to 1499 a month, giving five connections and 320 GB data a month, while also including a Netflix plan. The postpaid plans also change for Airtel Black users that can avail two post paid SIM connections starting from 799 and 998, with the former having DTH plan bundled in and the latter offering broadband bundled in. Family plans and Airtel Black enables users to pay consolidated bills for multiple mobile, broadband or DTH connections. The plans are available for prepaid customers willing to move to postpaid as well. On the same plans, 5G services can be availed as well. So, this gives an added advantage for users upgrading to these plans," a senior executive said asking not to be named. Airtel launched an unlimited 5G data offer last week which was also aimed at potential and existing 5G users on the upper end of the revenue spectrum. Reliance Jio introduced new Jio Plus postpaid family plans last week, starting from 299 and going up to 699, which will come into effect later this week. The plans have the Jio Welcome Offer will also include unlimited free 5G data with access to OTT platforms including Netflix, Amazon, JioTv, and JioCinema. Prepaid users form 95% of Indias 1.1 billion mobile phone connections, but postpaid users which form the rest, contribute significant revenues to the carriers. The low base and potential to increase the overall ARPU from the prepaid user base makes the case for telcos to seek higher rentals from postpaid customers that industry experts believe have higher propensity to pay. Benchmarks Sensex and Nifty declined on Monday, triggered by weak global cues on the lingering worries of contagion risks in the global banking system despite troubled Credit Suisse's acquisition by the UBS Group. BSE Sensex was down more than 800 points to 57,177 whereas the Nifty 50 was below 17,000 mark. Investors are trying to get a sense for how quickly the economy may be slowing and whether the problems in the banking sector will lead to an accelerated slowing, as per analysts. "The fears of financial contagion rising from the banking crisis in US and Europe appear to be largely contained by the quick response of the governments and central banks. The volatility index in the US at around 25 doesnt indicate any panic like in 2008. However, investors may remain cautious and wait for stability. The boost to Indias macros arising from reduction in trade deficit and big decline in Brent crude to $73 are positives from the market perspective," said Dr. V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services. US stocks ended lower on Friday as worries about banking-sector stability reemerged following a bankruptcy filing by SVB Financial Group and the release of data showing banks borrowed $165 billion from the Federal Reserve over the past week. Most Asian markets dropped despite coordinated efforts by global central banks to ease a fast-growing banking crisis. Over the weekend, UBS said it will buy Credit Suisse for 3 billion francs ($3.2 billion), and assume up to $5.4 billion in losses, in a deal engineered by Swiss authorities. Investors are wary about a range of risks including contagion, the fragile state of US regional banks, and moral hazard, say experts. "Markets may be in a vulnerable position ahead of the Federal Reserves meeting this week, as traders bet the banking crisis could lead to meaningful interest-rate cuts over the next year. Investor wariness about a potential banking crisis despite a lifeline offered, could restrict a fast upmove. Unexpected outcome of the US Fed meet could bring some turbulence in the markets," said Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities. Shares of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) plunged more than a per cent to hit a new 52-week low of 2,180 apiece on the BSE in Monday's trading session. The stock has been declining in the past few days and has fallen over 5% in the last five sessions as compared to nearly 2% decline in benchmark Sensex during the said period. "Reliance Industries breached the critical support of 2,350 before falling below the recent consolidation on the daily chart. Besides, the stock has fallen below the critical moving average. The daily RSI (relative strength index) is in a bearish crossover. Over the short term, the index is likely to fall towards 2,050. On the higher end, resistance is visible at 2,250," said Rupak De, Senior Technical analyst at LKP Securities. In CY23, global brokerage JPMorgan continues to see Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) as a relative outperformer in what could be a sluggish earnings environment overall, but see multiple potential catalysts over CY24-25 to help drive absolute outperformance. We see continued strength in refining business, a likely rebound in Petrochem spreads from decadal low levels from China re-opening, and volume growth in E&P driving earnings growth. RIL continues to offer multiple growth optionality across businesses (petrochem, E&P, telecom, retail, financial services, new energy) and ongoing investments should drive the next leg of growth," JPM stated in a note last week. For the third quarter ended December 2022 (Q3 FY23), the company's consolidated profit fell nearly 15% year-on-year (YoY) to 15,792 crore, hurt by a subdued performance at its dominant oil-to-chemicals business. Reliance's telecom arm Jio reported a 28.3% rise in third-quarter profit while the retail segment's quarterly revenue grew over 17%. The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. New Delhi: Here is the list of top 10 stocks that could be in focus in Monday's trade: Reliance Industries: Reliance Industries Ltd and its partner bp plc have re-launched an auction for sale of natural gas from their eastern offshore KG-D6 block after incorporating the government's new marketing rules to give CNG-selling city gas companies first priority over supplies. Reliance and its partner BP Exploration (Alpha) Ltd (BPEAL) will sell 6 million standard cubic meters per day of gas in an e-auction planned for 3 April. HDFC: The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a penalty of 5 lakh on the company for non-compliance with certain housing finance directions issued by the National Housing Bank (NHB). The corporation's subsidiary HDFC Capital Advisors entered into a share subscription agreement for the acquisition of 3,59,436 compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS) of Enviro Enablers India, which is engaged in waste management services. Tata Motors: Has upgraded its passenger vehicle portfolio to conform to stricter emission norms while Maruti Suzuki India and Mahindra & Mahindra are confident of transitioning their respective product range before the 1 April deadline. The Indian automobile industry is currently working to make their products meet the second phase of Bharat Stage VI, equivalent to Euro-VI emission norms, in real-time driving conditions. Adani Enterprises: Has suspended work on 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. 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. Tata Consumer Products: The company has ceased negotiations with Bisleri on a potential transaction and confirmed that it has not entered into any definitive agreement or binding commitment on this matter. In November last year, the company had said it evaluated various strategic opportunities for growth and expansion of its business, and pursuant to this, the management remained in discussions with various parties, including Bisleri International. Federal Bank: Has approved the issuance of unsecured basel III compliant tier-II subordinate bonds amounting up to 1,000 crore on a private placement basis. Rail Vikas Nigam: Has emerged as the lowest bidder for a composite contract package in connection with the new BG railway line of HORC project by Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corp. The cost of the project is estimated at 1,088.49 crore and it is expected to be executed within 1,460 days. Torrent Pharmaceuticals: The US Food and Drug Administration conducted a pre-approval inspection (PAI) of the company's oral-oncology manufacturing facility in Gujarat during 13-17 March, and issued a 'Form 483' with one observation, which is procedural in nature. Biocon: Foreign portfolio investor Ahan-I sold 1.89 crore equity shares or 1.57% stake in the company via open market transactions at an average price of 200.74 per share. DLF Ltd: Thee Realty major plans to invest around 3,500 crore over the next four years to construct a new luxury housing project in Gurugram as it seeks to tap strong demand for residential properties. Wondering how to invest in Real Estate? Investors looking to invest in the real estate market often compare REITs to commercial real estate. Corporations, known as REITs or Real Estate Investment Trusts, function similarly to mutual funds in real estate investing. you can invest in REITs without possessing or managing any property by yourself. alternatively, you can invest directly in commercial real estate by purchasing homes or commercial properties. Asma Javed, Vice President, in a Delhi-NCR real estate company said Commercial real estate has always been a popular asset amid High Net Worth Individuals(HNIs) and institutional investors. While investing in commercial real estate offers high lease rentals, REITs on the other hand offer the investors the benefit of real estate investment along with dividend-based income and competitive market performance. Direct investment in commercial real estate can be risky contrary to the risk associated with REITs is comparatively low as it invests in a portfolio of real estate properties." Many investors who want to tap into the real estate sector compare RIETs to actual real estate.REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts)are corporations that act like mutual funds for real estate investment. you can invest in REIT without having to own or manage any property yourself. On the other hand, you can go for direct real estate investing by buying residential or commercial properties," said Nakul Mathur, MD, Avanta India. With a direct/commercial real estate investment you can buy a specific property such as an apartment complex(residential) or a shopping center (commercial). Here investors make money through rental income, appreciations, and profits generated from any business activities that depend on real estate but REITs are a key consideration when constructing any equity or fixed income portfolio. They can provide added diversification, potentially higher total returns, and lower overall risk. In short, their ability to generate dividend income along with capital appreciation makes them an excellent counterbalance to stocks, bonds, and cash.REITs own or manage income-producing commercial real estate, whether in the properties themselves or the mortgages on those properties," said Nakul Mathur, MD, Avanta India. Investing in commercial real estate is highly illiquid which means in case you need to dispose of the property it may take months or even years to do so. This points out that the investment might get stuck for a longer period than you expected. On the other hand, REITs are quite liquid as the units are traded on the stock exchange and you have the flexibility of partly selling your investment in case you want to do so. Thus there could be multiple aspects to both types of investments. An investment in real estate is in itself a substantial final decision and it would be a good idea to consult a real estate investment expert before going ahead," said Asma Javed. Hari Movva, Senior Vice President, SILA said For non-institutional investors, who typically operate with a lower capital pool, investments in REITs are significantly more attractive than acquiring Direct Commercial Real Estate. The two key advantages offered by REITs are Diversification and liquidity." Diversification REITs typically own multiple assets and in certain cases across geographies. This offers diversification against underperformance or increased vacancies in any single asset/location. Liquidity Since REIT units are listed on stock exchanges they offer easy liquidity for investors when they are looking to exit. Apart from the above, REITs also benefit from the advantages of scale. The relatively larger scale of REITs enables them to attract larger and better tenants and negotiate competitive rates with service providers such as brokers, leasing agents, property managers, etc, further added Hari Movva. In a commercial real estate investment, you can purchase a specific property line residential apartment, or retail space. Here investors profit from real estate appreciation, rental income, and profits from any business that depends on the property. Investments in commercial real estate are suitable for those who prefer a more individualized experience and a sense of returns from purchasing, managing, and selling the property but REITs are a way for investors to diversify their holdings. Thus they are an option for investors seeking assets apart from stocks and bonds. Investors seeking a consistent income may find REITs more appealing as they pay regular dividends. investment in commercial real estate can fetch you assured rentals along with an interest-free security deposit. While the rental yield keeps on increasing in the long term, the monthly rent might increase or decrease as per the given market conditions. The annual lease rentals on commercial properties could be as high as 6-7%. For example Avanta Business Centre. This UK based Managed office spaces brand offers unbranded, flexible office spaces in New Delhi and Gurgaon with advanced IT infrastructure. Their business centers are located in prominent business districts of Delhi/NCR offering high visibility and easy accessibility. They also provide professional meeting rooms and conference spaces in different sizes to suit ones business needs. Avantas clients range from major international corporate businesses to large members of SMEs and sole traders wanting a single office. Suren Goyal, Partner, RPS Group said REIT is a corporation that owns, operates, or finances income-producing real estate or real estate assets. Modeled after mutual funds, REITs pool the capital of numerous investors. they offer a low-cost way to invest in the real estate market. you can invest in a fund for as little as $500-a much lower entry point than commercial real estate investing. another benefit of REIT is that it offers enticing total return potential. By law, REITs have to pay at least 90% of the taxable amount to the shareholders and it's not uncommon to have a 5%dividend yield or more.REITs have the potential for capital appreciation as the value of underlying assets increases." Whereas one of the benefits of investing in commercial real estate is that it has the potential to generate substantial cash flow as well as the ability to take advantage of numerous tax breaks to offset the income. while the real estate market fluctuates as the stock market does, property prices generally increase with time, so you may be able to sell it later on at a higher price and of course, there's also the prospect of price appreciation," Suren Goyal further added. Most buyers of commercial real estate prefer to finance a home with a mortgage or a loan, as a result, some tax advantages are available. But REITs do not provide comparable tax advantages and even the dividend payments on REITs are taxed. In the case of ownership of property investors in REITs are not given the title of property ownership and they only receive trust units. On the contrary, commercial real estate grants investors the freedom to use the property as they deem worthy. Both commercial real estate and REIT investment have their benefits. You may consider REITs for their decent returns, comparative safety, steady income, and the opportunity to diversify your portfolio with a lower investment amount. On the other hand, REITs are newer in the market and are traded in stock exchanges, this means there is a risk of value fluctuations and market dynamics. Additionally, the returns are lower than a direct investment in commercial real estate, while you do not have any control over the returns or performance, unlike direct real estate investment.REITs do offer higher liquidity and easier exits than what you can expect in commercial real estate investment. But commercial real estate will get more benefits from capital appreciation in the future. So for both investments analyze your financial situation and investment goals and take professional advice before investing. A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), commonly referred to as SIP, is a service provided by mutual funds to subscribers that allows them to make regular investments. The power of compounding, goal-based investment, top-up SIP, rupee cost averaging, and other advantages of SIP investment emerge with it. Because mutual funds invest in a variety of securities, including stocks, bonds, and other assets, investors are able to build diverse portfolios with minimal initial investment amounts. Mutual funds have the potential to produce returns that are higher than inflation in the long term, hence we have taken an example of how an investor can create a corpus of 5 Cr in 20 years based on an exclusive interview with different industry experts. Gautam Kalia, SVP and Head Super Investor at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas It is always good to plan investment in the early stage of life as it helps to create a good corpus with a small amount of investment. To create a corpus of Rs.5 Crs in 20 years, investors should start the SIP of Rs.50,500pm assuming a return of 12% pa. If the investor is ready to step up SIP amount every year then he can create this corpus by starting the SIP amount by Rs.27,000 per annum and increasing this SIP amount every year by 10%. Scheme Name Category % of Allocation SIP Amount ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund - Growth Large Cap 30% 15,000 Kotak Equity Opportunities Fund - Reg - Growth Large & Mid 15% 7,500 Mirae Asset Midcap Fund - Reg - Growth Mid 25% 6,000 SBI Small Cap Fund - Growth Small 25% 7,000 HDFC Flexi Cap Fund - Growth Flexi Cap 30% 15,000 50,500 Rajesh Saitya, Co-founder & COO, GT Force If your goal is to create a corpus of 5 Cr in 20 years, investing in mutual funds through a systematic investment plan (SIP) can be a smart and effective way to achieve your financial goals. To achieve a corpus of 5 Cr in 20 years, you would need to invest approximately 1,50,000 per month through a SIP. However, this can be achieved with careful planning and investing in the right mutual funds. We recommend looking for mutual funds that have a strong track record of delivering consistent returns over the long-term, while also being well-diversified and low-cost. Some mutual funds that we suggest for long-term investors include: HDFC Top 100 Fund - This large-cap fund has a strong track record of delivering consistent returns over the long-term. ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund - This fund has a diversified portfolio of equity and debt securities, making it a good option for long-term investors. Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund - This fund has consistently outperformed its benchmark index and has a well-diversified portfolio. Investing in mutual funds through a SIP can help you achieve your financial goals while also promoting responsible and sustainable investment practices. At our company, we are committed to helping individuals achieve their financial goals through smart and ethical investment strategies. Abhinav Angirish, Founder, Investonline.in The most popular long-term investment vehicle is mutual funds since they offer not only liquidity but also dividends, diversification, experienced management, flexibility to invest in small amounts, cheaper cost, lower tax on gains, tax advantages, and more. Because it enables investors to maximise their returns from the force of compounding, rupee cost averaging, convenient investment mode, adjustable tenor, and other factors, a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is the most popular way to invest in mutual funds. A huge corpus target typically entails a lengthy process. The hardest part of creating such a substantial corpus is persevering through all that life throws at us. There's a good possibility you'll succeed if we can keep up the discipline of investing frequently and keeping involved over the years. You will require SIPs of Rs. 51,000 per month (assuming returns of 12% pa) in equity mutual funds to accumulate a corpus of Rs.5 Crs in 20 years. It's not simple to accumulate a 5 crore corpus over 20 years, but it is still feasible if you make smart financial decisions. Also, wise investment does not necessitate placing your funds in the riskiest MF schemes. The first step for investors is to assess their risk tolerance and level of comfort with the ups and downs of the market. A SIP into just equities mutual funds, for instance, has generally returned about 12%, but there have been years when the portfolio has lost money. Instead, you may get 10% returns from a diverse portfolio of asset classes that is more stable and reliable. The investor can determine the appropriate quantity of SIPs to invest in equities or a diversified portfolio based on their comfort level with risk. To amass Rs. 5 crore in twenty years, you'll require a systematic investment plan (SIP) of Rs. 51,000 every month. On the other hand, a SIP of 65 thousand across various asset classes grows by about 10% to 5 crore over time. Investors can get on the path to long-term financial success by adopting a methodical and consistent strategy of investing in reputable mutual fund schemes. In addition to the SIPs, investors should set aside money in a separate emergency fund so that they can access cash in times of crisis without having to dip into their SIPs' corpus. Lastly, if at all possible, solicit the help of a reliable advisor. Keep in mind that while investing is simple, wealth creation is not! The goal is to amass a substantial chunk of money, and we're talking about Rs. 5 Crores. A capable advisor can assist you in investing into the best funds for your objective while helping you control your greed and fear and avoid falling prey to passing fads or marketing gimmicks. In order to achieve target amount of Rs. 5 Crore in 20 years, assuming a rate of return of 12% , you need to invest Rs. 50,043 as monthly SIP amount. In order to achieve the target your lump sum Investment should be Rs. 51,83,338. In order to achieve your target, you can invest in a diversified equity funds such as: Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund - The scheme pertains to the Large cap equity fund category. The scheme needs to keep a minimum 80% of total assets in stocks of large cap companies. The scheme was launched in Apr-2008. The scheme has generated a CAGR of 14.48% since inception. Canara Robeco Flexi Cap Fund - The scheme pertains to Flexi cap equity fund category. The scheme needs to keep a minimum 65% of total assets in equity stocks of companies, in any market cap - large cap, mid cap, small cap stocks. The scheme was launched in Sep-2003. The scheme has generated a CAGR of 17.00% since inception. Nippon India Small Cap Fund - The scheme pertains to the small cap equity fund category. The scheme needs to keep Minimum 65% of total assets in stocks of small cap companies. The scheme was launched in Sep-2010. The scheme has generated a CAGR of 19.26%% since its inception. Mayank Bhatnagar, Chief Operating Officer, FinEdge To accumulate Rs. 5 Crore in 20 years, youll need to invest somewhere between Rs. 38,000 and Rs. 45,000 per month systematically in mutual funds (assuming a CAGR of 13%-14% per month depending upon the risk/reward of the funds chosen). Bear in mind that returns from equity mutual funds are non-linear, and volatility is to be expected! Investing with clear goals in mind instead of in an ad-hoc manner can go a long way in helping you sidestep behavioural biases like greed and fear that can derail your journey. In the end, the difference between achieving your 5-crore target and falling short will depend upon your ability to stay disciplined throughout the long journey and not letting your emotions get the better of you. As 20 years is a very long time horizon, you can and in fact should take measured risks by investing into small and mid-cap oriented funds that offer the best opportunity for wealth creation through compounding and rupee cost averaging. In this case, investing purely basis your own attitude to risk would be a mistake because you would be losing out on the opportunity to take advantage of such a long timeframe. If the volatility of small and mid-caps seems daunting, you could opt for a flexi cap fund too; but anything lower than that in risk would mean youre not doing justice to the 20 year time horizon. If a SIP of Rs. 38,000 seems like a lot, you could alternatively opt for a disciplined step-up strategy. By starting off with a SIP of Rs. 12,000 and stepping it up by just Rs. 5,000 per year, you could accumulate Rs. 5 Crore assuming a 14% CAGR from a high-risk fund. This is how the magic of disciplined, automated step ups work! In the end, understanding risk/reward and tailor making your investment strategy to what youre comfortable with sustaining for the long term is critical. Lallit Tripathi, chairman and managing director of Vedant Asset This (the deal) will be a big positive for the tech start-up community. The move would also be positive for the Indian start-up ecosystem. In order to create a corpus of 5 crore in the next 20 years, we need an investment of Rs. 50,000 per month with an annual return of 12%. Thus, a total investment of Rs. 1,20,00,000 will finally give you a corpus of Rs. 5 Crore after 20 years. Money multiplication is an alluring term but the real sense of it lies in the understanding of how SIP works. Investment in Mutual Funds is all about patience, persistence and perseverance. Based on the potential of Indian economy and markets we believe that investors should look funds which are consistent in performance, inspite market volatility. Based on past performance of funds investors can rely on some of the funds which have performed well in the previous years. It must be noted that these funds have been recommended on the basis of their past performance and future growth capabilities. But there might be unforeseen circumstances because of which we may need to switch investment to some other reliable funds of those times. Mutual funds are subject to market risks.But those who stay for long, benefit huge. These funds are HDFC Top 100 Fund - Reg(G) ICICI Pru Large & Mid Cap Fund - Reg(G) HDFC Large and Mid Cap Fund - Reg (G) Canara Robeco Emerging Equities - Reg(G) HDFC Multicap Fund - Reg(G) Nippon India Multicap Fund - Reg(G) HDFC Midcap Opportunities Fund - Reg(G) ICICI Pru MidCap Fund - Reg(G) HDFC Small Cap Fund - Reg(G) Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund - Reg (G) Nirav Karkera, Head of Research, Fisdom A portfolio created with a time horizon of as much as 20 years is quite likely to be an equity-based portfolio. In such a case, if we were to consider the expected performance of broader equities in the medium term, the same could be pegged in the ballpark of a 12% CAGR. Considering intermittent moderation in performance and probability of elevated performance owing to active selection, the range could be broadened to 10% CAGR and 14% CAGR. Mathematically, considering a target portfolio of INR 5 Crores in 20 years, this would entail a monthly SIP contribution of anywhere in the range of INR 45,000 to INR 75,000. Irrespective of confidence around ones investment decisions, an endeavour to invest an amount closer to the upper threshold would augur well for the investor. A higher-than-computed investment offer capitalises on rough performance patches while enhancing corpus value in a favourable environment. National Pension System (NPS) offers a range of investment options and choice of pension fund schemes making retirement planning easy. The State Bank of India (SBI) encourages customers to take advantage of tax-saving opportunities by contributing towards NPS. Begin saving for your future with the National Pension System," SBI tweeted. What is NPS? NPS is a Central Government scheme in which any individual citizen (either salaried or non-salaried) of India (both resident and non-resident) between the ages of 18 and 70 can participate and set aside an amount on a regular basis. When the investor retires, he or she has the option of withdrawing upto 60% funds as lump sum while the rest can be used as an annuity plan for regular flow of income. There are standard deductions under Section 80C and 80CCD in a fiscal year if invested in NPS. NPS Tier-1 account Tier I Pension account (Mandatory A/C - Tax benefit available) Minimum Contribution during A/C opening is Rs.500 for Tier I NPS Tier-2 account Tier II Investment account (Optional A/C No tax benefit but corpus is withdrawable anytime) Minimum Contribution during A/C opening is Rs.1,000 for Tier II NPS: Flexibility of Investments Subscriber may select a Pension Fund Manager (PFM) of their choice. Subscriber is allowed to change PFM once during a Financial Year. Subscribers may also define their asset allocation, which may be changed four times in a given Financial Year. Benefits of investing in NPS for securing Post Retirement Life NPS: Tax Benefit available under Tier I Account Employee Contribution: Exclusive tax savings provision: Tax deduction u/s 80CCD (1B) on contribution of Rs.50,000. Tax deduction u/s 80CCE for investments (10% of Basic & DA) within overall limit of Rs. 1.50 lacs. Employer contribution Tax deduction upto 10% of salary (Basic + DA) u/s 80CCD (2) subject to monetary ceiling of Rs.7.5 lacs (includes PF, Superannuation, etc.) NPS: Exit Option under Tier I On attaining age of 60 years : Min. 40% of the corpus needs to be invested in Annuity Scheme 60% of the corpus can be commuted/withdrawn in lump sum/ staggered anytime upto age of 75 yrs; Amount is tax free. If total corpus is equal or less than Rs. 5.00 Lacs, then entire corpus can be withdrawn Before 60 years of age (after completion of 5 years): 20% of the corpus can be withdrawn in lump sum 80% of the corpus will be invested in a Annuity Scheme If total corpus is equal or less than Rs. 2.50 Lacs, then entire corpus can be withdrawn NPS: Part Withdrawals under Tier I A partial withdrawal of accumulated pension wealth, not exceeding 25% of the employee contributions, after a lock in period of 3 years. Allowed to withdraw only a maximum of three (3) times during the entire tenure subject to conditions prescribed by the Regulator. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has offered India the use of Chattogram and Sylhet ports in order to emphasise the importance of improving regional connectivity for growing trade and commerce, according to a report by Bangladesh's news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). "India can use our Chattogram and Sylhet ports if they want," PM Hasina said on Sunday when a Member of the Governing Council of India Foundation Ram Madhav called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban. Bangladesh PM also noted that increased connectivity in the region will enhance people-to-people contact. Ram Madhav noted Bangladesh's socioeconomic development and stated, "Bangladesh and India enjoy wonderful ties as neighbouring countries and hope that this partnership would continue in the future." The port city Chattogram usually referred to as Chittagong, is located on Bangladesh's southeast coast. On the Surma River, in eastern Bangladesh, is the city of Sylhet, which is renowned for its Sufi shrines. An India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, which has been constructed at an estimated cost of 377 crore and whose Bangladeshi half cost roughly 285 crore, was funded by the Indian government. The pipeline's objective is to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh. With the autorickshaw drivers in Bengaluru protesting against private bike taxi aggregators functioning in the city, the police on 20 March detained a few of them. As per reports, a few auto drivers in the protest also had hearted arguments with the fellow auto drivers who were working even after announcing the strike. Among the developments, seeking the ban on bike taxis in Bengaluru, the auto drivers also blocked the road at Bengalurus KR circle. They claim that the illegal bike taxis are affecting their livelihood, alleging bike taxis are also causing accidents, along with endangering the lives of commuters. ALSO READ: Auto drivers in Bengaluru to go on strike today to protest against bike taxi aggregators The city's auto unions had planned to carry out a rally from the city railway station to chief minister Basavaraj Bommais official residence on racecourse road. But were detained by the police. #WATCH | Karnataka police detain auto drivers who were protesting against the bike taxi service in Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/787rRymQL2 ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023 Earlier a video of an auto driver threatening a bike taxi driver from Rapido in Bengalurus Indiranagar went viral on the internet. The video showed an auto driver stopped the Rapido driver and smashed one of the helmets he was carrying for his passengers. He said, People from another country started coming to Bengaluru and operating these illegal two-wheeler taxis. Because of these people, the auto drivers are losing their work and these foreigners must be banned. He is operating a bike taxi with a whiteboard." The auto driver was later arrested for creating a ruckus in the middle of the road. With agency inputs. Japan Prime Minister Fumio is in India on a two-day visit. While addressing reporters here, the Japanese premiere called India an indispensable partner. He also mentioned that this year India is hosting the G20 presidency while Japan is hosting the G7 Presidency, and hoped that both the countries could come together and work to being about peace and prosperity to the international community. On G7 summit Kishida, who held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also extended formal invite to his Indian counterpart to attend the G7 Hiroshima Summit, scheduled to take place in May this year. Fumio Kishida said, "This year as Japan hosts the G7 presidency and India hosts the G20 presidency, it's my hope that by working together with ASEAN and many other countries, we will bring peace and prosperity to the international community which faces a time of challenges and the vision for achieving it is FOIP which is based on rule of law." The two leaders took up the issue of challenges faced by the international community and decided to have close cooperation between G7 and G20 as the two countries are holding the presidencies of the summits, respectively. India an indispensable partner of Japan "India is an indispensable partner and I believe India and Japan are in an extremely unique position in the current International relations and further in the history of the world. India is the largest democracy in the world. I have always viewed with great respect the way such a huge and diverse country as India has developed a democracy," Japan's Fumio Kishida said while delivering the 41st Sapru House Lecture. Free and Open Indo-Pacific Kishida mentioned that Japan will expand cooperation for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. He recalled that former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in 2016 delivered a vision called Free and Open Pacific (FOIP). "Japan will expand cooperation for FOIP. Russia's aggression against Ukraine oblige us to face the most fundamental challenge defending peace," Fumio Kishida said. On Russia-Ukraine war Japanese PM Fumio Kishida said that the international community has entered an era in which cooperation and division are "intricately intertwined." He condemned the Russian offensive against Ukraine. He said that PM Narendra Modi also told Russian President Putin that "today's era is not of war." "In the International community, a big balance of power change is occurring, shifting dramatically. The International community has entered an era in which cooperation and division are intricately intertwined," Kishida said. He further said, I reiterate that Japan strongly condemns Russia's aggression against Ukraine and will never recognize it. PM Modi too expressed to President Putin that today's era is not of war. Japan opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo by force anywhere in the world." The Sanyukt Kisaan Morcha is organizing a Kisaan Rally on today i.e. on 20 March at Ramleela Ground, New Delhi. As per the organizers, around 20,000 to 25,000 participants are likely to attend the same, who will start coming to Ramlila Ground from the intervening night of 19-20, March 2023. According to the Delhi Traffic police advisory, there are some diversions points like Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Marg, Mirdard Chowk, Delhi Gate, JLN Marg, Minto Road R/L, R/A Kamala Mkt. to Hamdard Chowk, Ajmari Gate, Bhavbhuti Marg, Chaman Lal Marg, Paharganj Chowk. As per the police, the restriction will be in place from 9 am. Here are the routes to avoid Ranjeet Singh flyover from Barakhambha Road to Guru Nanak Chowk; From Minto Road R/L to R/A Kamla Mkt., Vivekanand Marg; JLN Marg ( Delhi gate to Guru Nanak Chowk); R/a Kamla Market to Guru Nanak Chowk; Chaman Lal Marg; Ajmeri Gate towards Asaf Ali Road; Pahargaj Chowk and R/A Jandewalan, Desh Bandhu Gupta Road to Ajmeri Gate. Delhi Traffic police also have given some instructions to the general public. They have advised commuters going to New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway, Nizamuddin Railway Station and ISBT should leave with sufficient time at hand to accommodate possible delays on the route, they said. Avail public transport to help decongestion of roads, Park your vehicles only at designated parking lots, and Avoid roadside parking as it causes hindrance to the normal flow of traffic. In case any unusual/unidentified object or person is noticed in suspicious circumstances, information should be given to the Police," the traffic advisory said. Speaking of the arrangements at the Ramleela ground, the Delhi Police will deploy over 2,000 security personnel at Ramlila Maidan where thousands of farmers will gather. Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the event goes smoothly, the police told news agency PTI. They added that police personnel will be deployed for crowd management and to ensure that no unauthorised person gains entry and disrupts law and order. According to an advisory by the Delhi Traffic Police, around 15,000-20,000 people are likely to participate in the Mahapanchayat. The public and motorists have been advised to avoid roads around the Ramlila Maidan, especially JLN Marg from Delhi Gate to Ajmeri Gate Chowk, a traffic police official said. Why are farmers protesting? The Kisan Mahapanchayat will be held to press for a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP), the Samyukt Kisan Morcha said. While addressing a press conference, Morcha leader Darshan Pal said, "The Centre must fulfil the assurances it gave to us in writing on December 9, 2021, and also take effective steps to mitigate the ever-increasing crisis faced by farmers." The Morcha spearheaded an over a year-long agitation against the Centre's now-repealed farm laws. It suspended the movement in December 2021 following a government assurance to consider the farmers' pending demands, including the withdrawal of cases lodged against farmers during the agitation and a legal guarantee for MSP. The body also urged the Centre to dissolve the committee on MSP, alleging that it is contrary to their demands. The farmers' unions' demands also include pension, debt waiver, compensation for those who died during the farmers' stir and withdrawal of the Electricity Bill. "The Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022, referred to the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) should be withdrawn. The Centre had given a written assurance that the bill will be introduced in Parliament only after discussion with the SKM but despite this, it introduced the Bill," the Morcha said in its statement. It also reiterated the demand for free power for agricultural purposes and 300 units for rural households. (With inputs from PTI) Union Ministry of Education informed Parliament in February that the year 2022 saw around 7.5 lakh Indian students going abroad for higher education. The number has increased drastically from 4.5 lakhs in 2017 and 2.6 lahks in the pandemic year of 2020. In 2022, India also surpassed China to become the country with the most number of international students in the United States. According to the Union Ministry of External Affairs, the total number of countries with Indian students is 240 which includes Canada, Australia, the UK, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, Russia, etc. Top countries preferred by Indian students: Canada- With more than 3 lakh Indian students, Canada is one of the top countries with Indian students, who constitute 34% of the country's population. The number of students traveling to Canada has increased over the years and only came down during the pandemic. United Kingdom- Another major study destination for Indian students and recently, the numbers have increased. In 2019, the country offered 34,261 visas while in 2022, the number reached 1.4 lakhs. The country also offers post-study work visa which provides Indian students with the opportunity to work even after the completion of their studies, however, recent reports from the country inform that the government is mulling over to end the visa scheme. United States- According to Open Doors 2022 Report there was a nearly 20% surge in the number of Indian students studying in the United States during the academic year of 2021-2022, with a total of 199,182 students enrolled. Most of these Indian students work in American technology companies after their graduation. Ukraine- Another important country for Indians to study medicine, but after the Russian invasion of Ukraine the number of students enrolling in Ukrainian colleges is expected to come down. China- Despite the hostility in relations between the countries, China is another major destination for medical studies and thousands of Indian students study in the country. Apart from the above countries, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany also account for a chunk of Indian students. Punjab Police continued its massive state-wide manhunt for Amritpal Singh, extending a ban on mobile internet and messaging services till today and also arresting more people as Waris Punjab De chief remains elusive.There was a major police presence across Punjab, especially in rural pockets and around Singh's village of Jallupur Khera The radical Sikh leader Amritpal Singh has remained elusive on the second day of Punjab Police's crackdown on Waris Punjab De while two more FIRs have been registered against him Amritpal Singh on the run: What we know 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. Punjab police said in a statement, 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." 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. Police said that they had found the vehicle that was used by Amritpal to escape along with his uncle. Police said the vehicle, an Isuzu SUV, was found abandoned at a village in Jalandhar district. Punjab 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.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. Petitioner Imaan Singh Khara, an advocate, claimed that Amritpal has been illegally and forcibly" detained by the police from the Shahkot area of Jalandhar. Khara, who is the legal advisor of Amritpal and his outfit 'Waris Punjab De', apprehended threat to Amritpal's life. The petitioner prayed for the appointment of a warrant officer to visit the spot if the detenue is found in illegal custody. *With agency inputs The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of 2.27 crore on private sector lender RBL Bank for not complying with certain directives on loan recovery agents. The central bank noticed "deficiencies in regulatory compliance" after it examined complaints received against the Mumbai-based lender's recovery agents during the financial years 2018-19 to 2021-22, the central bank said in a statement. The RBI said that the private sector bank failed to ensure that the loan recovery agents it engaged during those periods did not resort to intimidation or harassment and that it did not ensure police verification of the agents before employing them. This action is based on the deficiencies in regulatory compliance observed relating to the period FY 2018-19 to FY 2021-22 and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers," the RBI said. Back in 2022, the RBI issued a circular advising the financial institutions it regulated to "strictly ensure that they or their agents did not resort to intimidation or harassment of any kind", and that any violation would be "viewed seriously". RBL Bank Q3 RBL Bank has reported a 34 per cent growth in its December quarter net profit at 209 crore. The lender had posted a profit of 156 crore in the October-December quarter of FY2021-22. As per a regulatory filing, RBL Bank's total revenue grew 11 per cent year-on-year to 1,767 crore and net interest income was up 14 per cent to 1,148 crore for the quarter ended December 2022. Bank's gross NPA ratio improved to 3.61 per cent compared to 3.80 per cent as at September 30, 2022 and net NPA ratio was 1.18 per cent versus 1.26 per cent as at the end of September 2022 quarter. WASHINGTON : The annual US report on human rights practices released on Monday listed "significant human rights issues" and abuses in India, including reported targeting of religious minorities, dissidents and journalists, the U.S. State Department said. The findings come nearly a year after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. was monitoring what he described as a rise in human rights abuses in India by some government, police and prison officials, in a rare direct rebuke by Washington of the Asian nation's rights record. U.S. criticism of India is rare due to close economic ties between the countries and India's increasing importance for Washington to counter China in the region. Significant human rights issues in India have included credible reports of the government or its agents conducting extrajudicial killings; torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment by police and prison officials; political prisoners or detainees; and unjustified arrests or prosecutions of journalists, the U.S. report added. Advocacy groups have raised concerns over what they see as a deteriorating human rights situation in India in recent years under the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Human Rights Watch has said the Indian government's policies and actions target Muslims while critics of Modi say his Hindu nationalist ruling party has fostered religious polarization since coming to power in 2014. Critics point to a 2019 citizenship law that the United Nations human rights office described as "fundamentally discriminatory" by excluding Muslim migrants from neighboring countries; anti-conversion legislation that challenged the constitutionally protected right to freedom of belief; and revoking Muslim-majority Kashmir's special status in 2019. The government dismisses the accusations by saying its policies are aimed at the development of all communities. In 2022, authorities also demolished what they described as illegal shops and properties, many of them owned by Muslims, in parts of India. Critics say the demolition drive was an attempt to intimidate India's 200 million Muslims. The government defended the demolitions, saying they were enforcing the law. "Human rights activists reported the government was allegedly targeting vocal critics from the Muslim community and using the bulldozers to destroy their homes and livelihoods" without due process, the U.S. report released on Monday added. Since Modi took office in 2014, India has slid from 140th in World Press Freedom Index, an annual ranking by non-profit Reporters Without Borders, to 150th place last year, its lowest ever. India has also topped the list for the highest number of internet shutdowns in the world for five years in a row, including in 2022, internet advocacy watchdog Access Now says. "Civil society organizations expressed concern that the central government sometimes used UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) to detain human rights activists and journalists," the U.S. report said. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. While addressing a a press conference, Puri said, "If any individual goes outside the country he has the freedom to speak but along with that freedom comes what I call the need to have a sense of responsibility. We are the world's oldest democracy but Mr Gandhi goes to UK and says Indian democracy is facing an attack on the basic structure." Gandhi, in his remarks at Cambridge University in the UK, had said that everybody knows and it's been in the news a lot that Indian democracy "is under pressure and under attack". If any individual goes outside the country he has the freedom to speak but along with that freedom comes what I call the need to have a sense of responsibility. We are the world's oldest democracy but Mr Gandhi goes to UK and says Indian democracy is facing an attack on the basic https://t.co/BPO0jWp0vF pic.twitter.com/kB1xtQgtQ7 ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023 "I am an Opposition leader in India, we are navigating that (Opposition) space," Rahul Gandhi had said at Cambridge university in the UK. The institutional framework which is required for a democratic Parliament, free press, the judiciary, just the idea of mobilisation, moving around all are getting constrained. So, we are facing an attack on the basic structure of Indian democracy," he had said. Also Read: Indira, Rahul Gandhi's UK visit, 45 years apart, face similar fate. Here's why His remarks 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. The Housing and Urban Affairs minister demanded that the Congress leader unequivocally apologise for his remarks to bring the issue to a closure. Also Read: Mamata Banerjee slams Rahul Gandhi, says theres an unholy nexus of Congress, BJP, CPI(M) He (Rahul Gandhi) should apologise categorically, unequivocally. He also said the core of BJP ideology is cowardice. I don't know what he is trying to say. Today India is the 5th largest economy and soon we will be 4th largest economy" The minister also hit back at the Congress, reminding them that it was under the Indira Gandhi regime that civil liberties were curbed. He said, Rahul Gandhi hails China's Belt and Road Initiative as a visionary step. Does he know that China's BRI goes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir?... His grandmother invoked Article 356, 150 times to suspend and dismiss legitimately elected state governments." Also Read: Jibe at Rahul Gandhi? PM Modi says success of India's democracy hurting some people The acrimony continued to play out outside the Parliament with leaders from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress targeting each other over Rahul Gandhi's remarks and the Adani issue. Minutes after the proceedings started in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Monday, both the houses were adjourned till 2 pm after Opposition MPs raised slogans demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) inquiry into the Adani stocks issue. On Friday too, the proceedings in the two Houses of Parliament were disrupted for the fifth day as the ruling BJP and the opposition parties sought to vociferously raise their issues. Yesterday, Gandhi clarified his 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. 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. (With inputs from agencies) The transition from 'jihad fighter' to bureaucratic cog is not going well for the Taliban. While it was a victory in many senses of the word, the takeover brought additional responsibilities into the lives of fighters - from earning money to support their families to handing administrative issues that can affect millions. Against this backdrop, many have now resorted to quiet quitting - doom-scrolling through social media or ruing the loss of their social lives - as they toil within Afghanistan's ministries. A large number of Taliban fighters have moved to Afghanistans cities since the movements capture of power - many of them seeing life in the city for the first time in their lifetime. These fighters had lived modest lives, entirely focused on the war," explains a report by the non-profit Afghanistan Analysts Network. While some have acclimatised well to the office and city life, others find themselves yearning for the tranquility of village life and the simplicity of the jihad-fighting life. Now, the men find themselves toiling under the bureaucracy of running a country, spending hours stuck in traffic and adhering to a slew of new rules and laws. Also read: 'No change' in the govts position on not recognising Taliban setup, says MEA They find clocking in for office work tedious and almost unbearable, although some said they were now getting used to the routine," the report states. Others complained about the 'ever-increasing traffic holdups' on their way to office and the fact that wages would be cut if someone skipped work for a day. One of the individuals interviewed by researcher Sabawoon Samim also touched upon how their responsibilities had increased considerably since the Taliban takeover. As he put it, all they had to handle in the time of jihad was making plans for attacks against the enemy and for retreating. Whatever happens in Afghanistan, people blame us. Even a minor misdeed by us makes it to the media that the Taliban are doing this and that. Its like the cameras of the entire world are watching us," added Abdul Salam. Indonesia's famous holiday destination Bali has seen rise in Russian and Ukrainian tourist ever since the war started between the two countries in 2022. Though the arrival of tourist is not a problem for the Balinese authorities, but those who fleeing the war have created trouble in the island nation. The authorities in Bali have asked the central immigration agency to cancel visa-on-arrival policy for Russian and Ukrainian nationals after they were were found in incidents involving misbehavior, while some overstaying or working illegally. As reported by CNN, some visitors are working illegally as hairdressers, unauthorized tour guides and even taxi drivers. Russian nationals are among the biggest groups of foreign arrivals in Indonesia, according to official tourism data. In 2022, 58,000 Russian and 7,000 Ukrainians visited Bali after the borders were reopened, CNN has reported citing Indonesian government data. The report further showed that in the month of January 2023, Bali saw 22,500 Russian while 2500 Ukrainian tourist on the island. Last week, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster had said that he asked the Ministry of Law and Human Rights to tighten visa requirements by cancelling the visa-on-arrival facility specifically for Russian and Ukrainian citizens due to a series of violations. A recent report by Bloomberg stated that Indonesia deported 47 people as tourist destination Bali cracks down on foreigners misusing their visas to work, of which 13 are Russian. They were deported for violating their stay conditions and misusing the residence permit. Anggiat Napitupulu, the regional head for the legal ministry told Bloomberg that one Ukrainian citizen is also undergoing court process after was found holding a fake Indonesian national ID. Last month, a Russian tourist was detained by the police after riding while under the influence of alcohol and crashing into a local rider, causing him to be hospitalized. In January, a Ukrainian tourist and a Russian visitor died in a road traffic collision. Over the weekend, hundreds of law enforcement officers kicked off a five-day operation to crack down on criminal activities, especially among tourists, ahead of the Balinese day of silence on Wednesday. "Because they are at war, so they flocked to Bali, including those who sought comfort or came to work here," Governor Koster had said, according to a post on the immigration agency's Instagram account as reported by Reuters. Indonesia allows nationals of certain countries to apply for a visa upon landing in the country, while others have to apply before departure. Known for its beaches, temples, waterfalls and nightlife, Bali drew 6.2 million foreign visitors in 2019, the year before the pandemic. Earlier, the Indonesian island was also planning to ban foreign tourists from using motorbikes after series of cases has been seen related to people breaking traffic laws. Under the new proposals, foreign tourist will be allowed to travel in cars provided by travel agents. According to the local police records, over 170 foreign nationals violated traffic orders from late February to early March, as reported by BBC. "If you are a tourist, then act like a tourist," Governor Koster had said. As per the report, the proposed ban is likely to be implemented via regional law this year. However, its unclear how the ban would be upheld. (With inputs from agencies) US President Joe Biden on Monday signed into law a bill requiring the release of intelligence materials on potential links between the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and a laboratory in the Chinese city of Wuhan. "We need to get to the bottom of Covid-19's origins..., including potential links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology," Biden said in a statement. "In implementing this legislation, my administration will declassify and share as much of that information as possible," he added. "I share the Congress's goal of releasing as much information as possible about the origin" of Covid, he said. Biden said that in 2021, after taking office, he had "directed the Intelligence Community to use every tool at its disposal to investigate." That work is "ongoing," but as much as possible will be released without causing "harm to national security," he said. The bill posed political risks for Biden, who is negotiating a difficult relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Beijing vehemently rejects the possibility that a leak during research at the Wuhan lab could have unleashed the global pandemic. However, much of Congress wants to pursue the theory further, and the issue has become a rallying point in particular for Biden's Republican opponents. Congress passed and sent the bill to Biden in March. The Covid-19 outbreak began in 2019 in the eastern Chinese city of Wuhan, leading to almost seven million deaths worldwide so far, according to official counts, over a million of them in the United States. But health officials and the US intelligence community remain divided over whether it was spread randomly to humans from an infected animal or leaked during research undertaken at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The US Energy Department -- one of the US agencies investigating the disaster -- concluded with "low confidence" that the virus probably came from a lab, agreeing with the assessment of the FBI, but contradicting the conclusions of several other agencies. Credit Suisse Group AG told staff that promised bonuses and pay increases will still be paid as the bank seeks to keep business as usual" after a tumultuous week that ended in a takeover by its fiercest Swiss rival. There will be no changes to payroll arrangements and bonuses will still be paid on March 24, Credit Suisse said in an internal memo to staff. In many countries, bonuses have already been paid, and the bank doesnt not expect any changes for remaining jurisdictions, according to the memo. A spokeswoman confirmed the contents of the memo. UBS Group AG over the weekend agreed to buy Credit Suisse in a historic, government-brokered deal aimed at containing a crisis of confidence that had started to spread across global financial markets. The Swiss bank is paying 3 billion francs ($3.3 billion) for its rival in an all-share deal that includes extensive government guarantees and liquidity provisions. We know that many of you will have been following the intense media coverage over the past 48 hours on the future of Credit Suisse and appreciate the enormous uncertainty and stress that this has caused," Chairman Axel Lehmann and Chief Executive Officer Ulrich Koerner said in a separate memo. The lender said that it will work throughout the coming period to identify which roles might be impacted, and will aim to continue to provide severance in line with market practice." The bank also said it doesnt anticipate any changes to any agreed on upfront cash awards and will also pay the cash component of the transformation award" that had been communicated earlier. It will confirm any impact on the equity component. We expect the merger is expected to close by the end of 2023 and until such time we will continue to operate as close as possible to business as usual, focused on serving our clients," the lender said. US President Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that he would be arrested within a few days. As a New York grand jury investigates hush money payments to women, the Republican leader issued an extraordinary call for his supporters. But as many party leaders rally to his side, it is pertinent to note that arrest or even indictment would technically have no bearing on his upcoming Presidential run. The claim remains unverified with officials still working to near a decision on charging the former president. In recent days however, protests and social media calls for action have increased greatly, with many voicing support for Trump. No US president, while in office or afterward, has faced criminal charges. And Trump has said he will continue campaigning even if charged with a crime. Will it affect Donald Trump's 2024 run for President? In November last year, the controversial leader had announced plans for a 2024 presidential bid. With several prominent members of the erstwhile Trump administration now vying for the top post, Republican leaders appear to be headed for a 'messy' primary. The possibility of Donald Trump being charged for allegedly covering up hush money payments to a porn star during his 2016 campaign is uncharted territory - no US president has ever faced criminal charges. However, it is pertinent to note that there is no legal deterrent to his run for office. The qualifications - as listed in Article 2 of the US Constitution make no mention of a potential candidate's carceral status or criminal record. In theory then, Trump can run for office - whether convicted by a state or federal government or not. While he could have been barred from running for any federal office if convicted in one of his two impeachment trials, the former president was acquitted in both cases. The difficulties of being a convicted candidate come instead from public perception and the logistical obstacles of campaigning or taking oath from prison (if incarcerated). World Happiness Day is celebrated on 20 March, for the past ten years. A publication by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, has released a report on which are the most and the least happiest nations in the world. In a list of 146 countries, India has ranked 125, improving nine positions from what it had ranked in 2022. However, India did rank significantly lower than even war torn countries Russia and Ukraine. India even lags behind its neighbouring nations like Nepal, China, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The World Happiness Report rankings based largely on life evaluations from the Gallup World Poll, revealed that even though Russia and Ukraine has been in a war like situation for more than a year now, happiness, wellness and benevolence did not take a hit. Global happiness has not taken a hit in the three years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Life evaluations from 2020 to 2022 have been remarkably resilient," the report says, with global averages basically in line with the three years preceding the pandemic. Even during these difficult years, positive emotions have remained twice as prevalent as negative ones, and feelings of positive social support twice as strong as those of loneliness," John Helliwell, one of the authors of the World Happiness Report said in a news release. Fastest growing economy, yet unhappy India Notably, India ranked lower than Iraq, which has ben ridden with anti-government protests, Bangladesh, a small Asian delta nation and India's neighbour, and even Sri Lanka and Pakistan. India may be one of the fastest growing economies of the world, but it is among the least happiest countries. According to the report, the happiness quotient was measured by asking a nationally-representative sample of people how satisfied they are with their lives these days. "A population will only experience high levels of overall life satisfaction if its people are also pro-social, healthy, and prosperous. In other words, its people must have high levels of what Aristotle called eudaimonia", the report reveals. For countries to rank higher, the report considered health, especially mental health, assumes even more priority, as does the quality of work, family life, and community. Further the report also looked at governments' zeal to eliminate misery for the citizen by establishing rights such as those in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). They should also broaden the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to consider wellbeing and environmental policy dimensions jointly in order to ensure the happiness of future generations. The report shows that India had the highest number of lonely people among seven countries including- United States, Brazil, Egypt, France Indonesia and Mexico. India also recorded the lowest use of social media platforms (31%) among emerging economies and developing countries, whereas Leabnon stood highest at 85%. According to the report this indicated a lower interaction among the residents of the country, consequentially dipping in the the happiness quotient. Russia and Ukraine rank better. . . Although well-being in Ukraine had definitely taken a hit, but despite the magnitude of suffering and damage in Ukraine, life evaluations in September 2022 remained higher than in the aftermath of the 2014 annexation, supported now by a stronger sense of common purpose, benevolence, and trust in Ukrainian leadership," the report says. Confidence in their governments grew in both countries in 2022, the survey says, but much more in Ukraine than in Russia." And Ukrainian support for the leadership in Russia fell to zero. In this years rankings, Russia Republic is 70 and Ukraine is 92. International Day of Happiness is celebrated on 20 March every year. The purpose of this day is to know the value of happiness in one's life and create awareness around it. The General Assembly of the United Nations passed a resolution on 12 July 2012 and proclaimed 20 March the International Day of Happiness. In 2013, the United Nations' 193 member states commemorated the first International Day of Happiness. Theme: This years theme for International Day of Happiness is Be Mindful, Be Grateful, Be Kind. As per the day of happiness website, "We can create a happier and kinder world together by adopting simple, daily practices." Also Read: How to stay happy during layoffs? Experts share tips on World Happiness Day Significance: Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. The day aims to recognize and calls for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples." The day recognizes the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives. It also recognizes the need for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness and the well-being of all peoples. In 2015, the UN launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness. . History In July 2012, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring March 20 as the International Day of Happiness. The resolution was initiated by Bhutan, a country which recognized the value of national happiness over national income since the early 1970s and famously adopted the goal of Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product. It also hosted a High Level Meeting on "Happiness and Well-Being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm" during the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly New Delhi : Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas visit to India, which ended on Monday, placed semiconductor cooperation, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project and the development of the Northeast in focus. The two-day visit was Kishidas second to India since taking office as Prime Minister in 2021. In one of the key deliverables, the two sides signed an Exchange of Notes for the fourth tranche of a Japanese loan to help build the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor, Indias first bullet train project. The tranche is worth 300 billion yen or around 18,000 crore. The project, which was initially scheduled to be completed by 2023, ran into a series of delays related to land acquisition. Mint had earlier reported that a high-level Japanese delegation led by a special advisor to Kishida visited India in January to discuss cost overruns and delays with the Indian government. As much as 80% of the funding for the project is to come from Japanese coffers in the form of an easy loan. Cooperation to develop Indias strategically sensitive Northeast, which Japan has undertaken through agencies like the Japan International Cooperation Association, was also in focus. Northeast India, which is surrounded by land, still has unexploited economic potential. Viewing Bangladesh and other areas of the South as a single economic zone, we will promote the Bay of Bengal-North East India industrial value chain concept in cooperation with India and Bangladesh in order to foster growth in the entire region," said Kishida while delivering the Sapru House Lecture in New Delhi. Mint had earlier reported on Japans ambitious plans to capture economic investment moving out of more pricey Southeast Asian markets towards Indias Northeast and Bangladesh. By linking regional infrastructure development efforts and removing policy barriers through economic cooperation agreements, the three countries hope to develop the Northeast and Bangladesh as hubs of manufacturing. Japan is also ready to make investments for such expansive ambitions, indicated Kishida. Kishida also announced that Japan would mobilize a total of more than $75 billion in public and private funds in the Indo-Pacific region by 2030 in infrastructure and grow together with other countries," according to a press release by the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi. Kishida also spoke of his plans to rewrite rules related to the disbursement of Japans official development assistance (ODA) to developing nations. India has received a mammoth 3,600 billion yen or 2.16 trillion as ODA loans from Japan, according to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Semiconductors, said foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, were a major topic of discussion between the two prime ministers. In particular, joint research, modernisation of existing facilities, developing a skills base and direct investment were the key areas of discussion. However, Kwatra did not confirm if any specific investment proposals into the Indian market were on the table. 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. Also Read: Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal's official Twitter account hacked 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. Also Read: Ram Chandra Paudel sworn-in as President of Nepal 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. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Following accusations of war crimes by an international tribunal, Russian President Vladimir Putin will host Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow. This meeting comes just days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin over the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia since the beginning of the war. Despite Russia and China not being members of the ICC, the arrest warrant has drawn attention to a delicate meeting for the Chinese leader. Russia will use Xi's visit as evidence that it has a powerful friend prepared to stand with it against the West, which it says is attempting to isolate and defeat Russia. While Russia's army struggles in Ukraine, the US warns China against supplying Moscow with weapons, and Beijing faces a difficult choice. Also Read: Russia says ICC's arrest warrant against Putin has no meaning It can either do nothing and risk seeing Russia humiliated, or it can come to Russia's aid and risk a bigger deterioration in its relationship with the US and other Western countries. Putin expressed optimism about Xi's visit and their "no limits" strategic partnership in an article for a Chinese newspaper. He also appreciated China's support and willingness to mediate in the Ukrainian conflict, acknowledging their balanced understanding of the situation and welcoming their constructive role in resolving the crisis. Also Read: Russia's Vladimir Putin to be arrested? Here's when an ICC warrant works In February, China 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 welcomed the Chinese proposal but insisted that any settlement would require Russia to withdraw from all the territory it has seized, including the Crimean Peninsula it annexed in 2014. The US was doubtful about China's involvement because it did not condemn Russia's invasion. John Kirby, a White House spokesperson, expressed his disapproval on Fox News and said that if Putin and Xi called for a ceasefire, it would just confirm Russia's current conquests. Kirby also added that such a move would give Putin more time to reorganise and prepare for future offensives. (With agency inputs) President Vladimir Putin told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Monday that Russia was open to discussing China's proposals to end the fighting in Ukraine at the start of high-stakes talks in the Kremlin. The summit comes as China seeks to portray itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, but Washington warned the world should not be fooled by Beijing's moves. Xi's three-day trip also serves as a show of support for internationally isolated Putin, just days after a war crimes tribunal issued a warrant for his arrest over accusation of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children. "We are always open to negotiations," Putin told the Chinese leader, who was on his first visit to Moscow since the start of Russia's military intervention in Ukraine last year. The United States has accused Beijing of mulling arms exports to Moscow -- claims China has vociferously denied. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced scepticism over Xi's Ukraine proposals, warning they could be a "stalling tactic" to help Russia. "Russia alone could end its war today. Until Russia does, we will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes," Blinken said later in a statement. 'Constructive role' Xi and Putin came together in part to discuss China's 12-point position paper on the Ukraine conflict, which includes a call for dialogue and respect for all countries' territorial sovereignty. During his initial meeting with Putin, Xi hailed "close ties" with Russia and the Russian leader said the two countries had "plenty of common objectives and tasks". State news agency RIA Novosti said talks between the Russian and Chinese leaders lasted four and a half hours. The two will meet again for formal talks on Tuesday. Putin has welcomed Beijing's statements on Ukraine as being indicative of a willingness to play a "constructive role" in ending the conflict. But Kyiv on Monday reiterated calls for Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine. "We expect Beijing to use its influence on Moscow to make it put an end to the aggressive war against Ukraine," Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said in comments sent to AFP. The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group said Monday that his forces control more than two-thirds of the embattled eastern Ukraine town of Bakhmut -- scene of the longest battle of Russia's offensive. "At the moment, Wagner units control around 70 percent of the city of Bakhmut and are continuing operations to complete the liberation of the city," Yevgeny Prigozhin said in an open letter to Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. A day before Xi's arrival, a defiant Putin went to the Russian-held Ukrainian city of Mariupol -- his first visit to territory captured from Kyiv since Moscow's forces pushed across the border in February 2022. Objective and impartial Xi's visit also comes just days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin on the accusation of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children. Beijing said Monday the ICC should avoid what it called "politicisation and double standards" and respect the principle of immunity for heads of state. Russia said it had opened a criminal probe into ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, saying he had accused "a person known to be innocent" and was planning "an attack on a representative of a foreign state enjoying international protection". Beijing and Moscow have drawn closer in recent years under a partnership that has served as a diplomatic bulwark against the West. China has lambasted what it sees as a US-led pressure campaign against Russia as Moscow's military effort in Ukraine drags on, instead calling for what it calls "impartial" mediation of the conflict. "No single country should dictate the international order," Xi wrote in a Russian newspaper article published on Monday. Closely watched Beijing's stance has drawn criticism from Western nations, which say China is providing diplomatic cover for Moscow's armed intervention. They argue that China's proposals are heavy on grand principles but light on practical solutions. In Brussels, EU ministers agreed Monday on a two-billion-euro plan to raid their own arsenals and jointly purchase desperately needed ammunition for Ukraine. The European defence and foreign ministers backed an initiative aimed at providing Ukraine with one million artillery shells in the next 12 months as well as replenishing EU stocks. Meanwhile the United States announced $350 million in new military aid to Ukraine, including ammunition for Himars rocket launchers. Analysts say Xi's moves are unlikely to yield a cessation of hostilities, but his trip will be closely watched in Western capitals. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Xi could also be planning his first call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since the conflict began. Zelensky has said he would welcome talks with his Chinese counterpart. In recent weeks ChatGPT and its brethren have been used to write everything from Valentine's Day confessionals to academic essays for school exams. The chatbot has more than 100 million active users and receives over 10 million queries per day. But as it's popularity continues to grow, many have also flagged its potential for misuse. The use of chatAPIs and GPT-3 in higher education has the potential to offer a range of benefits, including increased student engagement, collaboration, and accessibility. However, these tools also raise a number of challenges and concerns, particularly in relation to academic honesty and plagiarism," read the abstract of a research paper published earlier this month. The paper - purportedly authored by three Plymouth Marjon University professors - spoke at length about "potential for these tools to be used for academic dishonesty" and strategies to counter such abuse. It was eventually peer-reviewed by four academics and cleared for publication in Innovations in Education and Teaching International. ALSO READ: ChatGPT can lie, but its only imitating humans What nobody (apart from the editors of the journal) knew however was that the entire research paper had been written by ChatGPT. We wanted to show that ChatGPT is writing at a very high level. This is an arms race. The technology is improving very fast and its going to be difficult for universities to outrun it," the paper's lead author Debby Cotton was quoted as saying by The Guardian. As AI grows smarter, it has become increasingly difficult to detect and counter such plagiarism. But the issue goes beyond academia. Many commentators now believe that journalism, for example, is on the cusp of a revolution where mastery of algorithms and AI tools that generate content will be a key battleground. Last year, technology news site CNET had quietly deployed an AI program last year to write some of its listicles. While it was later forced to issue several corrections (some of them serious) many linked job cuts announced by CNET's parent company to the rise of chatbots. The dismissals had included editorial staff - though executives denied AI was behind the layoffs. "Artificial intelligence has the potential to make independent journalism better than it ever was -- or simply replace it," said Mathias Doepfner - head of German publishing behemoth Axel Springer - told staff last month. (With inputs from agencies) In an effort to avoid further market-shaking turmoil in the global banking system, UBS is buying troubled rival Credit Suisse for almost $3.25 billion. The deal was one of great breadth for the stability of international finance," said Swiss President Alain Berset as he announced it Sunday night. "An uncontrolled collapse of Credit Suisse would lead to incalculable consequences for the country and the international financial system." The Federal Reserve and Treasury Department welcomed the deal, as did the European Central Bank. 10 things to know about this historic deal 1) The Swiss bank is paying 3 billion francs ($3.3 billion) for its rival in an all-share deal that includes extensive government guarantees and liquidity provisions. The price per share marked a 99% decline from Credit Suisses peak in 2007. 2) The deal follows the collapse of two large U.S. banks last week that spurred a frantic, broad response from the U.S. government to prevent any further panic. 3) As part of the deal, approximately 16 billion francs ($17.3 billion) in Credit Suisse bonds will be wiped out. European bank regulators use a special type of bond designed to provide a capital cushion to banks in times of distress. But these bonds are designed to be wiped out if a banks capital falls below a certain level, which was triggered as part of this government-brokered deal. 4) The combination of the two biggest and best-known Swiss banks, each with storied histories dating to the mid-19th century, amounts to a thunderclap for Switzerlands reputation as a global financial center leaving it on the cusp of having a single national champion in banking. 5) Credit Suisse is among the 30 financial institutions known as globally systemically important banks, and authorities worried about the fallout if it were to fail. 6) Following news of the Swiss deal, the worlds central banks announced coordinated financial moves to stabilize banks in the coming week. This includes daily access to a lending facility for banks looking to borrow U.S. dollars if they need them, a practice which widely used during the 2008 financial crisis. 7) Three months after Lehman Brothers collapsed in September of 2008, such swap lines had been tapped for $580 billion. Added swap lines were also rolled out during market turmoil in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020. 8) Many of Credit Suisses problems are unique and do not overlap with the weaknesses that brought down Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, whose failures led to a significant rescue effort by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Federal Reserve. As a result, their downfall does not necessarily signal the start of a financial crisis similar to what occurred in 2008. 9) Its current troubles began after Credit Suisse reported on Tuesday that managers had identified material weaknesses" in the banks internal controls on financial reporting as of the end of last year. That fanned fears that Credit Suisse would be the next domino to fall. 10) Credit Suisse is designated by the Financial Stability Board, an international body that monitors the global financial system, as one of the worlds important banks. This means regulators believe its uncontrolled failure would lead to ripples throughout the financial system not unlike the collapse of Lehman Brothers 15 years ago. -With agency inputs The world is watching closely as Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Russia for the first time since the Ukraine war began last year. Chinas leader has been on a barnstorming diplomatic tour after a long absence from the international scene owing to Chinas struggles with its domestic economy and covid controls. New York police tightened security Monday ahead of the expected historic indictment of Donald Trump over hush money paid to a porn actress, with the ex-president calling for mass demonstrations if he is charged. Trump supporters were scheduled to protest in America's financial capital later Monday, as a grand jury weighs an investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg over the 2016 payment to Stormy Daniels. Trump would become the first former or sitting president to be charged with a crime if an indictment is filed -- a move that would send shockwaves through the 2024 White House race, in which the 76-year-old is running to regain office. Bragg, an elected Democrat, has not confirmed any plans publicly, but has put key witnesses in front of the jury in recent weeks and offered Trump the opportunity to testify. The panel is expected to vote on whether to indict soon. Trump said over the weekend that he expects to be "arrested" on Tuesday and urged supporters to "Protest, take our nation back!" although his lawyer said the comments were based on media reports and not any fresh action by prosecutors. The NYPD geared up for an unprecedented arrest, which would see an ex-leader of the free world fingerprinted and possibly even handcuffed, by erecting barricades outside Bragg's office and Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. More than a dozen senior police officials met with mayoral aides on Sunday to discuss security and contingency plans for protests, the New York Times reported. NBC News said that police and other law enforcement agencies had conducted "preliminary security assessments," including placing a security perimeter around the Manhattan Criminal Court where Trump would likely appear before a judge. Senior Democrats have warned that Trump's calls could trigger a repeat of the violence that his supporters unleashed on the US Capitol in January 2021. In an online group named "The Donald," some Trump supporters called for a "national strike" and "Civil War 2.0" to protect Trump and protest any arrest. But there was no indication of a large movement and figureheads for Trump like his sons and leading commentators have not openly urged action in the streets as they did after the 2020 election, when President Joe Biden defeated Trump. The New York Young Republican Club announced a "peaceful protest" of Bragg's "heinous attack" on Trump for 6:00 pm (2000 GMT) in lower Manhattan on Monday, but it was unclear how many would turn out. Trump's many legal woes Bragg's inquiry centers on $130,000 paid weeks before the 2016 polls to stop Daniels from going public about an affair she says she had with Trump years earlier. Trump's ex-lawyer-turned-enemy Michael Cohen says he made the payment and was later reimbursed. The payment to Daniels, if not properly accounted for, could result in a misdemeanor charge for falsifying business records. That might be raised to a felony if the false accounting was intended to cover up a second crime, such as a campaign finance violation. Cohen testified in front of the grand jury last week, while Daniels is cooperating with prosecutors. An indictment would begin a lengthy process that could last several months, as the case would face a mountain of legal issues and move toward jury selection. Trump has denied having had an affair with Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, and has blasted the investigation as a "witch hunt." His vice president Mike Pence described the probe as a "politically charged prosecution." Trump is facing several criminal investigations at the state and federal level over possible wrongdoing that threaten his new run at the White House. In Georgia, a prosecutor is investigating Trump and his allies' efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the southern state. The grand jury in that case has recommended multiple indictments, the forewoman revealed last month. The former president is also the subject of a federal probe into his handling of classified documents as well as his possible involvement in the January 6 rioting. Some observers believe an indictment bodes ill for Trump's 2024 chances, while others say it could boost his support. Microsoft is said to be in the process of developing a Crypto Wallet feature for its Edge browser. This new feature is expected to enable users to securely store, send, and receive cryptocurrency funds directly within the browser. Additionally, users will be able to store non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with the wallet. With this upcoming feature, Microsoft Edge aims to become a comprehensive platform for all things related to cryptocurrency and blockchain-based assets. 'Windows Central' reports that the recently discovered crypto wallet feature, first noticed by a Twitter user, is still being developed and appears to be undergoing internal testing within Microsoft. Integrated directly into Edge's existing payment card storage feature, the Crypto Wallet is designed to be non-custodial. As per the report, the crypto wallet is secured by a password and also includes a trusted recovery method to help users regain access in the event they lose their password. Once users sign up for the crypto wallet feature, they will have access to all of their assets, including cryptocurrency funds, price trends, and the ability to send or receive crypto using familiar addresses and names. Meanwhile, Microsoft Corp said recently that it will raise prices as much as 20 percent for a bundle of software called Microsoft 365 that includes popular apps like Teams and Outlook. The increases will take effect within six months, Microsoft said in a blog post announcing the change. The Microsoft 365 suite is the cornerstone of the company's productivity and business process segment, which had sales of $53.9 billion in its most recent fiscal year, about a third of Microsoft's overall $168 billion in sales. The increases will affect commercial customers and are the first since Microsoft rolled out the service a decade ago. Jared Spataro, corporate vice president for Microsoft 365, said the company has added two dozen apps to the suite since it launched. "This updated pricing reflects the increased value we have delivered to our customers over the past 10 years," Spataro said in the post. At the low end, basic business plans will rise 20 percent from $5 per user to $6, while the highest-end versions of the suite will have a smaller rise of 12.5 percent from $32 to $36 per user. A Delhi resident fell prey to cybercrime and lost over 9 lakh when he clicked on a link while applying for a work-from-home job online. The victim had intended to earn some extra money, but unfortunately, he became a victim of a scam. It serves as a reminder to be cautious while applying for job opportunities online and to verify the authenticity of the source. As per ANI's report, Harin Bansal from Pitampura, Delhi stumbled upon a social media post advertising a work-from-home opportunity promising large daily earnings. Intrigued, he clicked on the post and was directed to a WhatsApp number of an unknown person who asked him to register on a website through a given link to proceed with the registration process. According to the police, after registering on the website for the work-from-home job, Harin Bansal was instructed to complete certain tasks. The website then directed him to deposit a certain amount and withdraw it, promising a commission along with the original amount for doing so. This was all part of the job that he had signed up for, as per the website's instructions. As per the report, the scammers gained Harin Bansal's trust by promptly giving him the promised commission along with the withdrawn amount. However, after the victim deposited approximately 9,32,000, he was unable to withdraw his money, indicating that he had fallen prey to a scam. Harin Bansal filed a complaint with the Delhi Police after realizing he had been scammed. The police launched an investigation and subsequently arrested two individuals, Ankit (30) and Sudhir Kumar (45), in connection with the case. The matter is still under investigation. This incident is not the first instance where scammers have tricked people into parting with their money under the guise of a job or part-time opportunity. In the past, there have been numerous cases where people have lost money after responding to job advertisements on social media. This trend was especially prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, as people looked for more ways to earn money. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many falling prey to online fraudsters. The methods employed by these scammers are quite commonplace. They typically contact people through social media, before transitioning to messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. Once they've established a level of trust, they convince their target to sign up for a commission-based job. After the victim deposits a significant amount of money, the scammers take the money and disappear by blocking the victim. To avoid falling prey to such scams, it's important to be wary of messages or advertisements that promise significant financial gains. Always verify and cross-check any information that seems dubious or suspicious. Fraudsters may try to lure you into creating an account on dubious websites, and this could give them access to your personal and banking information. As a general rule, avoid accepting any job offers or investment opportunities from strangers online. TikTok said on Monday the short-video sharing app now has 150 million monthly active users in the United States, up from 100 million it said it had in 2020. The Chinese-owned app confirmed the figure ahead of TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew's testimony set for Thursday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. On Friday, six more U.S. senators backed bipartisan legislation to give President Joe Biden new powers to ban TikTok on national security grounds. Last week, TikTok said the Biden administration demanded that its Chinese owners divest their stake in the app or it could face a U.S. ban. The app faces growing pressure in Washington including calls to ban the app by many in Congress who fear its U.S. user data could fall into the hands of China's government. TikTok said in September 2021 that globally it had more than 1 billion monthly users. Senate Intelligence Committee chair Mark Warner, who is cosponsoring legislation to give the administration more powers to ban TikTok, said at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast that he did not think TikTok U.S. data was safe. "This notional idea that the data can be made safe under (Chinese Communist Party) law, just doesn't, doesn't pass the smell test." TikTok said it has spent more than $1.5 billion on rigorous data security efforts, rejects spying allegations and said "if protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn't solve the problem: a change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access." The new figures are a sign of the app's wide popularity especially among younger Americans. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Bloomberg News there could be political ramifications to banning TikTok. "The politician in me thinks youre gonna literally lose every voter under 35, forever," she said. Some TikTok content creators will come to Washington this week to make the case why the app should not be banned. Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon has signed into law the nations first explicit ban on abortion pills since they became the predominant choice for abortion in the U.S. in recent years A video grab made on October 18, 2016 shows US aid worker Jeffery Woodke during a ceremony to introduce his NGO in Abalak, two days before he was captured. Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew responded to a call for assistance to two fishermen in a lake boat who got into difficulties on the River Shannon in Athlone on Saturday afternoon (March 18). Responding to a request from the Irish Coast Guard, following an alarm raised by a member of the public, Lough Ree RNLI was tasked to assist two men on board a 19ft lake boat which was taking on water south of the Weir Wall on the River Shannon in Athlone town. Lough Ree RNLI inland lifeboat Tara Scougall under volunteer helm Liam Sheringham launched at 5.20pm and reached the fishing boat in fifteen minutes. Following a rapid survey of the scene the lifeboat drew alongside the stricken fishing boat and volunteer crew Patrick Walsh, Paul Kelly and Billy Henshaw Jnr were rescued the two young men and took them on board the lifeboat. The two men were then transferred to the care of emergency services on the riverbank and neither man suffered any ill effects from the ordeal. Lough Ree RNLI volunteer helm Liam Sheringham thanked An Garda Siochana for their assistance in the rescue and reminded the general public that the circular motion created in the water over the Weir Wall, especially when the river is in spate or flood creates a very difficult and dangerous environment for people and craft in the vicinity. Earlier on Saturday Lough Ree RNLI had joined with Athlone Sub Aqua Club and Athlone River Safety Awareness just upstream of the weir wall to demonstrate emergency response procedures to the public. This was the second call out of the year for Lough Ree RNLI, earlier this month (Friday, March 3) the charity assisted two people on board a lake cruiser which had run aground after losing steerage near the N6 motorway bridge. A Drumlish woman who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer is urging the people of Longford to support cancer patients by getting involved with the Irish Cancer Societys Daffodil Day on Friday March 24. At the age of 22, Sinead Breslin was diagnosed with a very rare form of ovarian cancer. Sineads treatment included surgery to remove the tumour, one ovary, one fallopian tube and appendix. She also received intensive chemotherapy and was in and out of hospital for months. Sineads oncologoist informed her that due to her treatment and surgery, her future fertility may be affected, however at that young age, starting a family was not on her radar. A few years later when Sinead had fully recovered from her treatment, she began looking into her fertility further. I was referred to the Merrion Fertility Clinic in Dublin to get the ball rolling on preserving my eggs. I was very aware that the cost of fertility treatment is very expensive. I hadn't been in the workforce for very long, so the thoughts of having to spend thousands of euros on fertility treatment, at such a young age and at such short notice, was really overwhelming. The Merrion Fertility Clinic informed me that I may be eligible for funding through the Irish Cancer Society through their Childhood Cancer Fertility Project. Shortly thereafter, I got the good news that the Irish Cancer Society granted me the funding and I was over the moon with happiness. After such a turbulent period in my life, the generosity of funding from the Irish Cancer Society has lifted a heavy weight off my shoulders both financially and emotionally. I am delighted to be supporting the Irish Cancer Societys Daffodil Day this year, the services and supports they provide are invaluable for so many people affected by cancer in Ireland. On top of funding life-changing cancer research, the Irish Cancer Society provides vital services and supports to patients and their families across Longford each year, including 201 free counselling sessions, 116 nights of in-home Night Nursing for cancer patients in their final days, and 317 free lifts to get patients safely to and from their hospital chemotherapy appointments in 2022. The Irish Cancer Society is calling on the public to take part in any way they can to show solidarity and support for anyone affected by cancer, and says that this years Daffodil Day is their most important yet. Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: Every three minutes, someone in Ireland, hears the words you have cancer. Cancer takes from us every day. It takes big days, little days, and everything in-between. It replaces them with treatment days and recovery days. But together, we have the power to take these days back from cancer. The Irish Cancer Societys Daffodil Day is a day to give hope and raise vital funds so that one day, cancer can take no more. Daffodil Day is our most important fundraising event of the year with donations funding crucial supports including our Support Line, free counselling, our Night Nurses service, and financial support for families of children affected by cancer. The publics generosity on Daffodil Day allows us to support life-changing cancer research. At the Irish Cancer Society we want to support every single person in Ireland affected by cancer. But we cannot do this without your help. We typically receive 3% of our funding from the State. Its only because of the generous support of the Irish public we are able to provide our free services and fund life-changing cancer research projects. We ask everyone to please get out there and help us turn Ireland daffodil yellow once again on March 24. For more information about Daffodil Day visit www.Cancer.ie/DaffodilDay . Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases By Jacob Alvear Published: March 20 2023 Ever wondered how much volunteer firefighters actually save on taxes? March 20, 2023 New Yorks volunteer firefighters, which respond to emergency calls in a majority of the State, save not only lives and property, but also billions in taxpayer dollars. According to an economic impact study released today by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY), these dedicated volunteers help New York taxpayers save $4.7 billion annually through their services. The report emphasizes the critical role of volunteer firefighters in safeguarding New York's communities and helping to save lives. The 80,000 volunteer firefighters in the state provide vital protection and services during emergencies and contribute significantly to their communities through continuous training, outreach, and fire safety education. They also play a critical role in the statewide response plans to major emergencies and natural disasters. Prepared by Resolution Economics (ResEcon), the Economic Study of The Tax Savings Generated by New Yorks Volunteer Fire Service is the second study in the past decade to examine the economic impact of New York's volunteer firefighters. Volunteer firefighters keep local taxes and expenses low by eliminating the need to pay career firefighters wages, benefits, and related costs. New York State relies heavily on volunteer fire departments, and a conversion to paid departments would cause a severe economic burden and require a massive increase in property taxes. This report underscores the importance and value of the volunteer firefighting service to New York, said FASNY President Edward Tase, Jr. Without the dedication and service of the brave volunteers throughout the state, local taxpayers would face a significant financial burden to fund the type of emergency response they are accustomed to. Our volunteer firefighters train extensively to be able to respond to their neighbors in a time of need, and we are proud to do our part to keep this great State safe and taxpayer costs for fire protection low. (Cont.) Among the findings in the report: Fully paid career departments would cost New York taxpayers $4.7 billion annually in pay, benefits, operating, maintenance, and capital costs. 31,058 full-time paid firefighters would need to be hired. Of New York States 1,640 fire departments, 93.2% are all-volunteer or mostly volunteer . If NYS switched to an all-paid fire service : Local Government property taxes would rise an average of 28.4% absent volunteer firefighters (taxes would increase between 5.8% and 133.8% depending on the county) There would be a one-time cost of $8.17 billion to acquire existing structures, vehicles, and equipment. New York State Association of Counties President Michael E. Zurlo said, Volunteer firefighters exemplify the best of New York: courage, service, and sacrifice. Not only do volunteer firefighters save lives and protect property, but they also save millions of dollars of taxpayer money that can be put to use serving their communities in countless other capacities. The report released by FASNY highlights the critical need for the State of New York to invest in the volunteer fire community to ensure New Yorkers have access to reliable and effective fire service and that our communities continue to benefit from the dedication and generosity of these brave men and women. In addition to saving lives, the selfless individuals who volunteer as firefighters in New York also save residents a significant amount in tax dollars, said Gerry Geist, Executive Director of the Association of Towns. Towns, and ultimately taxpayers, are able to save money by contracting with volunteer fire departments for fire protection services. We look forward to working with legislators and stakeholders on creating local options to encourage retention and recruitment, as well as state funded programs and incentives to support volunteer emergency service providers. The New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) applauds the dedicated men and women of New Yorks volunteer fire service and appreciates their commitment to protecting our communities, said NYCOM Executive Director, Peter A. Baynes. This report confirms what we have long believed -- that the volunteer fire service is not only good for our residents, but its good for municipal budgets as well. We commend FASNY for commissioning this study and look forward to partnering with them to help strengthen the volunteer fire service throughout New York State. ABOUT FASNY Founded in 1872, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) represents the interests of the approximately 80,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in New York State. For more information, visit www.fasny.com. Local News, Business & Finance By Long Island Published: March 20 2023 New York Community Bank has agreed to purchase Signature Bank in a $2.7 billion deal New York Community Bank has agreed to purchase a significant portion of Signature Bank, a prominent lender for businesses in the tristate area, in a $2.7 billion deal after the latter experienced a failure last week. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. announced on Sunday that New York Community Bank would acquire $38.4 billion worth of Signature Bank's assets, which amounts to approximately one-third of the bank's total $110 billion in assets at the time of its failure. The remaining $60 billion in loans will remain in receivership until they are sold off at a later date. Signature Bank's collapse occurred only two days after Silicon Valley Bank's collapse, which caused concern among depositors due to Signature Bank's recent expansion into the cryptocurrency industry. The bank became the third-largest bank failure in US history, according to a joint statement from the US Treasury, Federal Reserve, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. issued last Sunday. (Alliance News) - The DUP will oppose the UK government in this week's first parliamentary vote on the new Windsor Framework Brexit deal. Jeffrey Donaldson said DUP officers met on Monday morning and unanimously agreed to vote against the first aspect of the Windsor Framework to be considered by Parliament, the Stormont brake. The brake would allow a minority of MLAs at Stormont to formally flag concerns about the imposition of new EU laws in Northern Ireland a move that could see the UK government veto their introduction in the region. The first Commons vote on the EU/UK agreement on trading arrangements for Northern Ireland will take place on Wednesday. The vote will be on secondary legislation that would give effect to the Stormont brake. The DUP is currently blocking devolution at Stormont in protest at the terms of the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol. The protocol was designed to prevent a hardening of the land border on the island of Ireland and moved regulatory and customs checks to the Irish Sea, creating economic barriers on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The UK and EU agreed the framework as a way to cut the red tape created by the protocol. While the DUP says the Windsor Framework has gone some way to address its concerns about the protocol, it says some significant problems remain with the new accord. Announcing the party's intention ahead of Wednesday's vote, Jeffrey said: "Since the announcement that the Stormont brake is to be debated and voted upon in Parliament on Wednesday, there have been a number of indications that this vote will be read as indicative of current positions on the wider Windsor Framework package. "Our party officers, the only decision-making mechanism in our party on these matters, met this morning and unanimously agreed that in the context of our ongoing concerns and the need to see further progress secured whilst continuing to seek clarification, change and re-working, that our Members of Parliament would vote against the draft statutory instrument on Wednesday. "We will continue to work with the Government on all the outstanding issues relating to the Windsor Framework package to try to restore the delicate political balances within Northern Ireland and to seek to make further progress on all these matters." Jeffrey Donaldson said the framework does not deal with some of the "fundamental problems at the heart of our current difficulties". "It is our party view that there remain key areas of concern which require further clarification, re-working and change as well as seeing further legal text," the DUP leader added. "There is no doubt it is vital that the Northern Ireland Assembly must have at its disposal democratic mechanisms that are effective in law and which underscore the role of the locally elected representatives of the people of Northern Ireland to determine whether amended or new laws are implemented. "Notwithstanding the issues and conditions which have to be met to make the brake work, it remains the case that the brake is not designed for, and therefore cannot apply, to the EU law which is already in place and for which no consent has been given for its application. "Whilst representing real progress, the brake does not deal with the fundamental issue which is the imposition of EU law by the protocol." source: PA Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Canadian Overseas Petroleum Ltd - oil and gas exploration, production and development company, with operations focused in Wyoming, US - Signs agreements with current stakeholders and a new institutional investor for an increase in its 2024 bonds and 2025 bonds, with a total amount of USD13.6 million committed possibly increasing to USD14.8 million. The convertible financing is meant to sufficiently fund the company for production growth, while allowing management to "optimally conclude" their reserves-based lending and joint-venture negotiations, COPL says. A further undrawn element has been made available by the company's main bondholder to ensure COPL will be appropriately funded into 2024. Current stock price: 5.68 pence 12-month change: down 83% By Eric Cunha, Alliance News news editor Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved. (Sharecast News) - London stocks were set to slide again on Monday following heavy losses in Asia, after UBS agreed to buy Credit Suisse. The FTSE 100 was called to open down around 100 points. UBS agreed to buy rival lender Credit Suisse for around $3.25bn in an all-share transaction. As part of the deal, Switzerland's central bank will make available a CHF100bn Swiss franc liquidity line to UBS. Under the terms of the agreement, should UBS incur more than CHF5bn in losses from Credit Suisse's assets, the Swiss government would shoulder the next CHF9bn in red ink, with UBS taking any losses above that amount. Investors are worries about the hit some Credit Suisse bondholders will take as a result of the deal, as $17bn worth of riskier AT1 bonds will be wiped out. CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson said: "With Credit Suisse shareholders and some bondholders taking a huge hit, banks in Asia have taken a hit on similar concern about their AT1 bond holding values, while the weekend deal still presents the Swiss National Bank and Swiss Government with untold headaches, with the size of the newly merged bank set to dwarf the size of the Swiss economy. "The phrase too big to fail really does spring to mind here, and this morning's weakness in Asia markets serves to reinforce concerns about these types of writedowns and any spillover effects on the rest of the banking sector. "As for Credit Suisse, it is in no position to dictate the price of any rescue package given the problems it was facing, and if its shareholders are unhappy with the price they've got, they should have stumped up the extra cash themselves!" In UK corporate news, FirstGroup said the government had extended its current contract for its troubled West Coast rail contract to October 15. The contract comprises the operation of Avanti West Coast and acting as shadow operator to the HS2 programme. Discussions are ongoing with the Department for Transport regarding the longer-term National Rail Contract for (the) West Coast Partnership, the transport operator said on Monday. Avanti West Coast has come under severe criticism over the unreliability of its service, with about a quarter of its trains cancelled in the first two months of 2023. Elsewhere, Intertek announced the appointment of Colm Deasy as group chief financial officer and as an executive board director, and backed its guidance for the year. Deasy replaced Jonathan Timmis, who has stepped down with immediate effect. The company also said it was establishing a new Group Executive Committee effective immediately. Deasey joined the company in 2016 as Group Treasurer. Prior to Intertek, he worked in banking and insurance in EMEA, before coming to the UK to take up senior roles in finance and general management. "The board believes that the new team, led by Andre Lacroix, will best position the company to take advantage of the exciting growth opportunities ahead, in a world where companies are increasing their focus on riskbased quality assurance to make their businesses stronger," it said. (Alliance News) - Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust PLC on Monday said that it has bought a freehold industrial warehouse in the Netherlands for EUR11 million. The purchase by the European-focused investing firm reflects a net initial yield of 5.6%. The 9,115 square metre property is fully let to WA Schuurman Beheer BV, an electrical engineering and renewable energy specialist. The 20-year triple net lease, with a break at 15 years, benefits from annual indexation. "Whilst we continue to be patient in our investment strategy, this was a rare opportunity to acquire a highly sustainable asset with a strong and visible income profile that enhances the company's sector weighting, average unexpired lease term and credit strength," said Jeff O'Dwyer, fund manager at Schroder Capital Real Estate. Schroder European Real Estate shares were trading 1.0% lower at 81.80 pence each in London on Monday morning. By Holly Beveridge, Alliance News reporter Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. A 2020 study by University of Vermont researchers found that universal school meals were associated with improved readiness to learn, improved school social climate as a result of financial differences being less visible, declines in financial and emotional stress for parents and students, declines in stress for school administrators related to the need to collect school meal program debts from families, and increased ability of schools to purchase and serve local food. The global appliance brand has been thriving ever since they have been launched here in the Philippines, constantly aiming to help the customers in pursuing a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. To celebrate its anniversary in the Philippines, leading global appliance brand Beko is throwing an Anniversary Sale for customers with up to 30% on selected appliances. For cooking appliances, the discounts range from 15%-30% for cookers and ovens of different sizes and with different features. Beko offers multifunctional ovens, which is truly a good thing in the kitchen. Multifunctional ovens provide multiple heating elements positioned in different areas which are used to speed up the cooking time and allow food to be cooked evenly in various ways in a quicker time. CHECK ALSO: GO GREEN WITH BEKO For The Busy Bees In The Kitchen Are you a busy bee in the kitchen? Look no further, since Beko's GMI5321DXNS is a 90cm cooking range with four gas and one wok burner. It has a multifunctional oven that allows you to cook two different dishes at the same time, this feature will surely save more of your time at home. It offers seven different cooking functions such as defrosting, electric grill, full grill, and bottom heating. Want to bake pizza and pastries? You may try out its bottom heating setting as this emits heat from below to ensure the base is cooked through. Want to prepare a chicken or fish for your family reunion? Surely, youll love the full grill function as it can give your chicken and fish a crispy crust once its cooked. You can get this cooker at 30% off for only P 52,493 from its original price of P 74, 990. Want to get a clear view of your food while spending quality time with your family? Of course, Bekos got your back! The home baker will have fun with the BIM25301X, 60cm built-in oven with 71L multifunctional oven. Its oven provides you with a defrosting function which allows you to cool down frozen food, conventional cooking function and which is ideal for roasting chicken and large cuts of meat. Cleaning ovens may sound like a hassle, but this built-in oven also includes SteamShine technology which is a great way of cleaning without any harsh chemicals, ensuring that your oven will stay clean and strong for a long time. This has a sturdy door for carrying heavy dishes & cookware thats ready to support a huge load of food, as heavy as 22.5 kg. This is 20% more than standard oven doors so you can rest your hot pot on the open oven door while you take a short rest. This has a 22% discount for a promo price of P 19,491 from P 24,990. Talking about food and savings, another tip from Beko is that you can now cut down your grocery schedules of time to time visits at the supermarkets by having Beko's hero technology on its crisper, the HarvestFresh. It has an innovative 3 color light technology that cleverly mimics the 24-hour cycle of the sun. This process allows your food to be in its natural habitat making them last so you can enjoy a healthier lifestyle with more nutritious meals for you and for your family. And since it's the anniversary month of Beko, the GN0563E50HFKPH which is a 19.8 cu.ft Side by Side Refrigerator can be yours at P 47,592 from P 55,990. Save More Time In Doing Laundry! There are substantial discounts of 22%-30% on the laundry appliances, including the 10kg ProSmart Inverter Frontload Washing Machine, WCV10746M. Beko promises to provide a safe and healthier lifestyle and that includes the necessities around you, your clothes. Thats why, worry no more because this washing machine can give up to 99.9% allergen free guarantee on your clothes and its possible because of its unique technology, the SteamCure Hygiene+. SteamCure Hygiene+ technology uses steam in softening stubborn and even dried up stains. The steam is released from the bottom of a Beko washing machines drum right before it starts the wash cycle, making it an effective pre-treatment for stains. Another batch of steam is released after the wash cycle. This helps smoothen out any unwanted creases and folds in clothes. This program also sanitizes and kills bacteria on garments, so every home stays safe and clean. The WCV10746M includes the Xpress Super Short 14 Min Programme which allows you to wash up to 2 kg of laundry in just 14 minutes. It has a promo price of P 34,993 with 30% discount off from its SRP of P 49,990. Say Hello To Bekos Small Appliances Beko also offers 19-31% off on their small appliances! Enjoy your food without its soggy feeling with the Beko FRL2942. This air fryer contains an oil measurement spoon that lets you measure ow much oil to use, so your food comes out deliciously crisp and healthy. It has a promo price of P 2,991with 19% discount off from its SRP of P 3,690. Need your caffeine fix? Beko's CEG5311X has an integrated milk frother that gives you the perfect cappuccino or cafe latte cup. The machine has adjustable nozzle height which allows you to enjoy your espresso in different cup sizes, from small (40 mL) to medium (120 mL) to large (190 mL). It also has anti-sleep feet that secures the machine from falling. It has a promo price of P 16,591 with 21% discount off from its SRP of P 20,990. Bekos Anniversary Sale runs until March 31, 2023. So, what are you waiting for? Celebrate the joy of Bekos 3rd year anniversary with their ongoing sale! Beko appliances are available at All Home, Anson's, Appliance Centrum, Asian Home Appliance, Automatic Centre, Fair N Square, Gloria Bazaar, Great World, HAT, J Marketing, Lazada, Magic Appliance, Manhattan Appliance, Manila Imperial, Mike's Appliances, Pricewise, Robinsons Appliance, Savers, Shopee, SM Appliance, Solidmark, S&R (Gidi), Western Appliances, and 1st Megasaver. For more information about Beko in the Philippines, go to beko.ph or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bekoph and their Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/bekoph/. ABOUT BEKO Beko is the international home appliance brand of Arcelik, which is a multinational household appliances manufacturer that operates with 12 brands and employs over 40,000 people worldwide. It is one of the top three large home appliances brands in Europe* in the white goods sector. Beko has been focusing on healthy living for years, raising awareness and developing products that make healthy living possible and convenient. Bekos brand mission is healthy living is only possible on a healthy planet. Beko is committed to protecting the planet by designing and manufacturing energy-efficient products and investing in resource efficiency in production. The brand has been in the Philippine Market for seven years and is currently available in select All Home, Ansons, Appliance Centrum, Asian Home Appliance, Automatic Centre, Fair N Square, Gloria Bazar, Great World, HAT, J Marketing, Lazada, Magic Appliance, Manhattan Appliance, Manila Imperial, Mikes Appliances, Pricewise, Robinsons Appliance, Savers, Shopee, SM Appliance, Solidmark, S&R (Gidi), Western Appliance and 1 st MegaSaver This year, Beko will be made available soon in other appliance stores nationwide as it continues to expand its distribution to other retail channels. Beko is committed to protecting the planet by designing and manufacturing energy-efficient products and investing in resource efficiency in production. Cute giant pandas at Moscow Zoo attract tourists People's Daily Online) 14:33, March 20, 2023 Photo shows giant panda Dingding at the Moscow Zoo in the capital of Russia. (Peoples Daily Online/Weng Qiyu) Two giant pandas Ruyi (male) and Dingding (female) attracted large crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the cute bears at the Moscow Zoo in the capital of Russia, on March 19, 2023. The panda area has become the most popular at the zoo for local citizens and tourists. Ruyi was born in July 2016 at the Bifengxia base of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda in Yaan, southwest Chinas Sichuan Province, while Dingding was born in July 2017 at the Shenshuping base of the center in Wolong, Sichuan. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 when China and Russia celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. They will spend 15 years at the Moscow Zoo. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) The Padres have been extremely aggressive in recent years, taking their payroll to levels its never reached before. It finally paid off in 2022, as the club made the playoffs in a full season for the first time since 2006. They doubled down on that aggression this winter, signing multiple free agents and locking up a couple of players with notable extensions. Major League Signings 2022 spending: $68.7MM Total spending: $407.2MM Option Decisions RHP Robert Suarez opted out of one year and $5MM remaining on contract for $1MM buyout, later re-signed OF Jurickson Profar opted out of one year and $7.5MM remaining on contract for $1MM buyout opted out of one year and $7.5MM remaining on contract for $1MM buyout Club declined $20MM option on OF Wil Myers in favor of $1MM buyout in favor of $1MM buyout RHP Nick Martinez opted out of three years and $18MM remaining on contract for $1.5MM buyout, later re-signed Trades And Claims Claimed RHP Sean Poppen from Diamondbacks, later outrighted off 40-man roster from Diamondbacks, later outrighted off 40-man roster Selected LHP Jose Lopez from Rays in Rule 5 draft Extensions Notable Minor League Signings Notable Losses Going into the 2018 season, the Padres decided it was time for change. It had been over a decade since their last trip to the postseason and they had never been huge players in free agency. They started to flip that narrative by signing first baseman Eric Hosmer to an eight-year, $144MM contract. That deal didnt end up going well, but it nonetheless sent the message that the club meant business. That was followed up with the club signing Manny Machado and extending Fernando Tatis Jr., as well as trading for players like Joe Musgrove, Yu Darvish and Blake Snell. Despite all those bold moves, the club still found ways to struggle. Though they qualified for the postseason in the expanded field of the shortened 2020 campaign, they finished below .500 in each 162-game season from 2011 to 2021. Things finally clicked in 2022, with the Padres stealing all the headlines at the trade deadline by acquiring Juan Soto, Josh Hader and Brandon Drury. It resulted in the club finishing 89-73 and grabbing a Wild Card spot. They knocked off heavyweight teams like the Mets and the Dodgers before ultimately falling to the Phillies in the NLCS. Though they finally broke through and had the success that long eluded them, the club quickly made it clear that they had little interest in taking their foot off the gas as they continue their pursuit of a World Series title. The first order of business was retaining a few in-house players. Robert Suarez and Nick Martinez each opted out of their respective contracts to become free agents. Within a few days, they were already back in the fold on eight-figure guarantees. Suarez was excellent in 2022, but it was his first in the majors at the age of 31 after many years in Japan. It was a somewhat similar situation for Martinez, who was also 31 and had been in Japan for three years following a rough MLB stint from 2014-17. The fact that the club made such large guarantees to relatively unproven pitchers signaled that they would have few financial obstacles in their path this winter. From there, the Friars set their sights on a big splash. They reportedly offered both Trea Turner and Aaron Judge larger guarantees than they eventually accepted from the Phillies and Yankees, respectively. Thats not to say that either player turned up their nose at a chance of joining the Padres, as Turner seemingly preferred to be on the East Coast while Judge preferred to remain a Yankee for life. After missing on two big swings, the club finally connected on the star signing they sought with Xander Bogaerts. The deal shattered most predictions, including ours. MLBTR pegged Bogaerts for a seven-year, $189MM deal, but he ended up soaring past that both in terms of the years and the guarantee. It was also surprising to see the Padres pursue a shortstop, as that didnt seem to be their primary need. Ha-Seong Kim had a fine season replacing Fernando Tatis Jr., who missed all of 2022 due to injuries and an 80-game PED suspension. Tatis still has 20 games left on that but should be back in action early in 2023. The fact that the club initially set its sights on Judge perhaps indicates there was a chance Tatis could stick at short, but the acquisition of Bogaerts also showed they werent committed to letting him retake his spot there. With Bogaerts now set to take over at the clubs everyday shortstop, Kim will get pushed over to second, nudging Jake Cronenworth to first. That will leave Tatis in the outfield, alongside Soto and Trent Grisham. That reduced the need for a big splash in the outfield, but the club did bolster their options on the grass by signing Matt Carpenter and Adam Engel. The latter is a glove-first option that was non-tendered by the White Sox and should make for a solid fourth outfielder. The former was awful from 2019 to 2021 but rebounded tremendously last year. He re-emerged with the Yankees and was one of the best hitters on the planet for a stretch before a foot fracture slowed him down. He finished the year with 15 home runs in just 47 games and a batting line of .305/.412/.727, wRC+ of 217. He played the four corner positions last year and could do so again, though the eventual return of Tatis should diminish the need for him to take any outfield reps. All of this shuffling is necessary to get Bogaerts into the shortstop position and, more importantly, his bat into the lineup. Over the past five seasons, Bogaerts has hit 105 home runs and slashed .300/.373/.507 for a wRC+ of 134. That latter number places him in the top 20 among all qualified hitters in the league. Hes been remarkably consistent, keeping that figure between 129 and 141 in each of those five campaigns. His defense has been a little less consistent, but he did get positive grades from all three of Defensive Runs Saved, Ultimate Zone Rating and Outs Above Average last year. The Padres made a significant investment to get a deal done, but theres every reason to expect they got a premier player for it. With Bogaerts in hand, the next stage of the offseason continued to be busy, though at a lesser tier of free agency. Though they had retained Martinez, the rotation was still in need of bolstering with the departures of Sean Manaea and Mike Clevinger. Offseason rumors suggested that clubs were interested in Seth Lugo as a starter, despite the fact that hes been pitching out of the Mets bullpen for the past few years. The Padres decided to be the team to give Lugo that shot, signing him in mid-December. Lugo has been a fine reliever but is generally pretty unproven in the rotation. The last time he made more than seven starts in a season was back in 2017. After that Lugo deal, the Padres had a front-loaded rotation. It was headlined by three great hurlers in Musgrove, Darvish and Snell, but they were followed by two unestablished starters in Lugo and Martinez. They decided to add some security as the offseason went along, eventually adding Michael Wacha, who posted a solid 3.32 ERA last year. Hes no sure thing either, as recurring shoulder issues have prevented him from tossing 130 innings in a season since 2017. But the Friars also added a few strands to the safety net by bringing in Brent Honeywell Jr., Wilmer Font, Cole Hamels and Julio Teheran. Those extra options will likely be important all season long, even in the beginning, as Musgrove recently fractured a toe and seems likely to miss a couple of starts. The lineup was also in a good place, with Bogaerts joining Soto and Machado as the key threats. The Padres would go on to add some complementary pieces in Carpenter, Engel and then Nelson Cruz. Its been a rough stretch for Cruz lately, as he struggled with the Rays at the end of 2021 and then hit just .234/.313/.337 for the Nats last year. Given that hes now 42 years old, it would be fair to wonder if his age was finally catching up with him. However, Cruz underwent eye surgery in the offseason, telling reporters that some inflammation has been blocking his vision over the past year and a half. Perhaps he can bounce back, perhaps not, but the Padres only put down $1MM to find out. If the gamble pays off, it will add yet another potent bat into the mix. With the calendar showing February and the roster looking fairly set, the focus shifted to long-term concerns. The rotation had some uncertainty over the horizon, as both Darvish and Snell were slated for free agency after 2023. Lugo, Wacha and Martinez also arent guaranteed to be back next season, as all three of them either have options or opt-outs that could potentially result in them returning to free agency. That left Musgrove as the only starter locked in for 2024, so the Padres decided to get a bit more clarity by extending Darvish. The deal was surprising in that it came out of nowhere, but also in its length. Darvish is already 36 and his new deal will run past his 42nd birthday. It seems likely that this is a tactic to reduce the clubs competitive balance tax calculation. Well circle back to that CBT conversation in a moment, but the Padres werent done with the extensions just yet. Manny Machado still had six years remaining on his ten-year deal, but he had an opt-out opportunity coming up at the end of 2023. Given that he had an MVP-caliber season last year and the new Collective Bargaining Agreement had seemingly improved the free agent market for players, Machado would have been justified in heading back to the open market. He was quite open about his intent to do, but the Padres decided they didnt want to see that happen and locked him in with a new 11-year, $350MM deal. Since Machado already had six years and $180MM in hand, this tacked on five years and $170MM to prevent him from departing. This new era of aggressive spending for the Padres has resulted in the club paying the luxury tax in each of the past two years. Their continued spending this year will result in them paying for a third straight season and that will come with elevated tax rates. A third-time payor faces a 50% tax for any spending over the lowest threshold, which is $233MM this year. That jumps to 62% over the $253MM tier and 95% over the $273MM tier. It was reported about a month ago that the Padres were narrowly below that third tier, but that was before the Machado extension came down. His new deal bumped his AAV from $30MM to $31.81MM, perhaps nudging them over that line. If they can manage to get back under the $273MM figure, theyll avoid the unwelcome penalty of having their top pick in the 2024 draft pushed back 10 spots. Regardless of which side of that threshold the Padres ultimately fall, it seems the lengthy deals are an attempt to at least moderately mitigate their CBT hits, for this year and the future. As mentioned, the Darvish extension will run past his 42nd birthday, while Bogaerts and Machado will each turn 41 in the final seasons of their respective deals. The annual values on the Bogaerts and Darvish deals, in particular, are lower than the per-year market rate for players of this caliber. Time will tell whether subsequent extensions might follow; the team is reportedly interested in extending both Soto and Hader. Ultimately, these are all footnotes to the larger story of owner Peter Seidler deciding that he didnt want the Padres to be a small-market team anymore. The Friars are currently third in the league in terms of both pure payroll and CBT, with only the two New York clubs ahead of them. Its already resulted in one trip to the NLCS, and the hope is for even more to come. When asked if his spending was sustainable, Seidler told Bob Nightengale of USA Today, he preferred a different question. Do I believe our parade is going to be on land or on water or on boat? How would you grade the Padres offseason? (Link to poll) In conjunction with the Padres offseason review, we hosted a Padres-focused chat on March 21. You can click here to read the transcript. France's government is holding its ground over a bitterly contested pension reform pushed through parliament without a vote, ahead of crucial no-confidence motions on Monday. "There will be no majority to bring the government down, but it will be a moment of truth," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said of the two efforts to unseat the cabinet planned for Monday afternoon. Monday's two no-confidence motions have been filed by a small group of centrist MPs and the far-right National Rally. Although President Emmanuel Macron's camp has no absolute majority in the lower house National Assembly, it is the largest group and all of the opposition would need to unite for one of the votes to pass. Most MPs from the conservative Republicans party are not expected to back a no-confidence motion. Republicans chief Eric Ciotti announced Sunday that his constituency office had been pelted with rocks overnight. "The killers who did this want to put pressure on my vote on Monday," Ciotti wrote on Twitter, posting pictures showing smashed windows and threatening graffiti. He has previously said that he would not "add chaos to chaos" by kicking the government out. Another Republicans lawmaker, Frederique Meunier, told broadcaster BFM that she had received hundreds of sometimes-threatening emails over the pension reform. "It's harassment," she said. "We feel like they're going to cut our heads off tomorrow". 'What do we have left?' The government's decision to resort on Thursday to article 49.3 of the constitution which allows it to get a bill through parliament without a vote has prompted anger in the streets after weeks of mostly peaceful protests and strikes against the plans. Police on Saturday closed Paris' Place de la Concorde opposite parliament for demonstrations following two successive nights of clashes. Some 122 people were arrested after setting rubbish bins on fire, destroying bus stops and erecting improvised barricades around a 4,000-strong demonstration in the capital. They made up the majority of Saturday's 169 arrests nationwide. Other demonstrations in cities around France had gone off peacefully, with hundreds turning out in the Mediterranean port city Marseille. "What do we have left apart from continuing to demonstrate?" said Romain Morizot, a 33-year-old telecoms engineer, at the Marseille protest, predicting "social tensions" over the reform. "There's deep discontent, there's a huge majority against this law, and we have a president who keeps moving forward and changing his arguments as he goes," hard-left CGT union leader Philippe Martinez told BFM TV Sunday. People close to President Macron told AFP news agency that the president was "of course following developments" on the ground. Refinery shutdown Away from the streets of major cities, the CGT said Saturday that workers would shut down France's largest oil refinery in Normandy, warning that two more could follow on Monday. So far, strikers had only prevented fuel deliveries from leaving refineries but not completely halted operations. Industrial action has also halted rubbish collection in much of Paris, with around 10,000 tonnes of waste now on the streets as the government forces some binmen back to work. A ninth day of wider strikes and protests is planned for Thursday. Macron's reform raises the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 as well as increasing the number of years people must pay into the system to receive a full pension. The government says the changes are needed to avoid crippling deficits in the coming decades linked to France's ageing population. "Those among us who can will gradually need to work more to finance our social model, which is one of the most generous in the world," Le Maire said. But opponents say the law places an unfair burden on low earners, women and people doing physically wearing jobs, and polls have consistently showed majorities opposed to the changes. A survey of 2,000 people published in the JDD Sunday gave Macron an approval rating of 28 percent, its lowest since 2019's mass "yellow vests" demonstrations against a new fuel tax. (-with AFP) Surrounded by olive and palm trees in a Moroccan mountain village, a centuries-old collective granary preserves the ancient practices of the Amazigh culture. "The traditions are vanishing, but not here," said proud village elder Hossine Oubrahim, in Ait Kine in the Anti-Atlas mountains. High in the rugged hills some 460 kilometres (280 miles) south of the capital Rabat, Ait Kine is home to one of country's few remaining collective granaries called agadir in Amazigh, Morocco's Berber language. The imposing, fully functional structure, likely built in the 18th century and restored in 2012, is still used by local residents to store and protect their produce. Lahcen Boutirane, guardian of the collective granary of Ait Kine in Morocco's Tata region: the imposing, fully functional structure was likely built in the 18th century. By FADEL SENNA (AFP) "We were raised on the tradition of storing our grains, dried fruit, oil and valuables there," recalled Oubrahim, in his 70s and wearing an indigo-coloured tunic. "And we continue to respect it." The village's granary is a "monument" that "represents our community spirit", said Abdelghani Charai, a 60-year-old merchant who returned to his ancestral home in Ait Kine after years away. Grains, fruit, family archives The granary, built using a practice known as rammed earth, sits in the village centre, protected by a fortified wall with a stone watchtower. By FADEL SENNA (AFP) The granary, built using a practice known as rammed earth, sits in the village centre, protected by a fortified wall with a stone watchtower. In the past, during times of unrest and rebellion against the government, it offered a safe place for storage, Charai explained. "The granary guaranteed security," he said. Inside, 76 cubicles are arranged in three levels around an open courtyard with a water cistern. The agadir has stocks of barley, dates and almonds, but it is also used to safeguard documents like marriage and birth certificates, religious texts and contracts, and recipes for traditional medicine inscribed on palm stems. Unwritten laws have kept these granaries sacred and inviolable spaces, not only storing crops to use in drought but also protecting them from attacks. By FADEL SENNA (AFP) Lahcen Boutirane, the guardian of the collective storeroom, said the village's 63 remaining families use it. "Others have left, but they keep their archives here," he told AFP. Unwritten laws have kept these granaries sacred and inviolable spaces, not only storing crops to use in drought but also protecting them from attacks, said archaeologist Naima Keddane. Boutirane stressed the importance of preserving Ait Kine's agadir, which "bears witness to our ancestors' ingenuity". 'Solidarity' The agadir has stocks of barley, dates and almonds, but it is also used to safeguard documents like marriage and birth certificates and religious texts. By FADEL SENNA (AFP) Collective granaries can be found elsewhere in North Africa -- in Algeria's Aures mountains, Tunisia's south and Libya's Nafusa mountains -- but they are most common in Morocco, though many are no longer in use. The kingdom has more than 550 ancient igoudar -- the plural of agadir -- according to the culture ministry, which is preparing a UNESCO World Heritage nomination. They are located primarily across central and southern Morocco, in caves or on cliff sides, on hilltops and in valleys. "The challenge is to save Morocco's collective granaries, which have almost disappeared in Algeria, Tunisia and Libya," said architect and anthropologist Salima Naji. Passionate about these "institutions of solidarity", she had helped restore Ait Kine's agadir, now an attraction for both researchers and tourists. A group of Italian visitors appreciated the carved wooden door, adorned with forged iron. "We are doing a tour of granaries," said guide Emanuele Maspoli, describing them as "extraordinary places that attest to the historical wealth of Morocco's oases". "It's a magical place," said tourist Antonella Dalla. Sierra Leone security forces allegedly used excessive force during deadly riots last August, Amnesty International said in a report released Monday. The London-based human rights group called for "impartial and transparent investigations" into the events which saw six police officers and 27 civilians killed, according to an official report. The Sierra Leone authorities set up a "special committee" to lead an investigation into the events in August, but "it is yet to share any findings," Amnesty said. Amnesty's Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Samira Daoud, called on that committee to complete its investigation "promptly and impartially' . The authorities imposed a curfew during the unrest, which began as peaceful demonstrations by women against the high cost of living in the small, impoverished West African nation. Initially, the "families of 27 people killed were not allowed to bury their loved ones" and "it took more than two months for the State to release the non-police bodies" for burial in October, Amnesty said. To produce the report, Amnesty said it spoke to witnesses, relatives of the victims, officials, police and civil society groups. Among the testimonies was that of the father of a 22-year-old woman who "was allegedly shot by security forces" despite the fact "she went to sell vegetable leaves' and wasn't participating in the demonstration. Elections looming One youth told Amnesty he wasn't aware of the curfew and was chatting with friends when police arrived. "They were shouting. They did not say anything to us. We started running away I was shot in my right arm,' he said. The police arrested 515 people following the August 10 protests, for reasons including "malicious damage... riotous conduct, seditious behaviour to murder", but the number of those still in detention "is uncertain," Amnesty said. Authorities imposed a curfew during the unrest, which began as peaceful demonstrations by women protesting the high cost of living. By Saidu BAH (AFP/File) Amnesty is calling for those still detained to be able to consult a lawyer before their trial and for "those responsible for unlawful killing, torture and other forms of ill-treatment face justice". During protests, officials "should only resort to the use of force when they have exhausted all other peaceful means," said Daoud. "Any use of force must also be proportionate to the situation they face." she stressed. Looking ahead to June's presidential election, "the authorities should protect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly". Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, elected in 2018 and seeking a second term, has said that the riots aimed to trigger an "insurrection" to overthrow the government and blamed the opposition. Ministry of Energy says it has noted reports that it suffered a disconnection exercise from its agency, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over alleged unpaid electricity bills last Tuesday. The Ministry described the report as wrong saying its facility runs on prepaid meters. Speaking on 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 said. He continued The Ministry of Energy as the supervising agency of the ECG will support ECG in recovering all its money accruing from energy sold to consumers. The Ministry will lead by example in paying for its energy consumed. The Ministry according to Mr. Afena urges all and sundry to pay for their energy consumed to enable ECG and NEDCo to provide essential services to consumers. Meanwhile, the Electricity Company of Ghana says it will from today, Monday, March 20, embark on a massive disconnection exercise in a bid to mobilise revenue. The exercise is using almost all ECG staff, from top management to junior officers to retrieve all the monies owed it. According to the Managing Director, Mr Samuel Dubik Mahama Esq., the company is owed over GH5 billion from the month of September 2022 to February 2023. Most of this debt resides with the SOEs and MDAs. citinewsroom The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has urged Commonwealth Member States, especially small and least developed countries, to explore the opportunities that the organization provides for its members in the area of trade. She also implored the Commonwealth to push for policies that respond to the needs of Small States. She made the remarks during the 22nd Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) at Marlborough House in London on Wednesday. Member States must devise more strategies that ensure easy access to financing of the impacts of Climate Change, build their resilience and amplify their voices for their sustainable development, she added. The Minister reaffirmed Ghanas commitment to efforts aimed at building economic resilience and stable societies, enhancing trade digitalization as well as promoting global climate change agendas to secure peace and prosperity, and the survival of the planet. This year's CFAMM focused on enhancing the resilience of Commonwealth countries in times of crisis and reflected on the challenges faced by many members, such as the impacts of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and spiralling food and energy costs that risk impacting peace and stability. The meeting provided a platform for member countries to reflect on how Commonwealth countries and the Commonwealth Secretariat can work together in strengthening infrastructure, governance, and connections within the Commonwealth to bolster resilience in adverse times. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Yakubu, has stated that Ghana will soon stop importing tomatoes from Burkina Faso. He said the region is currently producing 20 to 30 per cent of the countrys tomato demand but expressed optimism that it will increase to 55 per cent by the end of 2023. "As we speak now, the market women are buying tomatoes from the region and we plan to completely stop people from sending those huge sums of money to another country, he emphasized. The Regional Minister announced this at the official inauguration of the Business Farmers Association of Ghana (BUFAG) in Bolgatanga. He said the current success stories of tomato production in the region are a result of BUFAGs collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) which has culminated in the supply of seedlings. Mr Yakubu further disclosed that the supply of seedlings to the farmers is being piloted in five districts but added that necessary steps are being taken to include more districts. The Minister stated that a boom in agriculture can go a long way to address the recent depreciation of the cedi that has brought adverse implications on the economy. "As a region, we are privileged to be endowed with arable land and water resources for agricultural productivity, he stated. He commended the members of BUFAG, stating that the association is in sync with the Presidents vision of collaborating with the private sector, which the government recognizes as the driver of the economy. The Chairman of BUFAG, Prof Joseph K. Laary, disclosed that the association is currently made up of 200 members from the Upper East and North East Regions. The objective of the association, he said, is to harness farmers collective might and adopt best practices and technologies to sustain and increase agricultural productivity. He added that the association is also concerned about post-harvest management issues and marketing of their products to improve the socio-economic well-being of its members. The Human Trafficking Secretariat (HTS) of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has organized a one-day stakeholders consultative meeting on Human Trafficking in Accra. The meeting, which was organized in collaboration with Engage Now Africa on Wednesday, was to identify the role of key stakeholders and enhance collaboration and partnership amongst stakeholders in the fight against Human Trafficking (HT). The head of the Human Trafficking Secretariat, Madam Abena Annobea Asare, urged the stakeholders to actively fight against human trafficking to end the menace in the country. She said the fundamental framework to combat HT focuses on four vigorous points: Partnership, Protection Prevention and Prosecution. The participating stakeholders, after a session of group discussion, presented how their respective institutions would contribute and help effectively in the fight against human trafficking and promote girls and womens technological empowerment. 20.03.2023 LISTEN A middle-aged man has been found hanging in an uncompleted building at Tanokrom, a community in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis of the Western Region of Ghana. The lifeless body of the yet-to-be-identified man was found hanging on a rope. Assembly member of Tanokrom West Emmanuel Kwaku Tobis tells Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson , the host of Connect FM's Omanbapa morning show that a resident in his electoral area informed him about the sad development. I was called by a resident that someone has been found dead in an uncompleted building. I proceeded to the scene and called the police. After taking a careful look at the young man, I realized he does not reside in our community, nobody knows him here, he indicated. According to him, the position at which the deceased was found hanging demands answers. When officers from the police crime unit arrived at the scene, they suspected foul play. They claim he might have been killed somewhere and the body was just brought here. It is difficult to understand how he was able to commit suicide with his right leg also hanging on the same rope, he added. The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the morgue for autopsy whilst police begin investigations into circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident. 3news.com 20.03.2023 LISTEN The Principal of the Presbyterian Womens College of Education at Agogo in the Ashanti Region, Rev Dr Grace Sintim Adasi, has expressed worry over the behaviour of the youth in Ghana. The Principal of the college expressed this worry while addressing the character of today's youth at the maiden Homecoming and Founder's Day celebration of the Agogo Presbyterian Women's College of Education (APWCE) over the weekend on the theme; Enhancing The Presbyterian Values Through The Provision of Quality Female Teacher Education. According to her, young people have thrown away etiquette. 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. She mentioned the lack of a generator, the importance of paving the college premises, and fencing among others. 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. Realising that the attrition rates of female science teachers were lower than males although she did not give figures, Dr. Mrs Josephine Larbi-Apau was hopeful that with the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) project, there would be a 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 alumnus of the college, she said: "We would do all in our power to remain relevant to the college and to Ghana as a whole." For his part, Rt Rev Prof Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, Ghana, added his voice to the matter of holistic education needed for all and sundry in the country, particularly, Presbyterians. He mentioned that the values of Presbyterians such as quality leadership, discipleship, sound moral principles, and integrity should never be compromised but be maintained and enhanced by all. Source: Classfmonline.com 20.03.2023 LISTEN Ken Ofori Atta, finance minister, has departed to China to hold talks with Chinese government over Ghana's debt restructuring. According to reports, the Finance Minister traveled from the UNECA High-Level Ministers Meeting on the Global Financial Architecture to Addis Ababa last weekend. The Minister is scheduled to travel to China after that discussion, potentially on March 22, 2023. In addition to pursuing financial guarantees for Ghana's program with the IMF, the Minister who is leading the government team is likely to keep up bilateral discussions with China. As the trip conflicts with the National People's Congress of China gathering in early March 2023, it was rescheduled to the ending of the month. In order to reprofile the country's debt to China, the finance minister has previously met with Exim Bank China representatives in Ghana. Former President John Dramani Mahama, an aspiring presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has announced he will file his nomination to contest the upcoming party primaries on Tuesday, May 13, 2023, at 1:00 pm. Initially scheduled for Monday, the filing of the nomination has been postponed to Tuesday due to the partys True State of the Nation Address to be held today Monday. The former President is currently on a tour of the Ashanti Region, which is set to conclude today. According to the spokesperson of the John Mahama Campaign team, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, President Mahama is expected to return to Accra after concluding his tour of the region. President Mahamas decision to contest in the upcoming primaries has been met with enthusiasm and support from many of his followers, who believe that he is the most capable candidate to lead the NDC in the 2024 general elections. The filing of the nomination on Tuesday is expected to draw a large crowd of supporters to the NDC headquarters in Accra, as well as media attention from across the country. It is hoped that the event will help to set the stage for a successful campaign season for the NDC in the coming months. Below is the link address to the press statement. PRESS RELEASE: JOHN MAHAMA TO FILE NOMINATION ON TUESDAY National Democratic Congress (NDC) aspiring presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, will file his nomination to contest the 13th May 2023 primaries on Tuesday at 1.00pm. Originally planned for Monday, the John Mahama Campaign says it is very sorry for the postponement, which is in response to a request from the party to reschedule because of the presentation of the partys True State of the Nation Address on Monday. President Mahama will however continue his first phase tour of the Ashanti Region, which ends today. Joyce Bawah Mogtari Spokesperson Sunday, March 19, 2023. The Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) has educated traditional rulers and residents of Adukrom in the Eastern Region on earthquakes and other seismic occurrences. The Authority, which has embarked on a path to enlightening Ghanaians on earthquakes and other calamities that come within their jurisdiction, carried out the community sensitization at Adukrom as part of the celebration of the Akwasidae festival on Sunday. The GGSA explained extensively how technical equipment that detects earthquakes and tremors and sends out early warning signals- the Earthquake Sensor Alarm Device (EQ Guard-II) works. The EQG-II was donated to the GGSA and NADMO by the Challenge Company of Japan and provides timely and accurate information on earthquakes. The head of the Earthquake Monitoring Division, Mr Nicholas Opoku, explained that the EQG-II can detect seismic movement and send out an alert for fast evacuation of persons and mobile things inside the catchment area. He stated that an emergency stop signal is issued to the elevator and equipment at the same time. "This device has specialized software to distinguish between earthquake and living noise generated close to this device, which prevents it from issuing false alarms. It displays the seismic intensity of each observation point on the map in real time. Control signals of this device can be issued to shut down chemical plants and nuclear facilities beforehand. This device can save peoples life and infrastructure," he added. He disclosed that the gadget has been installed in earthquake-prone zones around the Greater Accra Area, including Weija, Peduase, Legon, and Ayi Mensah. He mentioned key offices such as Parliament, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Jubilee House, the University of Ghana, NADMO and the GGSA as having the device placed for monitoring and swift reaction when needed. On his part, Nana Otutu Ababio V, Chief of Adukrom, praised the GGSA for the effort, which he termed as timely and significant. He noted that in light of recent events in Turkey and reports of earth tremors in some areas in Accra, all Ghanaians must be informed about such occurrences. The Adukromhene urged the government to take the required precautions to ensure that if an earthquake occurs in the nation, the damage would be less severe than in Syria and Turkey. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel A. Jinapor has charged the Lands Commission to expedite work on all projects and programmes currently being handled by the Commission. He urged the Commission to expedite and complete all projects under the Land Reformation Programme, infrastructure development, digitisation and other initiatives aimed at improving Ghana's Land Administration system. He said this when he opened the First Quarter meeting of the 58th Annual General Meeting of the Lands Commission's top management in Accra, on Thursday. The Minister emphasized the importance of the Lands Commission as a formation of the 1992 Constitution, stating that "The severity of the task, as a repository of all land records in the country, tells it all. You can't have cocoa unless you have land, you can't have gold unless you have land, and you can't have agriculture unless you have land, so everything comes down to land and that is why I feel the Lands Commission is such an important Commission that should not be taken for granted." Mr Jinapor recognised and appreciated the efforts of his Deputy responsible for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, the Chairman of the Commission, Mr Alex Quaynor, the Executive Secretary, Mr James Dadson and members of the management for the significant work accomplished during his two-year tenure and hoped that more work would be done in the future. He emphasized the importance of teamwork, noting that the task ahead is titanic, requiring all hands on deck "in the spirit of corporation, honesty, mutual respect and collaboration to get more work done and assist to overcome the old age problem bedevilling land management." Mr James Dadson, Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, presented a comprehensive report on the projects and programmes undertaken by the Commission thus far, noting, among other things, that the Commission has been able to distribute over 1000 copies of the new Land Act to citizens across the country. He announced that the Lands Commission's headquarters would be ready in July 2023. Mr Quaynor reassured the Lands Minister that the Commission would strive to accomplish the established objectives in executing all land reformation programmes. He thanked the Minister for pushing the Commission to go above and beyond to get its communication plan up and running and make its efforts known to the public. 20.03.2023 LISTEN I am reading with shock that sends cold chill down one's spine, regarding the views expressed by the seeming most second popular and famous investigative journalist in Ghana, Manasseh Azure, on the judgment pronounced on Anas Aremeyaw Anas' defamation suit against Kennedy Agyapong (Honourable) by High Court Judge Eric Baah on 15 March 2023. Without wasting any breath, let me inform and educate Manasseh Azure that the proofs as adduced by Kennedy Agyapong in his rebuttal "Who watches the watchman" to that of then acclaimed robust investigative journalism by Anas are more than sufficient to convince even a doubting-Thomas to see how criminal Anas is. What Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his Tiger Eye P.I. had, and have, been doing, is not any investigative journalism but pure blackmailing, extortion, harassments and intimidations to plant fear in Ghanaians. Speaking as one with security background and knows how criminal investigations are conducted to detect and prevent crimes, all that Anas has been doing as supported by Manasseh is pure charlatanry intended for amassing illegal wealth at the ignorance and expense of Ghanaians. His jobs cannot be accepted for facts, seeing how he sets up people and later edits his video recordings to suit his purpose to present to the unsuspecting Ghanaian public. Criminal investigations are conducted when a crime has been committed to establish when, how, why and who committed it. Criminal investigations are conducted on intelligence report to prevent crime from taking place by putting in place detection measures to nab the would-be perpetrators of the intended crime. You don't just set up hidden recording cameras, invite people over, propose to them business deals, offer them monetary gifts only to accuse them of accepting bribes. Manasseh, come over to the civilised White man's land to see if Anas Aremeyaw Anas would be walking in the streets a free man without suffering a libel lawsuit or lingering in prisons by now. You cannot set up people as he does, extort them and expect a competent judge worth his salt to make a ruling in his favour on his character assassination suit against Kennedy Agyapong (Hon). The judge was right to have described Anas the way he did in his ruling. If the law allows for jailing people in such criminal circumstances, l will have recommended the judge sent him to months or years in prison to serve a bitter lesson to him and his colluding criminals. Manasseh, let me put it to you that the way Anas goes about his work is not investigative journalism but an illegal way to enrich himself through exploitation of his victims. Is there any credible investigative journalist in Ghana? I doubt it, seeing from the behaviours of Anas and Manasseh. Come over to Europe and America to learn about proper investigative journalism that goes with responsibility and consequences. Stop your nonsensical journalism in Ghana that cannot be accepted for journalism in the civilised white man's country. Rockson Adofo Monday, 20 March 2023 20.03.2023 LISTEN Ghana Federation of Labour is warning that there may be dire consequences in the coming days if government does not take pragmatic steps to address challenges within the health sector. This warning comes on the back of a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) which reveals that Ghana will soon face a health worker shortage due to international migration. The report indicates that health workers in 55 countries in the world are travelling to seek better opportunities in well-developed and wealthier countries, a situation WHO says may be a hindrance to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal target by 2030. Even though the WHO attributed this development to the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on these countries, stakeholders such as the Ghana Federation of Labour say priority support for health workforce development and health system strengthening will limit the continuous migration abroad. Vice President of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Kenneth Koomson urged government to urgently take action to prevent the situation from worsening. citinewsroom President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has ordered for an investigation to be conducted into the allegation made by Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng who served as Minister for Science and Technology in President Akufo-Addo's first term, to the effect that some officials at the president are involved in the illegal small scale mining (Galamsney). The state-owned Daily Graphic reported on Monday, March 20 that the police had dispatched a letter to Prof Frimpong-Boateng to assist the police in their investigations. In making the allegation, Prof Frimpong Boateng further said that some persons in government orchestrated his exit following his fight against the illicit smallscale mining trade, just to be able to go on with the illegal practice. Speaking to Ghana Television, he said There was an orchestrated scheme, even within the party and government to get me out. Why is it that when I left now everyone is in the forest? I don't want to go into details now because I have a lot to say on that. Let me tell you that I did not take one excavator for anything, they know the truth. Now things are coming up, we know those who are behind it and the party people who are there, people in government including Jubilee House who are doing galamsey and so on, even now. So let Frimpong Boateng stay in his corner and enjoy his retirement, he said when asked for his answer on the whereabouts of the 500 excavators that were reportedly missing. Mr Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo , since becoming President in 2017, has been attempting to fight galamsey. It is recalled that he told the National House of Chiefs that the task to protect the lands and the environment from the effect of galamsey was a joint responsibility between the government and the traditional authorities. Mr Akufo-Addo explained during a meeting with the Chiefs in Kumasi on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 that 80 per cent of the lands in Ghana are in the custody of the chiefs. This meant that they had a role to play in protecting the resource, he said. He said 80 per cent of the lands in this country continue to be under your custody, much of it having been acquired through the blood and sacrifices of your ancestors. The reminder of 20 per cent which I hold in trust of the people of Ghana, derived from state acquisition from you. What this means is that ultimately, the welfare of the state of the lands is our joint responsibility, although by statute the minerals in the soil belong to the president in trust for the people. The chiefs on their part assured Mr Akufo-Addo that they were solidly behind his administration to apply appropriate measures against all persons involved in Galamsey in the country. President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyeb indicated that galamsey was having a negative effect on the environment and also threatened revenue mobilsation in the country hence, their resolve to support the President and government in fighting it. He said your relentless war against forest degradation and illegal mining in Ghana is of great importance to Ghanaians especially we the chiefs. The effects of illegal mining on the environment threaten the survival of water bodies , farmlands, cocoa industry and even encouraging school dropouts, this undermines the revenue mobilsation drive in the country. In view of this development [the Chiefs] are solidly behind your administration to apply the appropriate sanctions against persons who are engaged in the practice illegal mining irrespective of their status. 3news.com Godfred Yeboah Dame 20.03.2023 LISTEN The Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has asserted that his office has succeeded in establishing a case against former Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and two others standing trial for the purchase of 'ordinary vans' as ambulances for the Ministry of Health in 2015. The AG, in a written submission filed before an Accra High Court, avers that a consideration of the evidence led at the trial so far by the prosecution should lead to the conclusion that the prosecution has satisfied all the elements of the offences contained in charges preferred against the accused persons. He also submits that the evidence given orally by the prosecution's witnesses was buttressed by a large volume of documents directly confirming the truth of assertions made by the witnesses which were not challenged. Dr. Ato Forson, Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health, as well as private businessman, Richard Jakpa, are standing trial for allegedly willfully causing financial loss of 2.37 million to the state, through a contract to purchase 200 ambulances for the Ministry of Health, among other charges. The prosecution, led by Mr. Dame and Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Atakora-Obuobisa, closed its case on February 14, 2013 after calling five witnesses, including the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu to prove its case. Submission Ato Forson The prosecution points out that the actions of Dr. Ato Forson directly led to financial loss to the state in the purchase of the vehicles purporting to be ambulances. It said by a letter dated August 7, 2014, signed by Dr. Ato Forson, he instructed the Bank of Ghana to urgently establish an irrevocable transferable Letter of Credit (LC) in the sum of 3,950,000 in favour of Big Sea General Trading LLC as payment for the ambulances to the Ministry of Health. The prosecution argues that this authorisation for the LCs to be established resulted in the payment of 2,370,000 for the supply of vehicles by Big Sea General Trading LLC, which did not meet the description of an ambulance. According to the prosecution, Dr. Forson's actions, judged in light of the terms of the contract governing the transaction, showed that he violated the duty he owed as a public officer with responsibility over the use of the public purse by virtue of his status as a Deputy Minister of Finance in 2014, stating his actions were criminally negligent and most unwarranted. The prosecution argues that Dr. Forson's instruction for LCs to be established, were contrary to the terms of the ambulance contract, since none of the conditions set out in the contract before payment could be made, had been satisfied. It said the Deputy Controller and Accountant-General, relying on Dr. Forson's letters, wrote to the Bank of Ghana for payment to be made after which the vehicles were shipped contrary to the terms of the agreement. It is indisputable, on the facts established at the trial, that, first accused's (Dr. Forson's) actions and omissions led to the loss to the state, the AG argued. The Attorney General further avers that Dr. Forson did his actions without any further authorisation from any quarters as a careful examination of the record does not disclose any so-called authorisation by the former Minister for Finance, Seth Terkper or any superior officer. The prosecution said Mr. Terkper's actions around the same time that Dr. Forson's letters were written, showed a completely different inclination, as the Minister rather was working on reviving the Stanbic facility which was the parliamentary-approved means of payment for the transaction. The prosecution also argues that it was Dr. Forson's recklessness in not ensuring that the terms of the agreement were adhered to that caused all the problems and resulted in the institution of the criminal case against him. Anemana Regarding Mr. Anemana, the prosecution submitted that he was the designer of the scheme to cause financial loss to the state by falsely claiming to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) Board in a series of letters to the effect that Big Sea had arranged for funding for the project from Stanbic Bank. It said Big Sea was never mentioned in any of the memos to Cabinet or Parliament and was never approved by Parliament, hence, Mr. Anemana knew that Big Sea's contract with the Government of Ghana had to be approved by Parliament before same would be valid. Jakpa On Mr. Jakpa, the prosecution submitted that he was the sole shareholder and also a director of Jakpa at Business, the agent for Big Sea General Trading LLC of Dubai, and he was therefore, uniquely aware that the vehicles he imported into Ghana were ordinary vans and not what was contracted for, leading to a loss to the Republic. It said Mr. Jakpa connived with Big Sea to unilaterally change the vehicle specifications, although Big Sea had admitted in a letter to the Ministry of Health that the version of the vehicles the parties had contracted for was unavailable. It said without consulting the Ministry of Health, Mr. Jakpa and Big Sea changed the vehicle specified under the contract, so he was aware that the vans which arrived in Ghana were not the ones contracted for. Daily Guide 20.03.2023 LISTEN As pupils in primary school, we sang the National Anthem and recited the National Pledge every morning. We gleefully sang and recited the two hymns not bothering so much about the significance of the message. We were told the import of the constant singing and recitation was to make us digest the words of the two hymns in order to become patriots. Yes, patriots! A patriot is one who loves his country and ready to defend it even at the peril of his life. A patriot will forgo his personal comfort for the good of the country, and not the other way round. A patriot will not eat with both hands after his belly is full, while his compatriots are hungry. I therefore ask these simple questions: Are we patriots? Are we ready to forgo our personal comfort for the good of the whole country? And are we ready to die for Kwame Okros homeland? Many may answer in the affirmative to the above questions. Some may even claim to be more patriotic than the word itself. But I dare say only few would pass the patriotism test because majority has what I call Ananse-like patriotism. Ananse-like patriotism is telling your compatriots you will cancel ex-gratia if given the opportunity to sit on the presidential throne again, yet greedily continue to receive same. Such a promise cannot be genuine considering the fact that same was promised by the same man in May 2015, but was never fulfilled. It is obvious that he is saying that to hoodwink his compatriots to help him have access to the presidential throne for the second time. Just google Emoluments for Article 71 office holders will be abolished Mahama if you still doubt me. There is this joke I read and would love to share with you. A man called Kwaku went to his friend's house and met his friends wife, Yaa. As they sat in the living room waiting for his friend, Kwaku told Yaa that she had great breasts and promised to give her $200 if she could just show him her breasts. Yaa obliged, opened her robe for Kwaku to savour the dish on display. Kwaku cheerfully gave her the $200 as promised and left. Later when the husband, Kofi, arrived, Yaa told him his weird friend Kwaku came over. Kofi happily replied that he hoped Kwaku had dropped off the $200 he owed him. Abusuapanin, what answer do you think Yaa gave to her husband Kofi? Kwaku knew he owed Yaas husband $200 and was bound to pay the debt. But he dubiously used the money to trick Kofi's wife so he could give his eyes a feast. Kwaku could be likened to those under the eagle-headed Umbrella. Like Kwaku, we saw how they took advantage of so-called judgement debts to line their pockets. The infamous woyomization saga that led to the splashing of 51.2 million cowries on the bespectacled bald-headed Zu-za financier easily comes to mind. Not forgetting the $1.3 million Isofoton dubious judgement debt and the bus branding debacle. It is, therefore, laughable to hear these greedy bastards point accusing fingers at others when it comes to corruption. For a man caught in flagrante delicto (red-handed) with a Ford Expedition bribe, and with a noose around his neck over the Embraer jets purchase, its shocking that President Ogwanfunu still has the nerve to call others corrupt. But I do understand Zu-zas shamelessness. They still believe their compatriots have short memories. That may be true for some. But the few of us with long memories will not shirk our responsibility of reminding our compatriots of the dubious nature of those under the eagle-headed Umbrella. They can shout their voices hoarse that they are patriots. They can even hold the Bible in one hand, the Qur'an in the other, carry the nation's constitution on their heads, recite the National Pledge and sing the National Anthem everywhere they go. We shall not be fooled because we know theirs is nothing but Ananse-like patriotism. See you next week for another interesting konkonsa, Deo volente! Two persons have been put before the Kaneshie District Court for their alleged involvement in the murder of a cashier at a Medical Centre in Ogbojo, near Madina in Accra. Gideon Vitlas, a 24-year-old Cleaner and Mohammed Mubarak, 23-year-old Cleaner, allegedly strangled the cashier and stole GHC1,200. The two have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime to wit murder and murder. The court presided over by Ama Adomako Kwakye did not take their pleas and remanded them into lawful custody to reappear on April 4. The prosecution led by Chief Inspector Richard Anane told the Court that the deceased, Patience Ago, 35, was a single mother working with the Medical Centre. It said the two accused persons also worked with the same medical facility. The prosecution said in February 2023, Vitlas was dismissed for alleged pilfering and was warned not to step foot at the Hospital. It said despite the warning from management, Vitlas had consistently been sneaking into the yard by the help of Mubarik who was still working at the facility for alleged criminal aactivities. It told the Court that on the eve of the March 6, 2023, the deceased was for morning shift and had reported for work as the cashier on duty. It said on that same day evening, Mubarik called Vitlas on phone to come to the facility for them to siphon diesel from a standby generator, allegedly. The prosecution said after siphoning the fuel, they then planned to steal the day's sales from the cashier's office. On March 7, 2023, at about 1:30 am, the victim now deceased came out to use the washroom at the Administrator's Office. It said Mubarik who was spying the victim 's movement quickly called Vitlas to alert him. The prosecution said Vitlas allegedly followed the victim to the Administrator's Office, grabbed her from behind and strangled. It said Vitlas allegedly dragged the lifeless body of the cashier and dumped it in the storeroom and locked it. The Court was told that Vitlas took the cash office key, opened the door, and ransacked the office and made away with cash in the sum of GHC1,200 and the deceased's mobile phone allegedly. The prosecution said the next day, management of the facility and the deceased's family mounted a search, but could not find the deceased. It said a report was made to the Police. The prosecutor said Mubarik who pretended not know about the death of the cashier, also joined the search party. On March 8, 2023, the Police, during a thorough search in all the offices and rooms, the Police realised that the key to the store room could not be found, therefore, the door was forced opened and the victim's body was found in a decomposition state. It said Vitlas after the crime escaped while Mubarik was still at post. The prosecution said investigations led to the arrest of Vitlas at Koforidua and during interrogation, he admitted that he conspired with Mubarik to kill the cashier to enable them to get access to the cash point to steal money. It said Vitlas allegedly sold the deceased's phone to one Ebenezer Dzigbehlo at Madina for GHC150 and gave the GHC1,200 he stole to a friend for safe keeping. The prosecution said investigations were underway. GNA Nigeria's ruling party has held onto the powerful post of Lagos governor, the country's electoral commission said on Monday, following weekend local elections marred by reports of violence and vote buying. So far, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared winner in the majority of governorships where ballot counting has been completed. Governors are powerful figures in Nigeria and some control state budgets that are larger than those of several African nations. Saturday's elections for 28 governors and more than 900 state assembly lawmakers came three weeks after the governing party won a presidential ballot that opposition candidates claim was massively rigged. Outsider Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) caused a stir in the February 25 election by gaining the most votes in Lagos, considered an APC fiefdom. But he came only third nationwide and APC candidate Bola Tinubu was declared president-elect. Both Obi and second-placed candidate Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are contesting the presidential result in court. The key question on Saturday was whether Obi's growing popularity, especially among Nigeria's youth, would translate into success at the local polls. But the APC's Babajide Sanwo-Olu scored a landslide re-election as Lagos governor, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said. The incumbent won more than twice the number of votes of LP candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and more than 10 times those of PDP hopeful Olajide Adediran. He also passed the required threshold of 25 percent of votes across two-thirds of the state, the INEC said. 'A sense of discouragement' So far, the APC has won the governorship races in the states of Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kwara, Nasawara, Ogun, Sokoto and Yobe. The PDP has won in Oyo, Bauchi and Akwa Ibom. In the highly contested state of Kano, the economic heart of the mainly Muslim north, thousands of supporters of the smaller New Nigeria People's Party took to the streets to celebrate their trouncing the APC. "The victory of NNPP is a victory for Kano because the will of the people has prevailed despite attempts to subvert it," said Hajara Sani, 23, who was watching the crowds. Results were still pending on Monday in the key southern state of Rivers. Adamawa, in the northeast, could see the election of Nigeria's first woman governor. Head of state Muhammadu Buhari of the APC is stepping down in May after two terms and critics were hoping the presidential ballot would bring change. The APC's Babajide Sanwo-Olu hung on to the powerful post of Lagos governor. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP) But many were disappointed by the way the February election was conducted and turnout for Saturday's local polls was low. Voters and opposition parties complained in February that technical mishaps allowed for vote rigging, which the electoral commission has denied. The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), which observed Saturday's poll, noted in parts of the country "a sense of discouragement that due to the unfavourable outcome of the presidential election 'there is no point' 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. Nigeria's new president and governors will take office at a time when Africa's most populous country and largest economy is struggling with growing insecurity and widening poverty. Beatings and arrests Polling units mostly opened on time and both the biometric registration machines and online portal to view results functioned relatively well, both Yiaga Africa and the CDD said. But violence was recorded across several states, 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. They were quickly rescued but election material went missing. In Lagos, the CDD said there were reports in the Lagbasa and Ajah areas of "voters being flogged". Amnesty International warned 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 until Sunday at some polling stations in Lagos and Rivers State. "Processes were disrupted by actors over whom we have little or no control," INEC official Festus Okoye said on Sunday evening. He condemned the violence and said "allegations of voter inducement, harassment and manipulation of results will be reviewed and addressed". 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 spaghetti, fabric and alcohol, Yiaga Africa said. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) have pledged Gh 100,000 to traders who were affected in the recent fire disaster at the Kumasi Kejetia New Market in the Ashanti Region. On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, fire gutted parts of the Kejetia new market destroying 33 shops. It took the Ghana National Fire Service over four hours to completely douse the fire, destroying items worth millions of cedis. The General Secretary for NPP Justin Frimpong Kodua announced the pledge when officials of the party visited the market to commiserate with the traders. He assured the affected traders of the party's commitment to alleviating the effect of the inferno. We do understand that the Ashanti Region is the heart of the ruling NPP and so we will go any lent to help you," he stated. The European financial system is "resilient" the European Central Bank said on Monday, as global bank shares and oil prices slumped following the announcement that Switzerland's biggest bank UBS will take over troubled rival Credit Suisse. "The European banking sector is resilient, with robust levels of capital and liquidity," the ECB said in a joint statement with the European Banking Authority and the EU's Single Resolution Board. The institutions said they welcomed the actions taken by the Swiss authorities "to ensure financial stability". Switzerland announced on Sunday that UBS would buy stricken lender Credit Suisse for 3.04 billion, in a bid to prevent economic turmoil from spreading throughout the country and beyond. But the deal failed to calm market nerves, with European banking shares plunging in early trading on Monday. Europe's main stock markets steadied overall. Credit Suisse opened almost 64 percent lower at 0.68 Swiss francs per share, well below the takeover price. Shares in UBS also took a hit, falling almost nine percent. France's central bank chief sought to distance European banks from the problems at Credit Suisse and banking woes in the US. Banking volatility in the United States does not concern French and European banks, Francois Villeroy de Galhau, a member of the European Central Bank's governing council, told France Inter radio on Monday. He added that French banks were "very solid" and that "there are no problems." He welcomed the takeover which he said would help guarantee "the stability of the whole financial system." Remain vigilant The decisions taken in Bern "are instrumental for restoring orderly market conditions and ensuring financial stability," said European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde late Sunday. "The euro area banking sector is resilient, with strong capital and liquidity positions." On Monday, French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire welcomed a "good deal" for stricken bank Credit Suisse. Talking to the BFM TV channel, Le Maire said "I'm delighted with this deal. It's a good deal" before adding: "At the same time, it's a heavyweight in Europe, so we will remain extremely vigilant about the reaction of the markets." US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a joint statement: "We welcome the announcements by the Swiss authorities today to support financial stability." The sentiment was echoed by British Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt. The Fed and the central banks of Canada, Britain, Japan, the EU and Switzerland announced they would launch a coordinated effort Monday to improve banks' access to liquidity. Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said that bankruptcy for Credit Suisse could have caused "huge collateral damage". With the "risk of contagion" for other banks, including UBS itself, the takeover has "laid the foundation for greater stability both in Switzerland and internationally", she said. Despite the news, Asian equities still fell in early trade Monday, with Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul and Singapore all ending the session down. (With AFP) The National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG) has said that having a Marine Spatial Plan will help protect the gains of Ghana's blue economy and it is non-negotiable. Mr Richster Nii Amarh Amarfio, NAFAG Secretary said for Ghana to harness the full benefits of its marine space, there was the need to plan the maritime space to avoid conflicts and other activities that destroy the maritime environment and underutilize the blue economy. Mr Amarfio said at a media platform dubbed: Blue Gold: Ghana's Economic Transformer, initiated by the Ghana News Agency, Tema Regional Office to serve as holistic journalistic engagement with players and other stakeholders in the blue economy space. The NAFAG Secretary said the blue economy covered not only the ocean and activities related to it, but also every natural water body including underground water. He said Ghana could gain more from the blue economy if spatial planning were done, revealing that places like China was now using Tuna to prepare diabetes medicine while others use seaweeds for food due to their nutritional values. He also added that planning would enable monitoring and regulating of the various activities in the blue economy such as traditional fishing, laying of fibre optic, and gas pipelines, exploration of oil, and gas, among others. Mr Amarfio explained that for instance, with a spatial plan, Ghana would be able to ensure that even, if oil or gas were found around marine reserves and natural reef, they would not be destroyed for the exploration of the oil. The NAFAG Secretary said, you may find oil in an area, but that place might be an essential resource base, you don't destroy it for oil activities, Canada, the Philippines, and others all protect such places. He said places where the fishes lay their eggs and rest, must be protected adding that the lack of a spatial plan could be attributed to the dwindling fish stock of the country. A spatial plan, he noted could help in having a shipping lane that would affect fish's reproductions, and proper disposal of ballast water, which if not managed well could impact negatively the marine environment. He said proper planning must be done for the planting of oil and gas in the marine space as improper decommissioning could have dire effects on aquatic life. Mr Amarfio added that proper disposal of waste must also be taken care of under the plan to help prevent pollution of the sea and other water bodies. We must identify all the economic activities in the blue economy, plan, and know where to put what, he stated. Mr Francis Ameyibor, Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Manager noted that the platform was created initiate and deepen the discussion on the blue economy and serve as the medium for stakeholders in the blue economy to engage the media to project activities within the sector. GNA Former National Nasara coordinator and member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) communication team, Aljhaji Abubakar Lakulaku Suleman has said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, made a wrong choice by appointing his cousin as Finance Minister. According to the former Nasara coordinator, the NPP has competent people who can be appointed to government in order to get the job done. Touching on how the country, reached its current economic situation, the former Nasara coordinator, told Nana Otu Darkon on CTVs Dwa Bre Mu, Monday, 20 March 2023, that: This thing if we discuss it, you wont know where you are coming from and where youre headed. Alhaji Suleman noted that the partys current problem, is allowing the leader of the party to select who forms government to the detriment of other competent party members. He said: Yes it is true that NPP is governing us, it is a party that voted to create government, but our problem is that when we select a leader to lead the party does not mean when the party assumes the reigns of government, nobody can say anything and that is where we are as a party. We have very elite and educated people when we talk about NPP but they are not in government. They are there, we have more, because the party doesnt stand firm. When you get elected as presidential candidate and you become president, it does not mean you should bring your people to fill government positions. He further noted that: Yes, you [the president] have the prerogative to choose who makes up your government but you cant take up all the percentage. You must give the party a chance to bring people who can do the job. According to the former Nasara coordinator, it was wrong for the President to have appointed his cousin as Finance Minister. Like me, if I become president, Ill never bring a family person to fill that position, where there is money, Finance. Today the party has kicked against it, parliamentarians have requested that you remove him, where did that get to, even the person, when hes ill, and the angel of death was coming for him, he was still holding on to the position, so someone will also sit somewhere and wonder exactly what is there. Reacting to the assertion that President Akufo-Addo is not the first President to have appointed a family member as a government appointee, because former President John Agyekum Kufuor also appointed his brother Addo Kufuor, Defence Minister, the former Nasara coordinator indicated that the two appointments are different. Ken Ofori-Atta, where have you seen him on any platform apart from 2008 when the President was contesting as candidate? he quizzed. He explained that: But the former defence Minister youre talking about, Addo Kufuor was a parliamentary candidate. He was even supportive of Akufo-Addo against his brother but when the brother came, he united the party, he brought everybody on board, when President Kufour won, even those who had insulted him that he cant be a leader and all that, when he won, he brought everybody on board. No [President Akufo-Addo, has not brought everybody on board his government as President]. So the problem were facing now, are you expecting me to come here and defend it[government]. Im asking myself, look at the way people are dying, when you read 1st Timothy 6:7, it says for we bring nothing into this world so what at all are we fighting for? The cash youre stashing away, and making people suffer, if you die and they put you in the casket, are they going to put it inside? He quizzed. He added: So this country, it is leadership that is taking us backwards because weve travelled severally, all the time, cant our leaders just pick one of those things from the places we travel, maybe America and say were implementing it for the whole year? Source: classfmonline.com Kenyan riot police fired tear gas and water cannon against veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga's convoy on Monday, as clashes flared during protests against a severe cost-of-living crisis. Running battles erupted between stone-throwing demonstrators and police in parts of the capital Nairobi and at least one other city, in the first major unrest since President William Ruto took office last year, AFP correspondents said. Police also unleashed volleys of tear gas and water against a motorcade carrying Odinga, who had called for the day of action against Ruto's government over spiralling prices and what he claims was a "stolen" election last year. Odinga, who narrowly lost to Ruto in his fifth tilt at the presidency, called for weekly protests in the East African economic and political powerhouse. "Every Monday there will be a strike, there will be a demonstration," he told crowds of chanting followers in Nairobi. "The war has begun, it will not end until Kenyans get their rights." "Are you ready?" the 78-year-old said to cheers of "Yes" from his supporters. Kenyans are suffering from spiralling prices for fuel, electricity and staple foods, as well as a slump in the value of the shilling against the US dollar and a record drought that has left millions hungry. From the early morning, police used tear gas against protesters gathered near government offices in the heart of Nairobi and several other areas of the city. About two dozen people were arrested in downtown Nairobi, mainly young people but also two opposition MPs, including Senate minority leader Stewart Madzayo, AFP correspondents said. Demonstrators set fire to tyres in the Nairobi slum of Kibera. By YASUYOSHI CHIBA (AFP) "We came here peacefully but they tear gassed us," said Charles Oduor, 21. "They lie to us every day. Where is the cheap maize flour they promised? Where are the jobs for the youth they promised? All they do is hire their friends." 'Destroying the economy' Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called on organisers to call off the "mayhem and the chaos", saying the protests had cost Kenya about two billion shillings ($15 million) in lost business. "What they are doing is destroying the economy. We had started showing signs of recovery from the economic downturn," he said during a visit to the port city of Mombasa. In Nairobi's biggest slum Kibera, a bastion of Odinga support, people set tyres ablaze while police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse protesters. Kenyan riot police were out in force. By YASUYOSHI CHIBA (AFP) Demonstrators and police also clashed in the lakeside city of Kisumu in western Kenya, another Odinga stronghold. Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei said on Sunday that police received requests to hold two demonstrations only late Saturday and early Sunday, when normally three days' notice is required. "For public safety, neither has been granted," he said. Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki warned on Sunday that anyone inciting public disorder or disturbing the peace faced prosecution. 'Fighting for our rights' Many businesses in Nairobi were shut ahead of the demonstrations, with some employers telling their staff to work from home. Opposition supporters carried rocks on the day of action to protest at the cost of living crisis. By Luis Tato (AFP) "We are here trying to fight for our rights. Life is so hard. If you see, these young men and women, we don't have jobs, people are losing their jobs. So that's why we're talking about our rights," said Nairobi shoeshiner Henry Juma, 26. Odinga, the leader of the Azimio la Umoja party, who described Monday as a "day of destiny", continues to claim that Ruto's election win was fraudulent and denounces his government as illegitimate. According to official results, Odinga lost to Ruto by around 233,000 votes, one of the slenderest margins in Kenya's history. The Supreme Court dismissed his appeals, finding there was no evidence for Odinga's accusations. Ruto has declared that he would not be intimidated by the demonstrations, saying: "You are not going to threaten us with ultimatums and chaos and impunity." "We will not allow that," he said, calling on Odinga to act in a "legal and constitutional manner". The government has commended the Ghanaian media for its dedication to developing Ghana-related content in celebration of Ghana's independence this month of March. The efforts of the media have not gone unnoticed and the impact of the dedicated airtime to promoting Ghana and Ghanaian values has been exemplary. A statement from the Ministry of Information and signed by sector Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, said Through your coverage, you have brought attention to Ghana's rich history, culture and people. You have showcased Ghana's achievements and highlighted her potential for growth and development. Mr Nkrumah said, The media's efforts have helped to promote Ghana's tourism and culture, and have helped in efforts to attract investors to the country. The government encourages more of such content is encouraged even beyond March. By doing so, we can continue to raise awareness of Ghana's rich history and contribute to the growth and development of the country. Central African Republic authorities have opened an investigation into the deaths of nine Chinese nationals killed in an attack on a gold mine, the state prosecutor's office told AFP on Monday. The nine died in an as-yet unclaimed attack in the centre of the country on Sunday. "An enquiry was opened as soon as we knew an attack had taken place," said Manasse Wankian, prosecutor at Bambari, the main town in Ouaka prefecture, close to where the attack happened. Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier Monday called on Bangui to "severely punish" the killers. Xi "has given important instructions, demanding an all-out effort to treat the wounded, handle the aftermath in a timely manner, severely punish perpetrators in accordance with the law, and ensure the safety of Chinese citizens", a foreign ministry spokesperson said in Beijing. Two people were seriously wounded, China added. The CAR, one of the world's poorest countries, has been in the throes of civil conflict since 2013. Militias hold sway over large tracts of the country, and often clash over access to minerals and other resources. Bambari's deputy prefect, Saturnin Nicaise Ngrepande, told AFP that government forces "and Russians have been here since yesterday... they have gone off to hunt for the rebels, whose identity has yet to be confirmed." "It could be members of the Union for Peace in Central Africa" (UPC), he said, referring to a major rebel group. "But it could be hard to know whether it's a (UPC) group that's attached to the Coalition of Patriots for Change" (CPC), he said. The CPC is an alliance of rebel groups created in December 2020 to overthrow President Faustin Archange Touadera. Prime Minister Felix Moloua on Sunday accused the CPC of the attack, but offered no evidence. In a statement, the CPC denied any involvement in what it described as a "despicable and barbaric" act. It accused Russia's Wagner mercenary group of being behind the deed, also without providing evidence. Russian paramilitaries deployed to the CAR in 2018. Their numbers increased in 2020 to fend off an assault on the capital by the CPC. The nine had been employed at Gold Coast Group gold mine 25 kilometres (15 miles) from Bambari. The victims' bodies were transferred to a hospital in the capital Bangui, where Chinese ambassador Li Qinfeng and CAR Foreign Minister Sylvie Baipo Temon attended, an AFP journalist said. The French civil aviation authority asked airlines on Monday to cancel 20 percent of their flights at Paris-Orly and Marseille-Provence airports for Tuesday and Wednesday, due to a strike by air traffic controllers against pension reform. "Despite these preventive measures, disruptions and delays are nevertheless to be expected," the civil aviation authority said in a statement on Monday. Requests to reduce traffic have been made almost daily for several weeks, mainly at the Paris and Marseille airports where some air traffic controllers have joined the protest movement against the government's pension reform project. Public transport disrupted At several locations across France, roads were again blocked by protesters on Monday and public transport continued to be disrupted. Bus traffic has been disrupted in Rennes in Brittany. In Metz demonstrators blocked the city's bus depot early on Monday morning, causing major disruption. Tarbes-Lourdes airport in the south-west was occupied early Monday morning for more than two hours by about 300 protesters. The lights of the buildings were momentarily cut as part of an "energy saving" operation, said Jean-Maurice Darboucabe of CGT union Energies Bearn-Bigorre. The strike entered its 14th day at the SNCF railway company where four out of five TGVs and two-thirds of local trains were running on Monday. Traffic is still disrupted on the metro and RER network in the Paris region. Rubbish collection is still limited in the French capital, despite the order by the Paris police chief that staff resume work. (with newswires) A world without the police is inconceivable to many people. The police are viewed as part of modern society's foundation, ensuring democracy and keeping people safe. In practice, however, police around the world sometimes repress social movements , stifle democracy , and exacerbate social and racial injustice . Across the African continent, they often use force to prop up repressive regimes. And in Kenya in particular, extortion and extrajudicial killings by the police are rampant . Kenya is unusual for its extensive attempts to reform the police. Reform efforts began in earnest in 2008, when the police were found to be complicit in post-election violence . And yet, after 15 years and billions of shillings spent , the police reform project has largely failed . The Kenyan police remain repressive, unaccountable and effectively unreformable. Many citizens complain about how the police treat them like ATMs a source of cash. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the police killed tens of Kenyans while enforcing curfew measures. Given such failures, we posed the question: are the Kenya police obsolete ? Read more: Kenya: police killings point to systemic rot and a failed justice system We've conducted hundreds of interviews, discussion groups and over a decade of ethnographic research into how counter-terrorist policing and securitisation have shaped Nairobi . And in turn, how local residents respond to police violence and build their own practices of care , mutual aid and security . We have come to the conclusion that the police make most people feel less safe. Many residents told us they don't depend on the police for their safety: they keep each other safe. Given the impasse of police reform and citizen responses to this there is a strong argument to be made for the abolition of the Kenyan police altogether. Policing at an impasse Modern police institutions made their first appearances on the African continent as part of colonisation and the expansion of European capitalist interests. In Kenya, the roots of policing lie in early colonial conquest . The Imperial British East African Company developed security forces to protect its expanding economic interests in the 1890s, and the Kenya-Uganda Railroad developed its own police force in 1902. After Kenya's independence in 1963, the police were Africanised but retained much of their colonial character . Under Daniel arap Moi's authoritarian regime (1978-2002), the police continued to play a key role in repressing dissent. There have been calls to reform the Kenyan police for decades. But the 2007-08 post-election violence , in which police were complicit in widespread ethnic violence, accelerated attempts at reform. Over the past 15 years, police reform has been enshrined in the 2010 constitution and actualised in numerous acts of parliament. It's been supported internationally with funding and technical expertise from the UN, the US and the EU, among others. It prompted the reorganisation of the police service and the establishment of civil oversight mechanisms . Yet, despite all of these efforts, the Kenyan police remain corrupt, violent and unaccountable . Read more: Kenya has tried to reform its police force, but it's left gaps for abuse Civilian oversight over the police has proved ineffectual. The Independent Policing Oversight Agency has managed to bring only 12 cases of police violence to conviction out of more than 20,000 complaints received between 2012 and 2021. That is only one out of every 1,667 complaints. The under-resourced agency simply can't grapple with the immense volume of reported police abuses. The case for abolition Police reform has failed . Is it time to consider abolition? Abolition is not about simply tearing things down, but rather asking what should exist in place of outdated and violent systems that no longer serve people. Abolition is a creative and constructive project with deep philosophical roots . So why abolish the Kenya police? The police are functionally obsolete for most Kenyans. In many low-income neighbourhoods, our research shows that people avoid calling the police to respond to crises or crimes. For many, experience shows that the police can make matters worse . The police often exacerbate insecurity, violence and corruption . To provide for their own safety, residents increasingly organise themselves into networks of friends, family and neighbours for basic safety. For instance, women in Mathare, Nairobi, organise their own security practices , which include conflict resolution, de-escalation of violence and support for survivors . In more affluent neighbourhoods, residents increasingly rely on private companies to provide security in their compounds . Police are seen as one among many security services available for hire. In our research, the few positive experiences with the Kenyan police were reported (predominantly) by such affluent residents. The remaining function of the police is enforcing order and protecting the state against society. Officers uphold and protect a rarefied governing class and political elite against the population. Police abolition, therefore, would mean dismantling ineffective and repressive institutions and replacing them with systems of actual safety , systems that enable society to thrive. Read more: Many Kenyans have embraced vigilante cops an ineffective police force is to blame What should replace the police? When confronted with the idea of abolition for the first time, many people often respond: but who will keep us safe? In Nairobi, the answer is to be found in existing social practices. The problem is that there's a lack of resources to support alternatives to punitive security. We call for defunding the police and investing these resources in such alternatives. 1. Invest in communities. When we ask about local security problems, residents often answer that the lack of schools, food, land, quality housing, water , electricity, toilets, healthcare and safe places for kids to play are what cause insecurity. Reinvestment in community means funding such social infrastructure to allow people to thrive. This reduces crime and violence . 2. Invest in alternative safety mechanisms. This means strengthening dispute-resolution mechanisms that help resolve conflicts without violence. The government needs to support existing social justice centres , networks and movements fighting for change. When these forms of social reinvestment are pursued, the need for the police is greatly diminished. Wangui Kimari is the participatory action research coordinator for the Mathare Social Justice Centre (MSJC) Zoltan Gluck received research funding from the Social Science Research Council, Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research, Fulbright IIE, and the African Cities Research Consortium. The views expressed in this article are solely the authors' and do not represent the positions of any of these funding organizations. By Wangui Kimari, Anthropologist, University of Cape Town And Zoltan Gluck, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, American University The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of deceiving Ghanaians on the construction of new roads. On Thursday, March 8, when the President visited Parliament to deliver the State of the Nation Address, he touted his governments achievement in the road sector, insisting that his government has built more roads than any other government since 1992. "Mr. Speaker, I will like to state categorically that this government has built more roads than any other in the Fourth RepublicBeyond the construction of roads, this NPP administration has implemented successfully the Ghana Card, President Akufo-Addo said. Addressing a gathering at an event held at UPSA dubbed the "True State of the Nation Address" on Monday, March 20, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia said the President was not truthful. He accused the President of classifying the filing of potholes and desilting of gutters as the construction of new roads. This he said is a tragedy and must not be entertained. It is a tragedy that the President will classify routine minor road repairs such as resealing, reshaping, port holes filling, graveling and even desilting of gutters as new road construction. The claim that this government has constructed over 11,000kms of new roads is false and should be completely disregarded. The president should hang his head in shame, John Asiedu Nketia said. He further assured Ghanaians that the NDC is focused on saving the Ghanaian economy and will continue to engage the Minority in Parliament to hold government accountable. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday, March 20, held an event at the UPSA in Accra dubbed the "True State of the Nation Address." Speaking at the event, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia refuted several claims by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his recent State of the Nation Address on March 8. According to him, it is clear President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo does not appreciate the reality of the Ghanaian people. The President continues to live in his own world, far removed from yours and mine that he fails or neglects to appreciate the true state of the nation. It is absolutely important to awaken President Akufo-Addo and the ruling government to the uncomfortable but frank true state of Ghana today, Johnson Asiedu Nketia said during his address. The NDC National Chairman further argued that the true state of the nation now is that sanitary pads that used to be sold at just GHS2.50p is now being sold at GHS20 under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. A nation of many in fear of where to find the next meal, leaving many parents to have sleepless nights. The true state of the nations is when a ball of kenkey which use to sell between 50p and GHS1 in December 2016 is now being sold between GHS4 and GHS5. Last but not least, even sanitary pads which use to sell for GHS2.50 in December 2016 today is selling for GHS20. When everything is said and done this is the true state of our nation Ghana, Johnson Asiedu Nketia stressed. The NDC National Chairman continued, This is what we feel when we go to the market, this is what we feel in our pockets, this is our everyday reality. A reality where babies do not have vaccines, leading to a measles outbreak, the youth do not have jobs, the middle class faces imminent extinction, and the elderly are being denied their life savings by the very government that swore to protect them. This is not the Ghana we deserved. Insisting that the NDC shall not be complicit in the mess created by the current government, Johnson Asiedu Nketia assured Ghanaian people that the party is determined to use its superior patriotic policy alternatives and impressive track record to rescue the nation from the abyss. 20.03.2023 LISTEN The Greater Accra Constituency Chairmen Caucus of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has paid the filing fees for former President John Dramani Mahama to contest the party's Flagbearer slot slated for May this year. The Chairmen who form the caucus made up of all the 34 Constituencies within the Greater Accra Region presented an amount of GHC405,000.00 to the former President for onward payment to the party. Presenting the Cheque, Mr Nicholas Oko Ofei, Secretary to the Chairmen Caucus stated that the gesture was to ensure that Ex-President Mahama focused on his campaign to win the support of the delegates. He explained that the Former President had proven beyond reasonable doubt that he had the magic wand to win power in Election 2024 and rescue the nation from the economic crisis and restore hope to Ghanaians. According to the Chairmen, Mr Mahama stood tall amongst all the other contenders both within the outside the NDC adding that the Former President had some unfinished business and must be given the opportunity to complete them and to put the nation's economy back on track. Ex-President Mahama expressed gratitude to the Chairmen for the gesture assuring them that the move proved the level of confidence they had in him, which reflected how the delegates were feeling across the country. He assured that the party should remain resolute and battle ready going into the 2024 General elections. The NDC is expected to hold its Parliamentary and Presidential Primaries across the country in May 2023 to elect Parliamentary Candidates and a Flagbearer for the party ahead of the 2024 elections. GNA 20.03.2023 LISTEN Incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle and Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has filed his nomination forms at NDCs Party Constituency office at Aiyinasi to contest the upcoming NDC Parliamentary Primaries. Mr. Joseph Agyekum, NDC Constituency Secretary, witnessed the filing at the Constituency office. Mr. Kofi Buah was accompanied by Ellembelle NDC Constituency Chairman, Mr. Alex Mahama, Member of Parliament (MP) for Evaloe-Gwira, Mr. Kofi Arko Nokoe and Ellembelle NDC Communications Director, and Mr. Kwesi Hanson. Mr. Kofi Buah was also mobbed by thunderous NDC party faithful, sympathizers and some indigenes of Ellembelle. They hoisted placards such as Adwuma Pa Ntoaso, The Only Candidate to Maintain the Ellembelle Seat, Hon. Kofi Buah Is Our Sunset Bet and Ellembelle Do Appreciate Your Efforts among others. Addressing the enthusiastic gathering, Mr. Kofi Buah reiterated his dream of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to remain a committed politician to spearhead the development of Ellembelle and by extension, the entire Nzema land. He observed that the eight-year rule of the NDC from 2009 to 2016, witnessed an unprecedented development in Ellembelle adding that the eight-year rule of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government had stagnated development of the area. Mr. Kofi Buah said the current economic hardships in the country offered NDC the chance to push the elephant into the bush again and wrestle political power from the governing NPP to reignite development in Ellembelle and the country at large. Member of Parliament for Evaloe-Gwira, Mr. Kofi Arko-Nokoe thanked the people of Ellembelle for the consistent and unshaken faith in voting for Mr. Kofi Buah for the fourth time in Parliament to soar to Deputy Minister for Energy, Minister for Energy and Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament. He entreated the entire Nzema land to support and push Mr. Kofi Buah to the highest office of Ghana reminding them that the leadership of Mr. Kofi Buah had witnessed an unprecedented development in the Nzema area. GNA The Former President, John Mahama is expected to embark on a three-day campaign visit to the Western Region from March 23 to March 25, 2023. The campaign visit would see the former President interacting with chiefs and people and other stakeholders to share his vision and mission as he craves for another opportunity to serve the country come 2024 presidential elections. Mr. Kirk Mensah, the Regional Communications Officer told the Ghana News Agency that the former President would engage residents of Wassa East, Shama, Ahanta West, Mpohor and end day one with a Rally in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan area. The Former President on day two of the visit would berth at the Nzemaland and complete the days assignment at Tarkwa. He would be expected to attend the final funeral rites of a party stalwart, Mr. George Dzadzi, a former Council of State member in the Wassa Amenfi West District and engage with people in that enclave. The Former President from Amenfi area leaves the Western Region for similar duties in the Central Region. GNA 20.03.2023 LISTEN The Vice President of the Republic, H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has visited the Kejetia Market in Kumasi after the recent fire outbreak. On Wednesday, March 15, a fire outbreak at the Kejetia market affected several shops. After the National Fire Service managed to douse the fire, an investigation was immediately conducted to ascertain the cause of the fire. In addition, the market was closed for days as the affected traders counted their losses in hopes of receiving support from the government. Today, Vice President H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has given the traders some hope. Engaging the traders, the Vice President assured that government will surely provide support to the victims. He further disclosed that the market will be open for business on Tuesday, Match 21. "Ive spoken to the fire officials, and they told me, per their investigation, the fire outbreak wasn't caused by an electrical fault. They assured me that the market will be open tomorrow. The government will support the victims. "We will follow the recommendations of the fire service report and work with it, H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia indicated. Meanwhile, the investigations from the Ghana Fire Service have revealed that the fire outbreak at the Kejetia Market was caused by the flames of a gas cooker of one of the traders who was cooking. The gas cooker is said to have caught fire, spreading to a nearby chemical shop before getting out of hand destroying 33 out of the 8,000 shops at the Kejetia market. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government of squandering the Ghanaian taxpayers money. Addressing what the NDC dubbed the "True State of the Nation Address" on Monday, March 20, National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia accused President Akufo-Addo of performing abysmally although his government has been the luckiest after being bequeathed with enough resources in the country's political history. In his address, he pointed out to Ghanaians that the President and his government have nothing to show for the many resources they inherited from the erstwhile Mahama administration. He said the Akufo-Addo's government has used all the money for chop chop. Despite being the luckiest and most resourced government in Ghanas history, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government has the least to show in terms of socio-economic development. This is because the NPP has used all your money mainly for consumption, Johnson Asiedu Nketia said. The NDC General Secretary continued, this is contrary to the Presidents claim that his government has used a large amount of the money we borrowed on road construction. According to Johnson Asiedu Nketia, President Akufo-Addo knows he deliberately misled Ghanaians with this claim that government has not been reckless in the management of the economy. The truth is that only an abysmal 1.6% of the total resource envelope of GHS 820 billion has been spent on roads by this government. Official Government of Ghana records show that a whopping 93% of the GHS 820 billion has been spent on consumption, including Akufo-Addos 20,000 Euros an hour luxurious private jet travels across the world, hired over several months at huge cost to the taxpayer, Johnson Asiedu Nketia said. Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, says the briefing he received from the Ghana National Fire Service revealed that a fire from a trader cooking at the new Kejetia market caused the inferno at the facility last week. According to Dr. Bawumia, the shop owner was cooking inside her shop when the gas cylinder she was using caught fire spreading to a nearby chemical shop, thus destroying 33 shops out of 8,000 shops at the market. He added that the chemical shop owner amongst others sells combustibles such as carbide, turpentine and gunpowder which exploded. The Vice President indicated that this was uncovered after a preliminary investigation by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO). Addressing the traders after inspecting the part ravaged by the fire on March 20, the Vice President expressed his empathy to the affected traders assuring them of governments support. We are here to empathise with you following the fire that gutted the market. We are equally affected by the sad situation, that's why I'm here today to show my concerns. I was taken around the market by the GNFS, NADMO officials, and they told me that through their investigations, the market caught fire as a result of cooking by one of the traders whose shop was close to a nearby chemical shop, where they sell gunpowder, carbide, turpentine that resulted in the explosion, the Vice President narrated. Dr. Bawumia said, The fire officers told me that the fire was not caused by an electrical fault but the cooking of food by the shop owner inside her shop, thats where the fire started. The board of the new Kejetia Market also known as the Kumasi City Markets Limited on March 19, directed that the facility should be closed for one more week starting Monday, March 20 to allow GNFS to conduct further investigations. The traders on the other hand have argued that such a move will negatively affect their businesses and have thus vowed to defy the directive. But the Vice President during his visit said the traders whose shops were not affected could return to the market tomorrow March 21, 2023. -citinewsroom The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) of misleading Ghanaians by asserting that a portion of the funds borrowed by the government was used to build roads. According to the partys Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, only 1.6 percent of the countrys over GH820 billion has been used for road construction. It is a tragedy that the President will classify routine minor road management repairs such as re-sealing, refilling, reshaping, pothole filling, re-gravelling and even desilting of gutters as new road construction. The claim that this government has constructed over 11,000 kilometres of new roads is false and should be completely disregarded. The President should hang his head in shame. After President Akufo-Addo delivered the State of the Nation Address on the floor of the House, the Minister of Roads and Highways Kwesi Amoako-Attah asked Parliament to form a bipartisan committee to investigate claims about which government built more roads during the Fourth Republic. But Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, speaking at an NDC event to tell the True State of the Nation, claims that the NPP consumed 93 percent of the amount allocated for road construction. The President knows that he deliberately misled Ghanaians with this claim because he is aware that only a minute of the overall resources that have accrued to this government since 2017 has been used for the construction and rehabilitation of roads in this country. The truth is that official government of Ghana records show that a whopping 93 percent of the GH820 billion has been used on consumption including Akufo-Addos luxurious private travels across the world hired over several months at the expense of the taxpayer, he added. The Roads Debate The Minority has said the Roads minister's request for a bipartisan committee to investigate claims about which government built more roads during the Fourth Republic is a clear indication that the government has failed in the road sector. Ghanaians, he claims, will be able to see for themselves whether the NPP government has built more roads than any other government. The Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza stated that the Akufo-Addo administration has done little in the road sector. If a Roads Minister has to call for a bi-partisan committee to investigate roads that are physical for everyone, it means you haven't done any work. If you have fixed the road, we will see and drive on them. The road sector is in a terrible state. President Akufo-Addo's records in terms of roads are the most appalling, and it's clear. But the Ministry of Roads and Highways described as inaccurate claims by the Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza, that the Akufo-Addo government is expropriating projects churned out by the erstwhile Mahama administration. I challenge any member of this country and go further and request that, if anyone is in doubt, this house can set up an independent bi-partisan committee to investigate the data and that the President under his leadership has done all the works in the roads sector, Kwesi Amoako-Attah said on the floor of Parliament adding that, this will bring the matter to a close. The non-governmental environment protection organisation Greenpeace has described as "scandalous" the arrival on Monday of a cargo of enriched uranium from Russia to France, the seventh such delivery since the start of Moscow's war in Ukraine. A cargo ship unloaded cylinders of uranium from Russia at the French port of Dunkirk on Monday morning. Greenpeace said the delivery confirmed France's dependence on the Russian nuclear industry, which is not covered by sanctions imposed on the Kremlin. "This is a new illustration that the French nuclear industry continues to trade uranium with Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear giant," said Greenpeace campaigner Pauline Boyer. "The continuation of this nuclear trade with Russia in times of war is scandalous," she told the French AFP news agency. Greenpeace said Monday's consignment was the seventh delivery of uranium from Russia to France since the start of the war in Ukraine. The Russian cargo ship Baltiyskiy 202 arrived from St Petersburg and unloaded "25 cylinders containing Russian enriched uranium", Greenpeace said. France denies 'dependence' on Russia In a report earlier this month, Greenpeace criticised France's "dependence" on Russian nuclear power, which is not targeted by international sanctions. The NGO said France had received "a third of the enriched uranium needed to operate French nuclear power plants for one year" from Russia. The French government denied this, saying France "does not depend in any way on Russia for the operation of its nuclear power plants" and "has been able to diversify its sources of supply". "If the government wants to be consistent with its support for the Ukrainian people, it should cut all contracts with Rosatom," Greenpeace campaigner Boyer said. French journalist Olivier Dubois, kidnapped by jihadists in the Sahel nearly two years ago, was released on Monday and has flown to Niamey airport in neighbouring Niger. US aid worker Jeffery Woodke, who was kidnapped in Niger in 2016, has also been freed. Dubois was kidnapped in Mali two years ago by members of the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM). "I feel tired but I'm fine," he said as he disembarked at Niamey airport, smiling and obvously delighted to be free. "It's amazing to be here, to be free," he said. "I have to thank the authorities in Niger for the way they have managed a difficult task, and also thank France and all the others who have made it possible for me to be here today. He specifically mentioned Radio France Internationale for its efforts in broadcasting monthly messages of support from members of Dubois' family. American aid worker Jeffery Woodke, who had been in captivity since October 2016, needed the support of a cane as he stood beside Dubois. Woodke is 61. The two men travelled on the same plane. Immense relief At the airport outside Niger's capital, Interior Minister Hamadou Souley said that the men had been found safe and sound in Niger, and would be handed over to the French and US authorities. The French ambassador in Niamey, Sylvain Itte, thanked the Niger government for having "actively contributed to this happy conclusion". French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his "tremendous relief" and said that Dubois will be "soon back in France". "Much gratitude to Niger for this release," Macron wrote on Twitter, after talking on the phone with the journalist, who arrived at Niamey airport on Monday. "I have just spoken with Olivier Dubois: he is in good health. Immense relief for the Nation, for his relatives and his fellow journalists", he tweeted. The French national assembly, paused in its vote of no confidence debate to pay hommage to Dubois, welcoming the news with a loud round of applause. 'The nightmare is over' "It's unbelievable," Olivier Dubois' sister Canele Bernard told reporters. "This is something we have been waiting for for two years. The nightmare is over for Olivier and his family. He can start his life again." The watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said there was "immense relief" at Dubois' release. "We did get several pieces of reassuring news in recent months and very recently, too -- he seemed in good shape but the length of his captivity worried us," said RSF Secretary Christophe Deloire. 48 year-old Dubois had been living and working as a freelance journalist in Mali since 2015. He was a frequent contributor to the daily newspaper Liberation and magazines Le Point and Jeune Afrique. He was abducted in the city of Gao in northern Mali on 8 April 2021 by the so-called Support Group for Islam and Muslims, an Al-Qaeda affiliate regarded as the principal jihadist alliance in the southern Sahara. Dubois was believed to be the only French citizen held hostage by a non-state actor following the release in Mali of aid worker Sophie Petronin in 2020. The country, along with neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, faces an on-going jihadist insurgency. 20.03.2023 LISTEN A 22-member team of Myanmar immigration officials visited Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar to verify more than 400 Rohingya refugees as part of a pilot repatriation project. Does it hold out any hope for the forcibly displaced people to return to their ancestral homes in the Rakhine state of Myanmar? Only time will tell. However, the Beijing-mediated project could not start its work for the last three years for different reasons which include the covid pandemic of 2020 and military coup of 2o21. Now Myanmar's military junta's fresh move to take back the Rohingya who fled their homes in the Rakhine state in the face of a pogrom six years ago, should be taken with a pinch of salt. For this process actually started, thanks to the Chinese initiative in November 2017, three months after the exodus of the Rohingya population on a massive scale from Myanmar. Bangladesh sent a list of nearly 900,000 Rohingya living in the refugee camps in Cox's Bazar to the Myanmar government for repatriation. But the Naypyidaw authority then sent back a shortened list that contained less than 8.0 percent of Rohingya names Bangladesh earlier handed over to it. Out of that list, the names of 1,100 plus Rohingya-a drop in the ocean when compared with the actual number of refugees to be repatriated- were selected for family-wise repatriation to Myanmar. But the Myanmar junta objected to a few hundred names (429, to be precise). Then Bangladesh pointed to some mismatch in the list of Rohingya names objected to by the Naypyidaw government. It is in fact, a belated response to that last exchange between the two countries over the Rohingya repatriation issue. The present Myanmar team is in Cox's Bazar now for further verification of the refugees whose names were in the rejected list. Consider that this shuttling back and forth between Dhaka and Naypyidaw has been going on for years over the selection of a few hundred names of Rohingyas out of close to a million of them waiting for repatriation! So, questions arise about the very feasibility of this approach to repatriate such a huge number of Rohingya refugees. Even so, seeing that the incumbent Myanmar government has at least begun to make a move on Rohingya repatriation is, of course, better than no move at all. That is more so against the backdrop of the international community's growing indifference towards the Rohingya issue. Interestingly, as it could be learnt from media reports, before the current initiative was taken by the Myanmar junta over Rohingya repatriation, diplomats of eight countries including China, India and Bangladesh posted in Naypyidaw had been taken to the Rakhine state of Myanmar, to show them the preparations the Myanmar authorities have taken to resettle the displaced Rohingya refugees. It is a development unthinkable before. Some 11 ambassadors to Myanmar from different countries were thus allowed to see the interim camps set up for the purpose in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state, and in Maungdaw, a town in that state. Internally Displaced People (IDP) such as the Rohingya still staying in Myanmar might thus have a chance to move to Sittwe. It could also be learnt that some healthcare services are also being extended to Rohingya people still staying in the Rakhine state. It appears the Myanmar junta has finally been able to see reason perhaps under Chinese pressure. Meanwhile, the post-coup (of February 2021) Myanmar junta has been engaged in a war on many fronts including the different ethnic groups and that of the bloody, internecine one with the rebellious common people of Myanmar who are fighting for restoration of a democratic government following the overthrow of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. So, the Myanmar junta might be in need of some breathing space. Also, it might be that its close ally China wants repatriation of the Rohingya in their homeland so that its economic interest worth billions of dollars in the Rakhine state is not jeopardized by incessant war in the area. Moreover, Rakhine state is a corridor to the Indian Ocean that China wants to protect by all means. Reports further have it that China is willing to train the local population of Rakhines including the Rohingya for their future employment in the Chinese infrastructure and other ongoing projects in that region. For this purpose, China has been pressuring the Myanmar government to stop war and restore stability in the strategically located Rakhine state. There is also the urgency on the part of the incumbent Naypyidaw government to show the international community that it is after all doing something positive on the Rohingya issue. It may be recalled on this score that Myanmar is facing prosecution in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for having committed genocide against Rohingya people. Myanmar is to meet the deadline of producing its counterargument against genocide charge before ICJ by April 24 next. These are only possible reasons behind Myanmar junta's sudden change of heart regarding the all but dead issue of Rohingya repatriation. Even so, it will be important to know what the Rohingya themselves are thinking about the present move to repatriate them. For there are the questions of their rights including their citizenship, safety, right to work and so on once they return to Myanmar. But these issues were not reportedly part of the visited Myanmar team's responsibilities. A 5-day capacity building training workshop on cashew apple processing has been organized for over one hundred and fifty (150) youths and women in the Dormaa East District. The training, aimed at empowering the youths and women in agriculture towards self-reliance and economic development was organized and funded by the Market Oriented Value Chain for Jobs Growth in the ECOWAS Regions (GIZ-MOVE) in collaboration with other foreign donors and supported by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD). It brought together important personalities among which were persons from the Ghana Standards Authority, health, education and agric sectors as well as the local authorities. The training which took place at the Okuafo Pa Agri-Business Center in Kyeremasu from 13th to 17th March, 2023, was dedicated to increasing knowledge and skills among beneficiaries on processing the cashew apple into several recipes for both local consumption and economic purposes. It also helped to demystify myths associated with the eating or usage of fruit. Aside the tutorials on cashew production, processing, marketing strategies and other business support services, the training also offered practical demonstrations on harvesting cashew apples, juicing, and how to add it to other local dishes for nutritional values. The participants had opportunities to prepare foods such as cashew apple pineapple and mango juice, cashew apple stew, cashew apple yam balls, cashew apple chicken light soup, cashew apple sandwich, cashew apple jam and popsicles and many other food recipes. Prior to this, the cashew apples were always thrown away or left to go waste for lack of expertise in handling or processing them into marketable commodities. In her remarks during the opening session of the training, the Country Coordinator of GIZ-MOVE, Madam Juliana Ofori-Kakari noted that MOVE projects focus on investing heavily in the human capacity development of value chain actors in order to multiply knowledge and skills with the aim of contributing to job creation and incomes in the West African countries. She emphasized that irrespective of the numerous economic prospects of the cashew fruit, there still remains much to be learnt by all those involved in the value chain of the cashew crop for its full benefits, hence the training. She added that the training would not only increase knowledge of cashew apple-based products but also help build networks for future collaborations in the cashew sector. Madam Juliana was very hopeful that the training would help reduce the wastage of the cashew apples and rather increase the incomes of farmers and actors in the value chain as well as improve the nutritional value of local foods as well as empower participants to promote value additions. The District Chief Executive, Hon. Kofi Agyeman, through whose initiative, the programme came said, the District Assembly has since 2018 distributed over one million, ninety-five thousand five hundred and fifty (1,95,550) free cashew seedlings among farmers in cashew production and expressed hopefulness that by four to five years (4-5) the area would be well endowed with the crop. He therefore called for a strategic partnership between GIZ MOVE and the Dormaa East District for sustainable development of cashew production in the area for its economic and nutritional prospects. The DCE also appealed to Research Institutions and Universities to endeavor to bridge the gap between their research studies and practices to ensure innovations and enterprises capable of promoting employment opportunities and other potential benefits to the countrys economy. He again called on banks to spread their tentacles to the district to encourage business development. 20.03.2023 LISTEN WEE North Network, a network of beneficiaries under the Women's Economic Empowerment in Northern Ghana (WEE-NORTH) Project has held its maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Tamale with a call on women to take up careers in male-dominant trades. The three days event held from Tuesday, March 14 to Thursday, March 16, 2022, brought together stakeholders in the industrial trade ecosystem such as NGOs, Public and Private sector players including individuals and beneficiaries under the WEE-NORTH Project, a five-year women empowerment project implemented by Alinea Foundation and sponsored by the Global Affairs Canada (GAC ) . The AGM was to create the space for stakeholders to examine the successes chalked by the WEE -North project since its inception and the challenges. It was under the theme: "The Role of Industrial Trades Training in Promoting Women's Economic Empowerment and Gender Equality in Northern Ghana." Speaking at the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Field Manager for Alinea Foundation an NGO that implements the WEE-North project, Dr. Nancy Drost, said the presence of the WEE-North project has led to an increase in the number of women in male-dominant trades in the North. She noted that already over 1000 young women have undergone training in different industrial trades with 20 Women Economic Empowerment Groups (WEE-Groups) formed. She was optimistic that when given the needed training, women could do better in male-dominant trades. Dr. Nancy stated that the WEE-North project was a five-year project funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Alinea Foundation to promote women's empowerment. The project, she stated, operates in 55 districts across the five regions of the north. The Northern Regional Director of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET Services) Latif Abdul Aziz, said in a statement that all TVET institutions were being equipped with the needed resources to enhance learning and training and encouraged parents to enrol their wards in TVET institutions. He also said the Northern Region's office of the TVET Services, was open to everyone and people should therefore visit them when in need of information. Principal of Dabkpa Technical Institute and Chairperson for the event Madam Mariama Mahama, in her submissions, called on women who are into TVET services, to give out their best to break the many barriers that hinder growth and development in male-dominant trades. She also urged Ghanaians to pay more attention to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as it was the key to Ghana's self-reliance drive. 20.03.2023 LISTEN Bangladesh is interested in joining the Myanmar-India-Thailand connectivity project. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said this after the third Foreign Office Consultation took place between Bangladesh and Thailand in Dhaka on Tuesday. India and Thailand have agreed to include Bangladesh in the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project. Earlier, a Thai delegation led by Sarun Charoensuwan, permanent secretary of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with a Bangladeshi delegation at the Foreign Ministry to review and explore the bilateral relationship between Thailand and Bangladesh. Masud Bin Momen said: Bangladesh wants to join the Myanmar-India-Thailand connectivity project. We have talked with India and Thailand. They have no problem. Besides, connectivity can also happen under BIMSTEC. But not only road connectivity, we also want air and sea connectivity, he said. The foreign secretary said: We believe that the current trade of $1 billion will increase to $2 billion in the near future if the goals of our businessmen increase. Many MoUs are being discussed and we want to conclude them quickly, the foreign secretary said, adding: Thailand is the current chair of BIMSTEC and very soon they will host the summit. We want to move quickly in that alliance and bilateral system. Secretary of Thailand Saran Charuenswan said that Bangladesh is improving rapidly and, in the future, they will be out of the list of least developed countries. A business delegation has come with me to discuss trade and investment. We will work with Bangladesh, he added. CONNECTIVITY is the cornerstone of any regional economic cooperation and integration. The effectiveness of regional networks in facilitating the flow of goods, services, people and knowledge can be defined as regional connectedness. Countries can benefit from regional and sub-regional cooperation through connectivity for sustainable economic development, terrorism prevention, climate change mitigation and poverty reduction. Geographically, Bangladesh has two neighbouring countries, having two seaports. When it comes to leveraging connectivity initiatives in South and Southeast Asia, Bangladesh has huge potential. Trilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and its two neighbours, India and Myanmar, can boost the regions regional socio-economic and security status. The foreign policy of Bangladesh suggests continued friendship with all countries and the government is strongly following the policy of friendship to all, malice towards none. Myanmar is Bangladeshs next-door neighbour, with which Bangladesh shares a border with India. Myanmar and Bangladesh are almost on the same geopolitical axis, yet trade and other bilateral issues have never been effectively handled. Bangladesh and Myanmars relationship has changed in the twenty-first century. The initial lack of convergence between India and Bangladeshs energy policies aided Chinas successful implementation of a Myanmar-China gas (and oil) pipeline project. Beyond trade and other collaborations, national security is another aspect of Bangladesh-India relations. Bangladesh shares 1,879 kilometres of border with Indias north-eastern region. India north-eastern region is home to 475 ethnic groups which makes the region complex from socioeconomic and security perspectives. Bangladesh and India are now focusing on connectivity to enhance and secure their bilateral trade and address security concerns. For an improved trade relation between Bangladesh and the Seven Sister region, according to the ministry of external affairs, a total of 31 projects are at various stages of implementation. The government of India is actively involved in over a dozen projects in Myanmar. Among them, most prominent are the 160 kilometre long Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyo road, the construction of the Rhi-Tiddim road in Myanmar and the Kaladan Multimodal Transport Project. Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar, the three neighbours, have shared history. Therefore, these neighbours can easily improve their relations in multi-dimensional aspects by promoting cooperation. India has the Act East policy to promote connectivity of the Northeast region with its neighbouring states. Bangladesh is also promoting its Look East policy to utilise the geographic advantage of Bangladesh in terms of its location as the gateway between the Western Asia and Eastern Asia. On the other side, Myanmar has natural resources with solid regional connectivity. However, the domestic turmoil, sudden regime change, sanction from the international world and the Covid outbreak have lessened the economic growth of Myanmar. Bangladeshs 271km border with Myanmar can play a strategic role as a potential trade corridor between the two countries. However, at present, the area is militarized due to ongoing internal conflicts in Myanmar. Were this to be resolved, Bangladesh could develop routes via Myanmar to access China to the east, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to the south, and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ( SAARC ) to the west. Thailand is also close to Myanmar, with Thailand a neighboring state of both countries. Were the Rohingya conflict to be resolved, Myanmar and other ASEAN countries could access South Asia through Bangladesh. If the Bangladesh-Myanmar-Thailand-India trilateral highway project and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) corridor were integrated, ASEAN members could access the markets of Bangladesh, northern India, and the Himalayan countries of Bhutan, and Nepal. Achieving improved ties between Bangladesh and Myanmar is therefore very important to develop strategic trade and investment. Myanmar can also use Bangladesh as a transportation route to reach markets such as Nepal, Bhutan, and India. Both Bangladesh and Myanmar are members of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), an organization consisting of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand that seeks to foster regional and economic cooperation. Other ASEAN nations, such as Cambodia should join BIMSTEC to utilize the benefits By promoting trilateral cooperation, the door for opportunities will open for all. The four possible opportunities are highlighted here. Firstly, trilateral cooperation will boost connectivity. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation and the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar Economic Corridor, regional organisations require regional connectivity for effective operation. The interconnectivity would reduce the cost and time of transporting consignments. According to BIMSTECs official web site, the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity is a comprehensive 10-year strategy and action plan (20182028) supported by the Asian Development Bank for improving the subregions transport linkages, which includes (1) roads and road transport, (2) railways and rail transport, (3) ports and maritime transport, (4) in-land water transport, (5) civil aviation and airport development, (6) multimodal and intermodal transport, (7) trade facilitation, and (8) human habitation. The Asian Highway, another development project for connectivity, which is being built with funding from the Asian Development Bank, will improve land connectivity between the two countries and improve trade relations. Bangladeshs Dohazari-Coxs Bazar railway line is nearing its completion. The BCIM is also a proposed network of roads, railways, waterways, and airways that would connect Indias Northeast, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the Chinese province of Yunnan under an appropriate legal framework. The BIMSTEC and BCIM promote connectivity, which encourages businesses to invest more in cross-border businesses. The Northeastern region is important for India for two reasons. First, its physical location and another is its natural resources. Indias north-eastern region shares its border with Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. After opening Integrated Check Post in Agartala and Srimantapur between Bangladesh and Indias north-eastern region, Moitri Setu will improve trilateral relations in the region. The ICP Sabroom and ICP Agartala will become commercial hubs of international commerce in South and Southeast Asia. A multi-modal connection through Ashuganj in Bangladesh to Tripura and the SithweKaladan River Project to Lunglei in Mizoram is planned for improved connectivity. It will energise the re-connections of other road networks through Moreh (Manipur) and Ledo (Assam) to Myanmar. This can then further be linked to Thailand and to the road network system in Southeast Asia. Secondly, from economic perspective, Bangladesh is a better choice for foreign investment because of its geographical location and political stability. As it is now known, Myanmar has long been noted for its abundance of natural resources. Suvarnabhumi, which means Golden Land in Sanskrit, has been associated with Myanmar for over two millennia. Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a border trade agreement in May 1994 to enhance border trading. In September 1995, they established regular border trade between Maungdaw, a town in Myanmars Rakhine State, and Teknaf, an upazila in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar district. In the 5th summit of BIMSTEC, Sri-Lanka invited Myanmar and proposed walk-and-talk for the sake of regional connectivity and trade. The revival of old silk corridors within Bangladesh, China, India, and Myanmar is currently a contentious topic. However, the regional experts predict that the BCIM-EC will cost about $22 billion to build, and its trade potential stands at $132 billion. In 2020, India exported $871M to Myanmar and imported $742M from Myanmar. According to 2020 report, India and Myanmar have agreed to collaborate to introduce Indias RuPay Card in Myanmar as soon as possible and to investigate the construction of a digital payment gateway. On March 15, 2022, the government of Myanmar made a decision to make the Indian rupee convertible to boost border trade with India. According to the commerce ministry, border trade between Myanmar and India reached US$1.42 million as of October 22, 2021. Thirdly, from a national security perspective, the trilateral relations can improve the border security of three countries and the region. The close ties between China and Myanmar is a concern for India. In addition, Myanmar shares a border with Indias Northeastern states. In November 2021, India became more concerned after the attack on the 46 Assam Rifles by Manipur terrorist group, Peoples Liberation Army. To contain insurgent groups in the Nothereastern region and to tighten security to control the Rohingya exodus in India, India follows her dual-track policy with Myanmar. Bangladesh also participated in the Armed Forces Day parade of Myanmar in 2021. Bangladesh is working to make a platform for a fruitful negotiation with the Myanmar Junta for a successful and sustainable Rohingya repatriation. According to strategic analysts, there are about 30 insurgent groups in Northeastern region. Members of these groups reportedly took shelter in the neighbouring countries which demand cross border cooperation. The trilateral cooperation therefore will create collective security for counter-terrorism effort in the region. The regional connectivity and cooperation will bring about win-win results in trade, communication, security, energy, tourism, science and technology for Bangladesh, Myanmar and India. By Jubeda Chowdhury is a freelance columnist, researcher. The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah says President Nana Akufo-Addo has woefully failed in his fight against corruption. Delivering an address titled, The True State of the Nation Address on Monday at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Mr Asiedu Nketiah stated that the presidents actions and complicity have emboldened many of his officials, not just the Vice President, Alhaji Bawumia whose name has come up in multiple corruption scandals President Akufo-Addos silence on corruption in his infamous address was loud. It was as loud as his guilt. Evidently, corruption has defeated his family and friends government. Instead of confronting this canker head-on, President Akufo-Addo has constituted himself into a Corruption Clearing Agent, ever-willing to whitewash himself and any of his appointees who dabble in corruption, even before investigative processes commence. The President's actions and complicity have emboldened many of his officials, not least the Vice President, Alhaji Bawumia whose name has come up in multiple corruption scandals such as the PDS scandal, the shady Gold-for-Oil deal, the Stolen Rice scandal and the appearance fee scandal. Mr Asiedu Nketiah also accused the President of desecrating Ghanas national honours by conferring the honours on corrupt individuals in his government. He said the awards scheme was established by Ghanas first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah to honour distinguished Ghanaian nationals and institutions for their contributions to the development of the country. For him, it was therefore untenable for the President to confer such honours on corrupt individuals whose cases are before Parliament for investigations. He explained that awarding appointees whose corrupt acts are under investigation with national honours is tantamount to rewarding criminality, saying Kwame Nkrumah did not establish the awards to reward criminality. -Citi Newsroom 20.03.2023 LISTEN Dr Louisa Ansong-Satekla has said death owing to oral diseases are preventable thus members of the public should make it a habit to consult a dentist early when they have a dental problem. The Dental Surgeon spoke exclusively to Class News Prince Benjamin on the sidelines of the World Oral Health Day observation held at the Duala Medical Centre, Burma Camp, Accra. She indicated that her earnest message to the public is that we all give oral health the attention it so desperately needs and requires because oral health forms a great part of our overall wellbeing and so this is why a such as this is being commemorated and were doing so much especially in this part of the world where oral health is seen by many as a luxury and not the necessity that it actually is. Its important that we book appointments to see our dentists even when there is nothing wrong because unfortunately here, it seems that most people only go and see a dentist when they are in pain and by which time all the damage has already been done but prevention is key, the Official FDI World Dental Federation Ambassador for World Oral Health Day stressed. She entreated the public to visit a dentist at least twice in a year just to make sure that everything is okay because were losing more and more people from diseases such as oral cancer which should not be the case. Early detection saves lives, she emphasised. Its very important that we take note of these things and then we take actions to prevent loss of lives and things like that. Dr Louisa Satekla chaired the World Oral Health Day observation organised by and held at the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Duala Medical Centre, Burma Camp, Accra, Monday, March 20, 2023. The 2023 World Oral Health Day celebration is themed: Be proud of your mouth. Source: classfmonline.com Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Koku has made a proposal for the party to hold an economic debate for all presidential aspirant hopefuls. In a post on social media, the sidelined NDC member argued that since the party says the 2024 general elections will be about the economy, then it is only right if flagbearer hopefuls are made to have a debate on the Ghanaian economy. Since we agree the economy is facing serious challenges & the 2024 general elections will be about the economy, it would not be out of place for our great NDC to allow one live debate on the economy among the Flagbearer hopefuls in order for the larger NDC family to assess them, Samuel Koku Anyidoho shared on Twitter. Flagbearer aspirants of the opposition NDC are currently busy selling their messages to delegates for votes in the upcoming presidential primaries of the party. Former President John Dramani Mahama is facing strong competition from the former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor. March 20, 2023 Geopolitical Rumblings Leave U.S. Behind Over the last month we have seen astonishing geopolitical developments. In February China publicly lambasted U.S. hegemony, launched a global security initiative and offered a peace plan for Ukraine. On March 10 China mediated an agreement which restored relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. On March 15 Moscow rolled out the red carpet for the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Yesterday al-Assad and his wife Asma arrived in the UAE for talks with Sheikh Mohammed Also yesterday Iran and Iraq signed a security cooperation agreement that will stop the CIA sponsored Kurdish activities against Iran. Also yesterday King Salman of Saudi Arabia invited the President of Iran to a visit in Riyadh. For the last 30 years the U.S. considered the Middle East as its backyard. Twenty years ago it illegally invaded Iraq and caused 100,000nds of death and decades of chaos. Now China, by peaceful means, changed the balance in the Middle East within just one month. Today China's President Xi arrived in Moscow for three days of talks with Russia's President Putin. An article by President Putin was published in the People's Daily while Russian media published a signed article by President Xi. The U.S. is afraid that China's peace initiative for Ukraine will gain ground. It has openly come out against a cease-fire and peace talks. I had thought that was for Ukraine to decide? It is likely that Putin will publicly endorse the Chinese peace plan while the U.S. is paranoid that peace might indeed happen. It may even want to sabotage the Saudi Iranian deal. China's people are by the way the most happy in the world. Xi and Putin are now running the multilateral global show. Biden and the hapless 'unilateral' people around him are left aside. Posted by b on March 20, 2023 at 10:21 UTC | Permalink Comments next page Staff Reporter Richelle obtained a bachelor of arts degree in mass communications from the Far Eastern University in Manila, the Philippines. She was a junior reporter for Marianas Variety from 2009 to 2010, and from 2014 to 2015. In the Maldives, she worked as a news reporter and marketing executive. In her free time, shes a painter, pianist, and mom baker. Former President Donald Trump greets supporters accompanied by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds during a campaign rally, in Davenport, Iowa, March 13, 2023. We Are China Snow buntings fly in great synchronization (People's Daily App) 14:57, March 20, 2023 Cuteness overload! Two snow buntings fly wing to wing onto ears of wheat in sync in Northeast China's Jilin Province. (Compiled by Wang Qingxiu) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) South Africans demonstrate and call for president to resign View Photo JOHANNESBURG (AP) South African police on Monday monitored protests by the countrys leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party, which is demanding the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa. The party urged all South Africans to participate in a national shutdown but there was limited response in most of the countrys major cities. EFF leader Julius Malema addressed a crowd of nearly 1,000 people in South Africas capital, Pretoria, where he claimed the government tried to sabotage the planned national shutdown by preventing buses from transporting people to various marches. Malema led a march by demonstrators through the streets of Pretoria, while other marches took place in other cities in South Africa. There was a heavy police presence in Pretoria where police were deployed to monitor any potential violence and intimidation against people who are not participating in the protest. At least 87 people were arrested for public violence and related offences by Monday, police said. At least 24,300 tires have been confiscated by law enforcement agencies. These were tires that were strategically placed for acts of criminality, said police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe. Some protest marches were noted in various areas including Alexandra and Tembisa townships, east of Johannesburg. Several roads leading to the center of Johannesburgs eastern suburb of Kempton Park were closed as protesters marched to voice their grievances. All South Africans should be protesting with us right now because loadshedding (power cuts) is affecting all of us. The government must know that we are suffering, especially us who are running small businesses, said Cedric Cele, who joined the EFF demonstration in Kempton Park. The protest was meant to highlight South Africas power cuts which have seen households and businesses go without electricity for up to 12 hours daily. Security forces were deployed to monitor the protests Monday, with government officials describing them as part of the EFFs regime change agenda. The EFF is South Africas third largest political party by representatives in the National Assembly. By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME Associated Press US aid worker and French journalist freed in West Africa View Photo NIAMEY, Niger (AP) An American aid worker and a French journalist kidnapped and held by Islamist extremists were freed and flown to Nigers capital Monday, four days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the country. U.S. officials said no ransom was paid for aid worker Jeffery Woodke, who was held for more than six years, and praised Nigers government for helping secure his release. The French government did not comment on how freedom was won for journalist Olivier Dubois, who was abducted almost two years ago in neighboring Mali. I thank God first of all. And after God, I thank the government of Niger, the U.S. government and France. Long live France! said Woodke, his long gray hair pulled back in a ponytail as he used a walking stick. Im very happy to be back in Niamey again, in Niger, my second country, and Ive nothing more to say apart from, Hello to my family. Thats all, he said. Dubois beamed as he greeted well-wishers, telling journalists that he was tired but otherwise fine. Its amazing for me to be here, to be free, the 48-year-old journalist said. I didnt expect it at all. I would like to pay tribute to Niger, and to its knowledge of these types of delicate missions. And to pay tribute to France and to all those who made it possible to be here today. Blinken visited the region last week and on Thursday spoke to the press in Niger, where he announced $150 million in direct assistance to the Sahel region. Im very pleased we are now seeing that come to fruition today, Blinken said, thanking his team, and Niger, for their efforts. Woodke lived in Niger for three decades and had been kidnapped from his home in the town of Abalak in October 2016. Gunmen ambushed and killed his guards, then forced him at gunpoint into their truck, where he was driven north toward Malis border. At a 2021 news conference in Washington, Els Woodke said she believed her husband was being held by an al-Qaida-linked militant group known as JNIM and that his captors had sought a multimillion-dollar ransom. Dubois also was being held by JNIM militants, though it was unclear how much time the two foreign hostages had spent in captivity together, said Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory. Officials in Niger unexpectedly announced Monday morning that the two men had taken a special flight to the countrys capital but provided no details. U.S. officials said the American hostage was not freed in Niger but in the surrounding region that includes Mali, where Dubois was abducted in 2021. Also on Monday, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced that two of its employees were freed in Mali. The organization would not disclose the employees identities or the circumstances of their abductions, and it could not be confirmed if there was any connection to the other hostages who were released. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said efforts to free Woodke were headed by U.S. military, law enforcement and intelligence agencies , working closely with the French. It was a team effort to get him out, and there were no concessions made, Kirby said. There were no swaps here. This was just hard, grueling, deliberate work by diplomats and other experts directly with the government of Niger to get him home. Woodke and Debois were the highest-profile foreigners known to be held in the region, and their release was the largest since a French woman and two Italian men were freed together in Mali in October 2020. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote that he had spoken with Dubois on Monday. Immense relief for the nation, for his relatives and fellow journalists, Macron tweeted. Deep gratitude to Niger for this release. Although it remained unclear what led to the releases, it might not be a coincidence that the hostages freedom came after Blinken visited Niger and offered millions of dollars in aid, Alkhouri said. The aid could have oiled the Niger government to use its intelligence apparatus in negotiating their release, Alkhouri said. A senior U.S. administration official, speaking on background, said Woodke was the second American to be freed in the last six months and that the topic had come up last week during Blinkens visit to Niamey. The identity of the other hostage freed in Niger was not made public. Groups have long abducted hostages for ransom in the Sahel, the vast, semi-arid expanse below the Sahara Desert. Previously released captives have described being moved frequently from site to site in harrowing conditions and sweltering temperatures. The extremists aim to use ransom money to fund their jihadi operations, though not all countries engage in payment negotiations. The Biden administration official did not identify the specific group believed responsible for holding Woodke, saying overlapping networks operated in that part of West Africa. At least 25 foreigners and untold numbers of locals have been kidnapped in the Sahel since 2015, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. In 2020, Swiss authorities said Christian missionary Beatrice Stoeckli was killed by her militant captors. Militants with links to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group are still believed to be holding captives, including a German priest. The Rev. Hans-Joachim Lohre was preparing to celebrate Mass in Malis capital when he was abducted in November. Last year an Italian couple and their child were abducted with a household employee in southern Mali. Other hostages taken in West Africa include Ken Elliott, an Australian doctor abducted in 2016, and Romanian citizen Julian Ghergut, who was seized near a mining site in 2015. ___ Tucker reported from Washington, and Larson reported from Dakar, Senegal. Associated Press writers Sam Mednick in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Ellen Knickmeyer and Aamer Madhani in Washington; Angela Charlton in Paris; and Baba Ahmed in Bamako, Mali contributed to this report. By DALATOU MAMANE, ERIC TUCKER and KRISTA LARSON Associated Press Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou will visit China View Photo TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou will visit China next week in what a spokesman called a bid to ease tensions between the self-ruled island and the mainland. Ma presided over a period of warm ties with Beijing, but left office under a cloud after a trade deal with the mainland failed to win approval amid the islands largest protests since the 1990s. Although the former president is visiting in a private capacity, his stature as a former leader gives the trip political overtones. Mas proposed visit comes as Chinas People Liberation Army sends fighter jets toward Taiwan on a near daily basis, and as official communications between the two governments have broken off. Chinas ruling government claims Taiwan is part of its territory, but Taiwans governing Democratic Progressive Party says its already a sovereign state that is not part of China. Ma, a member of the opposition Nationalist Party (Kuomingtang), will lead a delegation of academics and students as well as his former presidential staffers from March 27 to April 7, his office said Sunday. The office of President Tsai Ing-wen said Ma had notified her of his plans on Monday. The presidents office said it hoped Ma, in his role as the former head of state can show the value of Taiwans democracy and freedom and the position of equality and dignity in cross-strait exchanges. Ma will visit Nanjing, Wuhan and Changsha, as well as other cities, Hsiao Hsu-tsen, the director of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation on Monday, told a news conference in Taipei. Hsiao also announced that Ma would bring college students from Taiwan to meet with colleagues from Shanghais Fudan University and Changshas Hunan University. He strongly believes, as both sides of the (Taiwan) Strait have entered this frozen situation in recent years, allowing young people to have an exchange will help reduce tensions, Hsiao said. I think no matter how many weapons we buy, its not as good as having young people from both sides understand each other, and deepen their exchange. Ma will not go to Beijing, Hsiao said. The trip is also a chance for him to honor his ancestors, he added, ahead of Tomb Sweeping Day on April 5. During the festival, which is celebrated in Taiwan and China, among other countries, families pay a visit to ancestral graves to remember the deceased and to maintain the burial grounds. Mas trip was also confirmed by Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office. Any results are likely to be symbolic, and will mostly benefit China, said Hoo Tiang Boon, a professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore who studies Chinese foreign policy. Then they can then show they are not against Taiwan, they are not against the Taiwanese people, he said. Its the DPP and what they deem as separatists causing provocations in cross-strait relations. Hoo added that he didnt think it was likely the trip would influence Taiwans presidential elections next year. Other experts agreed that it was unlikely to resolve any major issues, but it could still prove helpful. Mas visit follows Andrew Hsia, vice chairman of the Kuomingtang, who went on a 10-day tour of China in February and met with the head of the Taiwan Affairs Office. Members of the Kuomingtang regularly have exchanges with China. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wang-an, who belongs to the Kuomingtang, had hosted Shanghai city officials in February as well, and discussed exchanges in culture, sports and tourism. Hes not really representing the government to go and negotiate, I think he just wants to transmit the idea of peaceful exchange, said Kao-cheng Wang, a professor at the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies at Tamkang University in Taiwan, referring to Mas plan to bring students. This will be helpful to cross-strait relations and future development. During Mas terms in office, Taiwan and China increased contacts. Ma negotiated a trade pact with Beijing in 2010 and Chinese tourists flocked to Taiwan. But as both sides opened their borders to each other, concerns grew that Taiwan was falling inescapably into Beijings orbit, eventually leading to protests over a proposed trade deal with Beijing in 2014. The protests, known as the Sunflower Movement, sparked a rally that drew more than 200,000 people and a 24-day occupation of Taiwans parliament by students. Ma met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Singapore in 2015, while he was still in office. The meeting was the first between the leaders of the two sides since Taiwan split from mainland China in 1949 during the Chinese civil war, but was considered more symbolic than substantive. In 2016, the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party won national elections and Beijing cut off contact with Taiwans government, citing Tsais refusal to endorse the idea that Taiwan and China are one country. By HUIZHONG WU Associated Press Chinas Xi meeting Putin in boost for isolated Russia leader View Photo BEIJING (AP) Chinese leader Xi Jinping is due to meet with Vladimir Putin in a political boost for the isolated Russian president after the International Criminal Court charged him with war crimes in Ukraine. Xis government gave no details of what the Chinese leader hoped to accomplish. Xi and Putin declared they had a no-limits friendship before the February 2022 attack on Ukraine, but China has tried to portray itself as neutral. Beijing called for a cease-fire last month, but Washington said that would ratify the Kremlins battlefield gains. The Chinese government said Xi would visit Moscow from Monday to Wednesday but gave no indication whether he had left. The Russian government said Xi was due to arrive at midday and meet later with Putin. Ahead of the meeting, Chinas foreign ministry called on the ICC to respect the jurisdictional immunity of a head of state and avoid politicization and double standards. China looks to Russia as a source of oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy and as a partner in opposing what both see as American domination of global affairs. The meeting gives Putin and Xi a chance to show they have powerful partners at a time of strained relations with Washington, said Joseph Torigian, an expert in Chinese-Russian relations at American University in Washington. China can signal that it could even do more to help Russia, and that if relations with the United States continue to deteriorate, they could do a lot more to enable Russia and help Russia in its war against Ukraine, Torigian said. Beijings relations with Washington, Europe and its neighbors are strained by disputes over technology, security, human rights and the ruling Communist Partys treatment of Hong Kong and Muslim minorities. Some commentators draw a parallel between Russias claims to Ukrainian territory and Beijings claim to Taiwan. The Communist Party says the self-ruled island democracy, which split with China in 1949 after a civil war, is obliged to unite with the mainland, by force if necessary. Xis government has been stepping up efforts to intimidate the island by flying fighter jets nearby and firing missiles into the sea. China has stepped up purchases of Russian oil and gas, helping to top up the Kremlins revenue in the face of Western sanctions. But it has avoided doing anything visible that crosses the red lines laid down by Washington and European governments in regard to financial sanctions and the provision of military aid. This weeks meeting follows the ICC announcement Friday of charges that Putin is personally responsible for the abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine. Governments that recognize the courts jurisdiction would be obligated to arrest Putin if he visits. Putin has yet to comment on the announcement, but the Kremlin rejected the move as outrageous and unacceptable. In a show of defiance, Putin visited Crimea and the occupied Ukrainian port city of Mariupol to mark the ninth anniversary of Russias seizure of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine. Russian news reports showed him chatting with Mariupol residents and visiting an art school and a childrens center in Sevastopol in Crimea. The ICC should uphold an objective and impartial stance, respect the jurisdictional immunity enjoyed by the head of state in accordance and avoid politicization and double standards, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. China will uphold its objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks, Wang said. Xi said in an article published Monday in the Russian newspaper Russian Gazette that China has actively promoted peace talks but announced no initiatives. My upcoming visit to Russia will be a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace, Xi wrote, according to text released by the official Xinhua News Agency. A reasonable way to resolve the crisis can be found if all parties embrace the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, Xi wrote. The trip follows the surprise announcement of a diplomatic thaw between Iran and Saudi Arabia after a meeting in Beijing, a propaganda coup for Xis government. Xi wants to be seen as a global statesman who is playing a constructive role by talking about peace but is unlikely to press Putin to end the war, said Torigian. He said Beijing worries about possible Russian battlefield losses but doesnt want to be seen to enable Russias aggression. They wont spend political capital on pressing Moscow to make peace, especially if they dont think it will get them anything, he said. By EMILY WANG FUJIYAMA and JOE McDONALD Associated Press French government survives no-confidence votes over pensions View Photo PARIS (AP) Parliament adopted a divisive pension bill Monday raising the retirement age in France from 62 to 64, after lawmakers in the lower chamber rejected two no-confidence votes against the government. But the bill pushed through by President Emmanuel Macron without lawmakers approval still faces a review by the Constitutional Council before it can be signed into law. The council has the power to reject articles within bills but usually approves them. The first no-confidence motion, proposed by a small centrist group with support across the left, narrowly missed approval by National Assembly lawmakers Monday afternoon, garnering 278 of the 287 votes needed to pass. The second motion, brought by the far-right National Rally, won just 94 votes in the chamber. Macrons centrist alliance has more seats than any other group in the lower chamber. The speaker of the National Assembly, Yael Braun-Pivet, said the failure of both votes means parliament has adopted the pension bill. Yet this is not the end of the complex path to turn the bill into law. Opponents said they would ask the Constitutional Council to review the text before it is formally promulgated, opening the door to the possible rejection of articles within the measure if they are not in line with the constitution. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said she would ask the council to censure it. Macron, who has remained silent since his decision to push the bill through last week, will meet Tuesday morning with Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and the leaders of his centrist alliance. After the first vote Monday, some leftist lawmakers called for Borne to resign. Only nine votes are missing to bring both the government down and its reform down, hard-left lawmaker Mathilde Panot said. The government is already dead in the eyes of the French, it doesnt have any legitimacy any more. The Senate, dominated by conservatives who back the retirement plan, approved the legislation last week. The head of The Republicans lawmakers, Olivier Marleix, earlier explained why his group would reject the motions. We acknowledge the need for a reform to save our pension system and defend retirees purchasing power, he said during the debate Monday afternoon. A minority of conservatives lawmakers strayed from the party line and voted in favor of the first motion. Centrist lawmaker Charles de Courson, whose allies introduced the motion supported by the left, deplored the governments decision to use a special constitutional power to skirt a vote on the pension bill last week. How can we accept such contempt for parliament? How can we accept such conditions to examine a text which will have lasting effects on the lives of millions of our fellow citizens? he exclaimed. France, like many richer nations, has a low birth rate and its citizens have longer life expectancy. The tensions in the political arena have been echoed on the streets, marked by intermittent protests and strikes in various sectors, including transportation, energy and sanitation workers. Garbage in Paris has piled ever higher and reeked of rotting food on the 15th day of a strike by collectors. The three main incinerators serving the French capital have been mostly blocked, as has a garbage sorting center northwest of Paris. On Monday, hundreds of mainly young protesters gathered by Les Invalides, the final resting place of Napoleon, to demonstrate against pension reform. Some trash bins were set on fire in early evening, but the protest was otherwise calm. Participants listened to the proceedings in the National Assembly through a channel broadcast on loudspeaker from a union van. The goal is to support the workers on strike in Paris to put pressure on this government that wants to pass this unjust, brutal and useless and ineffective law, said Kamel Brahmi, of the leftist CGT union, speaking to workers with a bullhorn at the Romainville sorting plant. Some refineries that supply gas stations also are at least partially blocked, and Transport Minister Clement Beaune said on France-Info radio Monday that he would take action if necessary to ensure that fuel still gets out. Opinion polls show a large majority of the French oppose raising the retirement age. Economic challenges have prompted unrest across Western Europe, where many countries have low birthrates, leaving fewer young workers to sustain pensions for retirees. Spains leftist government joined with labor unions last week to announce a historic deal to save its pension system. Spains Social Security Minister Jose Luis Escriva said the French have a very different, unsustainable model. Spains workers already must stay on the job until at least 65 and wont be asked to work longer instead, their new deal increases employer contributions for higher-wage earners. The reform in France also would require 43 years of work to earn a full pension at 64, otherwise workers would still have to wait until they turn 67. Unions in France have called for new nationwide protests on Thursday to demand the government simply withdraw the retirement bill. I know the questions and concerns that this reform is raising. I know what it asks of many of our fellow citizens, Borne said Monday. Macron vowed to push the pension plan through, she said, out of transparency and responsibility, because it is needed to keep the system from diving into deficit amid Frances aging population. ___ Associated Press reporters Jeffrey Schaeffer and Thomas Adamson in Paris and Nicolas Garriga in Romainville, France, contributed to this report. By SYLVIE CORBET and ELAINE GANLEY Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) Next weeks scheduled execution of a Texas death row inmate who was convicted in the killing of another prisoner was delayed by a judge. Anibal Canales Jr., 58, had been set to be executed March 29 for the July 1997 strangling death of another inmate, Gary Dickerson, at the Telford state prison, which is located near New Boston in northeast Texas. But on Thursday, state District Judge Bill Miller, in Bowie County, signed an order withdrawing Canales execution date. Both prosecutors and Canales attorneys agreed to the delay to allow the inmates lawyers more time to seek additional evidence in his case, according to the judges order. The order was meant to give Canales legal team time to investigate serious flaws in the criminal investigation and prosecutions for the 1997 murder, Joseph Perkovich, one of Canales lawyers, said in an email Monday. Canales had been serving a 15-year sentence for aggravated sexual assault when he joined the Texas Mafia prison gang, prosecutors said. After the gang believed Dickerson had informed authorities about tobacco it had tried to smuggle into the prison, it ordered Canales and other gang members to kill him, according to authorities. Canales and another gang member went to Dickersons cell, with Canales holding Dickerson down while the other gang member strangled him, prosecutors said. But Canales attorneys have previously argued he was forced to do whatever the gang asked of him in exchange for their protection. Prior heart attacks had left him physically vulnerable as another prison gang sought to kill him. Canales lawyers at his trial failed to tell jurors about the circumstances that forced him to take part in the killing and also about his childhood, which was rife with sexual abuse, poverty, neglect and homelessness, according to his attorneys. In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Canales claims about having ineffective lawyers at his trial. But in a dissent, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor said there appeared to be more than a reasonable probability that the mitigating evidence Canales trial lawyers did not present would have led at least one juror to sentence him to life in prison instead of death. This is the second execution in the last two weeks that has been delayed in Texas. On March 7, a judge withdrew the execution warrant for Andre Thomas. He had been set to receive a lethal injection April 5 for fatally stabbing his estranged wife, their 4-year-old son and her 13-month-old daughter in March 2004. Lawyers for Thomas who gouged out both of his eyes said he should not be executed because he is severely mentally ill. The next execution in Texas is set for April 26. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter at https://twitter.com/juanlozano70. By JUAN A. LOZANO Associated Press Thailand dissolves Parliament ahead of May elections View Photo BANGKOK (AP) Thailands Parliament was dissolved Monday by a government decree, setting the stage for a May general election that poses an opportunity to lessen the militarys influence in politics. The dissolution, just a few days before the end of the four-year term of the House of Representatives, was initiated by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is seeking a fresh mandate in the election expected to be held May 7 or 14. The date will be announced next week. The election will pit the popular opposition Pheu Thai party, backed by billionaire populist Thaksin Shinawatra, against parties representing the conservative establishment and closely linked to the military. Parties led and backed by Thaksin have won the most seats in every election since 2001, but have been blocked by military coups, unfavorable rulings by the conservative judiciary and election laws drafted to favor army-backed parties. The leading Pheu Thai candidate is Thaksins daughter, 36-year-old Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is heavily favored in opinion polls. If elected, she would be the fourth member of the Shinawatra family to serve as prime minister in the past two decades. Her father held office in 2001-2006, and Thaksins sister Yingluck Shinawatra in 2011-2014. Both of them were toppled by coups. Thaksins brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat served in the office briefly in 2008 before he was removed by a court ruling disbanding the Peoples Power Party, which was the name of Thaksins political movement at the time. More than 52 million of the countrys population of over 66 million are eligible to vote across 400 constituencies. Four hundred seats will be determined by first-past-the-post races in each constituency. A separate party preference ballot will seat the other 100 members of the House of Representatives from national party lists. The prime minister is selected by a vote in a combined session of the newly elected lower house and the 250-seat Senate, a conservative body whose members are appointed. Prayuth, who turns 69 on Tuesday, first assumed the top job after staging a military coup as army commander, ousting Yinglucks elected government in 2014. He did not run in the 2019 election but was selected prime minister by Parliament after the army-backed Palang Pracharath party formed a coalition government. This year, however, he faces a challenge from his longtime comrade-in-arms and deputy prime minister, 77-year-old Prawit Wongsuwan, who has been named the new Palang Pracharath candidate for prime minister. Prayuth joined the recently formed United Thai Nation party in January to become its candidate, even though a court ruled last year that he can serve only two more years in office under the constitution. The party is less experienced, raising the question of whether it can win the minimum 25 seats in the lower house to nominate Prayuth as prime minister. Both Prayuth and Prawit have polled poorly. Prawit had indicated he would be amenable to forming a coalition government with Pheu Thai, a position that was virtually unthinkable for a military-linked candidate just a few years ago. The stronger runners-up in the 2019 polls also have an important roll to play as possible partners in any coalition government. Chief among them is the well-funded Bhumjaithai party, whose base is in the populous northeast region, which holds the greatest number of lower house seats. Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, a construction magnate before entering politics, is the deputy prime minister and health minister in Prayuths government, giving him a high profile during the coronavirus pandemic. He and his party are best known for campaigning for and implementing the de facto legalization of marijuana and other cannabis products, a policy that benefits the primarily agricultural northeast. By GRANT PECK Associated Press Connecticuts Republican and Democratic state party chairs offered a united front Monday by jointly testifying in support of liberalizing state party fundraising rules and moving the presidential primary from the last to the first Tuesday in April. Given the hyper-partisan nature of contemporary politics, cordial lobbying by the GOPs Ben Proto and the Democrats Nancy DiNardo might seem odd, but the pair long has found common cause on the mechanics of politics. And contrary to popular belief, we work together more often on things than might otherwise be known, said Proto, a long-time operative and elections lawyer who became state chair in 2021. The state party chairs testified before the legislatures Government Administration and Elections Committee in support of House Bill 6904, the fundraising measure, and House Bill 6908, the primary scheduling bill. Proto and DiNardo share a goal of making Connecticut an attractive place for presidential candidates to campaign and not just raise money, always a challenge for a small state with a limited cache of delegates. For too many presidential elections, Connecticut voters have been shortchanged in the primaries by being scheduled on the last Tuesday in April, said DiNardo, who was state chair from 2005 to 2015 and returned in 2020. Too often, the winners of the nominations are known before the end of April. In 2020, for example, Bernie Sanders ended his presidential campaign on April 8 and endorsed Joe Biden on the 13th. (Thanks to COVID-19, and the fact that Biden and Donald J. Trump had their nominations assured, the presidential primary was delayed in 2020 to August, when the primaries for state offices in Connecticut are held.) Under current law, the states 2024 presidential primary wouldnt be held until April 30. The bipartisan bill would move it to April 2. Voter interest and the state economy benefit when the primary is held when the outcome is in play, Proto said. We know that when the candidates come to a state they spend a lot of money, not only on their media buys, but also within our hospitality industry, on salaries, on staff, Proto said. So theres a tangential benefit to doing this to making a competitive state that candidates want to come to. Connecticut was one of 20 states that made a bid for an early primary to the Democratic National Committee, which had made clear it was intent on shaking up the primary calendar by raising the profile of states with populations more diverse than the early primary caucus state of Iowa and primary state of New Hampshire. State legislatures set the dates in conjunction with the political parties and sometimes at odds with them. The parties establish a window for the states to hold their primaries, which can only be enforced by threatening to deprive states of delegate spots if they do not comply. The Democrats new calendar would strip New Hampshire of its first-in-the-nation primary status by scheduling South Carolina for Feb. 3, Nevada and New Hampshire for Feb. 6, Georgia for Feb. 13, and Michigan for Feb. 27. New Hampshire is expected to defy the Democrats new calendar, since state law requires its presidential primary to be at least seven days before any other states primary. Republicans still would begin with a New Hampshire primary on Feb. 13. Even with a primary on April 2, Connecticut still would be relatively late. In addition to the five states with February primaries, another 14 will hold primaries on March 5, dubbed Super Tuesday. The Super Tuesday lineup includes the New England states of Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont, along with delegate-rich California and Texas. The other issue on which DiNardo and Proto agree is money. They want the maximum contributions to the state party to be raised from $10,000 to $15,000. Our small donors are our lifeblood, and they really make our party hum, Proto said. But our maximum donors are also instrumental in helping us pay our everyday costs, and like any other business, and we do have a business side of this, our cost to do business has increased over the last 10 or 12 years. And we needed an opportunity to be able to pay for those costs as well. This story originally appeared at ctmirror.org, the website of The Connecticut Mirror. Yves here. Despite the murkiness of the California Covid censorship law, one of the few areas it would seem to cover on a clear-cut basis is threatening the licenses of doctors who recommend or worse prescribe ivermectin. While doubts about its efficacy are reasonable, ivermectin has a better safety profile than aspirin, so depicting it as a health hazard is Big Pharma propaganda. And in a textbook case of class hypocrisy, IM Doc reports that the billionaires and other very rich that spend part of the year in his area nearly all demand it. Needless to say, this law also show the Democrats true authoritarian colors. Put it another way, when youve lost Leana Wen.. By Bernard J. Wolfson, Senior Correspondent and columnist for California Healthline and previously was the business editor of the Orange County Register and its health care reporter, where he was a Pulitzer Prize finalist, along with two Register colleagues, for a groundbreaking report on cost vs. quality at 30 local hospitals. Produced by Kaiser Health News Gov. Gavin Newsom may have been prescient when he acknowledged free speech concerns as he signed Californias covid misinformation bill last fall. In a message to lawmakers, the governor warned of the chilling effect other potential laws may have on the ability of doctors to speak frankly with patients but expressed confidence that the one he was signing did not cross that line. Yet the law meant to discipline doctors who give patients false information about covid-19 is now in legal limbo after two federal judges issued conflicting rulings in recent lawsuits that say it violates free speech and is too vague for doctors to know what it bars them from telling patients. In two of the lawsuits, Senior U.S. District Judge William Shubb in Sacramento issued a temporary halt on enforcing the law, but it applies only to the plaintiffs in those cases. Shubb said the law was unconstitutionally vague, in part because it fails to provide a person of ordinary intelligence fair notice of what is prohibited. His ruling last month clashed with one handed down in Santa Ana in December; in that case, U.S. District Judge Fred Slaughter refused to halt the law and said it was likely to promote the health and safety of California covid-19 patients. The legal fight in the nations most populous state is to some extent a perpetuation of the pandemic-era tussle pitting supporters of public health guidelines against groups and individuals who resisted masking orders, school shutdowns, and vaccine mandates. Californias covid misinformation law, which took effect Jan. 1, is being challenged by vaccine skeptics and civil liberties groups. Among those suing to get the law declared unconstitutional is a group founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has questioned the science and safety of vaccines for years. But doubts about the law are not confined to those who have battled the scientific mainstream. Dr. Leana Wen, a health policy professor at George Washington University who previously served as president of Planned Parenthood and as Baltimores health commissioner, wrote in an op-ed a few weeks before Newsom signed the law that it would exert a chilling effect on medical practice, with widespread repercussions that could paradoxically worsen patient care. The Northern California affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union has weighed inagainst the law on free speech grounds, though the national organization has affirmedthe constitutionality of covid vaccine mandates. If doctors are scared of losing their licenses for giving advice that they think is helpful and appropriate, but they dont quite know what the law means, they will be less likely to speak openly and frankly with their patients, said Hannah Kieschnick, an attorney with the ACLU of Northern California. The law establishes that doctors who give false information about covid to patients are engaging in unprofessional conduct, which could subject them to discipline by the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California. Proponents of the law sought to crack down on what they believe are the most clear-cut cases: Doctors who tout treatments such as ivermectin, an anti-parasitic agent that is unproven as a covid treatment and can be dangerous; who exaggerate the risk of getting vaccinated compared with the dangers of the disease; or who spread unfounded theories about the vaccines, including that they can cause infertility or harm DNA. But the law lacks such specifics, defining misinformation only as false information that is contradicted by contemporary scientific consensus contrary to the standard of care. Michelle Mello, a professor of law and health policy at Stanford University, said the wording is confusing. On a matter like covid, science is changing all the time, so what does it mean to say there is scientific consensus? she asked. To me, there are lots of examples of statements that clearly, with no vagueness involved, meet the definition of the kind of conduct that the legislature was going after. The problem is that there are all kinds of other hypothetical things that people can say that dont clearly violate it. Dr. Christine Cassel, a professor of medicine at the University of California-San Francisco, said she expects the law to be applied only in the most flagrant cases. I trust scientists enough to know where theres a legitimate dispute, she said. Cassels view mirrors Newsoms rationale for signing the legislation despite his awareness of potential free speech concerns. I am confident, he wrote in his message to lawmakers, that discussing emerging ideas or treatments including the subsequent risks and benefits does not constitute misinformation or disinformation under this bills criteria. Plaintiffs in the Santa Ana case, two doctors who have sometimes diverged from public health guidelines, appealed Slaughters ruling allowing the law to stand. The case has been combined in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals with another case in which a San Diego judge declined to rule on a similar request to temporarily halt the law. Newsom spokesperson Brandon Richards said in early February that the administration would not appeal the two Sacramento cases in which Shubb issued the narrow injunction. The plaintiffs lawyers had expected the state to appeal the decision, thinking all four lawsuits would then be decided by the appeals court, providing greater clarity for all parties. Richard Jaffe, lead attorney in one of the Sacramento cases brought by a doctor, Kennedys Childrens Health Defense, and a group called Physicians for Informed Consent said Newsoms decision not to appeal is just going to increase the level of chaos in terms of who the law applies to. But the Newsom administration has decided to wait for the appeals court to rule on the other two judges decisions that left the law intact for now. Jenin Younes, a lawyer with the New Civil Liberties Alliance who is lead counsel in the other Sacramento case in which Shubb issued his injunction, said Newsom may be calculating that youre in a stronger position going up on a win than on a loss. A victory for Newsom in the appeals court, Jaffe and others said, could dampen the impact of the two Sacramento cases. Opponents of Californias covid misinformation law question why it is needed at all, since the medical boards already have authority to discipline doctors for unprofessional conduct. Yet only about 3% of the nearly 90,000 complaints the Medical Board of California received over a decade resulted in doctors being disciplined, according to a 2021 investigation by the Los Angeles Times. That could be good news for doctors who worry the new law could constrain their ability to advise patients. I dont see medical boards being particularly vigorous in policing physicians competence in general, said Stanfords Mello. You have to be really bad to get their attention. The worst frog disease in recorded history risks wiping them from the face of the Earth ZME Science Facing Extinction, but Available for Selfies in Japans Animal Cafes New York Times The mice with two dads: scientists create eggs from male cells Nature Climate/Environment Water #COVID-19 Damage to T cell response after infection found in Cell The apparent damage of CD8 T cell response by viral infection is cause for concern Attention @marc_veld and @zeynep, you are needed for damage control, post-haste!https://t.co/Zx1ljimwl9 pic.twitter.com/iwR3y8auoh Anthony J Leonardi, PhD, MS (@fitterhappierAJ) March 19, 2023 Syraqistan Old Blighty Dozens of Tory MPs risk losing seats over sewage dumping crime, warns Davey The Irish News India The Koreas China? New Not-So-Cold War Nazis are being whitewashed these days more than al-Qaida was at the height of the CIA-led proxy war against Syria. https://t.co/5n8bpCopyA Asa Winstanley (@AsaWinstanley) March 17, 2023 *** *** On NYTs podcast The Daily, @julianbarnes tells @mikiebarb that he discovered that a pro-Ukrainian group not a government like the US bombed Nord Stream after he and his colleagues started asking the right questions. After then, US officials gave them the right answer. pic.twitter.com/KSPueAti7J Aaron Mate (@aaronjmate) March 17, 2023 After Turkiyes step the Nordic expansion of the NATO could depend on Hungary Daily News Hungary Georgian leaders come after liberal fascists following foreign agent bills defeat Eurasianet Serbia, Kosovo reach pact on implementing peace plan, EUs Borrell says Politico EU South of the Border These Republicans Want Drone Strikes on Mexico Daily Beast This sarcastic headline is typical of gringo press. What he actually said was that people in the US use opiates because theyre hurt, lonely, and isolated, not because fentanyl is foisted on them by Mexican cartels. https://t.co/ghzaFvoiZ9 Seth Harp (@sethharpesq) March 18, 2023 2024 SVB Rotten Banks UBSs deal to take over Credit Suisse, $CS, is a bailout, says Mohamed El-Erian. pic.twitter.com/n26JKiYq1D unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) March 19, 2023 SAUDI NATIONAL BANK INVESTED $1.5 BILLION INTO CREDIT SUISSE JUST WEEKS AGO FOR A 10% STAKE IF CREDIT SUISSE TAKES THE FIRST OFFER MADE BY UBS THEIR STAKE WILL BE WORTH UNDER $100 MILLION DOLLARS THAT WOULD BE A LOSS OF 93% IN WEEKS $CS $UBS GURGAVIN (@gurgavin) March 19, 2023 Coordinated central bank action to enhance the provision of U.S. dollar liquidity Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Sunday press release. The events this past week correspond to a 1.5% increase in the Fed funds rate. In other words, over the past week, monetary conditions have tightened to a degree where the risks of a sharper slowdown in the economy have increased.@apolloglobal pic.twitter.com/CNyLPvY64u Danielle DiMartino Booth (@DiMartinoBooth) March 18, 2023 Imperial Collapse Watch Class Warfare The Bezzle Tech Springtime is in the air and so is poetry in translation Dayton Daily News Antidote du jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Four out of 50 states provide free school meals to kids. No wonder child labor is making a comeback. By Kenny Stancil. Originally published at Common Dreams. Surrounded by students, teachers, and advocates, Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Friday afternoon signed into law a bill to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to all of the states roughly 820,000 K-12 pupils regardless of their household income. The move to make Minnesota the fourth U.S. state to guarantee universal free school mealsjoining California, Maine, and Coloradoelicited praise from progressives. Beautiful, tweeted Stephanie Kelton, a professor of economics and public policy at Stony Brook University. UC-Berkeley professor and former U.S. labor secretary Robert Reich wrote on social media: Let this serve as a reminder that poverty is a policy choice. In the richest country in the world, it is absolutely inexcusable that millions of our children go to school hungry because they are living in poverty. An estimated 1 in 6 children in Minnesota dont get enough to eat on a regular basis. But 1 in 4 food-insecure kids live in households that dont qualify for the federal free and reduced meal program, leading to mounting school lunch debts in the tens of thousands of dollars, Minnesota Public Radioreported. Tens of thousands of children are set to benefit from Minnesotas new law, which could be operational as early as summer school in July. Some of them were there to thank Walz at the signing ceremony, where the sense of elation was palpable. As a former teacher, I know that providing free breakfast and lunch for our students is one of the best investments we can make to lower costs, support Minnesotas working families, and care for our young learners and the future of our state, Walz said. This bill puts us one step closer to making Minnesota the best state for kids to grow up, and I am grateful to all of the legislators and advocates for making it happen. The Minnesota Houseled by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, the states Democratic affiliatefirst passed the bill in February in a 70-58 party-line vote. The state Senatewhere the DFL holds just a single-seat advantageapproved it on Tuesday by a 38-26 margin. The state House rubber-stamped an amended version of the bill on Thursday. In a now-viral clip from the state Senates debate over the bill earlier this week. Sen. Steve Drazkowski (R-20) questioned whether hunger is really a problem in Minnesotaeven as the states food banks reported a record surge in visits last year, months before federal lawmakers slashed pandemic-era Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. I have yet to meet a person in Minnesota that is hungry, Drazkowski said before voting against the bill. I have yet to meet a person in Minnesota that says they dont have access to enough food to eat. During Fridays signing ceremony, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (DFL) said, To our decision-makers who believe they have never met someone who is experiencing or has experienced hunger: Hi, my name is Peggy Flanagan, and I was 1 in 6 of those Minnesota children who experienced hunger. By providing free breakfast and lunch to all of our students, we are removing barriers and removing stigma from the lunch room, said Flanagan. We are helping family pocketbooks, especially for those 1 in 4 who dont qualify for financial assistance with school meals. We are leading with our values that no child should go hungry for any reason, period. This is an investment in the well-being of our children, as well as an investment in their academic success, Flanagan added, calling the generation-changing bill the most important thing shes ever worked on in her life. As Minnesota Reformer reported: The majority of Minnesota schools receive federal funding from the National School Lunch Program, which reimburses schools for each meal served, though it doesnt cover the cost of the entire meal. Under the new law, schools are prohibited from charging students for the remaining cost, and the state will foot the rest of the billabout $200 million annually. MPR noted that the legislation is similar to a program that was introduced during the pandemic to provide meals for all students, but was discontinued at the end of last year. Last month, The Star Tribune editorial board opined that providing free breakfast and lunch to all of Minnesotas students, including affluent ones, is excessive. Pushing back against this argument for means-testing, Darcy Stueberdirector of Nutrition Services for Mankato Area Public Schools and public policy chair of the Minnesota School Nutrition Associationasserted that meals should be guaranteed to all kids at no cost, just like other basic learning necessities. We dont charge for Chromebooks and desks and things like that, she told MPR. Its a part of their day and theyre there for so many hours. It just completes that whole learning experience for the child. Minnesota Rep. Sydney Jordan (DFL-60A), the bills lead author, made the same point to counter GOP lawmakers complaints following the initial passage of the legislation. We give every kid in our school a desk, Jordan said last month. There are lots of kids out there that can afford to buy a desk, but they get a desk because they go to school. Walz, for his part, stressed Friday that his administration is just getting started when it comes to boosting education funding. The big stuff, said the governor, is still coming. The evolution of my position with the Post dates to 2000, when I began work with The City Paper. In 2008, SouthComm Inc. bought the Post and TCP, with the latter ceasing operations in 2013. In 2018, FW Publishing acquired the Post, for which I have served as managing editor since 2011. Follow William Williams Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today As Tennessee prepares to cut the Metro Council in half, we should come to terms with the fact that state and business leaders aren't going to step in and stop it (Natural News) Based on the combination bail-in / bail-out that just took place on an emergency basis in Switzerland yesterday, we now know that the entire western financial system is a grand con. They will change the rules at any moment and steal your money, just like they did to Russia in 2022 by seizing $300+ billion in Russian deposits held at western central banks. Yesterday, as part of the panicked, illegal bailing out of Credit Suisse, they wiped out US$17 billion in AT1 (tier-1) bonds, leaving the bond holders high and dry. As CNBC reports, The $17 billion wipeout of Credit Suisse bondholders has not gone down well in Europe. One section of Credit Suisses bondholders is set to be wiped out following the struggling banks takeover by UBS, causing them to see investments worth 16 billion Swiss francs ($17 billion) become worthless. The Swiss regulator FINMA announced Sunday that the so-called additional tier-one bonds, which are widely regarded as relatively risky investments, will be written to zero as part of the deal. Meanwhile, the actual shareholders of Credit Suisse were able to keep most of their assets intact because they received UBS shares in exchange. And the entire deal was carried out illegally, in violation of Swiss laws, by skipping the required Credit Suisse shareholder vote. The message to the financial world is crystal clear: Your money isnt safe in any western bank, not in Europe, America, Canada or anywhere. Its not even safe in systemically important banks, because governments will simply change the rules without notice, completely outside the law, and they will steal your bonds, your deposits and your shares to keep their own authoritarian regimes in power while gutting investors. Its easy to see where this goes now, and its a total wipeout of the western financial system I recently interviewed Andy Schectman (see below), and he explains that this looks a lot like a kind of controlled demolition of the banking system in order to create the perfect narrative for rolling out CBDCs the end game of total government surveillance, tracking and enslavement of the masses. To roll out CBDCs, they first have to destroy all commercial banks. Then the governments of the world plan to ride to the rescue with their digital money systems that represent the final nail in the coffin of human freedom. If this plan proceeds, nearly every western bank will destroyed, leaving behind only a few globalist banks (JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, etc.) that will enforce the transition to CBDCs. As part of this process, banks are essentially being nationalized right now, just like we recently saw with SVB and Signature Bank. Three banks failed in the United States recently, and the government FDIC took them all over. The Credit Suisse bailout involved a $100+ billion bailout liquidity injection from the Swiss government, yet their dishonest, communist leaders falsely claim, This isnt a bailout. Whats next, will they claim, This isnt communism? Because thats the plan. Listen to todays audio podcast below, followed by four interviews with top money and finance experts who reveal the truth about the global banking crisis now unfolding. Summary of todays podcast episode: The Credit Suisse BAIL IN wipes out $17 billion in bond value Swiss government liquidity adds BAIL OUT factor to UBS acquisition Global financial crisis began in crypto, moved to Silicon Valley and spread to Europe The entire western financial system is headed for catastrophe Janet Yellen says the government will CHOOSE which banks survive and which ones fail Only the WOKE banks will be bailed out in order to keep WOKE startups alive Most SVB startups were focused on WOKE topics like climate change All deposits and financial instruments have counter party risk Only things you physically control have no counter party risk: Gold, silver, land, food, ammo, etc. Where to hide your gold with certainty that no one will mess with it As the collapse accelerates, people will become even MORE desperate As the banks fail, chaos will prevail Brighteon: Brighteon.com/bba1fab8-d3f8-4109-8a94-54dec445b35f Rumble: Rumble.com/v2dyduw-situation-update-32023-global-finance-shockwaves-as-credit-suisse-bail-in-w.html Bitchute: Bitchute.com/video/OMKeHoqHtIU7/ Banned.Video: Banned.video/watch?id=641831e5605edf539c996dfc iTunes podcast: Healthrangerreport.com/situation-update-mar-20-2023-global-finance-shockwaves-as-credit-suisse-bail-in-wipes-out-billions-in-bonds Also see my recent interviews with Andy Schectman, Gregory Mannarino, Gerald Celente and Peter Schiff: Find more news about financial risk at DollarDemise.com Discover more interviews and podcasts each day at: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/HRreport Follow me on: Brighteon.social: Brighteon.social/@HealthRanger (my breaking news gets posted here first) Telegram: t.me/RealHealthRanger Substack: HealthRanger.substack.com Banned.video: Banned.video/channel/mike-adams Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@healthranger Twitter: @MikeAdamsHR Gettr: GETTR.com/user/healthranger Parler: Parler.com/user/HealthRanger Rumble: Rumble.com/c/HealthRangerReport BitChute: Bitchute.com/channel/9EB8glubb0Ns/ Clouthub: app.clouthub.com/#/users/u/naturalnews/posts Join the free NaturalNews.com email newsletter to stay alerted about breaking news each day. Download my current audio books including Ghost World, Survival Nutrition, The Global Reset Survival Guide and The Contagious Mind at: https://Audiobooks.NaturalNews.com/ Download my new audio book, Resilient Prepping at ResilientPrepping.com it teaches you how to survive the total collapse of civilization and the loss of both the power grid and combustion engines. (Natural News) It has been nearly four years since former President Donald Trump signed an executive order making it easier for the biotechnology industry to deliver new genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to the American public at warp speed. The Associated Press (AP) reported that Trump wanted to make it easier for genetically engineered plants and animals (our emphasis added) to enter the food supply. So, he ordered federal agencies to simplify the regulatory maze that producers have to go through in order to unleash their latest transgenic poisons. Trump made the decision at a time when the biotech industry was really ramping up its genetic engineering efforts. There is a lot of fiat money to be made from creating and unleashing fake food, after all, and Trump was there ready to grease the skids for the industry. With absolutely no regard for public safety, Trump fast-tracked the process for developing and commercializing GMOs. This drew criticism from Greg Jaffe, the biotechnology director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), who warned at the time that Trumps EO could cause the American public to lose faith in GMO food which some will probably argue was his secret intent all along. There needs to be an assurance of safety for those products, Jaffe, who was among those briefed by government officials on a call just prior to Trumps signing of the EO, said at the time. (Related: After Trump was elected president, Brazil considered banning all GMO imports from the United States.) Trumps executive order pushed other countries to relax their GMO regulations, too Since many countries of the world import American food crops and animals, Trumps EO also addressed their reluctance to accept more GMOs. The United States is the most GMO-friendly country in the world and now more so than ever because of Trump while the rest of the world is far more skeptical about their safety. Trumps EO urged Americas trading partners to let down their guard and accept fast-tracked GMOs without question. This ensures that the biotech industry rakes in record profits, regardless of what its products do to peoples health. Just prior to Trumps signing of the EO, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed changing its regulatory process to allow most GMO corn and soy grown in the U.S. to avoid having to undergo special oversight. Crops produced with newer gene-editing technologies also wouldnt automatically be subject to special oversight under the proposed rule, unless they posed a risk as plant pests, the AP further reported. Companies have said that gene-editing allows them to more precisely alter plants and animals, and that what theyre doing could theoretically be achieved through conventional breeding. According to Jaydee Hanson from the Center for Food Safety (CFS), the changes Trump and USDA made to allow for newer gene-editing techniques without proper oversight will be used over time to make even more significant changes, the public health outcome of which remains unknown to this day, especially after the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) took center stage. Some of this is what I call a faith-based approach and not science-based approach to regulation, Hanson is quoted as saying about Trumps EO. They have faith that none of these things are going to cause any problems. Of even bigger concern is the GMO animal aspect of Trumps EO, and perhaps most notably the GMO salmon controversy. In a nutshell, the public does not want fake fish produced in a lab, but the biotech industry has been pressing to sell fake fish at the grocery store, which was made to be an easier process, thanks to Trump. The latest news about the scourge of GMOs in the United States can be found at GMO.news. Sources include: APNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Just like a third world country, if you go to a hospital in America with a serious sickness, your chances of dying actually go up. In America, superbug infections like MRSA run rampant in hospitals, and thousands of people die from mishaps in surgery, plus there are drugs and equipment that can put you six feet under in a matter of days (think kidney-decimating remdesivir and choke-you-to-death ventilators for Covid). Then there are the banks, that are supposed to protect your money and even earn you interest on your savings, but just the opposite is likely, because nowadays banks are quite likely to go bankrupt (perfect pun) and steal all of your money overnight. Why? Most of these institutions are run by woke idiots who are more concerned about their own personal gratifications, like sex, drugs, and gender identity. Woke goes broke in America, like the banks that are run by complete morons and sex-crazed, narcissistic lunatics If you dont support complete woke idiocy in this country, the Left labels you as anti-gay and fascist. Yet, these are the folks who hate everyone who is not like them, and push their beliefs down everyones throats. These folks hate science, truth, and moral living. They believe in climate change, men who can have babies and breast feed infants, and crazed-all-day-sex-thinking as the main human function of life. In their gender-fluid, pay-attention-to-me life, they are so identity-confused that they cant focus on actual work, logic, research, or the moral fibers that create healthy environments and business models. Take for example Signature Bank, thats needing federal rescue right now because they spend all their time, energy, and money on woke commercials and hating the real president Trump. Now woke goes broke, just like Disney and Hollywood in their efforts to turn everything into a perverted, distracted mindset of trans-everything and global warming Ponzi schemes. Even Silicon Valley Bank operated without a chief risk officer while focusing all their attention on pro-diversity narratives. Its more of the woke critical race theory, hate-whitey, gotta-go-gay movement that cripples businesses and ruins innocent peoples lives (think BLM and Antifa here also). It must not be so much of a safe space when the business is collapsing and needs rescuing from the most perverse and corrupt regime to ever run Washington DC. US hospitals worry more about trans-employee feelings and woke language than they do the health and safety of their patients In Massachusetts, hospital administrators (at Mass General Brigham) think they have the tyrannical power to control all the patients speech, and will literally kick the patients out of the hospital who dont call trans men miss. Thats right, patients get reprimanded (and booted out of the hospital) for violating the latest woke code of conduct that ignores biology (imagine that at a hospital) and pretends that men who wear a wig, lipstick, and high heels are biological women who can have babies and breastfeed, and therefore MUST be called miss. Patients and visitors who ignore this are considered to be issuing verbal threats and vulgar words that are offensive comments about others race, accent, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal traits. Unwelcome words by unwelcome visitors wont be tolerated in the woke world of tolerance, in other words. Got hospital needs? Are you or a loved one in need of care? Better call your male nurse whos wearing lipstick and high heels miss, or make other plans for that needed care. Theres a zero tolerance for mistakes, so watch out. In fact, Mass General Brigham Hospital in Massachusetts is imposing their woke code of conduct on patients where they warn patients to make other plans for their care (except emergencies) if they engage in offensive comments about others which can include just about anything, including a mention of race, accent, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal traits. These comments are all considered unwelcome words. Thats right, failure to use preferred pronouns is a capital crime in woke America now. Liberal-led idiocy hospitals are spending much time, money, and training to make sure their internal framework and codes of conduct cater to sex-minded freaks who parade around in hospitals dressed for the strip club and ready to accuse anyone of mis-gendering them. Meanwhile, hospitals across the USA are giving out false-positive mammograms, false-positive Covid-19 tests, prescribing antibiotics for viral infections, operating on the wrong body part, leaving instruments and wounds dirty and infectious, authorizing chemotherapy for cancer types where it never works, spreading cancer by operating on tumors, and giving newborn babies toxic injections that cause neurological problems for life (think autism). Its pure idiocracy in action, and its only getting worse. Watch the trailer of the Idiocracy movie now and you will see striking similarities to America today, where the people who run some of the most important institutions are complete imbeciles, including resident POTUS in the White House. Keep your truth news in check by adding Preparedness.news to your favorites list and tuning in daily for updates on real news about surviving and thriving in the face of ultra woke idiocracy. Sources for this article include: Censored.news NaturalNews.com TheGatewayPundit.com USAjournal.news (Natural News) During an appearance on The Jimmy Dore Show this week, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. touched on a variety of topics from Bill Gates profiting off the Covid scam to Dr. Anthony Faucis role in creating the virus in the first place. (Article by Kelen McBreen republished from Infowars.com) RFK Jr. noted when the experimental Covid jabs were first introduced, Gates and Fauci were saying at that time, if you get it [Covid], you cant pass it to your grandma; you cant pass it to anybody else. He explained Gates and Fauci must have seen the data, known the shots wouldnt prevent the virus from being spread and that everybody who got the vaccine would become a factory for mutant variants or escape variants. Its the same thing if you give somebody subtherapeutic antibiotics, Kennedy said. That person is now a factory for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Its going to selectively breed escape variants that can escape that vaccine. A leaky vaccine is not what you want to do in the middle of a pandemic. .@RobertKennedyJr and @jimmy_dore talk about how Bill Gates made a profit from spreading lies about the effectiveness of the COVID mRNA vaccines and later confessed that the vaccines were not effective after he sold his stocks: Every one of those three things he said would get https://t.co/EzXYTIsUCa pic.twitter.com/rycct1jcTH kanekoa.substack.com (@KanekoaTheGreat) March 14, 2023 RFK Jr. went on to tell Dore Dr. Anthony Fauci has been in charge of U.S. bioweapons development under the Pentagon for over twenty years. Kennedy said the Pentagon took $2.2 billion in funding from the Patriot Act in 2002 and gave it to Faucis NIH, which equated to a 68% raise for his agency to engage in bioweapons development on behalf of the DOD. This is the point at which Fauci started doing all of this gain-of-function, according to Kennedy. Next, RFK Jr. told Dores audience how then-President Barack Obama had gain-of-function research banned in the U.S. before allowing the Deep State to move its biowarfare operations abroad, including to Wuhan, China. .@RobertKennedyJr tells @jimmy_dore that Dr. Anthony Fauci has been in charge of developing bioweapons for the Pentagon since 2002, and in 2014, three viruses escaped from US labs, so he moved his bioweapons research to the Wuhan lab: They took the money that Cheney gave them https://t.co/mNEK8xCYYE pic.twitter.com/8pZPr1Vusl kanekoa.substack.com (@KanekoaTheGreat) March 14, 2023 The groundbreaking claim was so controversial, Twitter CEO Elon Musk asked for the platforms Community Notes to verify the statement. There has yet to be an update from Twitter Community Notes as of writing this article. Kennedy and Dore also highlighted the peculiar decision by the U.S. DOD and CIA to teach Chinese military scientists how to weaponize viruses like the coronavirus. Fauci funded the study that taught the Chinese military scientists, everything in China is dual-use, that lab is a military lab, and he taught them cutting-edge technology for building weapons of mass destruction, RFK Jr. said. In other words, the study for how to create the clones and how to create a spike protein that could attach to a human lung and transplant it onto a coronavirus. One thing allegedly taught to the Chinese scientists was how to hide evidence of human tampering when examining virus strain sequences. Getting to the bottom of the issue, Kennedy asked why the CIA is using front groups to fund a project teaching Communist Chinese military scientists how to clandestinely create weapons of mass destruction. He also noted back in October 2019, former director of the CIA and current Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines met with Chinese CDC head George Gao to battleplan how theyd use social media to censor citizens if a hypothetical outbreak were to occur. Of course, COVID-19 hit just months later. .@RobertKennedyJr tells @jimmy_dore the CIA, DOD, and Tony Fauci taught Chinese military scientists how to build weapons of mass destruction. Then Bill Gates, a former CIA director, and Chinas CDC director collaborated on how to censor a lab leak at Event 201 in Oct. 2019: https://t.co/5zRXqq5JUv pic.twitter.com/qYANxt4ZT2 kanekoa.substack.com (@KanekoaTheGreat) March 13, 2023 During another portion of the interview, Dore asked RFK Jr. to touch on the fact that Bill Gates is a top funder of the World Health Organization (WHO) up there with the Chinese and American governments. Kennedy broke down how the Biden administration is set to hand over Americas sovereignty to the WHO by signing a pandemic treaty giving the unelected body control over the U.S. if a pandemic is declared. This comes as Gates and the WHO research every virus possible with the potential to then release one, declare an emergency, and override the laws of nations of the world. .@RobertKennedyJr tells @jimmy_dore that Bill Gates funds the WHO and supports the Global Virome Project, which collects and weaponizes dangerous viruses in 150 bio labs worldwide, and Joe Biden is granting the Gates-controlled WHO unrestricted power to declare pandemics: https://t.co/UcdtXN2F6H pic.twitter.com/REFqY5PewG kanekoa.substack.com (@KanekoaTheGreat) March 14, 2023 The information dam has broken and the sleeping masses are ready to be shown the truth as the globalist Deep State carelessly pushes forward to the next deadly phase of the Great Reset collapse and rebuild program. Read more at: Infowars.com (Natural News) The Ring of Truth I am too well accustomed to the taking of evidence not to detect the ring of truth. 1908, Edith Wharton Much has been made of the events of January 6, 2021, and with the latest broadcast of CCTV video from inside the Capitol Hill complex, more questions have been raised. (Article by Sundance republished from TheConservatives.com) Within the questions: the FBI and government apparatus had advanced knowledge of the scale of the J6 mall assembly yet doing nothing? Why were the Capitol Hill police never informed of the FBI concerns? Why didnt House Speaker Nancy Pelosi secure the Capitol Hill complex, and why did she deny the request by President Trump to call up the national guard for security support? Why did the FBI have agent provocateurs in the crowd, seemingly stimulating rage within a peaceful crowd to enter the Capitol building? There have always been these nagging questions around why? Long time CTH reader Regitiger has spent a great deal of time reviewing the entire process, looking at the granular timeline and then overlaying the bigger picture of the constitutional and parliamentary process itself. What follows below is a brilliant analysis of the federal government motive to create a J6 crisis that permitted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to trigger an emergency session and avoid the 2020 election certification challenges. Those congressional floor challenges, known and anticipated well in advance of the morning of January 6, 2021, would have formed a legal and constitutional basis for standing in judicial challenges that would have eventually reached the Supreme Court. The certification during emergency session eliminated the problem for Washington DC. Regitiger explains below, only edited by me for clarity and context: I think most, not all, but a large number of people, are totally missing what happened; and why this happened on Jan 6th. I am going to try my best to outline the events that day, blast past the commonly held assumptions and get right down to the core corruption. I will present this as a series of questions and answers. ? Q1: How do you prevent congress from delaying the certification of state electoral votes? A: It requires a crisis. A crisis that creates an emergency An emergency that invokes special house rules. FACTS: Remember carefully, focus please. Just moments, literally 3 minutes before two representatives issued a vote for motions to suspend the certification, the House members were informed by capitol police and other agents that a protest was about to breach the chambers. It was at this time that key people: Pence, Pelosi, Schumer, Mcconnell can be seen being walked out and escorted from the chamber. This effectively halted the Entire Chamber Process. ? Q2: Why was it necessary to halt the chamber process? A: The crisis was created to eliminate the motion challenges to halt the certification and to begin voting to look into voting irregularities and fraud FACTS: The two motions were completely legal and constitutional under at least two constitutionally recognized procedures procedures that would REQUIRE the house to pause the certification and then vote to determine whether the motions of suspend could move forward. ? Q3: What was so important to refuse this motion and the subsequent votes to suspend the electoral certification? A: It was important to remove that process entirely and continue the fraud and certify the fraud with no detractors on record. This effectively gives no standing for a SCOTUS ruling appeal! Understand this. If those two motions, even just one had successfully been voted EVEN IF THE MOTIONS were DENIED IN VOTE, this gives those who presented them with STANDING FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL LEGAL ARGUMENT BEFORE SCOTUS. ? Q4: Could this have been done some other way other than creating a crisis/protest? A: Unlikely. In order to prevent those two motions, requires that speaker of the house, minority leaders, and the president of the congress (vice president of the United States: Pence), to NOT BE PRESENT IN THE CHAMBERS. Once the capitol police and other law enforcements agents informed the speaker and these three other individuals, Pelosi UNILATERALLY UNDER EMERGENCY RULES, suspended the business of the congress. This protest was necessary. The crisis was created because there is no other way to suspend the business of certification UNILATERALLY. By creating a crisis invokes emergency procedures. No other circumstances other than war or mass simultaneous explosive diarrhea can create such unilateral speaker delivered suspension of the certification. ? Q5: Why did the motions, once that the speaker RECONVENED congress, move forward back again to the floor for votes? Why were members disallowed to even consider putting forward ANY motions to the floor in when the chamber business was reopened? A: The Speaker initiated the NEW sessions under special emergency rules. These rules abandon and make it clear that the ONLY purpose of the new session was to EXPEDITE the certification and dismiss all prior regular session procedural rules. This is why those two motions to table votes to consider a debate and pause to the certifications of state vote electors never happened later that evening when the house business was reconvened! ? Q6: Other than new rules, emergency rules, what other peculiar things occurred when the speaker reconvened? A: Members were allowed to vote in proxy, remotely, not being present. You can use your imagination about what conditions were placed on ALL members during this time to prevent anyone from getting out of line. Also clearly, it was at THIS NEW SESSION that VP Pence, President of Congress, would also have no ability to even consider pausing the electoral certification, because there were no motions of disagreements on the matter. So, in a technical legal claim, he is correct that he had no constitutional authority to address any issues of fraud or doubts about electoral irregularities. But this completely dismisses the FACT that congress created rules in this crisis/emergency that never allowed them to be floored! Understand what happened in Jan 6, 2021. Dont get hung up on Viking impostors, stolen Pelosi computers, podium heists, and complicit capitol police. Understand the process and what happened and what WAS NOT ALLOWED TO HAPPEN. This was a coup.it was a very organized and carefully planned coup. VP Pence without a doubt as well as most members of the house were quite aware of how the certification was going to be MANAGED. It would require new rules to prevent the debate clause from occurring! New rules that ONLY AN EMERGENCY CRISIS COULD CREATE! So, they created an emergency. NOTED: I understand why many people have great interest in debunking the j6 event. I get that. I think it is important to dissect and examine the events of that day but please, step back and understand WHY these things happened. Examine the chain of events in congress. Why those two motions that would have at least paused the certification THAT WOULD GIVE VP PENCE THE CONSTITUTIONALLY RECOGNIZED POWER TO MOVE TO SUSPEND THE ELECTORAL CERTIFICATION AND THEN EXAMINE THE IRREGULARITIES AND CLAIMS OF FRAUD! At the very center of this coup stands Mike Pence, the same individual who also spoiled President Trumps first opportunities in the earliest hours of his Presidency just 4 years prior, when he created and facilitated the removal of Lt General Michael Flynn. I will not spend much time on this thread explaining why Lt Gen Flynn was so important to President Trump and why the IC was so afraid he would have advisory power to the President. That I will leave for another day, another time. But understand this clearly: MIKE PENCE WAS AND IS WORKING FOR THE MOST CORRUPT CRIMINAL TREASONOUS PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT. PRO TIP: If you really want to get a true understanding of this matter videos of protesters walking in the capitol is not going to address them. Actual video and timeline records of events and the specific actions taken by the speaker just moments before TWO MAJOR ELECTORAL ALTERING MOTIONS WERE ABOUT TO BE FLOORED. This crisis was developed just in time with a precise coordination to prevent those two motions to be entered into the chamber record. The two motions do not exist. The emergency powers established in the new session made sure they never could be entered. The emergency powers could never happen without a crisis. God Bless America! Read more at: TheConservatives.com (Natural News) Tehrene Firman, content director of Brightly, a discovery platform for eco-conscious consumers, said that while unnaturally dyed foods and hormone-packed meats are the norm in the United States and not something most people think twice about, many of the foods Americans eat on a daily basis are actually banned in countries across the globe. Here is a short list of food additives found in almost every type of American food banned in Europe but legal in the United States. Artificial colors There are nine certified color additives approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States, among them Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6, used to enhance the appearance of beverages, cereals, crackers, dessert powders, sauces, snack foods and many other products. The consuming public is largely unaware that artificial food dyes are made from petroleum and have been banned in many countries. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) released a report that says artificial food dyes pose a rainbow of risks including everything from allergies to cancer, and consumption of artificial dyes has increased five-fold since 1955. Red-40 (E129), also known as Allura Red, is banned throughout Australia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and most of Europe. It is one of the most commonly used artificial food dyes in the U.S., found in beverages, candies, cheeses, meats and many other goods. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology found that high consumption of Allura Red causes adverse effects on human health, including allergies, asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), brain damage, cancer, cardiac disease, food intolerance, multiple sclerosis and nausea due to reaction to aromatic azo compounds. Blue-1 and 2 (also known as Brilliant Blue FCF) are banned in France, Germany and Switzerland but are often found in U.S. cereals and ice cream. A study published in the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences reported that Brilliant Blue can have cytotoxic and genotoxic effects and advised that caution must be exercised when using these food additives. Yellow-5 and 6 (also known as Sunset Yellow FCF) are banned in Finland and Norway, but are still widely used in the U.S. Studies on Yellow No. 5 have shown that they induce generic damage. Yellow No. 6 has also been banned in Norway and is being phased out by the European Union. It is still being used in the U.S., even though this additive has been associated with negative side effects, like allergies, hyperactivity, runny nose and tumors in animals. Azodicarbonamide (ADA) Azodicarbonamide is banned in Australia, the European Union and the United Kingdom. In the U.S. it is used as a whitening agent in cereal flour and as a dough conditioner in baking, but it is also used in making flooring and yoga mats. The Concise International Chemical Assessment Document, published under the joint sponsorship of the United Nations Environment Program, the International Labor Organization and the World Health Organization, revealed that azodicarbonamide is of low acute toxicity, but repeated or prolonged contact may cause asthma and skin sensitization and advised that physicians involved in worker health surveillance programs should be aware of the potential of azodicarbonamide as a human asthmagen. WHO.int Olestra Olestra is used in the U.S. as a fat substitute made from sucrose and vegetable oil adding no calories, cholesterol or fat to food products because it is neither digested nor absorbed and is commonly found in savory foods, such as potato chips and other high-fat foods to reduce the amount of fat content. Olestra has been banned in Canada and the U.K. because it has been found to decrease the bodys ability to absorb essential fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and carotenoids. A study published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics found that the occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal cramping, anal leakage, diarrhea, gas and loose stools, after consumption of olestra under ordinary snacking conditions comparable to that following consumption of triglyceride-containing snacks. Potassium bromate Potassium bromate is banned in Canada, China and the European Union. It is used in the United States to strengthen the baking dough and to allow higher rising. It is a category 2B carcinogen that is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Studies, including one published in the journal Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences have linked potassium bromide to cancer, gastrointestinal illness, kidney disease and thyroid complications. Recombinant bovine growth hormones (rBGHs) The use of rBGHs is banned in more than 30 countries Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and almost all nations of the European Union (EU). The use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) in dairy cows a synthetic growth hormone used to increase milk production has never been approved in the EU and was banned in 1999 due to concerns on animal health and welfare, food safety and quality and human health implications by potentially increasing the risk of breast, colon and prostate cancer, says the American Cancer Society. Major U.S. food brands have different ingredients in other countries Interestingly, some U.S. companies like Mars and McDonalds continue to use dyes for their products sold in the States, while distributing cleaner and safer food to their consumers in Europe. (Related: Food safety hypocrisy is in your face.) Since Europe is much more strict over the ingredients in food than the U.S., it is no surprise that some of the products are different depending on where you buy them. While M&Ms in the U.S. are made using artificial colors, they are still sold in Europe where theres a ban or warnings against those additives but only because the batches across the pond are made using natural colors instead, said Firman. Watch the following video to learn about U.S. food additives banned in Europe. This video is from the PureTrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com. More related news: Food safety bill invokes Codex harmonization and grants FDA authority to police food safety of foreign nations. Mainstream media agrees that food safety bill will do nothing to improve food safety. GRAIN report exposes the fraud of food safety legislation. Sources: EatThis.com Assuaged.com FocusForHealth.org FrontiersIn.org PubMed.NCBI,NLM.NIH.gov WHO.int Wiley.com LWW.com QUB.AC.uk UCDavis.edu Brighteon.com Volcanic activity is a sign that a planet is alive due to the evidence of the presence of geothermal heat, which fuels the gargantuan celestial body it is situated. However, not all volcanoes are active, since some have completely stopped for the meantime, in what volcanologists call "dormant volcanoes" to indicate that a volcano is currently not erupting but may explode in the future. The designation of a volcano as dormant is based on its recorded past eruption and the large time gap that it has been inactive. Still, there are others that have not erupted at all, in what scientists consider as "extinct volcanoes." This occurs when magma from the Earth's center is unable to flow and reach the underground chambers leading to the bottom of a crater. This geological phenomenon is more documented on Earth compared to other planets in our solar system, with evident reasons mainly due their extremely far distances, harsh planetary conditions, and available space technologies. One such example is Venus, wherein astronomers previously captured a glimpse of its massive giant shield volcano named Maat Mons, but overlooked its volcanic activity. Now, geological evidence of volcanic activity on the surface of Venus was detected for the first time, according to a new groundbreaking study. Researchers examined decades-old data from the Magellan mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Maat Mons According to NASA, Maat Mons has a towering size of 8 kilometers (5 miles) and named after the Egyptian goddess of truth and justice. It serves as a satellite of our Sun and was discovered by the US space agency's Magellan mission. The agency describes the image it has taken, as seen above this article, as a three-dimensional (3D) perspective view of Maat Mons and the surface of Venus. The viewpoint is located 560 kilometers (347 miles) north of the Venus volcano at an elevation of 1.7 kilometers (1 mile) above the ground. Furthermore, NASA acknowledges the presence of lava flows that extend for hundreds of kilometers through the fractured plains in the foreground. Also Read: Venus Might Still Be 'Volcanically Active' With Erupting Volcano, Lava Flow Venus Volcanic Activity The findings in the study, published in the journal Science on March 15, indicate that it is possible there was a Venus volcano eruption in the past, thanks to the now-confirmed active volcano Maat Mons. Yet, more research is needed to collect concrete data for such recent or ancient eruption. Determining this mystery could soon be resolved in the short-term future due to NASA's anticipated mission to Earth's twin planet within the decade. The space program is named VERITAS, which stands for "Venus Emissivity, Radio science, InSAR, Topography And Spectroscopy." It is led by the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Robert Herrick, a research professor from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a VERITAS team member, said NASA's VERITAS mission inspired him to trace the recent volcanic activity from the Magellan data, as cited by Live Science. After 200 hours of comparing the images taken by the Magellan spacecraft in different angles, Herrick said he noticed two images, taken eight months apart, showing geological changes caused by an eruption. Related Article: Surprising New Evidence Shows Venus Has Active Volcanoes A rare solar storm earlier in March caused heightened northern lights activity in Canada in recent days, prompting space and weather agencies to monitor the increased aurora borealis activity. Spotted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the solar plasma occurred on March 12. Canada Northern Lights Activity The solar blast transpired on the other side of the Sun, which faces away from Earth. However, a NASA report on March 14 said the speed in which the solar particles travelled is an unprecedented rate of 2,127 kilometers per second. Space Weather Canada showed the potential occurrence of active and stormy intervals under the geomagnetic storm in the polar and aural regions of Canada, including parts of northern British Columbia and most parts of northern Quebec, as cited by CTV News. Also Read: Aurora Borealis 2021: How to Watch the Gorgeous Northern Lights Display in Saskatchewan Relation to Solar Storms Our Sun is a hot ball of gas and fire, and it's outer solar atmosphere, the corona, consists of strong magnetic fields and are often above sunspots. The said atmospheric layer can be confined and suddenly release violent bubbles of gas and magnetic fields called coronal mass ejections (CME), according to the NASA. A giant CME, NASA says, can contain a billion tons of matter that can accelerate with a maximum speed of several million miles per hour, as part of a powerful solar explosion. Solar material passes across the solar system, impacting any planet or spacecraft, along its path. Furthermore, CMEs are sometimes linked with flares but can transpire independently. Prevailing evidence and previous reports have shown that solar storms like solar flares, in addition to CME, can bring geomagnetic storms, solar radiations, and radio blackouts to Earth. These space weather hazards can disrupt both radio and satellite technology as highly-charged solar particles can hit our planet's magnetosphere, which serves as our protective barrier from radiation in space. What is an Aurora Borealis? However, the disruption of this layer of the Earth's atmosphere can also cause an "aurora borealis," also called as "northern lights." It can also occur in the southern hemisphere, as a phenomenon known as "aurora australis." According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, the said aurora, being the most spectacular displays across the night sky, can be seen near both of Earth's poles, particularly in the northern and southern hemisphere. For centuries, both the northern lights and the southern lights have either fascinated or frightened humans, according to the museum. Related phenomena in recent years have also reportedly drawn various interpretations of the glowing lights in relation to the extraterrestrial, especially after a solar storm. Mysterious as they may seem, the bright dancing lights of the aurora are, in fact, collision between electrically-charged particles from the Sun that were able to enter the Earth's atmosphere, according to Canada's Northern Lights Centre. Colors range from green, red, yellow blue, and to violet. The lights appear in many patterns, including scattered clouds of light and shooting rays. Related Article: Scientists Recreate Aurora Borealis in Lab to Understand How Northern Lights Are Formed A new storm train will hit California and the Pacific Northwest with heavy rain and mountain snow in the coming days, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The first in the parade of storms will strike the Golden State with Pacific moisture until Sunday night, March 19. The NWS weather forecast also highlight the occurrence of heavy snow in Sierra Nevada with wind gusts reaching 50 miles per hour. For more than a week, California has experienced a cascade of torrential rain and thick snowfall, which led to widespread disruption and some residents trapped in their homes. The new series of storms are also similar weather hazards that the region has suffered since January 2023, wherein the Pacific storm train, driven by atmospheric rivers drenched, California in floodwaters and mudslides. New Storm Train US meteorologists recently used the term "storm train" to depict the occurrence of arriving storms along the American West from the Eastern Pacific Ocean in a consecutive manner. Based on latest weather forecasts, twin storms are heading towards California and the Pacific Northwest. In its short-range forecast on Sunday, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) of the NWS stated a strong storm system on Tuesday, March 21, will impact southern California with high winds, in addition to the heavy mountain snow and rain. Related precipitation is expected in some parts of the Intermountain West, Rockies, northern Plains, and Upper Midwest. The NWS - WPC outlook is valid from Monday to Wednesday, March 20 to March 22. During this period, power outages and cancellations or delays of flights are possible across the country. Also Read: Pacific Storm Train Delivers Another Round of Rain and Snow to California Potent Storm System The US weather agency adds the next potent storm system set to impact California will bring the hazardous weather inland, with unsettled conditions mainly affecting the southern half of the state. Strong winds from the central California to southern California could result in tree damage and power outages, agency says. Meanwhile, AccuWeather meteorologists issued a related weather warning but pertains to "dual storms" heading towards California, which is at risk of renewed flooding rain. The twin storms early this week can bring another round of precipitation, as the weather system first impact northern California followed by southern California. Southeast Freezing Temperatures Meanwhile, the NWS reported freezing temperatures in the US Southeast, forecasting that record-breaking cold is possible across the region by Monday morning. The agency highlights the potential occurrence of harmful freezing temperatures. Citing the NWS, FOX Weather reported areas between the cities of Little Rock, Arkansas; Jackson, Mississippi; Atlanta, Georgia; and Charlotte, North Carolina could experience low temperatures ranging in the upper 20s. Nashville could also had its temperature plummet into 20 degrees by Monday. Freeze warnings are in effect in the mentioned cities, while the weather authorities have issued freeze watches in areas of South Carolina and eastern-central Georgia. Related Article: Pacific Storm Train Continues to Wreak Havoc in California, Atmospheric Rivers No End in Sight Authorities said a powerful earthquake that shook Peru and Ecuador Saturday killed at least 14 people, injured several others, and damaged buildings. Buildings were destroyed, vehicles were crushed, and debris could be seen in Ecuadorian cities such as Machala and Cuenca, as rescuers rushed to help and panicked residents ran into the streets. The quake struck at 12:12 p.m. local time, with a magnitude of 6.8 and a depth of nearly 41 miles (66 kilometers), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) (1712 GMT). According to authorities, the epicenter was in the Ecuadorian municipality of Balao, near the border with Peru. Remaining calm through the earthquake "I went out into the street because I saw people panicking and getting out of their cars," Magaly Escandon, a Cuenca sewing supplies saleswoman, told AFP, as per Phys.org. The presidency of Ecuador reported 13 deaths, 11 in the province of El Oro and two in the province of Azuay. According to an official report, a four-year-old girl died after a brick hit her on the head in the Peruvian city of Tumbes, near the border with Ecuador. "I was playing with my niece there where the pool of blood is, and a brick fell on her," her uncle David Alvarado told AFP. According to social media reports, the tremor was also felt strongly in other cities such as Guayaquil, Quito, Manabi, and Manta. Ecuador's presidency stated that "there are injured people who are being treated promptly in hospitals," but no figures were provided. President Guillermo Lasso visited the wounded in a hospital in El Oro and will then travel to Azuay. Earlier in the day, he urged people to "remain calm and informed through official channels" about building damage. The facade of a house in Cuenca collapsed on a vehicle, leaving "a deceased person," according to Quito's Risk Management Office. Old houses in the city's historic center were also damaged, according to AFP journalists on the ground. Roads near Cuenca were also obstructed by landslides. Three people were killed nearby in the province of El Oro when a tower collapsed and crushed them. Also Read: Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake Jolts Masbate, Philippines; No Major Damage, Casualties Reported Magnitude 6.8 quake shakes area 50 miles south of Ecuador's second city On Saturday, a powerful earthquake shook southern Ecuador and northern Peru, killing at least 15 people, trapping others under rubble, and sending rescuers into streets littered with debris and downed power lines, as per The Guardian. The US Geological Survey reported an earthquake with a magnitude of about 6.8 in the country's coastal Guayas region. Its center was about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Guayaquil, which has a population of more than 3 million people. The president's office said in a statement that 12 of the victims died in the coastal state of El Oro and two in the highlands state of Azuay. At least 126 people were injured, according to authorities. Alberto Otarola, Peru's prime minister, said a four-year-old girl died from head trauma sustained in the collapse of her home in the Tumbes region, near the border with Ecuador. According to Ecuador's emergency response agency, one of the Azuay victims was a passenger in a vehicle crushed by rubble from a house in the Andean community of Cuenca. Authorities in Guayaquil, about 170 miles southwest of Quito, reported cracks in buildings and homes, as well as some, collapsed walls. Three vehicle tunnels have been ordered closed by authorities. People gathered on the streets of Guayaquil and nearby communities, according to social media videos, and people reported objects falling inside their homes. One online video showed three TV hosts darting from their studio desks as the set shook. They initially dismissed the tremors as a minor quake, but quickly fled off-camera. A tsunami threat has been ruled out, according to a report from Ecuador's adverse events monitoring directorate. Peru felt the earthquake from its northern border with Ecuador to its central Pacific coast. No deaths or injuries were immediately reported. Authorities reported that the old walls of army barracks in the northern region of Tumbes had collapsed. Ecuador is particularly prone to earthquakes. In 2016, a quake on the Pacific Coast farther north, in a less densely populated area of the country, killed over 600 people. Related article: Magnitude 6 Earthquake Shakes Southern Philippines for 40 Seconds, Aftershocks Possible Many studies on the effects of noise on marine invertebrates, including crabs, mollusks, squid, prawns, and worms, were examined by scientists. They came to the conclusion that noise produced by people is detrimental to invertebrates on many levels, ranging from the cellular to the ecosystemic. The worldwide team, which includes the University of Exeter and Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC), urged immediate research to look into and lessen these effects Many people are startled to learn that invertebrates can even hear, but the sound is essential to their existence, according to the study's first author, Dr. Marta Sole from UPC. Invertebrates use sound in a number of ways, although light doesn't travel very well in water. This paper compiled the most recent data on the effects of human activities, particularly shipping, which are rapidly altering the ocean's acoustics. Noise harming ocean invertebrates and ecosystems The research demonstrated the various effects of anthropogenic (human) noise on invertebrates, including: It can drastically increase deformities and death rates in the larvae of crustaceans, bivalves, such as mussels and oysters, and gastropods. It can also delay the hatching and development of crustacean eggs (e.g. snails), as per ScienceDaily. Low-frequency noises have the potential to kill or injure people. For instance, studies have revealed that blue crabs can be killed by the sound of underwater explosions. Research revealed that noise had harmed the statocysts of cephalopods, such as squid and octopus, that had been washing up on Spanish beaches more frequently (hearing organs that help them navigate). Many species have a "startle" reaction in response to loud noises, which has an impact on their behavior. Long-term noise exposure has an impact on behavior as well. Ship sounds, for instance, prevent coast crabs from changing their color to blend in. Moreover, physiologic alterations have been found. For instance, the protein content of Mediterranean common cuttlefish changed as a result of sound exposure, with some of the impacted proteins being linked to stress. In a different study, long-term high-level sound exposure adversely affected shrimp growth and reproduction, increased aggression and mortality, and decreased feed consumption. The researchers claimed that additional research is required to fully understand how noise can alter entire ecosystems by altering the behavior and health of predators and prey in intricate food webs. Also Read: Noise Pollution From Shipping Makes Dolphins Whistle Louder But Less Effectively, Research Reveals Ocean noise For their survival, many aquatic organisms depend on hearing. Many marine organisms acquire and understand information about their surroundings primarily through the use of sound, which is a highly effective underwater communication method, as per NOAA. Many aquatic species utilize sound not just to listen and communicate with one another but also to detect prey, locate partners and offspring, avoid predators, guide their navigation, and locate habitat. Throughout our coastal, offshore, and deep ocean ecosystems, human activities including shipping, recreational boating, and energy exploration have risen during the past century. Long-distance underwater sound propagation caused by these activities can increase and decrease ocean noise levels in various coastal and offshore environments. The wildlife and ecosystems of the water may suffer because of these elevated noise levels. Animals may be less able to communicate with potential mates, group members, their young, or feeding partners at louder noise levels. Moreover, noise can impair an ocean animal's capacity to hear signs from its environment that are essential for survival, including as cues for avoiding predators, locating food, and finding preferred homes. Related article: Noise Pollution: How Does it Affect Our Pets and Other Animals? Champaign, IL (61820) Today Decreasing cloudiness and windy. 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. Twenty years ago, Kentucky had the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates in the U.S., as well as the second-lowest colorectal cancer screening rate. In collaboration with several major cancer groups, the Kentucky Cancer Consortium (KCC), housed at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, took action to make colorectal cancer screenings more accessible for Kentuckians. Today, thanks to the coordinated efforts of state agencies and organizations, these dire statistics have turned around. Since 2002, colorectal cancer screenings have doubled in Kentucky, which has led to a more than 30% decrease in incidence and mortality rates. What weve seen happen with colorectal cancer rates in Kentucky over the past two decades is truly a public health success story. It goes to show that significant change can happen when we work together and coordinate our efforts. Thomas Tucker, Ph.D., UK Markey Cancer Centers senior director for cancer surveillance The KCC is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and composed of more than 100 state agencies and organizations that work together to reduce Kentuckys cancer burden. In the case of colorectal cancer, one of the most effective ways to reduce the burden is through increased screening. Because colonoscopies involve finding precancerous lesions and removing them before they turn into cancer, most cases of colorectal cancer are considered preventable. Screenings also allow physicians to find cancer at an earlier stage when it is more treatable. The KCC and partners collaborative efforts inspired an initiative to encourage primary care physicians to recommend and schedule colorectal cancer screenings. It also brought about two successful Kentucky bills: the first, approved by the state legislature in 2002, requires all health insurers in Kentucky to cover the cost of screening for age-eligible patients; the second, passed by the state General Assembly in 2008, established the Kentucky Colon Cancer Screening Program to screen uninsured age-eligible patients and educate the public about the importance of being screened. These initiatives helped move the states colorectal cancer screening rates from 49th to 20th in the nation. The results have saved thousands of lives, said Tucker. To put it into perspective, today, 650 fewer Kentuckians are diagnosed and 270 fewer die from colorectal cancer each year than in 2001. The Kentucky Cancer Program (KCP) has worked together with KCC to increase screening rates by fostering community colon cancer screening programs. The statewide program administered by UK and the University of Louisville operates through a team of cancer control specialists working from 14 regional offices throughout Kentucky. The KCP specialists also organize and maintain a district cancer council to implement evidence-based interventions in their community. The KCP's success in increasing colorectal cancer screening rates is attributed to working within communities at the local level, said KCP-East Director Mindy Rogers. As residents of the areas they serve, our specialists have an understanding of their communities and the particular barriers they face when it comes to cancer screenings, treatment and care. Despite progress made, roughly a third of eligible Kentuckians still do not seek colorectal cancer screenings due to health, socioeconomic and education disparities. The KCP team is collaborating with community partners to identify resources that can help overcome barriers such as transportation and family care. The KCC and KCPs work provides a model for addressing other cancer types, including lung cancer. The KCC Lung Cancer Network and the Kentucky LEADS (Lung Cancer Education Awareness Detection Survivorship) Collaborative, both housed at Markey, were created soon after lung cancer screening guidelines were approved in 2013. The groups are using a similar approach that has so far led to early success in screening rates and the passage of House Bill 219, which establishes a lung cancer screening program in the Kentucky Department for Public Health. These successful statewide efforts to leverage the power of collaboration provide a promising path to changing the narrative of cancer in Kentucky. Theres more work to do because the goal is to be ranked number one in the nation for screening rates, Tucker said. But Kentucky has a number of barriers not faced by many other states and together, weve made some remarkable change in the face of these incredible challenges. A large study of women with rheumatoid arthritis has found that those taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) had a greater chance of achieving remission. Image Credit: University of South Australia Led by the University of South Australia, researchers made the link between remission, reproductive status, and sex hormone use, after assessing data from 4474 female rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with the anti-inflammatory drug Tocilizumab and other immuno-suppressive medications. The study revealed the following: Pre-menopausal women (those still experiencing a regular menstrual cycle) reported fewer RA symptoms than peri-menopausal (irregular or infrequent periods) or post-menopausal women with RA. RA patients using HRT or oral contraceptives in combination with the drugs prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis had a much greater likelihood of remission. Post-menopausal women, comprising 63 per cent of the participants, of whom only eight per cent were using HRT, were less likely to achieve RA remission compared to pre-menopausal women. The findings suggest that female sex hormones could play a major role in improving the outcome of women taking drugs prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis. Remission rates were higher in some groups of women who were taking HRT or oral contraceptives at the same time they were taking medicines for RA, and in fact, RA remission was twice as high in peri-menopausal women. Lead researcher UniSA Associate Professor Michael Wiese says its premature to say that HRT and oral contraceptives have a protective effect against rheumatoid arthritis, but the study has revealed a potential connection. We looked at whether women who used oral contraceptives or HRT had different outcomes when treated with drugs for rheumatoid arthritis. We found that women entering menopause who were not taking HRT or contraceptives were less likely to achieve remission compared with RA women still experiencing a regular menstrual cycle, Assoc Prof Wiese says. The decision to use HRT is a complex one. It does improve menopause symptoms, but it can modify the risk of some cancers and cardiovascular disease. This study suggests it could also be beneficial for women with rheumatoid arthritis, but the decision to use it requires an in-depth discussion with a general practitioner because each woman has different risk factors. Michael Wiese, Associate Professor and Lead Researcher, UniSA Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that is four times more prevalent in women aged under 50 years than men in the same age bracket and is twice as common in women over 60 years. Compared with males, rheumatoid arthritis is more aggressive in women and the prognosis is worse. The peak age of onset of rheumatoid arthritis among females is 45-55 years, corresponding with a drop in oestrogen when women typically enter a peri-menopausal period, where their periods become irregular. Furthermore, at the onset of menopause there is an increase in pro-inflammatory proteins. Early menopause, or menopause that occurs in women under 45 years, increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and the incidence also sharply spikes in post-menopausal women. Conversely, younger women with rheumatoid arthritis who fall pregnant experience a 50 per cent decline in inflammatory activity. The study has been published in the latest issue of Rheumatology. Heavy workloads make employees feel a greater need for a break, but new research finds they may actually discourage employees from taking breaks at work despite causing high levels of stress, fatigue, and poor performance. Image Credit: Getty Images Researchers from the University of Waterloo found employees often kept working despite wanting to pause. One potential reason is employees may have felt pressure to continue working to get everything done on time. Our research provides a comprehensive account of the processes involved in the decision to take a break and provides insights into how employees and managers can make more effective use of breaks at work, potentially improving both well-being and performance. James Beck, Professor of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Waterloo To conduct the study, researchers asked 107 employees about their reasons for taking a break and not taking one. They then surveyed another 287 employees twice daily over five days about their sleep quality, fatigue, performance concerns, workload, and the number of breaks they take each day. The researchers also found that although previous research has shown that breaks can benefit employee well-being and performance, they may resist taking breaks if they feel supervisors discourage breaks in their workplace. Although there may be a misconception that breaks are unproductive, Phan notes that many employees take breaks because they are committed to staying focused and maintaining high levels of performance. We recognize that it may not always be possible for employees to take more breaks, but if employers can promote employee well-being by addressing the conditions that can make work unpleasant, they may be able to reduce the number of breaks needed, said Dr. Vincent Phan, first author of the study, which he led as part of his doctoral thesis in industrial and organizational psychology at Waterloo. The researchers hope that their findings will aid in promoting employee well-being and that future research will explore broader structural and contextual factors that influence break-taking. The paper, Why Do People (Not) Take Breaks? An Investigation of Individuals Reasons for Taking and for Not Taking Breaks at Work, appears in the Journal of Business and Psychology. COVID-19 has caused significant global panic after its rapid emergence more than 3 years ago. Although we now have highly effective vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, scientists continue to study emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants in order to safeguard public health and devise global preventive strategies against emerging variants. A team led by Japanese researchers has recently discovered that the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.5 variant, prevalent in the Western hemisphere, has high transmissibility and infectivity. New SARS-CoV-2 variant may jeopardize public health across the globe. The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.5 variant spreads rapidly and is more infectious than its historic precursor. Image Credit: The University of Tokyo Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been responsible for millions of deaths worldwide. Although scientists have designed novel vaccines to counter COVID-19, they are constantly on the lookout for emerging variants that can bypass vaccine resistance and potentially jeopardize global public health. A team led by Japanese researchers has recently been successful in characterizing the new SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.5 variant, which was first detected in October 2022. Their findings were published on January 31, 2023 in volume 23 of The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Says senior author Prof. Kei Sato from the Division of Systems Virology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan, Because the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant can spread more rapidly than previous variants and has a potential to cause the next epidemic surge, we should carefully monitor it to safeguard public health. While studying emerging variants of the SARs-CoV-2 Omicron lineage, the research team made a startling discovery: the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.5 variant has a novel mutation in the spike (S) proteinthe protein that anchors the virus firmly to the human angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptor, thus facilitating the invasion of human cells. The serine-to-proline amino acid mutation noted at residue no. 486 in the S protein is virologically concerning because of a variety of reasons. Sharing his concerns, first author Keiya Uriu from the Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Tokyo, Japan, says, In late 2022, the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BQ.1 and XBB lineages, characterized by amino acid substitutions in the S protein and increased viral fitness, had become predominant in the Western and Eastern Hemisphere, respectively. In 2022, we elucidated the characteristics of a variety of newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants. At the end of 2022, the XBB.1.5 variant, a descendant of XBB.1 that acquired the S:S486P substitution, emerged and was rapidly spreading in the USA. To gain mechanistic insights into the infectivity, transmissibility, and immune response associated with XBB.1.5, the team conducted a series of experiments. For instance, upon conducting epidemic dynamics analysisstatistical modeling that facilitates the analysis of the general characteristics of any epidemicthe team realized that the relative effective reproduction number (R e ) of XBB.1.5 was 1.2-fold greater than that of the parental XBB.1. This indicated that an individual with the XBB.1.5 variant could infect 1.2 times more people in the population than someone with the parental XBB.1 variant. Moreover, the team also realized that, as of December 2022, XBB.1.5 was rapidly outcompeting BQ.1.1, the predominant lineage in the United States. Co-first-author Jumpei Ito from the Division of Systems Virology, remarks, Our data suggest that XBB.1.5 will rapidly spread worldwide in the near future. The team also studied the virological features of XBB.1.5 to determine how tightly the S protein of the new variant interacts with the human ACE2 receptor. To this end, the researchers conducted a yeast surface display assay. The results showed that the dissociation constant (K D ) corresponding to the physical interaction between the XBB.1.5 S receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the human ACE2 receptor is significantly (4.3-fold) lower than that for XBB.1 S RBD. In other words, the XBB.1.5 variant binds to human ACE2 receptor with very high affinity, explains Shigeru Fujita from the Division of Systems Virology. Further experiments using lentivirus-based pseudoviruses also showed that XBB.1.5 had approximately 3-fold higher infectivity than XBB.1. These results suggest that XBB.1.5 exhibits a remarkably strong affinity to the human ACE2 receptor, which can be attributed to the S486P substitution. The study by Prof. Sato and his team led to another important discovery from an immunization perspective. The XBB.1.5 S protein was found to be highly resistant to neutralization antibodies elicited by breakthrough infection with the BA.2/BA.5 subvariants. In other words, patients with prior infection from the BA.2/BA.5 subvariants may not show robust immunity against XBB.1.5, increasing their chances of infection and disease. The results of our virological experiments explain why the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant has a higher transmissibility than past variants: This variant acquired strong binding ability to human ACE2 while maintaining a higher ability to escape from neutralizing antibodies. Yusuke Kosugi, Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Tokyo, Japan Contributing members of The Genotype to Phenotype Japan (G2P-Japan) Consortium conclude, The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.5 variant does show enhanced transmissibility. Although few cases have been detected in the Eastern hemisphere, it could become a looming threat. Imminent prevention measures are needed. Thanks to the research team for the early warning! Meanwhile, we must continue adopting safe practices to defend ourselves from XBB.1.5. Influenza viruses have an enormous impact in the U.S., with an estimated 25 million illnesses and 18,000 deaths in the 2022-23 flu season alone. However, the majority of virus particles are not infectious or are only partially infectious. How, then, do they become such a contagious and deadly virus? Michael Vahey, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, plans to investigate how two proteins on the surface of influenza virus influence how many viruses enter a cell and how infection spreads with a nearly $2 million five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A viral particle cannot spread infection on its own it must be absorbed by a cell where it can begin replicating and making copies of the viral genome and proteins. When two or more viruses enter into the same cell, they can sometimes work together to make new viruses more effectively. In this research, Vahey will look at how frequently this occurs and how this varies depending on the stickiness of the virus, or how well it is able to attach to the surface of new cells to infect them. Vahey will study two viral proteins that are particularly important in this process: HA and NA. While HA binds to sugars on the surface of cells, NA helps to remove these sugars. The competition between these two proteins determines how well viral particles attach to new cells, Vahey said. This is the first phase of a viral invasion. If a virus is sticky, when it emerges from one infected cell, it may quickly attach to a new one nearby, creating a zone where the virus is very concentrated. In comparison, viruses that are less sticky may tend to spread out more, potentially infecting more cells, but with fewer viruses per cell. The central idea of our project is that the stickiness of the virus determines how frequently you have a co-infection and how readily a virus can complement itself. Michael Vahey, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis Vahey said that under normal circumstances, HA and NA are thought to be in balance for most human viruses. For a virus to spread efficiently, one cant be dominant over the other, he said. But the balance can be thrown off when viruses enter into a new host species or when they mutate to avoid antibodies. For the research, Vahey will collaborate with Steven L. Brody, MD, the Dorothy R. and Hubert C. Moog Professor of Pulmonary Diseases in Medicine and a professor of medicine and of radiology at Washington University School of Medicine, to use differentiated human tracheal cells that closely resemble the surface of the human airways. These cells possess motile cilia, tiny hair-like structures that beat rhythmically to sweep away the mucus produced by other cells. Cilia and mucus can also influence the way viruses spread throughout their environment. Our long-term goal is to be able to predict how a certain set of mutations in one protein or the other might manifest in the way that the virus is spreading through the human airways, Vahey said. I think that would put us in a better position to understand which combinations of mutations we need to be more concerned about and which may be less likely to cause problems. Police patrol borderline in NW China's Xinjiang People's Daily Online) 16:32, March 20, 2023 A police team patrols the borderline in Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo/Wang Pengfei) A police team consisting of police and auxiliary police recently patrolled the borderline on horseback in Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. They inspected security threats at mountain passes and in uninhabited areas along the border, which has an elevation of more than 2,800 meters. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this morning. High around 30F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy. Low 12F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Legislation & Legal Opinion Commission (LLOC), in cooperation with the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), has launched Bahrain Legislations Mobile App. The App aimed at facilitating access to several legal eServices. The launch of the App reflects the continuous national efforts towards technological initiatives and reinforcing the culture of legal awareness in society. It is available on the eGovernment App Store bahrain.bh/apps. Bahrain Legislation App was launched during a press conference in the presence of the LLOC President Counselor Nawaf Abdullah Hamza and iGA Deputy Chief Executive of eTransformation Dr Zakariya Ahmed Al Khajah. The counselor reaffirmed the commissions commitment to developing its eServices that promote and cultivate a 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 highlights 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. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister highlighted the steady growth of Bahrain-Algeria relations, noting the importance of further enhancing ties to achieve common goals. HRH Prince Salman was speaking as he received yesterday outgoing Tunisian Ambassador Abdelhamid Ahmed Khoja at Riffa Palace to mark the end of his tenure in the Kingdom. His Royal Highness commended the efforts of Ambassador Khoja in fostering bilateral relations and wished him success in his future endeavours. The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Ministers unwavering support across bilateral relations and joint cooperation and wished the Kingdom continued progress and prosperity. The President of the Court of the Crown Prince, Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed bin Salman Al Khalifa, also attended the HRH Prince Salman receives Ambassador Khoja meeting. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Two industrial behemoths from India, Aerolam Middle East and Titan Company Limited (Titan), are to set foot in Bahrain bringing around US$45 million investment to the Kingdom. Bahrains Economic Development Board announced this milestone achievement during a recent visit by a high-level Bahraini delegation to India. Titan, a part of the billion-dollar Tata group, is the worlds fifth-largest wristwatch manufacturer and plans to launch Tanishq, its flagship and fastest-growing fine jewelry brand in India, in Bahrain with an expected investment of around USD 30 million. Tanishq currently has a presence of 410 stores and is Indias most trusted jewellery brand with an extremely high brand recall. Naresh Nair, Head of operations, at Tanishq, said, We have earmarked the location of our first store and will be opening 3 retail outlets over a span of 15 months to 18 months. Similarly, Aerolam Middle East is establishing its first overseas manufacturing unit in Bahrain with an investment of USD 14.5 million. The plant will operate out of Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP). AFP | Cairo The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Israeli and Palestinian officials were holding talks in Egypt yesterday to restore calm after a surge in deadly violence in the occupied West Bank, Egypts foreign ministry said. The meeting, which follows similar talks last month in Jordan where both sides pledged to prevent more violence, comes amid concerns of a feared escalation during the holy month of Ramadan starting in the coming week. The meeting is aimed at supporting dialogue between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to put a stop to unilateral actions and escalation and break the cycle of violence, Egypts foreign ministry added. Officials from Egypt, Jordan and the United States were attending the meeting in the Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh, it added. Hussein al-Sheikh, Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) secretary general, said Saturday on Twitter that the Palestinian delegation would participate to demand an end to the continuous Israeli aggression against us. Few details have emerged from the talks, but the efforts were already rejected by militant Palestinian factions. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has claimed the lives of 86 Palestinian adults and children this year. Thirteen Israeli adults and children, including members of the security forces and civilians, and one Ukrainian civilian have been killed over the same period, according to an AFP tally based on official sources from both sides. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday announced a new plan to promote an open and free Indo-Pacific, promising billions of dollars in investment to help economies across the region in everything from industry to disaster prevention. The plan he announced in New Delhi is seen as Tokyo's bid to forge stronger ties with countries in South and Southeast Asia to counter China's growing assertiveness there. Kishida also said Japan wanted Russia's invasion of Ukraine to end as soon as possible and called on the "Global South", a broad term referring to countries in Africa, Asia, Oceania and Latin America, to "show solidarity" after his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Japan pledged $75 billion to the region by 2030 via private investment and yen loans and by ramping up aid through official governmental assistance and grants. ...continue reading Opening its doors in Vancouver, BC for the first time VANCOUVER, BC, March 20, 2023 /CNW/ -- Women's and Men's footwear and outerwear brand La Canadienne opened its doors for the fourth time in Canada on March 17, 2023. The grand opening debuts La Canadienne women's and HOMME Spring/Summer 2023 Collection with a focus on the brand's City Dry footwear collection. La Canadienne Opens Its Fourth Retail Store in Canada The brand's footwear is sought after for its legendary waterproofing thanks to the CityDry technology, a unique process that repels water from the surface and is ready to weather the elements upon purchase. Coupled with breathable materials, La Canadienne's footwear is designed to keep feet dry and warm without compromising style. The 35 year old Montreal-based brand has held retail presence in Montreal for 15 years with its 2 locations in Montreal's downtown core and outremont locations, and made its first step outside of Quebec with their first Toronto Yorkville location which opened in August 2021. La Canadienne has been distributed and sold throughout North America, and has established a strong customer following which supported their decision to bring their own Brick & Mortar presence into key markets. The success of the Toronto store has motivated the brand to establish a retail presence in other key Canadian cities. With the expansion into Vancouver, La Canadienne is thrilled to begin to connect with the local consumers in this new retail location. The 2200 sq ft luxury store is a new concept for the brand, bringing to life elements that make their brand unique yet always showcasing their product at the forefront. The concept includes a demonstration area to highlight CityDry product features along with a lounge to comfortably accommodate customers and their guests. The store is located at 779 Burrard between highstreet Robson Street and luxury row Alberni Street. The store is opening its doors in March with plans for a grand opening event in October 2023 to kick off their Fall/Winter season. About La Canadienne: La Canadienne was born in 1987 in Montreal, a city that can experience all four seasons in a given day. Montrealers embrace the elements with style, determined to live and enjoy each day without restraint, and we set out to make shoes with this attitude in mind. We set out to make shoes from a different perspective, one conscious of the needs that city living cultivates. We adopt a no-compromise approach to footwear that marries design, function, and ethics. SOURCE La Canadienne For further information: Lacanadienneshoes.com @lacanadienneshoes; PR Contact: Brittany Brennan, [email protected] The Bahamas collaborates with world-class yacht brokerage firm to target wider yachting audience WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., March 17, 2023 /CNW/ -- In an effort to target a wider superyacht audience, The Bahamas will participate in the 2023 Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS) in collaboration with Worth Avenue Yachts, a world-class yacht brokerage firm specialising in the sale of luxury yachts, yacht charters and new yacht construction. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) Yachting Department will join forces with Worth Avenue Yachts in a co-branded opportunity that will see the branding of The Islands of The Bahamas showcased inside Worth Avenue Yachts' main tent area on their floating dock space over the four days of the 41st Palm Beach International Boat Show. Additionally, BMOTIA will have a booth in the Clematis tent at booth M-12 where our hotels, marinas, and airlines, will have exhibitor space to promote their products. These partners include Bay Street Marina, Romora Bay Resort & Marina, Jet Nassau Aviation, Bluff House Resort & Marina, Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board, Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board, Bahamasair, Grand Bahama Yacht Club, the Association of Bahamas Marinas, Nassau Cruise Port, Atlantis Paradise Island, Chub Cay Resort & Marina, Exuma Escape Bahamas Ltd, Sandyport Beach Resort, Long Island Bahamas Boat Rentals & Tours, and Nassau Yacht Haven. The Boat Show will take place in downtown West Palm Beach, 23 26 March. Boating and yachting represent one of the biggest growth sectors of the Bahamas tourism industry. In 2022 The Bahamas saw 92,926 boaters visit the various islands with over 50% ( 46,880) coming from Florida. A leading event on the calendar of international boat shows, PBIBS features the latest in boating, yachting, and marine technology. This year's edition of the Boat Show will attract more than 55,000 attendees and 600 exhibiting brands. Some 600 boats will be on display, ranging from 8-foot inflatables to superyachts nearly 300 feet in length. Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation officials attending this year's show will include the Honorable John W. H. Pinder II, Parliamentary Secretary. "The Bahamas has a longstanding reputation as a boating paradise," said Parliamentary Secretary Pinder. "In recent years, we have seen the strong emergence of the superyacht market. This is a market of tremendous potential, one that we are courting very vigorously. This year, we have partnered with Worth Avenue Yachts, a leader in the global yachting sector, to reach a greater number of clients among the international yachting community." Pinder further noted: "The Palm Beach International Boat Show is considered the Monaco Yacht Show of the U.S, attracting a high net worth clientele. Placing Bahamas branding on the dock space of Worth Avenue Yachts will give us direct access to charters, buyers, current owners, as well as charter brokers. We will capitalise on this singular opportunity to showcase The Bahamas' diverse yachting product and to educate yachting enthusiasts on the recent changes to The Bahamas boating fees." Over the four days of the Palm Beach International Boat Show, staff of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation Yachting Department, joined by various industry partners including Odyssey, Nassau Yacht Haven and Romora Bay Club, will showcase The Islands of The Bahamas as a top yachting destination, with opportunities throughout each day to interact directly with clientele visiting Worth Avenue Yacht's dock space. Ministry officials will engage in meetings with potential investors in the boating sector. The four busy show days will be highlighted by two gala events, both of which will offer excellent networking opportunities for BMOTIA executives and industry partners to interact with clients and key players in the international yachting sector. Worth Avenue Yachts' Annual Private Client Event, hosted on the evening of day one of the boat show (23 March), is dedicated to current and prospective yacht owners as well as previous and prospective charterers. This event will also be attended by Worth Avenue Yachts charter brokers as well as clients from the supporting brands Rolls Royce, Flex jet, UBS, and others. Bahamas Night, a Bahamas themed soiree, will be hosted on the evening of day two (24 March) aboard a megayacht. The evening's guest list will include yacht owners, yacht brokers, professional athletes, Bahamian dignitaries, BMOTIA executives, industry stakeholders and influencers. Bahamas Night will be hosted by the BMOTIA in partnership with Worth Avenue Yachts, The Cut Agency Sports, Amerant Bank, Louis XIII, Tequila 512 and Pink Sands Spirits * (not confirmed) About The Bahamas The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50 miles off the coast of Florida, it offers a quick and easy way for travellers to escape their everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the Earth's most spectacular beaches for families, couples and adventurers to explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram. About Worth Avenue Yachts Worth Avenue Yacht was founded in 2011 by industry leaders Michael Mahan and Brian Tansey. Michael has been in the yachting industry for over 30 years, and has watched luxury yachting evolve from a niche, relatively unknown leisure industry to the global luxury yacht brokerage it is today. As the industry became more professional, more regulated, and more competitive as it matured, Michael recognized the need for a fresh and innovative approach to luxury yacht sales and charterin fact, he believed an entirely new yacht brokerage business model was called for. For more information, please visit www.worthavenueyachts.com. PRESS INQUIRIES Anita Johnson-Patty Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation [email protected] SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Adamawa state governorship election as inconclusive. The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whose candidates are the major contenders in the election have been trading blames. The PDP has accused the INEC and the APC of attempts to alter the results to favour the latter. The PDP claimed that there was a plot to alter the election results. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Iyorchia Ayu, national chairman of the PDP, asked the INEC to resist any attempt to alter the electoral outcome. Ayu claimed that the results gathered by PDP agents from all the polling units in the state show that the party won the election. From the results obtained by our party and independent observers directly from the polling units, the PDP recorded a sweeping victory in most of the states where the elections were held, he said. Earlier, Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the PDP, alleged that the INEC was creating tension in Adamawa by failing to conclude the collation of results of the election in the state. So far, Ahmadu Fintiri, the incumbent governor and candidate of the PDP, has won 13 LGAs, leaving Aisha Binani, gubernatorial candidate of the APC with seven. The results from Fufore LGA, the only one left, were yet to be collated. Thugs had reportedly snatched the results sheet of the LGA. INEC officials said that they were working to remedy the situation by getting all the data that have been uploaded on the iRev. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Gov. Abdullahi Sule and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of governorship election in Nasarawa State. Prof Ishaya Tanko, INEC State Collation Officer and Returning Officer made the declaration on Monday in Lafia at the Nasarawa State Collation Centre. The INEC returning officer said that the APC candidate polled a total of 347, 209 votes to defeats his closest opponent, David Ombugadu, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who got 283, 016 votes. The returning therefore, said: Abdullahi Sule of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes in the election is hereby declared winner and returned elected. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested four top officials of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over alleged N2 billion fraud, TheCable can report. Sources familiar with the matter told TheCable that the arrested officials include Bilkisu Adamu Sani, director, finance and accounts; Hart Benson Fimienye, deputy general manager, treasury; Obene Jenbarimiema Turniel, deputy general manager (management accounts); and Nathaniel Terna Kaainjo, general manager (accounts and stores). Kaainjo was said to have been taken into EFCC custody on Thursday, March 16, while the others were arrested on Monday, March 20. The four officials are currently being questioned at the anti-graft agencys headquarters in Abuja for allegedly paying themselves and others duty tour allowances (DTAs) in excess of N2 billion. Duty tour refers to an official trip embarked upon by a public servant. In 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the increase of DTAs for ministers, permanent secretaries and civil servants on grade levels (GL) one to 17. The approval of the new allowances was conveyed in a circular issued by Ekpo Nta, chairperson of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC). The new allowances took effect on September 1, 2022. Popular Nigerian musician Folarin Falz Falana, today blasted the Lagos State Governor and winner of the just-concluded governorship election in the state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after he was announced returned for a second term as governor by the Independent National Electoral Commission. NE recalls that Sanwo-Olu was declared winner of the governorship poll by INEC in the early hours of Monday by the Returning Officer of the governorship and state assembly elections, Prof. Adenike Oladeji, after winning 19 out of the 20 local government areas in the state. The governor, at 9am on Monday morning took to Twitter to thank Lagosians for the chance to govern for a second term. Sanwo-Olu wrote, Thank you Lagosians! I am deeply humbled and grateful for the overwhelming support and trust of the good people of Lagos State. I am honored to be re-elected as your Governor and pledge to continue to work tirelessly to deliver a better Lagos for all. Thank you for believing in me. These elections have deeply tested us as a people. This victory is not just mine, but it belongs to every Lagosian. I have worked hard to live up to this responsibility of governing the most important subnational economy in Africa. We certainly could not have done this by ourselves. Thank you to the Almighty God and all of Lagos. Immense gratitude goes to our great party, APC, and our President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. During the course of the campaign, we sadly saw a lot of divisive rhetoric used. Elections should be about capacity, competence, and experience, not ethnicity or religion. I salute those who refused to be divided by hateful and hurtful ethnic profiling. Addressing violence that occurred in some parts of the state during the election, Sanwo-Olu said, Recent skirmishes in some LGAs resulting in injuries are reprehensible and not reflective of who we are. Law enforcement and security agencies have been directed to ensure that those found culpable face the full wrath of the law. Very importantly, and this cannot be overemphasised: What unites us as Lagosians is far more important and substantial than whatever differences exist among us. As your Governor, I will do everything in my power to ensure that genuine healing takes place. We will continue to run an inclusive government, that delivers for all the people of Lagos, wherever in the State they may be living. Responding to the governors Thank you message to Lagosians following his victory at the polls, Falz said, You were not re-elected. You selected yourself. Everybody saw it unfold. You are only deceiving yourselves. When a tweep asked the rapper if he was pained over Sanwo-Olus victory he said, Yes it is (pain) actually. The pain of knowing that brothers and sisters are being turned against each other in a bid to win an election. Also the pain of seeing our democratic process rubbished before our very eyes. Sanwo-Olu polled a total of 762,134 votes, defeating his rival in the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and the Peoples Democratic Party, Abdulazeez Adediran, who polled 312,329 and 62,449 votes respectively. Following the conduct of the governorship election, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed a lack of confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Atiku said INEC has not proven it can perform better than its previous conduct of elections. The former Vice President spoke in Jimeta, Yola area of Adamawa State. I still dont believe in INEC. I have seen nothing up to now to believe that their performance will be better in how they handle this election than the last one, he said. Atiku lost the 2023 presidential election to Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Following his defeat, he headed to court to contest the outcome of the presidential election, which he claimed was flawed. Funke Akindele, the running mate of the Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adediran Abdul-Azeez (Jandor), has said she doesnt regret running for political office. Akindele made this known in a series of tweets via her Twitter handle on Monday, as she further appreciates her supporters. Recall that incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, defeated Jandor in the just concluded March 18, 2023, gubernatorial election. Sanwo Olu won with 762, 134 votes, defeating the Labour Party candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who scored 312, 329, followed by Abdul-Azeez Adediran with 62, 449 votes. It has been an amazing and insightful experience on my journey to the ballot, Akindele tweeted. I sincerely dont regret taking this huge step of running for office. I, therefore, want to thank the people of Lagos State for believing in me and supporting my decision to run for office. The elections might not have panned out in the way we hoped, but it was an honourable run for us. We fought a good fight indeed, as a matter of fact. A spokesperson of the President-elect, Bayo Onanuga has backed his comment asking Igbos never to interfere with politics in Lagos State. Onanuga said he owes nobody any apology for asking Igbos never to interfere with the politics in Lagos State. He explained that his comment only addressed the existential threats to Yoruba people in Lagos State. Recall that Onanuga issued a warning on Saturday night following the conclusion of the governorship election. According to him, 2023 should be the last time Igbo will interfere in Lagos politics, adding that the state belongs to Yoruba. Restating his warning, Onanuga tweeted: Let me make myself abundantly clear: the views I express on Twitter are my personal views. I dont owe anyone any apology for addressing the existential threats of our people. I am after all, first of all a Yoruba, before being a Nigerian. Former Enugu State Governor and Senator representing Enugu East, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani has lost his re-election bid to the Labour Party candidate, Kelvin Chukwu. The LP candidate polled 69, 136 while Nnamani of the Peoples Democratic Party, scored 48, 701 votes. Chukwu replaced his brother, Oyibo Chukwu, who was gruesomely murdered a few days before the February 25, presidential and National Assembly elections. Oyibos death led to the postponement of the Enugu East senatorial election to March 18 same day the governorship and State Assembly elections would be held. Meanwhile, Senator Nnamani has sent a congratulatory message to his rival, Chukwu over his victory in Saturdays senatorial election. The former governor in the message said the outcome of the election reflected the wishes of the majority of constituents adding the people have spoken. He explained that The result of the election is in tandem with the rave of the moment in the South East zone who have identified with the Labour Party. A contrary result would have negated the trend. He said, I wish the Enugu East senator-elect a successful tenure in the upper legislative chamber. He also told his supporters to remain calm and accept the outcome of the election in good faith. The governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Teslim Folarin, on Monday, congratulated the state governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Seyi Makinde, for his re-election in the just-concluded Saturday election. NigerianEye recalls that Makinde polled 563,756 votes to defeat his closest rival, Folarin of APC, who scored 256,685 votes, while Adebayo Adelabu of Accord Party polled 38,357 votes. The state collation officer and Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-lfe, Adebayo Bamire, who announced the result at the state Independent National Electoral Commissions collation centre, on Sunday, said, Makinde Oluseyi, having satisfied requirement of the law, is declared winner of the poll. In a statement personally signed on Monday, Folarin said, In line with the official pronouncement of the Independent National Electoral Commission, I hereby congratulate Seyi Makinde. I would like to express my sincere appreciations to the Oyo State electorate for their support for all APC candidates on February 25th and March 18th elections respectively. May God bless you all. To whom much is given, much is expected. It is on this note that I am offering my solemn gratitude to leaders and members of our great party, APC, the coalition parties, candidates of other political parties that worked for us, volunteers, the press as well as individuals that contributed to the Itesiwaju Ipinle Oyo 2023 project. Furthermore, I give kudos to members of 2023 Oyo state APC Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council for the best-ever issue-based campaigns. Thank you for your absolute loyalty, dedication and commitment to the struggle. The federal lawmaker representing Enugu East, Chimaroke Nnamani has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This is coming hours after the former Enugu governor lost his senatorial bid to the Labour Party candidate, Kevin Chukwu According to the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, the LP candidate clinched the seat after polling 69,136 votes to defeat Nnamani, who scored 48,701 votes. It was reported that the election was held on Saturday, following the murder of former LP standard-bearer Oyibo Chukwu, days before the February 25 elections. In reaction to the outcome of the election, Nnamani, in a statement he personally signed on Monday, said after consultations with his associates and constituents alike. He had decided to quit his membership of the party on account of irreconcilable differences with the national leadership of the PDP. Nnamani also reaffirmed his acquaintance with the President-elect Bola Tinubu and promised to continue to partner with him Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has celebrated the loss of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Sokoto State. Ahmed Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, defeated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with 453,661 votes. PDPs Saidu Umar scored 404,632 votes. Reacting, Fayose, while sipping wine in a video, said he was excited that Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwals candidate lost the election. According to him, Tambuwal betrayed the party and Governor Nyesome Wike. I am so excited by the loss of Governor Tambuwal candidate in Sokoto. You see when a man is treasured there is a pay back time. He betrayed the party in 2015, he ran back. He betrayed the Asiwaju he went to meet in APC, he betrayed Wike that soon sponsored him in 2019, this is payback time. I appreciate the people of Sokoto for voting against Tambuwal. I enjoined you to vote against him again in the senatorial rerun. You are wonderful people and God sees the affairs of men. Tambuwal is gone. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says there is a plot to alter the governorship election results in Adamawa in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Iyorchia Ayu, national chairman of the PDP, asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist any attempt to alter the electoral outcome. Ayu claimed that the results gathered by PDP agents from all the polling units in the state show that the party won the election. From the results obtained by our party and independent observers directly from the polling units, the PDP recorded a sweeping victory in most of the states where the elections were held, he said. Sadly, the announced results are not reflecting voter choices. Once more, the INEC has failed the integrity test. Its officials have connived with chieftains of the ruling APC and security agents to swindle the PDP out of its deserving electoral victories. Of particular note is the brazen plot by the APC and INEC to alter the results of the Adamawa state governorship election already won by the PDP candidate, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and give undeserving victory to the candidate of the APC. This is unacceptable. It is the rape of democracy, a frustration of the popular will. We will not accept such a travesty of justice. The ongoing brazen attempt to alter the electoral outcome in Adamawa state is particularly shocking. In spite of the manipulations switching, doctoring, and altering of figures by the APC and INEC, after the final tabulation, our candidate still defeated the APC candidate with over 35,000 clear and undisputable votes. But INEC is hellbent on denying the PDP victory. The PDP cautions INEC not to invest in chaos by engaging in this nefarious act. We remind INEC that the people of Adamawa State already have the results of the election from all the Polling Units in the State. They are aware that the PDP candidate won with about 35,000 votes; and as such, they will never accept any fictitious electoral outcomes generated from INECs offices in Abuja. The people of Adamawa state have spoken loudly and clearly in re-electing Governor Fintiri. They are already agitating over the unwarranted delay by INEC in announcing him winner in line with the results obtained from the Polling Units. We say to INEC: Dont invest in anarchy. Ayu said Fintiri won the election in Adamawa and anything to the contrary will never be accepted. 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 Mostly cloudy with rain ending for the afternoon. High 54F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Snow may mix in. Low 37F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Dough Nguyener's Bakery opened in Gretna this past weekend. The cafe drew a line out the door for doughnuts, baguettes and breakfast plates. It's one of several recent soft openings. Lucy Boone Ice Cream recently opened its brick and mortar spot on Baronne Street, next to Zee's Pizza in Uptown. And Wonderland + Sea will open for full service soon on Tchoupitoulas Street. During Lent, it's been offering Friday fish fries. Dough Nguyener's is from the same family that runs Thanh Thanh Vietnamese restaurant and Huey P's. The cafe offers airy baguettes, various types of doughnuts, croissants, muffins, cupcakes, cookies and pastries. Savory croissants are available with ham and cheese or pastrami and Swiss cheese fillings. There also are savory pastries including pate chaud and banh bao, filled with egg and sausage. The doughnut selection includes chocolate covered, strawberry and blueberry filled, cake doughnuts and Vietnamese coffee filled or glazed, and more. The cafe menu has a variety of banh mi, as well as a Cuban and a couple other sandwiches. There's also smoked salmon, shrimp toast, Vietnamese meatballs with ragu, green goddess and Caesar salads, and fried chicken plates with sides such as kimchi, coleslaw, Sichuan noodles and fries with garlic aioli. Breakfast plates include the banh mi chao, featuring sauteed beef tenderloin and onions, sunny side-up eggs, pate, tomatoes, baguette and house butter. Las Chicas has marinated grilled pork tenderloin, fried plantains, pickled cabbage and pico de gallo. A large drink menu includes espresso drinks, coffee, boba teas, iced Vietnamese coffee and more. There's also a cocktail menu, frozen drinks and draft beer. Dough Nguyener's offers counter service and there's tables indoors and out. There's also drive-through service. Lucy Boone Ice Cream started as a pop-up during the pandemic. It recently opened a scoop shop in the renovated former Fine Arts Theater building at Constantinople and Baronne streets. Deveney Communications anchors the space, and there are residential units and a few retail spots. Lucy Boone Ice Cream is at 3918 Baronne St., next to Zee's Pizza, which opened in July 2022. Abby Boone pursued a culinary career in pastry before she decided to focus on ice cream. She likes traditional flavors and converting classic desserts into flavors, such as her key lime pie ice cream. Flavors change regularly at the shop, and recent choices include salted caramel, tropical sorbet, strawberry crisp, pretzel toffee and chocolate peanut butter. The shop also offers milkshakes and cold brew. Lucy Boone Ice Cream is open from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Wonderland + Sea is taking shape at 4842 Tchoupitoulas St., across from F&M Patio Bar. The restaurant will focus on fried chicken and fish and frozen drinks. It occupies a converted shotgun double, with dining space indoors and on an adjoining patio. It is currently offering fish fries on Fridays, with upcoming dates on March 24 and 31. Chefs, restaurateurs and social activists Saqib Keval and Norma Listman moved from Oakland, California, to Listman's native Mexico City in 2017 to explore their interests in cooking, foodways and social activism. They now run two restaurants, Masala y Maiz and Mari Gold, as well as a co-op grocery. Keval and Listman are visiting New Orleans this week to cook at a collaborative dinner on Tuesday, March 21, at Lengua Madre with resident chef Ana Castro and Atlanta chef Maricela Vega of Chico. Visit lenguamadrenola.com for information about the dinner. More information about Keval and Listman can be found at masalaymaiz.com. Gambit: How do you explore food at your restaurants? Saqib Keval: Norma and I started six years ago. It was never supposed to be a restaurant. It was a research project looking into the migration of cooking techniques and ingredients and political movements between South Asia, East Africa and Mexico. We were offered a restaurant space. We went against our own ideas and opened up a brick and mortar. We both come from a background of using food for political means and advocating for restaurant workers at the intersection of food, art and social justice. We both have 18 years experience in the restaurant industry. We were like, if we do open a restaurant it needs to be focused on promotion of good labor practices. The restaurant should be a platform for change in our community. We should use food to support political movements. The work we do in the restaurant group is focused on that. How do we create a dining experience where our diners, our staff, our farmers and producers can use the restaurant as a platform? We push for labor reform and worker rights here in Mexico City. Were not fine dining, but we use really high-end ingredients. Were not casual dining, but we want service to feel casual. Were a really small restaurant. We have room for 30 people. And were only open for lunch. Gambit: How do you describe the cuisine at your restaurants? Keval: Foodwise, we are adamant that our food is not fusion. We focus on a term that doesnt exist in English. Its mestizaje, and it means the organic blending of culture that happens over time. The food that we cook are moments of intersection between the food of Normas Mexican heritage and the food of my family, from Indians in East Africa. The way we create dishes is we tell the story of these moments of intersection between our respective food cultures. An example would be a stalwart on our menu, esquites makai pakka. Esquites is a Mexican dish of corn served with mayonnaise, chilies and lime. We start the dish as a traditional Mexican dish. We finish it as makai pakka, like youd have on the coast of Kenya, like where my family is from in Mombasa. Makai means corn. Pakka is the technique of cooking in coconut milk. With the Indian influence, its cooked with fresh turmeric and fresh ginger and a masala. We also finish it with Mexican Cotija cheese and aioli. Our food gets nerdy, because we try to tell migration stories. Right now, when you sit down in the restaurant, we send out a dish as a gift. Its peanuts that we boil in a tamarind and chili broth. That dish comes with a story of groundnuts moving from the Americas to West Africa and back to the American South. Groundnuts are native to Mexico and South America. When Spanish colonizers came here, they took groundnuts with them, and when Europeans colonized Africa, peanuts became part of West African foodways. The Portuguese took peanuts to Goa (India), and from there into Southeast Asia. Then during the slave trade, peanuts came to the American south. During that period, the Underground Railroad brought people north. But its not as well known that people also went south to Mexico, which was the first country to outlaw slavery. Through that, groundnuts came back to Mexico. We prepare them in the traditional manner. In pre-colonial Mexico, they were boiled. We add other ingredients that were part of that history. We like hyper local, seasonal foods with 100% traceability, from the salt we use to the plates we use. We try to be clear about who produces what, so its traceable. We have a worker-owned natural wine that we produce. We have a worker-owned cooperative grocery. All those projects were started during the pandemic to create alternative sources of income. We took care of our staff during the pandemic, making sure they had full benefits, and we started other things to have income. We do weekly and daily breads. We do breakfast sandwiches and stuff like that. We have a coffee window and bar. We make salsas and spices and pantry staples. We have some household goods. Gambit: What will you do at the Lengua Madre dinner? Keval: We are just coming there to cook with Ana Castro and Maricela (Vega, of Chico in Atlanta). We are fans of theirs. We are inspired by the way they use their restaurants as a platform and the way they care for their local food systems. We have collaborated with Maricela before. The dinner is one night at Lengua Madre. I am excited about the menu. A dish that Ill be doing is kitfo. Its not a tartare, but its a raw dish. My family is from Ethiopia. Were doing a kitfo, but its a very Mexican kitfo. We will serve it with (Louisiana) ingredients, and were bringing some mango pickle that weve been fermenting to mix with the beef. We have never been to New Orleans, but thats always been a dream. I find the city inspiring, especially the food history and the history of migration, and the music scene and all of that. Well be there for a week first working on the meal, and then well have two days to explore. People receive medical treatment at the scene of Russian shelling, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Oct. 10, 2022. The Russian missiles that rained down Monday on cities across Ukraine, bringing fear and destruction to areas that had seen months of relative calm, are an escalation in Moscow's war against its neighbor. But military analysts say its far from clear whether the strikes mark a turning point in a war that has killed thousands of Ukrainians and sent millions fleeing from their homes. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards steps off a Kansas City Southern Lines train at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal after a passenger train trip from Baton Rouge in New Orleans, La., Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Governor Edwards met with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson and Amit Bose, the Federal Railroad Administrator, as they traveled by passenger train from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) MERRILLVILLE The Town Council has signed off on second business to move into a near-empty retail center on the north side. The council granted a special exception for Forman Mills to open at Crossroads Plaza, 6110 Broadway. The council granted approval in late January for Trader Bucks Flea Markets to open in the plaza. There are huge empty spaces in that building, and what were attempting to do is fill those with retail users that complement whats still there, said Richard Anderson, an attorney representing Crossroads' owner. Anderson told town officials that Forman Mills, a clothing retailer, will be occupying about 50,000 square feet in the shopping center. He did not know when the company might make the move. Forman Mills, which has locations in Lansing and the Chicago area, sells clothing, shoes, toys and home goods. The company, founded in 1977, began as a flea market and has grown to become a nationwide warehouse retailer, according to its website. It is based in Pennsauken, New Jersey. The company would employ about 100 people once the building opens, Anderson said. Trader Bucks has lease in place for 30,000 square feet in the plaza. Plans are for it to open in May. Trader Bucks, which was started in 2007 in Lafayette, has eight stores in Indiana. It offers a low-cost opportunity for people wanting to start a business by renting and operating booths in the market, according to its website. Crossroads Plaza has been largely vacant for years, so bringing in businesses could help revitalize the area, said Sheila Shine, the towns Planning and Building director. Anderson previously said leasing space in the plaza has been challenging. Potential tenants have shown interest in the site, but proposals didnt materialize. Its a problem renting space and its a problem getting good tenants, he said. Variance-of-use requests needed to be approved before businesses can operate in the plaza. Thats because the land for Crossroads Plaza is zoned industrial. Anderson said the town gave the land an industrial designation in 2018 at his clients request. The thought was that we could attract industrial users, tear down the entire plaza and build industrial buildings like you see in Hobart, he said. That has obviously not occurred. The town has the option to revert the land back to commercial zoning. That hasnt occurred because Merrillville is updating its zoning maps as it works on a new comprehensive plan. Several council members, including Shawn Pettit and Leonard White, said they favored returning the property to commercial zoning. Travel is expected to blossom again this spring as more people hit the road or head to the airports to go on vacation. AAA found international travel is expected to soar by 30% this spring, and multigenerational trips with three generations by 40% as concerns about the coronavirus pandemic fade. Families are making up for lost time, said Paula Twidale, AAA senior vice president of travel. Weve seen a spike in international spring break bookings. Americans are taking advantage of the strong U.S. dollar and the exchange rate in Europe. Travelers looking for warm weather are flocking to the Caribbean and Mexico or sailing to tropical destinations while enjoying the amenities of a cruise vacation. AAA reports travel bookings are off to a strong start thus far in 2023. An estimated 35% of residents surveyed in neighboring Illinois expect to travel for spring break, up from 24% last year. An estimated 82% plan to travel somewhere this year, up from 60% this year. AAA expects one of the busiest spring break travel seasons in years, said Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAAThe Auto Club Group. Previous spring travel seasons were affected by COVID-19. However, Americans are largely more confident about traveling again, and AAA has seen very strong bookings for beach destinations, cruises and attractions. Spring breakers typically seek out beaches, especially in Florida, Hawaii and Mexico, AAA reported. The top U.S. travel destinations are expected to be Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas, New York City, San Francisco and New Orleans. AAA also reports cruises have been sailing away in popularity, especially to Mexico, Central America and Caribbean hotspots in the Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Cruises to Alaska, Canada, Northern Europe and the Persian Gulf also have gotten more popular. The surge in international bookings has been mostly to tropical destinations like the Caribbean and Mexico, but travelers also are flocking to Europe because of the favorable exchange rate that stretches their dollar further. RetailMeNot, an Austin, Texas-based coupon company, projects that "travel is back in 2023." Its national survey found 54% of consumers plan to spend more on travel, an average of $3,250 for the year. Travel will also start to pick up this spring more to Northwest Indiana's largest tourist attractions, the Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park. While they see the biggest surge of visitors during the summer months when people flock to the Lake Michigan beaches, more people start heading to the dunes to hike, explore and enjoy the great outdoors once the winter weather lifts. "When we look at the Indiana Dunes visitation data, we look at both the national and state park data. Its one attraction with two operators. The total visitation to the Indiana Dunes in 2022 was 4,554,786, which is amazing because that means we were fourth out of the top 10 national parks visited," Indiana Dunes Tourism Executive Director Lorelei Weimer said. "We are down a little from the 5 million visitors in 2021. Overall, the national park was up by 5% over their numbers in 2021." Visitation was down to most national parks last year save for the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Cuyahoga Valley, but that was coming off a spike earlier in the pandemic. "The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was down from 14.1 million in 2021," she said. "I think a lot of this has to do with the big visitation surge during the pandemic. Being outdoors was safe, and people discovered National Parks." While some bravely venture into the Indiana Dunes during the chilly winter months, visitation typically starts picking up in the spring when more people start heading to its 50 miles of trails, including the Calumet Dunes Trail, the Cowles Bog Trail, the Dune Ridge Trail, the Glenwood Dunes Trails, the Great Marsh Trail and the Heron Rookery Trail. People also start to flock back to the dunes for festivals like the recent Maple Sugar Time and the upcoming Indiana Dunes Birding Festival. The Indiana Dunes are expecting another strong year in 2023, bringing a robust amount of travelers into Northwest Indiana, Weimer said. "For years, it was 3 million visitors. I dont believe we will return to that number because so many travelers have visited all 63 national parks on their bucket list. Plus, being one of the National Parks in our location that is close to a large population base will help us to continue to attract visitors," she said. "Even though the park visitation was down from 2021, the visitation to the visitor center was the highest we ever experienced. We had 193,225 visitors. Our record prior to last year was 170,057 in 2019. We increased by 14% over the 2019 numbers. And, the 2019 numbers increased by 80% over the previous highest record of 108,767 in 2017. We have a lot to celebrate and are so thankful for both the Indiana Dunes National and State Parks." WHITING Construction is nearing completion of the new White Castle on Indianapolis Boulevard. The building that has anchored the intersection with Cleveland Avenue since 1935 is expected to close on or around March 31. Cleveland will be closed for up to two weeks beginning April 3 so crews can connect utilities for the new restaurant. Access to houses on Cleveland between the addresses of 1800 to 1837 will be through the alley between Atchison and Cleveland. Residents are asked to be aware of emergency vehicles that may have to travel the wrong way because of the street closure. Mayor Steve Spebar said he does not know when the current White Castle building will be demolished. The company intends to donate items from the old restaurant to the city's Historical Society. Spebar previously said White Castle wanted to build a bigger facility and parking lot with a more amiable drive-thru. White Castle is investing more than $2 million in the new restaurant, and the city is looking forward to a grand opening, the mayor said: "I'm happy that the investment is going forward." In other city news: Whiting will no longer pick up household hazardous-waste materials placed in alleys. They won't be accepted at the city's Public Works Facility either. Batteries, oil paint, antifreeze and similar items can be taken to one of the Lake County Household Hazardous Waste Collection events that are scheduled in the county, including 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Public Works Building, 1915 Front St. The Lake County Solid Waste Management District website (lcswmd.com) has a comprehensive list of acceptable items, plus the collection schedule and locations. The city is planning two additional collections for residents in the 46394 ZIP code, most likely in May and November. Spebar said the waste materials had been stored at the Public Works Facility and the county would pick up the items annually. However, the amount of material the city stored last year "was overly excessive" and the county said it was cost-prohibitive to keep picking up that much. "The last thing we want is the program discontinued, so that's why we've got to abide by county rules," Spebar said. Residents and businesses in the Whiting and Robertsdale area can take advantage of a Community Rewards Program that will allow them to travel the Cline Avenue Bridge at a discounted rate. Those who qualify will pay a toll of $1; the usual rate is $2.75 for vehicles with an I-PASS or E-Z Pass transponder. Two-axle vehicles and transponders can be registered at clineavenuetolls.com/Web/toll_discount. Eligibility is maintained by making 10 or more trips a month across the bridge. Residents who have been calling "dibs" by placing chairs, cones or similar items in curbside parking spaces will risk having such items discarded by the Street and Sanitation Department if they are not removed by Monday. "When there's snow, the city has always respected the right of somebody shoveling out a spot to put a marker there to save their spot," Spebar said. But the mayor said the practice has been going on despite a mild winter, and no snow on the ground means there is no reason to reserve spaces. Japan marks 28 years since cult's deadly sarin gas attack on Tokyo subway Xinhua) 17:00, March 20, 2023 TOKYO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Japan marked the 28th anniversary Monday of a deadly sarin nerve gas attack carried out by the AUM Shinrikyo cult on the Tokyo subway system that left 14 people dead and injured more than 6,000. A vigil was held at Kasumigaseki subway station in the Japanese capital where one of the deadly attacks took place, with station officials observing a moment of silence at 8:00 a.m. local time, which was around the time the attack took place 28 years ago. Families of the victims and station officials offered flowers at a stand set up by subway operator Tokyo Metro Co. inside the station, the surrounding area of which is dominated by government ministries and other government-related offices. Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Tetsuo Saito was in attendance on Monday to pay his respects, laying flowers at Kasumigaseki. "The government will strengthen efforts to fight terrorism and to create an environment in which train passengers can feel safe," Saito said in a statement. Similar stands for flowers were set up at Kodemmacho, Hatchobori, Nakanosakaue and other central Tokyo stations where victims of the sarin attack lost their lives. According to official police accounts, on Monday March 20, 1995, the members of the cult launched a coordinated chemical attack on the Tokyo subway system, one of the world's busiest, at the peak of the morning rush hour. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) MICHIGAN CITY Rotary Club President Marty Corley has presented the 2022 Paul Alinsky Excellence Award to Clarence Hulse for his service to the city. Alinsky, a past Rotary president, had been instrumental in economic development efforts in the city, including organizing the Economic Development Corp. of Michigan City. He died in 1997. Thank you for allowing me to do what I do, Hulse, executive director of the EDCMC, said. I see this job as a calling. Jim Alinsky said his brother would be smiling to see Hulse win the award. Councilwoman Angie Deuitch agreed. I dont think we recognize the jewel we have in Clarence, she said. Deuitch nominated Hulse for the award which is given for dedication to community service and excellence, passion and innovation in their vocation/career saying he has brought recognition to Michigan City from far and wide. She told of attending a White House briefing on economic development a few years ago: Everybody knew who Clarence was. Tell those folks in Lake and Porter counties to stop calling your number. They keep trying to steal him. Hulse acknowledged that economic development groups in Northwest Indiana have been interested in recruiting him, but he wants to stay in Michigan City. I think were on the cusp of greatness, he said. I want to be a part of it. Hulse is the face of economic development in Michigan City, the first person prospects talk with when theyre interested in moving their operations to the city, Deuitch explained. Hulse has been busy. Fueled in part by the Double Track NWI project to speed commuter rail service to Northwest Indiana, big economic development projects are occurring in Michigan City. Ground will be broken soon for the new South Shore Line station downtown. Its not just a train station, however. The project will include a large parking garage, commercial and retail space, and apartments. The project has fueled developers interest in bringing housing as well as businesses downtown. Don Babcock, Purdue University Northwests director of economic development and community relations, is a longtime EDCMC board member. When we hired Clarence several years back, he really filled a significant void we had, he said. Hulses ability to drive initiatives and build consensus sets Michigan City apart, Babcock said. It just doesnt get any better than this. Former Police Chief Dion Campbell praised Hulse for showing strong character while doing this work in Michigan City. Deuitch thanked Hulse for his efforts to bring the Brookings Institution to Michigan City to address various issues. Right now, everything is about equity in development, equity in housing, equity in all these things, she said. Overall, Hulse said, I tell everybody, dont fight change. Embrace change and move forward. Police body camera footage shows an Oklahoma City police captain who was pulled over for suspected drunk driving asking the arresting officer to turn off his body camera. Sgt. Christopher Skinner pulled over Capt. James Matthew French, 55, a little after 1:30 a.m. on March 12 after allegedly seeing his SUV swerving and making a turn without signaling, according to Oklahoma City Police Department incident reports, parts of which were redacted, and body camera footage released by the department. CNN did not immediately hear back from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 123, which represents members of the Oklahoma City Police Department, with any comment on French's behalf. In the body camera video, French is seen telling Skinner he is an Oklahoma City police captain before pointing to his chest and telling Skinner to turn his body camera off. Less than a minute later, French again tells the officer to turn his body camera off. "Turn the camera off," French whispers. "Please." "Huh?" Skinner says. "Turn the camera off," French whispers again. "I'm not turning my camera off," Skinner responds. Skinner asked French how much he had to drink. French responded he was at a poker game and had "three or four" beers, the latest about two hours before the traffic stop. The video shows French again repeatedly asking Skinner to turn the body camera off as French struggles with field sobriety tests. "I know you are aware of our body cam policy," Skinner tells French. "You know I cannot turn off this body camera." "I do," French says. "But I'd like to talk to you." "I am a captain in the police department," French says after a brief exchange. "I understand that, sir. And I'm a sergeant... and I've taken an oath to uphold the law. I don't show favoritism to anyone regardless," Skinner says. "Okay. I'm not asking for that," French says. According to an incident report, French was arrested and booked on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to signal intention to turn. Oklahoma City Police told CNN French is on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. "As to why Captain French was saying that, I can only make assumptions, but the officer did exactly as he should have by not turning the camera off," Police Chief Wade Gourley told CNN affiliate KOCO. History of anti-drunk driving advocacy History of anti-drunk driving advocacy 1982 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2019 Cruz Miguel Ortiz Cuadra, a food historian who as Puerto Ricos leading gastronomy expert sought to define the islands cuisine and educate the world about it, died on March 8 in San Juan, P.R. He was 67. His brother Carlos Ortiz Cuadra confirmed the death, in a hospital. He said that Mr. Ortiz Cuadra had recently had a heart attack, and that he had lung cancer last year, which had been in remission. Mr. Ortiz Cuadra first became interested in food history as a student at Ruskin College in Oxford, England, said Crystal Diaz, a graduate student of his at the University of Puerto Rico. Passing by a food symposium, he decided to attend on a whim. Experts were talking about the roots of certain foods and their traditions, a kind of discourse he had never heard in Puerto Rico. When he returned to the island to complete his doctorate in history at the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan, he decided to write his dissertation on the basic ingredients of the territorys gastronomy. The two other skiers extricated themselves and were in telephone contact with the authorities, and one of them had uncovered the buried skier and had started CPR. They still needed to be rescued from the avalanche area on the west-facing slope that drains into the Maroon Creek Valley, the sheriffs office said. Responders from Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Aspen Highlands Ski Patrol worked to access the area. Aspen ski patrol rescuers asked one of the skiers to hike far enough up the mountainside so they could get a rope to pull that person uphill, the sheriffs office said on Sunday night. The other skier had stopped CPR efforts by the time rescuers reached the area, shortly after 4:30 p.m., the statement added. All three skiers had completed avalanche safety training and were carrying and using safety equipment, the authorities said. Mr. Hazas remains were transported by helicopter to the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport on Sunday afternoon and from there to the county coroners office for an autopsy. The other skier was rescued in that flight. That avalanche came after another one on Friday in which a man was killed and two other people had to be rescued a little over 20 miles west, in Rapid Creek, southwest of Marble, Colo. An article by Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, on Monday was effusive about President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia but said little about Ukraine. Complicated issues do not have simple solutions, he wrote. Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, is set to arrive in Moscow on Monday for a summit with President Vladimir V. Putin that will test how far Mr. Xi is willing to go to act as a potential peace broker in the war in Ukraine. The Chinese government has cast Mr. Xis three-day state visit to Russia as a trip for peace, seeking to burnish his image as a global statesman after Beijing hosted talks this month that led to a significant agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. But even Chinese state media reports have played down the prospects of a breakthrough emerging from Mr. Xis talks with Mr. Putin and his expected phone call with Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky. After a year of bitter fighting in Ukraine, the gulf between Moscow and Kyiv is much wider than the one between Riyadh and Tehran, some reports noted. Last month, China issued a broad 12-point framework for trying to end fighting in Ukraine. Chinese officials have described that effort as part of what Mr. Xi has called his Global Security Initiative, which challenges the United States dominance in shaping how the world responds to solving international crises. But neither Chinas 12-point plan nor its security initiative offer specific answers to the war between Ukraine and Russia, and Western leaders have generally been skeptical about Chinas rhetoric. Above all, Mr. Xi appears unlikely to risk taking initiatives over Ukraine that could strain Chinas all-important relationship with Russia. While Chinese leaders have sought to keep a distance from Mr. Putins invasion which they call a conflict or crisis they have also stressed that Russia remains an invaluable partner. An article by Mr. Xi published in the official Russian government newspaper on Monday underscored those priorities. It was largely devoted to praising relations between China and Russia, devoting just one paragraph low in the article to the war in Ukraine. Complicated issues do not have simple solutions, Mr. Xi wrote of efforts to end the war. He said that he was confident that dialogue and consultations that are equal, reasonable and pragmatic can surely find a reasonable way forward for resolving the crisis. Mr. Xi was much more effusive about relations with Russia, and with Mr. Putin personally. In the past 10 years, I have visited Russia eight times, each time setting out with excitement and coming back with rich results, opening a new chapter in Chinese-Russian relations with President Putin, he wrote. Chinese-Russian friendship has long endured and must be cherished even more. The talks may be the most closely watched of the 40 meetings in person or by video link that the two have held since Mr. Xi became Chinas leader a decade ago. By hosting Mr. Xi, in what will be the most high-profile visit by any world leader to Russia since before the pandemic, Mr. Putin will try to signal to the world that his country is far from isolated, despite an invasion that has displaced millions, killed or injured hundreds of thousands and led the International Criminal Court to issue a warrant for his arrest. Image Mr. Putin went to Mariupol, the Ukrainian city held by Russia, on Sunday. Credit... Russian TV Mr. Putin is trying to seize the momentum in Ukraine after a winter of small, slow and bloody frontline advances as the war drags into its 14th month. This weekend, hours after the arrest warrant was issued, Mr. Putin traveled to the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, which Russia captured and largely destroyed last year. Mr. Putin, in an article published Monday in Peoples Daily, the Chinese Communist Partys main newspaper, referred to Mr. Xi as his good, old friend they first met in 2010 and repeated his oft-made case that China and Russia are both suffering from the Wests attempts to hold on to dominance that is slipping away. He did not refer to China as a military ally, but said that the two countries shared strategic interests, most of all in countering the United States. Mr. Putin asserted that Washington has its sights set not just on Eastern Europe where he blames the United States and the expansion of NATO for bringing about the war in Ukraine but also on the Asia-Pacific region, saying that it aims to contain the development of our countries. He described cooperation between Russia and China as an essential counterweight. It is Russian-Chinese relations that today practically represent the cornerstone of regional, even global stability, Mr. Putin wrote. He also telegraphed Russias response to Mr. Xis efforts to end the war in Ukraine at a time when both Moscow and Kyiv appear to be more focused on achieving battlefield gains than on considering peace talks. Russia is open to a political-diplomatic resolution of the war, he wrote, but Ukraine and the West are uninterested in negotiations that would take into account the prevailing geopolitical realities. The apparent message: Russia will only entertain talks that leave it in control of the swath of Ukraines east and south that it has already captured. Ukraines government, however, has ruled out ceding territory in exchange for peace. Stuart Hodes, who danced with Martha Graham in the 1940s and 50s and who for the rest of his life served the field of dance as a performer, choreographer, educator, administrator and author, died on Wednesday in Manhattan. He was 98. His daughter Martha Hodes confirmed the death, in a hospital. Mr. Hodes did not grow up as a dancer. When he took his first dance class, at the Martha Graham Studio in 1946, he was nearly 21 and fresh from flying B-17 bombers for the Army during World War II. Within a few months, he was asked to join the Graham company. Graham was 52, already established as a founder of modern dance and believed by many to be the greatest dancer and choreographer of her time. She was also known to be extremely demanding. Mr. Hodes would connect the experience of working with Graham with that as a wartime pilot. Working with Graham was life in the eye of the storm, at the epicenter of an earthquake, he wrote in his wry, diaristic 2020 memoir, Onstage With Martha Graham. That intensity was what he needed: Having flown and fought as a 19-year-old, I could live with nothing else. There is nothing like the power of a well-set sentence, where every shining word is thoughtfully placed. I offer some of my favorites from this months romances, the better to tempt you with. We begin with a bit of mournful poetry from a legendary king of England. Because why have enemies to lovers when we could have rival medieval monarchs to lovers during the wars of the Angevin Empire? SOLOMONS CROWN (Dell, 368 pp., paperback, $17), by Natasha Siegel, explores the relationship between Philip II of France and Richard the Lionheart the queer love story we get hints of in The Lion in Winter. I cannot believe this book exists. I want to wrap myself in velvet to read passages aloud beside a blazing hearth thats taller than I am. Quaffing is absolutely called for. The prose thrums with the best kind of heartbreak: I simply brushed a kiss across his temple, left the room, and went to war with a man whose hips were still inscribed with the shadow of my fingertips. Its staggering the space that and makes between left the room and went to war: a whole chasm in a single word. Hush money, the details Shortly before the 2016 presidential election, Daniels received a $130,000 payment in return for staying silent about a decade-old claim of an affair with Trump. The payment came from Michael Cohen, then Trumps lawyer, and Trump reimbursed Cohen with personal checks while Trump was president. In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to crimes related to the payment and served a prison sentence. (Heres the fuller story behind the payoff, by our colleague Michael Rothfeld.) If the grand jury does bring charges against Trump, the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, will oversee the case. And Bragg will likely accuse Trump of covering up the reimbursements to Cohen. Falsifying business records can be a felony in New York if done to conceal another crime. In this case, the other crime could be a violation of election law: Cohens payment to Daniels. The most likely charge Trump faces is punishable by up to four years in prison. Why charge him? There are two main arguments for doing so: the evidence and the larger context of Trumps behavior. The evidence that Trump broke the law seems substantial: It includes testimony from Cohen and others, as well as Trumps personal checks to Cohen. The hush money and the cover-up of it, in the final weeks of a close presidential race, seem to have been a brazen violation of campaign finance rules. To overlook the violation could encourage future candidates to ignore the law, too. Its true that prosecutors have typically treated presidents with deference, but Trump is not like any other former president. He has repeatedly shown disdain for laws and traditions that predecessors from both parties followed: He told thousands of lies while in office; refused to participate in a peaceful transfer of power; used the power of the presidency to benefit his company; pressured a foreign leader to smear a political rival; and much more. At a certain point, the rule of law becomes meaningless if anybody can repeatedly ignore it. Why not charge him? There are also two main arguments for not charging Trump in the New York case: This case would rely on combining two charges falsifying business records to cover up a campaign finance violation that New York prosecutors have never before combined in this way. The case is not a slam dunk, to be sure, said our colleague Ben Protess, who has been covering the case. (But Ben added that the charges could resonate with a Manhattan jury.) Some legal experts believe that the first criminal charges filed against a former president should not depend on a novel prosecutorial approach. The federal government has a process honed over decades, by both Democratic and Republican lawyers for investigating presidents and candidates. (Trump, of course, is also a 2024 presidential candidate.) Local prosecutors have spent far less time thinking about the legal and political impact of doing so. In todays polarized political environment, its not hard to imagine that an indictment in this case could lower the bar for partisan local prosecutors to bring future cases against national politicians. The political impact In the short term, an indictment seems likely to help Trump politically. It will draw attention to him, and he often performs best when he has a foil. As our colleague Maggie Haberman told us: I do think an indictment, if it happens, will galvanize his supporters. He will describe the case as trivial, a point some Democrats have argued, and he will insist its all part of a broader Democratic Party conspiracy against him to help President Biden in his re-election effort. Hes already fund-raising off it, and he will make selling this to his supporters as another instance of him being victimized central to his campaign. Nate Cohn, The Timess chief political analyst, agreed: Many G.O.P. elites will defend Trump, and there may even be some limited short-term upside here, Nate said. A spokeswoman for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the countrys principal bank regulator, declined to comment. A spokesman for First Republic declined to comment on Mondays plunge or provide figures on whether the banks deposits were rising or falling. In an earlier statement, he said the bank was well positioned to manage short-term deposit activity. First Republic lost roughly $70 billion in deposits in recent weeks nearly half of its total depositor base as of the end of last year said two people with knowledge of the matter. It all added up to evidence that the mix of short-term fixes like loans, efforts to attract a savior to buy all or part of the bank and occasional statements of confidence from bank executives and government officials has not stopped the banks fall. If anything, despite the enormous sums of money involved, the interventions have amounted to applying Band-Aids on a wound that might need surgery. All of this math should work, but its a confidence game, and when the confidence is gone, theres no easy solution, said Srinivas Namagiri, a former Deutsche Bank executive who helped unwind that institutions busted bets after the 2008 financial crisis. Even though First Republics pain seems limited, at least for the moment, to the bank, the fear that has gripped banks from coast to coast after SVBs collapse is a reminder that just one failure can spook an entire sector. Multiple recent downgrades of banks, including of First Republic, by ratings agencies like Moodys have engendered further fear among investors and depositors. The daily headlines about trouble befalling one bank or another continue to foment uncertainty around the industry at large. The numerous troubles that felled Credit Suisse last week, and ended in a $3 billion takeover of the Swiss bank by its bigger rival UBS on Sunday, added another dark cloud. A deadly fungus that is considered an urgent public health threat by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spread at an alarming rate during the pandemic, the C.D.C. said on Monday. The fungus, called Candida auris, preys primarily on older people with weakened immune systems and is particularly dangerous because it resists treatment by common antifungal medications. C. auris was first reported in the United States in 2016, showing up most notably in New York and Illinois, where public health officials hoped they could contain it by rigorous screening and infection control in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. But over the course of 2021, state and local health departments around the country reported 1,474 clinical cases, about a 200 percent increase from the nearly 500 cases in 2019. The surge represents a dramatic increase in caseload and transmission of C. auris, according to a research paper published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine and compiled by researchers at the C.D.C. The fungus is now in half the 50 states, many with just a handful of cases, but with higher concentrations in California, Nevada, Texas and Florida. In a last-ditch effort to stave off the indictment of Donald J. Trump, a witness on Monday appeared before a Manhattan grand jury at the request of the former presidents lawyers, providing testimony aimed at attacking the credibility of the prosecutions star witness. The man who testified, Robert J. Costello, was once a legal adviser to Michael D. Cohen, the crucial witness for the Manhattan district attorneys office in its investigation of Mr. Trump. Mr. Cohen, Mr. Trumps former fixer, has already spent hours testifying before the grand jury. Mr. Costello and Mr. Cohen had a falling out a few years ago, and Mr. Trumps lawyers hoped that Mr. Costellos grand jury appearance on Monday would undercut Mr. Cohens testimony. Under New York law, a person who prosecutors expect to indict can request that a witness appear on his or her behalf. The final decision to hear the witness rests with the grand jury. Prosecutors said nearly 5,000 people texted the number shown in the deceptive images, adding that the images stated they had been paid for by the Clinton campaign and had been viewed by people in the New York City area. On the trials first day of testimony, prosecutors presented several witnesses. One, Jess Morales Rocketto, said she was working for the Clinton campaign when the deceptive images urging viewers to vote by text began circulating in late 2016. She testified that those images had used a hashtag from the campaign as well as a logo that closely resembled the campaigns own logo. Its a very sneaky graphic, she said. Its definitely designed to look very close to a legitimate ad. Mr. Mackeys trial is expected to provide a window into a small part of what the authorities have described as broad efforts to sway the 2016 election through lies and disinformation. While some of those attempts were orchestrated by Russian security services, others were said to have emanated from American internet trolls. People whose names may surface during the trial or who are expected to testify include a man who tweeted about Jews and Black people and was then disinvited from the DeploraBall, a far-right event in Washington, D.C., the night before Mr. Trumps inauguration and an obscure federal cooperator who will be allowed to testify under a code name. As the trial has approached, people sympathetic to Mr. Mackey have cast his case as part of a political and cultural war, a depiction driven in part by precisely the sort of partisan social media-fueled effort that he is accused of engineering. Mr. Mackeys fans have portrayed him as a harmless prankster who is being treated unfairly by the state for engaging in a form of free expression. That notion, perhaps predictably, has proliferated on Twitter, advanced by people using some of the same tools that prosecutors said Mr. Mackey used to disseminate lies. Mackey supporters have referred to him on social media as a meme martyr and spread a meme showing him wearing a red MAGA hat and accompanied by the hashtag #FreeRicky. The people who came up with We NYC say it is a mark for a different time. But they see parallels to the troubled era that gave rise to I NY. Were hopefully going to be able to cut through divisiveness and negativity that accompanied the pandemic, said Kathryn Wylde, the president and chief executive of the Partnership for New York City, a consortium of corporations and business executives that is leading the We NYC campaign. She said that besides rejuvenating peoples spirits, we want to remind them they can make a difference, whether its on the block or in the city as a whole. She added: We want to remind them we dont have to maintain these divisions that have grown up between business and labor and rich and poor. She cited surveys her group had conducted during the pandemic. The results weve gotten back are people in New York want to be part of fixing what they see as broken in the city, she said. In the most recent survey, she said, 67 percent of the respondents said the city was going in the wrong direction, but 70 percent of those between 18 and 40 said they wanted to volunteer to help improve it. For We NYC, the partnership has lined up more than 15 other nonprofit groups and churches that can serve as conduits to engage people across the city. NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. The mystery of the 29-year-old woman who pretended to be a teenager to enroll in a New Jersey high school seemed to capture the imagination of the country, drawing millions of viewers to news articles, TikTok and YouTube. Parents questioned the seeming ease with which she had tricked school officials and been able to wander the hallways, attend classes and meet with guidance counselors for four days in January. Students at the school, New Brunswick High, said they feared that the woman, Hyejeong Shin, had malicious, possibly criminal, intentions after she tried to set up meetings with them at a location outside of school. But on Monday, two lawyers hired by her family laid out a far less sinister explanation for the odd behavior: Recently divorced and far away from her family in South Korea, she was trying to recreate the sense of safety she had felt as a student at a Massachusetts boarding school. Its very bizarre, Darren M. Gelber, one of the lawyers, said in an interview. And it may be difficult for people to understand. DeCamp Bus Lines, which serves riders in Passaic and Essex Counties in northern New Jersey, announced on Monday that it would end its commuter service to and from New York City on April 7. The company, which has operated in the region for over 150 years, originally using canvas-topped stagecoaches, has struggled to retain commuters since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with ridership now averaging 20 percent of prepandemic levels, according to a news release from DeCamp on Monday. Daily charter, shuttle and casino services will continue, the release said. Jonathan DeCamp, the sixth generation of his family to run the company, called the decision to end commuter service into the city disheartening in an interview on Monday. He said it wasnt made lightly, adding, The pandemic completely changed the landscape. In 2020, Mr. DeCamp told The New York Times that the pandemic was by far the largest challenge the company had faced. He would be fingerprinted. He would be photographed. He could even be handcuffed. And if Donald J. Trump is indicted by a Manhattan grand jury in the days ahead for his role in a hush money payment to a porn star, the former president of the United States of America will be read the standard Miranda warning: He will be told that he has the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. These are among the routine steps for felony arrests in New York. But the unprecedented arrest of a former commander in chief one whose devoted supporters once staged a violent attack on the Capitol will be anything but routine. Last week, senior officials from the district attorneys office and the state agency that runs the courts had preliminary discussions to plan for a possible indictment and arraignment. So did officials from the Police Department, which patrols the streets outside the Lower Manhattan courthouse, and the court officers, who handle security inside the Criminal Courts Building, where Mr. Trump would be arraigned. And on Sunday, more than a dozen senior Police Department officials and two of the mayors top public safety aides held a virtual meeting to discuss security, staffing and contingency plans in the event of any protests, one person with knowledge of the meeting said. Theres another good reason to say goodbye to Lake Powell. As it has shrunk, various side canyons of Glen Canyon are no longer underwater, and willows and cottonwoods are sprouting on their banks. Narrow and twisting slickrock tributary canyons with grottoes, soaring amphitheaters and hidden passages are reappearing, like the images in The Place No One Knew, a Sierra Club book featuring Eliot Porters requiem photographs of pre-dam Glen Canyon. That Glen Canyon, a thriving place of beauty and life, is the one I want back. In 1969, when I was in the seventh grade in suburban Cleveland a nun gave me Porters book. It haunted me. In 1976 I took a Greyhound to Utah and went on a monthlong vision quest, backpacking parallel with the new reservoir, still 40 vertical feet from full. I witnessed remnants of some of the Eden-like canyons photographed by Porter before they were submerged. In 1983, I camped on the shore of the lake next to Dave Foreman, a founder of Earth First! Hed come to protest the 20th-anniversary celebration of the dam. We spent the night drinking from a case of beer. Two years earlier, Earth First! activists unfurled a 300-foot sheet of plastic over the face of the dam, simulating a crack. The lake seemed very permanent. It was brimming full. Thus it was shocking in 2005 when I drove to an overlook and saw the water gone from the upper reaches of Lake Powell. (Little snow had fallen that winter in the mountains to feed the lake.) I then did something I never thought possible in my lifetime: I swam the Colorado in upper Glen Canyon. Because the lake had shrunk, it was at a spot that had been some 100 feet underwater for decades, now exposed again to sunlight. After crossing a vast mud flat, I bobbed downstream and then slipped and fell in muck on the way back to my clothes. It wasnt a pleasant experience. Yet the swim had to be done. The lake soon re-flooded the site after a wet winter. By the time I got there, Iraq had been suffering for decades. Hundreds of thousands of people had died in the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s; then came the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, followed by brutal U.N. sanctions and a program that gave oil to the energy-hungry West in return for food for an economically devastated Iraqi population. American tanks rolling into the country in 2003 seemed, to many of the Iraqis I met at the time, only the latest calamity to befall them. Some, like the oppressed Shiite Muslims and Kurds, were initially ecstatic to have their enemy Mr. Hussein, and his Sunni elites on the run. But the haplessness of their new rulers quickly overcame that initial optimism. A few days after the Americans took over Baghdad, I stood in front of the Ministry of Information as it burned, Iraqis looting whatever was left. I asked a group of American troops who were standing nearby why they werent doing anything. They looked at me as if I were crazy. Theyd done their job, theyd won the war, they said, and now they were waiting to go home. Over the next decade I would see the same cycle repeat itself: an America desperate to wash its hands of the tragedy it had wrought by downplaying the continuing violence or declaring short-lived victories. All while thousands, and eventually hundreds of thousands, of Iraqis died, though an accurate tally may never be known. In 2006, at the height of sectarian bloodletting fueled by power struggles between Shiite and Sunni militants, when the morgues were filled to bursting with those tortured and killed, I called an Iraqi friend who had fled the country because she had been threatened for being a Christian. She was part of an exodus that eventually numbered in the millions people escaping so that their own experience of the war could end. Banning TikTok wont keep us safe. As you may have heard, the United States government is in the midst of a full-on panic about TikTok, the Chinese-owned video app best known for its ability to inspire teens to try out new dance moves. Last week, the White House reportedly demanded that TikToks owners sell or face a ban. The ultimatum comes after months of anti-TikTok rhetoric: The head of the National Security Agency told Congress he is concerned about TikTok being used for foreign influence operations. A dozen senators introduced a White House-endorsed bill that would give the government broad powers to ban the app and other technology from China and five other unfriendly nations. Over two dozen states have passed legislation banning TikTok from government-owned devices. And the director of national intelligence said that parents should be worried about their kids using the app. This week, Congress is hauling TikToks chief executive, Shou Zi Chew, in for a grilling about TikToks use of data about Americans, its impact on kids and its relationship with the Chinese Communist Party. If only all the tech giants that prey on Americans data were getting the same scrutiny and enforced accountability. While Congress has been up in arms about TikTok, it has failed to pass even the most basic comprehensive privacy legislation to protect our data from being misused by all the tech companies that collect and mine it. Congress has also failed to follow the lead of Europe with its recent push to force platforms to be more accountable for the disinformation that they spread. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. Near the north entrance, an imposing mountain of black glass rises against the blue sky. Spanning more than five square miles, the dark, sometimes translucent mass was formed from a rhyolitic lava flow that oozed out of the magma chamber of Yellowstone Caldera beneath the park, and cooled rapidly in the bitter cold of a glacial maximum, about 180,000 years ago. Known as Obsidian Cliff, the Yellowstone mountain is one of the countrys highest quality deposits of the sharpest natural substance on Earth, according to Douglas H. MacDonald, a professor of anthropology at the University of Montana and the author of Before Yellowstone: Native American Archaeology in the National Park. Obsidian is among the most prized tool stones in the world, and this particular deposit, nearly 100 feet thick, is exceptional because of its continual use by Indigenous people since the last ice age. Over the last 11,500 years or so, the stone has been fashioned into deadly knives, razor-sharp spear points, darts for atlatls, or spear-throwers, and arrowheads. I am coming to New York with my family for the first time. We will be going to a Broadway show, museums, dinners and so on. What should I bring that will make me fit in and look good, but not touristy? Nancy, Tucson, Ariz. A better question may be what would make you not fit in? There are so many different versions of New York, so many layers of history and psycho-geographies uptown and downtown; literary New York and financial New York; the hipster havens of Bushwick and Greenpoint that almost anything goes, as long as it comes with the right attitude. Indeed, the quintessential New York look may be more about how you carry yourself than how you actually dress. This is a city, after all, in almost constant flux, made of people largely from elsewhere, who, as Darren Walker, the president of the Ford Foundation once told me, come to New York to reinvent themselves or become more themselves; to leave their mark. We were talking about the former fashion editor Andre Leon Talley, who in his operatic self-presentation, favoring sweeping caftans and towering hats, was one kind of quintessential New Yorker. When I asked colleagues to name some others, the answers included the writer and critic Fran Lebowitz (who favors mens suits), the actor Chloe Sevigny (known for her eclectic wardrobe), the artist Patti Smith and the social doyenne Annette de la Renta. They look very different, but the one thing they share is a clear sense of their own character, built from the inside out and expressed in the ways they dress. Thats what makes them seem so New York. Whatever you wear, said Raul Lopez, the founder of the Luar fashion label, wear it with aplomb. Worrying that you wont fit in is the thing that makes you not fit in. (Well, he added, that and waiting patiently at the corner for a traffic light to change to green.) Amazon plans to lay off 9,000 corporate and tech workers by the end of April, adding to the 18,000 roles it already cut late last year and this January, Andy Jassy, the companys chief executive, said in a note to employees on Monday. The new layoffs, which amount to less than 3 percent of its corporate work force, will target workers in some of Amazons most profitable divisions, which had previously been spared, including Amazons cloud computing business and advertising operations. Those two segments of the business are much higher-margin operations than Amazons core retail business, according to financial analysts and filings. Mr. Jassy wrote that the annual planning session that the companys leaders wrapped up last week had focused on streamlining costs and head count. The overriding tenet of our annual planning this year was to be leaner while doing so in a way that enables us to still invest robustly in the key long-term customer experiences that we believe can meaningfully improve customers lives and Amazon as a whole, he wrote. Its been a long three years. On March 19, 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a stay-at-home order for all Californians to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. As Im sure you remember, the move felt drastic a confirmation that the nightmarish uncertainty of the earliest days wasnt ending anytime soon. Weve come quite a way since then, through mask mandates and mass vaccination campaigns and the reopenings of businesses and schools. Once ubiquitous pandemic language (remember flatten the curve and quarantine pods?) has already faded from our collective lexicon. Covid, however, has become a permanent part of our lives. The virus gets less attention than it once did, but even now its origin remains the subject of intense scientific scrutiny, as my colleagues reported Friday. And Americans are still arguing about masks. The virus itself remains very much around, unlikely to burn out altogether, experts say. Though California thankfully didnt have a giant surge this winter, roughly 3,000 people in the state are still testing positive for the coronavirus each day, a level of spread that Dr. Timothy Brewer, an epidemiologist at U.C.L.A., said was akin to a very bad flu season. Philadelphia has agreed to pay $9.25 million to more than 300 people who said they were injured in the police response to racial justice protests that erupted after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the city said on Monday. The city announced the settlement with the plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit who said they sustained physical and emotional injuries in the citys response to civil unrest and demonstrations on May 31 and June 1, 2020, after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, city officials said. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit included residents of West Philadelphia and people who participated in demonstrations on Interstate 676 in which they called for police accountability. Video taken at the time showed officers using tear gas and pepper spray on protesters who had gathered minutes earlier. Plaintiffs also said that officers used rubber bullets. WASHINGTON President Biden issued the first veto of his presidency on Monday, turning back a Republican effort to bar investment managers from incorporating climate and social considerations into their decisions. The rule that the president vowed to protect is an obscure investing principle known as E.S.G. shorthand for prioritizing environmental, social and governance factors. It had been a widely accepted norm in financial circles for almost 20 years until Republicans recently started assailing it as woke capitalism that injected Democratic and liberal values into financial decisions. More than $18 trillion is held in investment funds that follow E.S.G. principles. The veto came amid a flurry of other presidential signings including one that put Mr. Biden at odds with the left wing of his party that illustrated how the president was positioning himself as a centrist in an era of divided government with an election year approaching. On Monday afternoon, Mr. Biden signed a resolution nullifying a new crime law in the District of Columbia that reduced penalties on offenses including carjackings, which have soared in the capital in recent years. Mr. Biden, under political pressure to counter Republican attacks that he is soft on crime, had drawn intense criticism from Democrats for supporting congressional efforts to overturn the law. Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida on Monday broke his silence about the potential indictment of his states most famous resident, former President Donald J. Trump, attacking the Manhattan district attorney pursuing the case but also pointedly noting the personal conduct over which Mr. Trump is being investigated. Mr. DeSantis spoke in response to a reporters question at an event in Panama City, Fla., after two days of pressure from Mr. Trumps team and his influential allies demanding that the governor speak out against an indictment that is likely to be brought by Alvin L. Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney. After a reporter asked for Mr. DeSantiss thoughts about the potential indictment and whether he might have a role in extraditing Mr. Trump to New York, the governor demurred, saying he did not know what was going to happen. But I do know this: The Manhattan district attorney is a Soros-funded prosecutor, he said of Mr. Bragg, referring to indirect financial support the district attorney received in his 2021 campaign from George Soros, the liberal billionaire philanthropist. Those donations have been the subject of attacks from Mr. Trump and other Republicans. A U.S. official said that Mr. Woodke, 62, was in Niamey and that he was being medically evaluated. Another senior administration official briefing reporters confirmed Mr. Woodkes release and said the United States had not paid a ransom or made other concessions. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity as part of standard rules for security briefings. President Biden thanked Niger and dedicated public servants across the U.S. government for securing Mr. Woodkes release. We remain committed to keep faith with Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained all around the world, and there is no higher priority for this administration than our work to bring them home, he said in a statement. A French security official confirmed that another hostage had also been released: Olivier Dubois, a French journalist who went missing in Mali in April 2021 and was later seen in a hostage video issued by a Qaeda affiliate there. Mr. Woodkes release ends an arduous ordeal in which U.S. officials believed at times that a dangerous military operation would have been required to free him. There is no indication that the United States mounted such a rescue or was involved in the release of the two men. But Mr. Woodkes kidnapping played a role in a fatal ambush of American troops in West Africa. In October 2017, U.S. soldiers raced to a location in the scrubland of Niger after intelligence officials intercepted a signal from the cellphone of a terrorist known as Doundoun Cheffou, a senior lieutenant of a former affiliate of Al Qaeda that had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. ORLANDO, Fla. House Republicans rallied around former President Donald J. Trump on Monday ahead of his expected indictment by a Manhattan grand jury, using their investigative power to scrutinize active criminal inquiries targeting him as at least one other G.O.P. lawmaker endorsed his 2024 presidential campaign. Three Republican committee chairmen demanded on Monday morning that Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney who is said to be close to indicting Mr. Trump, provide communications, documents and testimony about his investigation, an extraordinary move by Congress to involve itself in an active criminal inquiry. You are reportedly about to engage in an unprecedented abuse of prosecutorial authority. wrote Representatives Jim Jordan of Ohio of the Judiciary Committee, James R. Comer of Kentucky of the Oversight and Accountability Committee and Bryan Steil of Wisconsin of the Administration Committee. If these reports are accurate, your actions will erode the confidence in the evenhanded application of justice and unalterably interfere in the course of the 2024 presidential election. They demanded all documents and communications referring or relating to the New York County District Attorney Offices receipt and use of federal funds. Four people who marched with the Oath Keepers militia into the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, were convicted on Monday of conspiracy to obstruct the work of Congress, bringing an end to the third and final trial examining the role that members of the far-right group played in the attack. The four defendants Sandra Parker, Laura Steele, Connie Meggs and William Isaacs were also found guilty of an array of other charges, including destruction of government property and conspiracy to prevent members of Congress from discharging their duties by certifying the results of the 2020 election. Two other people charged in the case Ms. Parkers husband, Bennie Parker, and Michael Greene, a close associate of Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the Oath Keepers avoided conviction on conspiracy charges, but were both found guilty of illegally entering and remaining on the Capitol grounds. The verdicts, handed up after more than a week of deliberations in Federal District Court in Washington, followed the convictions at two separate trials of Mr. Rhodes and five other members of his group on charges of seditious conspiracy, the most significant count to have been brought so far against any of the 1,000 people arrested in connection with the Capitol attack. Donald J. Trumps call over the weekend for his supporters to protest his expected indictment has divided his allies on the right, as some fear mass gatherings could devolve into violence and lead to the prosecution of his supporters just as the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol did two years ago. While some Republicans have echoed Mr. Trumps call to take to the streets, other prominent voices on the right are urging caution and for people to stay away, particularly from New York, where they note that any potential unrest would invite prosecution from the same official who is expected to charge Mr. Trump the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg. Better to stay home, advised Jeffrey Clark, the former Justice Department official who was nearly named acting attorney general by Mr. Trump in late 2020 as the president sought to overturn his election loss. Think, rethink, and triple think before you physically go to protest anywhere in the Big Apple. The Republican speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, who owes his post in part to Mr. Trumps support, was among those urging Trump supporters to stay away on Sunday. I dont think people should protest this, no, he said during a news conference in Florida, adding, And I think President Trump, if you talk to him, he doesnt believe that, either. ATLANTA As former President Donald J. Trump awaits a possible indictment in New York, his lawyers pushed back on Monday at another criminal investigation swirling around him in Georgia, filing a motion to quash the final report of a special grand jury that considered whether Mr. Trump and some of his allies interfered in the 2020 election results in the state. The motion, filed in Atlanta, also seeks to suppress any evidence or testimony derived from the special grand jurys investigation, and it asks that the office of Fani T. Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, be disqualified from the case. Noting that the whole world has watched the investigation in Georgia unfold, the motion described the grand jury proceedings as confusing, flawed and, at times, blatantly unconstitutional. Over the weekend, Mr. Trump said in a social media post that he would be arrested on Tuesday as part of an investigation by the Manhattan district attorney into a hush money payment he made to a porn star, and called on his supporters to protest. A special counsel for the Justice Department is also investigating Mr. Trumps handling of classified documents that he kept at his home in Florida, as well as his efforts to overturn the national election results and his conduct related to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Follow the latest news of the Putin-Xi summit in Russia. Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, is scheduled to meet with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia in Moscow this week in the most high-profile visit by any world leader to Russia since before the pandemic. Coming more than a year after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, the meeting will be watched closely by Western officials for any indications of how far China may be willing to go to act as a mediator in the conflict. Chinese officials have framed the meeting partly as a mission to promote constructive talks between Russia and Ukraine, even though U.S. officials have been skeptical of Mr. Xis recent efforts to become a global peacemaker. Here are five things to know about the relationship between China and Russia: Are China and Russia allies? China and Russia are not formal allies, meaning they have not committed to defend each other with military support. But the two countries are close strategic partners, a relationship that deepened during the war in Ukraine as Russia became increasingly isolated from many other countries. Chinese officials have said the current relationship is at a historic high. The partnership is fueled by a shared goal of trying to weaken American power and influence. The authorities on Monday restricted communications across the Indian state of Punjab for a third day as a manhunt continued for a Sikh separatist leader, whose rapid rise in the public eye has stirred fears of violence in a state with vivid memories of a bloody separatist insurgency. The statewide search for Amritpal Singh, 30 who leads a group called Waris Punjab De, meaning the heirs of Punjab comes a month after the self-styled preacher and hundreds of his supporters stormed a police station with swords and firearms, demanding the release of one of his aides. Six police officials were injured in the clash. For many in India, the images of Mr. Singhs armed followers chasing police officers in the city of Amritsar raised memories of the 1980s in Punjab, Indias only Sikh-majority state, when thousands of people were killed during an insurgency by Sikh separatists that raged for years. Internet service has been blocked and telephone communications restricted in Punjab since Saturday, when the manhunt began. Local police officials said the government has deployed thousands of paramilitary soldiers to Punjab, many of whom have been patrolling streets and setting up checkpoints. It was a startling sight on the stone steps of Parliament House, the grand seat of state government in Melbourne, Australia: more than two dozen people dressed in black, many with their faces covered, each extending an arm in an unmistakable Nazi salute. The 30 or so people, who later identified themselves as members of the Australian neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Network, appeared on Saturday amid a crowd of about 300 people at a protest against transgender rights that was led by the British anti-trans rights campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull. The display shocked political leaders in Victoria, the southeastern state of which Melbourne is the capital, who on Monday said they would move to ban Nazi salutes in the state. A local lawmaker from Australias center-right opposition party was facing expulsion after she attended the rally on Saturday. Neo-Nazis have shown up at a number of events in the past few months in Melbourne which has a longstanding reputation as a progressive, multicultural city including in neighborhoods with historically large Jewish populations and at events honoring Indigenous Australians, while concerns about far-right extremism have rippled across Australia. The state visit by Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, to Russia highlights the close ties between the nations, a relationship that is increasingly crucial for Moscow as it is cut off from most of the West. China is a critical trading partner for Russia, buying up much of its oil exports while selling large volumes of products used by Russian civilians and the military. It is one of a number of countries that have maintained good terms with Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine some providing diplomatic or economic support, others military aid. Here is a look at a few of them: Belarus Russias closest regional ally, Belarus became especially reliant on Moscow after it helped President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko crush antigovernment protests in 2020. Mr. Lukashenko allowed Russia to use his country as an initial staging ground to invade Ukraine last year, and Russia has used Belarusian territory to train and supply its troops. India A major buyer of crude oil, India has helped Moscow make up for the loss in sales to European countries that have sought to reduce their dependence on Russian oil. Friendly with both Ukraine and Russia, India has not condemned Russias invasion and has been seen as a potential peacemaker. Last week, a senior Indian official called on Europe to find a solution to the war, saying it was distracting from urgent issues facing the worlds poor. The Biden administration on Monday approved a new $350 million package of military aid for Ukraine, U.S. officials said, a critical injection as Ukraine grapples with ammunition shortages and gears up for a spring offensive. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said in a statement that the aid package would include more ammunition for howitzers and HIMARS rocket launchers the American-made truck mounted rocket system in addition to ammunition for Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, HARM missiles, anti-tank weapons, riverine boats, and other equipment. This additional drawdown of military equipment from the Pentagons stockpiles is the 34th since last August, the Defense Department said in a statement. To meet Ukraines evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities, the statement added. The Biden administration has authorized drawdowns valued at approximately $19.95 billion since August 2021. In total, the United States. has committed more than $32.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning the war, according to the Defense Department. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Monday said that the visit to Moscow by Chinas president days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, amounts to Beijing providing diplomatic cover for Russia to continue to commit war crimes. President Xi Jinpings visit suggests that China feels no responsibility to hold the president accountable for the atrocities committed in Ukraine, Mr. Blinken said of Mr. Putin. Mr. Blinken made the remark during a longer criticism of the role China has sought to take in the war by offering a vague plan for peace talks that Kyiv and its Western allies have brushed off. He warned against any efforts to settle the conflict that might lead to an unjust outcome or offer Russia a chance to gain a tactical advantage in the fighting. The briefing by Mr. Blinken in Washington was to mark the release of the State Departments annual report on global human rights, which harshly condemned Russian forces for a litany of atrocities in Ukraine, including credible reports of summary execution, torture, rape and indiscriminate attacks, including ones targeting civilians. Shortly before landing in Moscow on Monday, Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, condemned the killing of nine Chinese nationals a day earlier at a gold mine in the Central African Republic, where tensions have flared between Chinese and Russian interests. Among competing claims about who was responsible including one that blamed the Kremlin-backed Wagner mercenary group Mr. Xi urged the authorities of the Central African Republic to bring the perpetrators to justice, according to a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry. The ministry said two other Chinese nationals had been severely injured and called on its citizens to leave other areas of the country for the capital, Bangui, the only place there it does not consider high-risk. The state prosecutors office told the Agence-France Presse news agency on Monday that an investigation had been opened into the killing. At least one local official blamed a rebel group for the killings, which occurred early Sunday, when masked assailants attacked a mining site run by a Chinese firm. But the Coalition of Patriots for Change, an alliance of rebel groups trying to oust the pro-Kremlin president, Faustin-Archange Touadera, denied any involvement and instead blamed Wagner, the fighting force founded by an oligarch close to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, which is also fighting in Ukraine. BRUSSELS European Union foreign and defense ministers agreed on Monday to spend up to 2 billion euros, or $2.14 billion, to supply Ukraine with badly needed artillery shells, replenish their own national stocks and ramp up Europes ammunition production. As is typical for the bloc and its 27 member states, the details of the agreement must still be worked out and questions remain about the speed of the response, a crucial matter as Ukraine prepares for a spring counteroffensive. But the agreement nevertheless marks another step for the European Union in working collectively for Ukraine, and in an area defense that member countries largely keep as a national priority. Josep Borrell Fontelles, the blocs foreign policy chief, hailed the agreement. We are taking a key step toward delivering on our promises to provide Ukraine with more artillery ammunition, he said on Twitter. President Emmanuel Macrons government was facing a crucial no-confidence vote in Frances lower house of Parliament on Monday after his government forced a pension overhaul through without a vote, incensing labor unions, sparking violent protests and setting off the most intense political turmoil since his re-election last year. In choosing to bypass Parliament, Mr. Macron opened up his government to the no-confidence effort, a move enabled by Frances Constitution, leading to two no-confidence motions in the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, against his cabinet. Votes on both are likely to be held on Monday evening, determining the future of not just the widely unpopular pension overhaul, which would push back the legal age of retirement in France to 64 from 62, but the government itself. If neither motion passes, the cabinet stays and the bill stands. But if one of the motions gathers enough votes more than half of the total number of lawmakers elected to the lower house Mr. Macrons cabinet will have to resign and the pension bill will be rejected, a huge blow to the president even though he would remain in office. The first motion, put forward by the far-right National Rally, is not expected to receive much support beyond the partys own ranks. The other, filed by a small group of independent lawmakers and backed by a broad alliance of opposition parties, poses a greater threat. While neither motion is seen as likely to get the required number of votes at least 287 to succeed, anger against Mr. Macron has intensified, and speculation over a possible surprise outcome is rampant after three days of volatility and heightened tension in French politics. Image The police surrounded protesters in central Paris on Sunday. Credit... Lewis Joly/Associated Press Mr. Macron sees the pension overhaul as crucial to Frances future. He has argued that long-term deficits will hobble the country if nothing is done to address a discrepancy between the number of active workers who pay into the pension system and the number of retirees whose government pensions come out of it. But opponents dispute the need for urgency. Even the official body that monitors Frances pension system has acknowledged that there is no immediate threat of bankruptcy and that long-term deficits are hard to predict. Labor unions have accused Mr. Macron of rushing through the age increase without considering other ways of balancing the system. The decision to push the bill through the National Assembly without a vote on Thursday set off angry, often spontaneous protests across the country, some turning into fierce confrontations between riot police and unruly or violent protesters. In Paris, demonstrators lit smoke bombs in the middle of a large shopping mall. In the southeastern city of Lyon, they tried to break into a town hall. In Nantes, to the west, they blocked a highway. Constituency offices of lawmakers favorable to the pension bill were also scrawled with graffiti and pelted with rocks. Transportation, teacher and garbage collector strikes are still continuing in some areas. If the motion is not passed, people will continue to fight to reverse the reform, said Raphael Masmejean, 31, on Friday night in central Paris at the Place de la Concorde, where protesters had lit a large fire in view of the National Assembly building. The objective of the protests, many there said, was to increase pressure on lawmakers to punish the government on Monday. That pressure is especially high on representatives of the mainstream conservative Republican party. About half of the Republican lawmakers in the National Assembly roughly 30 or so would be needed to pass the no-confidence motion that was filed by independent lawmakers. All is in the hands of these 30-or-so Republicans who are hostile to the reform, Charles de Courson, a high-profile independent lawmaker, told France Inter radio on Monday. On Saturday night, protesters threw stones at the office of the Republican party president in Nice, on the French Riviera, and left a message scrawled on a wall: The motion or the cobblestone. Image Voting for the pension bill on Thursday in the Senate. The measure was approved in the Senate, the upper house of Parliament, but uncertainty over whether it would pass in the National Assembly prompted President Emmanuel Macron to sidestep a vote there. Credit... Ludovic Marin/Agence France-Presse Getty Images Republican lawmakers are split. The partys leadership, which backed the pension bill in exchange for some concessions, has said repeatedly that it did not want to topple the government, and most of the partys lawmakers are expected to follow that line. But Aurelien Pradie, a Republican lawmaker from the rural Lot area of southwestern France who opposes the pension bill and has become a leader of sorts for party rebels, announced on Monday morning that he would vote in favor of the no-confidence motion. This law is poisoned, because it is full of democratic failings, Mr. Pradie told Europe 1 radio. He estimated that about 15 Republican lawmakers might vote like him still short of the number required for a no-confidence motion to succeed. But, he added, if the vote had become so close, it is because there is a deep democratic rupture in our country. Multiple no-confidence motions against Mr. Macrons government failed late last year after it pushed through several budget bills, and his allies have insisted that the opposition is in no position to govern. Bruno Le Maire, the economy minister, described the opposition as a clownish carriage of far-left, far-right and independent lawmakers in an interview with the newspaper Le Parisien. In a sign of the growing pressure on him, Mr. Macron was forced to appeal for calm on Sunday, and he also added that after months of political and social consultations and more than 170 hours of debate, he wanted the pension bill to run its democratic course, in a manner respectful to all. Image Police officers ran toward protesters during a protest on Saturday in Paris. Credit... Lewis Joly/Associated Press One study by the Elabe polling institute published on Monday by the BFMTV news channel found that 68 percent of those surveyed felt angry about the decision to push the bill through without a vote, and that the same percentage wanted a no-confidence motion against the government to succeed. In an interview on Sunday with the newspaper Liberation, Laurent Berger, the head of the countrys largest union, the French Democratic Confederation of Labor, said that Mr. Macrons reform was a disaster, and he urged him not to enact the pension changes even if they became law. We have gone from a feeling of scorn to a feeling of anger because of the decision to push the bill through without a vote, Mr. Berger said, even as he condemned the violent outbursts that marred protests in Paris and other cities last week. Labor unions have called for a ninth official protest on Thursday, but have been mostly absent from the weekend melees. The Paris police eventually banned protests last week on the Place de la Concorde and the nearby Champs-Elysees avenue, citing risks of disturbances to public order after two days of violent nighttime clashes between riot police and protesters who lit trash fires and threw cobblestones. Dozens of protesters were arrested throughout the country over the weekend, amid a forceful police presence. At the Place de la Concorde on Friday, Helene Aldeguer, 29, called the decision to push the bill through without a vote unbelievable and not surprising at the same time. It personifies Macrons use of power and position, said Ms. Aldeguer, a comic book artist. He is isolated. Catherine Porter and Constant Meheut contributed reporting. President Emmanuel Macrons government survived a crucial no-confidence vote in Frances lower house of Parliament on Monday after his decision to force through a change in the national retirement age set off the most intense political turmoil since his re-election last year. Because the motion failed, his signature pension bill, including a provision to raise the legal retirement age to 64 from 62, will now become law. If the no-confidence vote had passed, Mr. Macron would have become only the second French president since 1958 to have his cabinet ousted by lawmakers, and he would have faced four more years in office as a wounded lame duck. A second no-confidence motion, filed by the far-right National Rally, failed as well, with only 94 lawmakers voting in favor. Here is what to know: Lawmakers in the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, debated two no-confidence motions. One was put forward by independent lawmakers and backed by an alliance of opposition parties, and another was filed the far-right National Rally. The first motion received 278 votes, nine short of the 287 needed to pass. Nineteen mainstream conservative lawmakers from the Republican party voted in favor of the no-confidence motion, far more than expected. The second no-confidence motion received only 94 votes in favor. The close result reflected widespread anger at the overhaul to the pension law, at Mr. Macron for his apparent aloofness and at the way the measure was rammed through Parliament last week without a full vote on the bill itself. Frances upper house of Parliament, the Senate, passed the pension bill this month. In raising the retirement age, Mr. Macron has challenged a pillar of Frances cherished system of social protections. The French leader has said the change is necessary to raise the competitiveness of Frances economy and bring it more in line with its European partners. The logic of the reform, at a time when people are living longer and most European states have raised the retirement age to 65 or over, was unpersuasive to many French people fiercely attached to the countrys cherished work-life balance. Mr. Macrons opponents argue that Frances pension system is in no immediate danger of insolvency and accuse him not considering other methods. Even though lawmakers rejected the no-confidence motions, demonstrators have vowed to battle on, and Mr. Macron may be even more vilified in the French streets. Demonstrators have vowed to continue protesting. Since Mr. Macron used a constitutional provision last week without a full vote of Parliament, spontaneous and sometimes violent protests have erupted around the country. The protests have raised fears of broader unrest such as that seen four years ago in the Yellow Vest movement that forced the government to repeal a contested fuel tax. Constant Meheut contributed reporting. A U.S. and Greek national who worked on Metas security and trust team while based in Greece was placed under a yearlong wiretap by the Greek national intelligence service and hacked with a powerful cyberespionage tool, according to documents obtained by The New York Times and officials with knowledge of the case. The disclosure is the first known case of an American citizen being targeted in a European Union country by the advanced snooping technology, the use of which has been the subject of a widening scandal in Greece. It demonstrates that the illicit use of spyware is spreading beyond use by authoritarian governments against opposition figures and journalists, and has begun to creep into European democracies, even ensnaring a foreign national working for a major global corporation. The simultaneous tapping of the targets phone by the national intelligence service and the way she was hacked indicate that the spy service and whoever implanted the spyware, known as Predator, were working hand in hand. The latest case comes as elections approach in Greece, which has been rocked by a mounting wiretapping and illegal spyware scandal since last year, raising accusations that the government has abused the powers of its spy agency for illicit purposes. By pushing through its plan to overhaul pensions and raise the national retirement age by two years to 64, the French government has exposed itself to no-confidence motions that could bring down President Emmanuel Macrons cabinet an outcome not seen in half a century of French politics. While predictions suggest that a no-confidence motion is unlikely to pass, recent statements from legislators who are seen as critical swing voters indicate that the outcome could be closer than expected. Heres how todays vote will unfold and what could happen next: Two no-confidence motions have been filed. Debate is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in France (11 a.m. Eastern) in the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, in which Mr. Macrons Renaissance party does not hold a majority. Each motion requires a simple majority of 287 votes to pass. Voting is expected to take place immediately after the debate, with a result expected around 6 p.m. The first motion, put forward by the far-right National Rally the party of former presidential candidate Marine Le Pen is not expected to receive much support beyond the partys own ranks. The other, filed by a small group of independent lawmakers and backed by a broad alliance of opposition parties, poses the greater threat to Mr. Macrons government. The second motion is expected to be the first to be presented, followed by the motion supported by the National Rally. Representatives of each parliamentary group will then take the floor and Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne will conclude the debate. A secret ballot will then be held, in the order in which the motions were presented. Standing side by side in a show of partnership unshaken by Russias yearlong war in Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin and Chinas top leader, Xi Jinping, began talks in Moscow on Monday with boasts of their close ties and only understated mention of the conflict itself. Though the war and the schisms it has exposed hung over the meeting, the public comments about it from Mr. Xi and Mr. Putin were muted, notwithstanding the cascading consequences of the past year, including Western sanctions on Russia, energy crises in Europe and devastation in Ukraine. Instead, the leaders went to great lengths to flatter each other and project unity in a series of meticulously choreographed events. Mr. Xi is the highest-profile world leader to visit Russia since the invasion, and he arrived for the three-day visit as bloody battles continued in eastern Ukraine and only three days after the Russian leader was cited for war crimes by the International Criminal Court. The imagery of alliance, in gestures if not a formal treaty, has stoked anxiety in the West that China might go farther than diplomacy or economics in its support for Russia possibly with weapons for use in Mr. Putins war and entrench a powerful bloc opposed to NATO and the United States. As a concession to critics, the Israeli government said it had modified the planned overhaul of judicial selections to include a provision that would prevent more than two Supreme Court justices from being appointed during each parliamentary term without the support of at least one opposition lawmaker on the committee. All judicial appointments to lower courts would also need the backing of at least one opposition lawmaker or judge on the committee. The governing coalition also said that it would delay other parts of the program, including a proposal to limit the courts oversight over Parliament, until at least late April. Government lawmakers presented the changes as major concessions. An earlier version of the plan placed no limits on how many judges could be appointed to the Supreme Court without opposition consent, and some coalition members said that the new plan had given up too much ground. But opposition leaders and protest organizers said that the new proposals would still give the government too much control over a court that is currently one of the few curbs on government overreach. Critics say that the changes would allow the government of the day to act with too few restraints on its power, endangering minority rights, and perhaps even pave the way for a more authoritarian and religious system of governance. A Florida University professor plans to spend 100 days 30 feet under the oceans surface, in an underwater lodge, as a scientific experiment to find out how the constant increased pressure affects his body and mind. The current world record for time spent living underwater was set in 2014 by two Tennessee biologists who managed to live submerged for a total of 73 days, but if University of South Florida professor Joseph Dituri meets his set goal, he will beat that record by a whopping 27 days. At the beginning of this month, Dituri, who also goes by the nickname Dr. Deepsea, moved into Jules Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, an underwater hotel 30 feet under the surface, where he plans to remain until June 9th. During this time, he and a team of physicians and scientists plan to conduct a series of tests to see how living underwater for prolonged periods of time affects the human body and mind. Photo: Christian Palmer/Unsplash The human body has never been underwater that long, so I will be monitored closely, Prof. Dituri said in a statement. This study will examine every way this journey impacts my body, but my null hypothesis is that there will be improvements to my health due to the increased pressure. Dituri bases his hypothesis on the findings of a study in which cells exposed to higher pressure doubled within five days. He and others at the University of South Florida now believe that the increased pressure could increase his longevity and prevent diseases tied to aging. To keep water from entering the lodge, air must constantly be pumped into the living space, which creates a pressure about 1.6 times that of Earths surface. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joe Dituri (@drdeepsea) During the 100 days, the 55-year-old university professor will be regularly visited by a medical team who will run a series of tests, including blood panels, ultrasounds, and electrocardiograms. He will also undergo psychosocial and psychological tests to understand the mental effects of being stuck alone underwater for long periods of time. A Thai man is taking his ex-wife to court, accusing her of concealing a lottery win of 12 million baht ($352,000) from him before breaking up with him over the phone and marrying someone else. Narin, a 47-year-old scorned man from Thailands Isan region, recently hired a lawyer to help him wage a legal battle against his wife of 20 years who allegedly left him to marry another man after winning the lottery. The man claims his ex-wife, 43-year-old Chaweewan, with whom he has three daughters, took advantage of the fact that he was working in South Korea to support the family and simply broke off with him over the phone last month without so much as an explanation. He returned home at the beginning of his month to confront the woman only to learn that she had already married another man, a local police officer, just days earlier. Photo: Waldemar/Unsplash I was shocked and did not know what to do, Narin recently told reporters. I am disappointed. I did not expect that my wife of 20 years would do this to me. I only had 60,000 baht left in my bank account because I gave money to her every month. I want to call out for justice and the money that I deserve. The 47-year-old man claims that he only learned about his wifes lottery win from his daughters, who told him that she had won around 12 million baht ($352,000). Unfortunately, Narin doesnt have a marriage certificate, because he and Chaweewan never made their relationship official, but his lawyer insists that he is still entitled to half of the lottery prize, as relatives and members of their respective families can confirm their long-term relationship. Chaweewan, on the other hand, filed a complaint against her ex-husband on grounds of defamation, claiming that he is lying in order to get his hands on some free money. The woman told police that it was actually Narin who broke up with her over the phone years ago and that he is only back in the picture because he heard about her lottery win. She insists that her neighbors all know that they split a long time ago. The 43-year-old woman also accused Narin of laying about routinely sending the family 27,000 to 30,000 baht per month, as he only deposited 3,000 to 4,000 baht to their daughters bank accounts. After going viral in Thailand, this case is being investigated by police and other authorities to determine whether the lawsuit is justified. Just last month, we wrote about a man who was forced to compensate his spouse after concealing lottery win from her for years. A Colombian woman who lost her husband at the hands of a local crime boss, spent years planning her revenge, seducing him and gathering evidence to have him arrested for multiple crimes. In what sounds like the script of a Hollywood blockbuster, a Colombian woman managed to do what the police and the military could not avenge the death of her husband and bring a dangerous criminal to justice. The unnamed woman was hailed as a hero by police and journalists in Cordoba, Colombia, after spending years getting close to a cunning criminal and gathering enough evidence to have them prosecuted. But she was no crime fighter, just a grieving widow getting revenge on the man who had had her husband assassinated years before Photo: @PoliciaColombia Ruben Dario Viloria Barrios posed as a respectable merchant in the town of Cienaga de Oro and most of those who knew him described him as a deeply religious man who preached the word of God. But behind the scenes, he was Juancho, a criminal mastermind who orchestrated the shipment of narcotics to Central America and the United States, ordered assassination attempts against rivals and even former collaborators and trafficked firearms and ammunition. Because he kept a very low profile and didnt actively participate in criminal activities, Juancho managed to keep the authorities at bay, but there were people who knew about his illegal dealings. Among these few was a woman whose husband the ruthless crime lord had ordered a hit against, for reasons that have not been made public. After mourning her husband, the woman reportedly started infiltrating Juanchos social circles, slowly getting close to him and eventually getting him to fall in love with her. Photo: @PoliciaColombia Viloria Barrios eventually grew to trust the woman so much that he shared information about his criminal dealings, which she then turned over to the authorities. Police had been suspecting him since 2020, but without enough evidence to convict him, they were powerless to act. With the information provided by Juanchos confident, authorities were able to build a rock-solid case against him. It was reportedly the woman who set up Ruben Dario Viloria Barrios to be arrested. She told police that he would be attending a meeting with other criminals in Monteria, and the Special Operations Group of the National Police managed to capture him in what was called the Corona operation. Wanted by Interpol, Juancho now faces decades of prison time. As for the woman who orchestrated his downfall, she got to avenge the death of her husband. TULLAMORE businessman, counselling service founder and 2021 Offaly Person of the Year James O'Connor was buried on Monday after a moving funeral Mass in his home town. The 43-year-old died after an illness on St Patrick's Day and hundreds of mourners paid their respects at the Church of the Assumption. At a service which opened with an emotional rendition of Frank Sinatra's 'My Way', celebrant Fr Fergal Cummins described the owner of shopfitting firm Fititout.ie as a very helpful, honest and hardworking man. He loved chatting with people and encouraging people to reach their full potential. James mentored many different people here in Tullamore and beyond, as evidenced by his founding of ACT, Accessible Counselling Tullamore, said Fr Cummins. James did not just fit out shops and stores, he encouraged people to aim for excellence, to ask the right questions, to improve things, to be fussy and always do the job right. A community man, James valued people. Judging by the numbers of you here, he not only knew you all, but loved you all. Gifts representing aspects of the deceased's life, from his entrepreneurship, to his work promoting better mental health and to his life in the construction industry, were brought to the altar. In his homily, Fr Cummins quoted from St Philip Neri who said that if one wanted to go to extremes one should do so in sweetness, patience, humility and charity. This quote sums up James' life. He was a big guy with a big heart. He loved his wife Lisa, adored his nieces and nephews and took his role of godfather most seriously. Fr Cummins added: Growing up in Tullamore and later settling in Knockowen Road, James always knew the value of money and learned many important life lessons early in his life. In hard times he sought help and learned to adapt and his favourite book was Alfred Lansing's 'Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage' because it spoke to him of resilience, to hang on in there, better days lie ahead. Like everyone else in this church James had his demons. He sought help and he faced his struggles, grew through them and taught others to love themselves more. One may say that over the years James learned to love himself more. Picking up on the theme of the virtuous man being blameless before God, Fr Cummins explained how he had got to know James from visiting him in hospital over the previous couple of years. What would normally be a few minutes' visit in the hospital could end up being an hour because James was very funny and a highly engaging conversationalist. He recalled God's graces were flowing through Mr O'Connor before he died. James' honesty always shone through him. May we be honest always too. Fr Cummins referred to Mr O'Connor's daughter Leah Victoria, who died as a baby in 1999: James often said he was not afraid of death. He was at peace with himself and he looked forward to being reunited with the soul of his beloved baby girl, Leah Victoria. The priest spoke of how James treasured his memories with his wife Lisa. James had a lot of love in his heart. He was very passionate, sensitive, present and focused, in helping people, and in guiding people away from harmful habits or destructive tendencies. Fr Cummins recalled an old maxim from his psychological studies: The mind can be a dangerous place, don't go there alone. Accessible Counselling Tullamore (ACT) had helped many people to stay alive, to cope better to address their hurt and to receive healing, grace and growth, and had done a lot of work and will continue to do a lot of work. Perhaps that work doesn't often get acknowledged. We must continue to support ACT. Don't let it die. Mr O'Connor had reached out to concretely help people from his own resources. James was a proud son of Tullamore. He taught us all that we are always growing, we all need support, both to offer it by giving it and to be humble enough to receive it. He was a very generous man. He paid for the latest batch of flowers around this church. He often helped people who needed help. James himself was very creative, entertaining and loving to people. He liked things to be simple, direct and he absolutely hated lies. James loved his farm in Cadamstown and spent many the time there with his beloved nephew Jamie. Addressing a congregation where many of James' friends and work colleagues wore high-vis jackets, Fr Cummins pointed out that St James was the patron saint of labourers. The song 'Candle in the Wind', with the opening words changed to Goodbye gentle Jim, was sung, as was 'One Life' by Dermot Kennedy. Jason McDermott, an old friend of James, read a poem the deceased and Lisa loved, 'If' by Rudyard Kipling, which begins: If you can keep your head when all about you/Are losing theirs and blaming it on you/If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you/But make allowance for their doubting too... Mr McDermott remarked: James wanted me to thank everyone, but I don't want to do that. I know it'll be all of us thanking James for spending his short time here with us. James' remains were brought to Clonminch cemetery for interment in a Fititout.ie van, a fitting tribute to a man whose passing is deeply mourned by so many businesses in Tullamore and much further afield because of the contribution his company made to them. In a tribute, Tullamore & District Chamber of Commerce said Mr O'Connor had been an active member and promoter of the chamber for many years, and a man who founded his retail fit-out firm in 1997 and built it into one of the leading companies in the country with many award winning projects. Despite his busy schedule, James always found the time to support so many community projects and charities and was a promoter of mental health awareness throughout the Midlands and beyond, launching the Green Ribbon campaign. In his pursuit of improving mental health services in the Midlands, James and Lisa established ACT Tullamore in 2020, providing professional and accessible counselling services for people throughout Ireland, the chamber said. It was a huge privilege to have known him. This truly inspirational gentleman has inspired and helped so many people in our community. He leaves behind a legacy that will continue to help the lives of many people into the future. James O'Connor, Knockowen Road, Tullamore died peacefully in his sleep with his beloved wife Lisa by his side. He was predeceased by his baby daughter Leah Victoria, who died in 1999. He will be sadly missed by his wife Lisa, his mother Dolores, her partner Eddie, his brothers Jason and Michael, his sister Jane, his father-in-law Eddie and mother-in-law Teresa, his much loved nieces, nephews, godchildren, brothers and sister in law, aunts, uncles, cousins and his huge circle of friends. Sky News 19 Mar 2023 Police in Pakistan have filed terrorism and other charges against former prime minister Imran Khan, as well as 17 of his aides and.. After almost two years since being abducted by Islamic extremists, a US aid worker and a French journalist have been freed in West Africa. UK Strikes To Cause A 'Tsunami' Of Unrest For North Sea Oil And Gas By Charles Kennedy of OilPrice.com, Dozens of oil and gas.. Upworthy 21 Mar 2023 The EU's new rules on imports draw dissatisfaction from its members over the perception of its dependence on China. 2008-2023 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. China and Russia have each expressed concern over the ICC's arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, the EU is finalizing a deal to supply Ukraine with 2 billion worth of ammunition. DW has the latest. Ukraine has welcomed the boost, calling it a "very strong step to protect European security." Meanwhile, China's premier is in Moscow to discuss his peace plan for Ukraine with Vladimir Putin. Follow DW for the latest. Upworthy 20 Mar 2023 Indian officials shut down the internet in Punjab as they hunted a renegade preacher, a leading figure in an outlawed separatist.. India's reaction to the London High Commission's tricolour removal was fast and strong. The same day, a key British ambassador was called for a reprimand by the Indian government. Newsy 30 Mar 2023 ViewThe White House on Thursday said it has new evidence that Russia is looking again to North Korea for weapons to fuel the war in.. Eurasia Review 28 Mar 2023 The recent turmoil that has roiled the global banking sector has placed central bankers in an impossible position: Cut rates and.. All eyes will be on the economy as Congress returns this week to deal with the Silicon Valley Bank fallout and works to prevent a financial crisis. The trip marks the Chinese leader's first visit to Moscow since Russia launched its war on Ukraine. Beijing is seeking to play a role as peacemaker in the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday hoping for support against Western pressure over his war in Ukraine, while Xi will present China as a global peacemaker intent on brokering an end to the conflict. North Korea says it has simulated a nuclear counterattack against the US and South Korea as it fired another ballistic missile over the weekend - its fifth this month. Cases of murder, torture, and sexual violence in Iran's crackdown on widespread protests may amount to crimes against humanity, a UN special rapporteur has said. The White House has said an American aid worker who was kidnapped in the West African nation more than six years ago has been released from custody. American humanitarian worker Jeff Woodke was kidnapped from his home in Niger in 2016 by men who ambushed his guards and forced him into their truck. German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach wants to help those who suffer from serious side-effects of the COVID-19 vaccines. For those affected, this is a long overdue step. Newsy 21 Mar 2023 ViewIn an address to banking leaders on Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the U.S. was prepared for future banking.. A major new United Nations report being released Monday is expected to provide a sobering reminder that time is running out if humanity wants to avoid passing a dangerous global warming threshold. The report by hundreds of the worlds top scientists is the first to summarize the research on global warming compiled since the Paris climate accord was sealed in 2015. It was approved by representatives from all U.N. member states during a week-long meeting of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report in the Swiss town of Interlaken, meaning governments have accepted its findings as authoritative advice. At the start of the meeting U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that more must be done to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Sky News 20 Mar 2023 Five children ranging from eight to 17 years of age have died following a crash in the US. The Florida governor, who had refrained for days from weighing in on the potential indictment of his likely 2024 rival, accused the Manhattan district attorney of political motivations. The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change releases a new and devastating report on the danger climate change has on the world. Rumble 15 Apr 2023 Join Wayne Allyn Root as he shares a countdown of the BIGGEST stories of the week every conservative patriot needs to know. Russia and African parliamentarians continue forging solidarity against growing neo-colonial tendencies in Africa. The parliamentarians, far ahead of their symbolic gathering, have intensified political dialogue and support for Russia's war on neighbouring Ukraine, and further expressed readiness to support Africa's economic... The 49th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC Member States held on March 16-17, 2023 in Mauritania. The issue of Palestine and Afghanistan dominated overall discussion of the summit. After decades of war, suffering and insecurity, the people of Afghanistan need relief and peace. The OIC being the highest... 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... ViewPresident Joe Biden spoke Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express "concern" over his government's planned overhaul of the country's judicial system that has sparked widespread protests across Israel and to encourage compromise. The White House said President Biden reiterated U.S. concerns about... The arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for Russian President Vladimir Putin came at an opportune moment. It was, if nothing else, a feeble distraction over the misdeeds and crimes of other leaders current and former. Russia, not being an ICC member country, does not acknowledge that courts jurisdiction. ... The largest Swiss bank, UBS, has agreed to acquire its most significant rival, Credit Suisse, for around $3.2 billion, in a deal negotiated by the Swiss government. Switzerland awoke to a new era on Monday after UBS swept up Credit Suisse in a government-brokered rescue that dented the country's long-held pride in its banking expertise. A bank employee association said it was deeply shocked by the potential consequences from the deal to save the 167-year-old #switzerland #ubs #lakezurich #greenparty #gerhardandrey #tobiasstraumann #universityofzurich #neuezuercherzeitung #tagesanzeiger #ralphhamers ViewFormer President Donald Trump's calls for protests ahead of his anticipated indictment in New York have generated mostly muted reactions from supporters, with even some of his most ardent loyalists dismissing the idea as a waste of time or a law enforcement trap. The ambivalence raises questions about whether Trump,... Taiwan's ex-president Ma Ying-jeou will travel to China next week, his spokesman said Monday, in the first cross-strait visit by a current or former leader of the island in more than 70 years. Oneindia 21 Mar 2023 A French journalist and an American aid worker who were kidnapped by armed groups in the Sahel region of Africa have finally been.. Rumble 13 Apr 2023 We always want the best for our cats and allowing them to move in and out of our homes is, in most cases, a basic need for them. As.. Haiti is again in serious domestic trouble. The American President will visit briefly Canada this week and ask for our help in Haiti. We should give it gladly since it can only make the situation better. Biden is handing us a place in the sun in our shared sphere of influence in the Caribbean. In a geo-political sense, Haiti may... Xi arrives in Moscow for state visit to Russia Xinhua) 18:24, March 20, 2023 Chinese President Xi Jinping is warmly greeted by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and other senior Russian officials by the ramp upon his arrival at the Moscow Vnukovo Airport in Moscow, Russia, March 20, 2023. At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday afternoon for a state visit to Russia. Xi's plane arrived at the Moscow Vnukovo Airport around 13:00 local time. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) MOSCOW, March 20 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday afternoon for a state visit to Russia through Wednesday. Xi's plane arrived at the Moscow Vnukovo Airport around 13:00 local time. As he stepped out of the plane, Xi was warmly greeted by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and other senior Russian officials by the ramp. The Russian side held a grand welcome ceremony at the airport. The military band played the national anthems of China and Russia. Xi inspected the honor guard of the three services and watched the march-past. Xi delivered an arrival statement, extending warm greetings and best wishes to the Russian government and people on behalf of the Chinese government and people. He stressed that China and Russia are friendly neighbors connected by shared mountains and rivers, adding that the two countries have consolidated and grown the bilateral relationship on the basis of no-alliance, no-confrontation and not targeting any third party, and set a fine example for developing a new model of major-country relations. The growth of China-Russia relations has not only brought tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, but also made important contributions to the development and progress of the world, he said. Noting that both being major countries in the world and permanent members of the UN Security Council, Xi said that China and Russia play important roles in international affairs. In a world of volatility and transformation, China will continue to work with Russia to safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, he said. China will work with Russia to uphold true multilateralism, promote a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations, and help make global governance more just and equitable, he said. He expressed confidence that the visit will produce fruitful results, and inject fresh impetus into the sound and steady growth of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the honor guard of the three services and watches the march-past at the Moscow Vnukovo Airport in Moscow, Russia, March 20, 2023. At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday afternoon for a state visit to Russia. Xi's plane arrived at the Moscow Vnukovo Airport around 13:00 local time. As he stepped out of the plane, Xi was warmly greeted by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and other senior Russian officials by the ramp. The Russian side held a grand welcome ceremony at the airport. The military band played the national anthems of China and Russia. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) This photo taken on March 20, 2023 shows a welcome sign for Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow, Russia. At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday afternoon for a state visit to Russia through Wednesday. (Xinhua/Cao Yang) People welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow, Russia, March 20, 2023. At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday afternoon for a state visit to Russia through Wednesday. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Mahamadou Camara, former director of Cabinet of the late President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and former Minister of Communication, who has been accused of complicity in embezzlement of public funds, has been granted provisional freedom Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - A much awaited Final Political Agreement will be signed in Khartoum on 1 April and a transitional civilian government will be in place before mid-April, a spokesman for the civilian-military and international consortium group, announced in Khartoum Photo: (Photo : Pexel/Andrew Patrick) Parents of children with special needs are going to court against a public school, claiming their children have been physically and mentally abused. A lawsuit was filed Wednesday against the Chicago Public School (CPS) and two unnamed teachers by a group of eight parents and guardians of special needs children in kindergarten through second grade. The parents claimed that a teacher, who has been with the Whistler Elementary School for 20 long years, has physically and mentally abused their children with the knowledge and even "support" of the school principal and possibly other staff. The lawsuit also indicated that the victims, children with special needs ranging from five to eight years old and with various developmental and physical changes like cerebral palsy, autism, and ADHD, had been hit by the teacher with her hand or wooden rulers, threatened with physical harm when they could not complete an assignment or a task and cursed at, NBC Chicago reported. The alarming allegations came after an alleged recording of the teacher came out, where she can be heard telling the students at Whistler Elementary, "the longer you cry, the longer I will hit you." The School 'failed' to protect the students. Some parents stated that they saw "marks" on their kids' bodies and faces, and when they talked about this to teachers and the principal, the reply they received would put the blame on their children's clumsiness, the reason they fell and got the marks. One of the parents, Candace Bowen, expressed her disappointment towards the school Thursday morning in a news conference, stating that she trusted the school district and the principal and administrators to protect her child and yet they have failed both her and her daughter. Some parents described the horror of the situation as they witnessed how their children's behavior drastically changed in the prior months and how they are currently experiencing trauma. One parent shared with ABC 7 Chicago that since her daughter attended CPS, she saw her daughter's behavior turn for the worse - having sudden violent tantrums, throwing herself around, banging her head on the floor, and pulling out her hair. Julie Hagan, a mother of a six-year-old boy diagnosed with autism, noticed her son stopped eating lunch shortly after attending the school. She also observed that the boy would cry when they arrived at school, not wanting to go in. She also started hearing unusual expressions and words at home like "Shut your a-word up," which she initially thought her son got from other kids, never imagining that he was getting it from the teacher's foul mouth. According to the lawsuit, the teacher's misconduct has been continuous and ongoing through February. Read More: Preschool Teachers Charged With Child Cruelty After Video Shows Them Abusing Kids in Classroom Parent pleads for the abuser 'to go to jail' The Cochran Firm, representing the parents, came out with disturbing photos - a kid's red, swollen cheek, a student subjected to what the school calls an "illegal forced time-out," and a broken ruler, which was allegedly used for disciplinary beatings. Moreover, audio clips were also released where the teacher was captured abusing a student physically as punishment. Parents were crying when the audio clips were played, according to Fox 32 Chicago. "Chicago Public Schools is committed to the safety and well-being of our students and takes seriously all allegations of employee misconduct. CPS investigates and addresses all complaints in accordance with district policies and procedures to foster safe and secure learning environments in all schools. In accordance with student privacy laws, the district does not comment on ongoing investigations and/or personnel matters," CPS said in an issued statement to NBC 5. They further reassured parents that its Office of Student Protections and Title IX are investigating the allegations. They cannot comment on it in accordance with student privacy laws. Corporal punishment is prohibited as per CPS policy. Hagan expressed that she wants the teacher "to go to jail" and her abuse to be an "open secret." Related article: Georgia Teacher Resigns After Knocking Down Special Needs Student [VIDEO] Photo: (Photo : Getty Images/Nicholas Hunt) The Hollywood couple has been married for 34 years and counting, and though their situation has been complicated due to the actor's Parkinson's disease, the secret to their flourishing marriage is uncomplicatedly simple. The couple attended the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival screening for Fox's documentary film, "Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie," and shared with People how their marriage lasted more than three decades. The 62-year-old actress revealed that their secrets are pretty simple - listening and being there for each other and then balancing this with enough time apart. "I think we really listen to each other. We are there for each other when we need each other. And then we also give each other space when that's needed. Just feeling off of what's needed at the moment and trying to be there," Pollan expressed. Credit goes to his wife Fox agreed with his wife yet emphasized that she should get most of the credit for their long marriage and beautiful family. They share four grown-up children. Their eldest is 33-year-old son Sam, then twin daughters Aquinnah and Schuyler, 28, and their youngest, 21-year-old daughter Esme. The 61-year-old actor expressed how his wife gives the family everything they need. He stressed that anything good in their family and what they do comes from Pollan. Fox shared a family photo on Instagram for Mother's Day last year. His caption stated that their children, being "beautiful, sensitive, intelligent, empathetic, independent, compassionate, adventurous (and) lovely people," are all his wife's fault. Read More: Jamie Lee Curtis Shares Three Secrets of 38 Years Marriage With Husband Christopher Guest 'Parkinson's sucks,' but self-pity sucks all the more But nothing can prove better what marriage is all about and what unconditional love is than Fox and Pollan journeying Parkinson's disease and all its effects together and both choosing to stay despite it. Fox has shared so many times, and most recently when he accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award last November 2022, that their marriage survived because his wife chose to stay after they found out about his Parkinson's diagnosis in 1991, even if she knew that she would "carry the weight" of their marriage and their family. Fox knew "it would get worse" and that the "progress was indefinite and uncertain," yet Pollan "made it clear" that she was with him for the entire duration, Today reported. The actor opened up about his diagnosis in 1998, seven years after he was diagnosed, admitting that he decided not to make it known since he went through a stage of denial. However, when he realized that it was not the way he wanted to live with the disease, he informed his fans about it, was surprised by the support and empathy, and ensured that his experience would help other victims of the disease. When asked how he has been doing, he honestly expressed that he no longer has time for self-pity as it is equivalent to abusing himself. He blatantly declared that "Parkinson's sucks," yet he also cannot deny that he has a great life and a beautiful family. Thus, he has no regrets at all. Related article: Michael J. Fox News and Update: The 'Back To The Future' Star Joins Dave Matthews On Stage For A Parkinson's Charity Event Photo: (Photo : Pexel/Pavel Danilyuk) Advocates in Tarrant County are pushing a new Texas law to finally criminalize medical child abuse, commonly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy. If the law is passed, Texas will be the country's first state to have this. Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) is a surfacing "serious form of child abuse," as stated by the National Library of Medicine. Unfortunately, perpetrators of this medical child abuse, usually the parents of the children themselves, cannot be felonized due to an absence of a law against it in America. Munchausen syndrome by proxy, now also called factitious disorder imposed upon another and fabricated or induced illness by carers, is a mental disorder in which a caretaker, mostly and usually the mothers, though there have already been reports pointing to fathers, intentionally lies about producing illness and its causes to their own children and getting satisfaction from their children obtaining unnecessary medical care and procedures. The victims are usually below six years old. Cases under this disorder remain undiagnosed, resulting in unnecessary check-ups and hospitalization, resulting in victims getting real diseases or, worse, even dying. Twenty-seven-year-old Jordyn Hope, a victim of her mother, did not know she was being abused until she reached college. "It's the most lethal form of child abuse. A lot of children die. And yet it is the hardest to criminalize or get the child out," she implied. A case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) Kristi Carroll, a Tarrant County mom, had periodically lied about her son's health a few months after his birth in 2016. She frequented the hospital with him, telling doctors he could not keep his food down. The result was a medical procedure where the child needed to be inserted with a gastric feeding tube. This happened because the medical team was under the impression that the boy was seriously ill. After some time, Carroll returned to the hospital with her son telling the doctors that the little boy was vomiting with the inserted feeding tube. Another procedure was made, and a central line was inserted to administer nutrition through the baby's veins. According to the warrant of arrest, the medical staff began to notice that the mother was strangely behaving. According to the medical staff, she posted on her Facebook account that her baby stopped breathing and had to be revived, even if this never happened. They were also shocked to see the excitement on her face when they told her that her baby boy might need an intestinal transplant. Carroll came to the Cook Children's Medical Center in January 2018, reporting that her son had thrown up. Based on video surveillance, the hospital found this was a lie as they saw the mother spilling liquid on her son's bed to create fake vomit. It was later found out that Carroll had faked and lied about her child's sickness from 2017 to 2018, an arrest warrant affidavit stated. Hospital staff reported her for possible medical abuse, and an investigation happened in 2018 by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Her son was removed from her care within a month, and the baby's central line was removed. In April 2018, it was found that Caroll had Munchausen syndrome by proxy. However, come March 2019, Caroll had her son back, as ruled by a Tarrant County judge, and as per the arrest warrant, she went back to abusing her son through unnecessary medical procedures. In October 2019, a criminal investigation started that led to her arrest. After five months, she was eventually charged with three counts of injury to a child, with a maximum penalty of two to ten years of service in prison. The mother took a plea deal, admitted to faking her child's illnesses, and got a "light" sentence of five years probation, 160 hours of community service, and a court fine of only $355. She was given back the custody of her son but was prohibited from "harmful or injurious contact," and the father should be with her on any hospital visits. Read More: Colorado Mom Kelly Turner, Who Faked Daughter's Illness, Admits Guilt Over Her Death Cases hard to persecute Tarrant County, Texas, has caught more perpetrators of medical child abuse than any other state in the country. They have established efficient multiple systems to recognize, report and investigate suspected cases. However, they get frustrated that despite evidence and all, these cases are hard to prosecute as there is no law against medical child abuse specifically. Like what happened in Carroll's case, perpetrators receive light sentences and still are given custody of the child they caused harm to. A leading expert in medical child abuse for decades, Dr. Marc Feldman, thinks Tarrant County is "doing the best job" in handling cases of Munchausen syndrome by proxy in the country. However, no matter how good they are, he stated that since the jury is still out, the court might continue to mishandle the cases. This is how crucial the new Texas law that is being pushed for approval is, Fort Worth Star-Telegram explained. Since 2009, 11 women in Tarrant County have been accused of medical child abuse and were convicted. There are three other women charged but on pending trial. Related article: Texas Mom Overdoses Daughter with Benadryl to Fake Seizures, Tells Police She's a 'Horrible Person' Photo: (Photo : DAXIA ROJAS /Getty Images) A Christian college in Virginia is gaining attention for its unique approach to higher education. Patrick Henry College is challenging the norms of liberal elite universities and returning sanity to education. The impressive performance of this Christian college is credited to several factors. Firstly, the college's large homeschool population has contributed to producing well-rounded graduates. Secondly, the college has implemented a device ban and a dress code for students, which have helped develop strong work ethics and discipline. Christian college that offers' return to sanity' education According to Fox News, Jeremy Tate, a former college counselor, suggests that although many people have college degrees, more individuals need to possess the desired work ethic and integrity that employers seek. Tate attributes the success of Patrick Henry College to several factors, including the college's large homeschool population, which constitutes 75 percent of the student body, a device ban on campus, and a dress code for students. Tate claims that the college is molding students in the right way, which he believes is a return to common sense and sanity. The commitments distinguishing Patrick Henry College from any other college in the world are its academic rigor, lessons on the American founding, and a biblical worldview, as reported by a spokesperson for the college. Patrick Henry College aims to equip its graduates to make an immediate and lasting impact for Christ and liberty. Compared to students from conventional schools, Patrick Henry College's graduates are better disciplined and exhibit a stronger work ethic. According to PR News, Patrick Henry College, established only 22 years ago, has achieved a high rank among colleges and universities in the United States. SACSCOC accredits the college and aims to challenge the established norms in higher education by emphasizing faith and reason in a rigorous academic setting. Through its commitment to producing graduates with a strong work ethic and discipline, the Christian College has shown that faith-based education can be a viable alternative to the conventional form of higher education. Read Also: San Antonio Zoo's Giant Tree Branch Injures 7 Family Members, Including 5 Children Homeschool population's success on the CLT exam Tate's Classic Learning Test (CLT) exam is an alternative standardized test to the SAT or ACT for college entrance. The students who attended home schools and took the CLT test performed significantly better than their counterparts, achieving an average score of approximately 78 points. According to an analysis of CLT data between 2016 and 2021 conducted by a professor in Houston, students attending private and charter schools achieved scores of 75 and 73, respectively. The average score for students attending public schools was 66, making them the group that performed the worst. Tate stated that these college students, who come from a large group of kids who went to homeschool, can offer a program deep in core knowledge and deep in the humanities where students graduate and do well in the exams and the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). According to Tate, the Christian College receives students who come into the college having already established a solid foundation for themselves. According to Patrick Henry College, the average score that graduating seniors at Patrick Henry College, who took the LSAT in 2021, achieved was 171, which placed them in the 95th percentile for the entire country. This is at par with what is expected of first-year students at the nation's most prestigious educational institutions. Related Article: U.S. Maternal Mortality Skyrockets To Highest in 60 Years Due to COVID-19 Photo: (Photo : Joe Raedle/ Getty Images) Scenic Fruit Company recalled frozen organic strawberries and its tropical blend product due to a possible link to a hepatitis A outbreak. The company produces these products nationwide, including at retailers such as Aldi, Costco, and Trader Joe's. The recall was initiated after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that certain brands of frozen organic strawberries sold at various retailers, including Trader Joe's and Costco, may be linked to the hepatitis A outbreak. The FDA has confirmed that five people have been sickened with confirmed or probable cases, with two requiring hospitalization. The outbreak included three confirmed and two probable cases in Washington State. Scenic Fruit Company recalls frozen organic strawberries ABC reported that the FDA began investigating the outbreak and traced it back to imported frozen organic strawberries from farms in Baja California and Mexico sold to multiple retailers under different brand names. The hepatitis A virus strain causing illnesses this year is identical genetically to the strain that caused the outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections in 2022. The previous outbreak last year was linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from the same farms in Baja California and sold at various retailers. As part of the ongoing investigation, California Splendor and Scenic Fruit have voluntarily recalled certain lots of frozen strawberries. California Splendor has issued a recall of 4-pound bags of Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries that were sold at Costco stores in Hawaii and Los Angeles and two business centers in San Diego. Customers who purchased the product from these locations are advised to return it to the store and receive a refund. Scenic Fruit Company has recalled certain frozen organic strawberries sold to Aldi, KeHE, Costco, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets in specific states and frozen organic tropical blends sold to Trader Joe's nationwide. Read Also: Abortion Battle: Senators Urge Walmart, Costco, Albertsons, Kroger To Sell Mifepristone in Their Pharmacies Recall on frozen fruits for consumer safety According to the FDA, Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease caused by exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, which can occur through contaminated food. The severity of the illness can vary from a mild sickness lasting a few weeks to a serious condition lasting several months. In rare cases, individuals with pre-existing severe illnesses or compromised immune systems may experience liver failure due to the infection. Symptoms of Hepatitis A typically manifest within 15 to 50 days of exposure and include fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine, and pale stool. The Hepatitis A vaccine can help prevent illness if administered within two weeks of exposure to contaminated food. According to NBC, the company has also ceased production and distribution of the products as the FDA, and the company continues investigating what caused the problem. The FDA urged consumers to stop consuming the recalled products and return them to their local store for a refund. Although hepatitis A has not been detected in these products, the company recalled them out of an abundance of caution. If an individual has consumed the recalled frozen organic strawberries within the past two weeks, there are several important considerations to remember. Firstly, if the individual has not received a vaccination against hepatitis A, they may be susceptible to contracting an infection. Secondly, if they are experiencing symptoms consistent with a hepatitis A infection, such as fatigue, nausea, or abdominal pain, it is recommended that they seek immediate medical attention. This could involve contacting their healthcare provider or visiting a nearby health department to receive testing and treatment if required. Related Articles: Healthy Eating for Busy Families: Meal Planning, Time-Saving Tips for Eating Well It's being reported that Microsoft is preparing to launch a new app store for games on iPhones and Android smartphones as soon as next year if its $75bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard is cleared by regulators, according to the head of its Xbox business, Phil Spencer. The Financial Times (FT) reports that "New rules requiring Apple and Google to open up their mobile platforms to app stores owned and operated by other companies are expected to come into force from March 2024 under the EUs Digital Markets Act. Phil Spencer stated in an interview at the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco that "We want to be in a position to offer Xbox and content from both us and our third-party partners across any screen where somebody would want to play. Microsoft and Apple have tussled for years over how the software giants cloud-based gaming service, which is part of Xbox Game Pass, operates on iPhones. Microsoft has argued Apples App Store rules restrict its ability to offer cloud gaming through a single app that runs natively on the iPhone, forcing users to access the service via a web browser, resulting in lower performance. Apple has denied it blocks cloud gaming apps, but App Store rules require providers to list each game on the App Store individually. This is similar to restrictions on Amazons Kindle ereader app wherein Apple doesn't allow individual games to be purchased from a storefront within native apps. For more on this, read the full Financial Times report. Dan Delzell, the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Papillion, Nebraska, wrote the article, Why offering petitions to departed saints offends God (The Christian Post, 3-18-23). His words will be in blue. If you are someone who regularly offers petitions to departed saints, try to imagine going a whole week only offering petitions to God. And then imagine yourself doing that for an entire month. You would be pleasantly surprised at just how refreshed your soul would be after 30 days of biblical, Christ-centered prayer. Most of us who ask saints to pray for us, pray straight to God as well (probably the majority of the time), so this is a non sequitur. It assumes things that arent manifestly true. Its the usual misrepresentation of Catholic practice, complete with the almost obligatory accompanying condescension, as if Catholics are unaware that we can pray directly to God. Scripture instructs followers of Christ to offer petitions to the only One in Heaven who is worthy of such requests: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6). Sure, we can and do do that. But it doesnt rule out prayer to dead saints; asking them to pray fir us or some cause. How do we know that? Well, our Lord Jesus taught it to us. He taught that a person in Hades (Sheol) could pray to Abraham (the rich man made both a petition and two intercessory requests): Luke 16:24, 28, 30 (RSV) And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame. . . . [27] And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my fathers house, [28] for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment. . . . [30] No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent. The usual responses to this are three utterly failed, miserable attempts at rationalizing the text away: 1) Abraham said no; 2) its only a parable, and so is irrelevant. 3) the rich man was dead, too. As for #1: the prayer doesnt have to be answered for it to be a prayer or for it to be proper to pray to Abraham. Abraham refused the request, and gave the reason why. God refuses prayer requests too. But if it were fundamentally improper or wrong, Abraham would have had to correct the rich man, and say, Pray only to God! Why are you praying to me?! He never did (nor did he say it was impossible for him to fulfill by whatever means any request); therefore, Jesus taught that it was proper and permissible to pray to someone other than God; a dead man. Abraham appears in the story to be able to fulfill prayer requests by his own powers. Why is the whole story about the rich man asking Abraham for requests, rather than going directly to God and asking Him? God is never even mentioned in the entire story! Abraham didnt say that he couldnt cause or help cause these things to happen (as a praying intermediary), but that it wouldnt make any difference, because if they were to repent, thy would have already done so as a result of reading Moses and the prophets (Lk 16:31). In the case of the first request, Abraham noted that it was not permitted (implied: by God) to cross from one region of Hades to the other. It matters not if both men are dead; the rich man still cant do what he did, according to Protestant categories of thought and theology. This just isnt how its supposed to be, from a Protestant perspective. All the emphases are wrong, and there are serious theological errors, committed by Jesus Himself (i.e., from their perspective). It creates huge problems for Protestant theology and biblical inspiration alike; even for Christology (if Jesus Himself is dead wrong about something so central to faith as prayer). As to #2: Its not a parable, as I and many argue (they dont contain proper names and are usually identified as a parable in context), but even if it were, Jesus couldnt tell an untruth or false bit of theology in it. He couldnt tell a parable, for example, in which there were four Persons in the Trinity or sixteen gods who have existed for all eternity, or a God that is not eternal. That cant happen because 1) Hes Jesus, Who is God and knows all things, and 2) the Bible in which these parables are found is itself without error. So this argument proves nothing whatsoever. If we can never pray to anyone but God (i.e., ask them to intercede to God for us), then Jesus simply couldnt and wouldnt teach it in His story, whether it is a parable or not. But He did, so there we have it. I have argued this probably twenty times through the years and it is no less self-evident now than it ever was. As to #3: if indeed it is absolutely forbidden to ever pray to anyone besides God, then its irrelevant whether the rich man was dead or not. He prayed to someone besides God. And Abraham didnt rebuke him, and Jesus was teaching the entire thing for the instruction of His hearers (and later readers). In fact, offering petitions to departed saints is actually offensive to God. It wasnt offensive to Jesus, Who was God. He taught it! In a CP op-ed 10 years ago titled, Praying to the Departed Conjures Fallen Angels, I wrote, Prayers to the departed never reach St. Paul, or St. Augustine, or the mother of our Lord, or the brother of our Lord, or St. Francis of Assisi, or any other saint . . . Really? Why is it, then, that the Bible teaches the following: Revelation 5:8 . . . the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints; The 24 elders are usually regarded as dead men by commentators. What are they doing with the prayers of the saints if all such supposedly only go straight to God and nowhere else? See also: Revelation 8:4 and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. Now angels appear to be involved with prayers, too. How can this be? And of course we also see dead men in heaven praying an imprecatory prayer (that enemies of God would be judged: prominent in the Psalms): Revelation 6:9-10 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne; [10] they cried out with a loud voice, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before thou wilt judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth? Why would God be offended when one of his children offers petitions to departed saints? Because it is hugely disrespectful to the Lord to offer petitions to anyone in Heaven other than God himself. Thats not taught in the Bible, either. Besides the rich man and Abraham, the rightness of which was confirmed by our Lord and Savior Jesus, Lot prayed to angels, and there is not the slightest hint in the text that this was wrong or improper: Genesis 19:15, 18-22 When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city. . . . [18] And Lot said to them, Oh, no, my lords; [19] behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life; but I cannot flee to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me, and I die. [20] Behold, yonder city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there is it not a little one? and my life will be saved! [21] He said to him, Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. [22] Make haste, escape there; for I can do nothing till you arrive there. The minute we turn to a departed saint to help grant our petition we veer away from biblical prayer. Not according to Luke 16, which is straight from the mouth of Jesus, God the Son, in inspired, infallible Scripture (Luke 16). You see, the Lord forbids his children from attempting to communicate with the departed. Then how could Jesus teach that departed Abraham could be prayed to? In Deuteronomy 18:9-13, the Lord gave his chosen people the following instructions: When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices, the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God. Yes; thats occultic practice, which all Christians agree are wrong and forbidden. Asking a dead saint to pray is simply not the same as that. He commits a fundamental category mistake. See my paper, Invocation of the Saints = Necromancy? [10-18-08]. Consulting departed saints by offering petitions to them is forbidden by the Lord. Its not, as shown above. Likewise, when individuals offer petitions to departed saints, they are dabbling with dark power, . . . Then Jesus must be guilty of participating in dark arts of sorcery, divination, and spiritism. . . . demons oppress people who engage in occult practices . . . Its fascinating that, according to the false speculations of Rev. Delzell, Jesus Himself participated in such evil practices by recommending them; therefore, He must have been oppressed by, or in league with demons, in this scenario: precisely what His enemies accused Him of: Matthew 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it they said, It is only by Be-elzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons. (cf. 9:34; Lk 11:15) John 10:20 Many of them said, He has a demon, and he is mad; why listen to him? *** In this post, youll find a selection from Going Through the Mysterys One Hundred Questions. Also, a few years back, while I was in the midst of translating and commenting on these old cases, I gave a talk about this and included some excerpts from the awakening story of an incredible awakened woman from the 20th century, Yaeko Iwasaki. You can find the unedited version in The Three Pillars of Zen, Part VI Yaeko Iwasakis Enlightenment Letters to Harada-roshi and his Comments. Highly recommended and inspirational. You can find the audio recording of the talk over on my Patreon site, along with an ad free version of this very post. When I got to editing my comments of Going Through the Mystery for the final version, it just didnt work to quote as much from Three PIllars as I had done in the talk, so below you wont find the Yaeko Iwasaki material. The two versions work, text and talk, together well, seems to me. Enjoy! Click here to support my Zen teaching practice at Patreon of which translations and writings like this are one facet. You will also find an advertisement free version of this post there. Question 18: What Conditions No Place Not Known? Yuantong asked: Prajna and ignorance. What conditions no-place not-known? Wansong replied: Do not slander anothers good. Linquans Verse Do not slander anothers good A skillful explanation is not equal to the direct way Just talking can cut off the subtle mystery Then see the mind contriving the unproduced Towering, towering, flying, flying self-thus faith Sweep through the dead leaves of past positions Commentary Juxtaposed with prajna and ignorance, Yuantong asks what conditions , no place not known, aka, omniscience. Today, within a close teacher-student relationship, Yuantong might hear, Oh my goodness, you are so in your head! I can still feel the sting of the verbal blows dished out by Katagiri Roshi to the young Dosho. With sadness in his eyes, seemingly wondering if he was wasting his life with students like me, he mutter almost to himself, Thats just your thinking. Always. Wansong begins his an ancient scolding by pointing out that asking about omniscience, acting like he does not know, is itself slander of Yuantongs original inheritance. Linquan takes it from there, saying that talking about no-place not-known is a betrayal of the mystery. But, thankfully, we are not left there. Linquan points his index finger straight at the moon: Towering, towering, flying, flying self-thus faith. Self-thus is the keyword here with faith slathered on for good measure. Towering, towering, , originally referred to a table mountain and now means determined, unmoving, or steadfast. Dogen also useds this binomial, for example, in his Healing Point of Zazen, along with , meaning earth or ground, so the phrase is translated as steadfast sitting, or fixed sitting. This phrase is a crucial teaching in Dogen Zen. You should, says Dogen, investigate and receive the authentic transmission of steadfast sitting. This is the thorough study of steadfast sitting transmitted in the buddha way. Linquan, though, rather than pair towering, towering, , with , ground, pairs towering with flying, flying, , for a much more dynamic expression. In modern Chinese, the whole sentence, Towering, towering, flying, flying self-thus faith, sounds like this: wuwu tengteng xin ziru. But remember, Just talking can cut off the subtle mystery. The invitation here is to embody the self-thus , towering and flying, and immediately, intimately Sweep through the dead leaves of past positions. Dosho Port began practicing Zen in 1977 and now co-teaches with his wife, Tetsugan Zummach Sensei, with Vine of Obstacles Zen, an online training group. Dosho received dharma transmission from Dainin Katagiri Roshi and inka shomei from James Myoun Ford Roshi in the Harada-Yasutani lineage. He is also the author of Keep Me In Your Heart a While: The Haunting Zen of Dainin Katagiri. Doshos translation and commentary on The Record of Empty Hall: One Hundred Classic Koans, was published in 2021 (Shambhala). His third book, Going Through the Mysterys One Hundred Questions, is now available. Click here to support the teaching practice of Dosho Roshi. Vodafone Cash has highlighted its commitment to improving financial inclusion in the country at the Mobile Technology for Development Conference (MT4D, 2023), themed Driving Digital Financial Inclusion in the Real Economy. Vodafone Cash sponsored the event held at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra to foster collaboration among industry players and strengthen efforts toward financial inclusion in Ghana. Judith Adumua-Bossman, Vodafone Cash Mobile Financial Services Manager, spoke at the event about Vodafone Cashs efforts to improve financial inclusion in Ghana. Mobile money has gone beyond cash in and cash out, and we are looking for ways to develop innovative products for our customers, said Judith. As an example, she highlighted Vodafone Cashs overdraft service, which allows customers to borrow to complete transactions, offering them more convenience when purchasing a bundle, paying bills, and sending money across all networks. As a business, Vodafone Cash has also made significant contributions to the agribusiness sector in Ghana, according to Judith. She spoke about the companys partnership with Farmerline and Aquafresh, which provides farmers with the technical support they need to practise better farming. Judith also noted that Vodafone Ghana, with the support of the government, has extended its coverage through its roaming and rural telephony projects. We believe that financial inclusion is crucial to the development of the economy and the welfare of the people. It is not enough to have technology; we must evolve it, said Judith. Vodafone Cash has been focused on helping liberalise mobile money to embrace all and sundry since its inception. To achieve this goal, Vodafone Cash has taken the lead in introducing new and pioneering initiatives and campaigns to promote financial services. We are passionate about developing financial products and partnering with technology firms to improve financial inclusion in Ghana and improve the lives of individuals, concluded Judith. The Mobile Technology for Development Conference provides a platform for industry players to discuss the latest developments in the mobile technology space and their potential for driving financial inclusion in Ghana. Vodafone Cashs participation as a headline sponsor highlights its commitment to driving financial inclusion in Ghana through innovative financial products and services. 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 Former Finance Minister and NDC flagbearer hopeful Dr Kwabena Duffuor has commiserated with traders who were affected by the fire outbreak at the Kejetia Central Market yesterday. Speaking on Adom FM's Dwaso Nsem show, Dr Duffuor said the incident was a very unfortunate one. He indicated his connection with the Kejetia Market project as it is one of the last projects, he worked on during the administration of the Late Prof. Mills. "The Kejetia Market is very dear to my heart because it is one of the last projects, I worked on under the Late Prof Mills, Dr Duffuor said. The aspiring NDC Leader called on the government to immediately provide the needed support for the affected traders. Dr Duffuor also called on Mayor of Kumasi and the management of the market to take all necessary steps to protect lives and properties. 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 Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has served notice of appealing a judgement against him in a defamatory case. He had fife a defamation case against Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong. He said his lawyers have carefully studied the judgment and concluded that the judge moved into the arena of criminal prosecution hence the need to appeal the case. He further reminded Kennedy Agyapong that the defamation suit filed against him in the United State of America is ongoing. Anas said this after rejecting the High Court ruling on the case he filed against Mr Agyapong. My team and I and the lawyers have carefully studied the judgment delivered by the court and we are unanimous that the judge made an overreach and descended into the arena and made criminal pronouncements about me as If I was standing a criminal trial. He also justified the MP accusing me of the murder of JB Danquah, murder of 20 Chinese nationals. We are filing an appeal because there was no evidence provided, Anas said in a video recording responding to the judgment. He added, last year we also filed another defamation case against the MP in the United States where he made similar defamatory statements against me. The case is ongoing. This comes after an Accra High Court on Wednesday, March 15 dismissed the GH25 million defamation suit against Kennedy Ohene Agyapong brought by Anas. The judge, Justice Eric Baah, held that Anas failed to prove that Ken Agyapong defamed him by airing the documentary Who watches the watchman but rather, the documentary exposed shady deals that Anas and his associates were involved in. This was after Anas, in 2018, sued the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker for allegedly defaming him. Anas prayed to the court to award GH25 million against Mr Agyapong to compensate him for the defamatory material published against him by the MP. The court concluded that what Anas is engaged in is not investigative journalism but rather investigative terrorism and that Agyapong was justified to call Anas a blackmailer, corrupt, an extortionist, and evil. I find the claims by the plaintiff [Anas Aremeyaw Anas) meritless and they are hereby dismissed, Justice Baah ruled. 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 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 some time 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. 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 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 Retired Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has refused to be labeled as belonging to or being against a particular party or political ideology. She cited having served under all five presidents of the Fourth Republic to buttress her view that she had more than anything served the nation. Her life at the bench spanned 24 years ending in 2019 when she retired having served her final two years as Chief Justice of Ghana, replacing Georgina Theodora Wood, the pioneer woman CJ of Ghana. In outlining her service to Ghana under different presidents, she told Joy News (February 15) that she started her life at the bench thanks to late President Jerry John Rawlings. I made sure that in the speech I was asked to give when I was sworn in by the president as Chief Justice, I made sure that I commented on the peculiar fact that it was president Rawlings who appointed me to the Supreme Court straight from private practice. Then it was president Kufuor who nominated me to the African Court and for most of the time, it was presidents Mills or Mahama who would be attending the African Union meetings, she explained. She said before the presidents (Mills/Mahama) arrived, they ask staffers to seek special needs that the justices had and help us with the political powers. Sophia Akuffo, who happens to be related to president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was elected CJ in 2017 handing over to the current CJ Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah in 2019. Asked about the fact that she belonged to a family and friends government, she said: That is perception. I know what I am worth in terms of the work that I do and have done I have acquitted myself very well in every assignment that I have been given, she stressed. The former CJ months back hogged news headlines after she lambasted government for the manner in which it went about the Domestic Debt Exchange programme. She joined a group of pensioners at their picketing session in front of the finance ministry in Accra. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Samuel Dubik Mahama has refuted claims that the new Kejetia Central Market fire outbreak may have resulted from the market's meter. Over 8,000 stalls were reported to be running on one meter and this raised concerns leading some people to attribute the fire to this situation. More than 50 shops were reportedly burned down in a fire that gutted the market on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Clarifying the matter in an interview on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", Mr. Dubik Mahama explained that the Kejetia Central Market is using a bulk meter, hence the thousands of shops can run on the meter. "It's on the transformer. So, it reads the amount of power in the transformer that has been given to the area," he told Kwami Sefa Kayi. The ECG MD held strongly that it is impossible for the meter to cause fire in the market. "The market is run by a limited liability company . . . Just like the University of Ghana and Burma Camp, we call a meter 'bulk meter'; it's huge. It is not a small meter for someone to say 8,000 people using one meter making it seem the meter caused the fire. It's not possible. It's not possible!", he insisted. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video There is a looming disturbance at the headquarters of the African Faith Tabernacle Church in Anyinam in Atiwa East District of Eastern Region over the planned burial of the late leader of the Church, Superior Prophet David Nkansah. The leadership of the Church and Children of the late leader has described the intended burial and funeral rites by some few family members beginning March 20, 2023, as illegal, threatening to violently interfere to stop them despite threats of military and national security deployment on to protect the family. Superior Prophet David Kwaku Nkansah died at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on Wednesday, 16th February 2022. National trustees of the Church and a section of his family have since been litigating over his burial and funeral rites as well as a selection of his successor. The escalating tension compelled the Atiwa East District Security Council (DISEC) to shut down the headquarters of the church but some family members still occupy the mission house at the headquarters known as Bethlehem. Speaking to the media the newly elected Leader of African Faith Tabernacle church Superior Prophet Stephen Frimpong Nkansah explained that, the constitution of the Church enjoins the leadership to perform befitting burial and funeral rites for the late leader in collaboration with the family. However, a section of the bereaved family is blocking the Church leadership in this regard as part of the grand motive to take control of the Church as bonafide family property. The Church paid all medical costs of our late former leader when he was sick, flew him three times to India for kidney transplant without the support of any of his family members. "After his passing, the Church took him to the morgue and did all documentation however the mortuary attendants are being threatened by some faceless security operatives to ignore the church leadership to release the body to the family for burial without the knowledge of the children and even the widow. " We are calling on the IGP Dr. Akufo Dampare to intervene to avoid any clashes because we will not allow the family to desecrate the body of our late leader to bury him as an ordinary person. "Even though he belongs to a family, the Church is his bigger family and as done for previous leaders the Church is supposed to perform befitting burial and funeral for him, Superior Prophet Stephen Frimpong Nkansah told Starr News. Osabarimaba Kwabena Boadu, elder Son of the late Superior Prophet Nkansah told Starr News that the Children are unaware of the intended burial and funeral rites and therefore will not allow it to happen. The funeral will not happen. I am repeating it, the funeral will not come off. When my father was sick no family member helped him even when he died it is the church that did everything and put him in the morgue so, on behalf of my siblings, I want to assure everyone that the burial and funeral will not happen. We the children and the Church are yet to meet to fix a date for the burial and funeral. Chief of Anyinam Barima Okogyeabusua Banin Duodu said the traditional council has not been officially informed about the intended burial and funeral rite of the late Superior Prophet David Nkansah, as tradition demands. He said the dispute was taken to Okyenhene by the family however they were directed to take the matter first to Anyinam traditional council for resolution but the Head of the bereaved family did not show up. The Anyinam District Police Commander Mahama Iddrisu told Starr News the Police has not been notified of the planned burial however considering the security implication will investigate for the necessary security intervention to maintain law and order. Leadership crises. After the demise of the Late Superior Prophet David Nkansah, a section of his family claimed that he nominated his 17-year-old cousin to be ordained as the next leader of the Church when he dies. However, the Elders, Trustees, and Executives debunked the familys assertion as false. They chose Superior Prophet Stephen Frimpong Nkansah who was the linguist to the late Prophet David Nkansah to be the next leader. The Elders, Trustees, and Executives subsequently issued a statement on April 13, 2022, In the wake of the demise of the late Superior Prophet David Nkansah II, the National Trustees, National Officers, and the Regional Representatives of African Faith Tabernacle Church are pleased to announce the appointment of Chief Pastor Stephen Frimpong Nkansah as the acting leader of the Church, with effect from 7th April 2022. The statement described Chief Pastor Stephen Frimpong Nkansah as a competent leader who has broad and quite unique experience from both church leadership and doctrines. Superior Prophet Stephen Frimpong Nkansah was confirmed during a National delegates election held at Amasaman in Greater Accra Region on March 11, 2023, with 379 delegates from 22 regions including La Cote dIvoire, Liberia, London, and Australia having polled 355 votes to beat two other contenders- Chief Pastor Dr. Samuel Asare Baadu and Chief Pastor Apostle James Kofi Takyi who obtained 15 and 7 votes respectively, with two spoilt ballots. African Faith Tabernacle Church is a renowned Ghanaian indigenous spiritual church founded in the year 1919 by the late prophet James Kwame Nkansah who died in 1987. After his death, Superior Prophet David succeeded him until his death in 2022. The headquarters of the Church is located in Anyinam in the Eastern Region.The church has over 1000 branches in Ghana, some West African countries, and Europe. Source: kasapaonline 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 Activist Aisha Yesufu has called out UKs Ambassador to Nigeria, Catriona Laing for telling Nigerians to be proud of the presidential election. In a video she shared, Aisha Yesufu recalled how Catriona said she was fascinated by the presidential election. She sarcastically congratulated the UK ambassador, adding that Nigerian politicians heard her loud and clear and killed more people in the just concluded governorship and house of assembly election. Aisha Yesufu stated that Catriona is telling Nigerians to accept what cant be accepted in her home country, UK. Yesufu also alleged that developed countries want Africa to continue being down so they can always send handouts. The activist who decried killings in the elections, said the UK ambassador must be proud of the election even though people are not harassed in her country during elections. Watch the video below... View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lindaikejiblog (@lindaikejiblogofficial) 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 National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha has pleaded with the good people of the Volta region not to allow themselves to be used as just voting machines, producing votes for the NDC in only elections times. In an interview with Volta-based Stone City FM which was also carried by Keta-based Sandcity Radio, the hardworking youth leader who is on a National Tour to all the 16 regions of the country stated, You are not voting machines. It should be a hand go; hand come affair. The Volta region has been loyal to the NDC since 1992. But what has been the reward for the region for this loyalty? The NPP has brought more development to this region despite our stay in office compared to the NDC. We have offered young people hope and will continue to make the development of young people our priority. Explaining further on the development of the region by NPP government, The Road Master as he is affectionately called said We are constructing 8 district hospitals under Agenda 111 in the region which includes Agortime Ziope District, Agortoe in the Anloga District, Ave-Dakpa in the Akatsi North District, Adeheta in the Akatsi South District, Adaklu Waya in the Adaklu District, Kpeve New Town in the South Dayi District, Dzolokputa in the Ho West District and Ve-Golokwati Afadzato in the Afadzato South District. Volta Regional Youth Resource Centre, the asphalting of roads, digitalization, 1D1F, creating job opportunities, the hosting of the 66th Independence Day in the Volta region among others. Under President Kuffour, we also had Health Insurance, Free Maternal Care, etc He continued further, let us begin to have a conversation as to which of these two political parties have benefited more in terms of votes and which party has contributed more in terms of development. The youth of this region must do an analysis of the two parties and see which is good for the region in terms of development and progress. On the current state of the economy, he indicated that yes, we, including his excellency the president have all admitted that we are in a crisis largely due to exogenous factors of Covid-19 and the war in Russia and Ukraine. Ghana was the faster's growing economy in the world somewhere in 2019, according to Reuters and Bloomberg. We were ahead of China and the USA. "And it is only the NPP that can take us out of our current situation. Even our management of COVID-19 has been one of the best in the world. Under John Mahama and the NDC, when we were struck with mere cholera, we lost over 213 people in Ghana. If they couldn't manage mere cholera, how could they have managed COVID? Even in our current state, we are still not doing badly, our lights are still on, and we still get fuel at the pump to buy. In the UK, Spain, Italy, and Nigeria, there is a shortage of fuel. There is dumsor there too The Youth Leader further argued that lets not fall for the NDC's propaganda, lies and treachery. They left office with virtually nothing left behind. All our statutory payments, GETFUND, NHIA, Common Fund, Road Fund, etc. were all in arrears. Even in the midst of all these difficulties, we still pay public sector workers monthly without delay, we still meet all our statutory payments obligations, our lights are still on, there is enough fuel at the pump, etc. We have carried water, and we have carried wine, and we tell which one is heavier. Per the track record, it's evident that the NPP has done more to the development and progress of the Volta region than the NDC. It is now time for the good people of the Volta region, especially the youth, to reward the NPP by voting for us in 2024 to break the 8 and do more for the region He concluded his interactive interview with an appeal to the region once more the NPP truly deserves a 3rd term based on our track record and performance. We have demonstrated enough commitment to solving the problems of the country more than the NDC. We have superior ideas and policy initiatives than NDC. I am not disappointed that Ghanaians are complaining because of the current economic difficulties. It is because they hold us in high esteem. The National Youth Organiser has been on a National Tour to touch base with the youth and partys youth organisers and their deputies across the country. He is also using the opportunity to assess the strength of the party and energize the base of the party. He has been accompanied across the country by his two (2) deputies, Isaac Jay Hyde and Sandra Sarkodee-Addo. As well as the National Youth Wing Administrator, Prince A. A. Sadat. 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 The ruling government intends to reintroduce the collection of road tolls, according to a statement from the Finance Ministry. It may be recalled that the road toll was scrapped following the introduction of E-levy. According to the government, the e-levy would replace road tolls. In view of this, many have asked what will happen to the controversial e-levy since the collection of the road toll is being reintroduced. One of them is the host of Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Kwami Sefa Kayi. Listen to the video below Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has asked the government to cancel the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) now that the government is planning to reintroduce road tolls. 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 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 Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, the Member of Parliament for Asawase Constituency, has stated that he will not retract his defamation suit against some National Democratic Congress (NDC) branch executives in his constituency until they withdraw their libelous allegations. The allegations made against him claimed that he owned 15 shops in the newly-built Asawase Market. Mr. Muntaka has filed a defamation suit demanding GH10 million in damages against the 11 branch executives involved in publishing and circulating the allegations. Former President John Dramani Mahama visited the Constituency on Saturday, March 18, to begin his three-day campaign for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Primary. During the rally, Mr. Mahama urged all warring factions to reconcile and seek peace. Following the rally, Mr. Muntaka told TV3 that he would not withdraw his lawsuit despite calls for peace. He said the issues must be addressed to prevent any future issues during the NDC and New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary contest. Obviously, if they want that, they will have to retract what they said because you cannot make those kinds of allegations, he said. Remember, beyond the primaries we have a contest with the NPP and if I dont fight it now and they start to quote my own people, what do I have to say? Despite efforts made by national executives to resolve the issue, some executives have put resources together to pick nomination forms for a rival candidate, Mubarak Masawudu. 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 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 Former President John Dramani Mahama will today, Sunday commence a three-day campaign tour of the Ashanti Region. Mr. Mahama will be meeting and interacting with branch and constituency executives in 20 of the 47 constituencies. Mr. Mahama is leading the pack in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential primaries in May this year. He launched his campaign at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ho, the Volta Regional capital in early March, asking the partys delegates to vote massively for him. He noted among others, in all humility, and response to calls from my party and the generality of the people of Ghana, to offer myself, to serve this country According to Mahama, who is the frontrunner in the quest to lead the NDC to the 2024 polls, he is in no doubt about the enormity of the task ahead, owing to the level of damage done to our country by this government. 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 Republic, through the Attorney-General, has stated that the State has succeeded in establishing a case against all the accused persons including former Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, in the criminal trial involving the supply to the State of vehicles unworthy to be used as ambulances in 2015. Arguing in written submissions filed on 16th March, 2023, the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, submits that a consideration of the evidence led at the trial so far by the prosecution should easily lead to the conclusion that the prosecution has satisfied all the elements of the offences contained in charges preferred against the accused. The Republic argues further that the evidence given orally by the prosecutions witnesses was buttressed by a large volume of documents directly confirming the truth of assertions made by the witnesses. The prosecution points out that the actions of the first accused, Dr Ato Forson directly led to financial loss to the State in the purchase of the vehicles purporting to be ambulances. By a letter dated 7th August 2014, signed by Dr Ato Forson, the Bank of Ghana was urgently instructed to establish an irrevocable transferable Letter of Credit (LC) in the sum of EUR 3,950,000.00 in favour of Big Sea General Trading LLC. as payment for the ambulances to the Ministry of Health. This authorisation for the LCs to be established resulted in the payment of 2,370,000 for the supply of vehicles by Big Sea General Trading LLC, which did not meet the description of an ambulance (a fact clearly established from the evidence on record). According to the prosecution, Dr Forsons actions, judged in light of the terms of the contract governing the transaction, showed that he violated the duty he owed as a public officer with responsibility over the use of the public purse by virtue of his status as a Deputy Minister of Finance in 2014. His actions were criminally negligent and most unwarranted. Justifying why Dr Forsons actions were criminally negligent or reckless, the prosecution stated that Dr Forsons instruction for LCs to be established, were contrary to the terms of the ambulance contract, since none of the conditions set out in the contract before payment could be made, had been satisfied. The Deputy Controller and Accountant-General, relying on Dr Forsons letters, wrote to the Bank of Ghana for payment to be made. After this, the vehicles were shipped contrary to the terms of the agreement. Unfortunately, when delivered, the vehicles were not fit to be described as ambulances. It is indisputable, on the facts established at the trial, that, first accuseds actions and omissions led to the loss to the state. The State argued. The Attorney-General further submitted that the first accuseds omission to respect the terms of the agreement between the parties, showed mens rea to wilfully cause financial loss to the Republic. It can clearly be deduced that he desired to cause financial loss, or he foresaw the loss as virtually certain but took an unjustifiable risk of it, or he could foresee the loss as probable consequence but elected to unreasonably risk same, or he failed to exercise due care and attention and thereby caused a loss, Mr. Dame argued. The Attorney-General further submitted that the first accused did his actions without any further authorisation from any quarters. A careful examination of the record does not disclose any so-called authorisation by the former Minister for Finance or, indeed, any superior officer. On the contrary, exhibits tendered by the prosecution show that Dr Forson acted on his own and not through any alleged authorisation by his former boss, Mr Seth Tekper. The actions taken by the Controller and Accountant-General as well as the Bank of Ghana, all relied on first accuseds actions, not any action by Mr. Seth Terkper, the prosecution stated. Further, the prosecution points out that the Republic actually tendered in evidence an internal memorandum from the Ministry of Finance regarding the matters in issue that showed that the Ministry of Finance staff who worked on the transaction relied solely on the authorisation by Dr Forson, and not the Minister, Mr. Seth Terkper. This exhibit, in the prosecutions view, gave an insight into the understanding and thinking of the staff of the Ministry of Finance who worked on the authorisation for the LCs to be established. They clearly attributed their action and decision to the direction of first accused, and not the Minister. They were under no illusion that the authorisation for the LCs to be established was coming from first accused, not his boss. Nowhere in the statement given by Mr. Seth Terkper to the police did he claim ownership of the letters written by Dr Ato Forson. On the contrary, Mr. Terkpers actions around the same time that the first accuseds letters were written, showed a completely different inclination, as the Honourable Minister rather was working on reviving the Stanbic facility which was the parliamentary-approved means of payment for the transaction. It is very obvious therefore, that, the Minister and his deputy, first accused, were doing different things around the same time. Whilst one (the Minister) was working on ensuring a success of the parliamentary-approved facility, the other (first accused), was working to ensure payment contrary to the terms of the contract and from a source that had not been approved by parliament. The Republic continued that as would reasonably be expected of a person exercising public power over the management of public funds, the first thing to be done when authorizing payment for any kind of item is to check whether the payment was due. This can easily be ascertained from a consideration of the contract regarding the transaction in issue. A cursory examination of the contract by first accused would have disclosed to him that, at the time he instructed Bank of Ghana and Controller and Accountant-General to effect payment, payment was not due at all under the relevant contract. According to the Republic, this is because clause 6 of the contract explicitly prohibited advance payment. The goods were to be delivered before the LCs were to be opened in favour of the supplier to pay for them. Pre-shipment inspection of the vehicles was required to be done to ensure that the vehicles met the specification of ambulances stated in the contract. This was not done, but Ato Forson authorised for payment to be done. Unfortunately for the first accused when the vehicles arrived, they were not fit for purpose. Letters written by Dr Alex Segbefia, former Minister for Health, indicated categorically that the vehicles were ordinary vans, and not ambulances). These letters written by Dr. Alex Segbefia were tendered in without objection by counsel for the defence. It is the first accuseds recklessness in not ensuring that the terms of the agreement were adhered to that caused all the problems and resulted in the institution of the criminal case against him. If he had exercised the requisite ordinary caution and observation in not making advance payment and waited until the goods had been delivered at the Port of Tema, as he was required to do by clauses under the agreement, the defects on the vehicles would have been noticed and the necessary action taken without any payment by the Government of Ghana. The prosecution further stated that assuming without admitting that the first accused was justified in considering the contract as effective, the action of the former Minister of Health, Madam Sherry Aryittey, when she was called upon to perform the contract, exposed the recklessness of the first accused. In reaction to the advice of Dr Dominic Ayine, former Deputy Attorney-General, that the contract had become effective and therefore had to be performed, Madam Sherry Aryittey, exercising proper care and caution, indicated to the former Deputy Attorney-General that the Stanbic Facility required for the performance of the contract, had not been secured and therefore, her Ministry did not have budgetary provision for the contract. However, in complete contrast and in a manner consistent with recklessness, first accused on 7th August 2014 instructed the Governor of the Bank of Ghana to urgently establish the LCs for the supply of the ambulances while arrangements are being made to perfect and sign the loan Agreement. Be that as it may, the first accused never followed through with any arrangements to perfect and sign the loan Agreement after directing that payment should be made from the MOHs accounts. This, in the prosecutions view, was wholly unwarranted. To make matters worse, he failed to ensure that the terms of payment and delivery of the vehicles under the contract whose performance he directed were complied with. Regarding the second accused (A2), the State submitted that he was the designer of the scheme to cause financial loss to the state in the matter of the supply of vehicles which did not meet the specification of ambulances. The second accused deliberately laid the platform for the whole illegal enterprise, which assisted the first accused in subsequently carrying out his unlawful actions resulting in financial loss to the state in the sum of 2,370,000.00 The platform designed by A2 to commit financial loss to the Republic consisted of A2s specific role in making false representations to the PPA Board for the purpose of obtaining the unlawful procurement of Big Sea General LLC for the supply of the vehicles. On the basis of this unlawful procurement of Big Sea, the contract was signed, and this also became a basis for the first accuseds actions resulting in financial loss to the Republic. The prosecution stated that evidence led at the trial shows that the letter written by A2 requested approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to engage Big Sea through a process of single sourcing for the supply of 200 ambulances. It falsely represented to the PPA that Big Sea had arranged for financing for the project. When the PPA was not initially satisfied with the application by second accused, it sought clarification by a letter dated 15th November 2012. By another letter dated 19th November 2012 second accused (A2) continued on his bandwagon of deception of the PPA in a bid to secure the approval as the basis to cause financial loss to the Republic, by making yet another misrepresentation to the PPA. This time, A2 affirmed the false statement by writing another letter to the PPA to the effect Big Sea had arranged for funding for the project from Stanbic Bank and for that matter the draft agreement on the project with the Ministry bears the name Big Sea General Trading LLC. This draft contract was subsequently submitted to Parliament for approval. This was a very material misrepresentation which A2 knew was false because A2 was the Chief Director at the Ministry of Health when the agreement was submitted to both Cabinet and Parliament. Big Sea was never mentioned in any of the memos to Cabinet or Parliament and was never approved by Parliament. A2 knew that Big Seas contract with the Government of Ghana had to be approved by Parliament before same would be valid. Regarding the third accused (A3), the Republic submitted that he was the sole shareholder and also a director of the company, Jakpa at Business, the agent for Big Sea General Trading LLC of Dubai. He was responsible for the distribution and sale of the vehicles in Ghana and West Africa. He was, therefore, uniquely aware that the vehicles he imported into Ghana were ordinary vans and not what was contracted for, leading to a loss to the Republic. For representing Big Sea, A3 received a commission of 28.7% of the contract price. He even issued a writ against Big Sea to ensure that he was paid his commission of 28.7% of 2,370,000. He connived with the principal to unilaterally change the vehicle specifications. Big Sea admitted in a letter to the Ministry of Health that the version of the vehicles the parties had contracted for was unavailable. However, without consulting the Ministry of Health, A3, and his principal changed the vehicle specified under the contract. This was done to the knowledge of the accused person. Therefore, A3 was aware that the vans which arrived in Ghana were not the ones contracted for. The State concluded by asserting that a case raising a presumption of guilt had been made against all accused persons, and therefore the court ought to call upon them to open their defence. The ruling on the submission of no case has been fixed by the trial judge for Thursday, 30th March 2023. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Two weeks after president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo delivered the State of the Nationa Address (SoNA) to the nation through Parliament, the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is set to present the 'true' SoNA today. The widely advertised event is slated for the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA). The address will be delivered by the Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah. The address is expected to point out areas of misgovernance and to counter some of the claims that the president made during the SoNA. The Minority in parliament has taken particular issue with the president's claims on his record on roads in the post SoNA debate. The issue of the economy has also been very dominant in recent months as government works to secure an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme to salvage the economy. Mr Speaker, our President said on authority that Ghana would get an IMF Board approval by the end of this month, I dont know who is briefing our President, but Ghana will not be able to get an IMF Board approval by the end of this month because even the board documents are prepared. We need to get China to give Ghana financing assurance and that they are ready to take a haircut and China has not agreed, Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson said. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Budding South African producer, Thuto Moloi, aka Thuto the Human, has experienced what many will call A groundbreaking moment in his career. The talented DJ and Producer was announced the winner of the Remy Martin Producers contest Season 2 and outdoored at a grand ceremony in Dubai this week. Thuto the Human survived an intense boot camp and triumphed in a 3-way beat battle in Joburg. As part of his winning package, the Ke Dipatjie hitmaker will be working with Emirati Born musician Freek and international DJ duo Major league DJZ on a mixtape in the UAE. Alastair Coombe, head of digital marketing and Ecommerce for Remy Martin, echoed that the brand does not expect any future profit from Thuto but only want to see him capitalize on the platform given him to excel. It is not on us to expect future returns or anything like that. I think it's just to get the guys out there,and see them grow and access the support and general tools at his disposal, That's the expectation, he answered A team of creative community leaders & collaborators welcomed the artistes and producers to Dubai at an exclusive yacht experience hosted by Remy Martin with support from The Dubai Tourism represented by Prince Tonye Princewill Tjt, Guests included the local creatives, Media personalities & influencers from Africa. Major League DJz and Thuto the Human are expected to host a half-day session in the coming days jamming with local superstars like Freek, Abri, and other entertainers. 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 Its the dawning of a new era for Gospels latest queen, Piesie Esther after successfully bagging 7 nominations including the highly coveted overall Artiste of the Year at the 24th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. It came as not much of a surprise and a met expectation as her monster hit single Waye Me Yie swept the length and breadth of the country all through the year in review since its release on the 16th of June 2022. Piesie garnered enviable nominations at the just-ended nominees' announcement ceremony organized by Charterhouse Ghana - conveners of the nation's most prestigious awards scheme, VGMA. Her nominated categories include Best Gospel Song, Best Gospel Artiste, Best Female Vocalist, Best Songwriter, Best Music Video, Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year and Artist of the Year. In reacting to the overwhelming news, Piesie Esther stated, Im truly thankful to God, Charterhouse Ghana, the VGMA board and all key industry players who found me worthy of these nominations. Im eternally grateful also to my family, friends, management team, fans, loved ones, the Church of Pentecost and everyone who has supported the Piesie Esther ministries and brand from day one. I simply couldnt have made it this far without you all. I would urge us to now focus on voting till we win in all nominated categories. Theres more coming and winning this would just be a foretaste of our eternal reward on that final day when we stand before the righteous Judge. The 24th edition of the VGMA comes off on the 13th of May 2023 inside the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre but will be preceded by a nominees jam event in the selected region in Ghana. 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 Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly speaks to reporters on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Joly says Chinas attempts to broker peace in Ukraine will likely only help Russia re-arm and prolong the conflict. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Adrien Sanz Crowned 2023 Marrakech Poker Open Main Event Champion (MAD 770,000/72,200) March 20, 2023 Gaelle Jaudon After four days of poker action in the beautiful Es Saadi Resort, Adrien Sanz was crowned the champion of the 55th edition of the Marrakech Poker Open 15,000 MAD Main Event. Sanz defeated long-time player Karim Lehoussine in heads-up play to collect the first-place prize of 770,000 Moroccan Dirhams (72,200). Sanz, who started the day with a comfortable chip lead, managed to stay ahead for the entire final day. Thierry Gogniat's third-place finish confirmed a full French podium after he collected 380,000 MAD (34,650). The only Moroccan player of the final table, Mostafa Boukri, had to settle for fifth for 212,000 MAD (19,330), while Swiss Dinesh Alt secured a seventh-place finish after bagging the runners-up spoils from the MPO High Roller. Rosalie Petit, who won a WSOP ring in Marrakech in January, made the final table but was the first to depart. Final Table Results PLACE PLAYER COUNTRY PRIZE (IN MAD) PRIZE (~ IN EUR) 1 Adrien Sanz France 770,000 70,200 2 Karim Lehoussine France 530,000 48,320 3 Thierry Gogniat France 380,000 34,650 4 Nuno Correia Portugual 280,000 25,530 5 Mostafa Boukri Morocco 212,000 19,330 6 Thierry Morel France 166,500 15,200 7 Dinesh Alt Switzerland 134,000 12,220 8 Jorge Bouquet Portugual 107,000 9,850 9 Rosalie Petit France 86,000 7,840 Winner's Interview The victory came with some emotions for the French professional living in Marrakech. Sanz, who most plays Spin and Go tournaments online, captured his first major title in a major event, and in a place that is close to his heart. In the few Main Events I've played live, I haven't had much success, so I feel grateful today. But for two years, I have had consistent results. I was the Mystery KO event runner-up in this festival and won the Progressive Bounty the next day, so I'm pleased about my week! Sanz told PokerNews. "I play all the events here, even the monthly regular tournaments. I feel at home. And it's also my first big final table, with my friends around; it's a great feeling," he added. Sanz won a decisive hand during the heads-up when he called all-in with two pair on the turn while Lehoussine who had hit a flush. Sanz found one of the four outs he needed on the river to make a full house and jumped to a massive chip lead. "I was in shock, but even with a 2% chance of winning, I still believed in it. I made a mistake in that spot, but you still need luck sometimes," said Sanz. Adrien Sanz and Karim Lehoussine Final Day Action At 2 p.m. local time, just ten of the 295 players returned to the felt, with each of them already guaranteed 68,000 MAD (7,840). Most eyes were already on Sanz from the start, as well as experienced player Boukri and Nuno Correia, who started in second and third place, respectively. Boukri started the eliminations by sending Said Basri into the rail in 11th place to set up the official final table. Sanz then continued to extend his lead by eliminating Petit and Jorge Bouquet. Alt followed them out in seventh place after he shoved preflop with ace-queen, but Boukri's jack-ten paired up on the river was enough to eliminate Alt. Rosalie Petit After the exit of Thierry Morel, Boukri ended his run in fifth when his pocket sevens crashed into Lehoussine's pair of kings. Not long before the dinner break, Sanz took care of busting Portuguese player Nuno Correia in fourth place. Correia three-bet shoved with pocket eights while Sanz held pocket tens. The three-handed play lasted two hands, as Gogniat three-bet shoved in the small blind with a pair of queens, while Lehoussine had pocket kings. The heads-up lasted more than one hour, and Lehoussine even came back close to Sanz in chips despite his terrible bad beat after Sanz hit his aforementioned four-outer. However, Lehoussine called the four-bet shove from Sanz with ace-six while his opponent held ace-jack and found no help on the board to secure a second-place finish for 48,320. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print President Biden vetoed a bill that would have jeopardized the retirement savings of millions of Americans that was supported by Marjorie Taylor Greene. Subscribe To Our Newsletter: The White House tweeted Biden explaining his first veto: I just vetoed my first bill. This bill would risk your retirement savings by making it illegal to consider risk factors MAGA House Republicans don't like. Your plan manager should be able to protect your hard-earned savings whether Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene likes it or not. pic.twitter.com/PxuoJBdEee President Biden (@POTUS) March 20, 2023 Biden said in his veto message to the House: I am returning herewith without my approval H.J. Res. 30, a resolution that would disapprove of the Department of Labors final rule titled Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights. The Department of Labors final rule protects the hardearned life savings and pensions of tens of millions of workers and retirees across the country. It allows retirement plan fiduciaries to make fully informed investment decisions by considering all relevant factors that might impact a prospective investment, while ensuring that investment decisions made by retirement plan fiduciaries maximize financial returns for retirees. There is extensive evidence showing that environmental, social, and governance factors can have a material impact on markets, industries, and businesses. But the Republican-led resolution would force retirement managers to ignore these relevant risk factors, disregarding the principles of free markets and jeopardizing the life savings of working families and retirees. In fact, this resolution would prevent retirement plan fiduciaries from taking into account factors, such as the physical risks of climate change and poor corporate governance, that could affect investment returns. Retirement plan fiduciaries should be able to consider any factor that maximizes financial returns for retirees across the country. That is not controversial that is common sense. Rep. Greene (R-GA) offered a very weak reply: No one has put our retirement at risk more than you, Joe. American families cant count on checks from China to pay their rent and groceries like your family does. https://t.co/rE9I4NSm18 Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) March 20, 2023 Bidens veto came on the same day that the UN climate change report found that the world is on the brink of catastrophic warming. President Biden was correct. It is common sense that financial planners should be able to take into consideration climate change and environmental concerns when making investment decisions. Bidens veto will save retirement accounts that Republicans like Greene wanted to destroy to score political points against wokeism, whatever that is. Biden called out Greene by name in his tweet, as his veto serves as a reminder that only Biden and the Democrats are thinking about the best interests of the American people. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) told Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) that he will be committing a crime if he tries to investigate Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg. Rep. Lieu tweeted: Dear @Jim_Jordan: Local prosecutors, including DA Bragg, owe you nothing. In fact, it is illegal for you and @JudiciaryGOP to interfere in an ongoing criminal investigation, or a criminal trial (if there is one). https://t.co/1SOSHf4q7E Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) March 20, 2023 Rep. Lieu was correct. Bragg doesnt owe Jordan anything. His weaponization committee needs legislative intent to conduct an investigation. There is no legislative intent for Jordans committee to be investigating the Manhattan DA. Subscribe To Our Newsletter: Rep. Jordan and House Republicans are attempting to intimidate the District Attorney and any investigation will likely be part of a fishing expedition to get Trump evidence that will be used against him and obstruct his potential trial. Legal experts agree that any potential investigation would be an act of obstruction. The House has no jurisdiction over local district attorneys. What Jordan is threatening the Manhattan DA with is criminal. Like other MAGAs, Trump is Jim Jordans meal ticket. If Trump goes down, the MAGA Republicans who have welded themselves to him will lose prominence. Jim Jordan is trying to save Donald Trump, and he is willing to commit a crime to do 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 An Augusta man will spend at least 21 years in a state prison after accepting a guilty plea for voluntary manslaughter in connection tothe death of an Aiken man in the June 2020. Christopher Curtis Foreman of Augusta pleaded guilty March 13 to voluntary manslaughter and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature in connection to the death of Bryson Washington, according to Ashley Hammack, deputy solicitor with the Second Judicial Circuit. Hammack said a trial was scheduled , but Foreman accepted a guilty plea. He was originally charged with murder, but once the solicitor's office was able to review the case and the law on the case, it met the standards for a voluntary manslaughter charge and the judge agreed with that, Hammack said. Judge Courtney Clyburn Pope sentenced Foreman to 25 years for the voluntary manslaughter charge and five years for the assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature charge, Hammack said. She said the sentences will run concurrently and Foreman will have to serve 85% of sentence which is equal to 21 years. Police said Washington was stabbed during a break-in at a home in the 500 block of Shiloh Heights Road . In 2019, Foreman was also arrested and charged with domestic violence after pointing a gun to a womans head and threatening to kill her. Foreman, who has been in the custody of the Aiken County detention center, was taken into custody by the South Carolina Department of Corrections. A lawsuit challenging road maintenance fees collected by Aiken County and previously collected by the city of Aiken could be heard by the South Carolina Court of Appeals. Attorneys for plaintiffs Mark and Jane Page Thompson appealed Judge William Keesley's orders dismissing the lawsuit March 14. Will Lewis, Terry Richardson, Brady Thomas and Grace Babcock of Richardson Thomas, David Price Jr. and Ryan Langley and Charles Hodge of Hodge and Langley represent the Thompsons. Andrew Lindemann of Lindemann and Davis represents the city of Aiken and Aiken County Attorney Brad Farrar represents Aiken County. Keesley, a judge in South Carolina's 11th Judicial Circuit, dismissed the lawsuit in orders issued Aug. 5 and Aug. 8. He issued orders Feb. 23 and March 9 denying the Thompsons' motions to change those orders. The 11th Judicial Circuit includes Edgefield, Lexington, Saluda and McCormick counties. The Thompsons filed the suit as individuals shortly after the South Carolina Supreme Court issued its decision in Burns v. Greenville County against Aiken County Administrator Clay Killian, Aiken County Treasurer Jason Goings, Aiken County, the city of Aiken and City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh. Aiken County enacted a road maintenance fee in 1992 and charged $25 per vehicle during the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The city of Aiken enacted a road maintenance fee in 2017 and collected $20 per vehicle during the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Annually, the fees net the county millions of dollars; the city, hundreds of thousands. In Burns, the court determined that the road maintenance fee collected by Greenville County was a tax that violated state law requiring taxes to be value-based property taxes or specifically authorized by the South Carolina General Assembly. The Thompsons argued in their suit that the road maintenance fees collected by the county and the city were also illegal taxes and that the city and county should have to return the fees they collected and pay penalties for collecting the illegal fees. In April, the Thompsons conceded to the dismissal of Killian and Bedenbaugh from the suit. Keesley said in his order dismissing the city defendants the Thompsons conceded that their request to declare the city's fee illegal was made moot when the city council voted to rescind the fee as of July and to refund any monies collected since. He also ruled the Thompsons' could not pursue their claim that the city had been unjustly enriched due to the doctrine of sovereign immunity. In his order dismissing the county defendants, Keesley said contrary to the plaintiff's argument that all road maintenance fees were illegal because of Burns, a fee can be legal if set up properly. Ukrainian authorities say the death toll from Russian missile strikes on eastern Ukraines city of Sloviansk has gone up to 11 as rescue crews try to reach people trapped in the rubble of an apartment building. Ukraines air force says the country will soon have weapons with which to try to prevent such attacks. An air force spokesperson said Saturday that a Patriot air defense system promised by the U.S. was expected to arrive sometime after Easter. The primarily Orthodox Christian country is preparing to observe Easter on Sunday. The air force spokesperson declined to give a precise timeline but said the public would know as soon as the first Russian aircraft is shot down. Read moreUkraine awaits US missile system after latest Russian strike The Moncks Corner Market Pavilion was alive with local produce, plants, handcrafted goods, handmade products, a petting zoo, and crowds of people, as the town kicked off its highly anticipated Farmers Market on Thursday, April 6. Read moreCalling all shoppers: Moncks Corner kicks off Annual Farmers Market SULLIVAN'S ISLAND An oceanside home in this pricey seaside enclave recently changed hands for $10.1 million, just a few hundred thousand greenbacks off the highest-priced deal ever for the town. The 4,350-square-foot house at 2411 Atlantic Ave. was sold in early March, according to Charleston County land records. The three-story residence has 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a 4-car garage. The price is the most paid for a house on Sullivan's Island this year and follows the recent $8.7 million sale of a 4,360-square-foot, newly built residence at 812 Conquest Ave. on the island's western tip. The new owner, 2411 Atlantic Ave. LLC, bought the property from the Nicholas and Lisa Krawczyk Trust, which purchased the house in 2021 for $6.85 million, according to property records. Sign up for our real estate newsletter! Get the best of the Post and Courier's Real Estate news, handpicked and delivered to your inbox each Saturday. Email Sign Up! Listed for $10.8 million, the recently renovated home stayed on the market for about two months. Built in 1986, it has an oceanside pool, elevator and a newly configured brick drive. Renovations include white oak flooring throughout the home, new appliances and fixtures, custom window treatments and wallpaper and completely remodeled bathrooms and kitchen. Robertson Allen, founding partner of The Cassina Group, represented the seller, and Katherine Cox of Coldwell Banker Realty represented the buyer. The previous record for a single-family home on the island was set in 2021 with the $10.5 million sale of the 5,844-square-foot house at 1901 Thee St. The highest-priced residential transaction in the Charleston area is the Vanderhorst Mansion on Kiawah Island. It sold for $20.5 million two years ago. COLUMBIA South Carolina has roughly two years to prepare students in the Midlands for some 4,000 jobs at what will be the state's newest major automotive manufacturing plant. That work starts now as Gov. Henry McMaster signed a state record-breaking $1.3 billion incentive package March 20 to bring Volkswagen subsidiary Scout Motors to the Columbia suburb of Blythewood. At full capacity, Scout plans to make 200,000 electric pickups and SUVs annually at its planned $2 billion facility. Some see Scout as an answer to the brain drain that has plagued the Columbia area for years as students educated in some of the city's six colleges and universities have moved away to take jobs in other major metro areas upon graduation. "Instead of trying to attract talent, I think the big goal for the community is trying to retain the talent we have," said Richland County Economic Development Director Jeff Ruble. "We think Scout Motors will be the answer to that." But South Carolina's latest economic development drive that has reeled in a growing portfolio of businesses tied to next-generation cars, comes amid an ultra-competitive job market nationwide and a state labor force participation rate that continues to decline. Scout will start by hiring between 30 and 50 workers this year and 100 or so next year. "And then it really starts to ramp as we go," Scout Motors Chief People Officer Alexis Juneja said. Initial job openings include a vice president of supply chain and directors of safety and talent acquisition. Some jobs could be filled by remote workers, Juneja said. Entry-level supply chain and purchasing positions are expected to open by the summer. Hiring for manufacturing-specific jobs are slated for summer 2025 or later. Juneja did not say how many people Scout will need on site for initial production when it begins in 2026. State officials expressed confidence in South Carolina's ability to meet the automaker's needs saying it's done this before. "S.C. has 60 years of experience working with companies the likes of BMW, Volvo, Boeing," said Brad Neese, the vice president of economic development for that state's workforce training program ReadySC. "We've done hard things, we've done hard projects, we've done big projects, so we're poised for success." Still, just five years ago, Volvo was finding hiring more difficult than anticipated as it tried to fill 700 openings in about five months, The Post and Courier reported. In April 2018, the Swedish automaker had about half of the 1,500 workers it needed for its first wave of hiring, but maintenance and production-floor jobs were largely vacant. ReadySC workshops for those interested in jobs drew overflow crowds but only about 4 percent of those applying at the time had the basic skills and aptitude needed to make it through the screening process. But while Volvo had to compete for workers with the Lowcountry's other manufacturers, such as Mercedes-Benz Vans plant in North Charleston that was looking to hire 1,300 people around the same time, state officials say competition in the Midlands is less steep. "The Columbia Midlands area is the last untapped significant labor pool in South Carolina. It's probably the largest untapped labor pool in the Southeast for automotive workers," S.C. Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey told state lawmakers. Neese said ReadySC also has learned the importance of recruiting far in advance. To date, a special portal collecting contact information from potential candidates has more than 1,500 applicants, 90 percent of whom live in South Carolina. Heavy outreach for the manufacturing-specific openings will likely start in early to mid-2025. Neese was also quick to point out that every economic development project his agency is working with is meeting or exceeding hiring timelines. As part of the state incentives package, the state will construct a $25 million dedicated training center on the Scout site. For its part, Midlands Technical College said it has more than 19,000 students currently enrolled in certificate, degree and continuing-education programs relevant to Scout Motors. These include advanced manufacturing and skilled trades programs, such as mechatronics and electricity, as well as engineering technology, information technology, general science, math and accounting. Neese said ReadySC also works within high schools around the state to help dual-enroll students in technical school and apprenticeship programs so they can be work-ready or nearly work-ready by high school graduation. Richland School District Two even has a cohort of high-schoolers at its student innovation center participating in classes building electric vehicles. The Columbia metro-area workforce is estimated at around 398,000 people, according to the latest numbers from S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, with unemployment at 3.3 percent as of January 2023. Ruble anticipates Scout could draw upper-level supervisors and plant management from as far as 60 miles away, touching the suburbs of Charlotte. The employment of South Carolinians is what led to the most debate as state lawmakers considered the incentives package offered to Scout. In the Senate, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey wanted to add a quota requirement that South Carolina residents make up at least 80 percent of the 4,000 employees that Scout pledges to hire under the deal. To qualify, those workers would have needed to be residents for at least three years if the company wanted to fully qualify for the state aid and not be required to pay any of it back. South Carolinians are paying through their taxes to bring the plant here, so they should get first dibs on the jobs, the Edgefield Republican said. Massey said it was the lack of local hiring from previous deals that prompted his proposal, recalling Boeing bringing employees from Washington state. Why test fate? Senate Judiciary Chairman Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach, said in response. People are moving in all the time and theyll continue to move in. Ultimately the deal passed the Senate 36-4 without the quota requirement. Meanwhile, South Carolina continues to wrestle with a labor participation rate of about 55 percent of eligible adults working or looking for work, the fourth-lowest figure in the country. One issue is the population is getting older. With the onset of COVID-19 in early 2020, those who may have been near or contemplating retirement chose to leave the workforce, either for health reasons or being laid off amid government mandated closures. While this phenomenon is not unique to South Carolina, the state boasts a larger aging population than many others, meaning it was more heavily impacted. Estimates by University of South Carolina economist Joey Von Nessen put the pool of potential workers at about 40,000 people the state could target to bring back into the workforce. Meanwhile, the state has roughly 168,000 open jobs, according to data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Scout Motors is preparing to add 4,000 more. Seanna Adcox contributed from Columbia. Whole Foods Market will anchor part of a massive redevelopment project in downtown Greenville. The grocery chain, known for selling natural and organic foods, will occupy a standalone building in the larger 37-acre mixed-use development that will soon house Greenville County officials as part of its first phase. The Austin, Texas-based grocer has over 500 retail locations across North America and the United Kingdom, including five in South Carolina. The other Greenville area location is on Woodruff Road in the same shopping center as Petco and REI. The new downtown location will act as one of the retail tenants in the estimated $1 billion redevelopment project. Greenville County will move into its new $67 million administrative office buildings along Church Street in the coming weeks the first major piece in the redevelopment of about 40 acres of county property in downtown Greenville. Once about 500 county employees move into the pair of five-story buildings and the countys emergency operations relocate to the space being prepared at McAlister Square, the process will start to tear down County Square, county spokesperson Bob Mihalic said. The redevelopment is expected to draw Class-A office space, a 200-room hotel, 1,800 apartments and dozens of restaurants and retailers to University Ridge. Over the next decade, RocaPoint Partners, the countys contracted partner, will lead the project. KDS Commercial Properties in Greenville will broker for the multifamily portion of the project while Steve Yenser with Yenser Co. is handling retail leasing. Nathaniel Cary contributed to this report. GREENVILLE While the news of Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria closing might seem sudden, owner Josh Beeby had been wrestling with the decision for at least four months. The owner finally made the call as the confluence of many factors have come to a head and have brought him and Barley's to a point of diminishing returns. On March 19, Beeby posted on social media that a "decimated workforce and an uphill battle to rebuild" in the three years since COVID-19 changed the restaurant industry has forced him to close Barleys. The last day of service is April 1, he said, with a goodbye party planned for two weeks later. In an interview with The Post and Courier the day after his social media announcement, Beeby explained why he came to the difficult decision. And it stems from the pandemic's seemingly irrevocable impact on restaurants and the toll it's taken to keep his viable. Its difficult for me to even comment about a lot of this stuff, because I dont know if its just us, Beeby said in the interview. But what I do know is something never came back, and its been difficult. And honestly, my managers and myself just dont have the energy to do it anymore. Beeby is among hundreds of thousands of restaurant owners who made it through the challenges of the pandemic only to find a oftentimes impossible situation on the other side. They survived shutdowns and masking regulations and distancing requirements, outdoor eating only, takeout only, and now find rising costs, continued staffing challenges and a fickle customer base. Barleys opened in downtown Greenville at the corner of East Washington and Laurens street in 1996. Beeby joined the restaurant as general manager in 2001, and when he took over ownership in 2003, he created a restaurant that had a neighborhood feel. Barleys was known for its pizza, but under Beebys direction, it added a dimension new at the time in Greenville: a quality destination for fine craft beer. Barleys helped push for changes in regulations to allow higher ABV levels, which helped pave the way for allowing the creation of more-diverse beers. Barleys was often one of the first places to get new beers and would hold brewery release events regularly. More recently, when Athens, Ga., brewery Creature Comforts began distributing in Greenville, Barleys was one of two places that got the brewerys popular brews first. I told my staff last week, its an interesting conundrum, and its almost a huge pat on the back for ourselves, when you create something so cool that it ends up outgrowing you and eating you from the inside out, Beeby said. I guess you can say thats something to be proud of. In April 2011 Beeby opened The Trappe Door, a Belgian-themed restaurant underneath Barley's, which at the time as a pizza pub continued to thrive. The more gastronomically interesting menu and high-gravity Belgian beer selection at the Trappe Door drew a separate crowd and proved Beeby and his teams versatility and skill. Nothing the same after the pandemic Three years ago this month, the government shut down in-person dining in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus, a move that proved to be the death knell for restaurants across the country. Over the next year, federal funding under the CARES Act helped prop up restaurants, but Beeby said things never quite righted themselves, particularly when it came to staffing. At Trappe Door, nearly all staff returned, and sales at that restaurant have been on the rise. At Barleys, staff has ebbed and flowed, and sales have dipped year over year. Costs have continued to rise, he said. Last year, Trappe Door had its best year of sales ever, but the funds went mostly to keeping Barleys afloat, Beeby said. When Barleys closed during the pandemic shutdown, the staff found themselves without jobs. Many never came back when restaurants were allowed to return to normal service. Staffing the restaurant has been unpredictable ever since. Another challenge, though not just for him, he said, has been keeping up with increased payroll costs (cooks make $17-$20 at Barleys now versus the $14-$17 they did before) and keeping staff in place. In most cases, Beeby said, the staff he sees coming through the kitchen at Barley's have little-to-no restaurant experience, which has forced him to work as a cook or server most days for the past eight months. In making the decision to close Barleys, Beeby is saddened, but he admits there is also a feeling of relief. Relief to be out from under the pressures of keeping the restaurant afloat, out from under the worries of whether staff will show up for work and out from under the frustration that Barleys just isnt the same place it was. While it was an easy business decision, it wasn't easy emotionally. "That restaurant has been a part of peoples lives for so long," he said. "People have met their spouses there, have named their dogs after it. Honestly, thats one of the biggest burdens to bear. Youre taking away something that is so important to so many peoples lives. Barleys will continue to serve through April 1. Plans call for holding a goodbye party April 15 with set ticket prices that include beer and live music. For more, follow Barleys on social media and visit https://barleysgville.com GREENVILLE The Greenville Zoo has a new arrival, with Autumn the giraffe giving birth to her second calf in two years. The yet-to-be-named baby Masai giraffe entered the world around 1:10 p.m. March 19 and, like other highly anticipated births, was viewed worldwide via webcam. It's the first birth for Autumn since February 2021. That baby was named Providence after a fundraising effort awarded naming rights to the highest bidder at $14,000. Last October, Providence was shipped to Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, R.I., as part of a wildlife conservation program that will allow her to breed with another giraffe. The Greenville Zoo follows breeding recommendations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The species survival plan ensures genetic diversity of the endangered species and involves giraffes being transferred to different zoos to breed. The new calf, a girl, is 5 feet, 11 inches, and weighs 135 pounds, city officials said. The birth comes as the zoo is building a new feeding platform in the exhibit. The platform is expected to be completed by May. The Masai breed of giraffe is the largest giraffe subspecies and is found in southern Kenya and Tanzania, according to the zoo foundation. It's estimated that populations of giraffes in the wild have decreased by as much as 40 percent. Fewer than 35,000 remain in the wild. Dorene Dix knew she would suffer when the corn would begin to tassel near her home in Illinois, south of Chicago. Moving to a small town near Greenville might bring relief, she thought. "Within a month of moving here, things went really bad," said Dix, 65, who now lives on James Island. That move to the Charleston area also raised her hopes. "Maybe near the ocean, it will be better," she said. But it wasn't. Unknowingly, Dix moved to two of the three South Carolina cities ranked among the worst for allergy sufferers by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Greenville was 10th on the list of the 100 worst cities for allergies in the country in the foundation's 2023 rankings, Columbia was 33rd and Charleston was 51st. Dr. Maria Streck, a clinical instructor of allergy/immunology at Medical University of South Carolina, sees it happen quite often for patients like Dix. People move to the Lowcountry from Northern states, or even other parts of South Carolina, and find their eyes begin to water and their nose starts running. "All of a sudden, they have allergies," she said. Or it happens much earlier than they expected. "They are not used to everything blooming before May," Streck said. The past few weeks have seen an onslaught of pollen from trees and now some from grass as well, she said. "Its really ramped up," Streck said. "Its a very busy time for us." Her recommendations are pretty straightforward. If you know pollen bothers you, try to avoid it. Keep the windows closed if you can. "We still want people to enjoy the beautiful outdoor weather," Streck said. But when you come back inside after being outdoors, leave your shoes outside, change clothes and shower to get as much pollen off of you as possible. If you are doing yardwork, wear an N95 mask. "That was the recommendation long before COVID," Streck said, when those masks became incredibly sought-after and hard to find. Those masks should be back in stock at most stores now or are available online. Managing symptoms is also important. Most people will do fine with an over-the-counter antihistamine, Streck said. For those whose symptoms are mostly nose-related, there are nasal sprays. Itchy and watering eyes can usually be treated with eyedrops. Those who find these are not effective might want to consider allergy shots. The upside is they can help to decrease sensitivity and symptoms over time; the downside is they can require weekly or even twice-a-week shots at the beginning. Once built up, the visits can space out to once every two to four weeks. Streck talks with her patients about whether it is worth it. "How much is it interfering with your quality of life?" she said. "Are you miserable every single spring when the pollen comes out and it makes it unbearable for two or three months? In that case, you are a great candidate for allergy shots." Those shots have made a difference for Dix, who is "allergic to something in all four seasons." With their help, she can venture out in the spring. This year, she was able to attend to the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston. That wouldn't have been possible in previous years "simply because I wouldn't have been able to breathe," Dix said. She understands there are people who won't consider going to an allergist and are content with loading up on over-the-counter medicine. But Dix thinks they should consider whether they are making the best choice for themselves and their health. "If they had the right tool, they might fare better," she said of the allergy shots. "And they might be able to enjoy a better quality of life." The iconic kitchen container maker cranked up production in Hemingway 47 years ago last week. Its future is unclear, in the Pee Dee and beyond. Read moreSC rural town stands by as storm clouds engulf Tupperware, a big employer Nemo me impune lacessit, the motto of the Scottish Order of the Thistle. In English, Nobody messes with me and gets away with it. Read moreGuess the mystery plant: Thistles with plume-like bristles HAMPTON The mother of Stephen Smith, a Hampton teen whose mysterious 2015 death has garnered fresh attention in the wake of the Murdaugh saga, plans to ask that a judge allow her son's body to be exhumed as part of a renewed investigation. Sandy Smith has retained South Carolina attorneys Ronnie Richter and Eric Bland to re-examine the case. She will use more than $65,000 raised through a GoFundMe campaign to launch a new, private investigation into the case, the attorneys said March 20. Stephen, 19, was found dead July 8, 2015, on Sandy Run Road near Joe Miley Road in Hampton County. Investigators initially believed he was killed in a hit-and-run while he was walking because his car ran out of gas. It is a theory his mother has never accepted. There were no skid marks or vehicular debris near his body and loosely tied shoes were still on his feet, Richter said. Authorities found Stephen's car about 3 miles away on Bamberg Road with its gas cap removed, making it appear as though his car broke down and Stephen was walking to find help, the lawyer said. Stephen never used his cell phone to call for assistance, and his wallet was left behind in his car both out of character for the nursing student, his mother said. The attorneys believe a "fresh set of eyes" will yield different conclusions, that Stephen was killed somewhere else, and his body was dumped in the middle of the road to look like a hit-and-run. As one of the only openly gay men in the tiny town of Hampton, Stephen "had to be cautious" and live a "secret life" to some extent, Bland said. The attorneys said the case's first step is its most crucial: asking a judge to grant them permission to exhume Stephen's body, per state law. They plan to file the petition within the next 10 days, Bland said. They will simultaneously begin hiring experts who have conducted autopsies on exhumed bodies. Stephen's case received renewed attention following the June 7, 2021, killings of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, members of a prominent Lowcountry legal dynasty. Alex Murdaugh, Maggie's husband and Paul's father, was convicted of their murders in March following a lengthy and highly publicized trial. State Law Enforcement Division agents confirmed June 22, 2021, they had opened an investigation into Stephen's death based on information gathered during the course of the double-murder case. A SLED spokeswoman said March 20 that the agency has made progress in its investigation, which remains open. The Murdaugh named popped up multiple times in files kept by South Carolina Highway Patrol, which conducted the original investigation into the teen's death. But Charleston lawyer Andy Savage, who began representing Sandy Smith shortly after SLED opened its case, told ABC News 4 in October 2021 that speculation regarding the Murdaughs' involvement may be "unfounded." His investigation identified potential suspects who were "unconnected" to the family, Savage said. Sandy Smith ultimately dropped Savage as her attorney. Bland, one of her new attorneys, has spoken about Stephens case in the past as co-host of the Cup of Justice podcast, which has explored the Murdaugh saga at length. He and Richter also represented the sons of the Murdaugh familys late housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, who died after a fall at their estate in 2018. Murdaugh has acknowledged stealing millions from an insurance settlement intended for her heirs. Bland mentioned during the March 20 news conference that a grand jury was impaneled at some point to probe Stephen's death. It's no longer in session, he said, which could mean one of two things: Grand jurors returned an indictment and the S.C. Attorney Generals Office is sitting on it which Bland highly doubts or there wasnt enough evidence presented. Bland stressed their case is a Stephen Smith 2.0 its not about the Murdaughs. The attorneys said they had no current knowledge about the family being involved in Stephens death. Still, speculation has continued to swirl in the aftermath of Alex Murdaughs six-week double-murder trial, which drew a global audience. Various news outlets and documentaries have continued to plumb rumors into possible ties between Stephen and Buster Murdaugh, the remaining son of Alex Murdaugh. Buster's name was one of several invoked in the S.C. Highway Patrols investigation of Stephens death as rumors reached investigators, the case file shows. But none of the rumors bore fruit. The Post and Courier has chosen not to report on this conjecture due to a lack of verifiable evidence and sources. Buster Murdaugh released a written statement through a publicist on March 20 decrying the vicious rumors about my involvement in Stephen Smiths tragic death. He said he had not spoken out before this point because he has been trying to live privately while he grieves the loss of his mother and brother and copes with his fathers incarceration. Before, during and since my fathers trial, I have been targeted and harassed by the media and followers of this story. This has gone on far too long, he stated. These baseless rumors of my involvement with Stephen and his death are false. I unequivocally deny any involvement in his death, and my heart goes out to the Smith family. I am requesting that the media immediately stop publishing these defamatory comments and rumors about me, he said. Buster and his girlfriend, Brooklyn White, have grown increasingly frustrated in recent weeks as members of the media have shown up at and around the home on Hilton Head Island where the couple have been staying, according to reports filed with the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office. The reports detail the interactions as follows: On March 5, Buster told deputies he had been alerted to The New York Post publishing a photo of him inside the home. He told deputies he suspected the photographer had been in a car parked outside his home the previous evening. Deputies pledged to have extra patrols monitor the house, and they explained the procedures to pressing trespassing charges and obtaining a restraining order. The same day, White called the sheriffs office to say she and Buster were being followed by the media in an SUV. Deputies stopped the vehicle after seeing it make an improper lane change. They noted the driver had a camera bag on the front seat. The man was given a warning for the traffic violation. The following day, White called deputies again to report that the behavior of certain members of the press had become increasingly unsettling and frightening. She explained that she left her home and spotted a YouTube show host looking in the windows of her vehicle. She told deputies that two reporters also had been milling about, talking to neighbors and photographing her walking her dogs. Deputies noted that Buster Murdaugh requested to be left off the complaints and subsequent reports due to privacy concerns. Thad Moore contributed to this article from Charleston. In terms of the $13.8 billion state budget the South Carolina House passed last week, $10 million for a new state airplane is less than a drop in the bucket. But its a bit disturbing that the House approved the expenditure based on an argument that might not be valid and for which lawmakers werent given and didnt ask for enough information to verify. The plan, pushed by Gov. Henry McMaster, is to sell the states two aging aircraft and add the proceeds to the $10 million in next year's state budget to purchase a new plane or planes that will need less time out of service for maintenance. The argument, as Rep. Heather Crawford explained during a budget briefing earlier this month, is that South Carolina saves money by having its own fleet rather than using charter flights because the per-mile cost of a flight provided by the state Aeronautics Commission is less than the average market rate for charter services. That might be true if state officials actually need to fly enough to create savings that add up to the total cost of purchasing a new plane, taking the flights and maintaining the fleet, but we simply dont know whether the need is great enough. What we do know is that at least part of that need has been exaggerated by the lawmakers' excessive use of the state planes. So its extremely disturbing that House members approved the expenditure without doing anything to tighten their rules regarding their use of a state plane. As Columbias State newspaper documented two years ago, there has been a good bit of abuse. The poster child was House Democratic Leader Todd Rutherford, who took 34 flights on state airplanes between 2012 and 2021, often to vacation destinations, where he was speaking at a conference or had some other business that was tangentially related to his job as a legislator. On six of those trips, he was accompanied by his then girlfriend and now wife, whose presence apparently wasnt even tangentially related to legislative business and might have violated state law. The newspaper also reported that Rep. John King took 24 flights, and Rep. Carl Anderson took 14. Seventeen legislators reserved a state plane between three and 10 times, 15 twice and one once. A proviso in the state budget limits the state planes to official business, but that isn't defined except to explicitly exclude travel to or from legislative meetings, news conferences, bill signings and political functions. In response to the 2021 scandal, the Senate amended the proviso to add to the do-not-fly list "conferences" which have been legislators' favorite way to use the planes as a perk instead of a tool since the current restrictions were first imposed decades ago. The Senate also voted to require legislators to get prior approval from the president of the Senate or the speaker of the House to charter a state flight; they could also use the plane if they were invited to tag along on a trip arranged by one of the agencies in the governors Cabinet, but only after the Cabinet director certified in writing that the legislators attendance would be in furtherance of the official business of the State. And legislators guests who arent relatives would have to pay for flights at commercial rates. Unfortunately, but perhaps predictably, the House rejected those reforms outright, so no changes were made. Of course, that happened well before the House agreed to spend $10 million to buy one or more new state planes, so this time the Senate has some leverage it didnt have two years ago. It should use it and not just for the restrictions senators embraced back then. In addition to outlawing the use of the state plane for conferences and requiring the House speaker, Senate president or governor to take ownership of those flights, wed like to see legislators reimburse the state for any guest who tags along, including spouses. Legislators and other flyers also should be required to explain why its essential to reserve the state plane rather than driving, or flying commercially for instance by showing its less expensive to use a state plane than to take a commercial flight. And why not require lawmakers to file a written explanation of their travel before they climb aboard rather than within 24 hours after a flight? Of course, the simpler route might be for senators to reject the expenditure. Before they do that, though, it would be smart to get their arms around the question of whether there really is enough need not want, but a need to justify having a state fleet. Maybe there is, but theres no doubt that as long as we maintain one, we need limits on legislators ability to turn it into yet another perk of office. Click here for more opinion content from The Post and Courier. Nikki Haley's presidential campaign messaging so far has been one for the ages. For 20-somethings, she's warning Social Security may not be around for them in its current form. For people in their 50s, especially women, she's telling them they are still in their prime. And to politicians 75 and older, she's calling for mandatory mental competency tests. In the first month of her campaign, Haley's age-anchored appeals illustrate how the former South Carolina governor is honing her presidential pitch to attract the different generations of voters she will need in her quest for the GOP nomination. It's a strategy that also comes with its share of risk. When Haley questions the mental acuity of America's elder statesmen, she could anger older voters who are also one of her party's most reliable and significant voting blocs. But that line which could alienate one voter base could also energize another. "It gives her some bullet points to add under her broader theme of a new generation of leadership," said Gibbs Knotts, a professor at the College of Charleston who also co-authored a book about South Carolinas role in the presidential nomination process. And political analysts say Haley's age-conscious strategy could help her stand out in a Republican presidential field that is only expected to get more crowded. 20s: Social Security won't be the same One of Haley's messages to 20-somethings is about a topic typically reserved for their grandparents: Social Security. She's floated the idea of raising the retirement age for younger Americans to preserve Social Security and Medicare benefits, but declined to say what age she has in mind. Haley has also suggested that entitlement reform should "limit the benefits for the wealthy." But why talk to young people about government programs meant for retirees? Scott Huffmon, a professor of political science at Winthrop University and the director of the Winthrop Poll, has a theory. "It's all part of a great divide-and-conquer strategy. In a larger field, you know, majorities are irrelevant. Pluralities are what matter," he said. Scott said Haley appears to be betting that a generational split could erupt among GOP primary voters, splitting the baby boomer vote for former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Haley's campaign said she is simply making her case to voters and is unafraid to get specific. "Nikki is willing to tackle the tough issues even if it makes people uncomfortable. DC is dominated by career politicians who have forgotten they work for the taxpayers," said Ken Farnaso, a Haley spokesman. "Shes the only candidate taking on Washington head-on, calling for term limits, mental competency tests, and serious spending reform. She's also the only woman in the GOP race. 50s: Activating women in a new way When CNN's Don Lemon suggested that Haley, at age 51, was past her prime, Haley seized the moment. Her campaign now sells koozies that say "Past my prime? Hold my beer" as well as a T-shirt that declares, "Past my prime? I'm just getting started..." It also helps that the line has become a cultural rallying cry for women everywhere, from a minute-long ad from the House GOP campaign arm to actress Michelle Yeoh's Oscar speech, in which the 60-year-old said, "Ladies, don't let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime." By turning a sexist comment on its head, rather than courting the female vote with a more polarizing issue like abortion, Haley's message to women could be a powerful pitch, analysts said. And in New Hampshire and Iowa, it could be especially potent. Tim Hagle, a political science professor at the University of Iowa, said voter registration data shows that more women in Iowa are registered as Democrats than Republicans. But the comment has created a potential opening for Haley, he said, to help make the pitch that women can find a home in the GOP. "Sometimes lightning strikes and you get that opportunity to really make something and run with it," Hagle said from the home of the nation's lead-off caucus state. "Now, Haley needs to say here's why this is the party for you and also vote for me." In New Hampshire, the last Republican woman elected to statewide office was U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte who served one term beginning in 2010. But there are signs that Granite State voters are interested in putting more GOP women in power. In the state's 1st Congressional District last year, a 25-year-old Republican woman named Karoline Leavitt won her GOP primary, but her Trumpy appeals came up short in the general election. Dante Scala, a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire, said primary voters in the Granite State have a habit of seeking out candidates who could be a new face for their party. "That's something historically that has appealed to New Hampshire voters, especially primary voters. On both sides of the aisle we tend to be more interested than most in what's new in American politics," Scala said. In 2016, it was Donald Trump. In 2000, it was John McCain. In 2020, New Hampshire picked Pete Buttigieg over Joe Biden and others. 70s: Cognitive tests Haley's biggest pitch on age has been her polarizing call for mental competency tests for elected officials 75 and older. The test Haley has in mind is the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, her campaign confirmed. The roughly 10-minute test is used by health care professionals to assess cognitive decline to help identify individuals at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. But political watchers widely agree Haley's pitch is more gimmick than serious, arguing that the line is a double-ding at a 76-year-old Trump and an 80-year-old Biden. On the trail, Haley has described her call for cognitive tests as a layer of accountability. If implemented, it would apply to one in 10 members of Congress, including 75-year-old South Carolina U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-Springdale. "These are people deciding our national security. These are people deciding our fiscal stability," Haley said at a rally in Myrtle Beach on March 13, adding, "They need to be at the top of their game." It wasn't the first time a South Carolinian has zeroed in on America's aging political class. Democrat Joe Cunningham, in his failed 2022 bid for for governor, proposed a 72-year-old age limit for Palmetto State politicians. The idea was rejected by senior state lawmakers Republican Henry McMaster, 75, and Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, 82. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is 63 and a potential GOP contender, pushed back against Haley's idea. So did the Senate's oldest member, 89-year-old Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley. In a twist, Trump backed Haley's idea, writing on his social media platform that anybody running for president "should agree to take a full & complete Mental Competency Test." Haley's campaign did not respond to questions asking how the test would be paid for and what would happen if an elected politician failed. COLUMBIA Despite the attention given to murders and mass shootings committed with firearms, most gun deaths are suicides. In fact, 54 percent of gun deaths were suicides, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2020. But a new bill introduced March 15 in the South Carolina Senate aims to reduce that figure by creating a voluntary gun do-not-sell list. Those who struggle with thoughts of suicide, which is often an impulse decision, could place themselves on the list and if they attempted to legally purchase a gun their name would be flagged during the background check performed by gun stores. It would be illegal for the merchant to sell a person on the list a firearm. This seems to be a no-brainer, said Myrtle Beach Republican Sen. Luke Rankin, the bills sponsor. This is one tool to help someone who might have those ideas to protect themselves. Individuals 18 and older could apply to the list, which would be maintained by the State Law Enforcement Division, by filling out an online form and submitting it in person with a photo ID at any law enforcement agency in the state. A person could apply to remove themselves from the do-not-sell list the same way, though there would be a 14-day waiting period. Three other states, Washington, Virginia and Utah, have passed similar legislation with support from conservative Republicans and progressive Democrats. A national version of the bill made it out of a House of Representatives committee last session but went no further. I think its fantastic theyre introducing the bill in South Carolina, Fredrick Vars, a University of Alabama Law School professor who came up with the do-not-sell list idea a decade ago, told The Post and Courier. Not only are more than half of suicides carried out with a gun, about 85 percent of suicide attempts with a gun are lethal, research shows. People often survive other methods like intentional overdose. Additionally, 90 percent of people who survive a serious suicide attempt do not go on to die of suicide, according to Vars. Theres a kind of myth that you cant do anything to prevent a suicide, he said. You prevent one attempt with a gun, you dont just delay suicide, you really save lives. Vars, who researches gun violence and has bipolar disorder, said he would put himself on a do-not-sell list if it existed in Alabama. The law is known nationally as Donnas Law after New Orleans woman Donna Nathan, who had bipolar disorder, impulsively purchased a gun legally and killed herself in a matter of hours in 2018. Her daughter teamed up with Vars to advocate for the legislation. In the states where the law has already been implemented, the number of people who have registered is small. In Utah, five people signed up in the first year it was on the books, according to Deseret News, a Salt Lake City newspaper. Vars, who intermittently requests numbers from the three states with the law, said dozens of people have signed up nationally. Vars said South Carolina lawmakers could encourage signups by allowing people to register at doctors offices and hospitals, not just police stations. Additionally, advertising the list or requiring the states professional medical organizations to inform their members about the program could help get the word out. The untapped demand is enormous, Vars said, pointing to his own research that about half of people who seek psychiatric treatment said they would sign up for a do-not-sell list. I think it will save lives the way its written. Could it be even better? Sure, he said. Rankin stressed the do-not-sell list would not be mandatory, and he hopes to recruit members of the firearms industry to support the bill. I have to imagine that if someone is acknowledging to God and to country that they are struggling with suicidal thoughts, that (gun merchants) would embrace the voluntary right of that prospective customer to say, Please dont sell me a firearm, he said. Leaders of the state's National Rifle Association affiliate did not immediately respond to calls for comment. Rankin, the powerful chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee where the do-not-sell list bill will be considered, said its likely too late in the session to get the bill to the governors desk, but he hopes to hold a hearing on it to raise awareness and educate his colleagues. If we can prevent even one life from being taken by their own hand, thats worth our attention, Rankin said. If you or a loved one are considering suicide, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Nollywood actress turned politician Funke Akindele has finally spoken up after losing the elections held on Saturday. INECs Returning officer Adenike Oladiji, who announced the result, said incident Lagos governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu secured 762,134 votes against his primary challenger Olajide Jandor Adediran of the PDP, who polled 62,449 and, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the LP, who got 312,329 votes. Ms Akindele, the running mate to the PDP Governorship candidate, Jandor, addressed the public after their loss. Beginning her address, she described her first attempt at a political journey as a fantastic run. It has been an amazing and insightful experience on my journey to the ballot, and I must say, it was an absolute learning curve for me. A lot of things have been learned and unlearned. I sincerely do not regret taking this huge step of running for office, she wrote. Giving her first vote of thanks, she addressed her supporters and acknowledged those against her. She said, I, therefore, want to thank the people of Lagos state for believing in me and supporting my decision to run for office. I saw every message of support online and offline; I heard of all the places where people supported me and challenged those who tried to discredit me. I remember every warm welcome during our campaign tour and the faith you all showed in me. The elections might not have panned out as we hoped, but it was an honourable run for us. We fought a good fight indeed, she added. Ms Akindele, who is also a graduate of law from the University of Lagos, also encouraged those who meant well to exercise their civil rights, urging them not to choose the path of apathy. I also want to encourage all who mean well for the Nation and the state of Lagos not to give up. I understand that some of us are beginning to develop apathy towards the system; however, if we do not speak, we will never be heard. Im glad that we could at least speak up, she said Ending her address, she thanked her supporters and promised to continue advocating for Lagosians. Thank you once again, Lagos, for showing your daughter support. As I consider my next moves in life, I will continue prioritising the good of the people and the integrity of my position as an advocate for the people. Eko oni baje ! She wrote. The actress cum film producer deleted all politically related posts from her Instagram page. The actress also unfollowed her ex-husband AbdulRasheed Bello aka JJC Skillz, on Instagram. Reactions Reacting to the actresss address, many commended her spirit of sportsmanship even when she did not congratulate the winners of the governorship race. Well articulated write up and spirit of sportsmanship we are proud of you something big in the nearest future back to work hakeem buhari (@Royalfiits) March 20, 2023 No one can discredit you or what you represent. All those noisemakers can only discredit themselves and not the Funke brand. Olushola (@shola_olushola) March 20, 2023 Well done I salute your courage. you have what they done have integrity and good name to protect. Well done once again. Ayinke (@dupsy74) March 20, 2023 You are highly welcome maami, there is a saying that ,"Success is most often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable". I stand for you always .. I love your energy ma Falaiye oluwaseun Ebunoluwa (@Falaiyeoluwase1) March 20, 2023 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Adamawa State governor and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Fintiri, maintains his lead in the governorship election after the announcement of results from 20 of the states 21 local governments. But Aishatu Binani Dahiru, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), remains hopeful of becoming the first woman to be elected a state governor in Nigeria. Her hope is hinged on securing a large victory in Fufore, the only local government whose results are yet to be formally declared. From the results announced so far, Mr Fintiri is leading with over 35,000 votes. While he has 401,113 votes, Binani has 365,498 votes. The APC will need to surpass the current voting gap to be declared the winner of the election in the state. Mr Fintiri won in 13 LGAs while Binani won in seven of the 20 declared so far. Already, officials of both the PDP and APC are pointing accusing fingers at each other claiming that moves are being made to alter the Fufore result. There is also fear of violence in the state as apprehension grows over the results. As it is now, no one can leave the state collation centre and there is a report of thugs blocking all major roads that lead to and out of the INEC office, a CJID election observer told PREMIUM TIMES Monday morning. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Umar Bago of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturdays governorship election in Niger State. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Academics, University of Abuja who is INEC Returning Officer, Clement Alawa, announced the results of the election on Monday in Minna. Mr Alawa, a professor, said Mr Bago polled 469,896 votes to defeat his closest rival, Isah Liman-Kantigi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 387,476 votes. He said Joshua Bawa of the Labour Party (LP) and Ibrahim Yahaya of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) got 3,415 and 3,378 votes, respectively. The returning officer said the Action Democratic Party (ADP) scored 2001 votes, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) polled 1,746 votes, followed by Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) with 992 votes. The National Rescue Movement (NRM) got 969 votes and Social Democratic Party (SDP) polled 908 votes. He said that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) garnered 665 votes, Action Alliance (AA), 471 votes, Young Progressives Party (YPP), 445 votes, Allied Peoples Movement (APM), 351 votes, Action Peoples Party (APP), 167 votes while Accord scored 140 votes. Mr Alawa said the total registered voters in the state were 2,698,344, while the total accredited voters stood at 899,488. He said the total valid votes were 873,020, the total rejected votes, 16, 936 and the total votes cast, 889, 950. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there are 4,950 polling units in the state, spread across 274 wards in 25 Local Government Areas. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print INEC has declared Governor Babagana Zulum as the winner of Borno States governorship election. Mr Zulum, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the election, polled 545, 543 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mohammed Jajari of the PDP, who polled 82, 147 votes. The INEC returning officer for the election, Jude Rabo, made the declaration in Maiduguri, the state capital. Mr Zulum polled the majority votes in all the 27 local government areas of the state to emerge as the winner of the contest that earned him a second term of four years. A total of 650, 533 persons were accredited across the state out of which 633, 646 were declared as the total valid votes. Mr Zulum earned his second term with a lower voter endorsement rate from the electorate despite his widely hailed achievements in the last three years and nine months. He had in 2019 polled 1,175, 440 votes as against the 545,543 votes he scored in the 2023 election. Below is the breakdown of the votes by local government areas 1.Kaga LGA Total Registered: 53, 456 Accredited: 10, 798 APC 9, 523 PDP 1091 Total rejected: 252 Total Cast: 10,978 2. Magumeri LGA Total registered 61,864 Total Accredited 11,212 VAPC 10428 PDP 151 SDP 435 Total valid: 11,092 Total rejected: 120 Total votes cast:: 11,212 3.Mafa LGA Total registered 73,295 Total accredited 23,779 APC 23,615 PDP 083 Total valid 23,715 Total rejected 56 Total Cast 23, 771 4. Dikwa LGA Total Registered: 59,010 Accredited: 18,835 Valid: 18,338 rejected: 457 Cast: 18, 795 APC 17, 294 PDP 765 5. Jere LGA Registered: 213, 938 Accredited: 50,213 Valid: 48,967 Rejected: 1057 Cast: 50, 024 PC 45,247 PDP 2,785 6. Nganzai LGA Registered: 40, 199 Accredited:8, 210 Valid: 8, 172 Rejected: 46 Cast: 8, 218 APC 8, 078 PDP -150 7.Guzamala LGA Registered: 40, 386 Accredited:18, 683 Valid: 18, 567 Rejected: 116 Total vote cast: 18, 683 APC 18, 341 PDP -200 8. Konduga LGA Total Registered 98961 Total Accredited 22793 APC 21, 272 PDP 557 Valid 22,139 Total Rejected 526 Total Votes cast 22,/701 9. Gubio LGA Registered: 45, 973 Accredited:38, 232 Valid: 37, 945 Rejected: 275 Cast: 38, 220 APC 37,260 PDP -485 10. Kwaya- Kusar Registered: 55, 303 Accredited:19, 063 Valid: 18, 077 Rejected: 986 Total Cast: 19, 063 APC 11, 497 PDP -6, 090 11.Mobbar LGA Registered: 47, 079 Accredited:9, 553 Valid: 9, 327 Rejected: 226 Total Cast: 9553 APC 8,882 PDP -250 12. Chibok LGA Registered: 55, 498 Accredited: 14, 043 Valid: 13, 739 Rejected: 302 Total Cast:14 ,041 APC 8, 134 PDP -5451 13. Damboa LGA Total Valid 27820 APC 21,837 PDP 4,525 Total Valid Votes 26,744 Total Rejected Votee 1,076 Total Cast 27,820 14 Bayo LGA Total Reg. voter 53,469 Total Accredited 18, 177 APC 16,157 PDP 1,370 Total Valid Votes 17, 884 Total Registered Votes 288 Total Votes Cast 18, 172 15. Ngala LGA Total registered voters, 70,558 Accredited 17,972 Total cast 17,972 APC 17, 602 PDP 115 16. ABADAM LGA Total Registered 47,056 Accredited 6634 Total Votes 6630 APC 6193 PDP 252 17. Kala Balge LGA Total reg voters 45,528 Accredited 10,567 Total cast 10,559 APC 9,805 PDP 517 18. Shani LGA TRV 69474 ACC 24882 AA 12 ADC 38 ADP 71 APC 18,018 APM 35 APP 8 BP 05 LP 67 NRM 29 PDP 5858 PRP 06 SDP 07 TVV 24,153 RV 723 TVC 24,876 19.MMC APC 80,942 PDP 7,365 LP 41 20 Gwoza LGA APC 22,801 PDP 2449 LP 67 21. Monguno LGA APC 17,189 PDP 280 LP 0 22. Bama LGA APC 30,047 PDP 1682 LP 11 23. Ngala LGA APC 17,602 LP 1 PDP 115 24. Askira Uba APC 18,667 PDP 1179 LP 66 25. Marte LGA Accredited Voters 12217 AA 01 ADC 03 ADP 08 APC 12,081 APM 03 APP 01 BP 01 LP 00 NRM 00 PDP 57 PRP 00 SDP 01 TVV 12,156 RV 60 TVC 12,216 Total Reg voters 133544 Accr. Voters 42,382 AA 12 ADC 107 ADP 135 APC 25,034 APM 59 APP 14 BP 06 LP 121 NRM 62 PDP 15,601 PDP 21 SDP 48 TVV 41,221 RV 1161 TVC 42,382 Over voting in 4 units 912 votes Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has congratulated the Governor of Yobe, Mai Mala Buni, on his re-election for a second term of four years. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Mr Buni the winner of the Saturday governorship election in Yobe. Mr Lawan, in a statement on Monday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media , Ola Awoniyi, described the outcome of the poll as a a well-deserved victory for Mr Buni and the All Progressives Congress (APC). I heartily congratulate my dear friend and brother, the governor of Yobe, Mai Mala Buni, on his re-election for a second term. I also congratulate our great party, the APC, on the renewal of our mandate to continue delivering progressive governance to our people across Yobe. For our governor and party, this is a well-deserved victory from a keenly contested poll. Mr Lawan said the victory, above all, was for the good people of Yobe, who have freely renewed the mandate they gave in 2019. Fellow people of Yobe, you have again made a resounding statement of your full confidence in the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni. I can assure you that our governor will in the next four years remain on the same path of good governance for the progress of Yobe and the well-being of our people. He assured the governor that the people of Yobe would continue to support his mission to take the state to a greater height. NAN reports that Mr Buni won in all the 17 local government areas of the state with a total of 317,113 votes. The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sharif Abdulahi, came a distant second with a total score of 104,259 Announcing the results, at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Damaturu, the Returning Officer for the Gubernatorial election in the state, Umar Pate, the VC of the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe state, said accredited voters were 459,492. ALSO READ: Senate President Ahmad Lawan wins Yobe North Senate seat by landslide He said out of the number, 444,567were valid votes. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned an attack on the corporations news crew monitoring Saturdays governorship and House of Assembly elections in Lagos State. The crew members who suffered the attack were a reporter, Lekan Shobowale; a cameraman, Folorunso Abiala; and the driver, Ope Adegoke. They were assaulted and their equipment damaged by hoodlums, led by a woman in the Onigbongbo area of the state. In a statement on Sunday, the BCOS NUJ Chairperson, Dupe Fehintola, and Secretary, Olamiposi Ishola, described the assault as misdirected. The union said the crew was carrying out its responsibility of monitoring and covering the election when the hoodlums pounced on the members. The BCOS NUJ wondered how its members would be the target of attacks, adding that it was obvious the thugs had something to hide during the election which was supposed to be a transparent and open exercise. While calling on INEC, the Lagos State Government and the police to do a thorough investigation into the incident with a view to preventing a recurrence, the BCOS NUJ said its members will continue to carry out their surveillance role to restore values and standards in all areas and sectors. It, however, commended some good Samaritans and security operatives who quickly rescued the team and helped them to a safe distance. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, has been advised to ensure his administration adheres to the federal character principle in its appointments. A renowned professor of administration, Oladipupo Adamolekun, gave the advice while speaking with PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview. Mr Adamolekun said the current Muhammadu Buhari administration failed to adhere to constitutional provisions on federal character especially in appointments in the security sector. He advised the president-elect on how to follow a different path. How the president (Mr Tinubu) will reflect federal character in his appointment of his cabinet and in other areas of government is critical because one criticism of the incumbent president was that he did not do that satisfactorily especially with regards to security appointments, Mr Adamolekun said. When federal character was inserted into the Constitution in 1979, there were no guidelines for implementing it. There is a need for guidelines for the implementation of federal character. The President-elect should get a committee to prepare guidelines for the operation of federal character in his first six months in office. The guidelines, Mr Adamolekun said, would determine areas where federal character would not apply, especially in specialised areas such as civil aviation in the grading of pilots and neurosurgery. He noted that only merit should be used in these highly technical areas. Right now the federal character clause is being interpreted and implemented inconsistently and sometimes contradictorily, the former World Bank lead public sector governance specialist, said. He suggested that in the civil service, federal character should only apply at entry oint but not at the highest cadre such as at the level of permanent secretary. President Buhari had been accused of making lopsided appointments, especially in the leadership of the security agencies. But the presidency had dismissed tge accusation, saying no ethnic group or political zone has been deliberately left out in the appointments. Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, states that: The composition of the government of the federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few state or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in they government or in any of its agencies. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is among prominent figures who had accused the president of nepotism. In a letter to tge president in 2018, Mr Obasanjo said, But there are three other areas where President Buhari has come out more glaringly than most of us thought we knew about him, continued Obasanjo. One is nepotic deployment bordering on clannishness and inability to bring discipline to bear on errant members of his nepotic court. This has grave consequences on performance of his government to the detriment of the nation. The former president also said in a 13-page letter titled The Way Out: A Clarion Call for Coalition for Nigeria Movement that It would appear that national interest was being sacrificed on the altar of nepotic interest. What does one make of a case like that of (Abdulrasheed) Maina: collusion, condonation, ineptitude, incompetence, dereliction of responsibility or kinship and friendship on the part of those who should have taken visible and deterrent disciplinary action? How many similar cases are buried, ignored or covered up, and not yet in the glare of the media and the public? On the outcome of the February 25 presidential election, Mr Adamolekun, said reactions are consistent with the history of losers seeking legal redress, even up to the Supreme Court. There is nothing new in that regard. Even President Buhari challenged the presidential election results up to the Supreme Court three times, he said. We must commend INEC for declaring the results despite the pressures. Once the results have been declared, he losers are free to go to court. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Akwa Ibom State Governor-elect, Umo Eno has promised to set up a reconciliation committee to bring the people of the state together and focus on things that deepen the states unity. Mr Eno stated this in Uyo on Sunday shortly after he was declared winner of the Akwa Ibom State governorship election, which he contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He dedicated his victory to God and thanked his political father Governor Udom Emmanuel, whom he said saw in him what others may not have seen. He promised not to disappoint the people. I harbor no hate or animosity towards any one. As Abraham Lincoln once said, with malice towards none, with charity for all, I promise to run an all-inclusive government, where no one would be punished or victimised on account of holding a different political opinion. We are all Akwa Ibomites first and foremost before our political labels. Political parties are vehicles to attain power, they cannot substitute the bond of unity and brotherhood we have all shared for centuries. It is a known fact that politics may have created a gulf of alienation in some sections of our society. I hereby pledge to set up a Reconciliation Committee to bring our brothers and sisters together and look at things that deepen our unity than those that divide us, Mr Eno said. Eammnauel Adigio, a professor and State Returning Officer for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Mr Eno as governor-elect for scoring the highest number of votes in the 18 March election in the state. Mr Eno won in 29 of the 31 local government areas in the state, with a total of 354,348 votes to defeat his top challenger, Bassey Albert of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), who won in two local governments areas, scoring 136,262 votes. Akanimo Udofia, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), came third in the race with 129,602 votes. The candidates of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, John Akpanudoedehe and that of Labour Party, Uduakobong Udoh, scored 12,509 and 4,746 votes respectively. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has described Governor Seyi Makindes re-election in Saturdays governorship and state house of assembly election in Oyo State as a reward for keeping faith with his covenant with the people of the state. Oba Balogun, in a statement on Monday in Ibadan, urged Mr Makinde not to take the support for granted in his second term. He advised the governor to work harder so that the people of the state would not feel disappointed. According to the monarch, the election result was a verdict of confidence of the people in the governor, which he said Mr Makinde earned through his service to the people in his first term. Olubadan said: There is always the tendency for second timer to be lethargic, because theres nothing to aspire for again, at least, at the state level. But, I appeal to you to see the new mandate as a call to do more in terms of service delivery. The confidence reposed in you by the people who voted for you is hinged on hope for more dividends of democracy by your government. In your inner recess, I implore you to cast your mind back to some of the issues raised as criticisms by your opponents during the electioneering and do something about them. Not all of them were political propaganda or mere attempts to demarket you and your administration, but very germane and crucial to good governance. Royal counselling The monarch advised the governor to make the people of the state remain your focus in the emerging new dispensation and in doing that play less emphasis on party politics. He said: Keep open arms and embrace all for the overall growth and development of the state. You cant do all, but, let it be said of you at the end of another four years that you did your possible best and let people of the state remain proud of the choice made in you. Oba Balogun prayed for a very successful tenure for the re-elected governor. Appeal The monarch also called for support of all and sundry for the governor with a charge that with the conclusion of the elections, politics should take the back seat while all hands must be on deck for a more prosperous state. He said: Irrespective of political parties affiliation, the state belongs to everyone of us and we must be seen placing it far above individual and personal interests. The traditional ruler also commended the election umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the conduct of the election. He noted that the commission did a yeomans job for dousing the already mounting tension ahead of the election by placing patriotism and professionalism above every other considerations in the discharge of the sacred duty, which he noted, caught the admiration of all. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Chimaroke Nnamani, a senator representing Enugu-East District, has quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after losing his bid for re-election. He was defeated in the Saturdays election by the candidate of the Labour Party, Kelvin Chukwu. Mr Nnamani, a former governor of Enugu State, announced his exit from the PDP in a statement in Abuja on Monday, He expressed appreciation to his constituents for the support given to him over the years. According to Mr Nnamani, he had consulted with his associates and constituents, and has decided to leave the PDP because of irreconcilable differences with the national leadership of the party. He said he had moved on and hoped that his modest contributions to the development of his constituency would be the building blocks on which his successors could build on. Mr Nnamani thanked Nigerians, especially the Ebeano political family and urged them to remain steadfast in the years ahead. The former governor reaffirmed his acquaintance with the President-elect Bola Tinubu and promised to continue to partner with him. He expressed optimism that a Tinubu-led administration would promote good governance, rule of law and human rights for the interest of all Nigerians. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Nnamani had in the buildup to the 2023 general elections insisted he would not rescind his decision to support the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr Tinubu, now President-elect. According to Mr Nnamani, he decided to align with Mr Tinubu because the PDP had breached its Constitution by subverting the principle of power rotation. The LP candidate, Mr Chukwu, scored 69,136 votes to defeat Mr Nnamani, who scored 48, 701 votes in the election. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Some supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State on Monday stormed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), protesting against some issues on the governorship election. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the supporters trooped out in their numbers, not minding their social status, to protest against INEC. It would be recalled that INEC adjourned the process of the final collation of results and the possible announcement of the Enugu State governorship poll result by 8 a.m. Monday. The PDP members, in their hundreds, protested that INEC should not delay in declaring its candidate, Peter Mbah, winner of the March 18 Governorship poll since the results from the 17 Local Government Areas had been collated. The LP, on its own, said that INEC should not declare the result following multiple irregularities, especially the alleged non-use of the Bimodal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) machine for voting in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state. Speaking on behalf of the PDP, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, an activist, said that INEC should do the needful by declaring the result in favour of Mbah, who stood as the leading candidate in the results entire 17 already collated. Iyere said that INECs delay in announcing the Mbah winner might threaten peace in the state. Since Dr Peter Mbah has the highest lawful and valid vote, he should be declared the winner without further delay. The opposition LP has an alternative, which is seeking redress in the court where they will lay their complaints and allegations for the court to see clearly if they even have a case in the first place. We all must give peace a chance. I call on INEC and LP to give peace a chance. Mr Iyere, founder of the Civil Society Committee for Anti-Fraud Election Security (CISCAES), noted that just like what happened at the national collation centre, Abuja, LP members should seek their day in court and not take to the streets. This act of calling youths and adults that should know the rules to take to the street is undemocratic and uncivilised, he said. Speaking for the LP, Comrade Jonathan Ani said that the PDP wanted to rob the LP of its victory by bloating the figures in the Nkanu East council area, where the Electoral Act procedure for election conduct was never followed. Mr Ani said that it had been specified and stipulated by the Amended Electoral Act that it should be entirely cancelled where such takes place in an election. INEC should never go ahead to announce the result as the Nkanu East council poll needed to be cancelled. A fresh election conducted for the council area or scores of that council area would be entirely removed, and Dr Chijioke Edeoga declared the winner. We are Obidient and peace-loving party, but we will not fold our arms and allow PDP to rob us of our victory in Enugu State. INEC should do the right thing for peace, justice and fair play to reign in the state after the entire process, he said. However, when filing this report, INEC needed to resume its poll collation and announcement activities as promised by 8 a.m. on Monday. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Teslim Folarin, has congratulated Governor Seyi Makinde on his victory in the 18 March governorship election in the state. Mr Folarins congratulatory message was contained in a statement released on Monday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 568,756 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Folarin, who scored 256,685. In his message, Mr Folarin expressed appreciation to the electorate in the state for their support of APC candidates in the just-concluded general elections. He also expressed gratitude to God for preserving the lives of the people throughout the electioneering process and to his friends and political allies for their overwhelming support. He commended members of the 2023 Oyo State APC Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council for their issue-based campaigns, loyalty, dedication and commitment to the struggle. My gratitude also goes to the coalition parties, candidates of other political parties, volunteers, the press and individuals that contributed to the Itesiwaju Ipinle Oyo 2023 project, he said. The APC governorship candidate, however, appealed to party members and support groups to remain calm, as the results of the election were being studied. It is God that gives and takes power. May Oyo State and our people continue to prosper, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Patrick Dakum, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the just concluded governorship elections in Plateau State, has congratulated Caleb Mutfwang, the governor-elect of the state. Mr Dakum congratulated Mr Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) via a telephone call on Monday in Jos. He promised to pray and support the governor-elect toward the growth, development and progress of the state. Hello Caleb, how are you? This is to say congratulations and to wish you all the best. May God guide you, keep you and be with you. We will continue to pray along with you and see what does for us, thank you, he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idris Amali, the returning officer for the polls, had declared Mr Mutfwang as the governor-elect. He said Mr Mutfwang polled 525, 299 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Nentawe Yilwatda, who scored 481, 370 votes. The LP candidate polled 60, 310 votes in the election. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Delta All Progressives Congress, (APC), Campaign Council has rejected the result of the Delta State gubernatorial election held on 18 March, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In a statement by its Director, Communications and Media Strategy, Ima Niboro, the Council dismissed the result declared by INEC as a pyrrhic victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which will be overturned by the sheer weight of evidence against it. The candidate of the PDP, Sheriff Oborevwori, was on Monday, declared winner of the election by INEC. Mr Oborevwori polled a total of 360,234 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Ovie Omo-Agege of the APC who scored 240,229 votes. The APC campaign council said it has evidence that the process was characterised by irregularities and that the people of the state were denied the right to freely expressed their will. We have an entire arsenal of evidence showing the disenfranchisement of the people, non use of, and tampering with BVAS machines, declaring double results at polling units, issuing of fake result sheets to agents and uploading cooked up results into the BVAS. We also have evidence of widespread vote suppression, voter intimidation, thuggery and violence against our supporters. The PDP was at its worst during the election: wickedly denying the people of their will freely expressed at the polls. Look at the streets of Delta today. It is gloom everywhere. Our people are wearing long, mournful faces. No sign of jubilation anywhere. Our streets would have been throbbing with life, song and dance, were this the will of the people. This rape of the will of the people will not stand. It must not be allowed to stand, It said. The APC called on its members in the state to remain calm. We call on our party faithful and supporters to remain calm. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning, it said. In a separate statement by his media aide, Sunny Areh, Mr Omo-Agege, who is also the deputy senate president, rejected the result. It said Mr Oborevwori was declared winner despite the myriad of infractions and acts of impunity the PDP perpetrated during the poll. The statement said, A while ago, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Delta State announced Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, gubernatorial flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the governor-elect following the March 18 governorship election. The declaration was made despite the myriad of infractions and acts of impunity on the part of the PDP in the course of the election. These were brought to the attention of INEC with incontrovertible proof. The March 18 election was characterised by massive fraud, unprecedented vote buying and voter suppression perpetrated by the PDP in the course of the election. The fraudulent nature of PDPs so-called victory are just too damning and daring for it to be acceptable in any decent society. Most of those infractions are on the public domain and known to INEC officials and the security agencies involved in superintending the election. The statement said in the 25 February presidential and National Assembly elections, the results pointed to an unequivocal rejection of the PDP. It noted that of the three senatorial zones in the state, APC won two while PDP controversially edged out the Labour Party in the Delta North Senate race. It said it was an unadulterated verdict of Deltans on how they have fared under 24 years of governance of their state by PDP. On the basis of the factors listed and more that will come later, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, governorship candidate of the APC in Delta State as well as the leadership of the party, unequivocally reject the declaration by INEC of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori of the PDP as winner of the March 18 governorship election, the statement said. We will challenge this fraudulent result using all legal means. As a democrat and Deputy President of the Senate, Omo-Agege will explore all lawful avenues to reclaim the mandate freely given to him by the good people of Delta State. To the numerous supporters of APC and the entire public that share in Omo-Ageges vision of building a new Delta State, we urge you all to remain calm, peaceful and law abiding. I can assure all our teeming supporters and all Deltans that the PDP pyrrhic celebration of a stolen mandate will be short-lived. By the grace of God and the clearly expressed wish of the people, this electoral heist will be reversed and Senator Omo-Agege will be sworn in on May 29, 2023 as the lawfully elected Governor of Delta State. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation officer for the governorship election in Kano, Ahmad Doko, has announced a two-hour break to cross-check the election results before the final declaration. Mr Doko announced the decision after receiving the election result of the 44 local government areas in the state. The opposition candidate of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) Abba Kabir, garnered 1,019,700 votes against the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasir Gawuna, who got 890,705 votes. The NNPP candidate is leading with 128,995 votes. The postponement of the announcement by the returning officer for a two-hour break was greeted by uproar by the agents of the NNPP who alleged that the result declaration process might be compromised. The NNPP also expressed suspicion that the election might be declared inconclusive as it happened in the 2019 election. However, Mr Doko said he would have to carefully cross-check incidents of reported violence and over-voting before declaring the winner according to the Electoral Act 2022. He said he will resume by 5 a.m. to make the final declaration. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On Monday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said his re-election for a second term has reaffirmed that Lagos has chosen competence and experience on the march to true greatness. Mr Sanwo-Olu said this at the Lagos House Marina while giving the victory speech for his re-election, following the official announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The governor was declared the winner of the Lagos State gubernatorial election at 1.15 a.m. and scored 762,134 valid votes to LPs 312,329 and PDPs 62,449 votes. He said that elections were over now, governance must continue, and the dividends of democracy must continue to be delivered, as there must be no break and no time off. According to him, his government will keep all the promises made to the people of Lagos state. Lagosians, you did not just vote for Babajide Sanwo-Olu. You voted for a greater Lagos. I promise that together we shall achieve this. This is a promise that shall not be broken. A greater Lagos shall be ours. Let me boldly and proudly say that we are already well on the way to that greater Lagos, and we now have four more years to join hands to advance in ways that will pleasantly surprise even the most sceptical amongst us, he said. Mr Sanwo-Olu said that four years ago, the people of Lagos gave him cause to deliver a similar victory speech. Since then, he had been conscious of the great responsibility upon him and the administration. I have worked very hard to live up to this responsibility of governing the essential subnational economy in Africa. We certainly could not have done this by ourselves. What we have achieved, both in the last four years and in the just-concluded election, could not have happened without a long list of supporters and partners. First and foremost, let me thank the Almighty God, to whom we owe our very breath and who has spared our lives to see this day. I am also very grateful to all of you, the good people of Lagoseveryone, not just those who voted for us or those registered to vote. Lagos is what it is today because of you, regardless of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, gender or age. We are a vibrant and thriving hub of commerce, finance, entrepreneurship, innovation and culture because of the diversity that has come to define us over the decades and the centuries. Thank you, he said. Victory speech The governor commended fellow contestants for their participation in the democratic process and their contribution to creating a truly competitive political space in Lagos. According to him, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, there is no victor, no vanquished. He said that during the campaign, sadly, a lot of divisive rhetoric was used, as some tried to make the elections about ethnicity and religion when they should only have been about capacity, competence and experience. We saw hateful and hurtful ethnic profiling by fellow citizens which is totally out of place for us as Lagosians, the proud residents of West Africas pre-eminent melting pot. I want to recognise and salute all the multitudes of residents who refused to succumb to those who sought and still seek to divide us with their unguarded and inciting comments. Unfortunately, there are reports of skirmishes in some local government areas wherein some citizens were reported to have been injured. We strongly condemn these reprehensible incidents that is not who we are. The relevant law enforcement and security agencies have been directed to investigate these law breaches and ensure that those found guilty face the full wrath of the law. Now that the elections are over, we must reaffirm the spirit of solidarity and togetherness that binds us as Lagosians. As I said in my last pre-election address, we have a lot of work to do in working and moving past the divisive rhetoric that has shaped the course of this election cycle, Sanwo-Olu said. He said it was very significant, and this could not be overemphasised that what united all as residents was far more critical and substantial than whatever differences existed. He said that the true Lagos spirit remained a welcoming, embracing, liberal one, not a divisive, exclusionary one. In the days and weeks and months ahead, we will continue to do everything to demonstrate and amplify this, the governor said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On March 18, Nigerians came out to vote for their preferred governorship candidates across different political parties in 28 states of the federation. Results from the election exercise are now being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). From the presidential elections to the governorship, PREMIUM TIMES has keenly reported events as they unfolded to inform and educate the public while they exercise their franchise. In many states, the dynamics changed after the presidential election with political parties clinging to victories after losing to the opposition during the 25 February presidential election. In Lagos, the All Progressive Congress (APC) had lost to the Labour Party during the presidential poll but things changed during the governorship elections held on Saturday. APCs Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been declared the winner while the candidate of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, came a distant second. The LPs candidate alleges rigging while there were many reported cases of violence and voter suppression during the election. It was the same story in Oyo where Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led APCs Teslim Folarin with a wide margin as against what transpired during the presidential election when the APC won. In Katsina, the PDP had won the presidential election but APC took over the battlefield as INEC announced Dikko Radda of the APC as the winner of the election. In Kaduna, the contest is tight between APCs Uba Sani and his PDP counterpart with a winner yet to be declared. But in Sokoto, APC defeated PDP despite the latter party winning the presidential election in the state. The APC won the presidential election in Zamfara but the PDPs Dauda Lawal leads APCs Governor Bello Matawalle after results from five of the states 14 local governments were announced. In Benue, despite the governor showing support for LPs Peter Obi, the APC won the presidential election in the state and has taken an early lead in the governorship poll. In Ogun, Governor Dapo Abiodun of the APC retained his seat as he narrowly defeated his PDP counterpart who challenged the declaration by INEC. In Jigawa, the outgoing governor, Badaru Abubakar, joined the league of APC leaders who won their states in both the governorship and presidential elections. Sule Lamido, a former PDP governor of the state and PDP leader, failed in his bid to install his son as the next governor of the state with APCs Umar Namadi declared the winner. In Kano, the NNPP has won the majority of the votes, just like it did in the presidential election. INEC is expected to declare the NNPP winner of the governorship election on Monday morning. In Kebbi, a winner has yet to be declared in the close contest between APC and PDP. In the presidential election, Plateau voted for LPs Peter Obi but that is fast changing in the governorship poll as the race is now between the PDP and the APC. In Kwara, Governor Abdulrahman Abdurazak of the APC was re-elected for a second term. The APC has also retained Niger State. In Adamawa, Aishatu Binani of the APC trails Governor Umaru Fintiri of the PDP with only one local government yet to be decided. Binani, however, believes she has a strong chance to overcome the margin with a big win in Fufore, the remaining local government. She seeks to become Nigerias first woman to be elected state governor. In Borno, chances are high that APCs Governor Babagana Zulum would be re-elected if he maintains his early lead. In Gombe and Yobe, APCs incumbent governors have been re-elected. For the southeast region, the Obi tsunami is still potent but not without its challenges. In Abia, for example, LP is in a comfortable lead but struggles with the PDP in Enugu. But in Ebonyi, the APC governorship candidate is set to be declared the winner. The Obi tsunami has no life in Rivers as victory is between the PDP and APC with the APC in an early lead. In Cross River, the APC governorship candidate is in a comfortable lead. And in Delta, PDP has taken an early lead in the governorship poll. INEC improvement but problems remain PREMIUM TIMES reported the improvement in logistics by INEC, a fact also commended by observer groups such as CDD and YIAGA. Election officials arrived earlier than in the presidential election and voting started early in many parts of the country. However, the governorship elections were characterised by more violence and vote buying than during the presidential election. There were also cases of politicians inciting ethnic divisions with Amnesty International warning political figures and journalists against the act. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Abdullahi Sule, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the governorship election in Nasarawa State. Ishaya Tanko, INEC State Collation and Returning Officer, officially announced the result on Monday in Lafia at the Nasarawa State Collation Centre. The INEC returning officer said the APC candidate polled a total of 347,209 votes to defeat his closest opponent- David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who secured 283,016 votes. The returning officer said: Abdullahi Sule of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes in the election is hereby declared the winner and returned elected. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in 2019, Mr Sule won the governorship election by polling 327,229 votes to defeat Mr Ombugadu of the PDP who scored 184,281 votes. NAN reports that Labaran Maku of the All Progressives Grand Alliance polled a total of 132,784 votes in the 2019 election. The result of the 2023 election indicated that APC won in 11 out of the 13 local government areas of the state. Nasarawa State became one of the states in Nigeria where more than two political parties hotly contested various elective posts. While the candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) won many legislative seats in the National Assembly, the Labour Party won the presidential election in the state. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed collating the Governorship election results from Local Government Areas (LGAs) until noon. The battle is between Senator Aishatu Dahiru (Binani), the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate and the incumbent governor and PDP candidate, Ahmadu Fintri. Mohammed Mele, state collation officer and Yakubu Ari, Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, announced this on Monday after collating results from 20 out of the 21 LGAs. He said that the exercise was postponed to enable verification of the results from the Fufore local government area, which were snatched. Shortly before the shift, two agents of the leading parties in the election, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and All Progressives Congress, APC, urged INEC to ensure justice in collating the results before the declaration. NAN reports that security agencies were also deployed to major roads in the state capital to ensure security following a protest by some political thugs in the metropolis after the adjournment. The police have cordoned off the road to the INEC office from Gate II of the Jimeta modern market to the fire service roundabout. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign in Ahoada West Local government area in Rivers State, Chisom Lenard, has been killed by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in the state. Mr Lenard was killed on Saturday during the governorship and State House of Assembly election in the area. Police spokesperson in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident in a statement she issued Sunday. Mrs Iringe-Koko, a police superintendent, said the Police Commissioner in the state in charge of election matters, Echeng Echeng, has directed operatives of the command to deploy all investigative assets to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book. From information gathered the campaign director general was shot dead by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in the afternoon of Saturday 18 March. The Commissioner of Police commiserate with the families of the bereaved and has promised to bring perpetrators of such heinous crimes to justice, she said. READ ALSO: Punch newspaper reported that Mr Lenard was kidnapped by gunmen dressed in police uniform, while elections were going on at Ibagwa polling unit 2 ward 10 in Ahoada West Local Government Area. According to the newspaper, the APC chieftain made an effort to prevent the gunmen from snatching election materials before he was whisked away in a commando style and was killed hours later. Besides the killing of the APC chieftain, an ad-hoc official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also shot dead on Saturday in the Abua-Odual Local Government Area of the state while on election duty, PM news reported. The official, whose name was not given, died while being rushed to the hospital. Another victim injured by a stray bullet was hospitalised, the newspaper said. A similar incident occurred four years ago during the 2019 elections where five persons, including a soldier, were killed, while others sustained injuries in the violence following the presidential and National Assembly election in the state, according to ThisDay newspaper. The incident of 2019 forced INEC to suspend polls in two local government areas of the state. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The controversial Nigerian preacher, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has expressed strong opinions about the recently concluded Nigerian general elections. The country had its presidential and National Assembly elections on 25 February in which the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was declared as the winner by INEC. The Governorship and State Assembly elections were held last Saturday. Reports say the elections were characterised by widespread voter intimidation in some states like Enugu, Rivers, including Lagos State. This has not gone down well with notable Nigerians who have openly condemned the election malpractice. One of them is Apostle Suleman, the General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries. Delivering a sermon on Sunday, the preacher, whose convoy recently came under heavy gunfire, said Nigeria has failed to adopt the concept of democracy properly. According to him, what the country is practising is best termed Agberocracy, a coinage from the word agbero, a term used to describe motor park touts. He said: This thing we call democracy in Nigeria, we should return it. The one we collected is a duplicate. What we have is Agberocracy; the government of the agbero, by the abgero, for the agbero. You stand to snatch the ballot box, and they shoot you and the man you are snatching for; his child is abroad. My consolation is that anything not built on the right platform cant stand, he said. Nigerian politicians Speaking further, the preacher, who has been battling actress Haima Abubakar over an alleged love affair, noted that Nigerian politicians are not to be copied. According to him, they have been taught that honesty doesnt pay. A free and fair life doesnt yield results. Following due process has no reward. Everything you achieve in life is through violence. Being a trickster is being smart. Dont copy them. READ ALSO: Dont copy the average Nigerian politician who makes you feel that honesty doesnt pay and who makes you believe that you can struggle to get a PVC to stay on the queue under the rain, under the heat, and right before your eyes, they snatch ballot box, kill and harass people, he added. Message for the youths Addressing young people, the apostle said the past months events may have left them distraught, but they should not give up. Citing the book of Proverbs 20:21, Apostle Suleman said that inheritance might be gotten hastily at the beginning, but the end shall not be blessed. I know that the past month, what you have learnt, you are shattered, your hope is shattered. For the first time, the youths decided to struggle for something, and they took it from them. The youth should not give up. What you have learnt is how not to copy older men. What you have learnt is how illegal wealth is gotten. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has advised Nigerian Muslims to look out for the crescent (moon) of Ramadan 1444AH from Wednesday. In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES Monday, the NSCIA Director of Administration, Zubairu Usman-Ugwu, said the search for the new moon should commence immediately after sunset on Wednesday, 29 Shaaban, 1444 AH which is equivalent to 22 March. Mr Usman-Ugwu noted that if the moon is sighted by Muslims on the said evening, then the Sultan of Sokoto (Abubakar Saad) will declare Thursday, 23 March, as the first day of Ramadan 1444 AH. However, he said if the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Friday, 24 March automatically becomes the first day of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observed by Muslims worldwide as a month for fasting, prayer, reflection and assisting the needy. Mr Usman-Ugwu also gave 33 telephone numbers and email addresses that could be used directly to report the sighting of the new Ramadan moon to the NSCIA moonsighting committee. A full list of the numbers and email contacts is available below. FIND THE FULL STATEMENT BY THE NSCIA BELOW. NSCIA/HQ/PRS/044 Date: 27th Shaaban, 1444 AH 20th March 2023 FELICITATION AND MOONSIGHTING FOR RAMADAN 1444 A.H. The month of Ramadan (is that) in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proof for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. present at his home), he must observe fasting that month (Q. Al-Baqarah 2:185) The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Saad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates with the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of the forthcoming 1444 A.H. Ramadan fasting exercise. Council prays that may Allah spare the life of every Muslim to witness, participate fully in and benefit maximally from the noble act of worship (ibaadah). READ ALSO: Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1444 A.H. immediately after sunset on Wednesday, 29th Shaaban, 1444 A.H. which is equivalent to 22nd March 2022. If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence shall declare Thursday, 23rd March, 2023 as the first day of Ramadan 1444 A.H. If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Friday, 24th March 2023 shall automatically become the first day of Ramadan. In addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, the following members of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC) can be contacted to report any credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Ramadan 1444 AH: Council enjoins all Muslims to be more prayerful unto Allah, especially in the month of Ramadan; that He should grant us peace, stability, unity and progress in Nigeria. Furthermore, Council urges Muslim politicians to display the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity both of which represent some of the core lessons of Ramadan. Let those who emerged victorious in the just concluded elections remember that it is the Almighty Allah Who grants power to whom He wishes. Also, those who lost should accept the same with faith and resist any act that may cause disaffection and disunity within the Ummah. Council also appeals to endowed Muslims in the country to extend their acts of charity to the less privileged within their neighbourhoods before, during and after the month of Ramadan. We also admonish traders not to hoard food products or unduly hike the prices of consumer goods during the period of fasting. Council hereby enjoins Muslims all over the country to be on the lookout, on the night of Wednesday, 22nd of March 2023, for the announcement by His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA, of the commencement of the year 1444 A.H. Ramadan fast. We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world a happy Ramadan in advance. 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 This is the often unspoken argument for further domestic reforms. Changes to our rules will not of their own lead to improvements in our economic, social and or political options/outcomes. Rule changes that level the playing fields will. This is as much a function of how readily understandable the rules are, as it is a question of the fairness with which they are implemented. At heart, this condition reinforces an efficient markets requirement for easy exit and entry of all participants. With its last breath, the Buhari administration appeared to bring down two birds with one stone: radically alter the economic power relationship among the countrys constituent parties, while boosting the case for further domestic reform. At least three of the bills, which the president is reported to have signed into law last week, will help solve problems with the efficient running of the Nigerian state by moving economic, political, and social issues from the centre to lower administrative levels, consistent with their resolution. Yet, two stand out in terms of their potential long term impact: movement of railways to the Concurrent Legislative List from the Exclusive Legislative List; and broadening state governments right to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid. Expectedly, the more popular response has been to celebrate the prospect of exponential growth in the power and railways sector over the next 18-24 months. Were this true, the subsequent reduction of costs across the country will equal a steroid-boost to the economy. Given how poorly the Buhari administration has managed the economy up until now, this would not be a bad bequest. Still, it is tempting to ask Why, given the potential of reform efforts along these lines for driving domestic growth it took the government eight years to bring these changes about? But that is to cavil. The weightier questions begin with how these changes affect the Nigeria Railway Corporation Act (1956), for instance? Do the states simply inherit the provisions in the Act that have, until now, held back private sector participation in that space? Or are they able to remove local risks to private investment in order to boost activity in the sector? The ability of sub-national governments to vary the applicability of national laws and rules means that the resulting policy responses and interventions may be tailor-made to the peculiarities of their respective economies, without losing the broader purpose of the applicable laws and rules. This process of domestication also allows successful experiments in the different states to be copied by others allowing aggregate growth on the back of reduced resource use. However, policy sandboxes at the state level nearly always depend for their success on the configuration of the broader operating environment. The temptation to conceive of the latter constraint in terms of operating statutes alone is understandable. But success in driving multi-speed economic developments across an economy as diverse as ours requires a longer and broader road. any programme of successful reforms to the Nigerian economy will not just encourage private investment in the country. It will demand a substantial infusion of non-resident investments, too i.e. investments in productive assets (factories, real estate, etc.), as distinct from the yield-chasing portfolio variant. Up until now, domestic economic reforms have been autarchic. Ultimately, any programme of successful reforms to the Nigerian economy will not just encourage private investment in the country. It will demand a substantial infusion of non-resident investments, too i.e. investments in productive assets (factories, real estate, etc.), as distinct from the yield-chasing portfolio variant. Up until now, domestic economic reforms have been autarchic. A mercantilist mindset continues to favour exports over imports persuaded that the latter is as harmful to the local economy as the former is beneficial. Atop this argument sits a nationalist mentality favouring local exporters over foreign ones. The lousy basis of this economics is easily illustrated. But the anecdotal counter-case will do even better. Ignore the very useful example of North Korea. First, China, and as it moved up the production possibility frontier (labour costs in China are now high enough to undercut its competitiveness in the production of goods and services at the lower end of the technological rung), Vietnam, Laos, Bangladesh, all demonstrate the benefits of an economy open to foreign capital (and trade). The pool of money from foreign investors is nearly always bigger than that available locally. It is invariably more sophisticated. Has access to the fanciest technologies in the relevant sectors. And nearly always comes with better management practices. This is the often unspoken argument for further domestic reforms. Changes to our rules will not of their own lead to improvements in our economic, social and or political options/outcomes. Rule changes that level the playing fields will. This is as much a function of how readily understandable the rules are, as it is a question of the fairness with which they are implemented. At heart, this condition reinforces an efficient markets requirement for easy exit and entry of all participants. In the local case, our regime multiple foreign exchange rates belies this need for transparency. Foreign direct investors will need foreign exchange for their imports. It will help that this process is transparent if factories are not to stop working. And if profitable, they would need foreign exchange to return value to stakeholders. Export facilities will definitely baulk at having to part with export earnings at prices set below market rates. If we are to attract the investment needed to meet the sundry economic goals we have set ourselves, reforms to the laws have to be implemented in tandem with reforms to our monetary policy environment. Uddin Ifeanyi, journalist manque and retired civil servant, can be reached @IfeanyiUddin. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print I congratulate all the elected governors, irrespective of whether their elections were flawed or not, and implore them to be courageous and determined to make an impact. The task ahead of developing Nigeria is enormous and calls for selfless leadership and sacrifice. I hope for healthy competition among the governors to outperform each other. They should learn from each other to do the right thing and shun all forms of greed and reckless impunity that have marred some other governors. The gubernatorial and state Houses of Assembly elections have come and gone in most states. Unfortunately in some states, it was characterised by drama, unnecessary tension, flawed processes, violence and broad daylight electoral robbery. The victors are celebrating, and the losers must be feeling bad. We all hope that these elections, flawed as they may seem, would deepen our democracy and that we have elected leaders who will stir the ship of the various states in Nigeria to a glorious destination. Especially, governors who will convert their electoral mandates to results and socio-economic progress. The few coming weeks will see election petitions on account of obviously flawed processes. And the judiciary will play its role in deciding the fate of most governors. As sad as this may be, this has become an unpalatable aspect of our democratic process. A critical reason for the massive interest in the governorship election is the vital role governors play in our democracy and our federalism. The state level remains the closest to the people and governors are crucial development actors who are often forgotten in discussing development in Nigeria because undue focus is on the Federal Government, and most people attribute progress or the lack of it to the Federal Government. The combined total budget of the 36 states of Nigeria for 2023 is over N11 trillion, which is more than 50% of the Federal Governments 2023 budget of N21.83 trillion. This vast fund accruing to the states, if properly harnessed and managed, could shepherd the development of Nigeria. Just as in all federal systems, attention must divert from the centre and focus more on the constituent parts of the federation. It is at this local level that development is planned and executed. The Federal Government should play more of the role of a central facilitator and only get involved in the countrys strategic security, economic and social interests. It is appalling and an anathema that the Federal Government controls more funds than all the states combined, which has led to the states going cap in hands monthly to the Federal Government for monthly allocation. In most federal systems, the case is the opposite the states fund the Federal Government through a specified allocation formula. It is also disheartening that some state governments cannot survive without total reliance on Federal Government projects and allocations. This is at the root of Nigerias lack of progress having states that are liabilities to the nation, because they are unproductive and not viable. A cursory look at past governors and their performances will highlight the good, the bad, and ugly shades. I am incredibly grateful to some governors who, in the past four or eight years, were able to articulate their visions clearly, set their priorities right, and who ran disciplined and inclusive administrations. There are only a handful of them. A few have grown the economies of their states, raised the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profiles It is utterly absurd that instead of elected governors to focus on making their states economically viable and developing their states from down to up, many governors have turned the states into fiefdoms and domains where they rule as absolute dictators, controlling not just the resources of the state, but all the state institutions with impunity. We see governors who unashamedly use public funds as their private funds and use it anyhow they want, with little or no accountability whatsoever. The job of a governor requires that s/he is less wasteful, less grandiose in lifestyle and cost of governance. Nigerian state governors, by virtue of our constitution, have enormous powers and resource bases that, if properly deployed, can create oases of development. Some of the revenues accruing to certain states in Nigeria compare to those of some smaller African countries. To illustrate this, Lagos States 2023 budget of about $4 billion is higher than the 2023 budget of the Republic of Togo ($3.2 billion), almost equivalent to the Republic of Benins 2023 budget ($4.5 billion), and nearly half of Ghanas 2023 budget of $11.7 billion. Other states have a similar revenue trajectory. How states manage their resources directly correlates with the their development levels. A cursory look at past governors and their performances will highlight the good, the bad, and ugly shades. I am incredibly grateful to some governors who, in the past four or eight years, were able to articulate their visions clearly, set their priorities right, and who ran disciplined and inclusive administrations. There are only a handful of them. A few have grown the economies of their states, raised the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profiles, and made considerable strides in the infrastructural, social, economic, and technological development of their states. That way, they succeeded in improving the standards of living of residents of the states. My basis for measuring the governors performances is devoid of propaganda and sheer theatrics that most governors exhibit to confuse their citizens about their performance. Building a few roads, flyovers, and community centres does not qualify as development, especially given the enormous resources accrued to the state. Proper assessments can be based on the Human Development Index (HDI). This measures each states social and economic development by focusing on the following three factors: critical education parameters; relevant health metrics; and the standard of living assessed by gross national income (GNI) per capita. The average HDI for Nigeria in 2021 was 0.535 (the possible highest is 1), and this is lower than for countries like Angola (0.58) and Egypt (0.73). Lagos and Ogun States ranked the highest, with 0.68 and 0.67 respectively. The governors of these states are doing their best to maintain this quality of living among their citizens. We have elected a new set of governors and re-elected a handful to serve another term. I believe the old governors would have learnt from their experiences and the new governors will be ready to learn from the mis-steps of their predecessors. This is the time to set agenda for them and hold them accountable. This is the time to remind them to think beyond the exigencies of the moment and think legacy. There are examples of bad governors who squandered the resources of their states. They spend a lot of resources of the states on politics and political survival to the detriment of the payment of salaries, pensions and investment in capital projects. Where there are capital projects, they tend to be for display and vanity. Some of these governors are under investigation, and others will soon to be investigated when they leave office. In the past eight years, a South-South state had a cumulative revenue of over N4 trillion but has little or nothing to show for it. The quality of life of the people of the state is declining, and unless there is some drastic measures, all the advantages the state had in the HDI during the previous administrations will erode. Many governors were not able to translate their mandates to any tangible results and this manifests in low HDIs that are below the national average. Most of these states unfortunately are in the Northern part of the country. We appreciate the current level of insecurity in these areas and applaud any governor who did his best with the resources he has to improve the lives of his people and heavily criticise those who squandered their commonwealth. We have elected a new set of governors and re-elected a handful to serve another term. I believe the old governors would have learnt from their experiences and the new governors will be ready to learn from the mis-steps of their predecessors. This is the time to set agenda for them and hold them accountable. This is the time to remind them to think beyond the exigencies of the moment and think legacy. Emeka Anyaoku, in 2011, advised newly elected governors to be harbingers of change by investing in their peoples and pursuing socioeconomic policies to create employment for the youth, restore quality education, diversify the productive base of their economies and work for improved healthcare. The advise is still relevant till date. All governors should strive towards sustainable revenue inflow tied to economic productivity. As the CEO of the states, governors should map out ways of relying less on federal allocations by improving IGRs through sustainable resource mobilisation. Growth is possible through productive activities. Sound economic policies and good leadership will stir the states away from the financial crisis that often cripples some states, makes them borrow funds for recurrent expenditure, and neglect critical human development activities that will improve the peoples lives. New state governors must realise that they cannot focus on one development aspect and completely neglect the others, which is counterintuitive and anti-productive. The governors must cover, simultaneously and concurrently, critical areas of development such as quality education, quality healthcare for all, good security, and job creation. We have passed the era of providing basic infrastructure (roads, flyovers, beautification of city centres) as the only indices of development. Development must be holistic and improve peoples living standards, and anything short of this is unacceptable. I congratulate all the elected governors, irrespective of whether their elections were flawed or not, and implore them to be courageous and determined to make an impact. The task ahead of developing Nigeria is enormous and calls for selfless leadership and sacrifice. I hope for healthy competition among the governors to outperform each other. They should learn from each other to do the right thing and shun all forms of greed and reckless impunity that have marred some other governors. I advise them not to become little emperors and sabotage state institutions for their selfish interests. Each governor must set up a team of experts to determine the best strategy to harness the states tremendous economic, social, and political potentials. There are no excuses this time for failure. Developing Nigeria is a task we must accomplish, and state governors are critical stakeholders and catalysts in shaping a new Nigeria. We have a young population that we must engage for greater productivity. The consequences of allowing our youth to wallow unproductively are dire to consider. The governors must allow for checks and balances and make for a healthy function of the legislature and judiciary in their states. They must create enabling environments for growth and development and support the private sector to grow. The problem between the government and the private sector now is caused by the excessive taxation imposed on the private sector. I sincerely hope that the new set of governors will change the Nigerian narrative only if they are ready to face the task of making Nigeria great. Dakuku Peterside is a policy and leadership expert. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has alleged that the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba, has deployed a team of special operatives to rig the election in the northwestern state. Mr Lawal, in a statement by his media office on Monday in Gusau, accused the Inspector General of conniving with Governor Bello Matawalle to rig the governorship election in the latters favour. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the results of 12 local governments out of 14 in the state. The PDP candidate is leading having won nine out of the 12 areas collated. Mr Matawalle of the APC won the remaining three local governments and also trails the PDP candidate in the overall results. Our major concern is the interference of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, Mr Lawals office alleged. We raised the alarm on election day that there was no police presence across the state. It was a plot by the Zamfara State commissioner of police to aid the ruling APC in manipulating the process. Our verified sources have confirmed to us that the Inspector General of Police has deployed a team of special forces to Zamfara. They were flown to Sokoto from Abuja. We have learned that they are on their way coming into Zamfara to cause chaos and create tension in the state capital. Mr Lawal said he has lost confidence in the resident electoral commissioner of the state, asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman to call the REC to order. Zamfara State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) is intentionally delaying the process of the announcement of the result, giving the governor room for manipulation. All collated results from 14 local government areas are ready and in the state collation centre. We dont know why they are delaying the process. The president, security agencies, and international observers should pay close attention to the process in Zamfara state, the statement added. The police spokesperson in the state, Mohammed Shehu, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to him on the allegations. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Shuaib Yaman, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 18 March governorship and House of Assembly elections in Kwara State, says he will leave the outcome of the elections to God. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday declared that the PDP flagbearer came second in the polls won by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, incumbent governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The final results from INEC showed that the APC polled 273,424 votes while the PDP got 155,490 votes. The SDP came third with 18,922 votes. Speaking to journalists in Ilorin on Monday, Mr Yaman said he would not congratulate Mr AbdulRazaq because the poll was fraught with electoral malpractices. The PDP flagbearer also said he would keep the decision to continue in politics or not to himself for now. Mr Yaman, however, disclosed that he would be returning to Kaduna to continue with his business. He said: For the fact that political thugs were used, calls for concern among Nigerians, especially, among our people and relevant stakeholders. Voter apathy in the last governorship election was far greater than before, while the number of voters was greater than in the presidential elections. And I think INEC has questions to answer on the electoral process too. Security forces were used against people and I wouldnt know if they are real security operatives used against the people, while the APC monetised the elections. Our collation officers were chased away in many places. It is not even about the result declared by the INEC. I know one thing for sure that evil victory is temporary while that of the Almighty God victory is permanent. We leave everything to God. Mr Yaman, who was emotional while addressing the party supporters, also chastised some party members in some senatorial districts for their alleged acts of betrayal and anti-party activities. He, however, admonished the PDP members and supporters in the state to keep hope alive, praying that God will repay their good intentions with good rewards. The spirit that keeps us should be kept alive. God will not repay your good intentions for bad. We need to recover from a dark evil. We cannot afford to be led by incompetent people who do not know what to do to lead. One day, our efforts would be beneficial to us or our children. Kwara will rise again and our group will thrive. This is a moment to retreat and ponder. This is not the end. Lets prepare for (the) battle ahead. Its not over yet. I know for sure that they must account for all the votes because they only ambushed people for election. These are people who had kept mute on what their plans are for people or for the state to benefit, but were only distributing money to buy people, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Re-elected Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and the three APC senators-elect on Monday paid a courtesy visit to Shuaibu AbdulRaheem in his country home in Ilorin, the state capital. Mr AbdulRaheem, a professor, was the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Saturdays governorship and State House of Assembly elections. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three newly elected senators are Umar Suleiman (APC-Kwara North), Mustapha Saliu (APC-Kwara Central) and Ashiru Yisa (APC-Kwara South). Mr AbdulRaheem, a former vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin and a title holder of Talba in the Ilorin Emirate Council, warmly received the governor-elect and his entourage after a defeat at the poll. He had earlier congratulated Mr AbdulRazaq via telephone call, advising the governor to operate an open door policy and inclusive administration. He described the victory of the governor as a recognition of good performance and prayers by the people of the state. He expressed optimism that the re-election of AbdulRazaq would enhance growth and development in the state. Mr AbdulRaheem also thanked the people of the state, particularly traditional rulers, the academia, students, supporters and other stakeholders, for believing in him through their financial support and prayers. According to him, his motives in politics were far from being personal, therefore solicited support for the governor to ensure that Kwara witness more socio-political and economic transformation. Earlier, Mr AbdulRazaq thanked Mr AbdulRaheem for his congratulatory call and expressed confidence that a conducive environment would be created where the duo would operate on common ground in the interest of the state. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the outcome of Saturdays gubernatorial election in Katsina State, saying it will go to court. The Director General, Atiku/Lado Campaign Council, Mustapha Inuwa, announced the partys decision at a news briefing on Monday in Katsina. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dikko Radda, won the governorship election with 859,892 votes. He defeated the PDP candidate, Yakubu Lado-Danmarke, who secured 486,620 votes. According to Mr Inuwa, the result did not reflect the decision of voters on Saturday. READ ALSO: There was no election in the state. We want to inform you without any ambiguity that we have condemned and rejected the election conducted on Saturday, March 18, 2023, he said. It was characterised by intimidation, blackmail, inducement, harassment and all sorts of malpractices. He also claimed that PDP supporters were denied the right to vote especially in areas where the party has a large support base. So, I wish to inform you that we reject and condemn it, and we are going to court to challenge the entire exercise, Mr Inuwa said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ibrahim Zakari-Talba, Katsina State gubernatorial candidate of the Social Development Party (SDP), on Monday said he has accepted the outcome of Saturdays elections in good faith. Mr Zakari-Talba disclosed this in a statement released on Monday in Katsina, in reaction to the declaration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dikko Radda, as the winner of the governorship election held on Saturday. As the outcome of the elections had been announced, I would like to take this rare opportunity to thank God for making it possible for us to participate in this historic election in good health and spirit. My good intentions for Katsina state would not be dampened by what happened by Gods grace, he said. He pointed out that the election has been won and lost, adding that but for me, we have won since the people, especially the voiceless and the downtrodden, (we) have identified with them. According to Mr Zakari-Talba, this is more valuable to him than winning an election, saying it was a historic moment for him. READ ALSO: The campaign tour is an eye opener that showed me all that glitter is definitely not gold, we went to more than 2/3 of all 361 wards. It has made me more than committed to being steadfast in building a pathway in taking our people out of poverty by doubling up efforts in my philanthropic service. I thank Allah for His guidance and direction during and after the campaign, he said. Mr Zakari-Talba further commended his team, party leadership, family, friends and supporters who were always there for him throughout the exercise. The SDP candidate also called on his supporters not to relent in their dreams of making Katsina State an epitome of excellence amongst their peers. No one in any circumstances should take the law into his hands if we truly believe power comes and is given by God to whom He wants and at the time He wants. I assure you that the journey has just begun, not ended. Lets all put what has happened behind us and forge ahead in building a united and prosperous Katsina State, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Akwa Ibom State has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of conniving with the state government to execute a well-orchestrated rigging scheme and bloodletting, against its party and supporters during Saturdays elections in the state. The governorship and House of Assembly elections were held in the state on 18 March. In a statement on Monday in Uyo, the state secretary of the party, Kelvin Umoh, alleged that elections were rigged in favour of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. Eammnauel Adigio, a professor who was the State Returning Officer for INEC, on Sunday declared Umo Eno, the PDP candidate, as governor-elect for scoring the highest number of votes in the election. He said Mr Eno won in 29 of the 31 local government areas in the state with a total of 354,348 votes to defeat the YPP candidate, Bassey Albert, who won in two local government areas, scoring 136,262 votes. Akanimo Udofia of the APC came third in the race with 129,602 votes. But Mr Umoh, whom PREMIUM TIMES reported how he rejected the results on Sunday after Mr Eno was declared as the winner at the State Collation Centre, said he did so because the election outcome did not reflect the will of the electorate in the state. He also claimed that four YPP members were killed during the election but only mentioned the name of one person. PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify this claim. The state police spokesperson, Odiko Macdon, did not respond to requests for comments on the matter. At a press briefing on Monday, Mr Umoh said reports from his agents which he claimed were corroborated by independent observers showed the election was a mere ruse on the intelligence of the electorate, whom he claimed had desired to usher in the right leadership in the next dispensation of the state. To pull the wool over the eyes of poll observers and members of the public, the rigging syndicate of the state administration and INEC officials selected a few locations to allow the conduct to run a bit fairly mainly in most parts of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and Uyo Senatorial District while Eket Senatorial District was shambolic, as most of the polling units results were pre-written. Worse still, the PDP state administration also deployed hired thugs who were dressed in Police, military and Paramilitary uniforms to kill, molest, maim and chase away YPPs Party Agents and supporters in the Polling units and Registration Area Centres (RACs) across the State. READ ALSO: Instances abound like the case in Ibiono Ibom where PDP armed militia killed some of our supporters including Mr Abraham Bassey Ekpenyong at the INEC office. This dastardly act was carried out by a team of policemen from Government House, Uyo led by Danjuma Saleh who moved in a convoy of six white Hilux pickup trucks. Furthermore, three of our supporters were killed at Etim Ekpo and several others in other LGAs across the state. Even at Onna LGA, where Governor Udom Emmanuel hails from, thugs in police and military uniforms led by his Chief protocol officer, Mr Edmond Ufang, intimidated and maimed our supporters freely, Mr Umoh alleged. PDP reacts Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the PDP governorship campaign in the state, Chris Abasieyo, has denied Mr Alberts allegation. Mr Eyo, a former commissioner for information in the state, told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday that the margin of defeat was too wide to convince anybody that YPP were roundly defeated, in the race. The news we have is that bloodletting was more in Ibiono (Ibom Local Government Area) where YPP won than any elsewhere. The PDP were not in connivance with any agency of government to have the election rigged. PDP is Akwa Ibom and Akwa is PDP. When we say it is a religion it is demonstrated through votes like this. Wed heard of federal might in 2019 and in the end PDP won. PDP will continue to win here. This victory has shown that a lot of persons that have come to brag about their popularity, fame and strength have always done so riding on the back of the PDP, he said. INEC spokesperson, Festus Okoye, did not respond to requests for comments on rigging allegations against the commission. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Peter Mbah, is leading after collation of results of the Saturdays governorship election from all the 17 local government areas of the state. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the election, Chijioke Edeoga, was leading with a slim margin after collation of results of the elections from eight of the 17 council areas in the state. But the PDP candidate overtook him after the collation of the nine remaining council areas in the state. The results of the entire 17 local government areas of the state were announced on Sunday at the State Collation Centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu. Of the 17 local government areas, the PDP candidate won in nine while the LP candidate won in eight of them. The nine council areas where Mr Mbah won are: Uzo-Uwani, Udi, Ezeagu, Aninri, Nkanu West, Enugu South, Awgu, Enugu East and Nkanu East, where he hails from. The LP candidate, on his part, won in the following council areas: Igbo-Eze North, Oji River, Igbo-Etiti, Igbo-Eze South, Nsukka, Udenu, Enugu North and Isi-Uzo, where he comes from. Although the winner of the governorship election has not been declared as of the time of this report, the results from all the council areas tallied by PREMIUM TIMES showed that Mr Mbah, the PDP candidate, has polled a total of 174,289 votes to defeat the LP candidate, who scored 157, 543 to come second. The difference in the margin between the PDP and the LP candidates is 16,746 votes. The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Frank Nweke Jr, garnered 18,061 votes to come a distant third while the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the election, Uche Nnaji, trails with a total of 14,808 votes. Collation Officers from all the council areas of the state submitted the results to the Returning Officer for the election and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Umudike, Maduebibisi Iwe. However, Mr Iwe, a professor and the returning officer, stepped down results from three local government areas following varied allegations of non-use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machine and other irregularities. The three local government areas where results were stepped down for review include Nkanu East, Nsukka and Enugu East. Rowdy session There was a rowdy session during the collation when the LP party agent, Eugene Edeoga, demanded the suspension of the collation of the results from Nkanu East, alleging that the BVAS machine was bypassed during the election at the council area. In the result being opposed by the LP agent, the PDP polled 30,350 votes, while the LP candidate scored 1,855. To the best of my knowledge, the commission for this gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, made a guideline and the guideline says all elections must be conducted using the BVAS. And the guideline that I read said in the event that the BVAS does not work, the election should be postponed to the next day. With all due respect, this guideline was totally ignored in the election in this Nkanu East Local Government Area. The electoral officers there claimed that the BVAS was not working and resorted to manual accreditation and voting. So, all the results coming in that local government area were in non-compliance with the guidelines published by this commission thats supposed to guide the conduct of this election, Mr Edeoga stated. Mr Iwe said the point was valid. He said the collation should go on while the petition would be looked into later, but the LP agent disagreed, arguing that the issues were fundamental to the entire process. Ndubuisi Enechionye, the APGA agent, backed the LP agents position, claiming that the PDP changed some votes from 200 to 700 and above in some polling units in the council area. The returning officer would later step down the result for review. The PDP agent, who gave his name, simply as Uzo, later opposed the result from Nsukka Local Government Area and demanded that it should be reviewed for irregularities. The results from Enugu East Local Government Area were also opposed by a party agent, who alleged that there was voters intimidation during the exercise in the council area. The returning officer, however, later collated results from the three council areas, saying they would not be computed until they had been reviewed and all issues raised against them were resolved. He asked the party agents to submit their objections against the results in writing within the night for consideration and subsequently adjourned the session to Monday by 8 a.m. for continuation If the results collated across the council areas are not changed after the review, the PDP candidate is expected to be declared winner of the poll. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state. Declaring the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) State Headquarters in Abakaliki on Sunday, the State Returning Officer, Charles Igwe, said Mr Nwifuru garnered a total of 199,131 votes cast across the 13 local governments in the state. His closest challenger, Ifeanyi Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), got a total of 80,191 votes to place second. The candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Bernard Odoh, came third with 52,189 votes. I, Professor Charles Igwe, hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer of the governorship election held on 18th March 2023 in Ebonyi State. That Francis Nwifuru of the APC having satisfied the requirements of the law and having scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected, he said Mr Igwe, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsuka, said the total valid votes was 342,554 while 7,387 votes were rejected; bringing the total votes cast for the election to 349,941. Meanwhile, the governor-elect, Francis Nwifuru, has thanked the people of Ebonyi State for entrusting their mandate to him for the next four years. Mr Nwifuru in his acceptance speech declared his unalloyed loyalty to the patriotic citizens of Ebonyi State for electing him and promised never to disappoint them. He commended Governor Dave Umahi for his support. Mr Nwifuru, who is the current Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, described his victory as a victory for equity and justice. He described the election as a reflection of the wishes of the people who have been resolute and desirous of consolidating the development of the state. Infographics designed by Richard Akinwumi See the final results below. Registered voters- 1597646 Accredited 350345 AA 554 ADC 673 ADP 578 APC 199131 APGA 52189 APM 206 APP 99 LP 6793 NNPP 674 NRM 310 PDP 80191 SDP 126 YPP 280 TOTAL VALID VOTES 342554 REJECTED VOTES 7387 TOTAL VOTES CAST 349941 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) agent for the collation and declaration of the governorship election results in Ebonyi, Emmanuel Onwe, on Monday refused to sign the elections result sheet. An aggrieved Mr Onwe stormed out of INEC collation centre in Abakaliki, the state capital, over perceived irregularities in the elections. NAN reports that some agents of other political parties also refused to sign the document. Before staging a walkout, Mr Onwe alleged that the election, which produced Francis Nwifuru of APC as the winner, was a sham. The partys candidate in the 25 February senatorial election for Ebonyi South District said that the result uploaded on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) before the official declaration was 188, 649. He said: When one adds the 10,682 votes it got from Ishielu Local Government Area (LGA) before the results declaration, it will amount to 199, 331. The INEC state Returning Officer, however, announced that APC polled a total 199, 131 votes; so how does one reconcile the difference?. Mr Onwe, a former state Commissioner for Information in the state, alleged that the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner publicly declared that she was threatened and put under severe pressure. The collation officers of Ikwo, Izzi and other councils also declared that they were threatened and harassed, he said. He noted that he had unfortunately witnessed the dark, sad procession to the death of democracy in the state. I can no longer be part of this sham and disgraceful stab on democracy in the state. I cannot participate further in this charade and therefore will not sign the result sheet, he said. The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ebonyi, Pauline Onyeka, confirmed publicly that she was threatened in the course of the elections. I will not because of threats to me refuse to say the truth. I have no right to cancel or alter results and did not assist anybody, irrespective of the threats, she said. She urged aggrieved persons to challenge the outcome of the election in court if they were not comfortable with it. We will provide all you need to contest the outcome in court, she said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been re-elected as the governor of Lagos State. Mr Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner of Saturdays governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the early hours of Monday. He secured a total of 762,134 votes against his main challengers Olajide Jandor Adediran of the PDP who polled 62,449 and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the LP who got 312,329 votes. INEC Returning officer, Adenike Oladiji, who announced the result said Mr Sanwo-Olu scored 25 percent of the total number of votes and also the highest number of votes in the race. She also said the governor cleared 19 out of the 20 local government areas of the state. Mr Sanwo-Olu, she added, polled the highest number of votes in Ikeja, Apapa, Badagry, Lagos Island, Epe, Agege, Ibeju-lekki, Kosofe, Surulere and Somolu. Others are Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos Mainland, Alimosho, Ojo, Ikorodu, Mushin and Oshodi-Isolo and Eti-Osa. Mr Rhodes-Vicour won in one local government area Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area. Below are the details of the result announced by INEC at about 1.15 p.m. Total valid votes: 1155678 Registered voters: 7,060195 Rejected votes: 17,953 Accredited voters: 1182620 Total votes cast: 1173631 Number of PVCs collected: A 800 AA 904 AAC 627 ADC 6,078 ADP 2,833 APC 762,134 APM 884 APP 259 BP 616 LP 312,329 NNPP 1,583 NRM 340 PDP 62,449 SDP 1,746 YPP 461 ZLP 1,635 Infograph designed by Richard Akinwumi Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu, says masked men carrying AK47 rifles disrupted the electoral process and rigged last Saturdays election in favour of Governor Dapo Abiodun. The governorship candidate said this on Monday at a press conference in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. Mr Adebutu said the PDP has discovered over 14,000 votes allegedly fraudulently counted in favour of the APC governorship candidate. He said agents of the party have been able to identify 10,000 excess votes in one local government area and another 4,000 excess votes in Ogijo, Sagamu. Mr Abiodun was declared the winner having polled 276,298 while Mr Adebutu of the PDP and Biyi Otegbeye of ADC got 262,383 and 94,753 respectively. But the PDP said the number of cancelled votes was more than the margin between the APC and the PDP. During the collation of results on Sunday, journalists asked the INEC State Returning Officer, Kayode Adebowale, for the total number of cancelled votes but he refused to respond. Earlier the state chairman of PDP, Sikirulai Ogundele, also called on INEC to declare the election inconclusive. Mr Ogundele, who was represented by his deputy, Kayode Bangbose, during the press briefing, alleged that the commission had connived with Mr Abiodun and security agencies to rig the elections. Efforts to get a reaction from the governors spokesperson, Kunle Somorin, failed as he neither picked up his calls nor responded to a text message sent to his phone. Read the PDP statement below: Text of Press Conference Gentlemen of the Press Conference by Alh. Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, State Chairman, Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP On The Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections in Ogun state Gentlemen of the Press, It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this important press briefing. Foremost, permit me to extend our warm words of eternal gratitude to the good people of Ogun state, loyal members of our party, teeming and unrepentant supporters who came out in large numbers to vote for our candidates on Saturday. Indeed, we are further convinced of the peoples unending support. Today, our beloved state is mourning. The victory you all stood in line for, for hours, enduring the rigorous process of voting and risking your lives for has been stolen. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in unpatriotic connivance with the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and Governor Dapo Abiodun with security agencies provided support, brazenly rigged the results of the governorship and house of assembly elections. Specifically, the Nigeria Police and the military provided virile cover for gun-wielding criminals to disrupt and burn ballot boxes in over 100 polling units across the state. These polling units were strategically targeted as they are known strongholds of our party. Gentlemen, you would recall that our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, days before the election, invited the attention of the general public to the devilish plans to launch a large-scale disruption of electoral process and possible snatching of ballot boxes in any Polling units perceived to be PDPs stronghold during the gubernatorial election. As a responsible political organisation, we also warned and charged the Nigeria Police and other security agencies not to hold all signals with kid gloves. But despite our warnings, those who should be at the forefront of confronting these assaults aided them. The Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Afolabi Odulate was arrested with AK-47 automatic rifle and other condiments only to be released within one hour. The Chairman and Publicity Secretary of the government-controlled transport union, Efele and Danny, were arrested leading criminal squads to disrupt polling units only to be released within one hour. Please turn to the pictures being shared with you and you will understand and see how official vehicles of the government house were transporting these criminal elements to maim and disrupt electoral processes. READ ALSO: The gubernatorial election of last Saturday was heavily characterized with unprecedented needless violence in several local government areas including Sagamu where 54 polling units were attacked by APC sponsored thugs and ballot boxes and other sensitive election materials were carted away and burnt to ashes. Similar calculated occurrences took place in Odogbolu LGA, Ikenne, Remo North, Ifo, Ogun waterside, Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Ipokia, Ado Odo Ota, Ijebu East, Ijebu North East, Obafemi Owode and Ijebu Ode. A total of 14 local governments out of the 20. To our greatest dismay, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC legalised and legitimised these atrocities when it failed to acknowledge the disruption of votes in these local governments and follow the provision of Section 24 subsection 3 and section 51 subsection 3 of the electoral act as amended. It is self-evident that INEC has made itself a willing tool in the hands of the peoples forsaken APC. With tangible proof of reckless manipulation, over voting and gross disregard for the dictates and provisions of the electoral law 2022, we can safely say that the figures announced by INEC as the final result of the governorship election does not represent the popular wish of the people. It should also be placed on record that despite the fact that our party notified the Returning Officer of the position of the electoral law on situations where the margin of winning is lower than the number of disenfranchised voters, a rerun should be held, a petition was also submitted to the INEC which was acknowledged by the REC but was not attended to, yet the result was announced and declared against the provision of the electoral law. The Returning Officer, Prof. Kayode Adebowale refused and purposely did not mention the total cancelled votes because he knew it was way over the winning margin multiple times, he hurriedly announced the result. In Kebbi state which was declared inconclusive this morning, a similar case happened and the unbias returning officer followed the dictates of law. We are hereby calling on the National Chairman of the INEC Professor Mahmud Yakubu to reverse this clear manipulation, injustice and rape of democracy by the returning officer in Ogun state by declaring the Ogun governorship election inconclusive and ordering a rerun in affected areas. We are also calling on the INEC Chairman to replace the states returning officer with someone of proven integrity and unbiased posture. We want to assure our supporters and the people of Ogun state whose victory, celebration and freedom have been delayed to be assured that we will do everything possible to right this injustice and it shall never stand. We thank you for your rapt attention and time. God bless Ogun state. God bless Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print LONDON, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PL Diagnostics Ltd (PremaLabs UK) today announced that its portable Point of Care Test (POCT) analyser, the PL Mini (LS-4000) has won the Pharmacy Innovation Product of the Year Award 2023, as voted for by the readers of Independent Community Pharmacist magazine. PremaLabs Diagnostics PL Mini (LS-4000) wins Pharmacy Innovation Product of the Year Award Neil Trainis, Editor of Independent Community Pharmacist said: "It was a well deserved win and congratulations to PremaLabs Diagnostics. Our Pharmacy Product of the Year Awards were voted for by our readers and, for the first time, consumers, who made their feelings clear on the brands in community pharmacy that are most important to them." PremaLabs Diagnostics provides a fresh approach to near patient testing using lateral flow device-style tests in conjunction with an analyser device; enabling accessible and rapid testing with laboratory-grade results from virtually anywhere. Its innovative PL Mini analyser has the footprint of a large mobile phone, weighs only 600g and provides quantitative results for up to 37 different tests, sixteen of which require only a capillary blood or urine specimen. Adam Martin, PremaLabs UK CEO said: "We are delighted to have won this year's Pharmacy Innovation Product of the Year Award and its endorsement by the pharmacists who have voted for us reinforces the interest we're seeing from community pharmacies at the moment. Test results provided by the PL Mini may help pharmacist independent prescribers to diagnose conditions, and/or to identify appropriate patient pathways as part of their walk-in services for minor ailments, which in turn has the potential to take the pressure off GPs and enhance access to care". He continued: "Providing POCT in pharmacies can also empower individuals to understand their own health so they take appropriate preventative measures and engage with health practitioners at the right time. With tests covering conditions including diabetes; women's and men's health; anaemia and bone metabolism, shifting the emphasis to screening and monitoring in order to reduce the number of conditions becoming acute and encourage self-care can benefit the healthcare system and of course patients in the long-term." Website: www.premalabs.uk Further Reading: www.bit.ly/3TjBHxh www.bit.ly/400hUVK Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2035458/PL_Mini_PPOY2023.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2035459/PremaLabs_Diagnostics_Logo.jpg SOURCE PremaLabs Diagnostics Away From The Sun To Be Played In Its Entirety + All The Hits! 3 Doors Down Stars In Television's Most Successful Nationally Syndicated Music-Driven Series, THE SONG March 25 Check Out The Tour Announce Video HERE LOS ANGELES, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, 3 Doors Down celebrates its sophomore album, Away From The Sun, by hitting amphitheaters in major markets across the US for the Away From The Sun Anniversary Tour, produced by Live Nation. The band will be playing all of the songs from the album throughout the performances, plus all of their biggest hits. Artist Presale and VIP Packages are available beginning March 21 at 10am local time. The general onsale for the tour begins Friday, March 24 at 10am local time and will be available HERE . This summer, 3 Doors Down celebrates its sophomore album, Away From The Sun, by hitting amphitheaters in major markets across the US for the Away From The Sun Anniversary Tour, produced by Live Nation. The band will be playing all of the songs from the album throughout the performances, plus all of their biggest hits. Artist Presale and VIP Packages are available beginning March 21 at 10am local time. The general onsale for the tour begins Friday, March 24 at 10am local time. Away From The Sun features "Here Without You," which reached No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified 6x platinum in the US. The lead single, "When I'm Gone," peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent seventeen weeks on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, becoming one of the longest-running number-one singles. Special guest Candlebox will be supporting 3 Doors Down on the Away From The Sun Anniversary Tour for what is slated to be the band's last US tour to promote the 30th anniversary of the band and their final farewell studio album being released later this year by Round Hill Records. Candlebox will also perform at 3 Doors Down's 18th Annual "The Better Life Foundation Concert" this fall. The event will take place at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, NC, on October 21. To date, The Better Life Foundation has donated over $3 Million to veterans, children, women, and humanitarian relief efforts domestically and around the globe. For more information about The Better Life Foundation, click HERE. "Away From The Sun has always been a personal favorite of mine because of how much it resonated with our country's service members," shares 3 Doors Down's Brad Arnold. "We are so blessed to be able to celebrate these significant milestones because we were very young making these albums, and we still have so much more life to give our fans." Arnold continues, "The show we are planning will be next level this year. It's going to be incredible to have Candlebox on tour with us. I've been a fan of theirs since I was a teenager.." 3 Doors Down will also star in Season IV of television's most successful nationally syndicated music-driven series, THE SONG, on March 25. THE SONG takes a quintessential look at the indelible legacies of celebrated recording artists and the music that made them famous. THE SONG airs on major network affiliates in 150 markets across the country. Click HERE for more information. AWAY FROM THE SUN ANNIVERSARY TOUR DATES **Not a Live Nation Date 06.14 Baltimore, MD Pier Six Pavilion 06.16 Indianapolis, IN TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park 06.17 Tinley Park, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre 06.21 Sterling Heights, MI Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill 06.23** Dubuque, IA Q Casino 06.24** Prior Lake, MN Mystic Lake Casino Hotel 06.28 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center 06.30 Gilford, NH Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion 07.01 Bridgeport, CT Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater 07.05** Traverse City, MI Cherry Festival 07.07** Huber Heights, OH Rose Music Center 07.08** Grantville, PA Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course 07.13** Wheatland, CA Hard Rock Live Sacramento 07.15** Costa Mesa, CA Orange County Fair 07.16** Las Vegas, NV Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort 07.18 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Financial Theatre 07.20 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre 07.21** Fort Hall, ID Shoshone-Bannock Casino 07.23** Great Falls, MT Voyagers Stadium 07.25 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium 07.27 Airway Heights, WA BECU Live at Northern Quest 07.28 Bend, OR Hayden Homes Amphitheater 08.04 Corbin, KY The Corbin Arena 08.05 Tuscaloosa, AL Tuscaloosa Amphitheater 08.09 Rogers, AR Walmart AMP 08.11 Southaven, MS BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove 08.12** Sedalia, MO Missouri State Fair 08.16 Orange Beach, AL The Wharf Amphitheater 08.18 Nashville, TN Ascend Amphitheater 08.19 Atlanta, GA Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park 08.23 New Orleans, LA Champions Square 08.25 Virginia Beach, VA Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach 08.26 Raleigh, NC Red Hat Amphitheater 08.30 Simpsonville, SC CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park 09.01 Charleston, SC Credit One Stadium 09.02 Charlotte, NC Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre 09.06 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre 09.08 North Little Rock, AR Simmons Bank Arena 09.09 Brandon, MS Brandon Amphitheater 09.13 Jacksonville, FL Daily's Place 09.15 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds 09.16 Boca Raton, FL Mizner Park Amphitheater 09.20 Austin, TX Moody Amphitheater 09.22 Irving, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory 09.23 Sugar Land, TX Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land 10.21** Cherokee, NC Harrah's Cherokee 3 Doors Down Links: www.3doorsdown.com www.facebook.com/3DoorsDown www.twitter.com/3doorsdown www.youtube.com/user/3DoorsDownVEVO www.instagram.com/3doorsdown 3 DOORS DOWN Formed in 1996, Grammy Award-nominated multi-platinum Mississippi rock band 3 Doors Down consistently captivates audiences worldwide. The quintet's many accolades include selling more than 20 million albums globally, receiving a Grammy nomination, two American Music Awards, and five BMI Pop Awards for songwriting, including "Songwriter of the Year." Their debut, The Better Life, became certified seven times RIAA platinum and was fueled by the success of juggernaut hit "Kryptonite." Away From The Sun has been certified five times platinum. In 2023, to celebrate the anniversary of Away From The Sun, the band will play all the songs from the album and all their hits in Amphitheaters across the US. About Live Nation Entertainment Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com. SOURCE UMe Company's GrowPods allow farming of hemp, leafy greens, and certain fruits and vegetables virtually anywhere CORONA, Calif., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Container Technologies, Inc. (Ticker: ACTX), announced its GrowPods innovative controlled environment farms represent the future of farming. These transportable cultivation pods allow almost anyone to start growing leafy greens and certain vegetables in any environment, 365 days a year. According to ABC News in Denver, shipping container farming provides the opportunity to "grow anything anywhere at anytime." The news station reported on how controlled environment farms can be located in urban areas to provide food to local restaurants and grocery stores. "Looking at a Colorado used car lot from the street, you see nothing but a shipping container. However when you step inside, it suddenly feels like the future," ABC reported. GrowPods are insulated, heated and cooled, so they can grow high high-quality produce almost anywhere. GrowPods can provide year-round, fresh produce for businesses, community groups, entrepreneurs, restaurants, grocery stores, and farmers. Yes, even traditional farmers use GrowPods to supplement their income and grow high-profit herbs and produce year-round. Restaurants and grocery stores are two common buyers of produce from GrowPods, due to the low shipping costs and the unbeatable freshness of the food. Take a look at some of the other reasons GrowPods are considered the future of farming: Easy to Transport Farms can be located virtually anywhere. It's a Scalable Model GrowPods are stackable, so you can easily expand. Year-Round Operation - GrowPods are entirely enclosed, so you can harvest all year long. Robust Harvests - With an optimum environment and no weather challenges, some shipping container farmers say they are able to harvest upwards of 6,000 plants per week. They Grow a Better Product Produce can be grown and picked for optimal freshness, with no pesticides, dangerous chemicals, or contamination from cow manure, air pollution, or nearby farms, making it actually better than organic. Additionally, buyers will be happy to be able to trace their food and know exactly where it comes from. GrowPods Help Conserve Water GrowPods use significantly less water than conventional farming, and the controlled environment prevents wasted resources. GrowPods are designed and manufactured in America for quality, and can be used by individuals and businesses looking to grow the finest quality hemp, vegetables, and leafy greens. For information on GrowPods, call ACTX at: (951) 381-2555 or visit: www.AdvancedContainerTechnologies.com Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of U.S. Securities Acts. Forward-Looking Statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results can differ. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. ACTX undertakes no duty to update information in this release except as required. SOURCE Advanced Container Technologies, Inc. CHICAGO, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Agrochemicals Market is estimated to be valued at USD 235.2 billion in 2023. It is projected to reach USD 282.2 billion by 2028, recording a CAGR of 3.7% from 2023 to 2028 according to a report published by MarketsandMarkets. The agrochemicals market has been influenced by some of the macroeconomic and microeconomic factors occurring in some of the key countries around the globe. This would prove potential enough to drive the market significantly in terms of value sales during the forecast period. With the rise in demand and preference for organic food products, agrochemical manufacturers have been strategizing to develop organic farm-friendly natural plant growth promoters. These products are supervised and certified by regulatory bodies, such as the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the European Food Safety Authority, among others, in respective regions. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=132 Browse in-depth TOC on "Agrochemicals Market" 284 Tables 79 Figures 374 Pages Favourable government policies, subsidies, and regulations are driving the market. Labeling and manufacturing guidelines for specialty fertilizers, which serve as a mark of a superior standard or trust, have been mandatorily adopted and regulated in many nations, especially the US and European countries. Domestic fertilizer regulatory agencies promote these products under government policy frameworks to minimize the environmental hazards caused by leaching and nutrient loss. For instance, China's guiding catalog of Industrial Infrastructure Adjustment (2011 edition) classified CRFs as encouraging items, indicating the development of CRFs to speed up during China's 13th five-year plan from 20162020. The five-year plan indicates reduced use of pesticides and fertilizers and the introduction of water, food control, and safety management. According to a report published by Fertilizers Europe in 2021, the European fertilizer industry has greatly improved the energy efficiency of its ammonia production through the European Green Deal. In the future, ammonia will be produced with zero or near-zero carbon footprint. Similarly, the government of India has imposed no restrictions on the import of MOP. The agrochemicals market is rapidly growing because of high demand for crop productivity globally. Continuous advancements in the technology used in agriculture have led to a shift in farming practices. With the increased export and import of agricultural commodities across different geographies, especially in developing regions, new types of harmful organisms have emerged, leading to an increase in the demand for novel active ingredient products to safeguard crops. Globalization of the agrochemical industry greatly impacts the Asian crop protection markets. With the highest population growth rate, increasing the need for food production, and economic growth, the demand for various agrochemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides, is increasing. The demand for agrochemical products is rising due to increased research and development on the innovative adjuvant market. In recent years, prominent agricultural players, such as Monsanto (US), Rizobacter (Brazil), DowDuPont (US) (now Corteva Agriscience), and Wilbur-Ellis Co. (US) have made certain developments through product launches, partnerships, and collaborations. In April 2018, Wilbur-Ellis Co. launched products such as DILIGENCE-EA, a new deposition and drift reduction product powered by the ACCUSTRIKE technology. DILIGENCE-EA is designed to reduce drift issues with different agrochemicals while maximizing the number of spray deposits that reach the intended target. The ACCUSTRIKE technology is the latest innovation in drift control products designed to reduce the liability that comes from off-target spray drift. Similarly, in 2019, Precision Laboratories (US) entered into a partnership with Monsanto (US) to develop intact drift reduction agents. These developments help boost the industry for drift control products. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=132 South America is projected to reach USD 73.2 billion during the forecast period. Growth in this region is significantly contributed to by the growth in Brazil and Argentina, which are the world's most potent agricultural producers and are expected to grow well above the regional average. Brazil and Argentina are major producers of soybean, and hence, these countries have a significant contribution to oilseed production across the globe. The trade policies of South American countries have also proved favorable for the growth of oilseeds. According to FAOSTAT, published in 2022, Brazil is amongst the top four largest producers of agricultural products due to the availability of abundant land and rural labor force, followed by Argentina. Growth in South America is significantly contributed by the increase in the adoption of agrochemicals and advancements in farming techniques in Brazil and Argentina, with distribution channels established by global agrochemical players. The key players in this market include Bayer AG (Germany), Syngenta (Switzerland), and BASF (Germany) in this region. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=132 Browse Adjacent Reports @ Agriculture Industry Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Agricultural Biologicals Market by Function, Product Type (Microbials, Macrobials, Semiochemicals, Natural products), Mode of Application (Foliar Spray, Soil and Seed treatment), Crop Type and Region - Global Forecast to 2027 Crop Protection Chemicals Market by Type (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides & Bactericides), Origin (Synthetic, Biopesticides), Form (Liquid, Solid), Mode of Application (Foliar, Seed Treatment, Soil Treatment), Crop Type and Region - Global Forecast to 2025 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/global-agro-chemicals-market-report.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/agrochemical-market.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets FORNEBU, Norway, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Akastor ASA (OSE: AKAST) has today entered into a share purchase agreement with ABL Group ASA (OSE: ABL) ("ABL Group") for the sale of all shares in AGR AS ("AGR") against a combination of shares in ABL Group and cash. Through this sale, Akastor will become a shareholder in ABL Group, which offers independent energy and marine consultancy to the global renewables, maritime and oil and gas sectors. "Since Akastor's entry into AGR, through the combination with First Geo in 2019, the company has delivered consistent growth and profitability. The combination of AGR and ABL Group creates a company with a large global client base and a more suitable financial platform for growth. We look forward to participating in the next phase of AGR's growth, now as shareholders in ABL Group," says Karl Erik Kjelstad, CEO of Akastor ASA. "This is a good fit for ABL Group. The acquisition gives ABL Group a strong position in well and reservoir consultancy, grows our position within digitalisation and energy transition solutions, and expands our services with a resourcing offering that is already well established in the oil and gas sector and positioned for growth within offshore wind," says Reuben Segal, CEO of ABL Group. THE TRANSACTION The transaction values AGR at NOK 262.5 million on a cash and debt free basis. The equity purchase price of NOK 352.9 million, which includes a NOK 90.4 million adjustment for net cash and normalized net working capital in AGR is based on a "locked box" balance sheet as of 31 December 2022, and will be settled as follows: NOK 272.5 million to be settled through issuance of 18,166,667 ordinary ABL Group shares (the "Consideration Shares") at a subscription price of NOK 15 per ABL Group share, representing 14.8% of outstanding shares post issue; and to be settled through issuance of 18,166,667 ordinary ABL Group shares (the "Consideration Shares") at a subscription price of per ABL Group share, representing 14.8% of outstanding shares post issue; and NOK 80.4 million (the "Cash Consideration"), to be settled in cash on completion or, subject to certain conditions, within 20 business days of completion. The Cash Consideration will be adjusted for leakage and is expected to be lower on completion due to planned carve-out transactions and excess cash distribution. Certain defined assets are excluded from the transaction and will be carved-out prior to completion and retained by Akastor. This includes AGR's ownership in Fn Energy Services AS. As part of the completion of the transaction, the current term loans from each of Akastor, Nordea and DNB towards AGR will be fully settled by the Consideration Shares and parts of the Cash Consideration, subject to certain adjustments based on prevailing ABL Group share price at time of completion. Similarly, the equity participation agreement by and between Akastor, DNB and Nordea concerning the ownership of AGR will be settled. After completion of the transaction, each of Akastor, DNB and Nordea will own 1/3 of the Consideration Shares, with potential for adjustments should the ABL Group share price exceed a certain level at time of completion of the transaction. The share purchase agreement is otherwise entered into on customary terms and includes such as a 12-month lock-up on the Consideration Shares, which will apply for Akastor, Nordea and DNB. Completion of the acquisition is expected on or around 18 April 2023. The transaction is subject to approval of the issuance of the Consideration Shares by an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in ABL Group to be held on or about 12 April 2023. Shareholders representing approximately 40% of the shares in ABL Group ASA have signed voting undertakings to vote in favour at the EGM. Following signing of the agreement, AGR will be presented as discontinued operations for Akastor and held for sale until completion of the transaction. Based on the current share price of ABL Group, the transaction is expected to generate an accounting gain upon completion. For further information, please contact: yvind Paaske Chief Financial Officer Tel: +47 917 59 705 E-mail: [email protected] About AGR AGR is a multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy and software provider to the energy sector. The company offers consultancy, asset evaluation, peer study, software and integrated well engineering services. In 2022, AGR delivered revenue of NOK 790 million and an adjusted EBITDA of NOK 60 million. For further information, please visit homepage: https://agr.com/ About Akastor Akastor is a Norway-based oil-services investment company with a portfolio of industrial holdings and other investments. The company has a flexible mandate for active ownership and long-term value creation. For further information, please visit homepage: https://akastor.com/ About ABL Group ABL Group (OSE: ABL Group ASA ticker code "ABL") offers independent energy and marine consultancy to the global renewables, maritime and oil and gas sectors. The group has offices in 38 countries worldwide. ABL Group operates under six brands: ABL, OWC, Innosea, Longitude, Add Energy and ABL Yachts. For further information, please visit homepage: https://abl-group.com/ SOURCE Akastor ASA Alongside major savings, AliExpress Choice continues to provide elevated customers experiences during the week long shopping event HANGZHOU, China, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AliExpress, a global retail online marketplace part of Alibaba Group, today announced its anniversary sales festival to commemorate the launch of its new "AliExpress Choice" platform. AliExpress Choice is a curation of the best value products the platform has to offer, coupled with free shipping, free returns and delivery guarantees in some selected markets. "2023 marks a new milestone for AliExpress, the ability to offer our customers an enhanced e-commerce experience with the launch of AliExpress Choice. We are excited to reward our customers during the AliExpress anniversary by hosting one of our biggest sales festivals of 2023," said Jason Liu, General Manager of AliExpress International Markets. AliExpress Anniversary Sale Festival Starts Today Starting from 20 to 26 March 2023, the AliExpress anniversary sales festival is one of the platform's most extensive discount events of the year, with reductions set to surpass Black Friday. AliExpress customers can enjoy an average discount of 30% off for selected products, alongside flash sales starting from as little as USD0.99. Moreover, millions of products are eligible for single-item free shipping for selected countries including the UK, Russia, Spain, France, Korea and Germany. Customized Shopping Opportunities and Shoppertainment Moments for AliExpress Customers In addition to offering a more curated product selection via AliExpress Choice, AliExpress customized themed shopping pages and promotions to make customers experience in different markets even more enjoyable and relevant. In Europe, AliExpress works with local top influencers and celebrities to promote sales in Spain and France, with sale products starting at just 0.99 euros which include electric nail polishers, Bluetooth headsets and car chargers. In South Korea, AliExpress will customize a themed shopping page of 5-day delivery for Korean consumers with a 35-day delivery guarantee, as well as celebrating the announcement of AliExpress' South Korea brand ambassador Don Lee, by offering further promotions of up to 15% off. In addition, GoGoMatch, the in-app game that gained popularity during the last 11.11 Global Shopping Festival, recently launched an upgraded version in various countries. During the AliExpress anniversary, even more prizes will be distributed to customers from up to USD 1 million prize pool, including a total of 450,000 coupons. Users can earn points by checking in every day or eliminating chess pieces in GoGo Match. The points obtained can be exchanged for benefits such as coupons, AliExpress coins and products with 99% off during March 20-26, 2023. In addition, South Korean customers will be the first to experience a new game, Real Farm, which offers customers chances to redeem rewards with USD 0.01. A More Seamless Shopping Experience at AliExpress Choice The newly-launched AliExpress Choice focuses on higher discounts for quality products and an overall elevated shopping experience. Products in the AliExpress Choice section will be eligible for free shipping in most regions for a single item or any three selected items. With over 15 countries including Spain and France enjoying free returns on all Choice products and nearly 20 countries including Germany and Switzerland being offered a delivery guarantee (with South Korean expecting as fast as a 3-day delivery window) shopping on AliExpress has never been more timely or convenient. About AliExpress Launched in 2010, AliExpress (www.aliexpress.com) is a global marketplace serving consumers from around the world and enabling them to buy directly from manufacturers and distributors in China and around the world. In addition to the global English-language version, the AliExpress platform is also available in 17 other languages. AliExpress is a business of Alibaba Group. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1198977/AliExpress_Logo.jpg SOURCE AliExpress Fast Casual Poke Expands into the Village of Deerfield CHICAGO, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aloha Poke Co., the nation's premier fast casual poke brand, announced its newest Chicago-area location in the North Shore suburb of Deerfield. The store is now open and located at 654 Deerfield Road. The Deerfield restaurant will be the 21st store in the brand's system, the 14th company-owned store, and the 10th store in the Chicago region. "Chicago's North Shore communities, including Deerfield, are consistently named among the best places to live in Illinois," said Chris Birkinshaw, CEO of Aloha Poke Co. "Our customers have been asking for us to expand to this area for years. Based on the existing demand for delicious and healthy fast causal concepts, and this terrific location, it's the perfect opportunity to bring Aloha Poke Co. to Deerfield." Aloha Poke Co. is actively seeking to grow its exciting, health-forward, fast casual concept with qualified entrepreneurs and experienced restaurant franchisees in key growth markets, including Florida, Texas, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Ideal Aloha Poke Co. franchisees have restaurant operations or business management experience and share a desire to meet the needs of today's consumers with beautiful, sustainable, and quickly prepared poke bowls. Aloha Poke Co. continues to attract raving fans with its sashimi grade seafood and all natural proteins, quickly packed with abundantly delicious, whole ingredients and finished with house made sauces. After their first Aloha Poke Co. experience, 80% of customers return within three weeks, evidence that a menu comprised of sustainable, fresh, and nutritious ingredients meets the needs of today's fast casual consumers. "Chicago's North Shore communities, including Deerfield, are consistently named among the best places to live in Illinois," said Chris Birkinshaw, CEO of Aloha Poke Co. "Our customers have been asking for us to expand to this area for years. Based on the existing demand for delicious and healthy fast causal concepts, and this terrific location, it's the perfect opportunity to bring Aloha Poke Co. to Deerfield." In 2020, Aloha Poke Co. announced the development of 11 Houston, TX franchise locations. With their Cypress store, first-time franchisees Amanda and Cory Tabb opened the market in 2021. Baryalay Razi, a multi-brand, multi-unit professional franchisee, will add another 10 stores, with his Richmond, TX location also opening this month. Aloha Poke Co. was founded in Chicago's busy West Loop in 2016, offering its customers fast, freshly packed sashimi-grade fish paired with delicious, whole ingredients. In the seven years since its founding, Aloha Poke Co. has grown to 21 locations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Washington, D.C. In addition to the brand's responsibly sourced menu and simple, efficient operations, franchise restaurant investors are drawn to Aloha Poke Co.'s attractive initial capital requirements, unit economics, and appealing sales-to-investment figures. Aloha Poke Co. is actively seeking to grow its exciting, health-forward, fast casual concept with qualified entrepreneurs and experienced restaurant franchisees in key growth markets, including Florida, Texas, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Ideal Aloha Poke Co. franchisees have restaurant operations or business management experience and share a desire to meet the needs of today's consumers with beautiful, sustainable, and quickly prepared poke bowls. To learn more about Aloha Poke Co. Franchise opportunities, visit https://alohapokefranchising.com, and for more information about the brand, visit the company website at https://www.alohapokeco.com. About Aloha Poke Co. Proudly reimagining the idea of fast food, Aloha Poke Co. quickly packs pole-and-line caught ahi tuna, Patagonian salmon raised without antibiotics, and other clean, simple, responsibly sourced ingredients into beautiful, delicious bowls. Founded in 2016 at downtown Chicago's French Market, Aloha Poke Co. and its franchisees have grown to 21 locations throughout the Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Mid-Atlantic. Press Contact: Perry Athanason/TopFireMedia/[email protected]/917.319.2126 SOURCE Aloha Poke Co. International Franchise Association recognizes marketing and solutions provider for excellence in franchising DENVER, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AlphaGraphics , a leading franchisor of printing and marketing solutions, has announced that Louis Malooley has received the International Franchise Association Franchisee of the Year award, which is the top award available for a franchisee. The AlphaGraphics of Buckhead owner was honored at the 63rd IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Louis Malooley received the International Franchise Association Franchisee of the Year award. He is pictured here receiving the 2021 Franny Award, AlphaGraphics highest and most coveted honor. "Louis (Malooley) has always been an amazing ambassador and representative of the AlphaGraphics brand," said Bill McPherson, vice president of franchise development. "Whether he is speaking with potential franchisees or providing excellent insight and strategies to other owners, Louis is always ready to share his thoughts for the betterment of the brand. I couldn't think of anyone more deserving to be called franchisee of the year." The Franchisee of the Year Award, sponsored by IFA's partner Paychex, recognizes leading franchise owners from IFA member brands whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance, and promote the franchise business model. Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their service to their communities, fostering a strong and vibrant workforce, opening the doors for career growth and entrepreneurship, and supporting their fellow franchisees. "Winning this award is a testament to the hard work both my team in Buckhead and the leaders at AlphaGraphics headquarters put in every day," Malooley said. "It takes more than one person to be successful, and my name wouldn't be on this award if not for the mentors that helped me along the way and a strong team to deliver exceptional service and quality. Being a member of the AlphaGraphics family is amazing, and we will continue to grow and expand our franchise system together." IFA is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. The organization enhances and promotes franchising and the approximately 790,492 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.4 million direct jobs and $825.4 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy. IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories. AlphaGraphics was founded in 1970, and the company began offering franchise opportunities in 1979. For more information, visit http://www/alphagraphics.com . About AlphaGraphics AlphaGraphics, Inc., with more than 285 locations in 6 countries, is one of the largest U.S.-based networks of locally-owned and operated Business Centers offering a complete range of print, visual communications, and marketing products. Solutions include: full-service digital, offset, and large format printing; design services; mailing; one-to-one marketing solutions; promotional products; and web to print solutions. For more information about AlphaGraphics services, visit www.alphagraphics.com . To learn about franchise opportunities, visit www.alphagraphicsfranchise.com . About MBE Worldwide MBE Worldwide S.p.A. ("MBE"), a privately-owned company with its headquarters in Italy, is a Global Commerce enabler for SMBs and consumers thanks to its platform providing e-commerce, fulfillment, shipping, marketing and print solutions via multi-brand operations: PrestaShop, Mail Boxes Etc. (except the US and Canada), PostNet, PACK & SEND, Spedingo.com, AlphaGraphics, Multicopy, World Options UK and Print Speak. The combination of our retail platform - that currently counts 2,900+ Service Centers in 53 Countries with more than 12.000 associates - with our PrestaShop ecommerce platform served almost one million business customers in FY 2021 generating 1.01 billion (US $1.2 billion) of System Wide Sales and 24 billion (US $28.5 billion) of e-commerce Gross Merchandise Value. For additional information please visit MBE Worldwide Group websites at www.mbecorporate.com - www.prestashop.com/en - www.mbeglobal.com - www.postnet.com - www.packsend.com.au - www.spedingo.com/en - www.alphagraphics.com - www.multicopy.nl - www.printspeak.com - www.mbe.it - www.mbe.es - www.mbe.de - www.mbefrance.fr - www.mbe.pl - www.mbeportugal.pt - www.mbe.co.uk - https://uk.worldoptions.com/ MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Ripley PR 865-977-1973 [email protected] SOURCE AlphaGraphics LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, March 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AMDA College of the Performing Arts is pleased to announce the launch of their new BFA Acting for Camera program in Los Angeles. Starting this summer, the program will offer students a wide range of training for film, television, stage, social media, and new media, with numerous opportunities to gain production and performance experience. Training includes development in skills considered integral to on-camera performance such as: content creation, improvisation, movement, combat, voice acting, as well as explorations of various film and TV acting genres. Students will learn to work and perform within a collaborative production process and develop original projects culminating in a showcase production in Los Angeles. In addition to AMDA's Associate's degree and Certificate offerings in Acting for Camera, students can now earn their BFA within this exciting and industry-relevant discipline. Students will be able to transfer credits from the AOS and Certificate into the BFA, allowing them to follow a NY to LA track in their educational journey. Additionally there is an accelerated option where students can complete this program in 2.5 years. As always, it has been AMDA's mission to best prepare its students for success in life and in the industry they choose to work in. Part of this mission is accomplished through the unique flexibility that students have in tailoring their academic experience to their goals. Applications for the new program are now open for the Summer and Fall 2023 semesters. Part of this mission is accomplished through the unique flexibility that students have in tailoring their academic experience to their goals. Tweet this Los Angeles campus classroom film shoot About AMDA AMDA College of the Performing Arts has campuses in the two entertainment capitals of the world: New York City and Hollywood. Founded in 1964, AMDA has been training emerging performing artists in musical theatre, acting, and dance for nearly 60 years and AMDA's training has been adopted as the gold standard of performing arts education by colleges and universities throughout the country, and indeed throughout the world. Notable AMDA graduates include Anthony Ramos (Broadway's Hamilton, In the Heights musical film adaptation), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family, Tony Award Winner for Broadway's Take Me Out), Ray Fisher (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League), Riwan Manji (Schitt's Creek), Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid's Tale, Orange is the New Black), Tyne Daly (Cagney & Lacey, Judging Amy). SOURCE AMDA College of the Performing Arts The companies' technology groups will interface to provide greater resources to their respective insurance and reinsurance clients worldwide OMAHA, Neb., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A long-term accord has been signed by Applied Underwriters and Concirrus, the London based technology firm, for the development and provision of multiple product lines of extraordinary technology driven solutions to insurers, reinsurers and other risk-based entities across the globe. The companies will leverage their respective technology innovations including Applied Underwriters' trove of patents and data processing advances and Concirrus' market leading analytics platform. The combination will deliver a market advantage to Applied Underwriters and also allow Concirrus to expand its solutions to a wider range of clients and product lines. According to Dr. Justin Smith, SVP, CUO and longtime head of R&D at Applied, the collaboration of talent on each side will result in benefits to both from the outset in addition to the expansion of the intellectual and uniquely developed technological faculties of each: "Over the long term each of our companies will profit through enhanced research and development including Applied's highly accomplished statisticians, mathematicians, data scientists and actuaries. Concirrus' team is focused in the UK and India, forming a natural complement to Applied's teams in the US and Philippines." Dr. Smith further noted, "Applied has built its own systems for insurance and for its many other operations, devoting significant resources to R&D. The result has been a clear competitive advantage of our underwriting and claims processes. We look forward to this collaboration of technological powers and capacities to be put to work internationally for the clients of both organizations." Mr. Andrew Yeoman, CEO, Concirrus, expressed similar optimism for the accord: "This partnership will significantly bolster our business and provide an underlying strength and stability to our customers. We have stabilized our operating platform and our growth plans will proceed in the expansion of our digital solutions for specialty insurance, in insurance data analysis, advanced modeling and the application of new technologies." He continued, "Packaged, off-the-shelf solutions continue to fall short of the needs of insurers and reinsurers, and building scalable models and proprietary systems architecture is cost prohibitive. This partnership will see Concirrus offering extraordinary bespoke solutions on a common platform that will optimize technology investment value and returns." Dr. Smith noted that the transaction, while far from the largest undertaken by Applied, will be one of the more important and critical as other acquisitions are realized, requiring technological expertise. The parties expressed their thanks to Torch Partners, advisers to Software and Technology sectors, for its role in advising the strategic partnership. For further information contact: Ryan Gerding, Public Relations, at +1 (913) 602-8531 or at [email protected]. About Applied Underwriters (www.auw.com) Applied Underwriters is a global risk services firm that helps businesses and people manage uncertainty through its business services, insurance and reinsurance solutions. As a company, Applied Underwriters has been distinguished by its innovative approaches to client care and by its strong financial strength. Applied Underwriters operates widely throughout the US, UK, EU and Middle East. Its operational headquarters is located in Omaha, Nebraska. About Concirrus (www.concirrus.ai) Concirrus was founded on a passion to harness data and technology to drive improvements in loss ratios and increase operating efficiency for specialty and commercial insurance. Specifically built for insurance by leading insurance practitioners and technologists, our suite of analytics and digital capabilities are empowering the market. Today, Concirrus is helping commercial insurance clients to accelerate their digital strategies. Our highly configurable datasets, AI analytics, cutting-edge risk modelling and cloud-based architectural solutions, allow clients to build enterprise-grade solutions that deliver ongoing value. About Torch Partners (www.torchpartners.com) Torch Partners is a leading M&A and private capital markets adviser to the Digital Infrastructure, Software and Technology sectors. It brings insight driven analytical rigor, sector domain knowledge and a 'think like an investor' mindset to distinctly position each technology business it represents. Operating from its offices in London and Paris, Torch Partners provides advice to clients on a global basis. SOURCE Applied Underwriters In 2022, Asendia offset 100% of its scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions (186,884 tCO2e) keeping in line with a promise to be 100% carbon neutral through offsetting. Emissions were offset by funding a UN Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) certified Chinese wind farm project. The certificate was issued by EcoAct. PHILADELPHIA, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Asendia, the joint venture between La Poste and Swiss Post, today announces it has received an official carbon offsetting certificate for 2022. The credential has been presented by international climate consultancy EcoAct and endorses Asendia's 2022 promise of becoming 100% carbon neutral. Since the start of 2022, Asendia has offset all emissions associated with international transportation, as well as those associated with first-mile collection, last-mile delivery, returns, building emissions, machinery, and business travel. 186,884 tCO2e was offset by Asendia supporting UN CDM certified wind farms in China. 'The Gaolin Project', located in Yunnan province and Liaoning province, promotes the use and development of renewable energy. It has covered so far the construction of 88 wind turbines with an average capacity of 1,605kW each, for a total of 141.3 MW installed. "We are dedicated to sustainability, and this lies within the heritage of our company." Tweet this Since established in 2012, Asendia has placed a strong emphasis on sustainability, expanding this strategy in response to growing concerns about the environmental impact of supply chain operations: 2016-2020: Asendia offsets emissions on international transport, within and from Europe , caused by its transport suppliers (scope 3) , caused by its transport suppliers (scope 3) 2021: Asendia offsets emissions on international transport, globally, caused by its transport partners (scope 3). 2022: Asendia offsets all international transport emissions caused by its transport partners (scope 3), including first-mile collection, last-mile delivery, and returns. Asendia also offsets building emissions, machinery, and business travel (scope 1 and 2). Offsetting has supported UN Clean Development Mechanism-verified wind farm projects in India and China. Asendia's commitment to sustainability has enabled it to: offset a total of 517,838 tCO2e over a three-year period. support UN Clean Development certified wind farm projects. Commenting on Asendia's recent achievement, Barbara Schielke, Chief HR & CSR Officer, says: "International distribution is a key contributor of the world becoming more connected. Asendia, one of the biggest worldwide logistic suppliers, is striving to ensure that our impact is as minimal as possible. We are absolutely delighted that we have received the carbon offsetting certificate for last year, and that our efforts aren't going unnoticed." Marc Pontet, CEO at Asendia, says: "We are dedicated to sustainability, and this lies within the heritage of our company. At Asendia, we are committed to upholding our heritage and have devoted ourselves to ensuring sustainability is one of our main credentials. Announcing that we were to be 100% carbon neutral last year was a significant step, but we are thrilled to be leading the industry and we will continue this into the future." Asendia 2023 offset emissions will continue to support the UND CDM wind project in China. Supporting wind power carbon offset projects: stimulates economic and social development in communities. helps conserve natural resources including land and forests. helps overcome the initial costs of setting up a wind farm. promotes renewable energies. For more information on Asendia's sustainability plans, please visit: www.sustainability.asendia.com SOURCE ASENDIA USA, INC DUBLIN, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "APAC Data Center Construction Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The APAC data center construction market is expected reach a value of $24.17 billion by 2028 from $15.17 billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 8.07% from 2022 to 2028 The region's market is among the majorly growing markets across the globe, led by factors such as governments across countries supporting data centers, development of multiple industrial zones, rapid growth in submarine cable connectivity, significant investments from cloud service providers, entry of global colocation operators in the region in joint ventures and other factors. The growing potential of the market has led data center operators to show interest in some other emerging markets in the region, such as the Philippines, Vietnam, New Zealand, and others. Data center operators in the region are also participating in the government's efforts for sustainable energy adoption by using renewable energy, signing power purchase agreements, or setting targets for carbon-free operations. For instance, in August 2022, Microsoft announced a partnership with Ecotricity to power its data center region in New Zealand with 100% renewable energy. KEY HIGHLIGHTS The deployment of 5G service and the growing demand for connectivity in new locations and tier 1 and tier 2 cities across multiple countries has significantly attracted investments from edge data center operators. For instance, edge operators such as EdgeConneX, Digital Edge, Leading Edge Data Centres, and Edge Centres are actively investing in establishing multiple edge data centers across countries such as Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Thailand, and others. The region has witnessed a growing interest by governments and operators in renewable energy. Almost all governments across all countries have taken up initiatives to promote the adoption of renewable energy sources. For instance, Taiwan aims to generate 20% of its electricity through renewable energy by 2025 via wind and solar PV promotion plans. Renewable power capacity is expected to reach over 26 GW within the next five years in Taiwan. The APAC data center construction market has been growing significantly in terms of connectivity owing to the deployment of several upcoming submarine cables such as Asia Link Cable, SEA-H2X, Asia Connect Cable-1, Hawaiki Nui, 2Africa, and others. KEY TRENDS Growing Digitalization in the Region Digitalization has been growing as a major agenda by governments across all countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand, India, Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, New Zealand, and others. Several Governments are announcing their digital strategies to strengthen the digital growth of respective markets. For instance, the Government of Australia has launched its Digital Economy Strategy 2022 Update with the aim for the development of the digital economy of Australia by 2030. Growing Mergers & Acquisitions and Joint Ventures The significant growth potential and revenue-generating opportunities in the APAC data center construction market are prompting operators to continuously invest in merger & acquisition deals and sign joint ventures for data center projects. Several global organizations are entering the market through joint ventures. For instance, STACK Infrastructure entered the South Korean market in a joint venture with ESR Cayman to develop a data center. SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS The development of colocation data centers dominates the APAC data center construction market in terms of the number of investments. Several new entrants are entering the market for the development of colocation data centers, and hyperscale operators are also increasing their market presence with investment in cloud regions. Some countries, such as Indonesia, Australia, and Myanmar, also witnessed investments in enterprise data centers in 2022. Regarding electrical infrastructure, the APAC data center construction market has strong growth potential for lithium-ion and nickel-zinc batteries for UPS systems. Operators can also adopt new-age generator sets that run on fuel types such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), natural gas, and others. The APAC data center construction market has adopted air- and water-based cooling solutions in terms of cooling infrastructure. Especially in Southeast Asia, operators are more tilted towards adopting water-based cooling solutions due to the tropical climate. Also, the market has an opportunity for rack infrastructure vendors with the growing adoption of racks between the height range 42U to 52U. Some locations also witness the adoption of racks below 42U height. GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS China has been dominating the APAC data center construction market in the region. Followed by markets such as India, Australia, Japan, India, Singapore, and Hong Kong, among the other major markets for facilities development in APAC. The market for data center development in Hong Kong is also aided by growing demand for data storage in Hong Kong due to The Personal Data Ordinance that mandates organizations to store data within Hong Kong borders. High levels of digitalization in New Zealand, especially with 5G coming into play, will contribute to a surge in data generation and generate data traffic and storage and computation requirements, which will lead to a rise in demand for data centers in the country. Several cloud service providers will likely develop cloud regions to increase their reach in the country. Other markets such as South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Malaysia are also emerging markets, witnessing significant growth, especially as a result of digitalization and growth in connectivity. Countries such as the Philippines, New Zealand, and Vietnam have started witnessing new investments and are expected to grow as unique preferences from data center operators. In Southeast Asia, Singapore has been a major shareholder in the overall investments in the APAC data center construction market. Although, due to the moratorium, the investments slowed down but are expected to slowly gain pace in the coming 2-3 years with the expected increase in project announcements after lifting the moratorium in 2022. VENDOR LANDSCAPE The APAC data center construction market has the presence of several global and local construction contractors. AECOM, Arup, Aurecon, CSF Group, DSCO Group, Gammon Construction, Larsen & Toubro, NTT Facilities Group, PM Group, Powerware Systems, Red Engineering, DPR Construction, ISG, Kienta Engineering, Rider Levett Bucknall, Turner & Townsend and others are offering their services for data center development in the region. The APAC data center construction market, in terms of support infrastructure vendors, has several global vendors. ABB, Airedale, Caterpillar, Cummins, Delta Electronics, Eaton, HITEC Power Protection, Airedale, Trane, Siemens, KOHLER Power, Legrand, Piller Power Systems, Rolls-Royce, Rittal, STULZ, Green Revolution Cooling, Mitsubishi Electric, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, and others are offering traditional as well as innovating data center solutions in the industry. The market has been growing with a strong presence of several local and global colocation and cloud operators such as AirTrunk, Digital Realty, Equinix, GDS Services, Keppel Data Centres, NTT Global Data Centers, NEXTDC, BDx, Chayora, Chindata Group, Princeton Digital Group, SpaceDC, and others. The growing opportunities and demand in the industry have also attracted several new entrants, including AdaniConneX, Evolution Data Centres, Data Center First, MettaDC, Hickory, Vantage Data Centers, YCO Cloud, and Yondr. Initiatives such as Open Compute Project are expected to bring several new cooling techniques and technologies to the market, thereby creating more competition among vendors. Operators also look for vendors providing systems with real-time monitoring and management solutions. Market Dynamics Market Opportunities & Trends Increased Digitalization Edge Data Center Deployment Fueled by 5G Investments Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Adoption of Big Data & Internet of Things Market Growth Enablers Rise in M&As & Jvs Incentives for Data Center Construction Growth in Adoption of Renewable Energy Increased Submarine Cable & Inland Connectivity Market Restraints Data Center Security Challenges Lack of Skilled Data Center Professionals Data Center Power & Network Outage Challenges Data Center Design Certifications Uptime Institute Tier Standards Leed Certification Tia 942 Certification Major Vendors Key Construction Contractors AECOM Arup Aurecon Group CSF Group DSCO Group Gammon Construction Larsen & Toubro (L&T) NTT Facilities PM Group Studio One Design Other Prominent Construction Contractors AWP Architects BYME Engineering Chung Hing Engineers Group Corgan CTCI DPR Construction Faithful+Gould Fortis Construction Hutchinson Builders ISG Kienta Engineering Construction Linesight LSK Engineering M+W Group Nakano Corporation Obayashi Corporation Powerware Systems (PWS) Sato Kogyo Sterling and Wilson Red Engineering Rider Levett Bucknall Turner & Townsend Prominent Support Infrastructure Vendors ABB Caterpillar Cummins Eaton Rittal Schneider Electric STULZ Vertiv Other Prominent Support Infrastructure Vendors Airedale Alfa Laval Canovate Cyber Power Systems Delta Electronics EAE Fuji Electric Green Revolution Cooling (GRC) HITEC Power Protection KOHLER Power Legrand Mitsubishi Electric Narada Piller Power Systems Rolls-Royce Shenzhen Envicool Technology Siemens Socomec Trane Prominent Data Center Investors AirTrunk Amazon Web Services (AWS) Digital Realty Equinix GDS Services Keppel Data Centres NTT Global Data Centers NEXTDC ST Telemedia Global Data Centres Other Prominent Data Center Investors Bridge Data Centres Big Data Exchange (BDx) CDC Data Centres Chayora Chindata Group Colt Data Centre Services CtrlS Datacenters Digital Edge DC Facebook (Meta) Google Huawei Technologies Iron Mountain LG Uplus Microsoft Nxtra by Airtel OneAsia Network Open DC Pi Datacenters Princeton Digital Group (PDG) Regal Orion SpaceDC SUNeVison Holdings (iAdvantage) Sify Technologies Tenglong Holding Group Viettel IDC VNET Yotta Infrastructure Solutions New Entrants AdaniConneX Data Center First Edge Centres EdgeConneX Evolution Data Centres Hickory MettaDC Nautilus Data Technologies Pure Data Centres Group Vantage Data Centers YCO Cloud YTL Data Center Yondr For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gzz24s About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets NOIDA, India, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report published by UnivDatos Markets Insights, the Automotive Aluminum Market was valued at more than USD 44 Bn in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 9% from 2022-2028. The analysis has been segmented into Product Form (Cast Aluminum, Rolled Aluminum, Extruded Aluminum, and Others); Vehicle Type (Passenger Car, LCV, and HCV); Application (Car Body, Chassis & Suspension, and Powertrain); Region/Country. Click here to view the Report Description & TOC https://univdatos.com/report/automotive-aluminum-market/ The automotive aluminum market report has been aggregated by collecting informative data on various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the automotive aluminum market. The automotive aluminum market report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors in the market that are influencing the market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the automotive aluminum market at the global and regional levels. Request for Sample Pages https://univdatos.com/get-a-free-sample-form-php/?product_id=30179 Market Overview Automotive Aluminum refers to the use of aluminum in the production of vehicles and automotive components. Aluminum is widely used in the automotive industry due to its lightweight, high-strength, and corrosion-resistant properties. Automotive aluminum is used in the manufacturing of various components and systems in vehicles, including body structures, engines, transmissions, wheels, and suspension systems. The use of aluminum in the automotive industry helps to reduce the weight of vehicles, resulting in improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Additionally, aluminum can be molded into complex shapes, making it an ideal material for various automotive components. The increasing demand for fuel-efficient and lightweight vehicles has led to the growth of the automotive aluminum market, and the industry continues to invest in research and development to further improve the performance and properties of automotive aluminum. Factors such as increasing use in commercial and passenger vehicles coupled with the growing adoption of automotive aluminum in the automotive sector, and increasing adoption, and product launches in the market are some of the prominent factors that are positively influencing the market growth globally. Some of the major players operating in the market include Alcoa Corporation, UACJ Corporation, Rio Tinto, Norsk Hydro ASA, Novelis, Constellium, Jindal Aluminium Limited, AMG, ElringKlinger AG, and Dana Limited. COVID-19 Impact The recent covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the world and has brought a state of shock to the global economy. The global pandemic has impacted industries and has transformed the way industries operate. The pandemic resulted in widespread supply chain disruptions, lockdowns, and reduced consumer spending, leading to a decline in automotive production and sales. This had a negative impact on the demand for automotive aluminum and its components, causing a decrease in prices and production. The global automotive aluminum market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated. Based on product form, the market is segmented into cast aluminum, rolled aluminum, extruded aluminum, and others. The cast aluminum category is expected to grow with a considerable CAGR during the forecast period due to the growing demand for fuel-efficient and lightweight vehicles, the ability to produce complex components, the growth of the electric vehicle market, and the improvements in production technologies. Thus, such factors are expected to drive the growth of the cast aluminum market which will in turn increase the demand for automotive aluminum. Based on application, the automotive aluminum market has been classified into car body, chassis & suspension, and powertrain. The powertrain category is to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to its reduced weight, improved fuel efficiency, and increased engine performance. As, aluminum in powertrain applications is used in making the production of engine blocks, cylinder heads, transmission cases, and other powertrain components. Thus, such factors will increase the demand for powertrains which will further accelerate the growth of the automotive aluminum market. Have a Look at the Chapters https://univdatos.com/report/automotive-aluminum-market/ Automotive Aluminum Market Geographical Segmentation Includes: North America (U.S., Canada , Rest of North America ) (U.S., , Rest of ) Europe ( Germany , U.K., France , Spain , Italy , Rest of Europe ) ( , U.K., , , , Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , India , Japan , Rest of Asia-Pacific ) ( , , , Rest of ) Rest of the World APAC is expected to grow with a robust CAGR during the forecast period. As countries such as China, India, and Japan are the major producer of automotive parts leading to drive the demand for automotive aluminum within the region. Since the increasing demand for fuel-efficient and lightweight vehicles, along with the increasing production of vehicles in the region, has led to the growth of the automotive aluminum market in the APAC region. Additionally, the region is increasing its focus on reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency which led to a growing demand for lightweight aluminum components in the automotive industry. Additionally, the presence of several large aluminum producers and manufacturers in the region also contributes to the growth of the automotive aluminum market in the APAC region. The major players targeting the market include Alcoa Corporation UACJ Corporation Rio Tinto Norsk Hydro ASA Novelis Constellium Jindal Aluminium Limited AMG ElringKlinger AG Dana Limited Competitive Landscape The degree of competition among prominent global companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating worldwide. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the automotive aluminum market. The major players have been analyzed by using research methodologies for getting insight views on global competition. Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include: What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the automotive aluminum market? Which factors are influencing the automotive aluminum market over the forecast period? What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the automotive aluminum market? Which factors are propelling and restraining the automotive aluminum market? What are the demanding global regions of the automotive aluminum market? What will be the global market size in the upcoming years? What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by global companies? We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature and geography. Please let us know If you have any custom needs. About UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) Browse Other Related Research Reports from UnivDatos Market Insights Automotive Aluminum Market Report Coverage Report Attribute Details Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2028 Growth momentum Accelerate at a CAGR of over 9% Market size 2021 USD 44 Bn Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Rest of World Major contributing region APAC to Dominate the Global Automotive Aluminum Market Key countries covered U.S., Canada, Germany, U.K., Spain, Italy, France, China, Japan, and India Companies profiled Alcoa Corporation, UACJ Corporation, Rio Tinto, Norsk Hydro ASA, Novelis, Constellium, Jindal Aluminium Limited, AMG, ElringKlinger AG, and Dana Limited. Report Scope Market Trends, Drivers, and Restraints; Revenue Estimation and Forecast; Segmentation Analysis; Impact of COVID-19; Demand and Supply Side Analysis; Competitive Landscape; Company Profiling Segments Covered By Product Form, By Vehicle Type; By Application; By Region/Country About UnivDatos Market Insights UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients. Contact UnivDatos Market Insights Ankita Gupta Director Operations Email: [email protected] Website: https://univdatos.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1225049/UnivDatos_Logo.jpg SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights Pvt. Ltd. CARMEL, Ind., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Baker Hill , a leading financial technology provider in delivering solutions for loan origination, risk management and analytics, announced its Baker Hill NextGen Banker Application was named a Product Innovation of the Year nominee by TechPoint for the 24th annual Mira Awards. The TechPoint Mira Awards are Indiana's largest and most prestigious technology awards, and the annual awards gala will celebrate the "Best of Tech" in Indiana at the JW Marriott Indianapolis on Saturday, April 22, 2023. This year, TechPoint received a record-breaking 236 submissions for the awards this year. Baker Hill stood out among a competitive pool of submissions and the company's NextGen Banker Application was nominated for the Product Innovation of the Year category. The Baker Hill NextGen Banker Application empowers the customer- and member-facing teams at financial institutions to collect and submit loan requests confidently and efficiently, resulting in maximum growth opportunities and an enhanced borrower experience. With the NextGen Banker Application, banks and credit unions, which play vital roles in the economies of their local communities, can empower their team members with the most innovative and convenient tools to assist prospective borrowers with their loan applications. "Baker Hill is committed to providing our network of community financial institutions with new products and innovations that simplify the lending process. The Baker Hill NextGen Banker Application was developed based on dedicated focus group sessions, user testing and research, as well as Baker Hill's long-standing history of providing innovative fintech solutions," said Mike Horrocks, Vice President of Product Management at Baker Hill. "Banks and credit unions have trusted us for over 35 years to meet their complex lending needs. Being recognized in this year's TechPoint Mira Awards is yet another testament to Baker Hill's unwavering focus on our clients' and their business goals." "This year's Mira Award nominee selection process was the most competitive our team has ever seen, with a record-breaking 236 entries for the awards this year," said Ting Gootee, president and CEO of TechPoint. "This demonstrates the remarkable achievements and spirit of innovation that our talented nominees are known for, and Baker Hill's latest product innovation exemplifies this. We look forward to recognizing the winning companies and their valuable contributions to Indiana's economic growth at our awards gala in April." About Baker Hill Baker Hill is in the business of evolving loan origination by combining expertise in technology with expertise in banking. Built on decades of walking alongside banks and credit unions as they provide vital resources to their communities, Baker Hill NextGen is a configurable, single platform SaaS solution for commercial, small business, consumer loan origination, and risk management that grows along with you as your business needs change. Baker Hill is lending evolved. For more information, visit bakerhill.com. SOURCE Baker Hill July 1 and 2, 2023 "Fascinating from start to finish (Hans van Manen's Frank Bridge Variations)." - - Het Parool (Amsterdam-based daily newspaper) SUN VALLEY, Idaho, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ballet Sun Valley (BSV) announces today the program details for Dutch National Ballet's (DNB) performances on July 1st and 2nd in the spectacular Sun Valley Pavilion. The performances mark the Company's first US tour in 40 years, with Sun Valley as the first tour stop, and additional performances at Jacob's Pillow and the Music Center at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. DNB will perform two entirely different programs that include works by choreographers Hans van Manen, William Forsythe and Wubkje Kuindersma. The first evening, entitled Program A, will feature a collection of four pieces by Dutch choreographer Hans van Manen, who is internationally recognized as one of the grand masters of contemporary ballet. Van Manen has choreographed more than 150 ballets and his works are performed by the most esteemed ballet companies all around the world. The second night, Program B, will feature six pieces including works by Marius Petipa, William Forsythe and Wubkje Kuindersma. Forsythe has been long recognized for the integration of ballet and visual arts in his work. Wubkje Kuindersma is a freelance choreographer, who is a Young Creative Associate at Dutch National Ballet. Dance Magazine USA included her in their "Top 25 to watch list for 2019," an annual list of the dancers, choreographers and companies that represent the future of the field. Approximately thirty-two Dutch National Ballet dancers, from 12 countries will perform at this year's Ballet Sun Valley. Ballet Sun Valley Founding Music Director Martin West will conduct the live music again this year. Mr. West is the Music Director and Principal Conductor at San Francisco Ballet. "I look forward to Ballet Sun Valley every year as a highlight of my summer," said BSV Founding Music Director Martin West. "The standard of dancing is as good as you see anywhere and I'm incredibly excited that this year we are hosting our first international company. I am looking forward to working again with the amazing dancers of Dutch National Ballet who I enjoyed working with, a few years ago in Amsterdam." Programming Schedule Saturday, July 1st - Program A: FRANK BRIDGE VARIATIONS Choreography Hans van Manen SOLO Choreography Hans van Manen Intermission TROIS GNOSSIENNES Choreography Hans van Manen 5 TANGO'S Choreography Hans van Manen Sunday, July 2nd - Program B: VARIATIONS FOR TWO COUPLES Choreography Hans van Manen TWO AND ONLY Choreography Wubkje Kuindersma LE CORSAIRE Choreography Marius Petipa and Jules Perrot Intermission SOLO Choreography Hans van Manen GRAND PAS CLASSIQUE Choreography Victor Gsovsky VERTIGINOUS THRILL OF EXACTITUDE Choreography William Forsythe Please Note: Programming is subject to change. Ballet Sun Valley's Festival 2023 is made possible in part by support from lead sponsor Viking, and additional support from Arts Idaho and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information about the 2023 program, ticketing, sponsorship and donor information, visit the Ballet Sun Valley website: https://balletsunvalley.org ABOUT BALLET SUN VALLEY Ballet Sun Valley is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the predecessor of which was founded in 2011 to bring international ballet to the Sun Valley, Idaho area. Its founder was a long-time member of the Board of San Francisco Ballet and part-time resident of Sun Valley. Since its inception, Ballet Sun Valley performances have featured works from some of the ballet world's most celebrated choreographers, including George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Helgi Tomasson, Christopher Wheeldon, and Justin Peck. Ballet Sun Valley festivals have featured dancers from the San Francisco Ballet, New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and The Paris Opera Ballet, among others. For more information about Dutch National Ballet visit https://www.operaballet.nl/en/ballet/dutch-national-ballet SOURCE Ballet Sun Valley TEL AVIV, Israel, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday (March 19) the management of Bank Leumi (TASE:LUMI) and the Leumi workers' committee announced that, following successful negotiations, an innovative and up-to-date collective agreement was signed, adapted to the era of high-tech banking. The agreement will serve as the basis for employment at the Bank in the coming years. The agreement which was approved by the Bank's board of directors and by the workers' committee focused on guaranteeing employees' social benefits, while providing greater managerial flexibility to the Bank, in order to ensure that the Bank's operational model is adapted to the changes prevailing in the banking sector. Among other things, the agreement provides for a higher quota of employees whom the Bank may employ under its technology agreement, so as to enable the Bank to make yet another leap forward in digital transformation, according to its strategy. It was also agreed that, in order to boost the Bank's managerial flexibility against the backdrop of a changing banking market the Bank will be able to employ people under the collective agreement, without granting tenure, for a period of up to 10 years, in a gradual manner, according to the employee's seniority, with no more than 6 additional years. The agreement establishes an orderly mechanism of periodic pay raises for employees in the coming years, the rate of which is based on the Bank's return on equity, so as to enable all employees to continue to achieve high returns, which will be distributed differentially according to each employee's performance in order to encourage excellence and performance-based compensation. In addition, in order to ensure that employees are dedicated to achieving the work targets every single year, at the beginning of each year, management will publish the targets according to which the bonus will be paid, based on the annual results. The target return for a full bonus in respect of 2023 is 17%. The agreement also includes improved related and social benefits for various groups of employees at the bank. Leumi has enormous respect for organized labor and cherishes the need to preserve and strengthen workers' rights. It is a win-win agreement for all parties and reflects the Bank's successes, Leumi's leadership in the financial sector and the shared quality and commitment. CEO of Leumi, Hanan Friedman: "The successful agreement we reached in collaboration with the workers' committee will allow us to continue to strengthen Leumi's position at the forefront of Israel's financial system. We have worked hard to both allow us to take good care for the future of our dedicated employees in a variety of aspects, as well as to allow the Bank maximum managerial flexibility in order to enable the Bank's continued growth, in view of the changing reality and the many challenges we still face. I thank all those involved in reaching this important agreement the Bank's management and the workers' committee and believe that today we are embarking on a path that will allow us to achieve the many goals we have set for ourselves." Heads of the workers' committee, Ron Levy and Roy Kenneth: "The new labor agreement strengthens organized work and is good news for Leumi's employees, the high-quality, dedicated force that drives the Bank, and no less importantly for Bank Leumi the workplace that is also our home. We believe that the outline we have reached in fruitful collaboration with management will allow us to work together with Leumi to meet the business challenges and strengthen its position as Israel's leading bank." For more information visit the investor relations page on our website or contact Michael Klahr, VP, Head of Investor Relations, at [email protected] SOURCE Bank Leumi ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wall's, the Unilever-owned ice cream company on a mission to make the world a happier, more inclusive place, one street at a time, has announced on International Day of Happiness its aspirations to reach three million children with its new Happiness Project by 2025. The aim comes after successful pilots led more than half of teachers to say that almost all [80%] children demonstrated an increased motivation to learn after taking part in the programme1. The Happiness Project programme teaches children the fundamentals of wellbeing and resilience in school. With the backing of several eminent wellbeing experts, it was developed in partnership with Project Everyone, the creators of the United Nation's World's Largest Lesson, after research found that over two thirds of children say that feeling lonely is one of the biggest reasons why they feel unhappy today [69%]2. The research, commissioned by Wall's, also found that almost all children and adults [90%] across the world agree that happiness lessons are as important for children to learn in school as other topics including reading and maths2. Following this, 135,000 children in Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, and China were part of the pilot programme over the past year. Now, Wall's and Project Everyone will bring similar smiles to schools across Europe including Germany, Sweden, and Southeast Asia, later this year setting them up to develop the skills that will help them live a life of fulfilment and happiness The programme also meets growing calls from some of the world's most respected wellbeing scientists for wider introduction of happiness lessons into schools. They believe those with happy lives have mastered positive daily habits and mindsets, and that understanding what these are from an early age will help people to lead more fulfilled lives. It is these five traits social connection, movement, creativity, kindness, and gratitude that form the key pillars of The Happiness Project. Lord Richard Layard, editor of the World Happiness Report and Emeritus Professor of Economics at LSE, said: "Thankfully, happiness is not something that is decided by only your genes or environment. Nurturing social relationships, connecting with your community, and looking after one's mental health have all been proven drastically to improve one's happiness levels, and, incidentally, are all things that we can be taught to do! That's why as someone who has campaigned for the introduction of happiness lessons for decades The Happiness Project is so exciting." Julien Barraux, Chief Marketing Officer, Ice Cream at Unilever, said: "We know how important happiness is at Wall's - Happiness is in our DNA, after all. Our ice creams have made people throughout the world happier for 100 years, but we want that happy feeling that our sticks provide to last longer than just an ice cream. After seeing just how much children and parents wanted and needed happiness lessons, we were left with little choice but to do something about it. In The Happiness Project we have a terrific solution, and we are looking forward to rolling it out across other countries, spreading happiness one street at a time." Ever since it was established in the early 20th Century, Wall's has had an undeniable connection to happiness. When eaten, the company's ice creams have been scientifically proven to trigger a response in the brain that results in feelings of happiness and contentment. What's more, eight-in-ten of its ice creams are eaten when people are connecting with others; and social connection has been proven to be one of the most significant drivers of happiness3. To find out more about Wall's mission to spread happiness, and The Happiness Project, visit: https://www.wallsicecream.com/uk/the-happiness-project.html Research Methodology: 1 All data found by Project Everyone in Pakistan of 380 students, out of the programme which reached 5,048 students, across 25 schools and 50 teachers 2023. All data found by Project Everyone in of 380 students, out of the programme which reached 5,048 students, across 25 schools and 50 teachers 2023. 2 All data listed above found through a survey conducted by Play Verto in seven countries with 17,863 respondents of adults and children All data listed above found through a survey conducted by Play Verto in seven countries with 17,863 respondents of adults and children 3 Linley, P. A., Dovey, H., de Bruin, E., Transler, C., Wilkinson, J., Maltby, J., & Hurling, R. (2013). Two simple, brief, naturalistic activities, and their impact on positive affect: feeling grateful and eating ice cream. Psychology of Well-Being: Theory, Research and Practice, 3(1), 6. About Unilever and Wall's Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Beauty & Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods & Refreshment products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2.5 billion consumers a day. It has 155,000 employees and generated sales of 52 billion in 2019. Wall's is the largest and most loved ice cream brand globally. At the turn of last century, our founders took over streets across the globe to spread their ice-cream magic. The result? Happier hearts opening up to each other. We believe that, as a brand, we can play a huge role in building a happier more inclusive world, one street at a time. SOURCE Walls NOIDA, India, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report published by UnivDatos Markets Insights, the Cargo Shipping Market was valued at USD 15.25 Billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 5% from 2022-2028. The analysis has been segmented into Cargo Type (Liquid, Dry, Container And General); End Users (Food & Beverage, Oil & Gas, Automotive, Pharmaceutical, Electrical & Electronics, And Others); and Region/Country. Click here to view the Report Description & TOC https://univdatos.com/report/cargo-shipping-market/ The cargo shipping market report has been aggregated by collecting informative data on various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the cargo shipping market. The cargo shipping market report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors in the market that are influencing the market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the cargo shipping market at the global and regional levels. Request for Sample Pages https://univdatos.com/get-a-free-sample-form-php/?product_id=35649 Market Overview Global Cargo Shipping Market is expected to grow at a significant rate of around 5% during the forecast period. The global cargo shipping market refers to the movement of goods and products from one place to another using cargo ships. It is a highly competitive industry, with players ranging from large multinational corporations to smaller local operators. The market is influenced by several factors, such as trade policies, economic growth, demand for goods, technological advancements, and fuel prices. The increasing trend of e-commerce has also boosted the demand for cargo shipping services. However, the industry faces challenges such as overcapacity, increased regulation, and environmental concerns. The adoption of digital technologies, such as blockchain and autonomous ships, is expected to bring efficiency and cost savings to the industry in the future. Overall, the global cargo shipping market is expected to grow in the coming years, driven by the continued growth of international trade and the increasing demand for goods and products. YANG MING Group, A.P. Moller Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A., CHINA COSCO SHIPPING, CMA CGM Group, Hapag-Lloyd AG, Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd., Evergreen Marine Corp. (Taiwan) Ltd., Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd, and HMM CO., LTD..are some of the key players in the market. Several M&As along with partnerships have been undertaken by these players to facilitate customers with hi-tech and innovative products/technologies. COVID-19 Impact The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the cargo shipping market. In the early stages of the pandemic, global trade was severely disrupted as borders were closed and supply chains were disrupted, leading to a sharp decline in cargo shipping demand. This was further exacerbated by a drop in consumer spending and reduced economic activity, as well as the temporary shutdown of many factories and ports. However, as the world adapted to the pandemic and economies started to recover, demand for cargo shipping rebounded. This was driven by the surge in e-commerce as consumers shifted towards online shopping, as well as the increased need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies. This resulted in a significant increase in demand for container shipping, particularly for Asian exports to the West. The global cargo shipping market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated. Global Cargo Shipping Market is expected to grow at a significant rate of around 5% during the forecast period. The global cargo shipping market refers to the movement of goods and products from one place to another using cargo ships. It is a highly competitive industry, with players ranging from large multinational corporations to smaller local operators. The market is influenced by several factors, such as trade policies, economic growth, demand for goods, technological advancements, and fuel prices. The increasing trend of e-commerce has also boosted the demand for cargo shipping services. However, the industry faces challenges such as overcapacity, increased regulation, and environmental concerns. The adoption of digital technologies, such as blockchain and autonomous ships, is expected to bring efficiency and cost savings to the industry in the future. Overall, the global cargo shipping market is expected to grow in the coming years, driven by the continued growth of international trade and the increasing demand for goods and products. YANG MING Group, A.P. Moller Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A., CHINA COSCO SHIPPING, CMA CGM Group, Hapag-Lloyd AG, Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd., Evergreen Marine Corp. (Taiwan) Ltd., Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd, and HMM CO., LTD..are some of the key players in the market. Several M&As along with partnerships have been undertaken by these players to facilitate customers with hi-tech and innovative products/technologies. Based on cargo type, the market is segmented into liquid, dry, container and general. The dry cargo segment is expected to witnesse a higher CAGR during the forecast period owing to factors such as increased demand for bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, and grains. Additionally, technological advancements in cargo handling and storage have made it easier to transport and store dry cargo, increasing its popularity among shippers. For instance, Connecting onboard sensors to shore for data analytics will improve ship and fleet operations in multiple ways, such as optimized maintenance, cargo handling, and route planning, savings in fuel and lubes consumption, and reduced service costs. Ships of the future will have an entire network of sensors measuring all aspects of operations. Furthermore, The growth of e-commerce has led to an increased demand for dry cargo shipping, as many online purchases are delivered through dry cargo ships. These factors have contributed to the increased demand for dry cargo transportation and the corresponding growth of the dry cargo market segment. On the basis of end users, the market is categorized into food & beverage, oil & gas, automotive, pharmaceutical, electrical & electronics (E&E), and others. Among these, electrical & electronics witness higher CAGR during the forecast period. The E&E industry is continuously evolving, with new technologies being developed and introduced into the market. These advancements are driving the growth of the E&E cargo shipping market. The rapid growth of the e-commerce industry has resulted in a significant increase in the demand for shipping services, as more and more people are purchasing goods online. Additionally, the growth of global trade has led to an increased demand for advanced electronics all over the world. Overall, these factors are contributing to the growth of the E&E market in cargo shipping and are expected to drive further growth in the coming years. Have a Look at the Chapters https://univdatos.com/report/cargo-shipping-market/ Cargo Shipping Market Geographical Segmentation Includes: North America ( United States , Canada , and Rest of North America ) ( , , and Rest of ) Europe ( Germany , United Kingdom , Spain , Italy , France , and the Rest of Europe ) ( , , , , , and the Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , and the Rest of Asia-Pacific ) ( , , , and the Rest of ) Rest of the World As of 2021, the Asia-Pacific region has one of the largest share in the global cargo shipping market. The Asia-Pacific region has some of the world's fastest-growing economies, such as China and India, leading to a high demand for goods and increased shipping activity in the region. This region is home to many manufacturing hubs, particularly in countries like China and Japan, which results in a high volume of exports from the region. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific region has the largest population in the world, leading to a high demand for consumer goods and a large domestic market for cargo shipping. Furthermore, many countries in this region are investing in developing their transportation infrastructure, including ports, roads, and railroads, which is boosting the cargo shipping market. These factors have combined to make the Asia-Pacific region the largest market for cargo shipping in the world. The major players targeting the market include YANG MING Group. A.P. Moller Maersk Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. CHINA COSCO SHIPPING COSCO SHIPPING CMA CGM Group Hapag-Lloyd AG Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. Evergreen Marine Corp. ( Taiwan ) Ltd. ) Ltd. Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd HMM CO., LTD Competitive Landscape The degree of competition among prominent global companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating worldwide. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the cargo shipping market. The major players have been analyzed by using research methodologies for getting insight views on global competition. Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include: What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the cargo shipping market? Which factors are influencing the cargo shipping market over the forecast period? What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the cargo shipping market? Which factors are propelling and restraining the cargo shipping market? What are the demanding global regions of the cargo shipping market? What will be the global market size in the upcoming years? What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by global companies? We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature and geography. Please let us know If you have any custom needs. About UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) Browse Other Related Research Reports from UnivDatos Market Insights Cargo Shipping Market Report Coverage Report Attribute Details Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2028 Growth momentum Accelerate at a CAGR of over 5% Market size 2021 USD 15.25 Billion Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Rest of World Major contributing region North America to Dominate the Global Cargo Shipping Market Key countries covered United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, China, Japan, India, and Australia Companies profiled YANG MING Group, A.P. Moller Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A., CHINA COSCO SHIPPING, CMA CGM Group, Hapag-Lloyd AG, Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd., Evergreen Marine Corp. (Taiwan) Ltd., Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd, and HMM CO., LTD. Report Scope Market Trends, Drivers, and Restraints; Revenue Estimation and Forecast; Segmentation Analysis; Impact of COVID-19; Demand and Supply Side Analysis; Competitive Landscape; Company Profiling Segments Covered By Cargo Type; By End Users; By Region/Country About UnivDatos Market Insights UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients. Contact; UnivDatos Market Insights Ankita Gupta Director Operations Ph: +91-7838604911 Email: [email protected] Website: https://univdatos.com/ Logo : https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1225049/UnivDatos_Logo.jpg SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights Pvt. Ltd. Carrier brands again hold first and second place on 2023 list INDIANAPOLIS, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Carrier has been named the best HVAC company of 2023 by U.S. News & World Report's 360 Reviews team. This is the second consecutive year that Carrier ranked No. 1 and its Bryant brand ranked No. 2. Both are part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), the leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions. Carrier technician discusses energy-efficiency savings with residential HVAC customers. Reviewers found Carrier to have the most technologically advanced, innovative, reliable, and high-quality products, which are also among the most energy-efficient and quiet. In addition, the number of products and options Carrier offers was viewed as a differentiator. "This recognition underscores our commitment to delivering HVAC systems that are smarter, more efficient, and more cost-effective," said Justin Keppy, President, NA Residential & Light Commercial HVAC, Carrier. "We are innovating to provide our customers with what they need to create healthier homes and reduce energy bills." Carrier manufactures and installs a full range of products to address homeowners' comfort, health and budgets. This includes air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, ductless and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, and air purification units. U.S. News evaluated HVAC companies based on system cost, unique warranty features and customer satisfaction. U.S. News' 360 Reviews team applied a methodology that includes professional and consumer ratings and reviews, as well as research comparing various features of HVAC systems. For more information, visit https://www.carrier.com/residential/en/us/. About Carrier Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier is a world leader in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy-efficient products, building controls and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport, and food service customers. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, the leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable, and intelligent building and cold chain solutions. For more information, visit carrier.com or follow @Carrier on Twitter. SOURCE Carrier Global Corporation MINNEAPOLIS and LONDON, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Castlelake, L.P. ("Castlelake"), a global alternative investment manager specializing in asset-backed private credit with 17 years of experience investing in asset-rich opportunities, and fintech lender TradeBridge, today announced Castlelake has agreed to provide a facility of up to 100m to TradeBridge. Alongside existing senior banking facilities, the additional funding is expected to further strengthen TradeBridge's position in the revenue-based finance space. The financing, provided by Castlelake as part of its income investing strategy, is also expected to accelerate TradeBridge's expansion in the UK healthcare sector, where TradeBridge already provides a form of revenue-based finance to National Health Service pharmacies and dental practices across the UK, seeking to help them improve their working capital position and better serve their communities. "We look forward to leveraging our experience in revenue finance to support TradeBridge's origination growth goals," said Isaiah Toback, Partner, Deputy Co-chief Investment Officer at Castlelake. "And we believe our partnership will help provide an innovative solution to vital healthcare providers while delivering value for our investors." "We're delighted to announce a new relationship with Castlelake. TradeBridge is passionate about supporting entrepreneurial businesses to meet their growth ambitions," said Mark Coxhead, CEO of TradeBridge. "Castlelake's support will be instrumental as we continue to deliver more innovative working capital solutions to more clients." Castlelake has completed over $4 billion of specialty finance investments since 2015. Recent transactions include an agreement to provide credit to a tech-enabled trade financing platform and a partnership establishing a new commercial lending platform for small and medium-sized businesses. Its specialty finance activity has also included acquiring or financing more than 3,500 commercial and industrial loans and over 5 million consumer receivable accounts. About Castlelake Castlelake, L.P. is a global alternative investment manager focused on investments in real assets, specialty finance and aviation. Founded in 2005, Castlelake manages approximately $20 billion of assets on behalf of its investors. The Castlelake team comprises more than 200 experienced professionals, including 90 investment professionals, across seven offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.castlelake.com. About TradeBridge Fintech lender TradeBridge was founded in 2013, by three friends with backgrounds in finance and technology. Today, TradeBridge has provided over $3B of revenue-based finance to entrepreneurial business leaders around the world and is present in London, Paris, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney. Contact Castlelake Prosek Partners for Castlelake Josh Clarkson/Remy Marin +1 212 279 3115 [email protected] / [email protected] Castlelake Media Relations [email protected] TradeBridge Louise Young [email protected] Woodsford TradeBridge Ltd 8 Bloomsbury Street London WC1B 3SR Telephone: +44 (0)20 7313 8088 www.tradebridge.com SOURCE Castlelake Catalyst Power will Serve as Exclusive Marketer, Aggregator and Servicer for All Future JCD Solar Consulting, LLC Community Solar Projects: Community Solar Saves Businesses Up to 10% on their Energy Bills NEW YORK, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalyst Power Holdings LLC ("Catalyst Power"), an integrated provider of cleaner energy solutions for the commercial and industrial sector, and JCD Solar Consulting, LLC , a leader in the solar project development market, have finalized a strategic partnership agreement to maximize the marketing, aggregation, and servicing for community solar projects. With the agreement, Catalyst Power has made a minority equity investment in and will be the exclusive offtake provider for community solar for future JCD Solar Consulting, LLC community solar projects. Catalyst Power utilizes a unique strategy to fill community solar subscriptions, instead of relying on a single large "anchor" subscribertypically a large businessCatalyst Power recruits a diverse group of smaller companies. Multiple smaller subscribers provide community solar projects a safer, more resilient foundation of support while spreading solar's benefits to a wider community of local businesses. Community solar programs provide residents and businesses the opportunity to save up to 10% on their utility bills while supporting local green energy development. JCD Solar Consulting, LLC has developed 75 MW (DC) of utility scale and community solar with a development pipeline of 100 MW (DC). "We're thrilled to be partnering with JCD Solar Consulting, LLC to ensure community solar projects are fully subscribedand that small and mid-sized businesses can reap the many benefits of local solar. Catalyst Power is committed to helping commercial and industrial businesses access clean energy solutions that deliver savings, and community solar programs are among the easiest ways for them to save money while supporting the local community," said Gabe Philips, CEO of Catalyst Power. "Catalyst Power is a fantastic partner and they've shown a unique effectiveness in fully subscribing for community solar projects. We look forward to working with them to drive down the costs of subscriber acquisition and management to increase savings for our subscribers and spread the benefits of solar to more small and mid-sized businesses," said Donna Jones, Partner and Manager of JCD Solar Consulting, LLC. Community solar projects are a collective array of panels installed in an offsite location, which produces clean solar energy. Almost any business in the area can access its benefits and receive credits toward their electric bills. Community solar offers local, clean energy that can often offset a portion of a business's electric bill through bill credits with predictable rates and terms without subscribers having to install solar onsite. Businesses interested in learning more about how to save money with or host clean energy can visit: https://catalystpower.com About Catalyst Power Holdings LLC: Catalyst Power Holdings LLC is an independent, integrated provider of cleaner energy solutions for the commercial and industrial sector through commercial energy, customized Connected Microgrid solutions, and community solar to underserved middle-market commercial and industrial end-use customers, improving the overall efficiency and environmental impact of their supply. Catalyst Power is a portfolio company of BP Energy Partners, LLC. More info: www.catalystpower.com About BP Energy Partners, LLC: BP Energy Partners, LLC (BPEP), is a Dallas, Texas based growth-oriented private equity firm. Since inception, BPEP has focused on a lower carbon future by establishing and growing sustainable and responsible companies in the natural gas value chain including infrastructure, power, logistics, transportation, environmental services, renewable natural gas, midstream, and distribution. BPEP will also invest in low carbon energy solutions and renewables. BPEP collaborates with entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, project developers, and experienced management teams to provide patient capital, financial and operating expertise, and deep industry relationships. BPEP currently manages over $550 million in committed capital and is actively investing in new opportunities. More information can be found at www.bpenergypartners.com. SOURCE Catalyst Power WASHINGTON, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Voiceover icon and national radio personality Cayman Kelly recently took some time to acknowledge one of the single most important women in his life: his wife, Dr. Kamilah Gilmore Kelly. Dr. Kelly is a practicing physician and recent author of "The Engagement," a pragmatic medical journal that helps patients organize and get more out of their healthcare visits. Cayman Kelly and his wife Dr. Kamilah Gilmore Kelly The Engagement - A Journal to Prepare for and Log Your Medical Appointments Commemorating Women's History Month, and focusing on the special significance of Black women's history, Cayman has long acknowledged those who have helped him rise to fame as one of the most widely recognized voiceover stars in the United States. "Kamilah's an amazing doctor and, quite literally, saved my life," Cayman said. "If it wasn't for her quick thinking last year when I had my stroke, I might not be here. She drove me to the hospital, stayed on top of my appointments, asked questions about my care, and was there managing every single detail. That's how she came to write a book to help other people manage their own care if you don't have someone rooting for you in the system, helping take charge and looking out for you, chances are you aren't going to do so well." "Black Americans make up 13% of the U.S. population, yet just 5.7% of physicians are Black, and only 2.8% of those are Black females," said Kelly. "That should give you an idea of the sheer tenacity of spirit and drive it takes to be a Black doctor here. The only good news about that is the number of female medical students has risen a lot, with 2019 marking the first time that the majority of U.S. med school students were women. We can only hope more of them are Black." "And this is exactly what I'm talking about when I say that if you want support, if you want love, if you want to be empowered and encouraged and uplifted by the women in your life you have to start by uplifting them first. Because women have been holding up the sky for men for years. And Black women have been doing it with almost no pay and no credit. Just the shear odds that Kamilah had to beat what she had to go through to become a doctor and serve her life's purpose is an amazing achievement. Women are the key to our future, but this society makes them work far too hard for it." Although the number of women doctors has increased, men still hold more than half of the physician's workforce. In 2007, women accounted for 28.3% of physicians, rising steadily through 2013 to 32.6% and into 2019 at 36.3%. And women are still largely concentrated in family and child specialties: with family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics remaining the most popular. "The Engagement," by Dr. Kamilah Kelly: 5 Steps to Better Healthcare Planning "The Engagement" toolkit empowers patients during their healthcare journey by outlining the best ways to interact with healthcare providers and facilitate smooth and effective medical appointments. Whether it is the initial appointment, a follow-up visit, or visiting a medical specialist for the first time, patients can use the medical journal to stay organized and involved with their own health history. The kit includes an easy-to-follow guide, using Dr. Kelly's Five Simple Steps of the Engagement: Have Your Reason for the Visit Have an Expectation for the Visit Have Your Questions Outlined About Your Visit Ask and Understand the Directions Given Leave With an Understanding on When to Return The full toolkit is available via Amazon.com. Women's History Month and Afrofuturism "One of the best expressions of this idea of Black women as an integral part of us moving forward together is the concept of Afrofuturism," said Cayman. "Afrofuturists are brilliant Black minds often sci-fi/fantasy writers but also thinkers, philosophers, and entrepreneurs who can reimagine what is possible for us. They look into the future and plan better days than where we come from. Using science, tech, medicine, art, and social justice, they are the architects of a better tomorrow. And the absolute best Afrofuturists are women: Alondra Nelson, Ytasha Womack, Octavia Butler, N.K. Jemisin, and others. Along with the non-famous, quiet champions who do this kind of work every single day. Black women who have beaten the odds people like my wife." For the latest updates on voice appearances, ESPN show announcements, and other projects, follow Cayman Kelly on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn. *Statistics and facts sourced from Association of American Medical Colleges. Media Contact: Robin Steinfeld, Buchwald Talent Agent 1.212.634.8373 [email protected] SOURCE Cayman Kelly The third edition of the Blockchain4SDG challenge of the CBCat and Bitcoin Association for BSV rewards innovative solutions that encourage sustainable forest management using blockchain technology. GIRONA, Spain, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The CBCat (Blockchain Center of Catalonia), of the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona, held last Thursday an awards ceremony for the participants of its third Blockchain4SDG challenge; a programme aimed at university students that encourages training in blockchain technology, and its subsequent application in real projects, always focused on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This third edition was launched jointly with the Bitcoin Association for BSV, a non-profit association that supports the BSV blockchain protocol and advocates for the construction of an ecosystem favourable to the regulation, encourages legal conduct and, at the same time, promotes digital currency and the innovation of the blockchain. "For the first time, this challenge has combined the talent of Catalan students with others from international universities," explained Carles Agusti, director of the BlockchainxODS programme. "Being an international challenge, we have had to overcome some difficulties such as the different time zones, but in the end the experience has been positive with multidisciplinary contributions from all over the world." In the first round, more than eighty university students registered for the challenge. After a selection process, around fifteen participants continued with the contest, distributed in two teams, who presented, last Thursday, their solutions to the public in attendance today. In the awards ceremony, besides the CBCat and Bitcoin Association for BSV, there was also the participation of Bet Piella, councillor for economic promotion, trade and culture of the city of Vic, where the CBCat has an important presence with a vertical that applies blockchain technology to the agri-food sector. "The city of Vic is becoming a benchmark in the implementation of blockchain technology, even beyond the borders of Catalonia, as this challenge demonstrates," said the councillor, "together with the CBCat, Vic City Council is carrying out an important project with some of the main companies in our territory, to build a carbon footprint measurement standard and then redeem it, a project very much in line with the solutions that are being presented today." In this edition, in order to make possible a meeting between the different members of the challenge, from students and organisers to mentors and members of the jury, the awards ceremony was held at CatVers, the Catalan metavers developed by the CBCat. At the event, the two team captains, Alvaro Bravo, a student at the University of Oviedo in Spain, and Britt Trago, from the Wageningen University in the Netherlands, presented the solutions of the teams they lead. Said proposals are aimed at calculating and incentivising the decarbonisation provided by the areas covered, thus responding to SDG 13, to adopt urgent measures to combat climate change and its effects, and also to SDG 15, to sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt the loss of biodiversity. Bryan Daugherty, The Bitcoin Association for BSV's Global Public Policy Director, said: "The BlockchainxODS programme's international challenge has successfully brought together students from Catalonia and around the world. It has allowed a multidisciplinary approach to finding solutions, promoting legal conduct and innovation in the cryptocurrency/blockchain technology industry. The collaboration between CBCat and other entities highlights the importance of building a supportive ecosystem and the growth of digital innovation, paving the way for a favourable regulatory ecosystem." Finally, the jury declared both teams joint winners, and recommended the merger of the two proposals, in order to arrive at a solution that encourages sustainable forest management thanks to a data tokenisation system enabled by blockchain technology. About the CBCat The CBCat (Blockchain Centre of Catalonia), of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and promoted by the Catalan Government, aims to promote the adoption of digital assets and decentralised technologies (DLTs) in Catalonia through the dissemination and digital literacy, not only among each and every industrial sector but also, and without exception, among those actors, individual or collective, private or institutional, potentially concerned. It promotes, explains and educates about blockchain technology, current cases of application and future possibilities. SOURCE Bitcoin Association for BSV JERGENS Natural Glow wants to celebrate your glow, at a time where the promise of those brighter days, looks, and times officially begins. CINCINNATI, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jergens Natural Glow Skincare is committed to spreading confidence through glowing skin and is introducing its first-ever Glow Day, today! For Jergens Natural Glow Sunless Tanning Moisturizers, it's the start of that in-between period where you prepare for the sunnier moments to come and when you look around to take stock of your skincare routine, seasonal wardrobe, and the confidence that drives them all. Jergens skincare is introducing its first-ever Glow Day on Monday, March 20th! Tweet this Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer In a new OnePoll survey of 2,000 women in which Jergens Skincare explored how the weather impacts their confidence and mood, more than half (52%) said they are tired of wintery weather less than two months in and need to go somewhere warm. Additionally, a majority believe the weather between Spring and Winter should be considered an entirely separate season (72%). During this time, Jergens Skincare is here to bolster your confidence by enhancing skin's radiance and getting it summer-ready, as we start to ditch our heavier clothing and opt for Spring styles. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizers gradually deliver subtle, sun-kissed color even when the beach is miles (or months) away. Applying daily will enhance natural skin tone and after about one week, the result is beautiful, natural-looking color--because glowing skin is always in. 8 in 10 women want to look good on the outside to help them feel good on the inside (81%), and want to feel like they're "glowing" all year round. "Jergens Skincare knows that glowing skin is always in and can give people a boost of confidence to wear that skirt without tights or a crop top before summer hits, without the damaging UV rays," says Stephanie Kimutis, Senior Brand Manager for Jergens Skincare. "Glow Day serves as the official start of self-tanning season to help our consumers feel and look their best as the weather heats up." In celebration of Glow Day, Jergens Skincare will gift five (5) lucky fans with a "Glow Kit" including the Jergens Natural Glow product collection and a $150 Summersalt e-Gift card to buy swimwear items of their choice. Enter to win on Instagram @JergensUS. Also, spend $20 on Jergens Natural Glow products at Walmart and receive a $5 Walmart e-Gift card at JergensGlowDay.com. The campaign will be supported by organic and paid social media content, influencer partners, national and regional broadcast, national retailer promotion, a consumer sweepstakes, as well as robust media outreach. Giveaway Rules: Must be 18 years of age or older and a U.S. resident to enter. Ends 03/27/23 at 11:59 pm EST. Five (5) winners will be selected at random and announced on or around 04/3/2023. Winners will be alerted via Instagram Story on @JergensUS Instagram channel and will have 72 hours to claim their prize by providing a valid shipping address. Go to the link in @JergensUS bio for full official rules. Walmart Promotion Terms & Conditions: Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) U.S. states and the District of Columbia, 18+ years of age at the time of participation (Eligibility Area). Valid on purchases of participating products from participating Walmart stores in the Eligibility Area only. For each purchase of Twenty dollars ($20) or more of participating products from participating Walmart stores in a single transaction between 03/20/2023 06/20/2023, receive a five-dollar ($5) Walmart e-Gift Card. Receipt must clearly show purchase amt., date, time & location, & product(s) purchased, may be used only once, & must be submitted by 06/20/2023. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted. Limit ten (10) rewards/person/household. Rewards available while supplies last. Full Terms and Conditions at www.JergensGlowDay.com and Privacy Policy at https://www.kao.com/americas/en/privacy/.com.*By texting JERGENSGLOW to 811811, you consent to receive text messages pertaining to this program only, via automated telephone dialing system to the number you provided, from Snipp Interactive Inc. Message frequency varies. Txt HELP for Help or STOP to Stop. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy of texting at www.snipp.com/privacy-policy and www.snipp.com/terms-and-conditions. *Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. Sponsor: Kao USA Inc, 2535 Spring Grove Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45214 USA. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer gradually delivers sun-kissed color. Formulated with a blend of hydrating ingredients, antioxidants, and Vitamin E. With this moisturizer, your skin stays nourished, while getting its glow on. Available in two shades: Fair to Medium and Medium to Deep PRICING/AVAILABILITY: 7.5 oz. for $10.49 MSRP; WALMART.COM Jergens Natural Glow + Firming Daily Moisturizer gradually delivers sun-kissed color plus visible skin-firming benefits. Infused with collagen, elastin and coconut oil and gradually creates visibly firmer skin, while reducing the appearance of cellulite - in one week with daily use. Available in two shades: Fair to Medium and Medium to Deep PRICING/AVAILABILITY: 7.5 oz. for $10.49 MSRP; WALMART.COM About Kao USA Inc. Kao USA Inc. is a leading manufacturer of premium beauty care brands recognized worldwide for their innovation and quality. The Kao USA Inc. portfolio includes: Jergens and Curel hand and body lotions; Biore facial care; John Frieda and Wakati hair care, Ban antiperspirants, as well as Goldwell, KMS and Oribe professional hair care, MyKirei by KAO personal care line and Molton Brown products for body and home. Founded in 1882, Kao USA Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kao Corporation. SOURCE Jergens Skincare Tanya Shepherd to Join as VP of Delivery DALLAS, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To accelerate our Energy & Utilities customers' digital transformation and business processes initiatives, CG Infinity has announced the hiring of Tanya Shepherd as Vice President of Delivery. She will join our Dallas/Ft. Worth team. Tanya Shepherd as Vice President of Delivery Tanya is a technology and services professional with two decades of experience in business analysis, re-engineering business and system processes, implementing complex systems, and leading software development teams. She has a talent for taking complex projects and concepts and breaking them down into manageable pieces for easier execution. Having worked with clients around the world, her experience and knowledge allow her to lead or assist project teams in meeting objectives and timelines to implement new systems and processes successfully. "We are proud to serve over a dozen prominent energy firms in both unregulated and regulated markets. Our customers depend on us to deploy technology solutions that drive customer acquisition and customer retention. Under Tanya's leadership, CG Infinity plans to offer both customer technology and billing technology as a one-stop solution that closes the gap our customers experience in managing their back-office," said Saurajit Kanungo, President of CG Infinity. "Tanya brings an amazing blend of technology guru and business consultant to the table. Her depth and breadth of energy industry and systems knowledge will enable us to manage our energy clients across the full lifecycle of front-office to back-office challenges. We are very excited to welcome her to our EUP team!" said Jonathan Goldstein, Senior Vice President, Energy & Utilities Practice. "I'm really excited to be a part of CG Infinity and their global team. It gives me the ability to work with clients to help them transform and not have to limit myself to just one area of their business. With the team of world class professionals at CG Infinity alongside me, we can help with the full customer experience," said Tanya Shepherd. About CG Infinity CG Infinity, Inc. is an IT consulting firm offering technology solutions that are tailored to the needs of each client. We are leveraging the Salesforce and other cloud platform technologies to help our clients get closer to their customers. With offices in Dallas, Houston, Albuquerque, Little Rock, and New Delhi , employing around 400 people worldwide, we have the global resources to take on even the most complex projects. Our people-first approach drives innovation and transforms tomorrow. We aim to grow employees to deliver world class "customer-value" and "customer experience". People First + Driven to Transform SOURCE CG Infinity BEIJING, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said he looks forward to working with Russian President Vladimir Putin to jointly adopt a new vision, a new blueprint and new measures for the growth of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the years to come in his signed article published on Russian media on Monday. The article, titled "Forging Ahead to Open a New Chapter of China-Russia Friendship, Cooperation and Common Development", was published on Russia's Russian Gazette newspaper and the RIA Novosti news website ahead of his state visit to Russia. Recalling Russia was the first country he visited after he was elected president 10 years ago, Xi said he has made eight visits to Russia during the past decade and that he went each time with high expectations and returned with fruitful results. The role of high-level interactions between the two leaders in leading China-Russia relations is highlighted in Xi's article. They have met 40 times on bilateral and international occasions where they have drawn the blueprint for cooperation and had timely communication on major international and regional issues of mutual interest. China and Russia have cemented political mutual trust and fostered a new model of major-country relations on the basis of both sides' commitment to no-alliance, no-confrontation and not targeting any third party, Xi noted. In the past 10 years, a substantial boost in the two countries' multi-tiered cooperation has been evident. Trade between China and Russia last year exceeded $190 billion, up 116 percent from a decade ago. The two sides have also collaborated on a variety of projects including scientific and technological innovation, cross-border e-commerce and other emerging areas. In the article, the Chinese president recalled the source of his inspiration for proposing the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. It was when he spoke at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in March 2013, where he observed that "countries are linked with and dependent on one another at a level never seen before." "The common interest of all humankind is in a world that is united and peaceful, rather than divided and volatile," Xi said. In addressing the Ukraine crisis, Xi reiterated China's "objective and impartial" position, which is accompanied by his proposals such as supporting all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis and ensuring the stability of global industrial and supply chains. He noted that China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, a document released last month, has been "constructive in mitigating the spillovers of the crisis and facilitating its political settlement." Acknowledging that there is no simple solution to a complex issue, Xi believes that as long as all parties embrace the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and pursue equal-footed, rational and results-oriented dialogue and consultation, they will find a reasonable way to resolve the crisis as well as a broad path toward a world of lasting peace and common security. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-03-20/Xi-s-Russia-visit-to-adopt-new-vision-for-bilateral-ties-1iknim761mE/index.html SOURCE CGTN NEW YORK, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Colbeck Capital Management announced their support for the 2023 Sydney Tedone Memorial Fund Event to be held March 23. The event is held each year in honor of Sydney Tedone's legacy and dedication to girls' education on a global level in partnership with Girl Rising. Girl Rising is a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering educational programing to underserved communities in alignment with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Using storytelling as a vehicle for communication and change, Girl Rising creates content highlighting the struggles and successes of girls around the world to shine the spotlight on areas of improvement and need when it comes to educational access. The organization also partners with local communities in over 12 countries to collaborate with educators and improve educational outcomes for female students facing obstacles to access including discrimination. Colbeck Capital and Jason Colodne are pleased to support Girl Rising through the upcoming event dedicated to Sydney Tedone's memory. This year's memorial fund will help support educational access, outreach, and outcomes for girls in India, Kenya, and Guatemala through partner organization awareness and programming. Notably, Girl Rising supports the education and advancement of girls in disadvantaged communities, with 80 percent of their target population falling below the U.S. poverty line. Programs are designed to improve gender attitudes in those communities while also enhancing schools and access in a way that empowers girls with voice and agency. Curricula are provided with the intent of educating students in both practical skills as well as helping to change attitudes that lead to gender discrimination. About Colbeck Capital Management Colbeck Capital Management (colbeck.com) is a leading, middle-market private credit manager focused on strategic lending. Colbeck partners with companies during periods of transition, providing creative capital solutions. Colbeck sponsors its portfolio companies through consistent engagement with management teams in areas such as finance, capital markets and growth strategies, distinguishing itself from traditional lenders. Colbeck was founded in 2009 by Jason Colodne and Jason Beckman, and its principals have extensive experience investing through different market cycles at leading institutions, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. SOURCE Colbeck Capital Management WASHINGTON, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, in recognition of World Oral Health Day, the Delta Dental Institute is launching a new campaign, Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce, to help increase the number of oral health professionals from historically underrepresented groups. Delta Dental Institute Launches Campaign to Drive Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce Delta Dental Institute Launches Campaign to Drive Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce While racial and ethnic diversity among health professionals is linked to improved outcomes and greater health equity, the current oral health workforce does not reflect the changing demographics of the U.S. population. The Delta Dental Institute's campaign will drive toward a more diverse oral health workforce by establishing the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund and by supporting initiatives in oral health education, research, and community investment. "There is an urgent need to address the ongoing lack of minority representation in the oral health professions," said James W. Hutchison, President & CEO of Delta Dental Plans Association. "As the nation's oral health leader, we have a responsibility to tackle this issue head-on and make progress toward improving outcomes and advancing oral health equity for all." The Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce campaign will: Establish the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund: In its first year, the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund will make targeted investments of up to $1 million in comprehensive solutions, innovative pilots, and scalable models that inspire school-aged children from historically underrepresented groups to pursue a career in oral health. In its first year, the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund will make targeted investments of up to in comprehensive solutions, innovative pilots, and scalable models that inspire school-aged children from historically underrepresented groups to pursue a career in oral health. Support oral health higher education: Delta Dental will continue its investment in the future of the oral health workforce through the funding of scholarships and infrastructure at minority serving institutions. Since 2018, Delta Dental has invested nearly $50 million in college and university programs. In addition, in 2021, Delta Dental supported scholarships, grants, and other workforce development opportunities that benefited more than 147,000 people, many from historically underrepresented groups. Delta Dental will continue its investment in the future of the oral health workforce through the funding of scholarships and infrastructure at minority serving institutions. Since 2018, Delta Dental has invested nearly in college and university programs. In addition, in 2021, Delta Dental supported scholarships, grants, and other workforce development opportunities that benefited more than 147,000 people, many from historically underrepresented groups. Propel new research: The Delta Dental Institute has sponsored the Harvard School of Dental Medicine 's new research on the oral health workforce. As published in the latest edition of JAMA Health Forum, lead researcher, Dr. Sung Eun Choi , SM, PhD, finds that expanding the dental workforce in oral health professional shortage areas through the National Health Service Corps would reduce the burden of dental caries among children in underserved areas and is cost-effective. The Delta Dental Institute has sponsored the 's new research on the oral health workforce. As published in the latest edition of JAMA Health Forum, lead researcher, Dr. , SM, PhD, finds that expanding the dental workforce in oral health professional shortage areas through the National Health Service Corps would reduce the burden of dental caries among children in underserved areas and is cost-effective. Engage with our communities: Nearly a quarter of Delta Dental community investments in 2021 were dedicated to oral health education and workforce development. Delta Dental will continue its focus on supporting historically underrepresented groups by conducting outreach to students of all ages to elevate the importance of oral health to overall health and to introduce the possibility of a career in the oral health professions. "Taking a multifaceted approach to addressing the barriers historically underrepresented groups face in choosing careers in oral health is critical to creating sustainable change in the industry," said Vivian Vasallo, Executive Director of the Delta Dental Institute. "Through this campaign, we will elevate the need for a more diverse oral health workforce and support the advancement of actionable solutions. We are eager to see unique, innovative proposals brought forward for consideration by the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund." For those interested in applying for the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund and learning more about this campaign, please visit www.deltadentalinstitute.com/fund. Eligible applicants must be based in the United States, and may include 501(c)(3) organizations, private businesses, or limited or general partnerships. About the Delta Dental Institute The Delta Dental Institute is dedicated to advancing oral health for all Americans in partnership with Delta Dental companies and dedicated partners across the country. With expertise rooted in Delta Dental's rich history of oral health leadership, we engage in and support oral health research, community outreach, and advocacy, striving to ensure that everyone understands the importance of oral health to overall health and has access to the care they need. Visit deltadentalinstitute.com for more information. About Delta Dental Plans Association Based in Oak Brook, Illinois, Delta Dental Plans Association is the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through these companies, Delta Dental is the nation's largest dental insurance provider, covering more than 85 million Americans and offering the country's largest dental network with approximately 154,000 participating dentists. Over the last decade, Delta Dental companies provided over $1.88 billion in direct and in-kind support to improve the oral health of our communities. SOURCE Delta Dental Institute Dogtopia Foundation Ambassador Receives Award From M&M'S Brand, Proudly Part Of Mars, Honoring 20 Trailblazing Women PHOENIX, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This International Women's Day (March 8), M&M'S announced the 20 trailblazing winners of its Flipping the Status Quo program. Among them was Retired Command Sergeant Major and Dogtopia Foundation ambassador Gretchen Evans. Evans has been a driving force behind the Foundation's mission to provide service dogs for veterans in need, embarking on a national tour as part of the nonprofit's Dogs Save Lives campaign to raise funds and awareness for the cause. As part of Evans' recognition, she has chosen to honor the Dogtopia Foundation and donate the grant money she received to help them further their mission of connecting veterans and service dogs. Dogtopia celebrates retired CSM Gretchen Evans on M&MS Flipping the Status Quo recognition. "I am honored to be chosen by M&M'S as a woman 'flipping the status quo' and thrilled that Dogtopia Foundation will receive funding for its important mission," Evans said. "This recognition will help give hope to veterans with mixed abilities. Connecting those veterans to service dogs is one way to help them overcome obstacles and physical and mental health challenges." In January, consumers nominated women who were flipping the status quo in their everyday lives. Of the women nominated, M&M'S looked for those who are: Positively impacting the community around them. Creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed and appreciated. Having fun while paving new paths for the women who will follow. Changing conversations by developing out-of-the-box processes and ways of working. Redefining what happiness and success looks like for women everywhere. Evans is a towering example of all these qualities following a 27-year military career, which ended abruptly in Afghanistan when a rocket blast threw her headfirst into a concrete bunker, leaving her with a traumatic brain injury and total hearing loss. Evans was feeling hopeless and without purpose when America's VetDogs introduced her to Aura, a service dog who would become her ears and loyal companion on a journey of healing. Evans credits Aura with saving her life and is now on a mission to amplify the importance of service dogs for veterans as an ambassador for the Dogtopia Foundation. She has traveled to numerous cities, including Boise, Colorado Springs, and San Antonio, to share her story and spread the message about this important cause, which affects so many of America's heroes. "We could not have asked for a more inspiring and impactful person to represent Dogtopia Foundation and our Dogs Save Lives campaign," Neil Gill, President and CEO of Dogtopia, said. "She is incredibly deserving of this award from M&M'S as she has been 'flipping the status quo' for veterans in need for quite some time. There is no doubt that she has saved many lives by getting the message out about the value of service dogs for veterans." M&M'S is proudly part of Mars, a global, family-owned business that's transforming, innovating, and evolving to make a positive impact on the world. You can see Evans among the full list of Flipping the Status Quo winners at mms.com/flipthestatusquo. ABOUT DOGTOPIA With more than 220 open locations across North America, Dogtopia is the nation's fastest-growing and largest dog daycare brand in the booming pet services industry, ranked at #56 on Entrepreneur Magazine's Annual Franchise 500 list and #325 on Franchise Times' Top 500 Franchises list. The ultimate destination for improving the physical and mental well-being of dogs and pet parents, Dogtopia helps our furry friends live long, healthy, and happy lives with services that address canine wellness in a holistic manner. At Dogtopia, dogs enjoy an open-play environment where dogs are separated by both size and temperament, comfortable rubberized flooring to ease joints and paws, and spa and overnight stay services. Dogtopia's offerings are all-inclusive with top-quality meals prepared according to each pet parent's request, or pet parents can bring their own food. Dogtopia's webcams also provide pet parents with peace of mind and the ability to check in on their pups when they are away. The Dogtopia franchise family is composed of both single-unit and multi-unit operators, including husband and wife teams, father and daughter/son duos, siblings, and many experienced multi-unit franchisees. For more information about Dogtopia and franchise opportunities, visit www.dogtopia.com . ABOUT DOGTOPIA FOUNDATION The Dogtopia Foundation's mission is to enable dogs to positively change our world, which is achieved by supporting programs, research, and initiatives focused around three worthy causes: Service Dogs for Veterans, Therapy Dogs for Students, and Employment Initiatives for Adults with Autism. One hundred percent of all donations are given directly organizations that help returning veterans, young school children, and adults with autism reach their full potential. To learn more, visit www.dogtopiafoundation.org. Media contact: David Robertson, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 847-945-1300 SOURCE Dogtopia ROSEAU, Dominica, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TIME magazine has revealed its highly anticipated third annual list of the World's Greatest Places, featuring 50 extraordinary travel destinations around the world, including the Caribbean island of Dominica. TIME compiled the list by soliciting nominations of places, including countries, regions, cities, and towns, from its international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences. Readers can view the full list on TIME's website. This is the first time Dominica has been featured on the list. "To be recognized by such a prestigious, internationally recognized publication is a true testament to the culture, natural beauty, and wonders Dominica has to offer travelers," said Hon Denise Charles, Minister of Tourism. "We are extremely proud of the growth in tourism we have seen recently, and we look forward to welcoming new adventurers to our island." Known as the 'The Nature Island,' Dominica offers a unique vacation experience for adventure travelers with its scenic hiking trails, waterfalls, hot springs and lakes, cultural events/festivals, diving and water sports, whale/dolphin watching, and canyoning, which the magazine showcases as the appeal for a visit to this green island. Coulibri Ridge, a 14-suite, off-grid, discreet luxury resort perched atop a mountain ridge in southern Dominica and member of Beyond Green, is also spotlighted as its recent opening has earned acclaim for its design and mission. The resort, which is the result of more than 20 years of research, environmental testing, infrastructure building, and community engagement, ensures the highest degree of sustainability, respectful development, and community collaboration. "This recognition validates the power of sustainable tourism and nature-inspired luxury," said Dominique Marchand, the resort's General Manager. "The tourism industry in Dominica is committed to bringing sustainability to the forefront of the travel experience, and what we have created here is a shining example of how to make it work." TIME also features the Waitukubuli Sea Trail, a new experience that mirrors Dominica's famous Waitukubuli National Trail, a long-distance hiking trail that runs the length of the island. The Waitukubuli Sea Trail, which launched earlier this year, is a seven-day adventure that covers 40 miles by kayak and runs along the island's Caribbean coastline. "This accolade from TIME, in addition to the accolades recently bestowed on Dominica by Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet, CNN and others signals that Dominica is a true hidden gem that is ready to be discovered by travelers looking for a new and unique vacation experience." To learn more about Dominica, visit www.discoverdominica.com, explore the destination's YouTube channel, and follow them on Instagram and Facebook. About Dominica: With unspoiled natural beauty, lush rainforests, stunning waterfalls, and world-renowned hiking trails, Dominica is a paradise for adventure seekers and nature lovers. The island is located south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean. Its Creole culture, a unique blend of African, French, and indigenous Kalinago traditions, is evident in its music, dance, and cuisine. Visitors to the island can experience its natural and cultural wonders through a variety of activities, including hiking, snorkeling, whale watching, and exploring historic sites, among others. The island offers a range of accommodations, from luxury resorts and boutique hotels to guesthouses and eco-lodges. Air travelers can connect to Dominica directly from Miami on American Airlines and make regional connections on Air Antilles, Air Sunshine, Coastal Air Transport, InterCaribbean Airways, LIAT, Caribbean Airlines, Silver Airways, (Code share: American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, and United) from the surrounding hubs of Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St Lucia, the British Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If traveling by sea, travelers may connect to Dominica on L'Express des Iles ferry service from Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Lucia, and on Val'Ferry from Guadeloupe and Martinique. Media Contact: DISCOVER DOMINICA AUTHORITY Ground & 1st Floor, Marpin House 5 -7 Great Marlborough Street Commonwealth of Dominica, W.I. T: 767 448 2045 F: 767 448 5840 E: [email protected] W. www.discoverdominica.com SOURCE Discover Dominica Authority CHICAGO, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The drug discovery services industry is expected to grow significantly in the near future, driven by advances in technology, increasing demand for new drugs, and a greater focus on drug safety. Companies are investing heavily in research and development to develop new drugs, and the drug discovery services industry is expected to benefit from this trend. Additionally, the increasing use of predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to develop drugs is expected to provide a further boost to the industry. As new and improved methods for drug discovery become available, the industry will continue to benefit from the advances in technology and the need for new drugs. Drug Discovery Services Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $20.6 billion in 2023 and is poised to reach $41.3 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 14.9% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Factors such as growing R&D expenditure from pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, the increasing R&D pipeline creating a need for increased analytical testing outsourcing, initiatives for research on rare diseases and orphan drugs, and the high cost of in-house drug development are positively driving the growth of the drug discovery services market. Additionally, technological advancements, the introduction of new drug discovery techniques, the expiry of patents, and rising demand for specialized testing services among end users are expected to offer growth opportunities to players in this market. Download an Illustrative overview: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=138732129 Browse in-depth TOC on "Drug Discovery Services Market" 307 - Tables 54 - Figures 347 - Pages Drug Discovery Services Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $20.6 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $41.3 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 14.9% Market Size Available for 20212028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Process, Type, Drug Type, Therapeutic Area, End user and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America (LATAM) and Middle East and Africa (MEA) Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Technological advancements and new drug discovery techniques Key Market Drivers Growing R&D Expenditure in Pharma-Biotech Sector The chemistry services segment accounted for the largest share of the type of segment in the drug discovery services market in 2022. Based on type, the drug discovery services market is segmented into chemistry and biology services. The chemistry services segment commanded the largest share of this market in 2022. Growth in this market segment is mainly due to the vast application of chemistry services in multiple early drug development phases to deliver robust candidates for drug discovery. The capacious use of chemistry in academics & research institutes, biotechnology companies, and large scale pharmaceutical companies also support the market growth. The biologics segment accounted for the fastest growing share of the drug type segment in the drug discovery services market in 2022. Based on drug type the drug discovery services is segmented into small-molecule drugs and biologics. The fast growth of this segment can be attributed to increasing number of biologics in the pipeline, the increasing focus of biopharmaceutical companies on developing biologics for various therapeutic areas, the development of biologics, the high cost of biologics development, the complexity of the biologic drugs, and safety and manufacturing challenges associated with biologics are driving pharma biotech companies to outsource biologic drug discovery and development to experienced service providers. The Asia Pacific region is the fastest-growing region of the drug discovery services market in 2022. Based on the region, the drug discovery market is segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The Asia Pacific market is estimated to register the highest growth during the forecast period primarily due to emerging middle class, rising government spending for pharmaceutical R&D, growing therapeutic area expertise, and rapid expansion of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry in the region. Request for FREE Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=138732129 Drug Discovery Services Market Dynamics: Drivers: Growing R&D expenditure in pharma-biotech sector Increasing drug R&D pipeline and rising reliance on outsourcing Initiatives for research on rare diseases and orphan drugs High cost of in-house drug development Restraints: Stringent regulations governing drug discovery and animal usage Opportunities: Technological advancements and new drug discovery techniques Rising demand for specialized testing services among end users Patent expiries of key biologics High growth prospects in emerging markets Challenges: Shortage of skilled personnel Trends: Adoption of AI in drug discovery Increased outsourcing to emerging Asian economies CRO industry consolidation Integrated end-to-end R&D service offerings Key Market Players: Key players in the drug discovery service Market include Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (US), Charles River Laboratories International Inc. (US), WuXi AppTec (China), and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc (US). Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=138732129 Recent Developments: In February 2023 , Charles River Laboratories (US) announced a multi-program agreement with Pioneering Medicines, an initiative of Flagship Pioneering (US), allowing access to its Logica AI platform to discover small-molecule drugs. , Charles River Laboratories (US) announced a multi-program agreement with Pioneering Medicines, an initiative of Flagship Pioneering (US), allowing access to its Logica AI platform to discover small-molecule drugs. In February 2023 , Evotec SE ( Germany ) and Related Sciences (US) expanded their partnership for an integrated multi-target drug discovery agreement. The two companies aimed to select, discover, and develop precisely targeted medicines for unmet patient needs. , Evotec SE ( ) and Related Sciences (US) expanded their partnership for an integrated multi-target drug discovery agreement. The two companies aimed to select, discover, and develop precisely targeted medicines for unmet patient needs. In January 2023 , Charles River Laboratories (US) acquired SAMDI Tech, Inc. (US), which offers label-free HTS solutions for drug discovery research. The acquisition offered CRL expertise in label-free HTS MS platforms and created a comprehensive library of drug discovery solutions. , Charles River Laboratories (US) acquired SAMDI Tech, Inc. (US), which offers label-free HTS solutions for drug discovery research. The acquisition offered CRL expertise in label-free HTS MS platforms and created a comprehensive library of drug discovery solutions. In April 2022 , Charles River Laboratories (US) and Valo Health, a data-driven AI company, launched Logica, an AI-powered drug discovery services. Drug Discovery Services Market Advantages: The drug discovery services market is highly competitive and is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. The services provided by drug discovery companies can help pharmaceutical companies accelerate the drug development process, enabling them to bring new drugs to market faster. Drug discovery services can help reduce the cost and time associated with drug development and reduce the risk of failure during clinical trials. The drug discovery services market offers a wide range of services such as target identification, hit identification, lead optimization and preclinical development, which can help drug developers identify and develop novel drugs more efficiently. The services provided by drug discovery companies can also help pharmaceutical companies reduce the cost of drug development and improve their bottom line. Drugs Discovery Services Market- Report Highlights: Market sizes are updated for the base year 2022 and forecasted from 2023 to 2028. The new edition of the report provides updated financial information till 2021 for each listed company. Data from the annual reports for 2022 was included as available. This will help in the easy analysis of the present status of profiled companies in terms of their financial strength, profitability, key revenue-generating region/country, and business segment focus in terms of the highest revenue-generating segment. Recent developments help understand market trends and the growth strategies adopted by players in the market. The number of product launches has increased in the last three years ( January 2020 to February 2023 ). to ). Tracking the service portfolios of prominent market players helps analyze the major services in the drug discovery services market. The new edition of the report provides an updated service portfolio of the companies profiled in the report. Key market strategies, market share analysis, and competitive leadership mapping have been updated in the competitive landscape section of the report. The updated version of the report includes the revenue share analysis of key market players from 2020 to 2022. The new edition of the report includes an additional subsegment of therapeutic area under the therapeutic area segment. The new edition of the report includes additional subsegments of Australia in Asia Pacific region. Related Reports: AI in Drug Discovery Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 Next Generation Sequencing Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 Bioinformatics Services Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 Drug Discovery Informatics Market - Global Forecasts to 2025 Genomics Market - Global Forecasts to 2025 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/drug-discovery-services.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/drug-discovery-services-market.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets DUBLIN, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Egypt Social Commerce Market Intelligence and Future Growth Dynamics Databook - 50+ KPIs on Social Commerce Trends by End-Use Sectors, Operational KPIs, Retail Product Dynamics, and Consumer Demographics - Q1 2023 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. According to the publisher, social commerce industry in Egypt is expected to grow by 36.4% on annual basis to reach US$1016.8 million in 2023. The social commerce industry is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 21.8% during 2022-2028. The social commerce GMV in the country will increase from US$1016.8 million in 2023 to reach US$3327.1 million by 2028. This report provides a detailed data centric analysis of social commerce industry, covering market opportunities and risks. With over 50+ KPIs at country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of social commerce market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics. The research methodology is based on industry best practices. Its unbiased analysis leverages a proprietary analytics platform to offer a detailed view on emerging business and investment market opportunities. Reasons to buy In-depth Understanding of Social Commerce Market Dynamics: Understand market opportunities and key trends along with forecast (2019-2028). Insights into Opportunity by end-use sectors - Get market dynamics by end-use sectors to assess emerging opportunity across various end-use sectors. Develop Market Specific Strategies: Identify growth segments and target specific opportunities to formulate social commerce strategy; assess market specific key trends, drivers, and risks in the industry. Scope This report provides in-depth, data-centric analysis of social commerce in Egypt. Below is a summary of key market segments: Egypt Ecommerce Industry Market Size and Future Growth Dynamics by Key Performance Indicators, 2019-2028 Egypt Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Future Growth Dynamics by Key Performance Indicators, 2019-2028 Egypt Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Retail Product Categories, 2019-2028 Clothing & Footwear Beauty and Personal Care Food & Grocery Appliances and Electronics Home Improvement Travel Hospitality Egypt Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by End Use Segment, 2019-2028 B2B B2C C2C Egypt Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by End Use Device, 2019-2028 Mobile Desktop Egypt Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Location, 2019-2028 Domestic Cross Border Egypt Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Location, 2019-2028 Tier-1 Cities Tier-2 Cities Tier-3 Cities Egypt Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Payment Method, 2019-2028 Credit Card Debit Card Bank Transfer Prepaid Card Digital & Mobile Wallet Other Digital Payment Cash Egypt Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Platforms Video Commerce Social Network-Led Commerce Social Reselling Group Buying Product Review Platforms Egypt Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Consumer Demographics & Behaviour,2022 By Age By Income Level By Gender For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/q68q5x About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo:https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets SAN FRANCISCO, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global electric powertrain market size is expected to reach USD 260.91 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 15.3% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market for pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles has been growing significantly, in turn creating an increasing demand for automotive electric powertrains. Governments in various countries are taking initiatives to promote the development of Electric Vehicles (EVs). For instance, in 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a public investment of USD 400 billion in clean energy. The investment would help develop 500,000 charging outlets for electric vehicles by the end of 2030. Key Industry Insights & Findings from the report: The motor/generator component segment is anticipated to witness a high CAGR of over 16.7% from 2022 to 2030 owing to the increasing penetration of BEVs and PHEVs globally. The HEV/PHEV electric vehicle segment is anticipated to witness the highest CAGR of 15.9% over the forecast period. This can be attributed to the charging flexibility benefit that these vehicles offer. The passenger segment dominated the market in 2022. The increasing demand for vehicles for daily transportation, along with the adoption of electric vehicles, particularly in developing countries, is fueling the electric vehicle powertrain market growth in this segment. Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a high CAGR of more than 14.2% over the forecast period owing to the increasing adoption of electric vehicles in countries such as China and India . Read 130-page market research report, "Electric Powertrain Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Electric Vehicle (BEV, HEV/PHEV), By Component (Motor/Generator, Battery, Power Electronics Controller), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030", published by Grand View Research. Electric Powertrain Market Growth & Trends The rising sales of electric vehicles have propelled prominent automotive component manufacturers to aggressively focus on developing essential EV components to gain a competitive edge. Prominent manufacturers in the market are primarily focusing on enhancing their facilities in countries such as Europe, China, and the U.S. For instance, in February 2020, Nidec Corporation invested around USD 1.8 billion to expand its electric vehicle powertrain business. The company's three new facilities located in Poland, China, and Mexico would deliver up to 8.4 million electric motors every year. Asia Pacific is projected to grow at a substantial pace over the forecast period owing to the increase in demand for electric vehicles and the rise in the per capita income of people. Countries such as China, South Korea, and India are among the prominent manufacturers of automobiles. Stringent government regulations and emission norms, including BS-VI in India and China VI, are also expected to contribute to the growth of the Asia Pacific market. Stringent rules for monitoring CO2 emissions are becoming more demanding in the United States and Europe. North America has set the emission limit to 99g/km following corporate average fuel economy standards; similarly, Europe has set the emission limit to 9s5g/km by 2020 and a further reduction of 37.5% by 2030. To efficiently meet the emission target, OEMs are promoting and increasing sales of electric vehicles, which in turn will lead to an increase in demand for the electric vehicle powertrain market. Electric Powertrain Market Segmentation Grand View Research has segmented the global electric powertrain market based on electric vehicles, components, and regions Electric Powertrain Market - Electric Vehicle Outlook (Volume, Units; Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030) BEV HEV/PHEV BEV Electric Powertrain Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030) Motor/Generator Battery Power Electronics Controller Converter Transmission On-Board Charger HEV/PHEV Electric Powertrain Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018- 2030) Motor/Generator Battery Power Electronics Controller Converter Transmission On-Board Charger Electric Powertrain Market - Regional Outlook (Volume, Units; Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030) North America U.S. Canada Europe U.K. Germany Asia Pacific China India Japan South Korea Latin America Middle East & Africa List of Key Players in the Electric Powertrain Market BorgWarner Bosch Limited Mitsubishi Electric Corp Magna International Inc. Schaeffler AG ZF Friedrichshafen AG Valeo Nidec Corporation Continental AG Magneti Marelli Ck Holdings Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research: Automotive Electronic Control Unit Market - The global automotive electronic control unit market size is expected to reach USD 156.0 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Hybrid and battery-powered vehicle sales are increasing due to rising consumer demand for commutes that release less carbon and reduce air pollution. Demand for electronic regulating devices like automotive electronic control units (ECUs) is driven by the growing adoption of automated driving, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), infotainment, and other chassis electronics in internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid and battery-powered vehicles. The global automotive electronic control unit market size is expected to reach by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Hybrid and battery-powered vehicle sales are increasing due to rising consumer demand for commutes that release less carbon and reduce air pollution. Demand for electronic regulating devices like automotive electronic control units (ECUs) is driven by the growing adoption of automated driving, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), infotainment, and other chassis electronics in internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid and battery-powered vehicles. CNG Powertrain Market - The global CNG powertrain market size is expected to reach USD 290.09 billion by 2030, as per research conducted by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 17.2% from 2022 to 2030. Increasing pollution from conventional liquid fuel-powered automobiles has created a demand for alternative fuels vehicle with similar performance. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powertrain vehicle is a potential substitute as it aids in reducing carbon footprint and achieving net-zero emissions goals. The CNG powertrain vehicle engine functions similarly to the gasoline-powered vehicle and has better efficiency, making it a viable option. - The global CNG powertrain market size is expected to reach by 2030, as per research conducted by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 17.2% from 2022 to 2030. Increasing pollution from conventional liquid fuel-powered automobiles has created a demand for alternative fuels vehicle with similar performance. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powertrain vehicle is a potential substitute as it aids in reducing carbon footprint and achieving net-zero emissions goals. The CNG powertrain vehicle engine functions similarly to the gasoline-powered vehicle and has better efficiency, making it a viable option. Automotive Powertrain Market - The global automotive powertrain market size is expected to reach USD 1,125.66 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 11.6% from 2021 to 2025. The increasing demand for environment-friendly vehicles and increasingly stringent government regulations regarding vehicular emission are expected to favor the demand for automotive powertrains in the market. Moreover, technological advancements in powertrain systems to enhance the vehicle's efficiency are anticipated to boost market growth prospects over the forecast period. Browse through Grand View Research's Automotive & Transportation Industry Research Reports. About Grand View Research Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc. Phone: 1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com Grand View Compass | Astra ESG Solutions Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc. STOCKHOLM, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Electrolux Group hosts its Capital Markets Update for investors, financial analysts, and media representatives at 15.00 CET today. President & CEO Jonas Samuelson and other senior Group executives will provide an update on how the company is executing its strategy to drive profitable growth and deliver on its financial targets. Focus will be on growth opportunities in the aftermarket business and lifting financial performance in North America to the Group target level by executing on the earlier announced turnaround measures. "Our strategy and financial targets are unchanged, with an operating margin for the Group of at least 6% over a business cycle as the top priority," says Jonas Samuelson. "We have a path to reach an operating margin of at least 6% mid-term, both for the Group and for business area North America, with the turnaround program in North America as a key component. The earnings impact from the previously announced cost reduction program is estimated to be above SEK 7bn in 2024 compared to 2022, whereof SEK 4-5bn is expected in 2023. This is expected to result in a positive operating cash flow for 2023." With the cost reduction measures being implemented in business area North America, cost per unit in the Anderson and Springfield factories will significantly improve near-term, reaching competitive cost levels. Another key earnings contributor for business area North America is commercial growth in higher value categories, which the investments in new and innovative modular product architectures enable. While the North American business area operating margin has been challenged in recent years, the other three business areas have showed a solid operating margin development over time. In addition to the previously announced cost reduction measures and the North American turnaround, continued commercial growth in these three business areas is expected to contribute to reach a Group operating margin of at least 6% mid-term. This is mainly enabled by leveraging recent investments in modularized product architectures that have resulted in very competitive product ranges. Aftermarket growth is also an important component. The Group's aftermarket business contributes favorably to the operating margin, with more than four times higher profit margin compared to the appliances business. In addition, the aftermarket business contributes to increased appliances sales through loyalty purchases and strengthened brand recognition. With Consumables and accessories as well as Out-of-warranty repairs as main growth drivers, the Group has a clear path to reach the target of 10% aftermarket sales of Group sales in 2025. The Group's long-term ambition is for aftermarket sales to account for around 15% of total Group sales. The Capital Markets Update can be accessed via a webcast here. Presentations from the event will be available here as from approx.12.00 CET today. An on-demand version of the event recording will be available on the following day on the same webpage. The business and market outlooks provided in the Electrolux Group fourth-quarter earnings report on February 2, 2023, remain unchanged. For further information, please contact: Electrolux Group Press Hotline +46 8 657 65 07 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/1853/3736778/1925415.pdf 230320 PRM CMU 2023 eng final SOURCE Electrolux Group NYSE American:EU TSXV:EU www.encoreuranium.com FUELING THE FUTURE CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - enCore Energy Corp. ("enCore" or the "Company") (NYSE: EU) (TSXV: EU) today announced that the challengers to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) granting of a Source Materials License to enCore Energy Corp's wholly-owned subsidiary Powertech (USA) Inc. have declined to seek review by the U.S. Supreme Court. The NRC license is now final and fully effective. In a filing before the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Environmental Appeals Board the Oglala Sioux, which had challenged the NRC license, stated "the Oglala Sioux does not oppose the lifting of the stay in this matter given the conclusion of the proceedings in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit." The Oglala Sioux thereby confirmed its decision not to seek Supreme Court review of the NRC license. Confirmation of the NRC license clears the way for the resumption of proceedings in two additional legal challenges to the Dewey-Burdock Project final EPA Class III and V Underground well permits and aquifer exemption. Those challenges are based on some of the same issues decided in the NRC case. For more information on the D.C. Circuit proceeding see enCore's news release dated December 15, 2022: United States Court of Appeals Upholds Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Handling of enCore Energy's Dewey Burdock Project Source Material License. The Dewey Burdock Project, South Dakota The Company's 100% owned Dewey Burdock Project is an in-situ recovery ("ISR") uranium project located in the Edgemont uranium district, South Dakota and is comprised of 12,613 surface acres and 16,962 net mineral acres. In December 2020, the Company filed an amended and restated NI 43-101 compliant independent Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA")2. The PEA indicates that the project has compelling economic potential at current U 3 O 8 market prices. Dewey Burdock Project ISR Mineral Resource Estimate1 Measured Resources Indicated Resources Measured plus Indicated Resources Inferred Resources Tons 5,419,779 1,968,443 7,388,222 645,546 Average grade (%U 3 O 8 ) 0.132 0.072 0.116 0.055 Average thickness (feet) 5.56 5.74 5.65 5.87 Average grade- thickness ("GT") 0.733 0.413 0.655 0.324 Uranium (pounds) at a 0.20 GT cut-off 14,285,988 2,836,159 17,122,147 712,624 Initial capital expenditures are estimated at $31.7 million. The Dewey Burdock Project is forecast to produce 14.3 million pounds of U 3 O 8 over its 16 years of production and the projected cash flows of the Dewey Burdock Project are expected to be positive in the second year of production, two years after the commencement of construction. The Dewey Burdock PEA resulted in a pre-income tax NPV of $171.3 million at a discount rate of 8% and an IRR of 55% compared to a post-income tax NPV of $147.5 million at a discount rate of 8% and an IRR of 50%. The Dewey Burdock PEA post-income tax calculations do not include a corporate level assessment of income tax liabilities; taxes have only been calculated at the Dewey Burdock Project level. The estimate of income tax at the corporate level is subject to a number of additional considerations that have not been factored in when calculating income taxes at the project level, including, but not limited to, the capital structure to finance the Dewey Burdock Project, which has not yet been determined, and loss carry forwards available at the corporate level. The Dewey Burdock PEA estimated uranium prices of $55/lb U 3 O 8 , direct cash operating costs of $10.46 per pound of production and royalties and local taxes (excluding property tax) of $5.15 per pound of production. The total pre-income tax cost of uranium production is estimated to be $28.88 per pound of production. Income taxes are estimated to be $3.39 per pound of production. Details of the assumptions and parameters used with respect to the Dewey Burdock PEA, including information on data verification, are set out in the "NI 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic Assessment, Dewey-Burdock Uranium ISR Project, South Dakota, USA", dated December 22, 2020, with an effective date of December 3, 2019, by Yovich, M., PE and S. Cutler, PG, a copy of which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The Dewey Burdock mineral resource estimate includes resources in the measured, indicated and inferred classes. However Yovich and Cutler (2020) concluded the resources in the inferred class are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations to be included in the PEA. The Dewey Burdock PEA is preliminary in nature; There is no certainty that the Dewey Burdock PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. John M. Seeley, Ph.D., P.G., C.P.G., enCore's Manager of Geology and Exploration, and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this news release on behalf of enCore Energy Corp. About enCore Energy Corp. enCore Energy Corp. is committed to providing clean, reliable, and affordable domestic nuclear energy by becoming the next United States uranium producer in 2023. enCore solely utilizes In-Situ Recovery (ISR) for uranium extraction, a well-known and proven technology co-developed by the leaders at enCore Energy. In-Situ Recovery extracts uranium in a non-invasive process through the use of natural groundwater and oxygen, coupled with a proven ion exchange process, to recover the uranium. Uranium production is planned at enCore's licensed and past-producing South Texas Rosita Processing Plant in 2023, and at its licensed and past-producing South Texas Alta Mesa Processing Plant in 2024. Future projects in enCore's production pipeline include the Dewey-Burdock project in South Dakota and the Gas Hills project in Wyoming, along with significant uranium resource endowments in New Mexico providing long-term opportunities. The enCore team is led by industry experts with extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of ISR uranium operations and the nuclear fuel cycle. enCore diligently works to realize value from other owned assets, including our proprietary uranium database that includes technical information from many past producing companies, from our various non-core assets, and by leveraging our ISR expertise in researching opportunities that support the use of this technology as applied to other metals. enCore is also committed to working with local communities and indigenous governments to create positive impact from corporate developments. 1 Mineral resource estimates are based on technical reports prepared in accordance with NI43-101 and available on SEDAR as well as company websites at www.encoreuranium.com. 2 Dewey Burdock Preliminary Economic Assessment: Woodard & Curran and Rough Stock Mining Services (the "Dewey Burdock PEA") with an effective date of December 3, 2019 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain information contained in this news release, including: any information relating to the Company being a leading uranium company; and any other statements regarding future expectations, beliefs, goals or prospects; may constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "expects", "is expected", "does not expect", "plans", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken) should be considered forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the companies' ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments; that results of past mining operations at the Alta Mesa and Rosita sites are indicative of the results of proposed mining activities at those sites; that a production decision will result in actual production commencing and that such production will be economically viable over time; the ability of enCore to implement its business strategies; and other risks. A number of important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements, including without limitation exploration and development risks, changes in commodity prices, access to skilled mining personnel, the results of exploration and development activities; production risks; uninsured risks; regulatory risks; defects in title; the availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations; risks posed by the economic and political environments in which the Company operates and intends to operate; increased competition; assumptions regarding market trends and the expected demand and desires for the Company's products and proposed products; reliance on industry equipment manufacturers, suppliers and others; the failure to adequately protect intellectual property; the failure to adequately manage future growth; adverse market conditions, the failure to satisfy ongoing regulatory requirements and factors relating to forward looking statements listed above which include risks as disclosed in the companies' annual information form filings. Should one or more of these risks materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as required by law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the various securities commissions which are available online at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations, beliefs and plans of management. Such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes and readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, that speak only as of the date hereof, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. SOURCE enCore Energy Corp. DUBLIN, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Europe Electric Powertrain Market Size, Segments, Outlook, and Revenue Forecast 2022-2027 by Component, EV Type, Powertrain Type, Vehicle Type, and Major Countries" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. According to publisher estimates, the Europe Electric Powertrain Market - which grew from around US$ 14 Billion in 2017 to nearly US$95 Billion in 2021 - is expected to grow further into a more than US$ 160 Billion opportunity by 2027. The Europe Electric Powertrain Market is expected to record a positive CAGR of nearly 11% during the forecast period (2022-2027), due to the globally rising demand for electric vehicles. Rising petrol prices allowed the electric powertrain market to gain momentum as many car owners shifted towards EVs from ICEs. Electric Powertrain components' growth is directly proportionate to automobile companies' product demand in the market. Lenient government policies along with incentivizing initiatives by several national governments across the EU have helped the electric vehicle market to grow translating into increased demand for electric powertrains. More than 20 countries have electrification targets or ICE bans for cars including the Netherlands by 2030, the UK by 2035, France by 2040, Germany by 2050, and 8 countries along with European Union have announced net Zero Emission Pledges by 2045 and 2050. Germany is the fastest growing region in terms of Electric Powertrain adoption, with the highest CAGR intended during the forecast period. New BEV registrations increased by 83.3% from 2020 to 2021, and new PHEV registrations increased by 62.3% from 2020 to 2021. 356,425 BEVs and 325,449 PHEV units of new cars were registered in 2021. Many global automobile leaders are forming alliances to better their offerings in the European EV market. For instance, Magna & Fisker Inc. has signed a long-term manufacturing agreement for the production of the all-electric Fisker Ocean SUV at Magna's facility in Graz, Austria. In May 2022, Magna, under its Electric Mobility Business, signed an agreement with the BMW Group to develop mild hybrid transmission at Magna's facilities in Germany, Slovakia, and other countries. One of the most crucial segments of the electric powertrain is the battery along with battery packs and battery management systems. Global demand for batteries is expected to grow by 14 folds by 2030 and the EU holds 17% of that demand. Market Segmentation By Component Motor/Generator Battery Battery Management System (BMS) Thermal Management System DC/AC Converter DC/DC Converter Body Control Module On-Board Charger By EV Type HEV PHEV BEV By Powertrain Type BEV Powertrain Series Hybrid Powertrain Parallel Hybrid Powertrain Series-Parallel Hybrid Powertrain By Vehicle Type Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles By Geography Germany France United Kingdom Netherlands Sweden Rest of Europe ( Belgium , Italy , Denmark , Norway , Finland , Portugal , Spain , Austria , Romania and Others) Key Trends by Market Segment: By Component: Battery Component holds the largest share of Europe's Electric Powertrain market. The battery pack is made up of multiple lithium-ion cells and stores the energy needed to run the vehicle. Battery used in EVs are rechargeable batteries and consist of various components. It majorly requires a cathode, anode, electrolyte, and separator apart from materials that are used to build it, including aluminum, copper, cobalt, iron, etc. As per the statistics available from EV industry, battery pack prices have declined by almost 90% from 2010 to 2021. The prices of raw materials used in the battery pack, such as cathode, cobalt, nickel, and lithium, were volatile during COVID-19. However, in the forecasted future, the price of battery packs is expected to follow a gradual downward trend. By EV Type: The HEV segment accounts for the majority share of the Europe Electric Powertrain Market. Policies and regulations laid down by the European government in various regions to reduce the carbon emission on roads by net zero by 2035 are fueling the demand for fully and hybrid electric vehicles. Several Chinese players have entered the European market to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles in the region. Units sold by Chinese players in Europe in 2021 were 80,000. In the first half of 2022, 75,000 units were sold and it was estimated to reach 150,000 by the year-end. The Electric Powertrain market in the BEV segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period (2022-2030), as BEVs are fully electric vehicles that come with rechargeable batteries and no gasoline engine. PHEVs are also expected to grow higher than regular hybrid vehicles because of the upgrading of charging infrastructure. PHEVs are regular hybrid models which carry an engine and electric motor to drive the vehicle. PHEV new car registrations increased by 68.1% from 2020 to 2021 as per the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). HEV new car registrations also increased by 55.6% from 2020 to 2021 according to the ACEA. By Powertrain: The parallel hybrid powertrain segment holds the largest market share in the Europe Electric Powertrain Market as hybrid electric vehicles occupy the largest chunk. EVs generally cost higher than a usual conventional vehicle, due to which players are trying to find alternative ways to reduce the cost with quality remaining intact. Demand for fully electric vehicles is growing day by day which leads to an opportunity for component manufacturing players to enhance their production capabilities to meet the target customers By Vehicle Type: Passenger cars refer to vehicles designed and constructed for carrying individuals. It comprises not more than eight seats inclusive of the driver and has a maximum mass of 3.5 tonnes. Commercial vehicles are specially designed for transporting goods and materials rather than passengers. These vehicles can be used for personal and business purposes. There is a wide range of commercial vehicles, such as trucks, tractors, buses, panel vans, and chassis cabs. The number of electric passenger cars on European roads increased by 18 million in three years, from 2017 to 2020. The number of electric commercial vehicles increased by 3 million between 2017 and 2020. Among electric commercial vehicles, the category light commercial vehicles had the maximum share, followed by the category medium and heavy commercial vehicles and buses. As governments across the union undertake initiatives to promote electric vehicles in the region by providing subsidies, relaxation on toll tax, free parking, etc., people are expected to feel more encouraged to purchase an electric vehicle. By Geography: Germany is the largest country within the total Europe Electric Powertrain market, accounting for more about a quarter of total market revenue. UK is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the major presence of OEMs and component suppliers. Also, UK's various regions have started implementing ZEZ for their zero-emission target. For Instance, London has implemented small street-based near-zero-emission zones in three areas. Germany is expected to witness a strong growth during the forecasted period, because of various factors such as the active participation of the government to promote electric vehicles and a high number of local automobile and component manufacturers. In April 2022, the Eaton e-Mobility segment expanded its footprints in the Europe region and started a new research center in Karlsruhe, Germany. Competitive Landscape: The Europe Electric Powertrain market is highly competitive with ~200 players which include globally diversified players, regional players as well as a large number of country-niche players having their own niche in electric powertrain for major OEMs and automobile companies. Most of the country-niche players are component suppliers and powertrain part manufacturers. Large global players control about 50% of the market, while regional players hold the second largest share. Some of the major players in the market include Bosch, Magna, Denso, MAHLE, Cummins, AISIN, Eaton, Mitsubishi, Dana, ZF, BorgWarner, Continental, and others. The leading global specialist companies such as Bosch, Denso, Eaton, and BorgWarner are highly focused on providing a fully electric and hybrid powertrain solution and their components can fit various cars and commercial vehicles. Recent Developments Related to Major Players Ford's Cologne site in Germany will see an investment of $2 billion, while the company is also planning to set up a new battery assembly facility by the start of 2024. In 2022, Magna Automotive Europe GmbH, part of the Cosma Group of Magna International, announced the acquisition of the Czech company Klein automotive s.r.o Honda unveiled its next electrified model for Europe, Civic e: HEV. The car will be made available to European customers in the latter half of 2022. Major Competitors in Electric Powertrain Mentioned in the Report Bosch Magna Denso BorgWarner AISIN MAHLE Continental AG Dana Cummins ZF Mitsubishi Eaton Tesla Siemens AVL Hitachi Astemo, Ltd Infineon Technologies AG Hanon Systems Notable Emerging Companies Mentioned in the Report BWS e-Mobility Vitesco Technology Voltabox AG EV Europe Smesh-E-Axle Energy Storage Solutions Advanced Electric Machines Faradion Britishvolt Northvolt AB Einride Voltatrucks Raydiall Automotive Verkor Nawa Technologies Frequently Asked Questions What is the Future Growth Rate of Europe's Electric Powertrain Market? The Europe Electric Powertrain Market is expected to witness a CAGR of about 11% over the next 5 years What are the Key Factors Driving the Europe Electric Powertrain Market? Rising fuel prices and escalating environmental issues arising from carbon emissions. are expected to be the primary drivers of this market Which is the Largest Component Segment within the Europe Electric Powertrain Market? Battery Component holds the largest share of Europe's Electric Powertrain Market Who are the Key Players in Europe's Electric Powertrain Market? Bosch, Magna, Denso, MAHLE, Cummins, AISIN, Eaton, Mitsubishi, Dana, ZF, BorgWarner, and Continental among others are the major companies operating in Europe Electric Powertrain Market. Other important value chain companies include Tesla, Siemens, AVL, Hitachi Astemo, Infineon, and Hanon Systems. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jtwa0a About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets Eurotech lines up the largest portfolio of cybersecurity-certified edge AI solutions for the industrial, energy and road vehicles markets AMARO, Italy, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eurotech, a leading multinational company for Edge Computers and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, today announces its newest edge servers with scalable, cybersecurity certified - AI capabilities. Eurotech's secure edge AI portfolio (PRNewsfoto/Eurotech) Cyber-threats have become endemic and severely expose states and businesses of all sizes to the risk of loss of data, interruption of services, and direct or indirect monetary impact. Recent surveys have reported that most enterprises face cyber-attacks repeatedly, breaches often originate from a compromised business partner, and the related costs are passed on to customers. "That is why, after establishing ourselves as pioneers in secure edge solutions by launching our ReliaGATE 10-14 as the first IEC 62443-4-2 cybersecurity certified IoT Edge Gateway, we are proud to introduce the largest portfolio of cyber security-certified edge AI solutions for the industrial, energy and road vehicles markets" states Marco Carrer, Eurotech CTO. ReliaCOR 30-11 Compact fanless edge IPC, AWS certified 10 th gen (soon 12 th gen) Intel Core low power gen (soon 12 gen) Intel Core low power Dual Removable Storage up to 1.92TB, 2x 1GbE Selection criteria: when high reliability is required in a compact form factor ReliaCOR 44-11 Compact edge AI for machine vision and inference Qualified for AWS IoT Greengrass and AWS IoT Core 10 th gen (soon 12 th gen) Intel Core high performance gen (soon 12 gen) Intel Core high performance NVIDIA A2 GPU Dual removable storage up to 3.84TB, 4x 10GbE Selection criteria: for stationary or mobile machine vision applications requiring a small form factor. Automotive version available ReliaCOR 40-12 Compact ruggedized fanless edge server Ready for AWS and Azure certification 12 th gen Intel Core low power gen Intel Core low power Up to 3TB SSD storage, 2x Mini PCIe expansion slots IoT connectivity ready: WiFi/GNSS/BT, 4G/5G cellular Selection criteria: when workload consolidation is required at the edge in a compact form factor and industrial environmental conditions ReliaCOR 54-12 Ruggedized edge AI server 12 th gen Intel Core high performance gen Intel Core high performance Up to 3TB SSD storage, 2x Mini PCIe + 3x PCIe expansion slots Up to 2x NVIDIA latest gen GPU IoT connectivity ready: WiFi/GNSS/BT, 4G/5G cellular Selection criteria: when workload consolidation meets AI and machine vision at the edge in industrial environmental conditions, and requires scalability to accommodate evolving use cases On all Eurotech's ReliaCOR products, unauthorized accesses and data manipulations are prevented by a layered secure architecture. System integrity and code/data authenticity are protected by a TPM 2.0, an innovative, always-on, anti-tamper monitor and Secure Boot. Edge connectivity to assets is protected and greatly simplified by Eurotech security-hardened Linux operating system, Everyware Software Framework (ESF) middleware and Everyware Cloud (EC) remote device management platform. ESF makes it possible to set up and connect assets to the cloud in a matter of hours as it provides low-code/no-code web-based visual data flow programming and native support for AWS IoT Core and Azure IoT Hub / IoT Central. EC simplifies deployments at scale and remote management of digital twins thanks to its novel Zero-Trust Provisioning protocol. Our certified edge-to-cloud solutions have been validated in the field and deployed at scale by major industrial players, including a collaboration with ABB, where the IoT Edge Gateway has been deployed for customers optimizing their digital transformation journey. "Cybersecurity is top priority for ABB," says Luca Cavalli, ABB Electrification Ecosystem Manager. "The adoption of cybersecurity standards like IEC 62443, is a key driver to create secure edge/cloud solutions. It is also essential for the development of a solid partner ecosystem and enables the acceleration of digital adoption. Eurotech converged edge solution demonstrably meet our highest expectations in terms of scalability, ease of deployment and system-level cybersecurity." The new ReliaCOR portfolio, augmented by Eurotech IoT Edge Framework and Management Platform, brings a fresh breeze to the digital transformation world, providing state-of-the-art, certified cybersecurity solutions to large-scale edge AI deployments. About Eurotech Eurotech (ETH:IM) is a multinational company that designs, develops, and supplies Edge Computers and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions complete with services, software and hardware - to system integrators and enterprises. By adopting Eurotech solutions, customers have access to IoT building blocks and software platforms, to Edge Gateways to enable asset monitoring and to High Performance Edge Computers (HPEC) created also for Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications. To offer increasingly comprehensive solutions, Eurotech has partnered with leading companies in their field of action, with the view of creating "best in class" solutions for the Industrial Internet of Things. Learn more Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2030772/Eurotech.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1897403/Eurotech_Logo.jpg SOURCE Eurotech MCLEAN, Va., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) is proud to honor and highlight three women who have made and are continuing to make a huge impact in the food allergy space. During Women's History Month, FARE recognizes the dedication and commitment of these individuals in research, advocacy, education, awareness, philanthropy and leadership, whose work is raising awareness of food allergy as a top tier disease while solidifying FARE's role as THE trusted food allergy resource. FARE's impactful food allergy women include: Kim Hartman, whose son faced deadly allergies to all nuts, is a compassionate philanthropist, dedicated food allergy mom, serial entrepreneur/vc, and impactful advocate for the cause and treatments of food allergy. Utilizing her Tufts and NYU Sterns School of Business training and after holding numerous high-profile corporate jobs, Hartman notably founded a start-up which designed and manufactured carriers for EpiPens. Of all her passions, Hartman is most dedicated to supporting research and innovation into food allergies and has given generously of her time, attention, and philanthropy so that other families can experience freedom from food allergies. She and her husband vigorously support food allergy programs and initiatives in ways that avoid some of the hurdles their son had to overcome in his food allergy journey. A current co-chair of FARE's Board of Governors, Hartman lives her commitment to food allergy every day. Stacey Saiontz is a tireless advocate for food allergy awareness and the mom to a son with a host of life-threatening allergies. A longtime FARE supporter with an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a JD from American University Washington College of Law, she has demonstrated her commitment to improving the lives of individuals with food allergies through her tireless efforts spanning local, state and federal advocacy. In 2018, Saiontz received FARE's Excellence in Advocacy Award in recognition of her passionate food allergy work. Throughout the years, she has spearheaded the passage of several pieces of legislation in New York State, including laws that allow school bus drivers to administer epinephrine, enable students to self-carry epinephrine, and permit schools to stock epinephrine. In 2022 Saiontz, along with her son Jared, helped lead a successful effort to pass a law in Westchester County, NY, requiring that restaurants have on-site personnel with specific training in food allergy safety. Saiontz continues as an active supporter and advocate of all things food allergy and is an invaluable member of the FARE and food allergy communities. Dr. Sung Poblete may be one year into her position as CEO of FARE, but her work in food allergy is a lifelong passion. A food allergy sufferer herself, Dr. Poblete brings her extensive leadership skills and educational and management accomplishments to her role. At FARE, she works on a critical cause that benefits her personally as well as the more than 33 million Americans who have a life-threatening food allergy to one, or many, of the more than 170 foods that can cause a reaction. Dr. Poblete's Bachelor and Master of Science degrees, as well as a PhD in nursing, from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, sets the stage for her insightful work into tackling and overcoming food allergies. At FARE, Dr. Poblete is forging new partnerships, supporting cutting edge research, expanding education and access opportunities, and raising the bar on bringing attention and support to the life-threatening issue of food allergy. FARE's reputation and activity under her watch is already strongly impacting the food allergy community and beyond. For more than a decade, FARE has worked diligently to end suffering from food allergies, providing resources and support for patients as well as those who love and care for them. In 10 short years, FARE has built an incredible food allergy community through the power of connection; and through that community, FARE continues to be the single biggest catalyst for change for those impacted by food allergies. Through the tireless work and dedication of women such as Kim Hartman, Stacey Saiontz, and Sung Poblete, the food allergy community is safer, better informed, and more hopeful for the future. FARE is honored to work with and be represented by these exemplary women and is deeply indebted to them for their generous support in fulfilling its mission to eradicate food allergy. About FARE: FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) is the nation's leading non-profit engaged in food allergy advocacy as well as the largest private funder of food allergy research. FARE's innovative education, advocacy and research initiatives transform the future of food allergy through new and improved treatments and prevention strategies, effective policies and legislation, and novel approaches to managing the disease. To learn more, visit: www.foodallergy.org. SOURCE FARE LONDON and NEW YORK, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading global investment manager, First Sentier Investors (FSI), has entered into a strategic partnership with a leading European credit manager, AlbaCore Capital Group (AlbaCore), making a majority investment in the business. Mark Steinberg, CEO of FSI, said that the strategic partnership is aligned with FSI's corporate strategy to accelerate growth by diversifying the range of investment capabilities it can offer to clients as well as expanding its global footprint. "We identified alternative credit as a strategically important space for us to consider and we felt that AlbaCore's unique position in the European market, its growth trajectory and strong investment performance would be complementary to our existing capabilities," he said. Headquartered in London, with a presence in Dublin, AlbaCore has capabilities spanning various parts of the corporate credit spectrum including private credit, CLOs, liquid credit and structured credit in Europe. Since inception in 2016, it has grown to US$9.5[1] billion in assets under management with long-standing relationships with public and private pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance, and endowment and high net worth clients. AlbaCore's broad product offerings enable FSI to offer new asset classes and structures to clients, as well as unlocking new channels, regions and products to meet growing investor demand in the sector. David Allen, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at AlbaCore said: "When we started to engage with FSI, it was clear there was strong cultural alignment between both businesses which will be critical to the success of our partnership. "We see this partnership as enhancing AlbaCore's growth prospects including extending market access to our expertise, deepening our product offering, and working with FSI's Responsible Investment team on our approach and articulation around responsible investment," Mr Allen said. The senior team at AlbaCore will maintain a minority ownership stake in the business and continue to invest capital into funds. AlbaCore will continue to operate with investment and business autonomy with no change to its teams, office locations or brand. At the same time, FSI and AlbaCore will work together on areas to accelerate their respective strategic plans and longer term growth trajectory, while leveraging their joint expertise. "This partnership marks a new chapter for FSI and our shareholder Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking, our people and our clients. We look forward to working with AlbaCore to explore areas for collaboration across our respective businesses. Together, we are better positioned to drive growth for our clients and broader stakeholders," concluded Mr Steinberg. Completion of the strategic partnership is targeted for Q3 2023, pending regulatory approvals. First Sentier Investors was advised by Berkshire Global Advisors, legal advisor Simmons & Simmons and accounting firm EY. Media inquiries First Sentier Investors Gayle Rodrigues Global Head of Communications (London) E: [email protected] M: +44 20 7332 6509 Newton Park PR (North America) Margaret Kirch Cohen, Rich Chimberg E: [email protected], [email protected] M: +1 847-507-2229, +1 617-312-4281 About First Sentier Investors First Sentier Investors manages US$146.2 billion in assets (as of 31 December 2022) on behalf of institutional investors, pension funds, wholesale distributors, investment platforms, financial advisers and their clients worldwide. The firm was acquired by Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc in August 2019, and operates as a standalone global investment management business with offices across Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. First Sentier Investors is a globally Certified B Corporation and signatory to the UK Stewardship Code. The firm's investment expertise spans across a range of asset classes and specialist sectors focused on delivering sustainable investment success based on responsible investment principles. For more information, visit www.firstsentierinvestors.com Important information This press release is intended for information only, aimed solely at the media and should not be further distributed to individual and/or corporate investors, and financial advisers and/or distributors. The information included within this document and any supplemental documentation provided should not be copied, reproduced or redistributed without the prior written consent of First Sentier Investors. About AlbaCore Capital Group AlbaCore Capital Group is one of Europe's leading specialist credit investors, and manages over US$9.5bn (as at 28 February 2023) in AUM across liquid strategies, CLOs, structured products, dislocation funds and private credit. The senior investment team have been investing together for over a decade. Founded in 2016, AlbaCore has invested over ~US$25bn[2] for global pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, consultants, insurance companies, family offices and endowments. For more information, visit www.AlbaCoreCapitalGroup.com [1] As of February 2023 [2] Invested capital is the sum of all 'buy' trades for all AlbaCore mandates since inception to 28 February 2023 and includes recycled capital and co-investment. SOURCE First Sentier Investors DELTONA, Fla., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Franklin-Thomas Company (FTC) has announced today that it is employing groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI), Chat GPT-4, in the development of a new class of electrical generators, set to transform the green energy landscape. The Deltona, Florida-based company's President, Joe Shepard, proudly shared the news, expressing immense optimism about the potential of this revolutionary technology. Latest Generator Powerful New Stator FTC's new electrical generators will also harness the power of the latest Arduino Giga R1 with Wi-Fi, a cutting-edge microcontroller platform based on the STM32H747XI and Mbed OS. The Arduino Giga R1 boasts an impressive array of features, including 76 GPIOs, a dual-core processor, advanced ADC/DAC features, camera and display connectors, and a rich USB interface with support for HID via USB-C and USBHost (keyboard, mass storage) via a dedicated USB-A connector. The integration of Chat GPT-4, a state-of-the-art AI system, with the Arduino Giga R1 will enable FTC to create electrical generators that are smarter, more efficient, and better equipped to handle the demands of the modern world. These generators will have the ability to learn and adapt, optimizing their performance and making them a vital part of the rapidly growing green energy sector. Joe Shepard, President of FTC, explained the significance of this development, stating, "By incorporating Chat GPT-4 AI technology into our new line of electrical generators, we are taking a giant leap forward in the pursuit of sustainable, stand-alone green energy. Our collaboration with AI experts and engineers has resulted in an innovative solution that will redefine the industry and help us protect our planet for generations to come." The use of AI-driven technology like Chat GPT-4 marks a turning point for the electrical generator industry. By leveraging the power of machine learning, FTC's generators will be able to anticipate and respond to fluctuations in power demand, ultimately delivering a more reliable and efficient energy supply. This responsiveness will be crucial in helping homes and businesses around the world reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the integration of the Arduino Giga R1 with Wi-Fi will enable seamless remote monitoring and control of the generators, allowing users to manage their energy consumption with ease. This level of connectivity and accessibility is essential in today's interconnected world, where the ability to monitor and manage resources remotely can lead to significant cost savings and increased energy efficiency. FTC's commitment to innovation is evident in their bold approach to developing this new class of electrical generators. By embracing AI technology and the latest advancements in microcontroller platforms, they are positioning themselves at the forefront of the green energy revolution. As the world continues to grapple with climate change and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, FTC's groundbreaking work offers a glimpse of a more sustainable, energy-efficient future. As the Franklin-Thomas Company moves forward with the development of these advanced electrical generators, they are inviting industry partners, investors, and potential customers to join them on this exciting journey. By working together, they aim to create a cleaner, greener future for all, powered by cutting-edge technology and the limitless potential of artificial intelligence. About the Franklin-Thomas Company https://www.ftcinnovations.com The Franklin-Thomas Company (FTC) is a leading innovator in the field of electrical generators and green energy solutions. Based in Deltona, Florida, the company is 17 years old and dedicated to creating sustainable energy products that promote a cleaner, more efficient world. With a strong commitment to innovation and a focus on leveraging the latest technology, FTC is poised to revolutionize the electrical generator industry and help combat climate change through groundbreaking advances in renewable energy. Contact: Joe Shepard, President The Franklin-Thomas Company, INC Direct line (386) 747-3999 [email protected] SOURCE Franklin-Thomas Company The credit union will also leverage integration with Surefire, Black Knight's CRM tool, to enhance member experience Frontwave Credit Union selected the Empower loan origination system (LOS) for its powerful digital solutions, robust integrations and ease of use The credit union will also use Surefire, Black Knight's powerful mortgage marketing CRM solution to enhance its communications and outreach channels to help develop members for life Frontwave Credit Union, which serves the military and civilian communities, also chose Black Knight for its positive reputation in the military community JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Knight, Inc. (NYSE:BKI) announced today that Frontwave Credit Union, a growing credit union serving military and civilian communities in Southern California, has signed a contract to implement the Empower loan origination system (LOS) and several of its integrated solutions to support its expanding mortgage operations. The credit union will also leverage the award-winning Surefire customer relationship management (CRM) and mortgage marketing engine tool from Black Knight to elevate the experience of its members and to help turn new customers into members for life. "As Frontwave looks to the future, we need technology that can go the distance to power our growth and help us scale our lending operations. The advanced functionality of Empower, along with its robust, automated communications capabilities, will enhance the member experience and increase the satisfaction of our loan officers," said Paul Leonhardt, chief lending officer, Frontwave Credit Union. With the Empower system, Frontwave will have a high-performance LOS through which they can easily support their own workflows, reducing the costly and time-consuming work of deploying custom integrations. A unique feature of the Empower LOS is its advanced "lights-out processing" capabilities to streamline operations for greater efficiency. Because Empower is hosted in the cloud, Frontwave will benefit from reduced technology efforts and the elimination of recurring hosting costs. Additionally, the Surefire CRM solution will give the credit union access to tools that help thousands of mortgage professionals win new business, drive repeat business and benefit from business referred by current customers, who are delighted with their experiences. With intuitive "set-it-and-forget-it" workflows and timely, automated communications featuring relevant, top-rated content, mortgage professionals can effortlessly maintain and deepen their connections with borrowers, recruits, members, brokers and real estate agents all through one powerful platform. Black Knight's digital ecosystem gives Frontwave access to a full suite of integrated technology, data and analytics solutions to help its operations run more smoothly. These include integration with Optimal Blue's leading product and pricing engine; a digital point-of-sale solution that enhances the mortgage application process for borrowers and loan officers; an intuitive digital dashboard that loan officers can use to help borrowers throughout the approval process; machine-learning technology for document classification and indexing; a digital close solution with eDelivery and eSigning capabilities; a comprehensive fee service to help mitigate fee cures; robust property tax data; compliance validation testing; flood zone determination services and reporting; and an actionable intelligence solution that delivers instant access to information from multiple data sources to help forecast and monitor pipeline, productivity, cycle time and pull-through. "It is abundantly clear to us that serving members is mission number-one at Frontwave Credit Union," said Rich Gagliano, president, Black Knight Origination Technologies. "By leveraging our Empower LOS and advanced origination solutions, Frontwave will be able to deliver an unparalleled experience to its members and employees, while increasing member retention. Black Knight is proud to support Frontwave's mission of furthering the financial wellbeing of both its military service and civilian members." About Black Knight Black Knight, Inc. (NYSE:BKI) is an award-winning software, data and analytics company that drives innovation in the mortgage lending and servicing and real estate industries, as well as the capital and secondary markets. Businesses leverage our robust, integrated solutions across the entire homeownership life cycle to help retain existing customers, gain new customers, mitigate risk and operate more effectively. Our clients rely on our proven, comprehensive, scalable products and our unwavering commitment to delivering superior client support to achieve their strategic goals and better serve their customers. For more information on Black Knight, please visit www.blackknightinc.com. About Frontwave Credit Union Frontwave Credit Union is a member-owned not-for-profit financial institution serving San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Frontwave Credit Union was founded in 1952 as Camp Pendleton Federal Credit Union in Oceanside, California. Frontwave has grown from 8 civil service military personnel members with $40 in assets to now serving more than 123,000 members worldwide managing $1.4 billion in assets. To learn more, visit frontwavecu.com. For more information: Michelle Kersch Mitch Cohen Black Knight, Inc. Black Knight, Inc. 904.854.5043 704.890.8158 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Black Knight, Inc. MAJURO, Marshall Islands, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gate.io, the leading cryptocurrency exchange, has officially launched its spot block trading service today, catering to the needs of institutional and high-net-worth clients. This service provides deep liquidity and personalized support. By integrating with the world's leading liquidity pools, it offers the most competitive quotes, alongside being able to mitigate price fluctuations in the market, it also ensures robust privacy and security for any and all transactions. This professional, personalized, private, and secure service allows both institutions and HNW individuals to perform bulk spot trades efficiently. "This innovative solution offers enhanced security, privacy, and efficiency, tailored to the specific needs of institutional and high-net-worth individuals. We believe that our block trading service will become an essential tool for those looking to execute large trades quickly and efficiently, without sacrificing the security and privacy that they demand." Dr. Lin Han, Founder and CEO of Gate.io said. Spot Block Trading Service Block spot trading refers to a way of trading that uses digital currency to buy and sell assets on exchanges. It's common among institutional investors, hedge funds, and high-net-worth individuals who deploy large amounts of capital. Large orders made on exchanges, coupled with any direct reactions (a buy or sell frenzy) can often impact the broader market and cause drastic fluctuations in the price of digital assets. However, through Gate.io block trading, users can not only mitigate this type of drawback but also benefit from a myriad of advantages like: Competitive pricing and top-tier liquidity pools; Zero fees and zero slippage; Self-owned liquidity pool, instant settlement (transactions are finalised within seconds); Custom services for multiple cryptocurrencies and transactions; Robust privacy that doesn't require any users to disclose over-the-counter (OTC) transactions; Gate.io Spot Block Trading Method Gate.io offers two over-the-counter trading methods for its spot block trading service. The first is through the Gate.io homepage, where users can click "Trade - Spot Block Trade" to access the trading page. They can select the currency they want to trade, preview and confirm the quote, and complete the transaction by clicking on the settlement option. The second method is to contact the Gate.io team by email( [email protected] ) or telegram(@KA_EMEA and @KA_APAC) to discuss bulk transaction needs on a per-trade or case-by-case basis. The highly experienced team will offer competitive prices and first-class services to meet the users' needs. SOURCE Gate.io REDDING, Calif., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report titled, 'Genetic Testing Market by Offering (Consumables, Reagents, Instruments, Services), Test Type (Diagnostic, Prenatal, Carrier, Newborn, Preimplantation), Method (Molecular, Chromosomal), End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories) - Global Forecast to 2030,' published by Meticulous Research, the genetic testing market is projected to reach $28.24 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2023 to 2030. Download Free Sample Report Now @ https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=5370 Genetic testing is done to look at changes in the DNA, sometimes called variants or mutations, that can lead to chronic diseases. It provides crucial information that can help predict, diagnose, and treat diseases and plays a vital role in determining the risk of certain inherited diseases. Genetic testing is performed for different reasons, including pre-symptomatic and predictive testing, pharmacogenetics, diagnostic testing, carrier testing, prenatal testing, preimplantation testing, and newborn screening. Genetic testing has applications in different areas of healthcare and has various advantages, such as determining the likelihood of parents passing the genetic mutation to their offspring. Genetic tests are also performed prenatally or post-birth to identify various disorders in newborns, such as organic acid metabolism disorders, amino acid metabolism disorders, hemoglobin disorders, endocrine disorders, fatty acid oxidation disorders, cystic fibrosis, congenital heart disease, glaucoma, Fragile X syndrome, and down syndrome. Genetic testing is also done for the identification of tumor genomes in cancer patients. The genetic testing market is segmented by offering (consumables & reagents, instruments, and services), test type (prenatal testing, predictive and presymptomatic testing, diagnostic testing, carrier testing, newborn screening, and preimplantation testing), method (molecular tests, chromosomal tests, and biochemical tests), end user (hospitals & clinics, diagnostic laboratories, and other end users), and geography. The study also evaluates industry competitors and analyzes their market shares at the global and regional levels. Speak to our Analysts to Understand the Impact of COVID-19 on Your Business: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/cp_id=5370 Based on offering, in 2023, the consumables & reagents segment is expected to account for the largest share of the market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the growing need for consumables & reagents in pharmacogenomics, increasing frequencies of screening tests, rise in the number of genetic testing labs, and product launches by key market players. In addition to this, laboratories' increasing capacity to perform multiple tests at the same time is expected to trigger the need for consumables & reagents. Based on test type, in 2023, the prenatal testing segment is expected to account for the largest share of this market. The increasing prevalence of congenital disabilities and awareness about the advantages of prenatal testing among the general population and doctors are increasing the demand for prenatal testing. Additionally, prenatal testing is currently the best way to understand the genetic risk associated with an infant's health. Due to this, its use is increasing rapidly in developed and developing countries. Based on method, in 2023, the molecular tests segment is expected to account for the larger share of this market. The largest market share of this segment is attributed to factors such the increased government funding for innovation in molecular testing, increased research activities by genetic testing companies, and the rise in cases of rare diseases worldwide, leading to demand for molecular testing. Quick Buy Genetic Testing Market Research Report: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/Checkout/33822956 Based on end user, in 2023, the hospitals & clinics segment is expected to account for the largest share of this market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to factors such as the availability of advanced tests and devices, high rates of hospitalizations in cases of cancer and related rare diseases, and government and private insurance schemes for healthcare in developed and developing countries. Based on geography, the genetic testing market is segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa, with a further analysis of major countries in these regions. In 2023, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the genetic testing market, followed by Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Key factors such as high healthcare expenditure, favorable reimbursement scenario, awareness among patients about the advantages of genetic testing, and increased supports and investments for enhancing genome sequencing infrastructure are some of the factors primarily contributing to the larger share of this region in the genetic testing market. However, Asia-Pacific is projected to register the highest CAGR over the forecast period. The rapid expansion of the market in this region results from high investments in the healthcare sector, increasing affordability of genetic testing, high prevalence of rare diseases, a large pool of geriatric population, and growing adoption of advanced genomics technologies. Some of the key players dominating this market are Illumina, Inc. (U.S.), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), OPKO Health Inc. (U.S.), Natera, Inc. (U.S.), PerkinElmer, Inc. (U.S.), Myriad Genetics, Inc. (U.S.), Centogene N.V. (Germany), Konica Minolta, Inc. (Japan), Fulgent Genetics, Inc. (U.S.), and Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (U.S.). To gain more insights into the market with a detailed table of content and figures, click here: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/genetic-testing-market-5370 Scope of the Report: Genetic Testing Market, by Offering Consumables & Reagents Instruments Services Genetic Testing Market, by Test Type Prenatal Testing Predictive and Presymptomatic Testing Diagnostic Testing Newborn Screening Carrier Testing Preimplantation Testing Genetic Testing Market, by Method Molecular Tests Chromosomal Tests Biochemical Tests Genetic Testing Market, by End User Hospitals & Clinics Diagnostic Laboratories Others End Users (Other End Users Include Academic & Research Institutes, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies, And Contract Research Organizations) Genetic Testing Market, by Geography North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany France U.K. Italy Spain Rest of Europe (RoE) (RoE) Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of APAC (RoAPAC) Latin America Middle East & Africa Download Free Sample Report Now @ https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=5370 Related Reports: Next-generation Sequencing Services Market by Type (Targeted Sequencing, Exome, RNA-Seq, ChIP Sequencing), Technology (Sequencing by Synthesis, Nanopore, SMRT), Application (Clinical Diagnosis, Biomarker Discovery), & End User - Forecast to 2028 https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/next-generation-sequencing-ngs-services-market-5041 Artificial Intelligence in Genomics Market by Offering (Software, Services), Functionality (Sequencing, Gene Editing), Application (Diagnostics, Precision Medicine, Drug Discovery and Development), Delivery Mode (On-premise, Cloud), and End User - Global Forecast to 2029 https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/ai-in-genomics-market-5345 NGS Automation Market By Product (Platform, Consumables), Sequencing Type (Whole Genome, Exome, Targeted), Application (Drug Discovery, Diagnostics), End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories, Pharmaceutical, Academic) - Global Forecast to 2029 https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/ngs-automation-market-5271 Next-Generation Sequencing Market by Type (Consumables, NGS Platform, Software), Sequencing Type (Whole Genome, Targeted), Technology (Sequencing by Synthesis, Sequencing by Ligation), Application (Clinical, Research), End User - Global Forecasts to 2030 https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/next-generationg-sequencing-market-5040 In-vitro Diagnostics Market (IVD Market) by Product & Solution (Consumables, Systems, Software & Services), Technology (ELISA, Rapid Tests, PCR, Microbiology), Application (Infectious Diseases, Oncology), End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories) Forecast to 2030 https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/ivd-market-4858 About Meticulous Research Meticulous Research was founded in 2010 and incorporated as Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. in 2013 as a private limited company under the Companies Act, 1956. Since its incorporation, the company has become the leading provider of premium market intelligence in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The name of our company defines our services, strengths, and values. Since the inception, we have only thrived to research, analyze, and present the critical market data with great attention to details. With the meticulous primary and secondary research techniques, we have built strong capabilities in data collection, interpretation, and analysis of data including qualitative and quantitative research with the finest team of analysts. We design our meticulously analyzed intelligent and value-driven syndicate market research reports, custom studies, quick turnaround research, and consulting solutions to address business challenges of sustainable growth. Contact: Mr. Khushal Bombe Meticulous Market Research Inc. 1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding, California, 96001, U.S. USA: +1-646-781-8004 Europe : +44-203-868-8738 APAC: +91 744-7780008 Email- [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/ Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research Content Source: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/597/genetic-testing-market-2030 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1757980/Meticulous_Research_Logo_1.jpg SOURCE Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd DUBLIN, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Home Decor Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The home decor market was valued at US$1094.359 billion in 2020. Companies Mentioned Inter IKEA Systems B.V. AWI Licensing LLC Herman Miller , Inc. , Inc. Kimball International, Inc. Godrej Group Forbo Flooring Systems Suofeiya Home Collection Co. Duresta Springs Window Fashions Mohawk Industries, Inc. Home decor refers to the art in which the residents aesthetically design the internal and external spaces of residential buildings, along with making them fully functional for use. Various products are included in the category of home decor products, such as furniture, kitchen fittings, flooring, and others. The primary factors supplementing the home decor market's growth during the next five years include the inclination of people toward the high-class interior design of their homes due to high purchasing power, especially across the developed economies of the region. Additionally, the rising consumer preference for the purchase of eco-friendly products coupled with the growing focus of key players on the manufacture of products made from various raw materials is also providing an impetus for the market to grow throughout the forecast period. Furthermore, the rising disposable income across developing economies such as India, China, and Indonesia has led to an increase in the middle-class population, which in turn is leading to an increase in residential construction across these economies. This, in turn, is also projected to amplify the demand for numerous home decor products such as furniture, and flooring, thereby driving the market growth during the next five years. The changing lifestyles have also led to an increased demand for premium quality products, which is also positively impacting the market growth during the next five years. Rapid urbanization and population growth are amplifying the market's growth One of the major factors boosting the market growth during the next five years is the growing population, which is boosting construction activities across the residential sector, as more housing units are required to meet the housing needs of the growing population. In addition, according to the data from the World Bank Group, the total global population has grown from 6.922 billion in 2010 to 7.593 billion by 2018. In addition, increasing construction activity across various developed economies around the globe is further anticipated to boost the demand for home decor in the coming years. For instance, the total value of construction including the public and private residential sectors has increased from USD$366,660 million in 2008 to USD$521,971 in 2019 (Source: US Department of Commerce). Similarly, in the United Kingdom, the value of new work that includes construction in residential and other sectors at current prices continued to rise since 2011, reaching its highest level on record at 109,387 billion in 2017, driven by the growth of the private sector. Simultaneously, the number of firms operating in the construction industry has also continued to rise in 2017 (Source: Office for National Statistics UK). Also, the rising initiatives by the governments of various developing economies to expand the residential sector also projected to be a key driving factor for the market to grow in the near future. For example, the Smart Cities Mission initiative by the government of India of converting 99 cities into smart cities with the aim of expanding the housing (residential) sector. Similarly, in 2018, the Chinese government announced an investment of around US$255 billion for the Shantytown redevelopment project, whose construction began on more than 6 million housing units. Furthermore, rapid urbanization is also projected to amplify the market growth opportunities for vendors and manufacturers during the coming years. The increase in the population across the urban areas will lead to rising demand for residential spaces, thus augmenting the demand for home decor. According to the United Nations, by 2050, two-thirds of the global population is projected to live in urban areas. Similarly, around US$57 trillion is required to be invested by the year 2030 to accommodate this rapid expansion in urban dwellings. Furniture to hold a considerable market share On the basis of product type, the home decor market has been classified on the basis of furniture, textiles, flooring, and others. The furniture segment is projected to hold a substantial share throughout the market due to the rising demand for wooden furniture due to high and premium quality, which is a key factor shaping the growth of this segment during the next five years. The flooring segment is anticipated to witness healthy growth during the next five years. Outdoor to grow substantially On the basis of application, the market has been classified into indoor and outdoor. The indoor segment will hold a major share in the market. This segment is also projected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. The rising consumer preference for stylish interiors is one of the prime factors bolstering the growth of this segment during the next five years. The outdoor segment is projected to grow substantially during the next five years. The major factors supporting the growth of this segment include the shifting consumer preferences towards the adoption of stylish flooring and furniture on account of the increasing influence of western culture on lifestyle. An offline segment to gold a decent share By distribution channel, the segmentation of the market has been done on the basis of online and offline. The offline segment is projected to hold a substantial share during the next five years on account of the presence of a vast number of retailers in many countries coupled with the presence of domestic manufacturers in countries like India and China, among others. The online segment is anticipated to grow at a decent rate in the next five years on account of the expansion of distribution channels in both developed and developing economies of the globe. Competitive Insights Prominent key market players in the home decor market include Inter IKEA Systems B.V., Herman Miller, Inc., Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited, and Mohawk Industries, Inc., among others. These companies hold a noteworthy share of the market on account of their good brand image and product offerings. Major players in the home decor market have been covered along with their relative competitive positions and strategies. The report also mentions recent deals and investments of different market players over the last two years. Key Developments June 2022: Walmart has revealed its latest exclusive home partnership with Miranda Lambert, the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year and three-time GRAMMY winner. Miranda Lambert's Wanda June Home is now available exclusively at Walmart.com. Wanda June Home will market over 80 kitchen, bar, tabletop, and home decor products ranging in price from US$12.97 to US$170. Feb 2022: Lowe's announced the launch of its first modern style exclusive brand, Origin21, which offers an approachable and unique aesthetic for all home decor needs. Lowe's provides consumers with everything they need to execute and complete their home renovations, from conception to installation to completion. The collection includes everything from throw pillows, carpets, and patio furniture to light fixtures, faucets, and imitation plants. May 2021: Gap and Walmart announced an exclusive collaboration to launch Gap Home, a new line of home decor. The Gap Home launch collection, which will be available exclusively on Walmart.com, will include more than 400 items, perfect for styling all environments, from college dorms to residences. Segmentation By Product Type Furniture Textiles Flooring By Application Indoor Outdoor By Distribution Channel Online Offline By Geography North America USA Canada Mexico South America Brazil Argentina Europe Germany France United Kingdom Spain Italy Middle East and Africa and Saudi Arabia UAE Israel Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Taiwan Thailand Indonesia For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/y4ynmw About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Hospital Bed Market Size, Segments, Outlook, and Revenue Forecast 2022-2028 by Type, Power, End-User, and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America Middle East, and Africa" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. According to this report the global hospital bed market - which grew from approximately US$ 3 Billion in 2017 to approximately US$ 4 billion in 2022 - is forecasted to grow further into approximately US$ 6 Billion opportunities by 2028, owing to the increasing severe diseases, infections, and cancers. Companies Mentioned Stryker Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. Getinge AB Invacare Corporation Paramount Bed Co Ltd Medline Industries LP Linet spol s.r.o Stiegelmeyer GmbH & Co. KG Malvestio Spa Amico Corporation DiaMedical USA Vital Mobility Medical Supplies Inc. Westin Healthcare Inc Hengshui Hengzekang Medical Equipment Co., Ltd. Satcon Medical The hospital bed market is driven by surging chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, and other infectious viruses. According to World Health Organization, nearly 10 million deaths in 2020 were caused by cancer worldwide, the most common cases of cancer were lung, prostate, skin, stomach, colon, and rectum. Globally, more than two third of all death are occurred due to one or more of these five chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. The increasing number of cases and deaths due to chronic diseases worldwide is likely to fuel the growth of the hospital bed market. Higher costs of advanced hospital beds are likely to hamper the growth of the market. GoodRx Health, an online health resource company stated that a new hospital bed can cost in the range of US$ 500 to more than US$ 5000, depending on the features. Manual hospital beds are less costly and have a hand crank to change their heights and angle. Full electric models are available for much higher prices. COVID-19 has helped in the growth of the hospital bed market. Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, required emergency care and receive medication at a hospital, thus creating the need for hospital beds. More than half of the world's intensive care units (ICUs) have been occupied by individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, which further prompted hospitals to add more hospital beds into their facilities to cater to the patients. Scope of the Report The Hospital Bed Market is segmented by type, power, and end-user. In addition, the report also covers market size and forecasts for the four regions in the Hospital Bed Market. The revenue used to size and forecast the market for each segment is US$ billion. By Type Acute Care Long Term Care Bariatric Care Others By Power Electric Semi Electric Manual By End-User Hospitals Clinics Ambulatory By Geography North America ( USA , Canada , Mexico ) ( , , ) Europe ( Germany , UK, France , Spain , Italy ) ( , UK, , , ) Asia Pacific ( China , Japan , South Korea , India , Australia ) ( , , , , ) LAMEA ( Latin America , Middle East , Africa ) Key Players Stryker Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc Getinge AB Invacare Corporation Paramount Bed Co Ltd Medline Industries LP Linet spol s.r.o Stiegelmeyer GmbH & Co. KG Malvestio Spa Amico Corporation Key Trends by Market Segment By Type: Acute care segment held the largest market share of the Global Hospital Bed Market in 2021, owing to the increasing number of regular doctor consultations, and checkups. In acute care, the patient is treated for short-term or brief diseases, trauma, and recovery during the surgery. Acute care is provided by multiple clinical personnel using technical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies. According to the Connecticut Public Health Association, an affiliated association of the American Public Health Association, stated that an acute care hospital is defined as a short-term hospital that has facilities, medical staff, and all necessary equipment. By Power: The electric power segment accounted for the largest market share in 2021, owing to the upgradation in hospital bed technology, and the rising prevalence of acute diseases. A fully electric bed has specialized features both for the comfort and well-being of the patients and for the convenience of health caregivers. Presence of leading companies operating in full electric hospital beds, like Hillroom, Paramount, Amico, and others, is expected to catalyze the expansion of this market. By End-User: The hospital's segment held the largest market share in 2021, owing to the rising healthcare expenditure, which further led to the construction and renovation of old hospitals. Hospital is the largest end-user in the hospital bed market, because of active government participation. Governments are now focusing on providing better healthcare facilities to patients. According to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), there were on average 4.4 average hospital beds per 1000 people in 2019. In Japan 12.8 beds per 1000 people, and Korea 12.4 beds per 1000 people. Rising healthcare facilities are likely to further increase the number of hospital beds in the forecasted year. By Geography: North America accounted for the largest market share within the Global Hospital Bed Market in 2021, owing to rising concerns about health, and surging government initiatives and programs. In March 2020, the Centre for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the Hospital Without Walls program, which provides broad regulatory flexibility that allowed hospitals to provide services in a location beyond their existing walls. Presence of leading companies manufacturing hospital bed products, like Stryker, Linet, Invacare Corporation, Medline Industries, and others, are expected to further boost the expansion of this market. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mzjydj About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Seed Treatment Market Size, Segments, Outlook, and Revenue Forecast 2022-2028 by Type, By Treatment/Application Technique, By Crop, By Formulation, By Function and Region" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Seed Treatment Market is estimated to have grown to a size of nearly US$7 Billion in 2022 from approximately US$5 Billion in 2017. The market is expected to grow further to a size of around US$11 Billion by 2028 at a CAGR of nearly 8% for the forecasted period of 2022-2028. Seed Treatment adoption rate is expected to grow steadily in the forecasted period as it offers low-cost protection against diseases and soil-borne organisms and protects weak seeds, resulting in improved germination. According to the Agriculture industry publication Agriculture.com, a soybean fungicide/insecticide treatment may cost anywhere between US$10 and US$12 per 140,000 seed unit. Soybean seeding rates usually vary between 80,000 and 140,000 seeds per acre. When it comes to the effectiveness of such treatments, a 2019 compilation of studies, conducted by agronomists and entomologists from 14 land-grant universities, discovered an improvement of 2 bushels per acre in soybean farming when neonicotinoid IST was combined with a fungicide seed treatment. The best result found in the study was that of a surge of 3.3 bushels per acre. Another major factor, driving the agriculture industry to adopt Seed Treatment measures, is its capacity to empower seeds to fight against unfavorable weather conditions. Such unfavorable weather conditions might result in cold and damp soils or extremely dry soils that encourage the breeding, growth, and development of fungi spores. For instance, in the United States, in 2010 and 2012, high nighttime temperatures had an immensely negative impact on corn yields. Similarly, premature budding caused by a warm winter resulted in losses worth US$220 million of cherries in Michigan in 2012. Ingredients used in Seed Treatment products are harmful to humans, animals, and also to seeds in some cases. Treated seeds that go unsold can not be used as animal feed. The limiting peripheral or ancillary use of these treated seeds often hampers the scalability of the market. Treating the seeds at the correct dosage rate is also critical to the treatment's success. For instance, seeds with high moisture percentage can get easily damaged when treated with concentrated liquid products. In the initial days of the pandemic, the Global Seed Treatment Market suffered supply chain disruptions stemming from restricted movements of vehicles, closed markets, and a limited supply of raw materials. However, soon after the initial days were over, the manufacturing of seed treatment agrochemicals resumed under the category of essential goods production in many countries. The rise in consciousness around health and efficient farming techniques also boosted the demand for high-value seeds. Scope of the Report Seed Treatment methods are getting deployed for a range of crops, including grains and cereals, oilseeds and pulses, fruits and vegetables, and other crop types. Furthermore, the Seed Treatment Market is segmented into type, formulation, function, application/treatment technique, and region. In addition, the report also covers market size and forecasts for the four major regions of the market. The revenue used to size and forecast the market for each segment is in US$ billion. By Type Chemical Non-Chemical By Treatment/Application Technique Seed Dressing Seed Coating Seed Pelleting By Crop Grains and Cereals Oilseeds and Pulses Fruits and Vegetables Other Crop Types (Forages, Alfalfa, Flower seeds, etc.) By Formulation Liquid Formulation Dry Formulation By Function Seed Protection Seed Enhancement By Region North America ( USA , Canada , Mexico ) ( , , ) Europe ( Germany , UK, France , Spain , Italy ) ( , UK, , , ) Asia Pacific ( China , Japan , South Korea , India , Indonesia , Australis) ( , , , , , Australis) Latin America , Middle East , and Africa (LAMEA) Key Companies Adama Agricultural Solutions Bayer AG BASF Syngenta AG Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd Dow Corteva, Inc Croda International Plc Nufarm Novozymes A/S Key Trends by Market Segment By Type: According to the publisher's analysis, the majority of the seed treatment procedures are carried out through the Chemical route Chemical treatment of seeds can be done by applying insecticides, fungicides, or nematicides, including fumigants, carbamates, etc. Non-chemical or biological seed protection processes involve bio-insecticides, bio-fungicides, and bio-nematicides According to the observations put out by the Iowa State University, fungicide seed treatment can be beneficial for seeds with less than 80% germination rate. These types of seeds are typically considered to be of low vigor. Fungicides are also considered effective treatment tools when seeds are planted early in cold or wet soils and reduced till and no-till fields. By Treatment/Application Technique: The seed coating segment is estimated to occupy the largest market share in 2022 as far as treatment/application techniques are concerned. The techniques of seed dressing involve treating crop seeds with fungicides and/or insecticides so that they are well-equipped to fight out the fungal diseases and insects that attack from both below and above ground. The process of seed coating implies covering the seeds with manageable amounts of exogenous materials. Film coating or microbial coating are popular seed coating types. Finally, in the process of Seed Pelleting, inert materials are added to the seeds to increase their weight, size, or shape. Seed pelleting helps in planting crops that otherwise have irregularly shaped seeds. According to the data presented by the seed treatment company Seed Dynamics Incorporated, pelleting can increase the weight of seeds from anywhere between 1000% (10X) to 4,000% (40X). Usually, 88000 seeds of raw begonia weigh 1 gram. However, seed pelleting can increase the weight 100 times and take it to an average of 857 seeds per gram. By Crop: The Cereal and Grains segment is expected to emerge as the largest crop segment as far as the application of seed treatment techniques is concerned. Production in the World Cereal Market, according to the data provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), almost 2,645 million tons of cereals were produced during the 2018-2019 period, and the production was estimated to cross the mark of 2,800 million tons in 2022. Similarly, production in the coarse grain market in the world was estimated to grow from a little more than 1,400 million tons to 1,500 million tons in 2022. Treating seeds help reduce loss in the production of cereal grains due to pests and diseases. By Formulation: Although the liquid formulation segment is expected to account for the largest share in 2022, the dry formulation segment is estimated to witness faster growth during the forecasted period. There are several types of liquid formulations that agriculturists try out on a regular basis for a range of crop seed types. For instance, soaking paddy seeds in 1% Potassium Chloride solution for 12 hours helps improve the germination potential. A similar outcome is achieved when Sorghum seeds are soaked in Sodium Chloride and Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate solutions for 12 hours. Dry formulation seed treatments, on the other hand, help maintain the integrity of seed coatings. The growth in this segment is driven by the utilitarian benefits of the process: it is easy to apply and store and comes at a low cost. The effectiveness of these treatments, dry and/or wet, has been recorded by many agencies/organizations/institutions. For instance, data published by the Manitoba government showed that seed treatments helped prevent yield loss 22% of the time in soybean seeds. Studies conducted in North Dakota, on wheat seeds, over a period of 14 years, showed a 7.2% stand increase over an untreated check, 73% of the time. However, the effectiveness often varies depending on how the climate is. For instance, another research at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon found that neonicotinoid seed treatments were more effective in dry soils than in wet soils, and at 20-30 degree centigrade than at 10 degrees. By Function: The seed protection segment occupies the largest share of the seed treatment market when seen from the prism of functions. The seed enhancement segment mostly takes care of plant nutrition needs. Seed protection procedures can be chemical or non-chemical/biological. Seed enhancement procedures involve the application of biologicals, such as bio-fertilizers, bio-stimulants, plant growth regulators, seed priming, and seed disinfection procedures. Protection and enhancement techniques are often deployed together for improved results. A scientific study conducted in 2018 showed how the solid matrix seed priming technique can be effectively combined with seed coating procedures. The experiment was conducted on the Kaibab Plateau in Arizona. The process resulted in 66-82% faster emergence from primed-seed pods than the untreated seeds. Seedlings that stemmed out from the primed-seed pods had 2.9-3.8-times higher density than untreated seeds. By Region: North America is estimated to continue with its dominance over the seed treatment market even in the forecasting period, majorly due to the large-scale adoption of biotech crops in countries like the United States and Canada. The United States has been one of the earliest adopters of Biotech crops. Biotech crops were introduced in 1996. Within the next seventeen years, by 2013, more than ninety percent of all cotton, soybeans, and corn planted in the United States was Biotech. More than 173 million acres were planted with biotech seeds in the United States by 2013. The adoption of biotech in farming, along with genetically modified crops, has also been high in the Asia Pacific region, turning it into one of the most high-potential markets for seed treatment. Japan, for instance, is among one of the world's largest per-capita importers of GM food and feed and has approved more than 300 GM products for food, including 141 varieties of crops. The Philippines has also exhibited remarkable progress in adopting seed treatment. It was the first country in Asia to have given commercial clearance to Rice that was treated with beta-carotene for enhanced nutritional value. The seed treatment market has also flourished in Europe and many LAMEA countries, such as Brazil and Argentina, to address the need for high-quality seeds, prevent anthrax diseases, combat the occasional attacks of the Yellow virus, et al. Recent Developments Related to Major Players In July 2022, ADAMA Limited launched Chrome, an innovative broad-spectrum weed control solution. Chrome is a liquid herbicide that is made by combining three active ingredients: Flufenacet, Diflufenican, and Chlorotoluron. As a simple and ready-to-use solution, Chrome is expected to effectively resist issues relating to grass and broadleaf weeds. ADAMA expects Chrome to prove effective in controlling weeds in the long run. In September 2022, Syngenta became the exclusive worldwide commercialization distributor of Bioceres's biological seed treatment solutions. The collaboration, which would also involve joint R&D efforts, is expected to bring speed to the market by expediting the global registration of products and the launch of new biological solutions. Nufarm launched a host of new products, including the Leopard Herbicide in July 2022, and the Longbow EC herbicide. While Leopard is expected to introduce enhanced planting flexibility for soybeans, field corn, and cotton, Longbow EC is expected to control more than 60 species of broadleaf weeds. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jsv6l5 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo:https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets Company publicly declares it is setting emission reduction targets in line with the Business Ambition for 1.5C campaign SEOUL, South Korea, March 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hanon Systems (KS:018880), a leading global provider of automotive thermal and energy management solutions, is announcing it has joined the Business Ambition for 1.5C campaign of the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) to further demonstrate its commitment to address the effects of climate change. The SBTi is leading the campaign that helps companies set emission reduction targets in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5C. "Committing to establish SBTi targets is an important step in the company's journey to become carbon neutral by 2040 and support the global effort to address climate change," said Hanon Systems President and Chief Executive Officer Min Sung. "We are proud to join the Business Ambition for 1.5C campaign and encourage other companies to do the same." Since 2021, the Hanon Systems Carbon Neutral Office has been overseeing the actions of various work streams to accelerate efforts to reduce the company's carbon footprint. Among these includes defining the company's carbon neutral roadmap; understanding the carbon neutral requirements of customers; developing low-carbon variants of existing products and new low-carbon solutions; educating the workforce to inform, motivate and garner involvement; and partnering with the supply chain to source low-carbon parts and materials. In addition to establishing science-based emissions targets, executing projects and promoting greater transparency of corporate-wide carbon emissions have been among the company's top carbon neutral priorities. In line with the requirements of the SBTi, the company will submit its science-based targets for official validation within the next 24 months. The SBTi is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious carbon emission reduction targets in line with the latest climate science. This initiative is a collaboration between Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). About Hanon Systems Hanon Systems is a full-line supplier of automotive thermal and energy management solutions for electrified and conventional vehicles. Its offering includes a wide range of solutions in the areas of heating ventilation and air conditioning; powertrain cooling; compressor; fluid transport; and electronics and fluid pressure. The company currently operates 53 manufacturing sites and three regional innovation centers, and employs more than 21,000 people across 21 countries. To learn more, visit hanonsystems.com. Follow Hanon Systems: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanonsystems YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6bSZ7NMg7LPhXDyTOMwebQ/feed Media Contact: Tracy Stallings Director Global Corporate Communications +1-313-418-8409 mobile [email protected] Asia Jiwon You +82 2 3498 5572 +82 10 8926 1603 mobile [email protected] Europe Veronika Prudilova +420-556-780388 +420-737222791 mobile [email protected] Investor Relations Chung Kwan Shin +82-2-3498-5530 +82-10-9557-9388 [email protected] SOURCE Hanon Systems AMSTERDAM, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoymiles, a leading smart energy provider and microinverter manufacturer, has held an opening ceremony for its new European subsidiary in the Netherlands on March 14. The opening of the European subsidiary is just the latest milestone as the company seeks to strengthen its presence in the global market. Europe is a key market for the company, and the company will work closely with its distributors, installers and partners to ensure that customers receive the best possible service and support. The new EU subsidiary is expected to play a key role in fulfilling the growing global demand for solar energy. With the support of its local partners, Hoymiles will be able to provide European customers with high-quality and reliable solar products and outstanding service. Products available in Europe include: HMS-500/1000/2000 series single-phase microinverters HMT-2250 series three-phase microinverters HYS series single-phase hybrid inverters HYT series three-phase hybrid inverters With these products, customers can contribute to global energy savings together with Hoymiles. At this opening session, IHS and EUPD, the top energy consulting firms in the world, shared their insights into the PV industry, including the demand and supply of distributed PV in Europe, as well as the overview of the Dutch solar market. Hoymiles' Sales Director of Europe Walter Jin shared the latest developments of the company and introduced Hoymiles' product lineups and technical strengths. "Our team is looking forward to working closely with our customers and partners in Europe," said Walter. "We believe that this new milestone will help us build even stronger relationships with our customers and partners here." Jesse Li, Hoymiles' Technical Support Supervisor, also shared the technical and service support of the company following the opening of the EU subsidiary, including: Local warehouse for faster delivery and timely replacement Localized support for EU customers Multi-language technical and service support Hotline service Hoymiles' manufacturing capacity is constantly expanding, and is expected to reach 5 million units in 2023. The company is also speeding up the deployment of local warehouses and manufacturing bases in other key markets, so that customers around the world can expect shorter delivery times in the future. Contact details of Hoymiles EU Company name: Hoymiles Power Electronics B.V. Address: High Tech Campus 9, Unit BK3.28, 5656AE Eindhoven, the Netherlands Tel: 0408517021 About Hoymiles Founded in 2012, Hoymiles is a global MLPE (Module-Level Power Electronics) solution provider, specializing in module-level microinverters, storage systems, and rapid shutdown systems. With a vision of a clean, sustainable future, the company strives to drive innovation in the smart energy industry with its high-performance and accessible products. With a driven engineering team, 1200+ global experts, and a distribution and service network spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, Hoymiles is empowering homeowners and professionals in more than 110 countries and regions to join the journey to true open energy. It is now one of the fastest-growing microinverter manufacturers in the industry, with an average 100% annual sales volume increase since 2016. In December 2021, Hoymiles went public on the Shanghai Stock Exchange STAR Market, one that only high-tech companies are able to qualify for. For more information, please visit hoymiles.com SOURCE Hoymiles Power Electronic Inc SHANGHAI, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Intertek, a Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, recently issued the first 'Intertek Green Leaf Verification -- Product Carbon Footprint Certificate' for Microwave Oven-MM720C-PM0E00 2AT of Guangdong Midea Kitchen Appliance Manufacturing Co., LTD. ('Midea Kitchen'), supporting Midea Kitchen to achieve its sustainable development goal. The certification for Microwave Oven-MM720C-PM0E00 2AT is measured in the Cradle-to-Grave Methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). During the process of LCA evaluation, Intertek calculated and verified all the data collected throughout the lifecycle of Microwave Oven-MM720C-PM0E00 2AT from material extraction, manufacturing of components, product assembly, product use, to the final disposal of the product. The International Energy Agency (2020) stated that the electricity consumption of household appliances accounts for about 11.3% of the society's total electricity consumption, and up to 30% of residential carbon emissions come from the use of household appliances. Undoubtedly, sustainable household appliances play an important role in achieving the goal of carbon neutrality. MA, Yunlong, General Manager of Intertek China Green Initiatives stated that Midea Kitchen obtaining Intertek Product Carbon Footprint Verification shows the practical and meaningful efforts made by Midea Kitchen to demonstrate the sustainability of its products to consumers and the household appliance industry. This certification will enable Midea Kitchen to convey its belief in environmental protection while also fulfilling its goal of sustainable product development. Joan Li, General Manager of Intertek Electrical South China, expressed that Intertek has maintained extensive cooperation ties with Midea, and that both parties have worked closely in HVAC/R, home appliances and other fields over the past 20 years. The Certificate is the latest fruit of the concerted efforts and efficient cooperation between Intertek and Midea, which will make Midea Kitchen's microwave ovens more competitive in the international market. About INTERTEK Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide. Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices in more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers' operations and supply chains. Intertek Total Quality Assurance expertise, delivered consistently with precision, pace and passion, is enabling our customers to power ahead safely. intertek.com.cn For media issues: Please contact Laura Wang, Greater China MKT Director, +86 21 6127 8462, [email protected] SOURCE Intertek WASHINGTON, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Payroll experts and officials from the IRS and other top government agencies will examine payroll industry topics including the Fair Labor Standards Act, intelligent automation, child support, and electronic payments at the American Payroll Association's (APA) Capital Summit. The two-day conference will be held at the Hilton Arlington National Landing Hotel in Arlington, VA, March 20 21. "It is vital that payroll professionals remain up-to-date on the rapidly changing legislation impacting payroll," said Dan Maddux, executive director at the APA. "Capital Summit brings together top government agency officials directly with payroll professionals to advise them on issues impacting payroll and employee paychecks." The conference will feature speakers from multiple organizations, including the IRS, Nacha, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Social Security Administration, the Office of Child Support Enforcement, and more. Presenters will cover key issues impacting payroll operations, such as: Employee eligibility and verification as it relates to the remote work environment Updates from the Internal Revenue Service on current tax issues at the federal level Perspectives from Nacha on the latest in electronic payments An update on the Fair Labor Standards Act from the U.S. Department of Labor Capital Summit provides a unique opportunity to learn the latest regulatory developments directly from government agency officials and payroll experts. On-site registration takes place on Monday, March 20 from 7:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. Individuals interested in attending Capital Summit can learn more and register online. The American Payroll Association (APA) is the nation's leader in payroll education, publications, and training. Visit APA online at www.americanpayroll.org. SOURCE The American Payroll Association DUBLIN, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Israel Social Commerce Market Intelligence and Future Growth Dynamics Databook - 50+ KPIs on Social Commerce Trends by End-Use Sectors, Operational KPIs, Retail Product Dynamics, and Consumer Demographics - Q1 2023 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. According to the publisher, social commerce industry in Israel is expected to grow by 30.3% on annual basis to reach US$910.5 million in 2023. The social commerce industry is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 21.7% during 2022-2028. The social commerce GMV in the country will increase from US$910.5 million in 2023 to reach US$2965.2 million by 2028. This report provides a detailed data centric analysis of social commerce industry, covering market opportunities and risks. With over 50+ KPIs at country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of social commerce market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics. The research methodology is based on industry best practices. Its unbiased analysis leverages a proprietary analytics platform to offer a detailed view on emerging business and investment market opportunities. Reasons to buy In-depth Understanding of Social Commerce Market Dynamics: Understand market opportunities and key trends along with forecast (2019-2028). Insights into Opportunity by end-use sectors - Get market dynamics by end-use sectors to assess emerging opportunity across various end-use sectors. Develop Market Specific Strategies: Identify growth segments and target specific opportunities to formulate social commerce strategy; assess market specific key trends, drivers, and risks in the industry. Scope This report provides in-depth, data-centric analysis of social commerce in Israel. Below is a summary of key market segments: Israel Ecommerce Industry Market Size and Future Growth Dynamics by Key Performance Indicators, 2019-2028 Israel Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Future Growth Dynamics by Key Performance Indicators, 2019-2028 Israel Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Retail Product Categories, 2019-2028 Clothing & Footwear Beauty and Personal Care Food & Grocery Appliances and Electronics Home Improvement Travel Hospitality Israel Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by End Use Segment, 2019-2028 B2B B2C C2C Israel Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by End Use Device, 2019-2028 Mobile Desktop Israel Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Location, 2019-2028 Domestic Cross Border Israel Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Location, 2019-2028 Tier-1 Cities Tier-2 Cities Tier-3 Cities Israel Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Payment Method, 2019-2028 Credit Card Debit Card Bank Transfer Prepaid Card Digital & Mobile Wallet Other Digital Payment Cash Israel Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Platforms Video Commerce Social Network-Led Commerce Social Reselling Group Buying Product Review Platforms Israel Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Consumer Demographics & Behaviour,2022 By Age By Income Level By Gender For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/75azet About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets Bill Introduced to the House for More Protections against Predatory Educators Who Groom Older Teens and "Wait" to Have Sex with Them When They Turn 18 CHICAGO, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KIDS TOO , commonly known as the Me Too movement for kids, announced today that they are joining forces with other child advocacy organizations to demand that Illinois Legislators pass HB 3290. This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Katie Stuart, Jehan Gordon-Booth, Amy Elik and Michelle Mussman, is designed to criminalize educators who commit a sexual act toward students ages 18-22 attending classes at a public or nonpublic secondary school. Educator sexual abuse is pervasive in schools across America, with 1 in 10 children experiencing sexual misconduct by a school official before graduating from high school, according to the US Department of Education. Illinois made news headlines in 2018 regarding its largest school district, Chicago Public Schools, when the high volume of sexual abuse cases and misconduct by educators in CPS was revealed. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) was created to serve as an independent oversight body for Chicago's public, contract and charter schools. Among other focus areas, OIG investigates allegations of sexual misconduct, releasing annual reports with insights on allegations, handling of cases and outcomes. In addition, Faith's Law legislation and its trailer bill, signed by Illinois Governor Pritzker in 2021 , ensures training for educators about grooming tactics and allows school districts to request and receive more in-depth educator employment histories. In Faith's Law, however, one loophole for predatory educators did not get closed and still remains: Current Illinois law allows sex between teachers and students older than 17. HB 3290 seeks to close this loophole; last week, however, HB 3290 was assigned to the Rules and Regulations Committee, often known in lawmaking circles as the place where bills are sent to never see the light of day. Tania Haigh, founder of the KIDS TOO Movement and cofounder of Parents Against Child Sex Abuse (PAXA), says: "Parents send their kids and teens to learn in a safe school environmentnot to get preyed on by adults. We want Illinois lawmakers to prioritize protecting all students over the bureaucratic status quo that gets in the way of progress. It's time to stop making schools an easy pathway for predators." To learn more about KIDS TOO, join the movement, and sign the KIDS TOO petition to support criminalizing educators who have sex with students, visit KIDSTOO.ORG . About the KIDS TOO Movement KIDS TOO, powered by Parents Against Child Sex Abuse (PAXA), has a mission to empower parents in child protection with a focus on predators. The movement arms parents to elevate child protection in the areas of online safety, child sexual abuse and child poverty. Visit KIDSTOO.ORG for more information. SOURCE KIDS TOO COLUMBIA CITY, Ind., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Landmaster, has unveiled their new lineup of lithium-ion UTVs, called the AMP. The AMP delivers more torque, higher towing and hauling capacities, an ultra-quiet motor, and built on the plush, capable, Landmaster proprietary suspension system. The AMP - The Industry's Largest Selection of Electric UTV's. Tweet this Landmaster AMP Video Teaser Landmaster AMP at shopping center doing trash cleanup and groundskeeping tasks. Landmaster AMP at Purdue University Fort Wayne Landmaster AMP driving through mud. The AMP is available in 2-passenger and 4-passenger options, in both 2WD and 4WD platforms. For hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, you can upgrade any model to an Untamed Edition, giving you a custom colored UTV loaded with accessories. For the commercial- user, there are several accessories and vehicle options to match your requirements. Landmaster states they now have the largest lineup of lithium-ion UTVs on the market today. "There are so many different applications for the AMP such as property maintenance, municipal-use, groundskeeping, universities, sporting venues, residential-use, farming, and lake/neighborhood communities. We had to put out a lineup that could accommodate all of these applications and more - The AMP does just that!", says Jeff Bannister, President of Landmaster. Available Models: Untamed editions are available in all models except for the Pro. 2 Passenger 4x2 2 Passenger 4x4 4 Passenger 4x2 4 Passenger 4x4 2 Passenger Pro Key Features Quiet, quick, easy to drive 2WD and 4WD Options High Torque Motor - Designed For 4x4 Applications & Hill Climbing Automatic 4WD Engagement (select models) Rear Locking Differential (all models) Integrated LED Bumper Light Full Charge Time: 6-8 Hrs. (0-100%) Max Speed : Up To 30 mph : Up To 30 mph Bed Capacity: Up To 600 Lbs. / 1,000 Lbs. On Pro Tow Capacity: Up To 1,500 Lbs. The AMP will be arriving at dealers late March 2023. For more information, you can visit the Landmaster AMP page: www.AmericanLandmaster.com/amp About Landmaster: Landmaster has been manufacturing UTVs and related recreational products for over 50 years. The company is an Indiana based company, producing a full line of gas and lithium ion UTVs. They distribute through independent dealers throughout the U.S., delivering the absolute best combination of technology, performance, and American made ingenuity. For more information, please visit www.americanlandmaster.com. Contact: David Piercy, [email protected] SOURCE American Landmaster BAODING, China, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 15th, GWM held a GWM Brand Model Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. GWM officially launched its new global pickup model POER KINGKONG in the Middle East market. At the press conference, the person in charge of the Middle East market of GWM detailed the global development achievements and highlights of GWM PICKUP to local media and guests. POER KINGKONG, as the latest global model of GWM PICKUP, debuted in Saudi Arabia. It features an upgraded design and performance. Leading the Trend of Pickup Trucks, a New GWM PICKUP Model debuts in the Middle East POER KINGKONG adopts a large grille, a new style of headlamps, and more three-dimensional lines, creating a stylish and dynamic visual effect. As for the power, it is equipped with a 2.0T engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. This power system is efficient and reliable, which can meet the driving needs of consumers under different road conditions. "POER KINGKONG inherits the classic tough style of GWM PICKUP and strong performance. These advantages can better meet consumers' needs in different scenarios. This undoubtedly demonstrates the strength of GWM PICKUP," said a senior representative of a distributor after experiencing the vehicle. Pickup trucks are GWM's earliest export models to the international market. To meet the differentiated needs of different markets around the world, GWM has launched multiple models of Pickup, such as GWM POER, POER KINGKONG, and POER SHANHAI. Up to now, more than 2 million GWM PICKUP trucks have been sold worldwide, making them the best partner for users with reliable quality. GWM POER, as a high-end intelligent model under GWM PICKUP, has been launched in over 50 countries, including China, Australia, Chile, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, and has achieved sustained sales growth. According to the latest report released by GWM, the global sales of GWM POER in February this year reached 12,882, and its cumulative global sales have exceeded 400,000 units since its launch just over three years ago. GWM POER has also won a number of authoritative awards for its outstanding quality. It received a five-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) safety rating. In the South African market, GWM POER won the "Light Commercial Newcomer Vehicle of the Year" award and quickly ranked among the top ten in the market segment. In Chile, GWM POER has been recognized by the market and users, and won the "Best Pickup of the Year" award by MT Online, a local professional automotive media. In the future, GWM PICKUP will be committed to constantly creating smarter and safer models and continuing to expand the product lineup in the global market. POER KINGKONG is expected to be launched in multiple markets this year, providing consumers with more personalized pickup truck choices. SOURCE GWM Bryan Schwartz Law Negotiates Historic $37.5M Settlement with the Department of State to Redress those Denied Employment OAKLAND, Calif., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, a settlement was approved in the historic Meyer, et al. v. Blinken (Department of State) case. This landmark settlement overhauls a medical clearance system in place for decades which led to unlawful disability discrimination in the US Foreign Service. The case commenced in 2006 and continued through contentious litigation until the settlement was signed in December 2022. Today, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) approved the class settlement. Lead Class Counsel Bryan Schwartz of Bryan Schwartz law said it plainly. "In the past, people with disabilities were stereotyped as unable to serve their country in the Foreign Service. They were considered too risky to send abroad. They were, in fact, able and willing to serve with distinction. Through this important case, we have given them that opportunity." The class included all qualified applicants to the Foreign Service beginning on October 7, 2006, who were denied employment, or whose employment was delayed pending application for and receipt of a waiver, because the State Department deemed them not "Worldwide Available" due to their disability. The class settlement delivers a sweeping policy change netting over 100 immediate job opportunities to class members. It also means a $37.5M payment to the class in this case which amounts to over $150K/gross per class member, over $100K net, on average. Nearly two thirds of the class actively worked with Class Counsel and will receive an average net distribution of over $150K, each. The class was first certified in 2010, and survived two appeals by the Agency in 2014 and 2015. After a multitude of motions and appeals, and over a year of steady negotiations, in December 2022, Class Counsel and Class Agents, Doering Meyer and Ryan Gibson, finally reached a settlement with the State Department. Among the class members, there are powerful and moving stories filled with individuals committed to public service, who wanted to serve their nation. Through working with Counsel, the named Class Agent Ms. Meyer was able to get a rare waiver. She has had a 15-year Foreign Service career. Ms. Meyer was denied hire outright at first because of her disability, Multiple Sclerosis, despite her own doctors' reports that she could serve. She is now currently serving ably in N'djamena, Chad, at the southern edge of the Sahara in north-central Africa one of the toughest posts in the world. Another class agent, Dr. Gibson stepped forward, bravely telling the story of his mental health condition. He suffered from PTSD after serving in our country's military. The State Department's stereotypes about mental health conditions kept him from his dream career in the Foreign Service. He also had a long and successful career with the federal government, but his dreams that were shattered - of being a diplomat, in the Foreign Service - were never repaired, until now. Until today, individuals with disabilities had to meet the worldwide availability (WWA) requirement to prove they could serve in all poorly resourced locations. Now, for future applicants of all abilities, this will be met by showing only that a Foreign Service employee can go to the best-resourced posts, with or without reasonable accommodations, and in consultation with the individuals and their own doctors. Schwartz added, "The effect is no less than opening the career Foreign Service the face of America abroad - to people with disabilities. We are immensely proud to have reached this day." Bryan Schwartz Law was assisted by the Washington, DC, co-counsel of Gilbert Employment Law. Additional documents and exhibits concerning the approved settlement agreement are at https://www.bryanschwartzlaw.com/meyersettlement . SOURCE Bryan Schwartz Law Southeast-based Solutions and Services Company Joins New Charter Fold DENVER, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- New Charter Technologies, a portfolio company of Palo Alto-based private equity firm Oval Partners, recently announced the partnership of Biz Technology Solutions, Inc. (BTS), a managed IT provider based in Mooresville, North Carolina. Biz Technology offers business-critical services including technology consulting, implementation of enterprise-grade information technology, custom software development and manage IT services throughout the Southeast. New Charter Technologies Biz Technology Solutions For Mike Chouffani, president, Biz Technology Solutions, the partnership highlights the company's desire to provide more expert services and gain access to more expertise. The ultimate goal? Being able to better serve customers. "Time is money for our clients, and when something is not going well, we in the technology business need to have the ability to dispatch quickly no matter the client's location," said Chouffani. "Joining New Charter is a big plus for our clients in that regard." Chouffani and the Biz Tech team will also have more funds to invest in new technologies, access to the highest standard of compliance, the ability to hire talent quickly, and to scale. "We are technologists, and we want to focus on that," Chouffani adds. "New Charter will be an extension of us that will bolster our business, while simultaneously allowing us to preserve our company culture and our brand. Bottom line, this partnership will help accelerate our growth and really allow us to better serve our clients across the nation." New Charter Technologies CEO, Mitch Morgan, is thrilled to welcome Biz Technology Solutions into the fold. "We are excited to join forces with Mike, Reda and the Biz Technology Solutions team," said Morgan. "Biz Tech brings a broad set of capabilities to our platform. In addition to having a solid local managed services presence, the company has a variety of enhanced services capabilities that we will be able to take across our growing platform." Biz Technology Solutions will remain headquartered in Mooresville and will continue to be led by the same leadership team. READ FULL RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Allison Francis New Charter Technologies [email protected] 319.572.2145 SOURCE New Charter Technologies HOUSTON, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- McDermott has been awarded an engineering, procurement services and construction management (EPsCm) contract from Slovnaft, a.s., for the steam cracker intensification off-gas processing project at its plant in Bratislava, Slovakia. The project will upgrade the existing steam cracker unit by adding a low-pressure recovery unit, increasing ethylene production capacity utilizing the off-gas from the existing production. McDermott will provide comprehensive EPsCm services and leverage its strategic agreement with Lummus Technology, the licensor of the steam cracker unit. "McDermott has a long-standing relationship with Slovnaft, dating back to 2003. This award is testament to our prior performance and the confidence Slovnaft has in us," said Vaseem Khan, Senior Vice President, Onshore. "Our work with Lummus Technology since the basic design and engineering package phase of the project built our intricate knowledge and understanding of the unit. This project is an excellent example of how, through our strategic agreement with Lummus, we deliver technology solutions through the entire plant life cycle." The Slovnaft refinery is one of the most modern refineries in Europe. In addition to oil processing and fuel production, it also produces basic plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The ethylene unit is key to the company's petrochemical section. Work on the project will be delivered from McDermott's center for downstream engineering in Brno, Czech Republic. About McDermott McDermott is a premier, fully-integrated provider of engineering and construction solutions to the energy industry. Our customers trust our technology-driven approach engineered to responsibly harness and transform global energy resources into the products the world needs. From concept to commissioning, McDermott's innovative expertise and capabilities advance the next generation of global energy infrastructureempowering a brighter, more sustainable future for us all. Operating in over 54 countries, McDermott's locally-focused and globally-integrated resources include more than 30,000 employees, a diversified fleet of specialty marine construction vessels and fabrication facilities around the world. To learn more, visit www.mcdermott.com. About Slovnaft, Member of MOL Group SLOVNAFT, a.s., is a refinery with a processing capacity of 5.5 - 6 million tonnes of crude oil, annually. The company's core business is production, warehousing, wholesale and retail sales and distribution. Slovnaft fields the largest retail network in Slovakia offering top quality motor fuels and lubricants as well as other customer services such as shops, gastro service, car wash and others. Slovnaft is part of the successful MOL Group, the leading vertically-integrated oil and gas corporation in Central Europe. Forward-Looking Statements McDermott cautions that statements in this communication which are forward-looking, and provide other than historical information, involve risks, contingencies and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about the expected scope and execution of the project discussed in this press release. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Those statements are made by using various underlying assumptions and are subject to numerous risks, contingencies and uncertainties, including, among others: adverse changes in the markets in which we operate or credit or capital markets; our inability to successfully execute on contracts in backlog; changes in project design or schedules; the availability of qualified personnel; changes in the terms, scope or timing of contracts, contract cancellations, change orders and other modifications and actions by our customers and other business counterparties; changes in industry norms; actions by lenders, other creditors, customers and other business counterparties of McDermott and adverse outcomes in legal or other dispute resolution proceedings. If one or more of these risks materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. This communication reflects the views of McDermott's management as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, McDermott undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Contacts: Global Media Relations Reba Reid Senior Director, Global Communications and Marketing +1 281 588 5636 [email protected] Local Media Relations Barbara Knight Senior Director, Business Line Communications and Marketing +971 56 403 2903 [email protected] SOURCE McDermott International, Ltd Mercuria launches a US$500 million global vehicle to invest exclusively in natural climate solutions. Mercuria and its Founders to invest US$500 million to launch its nature vehicle, Silvania. to launch its nature vehicle, Silvania. Silvania will invest exclusively in natural climate solutions globally to support the delivery of the Paris Agreement goals and the UN 30x30 Initiative. Silvania is consistent with Mercuria's purpose to connect markets, advance the energy transition, and its ambition to help the world achieve Net Zero. GENEVA, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercuria is proud to announce the launch of Silvania. This ambitious and unique vehicle will exclusively invest in natural climate solutions globally to support the delivery of the Paris Agreement goals and the UN 30x30 initiative, which aims to protect 30 percent of Earth's land and ocean area by 2030. It will have a capital commitment of $500M from a combination of Mercuria Energy Trading and its founding partners. Mercuria established itself as a leader in the energy transition by pledging more than 50 percent of investments toward renewables and transitional energy by 2025. The company has committed to compensate for its scope 1 and 2 emissions from 2022. Since 2019, Mercuria has adopted the UN's Agenda 2030 objectives as an intrinsic facet of the company's operation through the adoption of all 17 sustainable development goals. The investments will provide tangible environmental, biodiversity, and social benefits by investing capital across the value chain, providing technical and financial support in diverse projects and platforms across multiple geographies. The investments are expected to generate high-quality carbon credits and co-benefits from reducing or sequestering emissions or increasing biodiversity from Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU). "Launching Silvania is consistent with Mercuria's purpose to connect markets and advance the energy transition and its ambition to help the world achieve Net Zero," said Marco Dunand, Mercuria's chief executive officer. "Silvania will bring local environmental and social benefits through its projects whilst also delivering positive global climate change impacts and biodiversity benefits overall." In the years since the Paris Agreement, numerous governments and public and private companies have pledged to achieve Net Zero by 2050. Achieving net zero will require the use of carbon credits as the world reduces emissions and scales low and zero carbon energy solutions. It is anticipated that any credits generated from the vehicle's investments will be targeted for use in compliance, voluntary carbon markets, or Mercuria's own offsetting demand. Nature-based solutions are a crucial element of the efforts to meet the Paris Agreement's goals on climate change and underpin many of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. However, according to a 2021 UN and World Economic Forum report, annual investment in nature-based solutions falls far short of the more than US$500 billion required annually by 20501. The origination and execution of the vehicle's investments will draw on the extensive capabilities of Mercuria's Environmental Products team, who have deep expertise in low-carbon investments and the global carbon markets and is already active in over 15 countries on 6 continents. Investments will be made globally across various nature-based solution categories, such as direct land purchases to manage existing forests, reforestation, and restoration projects, or equity investments in project development and operating companies, targeting avoided emissions, removals, and biodiversity benefits. It will also leverage the unique technology and remote sensing capabilities of Mercuria to support the identification, monitoring, reporting, and verification of projects. The Mercuria digital innovation team has been developing a range of tools using remote sensing technology and machine learning with a specific focus on nature. "This initiative will act as a catalyst to drive large-scale investment in nature by funding a variety of project types. Achieving the large-scale restoration and conservation outcomes we aim to target requires capital and expertise, which we are perfectly positioned to provide," said Marco Dunand. Amongst the activities targeted initially, the vehicle will invest in: Innovative carbon sequestration projects with small private landowners and restoration of degraded peatlands in North America , , Sustainable forest management, restoration of forests and degraded mangrove ecosystems in Latin America , , Reduction of methane emissions from agriculture, avoided deforestation and peatland conservation across Africa and Asia , and , Forest restoration and conservation programs in Australia and New Zealand , and and , and Support of large-scale programs to stop deforestation through jurisdictional REDD programs globally. 1 United Nations Environment Program May 2021: State of Finance for Nature SOURCE Mercuria SYOSSET, N.Y., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Micro Merchant Systems, developer of the industry-leading PrimeRx pharmacy technology system, has announced the appointment of Mr. Tillmann Schwabe as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. Mr. Schwabe joins the senior management team and assumes overall responsibility for the company's sales and marketing activities. Tillmann Schwabe Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Micro Merchant Systems "Tillmann brings a wealth of experience and perspective that will help Micro Merchant Systems as we continue to grow and solidify our role as the preferred technology solution for independent pharmacies," said CEO Ketan Mehta. "He has a distinguished record of success in sales and business management, along with a deep understanding of technology development, pharmacy operations, and customer relationships." Mr. Schwabe most recently served as General Manager U.S. for Everphone, the Berlin-based online device-as-a-service platform that provides B2B smartphone and tablet rentals. He established the company's presence in the United States, largely by developing well-executed sales and marketing initiatives. Prior to that he served as Vice President of Sales for the U.S. division of CompuGroup Medical, a leading healthcare IT company that develops technology-based workflow solutions for pharmacies, physicians, and the healthcare sector in general. Schwabe previously led CompuGroup Medical's European sales divisions as Vice President of Sales, Southern and Western Europe. Mr. Schwabe holds a Diplom-Kaufmann degree from the University of Mainz, located in Mainz, Germany. He will report directly to CEO Mehta, and split his time between the company's New York headquarters and a regional office in Miami, FL. About Micro Merchant Systems Micro Merchant Systems pharmacy technology company has been committed to addressing the needs of independent pharmacies for more than 30 years. Over 4,000 pharmacies throughout the United States and Puerto Rico trust Micro Merchant Systems to add efficiency and automation to core workflows and processes. All pharmacy types single store, multi-store, compounding, long-term care, clinic, 340B, specialty, enterprise rely on Micro Merchant Systems for innovative solutions that keep pace with rapidly-changing needs. The Windows-based PrimeRx operating system serves as the solution's "command central." Pharmacies can add functionality, based on their unique needs, by choosing from an extensive portfolio of solution modules. PrimeRx pharmacies also benefit from direct integration with more than 100 leading third-party solutions. Michele Daniels Micro Merchant Systems, Inc. 866.495.3999 [email protected] SOURCE Micro Merchant Systems FOSHAN, China, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Midea microwave oven MM720C-PM0E00 2AT has recently received the first Green Leaf Certification from Intertek for one of its globally best-selling microwave oven products, as being in accordance with the ISO 14067:2018 standard, which specifies principles and guidelines for the quantification and reporting of the carbon footprint of a product (CFP). This is the first Green Leaf Certification Intertek provided for a microwave oven. The MM720C-PM0E00 2AT, is an eco-friendly microwave oven with outstanding performance. Its capacity of 20L is ideal for small families. The microwave's 700W power ensures fast and efficient heating, while featuring five power levels and can easily defrost based on the time or weight of the food. With these features and the 360 heating, it can ensure even cooking without cold spots and also prevent overcooking. "Being awarded the Green Leaf Certification from Intertek is a testament to the Midea's commitment to environmental protection and sustainability in our products. By taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint and minimize its impact on the environment, Midea is helping to create a better future for everyone and will continue to work hard to develop products that are both high-quality and eco-friendly." said Dr. Zhou Fuchang, R&D Director at Midea Microwave & Cleaning Appliances Division. The Green Leaf Certification is a comprehensive certification program that helps companies validate their environmental claims. It is awarded to products that have been independently verified by an accredited laboratory and found to conform to specified existing environmental standards and regulations. The certification allows companies to clearly and accurately communicate their commitment to sustainability and environmental protection to consumers. The increasing focus on environmental protection and sustainability has led consumers and retailers to place higher expectations on brands of all types of products. They are driving companies to be more transparent by patronizing more environmentally conscious brands. "Midea has been providing high-quality kitchen products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable and is always willing to go the extra mile to increase transparency." adds Dr. Zhou Fuchang. With its microwave oven product having undergone independent third-party inspections and receiving the Green Leaf Mark, Midea is prepared to continue offering top-notch products to consumers globally. ABOUT MIDEA & MIDEA GROUP Midea is one of over 10 brands within the smart home appliance business of Midea Group. Midea Group, established in 1968, is a leading global high-technology company ranked #245 on the 2022 Fortune Global 500 list, and one of the world's largest home appliance manufacturing companies which businesses go beyond smart home appliances. In early 2021 the company streamlined its core units into five high-growth business pillars to pave the new future growth path: Smart Home, Electro-Mechanical, Building Technologies, Robotics & Automation and Digital Innovation. All businesses of Midea Group are striving for one credo: #HumanizingTechnology The Midea brand believes in providing surprisingly-friendly solutions by adopting a consumer-centric and problem-solving approach. Going above and beyond for the future, constantly exploring and inventing to meet the ever-changing demand of our consumers enabling them to "make yourself at home". Midea Group's globally 35 production centers and over 166,000 employees in more than 200 countries and regions generated an annual revenue of more than USD53.26billion in 2021. Its 28 worldwide innovation centers and the strong commitment to R&D have resulted in more than 62,000 authorized patents to-date. Find out more www.midea-group.com and www.midea.com CONTACT Micho Zeng [email protected] Marketing Specialist - Overseas Sales & Marketing Department Midea Group - Microwave & Cleaning Appliance Division Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1983713/MM720C2AT_Image.jpg SOURCE Midea Microwave and Cleaning Appliances Division MONTREAL, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today unveiled at Mila a joint book on the urgent need for a better governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the face of unprecedented technological change. The book, Missing Links in AI Governance, includes 18 articles on AI governance written by academics, civil society representatives, innovators and policy makers at a time when technological revolutions provide new scientific, economic and social opportunities while raising ethical questions and posing regulatory challenges. The book explores themes such as the influence of AI on indigenous and LGBTI communities, the necessary inclusion of Southern countries in global governance or the use of AI to support innovation for socially beneficial purposes. It maps out possible solutions to foster an AI development that is ethical, inclusive, and respectful of human rights. The authors also warn against the use of AI in potentially harmful contexts like autonomous weapons or the manipulation of digital content for social destabilization, deplore the increasing centralization of decision-making power in the development of AI systems and biases embedded in them, and the lack of transparency and accountability in the industry. The book is downloadable here . To celebrate the launch, Mila today hosted a conversation in its Agora between two leading voices in the field of AI who contributed to the book: Yoshua Bengio, professor at the University of Montreal, founder and scientific director of Mila, scientific director of IVADO and Canada CIFAR AI Chair, and Kate Crawford, Research Professor at the University of Southern California Annenberg, Senior Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research and a leading expert on social, political and environmental impacts of artificial intelligence. They discussed the great potential of AI to accelerate scientific discovery, especially in healthcare and environmental sciences. They also addressed the opportunities of recent technological revolutions, the pitfalls and biases of current AI systems and the need for ethical and regulatory oversight of the field to ensure that the technology serves humanity as a whole. This conversation on the present and future of AI was preceded by speeches from representatives of UNESCO and the Quebec government. A retransmission is available on Mila's YouTube channel . This initiative was partially funded by the Ministere des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie du Quebec and the Fonds de recherche du Quebec. Quotes "We are very proud to unveil this book at a critical time in the development of AI. The choices we make as a society over the next few years will have a significant influence on the future of humanity, and we hope that these pages will provide food for thought and guide decisions to ensure a more ethical, responsible and inclusive technological development." - Valerie Pisano, President and CEO, Mila "This book brings together a plurality of sometimes optimistic, sometimes discordant, but always relevant voices on the present and future of AI. It provides a tool for thinking about the role we want AI to play in our lives and in the world, while highlighting the need for regulatory frameworks to better frame the development of the technology, to take advantage of the opportunities it offers, and to reduce the risks it poses." - Benjamin Prud'homme, co-editor and Executive Director, AI for Humanity, Mila "Identifying the missing links in AI governance is not only essential for the responsible development of AI, but also for the protection and promotion of human rights in the digital age." - Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for communication and information, UNESCO "We are proud to financially support this international work, co-directed by UNESCO and Mila, the flagship of Quebec's artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem. By helping to promote Quebec's expertise in this field to UNESCO and its 193 member States, the Government of Quebec recognizes the highly strategic nature of AI for Quebec's economy and international influence." - Michel Bonsaint, Quebec Government Representative in the Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO For more information about Mila, visit mila.quebec . For more information about UNESCO, visit unesco.org . Eric Aach, [email protected], 514-569-3594 SOURCE Mila - Quebec AI Institute Salon Suite Franchise Receives Recognition Following Exceptional Growth Last Year CARROLLTON, Texas, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MY SALON Suite , a salon suite franchise focused on providing stylists and beauticians a personal space to build their business and the beauty industry's future, announced today it has been ranked in the top 100 on Entrepreneur magazine's Fastest-Growing Franchises list. The list recognizes the franchise brands with the greatest unit growth in North America over the last year, with MY SALON Suite ranking #92 overall. "MY SALON Suite experienced tremendous growth and successes over the last year, and this recognition is a further testament to the strength of the brand as we continue to grow," said Mark Jameson, chief development officer of Propelled Brands. "MY SALON Suite utilizes a semi-absentee model that is ideal for multi-unit and multi-brand franchise partners looking to diversify their portfolio. With plans to expand our network both domestically and abroad, I look forward to seeing what other milestones the brand will reach in the year ahead." The recognition follows a record-breaking year for MY SALON Suite in 2022, building on a growing sales track record. The brand opened 42 franchise locations and one corporate location last year to reach a milestone of over 250 locations, expanding nationwide with plans to grow the brand internationally this year. The brand was previously recognized on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list at #66 overall for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. "MY SALON Suite's franchise model has been a great way for me to learn, adopt, and improve the proprietary processes, products and best practices," said Alpesh Trivedi, MY SALON Suite franchisee with locations across South-East Michigan. "There's very valuable know-how and support for each step of the business growth. The company has a culture of partnership where the ideas and information flow freely between franchisees and the franchisor." The Fastest-Growing Franchises ranking is based on information submitted to Entrepreneur for its annual Franchise 500 and is part of the brand's continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace. The ranking appears in the March/April 2023 issue of Entrepreneur. Franchise companies are ranked based on their net U.S. and Canada franchise unit growth from July 31, 2021 to July 31, 2022. "Our 2023 Fastest-Growing Franchises ranking recognizes the franchise brands with the greatest growth but also highlights the extraordinary momentum in the industry over the past year. After all, growth is what franchising is all about," said Entrepreneur Senior Vice President of Franchising Liane Caruso. The initial investment for a MY SALON Suite franchise is approximately $664,738 $1,479,827, including a $50,000 franchise fee. Ideal candidates have a net worth of $1.5 million, of which $500K is liquid. Additionally, MY SALON Suite offers a special incentive for veterans and first responders, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, sheriffs, and firefighters, which includes a 50% reduction on the franchise fee a savings of $25,000. For more information about the MY SALON Suite franchise, visit https://www.mysalonsuite.com/franchise , or contact Mark Jameson at [email protected] or 214-346-5679. MY SALON Suite will be exhibiting at the upcoming 23rd Annual Multi-Unit Franchising Conference in Las Vegas on April 25 28, 2023 (Booth #1021). To view MY SALON Suite in the 2023 Fastest-Growing Franchises list, pick up Entrepreneur magazine's March/April issue on newsstands or visit entrepreneur.com/franchises/fastestgrowing . About Suite Management Franchising Suite Management Franchising, the parent company of MY SALON Suite and Salon Plaza, is a salon suite franchise created for entrepreneurial-spirited individuals interested in diversifying their portfolio while living a semi-absentee lifestyle. Founded to inspire and empower the modern-day salon owner, the company offers a unique opportunity for a diverse range of beauty and health professionals to run their businesses successfully. Salon members are provided ongoing training, support, and a strong referral network to help their business generate a six-figure income. Featured in Entrepreneur magazine's "Top New Franchise" list, the brand is widely recognized for its rapid expansion and noteworthy success. A strategic alliance partnership with Propelled Brands, the nation's largest family-owned collection of salons, continues to propel the brand's growth. With 265 locations in 35 states across the United States and Canada, the franchise concept plans to add 200 franchise partners and 500 salons in the next three years. For more information about Suite Management Franchising, visit mysalonsuite.com/franchise. To learn more about MY SALON Suite and Salon Plaza, visit mysalonsuite.com and salonplaza.com . SOURCE MY SALON Suite NOIDA, India, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report published by UnivDatos Markets Insights, the Myristyl Palmitate Market was valued at more than USD 200 million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 5% from 2022-2028. The analysis has been segmented into Application (Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, and Others); Region/Country. Click here to view the Report Description & TOC https://univdatos.com/report/myristyl-palmitate-market/ The myristyl palmitate market report has been aggregated by collecting informative data on various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the myristyl palmitate market. The myristyl palmitate market report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors in the market that are influencing the market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the myristyl palmitate market at the global and regional levels. Request for Sample Pages https://univdatos.com/get-a-free-sample-form-php/?product_id=35685 Market Overview Myristyl Palmitate is a chemical compound used in a variety of personal care and cosmetic products as an emollient, thickening agent, and lubricant. It is formed by the esterification of myristyl alcohol and palmitic acid, which are both naturally occurring fatty acids. As an emollient, myristyl palmitate helps to moisturize and soften the skin, making it a common ingredient in creams, lotions, and other skincare products. It also has a lubricating effect, which can help to reduce friction and irritation on the skin. In addition, myristyl palmitate can act as a thickening agent in cosmetics and personal care products, helping to give them a smooth and creamy texture. Thus, the increasing demand for personal care and cosmetic products is increasing the demand for Myristyl Palmitate in the market. Factors such as increasing life-changing personal care and cosmetic products coupled with the growing adoption of myristyl palmitate in the textile industry, and product launches in the market are some of the prominent factors that are positively influencing the market growth globally. Some of the major players operating in the market include 3B Scientific; LARODAN AB; MOSSELMAN; Penta Manufacturer; Merck KGaA; Wilmar International Ltd; Zhonglan Industry Co.,Ltd.; VWR International, LLC.; Ashland; ABITEC. COVID-19 Impact The recent covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the world and has brought a state of shock to the global economy. COVID-19 limited the chemicals & materials industry's operations, hampering many businesses globally. Supply chain disruptions and difficulty in procuring raw materials have restrained the myristyl palmitate market to some extent. However, the myristyl palmitate market overcame this challenge and regained its operations to normalcy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people worldwide became more health-conscious. They adopted various products to maintain a better lifestyle which is boosting the myristyl palmitate market growth and is expected to increase its revenue in the coming years. The global myristyl palmitate market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated. Based on application, the myristyl palmitate market is categorized into pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and others. Among these, the cosmetics category is expected to grow at a significant CAGR. This is because myristyl palmitate is utilized as a foaming agent and is permeated. myristyl palmitate is used in multiple applications such as nail care products, soaps, detergents, hair care products, eye shadow, and many others. In addition, cosmetics serve a variety of functions. They cleanse and protect the body or skin with those developed for personal care and skincare. Furthermore, many major players are launching products that are increasing their product portfolio. For instance, in July 2022, Avya Skincare launched Hydroveda Collection which is inspired by nature and designed to regain balance between the body, mind, spirit, and environment. Have a Look at the Chapters https://univdatos.com/report/myristyl-palmitate-market/ Myristyl Palmitate Market Geographical Segmentation Includes: North America (U.S., Canada , Rest of North America ) (U.S., , Rest of ) Europe ( Germany , U.K., France , Spain , Italy , Rest of Europe ) ( , U.K., , , , Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , India , Japan , Rest of Asia-Pacific ) ( , , , Rest of ) Rest of the World APAC is anticipated to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. This is mainly due to rising urbanization and changing lifestyles. Moreover, the increasing consumption of organic or herbal cosmetics and hair products coupled with the growing demand for cleaning agents i.e., surfactants and detergents are further accelerating the growth of the market. Furthermore, changes in eating habits, disease patterns concerning age, a shift in day-to-day activities, etc. are estimated to remain key factors leading to increased demand in the pharma industry which act as key trends for the global myristyl palmitate market during the forecast period. The major players targeting the market include 3B Scientific Scientific LARODAN AB MOSSELMAN Penta Manufacturer Merck KGaA Wilmar International Ltd Zhonglan Industry Co.,Ltd. VWR International, LLC. Ashland ABITEC Competitive Landscape The degree of competition among prominent global companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating worldwide. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the myristyl palmitate market. The major players have been analyzed by using research methodologies for getting insight views on global competition. Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include: What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the myristyl palmitate market? Which factors are influencing the myristyl palmitate market over the forecast period? What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the myristyl palmitate market? Which factors are propelling and restraining the myristyl palmitate market? What are the demanding global regions of the myristyl palmitate market? What will be the global market size in the upcoming years? What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by global companies? We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature and geography. Please let us know If you have any custom needs. About UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) Browse Other Related Research Reports from UnivDatos Market Insights Myristyl Palmitate Market Report Coverage Report Attribute Details Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2028 Growth momentum Accelerate at a CAGR of over 5% Market size 2021 USD 200 Mn Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Rest of World Major contributing region APAC to Dominate the Global Myristyl Palmitate Market Key countries covered U.S., Canada, Germany, U.K., Spain, Italy, France, China, Japan, and India Companies profiled 3B Scientific; LARODAN AB; MOSSELMAN; Penta Manufacturer; Merck KGaA; Wilmar International Ltd; Zhonglan Industry Co.,Ltd.; VWR International, LLC.; Ashland; ABITEC. Report Scope Market Trends, Drivers, and Restraints; Revenue Estimation and Forecast; Segmentation Analysis; Impact of COVID-19; Demand and Supply Side Analysis; Competitive Landscape; Company Profiling Segments Covered By Application; By Region/Country About UnivDatos Market Insights UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients. Contact : UnivDatos Market Insights Ankita Gupta Director Operations Ph: +91-7838604911 Email: [email protected] Website: https://univdatos.com/ Logo : https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1225049/UnivDatos_Logo.jpg SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights Pvt. Ltd. CSE: URL / OTC: URLOF VANCOUVER, BC, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - NameSilo Technologies Corp. (CSE: URL) (PINKSHEETS: URLOF) (the "Company") announces that its Board of Directors has adopted a shareholder rights plan (the "Shareholder Rights Plan") effective March 20, 2023. The Shareholder Rights Plan is subject to ratification by the Company's shareholders at its upcoming annual general meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on April 18, 2023 (the "AGM"). The Shareholder Rights Plan is similar to rights plans adopted by other Canadian companies and ratified by their shareholders. The purpose of the Rights Plan is to ensure that all shareholders are treated fairly in connection with any offer to acquire the outstanding common shares of the Company and that the board of directors of the Company has the opportunity to identify, solicit, develop and negotiate value-enhancing alternatives to any unsolicited take-over bid. The Shareholder Rights Plan has not been adopted in response to, or in anticipation of, any known or anticipated take-over bid. A summary of the principal terms and conditions of the Shareholder Rights Plan will be set out in the Company's Management Information Circular to be mailed to shareholders prior to the AGM. A copy of the complete Shareholder Rights Plan will be filed on SEDAR. About NameSilo Technologies Corp. and NameSilo LLC NameSilo Technologies Corp. invests its capital in companies and opportunities which management believes are undervalued and have potential for significant appreciation. The company makes investments in both public and private markets and focuses on opportunities in a wide variety of industries excluding the resource and resource service sectors. Namesilo does not invest on behalf of any third party and it does not offer investment advice. NameSilo LLC is a low-cost provider of domain name registration and management services. As an accredited ICANN registrar, NameSilo is one of the fastest growing domain registrars in the world with nearly 4.6 million active domains under management, and approximately 275,000 customers from approximately 160 countries. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding potential future investments by the Company. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements and set forth in detail in the Company's CSE Listing Statement dated August 1, 2018. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. NEITHER THE CSE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDERS (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CSE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. SOURCE NameSilo Technologies Corp. DALLAS, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing gene therapies for retinal degenerative diseases, today announced the appointment of Vicente Anido Jr., Ph.D., as a Strategic Advisor to the Company's Board and Management. "We are pleased to have Vince join our team of advisors. His deep experience and accomplishments in building and commercializing profitable ophthalmic companies will provide valuable guidance to support our clinical and corporate strategy. We look forward to leveraging his expertise as we advance Nanoscope's platform of optogenetic therapies to restore vision in sufferers of inherited retinal degenerative diseases," said Sulagna Bhattacharya, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Nanoscope Therapeutics. "Nanoscope's Multi-Characteristic Opsin optogenetic monotherapy, MCO-010, is a novel approach to treat inherited retinal diseases and I am eager to help the Company navigate through advanced clinical development and towards commercialization," said Dr. Anido Jr. "MCO-010 demonstrates a compelling clinical profile with meaningful market opportunities. I look forward to working with the team in developing a successful clinical and corporate strategy to bring this potential sight-restoring technology to patients." As an ophthalmology industry leader, Dr. Anido Jr. brings over three decades of ophthalmic experience and will assist Nanoscope in its path towards the potential commercialization of MCO-010. He was most recently the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman at Aerie Pharmaceuticals. Before Aerie, he led several companies including his role as the Chief Executive Officer at ISTA Pharmaceuticals that was sold to Bausch & Lomb for $500 million in 2012. Dr. Anido Jr. holds a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Missouri, Kansas City and an M.S. and a B.S. in Pharmacy from West Virginia University. About Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc. Nanoscope Therapeutics is developing gene-agnostic, sight restoring optogenetic therapies for the millions of patients blinded by retinal degenerative diseases, for which no cure exists. The company's lead asset, MCO-010, is presently in RESTORE Phase 2b multicenter, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled clinical trials in the U.S. for retinitis pigmentosa (NCT04945772) with top-line data expected Q1 2023. The company has also fully enrolled a Phase 2 STARLIGHT trial of MCO-010 therapy in Stargardt patients (NCT05417126). MCO-010 has received FDA Fast Track designations and FDA orphan drug designations for both RP and Stargardt. Preclinical assets include non-viral laser delivered MCO-020 gene therapy for geographic atrophy. Investor Contact: Argot Partners 212-600-1902 [email protected] SOURCE Nanoscope Therapeutics CLEVELAND, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is offering in-person facility tours for the first time since 2019. Glenn will host tours on six dates from April through November, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at America's world-class research facilities. Glenn tours are free and open to the public, ages 10 and older. Most tours will take place at NASA's Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field in Cleveland. However, the August tour of the Space Environments Complex will take place at NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky. NASA's Glenn Research Center Flight Research Building Four 45-minute tours will be offered on the hour beginning at 8 a.m. on each tour date. During each tour, visitors will have the opportunity to explore a laboratory or facility and see where scientists and engineers conduct research and develop technologies for NASA's aeronautics and space missions. 2023 Tours April 29: Photovoltaic Laboratory May 20: Flight Research Building (Airplane Hangar) Aug. 12: Space Environments Complex at Armstrong Test Facility Sept. 23: Simulated Lunar Operations Laboratory Oct. 7: Electric Power and Propulsion Laboratory Nov. 4: Zero-Gravity Research Facility Register for a chance to tour these NASA Glenn facilities. Tour dates are subject to change depending on facility test schedules. Attendance is limited to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents. See the Glenn Tours webpage for more information and Frequently Asked Questions. Throughout the year, the public also can visit Great Lakes Science Center, home of the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, to find interactive exhibits, space galleries, and fun for the whole family. Media interested in covering a tour should contact Jacqueline Minerd at [email protected]. SOURCE NASA LINCOLN, Neb., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nebraska Legal Group is pleased to share its expansion of legal services to Nebraskans with the launch of our new sister firm, Nebraska Defense Group. In 2016, Nebraska native and licensed attorney, David Crum, opened Nebraska Legal Group in Omaha and had great success practicing divorce and family law ever since, motivating him to open an office in Lincoln as well. When he saw the need for a strong criminal defense law firm in Nebraska, David sought to find a talented criminal defense attorney to lead his criminal defense practice. "I am thrilled that we are launching Nebraska Defense Group to help Nebraskans accused of crimes get the representation they need and deserve. As an attorney with over 25 years of criminal defense experience, I have been fortunate enough to build a very tough, very skilled team of defense lawyers who get great results for their clients." - David Crum, CEO After meeting attorney Nathan Sohriakoff, David's plan for Nebraska Defense Group became a reality when our doors opened offering criminal defense legal services throughout Nebraska. Nathan Sohriakoff brings his experience as a public defender serving the low-income communities of Columbus and Lincoln, Nebraska. Nathan possesses an understanding of local procedures and best practices for presenting cases to the local Nebraska judiciary. Nathan currently represents clients in divorce and family law cases as well as clients charged with crimes ranging from simple DUI to complex felonies. Nathan grew up in Kansas and Nebraska and attended the University of Minnesota where he earned his degree in Political Science and Creighton University where he earned his Juris Doctorate. We are thrilled to have Nathan and his vast criminal defense experience in Nebraska leading Nebraska Defense Group. The legal team at Nebraska Defense Group is prepared to assist Nebraskans get through their criminal defense cases. Our team specializes in driving under the influence (DUI) defense, domestic violence defense, and other areas of criminal defense. We pride ourselves on the ability to provide discreet and tenacious defense of our clients rights across the state of Nebraska. To stay up to date on Nebraska Defense Group and our legal service offerings in Lincoln and Omaha, follow us on Instagram @NebraskaDefenseGroup, and Like us on Facebook- Nebraska Defense Group. To get in touch with our legal experts, call Nebraska Defense Group at 531-249-3550 or visit our website, www.nebraskadefensegroup.com . SOURCE Nebraska Legal Group ZURICH, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Neoss Group is pleased to announce that Professor Neil Meredith will again be an integral part of the Neoss family. Professor Meredith, together with Fredrik Engman, founded Neoss back in 2000 and served as the CEO for a decade, leading the company from a start-up to an established dental implant company with exceptional growth and success. Neoss Group welcomes back Professor Neil Meredith& to the Neoss family "It is with great pleasure to welcome Professor Neil Meredith back to Neoss. Neil was not only one of the founders of Neoss, he invented the RFA, the diagnostic technique that has since become Osstell. I really look forward to working with Neil." Dr. Robert Gottlander, CEO and President of Neoss Group Professor Meredith has been placing and restoring dental implants for over thirty years. After completing an MSc in Fixed Prosthodontics at the Eastman in London in 1987 he was awarded a PhD at Imperial College in 1992. In that same year he invented the use of Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA) to measure dental implant stability, a technique that has now become the international benchmark known as Osstell. He undertook research with P-I Branemark and Tomas Albrektsson in Gothenburg, Sweden and was awarded a second PhD from the University of Gothenburg for the RFA in 1996. He then returned to the UK, where he served as Professor of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials at Leeds University. Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, he subsequently co-founded Neoss with Fredrik Engman. "Im very happy and excited to rejoin Neoss and to resume my involvement in what I helped to create. Im looking forward to the journey with both fresh faces and the familiar ones from the early days. Thanks to Robert for providing me with this opportunity and looking forward to being a part of the continued success of Neoss" Professor Neil Meredith, Specialist Prosthodontist in Brisbane, Australia Professor Meredith moved to Australia to return to Academia as Professor of Dental Implantology and Prosthodontics at University of Queensland. He practices clinically as a surgeon and specialist prosthodontist. In 2015 Neil became Head of Dentistry at James Cook University, Cairns, Australia. In 2020 Neil left his university ties to work in specialist practice. He continues to teach as the Dean of the Post Graduate Institute of Dental Surgery. About Neoss Neoss offers intelligent solutions that are intuitively easy to use. Our products allow dental professionals to provide reliable and cost-effective treatments to their patients with predictable long-term results. Leading the market with ingenuity and integrity, we strive to set new standards. In developing smart treatment solutions and working closely with our customers. Neoss makes the complex less complicated. We call that Intelligent Simplicity. Headquartered in Harrogate, UK, with research and development based in Gothenburg, Sweden, the company has established a global footprint with a long-standing presence in key markets. To find out more visit https://www.neoss.com. SOURCE Neoss ZURICH, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Neoss Group is pleased to announce that Professor Neil Meredith will again be an integral part of the Neoss family. Professor Meredith, together with Fredrik Engman, founded Neoss back in 2000 and served as the CEO for a decade, leading the company from a start-up to an established dental implant company with exceptional growth and success. Neoss Group welcomes back Professor Neil Meredith to the Neoss family "It is with great pleasure to welcome Professor Neil Meredith back to Neoss. Neil was not only one of the founders of Neoss, he invented the RFA, the diagnostic technique that has since become Osstell. I really look forward to working with Neil." Dr. Robert Gottlander, CEO and President of Neoss Group Professor Meredith has been placing and restoring dental implants for over thirty years. After completing an MSc in Fixed Prosthodontics at the Eastman in London in 1987 he was awarded a PhD at Imperial College in 1992. In that same year he invented the use of Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA) to measure dental implant stability, a technique that has now become the international benchmark known as Osstell. He undertook research with P-I Branemark and Tomas Albrektsson in Gothenburg, Sweden and was awarded a second PhD from the University of Gothenburg for the RFA in 1996. He then returned to the UK, where he served as Professor of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials at Leeds University. Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, he subsequently co-founded Neoss with Fredrik Engman. "Im very happy and excited to rejoin Neoss and to resume my involvement in what I helped to create. Im looking forward to the journey with both fresh faces and the familiar ones from the early days. Thanks to Robert for providing me with this opportunity and looking forward to being a part of the continued success of Neoss" Professor Neil Meredith, Specialist Prosthodontist in Brisbane, Australia Professor Meredith moved to Australia to return to Academia as Professor of Dental Implantology and Prosthodontics at University of Queensland. He practices clinically as a surgeon and specialist prosthodontist. In 2015 Neil became Head of Dentistry at James Cook University, Cairns, Australia. In 2020 Neil left his university ties to work in specialist practice. He continues to teach as the Dean of the Post Graduate Institute of Dental Surgery. About Neoss Neoss offers intelligent solutions that are intuitively easy to use. Our products allow dental professionals to provide reliable and cost-effective treatments to their patients with predictable long-term results. Leading the market with ingenuity and integrity, we strive to set new standards. In developing smart treatment solutions and working closely with our customers. Neoss makes the complex less complicated. We call that Intelligent Simplicity. Headquartered in Harrogate, UK, with research and development based in Gothenburg, Sweden, the company has established a global footprint with a long-standing presence in key markets. To find out more visit https://www.neoss.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2035362/Neil_Meredith_Neoss.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1489998/Neoss_Logo.jpg SOURCE Neoss VANCOUVER, BC, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nettwerk Music Group, Inc. ("Nettwerk" or the "Company"), a fast-growing independent music label, announced a significant structured investment and a new strategic partnership with Flexpoint Asset Opportunity Fund II ("Flexpoint"). Existing investors Beedie Capital and Vistara Growth also participated in the investment round and will remain important shareholders in the Company and members of the board of directors. Founded in 1984, Nettwerk is an independent music label that partners with artists to elevate their careers by connecting them with music fans around the world so they can make a living doing what they love. The Company is focused on identifying emerging independent artists and providing them with the resources needed to navigate the complex world of digital content production, distribution, and promotion. "The capital from Flexpoint will enable Nettwerk to invest in artists and make music catalogue acquisitions that will benefit from the fast-growing independent sector of the music industry. We're excited to partner with Flexpoint as we continue to execute on our vision of connecting artists with their fans globally," says Terry McBride, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of the Company. "Nettwerk has been at the forefront of the evolution in the independent music sector building a compelling catalogue of music by offering white-glove services and growth opportunities to independent artists traditionally reserved for superstars," says Mike Morris, Managing Director of Flexpoint. "We believe Terry and the team are well positioned to prosper in the rapidly evolving music industry and are excited to help the team execute their vision." "As a longtime partner of Nettwerk, we are thrilled to participate in its next phase of growth", says David Bell, Managing Director of Beedie Capital. "The team at Nettwerk are differentiated leaders in a complex industry, and we are excited to support them through continued execution of their unique, artist-centric strategy." Flexpoint has approximately $7.8 billion of assets under management and specializes in privately negotiated investments in the financial services and healthcare industries. The new capital is being provided by Flexpoint Asset Opportunity Fund II, which leverages the firm's institutional knowledge and relationships to complete opportunistic investments across the capital structure. Artisan served as buyside financial advisor and Latham & Watkins and Bennett Jones served as legal counsel to Flexpoint. Cooley and Morgan Daniels Slager served as legal counsel to Nettwerk. About Nettwerk Music Group Inc. Nettwerk Music Group is a full-service artist development and music intellectual property brand builder with a history spanning nearly 40 years. Nettwerk operates a global organization with offices in major cities around the world and an infrastructure to match. At Nettwerk, we pride ourselves on our ability to anticipate shifts in consumer behavior and to effectively leverage technology to place great music in the hands of fans. About Flexpoint Ford Flexpoint Ford is a private equity investment firm that has approximately $7.8 billion of regulatory assets under management and specializes in privately negotiated investments in the financial services and healthcare industries. Since the firm's formation in 2005, Flexpoint Ford has completed investments across a broad range of investment sizes, structures and asset classes. Flexpoint Ford has offices in Chicago, Illinois, and New York, New York. For more information, visit www.flexpointford.com. About Beedie Capital Beedie Capital is a multi-strategy direct investment platform that manages the alternative investments for Beedie, one of the largest private companies in Western Canada. It deploys capital using a flexible, evergreen mandate, and applies a highly agnostic approach to the duration, structure, and size of its investments. Beedie Capital combines the strategic capabilities of an institutional investment platform with the flexibility and entrepreneurial mindset of a privately owned business. For more information, visit www.beediecapital.com About Vistara Growth Vistara Growth provides flexible growth capital solutions to mid-later-stage technology companies across North America. Founded, managed, and funded by seasoned technology finance and operating executives, "Vistara" (Sanskrit for "expansion") is focused on enabling growth for the ambitious entrepreneurs we invest in, our investors, our people, and the communities we operate in. For more information, visit vistaragrowth.com. Press Contact: Danielle Romeo // Nettwerk Music Group [email protected] SOURCE Nettwerk Music Group VANCOUVER, BC, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Nevada King Gold Corp. (TSXV: NKG) (OTCQX: NKGFF) ("Nevada King" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results from two vertical, reverse circulation ("RC") holes recently completed at its Atlanta Gold Mine Project located 264km northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the prolific Battle Mountain Trend. These holes adjoin the western end of previously reported Section 22-6N (released January 6, 2023) and tie into hole AT22HG-17 which returned 164.6m grading 0.93 g/t Au from 146.3m and bottomed in mineralization. Highlights: Figure 1. Location map for holes reported in this news release along drill Section 22-6N (W) relative to the perimeter of the historical Atlanta Pit and footprint of the Gustavson 2020 NI 43-101 resource. Shallow drillholes on the mine dumps have been removed from the plot for clarity. (CNW Group/Nevada King Gold Corp.) Figure 2. Cross section 22-6N (W) looking north across the deeper, near-horizontal gold mineralization that occurs along the western side of the West Altanta Fault. Mineralization is hosted within volcanic tuff and sediments together with strong silicification occurring along the contact between the volcanic section and basal Eureka Quartzite. Mineralization remains open to the west in sections further north. (CNW Group/Nevada King Gold Corp.) Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AT22SE-4 146.3 327.7 181.4 1.03 3.8 AT22SE-42 122.0 201.2 79.3 1.50 1.4 And 234.8 318.6 83.8 0.48 3.6 Aggregate 122.0 318.6 163.1 0.98 2.5 Table 1: Holes released today. Mineralization occurs along near-horizontal horizons with true mineralized thickness in vertical holes at 95% to 100% of reported drill intercept length. Today's holes extend mineralization a further 50m west of AT22HG-17 and tie-into a series of Kinross RC angle holes that intersect the section line 40m further west from AT22HG-4. As shown in Figure 1, this defines a near-horizontal mineralized zone 150m wide, ranging from 100m to 180m thick, and averaging around 1g/t Au . This zone is being referred to as the West Atlanta Graben Target ; it is bound on the east by the West Atlanta Fault ("WAF") and on the west by a newly identified fault called the West Atlanta Fault #2 ("WAF2"). west of AT22HG-17 and tie-into a series of Kinross RC angle holes that intersect the section line further west from AT22HG-4. As shown in Figure 1, this defines a near-horizontal mineralized zone . This zone is being referred to as the ; it is bound on the east by the West Atlanta Fault ("WAF") and on the west by a newly identified fault called the West Atlanta Fault #2 ("WAF2"). This thick zone of mineralization within the West Atlanta Graben is fairly uniform from hole to hole and there are corresponding similar, thick, near-horizontal zones of mineralization interpreted 30m to the north of Section 22-N6 on Section 22-7N (released February 27, 2023 ) and 300m to the north on Section 22-16N (released February 13, 2023 ). This strongly suggests this zone of mineralization is contiguous along strike on the western side of the WAF. to the north of Section 22-N6 on Section 22-7N (released ) and to the north on Section 22-16N (released ). This strongly suggests this zone of mineralization is contiguous along strike on the western side of the WAF. This opens up a new target envelope running approximately 500m north-south for further discovery and potential resource expansion with relatively low historical hole density along most of its length. For example, a segment of this graben extending 100m northward from Section 22-7N and 150m westward from the WAF contains 17 historical drill collars of which only one hole went deep enough to hit mineralization. This vertical RC hole, Goldfield's AR-1, intercepted 20m grading 0.42 g/t Au and 16.3 g/t Ag starting at 283m depth, bottoming in mineralization. The other 16 holes were too shallow to intercept the mineralized horizon, generally because they were long angle holes directed eastward to test the East Atlanta Fault, as well a cluster of holes directed southward to define an E-W mineralized zone along Section 22-5N identified in the Gustavson 2020 resource model as the "Porphyry Resource Component". Except for AR-1, the ground directly underneath these 16 hole collars was not tested, which left a large data gap in this segment of the West Atlanta Graben and prevented Gustavson from extending its Porphyry Resource zone northward. Consequently, this thick, volcanic-hosted mineralization constituting Gustavson's Porphyry Resource zone did not appreciably add to the overall resource model. for further discovery and potential resource expansion with relatively low historical hole density along most of its length. For example, a segment of this graben extending northward from Section 22-7N and westward from the WAF contains 17 historical drill collars of which only one hole went deep enough to hit mineralization. This vertical RC hole, AR-1, intercepted grading 0.42 g/t Au and 16.3 g/t Ag starting at depth, bottoming in mineralization. The other 16 holes were too shallow to intercept the mineralized horizon, generally because they were long angle holes directed eastward to test the East Atlanta Fault, as well a cluster of holes directed southward to define an E-W mineralized zone along Section 22-5N identified in the Gustavson 2020 resource model as the "Porphyry Resource Component". Except for AR-1, the ground directly underneath these 16 hole collars was not tested, which left a large data gap in this segment of the West Atlanta Graben and prevented Gustavson from extending its Porphyry Resource zone northward. Consequently, this thick, volcanic-hosted mineralization constituting Gustavson's Porphyry Resource zone did not appreciably add to the overall resource model. Nevada King now sees a tremendous opportunity to extend this thick, volcanic-hosted mineralization northward toward Section Line 22-16N and add substantially to the resource with its new drilling program along the western side of the West Atlanta Fault. Gold cyanide solubility assays within the predominantly volcanic-hosted mineralization in the West Atlanta Graben are averaging amongst the highest at the property to date. This opens up the prospect of simple heap leach extraction with coarse crushing of ROM material, which could positively impact mining and processing costs. This is one of the priorities of the Company's ongoing metallurgical testwork expected to be completed in Q4 2023. Looking west of the West Atlanta Graben, 11 historical holes were drilled west of the WAF2, but only three of these holes went deep enough to pick up mineralization. In particular, a vertical Meadow Bay core hole DHRI-11-11C located 28m south of the collar for hole KR98-13 (see Figure 1) intercepted 152m grading 0.57 g/t Au and 17.4 g/t Ag starting at 267m depth. The three mineralized holes indicate that gold values extend 50m to 60m further west from the WAF2. There is a broad expanse of deep mineralization within this western target area with very few historical holes fully penetrating the near-horizontal mineralized zone, thus providing a great hunting ground for future drilling. Cal Herron, Exploration Manager of Nevada King, stated, "We knew from the historical drilling that gold mineralization occurred along the western side of the deposit, but it was never followed up on. A few holes, particularly those drilled by Meadow Bay in 2011-2015, did penetrate the mineralized zone and revealed good potential for encountering higher grades and thicker mineralization, but these better holes were isolated in the Northwest Target Zone and did not appear to be connected to the rest of the Atlanta resource zone. As Nevada King's drilling in the latter half of 2022 moved westward from the Atlanta Mine Fault Zone ("AMFZ") and crossed the WAF, we suddenly encountered a very different gold "beast" in the mineralized volcanic section, characterized as follows: 75m to 200m thick mineralized intervals averaging between 0.5g/t and 1.5g/t Au, displaying very good lateral and vertical grade continuity; to thick mineralized intervals averaging between 0.5g/t and 1.5g/t Au, displaying very good lateral and vertical grade continuity; high grade intervals (5g/t to 20g/t Au) scattered within the mineralized sections; strong oxidation; and style of mineralization that is more traditionally amenable to heap leach extraction. "As an explorationist, finding thick and homogenous zones of good gold grade not only indicates a strong gold system, but it also allows for more reliable and quicker ounce building. Consequently two RC drills are currently extending our sections westward from the WAF and in-filling large gaps in the historical drill patterns in order to tie this gold zone into the shallower mineralization already drilled along the AMFZ. As we learn more about mineralization in the West Atlanta Graben, we will be able to better vector into higher grade feeder structures. Horace Greeley's famous adage, 'Go west young man', certainly applies to Atlanta, and that is exactly what Nevada King is doing." Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Notes AT22HG-17 146.3 311.0 164.6 0.93 3.0 Bottomed in mineralization KR98-7* 204.3 257.6 53.4 1.36 3.85 Bottomed in mineralization KR98-9* 170.9 190.5 19.8 0.20 0.1 Too shallow KR98-11* 244 343 99 0.81 3.02 Bottomed in mineralization KR98-13* - - - - Bottomed in mineralization Table 2: Previously reported and historic holes used in Section 22-6N (W). AT22 series hole was drilled by Nevada King in 2022 and the KR98 series holes were drilled by Kinross in 1998. True thickness of gold mineralization interpreted in today's release is 95% to 100% of the reported intercept length in vertical holes. *Denotes angle holes. Further Discussion Mineralization in both of today's holes occurs above the Eureka Quartzite within volcanic tuff and sedimentary beds and along the densely silicified contact zone separating the volcanic sequence from the underlying quartzite (Figure 2), which is the same sequence seen along Section 22-7N. Somewhere between Section 22-7N and 22-16N, the basal contact to the mineralization changes from Eureka Quartzite to Ely Springs Dolomite, but the northernly trending, high angle fault pattern remains the same. The four Kinross holes drilled in 1998 were angled from north to south in anticipation of testing a hypothetical E-W trending high angle, high grade shear zone thought to be bounding mineralization along the southern margin of the historical Atlanta pit. The idea of horizontal mineralization controlled by northerly-trending normal faults did not enter into Kinross' model, consequently Kinross did not follow-up on their intercepts with additional holes to the north. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Calvin R. Herron, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). About Nevada King Gold Corp. Nevada King is the third largest mineral claim holder in the State of Nevada, behind Nevada Gold Mines (Barrick/Newmont) and Kinross Gold. Starting in 2016 the Company has staked large project areas hosting significant historical exploration work along the Battle Mountain trend located close to current or former producing gold mines. These project areas were initially targeted based on their potential for hosting multi-million-ounce gold deposits and were subsequently staked following a detailed geological evaluation. District-scale projects in Nevada King's portfolio include (1) the 100% owned Atlanta Mine, located 100km southeast of Ely, (2) the Lewis and Horse Mountain-Mill Creek projects, both located between Nevada Gold Mines' large Phoenix and Pipeline mines, and (3) the Iron Point project, located 35km east of Winnemucca, Nevada. The Company is well funded with cash of approximately $8.4 million as of March 2023. The Atlanta Mine is a historical gold-silver producer with a NI 43-101 compliant pit-constrained resource of 460,000 oz Au in the measured and indicated category (11.0M tonnes at 1.3 g/t) plus an inferred resource of 142,000 oz Au (5.3M tonnes at 0.83 g/t). See the NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources titled "Atlanta Property, Lincoln County, NV" with an effective date of October 6, 2020, and a report date of December 22, 2020, as prepared by Gustavson Associates and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). NI 43-101 Mineral Resources at the Atlanta Mine Resource Category Tonnes (000's) Au Grade (ppm) Contained Au Oz Ag Grade (ppm) Contained Ag Oz Measured 4,130 1.51 200,000 14.0 1,860,000 Indicated 6,910 1.17 260,000 10.6 2,360,000 Measured + Indicated 11,000 1.30 460,000 11.9 4,220,000 Inferred 5,310 0.83 142,000 7.3 1,240,000 Please see the Company's website at www.nevadaking.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of Nevada King, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans and the Company's ability to potentially expand mineral resources and the impact thereon. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Nevada King, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work given the global COVID-19 pandemic, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Nevada King does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Nevada King Gold Corp. Renowned Creamalicious Southern Dessert Ice Creams and Coffee Creamers Now Includes 9 Offerings in Signature Flavors CINCINNATI, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CEO Liz Rogers - the Founder, President, and Executive Chef of renowned artisan ice cream brand Creamalicious Ice Creams - continues to be a trailblazer in the food/beverage industry, bringing the comforts of Southern desserts direct-to-consumers in unexpected ways. Delivering new innovations in food retail with her creative recipes, fresh-tasting treats, and business acumen, Executive Chef Liz Rogers has led her latest venture, Creamalicious Coffee Creamers, to sold-out success. Launched in mid-January 2023 with 2 signature flavors: Bay'bee Lis'sen White Chocolate Blondie and Uncle Charles Brown Suga Bourbon Cake, the Creamalicious Coffee Creamers have flown off the shelves, becoming a quick hit with consumers singing its praises. Perking up your daily cup, the new coffee creamers line launched in over 1300 locations, available in select Walmarts across the country and Meijer stores in the Midwest. With the ongoing success of Creamalicious Ice Creams and her expansion with the sold-out Creamalicious Coffee Creamers line, Chef Rogers' company marks a milestone as the first African American coffee creamer brand in mass production today, and makes her the #1 African American-owned, female-owned ice cream and coffee creamer distributor in the world. Her two product lines now include a total of 9 offerings in stores nationwide. Creamalicious CEO, Founder, Executive Chef Liz Rogers (PRNewsfoto/Creamalicious) Celebrating her family's legacy and the tradition of passing down four generations of family recipes, Executive Chef Liz Rogers began sharing these time-honored Southern cakes and pies for immediate, take-home enjoyment through her Creamalicious Ice Creams. Founding Creamalicious in 2020, her whimsical 2-in-1 dessert creations pair fresh baked pastries with premium homemade ice cream. The Creamalicious Ice Creams line quickly built a following with its high quality, fresh taste and has 7 flavors: Slap Yo' Momma Banana Pudding; Aunt Poonie's Caramel Pound Cake; Granma Gigi's Sweet Potato Pie; Porch Light Peach Cobbler; Right as Rain Red Velvet Cheesecake; Thick As Thieves Pecan Pie; and Uncle Charles Brown Suga Bourbon Cake. Available in over 3500 stores nationwide, Creamalicious Ice Creams are carried at select Walmart, Target, Kroger, Ralphs, Meijer, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Schnucks, and Jungle Jim's locations. Creamalicious CEO/Executive Chef Liz Rogers says: "I am overjoyed by the response to this new line of Creamalicious Coffee Creamers, and thankful to each and every one of you I have heard from, to all the coffee and dessert fans, and retail partners who have made the creamers a sold-out success! Developing my family's recipes for the Brown Suga Bourbon Cake and White Chocolate Blondie into these creamer creations has been a labor of love, and I was thrilled to introduce these new flavors, for consumers to bring home and savor the taste of homemade desserts in every pour." A natural pairing delivering the taste of delicious desserts with your favorite coffee brew, Creamalicious Coffee Creamers are shaking up the everyday morning coffee routine, creating the dessert and coffee experience together in one cup. The 2 creamers come in 16-oz bottles in the refrigerated section, and consumers have been inspired beyond coffee and created their own recipes, using the creamers in their baking, making cheesecakes, and more. The 7 Creamalicious Ice Creams are available in pints. Besides Creamalicious, Chef Rogers is also executive chef and owner of the restaurant Wing Champ in Cincinnati, OH, and she is executive chef of Penny Hardaway's restaurant Penny's Nitty Gritty, in downtown Memphis. Connect with Creamalicious at: https://socreamalicious.com/ Instagram, Facebook: @socreamalicious Media Contacts: W&W Public Relations Syreta Oglesby / [email protected] Jacinda Chen / [email protected] 646-228-1295 SOURCE Creamalicious NEXE Innovations has sufficient capital to execute its business plan, but believes the proposed amendments are consistent with prudent financial planning and rewards its existing shareholders for their continued support VANCOUVER, BC, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - NEXE Innovations Inc. ("NEXE" or the "Company") (TSXV: NEXE) (Frankfurt: NX5) (OTC: NEXNF), a compostable and innovative materials company, is pleased to announce that it intends to reduce the exercise price and extend the expiry date of an aggregate of 8,625,000 outstanding common share purchase warrants ("Warrants") issued by the Company as part of a unit of the Company in connection with a bought deal public offering that closed on April 9, 2021 (the "Offering"). The Offering was pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated April 7, 2021 under the Company's base shelf prospectus dated March 29, 2021 and the Warrants were issued pursuant to a warrant indenture dated April 9, 2021 between the Company and TSX Trust. The Company believes that the repricing of the Warrants increases the likelihood that shareholder value will be maintained should warrant holders choose to exercise their Warrants at the reduced exercise price. In addition to being beneficial to shareholders, the Company believes that these amendments to the Warrants, which are currently "out of the money" by a significant margin and are expected to expire within a month hereof without ever being exercised, present only potential upside to holders of Warrants at no additional cost to such holders. As of the date of this news release, no Warrants have been exercised and no insiders of NEXE hold or control the Warrants. Key Highlights The Company proposes to reduce the exercise price from $2.50 to $0.65 per share and extend the expiry date by one year to April 9, 2024 , subject to certain mandatory acceleration provisions imposed by the TSX Venture Exchange (the " TSXV ") (described in further detail below) (the " Amendments "). , subject to certain mandatory acceleration provisions imposed by the TSX Venture Exchange (the " ") (described in further detail below) (the " "). While the Company currently has sufficient capital to execute its business plan with working capital of $26,574,980 and cash and GICs on hand of $21,703,818 as of November 30, 2022 , the Company believes that the proposed amendments are consistent with prudent financial planning in light of volatile and unpredictable capital markets. The Company holds its cash positions with two of the five largest Canadian banks. as of , the Company believes that the proposed amendments are consistent with prudent financial planning in light of volatile and unpredictable capital markets. The Company holds its cash positions with two of the five largest Canadian banks. The opportunity to extend warrants by one year will provide the Company with an additional safeguard as production is expected to start shortly and the Company is expecting co-packing and private label contracts to fill its capacity. The Company is focused on commissioning its commercial operations. The warrants are already set in the Company's current capital structure and there will be no additional financing costs related to warrants being extended and repriced. The Company takes a disciplined approach to deploying capital. As operations at the new facility in Windsor comes online, the Company is consolidating certain operations from its Surrey Facility to the Windsor Facility. comes online, the Company is consolidating certain operations from its Surrey Facility to the Windsor Facility. The Company has current capital commitments of less than $5 million over the next 12 months and has debt of $1.1 million as of November 30, 2022 . The Company holds significant real estate with no associated mortgage or debt. The Warrants will also be amended to include a mandatory acceleration provision as required under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The acceleration provisions will provide that, if for any ten consecutive trading days (the "Premium Trading Days") following the effective date of the Amendments, the closing price of the Company's common shares on the TSXV exceeds $0.8125, the amended Warrants' expiry date will be accelerated such that holders will have 30 calendar days to exercise the Warrants (if they have not first expired in the normal course). The Company will announce any acceleration of the expiry date by press release and the 30-day period will commence seven days after the last Premium Trading Day. The terms of the Warrants will remain otherwise unchanged. The Amendments are subject to approval by both the TSXV and the holders of Warrants representing 66 2/3% of the outstanding Warrants (together, the "Warrant Amendment Approval"). The Company is seeking the written approval of the holders of the requisite number of Warrants for the Amendments. The Company intends to issue an updated news release upon receipt, if any, of the Warrant Amendment Approval. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release will not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About NEXE Innovations Inc. NEXE Innovations Inc. is a leader in innovative compostable materials technology based in British Columbia, Canada. The first product developed by NEXE Innovations is one of the only patented, fully-compostable, single-serve coffee pods for use in existing major single-serve coffee machines. For more information about NEXE Innovations' compostable materials and how it is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable products, visit www.nexeinnovations.com and follow us on social media @nexeinnovations. On behalf of the Company: Ash Guglani President & Director For investor relations contact: Kam Mangat VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Strategy [email protected] Office +1-604-359-4725 Mobile +1-604-359-4742 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements or information, which statements include the proposed amendments to the Warrants, the Warrant Amendment Approval, the benefits of that may result from any amendments to the Warrants, the commencement of production, services the Company intends to offer and the Company's overall business strategy. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, the ability of the Company to obtain consent for the proposed amendments to the Warrants, execute on its business strategy and those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three and six months ended November 30, 2022, under the heading "Risk and Uncertainties". Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the demand for its products, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, receipt of necessary approvals and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Nexe Innovations Inc. Driving Improvements through Virtual Reality Experience (DRIVE) MIAMI, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its commitment to supporting neurodiverse children and teens, Nicklaus Children's Hospital has launched a virtual-reality program aimed at helping prepare eligible students to take their driving exams. For more information on the DRIVE program, please contact [email protected] Tweet this Nicklaus Children's Hospital DRIVE Program behavioral analyst monitors a student's performance during a driving simulation. Nicklaus Children's Hospital DRIVE Program student participates in driving simulation. "For many teenagers and young adults with autism, learning to drive can be highly anxiety-inducing," said Dr. David Seo, senior vice president and chief information and digital officer for Nicklaus Children's Health System. "As a result, many capable individuals with autism avoid pursuing their driver's license, which in today's society is a big part of the transition from adolescence to adulthood." To empower neurodiverse individuals to be more independent and obtain their driver's licenses, Nicklaus Children's Hospital launched the DRIVE (Driving Improvements through Virtual Reality Experience) a blend of virtual and hands-on driving experiences to help prepare atypical learners for a successful driving exam. The DRIVE Program uses fully immersive virtual-reality technology to provide students with an experience that simulates a driving exam. Students receive immediate feedback related to various driving scenarios in which they participate through a computer-simulated instructor. In addition, a trained behavioral analyst helps guide students through each scenario while monitoring student stress and anxiety levels. In addition to the VR experience, students work with the behavioral analyst to learn the rules of the road through a tailored course curriculum. Once a student is ready to get some practice behind the wheel, they work with an instructor from a local partner driving school in a safe and controlled setting. These partners have been specially trained to work with neurodiverse individuals to promote their success and reduce their anxiety. After the student has mastered all areas of practice, and in agreement with the instructor, they can undergo the official driving exam to obtain their state-issued driver's license. For more information on the DRIVE program, please contact [email protected]. In other offerings to support neurodiverse individuals, Nicklaus Children's Adaptive Care Program assists children on the autism spectrum and those with other neurological differences and their families to optimize the inpatient care experience. Nicklaus Children's Brain Institute offers a comprehensive program for children on the autism spectrum, as well as offerings for children with other neurological differences. About Nicklaus Children's Hospital Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with approximately 800 attending physicians, including more than 500 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children's Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. In the 2022-2023 U.S. News ranking, the hospital tied with two other hospitals as the number one children's hospital in Florida. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org. For more information: Fuad Kiuhan 786-449-4797 [email protected] SOURCE Nicklaus Children's Health System Surge in demand for non-PVC IV bags due to the environment-friendly nature of non-PVC IV bags drives the growth of the global non-PVC IV bags market. PORTLAND, Ore., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Non-PVC IV Bags Market by Product Type (Single Chamber and Multi Chamber), Material Type (Polypropylene IV Bag, Polyethylene IV Bag, and Others), End User (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, and Others), And Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2031" According to the report, the global non-PVC IV bags industry generated $880.2 million in 2021 and is estimated to reach $1.68 Billion by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.7% from 2022 to 2031. The report offers a detailed analysis of changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chains, regional landscapes, and competitive scenarios. Download Free Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/13742 Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities- The global non-PVC IV bags market is experiencing growth due to the increasing burden of chronic diseases and the environmental benefits of using non-PVC IV bags. However, the high cost of these bags is hindering growth. Despite this, there is potential for growth in developing economies, creating opportunities in the industry. Covid-19 scenario- The non-PVC IV bags industry experienced a negative impact during the pandemic due to reduced hospital visits and disruptions in production, development, and supply. However, the market has shown signs of recovery post-pandemic. The single chamber segment to rule the roost- By product type, the single chamber segment held the major share in 2021, garnering nearly three-fourths of the global non-PVC IV bags market revenue. Increase in the use of single chamber bags for administration of fluids drives the growth of the segment. The multi-chamber segment, on the other hand, would showcase the fastest CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period. This is due to rise in the adoption of multi-chamber IV bags as these bags are convenient to use, safe for delivery of parenteral nutrition (PN) to patients, and administer the right dose on time. The polypropylene IV bag segment to maintain its dominance during the forecast period- By material type, the polypropylene IV bag segment contributed to the largest share in 2021, accounting for nearly half of the global non-PVC IV bags market revenue. The same segment would also showcase the fastest CAGR of 7.6% throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to the surge in the usage of polypropylene IV bags due to their ecofriendly nature and several other advantages. Procure Complete Report (250 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/non-pvc-iv-bags-market The hospitals segment dominated in 2021- By end user, the hospitals segment accounted for more than half of the global non-PVC IV bags market share in 2021, and is expected to rule the roost by 2031. This is owing to increase in concerns about the safety and environmental impact of PVC materials. The others segment, simultaneously, would also display the fastest CAGR of 7.9% throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to rise in focus on safety, and regulatory compliance which led to increases the adoption of non-PVC IV bags in emergency care centers and home care settings. North America garnered the major share in 2021- By region, North America garnered the highest share in 2021, holding more than two-fifths of the global non-PVC IV bags market revenue in 2021, and is projected to retain its dominance by 2031. This is due to the presence of key players and well-developed healthcare infrastructure, rise in government initiatives, and increasing awareness about early diagnosis & its treatment in the province. The Asia-Pacific region, however, would portray the fastest CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period. This is due to the rising investments by the public and private market players in this field and increase in prevalence of chronic diseases across the region. Leading Market Players- Bausch Advanced Technology Group ICU Medical, Inc. JW Holdings KRATON CORPORATION MEDI PHARMA PLAN CO., LTD. Sippex IV Bags Technoflex Fagron Sterile Services US B. Braun SE Fresenius SE And Co. KGaA The report analyzes these key players in the global non-PVC IV bags market. These players have adopted various strategies such as expansion, new product launches, partnerships, and others to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report is helpful in determining the business performance, operating segments, developments, and product portfolios of every market player. 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Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. 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Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 [email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research Groundbreaking Nuance DAX Express is the next milestone in an expanding portfolio of solutions combining OpenAI's GPT-4 with proven workflow-integrated technology to define the future of intelligence-infused healthcare experiences BURLINGTON, Mass., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nuance Communications , Inc., a Microsoft Company, today announced Dragon Ambient eXperience (DAX) Express, a workflow-integrated, fully automated clinical documentation application that is the first to combine proven conversational and ambient AI with OpenAI's newest and most capable model, GPT-4. Extending the proven Dragon Medical portfolio of solutions and building on the market-leading DAX ambient solution launched in 2020, DAX Express is the next milestone in Nuance's long-standing mission to reduce administrative burden and empower clinicians to spend more time taking care of patients and less time on paperwork. DAX Express makes available world-class AI to more than 550,000 Dragon Medical users, is enhanced by GPT-4, and amplified by the power of Microsoft Azure. Building on the rapid success of DAX, which is currently deployed across hundreds of healthcare systems, DAX Express represents the next step in delivering AI technology that provides an immediate and highly accessible entry point for healthcare organizations to adopt at scale a new generation of AI-powered applications, leveraging their existing investments in trusted Nuance solutions. Using a unique combination of conversational, ambient, and generative AI, DAX Express automatically and securely creates draft clinical notes in seconds for immediate clinical review and completion after each patient visit in the exam room or via telehealth patient conversations. Clinicians will benefit from the seamless capabilities of Dragon Medical One, DAX, and DAX Express, which are tightly integrated into the electronic medical record, beginning from pre-visit through post-encounter, reducing cognitive burdens and helping increase the joy of practicing medicine. "Nuance and Microsoft came together with the goal of helping to digitally transform healthcare, and today we are marking the next step forward in the ongoing evolution of AI-powered solutions for overburdened care providers," said Mark Benjamin, CEO of Nuance. "We've taken the power and advanced reasoning capabilities of GPT-4 and integrated it into our proven outcomes-focused AI technologies in a tested and responsible way. Our state-of-the-art blend of conversational, ambient, and generative AI will accelerate the advancement of the care delivery ecosystem beyond what Nuance or Microsoft could have achieved separately expanding our comprehensive portfolio of solutions that fulfill our vision to improve care quality and support enhanced outcomes for generations to come." Nuance is at the forefront of innovating conversational and ambient AI in healthcare most notably with Best in KLAS Dragon Medical One and most recently with DAX and for years has leveraged expertise in large language models and natural language processing to deliver refined, trusted AI solutions around the globe. With this new innovation, the Nuance healthcare portfolio gives customers even more flexibility to automate and enhance their clinical documentation workflows with the accuracy and reliability of Dragon Medical One, the customized, full-service experience of DAX, and the immediacy and speed of DAX Express. Nuance's solutions are a part of the Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare and amplified by the AI-optimized cloud infrastructure of Azure, expanding the impact of industry-defining AI to help transform healthcare experiences and outcomes. "Microsoft and Nuance have been ahead of the curve in innovating AI solutions, and organizations large and small have long trusted our responsible, secure applications and infrastructure," said Scott Guthrie, Executive Vice President, Cloud + AI Group at Microsoft. "With DAX Express, we are leveraging the revolutionary capabilities of large model AI to deliver outcomes-focused healthcare applications at scale." "Nuance continuously delivers innovations that clinicians need and want to overcome technological barriers and administrative burdens, improve care quality, and re-prioritize human relationships in medicine," said Jeffrey Cleveland, MD, FAAP, Chief Medical Information Officer, Advocate Health Southeast. "With decades of experience creating proven clinical documentation solutions, it is no surprise that Nuance is leading the way in bringing the most advanced generative AI to the exam room at scale." BJ Moore, CIO, Providence said, "What makes this breakthrough so impactful is that the power of artificial intelligence is magnified by the unique strengths of Nuance and Microsoft. Microsoft's engineering and market resources and the scale of the Azure cloud, paired with Nuance's long-standing experience in healthcare and its commitment to patient data privacy and responsible use of AI, create an impressive foundation to significantly improve healthcare experiences and support better outcomes. They are setting the stage for innovation that will shape healthcare delivery across the industry." DAX Express will be included for users of DAX and available as an addition to Dragon Medical One further reducing burnout-causing cognitive burdens and empowering physicians to focus on exceptional patient care, experiences, and outcomes. Consistent with Nuance's longstanding commitment to data security and privacy, DAX Express is HIPAA-compliant and developed with an approach to help create AI products that are trustworthy and safe. At the HIMSS Global Health Conference from April 17-21 in Chicago, Nuance will showcase DAX Express and an additional set of advanced generative AI-enabled capabilities that deliver more automation and intelligence-infused experiences across the patient journey. These future workflow-integrated capabilities built on proven AI solutions that have consistently delivered value and outcomes for physicians, nurses, radiologists, and patients for decades further automate complex workflows and mundane tasks, surface key details, and identify missing information to support patient care. Visit Nuance's Booth #912 at HIMSS to experience the new era of intelligence-infused healthcare experiences. DAX Express will be available in private preview this summer. To be added to the DAX Express interest list visit https://www.nuance.com/healthcare/campaign/learn-more/express.html. To hear from healthcare leaders as they discuss the opportunities for generative AI to help overcome technological barriers and administrative burdens, improve care quality, and re-prioritize human relationships in medicine, visit https://youtu.be/229EZL0xqFQ. About Nuance Communications Nuance Communications is a technology pioneer with market leadership in conversational AI and ambient intelligence. A full-service partner trusted by 77 percent of U.S. hospitals and more than 75 percent of the Fortune 100 companies worldwide, Nuance creates intuitive solutions that amplify people's ability to help others. Nuance is a Microsoft company. Trademark reference: Nuance and the Nuance logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Nuance Communications, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Media Contact: Nuance Communications Caitlyn Keating Tel: +1.781.565.8926 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Nuance Communications, Inc. 83 Sailings Exploring Asia, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Central and South America and the Middle East Include Complimentary Shore Excursions, Beverage Package and Shipboard Credit, up to an $800 Value MIAMI, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oceania Cruises , the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, has launched its OLife Ultimate "All Three for Free" sale, offering guests significant benefits and savings on over 80 diverse 2023 and 2024 sailings. Travelers who book by April 30 will reap even more benefits than usual with free shore excursions, a free beverage package and shipboard credit on 83 select voyages in 2023 and 2024 that explore an array of destinations from Tokyo and Barcelona to Alaska and Dubai. By taking advantage of this limited-time offer, guests can experience complimentary shore excursions such as exploring Kyoto's marquee attractions like the impressive Golden Pavilion or touring an 18th-century winery in Saint-Tropez, France, delight in a well-deserved massage with shipboard credit and enjoy a glass of wine during a relaxing lunch while sailing to their next destination courtesy of the beverage package. While Oceania Cruises' guests usually receive a generous package of included amenities such as dining at specialty restaurants, Internet, 24-hour room service, fitness classes and more, the OLife Ultimate "All Three for Free" offer provides up to an additional $800 in savings in shipboard credit for sought-after onboard amenities and dream-worthy shore excursions. Guests can enjoy these extensive savings on Oceania Cruises' small, luxurious Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Marina, Riviera, and Sirena nearly all of which have been beautifully re-inspired, with Marina due to be completed in 2024. Exceptional value: Based on a 10-day voyage 2 guests per stateroom: House Beverage Package: Typically costing $39.95 per person, per day ( $79.90 per stateroom), this offer allows guests to savor unlimited Champagne, wine and beer with lunch and dinner. 10-day savings: $799 per stateroom. per person, per day ( per stateroom), this offer allows guests to savor unlimited Champagne, wine and beer with lunch and dinner. Shore Excursion Package: Based on a value of $150 per excursion, 6 shore excursions per stateroom. 10-day savings: $900 per stateroom. per excursion, 6 shore excursions per stateroom. Free Shipboard Credit: $600 per stateroom. Guests may use this shipboard credit to pamper themselves at Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center, culinary classes at the first hands-on cooking school at sea and more. Total Savings on a 10-day voyage: $2,299 per stateroom Featured voyages: Discover the best of Norway and fascinating Scandinavian destinations on the 15-day Fjords & Cities of Norway cruise from Copenhagen to Troms aboard Marina, taking travelers to the southern coastal jewel of Arendal, the dramatic Lofoten Islands and beyond. Departs on July 23, 2023, from $4,599 per person. Sailing from Dubai to Singapore via Mumbai, Goa and Phuket, the 20-day Exotic Eastern Spices voyage aboard Nautica takes travelers on a journey to exotic vistas, labyrinthine souks, gilt-domed temples and more. Departs on December 8, 2023, from $3,999 per person. Marvel at the desert cities of Oman and the UAE on the 10-day Sumptuous Arabia itinerary aboard Riviera, from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai, which showcases the best of the Middle East with calls at the remote island of Sir Bani Yas, Muscat and more. Departs December 29, 2023, from $1,799 per person. The 12-day roundtrip Tokyo Land of the Rising Sun voyage aboard Riviera is a captivating itinerary exploring the resplendent gems of Japan, taking in unparalleled views of Mount Fuji, the stately temples of imperial Kyoto and more. Departs March 20, 2024, from $4,499 per person. For more information about Oceania Cruises, visit our website here , call 855-OCEANIA (855-623-2642) or contact a professional Travel Advisor. About Oceania Cruises Oceania Cruises is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line's seven small, luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,238 guests and feature the finest cuisine at sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences aboard the designer-inspired, small ships call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on 7 continents on voyages that range from 7 to more than 200 days. The brand has a second 1,200-guest newbuild, Allura, on order for delivery in 2025. With headquarters in Miami, Oceania Cruises is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., a diversified cruise operator of leading global cruise brands which include Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. With a combined fleet of 29 ships with over 60,000 berths, these brands offer itineraries to approximately 500 destinations worldwide. The Company has eight additional ships scheduled for delivery across its three brands. SOURCE Oceania Cruises Veteran Editor in Chief to lead reshaping the brand through expanding and relaunching the company's business units. CLEVELAND, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Organic Spa Media and Wellness Media Company recently announced appointing veteran editor Liz Vaccariello as their Editorial Director at Large. Ms. Vaccariello will lend her expertise to the company by not only shaping and contributing to its content and programming, but also advising both business teams on brand positioning. Ms. Vaccariello brings to her new role tremendous depth of experience working in media including most recently as Editor in Chief, VP People Magazine, Real Simple and Parents and Group Editorial Director of Meredith's lifestyle titles including Shape, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living and Health. She started her career in health and wellness journalism as SVP and Editor in Chief of PREVENTION, a pioneer brand in helping people improve their health and happiness naturally and safely. 'Wellness is currently at the forefront of almost every lifestyle sector, and as a leading highly respected voice in the industry, I couldn't be more thrilled to have Liz as the editorial steward of our brand as we move into the next frontier,' said CEO & Founder Bev Maloney-Fischback. The company has built its reputation on its commitment to wellness and sustainability and, recognizing the exponential growth of the wellness and travel markets in recent years, is recalibrating to position itself as the leading resource for the global wellness community. The new strategy includes expanding the geographic footprint for its annual Experience Wellness & Travel Media event series, reinvigorating digital content and re-launching Organic Spa Magazine's print edition as an annual Bookazine, The Art of Well-Being. "I'm deeply interested in the current advances in wellbeing,' said Vaccariello. "Proven by Western science or handed down by Indigenous cultures over millennia, there is a hunger, a need for, transformative experiences and enriching products. I look forward to learning and sharing how the world's beauty and travel industries are translating this knowledge to consumers. Organic Spa Magazine has always been at the forefront of this growing and ever-thriving industry, and I'm honored to be part of it." This year's 2023 NYC Experience Wellness & Travel media event will take place at The Pierre Hotel, on June 23rd and will be hosted by Ms. Vaccariello. The rebirth of the iconic Organic Spa Magazine will now be created in the form of a newly designed annual print edition content rich volume (bookazine) called "The Art of Well-Being" and will be available in October 2023. About Organic Spa Media/Wellness Media Company Organic Spa Media/Wellness Media Company, whose brands include Organic Spa Media, Experience Wellness & Travel event series and Wellness Travel University, is the leading authority in wellness travel, natural beauty, and sustainable living. Wellness Media Company provides its audience with insight and expert advice on health, wellness, travel, natural beauty, eco-fashion, sustainable living and much more. Our mission is to inspire, motivate and educate modern wellness consumers on how to live a life of intention, purpose, and well-being. Media Contact: Name: Keri Stewart Email Address: [email protected] SOURCE Wellness Media Company DUBLIN, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Robotics Software Market Size, Segments, Outlook, and Revenue Forecast 2022-2028 by Software Type, Robot Type, Deployment, Enterprise Size, End User, and Region" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. According to this analysis, the Global Robotics Software Market is expected to record a positive CAGR of ~15% during the forecast period (2022-2028) and is expected to reach approximately US$ 15 billion by 2028. The investment in various countries by the governments and the high adoption of Robotics Software in various end-user industries is positively impacting the market growth. Developed markets such as European regions and developing markets such as the Asia-Pacific region are witnessing huge investments by start-ups, and existing large players and governments which are driving the market growth. Concerns about data privacy and malware attacks along with the high costs associated with the implementation of industrial robots and robotics software are factors that act as constraints for market growth. Increasing cyber-attacks and robot crimes are major hindrances to the market's growth. These factors are still a major concern for some end-user industries which are worried by data theft and hence they are taking a cautious approach when it comes to the adoption of robotic software. The COVID-19 outbreak had a positive impact on the demand for Robotics Software as various companies installed robots to disinfect factory areas as well as it helped them to deliver food to their customers without risking any health-related issues during the pandemic for their employees. Scope of the Report The Robotics Software Market is segmented by software type, robot, deployment, enterprise size, and end user. In addition, the report also covers market size and forecasts for the four major regions' Robotics Software Market. The revenue used to size and forecast the market for each segment is US$ billion. By Software Type Recognition Software Simulation Software Predictive Maintenance Software Data Management and Analysis Software Communication Management Software By Robot Type Industrial Robots Service Robots By Deployment Mode On-Premise On-Demand By Enterprise Size Small and Medium Enterprises Large Enterprises By End User Automotive Retail and E-commerce Government and Defense Healthcare Transportation and Logistics Manufacturing IT and Telecommunications Others By Geography North America ( USA , Canada , and Mexico ) ( , , and ) Europe ( Germany , UK, France , Spain , and Italy ) ( , UK, , , and ) Asia Pacific ( China , Japan , South Korea , India , Indonesia , and Australia ) ( , , , , , and ) LAMEA ( Latin America , Middle East , and Africa ) Key Players ABB Ltd Clearpath Robotics NVIDIA Corporation CloudMinds Technology, Inc Liquid Robotics, Inc Brain Corporation AIBrain, Inc Furhat Corporation Neurala, Inc IBM Corporation Key Trends by Market Segment By Software Type: The Recognition Software segment held the largest market share in the Global Robotics Software Market in 2021 The recognition software in the robots enables them with cognitive ability This software is integrated behind the robots and helps them to identify an object and give its response accordingly By Robot Type: The Industrial Robots segment held the larger share of the Global Robotics Software Market in 2021. The significant growth in demand for industrial robots can be attributed to the fact that they can perform dangerous tasks repeatedly with more accuracy than human beings and have a longer life span to perform such tasks. These robots also help companies in achieving higher operational efficiency and lowering labor costs which are encouraging more and more organizations to install these robots. According to data provided by the International Federation of Robotics, a total of 3.5 million industrial robots have been installed worldwide by 2021 with a growth rate of 15% from 2020 and a CAGR of 14% for the five-year period 2016-2021. By Deployment Mode: The On-Demand segment held the larger share of the Global Robotics Software Market in 2021. The on-demand deployment mode or the cloud-based deployment mode is more adopted because it is a cost-effective method by which the companies are able to save a lot of costs related to data, personnel, software, hardware, and maintenance. By Enterprise Size: The Large Enterprises segment held the larger share of the Global Robotics Software Market in 2021. The covid-19 pandemic made a lot of large enterprises make changes in their manufacturing facilities and deployed automated robots to mitigate any such risks in the future. Also, as the investment costs are a bit high so large enterprises have been quicker to adapt to such models faster than their small and medium enterprise counterparts. By End-user: The Manufacturing segment held the larger share of the Global Robotics Software Market in 2021. The rising need for the adoption of automation, shortage of labor for factories, and robot simulation software that is making robotic automation a feasible option for the sector aided by the necessity to complete repetitive hazardous tasks more accurately & safely are the major factors for this segment to dominate the market. By Geography: Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share in 2021 within the total Global Robotics Software Market. Asia-Pacific region has some established manufacturing markets in countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea. These countries have been very bullish on innovating and modernizing their existing manufacturing facilities which have seen the large-scale installation of industrial robots. The region is also seeing increasing investments by the governments and many start-ups in robotics software of some countries such as China, India, and Thailand which is going to help the region maintain its dominant position during the forecast period. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2u9d1h About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo:https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets Set to open in November, the housing, parking, and retail development starts pre-leasing for apartments and townhomes this Spring DETROIT, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The partnership of Oxford Capital Group, LLC , Hunter Pasteur, and The Forbes Company announces the topping off of the multi-family project, Perennial Corktown in Detroit, Michigan. The community will begin pre-leasing apartment units in Spring 2023. The project includes the seven-story apartment complex, seven townhomes, a three-story parking garage, and more than 12,000 square feet of retail space. It is adjacent to the luxury lifestyle Godfrey Hotel that Oxford and Hunter Pasteur are separately developing, which will open this summer. Leasing for tenants in the retail space at Perennial Corktown is currently underway with the first lease already signed. Perennial Corktown Rendering The development is set to open in November 2023, debuting 188 units including a combination of studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom, in addition to seven luxury 3-bedroom townhomes. Residential tenants of Perennial Corktown will have access to an array of premier onsite amenities, including an outdoor pool and deck area, community co-working space, workout room with a yoga studio, outdoor amenity deck, club room with private dining and rentable rooms, demo kitchen, and more. With the goal of creating a strong community within the building, Perennial Corktown will activate unique programming in common spaces for residents to enjoy throughout the year. "With Corktown's rich history, increasing visibility, and growing popularity in Downtown Detroit, we are thrilled to join the thriving community of businesses and look forward to welcoming new residents and locals to the Perennial Corktown complex in 2023," said John W. Rutledge, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Oxford Capital Group, LLC and Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC. "We are pleased with the significant construction progress that has been made at our Perennial Corktown Project, and completing the superstructure is an important milestone. We are equally pleased that our projects are bringing to fruition important community benefits, including but not limited to workforce development, employment, tax base, sustainability and infrastructure investment." said Seth Herkowitz, Partner at Hunter Pasteur. The complex will feature an expansive 12,000 square feet of retail space across the ground floors of the apartment building and parking garage, which will be ideal for the community of businesses looking to expand in the heart of Corktown, one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing submarkets in Detroit. Corktown Market is the first confirmed business to join the Perennial Corktown with 2,033 square feet of retail space. The market will be a new full-service neighborhood grocery store set to open in the Fall of 2023, and is committed to providing fresh, affordable, and local products to residents, with a full-service deli and coffee bar that includes indoor and outdoor seating. "As lifelong Detroiters, we couldn't be more excited to be a part of the Perennial in Corktown! This vibrant community holds a special place in our hearts, and we're honored to contribute to its growth by the opening of our market," says Hadwan Hadwan, owner of Corktown Market. Across the street and opening in Summer 2023, will be The Godfrey Hotel Detroit, a 227-room luxury lifestyle hotel. From Oxford Capital Group, LLC and Hunter Pasteur, the property will feature an indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge with expansive views of downtown Detroit and Corktown, a 6,000 square foot ballroom that will accommodate events of more than 350 guests, an additional outdoor events venue, and a fitness center. For more information and updates on the Perennial Corktown, please visit www.perennialcorktown.com. For retail leasing inquiries, please contact Alan Stern of the Friedman Group at [email protected]. About Oxford Capital Group, LLC Chicago based Oxford Capital Group, LLC is an award-winning international real estate investment, development, and management firm that focuses on large-scale acquisitions, developments, redevelopments, and operationally intensive real estate. Oxford, its affiliates, and principals have been involved in over $3 billion of real estate and private equity investments, with a primary focus on hospitality (16,000+ hotel rooms); hospitality anchored mixed use projects including multi-family (2,000+ units); senior housing (3,000+ units); urban retail; and parking. Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC is its wholly owned hotel management affiliate, which specializes in operating, managing, and branding distinctive, high design luxury lifestyle hotels, and food & beverage venues. Oxford Living, LLC is its senior housing investment and management platform. Oxford Residential, LLC is its multi-family development affiliate. About Hunter Pasteur Founded in 1999, Hunter Pasteur (HP) has grown to become one of Southeast Michigan's largest and most respected developers. Over the past two decades, HP has built and developed over 2,000 luxury single family homes and multifamily condominiums throughout Metro Detroit, including thriving communities in Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Commerce Township, Detroit, Lake Orion, Novi, Northville, South Lyon, West Bloomfield and many more. HP and The Forbes Company also have over 2,000 luxury multi-family units currently under development, valued at over $1 Billion in costs. A passionate advocate for the critical role housing plays in economic and community development, Hunter Pasteur has been honored as "Multifamily Construction Builder of the Year" by the Home Builders Association of Southeast Michigan. To learn more, visit https://www.hunterpasteur.com/ About The Forbes Company Based in Southfield, Michigan, The Forbes Company is a nationally recognized owner, developer and manager of iconic regional shopping centers, recognized throughout their respective markets for their retail innovation, fashion leadership, distinctive architecture and luxury appointment. In addition to Somerset Collection, these properties include: The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; The Mall at Millenia in Orlando; and Waterside Shops in Naples, Florida. SOURCE Oxford Capital Group, LLC Pastors for Trump Founder, Pastor Jackson Lahmeyer, to Expand Sheridan Church with Oklahoma City Location on March 25th. Lahmeyer Calls for Christians to Join Nationwide Prayer Call to Show Support for President Trump, Provide Guidance for Worried Americans Amid Pending Arrest on Tuesday. TULSA, Okla., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pastor Jackson Lahmeyer, the founder of Pastors for Trump and former United States Senate candidate in Oklahoma, announced plans to expand his Tulsa-based Sheridan Church with a new campus and worship center in Oklahoma City. The inaugural service is scheduled for March 25th at 5:00pm. Jackson Lahmeyer Lahmeyer's Pastors for Trump coalition has gained members in all 50 states and aims to galvanize evangelical leaders to support President Donald J. Trump's 2024 presidential bid. To further this effort, Lahmeyer is calling for Christians to join a nationwide prayer call on March 20th at 7pm to show support for President Trump, who is reportedly facing a pending arrest on Tuesday. The prayer call will also provide guidance for those who are worried about the country amid these uncertain times. Before entering the world of politics, Lahmeyer served as the lead pastor for Sheridan Church, ran a successful small business, and founded the Sheridan Bible College. Lahmeyer earned his M.A. in Theology from Oral Roberts College and previously served as the Oklahoma State Director of the late Billy Graham's Evangelistic Association, where he worked closely with the legendary pastor's son Franklin Graham. "Our decision to open a new place of worship in Oklahoma City is not only about expanding the spiritual and real-world impacts of Sheridan Church, but to also demonstrate we understand the responsibility we have to provide Oklahomans with a space where they can enjoy the incredible opportunities for fellowship outside of our Tulsa campus. Jesus calls on us to always find ways to increase the biblical power that can be realized through the word of God," Lahmeyer explained. Lahmeyer's historic GOP primary challenge to incumbent US Senator James Lankford in 2022 garnered the support of many conservatives including General Michael Flynn, Rudy Guiliani and Roger Stone. Lahmeyer is married to his devoted wife Kendra, who is also a pastor at Sheridan, and they have a family of five children. For more information on the expansion of Sheridan Church please visit their site, the prayer call for President Trump, will be held on https://www.pastors4trump.com/ Media inquiries contact Kristin Davis at Think Right PR SOURCE Pastors For Trump HOUSTON, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PCS Software, a leading provider of innovative transportation management solutions, is excited to announce the appointment of Miguel Nogueras as the new Vice President of Product Marketing. Miguel will be responsible for driving the company's branding, product marketing strategy, positioning, and messaging across all product lines to support continued growth and market expansion. Miguel Nogueras brings over 20 years of experience in the advertising industry, with a proven track record of driving innovation, contributing to the development of strategic marketing initiatives, and leading successful product launches. Prior to joining PCS Software, Miguel has made a name for himself as a brilliant designer and Creative Director in both the general and multicultural markets. His background includes 20+ award-winning years at some of Madison avenue's biggest names and other heavy hitters: FCB New York, The Grey Group, The Mars Agency, and more. Throughout his career, Miguel's talent has helped elevate national brands and companies through stellar, strategic creative solutions across all channels, from digital to broadcast television. Miguel is not one to settle, he pushes himself and all of PCS Software to do the sameall in the name of excellence. "Miguels background includes 20+ award-winning years at some of Madison avenue's biggest names." Tweet this "We are thrilled to welcome Miguel to the PCS family," said Ted Pardee, CRO of PCS Software. "His extensive experience and leadership capabilities make him the ideal person to lead our brand and product marketing efforts. We are confident that Miguel's appointment will contribute to our ongoing mission of delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower companies to optimize their operations and achieve greater success. Miguel's ability to deliver clear, simple and powerful messaging will show our customers how they can save incalculable hours of time and for this we're grateful to have him at PCS." In his new role, Miguel will work closely with the product management, sales, and customer success teams to refine and communicate the value proposition of PCS's Prime Express solution, ensuring that the company remains on the forefront of industry trends and technological advancements. Miguel's leadership will be instrumental in supporting product innovation, fostering strategic partnerships, and expanding the company's market presence. About PCS Software: PCS Software is a leading provider of transportation management solutions, dedicated to empowering transportation and logistics companies to streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and maximize profitability. With a suite of advanced software tools, PCS Software supports shippers, carriers, and brokers in managing their end-to-end transportation processes, from planning and execution to compliance and analytics. Committed to innovation and customer success, PCS Software continually enhances its product offerings to address the evolving needs of the industry. To learn more about PCS Software, visit www.pcssoftware.com. Contact: Amanda Mueller ( Email: [email protected]) SOURCE PCS Software PingOne Neo gives individuals control of their digital identities to improve security and privacy DENVER, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping Identity , the intelligent identity solution for the enterprise, announced early access to PingOne Neo , a multi-standards decentralized identity management solution. Neo improves data security, privacy, and control for individuals while reducing resource and compliance burdens for enterprises. Many digital services require verified information about people to do business. Neo simplifies getting verified information from a trusted source via verifiable credentials, whether that source is inside or outside of the organization. Organizations can now verify without complex, expensive back-end integrations that increase each organization's attack surface. Neo reduces the possibility of identity theft for individuals and improves security for organizations by instantly establishing trust with individuals based on their digital credentials. "Organizations spend significant time and money obtaining and verifying information from customers and employees, then attempt to determine access, entitlements, and authorizations to remain secure and compliant," said Andre Durand, CEO and founder of Ping Identity. "Neo eliminates the manual resource burden from businesses while empowering individuals with their own data, reducing threats of fraud or identity theft while increasing privacy." Decentralized identity reduces the possibility of transaction fraud and account takeovers by helping ensure the person behind the credential is who they claim. With Neo, a person requests a verifiable credential from an organization that is cryptographically signed and verifiable. The verifiable credential is then added to the person's digital wallet and can be shared with the business that requires it. The individual is in complete control of what information gets shared. PingOne Neo is a component of an open and interoperable platform that supports popular decentralized and other identity standards from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the OpenID Foundation, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Ping Identity is also a key contributor to the Open Wallet Foundation Initiative (OWF) which supports interoperability between digital wallets through open-source software. Get Early Access to PingOne Neo and explore more benefits in the solutions brief or datasheet . About Ping Identity At Ping Identity, we believe in making digital experiences both secure and seamless for all users, without compromise. That's digital freedom. We let enterprises combine our best-in-class identity solutions with third-party services they already use to remove passwords, prevent fraud, support Zero Trust, or anything in between. This can be accomplished through a simple drag-and-drop canvas. That's why more than half of the Fortune 100 choose Ping Identity to protect digital interactions from their users while making experiences frictionless. Learn more at www.pingidentity.com . Ping Identity Media Relations Megan Johnson [email protected] 757.635.2807 Follow Us on Twitter: @PingIdentity Join us on LinkedIn: Ping Identity Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: PingIdentityTV Like Us on Facebook: PingIdentityPage SOURCE Ping Identity Corp. NEW YORK, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Plative announced the launch of its Salesforce Marketing Cloud consulting practice. Building on its expertise as a leading provider of Salesforce and Oracle NetSuite consulting in North America, Plative is now able to offer clients a full suite of marketing automation services on the Salesforce Marketing Cloud platform. After making a series of strategic hires of certified and experienced Marketing Cloud consultants and leaders, Plative is well positioned to support customers that are new to Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and those that have adopted the platform but have yet to unlock the full value of the platform. "We're excited to continue our expansion into new markets by announcing our increased investment in the world's most capable marketing technology," says Paulo Kaiser, CEO of Plative. "Our team of certified Salesforce Marketing Cloud consultants have extensive industry-specific experience in developing and implementing personalized data-driven marketing solutions that deliver impact for our customers. We're making the switch to Salesforce Marketing Cloud easier than ever." Plative's Salesforce Marketing Cloud consulting practice advise on the following core platforms: Marketing Cloud Engagement Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Marketing Cloud Personalization Marketing Cloud Intelligence Data Cloud Plative's Salesforce Marketing Cloud consulting practice is actively delivering personalized outcomes for many active customers. For more information, visit https://connect.plative.com/top-marketing-cloud-consultants-at-plative. About Plative: Plative is a global consulting firm that helps companies achieve their business objectives through cloud technology. With a focus on Salesforce and Oracle NetSuite, Plative delivers customized solutions that drive success for its customers. The company has offices in New York, NY; Toronto, Canada; Mumbai, India; and Manila, Philippines. Plative is a four-time honoree on Inc Magazine's fastest-growing firms list and has been recognized as one of Consulting Magazine's fastest-growing firms. For more information or media inquiries, please reach out to Zack Tom ([email protected]) SOURCE Plative CHICAGO, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Power Grid Market is projected to reach USD 367.4 billion in 2028 from USD 282.1 billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 5.4% according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The power grid delivers on-demand electricity from power plants to homes and businesses nationwide. It ensures the optimum use of energy resources, provides greater power supply capacity, and makes power system operations more economical and reliable. Its vast network includes energy utility companies and suppliers delivering electricity to residential or commercial users. The generating stations are interconnected to reduce the reserve generation capacity, known as a spinning reserve, in each area. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=235727154 Browse in-depth TOC on "Power Grid Market" 162 - Tables 57 - Figures 180 - Pages Power Grid Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Size USD 367.4 billion in 2028 Growth Rate 5.4% of CAGR Largest Market Asia Pacific Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Challenges Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Component, Power Source, Application and end-user Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East & Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Rapid urbanization and digitalization Key Market Drivers Investments in upgrading and expanding transmission and distribution infrastructure The Transformers, by component, is expected to grow at the second highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on components, the Power Grid Market has been split into cables, variable speed drives, transformers, switchgear, and others. Transformers is expected to grow at the second highest CAGR during the forecast period. Transformers are used extensively in the power transmission system to step up the voltage of power generated at power plants, making transporting power over long distances easier and more efficient. Transformers also play a critical role in maintaining the stability and reliability of the power grid. They can be used to isolate faults in the grid and prevent power outages from affecting large areas. The natural Gas segment, by power source, is expected to be the second largest segment during the forecast period This report segments the Power Grid Market based on power sources into six segments: Oil, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric, renewables, and others. The natural gas segment is expected to be the second-largest segment during the forecast period. Abudancy and clean substitution of fossil fuels are expected to drive the segment. Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest region in the Power Grid Market Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest Power Grid Market during the forecast period. Several countries in the Asia Pacific are planning pilot projects or carrying out full-scale development of commercial-scale wind energy farms to amplify wind energy deployments in the region. This has increased investments toward pilot projects, feasibility studies, and new installations in the Asia Pacific, especially in China and India. These factors are expected to fuel the growth of the Power Grid Market in the region. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=235727154 Key Market Players: Some of the major players in the Power Grid Market are Hitachi Energy(Switzerland), Siemens(Germany), General Electric(US), Schneider Electric(France), and Mitsubishi Electric(Japan). The major strategies adopted by these players include acquisitions, sales contracts, product launches, agreements, alliances, partnerships, and expansions. Recent Developments In November 2022 , GE Renewable Energy launched HYpact switchgear. It can be used in several applications such as mobile (truck-mounted) substations and onshore wind substations. It makes the electrical network more predictable also reduces the customer's operational costs, as well as their impact on the environment. , GE Renewable Energy launched HYpact switchgear. It can be used in several applications such as mobile (truck-mounted) substations and onshore wind substations. It makes the electrical network more predictable also reduces the customer's operational costs, as well as their impact on the environment. In October 2022 , Siemens and Eplan have formed a strategic alliance to expand their collaboration in software solutions for the industrial and infrastructure markets. Siemens' Electrical Products business unit will join the Eplan Partner Network as a strategic partner as part of this agreement. The goal is to better coordinate the products of both companies in order to provide optimised solutions for switchgear manufacturers and electrical planners. , Siemens and Eplan have formed a strategic alliance to expand their collaboration in software solutions for the industrial and infrastructure markets. Siemens' Electrical Products business unit will join the Eplan Partner Network as a strategic partner as part of this agreement. The goal is to better coordinate the products of both companies in order to provide optimised solutions for switchgear manufacturers and electrical planners. In February 2022 , ABB entered into an agreement with OneSubsea to support its subsea multiphase compression system for Shell's Ormen Lange field. ABB supplied variable-speed drives and subsea transformers to power subsea compressors. , ABB entered into an agreement with OneSubsea to support its subsea multiphase compression system for Shell's field. ABB supplied variable-speed drives and subsea transformers to power subsea compressors. In March 2021 , Nexans and Empire Offshore Wind LLC signed a preferred supplier agreement (PSA) to connect the Empire Wind offshore projects to the onshore grid. The turnkey projects include complete design and manufacturing, as well as the installation and protection of over 300 kilometres of export cables. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=235727154 Browse Adjacent Markets: Energy and Power Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Smart Cities Market - Global Forecast to 2027 Smart Grid Market - Global Forecast to 2026 Submarine Cable Systems Market - Global Forecast to 2027 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/power-grid-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/power-grid.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets UNC13A is an essential regulator of neurotransmitter release at synapses; genetic alteration of UNC13A caused by mis-splicing occurs in 58 percent of all ALS patients and up to half of all frontotemporal dementia cases QurAlis' therapeutic approach utilizing the FlexASO Splice Modulator Platform corrects UNC13A mis-splicing to restore synapse function and improve disease outcomes CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- QurAlis Corporation, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing breakthrough precision medicines for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases with genetically validated targets, today announced the launch of its newest program that targets UNC13A mis-splicing, a critical genetic alteration in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Incorporating its proprietary FlexASO Splice Modulator Platform, QurAlis' antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) correct this mis-splicing, restore UNC13A protein production, and reduce cryptic exons that may contribute to disease progression. An exon is a segment of a DNA or RNA molecule containing information coding for a protein or peptide sequence. "We are excited to bring our UNC13A program out of stealth. UNC13A is the third QurAlis program focused on a genetic target for the development of much-needed precision medicines for the sporadic ALS and FTD populations," said Kasper Roet, Ph.D., chief executive officer of QurAlis. "This critical genetic alteration of UNC13A leading to mis-splicing is believed to occur in 58 percent of all ALS patients and up to half of all FTD cases. We look forward to advancing our UNC13A program along with our two lead clinical programs in ALS and robust pipeline so that we can make a real difference in patients' lives." Angela Genge, M.D., FRCP(C), chief medical officer of QurAlis will introduce the Company's UNC13A program during an oral presentation at the 2023 Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinical and Scientific Congress. Dr. Genge's oral presentation entitled, "Gene Directed Therapy for Sporadic ALS," is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, 2023, during the Gene Therapy in ALS section being held from 2:00-4:00pm CST. UNC13A is an essential regulator of neurotransmitter release at synapses. In ALS and FTD, TDP-43 accumulates in the cytoplasm and no longer maintains its normal function controlling RNA metabolism in the nucleus. Due to its loss, certain pre-mRNA transcripts are mis-spliced resulting in expression of a cryptic exon-containing transcript that interferes with appropriate protein generation. UNC13A is a pre-mRNA that is mis-spliced due to loss of TDP-43 in disease. Fifty-eight percent of ALS patients and up to half of FTD patients carry a single nuclear polymorphism in the UNC13A gene which greatly exacerbates UNC13A mis-splicing leading to loss of function of the UNC13A protein. The QurAlis FlexASO Splice Modulator Platform was developed to generate splice-switching ASOs with improved potency and an increased therapeutic index. In addition to UNC13A, the Company is currently exploring this ASO technology for multiple disease targets. About QurAlis Corporation QurAlis is trailblazing the path to conquering amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases with genetically validated targets with next-generation precision medicines. QurAlis' proprietary platforms and unique biomarkers enable the design and development of drugs that act directly on disease-causing genetic alterations. Founded by an internationally recognized team of neurodegenerative biologists from Harvard Medical School and Harvard University, QurAlis is advancing a deep pipeline of antisense oligonucleotides and small molecule programs including addressing sub-forms of ALS that account for the majority of ALS patients. For more information, please visit www.quralis.com or follow us on Twitter @QurAlisCo. Media contact: Kathy Vincent [email protected] 310-403-8951 SOURCE QurAlis AUSTIN, Texas, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Retention.com , the industry leader in customer recapture marketing for Shopify eCommerce businesses, is excited to welcome Alexander Lazoff as VP of Partnerships. Alexander comes to Retention.com from Yotpo where he was Director of Partnerships, leading the North American partnership efforts with a mission to provide immense value and service to the most strategic SI's, digital marketing shops, VCs, and eCommerce consultants. Alexander will be leveraging agency partnership opportunities to bring Retention.com's revolutionary cart abandonment revenue growth technology to a vast array of new eCommerce brands. "I've never experienced growth velocity like this anywhere." Tweet this "It only took one conversation with Adam Robinson (CEO of Retention.com) for me to realize the massive potential this technology offers the agency partners I've worked with for years," said Alexander. "It immediately unlocks new revenue for agency clients with almost no lift, utilizing existing automation tools and campaign creative. Every conversation I have with an agency turns into a partnership, the interest has been astounding," he added. "I've never experienced growth velocity like this anywhere." Retention.com welcomes Alexander during a high-growth transformation, as the company expands beyond direct sales channels. Revenue passed $14MM ARR at the start of 2023, accelerating to over $18MM ARR today, with an expected 350% growth by EOY. Adding this agency model puts Retention.com on a path to dominate the industry in the coming years, all without a dollar of institutional investment. "Alexander brought on 60 new agency partners within the first month alone," said Diana Ross, CRO and co-founder. "Agency partnerships allow us to help more DTC eCommerce brands grow faster, with less lift, and that's what we're all about," Diana added. "We couldn't have found a better person to lead our agency partnership business. With Mike Yebio at the direct sales helm, our teams are now led by the best in the business." Interested in learning more about how Retention.com can plug into existing client marketing plans with virtually zero lift? Reach out to Alexander at [email protected]. About Retention.com: Retention.com's cutting-edge technology helps DTC eCommerce businesses grow by unlocking new, high-intent customer cohorts. We help Shopify businesses identify abandoned-cart and browse-abandonment shoppers and convert them into loyal customers by leveraging existing marketing and automation flows, which can 10x abandonment revenue alone. Learn more: Retention.com . Media Contact: Julia Bouterakos - [email protected] SOURCE Retention.com TAUNTON, Mass., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rexel Energy Solutions (RES), a Rexel USA business unit, has been awarded a three-year contract with the U.S. Postal Service for the supply of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to be deployed at Postal Service facilities. The three-year contract includes two additional options of two-years each, and a potential maximum of 41,500 stations which can be ordered during the contracts period of performance. As one of the country's leading distributors of EV charging products and services, as well as energy optimization and electrification programs and solutions, RES is prepared to apply its technical expertise, industry foresight, and distribution experience for successful program deployment. "Rexel Energy Solutions is proud to be selected to support the U.S. Postal Service in the electrification of the nation's largest federal fleet," said Christopher Monoson, President of RES. "The awarding of this contract solidifies Rexel and RES' leadership in providing electrification solutions across the United States. Rexel's commitment to our Environmental Sustainability, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategic roadmap and our goal to be the leading sustainable solutions resource to our customers align perfectly with the U.S. Postal Service project." About Rexel Energy Solutions Rexel Energy Solutions is a specialized business unit within Rexel USA, and is headquartered in Taunton, MA. RES is focused on providing energy optimization and electrification solutions for its clients, partners, and utility and state-funded programs across the country. RES provides energy efficient lighting and lighting controls, EV charging station, HVAC, and battery storage solutions for customers nationwide. Over the past 3 years, RES has developed and implemented solutions to support EV infrastructure throughout the country. RES has invested millions of dollars in EVSE inventory, trained inside consultants, and hired a team of EV Specialists with more than 25 years of experience to provide unparalleled solutions and services to partners and clients. About Rexel USA Rexel USA, the parent corporation for Rexel Group business activities in the United States, is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and is one of the largest distributors of electrical products, data communication, and related supplies in the United States. Rexel USA operates its electrical distribution business in the United States through eight Regions that go to market under various banner and trade names, including Rexel, Rexel Automation, Gexpro, Mayer, and Platt Electric Supply. In addition to an online store, Rexel USA has a distribution network of over 440 warehouse storefront locations throughout the U.S. About Rexel Group Rexel, worldwide expert in the multichannel professional distribution of products and services for the energy world, addresses three main markets: residential, commercial, and industrial. The Group supports its residential, commercial, and industrial customers by providing a tailored and scalable range of products and services in energy management for construction, renovation, production, and maintenance. Rexel operates through a network of over 1,900 branches in 24 countries, with more than 26,000 employees. Contact: Lindsay Thompson Rexel Energy Solutions 508-738-5229 [email protected] www.rexelenergy.com SOURCE Rexel Energy Solutions MIAMI, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) announced the appointment of Rebecca Yeung, corporate vice president, operations science and advanced technology at FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX), to its Board of Directors, effective March 15, 2023. "Ms. Yeung brings a valuable combination of skills to our board, as she is well-versed in technology, digitization and business strategy," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman of the Board, Royal Caribbean Group. Royal Caribbean Group Appoints Rebecca Yeung to Board of Directors "We're excited to welcome Rebecca Yeung to the Board of Directors as we continue to deliver the world's best vacations, responsibly," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "We believe her experience in technology, automation and innovation will be a valuable addition to the board as we usher in the next phases of our growth." Yeung has nearly 30 years of global experience in both strategy and operations technology. She joined FedEx Corporation a global logistics company with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce, and business services in 1998 and has served in various marketing, innovation, and technology roles. In her current role, Yeung is responsible for advancing FedEx's innovation and transformation strategy, including scaling robotics and automation technology, autonomous vehicles, decision science, and electromobility. Prior to this role, she served as vice president, advanced technology & innovation at FedEx since 2015. Yeung also serves on the Board of Directors of Columbus McKinnon. Yeung is a graduate of Fudan University in Shanghai, China, and has an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. About Royal Caribbean Group Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is one of the leading cruise companies in the world with a global fleet of 64 ships traveling to approximately 1,000 destinations around the world. Royal Caribbean Group is the owner and operator of three award winning cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises and it is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, the brands have an additional 10 ships on order as of December 31, 2022. Learn more at www.royalcaribbeangroup.com or www.rclinvestor.com. SOURCE Royal Caribbean Group WARRENDALE, Pa., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- rue21, a leading American specialty retailer, today announced the appointment of Josh Burris as its Chief Executive Officer and member of the board. Burris replaces Bill Brand, who announced in March 2023 his intention to step down as CEO. "I'm honored to be joining rue21 as CEO," said Josh Burris. "As a brand, rue21 serves the most vibrant and fastest-growing segments focused on affordable fashion that's accessible to all, making it well positioned for growth. I've dedicated my career to building retail brands centered around the consumer and am excited to move rue21 forward and achieve new heights." "We're thrilled that Josh has agreed to join rue21 as its next CEO," said Vuk Djunic, Partner, Blue Torch Capital. "Josh has decades of experience transforming popular consumer-facing brands which makes him best equipped to lead rue21 into its next chapter." Burris joins rue21 from GNC, where he served as CEO for the last two years, leading the company's transformational growth after a successful restructuring under new ownership. During his tenure he was also responsible for reviving GNC's innovative consumer-centric strategy and establishing powerful partnerships nationwide. With more than 25 years of experience leading consumer-focused retail brands, his leadership and expertise has helped transform the development, go-to market strategies, and adoption of brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, Calvin Klein Performance, Wilsons Leather, and GH Bass & Co, among others. About rue21 rue21 is a fashion destination that promises to give customers quality styles at accessible prices. They offer the largest selection of products, sizes, and trends that fit every personality and budget. Headquartered just north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Warrendale, they currently operate over 600 US stores in 45 states and online at www.rue21.com. Media contact: Adrian Zamora, [email protected] SOURCE rue21 RIYADH, Saudi Arabia , March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Saudi Space Commission (SSC) have revealed the tasks and scientific research that will be conducted during the journey of the Saudi astronauts, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Alqarni as part of the mission to the International Space Station (ISS), during the second quarter of this current year. The SSC announced that the two astronauts, will conduct 11 pioneering scientific research experiments in microgravity during the flight. The results of which will enhance the Kingdom's global position within the field of space exploration and service to humanity. It will also confirm the role of Saudi research centers in making a scientific impact in this field. The SSC said that The Saudi experiments in space range from human research and cell science to artificial rain in microgravity. The SSC also indicated that in the artificial rain experiment, in which water vapor will be condensed on plankton and salt atoms in microgravity that simulate the cloud seeding process that is used in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and many other countries to increase precipitation rates. Led by Dr. Ashraf Farahat, this experiment is for the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and will help scientists and researchers devise new ways to provide suitable conditions for humans - including the work of artificial rain - to live in space colonies on the surface of the Moon and Mars. The experiment will also contribute to improving researchers' understanding of rain-seeding technology, which will contribute to increasing rainfall in many countries, God willing. To better understand the impacts of being in space on human health, Saudi's Nebula Research and Development, led by Dr. Bader Shirah, is conducting six experiments aboard the ISS, which will be performed by the astronauts. These experiments will utilize novel neuroscience tools including measuring blood flow to the brain and the brain's electrical activity, assess intracranial pressure by non-invasive assessment of the pupil of the eye, and monitor changes in the optic nerve over time. Improved monitoring of neurological health may help make spaceflight safer in the future and allow for the development of rapid, non-invasive monitoring, as well as early interventions and the development of countermeasures. Blood and bio-sample specimens will also be taken to examine multi-omic biomarkers related to spaceflight and to map changes in the length, structure, and epigenetics of chromosomes and telomeres. The cell science experiments lead by the world-renowned King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC) and its team of scientists, Dr. Khalid Abu Khabar, Dr. Wijdan Alahmadi, and Dr. Edward Hitti, will be investigating the inflammatory response of human immune cells in microgravity. More specifically their research will be focused on changes in mRNA decay, a process that can turn inflammation off. In addition, response to therapy is mimicked by utilizing the same cellular model. The crew will take RNA samples for analysis on ground, where the investigators will monitor RNA expression patterns, and excitedly thousands of mRNA half-lives will be measured. Results are expected to contribute to a better understanding of space health and uncover biomarkers or potential therapies for inflammatory diseases in both Space and Earth. In addition to these experiments, three educational awareness experiments will be conducted aboard the ISS in real time with students across Saudi, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Mawhiba, Riyadh Schools and Misk Schools. The objective of these experiments is to enhance the students' knowledge of space science and its contribution to improving the quality of life on Earth, by juxtaposing their terrestrial based experiments to the ones being conducted in real-time by the Saudi crew aboard ISS. Students can see first-hand how the experiment environment can have a real effect on the results. This real-time interaction ensures that students will have access to the Saudi crew live as they perform their experiments together, one on Earth, and one in space simultaneously. The efforts by the SSC are designed to prepare future astronauts and engineers, through quality educational and training programs, participation in scientific experiments, international research and future space-related missions all of which will contribute to raising the status of the Kingdom and to achieving the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2036414/SSC_Logo.jpg SOURCE The Saudi Space Commission MECHANICSURG, Pa., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Select Medical today announced plans to build a new specialty hospital to include critical illness recovery and inpatient rehabilitative care in the Dr. Phillips suburb of Orlando, Florida. The state-of-the-art, 63-bed facility will be located at 7450 Sand Lake Commons Blvd. in Orlando. "We have seen a tremendous growing need for post-ICU and inpatient rehabilitative care across the Central Florida region," said Tom Mullin, executive vice president of hospital operations at Select Medical. "Florida's population grew faster than anywhere else in the country in 2022, and more than 20 percent of the state's population is over 65. With that comes a demand for access to world-class post-acute care to help patients heal and recover from chronic, critical illness or catastrophic injury so they may return to quality of life and back to community." Select Medical currently operates two critical illness recovery hospitals (licensed as long-term acute care) in Orlando as well as 11 additional critical illness recovery hospitals and three inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and units throughout the state of Florida. Expected to open in late 2024, the new Select Specialty Hospital will serve patients recovering from chronic, medically-complex conditions and debilitating illnesses as well as injuries including stroke and other neurological disorders, brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation and other orthopedic conditions. About Select Medical Select Medical is one of the largest operators of critical illness recovery hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and occupational health centers in the United States based on number of facilities. As of December 31, 2022, Select Medical operated 103 critical illness recovery hospitals in 28 states, 31 rehabilitation hospitals in 12 states, and 1,928 outpatient rehabilitation clinics in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Concentra operated 540 occupational health centers in 41 states. At December 31, 2022, Select Medical had operations in 46 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit: www.selectmedical.com. Media Contact Shelly Eckenroth, [email protected] or 717-920-4035 SOURCE Select Medical Corporation NEW YORK, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Purcell & Lefkowitz LLP, a class action law firm dedicated to representing shareholders nationwide, is investigating a potential breach of fiduciary duty claim involving the board of directors of The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR). If you are a shareholder of The Timken Company and are interested in obtaining additional information regarding this investigation, free of charge, please visit us at: https://pjlfirm.com/the-timken-company/ You may also contact Robert H. Lefkowitz, Esq. either via email at [email protected] or by telephone at 212-725-1000. One of our attorneys will personally speak with you about the case at no cost or obligation. Purcell & Lefkowitz LLP is a law firm exclusively committed to representing shareholders nationwide who are victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty and other types of corporate misconduct. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit https://pjlfirm.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. SOURCE Purcell & Lefkowitz LLP NEW BRITAIN, Conn., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of Stanley Black & Decker's business transformation strategy launched in 2022, and in an effort to optimize its footprint and better serve customers, the Company is announcing changes to its manufacturing and distribution network which will include U.S. site expansions, site transformations into manufacturing centers of excellence, and site consolidation. As part of this effort, the Company is announcing it will transfer its Cheraw, South Carolina operations to its facilities in Jackson and Gallatin, Tennessee, and will discontinue operations in Fort Worth, Texas. These actions will impact 175 employees at the Texas facility and 182 employees in South Carolina, while adding 80 jobs in Tennessee. The Company is focused on providing a smooth transition to impacted employees including options for employment at other Stanley Black & Decker facilities, as well as job placement support services. These actions are aligned to the transformation strategy designed to deliver $2 billion of cost savings and are reflective of current economic conditions which highlighted needed changes in Stanley Black & Decker's production and distribution network. Strategic actions supporting the transformation will also enable a more focused product portfolio and strategic sourcing while delivering operational and service excellence. These efforts will support and strengthen Stanley Black & Decker's core business, drive financial performance, and enable investments to ensure sustainable future growth. Stanley Black & Decker is a major U.S. manufacturer, headquartered in Connecticut since 1843, and today has more than 40 manufacturing facilities and nearly 19,000 employees in the U.S. Over the past five years, the Company has grown its U.S. employee population by more than 5,000 across its Tools & Outdoor business, invested over half its capital expenditures in the U.S. totaling $1 billion, and has plans for continued future growth and investment enabled by its business transformation. About Stanley Black & Decker Headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker is a worldwide leader in tools and outdoor operating manufacturing facilities worldwide. Guided by its purpose for those who make the world the company's more than 50,000 diverse and high-performing employees produce innovative, award-winning power tools, hand tools, storage, digital tool solutions, lifestyle products, outdoor products, engineered fasteners and other industrial equipment to support the world's makers, creators, tradespeople and builders. The company's iconic brands include DEWALT, BLACK+DECKER, CRAFTSMAN, STANLEY, CUB CADET, HUSTLER and TROY-BILT. Recognized for its leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG), Stanley Black & Decker strives to be a force for good in support of its communities, employees, customers and other stakeholders. To learn more visit: www.stanleyblackanddecker.com SOURCE Stanley Black & Decker TORONTO, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) has released a new template for its supplementary financial information package. The template aligns with financial disclosure changes related to the adoption of IFRS 17 and IFRS 9, which began on January 1, 2023. The updated supplementary financial information template and an overview of the key changes are available at https://www.sunlife.com/en/investors/. Sun Life will release its Q1 financial results under the adoption of IFRS 17 and IFRS 9 on May 11, 2023 after markets close. About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2022, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.33 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com . Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF. Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars Sun Life Media and Investor Relations contacts: Rajani Kamath Yaniv Bitton Associate Vice-President Vice-President, Head of Investor Corporate Communications Relations & Capital Markets 647-515-7514 416-979-6496 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc. WELLESLEY, Mass., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Life U.S. is growing its Health and Risk Solutions team with top talent from the health insurance field. The company is continuing its expansion of health-related services to help people access the care and coverage they need. Mike Martocci, vice president of Strategic Growth, and Jamie Smith, vice president of Operations, bring decades of combined industry experience, complementing other recently added key talent to support further growth in health benefits. Jamie Smith Mike Martocci "Sun Life U.S. is offering more products, capabilities, and services that make care and benefits easier for our clients, improve the health of our members even before a claim is filed, and reduce the costs of care," said Jennifer Collier, president, Health and Risk Solutions, Sun Life U.S. "With Jamie and Mike joining our team, along with other newly appointed team members, our business is well positioned to continue developing new solutions for our clients." Building on the 2021 acquisition of PinnacleCare, Sun Life's Health and Risk Solutions business offers Health Navigator, a healthcare navigation service provided through personal care advisors to help people get the right diagnoses and access the right doctors and care for their specific medical needs. "Navigating the healthcare system can be difficult, time-consuming, and stressful, especially for someone with a complex health condition. Our goal is to provide the support people need to make confident decisions about their health and experience improved outcomes," Collier added. Jamie Smith joined Sun Life from Elevance Health, formerly Anthem, where he led strategy and execution of the Health Utilization Management function within its Health Solutions business, including operational oversight, performance, clinical adherence and licensure, training, and quality. Prior to Elevance, he held positions at Oscar Health, WellCare and Aetna. In his new role at Sun Life, Smith is establishing the strategic direction of business operations to ensure successful execution of priorities. Mike Martocci joined Sun Life from American Public Life Insurance, where he held roles as vice president of Product Development, and most recently, Chief Risk Officer. He previously held various leadership roles at Colonial Life, Aflac, Allstate, AIG and Guardian. In his new role at Sun Life, Martocci has direct responsibility for client-focused solutions, supporting growth across Health and Risk Solutions products and services and aligning strategies across the business. Sun Life is the largest independent stop-loss provider in the country, covering high-dollar medical claims for more than 2,800 self-funded employers covering more than 5 million people. Utilizing its extensive medical claims database, Sun Life provides expert insights each year on clinical conditions and medical trends that drive high-cost claims, giving a line of sight into how people utilize their healthcare. About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2022, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.33 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com . Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF. Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping more than 50 million Americans access the healthcare and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life U.S. and affiliated companies in asset management employ approximately 8,000 people in the U.S. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information visit our website and newsroom. Media contacts: Devon Fernald Sun Life U.S. 781-800-3609 [email protected] Connect with Sun Life U.S. https://www.facebook.com/SLFUnitedStates https://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-life-financial https://twitter.com/SunLifeUS SOURCE Sun Life U.S. BOISE, Idaho, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Sharon E. Oster, MD, is acknowledged as a Top Pinnacle Healthcare Professional 2023 for her contributions to the Medical Field. Dr. Oster completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Colorado, receiving honors from The Phi Beta Kappa Society, and earned an MD at East Virginia Medical School in 1980. The doctor completed her residency at the Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in Martinez, where she was previously recognized with the Resident of the Year Award. She is a member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Prior to her current position, the doctor worked at Saint Alphonsus Hospital from 1999 to 2006 and then served as Chief of the Infection Control Committee in Pinole, CA, from 1990 to 1998. She also served with the AIDS clinics in Martinez and Oakland, CA, from 1985 to 1999, and as an assistant professor of medicine at the University of California at Davis from 1985 to 1989. Dr. Oster is considered an expert in the field of internal medicine and infectious diseases. She is the owner and a practicing physician at Oster Medical Group in Boise, ID. Dr. Oster largely attributes her success to her talent for connecting with her patients, and she hopes to retire sometime soon. According to Dr. Oster, she is a civic-minded citizen in her community, volunteering with the Idaho Historical Society and participating as a flutist in the Canyon County Flute Orchestra and the Mulligan Capital City Band. She is affiliated with the American Board of Internal Medicine and her respective state and county medical associations. The doctor was recognized with America's Best in Medicine Award by the American Health Council in 2019. In her spare time, the doctor is an accomplished flutist and enjoys reading mysteries. Dr. Oster wishes to honor the loving memory of her dear husband, David; her father, Robert; her mother, Caroline; and her grandmother, Ellen Evans. She would also like to acknowledge her daughter, Stephanie, and thank her for her love and support. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle Tokyo Rebels releases project whitepaper on its new project site NoodleShop LOS ANGELES, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tokyo Rebels, a visionary collective of artists, developers, and experts, is excited to announce the release of their comprehensive whitepaper. This document outlines the mission, purpose, and advantages of collecting Tokyo Rebels NFTs, a unique and visually stunning NFT collection that seeks to push the boundaries of the NFT space. Established in 2022, Tokyo Rebels is led by six Guardians with decades of experience specializing in Artistic Illustration and Animation, Logistics, Analytics, Web2 and Web3 Development, and Software Delivery. Working alongside a larger community through a proprietary voting system and constant discourse, the group aims to create innovative systems for global use. The whitepaper highlights the two main goals of Tokyo Rebels: creating an inspiring, imaginative, and useful NFT collection and building a sustainable ecosystem, business structure, and practical utilities. The Tokyo Rebels collection is limited to 10,000 individual animated MP4 NFTs, each crafted with precision and attention to detail. The NFTs themselves will play a role on the upcoming NoodleShop ecommerce platform. Collectors of Tokyo Rebels NFTs can look forward to staking for the native token of Noodleshop, which will unlock additional utilities, advertising, perks, future games, and competitions. Holding Tokyo Rebels NFTs will also offer long-term benefits such as early BETA access and project voting rights. Join the Tokyo Rebels community to become part of a forward-thinking collective that combines art and technology in their NFT collection. Experience the stunning visuals that inspire creativity and imagination, and join Tokyo Rebels on their journey to create better systems for the world to use. For more information, visit https://tokyorebels.io/ and follow them on Twitter @TheTokyoRebels. Stay tuned for the latest updates, news, and developments from Tokyo Rebels. -The Tokyo Rebels Official Links- Website: https://tokyorebels.io/ Reborn Collection: Opensea: https://opensea.io/collection/tokyo-rebels Collection Contract: https://etherscan.io/address/0xb54420149dbe2d5b2186a3e6dc6fc9d1a58316d4#code Social Media- Discord: https://discord.gg/tokyorebels Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheTokyoRebels Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyorebels Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TokyoRebels/ Medium: https://medium.com/@thetokyorebels Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thetokyorebels //: Christopher Ruiz | Artist & Worldbuilder | @rnoxx___ //: Lucas Vinzon | Web3 | @0xPrimata //: Jordan Grosso | Project Manager | @realmoon_lander //: Alex Andre Guintu | Art Developer | @0x_alxndre //: Anthony Enders | Lore Writer | @AmbergrisCrypto //: Jesse Crowell | Web2 | @crowexx Tags: Tokyo Rebels, NFTs, NFT Collection, Whitepaper, PR Newswire, Noodleshop, Blockchain, Art, Animation, NFT Community, NFT Art, NFT Ecosystem Contact: The Tokyo Rebels, NoodleShop ***@noodleshop.xyz Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/12956008 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE The Tokyo Rebels BEVERLY, Mass., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brookwood Financial Partners, LLC ("Brookwood"), a nationally-recognized private equity real estate firm, is pleased to announce that Thomas W. Brown has been named the Chief Real Estate Officer of Yesway, the 435-store strong convenience store operator founded by the firm in 2015. Thomas W. Brown, Chief Real Estate Officer of Yesway "Over the course of his long-standing tenure at Brookwood, Tom has made outstanding contributions to the firm as an esteemed member of our senior management team. He is extremely well respected by colleagues and clients in the private equity, commercial real estate, and convenience retailing realms for his astute knowledge and depth of experience," said Tom Trkla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brookwood, and Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Yesway. "Having worked side by side with Tom for nearly 30 years, I am excited about this next chapter for the company, and look forward to him providing even more guidance and support as Yesway continues to grow. I could not be more pleased to celebrate his achievements." In his capacity as Chief Real Estate Officer, Tom will be responsible for directing all real estate related activities for the firm, including identifying potential site and convenience store acquisitions, and overseeing the firm's store remodel, raze and rebuild, and new-to-market construction initiatives. Mr. Brown has served at the helm of Yesway's aggressive campaign to grow Yesway's portfolio through the completion of new stores and raze-and-rebuild projects across its geographic footprint. As previously announced, Yesway completed the construction of 17 new stores and 21 raze-and-rebuild projects in 2022 at an industry-leading annual return on invested capital. Given the success of these completed projects, Yesway plans to construct 28 additional new stores in 2023, the majority of which will be funded using the proceeds of the $190 million in new equity it has raised. Mr. Brown will remain President of Brookwood and continue to serve on Brookwood's Executive and Investment Committees. Prior to joining Brookwood in 1994, Mr. Brown was a Vice President of Winthrop Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Winthrop Financial Associates, a Boston-based real estate investment and management firm. As Director of National Real Estate Operations, he was responsible for the management of 30 million square feet of office, industrial, and retail properties representing over $3 billion of real estate. Mr. Brown also previously served as President of a publicly held national real estate firm where he was responsible for the real estate operations of 250 office buildings and shopping centers throughout the United States. Mr. Brown is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the National Association of Office and Industrial Parks, and the International Council of Shopping Centers. Mr. Brown is a graduate of the University of Texas and received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas. In 2018, Mr. Brown completed the Oxford Strategic Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford's Said Business School. About Brookwood Financial Partners, LLC Brookwood is a private equity firm that acquires and manages commercial real estate and real-estate related operating businesses on behalf of its investors, which include Wall Street investment banks, sovereign wealth funds, college endowments, public and private pension funds, family offices, and high net worth individuals. Since its founding in 1993, Brookwood has invested over $1.7 billion of equity to acquire a portfolio of over 202 commercial real estate properties, seven operating companies, and 460 gas stations and convenience stores. Its $4.3 billion historical portfolio has spanned multiple asset classes, geographical markets, and industries across the United States. To learn more about Brookwood, visit www.brookwoodfinancial.com About Yesway: Yesway is one of the fastest-growing convenience store operators in the United States. Established in 2015, Yesway is a multi-branded platform headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, which operates 435 stores located in Texas, New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. Yesway operates its portfolio primarily under two successful brands, Yesway and Allsup's, with sites that are differentiated through a leading food service offering, featuring Allsup's famous deep-fried burrito, and a wide variety of high-quality grocery items and private-label products. Yesway's geographic footprint consists of stores located in attractive rural and suburban markets across the Midwest and Southwest, where it is often the convenience retail destination of choice and effectively the local grocer. The Yesway team has a successful track record of growing through acquisitions and believes it is well positioned to continue to solidify its market position and grow its store count. Yesway has received numerous industry awards for its growth initiatives, management team, loyalty program, and employees' contributions to the industry. yesway.com Media Contact: Erin Vadala, Warner Communications (978) 468-3076; [email protected] SOURCE Brookwood Financial Partners, LLC The Business Research Company's global market reports are now updated with the latest market sizing information for the year 2023 and forecasted to 2032 LONDON, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per The Business Research Company's Metal Stamping Global Market Report 2023, the global metal stamping market size will grow from $198.4 billion in 2022 to $208.7 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 5%. The metal stamping market value is expected to grow to $254.7 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of more than 5%. The metal stamping market is highly fragmented, with a large number of small players. Gestamp Automocion S.A was the largest competitor with 0.7% share of the metal stamping market, followed by Shiloh Industries Inc, Clow Stamping Company Inc., Kenmode Precision Metal Stamping, D&H Industries, Inc. with, Sertec Group Ltd, Acro Metal Stamping, Interplex Holdings Pte. Ltd., Goshen Stamping Company with, and Harvey Vogel Manufacturing Co. with 0.007%. Learn More On The Metal Stamping Market Report https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/metal-stamping-global-market-report Top three drivers encouraging major players to invest in the metal stamping market are: 1. Growth In The Medical Equipment Industry Metal stamping is used for a wide range of medical applications. Some of the common medical parts and components made from metal stamping include surgical instruments, medical device enclosures, medical equipment housings, imaging equipment, thermometer probe covers, oxygen tank subcomponents, pump components and others. It is estimated that the global medical equipment market is expected to grow from $647.4 billion in 2022 to $963.1 billion in 2027. Therefore, growth in the medical equipment market will drive the metal stamping market going froward. 2. Increasing Metal Consumption By The Aerospace Sector During the forecast period, metal consumption by the aerospace sector will support the growth of the metal stamping market. Aircraft engineers acknowledge steel for its durability, hardness, and resistance to high temperatures. In April 2021, according to Boeing, a US-based corporation that develops, produces and markets missiles, satellites, rockets, rotorcraft, rocket boosters and telecommunications equipment, around 42,730 new jets, valued at $6.3 trillion, will be required over the next 20 years, to accommodate increasing passenger demand and impending jet retirements. This will involve major metal consumption, especially in aluminum. 3. Rise In Urban Population And Demand For Infrastructure Many people in rural areas are relocating to urban regions in search of a better quality of life. The need for infrastructure and housing is anticipated to rise as a result propelling the growth of the metal stamping industry. In Asian nations like China, India, Vietnam and the Philippines, demand for infrastructure is anticipated to rise sharply. For example, in October 2022, according to the World Bank, globally, over 50% of the population lives in urban areas. By 2045, the world's urban population will increase by 1.5 times to 6 billion. Therefore, the urban populations will generate demand for automobiles, modern electronics and other products, driving the metal stamping market growth. Request A Free Sample Of The Metal Stamping Market Report https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=7053&type=smp According to the metal stamping market analysis, market-trend-based strategies that metal stamping market companies can adopt include focusing on technological advances for providing comparable or even superior products and technologies, considering strategic investments to expand and build new metal stamping facilities, focusing on partnerships and collaborations to expand product portfolio and geographic presence and improving research and development (R&D) activities for the development of new solutions for metal stamping. View More Similar Market Reports: Metalworking Machinery Global Market Report 2023 https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/metalworking-machinery-global-market-report Metal Products Global Market Report 2023 https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/metal-products-global-market-report Structural Steel Fabrication Global Market Report 2023 https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/structural-steel-fabrication-global-market-report Interested to know more about The Business Research Company? The Business Research Company has published over 3000+ detailed industry reports, spanning over 3000+ market segments and 60 geographies. The reports draw on 1,500,000 datasets, extensive secondary research, and exclusive insights from interviews with industry leaders. 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Contact Information The Business Research Company Europe: +44 207 1930 708 Asia: +91 8897263534 Americas: +1 315 623 0293 Email: [email protected] Follow Us On: LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/the-business-research-company Twitter: https://twitter.com/tbrc_info Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBusinessResearchCompany YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC24_fI0rV8cR5DxlCpgmyFQ Blog: https://blog.tbrc.info/ Healthcare Blog: https://healthcareresearchreports.com/ Global Market Model: https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/global-market-model Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1751581/tbrc_logo.jpg SOURCE TBRC Business Research Pvt Ltd NOIDA, India, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report published by UnivDatos Markets Insights, the transfection technologies market was valued at more than USD 857 million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 8% from 2022-2028. The analysis has been segmented into Product Type (Reagent, Instrument, and Others); Application (Therapeutic Delivery, Bio-Medical Research, Protein Production, and Others); Technology (Physical Transfection, Biochemical-Based Transfection, and Viral-Vector-Based Transfection); End-User (Research Centers and Academic Institutes, Hospitals and Clinics, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, and Others); and Region/Country. Click here to view the Report Description & TOC https://univdatos.com/report/transfection-technologies-market/ The transfection technologies market report has been aggregated by collecting informative data on various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the transfection technologies market. The transfection technologies market report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors in the market that are influencing the market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the transfection technologies market at the global and regional levels. Request for Sample Pages https://univdatos.com/get-a-free-sample-form-php/?product_id=35884 Market Overview Transfection is a modern and powerful method used to insert foreign nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells. The ability to modify host cells' genetic content enables the broad application of this process in studying normal cellular processes, disease molecular mechanisms, and gene therapeutic effects. Biosimilar drug development is accelerated as several drug patents are anticipated to lapse in the coming years. A combination of cytological, genomic, and proteomic analysis is crucial to their development. As a result, the use of transfection equipment and reagents in proteomic and genomic research has grown. Furthermore, rising cases of cancer & high demand for the synthetic gene will increase the growth of the transfection technologies market. For instance, according to the data provided by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRAC) in 2018, it is estimated that there will be more than 27.5 million new cancer cases by 2040. Also, the two main purposes of transfection are to produce recombinant proteins or to specifically enhance or inhibit gene expression in transfected cells. As such, transfection is a powerful analytical tool for the study of the function and regulation of genes or gene products, for the production of transgenic organisms, and as a method for gene therapy. Some of the major players operating in the market include Lonza Group Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Roche, QIAGEN, Mirus Bio LLC, SignaGen Laboratories, Genlantis Inc., OZ Biosciences, and Promega Corporation. COVID-19 Impact The recent covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the world and has brought a state of shock to the global economy. The global pandemic has impacted the healthcare industry and has transformed the way healthcare is delivered. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the transfection technologies market the COVID-19 pandemic led to worldwide lockdowns and restrictions, leading to many diagnostic and treatment procedures had been canceled or postponed around the world. The global transfection technologies market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated. On the basis of application, the market is categorized into therapeutic delivery, bio-medical research, protein production, and others. Among these, the therapeutic delivery category is anticipated to register a lucrative CAGR during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the rising demand for precise therapeutic procedures and intensifying research and development activities associated with novel drug and transfection technique discoveries. Based on technology, the transfection technologies market has been classified into physical transfection, biochemical-based transfection, and viral-vector-based transfection. The viral-vector-based transfection category is to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the growing prominence of gene and cell therapy products and increasing funding activities are the key driving factors fueling the growth of the market. Have a Look at the Chapters https://univdatos.com/report/transfection-technologies-market/ Transfection Technologies Market Geographical Segmentation Includes: North America ( United States , Canada , and Rest of North America ) ( , , and Rest of ) Europe ( Germany , United Kingdom , Spain , Italy , France , and the Rest of Europe ) ( , , , , , and the Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , and the Rest of Asia-Pacific ) ( , , , and the Rest of ) Rest of the World North America is anticipated to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the presence of cutting-edge research labs and leading pharmaceutical companies that are continuously contributing to research and development. The full-fledged economies of the states in North America force them to spend an incalculable amount of money on developing modern treatments. Additionally, the rising obesity and breast cancer rates in the US are the major contributor to this sector's dominance in the transfection technologies market. For instance, in 2020, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685 000 deaths globally. As of the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 5 years, making it the world's most prevalent cancer. The major players targeting the market include Lonza Group Ltd. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. Roche QIAGEN Mirus Bio LLC SignaGen Laboratories Genlantis Inc. OZ Biosciences Promega Corporation Competitive Landscape The degree of competition among prominent global companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating worldwide. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the transfection technologies market. The major players have been analyzed by using research methodologies for getting insight views on global competition. Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include: What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the transfection technologies market? Which factors are influencing the transfection technologies market over the forecast period? What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the transfection technologies market? Which factors are propelling and restraining the transfection technologies market? What are the demanding global regions of the transfection technologies market? What will be the global market size in the upcoming years? What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by global companies? We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature and geography. Please let us know If you have any custom needs. About UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) Browse Other Related Research Reports from UnivDatos Market Insights Transfection Technologies Market Report Coverage Report Attribute Details Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2028 Growth momentum Accelerate at a CAGR of over 8% Market size 2020 USD 857 million Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Rest of World Major contributing region North America to Dominate the Global Transfection Technologies Market Key countries covered United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, China, Japan, India, and Australia Companies profiled Lonza Group Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Roche, QIAGEN, Mirus Bio LLC, SignaGen Laboratories, Genlantis Inc., OZ Biosciences, and Promega Corporation. Report Scope Market Trends, Drivers, and Restraints; Revenue Estimation and Forecast; Segmentation Analysis; Impact of COVID-19; Demand and Supply Side Analysis; Competitive Landscape; Company Profiling Segments Covered By Product Type; By Application; By Technology; and By End-User; By Region/Country About UnivDatos Market Insights UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients. Contact UnivDatos Market Insights Ankita Gupta Director Operations Ph: +91-7838604911 Email: [email protected] Website: https://univdatos.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1225049/UnivDatos_Logo.jpg SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights Pvt. Ltd. WARWICK, R.I., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans of all ages travel but, different age groups have different needs, wants, and concerns when vacationing. So, InsureMyTrip analyzed the travel habits of policyholders in four age groups utilizing data over the last three years*: Baby Boomer: 58-76 Gen X: 46-57 Millennial: 27-45 Gen Z: 6-26 According to the findings, travelers in each age range have different spending habits, are visiting different destinations, and are purchasing travel insurance at different rates. Top International Destinations by Age Group It appears all four generations love a deal. Mexico is one of the cheapest vacations with an average trip cost of $3,323. However, Boomers and Gen X are willing to splurge a little with trips to Italy (avg. $6,984). Baby Boomer : Mexico Italy United Kingdom Gen X : Mexico Bahamas Italy Millennial : Mexico Costa Rica Bahamas Gen Z : Mexico Costa Rica United Kingdom Average Trip Cost by Age Group This may come as no surprise, but Baby Boomers spend significantly more on vacations than the other generations especially Gen Z. Baby Boomer : $6,126 Gen X : $5,060 Millennial : $4,141 Gen Z : $2,788 Average Number of Travelers by Age Group Those in the newest generation, Gen Z, tend to have just one traveler named on a policy, while the other generations tend to buy plans for at least two travelers. Baby Boomer : Two (2) Gen X : Two (2) Millennial : Two (2) Gen Z : One (1) Percentage of Travel Insurance Policies Purchased by Age Group Older Americans and millennials appear more apt to purchase travel insurance. Baby Boomer : 39% Gen X : 23% Millennial : 26% Gen Z : 7% Why to Consider Travel Insurance at Any Age A common misconception about travel insurance is that it is for and caters toward older Americans. However, a policy can be beneficial to Boomers and Gen Zers alike. Here are two important travel insurance benefits that travelers of all ages may want to consider: Emergency Medical: This coverage is key for those traveling abroad. Most domestic health insurance plans will not cover medical bills outside of the home country. Cancel for Any Reason: The add-on/optional benefit gives travelers the flexibility to cancel a trip for something other than a covered reason (e.g., fear). There are eligibility requirements, but if those are met, you may be reimbursed 50%-75% of your insured, prepaid, nonrefundable trips costs if you cancel at lease 48 hours before your departure. Travelers can compare plans on InsureMyTrip.com. Comprehensive travel insurance plans can cover your prepaid, non-refundable trip cost, including flights and accommodations, in addition to providing robust key benefits including trip cancellation, emergency medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation, trip interruption, trip delay, baggage coverage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Typically, these plans will run 4-8 percent of a total trip cost. Media Contact: Meghan Kayata [email protected] *Methodology: InsureMyTrip analyzed travel insurance policies sold for trips departing between January 1, 2020 December 31, 2023. Generation age ranges defined by InsureMyTrip data team. About InsureMyTrip It's simple. InsureMyTrip finds you the right travel insurance plan, every time. InsureMyTrip is the authority on travel insurance. We are committed to empowering travelers to make the best possible insurance decisions by leveraging our technology, data intelligence, and expertise. InsureMyTrip is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau. SOURCE InsureMyTrip BLUE BELL, Pa., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) today announced its participation in the Sidoti Small Cap Virtual Investor Conference. Peter Altabef, Chair and Chief Executive Officer will host a fireside chat at 9:15 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. A webcast of the presentation will be available on the Unisys Investor Relations website at https://www.unisys.com/investor-relations/, and a replay of the presentation will be available following the event. Peter and the company's Chief Financial Officer, Deb McCann, will be available to host virtual one-on-one meetings on March 22nd and 23rd, 2023. Investors interested in arranging one-on-one meetings should contact your conference representative. About Unisys Unisys is a global technology solutions company that powers breakthroughs for the world's leading organizations. Our solutions digital workplace; cloud, applications & infrastructure; enterprise computing; and business process help our clients challenge the status quo and create new possibilities. To learn how we deliver breakthroughs for our clients, visit unisys.com. RELEASE NO.: 0320/9901 Unisys and other Unisys products and services mentioned herein, as well as their respective logos, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Unisys Corporation. Any other brand or product referenced herein is acknowledged to be a trademark or registered trademark of its respective holder. UIS-C SOURCE Unisys Corporation NYSE American: UEC CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC) (the "Company" or "UEC") is pleased to announce the appointment of Trecia Canty to the Company's Board of Directors. Trecia Canty has over 25 years of experience in finance, strategic transactions, corporate governance, compliance, enterprise risk and ESG and has extensive energy industry experience, including exploration and production, public utilities, pipelines and related businesses in the United States and Canada. Ms. Canty is presently the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary and a member of the Executive Committee of PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE: PBF), a Fortune 200 company that is one of the largest independent petroleum refiners and suppliers of unbranded transportation fuels, heating oil, petrochemical feedstocks, lubricants and other petroleum products in the United States. Ms. Canty has been recognized by a number of professional distinctions including recognition in the Lawyers of Color Power List in 2020, inclusion in the Women Inc. 100 Top Corporate Counsel list in 2019 and recognition by Black Enterprise Magazine in its Most Powerful Women in Business in 2019. Amir Adnani, CEO and President, stated, "We are delighted to welcome Trecia Canty to our Board of Directors. Trecia brings a wealth of experience that will be invaluable in supporting our ongoing growth strategy." About Uranium Energy Corp Uranium Energy Corp is the fastest growing supplier of the fuel for the green energy transition to a low carbon future. UEC is the largest, diversified North American focused uranium company, advancing the next generation of low-cost, environmentally friendly In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") mining uranium projects in the United States and high-grade conventional projects in Canada. The Company has two production-ready ISR hub and spoke platforms located in South Texas and Wyoming. These two production platforms are anchored by fully operational central processing plants and served by seven U.S. ISR uranium projects with all their major permits in place. Additionally, the Company has diversified uranium holdings including: (1) one of the largest physical uranium portfolios of North American warehoused U 3 O 8 ; (2) a major equity stake in Uranium Royalty Corp., the only royalty company in the sector; and (3) a Western Hemisphere pipeline of resource stage uranium projects. The Company's operations are managed by professionals with decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development, and mining. Stock Exchange Information: NYSE American: UEC WKN: AJDRR ISN: US916896103 Safe Harbor Statement Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. SOURCE Uranium Energy Corp Using their advanced predictive analysis technology, VantagePoint was able to identify patterns and anomalies in financial data that signaled impending market turbulence. WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantagepoint A.I. (www.vantagepointsoftware.com), is the software company that developed the first artificial intelligence (A.I.) trading software in the world available to retail investors and traders. This highly effective software, used by over 35,000 traders worldwide successfully predicted the current downtrend of the banking industry in advance by utilizing Artificial Intelligence. figure 1 figure 2 VantagePoint's A.I. forecasts were spot on when it comes to the banks that were shuttered and stopped trading, as well as the banks still trading. What will go down in the history books of the banking industry also represents a pivotal feat for this technology. VantagePoint pinpointed the SVB Financial Group (SIVB) stock reversal over a month ago, as shown below in figure 1. Furthermore, US Bancorp (USB) was also forecasted a month ago by VantagePoint's artificial intelligence, as displayed in figure 2. VantagePoint Software's A.I. identifies global markets' hidden influencing factors and performs advanced forms of linear and non-linear pattern recognition using patented intermarket analysis. The technology then employs a second patented process to generate predictive technical indicators capable of forecasting market changes up to 3 days in advance. Most other trading tools and technical indicators have failed to evolve and continue to only focus on past-price data prone to immense lag. "Over forty years ago my father, Louis Mendelsohn, founded this company to help independent traders be competitive in the financial markets," said Lane Mendelsohn, President of Vantagepoint AI. "He knew a computer could analyze data better and faster than any human could. Today our software's artificial intelligence can forecast the market better than any human using big data and statistical probabilities." To see how artificial intelligence can help traders trade smarter, schedule a demonstration at www.vantagepointsoftware.com/demo About Vantagepoint AI, LLC. Headquartered in Wesley Chapel, Florida, VantagePoint software forecasts Stocks, Futures, Forex, Options, Cryptocurrencies, and ETFs with proven accuracy of up to 87.4%. VantagePoint's patented artificial intelligence processes predict changes in market trend direction up to three days in advance, giving traders insight into optimal times to make their trades. Founded over 40 years ago, Vantagepoint AI is a second-generation family-owned business that employs over 80 team members and has traders in more than 120 countries. The company is actively committed to giving back in the Tampa Bay community, regularly donating a portion of revenue to Shriners Hospitals for Children and The Children's Cancer Center as well as other charities. Media Contact: Jordan Youtz [email protected] SOURCE VantagePoint Software Surge in prevalence of cough & cold, rise in the use of vaporizers for beauty care purposes, increase in beauty care expenditure, surge in standard & quality of life, and rise in awareness about the convenience of using vaporizers drive the global vaporizers market. PORTLAND, Ore., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Vaporizer Market by Product Type (Facial steamer, Hair Vaporizer, Nebulizer), by Application (Residential, Hospitals, Personal Care Services), by Distribution Channel (Online, Offline): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031." According to the report, the global vaporizer industry was valued at $1.2 billion in 2021 and is estimated to generate $2.0 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 5.4% from 2022 to 2031. The report offers a detailed analysis of changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chain, regional landscape, and competitive scenario. Download Free Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/16529 Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities Surge in prevalence of cough & cold due to changes in weather, poor immunity, and allergies, rise in the use of vaporizers for beauty care purposes, increase in beauty care expenditure, surge in standard & quality of life, and rise in awareness about the convenience of using vaporizers drive the global vaporizers market. However, the risk of getting burned or scalded owing to the mishandling of the vaporizer and the availability of a humidifier are likely to hinder the market growth during the forecast period. On the other hand, a rise in technical advancements will present new growth opportunities for the global market in the coming years. Covid-19 Scenario The global vaporizer market was positively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, as many consumers bought vaporizers for using them at home to avoid doctor visits. The pandemic resulted in an increased demand for the vaporizer market as it helped to overcome colds and coughs, and respiratory issues which can be caused due to COVID. According to the report of the National Library of Medicine, U.S., it has been observed that the administration of steam inhalation reduced clinical symptoms in infected patients. The personal care services segment to dominate the market during the forecast period Based on application, the personal care services segment contributed to the largest share of more than two-fifths of the global vaporizer market in 2021 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. This is due to the rise in concern of the global population toward their personal appearance and surge in expenditure on beauty & personal care. Moreover, the residential segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 5.9% from 2022 to 2031. The growth is attributed to the rise in concern of consumers toward personal care and increase in geriatric population. Procure Complete Report (345 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/21fa2488a5793e46363574d100260a1e The facial steamer segment to maintain its leadership during the forecast period Based on product type, the facial steamer segment grabbed the highest share of more than two-fifths of overall vaporizer market in 2021 and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. The growth is driven by a rise in concern toward personal appearance and huge number of incidences of cold. Furthermore, the hair vaporizer segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 6.1% from 2022 to 2031. The hair vaporizer improves blood circulation in the scalp and steaming hair retains its moisture and allows other hair care products to enter the hair cuticles easily. The offline segment to maintain a progressive growth during the forecast period Based on distribution channel, the offline segment grabbed the highest share of more than two-thirds of the overall vaporizer market in 2021 and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. Offline stores allow customers to check the product before making a purchase, which also attracts numerous customers to offline stores, and their ability to quickly buy and return the purchased items at the stores drives the segment growth. The online segment, on the other hand, is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 6.2% from 2022 to 2031. Online purchase of goods is becoming very popular and more prevalent due to the high penetration of the internet across the globe and the convenience of shopping, continuous service, and availability of a wide range of choices. North America to achieve the largest revenue by 2031 Based on region, the market in North America was the largest in 2021, accounting for more than one-third of the global vaporizer market and is likely to maintain its dominance during the forecast timeframe. This is because of a rise in awareness regarding the benefits of vaporizers, and high disposal income of the population of North America. Moreover, the market in Asia-Pacific is likely to show the fastest CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. The growth of the market is driven by a rise in health concerns of consumers in developing countries, such as India and China. Enquire before buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/16529 Leading Market Players: Secura Drive DeVilbiss International Allied Healthcare Products, Inc. Beurer GmbH Revlon, Inc. Trudell Medical International Philip Morris International Inc. Panasonic Corporation Teleflex Incorporated PARI Respiratory Equipment, Inc. Garfield Commercial Enterprises, Inc. Felton Grimwade & Bosistos Pty Ltd & Bosistos Pty Ltd C&A Marketing, Inc. OMRON Corporation Conair Corporation Trending Reports in Consumer Goods Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount): About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 [email protected] Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/consumer-goods Follow Us on Blog: https://www.dailyreportsworld.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research ATLANTA, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- White Cap has received the Top Workplaces 2023 award by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for the second year running. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection. "We are so fortunate to have many talented individuals from different backgrounds who bring diverse perspectives and skill sets to our team," said John Stegeman, CEO of White Cap. "Our associates are the heart of White Cap and make our culture what it is. We are proud that their feedback resulted in another year of this great recognition." Learn more about White Cap's Commitment to Our People & Communities here: https://about.whitecap.com/our-people-and-communities. About White Cap White Cap Supply Holdings, LLC ("White Cap") serves as a one-stop shop providing concrete accessories and chemicals, tools and equipment, building materials and fasteners, erosion and waterproofing and safety products to professional contractors by meeting their distinct and customized supply needs in non-residential, infrastructure and residential end markets. White Cap is comprised of multiple brands in the U.S. and the Brafasco, Brock White and NCA brands in Canada. White Cap operates more than 450 branches across North America with more than 9,000 employees supporting approximately 200,000 customers. For more information, visit about.whitecap.com. About Energage Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 14 years of culture research and the results from 22 million employees surveyed across more than 66,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com. SOURCE White Cap Supply Holdings LLC OREM, Utah, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ODYSSEY Snacks, a brand of gut healthy protein bars, has recently launched a new line of protein bars that are free from erythritol, a sugar alcohol often used as a sweetener in food products. These new protein bars contain all-natural, gluten-free ingredients and are available in a range of flavors, including peanut butter chocolate chip, mint chocolate brownie, and banana chocolate chip peanut butter. ODYSSEY Prebiotic Protein Bars The National Institutes of Health recently published a study finding erythritol to be linked to strokes and heart failure. Erythritol is also known to cause digestive discomfort such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea in some people. ODYSSEY's decision to abstain from erythritol in its protein bars makes them more appealing to people who seek natural, easy-to-digest protein sources. Many competitors elect to use erythritol to avoid the calories that come with natural sugar. Each protein bar from ODYSSEY contains 13-16 grams of protein, making it an ideal snack for those who want to increase their protein intake. The bars are made with nut butters, dates, and honey, making them an incredibly delicious alternative to artificially sweetened products. "We were told from the beginning that we needed to use erythritol in our bars to help with sweetness, but I knew about the negative side effects from my own gut issues," said ODYSSEY's founder, Dr. Jennifer Marone. "We know that natural sugars like dates and honey are more easily recognized by the body's digestive system, and they taste better, which is why we have decided to keep erythritol and all sugar alcohols away from our protein bars." ODYSSEYs new line of protein bars is available at their website, on Amazon, and at select stores in Utah and Nevada. The company's dedication to being the best gut-friendly option sets it apart in the competitive protein bar market. "Consumers are educating themselves about the benefits of probiotics and prebiotics," said ODYSSEY's co-founder, Steve Clark. "We believe more consumers are aware of how their gut reacts to certain foods more than ever before. Our hope is to be the brand they trust out rightly every time." In conclusion, ODYSSEY's line of protein bars is a healthier and more natural option for individuals who are looking for a protein source that is easy to digest. By refraining from using erythritol in its protein bars, ODYSSEY has shown its commitment to using only ingredients that won't induce bloating or digestive discomfort. Contact: Steve Clark, [email protected] SOURCE Odyssey Snacks DAVIE, Fla., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At BHG Financial (BHG), we consistently strive to raise the bar for gender equity by establishing programs for collaboration among women while always pushing for diversity. This has equated to our leadership team being over 40% women, compared to the national average of 21%. For International Womens Day, BHG celebrated by collaborating with three female-led groups across the company to host our first-ever Womens Day forum. For International Women's Day, BHG celebrated by collaborating with three female-led groups across the company including our Women in Tech (WiT) employee resource group (ERG), Employee Experience group, and our BHG Cares program, to host our first ever Women's Day forum. This joint effort highlights the impact of women coming together to achieve something incredible. Our inaugural Women's Day Forum saw BHG's top female leaders gathered to provide insights on current issues, give examples of how to celebrate each other, and have conversations on how to shatter the glass ceiling. This platform to amplify women's voices was well received by the company, with over 200 employees attending the event. Our expert panelists included Gale Simons-Poole, Chief Regulator Relations Officer; Danielle Walker, Sr. VP of Revenue Operations; Lawanda Green, Sr. Director of Technology Services & Operations; and Brittney Crook, Director of Information Security, all leaders in their field. This March, we not only wanted to uplift women within BHG but within the South Florida community as well. We chose two women-founded organizations in the area that align with BHG's values. We partnered with Style Saves, a nonprofit organization in a relentless pursuit to provide youths and their families with essential goods from school backpacks to nutritious meals to increase academic achievement. In addition to providing financial support, we have begun a partnership that will expand beyond March and allow our employees to be a part of an initiative that will directly impact their community. BHG has also teamed up with Lotus House in Miami, FL, the country's largest shelter for women and children. They provide shelter, resources, and multi-faceted, comprehensive supportive services to help their guests successfully exit the shelter system and lead lives of greater opportunity. For Lotus House, we asked our 1,500+ employees to participate in a clothing drive to support women, youth, and children living in and around their community. March was a month of reflection, education, and learning how to support one another. We take pride in the strides that BHG has made to ensure an equitable culture while acknowledging this is only the beginning of what we're setting out to achieve for the workplace. Giving back and building people who build BHG is ingrained in our company culture, and we look to continue to support organizations that celebrate and give back to women all days of the year. About BHG Financial BHG Financial is transforming the financial industry, leveraging the power of data, analytics, and cutting-edge technology to become one of the best sources for high-performing loans, and the creator of one of the largest community bank loan and product networks in the country. Since 2001, BHG has originated more than $14 billion in loan solutions to top-quality borrowers, which community and midsize banks can access via a state-of-the-art loan delivery platform. BHG Financials' dedication to providing services that meet the needs of its clients has led to the creation of a full family of brands that range from business, consumer, and SBA 7(a) loans to credit cards, risk management services, and point-of-sale financing. With record growth year after year, BHG continues to be recognized regionally and nationally, earning a spot on the Inc. 5000 list 16 times and receiving accolades from Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine, among others. BHG Financial is partially owned by Pinnacle Bank (PNFP) and has headquarters in Davie, FL and Syracuse, NY. To represent the company's growth and dedication to continuously expanding their services, Bankers Healthcare Group became BHG Financial in 2021. Find out more about the company's financial solutions at https://bhgfinancial.com/. For more information about the BHG Bank Network, click here. Follow BHG on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Media contact: Jasmine Heard [email protected] SOURCE BHG Financial Combination expands offerings and geographic reach CHICAGO, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ziyad Brothers ("Ziyad" or the "Company"), a leading omni-channel provider of branded Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods, announced today that it has acquired Vintage Food Corp. ("Vintage" or the "Company"), a leading distributor of branded Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European food & beverage products. The transaction brings together two companies with highly complementary brand portfolios and geographic footprints, enabling the combined company to offer customers a unique and expanded assortment of products. Vintage supplies over 2,000 products to thousands of customers across the U.S., including local specialty grocers, supermarkets, and national accounts. Headquartered in Kearny, New Jersey, Vintage has earned a strong reputation across its broad customer and supplier base for quality, reliability, value, and a leading portfolio of brands. In connection with the announcement, Vintage President Mr. Levent Demirgil will join the Ziyad team and continue to serve as the business leader for Vintage. Jim Wagner, CEO of Ziyad, said, "Vintage represents a unique opportunity to partner with an exceptional business that is highly complementary to Ziyad. Vintage's history of dedication to its customers' success, coupled with its leading portfolio of brands, make it an ideal partner for Ziyad. We look forward to building on the foundation that Mr. Demirgil has established and are excited to continue growing both organically and via acquisition." Nassem Ziyad, Executive Chairman of Ziyad, said, "With an expanded brand portfolio and geographic reach, we are excited to bring innovative, new flavors and products to our valued customers. As always, we are committed to our stakeholders' success, and we are confident that this partnership will enable our customers and suppliers to grow rapidly, as we continue our strong trajectory." Levent Demirgil, said, "We chose Ziyad as a partner based on their excellent reputation and commitment to the highest-quality products and customer service. By combining our unique portfolio with Ziyad's complementary brands and geographic reach, we will enhance our offering to customers and consumers across the U.S." Ziyad is an affiliate of Peak Rock Capital, a leading middle-market private investment firm. ABOUT ZIYAD Ziyad is a leading omni-channel provider of branded Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food and beverage products. Founded as a small bakery in 1966 in Chicago, Ziyad now owns numerous brands and partners with dozens of world-class companies on an exclusive basis to deliver their brands to the North American market. For more information on Ziyad, visit us online at www.Ziyad.com. ABOUT VINTAGE Vintage is a leading provider of branded Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European food and beverage products. Founded as a small distribution business in 1992 in Brooklyn, Vintage now owns and partners with dozens of brands and thousands of retail partners across North America. For more information on Vintage, visit us online at www.VintageFood.com. ABOUT PEAK ROCK CAPITAL Peak Rock Capital is a leading middle-market private investment firm that makes equity and debt investments in companies in North America and Europe. Peak Rock's equity investment platform focuses on opportunities where it can support senior management to drive rapid growth and performance improvement, with expertise in corporate carve-outs and partnering with families and founders seeking first-time institutional capital. Peak Rock's credit platform invests across capital structures, with a broad mandate to provide flexible, tailored capital solutions to middle-market and growth-oriented businesses. Peak Rock's real estate platform makes equity and debt investments in small to mid-sized real estate assets in attractive, growing geographies. For further information about Peak Rock Capital, please visit www.peakrockcapital.com. Media Contact: Daniel Yunger Kekst CNC (212) 521-4800 [email protected] SOURCE Ziyad Brothers Trusted Name in Drain and Sewer Services Set to Support Local Property Managers, Contractors, Plumbers & Homeowners with 24/7, 365 Drainage Solutions CHARLESTON, S.C., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoom Drain a leading operator of drain and sewer services opened its newest franchise in Charleston on March 6. Located at 3180 Industry Dr. Unit E, Zoom Drain of Charleston will proudly serve the surrounding areas. Currently this is the only Zoom Drain franchise location in South Carolina, and it is one of 37 total locations nationwide. Zoom Drain is making plans for continued growth in the state. The owner of the new location is Gray Fox Strategic. Gray Fox Strategic has been operating for the last three years, though the team has worked together for nearly a decade and has the home service industry at its core. The company's portfolio includes everything from moving companies, concrete, and now sewers and drains. Gray Fox Strategic became interested in investing with Zoom Drain after meeting the franchise team and recognizing the opportunity in the industry. Gray Fox Strategic prioritizes investing in sustainable businesses that have an impact on the entrepreneurs and leaders that are part of them. "What drew us to Zoom Drain was that it checks all the boxes for a needs-based service business, it's recession resistant, a niche industry with few competitors, and services both businesses and individuals," said Ben McNabb, Gray Fox Strategic Partner who will be overseeing Zoom Drain of Charleston. "We are excited to build our reputation with the community of Charleston as a trusted service provider. South Carolina has many opportunities for growth and we plan to expand Zoom Drain in more markets across the state in the future." Zoom Drain provides around the clock residential and commercial service centering on drain and sewer cleaning, sewer pipe video inspections, grease trap maintenance and much more. From clogged sinks and bathtubs to main sewer line blockages, Zoom Drain utilizes five different drain cleaning machines and a custom hydro-jetter to tackle any sewage issue that arises. Customers include commercial property managers, contractors, plumbers and homeowners in need of immediate solutions to drain and sewage issues. Zoom Drain prides itself on always providing swift, dependable service by expertly-trained specialists for both emergency and planned maintenance service needs everything that has to do with wastewater management. Zoom Drain is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and there's never any additional cost for "off hours" service such as nights, weekends, or even holidays. "We are thrilled to have the Gray Fox team join Zoom Drain and bring their expert services to Charleston," said Jim Criniti, CEO of Zoom Drain. "Drain and sewer emergencies are a nightmare for anyone, so offering skilled and reliable services to the Charleston community is a priority for us and we're looking forward to growing our brand in the area and beyond." To learn more about Zoom Drain, visit https://www.zoomdrain.com/ About ZOOM DRAIN: Zoom Drain is an operator and franchisor of drain and sewer services, focusing on repair, maintenance and installation everything "below the drain." If it deals with wastewater, Zoom Drain deals with it, providing expertly-trained specialists to respond to both emergency service and planned maintenance, cleaning more drains in a year than most plumbers clean in their career. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Zoom Drain currently has 37 locations across the U.S and continues to grow! For more information about, please visit https://www.zoomdrain.com/. Media Contact: Maddie LaPorta, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 847-945-1300 SOURCE Zoom Drain Jerusalem, March 20 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has 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 on Sunday, Netanyahu said that he expected Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and other security chiefs to "vigorously fight against refusal to serve", Xinhua news agency reported. "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. Cairo, March 20 : The Palestinian National Authority and Israel reaffirmed their commitment to advancing security, stability and peace for both Palestinians and Israelis. According to a communique released after a meeting between officials from the two sides, Egypt, Jordan and the US in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, the parties recognised the necessity of de-escalation on the ground, the prevention of further violence, as well as of pursuing confidence-building measures, and addressing outstanding issues through direct dialogue. Israel and the Palestinian National Authority also reaffirmed their joint readiness and commitment to immediately work to end unilateral measures for 3-6 months, Xinhua news agency reported. This includes an Israeli commitment to stop discussion of any new settlement units for four months and to stop authorization of any outposts for six months, according to the communique. The two sides also affirmed their unwavering commitment to all previous agreements between them, particularly 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 achieving this goal. They also agreed to develop a mechanism to curb and counter violence, incitement, and inflammatory statements and actions. The parties also reiterated the commitment of maintaining the historic status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem, both in word and in practice, and reaffirmed the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship of Jordan. They highlighted the need for both Israelis and Palestinians to take proactive measures to thwart any actions that would disrupt the sanctity of these sites during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which coincides with Easter and Passover this year. The parties reaffirmed the importance of maintaining the meetings under this format, noting they will convene again in Egypt. 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. Chandigarh, March 20 : John Horgan, who has created a legacy of politics of inclusion in a polarised world, received the annual Hands Against Racism award in Surrey. Established by Metro Vancouver-based Spice Radio 1200 AM, the award is given every year to the people who have stood up against hate. As a Premier of British Columbia (BC), Horgan not only brought back the BC Human Rights Commission that was dismantled by the previous Liberal government, but implemented the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, besides appointing for the first time ever Parliamentary Secretary for anti-racism initiatives and introducing race-based data legislation to combat systemic racism. He had stepped down from the Premier's office in 2022 due to health issues in spite of his continued popularity across the province. At a well attended cultural event held at Surrey Arts Centre close to the international day for the elimination of racial discrimination, Horgan was presented with the award at a function on Sunday by businesswoman and cofounder of Nature's Path, Ratana Stephens. Spice Radio CEO Shushma Datt had started a campaign against racism on the birth anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr in 2015 that encourages the participants to dip their hands in colour and leave a palm print on a white sheet alongside a message against bigotry. The idea was to celebrate Holi, a festival of colours, and the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination together. London, March 20 : A man has been arrested after some pro-Khalistani groups vandalised the Indian High Commission in London and detached the Indian flag from the first-floor balcony of the building. Videos on social media showed a crowd waving yellow "Khalistan" banners and a man detach the Indian flag from the first-floor balcony of the building, the BBC reported. Two security guards were injured in the violent protest and an investigation has been launched. PA news agency said that crowd members were believed to be supporters of a Sikh separatist movement. Officers were called to the Indian High Commission at about 13:50 GMT on Sunday. Upon arrival "the majority of those present had dispersed prior to the arrival of police", Metropolitan Police (Met) was quoted by the British broadcaster as saying. The force's spokesperson said "windows were broken" and two members of security staff sustained minor injuries which did not require hospital treatment. Responding to the incident, London's mayor Sadiq Khan said in a tweet: "I condemn the violent disorder and vandalism that took place at the Indian High Commission today (Sunday). There is no place in our city for this kind of behaviour." An investigation has been launched by the Met, he added. The British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis described the incident as "disgraceful" and "totally unacceptable". Lucknow, March 20 : Four fresh Covid cases have been reported in Lucknow, which took the total number of active cases to 12. This is for the first time this year that four cases have been reported in a single day. The ones who have tested positive include two women in Aliganj, a man in Alambagh and another woman in Sarojini Nagar tested Covid positive. The four new patients were stable and in home isolation, said health officials. According to health department officials, a week back around 5-7 cases were being reported daily across the state, but now 12-14 cases are being reported. On Saturday also, 10 Covid-19 cases were reported, including one in the state capital. Healthcare officials said that the rise in cases is mainly because of seasonal change and due to mingling of the people following Holi. However, they said that no one has been admitted to the hospital due to Covid-19 in the last 30 days. Director of communicable diseases in Uttar Pradesh, Dr A.K. Singh said that viral infections are often seen in this season and the same is happening in the case of novel coronavirus. Also, there may be a slight increase in transmission due to gatherings during festivals. However, he said, there is no need to worry as most of the people are vaccinated and positivity rate is 1. 64 per 1,000 samples despite testing 60,000 people daily. "Even those infected have mild or no symptoms and are getting better with home isolation," he added. "However, we are monitoring the situation closely in cities like Noida, Ghaziabad and Lucknow where the highest number of cases are being reported," he added. Former head of microbiology at IMS-BHU, Prof Anil Kumar Gulati said: "Although Covid-19 is not causing serious infections in normal persons, those with low immunity - diabetics, hypertensives and cancer patients etc might have serious issues. Hence, testing should be increased and the public should start wearing masks and following Covid-19 protocols." Dr Abhishek Shukla, Secretary-General, Association of International Doctors, said: "In view of the rise in corona cases, we would advise people to follow Covid protocol. One should avoid close contact with any person whose medical history one does not know. Also, one must not visit crowded places and if it is a must, like going to the market, one must use a disposable mask." Till now, Lucknow has reported over 3.16 lakh Covid cases and 2,710 deaths. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Kanpur : , March 20 (IANS) A groom had to return home without his bride when the latter realised that he belonged to Rajasthan, and not Prayagraj, as claimed earlier. The newly-wed bride refused to go that 'far' to live with her in-laws and called up the police. According to the woman's family, the man had claimed to be from Prayagraj. Chakeri ACP Amarnath Yadav said that the woman had approached policemen deployed at a Police Response Vehicle (PRV) Dial -112 on the Varanasi-Kanpur highway, seeking their help to go back to her parents' house. "I have been travelling for the last seven hours from Varanasi, and yet have not reached my in-laws' place. I am feeling completely exhausted and now I do not want to go to Rajasthan. I will not go that far," she told the ACP when he visited the spot. The girl's marriage had been fixed with the man, a resident of Bikaner, Rajasthan. The baraat reached Varanasi where the wedding was solemnised. After the wedding, the newly-wed couple and the 'baraat' were returning home in a bus. When the bus stopped at a highway petrol pump in Kanpur, the bride started crying, saying that her in-laws' house could not be reached even after seven hours of journey. She called up the police and narrated her problem after which the ACP told the sub-inspector on duty to interrogate the groom. The groom Ravi told the police that the girl's family members were aware of everything. On the other hand, when the police contacted the bride's mother, she, too, denied any knowledge that the groom belonged to Rajasthan. Subsequently, her mother asked the police to send the bride back to Varanasi. The police sent the bride to Varanasi and the groom returned to Bikaner without her. Tehran, March 20 : Just over a week after Tehran and Riyadh agreed to restore diplomatic relations, Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has invited Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to visit Riyadh, a senior official here has confirmed. Mohammad Jamshidi, deputy chief of staff for political affairs to Raisi, confirmed the development in a tweet on Sunday, saying the invitation was extended to the President from the Saudi monarch in a letter, reports Xinhua news agency. Jamshidi added the Saudi king said in the letter that he welcomed the recent deal between the two "brotherly countries" on the normalisation 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, the official noted. China, Saudi Arabia and Iran on March 10 announced that Riyadh and Tehran had reached a deal that included the agreement to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions within two months. Also on Sunday, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told reporters that the two countries had agreed to hold a meeting at the Foreign Ministers level, and that three possible locations had been proposed. He did not name the locations, nor say when the meeting might take place. The two nations have also announced they will reopen embassies within two months and re-establish trade and security relations. Saudi Arabia cut ties in January 2016 after demonstrators stormed its embassy in Tehran after Riyadh had executed the prominent Shia Muslim cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, who was convicted of terror-related offences. Since then, tensions between the Sunni- and Shia-led neighbours have often been high, with each regarding the other as a threatening power seeking regional dominance. They have been on opposing sides of several regional conflicts, including the civil wars in Syria and Yemen. New York, March 20 : Indian-American attorney and educator Neil Makhija has thrown his hat in the ring for the May 16 primary election for Commissioner of Montgomery County -- the third largest county in Pennsylvania with over 865,000 people. If elected, the 36-year-old election law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, would be the first South Asian member to serve for the position left open by outgoing commissioner Valerie Arkoosh. Makhija, who belongs to a Sindhi family from India, recently announced leave from serving as Executive Director of IMPACT, the nation's leading South Asian civic organisation, to join the electoral race. Under his leadership, IMPACT has endorsed several Indian and South Asian American candidates who have been elected at various levels of the government. In 2021, Makhija was one of 13 civil rights leaders invited to the White House to advise President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on voting rights. He was named by City & State PA as one of the "40 under 40" most influential people in Pennsylvania politics. In 2016, he was the Democratic nominee for the 122nd state House district, a race he lost. In his former law practice, Makhija has an experienced background on issues of mental health and addiction. He represented Pennsylvania counties in opioid litigation and notably, children and parents in an early class action against Big Tobacco companies who marketed flavoured e-cigarettes to children. In 2019, he inspired and advised a US House Oversight Committee panel on an investigation into the youth e-cigarette epidemic, which led to a nationwide ban of flavoured e-cigarettes. Makhija worked at the White House, Senate, and earned his JD at Harvard Law School on the Horace Lentz Scholarship. While at Harvard, he founded the HLS Homelessness Coalition and was a Senior Policy Editor on the Harvard Law & Policy Review. He received his B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College, where he studied neuroscience and served as co-president of his class and 2009 commencement speaker. As the son of Indian immigrants, the Pennsylvania native is passionate about enfranchising underrepresented communities and engaging new citizens in state and local politics. Montgomery County Commission is the governing body of Montgomery County, consisting of five members who are elected by districts. Each Commissioner is elected to a four-year term and represents approximately 45,000 constituents. The Montgomery County Commission's responsibilities include control of all county public funds, adoption of an annual budget reflecting anticipated income and expenses (by law, expenditures cannot exceed revenue received). Among other responsibilities, the board, which oversees an annual budget of more than $500 million, will oversee the administration of the 2024 election, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Bengaluru, March 20 : The auto driver unions in Bengaluru are staging a protest on Monday urging the government to prohibit the whiteboard bike taxi services. Manjunath, President of Adarsh Union Auto Drivers Association stated that 21 auto organisations are participating. "2.10 lakh auto drivers are participating in the protest. The protest march is going to begin at the city railway station and we are planning to lay siege to the residence of the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai," he stated. Auto drivers have expressed their ire over Rapido bike taxi service which has badly hit them. The bandh will be observed till midnight on Monday and the people who are depending on auto services would be severely hit in Bengaluru. The auto unions had given a three day deadline for prohibiting bike taxi service to the government. Since, the ruling BJP government has not bothered to respond to them, they are staging a protest, explained auto drivers. New Delhi, March 20 : K. Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and an MLC, on Monday arrived at the headquarters of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) here to join the second round of questioning in connection with Delhi excise policy scam. On Thursday (March 16), her second round of questioning had to be done which she skipped saying that she would reply through emails or question her at her own residence. After that, the ED sent her another summon to join the investigation on March 20. During her first appearance, she was reportedly confronted with Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Pillai, who had represented the South Group that allegedly gave kickbacks of Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders. The money allegedly was used during the Goa Assembly polls. Pillai has reportedly said that he was Kavitha's associate. On March 15, the ED recorded the statement of Buchchi Babu, the BRS MLC's former auditor and also a member of the South Group. Kavitha has maintained that she has never met former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who has been arrested by the CBI and the ED in connection with the case, claiming that her name was being unnecessarily dragged into the matter. According to the ED, Kavitha is also one of the representatives of South Group in the excise policy case. Belagavi : , March 20 (IANS) Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address the Yuva Kranti Convention in Karnataka's Belagavi city on Monday. Along with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi will arrive at the city's Sambra Airport at around 12 noon. This is his first visit to the state after the massive Bharat Jodo Yatra. Party sources have claimed that more than 1 lakh youth are participating in the convention. Rahul Gandhi is expected to make a big announcement in the form of assurance regarding the policy of a Congress-led government in Karnataka if voted to power in this year's Assembly polls. The opposition Congress is hoping to capitalise the visit and counter the high voltage campaign by the state's ruling BJP. There are 18 assembly seats in Belagavi district and Congress had won only five of them in the last assembly elections. The opposition party, which is confident of returning to power, wants to increase its tally in Belagavi districts by winning seats in two digits. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a 10.8 km roadshow in Belagavi and addressed a huge public rally. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also held a series of meetings of leaders in the district. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is also making repeated visits to Belagavi. New Delhi, March 20 : Ahead of the Parliament session on Monday, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his UK speech, and said that 'along with freedom comes a sense of responsibility'. Speaking to the media this morning, Puri said, "If any individual goes outside the country he has the freedom to speak but along with that freedom comes what I call the need to have a sense of responsibility. We are the world's oldest democracy but Mr Gandhi goes to the UK and says Indian democracy is facing an attack on the basic structure." He also reminded the Congress that it was under the Indira Gandhi regime that civil liberties were curbed. Puri questioned Rahul Gandhi's objective behind his statement and asked him to apologise. Minister further said, "It was only the Indira Gandhi government that curbed civil liberties during the emergency. "His grandmother invoked Article 356 150 times to suspend and dismiss legitimately elected state governments." Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while in his address in London recently, said, "Everybody knows and it's been in the news a lot that Indian democracy is under pressure and under attack. I am an Opposition leader in India, we are navigating that (Opposition) space. The institutional framework which is required for a democratic Parliament, free press, the judiciary, just the idea of mobilisation, moving around all are getting constrained. So, we are facing an attack on the basic structure of Indian democracy." Miami, March 20 : Authorities in the city of Miami Beach in the US state of Florida have issued a state of emergency and a curfew after two deadly shootings. The curfew came into effect at 11.59 p.m. Sunday and will remain until 6 a.m. on Monday, reports Xinhua news agency. Officials intend to impose similar additional curfew restrictions from Thursday through March 27. The measures came after a man died and another man was injured in a shooting in South Beach on Friday night, and another deadly shooting in Miami Beach early Sunday morning. Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said in a video message posted on Sunday that the crowds and presence of firearms have "created a peril that cannot go unchecked." A south Florida island city, Miami Beach will hold a special commission meeting on Monday afternoon "to discuss the restrictions beyond Monday", according to an official statement. The US has lost more than 8,960 lives to gun violence so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. New Delhi, March 20 : India has been ranked first in South Asia based on government requests for user data from Big Tech companies, a report showed on Monday. From 2013 to 2021, Meta and Google received the highest number of account requests from India, according to popular VPN service Surfshark. India ranked seventh in all of Asia with 58.7 accounts requested per 100,000 people. The research showed that globally, countries requested more than 6.6 million accounts combined during the 9-year period, while India requested 823,000. The overall disclosure rate in India is 55.3 per cent, said the report. Looking at requested accounts per population, India ranks 36th in the world based on the user accounts requested by authorities over this time period. The number of accounts requested increased more than five times from 2013 to 2021, with 2021 seeing a year-over-year increase of around 25 per cent. India shows the same trend, with a 1,476 per cent increase from 2013 to 2021. Requested accounts grew by 55 per cent in 2021 compared to 2020, the report showed. In total, over 6.6 million accounts were requested in 177 countries from 2013 to 2021, with a steady increase in the latest years. The US and the EU authorities requested data the most. Apple complied with the most user data requests (82 per cent), compared to Meta, Google, and MicrosoftA (72 per cent, 71 per cent, and 68 per cent, respectively). "Besides requesting data from technology companies, authorities are now exploring more ways to monitor and tackle crime through online services. For instance, the EU is considering a regulation that would require Internet service providers to detect, report, and remove abuse-related content," said Gabriele Kaveckyte, Privacy Counsel at Surfshark. The research analysed the just-released information on user data requests that Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft received from 177 countries' local authorities between 2013 and 2021. Chennai, March 20 : Tamil mega Star, Rajinikanth's daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth (41) has lodged a complaint with the police that her gold jewellery and ornaments were missing from the locker in her residence. She has named three of her servants to be behind the burglary at the residence. Aishwarya is living with her two sons, and the jewellery was kept in the locker at her home. In her complaint with the Teynampet police station in Chennai, Aishwarya said that she was not staying in the home for long stretches and the house servants were frequenting the place. She said that the ornaments were worth Rs 3.6 lakh, but the value of the jewellery could be much more. Aishwarya, who is a film director and producer, is currently directing the movie, 'Lal Salam' with Vishnu Vishal and Vikrant in the lead roles and her father Rajinikanth playing a cameo role in the movie. Chennai, March 20 : The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of the two major industrial hubs of Tamil Nadu -- Coimbatore and Tiruppur -- are hit as the migrant workers from North India have not returned after vacation. Several MSME industries in Coimbatore are not able to meet the deadline of orders and this has affected the business. K.M. Guruswamy, owner of KRM industries, Coimbatore which is an MSME outfit taking sub-contract of major companies while speaking to IANS said, "The MSME sector is facing difficulty in these areas as there is a staff shortage. Most of the migrant workers, who had left home for Holi, have not come back. Many have not returned due to the fear of false news that was spread about the migrant workers being attacked in the state." However, C. Sivakumar, President of Coimbatore Tiruppur District Micro and Cottage Entrepreneur Association (COTMA) while speaking to IANS said that this was a regular phenomenon during the Holy holidays. He said that there is around six lakh migrant workforce in Coimbatore and Tiruppur areas and that 35 to 40 per cent of the workforce leaves for home during the period and they return a bit late. While there is a general trend of migrant workers delaying their return after Holi vacation, this year several workers have delayed their return due to the fear of the fake news being circulated about the migrant workers being attacked in Tamil Nadu. The industrial associations of Coimbatore and Tiruppur have requested the railway ministry to operate special trains from North Indian states to bring the workers back to Tamil Nadu. COTMA president, C. Sivakumar in a petition to the Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Kumar said, "The migrant workers, who have left for their homes in North Indian states due to Holi vacation and their returns are delayed due to trains running full and heavily crowded. Therefore the central government should run special trains and felicitate their returns at the earliest." Muthuraman, an industrialist in Coimbatore said that the state government must provide training to the local people and persuade them to take up work in MSME units so that the dependence on the migrant workers is less. Los Angeles, March 20 : The cast of 'Ted Lasso' will visit the White House to participate in a discussion with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on "the importance of mental health to promote overall well being. Apple announced the meeting on Sunday afternoon, reports Variety. President Biden teased the appearance minutes before Apple's confirmation, posting a reference to the Apple TV+ hit comedy: 'Tomorrow'. "'Ted Lasso' has inspired the world through its universal themes around optimism, kindness, and determination and the Lasso philosophy to 'believe,'" reads Apple's announcement of the meeting of the minds. Excerpts from the event will be released on the White House's official social media channels. The third season of 'Ted Lasso' debuted on Apple TV+ on March 15, kicking off its 12-episode season. There remains uncertainty whether a fourth season of the show will be approved by showrunner and star Jason Sudeikis, who has stated that such a matter "will always be dictated by the stories." Sudeikis developed 'Ted Lasso' along with Bill Lawrence, Joe Kelly, and Brendan Hunt. It is based on the existing format and characters first featured on NBC Sports. Sudeikis serves as an executive producer in addition to starring. Lawrence executive produces via Doozer Productions. Hunt, Kelly, and Bill Wrubel also executive produce along with Doozer's Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer as well as Jane Becker and Jamie Lee. Goldstein is a writer and co-executive producer on the series. Indian Wells : , March 20 (IANS) Continuing his dominant run, Carlos Alcaraz won his maiden Indian Wells title with an easy 6-3, 6-2 win over Daniil Medvedev in the final, here. The 19-year-old Spaniard, who did not lose a set in six Indian Wells matches, will return to World No. 1 in Monday's ATP Rankings behind his trophy triumph. "It means a lot to me. To recover the No. 1 [ranking] is crazy for me," Alcaraz said after wrapping up the win in a rapid one hour, 10 minutes on Sunday. "But especially to lift the trophy here for me means a lot... I love this tournament. I really enjoy my time here and of course I felt the love from the people from day one. For me, it's amazing to complete these 10 days like this," he added. Now a three-time ATP Masters 1000 champion as the reigning titlist in Miami and Madrid, Alcaraz is the ninth and youngest man to win both legs of the Sunshine Double -- Indian Wells and Miami -- in his career. He joins countryman Rafael Nadal as the only players to win at least three Masters 1000 titles as a teenager, with Nadal having won six before turning 20. On the other hand, Medvedev saw his 19-match and three-tournament winning streak come to a close as Alcaraz expertly handled the windy desert conditions, the top seed's patient but aggressive game plan reaping rewards with an immediate break in both sets. After racing to a 3-0 lead in the opening set, Alcaraz won the first 10 points of the second on the way to a 4-0 advantage. Alcaraz hit 18 winners to Medvedev's five and won 10 of 13 net points in an all-action victory. The Spaniard also found success with his patented drop shot time and again, taking advantage of his opponent's deep court position. "Of course winning a tournament gives you a lot of confidence [entering Miami]," the Spaniard said, looking ahead to the year's second ATP Masters 1000 event. "I'm playing great. Of course today, the conditions today were pretty tough. Of course Daniil didn't play at his best, obviously. All I can say is I'm really happy with my performance, the way that I [was] playing this tournament. I'm looking forward to playing at this level in Miami as well," he added. Alcaraz and Medvedev did not meet in 2022 despite both men debuting as World No. 1 and spending 16 weeks atop the ATP Rankings during the year. Their lone previous ATP Head to Head meeting came at Wimbledon in 2021, when Medvedev cruised to a straight-sets win. By turning the tables for a straight-sets win of his own on Sunday, Alcaraz became the first Indian Wells champion to claim the title without losing a set since Roger Federer in 2017, and the first to do so in at least six matches since Nadal in 2007. With his final victory, he improves to 8-3 in tour-level finals, including 3-0 at ATP Masters 1000, and 14-9 overall against Top 10 opponents. Medvedev, who was at No. 12 in the ATP Rankings as recently as 12 February, will re-enter the Top 5 on Monday after he backed up consecutive titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai with his Indian Wells final run. The 27-year-old was playing in his 19th tour-level final at an unprecedented 19th different event. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, March 20 : The Tamil Nadu government has decided to put Coimbatore and Madurai on the metro rail map at an outlay of Rs 17,500 crore funded by external agencies, said Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan on Monday. Presenting the state budget for 2023-24 in the Assembly, he also said a sum of Rs 10,000 crore has been allotted towards the Chennai Metro Rail Project in the budget. Rajan said Coimbatore, also known as the 'Manchester of South India', is one of the fastest growing tier-2 cities in India, has varied industries like textiles, manufacturing, commerce, medical facilities, among others. He added the metro rail project will be implemented along the Avinashi Road and Sathyamangalam Road at an estimated cost of Rs 9,000 crore. Rajan, who hails from Madurai, did not leave out his hometown and said in order to transform the ever lively and vibrant Madurai as an engine of development for the southern region, the metro rail project will be implemented in the city at an estimated cost of Rs 8,500 crore. Constructed underground through the central parts of the town, the metro rail will connect Thirumangalam to Othakadai. "After obtaining approval from the Union government, the metro rail projects in these two cities will be implemented with funding from external agencies," the Minister said. Concerning the second phase of Chennai metro rail project, Rajan added that the stretch of elevated corridor from Poonamallee Depot to Kodambakkam Powerhouse is expected to be ready for commissioning by December 2025. A sum of Rs 10,000 crore has been allotted towards Chennai Metro Rail Project in this Budget, he said. The second phase of the Chennai Metro Rail Project involves a length of 119 km in three corridors at a total cost of Rs 63,246 crore. The works on the project are in progress. Chennai, March 20 : The Renault Nissan Alliance has signed an agreement with Kamarajar Port Ltd (KPL) for the exports of cars manufactured by their joint venture by Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt Ltd (RNAIPL) near here. The agreement was signed by Frank Torres, President, Nissan Motor India and Sunil Paliwal, Chairman and Managing Director, Kamarajar Port Ltd. The Renault Nissan Alliance was the first car manufacturer in the region to commence exports of cars through Kamarajar Port. So far, over more than 13 years, the Alliance has exported over 1.15 million cars from Kamarajar Port to around 108 global destinations. "The global Renault Nissan Alliance has recently announced a new long-term vision for India, increasing production and R&D activities, introducing electric vehicles, and transitioning to carbon-neutral manufacturing. This agreement will help ensure that we are able to further strengthen our exports from India," said Frank Torres, President, Nissan Motor India and Divisional Vice President Business Transformation AMIEO New York, March 20 : In a first, doctors at Northwestern Medicine in the US, including one of Indian origin, successfully performed a double-lung transplant on two patients with stage 4 lung cancer and gave them a new lease of life. The lung transplants were performed on a 54-year-old man in 2021 and 64-year-old-woman in 2022; both patients did not require any further cancer therapy after transplant, the doctors said in a statement. The post-transplant survival at one year for both patients was above 90 per cent, they added. Using lessons learned from pioneering Covid lung transplantation, the surgeons developed a novel surgical technique to clear the cancer during surgery while minimising the risk of spread that has plagued prior such attempts at other hospitals. "Unlike the conventional technique of sequential transplants, this innovative technique involves putting the patient on full heart and lung bypass, delicately taking both cancer-ridden lungs out at the same time along with the lymph nodes, washing the airways and the chest cavity to clear the cancer, and then putting new lungs in," said Ankit Bharat, chief of thoracic surgery and director of Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute. "These patients can have billions of cancer cells in the lungs, so we must be extremely meticulous to not let a single cell spill into the patient's chest cavity or blood stream. We believe this technique can help reduce the risk of recurrence, which we learned through our experience withApioneering Covid-19 lung transplants," he added. Albert Khoury, from Chicago, who became the first patient with stage 4 lung cancer to receive a lung transplant, was working as a cement finisher when he developed back pain, sneezing, chills, and a cough with mucus in early 2020. At first, Khoury thought it was Covid-19, but then he was diagnosed with lung cancer and ended up in the intensive care unit on a ventilator when chemotherapy treatments failed. Hospice care was being considered for Khoury, but because his tumour was localised to the chest completely encasing both lungs and hadn't spread to other parts of his body, the surgeons on September 25, 2021 performed a double-lung transplant. Eighteen months after receiving the lifesaving surgery, Khoury still has no signs of cancer left in his body and has returned to work, the doctors said. "My life went from zero to 100," said Khoury. "You didn't see this smile on my face for over a year, but now I can't stop smiling" In September 2021, Tannaz Ameli of Minneapolis, was struggling with a lingering cough. By January 2022, the retired nurse went to a large health system in Minnesota where she was confirmed with stage 4 lung cancer. When chemotherapy treatments didn't help and hospice was recommended, Ameli's husband considered a second opinion programme at Northwestern Medicine. Because Ameli's cancer was confined to the lungs and hadnaAt spread to other parts of the body, the 64-year-old was listed for a transplant and received new lungs within 10 days on July 13, 2022. "When I came to Northwestern Medicine, the first thing Dr. Bharat told me was, aI think we can make you cancer-free,' and he delivered on those words," Ameli said. New Delhi, March 20 : The Supreme Court on Monday declined to accept the Central government's sealed cover note about its views on the payment of One Rank One Pension (OROP) arrears to ex-service personnel. A bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud asked the Attorney General (AG), R. Venkataramani, to share a note with senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the ex-servicemen. The AG replied that it is a confidential note to which the Chief Justice said, "We need to put an end to this sealed cover practice in the Supreme Court." The bench also comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Pardiwala wondered what could be secrecy in the matter, which is pertaining to the implementation of the court orders. The Chief Justice said, "I am personally averse to sealed covers. What happens is, we see something, he does not see. And we decide the case without showing it to him. This is fundamentally contrary to the judicial process. There cannot be secrecy in the court. The court has to be transparent." The bench further added that this is a payment of pension in pursuance of directions in the judgment of the court. The Chief Justice told the AG, "What can be the great secrecy in this?" The AG submitted that there are some "issues of sensitivity". The bench orally observed that it needs to put an end to this sealed cover procedure which is being followed in the Supreme Court because then the high courts will also start following. "And this is fundamentally contrary to the basic process of fair justice," the bench reiterated. The top court made these observations while hearing the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement's (IESM) plea over payment of OROP dues. Last week, the top court reprimanded the Central government for "unilaterally" deciding to pay OROP dues in four instalments. On March 13, the Supreme Court asked the Ministry of Defence to come up with a roadmap for the payment of arrears under the OROP scheme by next week, and also told the Ministry that it cannot take law in its own hands by issuing communication on payment of arrears in four instalments. The top court told the AG to submit a comprehensive note by Monday next week showing steps taken so far and also the shortest possible time to pay the arrears. "Our concern is that our ex-Army personnel should get the money. It is also sad that four lakh people have died. Come with a good note on Monday... what exactly quantum which has to be paid. Two, what are the modalities for payment, and three, what are the prioritisation. The oldest people, you can take widows first of Army personnel, you can have some categorization," noted the top court. The Defence Ministry has submitted a compliance note in the top court, giving the time schedule for payment of the arrears of Rs 28,000 crore to ex-servicemen for years 2019-22. Islamabad, March 20 : More legal cases are piling up against Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan following the violence staged by his supporters during his hearing at the Islamabad Judicial Complex in the Toshakhana case. Till now, the total number of cases have gone up to 80. As per details, the latest case has been lodged against the former premier and members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party at Islamabad's Golra Sharif police station for setting government vehicles a blaze, attacking police officials and snatching away their official weapons. This comes after the Punjab Police raided Khan's residence at Zaman Park, Lahore in a clearance operation, immediately after he left for Islamabad to appear before the judges at the judicial complex. Punjab's caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir rejected PTI claims of a forced and illegal operation, asserting that the authorities conducted clearance operation after obtaining a search warrant by the authorities. "We did a clearance operation. There were hundreds of sand bags installed around the house. We recovered illegal weapons from the premises, petrol bombs, bows and marbles balls which were being used to attack police and security officials. "Imran Khan's house and its vicinity was turned into a no-go area with armed people guarding it illegally. We cannot allow that. Dozens of our police officials were attacked, assaulted and injured by miscreants present inside and around the residence," he added. According to latest reports, security forces have already rounded up over 17 PTI workers from Islamabad and raided residences of several party leaders. Khan had travelled from Lahore to Islamabad on Sunday, taking with him thousands of his supporters, to appear before the judges in the Toshakhana case. At least 4,000 of his supporters had reached the Sector G-11 judicial complex. Khan faces charges of concealing details of the gifts he had acquired from the depository in his asset declarations submitted before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which had filed the complaint against him. However, upon his arrival, the police and activists engaged in fierce and violent clashes outside the complex as Khan's supporters wanted to accompany him into the court premises but were not permitted by the security forces. This compelled the court to cancel the former premier's non-bailable arrest warrant and adjourn the hearing of the case till March 30 after marking his attendance at the judicial complex's main gate. Experts believe that the legal nexus around Khan is getting more and more tight as the current government looks to tackle his popularity and his political relevance through the legal course with an aim to see him out of the race before the general elections take place later this year. Lucknow, March 20 : The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to construct 20 new high-tech jails in the next five years. Eleven of these will come up in districts that do not have a jail at present. Besides, the construction of one central jail and other jails in nine districts has already started while the number of barracks is being increased in some of the jails to increase their prisoner capacity and prevent overcrowding. The state government's move to strengthen prison facilities in UP comes in the wake of the recent case of MLA Abbas Ansari, who was illegally allowed to have secret meetings with his wife Nikhat Bano and operate his business inside the Chitrakoot jail. In another such case, it was found out that mafia Atiq Ahmad's brother Ashraf received special facilities to meet his aides. The meetings were not even logged into the register of Bareilly jail. Taking serious note of these incidents, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given a green signal to the prison department to go ahead with the construction of new jails and upgrade of existing ones, a state government spokesperson said. He further stated that these jails will be hi-tech. The process of increasing the barracks at different jails is also ongoing to reduce overcrowding of prisoners. The need for building new jails in view the facilities provided by the jail manual and protection of the human rights of the prisoners was stressed at a meeting between prison officials and the chief minister. The senior officials of the prison administration and reform services said that seven central jails of the state have 15,201 inmates lodged in them against their cumulative capacity to accommodate 13,669 prisoners. Similarly, 62 district jails with a capacity of 49,107 prisoners have 95,597 prisoners lodged in them. Likewise, two sub-jails with a capacity of 306 prisoners are accommodating 664 inmates. Women's central jail, which has a capacity of 120 prisoners, is hosting 148 inmates. The construction of jails has started in 11 districts, including Amethi and Mahoba, where prisons with a capacity of 990 inmates each is been coming up. Also, the jails with capacity of 1,000 inmates will come up in Kushinagar, Chandauli, Auraiyya, Hapur, Sambhal, Amroha and Bhadohi, and 1,026 prisoner capacity in Hathras and 2,000 prisoner capacity in Shamli. The construction of a new central Jail in Lalitpur with a capacity of 2,000 inmates has been expedited. At the same time, the construction of second district jail of 1,000 inmate capacity has also started in Lalitpur. Funds have been approved for the repair and renovation of Bareilly's old jail, which will have a capacity of 2,579 prisoners. The construction of prisons with a capacity of 3,000 each in Moradabad and Muzaffarnagar, 2,000 each in Shahjahanpur, Badaun and Varanasi and 1,000 each in Jaunpur and Rampur and 5,000 in Kanpur city is also underway. By the end of March, the district jail with a capacity of 502 prisoners in Shravasti and 2,688 in Prayagraj will be ready. Along with this, one barrack with capacity of 30 prisoners is being constructed in Gorakhpur district jail, seven barracks with capacity of 30 prisoners in Varanasi central jail and four barracks with capacity of 30 prisoners in Mathura district jail. Chennai, March 20 : The opposition AIADMK, which is a mainstay in the NDA alliance of Tamil Nadu, have commenced talks with other political parties in the run up to the 2024 general elections. According to sources, AIADMK has begun meetings with NTK, VCK and DMDK. This is following the sour relationship the AIADMK is having with the BJP. While NTK of Seeman is a political party centred around Tamil nationalism and Tamil identity, the VCK is a Dalit political party, which is presently in the DMK front and the DMDK is a political party headed by actor politician Vijayakanth. The VCK, which is presently a part of the DMK, is against the Stalin-led DMK having commenced discussions with the PMK for a political alliance. It may be noted that the Dalit community of Tamil Nadu is totally antagonistic to the Vanniyar community, which is predominantly the backbone of the PMK. Hence, the VCK is looking for an opportunity to jump the ship, if the PMK is roped into the DMK front. The AIADMK, according to sources, knows that the alliance with both NTK and VCK will help it gain tremendous ground in the state as these parties have pockets of strongholds across the state. The DMDK also has its own relevance in the political equations of Tamil Nadu and the AIADMK leadership has opened a channel of dialogue with the parties as an alternate option. The step is taken by the AIADMK as there is a fear of the alliance with the BJP falling apart given the statements of the BJP state president, K. Annamalai. Annamalai has been taking a public posture of fighting the polls alone and that his ambition is to bring the BJP to power in the state of Tamil Nadu. While certain BJP leaders in Tamil Nadu have opposed Annamalai, the AIADMK leadership is of the feeling that unless the national leadership of the saffron party does not make a statement against the utterances of Annamalai, it has to scout for other partners. Dr. G. Padmanabhan , Director, Socio Economic Development Foundation, a think tank based out of Madurai, while speaking to IANS said, "The AIADMK is at a point of advantage if it walks out of the BJP alliance in Tamil Nadu. The Muslim vote bank will return, at least partly, to the AIADMK. Coupled with the support of the VCK and NTK, which have grassroots support, it will be able to win a few seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, which will be difficult in an NDA alliance." He also said that in Tamil Nadu, the only option for the BJP is to piggy ride either the DMK or the AIADMK to get a few seats. Dr Padmanabhan added, "The statements of the BJP state president has brought a major negative feel against the saffron party among the AIADMK cadres and this will lead to a disadvantage for the BJP in the southern state." It may be recalled that 13 leaders of the BJP have left the party and joined the AIADMK. This includes C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, the IT cell head of the party. The BJP state president, K.Annamalai had come out strongly against the Dravidian major accommodating those who have left the BJP and also lashed out against the presence of former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) when the membership of AIADMK was given to the former BJP leaders. Annamalai, it is to be noted, had resigned from the IPS and joined the BJP and of late there have been complaints against him on his arrogance against the party office-bearers. All the senior leaders, who have left the BJP and joined AIADMK, have blamed the Tamil Nadu BJP president for their exit. March 20 : Actor, dancer and politician Hema Malini believe with OTT has a wider reach and she might be interested in taking the dance performance in a series format. Hema Malini was interacting with NewsHelpline during the premier of dance ballet Ganga to celebrate the glory of our Motherland as 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' in the 75th year of Indian Independence, wherein the Maharashtra Government has embarked upon a massive plan to clean and revitalise all of the states 75 rivers. When asked if shed interested in taking the dance performance narrative on OTT to reach wider audience, Hema Malini said, OTT Is good, a lot of actors are working, a lot of big actors are working in OTT projects, so it is good, even if I get a good role, I will also like to be part of OTT world. I dont have any preferences to work with someone particular, the subject should be good. I could even think about doing Ganga for OTT, as the story is very long and it needs to reach wider audience Hema Malinis daughter Esha Deol is also making a comeback to OTT with Hunter series, also starring Suniel Shetty. When asked about Esha Deol and her forthcoming series Hunter, Hema Malini shared some spoilers as well, she said, Esha Deol has a double role in the series, she would often tell me about the filming and story and I would also take a lot of interest in it, I am so happy for Esha, this is her second project releasing on OTT, she is looking very beautiful and nice, I am so happy for her Adding about her performance, Hema said, Ganga gives a beautiful message to the people of our country, the river Ganga comes from the heavens, so it is a Dev Nandi, and this river for everyone, and it is over duty to keep it clean. So this is the message, and this is not only for Ganga, it is for all the rivers across our nation, we must keep them clean, keep our environment clean and serene, and this is in-accordance of our Prime Minster Narendra Modis initiative, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Hema Malini left the audience in awe as she performed a ballet based on river Ganga in Mumbai on Sunday. Hema turned into Ganga during her freestyle dance performance at the NCPA ground, which also included a few aerial stunts. New Delhi, March 20 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday said that they raided nine locations in Maharashtra in connection to a money laundering investigation into the irregularities in tender allocation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme at Aurangabad. The raids were carried out in Aurangabad, Pune and Akola. The ED initiated investigation on the basis of the FIR registered by Aurangabad Municipal Corporation against firms -- Samarath Construction & JV, ndo Global Infrastructure Services, Jaguar Global Services and their respective partners -- for forgery and formation of a cartel to illegally win the tender of the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation for constructing 40,000 PMAY houses in the city. The PMAY scheme was to be implemented at seven plots in Aurangabad and it was found that all the three e-tenders were uploaded from a single IP address. The FIR was registered after the PMAY regulators identified the anomaly that the winning firm was not at all financially capable of implementing such a big project. "The ED investigation has also revealed that the three JV firms applied for the e-tender from the same IP address. Tender was allotted to one Samarath Constrcution & JV, but out of the performance Bank Guarantee of Rs 46.24 crore they had deposited BG of only Rs 88.60 lakh. Also, Samarath Construction & JV subverted the due procedure by getting the extension of the initial tender for 19.22 hectares to 120 hectares without a fresh tender process. The amount of government subsidy involved in this scam is to the tune of around Rs 1,000 Crore. Searches were conducted at all the three tender applicants," the ED said. It has been learnt that in the case of the two losing e-tender applicants, the major JV partners have completely denied their involvement in the tender process and are claiming forgery of their credentials by the L1 applicant. The ED has seized various incriminating documents including the note-sheet of the tender file of Aurangabad Municipality from the applicant. Authorities of the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation are extending their cooperation and are sharing all documents in relation to this tender process. Bandipora : Police personnel attached two double storied residential houses in the presence of Executive Magistrate, in Bandipora on Monday, March 20, 2023. (Photo:IANS) Image Source: IANS News Bandipora : Police personnel attached two double storied residential houses in the presence of Executive Magistrate, in Bandipora on Monday, March 20, 2023. (Photo:IANS) Image Source: IANS News Srinagar, March 20 : Continuing its crackdown on harbouring terrorists and providing logistic support to them, police in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora in the presence of Executive Magistrate attached two double storied residential houses, officials said on Monday. Police said the houses attached belong to Abdul Majeed Reshi, father of accused Aijaz Ahmad Reshi alias Doctor at Gundpora Rampura, and Mohammad Jamal Malik, father of accused Maqsood Ahmad Malik, a resident of Chitteybandey jurisdiction of Police Station Aragam Bandipora, under section 25 UAP Act. "Worth to mention here that both the accused persons were terrorist associates and stand already arrested," police said. "Accordingly, the process for attachment of property belonging to the above accused falling within the ambit proceeds of terrorism was initiated u/s 25 of UA(P) Act by the order of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir vide order No. DIVCOM - 'K'/Rtn/05/2023 dated 10-02-2023." "According to the notice, the owner of these houses have been restrained to 'transfer, lease out, dispose-off, change its nature or deal with the said property in any manner without the permission of designated authority. Any violation will attract penal provision of law," police said. Brasilia, March 20 : Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has garnered a 41 per cent approval rating since taking office on January 1 for a third term, an opinion poll has showed. The poll, conducted by pollster IPEC (Intelligence in Research and Strategic Consulting) and published on Sunday by news outlet O Globo, showed Lula enjoys higher approval than his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022) did at the start of his term (34 per cent), reports Xinhua news agency. Some 41 percent of those surveyed rated his administration as "good" or "excellent", and 30 per cent rated it as "regular", said IPEC. Lula received better ratings at the start of his two previous terms with 51 per cent approval in 2003 and 49 per cent in 2007, the pollster noted. IPEC's executive director, Marcia Cavallari, told O Globo that the President's approval is at a "good level", because half of the respondents who rated his administration as "regular" approve of the way he is governing. The survey shows Brazil's northeast region, the poorest in the country, is where the President has the highest approval rating, with 53 per cent of respondents describing his administration as "good" or "excellent". Lula was least supported in the Central-West region and the northern Amazon, where his approval rating stood at 31 per cent. Chennai, March 20 : Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Monday asked the people to maintain Covid protocol after a slight increase in cases was noted. In a statement, the minister said that there was a slight increase in the Covid cases in the state and people need to adhere to the Covid-19 protocol to prevent any further escalation. He said that people must wear masks, keep safe distance and sanitize hands regularly. On March 19, Tamil Nadu reported 363 active cases with 73 fresh cases. A total of 39 people were discharged from across the state after being tested negative. The state has, however, not reported any deaths. The state public health department has also directed the district health authorities to monitor the situation in their respective areas and create proper awareness on sticking to Covid-19 protocol. Ma Subramanian, while speaking to IANS said, "There is a slight increase in Covid-19 cases, but there is nothing to worry. People must stick to the Covid protocol, including wearing masks, safe distancing and washing hands regularly." The minister also said that there is not much escalation in the cases and no deaths have been reported recently, but called upon the people to be alert on any developments. The state health department authorities also told IANS that the department was monitoring the situation, and added that all measures have been taken for any medical emergency. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hyderabad, March 20 : Telangana is among the states witnessing a rise in Covid-19 cases during March but the health officials say that there is nothing to panic as the number keeps fluctuating. The daily count of Covid cases has doubled since March 1, when the state had logged 21 cases. In the first 10 days, the number kept fluctuating between 15 and 42. The next five days saw further spike. The highest tally this month so far was recorded on March 15 at 54. It was 52 on March 14. The statistics released by the office of director of public health show that the daily count declined after March 15. The state logged 27 cases on March 16, 25 on March 17 and 24 on March 18. The Covid tally dropped further to 16 on March 19. According to officials, a total of 3,077 samples were tested. Out of 16 cases reported, Hyderabad district accounted for six cases. Out of 33 districts, 22 reported not a single case. The day also saw 32 recoveries. The recovery rate stood at 99.5 per cent. No new cases of death were reported. A total of 237 Covid cases are under treatment/isolation, said the director of public health. The Centre had last week issued an advisory to six states including Telangana over the increasing cases. It directed the states to examine the situation at micro level (districts and sub-districts) and keep focus on implementation of necessary measures for prompt and effective management. The ministry also advised the strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination. Health minister T. Harish Rao had earlier appealed to people not to panic but to be on the alert and follow appropriate behaviour to counter the rise of positive infections. He said all eligible people must get vaccinated with booster Covid vaccines in government hospitals. The state government also decided to write to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to provide additional Covid booster shots for the state. "We will ensure the Covid vaccines are available at all the primary health centres. Eligible persons can get themselves a booster shot at the earliest," the health minister said. Health officials and doctors say that there is nothing to be alarmed about the current situation. They pointed out that it is during March when Covid-19 cases start increasing and a similar pattern was observed during the first three waves. They said that Covid is now on the verge of becoming endemic but people in high-risk groups should take measures to safeguard themselves. The group includes children, elderly people and those with comorbidities. The health department has also clarified that the recent Covid spike is not linked to the viral fever surge. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mumbai, March 20 : Actress Shefali Shah, who plays the role of DCP Vartika Chaturvedi in the streaming show 'Delhi Crime', was convinced about playing the character from the word 'Go'. The actress made the revelation ahead of the fourth anniversary of the first season of the show. The first season of 'Delhi Crime', which won an International Emmy for Best Drama Series, followed the events of the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case. Season 1 depicted the hunt for the perpetrators of the infamous case which led to the Indian legislation of The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 (The Nirbhaya Act). Ahead of season one's fourth anniversary, Shefali said: "I feel extremely proud seeing Delhi Crime doing so well, four years down the line after it first premiered. This show was extremely special to me from the word go. When I read the script for the first time, I knew I wanted to be DCP Vartika and I knew I wanted to tell this story because it was that powerful and it felt so important that I just wanted to be the character immediately. Vartika will never leave me." She further mentioned: "Of course, we hadn't anticipated the kind of success that Delhi Crime has had, but I am not surprised by it either because I believed in this story and I believe in the audience to appreciate the good. I am definitely thrilled for the third season and hope everyone can enjoy that soon, too." Shefali Shah had five hits recently including 'Human', 'Darlings', 'Jalsa', 'Doctor G' and 'Delhi Crime 2'. The third season of 'Delhi Crime', which will drop on Netflix, is one of her most anticipated works. Canberra, March 20 : A former Australian soldier was arrested in the New South Wales (NSW) state on Monday, facing charges of committing war crime during his service in Afghanistan. Following a joint operation by Australia's Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the 41-year-old man will be charged with one count of War Crime -- Murder under subsection 268.70(1) Criminal Code Act 1995, reports Xinhua news agency. The police said the man was arrested in regional NSW Monday morning and is expected to appear in a local court. "It will be alleged he murdered an Afghan man while deployed to Afghanistan with the Australian Defence Force," the AFP said in a statement, adding that the maximum penalty for a War Crime-Murder offence is life imprisonment. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) identified the man in a news report, saying that he was shown in an ABC Investigations-Four Corners story in 2020 shooting an Afghan man in a wheat field in Uruzgan province. "ABC Investigations understands that a dedicated OSI team made up of homicide detectives and an intelligence officer examined the killing for more than two years," the report wrote. Established in 2021, the OSI is one element of the Australian government's response to the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force's Afghanistan Inquiry Report. The office is working with the federal police to investigate allegations of criminal offences under Australian law by members of the Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan from 2005 to 2016. Patna, March 20 : A notorious gangster, Prince Singh, was killed in an encounter in Bihar's Sitamarhi, police said on Monday. The action comes after a series of kidnapping, extortion and murder cases have been reported from various parts of the state. A team of Sitamarhi police shot at the gangster in a retaliatory firing at around 3.30 a.m. The accused was involved in liquor smuggling also. Pankaj Sinha, the Inspector General of Police Tirhut range, confirmed the incident. "A team of Sitamarhi police went for the raid in Budhnagra village under Bokhra outpost on Sunday night. They conducted the raid for the entire night and eventually had a face-off with Prince Singh and his gang at around 3.30 a.m. Our team warned them to surrender, but they opened fire in a bid to escape from the spot. The police team also retaliated," Sinha said. "In the retaliatory firing, Prince Singh sustained gunshot injuries. The police personnel took him to Sadar hospital where doctors declared him dead," Sinha said. Prince Singh was wanted in liquor smuggling cases in Muzaffarpur. Two FIRs were registered in the Katra police station of the district. Besides, he was also involved in six other criminal cases as well. Sitamarhi Superintendent of Police (SP) Har Kishore Rai said that three aides of Prince Singh were also arrested. The police team also recovered one pistol from their possession. Thiruvananthapuram, March 20 : Against the backdrop of increase in Covid cases in the country, the situation in Kerala appears no different and according to a state government official, the coming two weeks' figures will determine the trend. Currently, the total number of active Covid cases in the state is over 700, of which on March 14 alone, there were a record 100 new cases, the first time in 2023. Figures of new Covid cases in Kerala for three days starting March 15 stands at 105, 128 and 162 cases respectively. At present, the state roughly reports around 20 per cent of the fresh cases in the country. Experts point out that the people of the state have a tendency of opting for the Covid tests the moment they get symptoms of influenza or fever and it's natural there will be Covid positive patients too. The state capital district- Thiruvananthapuram and the commercial capital of the state-Kochi are the two districts reporting fresh cases, while there has been an increase in cases in districts like Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Kollam. Incidentally last week, panic gripped the state with cases of H3N2 being reported but experts, however, pointed out that that it was just like any other respiratory illness and hence basic respiratory etiquettes need to be maintained and all should follow influenza protocols. State Health Minister Veena George had also asked people not to worry and just follow the protocols. Phnom Penh, March 20 : In a first this year, a rare Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin has been found dead after being entangled in fishermen's illegal gillnets in Cambodia, the Fisheries Administration said on Monday. The 2.38-metre-long male dolphin, 160 kg in weight and aged about 20, was found dead on Sunday morning in Stung Treng province, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying. "The joint research team of Fisheries Administration and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) primarily assessed that the cause of the death was gillnets since there were tears on its stomach, and gillnet marks on its tail base and pelvic fins," the statement said. It was the first dolphin found dead in 2023, it added. WWF-Cambodia country director Seng Teak said this tragic incident occurred amid the implementation of stricter protection measures in line with a government sub-decree announced in February on the Mekong dolphin management zones. "The illegal fishing activities and the use of illegal fishing gears in dolphin conservation areas remain a challenge although protection measures have been remarkably stepped up in the last few months," he told Xinhua on Monday. As dolphins share habitats with other mega fish species and broodstock, their protection is in favour of people's livelihoods, food sources and food security, Teak said, urging authorities to further strengthen regulation and management concerning dolphin hunting and local fish markets and depots. "A complete ban on all illegal fishing activities including gillnets, long-line hooks and electro fishing in the dolphin areas would help safeguard this critically endangered species from extinction," he added. "More efforts are needed to stop the illegal dolphin trade." The Irrawaddy dolphins have been listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species since 2004. The Fisheries Administration said there are about 90 Irrawaddy dolphins living in the Cambodian portion of the Mekong River in the Kratie and Stung Treng provinces. The government last month issued a sub-decree on the creation of the dolphin conservation and protection zones covering a 120-km-long stretch of the Mekong River in the two provinces. "Fishing must be prohibited from the dolphin conservation and protection zones," the sub-decree said. Colombo, March 20 : The Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) will gradually appreciate against the US dollar once the country enters into an International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said. The IMF is set to approve a $2.9 billion bailout package for the country on Monday, according to Central Bank of Sri Lanka's Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe. Wickremesinghe said once Sri Lanka receives the IMF funds, it can start restructuring external debt, adding that the LKR will trade between 185 to 200 against a dollar. He said Sri Lanka hopes to receive up to 10 years to repay the debt it has incurred, adding that the crisis-hit island nation will stabilise the economy and have a budget surplus by 2026. Sri Lanka started the related negotiations with the international lender in 2022 after the South Asian country was hit by the worst-ever economic crisis since it gained independence in 1948. Shivamogga : , March 20 (IANS) BJP MLA and former Karnataka Minister K.S. Eshwarappa on Monday trigerred a fresh controversy calling it an 'act of sedition', after a video of a Muslim youth performing 'Azaan' at the premises of the District Commissioner's office in Shivamogga district went viral on the social media. Speaking to the media, Eshwarappa said that the youth, who performed Azaan is associated with the Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI). The police had booked the youth under IPC Section 107 and granted him bail. "I will write a letter in this regard to the Chief Minister and Union Home Minister," the MLA added. "They have announced that they will perform Azaan in the premises of the Vidhana Soudha. They are insulting Allah. They are violating the Supreme Court guidelines by performing Azaan on loudspeakers. The students who are writing exams are facing difficulties because of Azaan," Eshwarappa said. "This is a system which will destroy democracy. The people who will perform Azaan like this don't know whether they are living in Pakistan or India. Why do we need government departments if this is what is happening? This incident has caused serious threat to democracy," he added. "With total disregard, they have challenged that Azaan will be performed opposite Vidhana Soudha. When I was delivering speeches in Virajpet and Mangaluru, Azaan was performed on loudspeakers," he said. "This is against the constitution. The court has given specific directions regarding performing Azaan on loudspeakers." Asked about JD (S) leader and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy criticising him and the BJP for issuing statements on Azaan, Eshwarappa asked him that doesn't he know the directions of the Supreme Court in this regard? The members of Muslim community had staged a protest before the District Commissioner's office in Shivamogga, condemning the statements of Eshwarappa on Azaan. One of the young protestors had performed Azaan before the main entrance during the protest. The police had objected to this and there was an exchange of words between police and the protestors. The community leaders had warned the youth and pacified the situation. Later, the police had sent back the protesters. JD (S) leader Kumaraswamy had held BJP responsible for the controversy and also slammed the role of a few miscreants. Earlier, Eshwarappa had stirred a controversy in Karnataka by stating that Allah listens only if the Azaan prayers are done on loudspeakers. Speaking at a rally organised as part of the Vijay Sankalp Yatra, while delivering a speech at Shantinagar in Kavoor near Mangaluru on Sunday, Eshwarappa made these controversial statements after hearing prayers from mosques. "Wherever I go, this is a headache," he had said. "We call people who need loudspeakers to be heard as deaf. The Supreme Court had given the order in this regard. This problem is going to be solved. There shall be no doubts in this regard," Eshwarappa added. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a call to respect all religions. But, will Allah listen to prayers if done on loudspeakers?" Eshwarappa asked. "We also carry out worship in our temples. Sholaks and bhajans are performed. Even we have more devoutness and respect towards god than them," he stated, referring to Muslims. These statements have created a massive controversy in the state and progressive thinkers have slammed Eshwarappa for his statements. Ulan Bator, March 20 : Mongolia has received a total of 76,068 foreign tourists so far this year, with Russia, China and South Korea being the biggest sources of its tourist arrivals, the country's Ministry of Environment and Tourism said on Monday. The Mongolian government has been taking measures to revive the pandemic-hit tourism sector, reports Xinhua news agency. Particularly, it has exempted citizens of 34 countries from visa requirements for up to 30 days until the end of 2025. The country has also classified 2023, 2024 and 2025 as "Years to Visit Mongolia", and is expected to organise more than 90 events in 2023 to promote tourism. Mongolia has set a goal of welcoming at least 1 million foreign tourists and earning $1 billion from tourism in the coming years. The country received a total of 290,400 foreign tourists in 2022, earning $350 million from the tourism sector. Tokyo, March 20 : Japan on Monday marked the 28th anniversary of the deadly sarin nerve gas attack carried out by the AUM Shinrikyo cult on the Tokyo subway system that left 14 people dead and injured more than 6,000 others. A vigil was held at Kasumigaseki subway station in the Japanese capital where one of the deadly attacks took place, with station officials observing a moment of silence at 8 a.m. local time, which was around the time the attack took place on March 20, 1995, reports Xinhua news agency. Families of the victims and station officials offered flowers at a stand set up by subway operator Tokyo Metro Co. inside the station, the surrounding area of which is dominated by government ministries and other government-related offices. Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Tetsuo Saito was in attendance on Monday to pay his respects, laying flowers at Kasumigaseki. "The government will strengthen efforts to fight terrorism and to create an environment in which train passengers can feel safe," Saito said in a statement. Similar stands for flowers were set up at Kodemmacho, Hatchobori, Nakanosakaue and other central Tokyo stations where victims of the sarin attack lost their lives. According to official police accounts, the members of the cult launched a coordinated chemical attack on the Tokyo subway system, one of the world's busiest, at the peak of the morning rush hour. New Delhi, March 20 : The Supreme Court on Monday declined to stay the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's (NCLAT) order to hold a second round of auction for RCap assets. A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna M.M. Sundresh declined to entertain Torrent's contention seeking stay on the NCLAT order and issued notice on its plea and fixed the matter for further hearing in August. The apex court came on the plea filed by the Torrent group, a bidder of bankrupt firm Reliance Capital (RCap), challenging the NCLAT. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Torrent Investments Private Limited, vehemently argued before the bench, could there be a bid every month? The bench said it will examine the matter. Rohatgi said in the first round, two parties made a bid and it was a structured bid and it was told to his client that their bid was final. He further argued during the bidding the other party stopped and his client went higher and was asked to come forward, but "overnight the man has a different idea and he wants to restart". The second-round auction, which was scheduled Monday, did not take place. Rohatgi said, "If there is no stay, today was the deadline...if they start a second bid then if I don't participate and that bid is final then they will say you are out. If I participate in that bid then this is infructuous...why should it not await two weeks and your lordships may decide. How can somebody get another bite at the same cherry... " Rohatgi further added that the resolution professional (RP) told his client that their bid is final and sought the plan, and they have given it. After hearing submissions, the bench said, "Issue notice returnable in the month of August. In the meanwhile, the parties will participate in the process in terms of the impugned judgment, without prejudice to rights and contentions...reply, if any, may be filed in six weeks..." Earlier this month, the NCLAT order came on a petition filed by Vistra ITCL (India), which is one of the lenders of Reliance Capital, against NCLT order restricting further auction of the bankrupt firm. Following the NCLAT order, the lenders' of RCap had decided to hold the second round of e-auction on March 20. Torrent, after the first auction, was the highest bidder with a bid of Rs 8,640 crore for Reliance Capital. The CoC of Reliance Capital, opted for a second auction after Hinduja group made an offer of Rs 9,000 crore. Torrent challenged this before the Mumbai bench of NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal). In February, NCLT held that the challenge mechanism for financial bids was concluded as on December 21, 2022, with the bid of Torrent Investments at Rs 8,640 crore being the highest. This order was challenged by the CoC of RCap in NCLAT. Vistra ITCL (India), one of the lenders of Reliance Capital, had moved NCLAT challenging an order of NCLT which restricted further auction of the bankrupt firm. RCap was sent for debt resolution in November 2021 after the company defaulted on loans worth Rs 24,000 crore. The apex court has allowed the lenders to proceed with the second round of the action to maximize value. The Committee of Creditors (CoC) had decided to conduct a second round of auction, post Hinduja bid. Hyderabad, March 20 : Telangana Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the question paper leak in TSPSC has issued a notice to state Congress chief A. Revanth Reddy, asking him to share whatever information he has about the case. The SIT, which has stepped up the probe with the questioning of nine accused, is also issuing notices to those making allegations relating to the case. Revanth Reddy, however, said he has not yet received the SIT notice. He said he was not afraid of SIT notice and would share whatever evidence he has if a judicial probe is ordered in the case. The development came a day after Revanth Reddy made a serious allegation that state minister K.T. Rama Rao's personal assistant was also involved in the paper leak. The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president had said on Sunday that KTR's personal assistant (PA) Tirupati and one of the key accused in the case, Rajasekhara Reddy, were friends. He also claimed that Tirupati helped Rajasekhar Reddy get a job in the Telangana State Technological Services (TSTS) on outsourcing basis and later ensured he lands a job in Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) in a key role. Rajasekhar Reddy is one of the two employees of TSPSC who have been arrested by the police for question paper leak. Rajasekhar Reddy, a network expert, allegedly copied question papers of several exams from confidential systems in the Commission and gave the same to Praveen Kumar, who then shared it with some aspirants for money. During a protest in Kamareddy district on Sunday, the Congress leader had also claimed that Tirupati and Rajasekhar are friends hailing from neighbouring villages in Malyala mandal of Jagtiyal district and that 100 people belonging to Malyal mandal secured more than 100 marks in Group-1 Prelims. He had demanded that TSPSC should reveal names of 100 people who scored more than 100 marks. The TPCC chief had also alleged irregularities in 2016 Group-1 results. He said that Madhur, the topper of that exam, came straight from the US to write the exam and secured the first rank. Rajinikanth Reddy, a TSPSC employee, secured fourth rank in that exam. Revanth Reddy demanded a probe by a sitting judge of the High Court saying a thorough probe was needed to find out from which year the question paper leak was going on. 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 people, 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. Los Angeles, March 20 : Popular talk show host and personality Oprah Winfrey and her friend Gayle King visited the site of Jesus' baptism in Jordan. The iconic talk show host, 69, shared a series of pictures from her lovely holiday with her 22 million followers on Sunday, reports mirror.co.uk. In one image, Winfrey looked delighted posing in front of an archaeological site as she enjoyed a camel ride in Petra. Another had her and King smiling as they took a picture by the Siq (narrow passage) that leads to Petra. She captioned the post: "Visited Jordan this week and there was so much to see and experience!" "We visited the site where John the Baptist baptised Jesus, Petra and all its fascinations, camels, and the spot where the big boulder comes rolling out of Indiana Jones. So much history there in the 'Rose City', voted one of the 7 new wonders of the world." "It takes 3 days to really see it all we only spent 3 hours. Put it on your must see list if you haven't already!" One picture saw Oprah pouting at the camera as she stood next to a sleepy camel. She rocked khaki trousers, a green scarf and a warm coat. At one point, the two kept warm in gorgeous brown coats (called a furwa) as they relaxed in the sunny desert. Winfrey's trip comes after she said she thinks Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should attend King Charles' Coronation. New Delhi, March 20 : The premium smartphone market in India is set to grow despite the economic slowdown, Dr T.M. Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, said on Monday. Rising adoption of 5G smartphones and global consumer trend to buy smartphones that are more reliable will lead to growth in the Indian market, Dr Roh told IANS. "Demand for premium smartphones, with a price tag of over $400 in India, is rising quickly as the 5G network expands. The 5G smartphone market here is expected to grow by over 60 per cent in 2023, with the premium smartphone market projected to grow by more than 30 per cent," he elaborated. Samsung recently said it had notched over 140,000 pre-bookings for its premium Galaxy S23 series in just 24 hours in India, twice the number of pre-bookings it received for Galaxy S22 series last year. "It is being very well received by Indian customers, especially the Galaxy S23 Ultra in green," he said. Dr Roh, the youngest President ever appointed at Samsung, said the Indian smartphone market will keep growing and Samsung will be there for the ride. According to analysts, India will have nearly 1 billion smartphone users by 2026, driven by rapid adoption of smartphones in young consumers. India has over 600 million Gen MZ consumers, the largest in the world. Dr Roh said Samsung will continue to invest in its R&D center in India and advance the smart factory technology at its manufacturing center in India. "2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Korea and India's diplomatic relationship. I am looking forward to the next 50 years and please continue to show your love and support for Galaxy products, which are created with effort, dedication and innovation," he added. London, March 20 : Derivatives that track the value of riskier bank debt - the sort that is being wiped out in the Credit Suisse takeover - are falling sharply now, according to a media report. Invesco's AT1 Capital Bond exchange-traded fund, which tracks the value of AT1 debt issued by banks, is down 15 per cent, The Guardian reported. These AT1 bonds, known as "contingent convertible" debt or CoCos, are designed to be triggered at times of market turbulence. They are basically shock absorbers to activate in a crisis - if a bank's capital levels fall below a certain point in a crisis, AT1s are converted into equity, or written off. Investors are startled that Credit Suisse's AT1 bonds are being written off, even though the bank's equity is not totally destroyed (shareholders are taking a 60 per cent haircut). Typically, AT1 bonds is meant to be above equity in the debt heirachy, The Guardian reported. Neil Wilson, chief markets analyst at Markets.com, said this 'blatant' upending of the debt heirachy will have ramifications, The Guardian reported. "These are 'contingent convertible' bonds that are riskier than other debt instruments and designed to get wiped out in a crisis - or converted to equity. "However, shareholders in CS are getting something, even if it's not much. Blatantly upending the hierarchy of debt will have ramifications and I think this is why we are seeing such a negative reaction in bank shares this morning," Wilson said. Charles-Henry Monchau, chief investment officer at Syz Bank, fears there will be 'spillover' damage to global credit markets, The Guardian reported. Monchau said, "According to the Swiss bail-in regime, AT1 debt is above equity in the loss absorption waterfall. This is an arresting development, given that even unsecured bondholders usually rank above equity holders in the capital structure. So for equity holders to get 'something' and CoCo bond holders to get 'nothing' raises serious questions about the real value of CoCo bonds." New Delhi, March 20 : Incriminating circumstances are clearly revealed through reliable and clinching evidence and they form a chain of events, the Delhi Police told a trial court on Monday as it completed its arguments on charges against Aaftab Amin Poonawala for allegedly strangling his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar to death and then chopping her body into several pieces. Appearing for police, Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad said that the chain of events leads to an irrefutable conclusion about the guilt of the accused. Advocate Javed Hussain, legal aid counsel for Poonawala, sought time to respond to the arguments. After hearing the arguments, Additional Sessions Judge Manisha Khurana Kakkar listed the case for further proceeding on March 25. On March 7, the ASJ had said that a short synopsis has been filed by the prosecution. Prasad had submitted that the accused is a trained chef from Taj Hotel and is aware of preserving flesh. Poonawala had also ordered dry ice, agarbatti etc. after killing Shraddha Walker, the police had said. It was added by the police that after committing the crime, he got into a new relationship and gave a ring to his new girlfriend. Hussain had sought time to address the arguments. On February 21, a city court had sent the case to the sessions court for initiation of trial proceedings. Metropolitan magistrate Aviral Shukla had said: "Scrutiny of documents is complete... Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code is exclusively triable by sessions court." The court had on February 7 taken cognisance of the charge sheet filed by the Delhi Police against Poonawala which ran over 6,000 pages. Poonawala has been accused of killing Walkar and then chopping her body into several pieces and storing them in a refrigerator before disposing them of in the Chhatarpur forest area over a period of three months. Mumbai, March 20 : Director Farhad Samji, whose recently released streaming comedy series, 'Pop Kaun' is getting good response from the audience, has shared that while the series was extremely fun to work on, it was also excruciating for him on a certain level. He also mentioned that as opposed to the common notion of comedy just being for the laughs, it's one genre that needs a storyteller to be technically sound. He also said that between films and series, the long-format content is tougher. The director told IANS: "People believe comedy is all laughs. But it is a genre that needs you to be technically sound. Laughs are designed with wit and its purpose is to land." Samji has incessantly delivered hits after hits, since the start of his career. He further mentioned: "Long format storytelling is the toughest. And as much as I enjoyed the experience, it was just as excruciating for me. I learnt of my own weaknesses, strengths and emerged as a far more confident creator." "The creative field demands its people to live a rich life. It can't be a staccato existence. I enjoy the trials and tribulations of my journey. I experiment bravely knowing very well it's a gamble that could go anyway. In some ways, Pop Kaun is me pushing myself to stretch creatively," he concluded. While 'Pop Kaun' is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, the director's next film, 'Kisi Ka Bhai, Kisi Ki Jaan', which stars Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in the lead, is set to release on April 21. Bengaluru, March 20 : In a big announcement, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi promised to provide Rs 3,000 allowance for unemployed graduates in Karnataka if voted to power in the state. Addressing the Yuva Kranthi Convention at Belagavi on Monday, Rahul also announced Rs 1,500 allowance for unemployed Diploma holders. The allowance will be provided for two years. "The Congress government will provide 10 lakh jobs in the state," he said. Rahul Gandhi further stated that his party's government in Karnataka would also fill up 2.50 lakh jobs that are vacant. "During Bharat Jodo Yatra, women have poured out their sufferings. To reciprocate them, under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme every woman house owner will get a Rs 2,000 allowance as promised and poor families are assured of giving 10 kilograms of rice free of cost. Under the Gruha Jyothi scheme, the Congress party has decided to provide 200 units of free electricity to every house," he stated. The government should complete the process of increasing the reservation for scheduled castes and tribes from 15 to 17 per cent and three to seven per cent respectively. "We should unite to fight the corrupt BJP and root out the BJP government. I will come to whichever district you invite. We all should defeat BJP," Rahul Gandhi stated. Rahul Gandhi remembered Bharat Jodo Yatra and thanked people of Karnataka for giving him unprecedented support. "This country belongs to all. This does not belong to one or two individuals. The nation belongs to farmers, youth and the poor," he stressed. The Prime Minister has not replied to the letters written to him about the 40 per cent commission and corruption in Karnataka. The government had protected the legislator when his son was caught red-handed and Rs 8 crore recovered in connection with the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) scam, Rahul Gandhi attacked. There is scandal with regards to the recruitment of PSI, associate professors, assistant engineers. Lakhs of youth are complaining about it, he stated. Patna, March 20 : Four women labourers were killed in an explosion that occurred in a brick-kiln here on Monday. Local police and fire brigade have launched a rescue operation at Lucky brick-kiln located in Byapur village under Maner police station. According to sources, the explosion was so intense that a wall came crashing down trapping the women labourers inside the kiln. The deceased have been identified as Suganti Devi, Ghurni Devi, Sheela Devi -- all residents of Jharkhand and Sita Devi (Gaya Bihar). Around half-a-dozen labourers were rescued and rushed to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for treatment. Several others were still trapped inside the debris. "We have recovered four bodies from the debris. Some labourers were rescued and admitted in the hospital and are undergoing treatment. The owner of the brick-kiln has been absconding since the explosion," said Rajiv Ranjan, SHO of Maner police station. Gangtok, March 20 : Former Sikkim BJP president D.B. Chauhan on Monday resigned from the party's primary membership ending all ties with the national party. "I worked in the party in different capacities for the last 10 years in which I tried to serve our state through the party platform. I am thankful to all the party workers, leaders and well-wishers who supported me and the party. I now realise that my service is no more required in the party," said Chauhan in his resignation letter addressed to top party leadership. "I wish all the party functionaries a good time ahead, God bless all," said Chauhan in his letter. When contacted, the former State BJP president said he has no immediate plans regarding his future political course of action. However, I am interested in working for the people of Sikkim through a regional political party, he said. "I want to work for a regional party that has a Sikkimese ethos as national parties have failed to understand our local issues and sentiments. The national parties tend to look at Sikkim and our people through a Delhi-based perspective," he added. Chauhan served as the state BJP president for seven years before quitting the post on December 13, 2022. He had claimed that the BJP central leadership's indifference towards the Sikkim BJP unit forced him to take the decision. He was associated with the state BJP as a primary member. Chauhan shared that he is interested in working with a new regional party that genuinely wants to address the pressing issues like unemployment, drug abuse and basic requirements that have been overlooked by even the established political parties in the state. "I want to work for a party that has new ideas and is honest to the real issues of Sikkimese," he added. New Delhi, March 20 : A Delhi court on Monday sent Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai to judicial custody in connection with the 2021-22 Delhi excise policy case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Last week, Special Judge M.K. Nagpal of the Rouse Avenue Courts had extended Pillai's ED remand till Monday after noting that the probe agency has gathered some new details after confronting Pillai with Butchi Babu Gorantla, a Hyderabad-based chartered accountant, on March 15. The ED had earlier informed the court that Pillai needs to be confronted with Magunta Reddy, also an accused. On March 16, the agency's request for prolonged remand was contested by Pillai's lawyer, Manu Sharma, who argued that such confrontations between the accused are a never-ending process. The ED had arrested Pillai on March 6 after questioning him for hours in connection with the case. His arrest marked the 11th arrest in the matter by the ED. The probe agency has alleged that Pillai was involved in forming a cartel of manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers which controlled more than 30 per cent of the liquor business in the national capital. The ED named the cartel 'South Group', which includes BRS leader K. Kavitha; Sarath Reddy, the promoter of Aurobindo Pharma; YSRCP MP from Ongole Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy; his son Raghav Magunta and others. The South Group was represented by Pillai, Abhishek Boinpally and Babu, the agency claimed. Pillai is a partner in Indo Spirits with a 32.5 per cent stake and he represented Kavitha's interests, said the ED. Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, also arrived at the ED headquarters here on Monday for a second round of questioning in connection with the case. Earlier on Monday, the court extended the judicial custody of AAP leader and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia till April 3 in connection with the same case which is also being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Mumbai, March 20 : The 18 lakh government employees in Maharashtra called off their weeklong indefinite strike on Monday after successful negotiations on the contentious issue of implementing the Old Pension Scheme, a top leader said. The striking unions coordination committee's convenor Vishwas Katkar said that the state government has agreed "in principle" to consider the issue of bringing back the OPS, which was discontinued in 2005. The much-awaited discussions were held this afternoon with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and top state officials, and Katkar and other unions' representatives on the other side. "The government has assured that the OPS will definitely be implemented and also given the same in writing. They will also withdraw the show cause notices issued to the strikers. We shall also fully cooperate with the government on this issue," Katkar told media persons. In view of the positive outcome, he said that the strike has been called off immediately and all employees will resume normal duties from Tuesday. Katkar also thanked the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) for supporting the strikers and raising their issue in the state legislature and appreciated the government for positively considering the staffers' pending demand on OPS. Shinde is likely to make a statement on the outcome of the OPS negotiations in the legislature shortly. Bhopal, March 20 : While the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has made a series of announcements to seek people's support ahead of the Assembly elections due this year-end, the Opposition Congress too is making tall promises to woo the voters in order to return to power in the state. Joining the race of announcing doles in the election year, Madhya Pradesh Congress President and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Monday declared that domestic LPG cylinders would be available for Rs 500 if the party is voted to power. Addressing a rally in his hometown Chhindwara, the senior Congress leader also promised to launch a financial scheme under which women will get Rs 1,500 per month. Incidentally, Chouhan too has announced to provide Rs 1,000 per month to women under the 'Ladli Behna Yojana'. Beside these, Kamal Nath also promised to introduce an old pension scheme for all state government employees, waive farmers' loans, and provide cheaper electricity. Taking a jibe at Chouhan for making a series of announcements in the election year, Kamal Nath called him "ghoshna machine" (announcement machine). "We (Congress) do not make false promises just to win the elections. Chief Minister Chouhan is a 'ghoshna machine'. In the last 17 years, he has made a number of promises but kept none of them after winning the elections. We will reintroduce the old pension scheme for state government employees and provide domestic LPG cylinder for Rs 500 if the Congress forms the government in Madhya Pradesh," the former Chief Minister said. Kochi, March 20 : Kerala got its first transgender advocate in Padma Lakshmi when she was enrolled as an advocate at a function organised by the Bar Council of Kerala on Sunday. The transgender woman Lakshmi, who did her law graduation from the Government Law College-Ernakulam, has now written her name in record books by becoming the first transgender person to don the black robes in the state. Kerala Law Minister P. Rajeev took to his social media account to congratulate her. "Her achievement and her success will be a morale booster to the transgender community as a whole," he said. Belagavi : , March 20 (IANS) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said on Monday that the upcoming Assembly elections in Karnataka is very crucial as it will send out a message to the entire nation. Addressing the 'Yuva Kranti Samavesha', a youth convention, here, Kharge said, "We need to face the elections collectively. Belagavi is a sacred land. The 39th session of AICC was held here in 1924, which was the only session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi." Stating that the Congress used to register victory in 15 to 16 constituencies out of the 18 in Belagavi, Kharge said that considering the present scenario, the party will sweep all the seats in the district this time. "The state has never wirnessed corruption at this scale as it is seeing now. Why did Amit Shah not order a probe into the allegations levelled by contractors' associations? The police have been sent to Rahul Gandhi's residence for his statement made in Kashmir 46 days back. In Karnataka, even after proofs are provided, no probe is ordered," Kharge said. The state and the Centre are quoting double the amount for tenders and getting 40 per cent commission on each, he claimed. "PM Modi had spoken about me during his visit to Belagavi. He had said that my remote control is with someone else. Can you tell who has the remote control of BJP President J.P. Nadda? If Rahul Gandhi asks questions about Adani in the Parliament, the questions are removed. There is no democracy in the country, but there is casteism. Is it wrong to say that there is caste discrimination in the country," Kharge asked. "This is the land of Kittur Chennamma, Sangolli Rayanna and Belawadi Mallamma. This is the land of valiant individuals, and they can't be defeated by the ED or CBI. Rahul Gandhi is not afraid of BJP's threats. Let them torture us as much as they want, we are prepared for everything. No matter how hard the BJP tries to bury us, we are like seeds and we will take birth again and again," Kharge said. Chandigarh, March 20 : Khalistan ideologue and 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh is still absconding while so far 114 people have been arrested in connection with the March 18 crackdown, Punjab Police's Inspector General Sukhchain Singh Gill said here on Monday. In a major development, the National Security Act (NSA) has been imposed on four aides of Amritpal Singh. Amritpal Singh's uncle Harjit Singh, who was arrested on early Monday, is also likely to be booked under the stringent law. While the four aides of Amritpal Singh -- Daljeet Singh Kalsi, Bhagwant Singh, Gurmeet Singh, and Pradhanmantri Bajeka -- have been kept in Assam's Dibrugarh jail, his uncle is also being taken there. Addressing the media, Gill clarified that Amritpal Singh continued to be absconding and a manhunt was on to arrest him at the earliest. He, however, did not rule out imposing the NSA on Amritpal Singh, against whom the police slapped six cases. A total of 10 weapons and four vehicles, including the radical leader's Mercedes, had been seized. Punjab Police suspect the involvement of the ISI and foreign funding for the 'Waris Punjab De', which is being investigated. "We have strong suspicion of involvement of Pakistan's ISI besides foreign funding. The accused were using hawala channels also. We have evidence that the accused were forming 'Anandpur Khalsa Fauj' (AKF) of close associates of Amritpal," the IG said. The six FIRs lodged against Amritpal Singh and his associates include causing disharmony and obstruction in police working and attack on police, besides possessing illegal weapons. The police have also found a walkie-talkie set from one of the vehicles used by Amritpal Singh, the IG said. Besides, bulletproof jackets and rifles that have been recovered. The gate of the house of Amritpal Singh had AKF inscribed on them. Gill clarified that there was total normalcy in Punjab and the cordon and search operation is underway. New Delhi, March 20 : The Supreme Court on Monday clubbed the FIRs registered against Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, in connection with his comments against the prime minister, at Assam and Varanasi and transferred them to Lucknow. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Uttar Pradesh and Assam governments, contended that no remorse has been shown by Khera over his comments against the PM despite his counsel tendering an apology in the court. A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Pardiwala, said the petitioner would be at liberty to apply for regular bail before the jurisdictional court in the matter and also extended his interim bail till April 10. Two FIRs were registered against Khera in UP and one in Assam. During the hearing, Mehta submitted that after having tendered an apology before the court in the rejoinder, Khera has sought to justify himself that he had not done anything wrong and it is a fair criticism. He urged the court to record the statement that despite the pleadings he abides by his apology. Counsel, representing Khera, submitted that senior advocate Dr A.M. Singhvi, who represented Khera in the previous hearing, made it very clear that Khera's comment on the PM was not in good taste and added that apology was tendered for being distasteful in nature. The bench, in its order, recorded that the petitioner's counsel during the hearing has reiterated that the petitioner stands by the unconditional apology that was tendered on behalf of the petitioner by Dr Singhvi. Mehta further added that even after court's order the official handle of Khera's political party has kept on tweeting the same thing, which should never have been done. "Never happened in the past in India political discourse that a person who is not a part of public life is maligned like this, but that is for the petitioner to control," he said. At the outset, due to the absence of Singhvi, counsel for petitioner requested for the matter to be taken on next Monday. Mehta suggested that the FIRs could be clubbed in the matter. Khera' counsel urged the court to hear the matter on Monday and added that Dr Singhvi wished to argue for the case to be transferred to Delhi in the interest of fair trial. However, the bench was not inclined to transfer the petition to Delhi. The court directed that the FIRs registered at Varanasi and at Assam will be transferred to PS Hazratganj, Lucknow. On February 23, the Supreme Court protected Khera, saying that he will be released on interim bail upon production before the magistrate in Delhi. In previous hearings, the top court had extended the interim bail granted to Khera. The top court had then told senior advocate Singhvi, representing Khera:, "We have protected you but there has to be some level of discourse...". It agreed to hear Khera's plea to club all FIRs at one place. Khera was arrested after he was forced to de-board an IndiGo flight to Raipur, where the Congress was holding a plenary session. After Khera was stopped from boarding the flight, Congress leaders and workers staged a protest at the airport. Within hours, the top court was approached and a bench headed by Chief Justice Chandrachud granted interim protection from arrest. --IANS ss/vd A New Delhi, March 20 : BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa and party's national spokesperson R.P. Singh on Monday described the incident, in which some pro-Khalistani groups allegedly took down the Tricolour from the Indian High Commission in the UK, as 'shameful'. Addressing a joint press conference in the national capital, the BJP leaders said that strict action should be taken against those involved in such acts. Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana was also present on the occasion. Sirsa said: "Those who defame India can never be Sikhs. There are some anti-national elements against India who along with some people are trying to defame India by carrying out such shameful incidents which we deeply regret." Appealing to the entire Sikh community and especially the Sikhs living abroad, he said that there is a need to identify such anti-national elements and teach them a lesson. "When the lives of Sikhs were under threat in Afghanistan, even the powerful countries failed to help them but due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi everyone was rescued safely," Sirsa added. He said that some people are trying to defame the Sikh community by doing such acts but they do not know that no Sikh can ever act against someone's religion. Today Sikhs are seen as a messiah all over the world, he added. Sirsa said that whatever Modi has done for the Sikhs has not happened in the history of Indian politics in the last 75 years and the 'anti-Sikh' and 'anti-India' elements are not tolerating this. During the press conference, R.P Singh said: "Some people are sponsored by ISI, which also funds anti-India activities. These people are defaming the entire Sikh community but they forget that the names of martyrs like Lance Naik Karam Singh, Naik Subedar Rana Singh, General Arora etc. No Sikh can separate himself from the tricolour." "Whenever there is an attack on any High Commission inside any country it is shameful because it is the responsibility of that country to ensure the security of the High Commission," Singh said in reference to the UK government. "Such anti-national elements think that the consequences of what happens outside will be felt in Delhi or inside the country, but those who harbour such hopes will not be able to succeed in their nefarious designs," he said. New Delhi: Sikh Community members hold a protest outside British High Commission over the pulling down of tricolour flying atop the Indian High Commission in London by pro-Khalistan protesters has infuriated people back home, in New Delhi on Monday, Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: Sikh Community members hold a protest outside British High Commission over the pulling down of tricolour flying atop the Indian High Commission in London by pro-Khalistan protesters has infuriated people back home, in New Delhi on Monday, Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: Sikh Community members hold a protest outside British High Commission over the pulling down of tricolour flying atop the Indian High Commission in London by pro-Khalistan protesters has infuriated people back home, in New Delhi on Monday, Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 20 : To mark their protest against pro-Khalistan separatists for pulling down the Indian flag at the Indian High Commission in UK, scores of people belonging to the Sikh community gathered outside the British High Commission in Chanakyapuri here on Monday. The protestors raised slogans "Bharat humara swabhiman hai" (India is our pride) while carrying placards and Tricolour. Meanwhile, a man has been arrested after some pro-Khalistani groups vandalised the Indian High Commission in London and detached the Indian flag from the first-floor balcony of the building. Videos on social media showed a crowd waving yellow 'Khalistan' banners and a man detach the Indian flag from the first-floor balcony of the building, the BBC reported. Two security guards were injured in the violent protest and an investigation has been launched. A media report said that crowd members were believed to be supporters of a Sikh separatist movement. Officers were called to the Indian High Commission at about 13:50 GMT on Sunday. Upon arrival "the majority of those present had dispersed prior to the arrival of police," Metropolitan Police (Met) was quoted by British broadcaster PA news agency as saying. The force's spokesperson said "windows were broken" and two members of security staff sustained minor injuries which did not require hospital treatment. Responding to the incident, London's mayor Sadiq Khan said in a tweet: "I condemn the violent disorder and vandalism that took place at the Indian High Commission today (Sunday). There is no place in our city for this kind of behaviour." An investigation has been launched by the Met, he added. The British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis described the incident as "disgraceful" and "totally unacceptable". Jaipur, March 20 : Two persons died while 30 others tested positive for Covid-19 in Rajasthan on Sunday, taking the state's active caseload to 117, raising concerns over the return of the deadly virus in the desert state. Of the two deaths, one was reported from Bhilwara and the other from Jaipur. Bhilwara, which once became the hotspot for Covid infections, has 19 active cases, followed by Udaipur (29), Jaipur (23), Bikaner (12), Rajsamand (11), Jodhpur (seven), Jalore (five), and Hanumangarh, Ganganagar, Kota and Bharatpur (one each). A total of 2,137 samples were tested on Sunday, out of which 30 returned positive, health officials confirmed. On Saturday, the state had reported 24 fresh cases one death, which was reported from Bhilwara. Bhilwara District Collector Ashish Modi said, "At present, the corona infection is spreading and the numbers may rise rapidly. I appeal to the residents of Bhilwara district to follow all the Covid guidelines. Wash your hands regularly, use masks and avoid crowds." Earlier, four Australian tourists had tested positive last Wednesday, who were kept under observation at the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) here as a precautionary measure. RUHS superintendent Ajit Singh said the four Australians, who were staying in a hotel in Sawai Madhopur, were brought to Jaipur after they were found infected with Covid-19. Singh said of the four, three are symptomatic while one has cold. Meanwhile, a health official said, "Sampling and surveillance has been a regular feature here. Cases have increased as the temperature declined in the last few days. The sampling process will be increased if the need arises." Chandigarh, March 20 : Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal on Monday came down heavily against "the puppet AAP regime in Punjab for the undeclared emergency and reign of repression and terror let loose in the state". He also warned against "dangerous conspiracies to defame the most patriotic Sikh community for communal polarisation and electoral gains". "The same conspiracies were hatched and implemented by the Congress in the past and now the present regime is following in their footsteps to set Punjab on fire," he claimed. The Akali President said the government-led by Parkash Singh Badal had pulled the state out of the bloody cycle of terror and repression and started an era of peace and progress. "But the governments that followed have pushed the state back into the jaws of insecurity and repression reminiscent of the dark and tragic era of the eighties," he said in a statement. Sikhs are the most patriotic people and have made the greatest sacrifices for securing and safeguarding the independence, the unity and integrity of India and "we will do so again whenever the country needs it", he stressed. "This is our country and the Sikhs need no certificate from anyone on their patriotism," said Badal after an emergent meeting of senior leaders of the party. He assured the people of Punjab that the SAD "will fight all forces out to disturb peace and harmony here". He said SAD is the champion of the rights and a guarantor of peace and "Sarbat da bhala". Coming down strongly against the AAP government, Badal strongly condemned the indiscriminate arrests of innocent Sikh youth, especially the Amritdhari youth on mere suspicion through resort to extra-constitutional methods. He demanded the immediate release of all innocents arrested in the ongoing crackdown. Badal said SAD stands for justice and for the protection of the rights of the Punjabis in general and the Sikhs in particular within the federal framework, with more powers to the states, a demand echoed now by other political parties too. Mumbai, March 20 : Actor Lokesh Mittal, who recently received the audience's appreciation for his work in the streaming series 'Farzi', will be next seen playing a cop in the upcoming film 'Bholaa', directed by Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn. He shared that Ajay is very clear in his mind as a director, and gives space to his actors to explore their characters. The actor, who has earlier worked with Ajay in the latter's last directorial 'Runway 34', told IANS: "Bhola is the 4th directorial venture by Ajay Devgn sir. And this is not the first time I have worked with Ajay Ji. Earlier, I got to work with him in his 3rd directorial 'Runway 34' in a scene which brought the introduction of Bachchan Sir's character in the movie and this was the scene due to which Ajay Devgn films decided to cast me in 'Bhola'." Describing Ajay's style as a filmmaker, Lokesh said: "As a director, he is really wonderful. He doesn't impose anything on the actor; rather he allows the actor to completely do their own things. I think this brings out the best from an actor. He is quite friendly on the sets and allows full autonomy. It was my first experience working with Tabu ma'am. I got to learn so many things after working with such experienced and nice stars." Lokesh has also featured in 'Khuda Haafiz: Chapter 2', 'Runway 34', 'Sui Dhaga', 'Long Live Brij Mohan', 'Chef', 'Sherni', 'The White Tiger' and 'Uunchai'. 'Bholaa' is set to arrive in cinemas on March 30, 2023. Washington, March 20 : Even as the brouhaha over the incident of the tricolour being pulled down at the Indian High Commission building in London had barely died down, videos of a mob attacking the Indian consulate in the US city of San Francisco have surfaced. As per reports, with loud music playing in the background, a large mob is seen in the video, attacking the Indian consulate, spray-painting a huge graffiti on its outer wall, saying "Free Amritpal". In fact, according to reports, several videos, apparently filmed by the miscreants themselves, showed men breaking glass doors and windows of the consulate building with butts of poles with Khalistani flags. Employees of the consulate were later seen removing the flags in the videos, when suddenly a mob can seen breaking through a barricade from behind which they were shouting slogans. The employees can be seen running inside the building with the protestors trying to follow them. Videos further showed that after doors of the consulate were slammed shut on their faces, the protestors starting hitting them with flags, while one of them smashed the windows of the building with a sword. Kathmandu, March 20 : Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda on Monday secured a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives ahead of his India visit. Prachanda received 172 votes in the 275-member parliament in the second floor test since being appointed the Prime Minister on December 25. "I will go to India before April 20," Prachanda said after winning the vote of confidence. "Though we have not finalised the date of the India visit but it can happen first or second week of April. Now I am confident that government will run smoothly," Prachanda added. Prachanda has already announced that his first foreign visit would begin from India though he has received an invitation to visit China at Boao Forum for Asia annual conference. In Monday's proceedings, 89 lawmakers voted against the motion while Prem Suwal, the lone lawmaker from the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party, stayed neutral. A total of 262 lawmakers were present in Monday's meeting. The Prime Minister required at least 138 votes to win the trust motion. Prachanda, who became Prime Minister after breaking the electoral alliance with Nepali Congress and forging a new coalition with the CPN-UML, had gone for the floor test for the first time on January 10. He had received 268 votes then. Thane, March 20 : In a bizarre crime spree, thieves apparently lurked freely among thousands of devotees, including women, at a 2-day spiritual congregation addressed by self-styled 'guru', Dhirendra Krishna Shastri at Mira Road town and targetted many women attending. According to the Mira Road police, after the 26-year-old Shastri's discourses ended, at least three dozen women have lodged complaints of their gold chains being stolen during the two-day congregation. As per the complaints, the victims have lost their gold chains, mostly 'mangalsutras', weighing between 5 gm to 25 gms, either made in pure gold or with other metals. The Mira Road Police have pegged the total value of the stolen booty at a staggering Rs 4,87,000! The event of Shastri - which had sparked off a political row here - was held at the sprawling Salasar Central Park grounds, attracting more than 200,000 devotees, including a large number of women. At one point, due to poor management, it led to a near-stampede on Saturday in which one woman devotee was injured after which the local police had started security checks and crowd control at the entry points to the venue. Many women had been lured by Shastri's purported "miracles" and "healing powers", and had come in hopes of some cure, but some returned not only disappointed but minus their gold chains/mangalsutras, said an official. The organisers, the Shantaben Mithalal Jain Charitable Trust, had invited Shastri - the head priest of Bagesgwar Dham in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur - for the event even as some rationalist groups had opposed it and written to police not to grant permission. Besieged with so many complaints, the Mira Road Police have lodged a common FIR for the first three dozen women victims, and are scanning the CCTV footage of the venue to identify the chain-snatchers in the huge crowds and catch the culprits. Mumbai, March 20 : Actor Atul Kulkarni, who is receiving accolades for his work in the recently released streaming series 'Happy Family: Conditions Apply', has said that the series brings out the generational differences in a humorous way. In the series, Atul plays the role of Ramesh Dholakia, a responsible son of Mansukhlal and Hemlata Dholakia, who is always looking out for everyone's best interests. The actor said, "I always look forward to working with the new generation of actors, writers, directors and technicians. And I just loved that part of my time on the sets of 'Happy Family'. The new generation is very empowered today. Information and freedom has given them a lot of confidence. And that's a great thing. They respect people for who they are, more than just for their age. That's why I always say that they have an equality complex." The series introduces the audience to a family of four generations living under one roof, and despite having different opinions, they somehow manage to stick together and share a thick support system. He further mentioned, "They are more vocal about the things they like and dislike. This is something which lacks in people from my time but Gen Z has that spirit where they don't give up or let others tear them down. There is so much that we can learn from the youth. 'Happy Family: Conditions Apply' brings the differences in the generations in a very fun manner." 'Happy Family: Conditions Apply' is written by Aatish Kapadia, and also features Swati Das, Atul Kumar, Kariuki Margaret Wanjiku, Paresh Ganatra, Pranoti Pradhan, Samar Vermani and Neha Julka in pivotal roles. The series is streaming currently on Prime Video. San Francisco, March 20 : The US Federal Reserve began sounding the alarm about Silicon Valley Bank's (SVB's) risk management arm starting at least four years ago in 2019, according to a report. In January 2019, the Fed issued a warning known as a 'Matter Requiring Attention', a citation a step-down from an enforcement action, about SVB's risk-management systems, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing documents from a presentation circulated last year to employees of SVB's venture-capital arm. The presentation reportedly said the Fed again warned SVB in 2020 that its system to control risk did not meet the expectations for a large financial institution, or a bank holding company with more than $100 billion in assets. The bank at that time was in a period of rapid growth as deposits flooded in at the early onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Fox Business reported. According to the Journal, the presentation notes that SVB's average level of interest-earning assets grew 76% in the first quarter of 2021, compared with the same period one year earlier. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. data show SVB's assets grew to $114 billon at the end of 2020, up from the bank's $70 billion in 2019 - the year the Federal Reserve first raised eyebrows. SVB had nearly twice as much in assets from 2020 to the end of 2021, clocking in at about $209 billion, Fox Business reported. Questions remain around why SVB was allowed to double in size after the Fed raised concerns about the bank's risk management systems. A Federal Reserve review of its oversight of SVB is due by May. Amaravati, March 20 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday alleged that former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was kingpin of Rs 371 crore skill development scam in which four persons were arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Jagan Mohan Reddy told the Legislative Assembly that the entire scam amount reached the TDP president and his men through shell companies through money laundering channels. Intervening in the discussion on skill development scam, the Chief Minister elaborated on how Naidu skillfully orchestrated the scam by getting an unauthorised private note of estimates approved in the Cabinet meeting leading to the issuance of GO (government order) and then signing a totally different MoU with the unauthorised persons for looting public money to the tune of Rs 371 crore. He termed it as the biggest scam in the country. "In the name of providing skills to students, the previous TDP government looted the state extensively. This is not just a big scam in the history of the state but also the biggest in the country. Chandrababu Naidu is a master in scamming people... Rs 71 crore were diverted through shell companies and unfortunately students have been the biggest sufferers," he said. "Nara Chandrababu Naidu is guilty of abusing his power as a chief minister. His cabinet said one thing but in reality did something else. This scam started in AP and spread abroad. The money then came back into the state through shell companies from abroad. Only a criminal like Chandrababu can mastermind this scam," the CM asserted. Chandrababu scripted and directed the scam so cunningly that the GO provisions and the MoU conditions were totally different, he said, explaining that while the Cabinet approved private note and the related GO talked of 90 per cent of the proposed total project cost of Rs 3356 crore for the development of the skills of the youth in the state coming from the Siemens in the form of grant-in-aid, there was no mention of the grant-in-aid in the MoU. Again, while the GO talked of 10 per cent of project cost being borne by the government in form of contribution, it was changed as financial assistance in the provisions of the MoUs. The grant-in-aid never came from the Siemens but the TDP government hurriedly paid the 10 per cent of the project cost equalling to Rs 371 crore (which includes taxes) in five tranches in a short period of three months, said the Chief Minister adding that it was a scam skillfully scripted, directed and executed by the skilled criminal Chandrababu Naidu. The scam broke out even during the TDP rule as the intended taxes were never paid but the CID probe never moved ahead as it was stalled by Naidu, Jagan Mohan Reddy said. When the lower level officials objected to the releasing of the 10 per cent financial aid without the grant-in-aid coming in from the Siemens, Chandrababu directed the officials to release the amount, he said, elaborating further that there were note files signed by the principal finance secretary and the then chief secretary to this effect. Attempts were also made to destroy these note files by the TDP government but they are dug out now with the use of shadow files from the other departments, he said, adding that the Siemens Company also officially told the court that it never implemented any skill development training schemes and it had nothing to with the related GO or the MoU signed by the government. Siemens also told the court in its affidavit that the arrested company officials with whom the TDP government signed the MoU never brought it to the notice of the higher management and they signed the MoU in their private capacity, he said. Chandrababu and his men entered into a conspiracy with the former officials of the Siemens (now arrested and undergoing judicial custody) to loot the public money, he said and asked: how can a Cabinet meeting approve a proposed note of the cost estimates prepared by individuals for establishing the skill development centres and clusters for training the youth taking it as DPR? London, March 20 : Lenders of last resort - central banks - and some of the industrys strongest players provided huge sums of emergency cash to support teetering banks since the global banking crisis began, according to a media report. More than $400 billion has gone so far in direct central bank support, CNN reported. In guaranteeing all deposits at Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, the US Federal Reserve is on the hook for $140 billion. Then there's the $54 billion the Swiss National Bank offered Credit Suisse in the form of an emergency loan, and 209 billion Swiss francs ($225 billion) offered to UBS in loans, guaranteed by the Swiss state, and protection against potential losses, CNN reported. The US Fed has also agreed to record amounts of loans to other banks this week. Banks borrowed nearly $153 billion from the Fed in recent days, smashing the previous record of $112 billion set during the crisis of 2008. Banks also drew on nearly $12 billion of loans from the Fed's new emergency lending programme established at the start of the week with the aim of preventing more banks from collapsing. The $318 billion the Fed has loaned in total to the financial system is about half what was extended during the global financial crisis, CNN reported. "But it is still a big number," said JPMorgan's Michael Feroli in a note to investors Thursday, CNN reported. "The glass half-empty view is that banks need a lot of money. The glass half-full take is that the system is working as intended." The banking industry has also coughed up billions. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Citigroup are among a group of 11 lenders providing the $30 billion cash infusion aimed at shoring up confidence in First Republic Bank. HSBC has reportedly committed more than $2 billion to SVB's UK business, which it bought on Sunday for 1 pound, CNN reported. Hyderabad, March 20 : The US Consulate General in Hyderabad on Monday opened operations at its new facility at Nanakramguda. Fifteen years after commencing the operations from historic Paigah Palace in Begumpet, the Consulate has moved to its own building in the Financial District, Nanakramguda, an information technology cluster in western part of the city. "Today marks a milestone in the US-India Strategic Partnership," US Consul General, Hyderabad, Jennifer Larson, said. "At a cost of $340 million, our new consulate facility in Hyderabad is an investment in the US relationship with India. We look forward to increasing our staff - including visa officers - in order to continue expanding US-India ties in the months and years to come,"" she said. Established in 2008 at the historic Paigah Palace, the US Consulate General in Hyderabad is the first US diplomatic office to open in India since India's independence. Groundbreaking at the new location in Nanakramguda took place in 2017. Located on a 12-acre site, the new consulate embodies the US State Department's mission to provide safe, secure, functional, and resilient facilities for U.S. diplomacy. The $340 million construction project included $70 million in local investment and employed a combined workforce of over 1,000 American, Indian, and third-country nationals. The US Consulate General represents the US in the Indian states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. The US-India relationship in the region spans a wide range of key issues, including higher education and cultural programs, military cooperation, health and environmental issues, and commercial ties, the US Consulate said in a statement. The US Consulate General Hyderabad issued more than 18,000 student visas during 2022, while US companies have invested billions of dollars in the region's tech, defense, aerospace, and pharmaceutical sectors. Through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, the Consulate works with local partners to preserve historic monuments, while Consulate staff work with local journalists to combat disinformation and expand coverage of climate change. US and Indian militaries also teamed up for joint exercises based out of Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, it said. Visa applicants who have scheduled interviews should now go to the US Consulate's new facility in Nanakramguda for their interviews. All other visa services - including biometrics appointments, "dropbox" appointments (interview waiver), and passport pickup - will continue to take place at the Visa Application Center (VAC), located at the Lower Concourse, HITEC City Metro Station, Madhapur, Hyderabad. New Delhi, March 20 : The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday informed that some employees of the erstwhile Air India Limited (AIL) are still in possession of accommodations at Air India colonies. In view of this, Air India has implemented a mechanism involving penal rent on unauthorised occupants in AI colonies. The mechanism envisages imposition of penal rent and damage charges on the unauthorised occupants. Some employees of the erstwhile AIL are still in possession of the accommodations at the AI colonies. In view of this, Air India has implemented the mechanism on the unauthorised occupants of the AI colonies, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha on Monday. During the process of strategic disinvestment of AIL, it was decided that AI employees may continue to stay at the residential colonies of the company post divestment for a period of six months or till the property is monetised, whichever is earlier. Appropriate binding legal and other arrangements including financial disincentives should be formulated to enable prompt vacation of the properties by the employees, the ministry said. In view of the aforesaid and as part of the disinvestment process, this ministry issued the mechanism for timely vacation of the accommodation at AI colonies on September 29, 2021, which was addressed to Air India. As per the mechanism, all occupants of AI colonies were required to provide an undertaking that they shall vacate and hand over the peaceful possession of the accommodation at AI colonies within a period of six months post disinvestment, i.e., by July 27, 2022. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) constituted the Air India Specific Alternative Mechanism (AISAM) to drive the strategic disinvestment process of AIL. Panaji, March 20 : Goa Police has arrested a Liberian national for allegedly possessing drugs. Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi said that Anjuna police station team conducted a narcotic raid and arrested the accused. "During the raid, the accused person, namely Julius Beford, 41, was found in possession of 4 grams of a narcotic drug suspected to be cocaine, valued at Rs 60,000," Dalvi said. Police have registered a case under section 21(b)of NDPS Act and are investigating. New Delhi, March 20 : Three men were arrested and two juveniles apprehended for kidnapping and raping a minor in south Delhi, a Delhi Police official said on Monday. The accused were identified as Sonu, 32, a resident of Krishna Park, Babu Miyan, 50, a resident of Shiv Park, Khanpur, and Anand Kumar Jain, 58, a resident of Sangam Vihar, and two juveniles. According to police, the victim, a resident of Neb Sarai, had left her house following altercation with family members. "She was abducted and confined by the accused. The accused raped her several times," said a police official privy to investigation. A case was registered under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 363 (kidnapping), 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and 6 of the Pocso Act at Neb Sarai police station and the accused were nabbed on Sunday. "The victim has been sent to the Sakhi One Stop Centre Malviya Nagar," said a senior police official, adding that further investigation of the case is in progress. New Delhi, March 20 : As the Punjab government cracks down on self-styled radical preacher Amritpal Singh, the tricolour flying atop the Indian High Commission in London was grabbed at by a group of protesters on Sunday, who were waving separatist flags and chanting pro-Khalistani slogans. The Congress on Monday condemned the incident in London and blamed the UK government for failing to protect the Indian High Commission there. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "The pulling down of the national flag at the Indian High Commission in London by pro Khalistani elements is totally unacceptable and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The British government has failed miserably in its most basic responsibility and must be held accountable." Several opposition parties have said that the responsibility of protecting the Indian embassies and high commissions abroad lies with the host country, and the Indian government must take up the matter diplomatically with these countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, the US etc. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, "This can't be allowed and the External Affairs Ministry should take the matter to the host countries to protect the high commissions and embassies." Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "UK government should apologise to India and take action against the miscreants." Late on Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had summoned the senior-most UK diplomat in India to lodge its protest after some pro-Khalistani groups allegedly took down the tricolour at the Indian High Commission in London. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had tweeted: "India lodges strong protest with the UK," along with a MEA statement. New Delhi, March 20 : The Supreme Court on Monday noted that Centre is facing difficulties in clearing the pension arrears of retired defence personnel under One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme in one go, but emphasised that it is duty-bound to comply with its 2022 judgment on the payment of arrears and asked it to pay dues for 2019-2022, amounting to nearly Rs 28,000 crore, by February 28 next year. Attorney General R. Venkataramani submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud that the budget outlay was not sufficient to meet the expenses and the total pensioners are over 20 lakh, and the OROP arrears would be in the range of Rs 28,000 crore. The Centre has proposed to pay the arrears by April 30, 2024. The bench, also comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Pardiwala, noted that out of 25 lakh pensioners, four lakh did not qualify for the OROP scheme as they were getting enhanced pensions. It said the arrears should be cleared by February 28, 2024, and formulated the schedule for payment of arrears to different groups of pensioners under the OROP scheme. The bench directed that the six lakh family pensioners and gallantry award winners should be paid their OROP dues by April 30, 2023, and retired servicemen aged 70 years and above, who are nearly 4-5 lakh, should get their dues in one or more instalments by June 30. The bench further added in three equal instalments by February 28, 2024, the dues should be paid to the remaining 10-11 lakh pensioners. It stressed that Centre is duty-bound to comply with its judgment in the terms of the OROP scheme and also made it clear that the payment of the dues would not affect further equalisation of pension of ex-servicemen to be done next year. At the beginning of the hearing, the top court declined to accept the Central government's sealed cover note about its views on the payment of OROP arrears to ex-service personnel. It asked the AG to share a note with senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the ex-servicemen. As the AG replied that it is a confidential note, the Chief Justice said: "We need to put an end to this sealed cover practice in the Supreme Court." The bench wondered what could be secrecy in the matter, which is pertaining to the implementation of the court orders. The Chief Justice said, "I am personally averse to sealed covers. What happens is, we see something, he does not see. And we decide the case without showing it to him. This is fundamentally contrary to the judicial process. There cannot be secrecy in the court. The court has to be transparent." The bench further added that this is a payment of pension in pursuance of directions in the judgment of the court. The Chief Justice told the AG, "What can be the great secrecy in this?" The top court made these observations while hearing the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement's (IESM) plea over payment of OROP dues. Last week, the top court pulled up the Central government for "unilaterally" deciding to pay OROP dues in four instalments. On March 13, the Supreme Court asked the Ministry of Defence to come up with a roadmap for the payment of arrears under the OROP scheme by next week, and also told the ministry that it cannot take law in its own hands by issuing communication on payment of arrears in four instalments New Delhi, March 20 : Even as the Coal Ministry has ensured regular supply of dry fuel to thermal plants across the country to help them cope with peak demand during the summer season, outstanding dues by power sector towards major coal companies are more than Rs 20,000 crore. According to official sources, outstanding dues payable by power sector for dry fuel sales towards Coal India Ltd (CIL) and the Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL), amounts to Rs 16,629.41 crore and Rs 3,713 crore, respectively, as on February 28, 2023. Increase in outstanding dues of the coal mining public sector undertakings impacts the working capital and cash flow position of coal companies. Meanwhile earlier this month, the Coal Ministry had said that it has over 100 million tonnes of domestic dry fuel available in the country, which was sufficient to meet the demand for next one and a half months. It had also said that it's current daily production is more than the daily national requirement, and therefore it is fully prepared to meet peak demand, mainly from thermal power plants. New Delhi, March 20 : A 14-year-old girl injured herself with a blade and then cooked up a story that she was injured during a scuffle and also molested by three boys in east Delhi's Bhajanpura area, a police official said on Monday. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Northeast, Joy Tirkey said that police had initially registered a case under relevant sections of Pocso Act and Indian Penal Code's sections of molestation and kidnapping but later withdrew it when the girl confessed that she had made up the story. The incident was reported on March 15 at Bhajanpura police station. "A school-going girl had reported that when she was returning from her school, she was stopped by 2-3 unknown boys and they had taken her to some place, molested and physically assaulted her. Her medical examination as well as counselling by the Member of the DCW were got conducted," the DCP said. "During investigation, CCTV footage near the place of occurrence as identified by the victim was checked, and it was found out that no such incident took place at the place and time told by the victim," he added. The official said that the victim was again counselled and examined in which she stated that her Class 10 board examinations were going on and her Social Studies paper had not gone well and she was afraid that her parents might be disappointed. "She had caused the injury to herself and narrated the concocted story to her parents. Accordingly, the victim girl was produced before the Magistrate where she reiterated her last statement," said the official. New Delhi, March 20 : In a major setback to Indian probe agencies, the Interpol removed fugitive Mehul Choksi, accused of committing a Rs 11,356.84 crore loan fraud case with the Punjab National Bank (PNB), fron its 'red' notice list. Choksi was added to red notice list in December 2018. As per sources, authorities concerned of the Indian government objected to the move of Interpol but it didn't budge on the decision This is a setback to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) which were waiting for his deportation. However, officials probing the matter said that it will not much affect Choksi's extradition from Antigua. Choksi is currently in the Caribbean island nation and Indian authorities have asked Antiguan authorities to extradite him so that he could be prosecuted. New Delhi, March 20 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday held a high-level meeting with MCD officials on the rising number of stray dogs in the city and directed officials to take up sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination on priority. He directed officials to prepare a detailed plan of action on the issue of stray dogs and cows on the priority, and take up 100 per cent sterilisation and 100 per cent anti-rabies vaccination of dogs on priority. In the case of stray cows, the CM has instructed officials to procure additional trucks and construct another Gaushala to ensure safe rehabilitation. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi would also purchase an additional 16 trucks to transport old cows to the Gaushalas. Currently, the MCD only has 12 trucks for this purpose. With the addition of these new trucks, the MCD will have a total of 28 trucks to collect these animals and take them to the Gaushalas. Delhi government currently operates four Gaushalas for stray cows in the city and is planning to construct one more. The Chief Minister has directed the officials of MCD to prepare a comprehensive plan for the construction of the new cowshed at the earliest. Kolkata, March 20 : Real estate promoter Ayan Shil, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) early on Monday morning in connection with the multi- crore teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal, was remanded to ED custody till April 1 by a special PMLA court here. After he was presented before the court on Monday afternoon, ED's counsel Phiroze Edulji told the court that the arrest of Shil has opened a new dimension in the agency's probe into the scam. "The investigation started with the recruitment irregularities of teaching and non-teaching staff. But following the raid at Shil's residence, it has been revealed that there were similar irregularities in the recruitment of staff in different municipalities of the state. The ED officers have recovered a number of supporting documents from his residence," argued Edulji. Next, he quoted lines Bhagavad Gita: "Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata," adding, "Only Lord Krishna can save Bengal from this unending corruption." He also said that the ED will communicate to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) about the documents related to recruitment in municipalities seized from the residence of the accused. Edulji also claimed that initial investigation has revealed that the financial investment of the accused is to the tune of around Rs 50 crore. According to Edulji, as per initial documents seized by the ED, there were separate rates for recruitment of labourers and clerks in these municipalities. "The rates started from a minimum of Rs 4,00,000 for posts like drivers and went up to Rs 8,00,000 in case of clerks," Edulji contended. Shil's counsel, while moving the bail plea, argued that since no cash has been recovered from his client's residence, there is no necessity for the ED to take him into custody. After hearing the arguments, the court remanded Shil to ED custody till April 1. New Delhi, March 20 : The Delhi High Court on Monday sought a status report, within four weeks, from the North-East Delhi Riots Claims Commission (NEDRCC) on the claims received by it from the victims and the amounts disbursed to them, if any. A single-judge bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh was considering a number of petitions submitted by riot victims seeking compensation and some seeking enhanced compensation under the "Assistance Scheme for the Help of Riot Victims" of the Delhi government. The NEDRCC was set up by the Arvind Kejriwal-led government in April 2020. The judge also directed the Secretary of the Commission to place on record the procedure followed by it in processing the applications for claims and award of compensation. The assistance scheme provides for compensation for the death of a major or a minor, permanent incapacitation, serious or minor injuries, and loss of property. The petitioners' lawyers claimed that surveys were done by the office of the Claims Commission in a few of the cases and that the amounts awarded were significantly lower than those set forth in the scheme of the Delhi government. Advocate Karuna Nundy, representing one of the petitioners, submitted that the petitioner is seeking enhanced compensation and is aggrieved about the grant of ex gratia compensation of total Rs 5 lakh for the two children who died during the riots. She argued that the compensation was significantly inadequate and that a further grant of Rs 5 lakh was required. According to Samir Vashisht, standing counsel for Delhi Government, the Claims Commission has been evaluating the claims, and a status report can be requested for detailed information regarding the progress of the applications up to this point. Given that the petitioners have a variety of financial hardships, Judge Singh noted that the Claims Commission should move the matter along quickly. "I want to see what the commission is doing and then proceed to hear the matter," the court said. The judge listen the matter for the next hearing on April 28. Patna, March 20 : Amid incidents of "serial kissing" in Bihar's Jamui, two suspects have been arrested, a police official said on Monday. He said that both the arrests were made on Sunday. The first arrest was from Mahisaudhi village when a police team reached there to arrest local criminals who were involved in theft, and took five persons into custody. When they were interrogated, one of the accused also confessed that he was involved in kissing a woman in Jamui Sadar hospital on March 10. Another arrest was made in Jhajha town in Jamui when a youth suddenly appeared before a minor girl, grabbed her, kissed her and fled. The girl immediately raised the alarm and informed her father about the incident. They went to the Jhajha police station and registered the FIR against the accused, whom they identified too. Jhajha police swung into action and arrested him. During the interrogation, the two accused confessed to committing the same crime with other women too. New Delhi, March 20 : Observing that progress of some of metro rail projects which are operating without any full time or dedicated Managing Director is very tardy, a Parliamentary committee recommended that the Ministry should stress upon the need of appointing full-time Managing Director in all the Metro Corporations and Projects. The Standing Committee on Housing & Urban Affairs in the report on "Demand for Grants (2023-24) of the Ministry said: "The Committee has observed that progress of some of the metro projects which are operating without any full time/dedicated Managing Director is very tardy. And, so recommended that the Ministry should stress upon the need of appointing full-time Managing Director in all the Metro Corporations/Projects and take up the matter with various State Governments at the earliest." The Committee is of the view that a realistic budgetary allocation can be sought on the basis of annual targets, and therefore, recommended that under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0, the Ministry should set annual financial and physical targets from Financial Year 2023-24 onwards, said the report. It noted that operation and maintenance of Public Toilets/Community Toilet are the state governments' responsibility yet proper operation and maintenance of PTs/CTs is essential for sustainability of the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban. "Hence, the Committee feel that there is a need for constant monitoring over maintenance of PTs and CTs otherwise the assets created under the Mission and public money invested in them will go wasted," said the report. The panel noted that PM SVANidhi Scheme played a vital role in empowering the lowest rung of the society, the street vendors, by making financial assistance available to them and bringing vendors in the formal banking system. It urged the Ministry to consider introducing a fourth tranche of loan of Rs 1 lakh under PM SVANidhi for those interested vendors whose credit rating is good and conduct an 'Impact assessment Study' of the PM SVANidhi Scheme. The Budgetary allocation of the Ministry has been slightly reduced. On this, the Committee is of the view that the budgetary support for the Ministry is required to be in tune with the entrusted responsibility of comprehensive urbanisation and recommended the Ministry to take up the matter with the Ministry of Finance and impress upon the need to increase the Budgetary allocation of the Ministry, said the report. Jaipur, March 20 : Doctors in Jaipur on Monday staged a protest against the Rajasthan government's proposed Right to Health Bill. The police tried to stop the protesters who came in large numbers to lay siege to the state Assembly, failing which they resorted to lathi charge. The doctors alleged that their clothes were torn apart by the police, who also reportedly misbehaved with women medics. On Monday, more than 2,400 private hospital operators across the state took to the streets. First, doctors and hospital administrators gathered at the auditorium of the Jaipur Medical Association in SMS Hospital, where they put forward their reservations against the proposed Bill. The doctors left the SMS Hospital at around 12 noon and reached Statue Circle in front of the Central Park. However, the police stopped the agitators near the Statue Circle at around 1 p.m., leading to a scuffle between the two sides. The police said that the protesters had turned violent, while the doctors alleged that the police clashed with them. The Joint Action Committee, which had earlier supported the Bill a few days ago, had also joined the protest on Monday. The committee was formed by the doctors' unions. The agitators alleged that the suggestions put forward by them have not been included in the Bill. The Right to Health Bill seeks to give the residents of Rajasthan the right to avail free treatment at hospitals, clinics and laboratories, including private establishments. Patna March 20 : In wake of the kidnapping and murder of 13-year-old in Patna's Bihta area, agitated villagers on Monday blamed the local SHO for not taking action within time. The villagers have claimed that Raj Kishore Pundit, the father of Tushar Raj, went to Bihta police station soon after the disappearance of his son but the staff there did not register his complaint and asked him to come the next day to register the FIR. If Bihta police had taken action in time, the boy's life could have been saved, the villagers said. Meanwhile, the dead body of Tushar, after the post-mortem examination, reached his native village Kanhauli on Monday. A large number of villagers turned out there. They have put the dead body on Bihta-Patna NH 31 and blocked the road. They have also blocked Bihta-Sarmera road as well and demanded capital punishment for murderer Mukesh Kumar. A large number of villagers also attacked the house of Mukesh Kumar and set it on fire. ADGP Jitendra Singh Gangwar said: "We have constituted the team and investigated the case efficiently. Still if any loopholes come through the media or any other medium, we will take action on it." Tushar Raj was kidnapped on March 16 by his teacher Mukesh Kumar and killed within one hour. Kumar has also burnt the dead body in a bid to hide his identity. The accused demanded Rs 40 lakh as ransom from the victim's father. Bhopal, March 21 : With Assembly elections in the key Hindi heartland state of Madhya Pradesh slated for the end of this year, both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have started preparations to come back to power, but for the latter, some of its powerful local leaders are also getting ready to stake their claim. Thus, the race for becoming the next Chief Minister has apparently begun much before over 5.39 crore electorate, including 13 lakh fresh voters, are yet to cast their ballots. In 2018, the Congress had managed to come back into power after 15 years after ousting the BJP led by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, but a power tussle for fulfilling political ambitions led to the Kamal Nath government collapsing within 15 months. In March 2020, Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with 22 Congress MLAs, had shifted to the BJP and as a result, the BJP came back to power and Chouhan became the fourth-time - and the longest-serving - Chief Minister of the state. Since then, two veteran Congress leaders -- two-time CM Digvijaya Singh and former Chief Minister and state President Kamal Nath -- have once again sought to mount a challenge to the BJP. But for the Congress, the ominous question is that it was Scindia in 2020, then who can be the next spoil-sport if it manages to return to power. Some political observers claim the Congress may witness yet another power battle with former minister Jitu Patwari, who is an MLA from Rau Assembly seat of Indore, challenging Kamal Nath's leadership. According to observers, Patwari, in the past couple of years, has emerged as a heavyweight and his ability has been acknowledged by the people. They cited various circumstances when he has shown his power, including the fresh instance of claiming himself as an 'Executive Chairman' of MP Congress in a letter to Assembly Speaker Girish Gautam following his suspension from the Budget session. Further, during his recent visit to Rewa, Patwari's supporters reached there in around 100 vehicles. Earlier, Patwari's supporters wanted him to be appointed as state Congress President, for which his supporters had built up pressure on central leadership, sources told IANS. "Increasing political graph of Jitu Patwari is felt as a challenge for some Congress leaders and he was cornered and his power was also cut time and again. This is the reason the Congress leadership did not back him when he was suspended from the House for the entire Budget session. Had somebody else faced the same suspension, the entire Congress could have protested against the Speaker's decision. But, Patwari is a fearless leader," a veteran journalist who has covered Madhya Pradesh politics for over four decades but requested that he not be named, told IANS. Patwari's political graph has also increased because of his aggressive style. For instance, during the previous Assembly session, Patwari had accused Chief Minister Chouhan's government of paying public money for some political gatherings of the BJP and RSS, forcing the BJP to find a suitable answer to counter his allegation. A powerful speaker, the 49-year-old Patwari, who is a law graduate, also has a strong connection with former party President Rahul Gandhi. His closeness to Gandhi was also seen during the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' leg in Madhya Pradesh. New Delhi, March 21 : A Delhi court on Monday pulled up the police for not producing the case diary of the Nikki Yadav murder and has asked the investigation officer (IO) to come with it on Tuesday. In the murder case, main accused Sahil Gehlot had allegedly strangled 23-year-old Yadav near Kashmiri Gate on February 10 and married another woman on the same day. Four days later, Yadav's body was found in a fridge at a dhaba, owned by Gehlot, in Mitraon village on the outskirts of Delhi. Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Paras Dalal of Dwarka court extended the judicial custody of all the six accused including Gehlot by one day, that is Tuesday. The Metropolitan Magistrate directed the IO to produce the case diary and pagination of the same on Tuesday. The court noted that the IO, due to his absence, deputed a Sub Inspector to attend the court hearing, who did not bring the case diary. After noting the submission of advocate Anirudh Yadav, counsel for one of the accused persons Lokesh Yadav, the court asked the police that how the offences related to murder and conspiracy are made out against him. On March 6, the court had extended the judicial custody of Gehlot five others by 14 days, which expired on Monday. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samiksha Gupta had extended their judicial custody. The magistrate had also allowed family of co-accused Ashish and Lokesh to meet them in the courtroom. For Lokesh, advocate Yadav had moved an application seeking the marking of the case diary and showed displeasure over manipulation in it. Earlier, four fresh charges were invoked by police under different Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Gehlot's counsel D.S. Kumar had said that while the FIR was initially registered under Sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) of the IPC, police have now invoked Sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 34 (common intention), 202 (intentional omission to give information of offence by person bound to inform), and 212 (harbouring offender). Gehlot's father Virender Singh; cousins Naveen (a constable in Delhi Police) and Ashish; and friends Lokesh and Amar are accused of hatching a conspiracy to get rid of Yadav, so he could go ahead with his wedding with another woman. According to a senior police official, Gehlot was interrogated at length during police custody and disclosed that Yadav was trying to stop him from marrying someone else as they had already solemnised their marriage in 2020. "She was pleading with him not to go ahead with the marriage fixed by his family with another girl on February 10. However, Gehlot along with his father, two cousins, and two friends hatched the conspiracy and planned to remove the deceased from their way," the official had said. "He executed the plan and murdered her and informed other co-accused persons about it on the same day and then all of them went ahead with the marriage ceremony." New Delhi, March 21 : Vikas Walkar, the father of Shraddha Walkar, who was chopped into pieces by her live-in partner Aaftab Amin Poonawala, while demanding the trial to be fast tracked said that in a few months, it will be an entire year of her daughter's death and he did not know when will he perform last rites of her daughter. While talking to reporters after attending a hearing in the Shraddha Walkar murder case, Vikas Walkar said that in the interest of justice, the case should be heard in a time-bound manner in a fast-track court. Advocate Seema Kushwaha, the counsel appearing on behalf of Vikas Walkar, said that she would shortly move a petition in the Delhi High Court for time-bound proceedings in a fast-track court. Meanwhile, when an audio clip from the 'Practo' App through which the couple had booked a session with a psychologist of Shraddha, was played in court, her father Vikas trembled because of the emotional turmoil after hearing his daughter's voice. "Whenever, I start ranting about my anger, if he is somewhere around, anywhere in Vasai (near Mumbai), anywhere around me in this city, he will find me, he will hunt me down, he will try to kill me, that's there is the problem," Shraddha can be heard in the clip. "He tried to kill me many times... this is not the first time he tried to kill me... The way he grabbed my neck, I blacked out. I was unable to breathe for 30 seconds... Thankfully I was able to defend myself by pulling his hair," the recording further played. Walkar was allegedly strangled by her live-in partner Aaftab Amin Poonawala on May 18, following which the accused is suspected to have chopped her body into pieces, stored them in a refrigerator and later scattered the remains in multiple locations across Delhi. Ideal Option, a national leader in evidence-based treatment for addiction to fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, alcohol and polysubstance, has been awarded grant funding through Oregons M110 initiative to expand services to Redmond. Patients will receive primarily buprenorphine-based medication-assisted treatment from an onsite addiction medicine specialist. According to former Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel, fentanyl, a dangerous and highly addictive synthetic opioid, is largely to blame for overdose deaths skyrocketing in Central Oregon. Figures released by the Oregon Health Authority showed at least 29 people in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties died from drug overdoses in 2021. At least 24 of the regions drug overdose deaths occurred in Deschutes County, an 85% increase compared to 2019. Ideal Options 2022 Annual Patient Outcomes Report for Oregon shows fentanyl positive rates at enrollment continue to rise and more patients are testing positive for multiple substances. In 2022, 62% of patients tested positive for more than one substance at enrollment and 30% tested positive for 3 or more substances. Among patients who remained in treatment with Ideal Option during 2022, urine drug testing shows: 97% less fentanyl use 88% less methamphetamine use 85% less total opioid use 96% less heroin use 62% less benzodiazepine use The new clinic in Redmond is Ideal Options second location in Deschutes County and is opening at a time of desperate need for expanded access to evidence-based treatment from experienced providers. Ideal Option has been specializing in addiction medicine using buprenorphine-based medications such as Suboxone for 11 years and currently operates 87 clinics in 11 states. I am excited that our much-needed services are now available in Redmond, said Shawnda Jennings, peer outreach specialist at Ideal Option. As someone in recovery myself, I know how important it is to have easy access to treatment and am so grateful to be able to give back to the community that helped me. The new Ideal Option clinic in Redmond is open Monday Thursday, 7:30 a.m. 6 p.m. and is located at 1228 NW Canal Blvd, Redmond, OR 97756. Most forms of insurance are accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid, and patients can typically get started on treatment for fentanyl, heroin, alcohol or other substances within 1-3 business days. Patients can make an appointment by calling 1.877.522.1275 or visiting http://www.idealoption.com. About Ideal Option Headquartered in Kennewick, Washington, Ideal Option was founded in 2012 and has since helped more than 65,000 patients through a network of 87 office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics across 11 states. With a mission to serve under-served communities, Ideal Option accepts most forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. Financial assistance and payment plans are also available. Ideal Option's team of medical providers carry certifications in Addiction and Emergency Medicine, Internal, and Family Medicine, among other specialties. The company also employs social workers, caseworkers, counselors, and mental health practitioners. This holistic approach helps drive positive outcomes, including family stability, stable housing, improved overall health, and reduced rates of recidivism. In all the communities it serves, Ideal Option collaborates with existing stakeholders and providers to improve the continuum of care. This approach includes partnerships with emergency rooms and county jail systems, where individuals with substance use disorder often appear, as well as collaborating with numerous support agencies and municipal programs addressing social needs such as housing, mental health, and nutrition support. Brex Asset Management and SQN Venture Partners join forces on a new $22.5M investment in Skupos, a leading data platform serving independent convenience stores, brands, and distributors. This new capital will help Skupos expand their footprint of independent convenience stores across new and existing markets. This deal marks continued momentum for Brex Asset Management and its affiliated fund, which U.S. fintech company Brex launched in September 2021 as a way to provide companies with growth capital and to help founders take their businesses to the next level. In partnership, Brex Asset Management and SQN Venture Partners selectively provide capital to scalable, high-growth startups with strong recurring revenue in expanding sectors. Skupos has built the largest network of independent convenience stores in the United States, and with it, a proprietary data set that is difficult to replicate. The tools and insights generated by their network give brands true visibility and granular business intelligence," said Benjamin Wu, CEO of Brex Asset Management. Were excited to partner with Jake and the rest of the Skupos team through this expansion phase. SQN is thrilled to join forces with Brex Asset Management and provide Skupos with growth capital to facilitate its growth in 2023 and beyond. Jake and his team have built a peerless set of tools for convenience stores and brands to maximize customer engagement and enhance visibility into store-level data, said Ryan McCalley, Founder & Managing Partner of SQN Venture Partners. Skupos is the ideal matchmaker for independent convenience stores and brands, and were excited to be part of its journey. The Brex/SQN funding will help Skupos continue to scale its product suite, expand and go to market, all while maintaining the industry's best customer success and support. As Skupos continues to scale up following a year of high growth in 2022, capital partners like Brex and SQN are vital in order to capitalize on the long-term business opportunity, said Jake Bolling, Co-Founder and CEO of Skupos Inc. We are thrilled to continue building and scaling industry-defining products and services, and look forward to this next leg of the journey. About Brex Brex is a powerful financial stack designed to serve the next generation of growing businesses. By integrating software, services, and products into one experience, we help customers effortlessly extend the power of every dollar, so they're free to focus on big dreams and fast growthwithout worrying about wasted spend. We proudly serve tens of thousands of businesses, from small private companies to many of America's most beloved public brands. Learn more. About SQNVP SQN Venture Partners (SQNVP) was founded in 2015 by serial entrepreneurs and seasoned finance professionals to creatively utilize alternative debt financing structures to help grow and scale the next generation of early to mid-stage transformative companies. SQNVP provides senior term loans, equipment financing and recurring revenue lines of credit to institutional, venture capital-backed, emerging technology companies. SQNVP has deployed over $250MM into venture debt transactions and is a Registered Investment Advisor. Learn more at SQN Venture Partners. About Skupos Skupos drives revenue growth across all segments of the convenience retail industry through technology that connects both retailers and brands to their shoppers. With a focus on independent stores and small chains which make up nearly 80% of the market, the Skupos platform enables both retailers and brands to compete through better understanding and serving their customers. Founded in 2016, a growing network of 15,000+ customers across all 50 states rely on Skupos to boost sales volume and increase their customer base. Learn more at Skupos.com. Rack Attack store The acquisition of the Racks Unlimited stores is part of Rack Attacks ongoing expansion strategy, which aims to bring their products and services to more customers across Canada and the US. Rack Attack, a leading retailer of car racks, bike racks, rooftop tents, overlanding, and other outdoor gear, has announced the acquisition of two new stores in Calgary, previously owned by Racks Unlimited. After the acquisitions, Rack Attack has a total of 38 stores in North America, further solidifying its position as a leading retailer of car and bike racks on the continent. Canada is a country with a wide variety of outdoor and adventure opportunities. For those who enjoy outdoor hobbies and activities, Rack Attacks growth is great news. The company offers customers access to high-quality racks to accommodate their outdoor needs, as well as opportunities to speak with specialists about how to maximise the utility of their vehicles. The Rack Attack Brand The acquisition of the Racks Unlimited stores is part of Rack Attacks ongoing expansion strategy, which aims to bring their products and services to more customers across Canada and the US. The two new stores are being rebranded as Rack Attack stores and are located in the south and northwest areas of Calgary. Customers will benefit from the expertise of Rack Attacks experienced Gear Guides, who are highly knowledgeable and dedicated to helping customers find the perfect solution to their outdoor gear needs. In addition, customers can choose products from all the top brands to meet every outdoor gear requirement. The two new Calgary stores give Rack Attack a strong presence in the city, enabling them to serve customers in the area well. We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of these two new stores in Calgary. Our customers in Alberta have been incredibly important to us over the years, and we are excited to be able to make our presence in the city and provide them with even more options for their outdoor gear needs. Alex Welbers, CEO of Rack Attack. Significant Milestone for Rack Attack The acquisition of the Racks Unlimited stores in Calgary is significant for Rack Attack. The company remains committed to providing customers with the same high-quality products and services they have come to expect from other locations. Rack Attack is looking forward to welcoming new customers to its stores and continuing to build on its reputation as the go-to destination for racks and other outdoor gear in Canada. Get in Touch With Rack Attack Rack Attack is a top-tier rack retailer and adventure specialist that assists individuals in maximizing the use of their vehicles, providing more room for friends and family, and ensuring the safety of customers priceless outdoor gear. Customers can count on Rack Attack to help them choose the best fit for their vehicle and activity, install it right away or send it out the same day, and then set them up with care and maintenance tools to ensure its reliable for life. Maxon Congratulates 2023 Visual Effects Oscars Winners and Nominees; Tools from the Maxon One Suite Used by a Number of Artists It has always been our foremost goal at Maxon to inspire creativity and so it is our honor to see Maxon One used for these breathtaking visual effects. Congratulations one and all from the Maxon team. Maxon, developers of professional software solutions for editors, filmmakers, motion designers and visual effects artists, is thrilled to congratulate all of the 2023 ACADEMY AWARD winners and nominated artists from the VFX teams for Avatar: The Way of the Water, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Guillermo del Toros Pinocchio, and Top Gun: Maverick. With an impressive collection of films nominated for and winning numerous awards, this is a significant milestone in recognizing their invaluable contribution to filmmaking and the hard work and dedication of the visual effects teams to create engaging stories and memorable experiences for viewers. These nominations are a testament to the incredible artists in this industry, many of whom produced these stunning results under the restrictions of the COVID pandemic and within an industry that is still recovering and emerging from those effects, says Maxon CEO David McGavran. It has always been our foremost goal at Maxon to inspire creativity and so it is our honor to see Maxon One used for these breathtaking visual effects. Congratulations one and all from the Maxon team. Some of the 2023 Oscar-nominated films that used tools from the Maxon One suite include: AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER A painter at heart, production designer Dylan Cole (nominated for Best Production Design) enjoys high tech tools that are artistically natural and easy to use and has been a long-time user of Cinema 4D as a result. When working in the art department for Avatar: The Way Of Water, (winner of Best Visual Effects) he found that this tool was helpful for rough blocking models, as well as the development of certain pre-vis assets, including realistic lighting, water shader for natural reflections, and interactive water lighting. EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE With nearly 500 visual effects shots in this film created by just six talented artists, led by Zak Stoltz, the team experimented with and used a variety of motion graphics tools. Everything Everywhere All At Once (nominated for 11 Oscars, wins include Best Picture and Best Editing) had a unique visual style and it was important to the directors that despite being VFX heavy, that it still maintained a photorealistic effect seen in the final result. In particular, the key world-destroying Bagel scene posed a particular challenge in this regard. In order to achieve this effect, the VFX artists used Trapcode Shine to add volumetric rays of light in the temple of the bagel and Trapcode Particular to make them even more dynamic. Cinema 4D was also used to create a warping effect at the event horizon where it stretches into infinity. MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON Director, Dean Fleischer Camp, and his animation team were able to use ZBrush to create the shells they needed for the production of Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (nominated for Best Animated Feature), recreating the original Marcel, who was made from a real snail shell. Since real shells were too fragile and multiple versions were needed in different poses, it would have been impossible to use them and ensure exact continuity of the shells design and imperfections. Instead, the original version of Marcel was scanned and then sculpted using ZBrush before 3D printing him. GUILLERMO DEL TOROS PINOCCHIO Glen Southern worked for renowned puppet makers and animation producers Mackinnon & Saunders on Guillermo del Toros Pinocchio (winner of Best Animated Feature), with most of Southerns technical work completed using ZBrush for the puppet himself. TOP GUN: MAVERICK For the opening scenes of Top Gun: Maverick (nominated for Best Visual Effects), depicting Mavericks test flight of the next-gen, hypersonic fighter jet, Futuristic User Interface (FUI) Designer, Jayse Hansen, relied on impactful visual effects created in Maxons Cinema 4D for the cockpit and mission control to build the sense of intensity and set the tone for the film. Working closely with Skunk Works, a tight-knit top-secret division at Lockheed Martin that makes the latest-and-greatest stealth planes, on significant scenes such as this ensured a balance between accuracy and the sensational. About Maxon Maxon makes powerful, yet approachable software solutions for content creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects and visualization. Maxons innovative product portfolio helps artists supercharge their creative workflows. Our product lines include the award-winning Cinema 4D suite of 3D modeling, simulation and animation technology; the creativity-on-the-go Forger mobile sculpting app; the diverse Red Giant lineup of revolutionary editing, motion design and filmmaking tools; the leading-edge, blazingly fast Redshift renderer; and ZBrush, the industry-standard digital sculpting and painting solution. Maxons team is comprised of fun, passionate people who believe in building and empowering a successful artistic community. From our popular, inclusive events to our free Cineversity educational resources, Maxon recognizes that developing strong connections with creatives and fostering their professional growth is integral to our ability to stay on top of industry trends and better serve customers. Maxon is part of the Nemetschek Group. At ThriveAP we are focused on building partnerships with organizations, like Carle Health, who understand the immense value APPs represent in the delivery of care and recognize the need to support APP development. " - Jim Creason, President & CEO, ThriveAP ThriveAP announces a new relationship with Carle Health, a vertically integrated healthcare system based in Illinois, aimed to support postgraduate nurse practitioners and physician assistants accelerate their transition to practice. ThriveAP, the leading transition to practice education solution for advanced practice providers (APPs), will help Carle Health support their APP workforce by furthering their skills knowledge and refining practical application expertise through live and virtual transition to practice curriculums. Carle Health recognizes the value of APPs in a growing healthcare system and is dedicated to supporting their staff as they transition into clinical practice. This support will enable APPs to provide the expert-level care that patients deserve. At Carle Health were focused on empowering our advanced practice providers with the experience and resources needed to provide the highest quality of care for patients, Napoleon Knight, MD, Executive Vice President, and Chief Medical Officer said. Our partnership with ThriveAP allows Carle Health to lead the industry in providing a positive learning environment to support postgraduate APPs. The ThriveAP solution enables us to create a quicker and more effective onboarding process, increase RVU production, and support retention. Jim Creason, President, and Chief Executive Officer at ThriveAP stated, At ThriveAP we are focused on building partnerships with organizations, like Carle Health, who understand the immense value APPs represent in the delivery of care and recognize the need to support APP development. Through these partnerships, clinicians, employers, and patients all benefit. Creason continued, It is an impactful achievement for ThriveAP to partner with Carle Health. About ThriveAP Founded in 2012, ThriveAP has become an important education resource for Advanced Practice Providers and their employers throughout the nation. ThriveAPs programs help facilitate the growing impact of APPs in the delivery of healthcare and is recognized for its quality, relevance, and convenience. The ThriveAP program blends interactive educational experiences, community, and support to improve provider productivity, proficiency, and confidence through real-world skill development. Learn more, ThriveAP.com About Carle Health Carle combines clinical care, health insurance, research, and academics in a way that solves real-world problems today with an eye toward the future. Supported by a deep philanthropic spirit, were dedicated to doing what it takes to make life better for as many as possible. Our mission is to serve people through high-quality care, medical research, and education. Based in Urbana, IL, the vertically integrated system includes more than 11,000 employees in its hospitals, multi-specialty physician groups, health plans, and associated healthcare businesses including the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the worlds first engineering-based medical school. Named a Great Place to Work, Carle Foundation Hospital also ranks as one of Americas 50 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades, and both Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle BroMenn Medical Center hold Magnet designation, the nations highest honor for nursing care. The 453-bed Carle Foundation Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center, offers Level III perinatal services in Urbana; Carle BroMenn Medical Center with 200 beds in Bloomington-Normal and nearby 25-bed critical access Eureka Hospital; the 104-bed Carle Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney; the 24-bed critical access Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center; and a multi-specialty physician practices with more than 1,000 doctors and advanced providers. The company began construction this week on a new facility in a suburb of Dallas, Texas, its sixth project in active development or completed in the past 3 years. Carefree Covered RV Storage last month opened its fourth location, in the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area. And earlier this year, the company celebrated reaching 60% occupancy at its recently completed third location, also in the Dallas area. Carefree Covered RV Storage, a division of Business Property Trust, expects to expand its portfolio to a total of 10 projects in Texas and Arizona by 2026. Our company is growing at a rapid but sustainable pace, said Barry Raber, BPTs president and chief executive officer. Were well on the way to establishing ourselves as the go-to brand for minimal hassle, high-value RV parking in the Southwest. Carefree Covered RV Storages newest project, on 11 acres in Wylie, Texas, began construction Monday and is expected to be completed in late 2023. When completed, it will feature 581 parking spaces, charging outlets, 32 high-definition cameras, gated entry, propane, and a complimentary dump station and RV wash. Planned improvements for the project total $9 million. Development partners include general contractor A.T. Meridian Construction and canopies and fencing by Done Deal Iron Works. Growing the company requires making smart choices about where to expand, and we consider the Wylie/St. Paul area an ideal market, said Raber, whose RV and storage divisions now own three properties in the area. Last month, Carefree Covered RV Storage opened its Queen Creek property in San Tan Valley, Arizona, a region that has experienced rapid growth in the last 20 years and is surrounded by many master-planned communities. Already, nearly a quarter of the 9-acre sites 428 spaces have been rented or reserved. We are honored to be filling the communitys need for high-quality covered parking in an area restricted by neighborhood rules and regulations, Raber stated, and expect leasing to continue at a swift pace. Earlier this year, Carefree Covered RV Storage celebrated a 60% leasing milestone for its project in St. Paul, Texas. The site opened in August 2022 and offers over 500 covered parking spaces. New customers have been drawn to the project, which is located near popular Lake Lavon and many households that own boats and recreational vehicles. The $6 million project includes free amenities like wash bays, dump stations, ice, site-wide wireless internet and charging outlets. We are pleased to see our tenants enjoying the many amenities and personal service we offer at our sites, Raber commented. We are most proud of our customer reviews, averaging 4.9 stars in over 500 Google reviews. Business Property Trust, LLC, is a niche real estate investment firm located in Portland, Oregon. The company, founded in 1999, purchases and operates self-storage through its Bargain Storage brand and covered recreational vehicle parking through Carefree Covered RV Storage. Shaip Office Entrance According to Vatsal Ghiya, CEO of Shaip, the new office is a significant milestone for the company, as it provides employees in India with a spacious, functional, and thoughtfully designed workspace featuring an open floor plan, ample natural light, and enhanced facilities. Shaip, a data platform that provides a range of services, including data collection, licensing, labeling, transcription, and de-identification to leading global companies, has announced the grand opening of its new 16,000-square-foot office space located inside Gujarat University's Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Extension Research & Innovation (CERI), in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It is the first of its kind Research & Innovation Park in the country, envisioned as a global hub for industrial research, academic-industry collaboration, & innovation. The recently acquired space has been designed to accommodate up to 350 employees to support the fast-paced expansion of Shaip, which has seen a CAGR of over 40% in the last 3 years. Additionally, it features four meeting rooms and two large conference rooms equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and technology, making it a hub for future expansion, which aligns with Shaip's business growth strategy. This move highlights Shaip's ongoing commitment to innovation and reinforces its position as a leading provider of platforms and services in the AI Data industry. This new office space will also enable Shaip to tap into its diverse talent pool of highly skilled professionals to serve the ever-increasing clients, including well-known Fortune 500 companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. According to Vatsal Ghiya, CEO of Shaip, the new office is a significant milestone for the company, as it provides employees in India with a spacious, functional, and thoughtfully designed workspace featuring an open floor plan, ample natural light, and enhanced facilities. He added that it would provide the team with an inspiring work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation while working with global teams and keeping pace with the company's global growth. Both founders, Vatsal Ghiya & Chetan Parikh, are alumni of Gujarat University and are excited to be back on their alma mater campus where it all began. Furthermore, Shaip can utilize the vast talent pool available at Gujarat University by recruiting more students for annotation work. The institute can provide its students with an opportunity to gain real-world experience, while Shaip can benefit from their skills and knowledge, resulting in a win-win situation. At the grand opening, guests and team members enjoyed an informative talk by CEO on the company's core values and growth. The day was dedicated to celebrating Shaip's achievements not just in terms of projects but also in terms of professional relationships that have been successfully nurtured. About Shaip Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Shaip is a fully managed data platform designed for companies looking to solve their most demanding AI challenges enabling smarter, faster, and better results. Shaip supports all aspects of AI training data, from data collection, licensing, labeling, transcribing, and de-identifying, by seamlessly scaling people, platforms, & processes to help companies develop their AI and ML models. To learn more, visit us at http://www.shaip.com Media Contact Name: Anubhav Saraf Title: Senior Marketing Manager Phone: tel:+18664269412 Email: info@shaip.com Our partnership with Concentric by Ginkgo continues to strengthen because of our alignment and focus on Biosecurity. We share in their belief that a biosecurity in a box model could be a way to manage biosecurity concerns in crisis zones, hard-to-reach environments, and low-resource areas. Ginkgo Bioworks and the Public Health Center of the Ukraine Ministry of Health announced the launch of a pilot program for wastewater-based pathogen monitoring, in partnership with Biomeme. The goal of this program is to provide continuous data on infectious pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, to minimize the impact of infectious diseases on the people of Ukraine. This program complements Biomemes expanding range of biosecurity testing solutions, including the identification of biowarfare agents, infectious diseases, industrial hygiene, and environmental health CONOPs. The pandemic, along with the effects of war, has left Ukraine vulnerable to a greater risk of infectious diseases, making the implementation of an on-the-ground biosecurity program crucial. Concentric by Ginkgo, Ginkgo Bioworks biosecurity and public health unit, has partnered with the Ukraine Ministry of Health to design a practical solution for monitoring biological threats found in critical wastewater systems, including sewage systems and natural waterways. For this pilot program, Biomeme's real-time RT-PCR platform, known for its portability and sensitivity, has been chosen. The platform simplifies shipping logistics and allows for GPS-tagged data to be wirelessly synced to the Biomeme Cloud, enabling data analysis on the go. Biomeme's system employs pre-aliquoted, pre-mixed, and shelf-stable consumables, making it an ideal solution for low-resource areas that require accessible and accurate testing options. The system is capable of detecting, differentiating, and quantifying up to 27 molecular targets, making it a good fit for syndromic PCR panels that can differentiate between multiple pathogens. Over the years, Biomeme and Ginkgo Bioworks have collaborated on several successful biosurveillance initiatives, and the use of Biomemes sample-to-answer system in this pilot program will make epidemiological surveillance and biological threat monitoring in complex settings and hard-to-reach environments easier. Mike Smith, Senior Director, Commercial stated, Our partnership with Concentric by Ginkgo continues to strengthen because of our alignment and focus on Biosecurity. We share in their belief that a biosecurity in a box model could be a way to manage biosecurity concerns in crisis zones, hard-to-reach environments, and low-resource areas. Biomemes product line is designed to address biosecurity limitations in public health infrastructure during moments of emergency, conflict, and disaster. The companys technology has been optimized to provide practical, easy-to-use solutions for monitoring pathogens in wastewater systems, regardless of location. For more information on this collaboration, please visit biomeme.com. ABOUT BIOMEME Biomeme revolutionized molecular detection in 2012 when it created the first smartphone add-on capable of performing real-time PCR. Since its inception, Biomeme has used advanced biology and chemistry, along with world-class hardware and software engineering, to create elegant solutions to complex problems. Headquartered in Philadelphia, USA, Biomeme offers a full suite of end-to-end mobile molecular solutions that perform to the gold standard used by the worlds most advanced central labs yet require no lab equipment or special experience to use. To find out more about Biomeme, visit biomeme.com or follow us on Twitter (@BiomemeInc) or LinkedIn. ABOUT GINKGO BIOWORKS Ginkgo Bioworks is the leading horizontal platform for cell programming, providing flexible, end-to-end services that solve challenges for organizations across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to pharmaceuticals to industrial and specialty chemicals. Ginkgo's biosecurity and public health unit, Concentric by Ginkgo, is building global infrastructure for biosecurity to empower governments, communities, and public health leaders to prevent, detect and respond to a wide variety of biological threats. For more information, visit ginkgobioworks.com and concentricbyginkgo.com, read our blog, or follow us on social media channels such as Twitter (@Ginkgo and @ConcentricByGBW), Instagram (@GinkgoBioworks and @ConcentricByGinkgo), or LinkedIn. ABOUT THE PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER OF THE UKRAINE MINISTRY OF HEALTH State Institution "Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine" (UPHC) is a healthcare institution responsible for maintaining and strengthening public health, social and hygienic monitoring of diseases, epidemiological surveillance and biological safety, group and population prevention of morbidity, epidemic control and strategic management in the field of public health. It was formed in pursuance of the order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine by Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated September 18, 2015 No. 604. The main task of the UPHC is activities in the field of public health. The UPHC performs treatment and prevention, scientific, practical, organizational and methodological functions in the field of healthcare in order to ensure the quality of treatment of patients with socially dangerous diseases, in particular HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis, drug addiction, viral hepatitis, etc., disease prevention in the context of development public health systems. UPHC participates in the formation of regulatory policy and interacts with other ministries, research institutions, international, public organizations working in the field of public health and combating socially dangerous diseases. 360 Advanced, which is known for its customized cybersecurity audit approach, is launching 360CyberCompli for managed cybersecurity and compliance services. Through their traditional audit work, leaders at 360 Advanced witnessed clients asking for an increasing amount of help navigating their compliance requirements and initiatives. "Managing cybersecurity riskand achieving, maintaining, and demonstrating complianceisnt a one-off project," said President and CEO Dan Collins. "Its an ongoing initiative that requires people, process, and technology to support it." As a global cybersecurity and compliance assessment organization, we know exactly what it takes, Collins said. Thats why we created 360CyberCompli, to bring the resources and expertise necessary to cost-effectively implement and maintain sustainable cybersecurity risk management and compliance." Our 360CyberCompli services empower organizations to get ahead and stay ahead of compliance by allowing key personnel to focus on their core competencies while avoiding unnecessary expense and compliance fatigue. 360CyberCompli relieves business ownersfrom tech startups to the Fortune 500of dealing with the complexities of managing compliance. It is designed to provide program-level cybersecurity and compliance solutions, tailored to the specific needs of organizations. We are seeing more and more organizations blindsided by regulators, government agencies, and current and future customers demanding compliance with various regulations, laws, and compliance requirements, said Associate Practice Director David Brosi. 360 Advanceds signature is its holistic approach, taking the time to understand the needs of each business to ensure optimal solutions are delivered. Each 360CyberCompli engagement is led by a Compliance Director who acts as the virtual Chief Compliance Officer (vCCO). While 360CyberCompli takes care of the compliance, business leaders are freed up to move their businesses forward, Brosi said. Outsourcing compliance helps them stay ahead of regulations and avoid fines and penalties without neglecting the needs of their companies. Having a scalable partner at the front of compliance gives companies the insight to reduce organizational risk and improve their strategic competitiveness while strengthening their cybersecurity program, Brosi said. To learn more about 360CyberCompli, register for the informational March 23 webinar. About 360 Advanced 360 Advanced is Making Better Businesses through their cybersecurity and compliance offerings. For nearly 20 years, they have delivered integrated compliance solutions to a global base of clients in a wide range of industries, from tech startups to the Fortune 500. 360 Advanced cybersecurity and compliance offerings include 360CyberCompli, ISO 27001, HITRUST, SOC, Penetration Testing, Risk Assessments, and more. To learn more about them, visit their website. For more information on compliance solutions, please contact Patrick Tolliver: ptolliver@360advanced.com Media Contact Julie Butterfield jbutterfield@360advanced.com One-on-one enrichment training at Central Bark's doggy day care. Last year was an exceptional year for Central Bark from system-wide sales to stronger unit-level economics. In fact, nearly 25% of our system eclipsed over $1 million in revenue in 2022. Were excited by this momentum, and we look forward to accelerating it in 2023 and beyond. Central Bark, the doggy day care industry pioneer, is reporting 2022 as one of the most successful years in its 20-year history after it achieved positive increases in year-over-year systemwide sales and same-store sales, respectively. This marked the third consecutive year that the brand experienced positive sales growth and increases in average unit volumes. Central Bark also opened new facilities in Oakdale, Minn. and Carol Stream, Ill. for the first time in 2022, and is expanding its footprint in North Carolina and Texas, with new franchised locations planned for Asheville and Houston, among other markets. Last year was an exceptional year for Central Bark, said Bob Crawford, CEO of Central Bark. We saw tremendous success in all aspects of our business from system-wide sales to stronger unit-level economics. In fact, nearly 25 percent of our system eclipsed over $1 million in revenue in 2022. Were excited by this momentum, and we look forward to accelerating it in 2023 and beyond. In addition to Central Barks impressive sales and growth performance, the brand plans to open up to five new locations in Houston, Cincinnati, and Asheville, among other markets. Furthermore, Central Bark is looking to sign at least an additional 15 franchise agreements in 2023 while continuing to diversify its revenue mix. Since opening its first location in Milwaukee 20 years ago, Central Bark has developed a loyal following, both two-legged and four-legged, which has fueled its accelerated growth and success. The brands ongoing commitment to innovation has consistently positioned it as a pioneering leader in whole dog care and as a standout concept in the pet franchise industry. From day one, Central Bark has drawn in dogs and their owners across the country to experience its Enrichment Doggy Day Care, which combines Central Barks industry-leading doggy day care expertise with the latest in canine behavior science. Enrichment Doggy Day Care provides a healthy and balanced blend of exercise, social group play, learning, rest, and TLC. Furthermore, Central Bark also offers dog boarding, baths, grooming, a retail market, training and more. At Central Bark, we are constantly refining and perfecting our best-in-class approach to whole dog care to increase efficiency and profitability for our franchisees, while ensuring our dogs and their pet parents have the best experience possible whether they are attending day care, sleeping over, receiving a groom, or just shopping in our boutique retail market, said Chris Gaba, co-founder of Central Bark. Looking back, its incredible to see how far weve come and the trajectory we are currently on. Its a testament to everyone in our system from our incredible franchisee partners to our exceptionally dedicated corporate team and how much they care about the welfare of the dogs in our care while building a robust business in the process. About Central Bark: The Central Bark franchise system was founded in 2003 and now operates under the name Barkley Ventures Franchising, LLC. For 20 years, the brand has grown to nearly 40 locations across more than a dozen states. The company has hosted over two million dog visits. Central Bark is a VetFran participant, the International Franchise Associations (IFA) veteran program, and offers a franchise fee discount to qualifying veterans. Central Bark is also an IFA MinorityFran participant. For more information about franchising with Central Bark, visit centralbarkusa.com/franchising or call 866-799-2275. ### While an astounding number of patients are available for clinical trials worldwide, U.S. sponsors of potential treatments often fail to meet their target patient enrollment as they are mostly focused on the U.S. and E.U. markets during the clinical development process. Globally, between 263 and 446 million people are estimated to suffer from one of 11,000 named rare diseases about half of those affected are children.(1) The term rare disease refers to a chronic and severe disorder that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans, is poorly understood, and lacks effective treatment. Because the incidence of each disease is low within individual countries, data is extremely limited. In the U.K. and the U.S., a rare disease patient will see an average of seven physicians over the course of five to seven years before receiving a diagnosis.(2) A global rare disease patient registry is imperative to gather enough data to make an impact.(3) Dr. Harsha Rajasimha of the humanitarian non-profit IndoUSrare is forming international partnerships to develop global patient registries for each rare disease or a subset of similar rare diseases. Dr. Rajasimha notes, "While an astounding number of patients are available for clinical trials worldwide, U.S. sponsors of potential treatments often fail to meet their target patient enrollment as they are mostly focused on the U.S. and E.U. markets during the clinical development process. This is a problem that a global patient registry could ameliorate. However, successfully creating such registries will require new strategies to motivate rare disease patients to participate. The problem is that most countries do not yet have patients health information in digital formats that are ready for consumption for the purposes of R&D. Patient registries are necessary prerequisites that are convenient and cost-effective tools for the R&D of orphan drugs.(4) They provide data on how a disease develops in different persons, the symptoms of the disease, and the effects of treatment.(5) Dr. Rajasimha explains, "The creation & maintenance of global patient registries need to be led by qualified patient advocacy groups for rare diseases, and must overcome numerous challenges such as data protection regulations, language barriers, cultural barriers, and technical barriers. The National Institutes of Health and the FDA acknowledge that well-designed patient registries and natural history studies are critical for rare diseases as published scientific literature is limited. Patients are the scientists who have the experience living with these diseases, making them natural experts. Capturing these observations under the supervision of qualified clinical investigators can serve as a foundation for the success of future clinical trials, the evaluation of treatments, and understanding the heterogeneity in disease progression from patient to patient. Another challenge is the lack of a comprehensive natural history of rare diseases, which is vital to planning and guiding a study.(5) Without it, researchers and practitioners must start from scratch each time. The U.S. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) advocates for registry data, stating it unites the patient and research community, helps develop treatments, and improves the quality of care.(7) When well-documented patients from such patient registries and industry partners are ready to pursue a promising candidate orphan drug or gene therapy, much hope rests on clinical trials, the process by which regulators evaluate therapies for safety and efficacy. A stumbling block in executing clinical trials for orphan therapies is applying the same expectations from the conventional trial designs applied for common indications such as the use of placebos. Individuals with rare diseases, who have struggled for years with hard-to-diagnose and chronic symptoms, are reasonably unwilling to risk being part of a placebo group when what they desperately need is treatment. Instead, an open-label or crossover study can benefit both researchers and patients. In an open-label study, participants know what treatment they are receiving. Sometimes a conventional double-blind clinical trial using a placebo control group can be followed by a long-term open-label study.(6) In this way, even those patients who initially receive the placebo can receive the investigational medicine. In a crossover study, all participants receive the same two (or more) treatments. Groups are divided randomly and receive the available treatments in different sequences with a break in between. These clinical trial formats offer hope to individuals with rare diseases, increasing the number willing to participate. With such low incidences of these rare conditions, every patient is valuable. Not all patients with rare diseases are willing to come in regularly over extended periods for observation. NORD advocates making it as easy as possible for patients so research can progress. They propose combining studies with clinical visits, synchronizing patient forms, and getting data through telehealth visits as often as possible.(7) Patient-friendly strategies and technology are essential to gathering enough information to further the research and treatment of rare diseases. In particular, decentralized trial designs and digital remote monitoring devices encourage maximum participation. IndoUSrare currently provides free patient concierge services for rare disease patients globally on their technology platform. The IndoUSrare Corporate Alliance is committed to leveraging shared resources and developing long-term collaborations across borders for the cost-effective advancement of R&D for rare diseases. Dr. Rajasimha insists, We cannot develop effective treatments for rare diseases without true international collaborations. The Rare Diseases communities and the Orphan Drugs Industry have been conducting research and development in small, biased populations located in the U.S. and E.U. IndoUSrares mission is to create bridges between geographic silos, people, cultures, and medical science to find breakthrough therapies and cures for rare diseases. The organization invites all stakeholders of rare diseases to join their Indo-US RARE Summit on October 29-30, 2023, at the George Mason University Campus in Arlington, VA. About IndoUSrare IndoUSrare is a humanitarian non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity organization based in the U.S. Founder and Chairman Dr. Harsha Rajasimha, who lost a child to a rare disease in 2012, has been a rare disease advocate for more than 10 years. To address the unmet needs of diverse patients with rare diseases globally, the leadership team comprised of experienced professionals from research, advocacy, regulatory, and drug development seeks to build cross-border collaborations connecting stakeholders of rare diseases in low- and middle-income regions such as India, with their counterparts and clinical researchers in the U.S. to improve the diversity of clinical trial participants, accelerate research and development, and improve equitable access to life-saving therapies to diverse populations of rare disease patients. Visit https://indousrare.org. References: 1. Millan, Jose M.; Garcia-Garcia, Gema. Genetic Testing for Rare Diseases. April 12, 2022, Diagnostics (Basel), ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9028486/. 2. Ornskov, Flemming. 350 million people suffer from rare diseases. Here's how tech can help. Jan 19, 2018, World Economic Forum, weforum.org/agenda/2018/01/350-million-people-suffer-from-rare-diseases-heres-how-tech-can-help/. 3. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Registries for Evaluating Patient Outcomes: A User's Guide: 4th Edition. Sep 21, 2020, Effective Health Care Program, effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/registries-guide-4th-edition/users-guide. 4. Gliklich RE; Dreyer NA; Leavy MB. Registries for Evaluating Patient Outcomes: A User's Guide [Internet]. 3rd edition. April 2014, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US), ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK208643/. 5. Bollerman, Cody J. Common Problems in Clinical Trials for Rare Diseases. May 11, 2020, Clinical Researcher, acrpnet.org/2020/05/11/common-problems-in-clinical-trials-for-rare-diseases/ 6. Concert Pharmaceuticals Inc. Understanding Clinical Trial Terminology: What Is An Open Label Clinical Trial?. June 24th, 2019, concertpharma.com/understanding-clinical-trial-terminology-what-is-an-open-label-clinical-trial/. 7. Vita Staff. Explainer: What Are Natural History Studies?. March 18, 2021, CSL Behring, cslbehring.com/vita/2021/what-are-natural-history-studies Students at Don Bosco Lakay/Lakou in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, had better nutrition thanks to a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, an international relief organization that provides food and life-changing aid to the worlds most vulnerable. In the second half of 2022, Rise Against Hunger rice-meals helped Salesians support the students as well as some community members. The beneficiaries were able to receive food and continue learning and teaching without disturbance. Youth were also able to stay in the program and learn a trade. Don Bosco Lakay/Lakou is located in La Saline surrounded by the armed groups that have taken over. People living in this community often have little hope for the future because of their daily struggles to buy food and find work. Lazarre Jean Daniel, age 17, was one of the recipients of the rice-meals. Daniel lives in Martissant, where gangs have completely taken over because the area is a popular transportation route in and out of the capital. Due to the violence and insecurity, Daniels mother placed him in a state-run home. However, he saw some boys left the home to live on the streets. It was after that he came to Don Bosco Lakay/Lakou. Daniel said, In the state-run home, we only ate twice a day, rice, corn, and cornflakes with milk. In my mothers house, I had coffee with bread in the morning, and our second meal was either late afternoon or at night and there was not always enough to go around. Here at Don Bosco Lakay/Lakou, we eat three meals a day. We have the Rise Against Hunger rice, which is very tasty. I feel much stronger after eating the meals. The food is very important as it helps me to grow stronger. Daniel added, After breakfast, I go to the welding workshop at Lakay. I like to learn, especially with my friends. We can laugh and tease each other while we are working on our projects. It is a good atmosphere and very encouraging. I want to learn my trade well and to get a good job once I finish my education. Salesian missionaries began working in Haiti in 1935 in response to the Haitian governments request for a professional school. Since then, Salesian missionaries have expanded their work to include 11 main educational centers and more than 200 schools across the country. Each of the main centers includes a number of primary and secondary schools, vocational training centers, and other programs for street children and youth in need. Salesian programs are located throughout Haiti, including in the cities of Port-au-Prince, Fort-Liberte, Cap-Haitien, Les Cayes and Gressier. Today, Salesian missionaries in Haiti provide the largest source of education outside of the Haitian government with schools providing education to 25,500 primary and secondary school students. ### About Salesian Missions USA Salesian Missions is headquartered in New Rochelle, NY, and is part of the Don Bosco Networka worldwide federation of Salesian NGOs. The mission of the U.S.-based nonprofit Catholic organization is to raise funds for international programs that serve youth and families in poor communities around the globe. The Salesian missionaries are made up of priests, brothers and sisters, as well as laypeopleall dedicated to caring for poor children throughout the world in more than 130 countries and helping young people become self-sufficient by learning a trade that will help them gain employment. To date, more than 3 million youth have received services funded by Salesian Missions. These services and programs are provided to children regardless of race or religion. For more information, go to SalesianMissions.org. Contact: Laura Perillo media@salesianmissions.org 908-406-3413 (text messages OK) Twitter: @MissionNewswire Newswire: MissionNewswire.org Press room: SalesianMissions.org/press Calvin Ruan is the energetic entrepreneur and visionary behind Hauslane, the worlds friendliest range hood company. We are eager to expand our relationships with BrandSource dealers, which is why we are excited to offer the free shipping incentive to all Summit attendees. Hauslane, the worlds friendliest range hood company, will showcase a variety of its kitchen ventilation products at BrandSource Summit 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where attendees are offered an exclusive free shipping promotion on kitchen ventilation products. Located in booth 2029 at Caesars Forum, from March 19 to 22, the brand will exhibit a selection of its latest releases, including under-cabinet, wall-mounted, and island range hoods. TWEET THIS: "#Hauslane offers exclusive free shipping promotion to BrandSource Summit attendees in #LasVegas from March 19-22, in booth 2029. Learn more about the brand's product offerings here: https://hauslane.com/" We are eager to expand our relationships with BrandSource dealers, which is why we are excited to offer the free shipping incentive to all Summit attendees, said Calvin Ruan, co-founder and CEO of Hauslane. We look forward to showcasing our high-performing products at the show and forging new connections with dealers from across the nation. See below for more information about Hauslanes product offerings at BrandSource Summit 2023: Chef Series UC-PS 18 Under Cabinet Range Hood: Hauslanes best-selling range hood is designed with dual motors to withstand high temperature cooking, and is available in a 30-inch or 36-inch stainless steel configuration, as well as a 36-inch configuration in black stainless steel. Convertible Wall Mount WM-530 Range Hood: This 30-inch wall-mounted range hood has a fresh canopy design to complement modern kitchens. The chimney range hood offers easy installation and is designed for standard everyday cooking, including pastas, soups, and one pot meals. IN-R100 Convertible Built-In Range Hood: This built-in range hood provides options for either ducted or ductless operation, making it a versatile option for dealers looking to sell to a wide variety of customers. The IN-R100 has a minimalist design and provides powerful suction to tackle smoke and fumes produced by heavy-duty cooking. To learn more about Hauslane and its products, visit Hauslane.com. About Hauslane: Launched in 2018, Hauslane is the worlds friendliest range hood company that has been transforming the century-old kitchen ventilation category with an easy, fun and informative purchase process. As one of the most successful and fastest growing new brands in the kitchen appliance industry, Hauslane puts people first by providing top-tier education, customer service and premium range hoods that eliminate grease and fumes from the kitchen. Its innovative and beautiful products enable home chefs to cook their favorite foods with confidence while also enhancing indoor air quality. For more information about Hauslane, call 800-929-0168 or visit Hauslane.com. Makin' Music 46 Hosts, Hostesses: Back row, l to r: Joshua Grooms and Elijah Hester; front row, l to r: Kayley Wadlington, Kaitlyn Moore, Peggy Weaver (alumna and music director) and Brooke Roberts. Tickets for the 46th annual Freed-Hardeman University Makin Music are on sale at fhu.edu/makinmusic. The student musical extravaganza is scheduled for Friday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 15, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Loyd Auditorium. Tickets are $20 for Friday night and Saturday matinee and $25 for the Saturday night show. Five social clubs will compete for the sweepstakes trophy, as they, a talented troupe of hosts and hostesses, the Makin Music Show Band and emcees will entertain thousands of guests. Chi Beta Chi, Omega Chi, Phi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Rho and Xi Chi Delta are the clubs in this years show, and approximately 500 students comprise the shows cast. The theme for this years show is Hold On. According to Makin Music Coordinator Peyton Cain, the theme was chosen as a tribute to the people and memories FHU alumni hold on to, as well as the Makin Music traditions that the FHU family holds dear. In addition to the sweepstakes trophy, various category winners and the Spirit of Makin Music Award, a new accolade has been added to this years list. Each year, Makin Music presents a show for area school children in selected grades. A Kids Choice award will be presented during Saturdays matinee to the show receiving the most votes during the kids show. Coordinators assisting producer Tony Allen with the show are Cain, senior biochemistry major from Katy, Texas, and Addie Everson, junior public relations major from Mesquite, Texas. Hostesses are Kaitlyn Moore, junior social work major from Henderson, Tennessee; Kayley Wadlington, senior elementary education major from Cadiz, Kentucky; and Brooke Roberts, senior biology major from Knoxville, Tennessee. They are joined by hosts Elijah Hester, junior business major, and Joshua Grooms, senior Bible major from Duncan, South Carolina. FHU alumna and former Makin Music hostess Peggy Weaver returns to direct the vocalists, and FHU alumnus and staff member Jarred Clayton is directing the show band. Makin Music 46 on-stage emcees are Natalie Turner, an education major from Muscle Shoals, Alabama; Michael Mullinicks, a Bible major from Hohenwald, Tennessee; and Mac Shelton, a public relations major from Henderson, Tennessee. This years voice of Makin Music is Cy Warren, a Bible and music major from Thompsons Station, Tennessee. Party on the Green returns Saturday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Bader Green in the center of campus. The event will welcome guests with food trucks, inflatable jumpers, a photo booth and cheering on club members in the cast parade at 6:50 p.m. Additional Makin Music weekend activities are scheduled specially for prospective students and their families. On April 14, new students may register for Fall 2023 classes by scheduling a registration appointment with their regional admissions director. Friday is also Maroon & Gold Day, which offers high school students and their parents an opportunity to tour the campus, learn about academic programs, meet current students and faculty, attend chapel and have lunch. Maroon & Gold Day is free; any interested high school or college age student can register at fhu.edu/maroonandgoldday. Group campus tours for interested students will be held Saturday at 5 p.m. Registration for all admission events is available at fhu.edu/visit. The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson and Memphis, FHU offers associates, bachelors, masters, specialist and doctoral degrees. More information is available at fhu.edu. Im honored this year to be included in AWFs elite Inspire Atlanta leadership program with about 30 other game-changing women committed to furthering AWFs mission.Cynthia Hayes, Liger Managing Partner It takes a village to give a hand up to sisters in need, and the Atlanta Womens Foundation provides that partnership for women like Cynthia Hayes, managing partner at Liger, a full-service marketing firm. This Womens History Month is a great time to spotlight the many beautifully positioned programs hand-crafted to empower women and girls to become future history makers. Liger enthusiastically supports AWFs mission to break the cycle of poverty and prop women and girls up for success. The Atlanta-based marketing firm stomps the bleachers for organizations that elevate heroines. When Hayes scooted her seat up to her first meeting with AWF, she knew something about this place was different. Liger has been partnering with AWF for nearly three years for marketing needs such as video, graphic design, and social media, says Hayes, Im honored this year to be included in AWFs elite Inspire Atlanta leadership program with about 30 other game-changing women committed to furthering AWFs mission. As part of Inspire Atlanta, women polish their talents, learn about the barriers holding women and girls back and help build a network of fellow leaders. And these leaders pack together to Get. Things. Done. This is a particularly important year for AWF as it marks its 25th anniversary on July 1 with a focus on funding girl-specific programs, explains Hayes. As a supporter of the Atlanta Womens Foundation, and in honor of Womens History Month, Liger is encouraging everyone who wants to have an impact to contribute through Hayes Inspire Atlanta portal. $1000: Provides for comprehensive pregnancy prevention programming for teen girls; can also support a low-income woman in a first-time homeownership readiness program. $500: Funds hands-on S.T.E.A.M. (Science. Technology. Engineering. Arts. Mathematics) education opportunities for 25 girls. $250: One week of quality childcare for a single mom in need of a safe place for her child; can also provide college prep classes, workshops, and counseling for a high school girl. $100: Mental & behavioral health screening for a woman or girl to determine if additional resources and treatment is needed. $25: A week's worth of travel on public transportation. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tYgROu4dPM About Liger Liger is a hybrid marketing firm combining a brand strategy consultancy and a production house that offers the full range of content and creative services. We can be your entire marketing department or your entire marketing departments favorite people to work with. We save the world from boring, broken marketing by putting businesses in brand therapy so they can express their most authentic, memorable selves And then we share their story so they can be known. Connect with Liger on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and at http://www.ligerpartners.com. "Merchants Cold Storage is excited to be part of RLS, a cold chain storage and logistics leader. They were a natural fit for our family business as they share the same values and work ethic towards the best customer service and solutions." RLS Logistics, a leading third party cold chain 3PL, through its affiliate RLS Partners, recently welcomed Merchants Cold Storage, Walton, KY, (a subsidiary of the Castellini Group of Companies) as the latest warehouse partner and member of the RLS network of cold chain solutions providers; and will now be known as RLS Merchants. This addition gives frozen and refrigerated food manufacturers in the Greater Cincinnati Region, Kentucky, Ohio, and other Midwest states access to the RLS network. RLS Merchants, a 3PL warehouse, brings over 65 years of cold chain experience and a team of industry veterans. A leading cold storage warehouse for frozen and refrigerated foods in the Northern Kentucky area, RLS Merchants offers temperature controlled warehousing, cross docking, rail services through Norfolk Southern and other value added services such as blast freezing. "Merchants Cold Storage is excited to be part of RLS, a cold chain storage and logistics leader. They were a natural fit for our family business as they share the same values and work ethic towards the best customer service and solutions," said Phil Castellini, President, and Regional Partner, RLS Merchants. "We look forward to continuing to grow our operations in our market as well as participate in the growth of the RLS group nationally." RLS Merchants' addition supports RLS' focus on becoming a top tier network of regional leading, family owned temperature controlled warehouse providers. As a family run business, RLS Merchants holds similar values in operating: responsive customer service, solid customer relationships, loyalty, and entrepreneurialism. RLS' network provides a refreshing alternative to national conglomerates for expansion minded food manufacturers that are used to working with family run warehouses. "I look forward to an exciting new chapter of my career. It is gratifying to have the privilege of continuing day to day operations with my warehousing team and customers. In addition, I am most excited about this opportunity to welcome future growth. RLS has the same values and sense of urgency that I endorse, which make us a great team.," said Skip Hawk, Vice President and General Manager, RLS Merchants. "Merchants' commitment to preserving the business for over 70 years and putting customer experience first is a testament to their success. They are an ideal complement to our network of top regional family run cold storage providers. We look forward to watching RLS Merchants grow for many years to come," said Russell Leo, Chief Executive Officer, RLS Logistics. ABOUT RLS PARTNERS: Headquartered in Mt. Laurel, NJ, RLS Partners is a joint venture formed by seasoned industry professionals and an industry leading family owned cold chain 3PL, RLS Logistics. By creating a network of best in class cold chain operators, RLS will offer its customers a top tier regional platform with a national scale supported by service levels only a family operated company can provide. The Tithe Uncovered emphatically and clearly proves that born-again believers of Jesus Christ are encouraged to exercise freewill giving instead of being obligated to do so according to any antique law, custom, or code Author Dirk M. Evans corrects the common Christian teaching that believers must tithe 10% of their income in The Tithe Uncovered: Why Christians are not Obligated to Pay Tithes ($14.49, paperback, 9781662872723; $6.99, e-book, 9781662872730). While many churches still see tithing 10% as a biblical commandment, Evans teaches this as an Old Testament custom that was done away under Jesus teachings in the New Testament. The Tithe Uncovered emphatically and clearly proves that born-again believers of Jesus Christ are encouraged to exercise freewill giving instead of being obligated to do so according to any antique law, custom, or code, said Evans. In July 1986, Dirk M. Evans confessed Jesus Christ as Lord! Immediately following his confession, he was baptized in Christs infinite name. During the first year of his conversion, he embraced his commission for evangelical ministry. Evans began learning and spearheading various outreach efforts, which include street meetings, hospital visitations, and biblical substance abuse counseling, etc. ### Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the worlds largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. The Tithe Uncovered is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com. Drivers in Glendale Heights who want to purchase genuine Nissan OEM parts can do so at the Glendale Nissan dealership. Glendale Nissan, a leading Nissan dealership in Glendale Heights, Illinois, is proud to announce that they now offer genuine Nissan OEM parts and accessories for purchase. This new service is available to all Nissan drivers in the Glendale Heights area, providing them with easy access to high-quality, genuine Nissan parts. BuyingBuying genuine Nissan OEM parts is incredibly important for maintaining the performance, safety and reliability of your Nissan vehicle. These parts are specifically designed and engineered to meet the exact specifications of your vehicle, ensuring that it operates at its best. They are made with high-quality materials and undergo rigorous testing to ensure their durability and longevity. Using aftermarket or non-genuine parts can compromise the performance and safety of your vehicle, as they may be designed to a different standard than genuine Nissan OEM parts. They may also cause damage to other parts of your vehicle or void your vehicle's warranty. At Glendale Nissan, customers can rest assured that they are getting the highest quality genuine Nissan OEM parts and accessories. Their expert staff can assist customers in finding the correct parts for their Nissan vehicle and ensure that they are installed correctly. They offer competitive pricing and frequent specials on parts and accessories, making it easier for Nissan drivers to keep their vehicles in great shape. Whether you need a replacement part or want to add custom touches to your Nissan vehicle, Glendale Nissan has everything you need. Visit their website at glendalenissan.com or stop by their dealership today at 484 E North Ave, Glendale Heights, IL 60139, to learn more about their Nissan OEM parts and accessories. The dealership can be reached at 630-469-6100. The expansion of office locations across Asia Pacific enables RoviSys to be closer customers and to satisfy the ever-growing demand for digital transformation solutions in the region. RoviSys, a global provider of information management solutions, manufacturing automation solutions, control systems integration, building automation and enterprise & industrial networks announces further expansion in Southeast Asia with new operations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Bangkok, Thailand. Since 2009, RoviSys has supported clients in Malaysia and Thailand from Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore. The expansion of operations to Malaysia and Thailand represent a continued commitment to providing high quality, locally based support to existing and prospective customers. Bill Hurder has been promoted to President, Asia Pacific. In this role, he will focus on expanding the RoviSys presence throughout the APAC region, while overseeing strategic business growth and operations of existing Asia Pacific offices. Bill joined RoviSys as an engineer in 2006 and has spent most of his career working in Asia in various capacities. Since 2012, he has served as Managing Director, where he has overseen APAC business growth. What began as a single office in Singapore with 30 employees has grown to five offices located in Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia & Thailand, and more than 150 team members. Malaysia and Thailand represent strategic locations for the growth of our business as we see countless opportunities to capitalize on the digital transformation initiatives in both countries. RoviSys has a strong base of long-term clients and relationships in both countries that have developed throughout the years, said Bill Hurder, President APAC. We will follow a similar blueprint as we have in our other APAC offices, as we build up a strong local presence to provide world-class engineering services that RoviSys is known for. RoviSys is actively searching for talented automation and software engineers to support our new offices in Malaysia and Thailand. During 2023, 8-10 engineers will be added to teams across both offices. About RoviSys RoviSys provides process automation, building automation, and discrete manufacturing automation solutions. With locations across North America, Asia-Pacific & Europe, we support digital transformation, industrial network solutions, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing. Industries include: Chemical, Petrochemical, Life Science, Mission Critical, Data Center, Construction, Distribution & Fulfillment, Consumer Packaged Goods, Glass, Metals, Power & Energy, Water & Wastewater, Paper & Wood, Oil & Gas, and Semiconductor. For more information visit http://www.rovisys.com. David Malcolm, San Diego community leader and philanthropist, has announced the 2023 David Malcolm Scholarship. Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, March 20, 2023, and close on Friday, June 30, 2023. Mr. Malcolm will then select this years recipient in July. Growing up in a low-income family, Mr. Malcolm has first-hand experience with the obstacles and challenges financially disadvantaged students face with furthering their education. Today, as a real estate entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mr. Malcolm created the scholarship as one of many philanthropic endeavors to help others in need. The David Malcolm Scholarship is meant for students with financial needs who have overcome obstacles in their educational advancement. Applicants for the scholarship are students who have beaten the odds but need financial assistance to continue to do so. This years recipient will be a student who, without question, is deserving based on how hard they have worked to get into college, David Malcolm explained. Many of the scholarship applicants in the past two years have overcome obstacles through their perseverance and are on the cusp of making their dreams come true. This scholarship will help them do exactly that. To be eligible to apply, a student must be a high school senior who has already been accepted to attend an accredited university or college. Alternatively, they can be a student enrolled in a full-time program at an accredited college or university. Applicants must also have a minimum GPA of 3.5. Applicants must submit an essay discussing a current obstacle to their education and how the David Malcolm Scholarship will help them overcome it. The essay must also discuss how a college education will help them succeed in life after graduation. One candidate will be selected at the end of July 2023 and notified by email; they will have two weeks to accept the scholarship. Should the winner not accept the award within the two-week time period, a new winner will be chosen in their stead. Last year, Mr. Malcolm received a record number of scholarship applications, spurring him to choose two recipients. Each year, the goal is to search for students who best emulate the intent of the David Malcolm Scholarship and serve as an inspiration for others. Students interested in applying for the scholarship should visit https://www.davidmalcolmscholarship.com/. About David Malcolm David Malcolm is a San Diego-based real estate entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community leader. His involvement with the boards of several higher education institutions shows the value of giving back to the community. He and his wife, Annie, support several nonprofits, including two gymnasiums in the city. It is critical to understand the implications of higher education technical SEO, as it can affect the organic traffic to your website and the quality of prospective students who use it. On Thursday, March 23rd at 2pm, join Paula French of Search Influence and Alicia Jasmin of Tulane University, as they discuss how to use technical SEO to ensure your website structure doesnt hurt your rankings, the impact of subdomains and microsites, and how to pull off a seamless website migration. Search engine optimization (SEO) is an essential factor for any educational institution. It is critical to understand the implications of higher education technical SEO, as it can affect the organic traffic to your website and the quality of prospective students who use it. SEO is all about updating existing elements, auditing for broken links, creating internal links, and making sure all technical issues are resolved. The session will be a rich discussion rooted in our experience working with complex university websites, including the 7 years of experience collaborating with Tulane SoPA, says Paula French, Alicia and I each bring a different perspective to this conversation: Alicia speaks from the university marketing side, and I speak from the SEO agency side. We have tips on how weve bridged the gap in priorities to make the best experience for the student. Organic search can be difficult to understand, as it requires understanding the intent of the user. As a result, its important to have a keyword strategy that aligns with the target audiences of your educational institution. This session at UPCEA 2023 will also cover the importance of having a well-thought-out SEO strategy in your higher education digital marketing plan. This includes avoiding duplicate content and ensuring all efforts are done to optimize the users overall experience. Dont miss your chance to learn more about technical SEO and how it can help your educational institution. Join the experts at the UPCEA Annual Conference on Thursday, March 23rd at 2pm and discover the key to solving your website woes. About the Speakers: Paula French, Director of Sales & Marketing at Search Influence Paula French is a results-driven marketer with 13 years of experience. Paula helps clients optimize their potential by identifying the best mix of digital marketing strategies. She's worked with clients at all stages of the process to solve their digital marketing challenges and has grown and led teams to do the same. Alicia Jasmin, Director of Marketing & Communications, Tulane School of Professional Advancement Alicia Jasmin has expertise in higher education, strategic communications, and community relations. From 2007-2019 she held several roles in the Tulane University Office of Marketing and Communications helping shape Tulanes brand. Before rejoining Tulane, she led community relations efforts at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. About Search Influence: Search Influence is a women-owned, ROI-focused, digital marketing agency that helps institutions drive prospects into and through the recruitment funnel with analytics-backed strategies that include search engine optimization and paid digital advertising. Founded in 2006, Search Influences core purpose is to optimize potential. We collaborate with well-regarded institutions both nationally and locally in New Orleans. Clients include Tulane University School of Professional Advancement, Tulane University School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Public Policy, and Palo Alto University. I am a dreamer; the Lord speaks to me about different events before they happen. I love to worship the Lord and I love spending time with my family! Author Cynthia Lebron shows what could happen if God answered all our prayers in Secretly Waiting ($12.49, paperback, 9781662868252; $5.99, e-book, 9781662868269). Josiah didnt know what he was getting himself into when he asked the Lord to reveal when he would meet his future wife. However, the Lord granted his request, under one condition he couldnt tell anyone until after he was married. As Josiah tries to manipulate events to make them happen on his own, and watches in horror as his intended dates someone else, he has to learn to trust in God and His wisdom for his life and future. I am a dreamer; the Lord speaks to me about different events before they happen. I love to worship the Lord and I love spending time with my family! said Lebron. Cynthia Lebron was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Her parents are from Dominican Republic. She is married to the man of her dreams, William Lebron III. They have three sons, two daughters, and one granddaughter so far. They have been in youth ministry for many years. They witnessed the many struggles that youth and young adults went through while searching for love in the wrong ways. The Lord Jesus used these experiences to motivate her in writing about the ups and downs of navigating life, love, and faith. Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the worlds largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. Secretly Waiting is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com. These programs shine a light on outstanding municipal finance leadership by honoring the past and recognizing the future. Whether theyve already built their legacies or theyre still in the process, these are individuals whose character and innovative spirit will inspire others in the sector. The Bond Buyer, Arizents essential resource for the municipal finance industry, has opened nominations for its second Hall of Fame and eighth Rising Stars programs. New this year, The Hall of Fame will create a legacy wing for posthumous honorees who will be honored collectively during the ceremony with a special video tribute, alongside the speeches by the living honorees. These Hall Of Fame and Rising Stars programs shine a light on outstanding municipal finance leadership by honoring the past and recognizing the future, says Mike Scarchilli, Editor in Chief of The Bond Buyer. Whether theyve already built their legacies or theyre still in the process, these are individuals whose character and innovative spirit will inspire others in the sector. Candidates are eligible across all areas of specialities of the municipal finance community. Nominees do not need to be partially or completely retired to qualify, but must have been involved in extensive, influential work for a lifetime achievement honor. Concurrently, the Rising Stars program recognizes municipal finance professionals under the age of 40 who have made positive contributions for their community while demonstrating exceptional leadership, excellent collaboration skills, innovation and creativity in their roles. Honorees from previous years are ineligible, but resubmissions of previous candidates who were not chosen and remain age-eligible will be accepted. All applications will be judged by a panel with The Bond Buyers editorial leadership and a diverse group of municipal finance leaders. Nominations will close on May 5th, 2023. The Hall of Fame honorees will be announced on the Bond Buyer website during mid-July; the Rising Stars class will be published during early August. Both groups will be honored at The Bond Buyer INFRASTRUCTURE event on September 12-13th at The Palmer House in Chicago, IL. Submit a colleague for consideration to our Hall of Fame and Rising Stars programs here: Hall of Fame | Rising Stars About The Bond Buyer The Bond Buyer is the only independent information resource serving the entire municipal finance community. Its comprehensive paid-subscription package of news, analysis and data is unique in the industry, serving a complete spectrum of senior industry professionals, through its website, e-newsletters and alerts, and daily print edition. About Arizent Arizent is a business information company that advances professional communities by providing insights and analysis and convening industry leaders. The company uses deep industry expertise and a data-driven platform to deliver its services, which include subscriptions, marketing services, live events and access to Leaders, an executive forum. Arizent also connects business communities through leading financial services brands like American Banker, The Bond Buyer, Financial Planning and National Mortgage News, as well as professional services brands like Accounting Today, Employee Benefit News and Digital Insurance. We are looking forward to attending this very informative international event and bringing innovative technology back to the United States, says Dr. Erez Dayan, The KIMES 2023 conference provides the opportunity for the best manufacturers from all over the world to reveal their latest medical and aesthetic products and equipment. Dr. Dayan and Dr. Parsa, are traveling there as guests of leading aesthetic device companies (regenerative, fillers, skin tightening technologies and skin care) to identify, develop and then train others on new products and technology for the U.S. Medical professionals from all over the world come to Korea to attend the KIMES event. At the venue, over 1,200 domestic and overseas manufacturers innovative technology and products will be showcased. Attendees, such as Dr. Dayan and Dr. Parsa, will be using their vast knowledge in their field to discover emerging industry advances so various aesthetic device companies can keep up-to-date with the very latest in the fast-developing medical market. We are looking forward to attending this very informative international event and bringing innovative technology back to the United States, says Dr. Erez Dayan, More about Dr. Erez Dayan and Dr. Kami Parsa: Dr. Erez Dayan completed his training at the elite Harvard Plastic Surgery program before earning a fellowship in aesthetic surgery at the world-class Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute. Dr. Dayan provides comprehensive aesthetic treatments for the face, breast and body, as well as reconstructive surgery. At his practice Avance Plastic Surgery Institute, located at 5588 Longley Lane, in Reno, Nevada, Dr. Dayan offers cutting-edge technology, surgical procedures and a full range of aesthetic facial and body treatments. To schedule a consultation or for more information, please call or text 775-800-4444 or visit http://www.avanceplasticsurgery.com. Kami Parsa M.D. graduated with honors from USCs School of Medicine, completed a residency in ophthalmology at the Doheny Eye Institute and then a two-year sub-specialty fellowship in oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Miamis Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. At his Beverly Hills practice and MedSpa, he specializes in surgical and non-surgical procedures for areas around the eyes and also performs a full menu of other cosmetic and reconstructive services. Dr. Parsas practice is located at 465 N. Roxbury Dr. Suite 1011 in Beverly Hills, CA. For more information on cosmetic and reconstructive options offered by Dr. Kami Parsa, please call his Beverly Hills clinic and MedSpa at (310) 777-8880, or visit his website at http://www.oculoplastic.info. In his new role at TruFood, Lenox will lead a team of experienced sales and marketing professionals to drive strategic commercialization activities for the business. TruFood Manufacturing, a leading U.S. contract manufacturer specializing in better-for-you nutrition bars, chocolate and baked granola, and a Mubadala Capital portfolio company, announced the hiring today of Justin Lenox as vice president of sales and marketing. Lenox brings over 12 years of industry experience to TruFood, having previously held executive roles in sales and business development with a number of leading companies. Most recently, he was vice president of contract manufacturing for Shearers Foods. Lenoxs expertise includes a proven ability to establish and optimize organizational strategies, manage revenue, and form long-term, trusted partnerships with customers and stakeholders. Justin is a high-achieving, results-driven sales executive who will be an integral addition to the TruFood executive leadership team, said Ted Schouten, TruFoods chairman. His expertise will be fundamental to our plans of continuing to seek new and innovative ways to invest and enhance TruFoods ability to deliver for its customers and capitalize on strong market opportunities. In his new role at TruFood, Lenox will lead a team of experienced sales and marketing professionals to drive strategic commercialization activities for the business. This is an exciting time for TruFood as we continue to establish ourselves as the go-to provider of contract manufacturing solutions for the premier brands in the better-for-you category, added Pete Tsudis, CEO of TruFood. The decision to add Justin further demonstrates our commitment to serving our brand partners and continuing our growth trajectory to expand our category footprint. In October 2022, Mubadala Capital, the global asset management firm, acquired TruFood Manufacturing in partnership with management. About TruFood Manufacturing TruFood Manufacturing is a leading contract manufacturer of branded and private-label nutrition bars, protein bars, chocolate moulded products and baked goods. These products are sold at club, grocery, drug, convenience and department stores worldwide. TruFood has a large presence on the East Coast with over 400,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and continues to grow through its strong reputation for manufacturing high-quality snack products for its marquee customer base. About Mubadala Capital Mubadala Capital is the wholly owned asset management subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, a $284 billion global sovereign investor headquartered in Abu Dhabi. Mubadala Capital manages c. $17 billion in aggregate across its own balance sheet investments and in third-party capital vehicles on behalf of global, institutional investors, including four private equity funds, three early-stage venture funds and two funds in Brazil focused on special situations. Mubadala Capital has offices in New York, San Francisco, London, Rio de Janeiro, and Abu Dhabi. A compilation of PW's coverage of Hachette v. Internet Archive, the closely watched copyright case over the scanning and lending of print library books, with the most recent coverage up top. This list will be updated as needed. In a Swift Decision, Judge Eviscerates Internet Archives Scanning and Lending Program: In an emphatic opinion, federal judge John G. Koeltl found the Internet Archive infringed the copyrights of four plaintiff publishers by scanning and lending their books under a legally contested practice known as controlled digital lending. After three years of contentious legal wrangling, the case wasnt even close. Is Controlled Digital Lending on Borrowed Time?: At a long-awaited hearing last week, a federal judge sounded skeptical of the Internet Archives program to scan and lend library books. At Hearing, Judge Appears Skeptical of Internet Archives Scanning and Lending Program: Over the course of the 90-minute hearing on March 20, 2023 Judge John G. Koeltl appeared unmoved by the IA's fair use claims and unconvinced that the publishers market for library e-books was not impacted by the practice known as "controlled digital lending." Oral Argument Set in Internet Archive Copyright Case: Some four months after final reply briefs were filed (and after more than two years since the case was filed) Judge John G. Koeltl is ready to hear oral arguments. Publishers, Internet Archive Ready for Summary Judgment Hearing in Book Scanning Case: In a final round of briefs filed on October 7, attorneys for the publishers say the undisputed facts and settled law lead to the inexorable conclusion that IAs scanning and lending of library books is copyright infringement on a massive scale. But attorneys for the Internet Archive insist their program is legal and that no reasonable jury could conclude that the IAs controlled scanning and lending of library books harms the publishers market. Authors, Advocacy Group Pen Open Letter Urging Publishers to Support Libraries: In an open letter organized by advocacy group Fight for the Future, a group of authors demanded that publishers and their trade organizations cease efforts the signatories say are undermining libraries. The Association of American Publishers labeled the campaign "disinformation." Soapbox: In Defense of Library Lending: Kyle Courtney, chair of advocacy group Library Futures defends controlled digital lending, the practice at issue in Hachette v. Internet Archive. Supporters, Opponents Weigh in on Internet Archive Copyright Battle: Is the Internet Archive's program to scan and lend copies of print library books under an untested legal theory known as controlled digital lending (CDL) wholesale piracy? Or is it a carefully considered and legal effort to preserve the mission of libraries in a digital world that is moving away from ownership to licensed access? Stakeholders on both sides of the case are weigh in with amicus briefs. Publishers, Internet Archive Trade Reply Briefs in Book Scanning Case: In a reply filing, four major publishers further detailed their claims that the Internet Archives long-running program to scan and lend physical library books is blatant copyright infringement. And in a reply filing of their own, lawyers for the Internet Archive argue that the publishers are improperly conflating the market for licensed e-book access with the IAs efforts to facilitate traditional library lending. Soapbox: Standing Up for Copyright: Keith Kupferschmid, CEO of the Copyright Alliance argues that the the Internet Archive's program to scan and lend library books is "theft, plain and simple." Internet Archive, Publishers to Seek Summary Judgment in Book Scanning Lawsuit: In a June 10 order, Judge John G. Koeltl granted the parties request to proceed with summary judgment motions. Publishers, Internet Archive File Dueling Summary Judgment Motions: The battle lines are drawn: In their motion for summary judgment Hachette, HarperCollins, Wiley, and Penguin Random House argue that the Internet Archive's program to scan and lend books is a massive piracy operation "masquerading as a not-for-profit library." The Internet Archive counters that its scanning and lending program does not harm authors and publishers and is a public good protected by fair use. Judge Hears Discovery Disputes in Internet Archive Book Scanning Suit: At a December 2 pre-motion conference, magistrate judge Ona T. Wang told the parties to continue discussions regarding three ongoing discovery disputes. Internet Archive Rejects Publishers Stonewalling Claim in Scanning Lawsuit: The Internet Archive rejected accusations in a November 19 accusing them of seeking to run out the clock on discovery. In New Filing, Publishers Accuse Internet Archive of Stonewalling Discovery in Scanning Lawsuit: Lawyers for the plaintiff publishers claim the Internet Archive is withholding documents from discovery. Publishers, AAP Hit Back in Internet Archive Discovery Dispute: Lawyers for the Association of American Publishers and a group of publisher plaintiffs push back against the Internet Archive's bid to obtain a range of the AAP's internal communications and documents for its defense against copyright infringement charges. Internet Archive Seeking AAP, Publisher Communications in Book Scanning Lawsuit: Lawyers for the Internet Archive told a federal judge that the plaintiff publishers and the Association of American Publishers are refusing to properly comply with discovery requests. Discovery Extension Requested in Internet Archive Book Scanning Suit: There has been extensive progress on discovery, wrote Elizabeth McNamara, lawyer for four plaintiff publishers. But looking ahead, it has become clear that more time is required to process the voluminous documentary evidence produced in this case." Publishers Blast Internet Archives Extraordinary Demand for Sales Data: Lawyers for four plaintiff publishers this week filed a blistering response to the Internet Archives demand for a decades worth of the plaintiff publishers monthly sales data to use in its defense. Internet Archive Seeking 10 Years of Publisher Sales Data for Its Fair Use Defense: IA attorneys told the court it is seeking monthly sales data for all books in print by the four plaintiff publishers (Hachette, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Wiley) dating back to 2011. But the publishers, IA lawyers told the court, have balked at the sweeping request reportedly countering that the request is well beyond what the case calls for. Judge Sets Tentative Schedule for Internet Archive Copyright Case: Federal judge John G. Koeltl orders the parties in a copyright infringement case filed by four major publishers against the Internet Archive be ready for trial by November, 2021. Publishers, Internet Archive Propose Yearlong Discovery Plan for Copyright Case: In a joint filing, attorneys for the Internet Archive and four publishers suing for copyright infringement proposed a discovery plan for the case that would extend for more than a year. Internet Archive Answers Publishers' Copyright Lawsuit: In their answer to a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by four major publishers, the Internet Archive insists that its long-running book scanning and lending program is protected by fair use. "Contrary to the publishers accusations, the Internet Archive, and the hundreds of libraries and archives that support it, are not pirates or thieves," the filing states. "They are librarians, striving to serve their patrons online just as they have done for centuries in the brick-and-mortar world. Copyright law does not stand in the way of libraries right to lend, and patrons right to borrow, the books that libraries own." Internet Archive to Publishers: Drop Needless Copyright Lawsuit and Work with Us: During a 30-minute Zoom press conference on July 22, Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle urged the four major publishers suing over the organizations book scanning efforts to consider settling the dispute in the boardroom rather than the courtroom. Internet Archive to End 'National Emergency Library' Initiative: Citing a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by publishers, Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle announced that the IAs National Emergency Library initiative will cease operating on June 16, 2020, two weeks earlier than its previously announced June 30 closing date. Publishers Charge the Internet Archive with Copyright Infringement: Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, John Wiley & Sons, and Penguin Random House file suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York charging the Internet Archive with copyright infringement. In its suit, the publishers make clear it is not suing the IA over the occasional transmission of a title under appropriately limited circumstances, nor about anything permissioned or in the public domain, but rather over the IA's purposeful collection of truckloads of in-copyright books to scan, reproduce, and then distribute digital bootleg versions online. Before the Lawsuit UNC Press, Duke Reach Cooperation Agreement with National Emergency Library: The University of North Carolina Press and Duke University Press announce a formal cooperation agreement in support of the Internet Archive's National Emergency Library initiative. We agree that in this extraordinary moment, an unprecedented level of cooperation is required to address this crisis in order to meet the dire needs of readersespecially students and other readers who are at risk for losing access to their traditional sources of books, reads the text of the statement. Internet Archive Responds to Senators Concern Over National Emergency Library: In a three-page response IA founder Brewster Kahle responded to the Senator's criticisms. Your constituents have paid for millions of books they currently cannot access, Kahle explained, adding that North Carolinas public libraries house more than 15 million print book volumes in 323 library branches across the state. Fortunately, we do not need an emergency copyright act because the fair use doctrine, codified in the Copyright Act, provides flexibility to libraries and others to adjust to changing circumstances. U.S. Senator Thom Tillis Questions the Internet Archive's 'National Emergency Library': In an April 8 letter to Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, questioned the legal basis for the Archive's National Emergency Library initiative. "I am not aware of any measure under copyright law that permits a user of copyrighted works to unilaterally create an emergency copyright act. Indeed, I am deeply concerned that your 'Library' is operating outside the boundaries of the copyright law that Congress has enacted and alone has jurisdiction to amend." Internet Archive Responds, Says National Emergency Library Is Legal After a week of intense criticism, the Internet Archive yesterday posted an FAQ in response to concerns raised over its National Emergency Library, claiming the effort has a basis in law, and reiterating that the program was undertaken in response to what IA officials see as a national crisis. Authors Guild, AAP Outraged by IA's 'National Emergency Library': The outcry from publisher and author groups has been swift and furious after the Internet Archive announced the launch of its National Emergency Library, which has removed access restrictions for some 1.4 million scans of mostly 20th century books in the IA's Open Library initiative, making them available for unlimited borrowing during the Covid-19 Outbreak. We are stunned by the Internet Archives aggressive, unlawful, and opportunistic attack on the rights of authors and publishers in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic," reads a March 27 statement from Association of American Publishers president and CEO Maria Pallante. More Background Could Library Book Scanning Be Headed Back to Court?: If you thought the controversy over library book scanning ended with the Google case, think again. The National Writers Union is the latest organization to join the outcry over a practice known as controlled digital lending (CDL), by which a library (or a nonprofit, like the Internet Archive) scans a print copy of a book they have legally acquired, then makes the scan available to be borrowed in lieu of the print book. The Business of Making E-books Free: When Amy Brand took the helm at the MIT Press in 2015, she was prepared to budget hundreds of thousands of dollars to begin the difficult process of digitizing thousands of backlist titles. As she planned the digitization program, she put in a call to Brewster Kahle, a former member of the press management board, who she hoped might rejoin the press family. Two years later, the result of their conversation is a partnership to digitize many important books from the presss backlist and make them available to libraries for free. Brewster's Millions: ALA Preview 2011: In a Q&A with PW, Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle says wants to see millions of library e-books, millions of readersand millions of dollars for publishers and authors. Open Library Launches New Digitize and Lend E-Book Lending Program: Moving from a system where libraries buy books and curate collections for the public to a system where libraries simply serve as access points when permitted by rightsholders, argues Brewster Kahle, is a major shift in the way libraries work, with significant cultural implications. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our privacy policy unless you have disabled them. You can change your cookie settings at any time but parts of our site will not function correctly without them. [Close] King Charles III and his daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, posted messages on social media this weekend in celebration of the British version of Mother's Day. ADVERTISEMENT "To all mothers everywhere, and to those who may be missing their mums today, we are thinking of you and wishing you a special #MothersDay," the new monarch tweeted. King Charles included a photo featuring him as a baby with his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Sept. 8 at the age of 96 as well as a portrait of his wife, Queen Consort Camilla Parker Bowles, with her mother Rosalind Cubitt, who died in 1994 at the age of 72. Middleton, the wife of Charles' elder son, Prince William, posted a photo of her sitting in a tree with their three children -- George, 9, Charlotte, 7, and Louis, 4. Another snapshot shows her holding Louis in her arms and smiling down at him. "Happy Mother's Day from our family to yours," the princess captioned the images. The Supreme Court appears to be split in a dispute between the federal government and the Navajo Nation over water from the drought-stricken Colorado River The sounds of Ireland featuring traditional Celtic instrumentation were heard Sunday in Pottsville with The Schuylkill Choral Society performing "An Irish Celebration," under the direction of Dr. Mark P. Thomas accompanied by Kimberly Breiner Stoudt on piano and The Root Blossoms musicians Naomi Zimmerman and Eric Zimmerman performing on fiddle, cello and guitar. Their next concert is their "50th Anniversary Concert" on May 20 at Schuylkill Haven Area High School celebrating 50 years of choral excellence with their 2022-23 season as they look back to their heritage and to their future. For more information, visit www.schchoral.org Close Jacqueline Dormer Jacqueline Dormer is a staff photographer at The Republican-Herald. Read More... Follow Jacqueline Dormer 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 Chinese leader Xi Jinping's ongoing visit to Russia forms part of a bid by Beijing to rebrand China's international image and reshape the international community along authoritarian lines, commentators told Radio Free Asia in recent interviews and broadcasts. Xi will have an "in-depth exchange of views" with Putin on major international and regional issues of mutual interest, with a view to boosting strategic coordination and practical cooperation, China's foreign ministry said of the current trip, during which the two leaders will sign a declaration that their relationship is entering "a new era," a reference to a favored Xi buzzword. The trip comes as Xi emerges victorious from a lengthy power struggle for sole control of the levers of party, military and state, which saw him approved for an indefinite third term in office as party leader at the party congress in October 2022 and at the annual National People's Congress session in Beijing earlier this month. Xi is now free to steer Chinese diplomacy into his new era, which he says will be "a shared future for humanity," a phrase analysts say means Beijing will be looking to forge stronger alliances with other authoritarian regimes to counter "U.S. hegemony" and export China's model of party-state governance around the world. New role as mediator Tuvia Gering, a non-resident fellow at the Global China Hub of the Atlantic Council, said China's foreign policy in recent decades has typically focused on following other countries' lead, or facilitating international arrangements, rather than projecting it as a global power for other nations to follow. "In the mediation of regional conflicts, China tends to play the role of follower [or] facilitator rather than leader," Gering said. "This time it is surprising that China not only leads but also successfully mediates international disputes without the presence of the United States." He was referring to Xi Jinping's visit to Saudi Arabia last December where he met with all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, swiftly followed by a visit to Beijing by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, followed by a March 10 trilateral statement from Saudi Arabia, Iran and China announcing that Riyadh and Tehran would resume diplomatic relations. "This is a clear success for Beijing -- its first in the troubled Middle East region -- and it could be followed by others," columnist Marco Carnelos wrote in the March 17 edition of Middle East Eye. Given that China is planning an unprecedented high-level meeting between Arab monarchs and Iranian officials in Beijing later this year, Carnelos wrote, "it would be difficult to imagine a bigger slap in the face to U.S. Middle Eastern diplomacy." China's English-language nationalist tabloid, the Global Times, said the agreement was "another proof that unipolarity no longer exists and that we are already in a de facto multipolar world order." "The Middle East and the world are not only in a post-America order, but also in a post-West order," the paper said. In this June 6, 2019 photo, Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during the ceremony to present Xi Jinping with a degree from St. Petersburg State University at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia. Credit: AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, Pool But while the agreement seems like a public relations coup for Beijing, Gering said Saudi and Iran already had plenty of motivation to reach an agreement on their own, and the resumption of ties had followed years of low-level dialogue between the two governments. He said brokering the final deal was a "low-risk" strategy for China, which had simply picked the right moment to intervene, and dismissed Beijing's 12-point peace plan for Ukraine as "ridiculous." "Just like in the Middle East, China actually doesn't want to replace the United States because it doesn't want to get its hands dirty," Gerin said. "In such conflicts, [China] first considers whether it can benefit from them with very low risk as it did with the Iran-Saudi Agreement." Aspiring global actor and standard-setter Moritz Rudolf, fellow at Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center, said he believes China is also trying to become a serious global actor and standard-setter, however. "As the U.S. enters the presidential election season, I think we wouldn't be surprised to see a lot more engagement with China in just the next two years," Rudolf said. "From the Chinese perspective, their foreign policy direction appears to be looking towards the global south, with attempts to build coalitions with those countries and to use them in the pursuit of long-term goals, such as changing the international order," he said. "To me, there appears to be a real strategic goal to shape the global order through the use of the law." The use of international treaties, laws and other binding agreements to further Beijing's policy goals will have a powerful side-effect, Rudolf predicted. "Once China becomes a global actor, its legal system will also extend," he said. "This is one of those issues that can fundamentally change how the world functions." "It's an incremental process, and at some point, you wake up and realize that the global order has changed. The rules have become more Chinese, and the global order has become more Chinese as well," he warned. Veteran political commentator and former 1989 Tiananmen protest leader Wang Dan agreed, citing the Middle East agreement and Xi's "global civilization initiative." "All of this shows us that Xi Jinping wants to become a world leader, and spread his ideology around the world," Wang wrote in a recent commentary for RFA Mandarin, citing the Saudi-Iran agreement. "But all of this is the stuff that is visible on the surface," he added. "What the rest of the world also needs to look at is the way that Xi Jinping is targeting ... [U.S. interests] in more secretive ways [around the world]." Gering said further international posturing will likely follow from Beijing. "I think we're going to see China get more involved in the world stage," he said. "Whenever there are opportunities [like the Iran-Saudi agreement] they will jump on it." Exporting arms According to Wang, one key indicator that China is exporting influence and power alongside the rhetoric lies in recent international arms sales data. Central Command's General Michael Kurilla told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 16 that China's ability to move quickly on military sales in the Middle East and South Asia could have dire consequences, pointing to an 80% increase in Chinese military sales to the region over the past decade. In this March 18, 2023 handout image grab from a video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, warships are seen during Russia, China and Iran joint naval exercise in the Arabian Sea. Credit: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service/AP According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the U.S. was the worlds top weapons exporter from 2018 to 2022, accounting for 40% of all arms exports. China ranked fourth, accounting for just over 5% of sales. And China tripled its sales of weapons to sub-Saharan Africa between 2017 and 2020, with most of the weapons going to five nations that have signed up to Beijing's Belt and Road infrastructure program. Meanwhile, Russian entities received around 1,000 assault rifles, 12 tons of body armor, and drone parts from Chinese companies that could be used on the battlefield, since the war in Ukraine began in early 2022, Politico Europe reported last week. "These goods weren't handed over to Russia directly at the border, but arrived in Russia after passing through Turkey," Wang wrote. "China is of course doing this to evade supervision and sanctions from the international community, but Turkey and [other countries] are willing to cooperate actively, which shows us that China has made deep deployments in a traditional sphere of influence of the United States, actively wooing allies and queering the United States' pitch," he said. "These new developments are very dangerous signals, not just for the United States, but for the whole world." Wang warned. "If Xi Jinping has made up his mind, in order to fight for world hegemony, for China's global expansion, and to solve once and for all the containment from the United States on the Taiwan issue, he will not hesitate to combine the forces of Russia, Iran and North Korea to confront and clash with the United States head-on, or even upgrade the cold war into a hot war," he said. "This could pose a serious threat to world peace." Growing backlash following Ukraine invasion For David Plasek, analyst at the European Values Center for Security Policy, there is also a growing backlash against communist and formerly communist countries, which he says stems directly from the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. "Everyone [in Europe] knows that China is standing behind Russia," Plasek said. "The Ukrainian war has greatly shocked Europeans. People's feelings are very personal, with Ukrainian refugees pouring into every small town in Eastern European countries." In this May 30, 2021photo, pro-government supporters display pictures of China's President Xi Jinping and Russia's President Vladimir Putin during a rally against the United States imposing restrictions over the conflict in the Tigray region in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Credit: Amanuel Sileshi/AFP He said the current situation has eroded public support for Russia in Eastern Europe. "After the war, I would say less than 10% remain," he said of Putin's supporters. "The political landscape is undergoing enormous changes, which also affects people's views on China." "In Eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Lithuania, people used to talk about China's investments and job opportunities as important, but after a series of events, they have become aware of the danger of the Chinese Communist Party," he said. "China is aggressive in diplomacy, and Xi Jinping even reminds people of figures like Mao Zedong and Stalin," he said. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Su Yutong, Vicky Xu and other reporters of Asian descent face an onslaught of abuse covering China critically. The strange men started showing up at Su Yutongs Berlin apartment in early June. For weeks, one or two would arrive each day. Su grew up in China but since 2010 has lived in Germany, where she works as a journalist, including for Radio Free Asia. Her visitors, though, thought they were visiting a prostitute. Almost every day different people rang my doorbell, Su said. They say they are here for an Asian woman, looking for sex. The fake escort ads were just part of the abuse Su says she's experienced over the past 10 months. Bomb threats tied to reservations under Sus name at hotels in Berlin, Houston and Hong Kong that she didnt make prompted calls from local police. A fake Twitter account with her name and the word bitch was created. Shes been threatened with doctored nude photographs and forged receipts from adult stores. She said hackers tried to access her social media and bank accounts. In November, German police told her to leave her apartment after she received rape and death threats, apparently from one particularly aggressive harasser over Telegram. For a time, she said she felt a wave of nausea around strange men in public, though more out of embarrassment than fear, she said. I don't know what other things they will do to harass and threaten me, but it has really affected my life, Su said. A target for harassment Su says shes been a target of abuse since leaving China in 2010 to live in exile in Germany and continue her work as a reporter. The name-calling and threats and other harassing behaviors picked up, though, after she attended an event to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in June. The Tiananmen anniversary event Su Yutong attended as a reporter where she was approached by a man who subsequently harassed her. Credit: Su Yutong She has filed several complaints with the German police. One official initially told Su her case seemed like the work of a particular individual, a singular stalker. But there is evidence of a broader conspiracy, and Su fears her harassers could have links to the Chinese government an anxiety shared by other reporters of Chinese descent who have also faced abuse. Last fall, Su told her editors at RFA about what she was facing. RFA decided to publish her story along with other accounts to show what it can be like to report on China at a time when its officials are intent on protecting the countrys image and extending its global reach. German police are investigating Sus case but have refused to comment further. A request for comment from the Chinese Embassy in Germany from RFA has not been answered. A price to pay Globally, harassment of women in the media is commonplace. Almost 70% of female journalists have experienced some form of abuse in relation to their work, according to a survey by the International Womens Media Foundation and Trollbusters, a group that monitors online harassment. A report released in 2022 by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), a Canberra-based think tank, said the harassment of female journalists of Asian descent who report critically on China can be particularly aggressive and appears to be increasing. The sheer volume of vitriol targeting reporters given Chinas size and the nationalistic fervor of many of its citizens can set the abuse apart. Compounding their anxiety is a fear that the intimidation is sanctioned, if not coordinated, by the Chinese Communist Party itself. When, for example, an American female journalist gets trolled, its probably coming from right-wing crazies or some fringe corner of society, said Vicky Xu, a journalist in Australia, whose reporting on abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang brought a flood of death threats. The kind of role and voice they have is very, very limited. The harassment of Chinese journalists like myself is mainstream. Its a mainstream position that is encouraged by the state. State-backed trolling? The ASPI report listed journalists covering China for The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The New Yorker and The New York Times as victims. At least some of the offending posts are likely linked to the Chinese government, ASPI concluded. Accounts that had promoted CCP policies pivoted to harass the journalists, the report found. A text exchange between Su Yutong, Wang Jingyu and a third person who threatens to harm them and says he has been paid to do so. Credit: Wang Jingyu Posts include graphic online depictions of sexual assault, homophobia and racist imagery and life-threatening intimidation, said Albert Zhang, a co-author of the report. The people who harassed Su told her they supported the Chinese government and warned her against speaking or reporting critically on Beijing. Whether the harassers in Sus case are overzealous supporters of the CCP acting on their own or are part of an official operation isnt entirely clear. But the intent behind this kind of harassment is the same: to silence the view of these women and also serve as a deterrence against others reporting critically on China, Zhang said. Psychological torture As a reporter and researcher at ASPI, Xu helped expose how the supply chains of major companies, including Apple, Nike and Adidas, may have benefitted from forced Uyghur labor in Xinjiang. For her work, Xu said she was called a slut, a traitor and a demon on Twitter. A 2021 report in the Global Times, a CCP mouthpiece, called her a morally low person and suggested she was putting Chinese nationals living in Australia at risk by contributing to anti-Chinese sentiment. She had to close her LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter accounts after they were bombarded with threats, shutting her off from an important outlet for journalists. It all felt like psychological torture, Xu told RFA. An outgoing, part-time stand-up comic, Xu began to isolate herself, keeping away from friends and family. She said that her health suffered for months. People congratulate me and they say that this work is really important, and that I changed or inspired legislation, Xu said. But the flip side of that is the Chinese government also noted the success and influence of that report, and they made me pay a price. Sexism strains China watchers say that reporters from China can be viewed as threats for their ability to see behind the veil of secrecy the CCP tries to maintain through its own heavily censored media. They speak the language, know the countrys history and have sources in China to help them understand what goes on behind the scenes. Male journalists who report on China face abuse too, but the women say that the strains of sexism that go unchecked in Chinese society and online culture in general make them more frequent targets. I tweet, but I never go on Twitter, because there is just too much crap, said Yaqiu Wang, a senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch who has written about harassment against critics of the CCP. Wang said she can expect hundreds of nasty comments for every Twitter post she writes that references China but doesnt bother to read them. I dont want to read 200 comments about people saying that Im a traitor. Harassers - in the flesh, on the phone When Su attended the June 4 Berlin commemoration of the Tiananmen Square massacre as a reporter, she said a middle-aged Chinese man walked up to the protesters and began taking pictures. The harassment Su Yutong said she faced included doctored photographs, fake escort advertisements and falsified receipts for adult products. Credit: Su Yutong, RFA Two days later, at around 5 a.m., she received a Telegram message of a doctored photograph made to look like a naked picture of her with the caption, Whos this? The person who sent the message said Chinese exiles shouldnt amplify Chinas shortcomings. An organizer of the event told RFA that she was also contacted by the same account. Both she and Su blocked the number on Telegram. Su has no idea how the person got her number. A day or two later, random men started appearing at Sus apartment. She did not answer the door, but in exchanges with them in German, they indicated they were looking for sex, and believed her to be a sex worker. A friend of Sus who RFA spoke with witnessed one encounter in August. The man ran when Su threatened to call the police. Bomb threats and fake ads In October, Su reported for RFA on a harassment case involving Wang Jingyu, a young dissident who was living in exile in the Netherlands. After the report, Su told RFA that another man started to harass her, including by reserving hotel rooms and then later calling in bomb threats under her name. He threatened both Su and Wang over texts and video messages and told them that he supported the CCP. RFA is not naming him because his identity cannot be confirmed and efforts to reach him were unsuccessful. The man showed Su and Wang a receipt of an electronic money transfer that he purported to be from a Chinese handler and told Su that this person had directed him to post the doctored adverts about her as a sex worker on internet sites in German - the adverts that presumably brought the random men to her door. The harasser later sent Su forged documents, including a receipt for sex toys, that he threatened to post on a Twitter account in an effort to publicly shame her. I am actually very conservative. I have never been to nightclubs, Su said. I can never imagine myself getting related to prostitution and sex services, she added, noting how important her Christian faith is to her. This is fatal to me. A directive to move She and Wang reported the harassment to police. After that, the abuse grew worse. In November, the harasser threatened to rape and murder Su, at which point the German police told her to vacate her apartment. She is now staying with a friend. Police declined to comment to RFA, other than confirming that an investigation into suspected threats is being conducted by the Berlin police under the case number you provided. Dirty messages Sheng Xue, an author and journalist who fled China after Tiananmen and now lives in Canada, said shes faced harassment similar to Su. Sheng worked at RFA for 17 years but is now a freelance journalist and writer. In 2014, she said online ads offering sex were posted with her name and cell phone number in cities across North America. She would get calls at her home from New York and San Francisco. The harassment isnt constant, she said, but ebbs and flows with important dates and events, including the anniversary of Tiananmen Square or the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The Chinese national flag is unfurled at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, to mark the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Journalist Sheng Xue says harassment picks up around these events. Credit: Chen Zhonghao/Xinhua via AP Last September, with the approach of Chinese National Day, Sheng said she received hundreds of comments on Twitter, many of which were accompanied by nude photographs doctored with her image. They always use this kind of very dirty message, she said. Return to society Xu, the journalist in Australia, said a pornographic video falsely purported to depict her surfaced online, as did a fake documentary about her sex life. More recently, she has also faced efforts to physically intimidate her. In October, Xu said she noticed a man standing outside her apartment, watching her. When I tried to film him, like really up close, he didnt look at me. He didnt flinch. He just walked away, Xu said. She said she kept isolated behind a number of security safeguards she set up in response to the threats. But Xu has since re-emerged into society. Shes also taken inspiration from the women who led the recent white paper protests that pushed China to rescind its restrictive zero-COVID policies, although many have since been arrested. Xu is learning to live with the strange men who sometimes follow her, is adept at spotting hacking attempts, and carries on when her public speeches are interrupted by CCP fanatics. I dont feel safe, but Im not going to stop what I do because I dont feel safe, she said. More harassment, and a response Its been weeks since Su has heard from the harasser who forced her out of her apartment. A Facebook page set up in his name stopped being active after Feb 9. But Su said she continues to get abuse. On Feb. 11 and 12, she received a flurry of calls concerning hotel bookings and/or bomb threats made in her name in Hong Kong, Macau, Istanbul, New York, Houston and Los Angeles. Su told RFA that hotel employees told her that the reservations included deposits, indicating the perpetrators had some measure of financial resources. A screengrab from her phone reviewed by RFA shows unknown calls throughout the night. The day before, Su said a stranger texted and offered to pay her cash to stop her activities. I told him to f off and blocked him, she said. Cheng-Chi Kreim contributed to this report. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at a briefing on the 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices at the State Department in Washington, Monday, March 20, 2023. (Andrew Harnik/AP) Human rights are a central interest of the Biden administrations foreign policy but not the only one, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday as he launched the annual U.S. country reports on human rights, which slammed China and Myanmar for abuses. This years reports again denounce Beijing for genocide and crimes against humanity against ethnic Uyghurs in China, and accuse Myanmar of using violence to brutalize civilians and consolidate its control, including killing nearly 3,000 people and imprisoning 17,000. But it also delves into human rights abuses in close U.S. allies like Israel, which is accused of a spate of rights abuses including arbitrary killings of Palestinians and Saudi Arabia, which is accused of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture. Speaking at the State Department to launch the reports, which are mandated by Congress and offer analysis of the rights situation in all 193 U.N. member states, the top U.S. diplomat was asked why the reports findings dont always influence American foreign policy. Were not pulling our punches with anyone, he replied. Sometimes we do it more publicly; sometimes we do it more privately. Were trying to determine in each instance how we can hopefully be most effective in advancing human rights and advancing human dignity. Blinken said that his job was to focus on all our interests. At the same time, as were working in different ways with different countries, we have a multiplicity of interests that were working on, he said. Human rights is a central interest of ours; its not the only one. Genocide and crimes against humanity The reports identify grave human rights abuses across Asia, including in North Korea, Cambodia and Vietnam, which are each accused of crimes including arbitrary killings, torture and political persecution, to varying degrees of severity. But its most serious criticism in the region is reserved for the governments of China and Myanmar. The report again accuses the Chinese government of conducting a genocide against the mostly Muslim Uyghur population, most of whom live in the far-western Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The crimes, the report says, included arbitrary imprisonment or detainment of more than 1 million civilians, forced sterilization and abortions, more restrictive enforcement of Chinas birth control policies, rape, torture and forced labor, as well as draconian restrictions on the freedoms of expression, movement and religion. In this Dec. 3, 2018 photo, residents line up inside the Artux City Vocational Skills Education Training Service Center which has previously been revealed by leaked documents to be a forced indoctrination camp at the Kunshan Industrial Park in Artux in western China's Xinjiang region. (Ng Han Guan/AP) Myanmar, which is listed under the name Burma, is again accused of carrying out genocide and crimes against humanity, with the report saying the human rights situation has worsened since the 2021 coup. Deposed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and other leading members of the deposed civilian government and National League for Democracy party remained in detention, the report says, noting that armed opposition efforts had continued to disrupt the regimes ability to exert full administrative control. The regime responded, it says, with the continued arrest of political opponents, the reported use of extensive lethal violence against unarmed persons, torture, sexual violence, and other abuses. Rohingya Myanmar has also engaged in punishment of family members for alleged offenses by a relative, recruitment of child soldiers, arbitrary killings of civilians and restrictions on religion, particularly against the mostly Muslim Rohingya on the Bangladesh border, the report says. Limitations on freedom of movement for Rohingya in Rakhine State were unchanged. Rohingya may not move freely; they must obtain travel authorization to leave their township, it says, defying the pre-coup rule that Rohingya traveling without documentation could return to their homes without facing immigration charges. In this March 14, 2021 photo, anti-coup protesters carry an injured man following clashes with security forces in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo) Up to 600,000 Rohingya remain in Rakhine, it says, even after the genocide, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and forced displacement of more than 740,000 Rohingya to Bangladesh in 2017, but are not regarded as a national ethnic group so remain stateless. Inward reflection Blinken said he recognized that the United States was itself not perfect on human rights. But he said the difference was that the U.S. system of government accepted such criticism and actively tried to correct identified problems. While this report looks outward, to countries around the world, well, you know, the United States faces its own set of challenges on human rights, he said. Our willingness to confront our challenges openly, to acknowledge our own shortcomings not to sweep them under the rug or pretend they don't exist that is what distinguishes us. Blinkens message was mirrored by Erin Barclay, acting assistant secretary of state for the bureau of democracy, human rights and labor, when asked at the morning State Department launch event about a rival report on human rights and democracy in the United States, which was released by Chinas foreign ministry on Monday. At his regular press briefing on Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin also accused the United States of engaging in power politics and the law of the jungle by applying human rights-based economic sanctions on other countries, which he claimed was gravely violating other countries human rights. American officials always welcome critique of the human rights situation in our country, Barclay replied, as long as it is credible and fact-based. We don't sweep our problems under the rug, she said. We are ready to shine a light on them and work to improve them in our own country. Edited by Malcolm Foster. No former or sitting Taiwanese president has ever visited the Peoples Republic of China. Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou plans to visit China from March 27 until April 7, becoming the first former or sitting leader of the democratic island to visit the Chinese mainland, his office confirmed. He will embark on the trip amid tensions across the Taiwan Strait as China intensifies pressure on Taiwan ahead of the next presidential election there, in January 2024. Ma served as president of the Republic of China from 2008 until 2016 and remains a senior member of Kuomintang, or KMT, which ruled Taiwan for a long time and now is the main opposition party. The Republic of China (ROC) is the official name of Taiwan. Beijing considers Taiwan a Chinese province that should be reunified with the mainland but the islands ruling Democratic Progressive Party considers Taiwan an independent and sovereign country and rejects the One China Principle, which says there is only one China in the world. The Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation confirmed on Sunday that Ma planned to visit several Chinese cities, including Nanjing, Wuhan, Changsha, Chongqing and Shanghai. It said the main purpose of his trip to China was for Ma to worship his ancestors during the upcoming traditional Tomb Sweeping Festival, or Qingming Festival in Chinese. Ma will also bring a group of Taiwanese students for an exchange program with their Chinese counterparts, as well as visit historical sites related to Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China, and the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, told the media on Monday that Beijing welcomed Mas visit as worshiping ancestors on Qingming Festival is a common custom of compatriots on both sides of the strait. We will provide necessary assistance for Mr. Ma Ying-jeous visit and wish him all the best for his trip, the spokesman said. Ma Xiaoguang also said that strengthening exchanges between young people can add new strength and inject youthful vitality into the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou (right) enter the room at the Shangri-la Hotel for their meeting in Singapore, Nov. 7, 2015. (Joseph Nair/Pool/Reuters) Boosting peaceful cross-strait relations According to Xiao Xucen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, Ma Ying-jeous visit will help promote peace in the Taiwan Strait. Communications between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been frozen in recent years, Xiao told a news briefing on Monday. If young people are allowed to connect and get to know each other better, that will definitely reduce the current tension. The office of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, meanwhile, said it has not yet received any report about Mas trip to China. Chen Ting-fei, a lawmaker from Tsais ruling party, said Ma only could represent himself and not the 23 million people in Taiwan, adding she could not figure out what role Ma would play during his trip to China. It is unclear whether Ma Ying-jeou will meet with President Xi Jinping or any senior Chinese official during the trip. Ma previously met with Xi in Singapore in 2015. The KMT was defeated by the Communist Party in the Chinese Civil War and had to move the ROC government to Taiwan in 1949. The Kuomintang is considered to be supportive of a closer relationship between Taiwan and mainland China. Ma Ying-jeous visit may be intended to persuade voters that the KMT can promote dialogue and take the lead in easing cross-strait tensions, said Yoshiyuki Ogasawara, a Japanese political scientist and expert on Taiwans politics. The Democratic Progressive Party will criticize Mas visit and amplify the narrative that Kuomintang is pro-China. There is also a possibility that the United States, which takes a strong stance against China, will warn against the KMT, said Ogasawara, a professor at the School of Global Studies at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. The impact on Taiwanese voters will depend on how Ma Ying-jeous visit is being analyzed and discussed. Most people in Taiwan are of the view that they reject unification [with the mainland] but support dialogue with China, the analyst said. Ma, who turns 73 in July, is the only high-ranking Taiwanese official that has never been to mainland China despite being engaged in cross-strait relations for more than forty years, said Ma Ying-jeou Foundations Xiao Xucen. Under the provisions of Taiwans National Secrets Act, former presidents are subject to exit restrictions for five years after leaving office. It has been more than five years in Mas case but according to the Cross-strait Peoples Relations Ordinance, he must submit an application for a mainland visit two days before departure and submit a report within seven days after returning to Taiwan. Eva Xia for RFA Mandarin contributed to this report from Taipei. Xi's trip endorses Putin even as China portrays itself as neutral in the Ukraine crisis. Updated at 4:05 P.M. EDT on 03-20-2023 Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Moscow on Monday, trading praise with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the start of a three-day state visit that is being closely watched for what the two leaders say about the war in Ukraine. Xis first foreign trip after being re-appointed for a rare third term is also his first visit to Russia since Putin invaded Ukraine. Xi and Putin, both effectively leaders for life of their nuclear-armed countries, have met around 40 times during Xi's decade in power. Dear friend, welcome to Russia, Putin said. Over the last few years, China has made a colossal leap forward in its development. This arouses genuine interest all over the world and we are even a bit jealous of you, he added. Xi praised Putin's strong leadership that he said had delivered greater prosperity to Russia. You have elections next year, and Im sure the Russian people will support you, he said. The international focus is on the Ukraine war, after Beijing last month released a 12-point position on the Ukraine crisis. China last month released a 12-point proposal for ending the war and called for a cease-fire and peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. The plan received a cautious welcome from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy but was seen by the U.S. and Europe as letting Moscow off easy. "We expect Beijing to use its influence on Moscow to make it put an end to the aggressive war against Ukraine," said Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman for Ukraine's foreign ministry was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying Monday. 'Freeze the war' U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that Washington "welcomes any initiative that advances a just and durable peace" and China's plan contains humanitarian and nuclear safety "elements that we have long supported." But he warned against a ceasefire that left the conflict unresolved and would allow Russia to rearm and resume fighting at a time of its choice. "The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms," he told reporters in Washington. "If China is committed to supporting an end to the war, based on the principles of the UN Charter, as called for in point one of (Xi's) plan, it can engage with President Zelenskyy in Ukraine on that basis and use its influence to compel Moscow to pull back its forces," added Blinken. Xi's visit comes three days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes related to the suspected abductions of children from Ukraine. Moscow responded furiously to the indictment, but analysts say the warrant would not affect Xis visit in any significant way because both Russia and China are not state parties of the Rome Statute and do not recognize the courts jurisdiction. "The ICC needs to take an objective and just position, respect the jurisdictional immunity of a head of state under international law, prudently exercise its mandate in accordance with the law, interpret and apply international law in good faith, and not engage in politicization or using double standards." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Monday in Beijing. "China will uphold an objective and fair position on the Ukraine crisis and play a constructive role in promoting talks for peace.," Wang added. New Michurinsky Prospekt station of the Moscow Metro, made in Chinese style and decorated with Chinese characters, is seen in Moscow on March 17, 2023. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP) On Monday, two major newspapers in Russia and China simultaneously published two articles by Putin and Xi that reflected their approaches towards each other. Putins article in the Peoples Daily said Russia appreciated Chinas well-balanced stance on the events in Ukraine and Moscow welcomed Chinas readiness to make a meaningful contribution to the settlement of the crisis. The Russian president went on to condemn Western countries for the irresponsible and outright dangerous actions that jeopardize nuclear security. Russia is open to the political and diplomatic resolution of the Ukraine crisis, Putin wrote, Unfortunately, the ultimatum nature of requirements placed on Russia shows that their authors are detached from these realities and lack interest in finding a solution to the situation. We reject illegitimate unilateral sanctions, which must be lifted, the article said. Without mentioning the U.S., Xi wrote: The international community is well aware that no country in the world is superior to all others. There is no universal model of government and there is no world order where the decisive word belongs to a single country." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that the two leaders would discuss the further development of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China during Xis trip, which lasts until Wednesday. Military-technical cooperation and energy issues will be high on the agenda. They will sign a joint statement on a plan to develop key areas of Russian-Chinese economic cooperation until 2030, according to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov. The two sides also plan to sign more than 10 documents on various areas of cooperation, Ushakov told a press briefing. Ukraine peace plan? The Ukraine war will no doubt be the top issue for the two leaders meeting, said Baohui Zhang, professor of Government and International Affairs at Hong Kongs Ling nan University. China should have concerns for the prospect of Russias eventual defeat and the following geopolitical consequences, Zhang told Radio Free Asia (RFA). Moreover, China is sandwiched between Russia and the West regarding its roles in the Ukraine war. It is a quagmire that Beijing does not want. [The] Chinese and Russian leaders will certainly talk about how to end the war as a cease of conflict is conducive to the interests of both, the analyst said. Chinas 12-point blue print on the Ukraine crisis, on the other hand, does not offer concrete measures to end the conflict and its difficult to say what Xi might say to Putin in private, said Ian Storey, a Singapore-based scholar who has been studying Chinas and Russias defense diplomacy in Southeast Asia. I dont think he will try to persuade Putin to sign some kind of ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, Storey said. When it comes to the Ukraine conflict, the key question is whether or not the Putin-Xi summit will lead to decisions on the part of China to open large-scale military and military-related supplies to Russia, said Artyom Lukin, deputy director for research at the School of Regional and International Studies at Russias Far Eastern Federal University. For Beijing to go ahead with weapons shipments to Russia, it must be confident in the strength and resilience of the Chinese economy that will likely be hit with massive Western sanctions, Lukin told RFA. Judging from the list of Russian top officials who will be present at the Putin-Xi talks, the main topics on the agenda will be bilateral economic relations, the analyst said. China wary of Washingtons red lines Amongst participants, there will be ministers of finance and transport, the Governor of the Central Bank Elvira Nabiullina, and the head of the State Nuclear Energy Corporation Rosatom Alexei Likhachev, as well as prominent businessmen. Even though Beijing keeps denouncing Western sanctions imposed on Russia, China has been careful not to cross the red lines drawn by Washington, Lukin told RFA. Despite the overall considerable growth of bilateral trade last year, some areas of the Russia-China economic relationship, especially in financial and hi-tech sectors, have suffered, he said. Xis visit to Moscow can provide some answers to the key question of whether Chinas cautiousness in business dealings with Russia is transient or for the long haul,. added Lukin. Storey, a senior fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, pointed out that increasingly Beijing will throw Moscow an economic lifeline as Russia is an important country for China and China cannot let Western sanctions against Russia succeed. As time goes by, Russias dependence on China will deepen, he said. Among the agreements to be signed during Xis visit to Moscow one major indicator to watch will be a possible signing of a binding contract to supply gas from western Siberia to China via a pipeline that will traverse Mongolia before entering China, according to Lukin. Natural gas that Gazprom seeks to supply to China through the projected pipeline is from the same deposits that had, until recently, fed Europes energy needs. If Beijing hands this mega-contract to Moscow, this may signal Xis determination to develop durable links with Russia, the Russian analyst said, adding that another big item on the economic agenda could be setting up a system to bypass SWIFT and Western currencies in bilateral trade and investment. A tighter embrace Chinese President Xi Jinping's motorcade is driven toward The Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, March 20, 2023. (AP Photo) While there has been much talk of the West trying to drive a wedge between Russia and China, this is just wishful thinking, according to Storey. As both countries increasingly feel that they are the target of a U.S.-led containment strategy they have moved into a tighter embrace, he said. For that reason, the U.S. will certainly be on the agenda of the meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, according to professor Baohui Zhang from Lingnan University. The Sino-Russia strategic partnership is motivated by the U.S. primacy in international affairs, Zhang said, The U.S. support for Ukraine and the U.S. shift towards strategic competition against China have provided more momentum for Beijing and Moscow to tighten their diplomatic and security partnership. Over the past decade, Xi Jinping has made eight visits to Russia. Vladimir Putin, for his part, made 12 official visits to China since his first presidency in 2000. His last state visit to Beijing took place in February 2022. Updates with remarks by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin.. Updated at 2:15 P.M. EDT on 03-20-2023 The world is approaching irreversible levels of global warming, with catastrophic consequences becoming inevitable, according to a major new United Nations report that provided a sobering assessment of the climate change inaction. Continued greenhouse gas emissions will lead to increasing global warming, with the best estimate of reaching 1.5C (2.7F) in the near term in considered scenarios and modeled pathways, said the report authored by nearly 300 scientists from 67 countries. It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land, said the Synthesis Report, by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a 195-nation U.N. body for assessing the climate change science. It was approved on Monday afternoon following a week-long session in Switzerland. Scientists consider keeping global warming below the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels the limit to stave off climate changes most catastrophic and irreversible effects. The climate time bomb is ticking. But todays IPCC report is a how-to guide to defuse the climate time bomb. It is a survival guide for humanity, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday. As it shows, the 1.5-degree limit is achievable. But it will take a quantum leap in climate action. Simon Stiell, the U.N.'s climate change executive secretary, called the 2020s "a critical decade for climate action." "Global emissions need to be reduced by nearly 43% by 2030 for the world to achieve the Paris Agreements goal," he said. The Synthesis Report highlights just how far off-track we are. Sea levels will definitely rise Despite efforts to fight global warming, sea level rises are unavoidable for centuries to millennia due to continuing deep ocean warming and ice sheet melt, the report warned, adding that they will remain elevated for thousands of years. A usually submerged section of the lake Serre-Poncon is dry in southern France, March 14, 2023. Credit: AP Photo The report said the average rate of sea level rise was 1.3 millimeters (.05 inches) between 1901 and 1971, increasing to 1.9 mm (.075 inches) between 1971 and 2006 and further increasing to 3.7 mm (.15 inches) between 2006 and 2018. Human influence was very likely the main driver of these increases since at least 1971, the report said. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the past eight years were the warmest on record globally, due to ever-rising greenhouse gas concentrations. The shipment from Angola was declared to be carrying peanuts. Vietnamese customs authorities on Monday confiscated seven tons of ivory illegally shipped from Angola in what is believed to be the largest seizure of wildlife products in Vietnam in years, state media reported. The seizure took place after customs officers and local police found the elephant tusks in a 20-foot shipping container shipped en route to Vietnam via Singapore at Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port in Haiphong, a city in northeastern Vietnam, according to a report in state-run Bao Chinh Phu newspaper. The containers were declared to be carrying peanuts. Vietnam is a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, or CITES, which bans international trade in ivory. Nevertheless, wildlife trafficking remains rampant with the smuggling of ivory, pangolin scales, rhino horns and tiger parts, used for charms, decorations and traditional medicine throughout the region and in China. Most of the ivory illegally smuggled into Southeast Asia ends up in the hands of Chinese customers due to lax enforcement, though Beijing banned the sale of elephant ivory at the end of 2017. Authorities at the same port seized 7.5 tons of elephant ivory and pangolin scales hidden in steel barrels in a shipping container in June 2019, according to Vietnamese media. The shipment was headed to a logistics company in Haiphong, but no one claimed it. Translated by An Nguyen for RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. When the Taliban returned to power in 2021 in a lightning military insurrection that toppled Afghanistans internationally recognized government, the country immediately fell into diplomatic isolation. Two of Kabuls neighbors to the north, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, chose a different route, putting the hard-line groups fractious history with the former Soviet Central Asian republics aside and prioritizing engagement over criticism and pressure. But a giant canal project in Afghanistan now taking shape that the Taliban is pursuing at a rapid pace is giving the two water-stressed countries doubts about whether strategic patience with the Islamic fundamentalist group will yield rewards. If you look at other projects that have involved Afghanistan and Central Asia somehow, there has often been a win-win element, Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili, founding director of the Center for Governance and Markets at the University of Pittsburgh, told RFE/RL. But the Qosh Tepa Irrigation Canal, which will divert large volumes of water from the dwindling transboundary Amu Darya River, is a very different case. This is very much zero sum, because water is a finite good and there dont seem to be any benefits for Afghanistans neighbors here, said Murtazashvili, adding that she expects the Central Asian countries to pursue a lot of quiet diplomacy on the project that will add to the pressures faced by outsized agricultural sectors already battling climate change and historical mismanagement. But the Taliban will be probing to see how far it can go, Murtazashvili said, something she suggested its downstream neighbors will have to get used to. If the first Taliban [regime that ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001] was weighed down by insurgency and in some ways never really behaved like a state, Taliban 2.0 seems to really like the idea of projecting state power, Murtazashvili said. Old Project With New Momentum The stated dimensions of the irrigation canal that workers started digging last spring are enough to understand why the downstream countries have concerns. With a length of 285 kilometers and a width of some 100 meters, experts believe it could draw a significant portion of the Amu Daryas flow while irrigating 550,000 hectares of land. An Afghan civil servant with knowledge of the project told RFE/RLs Uzbek Service that work on the second of three stages of the project that began in the spring of 2022 is expected to begin in the coming months, with more than 100 kilometers already dug and visible from space. The plan to irrigate land in northern Afghanistan is not new. Farid Azim, an official at the National Development Company overseeing its construction, pointed out last year that Afghanistans first president, Mohammad Daud Khan, had a similar vision in the 1970s. The project was most recently pursued by the U.S.-backed administration of President Ashraf Ghani -- which the Taliban overthrew less than two years ago. A press release issued by the United States Agency for International Development from 2018 marking the launch of a Washington-funded feasibility study for Qosh Tepa described a 200 kilometer-long canal serving a cultivated catchment area of 500,000 hectares. Developing Afghanistans agriculture sector provides great potential for employment and economic growth, then-U.S. Ambassador John R. Bass said in the release. But the project was not a pressing concern for neighbors, primarily because political infighting and chronic instability in northern Afghanistan had made it impractical. Bismellah Alizada, a researcher at Londons School of Oriental and African Studies, told RFE/RL that Rashid Dostum, who was the Afghan first vice president from 2014 to 2020, was among the influential politicians with concerns about the project. One of those concerns was that it would be used to benefit and resettle members of the politically dominant Pashtun group to which President Ashraf Ghani belonged, Alizada said. Dostum -- an ethnic Uzbek warlord -- long enjoyed strong ties to the regime in Uzbekistan and was even reported to have fled there when the Taliban captured Mazar-e Sharif, overwhelming forces jointly under his command before the group advanced on Kabul. Members of Dostums exiled Junbish-e Milli party have reiterated these concerns more recently, but the reality is that the Taliban has no opponents capable of preventing it from forging ahead with giant public works projects, Alizada said. More obvious obstacles are technical capacity and cash, with billions of dollars in funds belonging to Afghanistans central bank frozen after the Taliban takeover. That would make it hard for the cash-strapped Taliban to finance a project whose first phase cost nearly $100 million, according to reports. But Graeme Smith, a senior consultant for the International Crisis Groups Asia Program, said the Taliban has a strong political will to finish off projects begun by the former government with Qosh Tepa the biggest that the group has revived so far. With their very limited resources, the Taliban have prioritized [Qosh Tepa], said Smith, expressing skepticism that the Islamic fundamentalist group would pay attention to its neighbors concerns. The Taliban is a nationalist movement intensely focused on their domestic constituencies, Smith said. I think its fair to assume they will continue governing with a strong focus on issues inside the country and less regard for concerns outside, he told RFE/RL. Games Of Leverage Taciturn Turkmenistan has so far said nothing about the canal project. But a Turkmenistan-based hydrologist speaking in March to RFE/RLs Turkmen Service on condition of anonymity called the project not a problem, but a disaster. RFE/RL correspondents in the closed authoritarian country reported this year about severe water shortages in Turkmenistans Soviet-built Karakum Canal, which is four times the length of the one the Taliban is seeking to complete. The World Resources Institute in 2019 ranked Turkmenistan as one of 17 countries in the world with extremely high water stress. Uzbekistan and Afghanistan were placed in the next highest category. Central Asia as a whole depends on rivers that rise in mountains, where many glacier stocks are being depleted by climate change. Tashkent, whose own Moscow-imposed, cotton-growing legacy is one of the chief causes of the Amu Daryas demise, has been more proactive on Qosh Tepa. According to the Talibans deputy prime minister for economic affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the topic was among those broached by Uzbek presidential envoy and former Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov when he was in Kabul last month for talks on economic cooperation. Komilov was cited by Baradars office as saying that Uzbekistan was ready to work with the Islamic emirate (the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan) through technical teams in order to maximize the benefits of the Qosh Tepa canal project. Uzbekistan provided no comment to that effect in its release on the talks, but President Shavkat Mirziyoev -- in a national address in December -- flagged Qosh Tepa as a concern as he touched on the problem of desertification. At the moment, we consider it necessary to conduct practical talks on the construction of a new canal in the Amu Darya basin with the interim government of neighboring Afghanistan and the international community based on international standards and taking into account the interests of all countries in the region, he said. We believe that this approach will be supported by our neighbors. Mirziyoevs preference for dialogue over threats on transboundary water use has been welcomed by the neighborhood since predecessor Islam Karimov passed away in 2016. This appears to have worked with upstream Kyrgyzstan, where successful border negotiations saw Uzbekistan granted de facto control of a strategic reservoir located inside Kyrgyz territory, albeit not without a rash of political discontent in Kyrgyzstan. And although authoritarian Karimov virulently opposed the construction of giant hydroelectric dams in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Mirziyoev has given both his blessing, with Tashkent even attaching itself to Kyrgyzstans Kambar-Ata-1 project as a partner -- a move that will give it a hand in upstream management. Qosh Tepa, however, is becoming a source of public anxiety in Uzbekistan. With the volume of the Amu Darya water [already] decreasing, Afghans will take a quarter of its water through this canal, complained Uzbek academic and outspoken government critic Khidirnazar Allakulov in an interview with RFE/RLs Uzbek Service. Instead of solving the problem, the Uzbek government takes the Taliban to Samarkand, dressing them and presenting them with gifts. The government bows to Afghanistan.. Not only the current generation, but also future [Uzbek] generations can be endangered by the water problem, Allakulov said. Regular exchanges between the Turkmen and Uzbek governments and the Taliban predated the fall of the Ghani government, and Turkmenistan was among the first countries in the world to accept a Taliban-appointed ambassador. But in line with the international community as a whole, neither has recognized the new regime in Kabul. This only complicates what Alizada calls the legal lacuna between Afghanistan and its former communist neighbors, since Kabul had not previously signed treaties with them on transboundary management. And while Afghanistan is keen for more trade opportunities and relies on its northern neighbors for supplies of electricity for several provinces, there are other areas of these bilateral relations where the Taliban feels it has real leverage, Alizada argued. For the Central Asian countries, I think the number one concern is hard security, especially with the regions history with transnational extremist groups. The Taliban will continue to use assurances on security in negotiations with these countries going forward. 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. International observers say snap parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan on March 19 showed some progress compared to previous votes, but a number of opposition politicians claimed that the voting was unfair. Videos appearing on social media purportedly show instances of ballot stuffing and voters casting ballots in multiple locations. Meanwhile, some Kazakh voters told RFE/RL they did not believe the elections would result in any significant change. ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Parliamentary elections held on March 19 marked the end of the first political cycle in Kazakhstan since bloody unrest killed 238 people and saw President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev emerge as Kazakhstan's preeminent leader last year. Faced with demands for change after the state crackdown during what has been called Bloody January, Toqaev has championed a number of reforms, including to electoral laws, which he pledged would lead to a more competitive political system. But were these elections really any different from the sort favored by the man that cast a shadow over his first 2 1/2 years as president -- his long-ruling, overbearing mentor, Nursultan Nazarbaev? Here are five takeaways from the vote. Even Without President, Ruling Party Leads The Way As predicted, the ruling Amanat party overwhelmed the competition in the party-list races that account for 70 percent of the legislature's seats, although its margin of victory was more modest than in votes in recent years. In 2021, the party was called Nur Otan and competed under the chairmanship of then-President Nazarbaev, who retained that powerful role even after stepping down as head of state and promoting Toqaev as his successor. It won that election with 71 percent of the vote, down from 82 percent in 2016. After ruling party offices were targeted by crowds during the January 2022 unrest, Toqaev displaced Nazarbaev as party leader, oversaw its rebrand, and then quit its ranks ahead of a new constitution that forbade sitting presidents from being members of political parties. Preliminary results showed Amanat with more than 54 percent, with second-placed Auyl scoring just 11 percent. But Amanat will have to live with five other establishment parties under the same roof, as well as 29 lawmakers who won single-mandate races. Does that mean that the party is on its way to becoming a "first among equals"? Not really. Firstly, of the more than 400 candidates competing for the 29 seats reserved for single-mandate races, many were Amanat representatives. Preliminary results show that fully 23 of those races were won by Amanat members, meaning the party is likely to have at least 60 of the 98 seats in the lower house. Moreover, as Nikolai Kuzmin, a columnist for the business publication Kursiv, noted last month, Amanat remains the only party with the nationwide machinery that the government can tap into. "Amanat has a system of regional branches...a media holding, a sociological service, a youth wing, and a massive presence in social networks through party activists and sympathizers. In terms of the scope of opportunities to work with society, to probe and form public opinion, the party in power has no equal," he wrote. This contributes to a situation where "the government needs the party" more than the other way around, Kuzmin added. Dirty Tricks Elections began with a scandal in Kazakhstan's third city, Shymkent, after documents that resembled official election results appeared online before voting had even begun. An audio recording purporting to show officials discussing this alleged violation was also making the rounds online. This led independent candidates to make public appeals on the eve of the vote. "We don't want a repeat of Bloody January," warned Omir Shynybekuli, as he demanded Toqaev order the suspension of the Shymkent city council and investigate the claims. Kairbek Kunanbaev, head of the city's election commission, responded that the documents circulating online were "fakes" and a "provocation," before noting that the authorities were investigating their origins. Other reports of violations were the sort that have haunted Kazakh elections for years, with multiple instances of apparent ballot stuffing documented on video and several claims of people voting in more than one polling station. One clip of ballot stuffing by electoral officials in a village in the Almaty region has seen the secretary and another member of the local election commission suspended from their posts. WATCH: Videos appearing on social media purportedly show instances of ballot stuffing and voters casting ballots in multiple locations. But the suspicion remains that these ills are a feature, rather than a bug, in Kazakhstan's electoral system. The International Election Observation Mission of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) "assessed counting negatively in 58 of the 128 polling stations observed due to significant procedural errors and omissions and disregard of reconciliation procedures," it said in a statement published on March 20. The mission flagged concerns about limitations on the work of international and local monitors and said that "the counting process raised questions about whether ballots were counted and reported honestly." No Country For Opposition? With none of the seven parties competing resembling any type of opposition to the system, it was the single-mandate races that added an element of the unknown to these elections. Self-nominated candidates were being allowed to compete for parliament for the first time in nearly two decades. But it always seemed unlikely that the authorities would allow their most ardent critics -- such as opposition activist Inga Imanbai and journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov -- to take seats in the lower house. Sure enough, neither won their races, with both finishing second and flagging major violations. "Blatant falsification at a polling station in the city of Aksai, West Kazakhstan region," vented Akhmedyarov in a Facebook post featuring a video that appeared to show massive ballot stuffing. "This is the same area where Abzal Kuspan's campaign declared a stunning victory for its candidate. Abzal, how do you like the taste of victory?" Akhmedyarov asked the winning candidate, a prominent lawyer. Imanbai, whose husband, Zhanbolat Mamai, is currently facing charges relating to the January unrest, complained of "colossal ballot stuffing" in favor of famous publisher Yermurat Bapi. Bapi has had his own career in opposition and sticks out among the names of single-mandate candidates that were elected to the parliament. But his candidacy divided opposition activists, some of whom have accused him of cooperating with the government. Recognized government opposition and civil society figures, meanwhile, were among more than 50 majoritarian candidates deregistered ahead of election day for allegedly breaking campaign rules or having discrepancies in their financial declarations. Many observers said the disqualifications were politically motivated. The OSCE/ODIHR mission called the punishments for the alleged violations of campaign and campaign-finance rules "disproportionate." Apathetic Almaty And Astana? Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city and the epicenter of the January 2022 violence, is traditionally the part of Kazakhstan where turnout for elections is the lowest. This time was no exception, with even electoral officials sensing the lull. "We have never had anything like this -- not a single person before 7:10," said Bakytzhamal Ospanova, who oversaw voting at the national library building where she serves as director. "Even the pensioners, our most active voters, have not come. This despite the fact that we literally handed out invitations to all of them so that they would not forget!" Ospanova told RFE/RL. The Central Election Commission gave a turnout of 54.19 percent for the vote as a whole, with 25.8 percent in Almaty and 42.9 percent in Astana, respectively. International observer Reinhold Lopatka, the deputy head of the Austrian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, told RFE/RL that morning voting in the capital had been very quiet. "As you can see here, now two people are voting," Lopatka said of the polling station in the National Opera House where Nazarbaev cast his vote. "But before that, there was not a single voter.... At another polling station I visited earlier, only 1 percent of the voters had voted [by the time I left]." The OSCE/ODIHR mission said it "consistently noted discrepancies between the number of voters casting their ballots and the officially reported preliminary turnout figures." Men Of Few Words -- For Journalists Both Toqaev and Nazarbaev made appearances at polling stations on voting day, but neither man was prepared to face open questions from the press. Journalists had been told to expect the president's appearance at around 9 a.m. at a polling station inside Astana's Palace of Schoolchildren. But Toqaev cast his vote there almost as soon as the voting booths opened, at around 7 a.m., with the Information Ministry citing a "change in schedule" for the decision. At the presidential election in November, Nazarbaev used an interview to put distance between himself and a former ally who is facing trial on treason charges as part of the government's investigation of the 2022 uprising. But this time, after voting and wishing families in Kazakhstan a happy springtime holiday, Nazarbaev ignored the questions of waiting journalists, who were kept at bay by his personal security. 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. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, called each other "dear friend" and exchanged compliments at the Kremlin after Xi arrived for his first visit to Russia in four years amid Moscow's deepening international isolation over its invasion of Ukraine. Putin and Xi smiled and shook hands before making brief statements at the start of their meeting on March 20, which kicks off a three-day visit that the two countries say is an opportunity to deepen their "no-limits friendship" and rebuff what they say is Washington's attempt to isolate them and hold back their development. The meetings with Xi, who arrived earlier on March 20, gives a rare opportunity to President Vladimir Putin to claim that Russia is not completely walled off from the rest of the world despite his being targeted by an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes. 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. "We hope that the strategic partnership between China and Russia will on the one hand uphold international fairness and justice, and on the other hand promote the common prosperity and development of our countries," Xi said as he and Putin began their meeting. The meeting ended after more than four hours, including a dinner at which Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin would likely offer Xi a "detailed explanation" of Moscow's actions in Ukraine. Broader talks between Russian and Chinese officials on a range of subjects are scheduled to take place on March 21, he added. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters in Washington that Xi and Putin seem to be connected in "a bit of a marriage of convenience" rather than one of affection. "These are two countries that have long chafed at U.S. leadership around the world," he said. The White House remains concerned that China might provide lethal weapons to Russia, Kirby said. He also said Washington encouraged Xi to press Putin directly "on the need to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and said Xi should speak with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy about the impact of the war on Ukraine. Xi's visit comes just weeks after China announced a proposal for a political settlement in Ukraine that Western countries said echoes Russian talking points, including blaming the West for the unprovoked invasion. The Chinese plan called for a cease-fire and peace talks among other provisions. Putin, speaking at the start of the meeting, welcomed China's plan. "We are always open to negotiations," Putin told Xi. "We will certainly discuss all these issues, including your initiatives which we treat with respect, of course." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced skepticism over the proposal, warning that it could be a "stalling tactic" to help Russia on the ground in Ukraine. "The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms," Blinken told reporters at the U.S. State Department. Blinken also denounced Xi's visit, saying the timing showed Beijing was providing Moscow with "diplomatic cover" to commit further crimes. In an article published on March 20 in the Russian publication Russian Gazette, Xi said that China has remained "impartial" and actively promoted peace talks but presented no clear proposals in regard to its peace plan. Ahead of the visit, Putin touted his relationship with Xi and boasted that Moscow-Beijing relations had never been stronger. In a March 19 article for The People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, Putin tried to portray Russia and China as close allies united against U.S. hegemony and NATO expansion, including into the Asia-Pacific region. Putin papered over his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine that has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people, falsely referring to it toward the end of the article as a domestic "crisis" provoked and fueled by NATO. In his article, Putin thanked Xi for his "balanced" position on the war and said he was open to China playing a role in bringing it to an end. Putin has tried to justify his war of aggression against Ukraine on various grounds, including claiming NATO expansion was a threat. In an attempt to connect their respective security concerns, Putin warned that NATO was a threat to China as well. In a statement published in Russian media ahead of the visit, Xi made only a thinly veiled mention of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying that "there has been an all-round escalation of the Ukraine crisis." While noting that China had made "several proposals" on ending the conflict, Xi said that "there is no simple solution to a complex issue" and that both parties need to "embrace" a common vision to resolve the crisis. Putin and Xi have met about 40 times in various capacities over the past 13 years. Putin described the Russian-Chinese partnership as one of equals, saying there is no "leader and follower." However, many experts say that China, the world's second-largest economy and a quickly growing military power, is the clear senior partner in the relationship. China's senior status within the relationship is only growing as Russia's economy suffers under the weight of Western sanctions, deepening the Kremlin's reliance on Beijing for trade, experts say. China has become a crucial transit route for Russia to import goods banned by the West. Economic ties, including Russian energy exports to China, will be another key topic of talks. With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP Ukrainian forces repelled fresh Russian attacks on Bakhmut over the past 24 hours, Kyiv said, as the battle for the ruined city in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk continued to exact a heavy toll on both sides as the European Union and the United States pledged to supply Ukraine with badly needed ammunition. 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. Russian forces launched 69 attacks over the past day on Bakhmut and the nearby locations of Avdiyivka, Lyman, Maryinka, and Shakhtarsk, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in its daily report. The defense of Bakhmut continues, said Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar, noting that this week marks two months since the fighting for Bakhmut intensified. "No one believed that under such intense enemy attacks the city could be held for more than a week, two at most," she said. "But thanks to the courage and heroism of thousands of our soldiers, as well as the skillful leadership of our generals and officers, the defense of Bakhmut is holding and the possibilities have not yet been exhausted." Russian forces continued to shell civilian settlements in the Donetsk and Zaporyzhzhya regions, causing casualties among the civilian population and damaging infrastructure, the military said. The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group said his forces controlled "around 70 percent" of Bakhmut and were "continuing operations to complete the liberation of the city." In a letter to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu published on social media, Yevgeny Prigozhin appealed for equipment necessary to rebuff a Ukrainian counteroffensive he said was due in late March or in April. Russian and Ukrainian forces have invested heavily in the battle for Bakhmut, even though analysts say the city carries little strategic value. Ihor Ivin, the Russian-installed head of the Dzhankoya administration, was quoted as saying the city had come under attack from drones, and a 33-year-old man who suffered a shrapnel injury was hospitalized. The man is expected to survive, Ivin said. Ivin was quoted by Krym-24 TV as saying that a house, school, and grocery store caught fire, and the power grid sustained damage. Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed head of Crimea, attributed the explosions in Dzhankoya to air defense. He also said one person had been injured. In the Moscow-occupied part of the southern region of Kherson, Russian forces manning checkpoints have been pushing civilians to take up Russian passports, threatening them with violence and imprisonment, the Ukrainian military report said. The western part of Kherson, including Kherson city, was liberated by Ukrainian forces in November as Russians retreated across the Dnieper River. In Brussels, EU foreign and defense ministers agreed to provide 2 billion euros' worth ($2.13 billion) of artillery shells to Ukraine under a deal that will include joint EU ammunition purchases, while the United States announced $350 million in new military aid for Ukraine. The EU initiative aims to provide Ukraine with 1 million shells in the next 12 months as well as to replenish EU stocks, while the U.S. assistance includes a large amount of ammunition for various weapons systems. "Russia alone could end its war today. Until Russia does, we will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement announcing the additional ammunition for High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), Bradley armored fighting vehicles, howitzers, and anti-tank weapons. "As Russia's unconscionable war of aggression against Ukraine continues at great human cost, we are again reminded of the boundless courage and steadfast resolve of the Ukrainian people, and the strong support for Ukraine across the international community," Blinken said. The announcement of the additional aid came as Chinese President Xi Jinping was in Moscow to discuss a proposal by China to stop the war that has been met with cynicism by Washington, which sees the plan as a way to validate Russia's gains on the ground. Kyiv has said it needs 350,000 shells every month to stave off Russia's offensive in the east and to be able to prepare for a counteroffensive this spring. EU member states have so far given $13 billion worth of military support to Ukraine since the start of Russia's unprovoked invasion. The bloc's foreign ministers were due at their meeting in Brussels to address Moscow's accountability for forcibly deporting Ukrainian children to Russia as well as measures to facilitate Ukrainian exports. On March 17, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for his role in the forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. The court also issued an arrest warrant for Russia's commissioner for children's rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods. To subscribe, click here. I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I'm drilling down on two major issues: Will EU leaders finally green-light more ammunition to Ukraine, and what's included in the NATO secretary-general's annual report? Brief #1: EU Leaders Could Agree On Sending More Ammunition To Ukraine What You Need To Know: European Union leaders will gather for another summit in Brussels on March 23-24. While the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stole the show with a surprise visit at their last meeting in February, this gathering is set to be a more low-key affair, focusing on how to kick-start the European economy. Of course, Ukraine will still feature a good deal, especially as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been invited to discuss the situation in the country. The main issue right now remains how the EU can provide more ammunition to Kyiv. The bloc's defense ministers discussed the issue when they met in Stockholm earlier this month, and EU foreign ministers are likely to agree on the main principles of a plan on March 20 before leaders can potentially sign off on it during the summit. The idea is that Brussels will use the European Peace Facility (EPF) -- an off-EU budget funding mechanism for military investment. Of the 8 billion euros ($8.5 billion) available in this pot, over 3 billion euros has already gone to EU member states for previous weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Now the suggestion is that another 1 billion euros will firstly go to reimburse EU member states so that they can immediately donate ammunition from their own stockpiles. After that, EU member states will pledge to jointly buy 1 billion euros worth of new ammunition with the hope that the increased supply on the market will bring down prices. Deep Background: So far, there are two main obstacles that could prevent a quick agreement. The first is that some countries, led by France, want purchases only of European ammunition. Others would prefer to buy from further afield -- countries such as South Korea -- as current European stockpiles are being depleted and production capacity on the continent might not be ramped up immediately. Another issue is that some countries worry that all the EPF money will be used up for Ukraine -- and very quickly. The kitty of 8 billion euros was supposed to last until 2027, but with over 5 billion euros already spent or earmarked for Kyiv, those fears are for good reason. Ukraine is also likely to need a lot more ammunition going forward as there is little indication that the war will end soon. According to an EU concept note on the issue, seen by RFE/RL, Russian forces have been firing between 20,000 to 50,000 artillery rounds per day in recent months. The corresponding figure from Ukraine is significantly lower: between 4,000 to 7,000 artillery rounds daily. The estimation is that the Ukrainian Army needs at least 357,000 rounds of all types of ammunition per month. Drilling Down Ammunition is not the only Ukraine-related issue that leaders will discuss. The draft summit conclusions, seen by RFE/RL and set to be adopted at the meeting, state that "Russia must immediately ensure the safe return of Ukrainians forcibly transferred or deported to Russia, in particular children." The EU has already sanctioned some Russian officials that Brussels deems as being instrumental in the "kidnapping" of Ukrainian children. According to EU officials familiar with the matter but who are not authorized to speak on the record, more people could be targeted soon, even though that might not be agreed on this week. For now, more economic sanctions on Russia seem to be off the table, with the draft summit conclusions merely noting that "the European Union remains committed to maintaining and further increasing collective pressure on Russia." This won't prevent some member states, notably in the east, from pushing for more concrete language on future sanctions packages targeting the Russian nuclear industry, diamond imports into the bloc, and further restrictive measures against Russian people and companies believed to be spreading pro-Kremlin war narratives. There could be movement on another round of sanctions on Belarus, either in the run-up to or on the sidelines of the summit. A new set of restrictive measures against Minsk was proposed by the European Commission over a month ago, but it has been held up as Lithuania, backed by the other Baltic states, is unhappy about sanctions derogations proposed in the package for Belarusian fertilizers. Portugal is the main supporter of these derogations, arguing that Belarusian fertilizers are needed to contribute to food security, particularly in poorer countries worldwide. It's also possible that potential sanctions will be discussed against people or entities trying to destabilize Moldova. This is currently being explored by Brussels after a recent request from Chisinau. So far, the draft conclusions simply note that "the European Union will continue to provide all relevant support to the Republic of Moldova, including support to help strengthen the country's resilience, security, stability, economy, and energy supply." Brief #2: NATO Secretary-General To Look Back On The Alliance's Momentous, Difficult Year What You Need To Know: On March 21 at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will present his annual report for 2022 -- reviewing one of the most momentous years in the military alliance's history. In the report, which RFE/RL has seen excerpts of, he reflects on Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, noting that "President Putin wants a different Europe. He sees democracy and freedom as a threat, and he seeks to control his neighbors. So even if the war in Ukraine ends tomorrow, our security environment has changed for the long-term. There is simply no going back." He also adds that "Putin must not win. If he does, it will show that aggression works and that force is rewarded. This would be dangerous for our own security, and for the whole world." Just like the final declaration from the NATO Madrid summit in June 2022, the annual report notes that NATO "cannot consider Russia to be a partner." The report adds, however, that "NATO remains willing to keep open channels of communication with Moscow to manage and mitigate risks, prevent escalation, and increase transparency." Easier said than done, perhaps, as NATO officials familiar with the issue but who are not authorized to speak on the record tell me that, in reality, there is very little interaction with Russia at the moment. The NATO-Russia Council, which is the formal avenue for talks between the alliance and Moscow, has not met since January 2022 and no new meeting is foreseen anytime soon. To complicate matters further, Russia suspended its mission to NATO and ordered the closure of the NATO office in Moscow already in 2021. Deep Background: Much of the annual report focuses on the war in Ukraine and the implications it has had on the alliance. It notes that, last year, the 30 NATO allies spent roughly $120 billion on military, humanitarian, and financial assistance to Ukraine. The United States was the largest single contributor, even though the European countries and Canada together provided over half of the overall assistance. Total NATO military spending in 2022 was estimated to exceed $1 trillion. With heightened military tensions in Europe, that sum is expected to rise significantly in the years to come. According to a poll that NATO conducted among citizens in its member countries, 74 percent think that defense spending should either be maintained at current levels or increased, compared to 70 percent in 2021. In the latest poll, just 12 percent of respondents think that less should be spent on defense. Drilling Down The annual report also notes some of the historic decisions taken by NATO last year. As a direct response to the Russian invasion, the alliance activated its defense plans, deploying the NATO Response Force, which includes 40,000 troops, in the eastern parts of the alliance for the very first time. There was also the agreement to establish four new multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia, and to boost the four battlegroups already set up in the three Baltic states and Poland as a response to the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The report also notes the decision last June to invite Sweden and Finland to become NATO members at the Madrid summit, even though there is no indication when the Nordic pair can actually join. The parliamentary group of Hungary's ruling Fidesz party announced on March 17 that it would vote in favor of Finland's accession ratification in a vote in parliament on March 27, but that it would decide on the Swedish ratification at a later, unspecified date. Also on March 17, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Ankara would move ahead with the Finnish bid to join the alliance, even though no date for a vote in parliament was given. Erdogan also confirmed Turkey's continued misgivings about Sweden, notably Ankara wanting Stockholm to extradite more of its Kurdish political opponents. Turkey's continued misgivings about Sweden, notably Ankara wanting Stockholm to extradite more of its Kurdish political opponents. Sweden has also conceded that it will probably join later than Finland and that not much is likely to happen until after the Turkish elections in mid-May. The NATO secretary-general has, however, indicated that both countries should be members by NATO's Vilnius summit in July. At that summer gathering, one of the main issues will be how to deal with Ukraine's aspirations to join the alliance. Kyiv officially applied for membership back in September 2022, and NATO has always said it maintains an open-door policy. In reality though, the door is pretty much shut, as there is no chance of Ukraine joining when the country is at war. But there is a push, notably by eastern members of the alliance, to offer Ukraine something more at the upcoming summit in the Lithuanian capital -- with ideas ranging from a more concrete partnership with NATO, postwar security guarantees, or some sort of road map detailing eventual membership. Something similar could also be in the works for another NATO aspirant, Georgia. Looking Ahead On March 21, the Europe ministers of the EU's 27 member states will meet in Brussels for the monthly General Affairs Council (GAC) -- a configuration that usually deals with internal issues in the bloc, such as the preparation for EU summits or rule of law issues. For this meeting, Olha Stefanishyna, the Ukrainian deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, will join for an informal lunch to update her EU colleagues on how Kyiv is meeting the seven requirements Brussels set out last year for Ukraine to start EU accession talks. On the same day, the bloc's 27 defense ministers will meet in Brussels with their counterparts from 45 other countries -- many from the Western Balkans and the bloc's Eastern neighborhood -- for the first-ever Schuman Security and Defense Forum. It is named after Robert Schuman, a former French prime minister, president of the European Parliament, and considered to be one of the EU's founding fathers. The idea behind the forum, which will take place every other year, is to bring together the EU's closest partners to discuss common security and defense threats. While many might wonder whether Europe really needs yet another talking shop, it does signal that the EU is starting to take defense matters more seriously. That's all for this week. Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on Twitter @RikardJozwiak or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org. Until next time, Rikard Jozwiak If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. Sarah Jane Cavanaugh was sentenced to more than 5 years in prison for using false claims of military service to get benefits intended for veterans South Kingstowns Nikki Munroe holds a bottle of whiskey by her son Miles in his job as master of making whiskey at the Oregon-based Westward distillers. PJSC MMC NORILSK NICKEL, the worlds largest producer of palladium and high-grade nickel and a major producer of platinum and copper, announces today that it completed independent self-assessment of its mining assets readiness for certification in accordance with the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) Standard.The IRMA standard is one of the highest sustainable business standards in the global mining and metals industry. Important focus areas of the Standard are occupational health and safety, the health and quality of life of workers and communities, respect for human rights, and engagement with indigenous peoples.In 2022, the Company completed the self-assessment of its mining assets using the self-assessment tool. ENSOR Management Consultants, an independent consultant, which inspected Nornickel mines for preparedness for IRMA certification in the future, reviewed the results. The self-assessment covered eight key mines of the Norilsk and Kola Divisions (Taimyrsky, Oktyabrsky, Komsomolsky, Skalisty, Zapolyarny, Mayak, Severny, and Kaula-Kotselvaara). According to the self-assessment results, in case of independent audit under certification the Company may achieve the IRMA Transparency level of performance.The exercise involved an in-depth analysis of documents related to social responsibility, environmental responsibility, business integrity, and planning for positive legacies, asset visit, as well as a series of interviews with management and employees of the head office and regional divisions.This year the Company plans to develop and implement a roadmap of corrective actions to increase the level of compliance with the requirements of the IRMA standard.Vladimir Zhukov, Vice President for Investor Relations and Sustainable Development: Nornickel aspires to follow global best practices in sustainability. The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance is one of the most widely accepted and rigorous standards in our industry. Our efforts to meet this standard are consistent with our goal of also becoming a sustainability leader and enhancing our competitive edge in the market. Nornickel customers demands for eco-friendly products reflect the end consumers shared vision for a green and clean planet. Therefore, by improving its sustainability performance, the Company is also addressing a range of other important challenges and issues relating to social responsibility, environment, industrial safety and improving the quality of life of local communities in the regions of presence.ABOUT THE COMPANY MMC Norilsk Nickel is a diversified mining and metallurgical company, the worlds largest producer of palladium and high-grade nickel and a major producer of platinum and copper. The company also produces cobalt, rhodium, silver, gold, iridium, ruthenium, selenium, tellurium and other products. The production units of Norilsk Nickel Group are located at the Norilsk Industrial District, on the Kola Peninsula and Zabaykalsky Krai in Russia as well as in Finland. MMC Norilsk Nickel shares are listed on the Moscow and on the Saint-Petersburg Stock Exchanges, ADRs are accepted for trading on the Saint-Petersburg Stock Exchange. Norilsk Nickel fully supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The company considers social responsibility and commitment to the principles of sustainable development as one of the pillars of operational efficiency and business development. Nornickel seeks to continuously improve its activities in the areas of environmental protection, human rights, health and safety, environmental impact assessment, and biodiversity preservation. The company spent RUB 221.5 billion on SDG-linked projects in 2021. SEBI 6 Companies had plans to raise Rs 12,500 crore from the IPO NEW-DELHI: Taking a lesson from Paytm's initial public offering (IPO), investors suffered heavy losses, in view of which SEBI has now tightened IPO-related norms. Now the regulator has started to exercise caution in approving the IPO. According to information, SEBI has returned the papers (draft papers) of six companies in two months. Along with this, it has also been said that the companies should again update all the information and submit the draft. The Companies include Oyo-run Oreval Stays, Go Digit General Insurance, Paymate India, Lava International, Fincare Small Finance Bank and BVG India. The Companies had submitted the draft between September 2021 and May 2022. These companies had plans to raise Rs 12,500 crore from the IPO. After losing investors' money in some of the major IPOs in 2021, SEBI is being strict and cautious while approving IPOs. Advertisement Only nine companies have filed draft so far this year and two - Divgi Torqtransfer Systems and Global Surfaces - have launched their initial share sale to raise Rs 730 crore since the beginning of the year. In 2022, 38 companies raised Rs 59,000 crore and in 2021, 63 companies raised Rs 1.2 lakh crore. Investors suffered huge losses after the IPO listing of digital startups like Zomato and Nyaka. VK Vijay Kumar, head of Geojit Financial Services, said that the decision of the capital market regulator SEBI is in the interest of investors. Investors have to use their judgment while applying for IPOs and also avoid their high prices. Paytm's parent company One97 Communication was listed on the stock markets in November, 2021. Paytm's IPO was the largest in 2010, raising Rs 18,300 crore, followed by Coal India's Rs 15,300 crore. Its stock never reached its original value. Its stock is still trading 72 percent below the issue price. Advertisement Analysts said that SEBI's recent move sends a strong message to merchant bankers to fully comply with the information required for submission of drafts. Due to this, the merchant bankers also have to work by collecting more and more information. According to information, earlier SEBI used to give additional time of four months to the companies bringing IPO. WHAT IS IPO? An initial public offering (IPO) is the process of offering shares of a private corporation to the public in a new stock issuance for the first time. An IPO allows a company to raise equity capital from public investors. The transition from a private to a public firm could be a significant period for private investors to fully realize gains from their investment as it typically includes a share premium for current private investors. Meanwhile, it also allows public investors to participate in the offering. Advertisement An IPO is a major step for a company as it provides the company with access to raising a lot of money. This gives the company a greater ability to grow and expand. The hike in transparency and share listing credibility can also be a means in helping it obtain better terms when seeking borrowed funds as well. 3,502 Kg of Smuggled Gold Seized in the Country Last year Largest Amount of Gold Seized from Kerala: Statistics NEW-DELHI: Around 3,502 kg of smuggled gold was seized in the country last year, which is 47 percent more than the year 2021. Of these, the largest amount of gold was seized from the state of Kerala. The Finance Ministry gave this information in response to a question asked in the Rajya Sabha. According to statistics, 2,383.38 kg of gold was seized by various government agencies in the year 2021. The statistics revealed that 916.37 kg of gold has been seized in the first two months of 2023. As per the data shared by the Ministry of Finance, In the year 2022, there were 3,982 cases of confiscation of gold. Advertisement In Kerala, 755.81 kg of gold was seized in 2022, compared to 586.95 kg of gold seized in the state last year. In terms of weight, Maharashtra has seized the most gold, followed by Kerala at 535.65 kg, while Tamil Nadu is third with 519 kg. Last year, a total of 556.69 kg of gold was seized from Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Leh and Ladakh. The ministry said that in the last three years, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had investigated three cases of gold smuggling. Hrithik Boxer Interrogation of the accused is ongoing in the case JAIPUR: Gangster Hrithik Boxer accused in G-Club firing case has been arrested from Nepal by the Jaipur Commissionerate Police. A few days ago, the Jaipur Commissionerate's special team found Hrithik Boxer's location in Nepal. After this, a special team went to Nepal for investigation. The police have brought Hrithik to Jaipur for further probe in the case. The interrogation of the accused is going on in the Jawahar Circle Police Station here. Regarding this arrest, Additional Commissioner Kailash Bishnoi is going to hold a press conference. Advertisement Notably, On January 28, three miscreants fired indiscriminately at G-Club in Jaipur's Jawahar Circle police station area late at night. The entire incident was captured in the CCTV installed there. After the incident, gangster Hrithik Boxer took responsibility for the firing on social media. The Jaipur Commissionerate Police have already arrested the shooters Jaiprakash, Sandeep and Rishabh who were trained by Hrithik himself. Hrithik boxer had threatened people for ransom several times. Disproportionate Asset Case: Former Minister Gurpreet Kangar & Ex-MLA Kuldeep Vaid Appear before Vigilance Ex-Minister Gurpreet Kangar is being interrogated by SSP Harpal Singh BATHINDA: Punjab Vigilance Bureau had summoned former minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar in connection with the disproportionate assets case. The Summon was issued for interrogation in the case. Notably, SSP Harpal Singh is questioning the former minister in the Bathinda office. Former Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Vaid from Ludhiana also appeared before Vigilance today for interrogation. Earlier, Vigilance conducted raid at Vaid's residence and office. Advertisement Notably, A case has also been registered against Kuldeep Vaid on charges of keeping liquor beyond the prescribed limit. During the investigation, 73 bottles of foreign and Indian liquor was recovered from his possession. Vaid has also been accused of violating rules during the construction of a restaurant on Pakhowal Road in Ludhiana. He was called by the vigilance for interrogation in different cases. Former Sarpanch of Garhshankar Released After Interrogation as No Connection Found with Amritpal Singh: Police HOSHIARPUR: Punjab Police continued its search for Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh. Investigation is ongoing after taking every aspect of the matter in view. Several supporters of Amritpal Singh have been detained so far. In connection with the case, Baghel Singh Pehlwan, the former sarpanch of village Lallian, who made headlines for hoisting the flag at the Red Fort during the farmers' movement, was detained by the police. According to the media reports, he attracted limelight by claiming that he had hoisted the flag at the Red Fort during the farmers movement. Advertisement Garhshankar's SHO Karnail Singh said that Baghel Singh of Lallian village was brought to the police station for questioning in the matter. Giving information, he said that the police has not found any evidence of his connection with Amritpal Singh, due to which Baghel Singh has been released after interrogation. Chinese People Considers PM Modi as the Most Special Leader Know the meaning of 'Laotian' BEIJING: India and China Relations have been fatigued for years. Chinese President Xi Jinping has a lot of political problems with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Unlike the government, people in China have a different view of PM Modi and India. As per an article published in American magazine "Diplomat", Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very popular among netizens in China and is fondly called 'Modi laotian' which means "Modi is immortal". Despite the border dispute between the two countries, it is a rare honorable mention for an international leader. Journalist Mu Chunshan, in an article titled 'How is India viewed in China?', for the strategic affairs magazine 'Diplomat', writes that most Chinese believes that under Modi's leadership, India maintains a balance among the world's leading nations. Notably, Chunshan is an expert for analyzing Chinese social media, especially Sina Weibo. Sina Weibo is a Twitter-like social media platform in China and has over 582 million users. Advertisement What does Laotian Mean? According to the article, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has an unusual nickname on the Chinese Internet: Modi Laotian. Laotian refers to an old immortal man with some special abilities. The nickname means that Internet users in China thinks that Modi is different from other leaders. He wrote that the Chinese people points to the dressing and body language of Prime Minister Modi and consider some of his policies to be different from India's past policies. Some Chinese citizens believes that India can have friendly relations with many big countries including Russia, USA. He said that the word 'Laotian' reflects the Chinese people's complex perception of Prime Minister Modi, including curiosity, surprise, etc. Advertisement "I have been doing international reporting for almost 20 years and it is rare for Chinese netizens (internet users) to nickname a foreign leader. Modi's surname is at the top. Certainly, he has left an imprint on Chinese public opinion." said Mu. Significantly, In the article, Chinese Journalist wrote that the Chinese people believe that relations between India and China will be better, but they do not want India to be close to the United States. The article said that the Chinese believe that if India becomes the worlds second largest economy, the US and the West will try to suppress it, as they are doing with China now. Chinese people believe that strengthening cooperation between China, India and Russia could make the countries stand against pressure from the West. In the article, Journalist Mu writes, "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 $115 billion a year far more than China's trade with Pakistan, which sits at around $30 billion." Advertisement David Swain arrives in handcuffs to the High Court building in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009. Swain, a Rhode Island resident, was present for the first day of his murder trial, after he was extradited in 2008 accused of drowning his wife Shelley Tyre in March 1999, while the couple was diving on the last day of a Caribbean getaway. (AP Photo/Todd VanSickle) A U.S. man accused of killing his wife while scuba diving told another woman several months before the death that she was his soulmate and that he was ready to leave for good, according to evidence presented in court Wednesday. In a letter dated October 1998, David Swain called Mary Basler his playmate and said he struggled with how they could be together without hurting each other or other people, prosecutors said. A lot of me would like to come hustle you up and leave the country for good to enjoy life elsewhere, the letter stated. Im waiting to be with you, but I cant change this mess Ive gotten into anytime soon. Advertisement In the letter, he called Basler soulmate of mine. Prosecutors allege that Swain, 53, killed his wife to pursue a romance with Basler. Swain maintains his innocence, and his defense lawyer says they will show the drowning of the 46-year-old woman was a tragic accident. Basler, a chiropractor from Warwick, said she met Swain while taking lessons through his dive shop. She said she invited him to her home in 1998, and that Swain confided that he and his wife, Shelley Tyre, were having problems. He did not explain the nature of those difficulties, Basler testified. I said something to the effect that, if he was unhappy, to either fix his marriage or get divorced. Basler said she was surprised when Swain kissed her that night because she did not know he was attracted to her. Basler testified that she was not intimate with him that night. The trial is in its second week and is being held in the British Virgin Islands, where Swain and Tyre went on a scuba diving trip in 1999. A forensic specialist testified Tuesday that he believes Swain wrestled Tyre from behind and shut off her air supply. A scuba product developer also concluded her mask was torn off and that somebody had to jab her fin for it to become embedded in the sand. The March 1999 drowning was initially ruled an accident, but Swain was charged with murder after a jury found him responsible in a 2006 civil trial. Swain was extradited to the British Virgin Islands a year later and has been in jail since. In the civil suit, Tyres parents accused Swain of killing their daughter because he was romancing another woman and because the couples prenuptial agreement denied him money if they divorced. Before his wifes death, Swain wrote Basler at least three letters, which were presented as evidence Wednesday. Basler said she sent a condolence letter to Swain when he returned from Tortola, and that he called her soon after to meet at a restaurant. I dont recall him discussing any details with me of the death, she said. I dont recall there being a purpose, other than to offer friendship. She testified in an occasional hesitant and stammering manner that she began to see Swain intimately in May 1999 about two months after the death. She said they took a break because he was going through a difficult emotional time, and that she ended their fling in late 2000. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) during the Global Millet (Shree Anna) conference, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar commended the World Food Programmes work promoting food self sufficiency and supporting government and global efforts to ensure long term solutions to hunger challenges. Tomar also thanked the partaking ministers for participating in the global conference organised by India to promote Shree Anna under the International Year of Millets (IYM), according to the statement. He said that the International Year of Millet is being celebrated so that Shree Anna of India and its recipes and value added products are globally accepted as a peoples movement. He wants further to strengthen Indias agricultural relations with various countries. During the global meeting, Agriculture Minister Tomar signed an MoU between the World Food Program and the Government of India for the cooperation period 2023-2027. Manoj Juneja, Deputy CEO and Management and Chief Financial Officer of the United Nations Food Programme, attended the meeting, and Elizabeth Faure, WFP Representative and Country Director in India. At the same time, he held bilateral talks with counterparts from various countries participating in the Global Millets Conference. While meeting with Guyana Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustafa, Union Minister Tomar recalled the visit of Guyana President Mohammad Irfan Ali and Guyana Vice President Bharat Jagdev and asserted that agriculture is an important area of cooperation between the two countries. He was pleased with the steady development of India Guyana relations and hoped to carry out specific collaboration in agriculture and related fields. Tomar congratulated Guyana on the discovery of a vast crude oil, saying it would make Guyana a major energy exporter with the potential to change the lives of its people. Expressing the immense potential for cooperation between India and Guyana in agriculture and agro industry, he said the two countries complement each other as Guyana has vast arable land and water resources while India has technology, expertise and skilled human resources, which will benefit both countries. India is eager to share its expertise and experience in Guyanas agricultural and related sector development, and the MoU is being finalised. He assured Guyanas request to send two experts from India to ITEC for three years to support the management of the Guyana Sugar Corporation and revitalisation of Guyanas sugar industry mills would be considered at the earliest, the report read. In addition to Guyana, Tomar held talks with counterparts in Zambia, Suriname, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. Blume Ventures an Indian early phase startup backer, will demand portfolio companies headquartered abroad hold well capitalised bank accounts in India after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. The collapse of the US lender left the firm, which says it handles about $600 million, scrambling to shore up capital for its firms whose funds got stuck, according to partner Ashish Fafadia. To further diversify banking risk, Blumes portfolio companies will now be asked to maintain multiple accounts to park funds, and invest money in term deposits to the extent there is insurance cover. I am ready to implement all things rigorously which otherwise used to be requests or guidance, Fafadia said. Fafadia joins executives at companies ranging from startups to publicly traded entities saying they are evaluating their cash and financing strategies and looking to reduce potential risks. The worlds second most populous nation has a sturdy startup ecosystem and many fledging firms set up offices in the US to be closer to investors, while still continuing to use India as a base for functions such as operations, research and data crunching. The venture capital firm will strongly discourage startups from investing in any money market instruments with durations longer than three to six months, said Fafadia. Who spent hundreds of hours trying to help portfolio companies with exposure to Silicon Valley Bank when it started to unravel last week. He declined to specify which firms had accounts with the bank. Keeping money in long term bonds is always something I have been against, but somehow chief financial officers and founders of startups look at that bit as extra income, he said. Looks like you typed in the wrong url. To visit the SiliconIndia Home page click here To view the SiliconIndia blogs page click here What is SiliconIndia? SiliconIndia is one of the largest content and community networks for Indian professionals, entrepreneurs and students worldwide. Since 1997, we have inspired successes for Indian professionals through our thought provoking SiliconIndia career events and magazines. 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The chief of cosmetics clinic chain Cosmetique has emerged as a potential owner of collapsed skincare brand Purely Byron, as administrators enter into talks with interested buyers for the business co-founded by Elsa Pataky and backed by her husband, Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth. Purely Byron slid into administration this month, less than a year after its first product launch and just months after embattled beauty group BWX, which owns 47 per cent of Purely Byron, wrote down the value of its stake by $2.8 million. Dr Vivek Eranki is the CEO of cosmetic services chain Cosmetique and has revealed interest in acquiring Purely Byron. Dr Vivek Eranki, the founder and CEO of the injection and fillers clinic chain, said he was hoping to double Cosmetiques footprint of 20 clinics by mid-2024 and would seek to sell Purely Byron products in-store and online. Eranki founded Cosmetique in Perth in 2017. Cosmeceuticals [is] something that we are actively looking at entering, he said. Sydney Airports chief executive, Geoff Culbert, has blamed high airfares and reduced airline capacity for stagnant domestic passenger recovery, as the airport reported a total of 2.7 million travellers for February. Domestic passenger traffic through Sydney continues to hover at just over 80 per cent on pre-pandemic figures, with 1.7 million travellers last month. The domestic passenger recovery at Sydney Airport has been stagnant since April last year, with reduced capacity and high airfares impacting peoples travelling habits, Culbert said. Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Data from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Research Economics released on Thursday shows that in March the cheapest discount economy and business class fares have been at the highest rates since December, despite trending down from a 15-year peak in the middle of 2022. The former head of Teslas Australian operations Kurt Schlosser was sentenced to two years and six months prison after an insider trading conviction, but was instead released on a good behaviour bond for the two offences. Schlosser was sentenced in the Sydney District Court before being released immediately upon entering into a recognisance, on the condition that he be of good behaviour for two years and six months, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said in an announcement this morning. Former Tesla director Kurt Schlosser has pleaded guilty to insider trading. Credit: Facebook In his role as country manager for Tesla, Schlosser was informed of a confidential agreement for ASX-listed Piedmont Lithium to supply lithium to the electric carmaker in September 2020. Electric carmakers such as Tesla have been scouring the globe for supply deals with lithium miners, as it is a key ingredient for the batteries which power these vehicles. Piedmont shares nearly doubled after the announcement. Humanity has a last-ditch chance to make meaningful cuts to greenhouse gases and secure a habitable future for life on Earth and our actions this decade will have profound consequences for thousands of years, says the definitive report on climate change. The latest report from the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says the climate crisis is rapidly altering Earths atmosphere, oceans, land and frozen poles, causing widespread extreme weather, including severe heatwaves and drought, catastrophic flooding and rising sea levels. Earth is likely to surpass the Paris Agreements target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees within the next decade although alternative pathways remain possible and the impacts from climate change are more severe than estimated in previous IPCC assessments, the report authors say. But although global heating poses a clear and present danger, the reports 93 expert authors also sound a note of hope: There are still multiple, feasible and effective ways to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. Non-CHESS-sponsored brokers hold your shares via a custodial agreement. Should the broker go broke, you might have issues getting access to your shares. Stake is CHESS-sponsored, and Leibowitz sees this as a huge point of difference with other online brokers. Ultimately, you own your own stocks, he says. You dont have a third party, like a custodian, holding them. Its a great system that Australia has, but not all Australian brokers offer. Dig diversity Alex Jamieson, the founder of AJ Financial Planning, recommends looking for a broker that offers you access to shares here and on Wall Street. Access to Australian shares and the US share market would be some key markets that would be important longer term, he says. Being able to trade in different markets through one platform allows you to more easily diversify your portfolio, for example by buying shares in domestic and international companies and investing in ETFs (exchange-traded funds), which cover a huge range of asset classes. Some investors might want access to more markets, or different order types. Look for a broker that offers what you want. Investigate insights Unlike traditional, full-service brokers, online brokers tend not to offer advice on which shares to buy. But many do provide market insights to help you make your own decisions. Jamieson says: Analysts recommended price targets, dividend information, financial information of the company, and charts are usually helpful information. Of course, different investors are looking for different levels of insight. Look for an online broker that provides information that suits your needs, in a format that makes it easy for you to understand. Scout out the seamless You want an online broker that makes it easy to open an account, trade on different markets, and access an account summary for tax purposes. Leibowitz says: Its all about that seamless access to opportunity. And I think thats where newer players have raised the bar, by focusing on the user experience. Look for transparent fees Online brokers have transformed the way investors think about brokerage fees (the fee you pay per trade). While the major banks might charge $10 to $30 (or a percentage of large trades), online brokers have made investing more accessible with competitive fees. Brokerage fees can add up, Jamieson says, particularly for certain types of investor. The brokerage rates are important if you are investing smaller amounts or trading more frequently. This cost is a hurdle before you start making a profit on your investment. Despite the transformation theres still a vast array of complex fee structures amongst online brokers. Stakes current fee structure stipulates $3 for trades under $30,000 and 0.01% for anything above. Leibowitz believes. Investors are in this for the long haul and are ultimately looking for a broker that is with them for that ride. They value certainty and transparency in what they pay, but also want a secure and stable business that offers a product suite to grow with them. Beyond brokerage fees, make sure you read the fine print, and compare any other fees that brokers charge (such as inactivity, exit or foreign exchange fees). And invest wisely: think before you click. Stake is a Sydney-based digital investing platform giving Aussie investors access to Wall St and the ASX. Stake was recognised as the most recommended Aussie broker in the Investment Trends H2 2022 report, and its easy to see why. Access over 8,000 U.S and ASX stocks, ETFs, OTC markets, exchange-traded bonds and hybrid securities on mobile and desktop. Plus, know that stocks are securely held in your name with their CHESS-sponsored investing. Stake your claim to the future and join 500,000+ investors on Stake by visiting hellostake.com or searching Stake in Google or Apple App store. This does not constitute financial product advice. Quotes expressed in this article are the individuals own views. NORMAN DILLON: March 6, 1921 March 17, 2023 World War II was, like for many men of Norman Dillons generation, a defining moment. Aged 19, he enlisted and was placed into the signals unit, Eighth Division, known for good reason as the ill-fated Eighth Division. Norman was born on the front verandah at home in Mill Hill Road, Bondi Junction, on a Sunday to the sound of church bells. His father, William, worked on the railways and wharves and had served in World War I, and was medically evacuated at least twice from France. His mother, Edna (nee Wheatley), was a housewife who loved gardening and would take cuttings from the botanical garden so often they got to know her and ended up giving her the plants instead. Norman wanted to become an architect a dream unrealised, possibly because he made the decision to drop out of school and get a job at the ETA peanut butter factory in Marrickville to help the family. The lingering after-effect of the job was that he never ate another peanut. After basic training in the signals, he embarked with his unit heading towards the Middle East (where his brother, Neil, was fighting with the Seventh). However, the unit was diverted to the defence of Singapore Island as Japanese forces pushed down the Malay Peninsula. Usually, no election campaign is complete without numerous happy snaps of leaders trying to look normal by pouring beers. So perhaps part of the teal independents anti-major parties schtick is a disavowal of such acts of political bloke-face. Climate 200, the indies bankroller received two $3300 donations from Heaps Normal, the brewers whose zero alcohol quiet XPA has almost managed to make booze-free beer somewhat cool. Heaps Normal wants folks to talk about the epic stuff youre doing instead of getting wasted which in this case seems to involve hopping aboard the Climate 200 bandwagon. Loading The rest of the groups election coffers are being filled by the regular suspects. Theres $3300 each from convenor Simon Holmes a Court and his wife Katrina, plus $6600 from Bondi-based trader Rob Keldoulis, who emerged as one of the movements most generous funders and is also throwing money at the Legalise Cannabis Party. Some time after Mick/Dick the Tick (C8) our family was holidaying up the coast, writes Evan Bailey of Glebe. Though not familiar with ticks, someone spotted a large black one on the underside of our dog. We were trying to remove it with metho and tweezers, when a very observant child noticed the dog had an identical tick on the other side of its chest. We were unfortunately trying to remove one of his nipples! The dog was remarkably sanguine about this amateur operation, but sensibly kept his distance for quite a while afterwards. Theres plenty of endearment out there for the Fiat Bambino (C8). Frank Canu of Lyons (ACT) says the current discussion brings to mind a cousin in Sardinia, a proud owner of the 500. She said that driving it was clear proof of celibacy as the cabin was too small for congress. Rob Cummins of Turramurra recalls, A fellow student at Sydney Uni in the mid-70s never had a problem parking hers. Her car was the only one that could squeeze between two particular trees, but this blocked the doors. No probs, just climb out (inelegantly) through the cloth roof. Another popular car on this page of late is the Morris (C8). Seppo Ranki of Glenhaven had one for many years, though I learnt how to drive on a farm in a Bedford truck and Massey Ferguson tractor. Luckily, I missed out on the era of sticking out your arm to be amputated outstretched for right-hand turns and at right angles for stops and left turns. Obviously, a hangover from the red flag era. When did asking a question turn into reaching out? wonders Julie Corkery of Hurlstone Park. Recently, in meetings or correspondence, Ive been urged to reach out and even thanked for reaching out. I only asked a question. I dont need rescuing! Thanks, anyway. No worries, Julie. Thanks for reaching out. Along with how much power would be saved if the internet didnt exist (C8) are other puzzles such as what would happen if all the air in tyres was released at once and how would it affect water levels if all ships were lifted out of the sea? ponders Ted Richards of Batemans Bay (High Tide 1.44 metres). The Disability Royal Commission has condemned a major Sydney NDIS provider for pursuing profit over safety, being led by a dysfunctional board beset by infighting, silencing concerned staff, and failing to safeguard the vulnerable. The damning findings against Afford, the Australian Foundation for Disability, were released after the royal commission heard evidence about a carer who abused two disabled men. The company also faces legal battles over allegations a young woman drowned in a bath while in their care. Merna Aprem, 20, died in an Afford group home in Sydney. Her mother watched the royal commission hearings into the provider. Tanya Petrus watched the royal commissions hearings into Afford in May 2022, three years after her daughter Merna Aprem died in a bath in a south-west Sydney Afford group home. Merna, just shy of her 21st birthday, had epilepsy and autism, loved Star Wars and 1980s hits, and had recently moved into the Afford facility. A firefighting plane crashed in southern NSW, killing all three men on board, after its crew was asked to drop retardant despite hazardous weather that had grounded other planes, an inquest has heard. Pilot Ian McBeth, 45, co-pilot Paul Hudson, 42, and flight engineer Rick DeMorgan Jnr, 43, all from the United States, had dropped a partial load of retardant from a low altitude at Peak View, in the Snowy Monaro region, when their plane stalled and crashed about 1.15pm on January 23, 2020. Killed in the crash: (from left) Paul Hudson, Rick DeMorgan jnr and captain Ian McBeth. The crash was witnessed by nearby firefighters, who rushed to the wreckage and found no survivors. It was going to be the final shift for McBeth, who had worked for contractor Coulson Aviation since 2014 and lived in Montana with his wife and children. It was the first fire season in Australia for Hudson, who was from Arizona, and DeMorgan, who lived in Florida. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has promised to appoint Kiama Liberal candidate Melanie Gibbons to cabinet if she holds the coastal seat for a re-elected Coalition government in a final bid to secure her political future. The premier made a final week dash to the states south on Monday to sandbag several key seats, travelling through Kiama and to the electorate of South Coast, where he met locals at a short street walk in Nowra before travelling to Goulburn. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet with, from left, Liberal candidate for South Coast Luke Sikora, Liberal candidate for Kiama Melanie Gibbons, NSW Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell, and retiring MP Shelley Hancock in Nowra on Monday. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Speaking in a park in Nowra, Perrottet said he had personally asked Gibbons to run in Kiama, where the Coalition is up against former Liberal minister Gareth Ward, who was booted from the party and onto the crossbench after being charged with sexual assault. Ward, who has vowed to fight historical sex assault charges laid against him last year, had steadily extended the Liberal margin in Kiama since first being elected in 2011 before he was suspended from parliament. A data hack has exposed the details of more than 1000 people who participated in a major skin cancer study but the Brisbane-based medical institute insists no other studies are at risk. Hackers compromised QIMR Berghofer medical research institutes data in November 2022, accessing information collected by data company Datatime, retained by QIMR. It has been confirmed 1128 people who gave information to Datatime were affected, with their names, addresses and Medicare numbers believed to have been obtained. Professor David Whiteman, who runs QSKIN, Australias largest skin cancer study at QIMR, said they had been advised to contact people affected directly, rather than make a public announcement in November about the breach. TikTok infers factors such as your age range, gender and interests based on the information it has about you. In the US, TikTok can collect biometric information including face and voiceprints. It also collects the content you create messages, video, audio even if you dont end up uploading or saving it. And it has a record of being careless with how it does so. In 2019, US regulators fined it $US5.7 million for collecting information on children in violation of child privacy laws. Also, the companys owner, ByteDance, has been caught out in its statements on how and where it allows access to its users private data. Illustration: Dionne Credit: But the other big, US-based social media apps have been caught doing much the same. So whats the difference? In Wrays words, its because this is a tool that is ultimately within the control of the Chinese government. And that means the Chinese Communist Party can collect anything it wants about anyone it wants. Under Chinas National Security Law, private businesses must co-operate with the government as required. But ByteDance has long claimed that its China staff has no access to the private data of some of its foreign customers, including all US users. A company executive swore to a US Senate hearing in 2021 that a world-renowned, US-based security team decided who was allowed access, only to be embarrassed by a series of leaks from its own staff. Everything is seen in China, said a member of TikToks Trust and Safety department in a videotaped meeting. In another, a company director referred to a Beijing-based engineer as a Master Admin who has access to everything. Loading In a new report, an Australian expert on CCP influence, John Garnaut, formerly a China correspondent for this masthead, writes that ByteDance can no longer be accurately described as a private enterprise. To support this claim, he cites the example of Zhang Fuping, who is both ByteDances Communist Party committee secretary and its editor-in-chief. Watching on from Australia specifically, the leading political activist on digital security, Liberal senator James Paterson, wrote to TikTok Australia in July last year to ask whether Australian user data was accessible in China. When the company replied yes, Paterson immediately asked the Albanese government to act. Since then, the evidence has continued to mount that ByteDance has abused the trust of its users and misled regulators. It admitted in December, for example, that staff had accessed user information to track and monitor journalists in the US and UK. Why? Because the reporters had been publishing leaks from inside TikTok and the staff wanted to find their sources. The offending staff have been sacked, according to the company. Loading A second prominent concern about TikTok is that it could be used to drive divisive and confusing misinformation campaigns in the US or Australia, or elsewhere, in the event of a crisis. While this may be true, Americas own social media apps seem to have done such a splendid job in that regard that its hard to imagine TikTok could do better. Paterson wonders what has been taking the Albanese government so long. He points out that Australia led the world in banning Huawei from its 5G telecommunications system, but lags on TikTok. Now, the US is taking it to an extreme. The US regulator on foreign investment, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, is threatening to force ByteDance to sell its US operations and expunge any elements of Chinese government control or to face a total ban in the US. Orange MP Phil Donato credits his town with saving greyhound racing from oblivion after revelations of animal cruelty almost led to the sport being banned seven years ago. Now he says its time for the industry to return the favour and build a new $15 million racing track in the Central West town, as greyhound racing looks to country NSW to invest its soaring gambling revenue. Member for Orange Phil Donato is eager to see greyhound racing in his electorate. Credit: James Brickwood Who wouldnt want something like this in our community? Donato said. Theres a significant benefit and it will create jobs. The Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association will own the facility, which it says will bring $20 million into the local economy, and run it with Greyhound Racing NSW. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottets signature election promise to set up a superannuation-style savings fund for children is not a clear voter winner, with the majority of people undecided or against the plan. Perrottet left his Future Fund idea, a project he had been working on for several years, to unveil as his major election policy. However, voters are divided over the plan, with more broad support for Labors proposal to set up a state-owned Energy Security Corporation. The Future Fund would allow parents and grandparents in NSW to contribute a maximum of $1000 a year, with a re-elected Coalition government kick-starting it with an initial $400 and then matching contributions up to $400 a year. Perrottet, who detailed his idea at the Liberal campaign launch two weeks before polling day, said a child could have as much as $50,000 in savings to spend on education or housing by the time they reach 18 under his plan. The major political parties in NSW have shared a curious bipartisan thought bubble on WestConnex speed limits just as the state election campaign entered its final week. Both wish to increase the speed limit on the motorway from 80 kilometres per hour to 90 kilometres an hour. This comes as something of a surprise. Motorway speed limits had not previously been a first-order issue in the campaign. But there was Premier Dominic Perrottet on some front pages promising a Liberal-Nationals government would raise the WestConnex speed limit. He said it would save motorists commuting from Penrith to the CBD almost two minutes a day, or up to 18 minutes a week. Time is money, and if we can get tradies to work faster, that means they can spend more time with their families, but ultimately as well, spend more time at work, he said. For good measure, Perrottet also declared he would ask bureaucrats to review all 80 km/h speed limits on other motorways too. The major political parties have promised to increase speed limits on the WestConnex. Credit: Louie Douvis The Labor leader, Chris Minns, agreed, telling 2GB listeners that raising the speed limit was sensible. We want people to get home quicker. A good idea is a good idea. Motorways and their perceived role in garnering voter support seem to exercise a historic allure for politicians. In 1995, the then opposition leader Bob Carr promised to scrap tolls on the M4 and M5 motorways and, as a result, Labor picked up two Liberal-held seats Badgerys Creek and the Blue Mountains and won government. Never mind the toll money was part of the contract, a slight problem Carr deftly sidestepped by inventing the enduring cashback scheme. The consensus now, even among formerly hawkish Republicans, is that the United States should never have invaded Iraq 20 years ago. But an older genre of conventional wisdom in Washington maintains that the Bush administrations real failure came only after it deposed Saddam, when it turned out that the United States didnt have a real strategy for managing what came next. Colin Powell holds up a vial he said could contain anthrax as he presented evidence of Iraqs alleged weapons programs to the UN Security Council in 2003. Credit: AP Had we gone to war with a real plan for what we would do once we liberated Baghdad, wrote former Washington Post Baghdad bureau chief Rajiv Chandrasekaran last week, had we sent language-proficient reconstruction experts instead of political sycophants, and had we sought to heed the wishes of millions of Iraqis to help them create a multi-sect, multiethnic, big-tent government, the history of the United States in Iraq over the past two decades would almost certainly look very different. That alternate reality is nice to consider when you have to gauge the actual reality. Many Iraqi critics of Saddams regime lament what was lost in his overthrow. Iraq quickly fell prey to chaos, conflict and instability, experienced an uncountable number of deaths and displacements, and the erosion of health, education and basic services, wrote Iraqi academic Balsam Mustafa. Behind the statistics, there are untold stories of agony and suffering. The structural and political violence would spill into social and domestic violence, affecting women and children. With every life lost, a whole family is shattered. From day one, the conditions were forming for the emergence of terrorist groups and militias. Saddams nominally secular regime carried out hideous atrocities against ethnic Kurds and rebellious Shiites. But it still presided over a united sense of Iraqi identity that was, to a certain extent, broken up by the US invasion and its aftermath. One bloody dictator was killed and replaced with countless petty tyrants. Baghdad itself is no longer the city it was, wrote Feurat Alani, a French-Iraqi journalist and author. With rare exceptions, Sunnis live in Sunni neighbourhoods, and Shiites in their own. In the rest of the country, the soft partition of Iraq into a Kurdish north, a Sunni west and centre, and a Shiite south an idea Joe Biden once championed is a reality. In recent years, Iraqis of all backgrounds have tried to reclaim a sense of nationhood, despite the prevailing political order. A youth-led protest movement has bitterly clashed with the Iraqi state and affiliated powerful militias; one of its cries is simply we want a homeland. Many in their ranks are from a new generation that barely knew of life under Saddam. Loading Noor Alhuda Saad, 26, a PhD candidate at Mustansiriya University who described herself to the Associated Press as a political activist, told the news agency that she and her compatriots are fighting for a more democratic and inclusive country that has so far failed to emerge two decades after the invasion. Young people like me are born into this environment and trying to change the situation, she said. The people in power do not see these as important issues for them to solve. And that is why we are active. The rot in the political order is in part because of the United States, which brought in a raft of US-backed exiles while also wholly dismantling the Saddams one-party Baathist state. The long tail of those decisions can be seen in the Iraqi parliaments constant struggles for legitimacy and the rise of the extremist Islamic State, which emerged with the organisational know-how of some former members of the Baath Party. Searched by British soldiers, an Iraqi man on the outskirts of Basra holds his arms in the air clutching a leaflet written by the Coalition forces stating People of Basra we are here to liberate the people of Iraq. Credit: Kate Geraghty But while the United States broke Iraq, it never quite owned it. A kind of curious amnesia has already set in about the conflict. Because of the extremes of the Trump presidency, Bush has been rehabilitated in the national imagination as a sympathetic figure almost worthy of nostalgia. Washington policy elites pin many of the failures in Iraq on the Iraqis who took power, with former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki singled out as a leading villain in the piece. President Bush flashes a thumbs-up after declaring the end of major combat in Iraq in May 2003. The country would be convulsed by violence for years afterward. Credit: AP Few Americans now pay attention to the active security role still played by hundreds of US military contractors operating in the country the United States invaded two decades ago, and technically fully withdrew from in 2021. The United States suffered major loss in Iraq. More than 4000 US soldiers died there, while countless more returned home, wounded and traumatised. Many veterans now question the purpose of the war and the sacrifices they were asked to make. According to a 2014 study, an estimated fifth of all US veterans who served in Iraq came back with PTSD. And yet the wounds for ordinary Iraqis are far greater. My colleagues reported last week on the hidden toll of the toxic burn pits the United States left behind Iraq, as soldiers in US military bases incinerated their waste out in the open. The legacy of these pits is as visceral as it may seem metaphorical - leading to a long record of illness and disease for those exposed to them. Akavi worked in Iraq in 2003, where she helped restock hospitals. Credit: Kate Geraghty Recent US legislation signed by President Biden acknowledges the harm caused to some 200,000 U.S. service personnel suffering from burn-pit-related illnesses, and dramatically expanded benefits to them. But it does nothing for the ordinary Iraqis who lived downwind of Americas smouldering debris. I think they consider those soldiers more human than us, Zakaria Tamimi, whose family was ravaged by illness and death likely due to exposure to these toxic burn pits near a former base north of Baghdad, told my colleagues. Theres no door for us to knock on. Indeed, no sooner had the twice-impeached president claimed he would be arrested on Tuesday, Republicans rallied around him to attack Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has indicated he is considering charges against Trump for his role in allegedly trying to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels, who claimed she had an affair with him. House of Representatives speaker Kevin McCarthy said any indictment by Bragg would be an outrageous abuse of power and vowed to direct committees to investigate whether federal funds were being used on politically motivated prosecutions. Adult-film star Stormy Daniels in 2018. Trumps campaign allegedly paid hush money to her in 2016. Credit: AP Potential presidential nomination rivals such as former vice president Mike Pence scrambled to find the balance between keeping Trumps base on side and stoking the potential for civil unrest, urging protests to take place peacefully and in a lawful manner. And Trumps campaign issued a barrage of emails soliciting money to pump up his 2024 presidential nomination on the basis that he was once again the subject of a witch hunt. If media leaks are correct, this could be the last time I write to you before a possible indictment comes down, he said in one email urging readers to donate to his presidential campaign. Theres no attack in the world that can bring down this movement, he declared in another. The people of our country want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN and NOTHING can stop us! And then came a message in capital letters for full effect: ITS TIME!!! WE JUST CANT ALLOW THIS ANYMORE. THEYRE KILLING OUR NATION AS WE SIT BACK & WATCH. WE MUST SAVE AMERICA! PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!! Its still not clear whether Trump has the power to mobilise supporters the way he did two years ago in the moments leading up to the US Capitol attack, or whether the convictions of those involved in the January 6 attack may have weakened the desire for another rage-fuelled display of civil unrest. But New York authorities are nonetheless monitoring potential threats and beefing up security around the Manhattan courthouse and the DAs office in the event of a flare up. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Credit: AP In the meantime, Trump is using the case to inject some momentum into his presidential campaign, knowing that the risk for Bragg and the Democrats is high. After all, there are currently several investigations into the former president, including a Department of Justice probe into the Capitol attack; a Georgia-based investigation into election interference in that state; and another Justice Department investigation into the handling of classified documents. However, legal experts say this one, involving a $US130,000 ($194,000) payment to Daniels through Trumps then fixer Michael Cohen (who isnt exactly a poster child when it comes to the truth) is arguably the hardest to win. Firstly, prosecutors would have to prove that the money was paid with the election solely in mind and that the payment was falsely accounted as a legal retainer to Cohen as opposed to a payment made for other obvious reasons, such as preserving a marriage or protecting ones own reputation. Loading Secondly, the case relies on a complex merging of laws that would essentially unite two cases falsifying business records and a violation of state election law. Only by connecting the first to the second would it be a crime, as opposed to a standard misdemeanour. Thirdly, theres a statute of limitations, which normally but not always requires an indictment of this manner to happen within five years. This case emerged during the final weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign when Daniels was trying to sell her story of an affair to the National Inquirer. Instead of purchasing the story, the papers boss David Pecker, a Trump ally, helped broker the payment with Cohen and Daniels lawyer. And history also provides a cautionary tale in the form of the failed federal prosecution of former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards. Edwards was also caught in a sex scandal with an unknown actress, which resulted in a love child, an attempted cover-up, and six felony charges. He was eventually found not guilty on one of those charges, while the jury deadlocked on the other five. The case of former presidential candidate John Edwards offers a cautionary tale for prosecutors. Credit: Ellen Ozier Prosecutors didnt appeal and the matter was dropped, although not without ending political aspirations of Edwards. In this case, the stakes are even higher. Indicting a former president who is currently the Republicans frontrunner for the White House would be unprecedented and potentially dangerous if the charges dont stick and Trumps supporters decide to heed his calls. It could also garner more sympathy for his cause, undercut other investigations against him some of which go to the heart of American democracy and flip the script on the 2024 election. Trump has no plans to stand down from the race if hes charged. And as his former national security adviser John Bolton put it: However guilty Trump may be if they indict and fail to convict in New York, I think historians will look back and say that is the act that re-elected Donald Trump as president. Billionaire media owner Rupert Murdoch is engaged to his new girlfriend, Ann Lesley Smith, less than a year after his divorce from fourth wife Jerry Hall. The 92-year-old Australian-born mogul told the New York Post, one of his own newspapers, that he had proposed to Smith, 66, with an Asscher cut diamond solitaire ring that he personally selected. Murdoch, who owns titles including The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, the Herald Sun, as well as The Times in the UK and Fox News in the US, said he was very nervous about popping the question again after four previous marriages, but insisted this wedding would be his last. I dreaded falling in love but I knew this would be my last. It better be. Im happy, he said. PHILIPSBURG:--- The team at NAGICO Insurances is thrilled to announce the launch of our newly refined Serenity Plan, which is a Funeral insurance, designed to guarantee that your final farewell can be one done with dignity and that the cost will not financially burden your loved ones. The Serenity Plan has a low premium, requires no medical exam, and is available to anyone between the ages of 20-70 years old. This policy can cover funeral costs such as memorial service, headstones, urns, and other final expenses and it can also be used to help settle bills left behind such as medical expenses, legal fees, credit card bills, and loans. Our Serenity Plan is a great product because the premium is low, so it is very affordable and the payout benefit automatically increases by 2.5% each year, after the 2nd year of the policys inception, Lisa Brown Marketing Manager explains. Imagine being able to decide what your farewell will be like and knowing that your family will not have to bear the cost on top of their grief. That is true independence and the definition of love because you are ensuring that both you and your loved ones are well taken care of in a time of need. We understand that death is an uncomfortable subject, but it is the one certainty we have in life, and we owe it to ourselves and our families to plan responsibly for it. As such, at NAGICO we want to normalize these types of discussions and make the process easy, straightforward, and pain-free for you to select and purchase a plan that matches your needs. Our team is available to answer any questions you may have and help you take that necessary step to wise financial planning. Final arrangements and discussions about estate planning are not conversations people like to discuss because it is not fun, sometimes it creates anxiety and sadness, however, we can all agree that it is very necessary. We have all witnessed or experienced the passing of a loved one and how expensive the process can be. These situations can cause undue stress, and conflict and sometimes put families in serious debt, Brown explained. That is why at NAGICO, we want to get the conversation started, lets's normalize smart financial planning, lets normalize wise and responsible thinking. We invite you to visit our website nagico.com or contact us directly to learn more about our affordable Serenity Plan. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you protect what matters most. PHILIPSBURG:--- United People's UP Party Leader and Member of Parliament, the Honourable Rolando Brison, walked out of the Philipsburg police station a free man within a day of being detained for questioning. His speedy release sparked a celebration within the UP Party. MP Brison met with family members and supporters and was in good spirits when he thanked them for their support and prayers, a press release from the UP Party Board said. "All things considered, the discussions with the authorities went well; my focus was on the truth and clarifying any misunderstandings and misconceptions. Thank you all for the prayers, love, and support." In the press release issued Sunday evening, the UP Party Board stated that the Leader would address the Country during the budget debate this coming Tuesday. He is also focused on delving into the Country's most urgent matter, which is the national budget to the Country that will make way for many essential investments for the Country and provisions to continue to provide for the Country. "Our sincere gratitude and thanks go out to the many people at home and abroad who called and sent messages in solidarity with MP Brison, his family, and the UP Party. Your prayers and determination to continue standing UP with the United People's Party and our Leader during these challenging times will not be forgotten and is greatly appreciated." PHILIPSBURG:--- Peridot Foundation Gracita R Arrindell said: we are pleased to share the core address of Mrs. Cathy Vollmer, current manager of Information Technology Services at the American University Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC). Her speech was given on the occasion of the International Womens Day 2023 celebration. Supporting the United Nations statement: Bringing women and other marginalized groups into technology results in more creative solutions and has greater potential for innovations that meet womens needs and promote gender equality Mrs. Vollmers explained how we, as individuals and as a community can move this initiative forward by sharing her personal journey which includes 45 years of studying, working, and teaching in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM fields). Looking back at a fulfilling career, with many challenges along the way that took perseverance to overcome. Ideas become reality; said Arrindell. Arrindell states; Her story starts with the story of her parents. Her father was a Civil engineer who worked on pipeline projects throughout the U.S., Mexico, and in the Panama Canal Zone. Cathys mother adored her husband and wanted to study engineering so she became an exceptional student to follow in his footsteps. She first applied to the School of Engineering at a U.S. university. However, her application was rejected, with a note that they did not admit women into the Engineering program. Her mother earned a degree in mathematics and went on to become a math teacher, a perfectly acceptable profession for a woman in the 1950s, but it was not her dream said Cathy. Gracita continues; Mrs. Vollmer remembers her mother talking about her desire to study engineering and her many rejections, leaving an unforgettable impression on her as a child. When it was her time to choose, inspired by her grandfather and her mothers dream, she decided to be an Engineer. She attended the College of Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and chose Mechanical Engineering as a major. In 1977 her Mechanical Engineering class of over 300 included only 13 women. During her academic journey, Cathy felt accepted and was active in the Society of Women Engineers, sat on one of the Deans councils, and was part of the Engineering Honor Society. After leaving academia her story of acceptance changed. Employed as a Test Engineer with a computer manufacturer, Data General, in addition to being one of only 3 women in the department of over 30, she was also the only Mechanical engineer on a team of Electrical engineers and technicians. Great mentorship and being promoted into management positions over male candidates brought home a different reality. Male colleagues, no longer socialized. Losing her confidence, she started to question her management and technical abilities, to lead her then team of 25 male engineers and technicians. Only persistence and the intense desire to not fail helped her to overcome that challenging period in her career. It took many years for her to understand that the most powerful voice at the table is not the loudest voice. Rather, by listening carefully, commenting thoughtfully, and staying true to herself, she eventually broke down the bias and felt accepted as a woman in her role. Cathy Vollmers career included working for several large companies, such as: Data General for 12 years, Bell and Howell mail-handling division, as well as on Research and Design teams to bring manufacturability into products from design inception. In 1996, she moved with her family to work in Hong Kong and Shanghai, China where she spent 11 years mostly raising her family. Returning to the United States in 2008, Mrs. Vollmer took the opportunity to come to St. Maarten as a consultant to assist the Information Technology Services group at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. From 2011 to date she is the Manager of Information Technology Services at AUC. Cognizant of the rapid pace students live in, staying current with the changes is imperative by constantly bringing new technology into the classroom to aid in delivering AUCs outstanding Curriculum. Her background in Engineering provided the foundational skills to address and work through some of the complex problems that the University is faced with and be innovative in creating solutions. AUC comprises a world-class simulation center and state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and small group teaching spaces. Having a seat at the technology table provides the influence necessary to direct the development of a course of the school thereby meeting the needs of the students. To significantly increase the voice of women in Technology, Mrs. Vollmer is adamant in her view that there needs to be inclusive work environments. Creating that inclusivity is up to those who work in these spaces. The AUC is part of a larger corporation Adtalem Global Education which has a stated focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. Cathy is fortunate to work in an environment she is empowered and valued for her diversity. One of the ways Adtalem empowers women and the advancement of gender diversity is through the EDGE network. EDGE stands for Empowerment, Diversity, Growth, and Excellence. EDGE supports the enhanced career experience and advancement of women in the workforce and is a vibrant internal program promoting professional development and diversity. Its a great model that could easily be adopted in other workplaces and at different scales. Providing inspiration is key, in order to increasing the number of girls entering the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Creating opportunities for girls to see women working in the STEM fields first-hand allows them to imagine possibilities for themselves. As women and women leaders, no matter what field of work we are in, we can provide shadowing, mentoring, and apprenticeship opportunities to young girls and women stated Cathy Vollmer. She continued by saying that along with inspiration, we must provide girls with the confidence that they can do the math, that they can be complex problem solvers, they can innovate and thrive in a technical field. Making a game of math and science, and providing safe spaces for girls to experiment and try their hand at designing and innovating is one way to build confidence. Mrs. Vollmer gave an excellent example whereby each year chapters of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers hold Egg Drop Contests. In this contest students attempt to achieve what seems impossible dropping raw eggs from a significant height, sometimes several stories, without breaking the eggs. The objective is to inspire engineering thought and design. The lightest apparatus that protects the egg from breaking wins. Peridot Foundation looks forward to accepting this challenge from Mrs. Vollmer and introducing this egg-drop science contest at schools in Sint Maarten, said Arrindell. Cathy Vollmer concluded her address by sharing a report by the National Science Foundation that states that women only make up 28% of the workforce in science and engineering fields. Breaking down stereotypes and gender bias is possible by instilling confidence in girls so they believe that they too can be good at math and can be problem solvers through games and events designed to inspire engineering thought and design. When they enter the workforce as women, it is incumbent upon us ( women) to support them, mentor them, and nurture their professional development, so that they can be the inspiration for the next generation Gracita concludes: Peridot Foundation salutes Cathy Vollmer for her leadership and encouragement to all girls and women who aspire to study, work and excel in the field of innovation and technology for the advancement of humanity. PHILIPSBURG:--- Philipsburg - The telecom administrations of St. Maarten, Saint Martin/ St. Barth, Anguilla, Saba, and Statia have completed a revised spectrum coordination agreement, which will allow a seamless deployment of 5G services across the islands. Having established an equitable division of spectrum for 5G use for St. Maarten will mean that all service providers that require 5G spectrum, can now begin to apply for the necessary license(s) to be able to render such. 5G is continuously proving itself to be the catalyst for progress and innovation across all sectors. The process of reaching a consensus took a little longer than expected due to the pandemic. Non the less the regulators continued with the required preparations and coordination within their respective administrations. The ongoing efforts of the Head of the Technical Department of BTP, Mr. Sidney de Weever, eventually resulted in a revised agreement between St. Maarten and the other administrations. This represents a huge milestone for this region as spectrum coordination across four different administrations is something to be proud of. Mr. de Weever stated: we are the leaders in the Caribbean as it relates to cross-border coordination, whereby our framework is now being used by other administrations. We are proud to be an example of how the division of spectrum can be done equitably. Commenting on the revised spectrum agreement, interim Director of BTP Mrs. Judianne Labega-Hoeve said, we are delighted to have signed this agreement with our neighboring islands. This agreement is a testament to the strong partnership between our administrations and our shared commitment to ensuring that our citizens have access to high-quality communication services. Hoeve continued: St. Maarten is now on the cusp of what is widely being dubbed as the technology revolution, whereby it has gained the opportunity to deploy technology that will greatly enhance the lives and livelihoods of its inhabitants and visitors alike. PHILIPSBURG:--- Philipsburg Representatives from the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau recently attended two conferences in Germany, TravMedias International Media Marketplace (IMM) and ITB (Internationale Tourismus-Borse) Berlin. The purpose of attending these conferences is to meet with trade partners to discuss potential collaboration where it concerns promoting St. Maarten in existing and emerging markets. The first conference attended, IMM is the leading global networking event connecting the travel industry with top journalists, editors, influencers, and broadcasters. St. Maarten representatives were able to meet with journalists and publishers from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria representing food, travel, and lifestyle magazines. Having a featured story in top publications ensures the destination is promoted in a cost-effective yet inspiring manner further increasing the brand awareness of the destination in markets where little is known of St. Maarten. St. Maarten was also present at ITB Berlin, the world's largest tourism trade show where global tourism partners meet to conduct business. The companies represented at ITB include hotels, tourist boards, tour operators, system providers, and airlines. At ITB Berlin, representatives of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau were able to meet with key industry partners. Meetings were held with German, Dutch, and Swiss Tour Operators, Travel Agencies, Publishers, Influencers, and OTAs discussing new and existing business. IMM and ITB offered us the opportunity to meet new business partners as well as re-connect with existing partners. The German-speaking market including countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria are viable market for St. Maarten in terms of diversifying our tourism stay-over arrivals, mitigating, and attracting higher disposable income earners from these countries. We have been paying keen attention to these markets as we see an increase in arrivals. Despite the recession fears, travelers are seeking to travel and spend money on a vacation. They are looking to the Caribbean and our goal is to ensure St. Maarten is on their radar, Gianira Arrindell, Marketing Director. 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According to the quoted source, 2,455 of the cases registered in the last week were in reinfected patients, tested positive more than 90 days after the first illness. Distinct from the newly confirmed cases, following the retesting of the patients who were already positive, 343 people were reconfirmed positive. Until now, 3,359,839 cases of infection with SARS-CoV-2 have been registered on the territory of Romania, the incidence recorded at 14 days being 0.50. In the last week, 10,528 RT-PCR tests and 69,086 rapid antigenic tests were performed. Until now, at a national level, 13,808,268 RT-PCR tests and 13,097,224 rapid antigenic tests have been processed.AGERPRES The exhibition "On Foot Around the World. The Story of the 497 Pairs of Opinci (traditional lace-up leather footwear - ed. note)" dedicated to Buzau-based globetrotter Dumitru Dan opened this weekend in Belgium's Ath city, in the organization of the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR) in Brussels, in cooperation with the Buzau County Museum. More than 100 years ago, Dumitru Dan was setting foot in the Kingdom of Belgium, receiving the transit certificate to prove his journey around the world. The exhibition includes 20 images that highlight the unique heritage related to the globetrotter's personality, images of documents from his journey, as well as personal items. The event's venue is just a few kilometers away from the place where the Romanian entered Belgian soil during his epic journey around the world. "The exhibition includes several panels displaying the documents that certify his presence in this area and, according to the statements of the local authorities, it seems that the Romanian passed through no more than 10-15 kilometers away from the venue of the exhibition, while en route to France,'' director of the Buzau County Museum Daniel Costache told AGERPRES. The events held on the occasion of International Francophonie Day in the year that marks three decades since Romania's joining the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) included the presentation of the short film "Opinci" directed by Anton and Damian Groves. "'Opinci', winner of several national and international awards, was also screened during this event. The screening here was possible due to the fact that the Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry bought the commercial rights for this event,'' Daniel Costache said. Between 1910 - 1916, Dumitru Dan together with another three Romanians took part in the globetrotting contest organized by the Touring Club de France, a competition that was interrupted by WW I and completed on July 14, 1923 in Paris, where he was awarded the prize and the title of world champion. "After all the tough trials he encountered throughout his journey, Dumitru Dan chose to live in Buzau. He was a living geography book. He traveled 100,000 km on foot, breaking 497 pairs of opinci. Also, he and the other three Romanians wore out more than 70 traditional folk costumes they were dressed in during their adventure. He crossed the Equator six times, because his itinerary was non-linear, and visited over 100 countries," explained the manager of the culture institution in Buzau County. According to the Dumitru Dan's diaries, all his three companions died during the voyage: Alexandru Pascu on July 17, 1911, in Bombay, India; George Negreanu fell into a precipice while crossing the Nanling mountains in China; Paul Parvu died in January 1915, in Jacksonville, Florida, of complications from foot wounds; he had already put behind almost 90,000 kilometers. In July 1923, in a ceremony organized by Touring Club de France, Dumitru Dan was awarded the title of world champion and was offered the prize of 100,000 French francs for completing the extraordinary journey of 100,000 kilometers on foot around the globe. His performance remained unmatched, and was entered in the Guinness World Records in 1985. Dumitru Dan - a Romanian geographer, geography teacher and globetrotter - was born on July 14, 1889 in Buhusi, but settled in Buzau County, where he died on December 4, 1978. The insurance industry in Romania is facing many problems, being the most sanctioned by the Competition Council, which has submitted a series of proposals to iron out existing legislative deficiencies, Chairman of the Competition Council Bogdan Chiritoiu told AGERPRES on Monday. "There are several problems with the insurance industry, and, as proof, it is also the most sanctioned by the Competition Council. The companies on the RCA civil liability insurance market were fined twice, the last time over 20 million euros in 2022, and previously we had fined nine insurance companies and UNSAR 53 million euros. Our fines must, however, be accompanied by measures to help the market function. For that, we have sent a series of proposals to iron out the existing legislative deficiencies, but we are open to any solutions," said Chiritoiu. According to him, the problems with City Insurance and, recently, Euroins are related, however, to the undercapitalisation of the companies as against the risks taken up, an aspect that does not fall within the competence or expertise of the competition authority, told Agerpres. "We continue to discuss and collaborate with the Financial Oversight Authority and the Ministry of Public Finance and make ourselves available to the legislature so that, within the limits of the legal powers and expertise of each institution, we find the best solutions both for the market and for the customers on the mandatory insurance market." The Council of the Financial Oversight Authority (ASF) decided on Friday to withdraw the business licence of the Euroins Romania company, noting signs of the company's state of insolvency. The United Arab Emirates is to Romania a model of good practices in many fields, including education for sustainable development, Education Minister Ligia Deca said on Monday, who, together with her Emirati counterpart Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, signed a memorandum of understanding under which foundations were laid for the development of the pre-university and higher education systems. "The two countries will co-operate and exchange experience in several key fields of education. On this occasion, I issued an invitation to Minister Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi to pay an official visit to Romania. The United Arab Emirates is to Romania a model of good practices in many fields, including in education for sustainable development. I will get involved in any approach that brings added value to the Romanian education system and that will improve the training area for young people in essential fields," Deca, who was part of a retinue accompanying Romania's President Klaus Iohannis on an official visit to the UAE, wrote in a social media post. Memorandums of understanding were also signed in the areas of digital transformation, green transition and energy, told Agerpres. A trip to Masdar City, near Abu Dhabi, was also organised, a city recognised for projects dedicated to renewable energy and for innovations in the field of urban development. "The importance of co-operation for increasing the quality of education was emphasised, and the possibility of developing joint projects was also discussed. Such initiatives will definitely generate new investment in education. Later, together with Minister of Research Sebastian Burduja, I visited the centre of skills certification for the workforce in Abu Dhabi. There, we were presented with solutions to address the workforce crisis, and we will analyse new ways of co-operation. At the same time, we were welcomed at the Presidential Palace by His Highness, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates and the leader of the Abu Dhabi emirate," added Deca. The City and Euroins companies owned almost 80% of the RCA auto civil liability insurance market, Chairman of the Financial Oversight Authority (ASF) Nicu Marcu noting that in no other country two companies own a such a large market share. "Why did this happen? Because, firstly, they charged some very low, unsustainable fees - and secondly, because there are very few companies operating in the market, and the serious companies withdrew seeing the tactics used by these companies," Marcu said in a testimony to a specialist Senate committee. The ASF Council (ASF) decided on Friday to withdraw the business licence of the Euroins Romania company noting signs of the company's state of insolvency, told Agerpres. It also decided ASF promoting a request for the opening of the bankruptcy procedure and the appointment of the Insurance Guarantee Fund (FGA) as the interim administrator of the company for the purpose of providing the administration and management of the insurer's activity and the adoption of the necessary measures for the preservation of its assets. The duties of the company's management are suspended by law. FGA's mandate ceases upon the appointment of a judicial liquidator. Later, the management of Eurohold claimed that the ASF decision on Euroins was tantamount to "a hostile takeover of the assets of the branch in Romania" and announced that it will start the process of challenging the bankruptcy procedure decision. Collaborating with Euroins was extremely difficult, because they would not provide documents, they would not provide information, which is why checks were arranged almost monthly, some being unexpected and others regular, Chairman of the Financial Oversight Authority (ASF) Nicu Marcu said in a statement on Monday. "An independent audit was ordered, together with the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, the relevant European regulatory authority, that comprised all the insurance companies in Romania - and as a result of this audit - very many deficiencies were found in this company that compelled us to impose measures for them to carry out. (...) Collaboration with this company in the insurance sector was extremely difficult. Because they would not provide documents, they would not provide information, checks were monthly: unannounced checks and regular checks," Marcu said in a testimony to a specialist committee of the Senate. He said that insurance companies are managed according to Solvency II European directive. The ASF Council decided on Friday to withdraw the business licence of the Euroins Romania company, noting signs of the company's state of insolvency. Later, the management of Eurohold claimed that the ASF decision on Euroins was tantamount to "a hostile takeover of the assets of the branch in Romania" and announced that it will start the process of challenging the bankruptcy procedure decision. AGERPRES Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu participated in Brussels on Monday in the International Donors' Conference in support of the populations of Turkey and Syria affected by the earthquake of February 6, on which occasion he announced a new financial assistance package from Romania, worth a total of 1.3 million euros, according to a press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) sent to AGERPRES. The conference organised by the European Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council was an opportunity to focus the international community solidarity action in tackling the wide humanitarian crisis and the need for recovery and reconstruction in the wake of the natural disaster that affected the two countries, the Foreign Ministry said. During the session dedicated to the announcement of financial commitments, Minister Aurescu affirmed Romania's commitment to continue to support humanitarian efforts, to help the affected population in the two countries, and for the recovery and reconstruction efforts that will be launched, told Agerpres. He brought to mind that Romania was the first EU Member State to provide assistance on the ground by sending search and rescue teams and medical teams to Turkey and essential supplies to Syria through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The Foreign Minister also highlighted the importance of the strategic partnership between Romania and the Republic of Turkey, the close human ties and the very good level of cooperation between the two countries. According to MAE, during the meeting, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusodlu thanked Minister Aurescu for his prompt and substantial support Romania granted in the context of the earthquake. At the same time, he highlighted the emergency humanitarian assistance provided by Romania for the Syrian population severely affected by the earthquake, against the background of the already serious humanitarian situation in recent years and the suffering caused by war and instability. In this context, he stressed the importance of identifying a political solution for a lasting peace in Syria, based on existing initiatives at UN level. The minister reiterated his support for the efforts of the UN Special Representative and the advancement of his Step-by-Step initiative. The contribution announced by Romania on the occasion of the conference provides for 600,000 euros in humanitarian assistance, divided equally for the benefit of the populations of the two countries, as well as 700,000 euros to support rapid recovery efforts in Turkey, MAE informed. This new financial commitment complements the in-kind humanitarian assistance already provided to Syria, consisting of more than 43 tonnes of shelter equipment, clothes, food and more than 10 tonnes of essential medicines and medical supplies, which have been distributed to the Syrian population in all earthquake-affected areas. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, participated on Monday, in Brussels, in the meeting of the heads of diplomacy from the EU member states - the Foreign Affairs Council, as well as in the joint meeting of the ministers of Foreign Affairs and of the Ministers of Defense from the EU countries. At the Foreign Affairs Council, the European foreign ministers had an in-depth exchange of discussions regarding Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the implementation of the EU Action Plan for managing its geopolitical consequences, the situation in Tunisia and developments in Iran. High Representative Josep Borrell presented the latest developments regarding the Belgrade - Pristina dialogue. The discussions regarding Russia's aggression against Ukraine took place with the participation, via videoconference, of the Minister of Foreign Affairs from Kyiv, Dmytro Kuleba, told Agerpres. According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), Minister Aurescu highlighted the multiple consequences of the security crisis triggered by the Russian Federation, which have an impact beyond the borders of Ukraine. In this context, he also drew attention to the destabilizing Russian actions directed against the pro-European authorities in Chisinau. The MAE informs that Aurescu expressed support for the continuation of the EU's collective efforts to back Ukraine, including by supplying ammunition, through the new measures proposed by High Representative Josep Borrell and agreed on Monday. He also emphasized the need to continue isolating Russia at the international level, as well as to maintain the pressure on this country by strengthening the regime of sanctions against it and Belarus, respectively the efficiency of the implementation of the restrictive measures in force. The foreign minister reiterated, with reference to the recent arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), that no one should benefit from impunity for the international crimes committed in Ukraine by Russia and reiterated Romania's full support for the ICC, being one of the 43 states that, a year ago, notified the Court for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The Romanian official mentioned as positive the extension of the application of the Black Sea Grains Initiative, evoking the continuation of Romania's support by improving the connectivity between the two states by opening two new border points from the beginning of this year, as well as the aid for the export of over 14 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain in transit through Romania. He informed about the organization in Bucharest, next month, by Romania and Ukraine, of the Conference on Security in the Black Sea under the auspices of the Crimea International Platform. According to the MAE, Minister Aurescu also referred to the latest developments in Chisinau, particularly regarding the recent destabilizing actions and the latest protests organized with the involvement and support of Russia. Thus, the head of Romanian diplomacy emphasized the need to increase EU assistance for strengthening the resilience and security of the Republic of Moldova and the general support for the advancement of the accession process, but also the importance of the rapid establishment of the EU civilian mission in the field of internal security in the Republic of Moldova according to the calendar. He also highlighted the need to create a new sanctions regime, a proposal he launched at the Foreign Affairs Council in February, which would target the people responsible for destabilizing actions in the Republic of Moldova. The minister emphasized that Romania is already working on this aspect. The MAE specifies that the European Foreign Ministers have expressed support for the rapid creation of this sanctions regime proposed by Bogdan Aurescu. The Romanian minister proposed that the situation in the Republic of Moldova be included on the agenda of a future Foreign Affairs Council meeting, as soon as possible. He also proposed bringing back the topic of protracted conflicts on the agenda of a Foreign Affairs Council meeting this spring, considering the need for a visible and substantial EU action on this subject, especially in the current regional security context. The subject of protracted conflicts was brought to the active agenda at the proposal of the Romanian foreign minister in 2020 and 2021. Also at the proposal of Minister Aurescu, such a discussion was also organized in the framework of the meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of the EU states in Lisbon, from 2021. The MAE mentions as an effect of this discussion the launch of the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia, at the border with Azerbaijan, recently operationalized. The MAE shows that, regarding the developments in Iran, the Romanian side reiterated its concern about the human rights situation, the approach to the nuclear file, as well as the military cooperation with Russia and mentioned the need to maintain pressure on the regime to change Tehran's behavior. He welcomed the adoption on Monday of a new package of restrictive measures against Iran in the field of human rights. During the joint meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs and the ministers of defense from the EU member states, the implementation of the Strategic Compass was evaluated one year after its adoption and the new EU assistance measures for Ukraine, aimed at the rapid supply of ammunition, were discussed. As to the Strategic Compass, the Romanian foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the results recorded after one year of implementation. At the same time, Minister Aurescu welcomed the launch of the EU Military Assistance Mission for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as the progress made in combating hybrid and cyber threats. On Monday, Minister Aurescu also participated in the International Conference of Donors for Turkey and Syria as a result of the February earthquake. Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu stated on Monday in Brussels, prior to attending the meeting of the EU foreign affairs ministers - the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), that Romania and Ukraine will jointly organize in April, the first high-level Conference regarding security in the Black Sea within the Crimea International Platform. "It [the high-level conference] will be organized in Bucharest and will be a very important opportunity to build on the lessons learned as a result of the war and in order to see what we can do in order to have a safer Black Sea region in the future," the Foreign Affairs minister stated. He underscored that the most important topic of the FAC meeting is the one on counteracting the effects of the war waged by Russia against Ukraine. The head of the Romanian diplomacy also mentioned the importance of continuing the efforts to isolate Russia. "Romania is ready to work on a new package of sanctions against Russia," the Foreign minister stated, bringing to mind that Romania continues the efforts in terms of the transit of Ukrainian grains and agricultural products. Minister Aurescu highlighted Romania's strong support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), reiterating that in terms of the arrest warrant issued by the ICC "no one should have impunity regarding the international crimes committed in Ukraine during the Russian war of aggression." Minister Bogdan Aurescu will also attend the joint meeting of foreign affairs ministers and defence ministers of the EU member states, as well as the International Donors' Conference to support the people of Turkey and Syria, affected by the earthquake of 6 February. He showed that there is progress in terms of the Strategic Compass and he will draw attention on the situation in the Republic of Moldova and the need to support the Government in Chisinau. "We must continue to support the reform process in view of the country's [the Republic of Moldova] European integration. We must continue the efforts to establish the civil mission (EU) focused on the security sector in the Republic of Moldova. Moreover, we must continue the efforts to create a regime of sanctions against the destabilizing actions against the constitutional order and the rule of law, which I proposed within the previous meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council," Aurescu stated. He pointed out that in respect to Iran, he will voice support for the adoption of the 6th package of sanctions. Minister Aurescu mentioned that within the International Donors' Conference to support the people of Turkey and Syria, he will express Romania's entire support for reconstruction and for supporting the endeavors to alleviate the suffering of the population affected by the earthquake. "Today, we will announce Romania's contribution of 1.3 million EUR for both countries," the Foreign Affairs minister stated. AGERPRES Labour Minister Marius Budai said on Monday that the government in Romania should first deal with the hope for a healthy life of the citizens, after which they could see if they can discuss a possible increase in the retirement age. He added that he does not support raising the retirement age beyond 65 in any way. "I don't understand what those people were thinking when they placed these aspects in PNRR [National Recovery and Resilience Plan] because, for sure, they didn't think about people. Life expectancy in the West is much higher than life expectancy in Romania. (.. .) Let's deal with the healthy life expectancy of Romanian citizens, after which we'll see if we discuss a possible increase in the retirement age (...) We have a provision in the already existing law, Law 263, annex 5, which says that women have to reach the age of 63 by then [in 2030]. There is a decision of the Constitutional Court on discrimination that women can work until the age of 65, which was included in PNRR to be phased in throughout 2035, possibly gradually. Under no circumstances do we support an increase in the retirement age beyond the age of 65," Budai told a news conference at the main offices of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). Law 263 in force "does not stop any Romanian citizen from working past the age of 65," if he or she wishes to do so, added the minister. AGERPRES Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca welcomed on Monday at the Victoria Palace of Government a delegation led by Speaker of the Latvian Parliament Edvards Smiltens. At the beginning of the meeting, the head of the Executive in Bucharest remarked that the visit of the Latvian lawmakers reflects the excellent stage of Romania - Latvia bilateral relations. Ciuca also emphasized the cooperation between the two states within NATO and the EU, as well as in regional formats such as the Three Seas Initiative, underscoring the importance of further developing connectivity for achieving bilateral goals. In his turn, the Speaker of the Latvian Parliament said that the visit to Bucharest is symbolic, in the current context where as strong as possible cooperation is required. Also, the senior Latvian official referred to the need to further provide support to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. AGERPRES President Klaus Iohannis held talks with the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, on Monday, during his official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in which he called for increased trade exchanges and higher levels of UAE investment in Romania. "President Klaus Iohannis highlighted that the United Arab Emirates is Romania's main economic partner in the Gulf region, a status that must be strengthened through new concrete bilateral projects in areas of common interest such as energy, including renewable sources, agriculture, transport infrastructure, digital connectivity, cyber security and combating climate change. The President of Romania appreciated the innovative, efficient solutions based on sustainable development, including in urban areas, promoted by the Emirati authorities. President Klaus Iohannis also called for the intensification of trade exchanges and increasing the level of Emirati investments in our country," the Presidential Administration informed in a press release sent to AGERPRES. The President stressed that his visit represents a new important step towards the development and deepening of bilateral relations, based on the solid tradition between the two countries. He welcomed the sustained pace of bilateral political-diplomatic and sectoral contacts at all levels, noting the particular dynamism of the last period which has created a favourable framework for the development of Romanian-Emirati economic cooperation at a new level, told Agerpres. The head of state congratulated the United Arab Emirates for having taken on the organisation of the COP28 meeting in Dubai at the end of this year, "an aspect that reflects the substantial involvement of the Emirati authorities in the joint global effort to combat climate change." President Iohannis put forward the proposal to cooperate to promote climate education and green transition competencies. He presented the objectives of the Three Seas Initiative Summit that Romania will host in Bucharest in September and the opportunity that the initiative's Business Forum offers to private investors and investment funds, encouraging the involvement of investors from the United Arab Emirates. The UAE President thanked Iohannis for the visit, adding that it will give a strong boost to bilateral relations and provide a bridge between the two countries. The Emirati official mentioned the fruitful high-level dialogue and the interest to strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest, dialogue and development of relations with Romania being a permanent objective, the Presidential Administration said. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan stressed the importance of limiting climate change and Romania's active role in this area, inviting the Romanian authorities to get involved and participate in COP28. According to the Presidential Administration, the two presidents agreed that a closer political dialogue between the two countries is necessary, including at international level, in order to efficiently manage regional and international security challenges. In this regard, the discussions also provided an opportunity for an in-depth exchange of views on recent security developments in the Black Sea region, in the context of the war in Ukraine and the Middle East respectively. President Iohannis invited the President of the United Arab Emirates to pay an official visit to Romania. The official delegation accompanying President Iohannis included Minister of Energy Virgil Popescu, Minister of Education Ligia Deca, Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitisation Sebastian Burduja, Secretary of State with the Ministry of Interior Raed Arafat, director general of Nuclearelectrica Cosmin Ghita, chairman of Hidroelectrica's board of directors Bogdan Badea, and director of the National Cyber Security Directorate Dan Cimpean, director of the Romanian Intelligence Service Eduard Hellvig. On the occasion of the official visit of President Klaus Iohannis, several bilateral documents were signed in the areas of energy, cyber security, education and civil protection. Energy Minister Virgil Popescu and his counterpart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei signed on Monday a memorandum of understanding in the energy area, which opens new ways of cooperation in this sector. "Alongside Romania's President Klaus Iohannis and my colleagues, the Research, Innovation and Digitization Minister, Sebastian Burduja, as well as Education Minister Ligia Deca, today, I have participated in the working meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and leader of the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Romania's president conveyed that out countries have common priorities, including green energy and transition, as well as climate change. Furthermore, the companies in the United Arab Emirates have been invited to invest in Romania. On this occasion I signed together with His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates, a memorandum of understanding in the energy area which opens new ways of cooperation for the production of renewable energy, natural gas, nuclear energy, energy efficiency and hydrogen," Virgil Popescu wrote on his Facebook page. The minister also announced that Bogdan Badea, the CEO of Hidroelectrica, signed the document which stipulates the joint-venture partnership with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company - Masdar - in view of developing, investing, building and exploiting renewable energy projects in Romania. Moreover, Cosmin Ghita, the CEO of Nuclearelectrica, signed a memorandum of cooperation with Emirates Nuclear Energy Cooperation - ENEC - in the area of nuclear energy, through which the two companies will collaborate in the project of Units 3 and 4 of Cernavoda. AGERPRES The Romanian state must support, more than ever in the current context, the Romanian communities in Ukraine, said on Sunday the secretary general of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Paul Stanescu, who participated in the commemoration ceremonies of the historian Dimitrie Onciul in Chernivtsi and then in Straja commune, northeastern Suceava County. "At the end of this week I was in Ukraine, in Chernivtsi and then in Straja commune for the commemoration of Dimitrie Onciul, who was a great Romanian historian, president of the Romanian Academy and a defender of the Romanian identity and nation. On Saturday, together with the Romanian community in Ukraine, I attended the memorial service in the Central Cemetery in Chernivtsi. Together with Gheorghe Carciu, secretary of state with the Department for Romanians Abroad, senator Ioan Stan, Prof. Juravle Mihai, mayor of Straja, and other distinguished guests, we were happy that we were able, despite the difficult conditions, to honour the memory of the great Romanian, as required by our Christian tradition," Stanescu said on Sunday, according to the PSD Facebook page. The Social Democrat stressed Romania's obligation to be "ever closer" to the Romanian community in Ukraine. "Today [Sunday - editor's note], after the Holy Mass and the second memorial service for Dimitrie Onciul, performed by Vicar Bishop of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Radauti Damaschin Dorneanul, in the presence of His Eminence Joseph Metropolitan of Western and Southern Europe, I was honoured to say a few words about a sacred duty we have. The resting places of our ancestors are monuments of Romanianism, part of our identity and must be protected and rehabilitated. Moreover, given the war and the difficult times that the Romanian communities in Ukraine are going through, we have an obligation to be close to them at all times, and the Romanian state must support them more than ever," added Paul Stanescu.AGERPRES The second PrimoHUB learning, play and parenting center was inaugurated on Monday, on bd. Iuliu Maniu no. 111 from sector 6 of Bucharest. It is about a project initiated by the Bucharest City Hall, the Step by Step Center and the UNICEF Representative Office in Romania. The center is a complementary early education service, designed to stimulate the development of children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. The services provided are intended for both Romanian and Ukrainian refugee children. Present at the inauguration, the general mayor, Nicusor Dan, stated that the center is aimed especially at children from vulnerable families. Deputy mayor Horia Tomescu reminded that in December the first PrimoHUB center was inaugurated, on Theodor Pallady Boulevard, with a capacity of 48 seats. The representative of UNICEF in Romania, Anna Riatti, said that such centers allow Ukrainian children to interact with Romanian children. At the same time, their parents have the opportunity to look for a job, while their children are in these centers. "We started collaborating (with the Bucharest City Hall ed.n) more closely after the war in Ukraine. We opened many centers in Bucharest and reached hundreds of children. Without the political support granted, all this would not have been possible. (...) It is very important for small children to interact, to have the chance to develop," she pointed out. The executive director of the Step by Step Center, Carmen Lica, said that the center inaugurated on Monday is part of a series of inclusive and quality early education centers for vulnerable children. The general director of DGASMB, Cosmina Simiean, said that 60,000 Ukrainians live in Bucharest, the vast majority of them women and children. She reminded that Bucharest is part of the Child Friendly Cities Initiative.AGERPRES Electricity supplier Speeh Hidroelectrica has been fined 400,000 RON, double the maximum provided for by law, following an extensive control action carried out by the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE). Thus, deficiencies were found in the supplier's activity, which consisted of: failure to issue invoices for the amounts of electricity supplied to the 482,638 final customers in the portfolio, for each billing period and within the timeframe stipulated in the electricity supply contracts concluded with them; failure to send or delay in sending replies to requests made by customers; failure to conclude or failure to comply with the deadline for the conclusion of the electricity supply contract following the customer's acceptance of the supply conditions and submission of the necessary documentation. ANRE constantly monitored the activity of Speeh Hidroelectrica throughout 2022, and there were 71 civil sanctions in the amount of 365,000 RON imposed on the supplier for similar deeds. ANRE representatives state that they will continue to monitor the behaviour of all electricity and natural gas suppliers in relation to end customers to ensure that their rights are respected.AGERPRES Trade unionists with the police, the penitentiary system and the army are staging a protest on Friday whereby they are requesting the unfreezing of wages and the elimination of discrimination with regard to state military pensions. "The Trade Unions Federation of the National Penitentiary Administration (FSANP), the Federation of Trade Unions from the Penitentiary System (FSSP), National Trade Union of Prison Police Officers (FPP), the Trade Union of Laid-off Military Staff (SCMD) are joining on Friday, March 24, starting with 11:00 hrs, the protest of police officers represented by the National Police and Contractual Staff Union (SNPPC) and the Democratic Trade Union of Police Officers (SIDEPOL) in front of the Romanian Government headquarters," informs a press release. Trade unionists with the police and the penitentiary system are accusing the government of stealing from the pockets of police officers, servicemen and penitentiary police officers and consider that that there are Romanians in prison who have stolen less than politicians steal monthly from the pockets of employees in the defence, public order and national security sector. "Party leaders admit that a police officer, a serviceman and a prison police officer earn less than a dumper truck driver, but their statements remain at the level of cheap electoral populism, since, in reality, politicians do not make any serious effort to correct the anomalies that have led to the deterioration of the safety of Romanians and the quality of justice. Criminality in Romania has increased, corruption has crippled the fundamental institutions of the state, and appointments to public office based on political criteria and kinship have become a rule that has suppressed meritocracy among law enforcement officers," reads the release. Trade unionists maintain that "all these slippages from democracy that have made the police, military and prison officers vulnerable to criminals are happening under the helpless eyes of underfunded and undersized influential institutions that will soon be unable to work in support of honest citizens". Thus, the presidents of the 6 trade unions of the police, penitentiary and military reservists request the Romanian Government to identify urgent solutions that will make possible, in the first part of 2023, the full implementation of Law no. 153/2017 on the remuneration of staff paid from public funds, regarding all personnel in the occupational family of defence, public order and national security. At the same time, the presidents of the trade unions call on the updating of the state military pensions under Law no 223/2015 on state military pensions without subsequent amendments and additions, as adopted by the Romanian Parliament, as well as the increase of the food quota/equipment standard, by reference to the current value of the price indices.AGERPRES Vulnerable people will benefit from a special package of support through the Inclusion and Social Dignity Programme, the first calls for projects to be opened in the second quarter of this year, informs the Ministry of European Investments and Projects (MIPE). In total, in 2023, 10 calls worth a total of 970 million EUR will be launched through this program, and projects can be submitted by administrative-territorial units, local action groups, social service providers, social enterprises or administrators of entrepreneurship schemes social, told Agerpres. According to MIPE, from the total budget of 4.15 billion EUR available to the Inclusion and Social Dignity Program, the largest allocation goes to the support given to preschoolers and students, mothers with new babies and the provision of basic food/hot meals for people from disadvantaged groups (980 million EUR). "It is for the first time that Romania has a program with European funding specifically dedicated to vulnerable groups and we will use this opportunity to support the elderly, children, people with disabilities, single-parent families or mothers in difficulty. We have financed, in recent years, from EU funds, measures that have improved the lives of many Romanians with low incomes - food parcels, educational vouchers, "Support for Romania" social cards, energy cards and we are preparing other similar measures. But, unfortunately, 1 out of 3 Romanians is exposed to the risk of poverty or social exclusion, the most exposed to this phenomenon being the vulnerable groups. In this sense, the Social Inclusion and Dignity Programme is an instrument that allows us to build a system of integrated social services that will support, in the long term, vulnerable people : we will finance integrated social centers, home care services for the elderly, educational or integration centers on the labor market, independent living services for people with disabilities who leave the institutionalized system, social enterprises," declared the Minister of European Investments and Projects, Marcel Bolos. The Inclusion and Social Dignity Programme will finance 11 investment priorities: local development placed under the responsibility of the community; local development placed under the responsibility of the community - rural area; protecting the right to social dignity; supporting rural communities without access or with limited access to social services; reducing the disparities between children at risk of poverty and/or social exclusion and other children; support services for the elderly; support for people with disabilities; social and support services provided to other vulnerable groups; social innovation; helping disadvantaged people; technical assistance. Public and private institutions, especially in the field of social protection, can submit funding applications. Border restrictions set by the Biden administration in early January have led to a large drop in the number of Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan migrants crossing into the United States illegally this year, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data released Wednesday. Unlawful crossings by migrants from the four nations fell from 84,190 in December to 2,050 during February, CBP data shows. The figures provide a boost to Biden administration officials at a time when their border measures are facing court challenges and scalding criticism from Republicans and Democrats. The Republican opposition was visible at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing Wednesday in McAllen, Texas, an event whose stated purpose was to blame Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for provoking a crisis at the border. Republicans took turns excoriating the administration for the record migration influx during President Biden's first two years in office, ignoring the reductions of the past two months. Democratic members skipped the meeting entirely, accusing Republicans of staging a platform to "score political points," as some members of the president's party have slammed Biden for adopting enforcement policies they liken to those of the Trump administration. Biden has taken a turn toward the political center on immigration enforcement this year, moves that appear designed in part to shore up a political vulnerability for the White House ahead of the 2024 election. The administration is also bracing for a potential migration surge after May 11, the date it has set for the expiration of pandemicrelated health restrictions along the border. U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz told Republicans during Wednesday's hearing that a lack of enforcement consequences, such as criminal prosecutions and repatriations, fuels unlawful crossings and hurts border security. Republicans repeatedly asked Ortiz, an Army veteran who has been with the Border Patrol for more than three decades, to say whether Biden's policies were to blame for the record number of illegal crossings tallied by U.S. Customs and Border Protection during the president's first two years in office. Ortiz avoided direct criticism of his superiors, but he said migration trends respond to "push and pull" factors that include global economic trends as well as migrants' perceptions of how much risk they face of being returned. "Law enforcement's pretty simple," Ortiz said. "You have to have capacity, and you have to have consequences. And any time you don't have consequences, you're certainly going to see some increases." Some Republicans questioned Ortiz about the discovery of what they called an explosive device on the border in January. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) said Border Patrol agents were "at risk of being blown to pieces by the cartels." Rep. Morgan Luttrell (Texas) asked why nobody told Congress or the American public about it. Ortiz at first said he could not provide information about the alleged incident. He later tweeted that agents had found "a ducttaped ball filled with sand." He posted a photo and said the discovery never posed a threat. Rep. J. Luis Correa (Calif), a member of the Homeland Security Committee and ranking Democrat of the subcommittee on border security, said he avoided the hearing because it felt partisan, not a joint effort to shape immigration policy. Correa said that this week he visited the Texas border city of Laredo, where he saw migrants from Ecuador at a detention facility facing possible deportation. "You saw their hope and their desperation," he said. "If you give people the opportunity to come into the country legally, they will take that opportunity." Biden ran for office promising a more humane approach to immigration enforcement and promptly rolled back many of his predecessor's policies, including construction of the border wall and a program that required asylum seekers to await their hearings in Mexico. In recent months, though, the Biden administration has taken a tougher approach. In early January, Biden announced a deal that allows authorities to send up to 30,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela back across the border to Mexico per month. His administration offset those measures by permitting the same number of migrants from the four countries to seek to enter the country lawfully through the expansion of a humanitarian program known as "parole." The steep drop in illegal crossings by Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans bolsters the administration's approach at a time when GOP officials in 21 states are suing in federal court to block the parole measures that the administration says is the linchpin of its new border strategy. The Republicans say Biden has violated federal laws by creating new immigration programs on the fly that grant entry to immigrants who wouldn't qualify for a visa. Biden officials say they are delivering exactly what Republicans have been clamoring for a reduction in illegal crossings and the lawsuit jeopardizes the success they've had so far. They say Mexico's willingness to cooperate on enforcement is contingent on the parole program, and they need to give migrants an incentive to apply for permission to live and work in the United States legally to discourage illegal entries. The latest CBP statistics show that the number of migrants the administration is allowing to enter legally is lower than the number it was apprehending monthly after an illegal crossing. Last month, 35,424 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela were processed as "inadmissible" by CBP officers along the border and at U.S. airports, up from 13,056 in December, CBP data shows. Those figures include migrants allowed to enter through the parole program as well as individuals granted humanitarian exceptions to the pandemic-era health restrictions known as Title 42. Overall the number of migrants encountered by CBP at ports of entry or between them was down about 1 percent to 154,998 high by historic standards but one of the lowest monthly totals since Biden took office. The Biden administration continues to rely on Title 42 as its primary enforcement tool along the Mexican border. The policy allows authorities to quickly expel border crossers back to their home countries or Mexico. Biden officials have made broad exemptions for migrants who are considered vulnerable, including most family groups. Biden officials say the Title 42 restrictions are no longer necessary and have contributed to an increase in repeat entries by border crossers who face no legal consequences, but federal courts have sided with Republicans seeking to keep the measures in place. The administration has proposed a rule restricting asylum access that is crafted in part to give CBP an enforcement tool to replace Title 42. The measure would penalize asylum seekers who cross illegally or decline to seek protection in nations they pass through on their way to the U.S. border. The restrictions can take effect after a public comment period. Immigrant advocates and some Democrats have been outraged by the proposal to limit asylum claims, along with internal discussions to reopen short-term detention centers for migrant families. New technology is playing a central role in the administration's border management plans. Authorities are directing migrants to seek an appointment by using an online mobile app, CBP One, that gathers data and channels applicants to specific U.S. border crossings. The number of people using the app far outstrips the number of available appointments, however, and users say the app has been plagued by glitches. Migrants' frustration with the app and the appointment system has been building. On Sunday, hundreds of migrants crowded onto the bridge connecting Mexico's Ciudad Juarez with El Paso, pleading with authorities to allow them to pass. CBP temporarily closed the border crossing, and officials said later that the rush to the border was apparently sparked by a false rumor. Banking stocks and bonds fell sharply on Monday as the hit to investors from UBS Groups state-backed takeover of Credit Suisse fanned concerns about the health of the global banking sector. UBS Group AG shares sank by 7% amid concerns among investors about the long-term benefits of the deal and the outlook for banks in Switzerland, a country once seen a paragon of sound banking. In a package engineered by Swiss regulators on Sunday, UBS will pay 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.23 billion) for 167-year-old Credit Suisse Group AG and assume up to $5.4 billion in losses. Roger Nordmann, leader of the Social Democrats (SP) in the Swiss parliament, said the deal creates enormous risk for Switzerland and UBS, and blamed Credit Suisses leadership for the banks failure. What has happened is terrible for the credibility of Switzerland, he said. Investor focus has now shifted to the massive blow some Credit Suisse bondholders will take, adding to anxiety about other risks to the banking sector including contagion and the fragile state of U.S. regional lenders. European bank shares slumped, with an index of leading lenders down 2.3%. German banking giants Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank dropped 3.1% and 3.3% respectively, while Frances BNP Paribas fell 3.7%. The sharp moves followed heavy selling in Asian markets as early optimism quickly evaporated. A week can be a very long time in financial markets. UBS acquiring Credit Suisse for 3 billion francs a week ago would have seemed like a terrific deal. Now the position is less clear, said Johann Scholtz, analyst at Morningstar, adding the acquisition should ultimately benefit UBS. The cost of insuring exposure to the debt of the continents lenders rose, with UBSs credit default swap widening to 153 basis points from 117 bps, S&P Global Market Intelligence data showed. Coordinated action Investors appeared to have shrugged off promises by top central banks over the weekend to provide dollar liquidity to stabilize the financial system. In a global response not seen since the height of the pandemic, the Federal Reserve said it had joined 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 euro zone banks with loans if needed, adding the rescue of Credit Suisse was instrumental in restoring calm. The banking sector lurched into crisis earlier in March with the failure of U.S. lenders Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank before ensnaring its biggest name yet in Credit Suisse. Problems remain in the U.S. banking sector, where shares are still under pressure despite several large banks depositing $30 billion into First Republic Bank, another institution rocked by the failures of Silicon Valley and Signature Bank. On Sunday, S&P Global downgraded First Republics credit ratings deeper into junk, saying the deposit infusion may not solve its liquidity problems. Its shares were sharply lower again in premarket dealing on Monday. Recalibrating risk The shotgun Swiss banking marriage is backed by a massive government guarantee, helping prevent what would have been one of the largest banking collapses since the fall of Lehman Brothers in 2008. The Swiss regulator also decided that Credit Suisses additional tier-1 (AT1) bonds with a notional value of $17 billion will be valued at zero, angering some holders of the debt who thought they would be better protected than shareholders. AT1 bonds a $275 billion sector also known as contingent convertibles or CoCo bonds can be converted into equity or written off if a banks capital level falls below a certain threshold. Prices of AT1 bonds issued by other European banks such as Deutsche Bank, HSBC, UBS and BNP Paribas dropped 10-12 cents, data from Tradeweb showed. There are certain rules that everybody thinks are being followed, and theres been this one very puzzling treatment of these bonds, Allianz advisor Mohamed El-Erian told Britains Sky News. People are recalibrating what they thought the risk was, he said. QUESTIONS FOR UBS The deal to buy Credit Suisse will make UBS Switzerlands only global bank and the Swiss economy more dependent on a single lender. On Monday, Credit Suisses banking operations appeared to be business as usual at its major offices in Asia. Monetary authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong, where Credit Suisse hosts large regional offices, separately said the Swiss banks business continued without interruption. Credit Suisse staff arriving to work in Hong Kong and Singapore on Monday morning, however, fretted about retrenchments and retaining business. 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 apologize for it." FRANKFURT, Germany Asset manager DWS on Monday joined in criticism of the multiple board commitments of Bayers chairman, adding to upheaval at the drugmaker, which is the target of activist investors in the run-up to a change of CEO on June 1. Hendrik Schmidt, a corporate governance expert at Germanys DWS, told Reuters that his questions at Bayers annual shareholder meeting on April 28 will include whether Chairman Norbert Winkeljohann plans reduce the number of board positions he holds. We will question critically how he aims to make sure that he can give his mandate as supervisory board chairman at Bayer the necessary attention, Schmidt said. A former head of six European countries at auditing and consulting firm PwC, Winkeljohann has chaired Bayers non-executive board since 2020. He is also Deutsche Banks deputy chairman, chairman at unlisted wholesale trade groups Sievert SE and Bohnenkamp AG as well as a board member at steel maker Georgsmarienhuette GmbH. Schmidt said that DWS, a 2018 spinoff from Deutsche Bank, regards this as a clear case of a chairmans attention being overstretched under its vetting rules for stocks in which it invests. He said, however, the asset management group had yet to decide how it will vote at the AGM. Mutual funds group Union Investment said this month it will not back the reelection of Winkeljohann because of his number of board mandates, saying being a chairman was no part-time job. Schmidt said voting Winkeljohann out of office had downsides and could add to the turmoil at Bayer and within the supervisory board, which has seen many personnel changes over the last three years. Bayer declined to comment. In its notice of the AGM, Bayer said the supervisory board has satisfied itself that Winkeljohann is able to make time for his duties, taking into account his seats on other boards. Bayers incoming CEO Bill Anderson is inheriting a full in-tray from his predecessor: thousands of lawsuits claiming its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer, an underwhelming drug development pipeline and disgruntled investors looking for major change. Bayer has repeatedly said Roundup is safe to use and that environmental regulators share that view. Schmidt said he would not voice a position regarding Bayers diversified structure with pharmaceuticals, consumer health products and farming supplies. Activist investors Inclusive Capital and Bluebell have urged Bayer to consider restructuring measures to gain a clearer focus. According to Refinitiv data, DWS is Bayers sixth-largest shareholder and Union Investment is No. 10 on the register. JEFFERSON CITY Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said Monday his office will file an emergency regulation to limit access to gender-related care for minors. The new rules will require an 18-month waiting period, 15 hourlong therapy sessions and treatment of any mental illnesses before Missouri doctors can provide that kind of care to transgender children, Baileys office said. The move appeared to sidestep the Republican-led Legislature, which has debated, but not passed, legislation to restrict transgender health care for minors, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries. As of late Monday, the attorney generals emergency regulation had yet to be filed with the secretary of states office, said JoDonn Chaney, spokesman for Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft. Baileys announcement came as state lawmakers returned to work Monday after a one-week spring break and hundreds of supporters of anti-transgender health care legislation gathered in the Capitol Rotunda for a rally. The rules, which are likely to face a court challenge, were met with derision from a statewide group advocating for LGBTQ people and from parents of children receiving care at the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Childrens Hospital, which has come under fire after a report last month by a former employee, Jamie Reed, alleged substandard care at the clinic. We consider this regulation a gross and reprehensible action that puts the health, wellness, and very lives of transgender and gender-expansive youth at risk, PROMO, a Missouri organization advocating for LGTBQ rights, said in a statement. Alison Maclean of Kirkwood, whose 12-year-old son is being treated at the Transgender Center, said, This is completely based in ignorance, and said the regulation is perpetuating misinformation. A news release from Baileys office describes gender transition interventions as experimental. Among other things, the emergency regulation would require the patient to receive a full psychological or psychiatric assessment, consisting of not fewer than 15 separate, hourly sessions over the course of not fewer than 18 months to determine, among other things, whether the person has any mental health comorbidities. The regulation would require any existing mental health comorbidities of the patient to have been treated and resolved prior to gender transition interventions. Patients would also need to be screened for autism and would need to be evaluated at least annually to make sure the patient is not experiencing social contagion with respect to the patients gender identity. Bailey, in a statement, said he was sticking up for children: I am dedicated to using every legal tool at my disposal to stand in the gap and protect children from being subject to inhumane science experiments. In response, PROMO said, Gender-affirming care is not experimental but a lifesaving and lifegiving standardized path of health care backed by every major medical association in the United States. Baileys lack of medical expertise shows, said Dr. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. Scientific evidence shows and the medical community agrees that gender-affirming care is safe, effective and life-saving. Politifact, in a fact-check published in January, called mostly false a claim that all gender affirming care for children is 100% experimental. There are zero long-term studies on the effects the drugs and surgeries will have on them. Other St. Louis-area parents with transgender children sharply criticized Baileys action. Its absolutely horrifying that the attorney general would think he is better informed than medical professionals and parents who absolutely have the best interest of their children in mind, said Jennifer Goldring of St. Louis County, the mother of a 16-year-old son on testosterone. Im terrified of what this means for my child and his mental health if he cannot get the gender-affirming care he needs. Goldring said she was unsure whether the order would affect her son, as he is already on testosterone, but would consider moving if that meant getting him the care he requires. We would have to figure it out, she said. Susan Halla, national board president of TransParent, said she wasnt surprised by Baileys action. I think theyre threatened that theyre not going to get these bills through, she said. Halla, who lives in south St. Louis and is the mother of a 22-year-old son who was treated by the Transgender Center, accused Bailey of fearmongering and using misleading and false information. We will continue to fight this, she said. Its disappointing that they continue to rely on lies and false information to garner votes for their reelection campaign. Bailey, a Republican, took office in January after his appointment by Gov. Mike Parson. He said he is running for a four-year term in 2024. Chuck Hatfield, a Jefferson City attorney and former aide to former Attorney General Jay Nixon, a Democrat, cast doubt on Baileys action. Its a creative strategy, and I dont know that its going to hold if somebody takes him to court, he said. He called doing an emergency regulation unusual and said thats supposed to be reserved for, you know, actual emergencies immediate threat to public health or safety. Julie Flory, vice chancellor of marketing and communications for Washington U., said the university will review the regulation once it is filed. We take the care and safety of our patients very seriously, Flory said in an email. Our focus remains on our commitment to providing compassionate, family-centered care to all of the patients and families we serve. After convening after 4 p.m., senators returned to debate on health care for transgender minors. Instead of debating legislation sponsored by Republican Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, who has feuded with GOP leadership, senators were debating legislation by Sen. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston, that would also restrict transgender athletes and health care. Debate stretched late into the evening. Post-Dispatch reporter Colleen Schrappen and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Updated at 8 p.m. More coverage During a four-hour hearing last week that could eliminate nationwide access to a common and widely used abortion pill, federal Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, of the Northern District of Texas, signaled his conservative Christian beliefs early and often. Speaking from the bench in a courtroom in Amarillo, Texas, Kacsmaryk repeatedly used language that mimicked the vocabulary of anti-abortion activists. It also reflected the wording of the lawyers seeking to overturn the FDAs two-decade-old approval of mifepristone, one of the drugs in the two-pill regimen approved for early pregnancy termination. Each time a lawyer from the Department of Justice, representing the FDA, referred to medication abortion, Kacsmaryk returned to the language of conservative Christian activists, using monikers like chemical abortion and mail-in abortion, phrases at odds with conventional medical terminology. The stakes in the case, Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, are high: Abortion rights advocates fear that Kacsmaryk, an appointee of then-President Donald Trump and a former lawyer at the First Liberty Institute, a conservative Christian legal group, could rule within days to force manufacturers to pull mifepristone from the market nationwide. If that happens, clinics and obstetricians and gynecologists across the country will be able to prescribe only misoprostol, the second drug in the two-pill regimen, for miscarriages and early abortion care. Misoprostol is still extremely safe but less effective and comes with more side effects. The ruling would be unprecedented in the history of approved drugs and could affect the health care of millions of women, even those in states where abortion is still legal. One conservative judge is impacting the rights of women in California and New York, said Greer Donley, an associate professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh Law School and expert on reproductive health law. The endgame is to stop as many abortions as possible by any means necessary. When the conservative majority on the Supreme Court eliminated the federal right to abortion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a Catholic, wrote that the court was not outlawing abortion throughout the United States. On the contrary, Kavanaugh wrote, the Courts decision properly leaves the question of abortion for the people and their elected representatives in the democratic process. But in the nine months since the announcement of the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, Christian legal groups have made their strategy clear: eliminate abortion nationwide by filing lawsuits in federal courts that make scientific claims, unsupported by mainstream medical organizations, to raise doubts about the safety of abortion pills and contraception. These legal decisions, which conservatives might once have decried as judicial activism, are partially necessary because abortion rights continually poll positively, with voters even in solidly conservative states like Kansas and Kentucky refusing to enact bans. After Dobbs, there have been more and more efforts to move things away from the popular majority and into the hands of judges like Kacsmaryk, said Mary Ziegler, a law professor and abortion historian at the University of California-Davis School of Law. Because voters are not sold on fetal rights and because the only way to a national ban on abortion is likely to come from the conservative courts, she said. Ziegler added of anti-abortion campaigners, They dont want solutions that work only in Tennessee and Texas. The strategy of casting doubt on established and accepted science is not new in conservative circles, nor is it limited to abortion. For decades, conservative Christian legal groups have introduced scientific uncertainty where there had been none: Claims that abortion causes breast cancer or infertility are unsupported by medical and scientific research but nevertheless made their way into state laws, requiring physicians in certain states to tell patients about risks from abortion that do not exist. And in a recent opinion that ended birth control access for teens without parental consent in Texas, the same judge as in the mifepristone case Kacsmaryk exaggerated the health risks of prescription birth control in his decision, asserting that states have an interest in protecting the health of girls. Several popular methods of birth control carry serious side effects, Kacsmaryk wrote, later quoting from Planned Parenthood educational material that read, Complications are rare, but they can be serious. In very rare cases, they can lead to death. That case, Deanda v. Becerra, was filed by a Christian father who cited religious objections to a federal family planning program. And in the mifepristone case, fundamentalist Christian groups have argued that the drug is unsafe, despite ample research and decades of use testifying to the contrary. Alliance Defending Freedom, which describes itself as the worlds largest legal organization committed to protecting Gods design for marriage and family, is pushing to outlaw abortion pills. Erik Baptist, an attorney for the group, said in a statement following the March 15 hearing that the the FDAs approval of chemical abortion drugs over 20 years ago has always stood on shaky legal and moral ground. He added, Its time for the government to do what its legally required to do: protect the health and safety of vulnerable women and girls. Conservative legal groups like ADF have been savvy about exploiting small wins in the courts and building on them, such as the 2007 decision Gonzales v. Carhart, which upheld a federal ban on a rarely used method of abortion. The decision had minimal practical impact, as the procedure in question was rarely performed, but it established an important legal principle: When scientific uncertainty arises in legal disputes is a medical procedure, device, or medication safe or not? legislatures get to decide. The court said when there is scientific uncertainty the tiebreaker goes to the legislature, said Ziegler. But there is little question that mifepristone is safe: More than 5.6 million women have successfully used medication abortion since 2000, according to the FDA. In 2008, the Government Accountability Office investigated the FDAs approval of mifepristone and concluded the process was consistent with FDA regulations. In the courtroom, Baptist acknowledged that no court had ever ordered the FDA to remove a drug from the market over the agencys objections, and legal observers say there remains a huge question whether the court can order the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, who oversees the FDA, to do so. But Laurie Sobel, an associate director for womens health policy at KFF, who listened to the hearing in a Dallas courtroom, said anti-abortion attorneys argued that the mailing of abortion medications strips states of their ability to protect women and children. (The hearing, which Kacsmaryk did not, initially, publicly announce, was not streamed to the public, and the court has yet to release a transcript.) But Jessica Ellsworth, an attorney representing Danco Laboratories, a manufacturer of mifepristone, told the court that abortion remained legal in all states because it was allowed for preventing a patients death or serious bodily injury. Using mifepristone is the safest method of abortion, she argued, noting the judges decision in the case could ban it in every state. If Kavanaugh said, Were going to send it back to the states to be decided by their elected representatives, this is the exact opposite, said Donley. Kacsmaryk appeared ready to grant a preliminary injunction in favor of anti-abortion groups, asking ADFs Baptist what kind of remedy he was seeking. Baptist responded, The court has an interest in preventing dangerous drugs from entering the marketplace. He added, Any relief you grant must be complete. The harm of chemical drugs knows no bound. KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. USE OUR CONTENT This story can be republished for free (details). ST. LOUIS A mother in St. Louis County braced herself last month as she began reading an incriminatory account of the transgender treatment center where her child is a patient. Paragraphs into what the mother calls wild accusations, she froze. She was reading about her son. It literally puts us in the bulls-eye, the mother said. Parents interviewed by the Post-Dispatch have expressed shock at allegations of negligence and malpractice made by a former case manager, Jamie Reed, against Washington Universitys Transgender Center at St. Louis Childrens Hospital. But they also say they are fearful. They dont know who has access to their childrens information or what will be done with it. A narrative by Reed, including anecdotes about specific, unnamed patients, was published by the Free Press, a new online media outlet, on Feb. 9. Her story, and a sworn affidavit provided to Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, prompted a state investigation and additional oversight by the university. The following day, the mother lodged two federal privacy complaints and one with the university. Reed shared details in that article that put myself and my child at risk, said the mother. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA, regulates how a patients health information can be stored, accessed and shared. The threshold for a violation is high. According to the HIPAA Journal, more than two-thirds of challenges received by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are rejected after review. Matthew Cortland, a health care lawyer and activist based in Washington, filed a complaint on March 12, citing Reeds story and a follow-up article published on the platform Substack by journalist Jesse Singal. In both, Reed references a red flag list of patients kept on a spreadsheet by her and another Transgender Center employee. The Substack piece also includes quotes from notes Reed said she kept on her iPhone from a therapists letter about a patient. In a different Substack newsletter, Singal published a screenshot of a partially redacted spreadsheet, including referral dates of new patients. Whistleblowers, like Reed, are covered by an exception to the privacy rule in which they are allowed to disclose protected health information to certain oversight agencies and attorneys if they believe professional standards have been violated. Journalists are not among that group. Reeds Free Press narrative alone raised significant concerns, Cortland said. When Singal wrote about things Reed told him and had given to him either what Singal has published is not true or Reed has violated the privacy rule. HIPAA breaches often result in a corrective plan or technical assistance, but fines can also be levied. Criminal violations, which are rare, can incur fees or jail time; they involve knowingly and wrongfully obtaining and disclosing protected health information. In an email sent last week, Ernie Trakas, an attorney for Reed and a member of the St. Louis County Council, said he was confident his client has not violated any HIPAA patient identifying protections. Trakas, with the Child and Parental Rights Campaign, continued: Information she shared with news media was meticulously vetted and, if necessary, thoroughly redacted to prevent even speculative interpretive efforts at identifying patient health information. Finally, none of the information provided is remotely contained or included within any definition of identifiers listed in the HIPAA safe harbor rule. That is not consolation for a mom from south St. Louis. We do not know the extent of the information she collected and handed over to various entities, the mom said. The thought that (the lawyers) she is working with have had access to private info on trans patients is terrifying for me. Everybody and their uncle Christine Hyman of St. Charles was on the phone with a compliance officer at Washington University the morning after Reeds first-person narrative was published. She requested an account of all the times the medical records of her son, who has been treated at the Transgender Center since 2018, were touched. Hyman, a board member of the support group TransParent, said she is not sure when she will receive the report from the university. Everybody and their uncle has asked for the same thing, she said the compliance officer told her. So its going to take a while to get through it. A mother from St. Charles also called Washington U. on Feb. 10 to lodge a privacy complaint. The compliance officer suggested adding a break glass step to her daughters record, which requires documenting a reason every time someone logs in. The mother said she felt good about the universitys response but worries that Reed, who is now employed in another part of WUs School of Medicine, could continue to access Transgender Center files through the universitys online system. Washington University did not respond to a question on whether that was possible, but a spokeswoman said in an email: We continue to look into this matter to ascertain the facts, including the handling of confidential patient health information. Several other parents are weighing whether to officially submit a grievance against an institution they believe has provided quality care to their children. We are concerned about the fallout around the reputation of the Transgender Center, said Amanda Stuart of St. Louis. But it really sounds like Jamie should have been fired. Freaking out Becky Hormuth of Wentzville is worried about compounding the backlash she and her family have already endured. Just after Reeds story was published, a commenter on Hormuths Twitter feed referenced personal details about her son that she had not shared online. The tweet also said Hormuth is steralizing her child, ensuring he will have severe health complications forever. I was freaking out over the tweet, Hormuth said. She said her son is so fearful that the center will close that he wants to move. She is scared, too. Its not just the center, Hormuth said. Weve got our hands tied because weve also got Jeff City holding the cards. Republican lawmakers in the Missouri Senate have vowed that a bill prohibiting gender-affirming health care for minors will be voted on this week. Supporters of the legislation plan to hold a rally Monday at the Capitol. The St. Louis County mother who recognized her son in Reeds Free Press story has been on high alert for more than a month. Her blood pressure is up. A piece of mail without a return address that turned out to be junk made her hands shake. She feels exposed. Dozens of families are coping with the repercussions of Reeds allegations, she said. So in addition to the HIPAA complaint, she submitted one about Reed to the federal Office for Civil Rights on the basis of sex discrimination. This was an attack on the trans community, the mother said. She is damaging an entire group of people who were already marginalized. If you think the national image of St. Louis is bad now, just wait. Missouris unelected attorney general, who is white, is trying to throw out the citys twice-elected circuit attorney, who is Black. Were going to be made to look like Selma in the 1950s. Missouri will be the new Alabama. We know better, right? Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardners tenure has been a disaster. The criminal justice system is broken. The city has dozens of murder cases pending. Crimes that dont rise to that level get tossed on the circular file. The chief trial assistant has recently announced his resignation. Do you think the national media will pick up on those nuances? If so, think again. Theyll send correspondents to Jefferson City, and theyll find legislators who will say we want to be Alabama in the 1950s. Its a goal. Goodbye, new businesses. To ensure that the effort to remove her receives national attention, Gardner has hired Ronald Sullivan, Harvey Weinsteins former lawyer. Sullivan is the attorney Gardner once hired to prosecute former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens. It seemed a strange hire at the time because she had a staff of prosecutors on hand. We will never know if Sullivan would have had more luck prosecuting Greitens than he did defending Weinstein because the Greitens case got sidetracked before trial when the investigator Gardner hired got charged with perjury. That hire had seemed odd, too, because Gardner had a staff of investigators on hand. At any rate, we are headed toward a trainwreck. There is a way out. Let me tell you about a beer I had with Eric Schmitt shortly before the pandemic shut everything down. Schmitt had contacted me with some exciting news. He was going to start a cold case unit in the attorney generals office. To handle old murder cases from across the state, he was bringing in a couple of seasoned prosecutors Tom Dittmeier and Dean Hoag. Old cases, old prosecutors. It was music to an old reporters ears. But COVID put the brakes on everything, and then Roy Blunt retired and Schmitt ran for Senate. During that same conversation, Schmitt had suggested a special unit in the AGs office to handle homicides in the city. That wouldnt work, I said. The city has an elected prosecutor. State intervention would disenfranchise city residents. I still believe that. But what if it werent state intervention? What if the city itself declared an emergency and established a temporary office to assist the circuit attorney? The office would handle serious cases. Mostly homicides. It would be a two-year fix. Just long enough to get things back on track. Race is a big part of Gardners argument. Shes the first Black prosecutor. She points that out repeatedly. Wed court disaster taking some of her power away and giving it to a white person. Fortunately, there are many well-qualified Black candidates. I might go with a judge. We would ask the judge to take a two-year leave to run the new office. Circuit Court Judge Paula Bryant would be good. She started as a prosecutor. Or we could ask U.S. District Court Judge Henry Autrey to be in charge. I remember going into his chambers long ago to talk about a case and he was eating yogurt and smoking a cigarette. An ideal judge, I thought. He sees both sides of an issue. He used to be a prosecutor, too. Or we might seek a younger person. Reggie Harris of Bryan Cave or Gabriel Gore of Dowd Bennett would be great choices. In fact, they were the two names most frequently mentioned back when people thought President Joe Biden might actually appoint a U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri. At any rate, there is no shortage of candidates to run the new office. We need to get on this quickly. Motions are already being filed in the states effort to remove Gardner. If I were the mayor, Id put Mike Wolff, former Missouri Supreme Court judge and former dean of St. Louis University Law School, in charge of setting this up. He could ask the U.S. attorney to lend the office a few prosecutors. He could make the same request of the attorney general. (Lets see if Andrew Bailey really wants to help or if hes just looking for headlines.) Wolff could ask local law firms for lawyers. All the big firms have former prosecutors on staff. So do most of the smaller firms that specialize in criminal defense. The private firms would continue paying the salaries of the lawyers they lend to the program. Its asking a lot of the lawyers to put their careers on hold for two years, but hey, people used to get drafted into the Army and run the risk of getting killed. This is an emergency, Wolff could explain. If were going to fix a broken criminal justice system, we need the help of the legal community. Meanwhile, former prosecutors might want to enlist. The business community will need to help, too. The mayor could call Jason Hall, head of Greater St. Louis Inc. We need downtown office space suitable for a small law firm, shed say. Maybe 40 lawyers and support staff. We want the space donated. If we dont fix the criminal justice system, the space wont be worth anything, anyway. In addition to space, were going to need IT help. Bookkeeping, too. And a couple of spokespeople. Hall and the business community have been outspoken about problems with the criminal justice system. Time to do something. Winston Churchill didnt rent boats to get the army off of the beaches of Dunkirk. We have to look at this with the same sense of urgency. We must do something, and we must do it quickly. Of course, everything wont be donated. Some small law firms may not be able to subsidize their employees who take leave to work in this new venture. And investigators, of course. Presumably, well be hiring retired cops. Theyll have to be paid. Happily, the city is flush at the moment and a two-year commitment to repair the criminal justice system is a good investment. Nobody thinks our New Normal is working. While the new auxiliary office will be autonomous, it should work with the circuit attorneys office. For instance, inexperienced prosecutors at the circuit attorneys office could assist and second-chair the more experienced prosecutors in the auxiliary office. That way, when the emergency situation abates and the auxiliary office shuts down, the circuit attorneys staff will be more prepared to handle things. Hopefully, the citys leaders business and political will be able to convince the citizenry that competency is required in the criminal justice system. In the end, the only people who can save St. Louis are St. Louisans. But that comes later. Right now, were at the Last Chance Cafe. We can dare to do something and be an example to the country were not alone in this red, blue, black, white mess or we can drift along and see what happens. That sound you hear is a waterfall. ST. LOUIS A man died and two people were critically injured late Sunday when an SUV overturned along Highway 40 (Interstate 64) near Hampton Avenue, police said. The man who died was identified as Dennis Jones, 24. The crash happened about 11:40 p.m. Sunday. A 22-year-old woman was driving a 2007 Ford Escape west on the highway. The vehicle ran off the highway just west of Hampton and overturned. All three occupants were thrown out of the vehicle, police said. Jones had been riding in the front seat. The driver and a 23-year-old man who had been riding in the backseat were taken to a hospital in critical condition. Jones lived on Vermont Avenue in the city's Carondelet neighborhood. OWENSVILLE, Mo. After a week of tears and anger, friends and family of Hermann police Detective Sgt. Mason Griffith packed a high school gymnasium Sunday for his funeral, marked at times by rolling laughter as they recalled his quirky interests. Griffith, killed March 12 while on duty, had a fascination for UFOs and ghosts. He loved turtles and Hamburger Helper, kayaks and trout fishing. An older funeral director once said, You remember the good times and the fun times, Kent Kreftmeyer, a Missouri Highway Patrol sergeant and a good friend of Griffiths, told the audience. By me mentioning all these passions he had, Kreftmeyer said, maybe the people who dont know him got to know him a little better today. Nearly 1,900 people filled the gymnasium at Owensville High School, on the same court where the Dutchmen play ball. An American flag, two stories tall, hung next to the electronic scoreboard and behind the cherry wooden casket. Most of those in the crowd were in law enforcement. Police officers from as far away as New York stood in line to hug Griffiths widow, Jennifer. Many wore their dress blues. Firefighters and medics came, too. Jonathan Stout, a friend since kindergarten, said Griffith was genuine and fun to be around. He was the best example of a country boy, Stout said. He was intelligent, well-mannered, always thought before he spoke. It was an open casket, with two tiny pillows to the left of Griffiths body and a toy police car on each pillow. Griffiths 10-year-old son, Karson, and 17-year-old stepson, Trevor, sat in the first row of chairs next to their mom. Karson was dressed in a policemans outfit, similar to what he wears every Halloween, and Trevor wore what he wears when he helps at the local fire station. Hermann police Chief Marlon Walker choked up and told mourners Griffith recently was baptized. Time will heal, the chief said, because I know where Mason is. Griffith, 34, died after being shot by a man he was trying to arrest in Hermann. A second officer, Adam Sullentrup, 31, was critically injured. Nationwide, Griffith is among nine officers to die by gunfire on the job so far this year, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, a nonprofit that tracks U.S. police deaths. In 2022, 60 police officers across the country were killed in shootings while on duty. On the night he died, Griffith and probationary Officer Sullentrup went to a Caseys convenience store in Hermann for a report of an irate customer. They found Kenneth Lee Simpson, who had outstanding warrants from Franklin and Warren counties, police said. Simpson denied his identity, and when Sullentrup and Griffith moved to arrest him, he shot them both inside the store, police said. Griffith died of his injuries at Hermann Area District Hospital. Sullentrup, 31, remains hospitalized in critical condition at Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur. Simpson was captured after a lengthy standoff and charged in Gasconade County with murder and assault. He remains jailed without bond. Griffith was also the police chief of Rosebud, a reserve deputy with the Gasconade County Sheriffs Department and a member of the Gerald-Rosebud Fire Department. Funeral planners chose to hold the visitation and funeral at Owensville High School because they knew it could handle the crowd. Burial was 6 miles from the high school at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Rosebud. A procession of nearly 500 cars escorted the body, winding along country roads. The route went past American flags mounted on telephone poles and hoisted by fire trucks, and rows of Thin Blue Line flags planted in the ground in support of police. Just before the procession entered the town of Rosebud, the hearse pulled off the road, where pallbearers transferred the casket of Griffith onto a black horse-drawn caisson. Griffiths teenage stepson climbed aboard. The caisson then made its way along Old Motel Road and back onto U.S. Highway 50, passing a Welcome to Rosebud sign for the final quarter-mile to the cemetery. Karson helped carry his father's casket, next to Gasconade County Sheriff Scott Eiler. The boy could barely see over the casket once it was lifted. Griffith was among the 400 residents of Rosebud. Mayor Shannon Grus said Griffith helped with everything from traffic control after the annual fireworks show to finding a home for stray kittens. Hed often end a conversation there with, Rosebud comes first. He was our protector and our friend, she said. He loved Rosebud, and Rosebud loved him. Robert Cohen of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report. Photos: Hermann police officer buried in hometown ST. LOUIS COUNTY The federal government wants to test water and soil at a popular hiking spot in north St. Louis County for possible contamination from nuclear radiation. The hiking trails at Fort Belle Fontaine Park, owned by St. Louis County, run along Coldwater Creek. The creek and its watershed were contaminated by toxic waste from the development of atomic weapons in the 1940s and 50s and today park visitors often explore and play in the creek bed. The mere fact that they have to go and look for radioactive waste and that Ive seen kids and people in that creek makes me sick, said Dawn Chapman, co-founder of Just Moms STL, which advocates for Coldwater Creek cleanup and awareness. Its a straight-up F for failure for not communicating. A division of the Army Corps is responsible for cleanup of Coldwater Creek, which stretches 19 miles from St. Louis Lambert International Airport to the Missouri River. The federal Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, or FUSRAP, asked the St. Louis County Council for permission last week to begin testing and cleanup at Fort Belle Fontaine. The council could consider it Tuesday. We are sampling and testing all the way to the Missouri River and testing all the properties within the floodplain along Coldwater Creek, Jon Rankins, a health physicist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said in a prepared statement. In the case of Fort Belle Fontaine Park, we want to collect verification samples to identify any historic contamination that may have been deposited in the park. FUSRAP wants broad access to Fort Belle Fontaine to collect samples and do any necessary remediation in the 306-acre park, north of Spanish Lake and about 3 miles west of the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The parks 3-mile hiking trail loops through upland prairie, wetlands and wooded trails. From the top of a massive limestone staircase built by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s, visitors can observe sweeping views of the Missouri River. County parks department spokeswoman Anne Radford said that the public isnt technically allowed access to the creek from hiking trails. But there is no signage posted, she acknowledged. And its not uncommon to see people, who can easily get down to the creek from the trail via several well-worn footpaths, wading and exploring the creek bed, especially in warmer months. A no-trespassing is the very least that has to happen, Chapman said. I seriously doubt if the Army Corps approaches the county about signs that St. Louis County is going to say, No. In 2016, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended people avoid getting in the creek or playing along it. The department doesnt track how many people visit Fort Belle Fontaine annually, Radford said. A state youth justice facility sits up on a hill within the park boundaries. The Missouri Division of Youth Services did not respond to a request for comment Monday. Theres also a police K-9 training area in the park. The toxic mess from World War II-era contamination has been a recurrent headache for north St. Louis County communities. From 1942 to 1957, Mallinckrodt Chemical Co. secretly processed uranium ore on the Mississippi riverfront north of downtown St. Louis. Radioactive byproducts were stored at a location on Lambert airports northern border next to Coldwater Creek. The byproducts were later trucked about a mile away to an industrial area also bordering Coldwater Creek in the 9200 block of Latty Avenue. Last fall, Hazelwood School District announced it would close Jana Elementary in Florissant over concerns about radioactive contamination. And about 17 miles west of Fort Belle Fontaine at the West Lake Landfill Superfund site in Bridgeton, residents have long complained of a lack of transparency from the federal government over cleanup. The main storage sites the sources of contamination have mostly been cleaned up. The Army Corps focus has shifted to testing Coldwater Creek, which travels through Hazelwood, Florissant, Black Jack, unincorporated St. Louis County and a sliver of Berkeley. FUSRAP is supposed to complete cleanup by 2038. The park land, with its access to waterways and hilltop views, was used strategically in the early 19th century. In May 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition spent the first night of their journey on an island opposite from Coldwater Creek, according to the National Park Service. Later that year, United States signed a treaty with the Sac and Fox tribes promising trade, according to a Washington University report. The parks name dates back to 1805 when the U.S. military built a fort on the land, its first military installation west of the Mississippi River. The city of St. Louis acquired the property in 1913 and built a detention home and training school for boys. In the wake of the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration built the Grand Staircase and other stonework features as a summer retreat for city dwellers. ST. LOUIS Local Roman Catholic pastors have until Tuesday to respond to a request from the Archdiocese of St. Louis for opinions on whether a merger or closing of their parish is warranted. In a form letter dated March 13, the pastors were asked for feedback on the viability of their parishes in terms of the number of parishioners and the real estate and financial assets to order divine worship, provide for the support of the clergy, and exercise works of the sacred apostolate and of charity, for the next 10-15 years. Pastors were given one week to provide a written response, raising new concerns among critics of the archdioceses downsizing plan, the All Things New reorganization of the 178 parishes across the archdiocese. This is merely one piece of the feedback we have collected over the past year and a half, including parishioner feedback, said the Rev. Chris Martin, vicar for strategic planning for the archdiocese. The letter was sent to about 140 pastors whose parishes were slated to be consolidated under draft models released last month. It was signed by the Rev. Philip Bene, judicial vicar of the archdiocese and pastor of St. Joseph in Clayton. Ken Battis, president of Save Our St. Louis Parishes, first posted the leaked letter to the groups website and suggested parishioners ask their pastors how they responded to the archdiocese. Closing parishes will not help anything in the churchs mission to save souls, in fact it will have the opposite. It will drive people out, Battis said in a video posted with the letter. At least one priest will tell the archdiocese he is opposed to the reorganization. Please know that I share your disappointment about the plans for this parish in All Things New, the Rev. Linus Dolce, parochial administrator for St. Barnabas in OFallon, Missouri, wrote in Sundays church bulletin. As far as I am concerned, this is simply a procedural formality. Nevertheless, it will give me an opportunity to state your case in a place which will be preserved for posterity. The models show St. Barnabas merging with Assumption, also in OFallon, and becoming a personal Hispanic parish. The Latin mass community at St. Barnabas will be moved 32 miles away to the Oratory of Sts. Gregory and Augustine in Richmond Heights. I hope that the tenor of my note does not come across as pessimistic, Dolce said in an email. Rather, I am just resigned to the fact that this parish will be closed. The Archbishop has had a chance to reconsider that plan but remains firm in his resolve. That is his prerogative, of course, but just disappointing for this faith community. Save Our St. Louis Parishes and other critics of All Things New have collected more than 3,000 signatures on a petition in protest of the plan. The group will host a meeting with lawyer Philip Gray on Saturday for an update on their appeals to Vatican courts through canon, or church law. Archdiocesan leaders have said the downsizing is necessary as both the number of Catholic faithful and the priests to serve them have dwindled in recent decades. The reassignment of a significant number of pastors is expected to be announced soon, Martin said. New draft models released in February from across the archdiocese show 88 pastorates groupings of one or more parishes under a single pastor. About half of the pastorates are considered standalone, meaning their single parish will not be merged or closed. The maps show the greatest consolidation of parishes in St. Louis city and much of St. Louis County while most parishes in Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Valley Park and Eureka would remain separate. All of the pastors in pastorates with multiple parishes received the letter requesting feedback. Their responses will be included in parish dossiers for review by a council of nearly two dozen priests from around the archdiocese. The council will then meet with Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski in April. After that period of consultation, the archbishop will have his own time for personal prayer, discernment, and final decision making, Martin said in a statement. Please continue to keep the archbishop, his priests, and all those they shepherd in your prayers. Rozanski will release the final plan by Pentecost Sunday, May 28. NEW YORK New York Community Bank has agreed to buy a significant chunk of the failed Signature Bank in a $2.7 billion deal, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said late Sunday. The 40 branches of Signature Bank will become Flagstar Bank, starting Monday. Flagstar is one of New York Community Bank's subsidiaries. The deal will include the purchase of $38.4 billion in Signature Bank's assets, a little more than a third of Signature's total when the bank failed a week ago. The FDIC said $60 billion in Signature Bank's loans will remain in receivership and are expected to be sold off in time. Signature Bank was the second bank to fail in this banking crisis, roughly 48 hours after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Signature, based in New York, was a large commercial lender in the tristate area, but had in recent years gotten into cryptocurrencies as a potential growth business. After Silicon Valley Bank failed, depositors became nervous about Signature Bank's health due to its high amount of uninsured deposits as well as its exposure to crypto and other tech-focused lending. By the time it was closed by regulators, Signature was the third largest bank failure in U.S. history. The FDIC says it expects Signature Bank's failure to cost the deposit insurance fund $2.5 billion, but that figure may change as the regulator sells off assets. The deposit insurance fund is paid for by assessments on banks and taxpayers do not bear the direct cost when a bank fails. Also on Sunday, banking giant UBS agreed to buy troubled rival Credit Suisse for almost $3.25 billion. Swiss authorities pushed for UBS to take over its smaller rival after a plan for Credit Suisse to borrow up to 50 billion francs ($54 billion) failed to reassure investors and the banks customers. Shares of Credit Suisse and other banks sold off this week after the failure of two banks in the U.S. sparked concerns about other potentially shaky institutions in the global financial system. Credit Suisse is among the 30 financial institutions known as globally systemically important banks, and authorities worried about the fallout if it were to fail. The deal was one of great breadth for the stability of international finance," said Swiss President Alain Berset as he announced the deal Sunday night. "An uncontrolled collapse of Credit Suisse would lead to incalculable consequences for the country and the international financial system. The Swiss Federal Council, a seven-member governing body that includes Berset, passed an emergency ordinance allowing the merger to go through without the approval of shareholders. Credit Suisse Chairman Axel Lehmann called the deal a clear turning point. It is a historic, sad and very challenging day for Credit Suisse, for Switzerland and for the global financial markets, Lehmann said, adding that the focus is now on the future and in particular on the 50,000 Credit Suisse employees, 17,000 of whom are in Switzerland. Colm Kelleher, the UBS chairman, hailed the enormous opportunities that emerge from the takeover, and highlighted his banks conservative risk culture a subtle swipe at a Credit Suisse culture thats known for more swashbuckling, aggressive gambles on bigger returns. He said the combined group would create a wealth manager with over $5 trillion in total invested assets. Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said the council "regrets that the bank, which was once a model institution in Switzerland and part of our strong location, was able to get into this situation at all. The combination of the two biggest and best-known Swiss banks, each with storied histories dating to the mid-19th century, amounts to a thunderclap for Switzerlands reputation as a global financial center leaving it on the cusp of having a single national champion in banking. The deal follows the collapse of two large U.S. banks last week that spurred a frantic, broad response from the U.S. government to prevent any further bank panics. Still, global financial markets have been on edge since Credit Suisses share price began plummeting this week. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde lauded the swift action by Swiss officials, saying they were instrumental for restoring orderly market conditions and ensuring financial stability. She said the banks are in a completely different position from 2008 during the financial crisis, partly because of stricter government regulation. While UBS is buying Credit Suisse, UBS officials said they plan to sell off parts of it or reduce the size of the bank in the coming months and years. The Swiss government is providing more than 100 billion francs in aid and financial backstops to make the deal go through. A part of the deal, about 16 billion francs ($17.3 billion) in Credit Suisse bonds will be wiped out. European bank regulators use a special type of bond designed to provide a capital cushion to banks in times of distress. But these bonds are designed to be wiped out if a banks capital falls below a certain level, which was triggered as part of this government-brokered deal. Berset said the Federal Council had already been discussing a long-troubled situation at Credit Suisse since the beginning of the year and held urgent meetings in the last four days amid spiraling concerns about its financial health that caused major swoons in its stock price and raised the specter of the 2007-08 financial crisis. For the next eight years, America will be commemorating the 20-year anniversaries of the ill-fated decision to invade Iraq. March 20, 2003 was only the beginning of the killing and maiming of tens of thousands American troops and Iraqis alike, including more than 80 Missourian service members killed. The reverberations of that war, based on a Bush administration fabrication that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was hoarding weapons of mass destruction and harboring al-Qaida terrorists, continue in both countries today. Iraq lurches from one crisis to the next. Theres an ongoing shortage of medical doctors, for example. Thats because doctors in Iraq at the time were all trained under Hussein, tended to share his Sunni Muslim faith, and thus were deemed as enemies when the nations Shiite majority took control. Doctors and other medical personnel were threatened and told to leave, even as hospitals were overflowing with war casualties. Then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney, the primary promoters of the war, planned the first few weeks of the war with an eye toward efficiency of troops and expenditures. But they didnt plan for post-invasion chaos. They rashly assumed that ridding Iraq of its dictator would spawn a new dawn of free elections, where Iraqs oil riches would fund a model of prosperity and democracy for the rest of the Arab world to follow. It didnt quite work out that way. The Bush administrations decision to dismiss the entire Sunni-dominated Iraqi military led to an armed revolt. Sunni and Shiite militias warred against each other, then both turned their guns on U.S. troops. Iraq turned into a chaotic, $2 trillion bloodbath. No weapons of mass destruction turned up. And the Bush administrations assertion that Hussein was harboring al-Qaida terrorists was nonsense. Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden had long regarded Hussein as an apostate and an enemy. Bin Laden had dispatched Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a follower deemed too radical even by al-Qaida standards, to northern Iraq as a way of getting rid of him. Zarqawi wound up using the U.S.-inflicted chaos to form his own militia, the Islamic State, which worsened the bloodbath then exported it to neighboring Syria. Thousands of service members and U.S. contractors paid for the administrations lies with their lives. Others will forever bear debilitating physical and emotional scars. Politically, some Republicans point to the Iraq debacle to argue for Americas withdrawal from the world let other countries and oppressed peoples fight for themselves. Others argue that the U.S. government should never be trusted again. While theres a kernel of truth in both positions, the real lesson of Iraq is to remain engaged but exercise far more caution, especially when the evidence amounts to little more than a collection of fuzzy reconnaissance photos. And Congress must perform its legal responsibility of holding the White House in check instead of serving as its cheerleader. The WHY of MY City is a multi-year signature program that captures and documents pieces of black history through written word and art while training the next generation to become active, engaged citizens. Our goal is that programs become a force multiplier, rippling into families, schools, and neighborhoods, offering solutions to common urban problems. Saint Louis Story Stitchers has commissioned playwright Mario Farwell to write a new script for The WHY of MY City, centering on St. Louiss Black neighborhoods and historic figures. The new play will be presented to the public June 15 and 16, 2023, as part of Juneteenth celebration. Playwright: Mario Farwell, playwright and director, is a native of St. Louis Missouri. Farwell will, along with Bobby Norfolk, work with youth to transform the recorded interviews into the outline for a new multidisciplinary performance work. He attended the University of MO at Kansas City and received a B.A in Theater. While in Kansas City, he founded The Black and Avant-Garde Theater. After graduating college, he moved to New York City and lived there for twenty-six years. His plays and musicals have been produced off-off Broadway in NYC, San Diego, CA, Minneapolis, MN, St. Louis, MO, Boston, and Africa. Mario Farwell is the founder and current director of the St. Louis Writers Group in St. Louis, MO. This is Mario's first project with Saint Louis Story Stitchers. The play will include community members and will be staged at the .ZACK Theatre at Kranzberg Arts Foundation. Story Stitchers is honored to work with Gregory S. Carr as director. This is Gregory's first project with Saint Louis Story Stitchers. Director: Gregory S. Carr is a St. Louis storyteller, writer-director-actor and Living History Presenter. Synopsis of the play: Wanda, a young African American, returns to St. Louis after graduating high school. She wants to explore opportunities, but Zoot Suit, a well-known gangster, entices her to come work for him. The community rallies to prevent Wanda from making a serious mistake and with the help of Scott Joplin, Madam CJ Walker, Cool Papa Bell and Tina Turner, they manage to save her from the clutches of Zoot Suit. EVENT: The WHY of MY City LANDING PAGE: https://storystitchers.org/the-why-of-my-city/ CASTING CALL: LOCATION: The Center, 3701 Grandel Sq, 1A, St. Louis, MO 63108 Wednesday, May 10, 6:00-10:00 PM Auditions and Interviews Saturday, May 13, 12:00-5:00 PM, Casting Call and Auditions Wednesday, May 17, 6:00-10:00 PM Call Backs REGISTER LINK FOR AUDITIONS WITH DIRECTOR GREGORY S. CARR: https://storystitchers.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/the-why-of-my-city-casting-call PERFOMANCE DATES and TIMES: June 15 and 16, 2023 at 7:00 PERFOMANCE LOCATION: .ZACK Theatre, 3224 Locust, ST. Louis, 63103 TICKETS TO THE PLAY: $10 on MetroTix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The WHY of MY City is presented with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Missouri Arts Council, a state agency, Missouri Humanities Council, a state agency, The Lewis Prize for Music 2021 Accelerator Award, and Kranzberg Arts Foundation. About Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective Saint Louis Story Stitchers is a nationally recognized Artists Collective known for high quality art and innovative youth violence prevention programs. Story Stitchers is committed to placing youth at the center of the work both in identifying topics for exploration as well as the methods for engagement. This approach builds a community of youth and professional artists who respect one another. Gun violence continues to be a pressing public health crisis that consumes the attention of the engaged youth, and artistic expression helps youth work through the pain and loss they have experienced. Stitchers collect stories, reframe and retell them through art, writing and performance to promote understanding, civic pride, intergenerational relationships and literacy. Projects create a platform for community engagement through an artistic lens and with it the Saint Louis Story Stitchers work to shift perceptions and realities and bring hope to the Saint Louis community. Our goal is to promote a better educated, more peaceful and caring region through storytelling. EQS-Ad-hoc: Epigenomics AG / Key word(s): Change in Forecast/Miscellaneous Epigenomics AG: Adjustment of guidance and notice of loss pursuant to sec. 92 para. 1 of the German Stock Corporation Act 20-March-2023 / 20:19 CET/CEST Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Adjustment of guidance and notice of loss pursuant to sec. 92 para. 1 of the German Stock Corporation Act Berlin, Germany, March 20, 2023 The Executive Board of Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX1, OTCQX: EPGNY; the Company) now expects for the entire financial year 2022 an adjusted EBITDA (before share-based payment expenses) in the range of EUR 11.0 million to EUR 11.6 million (previously EUR 10.2 million to EUR 10.8 million). The revenue forecast and the expected cash consumption-rate for 2022 remain unchanged. The adjusted guidance results from the reclassification of unrealized, netted exchange rate profits/expenses made in the fiscal year 2022 in the amount of EUR 1.0 million from the opeRating consolidated annual earnings to the other comprehensive income. As a result, the adjusted EBITDA is reduced by EUR 1.0 million while the other comprehensive income is increased by EUR 1.0 million. The group equity remains unchanged by the reclassification. The reclassification results from a change of the Executive Board's assessment within the meaning of IAS 8. Consolidated group receivables of the Company against its subsidiary Epigenomics Inc. are now classified as part of the net investment in a foreign operation according to IAS 21.15, since settlement of these receivables is neither planned nor likely to occur in the foreseeable future. As a consequence, exchange rate profits are now shown as part of other comprehensive income and no longer reported as part of the adjusted EBITDA as in the financial statements of previous financial years and the quarterly financial statements already published for 2022. Furthermore, duly assessing the circumstances it is assumed that a cumulative loss of more than half of the nominal share capital of the Company within the meaning of sec. 92 para. 1 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG) has been incurred. The loss is mainly attributable to budgeted losses and expenses from the restructuring measures announced on February 15, 2023. A loss amounting to half of the nominal share capital is to be notified to the general meeting of shareholders. This notification of the loss will be made to this year's annual general meeting of the Company, which is scheduled for June. Accordingly, the Company will convene in due time the annual general meeting. Contact: Company Epigenomics AG, Geneststrasse 5, 10829 Berlin Tel +49 (0) 30 24345 0, Fax +49 (0) 30 24345 555, Email: contact@epigenomics.com Investor Relations IR.on AG, Frederic Hilke, Tel +49 221 9140 970, Email: ir@epigenomics.com Note on forward-looking statements This publication expressly or implicitly contains forward-looking statements concerning Epigenomics AG and its business. These statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Epigenomics AG's actual results, financial condition and performance to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Epigenomics makes this announcement as of the date of this release and does not intend to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information or future events or otherwise. LUXEMBOURG / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / Nexa Resources S.A. ("Nexa Resources" or "Nexa" or the "Company") (NYSE: NEXA) announces its 2022 Year-End Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources ("MRMR") relating to its operations and projects located in Peru and Brazil. Commenting on the MRMR update, Ignacio Rosado, CEO of Nexa Resources, said "Our mineral exploration program in 2022 was focused on identifying new ore bodies in our operating mines including Aripuan, where significant results from the Ambrex infill drilling program increased the mine life by three years. As a major polymetallic and the 5th largest zinc producer worldwide, Nexa has a unique portfolio of operating mines with excellent exploration potential and a pipeline of greenfield exploration projects. In 2023, our mineral exploration program will remain focused on the replacement of Mineral Reserves and upgrading Mineral Resources through infill drilling campaigns." 2022 Year-End Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Highlights Mineral Reserves Note: "Addition" refers to new tonnages from brownfield and infill drilling and "Revision" refers to changes in Mineral Reserves due to changes in mine design, changes in economic parameters, leading to a model review and update. Reserve numbers refer to Zinc mines and projects. As of December 31, 2022, Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves estimates amounted to 100.6 million tonnes containing 3,540kt of zinc compared with 97.1 million tonnes containing 3,359kt of zinc as of December 31, 2021. The increase was mainly driven by infill and brownfield drilling at Aripuana, partially offset by mining production depletion. Nexa's 2022 Year-End Mineral Reserves estimate also reflects changes in continuous refining of its geological modelling. The net revision of 120kt zinc was primarily due to the reduction of geotechnical restrictions at Cerro Lindo (65kt) and model updates at Vazante (41kt), and El Porvenir (14kt). The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at Cerro Lindo were estimated to total 41.43Mt at 1.57% Zn, 0.22% Pb, 0.59% Cu and 22.5 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2022, a 6% decrease from 44.0Mt at 1.43% Zn, 0.20% Pb, 0.62% Cu and 22.3 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2021. The decrease was the result of mining production depletion during 2022, balanced by the reduction of operational geotechnical restrictions. Mineral Reserve depletion during 2022 accounted for -4.89Mt containing 70.4kt of zinc. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at Vazante were estimated to total 13.50Mt at 9.64% Zn, 0.27% Pb, and 15.2 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2022, down 15% from 15.91Mt at 8.77% Zn, 0.22% Pb and 13.7 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2021. The decrease was the result of mining production depletion during 2022, which was partially replaced by drilling and updates in Extremo Norte, Sucuri Norte and Lumiadeira areas. Mineral Reserve depletion during 2022 accounted for -1.41Mt containing 134kt of zinc. Another 1.0Mt decrease is due to a more selective mine plan with lower dilution that improved head grades and financial returns. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at El Porvenir were estimated to total 15.50Mt at 3.60% Zn, 1.07% Pb, 0.19% Cu and 66.0 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2022, a 3% decrease from 15.91Mt at 3.57% Zn, 1.04% Pb, 0.20% Cu and 69.5 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2021. The decrease is mainly the result of mining depletion, partially offset by the addition of 56kt of zinc from infill drilling at known orebodies extensions. Mineral Reserve depletion during 2022 accounted for -2.10Mt containing 59.6kt of zinc. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the Aripuana project were estimated to total 30.12Mt at 3.42% Zn, 1.25% Pb, 0.17% Cu, 32.1 g/t Ag and 0.23 g/t Au as of December 31, 2022, a 38% increase from 21.79Mt at 3.61% Zn, 1.36% Pb, 0.23% Cu, 33.5 g/t Ag and 0.30 g/t Au as of December 31, 2021. The increase of 254kt of zinc in the reserves was due to the Ambrex infill drilling program carried out during 2022. Mineral Reserve depletion during 2022 accounted for -0.45Mt containing 10.5kt of zinc, resulting in a net increase of 243kt of contained zinc. Mineral Resources Note: "Addition" refers to new tonnages from brownfield and greenfield drilling and "Revision" refers to changes in Mineral Resources due to changes in reclassification, mine design, changes in economic parameters, leading to a model review and update. Mineral Resource numbers refer to Zinc mines and projects. After a careful assessment and prioritization of our exploration project portfolio, we have decided to not move forward with certain projects, including Cacapava do Sul, located in Brazil, as well as Pukaqaqa and Shalipayco, located in Peru. As a result, 2021 Mineral Resources was updated to maintain the same comparative basis as the 2022 data. As of December 31, 2022, Nexa estimated Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources (exclusive of mineral Reserves) were 3,432kt of contained zinc compared with 3,840kt as of December 31, 2021. The Addition and Revision accounted for a net decrease of -408kt of contained zinc mostly due to model reclassification revision. The addition from brownfield drilling accounted for 53kt of contained zinc at Hilarion South, and the model revision at Hilarion reduced -412kt of contained zinc in Mineral Resource reclassification to the Inferred Mineral Resource category. At Vazante Aroeira tailings, a block model update resulted in reclassification from Inferred Mineral Resource to Indicated Mineral Resource category, accounting for an increase of 108kt of contained zinc in the Indicated Mineral Resources. At Atacocha underground a topographic revision accounted for a -72kt reduction in contained zinc. As of December 31, 2022, Nexa estimated Inferred Mineral Resources of 6,626kt of contained zinc, compared with the total of 5,905kt at the end of 2021. The addition of 517kt of contained zinc was incorporated through exploration and infill drilling. The net revision increases of 204kt of contained zinc is mostly due to model revisions and reclassification. Notable additions from exploration drilling to Inferred Mineral Resources included: 408kt from Vazante brownfield, including 318kt from BDMG acquisition; 446kt from Hilarion South; -422kt from Aripuana mostly due to conversion to Probable Mineral Reserves. A total of 374kt of contained zinc was added to the Inferred Mineral Resource category at the Hilarion project as a result of Mineral Resource reclassification from Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources. There was a decrease in Inferred Mineral Resources of -102kt from reclassification at Vazante Aroeira due to a reclassification to Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources. Exploration Outlook Nexa's exploration strategy for 2023 will remain focused on Mineral Resource expansion through brownfield and infill drilling near operating mines and extension drilling on advanced projects. A total of 78,185 meters of drilling is planned for 2023, including 45,000 meters in Peru (57%), 25,685 meters in Brazil (33%) and the remaining 7,500 meters in Namibia (10%). At Cerro Lindo, we plan to drill a total of 32,000 meters including extension drilling at Pucasalla, Puca Punta, Mesa Rumi and Festejo targets, located in the northern side of the Cerro Lindo mine and Orebody 8B, located southeast of known mineralized bodies of the mine. At El Porvenir, we plan to drill 6,000 meters at the Integracion target to extend the mineralized hydrothermal breccia to upper levels of the deposit. At Hilarion, we plan to drill 3,000 meters within two targets: El Padrino in the northwestern part of the Hilarion deposit and Chaupijanca to the southeast aiming to test a potential copper mineralization system and extend zinc mineralization in those areas. We will resume our drilling campaigns in Florida Canyon, with an expected 4,000 meters of drilling focused on expanding the Florida Canyon mineralization to the South on Florida Sur target. At Aripuana, the strategy is to drill 4,400 meters to extend the Babacu body to the northwest and to test the mineralization gap between Link and Ambrex. An additional 11,200 meters of infill drilling is planned for Mineral Resources reclassification at Babacu. At Vazante, we plan to carry out 10,085 meters of brownfield drilling at known orebody extensions. In Namibia, we plan to drill 7,500 meters to continue investigating copper mineralization in Namibia North along the Deblin and Tsumeb trends. We expect to continue advancing our drilling campaigns and developing our pipeline of projects, prioritizing belts for exploratory drilling and Mineral Resource expansion to consolidate our Zinc and Copper portfolio with optimized investments between them. Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Tables MINERAL RESERVES The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Reserves prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below). Table 2. Nexa Year-End Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below) for Zinc operating mines. NOTES TO MINERAL RESERVES TABLE Mineral Reserves are expressed on a 100% basis. The Qualified Persons for the estimation of the Mineral Reserves for Cerro Lindo is Cristovao Teofilo dos Santos, B.Eng., a Nexa employee, El Porvenir and Vazante is Vitor Marcos Teixeira de Aguilar, B.Eng., a Nexa employee, and for Aripuana is SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. Mineral Reserves have an effective date of December 31, 2022, for Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Vazante and Aripuana mines. 2014 CIM Definition Standards were followed for Mineral Reserves, which are consistent with definitions used under Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K. Mineral Reserves are reported within engineered stope outlines assuming the following underground mining methods: El Porvenir and Vazante - SLS and C&F; Cerro Lindo - SLS; and Aripuana - longitudinal longhole retreat (bench stopping) and transverse longhole mining (VRM). Dilution and mining recovery are considered. At Cerro Lindo, Mineral Reserves are estimated at an NSR break-even cut-off value of US$42.65/t processed. Some incremental material with values between US$35.14/t and US$38.84/t was included. At El Porvenir Mineral Reserves are estimated at NSR break-even cut-off values ranging from US$57.99/t to US$62.37/t depending on the zone and mining method. At Vazante Mineral Reserves are estimated at NSR break-even cut-off value of US$60.61/t. At Aripuana Mineral Reserves are estimated at an NSR break-even cut-off value of US$48.11/t processed. Some incremental material with values between US$38.05/t and US$47.91/t was included. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in the NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Forecast long-term metal prices used for the NSR calculation are Zn: US$2,826.35/t (US$1.28/lb); Pb: US$2,043.95/t (US$0.93/lb); Cu: US$7,398.47/t (US$3.36/lb); Ag: US$19.93/oz, and Au: US$1,474.88/oz for Aripuana. For Vazante and Aripuana, a 4.0 m minimum mining width was applied. For Cerro Lindo and for El Porvenir a minimum mining width of 5.0 m was applied. Bulk density at Cerro Lindo and Aripuana varies depending on mineralization domain. At Vazante the default density is 2.8 t/m and El Porvenir is 2.94 t/m. Numbers may not add due to rounding. MINERAL RESOURCES The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) in operating mines prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below). Table 3. Nexa Year-End Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below) for Zinc operating mines. The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) for our zinc exploration projects prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below). Table 4. Nexa Year-End Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below) for Zinc projects. The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Resources for our copper project portfolio prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below). Table 5. Nexa Year-End Mineral Resources for Copper projects. NOTES TO MINERAL RESOURCES TABLES Mineral Resources are expressed on a 100% basis. The Qualified Persons for the estimation of the Mineral Resources are: Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Atacocha (u/g and o/p), Vazante and Morro Agudo mines, Florida Canyon project, Magistral project, and Hilarion project - Jose Antonio Lopes, B.Geo., FAusIMMGeo, a Nexa employee. For the Aripuana mine the Qualified Person is SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. Mineral Resources have an effective date as of: (a) December 31, 2022, for Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Atacocha (u/g and o/p), Vazante, Morro Agudo and Aripuana mines, and Hilarion project; (b) December 31, 2021, for the Magistral project, and (c) October 30, 2020, for the Florida Canyon project. 2014 CIM Definition Standards were followed for Mineral Resources, which are consistent with definitions used under Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K. Mineral Resources are reported within underground resource shapes for Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Atacocha u/g, Morro Agudo and Aripuana mines, and for the Hilarion and Florida Canyon projects. Mineral Resources are reported within underground resource shapes or within an optimized pit shell for Vazante and within an optimized pit shell for Atacocha open pit and Magistral project. Mineral Resources are reported above a NSR cut-off value of: Cerro Lindo - US$42.65/t for resource shapes; El Porvenir - varies from US$59.65/t (lower zone) to US$62.37/t (upper zone) for C&F resource shapes and from US$57.99/t (lower zone) to US$60.71/t (upper zone) for SLS resource shapes; Atacocha u/g - US$62.81/t for C&F resource stopes; Atacocha o/p - US$23.81/t; Vazante - US$60.61/t for SLS resources shapes, Calamine - varies from US$23.13/t to US$28.38/t and Vazante Aroeira tailings - US$29.40/t; Morro Agudo (specific for each mine) - Morro Agudo: US$52.43/t and Bonsucesso: US$55.85/t; Aripuana - US$48.11/t; Hilarion - US$45.0/t; Magistral - US$5.99/t for porphyry, US$5.51/t for mixed and US$5.48/t for skarn resources ; Florida Canyon - US$41.40/t for SLS resource shapes, US$42.93/t for C&F and US$40.61/t for Room and Pillar resource areas. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in the NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. For Florida Canyon metallurgical recovery used average recoveries of 80% for zinc, 74% for lead, and 52% for silver. Forecast long-term metal prices used for the NSR calculation are: Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Atacocha (u/g and o/p), Vazante, Morro Agudo and Aripuana - Zn: US$3,250/t (US$1.47/lb), Pb: US$2,350/t (US$1.07/lb), Cu: US$8,508/t (US$3.86/lb), Ag: US$22.92/oz and Au: US$1,696/oz (also used for Atacocha o/p); Magistral project - Cu: US$8,272/t (US$3.75/lb), Ag: US$21.34/oz and Mo: US$9.90/lb; Hilarion project - Zn: US$3,246/t (US$1.47/lb), Pb: US$2,333/t (US$1.06/lb), and Ag: US$22.7/oz; and Florida Canyon project - Zn: US$2,816/t (US$1.27/lb), Pb: US$2,196/t (US$1.00/lb) and Ag: US$19.40/oz. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m was used for Cerro Lindo. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m for C&F resource shapes was applied for El Porvenir, Atacocha u/g. A minimum thickness of 3.0 m for SLS and C&F, and 4.0 m for Room and Pillar in Florida Canyon project. A minimum mining width of 3.0 m was applied for Vazante for willemite mineralization, Bonsucesso, Hilarion and SLS and C&F stopes in Florida Canyon project. For Morro Agudo underground a minimum mining width of 4.5 m was applied. For the Magistral project a minimum mining width of 10.0 m was applied. Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of those Mineral Resources that were converted to Mineral Reserves. There are no Mineral Reserves at Atacocha u/g and o/p and Morro Agudo, and at the Magistral, Hilarion, and Florida Canyon projects. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Numbers may not add due to rounding. Technical Information Jose Antonio Lopes, FAusIMM CP (Geo): 224829, a mineral resources manager, a qualified person for purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and a Nexa employee, has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Further information, including key assumptions, parameters, and methods used to estimate Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources of the mines and/or projects referenced in the tables above can be found in the applicable technical reports, each of which is available at www.sedar.com under Nexa's SEDAR profile. About Nexa Nexa is a large-scale, low-cost integrated zinc producer with over 60 years of experience developing and operating mining and smelting assets in Latin America. Nexa currently owns and operates five long-life underground mines - three located in the Central Andes of Peru and two located in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil - and is ramping up the Aripuana mine as its sixth underground mine in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Nexa was among the top five producers of mined zinc globally in 2022 and one of the top five metallic zinc producers worldwide in 2022, according to Wood Mackenzie. Cautionary Statement on Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates All Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates of the Company disclosed or referenced in this news release have been prepared in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves dated May 10, 2014 ("2014 CIM Definition Standards"), whose definitions are incorporated by reference in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), for the metals indicated per mine and project. Accordingly, such information may not be comparable to similar information prepared in accordance with Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300"). For a discussion of the differences between the requirements under S-K 1300 and NI 43-101, please see our annual report on Form 20-F. Mineral reserve: is an estimate of tonnage and grade or quality of indicated and measured mineral resources that, in the opinion of the qualified person, can be the basis of an economically viable project. More specifically, it is the economically mineable part of a measured or indicated mineral resource, which includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined or extracted. Probable Mineral Reserve: is the economically mineable part of an indicated and, in some cases, a measured mineral resource. Proven Mineral Reserve: is the economically mineable part of a measured mineral resource and can only result from conversion of a measured mineral resource. Mineral Resource: is a concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such form, grade or quality, and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction. A mineral resource is a reasonable estimate of mineralization, taking into account relevant factors such as cut-off grade, likely mining dimensions, location or continuity, that, with the assumed and justifiable technical and economic conditions, is likely to, in whole or in part, become economically extractable. Inferred Mineral Resource: is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Indicated Mineral Resource: is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of adequate geological evidence and sampling. Measured Mineral Resource: is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of conclusive geological evidence and sampling. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to in this news release as "forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "will," "may," "may have," "would," "estimate," "continues," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "expects," "budget," "scheduled," "forecasts" and similar words are intended to identify estimates and forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of NEXA to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments may be substantially different from the expectations described in the forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, many of which are not under our control, among them, the activities of our competition, the future global economic situation, weather conditions, market prices and conditions, exchange rates, and operational and financial risks. The unexpected occurrence of one or more of the abovementioned events may significantly change the results of our operations on which we have based our estimates and forward-looking statements. Our estimates and forward-looking statements may also be influenced by, among others, legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of our projects, including risks related to outbreaks of contagious diseases or health crises impacting overall economic activity regionally or globally. These forward-looking statements related to future events or future performance and include current estimates, predictions, forecasts, beliefs and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, but not limited to, the business and operations of the Company and mining production our growth strategy, the impact of applicable laws and regulations, future zinc and other metal prices, smelting sales, CAPEX, expenses related to exploration and project evaluation, estimation of mineral reserves and/or mineral resources, mine life and our financial liquidity. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon several factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable and appropriate by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies and may prove to be incorrect. Statements concerning future production costs or volumes are based on numerous assumptions of management regarding operating matters and on assumptions that demand for products develops as anticipated, that customers and other counterparties perform their contractual obligations, full integration of mining and smelting operations, that operating and capital plans will not be disrupted by issues such as mechanical failure, unavailability of parts and supplies, labor disturbances, interruption in transportation or utilities, adverse weather conditions, and other COVID-19 related impacts, and that there are no material unanticipated variations in metal prices, exchange rates, or the cost of energy, supplies or transportation, among other assumptions. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required under securities laws. Estimates and forward-looking statements refer only to the date when they were made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any estimate or forward-looking statement due to new information, future events or otherwise, except or required by law. Estimates and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and do not guarantee future performance, as actual results or developments may be substantially different from the expectations described in the forward-looking statements. Further information concerning risks and uncertainties associated with these forward-looking statements and our business can be found on our website (ir.nexaresources.com), and in our public disclosures filed under our profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). Contact: Roberta Varella - Head of Investor Relations | [email protected] +55 11 94473-1388 SOURCE: Nexa Resources S.A. View source version on accesswire.com: LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) announced the successful completion of its inaugural sukuk issuance. The transaction, settled on March 15, 2023, represented the first ever offering of its kind into the Middle East market from a North American corporate and the largest sukuk from a US-based borrower in history. The offering consisted of US$600 million aggregate principal amount of 5.85% trust certificates due April 1, 2028 (the Certificates). The Company will make semi-annual distributions of the profit rate under the Certificates. The Certificates were offered pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are rated BBB by both S&P and Fitch with a Stable Outlook and listed on the London Stock Exchange. This inaugural sukuk offering is a testament to ALCs strong credit profile and further evidence of our commitment to a well-diversified, global funding program, said Gregory B. Willis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Air Lease Corporation. We are grateful to our banking partners for their commitment and support in structuring and executing this landmark transaction. Thank you to Bank ABC, DIB, Al Rayan, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Emirates NBD, JPMorgan, KFH Capital and Warba Bank who served as our joint lead managers. In addition, thank you to Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance for their legal guidance and the entire Air Lease team for their support in making this transaction a huge success. We are proud to highlight the strong liquidity in this region and the opportunity for other investment grade borrowers to raise funds at cost efficient rates. This transaction complements our strong airline relationships in the Middle East and we look forward to further developing our funding presence in this region, added Daniel Verwholt, Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Air Lease Corporation. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, the purchase of commercial aircraft and the repayment of existing indebtedness. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Certificates, nor shall there be any sale of the Certificates in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to expectations regarding the Companys future financing activity and the intended use of proceeds. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about the Companys future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to, changes in the global markets and financing landscape, unanticipated cash needs, and those risks detailed in the Companys filings with the SEC, including the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. About Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) Air Lease Corporation is a leading global aircraft leasing company based in Los Angeles, California that has airline customers throughout the world. ALC and its team of dedicated and experienced professionals are principally engaged in purchasing new commercial aircraft and leasing them to its airline customers worldwide through customized aircraft leasing and financing solutions. The company routinely posts information that may be important to investors in the Investors section of its website at www.airleasecorp.com. Investors and potential investors are encouraged to consult Air Lease Corporations website regularly for important information. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, ALCs website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005214/en/ Investors: Jason Arnold Vice President, Investor Relations Email: [email protected] Media: Laura Woeste Senior Manager, Media and Investor Relations Email: [email protected] Ashley Arnold Senior Manager, Media and Investor Relations Email: [email protected] Source: Air Lease Corporation PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: The Combined General Meeting of Air Liquide (Paris: AI) will be held in Paris on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 3 p.m., on first notice, in the Palais des Congres, 2, place de la Porte Maillot, 75017 Paris, France. The draft resolutions, approved by Air Liquides Board of Directors on February 15, 2023 and to be submitted to the Shareholders General Meeting, as well as all the information concerning the Meeting are available on the Groups website, 2023 General Meeting section. The notice of Meeting published on March 20, 2023 in the French legal gazette BALO (Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires) and JAL (Journal dAnnonces Legales) is also available on the Groups website, in the 2023 General Meeting section. The invitation to the Meeting documents will be sent to all Shareholders of the Company, by mail or electronically for those having opted for the electronic invitation. These documents include the voting form, the agenda of the Meeting, the resolutions which will be submitted to the vote of Shareholders with a presentation of the objectives of each resolution and practical information for attending, voting and exercising Shareholders rights. The General Meeting will provide the opportunity to present the Groups strategy and its development prospects as well as to participate in the corporate life. The course of the Meeting will be as follows: - Financial and extra-financial performance - 2022 Results - Strategic Overview - Strategy, environmental and societal advances, 2023 outlook - Composition and work of the Board of Directors and Committees, remuneration of corporate officers - Statutory Auditors Reports - Exchanges with the audience - Vote on resolutions Benoit Potier, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Francois Jackow, Chief Executive Officer, will be there to tell you more about the future of your Group. All Shareholders are invited to vote either by attending the General Meeting in person or by proxy, or by voting by correspondence, or on line. That process might be carried out: - by sending the voting form back, so that it reaches the Company by no later than midnight, Paris time, on Saturday, April 29, 2023; - by voting by Internet, prior to the General Meeting. The voting website will be open from Tuesday, April 4, 2023 to Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 3 p.m., Paris time. Detailed instructions on how to connect to this website are provided in the invitation to the Meeting documents sent to Shareholders. Air Liquide values the participation of each Shareholder. The preparatory documents of this Meeting will also be kept at disposal of the Shareholders at Shareholder Services Department, 75, quai dOrsay, 75007 Paris, France, and published on the Groups website, 2023 General Meeting section, according to legal and regulatory applicable requirements. The General Meeting will be webcast live, in French with simultaneous English translation, and a recorded version will be available on the Groups website. It will also be available online for people with hearing impairment. Agenda of the Combined General Meeting of May 3, 2023 Ordinary General Meeting Approval of the Company financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 Approval of the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 Appropriation of 2022 earnings; setting of the dividend Authorization granted to the Board of Directors for a period of 18 months to allow the Company to trade in its own shares Appointment of Ms Catherine Guillouard as Company Director Appointment of Ms Christina Law as Company Director Appointment of Mr Alexis Perakis-Valat as Company Director Appointment of Mr Michael H. Thaman as Company Director Ratification of the temporary appointment of Ms Monica de Virgiliis as Company Director Statutory Auditors Special Report on agreements covered by the articles L. 225-38 et seq. of the French Commercial Code Approval of the components of the remuneration paid during or awarded in respect of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 to Mr Benoit Potier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, for the period from January 1, 2022 to May 31, 2022 Approval of the components of the remuneration paid during or awarded in respect of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 to Mr Francois Jackow, Chief Executive Officer, for the period from June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 Approval of the components of the remuneration paid during or awarded in respect of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 to Mr Benoit Potier, Chairman of the Board of Directors, for the period from June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 Approval of information relating to the remuneration of corporate officers stated in article L. 22-10-9-I of the French Commercial Code Approval of the remuneration policy for the Chief Executive Officer Approval of the remuneration policy for the Chairman of the Board of Directors Approval of the remuneration policy applicable to Directors Extraordinary General Meeting Authorization granted to the Board of Directors for a period of 24 months to reduce the share capital by cancellation of treasury shares Delegation of authority granted to the Board of Directors for a period of 26 months to increase the share capital via the issuance of ordinary shares or marketable securities giving access, immediately and/or in the future, to the Companys share capital with retention of preferential subscription rights for Shareholders for a maximum nominal amount of 470 million euros Authorization granted to the Board of Directors for a period of 26 months to increase, in the event of oversubscription, the issuance amount of shares or marketable securities Delegation of authority granted to the Board of Directors for a period of 26 months to perform share capital increases, with cancellation of preferential subscription rights, reserved for members of a company or group savings plan Delegation of authority granted to the Board of Directors for a period of 18 months to perform share capital increases, with cancellation of preferential subscription rights, reserved for a category of beneficiaries Ordinary General Meeting Powers for formalities Air Liquide share ownership (as of December 31, 2022) 35% of the capital held by individual Shareholders of the capital held by individual Shareholders 51% of the capital held by foreign institutional investors of the capital held by foreign institutional investors 14% of the capital held by French institutional investors UPCOMING DATES 2023 First quarter revenue: Wednesday, April 27, 2023 Combined General Meeting: Wednesday, May 3, 2023 Dividend ex date*: Monday, May 15, 2023 Dividend payment date*: Wednesday, May 17, 2023 * subject to the necessary approvals at the Combined General Meeting of May 3, 2023 A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 73 countries with approximately 67,100 employees and serves more than 3.9 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquides scientific territory and have been at the core of the companys activities since its creation in 1902. Taking action today while preparing the future is at the heart of Air Liquides strategy. With ADVANCE, its strategic plan for 2025, Air Liquide is targeting a global performance, combining financial and extra-financial dimensions. Positioned on new markets, the Group benefits from major assets such as its business model combining resilience and strength, its ability to innovate and its technological expertise. The Group develops solutions contributing to climate and the energy transitionparticularly with hydrogenand takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, digital and high technologies. Air Liquides revenue amounted to more than 29.9 billion euros in 2022. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50, FTSE4Good and DJSI Europe indexes. www.airliquide.com Follow us on Twitter @airliquidegroup View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005545/en/ Media Relations [email protected] Investor Relations [email protected] Shareholder Services [email protected] Source: Air Liquide LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- European credit specialist AlbaCore Capital Group (AlbaCore) is pleased to announce it has entered into a strategic partnership with First Sentier Investors (FSI), a leading global investment management group. The partnership unites AlbaCores credit expertise and track record of delivering alpha to investors with FSIs strategic capital and broad distribution strengths. This will support the expansion of existing and new strategies for the benefit of both firms and further enable AlbaCore to meet the growing needs of institutional investors in alternative credit. FSI will acquire a majority stake in AlbaCore, with the senior team retaining a significant shareholding and remaining invested in the business for the long-term. As part of FSIs multi-boutique approach, AlbaCore will continue to operate with complete investment and business autonomy with no change to its teams, office locations or brand. The current leadership team will run the business day-to-day, with one reporting line from Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer David Allen to FSIs Chief Executive Officer Mark Steinberg. FSI is a world-leading provider of active specialist investment capabilities, managing US$146.2 billion1 in assets for wholesale and institutional investors. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with offices across Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific, it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, one of the worlds largest banking groups. Over time, FSI and AlbaCore will work together to accelerate their strategic plans and longer-term growth trajectory, leveraging their respective expertise. FSI will support AlbaCores strategy to continue growing its business in credit investment strategies while enhancing its distribution and capital raising capabilities across Asia-Pacific, North America and EMEA. David Allen, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at AlbaCore said: We are focused on the continued buildout of our credit investment platform and providing investors with nimble solutions that generate alpha through market cycles. We are delighted to partner with FSI to capitalise on the scale of market opportunities ahead. This partnership enhances AlbaCores growth prospects by extending market access to our expertise and deepening our product offering. When we started to engage with FSI, it was clear there was a strong cultural alignment between both businesses which was very important to us and will be critical to our shared future success, Mr Allen added. Mark Steinberg, CEO of FSI said: The strategic partnership is aligned with our corporate strategy of diversifying the range of investment capabilities we can offer to clients as well as expanding our global footprint. We identified alternative credit as a strategically important space and felt that AlbaCores unique position in the European market, its growth trajectory and strong investment performance would be complementary to our existing capabilities. We look forward to working with AlbaCore to explore areas for collaboration across our respective businesses. Together, we are better positioned to drive outcomes for our clients and broader stakeholders, Mr Steinberg commented. AlbaCores expertise in European private and public debt markets will be a strong complementary fit to FSIs existing private market expertise, which is focused on equities with an emphasis on infrastructure, and in Australias and Asias public fixed income markets. Completion of the strategic partnership is targeted for Q3 2023, pending regulatory approvals. AlbaCore Capital Group was advised by Fenchurch Advisory Partners and Legal advisor Macfarlanes. About AlbaCore Capital Group AlbaCore Capital Group is one of Europes leading specialist credit investors, and manages over US$9.5 billion (as at 28 February 2023) in AUM across liquid strategies, CLOs, structured products, dislocation funds and private credit. The senior investment team have been investing together for over a decade. Founded in 2016, AlbaCore has invested over ~US$25 billion2 for global pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, consultants, insurance companies, family offices and endowments. For more information, visit www.AlbaCoreCapitalGroup.com About First Sentier Investors First Sentier Investors manages US$146.2 billion in assets (as at 31 December 2022) on behalf of institutional investors, pension funds, wholesale distributors, investment platforms, financial advisers and their clients worldwide. The firm was acquired by Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc in August 2019, and operates as a standalone global investment management business with offices across Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. First Sentier Investors is a globally Certified B Corporation and signatory to the UK Stewardship Code. The firms investment expertise spans across a range of asset classes and specialist sectors focused on delivering sustainable investment success based on responsible investment principles. For more information, visit www.firstsentierinvestors.com 1 As at 31 December 2022 2 Invested capital is the sum of all 'buy' trades for all AlbaCore mandates since inception to 28 February 2023 and includes recycled capital and co-investment. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005057/en/ Media enquiries AlbaCore Capital Sarah Oppler Lansons (London) E: [email protected] M: +44 (0)7530 627765 James Schiavone Lansons (New York) E: [email protected] M: +1 917 238 9614 First Sentier Investors Gayle Rodrigues Global Head of Communications (London) E: [email protected] M: +44 20 7332 6509 Alicia Eu Senior Communications Manager (Sydney) E: [email protected] M: +61 476 490 514 Source: AlbaCore Capital Group NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Citigroup will issue its first quarter results via press release at approximately 8 a.m. (ET) on Friday, April 14, 2023. At 11 a.m. (ET), results will be reviewed via live webcast and teleconference. The press release, webcast and presentation materials will be available at https://www.citigroup.com/citi/investor/pres.htm. A replay and transcript of the webcast will be available shortly after the event. To attend the live webcast and access the replay, please visit: https://www.veracast.com/webcasts/citigroup/webinars/017Z29.cfm If youd like to dial into the live earnings review, please call (800) 343-1703 (for U.S. and Canada callers) or (785) 424-1226 (for international callers). About Citi Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in nearly 160 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005598/en/ Media: Danielle Romero-Apsilos (212) 816-2264 Investors: Jennifer Landis (212) 559-2718 Source: Citigroup Inc. This addition is the latest in the line of constant enhancements that LambdaTest is doing to enable the most seamless digital experience testing for its customers NOIDA, India & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- LambdaTest, an intelligent omnichannel digital experience testing cloud platform, has announced the addition of advanced AI-powered test intelligence features to its Selenium testing cloud offering. With this latest development, LambdaTest will now enable enterprises with deeper insights into their test execution process and help them better streamline their quality assurance process. LambdaTest has been constantly working on enhancing its Selenium automation testing cloud and the test intelligence feature is the latest addition to the list. Over the last quarter, LambdaTest has added features like support for all Selenium 4 versions, including support for BiDi protocol, enhanced low-latency live streaming of test execution for faster test feedback, and the ability to group tests by tags for better manageability. Just last month, LambdaTest added Selenium tracing that allows users to visualize each command flow and each test error along with its telemetry data. All these features combined allow users to get deeper insights into the health of their applications, streamline their testing processes, and achieve better test outcomes. We are constantly working towards empowering digital transformation teams to achieve better test outcomes and deliver higher-quality digital experiences to their end customers. The addition of our AI-powered integrated test intelligence offering with our existing top-notch Selenium automation cloud is another step in that direction. With our advanced test intelligence features, we are providing our customers with a more holistic view of their testing, enabling them to identify issues faster and optimize their testing processes, said Mayank Bhola, Co-Founder and Head of Product, LambdaTest. We are committed to providing our customers with the tools and capabilities they need to perform testing with greater efficiency. With these new features, customers will now get seamless insights into the quality of their releases that will help them make informed decisions faster. In its efforts to support the Selenium and WebDriver community, LambdaTest is one of the Selenium-level sponsors at the upcoming Selenium Conference 2023 in Chicago, from March 28-30. LambdaTest has also announced the launch of its digital experience testing cloud for enterprises. The offering will enable enterprises to accelerate their digital transformation by providing a best-in-class, 360-degree test execution and orchestration platform coupled with insightful test analytics and customizable deployment optionsPublic cloud, single tenant, or on-premise. Also, Satya Nadella, Chairman & CEO of Microsoft, who recently delivered the keynote address at the Microsoft Future Ready Technology Summit 2023, Bengaluru, said that LambdaTest is doing for test automation what Kubernetes did for container orchestration creating that next level of efficiency around test automation so that people can actually focus on testing versus test orchestration. For more details, visit: https://www.lambdatest.com/selenium-automation About LambdaTest LambdaTest is an intelligent unified digital experience testing cloud that helps businesses drastically reduce time to market through faster test execution, ensuring quality releases and accelerated digital transformation. Over 10,000+ enterprise customers and 2+ million users across 130+ countries rely on LambdaTest for their testing needs. Continuous Testing Cloud LambdaTest's Continuous Testing Cloud allows enterprises to rapidly test and deploy changes to their web and mobile applications up to 70% faster, which helps to accelerate the development process and improve time-to-market. Cross-browser Testing Cloud Our cross-browser testing cloud allows users to test their websites and web applications on a wide variety of browsers, operating systems, and devices. With features such as real-time testing, responsive design testing, and debugging tools, it enables developers to ensure that their websites and web apps are compatible with different browsers, thereby providing a seamless user experience. Real Device Cloud With real device cloud, testers/developers can catch bugs early before their mobile apps go live. With LambdaTest's Real Devices Testing Cloud, teams can test unhandled errors, UI/UX, performance, and functionality of their apps before they get released into production. The teams can also test on the widest range of mobile and OTT devices (iOS, Android, iPad, Amazon Fire TV, Roku TV & Apple TV). AI-powered Visual Regression Cloud Ensuring consistent layouts, designs, and functionality of applications is crucial to deliver visually-perfect digital experiences. LambdaTest's visual regression cloud ensures that the visual appearance and functionality of an organizations web applications remain consistent and error-free, ultimately improving the digital experience and business performance. Teams can get early insights on visual UI bugs before they release their applications to the customer. Testers/developers can run automated visual regression tests on 3000+ combinations of browsers & real devices to identify visual deviations. AI-powered Integrated Test Intelligence Test execution insights are critical for digital transformation as they provide enterprises with deeper insight into the quality of releases and trends. By analyzing the test execution data, LambdaTest's integrated test intelligence provides enterprises with insights into patterns and trends that can lead to informed decisions about future development and improve application quality. This can empower development teams with detailed and actionable test execution data and close the gap between data, insight, and action for better and faster decision-making. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005423/en/ LambdaTest press office: [email protected] Source: LambdaTest Updated results from phase 1 trial, including first presentation of data from a cohort of patients with EGFR-mutated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, featured during a Presidential Session at JSMO Subgroup analysis by HER2 expression from phase 1/2 trial of patients with HER3 expressing metastatic breast cancer highlighted in a second Presidential Session TOKYO & BASKING RIDGE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- New data from Daiichi Sankyos (TSE: 4568) patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) from two early trials in patients with previously treated EGFR-mutated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (#PS1-2) or HER3 expressing metastatic breast cancer (#PS2-4) were presented during two Presidential Sessions at the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology (#JSMO2023) Annual Meeting. Patritumab deruxtecan is a specifically engineered potential first-in-class HER3 directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) designed using Daiichi Sankyos proprietary DXd ADC technology. Lung and breast cancer are the first and fifth leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, accounting for approximately 1.8 million and 685,000 deaths in 2020, respectively.1,2 New therapeutic approaches are needed to improve outcomes for these cancers and HER3 is a promising target for therapeutic development as it is broadly expressed in both lung and breast tumors.3,4,5 Most patients with lung or breast cancer involved in these two early-stage trials were heavily pretreated, underscoring the need for new and innovative treatment options to help improve outcomes, said Mark Rutstein, MD, Global Head, Oncology Clinical Development, Daiichi Sankyo. These results further add to the growing body of evidence that targeting HER3 with patritumab deruxtecan may be a promising therapeutic option for a wide array of patients across several subtypes of metastatic lung and breast cancer. EGFR-Mutated NSCLC Phase 1 Trial Results Updated data from a pooled analysis of a phase 1 trial of patritumab deruxtecan (5.6 mg/kg), including the first presentation of results from heavily pretreated patients with EGFR-mutated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC (cohort 3a), demonstrated promising clinical efficacy after a median follow up of 23 months (range, 11.8-36.0). These data were presented during the Presidential Session on March 16, 2023. An objective response rate (ORR) of 40.2% (95% CI: 30.6-50.4), as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR), was observed with patritumab deruxtecan in the pooled analysis of 102 patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC. One complete response (CR), 40 partial responses (PRs) and 39 cases of stable disease (SD) were seen. A disease control rate (DCR) of 78.4% (95% CI: 69.2-86.0) and a median duration of response (DOR) of 7.6 months (95% CI: 6.9-14.7) were observed. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.4 months (95% CI: 5.3-8.3) and median overall survival (OS) was 15.8 months (95% CI: 10.8-21.5). Efficacy outcomes were consistent in a subgroup of 78 patients previously treated with third-generation EGFR TKI and platinum-based chemotherapy. Responses with patritumab deruxtecan were seen in patients across a broad range of HER3 expression and across multiple mechanisms of EGFR TKI resistance. Additionally, confirmed ORRs of 36.4% (95% CI: 23.8-50.4) and 44.7% (95% CI: 30.2-59.9) were observed in patients with and without a history of central nervous system (CNS) metastases, respectively. Patritumab deruxtecan demonstrated a median overall survival of more than 15 months, which is particularly impressive in heavily pretreated patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, said Hidetoshi Hayashi, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Medical Oncology at Kindai University, Osaka, Japan. Further clinical evaluation of patritumab deruxtecan in EGFR-mutated NSCLC is underway. Patients were heavily pretreated receiving a median of four prior lines of systemic therapy in the locally advanced/metastatic setting (range, 1-14) and median treatment duration was 5.5 months (range, 0.7-27.5). Safety of patritumab deruxtecan seen in this phase 1 trial was consistent with that previously observed in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) grade 3 were reported in 58 patients (56.9%) and included platelet count decrease (26%), neutrophil count decrease (21%), fatigue (10%), anemia (9%), white blood cell count decrease (8%), nausea (7%), hypokalemia (7%), lymphocyte count decrease (7%), dyspnea (6%) and febrile neutropenia (6%). Eight patients (7.8%) had confirmed treatment-related interstitial lung disease (ILD) as determined by independent adjudication committee. The majority of these ILD events were low-grade with two grade 1, three grade 2, one grade 3 and two grade 5 events. As of the data cut-off on January 28, 2022, eight patients remained on study treatment with patritumab deruxtecan. Summary of Results in EGFR-Mutated NSCLC Phase 1 Trial Efficacy Measure Patritumab deruxtecan 5.6 mg/kg n=102 Subset with prior third-generation EGFR TKI and platinum-based chemotherapy n=78 Confirmed ORR, % (95% CI) 40.2% (30.6-50.4) 41.0% (30.0-52.7) Confirmed BOR CR, % (n) 1.0% (1) 1.3% (1) PR, % (n) 39.2% (40) 39.7% (31) SD, % (n) 38.2% (39) 34.6% (27) PD, % (n) 12.7% (13) 14.1% (11) NE, % (n) 8.8% (9) 10.3% (8) DCR % (n) (95% CI) 78.4% (80) (69.2-86.0) 75.6% (59) (64.6-84.7) DOR, median (95% CI), months 7.6 months (6.9-14.7) 11.2 months (7.0-NE) PFS, median (95% CI), months 6.4 months (5.3-8.3) 6.4 months (4.4-10.8) OS, median (95% CI), months 15.8 months (10.8-21.5) 16.2 months (11.2-21.9) BOR, best overall response; CR, complete response; DCR, disease control rate; DOR, duration of response; NE, not evaluable; ORR, objective response rate; OS, overall survival; PD, progressive disease; PFS, progression-free survival; PR, partial response; SD, stable disease. Subgroup Analysis of HER2 Expression in HER3 Expressing Metastatic Breast Cancer Phase 1/2 Trial Newly reported exploratory subgroup analysis of HER2 expression (HER2 low defined as IHC 1+ or IHC2+/ISH-; or HER2 zero) from a three-part, first-in-human phase 1/2 trial evaluating patritumab deruxtecan (n=182) in patients with heavily pretreated HER3 expressing metastatic breast cancer, including HR positive/HER2 negative and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), demonstrated promising clinical activity. These data were presented during a second Presidential Session on March 17, 2023. In patients with HR positive breast cancer, confirmed ORRs of 36.2% (95%, CI: 24.0-49.9) in patients with HER2 low (n=58) and 28.2% (95% CI: 15.0-44.9) in patients with HER2 zero (n=39) disease were observed. Median DOR was 7.2 months (95% CI: 5.5-NE) and 7.0 months (95% CI: 3.0-NE), median PFS was 5.8 months (95% CI: 4.1-8.5) and 8.2 months (95% CI: 5.8-9.1) and median OS was 13.7 months (95% CI: 8.5-20.1) and 14.6 months (95% CI: 11.0-21.0) in the HER2 low and HER2 zero subgroups, respectively. In patients with TNBC, a confirmed ORR of 20.7% (95% CI: 8.0-39.7) was observed in patients with HER2 low expression (n=29) and 26.3% (95%, CI: 9.1-51.2) in patients with HER2 zero expression (n=19). Median DOR was 4.1 months (95% CI: 2.7-6.0) and 8.4 months (95% CI: 4.2-NE), median PFS was 4.4 months (95% CI: 2.6-5.6) and 8.4 months (95% CI: 3.9-13.9), and OS was 12.7 months (95% CI: 9.2-21.8) and 16.6 months (95% CI: 9.3-23.8) in the HER2 low and HER2 zero subgroups, respectively. Pooled safety of patritumab deruxtecan previously reported was further analyzed by dose (4.8 mg/kg and 6.4 mg/kg) and location of patients in Japan (n=142) or the U.S. (n=40) with an overall similar rate for TEAEs, excluding ILD, seen between Japan and U.S. subgroups. Grade 3 TEAEs occurred in 99 patients (69.7%) in Japan and 21 patients (52.5%) in the U.S. Twelve patients (8.5%) from Japan and zero patients from U.S. had confirmed treatment-related ILD as determined by an independent adjudication committee. The majority of ILD events were low-grade with three grade 1 (2.1%), five grade 2 (3.5%), three grade 3 (2.1%) and one grade 5 (0.7%) event. These data extend previous observations and demonstrate patritumab deruxtecan has shown clinical activity in patients with metastatic breast cancer and HER2 low or HER2 zero expression, said Hiroji Iwata, MD, PhD, Vice Director and Chief of Breast Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Japan. These data support the further evaluation of patritumab deruxtecan as a potential treatment option for breast cancer and learning more about appropriate sequencing approaches with other therapies. Patients across subgroups were heavily pretreated, receiving a median of seven prior lines of systemic therapy in the HR positive, HER2 low and HER2 zero subgroups, four prior lines of systemic therapy in the HR negative, HER2 low subgroup, and three prior lines of systemic therapy in the HR negative, HER2 zero subgroup. Median treatment duration was 5.5 months (range, 0.7-28.4) in the HR positive, HER2 low subgroup, 7.6 months (range, 1.4-22.8) in the HR positive, HER2 zero subgroup, 4.9 months (range, 0.7-19.8) in the HR negative, HER2 low subgroup and 5.7 months (range, 0.7-22.5) in the HR negative, HER2 zero subgroup. As of data cut-off of August 16, 2021, four patients (10.6%) remained on treatment with patritumab deruxtecan. Summary of HER2 Expression Subgroup Analysis in HER3 Expressing Metastatic Breast Cancer Phase 1/2 Trial HR positive/HER2 negative TNBC Efficacy Measure HR positive /HER2 low (n=58) HR positive/ HER2 zero (n=39) HR negative /HER2 low (n=29) HR negative/ HER2 zero (n=19) Confirmed ORR, % (95% CI) 36.2% (24.0-49.9) 28.2% (15.0-44.9) 20.7% (8.0-39.7) 26.3% (9.1-51.2) Confirmed BOR PR, % 36.2% 28.2% 20.7% 26.3% SD, % 43.1% 61.5% 48.3% 68.4% PD, % 10.3% 7.7% 24.1% 5.3% NE, % (n) 10.3% 2.6% 6.9% 0.0% DOR, median (95% CI), months 7.2 months (5.5-NE) 7.0 months (3.0-NE) 4.1 months (2.7-6.0) 8.4 months (4.2-NE) PFS, median (95% CI), months 5.8 months (4.1-8.5) 8.2 months (5.8-9.1) 4.4 months (2.6-5.6) 8.4 months (3.9-13.9) OS, median (95% CI), months 13.7 months (8.5-20.1) 14.6 months (11.0-21.0) 12.7 months (9.2-21.8) 16.6 months (9.3-23.8) BOR, best overall response; DOR, duration of response; HER, human epidermal growth factor receptor; HR, hormone receptor; ORR, objective response rate; OS, overall survival; PD, progressive disease; PFS, progression-free survival; PR, partial response; SD, stable disease; NE, not evaluable; TNBC, triple negative breast cancer. 95% exact binomial confidence interval (by Clopper-Pearson method) About the Phase 1 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Trial The global, multicenter, open label, two-part phase 1 trial is evaluating patritumab deruxtecan in previously treated patients with metastatic or unresectable NSCLC. The dose escalation part of the trial is evaluating patients with EGFR-mutated disease either with progression on osimertinib or T790M-negative after progression on erlotinib, gefitinib or afatinib. The primary objective of this part of the trial was to assess the safety and tolerability of patritumab deruxtecan and determine the recommended dose for expansion (RDE). The dose expansion part of the trial is evaluating patritumab deruxtecan at the RDE (5.6 mg/kg every three weeks) in three cohorts. Cohort 1 includes patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC who experienced disease progression after taking one or more EGFR TKIs and one or more platinum-based chemotherapy regimens. Cohort 2 includes patients with squamous or non-squamous NSCLC without EGFR-activating mutations following platinum-based chemotherapy and following an anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibody regimen. Cohort 3 includes patients with NSCLC with EGFR-activating mutations including any histology other than combined small cell and non-small cell lung cancer; patients in Cohort 3 are randomized 1:1 to receive the 5.6 mg/kg RDE regimen (Cohort 3a) or an escalating up-titration regimen of patritumab deruxtecan (Cohort 3b). Cohort 4 includes patients with NSCLC, including any histology other than small cell or combined small and non-small cell. The primary objective of Cohorts 1, 2 and 3 in the dose expansion part of the trial is to assess efficacy of patritumab deruxtecan as measured by confirmed ORR assessed by BICR. Secondary trial endpoints include investigator-assessed ORR, DCR, DOR, PFS, OS, safety and pharmacokinetics. The primary objective of Cohort 4 is to assess the relative bioavailability of clinical study versus commercial patritumab deruxtecan in Cohort 3a. The trial enrolled 264 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information, visit ClinicalTrials.gov. About the Phase 1/2 Breast Cancer Trial The global, open-label, three-part phase 1/2 trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of patritumab deruxtecan in patients with HER3 expressing advanced/unresectable metastatic breast cancer who are refractory or intolerant to standard treatment, or for whom no standard treatment is available. The dose escalation part of the trial assessed the safety and tolerability of increasing doses of patritumab deruxtecan to determine the maximum tolerated dose. The dose finding part of the trial assessed the safety and efficacy of patritumab deruxtecan at selected dosing levels to determine the recommended dose for expansion. Patients in the dose escalation and dose finding parts of the trial must have received six or fewer prior chemotherapy regimens, at least two of which were administered for treatment of advanced/unresectable metastatic disease, and at least one prior chemotherapeutic regimen must have included a taxane, administered in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant or advanced setting, except in the dose expansion part of the TNBC cohort. The phase 2 part of the trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of patritumab deruxtecan at the recommended dose for expansion in four different cohorts of patients with HER3 expressing and HER2 negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, including HR positive and triple negative breast cancer. The trial enrolled 182 patients at multiple sites in the United States and Japan. For more information, visit ClinicalTrials.gov. About EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.1 Approximately 80% to 85% of lung cancer is classified as NSCLC, which is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage in more than 50% of cases.6,7 EGFR mutations occur in up to 30% of all NSCLC tumors worldwide.8 The introduction of targeted therapies has improved the treatment landscape for patients with EGFR-mutated metastatic or locally advanced NSCLC. Targeted therapy with EGFR TKIs offers higher response rates and progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy.6 However, disease progression from resistance to EGFR TKIs inevitably occurs one to two years following initial treatment.9 Subsequent standard treatments following first-line progression offer limited efficacy.10 New treatment approaches are needed to help improve survival in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC. About Breast Cancer Breast cancer is the most common cancer and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.11 More than two million cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in 2020 with nearly 685,000 deaths globally. 2,11 Despite recent advancements across the three main subtypes of breast cancer, including HER2 positive, HR positive/HER2 low or negative and triple negative, it remains incurable and new treatment strategies are needed for refractory disease. About HER3 HER3 is a member of the EGFR family of receptor tyrosine kinases.12 It is estimated that about 83% of primary NSCLC tumors express HER3 and 90% of advanced EGFR-mutated tumors after prior EGFR TKI treatment express HER3.5,13 HER3 also is highly expressed in about 30% to 50% of breast tumors.3,4,14 There is currently no HER3 directed medicine approved for the treatment of any cancer. About Patritumab Deruxtecan Patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) is an investigational HER3 directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyos proprietary DXd ADC technology, patritumab deruxtecan is composed of a fully human anti-HER3 IgG1 monoclonal antibody attached to a number of topoisomerase I inhibitor payloads (an exatecan derivative, DXd) via tetrapeptide-based cleavable linkers. Patritumab deruxtecan was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2021 for the treatment of patients with metastatic or locally advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC with disease progression on or after treatment with a third generation TKI and platinum-based therapies. Patritumab deruxtecan is currently being evaluated as both a monotherapy and in combination with other therapies in a global development program, which includes HERTHENA-Lung01, a phase 2 trial in patients with EGFR-mutated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC previously treated with two prior systemic therapies including at least one EGFR TKI and at least one platinum-based chemotherapy based regimen; HERTHENA Lung02, a phase 3 trial versus platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC following treatment with one or more EGFR TKIs; a phase 1 trial in combination with osimertinib in EGFR-mutated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC; and a phase 1 trial in previously treated patients with unresectable or metastatic NSCLC. A phase 1/2 trial in HER3 expressing metastatic breast cancer also has been completed. About the DXd ADC Portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo The DXd ADC portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo currently consists of five ADCs in clinical development across multiple types of cancer. The companys clinical trial stage DXd ADCs include ENHERTU, a HER2 directed ADC and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), a TROP2 directed ADC, which are being jointly developed and commercialized globally with AstraZeneca; and patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), a HER3 directed ADC. Two additional ADCs including ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd; DS-7300), a B7-H3 directed ADC, and DS-6000, a CDH6 directed ADC, are being developed through a strategic early-stage research collaboration with Sarah Cannon Research Institute. Designed using Daiichi Sankyos proprietary DXd ADC technology to target and deliver a cytotoxic payload inside cancer cells that express a specific cell surface antigen, each ADC consists of a monoclonal antibody attached to a number of topoisomerase I inhibitor payloads (an exatecan derivative, DXd) via tetrapeptide-based cleavable linkers. Datopotamab deruxtecan, ifinatamab deruxtecan, patritumab deruxtecan and DS-6000 are investigational medicines that have not been approved for any indication in any country. Safety and efficacy have not been established. About Daiichi Sankyo Daiichi Sankyo is dedicated to creating new modalities and innovative medicines by leveraging our world-class science and technology for our purpose to contribute to the enrichment of quality of life around the world. In addition to our current portfolio of medicines for cancer and cardiovascular disease, Daiichi Sankyo is primarily focused on developing novel therapies for people with cancer as well as other diseases with high unmet medical need. With more than 100 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 16,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation to realize our 2030 Vision to become an Innovative Global Healthcare Company Contributing to the Sustainable Development of Society. For more information, please visit www.daiichisankyo.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230317005395/en/ Global: Jennifer Brennan Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. [email protected] +1 (908) 900 3183 (mobile) Japan: Koji Ogiwara Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. [email protected] +81 3 6225 1126 (office) Investor Relations Contact: [email protected] Source: Daiichi Sankyo Release of documents and information regarding the Shareholders Meeting PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: The shareholders of the Company are invited to participate in the Combined Shareholders Meeting of Teleperformance SE (Paris: TEP) to be held on Thursday April 13, 2023 at 3 p.m. (Paris time) at 21-25 rue Balzac, 75008 Paris, France. The preliminary notice of meeting containing the agenda and the proposed resolutions has been published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (BALO) dated February 24, 2023 (no. 24). The conditions for participating and voting at this Meeting are described in said notice. The documents and information related to this Meeting will be made available in accordance with the legal and regulatory provisions in force. Documents provided for by Article R.22-10-23 of the French Commercial Code will be made available on Teleperformances website (https://www.teleperformance.com/en-us/investors/shareholder-information/general-meetings) no later than the twenty-first day preceding the Meeting. In accordance with applicable regulatory provisions: - Registered shareholders can, from the date of convening to the fifth day (inclusive) before the Meeting, request from the Company to receive the documents referred to in Articles R.225-81 and R.225-83 of the French Commercial Code, including at their request, by way of an electronic mail. For holders of bearer shares, the exercise of this right is subject to the presentation of a certificate of registration in the bearer share accounts kept by the empowered intermediary; - All shareholders can consult the documents referred to in Articles L.225-115 and R.225-83 of the French Commercial Code at the Companys headquarters from the date of convening. About Teleperformance Group Teleperformance (TEP ISIN: FR0000051807 Reuters: TEPRF.PA - Bloomberg: TEP FP), a global leader in outsourced digital integrated business services , serves as a strategic partner to the worlds largest companies in many industries. It offers a One Office support services model including end-to-end digital solutions, which guarantee successful customer interaction and optimized business processes, anchored in a unique, comprehensive high touch, high tech approach. More than 410,000 employees, based in 91 countries, support billions of connections every year in over 300 languages and 170 markets, in a shared commitment to excellence as part of the Simpler, Faster, Safer process. This mission is supported by the use of reliable, flexible, intelligent technological solutions and compliance with the industrys highest security and quality standards, based on Corporate Social Responsibility excellence. In 2022, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of 8,154 million (US$8.6 billion, based on 1 = $1.05) and net profit of 645 million. Teleperformance shares are traded on the Euronext Paris market, Compartment A, and are eligible for the deferred settlement service. They are included in the following indices: CAC 40, STOXX 600, S&P Europe 350, MSCI Global Standard and Euronext Tech Leaders. In the area of corporate social responsibility, Teleperformance shares are included in the CAC 40 ESG since September 2022, the Euronext Vigeo Euro 120 index since 2015, the EURO STOXX 50 ESG index since 2020, the MSCI Europe ESG Leaders index since 2019, the FTSE4Good index since 2018 and the S&P Global 1200 ESG index since 2017. For more information: www.teleperformance.com Follow us on Twitter: @teleperformance View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005599/en/ Teleperformance Source: Teleperformance IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vizient, Inc. announced today that Steven Lucio, PharmD, BCPS, senior principal, pharmacy solutions for Vizient, will share insights on biosimilars in the panel discussion, Building the Sustainable Future of Biosimilars, at the Festival of Biologics being held March 20-22 in San Diego. Lucio, who has extensive expertise in biosimilars, educates healthcare organizations on the benefits of biosimilars and helps them develop strategies to include them in patient care. Last year he led a team that conducted a survey of hospital leaders and pharmacy professionals from across the country that found biosimilars are gaining inclusion in hospital formularies, something long seen as a necessity for greater adoption. Vizient continues to advocate for biosimilar adoption to create more competition in the market, Lucio said. Biosimilars are as effective as their originator biologic counterparts and represent an opportunity that, when fully optimized, can lower costs without compromising the quality of patient care. The panel discussion Building the Sustainable Future of Biosimilars, will take place on March 21 at 4:40 p.m. PDT. About Vizient, Inc. Vizient, Inc., the nations largest health care performance improvement company, serves more than 60% of the nations acute care providers, which includes 97% of the nations academic medical centers, and more than 25% of the non-acute market. Vizient provides expertise, analytics and advisory services, as well as a contract portfolio that represents more than $130 billion in annual purchasing volume. Vizients solutions and services improve the delivery of high-value care by aligning cost, quality and market performance. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vizient has offices throughout the United States. Learn more at www.vizientinc.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005137/en/ Donna Ledbetter (972) 830-6321 [email protected] Source: Vizient, Inc. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) today announced the acquisition of Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Stewart, Brimner, Peters & Company, Inc. (SBP). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. SBP is a retail insurance broker offering a variety of commercial and personal insurance products along with employee benefits consulting to clients in central and northern Indiana. Jason Brimner, John Brimner, Jeff Peters, Mick Stewart and their team will remain in their current location under the direction of Sean Gallagher, head of Gallagher's Great Lakes region retail property/casualty brokerage operations. "SBP's strong client relationships and focus on growth will expand our capabilities in the region," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "I am excited to welcome Jason, John, Jeff, Mick and their associates to our growing, global team." The UKs bank resolution framework has a clear statutory order in which shareholders and creditors would bear losses in a resolution or insolvency scenario. This was the approach used for the recent resolution of SVB UK, in which all of SVB UKs Additional Tier 1 (AT1) and T2 instruments were written down in full and the whole of the firms equity was transferred for a nominal sum of 1. AT1 instruments rank ahead of CET1 and behind T2 in the hierarchy. Holders of such instruments should expect to be exposed to losses in resolution or insolvency in the order of their positions in this hierarchy. The Bank welcomes the comprehensive set of actions taken yesterday by the Swiss authorities in order to ensure financial stability. The UK banking system is well capitalised and funded, and remains safe and sound. Luduson G Inc. (OTCQB: LDSN) is taking the lead in shaping the future of the Metaverse by announcing its intention to invest USD5M in Metasense B88 ("Metasense"), a pioneering Metaverse Venture Builder based in Portugal. Metasense is poised to launch a series of cutting-edge projects already in its innovation pipeline while simultaneously creating new ventures, thanks to the support of Luduson's significant investment. The injection of capital will enable Metasense to grow its global venture studio offering and deliver even more value for its stakeholders. "We are thrilled to have Luduson on board as a creator and curator of disruptive technology ventures," said Derick Smith, CEO of Metasense. "This funding will enable us to accelerate our innovative work and strengthen our partner ecosystem. Luduson's resources and insights will undoubtedly help us continue to drive innovation in the Metaverse and deliver more value to our customers." The Metaverse is a virtual world powered by cutting-edge technologies such as AI, ML, Blockchain, and Augmented Reality, among others. It provides immersive experiences that simulate the physical world, enabling people to interact in virtual communities using avatars. "Metaverse solutions are the future of digital transformation and customer engagement," said Wallis Wong, CEO at Luduson. "Metasense's approach gives founders the ability to find market fit, address global business imperatives, and ultimately scale their ventures." Metasense is a venture builder that collaborates with entrepreneurs to craft ventures rooted in spatial data, delivering connected and intelligent customer experiences. Their mission is to build the Open Metaverse, a community of communities rooted in human values. "I'm excited about today's announcement," said Rakesh Rajagopal, Chief Strategy Officer of Metasense. "This funding round is transformative and will benefit our customers, employees, and shareholders. We are creating a talent pool and solutions portfolio that will enable our venture founders to deliver superior experiences in the Metaverse." The partnership between Luduson and Metasense is an exciting development in the Metaverse industry. Together, they will pioneer innovative projects that will set new standards in customer experiences and engagement. This investment is a testament to Metasense's exceptional work and Luduson's confidence in their team's ability to drive innovation. This funding round will enable Metasense to expand its global venture studio offering and create more value for all its stakeholders. For more information on Luduson, please visit www.luduson.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "look forward to," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future business activities including the expansion into the decentralized financing space. These forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein include uncertainties associated with operating a business in Hong Kong, risk of interference by the PRC government, ability to compete, that financial resources do not last for as long as anticipated. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks can be found in LDSN's regulatory filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in its current report on Form 10-K filed on April 15, 2022. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. LDSN undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. By Scott Kanowsky Investing.com -- UBS Group AG (SIX: UBSG) shares plunged on Monday in the wake of its announcement that it will merge with rival Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE: CS) in a government-brokered deal, with several analysts downgrading the stock due to concerns over future earnings at the Swiss banking giant. The tie-up, worth $3.25 billion, was forged after a weekend of tense negotiations overseen by Swiss regulators concerned over the health of the Swiss banking system and potential contagion in global markets. Credit Suisse, Switzerland's second biggest lender behind UBS, had been edging closer towards the brink of collapse despite an emergency credit line provided by the Swiss National Bank (SIX: SNBN) last week. Many analysts flagged worries over how the agreement could impact UBS, arguing that there is now heightened risk and uncertainty around the stock. UBS reported a profit of $7.6B in 2022, while Credit Suisse dropped to a loss of $7.9B. Analysts at Oddo slashed their rating of UBS to 'underperform' from 'neutral', citing "very limited due diligence" around the deal and the impact the integration of Credit Suisse's operations will have on its growth initiatives. KBW analysts also lowered their rating to 'underperform' from 'market perform', noting in particular the suspension of UBS' share buybacks, which they said were a key part of the investment thesis in the company. They warned as well that the Swiss government's decision to write off $17B in Credit Suisse's additional tier one debt will "unsettle" some investors. Analysts at Vontobel, meanwhile, cut their price target for UBS to CHF 19.5 from CHF 22.5. They said the case for investing in UBS has now changed "substantially," adding that the current issues surrounding the global banking system are not yet resolved. Separately, however, ZKB analysts upgraded their rating of UBS to 'outperform' from 'market perform'. The potential benefits for UBS from adding Credit Suisse's business, they suggested, are likely to outweigh the risks presented by the merger. According to The Wall Street Journal, JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon is heading up talks with the CEOs of other big banks in an effort to stabilize First Republic Bank (NYSE: FRC). The publication said its sources told them that the preliminary discussions have centered on how the industry could set out an investment to boost the bank's capital. Last week, eleven big banks worked together to deposit $30 billion in First Republic to restore confidence in the lender, with its customers said to have withdrawn around $70 billion since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank earlier this month. As a result, First Republic is facing significant pressure to reassure investors it is viable. Its share price has fallen over 86% so far in 2023 and is down over 25% on Monday. The latest wave of selling was triggered by S&P Global cutting the bank's credit rating by three notches to "B-plus" from "BB-plus." The WSJ said sources told them the plan could see the banks convert some or all of the $30 billion in deposits into a capital infusion, while a sale or outside capital injection are other options. They add that Dimon, alongside federal regulators, spearheaded last week's effort to shore up First Republic. By Sam Boughedda MONTREAL and SAN FRANCISCO, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coveo (TSX: CVO), an AI platform specifically built to make every digital experience relevant, today issued the following statement regarding the events involving Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Coveo has diversified banking relationships and strategically manages its assets across a number of global banks. While Coveo continues to maintain an operating account at SVB for one of its subsidiaries to both make and receive payments, the amount is very immaterial. The account has no impact on Coveos operations, and its loss would not impact the company. Further, we do not believe the SVB situation materially impacts our vendors, partners, or customers. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. About Coveo SolutionsWe believe that relevance is critical for businesses to win in the new digital experience economy and to serve people the way they expect while ensuring optimal business performance, and that applied AI is an imperative to achieve these goals. Coveo Relevance Cloud is a market-leading AI platform that optimizes relevance into digital experiences such as commerce, service, website, and workplace applications. Coveo injects search, recommendations, personalization, and merchandising AI models, including testing and analytics. Coveos AI platform is cloud-native SaaS, multi-tenant, API-first, and headless, and can easily integrate into almost any digital experience, with AI models designed to learn from every interaction to serve the next. Our solutions are designed to provide tangible financial value to our customers by helping to drive improvements in conversion, revenue, and margins, reduce customer support costs, increase customer satisfaction and website engagement, and improve employee proficiency and satisfaction. Our AI platform powers digital experience relevance for many of the worlds most innovative brands, serving millions of people and billions of interactions, and is supported by a large network of global systems integrators and implementation partners. Coveo is a Salesforce ISV Partner, a Global SAP CX Partner, and an Adobe Accelerate Exchange Partner. Coveo is a trademark of Coveo Solutions, Inc. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, forward-looking information). This forward-looking information is identified by the use of terms and phrases such as may, would, should, could, might, will, achieve, occur, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, plan, foresee, believe, continue, target, opportunity, strategy, scheduled, outlook, forecast, projection, or prospect, the negative of these terms and similar terminology, including references to assumptions, although not all forward-looking information contains these terms and phrases. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent managements expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events or circumstances. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, estimates, and assumptions that we considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date such statements are made. Although the forward-looking information contained herein is based upon what we believe are reasonable assumptions, actual results may vary from the forward-looking information contained herein. Certain assumptions made in preparing the forward-looking information contained in herein include, without limitation: our ability to capitalize on growth opportunities and implement our growth strategy; our ability to attract new customers, both domestically and internationally; the success of our efforts to expand our product portfolio and market reach; our ability to maintain successful strategic relationships with partners and other third parties; our future capital requirements; the available liquidity under our revolving credit facility; the accuracy of our estimates of market opportunity and growth forecasts; our success in identifying and evaluating, as well as financing and integrating, any acquisitions, partnerships, or joint ventures; our ability to execute on our expansion plans; and the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to macro-economic uncertainties and the risk factors described under Risk Factors in the Companys most recently filed Annual Information Form available under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, prospective investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date made. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. Although we have attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other risk factors not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information. You should not rely on this forward-looking information, as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those contemplated by this forward-looking information as a result of such risks and uncertainties. Additional information will also be set forth in other public filings that we make available under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com from time to time. The forward-looking information provided in this press release relates only to events or information as of the date hereof, and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, we do not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. HighwirePRCoveo[email protected] Paul MoonInvestor Relations[email protected] Source: Coveo Solutions Inc. GLENVIEW, Ill., March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) will hold an in-person investor conference in Boston on Thursday May 18, 2023 featuring presentations and Q&A with the ITW leadership team. A live webcast of the event will begin at 1:00 p.m. EDT. A link to the webcast and accompanying slide presentations will be available on the Investor Relations website, ITW 2023 Investor Day. A replay of the webcast will be available following the event. About Illinois Tool WorksITW (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 200 global multi-industrial manufacturing leader with revenues totaling $15.9 billion in 2022. The companys seven industry-leading segments leverage the unique ITW Business Model to drive solid growth with best-in-class margins and returns in markets where highly innovative, customer-focused solutions are required. ITWs approximately 46,000 dedicated colleagues around the world thrive in the companys decentralized and entrepreneurial culture. www.itw.com Source: Illinois Tool Works Inc. LAKEWOOD, Colo., March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In celebration of Womens History Month, a group of 10 industry-leading companies sponsoring the event announced the upcoming 2nd annual Women in Insurance Walk. The event will be held on March 21st during the 2023 PLRB National Claims Conference and Expo in Orlando, FL. Founded by industry leaders Jessica Hamilton, Eberls Senior Vice President of Business Development and Michelle Licht, ALE Solutions Vice President of Sales, the event was started as a networking event to connect women in insurance and has since evolved into a bigger mission - to increase visibility on equity in the workplace for women and all-around diversity and inclusion within the insurance industry. The Evolution of the Womens Walk In 2022, Hamilton and Licht were inspired to begin a new tradition where women could come together to connect while attending the PLRB Claims Conference. The purpose was to participate in a health-conscious activity while building meaningful relationships within the industry. Last year's group met at the iconic San Antonio River Walk for a memorable walking history tour and totaled 16 amazing women. This years walk taking place two weeks after International Womens Day is no coincidence, as this years theme was #EmbraceEquity. Workplace equity for women simply cant wait, Hamilton said. We started the walk to bring our female allies together as a collective force to knock down barriers that still exist today. PLRB is the perfect place to continue this tradition to build awareness and just as important connect with this truly amazing group of women in insurance. Were proud that this years walk includes diverse voices and women from all backgrounds, race, religion, and sexuality. Our goals for the Womens Walk now and, in the future, is to continue building awareness around gender equality, but also to connect women with strong mentors, make more friends, and most importantly to have a lot of fun while doing it. The event has garnered a host of like-minded sponsors from across the insurance industry spectrum. Sponsors whose female leaders will be walking with Hamilton and Licht to champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives for women in the workplace. May the Force Be Female Speaking of force - this years walk will be a one-mile trek starting at the Orlando World Centers Fairway Terrace with event participants rallying under the slightly modified, yet epic battle cry made famous by the Star Wars franchise - May the Force Be Female. With over 150 women RSVPd to attend the walk, the force is ever-present. Samantha Krostue, Head of Marketing at Eberl and co-organizer of the walk had this to say, Its been inspiring to see what started as a small networking event grow into a purpose-driven tradition drawing support from people across our industry. Event founders and organizers expect the walk to continue to be an annual event and are already looking ahead to next year. The Womens Walk sponsors hale from across the insurance industry spectrum and include 10 different companies: Eberl Claims Service: Eberl provides flexible loss adjusting solutions across the insurance industry from FNOL to TPA management and more. ALE Solutions: ALE is a leading provider of technology-based temporary housing solutions for displaced policyholders and catastrophe teams. Envista Forensics: Envista provides forensic consulting and equipment restoration services to the insurance, legal and risk management industries. Elevate Claims Solutions: Elevate provides property adjusting, appraisal and umpire services. CoreLogic: CoreLogic provides technology and data solutions for businesses across the property insurance and restoration industries from hazard and structure risk to claims and restoration. Rytech Restoration: Rytech is a national restoration firm providing professional water and fire restoration & mold remediation to the insurance industry. Hosta a.i.: Hosta a.i. creates a better-than-human like understanding of interior spaces using patented AI technology to drive automation of claims. Bees360: Bees360 is an insurtech firm providing drone-enabled inspection services powered by AI to the insurance industry. EIS Group: EIS is an Insurtech platform providing digital claims, policy, and billing solutions to the insurance industry. CORE: Providing complete contractor solutions to North America's Most Exclusive Membership among Independent Contractors in the Property Restoration industry and providing High-Net-Worth & Commercial opportunities. Images accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bdcd2cad-f1a1-4013-93eb-20775e295e5e https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f16da43f-0923-4686-92f4-84f18e8dc62f For additional information, please contact: Samantha Krostue, Head of Marketing [email protected] Company Sponsors of Women's Walk 10 industry-leading companies sponsoring the upcoming 2nd annual Women in Insurance Walk. Women's Walk Sponsors Female leaders who will be walking with Hamilton and Licht to champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives for women in the workplace at the Women's Walk at PLRB. Source: Eberl Claims Service VANCOUVER, British Columbia and SYDNEY, Australia, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the Company or Patriot) (TSX-V: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) is pleased to advise that, further to its news release issued on March 15, 2023 (Vancouver, BC, Canada) / March 16, 2023 (Sydney, Australia), it has successfully completed the Flow Through Raising of approximately 2.215 million Flow Through Shares in the capital of the Company at a price of C$22.57 per share to institutional, professional and sophisticated investors for gross proceeds of approximately C$50M. Capitalized terms in this news release not otherwise defined have the meaning provided in the news release of March 15, 2023 please refer to that release for more details. Settlement is anticipated to occur on March 23, 2023 (Sydney, Australia time) at which time the Flow Through Shares will have been converted to approximately 22.15 million Chess Depositary Interests ("CDIs") which trade on the ASX. CDIs trading on the ASX issued on account of the Flow Through Shares cannot be converted into common shares of the Company for the purpose of trading such shares in Canada until four months have elapsed from the settlement date. In connection with the completion of the Flow Through Raising, the Company will pay Euroz Hartleys Limited and Canaccord Genuity (Australia) Ltd., as joint-lead managers for the transaction, a cash commission of A$1,215,995.72. Proceeds raised from the sale of the Flow Through Shares will be used to fund exploration on the Companys Corvette Property. About Patriot Battery Metals Inc. Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral properties containing battery, base, and precious metals. The Companys flagship asset is the 100% owned Corvette Property, located proximal to the Trans-Taiga Road and powerline infrastructural corridor in the James Bay Region of Quebec. The land package hosts significant lithium potential highlighted by the 2.6 km long CV5 spodumene pegmatite with drill intercepts of 156.9 m at 2.12% Li2O, including 25.0 m at 5.04% Li2O or 5.0 m at 6.36% Li2O (CV22-083), 159.7 m at 1.65% Li2O (CV22-042), 131.2 m at 1.96% Li2O (CV22-100), and 52.2 m at 3.34% Li2O, including 15.0 m at 5.10% Li2O (CV22-093). Additionally, the Property hosts the Golden Gap Trend with grab samples of 3.1 to 108.9 g/t Au from outcrop and 7 m at 10.5 g/t Au in drill hole, and the Maven Trend with 8.15% Cu, 1.33 g/t Au, and 171 g/t Ag in outcrop. The Company also holds 100% ownership of the Freeman Creek Gold Property in Idaho, USA which hosts two prospective gold prospects - the Gold Dyke Prospect with a 2020 drill hole intersection of 12 m at 4.11 g/t Au and 33.0 g/t Ag, and the Carmen Creek Prospect with surface sample results including 25.5 g/t Au, 159 g/t Ag, and 9.75% Cu. The Companys other assets include the Pontax Lithium-Gold Property, QC, and the Hidden Lake Lithium Property, NWT, where the Company maintains a 40% interest, as well as several other assets in Canada. For further information, please contact us at [email protected] Tel: +1 (604) 279-8709, or visit www.patriotbatterymetals.com. Please also refer to the Companys continuous disclosure filings, available under its profile at www.sedar.com and www.asx.com.au, for available exploration data. This news release has been approved by the Board of Directors, BLAIR WAY Blair Way, President, CEO, & Director Competent person statement (ASX Listing Rule 5.22) The information in this news release which relates to previously announced exploration results for the Corvette Property were first released by the Company in its prospectus for its ASX listing dated November 9, 2022 and released to the ASX platform on December 5, 2022 (Prospectus) and in ASX announcements released on January 19, 2023 and January 30, 2023. The Company confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the exploration results included in the Prospectus or the relevant ASX announcements. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as will, may, should, anticipate, expects and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including but not limited to references to the settlement of and expected use of proceeds from the Flow Through Raising included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companys expectations include the results of further exploration and testing, and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, available at www.sedar.com and asx.com.au. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law. No securities regulatory authority or stock exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. Source: Patriot Battery Metals TORONTO, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prime Dividend Corp. (The "Company") declares its monthly distribution of $0.06667 for each Preferred share. Distributions are payable April 10, 2023 to shareholders on record as at March 31, 2023 There will not be a distribution paid to the Class A Shares for March 31, 2023 as per the Prospectus which states no regular monthly dividends will be paid on the Class A shares in any month as long as the net asset value per unit is equal to or less than $15.00. Preferred shareholders receive prime plus 2.35% with a minimum rate of 5.00% and a maximum rate of 8.00%. Since inception Class A shareholders have received a total of $13.07 per share and Preferred shareholders have received a total of $9.49 per share inclusive of this distribution, for a combined total of $22.56. The Company invests in a portfolio of high yielding Canadian Companies as follows: Banks Investment Management Life Insurance Utilities & Other Bank of Montreal AGF Management Ltd. Great-West Lifeco Inc. BCE Inc. Bank of Nova Scotia CI Financial Corp. Manulife Financial Corporation TransAlta Corp. CIBC IGM Financial Inc. Sun Life Financial Inc. TC Energy Corp. National Bank of Canada Power Financial Corp. Royal Bank of Canada TMX Group Inc. Toronto-Dominion Bank Distribution Details Preferred Share (PDV.PR.A) $0.06667 Record Date: March 31, 2023 Payable Date: April 10, 2023 Source: Prime Dividend Corp. By Scott Kanowsky Investing.com -- The Chief Executive of UBS Group AG (SIX: UBSG) said on Monday that the bank can handle the risks related to its takeover of smaller rival Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE: CS). UBS agreed to buy its 167-year-old peer for $3.25 billion after a weekend of tense dealmaking overseen by Swiss authorities concerned about the health of the Swiss banking system and subsequent contagion in global markets. In an interview with broadcaster SRF, UBS CEO Ralph Hamers, who will helm the combined company, backed the lender's liquidity position and capital ratio. "We have a very good capital ratio at UBS, and we also have a very good liquidity position. So we have contained the risks in the markets," Hamers was quoted by Reuters as saying. "The second step for us is to transform CS's investment bank into an investment bank like UBS has. We call this a capital-light investment bank. In doing so, we are not taking so much risk." Hamers added that there will be cost-cutting at Credit Suisse following the tie-up, but did not provide any details around any potential layoffs. By Scott Kanowsky Investing.com -- Shares in UBS Group AG (SIX: UBSG) slumped by more than 12% on Monday, while Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE: CS) shares shed nearly two-thirds of their value, after a frantically thrashed out tie-up between the two Swiss lenders was agreed over the weekend. UBS announced on Sunday that it will buy embattled Credit Suisse for around $3.3 billion, with the assistance of the Swiss authorities, hoping that this will help ease the strain on the global banking system. Concerns had been growing about Credit Suisses survival as it faced growing liquidity difficulties with investors withdrawing funds in the wake of a series of crises. But markets remained on edge after Swiss authorities said in the wake of the announcement that $17 billion worth of Credit Suisse's Additional Tier 1 bonds - a riskier class of debt - would be wiped out by the merger. The decision was widely expected to lead to further market turmoil, as traders react to potential losses for debtholders in Credit Suisse. (Daguan Keweiwei) and China Brand Value Forum Release "The 8th China Brand Value Top 100" & "The 3rd World Brand Value Top 900" on March 18th, 2023 Beijing, China--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2023) - (DaguanKeweiwei) held the China Brand Value Forum at the Beijing, China Taiping Financial Center. More than 100 senior guests from academic, political and business circles attended the conference, paying close attention to the development of Chinese and foreign brands, and discussing the great significance of Chinese brand development in the new era. The theme of the forum was: "Highlighting the International Value of China Brand Value Evaluation Standard, Appreciating the World Popularity of China Brand Value Evaluation Standard, Spreading the Resource Service Links of the World Brand Value Top 900 Enterprises, Establishing Brand Culture Confidence, and Creating the Additional International Brand Value." Ms. Song Jinhong, CEO of (DaguanKeweiwei) Brand Value (China) Network www.bvrcn.com, Chairman of Beijing Daguan Advertising Co., Ltd., Secretary General and Researcher of China Brand Value Evaluation and Research Platform of Peking University, announced the two ranking lists, "The 8th China Brand Value Top 100" and "The 3rd World Brand Value Top 900." China Brand Value Forum Released Recently To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8722/159061_8b94d62b240c9930_001full.jpg She pointed out the China Brand Value Evaluation Standard and its significance. The China Brand Value Evaluation Standard shows a standard way to keep pace with the times, to be fair and just, and to get the world-class brand value for brand enterprises both in China and the world. Experts attending the conference all spoke highly of the China Brand Value Evaluation Standard and these two important ranking lists while affirming its fairness and reflecting its goal to highlight the international value of the China Brand Value Evaluation Standard and to discover the recommended world brand enterprises with real power whose flaws are far outweighed by their advantages today. (DaguanKeweiwei) Brand Value (China) Network will continue to focus on global economic trends, global enterprise development, brand dynamics and brand empowerment. The organizer aims to appreciate the fair and just attitude of brand responsibility powerful countries listed in the rankings have based on the China Brand Value Evaluation Standard. Gifts for the China Brand Value Forum and the release conference of "The 8th China Brand Value Top 100" and "The 3rd World Brand Value Top 900" were provided by RED TEA AT NOON (Beijing) Hotel Catering Management Co., Ltd. Company Name: Beijing Daguan Advertising Co., Ltd. Contact Person: Song Junchi Email: [email protected] Website: www.bvrcn.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/159061 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2023) - Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) ("Aurania" or the "Company") announces its participation in the Channelchek Takeaway Series from the PDAC 2023 Convention, to be broadcast Tuesday, March 21st starting at 9:45 am ET. Dr. Keith Barron, President & Chief Executive Officer of Aurania, provides a corporate overview, then takes questions from Mark Reichman, Noble Capital Markets' senior equity analyst. Mark Reichman attended the PDAC conference and sat down with various c-suite executives. For the Channelchek Takeaway Series, Mark is unpacking what he learned at the conference and talking to a selection of c-suite executives in the mineral exploration & mining space. Virtual Event and Registration Details Aurania's broadcast will start at 11:00 am ET on Tuesday, March 21st. Investors can virtually attend the Channelchek Takeaway Series at no cost. Registration details are available on Channelchek. The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is the leading voice of the mineral exploration and development community. Representing over 6,000 members around the world, PDAC's work centers on supporting a competitive, responsible, and sustainable mineral sector. About Noble Capital Markets Noble Capital Markets, Inc. was incorporated in 1984 as a full-service SEC / FINRA registered broker-dealer, dedicated exclusively to serving underfollowed small / microcap companies through investment banking, wealth management, trading & execution, and equity research activities. Over the past 37 years, Noble has raised billions of dollars for these companies and published more than 45,000 equity research reports. www.noblecapitalmarkets.com email: [email protected] About Channelchek Channelchek (.com) is a comprehensive investor-centric portal - featuring more than 6,000 emerging growth companies - that provides advanced market data, independent research, balanced news, video webcasts, exclusive c-suite interviews, and access to virtual road shows. The site is available to the public at every level without cost or obligation. Research on Channelchek is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., an SEC / FINRA registered broker-dealer since 1984. www.channelchek.com email: [email protected] About Aurania Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and copper in South America. Its flagship asset, The Lost Cities - Cutucu Project, is located in the Jurassic Metallogenic Belt in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range of southeastern Ecuador. Information on Aurania and technical reports are available at www.aurania.com and www.sedar.com, as well as on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/auranialtd/, Twitter at https://twitter.com/auranialtd, and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/aurania-resources-ltd-. For further information, please contact: Carolyn Muir VP Corporate Development & Investor Relations Aurania Resources Ltd. (416) 367-3200 [email protected] Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/159022 - Five new IPOs completed during the month, and 10 total new listings - Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2023) - The Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE" or "the Exchange") today announced market statistics for February 2023. February 2023 Operating Statistics Trading volume of CSE-listed securities totaled 1.4 billion shares; Trading value of CSE-listed securities was $336 million; CSE issuers completed 78 financings that raised an aggregate $80 million; and The CSE welcomed listings from 10 new companies, bringing total listed securities to 826 as at February 28, 2023. "February was a particularly busy month for initial public offerings on the CSE, as five of our 10 new listings during the month arrived via IPO," said Richard Carleton, CSE Chief Executive Officer. "On the financing and listing front, mining has been the leader on the Exchange so far this year. We were pleased to see so many of our mining issuers at this year's PDAC conference, where attendance was high and investor interest was evident." What's On at the CSE With increased investor focus on the mining sector this year, the CSE team was extremely busy at this year's Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference In Toronto. In addition to exhibiting at the conference, where the exchange met with issuers, investors and other industry stakeholders, the CSE again hosted a successful investor lunch showcasing a number of its mining companies. The event's keynote speaker was Peter Kent, the former journalist and politician and current President of First Phosphate Corp. (PHOS). CSE issuers were very well represented at the conference, with over 30 of them hosting booths at the show. Prior to the start of PDAC 2023, the CSE also hosted two PreDAC events, in Vancouver and Toronto, which featured enlightening presentations from industry experts and investor pitches from a strong line-up of CSE-listed mining companies. The CSE also recently sponsored the 35th Annual Roth MKM Conference, a leading gathering for small-cap growth companies in the United States and Canada. This year's event in Dana Point, California featured approximately 400 public and private companies from a variety of high-growth sectors. Season Three of the CSE's Exchange for Entrepreneurs Podcast is ongoing and continues to deliver unique and valuable market insights. A recent episode marked International Women's Day with a deep dive into the opportunities and challenges women face in a career in the Canadian capital markets. Commentary was provided by CSE Chief Financial Officer Mary Anne Palangio and Chief Legal Officer Tracey Stern, who drew from their personal experiences. Another recent episode featured an interview with Todd Shapiro, CEO of Red Light Holland Corp. (TRIP), who discussed his company's expansion from psychotropic mushrooms into the world of "exotic" mushrooms. Full episodes of the podcast are available here. New Listings in February 2023 Western Star Resources Inc. (WSR) Silver Eagle Mines Inc. (SEM) Weekapaug Lithium Limited (GRUV) Xcite Resources Inc. (XRI) First Phosphate Corp. (PHOS) Hawthorn Resources Corp. (HWTN) Sorrento Resources Ltd. (SRS) Highrock Resources Ltd. (HRK) Critical Infrastructure Technologies Ltd. (CTTT) SolarBank Corporation (SUNN) About the Canadian Securities Exchange: The Canadian Securities Exchange is a rapidly growing stock exchange focused on working with entrepreneurs to access the public capital markets in Canada and internationally. The Exchange's efficient operating model, advanced technology and low fee structure help companies of all sizes minimize their cost of capital and maximize access to liquidity. The CSE offers investors in Canada and abroad access to a multi-sector collection of growth companies through a liquid, reliable and regulated trading platform. The Exchange is dedicated to entrepreneurship and has established itself as a leading hub for discourse in the entrepreneurial community. STAY CONNECTED WITH THE CSE ============================= CSE TV on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/csetv CSE Podcast: https://blog.thecse.com/category/cse-podcast/exchange-for-entrepreneurs/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canadianexchange/ Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/canadian-securities-exchange Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CanadianSecuritiesExchange/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CSE_News Blog: https://blog.thecse.com/ Website: https://thecse.com/ Contact: Richard Carleton, CEO 416-367-7360 [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/159083 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 20, 2023) - Global Battery Metals Ltd.(TSXV:GBML) (OTCQB:REZZF)(FSE:REZ) (the "Company" or "GBML"), a critical mineral exploration company focused on growth-oriented lithium and other battery metal projects, announces multiple drill targets and the potential discovery of up to six LCT (lithium-cesium-tantalum) pegmatite dikes extending across a prospective lithium trend at Prospecting Licence Area 1597 ("PLA 1597"), have now been identified through the return of favourable test results at its Leinster Lithium Project (the "Property" or the "Project"). Following the previously reported identification of a lithium bearing spodumene pegmatite surface boulder train on PLA 1597, key updates include: A detailed deep overburden (base of till) program was recently completed for a total of 373 samples covering an area of 600m x 450m over the location of an extensive spodumene pegmatite float boulder train and an associated historically reported trenched bedrock occurrence; The interpreted geochemical results indicate the potential discovery of up to six LCT (lithium-cesium-tantalum) pegmatite dikes across the Knockeen target area; Follow-up drill program plans, currently calling for up to nine drill pads (with two holes planned per pad), are being finalized; ALS Laboratories (Loughrea, Ireland) analysis included comprehensive testing for a specific suite of elements which includes lithium as well as multiple rare earth elements of which cesium and tantalum are typically associated with this type of LCT Pegmatite target; Drilling permit submissions are being finalized and will be submitted to the governmental regulatory body as part of the due process for standard screening procedures for drilling programs in Ireland and Europe; and A local area drill contractor's availability has been secured and will be mobilized as soon as the permitting is completed. Michael Murphy, CEO of GBML, said, "These results are both exciting and informative. The deep overburden samples have helped us to zero in on a distinct set of drill targets and the Company has ambitious plans for spring drilling. The potential to drill up to six interpreted dikes along a lithium anomaly trend line across this claim has the team highly motivated about the entire property. We are told the drill permitting process in these areas of Ireland is relatively straightforward and our paperwork is being prepared with the intent to submit in a matter of days. Based on all of our research and testing, the potential to uncover further significant lithium occurrences along the recognized regional scale south-east Leinster LCT pegmatite corridor is a real possibility. Needless to say, we will be moving quickly to verify what we believe we are into." Exploration to date has included surface lithogeochemical sampling with an associated detailed deep overburden sampling grid - both yielding excellent results and when combined potentially confirming the presence of multiple LCT pegmatite dikes below surface at the Knockeen target on PLA 1597. The pegmatite dike targets are intrusive bodies that typically form swarms of several separate dikes which range in thickness and cross cut the granitic and metasedimentary host rocks. The dikes are typically composed of Spodumene (lithium aluminium silicate in the pyroxene family) as well as accessory minerals including quartz, feldspars and micas. While the lithium content of the samples collected to date are at very significant grades, the supporting trace element geochemistry of the other elements including the Rare Earth Elements (REEs) that occur naturally at very low levels are very important and significant indicators providing corroborative evidence for the presence of the dikes. Figure 1: Deep Overburden sampling grid showing anomalous lithium (ppm)in linear trendsacross the Knockeen Prospect. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7080/159058_49ecfa0ef48dd9c3_001full.jpg The Knockeen Prospect has now reached a significant confidence level to plan a staged diamond core drilling program to test the six anomalous geochemical trends. The drill program parameters are being finalized, including plans accounting for up to nine drill pad locations, and discussions are in hand with a drilling contractor. The drilling screening process has commenced with the governmental regulatory body. This process is a standard procedure for all drill programs in Ireland and across Europe. During the recent and ongoing fieldwork, a total of 66 rock samples were collected and analysed. Assay results of the samples by ALS Laboratories reported Li 2 O% lithium contents ranging up to 3.75 % Li 2 O as reported in the press release date January 18, 2023. In conjunction with this work, the detailed grid comprising of 373 deep overburden (base of till) samples were collected over a closely spaced sample grid over 600m x 450m covering the area of the historical trench as well as the spodumene pegmatite float boulders. The results have been very encouraging and the multi-elemental results have been interpreted to show up to six clear linear anomalous trends, which are anomalous in lithium, as well as the supporting REE elements of cesium and tantalum, which combine to indicate the potential presence of LCT signature pegmatite dykes at shallow depths of between 1m - 7m below ground surface. The area of the exploration is centred on a locality where a forty-year-old historical company report described a trench excavated at Knockeen Townland which uncovered in bedrock, a 1.8m wide spodumene-bearing pegmatite vein. However, no detailed laboratory assays or geological maps of the trench were reported at that time. Figure 2: Location of the Knockeen prospect on PLA 1597 showing pegmatite analytical results* and the deep overburden sampling grid (*results previously reported PR 18/01/2023) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7080/159058_49ecfa0ef48dd9c3_002full.jpg Figure 3: Deep Overburden sampling (top) andSpodumene pegmatite samples from Knockeen (bottom) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7080/159058_49ecfa0ef48dd9c3_003full.jpg Please see the Company's NW Leinster Project Overview for additional program details, in addition to the latest version of the Company's Investor Presentation available for download from the GBML website (www.gbml.ca). Competent Person All scientific and technical information in this announcement has been prepared under the supervision of EuroGeol Vaughan Williams, M.Sc., P.Geo. (Principal of Aurum Exploration Services currently provides exploration services to GBML and to LRH),a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.Vaughan Williams is also company secretary of LRH. About Global Battery Metals Ltd. GBML is an international mineral exploration and development company with a focus on metals that comprise and support the rapid evolution to battery power. GBML currently maintains economic interests in four battery metal projects: (1) an option to acquire up to a 90% in the North-West Leinster lithium property in Ireland; (2) a 100% interest in the Lithium King property in Utah; (3) an option to acquire up to a 100% interest in the La Poile lithium project in Newfoundland; and (4) a 55% stake in Peru-based Lara copper property, which has over 10,000 metres of drilling. As previously disclosed, Minsur S.A., a Peruvian mining company, entered into an option agreement with GBML and Lara Exploration Ltd. to acquire the Lara copper property for staged payments of USD$5.75 million. GBML will retain a 0.75% net smelter royalty. GBML's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: GBML); Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: REZ); and are quoted on the OTC Markets (OTCQB: REZZF). Global Battery Metals Ltd. Michael Murphy BA, MBA, MSc., ICD President & CEO T: 604-649-2350 E: [email protected] W: www.gbml.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans at the Leinster Lithium Property. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions, and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work given the global COVID-19 pandemic, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Readers are urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. The Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/159058 LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 20, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) Each year, the United Nations celebrates International Day of Happiness in recognition of the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. Few would challenge the importance of this oft-elusive state of mind. But is there a surefire way to achieve it? Scientology Churches across the globe say there is. And they share the secret on International Day of Happiness and throughout the year. They do so by sponsoring chapters of The Way to Happiness Foundation and by reaching out to their communities with the booklet by the same name. They and millions of every faith, culture and creed say The Way to Happiness, a simple booklet written by author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, holds the key. So here are five tips for anyone wishing to be happier or to help friends or families be so: Watch The Way to Happiness public service announcements, available in 17 languages on the Scientology Network on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM and AT&T U-verse or streaming at tv, on mobile appsand via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms. Stay on the network and watch The Way to Happinessbook on film. Log onto the free online The Way to Happinesscourse at thewaytohappiness.org/course, enroll and do the lessons (they are easy and fun to do). Pick a precept you now think could benefit you or someone you love, work out what you will do to implement it, and do so. And try this with another. And another. Now think of someone whose happiness is important to you and encourage them to implement these same five tips. Immensely popular since its first publication, The Way to Happiness has been embraced by more than 250,000 groups and individuals, with some 115 million copies distributed in 115 languages in 186 nations. It holds the Guinness World Record as the single most-translated nonreligious book and fills the moral vacuum in an increasingly materialistic society. In addition to its personal benefits, the booklets common-sense values bring calm to communities torn by violence, peace to areas ravaged by civil strife, and self-respect to millions of individuals. The work of humanitarians using The Way to Happiness in their communities and countries is documented in the original series Voices for Humanity on the Scientology Network. These episodes are featured in todays programming in honor of International Day of Happiness. Since launching with a special episode featuring Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, Scientology Network has been viewed in 240 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages. LEARN MORE: https://www.thewaytohappiness.org/ https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/ https://www.scientology.tv/series/voices-for-humanity/ MULTIMEDIA: VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN34zm5375Y PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/23-0320-cos-wth-300dpi.jpg Photo Caption: The feature-length The Way to Happiness book on film by L. Ron Hubbard is available on the Scientology Network. NEWS SOURCE: Church of Scientology International This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Church of Scientology International), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/5-tips-to-help-you-be-happier-for-world-happiness-day/ Copr. 2023 Send2Press Newswire, a service of NEOTROPE, Calif., USA. -- REF: S2P STORY ID: 89275SI.03 HOUSTON, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Learn Why Screening for Colorectal Cancer is Vital, and Why All Adults, Including Those Under 50, Need to Remain Vigilant About Screening Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9139151-american-college-of-surgeons-acs-colorectal-cancer-screening/ BackgroundIn recent years, the deaths of actors Kirstie Alley and Chadwick Boseman have put a new national spotlight on colorectal cancer the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States, excluding skin cancers, and the third deadliest1. Beyond the headlines of high-profile celebrity cases, the disease impacts families every day in every part of the country2 and is increasing in incidence among adults younger than 50. Fortunately, colorectal cancer is often preventable and highly treatable when caught early. American College of Surgeons (ACS) experts recommend that patients speak to their physicians about this disease and take advantage of the screening options available to them. Screening for colorectal cancer saves lives, and should begin at age 45 for people at average risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to new guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Unfortunately, the CDC estimates that only about 70% of U.S. adults aged 50 to 75 are up to date on their screening, and much of the population may not be aware of all the screening options available to them. While colonoscopy is probably the most well-known test available, there are also other effective options. Stool-based tests can be performed at home, and other visualization tests less invasive than colonoscopy can be considered under certain circumstances. These tests have their advantages and disadvantages, and different requirements on frequency. There is no 'one size fits all' approach. The most important action to take is to get screened. American College of Surgeons expert, Dr. Y. Nancy You, distills key information on colorectal cancer and helps the public navigate all the options available for colorectal cancer screening as part of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. For more information, please visit: www.facs.org/colorectal-cancer-awareness More about Dr. Yi-Qian Nancy You, MD, MHSc, FACS: Dr. You is a Professor of Colon & Rectal Surgery and Director of the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. You performs both open and advanced minimally-invasive surgery for colorectal cancer. Her clinical focus is personalized surgical care for colorectal cancer that is coordinated with multidisciplinary treatments. Produced for: American College of Surgeons (ACS) 1 Data from the American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html2 People living in the Appalachian region and the rural South, including residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, and eastern Virginia, experience some of the highest rates of colorectal cancer. Siegel, Rebecca L., et al. "Where Can Colorectal Cancer Screening Interventions Have the Most Impact? Where Can Colorectal Cancer Screening Have the Most Impact?." Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 24.8 (2015): 1151-1156. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-college-of-surgeons-expert-discusses-colorectal-cancer-screening-options-301776696.html SOURCE American College of Surgeons (ACS) Global designation evolves to shape today's investment profession and the professionals who operate within it CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, announces significant enhancements to the CFA Program as part of its continual efforts to evolve the Program. These changes address the way today's candidates learn and prepare them for successful careers as investment professionals, while also supplying the industry with the well-trained, ethical professionals it so requires. Margaret Franklin, CFA, President and CEO, CFA Institute, commented: "These enhancements represent an important milestone for our candidates and employers in the industry. In fact, they constitute the most significant changes we have ever made to the CFA Program since its inception in 1963. We conducted extensive research to get feedback directly from employers, candidates, prospective candidates, and the industry at large to inform how best to advance the knowledge and skills we provide to the investment professionals of the future. "We can say with certainty that candidates are exceptionally keen to get an edge in the market for employment, and they are willing to work very hard for the advantage that the CFA Program provides. These changes will meet their needs by helping them to understand how to put investing concepts into practice on the job and be desk-ready on day one. The CFA Program signals clearly that candidates are serious about a long and successful career in investment management." The six changes are as follows: Self-contained, digital practical skills modules will be introduced to the CFA Program to teach candidates on-the-job, practical applications. The initial practical skills modules include Financial Modelling for Level I; Analyst Skills at Level II; Python Programming Fundamentals (Level I or Level II) and Python, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (Level II). Additional practical skills modules are in development for Level III for the calendar 2025 exam series. Beginning in 2024, at least one practical skills module must be completed for each of Levels I and II but will not be graded as part of the exam. Specialized pathways will be introduced at Level III beginning in 2025. A common core of study will exist for all three pathways at Level III, and candidates will be able to choose one of three job-role focused pathways: Portfolio Management (the traditional version of Level III) Private Wealth Private MarketsAll three pathways will be equally rigorous and in pursuit of one credential: the CFA charter. An improved digital badging strategy will reinforce the value of Level I and Level II achievements to candidates on their CFA Program journey. Candidate feedback suggests that a formal acknowledgement of completing Levels I and II would be beneficial in their search for internships and full-time positions as an indicator of the seriousness of their commitment to a career in the investment profession. The volume of study materials will be reduced at each Level to ensure candidate preparation remains at around 300 hours for each exam. In our research, we found that today's candidates are spending significantly more than 300 hours to study for each Level of the CFA Program. Best practices in instructional design are therefore being incorporated to ensure that the content is efficient, accessible, and relevant while maintaining the rigor and value-add of the CFA Program. Some introductory content that most candidates would have learned during undergraduate studies will remain available to registered candidates in the preparatory materials but will not be tested on the exams. Additional practice materials: when registration opens for the February 2024 exams this May, Level I candidates will have the opportunity to purchase the CFA Program Practice Pack, a new product that includes 1000 new practice questions and six additional Level I mock exams. Candidates are currently granted access to two mock exams at no additional charge eight weeks before their exam window. Based on candidate surveys, it was determined that significant demand exists for more mock exams and practice questions from CFA Institute. Level I CFA Exam eligibility has been extended by a year to those who are two years away from completing their undergraduate degree. This change was previously announced on 16 November, 2022. Chris Wiese, CFA, Managing Director and Head of Credentialing, said: "We spent years researching market needs while contemplating these changes. We spoke to candidates, students, employers, our members and societies, and others in the financial industry ecosystem. As the $10 trillion private markets continue to play a larger role in investment portfolios and as the $130 trillion1 wealth management segment requires more highly trained professionals, we landed on adding these two new pathways at Level III in addition to the traditional portfolio management route. We also know that the new Financial Modeling, Python, and Analyst Skills modules will be valuable to candidates and employers alike and dovetail with existing curriculum content." For further information on the CFA Program, please visit https://evolve.cfainstitute.org, where you can also watch a video explainer from Marg Franklin, accompanied by more detailed on the six changes by Chris Wiese. For further information please contact [email protected] About CFA InstituteCFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion of ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. Our aim is to create an environment where investors' interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. There are more than 190,000 CFA charterholders worldwide in more than 160 markets. CFA Institute has nine offices worldwide and 160 local societies. For more information, visit www.cfainstitute.org or follow us on Linkedin and Twitter at @CFAInstitute. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cfa-institute-announces-significant-enhancements-to-the-cfa-program-to-meet-the-needs-of-candidates-and-employers-301775485.html SOURCE CFA Institute LONDON and NEW YORK, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading global investment manager, First Sentier Investors (FSI), has entered into a strategic partnership with a leading European credit manager, AlbaCore Capital Group (AlbaCore), making a majority investment in the business. Mark Steinberg, CEO of FSI, said that the strategic partnership is aligned with FSI's corporate strategy to accelerate growth by diversifying the range of investment capabilities it can offer to clients as well as expanding its global footprint. "We identified alternative credit as a strategically important space for us to consider and we felt that AlbaCore's unique position in the European market, its growth trajectory and strong investment performance would be complementary to our existing capabilities," he said. Headquartered in London, with a presence in Dublin, AlbaCore has capabilities spanning various parts of the corporate credit spectrum including private credit, CLOs, liquid credit and structured credit in Europe. Since inception in 2016, it has grown to US$9.5[1] billion in assets under management with long-standing relationships with public and private pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance, and endowment and high net worth clients. AlbaCore's broad product offerings enable FSI to offer new asset classes and structures to clients, as well as unlocking new channels, regions and products to meet growing investor demand in the sector. David Allen, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at AlbaCore said: "When we started to engage with FSI, it was clear there was strong cultural alignment between both businesses which will be critical to the success of our partnership. "We see this partnership as enhancing AlbaCore's growth prospects including extending market access to our expertise, deepening our product offering, and working with FSI's Responsible Investment team on our approach and articulation around responsible investment," Mr Allen said. The senior team at AlbaCore will maintain a minority ownership stake in the business and continue to invest capital into funds. AlbaCore will continue to operate with investment and business autonomy with no change to its teams, office locations or brand. At the same time, FSI and AlbaCore will work together on areas to accelerate their respective strategic plans and longer term growth trajectory, while leveraging their joint expertise. "This partnership marks a new chapter for FSI and our shareholder Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking, our people and our clients. We look forward to working with AlbaCore to explore areas for collaboration across our respective businesses. Together, we are better positioned to drive growth for our clients and broader stakeholders," concluded Mr Steinberg. Completion of the strategic partnership is targeted for Q3 2023, pending regulatory approvals. First Sentier Investors was advised by Berkshire Global Advisors, legal advisor Simmons & Simmons and accounting firm EY. Media inquiries First Sentier Investors Gayle Rodrigues Global Head of Communications (London) E: [email protected] M: +44 20 7332 6509 Newton Park PR (North America) Margaret Kirch Cohen, Rich Chimberg E: [email protected], [email protected] M: +1 847-507-2229, +1 617-312-4281 About First Sentier Investors First Sentier Investors manages US$146.2 billion in assets (as of 31 December 2022) on behalf of institutional investors, pension funds, wholesale distributors, investment platforms, financial advisers and their clients worldwide. The firm was acquired by Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc in August 2019, and operates as a standalone global investment management business with offices across Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. First Sentier Investors is a globally Certified B Corporation and signatory to the UK Stewardship Code. The firm's investment expertise spans across a range of asset classes and specialist sectors focused on delivering sustainable investment success based on responsible investment principles. For more information, visit www.firstsentierinvestors.com Important information This press release is intended for information only, aimed solely at the media and should not be further distributed to individual and/or corporate investors, and financial advisers and/or distributors. The information included within this document and any supplemental documentation provided should not be copied, reproduced or redistributed without the prior written consent of First Sentier Investors. About AlbaCore Capital Group AlbaCore Capital Group is one of Europe's leading specialist credit investors, and manages over US$9.5bn (as at 28 February 2023) in AUM across liquid strategies, CLOs, structured products, dislocation funds and private credit. The senior investment team have been investing together for over a decade. Founded in 2016, AlbaCore has invested over ~US$25bn[2] for global pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, consultants, insurance companies, family offices and endowments. For more information, visit www.AlbaCoreCapitalGroup.com [1] As of February 2023[2] Invested capital is the sum of all 'buy' trades for all AlbaCore mandates since inception to 28 February 2023 and includes recycled capital and co-investment. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-sentier-investors-announces-strategic-partnership-with-albacore-capital-group-301775981.html SOURCE First Sentier Investors YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan The Aero Club at this airlift hub in western Tokyo is purchasing new Diamond DA40s to replace its aging Cessna 172s. The first pair of the 2023 model single-engine aircraft are expected to arrive in the summer, and the club plans to purchase a third next year. A major reason for the upgrade is limited access to ethanol-free fuel for the clubs Cessnas, which are 50-57 years old, Aero Club manager Ray Brannam told Stars and Stripes on Tuesday at the club office. The sole supplier thats giving us the alcohol-free gas is saying that theres a definite end-of-life and theyre going to stop, he said. Were their only customer buying that type of gas. The DA40s use cheaper jet fuel, which Brannam said costs around $3 per gallon. The alcohol-free fuel costs between $7 and $9 per gallon. Diamond Aircraft Industries, an Austrian company, was bought in 2017 by Wangfeng Aviation, a Chinese company, according to Diamonds website. Brannam said the club plans to replace three of its four Cessnas. The DA40s cost the club $650,000 each, money the club raised through its operations, which include flight instruction and fly-over tours of Tokyo. Right now, we have four aircraft, Brannam said. One of them was more or less so we could take one down for maintenance and not impact our ability to meet our current demand. The new aircraft, theyre new, they dont require the amount of maintenance that the older aircraft require, so three are fine. The club plans to transfer two of its Cessnas to other aero clubs and put the third up for auction in the United States. It hasnt been decided which clubs will get the old planes. The Air Force hosts 17 Aero Clubs, but only two are on overseas bases and both are in Japan: Yokota and Kadena Air Base on Okinawa. Overall, interest within the American public for general aviation slumped between 2008 and 2016, when the number of active pilots of all types fell from 613,746 to 584,632, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Private airplane pilots, the basic certification that Aero Club training provides, fell from 213,635 to 156,058 in the same period. Pilot numbers started to grow after 2016 and by 2022 stood at 756,928, according to FAA. The number of active private pilots likewise rose to 164,090. The Aero Clubs are open to service members and their dependents, Department of Defense civilians, members of the Civil Air Patrol and retirees with base access. The club provides them the opportunity to earn their pilots license, which can be a stepping stone to becoming a pilot for the Air Force or commercial airlines. The FAA requires a minimum 40 hours of flight instruction for a private pilot certificate, but students typically need 50-60 hours before theyre ready for the flight test, Brannam said. That costs about $10,000 to $14,000 through the Aero Club, a bargain compared to the cost at commercial flight schools, he said. I think one of the biggest things we provide is the training for people to go into the Air Force as pilots, Brannam said. A number, not a huge number, but a number of these people go on to get pilot slots in the Air Force, so were actually feeding the pilot shortage a little bit. The Air Force reported a shortfall of about 1,900 pilots last year, according to The Associated Press on Feb. 23. In 2017, then-President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing the Air Force to recall up to 1,000 retired pilots to serve as instructors and staff. Many Aero Clubs are still recovering after losing members and flight time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic restrictions cost the clubs their members and hours of flight time, which is their primary source of revenue. Aero Clubs are non-appropriated fund activities, which means they must generate money to support themselves. COVID really did curtail how much flying we were doing; were recovering from that now, Brannam said. If it had kept on for a couple more years, Im sure we wouldnt be here. An Army psychiatrist removed from command more than two years ago following allegations that he raped his familys live-in nanny will retire from the service in May, Army officials said Monday. In accordance with applicable law and policy, Col. Christopher Warner will retire from the Army at the rank he last served satisfactorily, said Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Hewitt, an Army spokesman. Due to privacy act restrictions, we are unable to provide any further information. The retirement is effective May 31, he said. However, it was unclear Monday at what rank Warner will leave the military. Warner, 48, was removed as commander of Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., in October 2020 after he faced accusations that he had raped his familys live-in nanny in 2007, according to Army officials and Warners former nanny Amber, who claimed the colonel had sexually assaulted her numerous times. Stars and Stripes typically does not name the victims of sexual assault, but Amber chose to be identified by her first name. Warner and an attorney who represented him did not respond Monday to requests for comment. Amber lived with Warners family near Fort Stewart, Ga., when he was assigned to Winn Army Community Hospital and preparing for a deployment to Iraq. In the few months between Amber moving in and Warners deployment, she said he raped her in the Warners home. Amber was 19 years old at the time. She later contacted the Army Criminal Investigation Division to file her allegations against Warner after learning he took command of the JBLM hospital in July 2020. Since then, the case has moved privately through the Armys nonjudicial punishment system for officers instead of through the courts where public records are available on proceedings. Instead of a court-martial, Warner received a general officer memorandum of reprimand and faced a three-member panel of general officers in September 2021. The panel did not find enough evidence that Warner committed sexual assault but did agree that he committed adultery, which is barred under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, according to service officials in emails about the case that were provided by Amber. The panel recommended Warner be discharged from the Army, according to the emails. Army officials have not commented on the panels decision, though they have said it was sent to the Army Review Boards Agency to determine the rank at which Warner should be discharged and then forwarded to the assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs for approval. Warner, originally from Toronto, Ohio, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1996 and then from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in 2000, according to the Army. Since December 2021, he has served as a special projects officer and performs administrative duties assigned by the deputy surgeon general of the Army in Falls Church, Va. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Family Medicine. Warner is licensed to practice medicine in Indiana and Virginia, according to online licensure records. GRAFENWOEHR, Germany An officer has received the Armys highest individual noncombat award in recognition of the aid he rendered to the victims of a tragic train derailment in the Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen last year. Col. Charles Bergman received the Soldiers Medal on Saturday at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch from Gen. Darryl Williams, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. I am thankful Col. Bergman and people like him were there to quickly respond with life-saving efforts, Williams said. Bergman, who was serving as an exchange officer with the German 10th Panzer Division, was driving to meet his family after training with the German military on June 3, 2022. A car in front of him swerved abruptly. Bergman then witnessed a Deutsche Bahn train fly off its tracks. One of its five cars angled sideways as it screeched through the trees and turned nearly upside down. Police said later in June that the derailment killed five people and injured 68, including 16 seriously, according to a Der Spiegel report. As one of the first people at the scene, Bergman assisted in calling rescuers, helped survivors out of the creek and calmed victims before and after going into one of the derailed cars to help others. From the very beginning I couldnt believe this was all happening, Bergman said. Bergman, an infantry officer, said the fundamental first aid classes from his early days in the Army helped him respond. Inside the train, Bergman aided a woman with two injured young children, one of whom was a 4-year-old whose head was pinned against trees and bushes. Bergmans exemplary actions, sense of urgency, and dedication to duty were essential in the rescue and care of men, women and children victims of this terrible accident, the award citation says. He also helped others with suspected broken bones and said he spent about 90 minutes at the site assisting first responders, for whom he expressed his appreciation during a phone interview Monday. Bergman said the scenes of that day are ingrained in his memory. He is much more safety-conscious now and doesnt overlook anything from seat belts to where his family sits on a train, he said. While the Soldiers Medal award is in his name, he deflected much of the credit to the Army as a whole. In my heart, I think all soldiers would do the same thing, Bergman said. Its not about recognizing me. Its about recognizing what soldiers do. HONOLULU (Tribune News Service) State and military officials say they are working together to make repairs and improvements to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickams leaky wastewater treatment plant. But theyve offered scant details on what exactly is being done to fix the facility as spills and discharges of untreated or partially treated wastewater have continued even as the Navy says it wont pay a fine issued by the state. The most recent incident occurred March 7 when approximately 14,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater was released from the facility. According to the Navy, JBPHH had an electrical power spike at 11:45 a.m. that resulted in the plant being without power for approximately two minutes. As a result, the water treatment process was interrupted for a few minutes, and the partially treated water was discharged into Mamala Bay through a deep ocean outfall approximately 1.5 miles from shore. It was the first reported incident this year involving the facility, but it comes after several others in 2022 as the Navy finds itself increasingly scrutinized over its environmental record in Hawaii. On Sept. 27 the state Department of Health slapped the Navy with a notice of violation and order that included an $8.7 million fine over repeated spills and maintenance problems with the Navys wastewater system. DOH gave the Navy 20 days to either pay the fine or contest the violations. But the Navy argues it legally cant pay the fine because the state is barred from seeking punitive fines. On Oct. 11, Navy Capt. Cameron Geertsema sent a letter to DOH requesting a hearing to dispute the fine, writing that the Navy wants to better understand your goals and incorporate those into a resolution that addresses recent incidents in a sound, environmentally compliant, cost effective and timely manner. In an emailed statement, a DOH spokesperson said that since issuing the fine, the agency has been actively engaged in technical meetings with Navy personnel responsible for operation of the (plant). The statement also said that there has been no legal resolution to the enforcement action to date, however, corrective actions to address major findings of the (notice of violation and order) have begun. When asked what sort of technical meetings the two are engaged in, the Navy responded with an email that in these meetings, Navy and DOH wastewater subject matter experts are discussing immediate actions the Navy has accomplished and ongoing planning for interim and long-term corrective actions. When asked what corrective actions the Navy and DOH are working on, the Navy said that corrective actions entail construction projects at the WWTP, condition and operations assessments, repairs to treatment processes and other preventative maintenance. In the Navys media release on the March 7 incident, it said that the facility utilizes a biological treatment process, settling tanks, sand filtration and UV disinfection, which is one step more than most wastewater treatment plants. But investigations over the years by regulators and internally by Navy officials have raised serious concerns about conditions at the facility. In 2019, officials from the DOHs Clean Water Branch tried to inspect the plant but reported they found it in such a state of disrepair that they were unable to safely complete the inspection. State officials contacted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Defense about the situation. After follow-up inspections, both the EPA and Navy inspectors found the plant had cracked concrete tanks, warped and disconnected parts in its machinery and severely corroded equipment. The EPA reported the plant was well exceeding its discharge limits for zinc, cadmium, oil and grease, and pH and total waste toxicity under the Federal Clean Water Act. In June 2021 the Navy entered a Federal Facilities Compliance Agreement with the EPA that required it to make a series of repairs and upgrades to the facility by the end of 2024. But problems have continued. In its Sept. 27 notice to the Navy, DOH cited 766 counts of discharging pollutants into the ocean from January 2020 to July 2022; 212 counts related to operation and maintenance failures ; and 17 counts of bypassing filters without authorization. The violation order said the Navy exceeded the limit every day in 2020 as well as 276 days in 2021 and 122 days in 2022. Just two days after the DOH slapped the Navy with the fine in September, another wastewater spill of 1, 000 gallons poured into Pearl Harbor from a 12-inch wastewater line that broke. Utility workers secured the leak and installed a plug, but the Navy said the leaked wastewater was unrecoverable. On Dec. 30, more sewage poured into the harbor. Approximately 3,500 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into Pearl Harbor when an air-release valve in a Navy distribution line apparently failed. About 5,000 gallons of the untreated wastewater gushed from the distribution line near the Lake Erie Street/Hickam Bike Path, but the Navy said approximately 1,500 gallons was recovered before it spilled into the harbor. (c)2023 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit at www.staradvertiser.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship capable of operating with F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters docked in Manila over the weekend. Photographs of the 844-foot USS America in the Philippines capital were tweeted by the Manila Bulletin on Sunday. The Sasebo, Japan-based flagship of 7th Fleets Amphibious Squadron 11 is in the islands ahead of next months annual Balikatan drills involving U.S. and Philippine forces. The exercise, which means shoulder-to-shoulder in Tagalog, involves thousands of U.S. troops from multiple service branches training alongside their Filipino counterparts. The drills will kick off April 11 and run through April 28, according to a Philippine Star report citing anonymous Armed Forces of the Philippines officials. The Navy did not immediately respond to phone and email queries about the port call on Monday, and it is unclear if the warship will be taking part in the exercise. Commissioned in 2014, the America has a crew of nearly 1,000 sailors and can embark about 1,700 Marines. Instead of a well deck to carry landing craft, it has a large hangar bay that provides 30% more storage space and can carry 250% more aviation fuel than a traditional flat-deck ship. It was designed to maximize the capabilities of the Marine Corps F-35B, which is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings, allowing flat-deck ships like the America to act as small aircraft carriers. In 2019, the USS Wasp became the first amphibious assault ship to take part in the joint Balikatan exercise in the Philippines with F-35Bs aboard. Last year, another amphibious assault ship, the USS Tripoli, operated there with the stealth jets during the annual Kamandag drills. Photographs released by the service show F-35Bs from the Iwakuni Japan-based Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 on the ships deck in the East China Sea on Thursday. The fighters launched from another amphibious assault ship, the USS Makin Island, and landed on the America, refueled and returned to the Makin Island, the Navy said in a press release that day. The F-35s joined up with EA-18G Growlers from Navy Electronic Attack Squadron 135, assigned to Carrier Air Wing 5, and trained with the guided missile-cruiser USS Shiloh and the destroyer USS Chung-Hoon, according to the release. The Philippine government announced last month that it would add four installations to five sites in the islands where U.S. forces will have access under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. These efforts are especially important as [China] continues to advance its illegitimate claims in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters during a Feb. 2 press briefing in Manila. Washington, D.C., Sept. 24, 2005: Two-and-a-half years after the 2003 start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, thousands of anti-war protesters march past the North Portico of the White House. The march marked the start of three days of protest, grassroots lobbying, and civil disobedience throughout the capital. Thousands of protesters attended rallies in other U.S. cities, as well as London and Paris and other cities worldwide. Read Stars and Stripes' article on the protest and counter-protest here. CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa Tokyo lodged a series of diplomatic protests with Beijing last week after China sent several coast guard vessels, including one armed with a deck-mounted machine gun, near its islets in the East China Sea. Four Chinese coast guard ships passed the 12-mile territorial limit around the Senkakus eight times in three separate incidents on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, a Japanese coast guard spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday. Each ship stayed in those waters for less than 24 hours and left without incident. Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs complained to the Chinese Embassy in Japan and to officials in Beijing on all three days, a ministry spokesman said by phone Monday. We asked them to leave the area, the spokesman said. Some government officials in Japan are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. A pair of Chinese coast guard vessels following a Japanese yacht approached Minamikojima Island in the Senkakus from the east-southeast and entered the 12-mile limit just before 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to the coast guard spokesman. The ships, which appeared to be unarmed, remained until 3:49 p.m. and 3:55 p.m., respectively, then departed to the south. Four China coast guard ships on Thursday followed a pair of Japanese fishing boats into Japans territory near the Senkakus between 6:40 a.m. and 6:55 a.m., the spokesman said. Three of the vessels entered from the south of Minamikojima, while one entered from the south of Uotsuri Island, about three miles away. One of those ships appeared to be armed with a deck-mounted machine gun, the coast guard spokesman said. Those vessels departed Japans territorial waters between 11:18 p.m. and 11:34 p.m., the spokesman said. Three left to the east of Minamikojima while one departed from the south-southeast of Kuba Island, 13 miles northeast of Uotsuri. Then on Friday, two Chinese coast guard vessels, including the one armed with a deck-mounted machine gun, reentered Japans 12-mile limit while shadowing two Japanese fishing boats, the spokesman said. They entered from the southwest of Taisho Island between 4:24 a.m. and 4:49 a.m. and departed to the south of Taisho at 8:27 p.m. and 8:58 p.m., he said. In each case, the Chinese ships were met by a larger contingent of Japanese coast guard vessels, according to the coast guard spokesman, who declined to provide the exact number. They positioned themselves between the Chinese and Japanese vessels to prevent contact and warned the Chinese to leave the area. The three incidents bring the number of Chinese intrusions into Japans territorial waters this year to nine, the spokesman said. The last incident occurred Feb. 24. The Senkakus are 105 miles east of Taiwan. The islets, whose surface area amounts to about 2 square miles, are also claimed by China and Taiwan. The surrounding area is said to contain a wealth of natural resources, including fish, oil and natural gas. WASHINGTON A potential plan by House Republicans to slash government spending to fiscal 2022 levels would cripple the Pentagons investment in the Indo-Pacific region, force the reduction of the Navys fleet and potentially damage recruitment, according to a Defense Department evaluation. The militarys assessment of the damage that the Republicans proposal would inflict also forecasts deep cuts to the modernization of the nations nuclear capabilities and planned upgrades to missile defense systems. Spending on defense would decrease by nearly $74 billion from the current budget and fall about $100 billion short of national security needs, according to Pentagon Comptroller Michael McCord. After two consecutive years in which Congress has increased the funding level above the levels we have requested, such an immediate about-face to deep cuts to the defense program the president and [defense] secretary believe we need would be extremely disruptive and inefficient, he wrote in a letter released Monday by Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. Multiple efforts to accelerate our capabilities would have to be stopped in their tracks. McCord is set to appear on Capitol Hill on Thursday to discuss the Pentagon's proposed $842 billion budget alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They are scheduled to testify before the House Appropriations Committee as Congress begins work on the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, an annual bill authorizing Pentagon expenditures. DeLauro contacted Austin in January to gauge the impact of a deal reportedly hatched by hard-line House Republicans with Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., to make him House speaker in return for a commitment to broad government spending cuts. Some House Republicans also have said they want funding cuts in exchange for voting to raise the debt limit. Continued Republican calls for cuts of this magnitude both secret proposals from Republican leadership and public demands from extremists in the party would be absolutely detrimental to all Americans, DeLauro said in a statement issued Monday. McCord said Austin was troubled by the potential harm the cuts could cause to service members and the militarys ability to recruit. Reductions of this magnitude would certainly force severe disruptions to our people, especially because we would still need to fund the pay raises our people deserve and to avoid involuntary separations, McCord wrote. This would shift the burden of these cuts toward our training, readiness and recruiting, damaging our cohesion and our ability to respond on the nation's behalf. Service members received a 4.6% pay raise this year and could receive another 5.2% boost in the Pentagons budget proposed for fiscal 2024, which begins Oct. 1. Paying for salaries as well as increased spending for various service member allowances is unavoidable and would have to be offset by cuts in manning levels or training, McCord said. Those reductions would drive the military to a smaller, more overworked, less ready force, he wrote. The cuts also would destabilize the industrial base, which depends on stability, predictability and multiyear procurement contracts to function effectively, according to McCord. He said lawmakers who propose such cuts have a responsibility to describe how they wish to see the military abandon or scale back its strategy in the Indo-Pacific, Europe and the homeland in order to implement them. U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific could be hit hard by funding freezes, forcing the Pentagon to halt a planned 40% spending increase in the region to counter a growing Chinese military, he wrote. The move would delay or degrade infrastructure and capabilities, including investments in munitions such as the long-range, anti-ship missiles, he wrote. The Navys shipbuilding budget also could be put on the chopping block and result in the elimination of at least two ships, most likely a Virginia-class submarine and a destroyer, McCord wrote. Other weapons would face funding difficulties as well. Investments in the modernization of the land- and air-based legs of the U.S. nuclear triad the Sentinel strategic deterrent missile and B-21 bomber program could see cuts of up to 40%, according to McCord. The Pentagon would have to reduce its 2024 funding request for space-based missile warning and ground-based missile defenses by nearly 50%, he wrote. At a time when our allies in NATO and the Indo-Pacific region are increasing their security spending to the levels we have been advocating, a move backward on our part would send the wrong message both to our allies and our adversaries and would undermine and put at risk much hard-earned progress in enhancing our collective security, McCord wrote. It is not clear whether Republicans intend to include the Defense Department in the spending cuts that they are proposing but even belt-tightening measures in other government agencies would be just as harmful, he wrote. U.S. support for Ukraine against Russias invasion, for example, depends on multiple departments working together, McCord said. No one agency could achieve the effects we are producing as a team and deep cuts to any one of the agencies would undermine the effort as a whole, he wrote. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden has authorized a new $350 million round of military aid for Ukraine that includes fuel tankers, patrol boats and missiles as the country prepares for warmer weather and increased Russian attacks, the Pentagon announced Monday. Since Russias war in Ukraine began more than a year ago, the United States has committed almost $33 billion in weapons, equipment and vehicles. The assistance has so far included at least one Patriot missile system, numerous Humvees, armored personnel carriers and drone systems. This security package includes more ammunition for howitzers and rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, as well as shoulder-fired, anti-armor weapons, patrol boats and fuel tankers. To meet Ukraines evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities, the Pentagon said in a statement. The new round of aid comes after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attended a meeting last week of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group a collection of representatives from dozens of allied countries that meet to update Ukraines military situation and determine what it needs to fend off Russian forces. Meetings of the contact group often precede a new round of military aid. Above all, we're going to stay united, Austin said last week after the meeting. We're helping Ukraine fight to live free, and together we're helping to show that rules matter. Milley added: This is and remains a Russian frontal assault on the rules-based international order that has been in place for 80 years, eight decades since the end of World War II. In the face of this act of aggression in a war of conquest, this group remains unified. The new military aid also comes as Russian and Ukrainian troops continue a bloody battle for Bakhmut an area in eastern Ukraine thats seen constant fighting for many weeks and preparations are being made for an expected Russian offensive when the weather is warmer. The new aid will go through the presidential drawdown authority, which takes the equipment directly from Pentagon stocks so it can be sent to Ukraine immediately. Other rounds of aid have been authorized via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which procures weapons and equipment from the defense industry and takes longer to reach Eastern Europe. For example, the U.S. has committed more than 30 M1 Abrams battle tanks through the initiative, and theyre not expected to reach Ukraine until late this year. The aid announcement also came on the same day that Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Previously, Beijing had said it was largely neutral about Russias invasion of Ukraine, but some observers contend Xis visit Monday indicates support for the fighting in Ukraine and limits international efforts to isolate Putin. It gives me great pleasure to once again set foot on the soil of Russia, our friendly neighbor, and pay a state visit to the Russian Federation at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, Xi said in a written statement after he arrived in Moscow for the three-day visit. Over the past 10 years, China and Russia have persisted in consolidating and developing bilateral relations on the basis of non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting at any third party, Xi added. In the face of a turbulent and changing world, China is willing to continue to work with Russia to firmly uphold the international system. The Pentagon has cautioned China against sending any type of lethal aid to Russia to use in Ukraine and said Beijing would face consequences if it did so. A few weeks ago, U.S. officials said intelligence indicated China was considering helping Russia with military aid but added there was no evidence yet that its done so. Xis visit with Putin comes at a time of frosty relations between their countries and the United States. China has been criticized for various military activities in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait in recent years. Beijing caused alarm last month by floating a high-altitude surveillance balloon over the United States for several days before a U.S. fighter jet shot it down. Authorities are still going through the wreckage. Two Russian fighter jets harassed a U.S. reconnaissance drone over the Black Sea last week. One of them eventually clipped the drones propeller and forced it to crash into the waters below. Moscow claims the drone was in restricted Russian airspace and basically caused itself to crash. Though the U.S. has provided billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine so far, it still has not agreed to requests from Ukraine for fighter jets. Biden and the Pentagon have said they dont think the planes are needed there yet, mainly because Ukraine already has a fleet of its own fighter jets. However, Slovakia and Poland last week became the first two nations to commit fighter aircraft to Ukraine when they pledged more than a dozen Russian-made MiG-29s twin-engine fighters that entered service in the 1980s. Poland bought a dozen MiG-29s from Moscow about 30 years ago. Slovakia retired its fleet last year, and will now pass them onto Ukraine. Cross-examined by barrister Shane English for the school, Akinsanya denied he followed up some banter with a couple of girls in a corridor by going into class and making an unfortunate comment to one of them. A schoolboy, whose leg was gashed open when his foot went through a glass door and who denied kicking it in anger after being slapped in class by a girl student, today withdrew a 60,000 damages claim against his former school. Gregory Akinsanya, now aged 22, told Judge James McCourt in the Circuit Civil Court he had pushed the glass panel of a door at Balbriggan Community College with his foot because he had books in one hand and a schoolbag in the other. Akinsanya, of Ard Gillen Drive, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, claimed the glass had broken and lacerated his leg. Cross-examined by barrister Shane English for the school, Akinsanya denied he followed up some banter with a couple of girls in a corridor by going into class and making an unfortunate comment to one of them. You made a threat against her boyfriend and she slapped you on the face which embarrassed, upset you, made you angry and you stormed out of class in a temper and kicked and smashed a glass panel in a door injuring your leg, Mr English told Akinsanya. He denied counsels suggestion. Mr English, who appeared with Dillon Eustace Solicitors, told him a teacher would say he heard a bang and thought Akinsanya had punched a locker in anger in the corridor but another student had seen blood running from his trouser leg and taken him to another room. It would be fair to say you are known as someone with a bit of a temper who took a scunner to the door and put your foot through the wire meshed glass, Mr English said. You have been suspended once or twice for showing temper. Mr Akinsanya denied he had kicked the glass out of anger and said it had broken when he had put his foot against it to push open the door. He had not used the brass kick panel and finger panels on the door because he had books in one hand and his bag in the other. He denied having been upset, embarrassed and angry because the girl had slapped him in the classroom. He had sued the college, which is in Pine Ridge, Chapel Street, Balbriggan, for damages on the basis of negligence on its part. When Judge McCourt suggested that both legal teams should have a conversation with each other he rose for several minutes. When the court sat again he was told the matter had resolved as Mr Akinsanya had decided to withdraw his claim and it could be struck out with no further order. Bryan Mulligan (35) and Sarah Treacy (30) allegedly told staff they would kill them and insulted them with racial slurs A man and woman threatened shop workers with a hammer and used racial slurs against them, it is alleged. Gardai claim Bryan Mulligan (35) and Sarah Treacy (30) produced the hammer in a city centre convenience store and threatened to kill staff. The case against them was adjourned for CCTV evidence to be viewed by Judge Bryan Smyth when they appeared in Dublin District Court. Mr Mulligan, of Glasmore Park, and Ms Treacy, of Mooretown Avenue, both in Swords, are charged with the same offence under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. It is alleged that in the course of a dispute, while appearing to be about to commit theft, they produced a hammer capable of inflicting serious injury, in a manner likely to intimidate. The offence is alleged to have happened at Spar, Liffey Street, Dublin 1 on October 12, 2019. A garda sergeant told the judge the DPP consented to the case being dealt with at district court level subject to the issue of jurisdiction being considered. The garda said it was alleged gardai received a call that both suspects had come into the shop, wandered around, selected a number of items and left with them. The court heard the pair came back to the store with a hammer, told staff they would kill them and insulted them with racial slurs. It was also alleged the male accused was found in possession of a hammer and was arrested. The judge said he needed to see CCTV evidence before deciding on jurisdiction, which will determine whether the case can remain in the district court. The accuseds solicitor Holly Laher said the defence had not yet seen footage. The case was adjourned to a date later this month and the defendants were both remanded on continuing bail. Neither defendant was required to address the court during the hearing. If Tom Ward comes back, there will be trouble. Our community doesnt care who he is related to, the good Travellers here wont stand for it 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 us: 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. Csaba Orsos (31) died after his coworker Marta Herda deliberately drove her Volkswagen Passat into the water The family of a man who was driven off a pier and drowned 10 years ago has said they will never forgive his killer. Csaba Orsos (31) died after his coworker Marta Herda deliberately drove her Volkswagen Passat through the crash barriers at Arklows quays in Co Wicklow shortly before 6am on March 26, 2013. Herda was aware that her colleague had an intense fear of water couldnt swim before she took his life. The Polish waitress escaped through the drivers window while Csabas died by drowning in the vehicle. His body was found on a nearby beach later that day. Marta Herda arriving at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. Photo: Collins Courts. Court Collins. She was convicted of murder in 2016 and handed a life sentence. Speaking about his brothers death a decade on, Zoltan Sandor said Herda robbed Csaba of the chance to be a godfather to his child. I will never forgive her, he told the Irish Sunday Mirror. Before he died, I met with my brother in a hotel for breakfast and he was so happy because he was seeing her. He had a big smile and was so happy. I told him to leave her as I believed she was just playing games with him. But he smiled and told me he would be safe. Three days later my brother was murdered. If I was to meet with her (Herda) I dont know what I would say because no words would express the pain of the last ten years. All I wish for her is that she feels the same pain as what we have... I hope she stays in jail for the rest of her life. He said Csaba was a family man who really cared for his loved ones. He always looked after me. He always looked after my mother, my brother and two sisters too. When I lost him something died in my heart. My mother died one year ago too and my kids can only visit their uncle now at the cemetery. All my brother wanted was a normal happy life with a nice lady and kids. My wife was five months pregnant when he was killed and we had told him we wanted him to be a godfather to my daughter, and he couldnt wait. At her trial, Herda claimed that Csaba was in love with her, and the pair had been arguing about their relationship when she drove off the pier. The court heard that Herda had grown tired of Csabas attention and decided to kill him as a result. She initially denied deliberately driving into the water but later told gardai: When I drove into the water, I wanted this all to stop. She has unsuccessfully tried to appeal her murder conviction. Gangs leadership terrified of implications as they come under increasing pressure to pay off their debts to the Kinahan cartel Members of The Firm wearing pig masks at Malcolm McKeowns door shortly before they murdered him The criminal drug gang known as The Firm have had thousands of pounds of their illegal gains frozen by police. The Sunday World can reveal the Account Freezing Order passed this week has stunned the leadership of the gang, who are now terrified of the implications as they come under increasing pressure to pay off their debts to the Dublin-based Kinahan cartel. The Kinahans have been calling in debts as they face cash-flow problems. They are pulling in all their cash as they face the inevitability that they may have to run to escape the authorities in the US. They [Kinahans] are gathering as much as they can because they know if the Feds get their hands on them thats it, they would be f**ked. You dont mess with those boys, you will go down for life, explained one source. Bank accounts containing a combined total of more than 270,000 have been frozen as part of a PSNI investigation into The Firms criminal activity in Co Armagh. The accounts belong to two men who are said to be the two main leaders of the killer gang. The gang has been implicated in the murder of drug boss Malcolm McKeown and, most recently, the murder of low-level criminal Shane Whitla in January. Shane Whitla According to a source, after the murder of McKeown the men posed for a picture hugging, with the caption proper community work underneath. Their identities are known to the Sunday Worldbut, for legal reasons, we are unable to reveal them at this stage. One of the men who had their bulging bank accounts frozen is the son of a former IRA man who is a close friend of prominent dissident Collie Duffy. The other man has connections to the LVF and is an associate of leaders Drew and Billy King. Both are from the Lurgan area and enjoy lavish lifestyles with their partners, all funded by the proceeds of their criminal empire which they began to build over 10 years ago. Now it looks as if their empire is on the cusp of collapse as they face possible inability to pay the Kinahans and the wrath that would come with that. Meanwhile the PSNI is also hot on their heels and is a serious threat to the crime gang. The Sunday Worldcan reveal that they are so desperate they are putting pressure on their customers to hand over any money owed, threatening them with extreme violence for sometimes as little as a 100 debt. They have been linked to a series of suicides, one as recent as last week. Malcolm McKeown This is a mess. The Firm are under pressure from the Kinahans so they are putting the pressure on too they have no choice. This is happening all over the country though. When the Kinahans put the pressure on then it goes to the next level and then the next, right down the food chain to a young fellow owing a few quid. Hes threatened, cant pay up and thinks taking his own life is a better option. Look what happened to Shane Whitla he was killed for a drug debt that last year wouldnt have mattered or resulted in being shot dead. When you look at it, that was a sign of how much pressure The Firm is under. Im sure their blood ran cold when they had that cash frozen because that was their fallback to get the Kinahans off their backs, a well-placed source said. Detectives from the PSNIs Organised Crime Branch used an Account Freezing Order to freeze the two bank accounts, which contain a combined total of 272,477. Detective Inspector Conor Sweeney said: This is part of an investigation into a serious and organised crime group, who are involved in criminality in the Lurgan, Portadown and Craigavon area. Their activities, which include the supply of illegal drugs and money laundering, are done for one reason and one reason only to make money. They dont care about those whose lives and relationships get ruined along the way, and instead use a regime of violence to control vulnerable members of the community. He added: Our investigation continues, and we rely upon your support. I would encourage anyone with information, or indeed concerns, to contact our detectives on 101. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online. He claims he was attacked, assaulted and kicked in the head a few times in Bantry, West Cork on November 30. Ian Bailey is releasing his podcast on the murder. Photo: Damien Eagers AFP via Getty Images Gardai have reportedly questioned two men over an alleged attack on Ian Bailey last year. He claims he was attacked, assaulted and kicked in the head a few times in Bantry, West Cork on November 30 after he went to meet a number of women who had contacted him on social media. Bailey had been under the impression that the girls were fans of his who wanted to record a video together. However, when he went to meet them, two men jumped out of a car and allegedly attacked him in what is now believed to be a deliberate setup. The Irish Mirror reports that gardai have tracked down the suspects, although they have not been charged in relation to the alleged incident as the investigation continues. Bailey told his TikTok followers at the time that the men left him a bit battered and bloodied when they launched their attack. He received a number of kicks to the head but avoided serious injury. The Englishman, who lives in Cork, later told Extra.ie about the events that unfolded that night. "They drove down from Cork and I met them in a public place, he explained. "One lad came up to me, pretending to be a fan of mine. I'm a bit disabled, I have to use a hazel walking stick, he started grabbing my stick and threw it away. "Then another little langer came up and started to assault me. I was off guard and I got laid down. I'm okay. It occurred outside. He continued: The little f***er came at me. I was taken by surprise, but I gave back as much as I could. I closed the door on them, I called An Garda Siochana. Bailey said that he turned down help from emergency services, telling the publication: I was like I used to play rugby, Ive got mauled on the bottom of rucks, Im slightly achey, Im okay. Bailey was twice arrested by gardai in connection with the death of French filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier, who was bludgeoned to death outside her holiday home near Schull in 1996, two days before Christmas. He was never charged in Ireland but was convicted of the killing by a French court in May 2019. The former journalist has always maintained his innocence and has described the Paris prosecution as a mockery of justice and a show trial. There is a current renewed garda cold-case investigation into the mother-of-ones unsolved murder. Many believe the free-flowing money over the last 25 years is one of the main reasons why the UVF and UDA have failed to step down Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunts Budget was good news for loyalist paramilitaries Stefan Rousseau UVF mural in east Belfast where the organisation is still heavily involved in crime Loyalist groups have welcomed Jeremy Hunts 3m buyoff to keep the peace over the Irish Sea border. The Chancellor announced the financial package in his Budget this week, honouring a commitment to further fund projects aimed at helping paramilitaries disband. The move will heap more pressure on DUP chief Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as the money cannot be allocated in the absence of Stormont ministers. The issue of funding for community groups including former prisoner organisations has been a thorny one. Millions of pounds in taxpayers money has been poured into community initiatives since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement a quarter of a century ago. Many paramilitary figures still active members of proscribed organisations are on the payroll of a number of organisations. Many people will be appalled that this money tap has not been turned off and that yet more millions of public money is to be funnelled to bodies. The controversy was further fuelled this weekend with the appearance of pictures on social media showing two relatives of a UVF figure enjoying St Patricks Day celebrations in Washington DC. The pictures which show the pair enjoying drinks and meeting with dignitaries have sparked a furious reaction on the Shankill. People on the Shankill are all talking about it, were all struggling to make ends meet and they can travel to America, one resident told us. Many believe the free-flowing money over the last 25 years is one of the main reasons why groups such as the UVF and UDA have failed to step down. As long the money keeps coming, theyre not going to go away, why would they? Its a total joke, the source said. Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunts Budget was good news for loyalist paramilitaries Stefan Rousseau Speaking this week, UUP leader Doug Beattie said there needed to be clarity about how the money would be spent. If the Northern Ireland Office intends to go down this route it is important that there is transparency as to where the money will go and what programmes it will support. The outcomes from these funds must be measurable and also transparent. At no stage should any monies go directly to paramilitary groups or individuals linked to paramilitary groups. Meanwhile, DUP chief Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, also the US as part of St Patricks Day celebrations, has insisted he has not come under any increased pressure to accept the Windsor Framework and return to power sharing. The Sunday Worldunderstands that in briefing the Orange Order ahead of his trip Stateside he indicated that, with further alterations, they would accept the deal. There had been speculation that a representative of paramilitary umbrella body the Loyalist Communities Council also attended what sources describe as an informal meeting. It is understood the LCC has been kept informed throughout the anti-Protocol process and it would not be unusual for such meetings to happen. Sir Jeffrey has made it clear he would take soundings from all shades of loyalist and unionist opinion. The Sunday Worldcontacted both the Order and the DUP but there was no response to a request for comment. Speaking to the Sunday World, a senior paramilitary source said that while the Framework has failed to satisfy their concerns, on the whole they would continue to back Donaldson. He said the inclusion of the 3m cash injection was welcome news. Northern Ireland political leaders in Washington PA The funding announcement, he said, was an indication the government was confident the DUP will end their boycott of Stormont. He said he believed the money would be earmarked for community projects to help people transition from paramilitary activity. There was concern the government was going to cut off the cash, said our paramilitary source. But to get our hands on it, Jeffrey will have to go back to Stormont. The government has not indicated how it sees the money being spent but points out it is not its responsibility but that of Northern Ireland-based ministers. Political sources say the money will remain unspent unless government in Belfast is restored. Should the cash remain untouched it will be reclaimed by the Treasury. Last month senior figures in the UVF threatened to wreck the place and said the streets will be in flames if any Brexit deal between the UK and EU does not scrap the Irish Sea border. The threats led to new calls for the remaining paramilitary organisations to disband. Speaking to a Commons committee, Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris said he welcomed an Independent Reporting Commission recommendation that efforts to end paramilitarism should be redoubled ahead of the Good Friday Agreements 25th anniversary next month. The Northern Ireland Secretary said he welcomed the idea of an independent person to carry out exploratory engagement on the issues of group transition. According to our source, there remains a lot of anger within loyalism and that the risk of street violence remained a reality, but there is a growing understanding that the Framework is the only show in town. MPs are expected to vote on the deal in the coming week when it will be supported by all sides of the House. Thereafter, aside from some minor concessions to the DUP, work will start on putting in place the structures needed to implement the agreement. The Protocol has been removed in name only, said our source. There is an understanding that we may not have a choice. We have been left up a tree without a ladder. According to recent opinion polls there is growing support among DUP voters for a return to Stormont, but Sir Jeffrey will maintain the boycott until after Mays local government elections. It means Stormont will be closed for business when US President Joe Biden arrives next month for events marking the 25th anniversary of the GFA. Yesterday Traditional Unionist Vote leader Jim Allister turned the screw on Sir Jeffrey. Taking a full-page ad in the Belfast Telegraph, he set why the Windsor Framework must be rejected. He said the Protocol and Irish Sea Border remain in place. If the DUP accepts the Windsor Framework, we all get the booby prize of a Sinn Fein First Minister. No Thanks. Aaron Cunninghams father was murdered in a gangland feud as he slept in bed beside him when he was a child Aaron Cunningham as a youngster (above) with his father Paul Cunningham who was murdered, and John Cunningham and Aaron Cunningham outside court. A man at the centre of death threats over the sale of Canada Goose jackets is the son of a gangland figure shot dead as he slept beside him as young child. This week, Aaron Cunningham, who got a four-year suspended sentence for the threats, witnessed the brutal murder of his gangster father Paul Cunningham in 2004. The shocking murder was mentioned at this weeks sentence hearing where the judge acknowledged Aaron had a difficult childhood having witnessed his fathers killing. His defence solicitor had said his childhood had been characterised by stress and anxiety after his father was murdered while in bed with him when he was a young child. Aaron Cunningham as a youngster The killing was part of a gangland feud at the time as gangs in west Dublin fought for control following the demise of The Westies. Paul Cunninghams murder sparked fears of reprisals and further bloodshed which followed the death of his associate and gang boss Declan Curran in prison eight days earlier. He was killed by two shotgun blasts as he lay in bed with his partner in his Mulhuddart home, where the couples young child was asleep at the time. His mother and other family members were also in the house at the time but were unhurt. Paul Cunningham had at least 20 previous convictions and was believed to have been involved in drug dealing and armed crime. He was associated with a gang that included John Daly, Anthony Spratt and Declan Curran, who were believed to have been put under a curse because so many of them died. Paul Cunningham was the third member of his family at that time to have died violently. His 19-year-old brother, David, died after being stabbed in the chest, while another brother, Gary, died when he was 16 when he was killed in a car crash. This week saw Aaron and his uncle John Cunningham (38) in court for threatening to kill a man they had given deposits to for Canada Goose jackets that didnt arrive. Judge Pauline Codd said the threats issued were similar to threats that would be often meted out to people who owe money for drugs. The victim had supplied Aaron Cunningham with similar jackets after he had paid a 450 deposit. Then in November 2020 the uncle and nephew handed over 4,300 for more jackets ahead of Christmas but they were never delivered. Aaron Cunningham with his father Paul Cunnigham who was murdered After losing patience John Cunningham sent a message in January saying: Im going to go up to that gaff and burn it down. Get that money or your ma and da is paying for it, ya little black c***t. The two men called to the victims house looking for 7,000 but then lowering this demand to 6,000. The victims uncle paid 1,700 over to John Cunningham. Then on January 15 John Cunningham sent a voicemail to the victim saying, if you dont have 2,000 for me tomorrow, Im going to shoot you in the head. Aaron Cunningham sent voice message via Snapchat in February saying: if you dont have that money by tomorrow I will smash your uncles face, and Im coming down with people...If you dont have that money, you will get it. Both men apologised for their actions and the judge imposed suspended sentences on the two. Gardai in Midleton are seeking to speak with anyone who may have information on Tinas whereabouts or information relating to her movements on the day she went missing. Tina Satchwell went missing from her home in Youghal, Co Cork, six years ago. Gardai have issued a renewed plea for information on the whereabouts of Cork woman Tina Satchwell on the sixth anniversary of her disappearance. The 47-year-old went missing from her home on Grattan Street in Youghal, Co Cork on Monday, 20 March, 2017. Ms Satchwell is described as being 57 in height and of medium build with blonde, shoulder length hair and blue eyes. Gardai in Midleton are seeking to speak with anyone who may have information on Tinas whereabouts or information relating to her movements on the day she went missing. A garda spokesperson said: Any new information, not matter how insignificant it may seem, will be welcomed by the investigation team. This information will be treated in the strictest confidence. Anyone who has any information can contact Midleton Garda Station on 021 462 1550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station. No trace of Ms Satchwell has been found despite a six-year garda operation which included 400 lines of inquiry, 100 hours of CCTV footage, 170 statements, and an exhaustive trawl of CCTV footage from Irish ports and airports. Senior gardai have previously said that they do not believe that Ms Satchwell left Ireland for the UK, where she had lived for a period, as had been initially suspected in 2017 and 2018. She did not have a passport, and there was no indication she had bought tickets to travel overseas by either plane or ferry. Gardai have no plans for further major searches but indicated that such operations will be ordered if fresh information comes to light. Ms Satchwell was last seen by her husband, Richard, when she asked him to leave their home to go on an errand. She was not at their home when he returned a few hours later and he presumed she had gone to stay with her family in Fermoy in north Cork. He reported her missing four days later. Ms Satchwells sister, Teresa Dingivan, has repeatedly stressed that she will never stop seeking answers. Each year she issues a plea for information about her sister. In a fresh appeal today, the sixth anniversary of her sisters vanishing, she said: 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. Teresa believes that someone out there knows something about Tinas disappearance. 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. The Independent TD for Kerry said he will do so in the absence of any other sensible proposal. Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae is the biggest landlord in the Dail and has 16 rental properties Michael Healy-Rae has said he will vote against the Government in a Sinn Fein motion on extending the eviction ban. The Independent TD for Kerry said he will do so in the absence of any other sensible proposal. Mr Healy-Rae, who owns a number of properties, is the Dails biggest landlord. The motion is set to be voted on in the Dail tomorrow. The Government has not used the time during the last ban to do anything, all theyve actually done is resulted in thousands of more people leaving the private rental market, he told RTEs Morning Ireland. He added that Sinn Fein had not done anything either to help the housing market, only what theyve done to hurt it as well. Mr Healy-Rae said Sinn Fein need to realise that extending the ban is kicking the can down the road. What is my problem, meeting people that are facing evictions in the coming weeks, Im very fearful for those people as to where theyre going to go and that is the only reason why I would vote to extend the ban, he said. Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae is the biggest landlord in the Dail and has 16 rental properties Mr Healy-Rae said he rents out every property that he has. I have an interest in housing no more than I would have interest in farming or an interest in plant hire, but what I do know from my lifelong involvement in renting out property because Ive doing this business since I was 19, he said. I know that many of the people in Ireland, in Kerry and throughout the country who rent out property, they know that so many of those people are now leaving the market and that is not good for people who are seeking to rent properties. Because if the Government and the State arent going to provide enough housing, there will always be a need for people to provide private accommodation for rent. But theyre leaving in droves and that is a disaster and its leading to a pressure point down the line, Ive never seen anything like it in my life. Couples and young people are really desperate, not knowing where theyre going to be in a months time, and it is so sad and so upsetting to see families in that kind of hardship and situation. Mr Healy-Rae said none of his tenants are facing eviction this year. I know so much about the market from both sides, before I was ever elected as a representative myself, I was touring Kerry with my late father Jackie Healy-Rae, he said And I got a great understanding of what it was for young people to start out and make friends and go looking to rent a property, get on a housing list and eventually get a local authority house. What I do know for an absolute fact, there is so many, thousands and thousands of good people who had second and third and fourth properties and were renting them out and now theyre leaving because theyre being demonised by government and by opposition. The people who shout the loudest about housing inside in the Dail are the people who in their own constituencies have objected to thousands of homes being built in their constituencies, both family homes and student accommodation. And when I hear those people standing up and saying they want more housing, but they dont want it outside their backdoors, that doesnt make sense to me. Newly hired workers tasked with search duties at the airport have been observed completing exams using Google Translate Passengers faced long queues for security clearance due to staffing issues at Dublin Airport last March. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has been warned security screening at Dublin Airport is not fit for purpose and leaves risks for a possible terrorist attack. A Dublin Airport whistleblower made the shock claim in a protected disclosure to the Green Party leader which is now the subject of an investigation by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). In the whistleblowers protected disclosure, it is alleged screening at the airport is in a critical situation which leaves possible gaps for explosive devices to slip through and on board flights. The disclosure was handed to Transport Minister Eamon Ryan in the Dail chamber last June. It says the Minister is allowing a roll of the dice each morning and hoping that nothing happens. A lapse in standards of staff training has led to below par security screening at the airport, where vulnerabilities could be exploited. It says these may even lead to terrorist attacks on a par with Lockerbie, the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of the UK. The IAA has launched a formal investigation into the protected disclosure, as it has found prima facie evidence that wrongdoing may have occurred. The whistleblower is currently in dispute with their employer over a pay review and a report arising from their accusations of bullying. Dublin Airport witnessed chaotic scenes after the lifting of pandemic restrictions and passengers were forced to wait for hours in queues outside terminals. DAA scrambled to recruit additional staff post-pandemic, and the disclosure claims this has dramatically reduced the standard of training for screening staff, as most of the trainers have no previous experience in the roles. The remaining staff are under immense pressure to screen passengers, according to a whistleblower who has waived their right to anonymity, but does not yet wish to be named. Airport screening staff must pass exams, and rules state only two fails are allowed, according to the disclosure. However, the disclosure alleges this is being ignored by DAA. Many staff members are put through several times, until they pass their exams. Newly hired workers tasked with search duties at the airport have been observed completing exams using Google Translate. Due to an insufficient number of security staff, screening staff are allegedly being utilised in other ways by being handed different coloured lanyards, which identifies what area they are trained in. The IAA has reviewed the disclosure and has found there is prima facie evidence that a relevant wrongdoing may have occurred, documents seen by the Irish Independent show. The IAA will take appropriate action, which will aim to address the relevant wrongdoing with regard to the nature and seriousness of the issue. It is expected this will be by way of an investigation into this possible wrongdoing. The DAA promised security queues of 30 minutes maximum in an interview with the Irish Independent last May. However, the whistleblower claims overhearing a conversation by security supervisors, who called the promised 30 minute queue a career suicide. The disclosure states this would make a critical situation worse as the standard of screening in Dublin Airport is below par. This would deepen the security vulnerability that DAA executives have created. The protected disclosure states how vulnerabilities can be exploited and references the example of Lockerbie bombing in 1988. The disclosure states how the device that detonated on board Pan Am flight 103 did not originate in London, where it stopped over, or Frankfurt, where it originated. The suitcase with explosives had come from Malta, which passed through Frankfurt and was loaded on the Pan Am flight. This is not the first time serious concerns have been raised about explosives passing through the airport. A report from the European Aviation Safety Agency last year found seven prohibited items passed through, including guns and explosives. A hard copy of the protected disclosure was handed to Minister Ryan in the Dail chamber by Labour TD Duncan Smith last June. The Department of Transport said it does not comment on issues which relate to aviation security operations or protected disclosures given to the Minister. A spokesperson said the IAA is responsible for receiving disclosures of relevant wrongdoings on all matters relating to the management of Irish controlled airspace, the safety regulation of Irish civil aviation and the oversight of civil aviation security in the State. A spokesperson for the IAA said the authority cannot disclose information relating to any protected disclosure as per the relevant legislation. DAA said they were not aware of an investigation by the IAA into the airport in relation to a protected disclosure. The whistleblower contacted Mr Ryans department several months after the protected disclosure was handed to Minister Ryan in the Dail, having not heard back. After a back and forth, department officials then asked if they could share the disclosure with the IAA and later did so. In 2021, an external investigator was hired to examine a complaint of bullying which was submitted by the whistleblower. Seven incidents were investigated, however, the external investigator found only one incident could have undermined the whistleblowers right to dignity at work. As a result, the allegation of bullying was not upheld. The whistleblower is currently in dispute with the DAA at the Workplace Relations Commission over the report from the external investigator and how one of the recommendations, when released, was redacted. The whistleblower is also in dispute with his employer due to a pay review. Eviction and homelessness is a trauma an adverse childhood experience. It is a breach of human rights. Some of Irelands best known faces have joined a campaign calling on the Government to extend the eviction ban which is set to expire at the end of this month. Among the actors, musicians and famous names joining the campaign are Mario Rosenstock, Bressie, Kin actor Clare Dunne and Fr Peter McVerry. The campaign, in collaboration with the Raise the Roof movement, launched a video calling on the Government to keep the eviction ban in place. The video says Ireland is in the midst of the worst housing crisis since the foundation of this state and the Government is about to make it even worse. "Thousands of renters; individuals, families and children, are going to be evicted into homelessness if the eviction ban is lifted on March 31st. Where will they go? The Government must #keeptheban. The video also calls on the Irish public to raise their voice and share their own videos and messages on social media and elsewhere. The campaign video also features renters facing eviction in a matter of days. Dr Rory Hearne, author ofGaffs, and one of the people behind the video said: We wanted to give a voice to those facing the trauma of eviction in the coming weeks if the eviction ban is lifted, and to also highlight the range of people from across Irish society who are opposed to the lifting of the eviction ban. Eviction and homelessness is a trauma an adverse childhood experience. It is a breach of human rights. The ban should be kept in place for enough time so that no one is evicted into homelessness and the Government takes emergency action to provide a supply of social and affordable housing through tackling the 166,000 vacant homes, dereliction, short stay tourist lets, build social and affordable homes rapidly. Orla OConnor, director of the National Womens Council, who has also joined the campaign, said she is really worried about the women and children who will be made homeless as a result of the lifting of the eviction ban. She said the eviction ban needs to stay in place until there are safe, secure, long-term solutions. Mario Rosenstock called on the Government to reconsider ending the eviction ban, saying: "Thousands of people, including children and families, will be made homeless if the eviction ban is lifted. "No one deserves to be evicted into homelessness and everyone deserves a home. Lets keep the eviction ban. While high pressure reigned across New Zealand over the weekend, bringing plenty of sun, the beginning of this week sees a return to more active weather, particularly over the South Island. MetService has issued a number of Severe Weather Warnings for heavy rain and severe gales from Monday through to early Wednesday associated with first a strong and moist northwesterly flow followed by a strong, cold southerly change. Later in the week high pressure builds again, signalling a return to more settled weather. The active weather has already begun on the West Coast today [Monday] where a front is delivering heavy rain. Thunderstorms are embedded within this front, contributing to the high rainfall rates and producing lots of lightning," says MetService Meteorologist Jessie Owen. Heavy Rain Warnings are in force for Fiordland and Westland and a Heavy Rain Watch for Buller comes into effect this evening. The heavy rain is also expected to spill over the Southern Alps and affect the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers. Severe gale northwesterly winds ahead of the front are forecast to affect Canterbury High Country and Marlborough from Monday afternoon until early Tuesday morning, and Wellington and southern Wairarapa from Monday evening until early Tuesday morning. Exposed places within these regions could experience wind gusts of up to 120 km per hour and Strong Wind Warnings have been issued. The next chapter of the active weather story comes courtesy of a deep low which is forecast to form to the east of the South Island on Tuesday. This low is expected to direct a strong, cold southerly change up the country. Heavy Rain Warnings for Southland, Clutha, and Dunedin have been issued, along with Heavy Rain Watches for the remainder of Otago, and Canterbury. A Strong Wind Watch for south to southwesterly winds is also in force for Dunedin, North Otago, and the Canterbury coast and plains, while Banks Peninsula is under a Strong Wind Warning and can expect gusts of up to 120 km per hour. Heavy southwesterly swells brought on by the southwesterly winds are forecast to affect western coastlines right up to Northland, and eastern coasts of the South Island and lower North Island from Tuesday through until Wednesday. A noticeable drop in temperatures will be felt across the South Island on Tuesday (and the North Island on Wednesday) following the southerly change. Overnight temperatures are set to plummet through the single digits; Alexandra, Wanaka, and Queenstown are forecast to drop to 3C overnight Tuesday, Taumarunui can expect 3C and Taupo 4C overnight Wednesday, says Owen. Snow may fall as low as 800 m above sea level in the eastern South Island in the heaviest precipitation associated with the southerly change. While most of the severe weather will be concentrated over the South Island this week, the North Island can still expect a period of rain on Tuesday as the front travels across. Western areas will see heavier rain than the east, and colder temperatures can be expected throughout following the southerly change. From Wednesday onwards the active weather is set to move away to the east as a new high pressure system from the Tasman Sea pushes its way over the country. This will mark the return of more settled weather to round out the working week although Owen says, those colder nights will remain. Its a busy week of weather, as always people are advised to keep up to date with the latest severe weather warnings at http://bit.ly/AllWarnings Shared e-scooters are here to stay in Tauranga, with council approving their continued use in the city. People have travelled 710,000 kilometres on Lime scooters since the trial began in November 2020, which is nearly 18 trips around the earth. At a Tauranga City Council (TCC) meeting on Monday the commissioners agreed to continue shared e-scooter use in the city, enabling council to find a permanent operator. Data gathered by the council during the trial shows 104,000 people have taken at least one ride and there were 429,000 trips taken on a lime scooter. There was 11 per cent growth in the number of trips taken from 2021 to 2022. Usage of the scooters was the highest in the main Mount Maunganui beach and business area followed by the Tauranga CBD. Saturday was the most popular day for rides with close to 100,000 trips taken on Saturday between November 1 2020 and February 25 2023. Injuries from e-scooters was also considered low with less than 10 reported to council since the trial began. It hasnt been a completely smooth run for the trial though, with complaints coming in thick and fast for the first two months. There were 10 to 20 complaints per week during the first two months of the trial. By six months complaints were down to one or two a week and it has stayed at this level. The council ran a survey about the e-scooters in October 2021 that showed the biggest issue people had with the scooters was them being parked inappropriately or blocking footpaths. Fifty per cent of the 779 respondents were moderately or very concerned about the way the scooters were parked. Findings showed 55 per cent of respondents agreed a shared e-scooter scheme should continue to operate in Tauranga while 42 per cent disagreed. E-scooters parked inappropriately was the biggest source of complaints to council. File photo: SunLive. TCC cycle plan implementation programme manager Andy Vuong told the meeting there were some unsurprising findings from the survey. As you got older, you typically were against e-scooters and as you got younger, you typically were very much in favour of e-scooters, he said. The survey showed 76 per cent of respondents aged 16-24 had ridden a scooter and 33 per cent of those aged 85 or older had done so too. Commission chair Anne Tolley said the biggest surprise was the number of those aged 85 plus that were in support of the scooters and had ridden one. Vuong said this was because they had only had a few responses from that age bracket. Commissioner Stephen Selwood wanted to know what proportion of the trips represented a mode shift out of cars. Vuong replied around 25 29 per cent of rides replaced car trips. This data was based only on the shared scooters and private e-scooter trips were hard to track, he said. Director of transport Brendan Bisley said people that used Lime scooters a lot for commuting purposes end up buying their own e-scooter. After a while it doesn't make sense to keep hiring and that's what the data doesn't track, said Bisley. We're only picking up the ones that Lime use, so there will be a skew towards more recreational use. Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston said although the 29 per cent seemed small it was still useful to try and get people thinking about transport differently. It's a worthwhile opportunity for us to promote and continue to support. The e-scooters also brought in around $28,750 in revenue which would continue under the permanent scheme if rides remained at the existing level. Vuong had some recommendations to council to improve the issues around parking which included allocating designated parking spaces for e-scooters. As well as creating a fees structure that enabled operators to incentivise riders to park in allocated zones or provide more staff to quickly resolve any issues. The recommendations would come back to council once a permanent operator was secured. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air New Zealand Humanitarian and Medical Aid Agency, Kiwi K.A.R.E (Kiwi Aid & Refugee Evacuation) will soon deploy seven retired St John ambulances to Ukraine to assist with the delivery of critical medical supplies, and medical care. In announcing the initiative Kiwi K.A.R.E. founder and director, Tenby Powell, says five of the ambulances will be donated to Ukrainian hospitals and medical centres operating close to the front lines with the remaining two ambulances to be retained by Kiwi K.A.R.E. as mobile health clinics. Being able to establish two Kiwi K.A.R.E. mobile health clinic ambulances will be important, says the former Tauranga City Council mayor. Getting to those people in the greatest of need in Red Zone areas will make a material difference to their quality of life and at least provide some health support as they endure this war. Powell approached St John last year about taking some of their retired fleet into Ukraine. Having previously worked with a Polish team to take European ambulances into Ukraine, I knew the New Zealand fleet had been well maintained across its useful life and would be of huge value in the war-torn country. So, I approached St John, and they were absolutely tremendous to deal with from the outset. St John infrastructure general manager David Thomas says the request by Kiwi K.A.R.E. came at the right time in terms of fleet retirement. Together, with the International Office of the Order of St John, we are supportive of all efforts to save lives and provide assistance to the innocent victims of this tragic conflict. The World Health Organization has recorded more than 800 attacks on hospitals and medical facilities in Ukraine from February to December 2022. Of those, 150 hospitals, including childrens hospitals and specialist cancer centres, have been completely destroyed. Powell says being able to deploy the retired ambulances into Ukraine will significantly enhance Kiwi K.A.R.Es humanitarian work there. We have previously supported medical clinics in towns and villages under siege where residents are in desperate need of medical and dental assistance and who havent seen a doctor or nurse for months. We often have medical professionals travel with us into the Red Zone towns and villages, and I knew, being able to operate out of a well-stocked ambulance, as opposed to a cargo van, would be big a step up in the delivery of professional health services. Getting the ambulances to Ukraine has been a team effort from a number of well-known companies. We have had tremendous support in moving four ambulances from Christchurch to meet up with the other three in Auckland, by KiwiRail, says Powell. I approached KiwiRail who readily agreed to transport the Christchurch based units across Cook Strait. They have been amazingly supportive. Kiwi K.A.R.E. team working through winter. The big move overseas will be managed by shipping company Wallenius Wilhelmsen, who control 128 vessels, servicing 15 trade routes to six continents. We were supportive of this project from the outset and, notwithstanding the logistics challenges of getting the ambulances to Europe, we are delighted to be able to make a tangible contribution in supporting Ukraine, says Wallenius Wilhelmsen NZ sales manager Rory Kernahan. Powell, who will return to Ukraine in May, says the Kiwi K.A.R.E. team and their Ukrainian humanitarian NGO partners are very excited to think the NZ ambulances will soon be in Ukraine. A Ukranian resident. We are now seeking support to fill the ambulances with medical and humanitarian aid which is permissible to ship internationally. There is considerable space in the backs of each ambulance and there is a real opportunity for New Zealanders to get behind this and help us load all seven. We need everything from surgical equipment and pain killers to feminine sanitation products and nappies for babies. Kiwi K.A.R.E. has a fund-raising page on the Give-a-Little crowdfunding site. https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/kiwi-kare-ukraine-kiwi-aid-and-refugee-evacuation The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that a police officer was not justified in tasering a man detained in the Tauranga District Court cells three times in February 2019. The officer was charged with assault with a weapon for each Taser discharge and was acquitted by a jury in July 2022. A man was taken from Tauranga Police Station to court cells to await an appearance, says a statement released by the IPCA today. "The man suffers from mental illness and was agitated and disruptive throughout the morning. "He attempted to leave the cell, and the officer involved in this incident, together with his colleagues, had to pick him up and force him back into the cell. "A Community Magistrate remanded the man in custody, and he needed to be moved back to the custody suite at the Police station. He did not want to go and would not cooperate." After an attempt to persuade him to come voluntarily, the IPCA says the officer entered the cell with a Taser pointed at the man. Another police officer and three corrections officers also entered and tried to restrain the man. The officer told the Authority that he believed the man had hit and pushed away two of his colleagues, and that he posed an imminent and serious threat to himself. He says the man threatened to kill him, and he believed he was about to be assaulted. "He was extremely wary of the mans strength and speed. He fired the Taser when the man lunged at him, he said to defend himself and his colleagues," says the IPCA. He activated the Taser twice more while the man was on the ground. He believed the man was attempting to get up and was armed with a sharp Taser probe that could cause serious harm to himself and his colleagues who would handcuff the man. The Authority viewed CCTV footage from the cell and footage from the camera mounted on the Taser. "We spoke to the officers involved as well as the man. We also assessed the evidence from the officers jury trial. "There is a fundamental contradiction between the threat the officer and some of his colleagues say existed, and which prompted the officer to act, and what can be clearly seen on both pieces of footage. "We cannot see any evidence of the officers colleagues being punched or pushed, or the officer himself in a position of physical threat prior to any of the Taser discharges. "Despite what he now says, he simply cannot have perceived an imminent and serious threat at the time. "We have concluded that the officer honestly believes his version of events. We believe he has constructed this story to fit the events after the fact, and he now believes this version to be true. "This version has subsequently been reinforced through repeatedly watching the footage frame-by-frame in preparation for court. In short, his recollection is unreliable, but not dishonest. "Because the officer did not believe he was facing an imminent and serious threat prior to each Taser discharge, he cannot have fired the Taser to defend himself or others," says the IPCA. "Rather, we believe he did so to force the man to comply with instructions and make the extraction easier. The officer cannot rely on self-defence to justify his actions." Authority Chair, Judge Colin Doherty acknowledges that a jury acquitted this officer of criminal charges. "However, the Authority has considered the evidence using a different lens and employing a civil standard of proof. "The man did not pose a threat justifying the level of force used against him, and given the reality portrayed on the footage of this incident, the officer cannot have perceived that this was the case at the time. However, I accept he honestly believes a different construction of events." The Authority completed its investigation into this incident in December 2019 but delayed the release of its public report until after the conclusion of court proceedings in July 2022. Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson. In responses to the ICPA ruling being released today, Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson they accept the findings. "The man was waiting in the cells for his appearance and was agitated and disruptive. When it was time for him to be moved back to the custody unit at Tauranga Police Station he was uncooperative. "At this point, our officer entered the cell and pointed the taser at the man while three Corrections officers tried to restrain him. "During this incident, the officer made the decision to taser the man three times as he believed he posed an imminent and serious threat to the staff." Tim says police self-reported this incident to the IPCA and carried out a criminal investigation. Following this, the officer was charged with three counts of assault with a weapon. He stood trial in July last year and was acquitted by a jury. "Police agrees with the findings by the IPCA and our decision to charge shows how seriously we treated this matter. "Police now have an ongoing employment investigation in relation to this incident and the officer remains on restricted duties. We are unable to comment further at this time." Questions have been raised about whether an increased police and guardian presence in Rotoruas inner city has pushed problems elsewhere. Rotorua Lakes Councils Community and District Development Committee met on Wednesday and received an update on the community safety strategy. The councils community wellbeing deputy chief executive Anaru Pewhairangi and Rotorua area prevention manager inspector Phil Gillbanks jointly presented an update on what had been achieved over the summer and reiterated longer-term goals like reducing crime and antisocial behaviour. Pewhairangi said the approach focused on the visibility of police alongside the council and ensuring better joint responsiveness to reassure the community. A December Rotorua Safety and Wellbeing Survey found 50 per cent of respondents wanted to see more police in the city. Between 14 per cent and 17 per cent felt encouraged by the presence of Maori Wardens. Pewhairangi said having more police visibility was in progress, as was having more integrated deployment between police, Safe City Guardians, regulatory staff and security partners. Signage, such as for alcohol bans, had been improved, and more work was needed on public education and community safety awareness initiatives such as sharing crime prevention advice. A community constable had been reinstated last month. Gillbanks said during the Christmas period there had been a gradual increase in reported crime across the board. He attributed this to having more reporting avenues including online and through the 105 number. Community feedback had been that it was good to see police patrolling the inner city. Councillor Don Patterson said other areas of the community were struggling with crime; in Fordlands there were dirt bikes where they shouldnt be, and he said a car had been set alight outside fellow councillor Conan OBriens home recently. He said there had been gang intimidation at the Te Ngae shopping centre and theft. They feel like they have been left out on a limb. He asked if the increased presence of patrollers in the city meant the problems had been pushed out to other areas. In response, Gillbanks said there was a small element of that and he was aware more police visibility was needed in other urban centres, such as small shopping areas. He was well aware of the bike issue and said police could not chase them but were doing what they could to hold the people responsible accountable. An investigation was under way and search warrants would be conducted with the aim to seize some bikes. He said he was unaware of the issue at the Te Ngae shops and would look into it. Councillor Lani Kereopa said she had been fielding concerns from the community about the impact of emergency and transitional housing and asked if resources were going into managing those impacts. Gillbanks said there was, but there had been a dramatic drop off for calls for service since the housing accord was signed. We still get a few and we will always get that because people have high needs and complex issues ... but we are certainly not seeing the volume of calls for service to the same repeat locations we were seeing. Its probably since December we have seen that drop off. CCO updates to council Members also heard reports from two council-controlled organisations - the airport and the districts economic development agency. Both organisations were ahead of budget and reported higher numbers of visitors. Rotorua Airports chief executive Nicole Brewer said at the airport this was mainly due to increased landing fees and lower-than-expected operating expenses. One of the issues it was addressing was a high turnover in staff in its fire and operations team. She said there was no single reason for this and was trying to understand the situation better. Councillor Rawiri Waru asked if a programme might be created to address the issue. Brewer said recruitment had been fine, but turnover was the problem. She said the team had a specific skill set and was really happy with the staff that had started. RotoruaNZ board chairman John McRae said the difficult economic environment had implications for projects. He said it was good to see tourism in the city on the up again and events were bringing people to Rotorua. In his presentation chief executive Andrew Wilson reiterated projects were currently hard to get off the ground. The data showed that while visitor numbers were not at pre-Covid levels, expenditure was. Councillor Gregg Brown asked if the council was supporting RotoruaNZ enough to deal with reputation recovery and whether the council was tracking in the right direction given a number of rooms in the city were unavailable as they were used for emergency housing. McRae said RotoruaNZ would like more resources and wanted to do more mahi in that sphere. He said the good part of having reduced rooms available was that yields were up. Councillors unanimously approved making District Plan Change 3 Significant Natural Areas, operative in the Rotorua District Plan. This followed an appeals process in which three were resolved. -Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air. On 16 February, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise hosted a seminar in Brussels, together with the Swedish Trade Unions Brussels Office and the Swedish EU Presidency. The topic of the seminar was the skills transition and pathways to a socially fair and competitive Europe. Among the speakers were Mattias Dahl, Deputy Director General at Swedish Enterprise, Johan Pehrson, Minister for Employment and Integration, and Joost Korte, Director General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. In last years State of the Union Address, Commission president Ursula von der Leyen proclaimed that 2023 would be the European Year of Skills. This initiative, for which a legal act is currently being drafted, is meant to combat worrying trends noted in the European labor market labour shortages, lack of competence in fundamental workforces and difficulties in attracting skilled third country nationals to the EU. By urging the member states to invest in professional education and upskilling, the Commission hopes to resolve the labor market situation. But how exactly will this transition occur? Who is responsible for making it happen? And what are the underlying reasons for investing in education and upskilling? All of this, and much more, was discussed during last weeks seminar, titled The skills transition Pathways to a socially fair and more competitive Europe, co-hosted by the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, the Swedish Trade Unions Brussels Office and the Swedish EU Presidency. A recurring point of discussion was competitiveness. During his intervention, Minister Johan Pehrson pointed out that ensuring that the labor force has the right skills is key to securing European competitiveness. In this respect, the Minister spoke about the Swedish labor market model, particularly the recent labor market reform that has taken place in Sweden, through which a study grant has been made available for working professionals. This was applauded by Director General Joons Korte, who not only ensured that Sweden need not worry about interference with its labor market model, but also commended Sweden for its efforts to introduce the said study grant. The Confederation of Swedish Enterprises Deputy Director General, Mattias Dahl, continued the topic of competitiveness during his intervention. Among other things, Dahl pointed out that it is important to ensure that the labor force is skilled in areas that are beneficial to the specific business in which they are working, and that ensuring this is a shared responsibility between the workers, employers and the government. Worrisome trends regarding high-level scientists were also discussed, where it was said that it is imperative for European competitiveness that Europe works to keep its talents from leaving the Union. The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise thanks the Swedish Trade Unions Brussel Office and the Swedish EU Presidency, along with everyone else involved, for an interesting seminar! 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. Turbanator Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,856 Thanked: 23,892 Times Re: The "NEW" Car Price Check Thread - Track Price Changes, Discounts, Offers & Deals Quote: The Rainmaker Originally Posted by I would like to state that the brands already have enough margins when it comes to such vehicles. Quote: Did you really think with this price cut Toyota is selling at a loss or they were selling cost to cost at the previous (Higher) price? Of course not! One time loss perhaps, they must be sitting on inventories as fewer people buy this kind of vehicle in MT. Also, a 3 lac reduction on Ex-showroom means, around 2 Lac Ex-Factory. Quote: GST and surcharge is where the secret to the higher pricing lies. I only blame the government in that department that favors the businessmen who can always get the GST refund and depreciation benefits in the name of their businesses and ultimately get the vehicle at a price close to the US pricing Quote: What's even more ironic is that they end up disposing their vehicles off in a couple of years and still get the same value or probably more than they ended up spending on these in the first place. True on high-end vehicles all due to a massive increase in prices by manufacturers and lead times. Not going to happen when things normalise unless it's the new normal. Quote: The salaried person suffers in both the cases, whether new or old because of the high pricing either way. Will like to know what makes you think so? As I mentioned above, what sort of profits will Toyota be making selling Hilux at 22-25K-USD. Must be cheapest for them anywhere in the world, not even in Thailand. Factor the costs of running a large organisation, getting CKD kits and all the overheads.One time loss perhaps, they must be sitting on inventories as fewer people buy this kind of vehicle in MT. Also, a 3 lac reduction on Ex-showroom means, around 2 Lac Ex-Factory.Wrong, no business except the ones in the Auto business can adjust GST. Depreciation, Yes but it's not substantial. Say, 30% on Vellfire costing 90 Lac, implies 30 Lac gets reduced from the profits which translate to around 25% of 30 Lac = 7,5 Lac in the First Year and from the next, this is calculated at depreciated value i.e 60 Lac for second and so forth.True on high-end vehicles all due to a massive increase in prices by manufacturers and lead times. Not going to happen when things normalise unless it's the new normal.It's not just here but in many countries. Am sure you are aware of the notorious charges for parking that Singapore charges. Even in EU, the GST will be 20% and higher. Yes, it's relatively better for businesses as they can book interest, repairs etc as expenses too but prices don't come anywhere close to the US market if we talk about premium cars. Last edited by Turbanator : 17th March 2023 at 22:26 . AMG1 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: LKO/HYD Posts: 150 Thanked: 645 Times Re: Honda's new SUV for India to debut in H1 2023 https://https://www.autocarindia.com/car-news/honda-midsize-suv-global-debut-in-india-in-june-427512 Key Summary: 1) June 2023 reveal (not launch I believe) 2) No Hybrids at launch! 3) Priced at a premium! (Remember the Honda premium) 4) Slightly updated good old 1.5 ivtec engine, now with 121 hp 5) Apparently now its Current City platform vs Amaze platform that Autocar has been saying consistently since past months If above report is true , then Honda has completely lost it! (If not already there yet) - No hybrid at launch along with no turbo petrol either! Heck, Koreans, Germans, Chinese have 165hp,150 Hp,140 turbo petrols(respectively) already as well as rest of fuel economy focused rivals either have full hybrids or smaller displacement turbos (1.0 turbo in VW group) Also, supposedly its going to be given Honda premium! Only thing premium about Honda is their pricing now, nothing else ! Even companies like Vw group who generally had an arrogant way of operating business here got their act together in most ways with their vw 2.0 SUVs and equipped them with at par features (mostly) and above competition engines & transmissions but this Honda refuses to change their attitude! I wonder how long can they operate their business with such long standing missteps. I just hope I along with article is proven wrong by the time SuV launches here (if ever it launches, remember Honda decided to pull plug on HRV even after they had already batch produced them in Rajasthan! All coz of costs and ebrake which proved them costly for operations) Key Summary:1) June 2023 reveal (not launch I believe)2) No Hybrids at launch!3) Priced at a premium! (Remember the Honda premium)4) Slightly updated good old 1.5 ivtec engine, now with 121 hp5) Apparently now its Current City platform vs Amaze platform that Autocar has been saying consistently since past monthsIf above report is true , then Honda has completely lost it! (If not already there yet) - No hybrid at launch along with no turbo petrol either! Heck, Koreans, Germans, Chinese have 165hp,150 Hp,140 turbo petrols(respectively) already as well as rest of fuel economy focused rivals either have full hybrids or smaller displacement turbos (1.0 turbo in VW group)Also, supposedly its going to be given Honda premium! Only thing premium about Honda is their pricing now, nothing else !Even companies like Vw group who generally had an arrogant way of operating business here got their act together in most ways with their vw 2.0 SUVs and equipped them with at par features (mostly) and above competition engines & transmissions but this Honda refuses to change their attitude!I wonder how long can they operate their business with such long standing missteps. I just hope I along with article is proven wrong by the time SuV launches here (if ever it launches, remember Honda decided to pull plug on HRV even after they had already batch produced them in Rajasthan! All coz of costs and ebrake which proved them costly for operations) GKR9900 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Kerala Posts: 525 Thanked: 2,398 Times Earthquakes: Causes, effects and actions through the eyes of a medico! https://youtu.be/9cdFIJTeMls For starters, earthquakes happen when tectonic plates gigantic pieces of earths crust and mantle collide against each other. Huge quanta of energy are released onto the surface during these collisions disrupting surface structures and causing catastrophic damage. Turkey and Syria lie on a seismic hotspot where there is convergence of multiple tectonic plates. The region is thus prone for earthquakes. In India, the Himalayan belt, parts of Gujarat and the North east are seismically active zones as outlined in this map by National Disaster Management Authority. So why was the latest quake in Turkey and Syria so deadly? Geologists estimate that the latest quake was a result of seismic events that occurred just 18kms beneath the earths surface. This is shallow by geological standards and a large amount of energy found its way to the surface unhindered. The quakes hit densely populated areas in the early morning hours, catching victims off guard, leading to the higher number of deaths and injuries. Some reports also suggest that the way in which a majority of these buildings were built also contributed to the scale of the disaster. The soft storey buildings in Turkey with a significantly weaker ground floor resulted in a pancake collapse that further aggravated the extent of damage to life and property. Soft storeyed building Pancake collapse Such structures are a common sight even in our densely populated cities and towns. Unless they are reinforced properly, the presence of such buildings in quake prone areas are a real risk. How does all of this affect the human body? It is well known that the main reason for injury and death in earthquakes is getting hit by falling objects like bricks, masonry and furniture. The way I see it, in case of a building collapse, how soon you die depends on the supply of air, and how long you survive depends on the supply of water. Does it make sense? Lets find out. The most common direct cause of death in case of a building collapse is suffocation. It can occur due to compression of the chest or obstruction of the airways. When debris or furniture weighing several kilos are pressing down on the chest, it limits the ability of our body to breathe properly. It goes without saying that breathing is a vital process that is responsible for delivering oxygen to all living cells, absence of which ultimately leads to death. Even if a trapped person could avoid being compressed, he/she is not safe from being suffocated. The debris lying around can cause airway obstruction which can lead to suffocation. Also, being trapped in a confined space for extended periods can cause accumulation of carbon di oxide a by-product of respiration which again causes suffocation. However, a victim trapped inside a collapsed building lucky enough to have uninterrupted air supply cannot rejoice yet, as there are still other fatal injuries which await their turn. From bruises and fractures to burns and contusions, any form of injury can occur. Fractured bones can tear away blood vessels leading to profuse bleeding. Impalement by construction material such as steel rods can damage internal organs. Short circuits within the collapsed structure can cause electrocution or burns. The odds are stacked rather heavily against those who are trapped. But then, you start seeing news about lucky people who are pulled out alive after several days of being trapped. Considering everything that we have just mentioned, we cant help but ask - How can anyone still be alive under there? Even rescuers ask the same question as knowing the maximum survival time lets them gauge risk-benefit ratio and decide on resource allocation. The United Nations usually call off search & rescue 5 to 7 days after a disaster, once no one is found alive for a day or two. But there have been many instances where people have been found alive much beyond this timeframe. The Haiti earthquake in 2010 left almost 150,000 dead and 1.5 million homeless. Out of the 140 odd people who were pulled alive from the rubble, some were rescued after 10 to 12 days albeit injured and dehydrated. What made their survival possible? Survival depends heavily on the immediate moments after a quake - where the victim is trapped and whether there is adequate air supply. Like I said earlier, air supply decides how soon one dies. If the victims are uninjured, have air supply and adequate space, the next key thing that decides their survival is access to water. Our bodies can survive more than a month without food, but without water, we can hardly survive a couple of days. Almost 60% of our body is made up of water. From regulating body temperature to flushing out waste products, dissolving nutrients and lubricating joints, water plays a vital role in ensuring survival. Thus, adequate supply of water is very important. But what is equally important is limiting the loss of water from the body. When your body loses more water than what you can supply, dehydration occurs. Being trapped in a confined space can lead to loss of water through sweat and breath. The extent of dehydration depends on the individual, namely the persons age, sex, weight, activity level and the environment like ambient temperature, CO2 concentration, presence of breeze etc. As water escapes the body, the tissues shrink, skin becomes dry and wrinkled, and eyes become sunken. As dehydration progresses, the blood volume shrinks, causing a fall in blood pressure. The organs are no longer perfused adequately and if this continues without corrective measures, the person progresses into something known as hypovolemic shock. Organs including the heart and kidneys start failing. The heart fails to pump blood properly. The kidneys can no longer keep up their excretory function. Toxins start building up worsening organ functions further, and this causes a vicious cycle of events that ultimately leads to death. In the previous examples of people being pulled alive after a long time, almost all of them were lucky that they had access to some form of water. Some drank their own urine, while others consumed sewage water to survive. This is why I said earlier how long one survives in such scenarios depends on the availability of water. So once air and water supply is ensured, the victims have a higher chance of survival. All they have to do is to wait until the rescuers find them. Imagine such a person buried under the rubble, but with a concrete beam crushing his leg. Rescuers find and extricate him after 48 hours. Relieved, he is smiling and on his way to the hospital, when suddenly he collapses and dies. What happened? This particular scenario aptly nicknamed as the smiling death is a condition known as crush syndrome. When muscles are subject to crush injury for prolonged periods of time, the increased pressure cuts off their blood supply and they undergo degradation, leaking their contents into the surrounding tissue. During extrication, once the muscles are relieved off this crushing pressure, and blood supply resumes, these leaked substances are distributed among various organs. Potassium released from the damaged muscles can upset the hearts rhythm causing cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. The leaked contents like myoglobin a type of muscle protein can damage the kidneys causing renal failure which can also prove to be fatal. This is why extrication of individuals trapped beneath collapsed buildings need to be done carefully, especially if the victims were trapped for a long time. From what we have discussed so far, it is rather clear that coming out of a quake hit building alive is nothing short of a miracle. So what are the things that we can do to increase our odds of survival in such situations? The basic rule in quake safety is if you are inside, stay inside and if you are outside, stay outside. The biggest myth surrounding earthquakes is that all the buildings collapse. This is the reason why the fight/flight instinct urges people to run. Safety comes from taking quick action and finding a safe place within the first few seconds of the quake. The apt response if you are indoors is to drop, hold and cover. Drop to the floor, preferably underneath a table/floor in a safe section of the room youre in. Hold on until the shaking stops. Cover your face and head with your arms and make sure that your head is NOT the tallest thing in the room. Whatever movements that you DO undertake should only be to get to the safest place using the fewest steps. If you are outside, get away from the danger zone the area immediately outside a building. This is where the likelihood of injury is the highest by means of falling bricks, windows or architectural details. How far away is safe? If you have to look way over your head to find the top of the building, you are probably safer inside it, as you wont have enough time or mobility to move away from such a tall building when the ground beneath is shaking. If you dont have to look up very much to see the top of the building, you probably are at a safe distance. The NDMA has issued Remember: Dont run Identify the nearest safe place Drop, hold and cover Protect your head Practicing earthquake drills go a long way in ensuring safety when the need arises. Prepare yourself mentally to find those safe places in your surroundings, ensure clarity of mind, and most importantly dont panic. Even if you cant physically practice, at least visualise what you would do in case of a quake. This little exercise could probably be the difference between life and death in case of a quake where every one of those initial seconds count! Hope you found this useful. The earthquakes at Turkey and Syria was one of the most devastating natural disasters of recent times. Official figures indicate that the quakes have left more than 50,000 dead, lakhs injured and millions homeless. I couldnt even imagine how the victims felt. Waking up from your sleep one fine day to the sound of death and destruction all around! The plight of those survivors, including children, who were trapped underneath all the rubble, waiting anxiously for rescuers to reach them is plain horrific. Seeing that there is a medical scenario in place which can be elaborated regarding what the human body goes through in such a situation, and what can be done to increase the odds of survival, I decided to make a video out of it. Sharing it below:For starters, earthquakes happen when tectonic plates gigantic pieces of earths crust and mantle collide against each other. Huge quanta of energy are released onto the surface during these collisions disrupting surface structures and causing catastrophic damage.Turkey and Syria lie on a seismic hotspot where there is convergence of multiple tectonic plates. The region is thus prone for earthquakes.In India, the Himalayan belt, parts of Gujarat and the North east are seismically active zones as outlined in this map by National Disaster Management Authority.Geologists estimate that the latest quake was a result of seismic events that occurred just 18kms beneath the earths surface. This is shallow by geological standards and a large amount of energy found its way to the surface unhindered. The quakes hit densely populated areas in the early morning hours, catching victims off guard, leading to the higher number of deaths and injuries. Some reports also suggest that the way in which a majority of these buildings were built also contributed to the scale of the disaster. The soft storey buildings in Turkey with a significantly weaker ground floor resulted in a pancake collapse that further aggravated the extent of damage to life and property.Soft storeyed buildingPancake collapseSuch structures are a common sight even in our densely populated cities and towns. Unless they are reinforced properly, the presence of such buildings in quake prone areas are a real risk.It is well known that the main reason for injury and death in earthquakes is getting hit by falling objects like bricks, masonry and furniture. The way I see it, in case of a building collapse, how soon you die depends on the supply of air, and how long you survive depends on the supply of water. Does it make sense? Lets find out.The most common direct cause of death in case of a building collapse is suffocation. It can occur due to compression of the chest or obstruction of the airways. When debris or furniture weighing several kilos are pressing down on the chest, it limits the ability of our body to breathe properly. It goes without saying that breathing is a vital process that is responsible for delivering oxygen to all living cells, absence of which ultimately leads to death. Even if a trapped person could avoid being compressed, he/she is not safe from being suffocated. The debris lying around can cause airway obstruction which can lead to suffocation. Also, being trapped in a confined space for extended periods can cause accumulation of carbon di oxide a by-product of respiration which again causes suffocation.However, a victim trapped inside a collapsed building lucky enough to have uninterrupted air supply cannot rejoice yet, as there are still other fatal injuries which await their turn. From bruises and fractures to burns and contusions, any form of injury can occur. Fractured bones can tear away blood vessels leading to profuse bleeding. Impalement by construction material such as steel rods can damage internal organs. Short circuits within the collapsed structure can cause electrocution or burns. The odds are stacked rather heavily against those who are trapped.But then, you start seeing news about lucky people who are pulled out alive after several days of being trapped. Considering everything that we have just mentioned, we cant help but ask - How can anyone still be alive under there? Even rescuers ask the same question as knowing the maximum survival time lets them gauge risk-benefit ratio and decide on resource allocation. The United Nations usually call off search & rescue 5 to 7 days after a disaster, once no one is found alive for a day or two. But there have been many instances where people have been found alive much beyond this timeframe. The Haiti earthquake in 2010 left almost 150,000 dead and 1.5 million homeless. Out of the 140 odd people who were pulled alive from the rubble, some were rescued after 10 to 12 days albeit injured and dehydrated.Survival depends heavily on the immediate moments after a quake - where the victim is trapped and whether there is adequate air supply. Like I said earlier, air supply decides how soon one dies. If the victims are uninjured, have air supply and adequate space, the next key thing that decides their survival is access to water.Our bodies can survive more than a month without food, but without water, we can hardly survive a couple of days. Almost 60% of our body is made up of water. From regulating body temperature to flushing out waste products, dissolving nutrients and lubricating joints, water plays a vital role in ensuring survival. Thus, adequate supply of water is very important. But what is equally important is limiting the loss of water from the body. When your body loses more water than what you can supply, dehydration occurs. Being trapped in a confined space can lead to loss of water through sweat and breath. The extent of dehydration depends on the individual, namely the persons age, sex, weight, activity level and the environment like ambient temperature, CO2 concentration, presence of breeze etc.As water escapes the body, the tissues shrink, skin becomes dry and wrinkled, and eyes become sunken. As dehydration progresses, the blood volume shrinks, causing a fall in blood pressure. The organs are no longer perfused adequately and if this continues without corrective measures, the person progresses into something known as hypovolemic shock. Organs including the heart and kidneys start failing. The heart fails to pump blood properly. The kidneys can no longer keep up their excretory function. Toxins start building up worsening organ functions further, and this causes a vicious cycle of events that ultimately leads to death.In the previous examples of people being pulled alive after a long time, almost all of them were lucky that they had access to some form of water. Some drank their own urine, while others consumed sewage water to survive. This is why I said earlier how long one survives in such scenarios depends on the availability of water.So once air and water supply is ensured, the victims have a higher chance of survival. All they have to do is to wait until the rescuers find them. Imagine such a person buried under the rubble, but with a concrete beam crushing his leg. Rescuers find and extricate him after 48 hours. Relieved, he is smiling and on his way to the hospital, when suddenly he collapses and dies. What happened? This particular scenario aptly nicknamed as the smiling death is a condition known as crush syndrome. When muscles are subject to crush injury for prolonged periods of time, the increased pressure cuts off their blood supply and they undergo degradation, leaking their contents into the surrounding tissue. During extrication, once the muscles are relieved off this crushing pressure, and blood supply resumes, these leaked substances are distributed among various organs. Potassium released from the damaged muscles can upset the hearts rhythm causing cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. The leaked contents like myoglobin a type of muscle protein can damage the kidneys causing renal failure which can also prove to be fatal. This is why extrication of individuals trapped beneath collapsed buildings need to be done carefully, especially if the victims were trapped for a long time.From what we have discussed so far, it is rather clear that coming out of a quake hit building alive is nothing short of a miracle.The basic rule in quake safety isThe biggest myth surrounding earthquakes is that all the buildings collapse. This is the reason why the fight/flight instinct urges people to run. Safety comes from taking quick action and finding a safe place within the first few seconds of the quake.The apt response if you are indoors is to drop, hold and cover. Drop to the floor, preferably underneath a table/floor in a safe section of the room youre in. Hold on until the shaking stops. Cover your face and head with your arms and make sure that your head is NOT the tallest thing in the room. Whatever movements that you DO undertake should only be to get to the safest place using the fewest steps.If you are outside, get away from the danger zone the area immediately outside a building. This is where the likelihood of injury is the highest by means of falling bricks, windows or architectural details. How far away is safe? If you have to look way over your head to find the top of the building, you are probably safer inside it, as you wont have enough time or mobility to move away from such a tall building when the ground beneath is shaking. If you dont have to look up very much to see the top of the building, you probably are at a safe distance. The NDMA has issued guidelines to follow in case of an earth quake.Practicing earthquake drills go a long way in ensuring safety when the need arises. Prepare yourself mentally to find those safe places in your surroundings, ensure clarity of mind, and most importantly dont panic. Even if you cant physically practice, at least visualise what you would do in case of a quake. This little exercise could probably be the difference between life and death in case of a quake where every one of those initial seconds count!Hope you found this useful. TechSpot is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust WTF?! In the latest incident of people using unconventional methods to sneak hardware past Chinese customs officials, a man has been caught trying to smuggle 84 NVMe SSDs into the country by hiding them inside an electric scooter. On March 3, customs officials at the Guangdong-Macao checkpoint became suspicious when a nervous-looking passenger pushed a Yadea KS electric scooter through the "non-declaration channel." The guards' instincts proved correct as an X-ray of the scooter showed there were objects hidden in the steering rod. When the agents took it apart, they found 84 Kingston-branded NVMe SSDs hidden inside the hollow tube. The General Administration of Customs writes that anyone who evades customs supervision by concealing, disguising, concealing, transporting, carrying, or mailing goods or articles that are subject to payment of taxes, as is the case here, will be investigated by the law. No, word on what happened to the person who used his scooter as a makeshift smuggling container, but it's unlikely to have been good. Interestingly, smuggling items into China using electric scooters isn't unusual, but people usually hide the items inside the battery compartment. Sadly for the person in this instance, the X-ray machine foiled their plans. Still, this trick is probably better than using the old-fashioned method and trying to hide 84 SSDs in an orifice. The list of different ways people have tried smuggling tech into China is a long one. Back in 2017, a woman was caught trying to get 102 iPhones past customs officers by strapping them to her body. That method is a particularly common one: a 2021 incident saw someone attach 256 CPUs, worth $123,000, to their calves and torso with plastic wrap in an attempt to evade import taxes, and one man tried to smuggle 160 CPUs and 16 folding phones by taping them to himself. Perhaps noticing that those attaching hardware to their bodies kept getting caught, a woman last year tried the more novel approach of concealing 202 Intel CPUs and nine iPhones beneath a fake pregnant belly. It didn't work. TechSpot is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust Facepalm: Just because you present something as a hypothetical scenario in a video game, it doesn't mean you won't be held accountable. A 38-year-old 4Chan user found this out the hard way after posting a death threat that targeted a Florida sheriff but used the words "in Minecraft" at the end. He was later arrested and is being extradited to face felony charges. Richard Golden posted his message to kill Mike Chitwood on 4Chan's /pol board. The sheriff has been targeted by far-right groups since he called out neo-Nazis after a group distributed anti-Semitic flyers to residents in Daytona Beach, Florida, and hung up banners on pedestrian bridges during the Daytona 500 sporting statements such as "Hitler was right." "These scumbags came to the wrong county [...] We are not going to tolerate this," Chitwood said in a press conference. "This is not about free speech. This is about violence." Following the conference, Golden posted a message on 4Chan in a thread titled 'Florida Sheriff declares war on Whites.' It read, "Just shoot Chitwood in the head and he stops being a problem. They have to find a new guy to be the problem." "But shooting Chitwood in the head solves an immediate problem permanently. Just shoot Chitwood in the head and murder him." Golden then added "in Minecraft" after the comment. As Know Your Meme explains, people add "in Minecraft" to the end of comments with the intention of removing the realm of real-world possibility from the example. One could compare it to the Simpsons' Milhouse threatening to kick someone's butt... at Nintendo. Or, going back to the nineties, saying "not" after a statement. But adding the equivalent of "jokes, lol" to the end of a death threat won't placate law enforcement. Central Florida Intelligence Exchange alerted Chitwood to the message, and detectives tracked Golden down to a New Jersey address on March 1. "Once he's extradited, he'll be housed at the happiest place on earth: the Volusia County Branch Jail," Chitwood said. You can see the video of officers arresting Golden at his mother's house in the video below. Since the arrest, Chitwood has described Golden as a marginalized member of society who spent much of his time in extremist chat rooms. Chitwood said Golden's bail would be set at $100,000. He is being charged with making written threats to kill or injure, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Thanks, Dexerto TechSpot is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust Recap: It looks to be the end of the line for NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. The mission launched on April 25, 2007, as part of the Small Explorer program (the 90th such mission since 1958). The satellite featured three science instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs) that form high above Earth in the polar regions. The satellite was put into orbit 312 miles up. Data from the long-running mission helped scientists better understand the formation of these unique clouds, also called night-shining or noctilucent clouds, and was featured in 379 peer-reviewed scientific papers over the years. AIM had a planned mission duration of just 26 months but has been operating mostly issue-free for nearly 16 years. In 2019, however, NASA noticed the satellite's batteries were starting to degrade but were still functional enough to continue to collect a significant amount of data and return it to Earth. NASA said the craft's battery has reached a point where it is no longer able to receive commands or collect data. The space agency will monitor the satellite for a two-week period and attempt to reboot it, but it isn't looking good. NASA has a history of building craft that far exceed their planned mission duration. The InSight lander, for example, was only expected to last about two years but remained active for just over four. The Ingenuity Mars helicopter, which arrived on the Red Planet along with the Perseverance rover on February 18, 2021, was designed to fly just five times during a 30-day test period. NASA wasn't even sure if controlled flight was possible on Mars, but the craft defied all expectations and has flown 47 times to date. The near-term fate of the AIM satellite wasn't mentioned, and it's unclear if NASA has the ability to bring it back down to Earth like it has with other decommissioned craft. The satellite measures roughly 1.4m x 1.1m (4 ft 7 in 3 ft 7 in) and weighs 197 kg (434 pounds). If left unaddressed, it'd add to the growing list of space junk orbiting our planet. TechSpot is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust In a nutshell: One of Sir Richard Branson's space startups is in trouble if it doesn't find new investors soon. Virgin Galactic spinoff Virgin Orbit faces insolvency after a disastrous UK launch attempt destroyed nine satellites. The company was already in financial peril since at least last year and has floundered despite a cash injection from Branson and investors worth $1.05 billion. Billionaire Richard Branson's satellite-launching startup Virgin Orbit is close to shutting its doors. In January, the company attempted to send nine satellites into low-Earth orbit. It would have been its first successful satellite launch from UK soil. However, the LauncherOne rocket crashed. The company attributed the failure to a $100 fuel filter that came loose, causing the engine to overheat and abort. The mishap destroyed the rocket's cargo, triggering ongoing investigations from the UK and the US authorities. The incident triggered an immediate 22-percent dip in Virgin Orbit's stock. Sky News notes the company was already in economic peril, with Branson's Virgin Group providing over a billion in funding including a $60 million loan in November 2022. The generous endowment came even though Virgin has only had five successful missions since its first flight in 2021. However, the cash injection still was not enough. Last week, Virgin Orbit announced it would furlough most of its staff and halt operations as it seeks further funding. The company has remained quiet about how much capital it needs to stay afloat, but it will likely go bankrupt if it does not find financing soon. It is currently working with two restructuring firms to develop a contingency plan for moving forward if it cannot gather more capital. Richard Branson's Virgin Group spun off the company from Virgin Galactic in 2017, looking to launch payloads into orbit using a rocket that piggybacks into high altitude on a modified Boeing 747 called Cosmic Girl instead of taking off from the ground. After several years of research and development, Virgin Orbit successfully launched 10 cubesats in January 2021. In December 2021, the startup underwent a SPAC merger with special-purpose acquisition company NextGen Acquisition Corp, which opened the opportunity for an initial public offering (IPO). NextGen valued Virgin Orbit at $3.7 billion before the IPO. Currently, its listed shares are worth only $217 million. The United States authorities arrested the person who is responsible for hacking the email servers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2021. FBI identified Conor Brian Fitzpatrick, also known as Pompompurin, who is connected with some of the most high-profile hacks. (Photo : MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) A crest of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is seen 03 August 2007 inside the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building in Washington, DC. Arresting the Hacker The person behind BreachForums online hacking community, Conor Brian Fitzpatrick, was arrested by the FBI last Wednesday at his home in New York and charged with allegedly access device fraud. Apart from this case, the hacker also participated in several breaches. Fitzpatrick took responsibility for hacking the email servers of the FBI in 2021 and sent out thousands of fake cybersecurity warnings from the accessed email, as per FBI Special Agent Joh Longmire. However, he was released on Thursday on a $300,000 bond, accompanied by his lawyer Benjamin Gold, who represented him in his court appearance. He has to appear in the District Court of the Eastern of Virgian on March 24th. Because of court purposes, Bleeping Computer reported that the hacker has surrendered all of his documents and will not be allowed to travel outside the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the Eastern District of Virginia until his court appearance. Aside from this, contacting witnesses, codefendants, or coconspirators is restricted by the court. Pompompurin The hacker has been a well-known hacker in a cybercriminal underground to breach other companies and sell or leak stolen data through several social media or forums. The hacker has also been a high-profile member of the RaidForums cybercrime community. Engadget reported that he also admitted to owning BreachForums at the time of his arrest and identified himself as Pompompurin. He created BreachForums after the FBI seized RaidForums, which is a similar website for hacking that sold information. Also Read: ION Trading Hit with Ransomware, FBI Now Investigating it With UK Regulators Previous Attacks Aside from this case from the FBI, The Verge reported that Pompompurin is somehow connected to other hacking controversies for the past few years, including the 2021 Robinhood attack and exposing the information of millions of users, and the leak of user handles of an email address on Twitter last November 2022. The FBI attack in 2021 was also linked to Infragard's breach, which is the FBI's information-sharing program that hopes to connect people with raising awareness regarding the physical and digital dangers to different government organizations and independent companies. He hosted several stolen data for almost 1,000 companies and websites. The forum will steal databases that disclose people's personal information like names, emails, and passwords/ After obtaining the data, the information will be offered for sale and can be used for fraud. BreachForums is also part of the DC Health breach, the healthcare marketplace used by many politicians and government officials in the country. Despite the arrest, a new post was seen on the forum and indicated that the site will remain up and running under new ownership. Related Article: FBI Seizes Hive Ransomware Gang's Servers, Takes Down its Website 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Maxell, a Japanese electronics company, is planning to mass produce the world's first high-power, all-solid-state batteries for industrial machines, according to Nikkei Asia. (Photo : Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images) TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 09: Asahi Kasei Corp. honorary fellow Akira Yoshino holds a model of a lithium-ion battery during a press conference on October 9, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. The batteries are the alternative to lithium-ion batteries used for industrial robots. These batteries contain solid electrolytes instead of liquid or polymer electrolytes that can be found in lithium-ion batteries. The all-solid-state batteries come with three times the energy density and are much safer. However, they are costlier to make, so mass production has been limited to small sizes used in wearable devices. Keeping Manufacturing Costs Down Fortunately, Maxell has found a way to keep the production of all-solid-state batteries low by using a sulfide-based model for its industrial batteries. This delivers more power compared to oxide-based batteries. The Japanese-based company will spend 2 billion yen to build its production line at a plant in Oyamazaki. They are also in talks with several makers of factory automation equipment on potential supply deals. The Use of the Batteries The new batteries will be used for articulated robots with arms that move parts on an assembly line. Maxell aims for 30 million yen in related revenue in fiscal 2030. Also Read: Hitachi Zosen Solid-State Battery Debuts in Japan- Answer for Battery-Powered Spacecraft? High Hopes for the All-Solid State Batteries Japan took an early lead in bringing lithium-ion batteries to the mass market, and now they have hopes for all-solid-state batteries. Toyota Motor and Panasonic Holdings are leading it, yet South Korea's Samsung Electronics and LG Chem are catching up fast. High-power batteries are important for electric vehicles, which are growing in popularity today. Japan's TDK and Murata Manufacturing are some of the makers of all-solid-state batteries for small devices and wearables. All-solid-state batteries are safer and more powerful than typical lithium-ion batteries. They can have higher energy density while being more resilient to heat and shock. They also have longer charge cycles and faster charge times. As the demand for electric vehicles, wearables, and other small devices increases, manufacturers are looking to all-solid-state batteries to provide longer battery life in these products. All solid-state batteries have higher energy density while also able to withstand greater temperatures and shock without damaging or depleting their charge cycles quickly. Additionally, faster charging times mean shorter periods between charges making them even more attractive for consumers who need long-lasting performance from their electronics. Overall, the all-solid-state battery technology is expected to revolutionize how we use electric vehicles and other devices. It could also have major implications for the renewable energy industry since they are more efficient and environmentally friendly. If things go according to plan, we could see a better way to power industrial robots and EVs. Related Article: Panasonic powers up with CG-320 battery: A really tiny lithium ion battery ideal for wearables 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Researchers discovered that Apple Watch could predict pain levels for patients with Sickle Cell disease. The study collected data from admitted patients from Duke University's Day Hospital between July and September 2021. (Photo : SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images) A customer inspects an Apple Watch Series 4 on display at an Apple store in Sydney on September 21, 2018. Apple Watch Predicting Pain Levels Sickle Cell disease, or SCD, occurs in a person when their red blood cells have an unusual shape. Usually, they are shaped like a sickle, which makes the blood more difficult to flow through the body. Through this, people with SCD become at risk from chronic anemia, stroke, and vas occlusive crisis. Phone Arena reported that researchers from Duke University's Day Hospital researched to understand the pain experience better and find trends and tools to predict pain from VOCs. This study also aimed to create machine learning algorithms for the watch to predict pain scores from VOC. Admitted patients from the hospital were approached and given an Apple Watch Series 3 that they needed to wear for the duration of their hospitalization. Researchers collected pain scores and vital signs from the electronic medical boards and, as per their combined data and applied machine learning models. Also Read: Apple Watch Battery Life Will Get Better in Next Upgrades, Marketing VP Says As per the data collected from the Apple Watch that includes heart rate, heart rate variability (calculated), and calories, it can be helpful for patients and doctors as it is a novel and feasible approach for its low-cost method. MyHealthApply reported that this could benefit clinicians and individuals with SCD in treating VOCs. "The strong performance of the model in all metrics validates feasibility and the ability to use data collected from a noninvasive device, the Apple Watch, to predict the pain scores during VOCs," the researchers noted. They collected 15,683 data points based on the average study participant that wore the watch for 2 hours and 17 minutes. Previously, some doctors believed that medication before the pain gets out of control is needed for the patient to prevent pain levels from rising. But through the Apple Watch and its prediction of pain levels for SCD patients, 9to5Mac reported that doctors would be much more comfortable giving patients enough medication based on the group they are experiencing. Discovering Blood Clots Just this month, it was reported that an Apple Watch just discovered a deadly disease from a man that kept tabs on his respiration rate and blood oxygen levels. Ken Counihan was alerted by his watch regarding his elevated breathers after detecting patterns or fluctuations. As he opted to go to the doctor, he was given medication for bronchitis but was notified again by his watch that his blood oxygen level was dropping. He was discovered with blood clots in both lungs. Per the doctors, he may not have woken up the following morning, but thanks to his Apple Watch, he was alerted early. Related Article: With Apple Watch, Researchers Explore New Frontiers in Heart Health 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In this week of CryptoWatch, the industry is seeing a significant probe into what is happening behind the scenes, which went unnoticed by the public and regulators for a long time. FTX, under Sam Bankman-Fried, was revealed of its lavish spending and purchases on its creditors, alongside his revised bail package. (Photo : Tech Times) There is also the Indian government's probe of money laundering, which involves cryptocurrency. Its regulators now want to get to the bottom of and solve this issue. FTX Creditors: $400,000 Worth of DoorDash Deliveries (Photo : Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) A Doordash sticker is seen on a window at Mallenche Mexican Grill in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn on December 04, 2020 in New York City. Food delivery startup DoorDash Inc is expected to raise its U.S. initial public offering up to $3.14 billion. The recent development on the FTX hearing is the publication of its creditors' list and the specific spending for each company they had businesses with. One of the most controversial and eye-catching was with DoorDash, with FTX ordering a whopping $400,000 worth of food and drinks in only two months. The company's press release detailed its former management's many egregious spendings and purchases, including its CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried. Reports claim that this excessive spending mainly was from its previous administration, despite facing the threat of bankruptcy and seeing debts pile up from different funds and entities. Read Also: CryptoWatch: Deepfake and Phishing Scams Run Amok, the Latest Prices of the Coins Sam Bankman-Fried's Team Appealing Bail (Photo : ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images) Former FTX chief executive Sam Bankman-Fried leaves Manhattan federal court, New York, January 3, 2023. - Bankman-Fried pleaded not guilty Tuesday to US criminal fraud charges over the spectacular collapse of his crypto exchange. Sam Bankman-Fried's bail was a controversial $250 million, including the former CEO being under house arrest as he was deemed a flight risk before. The executive's legal team recently made known its plans to submit a revised bail package to the courts that would properly address what SBF may be able to access or do during his house arrest time. SBF previously faced scrutiny as he was known to have used an encrypted messaging app, Signal Messenger, to contact former colleagues from Alameda Research and FTX. Judge Lewis Kaplan deemed this a violation of his bail prohibitions, considering that he avoided a jail cell for his home. Since then, SBF could only use a flip phone without internet for his communication needs. India's Probe in Crypto Money Laundering (Photo : Image from Naveed Ahmed on Unsplash) Money laundering is illegal worldwide, and many have resorted to using cryptocurrency to avoid detection and popping up on the radar of law enforcement for this case. Since cryptocurrency is decentralized, it is an ideal money laundering scheme, but India is not having it, as it is still a criminal activity to hide illicit funds. According to TechCrunch's report, the Indian government is investigating many money laundering schemes in their country, using digital currency to hide their activities. Still, this is something that the government and its regulators aim to catch, especially as there is a growing rate of money laundering involving cryptocurrency in the country. India has already seized as much as $115.5 million of laundered money on its operations. Related Article: CryptoWatch: Bitcoin Crash Follows Controversy with Silvergate, Current Prices of the Top Coin 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Google Pixel devices are facing a vulnerability as per security researchers' report, recently finding an exploit on the device's Markup tool for images and media. In this vulnerability, users who used the Markup tool to crop or remove parts of the image may be accessed by threat actors to retrieve partial parts of the photo. The researchers dubbed this vulnerability the "aCropalypse," as cropped photos may be returning to their original form, or retrieving parts of their unedited look with this bug. Google Pixel 'aCropalypse' Vulnerability on Markup Tool (Photo : Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Two security researchers centered on a significant Google Pixel vulnerability, centering on the "aCropalypse," as per Simon Aarons' latest tweet. Their recent work managed to discover an underlying problem on Pixel smartphones, as the Markup tool may be used to recover redacted or cropped information on a photo. This is extremely alarming for Pixel users who use this built-in tool, especially as their information and data may be taken by threat actors familiar with this problem present on their devices. The CVE-2023-21036 vulnerability discovered by both Aarons and David Buchanan warns users of this exploit that is present on their devices, as detailed in the latter's blog post. Aarons and Buchanan claimed that the redacted information are easily accessible and may return to its original form after running through a special code to retrieve the removed data. Read Also: Google Pixel Fold Rumors: Device Launch Coming this June, What to Expect from the New Foldable? Hackers, Data Miners may Recover Cropped Photos Future images on the Pixel are protected, but previous screenshots or photos cropped via the Markup tool may face problems in terms of data security and privacy. This information may be readily available for threat actors to work on, in recovering valuable cropped data and recovering countless of sensitive information as per the images. Google Pixel Vulnerabilities from the Past Pixel is a pillar for Android, as it gets all the latest updates and features from Google to bring the smartphone OS experience for all. One of the previous problems on the Pixel with Android is with the Android 13 OS version where users cannot connect or access RCS for their messaging needs via Mobile Data. There were also several vulnerabilities on the Play Store for all Android devices now, leveraging the fame and significance of ChatGPT in the present. Many developers who hide malware on apps use ChatGPT's name to bring applications that hide malware, and this would only be active once it is downloaded and installed on the device, also allowing access to their smartphones. Google Pixel is first and foremost, an Android device, and it would also have the similar vulnerabilities present here, making it a significant problem for users. The recent Markup tool's vulnerability may be damaging for users, especially in cropping information about their payment details, personal information, and other sensitive data should it not be addressed immediately. Related Article: This Google Pixel Watch Bug Will Force Users to Double-Set their Alarms 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. With the recent advances in video and photography technology, it's no surprise that Sony is looking to strengthen its position in the market. The company's latest announcement regarding the Sony ZV-E1 - its first full-frame E-series vlog camera - proves it is committed to delivering the best products to its customers. The Highly Anticipated Sony ZV-E1: An Ultra-Portable Full-Frame Vlog Camera According to the story by Sparrows News, the Sony ZV-E1 is one of the most highly anticipated cameras of the year, and with good reason. This full-frame vlog camera is set to pack many features into a sleek and highly portable package. Expected to be based on the Sony A7S3, the ZV-E1 is set to feature a 12-megapixel sensor, 409k ISO, 4K video at both 60 and 120 frames per second, and an autofocus system borrowed from the A7R V, which is known for its powerful capabilities, as seen in an article by Sony Alpha Rumors. Unpacking the Design of the Sony ZV-E1 Vlogging Camera The upcoming Sony ZV-E1 looks set to become the go-to full-frame vlogging camera for ambitious vloggers and content creators. Combining impressive features from Sony's A7R V and A7S3 cameras, the ZV-E1 looks to make vlogging easier and more professional. The design of the camera is the first thing that stands out. The camera has a big back wheel, a red REC button on its top, and a smaller button on the side to switch between front and back focus. A video by Connor McCaskill on Youtube shows the top things buyers can expect from the camera. Outstanding Autofocus Capabilities from Sony's A7R V Camera The grip on the ZV-E1 is reported to be larger than its predecessor, the ZV-1, which should make it easier to use. The Sony ZV-E1 is expected to also feature impressive AF technology from Sony's A7R V camera, making it a great choice for vloggers who want reliable autofocus capabilities. This camera is said to have even better detection capabilities than the A7R V, meaning it should do an even better job of tracking subjects accurately. The camera will also be based on the A7S3 and share the same 12-megapixel sensor, thus ensuring high-quality images. AI-Powered Photography: Unleashing the Power of the Sony ZV-E1 Movie shooters will be happy with the ZV-E1's capability of shooting 4K video at 60 and 120 frames per second with no crop. This should be great for slow-motion shots. Perhaps the most exciting feature of the Sony ZV-E1 is its new AI-based features. Although no specific details have been released yet, vloggers can look forward to improved capabilities thanks to AI-powered photography. The only potential downside to the ZV-E1 would be the reported overheating issue, which could be solved in the final version. Read Also: Upcoming iPhone 15 To Get 'State of the Art' Image Sensors From Sony-New Camera Upgrade? A Hefty Price Tag for Professional Features The Sony ZV-E1 looks like a promising vlogging camera that combines features from Sony's top models, offering excellent autofocus capabilities, great low-light, and slow-motion performance, and much more. All this comes at a hefty price tag of around $2,500, but for vloggers needing a full-frame camera with professional features, the ZV-E1 could be a worthwhile investment. Related Article: Photographic Styles Is the Best Hidden Camera Upgrade for iPhones: How To Choose Best Style for You 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Smuggling goods across the border without paying customs duties is an increasingly common and extremely illegal activity, particularly in China. Despite the potential consequences and risks, instances of smuggling continue to occur, sometimes with very odd methods. The Chinese Customs Department's Increase on Detection and Punishment of Smuggling Attempts According to the story by Tom's Hardware, it goes without saying that attempting to smuggle goods into any country is a serious offense that can have serious consequences. But it becomes even more serious with China, as the country's customs agencies are constantly on the lookout for even the slightest attempts at illegally entering goods. The Chinese customs department posted the incident on its WeChat page. China's Strict Security Measures Stop Smuggling Attempt of 84 Kingston-branded NVMe SSDs As also reported in an article by WCCF Tech, the recent attempt to smuggle 84 Kingston-branded NVMe SSDs into China is a testament to the strength of the Chinese government's security measures. The man probably thought he could fool customs officials, but the x-ray machine caught him in the act. These recent attempts to smuggle hardware into China highlight the immense profitability of such operations. According to Pricing, an international price comparison website, Kingston's SSDs used in the latest smuggling attempt are sold up to 16% higher in mainland China than in other countries such as the United States and Germany. Tightening Customs Control and Higher Penalties for Smuggling This difference in pricing is a huge incentive for thieves, as it increases their potential profits significantly. The Chinese government is no longer tolerating smuggling of any kind, especially regarding electronic goods. The steady influx of smuggled goods has hurt China's production, and the smuggling has to be curbed if the country wants to continue progressing with its self-reliance goals. As such, the government has tightened customs control and imposed harsher punishments for those caught. Possible Punishments for Smuggling Electronic Goods into China Trying to smuggle electronic goods into China is absolutely inadvisable, as the odds are not in your favor. Possible punishments for such actions include fines, confiscation of the goods in question, or even imprisonment. On top of that, smuggled goods may also lack the necessary certifications and quality assurance, putting users at risk of receiving sub-par products. To reiterate our advice, don't even consider smuggling electronics into China. Read Also: FBI Arrests BreachForum Owner for Hacking Agency's Email Servers in 2021 Zero-Tolerance Policy on Smuggling in China The risk of getting caught far outweighs the potential rewards, and significant punishments are in place to deter such activities. Anyone who infringes on China's customs laws is only putting themselves in a difficult situation. These cases demonstrate the lengths some are willing to go to smuggle goods into China without paying customs duties. However, attempting to avoid paying taxes on goods can have serious legal and financial implications. China has a zero-tolerance policy regarding smuggling, and those caught engaging in such activities are liable to face harsh punishments. It's important to remember that any form of smuggling, no matter the goods or the method, is a criminal offense that could have financial and legal ramifications. Related Article: Huawei Redesigns 13,000 Components, 4,000 Circuit Boards to Bypass US Sanctions 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) recently announced its plan to build the world's largest spokeless Ferris wheel, Seoul Ring, at Haneul Park in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu. Gateway to Seoul The city has been exploring various locations since October 2021, including Nodeul Island, Yeouido Park, Jamsil, and Haneul Park. But after a thorough assessment, Haneul Park was selected as the site for the Ferris wheel due to its accessibility, neighboring tourism infrastructure, view, landmark, and balanced development. Haneul Park is a significant symbol for the country since it serves as a gateway to Seoul and a unified Korea. Geographically, the park is also near North Korea, emphasizing the unification and harmony of the Korean people. Visitors to Haneul Park can take in expansive views of Namsan Mountain, Bukhansan Mountain, downtown Seoul, the Hangang River, and more. Using cutting-edge technology, Seoul Ring will abandon the conventional spoked Ferris wheel design in favor of an aesthetically superior spokeless version. To assure building safety and structural integrity, the city sought advice from domestic and foreign specialists in architecture and engineering. Read Also: Saudi Arabia's 'The Line' Will Be A 75-Mile-Long Mirror Skyscrapers, and It's Taller Than The Empire State Building! Nanjido's Significance in Korean History The city envisions Seoul Ring to be more than a place to have fun; it will also house a cultural center where guests can learn about Nanjdo's significance in the country's history. Furthermore, the Ferris wheel will offer several festivals, cultural and tourism-related materials, programs, and a gathering space. The SMG plans to build Seoul Ring based on cutting-edge and eco-friendly technologies in line with its philosophy to pursue a resilient and sustainable environment in response to climate change. A Ferris wheel will be erected on the site of the former landfill as a symbol of the circular economy and climate action for both people and the environment. The Seoul Ring is expected to be completed by 2025 and will serve as the city's new landmark that enhances its global position and urban competitiveness while revitalizing the local economy. Along with the commercial sector, the city intends to keep creating more innovative and imaginative designs. With an emphasis on sustainable development and inter-Korean reconciliation, Seoul Ring is an important development for the city, giving tourists a fresh perspective on Seoul's beauty. The spokeless construction and cutting-edge technology of the Ferris wheel reflects the city's dedication to advancement and innovation. Visitors will have a distinctive and informative experience that underscores the importance of Nanjido in Korean history at the cultural complex that Seoul Ring will offer. Related Article: South Korea is Now Part of 'Chip 4,' But Reportedly No Export Restrictions to China, A Known US Rival 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NASA's AIM (Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere) mission is wrapping up. According to the agency, it is ending operational support for the spacecraft due to a battery power failure. (Photo : by Alex Wong/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 14: Atmospheric Physicist at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Caroline Nowlan speaks during a news briefing on NASAs TEMPO instrument at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on March 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. In 2019, NASA noticed issues with the spacecraft's battery, yet its probe was still sending a significant amount of data back to Earth. Now, AIM has become unresponsive, which is why its mission is ending after 15 years. NASA's AIM NASA's AIM was launched in 2007 to study noctilucent or night-shining clouds that can last hundreds of years in the Earth's atmosphere. The mission was only designed to operate up in the skies for two years, but it has provided data for many groundbreaking studies. The spacecraft observed how these clouds changed in response to climate change, solar storms, and other environmental events. It also helped scientists better understand the role of the mesosphere- the region of the Earth's atmosphere located between the stratosphere and the thermosphere- in the Earth's climate system. Despite the battery power failure, the mission has been a major success for NASA. The data collected by AIM has been used to understand better how the Earth's atmosphere works and has been used in many scientific studies. AIM has also made major advancements in our understanding of mesospheric winds and their impacts on atmospheric chemistry. The spacecraft's observations have been used to develop a better picture of how these high-altitude winds interact with air pollutants, including ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. This knowledge can help us understand the circulation patterns throughout the atmosphere as well as how pollution is transported around the globe. The data collected by AIM was also instrumental in developing new models for climate change prediction that incorporate changes in surface temperature due to cloud cover from noctilucent clouds into global forecasts. These advanced models are essential tools for predicting future weather conditions more accurately than ever before. Also read: Antarctica Glows Blue: NASA AIM Observes Early Noctilucent Cloud Season Over Southern Hemisphere What's Next? While the AIM mission may be over, the data and knowledge gained will help NASA move forward with new missions and research. The spacecraft's data will continue to be used to improve our understanding of Earth's atmosphere and can be used to help develop more accurate climate change models. In addition, the AIM mission has opened the door to further exploration of the mesosphere and other data-gathering projects. The AIM team will stay vigilant for two weeks, watching for any indication that the spacecraft has restarted and is sending out a message. Researchers at NASA continue their search for noctilucent clouds by utilizing ground-based instruments, including cameras mounted aboard airplanes or telescopes located near mountain tops - allowing them greater access than ever before when it comes to understanding this rare phenomenon above Earth's mesosphere layer! Related article: New NASA Missions To Send Robotic Probes To Study Mysterious Asteroids In The Solar System 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This aerial photo taken on Jan. 18, 2023 shows vehicles waiting for shipment at Yantai Port in Yantai, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng) 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." 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." A man works in the workshop of an electronic company in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, on Feb. 2, 2023.(Xinhua/Mu Yu) 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." An employee works on a tunnel boring machine at a workshop of China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd. (CREG) in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 24, 2022. (Xinhua) 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) [To listen also to revise the Bac or the Patent] Discover the story of the most famous Cuban revolutionary of the twentieth century, Fidel Castro, told by historian Virginie Girod in two new episodes. Cuba's charismatic leader has held power for nearly 50 years. In the 1950s, the young communist led the revolution in Cuba between 1953 and 1959. He then became one of the pivots of the Cold War in a world polarized between the United States and the USSR. A communist militant deeply attached to the independence of his island, Fidel Castro set up a ferocious armed struggle aimed at overthrowing the dictatorial regime of Fulgencio Batista in 1953. An extraordinary politician, communication specialist and barometer of relations between the United States and the USSR, Fidel Castro became the epicenter of a world polarized between two superpowers. Rural Sourcing opened temporary offices in Fuqua Hardware Building at the corner of Third and Laurel streets in early 2022. The company, which announced Monday it is changing its name to Sparq, has struggled to find employees. UBS was initially reluctant to take on a bank with a very different and, in the time available, difficult-to-assess risk profile to its own. It would also have been very aware that acquiring Credit Suisse would make UBS a bank really too big to fail, ensuring far more intrusive regulation and probably tougher capital and liquidity requirements which is what has now transpired from Swiss regulators acutely conscious that they will soon have one dominant bank with a balance sheet worth multiples the size of its economy. UBS will now probably be the most intensely supervised bank on the planet. What the chain of events has demonstrated is that trust in banks is fragile, and that even a well-regulated bank like Credit Suisse can be completely destabilised and forced to the brink of failure by the aftershocks of trust lost elsewhere. Yet UBS own self-interest in avoiding the global financial crisis that would have been triggered by a collapse of Credit Suisse, a crisis whose epicentre would have been its own home base of Switzerland, helped convince it to join the authorities in a rescue of its rival. As the only obvious saviour of Credit Suisse, and the Swiss economy and financial system, it has driven a hard bargain. Initially, it offered a meagre 25 francs for shares that last traded at 186 francs, but was convinced to up its offer to an all-share offer equivalent to 76 francs per Credit Suisse share, with the Swiss government and central bank guaranteeing 100 billion francs liquidity support for each of the banks and taking on a second-tranche 9 billion franc exposure to any losses UBS incurs from taking on Credit Suisses riskier assets. UBS said its first loss exposure was significant, but that the limited nature of the due diligence it had been able to undertake of Credit Suisses long-dated derivatives and other complex exposures warranted the insurance from the government. The offer values Credit Suisses equity at about $4.85 billion, but appears to completely wipe out the value of about $25 billion of the banks additional tier one bonds (the post-financial-crisis unsecured securities known as perpetual contingent convertible bonds, or Cocos, designed to converted into equity or completely written off if a bank gets into serious strife). Given that the banks market capitalisation on Friday was close to $12 billion as recently as the start of last month it was about $22 billion and three years ago closer to $86 billion shareholders and bondholders have taken a massive hit from a deal they will have no say in. For UBS, the governments back-stopping and limiting of any losses it might experience, the wipe out of the Coco bonds and the valuation of Credit Suisses equity, largely de-risk the deal. It will emerge with more than $2.2 trillion of assets under management and about $7.5 trillion of total assets and says it expects to generate annual run-rate cost reductions of more than $12 billion by 2027. Loading The risky part of the process for UBS will be how it manages down and de-risks the tricky businesses within Credit Suisses investment banking division. UBS has its own investment banking operations, but indicated it will essentially shut down the Credit Suisse counterpart over time. The Swiss governments guarantee at least caps its potential losses, although it didnt disclose the level of that cap. Swiss government ministers and bank regulators speaking at the press conference made it clear that the crisis unfolding in Switzerland was being closely monitored by their counterparts in the rest of the world because of the risk that a Credit Suisse failure could spread contagion throughout the global system. If the failure of a couple of banks in the US with combined assets of less than $450 billion could spark major tremors in bond and equity markets, runs on other smaller banks in the US and a crisis in a bank of global systemic importance, then the failure of that globally significant bank could have created another global financial crisis. What the chain of events over the past week has demonstrated is that trust in banks is fragile, and that even a well-regulated bank like Credit Suisse, with the onerous capital and liquidity requirements and intrusive supervision that banks of global systemic importance attract, can be completely destabilised and forced to the brink of failure by the aftershocks of trust lost elsewhere. Whether the intervention and actions by the Swiss authorities, with UBS and its balance sheets help, are sufficient to prevent any further contagion wont be clear for days, if not weeks. Whether the dramatic intervention and actions by the Swiss authorities, with UBS and its balance sheets help, are sufficient to prevent any further contagion from the events of the past week wont be clear for days, if not weeks. The flood of cash out of the regional banks in the US that the Silicon Valley and Signature bank failures kindled appears to have slowed, and now the fate of the most exposed of the international mega banks has been resolved. The surge in US bond yields that helped exacerbate the fears around banks by piling up the unrealised losses on securities that the smaller US banks (which dont mark their assets to market) might need to sell to meet a run on deposits has also receded. Just weeks ago, they were bit players in the giant US banking system. Now, a handful of regional lenders are at the heart of a crisis thats shaken the country and engaged the likes of Warren Buffett and Jamie Dimon. At the last tally in the rapidly evolving turmoil, one of the two collapsed lenders remained for sale while the fate of a third bank looked increasingly bleak. Billionaire investor Buffett was in touch with the Biden administration about potentially providing aid, while smaller banks and lawmakers demanded that the government offer more protection for customer deposits. Berkshire Hathaways Warren Buffett has been in discussions with the Biden administration over the stability of US regional banks. Credit: Bloomberg The continued upheaval despite regulators efforts to contain it came amid another wrenching moment in banking: UBS Group agreed buy Credit Suisse Group after a crisis of confidence at the stricken lender. While that deal ends a week of intense speculation over the Swiss banks fate, the prospects for Americas regional banks remain uncertain. This is going to be pretty bumpy going forward, Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic adviser at Allianz and a Bloomberg opinion columnist, said. People are doing something that probably is not rational but is totally understandable theyre moving deposits. That dynamic isnt going to stop overnight, neither are the losses that are being incurred. Margo Lewers, the interior designer and abstract artist credited with introducing Bauhaus concepts to Australia in the 1930s and 40s, loved colour and lived a colourful life including transforming her house into a Bohemian paradise that was regularly frequented by high-profile artists, such as author Patrick White. Despite having no formal art qualifications when she left school, in 1935 she began a thriving business decorating hand-made ceramics, printing textiles, and then producing furniture through her shop Notanda Gallery, in Rowe Street, once Sydneys design Mecca. From this week Penrith Regional Gallery, home of The Lewers Bequest, will host an exhibition of the art and life of Margo Lewers (19081978), and launch a book No Limits, with insights from her daughters on the story of one of the nations best 20th century Modernist artists. When Lewers and her sculptor husband Gerald Lewers moved from Cremorne to Emu Plains in 1952, to have more space to create art they became known as the bohemians on the river. Advertisement FoodRecipes Nagi Maehashi is here to keep your cooking on budget Callan Boys March 21, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share For Nagi Maehashi, best-selling author and founder of food website RecipeTin Eats, cooking to a budget is more front of mind than ever. If I publish a recipe that uses a more expensive cut of meat such as lamb rack, one of the most common questions I now get is How can I adapt this using something cheaper? she says. Ive never received that question more than I have lately. Maehashi at home with her golden retriever, Dozer. James Brickwood Mince and vegetarian recipes have more online traffic than a couple of years ago as people look for different ways to get their protein.Less fish, less prawns. Certainly less gourmet roasts, says Maehashi. With more than 330 million online visitors a year to RecipeTin Eats, Maehashi knows a thing or two about what Australians are cooking. Shes also been writing recipes for Good Food since 2019, and today celebrates the launch of the new Good Food website with the announcement of a weekly column aimed at helping Australians cook smarter (and faster). Advertisement Maehashi might not be a household name quite like Jamie or Nigella yet, but the self-taught cook from Sydneys Northern Beaches is fast approaching that stratosphere. When her recipe book, Dinner, was published in October, it became the highest-selling title ever by a debut Australian author in its first week. Nagi Maehashi of RecipeTin Eats will come to the rescue with her new weekly SOS column. James Brickwood It was very unexpected, says Maehashi. I never set out to be famous! Im still happy just going to Woollies in my daggy outfits. With working families experiencing the highest cost of living rises in more than two decades, and increasing requests for more easy-to-cook meals Maehashi came up with the idea of a new SOS recipe series. Advertisement We didnt need convincing, says Good Food national editor Ardyn Bernoth. Maehashis new weekly column will feature a recipe that can feed four people for less than $20, or can be made in less than 30 minutes with fewer than 12 ingredients. She hopes it will encourage more people to ditch overpriced heat-and-eat style dinners too. Its shocking to see all those pre-prepared meals taking over fridges at my local supermarkets, says Maehashi. Theyre horrific. I bought a couple to see what the fuss was all about, and they were even less tasty than I expected. There are so many better meals you can make in 15 minutes on a Tuesday night instead. The SOS Series is one of 10 regular new columns kicking off this week in Good Food as the brand launches a redesigned website, now fully integrated with The Age and the Herald, as well as the Brisbane Times and WAtoday. Advertisement Adam Liaws Australian bolognese, the first in his 10-part series of dishes everyone should master. William Meppem Regular contributor Adam Liaw will provide game-changing tips throughout the course of a 10 dishes everyone should master series; globetrotting chef Curtis Stone is set to update old favourites with his new Classics with Curtis column; and MasterChef Australia winner Emelia Jackson joins the lineup with new column Better Baking. Were also very happy to report the site search function and navigation have been enhanced, and content will now be targeted to a subscribers location, says Good Food digital editor Andrea McGinniss. Bernoth notes that Good Food remains Australias home of the hats with the nations most respected restaurant reviews, and the Good Food Guide published annually in NSW and Victoria. Our expanded coverage will relate to all budgets, however, with new columns such as Everyday Eats shining a light on suburban restaurants offering two courses for $40 or less. Its going to be a big year and a new era for Good Food. Were thrilled. Nagi Maehashi's six tips to make your budget-conscious cooking even better Fish sauce. It can be quite pungent straight from the bottle, but once you cook that aroma off, the fishiness goes away and you can get great flavour with just a few drops. Add to things like a meaty pasta sauce. Shrimp paste is good too. I love all the funky smelling stuff. It can be quite pungent straight from the bottle, but once you cook that aroma off, the fishiness goes away and you can get great flavour with just a few drops. Add to things like a meaty pasta sauce. Shrimp paste is good too. I love all the funky smelling stuff. Wine. I use a lot of wine in my cooking because it adds instant complexity, even if youre just deglazing the pan after sealing meat. Throw in some wine, a knob of butter, and youve got a sauce. I use a lot of wine in my cooking because it adds instant complexity, even if youre just deglazing the pan after sealing meat. Throw in some wine, a knob of butter, and youve got a sauce. Taste as you go. One of the biggest cooking mistakes I see is people not tasting the food until its time to eat. If youre not tasting your dish while its cooking, and adding spices and seasonings as needed, theres so much potential the flavour will turn out bland and wrong. One of the biggest cooking mistakes I see is people not tasting the food until its time to eat. If youre not tasting your dish while its cooking, and adding spices and seasonings as needed, theres so much potential the flavour will turn out bland and wrong. Salt. Speaking of seasoning, have salt next to your stove or workbench at all times so it reminds you to add a pinch here and there. Youll know when to stop when it suddenly tastes good. Ive never had salt on the dinner table because, by that point, you shouldnt need it. Speaking of seasoning, have salt next to your stove or workbench at all times so it reminds you to add a pinch here and there. Youll know when to stop when it suddenly tastes good. Ive never had salt on the dinner table because, by that point, you shouldnt need it. Good oil. An instant way to become a better cook is by spending a bit more money on a great extra virgin olive oil (and some good vinegar if you can swing it) which you can use to dress salad and finish dishes. Just dont use that oil to cook and fry things buy the cheaper stuff for that. An instant way to become a better cook is by spending a bit more money on a great extra virgin olive oil (and some good vinegar if you can swing it) which you can use to dress salad and finish dishes. Just dont use that oil to cook and fry things buy the cheaper stuff for that. Stock up. I cant resist a discount. If you saw my pantry, you would be horrified. Who needs seven jars of sun-dried tomatoes? But when somethings half-price, and I know Im going to use it, then I dont hold back. Bottle shop worker stabbed to death in Darwin Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss At a time when history has become such a driver of politics, from the toppling of statues to the wistful nationalism of Brexit to Vladimir Putins push to become a modern-day Peter the Great, there is also a reluctance to revisit the immediate past. How little we talk of the coronavirus any more, a once-in-a-century pandemic that paralysed much of the planet and led Australia, three years ago, to shut its borders. Scott Morrison favoured Australian-flag masks during the more challenging days of the pandemic. Credit: AAP Even though more Australians died from COVID-19 in 2022 than the previous two years combined, it no longer features prominently in the national conversation. The Albanese government still has not convened a royal commission, despite a commitment to do so. Healthcare professionals who have called for the COVID national memorial, a place both of remembrance and reflection, have made little headway. Falls Creek tourism operators are confident this years ski season will go ahead, but say it will take several years to recover from a landslide that left them stranded during the lucrative summer tourist season. Businesses and residents have endured a nightmarish summer of isolation in the alpine resort since the slow-moving landslide the largest in Victorias recent history buried a large section of the Bogong High Plains Road in October. The landslide at Falls Creek has been a calamity for businesses. Credit: Jason South Major Road Projects Victoria expects to reopen one lane of the Bogong High Plains Road by April 25, although it is not yet clear whether both lanes will be operational in time for winter. Falls Creek Alpine Resort chief operating officer Stuart Smythe said the tentative date for reopening the road had given businesses confidence the ski season would proceed. A wave of late-night venues could pour into Melbourne this year after a 15-year ban on new licences for serving alcohol after 1am is lifted in a few months. The City of Melbourne will consider a review of its planning policy on Tuesday night as it prepares for the state government to end the late-night liquor licence freeze on July 1. Alex Blanco of the Pullman hotel at the venues newly opened rooftop bar, Blossom. Credit: Eddie Jim Penny Miles, chair of Melbournes nighttime economy advisory committee or the night mayor said the end of the freeze was a huge opportunity to get the city pumping through the night. Miles said hospitality businesses were gearing up to apply for late-night licences. UNSW Chancellor and high-profile businessman David Gonski has backed the Coalitions election promise of a future fund for all children, revealing he was consulted on the schemes design by Premier Dominic Perrottet in January and gave it his approval. Gonski, who was famously commissioned by the Rudd government to review the school funding system, said a nest egg would help young people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds attend university, TAFE or other training. UNSW chancellor David Gonski says the Perrottet governments election promise of a kids future fund is a good idea. Credit: Eamon Gallagher Often politicians look at that and say, Oh well, we will help them with HECS. That doesnt help much at all, Gonski said. The real problem for people who dont have a lot of assets behind them is not the future payment of student debt, but rather the payment of the expenses of living, of IT expenses, of transport and even eating while theyre at university. Pesutto said Keen-Minshull had previously shared platforms with white supremacists and Deeming should have been aware of those associations. Moira Deeming has had an association with people to organise the rally along with her assistance, who have shared platforms with viewpoints with people who promote Nazi views or sympathies. Thats the first thing, Pesutto said. Second, Ms Deeming stayed at the rally when the Nazis arrived. Thirdly, having seen the ugly scenes and having had an opportunity to disown and dissociate from those very people, Ms Deeming chose to celebrate [with organisers], as evidenced on social media. Deeming had actively promoted and addressed the event. She said none of the organisers were involved with the men making Nazi salutes on the steps of Parliament. The Let Women Speak event saw a number of women injured by the extreme left counter-protestors who infiltrated the event, Deeming said. Dozens of people from neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Network attended the rally on Saturday. Credit: Chris Hopkins I was assaulted and injured, along with multiple other women, including one who was taken to hospital after being knocked unconscious. They also became violent with police and punched police horses, forcing the event to finish early. I condemn their actions. 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 Nazi salute and holding up a sign with offensive anti-trans language. On Saturday night, Deeming tweeted that police should have stopped the masked men from doing the salutes who terrified the anti-trans rights groups. The Liberal leader met with Deeming for about 90 minutes on Sunday. Sources close to Deeming said she believed her potential expulsion was because of her anti-trans views. They said she has no interest in joining another party. Moira Deeming speaking at an anti-trans rights rally at Parliament House on Saturday. Credit: Youtube Federal MPs have contacted her offering their support but state MPs accused her of not being part of the team. Prominent Indigenous leader Nyunggai Warren Mundine slammed the decision to try and expel Deeming and said he would be advocating on her behalf. The former president of the ALP, who later stood as a Liberal, describe the motion as madness. The allegation shes fraternising with Nazis is absurd, he told The Age. I can see why the Liberal Party struggles to win elections its fallen into the same old trap. They need a backbone. He said he was completely ropeable by the decision and calls Deeming a friend. Nyunggai Warren Mundine has defended Liberal MP Moira Deeming. Credit: Facebook The Age has spoken to several sources that confirmed Deeming went to the meeting not believing she would be expelled. Earlier this month, Deeming had actively promoted the event and spoke about it in the upper house, where she represents the Western Metropolitan Region. Asked why nobody in the leadership team including Georgie Crozier and Matt Bach, who lead the opposition in the upper house had raised concerns about her involvement before Saturday, Pesutto said he could not babysit the activities of every MP. He said he was a strong supporter of free speech but that did not include hate speech and Deemings expulsion was necessary to make the Liberal Party an effective opposition in a position to govern in 2026. Moira Deeming faces being booted from the Liberals after a move by party leader John Pesutto. Credit: Facebook Im not here to say that people cant have different views. Im here to say it will never be acceptable in this state of Victoria, as a member of the Liberal Party, to associate with anyone who is connected with or shared platforms with Nazis, white supremacists, ethno-nationalists, or whatever other odious agenda someone wishes to spout, Pesutto said. We need to take these strong, decisive steps to show that we will never support and that we will always oppose anything that is hateful or liable to incite. I intend to fight the unjust motion to expel me from the parliamentary Liberal Party, she said in a statement. I condemn the actions of the masked men in black who were later identified as neo-Nazis, who gate-crashed the Let Women Speak event. Pesutto moved against Deeming for promoting the event and attending a post-rally karaoke night with the organiser, who, he argues, has shared platforms with white supremacists. In an interview with a far-right media outlet on Sunday, Keen-Minshull threatened Pesutto with a defamation claim. About 20 people from neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Network attended to support Keen-Minshull, held up a sign with offensive anti-trans language and repeatedly performed Nazi salutes, prompting the government to strengthen its anti-vilification laws. On Monday, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes condemned the behaviour at the protest as disgraceful and cowardly, and confirmed the government would expand its legislation banning Nazi symbols to include the Nazi salute. Symes said this would probably take months. The Liberal Party has been at a crossroads over social issues as it struggles to bridge the internal divide between its socially liberal and conservative members, and bring the party back to the centre of mainstream Australia. After wresting the leadership late last year by one vote, Pesutto vowed to appeal to modern Victoria and lead an inclusive Liberal Party that, no matter what your background, the Liberal Party I lead will always be a voice for you. Moira Deeming with activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull. Credit: Twitter Deeming last year won preselection for a safe spot on the Western Metropolitan Region upper house ticket, with the backing of the Moderate faction of the Liberal Party. Her views on transgender rights have been well canvassed since her preselection, but Deeming insisted on Monday that the values espoused at the Let Women Speak event were mainstream and global. She said she was horrified to see masked men inside the buffer zone, and thought they were going to attack her, adding she completely rejected the beliefs of the National Socialist Network. Loading While attending an event focused on womens rights, a small minority hijacked the top of Bourke and Spring St and performed the infamous salute that tarnished the good intentions of the majority. Our shared Liberal traditions ensure robust freedom of thought and speech in our pluralist society but not at the cost of public order and/or an incitement to violence such as this. Deeming claimed counter-protesters supporting trans rights were themselves violent and condemned the extreme left. The Let Women Speak event saw a number of women injured by the extreme left counterprotesters who infiltrated the event, she said in a statement. There are Liberal MPs who, on principle, oppose the move to expel her, saying Deeming is entitled to her views as long as she expresses them respectfully. They said they had not seen any evidence that directly tied her to neo-Nazis. Several federal MPs told The Age there was a frantic text exchange on Sunday night, with some MPs fearful the expulsion motion would cause a distraction from the Aston byelection and could hurt the partys chances of holding the conservative outer-suburban seat. But others say expelling Deeming would be a line in the sand moment to be an inclusive and reasonable party of government. The leadership team made up of Pesutto, David Southwick, Georgie Crozier and Matt Bach were incensed by Deemings actions before, during and after the rally, particularly her failure to leave once neo-Nazis arrived, and later celebrating with rally organisers and participating in conversations in which Keen-Minshull devolved into conspiracy theories about the identities of the men. Pesutto said Keen-Minshull had previously shared platforms with white supremacists and Deeming should have been aware of those associations. Her planned expulsion, he said, was not about restricting free speech, but denouncing the actions of a Liberal MP who associated with people whose views were abhorrent to his, the partys and the wider communitys values. I had an apartment straight away and had to change the kids schools while hiding our address, she says. Sarah sent her children to school in Tokyo and then went back to pick up as many clothes as she could in baskets while her husband slept. Within hours, she had told police she was removing the children and taking them to a secret location. It was either that or have that done to me and I could never see the kids again, she says. Sarah - who asked to be identified by a pseudonym to protect her childrens welfare - was already alarmed after her husband set up separate bank accounts. The final clue set off a chain of events that would lead the Australian mother to abduct her own children. Sarah found a bundle of documents between pillows on a couch. They contained details of grounds for divorce in Japans legal system, which gives one divorced parent sole custody of the couples children. Not feeding the kids was one of them. Tokyo: The first time Australian mum Sarah realised something was amiss was when her Japanese husband suddenly started making food for the kids. The whiteboard in the kitchen had a message scrawled across it: heres your breakfast for the morning. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. The parent left behind has limited enforced visitation rights, or ability to see where their children are going to school, leading human rights groups to describe Japan as a black hole of international child abduction. In Japan, one parent has control over their childs future after separation, including their education, healthcare and housing. Custody is regularly given to the parent who was last with the child, often regardless of their circumstances or ability to care for the kids after the end of a relationship. All of them had their children taken from them before they realised what was happening. The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and 60 Minutes on Sunday revealed dozens of Australian parents and children have become the victims of c hild abduction in Japan . At least 82 Australian children have disappeared since 2004, never to be seen by their Australian parent again. Sarah considers herself lucky. She is the only known Australian parent to have won the parental abduction race in Japan. What have I done wrong to deserve not being able to have what everybody else takes for granted? asks Henderson. Its devastating, frustrating and upsetting. It just never ends. Henderson, 51, a Melbourne mother of two, has spent the past four years campaigning for changes to Japans century-old system, joining class actions and pulling together hundreds of parents from across the world grappling with similar situations. Her two children, then aged 10 and 14, were suddenly abducted in April 2019 by her husband. She has not been able to talk to them since. Melbourne mother Catherine Henderson has been fighting to get access to her two children since 2019. Credit:Ikkei Ben Suzuki I was totally oblivious, she says. It was only because Catherine Henderson went through what she went through that I turned out OK. Sarah says she had no idea about Japans sole custody system until she found the divorce papers inside the couch. Im giving him access to the children, says Sarah. They can see him whenever they like, but I dont think it would have been the same if it was reversed. The Japanese government defends the system by arguing it protects women in vulnerable situations like Sarah, but she says she is burdened by the massive guilt of being forced into a race to take her kids. COVID-19 had largely sealed Japans borders and its visa system. Unlike many other parents, Rowat, who was then based in London, had a handful of visitation dates with his 15-year-old and 12-year-old kids in Tokyo but feared contact would be cut off if he did not make it to Japan. Canadian father Colin Rowat (second from left) sailed from Vladivostok to Fukuoka to see his children in Japan. Hundreds of other parents are fighting, too. Canadian Colin Rowat travelled 12,000 kilometres by air through a gauntlet of pandemic border closures and then 1000 kilometres by sea in the middle of typhoon season to try to see his kids in Tokyo. I dont know how Catherine has done the things she has done. I probably would have curled up and died. Hopefully one day Catherines kids can look at her and say, look at what mum did, she really fought for me. What a crazy system, says Sarah. When I spoke to Catherine for the first time on the phone she told me: I dont want you to be in the same position that I am. Henderson told Sarah to sign a document at the district court that meant she could not be divorced without her knowledge. The divorce would have allowed her husband to apply for sole custody. So I used my UK residency to get into Russia, from which I could sail to Japan, which in theory, I could get into as a Canadian, he says. So I carpet-bomb every yacht club in Vladivostok. Eventually, a guy writes to me on his Yahoo account and says, I might be able to help you out. He found me a yacht at the Seven Foot Yacht Club. Vladivostok, the former Russian military outpost, lies 1000 kilometres north of Japan. It also has a burgeoning sailing scene. Fortunately for Rowat in mid-2021, Russia had started issuing tourist visas for residents of three countries: Tanzania, Turkey and the United Kingdom. So I had to spend two weeks in no country, he says. What I needed to do is find the jurisdiction to which I could get to in the first place from which I could sail. Now the 50-year-old just needed to spend two weeks in a country that had not been banned by Japan. But none of those countries had flights to Tokyo. Rowat pulled apart Japans border entry rules and found a loophole. Japan had stopped issuing visas to citizens of all but seven countries, one of which happened to be Canada. I was clinging on to this relationship, says Rowat. One finger gets broken at a time. And as you break the fingers, you just lose the grip and then eventually when all the fingers are broken theres no longer any grip. The crew of three set out in June 2021, hugging the coast of North Korea before making their way south towards Busan - just far enough outside of both countries borders to ensure they remained in international waters but just close enough to find shelter if a typhoon rolled across the Sea of Japan. The plan was to gun it for Fukuoka and then stop short of the Japanese waters and wait, says Rowat. We implemented the plan and the plan worked. Rowat saw his kids in time for the holidays, but he fears it wont be enough to stay in their lives. People who dont understand parental alienation, dont get it. Its very, very difficult to imagine deliberately sabotaging a loving relationship, he says. Rowat, now based in Tokyo, believes his best chance is leaving markers for his children as they get older. He speaks about another parent, John Gomez, who was instrumental in getting Japan to sign the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. The convention, a treaty signed by dozens of countries, created a pathway for a child abducted by one of their parents to return to his or her home country. Following sustained international pressure, Japan signed the convention in 2014, three decades after it was established. But the convention does not apply if a child is abducted while they are in Japan rather than taken from a second country, such as Australia. Even then, Japanese authorities have been reluctant to enforce some claims. Only four out of 11 children requested under the convention have been returned to Australia. The Japanese embassy claims Australia has refused four requests to return children to Japan, a figure the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs has not been able to verify. Rowat says a turning point for Gomez was when his daughter Googled him and realised that he wasnt just a guy who was showing up in the living room from time to time and having these kinds of tense, stiff conversations. He was someone who had done amazing things in the big world. So I think that was an important point for me, the feeling that the best I can do is create evidence that at some point, my children might see, he says. I wanted him to be a grandfather Others have turned to legal action. In January, a dozen Japanese parents and Henderson filed a class action against the Japanese government arguing that the government had failed to stop their children from being abducted. The case was dismissed by the Tokyo District Court because the legislation preventing abduction did not exist. I want to explain to her that I am here, Hiroshi Miwa says of his abducted daughter. Credit:Christopher Jue This system is evil, says Hiroshi Miwa, a neurosurgeon from Osaka who has not seen his daughter in six years. In so many countries they have a shared custody system and parents do not need to struggle for custody. But in Japan, we have to fight to get single custody, so it causes bigger and bigger conflict. Next year my daughter will enter elementary school, and she will be able to see the parents of her friends. She might have a question: who is my dad? I want to explain to her that I am here. Your father exists. Yusuke Shiba did not know his father existed. When he was a year old, his mother and father separated. His mother told him his father had died. It was not until he was 20 that he found out his dad was alive. For 20 years, Japanese father-of-two Yusuke Shiba thought his own father was dead. Credit:Jack Donohoe I was really, really mad, the 34-year-old says. The fact that my mum was able to do this using the Japanese system, its wrong. It took Shiba more than a decade to process what had happened and find his father. He turned out to be one of Japans most renowned string instrument artists, Kakujo Nakamura. Nakamura had done what many Japanese men of his generation did after the end of a relationship: he left and did not look back. That reasoning no longer sits well with Japans younger fathers. I wanted him to be a grandfather, says Shiba. Yusuke Shiba (right) reunited with his father, one of Japans most renowned string instrument artists, Kakujo Nakamura, last year. Those on the other side - the mothers or fathers who have taken children away from their partner - argue the system offers protection from abusive relationships in an under-resourced domestic violence sector. None of the parents interviewed for this series has had domestic violence charges laid against them, but the issue is significant in Japan, which still has a male-dominated social structure and gendered expectations of women. The situation is complicated by the commission received by Japanese lawyers from child support, creating a commercial incentive to maintain the sole custody system. That tension has pitted domestic violence shelters, advocates and sole custody lawyers against proponents of joint custody, leaving victims of both stuck in the middle. In December, Madame Fichot - the Japanese former wife of Vincent Fichot - a French father who held a hunger strike outside in the middle of the Tokyo Olympics, accused joint-custody advocates of demonising her and sacrificing her human rights. French authorities issued an arrest warrant for Madame Fichot after she took her children from France to Japan and disappeared in 2018. In July, a Japanese court ruled that she had sole-parental authority over the kids under Japans sole custody laws. All I wanted is a safe environment where my children will be able to lead a normal life as much as possible, she said in a press conference at the Foreign Press Centre of Japan in December. He wants to be a nice father, I understand. But to me, hes not a good father. He wants to put me in jail, and he wants to just raise the kids by himself. Hiding in costume to see their children Navigating this perilous balance between custody and alienation are advocates attempting to bring parents and children back together. By night Rumi Ozaki messages dozens of desperate parents; by day she smuggles them in to see their children. Rumi Ozaki is helping parents see their abducted children. Ozaki has spent the past four years trying to reunite parents with their kids through elaborate educational exercises. At schools in Osaka and around the country, Ozaki convinced local authorities to let her park her bus in the school car park. The bus exhibit purported to take kids through a popular Japanese cartoon, The Poupelle of Chimney Town. But hiding inside in costumes of vegetables and rubbish were parents desperate to see their children. The parent is dressed in a costume, so they cant be recognised by their child, she says, revealing her deception for the first time. But for the mum or dad, just seeing their childs face means everything. Sometimes the children say dad, dad, I know its you. But I say, dont take off the costume. Scott McIntyre, an Australian father of two abducted kids, says: Thats how messed up the situation is. You can only say Im your father dressed as a cucumber. Children wait to enter Rumi Ozakis bus exhibit. Ozaki says her exhibits are illegal. But it is so sad. Its like they are a prisoner inside their outfits. It makes me really, really angry. I cant close my eyes. I cant close my ears. And I feel like I need to help. A mother stabbed, a father in jail Inside Tokyos largest prison in the northern suburb of Katsushika, Japanese game shows blare on TV. There is a counter selling snacks for inmates as the waiting room fills up with a handful of fathers, mothers, sisters and friends. Each takes a number from the front desk and waits to be sent up to any one of the 12 floors in this high-rise jail that houses inmates on death row. Jacob Wilson does not get many visitors anymore. He is overweight and covered in dandruff. The American arrived in Japan as a student at Sophia University. He met his future wife and worked for three years in Tokyo. In 2016 they had a son. Then their relationship started to deteriorate. Now life appears to be draining out of his eyes. Wilson allegedly committed a horrific crime, surrounded by a system that he says broke him. Loading I am one of the examples of the family court system, he says from behind a glass screen in a grey interview cell on the fifth floor of this towering complex in industrial Tokyo, where he is awaiting trial for murder. In March 2019, he stabbed his wife Kyoko outside the Tokyo Family Court. He killed her after she had taken their son, broken off all contact and assumed sole custody. When I tried to seek help the police were unhelpful, he says. They laughed at my situation. It was unbelievable that law enforcement was acting like this. I lost all hope. Japans sole custody advocates argue cases like Wilsons show the laws are necessary to keep mothers away from violent partners. Critics say it offers no room for mediation, making dangerous situations worse. Japans Ministry of Justice is now reviewing the countrys laws. Wilsons case shows they can have deadly consequences. Watch the 60 Minutes report here. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here. Vladimir Putin has hosted his dear friend Xi Jinping for dinner in the Kremlin, showing off his relationship with his most powerful ally just days after an international court called for the Russian presidents arrest for war crimes in Ukraine. Washington denounced Xis visit on Monday (Russia time), saying the timing showed Beijing was providing Moscow with diplomatic cover to commit further crimes. Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Monday. Credit: AP It was the first trip abroad for Xi since he obtained an unprecedented third term last month. The Chinese leader has been trying to portray Beijing as a potential peacemaker in Ukraine, even as he deepens economic ties with his closest ally. Putin and Xi greeted one another as dear friend when they met in the Kremlin on Monday afternoon, Moscow time, before a dinner. Xi is in Moscow for three days. Wilmington, Delaware: US President Joe Biden has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express concern over his governments planned overhaul of the countrys judicial system that has sparked widespread protests and to encourage compromise. The White House said Biden reiterated US 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. A protester asks for the US presidents help during a massive demonstration in front of the Israeli parliament on February 13. Credit: Getty The hard-right governments drive to limit Supreme Court powers while increasing its own power in selecting judges has caused alarm at home and abroad about the countrys democratic checks and balances. Anti-reform protests have grown for weeks. The official, who requested anonymity to discuss the leaders private call, said Biden had spoken to Netanyahu as a friend of Israel in the hopes that there can be a compromise formula found. The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) and Leadership Wyoming are excited to announce the class roster for the first cohort of The Wyoming Academy which will kick off this June. The WBC's vision for the program is to connect and grow all types of local leaders who are interested in developing more resilience and capacity in their local communities. The 2023-2024 roster is made up of leaders from all levels and areas of the state, including economic development professionals, industry leaders, city and county staff, and key board members. All of whom will gather for four in-person sessions across Wyoming highlighting both large and small communities. The Wyoming Academy, also referred to as The Academy, is designed to connect and grow leaders who are building resilient communities in Wyoming. Participants can also expect personal and professional development opportunities to assist them in moving the ball forward on an idea or project. "We know that it takes many different types of leaders to strengthen and grow our communities and The Academy was designed to provide community leaders an economic development foundation that can be used to help their communities remove constraints to growth, create more local capacity, and build on the natural passion from within the communities," said Amy Grenfell, WBC Chief Operating Officer. "Leadership Wyoming has a solid and admirable reputation in the state for bringing people together to accomplish big things. Collaborating with them allows us to harness the magic and expertise of Leadership Wyoming to create a community of Wyoming leaders ready to take advantage of Wyoming's opportunities." This program was created through a collaboration between the WBC and Leadership Wyoming. Both organizations will play a significant role in executing and facilitating the program. "It is an absolute pleasure to work with the Wyoming Business Council to develop a new program to build capacity in our Wyoming communities and Wyoming leaders," said Mandy Fabel, Leadership Wyoming Executive Director. "We have designed The Academy to be a Masters level program for leaders who are engaged in their communities and want to help write the next chapter for the state." Batavia, NY (14020) Today Cloudy with showers. High 51F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Rain showers this evening transitioning to snow showers overnight. Low 34F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precip 40%. 1 Student Shot and Killed, Another Injured at Texas High School; Suspect Charged With Capital Murder Police respond to a shooting that left one student dead, and another student injured at Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas, on March 20, 2023. (Jana Pruet/The Epoch Times) One student was killed and another injured after a shooting at Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas. On behalf of the department, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of the victims and to all of the students and staff at Lamar High School, Arlington Police Chief Al Jones said. Our hearts are with them. The suspect, a juvenile male, was arrested and charged with capital murder, according to police. Additional charges are pending. The suspect, whose name has not been released, was taken into custody without incident, and the weapon believed to be used in the shooting was recovered. Monday was the first day back in class after students were off for spring break last week. What Happened? At about 6:55 a.m. on Monday, Arlington Police Department responded to multiple reports of shots fired outside Lamar High School. Arlington is about 25 west of Dallas. The shooting occurred outside near a parking lot on the east side of the campus about 35 minutes before classes began. The suspect fled the scene after the incident and never entered the school, police said. Within minutes, staff began securing the students and bringing them inside the building, said Dr. Marcelo Cavazos, superintendent at Arlington Independent School District. One student, a juvenile male, was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he later died. The name of the student has not been released. The other student, a juvenile female, suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being grazed by a bullet or flying debris, according to police. She was taken to the hospital by an adult, according to officials. That students name has also not been released. No other injuries were reported. The school was placed on lockdown for several hours while police searched the campus, Officer Jesse Minton told The Epoch Times, adding that not all students had arrived on campus at the time of the incident. Their response was swift, Arlington PD Chief Al Jones said in a press conference Monday afternoon. The scene was secure in minutes. Jones said that the motive for the shooting remains unclear. The school district notified parents of the incident through email and other methods. Students at Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas, were taken by bus to a reunification center after a shooting occurred on campus on March 20, 2023. (Jana Pruet/The Epoch Times) All students who were on campus at the time of the shooting were bussed to a reunification center where parents were instructed to pick them up starting at noon. Lamar High School serves more than 2,600 students. Charmeka Smith, whose 16-year-old son was nearby when the shooting occurred, said that she got a call from her son shortly after he got to school. He was a little shaken up, Smith told The Epoch Times while waiting to pick up her son at the reunification center. You cant even send your kids to school nowadays. Its not even safe at school. Parents line up to pick up their children who were taken to a parent reunification center after a shooter killed one student and injured another at Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas, on March 20, 2023. (Jana Pruet/The Epoch Times) The department has worked closely with district officials to prepare for this type of incident, officials said. We will continue to work lock and step with the district to make schools a safe place for the students to learn, Jones said. We need gun owners to step up to be responsible and to ensure that they are properly securing their firearms, so kids dont have access to them, he continued. That means using gun safes, gun locks, and not leaving the guns unsecured in cars or other places where kids can get them. Classes at Lamar High School are canceled for Tuesday, and after-school activities are postponed. School staff will report as usual, according to school officials. Counselors will be on hand Wednesday for students and staff. The suspect is being held at the Tarrant County Juvenile Detention facility. Today News Africa Reporter Interrupts White House Briefing, Complains of Discrimination White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily press briefing in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on Feb. 13, 2023. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) The White House press briefing got off to a rocky start on March 20 when a reporter interrupted to complain he was being discriminated against. Just seconds after White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and the cast of Apple TV+s Ted Lasso entered the briefing room, Today News Africa founder and chief White House correspondent Simon Ateba shouted as Jean-Pierre scolded him, repeatedly saying no and were not doing this. Ateba accused Jean-Pierre of discrimination. Youve been discriminating against me and discriminating against some people in the briefing room, said Ateba, who added that the United States is not China. This not Russia. A heated back-and-forth at the White House briefing today as @simonateba heckles @KJP46 saying he hasnt been called on in months. @KJP46 wraps up the convo by saying, We can either continue the briefing, or we can just end the briefing right here. Fellow WH reporters called https://t.co/eEEHPDCHnV pic.twitter.com/99YcDVuapG Iris Tao (@IrisTaoTV) March 20, 2023 What you are doing is making a mockery of the First Amendment, said Ateba, who has been feuding during the Biden years with the WHCA, Jean-Pierre, and her predecessor, Jen Psaki. Just weeks ago Atebas renewal application for membership in the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA), the liaison between the White House press pool and the administration, was rejected. Reporters complained and rebuked Ateba. NBC News senior White House correspondent Kelly ODonnell repeatedly called for decorum. But Ateba did not stop. Its been seven months, he said. Youve not called on me [in seven months]. Jean-Pierre turned around and tried to make light of the situation and welcome the Ted Lasso cast membersJason Sudekis, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, and Toheeb Jimohwho were at the White House to meet with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to discuss the issue of mental health. They were at the briefing prior to their meeting. Are we ready? asked Jean-Pierre moments later. Are we going to behave? As Jean-Pierre tried to start her remarks, Ateba kept speaking. Eventually, Jean-Pierre was able to continue the briefing uninterrupted. Moments after the Ted Lasso cast left the room, however, Ateba resumed his grievance against Jean-Pierre, who looked irritated. You cant continue discriminating against some people in the briefing room because you dont like them, said Ateba. Jean-Pierre fired back as Ateba continued talking. So, you have a choice, she said. You have a choice. You have a choice. Ateba repeated that the United States is not China or Russia when it comes to the press, causing an unidentified reporter to scream something inaudible. Other reporters went after Ateba with one of them saying, The rest of us are here too, pal! Reuters White House Correspondent Jeff Mason interjected and said that if Ateba has complaints, he should bring them to Jean-Pierre later. I have done that, replied Ateba. The press corps is tired of dealing with this, said another reporter. [Its not] about you, Simon. Ateba and Mason went at it with the former lamenting that the latter and his peers in the front rows get questions all the time while there are those in the back rows who dont get any questions. Another reporter chimed in and told Ateba to not make assumptions about what the rest of us do. Mind your manners. Ateba reiterated to Jean-Pierre that she shouldnt discriminate against some people because you dont agree with their question; youre offended as other reporters expressed irritation, with one saying you made your point. Jean-Pierre appeared to bring calm to the situation. Guys, as you all know, many of you know, this is the White House press briefing room, a historic room. A room that should have decorum. A room where folks should respect their colleagues and respect the guests that are here. And I understand that theres going to be give-and-take. Thats the way the press briefing has gone on for decades before me. And I will always, always respect that. But what I will not, what I will not appreciate is disrespecting your colleagues and disrespecting guests who were here to talk about an incredibly important issue, which is mental health. And what has just occurred these last 10-15 minutes is unacceptable. It is unacceptable. Ateba tried to respond, but Jean-Pierre had none of it, threatening to end the briefing if Ateba kept talking. The briefing proceeded without incident as National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby took the podium, followed by Jean-Pierre. WHCA President Tamara Keith, a White House correspondent for NPR, initially declined to comment on the incident. However, Keith decided to address the incident after all. In a note to WHCA members, Keith called what happened an extreme breakdown of decorum in todays daily briefing. What happened today created a hostile work environment for everyone in that room. This isnt my first note to the press corps imploring everyone to be respectful of each other and to conduct ourselves in a professional manner during these televised briefings, she continued. Unfortunately, this is an issue that keeps recurring despite our best efforts to encourage basic decorum. You have told us that you are deeply frustrated with the outbursts and we share that frustration. At the risk of becoming a broken record, preventing a briefing from proceeding hurts the entire press corps and amounts to a violation of the collegiality called for in the WHCAs bylaws, she added. Keith declined to say why she changed her mind and decided to speak out about the matter other than to say that The Epoch Times could quote her letter to WHCA members. American Aid Worker Held Hostage in Africa for 6 Years Freed: Top US Official National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan takes questions during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington on Dec. 12, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) A Biden administration official announced that Jeff Woodke, an American aid worker kidnapped in a West African country in 2016, has been freed after more than six years in captivity. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed the release in a statement on Twitter, saying hes gratified and relieved to announce that Woodke has been freed. He credited the government of Niger and U.S. officials for helping to secure the 62-year-olds freedom. Im gratified & relieved to see the release of U.S. hostage Jeff Woodke after over six years in captivity, Sullivan wrote in the post. The U.S. thanks Niger for its help in bringing him home to all who miss & love him. I thank so many across our government whove worked tirelessly toward securing his freedom. Woodke was kidnapped in Abalak, a town in northern Niger, Africa, on Oct. 14, 2016, by armed men who forced their way into his home and killed his guards. The men then forced him into a small pickup truck at gunpoint and drove him north toward Malis border. According to the missionarys wife, Els Woodke, the long-time humanitarian aid worker had been assisting the Niger population for more than three decades. Els Woodke speaks about the 2016 kidnapping of her husband, Jeffrey Woodke, that occurred in West Africa during a news conference in Washington on Nov. 17, 2021. A photo of Jeffrey Woodke is seen on a video monitor in the background. (Cliff Owen/AP Photo) Els said during a press briefing in 2021 that her husbands captors demanded a multimillion-dollar ransom for his release. She also said that she believed her husband was in the custody of an Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group in West Africa known as JNIM. We believe that Jeff was kidnapped by the west African affiliate of ISIS and that he has been held by ISIS-GS for most of his captivity, Els wrote in a statement released on a website dedicated to securing her husbands release. According to multiple sources of information, we believe that at some point prior to the death of [ISIS-GS leader Abu] Walid, Jeff was moved from the custody of ISIS-GS to the custody of JNIM, she said. Today, a senior Biden administration official, who was not identified, described the release as the culmination of years of efforts. But, the official declined to say what exactly led to him being freed from captivity or where he is now. The official noted that no ransom was paid, and no concession was made to the captors. The U.S. government does not encourage ransom payments in hostage cases but has also made clear that prosecutors are not interested in charging relatives who choose to make such payments. In a separate statement on Monday, Els said her husband is reportedly in good condition and revealed that the U.S. and Nigerian governments had long suspected that jihadists held him in the African region of Sahel. Els has not yet heard from Jeff but she has been told he is in good condition, the statement reads. She has expressed her profound thanks to the many people in governments and others around the world who have worked so hard to see this result. She praises God for answering the prayers of Christians everywhere who have prayed for this outcome. The Biden administration has not identified the specific group believed to be responsible for keeping Woodke in captivity but said there were several overlapping and intersecting hostage-holding networks in that part of Africa. Though Woodke was taken in Niger, officials believe he had also been moved to Mali and Burkina Faso over the years. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News American Airlines Loses Fight Over Delta Airport Slots An American Airlines aircraft taxis as a Delta Air Lines aircraft lands at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., on Jan. 24, 2022. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters) LUXEMBOURGAmerican Airlines, which gave up rights to two airport slots to Delta Air Lines in 2013, on Thursday lost a court appeal to have the European Union cancel them for lack of use. American gave up the takeoff and landing rights at Heathrow and Philadelphia airports to get antitrust approval for its merger with US Airway. Airlines may keep a slot in perpetuity provided they use it regularly. The European Commission picked Delta to take up the slots. The EU Court of Justice (CJEU), Europes highest, dismissed Americans arguments that Delta did not fulfil its obligation to use the slots regularly. The text of the final commitments does not establish a specific number of frequencies that should be operated by the prospective entrant to ensure effective competition, the judges ruled. American complained that Delta had not made appropriate use of the slots as required under grandfather rights, prompting the EU competition watchdog to issue a decision in 2018 backing its rival. American challenged the decision at the General Court in 2020 but lost. It then appealed to the CJEU. The case is C127/21 P, American Airlines v Commission. By Foo Yun Chee Antifa Dominates Protests Because Media and Politicians Side With Them, National Police Association Says Antifa extremists protest at the University of Utah campus against an event where right wing writer and commentator Ben Shapiro is speaking in Salt Lake City on Sept. 27, 2017. (George Frey/Getty Images) Antifanot the policeseems to be in charge at many protests in the United States, according to National Police Association spokesperson Betsy Smith. Political radicals control the streets because politicians have told police to stand down, Smith said. What weve seen since 2014and then being ramped up after 2020is this unfortunate atmosphere where Antifa and Antifa-like groups seem to run the show at protests, depending on where youre at. And law enforcement finds it incredibly frustrating, she said. This choice by local governments around the country has far-reaching consequences for freedom of speech, freedom to protest, and the potential for violence, she said. Smith said that after the police shooting of Michael Brown in 2014 and the death of George Floyd in 2020, riots swept the nation. Often, local politicians fear that any police use of lethal force, however justified, would provoke a violent response by political radicals, and the media also tend to cover justified police shootings negatively, she said. We are unfortunately in an atmosphere now where the majority of the media is going to side with Antifa. Our federal political leadership is likely to side with Antifa, Smith said. Remember, we have been told by the federal government that Antifa doesnt exist or that theyre just a disorganized group. In Democrat-held cities, political leadership often considers Antifa a less concerning threat than police, Smith said. Therefore, these politicians demand a light hand against political radicals at protests, she said. All of that political leadership that has dominion over local law enforcement, they dont believe Antifa is crazy, she said. [Police have] been told for the last 2 1/2 years that were bad and were the problem, that were the ones killing people. According to Smith, left-wing radical groups given free rein by local governments are spearheading the wave of nationwide violent protest. Betsy Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association. (Courtesy of Betsy Smith) This situation has allowed radical armed protesters to make rules on the streets in a way that once only law enforcement could, she said. At protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin; Knoxville, Tennessee; Katy, Texas; Atlanta; Washington; and many other places, veteran reporters for The Epoch Times have seen radical activists make protests threatening. Whose Streets? Our Streets! The chant Whose Streets? Our Streets! has become common at protests across the nation, Smith said. According to Smith, this chant and emphasis on street control can be traced to anarchist movements in the Pacific Northwest. These political groups joined with criminal gangs and Black Lives Matter during the wave of 2020 protests, she said. People dont understand the origins of Black Lives Matter. They dont really understand what they stand for, Smith said. Theyre a Marxist organization that got infused with an enormous, unthinkable amount of money after the death of George Floyd. This money gave the anarchist movement rocket fuel, she said. Although some of it was lost to grift, much of it allowed far-left radicals to fund travel for protest and bail arrested activists out of jail, she said. These street control protest tactics have threatened Americans nationwide. Locals face attacks, businesses face looting, and Supreme Court Justices faced weeks-long intimidation campaigns outside their homes. At the very least, I hope hes annoyed. I hope hes very inconvenienced, a protester outside Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughs house said in May 2022. In many instances, radical protests have defied or skirted the law. On Jan. 6, 2021, rioters and other actors breached the U.S. Capitol building during the Stop the Steal rally. Some of these protesters have been charged with bringing firearms to the protest. Others had melee weapons such as wooden sticks. In Michigan, armed right-wing protesters shouted with a bullhorn outside the home of Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Through threats of violence, intimidation, and bullying, the armed people outside my home and their political allies seek to undermine and silence the will and voices of every voter in this state, no matter who they voted for, Benson said. In Kenosha, after Kyle Rittenhouses trial, police told a crowd, including armed protesters, to confine their march to a single road lane. The crowd disobeyed, and the police backed down. A homemade poster honoring Kyle Rittenhouses attacker, Anthony Huber, displayed at a protest in Kenosha, Wis., on Nov. 21, 2021. (Jackson Elliott/The Epoch Times) Come on, man! You cant tell us how to protest, one Kenosha protester told police. In Knoxville, Antifa members surrounded a reporter and physically blocked him out of a crowd. Police urged The Epoch Times to not record the incident. We just dont want any problems, said Sgt. Nate Skellenger of the Knoxville Police Department. In Virginia, its illegal to picket outside a private residence or protest to influence a judge. But police permitted protesters to march outside the homes of Supreme Court justices for weeks. You cant picket a specific residence, police Capt. Alan Hanson told The Epoch Times. However, as they march through the neighborhood, theyre not picketing necessarily a specific residence. Thats the tack that they take. This intimidation can cause communities to live in fear. Im not commenting on anything, one Kenosha business owner said. If I say something wrong, my business is gonna get targeted. According to Smith, charging protesters who break the law works wonders in keeping protests civil. But left-wing prosecutors often dont want to press charges against protesters, she said, noting that this affects the behavior of officers on the street. Why would I arrest somebody whos breaking the law during a protest when I know that the charges are just gonna get dropped? Whats the point? Smith said. Control the Streets, Control the Narrative Antifa and other radical activists have often attempted to interfere with The Epoch Times coverage of their protests. Radical protesters have blocked The Epoch Times attempts to photograph them. Theyve pushed reporters out of crowds. Often, control-focused protesters have interfered when reporters have tried to interview people. These tactics make it less likely that the broader public will see whats behind the incidents they create. Often, only a whitewashed description of their cause reaches national news, while the intimidation, street control, and media suppression remain local. For local communities, the effects dont end with one night of violence. A patchwork of reused plywood protects a business in Kenosha, Wis., on Nov. 21, 2021. (Jackson Elliott/The Epoch Times) Smith said that in Seattle, the city had to pay $3 million in compensation to business owners affected by the Antifa-run Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. The protesters held territory within Seattle for nearly a month before authorities permitted police to re-exert control. In Chicago, some major business districts hit by the 2020 riots still havent recovered, Smith noted. Lori Lightfoot, the former mayor of Chicago, mismanaged the 2020 and 2021 riots and destroyed some of the most beautiful shopping in the world, she said. Groups such as Antifa also threaten political freedom, Smith said, because when people fear reprisals by a radical group that controls the streets, they arent really free. Unfortunately now, people in the United States have to balance their speaking their views and worrying about the safety of themselves or their families, she said. The Future of Radical Protest As protests aiming to control territory spread, violence has already increased, Smith said. With a nationwide network of armed members, Antifa has become an increasingly common sight at protests. Their members wear black clothes and masks. Theyre responsible for physical violence and property destruction. Some wear bulletproof vests and military-style helmets. When The Epoch Times attempted to contact Antifa for comment, its Miami chapter sent back a picture taken in Washington of an Epoch Times reporter. [Expletive] you. Anti-fascists nationwide know everything about you, its email reads. Armed Antifa members with orange ribbons prepare to intimidate the press at a drag show accessible to children on the street outside the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, Tenn., on Dec. 22, 2022. (Jackson Elliott/The Epoch Times) Antifa isnt the only left-wing movement interested in building armed networks. Various John Brown Gun Club groups also work to arm far-left actors. On the right, the Proud Boys may be the most famous aggressive protest group. This right-wing body also has a nationwide network, including armed members. At protests, some wear masks and bulletproof vests. They also coordinate their clothing. Theyve been involved in street violence and property destruction, as covered by The Epoch Times. When The Epoch Times contacted them for comment, they didnt provide a response by press time. Other nationwide right-wing militias include the Salt and Light Brigade, the Three Percenters, and Patriot Prayer. These groups have all brought weapons to protests. Members of the Salt and Light Brigade and Three Percenters played a role in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the Capitol. Patriot Prayer has gotten into street fights with left-wing protesters. Radical groups on the left and right have already engaged in street fights with each other, Smith said. You can look at some of the things that have happened in Portland and Seattlewhere there were protests where the police just sort of didnt show upand so you had the alt-right and you had the far left. And they indeed did lead to violence, she said. Both the Proud Boys and Antifa sometimes show up armed at the same protest locations. The protests they attend often have hundreds of innocent bystanders, sometimes including families. With the right spark, these protests could become shootouts with children in the crossfire. But according to Smith, its unlikely that local governments will let protests spiral out of hand indefinitely. Voters are already weary of bullying by radical political groups with guns, she said. I think were going to start to see the pendulum swing back, she said. Australian Pilots Told to Be Alert for Signal Interference From Chinese Military Australian national airline carrier Qantas has warned its pilots to be wary of radio and Global Positioning System (GPS) interference signals from the Chinese military. In a directive issued on March 16, the airline said it had detected interference signals in the Western Pacific and South China Sea. Qantas said some aircraft were experiencing interference from very-high frequency (VHF) channels purporting to represent the Chinese military and GPS interference from vessels on the off the north-west shelf of Australia, according to the file obtained by News Corp Australia. However, the directive added that there had been no safety events reported that relate to this activity and required pilots to report any unusual incidents to air traffic control. This follows a statement from the International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations (IFALPA) confirming the interference and warning pilots not to respond to any communications from the warships. IFALPA has been made aware of some airlines and military aircraft being called over 121.50 or 123.45 by military warships in the Pacific region, notably South China Sea, Philippine Sea, East of Indian Ocean, the statement read. A Peoples Liberation Army Navy J-11 fighter pilot performs an unsafe maneuver during an intercept of a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft, which was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, on Dec. 21, 2022, in a still from video. (U.S. Indo-Pacific Command/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) In some cases, the flights were provided vectors to avoid the airspace over the warship. We have reason to believe there may be interferences to GNSS and RADALT as well. IFALPA is engaging with IATA and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) to ensure that all parties are aligned with our procedures and to prevent this from occurring in the future. Expert: No Doubt its from the Chinese military Neil Hansford, an aviation expert, said there is no doubt that the interference came from the Chinese military. Its more annoyance than practicality, though, because this is not the only communication source that civil aviation use, he told the Guardian. Hansford said that while the use of VHF system by Chinese warships to contact flights was worrying, what was more concerning was that they were interfering with GPS systems. VHF in itself is pretty much open source if you want to listen into whats happening in the skies, and they may be throwing some flak around using the international security and emergency channels, he said. GPS, on the other hand, is a navigational tool used widely in aviation and everyday technology, and its jamming is bloody serious. Its a message, and youve got to take it seriously because GPS is more of a threat than VHF. Under the AUKUS Background The incident comes as Beijing keeps attacking the historical AUKUS partnership, a trilateral security pact with the United States and the United Kingdom. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L), US President Joe Biden (C) and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (R) hold a press conference after a trilateral meeting during the AUKUS summit in San Diego, California, on March 13, 2023. (Leon Neal/Getty Images) Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on March 13 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. The deal is estimated to cost between $268 billion and $368 billion (US$178$245 billion). In a joint statement, the leaders of the three countries launched a proverbial flare across Chinas bow, touting the submarines as a needed check on the Chinese communist regimes ambitions and assertiveness in the South China Sea. In reaction, Chinas foreign ministry said the three countries disregarded concerns of the international community and accused Australia of going further down a dangerous road. President Joe Biden hosts a reception at 1:00 p.m. ET on March 20 to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year. Biden Signs Bill to Declassify COVID Origins Intelligence on Wuhan Lab President Joe Biden speaks during a Nowruz reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, on March 20, 2023. (Richard Pierrin/AFP via Getty Images) WASHINGTONPresident Joe Biden has signed into law a bill mandating the declassification of intelligence related to the origins of COVID-19, saying that he shares Congresss goal of releasing as much information as possible on the issue. We need to get to the bottom of COVID-19s origins to help ensure we can better prevent future pandemics, Biden said in a statement. My Administration will continue to review all classified information relating to COVID19s origins, including potential links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. He added that, in implementing the legislation, the administration will declassify and share as much of that information as possible, consistent with my constitutional authority to protect against the disclosure of information that would harm national security. This month, both the Senate and the House unanimously passed the bipartisan bill, dubbed COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023, before sending it to Bidens desk. The bill directs the director of national intelligence to declassify any and all information relating to potential links between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the origin of COVID-19. Efforts to find out the origin of COVID-19 have consistently met with resistance from China, where the communist regime has covered up cases, silenced whistleblowers trying to sound warnings on the viruss danger from the onset of the pandemic, and repeatedly refused outside investigators to probe the virus origins. The P4 laboratory on the campus of the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, China, Hubei Province, China, on May 13, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) The Wuhan Institute of Virology has been the center of contention as a suspected source where the virus may have leaked. The debate came back to the surface again recently after reports that the Energy Department has assessed the lab leak theory as the most likely source of the pandemic, a conclusion that the FBI has also reached. In May 2021, Biden ordered U.S. intelligence agencies to probe into the issue, which resulted in an inconclusive assessment of the virus origins, but that work is ongoing, he said on March 20. Another point of controversy is the significant amounts of U.S. federal funding that had been funneled to the Wuhan lab via New York nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance. Experts say that some of this funding aided gain-of-function research at the lab, referring to experiments that enhance the lethality or pathogenicity of a virus. EcoHealth scientists also orchestrated a campaign in the early days of the pandemic to push the narrative that the virus originated from naturepart of an expansive effort by Western academics, U.S. officials, and the media to censor discussion on whether the virus leaked from a lab. Related Coverage How the West Abetted Beijings Censorship of the Lab Leak Theory Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who spearheaded the Senate version of the bill, celebrated the news on Twitter. Today President Biden finally signed my bill to declassify what the government knows about Covid origins. Let the people see for themselves! he wrote. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), a co-sponsor of the bill, also praised Biden for making the right choice. The American people deserve more than spin and the narrativethey deserve the facts, and now more are on the way, he said in a statement. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), who sits on the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, noted that the law was important for ensuring accountability for those responsible for the pandemic. Its always important to have transparency and accountability, particularly for something that has impacted not just our country, but the entire world, he told The Epoch Timess sister media outlet NTD at the GOP retreat in Florida. Its becoming cliche, but weve got to make sure we do everything to prevent this from ever happening again. Steve Lance of NTD contributed to this report. British Culture Is Still Around in Hong Kong Twenty cities across the UK joined hands to organize the Hong Kong March, a festival that aims to promote Hong Kong culture to people from different cultural backgrounds through various activities. Hongkongers are encouraged to send invitation cards to their local friends, so to achieve cultural understanding and community bonding. Bearing this in mind, when I was invited by Hong Kong Notts, the Nottingham organiser, to give a talk, I decided to talk about the cultural relationship between Hong Kong and Britain. This is an important but long-forgotten topic. Global Americanization and Hongkongers particular fondness for Japanese culture served as the backdrop for the subsidence of British culture in the ex-colony. The vague reference to foreign culture in Hong Kong in the local secondary-school History curriculum (the coexistence and interaction of Chinese and foreign cultures in the 20th century) downplays the cultural influence of the former colonial master. Most colonial-style buildings have been torn down. Take a look at contemporary Central in Hong Kong and the Bund in Shanghai, and beyond question, the latter looks more colonial. As seen today, Britains cultural influence on Hong Kong is more intangible than tangible. The English language is the most obvious. Compared to Taiwan and mainland China, Hong Kong is the only place where English is an official language, and only Hong Kong kids need to study English from toddlerhood onwards. After the Second World War, Hongkongers developed a belief if not a faith that a good career starts with a good school, and a good school needs to be an EMI (English as medium instruction) school. For political correctness, public examination result slips do not specify the exam language used, and the Education Bureau is stringent in controlling the number of EMI schools. With the passage of the national security law, learning English has taken on a new meaning: read trustworthy books and stay away from brainwashing. In other words, English education from toddlerhood onwards is not only a cultural heritage from British rule but also a means of resistance. Even the pro-establishment camp, which predominantly speaks Putonghua and Cantonese, has a heavyweight, Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, highly appraising the importance of English education. Mastering an additional language is a valuable asset. Of all the languages, English is the most important and is still the strongest language today. If you are good at English, you will be able to read a lot of good books. The principles of fair play and rationality were key to the success of the former colony. The rule of law forms the core of political stability and economic success. The political stance must not affect one exercising ones human rights, and the government must not resort to struggling as a way to achieve political goals. Regrettably, the situation in post-2019 Hong Kong contrasts with what is described by Chris Patten in the foreword for one of Tsangs books, One of the things that I learned at University, where I was taught history by an outstanding Marxist historian of the English Civil War and member of the Communist Party, was that it is possible in life to have disagreements with people without these differences of opinion turning into a quarrel. The exodus after the passing of the national security law is ostensibly due to the unbearable changes caused by the law. However, from the cultural perspective, as many Hongkongers value fair play far more than patriotism to communist China, they flee to places where this cultural value is still in place. The British brand most well-known to Hong Kong families is probably Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce. John Lea and William Perrins were two chemists in the UK Midlands in the early 19th century. A local nobleman asked Lea & Perrin to make a sauce to recreate the taste he had so enjoyed during his travels in Bengal, but the recipe was not to his liking. Months later, the chemists accidentally found that the content in the barrel had matured and become the delicious sauce we love today. Moral: every success takes time. Next time, when you use Lea & Perrin sauce as a dip for beef balls or spring rolls, think of the moral of this British story, which is more relevant than ever for we Hongkongers, within and without our dear hometown, both suffering from the hardship induced by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments after 2019. ORLANDO, Fla.Businessman Manuchehr Saman attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on March 19. I think its one of the best shows Ive ever seen, Mr. Saman said. I did not know anything about Chinese culture and I learned a lot. Its incredible. He said the dance was very inspiring. What inspired me the most is the dance and, actually everything, but especially, dance. I never knew this particular move came from China, I had no clue. So today I learned all about movement and dance that was created in China. I had no idea, so this was a very nice experience for me. 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. Shen Yuns performance of classical Chinese dance impressed Mr. Saman. This effort for this dance is unbelievable, he said. I already read most information about the artists and dancers and they are super educated. At a very young age they are engaged in a very serious profession and culture. So I am truly impressed. Mr. Saman said he saw the beauty of divine beings dancing, and the inner beauty behind the movement, as the dancers start training at a young age. Actually, I read about it and, definitely, the performance was absolutely incredible, based on what they have learned in New York in the past, since some of them were 7 years old. The spiritual connection between Chinese culture and the divine Creator was new to Mr. Saman. The connection to me was very new. I learned a lot about their strong belief in God, or the Creator. Its very impressive to know that truly people of China believe in a higher power. So thats very impressive. I am hoping that [the] Chinese government will become more open-minded about people and be free, like people in United States can express their feelings, and I hope for the best for the Chinese people, he said. I have many, many Chinese friends, and they are great people. Hopefully, we will see what happens in the future in a positive way. To the performing artists, Mr. Saman wished to say, Id love to tell them the artists were amazing. I wish them the best of luck for the future. 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. California County to Sue State for Changing Squaw Valleys Name Naomi Singh grew up a Wuksachi tribal member in Squaw Valley, a rural unincorporated town in central California. Her roots go back at least four generations. The valley surrounding her is rich in Native American history and home to many different tribes and native communities. But, a treaty broken nearly two centuries ago has left many of them unrecognized by the federal government and without some of the benefits other tribes receive. This year, the government again upset many of them by renaming the town without asking, Singh said. Im hurt, more than anything, because its my homeland, she told The Epoch Times. Thats where I grew up. Its where my tribe is from. In January, a federal committee renamed Squaw Valley to Yokuts Valley after deciding the term squaw was a slur against Native American women. The decision has rocked the small community of about 3,500 located 220 miles north of Los Angeles. Its pretty offensive, Singh said. Nobody ever directly came to us and asked us anything regarding it. It doesnt come from the people. It came from one person, and he doesnt represent us. Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig has tried to tell state and federal officials that most residents didnt want the change, he told The Epoch Times. According to a survey he took of residents, 87 percent didnt want it, he said. Fresno County voted March 14 to sue California over a new state law passed last year that paved the way for the federal decision. A consultation of residents in the community never took place by the state or federal government, Magsig told The Epoch Times. Residents in the community have communicated to me they dont want their name changed, and if it is changed, they want to be part of that process. The movement started two years ago with a decision made by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, the first indigenous cabinet member in history, who determined the name squaw was derogatory. She banned it from all federal communications and ordered the Board on Geographic Namesthe federal body tasked with naming geographic placesto remove the term from federal usage. Over the next year, the board changed nearly 650 geographical places and five unincorporated towns. In California, 70 state locations and geological features, as well as Squaw Valley and Squaw Hill, a town in Tehama County, were rebranded. Haaland, who has not yet visited the community, cant comment on pending litigation about the Squaw Valley name change, her office told The Epoch Times. My Journey The man who spearheaded the movement in Fresno County is Roman Rain Tree, a member of the Dunlap Band of Mono and Choinumni tribes. The idea came to him after talking about it with his dying mother 10 years ago, he said. This is my journey, Rain Tree told The Epoch Times. Rain Tree felt that his tribe would never be taken seriously by the federal government if their ancestral home was named after a slur, he said. His official campaign started in 2020 and was quickly adopted by the American Civil Liberties Union and other activists. A variety of names were considered, but the group settled on Yokuts Valley in honor of the Yokut people native to the region. Yokuts means people, and it acknowledges the language and tips a hat to the first inhabitants, but it belongs to everybody, Rain Tree added. Several bands of Yokut live throughout the area now, but they are also not federally recognized. Maybe its time that this broken system gets acknowledged, Rain Tree said. Were native people. We have to suffer in silence. And our elder people who are the last of the ways, theyre going by the wayside. Were at a point where we face a genocide through bureaucracy. Canada to Accept More Syrian, Turkish Residents After Earthquakes A man rides his bike along a collapsed Roman Catholic church in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake in Iskenderun, a coastal town of Hatay province, Turkey, on Feb. 14, 2023. (Umit Bektas/Reuters) Following a series of major earthquakes in Turkey and Syria last month, Ottawa says it will introduce pathways to allow temporary residents from those countries to extend their stay in Canada. People who have been impacted will benefit from special treatment in their application to come and receive temporary protection in Canada, including the family members of people who are here, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced during a press conference in Mississauga, Ont., on March 18. On Feb 6, two major earthquakes hit the Kahramanmaras district of Turkey, killing more than 50,000 people in the country and neighbouring Syria. An estimated 500,000 Syrians have left their homes due to the earthquakes, while over 1.9 million people in Turkey are staying in temporary accommodation shelters. Beginning on March 29, 2023, Turkish and Syrian nationals who has temporary Canadian residency will be able to study, work, or visit family by applying for an extension of their stay. Nationals already in Canada will have an open work permit pathway made available to them. The requirement for permanent residence applications to hold a passport or travel document will also be waived, according to a March 18 release from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), saying some permanent residence applicants have lost their travel documents as a result of the earthquakes. Fees for temporary passports, limited-validity passports or emergency travel documents, and Canadian citizenship certificates and permanent resident travel documents will also be waived. The measures add to other IRCC programs that aim to fast-track visa applications for those in the earthquake-hit areas. Fraser said in a post last month on Twitter that the IRCC is giving priority to affected Turkish and Syrian individuals for temporary, permanent residency, and refugee applications. As of Feb. 8, 2023, IRCC says there were nearly 16,000 clients with applications in progress from Turkey and Syria. Approximately 1,700 of thoseincluding 750 permanent and 920 temporary residentswere from the areas impacted by the earthquakes. Immediately after the earthquake, Canada announced $10 million in funding to help with humanitarian services, including emergency medical support, shelter, food, and other essential items. Ottawa has also said it would match donations to the Canadian Red Cross for earthquake-hit areas in Turkey and Syria, up to a maximum of $10 million. On Feb. 24, 2023, Canada announced an additional $20 million in funding to help support a range of critical humanitarian activities and a timely, effective and coordinated humanitarian response in both Turkey and Syria. Canadas Supreme Court to Evaluate No More Pipelines Law A pumpjack operates at a wellhead on an oil and gas installation near Cremona, Alta., in a file photo. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press) The Supreme Court of Canada will hear a federal appeal this week on Albertas challenge to the Impact Assessment Act. The 2019 legislation gives the federal government more regulatory powers over major infrastructure projects, such as requirements for assessment of greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation was known as Bill C-69 before it became law, and dubbed the No More Pipelines Act by former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. Kenney called it a federal sucker punch and a disaster for Albertas economy before launching a legal fight against it. In May 2022, Albertas top court sided with the provincial government, saying the federal law was unconstitutional. Though that decision wasnt binding on the federal government, Ottawa announced an appeal to the Supreme Court in July 2022. Canadas top court is set to hear that appeal this week. Existential Threat The Alberta Court of Appeals decision called the legislation an existential threat to provincial sovereignty. It decried the clear and present danger this legislative scheme presents to the division of powers guaranteed by our constitution and thus, to Canada itself. The court said environmental protection is important, but the environment is not a head of power assigned to either Parliament or provincial Legislatures. Dwight Newman, a law professor at the University of Saskatchewan, says the Alberta courts strong support of federalism may not be reflected in other courts. Other courts are approaching federalism in Canada a little bit differently today, and the Alberta Court of Appeal may have a different approach than some other courts, Newman said at a webinar hosted by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute following the courts decision last year. I wouldnt describe it so much in terms of the Alberta Court of Appeal standing for provincial rights, so much as the Alberta Court of Appeal standing for a very principled approach to federalism in line with a lot of prior jurisprudence. The Alberta court called climate change an existential threat, but balanced it in the same paragraph against the existential threat to the division of powers in Canada. The Supreme Courts previous take on the urgency of climate change may auger its decision this time, natural resources lawyer David Wright told the CBC when the appeal was announced last year. The Supreme Court came to a split 63 decision upholding the Liberals carbon tax regime, with judges citing the urgency of climate change. Those are the best tea leaves we have and they would suggest the majority opinion finding the federal impact assessment act as constitutional, Wright said. Opponents, including Kenney, have said the bill has already created uncertainty in the energy industry. In February 2020, Teck Resources Ltd. cancelled a $20.6 billion oilsands project, citing concern over the debates in Canada regarding resource development versus climate change. Andrew Chen and Lee Harding contributed to this report. Compared to Australia, Canadian Political Leaders Did Not Act to Resolve CCP Interference: Report A police officer gestures at the photographer as security staff stand guard outside the Canadian embassy in Beijing, China, December 20, 2018. (Reuters/Thomas Peter) While Canada and Australia have received similar intelligence that China is interfering at all levels of government, a new study says Canberra took action while Canadian political leaders did not act and allowed the interference to flourish. In Ottawa, intelligence agencies reportedly found in 2017 that the CCP was interfering at all levels of government. In contrast with Australia, however, Canadas political leaders did not act, and the problem of CCP interference continued to grow, says a report compiled by China analysts John Garnaut, Matthew Johnson, Prudence Luttrell, and an anonymized researcher. Titled TikTok, ByteDance, and their ties to the Chinese Communist Party, the report was submitted to the Australian Parliaments Select Committee on Foreign Interference Through Social Media, which was created in November 2022 by the Australian Senate to inquire into and report on the risk of foreign interference in the countrys democracy through social media. The intelligence communities in several countries, including members of the Five Eyes alliance, have signalled clear concerns about Chinas data cultivation, influence, and political interference activities, said the report, dated March 14. In response to Chinas interference, Canberra has, since 2017, been undertaking countermeasures such as banning Huawei from its 5G network, taking part in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, and forging the three-nation AUKUS agreement, the report said. After all other Five Eyes members had announced a ban on using Huawei equipment in their 5G networks or plans to do so, Ottawa continued to weigh the issue and only barred Huaweis participation last year, following warnings from the United States that it would limit intelligence sharing if Canada didnt do so. The Huawei logo is pictured outside their research facility in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Feb. 14, 2019. (REUTERS/Chris Wattie) In 2017, Australia also introduced a package of foreign registration laws to require lobbyists working on behalf of foreign entities to declare their activities. In Canada, a foreign agent registry has yet to be established despite ongoing efforts to do so, the most recent being former Conservative MP Kenny Chius Bill C-282. Another Senate bill, S-237, proposed by Sen. Leo Housakos, has so far not gained government support. The Liberal government said this month that it will launch public consultations on establishing a foreign registry, but has yet to commit to a timeline. In 2019, the United States raised concerns about Canada inviting the Chinese military to observe its training at the Petawawa military base in Ontario, warning about undesired knowledge transfer from Canada to the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). The invitation reportedly came after the Canadian military sent observers to China during the PLA winter survival training in 2018, according to documents obtained by Rebel News. The defence department later called off the invitation. Threats Through Social Media The report submitted to the Australian Senate raised alarms about Chinese Leader Xi Jinping and the PLAs increased discussions about the use of social media platforms like TikTok to advance Chinas interests abroad. In particular, it raised concerns about the app being used for psychological warfare and potentially interfere in other countries elections. The authors said their research confirms beyond any plausible doubt that TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is subject to all the influence, guidance and de facto control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)similar to all other technology companies in China. TikTok has been banned from government devices in a number of countries including New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan. In the United States, the app is also subject to a public sector ban in over half of its states. While Ottawa banned TikTok from federal government devices last month, with the provinces following suit, reports show that the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Investment Board still holds investments in ByteDance. As of the time of publication, ByteDance remains on the list of CPPs holdings under the category of Private Equity Asia. The TikTok startup page is displayed on an iPhone in Ottawa on Feb. 27, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick) Election Interference The Australian report also touched on allegations of CCP interference in the last two Canadian elections, citing a Global News report in February showing that national security officials warned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about such operations several months ahead of the 2019 election. A series of Globe and Mail reports citing secret documents leaked from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service also showed how the Chinese regime sought to interfere in the 2021 federal election, as well as the 2022 municipal election in Vancouver, British Columbia. On March 6, Trudeau announced plans to appoint an independent special rapporteur who will be recommending whether a public inquiry is needed to investigate reports of Chinas meddling in Canadas 2019 and 2021 federal elections. He also said the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), a parliamentary committee that reports to the prime minister, and the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA), an external expert body, will review the issue of election interference. Whatever is revealed, the damage already caused to Canadian democracy is real, the Australian report said. Salsa dancing spiders, tiny crabs dressed in sea sponge, and chest-bursting wasps are among some of the 626 new Australian species scientists discovered in the past 12 months. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said that scientists are discovering and naming about two new species every day. We have only discovered named about a third of the species found in Australia, Plibersek said in a statement on March 20. Australian Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek speaks during House of Representatives Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra on Feb. 15, 2023. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) While Australia has less than one percent of the worlds population, it has around eight percent of the worlds plants and animals. Australia is recognised as one of only 17 mega-diverse countries in the world, and with a result like this, its easy to see why, she said. The discoveries were celebrated on Taxonomist Appreciation Day on March 19, giving a nod to the work of scientists who name, classify, and describe Australias unique biodiversity. I want to thank everyone who has helped discover, name and better understand our amazing plants and animals, Plibersek said. These scientists have classified tiny crabs, a new kind of cicada, and a coral that sways in our underwater reefsjust to name a few. A vicious parasitic wasp from South Australia, glyptapanteles andamookaensis, was also found. It injects its larvae inside a living caterpillar, and when hatched, juvenile wasps will burst out of the hosts. Taxonomy, the science of classifying species, puts names on species that make it easier for researchers, citizen scientists, and conservationists to talk about and study that exact species, according to Parks Australia entomologist Bryan Lessard. Scientists have documented only 30 percent of all the species on Earth, so its no surprise we are still uncovering hidden species, he said. We cant protect endangered or threatened species without knowing what they are and where they live. That helps us to look after them into the future. New Giant Spider Species The news of the multitude of new species comes after scientists at the Queensland Museum announced that they had discovered a rare and giant species of trapdoor spider, with a size about as big as a mouse. Published in The Journal of Arachnology, the scientists said they named the new species Euoplos dignitas as a tribute to its large size. The name is derived from the Latin dignitas meaning dignity or greatness and is reflected by the impressive size and nature of the spider, Queensland Museums principal scientist and lead author of the paper Michael Rix said. Emus are one of Australias most popular animals, and they also feature on the Coat of Arms. (Christel Sagniez/Pixabay) However, these spiders live in the open woodlands habits of inland Queensland, which have been fractured by over 150 years of human development, and now include some of Queenslands most threatened species. This species is known from only a very few locations around Eidsvold and Monto in Central Queensland and has lost much of its habitat to land clearing, which makes it likely to be an endangered species, Rix said. The Australian Biological Resources Study has recorded the 626 new species names along with the 150,000 native species already known. China Reports 1st Case of Dual Infection by Omicron Subvariants Patients on stretchers are seen at Tongren hospital in Shanghai on Jan. 3, 2023. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) The Chinese communist regime officially reported on March 17 that it has for the first time detected a dual infection of COVID-19 Omicron BA.5.2.48 and BF.7.14 subtypes. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated in a notice on its official website that the case of dual infection was detected in samples collected and submitted for inspection by the Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University on Feb. 14. According to the notice, the patient reported poor appetite on Dec. 23, 2022, developed fatigue and a cough, and tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 29. On Jan. 4, the patient developed chills and fever with a body temperature of 102 degrees F, accompanied by coughing. He was admitted to Chongqing Yunyang County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but his condition didnt improve. He was discharged on Jan. 5. But on Jan. 6, the patient was admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. From Jan. 6 to Feb. 12, he was tested eight times for COVID-19, and all the tests were positive. Researchers collected upper respiratory samples from the patient on Jan. 28 and Feb. 7. Both samples contained specific defining traits for the Omicron subvariants BA.5.2.48 and BF.7.14, indicating that the patient was infected with both simultaneously. According to the Chinese CDCs notice, the severe acute respiratory syndrome currently prevalent in Chongqing is mainly caused by the virus strain BA.5.2.48 (responsible for more than 90 percent of cases), followed by BF.7.14 (about 3.8 percent). So far, there have been no other reports of infection with both BA.5.2.48 and BF.7.14 subvariants in China. A man hugs an elderly relative as he and others offer support as she is cared for in the hallway of a busy emergency room at a hospital in Shanghai on Jan. 14, 2023. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Netizens Respond The topic became one of the most searched online in China on March 18, sparking heated discussions. Mainland Chinese netizens reacted differently to official claims of the first dual infection case. One wrote: No big deal, dont make a fuss. In fact, there are many new variants, and now we dont make any COVID-19 tests anymore. People dont know about many new subvariants after they appear. And there is actually no need to know because they still dont have a very effective way to control it. So just go with the flow and do what you need to do. Another wrote, They just want to sell medicine and vaccines, and a third post reads: COVID-19 has not disappeared. It is still mutating, so everyone should take personal protection. Someone else wrote: Isnt Influenza A running rampant recently? Its really frightening that the epidemic comes one after another. Influenza A or COVID-19? Earlier in March, when the Chinese Communist Partys (CCPs) Two Sessions political meeting was taking place, a large-scale outbreak of influenza A occurred across mainland China. In many places, patients who were diagnosed with influenza A saw in CT scans or X-rays that large parts of their lungs had turned white, which is a typical symptom of severe chest infection. So-called white lung had been fatal for many COVID-19 patients earlier in the pandemic. Many netizens questioned whether the wave the government was saying was influenza A could actually be a mutant strain of COVID-19. Zhang Wenhong, Chinas top virologist, said in an interview at the Two Sessions meeting that the next wave of COVID-19 may come in May or June. Since the virus has been downgraded to Class B, it will be collectively treated in fever clinics. Its unlikely the official data released by the regime are accurate, given the CCPs history of concealing the truth about the COVID-19 pandemic. ISTANBUL, March 17 (Xinhua) -- A Turkish political party leader said that "Chinese miracle" aptly describes China's achievement in eliminating poverty among its 1.4 billion population, considering it an outstanding accomplishment for all of humanity. Perincek specifically saluted China's success in launching a modernization policy covering all segments of society. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Chinas Eurasia Strategy May Deliver Beijing Its Coup de Main Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping shake hands at the end of a joint press conference following their talks at the Kremlin on June 5, 2019. (Maxim Shipenkov/AFP via Getty Images) Commentary Peoples Republic of China (PRC) leader Xi Jinping may be close to achieving a coup de main that would increase Beijings dominance over Eurasia, the Middle East, and Africa. Provided, that is, that Beijing itself can retain cohesion and control at home in the face of economic collapse and impending food and water shortages. Xi followed his ground-breaking visit to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council in December 2022 with a major Middle East breakthrough in March and the likelihood that Beijing could provide the fig-leaf excuse for talks to end the RussiaUkraine conflict. This is no longer your grandfathers Cold War. The Eurasian bloc built around the PRC, Russia, and Iran has access to a far wider selection of global nations than the Soviet bloc had during the first Cold War. Beijing will need this broader trading canvas and the increasing ability to trade in the PRCs yuan rather than in U.S. dollars if its to rebuild its economy and get immediate access to food and energy from the outside world. Xis recent successes in some diplomatic arenas come as the PRC becomes mired in greater economic, food, and water crisesall exacerbated by droughts unprecedented in recent decadesthat truly jeopardize the Chinese Communist Partys control over mainland China. So Xis mission is a race against time. Its possible that talks brokered by Xi between Russia and Ukraine to end the war could be another major victory for Beijing, leaving the United States and its European North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies out of the action. But to achieve this, he would have to offer something really substantial to Kyiv. More importantly, he would have to offer some safeguards to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had said on Feb. 25 that he wished to meet with Xi to discuss Xis 12-point peace plan for the Ukraine war. We need to work on that with China. Why not? Zekenskyy said. That meeting could occur at any time now that Xi has concluded his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Moreover, the approach emerging from Beijing is that it will appear as though Moscow will offer concessions to Kyiv, but, in reality, it will be about getting combatants off the hook who have both painted themselves into non-negotiable situations. The goal would be a peace treaty brokered without the input of the United States and, ideally, even without any European involvement. Such a deal could leave Washingtonand NATOsidelined. But Zelenskyy needs real safeguards before he would negotiate; he already knows that senior military and intelligence officials blame him for the losses incurred by Ukraine in allowing the war to start when it could have been averted in February 2022 by negotiation. Several key Ukrainian security officials have indicated that they would take care of Zelenskyy when some kind of peace could be achieved, and most are aware that any peace now possible would likely result in a smaller Ukraine than existed before, say, 2004. So if Zelenskyy wished to retain his presidency after a peace deal, he would need to get major concessions for Ukraine. This begs the question as to whether the PRCRussiaIran combine could offer something more appealing to Ukraine than Westernization and considerable U.S. funding. It would, of necessity, also include some geopolitical creativity that could, for example, see Ukraine revived in its post-Soviet borders, although divided between East and West, and with some restored common features but with unambiguous control by Moscow over its basing in Crimea and over the Donbas. Belarus or a Persian Gulf location could be a site for negotiations or the announcement of the results of shuttle diplomacy. Chen Wenqing (R), then-Chinese minister of state for security, attends the meeting of the national security secretaries of Iran, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, China, and India in the Iranian capital Tehran on Dec. 18, 2019. (Mohsen Ataei/fars news/AFP via Getty Images) A post-conflict Ukraine could resume its place as a major food-producing area at a time when the PRC would willingly guarantee a market for its produce. Meanwhile, on March 10, a joint trilateral statement was issued by the PRC, Saudi Arabia, and Iran supporting good neighborly relations between the Kingdom and the Iranian republic. It also began the process of restoring SaudiIranian diplomatic ties after a seven-year gap. This was facilitated by work undertaken in advance by Iraq and Oman, who are keenly aware that Beijing can no longer be ignored in the region. The accord also papered over initial Iranian unhappiness that the PRCSaudi talks occurred in December 2022 without Irans blessing or involvement. It doesnt change all the realities on the ground in the region, however: The United States is still the dominant security partner. But it does change the psychological and economic meter: Beijing is perceived to have done what Washington couldnt. Moreover, it moves the region a degree or two away from total reliance on the petro-dollarthe measurement of all oil and gas sales in dollars. Again, this may be rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic after it hit the iceberg, but it covers up the growing reality of inherent weakness in the PRC economy and currency. The March 10 accord moved Beijing further toward energy security while demonstrating that Xi, and not U.S. President Joe Biden, had control of a peace-making agenda. None of this is lost on Kyiv. What can the United States do to counter Beijings move when Biden has built up a no compromise approach, urging Kyiv to fight Moscow to the last U.S. dollar and the last Ukrainian? Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. As Chinas Xi Arrives in Moscow, Experts Say Peace Efforts a Smoke Screen Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping attend a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on March 20, 2023. (Sputnik/Sergei Karpukhin/Pool via Reuters) Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived at Moscows Vnukovo Airport on March 20 for a three-day state visit to Russia, during which he is slated to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The meeting comes as Russia slowly makes advances in its monthslong operation to capture the eastern Ukraine city of Bakhmut. The bloody battle has led to massive losses on both sides, especially the Russians. Xi and Putin are meeting at a time when the war in Ukraine is entering a stage in which it could end conclusively or drag out into a stalemate, according to Madhav Nalapat, a strategic affairs analyst and vice chair of the India-based Manipal Advanced Research Group. Putin is under pressure from his commanders to unleash the full fury of Russian weapons against Ukraine rather than have the war get prolonged, he told The Epoch Times. Xi clearly wants to know whether Putin will go all out or continue with the present tactics. The hasty arrangement and secret get together of Xi and Putin is because the Russian military is on the brink of collapse in Ukraine, says Frank Lehberger, a Germany-based sinologist. Xi Jinping, who is the sole autocrat of China, is anxious not to let this happen, because a military rout of Russian armies in Ukraine would be the end of Putins autocratic and anti-Western regime of Russia, he told The Epoch Times in an email. The Russian army has lost nearly 200,000 soldiers since the war began, according to Western officials, and at least 500,000 Russians have fled the country. Lehberger says Russian elites and nationalist hardliners are angry with Putin and hold him responsible for the situation, while seeking an end to Putins dream to recreate a Russian empire in Europe. Putin desperately needs Xi to come now and pledge his help, or it will be too late for Putin and his dreams of an autocratic empire, he wrote. Xi knows all this, and he also desperately needs Russia to fight on not only against Ukrainians but by association against the entire democratic West or NATO, which are the CCPs [Chinese Communist Party] existential enemies. Nalapat said that Russia losing a war to Ukraine would weaken Chinas position significantly in the international order and the timing of the meeting is mindful of that. Upon his arrival, Xi told reporters that Moscow and Beijing sought to act in tandem to uphold the U.N.-centric international system and safeguard the world order based on international law and the fundamental norms of international relations [based on the] principles of the UN Charter. Xi, who secured an unprecedented third term earlier this month, said he planned to hold wide-ranging talks with Putin regarding bilateral relations and other issues of mutual concern. He also voiced confidence that his visit would lend new impetus to the development of ChinaRussia relations and a new era of strategic cooperation. Ukraine on Agenda Shortly before Xis arrival, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also confirmed that the two leaders would discuss a Chinese proposal for resolving the conflict in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022. The topics that were touched upon in this [Chinese] plan will inevitably be raised during the exchange of views on Ukraine, Peskov said. The issue of Ukraine, he added, will feature on the agenda. Offered by Beijing earlier this month, the 12-point plan calls for a cessation of hostilities, the resumption of negotiations, guarantees to ensure global supply-chain security, and an end to unilateral sanctions and what it calls the Cold War mentality. In a March 19 article published in the CCP-run newspaper Peoples Daily, Putin voiced appreciation for Beijings well-balanced stance on events in Ukraine and its understanding of their historical background and root causes. Putin also welcomed what he described as Beijings readiness to make a meaningful contribution to the settlement of the crisis, according to the Kremlins translation of the article. Later in the same article, Putin asserts that Moscow is open to the political and diplomatic resolution of the Ukraine crisis. He also claims that it was not Russia who broke off the peace talks [with Kyiv] back in April 2022. According to Putin, the future of the RussiaUkraine peace process depends solely on the will to engage in a meaningful discussion taking into account current geopolitical realities. Lethal Arms for Russia There has been rising apprehension about China supplying assistance to Russia. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in February that China is already providing non-lethal weapons to Russia during the war and is considering supplying lethal assistance. Beijing denies those claims. Experts say that Xis purported role as peacemaker in the conflict is just a smoke screen, pointing to Beijings supply of dual-use equipment to Moscow that supports its military efforts. Geopolitical analyst Brandon Weichert said that China has long been providing vital support and supplies to Russia. The Biden administration knows full well that there are Chinese technicians working alongside Wagner Group units in Bakhmut, helping them to maintain the drone fleets that Chinese drone makers have sold to the Russians, he said, referring to the private mercenary group. The Wagner Group purchased more than 2,500 Chinese drones in a deal between the mercenary group and Russian and Chinese intelligence, British media outlet Daily Mirror reported, citing a UK intelligence report. Nalapat said that misleading the enemy is a standard operating procedure for the CCP, noting that the regime is supplying arms to Russia through discreet channels. Do you believe that the flood of weapons, many sophisticated, coming to Russia from North Korea and Iran have all been made in those two countries? he said. According to a recent Politico report citing customs data, Chinese firms have exported 1,000 assault rifles and other equipment to Moscow that could be used in the conflict. In June 2022, for example, Russian firm Tekhkrim imported rifles from China North Industries Group Corp. Ltd., a large state-owned defense contractor. The data also showed that Russian companies received 12 shipments of drone parts and more than 12 tons of body armor from China via Turkey in late 2022. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told The Epoch Times in response to that report that the Biden administration couldnt confirm that China has in fact provided lethal aid to Russia. All these activities are in contravention of current international sanctions, Lehberger said, adding that the reported efforts are only the tip of the iceberg. In addition to Iran and North Korea, China also is sending arms to Russia through other countries such as Burma (also known as Myanmar), Serbia, Turkey, and Belarus, which is a staunch Russian ally in Eastern Europe, according to Lehberger. After his summit with Putin, Xi will talk via satellite link to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time since the invasion. Lehberger termed this as Xis make-believe peace mission. Xi will aim for a temporary ceasefire to earn recovery time for Putins depleted army and Russia will at a later time attack Ukraine more fiercely, Lehberger said. He said that the CCP will continue to supply arms to Russia for at least another two years, because he believes that Xi has plans to take over Taiwan in 2025 and would thus wish to use prolonged UkraineRussian conflict to stun or weaken the United States and other Western powers. US: Ceasefire Under Beijing Plan Unacceptable On the same day that Putins article was published, Kirby said calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine by Putin and Xi would be unacceptable. All thats going to do is ratify Russias conquests to date, he said in televised comments. All thats going to do is give Mr. Putin more time to refit, retrain, remain, and try to plan for renewed offensives at a time of his choosing. U.S. officials, along with their counterparts in Ukraines capital Kyiv, have ruled out any negotiations until Russian forces entirely withdraw from what they see as occupied Ukrainian territory. That includes the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, which Moscow effectively annexed last September, and the Black Sea region of Crimea, which since 2014 Moscow has viewed as Russian Federation territory. Last year, high-level peace talks were held in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian officials. At one point, the talks appeared to be making progress, with both sides reportedly willing to make concessions. Negotiations were scuttled, however, following Ukrainian claims that Russian forces had killed civilians in the town of Bucha, near Kyiv. The United States and its NATO allies backed Kyivs claims, while Moscow insists they were fabricated. Chinas Economic Stake Experts said that China has long-term economic agendas vis-a-vis the RussiaUkraine war and its economic goals over the next decades are linked with Beijings subjugation of the Russian economy. Russia is squarely in the camp of Chinas new empire; the vast Russian wilderness will become protein for which the dragon can feed on as it rises over the next decade, and Putin will become a powerful vassal prince under Xi Jinping, said Weichert, who added that fusing the Chinese and Russian economies would be a major victory for Xi and, for that, it would need Russia to be ensnared in a protracted conflict with Ukraine. Russia has become Chinas most important supplier of industrial raw materials at discounted prices, Nalapat said. The two countries want to work together to topple the U.S. dollar (USD) as the global reserve currency. A weakened U.S. dollar would in their view boost their own currencies, especially the RMB [Chinese yuan]. For some time, much of U.S. deficit funding has come from increases in overseas purchases of USD as a reserve currency, and a dollar reset would significantly crimp the ability to spend of the U.S. government, he said. Xi wants the United States not only to be weakened but also be deprived of reliable and functioning allies within Europe, according to Lehberger, who sees the Ukraine war as vital to Beijings economic game plan against Washington. A weak [European Union] will then be earmarked to become an economic dependency of China. Chinese Leader Xis Meeting with Putin a Political Show: Experts Chinese leader Xi Jinping walks past honour guards during a welcoming ceremony at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on March 20, 2023. (Anatoliy Zhdanov/Kommersant Photo/AFP via Getty Images) Chinese leader Xi Jinping has arrived in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking their first meeting in Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine last year. The trip to Russia also marks Xis first official overseas trip since he secured an unprecedented third term as the head of the state. The two leaders are scheduled to hold one-to-one informal talks later on Monday, before having dinner together. Ahead of Xis trip, Putin was accused of war crimes in an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Kremlin considers it illegitimate while Beijing said it reflects double standards. In a choreographed show of solitary, Xi and Putin each published a newspaper article ahead of their Monday meeting. In the article published in Russias official media Russian Gazette, Xi claimed the regimes peace plan, a 12-point framework published last month to solve the Ukraine crisis, represented the broadest common understanding of the international community on the crisis, according to a translation by Chinas state-run media Xinhua. Beijings blueprint was largely dismissed by Western leaders as it repeated several Russian propaganda points and lacked concrete plans on how to end the a-year-long war, in which tens of thousands of people have been killed, many cities have been destroyed, and millions forced to flee from their homes. While Xi sought to portray himself as a broker to mediate an end to the war, the United States and NATO are skeptical of his motives. The Chinese regime has refused to characterize Moscows actions as an invasion and blamed Washington for instigating the conflict. In an article published on Chinas state media earlier on Monday, Putin praised the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for taking a well-balanced stance in the ongoing Russian conquest of Ukraine, according to a translation provided by the Kremlin. Putin called Xi his good old friend and welcomed Chinas willingness to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis. A Political Show For observers, Xi is walking on an awkward diplomatic tightrope amid the trip. Ding Shuh-fan, emeritus professor of the College of International Affairs at Taiwans National Chengchi University, in an interview with The Epoch Times before Xi left China, said the United States wouldnt accept any China-led peace deal unless Russia agrees to major concessions to Ukraine. Any deal that would allow Moscow to maintain its territorial control in Ukraine would not be accepted, Ding added, since it would be an indirect nod of approval to Moscows invasion. In other words, Xi faces some risk, Ding said. If Xi fails to properly play the role of a mediator, China could see its relationship with Western nations be on an irreversible path toward deterioration. However, to make Putin agree to concessions demanded by the West, honestly speaking, it is highly difficult. Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd R) and Chinese leader Xi Jinping (2nd L) at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 4, 2017. (Mikhail Klimentiev/AFP/Getty Images) Lin Ting-hui, deputy secretary general of the Taiwanese Society of International Law, said Xis attempt to be a mediator was nothing more than a political show. Fundamentally speaking, Chinas attempt to bring peace to the two nations serves nothing more than propaganda, Lin told The Epoch Times before Xi left China. [Xi] wont be able to have the two nations come to an agreement. In the end, what matters is how the war will evolve between Ukraine and Russia. Only when the war comes to a definitive conclusion will there be any chance of peace talks, he said. Birds of a Feather Flock Together Before Xi arrived in Moscow, two Democrat lawmakers shared their views on the Putin-Xi partnership on Sunday. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in an interview with Fox News, called Putin and Xi two authoritarian leaders, noting that birds of a feather flock together. China is very nervous about the fact that NATO has been united, that were united with our Asian democratic partners and have a front against authoritarianism, Van Hollen said. And Xi is, of course, watching very carefully what happens in Ukraine, which is why it is essential we continue to support the Ukraine people. This is another example of why you cannot say youre tough on China, if youre weak on Russia and the fight in Ukraine. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a member of the House Select Committee on China, in an interview with MSNBC, questioned why Xi would want to align with a war criminal like Putin. Obviously Putin has been asking for arms and support, financial support, economic support, and military support for his failed war. And hes turning to China, Moulton said. I think that the reality is that as long as Xi Jinping is aligning himself with autocrats, dictators, and war criminals, hes not being the kind of international leader that he aspires to be, Moulton added. If he wants to be, hes got to start acting like a responsible world leader, and a responsible world leader does not support a war criminals illegal war. Luo Ya and Reuters contributed to this report. Chinese Regime Issues Internet White Paper, Encouraging Other Countries to Adopt Its Tech for Information Control A map of China is seen through a magnifying glass on a computer screen showing binary digits on Jan. 2, 2014. (Edgar Su/File Photo/Reuters) The Chinese communist regime recently released a white paper about rule of law for the Internet, openly stating its intentions to export its experience in internet totalitarianism to other countries. Experts point out that the Chinese Communist Partys (CCPs) white paper indicates that Chinese authorities are able to fully control the Internet using modern technology and that its control model has in fact already spread to the wider world. The regimes State Council Information Office issued the white paper titled Chinas Internet Rule of Law Construction in the New Era on March 16. It stated that the regime would strengthen international exchanges and cooperation on the internet rule of law and share experiences and practices with other countries. The nearly 18,000-word long white paper was released in eight languages. The spokesperson of the State Council Information Office stated that the regimes internet rule of law includes the integrated promotion of online legislation, online law enforcement, online judiciary, online law popularization, and online legal education. Pushing Internet Totalitarianism Lai Chung-chiang, the convener of the Taiwan Economic and Democratic United think tank and a practicing lawyer, told The Epoch Times on March 16 that the CCPs totalitarian digital empire incorporates every move of the people into the scope of the governments network supervision. They monitor peoples every move through various monitors, facial recognition, digital health codes, and security codes. This is like the acme of the totalitarian state described by George Orwell in his novels [1984 and Animal Farm]. The CCPs white paper states that the CCPs internet management involves the participation of multiple parties, including the government, enterprises, social organizations, and netizens. Lai said the white paper shows that the CCP still focuses on internal control; that is, the monitoring of the Chinese people. The document mentions that the publication of the white paper is to give a comprehensive introduction to the construction of the rule of law on the internet in China, and to share the experience and practice with other countries. The white paper goes on to state that the CCP is willing to work with the international community to jointly promote the process of rule of law in global internet governance. Meanwhile, the regimes state media mouthpiece Xinhua News Agency released CCP leader Xi Jinpings speech titled Exploring the Construction of a Global Civilization Dialogue and Cooperation on the Internet during CCP in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting on March 15. Wang He, a China observer and Epoch Times contributor, told The Epoch Times on March 16 that the CCP has always been exporting totalitarianism on the internet to other countries. There are two main parts [of its strategy], he said. One is to export cyber dictatorship to the world through the regimes economic-political project the Belt and Road Initiative; the other is to conduct network surveillance, theft, and cyber espionage on the United States, the West, and the whole world through cyber warfare, and launch some covert cyber wars. Lawyer Lai added, China [the CCP] uses its huge population to form a cyber army, including robots of course, to carry out cognitive wars and digital attacks on countries, including Taiwan. Its been doing it for years. Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike released its annual Global Threat Report in early March, stating that in 2022, hacker organizations related to the CCP significantly increased their cyber espionage activities, attacking almost all 39 industry sectors in 20 geographic regions around the world. A woman walks past the headquarters of ByteDance, the parent company of video sharing app TikTok, in Beijing, China, on Sept. 16, 2020. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images) Lin Zongnan, a professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications Engineering Research Institute of the National Taiwan University who specializes in network communications, told The Epoch Times on March 16, The CCP is now using technology companies that work in both military and civilian fields, such as Huawei, TikTok, etc., not only to completely suppress peoples voice in China, control everyones [information] consumption, etc., but also to extend this control model to the whole world. The CCP has already exported mass surveillance technologies and mechanisms to some authoritarian countries. Wang pointed out that the biggest problem with the Internet in China is the absence of internet human rights. The CCP only talks about the internet sovereignty, not the internet civil rights, Wang said. The CCP has integrated three high-tech surveillance systems into one, including surveillance on individual movement, financial surveillance, and surveillance of online speech and actions. The internet freedom report released by U.S. government-funded think-tank Freedom House in October 2022 pointed out that China has been identified as the country with the worst internet environment in the world for the eighth year. Lin said, The CCP is only using the righteous words to whitewash its control over the people. This internet white paper is for strengthening its control of the internet. Ning Haiphong and Luo Ya contributed to this report. Chinese Research Centres Recruiting British-Trained Tech Talent A closeup of a silicon wafer on display at Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institution in Hsinchu, Taiwan, on Sept. 16, 2022. (Annabelle Chih/Getty Images) Three state-funded Chinese institutes have posted job adverts this year targeting Chinese scientists in the UK in a bid to recruit high-tech talent. The institutes, which advertised on the Chinese Embassy website, are looking for candidates for the National Natural Science Foundations (NSFCs) Science Fund Programme for Distinguished Young Scholars (Overseas)a recruitment and funding scheme similar to the so-called Thousand Talents Plan. Vacancies are in areas such as marine environmental science and biomedical science to more sensitive fields such as semiconductors and advanced materials, although some technologies used in innocuous areas, such as remote sensing, also have military applications. Theres no evidence to suggest that the recruitment campaigns are aimed at intellectual property theft or developing military capabilities, but theyve raised concerns about British know-how being transferred to communist-controlled China. China experts told The Epoch Times that while the UK shouldnt impose a blanket ban on Chinese students, it needs to be more careful with choosing candidates in sensitive areas. The Adverts The Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences posted an advert in English looking for researchers and professors in medical fields. Two Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)-affiliated institutes, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO) and Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research (YIC), posted job adverts in Chinese only. YIC was looking for talent in fields including marine resources, environmental, ecology, biology, chemistry, information, remote sensing, and engineering. SINANO was seeking researchers in electronics, biomedics, and materials, including 20 sub-areas such as semiconductor materials and manufacturing; protection, energy, or thermal management materials; and bionic unmanned platforms and systemsmany of which would have both civilian and military applications. For example, advanced materials are crucial for a wide range of industries, including semiconductors or aeroplanes and bionic unmanned systems on butterfly, bird, or balloon-shaped drones or fish-shaped underwater vehicles that can be used for surveillance and reconnaissance tasks and avoid being recognised by radar. State-Funded Programmes All three institutes are looking for candidates to apply for the NSFCs Science Fund Programme for Distinguished Young Scholars (Overseas), with SINANO also hiring under different schemes. The three-year funding programme provides 1 to 3 million yuan (119,000 pounds to 359,000 pounds) per person, aiming to attract young and accomplished scientists who have the potential to become leading figures in their fields. In total, YIC is promising successful applicants a competitive salary, housing, schooling and holiday benefits, and up to 4 million yuan (476,000 pounds) for research funding and expenses. SINANO stated that successful applicants would get a salary of 700,000 yuan (83,800 pounds), at least 3.75 million yuan (450,000 pounds) in relocation and other expenses, at least 9 million yuan (1 million pounds) in research funding, temporary accommodation, and other benefits and rewards. SINANO was also hiring researchers under other in-house schemes such as the CAS young talent programme, targeting those who have three years of work experience or are in key technology fields that are urgently needed in an important national mission. Postdoctoral candidates are also promised opportunities to study abroad with state funding. Among the 162 researchers listed on SINANOs website, almost two-thirds listed studying or working experience outside mainland China or Hong Kong. More than a third have studied or worked in the United States; 8 percent, or 13 people, have been in the UK; and 12 percent have been in Japan. Others have been in countries including Singapore, Taiwan, Germany, South Korea, France, Australia, Sweden, and Canada. UK Needs Better Guidance, Stronger Background Checks: Experts The U.S. and other Western governments have long been concerned with Beijings talent recruitment schemes such as the Thousand Talents Plan. The FBI has said that businesses, universities, and laboratories should understand the potential risks and illegal conduct incentivized by these programmes and take steps to safeguard trade secrets and intellectual property. According to The Guardian, Freedom of Information requests show that in 2022, the Foreign Office barred more than 1,000 scientists and postgraduate studentsmany of them Chinesefrom working in the UK on national security grounds. Alan Mendoza, co-founder and executive director of foreign affairs and defence think tank the Henry Jackson Society, said its a difficult area in which to balance risks. You want to have some scientific exchange, thats important, but at the same time, you want to make sure that information is not taken from your capabilities to be used in a hostile way against you, Mendoza told The Epoch Times. He said it would be a bit draconian to impose a full-scale ban on Chinese students, but there needs to be a better guide at this end about what sort of projects they could be working on. Benedict Rogers, co-founder of Hong Kong Watch and the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, also believes that its neither practical nor desirable to impose a blanket ban, as students shouldnt be penalised or discriminated against solely on the basis of their nationality but he also said that much stronger background checks are needed, and universities should be more careful about offering places in certain disciplines. In an email to The Epoch Times, Rogers said it should be no problem and might even be beneficial to offer Chinese students places in humanities programmes, but certain areas of the sciences and technology might merit some restrictions because we should not be transferring knowledge, wittingly or unwittingly, in sensitive areas where such knowledge may one day be used against us through espionage, hacking, military purposes, or in other ways. Rogers also called for the UK to be much more cautious about research relationships between UK and Chinese institutions. Chinese, South African Mafias Are Decimating Wildlife in Kruger National Park Report says 40 percent of rangers are corrupt and many others turn a blind eye out of fear Dr Marius Kruger (C) and members of the Kruger National Park keep the head of a white rhino up during a relocation capture on Oct. 17, 2014. (Stefan Heunis/AFP via Getty Images) JOHANNESBURGA new report from European Union-funded international crime response group Enact states that organized crime groups from South Africa and Chinain collaboration with corrupt wildlife officialsare decimating the population of big game animals in one of the worlds premier game reserves. The Kruger National Park covers an area of almost 7,600 square miles across South Africas northeastern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, bordering Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The U.N. Environment Program describes Kruger Park as one of the worlds most important wildlife conservation areas. Its home to the iconic but increasingly rare animals known as the big five: African buffalo, African elephant, rhino, leopard, and lion. Ivory from elephant tusks fetches high prices on black markets, and rhino horn and lion bones are in high demand in China for their scientifically disproven healing properties when ground and mixed into traditional medicine. According to the report from Enact wildlife and organized crime expert Julian Rademeyer, at least 40 percent of Kruger Parks law enforcement employees are corrupt and up to 70 percent of other park employees may be assisting poachers. The park employs a staff of more than 2,500, plus more than 400 rangers. Rademeyer told The Epoch Times the staff is mostly from surrounding communities and as such are at great risk of coercion and threats. In his report, he gives examples of the threats a ranger will receive: You work in the park, your wife is alone at home with the kids, and this is where the kids go to school. You make the choice. Under pressure, the ranger starts providing information to the syndicate, receiving an initial payment of 25,000 rands ($1,400). Payments increase depending on the quality of information received, such as the location of a lion pride. The big cats are easy to kill with poisoned meat, and the carcasses are chopped up and transported out of the park with the help of corrupt officials. The bones are then smuggled out of the port of Durban in containers on ships bound for the Far East, to markets in China. Rademeyer said his information is based on interviews with senior Kruger Park law enforcement agencies, honest and corrupted rangers, private wildlife security consultants, conservation managers, and investigators trying to unravel a complex web of organized crime thats engulfing the park. Investigators from South Africas Hawks agency told The Epoch Times they have linked many rangers and police officers to poaching networks. Rangers must either become part of the crime or they must turn a blind eye to it. If they do not, they are shot dead in their homes, one of the investigators said. He continued: In cooperation with auditors we have traced payments of large amounts of money to more than 50 Kruger Park officials, from syndicates. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as our investigations have just started. The parks head ranger, Cathy Dreyer, whos received numerous death threats, told The Epoch Times its impossible to enter Kruger Park to kill animals without cooperation from inside the reserve. Ike Phaahla, the spokesperson for the government-run SANParks agency that manages Kruger Park, told The Epoch Times he couldnt yet comment on Rademeyers report. Kruger Park is considered to be one of the jewels in the crown of South African tourism, which prides itself on offering local and international tourists a chance to view the rare game animals. However, according to Rademeyer, the government appears to be doing little to protect the animals in the way of giving more resources to agencies to fight the syndicates off. His report Landscapes of Fear traces the beginning of the rot to 2011, when rhino poaching began to increase dramatically in Kruger Park. Between 2011 and 2020, Krugers white rhino population fell by 75 percent, to about 2,607 from 10,600. Rademeyer and the Hawks officers interviewed by The Epoch Times said that the same syndicates responsible for denuding the Kruger Park were also involved in kidnappings, cash-in-transit heists, car-jackings, extortion, illegal mining, and ATM bombings. Conservationist Kevin Pietersen told The Epoch Times: The only market for things like rhino horn and lion bones is Asia, and specifically China. Law enforcement guys have told me about links between Chinese triads and South African mafia-type groups. Its easy to smuggle anything out of South Africa; the controls are so lax. Several Chinese nationals have been arrested for rhino, elephant, and lion poaching in South African game reserves in recent years. Most have escaped jail terms, instead paying admission-of-guilt fines. In September 2021, police officer Stephanus Petersand a woman described by investigators as a Chinese interpreter, Lina Zhangwere arrested after allegedly delivering 30 rhino horns for transport from Johannesburgs OR Tambo airport to Malaysia. Police say the horns were falsely declared as wine. Rademeyer said the poachers are usually armed with automatic rifles and other high-caliber weapons. They often cooperate with corrupt state veterinarians to source animal tranquilizers and dart rifles. According to Rademeyers research, rangers and soldiers from the South African National Defence Force shot dead at least 200 suspected poachers in Kruger Park between 2010 and 2015, with seven soldiers losing their lives and many being seriously wounded. Five years ago, the government budgeted millions of rands for 87 additional rangers, but not a single appointment has been made. Requests for an explanation from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries went unanswered. A police intelligence source told The Epoch Times that most areas around Kruger Park are hotbeds of violent crime, with several factions from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) connected to criminal gangs. In March 2020, Hawks agent Col. Leroy Bruwer was killed when gunmen opened fire on his vehicle as he traveled between the towns of Mbombela and Lydenburg, near the reserve. Bruwer was the lead investigator in several cases of rhino poaching. In July last year, assassins shot dead ranger Anton Mzimba as he arrived home from work. Bruwers and Mzimbas funerals were muted affairs, attended only by relatives, close friends, and a few colleagues. Not as muted was the funeral of alleged poaching syndicate mastermind Petros Mister Big Mabuza, considered a hero by many in the communities surrounding Kruger Park. Fear of Being Killed Mabuza, often seen in the company of groups of Chinese men in casinos around South Africa, was shot dead in an apparent hit in 2021 as he parked his luxury sedan at a shopping mall in the town of Hazyview, also near the reserve. His funeral was described as bling by a local newspaper, his coffin arriving by helicopter and draped in a leopard skin. In his report, Rademeyer describes police stations in towns surrounding the Kruger as follows: They are deeply in the pockets of organized crime groups involved in poaching, cash-in-transit heists, car and truck hijackings, armed robberies, ATM bombings, and illegal gold mining. Thus, they offer little meaningful protection. Sometimes they even serve as escorts for contraband. The more honest police and those who feel a sense of dedication to their communities have little option but to turn a blind eye to the activities of their colleagues for fear of being killed. According to police statistics, the murder rate in Mpumalanga Provincein which most of the park is locatedhas spiked by 42 percent over the past decade. Mpumalanga investigative journalist Sizwe Sama Yende told The Epoch Times the region has been crippled by successive ANC administrations containing corrupt actors. Links to Organized Crime The biggest figure in Mpumalanga politics for decades has been ANC veteran David Mabuza, who up until recently was South Africas deputy president. Mabuzawho insists he isnt related to Petros Mabuzahas consistently been linked to organized crime groups, and opposition parties often refer to him as being a mafia don. President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Mabuza as his deputy following the ANCs national conference in December 2017, at which Jacob Zuma lost the party leadership, and subsequently the national presidency, to Ramaphosa, his sworn enemy. Party insiders say Mabuza played kingmaker at the conference, switching allegiance from Zuma to Ramaphosa on the eve of the event. The ANC describes Mabuza as a dedicated and law-abiding cadre. He spent a large part of his four-year tenure as deputy president in Moscow for medical treatment for an undisclosed illness. Like many of the ANCs top members, Mabuza received education and military training in the former Soviet Union during the apartheid era. John Steenhuisen, leader of the chief opposition party the Democratic Alliance, recently alleged that Mabuza was orchestrating corruption at South Africas beleaguered national electricity company, Eskom. Risks to Rangers and Families South Africas biggest coal-fired power stations are in Mpumalanga. Mabuza hasnt responded to the allegation, but his spokesperson described it as nonsense in an interview with Johannesburgs The Times newspaper. In his report, Rademeyer saluted the few Kruger Park officials who genuinely desire to fight organized crime in the reserve, at great risk to themselves and their loved ones. Their bravery, he said, had resulted in the recent arrests of two rangers and 11 alleged accomplices implicated in poaching, corruption, money laundering, and wildlife trafficking. Rademeyer said efforts to counter crime in Kruger Park would ultimately fail unless they are coupled with carefully targeted efforts to address broader criminal ecosystems in Mpumalanga. To be effective, short-term, reactive policing tactics must be replaced with a long-term strategy to counter and disrupt key criminal networks, he said. He suggested that law enforcement agencies and South Africas National Prosecuting Authority target high-level actors by offering amnesty to low-level criminals who cooperate with investigators. But with senior and junior ANC officials implicated in crime in and around Kruger, conservationists such as Pietersen doubt that the government will put the necessary resources into place to save one of the worlds greatest animal sanctuaries from destruction. GOP Lawmakers Dispute Mayorkass Claims on Screening of Illegal Immigrants at the Border Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, speaks to reporters on his way to a closed-door GOP caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 10, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) on March 20 co-signed a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, asserting that he has misrepresented DHSs own data while perpetuating an incorrect narrative on the screening of illegal immigrants in what they called the failure to resolve the worst border crisis in American history. You implied that the vast majority of illegal aliens who are released from DHS custody first receive and pass a credible-fear screening before they are released into the country. the congressmen wrote, referring to a Feb. 18 interview Mayorkas did with Chris Wallace on CNN. Yet, DHSs own data contradict your statements. Only a fraction of the illegal aliens DHS personnel apprehend receive a credible-fear screening prior to being released into the country. This is the latest attempt by Secretary Mayorkas to spin the facts about President Bidens border crisis. Under the Biden Administrations watch, the Department of Homeland Security has gone back to failed catch-and-release policies, said Comer in a statement the committee released announcing its investigation. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas answers a reporters question during a news conference with Mexican counterparts at the State Department in Washington on Oct. 13, 2022. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Only a fraction of those released in the U.S. are even screened for a credible fear. The Oversight Committee will continue to conduct much needed oversight of the Biden Administrations policies that have created the worst border crisis in American history and hold Secretary Mayorkas and others accountable for their failure to secure the border. The congressmen referenced in the letter comments Mayorkas made last month in which he said that a high percentage of the total of illegal immigrants that U.S. Border Patrol (BP) apprehends and are released in the United States have passed a credible fear screeningmeaning that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services determined that those migrants hold a credible fear of persecution or torture if returned to their home country. The congressmen are also requesting a long list of data from Mayorkas and documentation to help the Committee in understanding DHSs catch-and-release policies and its limited use of credible-fear interviews. As The Epoch Times reported in a Feb. 8 story about an Oversight committee hearing on illegal immigration at the southern border presided over by Comer: Before Joe Biden became president, there had never been a month in which there were more than 200,000 interceptions of illegal immigrants along the border. Every month for the past 10 months, more than 200,000 illegal immigrants have been intercepted along the border. DeSantis Criticizes Manhattan DA, Calls Trump Investigation a Manufactured Circus PANAMA CITY, Fla.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for pursuing his criminal investigation against former President Donald Trump for alleged hush money payments to adult performer Stormy Daniels. He hasnt received information about any indictment of Trump, who lives in Florida at Mar-a-Lago, he told reporters at a press conference on March 20 at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida. Rumors have circulated that Trumps indictment is imminent. But the governor expressed irritation at being distracted from running the nations third-largest state by what he regards as little more than a publicity stunt by a Soros-funded prosecutor. We are not involved in this. We wont be involved in this, DeSantis said. I have no interest in getting involved in some kind of manufactured circus by a Soros-funded DA. Hes trying to do a political spectacle. Hes trying to virtue signal for his base. Ive got real issues Ive got to deal with here in Florida. With so many things in front of the legislature I got to spend my time on issues that actually matter to people. I cant spend my time worrying about things of that nature. So were not going to be involved in it in any way. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in New York City on Jan. 13, 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Billionaire financier George Soros, a major donor to progressive political causes, has backed the candidacies of prosecutors in large cities who, upon taking office, have enacted radical law enforcement agendas, often involving refusal to prosecute certain types of crimes or require bail from defendants. One of them, San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, was recalled by voters after crime rates soared. Another, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon, survived a recall attempt. Im just glad that Im the only governor in the country thats actually removed one from office. DeSantis removed Hillsborough County District Attorney Andrew Warren from office last year for stating he wouldnt prosecute certain crimes. DeSantiss action has so far survived a review by a federal judge. He is a Soros-funded prosecutor and, like other Soros-funded prosectors, they weaponize their office to impose a political agenda on society at the expense of the rule of law and public safety, DeSantis said. Former US President and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives to speak during the 2023 Conservative Political Action Coalition (CPAC) Conference in National Harbor, Md., on March 4, 2023. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images) He has downgraded over 50 percent of felonies to misdemeanors. He says he doesnt want to even have jail time for the vast majority of crimes. And what weve seen in Manhattan is, weve seen the crime rate go up and weve seen citizens become less safe, DeSantis said. Adult film actress Stormy Daniels in New York City on April 16, 2018. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) He ridiculed Bragg for prosecuting Trump over a relatively minor, albeit suggestive, matter. Youre paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affairI cant speak to that. What I can speak to is you have a prosecutor who is ignoring crimes happening every single day in your jurisdictions, and youre choosing to go back many, many years ago to try to use something about porn star hush money payments. Thats an example of pursuing a political agenda and weaponizing the office. And I think thats fundamentally wrong. DUP Says It Will Vote Against New UKEU Deal on Post-Brexit Trading in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (C) speaks to members of the media outside the Culloden Hotel near Belfast, on Feb. 17, 2023. (Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images) The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) will vote against the UK government on the new UKEU deal on post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland, party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said. The so-called Windsor Frameworkwhich Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last monthaims to solve the dispute between the UK and the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol by significantly reducing the number of post-Brexit checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a press conference at the Guildhall in Windsor, Berkshire, on Feb. 27, 2023, following the announcement that they have struck a deal over the Northern Ireland Protocol. (PA Media) On Wednesday, British MPs will vote on regulations to implement the so-called Stormont brake, a key part of the framework that would allow a minority of lawmakers in the Northern Ireland Assembly to flag concerns about the imposition of new EU laws in the British provincea move that could lead to a UK government veto. On Monday, Donaldson said party officers had unanimously agreed to vote against the government in the first parliamentary vote on the new Brexit deal. He said that DUP members of the House of Commons will vote against the measures in the context of the partys ongoing concerns and the need to see further progress secured. Donaldson said while the Windsor Framework represented significant progress in addressing concerns with the Northern Ireland Protocol, it does not deal with some of the fundamental problems at the heart of our current difficulties. Notwithstanding the issues and conditions which have to be met to make the brake work, it remains the case that the brake is not designed for, and therefore cannot apply, to the EU law which is already in place and for which no consent has been given for its application, he added. The DUP leader said that there remain key areas of concern which require further clarification, reworking, and change as well as seeing further legal text. He said his party will continue to work with the government on all the outstanding issues relating to the Windsor Framework package to try to restore the delicate political balances within Northern Ireland and to seek to make further progress on all these matters. Undated photo of Parliament Buildings, often referred to as Stormont, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. (Paul Faith/PA) Stormont Brake The UK government and the European Commission unveiled the Windsor Framework on Feb. 27 after months of intensive negotiations aimed at reducing checks on Irish Sea trade created by the Northern Ireland Protocol, part of the Brexit withdrawal deal. While cutting back on checks required on goods destined for use in Northern Ireland arriving from Great Britain, the deal also contains a new mechanism, the Stormont brake, which Sunak said puts the region in a special position, allowing Northern Ireland politicians to oppose new EU goods rules. The brake offers a minority of MLAs30 from at least two partiesthe ability to refer to the UK government its concerns about the introduction of new EU laws in Northern Ireland. The government could then potentially prevent the application of those laws in the region. Sunak has also committed to amending the 1998 Northern Ireland Act to provide further reassurance to unionists about the regions constitutional status within the UK. Some prominent DUP figures, including Lord Dodds and MPs Sammy Wilson and Ian Paisley, have already suggested that the deal potentially does not go far enough to address their concerns over trade and sovereignty. Wilsonthe DUPs chief whip in the Westminster Parliament, said earlier this month: The Stormont brake is not really a brake at all. Its a delaying mechanism. Paisley, another DUP MP, said in an interview on Monday, It is the old substance dressed up in a new package with a ribbon around it, but it hasnt actually changed, or addressed the fundamental issue of Northern Ireland trade being disrupted in our internal UK market. Peace Deal Anniversary Northern Ireland has not had a functioning local government at Stormont for over a year since the DUP withdrew from the power-sharing executive in protest at the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The immediate future of devolution at Stormont rests on whether the DUP agrees to go back into power-sharing. London and Brussels are both keen to see the institution restored ahead of next months landmark 25th anniversary of the Good Friday peace agreement. Earlier on Monday, Downing Street defended the governments deal, stressing the importance of protecting the Good Friday Agreement. The prime ministers official spokesman said: This framework secures changes which many individuals and groups said werent possible. The Stormont brake is chief among them. With regard to EU regulation, these have been reduced right down to the very minimum level to ensure there is no border on the island of Ireland. I think that is the overriding priority of all parties in protecting and securing the Good Friday Agreement. Patricia Devlin and PA Media contributed to this report. An 83-year-old man was infected with COVID-19 around the New Year, with about 3/4 of his lungs turning white on a CT image. He had to rely on oxygen machines to stay alive. When his son was ready to accept the worst possible outcome, he made an unexpected and miraculous recovery. The elderly Chinese man who lives in Jilin City, Jilin Province, collapsed at home in early January this year after contracting COVID-19, and was taken to a hospital for emergency treatment. The hospital was packed with feverish patients, and the old mans son watched fearfully and hopelessly as the patients around him died one after another. There were so many people dying that I was scared for the first few days, but then I became numb to the situation. These patients who showed fever symptoms were carried out with their heads covered by white cloths, and were taken out one after another, he later said. For security reasons, the names of the people involved have been omitted from this article. A Phone Call That Saved a Life It was at this time that an overseas volunteer reached the young man by phone. As he was still in a mental shock when answering the phone, he spoke incoherently: My father is dying. He fainted at home. Too many people have been infected recently. The volunteer realized what had happened and said: Ill tell you how to save his lifethe Three Withdrawals. The Three Withdrawals refer to resignation from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and two of the CCPs affiliated organizationsthe Communist Youth League and the Young Pioneers. What for? the young man asked in confusion. The volunteer explained that the Three Withdrawals can save ones life. She is a volunteer for the Service Center of Quitting the CCP, an organization dedicated to helping mainland Chinese sever their ties with the CCP. She then asked if the elderly was a member of the CCP, and the answer was yes. Then he must quit. When he joined the Chinese Communist Party, he swore that he would fight for it for the rest of his life, that is, he would devote his life to it. Isnt it dangerous to take such an oath? The volunteer further explained, Chinese people are so hard-working and talented, but they dont have a good life, so annul this oath as soon as possible. Take control of your life. But my father has long been retired, the young man said. Apparently, he thought the CCP membership was no longer meaningful when one retired from a workplace. He doesnt have to go to the work unit to announce his withdrawal. He only needs to make a personal decision, the volunteer replied. Finally, the old mans son was persuaded and promised to tell his father about the Three Withdrawals. A few days later, when the volunteer called again and learned that the old man had agreed to withdraw from the CCP, the volunteer asked to help him publish a statement online on the Chinese-language Epoch Times. At the time, the old mans condition was still very serious. His CT image taken on Jan. 6 showed that both lobes of the lungs had turned white and he was in a critical state, the son said. CT image of the 83-year-old patient taken on Jan. 6, 2023. (Courtesy of the patients family) The condition known as white lung syndrome is characterized by the accumulation of exudative or inflammatory cells in the alveoli of the lungs. These cells block the passage of X-ray or CT scan rays, resulting in white areas on the scan image. He is in the middle of emergency treatment. I am uncertain, the young man said with a long sigh. He also revealed that the hospital was out of beds. I had to find a personal connection for my father to get admitted to this hospital. However, initially there was no oxygen machine for him, as the hospital is full of patients. Again, I had to use my personal connection to get an oxygen machine for him. Many patients passed away. I personally witnessed the deaths in this hospital in these several days. There are more than 20 COVID deaths every day, the son said. Fortunately, on Feb. 7, the volunteer learned that the old man had recovered and was able to walk. This happened after his withdrawal statement was published online. On March 8, during another phone call, the son told her that the father was in a good condition, both physically and mentally, with no lingering effects. In early December of last year, a sudden COVID-19 surge swept across China and medical resources became overwhelmed. Countless individuals died as a result, with the elderly experiencing an exceptionally high mortality rate. Additionally, long COVID has proven to be equally devastating for some who initially seemed to have recovered from the disease. In the three years of the epidemic, there are many true stories of Chinese people staying safe or having a full recovery from COVID-19 by quitting the CCP and its affiliated organizations. Sir Noel Malcolm said Lord Elgin did not 'steal' Parthenon Sculptures One of the worlds leading historians has rejected claims the Elgin Marbles were illegally removed from the Parthenon in Athens and has recommended they not be loaned back to Greece unless they accept the British Museums ownership of the sculptures. The Greek government has been campaigning for decades for the 2,500-year-old artefactssometimes referred to as the Parthenon Sculpturesto be returned to Athens, but the 1963 British Museum Act prevents objects being removed from its collection except in very limited circumstances. Earlier this month UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said there were no plans to change the British Museum Act. But the Chairman of the British Museum, George Osborne, a former chancellor of the Exchequer, has said he is exploring the possibility of a long-term loan back to Greece. Sir Noel Malcolm, a senior research fellow at Oxford Universitys All Souls College, has written a report (pdf) for the think tank Policy Exchange refuting claims the marbles were illegally removed by Lord Elgin between 1801 and 1805. Thomas Bruce, the seventh Earl of Elgin, was appointed as Britains ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in 1799 and held that position for four years. Malcolm said Elgin was fascinated by ancient Greek architecture and requested the liberty to take away any sculptures or inscriptions which do not interfere with the works or walls of the citadel at the Parthenon in Athens. Malcolm said this was granted in 1801in a document known as a firmanby the Ottoman Sultan in Istanbul, who at the time ruled all of what is now Greece. He said the original firman had not survived but a contemporaneous Italian translation stated Elgin should not be prevented from carrying away some pieces of stone with old inscriptions, and figures. Malcolm said the sculptures were gradually shipped to England between 1803 and 1812 and displayed at the British Museum, where they attracted great interest. A frieze that forms part of the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, on display at the British Museum in London on Jan. 21, 2002. (Graham Barclay, BWP Media/Getty Images) British Museum Purchased Marbles From Lord Elgin for 35,000 Elgin, who had spent 74,000 bringing the marbles to England and was heavily in debt, sold them to the British Museum for 35,000 after a House of Commons select committee looked into the matter and an Act of Parliament in 1816 authorised the purchase. The Elgin Marbles have remained on display at the British Museum for the last 200 years. In his report Malcolm said, Words such as steal, loot, theft and plunder appear quite often when demands for the return of the marbles to Athens are expressed, but he said they were a misnomer as there was no doubt the sculptures were taken legally, with the agreement of the Ottoman authorities, who were the only legal government in Greece at the time. He concluded: Overall, the conclusion is inescapable that by all applicable legal standards at the time, including those in the field, which was then relatively undeveloped, of international law, the Ottoman Sultan was the legal ruler, and decisions made by his ministers and representatives had legal validity. Malcolm then examined the arguments about whether to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece to restore the integrity of the original artwork. He pointed out: We should note that there are many examples of hugely important Italian Renaissance artworks, such as complex altarpieces, that are now scattered between different churches and museums. Masaccios Pisa polyptych is to be found in Pisa, Vienna, Naples and London, Mantegnas San Zeno altarpiece in Verona, Tours and Paris, and Signorellis Bichi polyptych in Paris, Berlin, Dublin, Glasgow, Toledo and Williamstown. In each of these cases, and in very many others, this state of affairs is just accepted as a fact of history, he added. He said it would be impossible to return the marbles back to their original position in the Parthenon and added, Instead, the idea is to transfer the Marbles from one museum to another museum. Certainly, they would be alongside other original sculptures, but this would still be very different from reassembling the original work of art, from which these two groups of sculptures have been removed and many other sculptures have been entirely lost, Malcolm added. Xi Jinping Weighed In on Greeks Side The historian also points out that in 2019 Chinese leader Xi Jinping, on a visit to Athens, said he agreed with the Greeks that the Elgin Marbles were illegally held in Britain and said: Not only will you have my support we should work together. Because we have a lot of our own relics abroad, and we are trying as much as we can to bring these back home as soon as possible. Chinese leader Xi Jinping (L) and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visit the cargo terminal of Chinese company Cosco in the Port of Piraeus, Greece, on Nov. 11, 2019. (Orestis Panagiotou/AFP via Getty Images) Malcolm said the idea of a loan back to Greece might seem like a sensible compromise but he said it was deeply flawed. He said, It is possible to imagine a scenario in which the Greek government guarantees the return of the marbles from Athens after a one-year loan period, but the process of removal from the Acropolis Museum is then blocked by mass protests, leading the Greek authorities to say that their promise has fallen victim to force majeure. Another possible scenario would involve legal action, taken by individuals or organisations in Greece. Such action might delay interminably the return of the marbles to London, or might well lead to a ruling by a Greek judge that they should not be returned at all, Malcolm added. Earlier this month, during a trip to San Diego, Sunak said: The UK has cared for the Elgin Marbles for generations. Our galleries and museums are funded by taxpayers because they are a huge asset to this country. We share their treasures with the world, and the world comes to the UK to see them. The collection of the British Museum is protected by law, and we have no plans to change it. EV Charging Making Inroads to Rural America, Tennessee and Rivian Partnership Shows Rivian Chargers were installed at Fall Creek Falls State Park in Pikeville, Tennessee, seen here in March 2023, as part of a partnership with Tennessee State Parks and Rivian. (Chase Smith/The Epoch Times) The push to electrify Americas roadways has reached Tennessee state parks in recent years, as the state partnered with electric vehicle (EV) company Rivian to install electric car chargers in some of the most remote areas of the state. For example, Fall Creek Falls State Park, the largest and most visited state park in Tennessee, now has chargers at two locations within the park. The park is located in rural Pikeville, Tennessee, approximately two hours or 126 miles from the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. The partnership between the state and the company aims to encourage the use of electric vehicles in Tennessee and support the states efforts to promote sustainable transportation. Installing these chargers in state parks makes them more accessible to residents and visitors alike, while also promoting tourism for EV owners. Rivian is a company that has gained significant attention in recent years for its electric vehicles, which cater more toward outdoor enthusiasts than typical electric vehiclescurrently offering only a truck and an SUV as options. Their vehicles also promise longer driving ranges, with the top-of-the-line Rivian R1T truck having an EPA-estimated range of 328 miles, making it the highest-range electric truck on the market, according to Inside EVs. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the state agency over all Tennessee State Parks, has worked since at least 2018 to prepare for electric vehicle adoption. As Tennesseans increasingly rely on electric vehicles, our state parks can play a significant role to enable recreation in all corners of our state, TDEC Commissioner David Salyers said when the partnership was announced in 2021. TDEC is committed to clean air, and the shift toward electric vehicles is an excellent step forward for air quality. Tennessees Republican Gov. Bill Lee had similar sentiments, saying the collaboration would support Tennessee jobs while enhancing the states already unmatched state park system. Electrifying Tennessee Parks TDEC is committed to helping power the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) across Tennessee, said TDEC Communications Director Kim Shofinski in an email to The Epoch Times. Increased EV infrastructure can help reduce emissions, improve air quality, and decrease transportation-related energy costs. Shofinski added Tennessee State Parks are a natural fit for EV charging stations because with 57 state parks across the state, no matter where you are, you are within an hour of a state park. She said having the chargers in state parks connects drivers with all Tennessee State Parks have to offer in terms of outdoor recreation opportunities and the communities surrounding the parks, several of which are rural. TDEC said Rivians partnership came at no cost to the state or taxpayers and they will be maintenanced by the company through 2031. A Rivian electric pickup truck sits in a parking lot at a Rivian service center in South San Francisco on May 9, 2022. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Rivian also covers all network access fees, equipment service, and maintenance through 2031, Shofinski said. Any potential future cost to drivers may be dependent on system wide utilization to recover electricity costs. The specific cost would vary based on current electricity rates at that time. Neither Rivian or TDEC had data available for how often the electric chargers have been used thus far. We do not have utilization data to share at this time, Shofinski added. Rivian Partners With State Parks Part of the reason Rivian said it was important to them to partner with Tennessee State Parks is to help fill in EV charging infrastructure gaps, according to Trent Warnke, Rivian senior director of Energy and Charging Solutions. Our goal in this partnership was to help fill the EV charging infrastructure gap at our treasured parks to support the transition to electric transportation, said Warnke in an emailed response to questions from The Epoch Times. Our focus is on working to provide peace of mind to EV drivers by helping them get around and back home safely from their favorite remote destinations. Rivian plans to introduce more state partnerships shortly, Warnke said. The company has already announced partnerships with Colorado, South Carolina, and some National Parks. He explained moving forward, the focus of the companys efforts is on their Rivian Adventure Network of DC fast chargers. This network places DC fast chargers along adventure routes and highway corridors, he said in the emailed statement. The Rivian Adventure Network is a network of fast-charging sites nationwide that will initially be capable of adding up to 140 miles of range in 20 minutes to Rivians R1T (truck) and R1S (SUV) models. The network is planned to grow to include more than 3,500 fast chargers at over 600 locations across the United States and Canada. As far as the cost to installing the chargers in state parks, Rivian did not give a specific answer, rather stating installation and maintenance costs of charging stations in remote areas vary widely. The cost to charge at the beginning of the sponsorship is free, with the state of Tennessee deciding whether to charge for charging in the future. Site hosts can determine the revenue model that works for themthey can set pricing and charge customers for use or offer charging as an amenity, he said. In this instance, these installations and the maintenance of the charging sites for 10 years was a donation from Rivian. The chargers will not only work on Rivian vehicles, but the chargers installed at Tennessee State Parks are equipped with a J1772 plug, an EV charging standard, making them compatible with any electric vehicle. ESG Partnership Rivian has entered a partnership with Nashville-based Clearloop to bring more solar energy into its charging stations. Clearloop partners with companies of all sizes to meet thier environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. The ESG movement is a derivative of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which was passed down to the corporate world via Wall Street, and marketed as an investment strategy for companies to follow. Employees work on an assembly line at startup Rivian Automotives electric vehicle factory in Normal, Ill., on April 11, 2022. (Kamil Krzaczynski/Reuters) Clealoop explains they help meet the ESG goals of companies by reclaiming their carbon footprint, expanding access to clean energy, and cleaning up the grid through the construction of new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left behind. To do this, they use solar capacity, measured in watts, as the mechanism of reclaiming carbon emissions from the grid. The partnership with Rivian brings online the companys first megawatt of renewable energy through a solar farm in Paris, Tennessee. Clearloop says Rivian provided upfront funding for the first megawatt of electricity, which will become a 6.75-megawatt project. Clearloops approach to bringing renewable energy online in areas like rural Tennessee to power things like electric cars are a different approach than the large share of renewable energy projects up and running to this point. Clearloop says power purchase agreements, long-term contracts for a set amount of renewable power at a set price, have driven the lions share of new corporate renewable energy projects. While theyve been impactful in bringing new clean energy online, theyre scaling quickly primarily in states with liquid wholesale electricity markets or retail choice, where the majority of corporations have focused their investments, the companys website explains. That has led to an uneven distribution of solar and wind, with states like California and Texas well-subscribed but others, notably in the Southeast and Mountain West, still rely on comparatively fewer renewables and more fossil fuels. Clearloop says this leads to inequity across the country in terms of clean energy, with Tennessees grid powered by 0.4 percent solar compared to California at 16 percent solar. As a result, a megawatt hour of electricity in Tennessee emits around 32% more carbon than a megawatt hour in Northern California, according to WattTime, a non-profit that tracks the carbon emissions that renewables avoid. And each new renewable project that goes to a place more like Northern California over a place like Tennessee increases that disparity and has a smaller system-wide emissions reductions impact. Rivian itself wants to achieve carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2032. Every Canadian PM in Past 4 Decades Has Been Compromised by CCP: Former CSIS Official Former RCMP and CSIS operative Michel Juneau-Katsuya in Ottawa on April 4, 2013. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld) Every Canadian prime minister over the past 40 years has allegedly been compromised by agents working for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to Michel Juneau-Katsuya, the former chief of the Asia-Pacific desk at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Juneau-Katsuya made the comments during an interview with Canadas CBC News on March 19 in response to revelations made in a soon-to-be-released book, The Mosaic Effect: How the Chinese Communist Party Started a Hybrid War in Americas Backyard. The book, authored by journalist Ina Mitchell and intelligence expert Scott McGregor, alleges that the United States ran a secret probeOperation Dragon Lordinto CCP activities in Canada in the 1990s that found Chinas alleged infiltration of the nations government posed a major security risk to the United States. Juneau-Katsuya claimed that he was aware of the U.S. probe into the alleged CCP infiltration but Canadian policymakers ignored warnings from him and other intelligence officials for decades. When asked how serious Chinas political interference in Canadian politics was, Juneau-Katsuya said it became extremely dangerous for Canadas democracy but claimed that a CSIS report regarding concerns about the alleged interferenceissued during his time as chief of the Asia-Pacific deskwas sidelined by political leaders. Definitely, we have evidence that we have been infiltrated by agents of influence, people working on behalf of the Chinese intelligence service, not necessarily spies but people who have been recruited and were capable of influencing the power at bay, Juneau-Katsuya said. According to the former CSIS employee, the alleged infiltration by Beijing in Canadian politics has been ongoing for the last 40 years, right up to the current administration led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. A sign for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service building in Ottawa, in a file photo. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press) Whistleblower Alleges CCP Election Interference Every [Canadian] prime minister has been compromised at one point or another by those [Chinese] agents of influence, and when we brought the warning, nobody listened, Juneau-Katsuya said. The ex-intelligence official could not cite specific evidence regarding his claims, citing the sensitive nature of documents allegedly proving the CCPs interference. The Epoch Times could not verify his claims. However, he added that if his and others concerns had been taken seriously at the time, officials may have been able to mitigate the alleged CCP threat to Canadian politics, but the situation now had evolved into something more substantial, pointing to recent whistleblower allegations made in the Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail, citing national intelligence sources, recently reported on alleged schemes run by the CCP to interfere in Canadas elections in 2019 and 2021. The reports noted that Beijings alleged foreign influence operation was centered around returning a Liberal minorityseen as open to doing business with Chinain 2021 and defeating Conservative candidates who are critical of the regime. China has denied the allegations of interference but Trudeau has since appointed veteran former official David Johnston as an independent special investigator to probe the alleged election meddling. The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA), an oversight agency, will also review how national security agencies in Canada handled the foreign interference threat. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping at the G-20 Leaders Summit in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 15, 2022. (Adam Scotti/Prime Ministers Office/Handout via Reuters) Officials Acknowledge Foreign Inference Attempts Trudeau has also said that Canada already had protocols in place to prevent foreign meddling, including the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol. That independent panel has acknowledged foreign interference attempts existed during the 2019 and 2021 elections but said the elections unfolded with integrity. Its not only this current government that is at fault, all previous governments were also ignoring what we were saying, Juneau-Katsuya said, adding that the 40-year-long alleged breach of governments by the CCP poses a phenomenal security risk for Canadians. You can ask yourself the question: Whos really running the country? Is it the foreign entity or is it our government?' he said. Juneau-Katsuya, who is set to appear before a special committee meeting of the House of Commons on CanadaChina relations on Monday, called for immediate measures to be put in place to protect Canada against alleged foreign interference and prevent future governments from replicating what previous governments have allegedly done. In its 2021 annual report, CSIS said that threats of espionage and foreign interference had increased in scale, scope, and complexity and that multiple foreign states continued covert attempts to gather political, economic, and military information in Canada through targeted threat activities in support of their own strategic goals. When questioned in the House of Commons last November about possible CCP interference in elections, Trudeau said, I have never gotten any information from any of our security agencies or police officers or intelligence officials or public servants any information of a federal candidate receiving money from China, as the allegations highlighted. Ex-DOJ Official Has Serious Doubts About Manhattan DAs Case Against Trump Former Department of Justice official and current UC Berkeley professor John Yoo is seen in Washington on June 26, 2008. (Melissa Golden/Getty Images) A top law professor said on March 19 that its likely that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs investigation against former President Donald Trump will never see a jury and that Trump could easily beat the charges. I think this is a seriously flawed prosecution, University of CaliforniaBerkeley law professor John Yoo told Fox News. Yoo, a Bush-era deputy assistant attorney general in the Office of Legal Counsel of the Department of Justice, noted that the timing of the investigation and reports of Trumps possible arrest was suspicious, coming just months after the former president announced a 2024 bid for the White House. Going after Trump while hes in the midst of a presidential campaign appears to be a politically motivated move to damage his chances of reelection, he suggested. I have strong doubts whether this will ever get to a jury, he said. I have strong doubts whether this will lead to the conviction of President Trump. He could easily get off all these charges and be declared innocent. Some critics and Trump have criticized Bragg for carrying out what has been described as soft-on-crime policies in New York. Just days ago, Bragg claimed in an interview with Bloomberg that left-wing state bail reform lawswhich law enforcement officials say have led to a rise in violent crimeare working and that his office is focusing on alternatives to incarceration. Since Trumps Truth Social post announcing that he may be arrested on March 21, the former president and others have noted that Bragg, a Democrat, received campaign cash from a group linked to controversial Hungarian-born billionaire investor George Soros. Twitter owner Elon Musk wrote that Soros figured out a clever arbitrage opportunity and that many small political contests, such as DAs & judges, have much higher impact per dollar spent than the big races, so it is far easier to sway the outcome. When you have a prosecutor who is not prosecuting serious crimes in New York City and is twisting and stretching the law to investigate Trump for something that occurred six or seven years ago, it undermines Americans faith in the justice system, Yoo said. Trump isnt being investigated for making a payment to Stormy Daniels but for allegedly misclassifying it during the 2016 campaign. Historically, the United States has an important norm for not targeting current and former presidents because they have to make some of the toughest, most difficult decisions in the country, Yoo said. Prosecuting a former president who has broad support will also set a dangerous precedent, he said. Former President Donald Trump greets guests following an event at the Adler Theatre in Davenport, Iowa, on March 13, 2023. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) But to bring a case like this its not important enough to break the norm of not pursuing a former president, he said of Braggs investigation. No current or former president has ever been arrested since the countrys founding nearly 250 years ago. The Epoch Times has contacted Braggs office for comment. Previous requests for comment on the reported Trump indictment havent been returned, and his office hasnt issued a public statement on the matter. Other Details Late last week, alleged unnamed court sources told multiple media outlets that Trump could be indicted soon, while those reports alleged that a grand jury in New York has been empaneled and may be seeking his indictment. Jonathan Turley, a law professor for George Washington University, wrote an opinion article that the case against the former president appears to be legally pathetic and is a bid to twist state laws to effectively prosecute a federal case long ago rejected by the Justice Department against Trump. 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 wrote. 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. Regardless of the outcome, if Trump is indicted, it could require the 45th president to travel to the district attorneys office in downtown New York to surrender. In some white-collar cases, the defendants lawyers and prosecutors often agree to a set date and timeinstead of arresting the individual at their home or elsewhere. Trump would get his fingerprints and mugshot taken and would appear for a court arraignment. The former president would likely be released on his own recognizance and would be able to head home, legal analysts told Reuters. Experts Back Rules to Snuff out E-bike, E-scooter Fires A man rides an electric bicycle, also known as an e-bike, in downtown Milan, Italy, on May 18, 2018. (Stefano Rellandini/Reuters) Almost 100 people have been injured, and more than 50 fires started by electric bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and hoverboards in less than three months, according to figures from an Australian research group. EV FireSafe, which monitors electric vehicle risks, released the data on Tuesday after an e-bike explosion in New South Wales (NSW) forced one man to jump from a second-storey window to escape a blaze that started in his garage. And experts predicted battery fires and explosions from lightweight electric vehicles would get a lot worse unless new regulations and training were introduced to govern use and sale. EV FireSafe chief executive Emma Sutcliffe said the group had verified 57 serious incidents caused by micro-mobility vehicles since January, injuring 97 people and causing eight deaths worldwide. Thirteen incidents had been verified in Australia in 2023, she said, in which 13 people were injured. Weve had (a fire) every day in March, globally, Sutcliffe said. While the group was established to advise on electric car risks, she said electric bikes and scooters had proven to be a much bigger safety risk as their batteries were not subject to the same design rules, lacked important safety features, and were more prone to damage. Light electric vehicles are coming to market very quickly; theyre typically drop-shipped out of countries like China, theyre making battery cells that are very poor quality, and theyre combining that with a very poor quality battery-management system, she said. That means when that battery pack is charging or discharging, the battery-management system is not able to stabilise the pack from a thermal perspective. UNSW Sydney associate professor Matthew Priestley said these fires were particularly dangerous as they occurred suddenly, are difficult to extinguish, and created toxic vapour. Priestley, who is designing a lithium-ion battery training course for tradespeople, said Australia urgently needed new rules governing the importation, approval and use of the batteries, as well as how they should be stored or recycled. As with any new technology, its always hard for regulation to catch up to it, but theres a real need for that catch-up because we run the risk of more of these accidents happening, he said. People arent aware of what kind of charger you can use, for example, and they might go and buy a cheaper one or borrow someone elses. No one really understands how dangerous that activity is. Electric bikes, scooters and skateboards should be charged outside homes where possible and using an original charger, Priestley said. Users should also ensure they only charged vehicles for as long as necessary, avoided leaving them plugged in overnight, and replaced batteries if damaged or wet. Sutcliffe said more than 40 million light electric vehicles were expected to be sold around the world in 2023, underlining the need for swift action. Its going to get a lot worse before it gets better, she said. Weve got a massive problem coming, and firefighters are underprepared because the technology has leapfrogged our knowledge, not just here in Australia. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released an issues paper into lithium-ion battery risks in December, with a report expected later this year. Fauci and DC Mayor Confronted by Man as They Go Door-to-Door Promoting COVID Vaccine Newly surfaced video shows DC man accusing Fauci of 'inciting fear in people' Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, on Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept. 14, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) A video published online for a forthcoming PBS documentary about former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases head Anthony Fauci shows the doctor arguing with a Washington, D.C., man about vaccines and their efficacy. In a clip thats titled Dr. Fauci visits D.C. to battle vaccine hesitancy, Fauci and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser are seen in June 2021 walking the streets in southeastern Washingtons Ward 8, a historically African-American neighborhood. The clip wasnt released until Monday for the PBS program, set to premiere on March 21. One man challenged Fauci and Bowser by saying that the people in America are not settled with the information thats been given to us right now, adding: Im not going to be lining up taking a shot on a vaccination for something that wasnt clear in the first place. He asked both Fauci and Bowser about how long it took to develop the COVID-19 vaccine, saying that nine months is definitely not enough for nobody to be taking no vaccination that you all came up with. The man said it takes years to come up with a vaccine. In response, Fauci defended the research into the vaccine and suggested mRNA vaccination technology took 20 years to perfect. It took about 20 years of science to get to this point, Fauci argued. Bowser defended the shots and suggested she would not have been out walking around pushing for vaccinations if she wasnt. The only reason Im talking to you right now, as close as we are, is that Ive been vaccinated, the Democrat mayor told the man. If thousands of people like you dont get vaccinated, youre going to let this virus continue to percolate in this country and in this world, Bowser added. The unnamed man shot back: Something like the common flu then, right? The man told the two that he definitely would not get COVID-19 vaccines because when you start talking about paying people to get vaccinated, when you start talking about incentivizing things to get people vaccinated, its something else going on with that. The governments campaign is about fear, the man said. Its about inciting fear in people. You all attack people with fear. Thats what this pandemic is. Its a fear, its fear, this pandemic. Thats all it is. Bowser and Fauci were then seen walking away. Another Clip Another clip from the PBS program showed a woman in the same district challenging the pair: I heard that [the COVID-19 shot] doesnt cure it, and it doesnt stop you from getting it. Fauci replied: On the very, very, very rare chance that you do get it even if youre vaccinated, its a veryyou dont even feel sick. Its like you dont even know you got infected. Its very, very good at protecting you. Government officials and pharmaceutical companies would later pivot away from claiming that COVID-19 vaccines prevent transmission of the virus, instead opting to say the shots prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Some studies, meanwhile, have shown that the virus spreads more quickly among vaccinated individuals compared to those who are unvaccinated. Later, former Trump White House official Dr. Deborah Birx told a congressional panel that evidence in late 2020 indicated vaccinated people could still transmit COVID-19. In that same clip, Fauci was heard denigrating Republican-led states in a conversation with Bowser. Those states are going to keep the outbreak smoldering in the country [because they wont get vaccinated]. Its so crazy. Theyre not doing it because they say they dont want to. Theyre Republicans. They dont like being told what to do. We need to break that, Fauci said. Late last year, Fauci left the federal government, departing both his National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and White House COVID-19 adviser positions. The longtime official was named head of the federal agency in 1984, but it wasnt until the COVID-19 pandemic that he became a household name, appearing in hundredsor even thousandsof media interviews since early 2020. Federal Reserve, Other Central Banks Announce Joint Liquidity Measures The Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Board building in Washington on March 16, 2022. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) The U.S. Federal Reserve announced on Sunday that it is collaborating with some of the worlds largest central banks to enhance liquidity provision by strengthening the standing of U.S. dollar liquidity swap line arrangements. The central banks will increase the frequency of seven-day maturity operations from weekly to daily to improve the effectiveness of the swap lines in providing U.S. dollar funding, the Fed said in a statement. Apart from the Fed, other central banks participating in the coordinated action include the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, and the Swiss National Bank. The network of swap lines among these central banks is a set of available standing facilities and serve as an important liquidity backstop to ease strains in global funding markets, thereby helping to mitigate the effects of such strains on the supply of credit to households and businesses, it stated. Operations would commence on Monday and continue at least through the end of April to support the smooth functioning of U.S. dollar funding markets, according to the European Central Bank. The move came on the heels of a deal brokered by Swiss authorities to have UBS Group buy rival Swiss bank Credit Suisse Group to prevent its disorderly collapse. Related Coverage Yellen Confirms Chinese, Other Foreign SVB Depositors Will Be Protected The deal followed efforts in Europe and the United States to support the sector since the collapse of U.S. lenders Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. Fed Reveals Banks Borrowing Billions in Loans The Fed published data on March 16 revealing that banks had borrowed a combined total of $164.9 billion from the central bank in recent weeks to maintain their liquidity. According to data from the Fed, banks borrowed $152.85 billion from the central bank in the week ending March 15 using the Feds traditional discount windowknown as discount window lendingwhich provides loans for periods of up to 90 days. That is up from $4.58 billion in loans the previous week. Elsewhere, about $11.94 billion was borrowed through the newly created Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP), established to support American businesses and households by safeguarding institutions impacted by the collapse of SVB. The BTFP said it provides loans for up to one year to banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other eligible depository institutions, in return for them pledging collateral such as U.S. Treasuries, agency debt, mortgage-backed securities, and other qualifying assets. Bloomberg noted that the previous all-time high borrowed from the Fed by banks was $111 billion during the 2008 financial crisis. In keeping with tradition, the Federal Reserve did not identify the banks that took out loans in its latest statistics. Katabella Roberts and Reuters contributed to this report. SAO PAULO, BrazilRenata Barretto attended a performance at the Teatro Bradesco on the afternoon of March 19, expecting something that came out of China. Instead, she was wowed and moved to tears by a performance that included commentary on modern-day China that could not have anything to do with the ruling communist regime. What I saw was completely different, said Ms. Barretto after seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts. Ms. Barretto is the head of global operations in Brazil for BNP Paribas Factoring, a leading European financial company. New York-based Shen Yun is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company, with a mission to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, showing audiences China before communism. Ms. Barretto saw in the performance traditional culture and universal values like compassion and forbearance. The story-based dances included vignettes from ancient Chinese history and legends, as well as stories based on real-life events occuring today. You know, I think its courageous to see that, she said. [The Chinese Communist Party] are still persecuting things like this, because its just about love and partnership fraternity. And it should be that everybody should be able [to have] free speech, and to believe in whatever they want and not be persecuted, she said. Ms. Barretto saw both tragedy and hope. It was a good outcome in the story, she said. But we know that maybe for some of the people there, its not happening, that they are suffering, so we should do something. She felt the world needed to come out and say This is too much! You have to step [up] for this type of issue and let people be free. The spiritual traditional Chinese culture was not the same as Ms. Barrettos own, but she thought it was beautiful and something that should be nurtured, for the Chinese peoples future. I think its beautiful, the Chinese believing that, and I think you should nurture that, because this will make the Chinese, China stronger, she said. They will believe more in themselves and they will grow, and they will do more that they are supposed to do. I love this show! she said, adding that Shen Yun was so great, and the dance was awesome. It was very emotional to me, 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. Former Australian Special Forces Soldier Charged With Afghan War Crime Australian citizens and visa holders prepare to board the Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III aircraft, as Australian Army infantry personnel provide security and assist with cargo, at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan August 22, 2021. (SGT Glen McCarthy/ Australia's Department of Defence/Handout via Reuters) An ex-Australian SAS soldier who served in Afghanistan has been arrested and charged with a war crime. Oliver Schulz was arrested on Monday morning by Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers in regional New South Wales and had his case mentioned in Queanbeyan Local Court on Monday afternoon. The AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) said in a joint statement the 41-year-old had been charged with one count of a war crimemurder, which carries a penalty of life imprisonment. It is the first time a serving or former Australian defence force member faces a war crime charge of murder under Australian law. It will be alleged the former special forces soldier murdered an Afghan man while deployed to the country with the Australian Defence Force. Schulz did not apply for bail during Mondays hearing, and bail was formally refused, an AFP spokeswoman told AAP. He is due to face court again in Sydney in May. The alleged incident was reported on in an ABC Four Corners episode in March 2020. After the broadcast, then-defence minister Linda Reynolds referred the matter to the AFP. The OSI launched an investigation led by Supreme Court judge and former Army Reserve Major General Paul Brereton. The AFP and OSI said they were working to investigate allegations of criminal offences under Australian law related to breaches of the Laws of Armed Conflict by Australian Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. The Office of the Special Investigator is an independent agency operating under the attorney-generals portfolio. It was created in 2020 to review any findings from the Afghanistan inquiry by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force. The inquiry was launched in 2016 to look into allegations relating to possible breaches of the law by members of the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan. Google Warns Millions of Android Phone Users to Take Action Immediately Google issued a warning to some Samsung, Pixel, and Vivo phones about critical vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to compromise their devices by making a special call to their phone numbers. The security flaw impacts Android devices that use the Exynos Modem 5123, Exynos Modem 5300, Exynos 980, Exynos 1080, and Exynos Auto T5123 chipsets made by Samsung. International versions of the Samsung Galaxy S22 (the U.S. version uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip), some mid-range Samsung phones, the Galaxy Watch 5 and 5, the Pixel 6 and 7, and cars that used the Exynos Auto T5123 chip could be exploited, Googles Project Zero warned in a blog post. The post said that Googles team found at least 18 different possible exploits that could be used to target the aforementioned devices that use the Exynos chips. Owners of the impacted devices should install upcoming updates as soon as possible, although that varies depending on the phone manufacturers schedule for each device. Tests conducted by Project Zero confirm that those four vulnerabilities allow an attacker to remotely compromise a phone at the baseband level with no user interaction, and require only that the attacker know the victims phone number. With limited additional research and development, we believe that skilled attackers would be able to quickly create an operational exploit to compromise affected devices silently and remotely, wrote Googles Tim Willis in the post, dated March 16. The fourteen other vulnerabilities were not as severe, he added, as they require either a malicious mobile network operator or an attacker with local access to the device. Googles security team said that in the meantime, some Android users can avoid being hacked by turning off Wi-Fi calling and Voice-over-LTE, known alternatively as VoLTE, in their devices settings. Until security updates are available, users who wish to protect themselves from the baseband remote code execution vulnerabilities in Samsungs Exynos chipsets can turn off Wi-Fi calling and Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) in their device settings. Turning off these settings will remove the exploitation risk of these vulnerabilities, Willis wrote. Samsung issued a statement confirming that it is aware of the potential security exploits and said it is now releasing updates for affected devices. It advised owners to update their Android smartphone software. After determining 6 vulnerabilities may potentially impact select Galaxy devices, of which none were severe, Samsung released security patches for 5 of these in March, the Korean tech giant told CNET. Another security patch will be released in April to address the remaining vulnerability. Impacted Devices In all, the impacted devices include Samsungs S22, M33, M13, M12, A71, A53, A33, A21s, A13, A12, and A04 series devices as well as Vivos S16, S15, S6, X70, X60, and X30 series devices, according to Google. Other affected devices include the Google Pixel 6 and 7, any vehicles that use the Exynos Auto T5123 chipset, the company added. According to security website Sophos, even though Googles research focused on devices that used a Samsung Exynos-branded baseband modem component, it doesnt necessarily mean that the system-on-chip would identify or brand itself as an Exynos. For example, Googles recent Pixel devices use Googles own system-on-chip, branded Tensor, but both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 are vulnerable to these still-semi-secret baseband bugs, Sophos said. Google noted the exploit discoveries were discovered in late 2022 and early 2023. The Project Zero team said it has chosen not to disclose four other vulnerabilities because of ongoing security exploits. Via its product security update website, Samsung described one of the bugsCVE-2023-24033as a memory corruption when processing SDP attribute accept-type. The baseband software does not properly check the format types of accept-type attribute specified by the SDP, which can lead to a denial of service or code execution in Samsung Baseband Modem, the advisory said. Users can disable WiFi calling and VoLTE to mitigate the impact of this vulnerability. La presidenta Dina Boluarte se reunio con el gobernador regional de #Ayacucho, Wilfredo Oscorima, y alcaldes de centros poblados de Uchuraccay, con quienes abordo temas urgentes para el desarrollo de la zona, como proyectos de integracion vial, irrigacion y centros de salud. pic.twitter.com/vDr8WhAULj Greens Maintain Pressure Ahead of Climate Policy Push CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 25: Finance Minister Katy Gallagher speaks during a budget lockup press conference to announce details of the 2022-23 federal budget to the media at Parliament House on October 25, 2022 in Canberra, Australia. Federal treasurer Jim Chalmers will deliver the Albanese government's first budget later today. The 2022-23 federal budget will include lower-priced medicines, available from January 1, 2023, $1.4 billion to extend COVID-19 response measures until December 31st, $33.6 million in medical research grants to help reduce the number of those affected by heart disease and stroke. For families and women, paid parental leave allowance will be expanded by six weeks up to 26 weeks, amounting to an extra $6499 and $15.8 million will fund projects to increase women's participation and representation in the workforce and leadership roles. (Photo by Martin Ollman/Getty Images) Finance Minister Katy Gallagher remains confident the governments signature climate policy will pass the upper house, despite the Greens hitting out at the plan. Changes to the safeguard mechanism will be debated in the lower house on Monday during what is the final sitting period before the budget is handed down in May. If passed, it would apply to the 215 biggest emitters in the country and aim to reduce emissions by 205 million tonnes by 2030. The government sees the proposal as vital to achieving its emissions targets. But with the coalition opposing it, the government will need the support of the Greens and two other votes in the Senate to pass its election promise to cut carbon emissions. The Greens have urged the government to stop new coal and gas projects in exchange for their support on the mechanism. Senator Gallagher said negotiations were continuing with the Greens, but she was optimistic about the safeguards success. We will engage as we do on every piece of legislation because its a minority chamber. We have to do that on every single piece of legislation; the safeguards is no different, she told ABC Radio on Monday. Weve been clear we want this legislation through; its critical to meeting our 43 percent reductions target. Its the policy that exists now. The Greens obviously want some other additional commitments, and well work through that over the fortnight. Greens leader Adam Bandt said despite its flaws, his party was willing to back the bill in exchange for a commitment to stop opening new coal and gas projects. A Parliamentary Library research brief on domestic coal demand and supply, commissioned by the Greens, found existing mines in Australia were adequate to meet coal-fired electricity demand through to 2040. Theres enough coal and gas already in the system for the Australian economy to make the transition to renewables, Bandt said. The new coal and gas projects supported by Labor arent about powering our economytheyre about sending profits offshore tax-free. Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie said she largely supported the mechanism but still had concerns about the time frame for reducing emissions for manufacturing businesses. It will not be able to meet those targets simply because the machinery that they need has not been invented yet, so that is a real sticking point with us, she told Sky News. Other than that, were pretty happy with the rest of the bill. So were just waiting for the Greens to stop playing their games. Senator Gallagher said the coalition had dealt itself out of negotiations. However, opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan said more information was needed from the government. What we want to see is a bit of transparency, he told Sky News on Monday. We want to see the modelling. We want to know what the impact will be on households, what the impact will be on cost of living. Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott said the laws should be passed as soon as possible. My message to all sides and politics is this: if we want this country to decarbonise, we need policy certainty, she said. The governments got a very simple bill before the house; lets pass it. And lets start to work through the other more complex issues along the way. A nationwide recall was issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 17. The recall affects frozen strawberries that are potentially linked to a Hepatitis A outbreak and have been sold across various retailers. According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), a possible link was established after five cases related to an outbreak of Hepatitis A have been reported since March 13. In all cases, the affected individuals reportedly consumed frozen organic strawberries. The reports of illnesses range from Nov. 24, 2022, to Dec. 17, 2022. Although no deaths have been reported, two people were hospitalized, according to the CDC. The affected strawberries were distributed by California Splendor and Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon, under various brand names in stores, including Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets. A tropical fruit blend sold at Trader Joes is also subject to the recall. Although the Hepatitis A virus (HAV) has not been detected on the products, the company and the FDA issued the recall as a precautionary measure following the reports to the CDC. Scenic Fruit Company and the FDA have cautioned consumers not to eat the strawberries if they have them in their freezer. Although Hepatitis A has not been detected on this product, out of an abundance of caution, consumers should stop consuming the product and return it to their local store for a refund. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem, the FDA stated on its website. California Splendor and some of the other associated retailers also issued statements (pdf). California Splendor, Inc., in cooperation with the FDA, is voluntarily recalling select lot codes of this product due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A illnesses. Although Hepatitis A has not been detected in this product, out of an abundance of caution, consumers should stop consuming the food and return it to their local Costco for a full refund. According to the latest information we have, there are no reported illnesses related to the recalled product. No other ALDI products are affected by this recall (pdf). No illnesses have been reported to date, and all potentially affected product has been removed from sale and destroyed. If you purchased any Organic Tropical Fruit Blend, please do not eat it. We urge you to discard the product or return it to any Trader Joes for a full refund, Trader Joes posted. An investigation into the cause of the outbreak and how it could have contaminated the affected products is underway. According to the FDA, the current outbreak may be linked to a previous recall by California Splendor in February. The company voluntarily recalled specific packs of 4-pound bags of Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries sold at Costco stores in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Hawaii. The possible link was established as the current strain of Hepatitis and the previous strain are genetically identical, making the previously imported strawberries a likely source. The expiry dates of the affected strawberries range from April 25, 2024, to Nov. 20, 2024, and were across multiple states: Simply Nature Organic Strawberries: 24 oz. size; UPC: 4099100256222; Best by date: 6/14/2024. Sold in Aldi stores in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Vital Choice Organic Strawberries: 16 oz. size; UPC: 834297005024; Best by date: 5/20/2024. Sold in Washington. Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberries: 4 lbs. size; UPC: 96619140404; Best by date:10/8/2024. They were sold in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Made With Organic Strawberries: 10 oz. size; UPC: 814343021390; Best by date: 11/20/2024. Sold in Illinois and Maryland. PCC Community Markets Organic Strawberries: 32 oz. size; UPC: 22827109469; Best by date: 10/29/2024. Sold in Washington. Trader Joes Organic Tropical Fruit Blend Pineapple, Bananas, Strawberries & Mango: 16 oz. size; UPC: 00511919; Best by dates: 04/25/24, 05/12/24, 05/23/24, 05/30/24, 06/07/24. Sold nationwide. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus. Symptoms can range from short-term and mild to severe, lasting several months. In some rare cases, those with pre-existing conditions or who are immune-compromised could experience liver failure. According to the FDA, infection typically occurs within 15 to 50 days of ingesting contaminated food or water. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, and pale stool. Consumers may contact Scenic Fruit via email at customer.service@scenicfruit.com with any questions. From NTD News. Coffee and tea are everyday drinks that have an invigorating effect. They both contain caffeine. However, a new study found that coffee has the risk of increasing blood pressure, while tea does not. Dr. Ou Han Wen, a doctor of integrative medicine and nutrition at the University of Maryland, said on The Epoch Times health program Health 1+1 that whether its tea or coffee, its important to drink it correctly. Many people think high blood pressure is caused by aging, making the cardiovascular wall less flexible and narrower, requiring more pressure to get the blood out. However, according to Ou, 90 percent of hypertension has no known cause. Functional medicine has found that hypertension is triggered by inflammation of the endothelium in the blood vessels, which consumes nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide is a key factor that can help blood vessels relax and prevent blood clots from coagulating. Many factors can cause inflammation of the blood vessels, including insulin resistance, increased blood sugar, chronic inflammation of the body caused by inappropriate food intake, and obesity. Can Coffee Cause High Blood Pressure? Research suggests that moderate coffee consumption can lower the risk of developing high blood pressure in individuals who do not already have it. However, excessive coffee intake has been shown to increase blood pressure and cause side effects such as anxiety, heart palpitations, and difficulty sleeping. A study published in December 2022 in the Journal of the American Heart Association showed that coffee could increase the risk of hypertension, worrying many coffee lovers. Ou said the focus of the study should be on daily caffeine intake, which is the key to high blood pressure. Usually, a cup of 240cc coffee contains 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine, while the same volume of green tea contains only 30 to 50 milligrams of caffeine. Caffeine can stimulate the sympathetic nerves and makes the heart beat faster, blood vessels constrict, and blood pressure naturally rise. Ou recommended that patients with severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure of 160 bpm or more, diastolic blood pressure of 100 bpm or more), should not drink more than two cups of 240cc of coffee a day. He also believes that the intake of caffeine for adults should not exceed 300 milligrams a day. Pregnant women should not exceed 200 milligrams. (The Epoch Times) Who Should Avoid Drinking Coffee? The following people should avoid drinking coffee. Those with: Insomnia Adrenal fatigue Stomach pain, acid reflux Osteoporosis Caffeine metabolism gene variant Coffee stimulates the sympathetic nerves and prevents sleep. If you habitually take sleeping pills, coffee will affect the drugs metabolism and increase the burden on the body. Coffee also stimulates adrenaline. When the body gets very tired, coffee can cause physical strain. Ou said that coffee and tea are rich in natural phytochemicals and have many health benefits. They can be consumed in appropriate amounts except for people with specific diseases. (The Epoch Times) Benefits of Moderate Coffee Consumption Good for patients with postoperative intestinal obstruction Promotes metabolism, helps burn fat and lose weight Reduces the risk of hypertension Reduces the risk of liver cancer Reduces the risk of dementia (Alzheimers disease) Reduces the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver Reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes Reduces the incidence of cardiovascular disease Reduces the incidence of stroke Improves exercise performance For coffee addicts, Ou suggests adding the following to mitigate the effects of caffeine on blood pressure: Cinnamon: Cinnamon contains polyphenols that can lower blood pressure. Extracted and refined cinnamon helps to control blood sugar. Cinnamon contains polyphenols that can lower blood pressure. Extracted and refined cinnamon helps to control blood sugar. Green tea: Green tea contains catechins that can relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Green tea contains catechins that can relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Black soy milk: Black beans have antioxidant anthocyanins that contribute to cardiovascular health. (The Epoch Times) (The Epoch Times) (The Epoch Times) Tea Is Good for Hypertensive Patients The study mentioned above also found that although tea also contains caffeine, it is helpful for people with high blood pressure. This is because tea contains anti-inflammatory polyphenols and catechins: antioxidants, fat burners, and blood pressure-lowering agents. How do you choose an ideal tea for high blood pressure patients? Ou recommends the following in ascending order of caffeine content: Decaffeinated South African national tea Decaffeinated green tea Oolong tea Black tea Ou pointed out that although tea is healthy, you should not drink tea instead of water because: Caffeine: It may affect cardiovascular health. It may affect cardiovascular health. Diuretic effect: If youre dehydrated, it may remove water from the body, leading to another chronic inflammatory condition. If youre dehydrated, it may remove water from the body, leading to another chronic inflammatory condition. Night urination prevents sleep: The diuretic nature of tea leaves makes people urinate more at night, affecting sleep quality. Who Should Avoid Drinking Tea? People who have the following issues should avoid drinking tea: Sleep disorders: Caffeine will stimulate the sympathetic nerves, making it difficult to fall asleep. Caffeine will stimulate the sympathetic nerves, making it difficult to fall asleep. Night urination problem: Tea is not good for people who have nocturnal urination. Night urination will lead to poor sleep quality and further increase the risk of hypertension. Tea is not good for people who have nocturnal urination. Night urination will lead to poor sleep quality and further increase the risk of hypertension. Poor kidney function: Diuretic tea and drinks will increase the kidney burden. People with kidney function issues should drink filtered water. Diuretic tea and drinks will increase the kidney burden. People with kidney function issues should drink filtered water. Iron deficiency anemia: Theophylline in tea will affect iron absorption in the intestine. Drinking tea will worsen the anemia of patients with iron deficiency anemia. Theophylline in tea will affect iron absorption in the intestine. Drinking tea will worsen the anemia of patients with iron deficiency anemia. Poor gastrointestinal function: Caffeine in tea helps open the channel between the stomach and esophagus, and the food in the stomach easily refluxes with this open channel. Caffeine in tea helps open the channel between the stomach and esophagus, and the food in the stomach easily refluxes with this open channel. People taking medication: The theophylline in tea will affect the absorption of drugs. It is best to take the medication with filtered water. (The Epoch Times) Ou said that the best temperature for tea is 95 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit, which can release the most catechins. And try not to add sugar, as it will affect the composition of the tea leaves. If you dont like the bitter taste of tea, you can use honey, citrus, and other natural sweeteners. HK Barrister Who Judged Before Trial Under NS Law Confined in Solitary for Making Cheese in Prison 'When the system breaks down, it doesn't mean we give up the ability to judge what is right and wrong' Chow Hang-tung, the Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (HKASPDMC), has been imprisoned for more than a year for her involvement in the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL). On March 18, through assistance from her friend, she posted on her Facebook page, revealing that in January, she was punished with a week of solitary confinement for trying to make cheese with milk. She emphasized that the focus is not only on compliance with the law but also on the content of the law and the legislative process. She will not arbitrarily recognize any rules as law and said that the rule of law and democracy have always been inseparable. She confessed that she did it naively because it was fun and I didnt want to waste delicious food for nothing. She didnt feel she had a strong reason not to do it except to break the rules. Chow said that when people break the rules in prison, they have to pass through a process similar to a trial. The charges are read out before someone is asked to plead guilty. Witnesses were called to testify, followed by the announcement of sentence and reprimand. However, she could not see what was wrong with the cheese-making or feel remorse afterward. However, she admitted that she appeared somewhat naive and bruised because the cost was not proportional to the benefit, but the humiliation of the whole process was real. Gave up her Doctorate to Become an Attorney Chow graduated from the prestigious Anglo-Chinese Girls School, was awarded a 5A in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination in 2003, and continued her education studying Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge. In 2008, when the Sichuan earthquake occurred in China, Chow, a Ph.D. student in geophysics at Cambridge University, wanted to do field research in mainland China. However, she was not allowed to do so because Cambridge University was an overseas research organization. She began to feel that her scientific research could not benefit people. As a result, she gave up her doctoral studies. Instead, she returned to Hong Kong to study law at the University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Education. She was admitted to practice as a barrister in 2016. She attended the June 4 rally in Victoria Park, Hong Kong, with her family as a child. While studying in the UK, she organized June 4 commemorative activities, thus planting the seeds for her future social involvement. Elected to the Standing Committee of Alliance in 2014 and Began Serving as Vice Chairman in 2015 On the eve of the June 4 vigil, 2021, the HKASPDMC applied to the police for permission to hold a vigil in Victoria Park. However, the application was not approved, and Chow was arrested on the morning of June 4 for allegedly promoting and calling for participation in the June 4 vigil. On Dec 4, 2021, the Chinese Democracy Education Foundation (CDEF) presented Chow with its 35th Outstanding Democrat Award. In December 2022, High Court Judge Sonia Cheung Wai-Ling ruled in favor of the appeal and dismissed the conviction and sentence. The Department of Justice appealed to the Court of Final Appeal, which was granted on Jan. 19. On remand in 2021, in September, Chow and the two former chairmen of the Alliance, Lee Cheuk-yan and Albert Ho, were accused of refusing to provide information about the organizations activities to the National Security Department (NSD) and were charged with failure to comply with the notification requirement. The charge was later changed to inciting subversion of state power, and sentenced to 4.5 months in prison on March 11. On Feb. 2, six Hong Kong people, including Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan, and Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, a disbanded newspaper that served as a pillar for the pro-democracy voices in Hong Kong, were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. As she said in court, It is easy to see that all my legal troubles are related to the HKASPDMC and the June 4 vigil. And the accumulating charges reflect how the regime has been suppressing and eradicating the memory of the June 4 massacre. Prisons are Filled with the Most Incomprehensible Rules She once said that being in jail in Hong Kong was nothing compared to being in prison in China. With her optimistic personality, she even considers herself a capitalist compared to her fellow inmates in Hong Kong, and she has always had friends visit and give her supplies. Although many packages were returned after the CSDs review, she feels much luckier than other inmates. Chow reflects that law-abiding and cooperation seem taken for granted as public virtues as if they had been self-evidently justified. We are always accustomed to asking the offender to explain, to provide some super-unbeatable reasons to override the presumed proper rules. However, we rarely impose the same requirement on the rule itself. Instead, we ask the rule to explain its reason for existence. In addition, we give the offender and the rule an equal opportunity to confront each other. She said that prison is full of the most incomprehensible rules. Although it is convenient for prison administrators to manage, if the prison rules are imagined to be the law of this small closed society, it is the most typical rule by law mentality, and the law is irrelevant to societys sense of right and wrong, but only a naked tool to control society. Misguided Rules Will Make Normal People Become Lawbreakers Chow pointed out that the rule of law is not only about compliance with the law but also the content of the law and the legislative process and that no rule will be casually recognized as law. She further said that the rule of law requires that we do not fall into the logic of asking criminals to explain themselves without thinking, but rather we must first examine the reasonableness of the rules that make people criminals. Strangely, we are strict with those who break the law but generous with those unfair laws. Citing the NSL as an example, Chow said, What we need to explain is why we cant lobby internationally, not why we have to collude with foreign powers, or even explain why our actions are lobbying not collusion. She also said that the reasoning is not limited to political crimes but is universal to all kinds of crimes in society, misguided rules will make normal people become lawbreakers. This may seem like common sense, but to put it into practice and break out of that rule-first mentality is not easy to apply. As she pointed out, the current charges against her are merely political, based on stigmatization in the name of the law. The logic of the law and the calculation of sentences silences us, makes us cooperate, and makes us plead guilty. Thus, the law tames the struggle but opens the platform for the narrative of those in power. Their version of the truth is the only one left. Whether it is proven legally or not (and it almost certainly is in political cases), their version is the only truth. Her plea of not guilty is precisely to avoid such a trick, and even pleading not guilty is not a way for her to get past her concerns: I cant plead not guilty and criticize the government for misinterpreting and abusing the law while pleading guilty and admitting that the law is what they claim it is, so Im guiltyYou can force me to do tough labor work, wash toilets, and eat stinky porridge, but you cant force me to say things that are not true to my heart. You may even force me not to speak, but you cant force me to say what I dont believe. The Rule of Law and Democracy are Inextricably Linked Chow also pointed out that the rule of law and democracy have always been inseparable. This is because when everyone embraces the rule of law and demands it, it naturally follows that the legislative process must be open and transparent. In addition, legislators must explain and convince what appears to be a democratic political demand. In a place where the rule of law is lacking, it will be challenging to maintain obedience. Chow said that if the prisons draconian laws are meant to teach inmates to obey the law, it can only be said that its methods are counterproductive. It only makes people lose respect for the law and turns those inclined to cooperate and abide by it into law-avoiders, causing the trust that holds society together to crumble. She said, Order without justice is built on sand and will collapse at the first touch. Chow: NS Required Delivery of Information Stepped on the Bottom Line In the case of the Alliance not handing over information, Chow said the system is terrible. However, she has to be responsible for her own life. She cannot put all the blame on the current situation and helplessness. She said straight away that her two bottom lines are not to disclose anything and not to betray my companions, so the National Security Police requesting the Alliance to hand over information is a step on the bottom line and impossible to comply with. Chow finally said, When the system collapses, and authority fails, we may lose a public shortcut to judge right and wrong, but it does not mean that we have to give up the ability to judge right and wrong and to turn away from good and evil. We may need to learn and adapt, or we may need a lot of reflection and experimentation, cost and misjudgment but we must not give up, nor forget what is right and wrong. Hong Kong Now Ranked as One of the Worst Civic Spaces Alongside North Korea and Other Authoritarian Regions On March 16, The International Civil Society Organization CIVICUS released People Power Under Attack 2022, a report evaluating citizens freedom movement worldwide. In the latest report, Hong Kong has dropped from the second worst Repressed category to the worst, Closed category. According to the report, Hong Kong is now one of the worlds 27 worst countries and regions, as authoritarian as North Korea and Afghanistan. Who is CIVICUS CIVICUS is a global alliance of civil society organizations whose members include trade unions, professional associations, and charity foundations. Since 2017, CIVICUS has formed CIVICUS Monitor with over 20 research organizations to evaluate freedom of civic activities in 197 countries and regions worldwide, including peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and association. The research team divided the civic activity space into five categories: Open, Narrowed, Obstructed, Repressed, and Closed, with Closed being the lowest level. The new 2022 report shows civic spaces of 38 countries around the world have been ranked as open, 42 rated as Narrow, and 40 as Restricted. Fifty countries and regions are rated as Repressed, and 27 are ranked as Closed. As for global population distribution, only 3.2 percent of the world population lives in open countries, 11.3 percent in narrow countries, and 14.9 percent in restricted countries. Almost half the worlds population currently lives in depressed countries, 42.2 percent, while 28.5 percent are in closed regions. Hong Kong Is Among the Bottom 28.5 Percent. The report describes that 2022 marks a severe decline in citizens freedom worldwide. More people live in closed countries than ever before, and about two billion people worldwide are extremely repressed. According to CIVICUS 2018 report, 45 countries around the world were classified as open, 40 as Narrow, 53 as Restricted, 35 as Repressed, and 23 ranked as Closed. Hong Kong Is at its Worst and No Longer Free The 2022 report highlighted and commented on 15 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. For the first time, CIVICUS downgraded Hong Kongs rating in its 2022 report from the second worst, Repressed, to the bottom, Closed. Democracy and human rights deteriorating Researchers at CIVICUS cited that since October 2019, Hong Kong has been on the observation list of Regions with Rapid Deterioration of Civil Liberties, Hong Kong has not been able to resolve its civil rights violations. National Security to Blame The report criticizes the Hong Kong government for suppressing dissidents and organizations after implementing the Hong Kong National Security Law. The government uses the law criminalizing peaceful protests and shut down civil society and media agencies, resulting in Hong Kongs drop in ranking. The report describes Hong Kong as full of fear because citizens are imprisoned for exercising their civil rights, freedom to protest and assembly, and freedom of speech. The report documented its concerns about four various activities the National Security Law targets: secession, subversion of state power, terrorism, and conspiring with foreign forces. CIVICUS believes that the definition of the related crimes is vague and can be easily used to heavily sentence any human rights defenders and dissidents who criticize government officials. More than 200 democratic figures, opposition election candidates, journalists, lawyers, and former legislators, have been arrested under the National Security Law in Hong Kong. The report also denounces the Hong Kong National Security Law for damaging the rights to peaceful protest and freedom of assembly, creating a chilling effect. The National Security Law has forced civil society organizations and trade unions to cease operations or relocate to other countries. About 3,000 people were accused of organizing, inciting, or participating in unauthorized assembly or peaceful protests. Of the 3,000, 517 were minors. Josef Benedict, a researcher at CIVICUS Asia-Pacific Citizen Space, stated the Hong Kong governments continuous crackdown on civil liberties had degraded the once-free city. Additionally, the government uses the National Security Law to prosecute social movement activists, journalists, and other critics of the government, which has created an atmosphere of fear in Hong Kong. Human Rights Group Welcomes Ranking Benedict Rogers, a co-founder of Hong Kong Watch, a non-profit civil society organization that advocates for human rights in Hong Kong, welcomed the CIVICUS report. Rogers entirely agrees with CIVICUS assessment of the deterioration of Hong Kongs civil rights; He believes that the decision to downgrade Hong Kong is absolutely accurate, as it honestly reflects the destruction of Hong Kongs freedom and how its authorities shrink the civil society space sharply. Global Democracy Report: Hong Kong at the Bottom In addition, the report of the Varieties of Democracy Institute of the Department of Political Science of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, released in early March 2023, also shows a similar trend. The report analyzes data from 202 countries and regions around the world. Overall, the degree of democracy globally has regressed gradually for the past 35 years, to an average same as in 1986. As of 2022, 72 percent of the worlds population, a total of 5.7 billion people, live in authoritarian countries. The number of countries that are becoming authoritarian has increased from 33 in 2022 to 42 in 2023. The population under authoritarian regimes has increased from 36 percent to 43 percent worldwide, which is a record high. According to the Swedish report, democracy and freedom in Hong Kong have dropped from 123rd in 2022 to 139th in 2023. With scores close to Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey, and Rwanda, Hong Kong is now included as one of the nine countries and regions with Closed Autocracies. The report concludes that Hong Kong, like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand, has stopped democratization. Once a free, global financial hub, Hong Kong sends itself to the bottom of the list with the lowest degrees of democracy. House Republicans Share Concerns About Possible Trump Arrest During Party Retreat Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) testifies at a House hearing in front of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, in Washington on July 12, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) As Republican lawmakers are meeting in Florida to discuss policy goals and strategies for their new House majority, they are now also having to take into account the possible looming arrest of former president and 2024 presidential frontrunner Donald Trump. House Republicans arrived in Orlando on Sunday, the day after Trump revealed in a post on Truth Social that he is anticipating being arrested in the coming days over charges brought by the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs Office. Trump said the charges will likely stem from a $130,000 payment he allegedly facilitated to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016 to stop her from raising claims they had an affair. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) said arresting Trump would be the most outrageous and unnecessary move. The Manhattan District Attorneys Office may argue the payment Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen facilitated to Daniels constituted a campaign finance violation by Trump during the 2016 presidential election cycle. It remains to be seen if and how the district attorney can charge a campaign finance issue, which is typically a federal legal issue, as a violation of New York state law. Biggs said the payment Cohen facilitated to Daniels resembled a litigation settlement and seeking to charge Trump over the episode would be a disparate response to how past legal settlements by political figures have been treated. Biggs noted that Democratic President Bill Clintons $850,000 payment to Paula Jones, to settle a lawsuit over sexual harassment allegations, was not similarly treated as a campaign finance issue, much less an issue warranting felony charges. Biggs also noted the example of Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee making a settlement payment with the Federal Election Commission over misreported funding for an opposition research document against Trump in 2016. Its pretty obvious they want the perp walk, they want the mug shot of President Trump and all those things, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) told NTD on Sunday. Democrats Say Nobody Is Above the Law Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the former House Speaker, appeared to welcome potential charges against Trump. 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 said in a Saturday press statement. [Trump] cannot hide from his violations of the law, disrespect for our elections and incitements to violence, Pelosi added. Rightfully, our legal system will decide how to hold him accountable. Biggs called this nobody is above the law comment a platitude, and argued that the Democrats are less adamant about enforcing laws on securing the U.S. border and preventing illegal border crossings, or against left-wing organizations that attack conservative groups. If youre Antifa or Black Lives Matter, or if youre attacking a pro-life clinic, guess what? Youre going to be okay, Biggs said, referencing violent and destructive demonstrations throughout the summer of 2020 and vandalism against pro-life organizations after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade abortion precedent last year. Burchett similarly noted that Braggs office has dismissed certain trespassing and resisting arrest charges and lowered punishments for other criminal offenses, such as robberies that dont involve firearms. I think its a complete politicization of our legal system, to the point of it kind of mirrors third-world countries, Burchett said. Its just unprecedented. You have a DA basically, who turns his back on violent crimes and lets those people out, and yet hes going to take a misdemeanor charge and try to ramp it up to a felony. Democrats, Republicans Concerned Over Trumps Calls for Protests While Democratic and Republican lawmakers are at odds over the validity of the legal case against Trump, they have both expressed concerns over Trumps calls for people to protest his potential arrest, though for different reasons. In his Truth Social post announcing his impending arrest, Trump called for his supporters to Protest, take our nation back! Pelosi said Trumps decision to preempt the possible arrest was reckless and a move to foment unrest among his supporters. Mary McCord, a former Obama-era Department of Justice official who now works as the director of the democracy advocacy center at Georgetown Law School, characterized Trumps calls for protests of his potential arrest as an encouragement for his supporters to act violently. Trump knows the call-and-response impact of his words on his most ardent followers, McCord told The Washington Post. His call to take our nation back, like his last-ditch call for them to fight like hell on January 6, is not only the request but the permission for them to act, violently if necessary. Republican lawmakers have pushed back on Trumps calls for protests over a different concernthat such protests could become a venue for agent provocateurs, including undercover federal agents, to engage in violent or destructive behavior and then blame those actions on Trump and his supporters. Biggs said he is particularly concerned about peaceful pro-Trump protests being infiltrated by inauthentic provocateurs, including possible federal agents because the FBI wont tell us how many people they had working the crowd on Jan. 6, 2021. I dont want to see any violence in connection to protests, even though I think the district attorney warrants being protested in New York City, Biggs said. On Sunday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) argued that Trump was not referring to people behaving in a harmful way when he made his call for supporters to protest his potential arrest. From NTD News CHANGHUA, TaiwanShen Yun Performing Arts name means the beauty of divine beings dancing, and Chen Wei-you, a theatre troupe manager, experienced just how divine Shen Yun was when he attended the performance at the Yuanlin Performing Arts Hall on March 18. I was struck by its power as soon as the curtain went up for the first program, said Mr. Chen, who had seen Shen Yun ten years ago. It was as though the performers were dancing with the Divine, and I was a part of it, Based in New York, Shen Yun was founded in 2006 and is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Now with eight equally-sized companies touring the world simultaneously, Shen Yuns mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture. Shen Yun shows the audience what classical Chinese dance is and teaches them about the traditional Chinese spirit, said Mr. Chen. A performance like this is closely tied with virtues such as loyalty, filial piety, moral integrity, and righteousness, and is actually a form of education. I think more people need to see classical Chinese dancing and to learn about these things. Mr. Chen said that he enjoyed the story-based dances in Shen Yuns program and appreciated the easy to understand way the stories were told. Although I was not familiar with the dance form, I could tell that the dancers really put their hearts into the performance. Mr. Chen found Shen Yuns patented animated backdrop unique and praised Shen Yuns innovative idea of combining art with technology. He also said that he was deeply touched by Shen Yuns mission and their promotion of traditional virtues such as respecting the divine. To me, the words Shen Yun represent the Divine, said Mr. Chen. Their dancing is absolutely beautiful. It touches my soul, and I felt as though I was with divine beings. Mr. Chen was particularly spellbound by the opening piece, which depicts divine beings following the Creator down to the earth and establishing Chinese civilization. Right from the first program, I felt as though the Divine had come, said Mr. Chen. I felt as though they had the power of the divine and shared this divine influence over everyone who had come to see their performance. Through dance, they have touched our souls. In every scene, every piece, the dancers moved with a divine rhythm. The combination of dance movements and the power of divine beings dancing has resulted in a beautiful performance. Mr. Chen added that he will be recommending Shen Yun to more people. I will tell my co-workers and friends about it because its truly worth seeing. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. Japan Minister Discusses Security, China Pact in Visit to Solomon Islands Japan's new foreign minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, arrives at Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's official residence in Tokyo on Nov. 10, 2021. (Issei Kato/Reuters) Japans foreign minister met with the Solomon Islands leader on March 19 and brought up a controversial security pact that Beijing and the Pacific Island nation entered into last year, according to Japans government. During his visit to Honiara, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare that Japan has been closely watching the impact of the security pact, which could allow Beijing to station armed forces in the strategically located Pacific nation. They exchanged views on the global security environment, and Sogavare reiterated that the peace and security of the region is most important to his nation, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. Courtesy Call on Prime Minister SOGAVARE of Solomon Islands by Foreign Minister HAYASHI#Japan_Solomon https://t.co/p8V4OndgjN pic.twitter.com/WKTKTegK38 MOFA of Japan (@MofaJapan_en) March 19, 2023 Hayashi also shared Japans views on how the Pacific Island nation can achieve long-term development while maintaining its self-reliance, the ministry said in a statement. He said Japan will work to promote a wide range of transparent and inclusive cooperation with Pacific Island nations such as the Solomon Islands toward the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation. China Sending Delegation Following Hayashis visit, Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands Li Ming reportedly announced that a delegation of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA)which is Beijings foreign aid agencywill visit the Solomon Islands next week. CIDCA and the Solomon Islands government will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and exchange letters on sending local athletes to Beijing to prepare for the upcoming Pacific Games, Li Ming said without elaborating on the purpose of the MOU. The delegation will also meet with Sogavare and hold talks with line ministries. Sogavare told reporters that he looks forward to meeting the CIDCA delegation and discussing our strategic interests, according to local reports. ChinaSolomon Islands Pact Woke the United States The Solomon IslandsChina security deal, which was signed in April 2022, triggered alarms in the United States and among its allies that Beijing may use the accord to establish a military presence in the region. According to a leaked draft of the agreement, Beijing would be able to dispatch police (which in China are military forces), troops, weapons, and naval shipswith the consent of the Solomon Islandsto protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in the Solomon Islands. Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Kentaro Uesugi traveled to the Solomon Islands after the signing of the deal and relayed Japans reservations about the agreement. Hayashi said at the time that the accord could affect the security of the entire Asia-Pacific region. U.S. Indo-Pacific commander Adm. John Aquilino said on March 16 that the security pact between Beijing and the Solomon Islands has made the United States realize the need to better engage with Pacific Island nations. Weve recently seen in the form of the Solomon Islands some actions by the PRC to potentially grab a foothold, he said at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore, Benar News reported. PRC is the acronym for Chinas official name, the Peoples Republic of China. I think it woke a number of us up, to ensure we spend more time, engage with, provide assistance and support to Pacific islands, Aquilino said. Were back on track, I would say, and we continue to engage in ways that are meaningful and helpful for those nations. He emphasized that the United States only wishes to ensure that the rules-based international order is preserved in the Indo-Pacific. The Solomon Islands is a strategically important point in the Pacific. Its a key blocking island chain that restricts maritime movement both in and out of the Australian region for Australias trade, as well as for potential Australian naval aid to Taiwan, U.S. aid to Australia, or incoming Chinese forces. House Republicans Demand Testimony From Manhattan DA Behind Potential Trump Arrest House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) presides over a hearing of the Weaponization of the Federal Government Subcommittee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on Feb. 9, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) is demanding answers from a New York district attorney reportedly planning to arrest former President Donald Trump on March 21. The district attorney in question, Alvin Bragg of Manhattan, is reportedly planning to arrest the former president over an alleged hush money payment during the 2016 election. Trump is accused of furnishing money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to hide allegations of an affair between the two, which Trump denies having. Republicans were quick to condemn the move as another episode in the saga of the weaponization of the federal government against Trump and his allies. In his letter to Bragg (pdf), Jordanjoined by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.)called the impending arrest an unprecedented abuse of prosecutorial authority. Like other Republicans, Jordan argued that political motives undergird the investigation, particularly in view of Braggs track record as a district attorney. Jordan and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) alike have said that Bragg has historically been in favor of reducing convictions and penalties. While serving as a district attorney, Bragg has regularly reduced felony charges, including violent felonies, to misdemeanors, a track record that McCarthy said was seen as a matter of pride by Bragg. At the same time, violent crime has skyrocketed in New York and other major metropolitan centers across the United States. Your decision to pursue such a politically motivated prosecutionwhile adopting progressive criminal justice policies that allow career criminals [to] run the streets of Manhattanrequires congressional scrutiny about how public safety funds appropriated by Congress are implemented by local law-enforcement agencies, Jordan wrote. Republicans have accused Democrats of being soft on crime, particularly in the wake of widespread calls beginning in mid-2020 to defund the police. Other Republicans have warned about the dangers of left-wing district attorneys such as Bragg, whom Republicans accuse of letting ideology interfere with performing their duties. District attorneys have broad authority over which cases go to court and which charges can be pleaded down. Tenuous and Untested Critics of the reportedly impending arrest have argued that in addition to being beyond the statute of limitations, the charges against Trump are based on allegations that other prosecutors dismissed. Braggs hope to arrest Trump relies on a legal basis thats tenuous and untested, he contended. Jordan accused Braggs office of spending years searching for a basisany basison which to bring charges against the former president. He noted that even The Washington Posta publication vehemently opposed to Trump and his alliesconsiders the charges unusual in view of the fact that prosecutors have repeatedly examined the long-established details but decided not to pursue charges. The legal basis for the case, Jordan said, relies heavily on testimony from Trumps former attorney Michael Cohen, who has been convicted of perjury in the past. Cohen has been vocal about his deeply personal animus toward President Trump, he said. Under these circumstances, there is no scenario in which Cohen could fairly be considered an unbiased and credible witness. Rather than respect for the rule of law, Jordan suggested, the investigation has been motivated by political calculations by Bragg. The Type of Thing America Hates McCarthy also blasted Bragg, accusing him of hypocrisy and political motivations. It doesnt matter which side of the issue youre onthis is the type of thing America hates, he said. McCarthy made the comments during a House Republican leadership press conference at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Orlando, Florida, for Republicans annual House retreat. Democrats and Republicans alike hate this kind of justice, he said. [The law] is supposed to be equal to all in America. McCarthy noted that two other district attorneys had passed on the case being reopened against Trump because of a lack of evidence. Lawyer after lawyer after lawyer will tell you this is the weakest case out there, he said. The effort to arrest Trump, McCarthy said, is tantamount to someone putting their thumb on the scale because they dont like someone elses political views. Braggs office didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. Kevin McCarthy Says Americans Shouldnt Protest If Trump Is Indicted Speaker says Trump isn't speaking 'in a harmful way' Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks during a news conference after a budget briefing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 8, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters that Americans should not protest if former President Donald Trump is indicted in the coming dayscoming after Trump called for his supporters to protest the indictment. Trump said on Truth Social on Saturday that he could be arrested on Tuesday in connection with Democrat Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs investigation into a hush-money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, McCarthy was asked about Trumps Truth Social posts calling for protests. I dont think people should protest this stuff, McCarthy said when asked about Trumps statements online. McCarthy said that Trump was merely trying to raise awareness for others to educate people about whats going on. On Truth Social, Trump wrote over the weekend that people should protest and take our nation back before decrying the Manhattan District Attorneys office probe as politically motivated. Hes not talking in a harmful way, McCarthy told reporters. Nobody should harm one another And this is why you should really make law equal because if that was the case, nothing would happen. If was this to happen, we want calmness out there, the speaker added, calling for no violence or harm. Some of Trumps supporters, meanwhile, warned that demonstrators who show up in Democrat-run places like New York City could be jailed. Ali Alexander, one organizer of the Stop the Steal movement after the 2020 election, warned Trump supporters against going to New York City. You have no liberty or rights there, Alexander wrote on Twitter, adding they would be jailed or worse. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks in Sacramento, Calif., on March 11, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) He claimed he spoke with InfoWars host Alex Jones, who is not protesting either. Weve both got enough going on fighting the government, Alexander added. No billionaire is covering our bills. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) noted that federal agents could be mingling with would-be protesters. There has long been speculation that federal agents were involved in instigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. How many Feds/Fed assets are in place to turn protest against the political arrest of Pres Trump into violence? Greene asked on Twitter. Greene said that Trump voters have the right to peacefully protest, but made clear to the left-wing news outlet that she takes umbrage with federal agents [who] infiltrate political movements and attempt to incite political violence. She also objected to the Manhattan DAs investigation into the former commander-in-chief. One longtime conservative activist, Kristinn Taylor, wrote Sunday that Trump protesters should be wary of provocateurs or individuals who are acting in a violent or abnormal way. 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 said. I would also tell people who show up in camo or khaki military fatigues to get lost, the activist added. A Manhattan grand jury is investigating alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign. Prosecutors have not said when their work might conclude or when charges could come. Over the weekend, Trump wrote that he would be indicted on Tuesday, although the district attorneys office has made no public comments about the matter. The former president has denied any wrongdoing and has long said he never had an affair with Daniels, whose real name is Stepahnie Clifford. There was no misdemeanor here either, Trump wrote Sunday. There was no crime, period. All other of the many Democrat law enforcement officers that looked at it, took a pass. So did Cy Vance, and so did Bragg. But then, much latter, he changed his mind. Gee, I wonder why? Prosecutorial Misconduct and Interference with an Election. Investigate the Investigators! Lawyers for Family of Virginia Man Killed in Police Custody Want DOJ to Step In Caroline Ouko, mother of Irvo Otieno, holds a portrait of her son with attorney Ben Crump (L) and her older son, Leon Ochieng at the Dinwiddie Courthouse in Dinwiddie, Va., on March 16, 2023. (Daniel Sangjib Min/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP) Lawyers for the family of a Virginia man who died in police custody say the Department of Justice should be involved in the case. Ten people, including seven Henrico County sheriffs deputies, have been charged with second-degree murder for the March 6 death of 28-year-old Irvo Noel Otieno. Youve got those two jurisdictions, and its a storyas you can seeits a continuum of abuse that went on, and it has to be fully addressed in that manner, attorney Mark Krudys said at a news conference on March 16, speaking about how Otienos journey began in Henrico County, Virginia, and ended at Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. Civil Rights lawyer Ben Crump, who represented George Floyds family, is also representing Otienos family. We are calling for the Department of Justice to intervene in this matter, because we do think his constitutional rights were violated, Crump said at the news conference. Otieno was first taken into custody on March 3, according to the Henrico County Police Department. Irvo Otieno. (Courtesy of Ben Crump Law via AP) In a news release from that day, the department said the officers encountered Otieno near his home while responding to a possible burglary, and that based on Otienos behavior, they put him under emergency custody and took him to a local hospital for evaluation. At the hospital, Otieno became combative and was charged with 3 counts of assault on a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct, police said. Otieno was then transferred to the Henrico County Jail West, and on March 6, he was taken to be admitted to Central State Hospital, where he died during the intake process. Mental Health Crisis According to Krudys, Otieno was experiencing a mental health crisis when the neighbor first called the police over concerns about him. He said Otienos mother, Caroline Ouko, tried to deescalate the situation with the police officers on March 3 and that the family wanted him to go to the hospital to get help for his mental health. Otienos mother, Caroline Ouko, said her son was brutalized by the deputies, and she asked why no one stepped in to stop the abuse. What I saw today was heartbreaking, America. It was disturbing. It was traumatic. My son was tortured, she said at the news conference after viewing a video of her sons death at the hospital. My son was treated like a dog, worse than a dog. The video of Otieno in the hospital viewed by his family has not been released publicly. Dinwiddie County Commonwealths Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill, who also viewed the footage, described Otieno being smothered. She said the video did not show Otieno fighting but rather being forced to the ground by the officers while seated in a chair and then held down for 12 minutes, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. Krudys also said that the video showed all seven deputies pushing down on Otieno, even though he was restrained with handcuffs and leg irons. Three hospital employees were also charged with second-degree murder, making a total of 10 people charged in connection to the death. The seven deputies charged with second-degree murder are Randy Joseph Boyer, 57; Dwayne Alan Bramble, 37; Jermaine Lavar Branch, 45; Bradley Thomas Disse, 43; Tabitha Renee Levere, 50; Brandon Edwards Rodgers, 48; and Kaiyell Dajour Sanders, 30, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. Baskervill revealed the names of the additional charges against the hospital employees: Darian M. Blackwell, 23; Wavie L. Jones, 34; and Sadarius D. Williams, 27. Hospitals Response In a statement to The Epoch Times, Lauren Cunningham, spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, said the agency is fully cooperating with the Virginia Stare Police and is working to ensure that Otienos family receives information about his death. The three hospital staff members who have been charged will be on administrative leave pending the results of the legal proceedings, Cunningham said. We will respect the legal process while we and our staff continue to provide important care to the patients at Central State Hospital. At the age of 4, Otieno emigrated with his family from Kenya and grew up in suburban Richmond. He had a history of mental health issues and his mother said he was experiencing one of these mental health episodes and was distressed when the police first came to his house on March 3. Krudys said the footage from the hospital also showed a lack of urgency to help Otieno after the deputies saw he was not breathing. Shannon Taylor, the commonwealths attorney for Henrico County, said in a statement on March 16 that shes conducting a review of what happened in the jail that day. Henrico County Sheriff Alisa A. Gregory released a statement on March 14 but declined to comment further, The Associated Press reported. Louisiana Republicans Get Supermajority in State House After Democrat Switches Party Republicans have gained a supermajority in the Louisiana State House after a Democratic member switched parties. State Rep. Francis Thompson, who has represented an area of northeast Louisiana as a Democrat for almost five decades, officially moved to the Republican side on Friday, March 17. The 81-year-old lawmaker has described himself as a conservative and had caucused with the Republican side for some time leading up to the decision. Let me clear Nothing has changed! Thompson wrote in a press statement shared by the Louisiana Republican Party. There are values and principles that I firmly hold onto that guide my decisions. My conservative voting record over my years in the Legislature speaks for itself. The push the past several years by Democratic leadership on both the national and state level to support certain issues does not align with those values and principles that are a part of my Christian life. My choice to move to the Republican Party is one that best represents my views and those of the constituents who elect me to serve them, Thompson said in the update. Thompson joined Republicans in a veto override effort in 2021 after Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, vetoed a bill requiring transgendered individuals to compete in sporting events by their biological sex. Thompson and the Republicans in the Louisiana State House also attempted to override Edwards veto of a bill allowing Louisiana residents over 21 to carry concealed firearms without a permit. The 2021 veto override efforts failed after House Republicans did not garner enough votes. Thomspon joined the Republicans again in 2022 to successfully override Edwards veto of a congressional map. While Rep. Thompsons decision (to switch parties) is disappointing, it is not surprising. He already caucused with Republicans, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Sam Jenkins said in a written statement. Louisiana Republicans Gain Supermajority Ahead of Key Election With Thompsons decision to change parties, the Republican Party now holds supermajorities in the State Senate and State House ahead of the states legislative session, which begins on April 10. Today marks a pivotal moment for the Louisiana Legislature, as it has reached a supermajority for the first time in modern history, Republican House Majority Leader Blake Miguez said on Friday. Representative Thompsons decision to change parties after 48 years sheds light on the evolving nature of political affiliations and highlights the importance of this milestone for the Legislature. Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvich said Thompsons decision to switch parties is further evidence of Louisianas yearning for conservative values and a rejection of Washington liberal politics. While the state has favored Republicans in presidential elections since 2000, Democrats have maintained an edge in voter registration. Of the states registered voters, 39 percent are Democrats, 34 percent are Republicans, and 27 percent have registered under another party or no party, according to recent data (pdf) from the Louisiana Secretary of States office. About 60 percent of Louisiana voters were registered as Democrats in 2000. The Republican supermajorities in both houses of Louisianas state legislature give Republicans better odds of moving their political agenda forward, even over the objections of the Democratic governor. All lawmaker seats will be up for election this year. State Democratic leaders are hopeful they will see more Democrats in the Legislature this fall. Were proud of the work that House and Senate Democrats are doing, said Katie Bernhardt, the chair of the Louisiana Democrats. We believe that voters will reward them in October, electing more Democrats to the Legislature to break this supermajority. Edwards is approaching the end of his second term and cannot run for reelection in the 2023 election cycle. The Associated Press contributed to this article. From NTD News Man, Teen Fatally Shot Near Pool at Santa Clarita Apartment Complex IDd A sheriff officer puts up police tape at a crime scene on Jan. 24, 2023. (Samantha Laurey/AFP via Getty Images) NEWHALL, Calif.A Santa Clarita man and a 16-year-old Valencia boy were identified March 19 as the victims found shot to death at the pool of a Newhall apartment complex. Brian Chevez was 25 years old and Cameron Stokes was the juvenile victim, according to the coroners office. Authorities were notified at 10:50 a.m. Saturday of a shooting at the Village Apartment Homes at 23700 Valle del Oro, just north of Newhall Avenue, homicide Lt. Hugo Reynaga of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department told reporters at the scene. Both victims suffered gunshot wounds to their upper bodies and were pronounced dead at the scene, Reynaga said. Witnesses saw a man reach over the pool fence and fire shots before running toward the apartment complex parking lot, he said. Deputies stopped a white vehicle matching the description given by witnesses within minutes and detained two young men inside as persons of interest, Reynaga said. Their identities were not revealed. Early investigation suggested the shooting may be gang-related, he said. KeyNews.tv reported that county paramedics dispatched to the scene arrived to find one person on the floor of a community pool and the other victim lying on a pool chair. The sheriffs Homicide Bureau urged anyone with information about the deaths to call them at 323-890-5500. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS, or use its website. Mexican Military, Police Seize Control of American Companys Port Facility Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador gives his daily, morning news conference at the presidential palace, Palacio Nacional, in Mexico City, on Dec. 18, 2020. (Marco Ugarte/AP Photo) Mexican police and military personnel reportedly seized control of a quarry facility owned by Alabama-based Vulcan Materials Company for the apparent benefit of CEMEX, a Mexican building materials company. According to a letter from Vulcan chairman and CEO J. Thomas Hill, at 5:30 a.m., on March 14, CEMEX employees, along with the Mexican Navy and state police and special investigative forces answering to the state prosecutor arrived at the gates of Vulcan/Calica property at Punta Venado in Quintana Roo. The Mexicans then reportedly allowed a CEMEX vessel into the port to unload cement. Spokespeople for Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) said Vulcan, the company, and the Mexican government have been in arbitration over alleged violations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) since late 2018. We are limited in our ability to comment on this situation, Vulcan spokesman Jack Bonnikson wrote in an email to The Epoch Times. We have confirmed that our Vulcan family members are physically unharmed and are focused on ensuring this remains the case. Senator Kaite Britt (R-Ala.) (Office of Sen. Katie Britt) Britt criticized the Mexican government for what she called an unlawful and unacceptable seizure of private property. In a statement released to the media, Britt said the Mexican government would better serve its people by cracking down on the drug trade. It is shameful that this Mexican presidential administration would rather confiscate American assets than the fentanyl killing hundreds of Americans per day, Britts statement reads. According to Britts statement, she had been to Mexico in February to discuss the Mexican governments increasing hostility toward Vulcan with Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard. Britts Communications Director, Sean Ross, said the senator is in touch with the White House and State Department and could not comment further. We hope to have more to share soon, Ross wrote in an email to The Epoch Times. Vulcan claims it has operated legally in Mexico for over 30 years. It built the port in Quintana Roo to load deep draft vessels with limestone bound for the United States. Mexican officials have accused Vulcan of illegally mining other materials. The government and company have been in arbitration since 2018. In documents filed with the U.S. State Department as part of the arbitration process, Vulcan claims the Mexican government has deployed the full powers of the State to interfere with Legacy Vulcans integrated project to quarry limestone and produce aggregates for export to the United States. Tensions Already Strained After Murders This action comes on top of already strained relations between the two countries. Illegal immigration, drug and human smuggling, and other issues at the Southern Border were exacerbated after the news that four Americans were kidnapped earlier this month. Two of them were murdered on March 7; the other two were found alive. Mexico should be more focused on going after the cartels than law-abiding businesses and hardworking people. President Biden must raise this directly with [Mexican] President Lopez Obrador and assure the American people that this will not be tolerated, Britts statement reads. In his letter to Mexican ambassador Esteban Moctezuma, Hill claimed he had been given no legal reason for the seizure of Vulcans property. As of today, March 16, we have not been presented a single legal document, court order, or warrant justifying or ordering this act, reads the letter obtained by The Epoch Times. I am requesting that your government immediately order its forces and officials to leave our private property. The U.S. State Department and Ambassador Moctezuma did not return calls or emails seeking comment. Miami Beach Declares State of Emergency Over Unruly Spring Break Crowds Crowds gather at Ocean Drive and 8th during spring break, in Miami Beach, Fla., on March 18, 2023. (D.A. Varela/Miami Herald via AP) The city of Miami Beach declared a state of emergency on March 19 following two deadly shootings and reports of unruly spring break crowds. The city has implementing an 11:59 p.m. curfew, according to an order (pdf) published online. Shootings on March 17 and early on March 19, and excessively large and unruly crowds, were cited as reasons for the order, officials said. The city commission will meet this week to discuss other potential restrictions. In a video message released on March 19, Democrat Mayor Dan Gelber said that as Ive 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 its simply too difficult to police. While most may come here to enjoy the amenities of Miami Beach a few that come with bad intentions in the presence of guns creates a wholly intolerable situation, Gelber said. Miami Beach police told local media outlets that officers responded at about 10:40 p.m. to the March 17 shooting. One of the victims died at a hospital and the other was in critical condition, the department wrote on Twitter. One man was fatally shot, while another was wounded in the March 19 incident, police said. Both shootings were between visitors to Miami Beach and did not involve residents, Gelber said in the video. In both cases, police were literally seconds away from the incidents and arrests were made within minutes. That said, it is clear that even an unprecedented police presence could not prevent these incidents from occurring. Miami Beach, located across Biscayne Bay from Miami, has been a popular spring break destination for college students for decades. With the March 19s declaration, its the third year in a row that spring break-related emergencies have been declared over unruly crowds and violence. Under the curfew, people must leave businesses before midnight, although hotels can operate later only in service to their guests. Restaurants can stay open only for delivery and the curfew wont apply to residents, people going to and from work, emergency services, and hotel guests, the statement reads. Some roads will be closed off and arriving hotel guests may have to show proof of their reservations. The citys order said the curfew wont apply to people traveling to from work or residents of the city who are going to their homes. 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 city officials to take steps aimed at calming the situation. While our daytime programming has helped with crowd control and daytime incidents and arrests are down from last year, 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, Gerber said. And while Gerber has repeatedly stressed that his city doesnt want spring break visitors, Miami Beachs website notes that it attracts millions of visitors to its world-famous shores each year and has the finest dining experiences anywhere, including two of the newest Michelin-starred restaurants. When the city implemented a curfew last year, Gelber said at the time, This isnt your fathers, your mothers spring break. This is something totally different. We dont ask for spring break, we dont promote it, we dont encourage it, we just endure it, and frankly its something we dont want to endure. The Associated Press contributed to this report. NJ Mother Targeted by Military for Objecting to LGBT Poster Files Civil Rights Lawsuit New Jersey mother Angela Reading, who was targeted by a high-ranking military officer for objecting to a pro-LGBT poster. (Courtesy of Angela Reading) A New Jersey mother who found herself under investigation by the U.S. military, the Department of Homeland Security, and local police for social media posts objecting to an LGBT-themed poster displayed at her local elementary school has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in the matter. Angela Reading, the mother of two young children, names seven U.S. military officials in the suit, including the commander of the Joint Base McGuireDixLakehurst military facility near Readings home. The base is the only tri-service (Air ForceArmyNavy) facility in the U.S. Department of Defense and is home to units of all six branches of the U.S. armed forces. North Hanover Township School Superintendent Helen Payne and the townships police chief, Robert Duff, are also named in the suit, which was filed on March 15 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. A poster displayed at Upper Elementary School in the North Hanover school district in New Jersey encourages children in fourth through sixth grades to accept sexual minority identities. (Courtesy of Angela Reading) The suit claims that the military officials, together with Duff, Payne, and other town officials, conspired to harass and intimidate Reading in retaliation for comments she made in a private Facebook group that a poster made by fourth to sixth graders was inappropriate. For no reason other than that they detested her constitutionally protected expression of her point of view on an issue of public concern, defendants abused the power of governmental offices to censor Mrs. Readings speech and retaliate against her with a campaign of smears, lies, and referrals to assorted law enforcement agencies for investigation as a threat, using the instrumentalities and tools of their official positions to create a public fury specifically directed against Mrs. Reading, the lawsuit reads. Officials at the Joint Base, Payne, and Duff didnt respond to requests by The Epoch Times for comment about the allegations. Keep the Pressure On Chris Ferrara, an attorney with the Thomas More Society, which is representing Reading in the civil rights suit, told The Epoch Times that a chain of emails and other internal documents and correspondence obtained for the lawsuit clearly show that Reading was targeted for what he referred to as an innocuous Facebook post. Copies of the documents were provided to The Epoch Times. One of them reads, I think we need to keep the pressure on until her disruptive and dangerous actions cease, so please share any historical items to help us shape our messaging for those not aware and ones like myself that moved here recently. It was written by Maj. Chris Schilling, an Army Reserve officer at the joint base. Schilling, who is named in Readings lawsuit, identified himself in his emails as a member of a group called No Place For Hate. He appears to have instigated the protest against Reading. U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel Megan Hall, also a deputy commander of the 87th Security Forces Squadron, calls Reading an extremist in one of her emails. Furthermore, Ms. Angela Reading encouraged people of like-mindedness to attend the monthly [board of education] meetings and express the same viewpoint, she wrote. Homeland Security, Police Involvement This really gets under my skin for sure, Joseph Vazquez, a civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force, wrote in the exchange of emails. Hall and Vasquez also are named defendants in the lawsuit. Vazquez also stated that he had referred Readings posts to the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations Intelligence Center, which he said keep an eye on far right/hate groups. The documents show that Payne and Duff, originally only copied on the emails, began making their own comments against Reading. In one of his emails, Duff stated that the North Hanover police were working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and military officials concerning Mrs. Reading. We have a government that is surveilling law-abiding citizens because their opinions amount to what they consider to be thought crimes, Ferrara said, also likening Readings case to stochastic terrorism. The term, which refers to demonization of a person or group that eventually incites violence against that person or group, has been used mostly by the media referring to the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach. But Ferrara said that in reality, its the left practicing stochastic terrorism by using its influences to incite violence against conservatives such as Reading. Behind-the-Scenes Support If you depart from any of the official narratives on any subject these days, the federal government will put you on a list to surveil you and take action against you, he said, thats whats happening. Readings post, which can be read on Change.org in its entirety on a petition in support of Reading, was posted to a private Facebook page made up of Christian conservative parents. In it, Reading says her 7-year-old daughter asked her what polysexual means after reading that on a poster hung at the local elementary school. The post included a range of other LGBT terms, including pansexual, genderqueer, transgender, and gender fluid. Why are elementary schools promoting/allowing elementary kids to research topics of sexuality and create posters, Reading wrote in the Facebook post. This is not in the state elementary standards [law] nor in the BOE-approved curriculum. Its perverse and should be illegal to expose my kids to sexual content. How can my young children be accepting of people who are sexually attracted to multiple genders? They dont even know what sex is! Are adults talking about their sexual life with my kids and looking for affirmation? In a recent interview with The Epoch Times, Reading said that what she hopes to accomplish with the lawsuit is to help encourage parents who are feeling bullied into silence to speak out. I have so much support behind the scenes, but Im riding into battle alone, she said. If we had a whole group of parents speaking out, I dont think this would be happening. Navajo Nation Asks Supreme Court to Let It Access Colorado River Water Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court pose for their official photo at the Supreme Court in Washington, on Oct. 7, 2022. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) The Supreme Court heard a dispute on March 20 about whether an Indian tribe can draw water from the Colorado River over the opposition of several thirsty nearby states. The case pits the Navajo Nation, a large Indian reservation occupying territory in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, against the states of Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and the U.S. Department of the Interior. The case is actually two proceedings that have been consolidated: Arizona v. Navajo Nation, court file 21-1484, and Department of the Interior v. Navajo Nation, court file 22-51. Indian law and water law are complex. The Supreme Court held in U.S. v. Mitchell (1983) that a general trust relationship between the United States and the Indian people has long existed. That the federal government has a duty to honor its treaty commitments is called the doctrine of trust responsibility. About a hundred years ago an interstate compact spelled out the water rights relating to the Colorado River. The tribe, based in the arid Western part of the United States, says it needs access to the river because many of its members rely on wells for water. The tribe sued in 2003 seeking access to the main section of the river, and litigation has been pursued since then. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled in February 2022 that the tribe could move forward with its lawsuit, which prompted the affected jurisdictions and the federal government to ask the Supreme Court to intervene. The Supreme Court found in Winters v. U.S. (1908) that creating Indian reservations from land that was part of Indian land cession treaties created Indian water rights. These rights make sure a reservation would have sufficient water to maintain its land. Under water law in the western states, tribal water rights enjoy precedence over all others, according to a summary of the case at SCOTUSblog by professor Matthew L.M. Fletcher of Michigan State University College of Law. Tribes participated in many important settlements in recent decades but settlements regarding the Colorado River took place before that in an era when the federal government asserted it had the power to decide for tribes what water rights to claim, the summary stated. The United States never brought the Navajo Nations claim to water from the main stem of the Colorado River. Under Winters, Navajo water rights are likely to be enormous. They have been the elephant in the room of Colorado River water apportionment for a century, Fletcher wrote. During oral arguments March 20, U.S. Department of Justice attorney Frederick Liu said the federal government does not have a duty to the Navajo Nation to take care of its water needs. The dispute here is about whether the United States owes the Navajo Nation a judicially enforceable affirmative duty to assess the tribes water needs, develop a plan to meet them, and then carry out that plan by building water supply infrastructure on the reservation, Liu said. The answer to that question is no. Just as the 1868 treaty didnt impose on the United States a duty to build roads or bridges or to harvest timber or to mine coal, the 1868 treaty didnt impose on the United States a duty to construct pipelines, pumps, or wells to deliver water. Those affirmative duties arent part of the treaty. And because the government has never expressly accepted those duties, the Navajo Nations breach-of-trust claim cant proceed. As part of the trust relationship between the tribe and the government, Congress and the executive have secured for the Navajo Nation hundreds of thousands of acre feet of water and billions of dollars for infrastructure on the reservation. It is up to the tribe to develop its own infrastructure projects, including by drilling water to access the cheapest source of water on the reservation, groundwater, Liu said. Several justices pushed back against Lius arguments. Justice Neil Gorsuch, who is often sympathetic to Indian tribes, said that treaty provisions with respect to agriculture include a promise that this will be a permanent home and that there will be [an] opportunity for raising animals. Gorsuch continued: Is it possible to have a permanent home, farm, and raise animals without water? Justice Elena Kagan said she didnt understand Lius argument that even though the treaty provides for access to water, the tribe cannot try to enforce those rights. If the treaty promises water, where do you get the idea that this is unenforceable? she said. Justice Samuel Alito expressed concern about the real world impacts of the tribes water claim. Liu said if the Supreme Court were to find that treaty provisions created judicially enforceable duties I think we would be facing similar suits across reservations in the country. There are 500 or so tribal reservations. The government has entered into about 30 or so water agreements since the late 1970s. Theres ongoing litigation in courts across the country. I think this would impose on the United States a sort of amorphous duty to take another look at all those issues, Liu said. Navajo Nation attorney Shay Dvoretzky said the federal government has been shirking its responsibilities under two treaties that gave the tribe rights to water and impose duties on the government to secure that water. Both parties understood that in promising the Navajos their land, the United States was also promising them the water it needed to sustain life in the arid southwest. But for years, the United States has failed to fulfill that promise. Today the average person on the Navajo reservation uses just seven gallons of water a day. The national average is 80 to 100 gallons, Dvoretzky said. Were here because the United States says it doesnt have to do anything to secure the water it promised, even though the United States also says it speaks for the Navajos as trustee of the Nations water rights. The states accuse the tribe of trying to take their water behind their back, the lawyer said. No, the Nation is here for its fair share, through a fair process, he added. Chief Justice John Roberts said a treaty spells out specific things needed for agriculture such as sheep, cattle, and seeds. Why wasnt water mentioned? Roberts said. Water was implied, Dvoretzky said. Water was something that was simply inherent in the permanent homeland and making it suitable, both as a permanent homeland and for the very purpose of agriculture. The court may issue a ruling by June. New Sensitive Editions of Roald Dahl Books Show Power of Big Tech Assistant Minister for Competition Andrew Leigh speaks to the media in Belmore, Sydney, Australia, on April 24, 2019. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) The new sensitive editions of the Roald Dahl books by Netflix has been caused by a lack of competition in the digital space, Australian MP Andrew Leigh has said. This follows criticism of British publisher Penguin who was criticised for changing and rewriting Roald Dahls books. The changes were made to make them more suitable for the modern audience. In his speech, which was delivered on March 17 at the Monash University Business School in Melbourne, Leigh, who is Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, used the recent Dahl incident to highlight the imbalance in the digital space, where dominant platforms have used their power to exercise more power in the market. It was previously revealed in February 2023 that new editions of Roald Dahl books by Netflix would have hundreds of words either changed or removed. In an attempt to make them more inclusive. Children are no longer described as fat. Some references to mothers and fathers have become parents and family, Leigh said. The Roald Dahl affair says as much about the power of platforms in the digital age as it does about the words we use to describe plus-sized children. But few noticed why it had occurred. Copyright in Roald Dahls books is now wholly owned by Netflix, Leigh added. Acclaimed British-American novelist Salman Rushdie was among the many who criticised the edits to the books. Roald Dahl was no angel, but this is absurd censorship. Puffin Books and the Dahl estate should be ashamed, said Rushdie in a Twitter post. Future of Original Dahl Books Even though Netflix is rolling out new editions of the Roald Dahl books, UK publisher Puffin announced on Feb. 24 that it would release The Roald Dahl Classic Collection with Dahls original texts in print; 17 titles will be published as individual paperback titles and will come under the Penguin logo. The classic collection will sit alongside the newly released Puffin Roald Dahl books for young readers, giving readers the choice of which version of Dahls stories they prefer to read. At Puffin, we have proudly published Roald Dahls stories for more than forty years in partnership with the Roald Dahl Story Company. Their mischievous spirit and his unique storytelling genius have delighted the imaginations of readers across many generations, said Francesca Dow, the managing director of Penguin Random House Children, in the statement. Weve listened to the debate over the past week, which has reaffirmed the extraordinary power of Roald Dahls books and the very real questions around how stories from another era can be kept relevant for each new generation. Roald Dahl once said: If my books can help children become readers, then I feel I have accomplished something important. At Puffin, well keep pursuing that ambition for as long as we make books. In 2021, Dr. Seuss books were also subject to a form of cancel culture when the company in charge of its catalogue decided to pull six titles from publication due to offensive imagery. Collaboration Between Dahl and Puffin A spokesperson for the Roald Dahl Story Company told The Epoch Times in an email that the process started before Netflix acquired the Roald Dahl Story Company in 2021. The current review began in 2020, and was led by Puffin UK and Roald Dahl Story Company together. We want to ensure that Roald Dahls wonderful stories and characters continue to be enjoyed by all children today, the spokesperson said. When publishing new print runs of books written years ago, its not unusual to review the language used alongside updating other details, including a books cover and page layout. Our guiding principle throughout has been to maintain the storylines, characters, and the irreverence and sharp-edged spirit of the original text. Any changes made have been small and carefully considered. Big Tech Influence On Digital Market With digital platforms being fundamental to the modern economy, Leigh raised the issue that the right safeguards are needed within the digital marketplace. Big tech digital platforms, software and online websites such as Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazonreferred to as MAMAAform the dominant platform with more than half the market, leading to considerable power over consumers and digital competitors. This has led to Amazon having control over the e-book market through the use of digital rights management. Due to the scale and size of market concentration, there is less competition between competitors in the digital marketplace. Leigh said the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) observed digital platform markets tend to have one or two platforms dominating a market, where users are often drawn to the platform with the largest number of users, making market concentration is to a degree inevitable. For a recent example of network effect, consider those people who responded to recent changes at Twitter by moving to the platform Mastodononly to find it was rather lonely there, and return to Twitter. The ACCC reported in the Digital Platform Services Inquiry (pdf) published on February 2022, that digital platforms such as MAMAA collectively acquired 296 acquisitions between January 2016 and December 2020. The watchdog recommended a number of measures, such as a new competition framework, which will ensure codes are applied to service use while also prohibiting unfair contract terms that will encourage digital competition. Digital platforms are also to mandate dispute resolution processes and obligations to prevent and remove scams, harmful apps and fake reviews. Although the federal government has not locked in any decisions following the ACCC report, Leigh said the government supported targeted and practical changes and believes regulation is important in the digital economy but has yet to bring any change apart from introducing potential legislation laws for the concentration. The Epoch Times reached out to MP Andrew Leigh for comment. New York Community Bancorp Unit to Buy Signature Bank Assets in $2.7 Billion Deal A general view shows a branch of Signature Bank in New York city on March 13, 2023. (ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images) A subsidiary of New York Community Bancorp will purchase a significant portion of the failed Signature Bank under a $2.7 billion deal with U.S. regulators, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) announced on March 19. The 40 former branches of New York-based Signature Bank will operate under the name Flagstar Bankthe NYCB subsidiarybeginning March 20, according to the FDIC, an independent agency created by Congress to maintain a stable financial system. Depositors of Signature Bridge Bankexcluding those related to the digital banking businesswill automatically become depositors of Flagstar Bank. Signature Bridge Bank was created by the FDIC earlier this month to take over Signature Banks operations after it was closed by New York state regulators in the wake of its collapse. The closure came just 48 hours after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. The (FDIC) entered into a purchase and assumption agreement for substantially all deposits and certain loan portfolios of Signature Bridge Bank, National Association, by Flagstar Bank, National Association, Hicksville, New York, a wholly owned subsidiary of New York Community Bancorp, Inc., Westbury, New York, the FDIC said in a statement. The FDIC noted that the newly Flagstar-operated branches will be open during normal business hours but that customers of Signature Bridge Bank should continue to use their current branch until theyre informed by Flagstar that full-service banking is available to them at its branches. FDIC to Bail Out Signatures Digital Banking Business All deposits assumed by Flagstar Bank, N.A., will continue to be insured by the FDIC up to the insurance limit. Flagstar Banks bid did not include approximately $4 billion of deposits related to the former Signature Banks digital banking business, the FDIC said. The FDIC will provide these deposits directly to customers whose accounts are associated with the digital banking business. Signature Bank reported $110.36 billion in assets and a total of $88.6 billion in deposits as of Dec. 31, 2022. New York Communitys deal with regulators includes the purchase of roughly $38.4 billion of Signature Bridge Bank assets, including loans of $12.9 billion, bought at a discount of $2.7 billion, the FDIC said. Roughly $60 billion of Signature Banks loans and $4 billion of its depositsthose related to Signatures digital banking businesswill remain with the FDIC in receivership. Additionally, the FDIC received equity appreciation rights in New York Bank common stock with a potential value of up to $300 million. Overall, the agency estimates the latest deal will cost its Deposit Insurance Fund, which is paid for by bank assessments and interest earned on funds invested in U.S. government obligations, approximately $2.5 billion, although the exact costs will be determined at a later date. The agency previously reported that the fund had held $128.2 billion at the end of 2022. Back-to-Back Failures Signature Bank became the third-largest bank failure in U.S. history after it was shuttered by regulators in the wake of Silicon Valley Banks collapse, which was the second-largest in U.S. history behind Washington Mutuals failure during the 2008 financial crisis. The latest back-to-back failures have sparked concerns of a more widespread banking collapse and prompted customers with deposits at under-pressure banks to withdraw their money. In Switzerland, Credit Suisse averted a liquidity crisis after it was taken over by UBS. Back in the United States, First Republic Bank needed a cash infusion from lenders such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup to stay afloat to meet depositor withdrawals. The exterior of a First Republic Bank branch is seen on Barclay Street in New York City on March 13, 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Read More Yellen Confirms Chinese, Other Foreign SVB Depositors Will Be Protected In an effort to stave off further withdrawals, which could potentially create more volatility and risk derailing the economy, the Biden administration has sought to quell Americans fears and reassure them that the U.S. banking system remains stable. The March 19 announcement comes after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also sought to ease concerns over the states banking system while explaining the steps her administration has taken to protect depositors in the state. Our view was to make sure that the entire banking community here in New York was stable, that we can project calm, that this is a time when we could manage a certain narrow situation and to make sure that that did not get any worse and that was what our objectives were, Hochul told reporters at a news conference in Manhattan on March 13. The main message I want to deliver is New Yorkers should have confidence that their money is secure, Hochul said. Wherever theyve chosen to bank, that is protected. Reuters contributed to this report. No Pledge Made to Assist US If Conflict Over Taiwan Breaks Out, Says Australian Defence Minister Defence Minister Richard Marles speaks at a press conference in front of the USS Asheville, a Los Angeles-class nuclear powered fast attack submarine during a tour of HMAS Stirling in Perth, Australia, on March 16, 2023. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright) Australia did not make any commitment to the United States in the event of a Taiwan conflict in exchange for access to its Virginia-class nuclear submarines, Defence Minister Richard Marles said. Absolutely not. And I couldnt be more unequivocal than that, Marles told ABC Insiders. Leaders of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States unveiled on March 13 that Australia will purchase at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines over the next decade under the AUKUS agreement. Marles said that while the submarines had the capability to operate in war, the primary intent was protecting regional stability. Im not going to speculate about the future of Taiwan what Australia would do or not do in respect of any future conflict will be a matter to be considered at that time by the government of the day, he said. The purchases will be made to replace Australias aging Collins-class diesel-powered submarines in response to Chinas increasing military aggression in the region. Marles revealed that the continued cost of having the nuclear submarine capability is 0.15 percent of GDP, less than 10 percent of the defence budget, which is two percent and expected to grow to 2.2 percent. For that, we get the most transformational capability of our defence force, a dramatic increase in our potency, he said. This is easily, in the context of defence spends, the best value money of 0.15 percent [of GDP] that well spend. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles speaks at a press conference during the 32nd annual Australia-U.S. Ministerial (AUSMIN) consultations at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 6, 2022. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) During question time in Parliament, Marles said the reason Australia needed submarines could be seen from a cursory glance. Our geographywe have long trading routes which connect us to the world, he said on March 20. Trade routes to Japan and South Korea, Australias third and fourth biggest two-way trading partners, also require passing through the South China Sea. The defence of Australia doesnt really mean that much without the collective security of our region and the maintenance of the rules-based order upon which we increasingly depend, Marles told Parliament. He also explained that while the current Collins-class submarines have highly effective capability, by the 2030s, the capability will become increasingly diminished. The fact that every few days it is required to surface in order to recharge its batteries is an act which, in the 2030s, will become increasingly detectable, and that means the capability will be increasingly diminished, he said. Will Australia Stand with the US on Taiwan Meanwhile, former U.S. Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said he hoped that Australia would stand beside the United States in the event of a possible war over Taiwan. Let us hope [Taiwan] never becomes a flashpoint. To be very frank with you, there is no good outcome on either side of the equation, he told the Australian National Press Club on March 20. I cant look into the future and see what is going to happen, but I would hope [Australia would] be beside us if, in fact, thats the path we take. However, he also refrained from commenting on whether or not the United States would come to Taiwans aid if attacked. We talk about conflict with Taiwan; are they [China] wanting it? Not at this point, Spencer said. Well, they want it at some point. He hoped the projection of power that the AUKUS agreement displayed would have significant weight on any decision-making by Beijing to begin a conflict in the region. Former Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer listens during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on July 16, 2019. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo) CIA Director William Burns said in February that the United States was aware that Chinese leader Xi Jinping ordered his military to prepare to invade Taiwan by 2027. Burns said that Xis order might not represent his timeline for the Chinese militarys invasion of Taiwan, but it demonstrates his seriousness in pursuing this goal. Our assessment at CIA is that I wouldnt underestimate President Xis ambitions with regard to Taiwan, he said at an event at Georgetown University in Washington. Burns said he believes that Xi was likely unsettled by the Russian militarys performance in the Ukraine war and that he likely tried to evaluate the effectiveness of Russias weapons systems in Ukraine for his ambition toward Taiwan. The nuclear submarine program will cost Australia about $368 billion (US$260 billion) over 30 years, including the purchase of Virginia-class submarines, coming to an average of $12 billion a year. Spencer described the Virginia-class submarines as one of the best weapons delivery programs of the United States. Aldgra Fredly contributed to this report. North Koreas Kim Calls for Nuclear Attack Readiness Against US, South Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches a fire assault drill at an undisclosed location in North Korea on March 10, 2023, in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). (KCNA via Reuters) In North Korean state media KCNA on Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for the country to stand ready to conduct nuclear attacks at any time to deter war, accusing the United States and South Korea of expanding joint military drills involving American nuclear assets. The allies have been carrying out a multitude of their annual exercises since earlier this month, including air and sea drills on Sunday involving U.S. B-1B strategic 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. Kims remarks came as the isolated country conducted what KCNA called exercises aimed at bolstering its war deterrence and nuclear counterattack capability on Saturday and Sunday to send strong warnings against the allies. In the exercises, a ballistic missile equipped with a mock nuclear warhead flew 800 km (497 miles) before hitting a target at the altitude of 800 m (0.5 mile) under the scenario of a tactical nuclear attack, KCNA said. Kim, who oversaw the test, said the exercises improved the militarys actual war capability and highlighted the need to ensure its readiness posture for any immediate and overwhelming nuclear counterattack through such drills. 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 countrys official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. The nuclear force of the DPRK will strongly deter, control and manage the enemys 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. KCNA photos showed Kim attended the test, again with his young daughter, as flames roar from the soaring missile before it hit the target. 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 ongoing South Korea-U.S. combined military drills, calling them a rehearsal for invasion against it. Last month, the two countries staged tabletop exercises simulating North Koreas nuclear attack amid South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols push for more confidence in U.S. extended deterrenceits 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 some 800,000 reported by a state newspaper just two days before. By Hyonhee Shin Attorney Robert Costello gave unexpected testimony on March 20 in the New York hush money investigation of former President Donald Trump. Costello is a former legal adviser to Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer. His testimony before a Manhattan grand jury is expected to discredit testimony given by Cohen. This comes after Trump stated on social media over the weekend that he expected to be indicted on Tuesday. Constitutional attorney and former senior adviser and counsel to Trump Jenna Ellis tells NTDs Stefania Cox that Trumps rumored arrest is likely based on a legally dubious case. Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping is in Moscow holding long talks with Vladimir Putin. But the United States calls Chinas peace plan unacceptable and says Xi is trying to cover Russias crimes. The State Department released its worldwide Human Rights report. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said countries around the world have been backsliding in human rights conditions. 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. NYPD Ramps Up Security Around Courthouse as Trump Indictment Looms New York Court officers watch as NYPD drop off metal barricades in front of the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, on March 20, 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) The New York Police Department (NYPD) on Monday began setting up barricaded press pens around the Manhattan Criminal Court where former President Donald Trump is expected to be indicted on Tuesday. For days, Trump has suggested that he expects to be arrested by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, which is investigating the former president for his companys classification of a $130,000 reimbursement to his former personal attorney Michael Cohen over a payment allegedly made to adult actress Stormy Daniels. Numerous videos show an NYPD truck stationed near the Manhattan courthouse complex as personnel unloads dozens of portable metal barriers that could be used to block off streets or sidewalks around the building. The move follows Trumps own calls in a statement on Truth Social over the weekend, asking people to take our nation back as he urged his supporters to protest the potential indictment, although the former president did not say where or how people should protest. An NYPD truck carries metal barricades en route to Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on March 20, 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) NYPD drops off metal barricades in front of Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on March 20, 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Dennis Quirk, president of the New York State Court Officers, told the Daily Mail that hes set to meet with officials to outline security precautions and also how to bring Trump and his lawyers safely into the courthouse, citing the likelihood of protests. Were going to have to close off the street around the courthouse so somebody doesnt put a car there with a bomb, Quirk said. How are you going to get Trump to the building, how are you going to get him into the building and court, how are you going to get him out safely? Quirk noted that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat who instructed the potential indictment, has aggravated the situation by allegedly leaking information on the case. Quirk suggests it would now be best for a virtual hearing to process Trump. We believe this should be done virtually for everybodys safety, he said. Theres no reason to have a big confrontation here tomorrow or Wednesday when it takes place. A Clear Message In a statement on Monday, the New York Young Republican Club (NYYRC) announced plans for a peaceful rally in lower Manhattan at 6:00 p.m. ETwhich will be broadcasted live on NTDto protest Braggs potential indictment of Trump. Bragg has priorities wildly askew from a professional serving in his role, the NYYRC said. While his office levies reduced charges on people arrested for violent crimes, he has committed untold resources to the dogged pursuit of President Trump over allegations deemed without merit by both Braggs predecessor, Cyrus Vance Jr., and federal prosecutors. Bragg and his ilk have a clear message to Americans: Stay silent or you are next, the organization added. But The New York Young Republican Club will not bow down to the mob For that reason, we will hold a peaceful rally today in Manhattan to protest Braggs abuse of power and attacks on President Trump. The NYPD, meanwhile, said at the same time that law enforcement officials are continuing to closely monitor online comments about potential protests. A number of officials, including Arizona Republican candidate Kari Lake, suggested that peaceful protests should be in order if Trump were to be indicted. Former Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake speaks during 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) 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, she 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. Reactions Several prominent Democrats, including Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), took umbrage with Trumps calls for protests, and immediately claimed that the former president was inciting violence. 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 on March 18. Soon after Trumps call for protests, former Vice President Mike Pencehimself a possible 2024 candidatetold reporters on March 18 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. 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. Jack Phillips contributed to this report. From NTD News Ottawa Supplying Bottled Water to First Nations Communities Near Toxic Leak in Alberta Patty Hajdu, newly sworn in as Minister of Indigenous Services and minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario Patty Hajdu speaks during a press conference in Ottawa, Canada, on Oct. 26, 2021. (Lars Hagberg/AFP via Getty Images) The federal government is providing bottled water to First Nations communities located in close proximity to a toxic water leak from an oil-sands site in northern Alberta, says Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu. Hajdu made the announcement at a press conference in Ottawa on March 20, where she and Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault addressed the toxic, tailings-contaminated water leakage onto Crown lands from the Kearl Oil Sands Mine owned by Imperial Oil Resources Limited, which is Canadas largest petroleum refiner. Imperial reported an initial spill at the site to the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) in May 2022 and another in early February 2023. AER did not inform the federal government of either leak until Feb. 7, 2023. The provincial regulator is supposed to inform Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) of any leaks within 24 hours of learning about them. Hajdu told reporters that she has heard from leaders of First Nations communities in the area that they are devastated by the leaks and are now afraid that their water sources have been contaminated for some time. Water Tested ECCC enforcement officers in the area recently collected water samples from a land-based seep near a fish-bearing waterbody in close proximity to Imperials Kearl oilsands site. ECCC wrote in a statement issued on March 20 that recent test results show local drinking water to be safe, potable, and up to Canadian drinking water standards. It added that there will be a first meeting of the drinking water quality working group on March 23 that will consist of representatives from the federal government. The Government of Canada is ready to engage on longer-term options to address water quality concerns of communities, ECCC wrote. Hajdu says First Nations communities in the area have no trust or faith that the testing results are accurate, adding that both leaders and communities feel that theyve been misled over the [past] number of months. In response, Hajdu says Indigenous Services Canada is providing drinkable, bottled water to the communities and is also covering all costs associated with doing so. The minister said the bottled water has already been delivered to some of the communities and is still on the way to others. We will continue to provide that over the next period of time, she said. Also speaking at the press conference, Guilbeault once again spoke about his plan for a new body made up of both federal and provincial members that would share information about environmental issues occurring in Albertas oilsands, such as tailings-contaminated water spills. The Canadian Press contributed to this report. Poilievre Suggests Blue Seal Program to Bring Home Canadian Doctors and Nurses, Improve Labour Mobility Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks at a press conference at the Ottawa Childrens Treatment Centre wing of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa on March 19, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby) Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has proposed a standardized blue seal testing program to quickly process licence approvals for qualified nurses and doctors with foreign credentials within 60 days. It boils my blood to sit in the waiting room with my daughter as she suffers with a migraine headache for six or seven hours with other screaming children, when we have 1000s of doctors that could be helping reduce those wait times for all of us, but are banned from doing so, Poilievre said at a news conference outside the Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario on March 19. According to Poilievre, government gatekeepers are standing in the way with massive delays and bureaucratic hurdles for highly qualified immigrants and Canadians trained abroad to actually get licensed to practise health care. He said his blue seal model would address the countrys ongoing shortage of health-care professionals. If we had all the doctors that are here today in Canada, but trained abroad, working in our health-care system, we could reduce our doctor shortage by half, he suggested. According to the Conservative leader, the federal government has prevented some 19,000 doctors and 34,000 nurses from working in health care in Canada because they were trained in another country, including advanced countries. He said Canada is facing a shortage of about 40,000 doctors, with six million Canadians without a doctor. The system proposed by Poilievre, would work with provinces to create a national, merit-based testing standard to license immigrant or foreign-trained Canadian doctors and nurses within 60 days of application. An exam would be required to prove competency, using a system similar to the Red Seal training program used in the trades, he said. If you are a doctor, you shouldnt be driving a taxi, you should have the chance to care for kids who are in great need, said Poilievre. Common National Test A Conservative Party of Canada press release says that Canada has thirteen different bureaucratic processes to get licensed to become a doctor, nurse or other professional and that even being trained in a different province can be a barrier to being licensed because of conflicting standards. The goal is to make sure that anyone who has passed the common national test for their profession would get a Blue Seal certificate allowing them to work in any province or territory that chooses to participate. Poilievre said in the press release that hundreds of Canadians who went to medical school internationally at some of the worlds best universities are being turned away. Practising Canadian doctors wishing to be accredited in another province can face a lengthy application process, sometimes months long, and thousands of dollars in fees. As a way to reduce barriers to labour mobility across provinces, he proposed establishing a national competency body that will set standards similar to how many of the skilled trades have standards set by the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship. On our current path, Canada will be short nearly 44,000 physicians, including over 30,000 family doctors and general practitioners, before the end of the decade. Canada ranks 26th worldwide in the number of patients per doctor, at 2.8 doctors per 1,000 people, said Poilievre in the press release. Conservative health critic Dr. Stephen Ellis also spoke at the news conference. According to Ellis, his home province of Nova Scotia has a wait time for specialist care that is the longest it has been in 40 years, at almost six months. He said there are 137,000 Nova Scotia residents without access to primary care. Canadians are dying in emergency rooms. This is something that cannot continue to happen, he said. A photo taken by the late Dr. Russell Sacco at the helm of the pro-life movement, showing the perfectly-formed feet of an aborted baby held between finger and thumb, proved that unborn babies are not mere clumps of cells. Half a century later, the photo is more important than ever. Oregon Right to Life (ORTL) was founded in 1970 to oppose the legalization of abortion in Oregon. Five years later, pro-life champion Sacco co-founded ORTLs Education Foundation. The executive director of ORTL, Lois Anderson, 56, is a born and raised Oregonian and has been working at the organization since 1999. [Sacco] was an early leader and a visionary, Anderson told The Epoch Times. I always saw him as single-minded and fearless. It was an inspiration to me that someone who had worked for so long in the movement, and had seen so much, would still have so much passion and energy. It Was perfect Sacco was a practicing urologist in Oregon, a Catholic, a married father of four, and a grandfather to eight. The iconic photo that catapulted the pro-life movement was taken at a Portland hospital in 1970, during a meeting between Sacco and a fellow pro-life pathologist, for whom one professional responsibility was to destroy the bodies of babies after abortions. The pathologist didnt feel able to do this, explained ORTL, sharing Saccos story on Facebook, and placed some of the bodies into a bucket of formaldehyde. Sacco was shocked and gained his colleagues consent to take photos of the aborted babies for educational purposes. To convey their size and scale, Sacco held the tiny, perfectly-formed feet of one 10-week-old fetus between his thumb and forefinger; if people knew what an unborn baby looked like, maybe they would reconsider their stance on abortion. According to OTRL, Sacco said: I was crying because I felt so bad, it just really got to me. I really didnt think the photo would be anything, but God must have taken the picture because it was perfect, and I knew that this would be one powerful way to send a message to the world. An Iconic Symbol Sacco refused to copyright his image so that it could be freely used as an educational tool worldwide. Dr. John Willke, the founder of Cincinnati Right to Life, printed the photo in his book, Handbook on Abortion, after meeting Sacco at a conference in 1971, and the tiny feet were later made into a commemorative pin by Virginia Evers. Precious Feet became the international symbol of the anti-abortion movement. Anderson first became aware of the Precious Feet pin as a College Republican and was deeply affected. We showed the film The Silent Scream as one of our on-campus activities, and gave out the pins, encouraging students to wear them, Anderson said. The photo is, first of all, beautiful; its an image that captures attention and it became a powerful symbol of the movement to end abortion. Like the photo, the pins are an iconic symbol of the effort to restore human rights to the unborn, a conversation-starter, and a silent witness. Sacco passed away from cancer in June 2019 at the age of 83, survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth. ORTL celebrated 50 years of advocacy in 2020 and still gives away hundreds of pins every year. More than 20 million have been distributed worldwide. Global Impact Anderson maintains that there is a lot of confusion about fetal development owing to the efforts of pro-abortion activists. Weve seen people claim that our medically-accurate fetal models are disinformation, she said. Many people dont understand, and are even resistant to, evidence-based information including that unborn babies can feel pain at least as early as 15 weeks. Anderson believes the widespread claims that unborn babies are just a clump of cells, or a blob of protoplasm, are blatant attempts to dehumanize a vulnerable class of human beings. ORTL upholds the established scientific consensus that in human reproduction fertilization results in a new, distinct human being. An illustration of a baby in the womb. (Steve Allen/Shutterstock) Since the conclusion of Roe v. Wade, there is no constitutional right to abortion. Anderson, who once met Sacco in person when he spoke at an ORTL Roe v. Wade memorial rally, maintains that abortion is immoral at every point of gestation. She concedes only to rare cases in which a mother may have a life-threatening condition and medical procedures intended to treat her condition may result in the unintended death of her preborn baby. Saccos Precious Feet reminds the pro-life movement what its fighting for, and reminds bystanders of an objective scientific truth. We love to look to the future, as we should, Anderson said. However, I think it deepens our understanding to look back and learn from the founders and early leaders of our movement. We dont want to miss what they have to teach us, including the opportunity to follow in their footsteps, like Sacco, who shared the truth and it turned out to have a global impact. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter Radioactive Material Found in Thailand Smelter During Search for Missing Cylinder This image made on March 14, 2023, shows a radioactive cylinder, a steel tube 30 cm (12 inches) long and 13 cm (5 inches) in diameter that has gone missing from a steam power plant in Thailand's eastern province of Prachinburi. The video was taken in December 2022. (The Prachinburi Provincial Public Relations Office via AP) Authorities in Thailand have found traces of radioactive Caesium-137 at a smelting plant in Prachin Buri province, which were linked to a metal cylinder that went missing from a power plant earlier this month. The cylinder containing the radioactive material Caesium-137 measured 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) long and was reported missing from a steam power plant of the National Power Plant 5A in Prachin Buri province on March 10. Ronnarong Nakornjinda, governor of Prachin Buri, said on March 20 that Caesium-137-contaminated residue had been detected in big bags at a steel melting factory in the Kabin Buri district, CNA reported. As soon as this was confirmed in the evening, we cordoned off the area immediately and prohibited people from entering it. The authorities also checked nearby areas for the substances, Ronnarong told reporters. When the radioactive detection equipment was placed close to the bags, the reading showed there were Caesium-137 substances there. But at about 10 meters away, the reading showed no such substances, he added. Ronnarong said health checks will be conducted on all 70 employees at the smelting plant. All workers have been told to temporarily stop working as a safety precaution following the finding of radioactive material. Health officials said that prolonged direct contact with radioactive material can cause skin rashes, hair loss, canker sores, fatigue, and vomiting. They said that short-term contact with Caesium-137 may not show immediate symptoms but could lead to a higher risk of cancer. The Office of Atoms for Peaces secretary general, Permsuk Sutchaphiwat, said the power plant company did not immediately notify the authorities about the missing cylinder and it remains unclear how it went missing. Authorities have also been unable to identify whether the radioactive substances found at the smelting plant were from the missing cylinder. It remains unclear whether the missing cylinder has been located. Police are seriously working to find out whether thats the case. But we know for sure that Caesium-137 has been found in Kabin Buri district of Prachin Buri, and that such substances arent easily found in such an amount, Permsuk told CNA. Thailands missing radioactive cylinder came after Australian authorities launched a hunt for a tiny radioactive capsule in late January, which is believed to have fallen off the back of a truck after a bolt worked loose. Australias officials secured the missing capsule containing Caesium-147which emits radiation equivalent to 10 X-rays per hournear the Great Northern Highway in western Australia after a frantic weeklong search. In 2000, illegally disposed canisters containing the radioactive substance Cobalt-60 were found in a junkyard in Samut Prakarn, a suburb of Bangkok. At least five people were hospitalized after being exposed to radiation when the canisters were opened by the scrapyard workers, unaware of the hazard. The cylinders were believed to have come from a medical X-ray machine. Nina Nguyen and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Readers Say They Feel How Humankind Came To Be Can Restore Hope Ken Sperry, retired from two decades in the Air Force, now drives charter buses and tour buses across the country. He says he wishes he could print whole stacks of pamphlets with the article How Humankind Came To Be printed on it, so that the many people he comes across on the job have a chance to discover the article that gave him so much hope for the country, and for the future. A lot of people probably have lost hope, theyve lost hope in this life, Mr. Sperry said. For a lot of people if [the article] gives them hope, it gives them insight into this life, maybe changes a thing or two, that is all worth it I would like to have something to pass out. The article How Humankind Came To Be was written by Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong, and published by The Epoch Times on the eve of Chinese New Year. Falun Gong, also called Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice that was made public in China in 1990, which teaches the universal principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. It became immensely popular, with an estimated 100 million followers, but in 1999 the Chinese Communist Party utilized the entire state apparatus to launch a persecution campaign against Falun Gong. I read it several times, I read it just the other day to my wife. Its good for the whole world. All mankind really needs to read that, no matter what religious background they come from, said Mr. Sperry, who belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [I think] it can give them an opportunity to have insight of a spiritual moment in thinking, and meditate on it. I think it has the power to enlighten peoples minds, maybe [provide] a different angle on religion, life, morals, Mr. Sperry said. Mr. Sperry, born and raised and still living near Salt Lake City, Utah, said he has practiced one religion all his life and never felt the need to seek out other beliefs. When he read the article, he was delighted to see similar values to his own philosophies, and astounded that these beliefs were echoed from somewhere so far away from his church. It just clicked with me, he said. It was profound that someone would come up with the ideas without being from my church, coming from a different background around the world. It just did something to me. I really believe that everyone can benefit some way from the message and the spirit, and the spirit of the message. It hit my soul, he said. [Mr. Li] has a lot of insight and wisdom in things, and obviously he got a lot of that from a higher power. I saw the value immediately when I read it, Mr. Sperry said. This is good for mankind, especially now with the turmoil, Mr. Sperry said. He said many people seem to be losing hope, and with no hope of a better future or afterlife, they lose their morals as well, leading human beings to commit atrocities around the world. But this loss of hope is a fallacy, Mr. Sperry said. God doesnt make things to end. Hes an eternal being, and so are we. Whether one ends up with eternal happiness or eternal misery is determined by the test of this life, he continued, and what we do with it. So its so important in the 30, 50, 60, 70 years, whatever, what a person does, how they treat others. We Need to Be More Spiritual Ms. Elizabeth McDougal, retired from the health care industry, had similar feelings. I think we need to be more spiritual right now, with everything thats going on in the world, Ms. McDougal said. And I think this, she added, tapping on the article, very much, really got my attention. We need to be more human. He is right. Their teachings are correct. We just need to be, Ms. McDougal said. The article just blew my mind. Ms. McDougal has long known about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, and that the atheist communist regime was persecuting people of faith. But she hadnt known what was taught in Falun Gong until reading the article. Im a practicing Catholic, and I always have been, and Ive got to tell you, if I had [Falun Gong] down the street from me, Id be there in a heartbeat, she said. I was very impressed with everything that I read. Falun Gong is not a religion, though readers from a wide range of religious backgrounds have commented on the similarities theyve found in the article with their own beliefs. Chinese culture, for 5,000 years before communist rule, was said to be divinely inspired, and its customs and traditions a gift from heaven. One of these traditions is the idea of spiritual cultivation, of following a way to better and perfect oneself spiritually. Ms. McDougal was impressed with the idea that we live again, that our physical body, dies, but our soul, our spirit comes back and we live again. I just think thats wonderful. I think that if we live a good human life and then we die, we come back, were going to come back as a better person, and hopefully were going to spread that to the rest of the human world, or to our families and friends and the people were exposed to, she said. And this becomes a stepping stone to heaven, she added. [The article] made me look at my existence today, in this time, and this place, as very different, she said. Ive always believed that when we died, our souls went to heaven, even as a practicing Catholic. I just think God, my God, is very merciful, caring, and loving God. And I dont think we automatically go to heaven or hell. I think how we live our lives and how we approach our death determines where we end up. To me, this says it very well. To me, what I got out of it was, be as human as you possibly can when youre here, and remember that the divine, or when they talk about the divine I refer to as God, she said. It really just made me feel better when I was reading the whole thing. Im not alone out there. This to me was just a very good article on how we should live and how we should love, Ms. McDougal said. I think anyone who reads it would benefit from it, they would have to. After reading it, she printed out a copy of the article and has it on her kitchen counter so she can show it to her granddaughter when she visits. Ms. McDougals children were raised Catholic, and all her grandchildren were baptized as well, and while they are good people, they have lost faith. One of them is struggling right now, without spirituality, and Ms. McDougal said if you dont have faith, youre lost. We need their generation to be whollynot holywell, yeah I do mean holy. They need to have faith in something, she said. Reform UK Brings Former Brexit Party MEPs Back Ahead of General Election Reform UK has brought prominent former Brexit Party MEPs back into the party and announced that it will stand hundreds of candidates in the next general election. On Monday, Reform UKs current leader Richard Tice told a conference, under a new Make Britain Great slogan, that 11 former Brexit Party MEPs, or members of the European Parliament, including Ann Widdecombe and Ben Habib are rejoining the party. Originally founded by Nigel Farage and formerly called the Brexit Party, Reform UK is setting itself up as an alternative to the Conservative Party, and mobilising a post-Brexit policy agenda. Tice said that the party will stand 500 candidates in the local elections and that it is planning to stand 630 candidates in the next general election, which must take place by early 2025. Tice also highlighted the economy, health care system, energy market, and immigration policy as requiring major reforms. He added he believes that the Tories and Labour are two sides of the same socialist coin. Reform UK honorary president Nigel Farage walks to the stage during a party press conference in London on March 20, 2023. (Carl Court/Getty Images) Tice said that Reform UKs membership has been growing rapidly. We dont give the total number, but its been growing very rapidly, particularly since so many people realise that the Conservative Party was no longer conservative when [former Prime Minister] Liz Truss was ousted and Jeremy Hunt was installed as chancellor. So, growing rapidly, many people will stand, and as I say, were standing absolutely everywhere, he said. Former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe has joined the party, though she appeared to rule out standing as an MP. When asked, she said: If you ask that question in Parliament at the moment, I think an awful lot of MPs will tell you they were still making their mind up. When pressed again if she would run, she said, No, Im ancient. Former Brexit Party MEP David Bull, who like Tice is currently a presenter for Talk TV, said that the NHS needed radical root-and-branch reform. According to a UK Polling Report on Westminster voting intention, Reform is at 6 percent. Reform UK member Ann Widdecombe speaks during a party press conference in London on March 20, 2023. (Carl Court/Getty Images) In a video posted after the event, former Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib said that this Conservative government is not Conservative, it has borrowed, taxed and spent out money to the point of economic destruction. There has been speculation that Farage would return to the party, but he has said he is not standing, but is available to help and advise. The job for Reform is even bigger than the task that is faced by UKIP, he said. This is about getting our entire country back on track, changing the priorities of our government and opposition and Im here to help in absolutely every way. Insurgent Parties In 2019, the Brexit Party did not field any candidates against the Conservatives in the 317 seats they won at the last general election. At the time, the party said this was to help the pro-Brexit Conservatives to gain Labour-held seats to give them the overall majority that former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was seeking. In the same year, the Brexit Party won 29 seats in the UKs European elections, while the pro-EU Liberal Democrats came second. Reform UK is explicitly critical of net-zero policies and is also associated with Vote Power, Not Poverty, a cross-party, grassroots campaign made up of activists from different parties that is demanding a referendum on the life-changing net-zero plans forced upon us by Westminster politicians. In January, Tice told The Epoch Times that his commercial mortgage was refused last year because of his outspokenness on net-zero policies, which went against the lenders environmental, social, and governance policy. Last year, Reform joined forces with actor Laurence Foxs Reclaim Party to create an electoral pact. Fox said he had faced major issues securing a bank account for donations, which have only recently been remedied. The idea of insurgent parties coming along who speak actually for people, who care about things like immigration, for example, our cultural heritage or freedom of speech, they make it almost impossible to operate, Fox said at the time. The Epoch Times contacted the Conservative and Labour parties for comment. Report Warns Police Training Ignores Legal Protections for Free Speech British Police forces are failing to train officers on the importance of free speech, according to a new report by the Free Speech Union. The report (pdf), entitled The Urgent Need to Teach Police About Free Speech, argues that police training is informed by critical social justice ideology and that there is a deficiency in the way the police are trained on free speech issues. The Free Speech Union, set up by up by the associate editor of The Spectator Toby Young, supports self-styled defenders of free expression in England and Scotland. The organisation submitted freedom of information (FoI) requests to all 41 English and Welsh police forces, asking them to send copies of any policies or training materials they held concerning their duty to comply with Article 10 of the Human Rights Act: Freedom of expression. It found that 32 forces answered, though seven declined to answer on cost grounds. Of the remaining 25, 11 claimed to hold no information on the duty to comply with Article 10. This meant that 78 percent of the police forces who responded are providing no training on Article 10, or inadequate training. The Police Dont Know Anything About Free Speech The principal cause of the free speech crisis in British policing appears to be that the police simply do not know anything about the laws protecting free speech, wrote the FSU. It pointed to several recent cases that highlighted the polices failure to take into account freedom of speech. In October 2022, the Metropolitan Police admitted it fell below standards following two wrongful arrests of a female Christian evangelist Hatun Tash who was abused by Islamists at Speakers Corner in London. It also mentioned the case of in July 2022, when a womens rights campaigner was visited by officers from Wiltshire Police investigating a hate crime report that accused her of being untoward about paedophiles. Also in July 2022, Hampshire Police visited the home of Darren Brady, an army veteran they accused of causing anxiety by sharing a picture of the Progress Pride flag rearranged as a swastika on Twitter. EDI The report added that for the 56 percent of the police forces it surveyed, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is inextricably embedded in police training. The FSU asked police forces whether they collaborated with external third-party providers to deliver EDI training. Thirty-two forces answered this question and sixteen (50 percent) said they collaborate with at least one third-party provider to deliver EDI training. One EDI training company called Pearlcatchers was paid 193,000 to deliver EDI training to Essex Police. In one tweet, the company urged the public to be more alpaca because the animals were naturally inclusive. Another FoI request shows that much police EDI training now focuses on teaching officers critical social justice ideologysuch as Critical Race Theory and Gender Identity Ideologyas if they were settled matters of fact. Another EDI training PowerPoint, supplied by Avon and Somerset Police, covered topics such as Masculine Agender and Feminine Genderqueer identities and supplied guidance on how officers should use the pronouns E/em and Fae/faer. The PowerPoint instructed officers that: Your anatomy doesnt determine your gender identity and neither does the gender binary In reality, gender is much more like a spectrumit isnt set in stone and some people have fluid or fluctuating gender identities. Primed by partisan EDI training to see any criticism of gender identity ideology as intrinsically hateful and in the absence of the Article 10 training informing them that such speech is legally protected, the British police have taken to arresting gender critical speakers without a second thought, FSU wrote. It said that, overall, police involvement with LGBT lobby group Stonewall, which gives training on micro-incivilities, different lived experiences, and how to be a straight ally, is declining. LGBT+ Staff Networks It found that secrecy surrounds the influence of the polices LGBT+ Staff Networks on EDI training. Thirty-one out of the 32 forces who responded to FoI requests stated that they had an LGBT+ Staff Network and at least nine forces (29 percent) reported that their LGBT+ Staff Networks were involved in the delivery of EDI training. Though the report found that it is almost impossible to discover what that LGBT+ Staff Networks involvement in the design and delivery of police training consists of. The organisation said that to address the free speech crisis in British policing the government should make sure that police training is rebalanced, with less time devoted to EDI, particularly where it is delivered by questionable third party organisations, and more time devoted to Article 10. The Epoch Times contacted the College of Policing for comment. 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 Republicans React to Trumps Call for Protests Former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Dayton International Airport in Vandalia, Ohio, on Nov. 7, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Republican reactions have been mixed to former President Donald Trumps call for supporters to stage protests over his rumored forthcoming arrest, with some urging peaceful demonstrations while others recommending none at all and warning of law enforcement entrapment. Trump, who is under investigation by the Manhattan District Attorneys office for allegedly misclassifying a payment made by his former personal lawyer to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, issued a statement on Saturday saying he expects to be indicted on Tuesday and arrested. Citing illegal leaks from the corrupt & highly political Manhattan DAs office, Trump suggested that it wouldnt be long before hes taken into custody. Protest, take our nation back! Trump urged his supporters in a message posted on Truth Social. Trump insisted that no crime has been proven and that the Manhattan DAs possible indictment in the case would be based on an old & fully debunked (by numerous other prosecutors!) fairy tale. We must save America, Trump said in another message. Protest, protest, protest. The Manhattan District Attorneys Office declined to comment on Trumps statement. While Republicans have roundly denounced the Manhattan DAs probe, reactions to Trumps calls for protests have been mixed. Dont Be a Knucklehead Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was the latest Republican to weigh in on the matter, breaking a weekend of silence to accuse Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of pursuing a political agenda and weaponizing his office. I think thats fundamentally wrong, DeSantis told reporters on March 20 at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida, while calling the case against Trump a manufactured circus. DeSantis also noted that his office would not be involved in the case in any way, suggesting he has no plans to help Trump fight extradition from Florida to New York should the former president be charged. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Sunday he has assembled investigators to probe whether Bragg used grants from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to pursue the case against Trump. Still, McCarthy was far from urging people to take to the streets to demonstrate on Trumps behalf. I dont think people should protest this I think President Trump, if you talk to him, he doesnt believe that either, McCarthy said during a press conference. McCarthy said that people were broadly misinterpreting Trumps calls for demonstrations, saying the former president was urging people to voice their views and educate people whats going on rather than take to the streets. Hes not talking in a harmful way and no one should, McCarthy added, with his remark recalling the unrest when a crowd breached the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks at a bill signing ceremony for H.J. Res. 26 at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on March 10, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Asked for comment on McCarthys remarks during an interview on Fox News, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) responded by saying that protests are a legitimate way for Americans to voice their views. In America, youre free to protest. Youre not really free if you cant express yourself, Kennedy said. But do it peacefully. Dont be a knucklehead and riot. Witch Hunt Ardent Trump supporter Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) defended the former presidents call for demonstrations. I dont think theres anything wrong with calling for protests. Americans have the right to assemble, the right to protest. And thats an important constitutional right, Greene told reporters on Sunday, adding that the former president doesnt have to say peaceful for it to mean peaceful. Of course, he means peaceful, Greene said. Of course, President Trump means peaceful protests. Greene attacked the probe against Trump as corrupt and a witch hunt. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) arrives for a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Sep. 20, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) New Hampshires Republican Gov. Chris Sununu said in a Sunday appearance on CNN that some people are sure to heed Trumps call for protests over his possible arrest but you want to make sure its peaceful. We dont want history to repeat itself in overly negative ways, he said, suggesting that Republicans dont want to see a repeat of the kind of violence that took place on Jan. 6 and that distracted from legitimate questions about election integrity. Still, even if the protests are peaceful, Sununu said he believes its going to be a bit of a political circus and theres going to be a lot of unknowns. What is known, however, is that the New York Republican Club has organized what it describes as a peaceful protest set for 6 p.m. Monday at a to-be-announced location in New York City in opposition to the heinous attack on Trump. Ali Alexander, who as an organizer of the Stop the Steal movement staged rallies to call attention to Trumps claims of a stolen election, warned the former presidents supporters that if they protested in New York City, they would be jailed or worse. If you protest in New York City, you will be in the single most hostile jurisdiction in the United States, he said on Twitter. There is no law and order. You have no liberty or rights there. You will be jailed or worse. Greene suggested in a Twitter post that there could be law enforcement efforts at entrapment at the New York protest, How many Feds/Fed assets are in place to turn protest against the political arrest of Pres Trump into violence? she said, with the Georgia lawmaker previously suggesting that FBI informants had instigated the Jan. 6 riot. A separate comment from Alexander came in response to a Twitter post by Raheem Kassam, editor-in-chief of The National Pulse, arguing that anyone telling Americans not to protest Trumps impending arrest were bad faith actors or double agents trying to get people to roll over to the establishment. Alexander said that in-person protests should forever remain part of the human tradition. Still, do not travel to protest in New York City, he wrote. Prudence is virtue. A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately return a request for comment on Republican reactions to the protest call. RMT Union Members at Network Rail Accept Pay Offer but Disputes Continue With Train Operators A sign warns travelers of the closure of London Bridge station during the morning rush hour as strike action takes place in London on Feb. 3, 2023. (Leon Neal/Getty Images) Members of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail have voted overwhelmingly in favour of accepting an offer to end the dispute that has caused a series of strikes in recent months. The union said the deal includes an uplift on salaries of between 14.4 percent for the lowest paid grades to 9.2 percent for the highest paid, increased back pay, a no compulsory redundancy agreement until January 2025, and rail travel benefits. According to the union, in the ballot which attracted a turnout of nearly 90 percent, 76 percent of members voted in favour of the offer. The deal covers signal workers and maintenance staff at Network Rail, which owns and maintains the railway infrastructure in England, Scotland, and Wales. But the RMT remains in dispute with train operators and plans two fresh strikes on March 30 and April 1. Nevertheless, the deal is seen as a breakthrough and has been welcomed by all parties to the dispute. Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport union, on the picket line outside London Euston train station in an undated file photo. (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Highly Effective Strikes RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said, Strike action and the inspiring solidarity and determination of members has secured new money and a new offer which has been clearly accepted by our members and that dispute is now over. But he said that the RMTs dispute with the train operating companies remains firmly on, adding that the unions recent highly effective strike action across the 14 train companies has shown their determination to secure a better deal. The union boss said the RMT will go ahead with planned strikes at train operators unless the government allows the train companies to make the right offer. The RMT added that Network Rail has withdrawn its previous insistence that the offer was conditional on the union accepting the company modernising maintenance agenda, which the union will continue to scrutinise and challenge. Overdue Both Network Rail and the government said they were pleased with the result. Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines said: Im pleased that RMT members were able to vote on this offer and the overwhelming vote in favour is good news for our people, our passengers, and our country. Im grateful for everyone who worked so hard at Network Rail and in the RMT to find a way through this dispute. Transport Secretary Mark Harper arrives for a governments Cobra emergency committee meeting at the Cabinet Office in London, on Dec. 14, 2022. (Victoria Jones/PA Media) Transport Secretary Mark Harper said he is pleased that the fair and reasonable offer has been accepted, which he said the government worked hard to facilitate. But he added: While this is good news, unfortunately RMT members who work for train operating companies are not being given the same chance to bring their dispute to an end. Thats because the RMT has refused to put the Rail Delivery Groups very similar offer to a vote, denying these members the pay rise they deserve. Harper urged the RMT to call off its planned strikes across train operating companies and put the Rail Delivery Group offer to a vote so as to give all of their members a say. The main opposition Labour Party has also welcomed the Network Rail deal, but the partys shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said it was overdue. She told the House of Commons, After 10 months in which the government refused to negotiate, andaccording to the chief executive of Network Railengaged in noisy political rhetoric that had been counterproductive to negotiations, finally a compromise has been done. Encouraging Business groups said the progress is encouraging and called for continued efforts on all sides to end the ongoing disputes in the rail sector. Adam Tyndall, programme director for transport at London business group BusinessLDN, said: The vote by RMT members to accept this offer is a step towards restoring confidence in Britains public transport network and shows how the government, unions, and operators can work successfully to resolve disputes. The agreement offers a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for those businesses that have been hit hard by disruption, including in the hospitality and retail sectors. But there is still more to do to end the months of disruption for businesses across the capital. We hope this positive step encourages all sides in the remaining disputes to reach agreements so businesses and Londoners can plan for the longer term and give fresh energy to the economic recovery. UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: This is encouraging news for hospitality businesses, who may dare to hope that their role as collateral damage in this dispute could be coming to an end. Theres plenty still to be done, of course, with ongoing negotiations between other employee groups, but I hope that this agreement paves the way for rail and Tube strikes to end completely. Venues across the country have so far incurred lost sales upwards of 3 billion and would have struggled immensely to deal with that level of ongoing disruption. I would encourage everyone involved to continue their urgent negotiations and bring to an end strikes that have heaped misery on businesses, consumers, and workers for almost a year. PA Media contributed to this report. Peaceful Parenting: What It Is and How to Implement It Saskatchewans Justice Minister Calls for Reverse Onus System for Weapons Offences Saskatchewans Minister of Justice and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre reiterated calls for bail reform during a Justice Committee meeting on Monday, which included a request for a new reverse onus system for weapons offences. Police chiefs across the country are calling for reform. Sheriffs deployed to cities, downtowns, provinces are having to devote and deploy additional resources to community safety. States of emergency are on the rise on reserves, Eyre said in her opening statement. In Canada, there is no question that social disorder and crime are on the rise. Eyre highlighted that according to Statistics Canada, in Saskatchewan in 2021, there were over 15,274 incidents of bail violations, which was a 9 percent increase since 2020. Saskatchewan has expressed concerns with federal bill C-75, passed in 2019, which established a principle of restraint that favours release on bail at the earliest reasonable opportunity and on the least onerous conditions, according to Eyre. Bill C-75 modified bail provisions with a focus on addressing the overrepresentation of Indigenous persons and accused from vulnerable groups who are traditionally disadvantaged in obtaining bail, according to background information on the bill from the Department of Justice. Earlier in 2023, following the murder of Ontario Provincial Police Const. Greg Pierzchala by a repeat offender who was released on bail, Canadas premiers unanimously called on Ottawa to establish a reverse onus system for firearm offences, which would require the person seeking bail to show why they should not stay behind bars. On March 10, Justice Minister David Lametti said the federal government would move forward quickly on a targeted reform of Canadas bail system. The reforms will address the challenges posed by repeat violent offenders, as well as offences committed involving the use of firearms and other weapons, Lametti said. Saskatchewan and Manitoba recently called on the federal government to expand the reverse onus provisions in bail for crimes involving knives and bear spray, Eyre said. Eyre also recommended strengthening the language in Bill C-75 around the importance of community safety, as well as requiring judges to provide written consideration of the impacts on public safety when releasing violent offenders on bail. Criminal Lawyers Association: Bail Already Difficult to Obtain in Canada Tom Stamatakis, president of the Canadian Police Association, told the committee that bail reform is a complex issue, and we do not claim to have all the answers. But he made several recommendations to the committee, including establishing a specific definition of prolific or repeat violent offender, which would give judges a set of guidelines to work with when considering bail applications, particularly in situations where reverse onus provisions already exist. He also recommended the increased use of technologyparticularly in electronic monitoring of offenders on bailto help maintain public safety in our communities, as well as better data collection to ensure that any policies that are developed are evidence-based and that can and can be evaluated for effectiveness, and to better understand how frequently bail is breached. I want to be absolutely clear here today; were not asking for a tough-on-crime solution, Stamatakis said. Instead, we ask for a more balanced approach that prioritizes prevention and rehabilitation as well. Stamatakis told the committee there are no police forces in Canada that currently have the capacity to track violent offenders released on bail to ensure theyre complying with their conditions. And if we were to do that, it requires a significant allocation of resources and it has a significant impact on a budget. So youre allocating resources that you now cant use for some other important services, he said. Boris Bytensky, treasurer of the Criminal Lawyers Association (CLA), said bail courts in Canada are not lenient and its already difficult for people to obtain bail. He said increasing the number of offences that are subject to a reverse onus provision is not likely to have any significant impact on any future case, and will not help to better protect the public. Possession of handguns, for example, is already facing a de facto reversal in a situation even though the law may not call it that, he said. Every single lawyer that represents a client in bail court on these types of charges comes prepared to argue about why their client should be released, regardless of what the onus in the criminal code actually says. Bytensky said, from the perspective of the CLA, the best way to protect public safety is to release more people on bail with fewer conditions, in a quicker and more efficient manner. While this may seem counterintuitive studies show that the short-term gains realized by keeping an individual in custody without bail are outweighed by the increased risk to public safety that will relate to the very same individual when he or she is eventually released, he said. To proceed efficiently and more quickly will allow judicial decision-makers to have more time to deal with the serious cases, to deal with them more appropriately and more fairly, and to deal with them based on better information. Scholars Predict CCP to Force People to Have Children to Resolve Aging Population Crisis After Faking Data Since 1990s The Chinese Communist Party's public birthrate data from its founding year of 1949 to 2022 shows how each political movement under the regime impacts its birthrates. In the face of China's population crisis, scholars predict that the Beijing government will overturn its own one-child policy and introduce forced childbirth measures. However, they also believe it will bring more trouble to the regime. (STR/AFP via The Epoch Times) Commentary In 2023, after the Beijing government announced its population reduction for the first time in history, it attracted global attention due to the crisis of its aging population. Lian Yizheng, a professor of economics and a senior media professional in Hong Kong, recently shared in an exclusive interview with The Epoch Times his thoughts on the regime beginning to falsify its demographics since the 1990s. Coupled with the Beijing government concealing the deaths in the COVID pandemic, Chinas population may have already fallen below one billion. Lian predicts that the Chinese regime will introduce forced childbirth measures, which he believes will not help resolve the population issue. Lian thinks it is going to bring more crises to the government. On Jan. 17, the Statistics Bureau of China announced that its national population was 1.411.75 billion at the end of 2022, marking 850,000 less than at the end of 2021. It was the first time that a population decline was recorded officially. Lian assessed that the relevant figures should not be surprising since Chinas population crisis had been ongoing for many years. Lian mentioned that foreign media reports on the Chinese population were still based on the official data released by the Beijing government, resulting in their inability to evaluate the Chinese demographics accurately. Although Lian once told American media that their quoted data was inaccurate, their only response was having no other way to obtain data except the Chinese official publicized number and they cannot use other data without sources. Lian believed that when family planning was most strict in the 1990s, Chinas population crisis had already begun to lurk. Womens Independence Influences Childbirth With the economic development growing more robust in the 1990s, womens enthusiasm for employment also increased, resulting in drops in womens willingness to have children. Lian predicted, based on economic development, China is a labor-intensive economy. Its birth peak reflected the current GDP was the GDP peak in 2008 before it fell afterward. According to the website of the National Bureau of Statistics of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the birthrate in mainland China in 1987 reached a peak of 23.33 percent, then fell below 20 percent after 1991 before declining yearly. Lian said, I guess when the issue of population aging first arose in the 1990s, the Beijing government started to fake the numbers. Lian also guessed that the Beijing government started falsifying population figures when demographic aging became problematic. Lian found that around 2005, the population growth in china looked a bit off. That is when I realized the Beijing government was making up the population figures. Lian quoted Yi Fuxian, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin and author of Big Country with an Empty Nest, who said Chinas population fell to 1.28 billion in 2020. Yi Fuxian said in an interview with VOA that in the 2000 census, Chinas fertility rate was originally 1.25 percent. The CCPs National Bureau of Statistics later announced that the fertility rate was 1.8 percent after adjustment, The birth population rose from 13.79 million to 17.71 million. However, Yi realized, by 2015, the population of 15-year-olds was only about 13 million, not 17 million. Chinas Population Is Below One Billion In June 2022, someone online was selling what claimed to be Shanghais public database, including records of one billion Chinese residents and billions of case information. Whoever leaked the data also published samples of the documents. After analyzing the sample, Yi Fuxian, a demography expert, believed that the leaked samples aligned with the law of statistics, indicating that the data was credible. After his analysis, Yi also concluded that Chinas official population data post-1990 had been seriously inflated. Lain believed that the falsified birthrate, coupled with Beijings concealing the deaths in China caused by COVID-19, suggested Chinas population would likely have dropped below one billion. Lian questioned, Its strange that if you have a population of 1.4 billion, you have no reason to maintain the number in your database at only one billion, so what is the point of having database records? Compared with the population aging problem commonly faced by other developed countries, the population expert pointed out that Chinas population crisis was due to the falsely presented data, A countrys economic plan relies on accurate population figures. The Beijing government thought there were more people, so they built more buildings, houses, and roads than necessary. Ultimately, it will only backfire and waste and mismanage its resources. Lian also believed that the trend of faking data would continue since the regime would have to lie again to cover its first lie. So the more it lied, the more lies needed. If and when people realized this, the government would be held accountable. Pension Crisis Heating Up The official statistics showed that Chinas marriage rate has declined by the year, falling below the eight million couples mark in 2021. At the same time, there are more men than women, and the proportion of men and women in the post-millennial generation is about 1 to 1.2. It indicated that Chinas population would continue to decline in the future. The impact of population aging is gradually emerging in China. Recently, tens of thousands of older people protested medical insurance policies in many cities all over China, clashing with the police, resulting in more attention on its pension crisis. On Feb. 25, Zhou Xiaochuan, former governor of the regimes Central Bank, said at a forum that the pension issue in China would be a significant challenge in the future. Zhou also advised resolving the pension crisis instead of prolonging the problem. Elderly Losing Pension to the Authorities Lian reckoned that with the gradual decline of Chinas population, the elderly welfare would become more critical. While older people in China kept depositing their pension as they still could work, they thought they could cash out the amount deposited when they retired. But the truth is, However, by the time of their retirement, the number of working people would have dropped, and hence, incomes from their pension saving funds would decrease. The Beijing government would only pay the pension based on the value at the time. According to the data Beijing released, it was also evident that the pension crisis would happen. On April 10, 2019, The Centre for International Social Security Studies (CISS) released China Pension Actuarial Report 20192050, predicting that the cumulative balance of the primary pension insurance fund for urban employees is expected to peak by 2027. But then it would drop until 2035 before it ran out. Lian said since the population number was inaccurate, the reality would be much more severe than the Beijing government had announced. One Child to Forced Childbirth The CCP implemented a comprehensive two-child policy in 2016. Although the regime announced its updated three-child policy in 2021, it still could not raise the fertility rate. Lian speculated that if encouraging fertility was ineffective, the Beijing government would return to its old path of family planning, from forced sterilization to forced fertility. Lian said the regimes forced sterilization we witnessed in the past was the Beijing governments slaughter season, treating people like animals. The CCP can kill off a 9-month-old fetus by forced abortion, the most ferocious of all countries worldwide. So, would the regime force people to have children? It is completely possible. Lian said. After the CCP made family planning a national policy in the 1980s, many women became victims of forced sterilization and forced abortion. However, after the Beijing government launched the three-child policy, the State Council announced in a news statement in September 2021 that clinics would minimize non-medically necessary abortion. Many hospitals in China also refused to perform sterilization. The Washington Post reported in December 2021 that some doctors clarified that sterilizing was not in line with the governments new family planning policy. Lian said communist countries had a long history of forcing fertility on their citizens. In the 1960s, the Romanian Communist Party not only issued a decree requiring each woman to have at least five children but launched a series of measures, including a ban on contraceptive product sales, and severely penalized women who had abortions and doctors who assisted the procedures. The Romanian regime also levied heavy taxes on people over 25 with no children and forced female medical examinations. For four years, from 1975 to 1979, the Cambodian Khmer Rouge killed about 25 percent of the countrys population before forcing men and women strangers to marry and have children. Even if the Beijing government forced fertility on its people, Lian believed that would not resolve the population crisis. After Romania promulgated Decree No. 770 in 1966, the fertility rate increased significantly, but the fertility rate has dropped since then. Meanwhile, when the fertility rate suddenly increased significantly in Romania, parents could not raise their children, resulting in many children being abandoned in orphanages. Whats more, there were never enough school facilities to accommodate the sudden growth of schoolchildren. The children of this era became the force of Romanias 1989 revolution. During the Revolution, the General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party, Nicolae Ceausescu, and his wife were executed. Lian then questioned if China would end up in a similar fate and said It would be possible. Lian predicted Chinas possible ending, The regime will die horribly when it gets cut off economically. Being surrounded by the foreign military when your economy is particularly dreadful. The regime has picked fights with the entire world, let alone threatening to liberate Taiwan by force. That said, Lian predicted forced fertility would be the only way to resolve the population aging crisis. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Paul Magallenes saw Shen Yun at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Canada, the afternoon of March 19, 2023. (Donna He/The Epoch Times) OTTAWA, CanadaPaul Magallanes, a director of finance, says he was intrigued by Shen Yun Performing Arts, which showed a different side of China. It was a traditional China with values that felt common to humanity. Loyalty, honesty, and love, and also belief in God, that belief that there is something more than physical, Mr. Magallenes said after seeing the performance at the National Arts Centre on the afternoon of March 19. New York-based Shen Yun is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company, with a mission to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. Whats happening in the world is theres a missing element, something that could be better. Something you have to go back to the roots [to find], Mr. Magallenes said. Mr. Magallenes was pleasantly surprised to learn that Shen Yun now has eight equal-sized companies touring the world simultaneously, and many others were able to experience what he had that afternoon. Many people think COVID and communism when they hear China, he said, and Shen Yun was showing something else entirely. You dont see that part of China, and I think that its good to show that part, he said. Also in the audience was Sandra Petersen, a fundraiser for non-profits, who also enjoyed seeing another side of China. Its all of the things. Its the past, its the present, she said. Its the unfortunate realities that people in China are living, the beauty of it, the sadness of it. She felt the values of family, spirituality, humanity come through. Really, its coming across very strongly. People are so supportive and loving of each other and the divine, wanting to do good, be better for this life and the afterlife. Its beautiful, she said. The dancing. The choreography is amazing. The costumes are mind-blowing, plus its very informative. I didnt realize there were so many stories to it. So really impressed. I feel really privileged to be here today to see it, she said. Ummni Khan, a professor at Carleton University, felt a range of emotions during the performance. I thought it was incredible. It was moving. I was in tears, and then sometimes I was laughing, and I found the effects were so organic, how people would fly up into the heavens, but it just looked so natural, she said. Id never seen something like that before, so its amazing. Being of Indian heritage, Ms. Khan said it was beautiful to get to know her neighbouring culture, which she hadnt realized also had a spiritual heritage. It was incredible. You just feel your heart moving, she said. The idea of peace, forbearanceI think its a universal message. Tradition can bring us together and give us this message of peace, [which] is, I think, its the most important, she said. Reporting by Donna He and NTD. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. SCOTUS Overturns Appeals Court Upholding Abortion Without Parental Consent The Supreme Court threw out a federal appeals court decision on March 20 that upheld the right of a minor to go to court for permission to pursue an abortion without notifying her parents. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the sole member of the Supreme Court to file a dissenting opinion in the case, Chapman v. Doe, court file 22-312. In the case, the court vacated the ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit and remanded the case to that court with instructions to dismiss the proceeding as moot. Jackson objected to the specific manner in which this was done because it erased any precedential value the circuit court ruling may have had. In the case, a pregnant minor, Jane Doe, visited her local courthouse to apply for a dispensation allowing her to bypass parental consent for the planned abortion. The office of the petitioner, Michelle Chapman, circuit clerk for Randolph County, Missouri, told her she couldnt file a bypass petition without notifying a parent. Doe got an abortion in Illinois after a court there authorized it, absent parental notification. Doe filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal district court for damages, claiming that Chapman violated her 14th Amendment rights. Chapman took the position that she was immune to lawsuits because she followed a Missouri statute and a judges directions. Chapman also claimed that Does right to a bypass hearing wasnt clearly established and that she therefore couldnt have violated Does rights. In what was perceived as a victory for the pro-abortion movement, the district court ruled against Chapman, finding that the statute didnt require prehearing notification of the minors parents to obtain judicial authorization for an abortion. The 8th Circuit later determined that Does claim must be allowed to proceed, finding that the right to bypass the parents was clearly established under the 14th Amendment. But in September 2022, Chapman asked the Supreme Court to review the case after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, finding there was no right to abortion in the U.S. Constitution and returning the regulation of abortion to the states. In its June 24, 2022, ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the high court also reversed a related 1992 precedent, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, which affirmed Roe and declared that a woman had a right to obtain an abortion before fetal viability without undue interference from the state. Does claims rely on the proposition that requiring parental notification of a judicial bypass proceeding must satisfy the undue burden test announced in Casey, Chapman said. But as time wore on, both sides agreed that the Supreme Court case was moot and should be dismissed. In court papers, Chapman said that the Dobbs decision rendered the case moot. Lawyers for the other side, however, argued that the case was moot because the parties in the litigation signed a joint stipulation of dismissal. Instead of disposing of the case by denying Chapmans petition and leaving the 8th Circuit ruling intact, the Supreme Court summarily granted Chapmans petition in a grant, vacate, and remand order. In doing so, the court skipped over the oral argument phase, when the merits of the case would have been considered, and moved directly to judgment. In her dissent (pdf), Jackson said the high court took the wrong approach by issuing what is known as a Munsingwear vacatur. This procedure, which takes its name from a Supreme Court ruling from the 1950s, is used to prevent a vacated decision from being cited as precedent by other courts. Jackson suggested that the high court uses the procedure too often and that doing so interferes with the precedent-based system that federal courts rely on. I am concerned that contemporary practice related to so-called Munsingwear vacaturs has drifted away from the doctrines foundational moorings, she said. Our common-law system assumes that judicial decisions are valuable and should not be cast aside lightly. Does attorney and next friend, Anthony Rothert of the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, welcomed the Supreme Court ruling. A next friend is someone who appears in court on behalf of another, usually because the person is a minor or is deemed legally incompetent. We do not disagree with anything Justice Jackson wrote in dissent, but we are pleased that the case has been resolved to our clients satisfaction, Rothert told The Epoch Times by email. In the end, this case adds to the historical record of the extralegal lengths to which government officials in Missouri went to interfere with individuals reproductive health care long before Dobbs gave them permission to do so, he wrote. The office of the Missouri Attorney General, which represents Chapman, didnt respond to a request for comment by press time. The Swiss Banking Sector: More Holes than Swiss Cheese A sign displays the name of Credit Suisse on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York on March 15, 2023. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo) Commentary When someone says Switzerland, you might think of clocks and banks. All because of the countrys reputation for producing a high-quality products in all these areas of endeavour. Well, its time to think again as the clock is ticking, if not tocked, on Switzerlands banking sector. Credit Suisse, which had an enviable reputation as part of the world-class Swiss banking sector, is, in effect, no longer part of the zeitgeist, courtesy to decision-making, which should be a lesson to all. Having once promoted itself as a leading financial services company advising clients in all aspects of finance across the globe and around the clock, Credit Suisse stands no more, having been humiliatingly bought out by its rival UBS. Its a buyout that appears to have been orchestrated exceptionally quickly to avoid irreparable economic turmoil, not only in Switzerland but one suspects also throughout Europe, if not around the world. Simply put, Credit Suisse was too big to fail. But, unfortunately, the fact that it has failed is largely glossed over by the purchase of it by UBS. Shareholders at least will breathe a slight intake of relief from a situation that couldve unravelled even worse but for the interventions by the government and its more significant competitor. Is This an Exception, or Has the House of Cards Collapse Begun? Given the developments across the ocean in Silicon Valley with a bank collapse and rumours of others being in a precarious state, Credit Suisses demise will leave financial markets deeply troubled the world over. If there was one robust banking system, one wouldve thought it was the Swiss system, with its long and enviable record for stability and hardnosed administration. The term banking prominence was a synonym for the Swiss banking system. The concern is that if Credit Suisse can fail, so can every other financial institution. The logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse is seen at a branch office in Zurich, Switzerland, on Nov. 3, 2021. (Arnd WIegmann/Reuters) For too long, it would appear that those involved in the financial markets thought the foundations were so secure and reinforced that failure or collapse was not an option or possibility. This shows how terribly wrong things have gone for this turn of events to have occurred and the rapid speed at which it happened. Everyone will have their own diagnosis of what went horribly wrong and why. Some explanations will be over-defensive, claiming their banking model no longer suited the times to those that reflect on the management and their stewardship of billions of investors dollars. A full and brutally robust analysis, one worthy of a doctorate thesis, needs to be undertaken on the leaderships inability to read the market and respond. In that thesis, there might be a section devoted to leaders taking their individual and collective eye off the ball in pursuit of trendy policies and agendas which may have served their inner virtue-signalling selves. Agenda that allowed for sophisticated discussions at soirees about a carbon-constrained world order oblivious to the smooth rising of CO2 out of their champagne glasses. It was only a matter of days ago that Credit Suisse boasted it had a pledge in place to cut absolute emissions tied to loans to the oil, gas, and coal sector by 49 percent by 2030 and said emissions from loans to those clients had fallen 64 percent by the end of 2022. No blame will be attached to this dubious strategy. As prices for these commodities steadily rose and returns continued to increase, Credit Suisses investors were denied the benefits based on an at-best suspect ideology rather than sound investment considerations. A maze of crude oil pipes and valves is pictured during a tour by the Department of Energy at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Freeport, Texas, on June 9, 2016. (Richard Carson/Reuters) An analysis of what lessons were taken from the 1995 Barings or the 2008 Lehman Brothers debacle and what steps were taken to avoid such catastrophe would be worthy of a separate doctorate thesis. That said, most of us could possibly already write the conclusioncomplacency. Some commentators have been warning corporate managers that if they go woke, they will go broke. For most managers, it is not their personal money that disappears but investors who have been convinced to invest with them. Their responsibility is overwhelming, for which we are told they deserve overwhelming salary packages. But in the event of failure, it seems the shareholders lose their hard-earned dollars while those responsible can either retire on their substantial past earnings or simply slide into their next gig. Credit Suisses management strategy had more holes than its countrys famous cheese. So lets hope bankers around the world return to investment strategies that take their fiduciary duties to investors as paramount. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Tories Table Motion to Compel Telford to Testify on Foreign Interference Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Katie Telford arrives to appear as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa on Nov 24, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick) The federal Conservatives have tabled a motion in the House of Commons to order Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus top advisor to testify before a parliamentary committee studying foreign interference in Canadas past two federal elections. The motion, sponsored by Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre on March 20, called for the Commons Standing Committee on Ethics to undertake a study of all aspects of foreign interference in relation to the 2019 and 2021 general elections in light of reports of interference by Beijing. Poilievres motion calls on the committee to compel Katie Telford, Trudeaus chief of staff, to testify for three hours under oath before April 14 concerning any knowledge she may have of foreign interference in the past two elections. The motion also calls on the committee to invite Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair to each give two hours of solo testimony on the matter before May 19. In addition to inviting the ministers, Poilievres motion also calls on the committee to invite testimony from Morris Rosenberg, who penned a recent assessment of the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol (CEIPP) for the 2021 federal election, which concluded Beijings attempts to interfere did not influence the elections outcomes. The motion also calls for Canadian Security Intelligence Service Director David Vigneault, certain former ministers and ambassadors to China, and a number of both past and present CEIPP members to be invited to appear as witnesses before the committee. The motion follows attempts supported by all opposition-party members on the Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) to pass a motion in committee compelling Telford to testify, but Liberal members on PROC have filibustered over several committee meetings to avoid a vote on the matter. Debate Prior to the latest motion being tabled in the House, Poilievre and a number of other Conservative MPs called on support from the NDP to give the opposition parties a voting majority over the Liberal government. Will the NDP, which will have the deciding vote, help Trudeau cover up the truth again? Poilievre wrote on Twitter on March 16. Conservative MP Michael Cooper, who previously tabled a similar motion to order Telford to testify before PROC, wrote on March 19 that the NDP has a choice. They can continue to do the bidding of PMJTs corrupt government or vote with us to demand answers on Beijings election interference, he wrote on Twitter. Liberal MPs voiced opposition to the Conservatives motion in the House on March 20, with Mendicino saying the Liberal government takes foreign interference with the utmost seriousness and has already taken a number of actions to counteract it. A number of Bloc Quebecois MPs voiced support for the motion, while NDP MPs questioned why the motion seeks to only study Beijings attempts to interfere in Canadas last two elections instead of undertaking a broad study of interference by a number of other countries, naming Russia and Iran as examples. Conservative MP Cooper said the study should focus on the very specific reports of the Chinese Communist Party interfering in Canadas recent elections rather than making the studys scope too broad. The House will vote on the motion on March 21. Trump Says a Most Important Witness to Testify Before NYC Grand Jury Former U.S. President and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives to speak at the 2023 Conservative Political Action Coalition (CPAC) Conference in National Harbor, Md., on March 4, 2023. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images) Former President Donald Trump praised recent reports that a lawyer who briefly acted as a legal adviser to Michael Cohen is expected to testify on Monday before a New York grand jury investigating whether to charge the former president over claims he paid hush money to an adult actress during his 2016 presidential campaign. Just reported that the most important witness to go before the New York City grand jury, a highly respected lawyer who once represented convicted felon, jailbird, and serial fake storyteller and liar, Michael Cohen, will be doing so tomorrow afternoon, Trump wrote in a March 19 post on Truth Social. The information he will present will supposedly be conclusive and irrefutable! Witch hunt!!! he continued. According to several reports, one-time legal adviser Robert Costello is set to appearat the request of the Manhattan District Attorneys Officebefore a grand jury after saying he had information raising questions about the credibility of Cohen, a key witness in the investigation who previously testified that Trump directed him to arrange a $130,000 payment to adult actress Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Costello, a veteran New York attorney who previously represented Trump allies such as his former political strategist Steve Bannon and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani, confirmed to The Hill on March 19 that he will appear before the grand jury on Monday. Attorneys Robert Costello (L), David Schoen (C), and advisor to former President Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, appear outside the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington on June 15, 2022. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) It was unclear whether Costellos testimony has any potential to change the course of a grand jury probe that seems close to concluding. Costello briefly acted as a legal adviser to Cohen after the FBI raided Cohens home and apartment in 2018. At the time, Cohen was being investigated for tax evasion and allegedly helping to orchestrate the buying of the silence of two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump. Cohen ultimately decided to plead guilty concerning the payments to Daniels and model Karen McDougal, which he claimed were directed by Trump. Since then, he has been a vociferous Trump critic, testifying before Congress and to the Manhattan grand jury. Trump has denied claims that he had an affair with either Daniels or McDougal and has censured Cohen as a liar. Costello broke relations with Cohen before he pleaded guilty and after it became clear, he was no longer in Trumps camp. The Manhattan DAs office was not immediately available to comment. Prosecutorial Misconduct Trump has criticized the New York investigation, specifically Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat who received $1 million in campaign cash from a George Soros-linked organization. The former president accused Bragg of misconduct over his offices investigation into the alleged hush money payment, calling for an investigation into whether the district attorney is interfering in the 2024 election. On March 19, Trump wrote on Truth Social, there was no crime, period, and 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. Trump, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, did not say in his 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 hadnt been formally notified of any pending arrest. No U.S. president has faced criminal charges while in office or afterward. 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. Jack Phillips and The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News. 09:40 | Beijing (China), Mar. 20. Moreover, the Peruvian Ambassador to China held a meeting with Director-General of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of China's Foreign Affairs Ministry Cai Wei, in which they discussed strengthening the link between the two countries. In this regard, Balarezo highlighted the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Free Trade Agreement between both nations, which have served as the basis for the development of such link. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), which The Peruvian envoy stated that the South American country has been making great efforts in the organization of the annual meeting of the, which will take place in Peru next year Furthermore, he said Peru addresses as a matter of priority the eventual official visit and participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping in the leaders' meeting. Video Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:00 Trump says hell be arrested on Tuesday 16:10 On the Trump Vs Stormy Daniels case 20:20 The legal standing in the Trump case 35:50 Trump gaining more support? 53:00 Messaging on the potential Trump arrest 1:11:30 Impact on Trumps 2024 chances 1:23:00 Q&A with Josh Former President Donald Trump says he expects to be arrested this Tuesday, under charges related to Stormy Daniels in New York that were leaked to the media. The nation now waits to see whether Trump will be extradited from Florida to New York, and whether the Biden administration will be involved. Meanwhile, Trump has also issued a call for protests to take our nation back, and even critics of Trump are suggesting that the Daniels case isnt strong enough for a lasting conviction. Regardless of how things turn out, some analysts believe the potential upcoming arrest could be the rallying call Trump needs for a 2024 presidential victory. In this live Q&A with Crossroads host Joshua Philipp, well discuss these stories and others, and answer questions from the audience. UK Financial System Safe and Sound, Central Bank Says After Credit Suisse Deal A view of the Bank of England in London, on Feb. 2, 2023. (Yui Mok/PA Media) Britains central bank has said the UK financial system remains safe and sound as it seeks to calm fears after the Swiss government mediated the merger between the countrys two largest banks to save Credit Suisse from collapse. Swiss investment banking company UBS announced on Sunday evening it will purchase its rival Credit Suisse in a deal worth more than $3 billion. Credit Suisse has a UK base in Canary Wharf and all its UK businesses remain open, with customers able to access their deposits. A sign displays the name of Credit Suisse on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York on March 15, 2023. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo) The Bank of England said on Sunday evening: 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. But in a sign of global unease, the UK central bankalong with the U.S. Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of Canada, the Bank of Japan, and the Swiss National Banktook steps to enhance the provision of liquidity. Seven-day maturity U.S. dollar swap lines between the Fed and the other central banks will be increased from a weekly to a daily basis. The network of swap lines among these central banks is a set of available standing facilities and serves as an important liquidity backstop to ease strains in global funding markets, thereby helping to mitigate the effects of such strains on the supply of credit to households and businesses, the Bank of England said. Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt walks out of Number 11 Downing Street on his way to make a full budget statement in the House of Commons, in London, on Nov. 17, 2022. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images) Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: The UK government welcomes the steps taken today by the Swiss authorities in relation to Credit Suisse to support financial stability. The Bank of England has confirmed the UK banking system remains safe, sound, and well capitalised. The UKs Financial Conduct Authority said it is minded to approve the aspects of the UBS/Credit Suisse deal which fall under its remit in the UK. Contagion Credit Suisse has had problems for years but was pushed over the edge last week because of market jitters sparked by the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, a mid-sized lender in the United States. The banks failure on March 10 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. On Sunday evening, Swiss President Alain Berset said during a press conference, 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. 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, he added. But the rescue deal with UBS is not expected to calm markets much. Around $17 billion dollars worth of Credit Suisse bonds were wiped out as part of the deal. On Monday morning, shares in Credit Suisse dropped by around 63 percent while UBSs shares fell 16 percent. The FTSE 100Londons top indexfell by as much as 129 points shortly after the markets opened on Monday morning, led lower by the biggest banks in the country. Standard Chartered saw its shares fall by more than 7 percent at one point, while Barclays was just under 6 percent down. Since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, the FTSE 100 index has fallen by close to 9 percent. Confident But some British banking experts have rejected comparisons to the 2008 global financial crisis. Lord Turner of Ecchinswell, who was head of the UK financial regulator during the last crisis and helped to redesign global banking, told The Sunday Times that he is confident about financial stability. One, theres much more capital in the banking system. Two, were not at the end of a sustained global credit-fuelled property boom. Three, we have considerably less opaque interconnectivity between the core banking system and the shadow banking system To me, the balance is still that were unlikely to hit a systemic financial crisis. The U.S. Treasury has also expressed confidence in its own banking system. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell issued a joint statement on March 19 welcoming the UBS/Credit Suisse 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. Emel Akan and PA Media contributed to this report. University Professor Plans to Add Mr. Lis Article to His Teaching PHILADELPHIA, Pa. I find great benefit for the public (to learn) what Mr. Li has written here, said Mark Thomas, assistant professor of Political Science at La Salle University. The philosophy behind Falun Dafa, or Falun Gong, actually is very helpful. It brings a great value to society. Thomas told The Epoch Times his comments after reading the article How Humankind Came to Be by Mr. Li Hongzhi four or five times on March 15. He found it very interesting, with many correlations with both Christian religious teachings and philosophical thoughts over the past thousand years. Mr. Li is the founder of Falun Gong, or Falun Dafa, a spiritual practice that teaches the universal principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Since its introduction to the public in the 1990s, it has spread to more than 100 countries. Thomas believes Mr. Lis article can encourage people to be good and build a source of hope and direction. That is a discipline. Its like any sport or any academic study is a discipline. You need to discipline your mind, body, and soul. And discipline means accepting, to lift up the heavyweights in a gym, or pick up the deeper philosophical, religious thinking, really pushing against yourself, and make yourself strive for more, said Thomas. And then, as you face the other types of earthly sufferings, youve already put yourself through the training. Likewise, in society, if youve got a good philosophy or good root when something bad happens, you can fend it off. Thomas thinks the most important thing he learned from Mr. Lis teaching is the value of struggle, and to struggle we become better. To the point of life, it is really to become good and stay good. And by staying good, we help both ourselves, but we also help our families, we help society. Thomas is planning to add Mr. Lis article to his future teachings. No Pain, No Gain Thomas thinks the whole idea of Mr. Lis explanation about the role of striving on Earth is very important. In this level of creation on Earth, there is this inherent evil coming from free will and original sin. That creates suffering on Earth. Not that the creator in either sense wanted suffering. But suffering is part of the existence here on Earth. There is no getting around suffering on this Earth, Thomas continued. We know why it is because humans are bad and the world is imperfect. But the sufferings that come with it, we can use to perfect ourselves. Its like going through physical training. You know that old saying: no pain, no gain. He thinks that suffering allows people to improve themselves, and allows others to show their goodness and move forward. Thomas understands that suffering is actually purifying in every sense in Christian thought, or in Mr. Lis thought. If we view strivings on Earth as a way to improve ourselves, we can take actually joy in the suffering which sounds kind of counterintuitive. It allows us to get out the impurities. Thomas commends Mr. Lis philosophy: We shouldnt be striving for riches or for honor, for their sake. Those are the rewards if we get them, of our intent become pure. He believes Mr. Lis philosophy that even if you live a good life, you will lose if youre involved in things that are sinful, such as gambling, sexual promiscuity, or whatever else detracts from your wealth. If you stay focused on pure thoughts and doing good to others, naturally, things will come, which will improve your wealth, your honor. And you dont do it for that sake. You do it just for the sake of being a good person, not for the sake of getting rich or having honors, Thomas added. And probably the greatest happiness [that] comes out of that is you develop a good family, good friendships, and you are involved in the good society. And that is a great blessing. A Moral Anchor Thomas thinks people nowadays are adrift from better nature in earlier centuries. Weve become much less focused, and much less morally grounded over the past several centuries, when society puts itself adrift. He said even the ancient Greek philosopher Plato worried about the dangers that come with freedom. People confuse freedom with licentiousness. Freedom is wonderful if you use it within the bounds of a moral philosophy or a moral anchor, said Thomas. Without that moral anchor, and this has played a thought as well, you need something where you see the truth, the true vision of what is really consistent across societies. I think in Mr. Lis thought. He brings out that we have common values across cultures and across races. Mr. Li says thats part of our nature. We just have to overcome that free will, that original sin, to build a better life, to build ourselves into a better society. And then, probably the bigger point is that you need a moral anchor. And Mr. Lis philosophy, along with other philosophers, is very consistent with that, he continued. You see decadence and debauchery in various forms in Western society, maybe even in parts of Eastern society, as an import from Western ideas. And I throw Marxism and communism in that same category. When you throw out a moral anchor, and you get rid of the notion of a higher being, move towards atheism, you lose your moral anchor. Without that moral anchor, things drift toward evil. And people themselves drift towards evil to their own ends, and then they get confused, Thomas added. Some of the benefits of Mr. Lis thought, especially when it comes to strivings on Earth, is that without that moral anchor, youre lost. More importantly, you have no source of hope or consolation in this world as we face sufferings. Because even as a good person, youre going to face suffering. Platos Analogy of the Cave Thomas encourages people to be more open-minded, to listen to all the ideas, then to figure out which one will keep them on the right path. He gave an example of Platos analogy of the cave. In the cave, some people have never seen the outside world. And they think that reality is shadows cast on the wall by puppet masters. One of them leaves the cave and sees the truth. He goes back down to tell people about the truth but is persecuted by the other people who are still looking at shadows and images. I often ask my students who are the puppet masters. And Ill be the first to say, well, the media, or politicians or teachers can cast false images of what is real society, said Thomas. Because society tells us thats reality, forget what is real. The shadows are whats real. And thats not necessarily the case. We are looking at distortions of reality. He thinks Mr. Li has pointed out the essence of reality. What is actually real is what were trying to strive to become, not what will keep us here grounded in a temporally limited world. Its not reality. Reality is what existed prior to the creation of this earthly realm. Wed have to figure out what that is and what the creators intent is. We know that Mr. Li points to the creators intent. Thomas recommends people to read Mr. Lis article: Read it and think and contemplate, be introspective about, look at your own self, look at your own life, look what it guides you. And see, maybe theres something in your heart that needs to be changed. Well-Timed Mr. Li published his article just before the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rabbit. Thomas thinks its well-timed. Id say well-timed with the associate that a lot of concerns [in] our society right now about the future. Im sure within even the Christian community, there are some concerns about the end of the world coming, climate change, and potential wars between countries, and we see the war erupting between Russia and Ukraine. There are sure a lot of concerns out there, he said. After reading Mr. Lis article, Thomas shared his feelings: My first thought was, how much it resonated with other thinkers thoughts? And then really how much it was accurate of fears existing within a society. He thinks nowadays, people are full of fear of what will happen in the future and what the future will bring. Nobody wants to think that this world will end and destruction. Everybody wants to think that, at least for their children, saying that the world will last forever, Thomas said. I remember when I was told as a youth that by the time I was this age, the world would come to an end. Its like I wont have my chance to make improvements. After reading Mr. Lis article, Thomas sees hope and believes that good people will have a good future. Even if in this world theres not a good future, if they strive to be better, theyll have a good future afterward, said Thomas. People can view it as a way of promoting peace, finding a source of peace. Plans to Add to His Teaching Thomas said his students had asked him why they read so many Western thoughts. He is considering introducing Mr. Lis article in his teaching next semester or next year. He said that probably scared the Chinese Communist Party. They dont want to know that people in the U.S. could share values with people in China, where you threaten their existence as a regime. Thomas said he and his students are well aware of how evil the communist regime is. Im aware of what theyve done with the Uyghurs, dealing with Falun Gong, anybody that opposes, and what happens in Hong Kong or Taiwan. I know that Falun Gong and Uyghurs are both a huge target, these people who are hated by the Communist Party. Thomas said his family was very Protestant. In his early youth, he was going to become a Protestant minister. Then he saw the politics within various churches, that human element to fighting against each other, despite what people claimed to be. I thought, well, if Im going to study politics, let me do it in the political realm, a non-religious realm where Id want to still keep my faith. I was told way back if I regret not becoming a minister, but Ive considered being an educator as being a minister too, Thomas said. Being an educator helps you take a whole group of children, and you watch them grow. US Announces $350 Million More in Military Aid for Ukraine Military aid, delivered as part of the United States' security assistance to Ukraine, is unloaded from a plane at the Boryspil International Airport outside Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 13, 2022. (Serhiy Takhmazov/Reuters) The United States announced on March 20 an additional $350 million in military aid to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian attacks. This week, as Russias unconscionable war of aggression against Ukraine continues at great human cost, we are again reminded of the boundless courage and steadfast resolve of the Ukrainian people, and the strong support for Ukraine across the international community, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. The latest military assistance package consists of additional ammunition for HIMARS, howitzers, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, high-speed anti-radiation missiles; 81mm and 60mm mortar systems and mortar rounds; AT-4 anti-armor weapon systems; Grenade launchers, small arms, and associated ammunition; demolition munitions and equipment for obstacle clearing; mine clearing equipment; heavy fuel tankers; thermal imagery systems, optics, and laser rangefinders; riverine patrol boats; testing and diagnostic equipment to support vehicle maintenance and repair; and spare parts and other field equipment. This is the 34th drawdown of the U.S. inventory of assistance for Ukraine since August 2021. The United States has given more than $32.5 billion of military assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded the Eastern European country on Feb. 24, 2022. We applaud the more than 50 countries that have come together to provide support for Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Blinken said. Russia alone could end its war today. Until Russia does we will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes. The announcement of the latest U.S. assistance to Ukraine comes as Chinese leader Xi Jinping meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on March 20 and just days after the International Criminal Court announced an arrest warrant for Putin and another Russian official for overseeing the abduction and unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. 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. The ICC prosecutor is an independent actor and makes his own prosecutorial decisions based on the evidence before him. We support accountability for perpetrators of war crimes, a U.S. State Department spokesperson told The Epoch Times. We have all seen the war crimes and atrocities committed by Russian forces since the outset of this war. As you know, the United States has concluded that Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine. And, as the vice president [Kamala Harris] recently announced in Munich, the State Department has determined that members of Russian forces and other Russian officials have committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine. To be clear, however, the United States determinations regarding war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine are separate from the ICCs independent decisions on matters before it. The prosecutors evidence will ultimately be weighed by the court. US Investigated Threat Posed by Chinese Regime Infiltration of Canada: Intelligence Professional The city of Vancouver is "ground zero" for activities of the Chinese Communist Party's United Front Word Department, according to former Mountie and author Scott McGregor. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck) The infiltration of Canada by the Chinese Communist Party was so serious that the U.S. government launched an investigation into the matter, says an intelligence professional and author of a new book on the topic. And that was 25 years ago, with the situation reportedly getting progressively worse over time. Scott McGregors new book on the matter, The Mosaic Effect: How the Chinese Communist Party Started a Hybrid War in Americas Backyard, is currently topping the Amazon charts in the National & International Security category. This is remarkable, its never been discussed before, the fact that the United States was looking at Canada as this major national security threat, McGregor, a veteran of Canadian military intelligence and the RCMP, told Jan Jekielek on The Epoch Times program American Thought Leaders. The investigation was conducted under the aegis of the Department of Justice with the codename Dragon Lord, McGregor said on the program on March 18. He says he became aware of it through a document revealed to him by an intelligence source. The investigation also involved the FBI, CIA, and the National Security Agency, and came on the heels of the joint RCMP-Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Project Sidewinder. The analytical project of the late 1990s sought to look into the activities and influence of Chinese criminal gangs and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) agents in Canada. Whats happening there has been progressing for 25 years,McGregor said. We have complete saturation in Canada of these elements in every aspect of our business, our critical infrastructure, law enforcement, its in everything that were doing right now. McGregor says this level of infiltration poses a significant threat to the United States and is the reason why Dragon Lord was launched at the time. He says the CCP is conducting hybrid warfare against Canada and other countries, seeking to control them without resorting to kinetic means. Hence, the conflict takes place behind the scenes and there is less public awareness. When were talking about hybrid warfare. Its about control, controlling the narrative, and controlling industry, controlling trade agreementsall of it is about control, he says. And that is my greatest fear, because I see that control getting stronger every day. In concrete terms, this involves the CCP leveraging in Canada its state assets, business tycoons, and the Chinese criminal triads to extend control and influence. Scott McGregor, author and former member of the RCMP and Canadian military intelligence.(Crossroads/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) McGregor calls this connectivity the unholy trinity. Hybrid warfare includes sharp power, which is political in nature, and soft power, which includes economic subversion, he explains. And then theres also transnational crime which includes threat finance, money laundering, and narcotics trafficking. The former Mountie says hes seen an interconnectivity between all these elements. Everywhere we looked, every piece of information we saw, the entity where they were involved, it all started to come back to the same people, the same threat streams, if you will, he said. McGregor added that whether it was the gambling file, real estate, or espionage, everything was connected and the people were intertwined. It didnt matter where we looked, if you lifted the carpet up over here, there they were. Canadian journalist Sam Cooper, who has been reporting on leaked classified information on Beijings interference in Canada, revealed as much in his 2021 book Willful Blindness: How a Network of Narcos, Tycoons and CCP Agents Infiltrated the West. Ground Zero McGregor noted that Vancouver is an important hub for those interconnected activities, where the casinos have been used to launder proceeds of crime and as venues for relationship building between the different elements. People like to mingle, especially in the spy world and the criminal world. One of the ways they do that is through casinos, and they develop guangxi, he said, using the Mandarin term for relations. McGregor speaks from professional experience through his work with the RCMP on the file, and then with the B.C. attorney general on gaming policy enforcement. A report published in June 2022 resulting from a public inquiry into money laundering in B.C. found that politicians had not done enough to combat the phenomenon, though it said this wasnt because of corruption. McGregor referred to Vancouver as ground zero in Canada and likely in all of North America for activities of the CCPs United Front Work Department (UFWD). The UFWD has been referred to by CCP Leader Xi Jinping as a magic weapon to advance Chinas interests. Its basically an element that is designed to do two things: intelligence and propaganda, says McGregor. The UFWD co-opts, recruits, and runs entities abroad to serve the CCP agenda, such as community organizations, media, and politicians. Undermining the US McGregor told American Thought Leaders that the fundamental objective of CCP infiltration in Canada is to undermine the United States because its the true force behind the West. This goes back to Beijings intent to displace the United States as the worlds leading power by 2049, he said, which will be the 100th anniversary of the CCP. And while infiltration in Canada has reached dramatic levels, the United States has also not been spared, McGregor says, with the same entities conducting the same type of activities there. And that is concerning, because the scope can be that much larger. Theres that much more money to be had and support to be gained. Leaks The book Mosaic Effect comes at a time when Canada is embroiled in a scandal alleging CCP interference at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government. National security leaks on the topic have been published steadily in the press since November, with the latest alleging Beijing interfered with the 2022 Vancouver city elections. The Trudeau government has been accused of turning a blind eye to the interference, with some allegations indicating it had been warned by CSIS about CCP agents in the Liberal Party. While refusing to hold a public inquiry, the Liberal government says it has taken the issue seriously, by for example setting up elections monitoring bodies, and last week appointed a special rapporteur to look into foreign interference. The issue stretches beyond the Liberal Party and caused a casualty in the Ontario provincial legislature, with Progressive Conservative MPP Vincent Ke leaving the party caucus after allegations implicating him surfaced. The non-partisan nature of the threat was noted by former CSIS intelligence officer Michel Juneau-Katsuya, who claimed in a CBC interview on March 19 that every prime minister over the past 40 years has been compromised by Beijings interference. Every [Canadian] prime minister has been compromised at one point or another by those [Chinese] agents of influence, and when we brought the warning, nobody listened, he said. Juneau-Katsuya, who left CSIS over two decades ago, did not provide further details to substantiate the claim. US Security Alliances in Asia Get Stronger Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol attend a meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, on March 16, 2023. (Kiyoshi Ota/Pool via Reuters) Commentary It seems that China has been able to accomplish something that 70 years of U.S. diplomacy could never achieve: push Japan and South Korea closer toward something like a strategic partnership. Earlier this month, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol flew to Tokyo to meet with his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Fumio Kishidathe first official visit of a South Korean president to Tokyo in twelve years. This summit was no small thing, given long-standing chilly relations between Tokyo and Seoul. If Japan and the United States see themselves in strategic competition with China, South Korea has historically viewed Japan as its main competitor. Korean animosity toward Tokyo is rooted in Japans brutal occupation of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945, when Korean culture and language were suppressed and Japan used Koreans as a source of slave labor (and worse). South Koreas postwar economic miracle was partly motivated by its desire to outperform Japan in the latters traditional industrial bulwarks; hence, South Koreas drive to excel in automobiles, shipbuilding, and electronics. At the same time, Seoul did not generally view China as an aggressor. The Chinese and the Koreans have much in common culturally and historically; China traditionally acted as Koreas protector against the Japanese. After the two countries normalized relations in the early 1980s, trade and other economic relations bloomed. Despite having a close military alliance with the United States, Seoul always shied away from widening this into a trilateral security pact with Tokyo. This could be changing and, if so, it will be Beijings own fault. Chinas growing aggressiveness in Asia is worrying even the normally blase South Koreans. Claims of illegal fishing in Korean waters by Chinese vessels, and Beijings ham-fisted response to Seoul permitting the United States to deploy THAAD air-defense systems to Korea, have soured relations between the two countries. So when Yoon met with Kishida it was considered a big deal. In particular, the two leaders were able to resolve a key sticking point in South Korean-Japanese ties: an agreement to compensate Koreans enslaved by Japanese companies during the occupation (albeit using South Korean fundssomething that has upset many Koreans, who feel the Japanese are escaping blame). Japan and South Korea will, as The Washington Post put it, expand cooperation on everything from intelligence-sharing to supply chains. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida walks on the deck of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces helicopter carrier JS Izumo during an international fleet review in Sagami Bay, southwest of Tokyo, on Nov. 6, 2022. (Kyodo News via AP) This Seoul-Tokyo rapprochement could presage the kind of multinational Asian security alliance that Washington has long coveted. Japan has been rapidly jettisoning much of its postwar pacifism (although not without protest), announcing its intentions to double defense spending over the next five years and buy new offensive weapons. Normally this would have provoked a hue and cry from Seoul, but that uproar has gone silent. Instead, President Yoon has stated that Japan has transformed from a militaristic aggressor of the past into a partner that shares the same universal values with us. This nascent Washington-Tokyo-Seoul axis could soon be supplemented by additional partners. The Unites States is rebuilding its military relations with the Philippines, which has been made easier by the exit of the more pro-China President Rodrigo Duterte. Washington and Manila have expanded their 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, and additional U.S. troops will be stationed in the Philippines. The AUKUS pact between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom is beginning to firm up as well. The United States has agreed, as a first step, to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, either through sale or lease. Over the long term, the United States and Britain will transfer technology to Australia to allow it to construct its own nuclear submarines, with perhaps as many as eight boats. In addition, Britain and the United States will rotate the deployment of nuclear-powered submarines to HMAS Stirling, located near Perth on Australias west coast. International crewing of these boats is also possible. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L), U.S. President Joe Biden (C), and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hold a press conference after a trilateral meeting during the AUKUS summit in San Diego, Calif., on March 13, 2023. (Leon Neal/Getty Images) It might appear that U.S. efforts to contain China geopolitically are succeeding wildly. Certainly in Northeast Asia, China is increasingly hemmed in, especially as Tokyo has come to see the security and self-determination of Taiwan as critical to Japans own security. Along with increased U.S. military sales to Taiwan, a strengthening Japanese-Taiwanese partnership is keeping Chinese military power in check in this important region. Southeast Asia, however, is a bit more porous, as many states in the regionwhile wary of Chinese intentionsare not prepared to confront Beijing head-on. Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and even U.S. treaty ally Thailand would prefer to deal with China through regional multilateral forums, and particularly those centered around the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Even Singapore, which has a Strategic Framework Agreement with the United States, and which permits American warships and warplanes to use Singaporean military bases, has stressed that it is not an ally of the United States. Even in the face of growing Chinese aggression, the response on the part of Southeast Asian states has usually been to find diplomatic solutions or engage in individual hedging strategies. Militarily, most ASEAN states prefer to go it alone and eschew any talk of a defense alliance with the United States or its Asian allies. That said, these countries are pleased to work with the United States on an ad hoc basis, such as sharing intelligence or acquiring U.S. weaponry. Southeast Asia is increasingly looking to hedge against China. In particular, Indonesiawhich has competing territorial claims with Beijing in the South China Seais expanding security cooperation with Washington; in 2022, it held joint military exercises with the United States that also included twelve other nations. Beijing, like Moscow, is learning the hard way the law of unintended consequences. Its belligerence is pushing traditionally tolerant countries like South Korea and the Philippines toward a more counter-China stance. While not crafting a multilateral military alliance, the United States is certainly reaping the benefits. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. US Will Continue to Focus on Chinas Forced Organ Harvesting: State Department Falun Gong practitioners walk in a parade in Brooklyn, N.Y., highlighting the Chinese regime's persecution of their faith on Feb. 26, 2023.(Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times) WASHINGTONChinas state-sponsored forced organ harvesting continues to be a concern for the United States, a State Department official told reporters on March 20. The communist regimes systematic act of forcibly taking organs from prisoners of conscience for salewhich first came to light around 2006 after several whistleblowers came forward to The Epoch Timeshas increasingly drawn attention in recent years. The European Parliament, as well as dozens of U.S. states and cities, have issued resolutions condemning the abuse, and federal lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have recently introduced legislation that seeks to hold perpetrators accountable. Erin Barclay, the State Departments acting assistant secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, said shes aware of the congressional legislative proposal, and pointed to a section in the departments newly released human rights report highlighting the issue. We will continue to focus on that as an issue on a broad spectrum of human rights and trafficking issues going forward where it comes up, she said, in response to a question from The Epoch Times at a March press briefing accompanying the release of the report. The human rights situation in China is something that we are regularly raising with partner states bilaterally and in multilateral settings where China is present, Barclay said later in the briefing. China was violating the dead donor rule that an organ donor must be formally declared dead before any organs are removed, the report states, citing a peer-reviewed research paper published in the American Journal of Transplantation in April 2022. The authors analyzed 2,838 papers from Chinese-language transplant publications and found in 71 cases that the cause of death was the organ transplant itself, carried out before doctors had made a legitimate determination of brain death. The findings constitute an accidental admission from the Chinese doctors that they are engaging in forced organ harvesting, the research papers co-author, Dr. Jacob Lavee, told The Epoch Times at the time. He is the president of the Israel Society of Transplantation. They have procured organs from people who are not proclaimed dead, meaning they became the executioners, he said. According to findings from an independent tribunal, the principal victims of forced organ harvesting are practitioners of Falun Gong, a spiritual group that practices meditative exercises and follows the values of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Falun Gong has been the target of a brutal suppression campaign by the regime since 1999, with adherents experiencing forced disappearances, arbitrary detention, torture, and slave labor. Millions of detained Falun Gong practitioners have thus become the nonconsenting victims of the regimes forced organ harvesting. Human rights defenders attempting to lend legal assistance to persecution victims also have faced increased retribution. Chinese human rights lawyer Liang Xiaojun lost his license for defending Falun Gong practitioners, the State Department report notes. Among the political prisoners identified in the human rights report was Falun Gong adherent Bian Lichao, a former middle school teacher from northern Chinas Hebei Province who was sentenced in 2012 to 13 years in prison. His wife, who didnt practice Falun Gong, was jailed for publicizing details of authorities persecution of their family, and died in 2020 while in prison as a result of abdominal fluid buildup, according to Minghui.org, a U.S.-website that serves as a clearinghouse for the persecution cases. Their daughter was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison after unfurling a banner that read I want to see my father, Minghui reported. She was 23 at the time of her arrest in March 2014. Emel Akan contributed to this report. With Several Closely Contested Seats, Electoral Fate of Alberta in Calgarys Hands: Pundit After a tumultuous year that saw Danielle Smith become premier, a spring election is on the horizon for Alberta, and it remains to be seen whether Smith will be returned to power or the NDPs Rachel Notley will triumph as she did in 2015. One pundit says Calgary will be the deciding battleground. Smith won the United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership on Oct. 6, 2022, with 53.77 percent of the vote and has had only six months to establish a governing track record. She inherited a party that had become deeply divided, but had previously taken 63 of 87 seats in the 2019 election with 54.88 percent of the vote. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith holds a first press conference in Edmonton, on Oct. 11, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Jason Franson) Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley speaks at a news conference in Calgary on March 15, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh) Geoffrey Hale, emeritus professor of political science at the University of Lethbridge, says Smith has succeeded in rallying the party and the base to her side. [Low] numbers for Wildrose [Independence Party], and the [shrinking] number of undecideds that we see in polling for small-town Alberta suggests that she has largely connected with that constituency, Hale told The Epoch Times. Wildrose, the Liberals, the Alberta Party, and the Greens have polled in single digits for many months, leaving the election a two-horse race. Hale says Edmonton is death valley for the UCP, with polls showing the seats in the provincial capital going to the NDP. On the reverse, most of the rural seats are secure for the UCP, according to March 11 projections by polling aggregator 338 Canada, putting much of the decision in the hands of Calgary, where there seems to be more split in support for the two parties. The campaign is going to make a big difference, both at the province-wide level and on the ground. There are probably 10 or 12 seats, the majority of which will be in Calgary, a handful of which will be in other places, that are very closely contested and which will determine the outcome of the race, Hale said. Premier Smith has a pathway to re-election, Hale adds. Its not as narrow as it was three months ago, but anyone whos taking it for granted has been inside a political bubble. Hale said Notleys political instincts make her a formidable challenger who will take every opportunity she has. Ms. Notley has been absolutely focused, and her messaging is bang on for what she needs to accomplish to have a reasonable chance of flipping Calgary, he said. The times I go on transit and see the regular orange NDP ads on the transit bulletin boardsand theyre wall-to-wallthey are absolutely consistent with what the polls said they ought to be saying to appeal to the swing vote and win Calgary. They are the issues of reliability and [health-care] staffing. On the health-care file, Smith appointed Dr. John Cowell as head of Alberta Health Services in November and tasked him with lowering wait times. Hale said Cowell has made some progress, but whether that progress is substantial enough to sway concerned voters is unclear. Under Albertas fixed election laws, the next provincial election must be held by May 29. Xis Meeting With Putin Covertly Aims to Prolong Ukraine War, Weaken US: Experts Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to China's President Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders' summit in Samarkand on September 16, 2022. (Sergei Bobylov/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images) Chinese leader Xi Jinpings meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is aimed at furthering the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) designs against the United States, according to analysts. Xis March 20 to March 23 visit to Moscow is his first to the country since Putins February 2022 invasion and comes on the heels of Beijings brokering a resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Weeks before Russias invasion of Ukraine, Xi and Putin declared a no limits partnership, and ties between the two countries have only deepened since then. The meeting was announced on Friday, incidentally not long after the International Court of Justice issued an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes. The timing of the visit is critical for both Xi and Putin, experts say. I think that Beijinglike most of the rest of the worldis worried that the conflict might escalate to nuclear warfare that would harm their own plans as much as anyone else, said Brandon Weichert, a U.S.-based geopolitical analyst and author of the book Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower. At the same time, though, Beijing doesnt mind seeing their two biggest competitors, Russia and the U.S., bleeding each other in Europe while China has free reign in the Indo-Pacific, he told The Epoch Times. Ukrainian servicemen fire a M777 howitzer at Russian positions near Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, on March 17, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images) Timing The meeting comes as Russia slowly makes advances in its monthslong operation to capture the eastern Ukraine city of Bakhmut. The bloody battle has led to massive losses on both sides, especially the Russians. Madhav Nalapat, a strategic affairs analyst and vice chair of the India-based Manipal Advanced Research Group said that Xi and Putin are meeting at a time when the war in Ukraine is entering a stage where it can either end conclusively or can drag out into a stalemate. Putin is under pressure from his commanders to unleash the full fury of Russian weapons against Ukraine rather than have the war get prolonged, Nalapat told The Epoch Times. Xi clearly wants to know whether Putin will go all out or continue with the present tactics. To Frank Lehberger, a Germany-based Sinologist, Xi and Putins hasty arrangement and secret get together on Monday is because the Russian military is on the brink of collapse in Ukraine. Xi Jinping, who is since last week the sole autocrat of China, is anxious not to let this happen, because a military rout of Russian armies in Ukraine would be the end of Putins autocratic and anti-Western regime of Russia, Lehberger told The Epoch Times in an email. Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China, speaks during the U.N. Security Council meeting discussing the Russian and Ukraine conflict at the United Nations Headquarters on March 11, 2022 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) The Russian army has lost nearly 200,000 soldiers in the war, according to Western officials, and at least 500,000 Russians have fled the country since the war started. Lehberger said that Russian elites and nationalist hardliners are angry with Putin and hold him responsible for the situation, wanting an end to Putins dream to recreate a Russian empire in Europe. Putin desperately needs Xi to come now and pledge his help, or it will be too late for Putin and his dreams of an autocratic empire, said Lehberger. Xi knows all this, and he also desperately needs Russia to fight on .not only against Ukrainians but by association against the entire democratic West or NATO, which are the CCPs existential enemies. Nalapat said that Russia losing a war to Ukraine would weaken Chinas position significantly in the international order and the timing of the meeting is mindful of that. Lethal Arms for Russia There has been rising apprehension about China supplying military assistance to Russia. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said last month that China is already providing non-lethal weapons to Russia during the war and is considering supplying lethal ones. Beijing denies these claims. While much has been made of Xis purported role as peacemaker in the conflict, experts said that this is just a smokescreen, pointing to Beijings supply of dual-use equipment to Moscow that aids its military efforts. Weichert said that China has long been providing vital support and supplies to Russia. The Biden administration knows full well that there are Chinese technicians working alongside Wagner Group units in Bakhmut, helping them to maintain the drone fleets that Chinese drone makers have sold to the Russians, he said, referring to the private mercenary group. The Wagner Group purchased more than 2,500 Chinese drones in a deal between the mercenary group and Russian and Chinese intelligence, British media outlet Daily Mirror reported, citing a UK intelligence report. Nalapat said that misleading the enemy is a standard operating procedure for the CCP, noting that the regime is supplying arms to Russia through discrete channels. Do you believe that the flood of weapons, many sophisticated, coming to Russia from North Korea and Iran have all been made in those two countries? he said. According to a recent Politico report citing customs data, Chinese firms have exported 1,000 assault rifles and other equipment to Moscow that could be used in the conflict. In June 2022, for example, Russian firm Tekhkrim imported rifles from China North Industries Group Corporation Limited, a large state-owned defense contractor. The data also showed that Russian companies received 12 shipments of drone parts and over 12 tons of body armor from China via Turkey in late 2022. In response to this report, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told The Epoch Times that the administration couldnt confirm that China has in fact provided lethal aid to Russia. Lehberger said that All these activities are in contravention of current international sanctions, adding that the reported efforts are only the tip of the iceberg. In addition to Iran and North Korea, China is also sending arms to Russia through other countries like Myanmar, Serbia, Turkey, and Russias staunch ally in Europe, Belarus, according to Lehberger. After his summit with Putin, Xi will talk via satellite link to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time since the invasion. Lehberger termed this as Xis make-believe peace mission. According to the expert, Xi will aim at a temporary cease-fire to earn recovery time for Putins depleted army and Russia will at a later time attack Ukraine more fiercely. Lehberger said that the CCP will continue to supply arms to Russia for at least another two years, because he believes that Xi has plans to take over Taiwan in 2025 and would thus wish to use prolonged Ukraine-Russian conflict to stun or weaken the United States and other Western powers. Chinas Economic Stake Experts said that China has long-term economic agendas vis-a-vis the Russia-Ukraine war and its economic goals over the next decades are linked with Beijings subjugation of the Russian economy. Russia is squarely in the camp of Chinas new empire; the vast Russian wilderness will become protein for which the dragon can feed on as it rises over the next decade, and Putin will become a powerful vassal prince under Xi Jinping, said Weichert, adding that fusing the Chinese and Russian economies would be a major victory for Xi and for that, it would need Russia to be ensnared in a protracted conflict with Ukraine. Nalapat said that Russia has become Chinas most important supplier of industrial raw materials at discounted prices. The two countries want to work together to topple the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency. A weakened U.S. dollar would in their view boost their own currencies, especially the RMB [Chinese yuan]. For some time, much of U.S. deficit funding has come from increases in overseas purchases of USD as a reserve currency, and a dollar reset would significantly crimp the ability to spend of the U.S. government, he said. Xi wants the United States to not only be weakened but also be deprived of reliable and functioning allies within Europe, according to Lehberger who sees the Ukraine war as vital to Beijings economic game plan against Washington. A weak E.U. will then be earmarked to become an economic dependency of China, Lehberger said. 13:52 | Cusco (Cusco region), Mar. 20. In an article published in the magazine's digital version, the author, Stacey Lastoe, affirmed that Ollantaytambo is the Sacred Valley's new gem. "No longer just a stopover on the way to Machu Picchu, this vibrant village in the Sacred Valley is a destination in its own right, thanks to crowd-free ruins (including an Inca fortress); sustainable accommodations modeled after glamping grounds (eco lodge Las Qolqas' indoor/outdoor spa along the Urubamba River is the perfect antidote after a day trekking the famous Lost City); and local restaurants featuring Andean dishes highlighting the region's produce and flavors," Lastoe wrote. "Llamas roam freely in the hills along a roughly eight-mile trek to the Pumamarca ruins (at 11,142 ft., the panoramic views reveal the village below and seemingly endless lush farmland), easily accessed from the grounds of Las Qolqas [] Guided tours led by knowledgeable locals can be arranged by hotels and inns, including the 100-year-old El Albergue, where guests are invited to get their hands dirty on the on-site farm, which produces corn, quinoa, and potatoes," she added. Additionally, the U.S. magazine highlights that Starlodge Adventure Suites a short train ride from the center of town debuted last year, giving visitors the chance to sleep in a capsule in the mountains for a real adrenaline rush. "And a new initiative endeavoring to assist Indigenous villages with responsible tourism development is well positioned to make Ollantay (as the locals call the village) another Sacred Valley star," the article reads. How were the 2023 World's Greatest Places chosen? The magazine explained that in order to compile this list of the top spots to visit this year, TIME solicited nominations of places from its international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences. The result was 50 far-flung and familiar spots, from Giza and Saqqara in Egypt, where the long-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum is finally revamped and reopened, to the gastronomy hot spot of Dijon, France. "Some of the destinations are enforcing more sustainable tourism practices to protect their natural beauty; Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia is moving toward allowing only one foreign visitor per local resident. Others are thriving, growing, and changing, like the city of Medellin, Colombia," the Time Magazine said. (END) LZD/RMB The Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park an enormous Inca construction located in the heart of the Sacred Valley in Cusco region was chosen as one of the 50 best places to visit around the world this year by the prestigious international magazine Time.Published: 3/20/2023 That release could not be found. It is with a deep sense of concern that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide wishes to draw the public attention to the barefaced brutality, repression and existential threat presently perpetrated against the Igbo population in Lagos State of Nigeria. It will be recalled that in the run-up to the February 25, 2023 presidential election, Ndigbo in Lagos were subjected to inhuman treatments by the so-called "owners" of Lagos for which reason many of our people were brazenly attacked, oppressed, repressed, and disenfranchised for no other reason than insisting on their civic rights to vote for candidates of their choice. A few days ago, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the spokesperson for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, issued a " *last warning* " threat to Igbos in Lagos State warning them to stop *interfering* with politics in the state. Onanuga added that this year 2023 should be the last time they should interfere in Lagos politics,* stating that " *the state belongs to Yorubas* " and *let there be no repeat in 2027* and that the *Igbo are not Lagosians but mere strangers from another ethnic group* ". Onanuga, maintained that *Igbo are merely tolerated in Lagos* . Without remorse, Onanuga insisted: *I owe no one any apology for addressing the existential threats of my Yoruba stock* "; insisting that " *I am after all, first of all a Yoruba, before being a Nigerian* ". During the 2015 general election, one of the most influential traditional rulers in Nigeria, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, was quoted as threatening the Igbo in Lagos: *Anyone that fails to vote for the governorship candidate of the APC would perish in the lagoon* . In the build-up to the 2023 general election, the Baale of Igbara community, Jakande, in Eti-Osa LGA of Lagos State threatened that *We are ready to fight the Igbo, if they voted against the All Progressives Congress (APC)"* In another development, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos State, Segun Agbaje stated that the reason the Igbo in Lagos cannot have their PVC is that they are from the South-Eastern part of the country, inferring that they are immigrants; in what Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi criticised as a _Conspiracy against Democracy: INEC REC; Segun Agbajes Outburst, Other Matters Arising_ and thus accused the INEC REC of being complicit in a plan to disenfranchise the Igbo in Lagos. In yet another development, a notorious Lagos thug, Musiliu MC Oluomo Akinsanya, threatened that *Igbos who will not vote for the APC in the governorship election to stay at home* . Consequently, in the aftermath of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023, Ndigbo in Lagos have had their shops vandalized and burnt down with the authorities in Lagos looking the other way. In the process, many Igbo have suffered physical and psychological harm, loss of property and death. Again, on March 19, 2023, many Igbo ethnics that came out to exercise their franchise were attacked with dangerous weapons including AK-47 machine guns. While some of the Igbo sons and daughters were alleged to have died in the process, some others are in various hospitals in Lagos State. Ohanaeze wants to know why in every election, Igbos in Lagos would be a target of attack by both the traditional institutions and government agencies while the federal government of Nigeria would complicitly watch and sanctimoniously preach that the unity of Nigeria is indivisible and indissoluble. It is once more pointed out that Lagos was the capital of Nigeria at the Nigerian Independence in 1960; just like Abuja is today the capital of Nigeria. It is of course highly inconceivable for a particular ethnic group to be excluded from the social, economic and political activities in the federal capital territory of any country or in any part of the country for that matter. In other words, instead of commendations and plaudits for the invaluable contributions of the Igbo in Lagos State, some miscreants have taken barbarism to the extreme by killing and maiming the Igbo because they came out to vote in a democratic election. Ohanaeze Ndigbo does not want to view the Yoruba ethnic through the narrow lens orchestrated by the illegits, miscreants, hoodlums and the jaundiced half Yoruba who have met culture and civilization half way. This is because, the Ohanaeze cannot forget the likes of Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the Afenifere and indeed all those eminent Yoruba that stood on the side of justice, equity and history by supporting Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party for the presidency of Nigeria in 2023. Neither are we unaware of the numerous Igbo sons and daughters whose spouses are from the Yoruba ethnic group. Ohanaeze Ndigbo further points out that all the highly placed persons, such as the Onanugas who have championed threats, maiming and killings of the Igbo in Lagos have never been brought to book as a deterrent to other unrepentant ethnic chauvinists. Ohanaeze Ndigbo underscores the fact that Ndigbo are essentially republican and cosmopolitan in nature with a very open society that admits competence far and above ethnic sentiments. In the First Republic, a Fulani man was elected the Mayor of Enugu. In last Saturdays governorship and House of Assembly elections, a Yoruba man, Chinasa Abiola was elected as a member of Abia State House of Assembly to represent Umuahia South State Constituency. The atrocities against the Igbo in Lagos State should stop before it degenerates into other untold consequences. We therefore call on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as the Inspector-General of Police, the Director of DSS, the Governor of Lagos State, as well as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others to wade into this ethnic profiling of the Igbo in Lagos State and the attendant hardship which our people have been subjected to with a view to averting this impending tragedy. Surely, students of history will easily recall that those calling for war may know why the war will begin but will surely not know how, where, when and in whose favour the war will end. Ohanaeze wants to let the world know that Ndigbo have paid the ultimate prize for the unity of Nigeria. Despite the harrowing experiences we endured during the civil war, the Igbo have embraced Nigeria with great enthusiasm, open-mindedness, hospitality, entrepreneurship, creativity and patriotism. The question on every lip is what have the Igbo done? E-Signed Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia (National Publicity Secretary, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide) Chinese arrivals predicted to top 300,000 in April BANGKOK: The Chinese government expects the number of Chinese tourist arrivals will rise to more than 300,000 in April, according to the Chinese ambassador to Thailand. By Bangkok Post Monday 20 March 2023, 09:53AM Chinese tourists disembark a Shenzhen Airlines flight at Phuket airport on Mar 15. Shenzhen Airlines is now operating three flights a week from Shenzen using A320 airliners. Photo: AoT Phuket Han Zhiqiang, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Peoples Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand, on Saturday (Mar 18) paid a courtesy call to Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew at the Provincial Hall. reports the Bangkok Post. After welcoming the ambassador, Mr Narong gave an update on moves to set up sister cities with China, the Sino-Thai tourism outlook, and Thailands plans to chair the Specialised Expo 2028. Phuket has established links with Yantai, Hainan, Ningxia Hui, Guilin, Yanjiang, Xiamen and the Macau special administrative region, with Xian next on the list, he said. The ambassador said Chinese President Xi Jinping last year paid a courtesy call to His Majesty the King along with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. They reached a consensus on building a community and shared future between the two countries as well as the need to set targets and maintain a positive direction in bilateral relations. The number of Chinese tourists has been increasing rapidly this year. The ambassador was bullish over continuing growth prospects in the future. Mr Han also enlivened hopes that China might back the Thai bid to host one of the prestigious world expos under the name Phuket Expo 2028. He also told the provincial governor that the Chinese government is considering backing Phuket as chair of the event. Meanwhile, Thanet Tantipiriyakit, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, said the visit of the Chinese ambassador will benefit the tourism sector on the island. As of now, an average of 20,000 Chinese tourists visit a day, on 20 flights. Plans are afoot for the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation to support the private sector in launching a roadshow in Shanghai, Chengdu and Nanning, he said. In Surat Thani, the Mein Schiff 5 cruise ship with about 2,450 passengers and crew docked at Koh Samui is expected to net the country more that B10 million in revenue. The visitors, mostly European tourists, went to various sites on the island, such as Wat Phra Yai, Hin Ta and Hin Yai, Mu Koh Ang Thong national park, Na Muang waterfall and an Otop community. Laundromat cash box robber arrested PHUKET: Police have tracked down and arrested a man wanted for breaking open and robbing cash boxes at two laundromats in Thalang last week. crimepolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Monday 20 March 2023, 09:41AM Tha Chatchai Police arrested Niran Chamnanrua, 33, at a house in Moo 2, Mai Khao, on Saturday (Mar 18). Niran was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by Phuket Provincial Court for committing theft at night. Police seized as evidence Nirans red-black Honda Click motorbike used to flee the scenes of the two thefts, and the clothes he wore while robbing the cash boxes. Niran confessed to committing the thefts only after he was presented with the evidence, including CCTV footage, police said. Niran was wanted for two thefts from laundromats, both committed on Mar 12, one at 12:29am and the other 2:17am. Police reviewed CCTV footage of the thefts and tracked the Honda Click, which had no license plate attached, as it made its way from the scene of the second theft, in Baan Lipon, Thalang. Police could no longer track the motorbike after it turned off to enter Baan Koh En in Mai Khao. Officers then checked for known criminals living in the area and questioned local residents, leading them to being issued a warrant of arrest for Niran, police explained. A search of his house on Saturday confirmed their suspicions when clothes matching those worn by the thief were found at the house, they said. Niran had previously committed many petty thefts, in many areas, including in the jurisdictions of Muang Police Station, Thalang Police Station and Sakhu Police Station. Niran was taken to Tha Chatchai Police Station and charged for his latest thefts at the laundromats. Xi, Putin hail ties ahead of journey of peace to Moscow MOSCOW: Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin applauded the solidity of their alliance today (Mar 20) as the Chinese leader headed to Moscow for a summit with the internationally isolated Russian president. ChineseRussianUkraine By AFP Monday 20 March 2023, 03:57PM Russias President Vladimir Putin (left) and Chinas President Xi Jinping attend a ceremony presenting Xi with a degree from the Saint Petersburg State University on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg in June, 2019. Photo: AFP / file Xi described his trip as a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace, though China has been criticised by Western nations for what they consider tacit backing and diplomatic cover for Russias war in Ukraine. I look forward to working with President Putin to jointly adopt a new vision for relations, Xi wrote in a signed article in the newspaper Russian Gazette that was also carried by Chinese state news agency Xinhua. China has sought to portray itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine war, and its foreign ministry said last week that Beijing would play a constructive role in promoting peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Putin welcomed Beijings moves on Ukraine as being indicative of a willingness to play a constructive role in ending the conflict, while saying Chinese-Russian relations were at the highest point. Xis trip serves to bolster an isolated Putin, who in a defiant move yesterday went to the Ukrainian city of Mariupol - his first visit to territory captured from Kyiv since Moscows invasion in February 2022. Xis visit also comes just days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin on the war crime accusation of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children. Beijing said today the ICC should avoid what it called politicisation and double standards, and respect immunity for heads of state. The court should uphold an objective and impartial stance and respect the immunity of heads of state from jurisdiction under international law, foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing. The solution to the Ukraine conflict, he added, remained dialogue and negotiation. Neither China nor Russia are signatories to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC. No limits friendship Xi, who broke longstanding precedent to begin a third term as president this month, has referred to Putin as an old friend. Beijing and Moscow have drawn closer in recent years under a no limits partnership that has served as a diplomatic bulwark against the West. China has lambasted what it sees as a US-led campaign of pressure against Russia as Moscows war in Ukraine drags on, instead calling for what it calls impartial mediation of the conflict. Beijing in February issued a 12-point position paper calling for dialogue and respect for all countries territorial sovereignty. No single country should dictate the international order, Xi wrote in his Russian media article today. China has all along upheld an objective and impartial position based on the merits of the issue, and actively promoted peace talks, he added. Beijings stance has drawn criticism from Western nations, which say China is providing diplomatic cover for Moscows war. They argue that Chinas proposals are heavy on grand principles but light on practical solutions. The United States last week said Chinas proposals would simply consolidate Russian conquest and allow the Kremlin to prepare a fresh offensive. We dont support calls for a ceasefire right now, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Friday. We certainly dont support calls for a ceasefire that would be called for by the PRC in a meeting in Moscow that would simply benefit Russia, he said, referring to the Peoples Republic of China, the countrys official name. Washington has also accused Beijing of mulling arms exports to Moscow - claims China has vociferously denied. A new vision Analysts say Xis moves are unlikely to yield a rapprochement in the Ukraine war. Nevertheless, his trip will be closely watched in Western capitals. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Xi could also be planning his first call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since the war began. Zelensky has said he would welcome talks with his Chinese counterpart. Xi and Putin are set to have an informal one-on-one meeting and dinner this evening before negotiations tomorrow, Putins top foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told Russian news agencies. They will also sign an accord on strengthening (the two countries) comprehensive partnership and strategic relations entering a new era, the Kremlin has said, as well as a joint declaration on Russian-Chinese economic cooperation until 2030. Today Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 66F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 39F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Cloudy skies with periods of rain later in the day. High 52F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Leading researchers and doctors from around the world will gather in Yerevan, Armenia on May 19-21 for the SIOP (International Society for Pediatric Oncology) Asia XV Annual Congress. The SIOP Asia XV Annual Congress in Yerevan will be the second time the event is taking place in the post-Soviet region, after Moscow 2016. Professor Gevorg Tamamyan, the Head of Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Armenia, Chairman and Professor at Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology of Yerevan State Medical University, CEO of the Immune Oncology Research Institute told ARMENPRESS that he believes the congress will become one of the most important medical science events for Armenia. We expect pediatric oncologists from Europe, Asia, America and elsewhere to arrive. The presidents of the international pediatric oncology union, the Asian, European and Latin American unions have already confirmed their participation. Over 120 leading experts have also confirmed participation as speakers, Tamamyan said. Experts from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Harvard University, and other institutions from Vienna, Italy, Belgium, Spain, China, Japan, Taiwan, India and the Middle East are expected to arrive to Armenia for the event. Tamamyan said the congress will be unprecedented. 85% of children with cancer fully recover in developed countries such as Germany, the US, Switzerland, Spain, Austria, Italy, while in developing countries the figures are from 0 to 60%. Dont be surprised about the zero, there are really countries where the recoveries stand at zero percent. Although we are a developing country, averagely 75% of our patients recover. Right now our goal is to reach the level of developed countries through everyday work, Tamamyan said. The Mkhitar Heratsi State Medical University in Yerevan will serve as the venue for the congress. Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6) Today Rain likely. High 49F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 41F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. 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%. Shares of First Republic Bank fell another 47% Monday as investors remain uneasy about the banks financial condition even after a group of the nations largest financial institutions teamed up on a $30 billion rescue package Bill Gouveia is a Sun Chronicle columnist. Reach him at billsinsidelook@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @Billinsidelook . YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is working in the direction of raising the issue of Azerbaijans non-compliance with the world court order on unblocking the Lachin Corridor at the UN Security Council, the Representative of Armenia on International Legal Matters Yeghishe Kirakosyan told lawmakers Monday. The United Nations highest court the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan on February 22 to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. The Lachin Corridor has been blocked by Azerbaijan since 12 December 2022. Kirakosyan was asked to comment on the matter by Hayastan faction Secretary Artsvik Minasyan at the parliamentary committee on state-legal affairs hearings. Minasyan asked Kiraskoyan whether or not its possible for the UN Security Council to consider applying the sanctions under chapter 7 of the UN Charter. Kirakosyan reiterated that the ICJ ruling is binding and Azerbaijan must comply with it. Unfortunately we are facing the reality that Azerbaijan is simply ignoring the ruling, furthermore not only is it ignoring it but it is trying to distort the content of the ruling on the highest official level up to the lowest official level. This was recently seen in the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers letter addressed to the UN Secretary General, to which our ministers letter has been submitted as a response, he said. Kirakosyan said that article 94 of the UN Charter provides for a certain narrow description pertaining to the rulings. But attempts in the past to bring rulings on provisional measures before the UN Security Council have failed. The cases related to a permanent member, who exercised its right to veto and the issue didnt make it to final debates. But in our case I think we should work in that direction. I know that our colleagues at the foreign ministry are working in that direction. It is highly important for the matter to enter the agenda at the UN Security Council. And we must maximally utilize all diplomatic channels to ensure a favorable discussion of the issue, Kirakosyan said. Taking the issue to the UNSC has two perspectives, he added. First is the formal point of view, theres article 94 of the charter which gives such an authority to the Security Council. The second logic is chapter 7 of the UN Charter its mandate for ensuring international peace and security. The idea is that the non-fulfillment of this ruling creates risks for international peace and security. So we have the chance to raise this issue at the Security Council at least under two logics. It is obvious that the non-compliance with the courts decision, that is the continuation of the blockade, creates very serious risks for international security. SEAN BERGEL, Wheeler, Baseball, Junior; Bergel struck out eight and allowed only five hits as Wheeler defeated Griswold in its season opener. Bergel walked just one batter and allowed two earned runs. CAMI BROWN, Stonington, Softball, Junior; Brown finished 11 for 16 in four games for the Bears. Brown doubled four times, tripled twice and drove in nine runs. CASEY MACERA, Westerly, Girls Lacrosse, Freshman, Macera scored five goals in a Division III win against Rocky Hill. Westerly ended a 15-game losing streak with the victory. ADAM CARPENTER, Chariho, Baseball, Sophomore; Carpenter pitched a two-hitter in his varsity debut as the Chargers beat East Providence. Carpenter carried a no-hitter into the sixth. He struck out 10 and did not walk a batter. Vote View Results Conservative firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor said she doesnt think Republicans have to protest the expected arrest of Donald Trump as the communist Democrats have already decided their own fates. ALL FOR POLITICS! Greene wrote on Twitter in her first comment about the potential arrest. This is what they do in communist(s) countries to destroy their political opponents! Republicans in Congress MUST subpoena these communists and END this! We have the power to do it, and we also have the power to DEFUND their salaries and departments! Enough of this! Greene also responded to Trumps call for his supporters to protest and take our nation back by saying Republicans dont have to demonstrate against the communist Democrats and their political weaponization. These idiots are sealing their own fate in 2024 because the silent majority has two feelings right now about the current regime, Greene wrote. Fear and anger. Greenes comments were in response to Trumps earlier post on Truth Social, in which he revealed that he expects to be arrested this Tuesday in a hush money probe being conducted by the Manhattan DA. 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! Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger fired back at Greene, saying: You break the law, you go to jail. Whomp whomp marj. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A resident of the Sharon area was arrested over the weekend after he published a video on social media inciting against Chareidim and calling for the murder of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. The man said in the video: Some people should die. I want blood to be spilled. If only they would throw grenadeskill someone only then will they understand. Theres a stupid Bibi there whats important to him is [expletive] and Sara his wife and his retarded child they must be killed! They must be killed! He then began spewing vitriol about Chareidim and religious Israelis. Theres a train line nearby, there are cables there they should hang themselves with their tefillin from here until Bnei Brak. I hate anyone who wears a kippah. They caused it. I cant stand all the religious people theyre [expletive]. They caused me to be in this position of hating kippah-wearers. They should hang themselves with their tefillin from here until Bnei Brak. Police officers from the Petach Tikvah district saw the video and launched an investigation to locate the suspect, arresting him shortly later. He was detained for questioning and released to house arrest under restrictive conditions. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Seven tonnes of ivory seized at Haiphong port Authorities of the northern port city of Haiphong discovered seven tonnes of elephant tusks in a container at Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port this morning, March 20. This was the largest ivory smuggling case reported in Haiphong to date. The ivory were seized in Haiphong According to the Haiphong customs agency, they initially became suspicious about six containers sent to the port from Angola, including three which were declared to be transporting peanuts but had unclear addresses. After checking the containers, they detected a huge amount of ivory in one of them. The Vietnamese General Department of Customs are co-operating with concerned agencies on the investigation. Ivory is on the list of goods banned from being imported and exported in line with the Vietnamese governments decree issued in 2018. A container containing 117 pieces of ivory tusk weighing 490 kilos was detected at Lach Huyen Port in Haiphong in early February this year. Haiphong authorities also uncovered 42 pieces of ivory weighing 125 kilos at Lach Huyen Port in February. The illegal items were mixed into the horns of farmed oxen, imported from Africa to Vietnam by sea. Photo taken on April 11, 2022 shows a view of Pudong New Area in east China's Shanghai.(Xinhua/Chen Jianli) BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A recently released report titled "Toward Modernity: The Value of Xi Jinping's Economic Thought" has explored the origins of Xi's economic thought from the perspective of local governance. When working in different localities, Xi put forward a series of new ideas, new ways of thinking and new measures concerning economic work. His years of solid practice on the ground have enriched his experience and enhanced the depth of his theoretical thinking, laying a solid foundation for his economic thought to take shape and evolve. Recounting Xi's stories of economic governance when he worked at the local level, the report, which was released by New China Research, the think tank of Xinhua News Agency, has offered a vivid illustration of how Xi's economic thought helped promote local development. The following excerpted piece tells Xi's story in Shanghai. From March to October 2007, Xi served as the secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Shanghai Municipal Committee. At that time, Shanghai was at a crucial stage of reform and development. During his tenure of seven months and four days as Shanghai's Party chief, Xi traveled to all the districts and counties to conduct rounds of investigations and studies, and proposed a series of plans and requirements -- touching aspects ranging from opening-up, regional integration to innovative development. LET CHINESE AIRLINERS SOAR At 9:19 a.m. Dec. 9, 2022, a C919, China's domestically-developed large passenger aircraft, was delivered to its first customer, China Eastern Airlines. From the approval of the project in 2006 to the delivery of the airliner in 2022, the C919 project has undergone a painstaking journey of design, manufacture, flight test and eventual commercialization. Xi has been paying close attention to China's airliner development. "We must exert much effort to take our own large aircraft to the sky," he said. In 2007, the development of China's homegrown regional jetliner ARJ21 entered the critical phase of assembly. On Sept. 20 that year, a convention was held to ensure the jetliner was ready to fly in the year that followed. Although it was not as significant as the completion of assembly or the maiden flight, Xi still attended the event and expressed the wishes that the jetliner would soar in the sky with pride. Seven years later in May 2014, Xi, who by then had become general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, visited the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd., the C919's developer, on an inspection tour. He boarded the C919 exhibition model and learned about the design of the airliner. To develop China into a great country, we must develop the equipment manufacturing industry and the large aircraft, setting a good example, said Xi. He stressed that China ought to provide greater financial support for the development and manufacture of domestic large aircraft. Large aircraft is a crown jewel of the manufacturing industry and a piece of equipment of paramount importance to a country. It energizes the development of an entire industrial chain and exhibits a country's sci-tech innovation capabilities. The development of the C919 is indeed a vivid example of how Xi attaches importance and devotes his personal efforts to advancing innovative development. YANGTZE RIVER DELTA Not long after taking office as Shanghai's Party chief, Xi made plans for an inspection tour to the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. When his staff was about to finalize the itinerary, Xi suggested making an additional stop at Yiwu, Zhejiang. By then, Yiwu had become the world's largest marketplace for small consumer goods. Many Shanghai officials who participated in the tour said that after the visit, the strategy of integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta had left a strong impression on them. Xi once used an analogy to elaborate on the relationship between Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region. He noted that the emergence of a central city is the result of conglomerated resources and elements, and is enhanced by serving, energizing and facilitating the development of its surrounding areas. "Just like a heart, when there are more arteries connected to it, giving it an abundant supply of blood, it will beat more vibrantly," he said. Xi has always been paying close attention to the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta. He personally planned, directed and promoted this major strategy after ascending to the position of general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and announced the decision of making it a national strategy at the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo in 2018. Energized by the national strategy, the Yangtze River Delta region, which takes up only 4 percent of China's land area, was able to contribute about 25 percent of China's total GDP. It has now become one of the most vibrant, open and innovative regions in the country. YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenia denied on Monday Azerbaijans latest accusations on opening gunfire on the border. In a statement, the Ministry of Defense of Armenia said that the Azerbaijani State Border Services accusations are false. The statement released by the Azerbaijani State Border Service claiming that units of the Armed Forces of Armenia opened fire around 02:30, March 20 in the direction of Azerbaijani outposts deployed in the south-eastern section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani borderline is untrue, the statement said. A Jewish graduate of Leeds University in the UK reached a commercial settlement with the university for failing her essay because she didnt condemn Israel for the crimes of Hamas. Danielle Greyman will be compensated for an undisclosed sum an offer without any admission of liability by the university. Greyman, who filed a lawsuit against the university in August, was assisted by the UK Lawyers For Israel (UKLFI) Charitable Trust, The Jewish Chronicle reported. Following the settlement, Greyman said: I am grateful for the support that UKLFI and the wider Jewish community has provided, and I hope this encourages other students to take action against institutions that do not uphold their responsibility of ensuring academic freedom and fair marking. That said, I am disappointed by the waste of resources that went into dealing with the issue. If the university had simply apologized at the outset, corrected the marking, and offered antisemitism training to staff, I would have felt greatly satisfied. Instead, they failed to confirm that I was entitled to the degree until it was too late, and made me wait six months before hearing my appeal, and then a further six months for the re-marking. This has been a long and draining process, but it is necessary that large institutions know that they will be held accountable. When Greyman was a student at the university, her essay about Hamass crimes against Palestinians failed because she didnt place the blame on Israel. Greyman, who had never before failed an essay at the university, appealed and an external examiner recommended that the essay receive a passing grade. However, since the result of the appeal was only received almost a year later, she lost her place in a Masters course at Glasgow University. She subsequently sued the university for negligence, discrimination, and victimization. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Republicans in the Florida House on Friday passed a universal school choice bill which, if enacted, would expand Floridas school voucher program, making all students eligible to receive state funds for private tuition. It is the largest expansion of the program since its establishment under former Governor Jeb Bush. The bill, also known as HB1, is the largest expansion of the progam since its establishment under former Gov. Jeb Bush, and would eliminate the low-income requirements of the Family Empowerment Scholarship, allowing any public school-eligible student to apply. However, low-income families will still receive priority. Moreover, families who choose to homeschool their children can also receive state funds for things such as online lessons or private tutoring. The Florida model factors in the unique learning needs of every child to deliver education by empowering parents and students to choose the best way to achieve their educational goals, regardless of zip code, race, or income, said House Speaker Paul Renner. Agudath Israel hailed the bills passage in a statement. Todays progress in the House is extremely encouraging, and an exciting move in right direction. We are hopeful that this bill will continue to move forward, culminating with the expansion of the school choice program to all children, the Agudah said. When, Beezras Hashem, this legislation becomes law, every single child from K-12 in Florida will qualify for a scholarship that will be worth approximately $8,000, with no income eligibility requirements. The bill will also eliminate the waiting list for the Unique Abilities Scholarship. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) 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 almost all of them terrorists 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. (AP) North Korea on Monday described its latest ballistic missile launch as a simulated nuclear attack on South Korea as leader Kim Jong Un called for his nuclear forces to sharpen their war readiness in the face of his rivals expanding military exercises with the United States. The report by Pyongyangs official Korean Central News Agency came after the South Korean and Japanese militaries on Sunday detected North Korea firing a short-range ballistic missile into waters off its eastern coast. The launch came less than an hour before the United States flew long-range B-1B bombers for joint training with South Korean warplanes as part of the allies biggest combined training in years, which the North has condemned as a rehearsal for a potential invasion. KCNA said the missile, which flew about 800 kilometers (500 miles), was tipped with a mock nuclear warhead and that the test reaffirmed the reliability of the weapons nuclear explosion control devices and warhead detonators. It said the launch was the final step of a two-day drill that also involved nuclear command and control exercises and training military units to switch more quickly into nuclear counterattack posture. Kim, who state media photos showed attended the missile launch with his daughter, instructed his military to consistently conduct such drills simulating actual war conditions to make the units more perfectly prepared in their active posture of making an immediate and overwhelming nuclear counterattack anytime. Saying that his enemies are getting ever more pronounced in their moves for aggression, Kim urged the need to bolster his nuclear deterrent exponentially and laid out unspecified strategic tasks for further developing his nuclear forces and improving their war readiness, KCNA said. This indicated that the North could up the ante in its weapons demonstrations in coming weeks or months. Sundays short-range launch was the Norths fifth missile event this month and the third since the U.S. and South Korean militaries began joint exercises on March 13. The drills, which are to continue through Thursday, include computer simulations and field exercises tjat are the biggest of their kind since 2018. The Norths flurry of tests this year included a slew of short-range missiles fired from land vehicles, cruise missiles launched from a submarine and two different flight tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles fired from its main airport near the capital, Pyongyang, as it tries to demonstrate a dual ability to conduct nuclear attacks on South Korea and the U.S. mainland. The latest ICBM test last Thursday came hours before South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol traveled to Tokyo for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which was partially aimed at rebuilding security ties between the often-estranged U.S. allies in the face of North Korean nuclear threats. North Korea already is coming off a record year in testing activity, with more than 70 missiles fired in 2022, as Kim accelerates a nuclear push aimed at forcing the United States to accept the idea of the North as a nuclear power and negotiating badly needed sanctions relief from a position of strength. The North last year had also dialed up its weapons demonstrations when the allies were conducting joint exercises, including a slew of missile and artillery firings it described as simulated nuclear attacks on South Korean and U.S. targets. One of the missiles the North fired in November flew in the direction of South Koreas populated Ulleung island, triggering air raid sirens and forcing residents to evacuate. South Korea quickly responded by launching its own missiles in the same border area off the Korean Peninsulas eastern coast. North Korea has long portrayed U.S.-South Korean military drills as rehearsals for an invasion, although the allies describe those exercises as defensive. Many experts say North Korea uses its rivals drills as a pretext to aggressively expand its nuclear arsenal and overall military capability. In New York, 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 Koreas ICBM launch March 16. The U.N. Security Council held an informal meeting Friday at which the U.S., its allies and human rights experts shone a spotlight on what they described as the dire rights situation in North Korea. China and Russia denounced the meeting as a politicized move likely to further escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Koreas U.N. Mission issued a statement Sunday calling the meeting about our non-existent `human rights issue unlawful. It also said the U.S. held Fridays meeting while staging the aggressive joint military exercise which poses a grave threat to our national security. (AP) Following a lengthy overnight discussion by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the head of the coalition parties overnight Sunday, and after three months of unprecedented protests and threats of army refusal across the country, the coalition on Monday morning presented a moderated judicial reform and the freezing of the majority of the legislation until after Yom Haatzmaut in over two months. According to the new plan, only the law to change the composition of the Committee for the Selection of Judges; the Incapacitation Law, which prevents the Attorney-General from declaring a prime minister as incapacitated [unfit for office]; and the Deri Law 2 that prevents the Supreme Court from interfering with ministerial appointments, will be submitted for approval in the second and third readings in the remaining two weeks of the Knessets winter session. In addition, the law regarding the selection of Supreme Court Judges was significantly moderated the original plan calls for the ruling coalition to appoint four judges during its term and the new plan allows it to select only two judges, with additional selections requiring the vote of at least one opposition MK and one judge on the committee. A statement from the Prime Ministers Office stated that the proposal that will be submitted for approval will bring about a historic and substantial change in the Committee for the Selection of Judges. For the first time, the automatic veto of the judges on the committee will be revoked, allowing balance and diversity in the composition of the Supreme Court. The representatives of the Bar Association will be removed from the committee. The announcement included a call by the heads of the coalition parties to the opposition to take advantage of the month-long recess period in order to hold a real dialogue to reach an understanding regarding the articles of legislation that will be brought for approval after the recess. We are reaching out to everyone who genuinely cares about the unity of the nation and the desire to reach an agreement. The announcement of the moderated reform plan was slammed by many members of the coalition as well as predictably by the members of the opposition. Likud MK Tali Gottlieb stated: Theres nothing new under the sun. You voted for the right, the right won, and you received the left. A senior Likud activist wrote: You reached out. You conceded on major principles. You disappointed your constituents. You were hit with much anger from your supporters. And the other side still spit in your face. They will continue to destroy the country because the fight is not about reform. Its about power. Its not too late yet. Return to the original outline! Right-wing voters wrote harsh messages on social media such as: The public wont ever forgive you. The Likud lost the street and its preferable to topple the government and go to new elections. The leaders of the ongoing protests stated: This is not a moderation but a declaration of war by the Israeli government on its citizens and democracy. The legislation they are trying to pass is the first chapter in turning Israel into a dictatorship, which will introduce judges from the government judges who judge like in Hungary and Russia. It is mandatory to oppose this dangerous legislation, and if it is indeed promoted, we demand that the leaders of the opposition cut off all contact with the Israeli government, not hold any talks with it and boycott the votes on the law. This is an illegitimate government and we must not cooperate with it. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar on Monday morning published further details about the dramatic assassination of a high-ranking Islamic Jihad terrorist near Damascus on Sunday. According to the report, Ali Ramzi al-Aswad, 31, who was called the engineer commander of Islamic Jihad, was hit by 10 out of 30 bullets shot by the assassins and was also stabbed to ensure his death. According to investigators quoted by the report, the assassins used armor-piercing bullets in light of the possibility that al-Aswad would be inside an armored vehicle or wearing a bullet-proof vest at the time of the elimination. The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad group, announced on Sunday that al-Aswad was killed Sunday morning in the Damascus countryside in a cowardly assassination with bullets bearing the fingerprints of the Zionist enemy, referring to Israel. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday for a three-day visit that shows off Beijings new swagger in world diplomatic affairs and offers a welcome political lift for Russian President Vladimir Putin just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for him on war crimes charges related to the war in Ukraine. China and Russia have described Xis trip as an opportunity to further deepen their no-limits friendship. China looks to Russia as a source of oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy, and as a partner in standing up to what both see as U.S. domination of global affairs. The two countries also have held joint military drills. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that over dinner on Monday, Putin and Xi will touch on issues related to Ukraine, adding that Russias president will likely offer a detailed explanation of Moscows view on the current situation. Broader talks involving officials from both countries on a range of subjects are scheduled for Tuesday, according to Peskov. For Putin, Xis presence at the Kremlin is a prestige visit and a diplomatic triumph, allowing him to tell Western leaders allied with Ukraine that their efforts to isolate him have fallen short. In an article published in the Chinese Peoples Daily newspaper, Putin described Xis visit as a landmark event that reaffirms the special nature of the Russia-China partnership. Putin also specifically mentioned that the meeting sent a message to Washington that the two countries arent prepared to accept attempts to weaken them. The U.S. policy of simultaneously deterring Russia and China, as well as all those who do not bend to the American diktat, is getting ever fiercer and more aggressive, Putin wrote. Xis trip came after the International Criminal Court in The Hague announced Friday it wants to put Putin on trial for the abductions of thousands of children from Ukraine. China portrays Xis visit as part of normal diplomatic exchanges and has offered little detail about what the trip aims to accomplish, though the nearly 13 months of war in Ukraine cast a long shadow on the talks. At a daily briefing in Beijing on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Xis trip was a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace. On the war, Wang said: China will uphold its objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks. Beijings leap into Ukraine issues follows its recent success in brokering talks between Iran and its chief Middle Eastern rival, Saudi Arabia, which agreed to restore their diplomatic ties after years of tensions. Flushed with that success, Xi called for China to play a bigger role in managing global affairs. President Xi will have an in-depth exchange of views with President Putin on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common concern, Wang said. He added that Xi aims to promote strategic coordination and practical cooperation between the two countries and inject new impetus into the development of bilateral relations. China last month called for a cease-fire and peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautiously welcomed Beijings involvement, but the overture fizzled. The Kremlin has welcomed Chinas peace plan and said it would be discussed in talks between Putin and Xi that will begin over dinner. Washington strongly rejected Beijings call for a cease-fire as the effective ratification of the Kremlins battlefield gains. Kyiv officials say they wont bend in their terms for a peace accord. The first and main point is the capitulation or withdrawal of the Russian occupation troops from the territory of Ukraine in accordance with the norms of international law and the UN Charter, Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, tweeted on Monday. That means restoring sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, he wrote. The Kremlin doesnt recognize the authority of the the International Criminal Court and has rejected its move against Putin as legally null and void. China, the United States and Ukraine dont recognize the ICC, either, but the courts announcement tarnished Putins international standing. Chinas foreign ministry on Monday called on the ICC to respect the jurisdictional immunity of a head of state and avoid politicization and double standards. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russias Security Council, said Monday that the International Criminal Courts move to issue an arrest warrant for Putin will have monstrous consequences for international law. A gloomy sunset of the entire system of international relations is coming, trust is exhausted, Medvedev wrote on his messaging app channel. He argued that in the past the ICC has destroyed its credibility by failing to prosecute the purported U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also cautioned that the court in The Hague could be a target for a Russian missile strike. Medvedev has in the past made bombastic statements and claims. (AP) Former President Donald Trumps calls for protests ahead of his anticipated indictment in New York have generated mostly muted reactions from supporters, with even some of his most ardent loyalists dismissing the idea as a waste of time or a law enforcement trap. The ambivalence raises questions about whether Trump, though a leading Republican contender in the 2024 presidential race who retains a devoted following, still has the power to mobilize far-right supporters the way he did more than two years ago before the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. It also suggests that the hundreds of arrests that followed the Capitol riot, not to mention the convictions and long prison sentences, may have dampened the desire for repeat mass unrest. Still, law enforcement in New York is continuing to closely monitor online chatter warning of protests and violence if Trump is arrested, with threats varying in specificity and credibility, four officials told The Associated Press. Mainly posted online and in chat groups, the messages have included calls for armed protesters to block law enforcement officers and attempt to stop any potential arrest, the officials said. The New York Young Republican Club has announced plans for a protest at an undisclosed location in Manhattan on Monday, and incendiary but isolated posts surfaced on fringe social media platforms from supporters calling for an armed confrontation with law enforcement at Trumps Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. But nearly two days after Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that he expected to be arrested on Tuesday and exhorted followers to protest, there were few signs his appeal had inspired his supporters to organize and rally around an event like the Jan. 6 gathering. In fact, a prominent organizer of rallies that preceded the Capitol riot posted on Twitter that he intended to remain on the sidelines. Ali Alexander, who as an organizer of the Stop the Steal movement staged rallies to promote Trumps baseless claims that Democrats stole the 2020 election from him, warned Trump supporters that they would be jailed or worse if they protested in New York City. You have no liberty or rights there, he tweeted. One of Alexanders allies in the Stop the Steal campaign was conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who amplified the election fraud claims on his Infowars show. Alexander posted that he had spoken to Jones and said that neither of them would be protesting this time around. Weve both got enough going on fighting the government, Alexander wrote. No billionaire is covering our bills. That stands in contrast to the days before the Capitol riot when Trump stoked up supporters when he invited them to Washington for a big protest on a Jan. 6, tweeting, Be there, will be wild! Thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol that day, busting through windows and violently clashing with officers in an ultimately failed effort to stop the congressional certification of Democrat Joe Bidens victory. Since then, about 1,000 participants have been arrested, many racking up steep legal bills and expressing regret and contrition in court for their actions. Some have complained of feeling abandoned by Trump. And conspiracy theories that the riot was fueled or even set up by undercover law enforcement informants in the crowd have continued to flourish online, with Trump supporters citing that angst as a basis for steering clear of a new large-scale protest. How many Feds/Fed assets are in place to turn protest against the political arrest of Pres Trump into violence? tweeted Rep. Marjorie-Taylor Greene. The Georgia Republican also invoked a conspiracy theory that an FBI informant had instigated the Jan. 6 riot. Has Ray Epps booked his flight to NY yet? she tweeted on Sunday. Epps, an Arizona man, was filmed encouraging others to enter the Capitol. Conspiracy theorists believe Epps was an FBI informant because he was removed from a Jan. 6 wanted list without being charged. In January, the House committee that investigated the Capitol attack said the claims about Epps were unsupported. John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab who has tracked the Stop the Steal movement online, said anxiety over being entrapped by so-called agent provocateurs feeds a paranoia that if they go and do violence, they may get caught and there may be consequences. It seems to reduce a lot of peoples willingness to make big statements about being willing to go out and engage in violence, he said. A grand jury is investigating hush money payments to women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump. Prosecutors have not said when their work might conclude or when charges could come. The conflicted feelings over how far to support Trump in his fight against prosecution extends into the political realm. His own vice president, Mike Pence, whos expected to challenge Trump for the Republican nomination, castigated Trump in an ABC News interview this weekend as reckless for his actions on Jan. 6 and said history would hold him accountable even as he echoed the former presidents rhetoric that an indictment would be a politically charged prosecution. I have no doubt that President Trump knows how to take care of himself. And he will. But that doesnt make it right to have a politically charged prosecution of a former president of the United States of America, Pence said. The opening day of the House Republican conference in Orlando, Florida, was quickly overshadowed with the news of a potential indictment. Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other House Republicans called the possibility outrageous and criticized District Attorney Alvin Bragg for what they called reckless crime in New York City. McCarthy said he has assembled congressional investigators to probe if Bragg used Justice Department grants to pursue the Trump case. But despite the heated rhetoric toward Bragg, Republican leaders stopped short of Trumps calls for protesters to take our nation back. I dont think people should protest this. I think President Trump, when you talk to him, he doesnt think that, either, McCarthy said. (AP) Ichilvo Hospital in Tel Aviv on Monday announced the death of Or Ascher, hyd, 33, who was critically injured in the shooting attack in Tel Aviv a week and a half ago. Prof. Ronni Gamzu, the director of the hospital, said: Or came to us after prolonged resuscitation at the scene which continued in the hospital and he was immediately taken to the operating room where against all odds, the doctors managed to stabilize his condition. Unfortunately, his injury was critical and after a heroic struggle of many days, in which we saw a determined man fight for his life, we had to pronounce his death today. I would like to thank Ors noble family for their request to donate his organs and save a life. Unfortunately, under tragic circumstances, all of us at Ichilov were privileged to be exposed to an amazing family and we thank them for sharing their sons life with us and hope we succeeded in supporting them at this difficult time. As Israel experienced upheaval on its streets, we were amazed to see that here, on the 3rd-floor hallway near the intensive care department, the extraordinary number of thousands of Israelis who came to support and daven with the family. We are sorry to announce to Am Yisrael that after 12 days, Or has passed away. Natali Ascher, Ors mother, said: A light of rare quality, which showered nothing but goodness, love and giving on everyone who crossed its path, was extinguished today. Thank you on our behalf to all the staff at the Ichilov Hospital, who for days and nights did everything they could with professionalism, dedication, and sensitivity. To the dozens of amazing friends who surrounded us day and night, supported and cried with us since the attack -youll be engraved in our hearts forever. To all of Am Yisrael who were with us, supported us and davened each in his own way and according to his faith. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A former United States military pilot accused of training Chinese aviators could have been lured from China to Australia as part of a U.S. plan to extradite him to his homeland, his lawyer said Monday. In a 2016 indictment from the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., unsealed late 2022, prosecutors say Daniel Duggan conspired with others to provide training to Chinese military pilots in 2010 and 2012, and possibly at other times, without applying for an appropriate license. Prosecutors say Duggan received about nine payments totaling around 88,000 Australian dollars ($61,000) and international travel from another conspirator for what was sometimes described as personal development training. Boston-born Duggan, 54, has been in custody in Australia since October and appeared in a Sydney court Monday by video link from a prison cell for a brief hearing about a U.S. application to extradite him. His lawyer, Dennis Miralis, told reporters outside the court that Duggan returned from China in 2022 to work in Australia after he received an Australian security clearance for an aviation license. A few days after his arrival, the clearance granted by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the nations main domestic spy agency, was removed, Miralis said. Its striking to us that a sequence of events like that could occur, Miralis said. We are exploring at this stage whether he was lured back to Australia by the U.S., where the U.S. knew he would be in a jurisdiction where he would be capable of being extradited back. Duggan served in the U.S. Marines for 12 years before immigrating to Australia in 2002. In January 2012, he gained Australian citizenship, choosing to give up his U.S. citizenship in the process. The indictment says Duggan traveled to the U.S., China and South Africa, and provided some training to Chinese pilots in South Africa. Duggan has denied the allegations, saying they were political posturing by the United States, which unfairly singled him out. His next court appearance is set for May 1. (AP) YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that his March 20 meeting with Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan was very comprehensive. He said the entire scope of bilateral relations in all areas was covered during the talks. We discussed the regional and international issues and outlined the directions for further development of strategic partnership, Lavrov said at a joint press conference with Mirzoyan in Moscow. We paid special attention to economic partnership, exchange of business missions and other projects. FM Lavrov said that the issues of implementing the North-South transport corridor with Armenias participation were also discussed, among other issues. The Russian FM attached importance to close political contacts, noting that the contacts will be continuous. The State Department announced Monday that the U.S. will send Ukraine $350 million in weapons and equipment, as fierce battles with Russian forces continue for control of the city of Bakhmut, and troops prepare for an expected spring offensive. The latest package of aid includes a large amount of various types of ammunition, such as rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and an undisclosed number of fuel tanker trucks and riverine boats. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a statement, said the package also provides more ammunition for howitzers, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, high-speed anti-radiation (HARM) missiles and anti-tank weapons. Russia alone could end its war today. Until Russia does we will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes, said Blinken. The new aid comes as Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday, giving a political lift to Russian President Vladimir Putin against the West just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for the Kremlin leader on war crimes charges related to Ukraine. The American weapons will be taken from Pentagon stocks through the presidential drawdown authority, so it will be able to be delivered quickly to the warfront. The U.S. has provided more than $32.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022. (AP) Sponsored Content Axon 2023 3.23.23 Bell Works, Holmdel, NJ 6:30 8:30 pm AXON 2023 is a unique networking opportunity event, for the healthcare and rehabilitation space. Axon will be well attended by key operators from skilled nursing facilities and associated vendors and service providers, as well as representatives from hospitals, acute rehabs and community organizations and agencies. 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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. Benchmark administrators that provide the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) data on companies may be punished if they do not improve their 'poor' disclosures to investors, the City watchdog has warned. Investment fund groups rely on this data to construct green investment portfolios, but the Financial Conduct Authority said its initial findings showed 'potential for widespread failings' by benchmark compilers. The latest statement is part of the watchdog's attempts to stamp out rampant 'greenwashing' in the investment fund industry and follows a previous warning to the sector in September last year. Greenwashing: the FCA said disclosures by ESG benchmark agencies to investors were poor The FCA is keen to prevent investment companies from using misleading literature to dress up investment funds as eco-friendly or green when they are not. It previously also proposed plans for better fund labelling. In a letter to benchmark compilers, the watchdog said today that a preliminary review had shown that the quality of their disclosures was poor. There were often instances where benchmark agencies did not provide sufficient detail and description of the ESG factors considered in their methodologies, the letter said. The FCA also found that benchmark methodologies did not clearly describe why certain ESG factors were applied. 'For example, where a benchmark purports to have climate objectives only, but uses broader ESG metrics in its methodology, the benchmark administrator should clearly explain why the broader ESG metrics are appropriate, given that they also factor in social and governance factors,' the letter said. The regulator added: 'Given the importance of ESG benchmarks and our initial supervisory findings, which indicate the potential for widespread failings, we will be doing more work in this area across the portfolio. 'Where firms fail to consider our feedback, we will deploy our formal supervisory tools and, where appropriate, consider enforcement action.' The FCA urged ESG benchmark administrators to 'carefully consider' the messages and to ensure they have 'appropriate strategies to address them'. The regulator also wants ESG rating agencies - which are different from benchmarks administrators and do no currently fall under the FCA's regulation - to adhere to a code of conduct that would make the ESG ratings fit for purpose. However, the Mail on Sunday previously pointed out that this was unlikely to happen soon, given it would require Treasury intervention, and that the code will be developed by a group co-chaired by investment group M&G, among others. Earlier this month, the Treasury asked the FCA to quantify the cost to investors of its impending clampdown on the marketing of green investment funds. In a hard-hitting letter from the chair of the Commons Treasury Select Committee to the head of the FCA, the watchdog was also told to spell out the enforcement work it will be undertaking to identify investment companies guilty of greenwashing. It follows an investigation by the MoS into the consequences of the FCA's new rules. Using analysis conducted by wealth manager SCM Direct, the MoS estimated that the FCA's shake-up of the green investment fund industry sector could cost investors more than 600million. 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. Gold producers were on the march as the price of the precious metal hit a record high. While investors fretted about the health of the banking system and global economy, gold rose as high as 1,645 an ounce. That was its highest ever level in sterling terms. In dollar terms, it rose above $2,000 to just shy of the record set as the pandemic struck before easing back. Safe haven: As investors fretted about the health of the banking system and global economy, gold rose as high as 1645 an ounce The rally sent shares in London-listed West African gold producer Endeavour Mining up 4 per cent, or 71p, to 1831p, Fresnillo gained 4.8 per cent, or 34p, to 744p and Centamin added 4.5 per cent, or 4.5p, to 105.15p. Adrian Ash, director of research at investment platform Bullion Vault, said: Wholesale bullion stands out as the most tradable of physical assets. Its the deep liquidity in gold, added to the security of outright ownership, which is driving this jump in new demand. Mining stocks also received a boost from positive broker upgrades. Glencore rose 3.9 per cent, or 16.7p, to 449.35p after the Bank of America raised its rating to buy from neutral. A similar sentiment was echoed by analysts at UBS, which also upgraded the stock. They said they were encouraged by recent China data which is somewhat stronger than expected. Likewise, Anglo American had its rating and target price upgraded by the Bank of America, which said the miner stood to make gains because it is a major platinum producer. Shares ascended 4.9 per cent, or 122p, to 2626p. By contrast, oil prices tumbled to their lowest level since December 2021 amid fears over the health of the global economy. Brent crude dropped as low as $70 a barrel at one stage. Stock Watch - Tribal Group Shares in Tribal Group plunged after a university in Singapore tried to end an eight-year contract early. The education software provider landed the 17million deal with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in late 2020. Last year, Tribal said the contract was expected to be loss-making after persistent delays. And yesterday it revealed that NTU is attempting to terminate the contract and reserved its rights to claim damages. Shares tumbled 22 per cent, or 11p, to 39p. It sent Tullow Oil down 4.6 per cent, or 1.34p, to 27.6p and Harbour Energy fell 0.4 per cent, or 1.1p, to 246.6p. But BP added 1.5 per cent, or 7.05p, to 487p and Shell gained 1 per cent, or 22p, to 2236p. Having opened firmly in the red amid banking turmoil, the FTSE 100 eventually added 0.9 per cent, or 68.45 points, to 7403.85. The FTSE 250 rose by 0.1 per cent, or 24.3 points, to 18495.13. Smurfit Kappa became the latest London-listed company to withdraw from Russia. The packing firm has sold its Russian businesses in St Petersburg and Moscow to local management almost a year after it first signalled its intention to exit. Shares rose 2.3 per cent, or 66p, to 2893p. Intertek, the quality assurance and product testing business, has appointed a finance boss. Colm Deasy will take on the job after Jonathan Timmis stepped down with immediate effect. He will also sit on a new group executive committee led by Intertek boss Andre Lacroix. Shares inched up 0.5 per cent, or 21p, to 3997p. Meanwhile, ITV took a 16million hit linked to the Queens death last year. In its annual report for 2022, the broadcaster said it was forced to cancel several episodes of Spitting Image that satirised the former monarch, at a cost of 9million. The remaining 7million came from extra news reporting. Shares rose 1.9 per cent, or 1.52p, to 80.06p. At First Group, the bus and rail operators West Coast Partnership contract has been extended by the Department for Transport to October 15. It had been due to expire at the end of this month. Shares fell 0.1 per cent, or 0.1p, to 104.5p. AO Worlds boss has handed nearly 1.5m of the companys stock to charity. John Roberts, who owns 18.35 per cent of the white goods firm he founded 23 years ago, gave away 1,468,189 shares. That left him with 105.89m shares worth around 65million. Most of the stock given away went to the childrens charity OnSide Youth Zones. Shares in AO rose 1.3 per cent, or 0.8p, to 61.8p. YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenia expects Russias support in sending an international fact-finding mission to Nagorno Karabakh, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. The Armenian Foreign Minister reminded about the ongoing blockade of Lachin Corridor since December 12, 2022, and said that Azerbaijan is violating every clause of the trilateral statement and is not complying with the ICJ ruling on opening the Lachin Corridor. FM Mirzoyan said that the situation shows the need for ensuring mechanisms guaranteeing security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh and international participation. International participation is needed for genocide prevention, an international fact-finding mission must also be sent to the part of Lachin Corridor and Nagorno Karabakh. We hope that therell be cooperation with the Russian side in this matter, Mirzoyan said. FM Mirzoyan attached importance to the role of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno Karabakh in preventing a humanitarian disaster during the blockade. He also warned that Azerbaijan has unilaterally begun the repopulation process of Azerbaijanis in Nagorno Karabakh, whereas the Armenian side isnt carrying out the process due to the absence of the required international mechanism. YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan received the delegation headed by Vice President of Germany-South Caucasus Friendship Group of the Bundestag of Germany Tabea Roner. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the National Assembly, Alen Simonyan informed that he will be on a working visit to Germany next week. He noted that Germany is the largest trade and economic partner of Armenia among the EU countries, emphasizing Germany's assistance to Armenia's democratic agenda. The implementation of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and Germany's support in this matter were also emphasized. At the meeting, the security problems facing the region and Armenia were extensively discussed. The German partners noted that the security architecture is changing every day in the world, leading to new rearrangements. The humanitarian problems caused by the 44-day war of 2020, the consequences of the Lachin crisis were discussed. "On February 22, 2023, the International Court of Justice made a legally binding decision against Azerbaijan, obliging it to take all necessary measures to ensure the uninterrupted movement of people, vehicles and cargo in both directions through the Lachin Corridor," noted Alen Simonyan, reminding that after the Court's decision, on March 5, there was an attack by an Azerbaijani subversive group on Nagorno-Karabakh police officers, killing three citizens of Nagorno-Karabakh. He emphasized that Armenia expects German partners to take active steps to ensure Azerbaijan's immediate implementation of the Court's decision. Alen Simonyan thanked the German government for supporting the decision to deploy a new EU long-term monitoring mission in Armenia, expressing his belief that it will play a significant role in establishing peace and security in the region. Chinese President Xi Jinping met his dear friend Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, seeking both to deepen economic ties with an ally he sees as a useful counterweight to the West and to promote Beijings role as a potential peacemaker in Ukraine. Xi was the first leader to meet the Russian president since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him on Friday over the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia during its year-old invasion of Ukraine. Moscow said the charge was one of several clearly hostile displays and opened a criminal case against the ICC prosecutor and judges. Beijing said the warrant reflected double standards. Russia is presenting Xis trip, his first since securing an unprecedented third term this month, as evidence that it has a powerful friend in its standoff with a hostile West. The two men greeted one another as dear friend when they met in the Kremlin on Monday afternoon before a dinner, to be followed by formal talks on Tuesday. Putin told Xi he viewed Chinas proposals for a resolution of the Ukraine conflict with respect and was also slightly envious of Chinas rapid development in recent decades. China has created a very effective system for developing the economy and strengthening the state. It is much more effective than in many other countries, he said. For Xi, the visit is a diplomatic tightrope. China has released a broad 12-point proposal to solve the Ukraine crisis, while strengthening relations with Moscow. Beijing has repeatedly dismissed Western accusations that it is planning to arm Russia but says it wants a closer energy partnership after boosting imports of Russian coal, gas and oil. Both sides are continuously strengthening political mutual trust, creating a new paradigm of relations between major powers, Xi wrote in an article published in Russia ahead of his trip. Western sanctions made Russian energy cheaper, saving China billions of dollars, but its top trade partners remain the United States and European Union. Ukraine said China should press Russia to stop its invasion. We expect Beijing to use its influence on Moscow to make it put an end to the aggressive war against Ukraine, Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said. Xi said Chinas Ukraine peace proposal, an unspecific document released last month, reflects global views. Complex problems do not have simple solutions, he wrote in Rossiiskaya Gazeta, a daily published by the Russian government, according to a Reuters translation from Russian. WESTERN SCEPTICISM Ukraine and its Western allies say any truce would just buy Putin time to reinforce ahead of a planned Ukrainian counter-offensive and that for Russia and China to uphold international law as they say they do, they must agree to Russias withdrawal. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby reiterated that call, adding that U.S. President Joe Biden wanted to speak with Xi to keep communication channels open. Putin signed a no limits partnership with Xi last year shortly before he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine to end what he said was a threat to Russia from its neighbours moves towards the West. The year-long war has killed tens of thousands of people, destroyed cities and forced millions to flee. The Kremlin said Putin would provide Xi with detailed clarifications of Russias position, without elaborating. Washington has noted that China has declined to condemn Russia and has given it an economic lifeline. Putin said Russia was helping to build nuclear power reactors in China and the two countries were deepening cooperation in space exploration and new technologies. As Western pressure on Russia grows, Putins administration has told officials to stop using Apple (AAPL.O) iPhones because of concerns the devices are vulnerable to Western intelligence agencies, a newspaper reported on Monday. Either throw it away or give it to the children, the Kommersant daily quoted a participant of the meeting as saying. Justice ministers from around the world met in London on Monday to discuss support for the ICC, whose chief prosecutor Karim Khan called on Russia to repatriate the Ukrainian children to prove it is acting in their best interests as it says it is. Several European Union countries agreed in Brussels to jointly buy 155 mm artillery shells for Ukraine, which sees them as critical as both sides fire thousands of rounds every day. Fierce fighting continued in the eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut where Ukrainian forces have held out since last summer in the longest and bloodiest battle of the war. Giving its regular morning roundup from the front, Ukraines military said defenders in Bakhmut, Lyman, Ivanivske, Bohdanivka and Hryhorivka all towns in the Donetsk region had repelled 69 Russian attacks in the past day. British intelligence said Ukrainian supply lines both west of Bakhmut and west of the town of Avdiivka, further south, were under pressure. Ukraines military said that Russian forces were on the defensive in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions to the south. SOURCE: REUTERS [March 20, 2023] HGS Canada Certified as a Great Place to Work for 2023-2024 Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) (listed in BSE & NSE), a leading and innovative provider of solutions in consumer engagement, digital customer experiences (CX), and business process management (BPM), today announced HGS Canada has been certified as a Great Place to Work. Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation. The certification was based on employee feedback on workplace culture using the Great Place to Work Trust Index Score. "Our data shows that in comparison to peers, great workplaces benefit from better customer satisfaction, reduced turnover, and stronger financial performance. What's more, work environments where trust is foundational are ripe for innovation, agility, resilience, and efficiency," said Nancy Fonseca, Senior Vice President of Great Place to Work Canada. The Great Place to Work Institute conducted an independent survey among HGS Canada employees seeking their feedback on the work culture at the company. The survey allowed employees to rate and review the company with a thorough assessment covering questions about job satisfaction, work-life balance, company culture and more. To gain certification, the company was required to achieve a survey score of 65% positive or more. HGS Canada's results surpassed this threshold, leading to the company's Great Place to Work certification for 2023-2024. "Being officially certified as a Great Place to Work is a meaningful achievement for HGS Canada in recognition of the hard work, dedication, and commitment of each and every employee toward creating a positive and fulfilling workplace culture," said <>Savita Jones, Senior Vice President - Operations, North America at HGS. "This certification is a testament to the HGS culture of fostering equal opportunity, diversity, and constant learning that empowers our people to enhance their success and deliver excellence to all stakeholders." HGS combines automation, analytics, and artificial intelligence with high quality talent and deep domain expertise to achieve superior outcomes in the areas of digital customer experience, back-office processing, contact centers, and HRO solutions. A global company with more than 21,600 employees spread across eight countries, HGS is making a difference to some of the world's leading brands across verticals. Its mission is to innovate, optimize, and grow its clients' business with the perfect balance of technology and people. This is made easy by the combined drive of all its people to deliver the best results in customer experience. HGS has a highly motivated and competent global workforce from diverse cultural, ethnic, and professional backgrounds. HGS continues to invest in Canada, both from a labor and a digital perspective, expanding its reach into new provinces to bolster its bilingual capacity and allowing HGS to continue to grow with existing clients and to meet capacity demands of new clients. About Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) A global leader in optimizing the customer experience lifecycle, digital transformation, business process management, and digital media ecosystem, HGS is helping its clients become more competitive every day. HGS' core BPM business combines automation, analytics, and artificial intelligence with deep domain expertise focusing on digital customer experiences, back-office processing, contact centers, and HRO solutions. HGS' digital media business, NXTDIGITAL (www.nxtdigital.co.in), is India's premier integrated Digital Delivery Platforms Company delivering services via satellite, digital cable and broadband to over 5 million customers across 1,500 cities and towns. Part of the multi-billion-dollar conglomerate Hinduja Group, HGS takes a "globally local" approach. HGS has 21,685 employees across 34 delivery centers in eight countries, making a difference to some of the world's leading brands across verticals. For the year ended March 31, 2022, HGS had revenues of Rs. 57,959 million (US$ 779 million). Visit https://hgs.cx to learn how HGS transforms customer experiences and builds businesses for the future. About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make strategic people decisions. The Institute serves businesses, non-profits and government agencies in more than 60 countries and has conducted pioneering research on the characteristics of great workplaces for over three decades. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005016/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] Hoymiles brings open energy to the EU market with new European subsidiary AMSTERDAM, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoymiles, a leading smart energy provider and microinverter manufacturer, has held an opening ceremony for its new European subsidiary in the Netherlands on March 14. The opening of the European subsidiary is just the latest milestone as the company seeks to strengthen its presence in the global market. Europe is a key market for the company, and the company will work closely with its distributors, installers and partners to ensure that customers receive the best possible service and support. The new EU subsidiary is expected to play a key role in fulfilling the growing global demand for solar energy. With the support of its local partners, Hoymiles will be able to provide European customers with high-quality and reliable solar products and outstanding service. Products available in Europe include: HMS-500/1000/2000 series single-phase microinverters HMT-2250 series three-phase microinverters HYS series single-phase hybrid inverters HYT series three-phase hybrid inverters With these products, customers can contribute to global energy savings together with Hoymiles. At this opening session, IHS and EUPD, the top energy consulting firms in the world, shared their insights into the PV industry, including the demand and supply of distributed PV in Europe, as well as the overview of the Dutch solar market. Hoymiles' Sales Director of Europe Walter Jin shared the latest developments of the company and introduced Hoymiles' product lineups and technical strengths. "Our team is looking forward to working closely with our customers and partners in Europe," said Walter. "We believe that this new milestone will help us build even stronger relationships with our customers and partners here." Jesse Li, Hoymiles' Technical Support Supervisor, also shared the technical and service support of the company following the opening of the EU subsidiary, including: Local warehouse for faster delivery and timely replacement Localized support for EU customers Multi-language technical and service support Hotline service Hoymiles' manufacturing capacity is constantly expanding, and is expected to reach 5 million units in 2023. The company is also speeding up the deployment of local warehouses and manufacturing bases in other key markets, so that customers around the world can expect shorter delivery times in the future. Contact details of Hoymiles EU Company name: Hoymiles Power Electronics B.V. Address: High Tech Campus 9, Unit BK3.28, 5656AE Eindhoven, the Netherlands Tel: 0408517021 About Hoymiles Founded in 2012, Hoymiles is a global MLPE (Module-Level Power Electronics) solution provider, specializing in module-level microinverters, storage systems, and rapid shutdown systems. With a vision of a clean, sustainable future, the company strives to drive innovation in the smart energy industry with its high-performance and accessible products. With a driven engineering team, 1200+ global experts, and a distribution and service network spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, Hoymiles is empowering homeowners and professionals in more than 110 countries and regions to join the journey to true open energy. It is now one of the fastest-growing microinverter manufacturers in the industry, with an average 100% annual sales volume increase since 2016. In December 2021, Hoymiles went public on the Shanghai Stock Exchange STAR Market, one that only high-tech companies are able to qualify for. For more information, please visit hoymiles.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hoymiles-brings-open-energy-to-the-eu-market-with-new-european-subsidiary-301775679.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] MiR Announces New Cloud-Based Software for Optimizing Robot Fleets As fleets of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) grow, so does the demand for software tools to optimize performance and fleet management. To meet this demand, MiR today announces the launch of MiR Insights, a new cloud-based software tool that enables fleet owners to track and analyze the operations of its robots and get actionable insights that can improve the robots' performance. MiR Insights provides answers to questions such as: What was the overall mission effectiveness of my robot fleet this week? Do we have any specific areas in our production where our robots encounter recurring challenges? How have the changes we implemented on the factory floor last month impacted robot throughput? In addition, the software allows fleet owners to easily access and share technical data for faster and more efficient troubleshooting. "MiR Insights provides robot fleet users a much better understanding of the robots' performance and how they interact with their physical environment," said Walter Vahey, president, MiR. "This knowledge will enable our users to continue to improve and expand their installations more rapidly and further increase their ROI." Key features of MiR Insights include: Data dashboards: Monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) such as distance driven, completed missions, and robot utilization rate. Heatmaps: Tracks robot activity over both tim and physical locations and visualizes areas with poor WiFi coverage and potential robot traffic bottlenecks. Data is stored securely in the cloud MiR Insights is hosted on Microsoft Azure and is used in connection with MiR Fleet, MiR's fleet management software. MiR Insights reads data from MiR Fleet but does not interfere with fleet operations or individual robot control, or adjust fleet settings. The data interface is very flexible with options for data visualization as well as an API to port raw data for use in external systems. MiR Insights is architected to support a continuous evolution in performance based on customer experience, all focused on improving AMR fleet operations. MiR will demonstrate MiR Insights during ProMat 2023 in Chicago on March 20-23. MiR's customers can benefit from MiR Insight from Q2 of 2023. About Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) MiR develops and manufactures one of the industry's most advanced range of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), which can quickly, easily, and cost-effectively automate internal logistics and optimize material handling. MiR offers one of the most advanced fleets of mobile robots used by both large enterprises and small and medium customers in a range of industries from manufacturing to logistics to healthcare. Founded in Denmark in 2013, MiR has grown to become a global leader with nearly 220 distributors and certified system integrators in 60 countries. MiR was acquired by Teradyne in 2018, and in 2022, Teradyne combined AutoGuide Mobile Robots with MiR to deliver a broad AMR product line from low to heavy payload. MiR's headquarters is in Odense, Denmark, with regional offices in Holbrook, NY, San Diego, CA, North Reading, MA, Georgetown, KY, Singapore, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai. For more information, visit www.mobile-industrial-robots.com Photo: https://we.tl/t-z0NAtBNVOP View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005222/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] Statistical Announcement - February 2023 - World Statistics Conference 2023 Ottawa to host world-leading event on statistics and data science OTTAWA, ON, March 20, 2023 /CNW/ - Statistics Canada is pleased to announce that the 64th World Statistics Congress (WSC) will be held in Ottawa, Canada, from July 16 to 20, 2023, at the Shaw Centre. The WSC is the leading international statistics and data science event, held every two years by the International Statistical Institute (ISI) since 1887. This marks the second time Canada has welcomed the WSC, having first hosted in 1963. Statistics Canada is proud to support and participate in this year's event in the National Capital Region, which presents an oppotunity to discuss the concrete statistical and data issues of our time, network and collaborate with experts, showcase data and statistical practices in Canada, and learn from practices and insights from other countries. The four-day congress will provide a scientific program featuring hundreds of experts, including distinguished international statisticians, data scientists, industry leaders and renowned speakers from over 120 countries. "The WSC is an incredible opportunity to discuss statistics that are crucial to decision making, share insights and learn from many other countries," says Anil Arora, Chief Statistician of Canada. "Statisticians have never been more relevant to helping solve global challenges than they are today." "The congress encourages collaboration, growth, discovery and advancement in the field of data science," says ISI President Stephen Penneck. "I am excited to have the 64th World Statistics Congress visit Canada and look forward to the impact it will have on the industry. We are delighted to announce that one of the most influential statisticians, the former Director of the United States Census Bureau, Professor Robert M. Groves, will be joining as a keynote speaker." Statistics Canada looks forward to welcoming experts in this field from around the world and taking part in presentations, panel discussions and more. Associated links: Registration information World Statistics Congress 2023 website SOURCE Statistics Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 19, 2023] CardsPal and ActivEdge Team Up to Bring ActivChallenge: The Virtual Fitness Challenge ActivChallenge: A Brand New 7-day Home Based Fitness Challenge Catered To Every One Of All Fitness Levels SINGAPORE, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CardsPal is the official ticketing partner for Singapore's first personalized 7-day home fitness challenge, ActivChallenge, which is set to kick off on May 1st, 2023. Kelvin Goh, a former competitive runner and swimmer during his school days, conceived the idea of ActivChallenge. Today, as the founder of ActivEdge, a tech-focused fitness app based in Singapore, he has brought his vision to life with the use of AI and machine learning to create custom workout lists for users based on their health, fitness, and lifestyle habits. By joining forces with ActivEdge, CardsPal hopes to provide a unique fitness experience to their users while offering lifestyle experiences beyond their Cashback Calculator and Must-Buy Deals Marketplace. CardsPal recently partnered with Seedly for their Finance Festival 2023 and served as the exclusive ticketing partner for Singapore's first-ever hard dance music festival, Glowhard in November 2022, showcasing their commitment to exploring new and exciting avenues for their valued pals. With health and fitness being areas that everyone should improve, virtual challenges can be a convenient alternative to help kickstart a fitness journey. The ActivChallenge can also provide a sense of community and support, while also offering incentives for participants to push themselves further. By leveraging on AI and machine learning, these challenges are customized to suit users' fitness levels and goals. Co-founder and CEO of CardsPal, Saim Yeong Harng said: "With the upcoming ActivChallenge, we hope to empower our pals to take charge of their health and wealth as part of our greater journey to becoming your preferred digital lifestyle pal." Saim added: "Through this partnership, CardsPal aims to transform the way our pals approach fitness and well-being. CardsPal believes that this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between us and ActivEdge who share a common goal of helping people live their best lives." ActivChallenge is a virtual fitness challenge that runs for seven days, offering daily fitness tasks with the added motivation of cash and prizes, along with a sense of community and connection among participants. The challenge provides customized exercises tailored to each usr's fitness level and preferences, making it accessible and convenient. Participants can claim over $100 in rewards as they complete workouts throughout the challenge, in addition to a share of the cash bonus of $3,000. Founder of ActivEdge, Kelvin Goh said: "The challenge was designed with everyone in mind, regardless of their fitness level. With the help of technology, even fitness beginners will have an equal opportunity to participate and potentially win. The two-fold goal of ActivChallenge is to make starting a fitness journey easy and affordable, and to turn exercise into a habit for long-term health benefits." Tickets for the ActivChallenge are now open for sale on CardsPal, sign up now to embark on the transformative fitness journey of a lifetime. About CardsPal CardsPal is a Singapore-based mobile app that aims to be the lifestyle app to add to your daily life. Enabling our pals to identify their best payment option to allow ease of purchases as they focus on living the life they deserve. CardsPal is backed by Standard Chartered Bank via its innovation arm, SC Ventures. Check out CardsPal by downloading the app on the App Store and Google Playstore. For latest information on deals and events, follow CardsPal on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and LinkedIn. About ActivEdge ActivEdge is a technology-first fitness app, that dynamically personalizes a list of achievable workouts for each user to make regular exercises easy to start, and fun to repeat. Find out more about ActivEdge on www.activedge.sg and download the app on the App Store and Google Playstore. Follow ActivEdge on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates. SC Ventures SC Ventures is a business unit that provides a platform and catalyst for Standard Chartered to promote innovation, invest in disruptive financial technology, and explore alternative business models. For more information, please visit scventures.io and follow SC Ventures on LinkedIn. Standard Chartered We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 59 of the world's most dynamic markets and serving clients in a further 64. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Media Contact: Gary Garcia [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/cardspal-and-activedge-team-up-to-bring-activchallenge-the-virtual-fitness-challenge-301773809.html SOURCE CardsPal [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister. The interlocutors discussed issues related to the humanitarian crisis caused by Azerbaijan's illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor. Nikol Pashinyan and Antony Blinken exchanged thoughts on the perspectives of the normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and the opening of communication channels in the region. The US Secretary of State reaffirmed his call for the immediate reopening of the Lachin Corridor and emphasized that the US is ready to continue supporting the above-mentioned processes. During the telephone conversation, Prime Minister Pashinyan expressed his concern regarding the recent increasing aggressive rhetoric of Azerbaijan. [March 19, 2023] The Web3 Infrastructure Foundation has been established in Hong Kong: Welcome to the Desert of the Real! HONG KONG, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 18, the launch of Web3 Infrastructure Foundation (W3IF), a joint initiative of Flomesh, Starnet and HardenedVault, was successfully held at Cyberport in Hong Kong. The Governing Board members shared the background related to the establishment of the foundation and how community collaboration to solve the problem. The meeting also invited Prof. James Lei from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and hardware hacker Stewart Mackenzie to share their insights on topics related to web3 infrastructure. The origins of Web3 technology and philosophy can be traced back to the 1990s cyberpunk community. This community consisted of a group of technology enthusiasts who were concerned about privacy, freedom, and openness. They opposed centralized authorities' control and abuse of personal data. The decentralized, open-source, privacy-preserving, and data-as-asset concepts adopted in Web3 infrastructure are rooted in cyberpunk community. Web3 infrastructure technology involves consensus algorithms (PoW/PoS), federation, zero-knowledge proofs (SNARKs and ring signatures), Relay Based Protocol, DID (decentralized identity authentication), trusted computing, confidential computing, operating system runtime security, software, firmware and hardware supply chain security, distributed ledger (blockchain), and many other fields. The development of these technologies has also been inspired by the cyberpunk community, aiming to give individuals and corporate users more data ownership and control, making the network more open, free, and secure. In order to promote the development of the Web3 infrastructure ecosystem, the Web3 Infrastructure Foundation (W3IF) was established in Hong Kong in February 2023 by Flomesh, Starnet, and HardenedVault. The three founding members have plans for the foundation's development. Flomesh, as an open-source software company specializing in network software infrastructure technology, will provide the network infrastructure software needed for Web3 to the foundation. Starnet plans to contribute multiple high-performance decentralized network, storage, and computing open-source projects to the foundation. HardenedVault is a company specializing in open-source infrastructure security and plans to draft node security specifications through the foundation's work to benefit the entire community. Hong Kong's free port attributes and friendly regulatory environment for Web3 became external conditions for the establishment of the foundation. The foundation's establishment aims to reduce the complexity faced by individual and corporate users and invites more individuals and institutions to participate in building an open ecosystem for Web3 infrastructure. The Web3 Infrastructure Foundation will involve the following aspects: Technical research and development: The foundation will support Web3 technology research and development, promoting the development of distributed computing, consensus mechanisms, smart contracts, privacy protection, node security, and other technologies. Community construction: The foundation will support community construction and participation, encouraging users and developers to participate in the development, testing, and use of Web3 infrastructure. Ecological cooperation: The foundation will actively cooperate with other institutions and projects to jointly promote the construction and development of the Web3 ecosystem. After years of development, Web3 has gained widespread recognition and is considered the foundation of the next generation of the internet. The development of Web3 infrastructure is also influenced by technological advancements in various fields, aiming to make the network more open, free, and secure, giving individuals and users more data ownership and control. The establishment of the Web3 Infrastructure Foundation will further promote the development of the Web3 ecosystem and encourage more people to participate in it. The rise of Web3 technology and philosophy is rooted in the ideas and technological explorations of the cyberpunk community. The establishment of the Web3 Infrastructure Foundation will inject more resources and momentum into the development of the Web3 ecosystem, promote the popularization and application of technology, and build a bridge between the cyberpunk community and enterprises to explore and innovate continuously to achieve the vision of Web3. Looking to the future, both SFC and HKMA as Hong Kong regulators will regard the Web3 industry as an important part of future development, and Hong Kong is bound to become an important pole in the Web3 world. The tech geeks of Web3 Infrastructure Foundation who stepped in the Hong Kong hope to leverage their accumulated technical capabilities in decentralization, cloud computing, and other fields to build an open, transparent, and ultimate technological ecosystem for Hong Kong's Web3 industry, which is about to take off. They hope that individuals and groups interested in Web3-related technologies and applications will actively participate. About Web3 Infrastructure Foundation The Web3 Infrastructure Foundation (W3IF) is a non-profit organization established in Hong Kong to promote open source software for Web3 infrastructure by gathering high quality open source projects from around the world and promoting an open source ecosystem for Web3 infrastructure based in Hong Kong. The Web3 Infrastructure Foundation is dedicated to building a decentralized technology ecosystem, including consensus algorithms (PoW/PoS), federation, zero-knowledge proofs (SNARKs and ring signatures), Relay Based Protocol, DID (decentralized identity authentication), trusted computing, confidential computing, operating system runtime security, software, firmware and hardware supply chain security, distributed ledger (blockchain), and many other fields. The Web3 Infrastructure Foundation strives to build an open, transparent and ultimate technology ecology to provide a solid operational infrastructure for the Web3 industry in Hong Kong. The Web3 Infrastructure Foundation is jointly launched by Flomesh, Starnet, and HardenedVault. Flomesh, as an open-source software company specializing in network software infrastructure technology, will provide the network infrastructure software needed for Web3 to the foundation. Starnet plans to contribute multiple high-performance decentralized network, storage, and computing open-source projects to the foundation. HardenedVault is a company specializing in open-source infrastructure security and plans to draft node security specifications through the foundation's work to benefit the entire community. The Web3 Infrastructure Foundation will continue to develop and innovate in ecosystem construction, technology research and development, community building, and research and application of next-generation data center technologies in collaboration with all sectors of the community. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/the-web3-infrastructure-foundation-has-been-established-in-hong-kong-welcome-to-the-desert-of-the-real-301775720.html SOURCE Web3 Infrastructure Foundation [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 19, 2023] CGTN:A look at China's democracy: What is the essence? BEIJING, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 depuies are elected by their lower-level deputies. In the latest election, more than 2.6 million new deputies have been elected to people'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 SOURCE CGTN [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] Top-Range Anycubic 3D Printers and Accessories Participate in AliExpress 328 Anniversary Campaign SHENZHEN, China, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Anycubic, a globally renowned 3D printing brand, has announced that many of its top-range printers are available in the AliExpress 328 Anniversary Sale, from March 20 to 26, 2023. Among them, one of Anycubic's most popular printers, the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printer Kobra Neo and resin printer Photon Mono 4K will be on discount for 27% and 44%, respectively. Kobra, Kobra Max, Photon Mono X2, Photon M3 Plus, and Photon M3 Max are also available for discounted prices during the sale. Auto-leveling and Sturdy FDM Printers for All Needs Anycubic Kobra Neo debuted in late 2022 and quickly became a firm FDM pick for beginners. The 90% pre-assembled parts and bits make for the most effortless installations. A build volume of 220 x 220 x 250mm means it's not too daunting for a novice. Other deluxe features, such as Anycubic LeviQ automatic leveling system and commonly welcomed direct drive, are included, with the printer on discount for 27% in the sale. For bold makers who go for big, Kobra Max can definitely be that guy. The 450 x 400 x 400mm print size can unleash people's creations in just seconds. While the Anycubic LeiQ automatic leveling system is included, other features like the double thread Z-axis and runout detection sensor make this monster run fast, smooth, and hassle-free. LCD Resin Printers - Exquisite and Delicate Details for Perfectionists If people're keen on exquisite details of the models, a resin printer is just what they need. No matter if they're a beginner or an experienced maker, the Anycubic Photon Mono 4K is an ideal pick. A print dimension of 165 x 132 x 80mm makes it perfect for printing miniatures sized equivalent to a mini rugby ball. With powerful LighTurbo Light Matrix, its 4K screen ensures sharp, crispy details that outshine other printers. Photon M3 Max should be the one if customers're looking for something gigantic. The enormous 298 x 164 x 300mm building size allows them to harvest one piece of chunk or a bulk of small prints. Photon M3 Max also features a 7K screen that promises delicate printing details. A laser-engraved platform guarantees better adhesion and success rate. Also, Anycubic's upgraded Photon Workshop makes the usage of Anycubic resin printers even more convenient in no time. Resin Products on Discount If users're a resin maker, a wash & cure station is a must; it provides an all-in-one solution for the prints' finishing. Check Anycubic's Wash & Cure Machine 2.0 at a 33% discount and Wash & Cure Machine Plus at a 27% discount. Also, Anycubic's UV resins are on sale for a 37% discount. About Anycubic Anycubic is a professional brand in the 3D printing industry specializing in 3D printer R&D, manufacturing, and sales, providing many affordable, high-performance, and smart printers for consumers, hobbyists, schools, and product designers. Since its establishment in 2015, we have been committed to propelling 3D printing technology to enable people from all walks of life to unleash their imagination and turn creativity into reality. For more information about Anycubic, please visit the Anycubic's AliExpress official store. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2035839/Anycubic_AliExpress_Anniversary_Sale.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1834106/983dfccce373fc0ea429fda2723d269_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/top-range-anycubic-3d-printers-and-accessories-participate-in-aliexpress-328-anniversary-campaign-301775851.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] Storytel's audio drama 1984 nominated for an Audie STOCKHOLM, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Storytel's new dramatization of George Orwell's masterpiece 1984 is a finalist in the 2023 Audie Awards, the "Academy Awards" for the audio industry. Storytel is competing in the audio drama category. The winners are to be announced next week at the Audies Gala in New York City a prestigious event celebrating the talent of internationally recognised audio creators and narrators. 1984 is Storytel's first global audio drama, launched in 2022. It is a story about resistance, love and the strength of the human spirit, fighting dark forces against all odds. The audio drama was released in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Poland, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Turkey, Italy, Spain and Mexico in their respective local languages as well as in English for listeners all over the world. It is also available at Storytel's American platform, Audiobooks.com. The English production is the version competing in the Audie Awards, to be held on March 28th, 2023. "To be nominated for an Audie is a wonderful international recognition, showing the high level of production that our team is capable of. We are both humble and proud to be included in these nominations, together with so many other inspiring creators, all of them taking the listening experience to the next level," says Helena Gustafsson, Chief Content Officer at Storytel. The other finalists in the audio drama category are Clean Sweep by GraphicAudio (a division of RBmedia), Pipeline by L.A Theatre Works together with Coraline and Good Omens by HarperAudio. The Audie Awards are presented by the Audio Publishers Association (APA). Ana Maria Allessi, president of APA, acknowledges the nominees in an official comment on behalf of the association: "This year's finalists are representative of the immense talent in the audiobook community and beyond." Storytel's international marketing campaign for the production, "2022 sounds like 1984", created with the agency B-Reel, was awarded silver in the well-renowned Shots Awards EMEA last year. FNCA Sweden AB is the Company's Certified Adviser. For more information, please contact: Emma Boethius, PR Manager Tel: +46 70 2235673 Email: [email protected] About Storytel Storytel is one of the world's largest audiobook and e-book streaming services and offers over one million titles on a global scale. Our vision is to make the world a more empathetic and creative place, with great stories to be shared and enjoyed by anyone, anywhere and anytime. The streaming business within the Storytel Group is conducted under the brands Storytel, Mofibo and Audiobooks.com. The publishing business is managed by Storytel Books, and by the audiobook publisher StorySide. The Storytel Group operates in over 25 markets and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The following files are available for download: https://news.cision.com/storytel/i/storytel-s-audio-drama-1984,c3157027 Storytel's audio drama 1984 https://news.cision.com/storytel/e/storytel-s-1984-campaign-video,c3157029 Storytel's 1984 campaign video View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/storytels-audio-drama-1984-nominated-for-an-audie-301775858.html SOURCE Storytel [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] Infinity Power Finalizes Acquisition of Lekela Power in Africa's Biggest Renewable Energy Deal Infinity Power has acquired 100% shareholding of Lekela Power, an Africa based wind power platform Transaction makes Infinity Power Africa's largest pure play renewable power company The combined operational portfolio of Infinity Power now stands at 1.3GW with a strong pipeline of 13.8 GW Transaction delivers on Infinity Power's COP27 promise of being fastest growing renewable energy company in Africa Infinity Power is joint venture between Egypt's Infinity and the UAE's Masdar, one of the world's fastest-growing clean energy companies ABU DHABI, UAE, March 20, 2023 /CNW/ -- Infinity Power, a joint venture between Egypt's Infinity and UAE's Masdar, announced today it has completed the acquisition of the entire shareholding of Lekela Power. The transaction makes Infinity Power the largest renewable energy company on the African continent. Infinity's key stakeholders include Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Lekela currently operates 1 gigawatt (GW) of wind power projects in South Africa, Egypt and Senegal, and has a 1.8 GW project pipeline, which are in various stages of development. The transaction was funded through equity investment from shareholders and debt from Absa Corporate and Investment Banking (Absa CIB) and Mauritian Commercial Bank (MCB) Mohamed Ismail Mansour, Chairman, Infinity Power said, "Having successfully finalized the Lekela acquisition, we will build upon this milestone to reach our target of installing and operating 2 GW of greenfield projects by 2025. With this transaction, we have delivered on the promise made during COP27 of being the fastest-growing renewable energy company in Africa. We continue to drive efforts that reduce carbon emissions, increase renewable energy sources, and develop efficient energy solutions for the entire region, in order to achieve our vision of providing clean, reliable and affordable electricity access to people in underserved communities across Africa." Nayer Fouad, CEO, Infinity Power, said, "We are very pleased to welcome Lekela Power into the Infinity Power family and look forward to building this next chapter together. The acquisition has the potential to bring much needed stability in power supply to African countries that are facing energy insecurity. This is a major step forward for Africa's future, and a significant move in enabling the shift towards sustainable energy, providing a more stable and secure source of power for its citizens. It is also a key milestone in our journey, and is the beginning of the next phase of our plan as we continue working towards creating a truly sustainable ecosystem for green energy across the continent." Masdar, investors in Infinity Power HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar, said, "Through our investment in Infinity Power Masdar is able to extend its reach across Africa and support developing nations on their clean energy transitions. This acquisition will give Infinity Power greater scale to deploy practical climate solutions that deliver measureable outcomes, in line with the COP28 objective of being inclusive, transparent, pragmatic, and results oriented." Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO, Masdar, said, "This landmark acquisitio of Lekela Power will position our Infinity Power joint venture as the market leader in Africa, and is also recognition of the continent's tremendous renewable energy potential. Greater access to clean energy will enable African nations to develop their economies sustainably while meeting their climate objectives in alignment with COP28's goal of delivering inclusive climate progress." Lucy Heintz, Partner and Head of Energy Infrastructure, Actis, said: "We are delighted to announce the successful exit of Lekela. When we established Lekela, we were determined to ensure the business became a role model for what a sustainable business should look like in Africa and we are leaving the business strongly positioned both as a recognised sustainability leader and as a key player in the African energy transition, with a 2.8GW portfolio of projects in operation and development. We are confident Lekela, with its new shareholders, will continue to play a leading role in the energy transition across the continent." Chris Antonopoulos, CEO of Lekela, said, "We can already see that the backing of Lekela's new investors, Infinity Power, will make our next chapter an exciting one. We remain committed to delivering clean, reliable power for communities and countries across Africa. To do this we are growing our pipeline, exploring new technologies and will continue to create positive impact for the communities where we operate. We would like to thank Actis and the Mainstream-led consortium for all their support and guidance over the last eight years. Together, we grew Lekela from zero to over 1GW of wind power in operation and proved renewable energy has the potential to contribute to Africa's sustainable future. We now look forward to working with Infinity Power, as well as its shareholders and stakeholders to continue this work and further accelerate the growth of Lekela." AFC and EBRD, investors in Infinity Group Samaila Zubairu, Africa Finance Corporation President & CEO, said: "In order to address Africa's energy crisis in a sustainable and climate responsible manner, the African private and public sectors must work in collaboration with global strategic partners, and the recent acquisition of the largest renewable energy asset in Africa is a significant milestone towards this goal. With this acquisition, we emphasize the importance of utilizing steady and affordable power from abundant natural sources to drive a quantum leap in both the scale and diversity of energy solutions. This achievement positions AFC, working with our partners, to establish a 3GW renewable energy platform, accelerate Africa's instrumental role in reaching global net zero, and build the foundations upon which value addition, industrialization and economic growth on the continent will emerge." Nandita Parshad, Managing Director of the Sustainable Infrastructure Group, EBRD, said: "We are delighted to witness our long-standing partner Infinity Group become the largest renewable energy player in Africa. EBRD is proud to be part of this strategic transaction, which is expected to unlock growth opportunities in Egypt and beyond. The acquisition of Lekela Power marks a significant milestone for Infinity Power, paving the way for the company to capture ample opportunities in the energy space in Africa, delivering clean and sustainable energy to the continent." Infinity Power was established in 2020 to develop utility-scale and distributed solar energy and wind power projects in Africa. By developing renewable projects in Africa, Infinity Power aims to improve energy access across the continent, while boosting economic development, and creating much-needed jobs, particularly in remote areas. Infinity Power's total capacity of operational projects is 1.3 GW, which equates to a reduction of more than 3 million tons of CO2 emissions per year using conventional power generation. The company also has 13.8 GW of projects in the pipeline at different stages of development. Established in 2015, Lekela Power was previously owned 60 percent Actis, a global investor in sustainable infrastructure, and 40 percent by a consortium, led by global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power, called Mainstream Renewable Power Africa Holdings ('MRPAH'). Africa's installed renewable capacity is set to grow from 54 GW in 2020 to more than 530 GW by 2040, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), with solar PV soaring to 340 GW, and wind rising to 90 GW. Increasing renewable energy resources will also drive energy access, with almost half of Africa's population still without access to electricity. Cantor Fitzgerald, Absa CIB, Norton Rose Fulbright, Al Kamel Law, Ernst & Young and AFRY advised Infinity Power on the transaction. Absa CIB and MCB acted as the Mandated Lead Arrangers on the acquisition financing facilities. About Infinity Power Infinity Power Holding B.V is a joint venture between Egypt's Infinity and Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) to target power generation projects through renewable energy sources, namely solar and wind technologies on the utility-scale, as well as commercial and industrial scale in Africa. Infinity Power brings together both companies' strong track record of developing and operating renewable energy assets. With current projects located in Egypt, South Africa, Senegal and Ghana, Infinity Power aims to expand its operations in markets across all 54 African countries, providing electricity to all locations in Africa, which are in most need of power. Infinity Power's total capacity of operational projects is 1.3 GW, which equates to a reduction of more than 3 million tons of CO2 emissions per year using conventional power generation. The company also has 13.8 GW of projects in the pipeline at different stages of development. For more information please visit our website and connect with us on social media: Infinity Power Website: www.weareiph.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InfinityPowerHolding/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinity-power/ Infinity Website: www.weareinfinity.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InfinityRenewableEnergy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinityrenewables/ This material is distributed by Daniel J. Edelman, Inc. on behalf of Masdar. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2036141/Infinity_Power.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infinity-power-finalizes-acquisition-of-lekela-power-in-africas-biggest-renewable-energy-deal-301775955.html SOURCE Masdar [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] Arelion Reveals 45% of Business Leaders Suffer Significant Personal Stress as a Result of the Recent urge in the Cost of Energy 69% of providers say they have raised prices to pass on heavier costs to customers STOCKHOLM, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report from Arelion , escalating energy prices and their impact on network operations are the prime concern for over half (53%) of business leaders, but many are also anxious about possible energy supply shortages with 43% citing this as their second-biggest worry. So major are the issues, that 45% of leaders have admitted to having suffered significant stress over the recent energy price surges, with 14% going so far as to say that the situation is actually causing them to lose sleep. Decision-makers in the US are particularly affected, with almost a third (29%) suffering from sleepless nights. The survey was conducted in the US, UK, France and Germany, and the report "The energy crisis: is it hurting enterprise networks?" provides insights into the impact that the energy crisis is having on network operations and, in particular, what effect it has had on the wider network sustainability agenda. With energy prices escalating across the globe, most businesses are having to pay more for the energy they use. The findings of Arelion's latest research reveal that many leaders have concerns over the immediate future, with 35% worrying about the ongoing impact of high costs in the year ahead. These concerns over the immediate future are most evident in the banking industry, with half of leaders in this sector worrying about the ongoing impact of high costs on their operations in the coming year. The Pricing Impact Higher prices are the key issue for European businesses' network operations with concern peaking among German leaders at 66%. An overwhelming 82% of leaders say that increased energy costs in the network have had a medium or high impact on the way they price their own services. As a result, 69% have raised their own prices, effectively passing on some or all oftheir heavier cost burden. This is especially the case in Europe and particularly in Germany where 78% have pushed up their own prices to customers, compared to the 57% of US business leaders who have done so. Surprisingly, 18% of decision makers across all the markets surveyed say they have reduced prices to their customers, perhaps swallowing the additional costs to boost competitiveness in a distressed business environment. But the findings of the research were not all bad news. The quest for improved energy efficiency has, in fact, spurred 61% of businesses to increase investment in their network operations. The Sustainability Impact Business leaders in the US appear to be at the forefront of this movement as 73% said that they have increased investment to make their network operations more energy efficient. In Europe, 69% of German, 49% of UK and 48% of French decision-makers have also taken this step. Alongside enhanced energy efficiency, another positive effect of the energy crisis has seen over half of businesses (52%) speeding up and strengthening their network sustainability efforts. US businesses appear to be taking the lead on Europe again here with 65% of US decision-makers saying that they are boosting their sustainability efforts versus 55% in Germany, 42% in France and 40% in the UK. That said, some cause for concern remains from the finding that, overall, 29% of businesses have seen their sustainability efforts impeded by the energy crisis. Looking to the future and identifying which sustainable energy sources business leaders in these key markets believe have the greatest potential for powering network operations, 40% of respondents elected for clean, renewable solar power. While this was the case with businesses in most countries, the notable exception is France, where 51% of leaders see nuclear power as having most potential compared with a maximum of 18% elsewhere. This seems to reflect France's long history of investment in nuclear power production, relatively high dependence upon it, and cultural pro-nuclear acceptance. Commenting on the results of the survey, Mattias Fridstrom, Chief Evangelist at Arelion said: "The business impact of network energy consumption varies across different industry verticals and is ultimately far greater for businesses whose networks are a significant part of their operational expenditure. This research has provided some valuable insights into the impact on the industry and those working within it. Network operators are particularly vulnerable to a volatile energy market. As a large global network operator ourselves, we too are challenged by these increasing costs. "What's clear is that the transition towards more sustainable networks has hastened as a result of the energy crisis and investments in power efficiency are shortening the upgrade cycle for network infrastructure." Study Methodology Research was conducted on behalf of Arelion by Savanta, a global leader in digital data collection. A survey was carried out online in the second half of 2022 with 324 industry representatives in the US, UK, Germany, and France. All participants in the research work for enterprises with more than 4,000 people. They come from a range of industries, led by: IT services (103); Banking (60); Manufacturing/engineering (52). All participants are involved in decision-making regarding their company's network development strategy, with 56% having the last word and final sign-off responsibility for this area. About Arelion Arelion solves global connectivity challenges for multinational enterprises whose businesses rely on digital infrastructure. On top of the world's #1 ranked IP backbone and a unique ecosystem of cloud and network service providers, we provide an award-winning customer experience to customers in more than 125 countries worldwide. Our global Internet services connect more than 700 cloud, security and content providers with low latency. For further resilience, our private Cloud Connect service connects directly to Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud and Oracle Cloud across North America, Europe and Asia. Discover more at Arelion.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter . Media contacts for Arelion: Jeannette Bitz, Engage PR +1 510 295 4972 [email protected] UK Lorena Duke, Ascendant Communications +44 (0) 20 8334 8041 [email protected] Arelion Martin Sjogren, Senior Manager PR and Analyst Relations +46 (0)707 770 522 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arelion-reveals-45-of-business-leaders-suffer-significant-personal-stress-as-a-result-of-the-recent-urge-in-the-cost-of-energy-301773512.html SOURCE Arelion [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] AlmaLinux OS Foundation Welcomes OpenLogic and Hawk Host as Newest Sponsors The AlmaLinux OS Foundation, the nonprofit that stewards the community owned and governed open source CentOS Linux replacement AlmaLinux, today announced its two newest sponsors, OpenLogic by Perforce and Hawk Host, Inc. OpenLogic provides open source support and enterprise services to global organizations across industries including technology, telecommunications, and financial services. Hawk Host offers shared hosting, reseller hosting, semi-dedicated and virtual hosting, supporting global industries and located in several cities in the United States, Netherlands, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canada. "We are pleased to welcome OpenLogic and Hawk Host as new AlmaLinux OS Foundation sponsors," said benny Vasquez, AlmaLinux OS Foundation Chair. "OpenLogic provides enterprise-grade technical support for open source, and AlmaLinux users now have a choice between a number of amazing support providers. Hawk Host brings extensive knowledge of web hosting and software development for a variety of cloud hosting customers running on the Linux operating system. These partnerships are just one more way that a community-managed Linux distribution like AlmaLinux can be the distribution of choice for the savvy enterprise user. We look forward to working together as we provide the best RHEL clone for our community of hobbyist- and enterprise-users alike." Hawk Host, Inc. Hawk Host offers high-quality cloud web hostin, reseller hosting, semi-dedicated hosting, and cloud computers at an affordable price and with 24/7/365 support. The company was founded in 2004 and has since expanded its hosting network to seven international locations, including Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Amsterdam, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Toronto. Hawk Host leverages its team's extensive knowledge of web hosting and cloud technologies to provide a performant and reliable hosting environment for all your website needs. "Hawk Host is thrilled to support AlmaLinux as a Silver-level sponsor," said Cody Robertson, CTO at Hawk Host, Inc., and AlmaLinux Board Member. "As both an elected board member of AlmaLinux and a lead on Hawk Host's infrastructure team, I've seen firsthand from both perspectives the value AlmaLinux provides. Here at Hawk Host, we offer AlmaLinux as our recommended OS option on our cloud compute plans, meant to be the drop-in replacement for most customers who previously would have chosen CentOS. AlmaLinux has also introduced other useful tools, such as ELevate, which allows users to upgrade between major versions of their OS - a massive technological improvement over CentOS. It's an exciting step for Hawk Host to join AlmaLinux as a sponsor, and we will continue to support the development of AlmaLinux as it is further embraced by the open-source community." OpenLogic OpenLogic offers end-to-end enterprise support and services for organizations using open source software in their infrastructure. With support for over 400 open source packages, guaranteed SLAs, and direct access to highly-experienced Enterprise Architects, OpenLogic customers receive open source support solutions through 24x7 ticket-based support, professional services and training. "We are excited to join and support AlmaLinux as a Silver-level sponsor," said Javier Perez, Chief OSS Evangelist and Senior Director of Product Management at Perforce Software. "OpenLogic by Perforce enterprise architects have years of hands-on experience with large-scale and complex open source implementations including technical support for AlmaLinux 9.1. We look forward to working with the team at AlmaLinux and contributing to the success of one of the leading CentOS alternatives." About AlmaLinux OS AlmaLinux OS is an open source, community-governed and forever-free enterprise Linux distribution focused on long-term stability and delivering a robust production-grade platform. With millions of downloads from a network of over 280 mirrors, AlmaLinux is 1:1 binary compatible with RHEL(r) and pre-Steam CentOS and powers projects for governments, the defense sector and scientific research institutions as well as numerous business sectors and the web hosting industry. Adopted by some of today's foremost open source ecosystem projects such as VMware, GitLab and Tenable, it's available on all major public cloud platforms including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle OCI. AlmaLinux OS Foundation sponsors include AMD, CloudLinux, Codenotary, Black Host, and WebPros. The AlmaLinux OS Foundation is a 501(c)(6) non-profit created for the benefit of the AlmaLinux OS community. Visit https://almalinux.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005256/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] Waterfall Security Announces New WF-600 Unidirectional Security Gateway The most powerful network security has never been simpler. ROSH HA'AYIN, Israel, March 20, 2023 /CNW/ -- Waterfall Security Solutions, the OT Security Company, today launched the WF-600 Unidirectional Security Gateway, the world's most powerful OT security protection against remote cyber attacks. The revolutionary WF-600 product line is a state-of-the-art blend of hardware and software, enabling unbreachable protection at IT/OT interfaces with unlimited visibility into OT networks, systems and data. The new WF-600 series of products represent decades of experience, investment and innovation, incorporating feedback received from thousands of critical infrastructure and manufacturing sites. What's new in the 600 series includes: Integrated Software: The WF-600 includes a self-contained, integrated software platform, with no external software needed on industrial or enterprise computers, and with the entire platform designed together with the 600 series hardware, for maximum performance, compatibility, and ease of use. The WF-600 includes a self-contained, integrated software platform, with no external software needed on industrial or enterprise computers, and with the entire platform designed together with the 600 series hardware, for maximum performance, compatibility, and ease of use. Native Connectors: A large connector library runs natively in the WF-600 network appliance, enabling connectivity with, replication of, and integration for a wide variety o historians, OPC servers, intrusion detection and monitoring systems, IIoT protocols, industrial protocols, and more. A large connector library runs natively in the WF-600 network appliance, enabling connectivity with, replication of, and integration for a wide variety o historians, OPC servers, intrusion detection and monitoring systems, IIoT protocols, industrial protocols, and more. Web User Interface: A simple, powerful web user interface built into the WF-600 provides for all configuration, monitoring, management, and even trouble-shooting needs. A simple, powerful web user interface built into the WF-600 provides for all configuration, monitoring, management, and even trouble-shooting needs. 1-10 Gbps Throughput: All-new WF-600 hardware is designed specifically for the WF-600 software platform, with standard 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps throughput options, standard high availability options, copper and fiber connectivity options and more. Lior Frenkel , CEO and Co-Founder of Waterfall Security Solutions. "The new platform represents an enormous investment in streamlining every aspect of installing, using and managing our Unidirectional Gateway products. The strongest network security has never been simpler." Waterfall invented the Unidirectional Gateway as an evolutionary alternative to firewalls. The company continues to innovate to empower customers with physical and industrial operations to reap the enormous benefits of OT connectivity, without the often-unacceptable risks that come with firewalled IT/OT connectivity. Waterfall's family of products have revolutionized how entire industries protect their physical operations and industrial processes from even the most sophisticated of ransomware and other cyber attacks. About Waterfall Security Solutions Waterfall Security Solutions' unbreachable OT cybersecurity technologies keep the world running. For more than 15 years, the most important industries and infrastructure have trusted Waterfall to guarantee safe, secure and reliable operations. The company's growing list of global customers includes national infrastructures, power plants, nuclear generators, onshore and offshore oil and gas facilities, refineries, manufacturing plants, utility companies, and more. Waterfall's patented Unidirectional Gateways and other evolutionary products combine the benefits of impenetrable hardware with unlimited software-based connectivity, enabling 100% safe visibility into industrial operations and automation systems. For more information, visit Waterfall Security Solutions. For media inquiries: Anna Plot Waterfall Security Solutions [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2035754/Waterfall_Security_Solutions.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/710139/3945543/Waterfall_Security_Solutions_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/waterfall-security-announces-new-wf-600-unidirectional-security-gateway-301775983.html SOURCE Waterfall Security Solutions [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] Everlaw Launches New Features to Help Legal Teams Quickly Find Hidden Stories in Emails, Video Depositions and Zoom Videos Everlaw Communication Visualizer, Video Depositions and Cloud Connectors for Zoom to be Demoed at Legalweek NEW YORK, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Legalweek -- Everlaw, the cloud-native investigation and litigation platform, unveiled three new features today Communication Visualizer, Video Depositions and Cloud Connectors for Zoom to deliver unprecedented visual intelligence and automation to help legal teams quickly find hidden stories and context in the growing bodies of digital evidence. As litigation and investigation data sets grow, the old way of searching for evidence such as linear review and reading each document has become cost prohibitive. The widening gap between staff resources and data means legal teams increasingly need advanced visualization and AI tools to present data more intuitively in ways that humans can better absorb. For example, data visualizations are based on the way the human brain processes data visually around 60,000 times faster than text. With that in mind, Everlaw is launching its next set of features that aim to give "force multipliers" to legal teams. Everlaw Communication Visualizer Enables Instant Discovery of Key Players Based on the concept of social network analysis, Communication Visualizer is designed to uncover hidden relationships in conversations often concealed in big data sets to better identify outliers and patterns. The new technical breakthrough is that Everlaw delivers this insight and context of a case's key players at the scale of today's digital business such as thousands of conversations delivered instantaneously and interactively. Within Communication Visualizer, small circles or nodes represent key players. Larger nodes indicate higher volumes of correspondence, and the size of the line between any two nodes shows how often people email each other. Rich interactivity allows teams to instantly isolate specific communications between individuals, dig further into the communication, refine date ranges, specific email accounts and even view the specific documents. With this feature, legal teams can rapidly discover: Who is communicating the most, and with whom top communicators speak the most. What is the directionality of communications between parties When are the conversations taking place (a time-lapsed conversation tracker allows legal teams to see the key players' interactions and visually filter by date range and anomalous behavior) Who is sharing emails outside of specific domains (e.g. who is forwarding emails to their private accounts) Communication Visualizer gives review teams an instant baseline understanding of the players without advanced setup or deep technical expertise. The tool is directly integrated in the Everlaw Data Visualization portfolio and comes on the heels of Everlaw's award-winning, patent-pending Clustering feature , which reveals the concepts within your document corpus. "With Communication Visualizer, we're employing social network analytics that enables true discovery without needing to train a model," said Everlaw CEO and Founder AJ Shankar. "Legal teams can gain an immediate understanding of even subtle behaviors of the people they are investigating, such as who is talking with whom and what cliques have formed. Together, Clustering and predictive coding which reveal the "what" behind the data and Communication Visualizer revealing the "who" are much needed force multipliers to close the growing ediscovery gap." Everlaw Video Depositions Tool Instantly Creates Video Snippets from Transcript Highlights to Tell the Whole Story Quickly understanding the full context of how a witness gave testimon is critical to gauging its utility as evidence or potential strength in impeaching an adverse witness. But without video readily available and synced to transcripts, it becomes a disjointed and inefficient process, forcing legal teams to outsource creating video snippets of key moments in a transcript from technical support, reviewing those once a colleague or third-party creates them. With the Everlaw Video Depositions feature, legal teams can quickly analyze video depositions alongside their corresponding synced transcript. This accelerates the discovery of key pieces of evidence and helps reinforce strong arguments with impactful video evidence. One of the more powerful aspects of Video Depositions is the instant and automated integration of testimony citations throughout Storybuilder , Everlaw's collaborative narrative building toolkit. As legal teams build a case in Storybuilder by citing testimony, the exact corresponding snippet of video is at their fingertips, without manual cross referencing or delays. In Everlaw's Video Depositions, legal teams can: Edit video snippets to start and stop at the most impactful moment Automatically create video snippets whenever they highlight their transcripts Search for keywords and instantly jump to the right cuts and add those as testimonies to the timeline Integrate video into Storybuilder, putting video a click away whenever citing testimony in a case timeline, draft case strategy memo or outline for another deposition Invite others to collaborate to view testimony directly alongside the transcript or export .MP4s video snippets for presentation "Reading a transcript without the video is only seeing half a story with important details such as body language, tone, pauses and facial expressions that are not apparent from the static page of a transcript," Shankar said. "With Everlaw Video Depositions, legal teams can see beyond the written transcript to unearth the truth." Cloud Connectors for Zoom Automate the Ingestion of Videos, Retain Context Everlaw is launching Cloud Connectors, a streamlined way to ingest data directly from Zoom and nine other popular enterprise applications and data sources. Traditionally, when importing data downloaded to local machines, a single Zoom recording will result in separate files for each component of the recording: the closed caption, the chat, the transcript and the recording itself. With Everlaw, the linkages between meeting information are compiled into an easy-to-read PDF file so it gives the user a one-stop shop to find major meeting details. By keeping the components together, Everlaw retains the meaning and context around the data for review teams. In addition, audio and video files are transcribed upon ingestion and indexed for searching, making Zoom data instantaneously ready for search once it's in Everlaw. Everlaw Cloud Connectors contains: Available data and metadata, contextualized and ready to review for immediate insights and details. For example, with the Zoom Connector this would include the host of the meeting, participants and timezone, and for Microsoft 365, this would include the email thread, calendar event participants and chat threads Easy-to-use upload wizard with processing speed at up to 900,000 docs/hour so that data can be ready for review in hours instead of days Filtering by custodians, date range and application specific fields to target data collection Downloadable audit logs to show when data was collected to help defend the collections "Since Zoom has exploded in the business world, it has been a top focus for our engineers to marry Zoom's content and metadata to retain the holistic context of its meaning," Shankar said. "Taming what we call 'the Zoom Boom' is another way for Everlaw to remove clunky extra steps for legal teams so they can quickly chart a path to the truth." Everlaw Cloud Connectors are built on an API framework, allowing for rapid development of new connectors in the future. In addition to Zoom, Everlaw's 10 cloud connectors now include Slack, Google Vault and Microsoft 365. Salesforce, Asana, Zendesk and Jira are more Cloud Connectors to come. Everlaw's highly secure approach to cloud data integrations means no data is passed through a third-party server. Availability and Additional Materials Communication Visualizer will be available this spring. Read the new whitepaper on our Data Visualization and blog . and . Video Depositions will be available this spring and is fully integrated with Storybuilder . . Cloud Connectors for Zoom (and all 10 Cloud Connectors ) is available immediately. Legalweek 2023 NYC See these and other innovative features demoed at Americas Hall I Booth #2106 and Americas Hall II Booth #3109 at Legalweek from March 20 to 23, 2023. Sign up here . #Legalweek2023 About Everlaw Everlaw helps legal teams navigate the increasingly complex ediscovery landscape to chart a straighter path to the truth. Trusted by Fortune 100 corporate counsel, 91 of the Am Law 200, and all 50 state attorneys general, Everlaw's combination of intuitive experience, advanced technology, and partnership with customers empowers organizations to tackle the most pressing technological challengesand transform their approach to discovery and litigation in the process. Founded in 2010 and based in Oakland, Calif., Everlaw is funded by top-tier investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, CapitalG, HIG Growth Partners, K9 Ventures, Menlo Ventures, and TPG Growth. Learn more at https://www.everlaw.com and follow us on LinkedIn. Media Contact: Colleen Haikes [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/everlaw-launches-new-features-to-help-legal-teams-quickly-find-hidden-stories-in-emails-video-depositions-and-zoom-videos-301774680.html SOURCE Everlaw [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] Logically Honored on the 2023 CRN Tech Elite 250 List 2023 Marks the MSSP's 9th Year on CRN's Prestigious List DUBLIN, Ohio, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Logically, one of the nation's leading managed security and IT service providers, today announced that CRN , a brand of The Channel Company , has honored Logically on its 2023 Tech Elite 250 list. This annual list features solution providers of all sizes across the U.S. and Canada that have differentiated themselves by achieving the highest level and largest breadth of certifications and specializations from key technology vendors in the infrastructure, cloud, and security spaces. Businesses rely on solution providers to maintain the highest levels of technical prowess across critical products and services to help them meet today's IT challenges and take advantage of the benefits of cutting-edge solutions. To meet these demands, solution providers such as strategic service providers, systems integrators, managed service providers, and value-added resellers strive to maintain high levels of training and certification from IT vendors and achieve the highest tiers within those vendors' partner programs. "Here at Logically, we've built a culture of innovation. That means our team of cybersecurity experts is dedicated to staying on the cutting edge of the best toos the industry has to offer, with the ultimate goal of protecting and optimizing all that our customers do," said Joshua Skeens, CEO of Logically. "Technology evolves quickly, and cybersecurity threats evolve even quicker. For this reason, we're constantly innovating and re-evaluating our strategies to give our customers the latest and greatest solutions, and anticipate future threats before they arrive." "CRN's Tech Elite 250 list features the leading solution providers in the IT channel with the most in-depth technical knowledge, expertise, and certifications for providing the highest level of service for their customers," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "These solution providers have continued to extend their aptitudes and abilities across various technologies and IT practices, demonstrating their commitment and value to their customers. Coverage of the Tech Elite 250 will be featured in the April issue of CRN Magazine and online at www.CRN.com/techelite250 . To learn more about Logically, please visit: https://logically.com/ About Logically Logically is a leading national Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) and Managed Service Provider (MSP) that works to secure customers' futures. As a champion of cybersecurity innovation, we marry the right technologies to create personalized solutions that address our customers' myriad IT challenges, with security as a focal point. Since 1999, we have made IT management easy and secure for thousands of organizations across highly regulated industries, and we are known for our best-in-class, high-touch customer support. About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 40 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/logically-honored-on-the-2023-crn-tech-elite-250-list-301775383.html SOURCE Logically [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. On March 20, Finance Minister of Armenia Vahe Hovhannisyan received Rana Karadsheh, Regional Director for Europe of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, and Sebastian Molineus, Regional Director of the WB South Caucasus. Ivana Duarte, regional director of the IFC South Caucasus, and Carolin Geginat, Country Manager of the World Bank (WB) for Armenia, were also present at the meeting. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Finance of Armenia, at the beginning of the meeting, Minister Hovhannisyan, welcoming the guests, highly appreciated the presence of the International Finance Corporation in Armenia, particularly highlighting the expansion of the latter's investments in Armenia. The Minister emphasized the need to diversify the areas of cooperation with the IFC, as well as efforts to expand cooperation in possible new areas. IFC representatives, congratulating Vahe Hovhannisyan on his appointment as Minister of Finance of Armenia, referred to the high economic growth recorded in Armenia in 2022 and noted that they consider the previous year's economic indicators to be impressive. The Minister presented details about the previous years and the current economic situation. During the meeting, the sides emphasized the implementation of reforms aimed at expanding private investments in Armenia, as well as ensuring the continuity of experience exchange in this context. [March 20, 2023] SailPoint Delivers New Non-Employee Risk Management Solution to Market In an effort to drive quick time-to-value to customers worldwide, SailPoint Technologies, Inc., a leader in enterprise identity security, has rolled out a new non-employee risk management capability based on the company's January 2023 acquisition of SecZetta. The SailPoint Non-Employee Risk Management solution is available now as an add-on to the SailPoint Identity Security Cloud. The new SailPoint Non-Employee Risk Management solution allows organizations to execute risk-based identity access and lifecycle strategies for non-employees. This growing non-employee population today includes a range of identities including contractors, hird-party partners, suppliers and even non-human bots. By leveraging AI-driven identity security, enterprises can ensure that applications and data are secure by granting third-party access to only the right identities at the right time. This increases operational efficiency in managing the complex relationships that organizations have with non-employees while also supporting regulatory compliance requirements and reducing third-party risk. "We're big believers in delivering on our promises to customers, and that certainly includes how we create and drive new value," said Matt Mills, President of Worldwide Field Operations for SailPoint. "Our intent behind the recent acquisition of SecZetta was to quickly bring to market an important and emerging piece of the identity security puzzle: a comprehensive way to properly secure the slew of non-employee identities that so many organizations now employ." "Now, customers can be prescriptive and thoughtful in how they approach governance across both employee and non-employee identity populations," continued Mills. "Expect to see us continue to flex this operational muscle as we grow and evolve our comprehensive approach to identity security - building or buying technology that fits immediate customer needs and quickly bringing it to market to benefit our global customer base." "SailPoint's new non-employee risk management capability will give us broad oversight into all our identities and their technology needs, including better visibility into and management of our growing non-employee population, all from a single platform," said Dane Paulsen, IT Manager, Nelnet. "We'll now have a critical layer of identity risk management and overall governance needed to fully validate non-employees and their access across our business." Visit the SailPoint website to learn more about how you can unleash the power of SailPoint's Identity Security Cloud Business or Business Plus suites for your business. About SailPoint SailPoint is a leading provider of identity security for the modern enterprise. Enterprise security starts and ends with identities and their access, yet the ability to manage and secure identities today has moved well beyond human capacity. Using a foundation of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the SailPoint Identity Security Platform delivers the right level of access to the right identities and resources at the right time-matching the scale, velocity, and environmental needs of today's cloud-oriented enterprise. Our intelligent, autonomous, and integrated solutions put identity security at the core of digital business operations, enabling even the most complex organizations across the globe to build a security foundation capable of defending against today's most pressing threats. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005160/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] CUPE Education Workers to Rally at Province House for a Fair Contract School support staff represented by CUPE's Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions (NSSBCU) will hold a rally at Province House on Tuesday, March 21st at 4 PM to bring their concerns to their elected representatives on the eve of the group's conciliation meeting with the provincial government, which is scheduled to take place March 22nd. The 5400 plus education workers voted 97.5% in favour of strike action if an agreement that secures significant wages increases for members cannot be reached. CUPE education workers are among the lowst paid workers in the public sector, with the majority making less than $30,000 a year. NSSBCU filed for conciliation in January in the hopes that a third party will help refocus government on finalizing a fair deal that helps members escape poverty. NSSBCU represents more than 5400 school support staff at all seven regional centres for education and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial. Members include bus drivers, early childhood educators in the pre-primary program, educational program assistants, custodians, food services staff, and tradespeople. CUPE NSSBCU President Chris Melanson will be available on Tuesday for comment. :sm/cope 491 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005474/en/ [March 20, 2023] Merlin Appoints Regulatory Leader Travis Mason as First Chief Policy Officer Merlin, the leading developer of safe autonomous flight technology for fixed-wing aircraft, today announced the appointment of Travis Mason as the company's first Chief Policy Officer. Mason will lead Merlin's team of certification, compliance, and engineering experts charged with certifying the company's autonomous technology to meet aviation's rigorous safety, quality, and performance standards. Mason comes to Merlin with over 12 years of leadership experience accelerating the approval and adoption of emerging technologies in heavily regulated industries across the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005476/en/ Merlin Appoints Regulatory Leader Travis Mason as First Chief Policy Officer (Photo: Business Wire) "Obtaining regulatory approval for our autonomous pilot technology is the critical step to scaling the Merlin Pilot, and Travis brings a unique mix of regulatory, engineering, and business experience to ensure our technology meets the highest safety requirements," said Matt George, co-founder, and CEO, Merlin. "Travis is a deeply-respected voice in our innovation community and we're thrilled to have him join our leadership team. Travis Mason comes to Merlin with extensive technology policy and regulatory experience, having worked with Fortune 100 companies and startups in avation, healthcare, finance, and sustainable energy. Before joining Merlin, Mason served as the Vice President of Certification and Regulatory Affairs at Airbus, overseeing the company's efforts to secure certification for new business and investments in advanced air mobility, eVTOLs, uncrewed traffic management, high-altitude platforms, and other emerging technologies. At Alphabet's Google and X, he helped solve policy and regulatory challenges for uncrewed aircraft, drone delivery, autonomous vehicles, and life science technologies. Most recently, Mason served as a founding operating partner at Seven Seven Six, a software-enabled venture fund where he helped startup founders develop innovative regulatory strategies to scale new businesses in the space tech, prop-tech, food tech, fintech, cleantech, and Web3 industries. "AI is transforming every aspect of our world, but achieving certification is the ultimate litmus test for companies like Merlin looking to scale this game changing technology in one of the world's most regulated industries," said Mason. "Certify the technology and scale, or fail to certify the technology and flounder - it's that simple. I'm excited to lead Merlin's diverse regulatory experts and engineers as we certify some of the world's first autonomous technology safely on the runway, in the flight deck and in the skies." Mason also serves on the Boards of Destiny.xyz, Help One Now, and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, the nation's top ranked program in public policy. In addition to his board positions, Mason advises the founders of startups in heavily regulated markets, such as the founding team of Actual, which was named one of TIME Magazine's 100 Best Inventions of 2022. Merlin is currently hiring for dozens of open roles. To learn more and join the team, please visit: https://jobs.lever.co/merlinlabs About Merlin Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Boston, with additional offices in Los Angeles, Denver, Kerikeri (NZ) and Mojave, Merlin is building the definitive autonomy system for all things that fly. To learn more, visit www.merlinlabs.com or follow us on Twitter @merlinaero. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005476/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] Life Sciences Ontario Announces the Launch of Year 5 of the Scholarship and Mentorship Program Life Sciences Ontario (LSO), along with our partners, is proud to announce the launch of year 5 of the Scholarship and Mentorship Program, designed to support undergraduate students pursuing education in life sciences fields at Ontario Institutions. The deadline to apply is May 31st. The LSO Scholarship and Mentorship program will award scholarships in the amount of $3,000 to a minimum of 30 undergraduate students enrolled in life sciences-related university or college programs for the 2023-2024 fall/winter term. The program aims to help prepare students for successful careers in the life sciences sector, while also promoting the growth and development of the sector itself. In the 4 years of running this program, LSO has awarded 135 scholarships to students worth $425,000. The Scholarship program has become an important part of our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA) initiatives. In 2022, 72% of all recipients were women and 70% identified as visible minorities. We hope to continue this trend this year in order to tackle the issue of diversity and talent shortages within the life sciences sector. To help create an inclusion program, half the scholarships are awarded by random draw from all eligible applicants. The eligibility requirements for this program are as follows: Must be currently residing as a permanent resident in Ontario verified by an official Ontario Government IDn. Must be entering the final year in September 2023 of their full-time studies in a bachelor's degree program or a diploma program. pplicants must have a minimum cumulative average of 75% from all their completed years of undergraduate schooling. College students in 2-year programs must provide proof of enrollment & program length. "Biotalent Canada predicts that the Life Sciences industry will have an additional $65,000 jobs by 2029," said Dr. Jason Field, President and CEO of LSO. "With support from our many partners, in the five years of running the program, we have been able to increase awareness around careers in Life Sciences along with providing financial and mentorship opportunities to deserving students." Simonne Rauch, a 2022 LSO scholarship award recipient from Queen's University, said, "The Life Sciences Ontario Scholarship Program is an excellent opportunity for students in Life Sciences to connect with many influential individuals in this field. This program has opened my eyes to unique career pathways and provided me with many insights on how to excel in this industry. Overall, this program is a great gateway into the Life Sciences industry and I would recommend it to all students in this field." We would like to say a big thank you to all our generous scholarship sponsors - Alexion Pharma Canada, AstraZeneca, Astellas, Novo Nordisk Canada, Ontario Genomics, Roche Canada, Sanofi Canada, GSK Canada, 3Sixty Public Affairs, Bayshore Specialty Rx Ltd, Jazz Pharmaceuticals,, and Takeda - for supporting our mission to develop the life sciences sector and provide opportunities for the next generation. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for any organization interested in participating. For more information about the program, including eligibility criteria and application details, please visit the LSO website at https://lifesciencesontario.ca/scholarship/ About Life Sciences Ontario: Life Sciences Ontario (LSO) is a member-driven organization that represents and promotes the province's vibrant and diverse life sciences sector. LSO collaborates with governments, academia, industry, and other stakeholders to create a supportive environment for research, development, and commercialization of life sciences innovations in Ontario. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005555/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] Dairy Farmers of Canada unveils next steps towards Net Zero by 2050 New Best Management Practices Guide offers stewardship ideas for Canadian Dairy Farms OTTAWA, ON, March 20, 2023 /CNW/ - Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) today released its Net Zero by 2050 Best Management Practices Guide to Mitigate Emissions on Dairy Farms. The guide will help Canadian dairy farmers contribute to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, an ambitious goal set by DFC last year. Working towards this target confirms that the dairy sector is part of our country's solutions to tackle climate change and ensures that consumers can continue enjoying dairy products made with 100% Canadian milk for years to come. "et Zero by 2050 is an important commitment, but generations of Canadian dairy farmers have already shown their engagement towards new practices based on the science and innovation available at this time. This generation of dairy farmers is carrying forward these values," said Pierre Lampron, president of Dairy Farmers of Canada. "The leadership of Canadian dairy farmers in sustainability is bearing fruit. For instance, the carbon footprint of our dairy production is one of the lowest in the world." DFC's Best Practices Guide has been developed in consultation with experts to help farmers identify and implement best management practices (BMPs) on their farm, including an overview of 30 BMP opportunities for reducing emissions, increasing carbon sequestration, and improving overall environmental sustainability. DFC is working with GHG reduction specialists, federal and provincial governments, dairy stakeholders, and most importantly, farmers, on strategies that can be applied at the farm level to reduce and sequester emissions as we strive for continuous improvement. To learn more about the steps Canadian dairy farmers are taking towards Net Zero by 2050, please visit https://dairyfarmersofcanada.ca/sustainability. ABOUT DAIRY FARMERS OF CANADA Dairy Farmers of Canada is the national policy, lobbying and promotional organization representing Canadian dairy producers. DFC strives to create stable conditions for the dairy sector in our country. It also seeks to maintain policies that promote the sustainability of Canadian dairy production and promote dairy products and their health benefits. Dairy farmers have set a goal of net-zero emissions from farm-level dairy production by 2050. SOURCE Dairy Farmers of Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] Wolf Greenfield Continues Expansion with New Office in Washington, DC BOSTON, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wolf Greenfield is pleased to announce its continued strategic expansion with the launch of its newest office in Washington, DC. The office, at 601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001, will offer a full range of intellectual property services, including litigation, prosecution, post-grant proceedings, freedom to operate, licensing, and diligence across all areas of technology. With the national and, increasingly, international scope of Wolf Greenfields business, its important that the firm have a strong presence in the nations capital, said Ed Gates, Wolf Greenfields president and managing partner. The firms momentum and continued growth is a direct result of the unmatched dedication and technical experience of our team. Since the firms 1927 founding in Boston, Wolf Greenfield has been exclusively focused on IP. Wolf Greenfield represents a diverse portfolio of clients whose IP is at the core of their business. This includes multinational corporations, unicorn start-ups, life sciences institutions, and prestigious universities and research institutions. The firm is also well known for its varied and extensive pro bono efforts as part of its long-standing commitment to the communities it serves. Wolf Greenfields Washington, DC office will be co-chaired by Libbie DiMarco, a shareholder in the firms litigation practice, and Dan Young, a shareholder in the firms biotechnology practice. Wolf Greenfiel aims to provide the highest quality of service, attention, and representation to our clients, said DiMarco. We will continue to recruit and retain the very best legal and technical minds in the industry. Having a physical presence in Washington is an exciting milestone in the firms history and gives us the opportunity to work even more closely with clients as they pursue exciting new breakthroughs in science, technology, and business, while being close to key intellectual property venues and talent pools, said Young. This is the latest significant expansion for Wolf Greenfield in recent years. After opening an office in New York in 2016, Wolf Greenfields team there doubled in size by 2020. Shareholders from the firms offices in Boston and New York are expected to spend significant time in Washington, DC. About Wolf Greenfield Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C. is among the 10 largest law firms in the country devoted exclusively to intellectual property law. With over 150 legal professionals based in Boston, New York, and Washington, DC, the firms attorneys are at the forefront of their fields and support large, global corporations, mid-size companies, innovative start-ups and emerging enterprises, renowned universities and research institutions, and Nobel Prize winners with a full range of intellectual property portfolio management including patent prosecution and litigation; post-grant proceedings, including IPRs; opinions and strategic counseling; licensing; intellectual property audits and due diligence; trademark and copyright prosecution and litigation; and other issues related to the commercialization of intellectual property. For nearly a century, Wolf Greenfield has helped clients protect their most valuable intellectual property and continues to represent innovators in the fields of biotechnology, chemical and materials technologies, pharmaceuticals, clean technology, electrical and computer technologies, mechanical technologies, medical devices, and consumer products. For more information about Wolf Greenfield, please visit wolfgreenfield.com . Contact John Moran 603.674.5064 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] U.S. Congressman Wesley Hunt Visits Zeta Energy's Lithium-Sulfur Battery Facility HOUSTON, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zeta Energy's CEO Tom Pilette and senior team were honored to host U.S. Congressman Wesley Hunt, his District Director Lisa Gilmore and Field Representative Grayson Hilburn at Zeta's Houston headquarters and R&D Lab for a discussion on the importance of U.S. domestic advanced battery manufacturing and tour of our leading-edge lithium sulfur battery lab and production facility. Congressman Hunt represents the Houston Energy Corridor and home-grown Zeta Energy is excited to play a role in the region's continued leadership in energy innovation and production. Pilette stated, "One of the features of Zeta's lithium-sulfur batteries that we are most proud of is that they don't require nickel, manganese or cobalt and they can be manufactured here in the U.S. with local materials. This gives us a short, resilient supply chain. We are excited to be working with leaders like Congressman Hunt to make this happen!" About Zeta Energy Zeta Energy is a US-based privately-held company focused on developing and commercializing high performance, safe, rechargeable batteries that are lower cost and sustainably manufactured. Zeta has filed more than thirty patents on its proprietary carbon nanotube anode and sulfur cathode technology. The Company may from time to time disclose public material events via its website at http://www.ZetaEnergy.com or its social media accounts at the following locations: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeta-energy-corp/about https://twitter.com/ZetaEnergy View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-congressman-wesley-hunt-visits-zeta-energys-lithium-sulfur-battery-facility-301776481.html SOURCE Zeta Energy [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] Sodes partners with CGI on a digital transformation initiative for the St. Lawrence River and Saguenay River seaways Stock symbols GIB (NYSE) GIB.A (TSX) www.cgi.com/newsroom MONTREAL, March 20, 2023 /CNW/ - CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) announces a two-year partnership with the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (Sodes) to help the organization and all of its maritime stakeholders plot a course toward sustainable prosperity. Under the new agreement, Sodes will leverage CGI's deep industry knowledge of transportation and logistics, business consulting, and technology to adopt a concerted approach for the development of a data sharing platform. Sodes is partnering with CGI to initiate a process that will allow for the collection, analysis and sharing of strategic data to align with similar efforts currently underway both in Canada and internationally. The objective is to draw inspiration from best practices in the area of shared data and thus help deploy the smart maritime corridor. "Through this collaboration, we want to provide support and consulting expertise to targeted organizations in the maritime transportation industry in order to produce a feasibility study, aimed at guiding a concerted approach to shared data, particularly from the standpoint of governance, collaboration methods, the scope of shared data and optimal technological solutions," says Mathieu St-Pierre, President and CEO of Sodes. "We hope that this study will contribute to strengthening the digital positioning of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers so that the movement of goods will be more efficient, more fluid and more intelligent." This project is part of the Quebec government's global vision of implementing a maritime strategy aimed at making the St. Lawrence a smart economic corridor. "CGI is proud to embark on this journey and partner with Sodes," says Guy Vigeant, President of CGI's operations in Canada. "CGI will have the opportunity to bring our deep expertise to bear and help the Sodes and its stakeholders to leverage innovation for a more modern, competitive and sustainable seaway." About CGI Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firm in the world. With 90,250 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services, and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. In fiscal year 2022, CGI reported revenue of $12.87 billion. CGI shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (GIB.A) and the New York Stock Exchange (GIB). Learn more at CGI.com. About SODES The St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES) is a non-profit organization that protects and promotes the economic interests of the St. Lawrence River. SODES represents the maritime community, which includes stakeholders from the private and public sectors whose activities affect the St. Lawrence economy directly or indirectly in every region of Quebec SODES seeks to be the sector's voice vis-a-vis governments on matters related to the St. Lawrence economy and development, where cargo and passenger transportation, regional development, and the environment are concerned. SOURCE CGI Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] EQUITY ALERT: Rosen Law Firm Files Securities Class Action Lawsuit on Behalf of Tupperware Brands Corporation Investors - TUP Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces it has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP) between March 10, 2021 and March 16, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for Tupperware investors under the federal securities laws. To join the Tupperware class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12606 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose, among other things, that: (1) Tupperware did not disclose its serious issues with internal controls; (2) Tupperware's financial statements, from its 2020 Annual Report to the present, included misstatements, particularly as it related to the Company's accounting for income taxes; (3) as a result, Tupperware would need to restate its previously filed financial statements for certain periods; and (4) as a result, Defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors uffered damages. 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 19, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. If you wish to join the litigation, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12606 or to discuss your rights or interests regarding this class action, please contact Phillip Kim, Esq. of Rosen Law Firm toll free at 866-767-3653 or via e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected]. NO CLASS HAS YET BEEN CERTIFIED IN THE ABOVE ACTION. UNTIL A CLASS IS CERTIFIED, YOU ARE NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL UNLESS YOU RETAIN ONE. YOU MAY RETAIN 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 or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm. Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. 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. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm's attorneys are ranked and recognized by numerous independent and respected sources. Rosen Law Firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005666/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 20, 2023] OUTFRONT Media Joins Business, Civic and Labor Communities to Launch 'WE ? NYC' Campaign NYC-Headquartered OOH Leader to Support Initiative via Exclusive Digital Transit Advertising NEW YORK, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OUTFRONT Media (NYSE:OUT) shows its support for its home city through the Partnership for New York City's new "We ? NYC " citywide civic action campaign. Geared to inspiring New York City's post-pandemic resurgence, the campaign is showcasing the city's strengths and looking to mobilize New Yorkers in all communities to help ensure that New York remains the greatest city in the world. One of the largest out-of-home media (OOH) companies in the U.S., OUTFRONT Media's role in the "We ? NYC" campaign is to engage commuters utilizing digital signage throughout the NYC transit system (subway, bus, street furniture, billboards) which reaches millions of people daily (approximately 5 million trips daily across subways, buses and commuter rail). The messaging is focused around ways New Yorkers can help improve the city, prioritize public safety, support small businesses, and care for parks and litter cleanups. In addition to transit media, OUTFRONT supported the press conference with OUTFRONT PRIME inventory in Times Square creating the backdrop of the event. This media will run for the duration of the campaign along with billboards across the greater NYC area, plus expected amplification through social channels. "OUTFRONT is extremely proud to support the Partnership for New York City to share 'We ? NYC,'" said Phil Stimpson, East Region EVP at OUTFRONT Media. "As the lifeblood of NYC, the subway and overall public transit system are vital to everyday New Yorkers, its businesses, and the growth of our economy." As part of its effort to empower residents to drive change in their own communities, the "We ? NYC" campaign will also involve several partnerships with public agencies and nonprofits across the city aimed at achieving a safer, more livable and more business-friendly city. OUTFRONT has a long history of supporting NYC and related initiatives including its work on behalf of The Times Square Alliance and Inside Broadway. The "We ? NYC" campaign was unveiled this morning during a news conference produced by the Broadway League. The visual inspiration behind the campaign "We ? NYC" is an approved adaptation of the famous Milton Glaser-designed "I ? New York" owned by New York State's Department of Economic Development. About OUTFRONT Media Inc. OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location, and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go. OUTFRONT Media Contacts: Don Ciaramella / Matt Biscuiti Courtney Richards The Lippin Group OUTFRONT Media +1.212.986.7080 (646) 876-9404 [email protected] [email protected] Stephan Bisson OUTFRONT Media, Investor Relations 212-297-6573 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/outfront-media-joins-business-civic-and-labor-communities-to-launch-we--nyc-campaign-301776686.html SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. On March 20, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. The meeting started with a private conversation, then continued with the participation of the delegations in an expanded format. As ARMENPRESS was informed from MFA Armenia, the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Russia discussed a wide range of issues on the agenda of the Armenian-Russian allied relations and political dialogue. Reference was made to issues of cooperation within international organizations. Issues of regional stability and security were also discussed in detail. Minister Mirzoyan emphasized that Azerbaijan's aggressive policy towards Nagorno-Karabakh and the sovereign territory of Armenia and the rhetoric at the highest level are aimed at aggravating the situation in the region and preparing the ground for new aggression. The imperative of condemning these practices, excluding the use of force and the threat of force, and fulfilling all obligations assumed by the tripartite declarations were emphasized in this context. The sides emphasized the need to restore the Lachin Corridor regime in accordance with the provisions of the November 9, 2020 declaration. The Armenian FM emphasized the need for the effective actions of the Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno Karabakh in preventing provocations from the Azerbaijani side, maintaining the ceasefire regime in the area of responsibility of the peacekeepers, and ensuring security in Nagorno Karabakh. Ararat Mirzoyan highlighted the need to launch the relevant international instruments and send an international fact-finding mission to Nagorno Karabakh aimed at preventing Azerbaijan's policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno Karabakh. A reference was made to the latest developments in the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Based on the results of the meeting, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a joint press conference. Mainstream GOP elected leaders tell us . . . No. However . . . Let's not forget that Kansas City once played host to the biggest Prez Trump Rally in all of the Midwest with thousands of cars parading through town. And even airplanes showing their support overhead. Still . . . Here's the bipartisan effort to encourage calm . . . "I dont think people should protest this, no, McCarthy told reporters during the first night of the House GOPs three-day annual issues retreat. We want calmness out there. "The ex-president on Truth Social called for his followers to Protest, take our nation back, when attacking the investigation and its chief investigator Saturday. But the top House Republican sought to smooth over Trumps wording, in a throwback to a frequent GOP tactic during his four years in the White House, suggesting he likely meant to educate people about the actions . . ." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . McCarthy pushes back against Trump's calls for protests: 'We want calmness out there' The ex-president on Truth Social called for his followers to "Protest, take our nation back," when attacking the investigation and its chief investigator Saturday. But the top House Republican sought to smooth over Trump's wording, in a throwback to a frequent GOP tactic during his four years in the White House, suggesting he likely meant to "educate" people about the actions by Bragg. Trump predicts arrest, pushes provocative line on 'protests' As last week came to a close, the speculation about the Manhattan district attorney's office charging Donald Trump reached a new level. NBC News reported that local, state, and federal law enforcement, in addition to the Secret Service, had begun preparing for the possibility of the former president's indictment. Elizabeth Warren, Marjorie Taylor Green agree people shouldn't protest alleged Trump arrest Democrat Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said there's "no reason to protest" following former President Donald Trump's claim he will likely be arrested this week for alleged hush money payments, appearing to echo Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's similar comment to not protest. Developing . . . This is one of the toughest arguments confronting progressives. Believe it or not, support for gender transitions isn't really a priority for Democratic Party loyalists. In fact, we're guessing that even the most liberal activists would second guess permanent medical procedures conducted on youngsters already in some kind of mental health crisis. Hardline conservatives are pushing the issue of medical protections given a growing number of horrific stories that should give reasonable people a moment of pause. Still, there's no denying that this is a culture war wedge issue and many right-wingers are pressing their position to the point of clashing with their own party. Here are the basics . . . "A group of eight Republican senators are vowing to use whatever tools and procedures necessary under the Missouri Senate rules to force a vote on legislation banning certain medical procedures such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender Missourians under the age of 18." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . With so much focus on climate change and the need to take care of our planet now before its too late, the employment landscape is changing. Today and into the future, green is the colour of choice whether that be the type of energy we generate, the kind of home we live in or the foods we eat. Andrew Palamarchuk is a reporter with Metroland Media Toronto and toronto.com. He has been covering the crime beat since 2002 and has a passion for giving a voice to those affected by tragedy and looking at societal issues that may have contributed to it. Explainer: What is a raccoon dog, and why missing Chinese samples have sparked frustration among those studying the coronaviruss origins As international researchers have tried to solve the origin of the coronavirus pandemic, vital clues from the Wuhan market have been withheld. Thousands of Ontario drivers illegally use licence plate covers to foil red light cameras so why are stores allowed to sell them? Anything on a plate, any plate cover, is illegal, police say, as number of obscured plates caught by red light and speeding cameras soars. But you can still buy tinted covers at Canadian Tire and on Amazon Russian-Chinese relations went through tough periods throughout their history, but they had eventually proved to be strong, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said in an interview with Russias Rossiyskaya gazeta daily. March 20, 2023, 09:52 Russian-Chinese relations remain strong as tested by time, says Xi Jinping STEPANAKERT, MARCH 20 , ARTSAKHPRESS: "At the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, I will soon pay a state visit to the Russian Federation. Russia was the first country I visited after I was elected President 10 years ago," Xi Jinping said in the article published ahead of his visit to Russia. "Over the past decade, I have made eight visits to Russia," he continued. "I came each time with high expectations and returned with fruitful results, opening a new chapter for China-Russia relations together with President Putin." "Looking back on the extraordinary journey of China-Russia relations over the past 70 years and more, we feel strongly that our relationship has not reached easily where it is today, and that our friendship is growing steadily and must be cherished by us all," Xi Jinping said in the article published ahead of his visit to Russia. "China and Russia have found a right path of state-to-state interactions," Xi stated. "This is essential for the relationship to stand the test of changing international circumstances, a lesson borne out by both history and reality." "My upcoming visit to Russia will be a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace. I look forward to working with President Putin to jointly adopt a new vision, a new blueprint and new measures for the growth of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the years to come," the Chinese president said. "To this end, our two sides need to enhance coordination and planning. As we focus on our respective cause of development and rejuvenation, we should get creative in our thinking, create new opportunities and inject new impetus. It is important that we increase mutual trust and bring out the potential of bilateral cooperation to keep China-Russia relations at a high level," Xi added. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold negotiations in Moscow on March 21. Earlier, Moscow and Beijing announced that Xi Jinping would make an official visit to Russia on March 20-22. According to previous reports from the Kremlin, negotiations would feature discussions of "current issues of further development of relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China." The sides also planned to exchange opinions within the context of deepening Russian-Chinese cooperation on the international arena. They are also expected to sign a number of important bilateral documents. Armenia denied on Monday Azerbaijans latest accusations on opening gunfire on the border. March 20, 2023, 10:53 MOD: Armenia army did not fire at Azerbaijani positions STEPANAKERT, MARCH 20 , ARTSAKHPRESS: In a statement, the Ministry of Defense of Armenia said that the Azerbaijani State Border Services accusations are false. The statement released by the Azerbaijani State Border Service claiming that units of the Armed Forces of Armenia opened fire around 02:30, March 20 in the direction of Azerbaijani outposts deployed in the south-eastern section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani borderline is untrue, the statement said. EU ministers have agreed a plan to jointly procure one million shells for Ukraine, according to Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas. I proposed EU member states jointly procure 1 million shells for Ukraine. Glad that EU foreign and defence ministers approved the initiative today, Kallas wrote on Twitter. According to her, this helps to ramp up European defence industry and boost security. Germany's defense minister said they would sign the deal today. According to Sky News, the shells are expected to reach the frontlines within the next year. Earlier, EU High Representative Josep Borrell stated before the meeting of EU ministers that the European Union countries know what kind of ammunition Ukraine needs to defend against Russian aggression, and are considering ways to provide ammunition to Ukraine, the quicker and in the greater quantity possible, at the cheapest price. Photo: The Washington Post U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has announced the allocation of an additional military assistance package for Ukraine, including more ammunition for HIMARS and howitzers, HARM missiles and other equipment. The relevant statement was made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Today, pursuant to a delegation of authority from President Biden, I am authorizing our 34th drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine valued at $350 million, the statement reads. The new military assistance package includes more ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS and howitzers, as well as ammunition for Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, HARM missiles, anti-tank weapons, riverine boats, and other equipment. Blinken emphasized that Russia alone could have ended its war today. Until Russia does we will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes, Blinken concluded. Eight Leopard 2 tanks, which Norway pledged to send to Ukraine, have already arrived in the country. According to Ukrinform, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced this in a post on Facebook. "Now eight tanks are in Ukraine. The training of personnel is also underway in Poland under the auspices of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM for Ukraine). In addition to the eight tanks and support vehicles that have been donated, Norway provides earmarked funds for ammunition and spare parts," the statement said. According to the General Staff, Norway also participates in the training of Ukrainian military personnel and in other types of training. In particular, it is providing instructors for a multinational contribution to teach explosive disposal to Ukrainian soldiers. Ukrainian drivers, medical personnel, and shooting specialists are also being trained in Norway. These exercises will be held in several rounds throughout 2023. In addition, the country contributes to the training of the Ukrainian military in the United Kingdom. The German government has started delivering Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said. This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to CNN. As noted, combat vehicles are already on their way. In January 2023, Germany announced that it would provide Ukraine with 40 units of this equipment. It was also reported at the time that Ukrainian military personnel had arrived in the country. They should learn to operate these combat vehicles. Photo: Rheinmetall Petro Kotin, President of Energoatom nuclear operator, and Tim Hitzel, President and Executive Director of Canadas CAMECO, signed on behalf of the two companies the agreements on the use of Ukrainian uranium in the production of nuclear fuel for all Ukrainian nuclear power plants. The signing ceremony, which took place in London, was attended by Minister of Energy German Galushchenko of Ukraine (via conference), High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Ralph Goodale of Canada, and Ambassador to Great Britain Vadym Prystaiko. According to the agreements, in 2024-2035, Energoatom will be fully supplied with natural uranium hexafluoride, which will be supplied for the enrichment and further use in the production of nuclear fuel. It is also planned to sell uranium, mined in Ukraine, to Canada. This is not the first successful cooperation effort by the two companies. In 2019 and 2021, CAMECO supplied uranium oxide concentrate for the production of nuclear fuel for the needs of Ukrainian nuclear power plants. "We already have a good experience of cooperation with Canadian partners and today we are deepening this cooperation. Making such strategic agreements is a matter of Ukraine's national security," German Galushchenko emphasized. The minister recalled that Ukraine was one of the first countries to stop cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear energy, in particular regarding the supply of nuclear fuel. Ukraine continues to insist that sanctions be imposed on the Russian nuclear industry. By committing acts of nuclear terrorism, the Russian Federation has violated all principles of nuclear and radiation safety and is exposing the entire world to a nuclear threat. "We have been living in conditions of daily attacks on the energy sector since October 10. But thanks to the stable operation of nuclear generation, we survived this winter, and for the second month now we have had no shortage of generating capacity. The nuclear industry is of strategic importance for Ukraine, and we are ready to develop and support our cooperation with Canada in this area," German Galushchenko emphasized. Moldova to sanction 25 individuals complicit in Russian invasion of Ukraine - MFA The Moldova authorities will introduce restrictive measures against about 25 persons, including citizens of the Russian Federation, involved in the invasion of Ukraine. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu, who spoke in an interview with Europa Libera, Ukrinform reports. "It is mainly about the ban on entry to Moldova, the blocking of bank accounts or assets of those who are involved in aggression against Ukraine," he said. According to the minister, the decision has already been made, but it will take time to complete "all legal steps." At the same time, he stopped short of naming the individuals who would be banned from crossing in but noted that the stop list would contain "nearly 25 people" and that "about half of them" are Russian citizens. As Ukrinform reported earlier, the international working group on Russia sanctions, led by the head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office Andriy Yermak and Director of the Freeman-Spogli Institute of International Studies (FSI), Ambassador Michael McFaul, together with experts from the Kyiv School of Economics, published a study into the impact of sanctions on Russias economy. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that his March 20 meeting with Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan was very comprehensive. March 20, 2023, 16:45 Lavrov describes talks with Armenian counterpart as very comprehensive STEPANAKERT, MARCH 20 , ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: He said the entire scope of bilateral relations in all areas was covered during the talks. We discussed the regional and international issues and outlined the directions for further development of strategic partnership, Lavrov said at a joint press conference with Mirzoyan in Moscow. We paid special attention to economic partnership, exchange of business missions and other projects. FM Lavrov said that the issues of implementing the North-South transport corridor with Armenias participation were also discussed, among other issues. The Russian FM attached importance to close political contacts, noting that the contacts will be continuous. Throughout its existence, Russia has repeatedly committed acts of aggression against neighboring states and systematically supported separatism in the former Soviet republics. Pseudo-referenda have become one of the tools for weakening central governments. The technologies used in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol in March 2014 had already been tested earlier. In the early 1990s, similar votes took place, for example, in Transnistria, South Ossetia, and the Narva region of Estonia. This was not the first time for Crimea. Back then, Ukraine and Estonia managed to keep the regions in which the Kremlin desired to protect the Russian speakers in their constitutional field. And Moldova and Georgia were left with separatist enclaves, not controlled by the government, under de facto Russian occupation. March 16 marks exactly nine years since the Crimean fake referendum. It was as illegal as the previous ones, but it had a key difference. Despite the fact that the vote of the 1990s raised the issue of not only autonomy or sovereignty, but also independence and even reunification with Russia of certain regions of these states, back then, the Kremlin did not dare to openly annex. The Crimean case became the first attempt in Europe in the 21st century to legalize the seizure of foreign territories under the guise of expressing the will of the local population. There is a certain irony in the fact that the state which crushed the signs of democracy at home, where elections had not changed anything for a long time, and the dictatorial regime had not changed for almost a decade and a half (as of 2014), seemed to get interested in the opinion of the Ukrainians. In 1938, a similar trick was performed by the Nazis during the Anschluss of Austria. This trick, obviously, inspired Putin and his accomplices to new achievements, the culmination of which was a full-scale invasion in 2022 and another attempt to annex Ukrainian territories. Voting at gunpoint The vote, which took place on March 16, 2014, was part of a special operation to occupy the peninsula. At that time, the Supreme Soviet of the ARC was controlled by the Russian military. They also organized a vote of MPs for the referendum and the appointment of the leader of the marginal party Russian Unity Sergey Aksyonov as the head of government. The Ukrainian military was blocked in military units. Activists for the unity of Ukraine were beaten, kidnapped, and tortured. Crimean law enforcement officers and officials massively took the side of the Russians. The latter, in turn, were clearly in a hurry with the referendum. Its date was rescheduled twice. Initially, they prepared the residents of the peninsula to vote for the fact that the ARC has state independence and is part of Ukraine on the basis of treaties and agreements (it was necessary to choose the options In favor or Against). The new wording of the questions was published only on March 610 days before the vote. Source: Radio Liberty Neither of the two questions to choose from provided for the preservation of the status quo: either undisguised separatism or the return of the separatist constitution of 1992, which established confederal relations between Kyiv and Simferopol. On March 16, the course of the pseudo-referendum was observed only by unauthorized pro-Russian foreign freaks. None of the respected international organizations sanctified this lawlessness with the participation of its observers. But even without them, it was possible to observe the non-compliance with elementary standards. All those who wanted to vote did vote (even non-citizens of Ukraine) as many times as they liked. For themselves and for a friend. Under such conditions, there could be no question of recording the voter turnout. The predicted positive result of the expression of the will was overwhelmingly high: 96% for the reunification of Crimea with Russia. Obviously, there was no counting. Further events unfolded lightning-fast: already on March 17, Russia recognized the independence of Crimea and Sevastopol, and the next day, a theatrical action took place in the Kremlin with the signing of agreements on the inclusion of these Ukrainian regions in Russia, which were worthless from the perspective of international law. The next step of the hybrid aggression against Ukraine was even more primitive pseudo-referenda in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts on May 11. Emissaries of pro-Russian rebels drove around local communities with boxes and ballots. Back then, there was no clear front line in Donbas. Somewhere, the referendum organizers were allowed, somewhere they were kicked out; they did not reach a big number of settlements in the region at all. The propagandists assured residents that the proclamation of independence of the LPR and DPR will automatically lead to the cessation of hostilities and the return of peace to Donbas. Back then, in Donetsk Oblast, the organizers of the referendum reported 89%, and in Luhansk Oblast 96% of the support for young republics. The Kremlin did not dare to annex the occupied areas of Donbas, despite the hope of the pro-Russian part of the local population. The region became a tool for destabilization of Ukraine, and its inhabitants a resource for propaganda and reckless military plans of the Putin regime. Moscow prepared a similar role for the Crimeans. Once again, it makes no sense to analyze violations of international law, national legislation, the principles of expression of will, and elementary arithmetic. Even then, it was obvious that the Kremlin was simply creating the necessary picture. It was supposed to prove to the world that Ukraine was a failed state, unable to ensure sovereignty on its own territories. But in 2014-2015, Ukraine withstood the blow, held parliamentary, presidential, and local elections, liberated a significant part of the occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and forced Russia to de-escalate the conflict. And in 2022, not waiting for the fulfillment of the SMO goals or reaching the administrative borders of the occupied oblasts, the Kremlin decided to hastily legalize the loot and demonstrate some great victory to the Russians after the shameful escape from Kharkiv Oblast. Pseudo-referenda in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts were held on September 23-27. The idea of holding a fateful vote in the midst of a full-scale war, when a significant part of locals fled from populated areas or got killed, seemed crazy to everyone, except for Putins clique. The announced results sometimes outdid those of 2014: more than 99% in the DPR, more than 98% in the LPR, Zaporizhzhia Oblast 93%, and Kherson Oblast humble 87%. The occupiers created the visibility of high turnout in various ways: by deploying polling stations on the streets and near the entrances of houses and going to each flat. In all cases, an additional argument to take part in the illegal voting was the presence of a number of armed Russian servicemen. Photos and videos taken then in the occupied cities became a vivid visualization of the very voting at gunpoint. A significant role in the creation of the picture was given to polling stations in Russia and in occupied Crimea, allegedly open to Ukrainian refugees. Despite the fantastic results, the Russians did not dare to outperform their Nazi predecessors, neither in 2014 nor in 2022. As it turned out later, people in the occupied Melitopol and Horlivka voted for themselves and for residents, for example, of Zaporizhzhia and Kramatorsk, which the Russian invaders did not reach and, accordingly, no fake referenda were held there. Because Putins annexation, as was announced, concerns the regions within their administrative borders. Russian myths about the Crimean pseudo-referendum An important element of the information component of the special operation to occupy the Ukrainian peninsula was the public promotion of a number of myths that were supposed to justify the Russian crime, whitewash the reputation of the Kremlin, and discredit Ukraine. The Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security reminds of the most common of them: Ukraine discriminated against the Russian-speaking population of Crimea and restricted the use of the Russian language. In fact, the Russian-speaking population had the most opportunities to meet their own cultural needs, compared to other groups of the population of Crimea. The Russian language dominated all spheres of public life on the peninsula: it was the working language of the Supreme Soviet of the ARC and other local authorities. Almost 90% of Crimean schoolchildren were educated in Russian (7% in Ukrainian and 3% in Crimean Tatar, respectively). Almost the entire system of higher education and preschool education in Crimea was also Russian-speaking. The vast majority of local media produced content in Russian. However, the Russian occupation regime has been severely discriminating against Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars for nine years. The referendum allowed the Crimeans to exercise their right to self-determination. In fact, the right to self-determination was exercised by the inhabitants of Crimea at the all-Ukrainian referendum of 1991, supporting the independence of Ukraine. After the green men seized the Verkhovna Rada of the ARC, there were no legitimate authorities on the peninsula that could announce and organize any voting. In addition, there was no legislative basis in Ukraine for holding local referenda, and, according to the Constitution, territorial issues should be resolved exclusively on an all-Ukrainian referendum. Russia annexed Crimea bloodlessly, without a single shot. In fact, the Russians repeatedly used weapons and violence against Ukrainian citizens during the occupation. On March 18, the occupiers shot warrant officer Serhii Kokurin, and on April 19 major Stanislav Karachevskyi. The first confirmed civilian casualty of the occupiers was Reshat Ametov, who was kidnapped by the militants from the self-defense of Crimea in the center of Simferopol on March 3. After 12 days, his body was found with traces of torture. Kidnappings and repressions against Crimean Tatars and citizens loyal to Ukraine became commonplace on the occupied peninsula. Russia protected Crimea from the fate of Donbas, ensuring peace on the peninsula. In fact, the war in Donbas was a direct consequence of the occupation of the peninsula. Pro-Russian residents of the east of Ukraine were tempted by the promises of quick integration into Russia according to the Crimean scenario and allowed themselves to be dragged into another military reckless plan of the Kremlin. Crimea, like Donbas, was not threatened by anything within Ukraine, just like in all the previous years before the Russian invasion. The Crimeans did not resist the Russian occupation and massively supported the annexation. In fact, Ukrainian citizens held street rallies and supported the military in blocked units. The most massive was the rally organized by the Mejlis on February 26 near the building of the Verkhovna Rada of the ARC. It was then that an attempt to declare the independence of Crimea within the walls of the parliament was disrupted. The pseudo-referendum was held in conditions of armed aggression and occupation, so in no case can one trust its results. What did the Crimean and other pseudo-referenda lead to? Just as the Anschluss of Austria became a prologue to World War II, the attempted annexation of Crimea was the first page of the Russian-Ukrainian war that began in 2014. Having questioned the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, the Kremlin defiantly began to destroy the international security system that had been formed after World War II. An attempt to forcefully redivide the borders led to the bloodiest war in Europe since Hitler and Stalin, the destruction of cities, the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, millions were forced to leave their homes. Taking credit for the protection of Crimeans from the ghostly war in 2014, eight years later, Putin brought them a real war. Today, Crimeans are dying in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine. The board of the scuttled cruiser Moskva included conscripted sailors from Crimea. Residents of the peninsula are illegally mobilized into the Russian army and used as cannon fodder, same as residents of other occupied oblasts of Ukraine. Similarly, the Austrians were forced to fight with the enemies of the Reich in the ranks of the Wehrmacht. As of the beginning of March 2023, volunteers of the Information Resistance identified 263 dead Crimeans. The full loss figures are much higher. Source: Information Resistance The liberation of Kherson in November 2022, which Russia had already declared its own a month before, actualized the issue of restoring Ukrainian sovereignty over Crimea, which had previously been de facto out of the question. Pseudo-referenda, which Russia used as a weapon, turned it into a state whose borders were no longer clear and internationally recognized. The restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine will call into question the territorial integrity of Russia. This is the main result of the reckless plan of the Putin regime in Ukraine. Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security President Xi Jinping is scheduled to kick off a three-day visit to Russia on Monday that is expected to guide the high-level China-Russia relationship further forward and inject more stability into the complicated international situation. It is the second time that Xi has chosen Russia as the destination of his first overseas trip after being elected Chinese president, following his visit to the country in 2013. "This fully demonstrates the profound personal friendship between Xi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as well as the high attention he attaches to bilateral ties in the new era," Zhang Hanhui, the Chinese ambassador to Russia, said in a recent joint interview with Chinese media. During Xi's stay in Russia, he will meet with Putin and have discussions on China-Russia practical cooperation as well as international and regional issues of common concern. The past decade has witnessed bilateral meetings between the two heads of state on 40 occasions, with strategic consensuses reached in areas including upgrading bilateral ties, safeguarding regional security and stability and building a community with a shared future for mankind. During Xi's last visit to Russia in 2019, the two countries decided to elevate the China-Russia relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination in the New Era. "The two heads of state have maintained close contacts and exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and major international issues, which serve as the compass and anchor in developing China-Russia relations," ambassador Zhang said, calling the trip a milestone for bilateral ties in the new era. Vasily Kashin, director at the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow, said the head-of-state diplomacy provides guidance for the two countries' governments at all levels to overcome difficulties and push forward cooperation in all fields. He noted that bilateral trade has witnessed growth despite the global economic recession in recent years, and Chinese companies have become a dominant player in some sectors of the Russian market. "Take the automobile industry, for instance. Chinese car manufacturers are occupying more market share than ever. You see more Chinese-brand cars driving in the streets of Moscow, such as Haval, Cherry, Dongfeng and others," Kashin said. He said bilateral cooperation is expected to become closer after the Chinese government optimized its COVID-19 response measures and lifted some restrictions on cargo transportation. Since then, many Russian companies have explored business opportunities and looked to opening branches in China. Ivan Melnikov, first vice-chairman of Russia's State Duma, the country's Lower House, said that the head-of-state diplomacy is a new type of relationship, with both countries entering a new era and having an impact on the future of the world. "Under the guidance of the two leaders, Sino-Russian relations have risen to the highest level in the history of their development," said Melnikov, who is also the chairman of the Russia-China Friendship Association. The association celebrated the 65th anniversary of its founding last year and received congratulatory letters from both Xi and Putin. At present, the two governments are working on various projects including co-building an international space station on the moon and investing in nuclear power stations. Over 79 projects worth $161 billion are being discussed on both sides, according to Melnikov. Xi's visit will definitely boost economic links between the countries and bring more practical projects, Melnikov said. China and Russia have set an example of international relations that feature mutual strategic trust and neighborly friendship between major countries. Such a relationship does not target any third party, and neither will it be disturbed or threatened by any third party, experts said. "The more turbulent the world is, the more important it is for China-Russia relations to move forward steadily," said Zhang, the Chinese ambassador. No matter how the international situation changes, China-Russia ties will continue to move forward at a higher level under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, he said. Yury Tavrovsky, chairman of the Russian-Chinese Committee for Friendship, Peace and Development's Experts Commission, said Xi's visit is of paramount importance now that the West is waging a full-blown "Cold War" on a Western front while gearing up to spark another one in the East. Noting that both Russia and China are major countries with global influence, Tavrovsky said the strengthening of strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two neighbors will not only be significant to the development of bilateral ties, but will also enhance global and regional peace and stability. Li Yonghui, a researcher of Russian studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China and Russia have worked closely on the global stage to firmly oppose all kinds of hegemonism and power politics, Cold War mentality and bloc confrontations and suppression, while resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. "For China and Russia, to uphold true multilateralism means to promote greater democracy in international relations and push for fairer and more reasonable global governance in order to jointly address global challenges," Li said. The two countries have done this within the framework of international organizations such as the World Trade Organization, G20, BRICS nations, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and others, she added. 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." Photographer John Francis McCarthy has demonstrated his love for central New York in his pictures and his books, from the first, The Finger Lakes, to his most recent, The Finger Lakes: Glimpses of Paradise, which has sold out its first print run. His Irish heritage is also well-represented in his photography, ranging from his childhood in the Tipperary Hill neighborhood of Syracuse to his many journeys to Ireland. His work is influenced by the writings of Irish playwright Sean OCasey and his emphasis on color and form, which are the essence of photography. After graduating from Portland State College in Oregon with a degree in literature, he published a weekly newspaper called The Oregon Advocate, where he honed his skills as a writer and editor and started his lifelong passion for photography. When McCarthy and his friend Carl were on a road trip to Santa Fe, California, their car broke down in Shelbourne, Missouri. While they were stranded there for 10 days until the car was repaired, they became friends with an older couple who lived next door to where they were staying. When the couple learned the two men were on their way to Santa Fe, they contacted their son who owned the lumberyard there. He agreed to give the two men employment when they arrived. In 1972, McCarthy moved to Skaneateles. Ten years later he was approached by the managing editor of Oxford University Press of Toronto to produce what became his first book on the Finger Lakes, part of a series Oxford was publishing on scenic areas in North America. While attending a birthday party, McCarthy learned a storefront at 9 Jordan St. in the village of Skaneateles was available for rent. He was interested and contacted Peter Wyles, the owner, who told him the space had already been rented. However, two days later Wyles called him back and said the space was too small for the previous person, so it was available again. That space is still the home of Finger Lakes Photography more than 40 years later. In 1990, McCarthy hired pilot, Bob Sciana, to fly him over Skaneateles because he wanted a shot he could link to a local business. While in the air McCarthy noticed the afternoon sun reflecting off five of the Finger Lakes at once. After taking more than a dozen pictures with two different cameras, a 35 millimeter and a twin-lens medium format Rollei, he captured what has become one of his most well-known photographs, Five Lakes Sunset. For more information about John McCarthy, his books, his photographs, and Fingerlakes Photography, visit fingerlakesphotography.com. You can email him info@fingerlakesphotography.com, call (315) 685-9099, or stop into the store at 9 Jordan St. Upcoming events Please join us for a collaborative poetry event with Clare Songbirds Publishing House and Artistic Impressions from 4 to 7 p.m. April 7 in conjunction with Auburn First Friday. Poets are invited to bring their work for live readings to share with the public. Additionally, there will be a variety of make-and-take events for attendees (sponsored by Willard Chapel), raffle baskets and music. Sacred cacao, cotton candy and other refreshments will be provided by Artistic Impressions, Clare Songbirds and FLAC. Local author Laura Ponticello will be in attendance with her new book, The Book of Joy: Overcoming Lifes Obstacles, which will be available for purchase. And thanks to the success of the Founding Sisters Summer Art Festival last year, FLAC will host the event again this year. It will take place on Auburns Founders Day, Saturday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., because the Founding Sisters are an integral part of Auburns history. There will be food trucks, food vendors, music, raffles and artistic vendors, as well as our wooden likenesses of people with local historical connections. More information will be on our Facebook page soon, as well as how to apply to be a vendor for this great event. As this piece is written, a winter storm warning is in effect for many counties served by the American Red Cross of Western New York, including Cayuga County and the city of Auburn. In fact, as Winter Storm Sage, described as a powerful Noreaster, sweeps upward into New York state, the Auburn area is projected to receive between 12 and 18 inches of snow. Its impossible to know if, by the time this is published, the storm meets the expectations of meteorologists, but its much easier to illustrate exactly how the Red Cross anticipates needs and is prepared to respond and assist a community when storms like Sage or other disasters strike. After tracking the storm since it was highlighted by the National Weather Service on March 11, the Red Cross of Western New York Disaster Response Team began a regular cadence of twice-daily meetings on the morning of March 14. With only a trace of snow on the ground at that point, Red Cross volunteers had already been deep into planning for any necessary responses within our 27-county footprint. This included: Putting together teams for possible sheltering needs and working with municipalities to identify possible locations. Preparing for the possibility of feeding large numbers of shelter residents. Placing our emergency response vehicles on standby for possible feeding needs. Discussing logistical needs and the placement of supply trailers in areas expected to be hard-hit. Assessing any possible threats, hazards or other factors impacting our service delivery, such as road closures and travel restrictions. This type of preparation is a hallmark of the Red Cross and occurs in the face of every disaster situation. It demonstrates the Red Cross focus on preparedness and its commitment to being available to communities in times of greatest need. Volunteers and staff dont always know if they will eventually be called upon, but they ensure they are ready and capable if that time arises. In much the same way, a community of donors and volunteers is an important part of the behind-the-scenes activity that ensures that the local Red Cross is ready and capable to respond when needed. The work of the Red Cross as it strives to meet its calling to alleviate suffering is made possible only through the generous support of donors. As we reach the end of the celebration of Red Cross Month, there is a fun and exciting way to support your Red Cross. Its called the March Mission Madness Regional Online Auction, and it features exciting items on which participants can bid. These include a Keuka Lake cruise, MacKenzie-Childs merchandise, a weekend getaway to Cooperstown and Buffalo Sabres tickets and memorabilia, including an autographed stick from star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. To view a comprehensive list of items available and to participate in the bidding, just visit wnyauction.givesmart.com. If you are not the auction type, but still want to support the work of the Red Cross, you can also make a donation through the auction website. Next up on the Red Cross agenda is the annual Sound the Alarm program, in which free smoke alarms are installed in homes that lack working devices. While our Home Fire Campaign, which has been attributed to 43 lives saved in our region, runs throughout the year, the Sound the Alarm component is highlighted in late April through early May. To find out more about that program, just visit redcross.org/local/new-york/western-new-york/about-us/news-and-events/events/sound-the-alarm-western-new-york.html. (@FahadShabbir) UBS is set to take over its troubled Swiss rival Credit Suisse for $3.25 billion following weekend crunch talks aimed at stopping the stricken bank from triggering a wider international banking crisis Bern, Switzerland, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Mar, 2023 ):UBS is set to take over its troubled Swiss rival Credit Suisse for $3.25 billion following weekend crunch talks aimed at stopping the stricken bank from triggering a wider international banking crisis. The deal, in which Switzerland's biggest bank will take over the second largest, was vital to prevent economic turmoil from spreading throughout the country and beyond, the Swiss government said. The move was welcomed in Washington, Frankfurt and London as one that would support financial stability, after a week of turbulence following the collapse of two US banks. After a dramatic day of talks at the finance ministry in Bern -- and with the clock ticking towards the markets reopening on Monday -- the takeover was announced at a press conference. Swiss President Alain Berset was flanked by UBS chairman Colm Kelleher and his Credit Suisse counterpart Axel Lehmann, along with the Swiss finance minister and the heads of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) central bank and the financial regulator FINMA. The wealthy Alpine nation is famed for its banking prominence and Berset said the takeover was the "best solution for restoring the confidence that has been lacking in the financial markets recently". If Credit Suisse went into freefall, it would have had "incalculable consequences for the country and for international financial stability", he said. Credit Suisse said in a statement that UBS would take it over for "a merger consideration of three billion Swiss francs ($3.25 billion)". After suffering heavy falls on the stock market last week, Credit Suisse's share price closed Friday at 1.86 Swiss francs, with the bank worth just over $8.7 billion. UBS said Credit Suisse shareholders would get 0.76 Swiss francs per share. "Given recent extraordinary and unprecedented circumstances, the announced merger represents the best available outcome," Lehmann said. By Monday's opening, most Asian equity markets fell in early trade, with Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul and Singapore all in the red. Hong Kong's monetary authority sought to calm jitters Monday morning, saying that "exposures of the local banking sector to Credit Suisse are insignificant", as the bank's assets make up "less than 0. 5 percent" of the city's banking sector. Following Sunday's crunch talks and announcement, Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said that bankruptcy for Credit Suisse could have caused "irreparable economic turmoil" and "huge collateral damage" for the Swiss financial market. With the "risk of contagion" for other banks, including UBS itself, the takeover has "laid the foundation for greater stability both in Switzerland and internationally", she said. The deal was warmly received internationally. European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde welcomed the "swift action". The decisions taken in Bern "are instrumental for restoring orderly market conditions and ensuring financial stability," she said. "The euro area banking sector is resilient, with strong capital and liquidity positions." US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a joint statement: "We welcome the announcements by the Swiss authorities today to support financial stability." The sentiment was echoed by British Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt. Keller-Sutter said her US and British colleagues "really feared that there could be a bankruptcy of Credit Suisse, with all the losses". The Fed and the central banks of Canada, Britain, Japan, the EU and Switzerland announced they would launch a coordinated effort on Monday to improve banks' access to liquidity, hoping to calm worries rattling the global banking sector. The SNB announced that 100 billion Swiss francs of liquidity would be available for the UBS-Credit Suisse takeover. Keller-Sutter insisted the deal was "a commercial solution and not a bailout". The takeover creates a banking giant such as Switzerland has never seen before -- and raises concerns about possible layoffs. UBS chairman Kelleher said: "We are committed to making this deal a great success. "UBS will remain rock solid," he insisted. (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 20th Mar, 2023) HANOI, 20th March, 2023 (WAM) Vietnam is attracting more Japanese investments to digital transformation and green growth, as recommended in the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative (VJI), the state news agency (VNA) reported. Phase VIII of the initiative, launched in 2003, concluded in March 2023, under which 497 out of the 597 items were completed. To promote its role, the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment proposed building a cooperation programme between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the two countries, focusing on digital transformation, support industry and personnel training. Japanese SMEs have capacity, experience and high-tech, and Vietnamese firms have abundant human resources, which is reciprocal during their development cooperation. According to a survey conducted by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in 2022, 60% of Japanese firms said they plan to expand operations in Vietnam, the highest in Southeast Asia. With the aim of joining the group of upper-middle-income countries by 2030, Vietnam has paid attention to scientific-technological application, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, green economy, digital economy, circular economy and knowledge-based economy. The country, therefore, is encouraging Japanese enterprises to step up investment in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, high-tech agriculture, IT, smart urban development, financial services, banking and innovation. The Vietnamese Government has committed to supporting businesses, contributing to advancing the Vietnam-Japan relationship to a new height. Currently, Japan is running more than 5,000 valid projects in Vietnam with a total investment capital of over US$69 billion, ranking third among the 141 countries and territories investing in the Southeast Asian nation. PHNOM PENH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Mar, 2023 ) :A rare Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin has been found dead after being entangled in fishermen's illegal gillnets in northeast Cambodia, the Fisheries Administration said in a statement. The 2.38-meter-long male dolphin, 160 kg in weight and aged about 20, was spotted dead on Sunday morning in the Mekong River in the Stung Treng province, said the statement. "The joint research team of Fisheries Administration and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) primarily assessed that the cause of the death was gillnets since there were tears on its stomach, and gillnet marks on its tail base and pelvic fins," the statement said. It was the first dolphin found dead in 2023, it added. WWF-Cambodia country director Seng Teak said this tragic incident occurred amid the implementation of stricter protection measures in line with a government sub-decree announced in February on the Mekong dolphin management zones. Moscow, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Mar, 2023 ) :Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping were to discuss Beijing's propositions to stop the fighting in Ukraine, as the Chinese leader arrived Monday for a landmark visit with his counterpart in Moscow. Beijing state media reported Xi arrived Monday in Moscow by plane for the summit, which is due to include a discussion of China's 12-point position paper calling for dialogue and respect for all countries' territorial sovereignty. "One way or another, issues raised in (Beijing's) plan for Ukraine will be touched upon during the negotiations. Comprehensive explanations will be given by President Putin" of the Russian position, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Putin has welcomed Beijing's statements on Ukraine as being indicative of a willingness to play a "constructive role" in ending the conflict while saying Chinese-Russian relations were at the highest point. Kyiv on Monday reiterated calls for Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine ahead of Xi's arrival. "The formula for the successful implementation of China's 'Peace Plan'. The first and foremost point is the surrender or withdrawal of Russian occupation forces from (Ukrainian territory) in accordance with international law and the UN Charter," the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, Oleksiy Danilov, wrote on Twitter. Geneva, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Mar, 2023 ) :The UN's migration agency should not get itself dragged into domestic policy debates, its chief Antonio Vitorino told AFP, as he seeks a second term leading the organisation. "Migration has become a highly politicised area, and even a highly polarised area," the 66-year-old former Portuguese deputy prime minister said. "Some people would like us to be more vocal in some moments of the internal migration debate, but we do not take sides," he said, noting how the topic is being fiercely debated in countries like Britain, France and the United States. Vitorino is standing for re-election as director general of the United Nations' International Organization for Migration. The vote takes place in mid-May and Vitorino is in the unusual position of being challenged for the job by his American deputy Amy Pope. The IOM was founded in 1951 to deal with the displacements in Europe following World War II. But it was only in 2016 that it joined the United Nations fold, and its boss, unlike the chiefs of other UN agencies, does not single out countries for criticism. Vitorino acknowledged that the organisation could communicate better about what it is and what it does. But he says the IOM must have a balanced approach towards migration and is not set up to praise or criticise countries since it is not there to verify the implementation of an international treaty or agreement, like the better-known UN refugee agency UNHCR or the UN Human Rights office. Still, he insisted that the IOM knew how to raise its concerns. "For instance, considering the European Union, we have been claiming for quite some time that there is a need to address the search and rescue needs in the Mediterranean," he said. "And we are very pleased with the fact that recently the European Commission has published a document with a strategy for the central Mediterranean that is exactly taking on board our claim." A politician and a lawyer, Vitorino was Portugal's defence minister and deputy PM from 1995 to 1997 in the government of Antonio Guterres, who is now the UN secretary-general. He was then the European commissioner for justice and home affairs from 1999 to 2004. Vitorino was elected to the IOM leadership by member states in 2018, becoming only the second non-American to lead the agency in seven decades. The agency has 175 member states, with the United States followed by the European Union bloc as its main financial contributors. "All my predecessors for 70 years made two mandates, and I don't see any reason for a successful first mandate not to be followed by a second mandate," Vitorino said. He said he was counting on "very strong support from the European countries" and "strong encouragement" from other nations in other regions. He declined to comment on being challenged by his deputy, beyond saying: "It is the first time that it happens in IOM." As for claims that he has not travelled much in his job, he said: "If I recall correctly, I have been 15 times to Africa until the end of 2022." "And I would like the critics to take into consideration that for two years, we were locked down -- if they have already forgotten the pandemic." "I'm pretty confident that my work deserves to be supported and continuous," he said, pointing out the key role the IOM is playing in Ukraine and Haiti, two of the world's major crises. He wants to continue reforms to improve the IOM's efficiency and to make the organisation more financially stable, as currently 95 percent of its budget depends on voluntary contributions from its member states, who pick which projects they fund. The IOM must also adapt to new challenges, Vitorino said, such as the growing numbers of children migrating alone, migration flows linked to climate change, and even "digital nomads" -- people working remotely from other countries. And time is pressing because nowadays, "there are more people on the move because of climate change than because of conflicts", he said. Copenhagen, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Mar, 2023 ) :A UN report on climate change released on Monday shows that the window to meet the goal of a 1.5-degree Celsius global warming limit is narrowing, a senior UN climate official told AFP. The report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that the world will cross this key global warming limit in about a decade. It "sets out in very, very stark terms where we are, but it also signals that there is still an opportunity with significant global effort to meet that 1. 5 goal," Simon Stiell, head of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), told AFP in Copenhagen. "That window is narrowing, but the window is still there," he said, adding that "everyone" should work to fight global warming. "To be more specific, we know that 80 percent of emissions are generated within the G20. That is the very, very clear starting point. "They have 85 percent of global GDP. So the technology, the financial capacity to address the crisis resides there." ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Mar, 2023 ) :The International Day of Forests will be marked on March 21 (Tuesday) across the globe including Pakistan which promotes the importance of forests and trees in our lives and addresses issues such as deforestation. The UN works with governments, community organizations, and the general public to promote both local and global activities for the International Day of Forests. Activities include tree planting campaigns, photo exhibits that portray the importance of forests and trees and sharing of infographics, videos, news, and messages via social and other media. Forests cover about one-third of the world's land mass. Roughly 1.6 billion people, including more than 2000 indigenous cultures, depend on forests for their livelihood. The UN first celebrated the International Day of Forests on March 21, 2013. This initiative follows the International Year of Forests. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday has summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to appear before its investigation team on Tuesday, March 21, in connection with the Toshakhana case ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Mar, 2023 ) :The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday has summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to appear before its investigation team on Tuesday, March 21, in connection with the Toshakhana case. This was the second call-up notice sent to Imran Khan, who had previously ignored the first one. While Bushra Bibi has been given the option to not appear and answer the questions remotely, Imran Khan has been asked to appear before the NAB investigation team at its Rawalpindi office. According to NAB spokesman, a NAB team had visited Imran Khan's residence in Lahore's Zaman Park to serve the call-up notice on Bushra Bibi. In a separate incident, another NAB team led by Head Constable Muhammad Shafi visited Imran Khan's residence to deliver court summons in connection with the foreign funding case. The NAB team had contacted PTI leadership for the delivery of the notice for the hearing of the case in the accountability court on March 21. However, no PTI leader came to receive the notice, which was later accepted by the house servants. The Toshakhana case is related to the alleged misuse of state gifts by the former prime minister. Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have been summoned by the NAB investigation team to answer questions in connection with the case. The foreign funding case, on the other hand, pertains to allegations of illegal funding received by the PTI from foreign sources. The party has denied any wrongdoing. ANKARA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Mar, 2023 ) :- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday held talks on the sidelines of the International Donors' Conference in Brussels. Cavusoglu separately met with Toivo Klaar, the EU's special representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, and Achim Steiner, the administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). He tweeted that they discussed regional issues and the reconstruction process after the earthquakes. Cavusoglu will attend the International Donors' Conference, organized by the European Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council to support victims affected by the devastating earthquakes in southern Trkiye. 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. (@ChaudhryMAli88) China and Russia should have close relations, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin during an informal meeting on Monday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th March, 2023) China and Russia should have close relations, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin during an informal meeting on Monday. "The Chinese side pays great attention to the development of Chinese-Russian relations, since this has its own historical logic, since we are the largest neighboring countries, we are partners in comprehensive strategic cooperation. It is this status that determines what should be between our countries close relationship," Xi said. (@ChaudhryMAli88) President Gustavo Petro suspended Sunday a ceasefire with Colombia's biggest drug trafficking group, accusing it of attacking civilians. "I ordered the security forces to resume all military operations against the Gulf Clan," he said on Twitter Bogot, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Mar, 2023 ):President Gustavo Petro suspended Sunday a ceasefire with Colombia's biggest drug trafficking group, accusing it of attacking civilians. "I ordered the security forces to resume all military operations against the Gulf Clan," he said on Twitter. "I will not allow them to keep sowing distress and terror in the communities," Petro added. The government says the clan is behind harassment and attacks on people in northwest Colombia over the past two weeks. Just before the new year, Petro's government declared a bilateral ceasefire with several armed groups, including the Gulf Clan, National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels and dissidents of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas. It was a first step in leftist Petro's "total peace" plan to end decades of armed conflict through negotiation with criminal groups, as opposed to the hardline approach taken by his conservative predecessor Ivan Duque. But almost immediately, the policy ran into problems. The Marxist ELN denied having signed the deal, while the government claims there have been numerous violations of the pact by FARC dissidents. The government says the Gulf Clan has been supporting attacks by illegal gold miners since March 2 in the Bajo Cauca area of Antioquia department. Workers in illegal mines have been protesting the government's destruction of the heavy machinery they use to dredge up soil to find gold. Miners have shut down roads, attacked a town hall and a bank in the Caucasia district. Criminal groups in Colombia make almost as much money from illegal mining as they do from trafficking cocaine, according to authorities. The Gulf Clan is made up of former right-wing paramilitaries, who were broken up in a 2006 peace deal negotiated by then-president Alvaro Uribe, an agreement Petro considers to have been a failure. According to official estimates, the Clan is behind between 30 and 60 percent of the drugs exported from Colombia, the world's largest producer of cocaine. Opposition parties and some experts say the security forces were at a disadvantage in the ceasefire with the Gulf Clan and the rebels, arguing that only the government side observed the truce. "There was never a bilateral ceasefire with the Gulf Clan," said right-wing former presidential candidate Federico Gutierrez. He said it was "grossly irresponsible to leave the civilian population defenseless for so long." (@FahadShabbir) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that the cost of the damage from last month's devastating earthquake had risen to $104 billion, as donors at a conference in Brussels vowed funds to help Turkey and Syria Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Mar, 2023 ) :Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that the cost of the damage from last month's devastating earthquake had risen to $104 billion, as donors at a conference in Brussels vowed funds to help Turkey and Syria. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen kicked off a EU-hosted fund-raising event by promising one billion Euros ($1.1 billion) for reconstruction in Turkey and 108 million for humanitarian aid in Syria. "The needs of the survivors are still massive and must be tackled with urgency," von der Leyen said. Speaking by video link from Turkey, Erdogan warned that "regardless of its economic standing, it is impossible for any country to fight a disaster of this scale on its own." The catastrophic 7.8-magnitude quake last month flattened entire cities, killing more than 50,000 people across southeastern Turkey and parts of war-torn Syria. Millions were displaced and last week's flash floods in the region only added to the misery. The United Nations has set the "recovery costs" for Syria at $14.8 billion. Aid groups urged donors to step up their commitments after the UN complained of the poor level of response to a call it made in mid-February for urgent funding. The International Rescue Committee (IRC), said they should at least ensure that the UN's emergency appeal for $1 billion for Turkey and $397 million for Syria are fully funded. "Over a month since the earthquake, the situation in affected regions remains desperate," said Tanya Evans, IRC country director for Syria. "With many homes damaged or destroyed, many people are left with no choice but to sleep in overcrowded and under-resourced collective shelters," she said. The UN had said the appeal for Turkey has so far only been 16 percent fulfilled, while the figure for Syria stands at 72 percent. Germany has said it will double its support for the quake victims to 240 million euros ($255 million), and France promised an additional 12 million euros. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The European Central Bank (ECB) is prepared to provide liquidity support to the euro area financial system, ECB President Christine Lagarde said on Monday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th March, 2023) The European Central Bank (ECB) is prepared to provide liquidity support to the euro area financial system, ECB President Christine Lagarde said on Monday. "The euro area banking sector is resilient with strong capital and liquidity positions in any event the ECB policy toolkit is fully equipped to provide liquidity support to the euro area financial system, if needed and to preserve the smooth transition of the monetary policy," Lagarde said during the question and answer session of the European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs Monetary Dialogue. The French National Assembly rejected on Monday a vote of no confidence in the government, put forward by opposition group LIOT because of the pension reform that caused riots across the country PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th March, 2023) The French National Assembly rejected on Monday a vote of no confidence in the government, put forward by opposition group LIOT because of the pension reform that caused riots across the country. Earlier, the centrists and former macronists, members of the LIOT faction in the lower house of the French parliament, put forward a vote of no confidence in the government of Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne over pension reform. On Monday, the French National Assembly began voting on a vote of no confidence. "An absolute majority of 287 votes was not reached, so the vote of no confidence was rejected," Yael Braun-Pivet, the president of the French National Assembly, announced after the vote. She added that 278 lawmakers supported the no confidence vote, and only nine were against it. On Thursday, Borne used article 49.3 of the French constitution to pass a bill to raise the country's retirement age without a vote in parliament. This step caused a wave of indignation among the lawmakers, who announced the "end of democracy." According to French law, if the government resorts to article 49.3 of the constitution, the opposition has the right to announce a vote of no confidence within 24 hours. If the parliamentary majority supports it, the prime minister and cabinet will have to resign. If the opposition does not declare a vote of no confidence, the law will be considered adopted. Iranian foreign minister said on Sunday that he will meet his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in the near future TEHRAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Mar, 2023 ):Iranian foreign minister said on Sunday that he will meet his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in the near future. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks to Iranian and foreign reporters at a press conference in Tehran, adding Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to arrange visits by technical teams to prepare the ground for sending diplomatic missions and reopening embassies. He also noted that Iran's relations with Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates were upgraded to the level of ambassadors, and the bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia returned to normalcy after five rounds of fence-mending talks in Baghdad and other negotiations hosted by Beijing. On the likeliness of improvements in Iran's relations with Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain following the rapprochement with Saudi Arabia, Amir-Abdollahian said that Tehran recently sent its delegation to Manama to visit the Iranian embassy as well as other diplomatic places there. Amir-Abdollahian stressed that Iran welcomes the normalization of relations with neighboring and regional states, expressing hope that the existing obstacles to normalizing ties with Bahrain would be removed. Iran maintains that Egypt is an important country and welcomes any improvement in bilateral relations, he noted. The minister said that he held brief talks with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on the sidelines of the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership in Jordan last December, after which negotiations were held with Egyptian officials on improving bilateral political relations. Amir-Abdollahian said during the same conference, he also held friendly and cordial talks with King Abdullah II of Jordan, in which the latter expressed willingness to visit Iran in the near future. 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. (@FahadShabbir) WARSAW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th March, 2023) Ukraine has only one attempt to carry out a counteroffensive that has to take place this year, Czech President Petr Pavel said on Monday. "I believe that Ukraine will have only one attempt to conduct a major counteroffensive. Therefore, if Ukraine decides to conduct a counteroffensive, and it fails, it will be incredibly difficult for Kiev to find funds for the next one," Pavel said in an interview with the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita. Kiev's counteroffensive should take place within a few months, and that the "window of opportunity" will be open only this year, the president added. "After next winter, it will be extremely difficult to maintain the current level of assistance," Pavel said, explaining that this is connected to the accumulated fatigue of Western countries that support Ukraine. According to the president, most countries expect a watershed moment in 2023 in the conflict. Western countries ramped up their military support for Ukraine after Russia launched a special military operation there on February 24, 2022. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned against further escalation leading to the US and NATO's direct involvement in the conflict. (@FahadShabbir) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th March, 2023) Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed government agencies to establish the perpetrators of an armed attack on Chinese citizens at a gold mine in the Central African Republic (CAR) and bring them to justice in accordance with the law, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday. On Sunday, armed men attacked the gold mine of the Chinese mining company Gold Coast Group in the city of Bambari in the CAR, killing nine workers and injuring two others, Bambari Mayor Abel Matchipata said. "General Secretary Xi Jinping has given it his full attention and personally instructed that every effort be made to save the lives of the injured, make timely and proper arrangements for dealing with the aftermath of the attack, make sure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and ensure the safety of Chinese nationals," a statement read. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also warned that a number of car areas were considered high-risk zones and urged Chinese citizens to immediately leave such regions and refrain from traveling there. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th March, 2023) Russian President Vladimir Putin said ahead of the visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Russia that relations between Moscow and Beijing are at the highest level, marked by an "unprecedented level of trust." Xi will pay a state visit to Moscow from March 20-22 at Putin's invitation. Ahead of the visit, Putin wrote an article for the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper People's Daily. "We have high expectations for the upcoming talks. We have no doubt that they will give a new powerful impetus to our bilateral cooperation in its entirety. This is also a great opportunity for me to meet with my good old friend with whom we enjoy the warmest relationship," Putin wrote. The Russian president said that since Xi Jinping's first state visit to Russia after his election as President of the People's Republic of China, there has been an accelerated and sustainable development of relations between the two countries. "... the main thing has remained unchanged: I am talking of the firm friendship between Russia and China, which is consistently growing stronger for the benefit and in the interest of our countries and peoples. The progress made in the development of bilateral ties is impressive. The Russia-China relations have reached the highest level in their history and are gaining even more strength; they surpass Cold War-time military-political alliances in their quality, with no one to constantly order and no one to constantly obey, without limitations or taboos. We have reached an unprecedented level of trust in our political dialogue, our strategic cooperation has become truly comprehensive in nature and is standing on the brink of a new era. President Xi Jinping and I have met about 40 times and have always found time and opportunity to talk in a variety of official formats as well as at notie events," Putin wrote. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st March, 2023) Moscow intends to return Ukrainian children who were evacuated to Russia due to military activities back to Ukraine when conditions on the ground are safe, Russian Permanent Representative at the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said on Monday. "Well when the conditions are safe of course, why not?," Nebenzia told reporters when asked if Russia intends to return those children. The issue of children brought to Russia forcefully is "totally overblown," the Russian diplomat noted. Moscow wants to keep them out of danger by removing them from the conflict zone, he added. The West has accused Russia of conducting forceful deportations of Ukrainian children. Moscow has repeatedly denied the accusations. On Friday, the Pre-Trial Chamber II of the ICC, the jurisdiction of which is not recognized by Russia, issued a warrant for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova, citing "unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation." Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the ICC warrants to arrest Putin and Lvova-Belova are legally null and void as Russia is not a party to the Rome Statute and has no obligations under it, nor does it cooperate with the ICC. Cayuga County Legislature Chairman David Gould will give an update on the county on "Inside Government with Guy Cosentino." The show airs at 7 p.m. Tuesday on Spectrum channel 12 and at 8:30 p.m. Thursday and will replay on Spectrum 12 and 98 and Verizon channel 31 on Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m. from Auburn Regional Media Access. That will be followed by "Beyond The Front Page with Guy Cosentino" with Telecom Director Steve Keeler and Film Director & Brunell Visiting Scholar Loch Phillips to discuss his documentary Utica: Last Refuge about the refugees from Sudan in central New York. The show airs at 7:30 p.m. on Spectrum 12 on Tuesday and at 9 p.m. Thursday and will replay on Spectrum 12 and 98 and Verizon 31 on Saturday and Sunday at 5:30 p.m. from ARMA. On Thursday, the first Beyond The Front Page with Guy Cosentino" will feature Tyburn Academy Principal Connor ODonnell and senior Mathew Leary and sophomore Madeline Weichert. The show airs at 7 p.m. on Spectrum 12 on Thursday and at 7 p.m. March 28 and will replay on Spectrum 12 and 98 and Verizon 31 on Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m. from ARMA. A second Beyond The Front Page with Guy Cosentino" will feature Gavras Center Executive Director Daniele Wright and Community Liaison Bob Padula for an update on the center. The show airs at 7:30 p.m. on Spectrum 12 on Thursday and at 7:30 p.m. March 28 and will replay on Spectrum 12 and 98 and Verizon 31 on Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m. from ARMA. A third and final Beyond The Front Page with Guy Cosentino" will feature the Rev. Vasile Colopelnic of SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Church with Ukrainians Olena Abronova and Maryna Svorin to discuss the war and what is occurring in Auburn with Ukrainians who have come here and how Auburn is aiding Ukraine. The show airs at 8:30 p.m. on Spectrum 12 on Thursday and at 8:30 p.m. March 28 and will replay on Spectrum 12 and 98 and Verizon 31 on Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. from ARMA. The shows are rebroadcast at 10 a.m. each Saturday on the CCCs radio station, WDWN89.1 FM. Future guests include Cayuga County District Attorney Britany Grome Antonacci, Auburn City Manager Jeff Dygert and Auburn School Superintendent Jeff Pirozzolo and District Business Manager Lisa Green. The Auburn Enlarged School District forum is scheduled for May 9. Viewers with questions for any of the shows guests can e-mail cozguytho@aol.com. The shows are taped at CCC on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons by CCC Telecom/Media Department students. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th March, 2023) Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations did not express any formal objections against Moscow's decision to extend the grain deal for another 60 days, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday. On Saturday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik that Russia agreed to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative for 60 days instead of 120 and that all parties to the grain deal were notified about it. "This position was officially communicated to the Turkish and Ukrainian sides of the Black Sea Initiative, as well as to the UN representatives. There were no formal objections. Thus, the agreement continues to be valid for the next two months in the existing parameters, without any changes in the ports involved, the nomenclature of goods and the agreed procedure for inspections," the ministry said in a statement. Moscow will suspend its participation in the grain deal if there is no progress in the implementation of the Russian part of the agreement, the ministry added. The circus is coming to the Auburn Enlarged City School District. Billy Martins Cole All-Star Circus will be performing at the gymnasium of Auburn High School at 7 p.m. Friday, March 24, a news release from the school district said. Proceeds will be going to the parent-teacher organizations for Casey Park Elementary School and Herman Avenue Elementary School. Showman James M. Cole of Penn Yan founded the Cole All-Star Circus in 1938. The indoor circus was meant to be a fundraising event for school groups and organizations throughout New York state. Cole retired in 1987, with the circus under the direction of Billy Martin of Olean. The year 2023 marks the show's 80th year of continuous operation, the news release said. Auburn students 12 years of age and younger can attend free with an adult, with a limit of two free children per adult. Adult tickets are $15 advance, $20 at the door. Tickets can be bought at the main office of Herman Avenue Elementary School or Casey Park Elementary School through 3 p.m. March 24. Tickets can be also be purchased online at billy-martin-cole-all-star-circus.cheddarup.com. People can get more information by contacting Jessica Luisi, the Auburn district's public information specialist, at (315) 255-8811. India-Vietnam Look to Boost Trade in Agriculture Vietnam and India plan to step up two-way trade in agricultural products and processed food. Heres what it looks like now and what is expected to drive that change. The Vietnam Trade Office in India, in collaboration with the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of India (Invest India), and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) held a teleconference on February 22 in which they discussed boosting trade in agriculture and processed food. This is in line with increasing trade between the two nations more broadly. With a population of over 1.4 billion people, India is a promising market for Vietnams farm produce and processed food. Indias farm produce and processed food also sell well in Vietnam foods like seafood, chilli, spices, and fruits and vegetables are all popular with Vietnamese consumers. Moreover, the two countries have a comprehensive strategic partnership and have complimentary economic interests. India is Vietnams 8th most significant trading partner, while Vietnam is Indias 15th largest trading partner and the 4th biggest in Southeast Asia. This trade has developed in line with a number of trade agreements that have seen both countries benefit immensely. Trade relations between India and Vietnam India and Vietnam have signed several trade agreements over the years to strengthen their economic ties and facilitate bilateral trade. The biggest agreement is the ASEAN-India Free Trade Area. This is between India and the ASEAN countries, including Vietnam. There is also the India-ASEAN Services and Investment Agreement. This is a comprehensive agreement that covers trade in services and investment between India and ASEAN countries. The India-Vietnam Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement also plays an important part in boosting trade between the two countries. It covers a range of areas, including trade in goods, trade in services, investment, and intellectual property rights. Indian investment in Vietnam Vietnam occupies a central place in Indias Act East Policy as well as in its Indo-Pacific strategy. As a result, India has made a number of contributions to the capacity building and socio-economic development of Vietnam. Under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) framework, India has been implementing Rapid Impact Projects (RIPs), each worth around US$50,000, in different provinces of Vietnam to develop community infrastructure. Furthermore, India is ranked 23 out of 129 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Since the beginning of 2023, India started five new projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of US$3.7 million. This brings the all-time total number of Indian FDI projects in Vietnam to 349. These are worth more than a collective US$1 billion. See also: Vietnam FDI Tracker: Latest Update February 2023 Key Indian agricultural exports to Vietnam 2022 Description Value (US$) Fishery products 377,949,739 Animal fodders and animal fodder materials 377,919,344 Maize 287,157,393 Cotton 223,422,023 Yarn 103,194,794 Fruits and vegetables 53,452,599 Wheats 27,213,086 Animal, vegetable fats and oils 10,849,581 Tobacco materials 2,109,656 Source: Vietnam General Department of Customs Aquaculture products Vietnam has a rapidly growing population, and there is a high demand for fish and seafood products in the country. India is a significant producer and exporter of fishery products, which are competitively priced. This makes them an attractive option for Vietnamese consumers and businesses. Adding to that, India offers a diverse range of fishery products, including frozen shrimp, fish filets, squid, and cuttlefish, catering to the varied tastes of Vietnamese consumers. Most importantly, however, Indian fishery products are known for their high quality, with many Indian companies adhering to international standards for production, processing, and packaging. See also: Aquaculture in Vietnam Animal fodder and animal fodder materials Vietnam has a rapidly growing livestock industry, which requires a significant amount of animal feed and fodder materials. India offers a diverse range of animal feed and fodder materials, including soybean meal, corn gluten meal, rice bran, and maize, which cater to the varied needs of Vietnamese livestock farmers. Maize Maize from India is cost-effective, high-quality, and the range is diverse. This makes Indian maize very attractive to Vietnamese buyers. Vietnams key agricultural exports to India 2022 Description Value (US$) Yarn 120,996,731 Coffee 57,404,904 Pepper 53,352,880 Bamboo and rattan products 39,922,436 Wood and wooden products 31,447,738 Fishery products 25,652,242 Animal fodders and animal fodder materials 23,045,567 Cashew nut 16,618,114 Tea 3,377,924 Pastrycooks, sweets and cereals products 2,048,817 Source: Vietnam General Department of Customs Yarn There is growing demand for textile products made in India, which has led to an increase in demand for yarn. Vietnam is a major producer of cotton and other fibers and Vietnamese yarn is known for its high quality, with a reputation for durability and strength. Indian textile manufacturers are willing to pay a premium for this quality, making Vietnamese yarn a valuable commodity. Vietnam also has the potential to become a significant sourcing partner for India in the technical textile subsector, as the Indian government is actively working to strengthen this industry. A production-linked incentive program has been implemented to support this goal. Pepper Vietnam is the worlds largest producer and exporter of black pepper, and India is one of its major export markets. Vietnamese pepper is known for its high quality and pungent flavor, which makes it a popular spice in Indian cuisine. Bamboo and rattan products Bamboo and rattan have cultural significance in both Vietnam and India. In both countries, these materials are used for traditional crafts and furniture making. Bamboo and rattan are sustainable and eco-friendly materials, which are becoming increasingly important to consumers in India. Vietnamese bamboo and rattan products are made using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, making them a popular choice for environmentally conscious consumers. Coffee Vietnam is one of the worlds largest producers of coffee, with a production volume that has been steadily increasing in recent years. In 2020, Vietnam produced over 1.6 million tons of coffee, making it the second-largest coffee producer in the world. Vietnamese coffee is known for its competitive pricing, with lower production costs than many other coffee-producing countries. Vietnamese coffee is typically characterized by its bold, full-bodied flavor and hints of chocolate and spice. In addition to traditional coffee beans, Vietnam is also increasingly exporting other coffee products, such as instant coffee, roasted coffee, and specialty coffee. This diversification of the product range has helped to increase the value of Vietnamese coffee exports to India. While the coffee culture in India is steadily growing, beyond traditional hubs in southern India, Vietnamese suppliers compete with coffee imports from Cote dIvoire, Brazil, and Indonesia from which it imported US$11.1 million, US$3.84 million, and US$24.4 million respectively. This growing boom in coffee exports could also translate to cocoa more broadly with India the worlds third largest chocolate importer. Its chocolate market is estimated to be worth US$2.4 billion in 2022. See also: Vietnams Agricultural Sector: Rising Star in Food Production Barriers to Vietnamese agriculture export products to India Notably, concerns were raised about Indias trade barriers earlier this year. Specific concerns include the imposition of a floor price for importing pepper and cashew nuts, restrictions on importing incense, and requirements for verifying the origin of goods. The Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, Nguyen Hong Dien, has said that these regulations are burdensome for exporters and impede trade. Further, Vietnamese exports of fruit have been significantly restricted as they face high import duties in India. Currently, dragon fruit is the only Vietnamese fruit that does not attract an import tariff in India. The future of trade between Vietnam and India Investment between Vietnam and India, particularly in the agriculture sector is growing. This investment is likely to continue, with both countries looking to strengthen their agricultural infrastructure and supply chains. Furthermore, with the assistance of several trade agreements, growing consumer classes in both countries, along with diversification of agricultural products produced, the future of agricultural trade between Vietnam and India is expected to be positive moving forward. PHNOM PENH/SIEM REAP Everywhere you look in Cambodias capital are signs of the top two leaders of the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) with the slogan Thank You, Peace. The same signs show up on highways and street corners across the country. Its a message that floods the Facebook page of Prime Minister Hun Sen, one of the longest-ruling leaders in the world. Peace provides opportunity for people to live in a prosperous society. When there is peace, there is everything all lives flourish, politically, economically, socially, and culturally, with peace, said Sok Eysan, a ruling party senator and spokesman. Yet this prosperity and opportunity is not accessible to many in Cambodia, and this years election despite the kneecapping of Hun Sens opposition will offer some insight into how thankful Cambodian voters are for the ruling partys version of peace. Hun Sen boasts of ending war and bringing economic stability to the country, but his government also has a well-recorded track record of violating human rights, silencing dissent and shuttering independent media. We want a livable wage, as citizens of this country that is so proud of peace! said Nam Sivonn, a former employee of the NagaWorld casino and resort in Phnom Penh, where unions accuse officials of complicity in union busting and cracking down on peaceful protests. So then allow your workers to have peace and provide them with a livable income. Nam Sivonn was among the 1,329 employees who were laid off in April 2021, a move the company argued was due to a loss of profit during the pandemic, while the workers called it brazen retaliation against demands for better benefits from the union led by Chhim Sithor, who remains jailed and awaiting trial on criminal charges. Chan Sreyrath, who has also joined the NagaWorld protests that began in December 2021, asked why the prime minister often referred to by his honorific Samdech had not demanded peace for workers at the casino not far from his Phnom Penh residence. Every issue circulating on social media, Samdech knows and gets involved. Why doesnt Samdech take any actions when it comes to our problem? Dont you really know? Or you just pretend you dont know? she asked. Come July, Nam Sivonn and more than 9 million eligible voters in Cambodia will have their opportunity to convey their dismay or approval when the country holds its seventh national election, on July 23, 2023 30 years since the first post-war election in 1993. We are all going to vote. We are not afraid to choose anyone who has the willingness to find a solution to our problem. Well vote for you, regardless of our political tendency, said Nam Sivonn. Unionized workers particularly in Cambodias garment sector were a key voting block to the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Partys (CNRP) success in 2013, when it narrowly lost to the ruling CPP. The ruling party has aggressively pursued a two-pronged strategy in the decade since closing down the space for opposition and dissent, while increasing engagement with young Cambodians who make up an ever-growing share of the electorate. The CNRP has been banned, and in its place are a handful of small opposition parties with familiar faces, but without their leaders, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha, who are in exile and under house arrest, respectively. In June last year, after five years of absolute control at the commune level, prime minister Hun Sens CPP was challenged by the Candlelight Party, an offshoot of the CNRP, which won about 22% of the popular votes and 2,176 commune council seats after campaigning on issues of social injustice, corruption, and abuse of power. While the Candlelight Party is not expected to pose a serious challenge to the CPP this year if its allowed to compete at all its vote share could offer an indication of whether it is gaining traction or losing momentum. And a few seats in the National Assembly could provide a national platform the opposition currently lacks. Ou Virak, founder of the Future Forum think tank, said he sees the Candlelight Party as a temporary vehicle for the opposition thats likely to disappoint its supporters in the upcoming election. They cant pull it off. Then theyre going to lose momentum, he said. However, he also said that the ruling partys formula for peace at all costs created its own complications. The question is actually when you are trying to force peace at all costs, even without justice, even facing injustice that people must accept it I think it is going to be problematic, he said. Chek Roch should appreciate more than many the relative peace in Cambodia under Hun Sens nearly 40-year reign, as a former soldier fighting against the Khmer Rouge guerrillas. But he says the ruling party has mostly fought to protect the the rich and powerful, and last year Chek Roch was elected as a member of Run Ta Ek commune council from the Candlelight Party in Siem Reap province. Villagers would tell me they regretted [voting for the CPP], when they risk losing their land or home, Chek Roch told VOA Khmer last month. They then switched their alliance and voted for me from [the opposition party]. They are not afraid, when they have nothing else to lose. Chek Rochs commune is currently undergoing a newly launched satellite city development plan, known as Ron Ta Ek Development Village, where schools, hospitals, marketplaces, and other services are still under construction on a mostly empty land. It was a move, in part, to make way for several hundred families evicted from their home in areas deemed as protected areas by the countrys Apsara National Authority, whose jurisdiction is to protect, preserve and manage Cambodias Angkor Archaeological Park. Chan Sron, 41, a mother of three young children, was among those who lost their home in Kok Ta Chan near the Angkor Wat temple. She now faces a mountain of debt in this new and mostly empty community, located about 30 km from downtown Siem Reap, with bulldozers and dump trucks all around. Its boiling hot here. There is no marketplace for me to make a living. Everyone here, including my family, are very poor, Chan Sron told VOA Khmer. My kids have been coughing and having fever. They are sick. There is so much dirt here. I think it is going to take years for public facilities here to become accessible to us. Ke Yatt, 32, another new resident of the planned community, was more optimistic, because the move allowed her family to attain land ownership without a penny. It is a big deal for my family to own land, because we are poor. This will create opportunities for us to do businesses, even though it takes time, she told VOA Khmer. While elections over the past decade have exposed deep discontent with the ruling party, theres no debating that the general quality of life has improved for many Cambodians under Hun Sen. Since the 1990s, with an open-market economy and billions in international aid, Cambodias GDP per capita has gone from about $300 per year to more than $1,600 last year, according to the World Bank. More students are learning to read, attending high school and going to university. And less people are dying from diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Sinh Houng, 53, a child survivor of the Khmer Rouge genocide, embraces the ruling partys message of peace, because it has paved the way for her to rebuild her life after the war. The Kampong Cham native has been making a living off selling yams and other tropical fruit in Phnom Penh for the past 17 years. [Cambodia] is not too developed, but also not too poor. His [Hun Sens] leadership is good enough, said Sinh Houng. For the past 30 years, she has never missed one national election to elect a good leader. The CPP has shown its ability to transform the political landscape in the past five years, effectively becoming a one-party state. But thats not sustainable, said Sebastian Strangio, author of Hun Sens Cambodia, and now the ruling party is trying to figure out how far it can turn the democratic spigot. I think the CPP probably is aware that there is discontent and that there needs to be some sort of safety valve, he said. I think thats [why] they are allowing the Candlelight Party to take part in the knowledge that the opposition remains divided. Yet even as it opens that safety valve, the leadership of the opposition has faced a steady stream of legal charges. Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared results for 12 states so far, including the economic hub of Lagos, where incumbent governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the ruling party was reelected. But observers say Saturday's elections were characterized by widespread violence, voter suppression and intimidation. Local media reported that 21 people were killed and scores injured across the country. In Imo state, police rescued 17 INEC staffers abducted by gunmen on the morning of the elections as they were heading to their polling units. Rights group Amnesty International condemned the violence. "There were pockets of violence and prevention of people to make their choices in the ballot, disrupting electoral processes and campaign of calumny, and the employment of thugs. We strongly condemn such human rights violations," said Aminu Hayatu, Amnesty International's conflict researcher. Amnesty International said social media was used to incite tribal hatred and ethnic slurs and urged social media companies like Twitter, Meta and WhatsApp to improve their screening-out of hateful content. There were also issues of staff delays and technical difficulties during Saturday's polls. But Nigeria's information minister, Lai Mohammed, who voted in his hometown in south-west Kwara state, said the election was one of the most credible in Nigeria's recent history. Idayat Hassan, director at the Center for Democracy and Development, disagrees. "The likelihoods of postelection violence are high but how widespread is what we do not know," Hassan said. "Considering this is a projection, the response of the state is what we should actually be looking out for. How will the Nigerian state be able to timely nip any form of insecurity in the bud with the minimum use of force?" Kano state authorities have imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in anticipation of unrest as more results are announced. Amnesty International wants authorities to identify and punish promoters of election violence. "Such are violations against the international human rights law which Nigeria is signatory to. We're calling on [the] government to investigate and fish out those who are behind such human rights violations, irrespective of who they are," Hayatu said. Last month, observers said the presidential election in which the ruling party's Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared the winner lacked transparency and didn't meet the expectations of most citizens. Experts said there's heightened tension in many states, including Adamawa state where incumbent governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the People's Democratic Party and Senator Aishatu Ahmed-Binani of the All Progressive Congress are locked in a tough race. Ahmed-Binani is the first woman with a realistic chance of being elected governor in Nigeria. More than 20 civilians were reported killed in separate attacks in the restive east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where fighting also resumed over the weekend between the government and M23 insurgents, local sources told AFP on Sunday. In Ituri province, CODECO militants a group claiming to protect the Lendu community from another ethnic group, the Hema was accused of targeting five villages in Mahagi early on Saturday. "For now, we've counted 15 dead, mainly women, children and old people," said Arnold Lokwa, a village chief. At least nine people were reported killed at Nguli in neighboring North Kivu by rebels in the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which is linked to the Islamic State jihadist group, village chief Kambale Kamboso said. Two children were also missing after the attack, carried out with "machetes and knives," he told AFP. The ADF, originally an insurgency in Uganda, gained a foothold in eastern DR Congo in the 1990s and has since been accused of killing thousands of civilians. Further south in North Kivu, fighting also broke out Saturday between government forces and the M23 after several days of wary calm as a regional military force is deployed in the volatile region. The Tutsi-led rebel group has seized swathes of territory and advanced close to the regional hub of Goma, prompting the seven-nation East African Community (EAC) to authorize the deployment last November. In a statement, the Congolese army said M23 fighters attacked at least six of its positions, denouncing "repeated violations of a cease-fire" that was to come into effect on March 7. Kinshasa and several Western governments say the M23 rebels are backed by Rwanda eyeing the natural resources across the border, a claim denied by Kigali. A new floating storage and regasification unit considered crucial to Italy's energy security arrived in Tuscany on Sunday, sparking local protests. Once installed at the Piombino site, the Golar Tundra will receive liquified natural gas (LNG) from other carriers, which it will turn back into a gaseous state that can be fed into Italy's national network. Stefano Venier, chief executive of Italian gas group Snam, which owns the unit, said earlier this week it would be operational from May. The project is key to Italy's plan to reduce its reliance on Russian gas following the invasion of Ukraine, which has also seen it sign new deals with partners such as Algeria and Libya. Former energy minister Roberto Cingolani said last year it was "essential for national security. The location was chosen so gas can be easily transported to Italy's heavily industrialized north, although the government says it is temporary, and that after three years it will move. But there have been months of local protests against the project, and a small march was staged Sunday ahead of the vessel's late-night arrival from Singapore. Opponents say it will pose health and safety risks for those travelling between the port city of Piombino and the island of Elba, a popular holiday destination. Environmental groups have also warned the project will slow down Italy's transition to renewable energy. The Golar Tundra can store 170,000 cubic meters of LNG and has an annual regasification capacity of five billion cubic meters, according to Snam. "Five billion cubic meters of gas allows us to reach levels of self-sufficiency that allows families to think about lower bills," said Tuscany President Eugenio Giani at the port. Snam said last summer the unit could contribute around 6.5 percent of Italy's needs, bringing national regasification capacity to over 25 percent of demand. Russia provided around 40% of Italy's gas in 2021 but this fell to 16% last year, officials say. The United States is providing $350 million in U.S. equipment and ammunition in its latest aid package for Ukraine, as European Union foreign and defense ministers finalized a plan to supply Ukraine with ammunition while replenishing their own ammunition stocks. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Monday the 34th presidential drawdown of U.S. military weapons stocks for Ukraine. Three military officials tell VOA the package includes more surface-to-surface Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System rockets to use in Ukraines High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), more 155-millimeter ammunition for Howitzers and additional 25-millimeter rounds. Long-range rockets for HIMARS are not included in this package, according to officials. Blinken said the package also includes more ammunition for Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, HARM missiles, anti-tank weapons and riverine boats. Russia alone could end its war today. Until Russia does, we will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes, Blinken said. A military official told VOA the U.S. ammunition package was being made in tandem with the efforts that EU partners were making to address Ukraines need for more ammunition on the battlefield as it fights the full-scale Russian invasion that began more than a year ago. The EUs $2 billion plan includes sending Ukraine 1 million 155-millimeter artillery shells within 12 months. After EU foreign and defense ministers endorsed the plan during a meeting in Brussels Monday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called the agreement a historic decision. We are taking a key step towards delivering on our promises to provide Ukraine with more artillery ammunition, he said on Twitter. The EU plan also calls for fast-tracking new orders of ammunition for Ukraine and encourages countries to work together on purchases through the European Defense Agency or in groups of at least three nations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba cheered the EU move in a tweet, calling it a game-changing decision. Exactly what is needed: urgent delivery + sustainable joint procurement, he wrote. Putin in Ukraine The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Russian-occupied Ukrainian port city of Mariupol late Saturday after a stopover in the Crimean Peninsula to mark the ninth anniversary of Moscows annexation of the territory. Video showed 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 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. Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Sunday that the warrant represented a turning point in the conflict, and that Russia would be held responsible 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. 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, out of the citys prewar population of 450,000. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. Judith Thompson sits straight and still in her chair, eyes bright, warming herself from the cold. In Mandarin, she tells VOA she taught English at the Southwestern University of Political Science and Law in Chongqing, China. But those days of doing missionary work with her husband of 49 years are long gone. "I've never been homeless before," the American woman says. "It's a whole new experience for me to adapt." Thompson has been staying at the Springs Rescue Mission since November. She is part of the homeless shelter's Hope Program, which includes job training. Thompson plans to return to the mission field, in outreach. "I want to be God's light to give people hope and encouragement." The Christ-centered rescue mission and similar groups have reduced homelessness by 50% in Colorado Springs. Mission president and CEO Jack Briggs credits the success to community partnership and treating all clients as humans. "It's people. I think we miss that sometimes. People on the streets are people." Addicts welcome To accomplish that, the mission meets people "where they are," Briggs says. Those with legal issues and/or addictions can enter. The single entry to the shelter, called the welcome center, increases the safety and security that homeless people seek. Visitors and clients walk through a metal detector, and personal items are run through a scanner. Officers employed directly by the shelter physically search clients before entry. All drugs, alcohol and weapons are removed and placed in a locker, should the client want them back upon exiting. Anyone who enters can hear barking coming from the next room, the shelter's kennel. Springs Rescue Mission does not want clients choosing between a roof over their head or their dog, oftentimes the only family they have. Clients do agree, however, to part with their clothes, which in many cases are their only possessions. The shelter launders and folds them, then places them into one of 300 red lockers. "When we build that trust and a relationship, that's the starting point to get better from the situation they happen to be in," Briggs says. 200 loads of laundry Thomas McDonald, who, with the mission's help, recovered from addictions to alcohol and cocaine, coordinates the area that includes the showers and the laundry. McDonald says he manages 200 loads of laundry daily, which "helps keep me accountable for my actions." Clients typically spend time working and living outside the shelter before applying for a job at the mission. Community partners step in with job leads, and the mission helps 40 people a month get jobs. Briggs says that is only possible because of the rescue mission's job training program. "They aren't work ready they just aren't. They've lost the skillset, they have lost the personal hygiene, they maybe have lost the motivation," he says. Once they graduate, the mission vouches for them to liaisons in the community. The mission boasts a dining hall that serves 500 meals daily again, run by former clients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when catering businesses around Colorado Springs lacked employees, the Springs Rescue Mission recognized the need and began a catering preparation business at the shelter. Head Chef Matt De Laurell, a former methamphetamine and cocaine addict, explained, "We do everything from little picnics all the way up to big 1,000-people corporate events." During COVID, they also supplied first responders with well-appreciated hot meals at the end of their 12-hour shifts. USAF general to CEO Jack Briggs was a retired U.S. Air Force major general when he was hired as president and CEO of Springs Rescue Mission. His military attention to detail is evident as he pulls out his cellphone and shows numerous statistics from the "client information gathering system." Unlike other shelters, Springs Rescue Mission has a full-time data analyst on staff. Says Briggs, "We gather all the data that we can at a macro level for the whole place. But then we can break it down by individuals for care." Briggs says that the statistics show about 30% of his clients graduate with enough "skills, talent and capacity" to get jobs and live independently, but that recidivism after graduation lowers that number. Jesus greets all Religion is at the center of the nonprofit's philosophy. An oversize bronze sculpture of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns stands above the courtyard, where clients quietly talk outdoors when the weather allows. It wasn't until the sculpture was in place two years ago during an $18 million renovation that Briggs realized Jesus' index finger pointed to the enormous cross atop the welcome center. A handwritten sign in the dining hall reads, "Need Prayer? Just ask, we would love to pray with you." Jack Briggs never shies away from crediting God for the rescue mission's success. "That's the starting point of everything. When we focus on that, we tend to do good work. When we think it's about Jack or this particular program or something like that, we tend to get off track." The parent company of NYSEG/RGE is urging customers to be vigilant of scammers posing as company representatives. The company said Monday that it has recently received reports of customers having accepted calls from people who claim to be employees or consultants of its subsidiaries. Customers are urged to never give out personal or account information to unsolicited callers. Scammers are a perpetual threat to our customers, and we urge everyone to be vigilant to protect themselves and their families, said Pedro Azagra, CEO of AVANGRID in a press release. Weve noticed a recent uptick in the number of utility scams attempting to defraud our customers. I urge anyone who has a question about the authenticity of a caller or any other communication claiming to be from our company to immediately contact us. Our customer service team is always one call away and we are here to help. AVANGRID has recorded new reports of utility scams across its subsidiaries, which include Berkshire Gas, Central Maine Power, Connecticut Natural Gas, New York State Electric & Gas, Rochester Gas and Electric, Southern Connecticut Gas, and United Illuminating Company. The company issued the following guidance: Fraudulent phone numbers: Caller ID may show the call is coming from the utility. In some cases, the perpetrators seem to have specific knowledge about the customers theyre calling, and may even provide a callback number with a recorded greeting similar to the energy companys customer service line. Fraudulent emails and texts: Scammers are using digital correspondence to portray themselves as the utility. Door-to-door imposters: Scammers are claiming they are responding to reports that scammers are in the neighborhood. Disconnection threat: Someone posing as a utility representative aggressively tells the customer their account is past due and a crew is on the way to shut off service unless an immediate payment is madetypically using a prepaid debit card or another non-refundable form of payment. Meter payment: The caller or in-person scammer instructs the customer to pay with cash or a prepaid debit card to cover the costs of a new meter or meter upgrade. Information request: The caller insists that a recent payment encountered a system glitch and was not completed, or that the company had not received the payment at all. The perpetrator then asks the customer to make a false payment using a prepaid debit card or by providing personal account information. Know the available payment methods: AVANGRID companies will never demand customers to purchase debit cards such as Green Dot cards to make payments. All AVANGRID companies accept a variety of payment methods and Customer Care representatives will work with individual customers to help them pay down outstanding balances and maintain service. Ask for account information: If unsure of the identity of the caller, ask for the last five digits of the account. If they do not have this information, hang up and alert local authorities. Never give out personal or account information to a caller. Check ID: AVANGRID employees and contractors carry company-issued photo ID with a unique employee number. Ask for ID before providing personal or account information or granting access to your property. If you are not certain, call to confirm using the number on your bill or the companys website. Be on alert for unexpected emails: Be suspicious of unexpected emails from AVANGRID companies, especially if youre not an eBill customer, and think twice before clicking links. If youre not certain, you can make credit card payments, check balances and find other information directly the companys website. Enroll in AutoPay: The amount due is automatically deducted from a bank account each month, so customers will have no concerns about an outstanding balance. More information on this payment option is available on the companys website. If making a payment by phone, always use the companies automated services phone numbers. Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud or who feel threatened during contact with a scammer should notify their utility, local law enforcement authorities, and the Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov/). This will help authorities shut down scams and prosecute the scammers. Hong Kong and its civil society environment have been downgraded by an international rights group nearly three years since China imposed a national security law on the city. CIVICUS Monitor, a global research group that tracks and rates fundamental freedoms, released its People Power Under Attack 2022 report last Thursday. After the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2019, Beijing imposed the security legislation in an effort to bring back stability. But the law has since been used by authorities to target dissidents, including lawmakers, journalists, and activists. Hong Kongs political crackdown in recent years has seen the monitoring group downgrade the territorys status from repressed to closed, the worst rating possible. CIVICUS Monitor says the atmosphere of fear prevails in the Hong Kong, and authorities have routinely imprisoned people for exercising their civil rights of association, free assembly, and expression. Hong Kong now joins other closed civil societies in the Asia Pacific, including Afghanistan, China, Laos, Myanmar, North Korea, and Vietnam in the Civicus rankings. Josef Benedict, CIVICUS Asia Pacific researcher, included his comments in the report. The repressive National Security Law has been systematically deployed to bring trumped-up, politically motivated charges against activists, journalists and other critics and has created a climate of fear in the territory. Further sedition charges have been increasingly used to silence peaceful expression while there has been a relentless campaign against press freedom. The continuous onslaught on civic freedoms by the Hong Kong authorities has prompted the downgrade. Michael Mo, a former campaigner for Amnesty Hong Kong - which no longer operates in the city - says the report sums up the situation in Hong Kong today. The annual CIVICUS account accurately reflects Hong Kongs civil society on the ground - a closed one. Apart from dozens of civil society groups that were forced or decided to be disbanded after the draconian National Security Law was enacted in June 2020, international NGOs like Amnesty International and Friedrich Naumann Foundation also left Hong Kong as they could not navigate the vague and catch-all nature of colluding with foreign forces, a crime under the security measure. Mo, a former district councilor in Hong Kong who now lives in Britain, added that the departure of so many civic groups has left those remaining feeling scattered. Those who remain in Hong Kong are still trying to advocate for non-sensitive issues such as LGBT rights, land and housing supply, and environmental protection. Even so, most of the groups are scattered as there is no umbrella organization or coalition which able to organize an annual march. Florence Wong, a spokesperson for Hong Kongs Security Bureau, told VOA via email, following a request for comment, said the CIVICUS report could not be further from the truth and that the security law has restored stability to Hong Kong. The NSL clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR; and the HKSAR shall protect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by residents under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong in accordance with the law, Wong said. All law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies are based on evidence, strictly according to the law in respect of the acts of the people or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation, Wong added. Hong Kong's Basic Law is a mini constitution that guarantees that its civil freedoms and rights should remain unchanged for 50 years after Hong Kongs return to Chinese rule, which happened in 1997. Hong Kong has seen a variety of different civic societies and trade unions fold in recent years because of the risks they faced breaking the national security law. In September, five people from the now-disbanded General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists were sentenced to 19 months in prison over their involvement in producing what were considered seditious publications. The judge who handed down the sentence implied that children reading the publications a book series that revolves around sheep dealing with wolves from another village - would be told they are the sheep, and that the wolves trying to harm them are Chinese authorities. Last week two people were arrested for possessing the childrens books. Christopher Siu-tat Mung is the former chief executive of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, which disbanded in 2021. He says that civil societies in Hong Kong are being dismantled. You can see the Chinese government is using some similar patterns to dismantle the main organizations, the pillars of civil society. We have seen a big wave of the union organizations disbanding, and the Hong Kong government is weaponizing the National Security Law and [sedition] colonial law to impose their political control and flatten the existence of our independent trade union movement, Mung told VOA. Today Mung lives in Britain and is the executive director of the NGO Hong Kong Labor Rights Monitor. Mung says he feels the civil society space in Hong Kong is changing. We have seen the case of the [employees strike at] FoodPanda. They organized themselves through social media without the leading of a trade union organization. There are some newly established small-scale news agencies based on social media. Some of the people are organizing and learning the ropes on discussion forums on a small scale. There are some that left but under are control. They are struggling to survive and keep their voice." More than 200 people have been arrested under the security law and around 3,000 protesters prosecuted for their participation in peaceful gatherings and protests, according to the CIVICUS report. The Iranian government has proposed to Saudi Arabia three locations for a meeting of foreign ministers, Iran's foreign minister said Sunday, citing the latest messages with Riyadh since the countries agreed to reestablish 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 March 10 deal 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 normalize 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. For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. The latest developments in Russia's war on Ukraine. All times EDT. 6:14 p.m.: The Ukrainian Village That Changed Hands 14 Times: Residents in the village of Bohorodychne in Ukraine's Donetsk region say the village has changed hands 14 times between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Current Time's Borys Sachalko visited and spoke to some of the seven people who remain in what was once a large settlement. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this report. 5:30 p.m.: Ukraine's defense ministry said Monday that an explosion in Dzhankoi in occupied Crimea had destroyed Russian Kalibr cruise missiles during rail transit. Separately, Sergei Askyonov, the Russian-installed head of the annexed peninsula said air defense systems had gone into action in the area and that at least one person had been injured after wreckage damaged a house and a shop in Dzhankoi, Reuters reports. 5:15 p.m.: 4:15 p.m.: Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate has no evidence of China providing Russia with weapons, the directorate's spokesperson Andrii Yusov said on March 20. According to Yusov, Russia has bought commercially available Chinese-made drones or civilian products with microcircuits suitable for military use. However, interstate aid has not been confirmed, The Kyiv Independent reports. According to trade and customs data between June and December 2022 Chinese companies had exported 1,000 assault rifles and other equipment, such as drone parts and body armor, to Russian entities, Politico reported on March 16. Yusov's statement comes amid Chinese President Xi Jinping's three-day visit to Russia, which the military official called "a visit of a strong regional leader to a country that is undergoing geopolitical defeat." "As a pragmatic geopolitical player, China will strengthen its position on Russia's territory, protecting its own economic and other national interests exclusively," Yusov added. "Russia will become less and less a subject, more and more dependent on other players ... Putin's regime will continue to weaken," he said. 3:50 p.m.: China needs to be mindful of the stakes in the Ukraine war and that Russian President Vladimir Putin is on the "wrong side of history," Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Monday. Freeland made the comments as Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting Putin in Moscow, Reuters reports. "Putin's invasion of Ukraine is the strongest challenge in a generation to the rules-based international order ... I'm not going to anticipate what President Xi will say or do in Moscow, but China and China's leadership needs to understand the stakes here," Freeland told reporters in Oshawa, Ontario. 3:30 p.m.: The White House urged Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday to ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and end Russia's war against Ukraine. "We encourage President Xi to press President Putin directly on the need to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The world and China's neighbors will certainly be watching closely," said John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson. During a press conference, Kirby expressed concern that Xi, currently on a trip to Moscow, will reiterate calls for a cease-fire that would leave Russian forces inside Ukrainian sovereign territory, Reuters reports. Kirby said Xi should speak with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy about the impact of the war on Ukraine. Xi and Putin seem to be connected in "a bit of a marriage of convenience" rather than one of affection, Kirby said. "These are two countries that have long chafed at U.S. leadership around the world," he added. 2:35 p.m.: Engineers trying to restore power lines in previously occupied areas in eastern Ukraine have to wait for de-mining teams to secure the areas before they can conduct repairs. Clearing the whole of eastern Ukraine of such threats will take years, but as the country tries to restore power, water and heating to towns and villages cut off because of damage caused by the war, demining teams have to prioritize. "First of all, it concerns critical infrastructure objects," Kostyantyn Apalkov, head of the demining unit under the State Emergency Service in Ukraine-controlled parts of the Donetsk region, told Reuters on Monday. "These are objects such as power lines, gas pipelines, water pipes, and the like, as well as settlements where people live." As he spoke, eight deminers in protective clothing and armed with metal detectors moved slowly along a track that passed beneath damaged power cables, searching for anything that could harm repair workers or their equipment. Such painstaking work is carried out across a region where some of the fiercest fighting of the war is raging; artillery fire from distant front lines rumbled almost constantly. Demining is vital, but it is also slowing the restoration of key services, underlining the challenge Ukraine faces in getting back to some kind of normalcy in areas that have been de-occupied. In Ukraine-controlled parts of the Donetsk region alone, emergency services have answered more than 4,000 calls to clear the threat of unexploded devices since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February of last year. 2:14 p.m.: Norway has delivered eight Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, the Norwegian Armed Forces announced Monday, with training for Ukrainian soldiers on the tanks underway in Poland. Norway last month announced its decision to send the tanks, with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store saying several allied countries have also done the same. At the beginning of February, the Norwegian government also announced it is expecting a delivery of 54 German Leopard 2 tanks in 2026 to strengthen its own defense capabilities, CNN reports. 1:40 p.m.: Vladimir Putin dined with "dear friend" Xi Jinping in the Kremlin on Monday, flaunting a relationship with his most powerful ally just days after an international court called for the Russian President's arrest for war crimes in Ukraine. Washington denounced Xi's visit, saying the timing showed Beijing was providing Moscow with "diplomatic cover" to commit further crimes. It was the first trip abroad for Xi since he obtained an unprecedented third term last month. The Chinese leader has been trying to present Beijing as a potential peacemaker in Ukraine, while he deepens economic ties with Russia. Formal talks will begin on Tuesday. Putin told Xi he viewed China's proposals for a resolution of the Ukraine conflict with respect and was also "slightly envious" of China's "very effective system for developing the economy and strengthening the state". Xi, for his part, praised Putin and predicted Russians would re-elect him next year. "Under your strong leadership, Russia has made great strides in its prosperous development," he said. Such a visit had long been anticipated - Putin publicly invited Xi months ago - but the symbolism was complicated by the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant against Putin last week for deporting children from Ukraine, Reuters reports. 12:15 p.m.: Chinese President Xi Jinping's trip to Russia this week following the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin suggests China does not think the Kremlin should be held accountable for its atrocities in Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday. Speaking to reporters at a briefing, Blinken said the world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia that is supported by China, Reuters reports. 11:45 a.m.: In a statement Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, announced an additional military assistance package valued at $350 million for Ukraine. He hailed the boundless courage and steadfast resolve of the Ukrainian people, and the strong support for Ukraine across the international community against Russias unconscionable war of aggression against Ukraine which, he said continues at great human cost. This military assistance package includes more ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS and howitzers that Ukraine is using to defend itself, as well as ammunition for Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, HARM missiles, anti-tank weapons, riverine boats, and other equipment. 11:15 a.m.: Ukraine said on Monday the eastern town of Avdiivka could soon become a "second Bakhmut," a small city where its forces have held out against Russian invaders for eight months but risk being fully encircled. The battle for Bakhmut in the industrial Donbas has been one of the fiercest of the nearly 13-month-old war in Ukraine, drawing comparisons with World War One trench warfare, Reuters reports. The commander of Ukraine's ground forces said last week Moscow's forces offensive against Bakhmut has made no major breakthroughs. On Monday, the spokesperson for Ukraine's Tavria military command Oleksiy Dmytrashkivskyi said he agreed with an assessment by British Defense Intelligence that Russia was mounting pressure on supply lines to Avdiivka, as it has done around Bakhmut. "The enemy is constantly trying to encircle the town of Avdiivka. I very much agree with my colleagues from the UK that Avdiivka may soon become the second Bakhmut," Dmytrashkivskyi said. "However, I would like to say that all is not well with the Russian units attacking in this direction," he added in televised comments. Ukraine has said Russian forces are taking heavy losses in their offensive in eastern Ukraine. 10:45 a.m.: Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin told Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in a letter published on Monday by his press service that the Ukrainian army was planning an offensive aimed at cutting off his Wagner forces from the main body of Russian troops in eastern Ukraine. According to Reuters, Prigozhin wrote the offensive was planned for late March or the start of April. He asked Shoigu to take all measures to prevent that from happening, which he said could lead to "negative consequences" for Russia's military effort in Ukraine. 10:10 a.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the Kremlin, sending a message to Western leaders allied with Ukraine that their efforts to isolate him have fallen short. Putin said he welcomed Chinas plan for settlement of the acute crisis in Ukraine. Xi's visit to Moscow shows off Beijings new diplomatic clout and boosts Putins political sway just days since the ICC issued an arrest warrant. The two major powers have described Xis trip as part of efforts to further deepen their no-limits friendship. China looks to Russia as a source of oil and gas and as a partner in opposing what both see as American domination of global affairs, AP reports. 9:40 a.m.: The International Criminal Court had to take action against Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes, but the move was a somber one the organization's chief prosecutor Karim Khan said Monday. "It's a moment ... not for triumphalism, not for any backslapping," Khan told international justice ministers at a meeting in London to discuss increasing support for the ICC, Reuters reports. He said it is a sad and somber occasion where for the first time, ICC judges had to issue warrants against a leader and senior state officials from a permanent member of the (U.N.) Security Council." Last Friday, the ICC accused Putin of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. Moscow rejects the charges, calling the move unacceptable and saying it had no legal force in Russia which is not an ICC member. Russia says it has brought thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, as a humanitarian campaign to protect orphans and children abandoned in the conflict zone. "I say repatriate the children, return the children, reunite the children," Khan said. "If there is any semblance of truth to the utterances that this is for the sake of children, instead of giving them a foreign passport, return them to the countries of their nationality." Ukraine's Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin told the meeting his office had launched investigations into more than 72,000 incidents of alleged war crimes and would soon sign an agreement to establish an ICC field office in Ukraine, Reuters reports. 9:10 a.m.: European Union foreign ministers agreed to endorse a two-billion-euro plan at a Brussels summit this week that aims to provide Ukraine with one million shells in the next 12 months as well as replenish EU stocks. Kyiv has complained that its forces are having to ration firepower as Russia's year-long invasion has turned into a grinding war of attrition, AFP reports. Ukraine has told the EU it wants 350,000 shells a month to help its troops hold back Moscow's onslaught and allow them to launch fresh counter-offensives later in the year. "More artillery ammunition for Ukraine as fast as possible," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged in a social media post. The first part of the plan commits one billion euros ($1.06 billion) of shared funding to help EU states tapping into their already stretched stocks for ammunition that can be sent quickly. The second billion euros will be dedicated to order 155-millimetre shells for Ukraine as part of a massive joint procurement push intended to spur EU defense firms to ramp up production. 8:35 a.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russia would provide grain to African countries for free if the Black Sea grain deal is not extended in May. Putin told delegates at a Russia-Africa parliamentary conference that only a small amount of grain exports unblocked under the deal had reached Africa, and that the fulfillment of Russian conditions for the deal's renewal was in Africa's interest. In a statement posted on its website, the Russian foreign ministry said Moscow had decided to limit the extension of the deal to 60 days, until May 18, over what it called "a lack of progress... on normalization of domestic agricultural exports." The Russian ministry said the deal's renewal in May would depend on certain conditions, including the restoration of access to the SWIFT financial messaging system for Russian state-owned agriculture-focused bank Rosselkhozbank, a resumption of farm machinery supplies, and the unblocking of foreign assets and accounts held by Russian agricultural companies. In its statement, the Foreign Ministry said that neither Turkey nor Ukraine had raised formal objections to the shortened period. A senior Ukrainian official told Reuters that Kyiv had objected to Moscow's demand for a 60-day extension, Reuters reports. 8:05 a.m.: Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported Monday, that Chinese President Xi Jinping had arrived in Moscow and would be meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin at 3:30 p.m. Kyiv time, The Associated Press reports. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that talks will focus on the war in Ukraine, as well as China's 12-point plan calling on all parties to respect the sovereignty of all nations, safeguard nuclear facilities, facilitate grain exports, and protect civilians and prisoners of war. Russia has been hoping to obtain weapons and high-tech equipment from China to boost its war effort. The plan was met with criticism from many of Ukraine's western allies. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Feb. 25 that it did not express clear demand for the full withdrawal of Russian troops and warned against "dictated peace Russian-style." China has so far failed to condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine and illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories. 7:30 a.m.: Ahead of his visit to Russia, President Xi signed an article entitled Forging Ahead to Open a New Chapter of China-Russia Friendship, Cooperation and Common Development" published Monday on Russia's newspaper Russian Gazette and the website of RIA Novosti news agency. 5 a.m.: European Union ministers on Monday will look to sign off on a 2-billion-euro plan to raid their stockpiles and jointly purchase desperately needed artillery shells for Ukraine. Kyiv has complained that its forces are having to ration their firepower as Russia's year-long invasion has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Ukraine has told the EU it wants 350,000 shells a month to help its troops hold back Moscow's onslaught and allow them to launch fresh counter-offensives later in the year. Foreign and defense ministers from the bloc's 27-nations meeting in Brussels are seeking to agree on a multipronged initiative aimed at speeding up supplies and bolstering their defense industries. Agence France-Presse had the full report. 4 a.m.: Britain is ready to help Poland fill its air defense 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 defense equipment, according to Reuters. 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. 3:15 a.m.: 3 a.m.: Reuters reported that Justice ministers from around the world will meet in London on Monday to discuss scaling up support for the International Criminal Court after it issued an arrest warrant last week for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The ICC accused Putin of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. Moscow rejects the charges, calling the move unacceptable and saying it has no legal force in Russia which is not an ICC member. "We are gathering in London today united by one cause: to hold war criminals to account for the atrocities committed in Ukraine during this unjust, unprovoked and unlawful invasion," British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said. 2:30 a.m.: 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, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. 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. 2 a.m.: Official: Russia damaged or seized more than 1,700 fire trucks, hundreds of fire stations during full-scale war, The Kyiv Independent reported. Some of these lost assets were damaged by shelling, and the rest were seized by the Russian army in occupied areas, said State Emergency Service head Serhii Kruk. 1:30 a.m.: They share a common enemy in Russian President Vladimir Putin, who unleashed an invasion that has killed tens of thousands of people in Ukraine and is jailing opponents, curtailing freedoms, and crushing dissent at home, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. But more than a year after Moscows large-scale offensive began, massively escalating a war that broke out almost a decade ago in the Donbas, many Ukrainians are distrustful and dismissive of the Russian opposition -- and particularly of Putin's most prominent foe, Aleksei Navalny. Nothing illustrates this more starkly than the outrage caused by the Oscar that a documentary -- eponymously titled Navalny -- tracking the now-imprisoned politician and anti-corruption campaigner as he recovered from a near-fatal August 2020 nerve-agent poisoning he blames on Putin won at the Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood on March 12. For many in the United States and the West, this year's award for Best Documentary Feature Film was precisely a rebuke of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. During his acceptance speech, the documentary's Canadian-born director, Daniel Roher, said Navalny is being punished "for what he callsVladimir Putins unjust war of aggression in Ukraine." 1 a.m.: 12:30 a.m.: Four Ukrainian servicemen killed in unknown incident at training center, The Kyiv Independent reports. More specific details of the tragedy were not provided. According to the statement by the training center in Chernihiv Oblast, the State Bureau of Investigation has launched an official investigation. 12:01 a.m.: Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has cited Ukraine's "own example" of confiscating sovereign and private Russian assets within its borders to urge Kyiv's allies to do the same and contribute to a war recovery effort estimated to cost over $700 billion. But Ukraine's experience seizing these assets has proven problematic and slow-moving, a probe by Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, found, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports. Out of a list of 905 Russian state assets, only two Prominvestbank and the International Reserve Bank have been transferred to the National Investment Fund of Ukraine's control since the campaign of confiscations began in May 2022, three months after Moscow launched its large-scale invasion of the country. And, despite presidential decrees authorizing sanctions against a number of Russian oligarchs, only four Oleg Deripaska, Yevgeny Giner, Mikhail Shelkov, and Vladimir Yevtushenko have actually lost their Ukrainian assets. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Daniel Duggan is wanted in the United States on charges including conspiracy to unlawfully export defense services to China and money laundering. Lawyers for the former U.S. marine, accused of helping to train Chinese military pilots, have said they are investigating whether he was trapped by American authorities who are seeking his extradition from Australia. Duggan had applied for an Australian government job in aviation that needed security clearance. That was initially granted but was revoked soon after he returned to Australia. The former U.S. marine pilots lawyer, Dennis Miralis, believes the extradition request is politically motivated. It is striking to us that a sequence of events like that could occur, Miralis told reporters Monday outside the court in Sydney. We are exploring at this stage whether or not he was lured back to Australia by the U.S., where the U.S. knew that he would be in a jurisdiction where he would be capable of being extradited back to the U.S. That is a matter of grave significance, Miralis said. At this stage these are matters under investigation. Authorities in Washington have accused Duggan of training Chinese fighter pilots and believe hes violated the arms export control act. He was arrested last October in the Australian state of New South Wales and has recently been moved from a remand center in Sydney to a maximum-security prison. His legal team has filed a submission to the U.N. Human Rights Commission claiming that his incarceration breaches the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Australian government approved a request for his extradition almost three months ago. The former marine airman is an Australian citizen whos renounced his U.S. citizenship. He denies breaking any law and has said he was training civilian not military pilots. Australia, the United States and Britain in recent months have launched a crackdown on former military pilots being recruited by China. A magistrate in Sydney will decide if Duggan is eligible for extradition to the United States to face criminal charges. The case has been adjourned until May 1. Police in Indias Punjab State are continuing to look for Amritpal Singh, a leader of the Khalistan movement that supports the establishment of a separate Sikh homeland. Punjabs government has turned off all internet service until Tuesday as the police look for the radical Sikh. The police engaged in a car chase with Singh Sunday, but he was able to elude them. Police have arrested 112 of his supporters. Authorities have been looking for Singh since Saturday, weeks after his supporters overtook a police station, demanding the release of an aide. Republican lawmakers on Monday assailed the New York Democratic prosecutor investigating former President Donald Trump in connection with his alleged $130,000 hush money payment to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. Three committee chairmen in the House of Representatives accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of prosecutorial misconduct and demanded that he provide them information and documents related to his investigation of Trump. The former president said over the weekend that he expects to be arrested in the case on Tuesday, although the prosecutor has made no public announcement indicating whether Trump would be indicted or when. Trump called for protests if he is indicted, and New York officials have been coordinating with federal security agencies to handle any unrest near the courthouse in New York. Trump would be the first former U.S. president ever charged with a criminal offense. He also faces wide-ranging investigations by a Justice Department special counsel and a state prosecutor in the southern state of Georgia for his role in trying to upend his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden to stay in power. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith is also probing Trumps role in fomenting the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol as lawmakers met to certify Bidens victory and how Trump kept classified documents at his Florida estate after leaving office, rather than turning them over to the National Archives as he was required by law to do. The New York probe stems from the $130,000 paid to adult star Stormy Daniels by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen to guarantee her silence just ahead of the 2016 election about the one-night sexual encounter she claims to have had with Trump, an allegation he has long denied. Cohen has said that Trump approved the payment and then reimbursed him, saying it was for legal expenses. "You are reportedly about to engage in an unprecedented abuse of prosecutorial authority: the indictment of a former president of the United States," the Republican committee chairmen said in their letter to Bragg. "This indictment comes after years of your office searching for a basis any basis on which to bring charges," they added. The letter was signed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil. Democrats rebuffed the criticism of the Trump investigation, with Representative Daniel Goldman saying on Twitter, "Defending Trump is not a legitimate legislative purpose for Congress to investigate a state district attorney." "Congress has no jurisdiction to investigate the Manhattan DA, which receives no federal funding nor has any other federal nexus," said Goldman, who was lead counsel in a 2019 House impeachment of Trump. Trump announced his intention to seek the 2024 Republican presidential nomination months ago and says he would keep campaigning even if he is charged with a criminal offense. Numerous national polls show him as the front-runner for the Republican nomination, although several other Republicans have either announced their own candidacies or said they are seriously considering a race against Trump. Trump was impeached twice during his presidency, once in 2019 over his conduct demanding Ukraine investigate Biden, and again in 2021 over the attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. He was acquitted by the Senate both times. Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban leader in Afghanistan, has told Afghan officials to replace any relatives they have hired for government positions and avoid hiring relatives moving forward. Allegations have emerged that some Taliban officials have placed their sons in government positions they are not qualified for. Afghanistan is facing deepening economic and humanitarian crises since the Taliban returned to power, after fighting a war for two decades. In addition to the Talibans nepotism practices, the group has also barred many women from working and has also refused to allow girls and women to continue their education in secondary schools and universities. The United Nations has renewed its call for Afghanistan's Taliban to immediately reopen schools to teenage girls, saying the de facto authorities have no justification for denying the right to education on any grounds, including religion or tradition. "The ongoing unlawful denial of girls and young women's right to education in Afghanistan marks a global nadir in education, impacting an entire gender, a generation, and the future of the country," a U.N. panel of experts said Monday. There is no indication the Taliban intend to lift the ban on female education as secondary schools across the South Asian nation reopen later this week after winter break, the statement lamented. "Instead, it appears that for the second successive school year, teenage girls will be banned from resuming their studies," the U.N. panel said, adding that Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls and young women are barred from receiving an education. Separately, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while launching the 2022 Human Rights Report on Monday, renewed Washington's denunciation of curbs on Afghan women's access to education and work. Blinken said the Taliban leadership "relentlessly discriminates and represses" Afghan women. He noted the de facto authorities have so far issued 80 decrees that restrict women's freedom of movement and the right to education and work. "I'll say very simply that we deplore the edicts," Blinken told reporters. He said the order banning Afghan female employees of nongovernmental organizations from workplaces "imperils" millions of Afghans who depend on humanitarian assistance for survival. The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops withdrew from Afghanistan after two decades of war. The hardline former insurgent group has since implemented its strict interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, barring most women from workplaces and banning female education beyond grade six in the war-torn country of about 40 million people. The Taliban have rejected calls to reverse the bans, saying they align with local tradition and Sharia. No country has formally recognized the de facto Afghan authorities as the legitimate rulers, citing human rights concerns, particularly the treatment of women. "I think it's safe to say from conversations with countries around the world that to the extent the Taliban is looking for more normal relations with countries around the world, that will not happen so long as they continue to advance these repressive edicts against women and girls," Blinken stressed. Meanwhile, Qatar said Monday it had hosted talks with a Taliban delegation led by Education Minister Mawlawi Sayyid Habeeb on "the future of education in Afghanistan and the challenges and obstacles facing it." The Foreign Ministry in Doha said regional UNICEF representatives had also attended the meeting where "equal access to education for all, especially girls" was discussed, among other issues. "The participants also agreed on the need to ensure the right to education for all, develop a common vision that deals with challenges, and provide high-quality education opportunities for all Afghan students in all regions," the statement said. It quoted the Taliban delegation praising Qatar's efforts "in organizing that event that would come up with solutions to help the Afghan people improve the quality of education and ensure its access to male and female students" across Afghanistan. Western governments relocated their embassies from the Afghan capital, Kabul, to Doha after the Taliban takeover. Russia, Turkey, Qatar and Afghanistan's neighbors including China, Pakistan and Iran are among over a dozen countries that have kept their embassies open in Kabul. They have also allowed the Taliban to run Afghan embassies and consulates in their territories. The United States has determined that members of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Eritrean Defense Forces, Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) forces and Amhara forces committed war crimes during the conflict in northern Ethiopia, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday. Members of the ENDF, Eritrean forces, and Amhara forces also committed crimes against humanity, Blinken told reporters, including murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence and persecution. Members of the Amhara forces committed the crime against humanity of deportation or forcible transfer and committed ethnic cleansing through their treatment of Tigrayans in the western Tigray, Blinken said. The determination comes after the top U.S. diplomat's trip to Ethiopia last week, where he praised progress in implementing a peace deal in the country but stopped short of re-admitting it to a U.S. trade program. The Ethiopian government and forces from Tigray signed a cease-fire in November, ending a conflict that killed tens of thousands of people, left hundreds of thousands facing hunger and displaced millions. Ethiopian government spokesperson Legesse Tulu did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Blinken's remarks. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's spokesperson Billene Seyoum also did not respond to requests for comment. Additionally, Ethiopian Army spokesperson Colonel Getnet Adane, Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel, TPLF official Getachew Reda, and Amhara regional government spokesperson Gizachew Muluneh did not respond to requests for comment. Blinken, in his meeting with Abiy last week, discussed "the importance of accountability for the atrocities perpetrated by all parties during the conflict, as well as the need for an inclusive and comprehensive process of transitional justice," the State Department said. The United States was outspoken in its criticism of alleged atrocities by Ethiopian forces and their allies from Eritrea and the Amhara region during the Tigray war. Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation and traditionally a U.S. ally in East Africa, accused Washington of meddling in its internal affairs and threatened to reassess the bilateral relationship. It has denied the most serious allegations of human rights violations during the war. U.S. hostage Jeffery Woodke has been released after more than six years in captivity in West Africa, White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan said Monday. Woodke was kidnapped from his home in Abalak, Niger, where he was a humanitarian aid worker, by men who ambushed and killed his guards, forced Woodke into their truck at gunpoint and drove toward the border with Mali. The incident happened Oct. 14, 2016. According to Nigers interior minister, Hamadou Souley, Nigerien authorities secured Woodkes release from Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, a terrorist group active in West Africa and the Sahel. The U.S. thanks Niger for its help in bringing him home to all who miss & love him, Sullivan wrote in a tweet Monday, referring to Woodke. I thank so many across our government whove worked tirelessly toward securing his freedom. Woodkes wife, Els Woodke, told The New York Times that she was notified of his release and told he was in Nigers capital city of Niamey. A U.S. official confirmed that Woodke was in Niamey and said he was being medically evaluated. Another senior administration official briefing reporters said that the U.S. had not paid a ransom or made other concessions. Separately, French journalist Olivier Dubois was also released following his kidnapping April 8, 2021 in Mali. Dubois posted a video on Twitter saying he was tired but felt fine. Media rights group Reporters Without Borders issued a statement Monday, saying it was overjoyed and hugely relieved by Dubois release. The group had long campaigned for his release. The developments come days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger. Some information from this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. VOAs French to Africa service and Annika Hammerschlag contributed to this report. Countrys largest business media house, the Economic Times, has ventured into a new initiative- ETAuto.com to offer in-depth news, views, analysis and global trends in the automotive industry. The new venture is the biggest news caster on automotive industry in the country with coverage encompassing the entire events and segment of business including components, OEMs, policy, Aftermarket, auto technology etc. ETAuto.com is supported by a large number of highly respected journalists tracking the industry at Times Group, all the major global news agencies, and a dedicated editorial team. The initiative has received tremendous support from the top industry bodies and association in the country hence becoming the choicest platform to read industry leaderships opinion in the form of blog, column and interview under Industry Speaks tool. The news initiative brings out exclusive reports and surveys in association with its knowledge partners. It also publishes reviews of various automobile products and manufacturing facilities. The facility visit is intended to highlight the best practices being adopted which are frugal and enhances efficiency thus increasing the profitability. ETAuto.com plays pivotal role in facilitating B2B transactions by publishing relevant data, information, survey, reports and other material on the automotive industry. It also deems to play an interface in establishing communication among various stake holders of the industry through events, round table discussion and seminar. The discussion and seminars are webcast on the ETAuto.com and also have video interviews. The stories and features also bring forth the strategies, decisions which turned into a debacle or a remarkable success for the readers to learn from. India being a country of youths, it is pertinent to enrich them with right skill and employment. The Auto Industry of India has been recording tremendous growth over the years and has emerged as a major contributor to Indias GDP. This industry currently accounts for almost 7% of our GDP and employing about 19 million people both directly and indirectly. Acknowledging this fact ETAuto.com offers an opportunity for the youth, looking to build career in the automotive industry, to interact with various mentors through various activity. It also has a dedicated job section where vacancies at shopfloor, mid-manager, top management levels are directly published by the automotive companies. Daily E-Newsletter ETAuto.com also reaches to its reader through a comprehensive free daily E- Newsletter to subscribers - summarizing days essential news, reports and analysis. The newsletter accomplishes this by linking to stories from all around the web and other media sources. It tracks all the top sources, including news sites, reporters, tweets, news agencies, TV channels and status updates to bring to our subscribers a comprehensive view of the latest updates in the industry. The newsletter attracts a readership of decision makers, policy makers, investors and professionals from Automobile industry in India. The majority of the readers are part of the top management at various organizations. Contact Us Times Internet Limited, FC 6, Film City, Sector 16 A, Noida. contactus@etauto.com U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow this week suggests China does not think the Kremlin should face accountability for the "numerous war crimes and other atrocities" committed by Russia's armed forces in Ukraine that was documented in a State Department report. The State Department unveiled its 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Monday, which cites "credible reports of summary execution, torture, rape, indiscriminate attacks, and attacks deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure by Russia's forces in Ukraine, all of which constitute war crimes." The report says the crimes occurred following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. "Instead of even condemning [Russia forces], [the People's Republic of China] would rather provide diplomatic cover for Russia to continue to commit those very crimes," Blinken told reporters during a press conference on Monday. Russia-China The top U.S. diplomat said the United States expects that China may use Xi's visit to reiterate calls for a cease-fire under its peace proposal. "The fundamental element of any plan for ending the war in Ukraine and producing adjusted durable peace must be upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, in accordance with the United Nations' Charter," Blinken urged. White House official John Kirby, National Security Council strategic communications coordinator, said Monday, "Any cease-fire that does not address the removal of Russian forces from Ukraine would effectively ratify Russia's illegal conquest." The State Department's annual human rights report also underscored cases of forced deportation of civilians and children from Ukraine to Russia. The report comes after the International Criminal Court issued warrants for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a Russian children's rights official for their roles in alleged war crimes relating to the illegal transfers and deportations of children from occupied Ukrainian territories to Russia. Moscow said the arrest warrants are outrageous and has dismissed the prospect of Putin going to trial. Russia does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction. U.S. President Joe Biden and senior officials from his administration have accused Russia of committing war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine. In February, the State Department determined that members of the Russian forces and other Russian officials had committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine. The report also highlighted concerns about continuing human rights abuses in Iran, China, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma,) Afghanistan, South Sudan, Syria and other authoritarian nations. Afghanistan The State Department report gave a grim outlook on the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. "The Taliban relentlessly discriminates against and represses women and girls, so far issuing 80 decrees and that restrict women's freedom of movement and the right to education and work," said Blinken on Monday. In December, the Taliban ordered international and national nongovernmental organizations to suspend Afghan female staff from the workplace. Iran On Iran, Blinken said this year's report documents in detail the Iranian regime's violent crackdown and its continued denial of the Iranian people's universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in the custody of Iran's so-called morality police last September for an alleged dress code violation triggered peaceful protests across Iran. "In the wake of the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, authorities have killed hundreds of peaceful protesters, including dozens of children, and arbitrarily detained thousands," said Blinken on Monday. While the Iranian government launched an investigation after the death of Amini, it focused on the acts of the protesters whom the government called "rioters" with no indication it would investigate the conduct of security forces, said the State Department report. China On China, Blinken said, "Genocide and crimes against humanity" continued to occur against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang). These crimes include the arbitrary imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty of more than one million civilians, forced sterilization, coerced abortions, rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, and persecution including forced labor and draconian restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, and freedom of movement, according to the human rights report. The report added some activists and organizations accused the Beijing government of forcibly harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience, including religious and spiritual adherents such as Falun Gong practitioners and Muslim detainees in Xinjiang. "Organ harvesting has been a part of the human rights report, it has been reported on there," said Erin Barclay, State Department acting Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. "We will continue to focus on that as an issue across the broad spectrum of human rights and trafficking issues." On Myanmar, the report said the military regime continues to use violence to brutalize civilians and consolidate its control, killing more than 2,900 people and detaining more than 17,000 since a military coup in February 2021. The new report documents the status of respect for human rights and worker rights in 198 countries and territories. The State Department has issued its annual Country Report on Human Rights Practices for more than 40 years. Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the Kremlin Monday, telling him that he welcomes Beijing's peace plan to resolve Russia's war against Ukraine and signaling to Western leaders the extent of what they call their "limitless" friendship. Putin said he viewed the Beijing peace plan with respect. But it has little chance of enactment as proposed because it does not meet key demands from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy namely, that Russia withdraw from Ukraine to honor its internationally recognized borders, including the Crimean Peninsula that Moscow illegally annexed in 2014 and the eastern Ukrainian regions Russian forces invaded in February of last year. The Chinese leader's three-day visit to Moscow gives both Xi and Putin a public show of partnership in opposing what both see as American domination of global affairs. Their growing alliance also facilitates economic deals, such as shipment of Russian oil and natural gas to China at a time when the U.S. and its Western allies have imposed widespread sanctions to curb Russia's foreign business transactions in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine. In opening remarks before their closed-door talks, Putin said Russia was "slightly envious" of China's rapid development in recent decades that have boosted it to become the world's second-largest economy behind the U.S. Russian news agencies later reported that the two leaders talked for nearly 4 1/2 hours before breaking for dinner. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier Monday that Putin would likely give Xi a "detailed explanation" of Moscow's actions in Ukraine over dinner. He said talks would continue Tuesday on a range of subjects and involve officials from both countries. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Washington Monday that any proposal for Ukraine that allows Russian forces to remain in the country would merely let Moscow regain its strength to continue its offensive. "Calling for a cease-fire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest," he said. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby called on Xi "to press President Putin directly on the need to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity." Ahead of Xi's visit, in an article published in the Chinese People's Daily newspaper, Putin described the visit as a "landmark event" that "reaffirms the special nature of the Russia-China partnership." The Russian leader specifically said the meeting sent a message to Washington that the two countries aren't prepared to accept attempts to weaken them. "The U.S. policy of simultaneously deterring Russia and China, as well as all those who do not bend to the American diktat, is getting ever fiercer and more aggressive," he wrote. The Chinese leader's trip to Moscow came just days after the International Criminal Court in The Hague charged Putin with the illegal deportation of thousands of children from Ukraine to Russia. Russia has ignored the allegations as "null and void." It was not immediately clear what China hoped to gain from Xi's visit. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Xi's trip was a "journey of friendship, cooperation and peace." On the war, Wang said, "China will uphold its objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks." The spokesperson added, "President Xi will have an in-depth exchange of views with President Putin on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common concern." Wang said that Xi aims to "promote strategic coordination and practical cooperation between the two countries and inject new impetus into the development of bilateral relations." While trying to broker an end to the war in Ukraine, Beijing has not supplied weapons to Moscow, nor has it condemned the invasion. At the same time, it has accused NATO and the United States of provoking Putin's attack on Ukraine. The U.S. has strongly rejected Beijing's call for a cease-fire, which it says would leave in place Moscow's territorial gains in eastern Ukraine. "The first and main point is the capitulation or withdrawal of the Russian occupation troops from the territory of Ukraine in accordance with the norms of international law and the U.N. Charter," Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said Monday on Twitter. On Monday, Xi wrote in the Rossiiskaya Gazeta, a state-run daily publication, that the Chinese peace proposal represents "as much as possible the unity of the world community's views," according to an English translation of the article issued by the Chinese Mission to the United Nations. "The document serves as a constructive factor in neutralizing the consequences of the crisis and promoting a political settlement," Xi said. "Complex problems do not have simple solutions." In the People's Daily, the newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee, Putin wrote, "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 Sunday. Kirby told VOA on Friday, "We know that China and Russia have been improving and increasing their relationship in many different ways, both sides have been. What we are concerned about is that President Xi hasn't talked to President Zelenskyy, and we believe it's important that he do that as well that he doesn't just get the Russian perspective here on this war, but that he gets President Zelenskyy's perspective." Kirby also said of the peace plan proposed by Beijing, "We'd be concerned if coming out of this meeting there was some sort of a call for a cease-fire, because right now, while a cease-fire sounds good, it actually ratifies Russia's gains on the ground. It actually serves Russia's purpose for a cease-fire to basically call a stop right now without any acknowledgement that Russia is illegally inside Ukraine." White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara and Paris Huang of VOA's Mandarin service contributed to this report. Some material for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. Political parties in Zimbabwe are currently conducting primary elections for selecting candidates for the forthcoming council, parliamentary and presidential elections. The ruling ZANU PF Politburo is meeting today in Harare to look into profiles of hundreds of people, including musicians, who wish to represent it in the crucial elections. ZANU PF spokesperson, Chris Mutsvangwa, says the selection of candidates is going well. On the other hand, the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says it is engaging people at grassroots level in conducting its national process of selecting candidates for the polls. CCC interim deputy spokesperson, Gift Ostallos Siziba, says, "Ours is a totally different selection process as we are involving some of the people that are normally excluded from the selection process. We are talking about teachers, chiefs, nurses and other stakeholders. "This is a deep-rooted democratic process that involves citizens. People are choosing their own representatives who will contest the council, parliamentary and presidential elections. We are a citizens movement driven by local people." The other opposition parties like the former liberation movement, ZAPU, and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T), are also conducting primaries. MDC-T information and publicity secretary, Witness Dube, says his party is also conducting grassroots primaries. Dube says, We are conducting our primaries in which we are involving locals in choosing their own candidates. Our process is very democratic as we are engaging a lot of people in this process. Zimbabwe is set to hold harmonized elections in July or August this year, five years after its last disputed polls won by the ruling party. Security forces gunned down by six people in Harare when some political activists took to the streets to protest against delays in announcing presidential results. A commission for inquiry set up by the government found that the deceased were killed by members of the Zimbabwe National Army. It recommended that the deceased's family members should be compensated. Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the Kremlin Monday, telling him that he welcomes Beijings peace plan to resolve Russias war against Ukraine and signaling to Western leaders the extent of what they call their limitless friendship. Putin said he viewed the Beijing peace plan with respect. But it has little chance of enactment as proposed because it does meet key demands from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyynamely, that Russia withdraw from Ukraine to honor its internationally recognized borders, including the Crimean Peninsula that Moscow illegally annexed in 2014 and the eastern Ukrainian regions Russian forces invaded in February of last year. The Chinese leaders three-day visit to Moscow gives both Xi and Putin a public show of partnership in opposing what both see as American domination of global affairs. Their growing alliance also facilitates economic deals, such as shipment of Russian oil and natural gas to China at a time when the U.S. and its Western allies have imposed widespread sanctions to curb Russias foreign business transactions in retaliation for its Ukraine invasion. In opening remarks before their closed-door talks, Putin said Russia was slightly envious of Chinas rapid development in recent decades that have boosted it to become the worlds second largest economy behind the U.S. Over dinner on Monday, Putin will likely give Xi a "detailed explanation" of Moscow's actions in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The spokesman said that broader talks on a range of subjects are scheduled Tuesday and involve officials from both countries. Ahead of the visit, in an article published in the Chinese People's Daily newspaper, Putin described Xi's visit as a "landmark event" that "reaffirms the special nature of the Russia-China partnership." The Russian leader specifically said the meeting sent a message to Washington that the two countries aren't prepared to accept attempts to weaken them. "The U.S. policy of simultaneously deterring Russia and China, as well as all those who do not bend to the American diktat, is getting ever fiercer and more aggressive," he wrote. The Chinese leaders trip to Moscow came just days after the International Criminal Court in The Hague charged Putin with the illegal deportation of thousands of children from Ukraine to Russia. Russia has ignored the allegations as null and void. It was not immediately clear what China hoped to gain from Xis visit. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Xi's trip was a "journey of friendship, cooperation and peace." On the war, Wang said, "China will uphold its objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks." The spokesman added, "President Xi will have an in-depth exchange of views with President Putin on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common concern." Wang said that Xi aims to "promote strategic coordination and practical cooperation between the two countries and inject new impetus into the development of bilateral relations." While trying to broker an end to the war in Ukraine, Beijing has not supplied weapons to Moscow, but also not condemned the invasion. At the same time, it has accused NATO and the United States of provoking Putin's attack on Ukraine. The U.S. has strongly rejected Beijing's call for a cease-fire, which it says would leave in place Moscows territorial gains in eastern Ukraine. "The first and main point is the capitulation or withdrawal of the Russian occupation troops from the territory of Ukraine in accordance with the norms of international law and the U.N. Charter," Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said Monday on Twitter. On Monday, Xi wrote in Rossiiskaya Gazeta, a daily published by the Russian government, that the Chinese proposal represents "as much as possible the unity of the world community's views, according to an English translation of the article issued by the Chinese Mission to the United Nations. "The document serves as a constructive factor in neutralizing the consequences of the crisis and promoting a political settlement. Complex problems do not have simple solutions, Xi said. SEE ALSO: In the People's Daily, the newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee, Putin said on Monday: 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, according to The Associated Press. We welcome China's willingness to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis, Putin said Sunday. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told VOA on Friday, We know that China and Russia have been improving and increasing their relationship in many different ways, both sides have been. What we are concerned about is that President Xi hasn't talked to [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and we believe it's important that he do that as well that he doesn't just get the Russian perspective here on this war, but that he gets President Zelenskyys perspective. Kirby also said of the peace plan proposed by Beijing, We'd be concerned if coming out of this meeting there was some sort of a call for a cease-fire, because right now, while a cease-fire sounds good, it actually ratifies Russia's gains on the ground. It actually serves Russia's purpose for a cease-fire to basically call a stop right now without any acknowledgement that Russia is illegally inside Ukraine. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara and Paris Huang of VOAs Mandarin service contributed to this report. Some material for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. MONDAY, March 20, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- In more bad news about antibiotic resistance, new research suggests that people and their pets may be able to transmit multidrug-resistant germs to each other. Still, cases of cross-transmission are rare and it's not clear if pets are giving germs to people or people are giving germs to their pets, the study authors noted. "In urban areas in high-income countries, pets do not seem to be a multidrug-resistant reservoir of high importance," said lead researcher Dr. Carolin Hackmann, from Charite University Hospital Berlin, in Germany. "Still, good hygiene practices in contact with pets should be kept up to further prevent transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms." The study can't prove that people and pets made each other sick, only that both shared a common disease and Hackmann said she wouldn't recommend that "vulnerable persons get rid of their pets, since transmission was very rare." Using nasal and rectal swabs, Hackmann and her colleagues looked for the antibacterial-resistant diseases methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), 3rd generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (3GCRE) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), in nearly 2,900 hospitalized patients between June 2019 and September 2022. More than 600 pet owners then were asked to send throat and stool swab samples of their pets; of these, 300 sent samples from 400 pets. Of these samples, 15% of dogs and 5% of cats had at least one multidrug-resistant germ. In four cases, these bacteria matched the owner's bacteria. But only one of the pairs was genetically identical in a dog and its owner, the researchers found. The findings are scheduled to be presented April 15 at the annual meeting of the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, in Copenhagen. Findings presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. "For years, people have implicated dogs and cats as carriers of MRSA and group A strep, but they're rarely thought to be a significant fomite [likely to carry infection] in transmissions between people and animals. It can happen, but it happens rarely," said Dr. Bruce Farber, chief of public health and epidemiology at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, N.Y. Farber believes there is a real danger of disease transmission between people and animals, but not from household pets. "There is no question that zoonosis, which is infections from animals in humans, has become a very big problem as has been seen in COVID and avian flu," he said. It is not the interaction between people and pets that worries Farber, but rather between people and animals on commercial farms and even in the wild. "It's those types of interactions that scare me a lot. Because that's where a jump could occur," he said. "Those types of transmissions are frightening and scary in terms of multidrug-resistant organisms." More information For more on diseases transmitted by animals to people, head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SOURCES: Carolin Hackmann, MD, Charite University Hospital, Berlin, Germany; Bruce Farber, MD, chief, public health and epidemiology, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, N.Y.; April 15, 2023, presentation European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen, April 15, 2023 A midsize bike built in France during the 1920s, one can't help but imagine an Abbott and Costello-type routine: "What's that?" Advertisement "A New Motorcycle." "Duh . . . I know it's a new motorcycle. But what is it?" "I just told you." "All I know is it's a new motorcycle." "Then why did you ask?" This content is expired! Unfortunely this content is expired and cannot be viewed anymore; if You are the owner of this content please login to our Website, go to our access panel and enable this content again. Italy celebrates Father of the Italian language. Italy marks the fourth edition of Dantedi, the national day dedicated to Dante Alighieri, on Saturday 25 March. The annual event in honour of the mediaeval poet and philosopher - known as the Father of the Italian language - follows the 700th anniversary of his death two years ago. A programme of Dante-themed events will take place across Italy on the day, from readings and conferences to documentary screenings and theatrical productions. 25 March was chosen for Dantedi as it is the date given by scholars for the start of the journey to the afterlife in Dante's epic, The Divine Comedy. The long narrative poem represents a 14th-century vision of the afterlife, describing Dante's journey through the three realms of the dead: Inferno (hell), Purgatorio (purgatory) and Paradiso (heaven). Dante, who began composing the groundbreaking trilogy in or around 1308, wrote the poem's 14,233 lines in the vernacular, opting for the Tuscan dialect which was accessible to the masses rather than the traditional Latin reserved for the most educated readers. For the full 2023 programme of Dantedi see Italy's culture ministry website. Works on Museo della Shoah could start this spring. Italy's right-wing government has approved plans to build a Holocaust Museum in Rome, allocating 10 million for the project which was first proposed two decades ago. "There is a museum of the Shoah in all of Europe's major capitals and it seemed only right to me for there to be one in our country too," culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said on Friday. Ruth Dureghello, the president of Rome's Jewish community, welcomed the news and expressed her hope that the project could finally proceed without further delay. The Museo della Shoah is to be built on land adjacent to the grounds of Villa Torlonia which hosts the neoclassical former residence of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini from 1925 to 1943. Designed by Italian architects Luca Zevi and Giorgio Tamburini, the cuboid-shaped museum is to have high black walls bearing the names of Italian Jews deported to Nazi concentration camps during world war two. Zevi told news agency ANSA on Friday that he believes the works on the museum will start this spring, while Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri said the city would play its part in ensuring that the works are carried out as quickly as possible. Manufactured and distributed in every region of Italy, the wine production business is quite significant. Here is a list of some the top wine producers in Italy that you should look out for when buying your next bottle! Marchesi Antinori Based in Tuscany, Marchesi Antinori is one of the most significant and well-known wine producers in Italy and has national and international locations and business. Photo credit: Simona Bottone / Shutterstock.com Manufacturing an estimated 20 million bottles annually, Antinori is one of the most vastly produced and distributed companies in the country. The business has Giovanni di Piero Antinori to thank for its origination when he entered the Florentine Winemakers Guild in 1835, marking their familys 26th generation in the wine production industry. One of the most famous Antinori wines is called Tignanello, produced in 1970. Appropriately, this is also the name of the vineyard in which the grapes are harvested, consisting of 57 hectares (140 acres). Tignanello is famous for its production without white grapes, rather Sangiovese, a red wine grape, and a combination of the red wines Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Through their passion for innovation and dedication to the wine industry, the Antinori family has been able to maintain their legacy and tradition for over 600 years. Benanti Located in the Sicilian region on the Mount Etna slopes, Benanti is a well-renowned Italian wine producer. Giuseppe Benanti created the winery in 1988, although wine production has been prevalent in the Benanti family since the late 1800s. Benanti is situated on 24 hectares (59 acres) of land on four slopes of the volcano and creates wine from indigenous grapes native to the Etnean land. Grown on vines that are between 12 and 100 years old, the grapes are implanted in soil that is rich with minerals aiding in their healthy production. An elegant and classic Benanti white wine, Pietra Marina has a dry and acidic taste that comes from Carricante grapes. This wine is named for the volcanic environment and is an iconic item in the Benanti collection. Producing high-quality and esteemed wines, Benantis unique location continuously draws in business and production, fostering its respected reputation. Gaja Gaja, a distinguished wine producer in Piedmont, Italy, was founded in 1859 by Giovanni Gaja. The company began with only 2 hectares (5 acres) of land, but by the late 1900s the business grew immensely. Photo credit: ALE_SHOT / Shutterstock.com They acquired more land, totaling to around 101 hectares (249 acres), expanding the company physically and economically. Gajas Barbaresco wine has been produced since the companys founding in 1859. This luxurious red wine is created with Nebbiolo grapes and was introduced to an extensive audience through Gajas business. Furthermore, Gaja prides themselves on implementing an initiative to combat global warming by planting hundreds of Italian cypress trees near the vineyards. A unique aspect of the Gaja production method is that they do not invest their resources abroad. Producing and distributing around 30,000 cases of wine each year, Gaja is quite successful despite their lack of international presence. With its modern and progressive values, Gaja is able to maintain its popularity and success within Italy and remains one of the most reputable Italian wine producers. Masseto Masseto, entirely devoted to producing the red wine Merlot, is based on the coast of Tuscany. The vineyard is located on 6.6 hectares (16.3 acres), on what was previously a clay quarry. Producing around 35,000 bottles of a year, Masseto has been in the production industry since the 1980s, making it a more recent development than many other Italian wine businesses. Masseto has taken mindful action of climate change and has shifted the vineyard to completely organic farming just over 10 years ago in 2012. In 2021, Massetos luxurious wine was worth almost 900 Euros per bottle, on average (20). Due to the select number of bottles produced annually and its iconic title, this brand of wine is sought out by collectors all over the world. Santa Margherita Santa Margherita, famous for selling Pinot Grigio, is Italys largest producer of this delicious wine. Santa Margherita is known for its impeccable quality, as it was showcased as Winery of the Year in 2021. Photo credit: The Image Party / Shutterstock.com Settled in vineyards around Italy, Santa Margherita was established in 1935 by Count Gaetano Marzotto as a tribute to his wife, Margherita Lampertico Marzotto. The business has many locations including but not limited to Veneto, Lombardy, and Sicily. Uniquely, in 1965, the company decided to implement a new method of winemaking to their traditional process and used pink Pinot Grigio grapes to produce their wine. This iconic wine described as having a light, crisp style is manufactured in Valadige and is distributed to 85 countries. Santa Margherita creates their wine with the highest quality and continues to emphasize sustainability practices in attempt to save energy and reduce pollution. With these continuous efforts and international distribution, Santa Margherita maintains its respectable legacy within the Italian wine production industry. Casa Vinicola Zonin Casa Vinicola Zonin, recognized for their sparkling wines, namely Prosecco, is located in the Veneto region of Italy. Furthermore, they own 9 wineries throughout the country and 1 in the United States, totaling to over 2000 hectares (5000 acres) of land. Although the business originated in the early 1820s in Gambellara, Zonin was formally established as a brand in 1921 by Domenico Zonin. One of Zonins most famous wines is their Prosecco, as it was awarded two winning titles (Wine of the Year By Country and Sparkling Wine of the Year By Glass) at the Sommeliers Choice Awards in 2019. With crisp and citrus flavors, Zonins Prosecco has an incredibly versatile taste, as it is known to be paired well with salads, seafood, and even desserts. Casa Vinicola Zonin is one of Italys largest family-owned winemaking producers, continuing to manufacture, sell, and distribute high-end wine all across the globe. Tenuta di Fiorano Founded in the 1940s by Prince Alberico Boncompagni Ludovisi, the Italian wine company Tenuta di Fiorano is located in the Eternal City, Rome. Tenuta di Fiorano consists of approximately 200 hectares (500 acres) of land where their remarkable wines are manufactured. In 1998, Prince Alessangrojacopo Boncompagni Ludovisi inherited Tenuta di Fiorano, and he is the current owner of the company. He notes that the business cultivated Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Semillon grapeswhen no one else was doing this in Italy, highlighting the innovative techniques and methods that the corporation are based upon. One of the most famous wines in the Tenuta di Fiorano collection is their Fiorano Red. This wine is created using Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, emitting smoky and balsamic flavors. The Tenuta di Fiorano legacy has been preserved over many years and continues to uphold its esteemed status of being one of the most significant wine producers across Italy. Troubled bank Credit Suisse will be acquired by Swiss rival UBS, a move engineered by the Swiss government in an effort to quell concerns of a financial crisis. While the takeover offered a momentary reprieve for bank industry observers, one aspect of the deal was, on its face, confounding: The Swiss government said that some $17 billion worth of Credit Suisse bonds would get marked down to zero, meaning their holders would lose all of their investment. Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share Under President Joe Biden, the US Department of Labor put in place a rule that would allow managers of retirement plans to weigh climate change and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in their investment decisions. The move undid an effort under then-President Donald Trump to block such investments. The rule has become a focus in a fight over what proponents call sustainable investing and opponents call woke capitalism. With the help of conservative Democratic senators, Republicans in Congress passed a measure to repeal the rule, but the White House said Biden would keep the rule in place by vetoing the congressional measure. 1. How did this start? In 2020, the Labor Department proposed a new rule that would change the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require those overseeing pension and 401(k) plans to always put economic interests ahead of what it called non-pecuniary goals. Advertisement 2. Why did it do that? The agency, led at the time by Trump appointee Eugene Scalia, said the change was intended to provide clear regulatory guideposts for plan fiduciaries in light of recent trends in ESG investing. (A fiduciary is someone with a legal responsibility to make financial decisions in the best interest of beneficiaries.) Private employer-sponsored retirement plans arent vehicles for furthering social goals or policy objectives that arent in the financial interest of the plan, Scalia said. The proposal acknowledged that ESG considerations can be pecuniary factors, meaning having a bearing on investment returns. But it said that would be allowed only if those factors presented economic risks or opportunities that qualified investment professionals would treat as material economic considerations under generally accepted investment theories. The proposal, which had not taken effect when Trump left office, also had requirements for more documentation when fiduciaries choose among truly economically indistinguishable investments. 3. What happened under Biden? Advertisement The Biden administration reversed Trumps plan and in November finalized a rule that permits retirement plans to consider ESG factors as long as they are in the best financial interest of plan participants and beneficiaries. The Department of Labor rule also provides options for workers and retirees who want to ensure the fund managers of their pensions consider climate risks and provide options to invest in sustainable businesses. 4. Whats the argument in favor of that? The administrations position is that the rule protects workers by ensuring that fiduciaries have the fullest set of available tools to protect their life savings and pensions. Democrats also have argued that the rule doesnt impose a mandate requiring that investments take ESG issues into consideration, but just allows them to. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said that more than 90% of companies listed on the S&P 500 already publish ESG reports, adding that Republicans should let the market work. Advertisement 5. What do critics say? Republicans have taken aim at the rule as a latest front in a rapidly expanding political-cultural-financial war. Some state where Republicans control the legislature, governors office or both have already passed laws or adopted rules seeking to limit ESG investing. Mitch McConnell, the leader of Senate Republicans, said the Labor Departments rule would allow the administration to endanger Americans retirement savings for political causes they may not even support and would water down investment managers fiduciary obligation to get the best returns for clients. 6. What happened in Congress? The Republican-led House voted 216-204 in favor of a resolution against the rule. The vote came under the provisions of the Congressional Review Act, which allows majorities in both houses of Congress to block a regulation adopted by the executive branch. In the Senate, Democrats Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Jon Tester of Montana joined with Republicans to pass a similar resolution by a vote of 50-46. The White House had said earlier that Biden if the measure passed Biden would issue a veto, his first. Overruling a Biden veto would require a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress, both of which are narrowly divided. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2023 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Ralph Yarl, 16, was shot after ringing the doorbell of a wrong home in Kansas City, Mo., his lawyers said. He is alive but has a long recovery ahead, they said. Automotive manufacturing consists of many steps of production, including building and attaching parts of the vehicle during the assembly-line process. Interior car panel installation is just one of the steps, and it can include of a mix of human and robotic interaction to do the job right. Interior car panels are more than just a covering for the inside of the door -- they have important functions like protecting the window when it's rolled down and covering electrical wiring and motors for windows and door locks. They serve as a barrier between occupants and the outside elements and are also engineered to reduce the amount of road noise an occupant hears. Advertisement In the past, installation of the interior door panels was done completely by people on the assembly line; now, robots are integrated into the auto manufacturing line, including the interior panel installation. Interior door panels ride down an assembly line and are fitted onto the exterior vehicle door by a set of fasteners; including plastic clips or adhesives [Source: Assembly Magazine]. The clips or adhesives attach the interior car panel to the exterior part of the door and form one complete door. Plastic clips allow autoworkers and vehicle owners to easily access the area behind the panel for window maintenance or electrical work after installation. Depending on the manufacturer, part of the door may be assembled offsite and then added to the assembly line, or it may be assembled completely in the plant. The interior panels may be composed of several interior panel pieces that are connected to the metal frame of the door, or they may be one single piece. Multiple pieces allow for interior panels to be installed with consumer or manufacturer specifications or features. On the next page, we'll learn about some different types of interior car panels. BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday urged the U.S., the UK and Australia to stop putting their selfish geopolitical agenda above nuclear non-proliferation obligations and stop coercing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) into endorsing their nuclear submarine cooperation. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's remarks that the AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation is the advancement of NATO military infrastructure into Asia, which makes a serious bet on many years of confrontation in the region. Wang said the U.S., the UK and Australia are putting up an Anglo-Saxon clique and creating the so-called AUKUS trilateral security partnership to advance nuclear submarine cooperation and other cutting-edge military technology cooperation. "This is typical Cold War mentality and a move that opens a Pandora's box, which will seriously impact regional and global peace and security," said Wang. Wang said firstly, it will seriously impact the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. The AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation marks the first time for nuclear weapon states to transfer naval nuclear propulsion reactors and weapons-grade highly enriched uranium to a non-nuclear weapon state. There is nothing in the current IAEA safeguards system that can ensure effective safeguards. Therefore, such cooperation poses serious nuclear proliferation risks, seriously compromises the authority of the IAEA and deals a blow to the Agency's safeguards system, Wang said. He said if the three countries are set on advancing the nuclear submarine cooperation, other countries will likely follow suit, eventually leading to the collapse of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. Secondly, it will seriously impact the ASEAN-centered regional cooperation architecture, Wang said, adding that the AUKUS cooperation is designed to serve the U.S. geopolitical agenda with the means of military deterrence. It runs counter to the ASEAN way of mutual respect, openness and inclusiveness, consensus through consultation, and accommodating the comfort levels of all sides, undercuts ASEAN countries' effort to establish a Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone and seriously undermines the ASEAN-centered regional cooperation architecture in East Asia. Wang said thirdly, it will seriously impact peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific. AUKUS introduces group politics and Cold War confrontation into the Asia-Pacific, and is aimed to create a NATO-replica in the region. "If this attempt succeeds, it forebodes unprecedented threats and challenges to the decades-long stability and prosperity in the region," the spokesperson said. Wang said the U.S., the UK and Australia should listen to the call of the international community and countries in the region, stop pursuing bloc politics and confrontation, stop putting their selfish geopolitical agenda above nuclear non-proliferation obligations and stop coercing the IAEA into endorsing their nuclear submarine cooperation. With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. SAIC MAXUS sees 1 millionth vehicle roll off line On March 20, SAIC MAXUS 12th anniversary, the company saw its 1 millionth vehicle roll off the production lines. At the same time, several fresh vehicle models of the brand were unveiled, including the V70, the V90 IKEA edition, the MIFA 9 camping edition, the pure-electric RV EV90, and the 2023 version of the V100 RV. Moreover, the company also revealed the official Chinese name of its MIFA product lineup, namely, Dajia. Photo credit: SAIC MAXUS Kia EV9 & EV5 concept cars to be unveiled tonight in China Kia China will officially launch the "2023 Kia China New Energy Strategy Conference" tonight. It will unveil two concept cars, the EV9 and EV5, and reveal a series of medium-to-long-term strategies for new energy vehicles in the Chinese market. Photo credit: Kia JMC to introduce high-end pickup brand Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) announced that it will launch a new pickup brand tonight, which is said to be named Dadao and positioned as a higher-end brand. Along with the new brand, a new pickup truck model will also be unveiled, available in multiple sizes. The new pickup truck from JMC will feature a high-end interior design with a significant improvement in overall workmanship and materials. BYD so far delivers over 3,100 new energy passenger vehicles to Colombian market In mid-March, BYD and Colombian dealer Motorysa held the "El Cubo Motorysa" exhibition in Bogota, the capital of Colombia. The Chinese automaker put on display a variety of models, including the Song PLUS DM-i, Qin PLUS DM-i, Dolphin, Yuan PLUS EV, and Han EV. So far, BYD has delivered over 3,100 new energy passenger vehicles to the Colombian market, becoming one of the main new energy passenger vehicle brands in the country. GAC-backed Ontime partners with NavInfo for smart transportation advancement GAC Group's ride-hailing service platform, Ontime, entered into a strategic partnership with NavInfo, a leading Chinese automotive intelligence developer, to jointly create products and services for enhancement of travel experience. Desay SV invests in Chinese HUD maker FervCloud FervCloud, a Chinese tech company specializing in car-mounted heads-up display (HUD), has secured a strategic financing of tens of millions of yuan from Desay SV. BYDs new energy passenger vehicle models make debut in Uzbekistan On Mar. 16, BYD held an event to introduce the BYD brand and three new energy vehicle (NEV) models to customers in Uzbekistan, according to a press release from BYD. BYD teams up with Al-Futtaim to launch NEVs in UAE On Mar. 15, BYD Auto Industry Company Limited ("BYD") announced its partnership with Al-Futtaim, a leading distributor in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to lay a solid foundation for the development of green travel in the country. Lynk & Co pours in 200 million yuan to launch LYNK OS N smart cockpit system Lynk & Co, an auto brand formed as a joint venture between Geely Auto Group and Volvo Cars, unveiled the LYNK OS N smart cockpit on March 19. The new operating system will be made available via OTA updates on the Lynk & Co 09 model by the end of March. 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. 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. 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. 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. It seems even Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowes 10 consecutive interest rate rises arent enough to stop some of Sydneys well-heeled citizenry from making a motza flipping their home real estate. Lending weight to the adage that it takes money to make money, gold bullion dealers Kurt and Nathalie Jaggard have sold their Manly harbourside apartment for what a local source said was the double-digit millions more than double the $4.52 million they paid for it in 2020. A Squillace Architects redesign was commissioned since it last traded in 2020. Credit: Domain Clarke & Humels Cherie Humel and Michael Clarke would not comment on the deal, but records show it was sold after four days following a Squillace Architects renovation. The Jaggards are now slumming it in a nearby harbourfront townhouse they purchased last year for $5.75 million. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- DENZA, the premium auto brand majority-owned by BYD, recently forged a strategic partnership with the French audio technology company DEVIALET, according to a press release DENZA issued on Mar. 20 via its WeChat account. Through the partnership, the BYD-backed brand will introduce to the public a vehicle model equipped with DEVIALETs audio system on March 22, which is also the worlds first production model of this kind. Photo credit: DENZA At the signing ceremony, the two parties awarded each other the title of "Brand Strategic Partner". They will co-work on the development of the new energy vehicle industry, sound quality and acoustics, and life quality to jointly provide users with luxurious acoustic experience. "The collaboration between DENZA and DEVIALET will jointly create a new benchmark for mobile intelligent music cockpits, bringing the ultimate new luxury living experience to Chinese consumers, said Zhang Changjiang, general manager of DENZA. In the future, the duo will conduct long-term innovative exploration around intelligent music cabin technology and acoustic systems, constantly integrating superior sound experience with extraordinary driving experience. As part of the WCOs continued commitment to the fight against illegal trade in environmentally sensitive commodities, the WCO Environment Programme, in cooperation with the Regional Office for Capacity Building for the Asia/Pacific Region (ROCB A/P) and with the financial support of the China Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF/China), held a workshop on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in the Royal Malaysian Customs Academy (AKMAL), Langkawi, Malaysia, from 12 to 16 March 2023. This workshop brought together participants from the Member Customs administrations of the Asia-Pacific Region, including, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Vietnam. MEAs provide a framework for addressing major environmental challenges. By monitoring and controlling international trade in environmentally sensitive commodities, Customs play a crucial role in enforcing MEAs, facilitating legal trade and detecting illegal trade. The aim of the workshop was to enhance the knowledge and skills required for practical application of the MEAs provisions and increase the capacity of Customs officers to enforce them and address environmental challenges. The workshop, attended by 25 Customs officials, comprised in-depth and practical sessions on ways to tackle illegal trade in environmentally sensitive commodities and facilitate legal trade therein as provided by the international instruments. It offered practical exercises as well as interactive sessions with presentations by representatives of the WCO, UNEP Asia/Pacific Office and an accredited expert in the area of illegal wildlife trade from the Malaysia Customs. The topics covered included the global trade trends and threats related to trade in environmentally sensitive commodities, the use of data, the risk management techniques and practices related to document and physical examination of such shipments. The WCO Members participating in the workshop presented some of their best practices for regulating the trade in environmentally sensitive commodities. It nevertheless became clear from the discussions that the illegal trade in commodities such as waste, wildlife, substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol, and hazardous chemicals remains a high risk for the Asia-Pacific region and controls need to be prioritized and streamlined in coordination with the competent authorities. The WCO extends its appreciation to Malaysia Customs, the CCF China, and ROCB A/P for the support provided to the WCO, granting a successful conclusion of the regional workshop. On 16 and 17 March 2023, Mr. Pranab Kumar Das, WCO Director for Compliance and Facilitation, and two officials from the WCO Secretariat participated in the 11th Plenary Meeting of the Task Force on Countering Illicit Trade (TF-CIT), convened in Paris, France by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This meeting of the TF-CIT, chaired by Mr. Christopher Martin, Senior Counsellor, His Majestys Revenue and Customs, United Kingdom, was the first to be held in person since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Titled Countering illicit trade: levelling the playing field for a resilient economy, the meeting focused on discussing the past decade of TF-CIT activities as well as looking at the latest evidence on illicit trade and at state-of-the-art standards to combat the risks identified. The WCO actively contributed to various sessions of the TF-CIT meeting, particularly those on the Free Trade Zones (FTZ) Certification Scheme, Free Trade Zones, E-commerce challenges in illicit trade, and Working with key stakeholders. Despite a recent historic decline in trade in goods and in industrial production, the past two years have seen an increase in illicit trade. In order to ensure that Customs is properly equipped to fulfill its missions, the WCO has been working closely with its Members to develop a range of instruments, tools and guidance materials. Furthermore, through operational activities, Customs administrations are managing to strike a balance between their facilitation and compliance roles. To this end, Director Das highlighted that the WCO has been partnering with international stakeholders involved in a variety of issues ranging from trade facilitation and security to law enforcement and the fight against illicit trade. Cooperation between all stakeholders remains a key element in dismantling criminal networks. He concluded by emphasizing the need to consider further collaboration between the WCO and the OECD on the development of a toolkit and on the implementation of the new FTZ Certification Scheme. Li Auto, China's leading new energy vehicle OEM, launched its flagship family SUV Li L7 in February, and announced that the L7 and L8 Pro and Air trim models will be equipped with the company's proprietary Li AD Pilot Assistance System - Li AD Pro. Powered by Horizon Robotics' energy-efficient Journey 5 solution, Li Auto's newest L series vehicles provide advanced assisted driving features that enhance the driving experience for Chinese consumers, making each ride safer and more pleasant. Photo credit: Li Auto The Li AD Pro system, enabled by the cost-effective Journey 5, is now a standard feature for all Li L7 and L8 Pro and Air trim models. On the highway, L7 and L8 can automatically change lanes, overtake other vehicles, adjust speed, and enter and exit highway ramps smoothly, which to some degree reduce driver fatigue during long-distance trips. Additionally, the Li AD Pro system is customized to better understand the complexity of Chinese roads which tend to have larger numbers of two-wheeled vehicles and pedestrians. As a leading provider of energy-efficient computing solutions for consumer vehicles in China, Horizon Robotics has forged a close and successful partnership with Li Auto since 2019. Horizon Robotics' goal of providing safer and better advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) solutions echoes Li Auto's commitment to bringing consumers a safe, convenient, and cost-effective driving and riding experience. Through both companies' shared visions and joint efforts, in 2021, Li ONE became the first mass-produced vehicle powered by Horizon's Journey 3 solution. Chinese consumers quickly provided an enthusiastic feedback about its driving assistance features, such as the adaptive cruise control, the lane keeping assist and the automated parking. In 2022, Li L8 was again the first mass produced model to feature Horizon's Journey 5 solution, with even more advanced and more convenient driving assistance functions. Building on past successes, Horizon Robotics and Li Auto are confident to jointly create a safe and enjoyable "third space" for consumers in China. Horizon Robotics is a pioneer in developing ADAS solutions for passenger vehicles and is dedicated to bringing next-generation driving experiences to Chinese consumers. Horizon Robotics has signed collaboration agreements with more than 20 automakers across over 70 car models in China. Beijing (Gasgoo)- GAC Group's ride-hailing service platform, Ontime, entered into a strategic partnership with NavInfo, a leading Chinese automotive intelligence developer, to jointly create products and services for enhancement of travel experience. Photo credit: Ontime The partnership will leverage the strengths of both companies to collaborate in the areas of high-precision maps, autonomous driving applications, and smart transportation. In the high-precision map field, NavInfo and Ontime will seek to optimize the cost of producing high-precision maps while exploring the possibility of dynamic updates, to create a benchmark demonstration platform for autonomous vehicle operation and dynamic map updates in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Are (Greater Bay Area). The companies will also explore cooperation in data compliance, including legal and regulatory compliance for data collection, desensitization of geospatial data, personal privacy protection, and compliance system operation. Ontime will drive the joint participation in customizing Robotaxi vehicles in the autonomous driving application field. NavInfo and Ontime will together create smart transportation solutions for urban governance or C-V2X applications to expand traffic industry customers and businesses. As the smart travel platform under GAC Group, Ontime has been in operation since June 2019, covering seven business segments including ride-hailing, corporate travel, carpooling, car service, designated driving, online taxi-hailing, and Robotaxi. The platform continues to build a multi-dimensional travel ecosystem with a user penetration rate of over 30% in core cities of the Greater Bay Area. Ontime has already created the first truly open autonomous driving operation technology system in China, launched Robotaxi operation supervision platform and Robotaxi operation vehicle management system, and operate a mixed operation of both manned and unmanned ride-hailing service in Guangzhou. 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. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On Mar. 15, BYD Auto Industry Company Limited ("BYD") announced its partnership with Al-Futtaim, a leading distributor in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to lay a solid foundation for the development of green travel in the country. The signing ceremony was held at the "Future Mobility Day" event in Dubai, UAE. BYD ATTO 3; photo credit: BYD Two BYD-branded modelsthe BYD Han and the BYD ATTO 3were showcased at the said event. Besides, the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker plans to roll out four models in the UAE by the end of this year, including both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). A dedicated product launch is already scheduled for the third quarter of 2023. Founded in the 1930s, Al-Futtaim Group is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, UAE. With a commitment to building a new customer-centric electric vehicle ecosystem, it is working on launching a unique EV after-sales hub to offer customers better services and make consumers believe that Al-Futtaims service network is always there to support them in their electric journey. In 2022 alone, BYD sold more than 1.86 million NEVs worldwide. By the end of Feb. 2023, BYD had help reduced over 29 billion kilograms of carbon emissions cumulatively, said AD Huang, General Manager, BYD Middle East & North Africa. PARIS (AP) Parliament adopted a divisive pension bill Monday raising the retirement age in France from 62 to 64, after lawmakers in the lower chamber rejected two no-confidence votes against the government. But the bill pushed through by President Emmanuel Macron without lawmakers' approval still faces a review by the Constitutional Council before it can be signed into law. The council has the power to reject articles within bills but usually approves them. The first no-confidence motion, proposed by a small centrist group with support across the left, narrowly missed approval by National Assembly lawmakers Monday afternoon, garnering 278 of the 287 votes needed to pass. The second motion, brought by the far-right National Rally, won just 94 votes in the chamber. Macrons centrist alliance has more seats than any other group in the lower chamber. The speaker of the National Assembly, Yael Braun-Pivet, said the failure of both votes means parliament has adopted the pension bill. Yet this is not the end of the complex path to turn the bill into law. Opponents said they would ask the Constitutional Council to review the text before it is formally promulgated, opening the door to the possible rejection of articles within the measure if they are not in line with the constitution. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said she would ask the council to censure it. Macron, who has remained silent since his decision to push the bill through last week, will meet Tuesday morning with Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and the leaders of his centrist alliance. After the first vote Monday, some leftist lawmakers called for Borne to resign. Only nine votes are missing to bring both the government down and its reform down, hard-left lawmaker Mathilde Panot said. The government is already dead in the eyes of the French, it doesn't have any legitimacy any more. The Senate, dominated by conservatives who back the retirement plan, approved the legislation last week. The head of The Republicans lawmakers, Olivier Marleix, earlier explained why his group would reject the motions. We acknowledge the need for a reform to save our pension system and defend retirees purchasing power, he said during the debate Monday afternoon. A minority of conservatives lawmakers strayed from the party line and voted in favor of the first motion. Centrist lawmaker Charles de Courson, whose allies introduced the motion supported by the left, deplored the government's decision to use a special constitutional power to skirt a vote on the pension bill last week. How can we accept such contempt for parliament? How can we accept such conditions to examine a text which will have lasting effects on the lives of millions of our fellow citizens? he exclaimed. France, like many richer nations, has a low birth rate and its citizens have longer life expectancy. The tensions in the political arena have been echoed on the streets, marked by intermittent protests and strikes in various sectors, including transportation, energy and sanitation workers. Garbage in Paris has piled ever higher and reeked of rotting food on the 15th day of a strike by collectors. The three main incinerators serving the French capital have been mostly blocked, as has a garbage sorting center northwest of Paris. On Monday, hundreds of mainly young protesters gathered by Les Invalides, the final resting place of Napoleon, to demonstrate against pension reform. Some trash bins were set on fire in early evening, but the protest was otherwise calm. Participants listened to the proceedings in the National Assembly through a channel broadcast on loudspeaker from a union van. The goal is to support the workers on strike in Paris ... to put pressure on this government that wants to pass this unjust, brutal and useless and ineffective law, said Kamel Brahmi, of the leftist CGT union, speaking to workers with a bullhorn at the Romainville sorting plant. Some refineries that supply gas stations also are at least partially blocked, and Transport Minister Clement Beaune said on France-Info radio Monday that he would take action if necessary to ensure that fuel still gets out. Opinion polls show a large majority of the French oppose raising the retirement age. Economic challenges have prompted unrest across Western Europe, where many countries have low birthrates, leaving fewer young workers to sustain pensions for retirees. Spains leftist government joined with labor unions last week to announce a historic deal to save its pension system. Spains Social Security Minister Jose Luis Escriva said the French have a very different, unsustainable model. Spains workers already must stay on the job until at least 65 and wont be asked to work longer instead, their new deal increases employer contributions for higher-wage earners. The reform in France also would require 43 years of work to earn a full pension at 64, otherwise workers would still have to wait until they turn 67. Unions in France have called for new nationwide protests on Thursday to demand the government simply withdraw the retirement bill. I know the questions and concerns that this reform is raising. I know what it asks of many of our fellow citizens, Borne said Monday. Macron vowed to push the pension plan through, she said, out of transparency and responsibility, because it is needed to keep the system from diving into deficit amid Frances aging population. Associated Press reporters Jeffrey Schaeffer and Thomas Adamson in Paris and Nicolas Garriga in Romainville, France, contributed to this report. ROCKLAND TWP., Pa. A school bus went off the road and struck a tree in Berks County on Monday. The call went out just after 3 p.m. for the crash in the unit block of Ruppert School Road in Rockland Township. The bus was from Brandywine Heights Area Middle School. Two students were on board at the time of the crash. Officials said they were evaluated at the scene but did not require hospitalization. Pennsylvania State Police said the driver, who was uninjured, lost control of the bus and will be issued a citation. District superintendent Andrew Potteiger said school officials will be working with the bus company to ensure safety protocols are in place. "Everyone is OK, which is a miracle and the best part of this whole thing," said Potteiger. Firefighters in our area have had their hands full with brush fires. They tell us high winds and lack of snow are to blame. Brush fires do happen at this time of year, but not usually like this. Earl Township Fire Chief William Campfield said drier conditions seemed to have started brush fire season earlier this year. It's a season that runs from March through May, he says. "It's definitely been busier this year as opposed to others," said Campfield. On Saturday, the fire department responded to a wildfire. They say a man was doing metal work and a spark started the blaze, threatening a nearby barn. It is one of many wildfires reported across our area recently. Last week, firefighters battled a hillside fire in Muhlenberg Township. Police said fireworks caused some on Mount Penn. "Ninety-nine percent of your brush fires seem to have some type of human interaction," Campfield said. According to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania saw a record number of wildfires this February alone, the most in that month in more than 80 years. They said a lack of snow is behind it. Campfield showed 69 News a trail that crews can use to access an area around power lines, should fires break out around them. They have special vehicles for accessing these areas. "Wind is a huge issue, obviously that's what's going to carry any burning embers into the wooded areas around you, into the grass around you," Campfield said. The Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department says they sometimes use rakes and shovels to dig the fire out. One of causes they said they encounter is from discarded cigarette materials. "This is the hardest job in firefighting: woods firefighting, because we can't drag our hoses everywhere where these fires occur," said Dan Miller, of the Exeter Township Fire Department. "As far as open burning with the conditions that exist as well the higher winds, you just want to avoid it," said Capt. John Christopher, of the Allentown Fire Department. PEN ARGYL, Pa. - Slate Belt Regional Police Department has arrested one man and is on the hunt for another accused of setting off explosives in Pen Argyl, Northampton County. Neighbors are fed up with explosions that shake their homes and wake up their children and pets. 69 News spoke with countless neighbors who didn't feel comfortable going on camera but say these are no normal fireworks. They're much more startling and rattle their windows. Many are hopeful this latest update leads to the return of peaceful nights. "We've been getting quite a few in the last few months of loud explosions," said Slate Belt Regional Police Sgt. Shawn Moskella. So, it was no shock when Slate Belt Regional Police were dispatched to Pen Argyl's Laurel Avenue at around 3 a.m. Saturday. Officers didn't find anyone responsible, but "Sunday morning, we got tips from the citizens of surveillance videos from Ring doorbell cameras, and we followed up with that, and were able to track down the two suspects," said Moskella. Those suspects are 57-year-old Joseph Zanette and 32-year-old Justin Taylor. The Northampton County District Attorney's Office says video showed Taylor carrying a long black tube, which is commonly used in the propulsion of aerial and mortar shells. Also caught on camera: the men on East Applegate Avenue and the sounds of three loud explosions there. Law enforcement quickly executed search warrants for the Applegate home and Zanette's house on South Westbrook Avenue. They seized things from both locations, including a pipe with burnt explosive debris, mortar cakes with hundreds of rounds, and other explosives equipment. ATF, the Bethlehem City Bomb Squad and several local police, EMS and fire departments helped. While police were at Zanette's home, they say he showed up and admitted to igniting explosives with Taylor. The DA's office tells us Zanette said he had been drinking at the time, and later said the explosion was a mistake. Zanette and Taylor are facing charges of arson endangering property, possessing explosive material, risking catastrophe, and reckless endangerment. Zanette is behind bars at Northampton County Prison. "Currently, we have an arrest warrant out for Mr. Taylor," said Moskella. "We're just hoping that anybody from the public if they know his whereabouts, if they would call us." Police say it's too early to tell if the two are responsible for all of the recent explosions neighbors have been calling about. No property damages or injuries were reported as a result of Saturday's explosions. BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. - Police say driving under the influence may be to blame for a crash that ended with two vehicles rolled over. It happened around 9:30 p.m. Sunday on the ramp from Route 22 west to Route 33 north in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County, state police said. One SUV rear-ended another SUV, causing both vehicles to overturn, police said. The 45-year-old driver of the SUV that caused the crash was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI, police said. No one was hurt. JONESTOWN, Pa. - Pennsylvania State Police are looking for an escaped inmate. PSP Jonestown says 37-year-old Terance Brent failed to return to the Lebanon County Correctional Facility after a work release. He was last seen wearing a blue and green jacket, jeans, and work boots. He's 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds, and has a shaved head. Anyone with information is asked to contact the state police. River Pointe Logistics Park will proceed even if it loses a break on property taxes, according to project manager Lisa Pektor. The Upper Mount Bethel Township industrial development just might not be as attractive to manufacturers and that raises the specter of warehouses: more trucks, fewer jobs, and lower pay. "No LERTA does not mean the project goes away," she said in a statement Friday, using the acronym for Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance. That Pennsylvania program allows for a break on local taxes on construction that declines and then expires after 10 years. The goal of a LERTA is to promote development now in return for a future tax base. Her father, developer Lou Pektor, said the same at a Northampton County Council meeting last Thursday. He owns the land, it is zoned for industrial use, and he will proceed. The land is along the Delaware River near the Columbia-Portland Toll Bridge, providing access to Route 80 and New York City-area markets. Northampton County Council will decide whether to extend the tax break at a meeting in April. Upper Mount Bethel and the Bangor Area School District have also approved LERTA status for the development. Lisa Pektor went into detail in her email statement. Without the tax break, attracting manufacturing tenants to the 800-acre industrial park, known as RPL, will be difficult. "The annual cost of real estate taxes at full assessed value are expected to be $1 to $2 per (square foot), which when applied to a 400,000 to 800,000 SF building adds up quickly," her statement says. "It is a material operating expense companies are looking at when they are looking at relocating their business. So the removal of LERTA has a direct effect in dissuading manufacturers from putting the industrial park on the list of potential sites when they are searching for space and makes them less likely to locate in UMBT when they are evaluating the operating costs of potential locations." She said manufacturers spend more on facilities and tend to stay for a long time. Without the LERTA, Pektor said the benefits of fees from the Neighborhood Improvement District are at risk. The NID would assess 15 cents per square foot of building, with the money going toward township services: fire protection, road maintenance, ambulance service, and more. The NID was designed to generate township revenue during the years a LERTA would provide tax breaks. "If the county LERTA goes away, then we must re-evaluate the NID fees and potentially eliminate them in order to keep the building operating expenses competitive," Lisa Pektor's statement said. Ed Nelson, township manager of UMBT, has argued that the RPL area covers just 3% of the township and will provide revenue to help the entire 44 square miles. A group of opponents has denounced RPL, contending that the development does not qualify for LERTA status, and that RPL will bring in trucks, noise and pollution, ruining their quality of life. The Pektor team has said all along that their target market is manufacturing; Lou Pektor says the land is too valuable to use just for warehouses. While no potential tenants have been disclosed, food processing is a potential use, according to the Pektors. They project that the development will create thousands of jobs and generate millions in tax revenue for UMBT, the county, and the school district. While the Pektors say they want to bring in manufacturing companies, County Executive Lamont McClure has been wary. He supported the LERTA in 2018, when council approved it. Last year, McClure said warehouses should not receive taxpayer subsidies, and council agreed when it declined to provide a LERTA for a warehouse at the old Dixie Cup building in the Borough of Wilson. Northampton County Council will hold a hearing on the RPL tax break at its Thursday, April 6 meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the government center in Easton. The meeting agenda and links to a livestream will be available in advance on the county website. SHENANDOAH, Pa. - A man convicted in a 2021 killing in Schuylkill County found out his sentence Monday. A jury convicted Santonio Malone, from Shenandoah, earlier this year of first-degree murder and other charges. The first-degree murder charge automatically means life in prison. The judge tacked at least 22 and a half years on top of life without parole. Malone killed Juan Carlos Romero outside a bar in Mahanoy City nearly three years ago. He also shot, and paralyzed, a second man. Malone fled to Tennessee after the shooting. SPRINGFIELD TWP., Pa. - Police in Bucks County have charged a driver in a fatal crash last September. Nicholas Faxon, 27, is facing charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or controlled substance, as well as a stop sign violation, in the crash on Sept. 4, 2022, said Springfield Township police. Faxon, of Frenchtown, New Jersey, is accused of causing the crash around 9 p.m. at the intersection of Routes 212 and 412, police said. A motorcyclist and Faxon's SUV were involved in the wreck. The motorcyclist, 33-year-old Kieth Baier, died at the scene, said the Bucks County coroner. He died of multiple injuries and his death was ruled an accident. Baier, of Riegelsville, was not wearing a helmet, the coroner said. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On Mar. 16, BYD held an event to introduce the BYD brand and three new energy vehicle (NEV) models to customers in Uzbekistan, according to a press release from BYD. The models making its debut on spot consisted of one battery electric vehicle (BEV) model (the BYD Han EV) and two plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models (the BYD Song PLUS DM-i and the BYD Chazor DM-i). Photo credit: BYD At the same time, BYD announced that pre-sale starting prices of the BYD Han EV, the BYD Song PLUS DM-i, and the BYD Chazor DM-i stood at 613.581 million SOM, 367.732 million SOM, and 285.736 million SOM, respectively, for the Uzbekistans market. The first batch of BYD NEVs will arrive in Uzbekistan this month, with a second delivery already in progress and due early in April, said BYD. Three BYD Pioneer Stores will open for business in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, from late March, giving customers the opportunity to experience many technological benefits of the BYD new energy passenger vehicles. The first store will start operation in the Sergeli district, along with a showroom in Oloy, while the second one will be opened in early April in Yunusobod. BYD noted its preparations for the entry into Uzbekistans market started in Dec. 2022 when BYD and UzAuto inked an agreement to build a joint venture that focuses on production of new energy vehicles and relevant auto parts. Alexia McIntosh (Six) and Kieran Hamilton-Amos (Grimeboy) are set to join Belgrade Theatre creative director Corey Campbell (Fighting Irish) in Big Aunty this spring. Directed and devised by Campbell, the production will also feature a seven-person ensemble choir, comprised of talent from the local community. The piece reolves around the funeral of "Big Aunty", who lived as a matriarch and a second mother to children abandoned by their reckless parents, and follows the emotional journeys of the "waifs and strays" she took in. Campbell commented: "As a devising artist, I often use theatre to help express who I am, but right now I see so many people in the same place as me. A lot of us have experienced loss over the last couple of years it feels like the whole country is mourning. "But as the character, Big Aunty, might say: 'There is no resurrection without death', and I'm now reaching a place where I can experience some joy through the pain of loved ones lost. "I hope Big Aunty will offer hope to people who are also on this journey forwards, and that it will give all of us an opportunity to come together and share the experience in the unique way only theatre can provide - to laugh and cry, to heal and forgive. Live, laugh, love." Alongside Campbell, the creative team also includes Sarah Githugu as assistant director, Claire Winfield as set designer, Joe Hornsby as lighting designer, Auden Allan as sound designer and Emma Barber as casting director. Joelle Ikwa serves as the community producer and choir leader. Big Aunty is the Belgrade Theatre's first in-house production of the spring season and it will run from 24 April to 6 May in the B2 auditorium. A press night is scheduled for 26 April. Did you see 66-15 around Beaver Dam this last Saturday? Maybe you glimpsed 38-17 near Fox Lake, or 6-17 near Baraboo, or 24-17 around Reedsburg. The areas population is growing again this spring, as rare federally endangered whooping cranes are winging their way back from their wintering grounds in the South. 66-15, 38-17, 6-17 and 24-17 are all whooping cranes being tracked by Baraboos International Crane Foundation. Thus far this spring, as of this writing, four birds have returned to Dodge County, three to Sauk County, one to Dane County, two to Waukesha County, one to Marquette County, six to Juneau County, and two to Green Lake County. It is always a joy to see them back, said Anne Lacy, senior manager of the International Crane Foundations North American Program. We hope for a successful breeding season with lots of chicks always a concern, as the success of the population very much depends on that. Though numbers are hard to pinpoint, Lacy believes about half of the whooping cranes of the expected population have returned to the area. Non-breeding birds, including young or unpaired birds, typically take a bit more time to return than existing breeding bird pairs. Any bright and sunny day with a south wind will bring them back, Lacy said. Those that have arrived back to the area have not built nests quite yet. For one reason, theres snow and ice. They are scoping out places, Lacy said, and defending their space. Nests are coming soon. International Crane Foundation staff is in the field monitoring them. 66-15, named Kickapoo, is a female that hatched on June 11, 2015. She was last seen in Dodge County in November, spending her time with sandhill cranes, before heading to her usual wintering grounds in Jasper County, Indiana. 38-17, a female hatched on June 18, 2017, was released at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in October of that same year. She likes it at Horicon, particularly with her mate, 63-15 They wintered in Randolph County, Illinois, with their son, W13-20. The whooping crane 6-17 is also a female. She was born May 2, 2017. This past fall, she was at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge before heading off to her wintering grounds in Hickman County, Kentucky. 24-17 spent the summer and fall in Sauk County before wintering in Hickman County, Kentucky, as well. More whooping cranes are expected back in Wisconsin soon. They return on their own schedule, Lacy said. Meanwhile, at places like Horicon Marsh and Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, birders flock with their binoculars, eager to see one of these rare birds. There are only around 836 in the entire world. Some are your neighbors. MOUNT PLEASANT A Qdoba employee has been accused of taking drugs while at work. Coden J. Morrell, 20, of the 900 block of Geneva Street, Racine, was charged with felony counts of possession of narcotic drugs and possession of marijuana, and misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. According to a criminal complaint, at 10:08 p.m. Thursday an officer was sent to Qdoba at 6035 Durand Ave. for a welfare check after receiving a report that an an employee of the restaurant, Morrell, had been locked inside the bathroom for more than 30 minutes. Morrell is on probation for a drug offense. When officers arrived, they reported seeing Morrell standing inside the bathroom with the door open. According to the complaint, Morrell said he was just throwing up, but other staff members said he was inside the bathroom for at least 45 minutes and that it sounded like he had fallen. Staff members also reportedly said that Morrells speech was slower than usual and that he didnt acknowledge them while he was in the bathroom. The complaint said that a burnt piece of aluminum foil and a lighter were found in one of Morrells pockets, after which he was arrested and searched. Morrell also allegedly had a small container with marijuana rosin, and another burnt piece of aluminum foil reportedly was found inside the garbage can. According to the complaint, 1.5 pills of oxycodone and 1.5 pills of Xanax also were found inside a folded $20 bill. Morrell was given a $2,500 cash bond in Racine County Circuit Court on Friday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 23 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, online court records show. Mugshots: Racine County criminal complaints, March 17, 2023 Today's mugshots: March 17 These are images of people charged with a crime in Racine County. Booking photos are provided by Racine County law enforcement officials. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted. Emery L. Walker Emery L. Walker, 1100 block of 58th Street, Kenosha, misdemeanor theft, criminal damage to property. Allan M. Brown Allan M. Brown, Countryside, Illinois, battery by prisoners. John W. Evans Jr. 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. Coden J. Morrell 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. Remon B. Tyson Remon B. Tyson, 200 block of Wickham Boulevard, Racine, possession of drug paraphernalia. The negative impacts that short-term rentals (STRs) have on our neighborhoods are widely known and felt throughout the community. I want to update readers about work being done by the city on this topic. In 2016, the Arizona State Legislature passed a law that required cities to allow STRs in residential zones. Since that time, the City of Flagstaff has been vocal about the negative local impacts we all face from what amounts to unregulated hotels located throughout our neighborhoods. The city also continues to join other cities in calling for increased local control of STRs. During the 2022 legislative session, cities and counties were given some limited powers to require STRs to be licensed through local governments. Both the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County are developing our own ordinances to require licensing. Under current state law, cities can require that each STR pay an annual fee and in some cases can temporarily suspend an STR license for multiple, adjudicated, violations. The city is hosting an open house to gather community feedback on a draft ordinance Monday, March 27. After the legally required 60-day fee notice, the draft ordinance will be presented to the Flagstaff City Council, and we expect to have the first read of an ordinance in June. Information about the open house is on the citys website. Residents will undoubtedly be disappointed that cities and counties are still prohibited by the state from regulating the number or location of STRs. The citys only legally available tool is licensing. If cities and counties are to be prohibited from regulating STRs, I ask that STRs be treated as the hotels they operate as in the Arizona property tax code. While most STR owners do pay the required 10% residential primary property tax, I urge legislators to instead tax these properties at the 17% commercial rate, as hotels are taxed. The City of Flagstaff will continue to state our needs regarding the regulation of STRs to the Arizona Legislature, and I ask residents to do the same. BECKY DAGGETT Mayor of Flagstaff Props used for research projects by students of "China Corner" at St. Margaret College Secondary School are on display in Valletta, Malta, March 16, 2023. Students of "China Corner" at St. Margaret College Secondary School presented their six China-related research projects on Thursday here at the China Cultural Center. The six projects included the history and making of different kinds of Chinese tea sets and the influence on the Western tea culture, the history and making of Chinese silk dolls, the history and making of Chinese paper puppets, the history and different textile and shape of Chinese dresses, China's earthquake-resistant wooden buildings and China's advancement in the manufacture of sound sensors. [Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua] VALLETTA, March 16 (Xinhua) Students of "China Corner" at St. Margaret College Secondary School presented their six China-related research projects on Thursday here at the China Cultural Center. The six projects included the history and making of different kinds of Chinese tea sets and the influence on the Western tea culture, the history and making of Chinese silk dolls, the history and making of Chinese paper puppets, the history and different textile and shape of Chinese dresses, China's earthquake-resistant wooden buildings and China's advancement in the manufacture of sound sensors. Martin Azzopardi, founder of "China Corner" and a science teacher at the school, said he would run the "China Corner" better and better and make greater contributions to deepening the friendship between Malta and China. Chinese Ambassador to Malta Yu Dunhai said that "China Corner" students worked hard and made significant progress over the past year by integrating Chinese culture, history and technological development with classroom learning. In the face of the trend of global development in the era of globalization, we should respect the diversity of civilizations, promote understanding through communication, promote unity through mutual learning, promote development through coexistence, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind, and jointly maintain world peace and development, Yu said. This was the first time that "China Corner" students has returned to the China Cultural Center to hold a research project presentation after the COVID-19 pandemic, said Yuan Yuan, director of the China Cultural Center in Malta, adding that the center would continue to support "China Corner" in carrying out a variety of activities, build a platform for youth exchange between the two countries, and inject new vitality into the traditional friendship between Malta and China. "China Corner" is a great project for both St. Margaret College and the entire education community in Malta, said Claudine Muscat, a senior official from the ministry for education, sport, youth, research and innovation, adding that it provided Maltese students with an opportunity to learn about Chinese culture. The "China Corner" was founded in 2010 by Azzopardi with the aim of bringing "China" to his classroom following his first visit to the country. The Maltese government, the Chinese Embassy in Malta and the China Cultural Center in Malta provided him with support. Chinese Ambassador to Malta Yu Dunhai presents a certificate to Martin Azzopardi, founder of "China Corner" and science teacher at St. Margaret College Secondary School, in Valletta, Malta, March 16, 2023. Students of "China Corner" at St. Margaret College Secondary School presented their six China-related research projects on Thursday here at the China Cultural Center. The six projects included the history and making of different kinds of Chinese tea sets and the influence on the Western tea culture, the history and making of Chinese silk dolls, the history and making of Chinese paper puppets, the history and different textile and shape of Chinese dresses, China's earthquake-resistant wooden buildings and China's advancement in the manufacture of sound sensors. [Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua] (Source: Xinhua) 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. 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 Bismarck City Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 28 to sign a letter of support for a project that seeks to develop the riverfront. The Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation in the fall of 2021 was awarded a $250,000 planning grant from the North Dakota Department of Commerce. The group additionally received a $25,000 grant from the City Commission through a 10% match. A group consisting of members from the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation, AGL architects and city of Bismarck seeks to make the Missouri River an important part of the citys identity. The river is our biggest physical asset in the community -- it doesn't always feel like we've fully embraced it, said Jake Axtman, principal landscape architect at AGL Architects. The group spent last year coming up with a master plan by engaging with over 75 stakeholder groups through input meetings and coming up with a proposal to improve the riverfront. The study area for the project is a 19-mile stretch of riverfront that runs from the Misty Waters development to the north, to near the Apple Creek Bottom south of the city. The project is still in the idea phase, but the group put forward three potential ideas to vitalize a small part of the total study area. The river district would stretch from Pioneer Park to Sertoma Park and feature a festival grounds, an amphitheater and a hotel. The festival grounds could be located at Keelboat Park, which is public land, and could feature a public beach, boardwalk, outdoor eating area, playground, half-acre open lawn for events, and space for food trucks or shipping container-style food vendor kitchens. The estimated cost is $10 million to $12 million. The project would create $19,000 in yearly net new tax generation and generate as much as $1.3 million in gross revenue food and beverage sales, according to market research by CSL International. The amphitheater could be located immediately southwest of the MDU Resources Community Bowl, on land that is privately owned. It could feature up to 4,000 seats, a 1,000-square-foot stage, VIP boxes and overhead lighting. Nearby parking for more than 1,000 already exists because of the Bowl and the Bismarck State College campus. The cost is estimated at $10 million to $12 million. The amphitheater would provide roughly 89 jobs and produce $7 million in economic output yearly. The hotel could be between the Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge and Steamboat Park. The land is currently owned by Bismarck but it is reserved for future expansion of the water intake facility just south of this location. It could feature up to 130 rooms, event space, a full-service kitchen, and underground parking for more than 100 spaces. The hotel could be designed in a way that every room has a view of the river. The cost is estimated at $40 million to $50 million. The project would provide roughly 211 jobs and produce $17.9 million in economic output yearly. The group is still in the idea phase and plans are subject to changing. The group is in the process of identifying potential funding sources and plans to come back to the city commission in April, according to the presentation slides the group provided to the commission. "The big idea of the amphitheater or the big idea of the boutique hotel with a public beach surrounding it would be a private-public partnership. The public component would be the beach and the private component would be a capital group that would have to coalesce with the boutique hotel," Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation Executive Director Aaron Barth told the Tribune. Identifying funding for the festival grounds would be different from the other two. "The conceptual project at Keelboat Park, which would be a riverfront family park, is probably the most publicly spirited project of it all in the sense that there is no private-public commercial development part of it. The lift there would be looking for any sources of federal, state or city-wide funding that could build this asset for community use," Barth said. Bismarck Mayor Mike Schmitz said he likes that there's a discussion ongoing to create more amenities for the community. "The presentation to the City Commission served as a tremendous first public step and unveiling for this vision of developing the Missouri riverfront. I really like how the three components of the project provide Bismarck with ways to embrace its relationship with the river and surrounding topography," Schmitz said. Former Bismarck Mayor Steve Bakken, who had pushed for riverfront development during his campaign for reelection, said he believes that "any development of the waterfront is good," but believes that public marinas are key development. "Any other development is great but you're not going to be able to talk about legitimate economic development from a financial perspective benefiting the city without the addition of public marinas and the facilities around them," Bakken told the Tribune. Public marinas would allow for restaurants, bars, venues and different businesses that cater to things on the water to set up near the river. Bakken voiced concerns over parts of the idea presented to the City Commission. "I have serious concerns about (the amphitheater) project because of the infrastructure that's on that hillside and the stability of that hillside and the width the river shoreline along that area," Bakken said. The City Commission unanimously voted to accept the report presented, approve for the project website to open to stakeholders and the public, and sign a letter of support. The commission did not need to make any financial commitments at the meeting. "For the individuals involved with the project, the work begins to create the buy-in that will be needed to take it from a vision to that finished product that everyone can enjoy," Schmitz said. The group hopes to begin construction in spring 2024. More information about the project can be found at bismarckriverfront.com. The World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) received further correspondence over the weekend from postal workers around the country. They are speaking out against the crushing increase in workloads facilitated by the collusion of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) with Royal Mail. The new write-ins come from London, Essex, Glasgow, Worcestershire, Plymouth, Bolton upon Dearne, Stourbridge, Morecambe, Camberley, Wolverhampton, Wallington, and Northern Ireland. Correspondence received in the last days and published on the WSWS can be read here and here. *** Strikers on the picket line at Bradford North Delivery Office, November 24, 2022 [Photo: WSWS] Our office in Worcestershire pushed the new updates to deliveries through very quick (No doubt the manager had a good bonus for it). Were now doing a lot extra and expected to do it in the same hours. I cant stress how completely exhausted we are. Their answer is to leave mail behind but me and a few others dont like this approach. Its not the publics fault. Why should they be made to suffer with late birthday and holiday cards and hospital appointments. The only thing [Royal Mail] are bothered about is getting rid of all the tracked items every day. A lot of us are just booking the overtime every day to complete our walks and killing ourselves in the process. *** Our mail centre has been side-lining its staff for many years in favour of agency staff. How can employing untrained agency staff be more economical when they pay them more? I dont trust the union either. [Royal Mail CEO] Simon Thomson is a criminal! Im embarrassed to work for Royal Mail, the level of service is shocking. *** Our rep gets 2 hours overtime every day for performing union duties and then he does delivery overtime in his duty time. He goes home the same time as us with a big grin on his face. I told him my delivery is too big, he doesnt care and wont listen. Im waiting to see what deal is agreed then I will definitely be leaving this union. [The CWU] has been robbing us for years. *** I worked for Royal Mail for 17 years. I left the company November 2022. I couldnt put up with the atmosphere, and the realisation that there was very serious change in the near future. Which I was not prepared to accept. I loved the job as a postie, seeing my customers every day, and having a chat and feeling part of that community. I took pride in my job. Im still angry that I felt that I was pushed out of my job, as I couldnt carry on. *** [Royal Mail] phoned me and offered me ill health retirement and once I was accepted they broke my delivery up into 3 deliveries, so that I just couldnt deliver it. Shocking after 29 years of delivery. I think the management of my office, who were never postmen, just dont get it. We are the heart and soul of the business. *** I work at a small rural office. The service is now beyond a joke, multiple deliveries left every single day. A fifth of staff have left due to the constant bullying and harassment. Royal Mail used to be a company you were proud to represent, now it is nothing short of a daily embarrassment. *** Managers tell us to prioritise tracked parcels all the time We complete our delivery pretty much bang on time at the moment, and were about to have another 1/4 of a delivery added to our delivery. Totally undoable in the time we have. Were being set up to fail IMO so that Royal Mail can go to the government again stating the [Universal Service Obligation] is undoable and requesting the USO be dropped from 6 days to 5. [The Universal Service Obligation is a legal requirement for Royal Mail to deliver letters to every address in the UK six days a week.] *** I had to have an operation 12 months ago. I dont think I will be able to walk that sort of distance again, about 14 miles a day, so asked about ill health retirement and was told no chance. It is like they just want me to walk away from my job. Because I am on nil pay, I was told they are not bothered now. After years of service I feel like I am worthless to the company especially after doing 60 to 70 hours a week for them for years. There is totally no respect for us anymore. It is not like I asked for the operation, it was just so painful to do the job it needed doing. *** In our [Parcelforce] depot they have brought in owner drivers and PF drivers are losing their routes. But because the owner drivers have no clue what theyre doing, we have to pick it up. THOMPSON OUT, with another Golden Handshake. *** Two days after the House of Commons committee referred Royal Mail to Ofcom [the communications regulator] for not delivering letters six days a week and our office is prioritising parcels still over letters. Mom dont expect to get your mothers day card on Sunday, Simon Thompson (untouchable). I believe we are being sold down the river by the union. Its all gone very quiet at the top recently, and Royal Mail are still pushing through their unagreed changes. Weve been told we are to lose 6 walks from our office, and that these are to be lapsed (lapsed means absorbed by whole office without being paid extra for the extra workload). Once this revision is implemented the remaining staff will be sent to other offices. The problem is they cant even lapse one walk, due to workloads and finishing times, so how can you lapse 6? The job is a joke now, managers dont care. Theres no standards anymore regarding safeguarding and protecting the mail. There is mail left in frames and walks not covered and this is because of the new rules regarding overtime... 6hrs for a whole walk, 3 for half, that was the national agreement. Now we have ID cards to tap in and out. So if I did a whole walk and I am quick (maybe because Im good at my job or bad weather, no one wants to walk slow in the rain), it might only take me 4 hours. So thats all I will get paid for. So now people arent doing overtime, so work is piling up. If we were paid a decent wage we wouldnt need to do overtime. Anyway, rant over. Its just gonna get worse and the only people that will suffer is us and the customers... Such a shame to let a great company slowly die due to greed and inept leadership. *** [The CWU Postal Executive has focussed on collaboration with Royal Mail specifically over revisions activity, aimed at cost-cutting, increasing workloads and de-staffing.] I have been on my duty for 5 years. Revision has taken place they have taken large parcels off me. I am consistently being forced to go over my time, between 30 to 50 minutes at the moment. They have put 90 minutes on my mail delivery and taken large parcels off me that usually takes about 45 minutes, bearing in mind this is one of the lightest times of the year. Come October this will make me up to 90 minutes over my time due to increased mail and small packets. I said it was an unachievable workload and the manager basically said, if you cant do it we will take you off and find someone that can. All this means I am walking for 90 minutes extra a day, my feet are killing me at the end of a shift. This extra they are putting on people will only end in more long term sickness due to walking 6 hours plus a day. They dont care about our health. I cant wait to get out, local [union] reps dont care, we are doomed. *** Ive worked over 20 years for Royal Mail, and only 8 years in delivery. The service we provide has dropped dramatically in the last 3 years. Packets are more important. Mail can be left in boxes under your frame for 2 or 3 days. No overtime is paid now, so mail is brought back to office and as long as the packets are delivered its ok!! Its a disgrace. I feel ashamed to work for Royal Mail but my customers are important. We encourage postal workers to contact the WSWS to report on their conditions and to discuss how to take forward the fight. Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof, the last remaining major chain of department stores in Germany, confronts a new round of drastic cuts with another 52 branches marked for closure. This means that around 5,000 shop assistants, administrative and warehouse staff and other workers will lose their jobs by the end of 2024. Galeria (formerly Kaufhof) at Frankfurts Hauptwache [Photo: WSWS] One of the two remaining department stores in the cities of Duisburg, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Stuttgart and Saarbrucken will close, and additional closures are planned in Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. Branches in Leipzig, Gelsenkirchen, Leverkusen, Erlangen, Offenbach, Hanau and many other cities will also close, either in three months, on June 30, 2023, or by January 31, 2024. The press agency dpa has published a complete list of the announced closures. Of the more than 5,000 employees who will lose their jobs, 4,300 currently work in shops slated for closure. Another 700 workers will be laid off from the concerns remaining 77 branches, while those not to be made redundant face further wage cuts and an even heavier workload. Workers have suffered wage cuts for years, with an average Galeria salesperson earning 5,500 less per year than provided for in the current contract. A creditors meeting this month is expected to approve the insolvency plan, which will be presented jointly by Galeria CEO Miguel Mullenbach and insolvency administrator Arndt Geiwitz. In the media, the break-up of the company has been justified by high energy prices and a change in consumer behaviour. However, this merely glosses over the real reasons and conceals the naked profit interests behind the demise of the company. The initial reports in the media largely failed to mention the name of Rene Benko, who owns Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof via his holding company, Signa Retail GmbH. According to Forbes magazine, Tyrolean real estate speculator Benko has a private fortune of at least 5 billion. He also owns the department stores KaDeWe in Berlin, Oberpollinger in Munich, Alsterhaus in Hamburg, the Golden Quarter in Vienna, the Globus chain in Switzerland, as well as shares in the Chrysler Building in New York, the US luxury hotel Park Hyatt and Selfridges in London. Benko is not choosy in his methods and is currently under investigation for the umpteenth time for corruption. Authorities in both Italy and Austria have accused him of bribing tax officials and attempted tax fraud. To rake in exorbitant profits, Benko and the Signa Group use the following method: They buy up department stores and separate the retail business from the valuable real estate in prime city centre locations. The real estate division, which belongs to the Signa holding company, then collects high rents from the department stores or sells these properties to global finance sharks, who in turn demand excessive rents from the shops, thereby aggravating the financial difficulties of the GKK group. Benko is currently in the process of selling half of the property of the luxury department store KaDeWe in Berlin to the Thai trading and real estate group Central Group. Originally, Benko owes his rise to prominence to a political network centred around former Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who now works with Donald Trump. In recent years Benko has been able to multiply his fortune by relying on the close cooperation between his company executives with politicians and trade union officials. Today it is Verdi, the German services trade union and its representatives that ensure the orgy of enrichment continues. Workers at the company confront a conspiracy in which Verdi works closely together with management, the insolvency administration, politicians and the real estate speculator Rene Benko himself. When the multibillionaire Rene Benko took over the department store chain in 2014 for the symbolic price of one euro, Verdi supported him, as it had done with his predecessors, Thomas Middelhoff and Nicolas Berggruen. Benko was hailed as the new white knight and redeveloper who would save the financially strapped department store chain from bankruptcy and lead it into a prosperous future. Since then, one restructuring plan after another has been concluded, invariably involving new impositions and sacrifices for the workforce. All these contracts bear the signatures of Verdi officials. When Benko took over the GKK group, around 37,000 workers were still employed in branches that formed the centre of shopping arcades in the city centres. After the latest closure plan only about 12,000, i.e., not even a third, will remain. This is a black day, wrote the central works council a few days ago, when itnot managementgave workers the bad news. Stefanie Nutzenberger, Verdi national executive board member, also called it a black day. But while they are shedding crocodile tears, the union officials on the supervisory board are working hand in hand with management and the insolvency administration to push through the cuts. At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic three years ago, Verdi agreed to a brutal management plan behind the backs of the workforce, involving the closure of 40 branches and the destruction of around 4,000 jobs. At that time, the German government gifted the corporation a total of 680 million from its pandemic aid program (i.e., taxpayers money). Only a short time later, the Benko-owned Signa Prime Selection AG distributed dividends of 201 million to its shareholders. The restructuring collective agreement signed by Verdi in April 2020 was worthless. The company management unilaterally terminated the contract in October 2022 and annulled the guarantee to preserve 131 shops, along with the guarantee to avoid any compulsory redundancies until the end of 2024. These were all empty promises aimed at dividing and paralysing the workforce. Verdi pretends it is conducting a struggle, while the parties linked to Verdi, the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens, cooperate with Signa. In Berlin, for example, they have realised joint real estate projects. The Left Party also participated and allowed Signa to develop new building projects at several GKK locations. A Letter of Intent from August 2020, sealing such projects at Hermannplatz, Alexanderplatz and Kurfurstendamm in Berlin, bears the signature of then Senator for Culture Dr. Klaus Lederer (Left Party) alongside that of the then governing Mayor Michael Muller (SPD) and Mayor Ramona Pop (The Greens). Last week, insolvency administrator Arndt Geiwitz said he was convinced that the Galeria department stores have a future, even if not in their current form. In about three years, the company would again make a profit, Geiwitz said. Until then, further sacrifices are on the agenda. The only force that can put a halt to the slashing of jobs are the workers themselvesshop assistants, clerical staff at the companys headquarters in Essen, drivers, warehouse and other workers. The most important precondition is that they unite in independent action committees to take the negotiations out of Verdi's hands. The struggle to retain the department stores is part of the struggle to protect entire city centre infrastructures. It must be directed towards the working population in the struggle to overturn capitalist property relations on a socialist basis. Verdi is on the other side in this struggle, the side of capitalists like Benko and their political lackeys in government. Most recently, Verdi confirmed that it has no intention of defending the jobs and wages of post office workers. Verdi cancelled an indefinite strike that had already been decided and agreed a deal that its members had formerly rejected with an 86 percent majority. This shows that the struggle can only be waged independently of, and in opposition to, Verdi. Frances major cities have seen a wave of protests since French President Macron announced his use of the anti-democratic article 49.3 to impose his governments hated pension reform on Thursday. A wave of strikes is engulfing Frances major industries, including at refineries, airports, waste management facilities and railroads. Macron rammed through his reform bill over concerns over how a lost vote would impact European financial markets. The reform is viewed as critical by the French bourgeoisie as it will fund a massive 413 billion rearmament of the French military before 2030 and arms deliveries for the war in Ukraine, without increasing tax on the wealthiest sections of society. The explosive struggle against Macron, the capitalist state, and the war, comes as workers in in Sri Lanka, Greece, and the United Kingdom are engaged in massive strikes opposed to low wages and the impacts of decades of austerity. Throughout Friday and Saturday major protests involving tens of thousands continued all over France. There were protests both nights in Rennes, Nantes, Bordeaux, Lyon, Nice, and Marseille. A planned protest in the Capitole de Toulouse Friday was cancelled as police blocked off all access to the square. In Paris, on Friday and Saturday night, many thousands of protesters gathered at Place de la Concorde and Place dItalie. On Friday morning, students gathered at the Tolbiac campus to defend striking garbage workers at Ivry-Sur-Seine. Demonstrations to demand the release of detained protesters continued in the capital across the weekend. Protesters gather at Place dItalie on Saturday evening: Violent police repression Friday and Saturday night confirmed the PES warnings: the French ruling class has spent the last decade constructing a police state and normalizing state violence to violently crackdown on independent opposition to capitalist rule. So far at least 600 people have been arrested across Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays protests. This includes Chloe Grace, a journalist from LeMediaTV who was arrested while covering Friday evenings protest at the Place de la Concorde. Macron and his fascistic interior minister Gerald Darmanin, have clearly instructed cops to crack down on protests with extreme violence. Footage captured by journalists on the ground show heavily-armed police suddenly and brutally assaulting peaceful, unarmed protesters. In every major city, cops with full body armor, gas, batons, riot shields and often assault rifles, have kettled protest groups before repeatedly charging and teargassing them. After dispersing protests on Friday and Saturday, BRAV police motorcycle units scoured the streets of Paris for suspected protesters who had evaded initial arrests. Dozens of arrested protesters near the Place dItalie on Saturday were lined up against a building with their hands on their heads. On Saturday night, water cannon were used again, while a canine police unit set dogs on protesters in Lyon. On Saturday, Paris police released an order that all unregistered gatherings in the city would be dispersed. When protesters began gathering at Place dItalie for a protest called by the CGT (General Confederation of Labor) unions Ile-de-France regional organization, a police statement was released to the media stating, Due to the presence of many thugs, the organizer calls for dispersal. This illustrates the traitorous role of the union bureaucracy: when called upon by the state, the bureaucracy blames its supporters and excuses their violent repression by the police. By the end of the night, police had arrested 67 people on Saturday in Paris and 187 across the country. Arrested protesters lined up: BRAV-M units hunt protesters: Popular outrage at Macrons cuts and repression is continuing to grow and protesters are attacking offices of officials favorable to Macrons cruts. On Friday, night protesters in Lyon entered and partially burned the Mayors office in the 4th district. On Saturday the offices of Eric Ciotti, president of The Republicans party (LR) who previously voted for the reform, were ransacked by protesters in Nice. In multiple cities, effigies of Macron, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, and other officials were burned. Yesterday, the government announced it was stepping up police measures to protect parliamentarians and state officials who support the pension cuts. The ruling class is scrambling to try to bring the situation back under control, using the services of the union bureaucracies and capitalist political parties. Today a vote of no confidence in the government will be debated in the National Assembly. The vote, whose outcome is expected to depend on whether the right-wing The Republicans votes against Macrons government, is being promoted by the union bureaucracies and the pseudo-left parties as a way to defeat Macron without a struggle against the capitalist system. Jean Luc Melenchons Unsubmissive France (LFI) is showing its true colors as a party of order with extensive ties to the police and state. On Sunday, Melenchon echoed the medias denunciations of violence by protesters stating, We who are fighting against this law have a message to send to our friends. Do not make the struggle invisible through practices that would turn against us. He had nothing to say on the violent repression of the French police. LFI parliamentary leader Michael Bompard called on LR deputies, the majority of whom have supported Macrons pension reform, to vote for the motion of no confidence. He said, Whatever you think of this reform, what we are asking you is: do you agree with the method [Macrons use of the 49.3]? The union leaderships are trying to channel workers back behind bankrupt parliamentary manoeuvres criticizing Macron not for his reform and his release of violence police repression but for not working more closely with the unions and opposition parties to impose his reform. Speaking to BFM-TV Sunday, CGT union leader Phillippe Martinez declared, We played our warning role I do not understand that the government and especially the President of the Republic do not take into account our alerts. Martinez emphasized that he opposes calls to bring down the Macron government, declaring, It is not a question of overthrowing the government, but of voting what the deputies could not do last Thursday. Laurent Berger the head of the CFDT union, ordered striking teachers and protesting students to cut their struggle short, insisting, You must not interfere with the bac [end-of-high-school exams]. The ruling class is terrified of the growing prospect of a rank-and-file revolt against the union bureaucracies and an uncontrollable social explosion of strikes and protests. On Sunday, Charles de Courson, a right-wing deputy and finance expert who is leading the motion of no-confidence targeting the Macron government in the National Assembly, warned, Today, the trade unions tell us that they are not sure of being able to keep control of the troops for long, as we used to say. We began to see the first excesses last night. The risk is that the unions will no longer be able to keep control of the movement. Courson has been one of the most dedicated servants of capitalist rule in France for over a quarter of a century. Since first being elected in1993, he has acted as a financial expert for debates over 30 government budget bills, making him one of the principal architects of austerity in France over the last three decades. That such a pillar of reaction as Courson is working with the union leaderships to try to contain and hold back the struggle illustrates the necessity for workers making a complete break with the bureaucracies. In opposition to them and all pro-capitalist politicians and parties, workers and youth in France must organize rank-and-file committees independently of the nationalist and pro-capitalist unions and form links with their brothers and sisters internationally engaged in the same struggle against austerity and war. Many artists, musicians, writers and others have signed an online petition demanding that the cancellation of Roger Waters upcoming concert in Frankfurt, Germany be rescinded and the performance held as originally scheduled. The petition argues that the February 24 decision by the Frankfurt City Council and the Hessian State government to cancel Waters scheduled May 28 performance is based on thoroughly false and slanderous charges. The German government officials allege that the internationally acclaimed artist and co-founder of the British rock band Pink Floyd is an anti-Semite. Roger Waters performs in concert at Crypto.com Arena, September 27, 2022, in Los Angeles [AP Photo/AP Photo/Chris Pizzello] The petition explains that the Frankfurt authorities based their accusation against Waters on his call for a cultural boycott of Israel, his comparison of the Israeli government to the South African apartheid regime and his efforts to put pressure on artists to cancel events in Israel. The statement points out that these positions are not unique to Waters, nor are they outside the boundaries of mainstream public opinion, and that many human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Israels BTselem, various United Nations agencies and South African officials have also defined Israel as an apartheid state. Meanwhile, innumerable organizations and individuals have made the comparison between Israel and apartheid-era South Africa. Among the prominent signatories to the petition so far are musicians Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel and Eric Clapton, actresses Susan Sarandon, Julie Christie and Alia Shawkat, film directors Ken Loach, Terry Gilliam and Ramin Bahrani, playwright Caryl Churchill, artists Julian Schnabel and Dread Scott, comedians Alexei Sayle and David Cross, journalist John Pilger, professors Noam Chomsky and Cornel West, historian Ilan Pappe and political activist Daniel Ellsberg. The petition was initiated by American comedian, writer and political commentator Katie Halper on March 12 on Change.org under the headline Let Pink Floyds Roger Waters Perform In Frankfurt, Germany. As of this writing, the petition has received 9,642 signatures. The campaign defends Waters criticism of Israels treatment of Palestinians as part of his long-term advocacy on behalf of human rights across the globe. The petition introduction also asserts that the effort to vilify Waters is a dangerous campaign that purposely conflates criticism of Israels illegal and unjust policies with antisemitism. This conflation perpetuates the antisemitic trope which presents Jews as a monolith who blindly support Israel. Some of Israels loudest critics are Jews. But those who weaponize antisemitism are fine contributing to it. Finally, the petition calls on those who canceled the concert to reverse their decision and points a finger at them, stating that they would rather see Waters music removed than engage with the issues his music highlights, and that they should consider their own history of antisemitism, racism and genocide and how instances of these can be stopped today in other parts of the world, including in Occupied Palestine. As reported here by the World Socialist Web Site at the time the concert was canceled, the disgraceful act of censorship is being carried out by a political coalition in Frankfurt led by the Social Democrats, Greens and Free Democrats. The venue where the concert was to be held is jointly owned in a 6040 split between the city and the state of Hesse, which is run by a Christian Democrat/Green government that also approved the decision. The WSWS went on to explain that the false accusations of anti-Semitism directed against those who oppose the policies of the Israeli government are being used in Germany by far-right and militarist forces, the real source of fascism and anti-Semitism. In September, Waters show in Krakow, Poland, was canceled by the venue at the instigation of local far-right politicians, and, in October, the concert scheduled for May 21 in Munich was also canceled. In these cases, government officials used the false claims of the artist being both anti-Semitic and pro-Putin, because of his principled denunciations of the US-NATO war in Ukraine. In a March 16 post on his social media accounts, Roger Waters wrote that his lawyers were taking steps to make sure that his shows in Munich and Frankfurt took place as contracted. He wrote, I am taking the unprecedented step of appealing to the law to protect me from the unconstitutional actions of two authorities which seem to rely upon the fundamentally false accusation that has been made against me; namely that I am antisemitic. Waters added: I want to state for the record and once and for all that I am not and never have been antisemitic and nothing that anyone can say or publish will alter that. He concluded by insisting that he did not need to keep making my position clear on this issue, and he was confident that truth and the law will prevail and that these authorities will not succeed in denying any of my basic human rights. The growing support for Roger Waters among artists, musicians, writers, actors, film directors and others reveals that the campaign to silence him rests on a very thin pro-Zionist and pro-imperialist foundation. Meanwhile, the brazen lies being spread about Waters are themselves evidence of the desperate effort by the ruling powers to keep the broad public from being exposed to political positions and ideas with which many would no doubt agree. Police descend on protesters at the Concorde square after a demonstration near the National Assembly in Paris, Thursday, March 16, 2023. [AP Photo/Thomas Padilla] In the famous cemetery of Pere Lachaise in Paris, there is located what is known as the Communards Wall. There, on May 28, 1871, 147 members of the Commune were executed by the French Army and buried in a mass grave. The executions were the culmination of a massacre of unimaginable brutality, the Bloody Week, during which the French ruling class suppressed the Paris Commune, killing as many as 20,000 workers. The history and lessons of the Commune are of immense contemporary relevance, as French President Emmanuel Macron, backed by the state apparatus, moves to impose pension cuts in defiance of overwhelming popular opposition, without even a vote in parliament. With his dictatorial actions, Macron is once again tearing off the democratic mask from the capitalist state, exposing it as a naked instrument of class rule. Macron said a vote was an intolerable threat to the stability of the financial markets, which would not tolerate a no outcome. He said: My political interest and my political will were to go to a vote (in the National Assembly on the cuts)... But I consider that in the current situation, the financial and economic risks were too great. Macron thrust aside the opposition of three-quarters of the French people to his cuts, and of millions of workers on strike against them. Using arcane provisions of the French constitution, he is imposing them by decree unless parliament votes to bring down his government. And he is sending tens of thousands of heavily armed riot police to assault protests erupting across France. A decisive confrontation between the working class and the capitalist state is emerging, as negotiations break down and the room for democratic rule disappears. The calculations of the banks are not hard to explain. There is overwhelming opposition among working people to slashing living standards in order to spend hundreds of billions of euros on bank bailouts and the NATO war on Russia. Since the people oppose the policies demanded by the banks, the capitalist state will dispense with the trappings of democracy and forcibly impose its will on the people. Paris has been turned into a virtual armed camp, with heavily armed paramilitary police deployed to smother any sign of protest. Macron is taking these actions on the anniversary of the establishment of the Paris Commune, which took power in Paris 152 years ago this weekend, amid the bloodshed of the Franco-Prussian war, on March 18, 1871. It was the first time in history that the working class had built its own state. The achievements of the Commune but also its horrific massacre are great experiences of the international class struggle. Karl Marx and his great co-thinker Friedrich Engels, and later Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky and the Bolsheviks drew imperishable lessons from the Commune on the state. In his 1891 introduction to Marxs classic work on the Commune, The Civil War in France, Engels wrote: What had been the characteristic attribute of the former state [overthrown by the Commune]? Society had created its own organs to look after its common interests, originally through simple division of labor. But these organs, at whose head was the state power, had in the course of time, in pursuance of their own special interests, transformed themselves from the servants of society into the masters of society, as can be seen, for example, not only in the hereditary monarchy, but equally also in the democratic republic. Amid the imperialist carnage of World War I, as Lenin worked to elaborate the basis for the October 1917 Revolution in Russia, he studied the works of Marx and Engels on the Commune. At the center of Lenins perspective was Engels definition of the state as the product of the irreconcilability of class antagonisms, and a tool of the ruling class to impose its diktat over society. Lenin called for the transfer of state power to the soviets (councils) built by the workers, which would suppress the counterrevolutionary violence of the ruling class, and, by implementing socialist policies to create social equality, overcome the division of society into classes from which the state emerges. He wrote: Engels elucidates the concept of the power which is called the state, a power which arose from society but places itself above it and alienates itself more and more from it. What does this power mainly consist of? It consists of special bodies of armed men having prisons, etc., at their command. A state arises, a special power is created, special bodies of armed men, and every revolution, by destroying the state apparatus, shows us the naked class struggle, clearly shows us how the ruling class strives to restore the special bodies of armed men which serve it, and how the oppressed class strives to create a new organization of this kind, capable of serving the exploited instead of the exploiters. The developments in France confirm what the great Marxists explained: The state, even in parliamentary-democratic form, is a mechanism for the dictatorship of a ruling class. The way forward for the working class against the capitalist state is a struggle to build its own organs of workers power, and transfer state power to these bodies in a socialist revolution. Macron is responding to an escalating series of crises, including the expanding US-NATO war against Russia, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a deepening economic and financial crisis of the world capitalist system and, above all, the resurgence of the class struggle. Strikes and social anger over war and social inequality are reaching unprecedented intensity. In response, Macron is turning to rule by decree. The critical question facing the working class is to draw the political and strategic conclusions imposed by this historic crisis. It testifies to one essential political reality: Socialist revolution remains on the agenda. There is no parliamentary way forward to defend social and democratic rights. Workers can give no credibility to the French union bureaucracies or to pseudo-left politicians such as Jean-Luc Melenchon. They all peddle illusions that protest strikes will change Macrons mind or convince parliament to vote French Prime Minister Elisabeth Bornes government out of office. But Macron has no intention of backing down. And even if a new capitalist government were installed tomorrow in France, it would still try to plunder the workers to fund NATOs war and the EU bank bailouts, which have the support of all the establishment parties. It would soon find itself again in frontal opposition to the working class. Those who deny that the situation is revolutionary, or who say that workers first need more experiences with bourgeois democracy, are reactionaries trying to derail the movement. Workers do not need more experience with bourgeois democracy; they are having the experience of bourgeois dictatorship. They are experiencing the fact that genuine democracy is not compatible with the bourgeoisie. This is not peculiar to France, but is unfolding internationally. Capitalist states the world over, facing mounting anger in the working class, grant themselves ever more dictatorial powers. In Sri Lanka, where a mass uprising of the working class brought down President Gotabhaya Rajapakse last year, the capitalist state is taking on the form of an emergency regime claiming special powers to ban strikes, outlaw protests, and imprison political oppositionists. Last year, the Democrats and Republicans in the US joined forces to outlaw a strike by railroad workers and impose a contract that had been rejected. Throughout the developing struggle in France, the International Committee of the Fourth International and its French section, the Parti de legalite socialiste (PES), have called for the building of rank-and-file committees, independent of the union bureaucracies, to organize and coordinate the struggle against Macron. Only such bodies can unify strikes and protests, defend workers and youth from police attack, and break the diktat over the class struggle of organizations committed to social dialog, that is, subordinating the masses to the capitalist state. At the same time, the development of workers organizations in every factory, workplace and neighborhood is the foundation for establishing the basis for a new form of powernot the capitalist state and its bodies of armed men, but a workers state. To play this role, however, the working class must be saturated with consciousness that its task is not to find a parliamentary road, but to take power and build a socialist society. It must go into the class struggle conscious of the fact that it is continuing the historical and international struggle initiated, over 150 years ago, by the heroic fighters of the Commune. 25 years ago: Clinton tours Africa Bill Clinton on tour in Africa, 1998 On March 23, 1998, US President Bill Clinton launched a 12-day, six-nation tour of Africa as part of a new economic partnership and demonstration of Washingtons support for progressive new leaders who were bringing about an African renaissance. Clinton was the first sitting president to visit Ghana, Uganda, Botswana and Senegal. He also visited Rwanda and South Africa. Clintons domestic political critics dismissed the trip as a flight from the relentless and humiliating attacks of the special prosecutor and the media over alleged sexual scandals, a subject which continued to dog him even as he made his way around the African continent. Definite economic and political interests were behind this tour. It was part of an attempt to exert US hegemony over the African continent and to turn it into a new source of profits for US-based multinationals. The initiative was directed against the continuing influence of the old colonial powers of Europe, in particular France, and was pursued at the expense of Africas impoverished masses. The centerpiece of the shift in US policy was the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, passed by the US House of Representatives. Clinton declared that the legislation would inaugurate a dynamic new Africa... making dramatic strides toward democracy and prosperity. Vernon Jordan, the presidents adviser and frequent envoy to Africa, declared before a trade conference in Ethiopia that as a result of Clintons plan, the world would witness the birth of African economic lions, comparable to the Asian tigers. Washington promoted its initiative as a partnership of equals, declaring it a break with a previous policy of aid, portrayed as paternalistic and inclined to breed dependence. That claim ignored the fact that the US had already slashed its aid to Africa by more than 25 percent before the new trade act was proposed. The few new aid programs announced by Clinton in the course of his tour were strictly for show, representing a drop in the bucket compared to what was already cut. As for the conception that a deal struck between the US and the countries of sub-Saharan Africa would constitute an agreement between equals, the real aim of the pact was to break down all barriers to US investment and the export of US goods and services to the continent. In spite of its aims, the US economic position in Africa continued to erode, a process that has continued to the present. 50 years ago: First major battle in Vietnam after Paris Peace Accords Aerial view of Tong Le Chon base On March 25, 1973, the Battle of Tong Le Chon began in Vietnam between North Vietnams Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN), and the army of the US-backed regime in the South, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). The battle was the first major outbreak of fighting since the Paris Peace Accords were signed on January 27, 1973. The accords major achievement had been the withdrawal of most US troops. Those remaining were intelligence agents and military advisors, who stayed on to direct the ARVNa similar function to the military advisers who, under the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations, had preceded the enormous expansion of the American war against Vietnam in the mid-1960s. US President Richard Nixon had promised South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu to return US forces to active fighting if the PAVN launched a major offensive against the South. Knowing that the removal of US forces meant the eventual end of his rule as the head of the US puppet state in the south, Thieu ordered the ARVN to stage provocations to goad the PAVN into launching an attack that would breach the agreement and trigger the return of US forces. One of these was the bolstering of defenses at the Tong Le Chon military base outside the city of An Loc, the site of the April 1972 Easter Offensive. During that battle, the PAVN nearly overran the ARVN, which would have put the PAVN in position to prepare a siege of Saigon. The PAVN advance was only stopped by a massive bombing effort by the US Air Force. The Tong Le Chon base was an important military strategic point that allowed the ARVN to monitor PAVN movements and disrupt their supply lines. Its capture was considered necessary by the northern leadership to prepare an offensive that could take the southern capital. When the PAVN advanced on Tong Le Chon they quickly surrounded the base, cutting off its access by land to ARVN supply lines. But unable to break through the bases heavy defenses, the battle turned into an extended siege. The ARVN could only supply the base by airdrop. However, most of these fell off target and were recovered by the PAVN, creating desperate conditions inside the base. After being bombarded by PAVN artillery for over a year and supplies becoming increasingly scarce, the ARVN commander finally ordered his men to retreat from the base on April 12, 1974, defying an order to fight to the last man. Thieus desperate wager that Nixon would return US forces backfired. Under conditions where the war had grown massively unpopular with the American public and where the Watergate scandal was throwing his administration into crisis, Nixon was unable to follow through on his promise. Additionally, with US forces gone and unlikely to return, the North had little reason to grant any concessions to the South, whose government was seen as totally illegitimate by the vast majority of the Vietnamese population and was rapidly crumbling. The year-long siege at Tong Le Chon demonstrated that without US support Thieus regime was doomed, and it was only a matter of time before the southern government totally collapsed. One year after the bases surrender, on April 30, 1975, this process was completed when Saigon was taken by a final PAVN offensive that reunited Vietnam. 75 years ago: Zionist organizations resolve for Jewish state amid growing clashes Zionist military forces of the Irgun, parading in 1948 On March 23, 1948, the two largest Zionist organizations, the Jewish Agency for Palestine and the Jewish National Council, formally agreed that they would establish a provisional government when the British mandate over Palestine expired on May 16. The declaration, coming amid a series of violent clashes between right-wing Zionists and Palestinians, marked a key step in the creation of Israel. It underscored the danger of a widespread displacement of Arab residents to establish such a state. The British had announced in December 1947 the expiration of the mandate. A sharp decline of British imperialism was being accelerated by a wave of anti-colonial struggles after World War II. The aim of the British was to relinquish direct control of a possession that was increasingly difficult to administer, while retaining general imperialist dominance. The confirmation of the mandate came after the newly created United Nations passed a resolution supporting the establishment of a Jewish state. That had been pushed by the US, which viewed the creation of Israel as the opportunity to establish a beachhead in the Middle East aimed at blocking Soviet influence and providing a base for conducting predatory operations throughout the region. Various Zionist groups had campaigned for an independent state, including with a campaign of terrorist attacks against British forces and Palestinian civilians. The clashes intensified in the lead-up to the establishment of Israel, in line with its communalist character as a Jewish state. On March 21, a car bombing ascribed to Palestinian fighters claimed the lives of 20 Jewish people. In apparent retribution, the following day Zionist groups detonated two large bombs in the Arab quarter of Haifa, killing 17 and injuring more than 150. The same day, Palestinian fighters threw bombs into the Jewish quarter. Then the British launched an attack on Palestinian resistance groups, shelling positions they held in the mountains around Hartuv. As many as 60 were killed. That made March 22 one of the deadliest days in what had been an escalating series of bombings and mass killings. 100 years ago: Government provocateur testifies in trial of American Communist leader William Z. Foster On March 21, 1923, Francis Morrow, an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, gave his third day of testimony against Communist trade union leader William Z. Foster, on trial in Michigan for violation of the states criminal syndicalism laws. Morrow alleged that Foster had gone to Moscow and received from the Communist International plans for carrying out a Bolshevik Revolution in the United States and establishing a Soviet form of government. The prosecution, led by Michigan Assistant Attorney General, O. L. Smith, alleged that under Fosters leadership, the Communist Party intended to bore from within the trade unions to turn them into Communist organizations. The defense argued that Foster had the right to freedom of speech, and, as Foster later noted, Our attorneys laid especial stress upon the right of revolution always inherent in every people, calling to their aid the Declaration of Independence to make the proposition clear. Federal agents and local police had raided the second convention of the Communist Party of America, held in Bridgman, Michigan, on August 22, 1922. Although most of the delegates escaped, the authorities arrested 17 people and seized a large amount of literature. Francis Morrow had infiltrated the party and was a delegate at the convention and tipped off the authorities. The party had been driven underground by arrests and police attacks on its public meetings. Among other issues, the convention discussed how to develop legal work inside of the working class. The convention set up a legal political party called the Workers Party of America. Both Foster, the future leader of American Stalinism, and James P. Cannon, the future founder of the Trotskyist movement, who was in Moscow at the time of the Bridgman conference, were intent on finding ways in which the communist movement could reach American workers and supported the formation of a legal party. Foster, who had risen to national prominence for his leadership of the 1919 Steel Strike, and later joined the Communist Party, was the defendant in a lurid and widely publicized trial that marked the peak of the postwar Red Scare in the United States. A slanderous book was even produced based on the trials transcripts. Foster was not convicted because of a hung jury. American Communist leader Charles Ruthenberg was tried later, and convicted, but died before he could serve time. Flood victims, WSWS readers and Twitter followers have condemned last Wednesdays blocking of myself, as a Socialist Equality Party (SEP) election candidate, from speaking to residents of the East Lismore Village of modular homes (called pods) that is temporarily housing up to 200 victims of last years floods. Outside the state governments pods village for flood victims on the outskirts of Lismore [Photo: WSWS] As part of the SEPs intervention into the March 25 NSW state election, we are campaigning and holding discussions with flood victims and other workers and young people in the states Northern Rivers region. Thousands of people in the city of Lismore and across the region are still living in unacceptable makeshift accommodation one year after climate-related floods inundated low-lying homes. With a campaign supporter, I went to the pods village to discuss the SEPs opposition to the way the federal Labor and state Liberal-National governments are continuing to treat flood victims with indifference and contempt, and to provide the residents with a means to speak out. It is a basic democratic right for both the SEP and residents to hold such discussions, not least during an election campaign. But we were told by the village manager that we could not enter the isolated compound of 52 container-type units on the outskirts of Lismore, the epicentre of the ongoing social and housing disaster triggered by the floods. The village manager said he was acting on the authority and rules of the state governments New South Wales (NSW) Reconstruction Authority, which set up the pods villages. That authority has still failed to reply to our correspondence challenging the ban. Moreover, the authority has no publicly-listed phone number, making it impossible for us, or residents, or anyone else, to contact it, except by email. In our email last Thursday we posed a series of questions about the denial of access to an election candidate to speak to residents: Is this the policy of the NSW Reconstruction Authority? If so, why? Have the residents signed agreements that include barring them from speaking to candidates or the media? Has any other media or election candidate been barred from speaking to pods residents? Has the premier or the opposition leader been permitted to visit to speak to residents? There has been no response. Lismore residents dispute the village managers assertions that the site was private property, despite being a state government facility, and that the residents might be traumatised by speaking with us. One resident, Kate, who is living in a caravan park cabin after losing her home in the floods, commented: I agree with you. To say that the village is private property is so stupid, because its not. The residents are being treated like we were at the evacuation centre after the floods. By week 2, we were being treated like prisoners. Kate said she had applied to be housed in one of the 550 pods across the region but waited six weeks to be told she was on the waiting list. She said the pods were tiny, but better than living in a carthats how desperate we are. A lot of people are still couch-surfing, living with friends or living in their houses without walls. SEP candidate Mike Head in discussion with a worker at a rally in Lismore to defend Julian Assange [Photo: WSWS] A WSWS reader wrote: It seems the NSW government is taking advice from US influencers. What the NSW ruling class is imposing is a new Strategic Hamlet Program aimed at suppressing the appeal of socialism amongst NSWs disenchanted victims of the profit system. The claim by the NSW Reconstruction Authority a visit by the SEP would be traumatizing to East Lismore residents is patronizing, arrogant and plainly bogus. A meeting between the SEP and East Lismore residents would only be traumatizing for the NSW government because a progressive socialist anti-capitalist perspective, alternative to their misery, would be discussed. Another wrote: This shows the hostility of the ruling elites for the SEP campaign, which represents the genuine interest of the working masses. While Canberra is pouring billions of dollars for the war in Ukraine, thousands of people are still living in makeshift accommodation, even after one year. On Twitter, a SEP supporter commented: Lismore is in a shocking state. Half the schools sit closed, most of the public facilities, closed. Just like during the floods, the people have been officially left to their own devices. The pods residents include home owners still waiting for answers to their applications for the state and federal government buyback, lift or repair scheme jointly promised last October by Labor Party Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Liberal-National state Premier Dominic Perrottet. Other residents are former tenants who were rendered homeless by the floods and offered even less in government assistance, leaving them exposed to the near doubling of rents in the region since the catastrophe. The cramped conditions and inadequacy of the pods scheme have produced problems. The Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre recently told the Law Society of NSW Journal that some of its clients have had problems with eligibility for the pods scheme, and some people have been removed from the accommodation with nowhere else to go. As the SEP has explained, every aspect of the floods crisisfrom the lack of preparation and warnings to people, to the poor basic infrastructure and the inadequate assistance offered to thousands of flood victimshas been the direct result of the subordination of society to the dictates of corporate profit, including the refusal of governments to take the necessary measures to halt climate change, which is driving such extreme weather events. In the SEPs election statement, we say: Provide billions for public healthcare, education, housing and other essential services, not militarism and war! Place the banks, insurance companies, property developers and other corporate giants under public ownership and democratic working-class control! As the statement explains, the SEP is standing candidates in the NSW election to take forward the fight for a socialist program to totally reorganise society so it is planned rationally and democratically to protect health and lives, and meet social need, not feed private profits and wealth accumulation These are among the crucial issues that we intend to keep discussing with flood victims and all workers and young people, and providing them with a means to make their views known, free from government control and pressure. We appeal to all our readers to support our election campaign and demand our right to conduct it without political censorship. Contact the SEP: Phone: (02) 8218 3222 Email: sep@sep.org.au Facebook: SocialistEqualityPartyAustralia Twitter: @SEP_Australia Instagram: socialistequalityparty_au TikTok: @sep_australia Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000. Seniors exercise at an elderly care center in a community in Deqing county, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, on Feb 16. In recent years, Deqing has been exploring the use of information technology to offer "smart elderly care" services for older people. [Photo/Xinhua] China's latest institutional reform of the State Council is expected to optimize work on serving and caring for senior citizens, as the nation prepares for a looming "retirement wave" over the next decade, experts said. According to the institutional reform plan, which was recently reviewed and approved at the annual session of the 14th National People's Congress, the work of the National Working Committee on Aging will be transferred to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to enhance the ministry's responsibilities on coordinating, supervising and promoting services for the aging population. The ministry will also shoulder the work of proposing, coordinating and implementing policies on dealing with the graying of the population which was formerly handled by the National Health Commission, according to the plan. The transfer of these responsibilities is a proactive measure aimed at handling the nation's aging demographic, which aims to provide better pensions and services for the elderly. The nation has faced a growing aging population in past decades, which may bring about labor shortages, put greater pressure on the pension industry and slow economic development. China's seventh population census conducted in November 2020 showed that the number of people aged over 60 accounted for 18.7 percent of the total population of 1.41 billion, up 5.44 percentage points from the previous census taken in 2010. People aged over 65 account for 13.5 percent of the total population, according to the seventh population census, up 4.63 percentage points from 2010. Moreover, the aging problem may become more severe around 2035, when the number of over-60s in China is expected to exceed 400 million, representing more than 30 percent of the nation's projected total population at the time, as forecast by the National Health Commission. However, these aging people, especially those "younger retirees" who are around the ages of 55 to 60 years old, show an increasing willingness to be reemployed. Normally, females retire at 55 and males at 60 in China, though female workers can enjoy retirement at 50. According to a recent report by the recruitment portal 51Job, 68 percent of surveyed retirees have a stronger willingness to keep working. The portal didn't mention the exact number of retirees participating in the survey. The portal also conducted a survey among retirees returning to the job market, among whom 46.7 percent of those surveyed said that they got the job to realize their personal and social value, and another 19 percent hope to pursue better career development by using their skills. Around 34 percent of surveyed reemployed retirees said that they work to support their family or meet their higher-level consumption needs. Shao Wenyuan, a 53-year-old from Anhui province, who used to work as a spinner and retired three years ago, is now running a clothing store in Huangshan. "I'm a little uneasy staying at home doing nothing, and it's boring as well." She said that she plans to open a toy store maybe next year in Beijing. "My daughter has her work in Beijing and I think maybe I can establish a new business there, and keep her company. I didn't get many more opportunities to live away from my hometown, which is a pity. Though I'm now 53, I don't think I'm old. "I still have energy and good ideas. So why not take an opportunity to see the world? I have much time to do whatever I want and I am not afraid of failure. Seizing the day, I'm still 'young'," she said. Pang Shi, director of the Chinese Academy of Personnel Science's department of employment and entrepreneurship, said people are encouraged to have a more positive attitude toward the aging population to help promote the sustainable development of the pension industry. She said that the large population of the "young elderly", are in relatively good health with more sound knowledge backgrounds, working skills and social experience, and have great potential to unleash their talent. "They are qualified to return to the job market. Developing human resources among the elderly can help relieve labor force shortfalls the nation has faced," she said. "Getting seniors reemployed can also help reduce their own financial pressures to avoid possible poverty, which can also help relieve the nation's pension pressure." It's necessary to look at the aging problem with a systematic view, she added. A former North Dakota higher education leader is warning that a bill to change faculty tenure could risk the accreditation of Bismarck State College and Dickinson State University. Former University System Chancellor Larry Isaak, who held the post from 1994-2003, recently shared his concerns with the Senate Education Committee. The panel is handling House Bill 1446 by House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson. The state House of Representatives passed the bill in a 66-27 vote last month. The bill, which calls for a four-year pilot project, would make it easier for presidents at BSC and DSU to dismiss tenured faculty. Opponents say weakening tenure will make it harder to recruit faculty to the state. Accreditation is essentially an independent review of a college or university for quality control. The Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions describes it as a signal that an institution has been vetted by an outside organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an authority on postsecondary quality. BSC and DSU are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which says accreditation examines the quality of a college beyond its academics to include "soundness of its governance and administration," as well as adherence to mission, financial sustainability and sufficiency of resources. The threat Isaak sees from the bill is "that the Legislature is exerting undue influence in the employment of faculty at the institutions," he said. "The accreditation criteria is very clear that governing boards and institutions must be independent from political influence," Isaak said. He cites North Dakota State University, formerly North Dakota Agricultural College, losing its institutional accreditation in 1938 after political intrigue involving the governor led to the removal of faculty and resignation of the college president. The Tribune sought comment from current Chancellor Mark Hagerott on Isaak's concerns. NDUS spokeswoman Billie Jo Lorius said, "As far as accreditation, it is a possibility that it could be affected but we wouldnt know the full impact unless the bill was implemented." Hagerott and the State Board of Higher Education initially took neutral positions on the bill. Last week, Hagerott testified in opposition to the bill, reflecting the board's unanimous vote in February to oppose the bill and request to coordinate a joint study with lawmakers to review and make recommendations related to a post-tenure review process. BSC President Doug Jensen supports the board's position, and told the Tribune he doesn't believe risk to accreditation is a factor. "According to the 2022 (American Association of University Professors) Survey of Tenure Practices, 67.6% of public higher education institutions in the country have a post-tenure review program," Jensen said in a statement. Jensen did not submit testimony on the bill. Isaak included his concern about accreditation in a Feb. 20 letter to the State Board of Higher Education. Board member Nick Hacker said Friday he hadn't read enough of Isaak's concerns to comment. Isaak said the bill is unnecessary since the State Board of Higher Education is "empowered, not authorized, to handle employment issues." The board can look at tenure at any time, he added. According to Isaak, lost accreditation would mean students would no longer be eligible for federal financial aid, they would have difficulty transferring credits if they wanted to move to another school, and "a significant decline in enrollment" also could result. The issue is one ongoing in other states, such as in Florida, "passing laws that affect the curriculum, and accreditors are looking in on that," Isaak said. Lefor said he's not concerned about loss of accreditation, telling the Tribune, "Why are they doing it in Florida? Why are they doing it in Texas? Because they vetted this already." The only testimony in support of the bill, other than Lefor, has come from Dickinson State University President Steve Easton, who testified to a legislative committee in February. In some cases, Easton said, tenured professors are teaching fewer students than non-tenured faculty who are paid less and have fewer protections. The BSC Faculty Senate submitted testimony opposing the bill, saying in part it threatens the school's polytechnic mission "because it would make us less competitive for the talent we need to prepare tomorrows workforce." University of North Dakota President Andy Armacost opposed the bill in testimony he submitted last week, telling lawmakers "presidents have sufficient powers already in place to remove faculty members for cause, including those with tenure." The Senate Education Committee has not yet made a recommendation on the bill. The journal Science and The Atlantic magazine published accounts of a recent discovery of the DNA sequence from a wild animal likely infected with SARS-CoV-2 at the Huanan wet market in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak of early infections that led to the COVID pandemic. Dr. Florence Debarre, a senior researcher at the National Center for Scientific Research in France, and theoretician in evolutionary biology, uncovered the data. The discovery deals a massive blow to the conspiracy theory that COVID-19 originated in a leak of genetically modified viruses from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). This has relied on, as one of its few science-based arguments, that none of the animals tested at the Wuhan market had been positive for SARS-CoV-2. Now one may well be. Debarre has meticulously researched the origin question, posted her findings on her Twitter account and taken many advocates of the lab-leak conspiracy theory to task. She told Jon Cohen of Science that she randomly came across the previously unknown sequence data while doing research on GISAID, the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data, the Munich-based data bank that allows scientists to share research results on an open-access basis. She said it took several days to assess the implication of the sequences and recognize their importance. These were sequences from swabs taken by the Chinese Centers for Disease Control in the wet market after closing the facility on January 1, 2020. The sequence was part of the DNA of a raccoon dog, found together with RNA from SARS-CoV-2. These wild animals were known to have been illegally sold at the market and are possibly a suspect for intermediary host for the virus, between bats and humans. However, the data that was posted on GISAID was not part of the earlier data set provided to the WHO or other scientific bodies during the 2021 origin investigation and subsequent publication titled Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment and animal samples of the Huanan Seafood market. Debarre initially contacted Kristian Andersen, evolutionary virologist at Scripps Clinic, California, and Michael Worobey, evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona, to discuss the implications of the sequences. However, once these researchers attempted to contact former head of the Chinese CDC, George Gao, the data was removed from GISAID. It may very well be that the work being conducted by Gao and colleagues is pending review. In the arena of scientific authorship such high-impact topics are kept under wraps until the day of publication. As Jon Cohen notes, The teams [Gao] preprint recently had its status on Research Squarewhich is linked to the Nature family of journalschange from posted to under review. Journals often require data deposition before publication, so an imminent publication might originally have prompted Gaos team to submit the data to GISAID. Still, given concerns that the sequences were removed and lack of disclosure on why they were placed there and not shared earlier with the WHO or in their subsequent publication in 2022, Debarre and colleagues contacted the lead scientist at WHO on COVID, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, and provided her with the bombshell report of a likely infection with SARS-CoV-2 of an animal at the Huanan market. On Friday, at the WHO press brief on COVID, Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made it a focus of his opening remarks. He said, Even as we become increasingly hopeful about the end of the pandemic, the question of how it began remains unanswered. Last Sunday, WHO was made aware of data published on the GISAID database in late January and taken down again recently. The data, from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, relates to samples taken at the Huanan market in Wuhan, in 2020. Dr. Michael Worobey (left) and Dr. Kristian Andersen [Photo: Scripps Research, University of Arizona, WSWS] He continued, While it was online, scientists from a number of countries downloaded the data and analyzed it. As soon as we became aware of this data, we contacted the Chinese CDC and urged them to share it with WHO and the international scientific community so it can be analyzed. We also convened the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens, or SAGO, which met on Tuesday. We asked researchers from the Chinese CDC and the international group of scientists to present their analyses of the data to SAGO. These data do not provide a definitive answer to the question of how the pandemic began but every piece of data is important in moving us closer to that answer and every piece of data relating to studying the origins of COVID-19 needs to be shared with the international community immediately. These data could have and should have been shared three years ago. The question of a natural origin versus laboratory leak has been at the heart of political discussions since the publication by a renowned international team of virologists published the proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2 report in March 2020 in Nature. All evidence since that pathbreaking study points to a zoonotic spillover into human populations while no data to date has pointed to a possible lab leak. In fact, many of the scientists involved in the original research on COVID origin, including Drs. Debarre, Worobey and Andersen, had previously acknowledged they had initially believed the outbreak was caused by a lab leak until the weight of the accumulated evidence demanded they accept the alternative and most likely hypothesis, a natural origin. Most important in these was the investigation conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and China in 2021 on the origin question which found that a significant number of early COVID cases who were attended at regional hospitals in December 2019 were linked to the market and not the WIV. These were later corroborated by studies conducted by scientists Michael Worobey, Kristian Andersen and others in their epidemiologic and phylogenetic studies utilizing the WHO data. Most cases, both those with and those without personal links to anyone at the market, were nonetheless geographically linked to it. In other words, it was their proximity to the market that led to their infection. Additionally, the two lineages of the virus (also both linked to the Huanan seafood market) that had been sequenced at that time had no preceding intermediary version, meaning that at least two separate spillovers must have occurred in and around the market that eventually led to achieving a sustained outbreak of infections that began to spread across Wuhan in late winter of 2019. It is telling, moreover, that there were no linkages between staff or employees of WIV and SARS-CoV-2 nor were any of the early cases geographically linked to the institute, which would have supported a lab-leak hypothesis. Perhaps an even more compelling question to ask the conspiracists: What is the probability that two different versions of the virus housed at the WIV somehow were leaked within a few weeks of each other to the middle of the same wet market that employs 1,500 people in a city of 11 million, the size of London. The identification of a raccoon dog at Huanan market who was very likely infected comes with considerable political impact at the present moment. On March 8, 2023, while Republican and Democratic Congress members were holding hearings on the origin of COVID to politically legitimize their lab-leak conspiracy claims, Dr. Michael Worobeys opinion piece was published in the Los Angeles Times, providing a lucid and thorough account on the scientific merits for the natural origin of COVID and its emergence at the Huanan Seafood Market. Worobey is a professor and the head of the department of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona who has dedicated his recent work to the origin question. Near the end of his account, he wrote, There is now a large body of peer-reviewed scientific research consistent with a zoonotic origin of this pandemic. However, there is no credible, peer-reviewed research pointing to a lab leak. Had the evidence gone in the other direction, Id be reporting that. But it hasnt. The evidence in favor of a lab leak consists fundamentally of discredited talking points. The lack of a positive sample from an animal sold at the Huanan market, for example, supposedly undercuts the market-origin hypothesis. But not a single relevant live animal was tested there before the market was closed. In little more than a week after Worobeys account, the sequence showing a wild animal linked to SARS-CoV-2 has made the headlines. On March 3, a special counsel charged with oversight of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department (LASD) issued a report that documents deputy gangs engaging in egregious conduct such as violations of law, the excessive use of force [and] threats to the public or Department members. According to the special counsel, deputy gangs operating over the last 50 years in patrol stations located in predominantly working class and minority neighborhoods, including the Banditos, Executioners, Regulators, Spartans, Grim Reapers, Rattlesnakes and Vikings, recruit male deputy sheriffs based on their ethnicity and willingness to engage in violence and coverups. The report states that among the 80 or so people interviewed, several witnesses would only testify anonymously and some did so remotely, using a voice distortion device out of fear of physical or professional retaliation. Several witnesses who had agreed to testify withdrew, often the night before the proposed testimony, out of similar fears. The report accuses prior Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who lost reelection last November, of appointing known tattooed members of Deputy Gangs and Deputy Cliques to leadership positions in the Department and permitting the revival of emblems signifying membership in such groups. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva gestures during a news conference, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Los Angeles. [AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes] The claim that Deputy Gangs no longer exist in the Department is flatly and inarguably false, according to the report. The Rand Corporation reports that 15 to 20 percent of LASD deputies join gangs. Membership is usually confirmed by a leg tattoo, frequently bearing a sequential roman numeral. Inking parties are held to initiate new members at the gangs chosen tattoo parlor after a deputy-involved shooting or other act of brutality. Deputies have been observed using language, gestures and even graffiti associated with the street gangs they are supposedly policing, while aggressively targeting co-workers they deem rats. Deputy gangs were originally dominated by white men, but, like the LASD itself, are now increasingly Latino. African American and female deputies are generally excluded. The population of Los Angeles County is almost 10 million, one out of every 35 people who live in the United States today. The county alone is more populous than 40 of the 50 states. Riven by extreme social inequality, with 30 billionaires and almost 70,000 people unhoused, Los Angeles County consists of pockets of ostentatious wealth, mostly concentrated in Westside communities such as Malibu, Beverly Hills and Bel Air, alongside massive working class communities that include large populations of recent immigrants crammed into neighborhoods circling downtown, and fanning south to the San Pedro harbor and east to borders with San Bernardino and Orange Counties. The LASD employs 15,000 people, about half of whom are sworn deputies, and runs the countrys largest jail system, with an average daily inmate population also numbering about 15,000. Typically, after several years in the jails, deputies are assigned to patrol at one of the 23 substations that cover unincorporated county communities and the 42 cities that contract with the LASD rather than operate their own police department. With an annual budget of $3.6 billion, the LASD is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the United States. Deputy gangs arise out of the need for force to maintain social inequality. They epitomize the thuggery rampant in such special bodies of armed menthe apt description Engels and Lenin used for law enforcement agencies under bourgeois rule, which captures their essential role as defenders of capitalist exploitation. LASD deputy gangs date back at least to the Little Red Devils formed in the early 1970s by white deputies assigned to the East Los Angeles substation, nicknamed Fort Apache after the John Wayne movie that glamorized a cavalry outpost in the genocidal wars waged against Native Americans. As spearheads in the suppression of mass demonstrations against the Vietnam War during the Chicano Moratorium, the Little Red Devils most prominent casualty was Los Angeles Times commentator Ruben Salazar, who died after being struck in the head by a teargas canister fired into a bar where he sought refuge from rampaging deputies. A subsequently 1973 report on these events identified 38 deputies from the East Los Angeles substation with sequentially numbered tattoos of a devil, the first official acknowledgment that deputy gangs were inking. In the early 1990s media reports and litigation exposed the Vikings, a particularly violent deputy gang at the Lynwood substation, the existence of which was confirmed in the 1992 report of an earlier special counsel, James G. Kolts. In a federal civil rights lawsuit, District Judge Terry J. Hatter accurately labeled the Vikings a neo-Nazi, white supremacist gang, and the county subsequently paid $9 million to settle injury claims asserted by dozens of the Vikings victims. Although never proved in court, Vikings were suspected to have perpetrated the still unsolved drive-by shooting of Lloyd Polk, after he brokered a peace meeting among rival Lynwood street gangs. As detailed in the recent special counsel report, deputy gangs have metastasized throughout the LASD. A tattooed founding member of the Vikings, Paul Tanaka, rose to the rank of undersheriff, second in command, and was noted to have actively promoted several Vikings and Regulators into higher management positions. Tanaka and former Sheriff Lee Baca were convicted of conspiring to block the FBI from investigating jail abuses. Tanaka was sentenced to five years federal imprisonment and Baca three. Bacas successor, Jim McDonnell, took down the Fort Apache logo at the East Los Angeles substation, but Villanueva restored it after defeating McDonnell in 2018 with the backing of prominent Democrats, who openly campaigned for a sheriff of color. (Villanueva is half Polish and half Puerto Rican. He speaks Spanish fluently.) Villanueva also rehired and elevated to his inner circle Carl Mandoyan, a tattooed member of the Grim Reapers, the deputy gang formed at the South Los Angeles substation, whose emblem is a faceless, black-robed figure carrying a scythe, the symbol of death. At the East Los Angeles substation, the Banditos grew to replace the Cavemen, a deputy gang that had replaced the Little Red Devils. The tattoo is a skull with a thick mustache, wearing a bandolier and sombrero, and brandishing a gun. According to one witness, Banditos had to be Mexican American, Central Americans could not become Banditos. As is the practice in other deputy gangs, a shooting allowed the member to embellish the barrel of his tattooed firearm with smoke. One deputy gang, the Jump Out Boys, actually formed within the LASDs own anti-gang detail, Operation Safe Streets (OSS). The tattoo depicts a red-eyed skull wearing a bandana adorned with the letters OSS and holding a revolver next to an ace and eight of spades, symbolizing the dead mans hand in poker. Even helicopter deputies formed a racist group, the Ghetto Birds, founded by a deputy with a Viking tattoo. The report suggests that the gang has been successful over the years in excluding African American deputies from the Aero Bureau. According to the report, there are at least a half dozen deputy gangs currently active at LASD patrol stations in working class areas. The official tattoo of one, the Compton-based Executioners, is a skeleton with a German World War II helmet holding an automatic rifle. These gangs, or cliques as the report sometimes soft-pedals them, run the stations or units where they exist ... often decide assignments and shifts, training, and overtime; exclude deputies from the Deputy Cliques, often based on race, ethnicity or gender; intimidate deputies that are not part of the Deputy Cliques; give orders not to provide backup to disfavored deputies who are not members of the Deputy Cliques, and order work slowdowns if management of a station attempts to rein them in. Most troubling, the report explains, they create rituals that valorize violence, such as recording all deputy involved shootings in an official book, celebrating with shooting parties, and authorizing deputies who have shot a community member to add embellishments to their common gang tattoos. The deputy gangs operate in secrecy; lie in reports to protect each other; and threaten the public with use of excessive force without justification and belittle deputies unwilling to engage in such acts, the report concludes. Like their more overtly neo-fascist counterparts, such as the Oath Keepers who spearheaded the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, deputy gangs cannot be eliminated by reforms because they are organically tied to the class struggle the deputies are employed to suppress. That is why deputy gangs can only be eliminated through the overthrow of capitalist property by the international working class. A social justice organization has called for the US Department of Justice to investigate the police department of Paterson, New Jersey, citing the latters widespread unlawful and unconstitutional conduct. The demand follows the fatal shooting by two Paterson police officers of an anti-violence advocate who was experiencing a mental health crisis. Residents also have demanded criminal charges against the officers involved and the establishment of a civilian complaint review board. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin is investigating the killing, which has sparked protests that have become increasingly tense. Residents flooded into a city council meeting last week to vent their anger and demand change. Two city officials nearly came to blows during the session. The victim of the latest police shooting was Najee Seabrooks, who was 31 years old. For two years, Seabrooks had worked as a counselor with the Paterson Healing Collective, a group that supports survivors of violence. He had sought to reduce gun violence in Paterson, acted as a mediator and mentored young people. Days before he was killed, he had counseled the classmates of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death outside Patersons Eastside High School. Najee Seabrooks [Photo: Paterson Healing Collective] The fatal shooting of Seabrooks has provoked grief and outrage. Heres a young man that dedicated his life to changing his community, and when he needed a mental health response in a crisis intervention response, instead hes met with force, Liza Chowdhury, the executive director of the Paterson Healing Collective, told NJ Advance Media. At 7:43 a.m. on March 3, Seabrooks called 911 to report that he was in distress. He was alone at his brothers apartment and had locked himself in a bathroom. He also texted his friends at the Paterson Healing Collective for support. I want to hear one of yalls voice, he wrote. Before they try to kill me. I have a few minutes left. Family members said that Seabrooks was hallucinating and behaving erratically but had no history of mental illness. Members of the police departments Emergency Response Team soon arrived. When members of the Paterson Healing Collective reached the apartment building, the officers prevented them from responding to Seabrooks. Instead, they were forced to wait in the lobby during a standoff that lasted for more than four hours. Nor did the police ever contact the crisis intervention team at nearby Saint Josephs University Medical Center during the incident. Seabrooks began cutting himself with knives. The officers first tried firing sponge-tipped projectiles at him to subdue him. Body camera video reportedly shows that at 12:35 p.m., Seabrooks leapt from the bathroom with a knife. Officers Anzore Tsay and Jose Hernandez fired their guns, striking Seabrooks, who later died at a nearby hospital. Seabrooks is survived by a daughter. In response to the outpouring of anger about the killing, Mayor Andre Sayegh, who took office in 2018, touted his own efforts to mandate body cameras for the police force, because of the need for accountability, transparency and the truth. But the mayor only took this step after coming under intense public pressure following the fatal police shooting of Jameek Lowery in 2019. Neither the provision of body cameras nor the police audit that Sayegh ordered after Lowerys killing has prevented the Paterson police from engaging in further violence. Sayegh has opposed calls for a Justice Department inquiry into the Paterson Police Department as unnecessary. He cited reforms that he has implemented since 2018, including an early warning system to detect questionable behavior on the part of officers. In addition, Sayegh appointed a new police director last month, increased the length of officer training from four to eight weeks and claims to have referred officers to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As public anger and mistrust of the Paterson police have steadily intensified, Sayegh has steadfastly backed the cops. He has minimized the forces pervasive criminality, characterized residents fears as exaggerated and blamed egregious acts on a very few number of officers [sic]. As recently as December 2022, Sayegh and Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale went on a public relations offensive to salvage the departments image. The campaign has had little effect. The Paterson Police Department has become notorious for its violence. Since 2019, there have been eight deaths in Paterson that involved the police. This number is higher than in any other municipality in New Jersey. Six of the deaths involved officers firing their weapons, and two deaths occurred in police custody. At least 12 officers in Paterson have been criminally charged in the past four years. The city paid $2 million to settle 16 lawsuits against its officers in the previous three years. In January, former officer Spencer Finch was charged with aggravated assault, official misconduct and tampering with public records. The charges are related to his assault of a robbery suspect in 2018. Finch beat the suspect with a flashlight, breaking his nose and causing the avulsion of two teeth. In July 2022, Finch was charged with the same offenses for having beaten a man during a domestic dispute and falsifying his police report about the incident. In June 2022, Officer Jerry Moravek, who was responding to the sound of gunfire, saw a young man run past him. After repeatedly ordering the man, Khalif Cooper, to drop a gun, Moravek shot him in the back as he was running away. Cooper, who was unarmed, sustained a disabling spinal injury and can no longer walk. In February, the state attorney general charged Moravek with second-degree aggravated assault. With the approval of the police department leadership and the law enforcement unions, Moraveks fellow officers took up a collection for him while he was on unpaid suspension. In February 2022, Paterson officers Jacob Feliciano and Dodi Zorrilla found Felix DeJesus walking around drunk one night, handcuffed him and put him in a patrol car. They later dropped him off in a park in near-freezing temperatures, and no one has seen him since. When his family asked the police for answers, they initially denied having had any contact with DeJesus. They also refused to take information to file a missing person report, insisting that the family file it in Haledon, where DeJesus lived. Feliciano and Zorrilla were later suspended without pay for 90 days for neglect of duty and breaking the rules for body cameras, patrol procedures, transporting citizens and preparing and filing reports. In December 2021, a plainclothes police officer investigating a reported incident shot and killed Thelonious RaRa McKnight Jr. in a dark alley. A 9mm handgun was found near McKnights body. The police have not explained the reason for the shooting or released the officers name. In December 2020, Officers Kevin Patino and Kendry Tineo-Restituyo were sent in an unmarked car to respond to a suspicious person report. They physically attacked 19-year-old Osamah Alsaidi, who was walking to his job at Amazon, without any provocation. After punching the teenager and throwing him to the ground, they charged him with aggravated assault of a police officer. Alsaidi sustained a concussion, was temporarily blinded, began to have migraine headaches and needed treatment at a hospital. Federal authorities charged Patino and Tineo-Restituyo with violating Alsaidis Fourth Amendment rights and with obstruction of justice. This unrelenting savagery must be understood within the context of the citys history and economic conditions. Paterson is the third-largest city in New Jersey. Nearly two-thirds of residents are Hispanic or Latino, and about a quarter are black. About 44 percent of people living in Paterson were born abroad. By the late 19th century, Paterson had become a major center of textile manufacturing. It earned the nickname Silk City and attracted a large amount of immigrant labor. The mills and factories closed during the deindustrialization that began in the 1980s, and Paterson had already become the fifth-poorest city in the country by 1983. The citys employment rate today is about 54 percent, and its poverty rate is just over 25 percent. The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, which has asked US Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate the Paterson Police Department, describes the violence in racial terms, emphasizing officers attacks on black and brown residents. But the role of the police, in Paterson and elsewhere, is to suppress working class opposition to poverty and capitalist exploitation, regardless of workers race or ethnicity. The appalling police violence in Paterson reflects its residents poverty, as well as the pressures of the global economic crisis, the ongoing pandemic and NATOs proxy war with Russia. It is telling that the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus has not commented on the killing of Seabrooks, especially since its chair, Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, represents Paterson in the state legislature. This silence underscores the fact that race- and gender-based political groupings serve the interests of their respective layers of the upper middle class. In the current environment of widespread strikes and worker unrest, such groups appreciate the need for police terror. Neither a Justice Department investigation of the Paterson Police Department nor the establishment of a civilian complaint review board would produce anything more than cosmetic changes. These measures would not alter the nature of the police as the enforcers of inequality and protectors of wealth. The police will play this role, with all the barbarity they deem necessary, as long as the state remains in the hands of the capitalist class. March 20, 2023, marks 20 years since the beginning of the US invasion of Iraq. From the initial horrific shock and awe bombing campaign, through the invasion and subsequent occupation, some one million Iraqis died and the entire society was devastated. At the time of the initial invasion of Iraq, the WSWS published many statements on the background of the war, the lies used to justify it and its implications. This page features some of the most important statements. The war against Iraq was part of three decades of unending war that followed the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It was preceded by the first Gulf War (1990-91), the bombing of Serbia (1999) and the invasion of Afghanistan (2001). It was followed by the bombing of Libya (2011) and the US-backed war in Syria (2011). In the preface of A Quarter Century of War: The US drive for global hegemony: 1990-2016 David North, the Chairman of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site, wrote: The last quarter century of US-instigated wars must be studied as a chain of interconnected events. The strategic logic of the US drive for global hegemony extends beyond the neocolonial operations in the Middle East and Africa. The ongoing regional wars are component elements of the rapidly escalating confrontation of the United States with Russia and China. As the world marks the 20th anniversary of the war against Iraq, the US and NATO powers are relentlessly escalating their war against Russia. At the same time, the US is preparing the ground for a military confrontation with China. The statements, essays and articles included on this page are essential not only for understanding the war in Iraq itself, but the fundamental social, historical and political issues behind the eruption of imperialism. China introduced its proposal to deepen multilateral discussions on the trade aspects and implications of environmental measures which have wide ramifications. China noted that trade policies are increasingly used to fulfil environmental goals and that the WTO is an important forum for trade policy deliberations. China proposed to use the Committee as a platform and suggested members start with discussions on the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism at the June CTE meeting. The EU said it would study the proposal, noting it has been outlining CBAM in detail and responding to members' questions in recent years, and that it intended to hold a dedicated information session in the coming months. Colombia presented a document on the principles and parameters that should guide and support policies and measures on trade and environment. Colombia said there needs to be greater participation by developing countries in the proceedings of the Committee and proposed that members consider principles such as international cooperation, common but differentiated responsibilities between developed and developing members, and the principle of non-discrimination. Colombia invited members to an informal special session to discuss these principles and establish an action plan. The European Union drew members' attention to its February proposal to the WTO General Council entitled Reinforcing the deliberative function of the WTO to respond to global trade policy challenges, which includes a suggestion to deepen discussions in the CTE about environmental trade measures. The EU highlighted three areas as priorities: trade policy and state intervention in support of industrial sectors; global environmental challenges; and trade and inclusiveness. The EU said it intends to reach out to members on the best way forward to continue the discussions and enhance deliberations in the Committee in light of their submission. Several other members also voiced their suggestions and views over improving the work of the Committee and the wider efforts of the WTO. Many members expressed support for enhancing transparency and deepening dialogue on domestic measures taken for climate and other environmental objectives. Several members called for closer coordination among WTO bodies on environmental matters. Members debated applying the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities depending on an economy's level of development. Members' presentations India presented a paper on the increasing use of environmental measures as protectionist non-tariff measures. India said it was concerned about four areas in particular: carbon border measures; environment-based management of minimum residue limits (MRLs) in agriculture; deforestation-related measures; and import restrictions based on the green content of commodities. Paraguay briefed members on its analysis of members' notifications of agricultural subsidies for environmental programmes, voicing its concern over potential greenwashing of government support. Paraguay suggested holdingdiscussions on improving the environmental effectiveness of these policies in the CTE and proposed that members use questionnaires to provide more information on their environmental subsidies for agriculture. Several members provided information on environmental measures currently under domestic deliberation. The European Union provided information on European Commission's proposal for a regulation on packaging, with the objective of reducing packaging waste. It also provided updates on other features of the EU Green Deal, noting that CBAM will be subject to the EU's internal legislative process which will be finalized in May 2023, and that the EU regulation on deforestation will enter into force in May or June 2023. The United Kingdom provided an update on its Due Diligence Legislation which requires businesses operating in the UK to ensure supply chains are not contributing to deforestation. The UK also reported that it is preparing to launch consultations this spring on possible policy options, including a carbon border adjustment mechanism, to mitigate against carbon leakage as economies take on differing carbon emission reduction commitments. Delegations were invited to participate actively. Updates from initiatives New Zealand provided an update on behalf of the participants in the negotiations on the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS). New Zealand said the current round of negotiations is taking place between 16 February to 26 March. New Zealand highlighted the chapter on best practice guidelines for voluntary eco-labelling, noting that this was a novel addition to free trade agreements. Members are working to conclude negotiations this year. Kenya briefed the Committee on the launch of the Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate last 19 January on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Kenya noted the coalition brings together 56 ministers from diverse regions and levels of development to coordinate efforts to tackle climate change through trade policy. Kenya invited more members to join the coalition. Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam provided a summary on the event entitled Trade Forum for Decarbonization Standards held on 9 March in the WTO. Biological diversity The Committee heard statements from the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Kingdom, the European Union and China on trade-related outcomes from the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15), in particular the significance of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provided a summary of the joint event held on 14 March with the WTO entitled Nature-positive trade for sustainable development: How can trade-related policies and measures support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework? The discussions underscored that all targets in the new Framework could be supported by trade policies and that the WTO must adopt a holistic and comprehensive approach towards biodiversity. At the multilateral level, several ongoing trade policy discussions offer opportunities for improved cooperation and synergies between the global biodiversity, trade, and sustainable development agendas, including at the level of the CTE and the environmental initiatives. Members also heard a presentation from the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) on the recently agreed High Seas Treaty. The WTO Secretariat presented its latest annual report on the Environmental Database (EDB) with a topic-specific focus on biodiversity. Members welcomed the report and made suggestions on improving the EDB to make it even more useful for the membership. Chair election Members elected Ambassador Jose Valencia of Ecuador as the new CTE chair at the end of the meeting. Ambassador Valencia replaces United Kingdom Ambassador Simon Manley as CTE chair. Next meeting The Committee's next meeting will be held in the week of 12 June. The names of police officers involved in shootings, as well as defendant addresses and phone numbers, will remain public in North Dakota. The state House killed Senate Bill 2216 in a 3-89 vote on Monday. The bill would have made the addresses and phone numbers of defendants confidential during a trial or appeal. The proposed legislation also would have kept the names of officers involved in "critical incidents" private until an internal investigation is completed. Critical incidents would cover police shootings or any on-duty officer incident involving a death or serious injury. Proponents of the bill said it would help protect defendants from being bombarded with unwanted solicitation. It also would prevent officers involved in critical incidents from being harassed, supporters of the legislation said. The North Dakota Newspaper Association opposed the bill, saying the public has a right to know about public employees performing public duties. The Senate unanimously passed the bill in February. Working at the Capitol during the legislative session can be monotonous at times, but one legislator has found a good diversion which also lets him connect with his kids and with other legislators. Rep. Corey Mock, D-Grand Forks, has always been a fan of Legos, but being a father of three children has allowed him to maintain his involvement with the popular Danish toy sets. His kids love of Legos prompted him to begin building Lego sets last session, starting as a birthday surprise for them watching from back in Grand Forks. During (my sons) birthday week, I had bills in front of Senate committees all week, and I brought a Star Wars Yoda I built in my hotel room into the committee hearing, he said. I said, Happy birthday in committee to the camera. This session, Mock is displaying a wider variety of Legos on his desk. One set is of flowers, a substitute for the real flowers that many colleagues feature on their desks. I decided that instead of having wilted flowers or spilled water on my desk which both have happened in the past I decided this session to go with the Lego flower, he said. In this case, the orchid. Another set features a small rabbit and celebrates Chinese Lunar New Year, the year of the rabbit. Now the rabbit sits on top of my vote box and nibbles at my orchids, Mock said. Mock has a few other small sets, but the most prominent set he has built so far this session is a lighthouse. During its building, Mock arrived at the Capitol early each morning and hopped on a video call with his kids before they had to leave for school. Together, they built the lighthouse one bag at a time. The completed lighthouse has a light that turns with the help of a small motor. On one of the first days of its completion, the light was switched on during the floor session. The light eventually had to be switched off because it was a distraction for House Speaker Dennis Johnson. The lighthouse with its motorized light has symbolism for Mock beyond being a fun activity he does with his kids. Mock, a member of a tiny Democratic-NPL minority in the House, said he sees himself as a lighthouse, a flashing warning light for his colleagues. Caution ahead, don't over-commit financially We are making a lot of big-time decisions based on short term gains Lets not get too far ahead of ourselves, he said, putting words to the role. In the rough and tumble of legislative politics, Mock said his Legos can lead to friendly conversation. Many of his fellow legislators and some staff have stopped by during his video calls with his kids to greet them and talk about the plastic building bricks. One Republican, Rep. Bert Anderson of Crosby, is another avid fan of Legos, and he and Mock frequently share construction updates when they are in committee hearings together. When he started [building] last session, he was talking about how his sons really liked Legos, Anderson said. When [my] son was growing up, we bought him Legos. After he got older, I just kept buying. Anderson said he has an extensive collection in his basement. He owns many of the building sets, two roller coasters, a Ferris wheel and many more. He is still looking to expand his collection by obtaining the Titanic set and the Earth globe. Its a Christmas tradition for his family to come together to build a large Lego set, he said. Like Mock, Anderson also owns some of the Lego flower sets. He bought them for his wifes birthday, he said. so she could always have flowers in their living room. Theyre all put together, all I have to do is dust them, he said. Mock said he is working on other larger-scale Lego projects, including a replica of the North Dakota Capitol building. He uses copies of the original Capitol blueprints to aid in the design process. He hopes the project will give his kids who are helping with the project a perspective on how large the Capitol really is. Mock said that he might submit the final project to Lego Ideas. The company website allows fans to submit their own creations for consideration to be made into a publicly available product. His replica could inspire Lego to create a state capitol series, he said maybe with the skyscraper North Dakota Capitol first on the shelf. This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up or thumbs down on the issues from the past week. Up North Dakota House members were right to defeat a resolution to make the Winchester Model 1876 the official state firearm. The proposal was defeated after Rep. Jayme Davis, D-Rolette, made an emotional plea to colleagues about the guns impact on Indigenous people. Davis, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, said hunters in the late 1800s used the firearm to kill bison, which "almost wiped out our Native nations, reported Forum News Service. She asked House members to consider how they would feel celebrating something that wipes out your livelihood or a weapon to kill your family." The defeat of the resolution illustrates why its important to have diversity in the Legislature. Both political parties should continue to work toward identifying candidates from diverse backgrounds so the Legislature reflects the states population. Down North Dakota law enforcement officers have seen a dramatic upswing in cybertips that lead to child pornography investigations. Tips from internet service providers exceeded 1,000 last year, up from over 700 the year before. U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland says child pornography and sex crime cases are among the most troubling hes seen, with the crimes leaving a lifelong impact on victims. The cases also take a toll on investigators, prosecutors, judges and others in the criminal justice system. Up A bill that would allow cities with expired Renaissance Zone community revitalization areas to reapply to the program is headed to Gov. Doug Burgums desk. The bill would affect Bismarck, which saw its Renaissance Zone expire last year when the Burleigh County Commission denied support for reauthorizing the program. The Renaissance Zone aims to revitalize communities with tax incentives for residential and commercial development. The Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill last week. Burgum has previously expressed support for the bill to allow communities to reenter the program. The bill still requires approval from local park, school, city and county boards to participate. The legislation will give Bismarck and Burleigh County officials a chance to reassess the program. Down Its disappointing that two bills for child care relief failed in the House last week. House members rejected Senate Bill 2237, which would have provided a tax credit to offset child care expenses for families making under $120,000, and Senate Bill 2301, which sought to subsidize child care facilities. The Senate had approved both bills. Supporters say child care relief would ease the workforce shortage by helping parents reenter the workforce. House budget writers indicated they are still looking to add funding to address the day care shortage. Primary Source 5.7 Adam Smith , the Wealth of Nations (1776) on China1 http://media.bloomsbury.com/rep/files/primary-source-57-adam-smith-the-wealth-of-nations-on-china.pdf Adam Smith (172390) was a Scottish author, philosopher, economist, and political thinker educated at the Universities of Glasgow and Oxford. His first major work, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759), propounded the idea that our moral sentiments emerge from feelings of sympathy toward others. A close friend of David Hume (171176), he became acquainted with many French intellectuals during a lengthy stay in France. His masterwork, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776), revolutionized economic theory. With vast erudition, historical detail, practical examples, and personal observations, Smith divides economic output into three contributing elements: labor, rent from land, and profits on stock (or excess wealth unnecessary for subsistence) and analyzes each of these elements. As populations grow denser, he observes, producers of goods and commodities begin to exchange with others, gradually focusing on what they can produce most efficiently and profitably. Thus commerce begins with human civilization. As people specialize more, they produce more wealth, raising the standards of living of themselves and of their societies. Social elites often restrict economic activity, from fear of social change or seeking personal benefits. Since all members of society pursuing their self-interest will generally advance the common good, however, it is best for governments to leave economic activity to follow its natural coursevia laissez-faire (let it alone) policies concentrating instead on defending society from external attack and from domestic criminality and by providing necessary social services. In the passages below, Smith describes China as less economically developed than the leading European countries, in part because of government regulations and cultural prejudices hindering foreign trade. As the same time, China (as well as India), he asserts, enjoyed such excellent agricultural conditions that food cost much less than anywhere in Europe as therefore did labor. Low labor costs, coupled with cheaper transportation costs thanks to more extensive inland waterwayskept the price of manufactured goods low and that of precious metals high. For the full text online, click here. For freely accessible audio recordings, click here (for Book I) and here (for Book IV). BOOK I. OF THE CAUSES OF IMPROVEMENT IN THE PRODUCTIVE POWERS OF LABOUR CHAPTER VIII. OF THE WAGES OF LABOR . . . . . .China has been long one of the richest, that is, one of the most fertile, best cultivated, most industrious, and most populous countries in the world. It seems, however, to have been long stationary. Marco Polo, who visited it more than five hundred years ago, describes its cultivation, industry, and populousness, almost in the same terms in which they are described by travellers in the present times. It had perhaps, even long before his time, acquired that full complement of riches which the nature of its laws and institutions permits it to acquire. The accounts of all travellers, inconsistent in many other respects, agree in the low wages of labour, and in the difficulty which a labourer finds in bringing up a family in China. If by digging the ground a whole day he can get what will purchase a small quantity of rice in the evening, he is contented. The condition of artificers2 is, if possible, still worse. Instead of waiting indolently in their work-houses, for the calls of their customers, as in Europe, they are continually running about the streets with the tools of their respective trades, offering their service, and as it were begging employment. The poverty of the lower ranks of people in China far surpasses that of the most beggarly nations in Europe. In the neighbourhood of Canton many hundred, it is commonly said, many thousand families have no habitation on the land, but live constantly in little fishing boats upon the rivers and canals. The subsistence which they find there is so scanty that they are eager to fish up the nastiest garbage thrown overboard from any European ship. Any carrion, the carcase of a dead dog or cat, for example, though half putrid and stinking, is as welcome to them as the most wholesome food to the people of other countries. Marriage is encouraged in China, not by the profitableness of children, but by the liberty of destroying them. In all great towns several are every night exposed in the street, or drowned like puppies in the water. The performance of this horrid office is even said to be the avowed business by which some people earn their subsistence. China, however, though it may perhaps stand still, does not seem to go backwards. Its towns are no-where deserted by their inhabitants. The lands which had once been cultivated are no-where neglected. The same or very nearly the same annual labour must therefore continue to be performed, and the funds destined for maintaining it must not, consequently, be sensibly diminished. The lowest class of labourers, therefore, notwithstanding their scanty subsistence, must some way or another make shift to continue their race so far as to keep up their usual numbers. . . . CHAPTER XI. OF THE RENT OF LAND . . . . . . . China is a much richer country than any part of Europe, and the difference between the price of subsistence in China and in Europe is very great. Rice in China is much cheaper than wheat is any-where in Europe. England is a much richer country than Scotland; but the difference between the money-price of corn3 in those two countries is much smaller, and is but just perceptible. In proportion to the quantity or measure, Scotch corn generally appears to be a good deal cheaper than English; but in proportion to its quality, it is certainly somewhat dearer. Scotland receives almost every year very large supplies from England, and every commodity must commonly be somewhat dearer in the country to which it is brought than in that from which it comes. English corn, therefore, must be dearer in Scotland than in England, and yet in proportion to its quality, or to the quantity and goodness of the flour or meal which can be made from it, it cannot commonly be sold higher there than the Scotch corn which comes to market in competition with it. The difference between the money price of labour in China and in Europe, is still greater than that between the money price of subsistence; because the real recompence of labour is higher in Europe than in China, the greater part of Europe being in an improving state, while China seems to be standing still. The money price of labour is lower in Scotland than in England, because the real recompence of labour is much lower; Scotland, though advancing to greater wealth, advances much more slowly than England. The frequency of emigration from Scotland, and the rarity of it from England, sufficiently prove that the demand for labour is very different in the two countries. The proportion between the real recompence of labour in different countries, it must be remembered, is naturally regulated, not by their actual wealth or poverty, but by their advancing, stationary, or declining condition . . . . But in the East Indies, particularly in China and Indostan,4 the value of the precious metals, when the Europeans first began to trade to those countries, was much higher than in Europe; and it still continues to be so. In rice countries, which generally yield two, sometimes three crops in the year, each of them more plentiful than any common crop of corn, the abundance of food must be much greater than in any corn country of equal extent. Such countries are accordingly much more populous. In them too the rich, having a greater super-abundance of food to dispose of beyond what they themselves can consume, have the means of purchasing a much greater quantity of the labour of other people. The retinue of a grandee in China or Indostan accordingly is, by all accounts, much more numerous and splendid than that of the richest subjects in Europe. The same super-abundance of food, of which they have the disposal, enables them to give a greater quantity of it for all those singular and rare productions which nature furnishes but in very small quantities; such as the precious metals and the precious stones, the great objects of the competition of the rich. Though the mines, therefore, which supplied the Indian market had been as abundant as those which supplied the European, such commodities would naturally exchange for a greater quantity of food in India than in Europe. But the mines which supplied the Indian market with the precious metals seem to have been a good deal less abundant, and those which supplied it with the precious stones a good deal more so, than the mines which supplied the European. The precious metals, therefore, would naturally exchange in India for somewhat a greater quantity of the precious stones, and for a much greater quantity of food than in Europe. The money price of diamonds, the greatest of all superfluities, would be somewhat lower, and that of food, the first of all necessaries, a great deal lower in the one country than in the other. But the real price of labour, the real quantity of the necessaries of life which is given to the labourer, it has already been observed, is lower both in China and Indostan, the two great markets of India, than it is through the greater part of Europe. The wages of the labourer will there purchase a smaller quantity of food; and as the money price of food is much lower in India than in Europe, the money price of labour is there lower upon a double account; upon account both of the small quantity of food which it will purchase, and of the low price of that food. But in countries of equal art and industry, the money price of the greater part of manufactures will be in proportion to the money price of labour; and in manufacturing art and industry, China and Indostan, though inferior, seem not to be much inferior to any part of Europe. The money price of the greater part of manufactures, therefore, will naturally be much lower in those great empires than it is any-where in Europe. Through the greater part of Europe too the expence of land-carriage increases very much both the real and nominal price of most manufactures. It costs more labour, and therefore more money, to bring first the materials, and afterwards the complete manufacture to market. In China and Indostan the extent and variety of inland navigations save the greater part of this labour, and consequently of this money, and thereby reduce still lower both the real and the nominal price of the greater part of their manufactures. Upon all these accounts, the precious metals are a commodity which it always has been, and still continues to be, extremely advantageous to carry from Europe to India. There is scarce any commodity which brings a better price there; or which, in proportion to the quantity of labour and commodities which it costs in Europe, will purchase or command a greater quantity of labour and commodities in India. It is more advantageous too to carry silver thither than gold; because in China, and the greater part of the other markets of India, the proportion between fine silver and fine gold is but as ten, or at most as twelve, to one; whereas in Europe it is as fourteen or fifteen to one. In China, and the greater part of the other markets of India, ten, or at most twelve, ounces of silver will purchase an ounce of gold: in Europe it requires from fourteen to fifteen ounces. In the cargoes, therefore, of the greater part of European ships which sail to India, silver has generally been one of the most valuable articles. It is the most valuable article in the Acapulco ships which sail to Manilla. The silver of the new continent seems in this manner to be one of the principal commodities by which the commerce between the two extremities of the old one is carried on, and it is by means of it, in a great measure, that those distant parts of the world are connected with one another. . . . China seems to have been long stationary, and had probably long ago acquired that full complement of riches which is consistent with the nature of its laws and institutions. But this complement may be much inferior to what, with other laws and institutions, the nature of its soil, climate, and situation might admit of. A country which neglects or despises foreign commerce, and which admits the vessels of foreign nations into one or two of its ports only, cannot transact the same quantity of business which it might do with different laws and institutions. In a country too, where, though the rich or the owners of large capitals enjoy a good deal of security, the poor or the owners of small capitals enjoy scarce any, but are liable, under the pretence of justice, to be pillaged and plundered at any time by the inferior mandarines, the quantity of stock employed in all the different branches of business transacted within it, can never be equal to what the nature and extent of that business might admit. In every different branch, the oppression of the poor must establish the monopoly of the rich, who, by engrossing5 the whole trade to themselves, will be able to make very large profits. Twelve per cent. accordingly is said to be the common interest of money in China, and the ordinary profits of stock must be sufficient to afford this large interest. BOOK IV. OF SYSTEMS OF POLITICAL ECONOMY CHAPTER IX. OF THE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS . . . The policy of China favours agriculture more than all other employments. In China the condition of a labourer is said to be as much superior to that of an artificer as in most parts of Europe that of an artificer is to that of a labourer. In China, the great ambition of every man is to get possession of some little bit of land, either in property or in lease; and leases are there said to be granted upon very moderate terms, and to be sufficiently secured to the lessees. The Chinese have little respect for foreign trade. Your beggarly commerce! was the language in which the Mandarins of Pekin7 used to talk to Mr. de Lange, the Russian envoy, concerning it. Except with Japan, the Chinese carry on, themselves, and in their own bottoms, little or no foreign trade; and it is only into one or two ports of their kingdom that they even admit the ships of foreign nations. Foreign trade therefore is, in China, every way confined within a much narrower circle than that to which it would naturally extend itself, if more freedom was allowed to it, either in their own ships, or in those of foreign nations. Manufactures, as in a small bulk they frequently contain a great value, and can upon that account be transported at less expence from one country to another than most parts of rude produce, are, in almost all countries, the principal support of foreign trade. In countries, besides, less extensive and less favourably circumstanced for inferior commerce than China, they generally require the support of foreign trade. Without an extensive foreign market they could not well flourish, either in countries so moderately extensive as to afford but a narrow home market or in countries where the communication between one province and another was so difficult as to render it impossible for the goods of any particular place to enjoy the whole of that home market which the country could afford. The perfection of manufacturing industry, it must be remembered, depends altogether upon the division of labour; and the degree to which the division of labour can be introduced into any manufacture is necessarily regulated, it has already been shown, by the extent of the market. But the great extent of the empire of China, the vast multitude of its inhabitants, the variety of climate, and consequently of productions in its different provinces, and the easy communication by means of water carriage between the greater part of them, render the home market of that country of so great extent as to be alone sufficient to support very great manufactures, and to admit of very considerable subdivisions of labour. The home market of China is, perhaps, in extent, not much inferior to the market of all the different countries of Europe put together. We Rate Dogs is "Your Only Source for Professional Dog Ratings," so don't even bother going anywhere else. You can find gorgeous photos of all kinds of doggos on their Instagram, and videos, including compilations of the "Top 5 Dogs of the Week" on their TikTok. According to CNBC, We Rate Dogs was launched as a Twitter page by Matt Nelson in November 2015 when he was a freshman in college at Campbell University in North Carolina. By his junior year his Twitter account was doing so well that he quit college and began devoting his full attention to growing the brand. But We Rate Dogs isn't just sweet dog content. Nelson has raised over a million dollars, which he donates to help dogs in need. Here's the latest "Top 5 Dogs of the Week." And here's Nelson's overview of the dogs featured in the latest Puppy Bowl. But here's my favorite videoit's Nelson telling the absolutely hilarious story of a Parisian dog who, in 1908, quickly figured out a way to game the system by pushing children into the Seine and then rescuing them for the steak reward. Nelson tells the story: "Dog a Fake Hero: Pushes Children into the Seine to Rescue Them and Win Beefsteaks." That might be the greatest article in history. It was featured in the New York Times on February 2, 1908, way back on page 14. That's a cover story, if you ask me! The dog, who was a Newfoundland, heard a child cry out from the river. He leapt in and pulled them to safety and he was rewarded with a beefsteak. Just two days later another child fell into the same river and was rescued by the same dog. The article states that hardly a day passed by without an unfortunate infant taking an involuntary bath. It began to be suspected that the neighborhood was haunted by a mysterious criminal and a special watch was inaugurated. This is when the truth came out. It was the dog all along. Whenever he saw a child playing at the edge of the stream, he promptly knocked it into the water and then nonetheless promptly jumped into the rescue. This clever dog gets a high rating, naturallyNelson explains, "I'll remind you that he did actually save a child before he began pushing them in, so he gets a 14/10 from us." 1. This photo, taken by Louis Botan in 1899, is one of the first photos ever taken underwater: The very first picture taken underwater was done some years earlier, but that was done by attaching a camera to a pole and lowering it into the water. This is the first taken by a diver also submerged. / Alamy Stock Photo 2. This is one of only two remaining pirate Jolly Roger flags in existence: It was captured in 1790. According to the BBC, the flag's red color "signified the pirates intended to spare no life if a battle broke out during a ship's capture." Andrew Matthews - Pa Images / PA Images via Getty Images 3. This is what Brian Shaw , four-time winner of the World's Strongest Man competition, looks like next to a couple of 200-pound bodybuilders: 4. This is the world's longest limo, the American Dream limo: It was equipped with both a hot tub and a helicopter landing pad. Just the essentials. / Alamy Stock Photo 5. This is one of two remaining Northern white rhinoceros left on Earth: The two rhinos, both female, live in Kenya and are guarded 24/7. Picture Alliance / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images 6. There's a road in Japan that connects the Toyama and Nagano prefectures that are surrounded by giant snow walls that reach up to 65 feet high: Like something out of Mario Kart! Maximilian MAller / Getty Images 7. This 17th-century painting by Giovanni Stanchi shows what the inside of a watermelon looked like in the 1600s, before selective breeding: Look at that old fruit. / Alamy Stock Photo 8. This is what the inside of Big Ben looks like behind one of its clock faces: It sure is big. Heritage Images / Heritage Images/Getty Images 9. When Hurricane Floyd hit Florida in 1999, flamingos from the Miami-Metro zoo took refuge in a bathroom to protect themselves from the storm: Well, zoo-keepers put them there to protect them from the storm. Tim Chapman / Getty Images 10. This is what a .22 caliber bullet looks like next to a .50 caliber bullet: Can you spot the difference? u/kondred / Via reddit.com 11. You're probably familiar with the gold funerary mask of King Tut but did you know that another pharaoh's gold death mask was found a few years later? This is the mask of the pharaoh Psusennes I: His completely intact tomb was found in 1940. However, because of its swampy location in Egypt's Nile delta, a lot of what was stored in the tomb was destroyed over the years. / Alamy Stock Photo 12. This is Louise Joy Brown, the first baby ever born after IVF, or in vitro fertilisation: Born in 1978, she was known at the time as the world's first "test-tube baby." Keystone / Getty Images 13. Here's what Louise looks like today: Shout out Louise! Europa Press News / Europa Press via Getty Images 14. There's a city in Russia located next to an absolutely gigantic diamond mine: The mine is apparently "the world's second-largest excavated hole." Scott Peterson / Getty Images 15. This is what the inside of a 1970s spacesuit looked like: Specially the Russian Orlan suit. Looks comfortable and not horrifying at all! u/badleyascend554 / Via reddit.com 16. This is what the world's largest gold nugget, named the Welcome Stranger nugget, looked like. It was found in Australia in 1869: This is actually a model of the nugget. It weighed almost 160 pounds and was sold pretty much immediately for 9,534, which is about 970,000 today. / Alamy Stock Photo 17. Square fire extinguishers exist: 18. The head of an ant is absolutely terrifying up close: No thanks! Tsvetan Ganev-ceclii / Getty Images/500px 19. And, finally, if you win a car on The Price Is Right you get a special little license plate cover: Ouch. 90 Day Fiance star Andrei Castravet slammed business partner and fellow franchise costar Andy Kunzs ex-girlfriend, Anfisa Nava, following their rumored romance. The TLC personality, 31, took to his Instagram Stories on Sunday, March 19, to engage in a Q&A with fans and was asked if Andy and Anfisa were still dating. Nope. He doesnt date her anymore, the dad of two frankly replied, while tagging the 90 Day Fiance: Self Quarantined stars Instagram handle. Its been a while. He upgraded. 90 Day Fiance Andrei Slams Anfisa Following Andy Split Andrei seemingly confirmed the romance, as the Russia native and Andy were only rumored to have been dating following Anfisas split from ex-husband Jorge Nava in September 2021. The Moldova natives close relationship with Andy follows In Touch previously revealing in February 2023 that Andrei and Andy were launching a new business venture together. We have a common love, and this is money. [The] will to make more and more, were both passionate about it, Andrei said about working with the German native. Meanwhile, Andy added that despite being from two different countries, Theres that European mindset about business and the American Dream we have. Andy was introduced to viewers as Cortney Reardanzs new boyfriend during season 1 of 90 Day Fiance: Self-Quarantined, which debuted in May 2020. The Florida native, who originally appeared on season 1 of 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days alongside love interest Antonio Millon, began casually dating the marketing executive in the spring of 2020 after meeting online when Andy reached out to her via social media to be a brand ambassador. After getting trapped in April 2020 at Andys Naples, Florida, home after the state imposed a lockdown at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the relationship quickly fizzled out once she returned home. Meanwhile, Anfisa made her franchise debut on season 4 of 90 Day Fiance, which premiered in August 2018. After meeting Jorge on Facebook, the pair met in person in Spain and Anfisa quickly was labeled as a gold digger after the California native revealed he spent over $70,000 on his new relationship. While the pair narrowly made it down the aisle in August 2017, the 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? couple split in March 2020 after Jorge was arrested and found guilty of felony possession of almost 300 pounds of marijuana. The former TLC alums finalized their divorce that December. 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. Katie Stevens, Paul DiGiovanni. Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock Time to celebrate! The Bold Types Katie Stevens and former Boys Like Girls member Paul DiGiovanni have welcomed their first child, a baby girl. Stevens, 30, and DiGiovanni, 35, announced the baby's arrival on Monday, March 20, nearly one month after her birth. "Shes here 2.23.23 Our sweet Rome, we are so in love with you," they captioned several photos via Instagram. Katie Stevens and Paul DiGiovanni. Courtesy of Katie Stevens/Instagram The actress revealed her pregnancy when she and DiGiovanni walked the red carpet at the 56th Annual Country Music Association Awards in November 2022. Stevens glowed while showing off her growing baby bump in a pale blue gown. One day after the ceremony, Stevens took to Instagram to further celebrate the happy news. Surprise , she wrote alongside a video of her pregnant belly. Stevens first locked eyes with her now-husband when she saw his band Boys Like Girls in concert, but that wasnt the official beginning of their love story. I actually was in attendance at one of his shows when I was 14 years old, the former American Idol contestant explained during an April 2019 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Its not weird though because we didnt meet then. We met seven years later. The twosome got engaged on New Years Eve in 2017. While speaking with Popsugar the following June, the Connecticut native shared that DiGiovanni proposed by giving her a stack of envelopes in 2015. At the time, the duo were in a long-distance relationship. He wrote like, Open when youre on the plane to see me, Open when [you] wake up early, Open when you miss me, and one letter said, Do not open until I say so. Important, Stevens recalled. She kept the last letter in her nightstand for three years, not touching it until the couple took a trip to Switzerland together. I had it in my nightstand table for three years, the Faking It star added. And he stole it out of my nightstand, brought it to Switzerland, and I opened it, and it said, Katie, marry me? Stevens and DiGiovanni tied the knot in October 2019. Story continues Before getting her start in acting, Stevens auditioned for American Idol in 2009 as an aspiring country artist. She made it all the way to the Top 9 but was eliminated the following week. After her Idol dreams fell through, Stevens appeared on several talk shows and was later cast as Karma Ashcroft in Faking It. She went on to star on the popular Freeform series The Bold Type, which ended in 2021 after five seasons. Sign up for Us Weekly's free, daily newsletter and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more! DiGiovanni, for his part, joined the band Boys Like Girls in 2005 and spent nearly 10 years in the group. He now focuses on songwriting and producing country music, collaborating with artists such as Scott Hendricks, Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan. The guitarist also launched his own clothing brand, Black Carbon Custom. [Source] A Canadian city councilor has spoken up after a Sikh international student was brutally beaten by a group of people on his way home in what is being described as a racially motivated attack. Gagandeep Singh, a 21-year-old international student in Kelowna, British Columbia, was allegedly attacked at a bus stop at the corner of McCurdy Road and Highway 97 at around 10:30 p.m. on March 17. He boarded a transit bus to travel back home from grocery shopping when he encountered a group of 12 to 15 young people, male and female, who were creating a ruckus, according to Kelowna city councilor Mohini Singh. When someone from the group threw a wig at Gagandeep, he asked them to stop and threatened to call the police. The group later followed the victim as he got off the bus at McCurdy Road. More from NextShark: Man arrested, then released without bail, for destroying Gandhi statue in NYC Gagandeep, who was surrounded by the perpetrators, was allegedly punched and kicked numerous times. His turban was also reportedly ripped off and he was dragged on the ground by his hair. I think this is absolutely horrendous. It's disgusting that an innocent man was assaulted and viciously beaten, Mohini told Castanet. This is not what Kelowna is about. We are better than this. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) spokesperson Const. Mike Della-Paolera, officers found Gagandeep lying on the ground surrounded by friends who had arrived to assist him. More from NextShark: Overworked elephant rips Thai owner in half RCMP were told that a group of people were teasing the victim and when the victim exited the bus, he was hit from behind and assaulted. The Kelowna RCMP take this very seriously and are concerned that this type of crime has happened in our city. This assault is the top priority for our investigators. The student was taken to Kelowna General Hospital, where he was treated for injuries to his chest, mouth, arms and legs. He has been released to recover at home. Story continues Singh is at home barely able to move. He is so shaken up he is afraid to face the camera or speak to anyone. His friends say this is clearly a hate crime and should be investigated as one, Mohini told Global News. More from NextShark: Viral videos of couple having sex outside in private Hong Kong hotel jacuzzi sparks privacy concerns Gagandeep, who is from India, has only been in Kelowna for a year. His parents in India are now worried about his safety, according to his roommate, Hartarn Singh. It could happen to anybody here. If we are not safe here then what can we do for our safety? Hartarn said. More from NextShark: Man accused of pistol-whipping Asian senior humbled by 'much smaller man' in viral fight video Everybody is feeling unsafe, his friend Navsher Singh Sandhu told Castanet. He got pulled by his hair, all along the mud. They took his turban. Thats totally a hate crime. Gagandeeps friends have organized a GoFundMe page to help with his medical bills, rent and tuition and as he wont be able to work until he recovers. With your support, we can help ensure that during Gagandeep's road to recovery, he doesn't need to worry about where the money will come from to pay for physio, food, rent or even to have his parents fly to Kelowna from India to see him. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact RCMP at 250-762-3300 or leave a tip anonymously through Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. A decision on possible charges in an investigation of former President Donald Trump could be imminent. Chinese leader Xi Jinping visits Russia for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine. And the massive snowfall totals in California are the biggest seen in decades. Hello! It's Julius here with Monday's news. But first: It's a girl! A rare, critically endangered eastern bongo was recently born at Michigan zoo. The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here. What's the weather up to in your neck of the woods? Check your local forecast here. What we know about the Trump investigation in New York With a decision on possible charges in the Manhattan district attorney's investigation of Trump now believed to be imminent, public information indicates that the heart of the investigation remains focused on a hush-money payment the former president made to a porn actress. District Attorney Alvin Bragg hasn't explained his strategy and Trump hasn't been charged. But the payment could potentially be used to build a case for falsifying business records and violating campaign finance law. Here's what we know about the investigation. Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event on March 13 in Davenport, Iowa. China's Xi visits Russia for talks with Putin Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday for two days of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Xi's first visit since Russia invaded Ukraine would appear to show support for Putin, who needs trade deals and bullets as he faces pressure from economic sanctions and reports that his military is running low on equipment. China has called for a cease-fire and peace talks, a plan praised by Moscow but rejected by Kyiv since it would keep Russian troops in occupied territory. Follow the latest updates on Russia and Ukraine. Story continues China's President Xi Jinping, accompanied by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, walks past guards during a welcoming ceremony at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Monday. What everyone's talking about The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today. President Biden issues his first veto President Joe Biden issued his first veto Monday after Congress voted to block a Labor Department rule allowing retirement plans to weigh the long-term impacts of social factors and climate change on investments a move Republicans say is a "woke" policy that hurts retirees' pockets. In comparison, Trump vetoed 10 bills, while President Barack Obama vetoed 12 bills. The policy Congress voted against is environmental, social and governance, which is an investing strategy that takes into account businesses environmental and social risks as part of a wider financial analysis. Read more about Biden's veto. President Joe Biden issued the first veto of his presidency on Monday. More than 56 feet of snow recorded in California A whopping 677 inches of snow has fallen at the Central Sierra Snow Laboratory, a University of California, Berkeley research station in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The latest total taken during the "water year," Oct. 1 through Sept. 30 is the most in more than 70 years. And since late February, areas with snowfall surpassing 50 feet in California have expanded. "We have seen a four-fold increase in total area of snowfall greater than 50 feet in recent weeks," said Shawn Carter, a scientist at the National Water Center. Check out a visual look at the state's snowfall. A home is covered in snow on March 3 in Twin Bridges, Calif. A break from the news This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Subscribe to the newsletter here. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump investigation, Xi Jinping visits Russia, Biden veto: Monday's news Anne Heisler's "Carrying the Weight," an acrylic on canvas painting from 2020, is one of the works included in the exhibit "Citizen" from March 3 to June 16, 2023, at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City. MICHIGAN CITY The exhibits Citizen and Lapse open with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. CST March 3 at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W. Second St. Citizen explores the complex perspectives of residents of the United States of America as many communities struggle for justice, freedom and basic human rights. On exhibit:'Innermost' artists give gallery talk at South Bend Museum of Art The exhibit focuses on excluded histories of marginalized communities and the current state of those communities as they face the realities of climate change and political setbacks. The artists in the exhibit are Sarah Atlas, Nicci Briann, William Estrada, Anne Heisler, Sergio Maciel, Brittany Maldonado, Joseph Josue Mora, Hillesh Patel, Czr Prz, Andre Rodriguez, Cristian Roldan, noemi rose, Denise Ruiz, Jessica Sabogal, Diana Solis, Angie Vasquez, Vanessa Viruet and Mer Young. Sergio Maciel's "Fresh Air," an oil on canvas painting from 2023, is one of the works included in the exhibit "Citizen" from March 3 to June 16, 2023, at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City. Chicago artist Sam Kirk curated Citizen. Other Citizen-related events include a directors gallery talk at 11:30 a.m. Central March 11, an artist panel discussion at 5 p.m. Central March 26 and Family Day from 1 to 3 p.m. Central June 3, which includes printmaking with Estrada. March 4 and 5:For the Love of Art Fair honors Larry Piser, furniture designer and builder A solo exhibit by Neil Gainer, Lapse uses visual illusions and ambiguous symbols to criticize tropes within society and unify people through their commonality. Born and raised in northwest Indiana, his work is influenced by the dichotomy of class and wealth seen in the urban/rural landscape of the region. Citizen continues through June 16, and Lapse continues through March 24. Vanessa Viruet's "Race Flags: Unsportsmanlike Conduct and Disqualified," a fabric, wood, ink and metal work from 2017, is one of the works included in the exhibit "Citizen" from March 3 to June 16, 2023, at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Mondays and Wednesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free. For more information, call 219-874-4900 or visit lubeznikcenter.org. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Michigan City's Lubeznik Center for the Arts opens two exhibits Attorney Alan Dershowitz, whose friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and admiration for Donald Trump have made him persona non grata among his former friends on Martha's Vineyard makes the case that Trump could serve as President of the United States from prison. In an interview with NewsMax, Dershowitz argued that even if Trump is indicted and convicted in New York, he could still run for President because the Constitution only has three criteria for eligibility: being at least 35 years old, not having fought in the Civil War, and being born in the United States. Dershowitz quipped that while the first two criteria are clearly met, the third one might be problematic for Trump, given his past claims that Barack Obama was not born in the United States. "After what he said about Barack Obama, lied about him not being born in the United States, it might come back to haunt him because they were both born on islands outside of the United States," said Dershowitz, "So Barack Obama was born in Hawaii and Donald Trump was born on Long Island, so maybe there is a plausible claim that he wasn't born in the United States." He then added, "Obviously, I'm joking," just in case the NewsMax viewers were confused. He continued, "And those three criteria are clearly met. And he can run for President from prison or he can even serve as President from prison." [Via Newsweek] Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Colorado Judicial Branch/Handout A Colorado dentist accused of fatally poisoning his wife had been trading intimate and sexually explicit emails with an orthodontist in Austin, Texas, who had flown into town to see him while his spouse was sick in the hospital, according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by The Daily Beast. James Toliver Craig intended to end his wifes life by searching for ways to kill someone undetected, providing her poisons that align with her hospitalized symptoms, and working on starting a new life with [his lover], the affidavit states. (The Daily Beast has redacted the womans name from the document.) Craig, 45, had a canister of deadly potassium cyanide delivered to his office two days before 43-year-old Angela Craig was admitted to the hospital for a suspected poisoning, according to the affidavit, which contains disturbing new claims about the days before the mother of sixs murder. She was taken off life support on Sunday. Craig had searched online for buy Oleander, a poisonous plant, how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human, and Is Arsenic Detectable in Autopsy? and accessed an article titled: 6 Deadly Undetectable Poisons (and How to Detect Them), the affidavit states, noting that a shipment of arsenic had been delivered to Craigs house on March 4. (Craig also ordered $330 worth of oleandrin, an oleander derivative studied for use in treating cancer, from a scientific research company, which was intercepted by police, it says.) At one point, a sales rep at a scientific supply company told Craig they would need a usage statement before they could send him the cyanide potassium, the affidavit states. Craig, using his personal Gmail account, said he was a surgeon performing a craniofacial reconstruction, and would be using the chemical to check and see if it will help with the layering of alternative metals, it goes on. If it worked, the affidavit says, Craig claimed the technique would be published as a paper in the National Institutes of Health. Story continues Remarkably, this wasnt the first time Craig had tried to poison his wife, Angela, according to the affidavit. Her sister told cops the 45-year-old had multiple affairs with several women had been addicted to pornography since he was a teenager, and drugged Angela approximately five to six years ago, it states. Colorado Judicial Branch Angela told [her sister] that James drugged her (an unknown drug) because he planned to go into their bathroom and give himself a lethal injection of something and commit suicide, the affidavit continues. James told Angela he drugged her so she wouldnt find him nor be able to save him, which would give the lethal drugs time to kill him. Craig and Angela, 43, were having marital problems, and Craig was on the verge of bankruptcy for a second time, according to the affidavit. Angela told her sister several times over the past 16 years that she was going to leave James but said that James always convinced her to stay, the affidavit states. Angela told [her sister] that James had run the dental office into the ground and that their finances were dire. Angela complained to [her sister] that James recently traveled to Las Vegas, where she said he gambled away over $2,000. On Wednesday, Craig drove Angela to an Aurora hospital, telling medical staff that his wife was suffering from headaches and dizziness, which family members said she had been complaining about for some time. But she almost immediately took a turn for the worse, and was declared medically brain dead on Sunday afternoon, Aurora police said in a statement. The two had discussed her symptoms previously, with Craig playing the part of a dutifully concerned husband, according to text messages included in the affidavit. Colorado Judicial Branch Angela had visited the hospital at least twice before Wednesday, but as a person close to the family previously told The Daily Beast, relatives thought her symptoms could be a sinus infection, because Angela was susceptible to them. Included in the arrest warrant affidavit is a copy of a text message from Craig to his business partners wife, reading, If it wasnt my wife this would be kind of a fun puzzle to try to work out! After Angelas sudden death, a longtime friend and business partner of Craigs told investigators he thought Angela had been poisoned, according to the affidavit. On March 6, Craig told the practices office manager that he would be receiving a package and told her not to open it, the affidavit states. That morning, Craig had prepared a protein shake for Angela before they worked out together. James gave her extra protein because she was feeling sluggish, the affidavit states. After the workout, Angela became faint and dizzy, and ultimately James took Angela to the hospital. On March 13, a package arrived. Another employee had opened it, and the office manager decided to take a peek. Inside, she found a bio-hazard sticker and what said Potassium Cyanide on a circular canister, the affidavit continues. The office manager sealed up the package, and googled potassium cyanide. She then realized that Angelas symptoms seemed to match those of cyanide poisoning. On March 15, when the office manager heard that Angela was in the hospital, she called a colleague, who notified Craigs business partnerwho was on the way to the hospital to lend moral support to Craigabout the package. When he arrived, Craigs business partner spoke with one of the attending nurses regarding his suspicion that Angela was the possible victim of poisoning, the affidavit goes on. He told the nurse that Craig had recently ordered potassium cyanide for their dental practice, but that there was no medical reason or purpose to do so. As a mandatory reporter, the nurse called the police, and an investigation ensued, the affidavit states. Colorado Judicial Branch A short time later, Craig called his business partner and said he had heard some disturbing information, asking if the other man had said anything to the hospital staff. He said he knew about the package, to which Craig replied it was a ring for Angela and that he wanted to surprise her. The business partner told Craig he knew it wasnt a ring, and asked why he would buy potassium cyanide, according to the affidavit. James eventually recanted and admitted the package contained Potassium Cyanide but claimed that Angela asked him to order it, the affidavit continues, stating that Craig claimed to his business partner that Angela had been suicidal. James claimed that Angela couldnt order the Potassium Cyanide because she didn't have the proper credentials. James told [his business partner] he ordered the Potassium Cyanide, but he didnt think she [Angela] would actually take it. James described the situation as being similar to a game of chicken. At that point, [Craigs business partner] told James to stop talking and get a lawyer. In a series of emails viewed by investigators, Craig allegedly made travel plans for his mistress to visit him on dates that lined up almost precisely with Angelas various hospitalizations. The woman was scheduled to visit Denver from March 8-10, which corresponded with Angelas previous hospital stay from March 9-14, according to the affidavit. The second flight itinerary was for March 16-20, beginning the day Angela went to the hospital and later died. The flight was purchased on March 4, the same date that the arsenic was delivered to Craigs home, the affidavit states. Colorado Judicial Branch Craig told Angelas sister that he would not allow an autopsy, according to the affidavit. She pleaded with him to change his mind, it says, arguing that if it was genetic, knowing now could prevent one of their kids from suffering later. James said he felt if they couldnt figure out what was wrong with her when she was alive he wouldnt let them poke her more when she was dead, the affidavit states. A March 16 email to Craig from his alleged mistress suggested that James had told her something had happened to Angela, according to the affidavit. It says she told Craig how sorry she was for him and that she wished she was helping him, not pulling him away. She stated she knew it had to be so hard what he was going through and that she wanted to be there for him but did not want to mix in with his family and friends and pretend to be only a friend when there was something more. A 2021 press release described Craig as happily married to Angela. They have six children, and they all enjoy the outdoors, especially camping, snowboarding, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking, said the announcement, which trumpeted Craigs leadership, commitment, and professional excellence as a dental provider. They also enjoy visiting theme parks and are often traveling to Disney, Universal, and Sea World. Craigs practice, Summerbrook Dental, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2021, court records show. A patient of Craigs for the past 10 years told The Daily Beast on Monday that the dentist was very kind and pleasant and this came as a shock to us. I never saw anything unusual about him, so this was completely unexpected, Josh Stoker said. His dental work and mannerisms were top notch... Although it is pretty disturbing considering he was inside my mouth while he was allegedly poisoning his wife to death. Angela was a phenomenal woman, outgoing, and the best mother you could imagine, the source close to the family told The Daily Beast. She was very supportive of her husband, even working in his practice during financial difficulties. Now, her loved ones will have to endure a murder trial. Theres a lot of grief, the source said, and a lot of anger. Investigators believe there is more evidence implicating Craig in his wifes murder, according to the affidavit. He ordered multiple poisons that were not known to have been located during the searches of his residence or business, it says, noting, James has not attempted to speak with police regarding what occurred with his wife but has made statements that he had the answers to what happened. James has only repeatedly asked for his phone back. In a statement, Aurora PD Division Chief Mark Hildebrand said: When the suspicious details of this case came to light, our team of officers and homicide detectives tirelessly worked to uncover the truth behind the victims sudden illness and death. It was quickly discovered this was in fact a heinous, complex and calculated murder. I am very proud of our Major Crimes Homicide Units hard work in solving this case and pursuing justice for the victim. 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. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday told reporters he won't get involved in Donald Trumps potential extradition if the former president is indicted by the Manhattan district attorney. In his first comments on Trumps likely indictment, DeSantis said he only knew about rumors of a pending arrest of Trump related to an investigation into payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election cycle. I have no interest in getting involved in some type of manufactured circus by some Soros DA, said DeSantis, making a reference to billionaire donor George Soross support of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Hes trying to do a political spectacle Ive got real issues Ive got to deal with here in the state of Florida. "We're not getting involved in it in any way, he said. Under Florida law, the governor can intervene in an extradition matter if it is contested. But Trumps lawyers have told media outlets that the president would likely surrender if he is indeed indicted. Trump announced on Saturday that he could be arrested as soon as Tuesday and called on supporters to protest the decision. Over the last two days, Trump allies have repeatedly zinged DeSantis for failing to jump to Trumps defense like other supporters of the president, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. They have urged him to use his power as governor since Trump is a Florida resident. After DeSantis Monday news conference, Trump posted a broadside against DeSantis, writing on Truth Social that "Ron DeSanctimonious will probably find out about FALSE ACCUSATIONS & FAKE STORIES sometime in the future, as he gets older, wiser, and better known." His son, Donald Trump. Jr., also attacked DeSantis on Twitter after his press conference, calling the governor's response "pure weakness." "Now we know why he was silent all weekend," Trump Jr. stated. Story continues The only initial response over the weekend came from Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez after Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried said on Twitter that DeSantis awfully quiet about his kingmaker all of the sudden. Nunez responded a few hours later by telling Fried if only you would be awfully quiet, Floridians would appreciate it. As a DeSantis 2024 candidacy seems more likely, Trump has ramped up his criticism of his one-time ally that he helped become governor with a crucial endorsement in 2018. Trump has characterized DeSantis as disloyal and even said he has regretted his endorsement. Remember this: If it werent for me, Ron DeSanctimonious would right now be working probably at a law firm, or maybe a Pizza Hut, I dont know, Trump said last week, using the nickname hes deployed. DeSantis is expected to jump into the 2024 presidential race sometime after the annual Florida legislative session ends in May, setting himself up to be in direct competition with Trump. Trump is currently connected to several ongoing investigations, including one over his handling of classified documents at his Florida home at Mar-a-Lago. When federal authorities seized documents from Trumps estate, DeSantis was quick to sharply criticize the actions. Braggs office appears poised to bring criminal charges against Trump due to payments made to Daniels. Like other Republicans, DeSantis during a Monday press conference on new legislative initiatives sharply criticized Bragg. He said the prosecutors decision to investigate Trump instead of battling crime in New York City was an example of a political agenda that showed that Bragg was weaponizing his office. These Soros district attorneys are a menace to society, he said, then noted that he suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren from office. Warren is fighting the suspension in federal and state court. But DeSantis also drew some laughter from the crowd assembled for his Panama City press conference when he expressed puzzlement over the pending indictment. I dont know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair, DeSantis said. Bathroom wipes thick, premoistened towelettes that are advertised as flushable are creating clogs and backups in sewer systems around the nation. Correction: The legislation would cover wipes that are entirely of or partly made from petrochemical-derived fibers, and not specifically wipes that are currently marketed as "flushable," as an earlier version of this story reported. It turns out many frequently used wipes, regardless of their intended use, are not so flushable. And members of the state Legislature want to clarify their labeling. Issues with wipes that started pre-pandemic were exacerbated by COVID-19, the lack of toilet paper and the rush to wipe everything. These wipes, when they are introduced into the wastewater infrastructure, can do serious damage, said state Rep. Sean Garballey, D-Arlington. The legislator has filed a two-pronged bill requiring a new label that would indicate the product should not be flushed down the toilet, as well as a public education campaign about the issue. The legislation is targeting "either a premoistened nonwoven disposable wipe marketed as a baby wipe or diapering wipe or a premoistened nonwoven disposable wipe that is both of the following: (a) composed entirely of or in part of petrochemical-derived fibers; and (b) likely to be used in a bathroom and has significant potential to be flushed, including baby wipes, bathroom cleaning wipes, toilet cleaning wipes, hard surface cleaning wipes, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizing wipes, antibacterial wipes, facial and makeup removal wipes, general purpose cleaning wipes, personal care wipes for use on the body, feminine hygiene wipes, adult incontinence wipes, adult hygiene wipes, and body cleansing wipes." Were not talking wash cloths. A group called Responsible Flushing Alliance details the difference between "flushable" wipes, made from plant-based fibers and those designed to be discarded in the trash, made completely or partially with synthetic fibers. The material does not disintegrate (like bathroom tissue) and forms a mass that blocks wastewater treatment equipment or ends up killing a leech field in septic systems. Story continues Wipes damage both sanitary sewer systems, septic systems Were talking serious damage to both sanitary sewer systems and septic systems, and serious money to fix. It costs $40,000 to replace a septic system in Massachusetts, said Ronald Spraske, of American Sewerage and Septic in Leicester. He described a septic system as a living eco-system that depends on the microbes in human digestive systems to break down the solids that find their way into the septic tank." The Upper Blackstone Wastewater Treatment Facility in Millbury serves Worcester and surrounding towns. In a private septic system, an average four-bedroom home in Massachusetts relies on a 1,500 gallon system. The wipes form a giant mat at the top of the septic tank. That layer of non-woven petrochemical fibers, creates a layer that prevents the microbes from performing their function. The solids are not touched by the bacteria, Spraske said. In more technical language: Theres three layers in a septic tank the bottom is called the sludge layer, the top is the scum layer and in the middle is liquid. About 90% of the clogs I deal with are caused by an over-abundance of wipes around the incoming pipes, Spraske said. The scum layer gets so thick; it has no time to work on the solids and pushes undigested solids into the leech field causing the field to die. Apparently, were talking killer wipes. After pumping out a tank, Spraske delivers the effluent to one of the regional treatment facilities where the rags can get caught in the headworks. That increases sewerage costs for municipalities by damaging equipment and needing to hire employees to clean the clogs from the pipes and the pumps. Theres a financial cost, said Michael Boudreau, Naticks director of public health. The community posts information about the havoc wreaked by wipes on its website. Basically, the material collects in the pipes and the municipality dedicates hundreds of man hours to the job of unclogging the pumps. Repairing a grinder pump starts at $5,000. Replacing it costs $80,000. Repairing a sewer line can cost residents up to $7,000. That cost, in time, salary and damages, is passed on to residents in their sewer and water bulls. Until the industry creates wipes that are truly flushable, Garballey wants manufacturers to re-label products to include a big, highly visible symbol that indicates the wipes do not belong in the toilet. The bills, filed by Garballey in the House and state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, in the Senate, would allow a lead time to re-label the merchandise and educate the public. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: New labels for wipes would indicate they should stay out of toilets 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 Albania moves to the forefront of river protection by making the Vjosa River the first wild river national park in Europe. Franz Aberham / Getty Images Vjosa river valley, Nemercka mountains in background, Albania For years, environmental NGOs, the clothing company Patagonia, and even a few celebrities (hi, Leo) have been campaigning for the protection of the Vjosa River. As one of the last wild rivers in Europe, the Vjosa is host to more than 1,100 animal and plant speciesincluding 13 animal species and two plant species assessed as globally threatened by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). And like most rivers, its delicate ecosystem has been under threat from human interference. In the rush for green energy, at one point, as many as 45 hydropower plants were planned across the region, portending a dismal fate for the species that call the river home. But now, in a historic action by Albania, the Vjosa has been declared the first wild river national park in Europe. In creating the 31,500-acre (12,727-hectare) protected area, the action puts the small Balkan country at the front of river protection. The Mighty Vjosa The Vjosa winds its way for 168 miles from the Pindus mountains in Greece to Albania's Adriatic coast. It is considered one of Europe's last wild big rivers because, somehow, it has been spared manmade barriersnamely, it has no dams or power stations. Among its rich biodiversity, it is home to otters, the endangered Egyptian vulture, and the critically endangered Balkan lynx, of which, by some accounts, no more than 10 remain in Albania, and 40 remain in total. George Pachantouris / Getty Images A Balkan lynx in the wild Albanias prime minister, Edi Rama, described the creation of the national park as a truly historic moment for nature, but also for social and economic development, adding that national parks attract 20% more tourists compared with non-protected areas. Today we protect once and for all the only wild river in Europe, Rama said. This is about to change a mindset. Protecting an area does not mean that you enshrine it in isolation from the economy. Story continues Goran Safarek / Getty Images A hanging bridge over the Vjosa River, Albania As explained by IUCN: Gaining IUCN Category II National Park status means the Vjosa will be afforded protection, to the highest international standards, ensuring its ecological integrity, allowing natural processes to occur, and sustaining populations of all native species. The designation will take place in two phases, with Phase I being declared ... 15 March 2023: In Phase I, the active channel of the river will be given National Park status, plus some lands and river vegetation within the active channel, or at risk of flooding or erosion over 400km in total length. The area will be managed as a National Park and is expected to be fully operational by early 2024. Phase II, in the coming years, will add other free-flowing tributaries and areas that are integral to the rivers ecosystem, plus some private land, following consultation with stakeholders. "Vjosa is a symbol of human history and also a very important part of the history of our country," said Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi, Albania's Minister of Tourism and Environment, at a 2022 ceremony to sign a commitment to create Vjosa Wild River National Park. "Maybe Albania does not have the power to change the world, but it can create successful models of protecting biodiversity and natural assets and we are proud to announce the creation of this first National Park on one of the last wild rivers in Europe." With this beauty of a wild river protected foreverand hopefully serving as an inspiration to other governmentsmaybe Albania does have the power to change the world after all. Read Next:8 Threatened Rivers Around the World Eve and Maximillion Cooper attend Fashion For Relief London 2019 at The British Museum on September 14, 2019 in London, England Karwai Tang/WireImage When Maximillion Cooper met Grammy-winning rapper and actress Eve at the launch party for Cooper's Gumball 3000 motor rally in 2010, he was "mesmerized." Eve and the former race car driver dated for almost four years before they wed in a lavish beachfront wedding in Ibiza, Spain, in 2014. Eve became a stepmom to Cooper's four children and the pair had a baby of their own in 2022. They share their time between Los Angeles and London and drive around the world together in Cooper's Gumball 3000 annual motor rally. "It's fun, we're driving together for his company gumball 3000. That's how I met him. That's a test for a relationship, drive 300 miles. Trust me, we've done it three years in a row," Eve told PEOPLE in 2016. The secret to their relationship? "Honesty and loyalty. You know we take it day by day, month by month," she said. "We respect each other, we are the realest. It's the realest relationship I've ever had. He's my homie. All those sound like cliches but really it's working." Eve and Cooper often share loving social media tributes to one another, too. They've been candid regarding the reality of their interracial relationship, and they've embraced their blended family. "It did take two or three years to adjust, just our relationship with the kids," Eve told PEOPLE in 2020. "But I have to say I'm very lucky. I feel very, very lucky that I had my insta-kids I call them my bonus children!" From their first encounter at the launch party for Gumball 3000, to their journey to parenting a new baby boy together, here's everything to know about Eve and Maximillion Cooper's relationship. April 30, 2010: Eve and Maximillion Cooper meet in London Maximillion Cooper and Eve Jihan Jeffers attend the launch party for The Gumball 300 Rally on April 30, 2010 in London, England Danny Martindale/Getty "We met on the red carpet at the big party I was hosting in London for the Gumball," Cooper said when he appeared on The Talk in November 2020. "I'd heard her music before, but that night she actually was performing and I remember introducing her and just watching her, being mesmerized and I've pretty much been mesmerized ever since, really." Story continues Following the Gumball 3000 motor rally, Eve flew back to L.A. and Cooper stayed in London, but he kept thinking he couldn't let her get away. So he got on a plane to L.A. that weekend. Cooper said, "It was meant to be." November 2, 2010: Eve and Maximillion Cooper attend the Jackass 3D premiere in London Eve (L) and Maximillion Cooper attend the UK premiere of Jackass 3D at BFI IMAX on November 2, 2010 in London, England Jon Furniss/WireImage Eve and Cooper made their relationship red carpet official as of November 2010. The two stepped out in London for the U.K. film premiere of Jackass 3D at BFI IMAX just six months after they first met in the same city. February 14, 2012: Maximillion Cooper joins Instagram and posts a photo of Eve Cooper's first-ever Instagram post on Valentine's Day in 2012 was of Eve repping a Gumball 3000 tee. The rapper leaned against a clothing rack wearing the tee, which she paired with shades and jewelry. May 14, 2013: Eve talks about her interracial relationship with Maximillion Cooper Eve sat down with Huff Post Live in May 2013 to discuss her relationship with Cooper. "He's cute. That's my baby. He makes me happy, it's a good thing ... I've had some bad relationships, so I feel lucky," Eve said of her then-boyfriend. During the livestream, a listener also asked Eve about her experience being a Black American female rapper in an interraccial relationship living in London. The artist said, "In the beginning, I think it was tough in a sense that I was like, where does this fit in? Are we really going to be able to get each other? Because we are so different. Just being British alone, and me being American is different. But for him to be a White man with a Black woman we definitely talked about it, I had issues about it, but we talk it out." June 18, 2013: Maximillion Cooper shares Eve's latest magazine cover on Instagram The British entrepreneur shared a post on Instagram of Eve's Sister-2-Sister magazine cover, in which she dished on her relationship with Cooper. The cover story headline read "Eve: Who would of thought I'd be living in Notting Hill with a white English dude?" Cooper captioned the post, "I made it onto the cover of a magazine as a white English dude! Not sure how I feel about this ... @therealeve." October 5, 2013: Eve and Maximillion Cooper attend the 10th annual Stand Up for Skateparks event Maximillion Cooper (L) and rapper Eve attend the 10th Annual Stand Up For Skateparks Benefiting The Tony Hawk Foundation on October 5, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty In October 2013, Eve and Cooper stepped out in Beverly Hills, California, at Green Acres Estate for the 10th annual Stand Up for Skateparks benefiting the Tony Hawk Foundation. The two were pictured at the event with their arms wrapped around each other's waists, both looking stylish in black sunglasses. December 25, 2013: Eve and Maximillion Cooper get engaged on Christmas Day On Christmas Day in 2013, Cooper proposed to Eve. A few days later the Barbershop star shared a photo of herself on Instagram with her mom and brother sitting nearby and a large, sparkly ring on her left hand. June 13, 2014: Eve and Maximillion Cooper get married in Spain Eve and the Gumball 3000 founder wed in Ibiza on June 13, 2014. "I'm so happy to make Eve my wife," Cooper told E! News. "The whole experience has been amazing and we are both so happy to have tied the knot." They reportedly chose Ibiza for their wedding location because it was the site of 2014's Gumball 3000 car race finish line, and the two initially met at the 2010 Gumball 3000 rally. Eve flew to Spain early for final wedding preparations, while her groom competed in the rally. Weeks after the ceremony, Eve shared a photo of the two at the altar with the caption, "Thank you aren't big enough words for how #amazing our ceremony was ... A #huge part because of #bigbrother @trillog." December 31, 2014: Maximillion Cooper shares a collage of him and Eve on Instagram with a sweet message To cap off 2014, Cooper shared a collage of him and Eve on Instagram with a loving caption that read, "Thanks for the montage @myaraz 2014 was a truly amazing year ... marrying @therealeve in #Ibizamade it THE most special year EVER. Now let's look to the future and continue to live life to its fullest! #gumballlife." The collage included photos from their wedding, red carpet appearances together and solo shots of his new wife. April 6, 2016: Eve opens up about married life with Maximillion Cooper Eve and Maximillion Cooper attend the Tape London official after party for the Gumball 3000 rally at Tape London on May 2, 2016 in London, England David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty "It's good! It's really good," the actress said of married life at the premiere of Barbershop: The Next Cut in Los Angeles in April 2016. Eve also revealed the two are eager to expand their family, saying, "We can't wait to have kids of our own. Whoever is in charge, make it happen. I can't wait." June 7, 2017: Eve posts a sweet Instagram birthday tribute for Maximillion Cooper Eve shared a photo of her husband smiling behind a strawberry-topped birthday cake and an empty cocktail glass in 2017. She captioned the loving birthday dedication, "so weird for someone who is not a romantic (me) that I am lucky enough to be living cliches I feel so blessed. Happy Birthday my Love. I hope you get all that you wish for and more and more!!!! ." June 3, 2020: Eve says she is having uncomfortable talks with Maximillion Cooper about race Maximillion Cooper (L) and Eve attend the official launch party for the Gumball 3000 Rally at Proud Embankment on August 4, 2018 in London, England. The 2018 Gumball 3000 Rally begins in London on August 5th and finishes in Tokyo on August 12th David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty In the wake of the murder of George Floyd by police in May 2020, the rapper told her co-hosts on The Talk that she and Cooper were having "some of the most difficult and uncomfortable conversations" they've ever had about race. "But, at the same time, it's a beautiful thing, because I don't know his life through his eyes. He doesn't know my life through my eyes," she shared. "All he can do is try to understand and try to ask the questions, and he wants to understand, and that's what the nation that's what the world has to do." The Barbershop star continued: "It's gonna be uncomfortable. Yeah, it's going to be uncomfortable! But we have to be okay with being uncomfortable so that we can get to a solution." November 9, 2020: Maximillion Cooper and his four children wish Eve a happy birthday on The Talk Eve, her husband Maximillion Cooper and family arrive for the World premiere of "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw" at the Dolby theatre on July 13, 2019 in Hollywood CHRIS DELMAS/AFP Cooper surprised Eve by appearing on The Talk via teleconference to wish her a happy birthday and tell the audience how the two met and fell in love. After Cooper signed off, Eve was further surprised when her four stepchildren phoned in as well. "We hope you have an amazing birthday," the youngest said. "We're so sorry we can't be with you because of COVID, but we hope to be with you soon," her stepson continued. Then all four in unison waved and said, "We love you!" Eve was smiling and crying as she received the birthday messages in front of her co-hosts. Later that day, Eve shared a clip of the moment on Instagram with the caption, "Starting the #birthday celebrations early on @thetalkcbs THANKU for the Best #longdistanced #birthday party!!!! Missing all the #ladies and everyone @ #thetalk ." December 14, 2020: Eve says spending quarantine with Maximillion Cooper "solidified why I fell in love with him" The couple celebrated their six-year wedding anniversary in June 2020, amidst the ongoing pandemic. But being in isolation with her husband in London only strengthened their relationship, according to Eve, who told PEOPLE the extra alone time brought them closer together. "Honestly, it's been really good. I have to say, I feel lucky that we're one of the couples that got out of the quarantine and was like, 'I still like you and love you' that's a different thing," she said. "Because love is one thing, but you still gotta like the person!" Eve continued, "We've learned a lot of new things about each other. This is gonna sound so cheesy and I swear I apologize because I'm not a romantic but it has solidified why I fell in love with him. It brought us closer together, and it made me realize wow, we chose each other, and this is a great choice." December 15, 2020: Eve admits taking "years to adjust" to becoming stepmom but now feels "very lucky" The "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" rapper told PEOPLE that she feels "lucky" to have gained an instant family after marrying Cooper in 2014 though she admitted it took some getting used to. "It's been now 10 and a half years I've been in their lives and they've been in my life. They've grounded me. In the beginning, when I first met my husband, then-boyfriend, I was like, 'This is never gonna last because you got four kids! How's this gonna work?' " she recalled. "But then I met the kids and honestly was like 'Wow, kids are amazing.' " "I will say it took years, though, I'm not gonna lie," added Eve. "It did take two or three years to adjust, just our relationship with the kids. But I have to say I'm very lucky. I feel very, very lucky that I had my insta-kids I call them my bonus children!" Eve also said her teenage stepchildren were excited to have a famous rapper in the family. "I'm really lucky because they are very proud of me. It's really sweet," said Eve. "I do hope they don't go too far back in the day to listen to certain things. That is my hope. ... Oh lord, the whole first album! You know what, it's fine, but it's just definitely a lot more out-there, vulgar, probably cursing, than I am now. But it's all good because we talk about it. It's all good." July 2021: Eve and Maximillion Cooper take a family vacation Maximillian and Eve Cooper family Eve Cooper Instagram Eve shared island vacation photos with their family in 2021. In one photo, Eve, Cooper and his four children Lotus, Jagger, Cash and Mini stood on a beach with smiling faces. In another snap, the family donned snorkeling gear and posed with a giant stingray. Cooper shared more moments from the getaway on Instagram, including a video of his son climbing a coconut tree and a shot of Eve and the kids drinking from coconuts. October 15, 2021: Eve and Maximillion Cooper announce they're expecting their first child together Eve Cooper Eve Cooper Instagram Eve announced her pregnancy on Instagram on Oct. 15, 2021, with a photo of herself cradling her baby bump. "Can you believe it @mrgumball3000 we finally get to tell everyone!!!!! You all know how long we'v [sic] been waiting for this blessing!!! We get to meet our lil human February 2022," Eve captioned her post. February 1, 2022: Eve and Maximillion Cooper welcome a baby boy Eve Cooper and her son Eve Cooper Instagram The couple welcomed their first child together, baby boy Wilde Wolf Fife Alexander Somers Cooper. On Feb. 10, 2022, Eve announced the big news on Instagram with a photo of the newborn swaddled in a blue blanket, sleeping in a Moses basket. April 20, 2022: Eve says she's "never been this happy" as she cuddles new son Wilde Eve shared a sweet photo on her Instagram Story of her cuddling with her 11-week-old son, Wilde. In the mother-son selfie, Eve sat up in bed while her sleepy newborn rested on her chest. "Never been this tired. Never been this happy ," the new mom captioned the shot. May 29, 2022: Eve shares family photo at Maximillion Cooper's motor rally with 3-month-old baby Wilde Wilde attended his first Gumball 3000 motor rally, coming full-circle to the event where his parents met. The 3-month-old wore an ensemble that matched his parents': Both the rapper and the British entrepreneur dressed in Gumball 3000 apparel for the annual event, and Wilde's little onesie had the same logo. June 23, 2022: Eve and Maximillion Cooper celebrate her stepdaughter Jagger's high school graduation in Barcelona Eve, Maximillian, Jagger Cooper Eve Cooper Instagram The rapper congratulated Jagger on her high school graduation from the British School of Barcelona with an Instagram post. The photo featured Eve and Cooper proudly posing with the new graduate. "You did it!!!! CONGRATULATIONS @jagggerparis on graduating!!!! So excited for your #fashion #future ," Eve captioned the shot. Cooper also honored his daughter's big day with photos on Instagram, which included a picture of Jagger with her baby brother Wilde. Cooper captioned the post, "Congratulations @jagggerparis on your graduation from @britishschoolbarcelona We're very proud of you! Next stop Milano! ." February 1, 2023: Eve and Maximillion Cooper celebrate son Wilde's first birthday To celebrate son Wilde's first birthday, Eve shared an adorable series of photos on Instagram. In the snaps, Wilde smiled as he reached toward his beautiful teal-colored birthday cake, which was complete with gold foil, gold and silver decorations and a Peter rabbit figurine. The cake also featured the word "one" written in gold on the side and a silver birthday candle on top. Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy encouraged people to express themselves peacefully in the case of protests about Donald Trumps arrest, which the former president predicted for Tuesday. Steve Doocy, Brian Kilmeade and Ainsley Earhardt took turns questioning the senator about the circumstances surrounding Trumps potential indictment, asking what he thought in relation to House Speaker Kevin McCarthys warning to avoid protests. In America, youre free to protest, he said when the hosts asked what he thought. Youre not really free if you cant express yourself, but do it peacefully. Dont be a knucklehead and riot. I mean do it peacefully. Also Read: Morning Joe Says McCarthys Defense of Trump, Protests Defies Logic: Can Completely Ignore That Part of Trumps Legacy (Video) Kennedy also told Doocy earlier in his televised appearance that institutions have become more politicized when they shouldnt. Americas institutions should not be perceived to be political. Look at the damage that former FBI Director Comey did to the FBI, he said. In this particular case, its hard to know where the justice begins and the politics ends. The senator then turned to evaluating Alvin Braggs motives as the attorney whose office brings the case against Trump. Also Read: John Oliver Ridicules Trump for Getting Distracted by His Hate for His Kids Mid-Speech The Manhattan district attorney Mr. Bragg, were not talking were not exactly talking about Oliver Wendell Scalia here. Hes not a hes not a neutral arbiter. Hes more of an activist than an impartial prosecutor, Kennedy continued. He believes cops are a bigger problem than criminals, who refuses to prosecute many crimes. And I dont know what Mr. Bragg has as evidence, maybe he has the complete goods, but he can do a lot of damage here to a very important institution if hes not careful. And I would say the same thing if President Trump were a Democrat or if the shoe were on the other foot. Story continues I dont think prosecutors ought to be politicians. I dont want to have to worry if if Im accused of a crime whether the prosecutors a Republican or a Democrat or a crypto socialist, like Mr. Bragg, he added when asked about this latest case compared to Mar-A-Lago, Jan. 6 and Atlanta. Thats not the way our system is supposed to work. Earhardt asked if these events will ultimately help or hurt Trump, and Kennedy responded that he didnt know. Also Read: The View': Sunny Hostin Thinks Trump Wants to Be Perp Walked After Indictment: He Wants That Steve Bannon Weirdo Crazy Moment (Video) I dont know. I cant predict the future. So Im gonna have to wait on it like everybody else. Ive said this about the presidential race. My prediction is the experts will be wrong, he said. The people that hate President Trump will probably applaud. The people that just love President Trump will probably get angry. Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems will meet in court Tuesday to work out a number of issues ahead of their April 17 trial, a process that may produce a fresh wave of juicy details from depositions whose redacted bits could be unveiled at a Delaware judges discretion. Tuesdays hearing was scheduled months ago in part to service summary-judgment motions filed by both Fox and Dominion. A ruling was not expected on those filings, which contained unusually detailed troves of testimony and other documents including acknowledgment by top Fox brass and on-air talent that the network broadcast election-fraud narratives they themselves did not believe. Also Read: Even Rupert Murdoch Admits It: Fox News Hosts Endorsed a Stolen-Election Narrative They Knew Was a Lie But Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric M. Davis will hear each sides arguments for lifting redactions on the others depositions, and could rule on those a la carte Tuesday. That could result in multiple documents being refiled with fig leaves removed. All parties, including the judge, have access to unreacted documents before making arguments. In some cases the blocked-out bits are merely names such as how Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott was dream-casting as Lou Dobbs eventual replacement and in others are paragraphs or entire pages of sworn testimony. Judge Davis could also dismiss individual claims, testimony or other evidence, and has broad discretion at this juncture to narrow the scope of the trial. Dominion is asking $1.6 billion in damages an award that would hardly be death-blow to the crown jewel of Rupert Murdochs media empire for what it says are defamatory statements about its voting machines in multiple reports, guest segments and host commentary immediately following the 2020 election. Speaking of that April trial multiple people with knowledge of the tell TheWrap that both sides are anticipating court proceedings to begin on-schedule. With less than a month to go, that means a settlement outcome seems increasingly less likely. Also Read: Fox News Hosts Were All Horrified by On-Air Election Fraud Claims, Dominion Voting Says: Even Pirro Agrees 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. Check your freezer. Getty Images Planning to make smoothies this week? You may want to check your freezer. Scenic Fruit Company has voluntarily recalled some of its frozen fruit products due to an outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the recalled products include frozen organic strawberries sold to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets. The recall also includes a frozen organic tropical blend sold to Trader Joes. Related:What to Do if You Think You've Eaten Recalled Food "Although hepatitis A has not been detected on this product, out of an abundance of caution, consumers should stop consuming the product and return it to their local store for a refund," a Scenic Fruit Company spokesperson said in a statement. The Centers for Disease Control has connected five hepatitis A cases to frozen organic strawberries. All incidents have been reported in Washington, and two people have been hospitalized. The CDC advises people to check their freezer for the recalled frozen fruits and either trash them or return them to the original retailer. If you have eaten these recalled products within the last 14 days and are not vaccinated against hepatitis A, there's still hope. The CDC recommends talking with your healthcare provider about getting the hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin to prevent potential illness. Need more details about what exactly has been recalled? The Oregon-based fruit company listed six brands pulled from the freezers of Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, PCC Community Markets, and Trader Joe's: Simply Nature Organic Strawberries 24oz. (UPC: 4099100256222) Vital Choice Organic Strawberries 16oz. (UPC: 834297005024) Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberries 4lb. (UPC: 96619140404) Made With Organic Strawberries 10oz. (UPC: 814343021390) PCC Community Markets Organic Strawberries 32oz. (UPC: 22827109469) Trader Joe's Organic Tropical Fruit Blend 16oz. (UPC: 00511919) Story continues Scenic Fruit Company is not alone. Last week, another fruit company California Splendor, Inc., recalled frozen strawberries sold to Costco. Both companies are working with the FDA to further investigate and have ceased production of the suspected products. The CDC explains that hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the hepatitis A virus, which can spread through contaminated food. Severe symptoms include fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine, and pale stool. In rare cases, particularly people with pre-existing conditions or immunocompromised, hepatitis A infection can lead to liver failure. The CDC advises contacting your healthcare provider if you have encountered any of these symptoms. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the State has entered into a contract with nonprofit drugmaker Civica Rx to provide affordable insulin. California's new pricing for both vials and epi-pens can be 10x lower than what is seen today and should disrupt the market nationally. If applied widely to prescription drugs, this could end brutal price gouging that keeps necessary medications out of reach. NPR: The state-label insulins will cost no more than $30 per 10 milliliter vial, and no more than $55 for a box of five pre-filled pen cartridges for both insured and uninsured patients. The medicines will be available nationwide, the governor's office said. "This is a big deal, folks," the governor said. "This is not happening anywhere else in the United States." A 10 milliliter vial of insulin can cost as much as $300, Newsom said. Under the new contract, patients who pay out of pocket for insulin could save up to $4,000 per year. The federal government this year put a $35 monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs on insulin for certain Medicare enrollees, including senior citizens. Advocates have pushed for years to make insulin more affordable. According to a report published last year in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, 1 in 6 Americans with diabetes who use insulin said the cost of the drug forces them to ration their supply. With the 2022 election behind him, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is moving on to new policy goals when it comes to voting and still defending the integrity of the 2020 presidential election. Recently, Raffensperger sent a letter to Congress asking for federal action on several changes to voting, including allowing states to update voter rolls within 90 days of an election, which is currently illegal. That, he told members of the Kiwanis Club of Augusta on Monday, was something they should be calling their congressional representatives about. "Why does that matter?" Raffensperger asked his Augusta audience. "We have over 7.5 million people that are registered to vote in Georgia. And people have done studies. They say 11% of all Americans move every year. ... That's 200,000 people that could potentially move in that 90-day window." Abortion tourism:New York City bought billboards in Georgia, elsewhere to advertise abortion services Power bills:Senate resolution would urge protection for ratepayers from Vogtle overrun In years where a primary runs into a general election and on into a runoff , he said, it makes it particularly hard to update rolls. Raffensperger is also pushing for a constitutional amendment to prevent non-citizens from voting in local elections, something he says local governments in Georgia have considered but not yet implemented. At the state level, Raffensperger is still looking to eliminate the runoff the question is not whether Georgia should move away from them, he said, but what the replacement should be. "If county election directors have a vote, they would all get rid of runoffs," he said. The state Legislature, however, did not take up the issue this session despite a majority of Georgians supporting the move. "They're busy," he said of lawmakers. "And I think really, sometimes you need time coming into a session, and everyone was in an election year last year, and so I think that's really a lot of what it was. You really want to make sure it's thoughtful. It's measure twice, cut once, make sure you get it right." Story continues Just before Raffensperger began his speech, a man walked in silently with a poster board sign accusing the Secretary of State of cheating former President Donald Trump out of the election in Georgia before being quickly ushered out again by attendees. "I think that gentleman that came in with a placard, I think you guys sent him in here to kind of tee it up," Raffensperger said as he began his speech. Then he ran through a number of allegations of voter fraud that had been made about the Georgia presidential race in 2020, from improper ballot counting in Fulton County (numerous law enforcement agencies found no issues) to dead people voting (Raffensperger's office found just four) to ballot harvesting (outlawed in Georgia). He also defended SB202, the controversial voting bill that opponents have said would suppress Georgia voters. Raffensperger ended, though, not in the weeds of election policy but with a call for values of integrity and civil discourse, and praise for his Kiwanis audience. "You are the people that making Augusta better," he said. "And when you make Augusta better, you make Georgia better." This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Brad Raffensperger talks voter rolls, runoffs in Augusta The myriad activists for a putative State of Jefferson in the mostly rural counties of Northern California dont need much prodding to spring into action. But they may soon be getting a push anyway, this time from similar-minded eastern Oregonians eager to split off from their current state and join up with neighboring Idaho. That movement, called Greater Idaho because it would shift 15 rural eastern Oregon counties into Idaho, has so far won voter approval in 11 of those counties and will get a vote in May in northeast Oregons Wallowa County (population 7,391). The Idaho Legislatures lower house has already approved the concept. While the Greater Idaho movement is far younger than the notion of a State of Jefferson, which originated in the 1940s, it has moved much farther toward its goal. It is even due for some discussion in the Oregon Legislature this year, with at least one state senator and one member of the lower house as sponsors. The State of Jefferson, by contrast, has never gotten formal consideration in Sacramento. Its aim is not to join another state, but to rip away from Oregon some of the same counties now amenable to joining Idaho and link them to Northern California in a new 51st state, its putative capital Redding, in Californias Shasta County. Meanwhile, a nascent separatist movement in San Bernardino County won narrow approval from local voters last fall for a study of independent statehood. Theres been no action yet on that. The State of Jefferson gets some support not only in Northern California, but also in southern Oregon, where roadside signs in cities like Grants Pass, Reedsport and Medford are readily visible. It would be no surprise if California counties sympathetic to Jefferson joined Oregon areas pushing to join Idaho. Their complaints are the same: Most are politically more conservative than the dominant coastal, urban areas of their states. Many counties are wrapped into each legislative district in those regions, while some urban counties get dozens. Story continues That last has been true since California in the 1960s bent to the U.S. Supreme Courts One Person, One Vote decision. Before then, state Senate seats were allocated by geography, so the northern counties often wielded significant power. Now their mostly Republican representatives are part of small GOP minorities in both houses of the California Legislature. Its little different in Oregon, where tiny Wallowas populace would fit into a few Portland or Eugene city blocks. The rural counties feel they suffer the same kind of taxation without representation that helped fuel the American Revolution and many folks there want out. They also despise gun control laws passed over the last few years in both Oregon and California. In Oregon, they get some statewide sympathy. One poll often cited by Greater Idaho organizers found 68 percent of Portland area voters favor their Legislature at least discussing the idea of separation. They note that losing many eastern areas would let that Oregon become even more solidly Democratic than now. But Greater Idaho and the State of Jefferson both face major roadblocks: Each would require a statewide vote okaying both letting significant areas pull out, along with congressional support and statewide voter support for whatever property split was worked out between existing state governments and new or revised ones. Not to mention similar votes in Idaho, where voters would have to approve adding the rural Oregon counties which now get far more financial support from their state than they contribute via taxes. All of which means none of the current state splitting or state altering ideas has yet become serious business, just like all the other 42 ideas for new state lines proposed formally and informally since California entered the Union in 1850. Email Tom Elias at tdelias@aol.com. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: 'Greater Idaho' may inspire new push for State of Jefferson in California This article originally appeared on Backpacker This story comes from What You Missed, Outside's daily digest of breaking news and topical perspectives from across the outdoor world. You can also get this news delivered to your email inbox six days a week by signing up for the What You Missed newsletter. An Arkansas man who was convicted of leading illegal hikes along the Buffalo National River was sentenced by a federal court on Tuesday, March 7. The man, Jeffrey Johnson, led a 31-person hike through the public area last May, and one participant died during the excursion. Johnson, 47, received two years of probation and was ordered to pay around $2,700 in restitution and fines. He is also banned from visiting Buffalo National River, located in northwest Arkansas, for two years. Following a December trial in the Western District of Arkansas, Johnson was convicted of one count of engaging in or soliciting business in a national park without a permit, and one count of soliciting money inside a national park without a permit, according to a news release. Both charges are classified as misdemeanors. Johnson advertised his services on Facebook, charging $20 for one year of unlimited guided hikes, KFSM-TV reports. According to investigators with the National Park Service, Johnson had been illegally guiding hikes along the Buffalo National River for seven years. On May 7, 2022, Johnson led a group on the Indian Creek Trail to the Eye of the Needle, a rock formation in the Ponca Wilderness. As reported by Backpacker, one hiker testified in court that she and another hiker, 46-year-old Brad Lee Thomas, decided not to continue due to the trail's difficulty. They waited at the group's lunch spot for nearly three hours before trying to hike back on their own. Shortly after, Thomas fell 20 feet and landed in a shallow pool of water. Emergency crews attempted lifesaving efforts, but were ultimately unsuccessful, according to a news release from the National Park Service, and Thomas died at the scene. Story continues "This man brings people to the Buffalo River and other parts of Newton County and takes them into some of the most rugged terrain in the Ozarks. It appears they don't always know what they are getting into," Newton County Sheriff Glen Wheeler told KY3 news last May. "Just last Saturday, a person he was leading was injured, and he left her in the woods." Investigators found that Johnson never applied for a permit for his guiding business, KTHV reports. For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today. WASHINGTON Former President Donald Trump was indicted in New York Thursday as an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's office comes to a close. The indictment stems from an investigation into the former president for his alleged role in making a $130,000 hush-money payment to an adult film actress just before the 2016 presidential election to silence her about a past affair. Trump's indictment is the first time in American history a former president faces criminal charges. What does the indictment mean for Trump? Here's what to know about the process: Smart analysis delivered to your inbox: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter What does indicted mean? Former President Donald Trump watches the NCAA Wrestling Championship on March 18, 2023, in Tulsa, Okla. Trumps calls for protests ahead of his anticipated indictment in New York have generated mostly muted reactions from supporters, with even some of his most ardent loyalists dismissing the idea as a waste of time or a law enforcement trap. An indictment is a formal charging document used when it is believed a person committed a crime. It includes charges against the person and has to be filed before a case can move forward in court, said David Weinstein, a former federal and state prosecutor. Weinstein, a partner at Jones Walker law firm in Miami, said an indictment means a grand jury decided that there is "more likely than not" enough evidence based on testimony to move forward with charges. In federal court, every case proceeds by way of indictment, and some states, like New York, use a grand jury and indictments to proceed with cases. More: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says Americans should not protest if Donald Trump is indicted Opinion: Donald Trump wants you to think he's constantly the victim. Maybe he's just a bad dude. What we know about indictment process A district attorney presents evidence to the grand jury and asks the jurors to consider certain charges, Weinstein said. The jury then votes in secret on whether enough evidence exists to charge someone with a crime. In federal court, the grand jury consists of 23 members. The number varies depending on the state. If the majority of the jury believes a person committed a crime, it returns with an indictment. Story continues People who are indicted can hire an attorney or choose to be represented by a public defender provided by the government. If the grand jury votes against an indictment, the person is not required to plead to a criminal charge and there is no trial. Weinstein said this rarely happens. What we know: Is Donald Trump likely to be arrested soon? Will he be indicted? Opinion: Between sketchy witnesses and the law, case comes up short Is getting indicted the same as being arrested? Former President Donald Trump campaigns on March 13, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa. Weinstein said that if a person is indicted, it does not necessarily mean they are arrested. But the indictment process includes the defendant providing fingerprints and having a mugshot taken. In situations where the grand jury moves forward with indictment, a person can either surrender to officials or law enforcement will track them down with an arrest warrant. Pence doesn't commit to supporting Trump in 2024: 'I think we'll have better choices' Can charges be dropped after an indictment? Former President Donald Trump listens as he is introduced to speak at the South Carolina Statehouse, Jan. 28, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. Weinstein said charges can be dropped after an indictment and it frequently happens. The standard for a grand jury is "more likely than not," he said, while the standard for conviction is "proof beyond a reasonable doubt." "Just because the charges are filed doesn't mean that down the road they could not be dismissed," Weinstein said. Is Donald Trump being arrested? Here are the possible charges in the New York investigation Dig deeper This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump indicted: Here's what we know about the process John Mulaney, Anna Marie Tendler and Taylor Swift Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock This is why she can't have nice things. Anna Marie Tendler is walking back a joke she made about Taylor Swift's Eras stage design after sparking confusion online. The 37-year-old artist uploaded a TikTok video of her reaction to the 33-year-old Grammy winner's new tour, which kicked off in Arizona on Friday, March 17. In the since-deleted video, Tendler shared her thoughts about the props Swift used while performing the Evermore ballad "Tolerate It." "Uh, Taylor. My girl," the Connecticut native began. "This 'Tolerate It' setup looks strikingly like one of my photographs in tone and in aesthetics. It doesn't totally feel like parallel thinking to me." Tendler used the app's green screen feature to show the artwork in question, which shows her sitting at an empty dining table in a long flowing dress. The image is titled "Dinner in March" and was taken amid her divorce from ex-husband John Mulaney. (Us Weekly confirmed in May 2021 that the twosome called it quits after six years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in January 2022.) The makeup artist's Eras TikTok raised eyebrows among diehard Swift fans, some of whom questioned the video's intent. "This is so funny to me bc if it's not satire then she's straight up accusing taylor swift of stealing her idea of *checks notes* setting a table," one Twitter user wrote after reposting the clip. Others defended Tendler from the negative comments. "SHES JOKING SHES JOKING SWIFTIES STAND DOWN," another fan tweeted in response to the backlash, while a third pointed out that they're "99.9 [percent] sure she's a Swiftie." Tendler chimed in on the debate to clarify after taking down her post. "Hi! This was meant to be a joke," she commented. "Most of my videos are jokes or satire! When I realized it wasn't landing as a joke I deleted it. Didn't mean offense." Fans of the "Clean" songstress have flocked to social media to see glimpses of her highly anticipated stadium tour, which features a massive 44-song set list. Swift took the stage in Glendale, Arizona, on Friday in a variety of designer costumes to coincide with each of her albums. While singing "Tolerate It," she donned a floor-length yellow dress and stood on a table while a male dancer sat at the other end. The Cats actress returned to State Farm Stadium for night two on Saturday, March 18, with nearly the same songs and minor tweaks to her outfits. Each night of the nationwide tour, Swift is adding surprise hits to the set list and she hopes not to repeat her choices. So far, lucky fans have heard "Mirrorball," "Tim McGraw," "This Is Me Trying" and "State of Grace." Eras marks the songwriter's first tour in five years. "Is it just me or do we have a lot of things to catch up on?" she teased the audience from the stage, later adding, "To say that a lot of has happened is really an understatement. I can't even go into how much I missed you because there's no way to verbalize it." Jordan Peele is staying in business with Universal Pictures, as the studio has just set an untitled fourth film from the Nope writer/director for release on Dec. 25, 2024. Additionally, an untitled horror/thriller from Peeles Monkeypaw Productions will open in theaters on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. Other movies dated for Christmas 2024 include James Camerons third Avatar movie and the third movie in the Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise. Recently, Broadway adaptation Wicked, Part 1 scooted out of the Christmas timeframe to occupy a new Thanksgiving slot. Wicked, like the Peele project, will be released by Universal. Peeles feature directorial debut, Get Out, was released by Universal in 2017 and grossed over $255 million against a budget of just $4.5 million. On top of being an astounding commercial success, it netted Peele a Best Original Screenplay Oscar with additional nominations for Best Picture, Director and Actor. That Academy Award-winning screenplay, about a Black man (Daniel Kaluuya) who visits his white girlfriends (Allison Williams) family for the weekend with sinister consequences, was also named the greatest screenplay of the 21st century by the Writers Guild of America. Also Read: Jordan Peele Reveals Nope Is About Our Addiction to Spectacle and the Insidious Nature of Attention Peele followed Get Out with 2019s Us, which grossed $256 million and garnered acclaim for Lupita Nyongos performance. And while the movie, about evil doppelgangers living in the sewers beneath our world, didnt ignite the imagination in the same way Get Out did, it is in many ways a better film; more imaginatively staged and photographed and with a more ambitious screenplay. Its clearly made a mark on pop culture, as well, with people dressed up as the Tethered popping up every Halloween (and in a scene from Scream VI, no less). Story continues Nope, Peeles third film for Universal, opened last summer to critical acclaim and grossed over $171 million. This project, which expanded his ambition even further than Us, was a rootin tootin sci-fi western horror-comedy about a brother and sister (played by Kaluuya and Keke Palmer) who are menaced by a UFO outside their family ranch. While it didnt nab any Oscar nominations, it was just as beloved (and puzzled over) as Peeles earlier films, if not more so. Universal Studios Hollywood opened an entirely new section of the Backlot Studio Tour devoted to the movie, as tourists were able to creep through Jupiters Claim, the western theme park from the movie. And The New York Times A.O. Scott named Nope the best movie of 2022, writing, The movie is a genre joyride and a philosophical puzzle. And it has plenty to say about labor, family, race, grief and (yes) movies in a visual language that feels at once familiar and radically new. Also Read: Nope Ending Explained: Its Not What You Think As to what the upcoming Monkeypaw horror movie for the fall of 2024 could be, there are several projects in development at the shingle that could fit the bill. Sinkhole, a thriller based on Leyna Krows short story about a mysterious sinkhole that shows up in a familys backyard with the power to fix broken things, was announced in 2020 as a potential vehicle for Issa Rae. Theres also the upcoming project from Nanny filmmaker Nikyatu Jusu, which Jusu confirmed recently is an expansion of her short film Suicide by Sunlight, which debuted at Sundance back in 2019. The film is about Black vampires who are protected against the sun thanks to the melanin in their skin. And then theres a proposed remake of Wes Cravens The People Under the Stairs, which was rumored back in 2020. There hasnt been any movement on that front (or even official confirmation), but it seems like the kind of ambitious project Peele and Monkeypaw would mount, with the movies mixture of humor, horror and social commentary obviously appealing to Peele. If The People Under the Stairs can be as fun and ambitious as his Candyman remake from a few years ago, then well be in good hands. As for what Peeles new movie is, its anybodys guess. And while he has teased continuing the Nope saga in some way, we are assuming it will be wholly original. Whatever the Christmas 2024 movie is, well be first in line. Also Read: Shazam, Ant-Man Sequel Struggles Show Superheroes Arent Bulletproof at the Box Office Kevin McCarthy Anna Moneymaker/Getty Kevin McCarthy Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is urging "calmness" in the event of an arrest of former president Donald Trump, saying: "Nobody should harm one another ... We want calmness out there." During a House Republican retreat in Orlando, McCarthy told reporters "I don't think people should protest this, no. And I think President Trump, if you talk to him, he doesn't believe that, either," NBC News reports. Trump has urged exactly the opposite, however, taking to his social media site Truth Social over the weekend to urge his supporters specifically to protest if he is arrested. Trump, 76, wrote that "illegal leaks" indicate that "the far & away leading Republican candidate & former president of the United States of America, will be arrested on Tuesday of next week," referring to himself. "Protest, take our nation back," the politician continued, in part. RELATED: Donald Trump Says He Expects to Be Arrested on Tuesday After Reports Say Indictment Is Imminent In his post, Trump referenced reports from various outlets, including the Associated Press and CBS, that he could soon face possible criminal charges in New York relating to an alleged hush money payment that was made to adult film star Stormy Daniels while he was the presidential candidate in 2016. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and called the investigation, which is being led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, a "witch hunt," per NBC News. He's also accused Bragg of being a "racist," the outlet added. Former U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the stage after speaking during an event at his Mar-a-Lago home Joe Raedle/Getty Images Donald Trump Trump's lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, previously spoke with CNBC and said that Trump will surrender to face criminal charges, should he be indicted. "[He] will follow normal procedures if it gets to that point," Tacopina told the outlet on Friday. Already, government buildings are gearing up for potential protests, with the NYPD seen erecting barricades on Monday outside both Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Court. Story continues Meanwhile, Axios reports that Bragg "reassured staff in a memo Saturday that efforts to intimidate them or threaten the rule of law will not be tolerated." McCarthy has ordered a probe of Bragg's investigation and called it "an outrageous abuse of power." The investigation stems from Trump's alleged affair with Daniels, which surfaced in 2018, when the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump arranged a $130,000 payment to the ex adult-film star a month before the 2016 election so she'd keep quiet about an alleged sexual encounter they'd had years earlier. While Trump and his longtime lawyer Michael Cohen initially denied the claims of an affair, Cohen later admitted that there was a payment made to the porn star. Calling it "a private transaction," Cohen told The New York Times that he paid Daniels $130,000 out of his own pocket in 2016. He said Trump had not reimbursed him. 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. Trump has since admitted he authorized the $130,000 payment, but has continued to deny the underlying claims that the two had an affair or that the payment was in any way connected to his campaign. In a 2018 statement, the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York said the publisher of The National Enquirer has "admitted that it made the $150,000 payment in concert with a candidate's presidential campaign, and in order to ensure that the woman did not publicize damaging allegations about the candidate" and that "its principal purpose in making the payment was to suppress the woman's story so as to prevent it from influencing the election." Last year, Deborah Foss was forced to live in her car during the coldest months of the year after New Bedford officials placed a tax lien on her home and sold it to a private company called Tallage for $9,626 the total amount she owed, including interest. The tax lien gave the investor authority under Massachusetts law to take her home, sell it for $241,600 and keep all the profits. Deborah lost her home and her value in it over a debt that was worth just a fraction of the value of her home. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. From 2014 through 2021, Massachusetts homeowners subjected to tax foreclosure lost 82% of their home equity on average $172,000 per home. Massachusetts is one of 12 states, plus the District of Columbia, regularly using these abusive and unconstitutional tax and take seizures. A recent study by my firm, Pacific Legal Foundation, details how these predatory home equity theft laws work, and the windfall government and private investors have taken at the expense of people like Deborah. In Deborahs case, PLF provided her with legal representation to defend her constitutional rights, which ended in a settlement that allowed her to get back on her feet. But other property owners continue to lose everything under state law. It doesn't have to be this way. In most states, tax foreclosures are treated just like other debts. If you fail to pay your property taxes, the government (or partnering investors) can seize and sell your property to satisfy the debt. But once your debts are paid, the remaining proceeds must be returned to you. But that's not how it works in Massachusetts. Here, cities and towns can keep and foreclose on tax liens or sell them to investors. The lienholder (whether government or investor) may file for foreclosure once the debt is six months old. After foreclosure, the lienholder gets a deed to the property and can do whatever it wants with it, including selling it and keeping any profits from the sale. The original owners are left with nothing, regardless of how much equity they might have built up in the property over the years. Story continues The victims of these seizures are often vulnerable people like Deborah Foss, people who are least equipped to fight back: working families, single parents, seniors on a fixed income, and people experiencing job loss, health difficulties, mental health challenges, or cognitive decline. Deborah is a senior citizen suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other health issues. The injustice of home equity theft is obvious. But beyond the essential unfairness, we should recognize that these predatory forfeitures violate important property rights protections under the Constitution. The Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment requires the government to provide just compensation to the owner whenever it takes private property for public use. And the Eighth Amendments Excessive Fines Clause prevents the government from imposing excessive financial punishments. Taking a huge windfall at the expense of someone like Deborah violates these protections. Fortunately, the tide is shifting. In recent years, four states changed their tax foreclosure laws to better protect property owners, often in response to mounting public and media pressure. And two bills filed by state Reps. Jeffrey Roy and Tommy Vitolo, and state Sens. Jo Comerford and Mark Montigny, could do the same thing in Massachusetts. PLF has already secured a state Supreme Court victory to end home equity theft in Michigan, and we are representing an elderly homeowner in Minnesota in a case challenging home equity theft at the U.S. Supreme Court. If we win, the practice could become a thing of the past. But Massachusetts officials shouldn't need the Supreme Court to tell them that stealing a persons entire home over a much smaller tax debt is wrong. Of course, if you fail to pay your property taxes, you'll likely face consequences like penalties or interest. In the most serious cases, individuals will lose their property in foreclosures. But the government should never take more than it is owed. Christina Martin is an attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Massachusetts property tax foreclosure laws harmful, inequitable Carson Rammelt, Meet SixFoot5, the Music Producer Behind All Your Favorite Drag Queen's New Songs Darek Warren When SIXFOOT 5's friend took him to see drag queen Lagoona Bloo perform in 2018, the music producer had no idea that night would be life-changing. After thinking "that is somebody I'd kill to produce for," the New York-based artist would later pitch a collaboration with Lagoona that set off his career trajectory. SIXFOOT 5 (real name Carson Rammelt) has gone on to create music with some of the biggest stars of RuPaul's Drag Race, including Alaska, The Rose, Nicky Doll, Jan Sport and Peppermint. Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE, the producer said he "clicked immediately" with Lagoona when she played him a demo for a song called "Greedy with My Love" in 2020, and it was a moment that needed to be seized. "I said, Let me do this. If you hate it, forget all about it, it's on me.'' Well... she loved it. And that began our journey together as producer and artist," SIXFOOT 5 tells PEOPLE. Then Lagoona played the finished song to Rose, who wanted to work with him as well. They would go on to record Christmas Dolls, the EP by Stephanie's Child (a supergroup made up of Rose, Lagoona and Jan). Then, SIXFOOT 5 says, "word just sort of spread like wildfire" and he was making music with a bigger talent pool. "I was working with multiple artists, ranging from Broadway stars, Michael Mott, Ciara Renee, Blaine Krauss, to American Idol icon Pia Toscano." Carson Rammelt, Meet SixFoot5, the Music Producer Behind All Your Favorite Drag Queen's New Songs Darek Warren RELATED: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens Speak Out Against Anti-Trans, Anti-Drag Legislation amid 200th Episode The 27-year-old producer tells PEOPLE that working with iconic drag queens was "literally the best." "Their knowledge of music is encyclopedic, and they're just fun to be around. It's fun to have them over in my studio." The Chicago-raised artist says one particularly fond memory was when Alaska came to record "Gay Hands Up" with him. "I've loved her for so long and then there she was right in front of me at the mic. It was surreal. She had peanuts with her, because she had been running around all day she's a hustler. We'd take a break, we'd talk, and then she'd get back up and give an iconic vocal performance," SIXFOOT 5 says. Story continues "I've always said music is the fashion of sound," the producer says, adding his job is to "manipulate those frequencies and sounds and turn them into something beautiful, and thought-provoking like a fashion designer and their fabrics, I want the listener and the artist to feel something when they listen to the record." Alaska Drag Queen Video Premiere Albert Sanchez Alaska He describes his music as needing to sound "grand, luxurious and stylish." The producer says he loves everything from "sweeping Abel Korzeniowski-esque strings, to heavy Sophie-like glitch and hyper pop drums, to vintage and contemporary synthesizers." "As somebody who from a young age, has always felt an irreparable loneliness in the world, music has been my one and only constant companion, Love, acceptance and expression in 88 ivory keys. Men have come and gone, friendships have faded as they do, but music, she's never let me down. She never leaves my head," he muses. RELATED: Shania Twain Says She's 'Very Inspired' By Drag Queens: 'It Takes a Lot of Courage' And while music remains a constant, there have been considerable challenges when it comes to discrimination SIXFOOT 5 has faced in the industry. "I remember when I was recording my debut EP in 2017, one of the engineers came into the booth and said, 'Maybe, do you want to change the lyrics from 'boy' to maybe girl?' and I said, 'No, that's not what I wrote,'" the producer says, adding it's an issue many others face. "I have artists who wish to remain anonymous who have experienced similar situations as well, as far as a producer telling an artist 'if [he] comes out of the closet, [he'll] never make it' and to 'stay in.'" Carson Rammelt, Meet SixFoot5, the Music Producer Behind All Your Favorite Drag Queen's New Songs Darek Warren 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. "As a community, fighting for our place isn't an unfamiliar battle. So we'll keep fighting. Loud, with fantastic music, and we won't stop until we're heard," SIXFOOT 5 tells PEOPLE. As for what's next from the creative mind of SIXFOOT 5, there are plenty of projects coming up. He tells PEOPLE: "I'm back in my home studio working with Nicky, and The Rose, on some really interesting and bar-raising work. I've got a single coming out with Corey Cruppi, New York City's underground Pop Star Bentley Robbles, a new artist GIUSSEPPE, and Jacob Covert." "There's some really fantastic queer music coming this year," he says. The post The Offspring Announce Summer 2023 US Tour with Simple Plan and Sum 41 appeared first on Consequence. The Offspring have announced a Summer 2023 US tour with support from Simple Plan and Sum 41. The punk-rock extravaganza, dubbed Let the Bad Times Roll Tour, launches August 1st in Auburn, Washington, and runs through a September 3rd show in Mansfield, Massachusetts. A Live Nation pre-sale begins Thursday (March 23rd) at 10 a.m. local time via Ticketmaster (use access code OPENER), with a general sale starting on Friday (March 24th). Alternatively, fans can also look for deals or pick up tickets to sold-out shows via StubHub, where your purchase is 100% guaranteed through StubHubs Fan Protect program. The Offspring frontman Dexter Holland stated, One of the best things about b eing on tour is traveling the world playing to great audiences, and its even better when you can do it with your friends we had sold out International tours with Simple Plan and Sum 41, and were excited that theyll be joining us this Summer in America. Its going to be great! Simple Plans Chuck Comeau added, We couldnt be more excited to get back on tour all across the US with our friends The Offspring and Sum 41! We had such a blast touring with both of them last year that we just had to do it again and put together what we feel will be one of the most awesome tours of the summer. And Sum 41s Deryck Whibley commented, Were so excited to be back touring the States with The Offspring and Simple Plan this summer! Theres nothing better than hitting the road with your friends, and we cant wait to bring the tour to you see you soon! Get The Offspring Tickets The tour is named after The Offsprings latest album, Let the Bad Times Roll, which arrived in April 2021. Simple Plan released the new album Harder Than It Looks in 2022, while Sum 41 are working on a new double album titled Heaven and Hell. Story continues See the tour dates below, and pick up tickets here. The Offspring Tour Dates with Simple Plan and Sum 41: 08/01 Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre 08/03 Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre 08/05 Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre 08/06 Irvine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheatre 08/08 Chula Vista, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre 08/09 Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre 08/11 Austin, TX @ Germania Insurance Amphitheater 08/12 North Little Rock, AR @ Simmons Bank Arena 08/13 Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion 08/15 Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheatre 08/16 Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds 08/18 Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion 08/19 Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live 08/20 Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Amphitheater 08/22 Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center 08/23 Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre 08/25 Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center 08/26 Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Chicago, IL 08/27 St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre St. Louis, MO 08/29 Milwaukee, WI @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater Summerfest Grounds 08/30 Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center 09/01 Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake 09/02 Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater 09/03 Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center The Offspring Announce Summer 2023 US Tour with Simple Plan and Sum 41 Spencer Kaufman Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. A local news agency mistakenly called this bunch of hooligans "stunt riders." Stunt riders are at the state fair, these guys are disrupting traffic, and risking more lives than their own with stupid antics. It is estimated that around 100 riders crossed the bridge heading south, and then gathered at Fort Point, I guess to celebrate the successful crossing. Apparently, one motorcyclist was cited for something, but it isn't clear what earned them the distinction. Kron4: A sideshow took over the Golden Gate Bridge for a brief period on Saturday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol. Around 3:30 p.m., approximately 100 motorcycles gathered on the southbound side of the Golden Gate Bridge, and they continued on towards Fort Point. CHP and National Park Service officers were both called to the scene, and they cited one of the drivers. However, most had moved on by the time law enforcement arrived. Last year, Disney+ brought back the infamous Sanderson sisters to great success with Hocus Pocus 2, but the kids who defeated them in the original 1993 cult classic didnt return with them. The actors who played them just revealed why. At 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut, original Hocus Pocus stars Omri Katz, Thora Birch, Vinessa Shaw and Jason Marsden appeared at a panel and discussed the absence of their characters. In the original film, Katz and Birch played Max and Dani Dennison, two siblings whom alongside Maxs classmate crush Allison (Shaw) accidentally revive the Sanderson witches. The three kids must find a way to defeat the coven with the help of Thackery Binx (Marsden), a teen boy who was transformed into an immortal cat by the Sandersons 300 years prior. Birch said that there had been ideas about ways to bring Max, Dani, Allison and Binx back in a sequel to Hocus Pocus as far back as ten years ago. But then there were numbers of different writers that came on board and different directors, and so the story and the concept and the direction in which they wanted to take, too, kept evolving and changing and growing, she said. Also Read: Hocus Pocus 2': Heres What Thora Birch Wouldve Liked Danis Story to Be Had She Returned I do know that there were, along the way, some concepts and some ideas about ways to bring us back. And for whatever reason, it just didnt work, Birch continued. Some of us were going to be on, some of us werent. And then it just was such a roller coaster ride. Marsden said that he had spoken with David Kirschner, producer of the original Hocus Pocus, and found out that he had pushed for Max, Dani and Allison to return as adults in a sequel. He said he did try to fight to get you three especially, Marsden said. But theres a committee. Its a team. Its an IP now intellectual property. Its close to your hearts, but it belongs to a committee now. And so its left up to them to make the right decisions. In the end, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy came back to play the Sandersons in Hocus Pocus 2, resurrected once again nearly 30 years after their encounter with the Dennisons, facing off against a new trio of teenagers who accidentally resurrect them. The film set a new viewing record for Disney+ in terms of total hours viewed on its first weekend of release, passing the record set by Pixars Turning Red seven months prior. Also Read: How Hocus Pocus Went From Box Office Bomb to Disneys Halloween Darling Republican lawmakers say Florida school employees should not be allowed to call students by pronouns that differ from those given to them at birth even in cases when a parent is OK with it. The idea is moving forward in proposed legislation that would also require every public K-12 school to have a policy that says it is false to ascribe to a person a pronoun that does not correspond to their assigned sex, which under the law would be defined as an immutable, or unchanging, biological trait. It is the latest salvo in the states ongoing battle over transgender rights in schools and society at large, as Gov. Ron DeSantis makes cultural issues a cornerstone of an expected presidential bid later this year. Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough of Jacksonville said the goal of his proposed legislation (SB 1320) which cleared the Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee on Monday is to build on last years Parental Rights in Education law. READ MORE: Undercover agents saw nothing lewd at Orlando drag show. Florida is going after venue anyway The law, which critics dubbed dont say gay, currently bars classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in early elementary school grades as a means to protect the fundamental rights of parents. Yarborough wants to expand the prohibition through middle school and include the additional element that would bar educators and school employees from referring to students with pronouns that differ from those assigned to them at birth. The bill, which Yarborough said would further protect parental rights, does not offer exemptions for parents who want their kids to use different pronouns. While the scenario could be brought up about a particular students mom and dad being OK with them using a pronoun, Yarborough said, you might have 19, 20 or 24 other kids in a classroom whose parents may not be OK with them being introduced to that. Whose rights are being defended and whose are being hurt? Democratic lawmakers and opponents of the bill argued the proposal disregards the rights of parents who support their transgender childrens social transition changing their name or pronoun to affirm their gender identity. Story continues An estimated 16,200 Florida teens roughly 1.32% of children aged 13 through 17 identify as transgender, according to data from Floridas 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Which parents are right? Is it only the parents of the child who is straight? What about the parent that has an LGBTQ son or daughter or a transgender son and daughter? said Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park. Kaylee Sandell, a junior at Leon County High School, raised concerns about the impacts the bill would have on her peers. She said she believes the bill will isolate and hurt LGBTQ youth because it will make them feel as though theres something wrong with them. I believe there is a better way that can create a more kind, compassionate and successful environment for students, Sandell said. Cultural issues dont belong in school, Republicans say Republican lawmakers, however, defended the proposal, arguing that restrictions on pronouns and instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity are appropriate because certain cultural issues should not be part of a school setting. Sen. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, said she supports the bill because she is worried that, as a society, we are pushing adult issues and themes down on children at a record pace. The proposal would also impact adults. As written, no school employee or contractor would be allowed to provide to students his or her preferred personal title or pronouns unless they correspond to their assigned sex. Outside of the classroom, Yarborough said, children can learn about different topics or issues that parents may want to talk to them about. But the goal is to prevent burdening teachers with those social issues. House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Harbor, told reporters last week that cultural issues are a distraction. We have global competition, and frankly global adversaries, and so we need to make sure all of our time, all of our attention is really focused on education excellence and not some left-wing wish list of what kids should learn in school or right-wing wish list, Renner said. DeSantis, who has yet to endorse the proposed legislation, has prominently backed the themes of the proposal as he says that children should focus on the basics of academics, not things like gender ideology. But during the hour-long discussion of the bill Monday, some argued that sheltering children from these issues will not fix their concerns. My oldest is transgender, but nobody would ever know that because hes six feet tall and is a big hairy man. How confusing would it be for a child to have to address him as a she? said Noelle Rivers, a Seminole County woman. Most of this will result in far more confusing conversations with children than if we just left transgender people alone, Rivers said. Our editors independently select the products we recommend. We may earn a commission on items bought through our links. Home burglaries are far more common than you might think. But a home security system goes a long way in protecting your home from becoming a part of a burglary statistic. In fact, according to a study done from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, 60% of convicted burglars say the presence of an alarm system (cameras, sensors, etc) would steer them away from a house. Today's Top Deals Some of the most popular options for home security systems are Ring and Nest, but these systems can become pricey as you build them. Another option that is becoming popular is Blink, which also happens to be an Amazon-owned security system like Ring, but is considered a more budget-friendly option to home security. But how does it compare to Ring? Is home security a place where you really want to cut costs? We answer these questions and more as we compare the two Amazon-owned security systems, Blink and Ring, below. Ring vs. Blink: What To Know Many of Blinks products are more affordable than Rings Blink has three main cameras, each with various add-ons to give them more features Local storage option is available with both, but Blinks option is priced much less Ring has more expensive devices, but better software and hardware Ring incorporates more smart home products in its lineup Ring has a complete professional alarm system product ecosystem Although both security companies are owned by the same company, each offers a different variety of home security products and services. Blink is more on the DIY and affordable side with a limited amount of home devices, while Ring offers a complete home security solution with multiple home security camera options for both indoor and outdoor as well as complete security system packages and monitoring. Story continues Ring Vs. Blink: Ring Protect Subscription Cost One of the big differences between Blink and Ring is professional monitoring. Ring offers professional monitoring of your home security devices for $20 a month courtesy of Ring Protect Pro. This means someone is looking after your home and possessions, even when you dont have your phone with you and can dispatch emergency services in the event of a break-in. You can even recoup some of that subscription money with discounts from your home insurance. Ring Video Doorbell 4 Featured Body Image 2 But what if you dont want professional monitoring, do you still have to pay $20 a month for Ring? No. In fact, you dont need a subscription at all to use Ring products. You can still see the livestream from your cameras and get real-time notifications. But if you want access to recordings of events, you will need to subscribe to Ring Protect, which starts at $3/month. That being said, you dont have to sign any long-term contracts, and you can cancel your subscription at any time. Find a full breakdown of the subscription comparisons and the available features of each Ring plan here. Ring Vs. Blink: Blink Subscription Plans So, what about Blink? Blink operates in much of the same fashion minus the professional monitoring. Without a subscription to the Blink Basic or Plus plans, you have access to a livestream of your cameras as well as notifications when something triggers the cameras motion sensors. But for other features, like access to video recording and cloud storage, youll need to pay for a subscription which starts out at $3 a month. Or, you can save yourself two months of costs by paying for a year in full, which costs $30. white blink mini indoor camera sitting on shelf Find a full breakdown of the subscription comparisons and the available features of each Blink plan here. Heres a quick rundown of the plans and costs for Ring and Blink: Ring Basic: $3 a month with video recording for one camera Ring Plus: $10 a month with video recording for all devices at your home Ring Pro: $20 a month with video recording and 24/7 professional monitoring Blink Basic: $3 a month/$30 a year with video recording for one camera Blink Plus: $10 a month/$100 a year with unlimited number of devices per account Ring Vs. Blink: Hardware Costs When it comes to the sheer number of options for home security devices, Ring outmatches Blink. Although Blink device options may seem limited compared to Ring, the offerings provide an affordable way to build a home security system comparatively. As of this writing, Blink offers: Indoor plug-in camera for $34.99 Outdoor Wireless Camera for $99.99 Video Doorbell for $49.99 Indoor wireless camera for $79.99 Floodlight camera for $139.98 The Ring line of doorbell cameras alone includes more available options than all Blink camera offerings total. Needless to say, Ring has a more extensive list of home security devices. These include: 7 video doorbell options ranging from $59.99 $349.99 Indoor Stick up camera (indoor and outdoor) for $99.99 Indoor Cam for $59.99 Spotlight Cam for $199.99 Floodlight Cam Wired Pro for $249.99 Ring Security Systems ranging from $249.99 $299.99 Smart Lighting ranging from $29.99 $139.99 Ring vs. Blink: Who Has the Better Indoor Security Cameras? Ring indoor camera Ring Indoor Cam Buy Now On Amazon Price: $59.99 Buy Now $60 at home depot Buy Now The Ring Indoor Cam is the companys primary indoor offering, although it does require to be continuously plugged in. It can record in 1080p, detect motion, and has color night vision. It can also be outfitted with a base that allows it to rotate. Ring stick up camera Ring Stick Up Cam Buy Now On Amazon Price: $99.99 Buy Now $100 at Bestbuy Buy Now The Ring Stick-Up cam is a battery-operated security camera. It can technically work indoors and out but is primarily an indoor camera. Nevertheless, it has all the same features as the Ring Indoor camera. Amazon Blink Mini 1080p Wireless Security Camera Blink Mini Buy Now On Amazon Price: $34.99 Buy Now $35 at Target Buy Now The Blink Mini is the companys entry-level indoor-only camera. It can be outfitted with a pan and tilt mount to give it moving functionality. It records in 1080p, has 2-way audio, and night vision. Ring Vs. Blink: Who Has the Better Outdoor Security Cameras? Image of Ring Spotlight Cam Pro against white background. Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Buy Now On Amazon Price: $229.99 Buy Now $230 at best buy Buy Now The Ring Spotlight Cam Pro is the companys latest offering and has an integrated light that activates with motion. In addition, it features birds-eye tracking and impressive motion detection. The Spotlight Cam Pro can be powered via AC, battery, or solar. ring floodlight cam Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus Buy Now On Amazon Price: $199.99 Buy Now $200 at home depot Buy Now The Floodlight Cam Wired Plus is another outdoor security camera made by Ring and offers two 1000-lumen powered spotlights to peer through the darkness. While it doesnt feature all the advanced features the Spotlight Cam does, it does have expert motion tracking and can be powered by similar means. Image of Blink Wired Floodlight Cam against wavy blue background. Blink Wired Floodlight Cam Buy Now On Amazon Price: $99.99 $69.99 Buy Now $100 at best buy Buy Now The Blink Wired Floodlight Cam is the companys latest offering and is a standalone product rather than just a shell for the Blink Outdoor camera. It features 2600-lumen lights, 2-way audio, and an integrated siren. Ring Vs. Blink: Who Has the Better Smart Video Doorbells? ring video doorbell 4 Ring Video Doorbell 4 Buy Now On Amazon Price: $219.99 $159.99 Buy Now $160 at bestbuy Buy Now One of the most popular smart video doorbells on the market is the Ring Video Doorbell 4. The battery-powered doorbell offers color pre-roll, quick replies, and a wide-angle camera. In addition, it can notify visitors via your phone, a hardware accessory chime, or by existing wiring. Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, gifts for impossible man Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 Buy Now On Amazon Price: $249.99 Buy Now $250 at home depot Buy Now Although a bit expensive, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 offers Rings latest Birds-eye and motion detection features. Unfortunately, it must be powered by existing wiring, so youre unlikely to be able to use this in an apartment. On the other hand, its design is sleeker and smaller than the general Ring doorbells. Ring Vs. Blink: Which Smart Home Ecosystem Is Better in 2023? Blink Video Doorbell Buy Now On Amazon Price: $49.99 $34.99 Buy Now $50 at Target Buy Now Blinks Video Doorbell is very budget-friendly, but with that comes caveats. For example, it is battery-powered and features motion detection, but you cant view a live feed without buying an extra accessory. Ring Vs. Blink: Add-Ons By now you might be asking yourself, if Amazon owns both Blink and Ring, can I mix and match systems? Well yes and no. Theres nothing stopping you from having a Ring video doorbell and a Blink indoor camera youll just need to use separate apps to control each device, so you lose most of the smart home interconnectivity by doing that. But there is a workaround. When both sets of devices are connected to Alexa, you can control both of them through Alexa Routines. Even though you can mix and match systems, both Ring and Blink have a handful of great additions to make your home security system fluid and robust. Ring Vs. Blink: Final Verdict If you are looking for an affordable DIY option, Blink is worth consideration. Sure, there arent many product options, but that is part of the appeal simple choices, easy to install wireless cameras, all at a relatively low cost. But for someone looking for more features, especially a professional monitoring option, as well as more add-on options and home automation via Alexa integration, Ring is the way to go. Overall, Ring is your best bet to future-proof your home and home security system. More Top Deals from SPY Click here to read the full article. The precious piece of jewelry was over 100 years old. Robert Kirk / Getty Images When Michael Vink proposed to Joanna Vink with an antique engagement ring thats been around for 100 years, Joanna knew it was a one-of-a-kind, prized possession. Thats why she was in complete shock when the sparkler fell into the Parramatta River in Sydney, Australia, in September of 2021. When the Sydney resident was out on her familys boat that September day, she decided to reapply sunscreen. To make sure her vintage ring didnt get damaged, she put the piece of jewelry between pursued lips, which is something she says shes done a million times before. This time, however, the sparkler hit the floor before springing into the air. Then, with a plop, it fell into the water, Joanna tells YahooI! News Australia. Immediately, the woman says she was dumbfounded by the freak happening, but she refused to give up hope. She snapped pictures of the boats location before telling her husband what had happened. The two of them reached out to professionals for help retrieving the missing ring. According to the outlet, the couple arranged three different professional search missions. Despite endless hours of digging, they didnt spot the sparkler. Michael even tried to take matters into his own hands by using a scoop pool net, but still, there was no luck. The couple was starting to get discouraged. Its like losing the ring all over again any time someone tries to look for it, Joanna shares. Related:One Couple's Missing Diamond Engagement Ring Was Found in a Toilet After 21 Years A year and a half later, Nick Richards, a metal detecting scuba diver, reached out to the couple on Instagram after hearing their story. Since Richards has found over 400 hidden treasures over the past 25 years, he wanted to use his hobby for good. He and his friend Stuart Allan swam through the depths of the river for six hours with very little visibility, trying to recover the lost ring. According to the publication, they reached 16-and-a-half feet below the waters surface to cover their bases. I think anyone that gets an invitation to dive in the Parramatta River is best to have an excuse ready, Richards jokes. Its not pleasant by any stretch. I think its a sense of adventure that makes me want to do it. Story continues Miraculously, the scuba diver got a signal from his metal detector. Richards had found the ring, which he says felt indescribably good. After the successful mission, Richards sent the couple a text message with a photo of the ring to break the news. At the time, Joanna and Michael were attending a function in Sydney, and after receiving the message, Michael was about the cry. Joanna describes the moment as wonderful, and she tells the publication that she was so grateful for Richards efforts. Now, the diamond ring is placed safely on Joannas left hand. Over the past year and a half, ever since she had lost her precious gemstone, Joanna discloses that she had struck with grief. Now that shes reunited with the sparkler, she describes it as having a long-lost friend back. "I wasn't surprised to have it back, she notes. I was surprised not to have had it in the first place. I wasn't even aware for 18 months I had been going down to the boat and sort of quashing down this lonely sense of sadness. Im so delighted to have it back. Now, Joanna mentions shes able to go back on the boat without feeling any guilt. Up Next:One Man Searched 20 Tons of Trash to Find His Wife's Lost Wedding Ring A Ukrainian T-64 tank moves outside the Bakhmut area in Ukraine's Donbas region on March 15, 2023. Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images Ukraine's older, Soviet-era tanks are facing a handful of issues on the battlefield. Old tanks break, get stuck, and sometimes don't even fire, a Ukrainian tank platoon commander told the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian forces hope they can get their hands on modern and advanced Western tanks. Ukraine's tank operators are having a lot of problems with their old Soviet-era tanks, giving soldiers more and more reasons to seek more advanced, modern tanks from NATO countries. Ukrainian units report that their older T-64 tanks are getting stuck in mud, are constantly in need of repair, and sometimes won't even fire. Although Kyiv's forces have been able to deal out a lot of damage with these tanks, some say it's time for an upgrade. A tank platoon commander with the 1st Tank Brigade identified only as Yehor told The Kyiv Independent that his platoon of T-64 tanks, which have been critical to Ukraine's defense and have given infantry a much-needed firepower boost, "see action constantly." "If a massed breakthrough attempt happens, only tanks can handle it," Yehor told the Ukrainian news outlet. "It's the only unit that has enough armor and firepower to handle any problem infantry or other tanks." But while Yehor's T-64 tanks have been indispensable, he said it's getting harder to keep them running. Part of the reason is the weather, as early spring continues leave the battlefield covered in mud limiting mobility. Yehor acknowledged that the tanks are becoming more difficult to repair and sometimes don't even fire in the heat of battle. "We have situations where 3-5 tanks go out to extinguish a push and 2-3 of them fail to fire," he told the Kyiv Independent. "Today, it could be working fine, it starts up, everything is good; tomorrow it goes out and can't shoot." An Ukrainian T-64 tank crew makes repairs after leaving the battlefield in Ukraine, on March 9, 2023. Photo by Wojciech Grzedzinski/For The Washington Post via Getty Images The T-64 is Soviet-era armor designed in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv during the 1960s. At the time, these weapons featured pioneering technologies such as an auto-loading 125mm main gun, composite armor that allowed it to take more hits, and anti-tank missile capabilities. T-64s also only required a crew of three to operate. Story continues Over the years, Ukrainian forces have made upgrades to these tanks. Kyiv has, for example, developed newer models of the T-64 that are equipped with better fire power and improved armor. According to an open-source intelligence analysis from Oryx, Ukraine has seen at least 480 of its tanks destroyed, damaged, captured, or abandoned, and a majority of these have been T-64 variants. Though that figure represents significant losses, it is overshadowed by the number of tanks that Russia has lost, which is well over 1,800. As Ukraine continues to defend its eastern regions against invading Russian forces trying to execute a brutal new offensive, its calls for a huge amount of modern and advanced Western tanks have grown louder. "Why is Ukraine asking for tanks?" Yehor asked in his interview. "Because our machines are no longer pulling off what's being asked of them, they're no longer able to fulfill their assignments." And Western tanks are coming. Some have already arrived, but others may still be months away. In the meantime, Ukraine has been tasked with weathering an ongoing Russian offensive for long enough to hold out for the delivery of heavy Western armor, which includes Abrams, Challenger, and Leopard tanks made by the US and its NATO partners Britain and Germany. Read the original article on Business Insider December 29, 2022: The Latitude Five25 apartment towers complex, located at 525 Sawyer Blvd. on Columbus' Near East Side. This photo ran with an article on how the remaining Latitude Five25 residents had to relocate after the towers were deemed unsafe. It is easy to disregard a number. It is considerably harder to ignore people. As illustrated by two recent incidents, the affordable housing crisis is having a costly impact on real people in plain sight. Central Ohio can no longer afford to avert its eyes if it ever could. The harshness of the crisis was on full display on Christmas Day at Latitude Five25, a complex Apartments.com listed as "the affordable, amenity-filled city living you have been craving!" Ginther: 'Inaction is not an option.' If housing not addressed, market will destabilize, homelessness will increase The city of Columbus deemed more than 150 units in the complex formerly known as Sawyer Tower unsafe for those who called them home due to lack of heat, electricity, burst pipes and nonworking elevators. The crisis played out again in the pages of the Columbus Dispatch this month when 61 families were told they had to leave their homes in the Morse Glen apartments owned by Connecticut-based Hamilton Point Investments. December 29, 2022: Rick Hammond sits in a chair, packing his belongings Thursday at Latitude Five25, 525 Sawyer Blvd., on Columbus' Near East Side. Residents began relocating Thursday morning to temporary housing due to a water main break. The duffel bag in front of him is all he's taking with him. This photo ran with an article on how the remaining Latitude Five25 residents had to relocate after the towers were deemed unsafe. Their infraction: using federal Section 8 housing vouchers to pay rent. According to Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein's office, Hamilton Point Investments' policy violates a 2021 city criminal ordinance that prohibits landlords from discriminating based on tenants source of income. The company which touts "affordable apartment(s) for rent in Columbus" on its website backpaddled after the Dispatch's reporting prompted a letter from Klein's office. Hamilton Point sent letters to tenants informing them that they can continue using the vouchers which "increases affordable housing choices for very low-income households by allowing families to choose privately owned rental housing." What the numbers say about the need Jan 19, 2023; Westerville, Ohio, United States; Linda Prysock, left, and James Holtz, both previous residents of Latitude Five25, play cards in the lobby of the hotel they are staying at during a dinnertime meal, which was sponsored by the Bethany Presbyterian Church. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch People of all economic statuses must have a place to live in the Columbus region as it and the city continue to grow. And grow it will. A projection released in February from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission says the 15-county region is now on track to exceed 3 million people by 2050. Story continues Growth over the next 25 years is expected to include 272,000 additional households and 357,700 more workers. The city of Columbus grew by 15% between 2010 and 2020 to 905,748 residents, according to the U.S. Census. A 2022 report funded by the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio concluded that Greater Columbus needs to double the number of homes it constructs over the next decade to meet demand from 8,000 to 9,000 a year to 14,000 to 19,000 a year. Affordable housing options are shrinking in Columbus. Creating and encouraging them must be a priority. According to Michael Wilkos, the United Way of Central Ohio's senior vice president of community impact, price hikes in the three years before COVID saw the metro area lose 19,469 affordable apartments that rented for less than $899 a month. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment jumped from $831 in 2016 to $1,295 in 2022. That's a 56% increase. At a recent BREAD organization forum on housing, Victoria "Tori" Bourret of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there are only 43 affordable and available rentals in Ohio for every 100 extremely low-income renters whose households make less than $30,000 a year. Low-income people cannot afford to pay the two-bedroom fair market apartment rental rate of $1,032 in Columbus and pay for other living expenses, Bourret said. Ginther: Columbus area communities must stop adding jobs without allowing new homes, people "That's really why we need more resources for housing," she said. "The market just doesn't cut it when we talk about the lowest income folks." Finding solutions Columbus City Council last week unveiled its 2023 Housing Initiatives which includes investments in the city's housing stock, preserving existing units, and legislation that it says would protect tenants and landlords. More:Columbus City Council proposes steps to reduce affordable housing shortage Opinion: We foot bill to keep Columbus' poorest families trapped and dodging bullets daily Housing insecurity and homelessness are issues both Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and his election challenger Joe Motil have broached in recent Dispatch guest columns. Motil, who claims many of council's ideas were lifted from him, says his approach to homelessness would include the creation of a transitional housing office funded primarily by federal, state and local dollars, the construction of tiny-home communities and building and rehabilitation units for transitional housing. Mar 6, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Barbara Esway, a resident of Morse Glen Apartments since 2014, stands in her apartment. Esway may have to move in May as the complex will stop accepting Section 8 vouchers. Mandatory Credit: Brooke LaValley/Columbus Dispatch Columbus voters in November approved Ginther's $200 million bond package plan for affordable housing. Ginther, who is spearheading a regional housing coalition, noted in a recent column that between 2009 and 2019, a single home was built in the Columbus area for every 2.5 jobs created. Joe Motil: Closed warming centers set up to fail. Real plan to address homelessness needed Saying Columbus cannot solve central Ohio's affordable housing crisis on its own, he urged other municipalities to overhaul their zoning codes as Columbus is doing during a fireside chat last week hosted by Columbus Urban League President Stephanie Hightower. "The region has to solve this problem and we are up to it," Ginther said. Ginther is right. The region can get on top of an issue that will only get worse if left unchecked. We must first all open our eyes before it is too late. This piece was written by the Dispatch Opinion Editor Amelia Robinson on behalf of The Dispatch Editorial Board. Editorials are our board's fact-based assessment of issues of importance to the communities we serve. These are not the opinions of our reporting staff members, who strive for neutrality in their reporting. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Editorial: Columbus' housing market not cutting it. Region must open eyes We all know the story behind John Lennon and Yoko Ono's wedding, which took place on March 20, 1969. He recounted it in the lyrics to The Ballad Of John And Yoko, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with Paul McCartney, on April 14, 1969. Five days after their nuptials, on March 25, they were on a typically unique honeymoon, staging their famous bed-in at Amsterdams Hilton. Not that that was the plan. As the song recounted: Finally made the plane into Paris/Honeymooning down by the Seine/Peter Brown called to say/You can make it OK/You can get married in Gibraltar near Spain. Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman had been married on March 12, 1969, and, two days later, John and Yoko flew to Paris with the intention of marrying. A few days earlier, on their way to Poole, in Dorset, John and Yoko had gone via Southampton to enquire whether it would be possible for them to be married on a cross-channel ferry. According to John, That was the romantic part: when we went to Southampton and then we couldn't get on because she wasn't English and she couldn't get the day visa to go across. And they said, 'Anyway, you can't get married. The Captain's not allowed to do it anymore. Undeterred, John and Yoko decided they would get married in Paris, so they chartered an aircraft and flew to the French capital on March 16. Unfortunately, the authorities refused them permission, for the simple reason that they had not lived in France long enough. Chartering another aircraft a few days later, they flew to Gibraltar. As John later said, We were calling Peter Brown [who worked for Apple], and said, 'We want to get married. Where can we go?' And he called back and said, 'Gibraltar's the only place.' So 'OK, let's go!' And we went there and it was beautiful. It's The Pillar Of Hercules, and also symbolically they called it The End Of The World at one period. There's some name beside Pillar Of Hercules but they thought the world outside was a mystery from there, so it was like the gateway to the world. So we liked it in the symbolic sense, and the rock foundation of our relationship. Story continues Their wedding day was March 20, 1969, and, within an hour of getting married, John and Yoko flew back to Paris, where they stayed at the Plaza Athene. On March 25, John and Yoko were driven from Paris to Amsterdam, where they booked into the Hilton. In Room 702 (it's been renumbered 902 in recent times), they began their bed-in for peace. The newlyweds staged their bed-in for seven days, then left, on March 31, to fly to Vienna, where they held a press conference from inside a white bag. John and Yoko were the most famous couple on the planet, in an age when media coverage was much less global, and for the two weeks following their wedding, they seemed to be everywhere. In a nice touch, on their second wedding anniversary, Johns fourth solo single, Power To The People, first entered the UK singles chart, eventually climbing to No.7. In America, the record came out on March 22, made the Hot 100 on April 3, and climbed to No.11 shortly afterward. For the 30th anniversary of the couples wedding, Gibraltar issued postage stamps of John and Yoko reminding the world of the most famous wedding ever to have been held on the famous rock. Listen to the best of John Lennon on Apple Music and Spotify. 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. The White Lotus breakout star Will Sharpe is getting back behind the camera for the feature film adaptation of Michelle Zauners 2021 memoir Crying in H Mart at MGMs Orion Pictures. Per a synopsis from MGM, Crying in H Mart is a coming-of age story about a half-Korean daughter who returns to small town Oregon to care for her Korean mother. Critical and smothering Chong-mi and creative and independent Michelle struggle to understand each other across a cultural fault line, only learning to see and accept one another through the formative power of music and the vibrant flavors of Korean cooking. With humor and heart, CRYING IN H MART tells the story of mothers and daughters and people who love to eat. Also Read: The White Lotus': Will Sharpe Breaks Down Ethans Pivotal Confrontation in Episode 6: Its a Paralyzing Fear There were lots of things that resonated with me as somebody who is half-Japanese, half-British, spent my childhood in Tokyo, Sharpe told People, which the news as an exclusive on Monday. Some of the descriptions of being jet-lagged in your familys kitchen felt very familiar to me. While Sharpe may be best known in the public eye for his breakout work on HBO and Mike Whites The White Lotus, Crying in H Mart hardly marks the multihyphenates behind-the-camera debut. Previous credits include HBOs Olivia Colman-starring miniseries Landscapers as co-writer and director; The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy which he also co-wrote and directed; feature film Flowers, in which he starred opposite Colman, wrote and directed; and more. Crying in H Mart writer Zauner also known as the frontwoman for Japanese Breakfast is adapting her memoir for the screen and will play an additional role in the films music. Stacey Sher is producing with Jason Kim. Story continues Sharpe is repped by UTA, Independent Talent Group and Artists Rights Group. People first reported the news. Also Read: Marvel Shakeup: Longtime Exec Victoria Alonso Exits Studio On March 3, Providence Clemente Veterans' Initiative hosted Women Warriors, Womens Voices at the Providence Athenaeum. The program, co-sponsored by the Rhode Island State Council for the Arts and the Rhode Island Department of Veterans Services, was organized as part of Womens History Month. Nine local women shared their military experiences with a live and virtual audience through poems, stories, essays and readings. Their service ran from Vietnam to the present day. They addressed a broad variety of topics, running the gamut from decompressing after time spent in a combat zone to the challenge unique to the female veteran: balancing motherhood and deployment. Presenters at the March 3 event Women Warriors, Womens Voices, from left: Dora Vasquez-Hellner (Army), Kathy Splinter (Army), Silvia Reyes (Navy), Mary Goff (Army), Gladys Cojulun (Army), Mark Santow, director of the Providence Clemente Veterans Initiative, Erika Westbrook (Marine Corps), Rachael Garcia (Air Force), Jennifer Marquis-Caruso (Army) and Dianna Adams (Air National Guard). Cumberland resident Jennifer Marquis-Caruso spent 10 years in the Army as an airborne qualified combat photographer. She now serves as the Women Veteran Coordinator for Rhode Islands Office of Veterans Services. Hers was a short but powerful presentation in which she recited 11 names of female soldiers whose voices were silenced twice, once by the men who killed them and once by the chain of command and system that did not do enough to protect them. 'Vietnam never left me,' says a nurse who faced PTSD Kathy Murray Splinter of Fall River was 19 when she enlisted in the Army in July 1966. My predecessor, Mary K. Talbot, interviewed her for this column in September 2020. She was looking for adventure, wrote Talbot, a way to see beyond the state line, and a means to pay her last $150 tuition bill for nursing school. Kathy Murray Splinter, of Fall River, served as an Army nurse in Vietnam in 1968-69. Two years later, Splinter found herself in Vietnam. I was a scared, overwhelmed 21-year-old, she said last week. I was treating illnesses and traumas that I never learned about in nursing school. On June 8, 1969, Splinter was lying in her bunk and heard sirens signifying incoming Viet Cong rockets. Sharon Lane, a fellow nurse, was finishing up a night shift when a round landed nearby. A piece of shrapnel hit Lane in the neck, and Splinter told Talbot that Lane was dead before she hit the floor. She had only been in country for 45 days. Story continues Lane, 25, was the only American servicewoman killed by enemy fire in Vietnam. More than 11,000 military women served in Vietnam (in addition to civilians working for the Red Cross and the State and Defense Departments.) Eight U.S. military women (seven Army nurses and one Air Force nurse) died, along with 59 American civilian women. All but nine of the 11,000 military women were nurses. Navy nurses served 90-day tours aboard offshore hospital ships, while Air Force nurses transited Vietnam regularly, working flights evacuating wounded soldiers. Army nurses, however, lived in-country and often treated casualties close to the combat zones. Many, like Splinter, performed medical duties well above their level of training. Jennifer Marquis-Caruso of Cumberland, a 10-year Army veteran, is now the women veteran coordinator for the Rhode Island Department of Veterans Services. Vietnam never left me, Splinter told the group at the Athenaeum. She was a PTSD victim before the VA even acknowledged what that was. The illness cost Splinter her marriage and her job before she was able to get treatment and restore stability in her life. This powerful program can be viewed in its entirety at vimeo.com/805226184. It is well worth an hour of your time. I highly recommend it. Million Veteran Program update Last August we reported on the VAs national research program that tries to determine how genes, lifestyle and military exposures affect health and illness. Started in 2011, MVP is already one of the worlds largest programs on genetics and health, with more than 900,000 enrolled. Program Director Dr. Suma (Sumitra) Muralidhar says, We are confident well reach the historic million milestone by the end of 2023 or early 2024. Imagine going to the doctor and getting the right care at the right time, she continued. Instead of one-size-fits-all, you get personalized health care based on your genes, lifestyle, military experiences and exposures. Understanding differences in our genes can help explain why some people get diseases and respond to certain treatments while others dont. Data from more than 934,000 enrolled veterans have supported the largest genetic studies to date on post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide prevention and heart disease. Other research includes cancer, diabetes, Gulf War Illness and osteoarthritis. Any veteran can join MVP You dont need to receive your care at VA to be part of MVP. To learn more, visit mvp.va.gov or call (866) 441-6075 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome at the Providence VA from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the vaccine clinic on the second floor of the main building (C wing) in room 241. All that is required from you is a blood sample and your permission for MVP to access your medical records. You may occasionally be asked to take a survey as well. There is no downside or risk to your privacy. Researchers do not see anything that identifies you, such as your name, date of birth or Social Security number. Insurance companies and employers cannot access your records. Muralidhar sums up MVP as follows: Our goal is to use what we learn to build the foundation for more specialized care for veterans. Announcements Attention Vietnam Vets: Share your feelings about any aspect of your Vietnam experience: March 29 marks the 50th anniversary of the withdrawal of the last U.S. troops from Vietnam. The March 27 column will address your feelings about the war, then and now. Email me at veteranscolumn@providencejournal.com. Also: If you know any veterans or service members who deserve recognition for the work they are doing today in their civilian employment, please reach out as well. Calendar Saturday, March 25, 9:30 a.m. to noon: National Medal of Honor Day; South Kingstown Dedication & Remembrance Ceremony will commemorate the sacrifice of the towns three Medal of Honor recipients and five missing in action service members from World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. Contemporary Theater Company Patio, 327 Main St., Wakefield. For details call Sharon Henderson at (850) 291-7770, or email yesterdaywhen@gmail.com. Sunday, March 26, 4 p.m., annual Veteran of the Year banquet hosted by United Veterans Council of Woonsocket; Saint Joseph Veterans Association, 99 Louise St., Woonsocket. Wednesday, March 29, 11 a.m. Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony, Veterans Memorial, Deerfield Park, Smithfield, Sponsored by Balfour-Cole Post 64 American Legion. The public is invited, especially those who served in Vietnam. Contact Skip Sweeney, (401) 232-2621. Wednesday, March 29, 1 to 4 p.m.: Texas Roadhouse offers Free Welcome Home Lunch for Vietnam Veterans on Vietnam Veterans Day. Providence Vet Centers mobile van will be there to offer veteran services. There are only 50 spots available, and it is first come, first served. Make reservations with Missy Beaudoin at (860) 465-6364 or email 278marketing@texasroadhouse.com. To report the outcome of a previous activity, or to add a future event to our calendar, please email the details (including a contact name and phone number/email address) to veteranscolumn@providencejournal.com. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI's women veterans reflect on balancing motherhood and deployment Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law earlier this month allowing a monument that promotes forced births to stand on the state's Capitol grounds. Last year, all abortions even in cases of incest, rape, and rape of minors became illegal in Arkansas, except in cases of medical emergencies which threaten the mothers' life. The privately funded, anti-abortion "monument to the unborn" will sit nearby the Capitol's religious Ten Commandments monument erected in 2018, nicely rounding out Arkansas' vision of Gilead. From The Hill: The text of Arkansas Senate Bill 307 rebukes the U.S. Supreme Court's 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. Although the state's blood-red House and Senate both passed the bill, not all anti-abortion Republicans were on board. "Public memorials to our nation's wars where we face an external threat are right and proper," Republican Rep. Steve Unger said. "A memorial to an ongoing culture war where we seem to be shooting at each other is not." But now that Huckabee (and Tennessee lawmakers, who approved a similar monument in 2018) has paved the way, perhaps Capitol monuments memorializing all the children whose lives were lost to school shooters will be next. The California park restored minimal public access on Saturday after receiving 15 feet of snow. Yosemite National Park partially reopened over the weekend after being forced to close due to receiving up to 15 feet of snow. The California park restored minimal public access on Saturday, according to the National Park Service, opening Yosemite Valley from sunrise to sunset. All other roads and areas of the park remained closed. While several miles of paved pedestrian paths in Yosemite Valley are plowed, all hiking trails are covered in snow. Wear waterproof boots and traction devices as even plowed paths can be icy, the park tweeted ahead of the opening. Hiking on snow-covered trails is not recommended. Yosemite first closed on Feb. 25 after a series of massive snowstorms buried parts of the park in up to 15 feet of snow. In the last few weeks, the park has documented 22 rockslides, debris flows, and other slope failures along park roads during this time, most of which have been mitigated, according to the NPS. Getty Images Currently, access to the park is available by Highway 140 and El Portal Road. The area, however, may be in for even more snow with a winter storm warning watch in effect for the Sierra Nevada area from late Monday through Wednesday afternoon, according to The Weather Channel. The storm is predicted to potentially bring 1 to 4 feet of snow with wind gusts as high as 60 mph. Yosemite warned that while the wintry weather was forecasted, it opened to open Yosemite Valley 24 hours per day starting later Monday conditions permitting. The NPS also hoped to open limited overnight lodging, but said campgrounds were still buried in snow and will not open immediately. Visitors should be prepared for the possibility of road closures and tire chain requirements, the NPS said. Visiting Yosemite in winter comes with challenges, but is also one of the best times to go to experience the park with smaller crowds and wildlife spotting (especially to see the elusive bobcat). For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday broke his silence on possible indictment of former President Donald Trump in remarks that first criticized the Manhattan district attorney who would issue the indictment but then swiped at the former president. "We are not involved in this. Won't be involved in this. I have no interest in getting involved in some type of manufactured circus..." DeSantis said at a news conference in Panama City, Florida. DeSantis was asked by a reporter from the Florida Standard what his thoughts were "on the rumored Trump indictment, if he had "any role in it," and if charges were brought against Trump, would DeSantis "have any role in extradition to New York," since Trump is now a Florida resident. "Look, I don't know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair. I just can't speak to that," DeSantis said, without mentioning Trump directly by name. "But what I can speak to is that if you have a prosecutor who is ignoring crimes happening every single day in his jurisdiction, and he chooses to go back many many years ago to try to use something about porn star hush money payments, you know, that's an example of pursuing a political agenda, and weaponizing the office," he continued. A spokeswoman for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, in response to DeSantis' comment Bragg is "ignoring" crimes, said, "We will not be intimidated by attempts to undermine the justice process, nor will we let baseless accusations deter us from fairly applying the law." 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 hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election -- he also called for his supporters to protest. PHOTO: FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions, March 7, 2023, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. (Phil Sears/AP, FILE) MORE: Trump claims he will be arrested Tuesday, calls for protests Trump's allies and supporters have been publicly urging DeSantis to weigh in on Trump's proclamation of his possible indictment since the former president posted the news on Saturday. They've also pressured DeSantis to possibly block Trump's extradition from Florida to New York. Story continues DeSantis is widely considered to be Trump's strongest competitor for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. The Florida governor has privately indicated to allies that he expects to jump in the race around May or June, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. Former Trump senior adviser Jason Miller thanked some other confirmed or possible 2024 GOP contenders for their comments slamming the potential indictment while condemning DeSantis and hopeful Nikki Haley for not responding to the news. "Thank you, Vice President Mike Pence and Vivek Ramaswamy, for pointing out how Radical Left Democrats are trying to divide our Country in the name of Partisan Politics," Miller said in a tweet on Saturday. "Radio silence from Gov. Ron DeSantis and Amb. Nikki Haley," he said. PHOTO: FILE - Former President Donald Trump takes the stage to deliver remarks in Davenport, Iowa, March 13, 2023. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters, FILE) MORE: Trump's attacks on DeSantis intensify in Iowa On Saturday, former Vice President Mike Pence said that the possible indictment of Trump would be "a politically charged prosecution," during an interview with ABC News "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl, on Saturday. Ramaswamy tweeted on Saturday that a "Trump indictment would be a national disaster." "It is un-American for the ruling party to use police power to arrest its political rivals," Ramaswamy wrote. "This will mark a dark moment in American history and will undermine public trust in our electoral system itself. I call on the Manhattan District Attorney to reconsider this action and to put aside partisan politics in service of preserving our Constitutional republic," he said. ABC News' Aaron Katersky, Jay O'Brien and Brittany Shepherd contributed to this report. DeSantis swipes at Trump while decrying former president's possible indictment originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Miemo Penttinen - Getty Images Finland has been voted the happiest place in the world for the sixth consecutive year, the World Happiness Report 2023 has found. In order to uncover the happiest spots around the globe, researchers analysed six key factors: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption. Despite several overlapping crises, the study found that global life satisfaction is just as high as those in pre-pandemic years. Famous for its stunning landscapes and excellent quality of life, Finland remains in the top position thanks to its simple lifestyle, commitment to sustainability, deep connection to nature, and love for seasonal and local food. Denmark and Iceland came in second and third place, respectively, meanwhile Israel and the Netherlands rounded up the top five. Travelpix Ltd - Getty Images Elsewhere in the Happiness Report, the team found that various forms of everyday kindness such as helping a stranger, donating to charity, and volunteering are all above pre-pandemic levels. "Acts of kindness have been shown to both lead to and stem from greater happiness," said Lara Aknin, who worked on the study. The 2023 also looked at the available survey data from Ukraine. Jan-Emmanuel De Neve explains: "The devastating impact of the war is evident to all, and so we also find that well-being in Ukraine has taken a real hit. But what is surprising, however, is that wellbeing in Ukraine fell by less than it did in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea "And this is thanks in part to the extraordinary rise in fellow feeling across Ukraine as picked up in data on helping strangers and donations the Russian invasion has forged Ukraine into a nation." Alexandr Spatari - Getty Images Take a look at the full list below... 10 happiest places to live in the world Finland Denmark Iceland Israel Netherlands Sweden Norway Switzerland Luxembourg New Zealand "Average happiness and our country rankings, for emotions as well as life evaluations, have been remarkably stable during the three COVID-19 years," said John Helliwell. Story continues "Changes in rankings that have taken place have been continuations of longer-term trends, such as the increases seen in the rankings of the three Baltic countries. Even during these difficult years, positive emotions have remained twice as prevalent as negative ones, and feelings of positive social support twice as strong as those of loneliness." You Might Also Like The Hungarian model was featured in the SI Swimsuit Issue four years in a row. Barbara Palvin was photographed by Ben Watts in the Bahamas. Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Barbara Palvin made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2016 when the Hungarian model traveled to Turks and Caicos with photographer James Macari. She returned to the magazine for three more consecutive years. In 17, she jetted to Curacao to pose for photographer Ben Watts. The following year, Palvin worked with Watts again, this time in the Bahamas. Her most recent feature with the franchise was in 19, when she reunited with Macari in Costa Rica. In addition to her work with SI Swimsuit, Palvin has modeled for Prada, Louis Vuitton and Chanel, and was named a Victorias Secret Angel in 2019. Palvin admitted that when SI Swimsuit initially booked her for the magazine, she was really not comfortable in her own body. These photos, you see a strong woman who really loves herself and [is] very confident, the model said of her personal growth journey at her third photo shoot with the brand in the Bahamas. While its difficult to pick our favorite photo shoot of Palvins, we have to admit, the swimwear she wore in Harbour Island, Bahamas, really takes the cakeand so does her inner confidence, which shines through in each image. Five years later, were still obsessed with the neon strappy looks she wore in the tropical location. Below are five of our favorites. Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube! 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 Voters statewide will see a non-binding advisory referendum on the April 4 ballot asking if welfare recipients should be required to look for employment to receive benefits. The Republicans backing the referendum say the question is necessary to address worker shortages across the state, but Democrats call it a political stunt to influence turnout in the critical Supreme Court race on the same ballot. But what impact will the results of this referendum actually have? And what is Wisconsin's current policy on work requirements for welfare benefits? What's on the ballot? The referendum asks, "Shall able-bodied, childless adults be required to look for work in order to receive taxpayer-funded benefits?" Voters can respond yes or no. This is one of three statewide referendum questions on the ballot, as well as Supreme Court candidates, other non-partisan races and a special election for an important state Senate seat in the Milwaukee suburbs. The other two referendum questions ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment giving judge's more discretion when making bail decisions. More:Wisconsin Republican lawmakers are fast-tracking a constitutional amendment on cash bail. Here's what the measure would do. What's an advisory referendum? This question is an advisory referendum, which allows citizens to vote on a non-binding question, meaning the results of the referendum will not have any immediate effect or change any existing law. Rather, lawmakers can use the results to gauge public opinion and inform policy decisions, according to state documents. However, referendums are increasingly being used by both political parties, particularly with non-partisan spring elections, which don't usually generate great voter turnout, said Barry Burden, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "These elections just don't generate the same level of media coverage or public discussion so these gimmicks are one way to get the attention of the voter," Burden said. "The effect on overall turnout probably won't be great, but in Wisconsin, most people assume elections are going to be close, so even a change in the balance of things by a percentage point or two could tip the race and tip the balance of the Supreme Court itself." Story continues If a non-binding marijuana referendum was on the ballot, it might bring out younger, more liberal voters whereas welfare or bail reform, which is also on the April ballot, could draw older voters, Burden said. More:Young voters can help Democrats. Will enough of them cast ballots in Wisconsin Supreme Court race? What's Wisconsin's existing policy? Under current state law, many unemployed people are already required to search for employment in order to receive welfare benefits. For instance, in order to receive FoodShare or food stamp benefits, applicants who are between the ages of 18 and 49 and do not have any children at home need to meet a work requirement if they do not meet any other exemptions such as being mentally or physically disabled. Likewise, applicants need to search for work four times a week to receive unemployment benefits. Gov. Tony Evers waived these requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Republicans reinstated them in 2021. "(We get to) let our constituents remind us what we do that makes a difference, and that is help people find a job, hold them accountable, give them benefits for as long as necessary, but not longer than required," Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said during a January floor debate. Vos co-sponsored the referendum with Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu. What are lawmakers saying? Republicans who support this referendum said these requirements aren't enforced the way they should be and that this vote could be a jumping-off point for more policies to address worker shortages. "There is not a place you can go to visit, whether it's a school, a police station, a grocery story, you name the place, where people aren't crying for employees," Rep. Barbara Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) said. This referendum question was passed over a Democrat-supported advisory referendum that would have asked voters if the state should replace the 1849 abortion ban. "(Republicans') resolution, simply put, attacks low-income people in the state of Wisconsin, and it's borne out of a consideration to their base for the spring election. They're trying to gin up their voters," Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard said in a January news conference. "The people are going to advise lawmakers on something that is already the law? That only makes sense if you're looking at the world through a cynical and political lens." Gov. Tony Evers said that an abortion referendum would ask voters to weigh in on an issue that is relevant and that many are concerned about, adding that he thinks Republicans refusing to put an abortion referendum on the ballot will irritate voters and drive more liberals to the polls. "For a year now, Republicans have willfully ignored the majority of Wisconsinites who support legal access to abortion," Evers said in a news conference, citing Marquette University Law School polls. "I think [the welfare referendum] is frankly ridiculous, to have an advisory referendum on something that already exists." Where to find more information on the April 4 election Information on voting early, absentee or on election day can be found here. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Welfare referendum: What does it say and what will it actually do? Rue21, the Warrendale, Pennsylvania-based youth and value-oriented fashion chain, has named Josh Burris its new chief executive officer. Burris was CEO of GNC, the retailer selling vitamins and supplements. Earlier in his career, Burris worked at several fashion retailers and brands, including Abercrombie & Fitch, where he is listed on LinkedIn as a former senior director of stores and operations. He also worked at Hollister and at various G-III apparel brands including DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, Calvin Klein Performance, Wilsons Leather and G.H. Bass. More from WWD At Rue21, Burris succeeds Bill Brand, who according to the company revealed earlier this month that he would step down. No further explanation for Brands departure was given. Brand joined Rue21 in October 2020 after serving as chief retail officer of Carnival Corp. cruise ships and earlier president of HSN. Burris starts his new job on April 3. Rue21 serves the most vibrant and fastest-growing segments focused on affordable fashion thats accessible to all, making it well positioned for growth, Burris said Monday in a statement. I have dedicated my career to building retail brands centered around the consumer and am excited to move Rue21 forward Rue21 targets the 15-to-25-year-old Gen Z customer, multicultural, with family incomes of $50,000 to $80,000. It sells affordable on-trend private-label fashion including lots of jeans, jeggings, sweaters and hoodies, in regular and plus sizes, with much of the assortment in the $20 to $40 range, and often promoted on sale. Its stores are typically located in small or midsized cities, where there is not an abundance of retailers offering fashion. Warrendale is a suburb of Pittsburgh. Josh has decades of experience transforming popular consumer-facing brands, which makes him best equipped to lead Rue21 into its next chapter, said Vuk Djunic, partner in Blue Torch Capital, an owner of Rue21 along with Southpaw Asset Management and Pentwater Capital Management. Story continues Burris joined GNC in 2019 and, as president, was instrumental in leading GNC through its Chapter 11 bankruptcy process that started in June 2020. The Chapter 11 filing came in the early months of the pandemic, when the company was publicly traded. GNC emerged from bankruptcy through a sale to China-based Harbin Pharmaceutical Group, which promoted Burris to GNCs CEO. Best of WWD Click here to read the full article. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a likely candidate for the Republican presidential nomination next year, is getting roasted on social media for a new claim about his background. DeSantis wrote in his bestselling but poorly reviewed new memoir that he was geographically raised in Tampa Bay, referring to his upbringing largely in the Pinellas County community of Dunedin. But he claimed his cultural background was quite different from his geographical one. [C]ulturally my upbringing reflected the working-class communities in western Pennsylvania and northeast Ohio from weekly church attendance to the expectation that one would earn his keep, he wrote. This made me God-fearing, hard-working and America-loving. NBC News notes that DeSantis claim stems from his parents geographical background: His father was raised in Pennsylvania, and his parents met while attending Youngstown State University in Ohio. But the governor himself never lived in either place. Pennsylvania and Ohio just so happen to be key to any presidential ambitions. DeSantis critics were quick to point that out, and to share a few other thoughts about his claim: This is literally stupid as hell from @GovRonDeSantis@RonDeSantisFL. His pandering is despicable. I was geographically raised in Houston. And my cultural upbringing reflected the working-class communitiesIN HOUSTON. And we went to church EVERY SUNDAY. What a punk. https://t.co/smAjG1XrtY rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) March 19, 2023 I was geographically raised in Orlando with a cultural perspective that allows me to easily detect BS when I see it. https://t.co/gihVkrrs3R Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (@AnnaForFlorida) March 19, 2023 Geographically raised: Long Island Culturally raised: Jurassic Park https://t.co/UpO5d8WlJI Jon Lovett (@jonlovett) March 19, 2023 "I was geographically raised in Tampa Bay, but culturally my upbringing reflected the royal court at Versailles, with outstanding wigs, elegant discourse, and utter disregard for the seething class oppression necessary to sustain it." Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) March 19, 2023 I was also geographically raised in Tampa, attended church weekly and was expected to be employed as an adult. But my upbringing didnt lead me to antagonizing marginalized communities, banning books or eating pudding with my fingers, so we must be from different neighborhoods https://t.co/274iBWAhb0 David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) March 19, 2023 I was geographically raised in Monmouth County, New Jersey, but culturally my upbringing taught me to to be repulsed by fake-ass pols like Ron DeSantis https://t.co/xnIQljUYTL Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) March 20, 2023 Ron DeSantis comes out as trans-geographically raised. https://t.co/wFcMKf2FvL Mitchell Robinson (@mrobmused) March 19, 2023 this presidential election cycle is going to be hysterical. "I was geographically raised here, but culturally i was raised in the most important swing states in the country." pic.twitter.com/vNb3Ss724u Dylan Goforth (@DGoforth918) March 19, 2023 Born in FL, but always identified with states that vote early in presidential primaries. John de Guzman (@johndeguzman) March 19, 2023 DRAG-SANTIS: DeSantis will deny that Trans people even exist while simultaneously proclaiming Regional Dysmorphic Disorder. Is he cos-playing as a Pennsylvanian? Is this Ohio Drag? Brian Sims (@BrianSimsPA) March 19, 2023 This is giving us serious George Santos vibes. PopWrapped (@PopWrapped) March 19, 2023 The real shame is once again Trump is sucking up all the media oxygen while Ron DeSantis is dropping bangers like being geographically raised in Florida. Schooley (@Rschooley) March 20, 2023 "Where'd you grow up?" "I was geographically raised in Plurality-of-the-Caucuses, Iowa but culturally my upbringing reflected the working-class communities in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada." https://t.co/6U3k3kqxcc Max Steele (@maxasteele) March 19, 2023 I was geographically raised in White Plains, but culturally my upbringing reflected OConnors Christ-haunted South and the BFGs cave. This made me wooden leg-stealing, grandma-shooting, and whizzpopper-loving. https://t.co/y6K3om4p0e Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) March 19, 2023 I was *geographically* raised in the working class, God-fearing communities of Kentucky, Kansas, and Texas. But *culturally* I was raised inside of a magical wardrobe in WWII England. https://t.co/uMgn3SzhZ7 Dr. Lydia Bean (@LydiaBeanLee) March 19, 2023 Other presidential candidates have been roasted for far less than this. pic.twitter.com/EiOBDn1jKI Nu Wexler (@wexler) March 19, 2023 Geographically raised? I was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and Im calling bullshit. What DeSantis is talking about are myths propagated about white working-class communities from which Republicans love to siphon votes, but which they rarely bother to represent adequately. https://t.co/i9Jtw30nTU Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) March 19, 2023 I was geographically raised in Athens, Georgia, but culturally my upbringing reflected the Waffle House. Joshua Eaton (@joshua_eaton) March 20, 2023 I was geographically raised in Rivendell, but culturally my upbringing reflected the communities of Eriador & the North-kingdom of Arnor grim in appearance & wearing gray or dark-green. This made me a hunter ever of the servants of the Enemy, for they are found in many places. https://t.co/8673oU4Jxs Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) March 19, 2023 You can still order the original Singapore Sling at Raffles Long Bar in Singapore. Courtesy of Raffles Hotel Singapore I loved all cocktails equally, except for the Singapore Sling. A good friend of mine would always make them with too much Heering cherry liqueur, lending the drink a cough medicine effect. But because I was headed to Singapore to try the cocktail where it was invented, I wanted to give it another shot. So I drove to Nickel City in East Austin, Texas, a dive bar specializing in Tiki drinks, and ordered one. Despite it no longer being on the menu, the bartender said he could whip one up for me. They were only missing Benedictine, and if I didnt mind, he didnt either. I didnt mind: The cocktail was rich, sweet, filling, and still very alcoholic. Besides, missing an ingredient is kind of part of its lore. The Singapore Sling has a storied history of devolving and evolving; originally just gin, citrus, soda, and cherry brandy, the cocktail eventually became something much sweeter, thanks to canned juices, before finally settling somewhere near its original version with fresh citrus. Related:Singapore Sling After a 14-hour flight to Singapore, I ambled over to the bar where the Singapore Sling was invented, Raffles Long Bar. Courtesy of Raffles Hotel Singapore After walking through the glistening white archways of Raffles Hotel, strolling through the courtyard, and waiting in a queue of like-minded patrons who may or may not have journeyed to Singapore specifically for this very experience, I marveled at the bars surprisingly modern interior. The best way to describe it is as a romanticized 1920s Malaysian plantation, complete with a staircase crawling its way towards the ceiling, adorned with intricately woven rattan furniture. On the ceiling, rows of 19th century fans oscillate in unison, giving the illusion that you are underneath a boat, and that these are oars, rowing their way up a stream, against a strong current below. But all of this is not to be outdone by the loud crunch coming from the floor. In stark contrast to the spotless streets of Singapore, the tiled floor in this room is covered, coated, littered with emptied out peanut shells. It is the only place in Singapore that allows littering, although you can only discard your peanut shells here (I asked). Story continues Courtesy of Raffles Hotel Singapore When my Singapore Sling arrived, I didnt even notice it. With everything going on the peanuts, the fans, the austere white archways its almost easy for this bright pink drink topped with a pineapple slice to fade into the background. And perhaps thats the point: A drink that requires internet sleuthing to track down in the US is more or less an afterthought in Singapore. Shouldnt it be? After all, it was designed to be a discrete way for women in Singapore to get around silly etiquette rules, which discouraged drinking in public. Related:Singapore's Hawkers Raise Prices for First Time in 40 Years The drink was refreshing, so much so that it vanished all too quickly. The most notable feature though, was how light it was. Although the ones Ive had in the past were filling, this one was a nice blend of flavors that was light, quenching, and a perfect respite from the humidity just outside. Paired with peanuts, I cant think of a better summertime beverage. Courtesy of Raffles Hotel Singapore I returned from Singapore with only a few souvenirs, as its difficult to bring anything tangible home. But Im still finding one thing weeks later, hidden in the folds of my clothes, and at the bottom of my bag: Peanut shells. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. Thanks to a late-round putting-grip change, Ernie Els is a winner on the PGA Tour Champions for the first time in three years. Meanwhile, Bernhard Langers record-setting victory is going to have to wait at least another week. Els rode a 65-65 weekend to win the Hoag Classic at Newport Country Club in Newport Beach, California, on Sunday. He birdied Nos. 2, 3, and 4 to get things going, then birdied the seventh. After eight straight pars, he birdied the 16th to get to 12 under. He found himself in a bunker on 18 but got up-and-down, draining one final birdie to get to 13 under. Els went to a left-hand low grip on his last two birdie putts. Steve Stricker and Doug Barron tied for second at 12 under. Barron started the day one shot back of the lead and needed a birdie at the last to get to 13 under. With Els hitting 7-irons on the range to stay loose, Barron stuffed his approach but then missed a four-footer for birdie that would have forced a playoff. Els is the fifth different winner in five Champions tournaments in 2023. Langer, who was at 12 under after 36 holes and held the solo lead after two days, built a two-shot lead Sunday but bogeys at Nos. 6, 9 and 14 did him in as he never really got anything going in the final round. A birdie on 11 was negated by his fourth bogey on 14. He then missed a short putt on 17 for his fifth bogey of the day before a closing par for a 73. Langer won for a record-tying 45th time on the Champions tour a month ago. His next victory will break the record held by Hale Irwin since 2007. Langers first senior win came 10 months after Irwins last. The PGA Tour Champions returns to action next week at the new Galleri Classic in Rancho Mirage, California, on the Mission Hills Country Club course that was home to an LPGA major for 51 years. Story originally appeared on GolfWeek If you've ever lived in the American South, you've probably eaten at a Waffle House, or at least driven by onethey seem to be on every corner! As an homage to the famous eatery that's open 24/7 and always ready to serve you hashbrowns scattered, smothered, covered, chunked, diced, peppered, capped, topped, and/or country (here's a handy guide to all of the ways you can order hashbrowns at Waffle House), Pineville, Louisiana (my hometown!) artist Matt Dawson recently created this painting, which he calls "Starry Waffles." It's in the style of Van Gogh's Starry Night, but features a Waffle House, with its lights on, beckoning you to come in from the cold and enjoy a hot meal, and maybe a catchy song on the jukebox. Fox35 Orlando provides some details of Dawson's project: Louisiana artist Matt Dawson came up with this modern take on Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night painting and posted it on social media. It even got the attention of the official Waffle House Instagram page, which left a heart-eyes emoji in the comments under the photo. Fox35 Orlando spoke with Dawson and found out more about why the Waffle House has been so inspirational for his art: Dawson told FOX 35 that the Waffle House has inspired many of his paintings for a very special reason. "I love the Waffle House. I used to take my wife to a doctor in New Orleans when she was sick and every time on the way back we'd stop at the Waffle House in Sorrento, Louisiana," Dawson said. "In addition to the tip, I'd put 5 bucks in the juke box for the server for her favorite artist. I just loved the memories there." Over the years, Dawson has painted a few Waffle House pieces and said they resonated with people. So this time, he really wanted to have some fun and "show the magic that I see when I see the Waffle House." If you want to see more of Dawson's art, check out his Etsy page, where you can also purchase his work. Photo: Danny Palumbo My names Danny Palumbo, and Im from Pennsylvaniahome of Herrs, Utz, Snyders, Wise, Middleswarth, Martins, Gibbles, and many more. In short, this is where chips live, baby. And although I no longer live in the Keystone state, I still have a profound admiration for all things potato chips. In this column I will be reviewing some of the best the country has to offer. Welcome to Chip Country. When it comes to Pennsylvania potato chips, Middleswarth is always in the conversation. I know this because some of you are in my DMs and in the comments telling me how its this huge oversight that I havent written about Middleswarth yet. Along with Herrs, Wise, and Utz, I consider Middleswarth to be in the big four of chip brands Pennsylvania is known for. Anywhere outside of Pennsylvania, though, theyre very hard to get. Sure, you can order them online, but Middleswarth just hasnt expanded to other markets the way Herrs and Utz have. This brand is truly localized. Is that for good reason? Or is the rest of the country missing out? Read more Middleswarth is an aptly named company based in Middleburg, an aptly named place in the middle of Pennsylvania. The population is under 2,000 people, so its a real small town. Theres a Midd-West High School there, and also, you guessed it, a Midd-West Middle School in Middleburg. So, we get it. Everything there is mid. But are the chips? (I just got my Masters degree in segues). What do Middleswarth chips taste like? Middleswarths The Weekender Bar-B-Q Kettle Chips taste sweet, vaguely barbecue flavored, and overall not very special. Theres a specific sweetness to these chips that kind of robs you of any real barbecue flavor. The taste just leans too much in the direction of sugar. Also, while these are kettle cooked chips, they dont have that distinct kettle crunch that Im looking for. Rather than being crispy, they feel a little too soft for a true kettle chip. Story continues Theres sediment at the bottom of the bag that reminds me of making fresh chip seasoning at home. Consequently, Middleswarth chips have a homemade vibe, but I dont necessarily mean that in a good way. With a coarse, overly sweet seasoning and none of barbecues signature smokiness to speak of, these are not at all in the realm of being anywhere near the best barbecue chips. And while the ingredients do include tallow, its listed under the sub-header of shortening, which may also include canola oil, coconut oil, and soybean oil. So even that pales in comparison to the other lard-forward chips that I love. There just isnt a good meaty flavor to Middleswarth like you get with a Grandma Utz potato chip. I can appreciate a local product as much as anyone, but if Im being brutally honest about this one, I just think there are plenty of brands that do it better than Middleswarth. These chips are, in fact, middling. More from The Takeout Sign up for The Takeout's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Like & Share from Indonesias Gina S. Noer was named the best picture and collected the Grand Prix on Sunday at the Osaka Asian Film Festival. All of us on the jury were struck by the films clear and powerful message, which affirms young womens sexual curiosity and desire while clearly saying no to sexual violence. The style of the film is also original. The sweet, poppy feeling that fascinates the audience in the first half of the film becomes darker as the story progresses, making us shudder. Like & Share, with its strong message and brilliant direction, is a film that needs to be seen now more than ever, said the jury in a statement. More from Variety This movie is talking about how we deal with trauma and how we deal with sexual violence. Its not easy to tell and its not easy to make a movie about it, but I think that if we trust something important enough, it will honor the right audience, said Noer. Taiwans actor-turned-director Kai Ko won the most promising talent award for his directorial debut film Bad Education. Hong Kong director Ho Cheuk-tin won the ABC TV Awards for Over My Dead Body, whole the Yakushi Pearl Award for best actor went to Lu Hsiao-fen for performance in Day Off. The film, directed by Fu Tien-yu, also collected the festivals audience award. The Japan Cuts Award went to When Morning Comes, I Feel Empty, directed by Ishibashi Yuho. Short film prizes went to Swallow Flying to the South (U.S., Canada, China) by Lin Mochi, and to Daddy-To-Be, by Taiwans Pan Ke-yin. The festival ran March 10-19 and closed with the world premiere screening of Side by Side, a magical-realist mystery drama, the second film as director from prolific screenwriter Ito Chihiro. The screening at Osaka preceded the films commercial release in Japan on April 14. Story continues 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. Jordan Peeles next film is coming to the big screen in time for Christmas of 2024. Universal Pictures, which released the filmmakers prior features Get Out, Us and Nope, added an Untitled Fourth Film Directed by Jordan Peele to its release calendar. Its set to open in theaters nationwide on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024. More from Variety On its current date, Peeles upcoming project will premiere one week after James Camerons Avatar 3 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which will both debut on Dec. 20, 2024. Universals big-screen adaptation of the Wicked musical was previously slated to land on the same weekend, but the studio recently pushed up its release date to Thanksgiving. In the announcement about Peeles film, Universal also scheduled an untitled Monkeypaw film (which is Peeles production company) to release on Sept. 27, 2024, and it took an untitled animated event film off its slate. In true Peele fashion, theres zero information not the title, the genre, nor the stars available about his fourth film. Hes been similarly tight-lipped in the lead-up to his first three films, which ranged from pure horror to neo-Western science fiction. Peeles debut feature, the 2017 psychological horror film Get Out, became a critical and commercial smash, grossing $255 million and earning four Oscar nominations. He followed that up with 2019s doppelganger thriller Us, which also generated $255 million worldwide. Peeles latest movie, 2022s Nope, which reunited Peele with his Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya, played in theaters last summer and collected more than $170 million globally. As a film producer, Peele has backed Spike Lees Oscar-nominated BlacKkKlansman, as well as director Nia DaCostas Candyman remake, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Story continues 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. Former President Donald Trump has called on Republicans to protest his anticipated arrest. Trump is pictured here speaking in East Palestine, Ohio on Feb. 3. Soon after former President Donald Trump posted he would be arrested on Tuesday, some local Republicans jumped to his defense. The Hamilton County Republican Party, led by a former judge and assistant prosecutor, on Tuesday joined the outrage over a possible indictment of Trump. The Manhattan district attorney is investigating Trump for a $130,000 payment he made just before the 2016 election to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels about an earlier affair. The former president has denied wrongdoing. In an early Saturday post on Truth Social, Trump urged his supporters to protest. Here's what local Republicans had to say. Hamilton County Republican Party Trump did not break the law, said Russell Mock, the newly-elected Hamilton County Republican Party chairman and former judge. "Im not going weigh in on the morality of the situation," said Mock, a former judge who served on the Ohio Court of Appeals and Hamilton County Municipal Court. "From a legal standpoint, I dont think paying her to remain quiet about her story is illegal." Mock authored a statement on behalf of the Hamilton County Republican Party criticizing the possible prosecution of Trump as "weaponizing law enforcement against political rivals." MoreHamilton County Republican Party Chairman Russell Mock says job is to 'unite the party' "This tactic has no place in America," the Hamilton County Republican Party statement read. "Make no mistake, bringing politically motivated charges against a former president will undermine our confidence in the judicial system and will send a chilling effect throughout the entire country." The statement attacked the Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg as "George Soros funded" and called crime in New York City "out of control." Soros, the billionaire who is a common target of right-wing angst, supported the Color of Change Political Action Committee which in turn supported Bragg's campaign, according to the New York Times. Story continues As far as crime, major crimes in New York City increased 22% in 2022 compared to 2021, according to the New York Times. The increase was driven by crimes such as robbery and burglary, the Times reported. Homicides in New York dipped in 2022 to their lowest levels since 2019. Sen. J.D. Vance Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who courted and won Trump's endorsement during his successful campaign in 2022, obliged within hours of Trump's post calling for support. In a tweet on Saturday morning, the East Walnut Hills Republican took aim at the Manhattan district attorney, accusing Bragg of being "bought by George Soros." Vance pledged his support of Trump would not waver if Trump gets indicted. "I've been asked by multiple reporters if an indictment would lead me to rescind my endorsement of Donald Trump," Vance tweeted Saturday morning. "The answer is: hell no. A politically motivated prosecution makes the argument for Trump stronger. We simply don't have a real country if justice depends on politics." I've been asked by multiple reporters if an indictment would lead me to rescind my endorsement of Donald Trump. The answer is: hell no. A politically motivated prosecution makes the argument for Trump stronger. We simply don't have a real country if justice depends on politics. J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) March 18, 2023 Rep. Warren Davidson Rep. Warren Davidson, a Republican from Troy who represents the western half of Hamilton County and Butler County, tweeted that he doesn't condone paying hush money to porn stars but doesn't think it's criminal. "The American people are sick and tired of DOJ, the state of New York, and others ignoring actual crime while working to ruin Donald Trump as they develop novel legal theories, abuse justice, and divide the nation," Davidson tweeted. Paying 2x an average Americans income in hush money to a porn star is certainly immoral, but not criminal. Saying it should be is a different argument. The American people are sick and tired of DOJ, the state of New York, and others ignoring actual crime while working to ruin https://t.co/egzGsDwpP3 Warren Davidson (@WarrenDavidson) March 19, 2023 Rep. Thomas Massie Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Garrison who represents Northern Kentucky, slammed key witness Michael Cohen, Trump's former attorney. Cohen, who has already served prison time in connection with this and other cases, has claimed Trump personally instructed him to pay Daniels. "Disbarred attorney Michael Cohen is the least credible witness I ever questioned during my time on the House Oversight Committee," Massie tweeted. "He admits that as President Trumps attorney, he took unsolicited actions and offered legal advice without concern for underlying legality." Disbarred attorney Michael Cohen is the least credible witness I ever questioned during my time on the House Oversight Committee. He admits that as President Trumps attorney, he took unsolicited actions and offered legal advice without concern for underlying legality. pic.twitter.com/oyq3mIw7Wu Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 20, 2023 Vivek Ramaswamy Vivek Ramaswamy, a St. Xavier High School graduate and one of three GOP presidential candidates, has called on other GOP presidential candidates to condemn the potential Trump indictment. He called it a "disastrously politicized prosecution." "I pray that the DA does the right thing: were skating on thin ice as a country right now. We need a national revival, not a national divorce." I called on my fellow GOP candidates @RonDeSantisFL and @NikkiHaley to join me in condemning the potential Trump indictment because those of us *running against Trump* can most credibly call on the Manhattan DA to abandon this disastrously politicized prosecution. I pray that the https://t.co/di9i467BWz pic.twitter.com/OZLKzroAju Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) March 19, 2023 Eric Deters Kentucky Republican gubernatorial candidate and Northern Kentucky resident Eric Deters is organizing a rally on Tuesday in support of Trump. Deters has held rallies on his farm in Morningview with Trump's children. This rally will be at a bar, Boonedocks Pub and Grub, in Union, Ky. on Tuesday starting at 7 p.m. Boonedocks Pub and Grub (859) 493-0100 All Trump supporters! MAGA We are set Tuesday evening 7pm Here! Boone County! See you there! Spread the word! https://t.co/tB6E6uyREU Eric Deters (@bulllaw) March 20, 2023 Alex Triantafilou Ohio GOP Chairman Alex Triantafilou tweeted a link to a Wall Street Journal editorial condemning a potential prosecution of Trump. "Even they know that this prosecution is a joke, dangerous, and totally politically motivated," Triantafilou tweeted. "The NY District Attorney should end this now." The @WSJ is never afraid to criticize the former POTUS. But even they know that this prosecution is a joke, dangerous, and totally politically motivated. The NY District Attorney should end this now. https://t.co/R6eiTcYBvv Alex Triantafilou (@ChairmanAlex) March 19, 2023 This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What do Cincinnati Republicans say about possible Trump arrest Of course, bestie Gayle King was with her. Michael Buckner/Getty Images Need a little inspiration for your next trip? Just follow Oprah Winfrey on social media. In between interviewing royals, running a media empire, and picking her favorite things for us to all enjoy each year, it appears the media mogul is taking plenty of time to travel. And she's even bringing her bestie Gayle King along for the journey too. On Monday Winfrey shared photos from her trip to Petra, Jordan, a UNESCO archaeological site that is also called the "Rose City." Visited Jordan this week, and there was so much to see and experience, the TV icon wrote in the caption of her Instagram post, which has more than 420,000 likes and thousands of comments by the time of this writing. We visited the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus, Petra and all its fascinations, camels, and the spot where the big boulder comes rolling out of Indiana Jones. So much history there in the 'Rose City, voted one of the 7 new wonders of the world. Winfrey's Instagram gallery has an absolutely epic photo of herself outside of The Treasury atop a colorful camel, alongside a photo of her matching the camel's pout. There are also images of her and King smiling ear-to-ear, exploring the sites together. According to Winfrey, It takes [three] days to really see it all. We only spent [three] hours. Put it on your must-see list if you havent already! For her part, King posted another series of images, starting with a photo of herself reading in the middle of the sidewalk. King also posted footage from her mud bath and floating in the Dead Sea a salt lake tucked between the border of Jordan and Israel. The video shows King applying a mud mask while poking fun at Winfrey, who is standing under an umbrella and not partaking in the activity. "As Oprah often tells me we have different ideas of fun ... but in the end a great time was had by all," wrote King. While were sure Winfrey and King got the best of everything during their three-hour visit to Petra, wed suggest taking it a step further by staying at least overnight to see the ancient Nabatean city of Petra lit up by candlelight under a blanket of stars. As Travel + Leisure previously shared, visitors can make this happen by booking a Petra by Night tour, which runs from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, for about $24 per person. Story continues And really, this will give you bragging rights for life to say you did something Winfrey didnt. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Astana Wilier team bike at Paris-Nice 2023 This year's edition of Paris-Nice gave us a predictable winner in Tadej Pogacar. The UAE Team Emirates leader looked imperious during the annual race to the sun, demonstrating the kind of form he'll need if he's to wrest back control of the Tour de France yellow jersey come July. We were on hand not only to see Pogacar clinch the title in style but also to snoop around ahead of the start to see if we could spot any interesting pieces of tech. Here's what we found... Extreme Shift Shaping An Intermarche team Cube bike photographed at Paris-Nice 2023 While the latest UCI rules have placed restrictions of handlebar width, it didn't specify any limits on the shifter positions. The result is that riders can still adopt a tucked in aero position as before, turning the hoods inwards to create the effect of narrowing the bars. An Intermarche team bike at Paris-Nice 2023 Intermarche - Circus - Wanty's Taco van der Hoorn has long been a proponent of the extreme shifter angle and it was again on display at Paris-Nice - also note just how low the shifters are positioned on the bars, replicating the race bikes of old. Pros don't always jump straight on the latest bikes An EF Education team Cannondale SuperSix road bike at Paris-Nice 2023 Earlier this month the new Cannondale SuperSix Evo 4 line-up was revealed and included a Lab71 model that uses a new carbon lay up. It's the US brand's lightest yet, is UCI approved and will be used by its sponsored pro teams, including the WorldTour's EF Education-EasyPost. But perhaps not quite yet. The UCI frame sticker on this EF bike at Paris-Nice identifies it as a - previously range topping - HiMod model. And while the 40 gram weight saving of the new frame might sound as if it'd be advantageous to a weight conscious pro, the previous model in race guise could easily be built to just tickle the UCI's 6.8kg lowest weight limit. While featherweight frames are a key aspect of Cannondale's new Lab71 halo project, bikes that will sit within it will also feature plenty of touches available to pros and ordinary riders with deep pockets - unique paint jobs and bespoke high end componentry set-ups for starters. Story continues And quite clearly the 'second tier' bikes are still plenty fast enough - American Neilson Powless finished a creditable sixth overall. No mounting tension for Soudal-Quickstep Detail of computer mount issued by Soudal-QuickStep team during Paris-Nice 2023 Soudal-Quick Step's Tim Declerq takes no risks with his computer, which is mounted to his Specialized Tarmac SL7 via a custom etched K-Edge unit with extra grip tape fitted within the mounting slot itself. Safety first for Simon Yates Simon Yates Jayco team Giant at Paris-Nice 2023 Team Jayco AIUIa's Simon Yates also takes no risks, but this time with his chain. A chain catcher is found between his Shimano Dura-Ace chainset and his Giant TCR Advanced SL bike. Team Jayco Giant belonging to Simon Yates at Paris-Nice 2023, with detail showing chain catcher used The British rider has had a solid start to the year, backing up his second place finish at the Tour Down Under with a fourth overall at Paris-Nice. Tubeless taking off? Vittoria Corsa tires fitted to a Team Jayco bike at Paris-Nice 2023 His Jayco squad, consisting of Luke Durbridge, Michael Matthews, Chris Harper, Lucas Hamilton, Kelland O'Brien and Matteo Sobrero won the overall team classification and did so riding tubeless tires, in the shape of the new Vittoria Corsa Pros. Look for the tubs versus tubeless debate to roll on throughout the 2023 season. Not all pros get slammed Uno-x Dare race bike handlebar set-up at Paris-Nice 2023 Not all pros ride their bikes with fully slammed stems. Especially not if you're Uno-X rider Sren Wrenskjold. The Danish rider measures 1.91cm, or 6'3", tall, which translates to a few more spacers under the stem than usual. A stunner for Astana Astana Wilier team bike at Paris-Nice 2023 All that glitters is blue? Or purple? The mass adoption of glitter and ice-like paint jobs is bringing some much needed jazz to the peloton and we love to see it. Astana Qazaqstan Team's Wilier bikes are arguably the best of the bunch. Screenshot: CBS 42 News The family of Rasheem Carter, a 25-year-old who was allegedly murdered in the woods of Mississippi, have started trying to unlock the mystery his horrifying death. The family told Insider he was last seen on video running for his life, though the sheriffs office debunked their claim. Carter went missing in October 2022 just after sending a text to his mother, Tiffany, saying a truckload of white men were chasing him. Read more His mother recalled the text saying, Me and the owner of this company are not seeing eye to eye If anything happens to me [he] is responsible for it he got these guys wanting to kill me. She also said her son was working at a welding facility, in order to make enough money to reopen his seafood restaurant following its closure during the pandemic. However, she said for some reason he he fled from his current work in fear for his life. One month later, his remains (severed head, vertebrae and spinal cord) were found scattered in the woods. The medical examiners office couldnt even determine the cause of Carters death because his remains were already decomposing, per CBS42. Though the Smith County Sheriffs Department previously killed the notion of foul play being a factor in the incident and even the theory Carter was being chased, one cryptic photo convinces the family that malice was involved. Deer camera footage still of Rasheem Carter in the woods October 2, 2022 when his mother reported him missing. Read more from Insider: The mother of the 25-year-old man whose remains were found a month after he disappeared told Insider on Wednesday that the wildlife camera image of her son shows that something was wrong and that he was running for his life. You could see there are bruises on him, Carters mother, Tiffany Carter, told Insider of the October 2, 2022 image with a time stamp of 4:32 p.m. When I see that picture, I know my son was somewhere struggling, somewhere running for his life. Investigators provided the image to Rasheems family for verification about a week before his remains were found on November 2, 2022, just south of Taylorsville, Mississippi, in a wooded area, about 300 yards away from where he was seen in the photo, according to Tiffany and police. Rasheems cousin, Tarsha Clark, told Insider she believes Rasheem was hiding at the time the image was captured. Story continues The more we learn about the case, the stranger it gets. And the animal attack theories from the sheriffs office dont seeem as convincing. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Pueblo East's Weston Dalton flashes three fingers after winning his third state wrestling championship at Ball Arena on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. The 2022-23 CHSAA All-State wrestling teams were announced this week and included many accolades for Pueblo wrestlers, highlighted by a wrestler of the year award for Pueblo East three-time state champion Weston Dalton. After a stellar season, the Pueblo East Eagles earned their second straight Class 4A team title. Dolores Huerta, Pueblo County, West, East, and Central all earned either first- or second-team honors, along with some honorable mentions. More:Pueblo East repeats as state champs in Class 4A, Dalton named wrestler of the year Here is the list of the all-state wrestling teams. Class 4A Pueblo County's Zion Mares has his hand raised as the winner of the 113-pound championship during the Class 4A state wrestling tournament at Ball Arena on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. Dalton was not only named wrestler of the year during the CHSAA state tournament, but he is now the most outstanding wrestler in Class 4A. He also earned a spot on the all-state first team. Joining him on the first team are Zion Mares and Boden White of Pueblo County and Thomas Mayer of Pueblo West. All of these wrestlers finished with state titles in their respective weight classes, with Mayer and White winning their first state titles and Mares and Dalton both finishing with multiple state titles. Pueblo County's Boden White has his hand raised as the winner of the 138-pound championship match of the Class 4A state wrestling tournament at Ball Arena on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. The second team consists of L.J. Herburger and Manuel Amaro of Pueblo East and Izaiah Padilla and Tony Macaluso of Pueblo County. All four lost in the finals of the state tournament this year with Amaro losing to Mares in the only all-Pueblo finals matchup. Most Outstanding Wrestler: Weston Dalton, Pueblo East First team Pueblo West's Thomas Mayer has his hand raised as the winner of the 215-pound championship match of the Class 4A state wrestling tournament at Ball Arena on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. Zion Mares, Pueblo County Boden White, Pueblo County Weston Dalton, Pueblo East Thomas Mayer, Pueblo West Second team Manuel 'Pocky' Amaro sizes up his competition in the 106-pound semifinal matchup of the CHSAA Class 4A state wrestling tournament held at Ball Arena on Feb. 17, 2023. L.J. Herburger, Pueblo East Manuel Amaro, Pueblo East Izaiah Padilla, Pueblo County Tony Macaluso, Pueblo County Honorable mention Julian Espinoza, Pueblo East Niko Fernandez, Pueblo East Sully Deherrera, Pueblo East Sebastian Freeman, Pueblo East Class 3A As the only Class 3A representative from Pueblo, the Central Wildcats were able to secure one spot on the all-state team with a second-place finish by Mariano Romero-Garcia in the 285-pound weight class. Sophomore Genaro Pino was able to earn a spot on the honorable mention list for his efforts in finishing third in the state at 165 pounds. Story continues Second team Pueblo Central's Mariano Romero-Garcia stares down Aidan Trujillo of Valley ahead of their 285-pound championship match of the Class 3A state wrestling tournament at Ball Arena on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. Mariano Romero-Garcia, Pueblo Central Honorable mention Genaro Pino, Pueblo Central Class 2A The Dolores Huerta Prep Scorpions put up a great effort in this year's state finals earning two third-place finishes. AJ Jaramillo and Miguel Franco both earned spots on the honorable mention list for their performances in the state finals. Honorable mention AJ Jaramillo, Dolores Huerta Prep Miguel Franco, Dolores Huerta Prep Girls wrestling Pueblo Central's Kenna Pino finished fourth in the 135-pound division and was awarded a spot on the honorable mention list. Honorable mention Kenna Pino, Pueblo Central More:Dino Aragon retiring after more than 40 years of dedication to Pueblo wrestling Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at cabdelmalek@gannett.com or on Twitter @chowebacca This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo East's Dalton earns Most Outstanding Wrestler; CHSAA All-State Rick Ross exotic animal collection has been disturbing his neighbors peace at his Promised Land ranch in Georgia. TMZ reports that the rappers assortment of wandering buffaloes made their way into his neighbors yards, raising childrens safety concerns. One of Ricks neighbors spoke with the outlet and claimed that two bison from his Georgia compound invaded her land twice and feared they might hurt the kids in the area. More from VIBE.com The neighbor also alleged that she decided to press the matter with the rapper and his team. However, when she questioned his team about the situation regarding the animals, the conversation escalated into a verbal dispute with Ricks party. TMZ reports that the unnamed Fayetteville, GA resident was unhappy with the exchange and is looking to take up her concerns with the city due to the local authorities labeling the manner as a civil dispute. In a video obtained by the outlet, a man can be seen herding the beasts away from her property. [inaudible] is about to flip, the camera holder says about the woman who owns the land. March 2022 saw the Biggest Bawse receive the two buffaloes from Ethika as a way to commemorate the clothing companys new partnership with the Florida emcee. This is something real personal. This is something that means a lot to me, and this is what I need you to know, Im the new, proud owner of two buffaloes, he said in a conversation with Complex. Eithika also looked to grant Ross a pet giraffe, but he declined, not wanting a commitment. Click here to read the full article. Ron DeSantis sought to have it all sorts of ways Monday on Donald Trump's possible indictment, criticizing the prosecutor in charge of the case but also pointing out that it involves "porn star hush money payments." The comments drew political attacks from Trump and his allies, who are trying to pressure Republicans for support at a time when he faces the prospect of being the first former president in history to be indicted. At a news conference in Florida, DeSantis said he would not get involved in the case but did criticize Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for considering prosecution of a former president. Bragg chooses to go back many, many years ago, to try to use something about porn star hush money payments," DeSantis said. "You know, that's an example of pursuing a political agenda and weaponizing the office." Trump aides interpreted the "porn star" reference as an attack and described his defense as less than enthusiastic. Former President Donald Trump stands behind Ron DeSantis, then a candidate for governor of Florida, at a 2018 rally in Pensacola, Fla. The former allies could find themselves competing against each other for the presidency in 2024. "Are you kidding me? SAY HIS NAME!" tweeted Trump spokeswoman Liz Harrington. "What a total fraud he is. He takes a dig at President Trump who is being falsely accused and cant even say his name." Trump himself weighed in by citing unverified accusations about DeSantis during his high school teaching days and issuing a threat to the Florida governor. "Ron DeSanctimonious will probably find out about FALSE ACCUSATIONS & FAKE STORIES sometime in the future," Trump said on the Truth Social website. "Im sure he will want to fight these misfits just like I do!" Over the weekend, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he expected to be arrested Tuesday in the case that revolves around payments to Stormy Daniels. The Trump case:Is Donald Trump likely to be arrested soon? Will he be indicted? What might happen:Is Donald Trump being arrested? Here are the possible charges in the New York investigation There's no indication anything will happen Tuesday. The grand jury in New York heard Monday from Robert Costello, a Republican lawyer with ties to Trumps legal team. Story continues While Trump ratcheted up political tensions over the case, he and supporters also demanded statements of solidarity from other Republicans, particularly those who are considering running against him for the 2024 presidential nomination. DeSantis was a prominent target of these demands. On Monday, the Florida governor responded to a reporter's question about whether he would get involved in the potential extradition of Trump a Palm Beach resident to New York City. We are not involved in this, won't be involved in this, DeSantis replied. I have no interest in getting involved in some type of manufactured circus. The Trump reaction quickly followed. "So DeSantis thinks that Dems weaponizing the law to indict President Trump is a 'manufactured circus' & isn't a 'real issue.'" tweeted Donald Trump Jr. "Pure weakness." The former president himself did not respond. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who also is considering a 2024 run, criticized Bragg's prosecution. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, an announced candidate, has not commented on Trump's possible indictment in the New York case. The Atlanta case:Trump lawyers seek to quash Atlanta grand jury report, recuse DA's office from inquiry The Jan. 6 probe:Jan. 6 Capitol attack 2 years later: Trump still plagued by multiple investigations Trump also faces possible legal charges in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., over efforts to overturn his loss in the 2020 election and the insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021. A Justice Department special counsel is also investigating Trump over the handling of classified material. All the candidates also noted that the prospect of criminal charges remains, at this point, speculative. "So I've seen rumors swirl," DeSantis said. "I have not seen any facts yet." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's team hits DeSantis over comments on Stormy Daniels case Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told staff that they may soon face threats and intimidation from supporters of former President Donald Trump, who is expected to be arrested and indicted next week. Trump, according to widely-quoted anonymous sources, will be charged over hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, during the 2016 campaign, to remain silent about their affair. "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, adding that the office has been coordinating with the New York Police Department and Office of Court Administration, the administrative arm of the court system in New York. Bragg added that "as with all of our investigations, we will continue to apply the law evenly and fairly, and speak publicly only when appropriate." In his email, Bragg didn't identify Trump by name, referring only to the "public comments surrounding an ongoing investigation by this office." Signature Entertainment Thriller film, Fall, had us on the very edge of our seats since its release on Netflix. The movie follows two friends, Becky (played by Grace Caroline Currey) and Hunter (played by Virginia Gardner), as they fight for survival from 2,000 feet in the air after becoming trapped from climbing an abandoned radio tower in the desert. Fall is full of tension, twists and turns and now, the films producers and director have teased a second film to follow the hit thriller. So, here is everything we know so far about the Fall sequel. Warning, spoilers below! youtube Will there be a Fall sequel? Following the surprise success of Fall on Netflix, producer Tea Shop Productions and director Scott Man have said they are now discussing multiple ideas for a sequel to the scary movie. In an interview with Deadline, one of the films producers, James Harris, said: Weve got a couple of ideas were kicking around We dont want to make something that feels like a copycat or less than the first one. So, we think thats a yes! While there is no release date confirmed, James said the plan is to get moving on the project later this year. Who might star in the Fall sequel? If youve watched Fall, you will know that there is no hope for Hunter (Virginia Gardner) to return for a sequel as we come to find out her character was actually dead for most of the movie what a plot twist! But, Grace Caroline Currey who plays Becky might return as well as Jeffrey Dean Morgan (you might also remember him from The Walking Dead) who played Beckys father. Netflix What might happen in Fall 2? While producers are only at the very beginning of talks about the show, Tea Shop Productions co-founders James Harris and Mark Lane also made thriller film 47 Meters Down starring Mandy Moore and Claire Holt, which follows two sisters getting stuck at the bottom of the ocean in a diving cage while being surrounded by sharks. So, we can speculate that the Fall sequel may feature two women getting stuck in a very sticky situation like the pairs previous films get ready to brace yourselves! Story continues Not much else has been confirmed for the Fall sequel so far, so make sure to watch this space for more updates about the film. Fall is streaming on Netflix now. You Might Also Like Former President Donald Trump's lawyers are seeking to quash an Atlanta grand jury's final report recommending charges in a wide-ranging investigation of election interference in Georgia while also calling for the recusal of the local district attorney's office from the case. In court documents filed Monday in Fulton County, Georgia, attorneys for the former president also are seeking to block prosecutors from using any information gathered by the special grand jury during its eight-month tenure. More: Georgia grand jury recommends perjury charges for unnamed witnesses in Trump investigation Trump battling multiple criminal inquiries The new filing comes as Trump faces advancing criminal inquiries in multiple jurisdictions, including New York, where the Manhattan district attorney appears to be nearing a decision on whether to bring criminal charges involving a hush money payment Trump made to a porn star in the waning days of the 2016 campaign. Trump caused a stir Saturday, saying that he expected to be charged in New York Tuesday, while calling for his supporters to stage demonstrations against any such action. His attorneys quickly acknowledged, however, that they had not been provided any notification about the timing of possible charges. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, right, talks with a member of her team during proceedings to seat a special purpose grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia, on May 2. On Monday, a former legal adviser to former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, a central witness in the hush-money case, was expected to challenge Cohen's credibility in an appearance before the grand jury. Atlanta foreperson a target in Trump challenge In Georgia, where Trump has been at the center of a separate criminal inquiry, the former president's lawyers seized on the recent public remarks of the special grand jury's foreperson and subsequent statements by other panel members as having compromised the inquiry. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney overturned Georgias ban on abortion starting around six weeks into a pregnancy, ruling Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. The public commentary, the lawyers asserted, "illustrate the lack proper instruction and supervision over the grand jury." The panel completed its work and submitted a report to the district attorney, who in January said that a charging decision was "imminent." Story continues Grand jury secrecy pierced Last month, foreperson Emily Kohrs said the panel had recommended indictments against multiple people on various charges after concluding its election fraud inquiry. Kohrs, in multiple interviews with reporters, declined to name any of those who were referred for charges, including whether Trump was among them, in a final report delivered to Atlanta-area District Attorney Fani Willis. Referring to Trump, Kohrs said: "You are not going to be shocked," according to The New York Times. The Trump filing represents the first major major challenge to the Georgia inquiry, which has been proceeding for more than two years. The Fulton County District Attorney's Office declined to comment. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis watches proceedings during a Jan. 24 hearing in Atlanta to decide if the final report by a special grand jury looking into possible interference in the 2020 presidential election can be released. Trump lawyers: Inquiry compromised Trump's attorneys claimed that the investigation had been compromised from the start. "President Trump was inextricably intertwined with this investigation since its inception," the court document states. "The efforts under investigation squarely relate to his bid for a second term as president of the United States." Rep. Daniel Goldman, D-N.Y., who served as lead counsel to the House committee during Trump's first impeachment, said Trump launched his reelection bid as a form of self defense. "With four separate criminal investigations into him, Donald Trump announced his candidacy absurdly early in order to create an 'election interference' defense," Goldman tweeted. "This is a meritless, disingenuous, bogus and circular defense, created by himself to defend himself." Contributing: Bart Jansen This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump lawyers seeking to quash Atlanta grand jury final report Former President Trump is moving to quash a Georgia investigation into his efforts to influence the outcome of the 2020 election, seeking to bar the use of any evidence presented to a grand jury reviewing the matter. In a 50-page filing in a Fulton County court, Trumps attorneys blasted the investigation as confusing, flawed, and, at times, blatantly unconstitutional. The Monday filing seeks to block the use of a report from a grand jury on the matter and bar Fulton County District Attorney Fani Williss (D) involvement in the case, and it attacks a series of interviews given by jury forewoman Emily Kohrs. Given the scrutiny and the gravity of the investigation and those individuals involved namely the movant Donald J. Trump, this process should have been handled correctly, fairly, and with deference to the law and the highest ethical standards, attorneys Jennifer Little, Drew Findling and Marissa Goldberg wrote in the filing. The effort from Trump follows the close of a monthslong Georgia investigation with more than a dozen notified targets, including former Trump attorney Rudy Guiliani and others who met to discuss a plot to craft a false slate of electors to certify his victory in a state he lost to President Biden. In a hearing where Willis sought to block the release of the grand jury report and its synopsis of charging recommendations, the district attorney noted charging decisions in the case are imminent. The argument from Trump seems to challenge the grand jury process in its entirety, saying the statues creating them are too vague to be constitutional. His attorneys also argue that such processes should only be used for civil rather than criminal matters. In doing so the attorneys partially quote from an order from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney calling the grand jury process imbalanced, incomplete and one-sided. But in the order, McBurney noted that grand juries are entirely appropriately a one-sided exploration and said that does not mean the district attorneys investigative process was flawed or improper or in any way unconstitutional. Story continues Williss office did not immediately respond to request for comment. The filing goes on to request that Willis be disqualified from leading the investigation, noting that McBurney previously barred her from investigating Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R) as part of the broader probe into the fake electors because Willis had hosted a fundraiser for his challenger in the lieutenant governors race. Trumps attorneys argue Williss conflict with Jones extends to the entire investigation not just one witness and complain that he will have effectively been preemptively severed out of prosecution. Jones was one of the few politicians who was able to successfully dodge any involvement in the probe when turning to the courts for assistance. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) was ordered to testify in the probe, as was Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.). The filing also addresses Kohrs media appearances, as well as other comments from five jurors on the panel. The filing picks apart numerous statements from Kohr, including her comments about how many times witnesses pleaded the fifth, the jurors ability to consume news coverage surrounding the grand jury process and how she described instructions from the district attorney. It is difficult to take a scalpel to the work of grand jurys and parse out what does or does not constitute deliberations but the forepersons seemingly breached that obligation in her public appearances, Trumps attorneys wrote. The foreperson disclosed grand jurors opinions as to the credibility of witnesses, their strategic decisions in drafting the report, and general discussions between the jurors. Updated at 1:34 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Monday marks the 20th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. CPH:DOX will reflect on the repercussions of the war, which ousted Saddam Hussein, but never led to the discovery of weapons of mass destruction, by screening two documentaries: Greta Stocklassas Blix Not Bombs and Karrar Al-Azzawis Baghdad on Fire. (The invasion) was an event that has shaped international politics over the course of the last two decades in unpredictable and often devastating ways, says CPH:DOX head of program Mads Mikkelsen. Not least inside Iraq itself. (Blix Not Bombs and Baghdad on Fire) provide two different takes a shot and reverse shot on the course of events back in 2003 and on the current situation in Iraq as seen from the inside and through the eyes of the young. Blix Not Bombs follows Hans Blix, the former head of the U.N. Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, who was sent to Iraq in 2002 to determine whether U.S. suspicions that the country was manufacturing weapons of mass destruction were founded. Though the final report found no evidence of an Iraqi weapons program under Hussein, the U.S. and a coalition of allies nevertheless decided to invade the country. Now in the final stretch of his life, Blix questions whether he did enough to prevent a war whose impact is felt to this day. Blix Not Bombs To me, Hanss story is not only an intriguing behind-the-scenes of one of the most important events in modern history, but its also the story of the limits of diplomacy, moral dilemmas, and personal responsibility in shaping the world, Stocklassa told Variety while working on the film in 2021. Meanwhile, Baghdad on Fire follows 19-year-old activist leader Tiba and her friends from the pro-democracy movement around Baghdads Tahrir Square. In the docu, Tiba and her fellow activists discuss and plan how to bring freedom, democracy and change to Iraq. They are done with militias, corrupt politicians and foreign troops defining the country. Together with friends Khader and Yousif, Tiba starts a medical team that helps young protesters when they have been bathed in tear gas. Both Tiba and I wanted to show the world what is really going on in the country, says Al-Azzawi, who fled Iraq in 2016 after being a vocal advocate for democracy. In October 2019 when protests erupted in Baghdad, the director knew it was time to make a film. So, he found a production manager and two cinematographers. My dream main character was a strong Iraqi woman, Al-Azzawi says. A brave, Iraqi woman, who is fighting for freedom, justice, and equality and her country. The helmers dream came true when he met Tiba. Tiba and I both want to show that Iraqi women are not living the life the (international) media portrays, says Al-Azzawi. They are always portrayed as controlled by society or their husbands. This is always the narrative. I think that Tiba, who left a marriage she was forced into at age 14, is an example of an Iraqi woman who is not a victim. This was important to show because Iraqi women are not victims. They are resilient and can lead and be in control. Both docus will be making their world premieres at CPH:DOX on Monday. Blix Not Bombs will be followed by a live video discussion with Blix and Stocklassa. Following Baghdad on Fire, Al-Azzawi, will take part in a live discussion with Aida Al-Kaisy, co-founder of Iraqi media outfit Jummar, and journalist Waleed Safi. Both Q&As will be moderated by Politiken international editor Michael Jarlner. More from Variety 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. A wellness check led to a grim discovery inside a Georgia home, according to the Richmond County Coroners Office. The bodies of two people were found Monday, March 13, at the house in Augusta, Coroner Mark Bowen confirmed to McClatchy News. He described the deaths as suspicious. A landlord called for a wellness check after the people living at the property missed their rent payment for the month, The Augusta Press and WSB-TV reported, citing Bowen. Officials didnt confirm if the bodies found were of the tenants who lived there. The remains werent identified and will undergo an autopsy by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Bowen said. They had been dead for a while, he told The Augusta Press, adding that it had likely been weeks before the bodies were discovered. Authorities didnt release additional information. Bowens office is also investigating an unrelated case after a 51-year-old woman was discovered dead in her home on March 13. Augusta is about 145 miles east of Atlanta. Charred car found in Mississippi, cops say. Missing womans license plate found nearby Young skiers lost on extremely remote mountain found just as their phones were dying Intruder slashed 75-year-olds throat, then spent night on his couch, MA officials say 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. Jodie Williams of Springfield attends a Abortion-rights protest rally in front of the Springfield Federal Courthouse Friday June 24, 2022 held by "The Resistor Sisterhood" as a reaction to the overturning of Roe by the U.S. Supreme Court. Anti-abortion and abortion access groups will take to the streets of Springfield on Tuesday, looking to meet with lawmakers to advocate their positions. This year's Illinois March for Life will be the first since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years after the original ruling. Illinois, almost overnight, became an island for abortion access with neighboring Midwestern states issuing bans or restricting access. An influx of out-of-state patients prompted Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri to open a mobile abortion clinic serving southern Illinois. New reproductive health facilities also opened last year in Carbondale, Champaign and Rockford. The issue was center stage in the lead-up to the 2022 election. Gov. JB Pritzker called for a special legislative session instead, lawmakers waited until the fall lame-duck session to pass legislation granting legal protections for healthcare professionals and out-of-state patients. Related:Chillicothe man charged in fire at Planned Parenthood clinic: It was 'all worth it' Here are the events scheduled on both sides of the abortion issue. Tuesday's events The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield will host a 10 a.m. mass at the Sangamon Auditorium on the University of Illinois Springfield campus, led in service by Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki. Downtown, a Lutheran Matins service will start at 10:30 a.m. held at Trinity Lutheran Church on 220 South 2nd St. Paprocki will later head to the Lincoln statue outside the statehouse for the rally and march scheduled to start at noon and 1 p.m. respectively. The bishop will join multiple anti-abortion advocates, including state Rep. William Rauter, R-Morton, as the event's speakers. Springfield Bishop Thomas John Paprocki has said abortion remained a "preeminent priority" for Catholic voters in the Nov. 3 presidential election, a reflection of a letter U.S. Catholic bishops released last year. Speakers are expected to focus their remarks on legislative action taken by state lawmakers in recent years, most notably the removal of parental notification and the use of taxpayer dollars to support abortion services. The governor's budget proposal includes $18 million to IDPH to "support reproductive health initiatives." Story continues General Assembly:Legal protections for abortion providers, seekers poised for Pritzkers signature Abortion access groups will convene at 11 a.m. further north on 2nd Street next to the Capitol grounds. Illinoisans have access to abortion through the 2019 Reproductive Health Act, yet state abortion access groups are focused on a legal challenge filed by a coalition called the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, which is led by the conservative legal advocacy organization Alliance Defending Freedom. The challenge being heard by a federal judge in Texas could end the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of the abortion drug mifepristone. The drug used with misoprostol account for the majority of abortions in the country. It could be pulled from shelves nationwide with a decision by Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of the U.S. Northern District of Texas. Contact Patrick Keck: 312-549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: What to know about March for Life, pro-abortion rallies in Springfield Nearly three years after his arrest, a Boise man was found guilty of first-degree murder for his sons fatal brain injury. Thomas Rowley, now 25, called 911 needing medical help for his 4-month-old son Milo Rowley on June 20, 2020, according to an Ada County Prosecutors Office news release. Milo was brought to St. Lukes Regional Medical Center unresponsive, not breathing and with a serious brain injury, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. The child later died in the hospital. Boise police arrested Rowley when it was suspected that he had caused the injury. Rowley was found to have severely shaken Milo before dropping him face first in his crib, causing the victim to suffer a fatal brain injury from which he died and waited four hours before calling 911, according to the prosecutors office. The month-long trial concluded on Thursday, when the jury found Rowley guilty after six hours of deliberation. The abuse and homicide of Milo is heartbreaking for his loved ones, our community, and every single person involved in this case, Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts said in the release. I greatly appreciate the time and attention the jury put into this lengthy trial. A sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 22 in the Ada County Courthouse. Attorney Sarah Schielke poses for a portrait Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, at a law office in Fort Collins, Colo. Schielke has represented people in high-profile civil lawsuits against law enforcement in cases involving allegations of excessive use of force. Sarah Schielke 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. Sarah Schielkes legal career began on Craigslist in 2010. After graduating from Boston University School of Law in 2008, "a series of bad life decisions in my 20s" brought Schielke to Colorado for a fresh start. With no work experience or legal connections, she decided to post an ad on Craigslist for discount legal services, offering legal assistance for free or close to it, so long as you understand Im learning and Im doing my best," she said. I cant believe how many people look for lawyers on Craigslist because I got a ton of experience very quickly," Schielke said. In 2012, Schielke opened the Life and Liberty Law Office, specializing in criminal defense and civil rights litigation the areas of law she's been passionate about since law school. From there it was a lot of learning, Schielke said. My whole life has really been a steep learning curve, and I just love it. Never working under another attorney has allowed her to pave her own way in law, particularly when it comes to civil rights cases. Schielke's unique strategy of sharing body camera footage from her client's cases with the public to draw more attention has been successful in recent years, getting her clients substantially more money than Schielke said similar cases typically settle for, and her success has continued in 2022. Schielke's release of the body camera footage in the arrest of Karen Garner a woman with dementia who was injured by a Loveland police officer during a June 2020 arrest in April 2021 brought the case to light for the first time, bringing national media attention and prompting the city to conduct internal and external reviews of the incident and the department as a whole throughout 2021 and into 2022. Story continues The investigations into this case, prompted by Schielke's release of the footage, led to two officers facing criminal charges. In 2022, both officers charged were sentenced: Austin Hopp to five years in prison and Daria Jalali to 45 days in jail followed by three years of probation. Loveland settled with the Garner family for $3 million in September 2021. The "going rate" for settlements in a case like Garner's is usually less than $100,000, Schielke said. In 2022, Schielke settled another case against a Colorado law enforcement agency this one filed against the Idaho Springs Department for a record-breaking $7 million "for (the officers') roles in the brutal tasing attack they perpetuated on (her client), in his own home" in 2021, according to a news release from Schielke. For her civil rights work, Schielke is USA TODAY's Women of the Year honoree for Colorado. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Attorney Sarah Schielke reacts during an interview on Dec. 21, 2022, at a law office in Fort Collins. Schielke has represented people in high-profile civil lawsuits against law enforcement in cases involving allegations of excessive use of force. How have you paved your own way? Everybody's path is different, but there has to be some degree of adaptability to strong women who are getting to where I'm at, or where other women have gotten to, that men don't have to do. What's tricky is figuring out how to get to adapt yourself without losing yourself, and then trying to change it from within, which is one of the things I want to do. I have two staff and ... they're smart, strong women. What is your proudest moment? I had a client in Clear Creek (County, Colorado) tased by police in May 2021, and he said I had to release the body camera footage because it would vindicate him. I had to fight, and I finally got the judge to follow the law and release it to me, but I was told I couldn't release the video publicly without blurring certain faces. I followed the judge's order to the letter, but I still felt like they were going to try and hold me in contempt. When I released the body camera footage, the judge called an emergency hearing the same day and issued me a citation to hold me in contempt. And I have never felt so proud in my life because I knew it was probably going to happen, but I knew they were wrong, and I knew I was doing what was right. I have that citation (which was later dismissed) framed at home, and I got a T-shirt made that I wore to the next court appearance that said my 'First Amendment rights were violated in Clear Creek County and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.' (The department settled her client's case for $7 million in November.) Sarah Schielke, the attorney for Karen Garner's family, addresses the media following the announcement that two Loveland police officers will face criminal charges following the arrest of the 73-year-old woman with dementia during a press conference with Garner's family outside the Police and Courts Building in Loveland on May 19, 2021. Is there a low moment in your life that helped shape you? My dad passed away from cancer at 59, right when I started practicing law. Before he died, he got to see me do one trial. It was my first one ever, which I lost. But his passing and processing the loss of a parent, it made me reframe my life. One of the very first things that I kind of took out of it was a lot of gratitude, positivity and forgiveness for everybody, including myself. I think if my dad was still around and I hadn't experienced that kind of amount of suffering and grief, I'd be very different today. What is your definition of courage? The brand of courage that I try to live by and teach to my kids is to try and execute, to have the determination to fix a wrong that you see, or make things better, even if people are telling you "no," or especially if the people who are telling you "no" have a lot of power and are scary. Courage is trusting yourself, loving other people no matter what, and trying to leave the world a little better than you found it. Is there a guiding principle or mantra you tell yourself? I think, fundamentally, there are two types of people: There are good people, and there are good people in pain. Everyone wakes up and thinks "I'm going to try my best today," whatever they think their best is. But mostly everybody's trying their best. And if they're acting in a way we find outrageous or repugnant, it's because they're suffering in their own way. How do you overcome adversity? Constant learning. I read everything I can find about a situation. I reach out to people who I think have more experience and ask them. I also couldn't do this without my husband, who is a stay-at-home dad for our two daughters. What advice would you give your younger self? My younger self is unrecognizable to who I am now, and it was only through a lot of loss and suffering and not wanting to have those things hurt so much that I worked so hard on myself and how I interact with the world and deal with the world. Keep loving to learn you're going to do a lot of it. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: How a Colorado attorney is making a difference in civil rights law Seabrook, New Hampshire police arrested Meghan Leavitt, 38, for calling in fake threats to a Walmart in the area. She started with a bomb threat and followed up with another call about an active shooter in the store. How'd police identify her as the suspect? Leavitt was apparently using her speakerphone to make the calls while riding in an Uber on the way to the Walmart, and the driver alerted the cops. Why would she do such a thing? From WMUR9: Officers say she was coming to the complex because her boyfriend was about to be arrested at the Dick's Sporting Goods across from the Walmart for shop lifting. He was hiding in a changing room talking to her before she made the calls. Mone said that she made the calls in an effort to distract the police from arresting her significant other. "We're thankful to [the Uber driver] for sticking around, and flagging us down, and letting us know that was really a big piece of the investigation," Mone said. Congress will be back in full session for the first time on Wednesday as lawmakers deal with the fallout of the recent bank failures and work to prevent a full-blown financial crisis. The sudden and rapid collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank has the financial sector still reeling from its effects amid economic uncertainty and increased risks for other banks. Internationally, Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an apparent show of support as the war in Ukraine continues. Xis visit could be an escalation of tensions between the East and West, as U.S. officials warn that China could supply Russia with military aid in its invasion of Ukraine. Heres what to know ahead of a busy week in politics. Stay in the conversation on politics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter The Capitol is seen through a window in the Russell Senate Office Building as policymakers wrestle with fallout from the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, in Washington, Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Top of mind for Congress: Preventing another SVB On top of lawmakers minds this week will be preventing another catastrophic failure similar to what happened with SVB, especially when a new study revealed that 186 banks are at risk of a failure akin to SVB if just half of their depositors decide to withdraw their funds. Theres bipartisan consensus among lawmakers that Congress should act in some capacity to prevent a full-blown financial crisis its just unclear how. North Carolina Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry, chair of the House Financial Services committee, told CBS Face the Nation on Sunday that all options are on the table when it comes to responding to the crisis. 'It's a wake-up call': Advocacy groups, lawmakers highlight law they say led to SVB collapse Then-Rep.-elect Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., delivers remarks in the House Chamber during the fourth day of voting for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2023 in Washington, DC. All options should be on the table, and thats how Im approaching it, McHenry said, adding that his focus right now is understanding what led up to the bank failures. The Federal Reserve announced last Monday it will be conducting an internal review of its supervision and regulation of Silicon Valley Bank, but Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren called for an independent third-party investigation on ABCs This Week on Sunday. Story continues Im calling for an independent investigation of the Fed and the whole regulatory system here. The Fed doesnt just get to do its own investigation, Warren said. Related: Silicon Valley Bank collapse explained in graphics Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks to a reporter outside of the Senate Chambers during a vote in the U.S. Capitol Building on March 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. Senators return to session this week amidst the government reaction to the closing of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. China to meet with Russia in apparent show of support for war in Ukraine Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin from Monday to Wednesday in what appears to be a show of support for Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine, a move that could have severe geopolitical implications amid rising tensions between the West and the East. China has refused to condemn Moscow as Ukraine continues to fend off Russian aggression, seeking to frame itself as a neutral third party when so many leaders in the West are pledging their support to Ukraine. Xis visit comes after U.S. officials have been continually warning about the possibility of China arming Russia with military aid. White House spokesperson John Kirby called on Xi to also meet with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy and warned China against pursuing a one-sided peace deal. Related: Nuclear warfare? China arming Russia? Fears of new Cold War rise. FILE - Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin enter a hall for talks in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, June 5, 2019. China said Friday, March 17, 2023, 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. Indictment coming for Donald Trump? Former President Donald Trumps Manhattan hush-money probe could be entering a new phase as Trump announced Saturday morning that he will be arrested on Tuesday for an alleged $130,000 payment to silence adult film actress Stormy Daniels about a prior affair in the days before the 2016 election. Joe Tacopina, an attorney for Trump, told USA TODAY in an email that Trumps prediction is not based on any contact with the Manhattan district attorneys office. A criminal indictment of a former president would be unprecedented, even more so with Trump running for the White House in 2024. The Manhattan probe is just one of the legal investigations involving Trump which include inquiries into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents. What we know: Is Donald Trump likely to be arrested soon? Will he be indicted? Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event Monday, March 13, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa. TikTok CEO to testify before Congress As a crackdown on the popular social media app TikTok gains momentum on Capitol Hill, the app's CEO Shou Zi Chew will testify before Congress for the first time on Thursday. Lawmakers have been growing increasingly concerned with the apps parent company, ByteDance, given its connections to the Chinese government. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified to the Senate Intelligence Committee the app screams out with national security concerns. Chew will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is expected to be aggressively questioned on the apps data security practices and how it handles private user data. Related: Don't ban TikTok from Americans' phones, says NH governor and possible 2024 GOP candidate The TikTok logo is displayed on signage outside TikTok social media app company offices in Culver City, California, on March 16, 2023. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Congress returns to SVB fallout, as Putin and Xi Jinping meet illustration of Candida auris fungi An illustration of Candida auris fungi. Credit - Science Photo LibraryGetty Images The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking the rise of a deadly, treatment-resistant fungus thats causing outbreaks in a growing number of health care facilities across the country. New data compiled by a CDC research team, published Mar. 21 in Annals of Internal Medicine, show that Candida auris infections have increased dramatically in the U.S. in recent years. In 2021, national cases reported by health care facilities increased by 95%, and from 2019 to 2021, 17 states reported their first case. With infections recorded in a total of 28 states and the District of Columbia, these numbers suggest that current disinfection and safety measures at care facilities may not be sufficient. Experts do not currently view C. auris as much of a threat to the wider population, since most healthy people are not at risk for severe infections, which tend to spread in hospital settings. But there are fears that it could someday evolve to become one. The first U.S. case of C. auris infection was reported in 2016, and though travel later brought it to a number of states, early on, we werent seeing such such a dramatic increase, says Meghan Lyman, a medical officer in the CDCs mycotic diseases branch and first author on the paper. That gave us some hope. Things changed in 2019, she says, when an influx of states reporting outbreaks made it clear that the threat was here to stay. Weve realized its just a really fragile situation. A 2022 study described a concurrent increase in European outbreaks, and the CDC says that infections have occurred in more than 30 countries worldwide since the fungus first emerged in Japan in 2009. Read More: Deadly Fungal Infection Emerged Because of Global Warming, Study Says More from TIME The new findings may also reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, eight states reported their first cases of C. auris, more than in any other year. CDC scientists believe that crowded conditions in hospitalsparticularly those facing shortages of staff, equipment, and PPEcontributed to the spread of the fungus. Infections are rare but seriousmortality rates are about 30%and symptoms can include fever and chills, followed by organ failure. Story continues Most fungal infections, both mild and serious, are caused by one of the hundreds of types of Candida yeasts. Some types of Candida live peacefully within our bodiesa yeast infection, for instance, is simply an overgrowth of one of these helpful species. C. auris is one of the more dangerous types, but for most healthy people, the fungus will temporarily colonize the skin without causing any illness or issues; without testing, youd likely never know it was there. This type of colonization often resolves naturally, thanks to existing fungi in the normal skin flora that eventually rebalance and take over. The danger arises when C. auris finds a way into the body through a wound or other opening, particularly if somebody is weakened or immunocompromised. This helps explain why the CDCs data come almost entirely from health care settings. Another factor is that people who are already in these settings are more likely to be tested for it, following a bad infection or death. When the first case pops up, often its a clinical case, because people might not be looking for it, explains Lyman. If youre headed to the hospital and fearful of infection, you can always ask, as soon as you enter, if theyre screening for C. auris, says Johanna Rhodes, a researcher at Imperial College London (who was not involved with the study). In an ideal world, she says, hospitals would be screening all patients upon entry. While no state yet requires hospitals to test this thoroughly, several have either recommended it or undertaken county-level projects to make widespread screening more feasible. Most fungi capable of infecting humans pose threats to certain body systems. Some can infect the lungs, others the skin, and some even seem to affect mental health. This particular species of Candida affects the bloodstream, and infections like those caused by C. auris, are similar to sepsis, explains Rhodes. But its harder to treat. C. auris is resistant to antifungal medications, which makes it unique among fungi. If you look across all species of Candida, only about 7% of all isolates [individual cell samples trapped and regrown in a lab] are resistant to antifungals, says Shawn Lockhart, director of the CDCs fungal reference laboratory and an author on the paper. Now, all of a sudden, weve got this bug where 85-90% of all isolates are resistant. Read More: Why Fungi Can Be Good Generally, a drug-resistant fungus can evade one of the the three major types of antifungal medications. But C. auris is pan-resistant, which means that all three treatments are weakened or ineffective against it. Scientists have also tracked the drug resistance of C. auris over time, and the fungus has evolved dramatically in a short period of timewhich worries experts. I can only think of one other report of a pan-resistant Candida, he says. The difference is that it was never resistant to all three antifungals at the same time. C. auris also has an unusual ability to stick around. The fungus is able to form biofilms, explains Rhodes, which is essentially like having a suit of armor or Iron Man suit. It allows it to persist in the environmentit makes it super sticky to surfaces, and it can resist disinfectant. In a 2015 study, Rhodes found that C. auris was resistant to most of the disinfectants used by the U.K.s National Health System at the time, and pushed for recommendations to be adjusted. This stickiness allows C. auris to cling to medical equipment like ventilators and catheters in a way that other infectious agents cant. To help reverse the rise of the fungus, the first step should be to find a way to reduce the amount of C. auris that patients harbor, Lockhart says.The key is getting the colonization low enough so that its not transmitting to other patients, to protect the people who are most at risk. Doing this requires minimizing spread in the first place, which she says can be done by adequately maintaining sterile hospital environments and cleaning procedures. Lyman is confident that measures can be taken to slow the spread and reduce case numbers in the U.S. Weve actually seen a lot of facilities in areas that have prevented and even stopped transmission, she says. The key, she says, will be really rigorous infection control and good communication. Kent Ingle, president of Southeastern University Students in Florida will have more freedom to choose where they pursue their higher education degrees thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis Framework for Freedom budget. The proposal increases the Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) grant voucher, putting more power in the hands of Florida students. Thanks to DeSantiss Budget Proposal Students Have the Freedom of Choice By: Kent Ingle, Southeastern University President Students in Florida will have more freedom to choose where they pursue their higher education degrees thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis Framework for Freedom budget. The proposal increases the Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) grant voucher, putting more power in the hands of Florida students. The EASE grant program ensures students and families have a choice regarding higher education. With the governors budget proposal, the value of the EASE voucher would increase from $2,000 to $2,500 per year to help Florida students pay for college tuition at nonprofit institutions. With EASE, state dollars do not fund the institution or its program. Instead, EASE follows the student. More than 43,000 students depend on EASE across the state of Florida. Over 9,000 students use EASE vouchers to attend faith-based colleges and universities like Southeastern University (SEU). EASE is critical for SEU students. In the 2022-23 year, 2,055 SEU students were awarded EASE funds 59% of full-time traditional undergraduate students and 35% of non-traditional undergraduate students. Additionally, 90% of the students at our partner site locations throughout Florida receive EASE funds. The funds also cover between 30% and 40% of tuition for full-time online/extension site students who are Florida residents. The EASE voucher allows students to choose a college or institution that meets their individual needs. They can decide to pursue their college degree at a place that supports and reinforces their familys values. Story continues Students may also want to attend a university where classrooms have fewer students, allowing them to focus better and get the support they need. And for many adult learners, EASE provides students with a school that offers flexible schedules, enabling them to balance the demands of their work or their families. At SEU, students benefit from smaller classroom sizes, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 27 to 1. Many of our partner site students are provided with the opportunity to attend classes at a school near them while continuing in their careers. The EASE voucher helps make that possible. With EASE, students can effectively break financial barriers and earn higher incomes. Floridas independent colleges and universities accept more low-income students and produce higher starting salaries. Of the top seven higher education institutions in Florida based on graduates average starting salaries, six are independent colleges and universities. At SEU, 61% of our EASE recipients are low-income students. The governors budget will also provide students with an extra $1,000 (known as EASE+) if they choose to pursue degrees in fields of high demand, such as education, STEM, nursing or health care. With Florida experiencing a severe labor shortage, independent colleges and universities within the state have been flexible in adapting to the changing needs of the labor market. At SEU, we have been able to increase programming in high-demand fields, such as nursing. We now offer nursing degrees from the undergraduate to the graduate levels. Our nursing program is one of the top three majors that EASE voucher recipients pursue at SEU. Since EASE was established more than four decades ago, hundreds of thousands of Florida families have been able to attend college, earn their degrees, launch their careers and provide for their families. Many of these recipients chose to remain in our state and significantly contribute to our economy. At SEU, over 90% of our EASE recipients remain in Florida. We are grateful for Governor DeSantiss recommendation to the legislature to increase base funding of EASE and create EASE+ to further support students. We know many of our graduates and current students have greatly benefited from the program. Governor DeSantiss proposed increase in state funding for the EASE voucher is just the latest step in his commitment to providing students with greater choice when it comes to education. We are hopeful the Florida Legislature will deliver on this commitment. Kent Ingle is president of Southeastern University in Lakeland. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: DeSantiss budget proposal encourages school choice Weather beats freeze on freedom in sunny Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and many others say the influx of people moving to Florida is for the "freedom" that one achieves as a resident of Florida. My wife and I moved to Vero Beach a year ago. We moved here for the warm winter weather. We are now in our early 70s and we didn't want to endure the cold winter weather on the east end of Long Island any longer. However, now we have to endure the policies of DeSantis, Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, U.S. Rep. Bill Posey and others with whom we strongly disagree. DeSantis is reducing the freedoms of all Floridians with his school and book actions and he is using our tax dollars to ship refugees from other states to "blue" states. I felt a whole lot freer in New York. Scott wrote a proposal (which he recently amended) to sunset Social Security every five years. Well, at least we are enjoying Florida's fabulous "winter" weather. Richard Sheehan, Vero Beach Time to take advantage of Brightline project Alas, people are thinking: "What is the Treasure Coast getting out of the Brightline project besides costly lawsuits and fast trains whizzing by?" It's time to move forward and reap some benefits from this terrific project. Let's get with the times, use mass transit and help our senior citizens avoid interstate driving at 70 mph. The Treasure Coast's regional airports and high-speed railroad are perfect together, creating jobs and opportunities, not to mention improving the quality of life. If you use air conditioning to cool your home, you should be in favor of the technology of traveling with high-speed rail. Tom Allen, Vero Beach Free Florida? Add freedom to die without pain My mother was a devout Christian and a lifelong Republican. By day, she worked in the service of Americas Armed Forces; by night, she put herself through college, eventually earning her MBA. Later in life, she received a cancer diagnosis, which she fought valiantly. When the treatments stopped working, she enrolled in hospice with no fear of death, but with one request: No more pain. Story continues For weeks, she screamed in pain, crying out for Jesus to help her, until she died in my arms. Hospice did all they could, but they couldnt make her comfortable. If only she had the option to choose Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD), she could have died with the same self-determination with which she lived. MAiD allows mentally capable, terminally ill adults with six-month prognoses to live to receive medication to hasten their impending deaths if their suffering becomes unbearable. Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book and House Rep. Daryl Campbell have filed MAiD bills (Senate Bill 864 and House Bill 1231, respectively) to give qualified Floridians the legal right to request this end-of-life option. The bill contains strong safeguards to protect vulnerable patients from abuse and coercion. No health care provider can be forced to participate in MAiD, and patients can change their minds at any point in the process. Death certificates must list the underlying terminal disease as the cause of death. The rights to self-determination, freedom of religion and bodily autonomy are sacred in American society. In the great state of Florida, we have health care freedom the liberty to decide whether certain health care choices are right for ourselves, in accordance with our own values and beliefs. Our governor must expand Floridas health care freedoms to include a Medical Aid in Dying option, so that dying people dont have to suffer if their pain cannot be adequately palliated. Roberta Goode, Palm City More: Should Florida give parents $8,000 for students' education? Devil is in voucher details More: Officer, device, give inside view of Vero Beach parking, nature of motorists | Opinion More: Don't let pro-growth forces win battle for Martin County's soul by default | Opinion Let's wake up to indoctrination governor When I attended grade school in Massachusetts many years ago, out of the entire school, there was only one Black kid attending. Somehow, he got a nickname: Chico. On occasion, we would pass in the halls and nod or say hi; basically friendly and respectful responses. Chico, to my knowledge, was never mistreated in any way; and I always mindfully gave him a pat on the back for his courage and stamina to seek an education at this school. I guess I must have been indoctrinated by my parents with the live-and-let-live attitude. That is probably why I never heard of "woke" until Gov. Ron DeSantis made the statement: "Florida is where WOKE comes to die." I guess I was colorblind all these years! This woke terminology is part of our history and should remain so. Everyone can read books, inform THEMSELVES and indoctrinate THEMSELVES, instead of bowing to the ideologies of one man who may have ulterior motives. So it appears now, if one is INDOCTRINATED by taking on the ideologies of DeSantis, you become a free Floridian? Ain't it great? You don't have to think for yourself anymore! And it's possible for you to land a $699,000 job at some university with no experience. As I write this, the local news station says DeSantis' laws have removed several more books from the shelves. This type of legislation should always be up to the voting public, not a handful of legislators following the power trail. DeSantis is a bad apple for Floridians and will be a rotten apple if the people are unlucky enough to have him as president of our country. It's time DeSantis woke up! Mike Hampson, Port St. Lucie Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, rear center, addresses a joint session of the legislature, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla. Can't find Democrats who rise to level of 'lunacy'? Challenge accepted: On Feb. 28 letter writer Conrad deFiebre dared right-wing readers to name a few Democratic officeholders who rise to levels of lunacy. I'm an independent, but up for the challenge. A few past officeholders were Hillary Clinton (bogus claim about being under sniper fire during a trip to Bosnia); Bill Clinton ("I did not have sex with that woman."); Barack Obama ("If you like your doctor ... "), Some present "normal" ones include Richard Blumenthal (serving in Vietnam); Eric Swalwell ("I didn't do anything wrong" with a suspected Chinese spy.); Adam Schiff (direct evidence of Russian collusion); Alejandro Mayorkas ("The border is secure."); Kamala Harris ("We've been to the border, and I haven't been to Europe."); Karine Jean-Pierre (stammering with so many "ahs" you can't keep count). But the winner is: our president with his plethora of falsity. Joe Biden, from claiming he graduated with three undergraduate degrees and in the top half of his class in law school to his repeatedly telling the Amtrak conductor story. Then his saying Hunter Biden is the smartest person he knows; you won't get COVID if you have the vaccine; the economy is not his fault. I could go on, but I think I've given a few examples of the "sanity" our present administration displays almost daily. Jacki Sadowski, Port St. Lucie Yes, Democrats have fair share of embarrassments, too In response to letter writer Conrad deFiebre and his request and challenge to right-wingers to name some Democrats showing signs of lunacy: He makes it too easy. I think Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is certifiable. Ilhan Omar? She seems like a card-carrying anti-Semite along with Rashida Tlaib. Joe Biden is a plagiarizer. How about Carolyn Maloney, Kaiali'i Kahele and Stacey Abrams, the election denier? Then there's Hillary Clinton (even though she isn't in office), another election denier, and Maxine Waters. There are many more. David Brown, Port St. Lucie Article on DeSantis paints him in unfair light In the March 6 newspaper, the lead story on Gov. Ron DeSantis provides a vivid example of why confidence in the press has hit all-time lows. The first paragraph sets up the article by noting that policy moves will "strike directly at Floridians" (Oh no!). The article then discusses many of the proposals with the usual bias, but the topper is when it notes how Black Floridians have been a "frequent focus" of presumably prejudicial policies. Of course, the DeSantis and Republican desire to expand school choice, strongly supported by Black and low-income Floridians, would be one of those harmful policies. Is the support of kids rather than teacher's unions harmful to Blacks? Then the article notes Al Sharpton's protest of the rejection of the extreme elements in the AP African studies course such as "queer theory" and critical race theory, turning February, in Sharpton's view, into "Erase Black History Month." That is a grotesquely unfair charge and the article ignores the reasons behind the rejection of the AP course, leaving an uninformed reader with a strong negative reaction. I don't believe this is by mistake. Nor do I believe the title of the article, "DeSantis demands, lawmakers comply," is anything other than a deliberate, yet subtle, effort to tilt the reader to a negative opinion of the governor. No surprise here. Harold A. Ofstie, Vero Beach DeSantis lacks leadership on issues critical to Floridians I find it very interesting Gov. Ron DeSantis finds it very important to address subjective issues like wokeness and library book bans and ignore objective and real issues like home insurance and electric rates. Is he really looking out for all the people of Florida or just those who think like him? Good government should protect people from things out of and beyond their control, not tell them what or how to think. Instead of giving parents and citizens the freedom to make decisions on their own, he is trying to dictate the choices they have. It does not sound like freedom to me. Drumming up fear on subjective issues is not real leadership. When was the last time some leader did that? Jack Siplak, Vero Beach Florida's proposed blogger registry reminiscent of Castro We have a Florida Republican legislator or legislators proposing registration of bloggers of the governor and Cabinet. That conjures in me memories and nightmares of firing squads killing anti-Castro Cubans after he took over in the late 1950s. When I was 17 and a high school senior, I first saw that on a TV news special about him in 1960 with films showing his opponents catapulted backward, into a ditch, dead from the those firing squad bullets. That memory has haunted me ever since. How did Fidel Castro root out his opponents? Were they writers (bloggers) such as myself? Who else? Now a registry? OMG! RIchard Silvestri, Fort Pierce Why won't leaders stand up to ominous Ron-Don Party? So, when does the book burning begin? The Florida governor has already started the process by removing school library books, targeting groups such as school boards who are trying to indoctrinate our children, LGBTQs, critical race theorists (and we know who they represent) and migrants. It sure seems like 1930s Germany! The Charlottesville march in 2017 reinstated Jews as a target group, so our governor doesnt have to add them, but would he when hes running for president? Or he could just say: There are nice people on both sides. Are there any reasonable Republican Florida lawmakers who will stand up and say Enough!? And why are Florida Democrats so quiet? Why arent they trying to stand up to the Ron DeSantis sheep who will say and legislate everything he wants, just like Donald Trumps MAGA Republicans? Between DeSantis and Trump, we now have a Ron-Don Republican party. Yikes! Anne Brakman, Vero Beach DeSantis practices what he preaches I will say this about our governor: He practices what he preaches: INDOCTRINATION. He preaches it over and over again. The woke are indoctrinating our children, he says. I cannot help but notice in many organizations Ron DeSantis is replacing officials with faith-based leadership. There is indoctrination going on, and it is being executed by the governor of Florida. The Republican Party has lost the past seven out of eight presidential popular votes. DeSantis and the Republicans know they dont have a winning message for the voters, so they have to start indoctrinating people to see things their way. This country was literally founded on freedom of religion. The Republican Party appears no longer interested in freedom of religion or democracy. Look no further than what DeSantis has done in Florida and Donald Trump's attempted coup. Don Whisman, Stuart Masses' ignorance fuels problems in nation The woke movement is seriously misnamed. The majority of Americans are unawoke. The ineptness of media sources not telling the truth about how we are being misled has led to the ignorance of the masses. Those in power, yes, the president, vice president and their inept appointees are destroying what our founding fathers did to make this the greatest country ever. Wake up, America, before its too late! Bob Hall, Vero Beach This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: DeSantis, woke, bias; Sunshine State; Brightline stop; lunacy list Vermont is getting a second helping of a Pi Day snowstorm, Burlington meteorologist Marvin Boyd said Wednesday, with the biggest snowfall of the 2022-2023 winter piling up 8-12 inches of snow in the Champlain Valley. Boyd said almost six inches of snow fell in two hours on Tuesday when a snow band formed over his home in Williston near Lake Iroquois. "A snow band is a localized incident that sits over places and just dumps," he said. "It's hard to tell how long they're going to be there." More:Ready for spring or can't get enough powder? Burlington's biggest March snowstorms ever. Pi Day refers to the correspondence between Tuesday's date 3/14 and the number pi, 3.14. The last Pi Day storm in 2017 dumped two to three feet of snow across northern Vermont, Boyd said. About 15 inches of snow had accumulated in Fairfax as of March 15, 2023, from a nor'easter that hit on Pi Day the previous day. "It was a substantial storm," he said. "It happens in return intervals two to three times a decade. Something this sizable with enough frequency, people tend to remember." Boyd added that this year's Pi Day storm concentrated snowfall over population centers. "It snowed harder where the people are," Boyd said. "When it snows heavier where the people are, people notice." Snowfall town by town in Chittenden County Boyd was still collecting snow totals for individual towns in Chittenden County on Wednesday afternoon, but had the following totals to report: Burlington 10.8 inches. Colchester 10.8 inches. Essex Center 10.8 inches. Williston 13.5 inches. Hinesburg 16.5 inches. Huntington at 1,300 feet elevation 24 inches. South Burlington 11 inches. Underhill 14.8 inches. Westford 11.1 inches. Williston 13.5 inches. Thousands of outages, mostly in southern Vermont The heavy wet snow was a big challenge for the state's utilities, especially in southern Vermont, where nearly 23,000 customers in Windham, Windsor and Bennington counties still didn't have power, according to VTOutages. Boot prints in the snow in Fairfax as seen on March 15, 2023. Green Mountain Power said it was expanding its field force "even further" on Wednesday after restoring power to more than 59,000 customers since the storm began on Tuesday. The state's largest utility said it still had 24,000 customers "left to go" for restoring power. Story continues "We had already brought in external crews to work alongside ours before the storm hit, and now, we are enhancing our field team even further as other states less hard hit release their crews for mutual aid to Vermont," Mike Burke, GMP's vice president of field operations, said in a statement. Snowfallwinds down While the Champlain Valley received 8-12 inches of snow, parts of southern Vermont were buried in multiple feet of snow, according to Boyd. Danby, for example, got 26 inches of snow. Across the lake, in Moriah, New York, three feet of snow fell. "Even down at lake level, Crown Point got 22 inches (of snow)," Boyd said. The snow was piling up in Fairfax on March 15, 2023, from a nor'easter that hit the day before. The storm was a nor'easter, which forms off the coast in the Atlantic Ocean and then wraps back northwest into New England. "They are slower moving, or stationary, and are very efficient at pulling moisture off the Atlantic," Boyd said of nor'easters. The Pi Day storm tapered down on Wednesday, according to Boyd, and conditions would improve rapidly after 2 p.m., when the low pressure powering the storm is expected to pull eastward. A hydrangea gets buried in snow in Fairfax on March 15, 2023. "It's winding down today," Boyd said. "We do have another quick-moving storm for Friday coming through. Temperatures will be warming into the upper 30s tomorrow and the low 40s for Friday and Saturday." Unfortunately, those warmer temperatures will bring about a quarter-inch of rain along with them, according to Boyd. Contact Dan DAmbrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosio@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Snow totals are piling up in Chittenden County and southern Vermont The Manhattan district attorney's investigation of Donald Trump has been going on for years and outlasted so many fits and starts that it has been described as the "zombie" case. With a decision on possible charges now believed to be imminent, public information from witnesses who have been debriefed by prosecutors and provided testimony to a grand jury indicate that a large focus of the investigation has not strayed far from its start -- a payment the former president made to a porn actress to silence her in the waning days of his 2016 campaign. District Attorney Alvin Bragg hasn't explained his strategy and Trump hasn't been charged. But the hush-money payment could potentially be used to build a case for falsifying business records and violating campaign finance law. Here is what we know about the investigation: Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's longtime personal attorney, testifies before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on Feb. 27, 2019 in Washington. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison for a series of federal crimes, including campaign finance violations and tax evasion. How does the Stormy Daniels payment figure in the investigation? The heart of the New York investigation into Trump appears to focus on a hush-money payment Michael Cohen arranged from Trump to porn actress Stormy Daniels. The $130,000 payment aimed to prevent her from publicizing her claim of having had sex with Trump before the 2016 election. Cohen pleaded guilty in August 2018 to concealing income from the Internal Revenue service, making false statements and causing $280,000 in payments to be made to silence two women who otherwise planned to speak publicly about their alleged affairs with a presidential candidate, according to the Justice Department. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison, although he was released early to home detention because of the threat of COVID-19 in prison. Opinion: Trump wants you to think he's constantly the victim. Maybe he's just a bad dude. Opinion: Between sketchy witnesses and the law, case comes up short Cohen and Daniels have each testified before the grand jury. Evidence bolstering Cohens testimony includes emails, texts and other documents gathered during a search of Cohens electronic devices, a source familiar with the investigation told USA TODAY. Story continues Trump has denied wrongdoing but admitted to making the payment to Daniels. I did absolutely nothing wrong, I never had an affair with Stormy Daniels, nor would I have wanted to have an affair with Stormy Daniels, Trump said on his social media site Truth Social. I relied on counsel in order to resolve this extortion of me. Campaign-finance charges would typically come at the federal level. But the Justice Department declined to charge Trump and the Federal Election Commission deadlocked over potentially taking action in the case. Michael Cohen, former personal attorney to President Donald Trump, speaks to the media before departing his Manhattan apartment for prison on May 6, 2019, in New York. How was the Trump Organization involved? A New York grand jury in Manhattan has long been investigating Trump and his namesake company. Two New York prosecutors who had been leading a criminal investigation of Trump quit Braggs office in February 2022. The resignations of Carey Dunne and Mark Pomerantz come just over a month into Braggs tenure and raised questions about whether he could pursue the investigation. But the investigation into Trump's business operations eventually resulted in convictions of two parts of the Trump Organization and its chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, over a tax evasion conspiracy. Trump wasnt charged in that case. Trump Organization's former Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg, center, leaves court on Aug. 18 after pleading guilty to tax violations. What is the Manhattan grand jury investigating now? Braggs office hasnt announced how it is investigating Trump. Based on the witnesses called, the inquiry seems to focus on the hush-money payment, which wasnt necessarily illegal. One potential legal strategy is that Trump could be charged with falsifying business records in combination with another criminal violation. Falsifying business records is a misdemeanor, but it would become a felony if linked to a second crime. The second charge could be an alleged campaign finance violation for failing to report the $130,000 payment to Daniels as a contribution to his presidential campaign. Norm Eisen, a lawyer and former counsel to the first House impeachment of Trump, said accounting for the hush money as legal fees appears to be a clear violation of law. But elevating that misdemeanor to a felony with a second charge is a "steep" challenge for Bragg, Eisen said. Linking a bookkeeping charge to a campaign finance violation or wire fraud is a challenge because it would be a state case referring to a federal crime, according to Eisen. But he said no courts have ruled out using a federal crime as the second violation or prosecutors might find a second state charge. Weve never had a president whos faced this kind of liability before, Eisen said. Three House Republican chairmen criticized the legal strategy Monday in a letter to Bragg, based on Cohen's "serious credibility problem" and the potential charges involved. "The legal theory underlying your reported prosecution appears to be tenuous and untested," Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio, Oversight Chairman James Comer of Kentucky and Administration Chairman Bryan Steil of Wisconsin wrote to Bragg. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says he may be arrested: Here's a guide to the possible charges Tony Troppe talks about the beauty of the former Temple Israel, which is now the Highland Square Universal Gathering Place, HUG art center, on Thursday. The words "Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself" still greet visitors over the entrance. And fittingly the transformation of the former Temple Israel into the Creative Arts Collaborative Center (C) at HUG has been nothing less than a spiritual experience for Akron developer and entrepreneur Tony Troppe. The name HUG stands for the Highland (Square) Universal Gathering Place. Like his other projects in the city including the Blu-Tique Hotel, Blu Jazz+ and The Trailhead, Troppe is breathing new life into the former place of worship on Merriman Road he owns in the Highland Square neighborhood. Workers have been toiling for months to restore and reimagine the 46,000-square-foot space that was built in 1911. Some work still remains to be done but much of the construction is finished for what Troppe hopes will be the first of a many daylong or even weekend long special cultural events at the center. The center is hosting Philadelphia jazz vocalist Michelle Lordi on Thursday. Bobby Selvaggio, executive director of Creative Arts Collaborative Center, talks about some of the planned art events that can be held at Highland Square Universal Gathering Place, HUG art center, in the former Temple Israel on Thursday. Bobby Selvaggio, the center's executive director, said each event the center will put on will be carefully curated to not only include performances but also discussions and even master classes. Lordi will be hosting a free master class at 4 p.m. Thursday before her ticketed 7 p.m. concert at the center with Orrin Evans on piano, Matthew Parrish on bass and James Johnson III on drums. For tickets, visit https://creative-arts-collaborative-center.ticketleap.com/michelle-lordi-quartet/dates/Mar-23-2023_at_0400PM. As a jazz musician himself and a professor at Kent State, Selvaggio said, he is excited about what the center will be able to offer. He said there are plenty of stages in and around Akron to watch a performance. Bobby Selvaggio, executive director of Creative Arts Collaborative Center, talks about the Highland Square Universal Gathering Place, HUG art center, in the former Temple Israel on Thursday. What makes the Creative Arts Collaborative Center (C) at HUG different is that it plans to engage with artists from musicians to actors and everything in between in a holistic approach so aspiring kids and teens can meet with them and even adults will be able to engage in meaningful conversations. Story continues "Every performance we put on will have an educational component," Selvaggio said. "We are not putting gigs on here. We are putting on cultural events here." And there's plenty of space inside of the neoclassic revival building to be creative in. The former temple's prayer hall is now an auditorium that can seat up to 300 people with walls that can extended to create a smaller concert venue. In the center of the auditorium, Troppe points out the ceiling rises to some 35 feet. Tony Troppe points out the ocular window in the sanctuary of the former Temple Israel which is now the Highland Square Universal Gathering Place, HUG art center, on Thursday. Tony Troppe talks about the ocular window in the sanctuary of the former Temple Israel which is now the Highland Square Universal Gathering Place, HUG art center, on Thursday. "Our passion for music will be going out to the heavens," he said. In the lower level, there's another large space that can hold some 250 people for banquets and special events. The commercial kitchen that supports this space will also be able to host classes and events for culinary art students and enthusiasts. And it will also be able for rentals like weddings or other celebratory gatherings. An event space in the lower level of Highland Square Universal Gathering Place, HUG art center, on Thursday. Troppe said he is putting in a vintage gameroom with restored classic pinball machines in a nearby room that can be used by guests at special events. There are plans for dozens of studios to host musicians and artists along with living quarters to eventually accommodate artists in residence. In the spirit of being a community space, Troppe said, the center recently hosted an Akron City Council ward meeting. Aside from saving an "architectural gem" from sitting empty or possible demolition, Troppe said, he envisions the space as filling a void in the community by providing a place where a variety of related programming can be hosted at the same time. He's hoping to collaborate with the city's other cultural institutions to help expand their programming by offering a place where a concert or performance can be held on the main floor and a predinner or an afterparty can be held on the floor below. "I really believe there's synergy here," he said. Talks are also underway to work with the LeBron James Family Foundation and its I Promise School and House Three Thirty that also call the Highland neighborhood to collaborate on things like master classes with musicians and artists at the center. Latest on House Three Thirty:First of its kind Starbucks to open in LeBron James' House Three Thirty "We are within walking distance," he said. And his vision extends beyond the temple's walls. Troppe has plans to create an outdoor performance space on the two vacant lots he also owns just west of the former temple. Aside from offering outdoor events there, he also plans to put in a landscaped prayer labyrinth. The growth and reinvestment in downtown Akron and interest in more cultural venues and opportunities in and around Greater Akron, Troppe said, makes ventures like the Creative Arts Collaborative Center (C3) at HUG an attractive place for people looking for a place to live and for companies looking for a place to call home. "We need to put a spotlight on the creative things we are doing here in Akron," he said. Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Former Temple Israel's transformation into cultural center is complete MANCHESTER, Tenn. The Georgia couple who had their five children removed by the Department of Children's Services after a Coffee County traffic stop did not regain custody after a Juvenile Court hearing Monday. Deonte Williams and Bianca Clayborne were driving from their home in Georgia to a funeral in Chicago with their five children when they were stopped by Tennessee Highway Patrol on Feb. 17 for "dark tint and traveling in the left lane while not actively passing," according to the Tennessee Lookout, which first reported the story. After the stop, Williams was charged with simple possession of a controlled substance, court records show. The Lookout reported the charge was for possessing less than five grams of marijuana. Clayborne was eventually charged with simple possession as well, a misdemeanor. Several hours after the stop, while Clayborne was at Coffee County Justice Center to bond out Williams, the Department of Children's Services took custody of all five of the couple's children. The family is Black and the case has drawn the attention activists over whether race played a role in the traffic stops and DCS case. Tennessean investigation:'Little to no support': Inside the 2022 staffing collapse at DCS and the plan to fix it What to know:The Department of Children's Services: What to know about the embattled agency On Monday, following a Juvenile Court hearing that took place more than a month after the children were removed from their parents, attorney Courtney Teasley said the children would not be returning home with their parents. Teasley, who is representing Clayborne related to the possession charge, said Clayborne had agreed to a hair follicle test. "The children are not being returned today," Teasley said in front of the courthouse. "The mother will have to submit to a hair follicle test." There were few additional details, as juvenile court proceedings are confidential under Tennessee law. Teasley declined to say when the hair follicle test would be completed or when the couple would have to appear again in Juvenile Court. Both Clayborne and Williams had their criminal court dates continued until April 18. Story continues The Coffee County Justice Center in Manchester, Tenn. The children include a four-month-old breastfeeding baby as well as four siblings between the ages of two and seven years old, The Lookout reported. DCS spokesperson Alex Denis declined to speak to the case specifically, citing state law. But said the law was in place to protect children's "well-being" and "anonymity." "We appreciate the public's interest in the safety and well-being of these children," Denis said. "That is our main focus." On Friday, Senate Democrats, including minority leader Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, called on DCS to return the children to the couple. "No family is perfect, but an imperfection, like a simple marijuana charge, is no excuse for tearing a family apart," Akbari said. While the juvenile court proceedings were closed to the media, the hearing attracted DCS officials and caseworkers to the courthouse. Representatives from Middle Tennessee's social justice advocacy community also came in support of Williams and Clayborne and called for the kids to be returned to their parents. "I am here today because DCS has been keeping children in offices and hallways, but has the nerve to come in and say that these children are in danger," said Theeda Murphy, executive director of No Exceptions Prison Collective. Murphy criticized the state for efforts to close the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, which she described as DCS's "watchdog agency," as well as legislation that would allow the state to put some youth offenders in the adult prison system. "The state of Tennessee has no respect for Black families," Murphy said. "The state of Tennessee has no love for Black children." Denis, the DCS spokesperson, said the case managers working the case "come from diverse backgrounds" and noted that 35 percent of the DCS workforce is African American. Reach Josh Keefe at jkeefe@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN DCS: Georgia kids taken into custody after traffic stop not back with parents Buffalo biopharmaceutical company Athenex Inc. was once seen as one of the great hopes for Western New York's life sciences industry. Now? Athenex appears to be just trying to hold on. In reporting its fourth-quarter results Monday, Athenex revealed that its cash and cash equivalents fell to $36.7 million at the end of 2022, down from $51.7 million a year earlier. Further, the company is implementing more cost-savings programs with plans to sell assets and raise capital to keep it from running out of cash this year. In addition, Athenex is in danger of defaulting on some of its borrowings. On March 7 and March 13, Athenex received notice of alleged defaults from major lender Oaktree relating to the company's senior credit agreement. Athenex said it has responded to Oaktree and disputes the alleged defaults, but it has not reached a mutual agreement with Oaktree. If Oaktree were to try to call in the debt, Athenex said it doesn't have enough cash to pay it back. "If Oaktree accelerates the maturity of the indebtedness under the senior credit agreement, we do not have sufficient capital available to pay the amounts due on a timely basis, if at all, and there is no guarantee that we would be able to repay, refinance or restructure the payments due under the senior credit agreement," Athenex said. In terms of operating results, Athenex did report higher revenue last year as compared to 2021. The company reported total revenue of about $103 million in 2022, up from just over $95 million a year earlier. But its net loss from continuing operations last year totaled about $99 million, which was an improvement from a net loss of about $160 million in 2021. Buffalo company Athenex exits another business line, which will cost some jobs in Newstead Exiting the 503B sterile compounding business will affect "some of the employees" at the company's compounding facility in Newstead, said Dr. Daniel Lang, president of Athenex Cell Therapy. He did not respond to a follow-up question about how many employees are affected. "We made significant progress in monetizing company assets during the year, in line with our planned strategy," Athenex CEO Dr. Johnson Lau said in a statement. "In 2023, we are pursuing a broader range of strategic alternatives while remaining focused on improving our balance sheet as we continue to advance our promising clinical development programs." The company on Monday reported progress in some of its clinical development programs. But one of its trials on an investigational cell therapy for relapsed/refractory high-risk neuroblastoma was put on hold by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after the death of a young heavily pretreated male patient. Athenex noted that Baylor College of Medicine, which is the investigational new drug application holder, is devising a safety-risk mitigation plan to reopen the clinical trial, though no assurances can be provided that the FDA hold will be lifted. In reporting its results Monday, Athenex said its management would not host a conference call, as it typically does, but instead would provide updates when appropriate. In late morning trading, Athenex stock was trading at $1.45 a share, down about 17% from Friday's closing price. Gov. Kristi Noem signed a slate of bills Monday dealing with the criminal justice system, including changes to the state's sentencing structure, new definitions for rape and spending authority for new prisons. In HB 1016, nearly $60 million will be spent to build a new 308-bed women's prison in Rapid City. The land was purchased in 2022 and design for the facility was done in the same year. The new men's prison, which will replace the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls that has been in operation since 1881, will be a two-step project. The first step, HB 1017, allows for the purchase of land in the Sioux Falls area and design of the facility to the tune of $52 million. An additional $271 million will be set aside in the incarceration construction fund for the second step of the project, which includes building the facility. It's unknown where the new facility will be. More:Senate approves bills to fund 2 major prison projects in South Dakota "Funding new prisons is a public safety issue, Noem said. Last year, we made the point to legislators that this was necessary. Im glad that just a year later, they have come to agree and appropriately prioritized the security of South Dakotans. HB 1016 and HB 1017 will go into effect immediately. 'Truth in Sentencing' bill approved Noem also approved of Sen. Brent Hoffman's Truth in Sentencing bill, SB 146. In the first-term Sioux Falls Republican's bill, it changes the sentencing guidelines for when someone convicted of a violent crime becomes parole-eligible. In the first section of the bill, anyone convicted of one of 13 high level violent crimes, such as first-degree manslaughter and first-degree human trafficking, would have to serve the full sentence imposed on them by a judge without credits for a shortened term. The inmate would then be eligible for supervised release. In the second section, those convicted of one of 10 other violent crimes, such as aggravated assault or second-degree manslaughter, could receive credits that could be applied toward shortening their sentence. However, they must serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming parole eligible. Story continues SB 146 has been applauded by city leaders and law enforcement officials. During the annual Sioux Falls crime statistics briefing on March 7, Mayor Paul TenHaken and Police Chief Jon Thum said the bill could improve safety in the city. More:What will truth in sentencing mean for South Dakota crime victims? Additions to South Dakota's rape statutes Finally, Noem signed two bills, SB 90 and SB 91, that add sex without consent to the state's rape statutes and creates a criminal penalty for the crime. Sex without the victim's consent and that the perpetrator reasonably should've known the victim wasn't consenting, especially in cases where the victim freezes and is unable to fight back, will become a class 3 felony, punishable with up to 15 years in prison. SB 146, SB 90 and SB 91 will go into effect in July. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Kristi Noem signs bills for new state prisons, rape statute additions 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 Dominic Raab at the Lancaster House conference (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire) The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has demanded Russia return children to Ukraine as alleged war crimes were detailed at a meeting in London. It comes after the ICC issued a warrant for Russian leader Vladimir Putins arrest, accusing him of bearing personal responsibility for the abduction of children from Ukraine. Speaking during a conference at Lancaster House, where justice ministers from around the world were gathered, Karim Khan KC said the move marked a really sombre occasion. The allegations are serious indeed, Ukraine is a crime scene Karim Khan KC, of the ICC Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, opening the conference, said it represented a historic moment in the conflict. Mr Khan said: The allegations are serious indeed, Ukraine is a crime scene, many types of allegations have been received. To anybody who says what seems to have taken place is humanitarian evacuations, the evidence tells a different story. The judges have said so by saying repatriate the children, return the children, reunite the children. If there are any semblance of truth to the utterances that this is for the sake of the children, instead of giving them a foreign passport, return them to the country of their nationality. The UK is boosting its financial support for the court, based in The Hague in the Netherlands, to 1 million this year and other countries are also expected to commit to financial and practical assistance. More than 40 nations were represented at the meeting hosted by Mr Raab and Dutch justice minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius. Ukraines prosecutor general, Andriy Kostin, spoke of ruthless attacks and atrocities by Russian soldiers on civilians and territories. He went on: Russia acts with a clear plan to destroy Ukraine and Ukrainian identity. The deportation and transportation of thousands of Ukrainian children, including from orphanages and care homes to Russia. My office has already launched investigations into over 72,000 incidents of war crimes Story continues Andriy Kostin, Ukraines prosecutor general Simplifying their illegal adoption process and confirming their citizenship of an aggressive state is very clear evidence of this plan, this is done to cut ties with Ukraine and alter their Ukrainian heritage. My office has already launched investigations into over 72,000 incidents of war crimes. Isolated and sporadic attacks, we see how Russian foot-soldiers are meticulously implementing unlawful orders given by the Kremlin. The countrys justice minister, Denys Maliuska, said: There are many people who really have suffered significant damages, losing their husbands and wives, homes and jobs. Many families have lost their infrastructures, the whole country was semi-destroyed by Russian soldiers. Those damages should be compensated. Ahead of the conference, the UK Government offered new support and funding for psychological help for victims and witnesses of crimes, more UK experts to work for the ICC and training for investigators to use digital evidence to bring war criminals to justice. Justice Secretary Mr Raab said: It is absolutely vital that we unite behind the ICC and we support the office of the prosecutor in whatever it needs. He added the support will strengthen the prosecutors hand in pursuing investigating potential war crimes. The ICCs arrest warrant for Mr Putin was the first issued against a leader of one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. The court also issued a warrant for the arrest of Maria Lvova-Belova, Russias commissioner for childrens rights. The Kremlin dismissed the move against Mr Putin as outrageous and unacceptable. This sketch, made in the 1970s, is an artist's attempt to capture the essence of Old Book, who wailed at every funeral at the former Peoria State Hospital. While grieving, he would often lean on a particular tree the Graveyard Elm for support. Editors note: The weekly Illinois Bicentennial series is brought to you by the Illinois Associated Press Media Editors and Illinois Press Association. More than 20 newspapers created stories about the states history, places and key moments in advance of the state's bicentennial on Dec. 3, 2018. Illinois boasts a hair-raising history rife with spine-tingling stories and thats just with politics. Otherwise, the states heritage brims with tall tales of mythic beasts, spooky legends and ghost stories. A few of the favorites: Old Book In the earliest years of the 20th century, the Peoria State Hospital in Bartonville was home to a dear, mute man known only as A. Bookbinder. Strong and steady, he would dig graves for asylum funerals, ending each by sobbing hysterically and leaning on a tree that became famously known as The Graveyard Elm. In June 1910, Old Book went the way of all men, and the entire asylum came out for his farewell. Near the end, an apparition appeared at the Graveyard Elm. The Graveyard Elm Old Book, weeping and moaning as always. But as soon as startled officials cracked open his casket to double-check on the dead mans whereabouts, the crying ceased and Old Books form vanished from the tree. Inside the coffin, onlookers spotted Old Books peaceful face. (Source: Peoria Journal Star) Piasa Bird The Piasa (pronounced PIE-ah-saw) Bird actually more like a dragon, with red eyes, menacing beard, scales and lengthy tail preyed on Native Americans, eating them alive until a local chief, Chief Ouatoga, lured it out of its cave, using himself as bait. When the creature flew out, an ambush of warriors slew it with a volley of poisoned arrows. A mural was said to have been painted (possibly more than 3,000 years ago) as a commemoration of the event. Though the original mural is gone, a new one has taken its place. (Source: Associated Press) Cole Hollow Road Monster In July 1972, an East Peoria teen reported he and friends had spotted a white, hairy, foul-smelling, 12-foot monster around Cole Hollow Road. Story continues It lets out a long screech like an old steam-engine whistle, only more humany, he said. Soon, as many as 200 armed men combed the area but found nothing. During the search, one man accidentally shot himself trying to bag a deer. The hoopla died down before anyone else got hurt. In 1991, that teen said the report was a hoax. However, that same year, East Peoria police got a call from an anonymous local woman. She said shed been driving on Cole Hollow Road when an 8-foot-tall hairy beast grabbed the back of her pickup truck and refused to let go. The beast finally relented and let her speed off. That sighting never has been explained. (Source: Peoria Journal Star) The Enfield Horror In the 1940s, a leaping monkey-like creature was spotted in Mount Vernon. Thirty years later, a similar beast though now with three legs and eyes as bright as flashlights was seen several times in nearby Enfield, including one report from a local radio newsman. What was it? Guesses ranged from an alien to a deformed kangaroo to a chemistry experiment gone bad. (Source: Chicago Tribune) Resurrection Mary Legend says that in the 1930s, a young woman got into a fight with her boyfriend and left a ballroom on Archer Avenue in Chicago. Down the road, she was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver who was never caught. Distraught, Mary's parents laid her body to rest at Resurrection Cemetery, in the same outfit from the night of the dance. Since 1939, people have reported seeing a woman wearing a white dress on the side of the road. Sometimes, she is picked up from the side of the road or given a ride home from a neighborhood dance, but she invariably vanishes when a car passes the cemetery. (Source: roadtrippers.com) Lawndale Thunderbird In July 1973 in the Logan County village of Lawndale, two massive birds swooped down; one carried off a child, only to drop the lad within seconds. Around that time, other sightings of oversized fowl were reported in central Illinois. (Source: Peoria Journal Star) Farmer City Monster The 1970s teemed with monster sightings, but this one hulking shape, bright yellow eyes was witnessed by a Farmer City cop. Reports began one July, when three teens encountered it at their campsite in a field near Salt Creek, and spread to Bloomington, Heyworth and Waynesville. Everyone who saw it noted its glowing eyes, but it was not an aggressive creature. At each encounter, the Farmer City Monster fled as soon as it had been spotted. (Source: Mysterious Heartland) Lake Michigan Sea Serpent Between 1867 and 1890, Chicago newspapers raved over sightings of a scaled serpent 40 to 50 feet in length, very dark blue, with a grayish-white belly. In 1867, a fisherman gave a very detailed description of the creature, claiming it had come within 20 feet of his boat. It was swimming about a mile and a half off the shore of the south side of Chicago. (Source: thecryptocrew.com) Murphysboro Mud Monster This hairy, smelly biped (a.k.a. Big Muddy) was seen several times in the summer of 1973 lurking near Murphysboro along the banks of the Big Muddy River. Like Peorias Cole Hollow Road Monster, the Murphysboro creature was described as being 7 feet tall and covered in matted, white fur. Police officers found several tracks at the scene of the first sighting, and even heard its inhuman cry. After a few weeks of intense scrutiny, the Murphysboro Mud Monster disappeared as mysteriously as it arrived. (Source: Mysterious Heartland) Stump Pond Serpent Between 1879 and 1968, fishermen in Perry County spun yarns about a serpent that dwelled in the murky waters of Stump Pond. The creature was described as having a thick, green body with black fins. It was large enough to rock boats. When the lake was partially drained in 1968, locals discovered catfish that weighed more than 30 pounds, so it is possible that the Stump Pond Serpent was a giant catfish. (Source: Mysterious Heartland) This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois' hair-raising history of beasts, legends International Day of Forests will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 21. The UN General Assembly proclaimed in 2012 the day as the International Day of Forests to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Here are just a few area forests and nature preserves to enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. Ev-Henwood, 6150 Rock Creek Road, Leland Lillie Reiter and a volunteer planting longleaf pine trees at Ev-Henwood. Ev-Henwood, a lesser-known forest owned and managed by the University of North Carolina Wilmington, is a 174-acre preserve in Brunswick County. There are a number of trails on the property, and efforts continue to re-establish the longleaf pine forest. Efforts at conservation were also made possible through the Coastal Land Trust before being transferred to UNCW. There are two self-guided learning trails, the David Sieren Learning Trail and the Troy Henry Learning Trail. The trails are comprised of several trails with plant identification labels and learning stations which interpret and explain some of the natural features of Ev-Henwood. Each trail takes about two hours. The woods are dominated by oaks and hickories, with loblolly pines. The lowlands along the blackwater Town Creek and its branches have a canopy of various combinations of bald cypress, black gum, tulip tree, red maple, swamp chestnut oak and other floodplain species. The fields are maintained to provide habitat for birds and other wildlife. The ponds are man-made and both were developed in low areas prior to acquisition of Ev-Henwood by UNCW in 1991. At least one alligator reportedly resides in the large pond, which is usually covered with a layer of duckweeds which are small aquatic flowering plants. Ev-Henwood is open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week, free to the public. For more information, visit http://uncw.edu/physicalplant/arboretum/ev-henwood/. Carolina Beach State Park Participants run the course during the Carolina Beach State Park Trail Half Marathon and 5K in 2019. Carolina Beach State Park is home to the Venus flytrap, a unique carnivorous plant. The park is also known for habitats like Sugarloaf Dune, a 50-foot dune that once served as a navigational marker for river pilots. It has three limesink ponds that each feature a unique plant community. The park's marina provides access to the Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway, making the area popular for boaters and anglers. Story continues The trails are relatively flat, which makes hiking easy. View the variety of distinct habitats, which offer a diversity of plant and animal life. Activities also include biking, paddling, fishing, and of course picnicking. For more information, https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/carolina-beach-state-park. Halyburton Park, 4099 S. 17th St., Wilmington People walk around the Gary Shell Cross City Trail at Halyburton Park. Another gem to visit is Halyburton Park. The 60-acre park is 70 percent undeveloped, offering several inter-looping trails, which allow walkers to wander through the woods. The majority of the preserve consists of gently rolling sandhills, a habitat which is rarely found in the coastal Carolinas. The park also offered nature trails, picnic shelters, playground, and a 1.3 paved handicap accessible path that circles the perimeter of the park. More:Year of the trail: To celebrate, here are 6 Brunswick places to walk, bike or paddle Abbey Nature Preserve, Pender County The Abbey Nature Preserve is in Scotts Hill. The Abbey Nature Preserve is protected in perpetuity by a conservation easement held by the Coastal Land Trust. This property was part of a larger tract of land, much of which has been sold and is being developed into a new subdivision. Abbey Preserve is located just north of the New Hanover-Pender county line in Scotts Hill. It consists of trails that were once part of the old farm road leading straight down to the Intracoastal Waterway and traversed for two centuries by the enslaved community of what was referred to as Poplar Grove Plantation. This community and their descendants are part of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor designated by the National Park Service. The Abbey Nature Preserve has two tracts totaling 63 acres under the stewardship of the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust. Details: https://coastallandtrust.org/lands/abbey-nature-preserve/. Brunswick Nature Park, 2601 River Road, Winnabow The Brunswick Nature Park is roughly the same size as Central Park in New York City. The Coastal Land Trust purchased this large tract of land (912 acres, roughly the size of Central Park in New York City) and gave it to Brunswick County in 2004 to create a public nature park. There are several trails in Brunswick Nature Park. The Brunswick Nature Park is located on River Road in Town Creek Township, about 10 miles from Leland. There's a dynamic mix of vegetation, wildlife, ecosystems, vistas, wetlands and waterways. Bring the family and pets to hike the walking trails, biking trails, horse trails, and viewing platforms at scenic overlooks. Enjoy a kayak/canoe launch site and a picnic pavilion perfect for a family gathering. Moores Creek National Battlefield, Currie Moores Creek National Battlefield is a battlefield managed by the U.S. National Park Service. The battle was fought between about 1,000 Patriots and about 1,600 Loyalists. The battle was the first decisive Patriot victory of the American Revolution. Cypress trees The National Park Service protects the entire 88 acres of Moores Creek National Battlefield, where visitors can find both longleaf and loblolly pine trees. The park is also home to a cypress swamp with several large cypress trees. The park has been in the process of planting new loblolly and longleaf pine trees to help restore the landscape back to its 1776 appearance. The park is located at 40 Patriots Hall Drive in Currie. The park grounds are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. dail. The visitor center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: On International Day of Forests, here are 6 in Wilmington NC to enjoy It may be too early for the big college basketball tournament, but the Food Network has a bracket-style competition starting Sunday and a popular Jersey Shore chef is in it to win it. Britt Rescigno of Tuckerton, former chef at Beach Haven's Delaware Avenue Oyster House, is among the 32 competitors on Guy Fieri's "Tournament of Champions." The fourth season kicks off at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, with the winner taking home the "TOC" belt and $100,000. Rescigno starts cooking on Sunday, Feb. 26, against the reigning "TOC" champ, Boston-based Tiffani Faison. The first time Im ever on 'TOC,' Ill be against the reigning champion, Rescigno said in a recent interview. To be in that spotlight, its honestly a bucket list goal checked off. Contestant Britt Rescigno, as seen on Food Network's fourth season of "Tournament of Champions." Food Network fans know that Rescigno is no stranger to competition. On Wednesday, Feb. 15, she won "Guy's Grocery Games," the Guy Fieri show where chefs create culinary masterpieces in a grocery-store contest. Rescigno is also a "Beat Bobby Flay" and "Chopped" champion. While Rescigno wouldnt give away anything about "TOC,"' she said fans will like what they see. All that I will say about this [season] is that its going to be 100% entertaining, probably the most entertaining Ive ever been, she said. People are going to have to hold onto their seats because its going to be an emotional roller coaster. 2023 is turning out to be quite a big year for Rescigno, who left her three-year-long, LBI home kitchen in early January. UPDATE:Jersey Shore chef into the Elite Eight on Food Network's 'Tournament of Champions' More:8 new restaurants to try at the Jersey Shore, from pretzel cheesesteaks to classic Italian There comes a point in your career when you decide I need to do some things for me, she said. Im the kind of person who really focuses on what Im doing at the time, so Delaware Avenue Oyster House was my life," she said. I ate, slept and breathed it, which wasnt good for me because it was stunting my career of other opportunities. There [was] an expectation for me to be somewhere every day. Unfortunately, where my career is going, I cant be (in one place). I need to be able to travel. Story continues Right now, the Food Network is her "number one priority." Her "Grocery Games" victory was a win for local fans, including the owners of the Tide Table group, who hosted a viewing party at The Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House in Manahawkin. "We are thrilled Chef Britt chose [us] to host her viewing party," co-owner Melanie Magaziner said. "Britt is not only incredibly talented but is also a lovely human. Cant wait to see whats in store for [her] next." Fieri shared a message for the local party on the day of the show. "Everybody at Old Causeway and the Tide Table group ... you are amongst one of the super chefs that is getting ready to launch tonight ...," he said. "Chef Britt is a power to be reckoned with. You all know her as a great chef and leader in the kitchen, but wait 'til you see what she's going to do on the big screen. She's going to rock the house." Local celebrity Chef Britt Rescigno won $15,000 on the Food Network show "Guy's Grocery Games." Rescigno was dubbed "Flavortown Food Network Champ" on "Grocery Games" and won $15,000 for her seared, banana-leaf cooked halibut, paired with fresh corn polenta and blistered tomatoes. You have 30 minutes to shop, cook, clean and [finish your] dish," she said. "Its very intense. Out of all the cooking competitions I've been in, its probably the hardest. Halibut is my favorite fish and its also one of the hardest fish to cook in a competition setting because its so technique-driven, she added. I wanted to go back to my Jersey roots and what I believe in food philosophy: simplicity. Aside from her growing Food Network status, Rescigno hopes to learn more about herself and the world. On Thursday, she was heading to Oregon for The Great Portland Beerfest. Before the end of the month, shell be participating in festivals in Idaho and Florida. She documents her experiences with the hashtag #willtravelforfoodandbooze, which can be followed on her IG @chef_rescigno. She also hopes to expand her recently debuted pop-up kitchen brand, Crow, and its private dinner party-focused subsidiary, Crows Nest. Rescigno loves crows, ravens and all spooky things, but the name is also a play on the phrase "eat crow." Its like a (expletive) you to everyone who told me I couldnt do it, to the haters, she said. He's Back:'You just blessed Belmar': Former Rosie's Pizza co-owner to open new restaurant by summer While she doesnt expect to leave Tuckerton anytime soon, she does not know where the future will take her. I dont know if the Jersey Shore is my end all be all, but I dont know if anywhere else is [either], Rescigno said, who grew up in New Gretna and cut her teeth in her familys establishment, Allens Clam Bar (which they still own). Everyone asks me all the time what Im planning ..., she continued. They think Im hiding something, but theres no secret. Im kind of riding the wave and seeing where it takes me. Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore chef Britt Rescigno takes on Food Network champions Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) is saying that a bookkeeping error is pushing the investigation into former President Trumps alleged role in hush-money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. As questions loom over whether a New York grand jury will indict Trump this week, many Republicans have come to Trumps defense to decry that the investigation and potential indictment were politically motivated. Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg along with two other GOP House chairmen demanding him to deliver testimony in connection with the hush-money probe. CNNs Manu Raju asked Jordan at the GOP retreat in Orlando about Trumps possible indictment on Monday after noting that the House majority is expected to go after Bragg for prosecuting the former president. And then what changed? Jordan responded. President Trump announces hes running for president and shazam! Now they are were going to have some bookkeeping error from seven years ago. Jordan also said he does not think Trump broke the law at all, and noted that any potential charges would be just a misdemeanor. Jordan reiterated that a bookkeeping error is to blame for the investigation on Foxs The Faulkner Focus on Monday, saying, Now they come after [Trump] for some alleged bookkeeping error? Youve gotta be kidding me! Legal experts say that prosecutors could be looking to charge Trump with falsifying business records regarding the hush-money payment. If Bragg chooses to indict Trump, prosecutors would need to prove that Trump was personally involved in designating reimbursements made by his then-attorney Michael Cohen as a legal expense with an intent to defraud. The grand jury in Manhattan is investigating Trumps alleged role into a $130,000 payment that Cohen, Trumps former attorney, made to Daniels to prevent her from speaking out about an alleged affair she had with the former president. The grand jury investigation has garnered national attention over the weekend after Trump said on Truth Social that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday in connection to the investigation. Barricades were unloaded outside the Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday after Trump called for protests regarding his potential arrest. This call sparked fears of violence among lawmakers, with some saying it was reminiscent of Trump calling on is supporters to protest the results of the 2020 election. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Massachusetts man attempted to hire an undercover FBI agent posing as a hitman to kill his wife. Massimo Marenghi, 56, pleaded guilty to one count of murder-for-hire on Thursday, the US Attorneys Office said in a statement. The case first came to the attention of authorities in early 2021 when an individual alerted police that Marenghi asked for assistance in a murder plot against his wife. At the time, Marenghi complained that his wife had sought a restraining order against him. Directed by law enforcement, the individual introduced Marenghi to an undercover agent who posed as a contract killer. According to officials in the investigation, Marenghi met with the agent on 20 January 2021 and asked them to eliminate his problem. He also gave the agent a photograph of his wifes residence in the city of Malden and instructions on how to evade detection by cameras while approaching it. According to court documents reviewed by The Independent, Marenghi discussed the murder plot several months before his arrest but the party who informed police was able to talk him out of it. When he brought up the topic again in January 2021, the police informant said that he would charge him $10,000 if Marenghi was serious about having his wife killed. Marenghi then agreed and gave the individual his wifes employment location and hours, her home address and a description of her vehicle. Massimo Marengui faces up to ten years in prison for attempting to hire an undercover agent to kill his wife (DoJ) As instructed by the informant, Marenghi contacted the undercover agent by calling a recorded line and inquiring about a construction job. He also provided ... a schedule indicating when he would have custody of his children, which he said would be the best time for the construction work to start, a statement by the US Attorneys office read. The individual then contacted law enforcement. Marenghi met with the FBI agent for a second time on 29 June 2021, and paid him $1,500 in cash as a deposit for the murder. Marenghis wife had sought a restraining order against him (Facebook) He asked the undercover agent for some time, so he could free up some assets because everything is tied up right now. Story continues Marenghi then said once that part was sorted, the sooner the demolition job took place, the sooner he would be able to pay the rest. He faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Marengui will be sentenced on 8 June. Exelon plans close the Byron Nuclear Generating Station in September 2021. CHICAGO A measure allowing the construction of new commercial nuclear power plants has bipartisan, bicameral support in the state legislature as the body considers its next steps in meeting carbon-free energy goals while maintaining grid reliability. Its advocates say the measure would open the door for the use of smaller nuclear reactors to serve as a carbon-free power source when the wind doesnt blow on turbines and the sun doesnt shine on solar plants. While proponents are hopeful, the technology behind nuclear powers potential resurgence hasnt yet been deployed for power generation anywhere in the United States. A few examples of small next generation reactors exist across the world, but in the U.S. only one of these smaller nuclear reactor designs has been approved by regulators. Illinois has the potential to be a hub for research into these types of reactors. A team at the University of Illinois is in the process of building a research reactor that would be the first new licensed reactor of any kind in Illinois in decades, pending federal regulatory approval. The nuclear industry is all for this push. Representatives of Constellation Energy, the states nuclear power company, have said they support any legislation to make it easier to build nuclear reactors. The Nuclear Energy Institute, a nationwide nuclear trade group, estimates that new nuclear could save consumers billions of dollars on energy bills. But some environmentalists and anti-nuclear advocates say allowing new nuclear technologies represents a fundamental risk to the future of the carbon-free movement and the states environment. Nuclears role in decarbonization In 2021, Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, or CEJA, a landmark bill that, among other things, requires all electric power generation to have zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Nuclear power has been divisive among those pushing to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector. For some its a reliable carbon-free alternative to coal and natural gas. For others its a dangerous diversion of money away from renewable resources. Story continues Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, introduced a bill that would lift the states moratorium on nuclear reactor construction. Rezin said new nuclear reactor designs could alleviate some problems that will come with more reliance on wind and solar power. Three other states around the country have lifted their bans as well because they recognize nuclear not large nuclear but the advanced nuclear reactors are a potential answer to the reliability and resiliency problem within their energy portfolio, Rezin said in a committee hearing. As it stands now, most of Illinois electricity production in 2022 came from its nuclear fleet, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The increased prevalence of electric vehicles and the movement toward electric-powered heating and cooling systems known as electrification also poses significant challenges to energy providers. The independent grid operators that serve the state PJM Interconnection in northern Illinois and Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) for the rest of the state have identified the need for new power generation due to electrification. PJMs most recent load forecast predicts a 21.9 percent increase in their net load over the next 15 years. In a 2021 report, MISO predicted that their system (which covers parts of 15 states) will need drastic amounts of new energy generation over the next 20 years to meet the increased demand from electrification. Nuclear advocates say that relying solely on renewable energy to meet this demand would be prohibitively expensive. A report commissioned by the Nuclear Energy Institute estimated that aggressive deployment of new nuclear power generation could save customers $449 billion between now and 2050 if the nation meets its carbon-free energy goals. Including lots of new nuclear will help make this transition more affordable, Marcus Nichol, a representative of the Nuclear Energy Institute, told the Senate Energy and Public Utilities committee earlier this month. Nuclear powers position as a low-emission method for generating power is well documented. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that nuclear power generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions over its lifetime than most forms of power generation, including solar power. Two of the states major environmental advocacy groups, the Illinois Environmental Council and the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club, oppose lifting the moratorium on nuclear power plant construction. We believe that nuclear is not clean energy, said Jack Darin, the director of the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club. Its full life cycle has very serious impacts. After nuclear fuel is used, it continues to emit potentially hazardous radiation for tens of thousands of years. Eventually, this spent fuel should be moved to a long-term disposal facility, although no such facility has ever been designated or built in the U.S. This means waste is often kept on-site at nuclear facilities in pools or in steel cannisters designed to block radiation. Grundy County has the nations only de facto permanent disposal site, and it has been at capacity since 1989. With nowhere to dispose of spent fuel, waste management continues to be an open question for the nuclear industry and the NRC. Darin also pushed back on some of the concerns about electrification, pointing out that advancements in energy efficiency could reduce the overall load on the electric grid. The ideal path for our nuclear fleet is a steady reduction of our reliance on it, Darin said. Others who advocate for decarbonizing the energy grid have a positive view of nuclear power. Alan Medsker is a longtime nuclear energy advocate and has worked on campaigns including the Campaign for a Green Nuclear Deal and Generation Atomic. We will need to consider existing and new nuclear reactor designs in addition to the other clean energy sources available to us to reach our clean energy goals, Medsker told lawmakers at a committee hearing on March 9. A new regulatory landscape? To facilitate this potential nuclear renaissance, lawmakers are considering two effectively identical proposals to end a moratorium on nuclear plant construction that has been in effect since 1987. The temporary ban was put in place pending the federal governments designation of a long-term disposal site for nuclear waste. One bill, House Bill 1079, was introduced by Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, and passed out of committee on Feb. 28 on a 18-3 vote. The second, Senate Bill 76, was introduced by Rezin and passed out of committee on March 9 by a 15-1 vote. Speaking to his colleagues on the House Energy and Environment Committee, Walker called his proposal a simple bill with large consequences. The bills are part of a nationwide conversation and competition among states to become the next center for nuclear power. Some of the states that do not have moratoriums, or those that have recently released their moratoriums such as Wisconsin, are aggressively attracting these new high-tech venture investments, Rizwan Uddin, the head of the nuclear engineering department at the University of Illinois, told lawmakers. Despite its long history with nuclear power and its current technical base, Illinois is not even considered an option state due to its moratorium. This competition, and the interest in allowing new nuclear construction in Illinois, is being driven by new designs for nuclear reactors that are both physically smaller and that can be deployed at smaller scales. Small modular reactors, or SMRs, operate at smaller scales than traditional reactors and are prefabricated. While a traditional reactor might produce thousands of megawatts of energy, a small modular reactor would produce a few hundred megawatts of energy or less, depending on its design. Were seeing advancements for nuclear reactor designs that open the doors for industry and business, Walker told the House committee. Development of modular and microreactors could power factories, data centers and other industrial facilities that weve been working hard to bring here. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or NRC, approved the first of these smaller reactor designs for power generation, a 50 MW concept from NuScale Power, on Jan. 19 of this year. NuScale has active projects where it hopes to eventually implement its new design in Idaho, Wisconsin and Missouri. Relatively few reactors throughout the world are based on the latest generation of designs, although Russia and China both have active SMRs that were deployed in the past three years. No commercial SMRs are online in the U.S., meaning their long-term economic benefits (or unforeseen costs) are yet to be seen. Illinois nuclear power stations are all owned by Constellation Energy. The company has no public plans to develop new nuclear reactors in the state, although they support ending the moratorium on nuclear construction. Constellation fully supports legislative and policy solutions that eliminate barriers to maintaining and expanding nuclears role in delivering reliability, affordability and energy security, David Snyder, a spokesperson for the company, said in an email to Capitol News Illinois. Constellation does have an interest in the proliferation of small modular reactors, as it has a partnership with Rolls-Royce to operate a fleet of reactors in the United Kingdom. Some in the field of nuclear safety arent yet convinced about this new generation of designs. Edwin Lyman is a physicist and director of nuclear power safety with the Union of Concerned Scientists. While he and the UCS took no position on lifting the state moratorium, he likened lifting the policy to opening Pandora's box. We have extensively reviewed the safety claims for a range of new nuclear technologies that have been proposed and found that in general they offer few safety benefits compared to current technologies, and in some cases may pose even greater risks from accidents, terrorist attacks or extreme weather events made more probable by climate change, Lyman said in written testimony to the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee. In a follow-up interview, Lyman said construction moratoriums are one of the few ways states can regulate nuclear safety. David Kraft is the head of the Nuclear Energy Information Service, an anti-nuclear advocacy group. He said that ending the moratorium could result in the state becoming the dumping ground for spent nuclear fuel. This puts a safety and security burden on the state that it didnt sign up for, Kraft said. Kraft said he is particularly worried about ending the moratorium because of lawmakers interest in new nuclear models, like microreactors and small modular reactors. He cited the fact that some designs for smaller reactors dont have safety features required for traditional reactors, like containment buildings. Illinois as a key state for nuclear research Beyond the question of regulation, there is the broader matter of Illinois position as a place for research and development within the nuclear industry. Illinois has, historically, been closely tied to nuclear research and nuclear power. The first human-made, self-sustaining fission reaction took place at the University of Chicago in a reactor that its creator, Enrico Fermi, called a crude pile of black bricks and wooden timbers. Despite this, Illinois has no NRC-licensed research reactors active right now. The University of Illinois is currently working on licensing and building a microreactor much more advanced than Fermis, which would be the first of its kind in the U.S. Its a project that could serve as a case study both for the technology of the next generation of nuclear reactors and the publics perception of them. The research reactor is meant to train and educate future nuclear engineers as well as demonstrate the feasibility of using this type of reactor in a power generation grid or industrial setting. For advanced nuclear to reach its full potential, we need to demonstrate how these things are deployed, said Caleb Brooks, an associate professor at U of Is Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering Department and head of the microreactor project. The project is in its pre-application phase with the NRC, meaning that it is filing plans with the regulatory body ahead of its formal application. They hope to be operational by early 2028. The state-level moratorium on nuclear construction does not apply to research reactors, a distinct class of reactors licensed by the NRC. The project will also demonstrate several technologies that its designers say will ensure safety. The reactor will be built by Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. and will use a new design for fuel pellets fully ceramic microencapsulated fuel, which its manufacturer markets as meltdown-proof. Pieces of uranium the size of a grain of sand are wrapped in a hair's-width thick layer of silicon carbide and densely packed in a pellet that is coated in a much thicker layer of silicon carbide. This should contain the potentially harmful byproducts of the fission reaction. Potential accidents should also be easier to manage. Smaller reactors, like the one proposed for U of I, will have a level of excess power that can theoretically be dissipated by the material containing the reactor. This is a shift away from the reliance that traditional nuclear reactors have on active, staff-controlled emergency systems like the kind that failed in the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The microreactor project is also a preview for how the public might react to having smaller reactors closer to population centers. Several residents have publicly voiced opposition, citing safety concerns. Those who live, work, and go to school in the Champaign-Urbana-UIUC-Savoy metropolitan area should band together to stop this misguided UIUC nuclear project, emeritus U of I professor Bruce Hannon wrote in a piece penned for a Champaign-Urbana community magazine. A complex relationship Illinois has the most nuclear power reactors of any state, a distinction it was at risk of losing in 2016 and 2021, when Exelon, the then-owner of all the states nuclear plants, threatened to close stations for economic reasons. Constellation was created in 2022 when Exelon spun out its nuclear power generation assets into an independent company which now controls the states nuclear fleet. In both 2016 and 2021, the state offered Exelon hundreds of millions of dollars in incentives to keep plants open. In 2016, after Exelon announced its intention to close its Clinton and Quad Cities power plants, the state legislature passed a law that authorized $235 million in annual ratepayer subsidies over 10 years as part of the zero-emission standard program. In 2020, Exelon announced that it intended to shut down its Dresden and Byron nuclear plants, citing revenue shortfalls in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Just over a year later, within weeks of the plants planned closure, Illinois lawmakers struck a deal as part of CEJA to allow $694 million in ratepayer subsidies over five years to keep the plants open. In a news release after CEJAs passage, Exelon noted that the law kept Dresden, Byron, Braidwood and LaSalle open through its carbon mitigation credit program. At the time, Exelon CEO Christopher Crane said that the state paying to keep the plants open would help build a clean-energy economy that works for everyone. Now, Constellation appears to be further acknowledging this practice as part of its core business strategy. In its year-end report to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said that we plan to file applications to extend the licenses of our nuclear fleet to 80 years for the units that receive continued support under federal or state policies or a combination of both. That strategy, in conjunction with Constellations broader business approach, has literally paid dividends. Our strong financial position allows us to return exceptional value to shareholders by doubling our dividend and authorizing a $1 billion share repurchase program, said Constellation CEO Joseph Dominguez in a news release when the filing was announced. He further noted that the company has $2 billion in unallocated capital. Constellation announced in October that its applying to extend the life of its Dresden and Clinton plants for 20 more years. If the application is approved, Clinton could operate until 2047 and Dresden could operate until 2051. Elsewhere in Illinois fleet, Constellation announced it will spend $800 million to increase the output of the Braidwood and Byron plants by approximately 135 megawatts, which the company said would be enough to power roughly 100,000 homes each year. The units today are in better shape than the day they were commissioned, so we could go a lot longer, Constellation CEO Joseph Dominguez said at an Aspen Ideas Conference session on March 8. Nuclear critics have taken issue with the relationship the state has with its nuclear energy provider. For decades, the only way you could get renewables built in Illinois was if Exelon got something in exchange. Now its going to be Constellation, Kraft said. Theyll come back in a few years for more bailouts. Theyll be complaining even if the small modulars come online because the market is lowering the prices. Theyll come up with excuses. 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: Nuclear option: Illinois grapples with the future of nuclear power Rich Products started bringing its employees back to the office three days a week in mid January. But the food products company didnt rush into its decision. Rich Products gave employees three months notice of the change, and still allows them the option of working from home on Mondays and Fridays, which many of them do. When employees do come in, the company offers perks such as free snacks and beverages. Recently, Rich Products held events for Founder's Day celebrating the legacy of Robert Rich Sr. in person at its headquarters for the first time since 2019. Employees were treated to a cooking challenge between two teams of their co-workers, and mingled afterward at a reception. Three years after the pandemic led many companies to switch their workforces to remote setups, some employers have brought workers back to the office more often. While many companies are sticking with hybrid schedules, they say they want to recapture some of the in-person interaction that can't be duplicated on Zoom calls. But the office they are returning to has changed. Its an evolution, said Richard Ferranti, Rich Products CEO. Weve all been through this pandemic and trying to find the right balance. We have to provide people with flexibility, but at the same time getting people together to collaborate, to work on big projects. Just the energy that comes from working face to face. Many companies have been reluctant to require workers to return to the office at a time when the low unemployment rate is creating fierce competition for talent. Employers risk losing current employees or turning off potential hires who prefer to work remotely, and can find a different job if an employer is inflexible about it. It varies with the company, but its becoming a new normal that there will be some fraction of work that will be remote," said Katerina Bezrukova, associate professor and chair of organization and human resources at the University at Buffalo's School of Management. Then, there's the question of office space. Companies are taking stock of how much they truly need, especially if their leases are nearing expiration. The vacancy rate in downtown Buffalo which hovered between 12% and 15% for the last six years shot up to almost 18% as of the end of last year, from 12.5% a year ago, according to a report by real estate brokerage CBRE-Buffalo. Across the region, 15% of the office space in the city and its suburbs was empty as of the end of last year, up from 12.8% a year ago. And that doesn't count offices that are still under a lease, but with fewer workers coming in on a regular basis. That makes property owners eager to get workers back downtown more frequently, to support restaurants and other businesses that rely on workday traffic. But after three years, it is not easy to bring about that change. Differing approaches Each company is taking a somewhat different tack toward bringing employees back to the office, as they adapt to changing circumstances: M&T Bank a major user of office space in the Buffalo Niagara region has three designations for its employees, depending on the nature of their jobs: on site, hybrid and remote. Hybrid employees are generally expected to be in the office three days a week. Citi requires employees of its operations center at CrossPoint Business Park in Getzville to work on site three days a week, continuing a policy from last year. Delaware North, which is headquartered on Delaware Avenue, is sticking with its flexible policy, and has seen "a gradual increase in numbers and frequency in the office over the last year," said Glen White, a spokesman. "Were also continuing to encourage time in the office when it makes sense and adds value to the work being done, creating programming and events that support that," he said. "We want to create a magnet, not a mandate." Univera Healthcare continues to allow employees who are able to do their job from home to do so "for the foreseeable future," and over 80% are working that way, said Peter Kates, a spokesman. Employees who opt to work in the office, with a dedicated workspace, have to commit to being at its Amherst offices for a minimum of three days a week. Highmark BlueCross BlueShield, which has a high-profile office building along the Niagara Thruway, plans to have its leaders at the vice president level and above be on site three days a week starting in April, said Kyle Rogers, a spokesman. "We believe a stronger in-person presence of our senior leadership will inspire greater collaboration and on-site engagement," he said. While the majority of its workers are on hybrid or off-site schedules, Highmark is offering experiences to bring teams in, including meetings, learning opportunities and special events, Rogers said. Highmark employees represented by OPEIU Local 153, by and large, have the choice of working from home exclusively, or from the downtown offices, as part of last year's contract agreement, said Nicole Korkolis, a union spokeswoman. "The choice is theirs to make," Korkolis said. "The overwhelming majority of our members have chosen to work from home." Those employees have to live in the eight-county area where Highmark has jurisdiction, she added. Independent Health is sticking with its primarily remote approach for its area workforce, said Frank Sava, a spokesman. An average of 15% of its employees come in on a daily basis. "We are continuing to modify our campus with hybrid workspaces designed to foster flexibility and enhance engagement among teams and the organization, regardless of location," Sava said. Before Rich Products updated its office policy, officials held discussions and listening sessions with employees, and consulted with leaders of other businesses, Ferranti said. Around May, the company will evaluate how things are going and see if adjustments need to be made, he said. It will continue, I think, to evolve over the next year or so," Ferranti said. Melinda "Mindy" Rich, who chairs the board of the holding company, said giving employees time to prepare to return was essential. That helped associates kind of adjust to, OK, what am I going to figure out how to change my life back to going back to the office? she said. What advice would Ferranti give to employers considering bringing employees back more frequently? It doesnt take a ton just to be thoughtful and just do a good job communicating," he said. Downtown concerns Downtown property owners are trying to find ways to bring more people back to offices that were much busier before the pandemic struck. "We think it is important to come back," said Keith Belanger, chairman of Buffalo Place and senior vice president of corporate services with M&T Bank. "Were working really hard on our space, so people want to come in," he said. Erie County is offering Social Services employees who work downtown but don't have assigned parking spaces a $30 per month parking stipend, to create fairness with colleagues in the suburbs with the same jobs. Employees have to come in at least three days a week to be eligible for the stipend, which became available in January. Meanwhile, the debate continues over employees' productivity in remote versus in-person settings. Bezrukova, of UB, said it will take time for researchers of the topic to compile enough data to analyze the true effects. There is initial evidence suggesting that theres no loss of productivity through the remote work," she said. Differing opinions With employees coming into offices less frequently, what does that mean for all the office space that companies lease or own? Independent Health has a combination of owned and leased space. The health insurer is evaluating its "future campus and building needs in light of our new, hybrid work environment," Sava said. "Although theres nothing definitive to report right now, this is something that is on our radar." Highmark leases its office building on West Genesee Street, and subleases about 10% of the space. Last year, Highmark reorganized its office space to bring employees closer together, with a mix of on-site and hotel seating on four of its eight floors, Rogers said. Some companies, such as Twitter, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, have made headlines for pushing their employees to return to the office five days a week, or for most weekdays. Decisions by high-profile companies can prompt others to follow suit, Bezrukova said. "Its almost this contagious effect," she said. "They have strong desire to do what other companies are doing." But a national survey found employees and their bosses continue to think differently about returning to the office. Spencer Levy, an economist with real estate broker CBRE, pointed to survey results showing 58% of executives felt employees were visiting the office "less than desired," compared to only 25% of employees who felt that way. And just 39% of executives felt employees were visiting the office "at the right cadence," while 55% of employees felt the current cadence was just fine. There is a clear split of opinion between employers and employees," Levy said. "Employees like it kind of the way it is. Employers say, 'Not so fast.' Former President Donald Trump was indicted by a New York grand jury Thursday on unspecified criminal charges in a case that marks the first time a former president has been charged criminally. Although the charges were not made public, the grand jury had been investigating hush money payments to two women who claimed to have had sex with him. The outline of those payments became public only after he was elected in 2016 and more details were revealed in sworn testimony as Trump served in the White House. There have been plenty of presidential scandals, both financial and political, from Warren Harding's Teapot Dome to Ulysses Grant's Whiskey Ring to Harry Truman's "mess in Washington" to Ronald Reagan's Iran-Contra scandal. In a number of cases, aides to presidents were sent to serve prison sentences after they either pleaded guilty or were convicted of crimes. HISTORIC: Grand jury indicts Donald Trump in New York, first time a former president is charged criminally The Nixon pardon: It was negotiated by a Boynton Beach lawyer. Did it leave a road map for Trump post-presidency? FRANK CERABINO: Dear Mar-a-Lago Club members: My indictment is going to cost you Mar-A-Lago, former President Donald Trump's residence on Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Palm Beach, FL. On Thursday, a grand jury in Manhattan voted to indict Trump in connection with an alleged payment of hush money to adult actress Stormy Daniels in 2016. Still, no former U.S. president has ever faced criminal charges. But we have come close. Five things to know about allegations of presidential wrongdoings and misdoings. 1. Watergate prosecutor: Nixon would have been indicted except ... In this undated photograph from the Palm Beach Post photo archives, President Richard Nixon appears at an event in West Palm Beach. After resigning in disgrace, former President Richard Nixon was braced for an indictment in the summer of 1974. But on Sept. 9, 1974, his successor, President Gerald Ford, issued Nixon a full and complete pardon for any offenses he may have committed. So that was that. The pardon ended the more than two-year Watergate scandal and investigation into Nixon for his role, although others in his inner circle and administration either were convicted or pleaded guilty and served prison terms. More: 5 things to know about the Boynton Beach man who secretly negotiated Nixon pardon Story continues Former Watergate investigator Jill Wine-Banks said in an interview with The Palm Beach Post in 2019 that she and the other lawyers on her team believed they had enough evidence to indict and convict Nixon. But once the pardon was issued, a criminal charge against Nixon was off the table. She's not the only one who feels that way. "I believe the timing of the pardon was a mistake," said Timothy Naftali, a historian at New York University and former director of the Richard Nixon presidential library. "But for the sake of the country it would have been better to wait and at least indict the former president. I think it would have been a very good precedent." A Nixon indictment would have resolved any questions about the constitutionality of criminal charges against an ex-commander in chief, Naftali added. Plus, he said an indictment would have "provided one clear summation" of all the allegations against Nixon. "And President Trump would have known for sure that he'd be indictable," Naftali added. "We'll never know what kind of restraint that knowledge might have had on Donald Trump but it might have been helpful for the country as a whole had President Trump known in advance, because of Nixon's experience, that he could be indicted. But of course, given the Ford pardon of President Nixon, that precedent had not been established." In exchange for the pardon, Nixon offered a statement of some contrition in which he said: "Looking back on what is still in my mind a complex and confusing maze of events, decisions, pressures, and personalities, one thing I can see clearly now is that I was wrong in not acting more decisively and more forthrightly in dealing with Watergate, particularly when it reached the stage of judicial proceedings and grew from a political scandal into a national tragedy." The storm: Stormy Daniels strip tour comes to West Palm Beach, yards from Trump's Mar-a-Lago club 2. Bill Clinton: Sexual affair may not be a crime, but lying in a deposition is Yes, it's been 25 years since news broke of then-President Bill Clinton's romance with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. Clinton lied to the nation in the now infamous finger-wagging press conference in which he defiantly said, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky." Ultimately, Clinton admitted his untruths and after being only the second U.S. president to be impeached, he was acquitted in a U.S. Senate trial and finished his second term. The problem is Clinton also lied in a deposition in a sexual harassment lawsuit, which is a felony. And the special prosecutor handling the case, Robert Ray, was considering indicting Clinton once he left the White House in January 2001. In this October 2016 image, former President Bill Clinton and the late U.S. Congressman Alcee Hastings wave to an audience at the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center in Belle Glade. But in the final hours of his presidency, Clinton and Ray came to an agreement in which the outgoing president admitted that he gave false testimony under oath and vowed not to seek reimbursement for any legal bills. Clinton also came to an agreement with Arkansas officials in which he paid $25,000 in fines and acceded to a five-year suspension of his license to practice law. "I tried to walk a fine line between acting lawfully and testifying falsely, but I now recognize that I did not fully accomplish this goal and that certain of my responses to questions about Ms. Lewinsky were false," Clinton said in a statement and added: "I hope my actions today will bring closure and finality to these matters." 3. George W. Bush: The War on Terror and war crimes President George W. Bush, or "43," faced international legal exposure over the conduct of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. More precisely, U.S. policies for interrogating prisoners and terrorism suspects and allegations of torture. A number of global organizations have, over the past decade or so, called for Bush to be charged with war crimes over the treatment of prisoners. The most serious episode was in 2011 when the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights and the New York Center for Constitutional Rights prepared criminal complaints against Bush on behalf of two detainees. Nothing came out of the cases, but at the time more than a decade ago Bush canceled a trip to Geneva sparking speculation that the former president wanted to avoid protests or even being served with the complaint while in Switzerland. 4. Trump: He sets record for investigations while in White House and after There have been plenty of presidential scandals, from Warren Harding's Teapot Dome, Ulysses Grant's Whiskey Ring and even Harry Truman's "mess in Washington." But Trump, who was impeached a record-setting two times, was by far the most investigated U.S. president. And his scandals have followed him into his post-presidency and White House comeback political campaign. There's Fulton County, Georgia, where a special grand jury is investigating whether Trump and his allies illegally meddled in the 2020 election in Georgia. Possible indictments could come soon. Then there's Trump's family business, the Trump Organization, which was convicted by a jury of fraud late last year. And Trump is currently under investigation for his role in the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Also, the U.S. Department of Justice is probing Trump's possession of classified and top-secret documents. Former President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, are seen inside the Mar-A-Lago ballroom on New Years Eve on Saturday, December 31, 2022, in Palm Beach. Since that probe became public with an FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago in August of last year, President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence have also revealed they had classified materials in their possession. But unlike Trump, both voluntarily turned them in after acknowledging they had them in their possession. By contrast, Trump refused numerous requests to return the materials, falsely claiming he owned them and that he had personally and arbitrarily declassified them. 5. One last thought about presidential pardons ... You know there is always a Florida connection. And the Watergate scandal had its share of Florida links, not least of which is that the Sunshine State was the home to a number of the burglars who were arrested during the break-in at the Democratic Party headquarters in June 1972. But Florida was also the home of the man who ultimately ended the Watergate scandal, lawyer and Ford fixer Benton Becker. Other Watergate coverage: 5 things to know about the Boynton Beach man who secretly negotiated Nixon pardon It was Becker who quietly researched the constitutionality of the Nixon pardon and then secretly negotiated it with the 37th president at his San Clemente, California estate right after Labor Day 1974. Becker later moved to South Florida to teach law at universities here. He lived in Boynton Beach until his death in 2015. Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump indictment: No other president has been indicted for a crime 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! A passage in Gov. Ron DeSantis' new book that talks about his upbringing and values is attracting attention, with some mocking it as pandering to voters in two key Midwestern states. "I was geographically raised in Tampa Bay," DeSantis wrote. "but culturally my upbringing reflected the working-class communities in western Pennsylvania and northeast Ohio from weekly church attendance to the expectation that one would earn his keep. This made me God-fearing, hard-working and America-loving." DeSantis' father is from Pennsylvania. His parents met while attending Youngstown State University in Ohio, according to NBC News. NBC mentioned the passage in a recent article highlighting how Midwestern communities "have become incubators for the kinds of cultural grievances that DeSantis nurtures." DeSantis on Trump trouble:DeSantis blasts Trump prosecutor but indicates he won't help fight extradition Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released his book, "The Courage to be Free," during an campaign-style event Feb. 28 in Venice. Provost at New College:New College provost who clashed with Trustee Rufo over death threat has 'stepped down' DeSantis critics are now seizing on the passage to mock the governor. "I was geographically raised in Orlando with a cultural perspective that allows me to easily detect BS when I see it," tweeted state Rep. Anna Eskamani, an Orlando Democrat. "I was geographically raised in Plurality-of-the-Caucuses, Iowa but culturally my upbringing reflected the working-class communities in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada," tweeted Democratic operative Max Steele, referencing other important early states on the primary election calendar. Rick Wilson, a former Republican consultant turned staunch Trump critics, tweeted: "I was geographically raised in Tampa Bay, but culturally my upbringing reflected the royal court at Versailles, with outstanding wigs, elegant discourse, and utter disregard for the seething class oppression necessary to sustain it." This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Ron DeSantis' book passage on Midwest upbringing mocked PROVIDENCE Interviews will take place this week for two magistrate openings on the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal bench. The magistrate salary range is $172,198 to $206,637, according to Lexi Kriss, a spokeswoman for the courts. One magistrate position was created when state lawmakers last year increased the number of magistrates on the tribunal from seven to eight. The second position fills the seat left open by Magistrate Lillian M. Almeida's retirement. A third magistrate position will open up later this month with the retirement of Magistrate Edward C. Parker March 31. More:Rhode Island's municipal judges are in a world of their own Who is being considered for each seat? The three-member committee that helps state Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell vet candidates will interview three contenders for the newly created magistrate position on March 22 at 3 p.m. at the tribunal. The interviews are open to the public. The members of the committee are Chief Traffic Tribunal Magistrate Domenic A. DiSandro; Magistrate Erika Kruse Weller; and defense lawyer Christopher S. Gontarz. Special Assistant Attorney General Eric A. Batista; Special Assistant Attorney General Judy Davis, and Providence Police Major David A. Lapatin are being interviewed for this seat. Batista earned a law degree from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2010 and has worked as a state prosecutor since 2011, according to his resume. Davis earned a law degree at Roger Williams in 1998 and worked as a special assistant attorney general from 1999 to 2006, when she headed to MassMutual Financial Group, according to her LinkedIn profile. She worked in sales and marketing for a title insurer from 2014 to 2019 before returning to the attorney generals office under Peter F. Neronha. Her work now focuses primarily on post-conviction matters. Lapatin earned a law degree at Roger Williams University in 1999 and has worked his way up in the Providence Police Department since he joined the force in 1983. He has been a major overseeing criminal investigations since 2013 and has operated a private practice focusing on civil litigation since 2002, according to his resume. Story continues Interviews for the open seat will be conducted on March 23 at 3 p.m. at the tribunal and are also open to the public. Last May, members of the committee selected five candidates to interview and submitted the names to Suttell, but he didnt put forward a nominee to the state Senate for approval before the General Assembly recessed for the summer. Those being interviewed are: Allison C. Abilheira, a criminal defense lawyer and 2013 Roger Williams Law graduate Former state Rep. Norman L. Landroche, Jr., a municipal court judge in West Warwick and associate at Murphy & Fay Frank R. Saccoccio, a private practitioner and assistant city solicitor in Pawtucket Assistant Attorney General Mark J. Trovato, chief of the office's Washington County unit since 2011 Amanda Leigh Valentino, a former public defender who now works for the state Department of Revenue Mark P. Welch, a general practice attorney focusing primarily in the areas of real estate, zoning and civil litigation William J. Vescera, a solo practitioner in Johnston concentrating on residential and commercial real-estate transactions More:Highly paid Rhode Island judges among those receiving $3,000 'retention' bonuses Other changes to Rhode Island traffic law State lawmakers increased the number of magistrates last year when they passed legislation to decriminalize and reduce the penalties for low-level driving offenses. In doing so, they transferred oversight of many of those cases from District Court to the Traffic Tribunal, though legislators did not provide funding for the new position. Effective Jan. 1, the revised law makes it a civil, not a criminal, offense to drive up to three times without a license, or after a license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled. It reduces the penalties for the first, second and third offenses to $150, $250 and $350, respectively. A fourth, or subsequent, offense would be a misdemeanor charge and offenders would face fines of $500 to $1,000 and up to a year in prison. Such cases would be heard in state District Court. This story corrects an earlier error. Providence police Maj. David Lapatin began work in the Police Department in 1983 and received his law degree in 1999. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal magistrate seats open. Who might get the job Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis. Getty Images As MAGAworld rages about rumors that Donald Trump will be indicted, Ron DeSantis has stayed quiet. He's now facing growing calls to defend the former president, who lives in Florida. Still, it's unlikely that DeSantis can fully block Trump's extradition from the state. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is facing immense pressure from the far-right wings of MAGAworld to help former President Donald Trump evade a potential indictment in New York. Trump on Saturday claimed without substantiation that he may get arrested on Tuesday. With that announcement came pressure on DeSantis from Trump-loving conservatives, who want the governor to defend Trump against the Manhattan district attorney's investigation. DeSantis, who's expected to run against Trump for president in 2024, has stayed mum. But DeSantis' predictable silence has given MAGAworld figures the opportunity to condemn him. Jason Miller a longtime Trump advisor highlighted DeSantis' lack of response on Sunday, while praising former Vice President Mike Pence for criticizing the Manhattan district attorney's investigation. "Radio silence from Gov. @RonDeSantisFL and Amb. @NikkiHaley," tweeted Miller, who's also the founder of right-wing social network Gettr. Donald Trump Jr., Trump's oldest son, didn't name DeSantis, but wrote on Sunday that people will remember the difference between Republicans who spoke up for Trump "immediately" and those who "sat on their hands and waited to see which way the wind was blowing." Also on Sunday, far-right political activist Jack Posobiec tweeted: "It takes 10 seconds to send a tweet 'This prosecution of President Trump is a farce and does grave damage to our republic.'" Posobiec told The New York Times that he was "taking receipts on everyone" who hasn't blasted a potential Trump indictment. "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," Posobiec told The Times. Story continues Michael Cernovich, a right-wing political commentator, tweeted that DeSantis was making his "first unforced error by not denouncing this lawless act." Far-right influencer Stew Peters tweeted that DeSantis should send the Florida National Guard to protect the former president at the Mar-a-Lago resort. Peters was echoing calls from fringe factions of MAGA world for people to form a "patriot moat" around Mar-a-Lago to prevent Trump's arrest. "Anything less proves DeSantis is a fraud," wrote Peters on Sunday. DeSantis can't do much to help Trump assuming he wants to It's unlikely that DeSantis has any avenues to stop Trump's extradition even if he wants to, legal experts told Insider's Jacob Shamsian. But the governor could delay extradition for up to 60 days by asking for a review of the indictment, they said. When reached by Insider, a representative for DeSantis on Monday pointed to the governor's remarks at a press conference from the same day. DeSantis criticized the Manhattan district attorney office's investigation into the hush-money case as a "manufactured circus," but said his administration would not interfere in the situation. Meanwhile, Trump announced on Saturday that he expects to turn himself in on Tuesday, though his defense team hasn't received confirmation of whether he'll be indicted. Once allies with DeSantis, Trump has over the last year increasingly launched personal attacks at the governor. He's been debuting insulting labels and nicknames for DeSantis, such as "Ron DeSanctimonious" and a "RINO Globalist." To add further animosity between the pair, a pro-Trump PAC on Wednesday filed an ethics violation complaint against DeSantis, accusing him of "leveraging his elected office" in Florida to bolster his national profile. DeSantis has avoided launching direct barbs at Trump, telling people in November to "chill out" about the former president's feud with him. But he's privately been rallying allies and building his war chest for a potential 2024 White House run, the announcement of which would put him openly at odds with Trump. A representative for Trump did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment sent after business hours. March 21, 2023: This story was updated to reflect comment from a spokesperson for DeSantis. Read the original article on Business Insider INDIAN RIVER COUNTY Skeletal remains found earlier this month are being examined by a University of Florida forensic anthropologist to determine what happened to Susy Tomassi, the 73-year-old with dementia who disappeared from a family-owned restaurant five years ago, Sheriffs Office officials said. The bones found by a fisherman March 3 in mangroves along the Indian River Lagoon were analyzed by a Treasure Coast medical examiner and sent to the C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory in Gainesville, Sheriff Eric Flowers said. Sheriff Eric Flowers at June 14, 2022 press conference outside Indian River County Sheriff's Office. (Dr. Patricia Aronica) did her assessment and analysis (and) at that point she said 'Id like to have another set of eyes', said Flowers. We said we agree with you; lets send them over to the Pound lab. Aronica is the chief medical examiner for the District 19 Treasure Coast Medical Examiner's Office in Fort Pierce. Results of the examinations were expected within two or three weeks. Flowers said he wants to withhold further comment on the case until the (Pound lab) examination is complete. I mean, I have my feelings on it right now, but theyre laypersons feelings because I dont look at bones every day, he said. I know what Dr. Aronica has said (and) at this point I think a second expert saying something would be better (before I come back and talk about it). Dr. Adrienne Sauder (left) and Dr. Patricia Aronica, chief medical examiner for District 19 Medical Examiner's Office. The forensic scientists are searching evidence that could point to the cause of death. Jewelry said to be with Tomassi at the time of her disappearance along with what Flowers said were additional identifying items were found by the fisherman alongside a skull and skeletal remains two weeks ago not far from the Oslo Boat Ramp. I feel confident as we stand here today that that was Ms. Tomassi, Flowers said. Im not waiting on the Pound lab to tell me that its Ms. Tomassi. Im waiting on the Pound lab to tell me what happened to Ms. Tomassi. At the university laboratory, a forensic anthropologist will examine the bones for any kind of tool markings or anything our doctor cant see with the naked eye, which could point to signs of trauma and a potential cause of death, said Kimberly Carroll, operations manager at the Medical Examiners Office in Fort Pierce. Story continues Mysterious disappearance Details from the initial missing person report from Susy Tomassi's husband Patrick Tomassi, of St. Lucie Village, on March 16, 2018, state she walked away from their restaurant, The Quilted Giraffe, at 500 U.S. 1, after going to the back porch area to read a book around 5:15 p.m. Tomassi, now 62, reported his wife missing around 6:45 p.m. telling deputies he looked for her for in a nearby plaza off U.S. 1 and Oslo Road where she frequently shopped, but couldnt find her. According to a March 20, 2018, Sheriff's Office social media post, an extensive ground search was conducted of the Oslo Preserve and surrounding areas by air, sea, and on ATV. Skeletal remains believed to be of a missing woman, Assunta "Susy" Tomassi, 73, who disappeared March 16, 2018, were discovered March 3, 2023, by a man who said he found them along with jewelry in the swampy conservation area north of The Oslo Road Boat Ramp. The ramp is pictured here on the Indian River Lagoon on March 13, 2023. Flowers said that at the time, he was a major with the Sheriff's Office and was among those to walk the swamp lands in the initial search efforts. Susy Tomassi had advanced dementia, according to information released a month after her disappearance by police on Floridas west coast where it was said her daughter and granddaughter lived. An April 13, 2018, a missing person update on Punta Gorda Police Department's social media stated: At the time she walked away, she was able to identify family, friends and was aware her family owned the Quilted Giraffe and Mr. Manatees in Vero Beach, but more recently, she would also sometimes meet strangers and think she knew them as friends. Tomassi, according to the post, was last seen on foot near the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area at roughly 5:45 p.m. In 2019, the Indian River County Sheriff's Office released surveillance footage enhanced by the FBI saying it showed for the first time what is thought to be the last known sighting of Tomassi. More:SLCSO: Man who drowned at rock quarry in St. Lucie County recovered a day later More:'It felt like a car hit me with a machete blade at the end of it,' Stuart man says of shark bite off St. Lucie County beach In the footage from a camera behind the shopping center, a large white pickup truck exits the eastern-most access to Oslo Road and stops as a figure similar in build to Tomassi passes behind its tailgate while walking east. The person returns to the truck and gets in the passenger side before the truck pulls away east on Oslo Road toward the boat ramp. A few minutes later, the truck is seen driving westbound at "a more significant speed than normal," according to a TCPalm report with then Sheriff Deryl Loar. The timestamp on the surveillance video reads 6:05 p.m. at the point the truck first leaves the cameras view. In 2022, the FBI entered Tomassis case into its Violent Criminal Apprehension Program and created an agency alert June 9, 2022 published June 30, 2022. Among details in the report is what was said to be a roughly 4-minute window between the truck going east toward the boat ramp and its return west. The eatery was just under half a mile from the conservation area parking and trail entrance. Tomassi did not have a phone and was unable to remember phone numbers. Jewelry she was thought to have at the time she went missing, according to police and FBI, included: multiple silver and gold rings, a blue-faced gold Rolex watch, silver and gold bracelets, a white gold necklace with a pineapple pendant and Costa Del Mar sunglasses. The remains were said to be found deep in the mangrove tree coastline by a fisherman roughly 150 yards north of the Oslo Road boat ramp, within the 300-acre Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area, according to the Indian River County Sheriffs Office. March 14:Fisherman's discovery leads to breakthrough in 5-year-old case of disappearance of Susy Tomassi March 8: Jewelry, ID found alongside remains of Susy Tomassi March 7: Susy Tomassi details: Remains believed to be hers found years after she disappeared March 4: Skeletal remains of Susy Tomassi, missing 5 years, believed to be found From 2021, updated March 6: Treasure Coast detectives ask for help in solving areas missing person cases Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246. If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the Treasure Coast. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Forensic scientists at UF to evaluate remains from Susy Tomassi case The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically and permanently changed the telehealth landscape. Telehealth, using technology to deliver health care at a distance, represented less than 1% of total academic medical centers visits before the pandemic. At the height of the pandemic in April 2020, telehealth visits surged to more than 50% of all faculty practice plan evaluation and management visits. Santos Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) launched telemedicine initiatives in 1989 and has done more than 160,000 telemedicine consultations for populations in rural communities, schools and prisons. At least 550 clinic providers have accessed or used telemedicine. What is the difference between telehealth and telemedicine? Both terms are often used interchangeably but telemedicine refers to direct clinical care, such as when you see your doctor. Telehealth is a much broader umbrella which includes telemedicine and technological aspects of delivering health care, such as wearable devices and consumer and other health education. Of the 108 counties in the TTUHSC service region, 20 have no practicing physician and 11 have no physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Outside urban centers there are very few specialty providers, resulting in many patients traveling long distances to seek medical care. Patients should ask their primary health care providers if telemedicine through their personal mobile device or computer is an option for them. The examination can include the use of equipment including a camera, an otoscope, a stethoscope and an EKG. So, physicians here in Lubbock can see in detail the person they are examining in another city. A patient could still request an in-person appointment, but through telemedicine, the chances of preventing readmission or seeing if there is a problem early on are better. Other physicians in multiple specialties such as nephrology, cardiology, pulmonology, dermatology, infectious diseases, pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology use telemedicine in areas where there is a shortage of specialists. In the case of burn patients who might have difficulty traveling to see a specialist, TTUHSC physician specialists use telemedicine to provide care in El Paso, Texas. With the surge in psychiatry and mental health care needs after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine revolutionized delivery of behavioral health and is the leading user of this modality. Story continues Even before this pandemic, we were using telemedicine for managed care in correctional facilities. We save money because incarcerated patients dont need to be transported to our clinic and we still provide quality care to our patients. Other adopters, which might come as a surprise, include the elderly population. In a study by the AARP, approximately one-third of older Americans said they intend to use telemedicine in the future, and 51% of older adults said they or a family member used telemedicine during the past two years. There are numerous benefits to using telemedicine. The obvious one is that its a cost-effective way to get health care because patients dont have to travel and can save the cost associated with that. Patients dont have to miss an entire day from work. They could save money on child care if necessary. Its also safer for some patients who might have an early morning appointment. Some patients might drive in from New Mexico, and with the time difference, leave at 5 a.m. for an 8 a.m. appointment. Even though patients and providers are as comfortable using telemedicine as online banking or shopping, there are still some challenges. One is educating current health care providers. We also need to include telehealth education the curriculum for health care professions because many of us had a crash course during the pandemic. Other issues are payment and compensation for the visit and access to broadband internet. Telemedicine is not a replacement for current health care I want to talk to my patient and examine them but it is a bridge to make health care more accessible. Ariel Santos, M.D., MPH, is an acute care surgeon for Texas Tech Physicians and the director of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Telemedicine Program. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Tech Doc: Benefits to telemedicine: Virtual visits an improvement, not replacement for patient care Gay Rights Protest in Milan 2023 By Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN (CNN) -- Hundreds took to the streets of Milan on Saturday to protest against moves by Italy's new right-wing government to restrict the rights of same-sex parents. The demonstration, called "Hands Off Our Sons and Daughters," took place in the historical Piazza della Scala pedestrian square and was organized by LGBTQ+ groups across the country. "You explain to my son that I am not his mother," read one protest sign. Others held up ballpoint pens, used to sign birth registrations, in protest. Also present at the protests was Milan's mayor Giuseppe Sala, who had earlier tweeted his support of same-sex families. Organizers estimated around 10,000 people took part while Milan city officials gave more modest estimates of hundreds. In 2016 Italy became the last country in Europe to legalize same-sex unions but it still does not recognize "stepchildren adoption" or surrogacy, which rights groups say is because of opposition from the Catholic Church. Its government led by far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, places a strong emphasis on traditional family values. Same-sex parents who wish to register their children born by surrogacy abroad have often had to just put one parental name on official birth registrations or take their cases to family court. Several cities, including the capital Rome and Milan, had instituted a Parent 1/Parent 2 policy on birth registrations rather than the traditional mother/father designations, but last week the Interior Ministry ordered the city of Milan to stop the practice. The Italian Interior Ministry said it would order other cities' birth registrars to also halt the practice. Last week, the Italian senate voted against a measure introduced by the European Commission to make the recognition of same-sex parents mandatory. The-CNN-Wire & 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. WASHINGTON Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil on Monday joined two top House Republicans in demanding testimony from Manhattans district attorney amid reports of an impending indictment of former President Donald Trump, calling the potential charges a politically motivated prosecutorial decision. Your decision to pursue such a politically motivated prosecution while adopting progressive criminal justice policies that allow career criminals (to) run the streets of Manhattan requires congressional scrutiny about how public safety funds appropriated by Congress are implemented by local law-enforcement agencies, Steil, chairman of the House Administration Committee, wrote in a letter to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer of Kentucky co-signed the letter with Steil. House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, R-Wis. The letter comes during speculation that the Manhattan district attorneys office could seek criminal charges against the former president related to an alleged $130,000 hush money payment during Trumps 2016 presidential campaign to porn star Stormy Daniels, who said she had an affair with Trump. It is the latest move from Republicans to defend the former president after Trump over the weekend indicated he could be arrested as soon as Tuesday. An indictment would be unprecedented for a former president and would come as Trump runs again for president in 2024. The Republican chairmen in the letter alleged that an indictment of Trump would erode confidence in the evenhanded application of justice and interfere in the upcoming presidential election. They called the legal grounds for a looming indictment, which could involve election law and allegations of falsifying business records, tenuous and untested, noting federal prosecutors have so far declined to bring charges against Trump. The Republicans also criticized Michael Cohen, Trumps former attorney who was involved in the payments and who reportedly testified in front of the New York grand jury, as having a serious credibility problem. Story continues The facts of this matter have not changed since 2018 and no new witnesses have emerged, the letter reads. The only intervening factor, it appears, was President Trumps announcement that he would be a candidate for President in 2024. Bragg, the district attorney, last April acknowledged his office was continuing to investigate Trump. He said at the time investigators were going through documents, interviewing witnesses, and exploring evidence not previously explored. A spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorneys office in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Monday evening pushed back on the Republicans' characterization of crime in New York, noting shootings and homicides in Manhattan are down this year under Bragg's leadership. "We will not be intimidated by attempts to undermine the justice process, nor will we let baseless accusations deter us from fairly applying the law," the spokesperson said. "In every prosecution, we follow the law without fear or favor to uncover the truth." Steil, Jordan and Comer in the letter requested Braggs testimony about his offices decisions and demanded all documents and communications between the Manhattan district attorneys office, the U.S. Department of Justice and other federal law enforcement agencies related to the Trump inquiry. They also requested communications to and from former employees Carey Dunne and Mark Pomerantz, who quit Braggs office over a previous decision not to pursue charges against Trump. Monday's letter marked the latest step for Steil, a Janesville Republican who has re-energized what is traditionally a low-key House Administration Committee. After beginning his chairmanship with a hearing grilling the now-fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton over accusations of misconduct, Steil has positioned the committee to conduct oversight of congressional operations more broadly. An oversight plan adopted for Steil's committee pledges to review the "politicization" of congressional agencies like the U.S. Capitol Police, review policies put in place when Democrats controlled the House and look into security concerns stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Last month, Steil defended Speaker Kevin McCarthy's decision to release thousands of hours of footage from the riot to Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who largely portrayed the deadly insurrection as non-violent. Steil's involvement in Monday's letter stems from his leadership of House Administration, which has oversight over federal elections. The Republicans on Monday indicated they are interested in considering legislative reforms surrounding special counsels and suggested they could look into how the New York district attorneys office uses federal funds. Your apparent decision to pursue criminal charges where federal authorities declined to do so requires oversight to inform potential legislative reforms about the delineation of prosecutorial authority between federal and local officials, the letter reads. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Steil signs GOP letter demanding answers from Manhattan DA on Trump 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 Tony An and his family opened a Thai restaurant in Hamburg a decade ago, when General Tsos chicken and other Chinese-American best hits were the dominant flavor on the menus of Southtowns Asian restaurants. In the years that followed, more Thai places opened nearby, giving eaters a wider variety of places in which to seek the tangy richness of dishes like tom kha gai, the classic coconut broth alive with lime leaf, galangal and chile. When the pandemic shut dining rooms, An and his family had to decide the future of the restaurant. None of them are getting any younger, costs are rising, and then the plague. Was this a sign to pack it in? An and his clan decided to invest in their future in the Town of Hamburg. While the restaurant was shuttered, they put more than $250,000 into the building. It was not to cram more paying customers in, but to improve the experience for those inside. Lighter walls done in tropical pastels, more wood and less bamboo, has brought the Cozy Thai dining room into the present. What hasnt changed is people waiting for takeout at peak dinner times, most with the calm demeanor of those who have learned their patience will be rewarded. Cozy Thai came back with all its Thai classics salads, curries, noodles, fried whole snapper, crispy eggplant plus two new dishes reflecting its owners heritage. An, who was born in Vietnam, added its national dish: pho, beef noodle soup served with a tray of enhancements like licorice-scented Thai basil, sweet and spicy sauces, mung bean sprouts and sliced jalapenos. Meat choices include sliced beef, rare or well done, meatball ($14), or beef plus meatball ($16). One sip of the broth, gently sweet with charred ginger and five-spice, left me with sticky lips, thanks to eight hours worth of judicious simmering and skimming. On the strength of broth alone, Cozy Thais pho is a must-try for even halfway serious Vietnamese beef noodle soup "phonatics." I would hasten to add that the raw beef, which cooks gently in the steaming broth, was the most tender version of the presentation Ive experienced in my pho-slurping career, which has admittedly been limited to the continental United Sates. The other newcomer is green tea noodle, inspired by lapeth thoat, or tea leaf salad, the Burmese national dish. In Burma, the same sprigs plucked, dried and turned into beverages by other people are fermented like sauerkraut to preserve them for the winter. They center a riotously crunchy salad of chopped tomato, shredded cabbage, peanuts, fried beans and seeds, dressed in garlic oil. In Hamburg, Ans crew developed a pasta dish that uses the absorbent characteristics of packet ramen noodles to soak up an emerald sauce that thrums with garlic, chile and the funky undertow of fermentation. Its a pesto worth partaking in, for the flavor alone. Try it with shrimp ($18) or a more diverse seafood ensemble ($20). What really excites me, though, is that Western New Yorkers get to eat unique dishes like this because our community welcomed these new Americans, and they are broadening what a taste of home means for us all. Other dishes I wouldnt miss include som tum ($11), the bracing salad with a backbone of shredded green papaya. Its jumbled with green beanlike long beans, shredded carrot, chopped tomato and peanuts in a lime-chile vinaigrette made with palm sugar, and a base note of anchovylike fish sauce. Ask to hold the hard-boiled egg and vegetarians can thrill to the Cozy Thai salad ($10) of fried tofu and vegetables with a peanut sauce that ennobles everything it touches. That coconut-ginger-chile driven peanut sauce also comes as a table accoutrement, at $6 a small helping or $8 for a large. Live large, is my recommendation. For dessert, consider the mango rice ($9), sliced fresh mango on a mattress of rice cooked to tenderness in coconut milk, accented with sweetened coconut cream. Theres also fried bananas ($8), crispy inside their egg roll jackets, for dipping in honey-coconut sauce and swiping through vanilla ice cream. Soft drinks include Thai iced tea ($4) and ginger tea with honey ($2). Wine and beer are available, including a Korean rice beer called Makku ($8) thats creamy, slightly sweet and prone to mischief. Thats because youre supposed to shake the can vigorously before popping the tab and pouring it into the proffered mug. Instead of the expected hoppy shower everyone is cowering from, it pours calmly into the mug. If they dont know about Makku, it would make Cozy Thai a great April Fools Day reservation, is what Im saying. Whatever reason you need, consider heading to Hamburg to see what An and his family have invested in the place. If you want a taste of down-home American cooking circa 2023, snuggle up to Cozy Thai. Cozy Thai 39 Evans St., Hamburg (716-648-1016, cozythaihamburg.com) Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 4 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Prices: appetizers, $7-$15; entrees, $16-$35. Atmosphere: quiet appreciation Parking: lot Wheelchair accessible: yes Gluten-free options: salads, curries, pad thai, fried rice Outdoor dining: no Some words will always clue you in to where someone grew up. Do they say Coke, soda or pop? Sneakers, tennis shoes or gym shoes? Sub, hoagie or hero? All of these are little pieces in the fun puzzle of guessing someones backstory. And then theres this term, that, along with the words wicked, soda and sneakers, is a pretty good indicator that the speaker is from Rhode Island. And thats bubbler, often pronounced bubbla. As part of The Providence Journals What and Why RI series, we set out to answer why Rhode Islanders stubbornly call it a bubbler, while most of the country calls it a water fountain or drinking fountain. Why are water fountains called bubblers in Rhode Island? The answer is not completely clear. Who calls it a bubbler? It's not just us. First off, while we are in a minority, Rhode Islanders are not the only ones who use the term bubbler. Wisconsin is right there with us, and if youre just over the Rhode Island border in Massachusetts, you likely call it a bubbler, too, though the farther you get from the border, particularly going west, the less likely this becomes. This is based on the work of Bert Vaux, a linguist at the University of Cambridge in England, who conducted the Harvard Dialect Study in 2002 and continued it in the 2006 UWM dialect survey. This is the same study that became mainstream in 2013 when maps made by graphic designer Joseph Katz using data from Vauxs work went viral. But theres a lot of evidence that the term is at least somewhat known outside of those geographic bubbles, even if its not used as intensely. When The Providence Journal asked members of the American Dialect Society about bubblers, academics from all over the country chimed in to say that it wasnt just Wisconsinites and Rhode Islanders. We want your questions:Providence Journal to relaunch What and Why RI I know bubbler is used in Wisconsin, because I went to high school and junior college in Milwaukee, and that's the term we used," said Herbert Stahlke, a professor at Ball State University. However, I grew up in Waltz, Michigan, a dinky village about 25 miles south of Detroit, and we used the term there. My brother-in-law grew up in Clio, about 10 miles north of Flint, Michigan, and he also used it. Story continues Another person added that he had personally heard the term used in Minnesota, Iowa and Washington. That being said, it's not guaranteed someone would know what you were talking about in those other states. Preserving the past:A historical Narragansett church fell into disrepair. Now it's two million-dollar homes. Why does Rhode Island call it a bubbler? Heres the popular story about it, although we should warn you in advance, its been debunked. The story is that the Kohler Co. invented the bubbler in 1888, used that name for their new product that water bubbled out of, and the name spread from there. But Wisconsin historian Beth Dippel has definitively proven that story is an urban legend, as the drinking fountain wasnt invented by Kohler, nor do they hold the patent for it, and Kohler didnt start manufacturing them until 1926. As one last nail in the coffin of that story, research by the American Dialect Society folks and the Rhode Island Historical Society found many examples of the word bubbler in print before 1926. There was an article in a 1901 Tuftonian Magazine talking about how the day of the wooden pump (for drinking water) succumbs to the modernity of a bubbler fountain, in the name of health and safety. Then, putting it in Rhode Island, there was an ad from the 1900s, preserved by Columbia University, for drinking fountains for horses and people by the H.F. Jenks Company in Pawtucket that called their invention their own patented bubbler. By 1911, its clear from looking at The Providence Journal archives that the term was in common use. The Rhode Island Historical Society found three stories where its clear that everyone was calling the new type of water fountain that bubbles up rather than requiring the use of a drinking cup a bubbler. Theres a State House Brevity that starts with Bubble, bubble, how do you drink from the bubble? and ends with a line about lawmakers struggling to drink from the new technology and getting water up their noses. Then, theres another article talking about the installation of a new drinking fountain on Prospect Street, making it clear that these water fountains are unlike others, because they will have the bubble drinking apparatus. And then, theres a (by modern standards) extraordinarily sexist account submitted as a letter to the editor of how men and women should drink from bubblers. Men were advised to balance gracefully on one foot, and the writer advised the weaker sex to have courage and face the bubbler bravely. And, he said, it doesnt look good for a woman to stand on one foot in public, so she should keep two feet on the ground. So what's the best guess? Its time to confess that no one who was asked could definitively say why Rhode Islanders call it a bubbler. But there is a plausible theory. As youve probably gathered from the examples given above, when bubblers as we know them came out as a new technology, people wanted to distinguish them from the older styles of drinking and water fountains that required a cup. These were different with water that bubbled up and allowed users to drink from them directly and people wanted language to describe that experience. And that language made its way into the mainstream, into newspapers like The Journal, and in this region, it stuck. At the end of the reporting for this article, The Journal asked Gerald Cohen, a professor of art, language and philosophy at Missouri University of Science & Technology, how common it is for a word like bubbler to stick in one region and not in others. His answer was that it's very common, thats what the word dialectal is all about. If you discover a new clue as to why we all say bubbler, or if you have another question you'd like The Providence Journal to look into, email me at klandeck@gannett.com. In the meantime, if you discover a new clue as to why we all say bubbler, email me at klandeck@gannett.com. If you have a question you would like The Providence Journal to look into, email me or submit it here. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Providence Journal subscription. Here's our latest offer. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Why do Rhode Islanders call it a bubbler? It's not because of Kohler. Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday for a three-day visit to Russia, as the two nations appear to be growing closer amid Russias yearlong war on neighboring Ukraine. China has billed Xis trip as opening a new chapter of China-Russia friendship as Beijing turns to Russia for oil and gas and for solidarity in its claims the U.S. and the West are meddling in its affairs. China and Russia are each others biggest neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination, Xi said in a statement announcing hed make the trip, adding that he looks forward to developing a new blueprint for the China-Russia partnership with President Vladimir Putin. Chinas foreign ministry said Xi would be in Russia Monday through Wednesday, but has not shared specifics about what topics might come up during the trip. The Kremlin said Putin and Xi will discuss pressing issues related to the future of relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between Russia and China. The visit comes days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin over alleged war crimes, including the deportation of children, during the invasion of Ukraine and as China attempts to position itself as an arbiter of peace. The Biden administration has cautioned that Xi could call for a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine during the visit that would be more favorable to Moscow than to Kyiv. China recently dismissed concerns from the U.S. State Department that Beijing was considering ramping up its support of Russia to possibly include ammunition and weapons. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A former legal adviser to Michael Cohen, a central witness in the Manhattan district attorney's investigation into President Donald Trump's hush money paid to a porn actress before the 2016 election, assailed Cohen Monday as liar whose cooperation with prosecutors was rooted in a pursuit of "revenge." Robert Costello told reporters that he pressed that case before a New York grand jury, claiming that Cohen was "totally unreliable" as prosecutors appeared to be nearing a decision on whether to seek criminal charges against the former president. "He's on the revenge tour," Costello said, referring to Cohen who has alleged that Trump authorized a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels to silence her in the weeks before the 2016 election. Costello, who was tapped by the Trump legal team to testify, suggested that Cohen had acted on his own, and arranged the payment himself. The lawyer described a combative session before the grand jury in which he claimed to have offered a thick package of email communications that would undercut Cohen's credibility. Costello said the communications contained "100 instances of him (Cohen) lying to us." Cohen dismissed Costello's contention that he had acted alone in arranging the hush money payment. "His facts are all twisted," Cohen told MSNBC late Monday, adding that Trump's defense "will fail." "It's absolutely not true," Cohen said. Trump caused a stir Saturday when he claimed a Manhattan grand jury could level an indictment against him as early as Tuesday. Under New York law, a person who is expected to be indicted can request that a witness appear on his or her behalf. But Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina has said that Trump had not plans to participate, leaving Costello to make a case against a poprosecution. Heres what we know about the case: Michael Cohen testifies before grand jury Who is Michael Cohen? Cohen is the star witness in the Trump investigation after being convicted and serving time in prison for crimes including arranging the $130,000 payment to former porn actress Stormy Daniels. The payment was arranged to prevent publication of a news story amplifying her claim weeks before the 2016 election that she had sex with Trump. Story continues Trump later reimbursed Cohen. The payment could be the grounds for a campaign finance violation. Michael Cohen, former personal attorney to President Donald Trump, speaks to the media before departing his Manhattan apartment for prison on May 6, 2019, in New York. Who is Robert Costello? Costello is a Republican lawyer with ties to Trumps legal team. He offered to serve as a bridge between Cohen and Trump's team, according to The New York Times. At one point, Costello contacted one of Trumps lawyers to ask if the president might pardon Cohen, the paper said. But the pardon never came, and Cohen never formally retained Costello or paid him, according to The Times. Cohen later waived their attorney-client privilege, Costello has said. Hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels are central to two of the lawsuits seeking tax and financial documents from President Trump's accounting firm. How does this affect the 2024 presidential campaign? The criminal indictment of a former president would be unprecedented. Legal experts such as Laurence Tribe, a professor emeritus at Harvard Law School, said Trump's looming indictment in New York is uncharted waters. Trump also faces a federal investigation by special counsel Jack Smith about his role in the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, and the classified documents found at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. And a Georgia grand jury in Fulton County is investigating his effort to overturn the 2020 election in that state. But Trump said hell continue to run for president if hes indicted. His first rally of the 2024 presidential race is scheduled for March 25 in Waco, Texas. Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, was released from house arrest on Monday. Cohen said he will continue to work with authorities to "sure that others are held responsible for their dirty deeds." (Nov. 22) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Robert Costello undercuts Michael Cohen in Trump grand jury probe West Virginia State Police have denied a request to release dash camera footage or body camera footage of an incident on Feb. 12 on Interstate 81 in Berkeley County, W.Va., in which a Hagerstown man died after a struggle with a trooper. State police said previously that the trooper responded to I-81 about 2 1/2 miles north of the North Queen Street exit near Martinsburg around 9:15 p.m. for a person walking south on the highway. The trooper found Edmond Exline, 44, of Virginia Avenue, and a brief struggle occurred. Exline became unresponsive and troopers were unsuccessful in reviving him at the scene, police said. Previously:Family says man who died after police struggle on I-81 had mental illness Exline later died at Berkeley Medical Center and an investigation is underway, state police said. The Herald-Mail filed a Freedom of Information Act request with state police asking for any dash camera or body camera footage of the incident. On Friday, state police paralegal Mendi Craddock denied the request in an email to the newspaper. Craddock said the request was denied under an exemption in West Virginia law dealing with investigation of crimes by law enforcement and the use of records for internal purposes. State police initially said they responded to I-81 for an intoxicated male walking on the interstate. But Exline's sister-in-law, Sarah Exline of Hagerstown, said in a phone interview previously that she finds it hard to believe her brother-in-law had been drinking. Hagerstown crime:A Baltimore man is charged in the murder of a Hagerstown man found shot, covered in bleach She said Edmond suffered from mental health issues and he was afraid of consuming anything like alcohol for fear that it would complicate his condition. Exline said her brother-in-law was always afraid that authorities such as the FBI were after him, and she believes he was "definitely running from something" when he was on the interstate. Sarah Exline said Edmond has had family ties to West Virginia in the past and believes that is possibly why he was in Berkeley County. Story continues When asked previously about the family's doubts that Exline could have been intoxicated, Capt. R.A. Maddy, state police spokesman, said an autopsy will help answer those questions. He declined to comment further. Maddy has also been reluctant to release other details such as how the struggle began, the name of the trooper and whether the officer is on administrative leave. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: West Virginia State police deny FOIA request for records in I-81 death The smell of frying fish floats over parts of downtown Yakima every Friday during Lent. The gymnasium at Saint Joseph Marquette Catholic School is abuzz with friendly chatter while guests mingle among the full tables. Trays of fish and chips or macaroni and cheese, filled to the brim, are steadied in hands. Kids are running around, busing tables or on their way to see a friend across the gym. Its the annual Fish Frydays at Saint Joseph Marquette Catholic School, a weekly fish dinner served every Friday during Lent. A fish and chips plate costs $20 and includes fish and chips, coleslaw, applesauce and a choice of adult beverage or nonalcoholic. The mac and cheese plate costs $10 and includes chips, coleslaw, applesauce and a soda. Tickets for local beer and wine can be purchased separately, as can additional sides. Cash, check and debit and credit cards are accepted forms of payment. Lent, a season of fasting, starts on Ash Wednesday and lasts the 40 days prior to Easter. Many Catholics dont eat meat on Fridays during Lent. For a long time, the Knights of Columbus had a fish Friday at their hall. A number of years ago, our school community decided that we wanted to bring that back one way to raise a little money and to bring the community back together, said Gregg Pleger, principal at Saint Joseph Marquette School. For 16 years now, the Catholic school at 202 N. Fourth St., with kids from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade, has hosted Fish Frydays. We wanted to host it at St. Joseph Marquette, starting with one fryer, and did what we could, Pleger said. Its grown and grown and grown to where were serving like 600 meals a Friday and its a great big community event. Our school community is the host, and the rest of the greater Yakima Catholic community and the general public are welcome to attend. They do, and so thats what its about. This year marks the return of dining in. COVID-19 restrictions had limited the event to drive-thru and takeout only. When we had to do drive-thru, the community still came and they were very supportive of the events and getting the fish, so we know that it was important to the community to be involved with this. Being able to go back in person was a very exciting opportunity, Pleger said. Everybody is invited to socialize and enjoy a meal. Eight or 10 people sitting around tables, its families and friends, Pleger said. My father would come, and his buddies would come and reminisce about being Marquette grads. My current high school grads show up, talking about their adventures, and then just other friends and community members come and just enjoy themselves. The yearly event takes place every Friday for the six weeks of Lent, and each week 40 to 45 volunteers help put on Fish Fryday. Parents of St. Joseph Marquette students help, seventh- and eighth-graders earn service hours, and alumni and area residents not associated with the school volunteer their time as well. Volunteers help set up the gym, bus and clean tables and bring fish from the fryers. We actually have a lot of volunteers who come in who have served in the same spots for years, said Brandy Spry, co-chairperson of Fish Frydays. Spry has chaired the Lenten event for more than five years and has volunteered in some capacity for much longer. The Fish Fryday dinners are a fundraiser for Saint Joseph Marquette Catholic School. Proceeds go to the parent board to support the schools efforts in lowering tuition, buying supplies and helping fund construction of the new gym, Spry said. The community loves fried fish. Spry purchases 300 pounds of cod every week. That provides about 600 meals. The cod arrives on Wednesday and is cut by hand. This is the best fish and chips in town, Spry said. Weve had numerous people say that they wait and eat our fish for six weeks. Our fish is beer battered. We hand cut it, we hand batter-fry. We fry our own chips. Everything is in-house. So thats also kind of special. Spry stresses the sense of community is just as special as the food preparation. It brings a nice atmosphere to downtown Yakima. I just think its really neat that we can have something so positive, unique in downtown. Were happy to be in-person again and touch base with each other and be a community together, Spry said. I love the people who come in for the fish fry. These people are amazing. They come visit and find friends, and they enjoy being out on a Friday night for a good cause. If you go What: Fish Frydays. When: 5-8 p.m. Fridays through March 31. Where: St. Joseph Marquette Catholic School, 202 N. Fourth St. Cost: $20 for fish and chips, coleslaw, applesauce and beverage; $10 for mac and cheese, chips, coleslaw, applesauce and pop. More information: www.sjmms.org or 509-575-5557. Trudy Rubin is a columnist and editorial-board member for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Readers may write to her at: Philadelphia Inquirer, P.O. Box 8263, Philadelphia, PA 19101, or by email at trubin@phillynews.com. 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. Buffalo News political reporter Charlie Specht borrowed a page from the late broadcasting icon Edward R. Murrow and allowed Chrissy Casilio to use her own words to tarnish her candidacy for county executive as she defended since-deleted posts on social networks. The endorsed Republican candidate told Specht she regrets spreading conspiracy theories about Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin and writing some other controversial social media posts. Her excuse? As a public relations specialist, she was simply trying to get clicks: "As a marketing PR person, I know how that algorithm works on Twitter," Casilio told Specht. "Whether I believe in a topic or not, I try to comment about it to get reaction, get likes, get comments." As someone who has taught public relations in a segment of a college journalism course, I found Casilio's comments preposterous. So did two public relations experts I consulted after Specht's story ran. Deborah Silverman, the chair of the communication department at SUNY Buffalo State who has been teaching public relations for 20 years, said she was upset reading Casilios comments about her field. Silverman also is a former chair of the Public Relations Society of America Board of Ethics and Professional Standards, which advocates for honesty and accuracy. That is not what public relations and marketing is all about, Silverman said of Casilios comments. According to Specht, 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. Among the most outrageous deleted tweets was one about Hamlin at a time some Twitter users were suggesting he was dead before the Bills lost a playoff game to the Cincinnati Bengals: "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 told Specht 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. In another deleted tweet, Casilio seemed to be embracing the conspiracy theories about Covid-19 vaccinations. "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." Yes, she was. After all, public relations experts rely on persuasion. They also rely on trust, said Silverman, who worked in public relations for 20 years before becoming a teacher. Silverman explained: You are there to build trust with people and you have to stand by what you say in public. If I were advising her as a public relations professional advising a candidate, I would never advise that person to behave in that manner. Never. You dont ever go on out in public in any social media or traditional news media, unless what you are saying is what you truly believe. And her comments made no sense to me," Silverman said. "If I were running for public office, I would never say those things. It is all about trust." Of course, Casilio made those comments on social media before she was a candidate. The thing is about running for public office is that your record includes your history, said Silverman. You cant suddenly say it is not so. Im not going to run for public office, but I have to stand by words. I have to stand by what I said. If you make public statements no matter who you are, obviously you should be believing in that. And it didnt seem like that to be the case. Silverman describes herself as center of the road politically who was a Republican for many years and now is a registered Democrat. Casilio seemed to be using close to the legal defense of Fox News concerning controversial top-rated host Tucker Carlson. In defending Carlson against accusations of slander in 2020, the lawyers for Fox News famously argued you can't expect to believe his words. U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil of the Southern District of New York essentially agreed, reportedly writing the " 'general tenor' of the show should then inform a viewer that [Carlson] is not 'stating actual facts' about the topics he discusses and is instead engaging in 'exaggeration' and 'non-literal commentary.' " Casilios defense to Specht: As a private citizen, I'm going to take accountability for the things that I have posted on social media in the past. I have some regrets. I have no problem taking accountability." My view of social media, especially on Twitter, was to kind of provoke conversation and influence the algorithm," said Casilio, later adding: "I have tweeted and said things to provoke, to get reaction, to grow the algorithm. I would poke because thats what you do." "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." Thats the best she could come up with a few weeks after her candidacy? We live in a world where crazy social media takes are the norm? Casilio made similar comments to what she told Specht in an interview carried Sunday by WBEN-AM. I reached out to another prominent public relations counselor who leans right politically, which I thought would be fair to Casilio. He practiced in the field for close to four decades. I asked him about Casilio's remarks concerning marketing and PR and if he would ever post on a social network to provoke a reaction. Absolutely not, he said. In this day and age, we need honesty and authenticity more than ever. It bothers me that someone would be posting things simply to get a reaction. He added people in public relations have to be honest and truthful. Casilio told Specht 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." Voters always care about a candidates judgment and put it near the top of their concerns. They also want to believe candidates are telling them the truth. 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. Sometimes, it pays to be a loyal customer. Airline miles, loyalty reward points, anniversary freebies, the coveted platinum membership tier all of these incentives are designed to keep you committed to your favorite brands. But loyalty is typically a one-way street when it comes to car insurance. "Insurance companies are there to make money," says Michael DeLong, a research and advocacy associate for the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America. "They're not your friend, despite the cute mascots they have." DeLong advises not to hesitate to shop around for better deals because, in most cases, your insurance company isn't loyal to you. However, only 26% of vehicle owners in the United States say they shop for car insurance at least once a year, according to a 2023 NerdWallet survey. Here are three signs it's time to swipe left on your current car insurance company. 1. When your rates go up It's normal to pay more for things over time taxes, rent, a carton of eggs and insurance is no exception. Sometimes, price hikes are justified by your driving history (say you caused an accident or got a speeding ticket). But other times, they're based on things unrelated to driving, such as getting married or changing jobs. Additionally, many car insurers practice something called "price optimization." DeLong describes it as "charging people higher rates and premiums based on the likelihood that they will accept that and not shop around for better deals." Price optimization tends to punish loyal customers most, DeLong says. But, in addition, it also hurts people who are simply less educated about insurance, which is a lot of people, he adds. It's worth noting that price optimization is currently banned in some states, and not every company practices it. Still, insurance companies adjust rates for many reasons. So while a low-priced policy may have initially lured you in, that sweet deal may have already soured by the time you renew (typically 6 or 12 months later). 2. When life happens Insurance companies use all sorts of driving and non-driving-related signals to price policies, and pricing formulas differ from one company to the next. For example, some insurers charge higher rates than others for having a recent speeding ticket or for simply being a young driver. That's why it's often a good idea to court other car insurers when you: Move. Get married. Buy or lease a new car. Change occupations. Add a driver to your policy. Get into a car accident. Get a DUI/DWI or traffic infraction. Experience a significant change in credit history (in most states). Need to drive less. 3. When you're treated poorly There's more to insurance than finding a rock-bottom price. "You have insurance so that if a bad day happens, it doesn't become a worse day," says Stephen Crewdson, a senior director at J.D. Power. That's why paying attention to how your insurance company treats customers is essential. This is a tricky sign because, aside from the initial account setup, most people don't routinely deal with the insurance company or agent until one of those "bad days" occurs. As a result of that experience, you may be dissatisfied because a claim took too long to process or you could not reach a customer service representative when needed, for example. If an insurance company treats you poorly, it should serve as a big red flag, says DeLong. Other companies may value your business more. Keep the relationship open Shopping for insurance, like dating, can be a daunting experience for some. Finding and switching to a more suitable car insurance company, on the other hand, can be a relatively painless process and most insurers will not penalize you for doing so even if you're just one week into a 6-month policy. Here are some considerations for maintaining a casual relationship with your insurer: Make shopping a habit "Shop for insurance like you would shop for gas," says Marty Ellingsworth, executive managing director at J.D. Power. In other words, you should always keep an eye on your price because the market is constantly changing. You can count on prices to rise regularly, but you're entitled to ask why and seek transparency. NerdWallet recommends shopping for car insurance from at least three different companies once a year. And don't forget the small, regional insurance companies, which can sometimes offer more competitive rates and better service. Working with an independent insurance agent is a great place to start. These experts work with multiple insurers and can find the best policy tailored to your needs. Shop for what you need Start with figuring out what you need to insure and how much car insurance you need, Ellingsworth recommends. With car insurance, it's often easy to be over or underinsured. Some companies only offer certain features in packages, so you might end up paying for coverage you don't want or need. On the flip side, many states allow residents to drive with shallow coverage limits, which may leave them underinsured. Most insurance companies or independent agents can help you with this part. But as a rough estimate, NerdWallet recommends getting at least enough liability insurance to cover your net worth. That's the value of all your cash, investments and the things you own, minus your debt. Shop for quality You can use the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website to see how customer complaints stack up across different car insurance companies in your area or check out NerdWallet's roundup of the best car insurance companies. Also, read company reviews online and ask your family or friends about their experiences. "You may also want to look at companies and see if they've been in the news lately. And whether it's for good or bad reasons," DeLong suggests. Ryan Brady writes for NerdWallet. Email: rbrady@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @reallyryanbrady. The article 3 Signs Its Time to Break Up With Your Car Insurance Company originally appeared on NerdWallet. The parliamentary group of ruling Fidesz will support the ratification of Finlands NATO accession bid at a vote set in the national assembly for March 27, while it will make a decision in connection with Sweden at a later time, the leader of the group said. I am informing you on behalf of the Fidesz group that we have made a decision to support Finlands NATO accession, Mate Kocsis said on Facebook. We will move the relevant vote in parliament to an earlier date, to March 27, and will unanimously support Finlands bid. As regards Sweden, our group will make a decision later. Kocsis in his post reminded domestic and international players that the Hungarian parliament was a sovereign body beholden only to Hungarian voters. We therefore do not accept any kind of pressure exerted either from abroad, or by Hungarian left-wing politicians working on foreign orders, by NGOs, or by any media outlet regarding when, at what pace and what matters parliament should discuss, and on which day it should hold a vote on those, Kocsis said. He said the greater the pressure was to have a decision made quickly, the more thorough consideration was required. Pope Francis has awarded Daniel Solymari, director of international relations at the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, the Knight Cross of the Order of Saint Sylvestre, the oldest decoration the Holy See bestows on secular individuals, the charity told MTI in a statement. Solymari was presented with the award by Cardinal Peter Erdo, the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, and Youssef Absi, the patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, at the Primates Palace in Budapest on Friday. He received the honour in recognition of his work concerning the international relations of the pontiff and the Holy See, mainly in the areas of international aid and humanitarian diplomacy. The charity noted that the Knight Cross of the Order of Saint Sylvestre was among the most rarely bestowed decorations, having been given to less than ten Hungarian citizens, according to records available since 1945. His Excellency the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait Saad Abdullah Saleh A Alasousi. He assumed his duty on September 2019 as the Representative of the State of Kuwait to Hungary. Ambassador Alasousi was the previous Ambassador to Malaysia, Nigeria, Benin and Cameron. He is living with his family in this beautiful city Budapest, Hungary. 1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here? I arrived in August of 2019. Im meant to be here for three to five years, and Ive already spent four years here in Budapest it really is one of the most beautiful cities that I have ever served in since 1992 when my career began as a diplomat. 2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere? Well, I started my diplomatic life in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1992 in the department of GCC the GCC covers the gulf countries of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain. Then the first country I served in abroad was The Republic of Iran. Next I served in the United Arab Emirates, from where I was sent to the consulate in Pakistan. After my time in Karachi I was then sent to work in Greece. After my time in Athens I was then nominated to be the first Ambassador to represent Kuwait in Nigeria. My next station was in the beautiful country of Malaysia. 3. What surprised you most about Hungary? Everthing is surprising here, the architecture of the buildings in Budapest are a beautiful example of this. I personally love the structure and style of the Opera House. You can find a lot about Hungarian culture in the Castle District, the Fisherman's Bastion, and the Basilica Church. There is also the Balaton Lake in the middle of the country, which is surprising. 4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do? For a short weekend trip I would have chosen the Opera house, as I used to visit prior to the Coronavirus pandemic and construction which effected the beauty of the location. Thankfully the building has been completed recently and we can enjoy shows once again. Hungarian culture can be seen in the Buda Castle, the Fishermans Bastian and the church which are always great to visit. Also the museums in Hungary are a great option, as Kuwaitis are very highly educated and enjoy such culture it would be a good choice. 5. What would you say is your favourite Hungarian food? Goulash! I like it lightly spicy. I also like Chicken Paprikas. Do you know in the Middle East, and specifically in Kuwait and our region we usually use a lot of spices, and we love the taste of paprika in our food. 6. What is never missing from your refrigerator? We have everything thats important, so to be honest for me its cheese. I am a cheese lover so have several different kinds of cheese. Also, Hungarian steak is one of the best I have ever had, and overall the Hungarian food its very good, especially the cheese! By the way, one of the biggest factories that produces and exports cheese to Kuwait is in Hungary, its called Hajdu. They export all the kinds of cheeses to Kuwait, and they are considered to be some of the best ones available in Kuwait. 7. Do you have a favourite Hungarian word? Well, when I was younger I always used to learn the language of the country in which I served. So I speak Persian, English, and little a Greek. The issue with Hungarian is that if you dont mix with people you will not get to learn such a language, and because of Covid I could not really go out, so I missed the chance to learn this language. 8. What do you miss from Kuwait? At the beginning of my life as an Ambassador it was my family and friends. Clearly you miss your own people. So you know as much as you think that you are living the dream in a beautiful Greek city with beautiful architecture and nice food, you will always miss your culture and your people. 9. If you could choose a different career, what would you choose? Well this is going to be my next step, within few years after retirement, Im planning to be a professor at a university in Kuwait. I just finished my master degree and Im working on my PhD in public relations. It is one of my hopes that I can go back to my university and pass on my experience to students from over the last 30 years abroad as a diplomat. In Kuwait we have more than 12 universities in different regions, and I might find one of those to accept me as a professor. I am also working on a book, so hopefully when its finished I can share more of a clear picture about diplomacy and life as an Ambassador. As in reality the life of an ambassador is not as much fun as what many people expect - you can lose contact with your family quite easily. During my career, I have been working in six countries on five different continents. At first my family came with me everywhere, so they are moving from country to the country, and while they did get new knowledge from living abroad this doesnt give you back the friends left behind in your home country. 10. What is a job you would never want? Before I became an ambassador, after graduated from high school, I wanted to be a pilot. Back then I became one out of five hundred guys that they nominated to take a pilot exam, and I succeeded. From this 500 they narrowed it down 50, and I was one of them. Then when at home I told my parents about my progress, and explained that this 50 will sit another exam and have an interview to choose ten pilots. My parents told me I would never get through, so I didnt proceed to the next stage. They explained how dangerous it would be, and I know they wanted to protect me, and so if you ask me about a job I wouldnt do then I say a pilot! 11. Where did you spend your last vacation? My wife and my daughters usually go to Geneva, and more often to Vienna. We often drive to Vienna from here and stay overnight at weekends. 12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday? I am going to Balaton this weekend, after that it will be Geneva, and Vienna again. 13. Apart of temptation what can't you resist? Number 1 for me is always my family. I do whatever they want, go wherever they want to go. Also, Im a collector of carpets, so whenever I have seen a really nice carpet I cant resist it! When I was in Iran, where as you know they have the best quality carpets, I studied carpet making, how they make it from scratch, how long it takes, which are the best ones, so I have an eye for carpets and which ones are worth buying as investments. 14. What was your favourite hobby as a teenager? Sailing a catamaran. It is a very physical sport and so I dont do it these days. Also I used to windsurf. 15. What's your favourite drink? After water, I like to drink fresh juices. There are a few specific ones I like, like green apple with carrots. It is good and full of vitamins, my favourite drink in the mornings. 16. Do you prefer to read a book or watch a film? Reading a good book, its better than a film because you can experience a special atmosphere and imagine the differences in that way. 17. Morning person or night person? Morning. I wake up at 6.30am every morning and Im asleep very early, at like 10 oclock. 18. Which social issue do you feel strongly about? As you may know, Kuwait has a lot of charity associations in Africa, so we usually work as Ambassadors through the embassies to help people in this part of the world. 19. Buda or Pest side? I would say it really depends on what you are doing. Both are great for different types of fun experiences. 20. What would you say is your personal motto? What comes first to my mind now is that you should aim to raise your kids for another time not as in your time. So if you want to teach your kids to be successful, dont give them the same schooling you took 40 or 50 years ago. You have to teach them to open their mind and if possible send them to the highest level of education available anywhere in the world. This is what I have done with my children, they studied in the United Kingdom. Telehealth and social media are playing a significant role in driving demand for Ozempic, a prescription drug that treats Type 2 diabetes, experts told CNN. The current drug shortage has limited access for patients with diabetes who rely on it to control their blood sugar. Digital health companies make medications like Ozempic easier to get by providing prescriptions online. Many advertise quick and easy sometimes same-day access. "Anecdotally, it's almost easier to get medication [via digital health companies]," said Dr. Disha Narang, endocrinologist and director of obesity medicine at Northwestern Medicine, Lake Forest Hospital. "But not always the safest." People who put in average weights on the online intake forms were still offered the antidiabetic drug, Narang told CNN. In part because of Ozempic's popularity, the prescription weight loss drug market has grown significantly, according to MarketData Enterprises, an independent market research and consulting firm. The market surpassed forecasters' expectations for 2022 and is expected to become a nearly $2 billion industry in 2023. WeightWatchers is also tapping into the telehealth prescription drug space. Last week, the company bought telehealth subscription service Sequence, which helps connect patients to doctors who can prescribe weight loss and diabetes drugs. "At the start of 2022, these companies weren't marketing this stuff," Narang said, noting advertising around Ozempic took off in 2022. "I think we really need to start questioning our ethics around this." There are few across-the-board requirements when it comes to digital health companies' intake processes, Dr. Bree Holtz, an associate professor at Michigan State University studying telemedicine, told CNN. Once a patient fills out the required forms online, information gets transferred to an in-state provider who can write the prescription. Some companies require that the patient hop on a video or phone call with the provider others don't require either. "It's a little scary that you can just wake up and get these appointments in or these pharmaceuticals and you're not being cared for," said Holtz. Telehealth has been a game changer in providing access to health care, particularly during the pandemic. And especially for people living in places where high-quality primary care is not available, direct to consumer telehealth services can help fill a gap, said Dr. Laurie Buis, associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan, whose research focuses on digital health. When patients begin to seek selective treatment from selective providers, however, Buis says it opens the door to problems like fragmented care or abuse. Telehealth providers may not have access to a patient's full medical history and may be less able to provide holistic care that a primary care physician otherwise could. "I have no doubt that some of these services are doing a good job," said Buis. "There are also services that don't take it quite as seriously. And that's of concern." Ozempic's rise in popularity The U.S. Food and Drug Administration first announced that Ozempic was in shortage last August. Supply will likely be strained through mid-March, according to the FDA drug shortages database. Ozempic prescriptions in the U.S. reached an all-time high in the last week of February, with over 373,000 prescriptions filled, according to a J.P. Morgan analysis of IQVIA data shared with CNN. That's an increase of 111%, compared with the same week in 2022. Of these, more than half were new prescriptions, according to a CNN review of J.P. Morgan's analysis. With many patients relying on Ozempic for diabetes treatment, providers like Narang are scrambling to figure out what alternatives to put their patients on. "We're getting messages daily about patients not being able to get their own medication," Narang said. "It's been tough for patients and providers alike." Ozempic currently holds more than 40% of the U.S. market share of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists a class of drugs that mimic an appetite-regulating hormone according to analysis from J.P. Morgan. These drugs work by stimulating the release of insulin, which helps lower blood sugar. They also slow the passage of food through the gut. Ozempic has grown quickly in popularity since it was first put on the market in 2018. The drug has safely and successfully been used to help diabetics improve blood sugar levels and put diabetes into remission, Narang told CNN. Ozempic is the most potent of all the GLP-1 medications, she said. Behind the brand name Ozempic is the medication semaglutide. While Ozempic is used primarily to treat Type 2 diabetes, another drug by the name Wegovy also semaglutide is approved specifically for chronic weight management. Although approved by the FDA in 2021, Wegovy was not readily available through most of last year, according to Narang, so people turned to Ozempic. According to the FDA drug shortages database, Wegovy was undersupplied starting at the end of last March but came back in stock earlier this year. Social media buzz around the two drugs took off at the start of 2023. Celebrities shared their testimonies about how semaglutide helped them shed unwanted pounds. Elon Musk, for example, publicly credited Ozempic and Wegovy in part for his weight loss. #Ozempic and #Wegovy have been "extremely popular" over the last few months on TikTok, according to company analytics. The use of Ozempic and Wegovy for short-term weight loss has resulted in real consequences for patients who need the drugs most for diabetes treatment and chronic weight management, said Narang. For example, some insurance companies in the past have reportedly refused to cover Wegovy, one calling it a "vanity drug." Both drugs are intended for long-term use, not for short-term weight loss. Their appetite-regulating effects wear off quickly after you stop taking them. "This is not meant to be a medication to take off your last five or 10 pounds to get ready for an event or something like that. It's not for use of three or four weeks," Narang said. "When we think about weight management, we're thinking about the next 25 years of someone's life." YORK Ben Fuller, representing Carbon Solutions, will be addressing the York County Commissioners during their regular meeting on Tuesday. His appearance before the board comes two weeks after Bold Alliance Director Jane Kleeb visited with the county board about her groups concerns about carbon pipelines. Carbon Solutions is in the process of garnering easements for such a pipeline through York County it would run from the ethanol plant east of York to Central City where it would connect with another ethanol plant. The carbon dioxide is a byproduct of the ethanol-making process and would be collected at those sites before being transported to a holding facility in North Dakota. Two weeks ago, Kleeb said she had concerns about landowners rights and the safety of these types of pipelines. She also encouraged the county to create local regulations pertaining to these types of pipelines. Fuller will likely address the concerns that were raised two weeks ago the company was not present during Kleebs presentation. Also on Tuesdays agenda: The board will continue discussion about a grant for the juvenile diversion program. A variance request, filed by Lucas Gruber, will be considered. A grant application, filed by York University with the York County Visitors Bureau, will be considered. Funds are being sought for improvements at the Freeman Center. A letter of engagement with Woods/Aitken will be considered. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting, which will begin at 8:30 a.m., in the commissioners meeting room which is located on the main floor of the courthouse. YORK City of York officials are inviting the public to an open house meeting Thursday, March 30, regarding proposed pedestrian and bicycle trail improvements occurring as part of Project Access York. The meeting will be from 4-7 p.m., at the Holthus Convention Center. Details regarding the project will be available for viewing and personnel from the City of York, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and members from the consultation team will be available to answer questions, receive comments and discuss aspects of the proposed trail project. Project Access York expands the current network of trails in the city and includes other pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure intended to improve safety including a pedestrian overpass over Highway 81. Funding for the project is provided by the federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program and a small local match. York was awarded $15.6 million for this project which will result in 10 miles of trail expansion throughout the city, a pedestrian overpass over Highway 81 near the interstate, safety at school crossings and curb cuts throughout the city (to make sidewalks more accessible for wheelchairs, scooters, etc.). Over 95% of the funds that support the project are federal funds. This is such an exciting opportunity that will have a huge impact on our community, said Mayor Barry Redfern. He emphasized that the trails will improve access to jobs and food for Yorks residents, improve the safety of kids biking to school or the pool and will encourage travelers to stop and stay here in York. Mayor Redfern encourages people to attend the public session. We welcome and encourage your attendance and input, he said. We received the grant for both the design and construction, York City Administrator Sue Crawford said. It hasnt been designed yet so that will happen first obviously so the exact location of all the trails and the overpass are yet to be determined. Olsson Engineering will be designing the trails and overpass and helping the city manage communication with residents and businesses near proposed routes and public comment sessions for public feedback. The upcoming event is one of those public feedback opportunities. The design period will take place in 2024 during this time period, public input, discussion, right-of-way work and design will take place. In 2025, bids will be taken and the construction will likely start in late 2025/early 2026. For those unable to attend on March 30, additional information on the project, as well as all meeting materials, will be available on the citys website after the meeting. For more information, visit www.cityofyork.net. Every day, somewhere in the nation and the world, someone is losing a farm. All you have to do is look at rural, consolidated schools and study the demographics of small towns. When I graduated in 1996, the majority of students attending Centennial Public School in Utica were still from farms or connected to farms. Today, that percentage has entirely flipped. The fewer farmers supporting the school through property taxes may simultaneously boast and complain they are footing most of the bill. But, I would argue the greater cost of this seemingly inevitable road has been most negatively felt by the people impacted by communities wasting away. The same people who are continuing to try and be creative under the shadow of an ag industry that is increasingly technology-centric and not people-centric. The agriculture model has gradually shifted away from any balance between the relationships of humans, nature, and profitability throughout our nations history. Agriculture in this country took a massive plunge and redirection after the 1980s Farm Crisis when, in so many ways, a system driven by greed, not need, became the new model for progressive farming. If you eat, you have been impacted by this drastic shift. In the meantime, many of those who cannot afford farms work at rural jobs that simply dont keep up with the cost of living. Then there are the social burdens that arise. Historically, family farms and ranches gave our nation a foundation with meaning, stability, and strength unmatched worldwide. Now, business as usual in farm country is increasingly being apt at consolidations, coop mergers, and refinancing debt. Yes, this all begs the question where does this can we are kicking down the road end up? It ends up in the domino effect our actions will have on our children and their children. The domino effect is in place today in the unforeseen or totally ignored outcomes our decisions will have on those who will come after us. Have we truly assessed the cost that will be accrued by the next generation we say we are, doing all of this for? Farmers and ranchers each farm in a different context. We have the most to learn from others outside our various styles of farming and ranching. There are scenarios that some have lived in for generations to desperately keep farms and ranches going that would bring other farmers to their knees. The greatest challenge facing neighboring farmers should be considered all our biggest challenge. The greatest challenge facing our urban cousins should also be considered all our biggest challenge. Whether we realize it directly or not, the greatest challenges facing agriculture are facing all of us. The loss of family farms has directly impacted the loss of community and genuine relationships across the nation, let alone the natural resources that have been sorely impacted. Were teetering on a dangerous, imbalanced scale of greed far outweighing need in farm country. We really need to take a look at agricultural history with honest and informed lenses. We are living in farm country that reflects a world where the greed of a few will continually and gradually erode away what is really needed from the precious earth for everyone else to have complete, fulfilling and truly lasting lives for generations to come. Monday morning blues turned red for Bengaluru commuters today, who rely on auto-rickshaws. As the Bangalore Auto Drivers Unions Federation is protesting a strike to seek a ban on the bike-hailing mobile application - Rapido. The auto driver union is demanding a complete ban against whiteboard taxi service, which it says is eating into its consumer base. Manjunath, President of Adarsh Union Auto Drivers Association stated that 21 auto organisations are participating. "2.10 lakh auto drivers are participating in the protest. The protest march is going to begin at the city railway station and we are planning to lay siege to the residence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai," he stated. Auto drivers have expressed their ire over the Rapido bike taxi service which has badly hit them. The bandh will be observed till midnight on Monday and the people who are depending on auto services would be severely hit in Bengaluru. The auto driver unions in #Bengaluru are staging a protest urging government to prohibit the whiteboard bike taxi services. Manjunath, President of Adarsh Union Auto Drivers Association stated that 21 auto organisations are participating. pic.twitter.com/FiOv1CCeqa IANS (@ians_india) March 20, 2023 The auto unions had given a three-day deadline for prohibiting bike taxi service to the government. Since the ruling BJP government has not bothered to respond to them, they are staging a protest, explained auto drivers. The autorickshaw drivers will also take out a march from Bengaluru City Railway Station to the Chief Minister's House. While a 24-hour-long bandh is announced, Manjunath has further claimed that 21 autorickshaw drivers have joined hands to stand together in this agitation against bike taxis. Strict action should be taken against this auto driver under the law. Is there no such thing as law in Bangalore City?@BlrCityPolice @BlrCityPolice @CPBlr @tv9kannada pic.twitter.com/Uaa4Am9OPV freedom of speech B,lore (@freedomlore1) March 5, 2023 Recently, a video had gone viral of an autorickshaw driver smashing a bike taxi driver's mobile phone at a major intersection in the city over the alleged illegal use of such services. Cruise ships on Buffalo's waterfront? 'It's absolutely feasible' Buffalo could join Great Lakes port cities such as Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Duluth and Milwaukee in providing day excursions or overnight trips. A state agency approved contracts for a cruise ship industry market demand study, an Erie Canal bicentennial visitor experience and emergency maintenance and restoration services on the Outer Harbor. With a recent resurgence in passenger cruise ship demand, M&N Engineering was hired to undertake a market study for Buffalo. Passenger cruise ships have served the Great Lakes for hundreds of years, with successful ports currently active from Detroit and Cleveland to Duluth, Minn., and Toronto. The study will look at the current state and future prospects of the Buffalo Niagara regions Great Lakes cruise ship industry and craft a regional strategy. Infrastructural improvements will be identified for a Buffalo home port to determine economic development benefits for constructing a permanent cruise terminal. Two scenarios will be looked at new construction at Michigan Pier and at DL&W Terminal. The contract amount with M&N cannot exceed $217,387. The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. also authorized a contract with Local Projects, a New York State design firm, for design and fabrication services related to the Erie Canal bicentennial visitor experience in 2025. Local Projects will design, fabricate, install and service several indoor and outdoor experiences at Canalside. Its team includes Buffalo-based Hadley Exhibits. The contract cannot exceed $1 million. The ECHDC board also authorized a contract with NW Contracting for emergency maintenance and restoration services at the Outer Harbor related to the December 2022 storm, which damaged shoreline properties and deposited debris in areas of public access. The work is primarily needed at locations along a 2-mile stretch of shoreline known as the Greenbelt Trail and Bell Slip, as well as at the Bike Ferry Landing. Here's what's coming to Buffalo's waterfront at $110 million remake of Centennial Park A groundbreaking ceremony at Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park on Buffalo's waterfront heralded big things to come. The former LaSalle Park will be transformed in phases over the next several years at an estimated cost of $110 million in public and private dollars. Restoration will include stabilization of stone and naturalized embankments, asphalt repairs, fence and gate repairs and/or replacement. The contract amount can't exceed $602,644. Funding for all these contracts is from the New York Power Authority, through relicensing agreements tied to the operation of the Niagara Power Project. A 72-year-old woman, at the centre of headlines after a co-passenger allegedly urinated on her on board a New York-Delhi Air India flight last November, has moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the DGCA and airlines to frame SOPs to deal with such incidents. The woman said she was constrained to approach the court because Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) failed to treat her with care and responsibility after the incident. "In addition, the wide-ranging national press reportage full of conjecture and surmises has severely undermined the petitioner's rights as a victim under Article 21 of the Constitution, and in fairness has also affected the rights of the accused as well. Their rights to a free and fair trial have also been substantially affected due to a selective leaking of the 'AIR SEWA' complaint of the petitioner, the FIR and selective witness statements being released to the media to match specific narratives," she said in her plea. The petition said an absence of clear guidelines for media outlets on what requires reporting, whether they ought to make conjectures where matters are sub-judice, and the impact of media coverage based on unverified statements end up impacting the victim as well as the accused. The petitioner further said her intentions were inspired and motivated in the interest of the general public and are a sincere attempt to set up a framework within the airline industry so that such incidents are prevented, and if they do occur, they are dealt with in a manner that does not cause additional trauma to the passengers. She also sought a direction to the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA to ensure that Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) norms adhere to the highest standards laid down internationally. The woman sought directions to the DGCA and the airline companies to comply with legal requirements of the SOPs, operation manuals and reporting protocols to be followed by airline crew and staff. On January 31, a Delhi court granted bail to Shankar Mishra, who has been accused of urinating on the woman on the Air India flight from New York to Delhi. The trial court had granted the relief to Mishra on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and a surety of the like amount. It had also imposed various conditions on him, including that he will not tamper with evidence, influence witnesses or contact them in any manner. Mishra was asked not to leave the country without permission and to join the investigation and trial as and when called upon by the investigating officer or the court concerned. He was arrested from Bengaluru on January 6 and sent to judicial custody by a court here on January 7. The accused allegedly urinated on the woman in an intoxicated state in the business class of the Air India flight on November 26 last year. A magisterial court had on January 11 denied bail to Mishra, saying his act was "utterly disgusting and repulsive, shocked the civic consciousness and needed to be deprecated". New Delhi: Adani Group has suspended work on a Rs 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 Rs 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. New Delhi: "I miss you lot, nice your beauty, wonderful behaviour," a Delhi woman received these messages on her WhatsApp from a Swiggy agent, who had delivered groceries at her doorstep in June last year. Prapthi posted a screenshot of the message on her Twitter handle while narrating her ordeal. "I'm sure that most women on here can relate to this. I got a grocery delivery from Swiggy Instamart on Tuesday night (June 14, 2022). The delivery guy sent me creepy messages on WhatsApp today (June 16, 2022). Not the first time, not the last time something like this is happening," she had said in a series of tweets. "But I decided to something more than just blocking his number this time. So I contacted Swiggy Cares through the app and registered a complaint. Surprisingly, all I received were generic responses which did nothing to ease my discomfort or reassure me of quick action". "I hope Swiggy does better. Please do not take harassment enabled by your app lightly. They know where we live. Support protocol must be reassuring to the complainant and put a stop to an incident quickly and for good before it escalates to more serious offences/danger". "I've been in a situation where an incident has escalated to being real physical threat because of inaction by LE agencies. So, this was a trigger. Now, inevitably, today's incident will come to mind whenever I order groceries/food late at night or when I'm alone at home". However, in another post a day later, she said that she had received a call from the Swiggy's CEO office, who had assured her to take all necessary measures. "Post this thread, I was contacted by Swiggy's escalation team yesterday and by their CEO Office today. They listened to me and assured that they would do take all the necessary measures to stop this and to learn from this so as to prevent it from happening again," she tweeted. No police complaint was filed in the case. According to a senior police official, whenever complaints of misbehaviour and harassment are received, strict action is taken against the accused. "We also keep in touch with the companies urging them to sensitise the delivery staff to avoid any untoward incident," the official said. This is not the first case where such complaints of misbehaviour or harassment by the delivery agent with customers had come to light, especially on social media. On March 15, a Twitter user in Delhi claimed that a man who was her Rapido driving partner sent her messages on WhatsApp around 1.25 a.m. The tweet has been going viral with many users questioning the safety of women while sharing personal details on ride-hailing apps. According to the screenshots, the man sent a series of texts in Hindi at 1.25 am asking the woman if she was awake. He went on to explain that seeing her profile picture and hearing her voice motivated him to come and pick her up. "Otherwise I was very far, wouldn't have come at all," he writes in Hindi before his final audacious text: "And yes, another thing, I am not bhaiyya (brother)". The woman shared the screenshot, posting: "Shared my location with a captain at @rapidobikeapp and this is what I get." She followed it up with cuss words. In yet another case, on March 1, on Swiggy, a customer had placed an order for mutton korma and naan from a restaurant in Karol Bagh. The customer's delivery address was near Ram Kachori shop near Jamuna Bazar Hanuman Mandir in Kashmere Gate. The delivery agent for Swiggy, however, refused to deliver the non-vegetarian food item due to the customer's location near the temple. He even got into a heated conversation with the customer. However, sources in Swiggy claimed that the delivery boy was still a part of the food-delivery service app and his ID has not been closed. World Sparrow Day: Every year on March 20, there is a commemoration called World Sparrow Day to educate and make people aware of the value of sparrows and the need for their conservation. International Sparrow Day is a significant holiday that raises awareness of the importance of sparrows and their preservation. People can help to safeguard these little birds by encouraging sparrow conservation and developing habitats that are conducive to sparrows. The objective of World Sparrow Day is to increase public awareness of the sparrow's declining population and the necessity for its conservation. The day offers a chance for people to work together in their communities to protect and conserve sparrows. This can be accomplished through establishing and maintaining sparrow-friendly habitats, utilising fewer pesticides, and raising public understanding of the value of sparrows to the environment. The first celebration of the day took place in India in 2010, and since then, it has been honoured in several other nations. World Sparrow Day: History The Nature Forever Organization of India and the Eco-Sys Action Foundation of France collaborated to create World Sparrow Day. On March 20, 2010, the first World Sparrow Day was held with the goal of raising awareness of the sparrow population decline and the need for sparrow conservation. World Sparrow Day: Significance The planet is home to countless sparrows, which are small, common birds. They are crucial to the environment because they keep insects and pests under control and provide food for other species. However, a number of problems, including habitat loss, pollution, and the use of pesticides, have contributed to a sharp decline in the world's sparrow population in recent years. World Sparrow Day: Theme Every year, a different theme for World Sparrow Day is chosen to represent the concerns and factors surrounding sparrow conservation at the time. The theme for World Sparrow Day in 2023 draws on the theme from the previous year. This year's theme, "I love Sparrows," highlights the importance of both individuals and organizations in sparrow conservation. The story of the house sparrows Passer, the clan of the house sparrow, may have originated in Africa. Two jawbones discovered in a layer of sediment that is more than 100,000 years old in a cave in Israel provide the first indication of the house sparrow itself. Passer predomesticus, sometimes known as the domestic sparrow, was the bird whose bones were discovered, yet it has been suggested that even this bird may have been involved with early humans, whose remains were also discovered in the same cave. After that, the fossil record is very silent until 10,00020,000 years ago, when birds that are extremely similar to the present house sparrow started to show up in Israel. About 60 years ago, the rulers there decided that the entire environment was shaken. He campaigned to eradicate the sparrow from the country. This was the reason In 1958, Mao Zedong, also known as Mao Zedong, started a campaign. Under this campaign called Four Pests Campaign, it was decided to kill 4 pests - rats, which spread the plague, mosquitoes because they spread malaria and flies which spread cholera. The fourth sparrow was with them. Jedong believed that this bird eats the grain of the crop causing considerable damage. Mao Zedong knew flies, mosquitoes and mice were adept at hiding but sparrows had their limits. People keep running after the birds making the noise of the pots until the bird collapses from exhaustion or dies. To ensure the death of sparrows, their nests are searched and their eggs are broken. Baby birds are thrown on the ground. This story had a rather comical and sad ending for the Chinese leader and the whole of China with about thousands dead at the hands of the Great Chinese Famine. (This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.) NEW DELHI: Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Monday extended the judicial custody of senior AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia by 14 days in connection with the liquor scam probe against him. Sisodia is presently on ED remand till March 22. The ED has so far arrested 12 people in the case, including former Delhi deputy chief minister and AAP leader Manish Sisodia. Delhi Excise Policy case | Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court extends judicial custody of AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia by 14 days, in the CBI case He is presently on ED remand till March 22. pic.twitter.com/13QsnYdwVg ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023 Sisodia is also facing a probe by the CBI in the Delhi liquor scam case. The CBI on Sunday deferred his questioning in connection with the case after he sought time from the probe agency citing the city government's ongoing budget exercise. The agency had earlier asked Sisodia to appear for questioning on Sunday. The central probe agency accepted Sisodia's application to defer the questioning and will give a new date soon, officials said. Sisodia on Sunday said the BJP was using the probe agency to take "revenge" on him and expressed apprehension that he would be arrested. The Aam Admi Party leader, who was also the Finance minister in the Delhi government, said he would be available for questioning after a week. During its probe into the money trail and links between liquor traders, AAP leaders, middlemen and politicians, the CBI has gathered elaborate materials on which it needs clarifications from Sisodia who is the prime accused in the FIR. The agency had filed its first chargesheet against seven persons on November 25 last year in which Sisodia was not named as accused. The CBI has kept open the probe against Sisodia and other accused named in the FIR. Three months later, the agency said it has stumbled upon details of meetings, message exchanges and transactions on which explanation could be sought from the deputy chief minister, who held the charge of the Excise department. The CBI is also armed with the concessional statement of Dinesh Arora, alleged to be Sisodia's "close associate" who is understood to have spilled the beans about how the excise policy was allegedly swung in favour of some liquor traders and "South Lobby" of Hyderabad-based politicians and alcohol traders who are under the scanner of the agencies. The deputy chief minister was earlier questioned on October 17 last year and his home and bank lockers were also searched in connection with the case. The CBI had also questioned BRS leader K Kavitha in connection with the case in December last year. During its probe, the CBI had found evidence that Butchibabu Gorantla, a former Chartered Accountant of K Kavitha, acted on behalf of the South Lobby comprising the Telangana MLC, YSRCP MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, and Aurobindo Pharma's P Sarat Chandra Reddy. It is alleged that the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP. The policy was subsequently scrapped and the Delhi Lieutenant Governor recommended a CBI probe, following which the ED registered a case under the PMLA. Kolkata: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday asserted that the BJP would be politically finished in the days to come, "just like the Congress", for allegedly misusing central agencies against opposition parties. Yadav also pressed for the caste census which, he said, would be a major issue in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "Earlier, the Congress used to misuse the central agencies, and now the BJP is doing the same. Congress is now finished. The BJP, too, will meet a similar fate. They are only sending agencies after those parties who are fighting the BJP," he told a press conference here. Asked whether the 'misuse' of the central agencies will increase as the 2024 Lok Sabha election approaches, Yadav said, "It might be the case but it won't help the saffron camp as preparations for the Lok Sabha polls would start in the next few months,". Speaking about the political resolution adopted in the two-day national executive held here from Saturday, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said the party would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the BJP is defeated in UP and the country in the election next year. "Uttar Pradesh is the only state which can stop the BJP as it has the largest number of seats. We will defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. The entire country is looking up to the Samajwadi Party. The BJP has told many lies, be it prices of diesel, petrol or LPG or price rise," he said, adding that the saffron party is working for big corporate houses. On Saturday, senior Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav said that the party has set a target of winning at least 50 of the total 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in the 2024 elections. Asked what would be the plans of the proposed opposition front ahead of the general elections, Yadav said it won't be disclosed. "The goal is to defeat the BJP. Presently efforts are on to forge an opposition 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)," he said. When asked whether the Congress would be kept out of such a proposed opposition front, Yadav said, "The Congress is a national party, so it has to decide its role," , pic.twitter.com/fer7GWrkeh Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 19, 2023 Speaking on the Delhi Police action against Rahul Gandhi, Yadav wondered whether the BJP did it to help the Congress. "Nobody knows whom the BJP is trying to target. They might take action against someone, but their target might be someone else," he said. The Delhi Police on Sunday reached the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with a notice issued to him over his "women are still being sexually assaulted" remark made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Yadav claimed that several political parties are keen on having a caste census in the country as it will help to reach out to various castes. "Right now, the big issue is caste census. You can take along everyone only when you conduct a caste census. Social justice is never possible without a caste census. In 2014, the BJP's slogan was Acche Din. In 2019, its slogan was Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas. So they must conduct it. All political parties from North to South favour the caste census. But the BJP i trying to avoid it," he said. He claimed that the Congress during the UPA-2 regime had promised to conduct a caste census but later "backtracked" on it. "Like the Congress, the saffron party is also not keen on conducting it. During the UPA rule, several leaders of various regional parties had met then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and then UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The then Home Minister P Chidambaram assured them they would look into it. But nothing moved forward," he said. When asked whether the SP would contest elections outside Uttar Pradesh, Yadav replied in the affirmative. "Wherever we have an organisation, we would contest the elections," he said. New Delhi: In the wake of a big crackdown on Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh, Punjab Police have released a meme to raise awareness about fake news, which can potentially lead to unrest and law and order difficulties. The meme depicts the state police attempting to raise awareness about disinformation and rumours. "We don't love the way you lie (But we will definitely catch up to you) Think twice before sharing any type of news on social media! #FakeDiKhairNahi," said the official handle of Punjab Police. The hashtag "#FakeDiKhairNahi" roughly translates to "we won't spare fake news". The meme message comes amid a rush of rumours regarding the Khalistani leader's whereabouts, some of which may provoke people. We dont love the way you lie (But we will definitely catch up to you) Think twice before sharing any type of news on social media!#FakeDiKhairNahi pic.twitter.com/RtGXYK9hcD Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) March 20, 2023 Sukhchain Singh Gill, the Punjab Police Commissioner, informed the media today that the province was entirely quiet and advised people not to trust rumours and fake news. He said people who are found spreading disinformation will face severe consequences. Waris Punjab De, the organization led by Amritpal Singh, came under a state-wide crackdown on Saturday in Punjab. Once his cavalcade was stopped at Jalandhar, the Khalistani leader managed to flee. Police have detained more than 100 of the Khalistani leader's aides over the last two days, and a search has been initiated for him. Earlier, in the interest of public safety, the Punjab government extended the suspension of SMS and mobile internet services, except voice calls, 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. Amritpal Singh's lawyer Khara also alleged that the police wants to kill him in a "fake encounter". Citing a threat to the life of Amritpal Singh, Advocate Khara has approached Punjab and Haryana High Court and filed a written petition. According to experts and officials monitoring the situation in Punjab, Pakistan, which is going through its worst economic phase and lost all the wars fought against India, is trying its best to divert the attention of its people by planting stooges like Amritpal Singh inside India. New Delhi: Radical preacher and pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh's uncle and driver have surrendered before the police in Jalandhar, a senior cop said on Monday (March 20, 2023). Amritpal's uncle Harjit Singh and driver Harpreet Singh surrendered near a gurdwara in the Mehatpur area late Sunday night, Jalandhar Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Swarandeep Singh said. The Khalistan sympathiser, however, was still on the run, he said. 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh's uncle and driver surrendered before the Punjab police last night Visuals from Nakodar police station in Jalandhar district. pic.twitter.com/ldNyiGs04C ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023 The Punjab government on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Amritpal and his group 'Waris Punjab De', with the police arresting 78 members of the outfit on that day. The preacher, however, escaped their dragnet somehow after his cavalcade was intercepted in the Jalandhar district. 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 jail in far-off Assam. A flag march was taken out to ensure peace, mutual brotherhood and law and order in the district by Malerkotla Police and appealed to the public not to believe any kind of rumours.#YourSafetyOurPriority #FlagMarch pic.twitter.com/DWqRwYnsZO March 19, 2023 A flag march was taken out by the Patiala Police to maintain the law and order situation in the district and to prevent any untoward incident.#SafePunjab #YourSafetyIsOurPriority pic.twitter.com/B1VvJbjN38 Patiala Police (@PatialaPolice) March 19, 2023 The crackdown against the 'Waris Punjab De' chief comes weeks after Amritpal and his supporters barged into the Ajnala police station near Amritsar, extracting an assurance that an arrested man would be released. The pro-Khalistan leader and his supporters have been accused of spreading disharmony, attempt to murder, attacking police personnel, and obstructing public servants in the discharge of their duties. Six police personnel, including a superintendent of police, were injured in Ajnala. Punjab Police is acting within the law.#AmritpalSingh is still absconding and not yet arrested. Don't believe the rumours and false news. Request all citizens to maintain peace & harmony & not panic. pic.twitter.com/BdHRAeVEit March 19, 2023 Meanwhile, the Bhagwant Mann government on Sunday extended the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services in Punjab 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". New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (March 20, 2023) heaped praise on the dance show put up by German ambassador Philipp Ackermann to the Oscar-winning "Naatu Naatu" song. Taking to his official Twitter account, PM Modi called it the "colours and flavours of India". "Germans can surely dance and dance well!," he said while replying to Ackermann's tweet after the diplomat posted the video of the dance. Earlier on March 18, Ackermann had shared the video of him and his team dancing to India's Oscar-winning song. "Germans can't dance? Me & my Indo-German team celebrated Naatu Naatu's victory at Oscar in Old Delhi. Ok, far from perfect. But fun!" he had tweeted. The colours and flavours of India! Germans can surely dance and dance well! https://t.co/NpiROYJPUy Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 20, 2023 95th Academy Awards: 'Naatu Naatu' scripts Oscars history, wins Best Original Song Last week, filmmaker SS Rajamouli's period action blockbuster "RRR" scripted history by becoming the first Indian film to win the Academy Award in the Best Original Song category for "Naatu Naatu". In the category, the Telugu song was nominated alongside 'Applause' from 'Tell It Like a Woman', 'Hold My Hand' from 'Top Gun: Maverick', 'Lift Me Up' from 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' and 'This Is a Life' from 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'. This is the third major international recognition for the chartbuster 'Naatu Naatu', composed by MM Keeravaani and penned by Chandrabose, after a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award. Were blessed that #RRRMovie is the first feature film to bring INDIA's first ever #Oscar in the Best Song Category with #NaatuNaatu! No words can describe this surreal moment. Dedicating this to all our amazing fans across the world. THANK YOU!! JAI HIND! pic.twitter.com/9g5izBCUks March 13, 2023 "RRR" (Rise Roar Revolt) is a pre-independence fictional story and follows two real-life Indian revolutionaries -- Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) -- in the 1920s. 'Jai Ho' from the 2008 British film 'Slumdog Millionaire', directed by Danny Boyle, was the first Hindi song to win an Academy Award in the Best Original Score and Original Song categories. It was composed by AR Rahman and penned by Gulzar. A Jamestown drug dealer has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the overdose death of one of his customers, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced. Ryan A. Bloom, 37, entered a plea before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute heroin, fentanyl and methamphetamine. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine when he returns for sentencing July 14. Prosecutors said that Bloom admitted selling drugs to a person who was found dead from an overdose April 5, 2020, in Ashville. A search of the victim's cell phone revealed drug-related Facebook messages the previous day with Bloom, investigators reported. Prosecutors said Bloom and his then-girlfriend Rachelle N. Allison, 36, sold heroin and fentanyl July 19, 2020, from a Fairview Avenue residence in Jamestown to someone who overdosed at the residence, but was revived with two doses of Narcan. Undercover investigators also bought heroin and fentanyl from Bloom on Feb. 12, 2021, Ross said. Allison pleaded guilty Nov. 10 to the same charges and is scheduled for sentencing May 9. London: The Indian Mission in London has responded strongly to vandalism by the pro-Khalistani protesters who pulled down the countrys national flag on Sunday afternoon and raised anti-India slogans at the High Commissions London office on Sunday. The Indian High Commission has now put up a massive national flag at its office in London's Aldwych, photos of which have now gone viral, Sharing the image on his Twitter handle, BJP's national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said, "Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara"- UK Govt must act against those miscreants who attempted to disrespect Indian Flag at High Commission, London. Punjab & Punjabis have a glorious track record of serving/protecting the Nation.A handful of jumping jacks sitting in the UK do not represent Punjab." Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara- UK Govt must act against those miscreants who attempted to disrespect Indian Flag at High Commission,London.Punjab & Punjabis have a glorious track record of serving/protecting the Nation.Handful of jumping jacks sitting in UK do not represent Punjab. pic.twitter.com/TJrNAZcdmf Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) March 20, 2023 Vandalism At India Mission In London Several videos shared on social media showed an Indian High Commission official resisting and rescuing the Tricolour from a radical Sikh activist and throwing out the Khalistani flag. The Indian High Commission official is being hailed for his courage and confronting the separatist elements and throwing away the Khalistani flag from a protester who was seen hanging off the ledge of the first-floor window. This brave Indian High Commission official deserves all the accolades for bravely taking on the #Khalistani elements who tried to take down our Indian flag Heartbreaking to see the terror attack on our High Commission in London. It needs to be taken up at the highest level! pic.twitter.com/biQ8XdJxDP Tehseen Poonawalla Official (@tehseenp) March 19, 2023 London Mayor Condemns Vandalism At India Mission Meanwhile, the UK government has said that it will take the security of the Indian High Commission here "seriously" and strongly condemned as "disgraceful" and "completely unacceptable" the vandalism at the mission by a group of protesters waving separatist Khalistani flags. The Tricolour flying atop the Indian High Commission was grabbed at by the protesters chanting pro-Khalistani slogans on Sunday, leading to an arrest related to the violent disorder. Officials from the mission said the "attempted but failed" attack had been foiled and that the Tricolour was now flying "grander". The Metropolitan Police said two members of security staff sustained minor injuries which did not require hospital treatment. An investigation has been launched. Responding to the incident, London's mayor Sadiq Khan said he condemned "the violent disorder and vandalism that took place". "There is no place in our city for this kind of behaviour," he tweeted. The British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis described the incident as "disgraceful" and "totally unacceptable". Foreign Office minister Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon said he was "appalled" and the government would take the security of the Indian High Commission "seriously". "This is a completely unacceptable action against the integrity of the Mission and its staff," he tweeted. Scotland Yard Arrests One Over Vandalism At Indian Mission Scotland Yard said it was called to reports of disorder on Sunday afternoon and that a man has been arrested as its inquiries continue. "Windows were broken at the High Commission building,? the Metropolitan Police statement said. ?Officers attended the location. The majority of those present had dispersed prior to the arrival of police. An investigation was launched, and one male was arrested nearby a short time later on suspicion of violent disorder. Inquiries continue," the statement said. India Lodges Strong Protest Over Vandalism At London Office India, 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 hanging off its ledge and waving a Khalistan flag before it is taken away. 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 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 statement said. India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK, the statement 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, it said. Pro-Khalistan Protests In Australia, Canada 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. Sunday's incident came after similar radical actions by Kahlistani supporters in Canada and Australia. Last week, the Honorary Consulate of India in Australia's Brisbane city was forced to close down on Wednesday due to safety concerns after Khalistan supporters organised an unauthorised gathering and blocked the entry of the office, days after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured India that his government will not tolerate "extreme actions." Several Hindu temples in Melbourne were vandalised by Khalistan supporters in recent months. India has repeatedly raised the issue with Australian authorities. India has asked the Australian government to curb the anti-India activities of the Khalistani separatists and also attacks on the Hindu temples in the country. Australian Prime Minister Albanese during his India visit assured his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi that Australia won't tolerate any extreme actions like attacks on religious places. Canada has also seen a rise in anti-India activities recently by Khalistani supporters who have vandalised some Hindu temples. Last September, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement condemning the rise of hate crimes against Indians and anti-India activities in Canada, expressing their concern with stern language. New Delhi: The Bhagwant Mann-led government on Monday (March 20, 2023) again extended the suspension on all mobile internet, SMS, and dongle services in Punjab as the police continued its manhunt to nab 'Waris Punjab De' chief and Khalistan sympathizer Amritpal Singh. An official order from the Punjab government said that mobile internet services will remain suspended in Punjab till 12 pm on March 21. The state authorities had first suspended the internet and SMS services on Saturday till Sunday noon, which was then extended till Monday 12 pm. "Director General of Police, Punjab has brought to my notice that certain sections of society are holding protests at several places in the State and are likely to threaten public order by incitement to violence as also resorting to widespread violence with an aim to stoke and cause communal tension, obstruction or injury to persons, danger to human life and property, disturbance of public peace and tranquillity thereby threatening public safety and public order in the State of Punjab," the order by Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Punjab, Home Department, read. The official said that the Punjab DGP has brought to his notice that these "sections of society" widely use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc, and also Short Message Service (SMS) for spreading "inflammatory material" and "false rumours", to provoke mobilization of mobs of agitators and demonstrators, mobilize their own manpower and resources for their "anti-national activities". ALSO READ | Crackdown On Amritpal 'Deliberately' Timed To Coincide With My Son's Death Anniversary: Moosewala's Father "There is a clear continuation of the potential of threat to public safety, disruption of public utilities, damage to public assets and amenities, and disturbance of public law and order in the State of Punjab on account of misuse of mobile internet services, SMS services, and other dongle services," the Additional Chief Secretary added. "Therefore, in exercise of powers conferred on me, it is directed that all mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/5G/CDMA/GPRS), all SMS services (excluding banking and mobile recharge), and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice calls, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab shall be further suspended from 20/03/2023 (1200 hrs) to 21/03/2023 (1200 hrs)," the order said. It said that the step has been taken in the interest of public safety, to prevent any incitement to violence, and to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order. The broadband services are not being suspended so that banking facilities, hospital services, and other essential services are not disrupted, the official order read. A manhunt is currently on to nab radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh. Punjab Police is acting within the law.#AmritpalSingh is still absconding and not yet arrested. Don't believe the rumours and false news. Request all citizens to maintain peace & harmony & not panic. pic.twitter.com/BdHRAeVEit Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) March 19, 2023 Internet In Punjab Was Suspended Amid Crackdown Against Amritpal Singh The Punjab government had on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Amritpal Singh, who escaped the police's dragnet when his cavalcade was intercepted in the Jalandhar district. As the operation went underway, authorities suspended internet and SMS services in the state. Since then, security has been tightened at many places in Punjab with intensive vehicle checking. Cops on Sunday also conducted flag marches and searches across Punjab in their manhunt for Amritpal Singh, arresting 34 more supporters and shifting four men in custody to jail in far-off Assam. A flag march was taken out to ensure peace, mutual brotherhood and law and order in the district by Malerkotla Police and appealed to the public not to believe any kind of rumours.#YourSafetyOurPriority #FlagMarch pic.twitter.com/DWqRwYnsZO Malerkotla Police (@MalerkotlaPol) March 19, 2023 A flag march was taken out by the Patiala Police to maintain the law and order situation in the district and to prevent any untoward incident.#SafePunjab #YourSafetyIsOurPriority pic.twitter.com/B1VvJbjN38 Patiala Police (@PatialaPolice) March 19, 2023 Amritpal Singh's Uncle, Driver Surrender In Jalandhar Earlier in the day, police informed that Amritpal Singh's uncle and driver have surrendered before them in Jalandhar. Amritpal's uncle Harjit Singh and driver Harpreet Singh surrendered near a gurdwara in the Mehatpur area late Sunday night, Jalandhar Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Swarandeep Singh said. The Khalistan sympathiser, however, was still on the run, he said. 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh's uncle and driver surrendered before the Punjab police last night Visuals from Nakodar police station in Jalandhar district. pic.twitter.com/ldNyiGs04C ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023 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. New Delhi: Padma Lakshmi became Kerala's first transgender lawyer, registered as an advocate with the State Bar Council. The state's industries minister P. Rajeev congratulated her with a photo of the lawyer on his official Instagram. According to the minister's post, Padma Lakshmi was among the more than 1,500 law graduates who received their Bar enrolment certificates at an event hosted by the Bar Council of India on Sunday. Padma Lakshmi received her law degree from Ernakulam Government Law College. P. Rajeev praised the young lawyer's efforts in forging a path for herself, despite having to deal with a society that isn't always the most encouraging. "Congratulations to Padma Lakshmi who overcame all the hurdles of life and enrolled as the first transgender advocate in Kerala. Becoming the first is always the hardest achievement in history. There are no predecessors on the way to the goal. Obstacles will be inevitable. There will be people to mute and discourage. Padma Lakshmi has written her name in legal history by overcoming all this. Padmalakshmi's paths have convinced them on which side to stand in the fight for justice. That is why Padmalakshmi's words are so sharp that in the journey ahead, the aim is to become the voice of the denied justice with the power of law. May Padmalakshmis life inspire more people from the transgender sector to enter advocacy. Adv. Once again congratulations to Padmalakshmi and the 1528 advocates enrolled yesterday, P. Rajeev said in his post. Padma Lakshmi's achievement follows in the footsteps of Joyita Mondal, India's first transgender judge. In 2017, she was appointed to the Lok Adalat of Islampur in West Bengal. Vidya Kamble, a transgender activist, was appointed as a member judge in a Lok Adalat in Nagpur, Maharashtra, in early 2018. Later that year, Swati Bidhan Baruah of Guwahati became the country's third transgender judge. Users were impressed by the heartfelt post, and several of them responded with red heart emoji. New Delhi: Thousands of farmers on Monday (March 20, 2023) gathered at the Ramlila Maidan in the national capital for the 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' to press for a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP). Over 2,000 security personnel were deployed at Ramlila Maidan to ensure that the event goes smoothly. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, which is an umbrella body of farmers' unions, said the farmers want the Narendra Modi-led government to fulfil the assurances it gave to them in writing on December 9, 2021. They also want the Centre to take effective steps to mitigate the "ever-increasing crisis" faced by farmers. 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' underway at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi Farmers have gathered here to demand a legal guarantee on MSP and fulfilment of their other demands. pic.twitter.com/CMkvAj1fKd ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023 Delhi | Security personnel deployed at Ramlila Maidan in view of 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' today pic.twitter.com/ZCQhjQJ9nF ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023 The Morcha has also urged the Modi government to dissolve the committee on MSP, alleging that it is "contrary to their demands". The farmers' unions' demands also include pension, debt waiver, compensation for those who died during the farmers' stir and withdrawal of the Electricity Bill. "The Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022, referred to the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) should be withdrawn. The Centre had given a written assurance that the bill will be introduced in Parliament only after discussion with the SKM but despite this, it introduced the Bill," the Morcha had said in its statement last week. It also reiterated the demand for free power for agricultural purposes and 300 units for rural households. It is notable that the Morcha spearheaded an over a year-long agitation against the Centre's now-repealed farm laws. They suspended the movement in December 2021 following a government assurance to consider the farmers' pending demands, including the withdrawal of cases lodged against farmers during the agitation and a legal guarantee for MSP. Kisan Mahapanchayat: Delhi Police issues traffic advisory Meanwhile, Delhi Police put elaborate security arrangements in place to ensure that the event goes smoothly. "We have made elaborate security arrangements for the Kisan Mahapanchayat. We will ensure the safety and security of people... We have deployed more than 2,000 security personnel to ensure that the event goes peacefully and law and order is maintained," a senior police official had said on Sunday. Police personnel will be deployed for crowd management and to ensure that no unauthorised person gains entry and disrupts law and order, he had said. According to an advisory by the Delhi Traffic Police, around 15,000-20,000 people were likely to participate in the Mahapanchayat. Traffic Advisory In view of Sanyukt Kisaan Morcha's rally at Ramlila Ground, Kamla Market tomorrow ie. on March 20, 2023, commuters and motorists are advised to avoid roads around Ramlila Ground specially JLN Marg from Delhi Gate to Ajmeri Gate Chowk. pic.twitter.com/hb4o9y9vzx Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) March 19, 2023 The public and motorists have been advised to avoid roads around the Ramlila Maidan, especially JLN Marg from Delhi Gate to Ajmeri Gate Chowk, a traffic police official said. London: The authorities in the United Kingdom have arrested a man believed to be a pro-Khlistan supporter after the Tricolor flying atop the Indian High Commission in London was grabbed and taken down and windows of the building were smashed by a group of protesters waving separatist Khalistani flags and chanting pro-Khalistani slogans in London on Sunday. Officials from the Indian mission later said the "attempted but failed" attack had been foiled and that the Tricolor was now flying "grander". Scotland Yard said it was called to reports of disorder on Sunday afternoon and that a man has been arrested in connection with the violent protests at the Indian Mission, according to The Guardian. There was no report of any injury, however, windows were broken at the High Commission building, the Metropolitan Police statement said. Officers attended the location. The majority of those present had dispersed prior to the arrival of police. An investigation was launched, and one male was arrested nearby a short time later on suspicion of violent disorder. Inquiries continue, the statement said. Videos shared on social media showed a man detaching the Indian flag from the first-floor balcony of the building while a crowd of people below waving bright yellow Khalistan banners appeared to encourage him. UK's 'Indifference Unacceptable': India On Protests At Embassy In London 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 hanging off its ledge and waving a Khalistan flag before it is taken away. The 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 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 statement said. 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. Amritpal Singh Arrested In Punjabs Shahkot, Claims Waris Punjab De Lawyer Fugitive pro-Khalistan preacher Amritpal Singh has been arrested by the Punjab Police at Shahkot police station, Imaan Singh Khara, the legal advisor to Waris Punjab De claimed late on Sunday. Despite Punjab Police`s statement that Amritpal Singh is still on the run and efforts are on to nab him, Advocate Imaan Singh Khara claimed that the Khalistan sympathiser has been arrested at Shahkot Police Station. Khara also alleged that the police wants to kill Singh in a "fake encounter". Citing a threat to the life of Amritpal Singh, Advocate Khara has approached Punjab and Haryana High Court and filed a writ petition. "Today I have filed a criminal writ petition (Imaan Singh Khara vs State of Punjab) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This is a Habeas Corpus writ petition," he told news agency ANI. Advocate Khara said, "as per the Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which is the Right to Life, police cannot beat anyone without the due procedure of the court." "In this plea, we have appealed to the Punjab and Haryana High Court that there is a threat to Amritpal Singh`s life and that he is arrested at Shahkot Police Station," he said. The lawyer further alleged that despite their (the police`s) duty of producing a person before the magistrate within 24 hours, the police haven`t produced him (Amritpal Singh). J&K: Former chief minister and Vice President of the Jammu & Kashmir national conference today says that we will not support the decision of punishing terrorists' families for the crime terrorists. Omar said "No terrorists were given jobs, but we did not also punish people because they were related to terrorists, is it fear for me to punish you for the crimes of your father for the crimes of your son? Tomorrow Id God forbid a close relative of Manoj Sinha sb commits a crime should Manoj Sinha go to jail, the law of natural justice is not that relatives are punished for the crimes of someone else. Nobody is advocating that hardcore militants should be given jobs but its also wrong to punish somebody just to they have the misfortune of being related to terrorists, this is no way to win the hearts and minds of the people and this is what we will not support. He was Interacting with reporters after addressing a public rally in Jammu and also raised the issue of misuse of police against the civilian population. Omar said on contractors who have been asked to get CID verification now contractors Cid verification I dont know but in this place, the government loves to misuse police, contractors who are being given work are blacklisted. The more we use police in civil work more malfunction happens. Taking jib at the government's decision on given a contract to Aptech, Omar said the way the government tried to give the contract to a company which is blacklisted in the whole country, now its said that contract is canceled but youth are still not satisfied, we want there should inquiry that who bought Aptech here and where misconduct has to happen and a promise to youth that there will no misconduct with their futures. If LG Manoj Sinha's relative commits a crime will Manoj Sinha go to Jail: Omar Abdullah on punishing terrorist families? Shielding Rahul Gandhi's comment on womens being molested Omer said he did not say specific to Kashmir, he said that and he said to me also that during the course of his pad yatra, numerous womens came to him and they had been victims of sexual violence, is that not a fact that sexual violence is prevalent in India so we need Rahul Gandhi to tell us, open any newspaper do we not hear cases of rapes, so what did Rahul Gandhi say thats is so unusual. Is India rape free country? We know sexual violence takes place. Rahul Gandhi didnt say anything wrong. New Delhi: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has hit out at the main opposition party Congress over its tweet on Veer Savarkar over Veer Savarkar, saying it should not insult great souls. "Please do not insult the great soul Veer Savarkar. Praying with folded hands," Rijiju said in a tweet in Hindi. The Union Minister`s response came against the backdrop of a tweet by Congress where the party posted a photo of Rahul Gandhi and said, "Savarkar Samjha Kya...Naam Rahul Gandhi hai (Do you think it is Savarkar...His name is Rahul Gandhi)." Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are at loggerheads over Rahul Gandhi`s remarks over the Wayanad MP`s remarks over Indian democracy in the UK. The BJP alleged that Rahul Gandhi is under the influence of "anarchist and Maoist elements". Earlier, Kiren Rijiju hit out at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on India in the UK and said that citizens cannot remain silent over the "defamation" of the country. In a veiled attack against Congress, Rijiju said that India is not their "fiefdom" anymore and the grand old party cannot digest this fact. "Abuse us as much as you want but we can`t let you insult the nation. Rahul has insulted the judiciary, our judicial system is a robust one. The only demand is that Rahul will have to apologize to the country for insulting it. India is not their fiefdom anymore, they can`t digest this fact," Rijiju said. "Congress and Rahul have been rejected by the people of this country. He has undermined the reputation of our democracy and Parliament..it is not acceptable," he added. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced disruptions last week with Congress and other opposition parties insisting on their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Adani-Hindenburg row and the BJP members seeking an apology from Rahul Gandhi over his remarks made in London. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a lecture at Cambridge University in London recently, had said, "Everybody knows and it`s been in the news a lot that Indian democracy is under pressure and under attack. I am an Opposition leader in India, we are navigating that (Opposition) space." "The institutional framework which is required for a democratic Parliament, free press, the judiciary, just the idea of mobilisation, moving around all are getting constrained. So, we are facing an attack on the basic structure of Indian democracy," he had added. J&K: Jammu and Kashmir Police attached two residential houses in Gundpora-Rampora and Chittibanday villages of Bandipora district in North Kashmir, on charges of sheltering terrorists. Official said that the houses were used for the purpose of terrorism and shelter was provided to terrorists voluntarily by the family members of the people whose properties have been attached today. Officials said the house in Gundpora-Rampora was registered in the name of Abdul Majeed Reshi, father of the accused Aijaz Ahmad Reshi in case FIR No 15/2022 u/s 18,20,39 ULA(P) Act, 120-B IPC, 7/25 1, an Act of PS Aragam. Another house in Chittibandey was registered in the name of Mohd Jamal Malik, father of the accused Maqsood Ahmad Malik in case FIR No 15/2022 u/s 18,20,39 ULA(P) Act, 120-B IPC, 7/25 I, an Act of PS Aragam. Meanwhile Special Investigation Unit of Kashmir Police conducted searches at the Kakapora area Pulwama district of South Kashmir. Its the house of an Active LeT commander who is said to have been active for 8 years and is believed to be one of the oldest surviving militants. The searches are conducted in connection with case FIR No. 239/2022 of Police station Pulwama, officials said. New Delhi/Chandigarh: Pro-Khalistan preacher Amritpal Singh, who has reportedly been arrested by the Punjab Police in Shahkot, may be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), said sources on Monday. "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 is looking into the matter. Imaan Singh Khara, the legal advisor to Waris Punjab De, had claimed late on Sunday that he has been arrested by the Punjab Police and that he may be killed in an encounter. Punjab Police is also planning to book Amritpal Singh under the provisions of the National Security Act (NSA), sources privy to the development said, according to news agency IANS. Alert In Punjab; Internet, SMS, Mobile Services Suspended In the interest of public safety, the Punjab government has extended the suspension of SMS and mobile internet services, except voice calls, 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 a disturbance of peace, a large contingent of paramilitary force has been deployed outside Amritpal Singh`s native village, Jallupur Khaira in the 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 the drugs trade," he asked. 'Amritpal Singh May Be Killed In Encounter' Amritpal Singh's lawyer Khara also alleged that the police wants to kill him in a "fake encounter". Citing a threat to the life of Amritpal Singh, Advocate Khara has approached Punjab and Haryana High Court and filed a writ petition. Advocate Khara said, "as per the Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which is the Right to Life, police cannot beat anyone without the due procedure of the court." "In this plea, we have appealed to the Punjab and Haryana High Court that there is a threat to Amritpal Singh`s life and that he is arrested at Shahkot Police Station," he said. The lawyer further alleged that despite their (the police`s) duty of producing a person before the magistrate within 24 hours, the police haven`t produced him (Amritpal Singh). Amritpal Used Rehab Centres To Recruit 'Human Bomb': Intel Report Meanwhile, security agencies had raised a red flag after intelligence inputs suggested that pro-Khalistan preacher Amritpal Singh was using drug de-addiction centres and a gurdwara for stockpiling weapons and preparing youths to carry out suicide attacks, officials said on Sunday. A thick dossier prepared with inputs from various security agencies claimed that Singh, who returned from Dubai last year allegedly at the behest of Pakistan's ISI and Khalistan sympathisers residing overseas, was mainly engaged in brainwashing youths to become "khadkoos" or human bombs. The Punjab Police launched a massive crackdown on Saturday and arrested hundreds of activists and supporters of the 'Waris Punjab De' outfit headed by him. According to experts and officials monitoring the situation in Punjab, Pakistan, which is going through its worst economic phase and lost all the wars fought against India, is trying its best to divert the attention of its people by planting stooges like Amritpal Singh inside India. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday clubbed three FIRs lodged against Congress leader Pawan Khera in Assam and Uttar Pradesh for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and transferred the matter to the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow while extending his interim bail to April 10. Khera will be at liberty to apply for regular bail before the jurisdictional court in Lucknow, a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said. "We order and direct that the FIRs registered at Police Station Cantt at Varanasi and at PS Halflong in Assam shall stand transferred to Police Station Hazratganj. The ad-interim order (of interim bail) which was passed by this court on February 23, 2023 (extended by the orders dated February 27, March 3) shall be extended for the further period till April 10," the bench, also having Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, said. The apex court, from time to time, had been extending the interim bail of Khera who was arrested by the Assam Police on February 23 in connection with his alleged remarks against Modi made at a press conference in Mumbai on February 17. 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. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, referring to the rejoinder filed by Khera, alleged that the leader himself has not tendered an unconditional apology and in rejoinder, he said that he did no wrong. "Even after the Lordships' order, the official handle of the party (Congress) to which petitioner belongs has kept on tweeting the same thing which should not have happened. It has never happened in the past in the Indian political discourse. A person who is not part of public life is maligned like this,? the law officer said, adding that Khera must control such activities of his party. "During the course of the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner has reiterated that the petitioner stands by the unconditional apology which was tendered on behalf of the petitioner by Dr A M Singhvi, who appeared on February 23,? the bench noted in its order, adding that it will go by the apology tendered by the senior lawyer representing Khera. Of the three FIRs, two were lodged at the Cantonment police station in Varanasi and the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow. The third FIR was lodged in Assam. The solicitor general said that he has no problem with clubbing the FIRs and that they can be clubbed and transferred to Assam for investigation and subsequent trial. "The first FIR is at Lucknow. The practice is to club it to the place where the first FIR was registered,? the bench observed. The counsel, appearing for Khera, sought an adjournment saying that senior lawyer Singhvi was not available and the case be listed for hearing next Monday as they wanted it to be transferred to Delhi to ensure a fair trial in the matter. The bench rejected the submissions and went ahead to decide and dispose of Khera's plea. Earlier, the 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 had 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 cognizance of the matter, continued the very same low level in their official Twitter handles and other social media accounts," the Assam government had said. Khera obtained bail from a magisterial court here on February 23 after the CJI-led bench granted him 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 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 offense punishable under the sections invoked. He also told the apex court that Khera had already apologized for his remarks and that the offenses 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". An influential Archbishop has created ripples in the political waters of Kerala by saying that BJP's dearth of an MP from the southern state would be addressed if the Centre promised to increase the price of rubber procurement to Rs 300 per kilogram. Mar Joseph Pamplany of the influential Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, speaking at a meeting attended mostly by farmers, said,"No protest in a democracy has value if it does not translate into votes during elections." "We will tell the central government that whichever your party may be, we will vote for you if you can increase the price of rubber to Rs 300. The migrant population will address the issue of your lack of an MP from here," he had said. The archbishop's statement comes a couple of weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, buoyed by his party's poll performance in three minority dominated northeastern states, said the BJP alliance would form a government in Kerala considering the increasing support of minorities for the saffron party. The BJP said that it welcomes the suggestion and will speak to central leadership for the implementation of the same. However, the party also accused the ruling Left in Kerala and the Congress of treating Christians in the state like a "vote bank" and not allowing them to express their views freely if they favour the party in power at the Centre. Addressing a press conference, Union Minister V Muraleedharan welcomed a senior bishop's statement in Kerala that their community can help the BJP if the party addresses the concerns of farmers. He, however, accused the Left and the Congress -- the two main parties in the state -- of targeting those religious leaders of Christians whose statements tend to support the BJP. Joined by BJP spokesperson Tom Vadakkan and former Union minister K J Alphons, Muraleedharan said the bishop has been targeted, including online, for his views. "Do the CPI(M) and the Congress say they (Christian priests) don't have the freedom to express their views if that indirectly support the government of India. It is a ridiculous situation that both these parties claim to be pro-minorities but if Christian leaders speak some facts which may favour the government of India, then they pounce upon them," the BJP leader from the state said. He also targeted the Congress for blaming the BJP for alleged attacks on churches, saying these incidents have been reported from Chhattisgarh where the country's main opposition party is in power. He noted that the BJP is in power in states such as Goa and those in the northeast where Christians are in large numbers. The minister said earlier an archbishop, who had raised the issue if "narcotics jihad", was also targeted by the two parties. Live TV Amid a police crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his associates, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday asked the Punjab government to stop arresting "innocent" Sikh youths. The apex gurdwara body also strongly condemned the "excesses" being committed by the police against Sikh youths in the state for the past few days. Punjab Police on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Amritpal and has arrested 112 people, including members of 'Waris Punjab De', an outfit headed by him. The state government has suspended mobile internet and SMS services till Tuesday noon. In a statement here, Dhami said it is not right to "deliberately target innocent Sikh youths in Punjab". "It is not in the interest of the state to arrest youths by creating fabricated stories without any charge. Punjab has seen many eras and it is very unfortunate that the present government of the state has added another chapter to the situation," SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said in a statement. Punjab's Sikh youths have not only contributed to the progress of the state but also that of the country and the world, he said. "But it is sad that Sikh youths are looked at with suspicion repeatedly. The present government of Punjab is also making a similar mistake," he said. The government "should not create an atmosphere of terror in the state in the guise of any phenomenon", Dhami said, adding that the "misuse of government machinery only for political gain" is not justified. Advising the Punjab government to stop such actions, the SGPC president said if the government is sincere and serious, it should provide employment opportunities to the youth. Dhami's remarks came a day after Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said governments should refrain from creating "an atmosphere of terror in Punjab for political interests". The Jathedar of Akal Takht, which is the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, also said governments should refrain from adopting the "practice of oppression and illegal detentions" of the youth who speak for their rights in democratic manner. Dubai-returned Amritpal was anointed the head of 'Waris Punjab De' last year. The group was founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu who died in a road accident in February last year. Amritpal managed to give the police a slip and escaped their dragnet when his cavalcade was intercepted in Jalandhar district on Saturday. Last month, Amritpal and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar city, and clashed with police for the release of one of his aides. Six policemen were injured in the incident. Punjab Police filed an FIR on February 23 in connection with the incident. On Sunday, the police slapped two fresh FIRs against the Khalistan sympathiser and his supporters. Live TV Belagavi: Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "remote control" jibe at him and the Congress, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday asked as to where was BJP chief J P Nadda's remote control. Accusing the Modi-led BJP government of "troubling" party leader Rahul Gandhi for "speaking the truth", the Congress President said he doesn't fear such things and was ready for everything. "Modi came to Belagavi and said - Kharge has become President (Congress), but the remote control is with someone else. Okay, my remote control is with someone else, but where is Nadda's (BJP national President J P Nadda's) remote control?" Kharge asked. Addressing the 'Yuva Kranti Samavesha', a youth convention, organized by the party's state unit here, he said: "Nadda speaks under control of whose remote? There are lots of weak spots about you (BJP), for us (Congress) to speak about. You lack courage..." Claiming that Kharge, who hails from the state, was insulted and disrespected by the Congress in favor of a "family", despite his seniority and age, PM Modi while addressing a public meeting here on February 27 had said, "This shows Kharge is Congress President just for the sake of it, and looking at the way he is treated, everyone can see and understand, as to whose hands the remote control is in." Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, state unit chief D K Shivakumar, Legislature Party leader and Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah among several leaders were part of the mega rally organised at CPED ground here. Noting that Rahul Gandhi questioned the government in the Lok Sabha on the Adani-Hindenburg issue, the Congress chief alleged that (parts of) his speech was removed from records in Parliament. "Similarly, mine (Kharge's) was removed from records in Rajya Sabha." "This is democracy... Is it wrong to say that democracy was not functioning properly in this country? To say there is still casteism in this country? You (BJP government) don't allow us to speak the truth, while you keep lying," he asserted. "Your (BJP government's) ED, CBI, or CVC cannot overpower us, we don't fear them. Rahul Gandhi has never feared and will never fear. He speaks the truth, and such a person is being troubled. Let them do it, will they jail him? We are ready for everything," he added. Pointing out that during the course of the nationwide Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Gandhi met farmers, youth, women, and every strata of the society, Kharge said: "Forty-six days after the speech made by Rahul Gandhi in Jammu and Kashmir about the problems shared by the people, Delhi Police came to his door seeking for proof regarding his statement on alleged rape or sexual harassment on women, quoting her." Despite the Karnataka contractors' association giving proof for their 40 percent commission charge in the state, no action is being taken, Kharge claimed. "Modi and Shah (Amit Shah) should take action here and make an inquiry as the proof is already given here, then come to Rahul Gandhi." This was Kharge's first visit to Belagavi after taking over as the Congress President. He pointed out that Belagavi was a "sacred land" for Congress, as Mahatma Gandhi was elected as the party's President in the district in 1924, and Jawaharlal Nehru was appointed as the General Secretary. Kharge, seeking the blessings of the people of the state for the upcoming assembly polls, asked the party leaders and workers to fight the polls with unity. He also accused the BJP government in Karnataka of rampant corruption and praised the KPCC's poll 'guarantees' including the unemployment allowance for the youth, which was announced today as the fourth 'guarantee', in the event of the party coming to power. The party has already announced three polls 'guarantees' 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), and 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya). Chennai: Tamil megastar Rajinikanth's daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth (41) has lodged a complaint with the police that her gold jewellery and ornaments were missing from the locker in her residence. She has named three of her servants to be behind the burglary at the residence. Aishwarya is living with her two sons, and the jewellery was kept in the locker at her home. In her complaint with the Teynampet police station in Chennai, Aishwarya said that she was not staying in the home for long stretches and the house servants were frequenting the place. She said that the ornaments were worth Rs 3.6 lakh, but the value of the jewellery could be much more. The police are currently investigating the matter under Section 381. As per Pinkvilla, Aishwaryaa told the police that the missing jewelleries include diamond sets, antique gold pieces, uncut diamonds in temple jewellery, navaratnam sets, Aram necklace, bangles, and full antique uncut diamonds. She said that she had last used them for her sister Soundarya's wedding in 2019, and since then, they were kept inside a locker. She also mentioned that in the last few years since her sister's wedding, the locker got shifted to several places. Last year, the locker was shifted to her father and superstar Rajinikanth's residence. Aishwarya, who is a film director and producer, who predominantly works in the Tamil film industry. She is currently directing the movie, 'Lal Salam' with Vishnu Vishal and Vikrant in the lead roles. Aishwaryaa's father Rajinikanth will be playing an extended cameo in the movie. The film went on floors earlier this month. It has music by AR Rahman. New Delhi: The time of appreciating one another has arrived with renowned award functions being held in the city of dreams, Mumbai. Recently, Iconic Gold Awards 2023 was held on March 18, 2023 at Sahara Star. Many celebrities were seen adding glamor to the star-studded event. Apart from the on-screen stars, there were philanthropists/ entrepreneurs like Nidarshana Gowani who are practicing public welfare for a long time and bringing smiles and a ray of hope to people in need. Nidarshana Gowani is one of those women who have proved women can do anything that she makes up her mind for. She is the managing director of a real estate and power generation plant for Kamala's group of industries. Nidarshana Gowani also runs an NGO in the name of Kamala Ankibai Ghamandiram Gowani Trust which has been tirelessly working toward public welfare for a long time now. The Ankibai Ghamandiram Gowani Trust was associated with the Iconic Gold Awards 2023 and Nidarshana Gowani presented Fashion Diva Of the Year award to Hina Khan. She was also felicitated at the award show. Apart from that, she presented awards to many celebrities and gave them her blessings and appreciation. Hina Khan is a television actress who is famous for her role as Akshara Singhania in Star Plus longest running show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. She was also a part of Bigg Boss season 11. Mumbai: Mother`s day was celebrated in the UK on March 19th 2023. 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." 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." Continuing further, he wrote, "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 Mother's 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. They welcomed their first child, a baby boy on August 20, 2022, in Mumbai. 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. New Delhi: 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 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. New Delhi: A prayer meet was held in Mumbai to pay homage to late actor and director Satish Kaushik on Monday. Several B-town celebs turned up to meet the bereaved family and pay their deepest tributes to the actor. Celebrities ranging from his co-workers like Anupam Kher, Boney Kapoor, Gulshan Grover, Vivek Agnihotri, Javed Akhtar, Jackie Shroff, and Vidya Balan to many prominent faces of the film industry, everybody showed up to stand in support of the late actor`s family. Actor Satish Kaushik passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest on March 8 in New Delhi. The post-mortem report of the veteran actor and filmmaker confirmed that his sudden demise was caused by a heart attack. Kaushik was a versatile actor, writer, director and producer, who made his mark in the Indian film industry with his captivating performances and unique sense of humour. He gained recognition in the 1980s and 1990s for his work in popular films such as `Mr India`, `Saajan Chale Sasural`, and `Judaai`. Over the years, Satish established himself as one of the most sought-after character actors in Bollywood, often playing supporting roles integral to the plot. He was also known for his work as a writer and director, having directed films such as `Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja` and `Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain`. Satish started his career as a stage actor, featuring in plays across Delhi before moving to Mumbai to pursue his dream of a career in Bollywood. Mumbai: Mother`s day was celebrated in the UK on Sunday, 19th March. On this occasion, actor Soni Razdan extended heartfelt wishes to her daughter Alia Bhatt, who is celebrating her first mothers day. Taking to Instagram, Soni shared an unseen picture of the `Raazi` actor from her pregnancy days on her stories and captioned it, "With every child is born a mother.. Happy Mother`s day." In the picture, Alia could be seen sitting on a couch, flaunting her baby bump and donning a beautiful pink suit. See the pic shared by Soni Razdan Sister Shaheen Bhatt also wished Alia on her first Mother's Day Alia tied the knot with actor Ranbir Kapoor on April 14, 2022, and the couple announced their pregnancy in June 2022. On November 6, last year, the couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl, named Raha. Currently, the `Brahmastra` couple is in London along with their family members where Alia recently celebrated her 30th birthday. Meanwhile, on the work front, Alia will next be seen in Karan Johar`s upcoming romantic film `Rocky aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani` opposite Ranveer Singh, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, and Shabana Azmi. The film is all set to hit the theatres on July 28. She also has director Farhan Akhtar`s next film `Jee Le Zara` opposite Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra. Ranbir, on the other hand, was recently seen in Luv Ranjan`s `Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar` opposite Shraddha Kapoor. He will be next seen in director Sandeep Reddy Vanga`s `Animal`. Vande Bharat Express is the fastest train in the country, and it is currently operated on a total of 10 routes in the country, but soon an 11th will be added to the list. The new Vande Bharat Express will be flagged to operate under Northern Railways. As revealed by the Union Minister for Railways - Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Delhi-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express is likely to be flagged before April 10. The minister confirmed this during a conversation with ANI. He further revealed that some technical changes have to be made on the route, before the semi-high-speed train can be made to run between Delhi and Jaipur. "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 - Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Inspects New Delhi-Ajmer Shatabdi Express, Talks to Commuters: Watch "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. Most parts of a lawsuit against Canisius College alleging a professor sexually harassed students may move forward, a federal judge has ruled. The college sought to dismiss the lawsuit brought by five former Canisius students. U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss dismissed two of five claims in the 2022 lawsuit, ruling the students did not file complaints about alleged gender discrimination and negligent retention and supervision of Professor Michael Noonan in a timely fashion. But Reiss on Thursday allowed the other claims to continue: that the college created a sexual harassing or hostile educational environment; retaliated against the students; and breached its contract with them. The college has denied any wrongdoing in the case and maintained it responded swiftly and effectively to internal complaints lodged in 2019. Noonan, 72, a heralded animal behavior specialist, frequently traveled around the world with students to film wildlife and make conservation videos. He retired from the college in 2019 after 40 years and moved to Washington State. The women who filed the lawsuit attended Canisius between 2016 and 2020, enrolled in the Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation Program run by Noonan. The lawsuit alleged that college administrators received complaints of sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination by Noonan as early as 2014. The former students described incidents in which Noonan allegedly pursued sexualized discussions, touched students hair and clothes, and suggested that young women should be open to dating older men like him. The lawsuit, filed last May, refers to Noonan as a serial sexual predator and alleged that the college turned its back on his behavior because he ran a popular undergraduate program and brought in millions of dollars in private donations and government grants. On a 2019 trip to India to gather video footage of Bengal tigers, the former students alleged in court papers that Noonan sought to give suppositories and enemas to constipated female students and joined two women in a hospital exam room without their consent. Noonan retired on June 1, 2019, following complaints to the colleges Title IX officer six months earlier. Metro rail is proving to be a great mode of transportation in all metro cities. It is a routine for most citizens, offering a hassle- and traffic-free commuting option. While certain metro stations are designed keeping in mind the heritage of the city or the locality, the remaining stations just serve the purpose of being boarding/deboarding points. Well, Sanjeev Kapoor, who happens to be the CEO-designate for Jet Airways, tweeted, where he compared Bangalores metro station with Dubai's metro station. The aviation veteran Sanjiv Kapoor's tweet comparing metro stations of Bangalore and Dubai Metro stations has created a flutter, attracting mixed responses from social media users. "Bangalore, Gurgaon, Kolkata... Why are our overground/ overhead metro stations such artless concrete eyesores? Take a look at Dubai (right) compared to Bangalore (left). And this Dubai station was probably built 10 years ago!," he said in the tweet on Saturday. In response to the tweet, one of the users said, there is no comparison. Dubai has a monorail system inside its terminals. Bangalore terminal is good looking but will not be a comparison to the massive hub that is Dubai airport, the user said. Kapoor, in another tweet on Saturday tagging his earlier tweet, said that aesthetics don't need to cost a bomb. "The smallest Japanese apartments/ ryokans are minimalist, inexpensive and aesthetically beautiful. Some comments on the post below are just the usual excuses and justification for accepting mediocrity and aesthetic monstrosities". One of the Twitter users mentioned that he fully resonates with Kapoor's view, adding that "we make good infra projects but inadequate planning and maintenance takes the sheen away". Also read - Delhi Airport Receives Bomb Threat On Aeroflot Flight, Probe Initiated Meanwhile, in a tweet on Sunday, Kapoor mentioned why he removed the Jet Airways reference from his Twitter profile. "Some wondering why I have removed reference to Jet Airways on my Twitter profile. It is because I am tired of my tweets as a civic-minded citizen always be quoted as "Jet Airways CEO says...". My social media is me as an individual, unless l am tweeting relating to the company," he said. New Delhi: 'Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal' has been captivating the audience with its enthralling storyline and unforgettable characters. The show's protagonist, the bold and fearless Esha, shares a strong bond with the werewolf brothers Veer and Armaan, which has only added to the show's intrigue. Now, the show is set to take things up a notch with the arrival of Kamya Punjabi's character, Nandini, who will be seen as a werewolf. Her arrival is expected to bring new challenges and unexpected twists, leaving the audience eagerly waiting to see what happens next. Nandini's intriguing past dates back to 1924 when she owned a perfume shop and resided in Landsdale with her daughter, Aahna. However, their peaceful life was disrupted when Nandini, along with 25 other werewolves, was captured and brought to the Yogini temple to be executed. The mystical Chandrika intervened and confined them in a tomb, where Nandini remained imprisoned for a hundred years. Fast forward to 2023, Aahna frees her mother, and Nandini finds herself back in Landsdale. What challenges will her arrival bring for the werewolf brothers, Veer and Armaan? Will Nandini be a friend or a foe to Esha? The answers to these questions are shrouded in mystery, and only time will reveal the truth. Kamya Punjabi, excited about her new role in 'Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal,' shares, "I am thrilled to essay the character of Nandini, a werewolf, for the first time. The fantasy genre is extremely exciting for me as an actor, and I am looking forward to sinking my teeth into this role. The show has received an incredible response from the audience, and I hope to contribute to its continued success. It's a pleasure to work with such talented actors and the entire crew of the show. I am excited to join hands with Karan, Gashmeer, Reem, and everyone on the sets." Keep watching Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal every Monday to Friday at 9:00 PM only on COLORS! NEW DELHI: Continuing its ongoing crackdown against gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, the Uttar Pradesh Police has decided to name his wife Shaista Parveen and his three sons as members of his crime syndicate registered as Inter-State -227 in police records. According to police sources, Shaista Parveen will be the first woman to be included as a member of this gang in police records. During the Mayawati-led BSP regime, Prayagraj Police had prepared a list of Atiq Ahmeds gang and named it IS-227. "Police investigations have revealed their active involvement in criminal activities and that is why such action would be taken against them," the news agency IANS cited UP police officials as saying. This will be the first time when the whole family of a political mafia will be included in the list of an interstate gang, said police sources. The action comes after the February 24 Dhoomanganj shootout in which three persons, including Umesh Pal, the prime witness in 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case, and two of his police gunners, were killed. Till now, Atiq Ahmeds younger brother Khalid Azeem aka Ashraf, a former MLA, was the only family member to be named as a member of the IS-227 gang. His wife, Shaista Parveen has four cases registered against her including the murder of lawyer Umesh Pal in Prayagraj on February 24. Pals two police security guards were also injured in the attack and died later. Shaista is absconding and a reward of Rs 25,000 has been declared on her arrest. Atiq`s third son Asad has been named among the shooters who shot Umesh Pal dead. A reward of Rs 5 lakh has been declared for all the assailants, including Asad. Atiqs two elder sons Umar and Ali are already in Lucknow and Naini jails for different crimes. Police said Atiq`s gang operates across the country. "Initially there were around 170 persons in Atiq`s gang. However, the number has now come down to 132 as many have died or become inactive," officials said. After lawyer Umesh Pal`s murder in Prayagraj on February 24, police came to know that Atiq and his brother Ashraf had recruited some new members in their gang. Instructions have been issued to identify newer gang members, officials said. UP Police Crackdown On Criminals In the aftermath of the sensational Umesh Pal murder in Prayagraj, a key accused was shot in an exchange of fire near the Nehru Park area in the Dhoomanganj locality. The accused, identified as Arbaaz, was driving the car used in the murder of Umesh Pal, who was a prime witness in several cases, including the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal. The police said Arbaaz was injured and succumbed at the hospital. "Accused Arbaaz was shot during the encounter that took place near Nehru Park in Dhoomanganj, Prayagraj. He was driving the car that was used in the murder (of Umesh Pal) and was fired upon," ADG law and order Prashant Kumar said on Monday. Prayagraj Police also later conducted a raid on gangster-turned-politician and former Samajwadi Party MLA Atiq Ahmed`s residence in the Mahanagar area of Lucknow and seized two luxury cars from the Universal Apartments. The police conducted the raid after receiving an input that some shooters had taken shelter in that apartment. However, they had left the place before the raid, police sources said. Umesh Pal and one of his two armed security escorts were shot dead in Prayagraj`s Dhoomanganj area on February 24. Several rounds were fired and bombs were hurled at Umesh Pal and his gunners. 'Mitti Mein Mila Denge': CM Yogi Warns Criminals, Mafias The incident came days after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lashed out at the Samajwadi Party in the Assembly on February 25, saying that his government would destroy the mafia. Describing the Prayagraj incident as sad, CM Yogi said "The government has taken cognisance of it and the results of our policy of zero tolerance for the crime would be there for everyone to see very soon. No one should have any doubts about it." "Is it not true that the accused against whom the FIR has been lodged, was made an MP by Samajwadi Party? You raise and nurture all the criminals, garland them and then blame others when a crime takes place. By doing this, you are just making a spectacle of yourself," the CM added, in an attack on SP members. (With Agency Inputs) New Delhi: India has launched a strong protest with the United Kingdom over the vandalization incident at the Indian High Commission in London and has conveyed that there is need for the British authorities to put up adequate security set up, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said on Monday. Answering queries during a media briefing on Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida`s visit here, the Foreign Secretary said that the British Deputy High Commissioner was summoned on Sunday to convey India`s concerns. "With regard to the UK incident, we have already put out yesterday late evening India`s response to it in which the UK Deputy High Commissioner was summoned...demanding an explanation and asking the culprits and the perpetrators of what happened in London yesterday to be quickly arrested and prosecuted," the Foreign Secretary said."We launched a strong protest and also clearly indicated to the British authorities the need for them to put up adequate security at the UK High Commission," he added. On Sunday, the senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned to convey India`s strong protest at the actions taken by separatist and anti-India elements against the Indian High Commission in London. Ministry of External Affairs had said that explanation was demanded "for the complete absence" of British security that allowed these separatist and extremist 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 statement said."It is expected that the British Government would take steps to identify, arrest and prosecute each one of those involved in the incident, and put in place stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents," it added. The British High Commissioner Alex Ellis condemned the vandalization incident at the Indian High Commission in the UK. "I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the High Commission of India - totally unacceptable," he said. Were not sure what a former BOCES employee expected when he refused to complete a mandatory training whose LGBTQ focus he portrayed as a threat to his religious beliefs. But the fact is that he had it wrong. Raymond Zdunskis dismissal was not about disrespect for Christians; it was about an employee who refused to comply with the reasonable requirements of his employer. Thats the long and the short of it. To dress that decision in the clothing of religion is a diversion. Zdunski worked for the Erie-2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES and wouldnt attend a mandatory workplace training on the grounds that it conflicted with his religious beliefs. He was fired and responded with a lawsuit seeking reinstatement, back pay and a whopping $10 million in damages. It would have been a nice payday, but Zdunski lost the lawsuit and last week, he lost his appeal. He didnt take it well. It just seems like the country is against the Christian way of life, and its for everything else, he said. Were not allowed to practice our way of life but anyone else can, it seems. It was a little pouty, no? Also incorrect. Indeed, his errors were several: Start with the mandate: Like all employers, BOCES is required to provide a discrimination-free workplace and is empowered to take steps toward that end. That was impetus for the training that Zdunski refused to attend. It cost him his job, but thats the risk anyone runs in refusing to comply with his employers requirements. And it wasnt an LGBTQ training. It was a broader cultural competency training that included a module on LGBTQ issues. With that, Zdunski went 0 for 2. He really struck out with his false claim that BOCES or New York or the whole country is somehow anti-Christian, conspiring to prevent adherents from practicing their religion. For one thing, the training doesnt require Zdunski or anyone else to change anything they believe or even to agree. It just required him to sit and listen and complete the training. He could have done that and still maintained his private opinions on the issues and situations included in the training. Hed still have his job. It could have been easy. And Christianity, of course, counsels not only rendering unto Caesar, but loving others, including sinners. There was plenty of room in this for the faithful to comply. In the end, though, it seems that Zdunski just didnt want to do it. He took a chance and lost. Its a shame, but the outcome was correct. Theres an important lesson in this matter. Heres the short version: Dont get your knickers in a twist just because youre asked to learn how to be thoughtful to others. 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. Forced labour, bonded labour and forced child labour affect millions of people worldwide. (Shutterstock) Even though the practice of slavery has been formally abolished, an estimated 49.6 million people are in forced labour globally, a quarter of which are children. Modern slavery is an umbrella term that refers to situations where exploited individuals cannot leave because of threats, violence, coercion or the abuse of power. It includes a variety of practices such as forced labour, bonded labour and human trafficking. Modern slavery affects the supply chains of many goods and services used everyday. ChatGPT, which has an estimated 13 million daily users, was developed using contractors from Kenya earning between $1.32 and $2 per hour. Such practices are similar to the labour violations found in fast-fashion supply chains, where employees are unable to find fair-paying work and are trapped working for exploitative employers. A third of the worlds cobalt supply, a key material in the manufacture of electric vehicles, comes from small-scale mines associated with dangerous working conditions and labour abuses. In 2019, it was reported that school children were made to work overnight at Foxconn, an Amazon supplier, in China to meet production targets for Alexa devices. The question remains: what can both businesses and consumers do to remove slavery from supply chains? Types of modern-day slavery Forced labour, bonded labour and forced child labour are the labour abuses most prevalent in todays global supply chains. While modern slavery is most commonly associated with forced labour, there are several other forms that it takes. Affecting an estimated 27.6 million people worldwide, bonded labour where a person is forced to work to pay off debt is the most common form of slavery. Pakistani activists protesting against bonded labour on International Womens Day in Lahore, Pakistan in 2020. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudhry) Forced child labour, including the unlawful recruitment of child soldiers, affects at least 12.5 million children. Child labour is a complicated topic for many, given that children may work on family farms. However, child labour specifically is identified as labour that is exploitative and may be physically dangerous or detrimental to the development of children. Story continues The primary driver of child labour appears to be extreme poverty that requires families to use children as a much-needed income source. Arguably, weak state interventions into child labour allow the practice to continue. Sex trafficking, defined as a form of trafficking that involves recruiting, moving, or holding victims for sexual exploitation purposes, affects a further 6.3 million people. Forced labour and domestic servitude account for the remaining 3.2 million people in modern slavery. Domestic servitude occurs primarily in residences where individuals are hired to perform domestic work as live-in workers and unable to leave because their documents have been confiscated. Causes of modern-day slavery Modern supply chains are incredibly complex. Even a seemingly simple product such as the Barbie doll has a global supply chain that spans over one hundred countries. Typically, organizations will outsource and engage in sub-contracting to manage the demands of complex supply chains. Because the parent organization is often distant from supplier organizations, there are often transparency issues about the working conditions at suppliers. Complex supply chains can increase the risk of modern slavery. The use of labour recruiters or sub-contracted workers allows slavery to emerge and thrive. In addition, forced and bonded labour is very difficult to detect because of the complexities of modern value chains. For example, there are over 6.3 million sellers on Amazon, each with their own supply chains. A significant amount of financial and human resources is needed to detect modern slavery practices. The current global labour market conditions mean there is a lack of skilled purchasing professionals available to undertake these tasks. Anti-slavery legislation Some countries have legislation that attempts to dissuade some of the forms of slavery. However, only 24 of the 193 UN member states have provisions that address each form of exploitation, and only five have criminal provisions addressing each of the five international instruments for addressing human exploitation. Only two states in the world have criminal provisions in place for all practices of slavery. In Canada, the third reading of Bill S-211 a supply chain transparency bill recently took place in the Canadian House of Commons. While all speakers agreed that modern slavery needs to be fought, there is disagreement about what exactly should be included in the legislation and how far such legislation can go. Shipping containers piled up in the harbour in Hamburg, Germany in October 2022. Modern supply chains are incredibly complex and can span over one hundred countries. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) As a transparency bill, Bill S-211 has no criminal provisions and places the responsibility for ensuring there is no slavery present in supply chains on the companies themselves. The bill will do this by requiring companies to report on their policies and due diligence activities. However, only government departments and publicly traded companies listed on the Canadian stock exchange that do business, have a place of business or have assets in Canada are required to report. If slavery is discovered, companies must report on how they intend to eliminate it. Only companies that meet at least two of the following conditions will be required to do this reporting: having at least $20 million in assets, generating at least $40 million in revenue or employing an average of at least 250 employees. What can companies do? While it may be challenging for organizations to manage all the activities within their global supply chains, there are best practices responsible firms can adopt. First, organizations can create and manage supplier contracts in a way that ensures suppliers recognize and adhere to international labour laws and modern slavery legislation. Second, large private and public sector organizations can work with small-to-medium enterprises to raise awareness of the risk factors associated with modern slavery. Some of these high risk factors include industries which are labour intensive, such as agriculture, mining, or construction, dangerous or physically demanding work, high numbers of temporary, seasonal, or agency workers, and operating in countries with inadequate labour laws and enforcement. Additionally, organizations can ask their suppliers to report on the actions they are taking to remove modern slavery from their supply chains. What can consumers do? Arguably, organizations have the responsibility and the opportunity to remove modern slavery from their supply chains. However, recent research suggests consumer behaviour is the most powerful way to reduce instances of modern slavery. Indeed, the strongest motivation for an organization to take meaningful action to address modern slavery in their supply chains is consumer pressure. As has been witnessed in numerous recent examples, negative media coverage is a strong motivator for organizations to take action. Conversely, an ambivalent attitude from consumers is an enabler of modern slavery. Eradicating modern slavery requires consumer action. When it comes to modern slavery, then, the power really is with the people. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts, from an independent nonprofit. Try our free newsletters. It was written by: Stuart Milligan, Thompson Rivers University and Nancy Southin, Thompson Rivers University. Read more: The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin (AP) The police officer jailed for the murder of George Floyd has been convicted of two counts of tax evasion. Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting and failing to file tax returns to the state of Minnesota for the years 2016 and 2017. Mr Floyd, 46, died in May 2020 after white officer Chauvin, pinned him to the ground with a knee on his neck as the handcuffed black man repeatedly said he could not breathe. The killing, captured on widely viewed bystander video, triggered global protests and led to the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement. On Friday in a Minnesota court before Washington County Judge Sheridan Hawley, Chauvin appeared via Zoom from where he is being held in federal prison in Tucson, Arizona. Chauvin and his now ex-wife were charged with multiple counts of underreporting their income and failing to file tax returns. His ex-wife pleaded guilty earlier to two counts. The true reason, Chauvin told the judge, is some financial concerns at the time. Former police officer Derek Chauvin found guilty of murdering George Floyd Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is led away in handcuffs after a jury found him guilty of all charges in his trial for second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota (via REUTERS) People celebrate as the verdict is announced in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota (AFP via Getty Images) A person reacts after the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin (REUTERS) U.S. President Joe Biden makes remarks in response to the verdict in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin at the Cross Hall of the White House (Getty Images) A woman lights a candle at the George Floyd Square after the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, found guilty of the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota (REUTERS) Terrence Floyd, brother of George Floyd, left, raises his hands during a news conference alongside attorney Ben Crump after former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin is convicted in the killing of George Floyd, (AP) Jennifer Starr Dodd reacts after the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, found guilty of the death of George Floyd, at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota (REUTERS) Attorney Tony Romanucci, center left, hugs Donald Williams, a key witness in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin, during a news conference after the guilty verdict was read (AP) People march through the streets after the verdict was announced for Derek Chauvin (Getty Images) Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, raises his fist following a news conference after the guilty verdict was read in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin (AP) People gather at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue following the guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin on April 20, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Getty Images) Chauvin was previously convicted on state murder charges for the May 2020 killing of Mr Floyd and on a federal count of violating his civil rights. Shortly after Mr Floyds killing, Chauvin and his then-wife were charged with multiple counts for allegedly underreporting their income to the state of Minnesota and failing to file Minnesota tax returns. The complaints alleged that from 2014 to 2019, the Chauvins underreported their joint income by 464,433 dollars (382,604). With unpaid taxes, interest and fees, the Chauvins, who have since divorced, owe 37,868 dollars (31,196) to the state, according to court documents. The tax investigation began in June 2020, after the Minnesota Department of Revenue received information about suspicious filings by Derek Chauvin. The agency started an internal cursory review and then opened a formal investigation. The probe ultimately found the Chauvins did not file state tax returns for 2016, 2017 or 2018, and did not report all of their income for 2014 and 2015. When tax returns for 2016 through 2019 were filed in June 2020, the Chauvins did not report all of their income in those years either, the complaints said. Story continues The complaints said Chauvin was required to pay taxes on income from off-duty security work he did at several jobs between 2014 and 2020. Investigators believe that at one job he earned about 95,920 dollars (79,019) over those six years that was not reported. His ex-wife, Kellie May Chauvin, pleaded guilty on February 24 to two counts of aiding and abetting their failure to file tax returns for 2016 and 2017.Her plea agreement called for three years of probation and restitution with no more than 45 days of community service. The other charges were dropped. Judge Hawley said she will be sentenced on May 12. Chauvin was convicted of state murder and manslaughter charges in 2021 and is serving 22 and a half years in that case. He also pleaded guilty to a federal charge of violating Mr Floyds civil rights and was sentenced to 21 years. He is serving the sentences concurrently. Three other officers were convicted of federal charges of violating Mr Floyds rights. Two of them have also been convicted of a state count of aiding and abetting manslaughter, while the third is waiting for a judge to decide his fate on the state charges. Painting is Like Breathing for Me is an upcoming exhibition by Persian artist Raoof Haghighi (PA) An Iranian artist whose drawing of a woman without breasts and a groin went viral is to dedicate his upcoming London exhibit to all the brave women fighting for their rights in his country of birth, including murdered Mahsa Amini. Forty-six-year-old Raoof Haghighi, who has lived in the UK since 2009, is to showcase some of his favourite surreal and hyperrealistic portraits and drawings in mid-April as part of solo exhibit Painting is Like Breathing for Me. Mr Haghighi, who lives in Reading and was raised in a family of eight artists under authoritarian regime in Shiraz, Iran, told the PA news agency: Being born in an artistic family was really helpful for my own journey into, and [my] relationship with, art. Obviously I learned so many things from my father and my siblings. It proved to be very useful to have talented and artistic people to provide constructive criticism of my work. This proved to be invaluable as I started my own art journey. He said that the biggest aim for his exhibit is to inspire people and hope they can enjoy seeing my creative process, as well as shining a light on the severely restricted rights women in Iran have. I want to dedicate some of the drawings to all the brave women in Iran who are currently fighting for their freedom, and hopefully one day in the near future people can live freely, Mr Haghighi added. One of the exhibits standout drawings, called Just Take Them and Leave Me Alone, touched many social media users, garnering more than 36,000 likes on Instagram, and over 2.6 thousand comments on Reddit, as well as being shared 40,000 times on Facebook in 2021. It depicts a woman standing, with her breasts and groin detached from her body and lying on the ground. I never thought it will touch so many people around the world, Mr Haghighi said about the drawing which took roughly five hours to create. So when I checked my social media accounts following the release of this drawing, I was very shocked to discover that it had been shared millions of times. Story continues Some of the comments included this is haunting and being reduced on your superficial sexual characteristics is sad, you are more than just appearance of skin, muscles and forms of your body. Mr Haghighi added that he wanted people to interpret the piece as well as his other work in their own personal way. He said: Many women related to this particular piece because of what they themselves have gone through life, and this can vary from experiences of gender-based violence to even going through cancer. In general I like to people have their own interpretation about art. What I like about art is that it can affect each person differently because of their own background and life experience. The same piece of art can yield a completely different experience, for instance something positive can be negatively construed by some and vice versa. Other work in the exhibit include a series called Adam and Eve, which tries to expose the hypocrisy of forced veils by depicting different images of women, with one wearing a veil and covered up and others naked and with their hair flowing. Another drawing, called Women life freedom, is dedicated to 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was killed last September for allegedly violating Irans Islamic dress code, which requires women to wear a hijab. It shows a womans loose hair turning into wings. Countless protests over issues affecting women and girls such as domestic violence, abortion and strict Islamic dress code laws have taken place following the incident. Mr Haghighi hopes to surprise and shock viewers with his collection. I am so delighted that I have the opportunity to showcase a selection of my favourite surreal and hyper-realistic portraits and drawings in my upcoming London solo art exhibition, he said. I really enjoy creating an element of shock or surprise to the viewer, and sometimes I even surprise myself when I see the final product. The exhibit takes places from April 7 to April 16 from 10am to 9pm at the Osborne Studio Gallery in Belgravia, London. 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. The owners of a popular cheese factory near Fremont were found dead inside their home on Saturday, the Winnebago County Sheriffs Office said Monday, and a TV station reported that their son was in custody. David Metzig, 72, and Jan Metzig, 71, were found dead inside their town of Wolf River home around 5:15 a.m. Saturday, and their deaths were suspicious, the office said in a statement. About 7:45 that same morning, officers with the Fox Valley Metro Police Department and deputies from the Outagamie County Sheriffs Office arrested a person of interest at the Heart of the Valley YMCA in Kimberly, according to the Fox Valley Metro Police Department. They did not release the persons identity. However, WFRV-TV in Green Bay reported that the Winnebago County District Attorneys Office told the station that the couples 25-year-old son, Erik Metzig, is in custody. Since 1980, the Metzigs had run the Union Star Cheese factory on Highway II near Fremont, which has been in the family since 1911. Fremont is about 125 miles north and slightly east of Madison. The Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce is on a roll this year after having experienced a significant increase in its membership and attendance at its various events reaching record highs. There's also a new chamber event coming in April that is likely to continue the organization's forward momentum. Sitting in her office, Executive Director Candy Hente expressed amazement at the number of new members who have joined the chamber over the past year. We have more members than we've ever had in the history of the chamber, she said with a smile. A lot of people have asked if we're truly a regional chamber, and I can assure you that yes, we most definitely are. We've had members join from about five or six different counties. It's not just limited to the Farmington area. Hente stressed that the chambers focus goes far beyond increasing its membership from throughout the region. The thing is that the perspective and vision we have as a chamber is not just for our immediate city limits and not even just for St. Francois County, she said. We want to look at the region as a whole when it comes to tourism and economic development. Despite its regional outlook, Hente and Director of Events Deena Ward work hard to maintain a close relationship with the other chambers of commerce in the area. Like President John F. Kennedy said, A rising tide lifts all boats she said. When businesses prosper and do well, that provides more jobs locally which then generates more income for our community. All of us are better off in the long run. In addition to an increase in the chambers membership, Hente noted that the 2022 Christmas parade was bigger than ever, the number of its Facebook followers have increased, and the monthly Business and Community Luncheon attendance is on the rise. The last two luncheons we've had, in January we had 120 people there, she said. This last month, we had right at 100 people. The Chambers strength lies in its membership, enabling us to accomplish collectively what no one could do individually. Hente believes there is no better example of the chambers desire to help strengthen southeast Missouri businesses than the Regional Workforce Development Conference it will be hosting Wednesday, April 26, at Farmington High Schools Black Knight Field House. Were really excited about this because the conference will be addressing a lot of workforce needs, she said. I always ask in our orientation what our members see as their biggest business challenge. They tell me that getting the word out about their business is their number one challenge, but that's quickly being overshadowed by the importance of finding good workers. We believe there's not just a singular reason that we're seeing that, but we certainly want to address an issue that concerns so many of our local businesses. Finding and retaining skilled workers has quickly become one of businesses' greatest challenges, she said. With this in mind, we are hosting a Regional Workforce Development Conference to discuss and relook at possible answers for you and your business. According to Hente, the conference will feature several outstanding speakers covering topics of interest to businesses in the region. Its an outstanding lineup, she said. Dan Mehan, CEO and president of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will address where all the workers have gone and what can we do about it. Dan will also bring a statewide perspective, sharing the activities of the Missouri Chamber on this important issue. We will also have Jaclyn Rowe, who is an international speaker, corporate etiquette trainer, personality expert, business owner, and consulting director for the Washington County Industrial Development Authority. Providing a local viewpoint will be William Britton. Hes a successful local manager with 19 years of retail experience with low employee turnover. Topics will include Becoming a Better Leader, HR for Small Businesses, Bridging the Generational Gap, Interviewing Tips for a Better Hire, Keys to Retaining Great Employees, Recruiting Tips: Attracting the Right People, and Employee Support Services from Mineral Area College. Chamber members can attend the 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. conference for $35. The cost for non-members is $45. Lunch is included in the registration fee. Register at FarmingtonRegionalChamber.com. Call 573-756-3615 for additional information. Farmington High School senior Diep Phan, the daughter of Uyen Huynh and Hoang Phan, has been named one of over 5,000 candidates in the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2023. Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is reportedly one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected based on superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by an executive order of President Lyndon B. Johnson to recognize some of the nation's most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in many areas: academic success, leadership, and service to school and community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students showing exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who show ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields. Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year's senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America's youth. A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select approximately 600 semifinalists in early April. The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 eminent citizens appointed by the president, will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the scholars in May. U.S. Presidential Scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program each June. To commemorate their achievement, the scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion. For more information about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, parents and students can email the U.S. Presidential Scholars Office at PSP@scholarshipamerica.org or call 507-931-8345. Fredericktown Elementary School found a unique way to celebrate Read Across America Week. Principal, Joe Clauser, challenged the students to collect socks in honor of Dr. Seuss's "Fox in Socks" book. "As a group, we decided it would be nice to add a community service project into Read Across America week," Clauser said. "Dr. Seuss is a favorite, so we came up with socks from one of his books." The original goal was to collect 75 pairs of socks, which would earn the students ice cream sundaes. However, Clauser wanted to aim higher and set a goal of 200 pairs of socks. As a way to incentivize the students, Clauser said, if they hit the big goal, he would be turned into a human ice cream sundae. "We all thought Mr. Clauser was crazy with the 200 goal, and he really wanted to set the goal even higher," FES staff member Rhonda Starkey said. "We had several people willing to buy socks, if needed, to make sure he got ice creamed." To everyone's surprise, the students exceeded both goals on the first day of the sock drive. In total, they collected an impressive 1,040 pairs of socks. "Everyone definitely enjoyed participating in the challenge," Clauser said. "The students were excited all week. They kept telling me they were bringing in socks so they could turn me into a sundae. Several of them have told me this week that now Im known as 'Mr. Sundae.'" The nine teachers who had submitted the most positive office referrals this school year were chosen to help turn Clauser into a human sundae. "They seemed to have the most fun pouring on the toppings," Clauser said. "It was definitely the highlight of the week for me - seeing everyone so enthusiastic about working together to meet a goal." The sock drive was just one of the many activities that took place during Read Across America Week. "Mrs. Coffman always plans fun dress up days and activities to make it an exciting week," Starkey said. "The teachers always jump on board, adding in their own fun activities to do with their students." In addition to the sock drive, the school had dress-up days like Read My Shirt, Favorite Book Character, and Crazy Socks. The library had a potato character display, where students were encouraged to create a character from their favorite book using a potato. When asked about what he hoped the students learned from the experience, Clauser said, the character word for March is cooperation, which is working together to reach shared goals and this definitely was a great way to practice cooperation. The staff at Fredericktown Elementary School believes learning shouldn't just be about academics but also about being good humans. "Our families really stepped up to support a couple of local resources that provide much-needed assistance to families in need," Clauser said. "Thank you to Mrs. Coffman, Mrs. Starkey, and the rest of the team that worked so hard to make Read Across America Week so engaging and exciting for our students and promoted reading among our students and their families." Rostelecom has reportedly reconsidered selling its Armenian subsidiary GNC-Alfa, and plans to invest and broaden the unit. Arka Telecom reported via Russian news agency Interfax, Rostelecom president Mikhail Oseyevsky told media the operator had reversed course, stating we have decided to actively develop Rostelecom Armenia, and we keep on working. The company (GNC-Alfa) finished last year very well, we are satisfied. Oseyevsky added the company launched its video service Wink and is planning to construct a data centre in Armenia to showcase renewed commitment to the market, which it announced to exit in January 2022. Rostelecom priced GNC-Alfa at US$25 million and gained permission from the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of Armenia to sell 100% of shares to energy firm Molitro Holdings, reported Arka Telecom. The Russian operator group had put its Armenian subsidiary up for sale in 2021 and aimed to wrap up the transaction in January 2022 but the invasion of Ukraine postponed it. Rostelecom first acquired GNC-Alpha shares in 2012, taking a 75% stake. Tele2 Russia has reportedly withdrawn its RUB478 million (US$6.2 million) lawsuit against Finnish vendor Nokia, after the company ceased supplying operators and departed the Russian market due to the invasion of Ukraine. CNews reported citing Russian newspaper Vedemosti, that the Moscow Arbitration Court accepted Tele2s decision and terminated proceedings, the Rostelecom-owned operator did not comment on its decision. Legal proceedings were launched against Nokia in May 2022, after the vendor and rival Ericsson stated in April that year of intentions to depart Russia for humanitarian reasons after the invasion began in February. Rostelecom-owned Tele2 Russia accused Nokia of not fulfilling its contract with the operator. Analysts speaking to Developing Telecoms believe Chinese vendors will fill in the gaps left by the Nordic infrastructure providers. South Africas Rain, which describes itself as the countrys mobile data-only network, may not be data-only for long. Its major investor, African Rainbow Capital (ARC), has reportedly said that Rain hopes to launch a full mobile service this year. As website Connecting Africa points out, Rain began as a data-only provider, providing fixed internet services to homes and data-only mobile SIMs. However, it acquired blocks of spectrum in the 700MHz and 2600MHz bands at a government auction in March 2022 and now, ARC says, plans to launch a mobile service that includes voice. ARC, which focuses on opportunities in the South African and African financial services and diversified investments industries, says Rain is well positioned as a low-cost data provider that already has spectrum in contested areas but that the acquired spectrum will allow Rain to improve its coverage at a comparatively low cost. As we reported, Rain was the first South African network to launch 5G in February 2019. Indeed, ARC suggested at a recent financial results presentation, Rain has enjoyed subscriber growth in the 5G space and better ARPU than anticipated. This is quite a confident statement of intent after the failed merger attempt with number three mobile network Telkom, which we reported in January. How the mobile offering will be delivered or priced is not clear but, according to ARC co-CEO Johan Van Zyl, it will make the company "a more holistic competitor and not just a niche player". FunP Innovation Group, a Taiwan-based digital advertising sales and advertising technology conglomerate, has reportedly secured US$3.12 million in additional investments to fuel a smart retail and cloud drive into the Indonesian market. The company received the support of Ennoconn Corporation, a global leader in integrated cloud management services, industrial internet of things (IIoT) and embedded technology, in the funding round. FunP Innovation Group (BVI) controls cacaFly, a leading digital advertising sales consulting agency, and Tenmax.io, an advertising technology development. Both have spearheaded earlier initiatives in Indonesia, including a joint venture to form a data-driven digital marketing agency for Indonesia, a partnership with Google Cloud to launch a Cloud AI+ Solution Centre in Taiwan and a partnership to develop a one-stop digital advertising solution. FunP has said that it will use the extra capital injection to develop and roll out smart retail and cloud services solutions for the Indonesian market and other Asia Pacific countries, under its cacaFly business unit and in a partnership with Ennoconn. Quoted in a number of local reports Brian Yang, funP group Co-founder, and Chief Strategy Officer, says: Ennoconns capabilities in AIoT, together with our own in cloud computing and marketing technology, equals the opportunity to develop pioneering retail solutions for Indonesia and beyond. There is a wider context to this announcement, however. Indonesias President Joko Widodo has expressed his intention to focus on the digital transformation of the economy through investments in technology like cloud computing and 5G, along with a green city that will harness smart technologies, renewable energy, and IoT. CacaFly, in collaboration with Ennoconn, has committed to help in these initiatives. Claro Argentina has signed a collaboration deal with Empatel, an Argentinean service provider based in the remote La Pampa province. The alliance will see the firms sharing fibre optic networks as well as jointly deploying 4G in areas where coverage is unavailable in the sparsely populated province. Created in 2019, Empatel is 51% owned by La Pampas provincial government, with remaining stakes held by local private companies (4%), local cooperatives (35%) and Aguas del Colorado SAPEM (10%). In August 2020, regulator ENACOM granted Empatel a licence covering fixed voice, mobile, fixed broadband and pay-TV. Currently Empatel operates over 1950km of fibre infrastructure, and is actively rolling out fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) services across the province. CommsUpdate reports that local cooperatives and ISPs are in line to market and manage these services. The state press finally recognized its inattention to gender-based violence in Cuba, though only after years of work by civil society organizations and the independent press, which have shone a light on the problem. To be fair to the state's media: could they pay attention to gender-based violence, except to praise the "work" done by the regime, which claims to be "at the forefront" in the fight against it? Could they really speak of femicides in a country supposedly free of them by the work and grace of the Revolution? Either of these things meant challenging the official rhetoric of the Cuban regime; specifically, that of Mariela Castro Espin. Asking the state press for criticism of the government's discourse is like expecting pears from an elm tree. In November 2020, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Raul Castro's daughter and the director of the state-run National Sex Education Center (CENESEX) stated that Cuba was "at the forefront in the international struggle against gender violence." Data from the Observatory for Gender Equality in Latin America and the Caribbean contradicted this, however, and actually gave the island poor marks: only three laws to combat gender violence, a lack of restraining orders or distancing measures to protect victims and, in general, a dearth of protection mechanisms for them. The Cuban regime also legitimizes and exercises political violence against female activists, dissidents and independent journalists, while in other countries in the region, such as Bolivia, there is legislation against this type of violence. In said year women's platforms and independent civil society gender observatories registered 32 deaths from macho violence. There are no official statistics on this. The Women's Network of Cuba, the Yo Si Te Creo (I Believe You) platform in Cuba, and the Gender Observatory of the Alas Tensas Magazine (OGAT), without counting on the resources of the State, and working under constant harassment and attempts to discredit them, have filled the gaps left by the official information. In 2015 Raul Castro's daughter said in an interview with the newspaper Tiempo Argentino: "We do not have femicides, for example. Because Cuba is not a violent country, and that is an effect of the Revolution," she added. If Fidel Castro had declared Cuba illiteracy-free in 1961, why couldn't his niece declare it femicide-free 54 years later, especially in the absence of any official records to refute her? How did Cuba go from not having femicides, "thanks to the Revolution," to registering 32 in 2020? Were they not happening until 2015, when Mariela Castro made her claim? Did the Revolution stop protecting women, or was Raul Castro's daughter lying to the Argentine newspaper? Or was there simply no attention paid to the phenomenon in the country, as recently acknowledged by journalists with the official media? Feminicide is, precisely, the ultimate expression of gender violence, but Mariela Castro assured Cubans that the regime was at the forefront in the fight against it, when the Yo Si Te Creo platform in Cuba had already verified 30 of these crimes in 2020. The reality has shown that, contrary to what Mariela Castro claimed, in terms of gender violence, the Cuban State not only lags behind the region, but civil society too. In early March 2021, when at least 10 femicides had occurred during the year, the general secretary of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), Teresa Amarelle, announced the creation of the Cuban Gender Observatory. This would include updated records of femicides and other cases of macho violence. The announcement came four months after the Cuban women's platform YoSiTeCreo launched the Cuban Femicides Observatory. In May of 2022, seven years after denial of the existence of femicides in Cuba, Castro Espin herself asked the National Assembly of Popular Power (ANPP) to criminalize this conduct in the Criminal Code. Thus, though without recognizing it, she joined the appeals of feminist activists and civil society platforms, which had been drawing attention to the absence of this crime in the draft law. The ANPP did not criminalize femicide in the Code. It included it within the crime of murder. A positive aspect of the new Cuban criminal law, in terms of gender, is that this is considered an aggravating circumstance in the commission of crimes. It also contains special adaptation articles. This means that, in cases involving this type of violence, the judges do not take into account the general rules, as in the previous Code, but rather specific rules incorporated into it. The Cuban ANPP, with a female majority, also did not include a comprehensive law against gender violence until on its legislative schedule until 2023. This rule will have to wait until 2028. In December of last year, the international association Mundo Sur included the island, for the first time, in its Latin American Feminicides Map report, thanks to the work of the OGAT and Yo Si te Creo in Cuba. The efforts of these and other organizations, in addition to the independent press, confirmed 36 femicides in 2021 and 34 in 2022, in addition to the 32 in 2020. Thus far in 2023, 17 have been verified. As for the state press, it was not until the beginning of last February, when independent platforms and observatories had already confirmed seven femicides in Cuba in 2023 (including that of a teenage girl at a police station) that it recognized the absence of official statistics, protocols and effective programs, as well as legal loopholes, which hamper attempts to avert these deaths. The most recent data on gender violence and femicides date from 2016. One month and nine femicides later, the official press finally admitted its inattention to the issue of Violence Against Women in Cuba. "As of March 8, 15 femicides have occurred in the country this year; some in Camaguey, and the media's attention to them was deficient, so the self-criticism was strong, while recognizing some isolated, positive exceptions," said the official newspaper Adelante, without specifying the source of the statistics or mentioning the Cuban civil society platforms. Would it be too much to ask Cuban official media journalists to give some credit to independent civil society? In any case, it is appreciated that, even if only in terms of gender violence, they admit that they are not doing their jobs. Gabor Fluit, Director of De Heus Asia, has been elected Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) in Vietnam. Fluit took over the position from his predecessor Alain Cany, Chairman of Jardine Matheson Vietnam Group. The new president of EuroCham has experience in retail banking after working at ABN AMRO Bank (Netherlands) from 2005 to 2008. In mid-2008, he switched from finance to agribusiness, and became the CEO of De Heus in Vietnam, a corporation specializing in animal feed. Fluit was named president of the corporation in 2015 and has held the position ever since. He has also been Vice Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam since March 2021. De Heus Asia's business is growing with manufacturing sites in Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia and India. Upon his election, the new EuroCham chairman said that Vietnam is opening up many business opportunities for foreign companies. Fluit added that he looks forward to working with members and partners of the association to maximize market potentials. "I believe EuroCham can make landmark business changes in this country," Fluit said. With more than 1,300 members, EuroCham has been a voice representing the European business community in Vietnam since 1998. European firms currently employ some 150,000 people in Vietnam. At a meeting held last weekend, EuroCharm also elected four vice presidents: Dominik Meichle (Managing Director of Bosch Vietnam, Torben Minko (CEO of B. Braun), Claudia Anselmi (Director of Hung Yen Knitting & Dyeing Co. Ltd & leader of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam), and Jean-Jacques Bouflet (French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam). Gabor Fluit, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), speaks at the Vietnam Business Forum 2023 in Hanoi on Mar. 19, 2023. Photo by the Vietnam Government Portal Representatives of South Korean, European and American businesses in Vietnam are complaining that theyre struggling to obtain work permits for their foreign employees due to inconsistent and vague regulations. Hong Sun, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Business in Vietnam (KOCHAM), told the Vietnam Business Forum 2023 on Sunday that many South Korean businesses find that it usually takes two to three months to acquire work permits for their foreign staff. And in some cases, the process can take up to six months as additional paperwork is sometimes required, he added. KOCHAM proposed that the authorities provide businesses with a consistent and precise guideline on requesting work permits. The chamber also suggested that the Vietnamese government give graduates of the one-year K-Move School program expert work permits. Sun added that the K-Move School program is run by the South Korean government and that its graduates are highly qualified. He said that they can be considered experts and are even qualified to be the CEO of a business, and therefore they should be able to receive expert work permits in Vietnam. Gabor Fluit, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), also said that the administrative procedures relating to work permits need to be simplified so Vietnam can attract and attain talents. It is unreasonable for foreigners who have lived, worked and invested in Vietnam for many years to be denied a work permit extension just because of some small administrative issue, he added. Greg Testerman, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham Vietnam), said that there are unclear points in regulations on work permit issuance and that they should be simplified. And he added that Vietnam should not require foreign workers to have a college degree in their area of expertise that they seek work permits for in the country. Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said that the government is working on simplifying the labor law, and that foreign experts and managers will be among the top priorities in drawing up new regulations governing work permit issuances. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that the visa policy is being modified to create the most favorable conditions for foreigners. The Ministry of Finance wants special consumption tax on online video games, saying it would fetch large revenues. The ministry made this proposal in a draft law on special consumption tax that is being reviewed by other government agencies. Taxing online games was last discussed by the National Assembly in 2014 but not approved since many feared it could lower the competitiveness of domestic companies against foreign players. But the situation seems to have changed. In 2020 Vietnam had five of the 10 biggest video game publishers in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, according to ranking platform Data.ai. Out of every 25 games downloaded globally, one was made by a Vietnamese company, which put Vietnamese producers in seventh place in game downloads. In 2021 revenues from online games in Vietnam were worth $665 million, according to the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information. It said many Vietnamese companies are based in Singapore, which makes it difficult to collect taxes. Authorities perform a check on over seven tons of elephant tusks in Hai Phong. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Hoa A shipment that contains at least seven tons of elephant tusks from Africa was discovered recently in Hai Phong, the largest such haul ever recorded in the northern port city. Local authorities said Monday they had found the tusks, which were illegally trafficked from Africa in three suspicious containers. The containers belonged to a haul that began in Angola, was then transported to Singapore, and finally to the Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port in Hai Phong. The containers were inspected when authorities noticed that the receivers details were labeled inaccurately. One container alone contained over 7 tons of elephant tusks, and authorities said the total amount of trafficked goods could amount to dozens of tons. The Hai Phong Customs Department said the amount of elephant tusks found was the largest haul to ever be discovered in the city. Earlier this month, Hai Phong customs officers also found a total of around 610 kg of trafficked elephant tusks on two occasions. Vietnam outlawed the ivory trade in 1992, but the country remains a top market for ivory products prized locally for decorative and medicinal purposes, according to conservation groups. Southlands expressways leave region still gridlocked 2010 was a turning point in Lam Dai Vinhs career. It was the year Vietnams first expressway, Ho Chi Minh City Trung Luong, opened to link the nations economic hub with the Mekong Delta, its agriculture hub. "The expressway is good for nothing," said a driver named Le Minh Thuan. Costing VND12 trillion (US$510 million), the Deltas second four-lane so-called expressway only allows vehicles to move at a top speed of 80km/h and does not include an emergency lane. But even after all that, Trung Luong My Thuan was quickly overloaded. Within the delta, which is home to 13 localities, there are now less than 100 kilometers of expressway, or 7% of the nations total. And it took 13 years of construction for the HCMC Trung Luong Expressway to be extended by 51 kilometers. Only then could the Trung Luong My Thuan Expressway finally open to traffic last April. Spreading 40,000 square kilometers, or 12.2% of the nations total area, it accounts for 17.7% of the countrys GDP, 90% of exported rice, 60% of exported fruits and 70% of exported seafood. But there is only one expressway connecting it with the rest of the country. The Mekong Delta, or the southwestern region, is home to 20 million people, or a fifth of Vietnam's population. Home to the first-ever expressway in the nation, the entire southern region, including the Mekong Delta, now has just three expressways stretching 146 kilomters in total, which is far below the target set in 2008: seven expressway routes with a total length of 983 kilometers. As of last June, Vietnam only had 1,239 kilometers of completed expressway running through 29 localities, according to the Department for Roads of Vietnam. Vietnam had approved three different master plans for expressway development in 2008, 2016 and 2021, with the latest plan saying the country would have 9,041 kilometers of expressway by 2050. But that is where the realities of life on the ground began to veer from Vinhs dreams. Vinhs company kept up with the trend and expanded its business, raising its number of tractor-trailers from 15 to 40. In the following years, expressways were built one after another across the country. In Jan. 2011, the Party passed a resolution identifying traffic infrastructure system bottlenecks stymying national development. The resolution stated that investing in the expressway system would be an important driving force behind the country's progress. It set a target of having 2,000 km of expressways by 2020. The government approved in 2008 a master plan toward developing an expressway network through 2020. The plan comprised 22 expressway projects with a total length of 5,873 km: seven each in the north and the south, three in the central region, and five ring roads in Hanoi and HCMC. Together, they would complete a nationwide expressway system. He was completely right, and his business was initially successful. "Expressways will open a new future for high volume logistics," Vinh said, recalling the motivation behind his startup more than 20 years ago. But since the HCMC Trung Luong Expressway came to life, the travel time has been cut to just one hour. As the small highway had fallen into disrepair, it took drivers almost three hours to move 100 km from Tien Giang to HCMC. Before the expressway, all transportation between the Mekong Delta and the rest of the country was made exclusively via National Highway 1. Vinhs company entered the business with 15 tractor-trailers to carry containers between HCMC and the Mekong Delta via the HCMC Trung Luong Expressway, a 61.9 km stretch of road linking HCMCs Binh Chanh District with Tien Giang Province. But two decades later, the Delta and the entire southern region account for only 146 km of expressway, 12% of the nations total. It was also the year when Vinh founded a transportation company in Ho Chi Minh City. It seems 20 years after the regions first successful expressway, everything is now back to ground zero. Thuan usually takes passengers from Tien Giang Province to HCMC. He said if using National Highway 1, there is a high risk of congestion yet there are still chances for him to slip through traffic jams by moving to other lanes or even use other small roads alongside the highway to get out of the congestion and later get return to the highway. There is no escape once he is stuck in a traffic jam on Trung Luong My Thuan. And he says it happens regularly. "Neither the highway nor the expressway is good for drivers," he said. "But the highway is still better than the expressway." Clogged arteries As the only expressway linking HCMC and the Mekong Delta, the once-lauded HCMC Trung Luong Expressway is now famous for its traffic problems and reckless drivers. Between 2019 and 2022, almost 600 traffic accidents took place on the expressway, which currently receives 52,000 vehicles per day on average, 74% higher than its designed capacity. Drivers said the large number of vehicles on the expressway means they can only travel 60-70 km/h. Vietnams southeastern provinces are suffering the same fate. The HCMC-adjacent region, home to the industrial hubs of Dong Nai and Binh Duong and the port hub of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, has only one expressway, the HCMC Long Thanh Dau Giay, which runs 55 km. The expressway currently receives more than 60,000 vehicles per day during peak seasons, such as holidays or weekends, which is 1.5 times higher than designed. There are cases in which drivers spend as long as three hours stuck on this "expressway." "The expressway planning for the southern region is adequate and complete, yet the implementation of those plans has dragged on way too slowly," said economist Tran Du Lich, former head of the HCMC Institute of Economics. He said the construction of expressway systems in the south has failed to meet the needs of the nations most dynamic economic region. Southlands expressways leave region still gridlocked Express traffic impossible on expressways connecting with HCMC Express traffic impossible on expressways connecting with HCMC. Video by Tuan Viet, Hoang Nam Two decades of insufficient funds Lich said lack of capital is the main hindreance to the proper expansion of expressway projects in the southern region. In the 2011-2015 period, the Mekong Delta was allocated VND67.5 trillion in state capital for transport infrastructure development, accounting for 12.2% of the countrys total amount. In 2016-2020, the delta got VND65 trillion, or 15.5% of the nations total. Ministry of Transport data from 2011 and earlier years revealed that investment capital for traffic construction in the Mekong Delta was among the lowest in the country, higher only than the Central Highlands region. The ministry has stated that the state budget capital was only enough to invest in renovating and upgrading national highways. Therefore, expressways approved before 2010 were all built by official development assistance (ODA) loans. As the allocation of ODA loans among regions depends on donors, it is difficult to avoid inequality, the ministry said. Economist Lich said that while the state budget is limited, major projects in southern Vietnam have continued to depend heavily on public investment, and there have been just a few projects carried out under the public-private partnership (PPP) format. "We need mechanisms so that the state budget will be used only as 'prime capital' to attract private investment," he said. "We cannot rely wholly on state capital because it will never be able to meet the demands of infrastructure development." Duong Nhu Hung, Dean of Department of Industrial Management at the HCMC University of Technology, said one of the reasons expressway projects in the Mekong Delta are behind schedule is their heavy reliance on the central government to look for ODA capital. Hung said that when expressway localities have actively sought solutions to attract private resources, the story has been different. He held up the Hai Phong Ha Long Van Don Mong Cai Expressway as an example. The major infrastructure project in northern Vietnam opened to traffic last year, linking the northern port city of Hai Phong with the Mong Cai International Border Gate at the frontier with China. Running 176 kilometers long, the investment capital for the project was estimated at VND65 trillion (US$2.8 billion), but only an aprroximate VND9.5 trillion came from the state budget. The rest of the project was funded via a combination of sources, including government funding, loans from international organizations, and private investment attracted directly by local authorities. Litany of blame continues In addition to a lack of funding, the Ministry of Transport also cited difficult terrain and a shortage of construction materials as factors holding back expressway development in the delta. "High building costs are the main reason for the lack of expressways in the region," Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Duy Lam said at a conference in HCMC last June. Buildling in the detla requires 1.3-1.5 times the normal investment because the region is "home to a lot of waterways, has weak geological layers and faces the impacts of climate change," he said. It cost an average VND220 billion to build one kilometer of expressway in the Mekong Delta in 2017-2020, but only VND132 billion in other regions. The delta is the final destination of the Mekong River before it reaches the sea. A majority of the delta was formed by sediment and sand deposits brought to the area by the river for over 6,000 years. Nguyen Tan Dong, deputy chairman of HCMC-based Deo Ca Group, which built the Trung Luong My Thuan Expressway, said: "The deeper layers of the Mekong Delta are mainly sand, and 80% of the ground above is also soft, which easily caves in and gives way." He said the condition is "a challenge" for traffic works. In addition, construction materials are "scarce" in the region, he said, adding that transportation takes longer and costs more than normal "because of the crisscrossing of waterway networks." Missed opportunities "The Mekong Delta is the nations agricultural hub, but there is a lack of roads to serve trade and transporation, especially expressways," said Nguyen Van Dao, director of Godaco Seafood JSC. Based in My Tho, a town in the deltas Tien Giang Province, the company supplies the market with around 50,000 tons of seafood products each year, according to its website. As the company exports goods to more than 70 markets, logistics is "vital" for the business, said Dao. However, the underdeveloped infrastructure system has caused the company to spend disproportionate amounts on logistics costs, a business restraint that the company has yet to find a solution for. According to the Vietnam Logistics Business Association, logistics fees that companies in the Mekong Delta have to bear make up 30% of their production costs, a figure two times higher than the average national level in 2021. Experts say this is incongruent and unsustainable as the region is the nations key agricultural economic hub serving both domestic and export demand. "The high logistics cost that Mekong Delta firms have to bear has created a domino effect that affects the nations economy," said Hung at the HCMC University of Technology. He said that while the Mekong Delta accounted for 14% of nations gross regional domestic product in 2010, the ratio had since dropped to only 5% by last year. Citing the World Bank, Hung said that if logistics costs were reduced by 1%, the deltas export market share would increase 5-8%. If traffic infrastructure is improved, logistics costs will be reduced, and the competitiveness of the region's signature products will return, he said. New hope Expressway projects planned for the south central and southern regions. Graphics by VnExpress/Hoang Khanh "I determine to improve the traffic infrastructure in the Mekong Delta region within this government term [2021-2026]," promised Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh when meeting with constituents in Can Tho City, the deltas capital, in January. In January, he said Mekong Delta localities must speed up work to open 463 km of new expressways between now and 2026. PM Chinh ordered related agencies and localities to speed up work and complete current projects within the next three years to give the Mekong Delta 544 km of expressways by 2026. That is three time the amount of expressway road that exists in the redion now. Commenting on the governments new initiative, economist Lich said the limitations of transport infrascture in the detla had been "properly considered." But as a businessperson, Lam Dai Vinh has chosen a new path for himself after spending years waiting for new expressways: He has gradually shifted his business to the north, where the expressway system is better developed. Gia Minh, Hoang Nam, Thu Hang Dengue fever outbreaks are on the rise before the rainy season in Vietnam. Vietnam has recorded around 13,000 cases of dengue fever so far this year, about 2.3 times higher than the same period in 2022, according to the Ministry of Health. The rising numbers of cases have been recorded in mainly in central and southern localities, the General Department of Preventive Medicine reported. However, Hanoi has also not been spared. The capitals Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recorded 172 dengue fever cases in 23 of 30 districts, a 20-fold increase from the same period last year. The health ministry said abnormal weather conditions have contributed to the rise in the number of cases. Normally dengue does not hit in such numbers until the rainy season. A surge in cases is expected soon as the country enters the rainy season, it added. On Monday, the ministry asked localities to ramp up environmental cleanup efforts to curb the spread of outbreaks. Medical facilities must ensure enough medicine and equipment to treat patients, it added. Vietnam recorded over 361,000 cases of dengue fever last year, with 133 deaths. Hanoi alone recorded over 19,000 dengue fever cases. There is no effective cure for dengue fever, and treatments mainly deal with symptoms. Symptoms include high fever, muscle pain and hemorrhaging. Passengers going under medical checks for Covid-19 prevention in Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy The Health Ministry on Monday requested for entrants from African countries with Marburg virus disease outbreaks to be monitored for 21 days. The request was made as the highly contagious and lethal disease killed 9 people in Equatorial Guinea and could spread further into other African regions. The ministry also requested for samples to be taken in suspected cases. "This is a highly dangerous disease," the ministry noted, adding that its death rate could go up to 88%. There are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved to treat it yet. On Feb. 13, Equatorial Guinea quarantined more than 200 people and restricted movement on Feb. 13 in its Kie-Ntem Province, where the hemorrhagic fever was first detected, Reuters reported. The WHO said it was increasing its epidemiological surveillance in Equatorial Guinea. The disease can be spread from animals, including bats and primates, to humans through direct contact or bodily fluids. The incubation period could go up to 21 days, with symptoms including diarrhea, stomachache, vomiting and hemorrhaging. In Thailand, there is a famous market right next to the Mae Klong Railway Station that is a popular attraction. Vietnam should adopt a similar measure, according to readers. For several months now, the Hanoi People's Committee has erected barricades to prevent people and tourists from filming, taking photos, and drinking coffee beside the train tracks that run along Tran Phu Street. However, some coffee shops remain open there to welcome guests despite the ban. "Banning is not necessarily the best option. I think the city should issue specific regulations on train speeds and publicly display the weekly train schedule so that people and tourists can understand and plan their activities to avoid danger. This approach will provide tourists with more interesting experiences and generate more income for people." Hoang Thien Thanh "In Thailand, there is a market right next to the train line, which provides a unique experience for visitors. They have been operating for decades without any problems. We should learn from their experience. In fact, sitting and drinking coffee near the train line when everyone knows the train schedule in advance (with not too many trips) is safer than eating and drinking on the sidewalk near the roadway, where vehicles pass constantly." NM Duny "In Thailand and India, people still do business near railways like this. Business owners must ensure their own safe corridors and business locations; otherwise, they will be fined and banned from selling, and so they will automatically comply. Let's build management standards instead of totally banning it." Nam Thanh "There is no need to ban this, just put up danger signs and establish safety regulations. Those who let tourists violate the law must bear full responsibility. Thailand also has a very famous train market that operates normally. Many countries around the world offer more adventurous types of tourism, such as mountain climbing and exploring caves. Inexpensive tourist destinations like Vietnam often attract tourists to new and unique sites, such as the train street cafe. If there are concerns about danger to the passengers, households here should be required to maintain safe corridors in accordance with regulations before conducting business. We should not be half-hearted in our approach. While there is a ban in one section of the Train Street, coffee shops are still in business to welcome guests at another section, which gives visitors a sense that our rules are ineffective." Binh Luan A British tourist is being treated at a Hanoi hospital after falling off a cliff in Meo Vac District in the northern province of Ha Giang. Nguyen Van Luu, a Meo Vac official, told VnExpress the man slipped and fell off while taking selfies on a cliff in Ma Pi Leng Pass, an attraction for daring tourists. He was rushed to a local hospital with injuries to his leg before being sent to Hanoi. Fences are erected around roads leading to a cliff in Meo Vac in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Tien Ha Tourists are banned from climbing up the cliff due to the permanent fog there, slippery terrain and other dangers, and fences have been put up on roads leading to it. Nevertheless, officials said, many tourists ignore the warnings and take selfies on the cliff. A tourist with a mesmerizing photo from a cliff in Meo Vac District in Ha Giang. Photo by Abtrip Ha Giang has become a popular tourist destination for western tourists in recent years, but it is not an easy trip for amateur travelers due to its narrow, twisting roads and dangerous mountain passes. Foreign tourists in Hoi An in central Vietnam, July 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Dac Thanh Tourism experts have called for visa waivers for nationals of all EU member states, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and Canada and lengthen the period of visa-free stays. Currently Vietnam exempts only citizens of 25 countries from requiring visas. "One of the barriers for foreign tourists to visit Vietnam is its complicated and restrictive visa policy," Mark Koerner, chairman of EuroCham Vietnams Tourism and Hospitality Sector Committee, said in a petition submitted to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the annual Vietnam Business Forum on Sunday. The petition collates opinions from leading tourism experts and hospitality and tourism industry insiders. The petition states: "The visa exemption period is too short for many visitors who want to explore the countrys diverse attractions while the e-visa and visa on arrival processes can be time-consuming and inconvenient." Gabor Fluit, chairman of EuroCham, said that beautiful landscape and rich cultural heritage make Vietnam a top destination for tourists. "To make the most of tourism potential, the one-month visa exemption should be extended to all EU countries. Furthermore, the implementation of a three-to-six-month visa program for self-sufficient retirees could be a catalyst for the thriving tourism industry like neighboring countries did it," Gabor said, as cited by Thanh Nien. Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Russia, Spain, and Sweden are currently the European countries whose citizens are permitted to enter Vietnam without having to obtain a tourist visa for stays of up to 15 days. Greg Testerman, chairman of American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham), proposed expanding the list of eligible countries for e-visa issuance and visa exemption to facilitate business travel. A business visa stay should be extended from the current 30 days and one should be allowed to extend it within Vietnam instead of having to leave the country, the Amcham representative said, according to Thanh Nien. To attract more tourists and boost tourism spending, the insiders want the government to double the visa-free stay from the current 15 days and consider three to six month visas for retirees. They also call for improving passenger handling at major airports, especially in Hanoi and HCMC where foreigners have to wait for too long at immigration counters. They want the number of immigration officers and scanners increased and special lanes introduced for business travelers and families with children. Last week the government 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. Vietnam received 3.6 million foreign tourists last year, or around 20% of pre-Covid numbers. A taxi driver in Thailand has been banned from picking up passengers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport after allegedly using a fake list of flat-rate fares to overcharge a Taiwan visitor. The tourist took a taxi from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to the downtown area of Bangkok for a trip that would normally cost around 300 baht (US$8.8) based on the meter, The Strait Times reported. However, the driver charged the visitor 1,200 to 1,500 baht ($35-$43). Airport management said on Sunday that the unnamed taxi driver had been using a fake list of fares that used flat rates per destination while all taxi drivers picking up passengers at the airport are required to use meters to calculate fares. Besides being banned from the airport for life, he may lose his license to operate a taxi. Overpriced taxi services were the main issue of concern among foreign tourists traveling in Thailand, according to a survey conducted by the Tourism Council of Thailand, which polled 200 Western tourists during the final quarter of last year. Nations around the world continue to stand with Ukraine, declared Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a speech to the United Nations Security Council. Because we all recognize that if we abandon Ukraine, we abandon the UN Charter itself, and the principles and rules that make all countries safer and more secure. If we do not defend these basic principles, said Secretary Blinken, we invite a world in which might makes right, the strong dominate the weak. There are three ways in which to defend these principles, said Secretary Blinken. First, we must push for a just and durable peace: For peace to be just, it must uphold the principles at the heart of the UN Charter: sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence. For peace to be durable, it must ensure that Russia cant simply rest, rearm, and relaunch the war in a few months or a few years. Any peace that legitimizes Russias seizure of land by force will weaken the charter and send a message to would-be aggressors everywhere that they can invade countries and get away with it. Some countries have expressed concerns that standing with Ukraine and holding Russia accountable are diverting focus and resources from others in need. To those countries, I would say, simply, look at our actions, said Secretary Blinken: In addition to the $13.5 billion in food aid that the United States contributed to fight hunger over the last year, we also fund more than 40 percent of the World Food Programs budget. Russia contributes less than 1 percent of that budget. Thats not an outlier. Based on the latest UN figures, the United States donates over nine times as much as Russia to UN peacekeeping. Finally, we must reaffirm our commitment to upholding what the UN Charter calls the dignity and worth of the human person, said Secretary Blinken: We must continue to document Russias war crimes and crimes against humanity, and share this evidence with investigators and prosecutors, so that one day, the perpetrators can be held accountable. There are so many people in Ukraine who want a world where they can live in peace. We have the power, we have the responsibility to create that world today and for generations to come, urged Secretary Blinken. We cannot we will not let one country destroy it. To understand the implications of ESG-centric thinking in business, future leaders must be groomed in a strong business environment where ESG is thoroughly understood Even until a few years ago, it seemed like a far-fetched, futuristic idea to speak about careers or mainstream investment options around ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance). But now, with every passing day, it is taking centre stage in the financial world. The root cause of this shift towards ESG in society is both practical and political. Therefore in the wake of this change, MBA aspirants can look at ESG-driven business education as a pathway to a lucrative career.Today, B-schools are regarded as not just education centres for business studies. Instead, they are considered instruments of change as bright business thinkers graduating from B-schools can make a lasting impact through the power of commerce. The modern day cohort includes students who, with their activist mindsets, want to bring about positive changes. Further, when they move into the industry, the B-school graduates, through their efforts, are not just serving their own politics but also catering to the consumer.The reactive, conscientious consumer of the day that the B-school graduate will serve in the industry is increasingly seeking out goods and services with a positive environmental and social impact. Illustrating the collective shift in pro-ESG mindset, as of 2021, about 83 per cent of consumers, according to PWC, want companies to be ESG-oriented, while the same PWC report mentioned that 86 per cent of employees are more eager to be associated with ESG-compliant brands.A bottom-up approach to looking at the ESG issue is this: to sustain their profits, ventures must be environmentally and socially aware. Pursuing the ESG trend, there has been a 20 per cent jump in companies reporting their ESG compliance report, as suggested by a study conducted by the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN). Similarly, a recent GIIN study estimated the valuation of impact investment marker, the ESG-related investments, to be $ 1.164 trillion in 2022, whereas, in 2018, the market was worth $ 502 billion.It is amply clear that ESG has become a driving force in the market. Therefore to understand the implications of ESG-centric thinking in business, future leaders must be groomed in a strong business environment where ESG is thoroughly understood. What better place than B-schools? Further, in the last few decades, the overall progress in sustainability research has pushed the business to move beyond just keeping the consumer happy and look at the long-term business potential in ESG.With every new tenet of climate change unfurling, the commercial world looks towards taking into account the risk factors involved with ESG. Not only are financial institutions crunching environment-oriented risk calculations to mitigate long-term risks, but there has also been a conscious effort in the business circle to create green businesses. Additionally, the increase in impact investing has encouraged companies to move towards more sensitive business and operational models.Several MBA aspirants come from strong STEM backgrounds. Strong STEM skills make them a good fit for challenging roles such as risk management, portfolio management, and investment banking. Using their solid analytical skills, such candidates can orient themselves in leadership positions where ESG-oriented risk factors are considered. In terms of Operations, the sustainable initiative that has gained the most traction is the investment in renewable energy and start-ups and R&D (Research and Development) projects around renewable energy technologies. Opportunities such as these seek STEM candidates with robust management education.A study by McKinsey & Company suggested that not only do socially responsible practices such as DEI (Diversity. Equity, Inclusion) efforts improve the brand image and make people from diverse, especially marginalised backgrounds, feel comfortable seeking the companys services but also improve the productivity of the company. This study is representative of what the overarching pro-inclusion social movement is about. At the workplace, DEI initiatives include steps to not only address the endemic discrimination in society but also fine tune the ambience to make employees feel at home, notwithstanding the milieu they come from. With inclusion being the spirit of the time and the long-pending moral obligation, B-schools' role, especially as they groom Human Resource aspirants, is to inculcate sensitivity to sustain healthy work practices.In addition to the wave of social change and newly perceived benefits of ESG efforts, at the government level, there have been several initiatives to encourage ventures to invest in sensitive business practices.Recent practices such as carbon pricing, renewable energy incentives, emphasis on sustainability reporting and DEI, as well as policies for sustainable procurement, signal the impact of the ESG revolution made by the government. Aggressive eco friendly government policies aside, lately, tax holidays have been declared for large-scale investments in the domain. Thus, B-schools with the right focus, priorities and commitment to make a positive difference will play a vital role in building sensitivity towards the ESG ecosystem. As spring arrives, we look toward the most important time in supporting our students as they finish the school year strong. Our focus continues to be on the personal impact of every student we enrich through our mission, and the involvement of our community who believes like we do that when students needs are met, they are better able to focus and ultimately graduate. We are still celebrating our recent expansion of adding a new school in the Elko County School District, Grammar No. 2 Elementary School, home of the Bulldogs! We are officially in 14 schools, supporting more than 7,000 students in Elko and Humboldt counties. Our partnership with Elko County School District brings the total number of schools were in to nine, along with the basic needs support we offer to every student in Elko. Recently, Communities In Schools of Nevada received a major contribution from our invaluable and longtime partner, Nevada Gold Mines. Part of the gift is providing Integrated Student Supports to students in the Elko County School District. A portion is also funding mental health tele-counseling at no cost for students in our community through our more than decade-long partnership with UNLVs The PRACTICE mental health clinic. This transformative program, made possible by partners like Nevada Gold Mines, is enabling us to provide critical mental health services and reach more students and families right here in our community. Thanks to another year of donations, Ignite Life Chiropractic closed out the 8th Annual Undie 500, receiving more than 785 new packages of socks and underwear for students in pre-K through 12th grade. Even small things like new underwear and socks can help our students feel more confident and comfortable. We look forward to our 2nd annual Prom Closet on March 24 for Elko County high school students to shop for no-cost formal attire and accessories while receiving prizes and free beauty tutorials by student stylists. This fun and confidence-boosting event is made possible thanks to our advisory council members and partners, CK Connections, Old Timey Ice Cream, AM Beauty Institute, Vogue Dry Cleaning LLC and Elko Area Chamber, as well as the donations of dresses and formal attire from members of our local community. Combined, these community fundraisers, corporate donations and our growth into more schools get us one step closer to reaching more students who need our support to create a solid path to success. Our goal is to get every kid the resources they need to be successful in school so they can cross the graduation finish line. I am fortunate to be surrounded by our hard-working CIS team, school administrators and faculty and partners who make up the community our students need to unlock their true potential. Its incredibly gratifying when we work together for our kids. For more information on Communities In Schools of Northeastern Nevada, visit cisnevada.org/northeastern-nevada, or call us at 775-738-2783. Findings show that civilians account for the bulk of war casualties globally - especially when compared to the prosecutions that should hold their perpetrators accountable and observers say more should be done to strengthen protection mechanisms for civilians in conflicts. In May last year, Ramesh Rajasingham, director of coordination of the office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs, noted conflict continued to cause widespread civilian death notably in densely populated areas, where civilians accounted for 90 percent of the casualties when explosive weapons were used. In the case of Iraq, which is marking 20 years since the US-led invasion of the country, Amjed Rasheed, a senior researcher at Open Think Tank, an organization promoting peace and social change in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, told China Daily the problem is that there are no official statistics on the number of Iraqis killed since the invasion. "The (United Nations) Security Council, the only international legal body that can prevent civilian casualties, is politicized and aimed at achieving a balance of power among its members," said Rasheed, who is also a Hillary Clinton Fellow at Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland. He also said the invasion of Iraqis and the conflict in Ukraine show that innocent people caught up in the midst of global conflict must be carefully protected. The Iraq Body Count, a web platform that maintains the world's largest public database of violent civilian deaths since the 2003 US invasion until Feb 28, 2017, estimates in its records that documented civilian deaths from violence could range from 186,736 to 210,090. While the "Costs of War" project, which was founded more than a decade ago at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs and was co-directed by two Brown University scholars, estimates that there have been 275,000 and 306,000 Iraqi civilians killed by direct violence since the US invasion. It also estimates that the US troops who have died fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan had passed 7,000 while it was 8,000 contractors at the end of 2019. Coalition partners have also died in large numbers: approximately 177,000 uniformed Afghans, Pakistanis, Iraqis, and Syrian allies have died as of November 2019. The Center for Constitutional Rights, a non-profit legal advocacy organization based in New York, has renewed, in a statement released on March 15, its call for reparations for victims of the United States' "unlawful act of aggression in its cruel, senseless and baseless war-for-profit". "Justice also entails accountability for the perpetrators of these horrific crimes, including those responsible for the torture at Abu Ghraib and other detention centers in Iraq, as well as those tortured and detained in the larger 'war on terror'," the statement read. It said since 2004, they have filed three separate lawsuits against US-based military contractors on behalf of Iraqis tortured in the infamous Abu Gharib prison. In one of the cases, it said three Iraqis have entered the 15th year of their effort to seek damages from a company whose employees participated in numerous illegal and depraved acts, from abuse involving dogs, to sexual assault, to beatings that broke bones and injured genitals. In another case, they sued a private contractor for killing and injuring Iraqi civilians and obtaining a settlement on behalf of some victims of the Nisour Square massacre. "Legal efforts against high-level political and military leaders, beginning with George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, for the invasion itself and the many crimes committed in the 'war on terror' pose a different set of challenges, as demonstrated by our efforts to hold high-level Bush-administration officials accountable at the International Criminal Court for crimes in or arising out of the war in Afghanistan or under universal jurisdiction," the statement said. There have been cases where the US and its allies' troops were being investigated for possible war crimes, but complex factors have made it hard for cases to prosper. For example, the International Criminal Court dropped, in December 2020, a preliminary probe into alleged war crimes by British troops in Iraq, even though it was found to have reasonable basis to believe they committed atrocities. However, it was also found that the British authorities were investigating the crimes themselves. The ICC only intervenes when the state is unable to. The administration of former US president Donald Trump in 2020 imposed sanctions on then ICC prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, over investigation into alleged war crimes by the US in Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories. This was later revoked by US President Joe Biden in 2021. Global Policy Forum, an independent policy watchdog that monitors the work of the UN and scrutinizes global policymaking, noted that the US-led occupation forces have committed numerous atrocities in Iraq since the invasion of 2003 and that "Haditha, Hamandiya, Sadr City, Samarra and Ishaqi have become synonymous with murder, rape and the multiple killings of civilians." While some cases, it acknowledged, "have been brought before military hearings, the Pentagon has covered up most of these cases and exonerated the soldiers involved." Further, it said rather than pursuing high officials and senior officers, military prosecutors have pursued only a few low-ranking soldiers. Under the doctrine of "command responsibility", applied by the US in the post-World War II war crimes trials, it added, high officials and senior officers "must assume responsibility for grave violations of international law" and that a "truly independent investigation should investigate the killings and cover-ups, to end this climate of impunity." Elie Al Hindy, professor of International Relations at Notre Dame University in Lebanon, said the issue in Iraq was the inability of the international community to fulfil this duty because of conflicting political interests. "Twenty years after the US Invasion of Iraq we must ask ourselves about the status of international governance and the ability of the international community to intervene and function as a regulator of international law and establisher as international standards," said Al Hindy. Too many lives are lost, and there should be more emphasis on diplomacy and negotiation. Anti-war organizations held rallies in Los Angeles and San Diego on Saturday in the run-up to the 20th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, which started on March 20, 2003. The gathering came amid nationwide anti-war rallies organized by Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER Coalition), a U.S.-based protest umbrella group consisting of many anti-war and civil rights organizations. "We felt today is a good point to get together with younger people to discuss the issues that are involved. It commemorates the 20th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq," Gary Butterfield, a veteran, told Xinhua. Holding up placards saying "Fund the people's needs, Not the war machine," "Build schools Not bombs," "Path to peace in Ukraine: Negotiate, Don't Escalate," "For peace: Disband NATO" and others, dozens of protesters gathered in front of the gate of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, 25 km north of San Diego downtown. The protesters also chanted such slogans as "Money for job and education, not for war and occupation" and many drivers passing by honked to show support. Butterfield said the authority should direct some funds to development issues like health care, child care, and education instead of wars and arms race. As for the Ukraine crisis, which escalated more than a year ago, Butterfield said: "Too many lives are lost, and there should be more emphasis on diplomacy and negotiation." "We welcome any country that would come in as an intermediary and to help diffuse the situation," Butterfield said. "We want serious diplomacy to move to a ceasefire and negotiation. It has to start at the politician level, the governmental level. They could turn off the faucet of arming Ukraine." A similar rally was held in Los Angeles downtown Saturday, organized by Code Pink: Women for Peace, a women-led anti-war grassroots organization. The protesters also called for negotiations for peace in Ukraine and urged the Biden administration to invest more to meet people's needs instead of the war. "U.S. military aggression succeeded in overthrowing Saddam Hussein, but it failed to impose a stable new order, leaving only chaos, death and violence in its wake. The same was true of U.S. interventions in Afghanistan, Libya and other countries," Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the group, said in an article. A plane of Vietnam Airlines (Source: Vietnam Airlines) The flight, VN513, departed the Chinese capital at 3:30pm (Beijing time) and will arrive in Hanoi at 5:55pm (Hanoi time). Passengers were welcomed with a ceremony held by the national flag carrier of Vietnam at Beijing Capital International Airport. Vietnam Airlines is operating three round-trip flights per week between Hanoi and Beijing, and will increase the flights from mid-2023. It is also planning to open an air route connecting with Beijing Daxing International Airport. China is one of the biggest international markets of Vietnam Airlines, which has resumed most of its air routes to Chinese destinations, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Guangzhou and Shanghai, and Hanoi with Beijing. In the coming months, the carrier will re-open four routes linking Da Nang with Guangzhou, Shanghai and Chengdu, and Hanoi with Chengdu. It will also step up the use of wide-body aircraft, Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, on the routes to China. The resumption of air routes is expected to greatly facilitate the post-pandemic recovery of tourism, trade, and investment between Vietnam and China, and help Vietnam achieve international tourist targets this year. Official export turnover of bird's nest to China expected to see sharp increase China is currently the largest consumption market for bird's nests in the world, so the official import of Vietnamese bird's nest is expected to increase the export turnover of this item in the near future, reported the Voice of Vietnam according to information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Currently, there are about 23,800 bird nest houses in the whole country. The localities with the fastest growing number of swiftlet houses are Kien Giang, Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong. With an output of 150-200 tons per year, Vietnamese bird's nests have been exported to China over the past time, earning about US$200-300 million per year. Do Van Hoan, deputy head of the Livestock Breeds Department, Department of Livestock Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the official exports of bird nests to China must be registered with competent agencies in Vietnam and are approved by the General Administration of Customs of China. Each bird's nest house will be given a code, and this is one of the conditions for birds net exports to China. Therefore, swiftlet farming establishments and businesses need to contact relevant agencies for assistance in completing export procedures, he added. Financial aid for ethnic minority housing and land reclamation Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has signed off on a decision for assistance in house building and land reclamation for residents in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, reported Vietnam News Agency. The assistance in house building and land reclamation aims to help with the implementation of the national target programme on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous area. (Photo: VNA) The assistance is meant to help with the implementation of the national target programme on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for 2021 - 2030, in the first phase from 2021 to 2025. Accordingly, a maximum of 40 million VND (nearly 1,700 USD) from the central budget will be provided for each household to carry out site clearance, prepare housing and land infrastructure, or settlement. A maximum of 40 million VND for each household will be provided to build a solid house in line with local customs, and up to 22.5 million VND for each to conduct land reclamation for farming. Farmers harvest tea buds in a mountainous area. (Photo: VNA) It also regulates that an average of 3 billion VND from the central budget will be given to help with the building of a concentrated water supply facility in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. The paving of roads towards communes' centre can receive support of about 1.6 billion VND for each kilometer, and the construction of a new market can receive financial aid of 4.4 billion VND, while the upgrading of an existing market will be given some 800 million VND. Meanwhile, local budgets will supply a minimum of 4 million VND for each household to carry out site clearance, prepare housing land infrastructure, or settlement. A minimum of 4 million VND will be dedicated to building a solid house in line with local customs. In addition to the aid from the central and local budgets, localities were also requested to mobilise capital from other legal sources for funding the works under the national target programme, according to the decision. Two ship itineraries in Vietnam named among top 4 best Southeast Asia cruises Small ship itineraries along the Red River and Ha Long Bay and the Lower Mekong River in Vietnam were named among the top four best Southeast Asia cruises by the US travel guidebook series Frommers, reported Nhan dan newspaper. Ha Long Bay in Vietnam (Photo: VNA) The four itineraries were listed in an article published on March 11, by Heidi Sarna - the cofounder of QuirkyCruise.com, which is designed to share reviews and news about small-ship cruises around the world. According to Heidi Sarna, during the 10-day itinerary to explore the Red River and Ha Long Bay, a small ship covers several hundred miles between Ha Long Bay and Hoa Binh province in northern Vietnam, spending a few days in the picturesque and otherworldly limestone karststudded Ha Long Bay, which is the dramatic backdrop to films like Indochine (1992) and The Quiet American (2002). Except for a day in frenetic and fascinating Hanoi, which is notable for its colonial architecture, war heritage, and foodie culture, the rest of this route is spent on the Red River and its tributaries, which reach into the rural landscapes and small towns of Vietnams heartland. The author also revealed several rewarding ways to spend time off the ship, including village walks, kayaking in Ha Long Bay, watching a traditional water puppet show, taking tours of heritage sites, and getting a close-up look at traditional methods for making ceramics, furniture, rice wine, knives, and noodles. Meanwhile, on the classic weeklong Mekong itinerary cruises between river points near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Siem Reap, Cambodia, the riverscape varies from remote and pastoral on the Cambodian side - where passengers can spot people bathing and slapping laundry against stones at the rivers edge - to the more industrial and bustling Vietnam part of the river. On excursions, passengers can walk through villages and past picture-perfect rice fields and venture into pungent wet markets and floating fish farms./. National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai and a high-ranking delegation of the National Assembly of Vietnam with representatives of the Vietnamese community in the RoK (Photo: VNA) This is the first high-level Vietnamese delegation to pay an official visit to the RoK since the two countries upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The visit contributes to further deepening the cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK; maintaining the exchange of high-level delegations between the two countries and the two National Assemblies; and strengthening political trust and promoting cooperation between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the National Assembly of the RoK on bilateral and multilateral aspects. Within the framework of the visit, on March 19, the National Assembly delegation visited the Vietnamese Embassy, met and talked with the Vietnamese community in the RoK. He affirmed that the Party and State always pay attention to and consider the overseas Vietnamese community as an integral part and resource of the nation and an important factor contributing to the development of the cooperative and friendly relations between Vietnam and other countries. He emphasized the affection and responsibility of the Party and State on overseas Vietnamese, in encouraging and creating conditions for them to look toward the homeland; implementing overall measures to care for and support overseas Vietnamese; and improving the effectiveness of citizen protection, labor management, and international students. Noting that the relationship between Vietnam and the RoK is at a good stage of development, especially since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership at the end of the year 2022, he stated that the RoK remains one of the leading economic partners of Vietnam. People-to-people exchanges between the two countries take place involve about 200,000 expatriates living, studying and working in the other country, including about 80,000 Vietnamese-Korean multicultural families. The two countries have become "good friends, good partners and good connection" to each other. The National Assembly Vice Chairman expressed his hope that the Vietnamese community would absorb the RoK's advanced knowledge, management and production models so that it could contribute to the development of the homeland and the country./. At the event (Photo: baoquocte.vn) During the program, participants had a chance to enjoy Vietnams traditional dishes, and watch an ao dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress) show, a dance performance with the country's typical conical hats, and a short play. In addition, they enjoyed paintings of children from 16 provinces and cities across the Netherlands featuring the beauty of the Vietnamese country. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Pham Viet Anh encouraged overseas Vietnamese in the country to always support activities held by organizations and associations to preserve Vietnamese cultural identity in the European country. The Overseas Vietnamese Association in the Netherlands, established in October 2022, and the Vietnamese Womens Union in the Netherlands, established in early 2023, have helped connect overseas Vietnamese in the country in various community activities./. Draft Law No. 7198 on compensation for destroyed and damaged housing was signed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, MP, head of the Servant of the People party Olena Shuliak said. "Already in May, people will start receiving first compensation. There is still a long way to go, but we will definitely pass it! With the help of the civilized world, we will defeat our enemies, rebuild and live in a large, free, European country," she wrote on Facebook. According to estimates, more than 1 million Ukrainians are left homeless today. As of the beginning of March, Ukrainians have already submitted 335,000 applications for damage or destruction of housing through the Diia portal. The current volume of declared destruction is about 23 million square meters, while most of all declared in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kyiv regions. More than 500 communities have already been registered in the register of damaged property, and data on 10,000 objects have been entered. Earlier, Shuliak reported that the state already had UAH 17 billion, precisely from the sources provided for by bill No. 7198 for compensation. ICC Prosecutor to plead for extra cash to pursue Russian war crimes in Ukraine International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan will plead for extra cash to investigate Russia's war crimes in Ukraine during a speech at a conference in London on Monday, according to The Guardian. "Karim Khan, the prosecutor of the international criminal court, will plead on Monday for extra cash to pursue Russian war crimes in Ukraine, including the potential prosecution of Vladimir Putin for overseeing the abduction of children from Ukraine to Russia," according to the statement It notes that the prosecutor's speech at the conference will take place after his "dramatic move" against Putin. The event was jointly organized by the governments of the UK and the Netherlands to raise funds to fund the ICC's work to investigate Russian war crimes in Ukraine. "More than 40 nations are attending the conference hosted by the UK deputy prime minister, Dominic Raab, and the Netherlands' minister for justice and security, Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius. The UK is providing an extra GBP 395,000 to fund the ICC's work," the journalists said. They said Ukrainian Justice Minister Denys Maliuska and Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin will also attend the conference. The key point of China's peace plan should be the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov believes. "The formula for the successful implementation of China's peace plan. The first and main point is the surrender or withdrawal of the Russian occupation troops from the territory of Ukraine in accordance with the norms of international law, the UN Charter. In order to restore sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity," he said on Twitter on Monday. Estonia trained 600 Ukrainian infantry soldiers "by one company at a time, three times," Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said in an interview with The Kyiv Independent. "We trained 600 Ukrainian infantry soldiers. We have given training to one company at a time, three times," Pevkur said, adding there are medics, sharpshooters, and some more. According to Pevkur, Estonia and other NATO members are responsible for assisting Ukraine because it's fighting for the free world. That's why the Estonian army has trained Ukrainian soldiers, including infantry soldiers, sharpshooters, and medics, and provided over EUR 370 million in aid. He also said until Ukraine "takes back their land, I believe there is no option to talk about the end of the war." "So, of course, we all hope that this war will be over as soon as possible. But we all have to understand also that it is not so easy because both sides have dug deep into trenches, and it might take some time," he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited occupied Mariupol on March 19, likely to project the image of invulnerability and to continue efforts to portray himself as an involved wartime leader, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its reporty for March 19. The Kremlin likely framed Putins first visit to occupied Ukraine outside of Crimea as a spontaneous jaunt in order to portray Putin as an invincible wartime leader who can visit the zone of hostilities without concern. Putin likely chose to visit Mariupol because it is a city seized since May 2022 that is far away from the frontline, where Russian forces and occupation officials have already instituted stringent security measures, the analysts note. The ISW also believes that the visit could be a response to the warrant of the International Criminal Court for Putin's arrest for participation in war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children, at least 1,000 of whom were taken out of Mariupol alone. Putins Mariupol visit likely also aimed to assuage a longstanding and pervasive fear in the nationalist space about a prospective Ukrainian counteroffensive in southern Ukraine The Russian occupation administration declaring Melitopol rather than Zaporizhia city as the capital of occupied Zaporizhia region also likely reflects a desire to ease the palpable fear in the nationalist and domestic information space by portraying Russian occupation as long-term and certain, the report reads. Danilov doesnt think China will provide military support to Russia in war with Ukraine Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksiy Danilov does not think that China will provide military support to Russia in its war with Ukraine in the future, however, if this happens, Ukraine will actually recognize Chinese participation in the war on the side of the aggressor state. "I don't think this [China's military assistance to the Russian Federation] will happen," Danilov said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine. China, as the NSDC secretary noted, now has its own set of internal problems that it must solve. In particular, he called the slowdown in economic growth and the slowdown in population growth. "That is, they will also have big challenges," he said. At the same time, as Danilov stressed: "If China openly supplies weapons to Russia, it will actually take part in the war on the side of the aggressor." Vietnam attracting Japanese investments to new areas Vietnam is striving to lure more Japanese investments to digital transformation and green growth, as recommended in the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative (VJI). Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Phase VIII of the initiative, launched in 2003, concluded in March 2023, under which 497 out of the 597 items were completed. To promote its role, the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment proposed building a cooperation programme between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the two countries, focusing on digital transformation, support industry and personnel training. Japanese SMEs have capacity, experience and high tech, and Vietnamese firms have abundant human resources, which is reciprocal during their development cooperation. The ministry suggested the Japanese side take more specific solutions and supplement workforce to further support Vietnamese enterprises in improving their capacity and competitiveness, and participating intensively in value chains. According to a survey conducted by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in 2022, 60% of the Japanese firms said they plan to expand operations in Vietnam, the highest in Southeast Asia. With the aim of joining the group of upper-middle income countries by 2030, Vietnam has paid attention to scientific-technological application, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, green economy, digital economy, circular economy and knowledge-based economy. The country, therefore, is encouraging Japanese enterprises to step up investment in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, high-tech agriculture, IT, smart urban development, financial services, banking and innovation. The Vietnamese Government has committed to supporting businesses, contributing to advancing the Vietnam-Japan relationship to a new height. Currently, Japan is running more than 5,000 valid projects in Vietnam with a total investment capital of over 69 billion USD, ranking third among the 141 countries and territories investing in the Southeast Asian nation. Japanese investments were injected in 57 out of the 63 localities, mostly in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Meanwhile, Vietnam counts 104 projects in Japan worth some 19.2 million USD, making the East Asian nation the 36th among the 79 countries and territories receiving Vietnamese investments. Japan is Vietnams fourth biggest trade partner with two-way trade nearing 50 billion USD last year. Localities in Vietnams Red River Delta like Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong and Hung Yen said they stand ready to materialise cooperation opportunities between the two countries in high-tech agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy and circular economy. For Japans official development assistance (ODA), Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong noted that it accounts for more than 30% the accumulative bilateral development aid to Vietnam. The assistance has played an important role in Vietnams socio-economic development through large-scale infrastructure projects such as Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai airports, Cai Lan, Lach Huyen and Cai Mep-Thi Vai seaports, and Nhat Tan Bridge, he stressed. Yoshihisa Suzuki, Chairman of the Japan-Mekong Business Cooperation Committee under the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), said at a recent economic forum that Vietnam has become an attractive destination for Japanese investors to expand services and start doing business. The Vietnamese community in Japan has also helped intensify people-to-people exchange and technological cooperation between the two countries, he added./. USA to send $350 mln in aid to Ukraine Blinken The United States will send $350 million worth of weapons and equipment to Ukraine, The Guardian reports, citing a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The latest aid package includes a large number of different types of ammunition, such as rockets for highly mobile artillery missile systems, the statement says. Earlier, the AP reported that the aid tranche should include a significant amount of ammunition, including missiles for HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems. The United States also wants to supply Kyiv with vessels for crossing rivers and gasoline tankers, but their number is not specified. The sources noted that military cargo should come directly from the Pentagon's arsenals for speedy delivery to Ukraine. AP reminds that earlier the United States supplied Ukraine with military aid worth over $32.5 billion. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell has said that the member states of the European Union supported his proposal to supply 1 million artillery ammunition to Ukraine over the next 12 months. A historic decision. Following my proposal, member states agreed to deliver 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition within the next 12 months. We have a three track approach: 1) EUR 1 bn for immediate delivery, 2) EUR 1 bn for joint procurement, 3) commission to ramp up production capacity, Borrell said on Twitter Monday. As it is known, a joint meeting of the foreign and defense ministers of the EU member states is taking place in Brussels, where Borrell's proposals aimed at accelerating the supply of 155 mm ammunition to Ukraine were discussed. In the Office of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), models of post-war development of Ukraine are being developed, Secretary of the NSDC Oleksiy Danilov said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine. "We are now in the Office, on behalf of the president, developing certain models of post-war development of Ukraine, as we see it," he said. As Danilov noted, this is due to the fact that, since 1991, there has not been a single national project in Ukraine in which the majority of citizens of the state would take part. "We need exactly such a national project, in which the overwhelming majority of citizens will take part, so that they are interested, so that they understand what we are talking about, what kind of country we are building This is a difficult task ...," he said. In addition to the NSDC, many other centers are also involved in the process of modeling the post-war development of the state, according to Danilov, who develop, prepare proposals and give their recommendations on the vision of the future. "Of course, many thanks to all these centers, but we mean that the state should not lag behind in this matter," the NSDC secretary said. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, in an exclusive interview with the Interfax-Ukraine agency, denied information about 100,000 killed Ukrainian soldiers, which was previously published in the American Politico. "I declare to you with full responsibility that we do not have 100,000 casualties among the military. It's impossible. During the war, this is classified information, but 100,000 is completely untrue," Danilov stressed. The exact figure, as the NSDC secretary noted, is known to the Ukrainian military and the president themselves. According to him, the ratio of losses is currently 1 to 7, 1 to 8, in some cases 1 to 10 in favor of the AFU. "After the war of the 2014th, we knew how to fight, but there was no such thing in Russia. In many areas, their losses were simply insane," Danilov stressed. Speaking also about the situation in Bakhmut, Danilov noted that the AFU had already disrupted the Russians' third offensive plan, in connection with which "the Russians cannot move on and throw their people into Bakhmut like into a cauldron." The Bureau of Economic Security (BES) and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) continued searches at RGC enterprises on Monday, the press service of the group reported. According to it, the reason for the searches was a criminal case initiated by the SBU on the purchase of natural gas for technological needs in the period from 2016 to 2022. "Investigative measures are being taken to obtain illegal access to intellectual property, software products and solutions in the field of energy efficiency, metrology and gas distribution created by RGC," the statement said. The group called on the authorities to engage in dialogue "in a civilized way to solve problems that have been accumulating in the gas distribution industry for years." "These problems can only be solved by joint efforts and professional teams that have demonstrated their level of knowledge, skills, experience and patriotism, from the first days of the war, firmly maintaining the efficiency of gas distribution systems and restoring them after the de-occupation of Ukrainian territories," the report says. As reported, on March 17, 2023, the SBU and the BES conducted large-scale searches in a number of city and regional gas companies, announcing the disclosure and liquidation of a large-scale scheme for the appropriation of natural gas by NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy from the gas transmission system. According to the SBU, the top management of 16 regional gas enterprises in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Volyn, Zakarpattia, Sumy, Rivne, Khmelnytsky, Chernihiv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions were involved in organizing the fraud. To establish all the circumstances of the crime and bring the perpetrators to justice, a pre-trial investigation is underway under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Part 5 of Article 191 (appropriation, embezzlement of property or possession of it by abuse of official position) and Part 3 of Article 212 (evasion of paying taxes, fees, mandatory payments). At the end of May 2022, at the request of the State Bureau of Investigation, the court transferred the arrested private corporate rights to 26 regional and city gas distribution system operators to the management of ARMA. In May 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine transferred to the management of the enterprise of Naftogaz Group - Chornomornaftogaz - the previously seized assets of gas distribution system operators (regional gas companies), in particular, shares in Kharkivgaz and Dniprogaz. In February 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers agreed on the proposal of ARMA to transfer a number of seized assets to the management of Chornomornaftogaz, but did not publish their list. On September 2, 2022, Naftogaz Ukrainy registered Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine LLC (Gas Networks), the main activity of which is the distribution of gas through local pipelines. Ukrainian FM welcomes EU agreement on joint procurement of ammunition: Strategic step that will bring our victory closer Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomes the decision of 17 EU member states and Norway on joint purchases of ammunition for Ukraine and their national stocks, calling it a strong signal of unity. Today, 17 EU member states and Norway signed a deal on joint procurement of ammunition for Ukraine and their national stockpiles. I applaud this strategic move that will bring our victory closer. It sends a strong message of European unity and commitment to defend shared ideals, he said on Twitter Monday. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov opposes the monopoly of certain departments, including the NSDC, on the issue of informing the President of the country Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "I am a supporter of the fact that there can be no monopoly anywhere, including in informing the president. The President receives information from various sources, he is provided with information by all structures in which he considers it necessary to obtain this information, and there cannot be any monopoly influence of the NSDC Apparatus," Danilov said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. As he stressed, in modern conditions, the number of points of view, including sources of information to the president, should not be less than five. "And if you communicate with as many people as possible, then you have a much broader outlook. You have a much broader vision of all processes," Danilov said. "There are a lot of independent analytical centers in our country. They provide information, including to the NSDC Apparatus. We are grateful to all the people who help. We use their best practices," he added. The NSDC Secretary also drew attention to the fact that, in particular, the situation with informing Russian President Vladimir Putin "led him to a catastrophe." "Why did Putin have such a catastrophe? Because the monopoly created by him leads to degradation. Because there are no other points of view, there is no discussion. All agree. No one wants to disappoint the tsar. And it is very unsafe," Danilov summed up. USA intends to provide military assistance to Ukraine for another $350 mln media The U.S. administration is going to announce on Monday the allocation of another package of military assistance to Ukraine - in the amount of $350 million, the Associated Press (AP) reports, citing unnamed representatives of the American authorities. The aid tranche should include a significant amount of ammunition, including missiles for multiple rocket launchers HIMARS. The United States also wants to supply Kyiv with vessels for crossing rivers and tank trucks, but their number is not specified. The sources noted that military cargo should come directly from the Pentagon's arsenals for speedy delivery to Ukraine. AP reminds that earlier the United States supplied Ukraine with military aid worth over $32.5 billion. USA to supply Ukraine with $350 mln in military aid, incl ammunition for HIMARS The United States is allocating another package of military assistance to Ukraine, its volume will amount to $350 million, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday. Today, pursuant to a delegation of authority from President Biden, I am authorizing our 34th drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine valued at $350 million, the statement reads. He noted that this military assistance package includes more ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS and howitzers that Ukraine is using to defend itself, as well as ammunition for Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, HARM missiles, anti-tank weapons, riverine boats, and other equipment. Blinken also welcomed more than 50 countries that have united to support Ukraine defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia alone could end its war today. Until Russia does we will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes, the U.S. State Secretary stressed. Meanwhile, according to a Pentagon press release, the United States will also supply Ukraine with ammunition of 25 mm caliber, mortars and shells of 81 and 60 mm caliber, AT4 hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and small arms, explosives and equipment for removing barriers. The supplies will also include mine clearance equipment, heavy fuel trucks, thermal imagers, optical sights and laser rangefinders; spare parts and test and diagnostic equipment for vehicle maintenance and repair. According to the Pentagon, as of early March, the current U.S. administration provided Ukraine with military assistance worth more than $32.8 billion. Agreements on digital trade between Ukraine and the UK were signed on Monday by First Deputy Prime Minister - Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Secretary of State for Business and Trade, President of the Board of Trade and Minister for Women and Equalities Kemi Badenoch. "This is a new generation trade agreement focused primarily on preventing the emergence of barriers in the future. This is important because the states in the world are increasingly regulating the digital sphere. For Ukrainian IT companies, maintaining free access to markets is a basic condition for further development," the Ministry of Economy commented on signing the document on its website. The digital trade agreement complements the agreement on political cooperation, free trade and strategic partnership between Ukraine and the UK and will enter into force after all domestic procedures are completed. The agency clarified that Ukraine became the second country in the world after Singapore with which the UK signed the digital trade agreement. According to Svyrydenko, the document will lay the foundation for the practical content of the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will be held in London in June this year, and will strengthen the Ukrainian-British investment partnership. For its part, Badenoch noted that the UK would continue to stay with Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. She stressed that the UK is interested in developing partnership between the businesses of both countries, further liberalizing trade and implementing joint projects to restore Ukraine. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a conversation with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, the parties discussed strengthening the defense capability of Ukraine and the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. "As always, I had a meaningful, cordial call with Dutch PM Mark Rutte. It will strengthen Ukraines defense capabilities! Discussed the practical implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and other important international events. The progress of Ukraine in transformations was emphasized.," Zelenskyy said on Twitter on Monday. The Administrative Judiciary Court of the State Council issued a ruling on Sunday obliging the Ministry of Youth and Sports to dismiss Mortada Mansour from the presidency of Zamalek SC after having been previously convicted on charges of defamation. 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. Ethiopia's army chief said on Saturday the country had completed the dismantling of "special forces" created by some regions, finalising a policy which sparked recent unrest. For G7 diplomats meeting in the Japanese resort town of Karuizawa, unity was the name of the game on Monday, with ministers lining up to insist there is no daylight between them on China policy. The first US Cabinet member to visit Somalia since 2015 urged the worlds distracted donors Sunday to give immediate help to a country facing deadly famine, which she calls the ultimate failure of the international community. The US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, heard perhaps the starkest warning yet about the crisis: Excess deaths during what is now Somalia's longest drought on record will almost certainly surpass those of the famine formally declared in the country in 2011, when more than a quarter-million people died. This time, the world is looking elsewhere, many humanitarian officials say. Many of the traditional donors have washed their hands and focused on Ukraine, the UN resident coordinator in Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula, told Thomas-Greenfield during a briefing in Mogadishu. While the US ambassador declined to openly name and shame in her speech calling on donors for more help, saying The countries know who were talking about, the UN resident coordinator didnt hesitate. The European Union, for example, funded just 10% of the humanitarian response plan for Somalia last year, Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. The EU gave $74 million and the U.K. $78 million, according to UN data. Japan gave $27 million and Saudi Arabia $22 million. The United States, meanwhile, funded roughly 80%, giving $1.3 billion to Somalia since the start of the 2022 fiscal year. The ambassador announced another $40 million on Sunday. But the US cant continue to pay at that level, even if there were no Ukraine, Thomas-Greenfield told the AP in an interview, adding that Washington would like to see countries in the nearby Gulf region, for example, donate more. She spelled out the fatal risks in the weeks ahead if other nations don't step up. According to the UN, without contributions from other donors, critical food and nutrition assistance supporting 4.6 million people in Somalia will end by April, Thomas-Greenfield said. That will be just as a sixth consecutive rainy season in the parched country is expected to fail. The US is deeply alarmed by the dire situation, she told humanitarian officials. The ambassador delivered her speech in the seaside diplomatic compound at Mogadishus international airport, where bunker-bound officials try to respond to the growing crisis compounded by the security threat posed to large parts of Somalia from al-Qaidas East Africa affiliate, al-Shabab. Tens of thousands of people are thought to have died in the drought that also affects parts of neighboring Ethiopia and Kenya. More than a half-million children under the age of 5 in Somalia alone have severe acute malnutrition, according to the UN childrens agency. Millions of livestock essential to families health and wealth have died. While the latest data assessment released last year found that Somalia had not met the benchmarks for a formal famine declaration, the UN and US have made clear that the limited humanitarian aid has only delayed the worst. Almost 2 million hungry people in Somalia are at the crisis point where bodies start to consume themselves," a Western humanitarian official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. There are now 2.7 million more people in need than during Somalias last famine in 2011, the official added. About 900,000 of them have been living in areas under control of the al-Shabab extremists, complicating efforts both to understand the droughts toll and to reach people with help. But the death toll from the drought remains unclear even as fears grow. I dont think any of us know the number, Thomas-Greenfield said. The last Cabinet member to visit Somalia was John Kerry as secretary of state in May 2015. Search Keywords: Short link: The United States is increasing its military assistance to Somalia as the country sees success in battling what the U.S. calls the largest and most deadly al-Qaida network in the world. Sixty-one tons of weapons and ammunition arrived Tuesday in Mogadishu, the U.S. said in a statement of support for a historic Somalia-led military offensive against al-Shabab extremists that has recaptured dozens of communities since August. In a separate joint statement with other leading security partners Qatar, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Britain, the U.S. said they will support Somalias efforts to manage weapons and ammunition that could allow the United Nations Security Council to lift its arms embargo on the country. A very productive meeting, Somalias national security adviser, Hussein Sheikh-Ali, tweeted after the Washington gathering. The government of Somalias President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared total war last year on the thousands of al-Shabab extremists who for more than a decade have controlled parts of the country and carried out devastating attacks while exploiting clan divisions and extorting millions of dollars a year in their quest to impose an Islamic state. The current offensive was sparked in part by local communities and militias driven to the brink by al-Shababs harsh taxation policies amid the countrys worst drought on record. Somalias government quickly lent support. Now neighbors Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti have agreed to a joint search and destroy military campaign. Somalia is recovering from decades of conflict, and the federal government is eager to shed the countrys history as a failed state and attract investment. Under the current president, the government is cracking down on al-Shababs financial network and encouraging religious authorities to reject the extremist groups propaganda even enlisting a former deputy al-Shabab leader as Somalias current minster for religious affairs. The U.S. has an estimated 450 military personnel in Somalia after President Joe Biden reversed his predecessor Donald Trumps decision to withdraw U.S. forces. The U.S. supports Somali forces and a multinational African Union force with drone strikes, intelligence and training. The increased support for the Somalia-led offensive comes as the AU force is set to withdraw from the country and hand over security responsibilities to Somalia by the end of 2024. Search Keywords: Short link: China lashed out at the United States on Tuesday, with the foreign minister accusing Washington of stoking tensions between the two powers and warning of "conflict and confrontation". The world's biggest economies have clashed in recent years over trade, human rights and other issues, but relations soured even further last month when the United States shot down a Chinese balloon it said was being used for surveillance -- a claim strenuously denied by Beijing. Beijing's new Foreign Minister Qin Gang told a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing National People's Congress (NPC) there would be "catastrophic consequences" if the United States carried on in its current direction. "If the United States does not hit the brakes but continues to speed down the wrong path, no amount of guardrails can prevent derailing, and there will surely be conflict and confrontation," Qin told journalists. "Who will bear the catastrophic consequences?" The foreign minister called American competition with China "a reckless gamble, with the stakes being the fundamental interests of two peoples and even the future of humanity". It was "a zero-sum game of life and death", he added. "Encirclement and suppression" Qin's comments came after President Xi Jinping slammed the United States for leading a "containment, encirclement and suppression of China", while urging his country's private sector to boost innovation and become more self-reliant. China's technology ambitions have been hit with a raft of restrictions by the United States and its Western allies, and Beijing has doubled down on the need to shift away from imports for sectors perceived as vital to national security, such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence. Washington has in recent months tightened sanctions on Chinese chipmakers, citing national security concerns and the risk of the technology being used by China's military. In a rare direct criticism of the United States, Xi told industry leaders on Monday that "Western countries led by the United States have implemented all-round containment, encirclement and suppression of China, which has brought unprecedented severe challenges to our country's development". Xi, who will be granted a third consecutive presidential term in the coming days at the highly choreographed NPC, said the past five years had been riddled with a new set of hurdles that threatened to weigh down China's economic rise. According to the state-run Xinhua news agency, Xi said China must "have the courage to fight as the country faces profound and complex changes in both the domestic and international landscape", in the address to delegates at the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which runs alongside the NPC. The 69-year-old said private firms "should take the initiative to pursue high-quality development", Xinhua reported late Monday. Xi also vowed to bolster China's manufacturing capacity and said the country should be able to fend for itself. "I've always said there are two critical areas for China: one is to safeguard our rice bowl, and the other is to build up a strong manufacturing sector," he said. "As a great nation of 1.4 billion people, we must rely on ourselves... We can't depend on international markets to save us." "Not a threat" In a wide-ranging press conference, former US ambassador Qin also dismissed warnings from Western countries that China may supply arms to Russia for its war in Ukraine, saying it would not accept "blame-shifting, sanctions, suppression and threats" targeting Beijing. China last month released a position paper outlining its stance on the Ukraine conflict, portraying itself as a neutral party and urging the two sides to enter peace negotiations. Beijing's claim to neutrality has been questioned by the United States and other Ukrainian allies, with Russia and China describing their bilateral relationship as having "no limits" just weeks before the invasion. Qin said China was "neither a creator of the crisis nor a party to it, and it has not provided weapons to any party", adding peace talks should start "as soon as possible". Beijing's relationship with Moscow is "not a threat to any country in the world", he said. Qin also reiterated the official line that China would "maintain the option of taking all necessary actions" to take Taiwan. He warned against "underestimating the strong determination, firm will and powerful ability of the Chinese government and Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity". Search Keywords: Short link: Navigation traffic in the Suez Canal recorded its highest ever daily transit rate, with 107 ships crossing from both directions without waiting and a total net tonnage of 6.3. million tons, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Osama Rabie said on Monday. The tally included 56 ships that entered the canal from the south with a net tonnage of 3.4 million tons, while 51 ships crossed from the north in the new navigational stream with a total net tonnage of 2.9 million tons, Rabie added. The giant container ship EVER GIFTED, classified as one of the largest container ships in the world with a total tonnage of 223,000 tons, crossed the canal from Greece to Malaysia, while the COSCO SHIPPING UNIVERSE container ship flying the Hong Kong flag came at the head of the southern convoy, with a total tonnage of 232,000 tons, on its journey from Singapore to Greece. Rabie attributed the increase in daily transit rates to the New Suez Canal project which has succeeded in increasing the canals capacity and raising the canals readiness to receive new and future generations of big ships with large drafts. The SCA published in late January an infograph comparing the navigation statistics in the Suez Canal between 2008-2014 and 2016-2022 -- before and after the inauguration of the New Suez Canal project that established a parallel path to part of the original one. Total revenues recorded $41.7 billion in the seven years after the operation of the new canal, up from $35.4 billion between 2008 and 2014, recording an increase of 17.8 percent, the SCA added in January. In January 2023, the canal registered the highest monthly revenue in its history, reaching $802 million, surpassing the record achieved in August 2022 by $56.4 million. Rabie stressed on Monday that these unprecedented rates are the result of developments in the navigational course. He added the southern sector of the canal was developed to increase navigational safety by 28 percent and the capacity of the canal by about six ships. In February 2022, Rabie said work was underway to extend the two-way segment of the Suez Canal by 10 kilometres as part of the countrys plan to constantly improve the international waterway. The two-way traffic segment will be extended from the current 72 to 82 kilometres, Rabie said in the first news conference on the process, which began in June 2021. Search Keywords: Short link: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged Monday to increase UK military funding by 5 billion pounds ($6 billion) over the next two years in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine and the epoch-defining challenge posed by China. The increase, part of a major update to UK foreign and defense policy, is less than military officials wanted. Sunak said the UK would increase military spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product in the longer term, but did not set a date. Britain currently spends just over 2% of GDP on defense, and military chiefs want it to rise to 3%. The extra money will be used, in part, to replenish Britains ammunition stocks, depleted from supplying Ukraine in its defense against Russia. Some will also go towards a UK-US-Australia deal to build nuclear-powered submarines. Sunak is meeting US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in San Diego on Monday to confirm next steps for the military pact, known as AUKUS, struck by the three countries in 2021 amid mounting concern about Chinas actions in the Pacific. Under the deal, new nuclear-powered, conventionally armed subs for Australia's forces are to be built in Australia and the UK with US. technology and support. Britain last produced a defense, security and foreign policy framework, known as the Integrated Review, in 2021. The government ordered an update in response to an increasingly volatile world. The new report, released Monday, said that we are now in a period of heightened risk and volatility that is likely to last beyond the 2030s. Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine upended European security order, and the review said Russia poses the most acute threat to the UK's security. The UK is also increasingly concerned about what the government calls the epoch-defining challenge presented by the Chinese Communist Partys increasingly concerning military, financial and diplomatic activity. The defense review said that "wherever the Chinese Communist Partys actions and stated intent threaten the UKs interests, we will take swift and robust action to protect them. Britains intelligence agencies have expressed growing concern about Chinas military might, covert activities and economic muscle. Ken McCallum, head of domestic spy agency MI5, said in November that the activities of the Chinese Communist Party pose the most game-changing strategic challenge to the UK That concern has sparked a government-wide catch-up campaign on China, including Mandarin-language training for British officials and a push to secure new sources of critical minerals that are essential to technology. The review does not brand China itself a threat to the UK and Sunak has stressed the need for economic ties with China, to the annoyance of more hawkish members of the governing Conservative Party. Speaking as he travelled to the US, Sunak said China's Communist government is increasingly authoritarian at home and assertive abroad, and has a desire to reshape the world order. But, he added, you cant ignore China given the size of its economy. Its right to engage with China, on the issues that we can find common ground and make a difference on, for example climate change, global health, macroeconomic stability, he said. Thats the right approach whilst being very robust in defending our values and our interests. Search Keywords: Short link: Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a state visit to Moscow next week, where he will hold talks with his strategic ally Vladimir Putin just over a year into Russia's war in Ukraine. Xi will be in Russia from Monday to Wednesday, Beijing's foreign ministry and the Kremlin said on Friday. China's foreign ministry called Xi's trip "a visit for peace" that aimed to "practice true multilateralism... improve global governance and make contributions to the development and progress of the world". The two leaders would exchange views on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues, ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference. "At present, changes not seen in a century are rapidly evolving, and the world has entered a new period of turmoil," he said. "China will uphold its objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks." The Kremlin said the two presidents would speak about "strategic cooperation" and "discuss deepening the exhaustive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China". Xi's visit comes just over a year after Russia invaded Ukraine, kicking off a war that has isolated Moscow on the international stage. China, a major Russian ally, has sought to position itself as a neutral party in the conflict, urging Moscow and Kyiv to resolve it through negotiations. In a 12-point position paper on the war last month, China called for dialogue and respect for all countries' territorial sovereignty. But Western leaders have repeatedly criticized Beijing for failing to condemn the invasion, accusing it of providing Moscow with diplomatic cover for its war. The United States has accused China of mulling arms shipments to support Russia's war -- claims Beijing has strongly denied. China the peacemaker? Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said in February he was planning to meet Xi after Beijing called for talks. The Chinese foreign ministry did not confirm on Friday whether he planned to do so. However, the two nations' foreign ministers held a phone call on Thursday, the first since China's Qin Gang took office. Qin urged Kyiv and Moscow to restart peace talks "as soon as possible", adding that "China is concerned that the crisis could escalate and get out of control", according to an official readout. His Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba said the call included discussion of "the significance of the principle of territorial integrity", without giving details. Formerly socialist allies with a tempestuous relationship, in recent years China and Russia have deepened cooperation in the economic, military and political sectors as part of what they call a "no limits" partnership. Both sides have frequently emphasised the close relationship between Putin and Xi, who began a third five-year term as president this month in a break with longstanding precedent. Xi last visited Russia in 2019, while Putin attended the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing last year and the two leaders also met at a regional security gathering in Uzbekistan in September. Xi, 69, also helped spur a China-mediated deal to restore ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran last week. "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 Ja-Ian Chong, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore. "Their previous peace plan was more about general principles than actionable proposals," the specialist in Chinese foreign policy told AFP. Search Keywords: Short link: Sudanese civilian officials and military commanders agreed to sign a final agreement in April paving the way for the transfer of power to civilians, Khalid Omer, the process spokesman announced, according to the Sudan Tribune newspaper. The spokesmans comments came during a press briefing following a pair of meetings on Sunday featuring civilian officials and commanders from the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Omer told reporters that the second meeting approved the formation of an eleven-member committee to draft the final agreement, including nine representatives of the signatory civilian forces, a representative of the national army and another from the paramilitary RSF. The committee has to submit the final draft agreement no later than 27 March, he added. He further said that during the first of Sundays meetings, attended by the head of the Sovereign Council, the participants agreed to sign the final agreement on 11 April. The [signing of the] transitional constitution will take place on the sixth of April, while the formation of the institutions of the transitional authority will be on the 11th of April, he stressed. He further underscored that the non-signatories were invited to Sundays meetings but they did not attend. He said a committee has been formed to reach out to the non-participating groups. The tripartite facilitation panel and the deputy head of the Sovereign Council spoke about constructive discussions with the non-signatories after two separate meetings held with them on Friday and Saturday. However, the Democratic Bloc Spokesman Mohamed Zakaria said that their meetings with the trilateral panel and the deputy head of the Sovereign council were meant to ensure the participation of the whole coalition of the non-signatories. The Democratic Bloc did not participate in a meeting organised by the Trilateral Mechanism. We call for fair representation of the parties, an agreement on the decision-making mechanism and the terms of reference for dialogue, said Zakaria in a tweet posted on Sunday evening. We want to know who decides on the eligibility of the participants. Who decides that four (groups of the Democratic Bloc) only attend the meeting and not the others? Also, we reject the framework agreement and we want to agree on the agenda of discussions, he further told Sudan Tribune. Zakaria underscored that they would peacefully oppose any government formed on the basis of the framework agreement. On 5th of December 2022, civilians and the military signed the framework agreement that stipulates the military's departure from power and the formation of a transitional civilian government with full powers. The agreement comes more than a year after the overthrow of the previous civilian government headed by Abdallah Hamdok in October 2021. Search Keywords: Short link: Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on Monday blasted as "inflammatory" remarks made by far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that Palestinians do not exist. "There are no Palestinians, because there are no Palestinian people," Smotrich said Sunday, quoting French-Israeli Zionist activist Jacques Kupfer, speaking at an event in Paris according to a video circulating on social media. "After 2,000 years of exile, the prophecies of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Isaiah are beginning to come true and God is gathering his people, the people of Israel are returning home", Smotrich said. "There are Arabs around who don't like it, so what do they do? They invent a fictitious people and claim fictitious rights to the land of Israel, only to fight the Zionist movement", he added. Smotrich last year became a minister in the cabinet of Israel's veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu, which analysts have called the most right-wing government in the country's history. "It is the historical truth, it is the biblical truth... the Arabs in Israel must hear it, as well as certain Jews who are confused in Israel, this truth must be heard here at the Elysee Palace (in Paris), and at the White House in Washington, and everyone must hear this truth," Smotrich continued. Shtayyeh, speaking before a cabinet meeting of the Palestinian Authority on Monday, said the "inflammatory statements are consistent with the first Zionist sayings of 'a land without a people for a people without a land'". He said the comments were "conclusive evidence of the extremist, racist Zionist ideology... of the current Israeli government." Smotrich and his Religious Zionism group have a history of making incendiary remarks about Palestinians. In February, Smotrich called for the Palestinian town of Huwara in the occupied West Bank to be "wiped out" after two Israelis were shot dead by an alleged Hamas militant. Hundreds of rampaging Israeli settlers later torched Palestinian homes and cars in the West Bank town. Search Keywords: Short link: Israel's Foreign Ministry on Monday evening released a statement affirming that it is committed to the countries' 1994 peace agreement. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich delivered a speech in Paris denying the existence of the Palestinian people behind a map of Greater Israel that includes the occupied West Bank, Gaza and Jordan which triggered the anger of the Jordanian Kingdom and the Palestainians. Jordans Foreign Ministry said that Smotrichs appearance with the icon was a reckless inflammatory act and a violation of international norms and the peace treaty" between the two countries. The Israeli foreign ministry tweeted shortly afterwards to clarify There has been no change in the position of the State of Israel, which recognizes the territorial integrity of the Hashemite Kingdom." Israel is committed to the 1994 peace agreement with Jordan. There has been no change in the position of the State of Israel, which recognizes the territorial integrity of the Hashemite Kingdom. Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) March 20, 2023 Late on Monday, Jordan summons Israeli ambassador to protest flag during ultra-nationalist minister's speech at a podium with a flag of an expanded Israel with borders that incorporates Jordan, Petra News Agency tweeted. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said Smotrich's remarks were conclusive evidence of the extremist, racist Zionist ideology that governs the parties of the current Israeli government. Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, dubbed the minister's remarks "completely unhelpful", stressing the Palestinian people "obviously" exists. "We continue to support their rights and to push for a two-state solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he said. A far-right settler leader who opposes Palestinian statehood, Smotrich has a history of offensive statements against the Palestinians. Last month, he called for the Palestinian town of Hawara in the West Bank to be erased after radical Jewish settlers rampaged through the town in response to a shooting attack that killed two Israelis. Smotrich later apologized after an international uproar. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi issued directives on Monday to pardon all the indebted men and women currently at the reform and rehabilitation centres of the Interior Ministry ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. El-Sisi announced his directives during the celebration on Monday of Egyptian Women's Day. Earlier, the President held a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of social solidarity Nevine Al-Qabbaj to discuss the efforts of the National Committee to limit the number of indebted men and women within the framework of the Presidential initiative Egypt supports those in debt. In statements to the media, Minister of Interior Mahmoud Tawfik stated that 85 indebted men and women would be released shortly following the Presidents directives, adding that El-Sisi also instructed to support those in debt during their imprisonment. In April 2022, the Presidential Pardon Committee, which was initially formed in October 2016, was reactivated as per El-Sisis directives during the Egyptian Family Iftar banquet. The committee is in charge of reviewing the cases of those imprisoned for political crimes and others who meet certain criteria, such as having more than one relative in jail. The scope of the committee, which started work immediately upon reactivation, has been expanded to cooperation with state institutions and NGOs and to include male and female indebted prisoners. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi held discussions on Sunday with a delegation of senior Russian officials regarding the development of economic relations and joint projects between the two countries, according to a statement released by the Egyptian Presidency. The visiting delegation was led by Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia's deputy foreign minister and President Vladimir Putin's special envoy to the Middle East, and included Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry Denis Manturov. The talks focused on strengthening Egyptian-Russian economic relations, in light of the strategic partnership between the two nations, through various bilateral mechanisms for cooperation. Among these mechanisms is the joint committee for trade, economic, scientific, and technical cooperation between the two countries, which is currently holding its fourteenth session in Cairo. The meeting also addressed developments in Russian investments and joint projects in Egypt, particularly the Dabaa nuclear power plant, and the establishment of the Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which will facilitate joint manufacturing projects and the localisation of industry for export to different markets. Discussions also touched on cooperation in the field of grain and food supply, in light of the current global crisis. During the meeting, Egyptian and Russian officials emphasised their mutual interest in continuing to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Finance Mohammed Maait, and Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir, according to the Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency, Ahmed Fahmy. Search Keywords: Short link: 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: Egypt launched on Sunday the new stage of the Egyptian Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Combatting Unit (EMLCU), in line with international standards like the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The EMLCU aims to boost the national economy and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by protecting financial and non-financial sectors in Egypt from the hazards of money laundering, terrorism financing and armament, said the Chairman of the EMLCU, Ahmed Said Khalil. Khalil said that the unit aims to coordinate with members of its national committee to consistently update the strategy in a manner that keeps up with regional and international developments. Khalil lauded the tireless efforts exerted by the national committee members that allowed for the launch of the strategy in record time. Khalil further added that the new stage complies with international standards and is mindful of the recommendations given by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental organisation founded on the initiative of the international Group of Seven (G7) in developing policies to combat money laundering. He called for taking real steps on the ground to put into effect the strategys goals. In 2022, Egypt adopted a national strategy to combat terrorism and its financing following the continuous development of the mechanisms used to commit these crimes, Khali announced in September at the Forum on Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing. This was about the increase in internet users over the past two decades. This led to the House of Representatives approval of government-drafted legislative amendments to the 20-year-old anti-money laundering law (Law 80/2002). President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis ratification of the Anti-Cyber and Information Technology Crimes Law in 2018 was also concerned with combating extremist and terrorist organisations using the internet to plan terrorist attacks. The EMLCU was initially launched in 2002 as an independent unit at the Central Bank of Egypt to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Search Keywords: Short link: Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam headed to the United States on Monday to participate in the UN Conference for the Midterm Review of the Water Decade, which is scheduled to be held in New York City 22 to 24 March. Sewilem stated that Egypts participation in this important conference comes as part of its efforts to mobilise the international community to support water issues, given that the global water challenges negatively affect many countries worldwide, especially developing countries. During the conference, Sewilam is scheduled to discuss the action plan of the Adaptation in the Water Sector initiative, which was launched by Egypt during the most recent UN Climate Conference (COP27). The minister will also hold many bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the conference with ministers and senior officials from countries as well as regional and international organisations concerned with water. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 2018 that 2018-2028 would be the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development. In the mid-term review conference, which overlaps with World Water Day on 22 March, countries will review their progress in implementing the decades goals, identify the obstacles facing them and develop innovative ways to support their implementation. Egypt, one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, is paying particular attention to water issues. It has held five editions of Cairo Water Week to address related challenges. Egypt needs 114 billion cubic metres (bcm) annually, but it receives an average of only 60 bcm, mainly from the Nile River, in light of the minimal amounts of rainwater and groundwater in the desert. Egypt is working on filling the gap by reusing agricultural wastewater and groundwater, in addition to importing food products that would otherwise consume 34 bcm of water annually to produce. Egypt has drawn up a strategy for its water resources through 2050 at a cost of up to EGP 900 billion (about $57.3 billion). The water issue is also included in its recently issued National Strategy for Climate Change 2050. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has stressed the importance of continuing to promote women's rights as being the right path towards establishing a healthy and balanced society based on justice and fairness. El-Sisi's remarks came during the celebration on Monday of Egyptian Women's Day. During the celebration, the president announced several decisions in support of Egyptian women. "Women have proven time after time that they are an endless source of support and awareness and a unique mixture of reason and heart, objectivity and emotions, making [them] a tremendous driving force for the nation during ordeals and hardships, before pleasant times," he added. El-Sisi said that Egyptian women deserve better. He instructed the government to increase representation of women in the boards of directors of public bodies, business sector companies and affiliated companies. The president also gave directions to provide more training opportunities to women so that more qualified women occupy senior positions in the state, particularly in the fields of technology and digitisation The president also gave instructions to the government to build women's capacities under the national project for the development of the Egyptian family and various development programmes through helping them implement small green projects that include sustainable income-generating activities, as well as through providing opportunities for them to benefit from digital savings and loan projects. In addition, El-Sisi urged legislative and institutional support for womens small and micro enterprises by facilitating the procedures of banking regulations as well as by integrating these projects into the activities of industrial complexes. He also gave instructions to follow up on the equal pay index between genders and to take the necessary measures to ensure the sustainable improvement of this indicator. The president also issued directives to protect working women and guarantee their rights in the draft of the labor law. During the event, the president announced that he was granting a presidential pardon to all debtors whether men or women who are serving sentences in reform and rehabilitation centres, and that they would be released before the holy month of Ramadan. "The Egyptian woman has always been the key to every narrative, the source of giving, patience and endurance; an icon of persistence, determination, and success," he noted. I don't have a bias towards women," the president asserted, adding that he is attempting to establish equality. "Egyptian women played an essential part in safeguarding Egypt in 2013 and beyond," he pointed out. On the personal status law, El-Sisi reaffirmed the state's keenness to make a balanced and objective personal status law that protects the family. He asserted that there will be a lot of discussion about the legislation in society. During the celebration, El-Sisi honoured several ladies from various socioeconomic groups in Egypt. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt received the first shipment of the adapted bivalent Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19, said the Ministry of Health and Population on Sunday, adding that the cargo contained around 599,040 doses. The shipment, delivered by Sweden and France via the COVAX Facility, is part of a total of two million doses expected to be delivered within a week, the ministry added. The new vaccine works effectively against the new variants of COVID-19, including Omicron, said health ministry spokesman Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, adding that vaccinated individuals will receive a booster dose. The modified vaccine will be available at vaccination centres across the country after being tested by the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), Abdel-Ghaffar added, as the country seeks to diversify and expand its supply of COVID-19 vaccines. The state spares no effort to provide vaccines to citizens nationwide for free, Abdel-Ghaffar said. The adapted vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent) is authorised for use by both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and EDA, added the statement. The vaccine was originally released in September 2022 and soon approved by both the WHO and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Those who wish to receive the vaccine should register through the vaccination website, according to the statement. The pandemic took a heavy toll on Egyptians in 2020-2021 before it subsided in 2022. The country has recorded 515,792 infections and 24,815 deaths since the outbreak, according to WHO's Eastern Mediterranean region office (EMRO). Egypt began the process of administering booster shots for fully vaccinated individuals in December 2021. About 39 percent of the countrys population are fully vaccinated, according to EMRO. Search Keywords: Short link: Ahd Demiana (Demianas Testament), Osama Abdel-Raouf El-Shazli, Dar Al-Ruwaq Publishing, Cairo 2023 pp.398 The novels setting is distributed between Qus, Alexandria and Al-Fustat and is written in a flashback style, which was a bit confusing. The novel, which almost all its characters are Christians, revolves around Wasen, the young Upper Egyptian Copt girl, who wants to be a nun. However, her kismet was for something totally different. During a round of Tahteeb (stick-fencing), Mina, her rich honey merchant father accuses the Muslim player of cheating and a brawl ensues in which this player is killed. Mina was accused of inciting strife between Muslims and Christians and the Qus governor orders Mina to be disgraced (riding a donkey in a reversed position) for drinking wine in public and whipped one hundred lashes. By seventy lashes, Mina dies. El-Shazli describes Mina, who had refused to set a foot in a church in protest of the church fathers decision to welcome Arabs into Egypt and who were interested only in gaining money, as a Messiah without a message. One of the governors soldiers hit Wasen so violently breaking one of her ribs so she becomes unconscious. She seeks reguse in a nearby home, but falls unconscious when the door opens. The house is occupied by a masked man, who treats her broken rib, but conceals his identity and her whereabouts to her by making her consume cannabis. In the meantime, her cousin, Butrus, searches for her. Eventually, he finds her and insists on marrying her when he learns that she neither knows where she was kept and nor the man who saved her. However, Wasen refuses. Later, after languishing in prison, Butrus breaks into Wasens house and attacks her, only to meet his end when she kicks him from the rooftop. In a parallel story line, the story of a young girl, Ward, unfolds. She had been seized forcibly from her parents by the Turk Kipchaks and sold to Ali Ibn Al-Sallar, the Alexandria Governor. Ward confronts Ibn Al-Sallar and informs him that she is a free Christian girl, prompting him to free her and allocate an allowance to her and her offspring until his death. She is obliged to live in his palace after she discovers that her parents are dead. She marries an old man named Sadaqa although he belongs to another denomination, and gives birth to Yusuf, the masked man who saved Wasen. It transpires that Yusuf has been on a secret mission to obtain petrol bombs (the Arabs were the first to use petroleum as such a weapon), hence why he is masked. He is a bookworm and becomes a penman. While writing a copy of the Letters of the Brethren of Purity, Friends of Loyalty (a secret Islamic society) over a year, he begins to be influenced immensely by their ideas, which were considered subversive at the time. This novels women are strong-willed as shown in a number of situations; the aforementioned confrontation between Ward and Ibn Al-Sallar, Ward paying a cart driver ten times the fare value to transport her from Alexandria to Al-Fustat to meet Ibn Al-Sallar to revoke the execution verdict of her son. In another situation, Wasen decides to buy an entire grain convoy in order to feed the Abu-Hennis monastery priests and the surrounding inhabitants after Arab Bedouins attacked the monastery and emptied it of grains. The poisonous atmosphere in palaces where plots, counterplots, betrayals, double-crosses and triple-crosses is the order of the day in the novel. Yusuf gets involved in politics with Egyptian Muslims, intending to drive away European ships besieging Damietta from the sea. Consequently, Yusuf is engaged in a plot aimed at overthrowing the Fatimid Dynasty and joins the assassination of Abbas Ibn Abu-Al-Futuh, who slaughtered his father-in-law Ibn Al-Sallar in order to become the vizier of the Fatimid caliph. Yusufs participation was an act of revenge for the man who freed his mother and saved his own head, despite his later claims that was was only setting things right.Yusuf was crucified for three days and was about to be hanged for committing adultery with Yustina, the governors sons female slave and mother of his son Al-Hussein. The novel is full of many strange things. One of these is that, Ward, who was most devout, does not instil in Yusuf either her creed nor her denomination. Another was her reaction towards her sons adultery. She did not even reprove him in the slightest, just telling him to ask for Gods forgiveness! Yusuf keeps receiving letters from Yustina, who ran away to her birthplace in northern Syria, informing him that she gave birth to his daughter, naming her Demiana. In her final letter, she tells him that she is dying from the plague and has sent Demiana to Yusuf with a slave seller. She asks Yusuf to rear Demiana and her brother Al-Hussein. Yusuf takes Demiana and leaves her with Wasen, who did not tell him that she loved him with all her heart, to bring her up. Due to this participation, he is arrested for trying to smuggle Al-Hussein from the palace and is hit with an arrow in his chest. An unbelievable episode starts between Yusuf and the jailer who was called Ahraman (Satan in Persian) for his cruelty. This very jailer cauterises Yusufs chest wound, thus saving his life. When Ahraman is ordered to kill Yusuf, he bathes him and shaves his head like Pharaonic priests. Then Ahraman decides not to behead Yusuf as all his predecessors, but to bestow on him immortality through mummification. Yet, the reader does not know how Yusuf is killed in the first place! Ahraman puts Yusuf body in a Pharaonic sarcophagus that he brought all the way to Cairo after his father found it while searching for antiquities to sell. Finally, Yusufs funeral is arranged. Tens of Christians attend along with Sheikh Ibn Al-Kizani, a Sufi figurehead at the time, and his followers in an unconvincingly surreal scene. Yusuf insists that Al-Kizani was the one who baptised him when he was boy. However, it might be interpreted that the Pharaonic symbol (sarcophagus) led the procession with two wings; one Christian the other is Muslim epitomising Egypt. In the eponymous testament, which Yusuf has left in a casket with Wasen to give to Demiana, it transpires that his religious belief transcended all organised religions. He advises her to make all her choices out of her free will and never to leave her brother Al-Hussein for they complement each other. Unfortunately, the author falls in the trap of anachronism that marks many historical novels. Mawhoob, one of the revolutionary leaders against Fatimid rule, tells Yusuf about the necessity of Egypt having an army of its own to defend it. Yet, this only takes place seven centuries later at the hands of an Ottoman ruler, Muhammad Ali! When Yusufs jailer asks him about what he stole, he replies that he stole love, justice, dignity and loyalty. And when asked from whom he replied from those spreading hatred and being strengthened through injustice and terrorising through humiliation and breathing treason. Uttering such profound words was so poetic, so unrealistic for a persons perception living in this era. Early on, the novel mentions the injustices befalling Christians at the hands of Muslims. The Shia-Sunni conflict is always present in the background, manifesting itself between the Shia Fatimid rulers of Egypt and their Sunni opponents from within and from without. Roses and herbs have a prominent presence throughout the novels ninety-one chapters. It would be unfair to compare this novel with El-Shazlis little gem The Papers of Shimon the Egyptian (reviewed here). Search Keywords: Short link: Kenyan riot police fired tear gas Monday to disperse demonstrators gathered in Nairobi for a day of action called by the opposition to protest the country's punishing cost of living crisis, AFP correspondents said. The government of President William Ruto has vowed to take a tough stance over the demonstrations, which opposition leader Raila Odinga vowed would go ahead despite not receiving police authorisation. Demonstrators also hurled rocks at anti-riot police outside government offices in the capital, while about two dozen people were arrested, including two opposition MPs, correspondents at the scene said. "We will be here until they run out of tear gas," said one protester, Markings Nyamweya, 27. In one part of Nairobi's biggest slum Kibera, demonstrators also set tyres alight, AFP journalists said. "I want Kenyans to come out in large numbers and show the displeasure of what is happening in our country," Odinga, who narrowly lost last year's election to Ruto, told supporters on Sunday. Kenyans are suffering from surging prices for basic necessities, as well as a sharp drop in the local shilling against the US dollar and a record drought that has left millions hungry. "We came here peacefully but they tear gassed us," said Charles Oduor, 21. "They lie to us everyday. Where is the cheap maize flour they promised? Where are the jobs for the youth they promised? All they do is hire their friends." Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei said on Sunday that police received requests to hold two demonstrations only late Saturday and early Sunday, when normally three days' notice is required for public rallies. "For public safety, neither has been granted," he said. Skyrocketing cost of living Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki warned on Sunday that anyone inciting public disorder or disturbing the peace would be prosecuted. "Day of showdown," was the headline in Kenya's The Standard newspaper on Monday. Many businesses in Nairobi were shut ahead of the demonstrations, with some employers telling their staff to work from home. Odinga said he called the demonstrations to protest the "skyrocketing" cost of living and the "stolen" election last August. "Since Mr Ruto was sworn in six months ago, he has continued to run the country with a lot of contempt," he said, highlighting the high cost of basics such as fuel, cooking oil, school fees and electricity. Odinga, leader of the Azimio la Umoja party, has long protested that the August election was fraudulent and denounced Ruto's government as "illegitimate". According to official results, Odinga -- who was making his fifth bid for the presidency -- lost to Ruto by around 233,000 votes, one of the closest margins in the country's history. The Supreme Court dismissed his appeals, with its judges giving a unanimous ruling in favour of Ruto, finding there was no evidence for Odinga's accusations. Ruto for his part declared that he would not be intimidated by the opposition demonstrations, saying: "You are not going to threaten us with ultimatums and chaos and impunity." "We will not allow that," he said, calling on Odinga to act in a "legal and constitutional manner". Search Keywords: Short link: Kyiv on Monday called on Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine, hours ahead of a highly anticipated visit to Russia by Chinese President Xi Jinping, his first to Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine. "The formula for the successful implementation of China's 'Peace Plan'. The first and foremost point is the surrender or withdrawal of Russian occupation forces from (Ukrainian territory) in accordance with international law and the UN Charter," the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, Oleksiy Danilov, wrote on Twitter. The call comes as the Chinese and Russian leaders applauded on Monday the solidity of their alliance as the Chinese leader headed to Moscow for a summit with the internationally isolated Russian president. Xi described his trip as a "journey of friendship, cooperation and peace", though China has been criticised by Western nations for what they consider tacit backing and diplomatic cover for Russia's war in Ukraine. "I look forward to working with President Putin to jointly adopt a new vision" for relations, Xi wrote in a signed article in the newspaper Russian Gazette that was also carried by Chinese state news agency Xinhua. China has sought to portray itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine war, and its foreign ministry said last week that Beijing would "play a constructive role in promoting peace talks" between Kyiv and Moscow. Beijing in February issued a 12-point position paper calling for dialogue and respect for all countries' territorial sovereignty. Putin has welcomed Beijing's statements on Ukraine as being indicative of a willingness to play a "constructive role" in ending the conflict, while saying Chinese-Russian relations were "at the highest point". 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: A new report says an estimated 43,000 people died amid the longest drought on record in Somalia last year and half of them likely were children. It is the first official death toll announced in the drought withering large parts of the Horn of Africa. At least 18,000 people are forecast to die in the first six months of this year. The current crisis is far from over, says the report released Monday by the World Health Organization and the United Nations childrens agency and carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Somalia and neighboring Ethiopia and Kenya are facing a sixth consecutive failed rainy season while rising global food prices complicate the hunger crisis. The U.N. and partners earlier this year said they were no longer forecasting a formal famine declaration for Somalia for now but called the situation extremely critical with more than 6 million people hungry in that country alone. Famine is the extreme lack of food and a significant death rate from outright starvation or malnutrition combined with diseases like cholera. A formal famine declaration means data shows more than a fifth of households have extreme food gaps, more than 30% of children are acutely malnourished and over two people out of 10,000 are dying every day. Some humanitarian and climate officials this year have warned that trends are worse than in the 2011 famine in Somalia in which a quarter-million people died. Millions of livestock have died in the current crisis compounded by climate change and insecurity as Somalia battles thousands of fighters with al-Qaidas East Africa affiliate, al-Shabab. The U.N. migration agency says 3.8 million people are displaced, a record high. A food security assessment released last month said nearly a half-million children in Somalia are likely to be severely malnourished this year. This time, the world is looking elsewhere, many humanitarian officials say. Many of the traditional donors have washed their hands and focused on Ukraine, the U.N. resident coordinator in Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula, told the visiting U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, during a briefing in Mogadishu in January. Search Keywords: Short link: Israeli settlers burst into the Old City of Hebron on Monday as local sources reported seeing settlers breaking the doors and ransacking Palestinian stores using pickaxes and crow bars, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. These stores are no longer accessible to their Palestinian owners having been closed by occupation authorities for 23 years. They are located in the Bab Al-Khan area, west of the Ibrahimi Mosque. The Old City currently houses roughly 160,000 Palestinian Muslims and 800 Israeli settlers who live in compounds heavily guarded by Israeli troops, according to WAFA. Not so far away dozens of Israeli settlers broke into the compounds of Al-Aqsa Mosque in east Jerusalem, Islamic Waqf confirmed, taking provocative tours in its compounds while performing Talmudic rituals in the eastern part of the Mosque under heavy protection from Israeli police. At the same time, Israeli forces hiked tensions and detained nine Palestinians from several areas in the occupied West Bank on Monday, WAFA reported. In a separate incident Israeli forces sealed off Palestinian-owned stores in the village of Huwara, the epicenter of settler violence in the last weeks. These events come after security officials from Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Jordan and the United States met on Sunday in Egypts Sharm El-Sheikh to support de-escalation between the Palestinians and Israel in what was deemed a follow-up meeting to the Aqaba summit in Jordan in February. 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 Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. However, Islamist group Hamas, according to AFP, denounced efforts to calm tensions saying 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", Abu Marzouk added. In the same vein, 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: Yemen's Huthi rebels and the internationally recognised government have agreed at talks in Switzerland to swap more than 880 prisoners, both sides said Monday as efforts accelerate to end the war. The agreed exchange comes after Saudi Arabia and Iran, who back opposing sides in the conflict, this month moved towards restoring diplomatic ties after a seven-year rupture. "An agreement has been reached to implement a (prisoner) swap" that will see more than 880 people released in total, said Abdul Qader al-Murtada, the leading Huthi delegate to the talks in Bern, according to the rebel's Al-Masirah TV channel. The exchange is set to take place within weeks, he said. The Huthis seized control of the capital Sanaa in 2014, prompting a Saudi-led intervention the following year and fighting that has left hundreds of thousands dead and caused one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. A UN-brokered ceasefire that took effect last April brought a sharp reduction in hostilities. The truce expired in October, though fighting largely remains on hold. Under the agreement, the Iran-backed Huthis will release 181 detainees in exchange for 706 prisoners, said Murtada, who heads the Huthi's National Committee for Prisoners' Affairs. "The swap will be implemented after three weeks," Murtada said, noting there are plans for another round of prisoner-exchange talks in coming months. Majed Fadail, a member of the Yemeni government's delegation, said that the Huthis would release former defence minister Mahmoud al-Subaihi and other officials, as well as four journalists. A Yemeni government official, who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the press, said 15 Saudi citizens and three Sudanese nationals were among those to be freed. The Yemeni government welcomed the agreement in a statement released by the official Saba news agency, praising efforts by the UN and the ICRC to facilitate the deal. Diplomatic momentum The prisoner swap was announced after Hans Grundberg, the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Yemen, last week noted "intense diplomatic efforts" to end the conflict. The negotiations in Switzerland, overseen by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), started earlier this month. The UN and the ICRC have yet to comment on the deal. The latest closed-door negotiations mark the seventh meeting aimed at implementing an agreement on prisoner exchanges reached in Sweden five years ago. Under that deal, the sides agreed "to release all prisoners, detainees, missing persons, arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared persons, and those under house arrest", held in connection with the conflict, "without any exceptions or conditions". The latest agreement comes a year after the Huthis said they had agreed to a prisoner swap that would see 1,400 rebels freed in exchange for 823 pro-government fighters -- including 16 Saudis and three Sudanese nationals. In 2020, more than 1,050 detainees were released following an agreement reached by the warring parties, according to the ICRC. During a Security Council meeting last week, UN officials said the detente between Saudi Arabia and Iran should offer momentum towards peace. However, it will not solve all the problems in Yemen, where the influence of the two regional powers is only one dimension of an increasingly complex conflict, analysts warn. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: The UK on Monday sanctioned more senior officials of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including financiers and commanders, in its latest set of asset freezes and visa bans. The government said it was slapping sanctions on five board directors of a foundation which manages the IRGC's domestic investments, as well as two provincial commanders of the state security service. It follows a flurry of other sanctions against Iranian officials by London, the European Union and the United States in recent months over Tehran's bloody crackdown on protesters. "Today we are taking action on the senior leaders within the IRGC who are responsible for funnelling money into the regime's brutal repression," said UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. "Together with our partners around the world, we will continue to stand with the Iranian people as they call for fundamental change in Iran." The UK has imposed dozens of asset freezes and UK travel bans since the start of the year on Iranian individuals and organisations, including leading IRGC commanders and Tehran's prosecutor general. The last set of sanctions in January followed Iran announcing that it had executed British-Iranian dual citizen Alireza Akbari for spying for the UK, prompting widespread Western outrage. Demonstrations have swept Iran since the September 16 death in custody of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, 22, after her arrest for allegedly failing to adhere to the Islamic republic's strict dress rules. Iran has since arrested at least thousands of people in the wave of protests, according to the United Nations and rights groups. Search Keywords: Short link: A top Iranian official said Iran and Iraq have agreed on new mechanisms, enabling the former to use its frozen oil and electricity exports money in the latter's banks, official news agency IRNA reported on Monday. Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani made the remarks in an interview with IRNA following his Sunday visit to Iraq. Shamkhani said the new mechanisms will allow Iran to use its arrears, currently frozen in Iraqi banks due to the US sanctions, to purchase essential goods. He stressed that these mechanisms, along with the agreements reached with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during his Thursday trip to Abu Dhabi on facilitating bilateral trade through using the UAE's national currency dirham, will help improve the Iranian foreign currency market. Shamkhani added the trip to Iraq was in line with the Iranian government's efforts to improve relations with neighbors and said the previous visits to China and the UAE by him and his team all led to significant achievements. He noted that during the visit to Iraq, solutions were worked out in talks with high-ranking economic, banking, political and security Iraqi officials to remove obstacles to enhance all-out cooperation. During his trip, the two countries also signed an agreement on security cooperation to protect their common border. Iraq has secured special waivers from the US sanctions on Iran to be able to import natural gas and electricity from its eastern neighbor. However, the sanctions, which also target Iran's banking relations with the rest of the world, have made it difficult for Baghdad to pay for its energy imports from the country. In early January, the governor of the Iranian central bank put the value of Iran's frozen money at Iraqi banks at 10 billion US dollars, according to Iran's Tejarat News website. Search Keywords: Short link: Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou will visit China next week, in what a spokesman called a bid to ease tensions between the self-ruled island and the mainland. Ma presided over a period of warm ties with Beijing, but left office under a cloud after a trade deal with the mainland failed to win approval amid the island's largest protests since the 1990s. Although the former president is visiting in a private capacity, his stature as a former leader gives the trip political overtones. Ma's proposed visit comes as China's People Liberation Army sends fighter jets towards Taiwan on a near daily basis, and as official communications between the two governments have broken off. China's ruling government claims Taiwan is part of its national territory, but Taiwan's governing Democratic Progressive Party says it's already a sovereign state that is not part of China. Ma, whos a member of the opposition Nationalist Party (Kuomingtang), will lead a delegation of academics and students as well as his former presidential staffers from March 27 to April 7, his office said Sunday. The office of President Tsai Ing-wen said Ma had notified the office of his plans Monday and that they hoped Ma, in his role as the former head of state ... can show the value of Taiwans democracy and freedom and the position of equality and dignity in cross-strait exchanges. He will visit Nanjing, Wuhan and Changsha, as well as other cities, said Hsiao Hsu-tsen, the director of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation on Monday, at a press conference in Taipei. Hsiao also announced that he would bring college students from Taiwan to meet with students from Shanghai's Fudan University and Changsha's Hunan University. He strongly believes as both sides of the Straits have entered this frozen situation in recent years, allowing young people to have an exchange will help reduce tensions, Hsiao said, referring to the former President. I think no matter how many weapons we buy, it's not as good as having young people from both sides understand each other, and deepen their exchange. Ma will not go to Beijing, China's capital, Hsiao said. The trip is also a chance for him to honor his ancestors, he added, ahead of Tomb Sweeping Day on April 5. The visit was also confirmed by Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office. Any results are likely to be symbolic, and will mostly benefit China, said Hoo Tiang Boon, a professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore who studies Chinese foreign policy. Then they can then show they are not against Taiwan, they are not against the Taiwanese people, he said. "Its the DPP and what they deem as separatists causing provocations in cross-strait relations." Hoo added that he didnt think it was likely the trip would influence Taiwans presidential elections next year. Other experts agreed that it was unlikely to resolve any major issues, but it could still prove helpful. He's not really representing the government to go and negotiate, I think he just wants to transmit the idea of peaceful exchange, Kao-cheng Wang, a professor at the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies at Tamkang University in Taiwan, referring to Ma's plan to bring students. This will be helpful to cross-strait relations and future development. During Mas terms in office, Taiwan and China increased contacts. Ma negotiated a trade pact with Beijing in 2010 and Chinese tourists flocked to Taiwan. As both sides opened their borders to each other, concerns grew that Taiwan was falling inescapably into Beijing's orbit, eventually leading to a national protests over a proposed trade deal with Beijing in 2014. The protests, known as the Sunflower Movement, sparked a rally that drew more than 200,000 protesters and a 24-day occupation of Taiwans Parliament by students. Ma met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Singapore in 2015, while he was still in office. The meeting was the first between the leaders of the two sides since Taiwan split from mainland China in 1949 during the Chinese civil war, but was considered more symbolic than substantive. In 2016, the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party won national elections and Beijing cut off contact with Taiwan's government, citing Tsai's refusal to endorse the idea that Taiwan and China are one country. Search Keywords: Short link: The French government under President Emmanuel Macron on Monday survived two no-confidence motions in parliament, but still faces intense pressure over its handling of a controversial pensions reform. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne incensed the opposition last week by announcing the government would impose the pension reform without a parliamentary vote, sparking accusations of anti-democratic behaviour. The opposition filed two motions of no confidence in the government as a result. The 577-seat National Assembly lower rejected the first motion -- brought by the centrist LIOT coalition and supported by the left -- by a margin of just nine votes, much narrower than expected. It then overwhelmingly rejected a motion brought by the far-right National Rally (RN) with just 94 votes in favour. The rejection of the motions means that the reform to raise the pensions age from 62 to 64 has now been adopted by the legislature. It still needs to be signed into law by Macron and may yet face legal challenges from the left who have filed a request with the Constitutional Court for a referendum on the issue. "I am determined to continue to carry out the necessary transformations in our country with my ministers and to devote all my energy to meeting the expectations of our fellow citizens," Borne said in a statement to AFP after surviving the votes. But it far from represents the end of the biggest domestic crisis of the second mandate in office of Macron, who has yet to make any public comment on the controversy. Trouble Ahead A new round of strikes and protests has been called on Thursday and are expected to again bring public transport to a standstill in several areas. There has been a rolling strike by rubbish collectors in Paris, leading to unsightly and unhygienic piles of trash accumulating in the French capital. The future of Borne, appointed as France's second woman premier by Macron after his election victory over the far right for a second mandate, remains in doubt after she failed to secure a parliamentary majority for the reform. Meanwhile, it is unclear when Macron will finally make public comments over the events, amid reports he is considering an address to the nation. Since Borne invoked article 49.3 of the constitution, there have also been daily protests in Paris and other cities that have on occasion turned violent. An unsanctioned protest was taking place in central Paris late Monday, with a tense standoff between protesters and anti-riot police, AFP correspondents said. A total of 169 people were arrested nationwide on Saturday during spontaneous protests, including one that assembled 4,000 in the capital. Hard-left figurehead Jean-Luc Melenchon said people "should express themselves everywhere and in all circumstances to force the withdrawal of the reform". Government insiders and observers have raised fears that France is again heading for another bout of violent anti-government protests, only a few years after the "Yellow Vest" movement shook the country from 2018-2019. 'Problem Of Legitimacy' In order to pass, the main multi-party no confidence motion needed support from around half the 61 MPs of the traditional right-wing party The Republicans. Even after its leadership insisted they should reject the motions, 19 renegade Republicans MPs voted in favour. One of the Republicans who voted for the ousting of the government, Aurelien Pradie, said afterwards Macron should withdraw the "poisoned law". "It is obvious today that the government has a problem of legitimacy and the president cannot remain a spectator of this situation," he told BFMTV. The leader of the far-right in parliament Marine Le Pen, who challenged Macron in the 2022 elections, said Borne "should go or be made to resign by the president". A survey on Sunday showed the head of state's personal rating at its lowest level since the height of the "Yellow Vest" protest movement in 2019, with only 28 percent of respondents having a positive view of him. Macron has argued that the pension changes are needed to avoid crippling deficits in the coming decades linked to France's ageing population. Opponents of the reform say it places an unfair burden on low earners, women and people doing physically wearing jobs. Opinion polls have consistently shown that two thirds of French people oppose the changes. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts first complete Zodiac was uncovered on the ceiling of the Temple of Esna in Luxor governorate during restoration work carried out by an Egyptian-German expedition. Visitors to the temple will be able to admire the uncovered Zodiac on the ceiling of the temples Hypostyle Hall after years of being hidden by thick layers of soot, dirt and other matter. After five years of cleaning and restoration work, the joint Egyptian-German mission uncovered a bright and colourful astronomical representation of the ancient Egyptian night sky. The relief contains all the twelve Zodiac signs, the outer planets of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars, as well as depictions of the so-called seven arrows and constellations used by the ancient Egyptians in time measurement. Dr Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the colourful reliefs also depicted deities, animals, names of divine figures and composite beings, including a ram-headed serpent and a crocodile-headed bird. It is the first time to see these inscriptions and reliefs in Esna Temple, said Dr Hisham El-Leithy, Undersecretary of State for Documentation in the Ministry of Antiquities of Egypt and director of the restoration projects Egyptian side. He added that these findings were not recorded by the temples previous publication by late French Egyptologist Serge Sauneron, who documented the temples reliefs in 1963 and 1975. Christian Leitz, director of the project from the University of Tubingen, said that the Zodiac itself was part of Babylonian astronomy that was likely introduced by the Greeks who ruled Egypt during the last three centuries BC. The Zodiac became very popular as it was used to decorate private tombs, sarcophagi, and was an important element of astrological texts and horoscopes on demotic ostraca. Zodiacs are, however, rare in ancient Egyptian temples. Apart from the Temple of Esna, there are only two other Zodiacs from Dendera: one in the pronaos and the other in one of the roof chapels which has since been relocated to the Louvre in Paris. Besides Dendera, visitors to Egypt can now see these Zodiacs in their different forms and colours at Esnas temple The restoration project on the Temple of Esna began in 2018 and was funded by the American Research Centre in Cairo. Work was disrupted due to the coronavirus outbreak but resumed in September 2020. The neglect suffered by the temple for centuries damaged the reliefs and inscriptions until restoration of the site began in 2018. El-Leithy said that the mission conducted several conservation and documentation campaigns. The Temple of Esna dates back to the Roman period. Construction began under the reign of Emperor Claudius while its decorations were finished during the time of Emperor Decius, between 249-251 AD. The temple is dedicated to the ram-headed god Khnum and his divine consorts. During the 19th and 20th centuries the temple suffered from urban encroachment as houses were built around it and was even used for cotton storage during the reign of Mohamed Ali Pasha. Search Keywords: Short link: President Emanuel Macron faces a critical moment on Monday when the French National Assembly is due to vote on no-confidence motions filed after his government bypassed parliament on Thursday to push through an unpopular rise in the state pension age. The move, which followed weeks of protests against the pension overhaul, triggered three nights of unrest and demonstrations in Paris and throughout the country, with hundreds of people arrested, reminiscent of the Yellow Vest protests that erupted in late 2018 over high fuel prices. However, while Monday's votes may put on display the level of anger at Macron's government, they are unlikely to bring it down. Opposition lawmakers filed two motions of no-confidence in parliament on Friday. Centrist group Liot proposed a multiparty no-confidence motion, which was co-signed by the far-left Nupes alliance. Hours later, France's far-right National Rally party, which has 88 National Assembly members, also filed a no-confidence motion. But even though Macron's party lost its absolute majority in the lower house after elections last year, there was little chance the multi-party motion would go through -- unless a surprise alliance of lawmakers from all sides is formed from the far-left to the far-right. The leaders of the conservative Les Republicains (LR) party have ruled out such an alliance. None of them had sponsored the first no-confidence motion filed on Friday. But the party still faced some pressure. In the southern city of Nice, the political office of Eric Ciotti, leader of Les Republicains, was ransacked overnight and tags were left threatening riots if the motion was not supported. "They want through violence to put pressure on my vote on Monday. I will never yield to the new disciples of the Terror," Ciotti wrote on Twitter. 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 China's 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 they're a very important part of giving a new drive to this close cooperation we want to achieve together," German news agency dpa reported. North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile into the East Sea on Sunday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff here, just three days after launching an intercontinental ballistic missile. The flurry of recent missile launches is a protest against massive joint South Korea-U.S. drills. The JCS on Sunday said the missile was fired from Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province around 11:05 a.m. and flew about 800 km before falling into the East Sea. 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 20, 2023 - 20:41 | All, World, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi agreed Monday to maintain the rules-based international order in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's increasing clout in the Indo-Pacific region. Later in the day, Kishida also said in a speech that Japan will provide more than $75 billion to developing countries in the region by 2030 through the public and private sectors so that they can improve their infrastructure. After their talks in New Delhi, Kishida said he and Modi promised to work together toward the success of the Group of Seven and Group of 20 summits that Japan and India are slated to host, respectively, later this year. Japan holds the G-7 presidency in 2023. Kishida said he invited Modi to the G-7 summit in Hiroshima in May, and the offer was immediately accepted. India is this year's chair of the G-20. The two leaders confirmed that the G-7 and G-20 will closely cooperate in dealing with a wide range of global challenges, including energy and food supplies, with Kishida saying at a joint press announcement that the world is "facing a historic turning point and difficulties." India, a member of the Quad -- the four-way security framework also involving Japan, 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 sought deeper ties with developing countries to lay the groundwork for a successful G-7 summit scheduled in Japan's western city, devastated by a U.S. atomic bomb in World War II. Modi hailed Kishida's commitment, saying that one of the most important roles of the G-20 presidency is to "give voice to the Global South." In a speech after talking with Modi, Kishida announced a new plan to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, a Japan-led initiative aimed at curbing China's growing regional assertiveness. Kishida said in the speech that it is "fragile states" that "need the rule of law," adding the Indo-Pacific blueprint "does not exclude any nation" to respect the diversity of all countries. As concerns linger over Russia's nuclear saber-rattling amid the ongoing war on Ukraine, Kishida has pledged to pitch his vision of a world without nuclear weapons at the G-7 meeting. 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 because India is highly dependent on the resource-rich nation for military and energy supplies. As part of bilateral cooperation, Modi expressed his readiness to move forward with a high-speed railway project connecting the western coastal city of Mumbai and Ahmedabad in the Gujarat state, for which Japan has given financial and technological support. The ambitious transportation program has been employing Japan's shinkansen bullet train technology. Additionally, Japan vowed Monday to offer up to 300 billion yen ($2.3 billion) in low-interest loans for the project. Kishida's trip to India comes 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 outlets, with a number of them saying it could cast a shadow over bilateral relations. 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. On Monday, meanwhile, Kishida told reporters that Japan will also invite South Korea to participate in the G-7 summit in Hiroshima, with ties between the two Asian countries improving after Seoul announced its solution to a major bilateral dispute over wartime labor. KYODO NEWS - Mar 20, 2023 - 17:16 | World, All Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha dissolved parliament on Monday ahead of an election possibly in the first half of May. The move came before the four-year terms of House of Representatives members expire on Thursday, with Prayut having said a dissolution will give more time for all parties to prepare. Thailand's Election Commission is required to set the election date within five days of a lower house dissolution. Prayut, who has led Thailand for nearly nine years, announced in January that he would seek another term as prime minister with the United Thai Nation Party, a group formed by veteran politicians which he joined that month. Prayut staged a coup to topple the civilian government in May 2014 when he was the army chief and subsequently became interim prime minister of a military-run government. He returned to power under a civilian government after the 2019 election, when he belonged to the Palang Pracharath Party, the current ruling party. But even if he is re-elected as prime minister, his term will be limited to two years under the country's constitutionally mandated eight-year term limit. The Constitutional Court has ruled that this should be counted from April 2017, when the current Constitution was promulgated. In the 2019 election, the Pheu Thai Party, known as the political vehicle of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, won the most number of seats followed by Palang Pracharath. But Palang Pracharath was able to form a coalition government with allies, leaving the Pheu Thai Party in opposition. For the May election, Thaksin's youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has been leading the campaign for the Pheu Thai Party in key regional provinces but it remains unclear whether she will be named as a candidate for prime minister. KYODO NEWS - Mar 21, 2023 - 00:14 | World, All Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged Monday that Beijing will actively promote peace talks to resolve the Ukraine crisis as he started his state visit to Russia and met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who welcomed China's readiness to make a meaningful contribution. The two leaders penned articles for major news outlets in each other's country before the start of Xi's three-day trip to Russia, his first visit to the neighboring state since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine began in February last year. They held a one-on-one meeting Monday afternoon in Moscow, with Putin telling Xi he plans to discuss Ukraine during the talks, according to Russia's Tass news agency. Upon his arrival in Moscow, Xi said China will work with Russia to uphold true multilateralism and promote a multipolar world. He expressed confidence that his Russia visit will "inject fresh impetus into the sound and steady growth of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership," according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. In a piece published in the Russian Gazette and on the website of RIA Novosti news agency, Xi said his visit to Russia will be "a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace." Noting "an all-round escalation of the Ukraine crisis," the Chinese leader said, "There is no simple solution to a complex issue." But Xi added Beijing believes as long as all parties "pursue equal-footed, rational and results-oriented dialogue and consultation, they will find a reasonable way to resolve the crisis." In his article in the People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party, Putin thanked Beijing for its "well-balanced stance" on the Ukraine crisis and hailed bilateral relations as "the cornerstone of regional and global stability." The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin on Friday, alleging he has overseen the war crime of forcible deportation of Ukrainian children during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference in Beijing on Monday that the ICC should "uphold an objective and impartial stance" and "exercise its functions and powers prudently in accordance with the law." The spokesman added the ICC should "avoid politicization and double standards." With Xi and Putin reaffirming last year that their bilateral friendship has "no limits," China has opposed sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russia over the war and increased energy imports from Moscow. Bilateral trade hit a record $190 billion in 2022, according to Chinese customs data. China called for a comprehensive cease-fire in Ukraine in a position paper issued on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion. In the paper, Beijing showed consideration for Kyiv's position, saying, "The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be effectively upheld." But it did not urge Moscow to withdraw troops from Ukraine. The United States has expressed concern over allegations that China is considering providing lethal weapons to Russia to support its war effort and said Washington will oppose any call for a cease-fire in Ukraine that simply benefits Moscow. Asked about a report that the United States has confirmed rounds of Chinese ammunition have been used on battlefields in Ukraine and suspects they were fired by Russian forces, Wang said it is Washington, not Beijing, that provides weapons to the combat zone. He urged the United States to "stop fanning the flames and pointing fingers at other countries" and to "play a constructive role in the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, not the opposite." On Tuesday, Xi and Putin are scheduled to hold negotiations involving ministers of the two countries, with energy and military cooperation expected to be among the agenda items. They will sign two joint statements -- one on strengthening their comprehensive partnership and strategic relations, and the other on a plan to develop key areas of bilateral economic cooperation through 2030, according to Tass. The Wall Street Journal has recently reported that Xi is planning to hold a virtual meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the Chinese leader's trip to Russia. Related coverage: China brushes off U.S. allegation it might supply weapons to Russia China's Xi seeks dialogue to resolve Ukrainian crisis in talks with Putin China's Xi urges Russia to exercise restraint over Ukraine KYODO NEWS - Mar 20, 2023 - 14:22 | All, Japan Japan on Monday marked 28 years since the AUM Shinrikyo cult's nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system that killed 14 people and injured over 6,000, at a time when another controversial religious group continues to draw public attention after the shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. At Kasumigaseki Station in the Japanese capital, officials observed a moment of silence at a memorial service at 8 a.m., around the time when the deadly sarin nerve agent was released in train cars on March 20, 1995. Among those attending the event and also laying flowers was Shizue Takahashi, whose husband, a deputy stationmaster at Kasumigaseki Station, died in the incident. Takahashi, 76, leads a group of victims who have been urging the government to set up a facility to keep and disclose records of the attack. "As the number of people who do not know about the incident increases, I am afraid it will be forgotten," Takahashi told reporters. She also warned that while public awareness of cults is growing, problems arising from problematic religious groups "may be repeated" without "properly preserving" records. Abe's alleged shooter, Tetsuya Yamagami, has told investigators that he held a grudge against the Unification Church, a religious group known for its aggressive solicitations of donations, and believed Abe had links with it. Abe was shot last July while giving an election campaign speech. Yamagami's statements led to renewed scrutiny of the Unification Church, prompting the government to launch an investigation into the organization with an eye to obtaining a court order to remove its status as a religious corporation with tax benefits. Subway operator Tokyo Metro Co. set up stands for mourners to lay flowers at Kasumigaseki, Kodemmacho, Hatchobori, Nakanosakaue and other central Tokyo stations where people were caught up in the attack. Tetsuo Saito, minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, also visited Kasumigaseki to lay flowers. "The government will strengthen efforts to fight terrorism and to create an environment in which train passengers can feel safe," he said in a statement. The doomsday cult's founder, Shoko Asahara, and 12 former AUM members were put to death in 2018. In all, five train cars were attacked simultaneously on three separate lines during the morning rush hour, causing havoc at the stations and paralyzing the subway network in the capital. AUM Shinrikyo renamed itself Aleph in 2000. It and two other successor groups -- Hikarinowa, or the Circle of Rainbow Light, and a smaller offshoot of Aleph -- remain under surveillance by authorities. Ahead of the anniversary, the Public Security Examination Commission, under the Justice Ministry, slapped Aleph with a six-month ban on the use of 13 of its approximately 20 facilities nationwide and on receiving donations for failing to fully report its activities as legally required. It was decided on March 13 to restrict the activities of the group due to the risk of it committing indiscriminate killings and other criminal acts. Aleph had at least 1,280 members as of the end of January, according to the Public Safety Intelligence Agency. Related coverage: Suspect in attack on Japanese sociologist Miyadai killed himself Japan questions Unification Church for 2nd time over illegal acts Tokyo court disposed of records linked to AUM cult dissolution order KYODO NEWS - Mar 20, 2023 - 18:00 | All, Japan Prosecutors on Monday indicted the head of a nonprofit organization for allegedly mediating organ transplants overseas without government approval. Hiromichi Kikuchi, director of the Association for Patients of Intractable Diseases, is suspected of facilitating transplants for two recipients in Belarus, collecting from them a total of 51.5 million yen ($390,000), according to the indictment. Kikuchi, 62, helped a kidney disease sufferer receive a kidney transplant in July 2022 from a deceased donor, and had 18.5 million yen in service fees transferred to the NPO's bank account, the indictment said. Additionally, Kikuchi received 33 million yen from a cirrhosis patient who also had a liver transplant facilitated in the Eastern European country between January and February 2022. Investigative sources said the cirrhosis sufferer's condition worsened after the surgery and the person died in November of that year. Along with Kikuchi, the NPO was also indicted in alleged violation of the organ transplant law. Kikuchi was arrested last month in the first such case in Japan of suspected mediation of an unsanctioned organ transplant overseas. Japan has one of the lowest rates of organ donation among industrialized countries, according to the Nippon Foundation, which supports the Japan Organ Transplant Network. In fiscal 2016, there were just 103 organs registered as available for transplant in Japan. As of June 2017, about 13,450 people were waiting to receive a heart, liver, kidney, or other organ, the foundation said. Related coverage: Japan NPO head arrested for unauthorized organ transplant mediation KYODO NEWS - Mar 20, 2023 - 17:34 | All, Japan A Japanese court reversed Monday a 12-year prison sentence handed down to a 36-year-old man for stabbing a police officer and stealing his handgun in western Japan's Osaka Prefecture in 2019. The Osaka High Court acquitted the man of attempted murder and robbery, overturning a lower court ruling in August 2021 that deemed he acted on his own judgement despite his diminished mental capacity. The accused was diagnosed with schizophrenia by two psychiatrists before and after his indictment, and whether he should be held accountable for his conduct was the main focus of the trial. In its appeal, the defense had sought an acquittal or a reduction of the man's sentence on the grounds that he was either insane or in a greater state of diminished mental capacity at the time of the crime than found by the Osaka District Court. According to the lower court ruling, the accused stabbed Suzunosuke Kose, 30, in his chest and other parts with a kitchen knife at a police box in Suita and stole his gun early in the morning of June 16, 2019. The man was carrying the gun and four bullets when he was caught in a mountainous area not far from the crime scene the following day. Kose, who suffered several stab wounds, fell into a coma but has since recovered and returned to work in January 2020. Kyodo News reported the name of the accused in past stories but withheld it in this report because the high court acquitted him by reason of insanity. KYODO NEWS - Mar 20, 2023 - 22:25 | All, Japan Tokyo prosecutors said Monday they will not appeal a recent high court order granting a retrial to a former professional boxer previously sentenced to death over a 1966 quadruple murder case in central Japan, laying the stage for his exoneration. With prosecutors deciding not to file a special appeal with the Supreme Court, the retrial of the 87-year-old Iwao Hakamata, who spent nearly half a century behind bars before new evidence led to his release in 2014, is set to be held at the Shizuoka District Court, where he was initially tried. Hakamata's case marks the fifth time in postwar Japan a decision for a retrial has been finalized in a case in which the death penalty had been given. The four previous cases all resulted in acquittals in the 1980s. The prosecutors likely made the decision due to difficulties in satisfying conditions for a special appeal, which are limited to violations of the Constitution or judicial precedents. "Though there are some points we find hard to swallow, we could not find grounds for filing a special appeal," said Hiroshi Yamamoto, deputy chief prosecutor of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office in a statement. In a press conference held in late afternoon, he said the decision was made on Monday after "careful considerations based on law and evidence" but declined to elaborate. Hakamata's elder sister Hideko, 90, expressed relief at the decision, saying she told her brother to "not worry as the retrial will start." Hideko, who for 57 years maintained her brother's innocence, visited Hakamata every month despite mental conditions caused by his long incarceration manifesting from around 1980, when his death sentence was finalized. Hakamata went about his day as usual on Monday, eating fruit for breakfast and gazing at white tulips planted by supporters near his home when he left for his daily walk. Meanwhile, Katsuhiko Nishijima, who led Hakamata's defense team, said the prosecutors' decision not to appeal was "a given. We want to clear his name in the retrial." On March 13, the Tokyo High Court, which was ordered by the Supreme Court in 2020 to re-examine its 2018 decision not to reopen the case, reversed course and ordered the retrial, citing the unreliability of the main evidence used. The high court said there was a strong possibility that the evidence -- five pieces of clothing Hakamata allegedly wore during the incident -- used in finalizing his death sentence had been planted by investigators in a tank of miso soybean paste in which they were found. Hakamata had always insisted on his innocence, but his sentence was finalized in 1980. He was freed in 2014 after the Shizuoka District Court decided to suspend his death sentence and reopen the case, accepting DNA test results that indicated blood found on the clothing items was not Hakamata's. But the Tokyo High Court scrapped the Shizuoka court's decision to reopen the case in 2018, questioning the lower court's reliance on the DNA tests. The Supreme Court upheld the high court decision over the credibility of the DNA tests but concluded the case should be re-examined because questions had not been resolved over the color of alleged bloodstains left on the clothing items. Indicted for murder, robbery and arson, his death sentence was finalized based on a ruling that blood marks on the clothing items, discovered 14 months after the incident, matched the blood types of the victims and Hakamata. Prosecutors said he had hidden the items immediately after the alleged criminal act. But the defense team refuted the claim, saying blood stains on the items still retained redness, an indication someone had put them in shortly before their discovery. The team cited forensic scientists' analysis that the reddish color of blood stains on clothing would turn black when immersed in miso for several months and would not stay red after being soaked for more than one year. The former boxer was a live-in employee at a miso maker when he was arrested in 1966 for allegedly killing the firm's senior managing director, his wife and two of their children. They were found dead from stab wounds at their house in Shizuoka, which had been burned down. After his arrest, Hakamata had initially confessed to investigators but pleaded not guilty at his trial. Related coverage: Tokyo court orders retrial of 1966 quadruple murder case KYODO NEWS - Mar 21, 2023 - 22:00 | All, World, Japan The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Japan PM Kishida visits Ukraine for talks with Zelenskyy KYIV - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Tuesday in a surprise visit to the Eastern European country to hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kyodo News confirmed. The visit, which had been kept secret until right before arrival, comes a day after Kishida met with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, in New Delhi. It is rare for a Japanese leader to make an unannounced trip to a foreign country. ---------- Baseball: Murakami lifts Japan into WBC final vs. U.S. MIAMI, Florida - Japan came from behind to beat Mexico 6-5 on Munetaka Murakami's sayonara two-run ninth-inning double in the World Baseball Classic semifinals Monday. Trailing 5-4 in the ninth, Murakami, who had struggled through much of the tournament, drove a pitch to the wall in center at Miami's loanDepot park to send two-time champion Japan into Tuesday's final against the defending champion United States. ---------- Xi seeks dialogue to settle Ukraine crisis in talks with Putin BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping called for dialogue to settle the Ukraine crisis in his talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, as the isolated Russian leader welcomed his "dear friend" in Moscow. Xi, who began a three-day visit to Russia just days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin over war crimes, told the Russian leader, "A review of history shows that conflicts in the end have to be settled through dialogue and negotiation," the ministry said Tuesday. ---------- Taiwan's Tsai to make stopovers in U.S. during Central America trip TAIPEI - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen will make stopovers in the United States during her trip from March 29 to Central American states with diplomatic ties with the island, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. In the tour through April 7, Tsai will transit through New York and Los Angeles on her way to and from the two Central American nations of Guatemala and Belize, the ministry said. A meeting is reportedly being arranged between the Taiwan leader and U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. ---------- Thailand to hold general election on May 14 BANGKOK - Thailand's Election Commission said Tuesday it will hold a general election on May 14 after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha dissolved parliament the previous day. Election Commission Secretary General Sawaeng Boonmee said at a press conference that candidates for the House of Representatives election will be registered between April 3 and 7. ---------- Hiroshima modern art museum reopens after renovations HIROSHIMA - A modern art museum designed by world-famous architect Kisho Kurokawa in the atomic-bombed city of Hiroshima has reopened after around two years of major renovations. The Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art opened in 1989 as Japan's first publicly run modern art museum and has exhibited many artworks on the themes of atomic bombs and peace, owing to its location in a city that endured an atomic bombing in the final days of World War II in 1945. ---------- Firm creates app for overseas buyers to access Japan's fish catch TOKYO - A Japanese company has tapped into growing demand in Asia for fresh seafood, allowing overseas customers to use a smartphone app to order freshly caught fish from ports across Japan and ensuring hassle-free delivery. Uuuo, Inc., acting as an intermediary between sellers and buyers, recently delivered red seabream to Thailand in an initial foray into the global market, the Hiroshima-based company said in a press release. ---------- FEATURE: Int'l theater collaboration brings new Japanese plays to London stage LONDON - Plays by three women from Japan were performed in London in January in an initiative to introduce overseas audiences to some of the country's best up-and-coming dramatists. While Japan may be better known to foreign theatergoers for its kabuki dramas than its contemporary plays, the British and Japanese theater companies behind the initiative hoped to nurture the talent of 14 young Japanese playwrights, with each writer having their work translated into English for potential performance on the London stage. ---------- Video: Maritime security drill ahead of G-7 summit in Hiroshima KYODO NEWS - Mar 20, 2023 - 16:05 | All, World Swiss banking giant UBS said Sunday it will buy its embattled rival Credit Suisse in a government-brokered rescue deal worth 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.2 billion) aimed at calming financial market jitters triggered by the collapse of two U.S. regional banks. Negotiations for the acquisition were initiated by the Swiss government and the Swiss National Bank, while six of the world's central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan, announced a coordinated effort to enhance global dollar liquidity to calm financial markets. The Swiss central bank pledged a loan of up to 100 billion francs, while the government, which exercised emergency powers to support the merger without requiring the approval of shareholders, will provide a loan loss guarantee of up to 9 billion francs. Credit Suisse shareholders will receive 1 UBS share for every 22.48 Credit Suisse shares, equivalent to 0.76 francs per share. UBS reportedly raised its offer from the originally proposed $1 billion, but the takeover value is still less than half of Credit Suisse's market capitalization on Friday. The Swiss government scrambled to broker the deal before financial markets reopened on Monday after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and New York-based Signature Bank created significant financial instability. Credit Suisse suffered huge losses in 2021 in its investment dealings with U.S. hedge fund Archegos Capital Management, reporting a net loss in 2022 and warning of further setbacks in 2023. The six central banks currently offering U.S. dollar liquidity functions agreed to increase the frequency of seven-day maturity operations from weekly to daily, according to the Bank of Japan. KYODO NEWS - Mar 20, 2023 - 10:11 | All, World Canada has proposed creating a quadruple cooperation framework with Japan, South Korea and the United States as part of efforts to counter China and Russia, diplomatic sources said Sunday. Canada conveyed the idea directly to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida when he visited Ottawa in January, the sources said, adding that it believes the expansion of the existing trilateral mechanism involving the United States and its key Asian allies will help boost ties among countries belonging to the liberal democratic camp in the Pacific Rim region. U.S. diplomats said Washington is in favor of Ottawa's plan to deepen cooperation with Tokyo and Seoul, whose bilateral ties have been quickly improving in recent weeks. In early March, South Korea unveiled a plan to end a long-standing dispute with Japan over wartime labor issues, raising hopes for better ties between the two U.S. allies and broader trilateral collaboration, especially in the area of defense, as North Korea also remains a security challenge. The momentum for rapprochement became more evident after Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held a meeting in Tokyo on Thursday and agreed to normalize relations between their countries. The Canadian suggestion is similar to the Quad partnership of Indo-Pacific democracies formed by Australia, India, Japan and the United States that is seen as a counterbalance to the growing influence of China in the region. Like the Quad countries, Canada wishes to promote universal values such as democracy, the rule of law and human rights, as well as tackle climate change and other global issues, by working closely with Japan, South Korea and the United States, according to the sources. Canada, Japan and the United States are members of the Group of Seven. Kishida will host this year's summit of the group of major democratic economies in May in Hiroshima, with the Japanese government inviting South Korea's Yoon as a guest to the discussions. If Yoon travels to the western Japan city, the Canadian proposal, which was initially conveyed through diplomatic channels last year, could be brought up in bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. However, Japan has told the Canadian government that it would take time to realize the concept, if at all, according to the sources. Relations between Canada and China have been frosty since the detention of Huawei Technologies' chief financial officer in late 2018 in Vancouver on a U.S. warrant for bank fraud, and Beijing's subsequent arrest of two Canadians on espionage allegations. The three were released in 2021 but bilateral ties remain frayed, with Canada announcing a new Indo-Pacific strategy in November last year in which it characterized China as an "increasingly disruptive global power." "In areas of profound disagreement, we will challenge China, including when it engages in coercive behavior -- economic or otherwise -- ignores human rights obligations or undermines our national security interests and those of partners in the region," the strategy said. "We will work together with regional partners." Related coverage: Japan, Canada vow to boost security ties amid China's military threat Japan, Britain sign defense pact amid concern in Indo-Pacific Japan, U.S., 4 other nations condemn North Korea's missile launch Press Release March 20, 2023 SENATE CLEARS ON 3RD READING CHIZ'S BILLS ON FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR STUDENTS The Senate on Monday (March 20) approved on third and final reading Senator Chiz Escudero's twin education measures that will benefit hundreds of Filipino students, especially those who are facing financial challenges. All 22 members in attendance at the plenary session this afternoon unanimously voted in support of Senate Bill Nos. 1359 also known as the "'No Permit, No Exam' Prohibition Act" and 1864 or the "Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act." Escudero, chairman of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, thanked his colleagues for approving the twin bills. "Ako ay nagpapasalamat sa ating mga kasamahang senador sa kanilang boto upang ang dalawang panukalang batas na ito ay makapasa sa plenaryo. Malaking tulong ito para sa ating mga mag-aaral lalo na para sa pamilya ng ating mga estudyante na mga nagdarahop subalit nagsisikap na makatapos ng kanilang pag-aaral," Escudero said. "With the approval, the bills are now a step closer to their enactment into laws for the President's signature," he added as the proposed legislation are now headed to the Bicameral Conference Committee. The veteran legislator cited his co-authors in SB 1359 that included Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri, Senate President Pro-Tempore Loren Legarda, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Senators Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Ronald "Bato" M. Dela Rosa, Cynthia Villar, Win Gatchalian, Manuel "Lito" Lapid, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, and Christopher Lawrence T. Go. SBN 1864, on the other hand, was authored by Escudero, Zubiri, Legarda, Villanueva, Lapid, Revilla, and Go. The main purpose of SB 1359 is to prohibit the "no permit, no exam" practice and to disallow any policy that bars students from taking educational assessments due to unpaid financial or property obligations, such as tuition and other school fees in both public and private schools. The approved measure also forbids schools to compel students and their parents or legal guardians to pay a portion of the outstanding financial obligation. Instead, schools are encouraged to enforce other interventions such as withholding the release of diplomas or certificates, denying admission or enrolment in the succeeding school year or semester, refusing the issuance of applicable clearances, and pursuing the settlement of outstanding financial or property obligations through appropriate legal action. Meanwhile, SB 1864 provides a respite for college students from paying their financial obligations to their schools if they fall during a declaration of either a national or local state of calamity in the area where they are located. The moratorium shall be effective for the duration of the state of calamity or emergency and 30 days after the lifting of such state of calamity or emergency. During that time, no penalty or interest shall be collected on the deferred payments. KUWAIT CITY, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A state of emergency was declared by Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), a subsidiary of state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corp, following an oil spill that occurred on Monday morning in the country. Qusai Al-Amer, deputy CEO for Administrative Affairs and spokesperson of KOC, said in a statement that the company declared "a state of emergency," following an oil spill on land in the west of the country. Al-Amer revealed that there were no injuries resulting from the leak and the production was not affected, adding no toxic gases were detected at the accident site. Al-Amer said that the emergency teams in KOC are taking necessary procedures to contain the accident at the site. In 2018, KOC announced that it has controlled an onshore oil leak at the al-Maqwa field in the south of the country. Kuwait is a major oil-producing country, with nearly 90 percent of government revenues coming from oil export. As a founder member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Kuwait is producing about 2.7 million barrels of oil per day. 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. HARARE, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's power utility, ZESA Holdings, will start synchronizing into the national grid the first of two generators being installed by a Chinese firm at Hwange Thermal Power Station Monday, in a move that will ease power shortages in the country. The 300-MW unit is part of two generators making up the Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 and 8 Expansion Project being undertaken by Sinohydro under a facility from China Eximbank. The expansion started in March 2019 but was stalled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The second unit, which will also produce 300 MW, is due for commissioning in April, according to Energy and Power Development Minister Zhemu Soda. Hwange Thermal Power Station currently has an installed capacity of 920 MW but is generating much less because its first six units are dilapidated and in need of rehabilitation. Units 7 and 8 are thus expected to bring relief to consumers who are going without power for most of the day and only getting it during off-peak times at night. ZESA's subsidiary, Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), announced at the weekend that the synchronization would begin Monday. "One day to go. On Monday, the 20th of March 2023, ZPC will begin the process of synchronizing the Hwange Expansion Project's Unit 7 into the national grid," the company said on social media. After the two units come on stream, it will allow the power utility to refurbish the older units. Harare resident Tapiwa Makombe said he hoped that the commissioning of the two units would go a long way in alleviating power shortages in the country. "With power generation at Kariba Dam expected to go up in the next few months following good rains in the region, the two units at Hwange will definitely go a long way in boosting supplies in the country. We're now weary of load shedding which can last up to 18 hours a day," he said. Power generation at the Kariba South Power Station had been curtailed since late 2022 after water levels at the dam had become critically low. Many industrial, commercial and domestic energy users have of late resorted to generators and solar to power their operations, with many complaining about the huge cost of running diesel generators. The informal sector has not been spared either, with many such as welders, stone masons, hammer millers and steel fabricators saying that they can no longer sustain themselves. Zimbabwe has a peak demand of about 1,700 MW and plugs the deficit with imports from neighboring countries. Some consumers have demanded that the power utility should publish load-shedding schedules, but the power utility has said that it cannot do so because of the heavy shortage. Responding to a customer on Twitter, an official at the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) -- another subsidiary of ZESA -- said it was difficult to publish load-shedding schedules because of the power deficit. "We do value your suggestion, but at the moment it's difficult to have a schedule because we don't have enough power," the official 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. RAMALLAH, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A senior Palestinian official said on Monday that although the talks with Israel in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh on Sunday were "difficult," progress has been made on some issues. Hussein Al-Sheikh, secretary general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) said in a brief statement that "the Sharm el-Sheikh negotiations were difficult." "The Palestinian delegation was sticking to its firm position by refusing to enter into any security or economic track before reaching a political agreement through which Israel is committed to stopping all its unilateral measures," he added. Al-Sheikh, who headed the Palestinian delegation to the meeting, noted that "progress has been made on some issues and tracks, and there are still some outstanding and disputed issues" without revealing more details. A five-way meeting was held in Sharm el-Sheikh on Sunday, gathering representatives from the Palestinian Authority, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and the United States. The meeting is the second of its kind after the first one was held in the Jordanian city of Aqaba on Feb. 26. According to a communique released after the meeting, the parties recognized the necessity of de-escalation on the ground, the prevention of further violence, as well as of pursuing confidence-building measures, and addressing outstanding issues through direct dialogue. The meetings come in light of a flaring tension between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank that has been going on since Jan. 1. The tension has led to the killing of 89 Palestinians and 14 Israelis, according to official Palestinian and Israeli statistics. COLOMBO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan rupee will gradually appreciate against the U.S. dollar once the country enters into an International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Sunday night addressing an event in Colombo. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to approve a 2.9 billion dollar bailout package for the country on Monday, according to Sri Lankan central bank governor Nandalal Weerasinghe. Wickremesinghe said once Sri Lanka receives the IMF funds, it can start restructuring external debt, adding that the rupee will trade between 185 to 200 against a dollar. He said Sri Lanka hopes to receive up to 10 years to repay the debt it has incurred, adding that Sri Lanka will stabilize the economy and have a budget surplus by 2026. Sri Lanka started the related negotiations with the international lender in 2022 after the South Asian country was hit by a severe economic crisis. Two women sit on a bench waiting for the train at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, on March 19, 2023. The Chinese-built Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway marked its first anniversary on Sunday, having transported nearly 3 million people between Serbia's two largest cities since operation last year. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) NOVI SAD, Serbia, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese-built Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway marked its first anniversary on Sunday, having transported nearly 3 million people between Serbia's two largest cities since operation last year. The around 80-km-long, Belgrade-Novi Sad railway section has been carrying passengers at speeds of up to 200 km per hour since March 2022. The anniversary also marked a significant turning point in the further development of Serbia, Ana Brnabic, Serbia's prime minister, said at the ceremony at the Novi Sad railway station. "Today ... we know that we are capable, and we are ready to move forward, and we know that we will construct the remaining section to the border with Hungary," she said, referring to the about 350-km-long Belgrade-Budapest railway. Brnabic praised the achievements in vital infrastructure projects, trade, and investments under the comprehensive strategic partnership between Serbia and China. She also said that the country aims to intensify exchange with China, especially in technologies. The Belgrade-Novi Sad railway section is "a symbol and a fine example of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Serbia within the Belt and Road initiative," said Chen Bo, Chinese ambassador to Serbia. Since its operation, the Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway had been operating well, and it had significantly improved Serbian people and foreign tourists' travel experience, Chen said. "The operation of the railway proved in practice that the section was built with high technology, reliable engineering, and delivered significant economic and social benefits," said Ju Guojiang, chairman of China Railway International Co., Ltd. Ju said that "the new beginning inspires new hope." He stressed that his company is committed to the delivery of the remaining Novi Sad-Subotica section as soon as possible and with the highest quality possible. Construction of the second section, 108.1-km-long between Novi Sad and Subotica, started in November 2021. Guests pose for a group photo in celebration of the first anniversary of the operation of the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest Railway in Novi Sad, Serbia, on March 19, 2023. The Chinese-built Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway marked its first anniversary on Sunday, having transported nearly 3 million people between Serbia's two largest cities since operation last year. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) A man boards a train at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, on March 19, 2023. The Chinese-built Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway marked its first anniversary on Sunday, having transported nearly 3 million people between Serbia's two largest cities since operation last year. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic (4th R) addresses a ceremony in celebration of the first anniversary of the operation of the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest Railway in Novi Sad, Serbia, on March 19, 2023. The Chinese-built Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway marked its first anniversary on Sunday, having transported nearly 3 million people between Serbia's two largest cities since operation last year. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo (3rd L) addresses a ceremony in celebration of the first anniversary of the operation of the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest Railway in Novi Sad, Serbia, on March 19, 2023. The Chinese-built Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway marked its first anniversary on Sunday, having transported nearly 3 million people between Serbia's two largest cities since operation last year. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua) BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Experts from Fuwai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences recently conducted a completely robot-assisted coronary angiography. The operation, which was conducted at the Shenzhen branch of Fuwai Hospital, used a surgical robot that can perform both imaging and interventional treatment. Apart from preparation, the operation was successfully completed in only about 10 minutes. The patient was satisfied with the procedure and results. Traditional vascular interventional surgery faces problems like scarcity of professional doctors and high radiation risk. With the help of surgical robots, doctors can be protected from radiation, and the operation accuracy is higher, which greatly reduces the probability of postoperative complications. During traditional vascular interventions, doctors wear protective clothing weighing up to 20 kilograms, which is physically demanding, said Dou Kefei at Fuwai Hospital. Meanwhile, an operation is performed with X-rays, but current protection measures can only effectively shield about 50 percent of radiation, Dou added. The robot not only helps doctors avoid radiation, but also makes the operation more stable because the doctor operates in a seated position and the screen is easier to see. In addition, the robotic arm makes delivery accuracy higher and wire controls easier, greatly reducing the probability of postoperative complications. Robot-assisted vascular interventions lay a foundation for remote surgery and allow for a wider range of scenarios, Dou said. According to a report, there are about 330 million people with cardiovascular disease in China, and both the prevalence rate and the number of patients are on the rise. More than 1,800 hospitals in China have carried out vascular interventional operations, and the number of coronary interventional operations reached 5.04 million in 2019, of which about 4 million were angiography. The success of robot-assisted coronary angiography will help promote the clinical application of surgical robots in coronary interventional surgery, Dou said. The vascular interventional robot is expected to become a major tool of a new generation of interventional surgery in the future, benefiting more patients, Dou added. MOGADISHU, March 20 (Xinhua) -- An estimated 43,000 excess deaths may have occurred in 2022 in Somalia due to severe drought, a figure higher than that of the first year of the 2017-2018 drought, two United Nations agencies and Somalia said on Monday. The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Ministry of Health and Human Services of Somalia said in a joint report released in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, that half of the drought-related deaths occurred among children under the age of five. Somali Minister of Health Ali Haji Adam Abubakar expressed concern about the level and scale of the public health impact of a deepening and protracted food crisis in Somalia. "At the same time, we are optimistic that if we can sustain our ongoing and scaled-up health and nutrition actions and humanitarian response to save lives and protect the health of our vulnerable, we can push back the risk of famine forever, else those vulnerable and marginalized will pay the price of this crisis with their lives," Adam said. The joint report said a scenario-based forecast model was developed from the same study to enable anticipatory action and avert drought-related deaths. The forecast, spanning January to June 2023, estimates that 135 people might also die each day due to the crisis, with total deaths projected to fall between 18,100 and 34,200 during this period. "These estimates suggest that, although famine has been averted for now, the crisis is far from over and is already more severe than the 2017-2018 drought crisis," the report said. These figures, according to the report, are derived from a statistical model which estimated that the crude death rate increased across Somalia from 0.33 to 0.38 deaths per 10,000 person-days over the January-December 2022 period; the rate in children younger than 5 was nearly double these levels. According to the report, the crude death rate is forecast to reach 0.42 deaths per 10,000 person-days by June 2023. WHO Representative Mamunur Rahman Malik said they are racing against time to prevent deaths and save lives that are avoidable. "We have seen deaths and diseases thrive when hunger and food crises prolong. We will see more people dying from the disease than from hunger and malnutrition combined if we do not act now," Malik said. He warned that the cost of inaction will mean that children, women, and other vulnerable people will pay with their lives while the world "hopelessly, helplessly" witnesses the tragedy unfold. The study, which was commissioned by the UNICEF Regional Office and WHO Somalia country office and carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London, presents retrospective estimates of mortality across Somalia from January to December 2022. According to the report, the highest death rates were estimated to have occurred in south-central Somalia, especially the areas around Bay, Bakool, and Banadir regions, the current epicenter of the drought. Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF country representative of Somalia, said these results present a grim picture of the devastation brought on children and their families by the drought. "We are saddened by these deaths, and we know there could have been many more deaths had humanitarian assistance not been scaled up to reach affected communities," she said. "We must continue to save lives by preventing and treating malnutrition, providing safe and clean water, improving access to life-saving health services, immunizing children against deadly diseases such as measles, and providing critical protection services." Somalia is enduring five consecutive seasons of failed rains, the longest in recent memory, which has left 5 million people in acute food insecurity and nearly 2 million children at risk of malnutrition. The United Nations says it needs more than 2.6 billion U.S. dollars to meet the priority needs of 7.6 million people in 2023. The Chinese-built Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway marked its first anniversary on Sunday, having transported nearly 3 million people between Serbia's two largest cities since operation last year. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Press Release March 20, 2023 TRANSCRIPT OF Q&A Senator Risa Hontiveros with FOCAP members Makati Diamond Residences 20 March 2023 Question: Inaudible (difference of her role as an opposition during the Duterte admin and the Marcos admin) Senator Risa Hontiveros (SRH): ......predatory or violent or sexist and misogynistic or obviously - at least for some of us - traitorous in terms of bowing to China, and stepping away from upholding the Philippines' victory at the Hague, and more obviously deliberately targeting to weaken democratic institutions and centralize power in the Executive as the primary if not the sole center of power in what should be a system of separate and coequal branches of government, making Philippine democracy -as it was then as Nathan Quimpo described it - even more a contested democracy. But the previous administration and that kind of politics and governance - and that very hostile environment in which we have to function and survive and still do our jobs as opposition - actually also paved the way for this next or current administration. And in the current administration though it is seemingly less than what the previous administration was in terms of those descriptors, it's still because of it seeming part two of the previous martial law dictatorship administration, reawakens unfinished business also from the past of the human rights violations, the plunder and then the more recent unfinished business from the previous administration. One new element though, is the current president's seeming risk aversion conflict aversion and so his presidency is being felt more in the breach on too many issues. He didn't show up for the presidential debates and he still remains a cipher on too many issues way past the first 100 days and as I mentioned already into the first quarter of this year, so already closing on the first year of this administration. So that current situation where too many things have remained the same but some things seemed to have maybe have changed , also calls on us in the opposition to adjust because the terms of engagement some of them seemed to have changed, but some of the terms of engagement still seem to be opaque or still evolving very slowly, or perhaps with even less transparency especially on the economic issue. So it calls on us to try to define, determine those terms of engagement to engage proactively and constructively, and therefore to present to the citizenry and to the electorate how we are qualitatively different and how we are offering something different. Q: You mentioned several times about Cha Cha. What is the prospect of Cha Cha in the senate, considering you are only two in the opposition, but at the same time, Senate President Migz Zubiri said it's not a priority on the other hand, the lower chamber, the House of Representatives keeps on pushing for it? SRH: Indeed Senate President Zubiri echoed what the President said that Charter Change is not a top priority, I don't know if it means it's still a priority but it's at least it's not a top priority and as far as we can tell in the minority, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel and I are not alone in opposing Charter Change, are not alone in opposing for example, amendments at this time, further amendments through Charter Change of the section on the national economy and patrimony. We are to debate on that point through legislation for now. Minority leader Pimentel and I are not alone in saying No to Charter Change at the moment and we are not alone in favoring constitutional convention if and when the time for constitutional reform comes around as the best mode. My sense is that even the majority of the Majority senators are not about charter change right now. You have to ask them to validate that sense of mind of ours in the Senate Minority but I don't see anyone leaning for it. I don't see anyone wanting to accelerate the process or to complete it within this Congress. It's on the basis of various principles as it is for Senate Minority Leader Koko and me, and also on the basis of and this is also a principle because it has to do with the form of government and the structure of government. It's also an institutional threat to the Senate that we will be deleted from the Constitution and from the political structure and right now, as in the past, several growing number of years, not only because we are members of the Senate but we do appreciate that the Senate has at critical moments stood for its independence as an institution and has stood up vis-a-vis the Executive or the Judiciary to exert our power and to fulfill our mandate as a separate or co-equal branch of the government. Q: Ma'am, you have always been an outspoken critic of the former President Duterte's drug war and recently the ICC issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin. What do you think are the implications of this ruling on the ICC's probe on former President Duterte and as well as what are its effects, do you think, on President Marcos' continued decision to protect his ally from a looming ICC investigation? SRH: I think that this recent and very welcome action of the ICC vis-a-vis Russian President Putin could not simplify matters for our president, could make matters more complicated for him as he seeks to consolidate his administration or balance the interests or even the movements and dynamics by and among the different groups or factions that make up his ruly coalition or his administration. Because of course, the person most implicated by that warrant issued against Putin is a close family member of his close official, remember? And I think some comfort, in sorry to say, the President's discomfort, but from his Justice Secretary who early on said some positive things in the direction of the ICC that he would not out of compliance but out of comity or courtesy provide information to the ICC somewhere along the road, even if that same justice secretary has also said other things, and the president said negative things about the ICC. But it's always interesting at the very least if not a sign of hope if the administration is not speaking monolithically about this very important issue and I think the implication also is that though the former president took us out of the ICC, we are still a part of the international community, for example, in the United Nations. I'm still hoping we'll go back to be a signatory of the Rome Statute, but even while we're still outside the ICC, we are a member of the international community, and that stunning warrant against Russian President Putin, for which there are precedents, like what happened in the former Yugoslavia, when the later leadership decided to surrender Milosevic. The fact that though Russia and Ukraine are both not members of the ICC but Kyiv has recognized its jurisdiction, can only encourage or embolden if not the President immediately, other parts of the political system, to somehow take a more favorable or open stance vis-a-vis the ICC, because we always like to say that the arc of the moral universe but it bends towards justice. Given the slow-paced still - always admirable, when there are rulings in favor of the family of Kian de los Santos or the families of Carl Arnaiz and the little boy Kulot - still those are three at least 6,000 or at most 30,000 killings in seven years. It will take it thousands of years to do it on our own so all help is welcome, including and especially from the ICC. Q: You've investigated POGOs in the past in your committee and the scams.. I understand Sen. Win's committee also did an investigation. I thought there should be a committee report.. Have you seen the report and do you agree with the report? SRH: There is actually already a committee report from the committee of Sen. Sherwin, and I signed it and will interpellate it. And also, in order to type up some of its findings and recommendations with those already included in the committee report of the Committee on Women, when we investigated POGO-related prostitution, illegal recruitment and detention, the pastillas scam, and also the early stages of POGO-related human trafficking. Including earlier investigations of Senate Committees on tax evasion, which was also reflected in Sen. Sherwin's committee report and one other earlier committee report, before that of the Committee on Women. So I do agree with the findings of Sen. Sherwin's committee report about tax evasion and tax accountabilities until today and I do agree with his committee report's recommendation to close down POGO operations. In fact, it was a very ambitious, even rapid, target embodied in the committee report, to close it down in three months, so by interpellating it when it comes to plenary, I'll just like to expand on the committee findings and recommendations to tie them up with what we have continued now to investigate in terms of human trafficking, not so much POGO-related anymore, but related to the link between human trafficking and cryptoscamming or what in the west is called pig butchering. Q: Do you mean total closure of the POGO industry? Is that the recommendation? SRH: As I understand that is the same recommendation in Sen. Sherwin's committee report, as the Committee on Women made in our committee report and continue to make today. Q: How about your colleagues in the Senate? Do they also support it? SRH: I couldn't tell you right now if the balance of forces is or the mapping would show that if the committee report comes to a vote, if it would be supported already, but I am hopeful that it would be because since the earlier investigations, especially on the Committee on Women, which ran over two years and which invited parallel investigations of the National Bureau of Investigation of the Bureau of Immigration itself and even of the Office of the Ombudsman, and so disciplinary actions are being taken and cases filed against though just low-level and mid-level, members of the Bureau of Immigration. Since then, there's been a growing number of members of the Senate, including of the majority, who have spoken up to say enough, enough of the POGO. So I'm hopeful that if that recommendation of Sen. Sherwin as embodied in the committee report comes to a vote, that we may have a yes vote. Q: Is it correct to understand that there are still senators who support the continuation of the POGO industry despite your investigation and Sen. Win's? SRH: I can't tell for sure today, until we start the interpellations but if there are, then probably they have their reasons, maybe a few or one are or is a good reason. But I will certainly push and I'm confident that Sen. Sherwin will push and I'm hopeful that more of my colleagues will push really for the closure of the POGOs. That they should pay their taxes owed to government and just get out here. Q: May we get your reaction to the Cagayan government's continued insistence that it doesn't want the presence of US troops in its shores? Amb. Romualdez earlier said that it is likely that Cagayan is negotiating for Chinese investments that if they allowed US troops it will be in jeopardy? And second question, should the president name the four additional sites already under EDCA? SRH: We actually asked that question of the Dept. of National Defense and Armed Forces of the Philippines, when we held an executive session briefing and an open hearing, but even in the executive session and certainly in the hearing, they hued to the official position that the location of the sites, the additional sites, is still under negotiation between the Philippines and the US and therefore they are not yet revealing and I suppose also for security reasons. But there's nothing wrong with negotiating for Chinese investments, as long as they follow Philippine laws and as long as they're not in critical industries that are reserved or I think, some of us think, to Filipino investors or even to the public domain under government, such as telecoms, energy, and such, and especially while Beijing still refuses to recognize the Hague ruling, while she has not paid what she owes us in terms of the environmental damage she reaped in our oceans while she continues to harass our fisherfolk, and even harass Philippine navy and coast guard vessels and personnel in our territory. So there's nothing wrong with negotiating for any foreign investments for that matter, as long as they are according to Philippine law, and they are taking place in the context of mutual respect in terms of foreign relations between our two countries. If that is the situation in Cagayan, aside from that it is okay to negotiate for foreign investments according to Philippine law. I did say when the issue of additional EDCA sites came up, that consultation should be held to the affected local government units and residents, if they want or if they will accept additional foreign presence in our country, within their jurisdictions. And beyond that, I really believe that especially with the advances anyway in military technology, it should be sufficient and more consistent with our recent history and by recent I am referring to the 1991 "No" vote on the RP-US bases agreement and the subsequent passage of the VFA and the EDCA. It should be sufficient to, and we do call for and would welcome more Balikatan joint naval exercises in Philippine waters, not just with the US - which I already welcome as I welcome their support for the Hague ruling - but also other countries, especially with like-minded countries of the ASEAN, the Quad and other naval powers, all of whom are interested in a rules-based approach to solving the tensions in the West Philippine Sea and in the whole South China Sea, and certainly to prevent any outbreak of any armed confrontation around Taiwan. So I think this is more in line with an interdependent foreign policy and multilateralism in our foreign policy. Q: Ma'am before the pandemic, you were a member of that committee, you investigated the involvement of the State Grid of China (40 percent ownership of the transmission lines). Have you established that they already turned over authority to their Filipino counterparts? SRH: They still haven't. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, or rather the state-owned enterprise of China which owns a 40 percent stake in the NGCP has not yet turned over its share to the Philippine government or even officially, to the Filipino company that is holding a majority share in the grid. So it's of additional concern that NGCP recently entered into a memorandum of agreement with our (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency). Because a MOA even between our highest national (intelligence) body and an ostensibly government owned and controlled corporation but which still has not just dubious but outright questionable foreign stake inside it and of a country which has been so hostile to us especially in terms of the Hague ruling, does not reassure us in anyway. If we do not resolve the fundamental issue of ownership and control, a simple MOA even with our highest national (intelligence) body would not resolve that fundamental question and might even raise further questions. Shouldn't the (NICA) put its weight behind the calls to return ownership to sole Filipino hands rather than enter into a MOA with the NGCP under these conditions? Q: A number of countries have banned Tiktok on government devices. Do you think the Philippines should follow suit? Tiktok is incredibly popular here in the Philippines. SRH: Woe is me since I am a late comer to Tiktok. My office has just held a Women's Month event with the Senate Gender and Development (GAD) and Tiktok and awarded three best Tiktokers from outside the Senate and from within the Senate who created content to promote gender sensitivity and women empowerment on that platform. We just opened a kind of a relationship with them. I have had occasion to mention their company following on mentioning Facebook because we engage Facebook on recent legislation for women and children in terms of the strengthened Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the recent Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Act where we called Facebook to account and mentioned that we will also be getting in touch with media companies including Tiktok. It is also important for us to engage Tiktok in recent and ongoing investigation of the Committee on Women into scamming and human trafficking. TIktok is also one of the social media platforms mentioned as involved in this mesh of well crimes against persons and public crimes as well. If the investigation in this resolution or other investigations in the Senate should lead us to think about what other countries have done, then certainly we will face the question when it comes. Q: The concern is that Tiktok has been a quasi- private and state owned company and there are concerns that through the app, China may be spying on foreign governments. Is that a concern for the Philippines? SRH: It should be a concern for us, if we are concerned about state owned enterprises of China in our grid, in our telecoms, and our social media platforms. Yes, we should be concerned. Also because as for the Chinese state-owned enterprise in the NGCP, Chinese companies operating abroad are obliged by Chinese intelligence laws and counter-espionage laws to provide information to Beijing on request and they may not refuse. So this is actually considered by other countries as spying laws or espionage laws. It would and should be a concern for the Philippines. BOGOTA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A Colombian military helicopter crashed on Sunday, killing four soldiers in Quibdo, the capital city of Choco department, Colombia's President Gustavo Petro said. "There were no survivors in the plane crash in Quibdo," Petro said on social media, extending condolences to the families of the victims. The helicopter was delivering supplies when the tragedy occurred, he added. Farlin Perea, the governor of Choco department, said an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the accident. Hundreds of anti-war activists held an anti-war demonstration in San Francisco, U.S. state of California on Saturday. The protesters demanded that the United States should stop inciting the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, promote peace talks between the two sides, dissolve the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and cut the U.S. military spending. Produced by Xinhua Global Service by Burak Akinci ANKARA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- As Turkiye is slowly recovering from the massive earthquakes that left large parts of the country in ruins, the exodus of the workforce is a headache for local factories and farms of the earthquake zone. According to the latest research by the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, the catastrophe prompted millions of people in the 11 quake-stricken provinces to relocate to safer cities. The quake zone, with a strong textile industry and agricultural sector, accounts for 16 percent of the country's employment and 11 percent of total industrial output. Despite Ankara's vow to quickly reconstruct hundreds of thousands of damaged or collapsed buildings, some people believe they might not come back. "We don't have plans to return to our city in the short term. My workplace has been leveled to the ground, so is my house," Ahmet Tekin, a factory worker from Kahramanmaras, the southeastern epicenter of two earthquakes on Feb. 6. The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 quakes claimed the lives of over 50,000 people, injuring tens of thousands and leaving millions homeless. More than 4 million survivors are estimated to have migrated to other regions while 1.5 million others are currently sheltered in tents and container homes in the disaster zone. Tekin told Xinhua in the capital city of Ankara that he is seeking a job in this city where his family relocated a week after the disaster. The Turkish government has declared a ban on layoffs and extended a wage support scheme for businesses affected by the deadly quakes. "We will see how things will develop but are still early. Perhaps we will decide to go back, but it is also possible that we may never return," Tekin added. Alongside the manufacturing plants, farms have also been hit hard in the region where a state of emergency has been declared. Approximately 15 percent of the total agricultural land in Turkiye is located in the earthquake zone. Hikmet Cincin, head of the Antakya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that businesses in his city, which was heavily hit by the tremors, were operating far below capacity because they lacked skilled workers. "Business here operate at a capacity of 30 percent because those who managed to survive the earthquakes moved to other cities or villages," he told Xinhua. An official report released last week estimated that the disaster may cost over 105 billion U.S. dollars for the country's already struggling economy. The report, revealed by Turkiye's Treasury and Finance Ministry and prepared by the presidency, predicted that the financial burden caused by the tragic tremors could reach 9 percent of the national income in 2023. According to experts, the economic effects of the earthquakes will continue to impact the region for years to come. "We need super incentives to get the industry running back again," Cincin insisted, calling on authorities to act urgently to stimulate industrial and agricultural production. SAO PAULO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has garnered a 41 percent approval rating since taking office on Jan. 1 for a third term, an opinion poll has showed. The survey, conducted by pollster IPEC (Intelligence in Research and Strategic Consulting) and published Sunday by news outlet O Globo, showed Lula enjoys higher approval than his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022) did at the start of his term (34 percent). Some 41 percent of those surveyed rated his administration as "good" or "excellent," and 30 percent rated it as "regular," said IPEC. Lula received better ratings at the start of his two previous terms with 51 percent approval in 2003 and 49 percent in 2007, the pollster noted. IPEC's executive director, Marcia Cavallari, told O Globo that the Brazilian president's approval is at a "good level," because half of the respondents who rated his administration as "regular," approve of the way he is governing. The survey shows Brazil's northeast region, the poorest in the country, is where the president has the highest approval rating, with 53 percent of respondents describing his administration as "good" or "excellent." Lula was least supported in the Central-West region and the northern Amazon, where his approval rating stood at 31 percent. BAGHDAD, March 20 (Xinhua) -- In the early morning of March 20, 2003, sirens suddenly wailed in Baghdad. Upon hearing explosions, Jamal Hashim Ahmed, a Xinhua News Agency reporter based in Baghdad, immediately used a satellite phone to report that to the editorial office of Xinhua. Jamal's timely message made Xinhua the first media outlet to broadcast the outbreak of the Iraq War to the world. As a journalist, Jamal is proud. "I am proud of being part of the scoop, which came as a result of hard work and cooperation with my Chinese colleagues." However, as an Iraqi, Jamal is heavy-hearted to witness his country going through destruction and bloodshed. "Unfortunately, it happened, and I had the opportunity to convey to the world, especially the Chinese people, the pain and suffering of my people after the U.S. invasion of my country." Jamal has continued to work for Xinhua over the past 20 years under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions attributable to the war, with shootings, explosions and deadly suicide attacks happening nearly every day. Sometimes, insecurity forced him to stay in the office for days, or sneak home through different paths. "I was once caught in the crossfire in 2006 while on a minibus between insurgents and U.S. forces in western Baghdad. Mortars and machine gun fire were very close to me, and I couldn't hide, only waiting for what will happen," Jamal recalled, noting that the distance between him and the U.S. forces was less than 100 meters. The Iraq War led to an estimated 200,000 to 250,000 civilian deaths. Since that war, civilian casualties have become commonplace in Iraq. In 2006, widespread sectarian vendettas across Iraq killed thousands of civilians. In 2014, the Islamic State conquered about one third of Iraqi land, resulting in a large number of civilian deaths. From October 2019 to early 2020, nationwide protests caused more than 500 deaths in Iraq. Each of these incidents had an emotional impact on Jamal. "It is so easy for me and everyone to be part of the casualties in a forgotten piece of news," he said. During the past 20 years, most of Jamal's reports are related to the war. For Jamal, the most challenging part of his work under such circumstances is how to dig out the truth. In the face of all kinds of information, including political propaganda from the Americans or other parties, Jamal and his colleagues have to verify every piece of information and crosscheck it. "I have witnessed the turning of the wheel of history that brought about fundamental changes on various levels, including the political and social levels, not only in my country but in the Middle East and the entire world, which makes up the bulk of my stories," said Jamal. Before the Iraq War, Washington claimed that Saddam Hussein's government had possessed weapons of mass destruction and had direct links to al-Qaeda, but so many years after the invasion of Iraq, the United States has failed to find any evidence to support its allegation. The invasion of Iraq proved that the United States was acting unilaterally and irresponsibly, lacking peaceful options when dealing with global crises, Jamal stressed. Many Iraqis, who had hoped for a better future in 2003, are disappointed after realizing that they were deceived by U.S. propaganda. "Before the war, however, despite the huge economic and social difficulties resulting from the international sanctions, many things were relatively under control, let's say, much better than they are after 2003," Jamal said, adding that before 2003, the society was more stable and safer because of the strength of the state and that people could get food and jobs more easily. Since the invasion, Iraq has descended into political chaos, with peace and democracy promised by Washington being out of reach, Jamal said. "The occupation actually destroyed the state system and substantially decimated the fabric of the Iraqi society, leading to chaos and sectarian strife that led to the mass killing of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis as well as the displacement of millions of others," he said. "The most pathetic losers of the Iraq War appeared to be the poor people in Iraq, who suffer from mass killings, terrorism, poverty, unemployment and corruption," Jamal said. "It still takes time to undo the catastrophic impact of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and I hope our tragedy will not be repeated again," he added. BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said Monday that its investigation into flight MU5735 that crashed a year ago is still in progress as the case is "very complex and extremely rare." The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operated by China Eastern Airlines, crashed into a mountainous area in Tengxian County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on March 21, 2022, claiming the lives of all 132 people on board. The aviation regulator said the CAAC and relevant departments conducted in-depth, meticulous, and rigorous technical investigations into the accident in the past year. The investigation team will continue to conduct cause analysis and experimental verification work and release relevant information promptly according to the investigation progress, added the regulator. LHASA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- "New multifunctional pressure cooker shortens our cooking time and makes the meat softer and delicious," said Tsutso, a 34-year-old herdsman in Nagqu City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, taking out a piece of yak meat from the cooker. The pressure cooker, specially designed for plateau areas where water temperature reaches 80 degrees Celsius at the most due to the high altitude, low pressure, and low boiling point, is necessary for the people living there. It can heat the meat inside the pot to 100 degrees Celsius within approximately 20 minutes, 10 minutes faster than a traditional pressure cooker. Since 2022, the local government organs have cooperated with cookware enterprises to develop 14 multifunctional cooking products and applied for 18 patents within three months. Suntrue, the first multifunctional cookware production company in the Tibet Autonomous Region, settled down in the economic and technological development area of Lhasa, the region's capital city, in 2022. At present, it has built seven production lines, with an annual capacity of one million plateau multifunctional pressure cookers. The company selected two villages in Nagqu and Xigaze to distribute the new multifunctional pressure cookers for free. The dishes on the tables were enriched since the pressure cookers can cook noodles, rice, and stew meat. Having various modern tools in the kitchen, people living on the plateau can make cooking much more convenient and faster. Up till now, a total of 20,000 multifunctional pressure cookers have been distributed across the Tibet Autonomous Region. Each multifunctional pressure cooker is sold for 100 to 200 yuan (14.5 to 29 U.S. dollars), with a government subsidy. The company plans to put the cooking product online for sale. The development and promotion of multifunctional cookware suitable for plateau areas is a livelihood project promoted by the Tibet Autonomous Region government. The region pledged to build a modern cookware industry system and strive to improve the quality of people's lives of all ethnic groups on the plateau, said Guo Xiang, an official with the region. BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said Monday that its investigation into flight MU5735 that crashed a year ago is still in progress as the case is "very complex and extremely rare." The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operated by China Eastern Airlines, crashed into a mountainous area in Tengxian County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on March 21, 2022, claiming the lives of all 132 people on board. Gao Jun, an official of the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation, said that investigations into aircraft crashes are complex processes, which usually require inspections of the qualifications and abilities of crew members, their operations, the airworthiness status of aircraft, weather conditions and airline management, among others. Judging from what we currently know, the case is quite different from any seen in the past, as the aircraft almost completely disintegrated after falling to the ground at a high speed and the wreckage was scattered, which greatly increased the difficulty of on-site search and remains collection work and added to technical complexities, Gao said. The aviation regulator said the CAAC and relevant departments conducted in-depth, meticulous, and rigorous technical investigations into the accident in the past year. Disclosing information on the progress of an investigation to the public at the one-year mark is a common practice and requirement in the international civil aviation industry, Shao Quan, a professor at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, told Xinhua. Investigations into large aircraft crashes generally last more than a year as they face technical complexities and uncertainties, and many doubts and technical difficulties need to be repeatedly scrutinized, which is time-consuming, Shao said, explaining why the investigation is not yet complete. Over the past 30 years, only 25 percent of civil aviation aircraft accident investigations in the world published final reports within a year, Shao added. The investigation team will continue to conduct cause analysis and experimental verification work and release relevant information promptly according to the investigation progress, said the regulator. Chinese President Xi Jinping is warmly greeted by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and other senior Russian officials by the ramp upon his arrival at the Moscow Vnukovo Airport in Moscow, Russia, March 20, 2023. At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday afternoon for a state visit to Russia. Xi's plane arrived at the Moscow Vnukovo Airport around 13:00 local time. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) MOSCOW, March 20 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday afternoon for a state visit to Russia through Wednesday. Xi's plane arrived at the Moscow Vnukovo Airport around 13:00 local time. As he stepped out of the plane, Xi was warmly greeted by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and other senior Russian officials by the ramp. The Russian side held a grand welcome ceremony at the airport. The military band played the national anthems of China and Russia. Xi inspected the honor guard of the three services and watched the march-past. Xi delivered an arrival statement, extending warm greetings and best wishes to the Russian government and people on behalf of the Chinese government and people. He stressed that China and Russia are friendly neighbors connected by shared mountains and rivers, adding that the two countries have consolidated and grown the bilateral relationship on the basis of no-alliance, no-confrontation and not targeting any third party, and set a fine example for developing a new model of major-country relations. The growth of China-Russia relations has not only brought tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, but also made important contributions to the development and progress of the world, he said. Noting that both being major countries in the world and permanent members of the UN Security Council, Xi said that China and Russia play important roles in international affairs. In a world of volatility and transformation, China will continue to work with Russia to safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, he said. China will work with Russia to uphold true multilateralism, promote a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations, and help make global governance more just and equitable, he said. He expressed confidence that the visit will produce fruitful results, and inject fresh impetus into the sound and steady growth of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the honor guard of the three services and watches the march-past at the Moscow Vnukovo Airport in Moscow, Russia, March 20, 2023. At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday afternoon for a state visit to Russia. Xi's plane arrived at the Moscow Vnukovo Airport around 13:00 local time. As he stepped out of the plane, Xi was warmly greeted by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and other senior Russian officials by the ramp. The Russian side held a grand welcome ceremony at the airport. The military band played the national anthems of China and Russia. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) This photo taken on March 20, 2023 shows a welcome sign for Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow, Russia. At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday afternoon for a state visit to Russia through Wednesday. (Xinhua/Cao Yang) People welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow, Russia, March 20, 2023. At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday afternoon for a state visit to Russia through Wednesday. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi) CAIRO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Egypt and Russia underscored their mutual commitment to further strengthening economic relations, spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement on Sunday. In a meeting held in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi discussed with a high-level Russian delegation the economic relations between the two countries, Ahmed Fahmy was quoted as saying in the statement. The two sides talked about Russian investments and their joint ventures in Egypt in a number of fields, particularly the construction of the nuclear power plant in El Dabaa, as well as the establishment of the Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal Industrial Zone. The meeting also focused on cooperation in the supply of grain and food in light of the current global crisis, according to the spokesman. The Russian delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry, Denis Manturov, Special Representative of the Russian President Mikhail Bogdanov as well as the vice president of the Russian Central Bank. Poe: Axe should fall on liable for NAIA human smuggling Sen. Grace Poe said airport and immigration personnel found liable for the human smuggling incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) should face the consequences of their wrongdoings. "It's nothing personal to the officers concerned. We are doing this to also protect the institution that you are supposed to be protecting," Poe said on Monday's hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee on the human smuggling incident at the NAIA involving foreign nationals. "If nobody's liable here, kung hindi kayo makakasuhan, mas lalong lalakas ang loob ng iba na gumawa ng mga bagay na hindi nyo dapat gawin.' she said. Poe in an earlier privilege speech said a chartered plane left NAIA for Dubai on February 13 without a pre-flight inspection from the Philippine National Police, and carrying passengers who were not on the manifest. On her questioning on Monday's hearing, it was revealed that an immigration officer involved in the incident was relieved from his new post in the BI's regional intelligence office pending investigation. Poe said the actions of the concerned officers showed clear violations of the protocols and will not set a good precedent if they remained unacted. "We expect decisive and correct actions from our airport and immigration chiefs on this matter to show respect for the institutions and to tell the public that irregularities will not go unpunished," she said. Poe also said she expects an update on the installation of CCTVs in the airport's premises, including the area where private chartered flights take off. Airport authorities said the CCTVs outside the area were not working because they were designed to be solar powered. "Going green is important, but the CCTVs have to be operational and effective as well," Poe said. ADEN, Yemen, March 20 (Xinhua) -- UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg on Monday declared that Yemen's warring sides agreed to release 887 conflict-related detainees from all sides as they concluded a ten-day negotiation in Switzerland. In a joint statement with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Grundberg said that the Yemeni warring parties also agreed to meet again in May to discuss future releases and to conduct joint visits to each other's detention facilities. The UN envoy extended his welcome to the agreement and commended the Yemeni parties for their compromises, expressing his hope for an end to the suffering of all Yemenis who are still waiting to be reunited with their loved ones. He also encouraged the parties to release additional detainees on a unilateral and ongoing basis. Daphnee Maret, ICRC head of delegation in Yemen, called the agreement a "crucial step" to end the suffering of separated families and build confidence between the parties. She confirmed that ICRC stands ready to continue its role as a neutral intermediary in facilitating humanitarian visits, contributing to the re-establishment of family links, and supporting the release, transfer, and repatriation of conflict-related detainees. Earlier in the day, officials from Yemen's internationally-recognized government and the Houthi group said the two sides reached an agreement to release over 880 prisoners. "We have now concluded the round of negotiations on the issue of prisoners and abductees in Berne, Switzerland. The deal includes more than 880 prisoners and abductees," Majid Fadail, a member of the government's negotiation team, said in a statement posted Monday on Twitter. The official stated the deal included the release of four journalists sentenced to death by the Houthis, several prisoners of war from the Saudi-led coalition engaged in the Yemeni civil war, and relatives of some senior Yemeni officials. Nasser Mansour, the brother of former Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, was also on the swap list, Fadail said. Abdulkadir al-Murtada, head of the Houthi prisoner committee, was quoted by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV as saying that the swap agreement comprises 706 Houthi members and 181 prisoners from the opposing side. The 181 detainees include 15 Saudi citizens and three Sudanese nationals from the Saudi-led coalition, according to the report. "The deal was agreed to be implemented within the next three weeks," al-Murtada said, adding that the deal was the first step towards an all-for-all exchange agreement. If implemented, the swap deal would be the largest of its kind in more than two years after the warring sides made a successful swap in October 2020 of more than 1,000 prisoners. The negotiations in Switzerland, which began last week, aimed to facilitate the exchange of prisoners and political detainees between the Yemeni government and Houthi militia under the auspices of the United Nations. The UN-sponsored agreement was seen as a positive step toward a broader peace agreement, though it remained unclear whether it would lead to a wider ceasefire or lead to new negotiations to put an end to the years-long military conflict. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the Saudi-backed Yemeni government out of the capital Sanaa. The war has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced 4 million and pushed Yemen to the brink of starvation. LUSAKA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-three-year-old Zambian entrepreneur Sammy Muhosho, in his effort to harness waste resources and contribute to the fight against climate change, has ventured into the production of charcoal briquettes as an alternative energy source by using agricultural wastes such as maize cobs, rice husks, groundnut shells as well as clay, water and cassava flour. The move is meant to help lessen dependence on charcoal made from trees, which has resulted in high levels of deforestation in the southern African nation. Muhosho, founder and chief executive officer of Baila Energy Limited, a waste management company, said he decided to start the project because he has always been obsessed with entrepreneurism from a young age, and that the project also serves as one way to contribute to the fight against climate change. "I decided to venture into this because of climate change. Everyone is talking about climate change, so we looked around for solutions, (and) alternatives to tree-cutting to make charcoal," he added. Since its establishment two years ago in Mongu district in western Zambia, Muhosho said that the demand has been good, a situation that forced him to relocate to Lusaka, the country's capital where the demand is even higher. Apart from meeting household demand, Muhosho said they also have commercial customers such as poultry farmers as well as pig farmers and that the company has been getting inquiries from all parts of the country. The company, which has so far employed five young people, intends to expand by being a major supplier of charcoal briquettes to various parts of the country, and even to neighboring countries, although it still has challenges in improving production. According to Muhosho, the company needs a charcoal-briquette-making machine to improve output because current production is not able to meet demand. The company now produces 200 pieces of charcoal briquettes per day. "We always have demand but the supply is low. Sometimes we have people that need 1,000 pieces and we only have 200 pieces, so we never satisfy the market," he added. Muhosho believes that young people should not only look to the government for jobs but be innovative and creative, noting that he learned how to make the briquettes on social media. He believes that fighting climate change requires concerted efforts from everyone, hence his decision to share his knowledge with others. So far the company has trained about 25 other people. The project, he said, has the capacity to fight climate change because apart from reducing the cutting of trees, the charcoal is smoke-free and that it lasts longer compared to the one produced from trees. Apart from making charcoal briquettes, the company is also helping in protecting the environment through the collection of wastes such as old calendars, used plastics, and newspapers which they recycle and use in making bags for packaging. TOKYO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index closed at a two-month low on Monday amid heightened concerns over further contagion after banking failures in the United States affected a major European lender as well as major stock markets. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 388.12 points, or 1.42 percent, from Friday to close the day at 26,945.67. The broader Topix index, meanwhile, dropped 30.12 points, or 1.54 percent, to finish at 1,929.30. Dealers here said that investors switched out of riskier assets like stocks and into perceived safe havens including the yen, which drove its price up versus the U.S. dollar, amid concerns over a potentially faltering global financial system. A strong yen versus its major counterparts negatively impacts domestic exporter issues whose firms rely on a weak yen to boost profits when repatriated from overseas and enhance price-competitiveness in foreign markets, analysts explained. The risk-averse mood added by local brokers on Monday continued in part by Wall Street's retreat late last week, as moves to mitigate the fallout from the collapse of two U.S. lenders failed to calm investors' fears that the crisis could widen and hit the global banking sector. Market strategists also said that along with concerns over other U.S. regional banks' stability, Swiss banking giant UBS Group AG's acquisition of Credit Suisse had only served to deepen concerns about the financial crisis spreading further in Europe and beyond. "I had thought the news about rescue for Credit Suisse would be positive for the market, but it fell deeper than I expected," said Shigetoshi Kamada, general manager at the research department at Tachibana Securities. "Global investors are staying away from risk assets right now so the Japanese market declines in line with that trend," Kamada said. Analysts here concurred, with head of investment research at SMBC Trust Bank Masahiro Yamaguchi stating that, "Investors were still wary that other financial institutions could be heading for bankruptcy in the same way as some did recently." Banking shares among Monday's selloff included Mizuho Financial Group falling 2.3 percent and fellow megabank Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group's sliding 1.8 percent. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, for its part, dropped 1.7 percent by the close. Dragging the broader market lower, Nikkei heavyweights came under selling pressure, with Fast Retailing, operator of the Uniqlo clothing chain, retreating 2.1 percent, while chip-manufacturing equipment maker Tokyo Electron slumped 2.6 percent. Among exporters losing ground on the yen's rise were Mazda Motor reversing 1.4 percent and Nissan Motor skidding down 1.9 percent. By the close of play, marine transportation, warehousing and harbor transportation service, and real estate issues comprised those that lost the most. The turnover on the first trading day of the week came to 2,976.44 billion yen (22.69 billion U.S. dollars). PHNOM PENH, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A rare Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin has been found dead after being entangled in fishermen's illegal gillnets in northeast Cambodia, the Fisheries Administration said in a statement. The 2.38-meter-long male dolphin, 160 kg in weight and aged about 20, was spotted dead on Sunday morning in the Mekong River in the Stung Treng province, said the statement. "The joint research team of Fisheries Administration and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) primarily assessed that the cause of the death was gillnets since there were tears on its stomach, and gillnet marks on its tail base and pelvic fins," the statement said. It was the first dolphin found dead in 2023, it added. WWF-Cambodia country director Seng Teak said this tragic incident occurred amid the implementation of stricter protection measures in line with a government sub-decree announced in February on the Mekong dolphin management zones. "The illegal fishing activities and the use of illegal fishing gears in dolphin conservation areas remain a challenge although protection measures have been remarkably stepped up in the last few months," he told Xinhua on Monday. As dolphins share habitats with other mega fish species and broodstock, their protection is in favor of people's livelihoods, food sources and food security, Teak said, urging authorities to further strengthen regulation and management concerning dolphin hunting and local fish markets and depots. "A complete ban on all illegal fishing activities including gillnets, long-line hooks and electro fishing in the dolphin areas would help safeguard this critically endangered species from extinction," he added. "More efforts are needed to stop the illegal dolphin trade," he noted. The Irrawaddy dolphins have been listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species since 2004. The Fisheries Administration said there are about 90 Irrawaddy dolphins living in the Cambodian portion of the Mekong River in the Kratie and Stung Treng provinces. The government last month issued a sub-decree on the creation of the dolphin conservation and protection zones covering a 120-km-long stretch of the Mekong River in the two provinces. "Fishing must be prohibited from the dolphin conservation and protection zones," the sub-decree said. YANGON, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar expects to export 100,000 tons of onions in coming 2023-2024 fiscal year, local media reported. The Myanmar Digital News quoted the ministry of commerce as saying that the country exported 94,000 tons of onions and earned 41.39 million U.S. dollars from April last year to February this year. The Southeast Asian country's major clients for exporting onions are Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Bangladesh and the United States. The Myanmar Digital News reported that there are over 170,000 acres of onion farms across the country with an estimated production of 1 million tons. CANBERRA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Australia's national science agency has asked for regular citizens' help to document shark egg cases that wash up on beaches. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) on Monday launched the Great Eggcase Hunt, calling on citizen scientists to find and record cases. Egg cases or capsules surround the eggs of oviparous sharks, skates and chimaeras through the entire gestation period, which can range from three months to three years. They can range in size from four to 25 cm and can be smooth, ridged or corkscrew-shaped depending on the species. After fully developing inside the oviduct, the case is deposited outside the body for the remainder of the incubation period after which the capsules are discarded. Helen O'Neill, a biologist from the CSIRO Australian National Fish Collection, said that by recording case sightings on beaches citizens could help researchers discover what the cases of different species look like. "Egg cases are important for understanding the basic biology of oviparous chondrichthyans, as well as revealing valuable information such as where different species live and where their nurseries are located," she said in a statement. The hunt is an initiative of British-based charity The Shark Trust, which is focused on the conservation of sharks, skates, chimaera and rays. Each egg case has a unique morphology that can help researchers describe and name species. "At the Australian National Fish Collection, we are matching egg cases to the species that laid them," O'Neill said. "Egg cases found washed up on beaches have likely already hatched, died prematurely due to being washed ashore or been preyed on by creatures like sea snails, who bore a hole in the egg case and suck out the contents." ISLAMABAD, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Arif Alvi said on Monday that his country must adopt innovation-driven development to boost national progress and prosperity on sustainable grounds. "Promoting innovative ideas, focusing on health and education sectors, timely adaptation to newly emerging technologies, as well as setting up the right priorities are keys to steering the nation on the path of development," the president said while addressing a ceremony in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi. New ideas and innovation played an important role in human evolution and paved the way to the destination of advancement and progress, he said, adding that the development of intellectual resources is vital for the sustainable advancement of the country besides the development of natural resources. The president highlighted the role of the rapidly growing information technology (IT) sector worldwide, noting that it encompasses all sectors of fundamental importance like finance, manufacturing, agriculture, education and health. "In this regard, Pakistan can jump in the fastest moving development vehicle of IT by promoting ideas of our youth in the IT sector and creating an intellectual advantage in IT," he said. At the moment, the services of millions of IT experts are required around the world, and Pakistan can acquire a considerable share out of the available opportunities by focusing on the IT sector for national growth, said the president. SEOUL, March 20 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's automotive export hit a record high in February thanks to robust demand for eco-friendly vehicles, government data showed on Monday. Car shipment soared 47.1 percent from a year earlier to 5.6 billion U.S. dollars in February, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The latest figure marks the country's highest monthly auto shipment, which has continued to grow for the seventh consecutive month since August last year. The number of exported vehicles was 222,934 in February, up 34.8 percent from a year earlier. Export for eco-friendly cars jumped 83.4 percent to 2.02 billion dollars during the cited period, while the number of the exported units surged 61.6 percent to a record high of 63,000. The number of vehicles manufactured in local factories increased 30.2 percent over the year to 343,575 in February on the back of the eased supply disruption of semiconductors used to make cars. The number of cars sold in South Korea, including locally-made and imported vehicles, was 147,031 in February, up 19.6 percent from a year earlier. ISTANBUL, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Rumeysa Gurbuz, a Turkish nurse, was tearful when recalling the reunion moment with her cat Leyla after the tragic earthquakes separated them apart last month. When the tremors jolted the Hatay province of Turkiye on Feb. 6, Gurbuz was injured and taken to Istanbul for treatment, during which she placed an ad on Facebook trying to find Leyla. Three weeks later, an international volunteer group found her cat, who crawled out of debris after hearing the voice of her owner calling out to her. The voice was a recording suggested by the volunteer group to help them find her pet. Soon after the catastrophe, cries for help from under the debris drew in thousands of earnest volunteers and experienced search and rescue teams from around the world. But not all the cries came from people. Many animals, either someone's beloved pet or a neighborhood stray, have also been trapped beneath tons of concrete. To save these four-legged victims, the teams of Humane Society International (HSI), a leading force for animal protection, arrived in Turkiye after the quakes, working hand in hand with their Turkish peers. Kelly Donithan, HSI's director of animal disaster response, told Xinhua via an email interview that during their rescue operations which lasted almost a month, teams had gone out on several search-and-rescue missions per day, which involved scanning the area for signs of animals and visiting specific locations provided by anxious pet owners. "We would often be passed on Facebook messages left by desperate people looking for their pets, and we used that information to locate their homes and search," Donithan said. The animals were often very traumatized and scared to come out, requiring a great deal of patience and perseverance before they could be rescued. "Sometimes, we made contact with the owners and asked them to send us voice recordings of them calling their pets, and this proved very useful on a number of occasions in encouraging their animals to emerge from their hideouts," noted Donithan. "I would say we were witness to or otherwise involved in between 10 - 15 reunions between people and their animals." Emre Bulunmaz, a Turkish citizen, was one animal lover who rushed to the town of Elbistan in the southern province of Kahramanmaras on the day of the disaster. He spent four days there, entering damaged and abandoned buildings alongside trained personnel from the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) to extract cats, dogs, and even one very talkative parakeet. "I gather wounded animals from apartments and bring them to a clinic in Istanbul," Bulunmaz told Xinhua in an interview. "We then try to find them new homes," as many had lost their owners. Deniz Kara, from the southwestern province of Mugla, went to Hatay on the fourth day of the disaster along with her 15-person search-and-rescue team named Mugla 911. As an animal lover, she was rescuing people in coordination with AFAD in the area, but also kept an eye out for any animals in need. "Some people came over and told us their pets were still trapped in their homes," she told Xinhua. "We entered the buildings that we could (to recover them)," she said. But most of the time, it was helping animals out in the street in any way they could, such as giving them food. She recounted one goat that had just given birth on the night of the earthquake and injured her rear leg in the ensuing chaos. "There was no medical personnel nearby, so we administered first aid. She made a quick recovery during our time there," she said. French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne delivers a speech during the vote of motions of no confidence at the French National Assembly, in Paris, France, March 20, 2023. Two no-confidence motions against the French government failed to convince a majority in the National Assembly after hot debates followed by narrow votes on Monday afternoon. It means the government's unpopular pension reform bill is considered as adopted without vote in the lower house of Parliament. French President Emmanuel Macron now has 15 days to enact the law. (Photo by Rit Heize/Xinhua) PARIS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Two no-confidence motions against the French government failed to convince a majority in the National Assembly after hot debates followed by narrow votes on Monday afternoon. It means the government's unpopular pension reform bill is considered as adopted without vote in the lower house of Parliament. French President Emmanuel Macron now has 15 days to enact the law. The first multiparty motion, filed by the centrist opposition group LIOT, gained 278 votes among the deputies, only nine votes short of the 287 required to topple Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne's government. The second motion, tabled by the far-right National Rally party, only got 94 votes. The French National Assembly is composed of 577 seats, but since there are currently four vacancies, the number of votes required to reach a majority is 287. Borne on Thursday triggered an article of the country's Constitution that allows the government to force passage of the controversial pension reform bill without a vote in the National Assembly. Following the results of the two no-confidence motions, France's largest union, the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), has called for "amplifying the mobilization" and "participating massively in the rolling strikes and the demonstrations" on March 23. Tensions also rose across France. Demonstrations in Paris and Lille were dispersed by the police with tear gas. According to Paragraph 3 of Article 49 of the French Constitution, the prime minister may, after consulting with the Council of Ministers, impose the adoption of a bill by the National Assembly without a vote. The only way for the National Assembly to veto this is to pass a no-confidence motion against the government. The prime minister laid out details of the pension reform plan in January, under which the legal retirement age would be progressively raised by three months a year from 62 to 64 by 2030, and a guaranteed minimum pension would be introduced. Under the plan, as of 2027, at least 43 years of work would be required to be eligible for a full pension. French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne (front) delivers a speech during the vote of motions of no confidence at the French National Assembly, in Paris, France, March 20, 2023. Two no-confidence motions against the French government failed to convince a majority in the National Assembly after hot debates followed by narrow votes on Monday afternoon. It means the government's unpopular pension reform bill is considered as adopted without vote in the lower house of Parliament. French President Emmanuel Macron now has 15 days to enact the law. (Photo by Rit Heize/Xinhua) French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne delivers a speech during the vote of motions of no confidence at the French National Assembly, in Paris, France, March 20, 2023. Two no-confidence motions against the French government failed to convince a majority in the National Assembly after hot debates followed by narrow votes on Monday afternoon. It means the government's unpopular pension reform bill is considered as adopted without vote in the lower house of Parliament. French President Emmanuel Macron now has 15 days to enact the law. (Photo by Rit Heize/Xinhua) French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne delivers a speech during the vote of motions of no confidence at the French National Assembly, in Paris, France, March 20, 2023. Two no-confidence motions against the French government failed to convince a majority in the National Assembly after hot debates followed by narrow votes on Monday afternoon. It means the government's unpopular pension reform bill is considered as adopted without vote in the lower house of Parliament. French President Emmanuel Macron now has 15 days to enact the law. (Photo by Rit Heize/Xinhua) French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne (L) reacts during the vote of motions of no confidence at the French National Assembly, in Paris, France, March 20, 2023. Two no-confidence motions against the French government failed to convince a majority in the National Assembly after hot debates followed by narrow votes on Monday afternoon. It means the government's unpopular pension reform bill is considered as adopted without vote in the lower house of Parliament. French President Emmanuel Macron now has 15 days to enact the law. (Photo by Rit Heize/Xinhua) French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne (L) reacts during the vote of motions of no confidence at the French National Assembly, in Paris, France, March 20, 2023. Two no-confidence motions against the French government failed to convince a majority in the National Assembly after hot debates followed by narrow votes on Monday afternoon. It means the government's unpopular pension reform bill is considered as adopted without vote in the lower house of Parliament. French President Emmanuel Macron now has 15 days to enact the law. (Photo by Rit Heize/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 20, 2023 shows a view after the vote of one motion of no confidence at the French National Assembly, in Paris, France. Two no-confidence motions against the French government failed to convince a majority in the National Assembly after hot debates followed by narrow votes on Monday afternoon. It means the government's unpopular pension reform bill is considered as adopted without vote in the lower house of Parliament. French President Emmanuel Macron now has 15 days to enact the law. (Photo by Rit Heize/Xinhua) Press Release March 20, 2023 Senate passes 'No Permit, No Exam' and 'student loan payment freeze' bills on third reading On third and final reading, the Senate of the Philippines approves twin education measures supporting students against the "no permit, no exam" policy; and the suspension of payment of student loans during disasters and national emergencies. At the plenary session, Monday, March 20, 2023, all 22 members in attendance unanimously voted in support of Senate Bill Nos. (SBN) 1359 ('No Permit, No Exam' Prohibition Act) and 1864 (Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act). The main purpose of SBN 1359 is to prohibit the 'No Permit, No Exam' rule and to disallow any policy that bars students from taking educational assessments due to unpaid financial or property obligations, such as tuition and other school fees in both public and private schools. The approved measure also forbids schools to compel students and their parents or legal guardians to pay a portion of the outstanding financial obligation. Instead, schools are encouraged to enforce other interventions such as withholding the release of diplomas or certificates, denying admission or enrolment in the succeeding school year or semester, refusing the issuance of applicable clearances, and pursuing the settlement of outstanding financial or property obligations through appropriate legal action. SB 1359 was authored by Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri, Senate President Pro-Tempore Loren Legarda, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Senators Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Ronald "Bato" M. Dela Rosa, Cynthia Villar, Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Win Gatchalian, Manuel "Lito" Lapid, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, and Christopher Lawrence T. Go. On the other hand, SBN 1864 provides a respite for college students from paying their financial obligations to their schools if they fall during a declaration of either a national or local state of calamity in the area where they are located. The moratorium shall be effective for the duration of the state of calamity or emergency and 30 days after the lifting of such state of calamity or emergency. During that time, no penalty or interest shall be collected on the deferred payments. SBN 1864 was likewise authored by Senators Zubiri, Legarda, Villanueva, Lapid, Escudero, Revilla and Go. Meanwhile, the Senate also passed on third reading House Bill No. (HBN) 4635, or the extension of full-time service of the President of Adiong Memorial State College (AMSC) in Lanao del Sur from three years to four years, in accordance with Republic Act 8292, otherwise known as the Higher Education Modernization Act. The president of the AMSC will also be eligible for reappointment for an additional three-year term. HBN 4635 was also approved unanimously. PARIS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The first of two no-confidence motions against the French government led by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne was rejected Monday at the National Assembly. Borne invoked a special constitutional power to push through the government's unpopular pension reform measures without a vote. EU backs ICC decision on arrest warrant for Putin 20 March, 12:15 PM The EU views the ICCs decision as the beginning of the process to bring justice to those responsible (Photo:REUTERS/Yves Herman) The European Union has declared its support for the International Criminal Court (ICC)s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, who could now be detained in 123 countries, the EU High Representative said in a statement on March 19. "The European Union has taken note of the decision of the International Criminal Courts Pre-Trial Chamber II to issue arrest warrants against the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, and Commissioner for Childrens Rights in the Office of the President Maria Lvova-Belova, in connection with alleged crimes of unlawful deportation and unlawful transfer of children in the context of the situation in Ukraine," the message reads. Video of day The EU views the ICCs decision as the beginning of the process to bring justice to those responsible, including the Russian leadership, for the crimes committed in Ukraine, the statement goes on. The EU also supports the ICCs investigations in Ukraine and calls for full cooperation from all State Parties. Located in The Hague, Netherlands, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova on March 17. They are accused of a war crime deporting thousands of children from Ukraine to Russia since Feb. 24, 2022. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has documented the deportation of over 16,000 children from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions, but the actual number could be much higher. Ukraine has only been able to return 308 children to their homes. Ukraine's Prosecutor General, Andriy Kostin, stated that Putin can be arrested in the 123 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute, which established the ICC. All EU countries, including Germany, are signatories. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov have argued that the arrest warrant is "legally null and void" because Russia is not a party to the Rome Statute. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News " " Lampworking can be used to create smaller works, such as these beads, and larger pieces too. Hemera/ Thinkstock Say the word lampworking, and you're likely to get some blank stares from most people outside of the glass-art community. But the work made from the technique? Everyone's familiar with that: Think of the glass beads that dangle from necklaces, the delicate glass flowers you can see at Harvard's Botanical museum and glass paperweights with intricate designs imbedded inside them. Don't let the size of these examples fool you, though -- lampworking can be used to make large pieces such as sculptures too. Like its more familiar cousin, glass blowing, lampworking uses a flame to heat glass and make it molten or pliable. But the two techniques are very different--and create very different end products. True, they both use heat to get glass to be bendable and shapeable. But that's about where the similarities end. Glassblowers use hollow tubes to blow air into the hot glass and expand it. Therefore, the finished products usually have air in the middle -- think of a hollow glass ornament you might hang on a Christmas tree. Lampworkers, in contrast, don't blow air into the glass, so the beads and other products they create are solid. Instead, they work the hot glass around a steel rod, letting it solidify around it. Advertisement This type of glasswork also goes by the name flameworking and torchworking, though lampworking seems to be the most popular term. This latter name comes from the fact that the work was once done by the flame of oil lamps. But that's not to say the art doesn't stretch back even further than that. Read on to learn why the foundations of flameworking may go all the way back to the ancient Egyptians. QINGDAO, China, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 16, the 23rd China Qingdao Plum Blossom Festival officially kicked off in Licang district of Qingdao, Shandong province. The district boasts a stunning 53-hectare plum blossom garden, surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes. Qingdao's Licang district boasts a stunning 53-hectare plum blossom garden, surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes. This year's festival is expected to run through April 16 and offers a range of activities, including flower appreciation, tourism, leisure, and cultural exchanges. Guided by the Publicity Department of CPC Qingdao Municipal Committee and sponsored by the Qingdao Cultural and Tourism Bureau and Licang government, the event aims to promote the integration of culture and tourism. It is part of a three-year campaign to boost the local tourism sector and also hails the upcoming 2023 Shandong Tourism Development Conference. Visitors take photo in a 53-hectare plum blossom garden in the Licang district of Qingdao, Shandong province on March 16. To mark the launch of the event, a promotional video was shown, introducing Licang's cultural and tourism strengths. This was followed by a captivating gala featuring singing, dancing, martial arts and drum performances. The ceremony also showcased a dozen intangible cultural heritage items, including sugar-figure blowing, dough modelling and smoke painting. In addition to the festivities, the organizers have promoted five sightseeing routes in Licang district, encouraging both locals and tourists to experience the charm of spring and explore the beauty of the area. Overall, the 23rd China Qingdao Plum Blossom Festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of culture, nature and tourism, providing a platform for visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the region and create lasting memories. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-23rd-china-qingdao-plum-blossom-festival-kicks-off-in-licang-qingdao-301775911.html SOURCE Licang District Convergence Media Center An undated photo provided by the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library shows Ben Barnes, right, with President Lyndon Johnson. (Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library via The New York Times) WASHINGTON It has been more than four decades, but Ben Barnes said he remembers it vividly. His longtime political mentor invited him on a mission to the Middle East. What Barnes said he did not realize until later was the real purpose of the mission: to sabotage the reelection campaign of the president of the United States. It was 1980, and Jimmy Carter was in the White House, bedeviled by a hostage crisis in Iran that had paralyzed his presidency and hampered his effort to win a second term. Carters best chance for victory was to free the 52 Americans held captive before Election Day. That was something that Barnes said his mentor was determined to prevent. His mentor was John Connally Jr., a titan of U.S. politics and former Texas governor who had served three presidents and just lost his own bid for the White House. A former Democrat, Connally had sought the Republican nomination in 1980 only to be swamped by former Gov. Ronald Reagan of California. Now Connally resolved to help Reagan beat Carter and in the process, Barnes said, make his own case for becoming secretary of state or defense in a new administration. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times What happened next, Barnes has largely kept secret for nearly 43 years. Connally, he said, took him to one Middle Eastern capital after another that summer, meeting with a host of regional leaders to deliver a blunt message to be passed to Iran: Dont release the hostages before the election. Reagan will win and give you a better deal. Then, shortly after returning home, Barnes said, Connally reported to William J. Casey, the chairman of Reagans campaign and later director of the CIA, briefing him about the trip in an airport lounge. Carters camp has long suspected that Casey or someone else in Reagans orbit sought to secretly torpedo efforts to liberate the hostages before the election, and books have been written on what came to be called the October surprise. But congressional investigations debunked previous theories of what happened. Story continues Connally did not figure in those investigations. His involvement, as described by Barnes, adds a new understanding to what may have happened in that hard-fought, pivotal election year. With Carter now 98 and in hospice care, Barnes said he felt compelled to come forward to correct the record. History needs to know that this happened, Barnes, who turns 85 next month, said in one of several interviews, his first with a news organization about the episode. 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. Barnes is no shady foreign arms dealer with questionable credibility, like some of the characters who fueled previous iterations of the October surprise theory. He was once one of the most prominent figures in Texas, the youngest speaker of the Texas House of Representatives and later lieutenant governor. He was such an influential figure that he helped a young George W. Bush get into the Texas Air National Guard rather than be exposed to the draft and sent to Vietnam. Lyndon B. Johnson predicted that Barnes would become president someday. Confirming Barnes account is problematic after so much time. Connally, Casey and other central figures have long since died, and Barnes has no diaries or memos to corroborate his account. But he has no obvious reason to make up the story and indeed expressed trepidation at going public because of the reaction of fellow Democrats. Barnes identified four living people he said he had confided in over the years: Mark K. Updegrove, president of the LBJ 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. All four of them confirmed in recent days that Barnes shared the story with them years ago. As far as I know, Ben never has lied to me, Tom Johnson said, a sentiment the others echoed. Brands included three paragraphs about Barnes recollections in a 2015 biography of Reagan, but the account generated little public notice at the time. Records at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum confirm part of Barnes story. An itinerary found this past week in Connallys files indicated that he did, in fact, leave Houston on July 18, 1980, for a trip that would take him to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Israel before returning to Houston on Aug. 11. Barnes was listed as accompanying him. Brief news accounts at the time reported on some of Connallys stops with scant detail, describing the trip as strictly private. An intriguing note in Connallys file confirms Barnes memory that there was contact with the Reagan camp early in the trip. Under the heading Governor Reagan, a note from an assistant reported to Connally on July 21: Nancy Reagan called they are at Ranch he wants to talk to you about being in on strategy meetings. There was no record of his response. Barnes recalled joining Connally in early September to sit down with Casey to report on their trip during a three-hour meeting in the American Airlines lounge at what was then called the Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Airport. An entry in Connallys calendar found this past week showed that he traveled to Dallas on Sept. 10. A search of Caseys archives at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University turned up no documents indicating whether he was in Dallas then or not. Barnes said he was certain the point of Connallys trip was to get a message to the Iranians to hold the hostages until after the election. Ill go to my grave believing that it was the purpose of the trip, he 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. None of that establishes whether Ronald Reagan knew about the trip, nor could Barnes say that Casey directed Connally to take the journey. Likewise, he does not know if the message transmitted to multiple Middle Eastern leaders got to the Iranians, much less whether it influenced their decision-making. But Iran did hold the hostages until after the election, which Reagan won, and did not release them until minutes after noon on Jan. 20, 1981, when Carter left office. John Connally III, the former governors eldest son, said in an interview Friday that he remembered his father taking the Middle East trip but never heard about any message to Iran. While he did not join the trip, the younger Connally said he accompanied his father to a meeting with Reagan to discuss it without Barnes, and the conversation centered on the Arab-Israeli conflict and other issues the next president would confront. 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. Suspicions about the Reagan camps interactions with Iran circulated quietly for years until Gary Sick, a former national security aide to Carter, published a guest essay in The New York Times in April 1991 advancing the theory, followed by a book, October Surprise, published that November. The term October surprise was originally used by the Reagan camp to describe its fears that Carter would manipulate the hostage crisis to effect a release just before the election. To forestall such a scenario, Casey was alleged to have met with representatives of Iran in July and August 1980 in Madrid leading to a deal supposedly finalized in Paris in October in which a future Reagan administration would ship arms to Tehran, Iran, through Israel in exchange for the hostages being held until after the election. The House and Senate separately authorized investigations, and both ultimately rejected the claims. The bipartisan House task force, led by a Democrat, Rep. Lee Hamilton of Indiana, and controlled by Democrats 8 to 5, concluded in a consensus 968-page report that Casey was not in Madrid at the time and that stories of covert dealings were not backed by credible testimony, documents or intelligence reports. Still, a White House memo produced in November 1991 by a lawyer for President George H.W. Bush reported the existence of a cable from the Madrid embassy indicating that Bill Casey was in town, for purposes unknown. That memo was not turned over to Hamiltons task force and was discovered two decades later by Robert Parry, a journalist who helped produce a Frontline documentary on the October surprise. Reached by telephone this past week, Sick said he never heard of any involvement by Connally but saw Barnes account as verifying the broad concerns he had raised. This is really very interesting, and it really does add significantly to the base level of information on this, Sick said. Just the fact that he was doing it and debriefed Casey when he got back means a lot. The story goes further than anything that Ive seen thus far, he added. So this is really new. Michael Zeldin, a Democratic lawyer for the task force, and David Laufman, a Republican lawyer for the task force, both said in recent interviews that Connally never crossed their radar screen during the inquiry, so they had no basis to judge Barnes account. While Casey was never proved to have been engaged in any October-surprise dealmaking, he was later accused of surreptitiously obtaining a Carter campaign briefing book before the lone debate between the two candidates, although he denied involvement. News of Barnes account came as validation to some of Carters remaining advisers. Gerald Rafshoon, who was his White House communications director, said any interference may have changed history. If we had gotten the hostages home, wed have won; I really believe that, he said. Its pretty damn outrageous. Connally was a political giant of his era. Raised on a South Texas cotton farm, he served in the Navy in World War II and became a confidant of Lyndon Johnson, helping run five of his campaigns, including his disputed 1948 election to the Senate that was marred by credible allegations of fraud. Connally managed Johnsons unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1960, then worked for the ticket of John F. Kennedy and Johnson. Connally was rewarded with an appointment as secretary of the Navy. He then won a race for governor of Texas in 1962. He was in the presidential limousine sitting just in front of Kennedy in Dallas in November 1963 when Lee Harvey Oswald opened fire. Connally suffered injuries to his back, chest, wrist and thigh, but unlike Kennedy survived the ordeal. He won two more terms as governor, then became President Richard Nixons secretary of the Treasury and ultimately switched parties. He was a favorite of Nixon, who wanted to make him his vice president or successor as president. Connally was indicted on charges of perjury and conspiracy to obstruct justice in 1974, accused by prosecutors of taking $10,000 to support a milk price increase, but acquitted by a jury. Along the way, Connally found a political protege in Barnes, who became more a godson than a friend, as James Reston Jr. put it in The Lone Star, his biography of Connally. The son of a peanut farmer who paid for college selling vacuum cleaners door to door, Barnes was elected to the Texas Legislature at age 21 and stood at Connallys side for his first speech as a candidate for governor in 1962. With Connallys help, Barnes became House speaker at 26 and was later elected lieutenant governor, a powerful position in Texas, only to fall short in his own bid for governor in 1972. He urged Connally to run for president in 1980 even though by then, they were in different parties. After Connallys campaign collapsed, he and Barnes went into business together, forming Barnes/Connally Investments. The two built apartment complexes, shopping centers and office buildings, and bought a commuter airline, an oil company and later a barbecue house, a Western art magazine, a title company and an advertising company. But they overextended themselves, took on too much debt and, after falling oil prices shattered the Texas real estate market, filed for bankruptcy in 1987. The two stayed on good terms. In spite of the disillusionment of our business arrangements, Ben Barnes and I remain friends, although I doubt that either of us would go back into business with the other, Connally wrote in his memoir, In Historys Shadow, shortly before dying in 1993 at age 76. Barnes, for his part, said this past week that I remain a great fan of him. Barnes said he had no idea of the purpose of the Middle East trip when Connally invited him. They traveled to the region on a Gulfstream jet owned by Superior Oil. Only when they sat down with the first Arab leader did Barnes learn what Connally was up to, he said. Connally said, 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, Barnes recalled. He 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 realize why were there. Barnes said that, except for Israel, Connally repeated the same message at every stop in the region to leaders such as President Anwar el-Sadat of Egypt. He thought his friends motive was clear: It became very clear to me that Connally was running for secretary of state or secretary of defense, Barnes said. (Connally was later offered energy secretary but declined.) Barnes said he did not reveal the real story at the time to avoid blowback from his own party. I dont want to look like Benedict Arnold to the Democratic Party by participating in this, he recalled explaining to a friend. The headlines at the time, he imagined, would have been scandalous. I did not want that to be on my obituary at all. But as the years have passed, he said, he has often thought an injustice had been done to Carter. Discussing the trip now, he indicated, was his way of making amends. I just want history to reflect that Carter got a little bit of a bad deal about the hostages, he said. He didnt have a fighting chance with those hostages still in the embassy in Iran. c.2023 The New York Times Company ADFENIX LTD Following two key acquisitions, property marketing platform, Adfenix, adopts a new name as a first-of-its-kind Marketing Operations platform for the property industry. GOTHENBURG, Sweden, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Used by thousands of estate agencies around the world, Adfenix has long been known for its high-performing social media advertising campaigns and lead-generation capabilities. In acquiring customer data company Quedro and media management company Brandkeeper over the last 18 months, Adfenix made it clear that it had ambitions beyond social media advertising. The new Realforce product universe is engineered to provide support to the underappreciated marketing team, tasked with supporting estate agents with their marketing needs. Organised, automated, AI-powered and data-backed, Realforce puts the power in the hands of the marketers to provide first-class marketing solutions at scale, through software. Realforce co-founder and CEO, Andre Hegge, said, We witnessed, first-hand, the challenges faced by agents equipped with marketing tools that took them away from their skill set. Our goal was to stay focused on delivering the best of breed in advertising, customer data, and brand management, but specifically for estate agency marketing teams. As a name, Adfenix could no longer represent what the platform now makes possible. Realforce will enable one marketer to support an entire team of estate agents, with a concierge marketing service, delivered at scale through software. Carl-Fredrik Mandrapa Olsson, Realforce VP Strategy, added, What the team have created is not only a first-of-its-kind tech stack designed solely for the property industry, but also a product universe that plays well with existing software. The platform fills the gaps in our partners existing technology, in a collaborative way, rather than overpowering. For many though, the true appeal of Realforce will lie in the combined power of the components within; promising a comprehensive service that is engineered for the property industry, to drive business, profitability, market share and agent retention. Story continues To learn more about Realforce, visit www.realforce.com About Adfenix Adfenix ( www.adfenix.com ) delivers a best-in-class, data-backed and full-service marketing operations platform that is trusted by many of the worlds largest real estate brands. Using smart, automated and AI-enhanced technology, Adfenix untangles the complexity of the Real Estate industry, enabling customers to create value for their brand and agents. Founded in Sweden in 2014 by co-founders Andre Hegge and Gabriel Kamienny, today Adfenix works with real estate professionals around the world, with 85 employees from 4 continents, and offices in Stockholm, Gothenburg, San Francisco and London. CONTACT: Rebecca Poynton Head of Content, Adfenix rebecca.poynton@adfenix.com The demand for aerospace materials in the aerospace industry is growing due to the increased production of aircraft. PUNE, India, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Aerospace Materials Market is projected to reach USD 69.37 billion by 2029 from USD 34.41 billion in 2022, at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2023 to 2029. Exactitude Consultancy Logo Aerospace materials are materials that are used in the construction of different aircraft components by aviation OEMs and component producers. The materials used in the construction of aircraft and their use have been changing continuously. The first aircraft were built of ash woods and pitch with cloth covering the wing, whereas contemporary aeroplanes are mainly made of aluminium with some metal frame. Aluminum is less costly and lighter than some other synthetic materials, which allows for the addition of helpful new features to the aircraft. Get the Sample Copy of Report@ https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/7710/aerospace-materials-market/#request-a-sample Some of the recent developments In October 2022, Toray Composite Materials America partnered with Speciality Materials, a boron fiber manufacturer, to develop advanced next-generation aerospace materials with functional properties. This move will strengthen Toray's position in the aerospace materials market. In July 2022, Hexcel announced its partnership with Dassault to provide carbon fiber prepreg for the Falcon 10X program Incorporating high-performance advanced carbon fiber composites in manufacturing its aircraft wings. In April 2022, ISOVOLTA AG acquired the Aviation and Aerospace business unit from Gurit Holding AG. The acquisition entitled the company to expand its business to produce advanced composite materials, composite manufacturing equipment, and core kitting services for the aerospace industry. Top 8 Aerospace Innovation Trends for 2023 Sustainability. Growing concerns around climate change among travelers force the aerospace sector to reduce its carbon footprint. (23%) Artificial Intelligence. (17%) Digitization. (16%) Additive Manufacturing. (14%) Advanced Satellite Technology. (10%) Blockchain. (9%) Aerial Mobility. (6%) Immersive Technologies. (5%) Story continues The Future of Aerospace is Here! Innovative technologies and manufacturing processes are being developed on a seemingly constant basis, and small to medium-sized manufacturers are reaping the benefits as aerospace companies look for niche suppliers to help expand their supply chain. Staying up to date with the latest trends can help your manufacturing business take advantage of all the aerospace industry has to offer. Greater prevalence of aircraft manufacturers in North America region 48% dominating the market growth. North America is expected to hold the largest share of the global aerospace materials market. The increased predominance of aircraft manufacturers in this region explains this supremacy. Furthermore, considerable air trade and air travel within this region can help increase growth. In addition, the government's large investment in the air defence system creates a large demand for aerospace materials. Europe is the aerospace materials market's second-largest regional market. The presence of aircraft manufacturers in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom indicates a favourable response to growth. Furthermore, people's high disposable income and propensity for air travel drive demand. The fastest-growing regional category is Asia Pacific. The growing demand for aeroplanes is being driven by a large client base for air travel and increased flight operations. A considerable rise in military air activities would also help to enhance growth. Growing UAV market generating demand for aerospace materials is an opportunity for market growth. UAV (drone) uses in the military have progressed to the point that they are now a valuable tool in military organisations all over the world. The civil and commercial sector for UAVs, on the other hand, is still in its early stages, with enormous untapped potential in a wide range of applications. Military spending on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is expected to rise as a fraction of overall military spending, providing opportunities for specialised drone manufacturers and software developers. Report Metrics Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 84 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 USD 34.41 billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 USD 69.37 billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.1 % Regions Covered North America; Europe; China; Asia; Pacific; Central & South America; MEA Opportunities Stable demand will come from a stable defence market. Commercial planes are in high demand. Market Drivers High creativity and technological progress The world plans to have no net emissions by 2029. The presence of large industry players carrying out strategic initiatives will drive market share. The major players operating in the global aerospace materials industry include Global Titanium Inc, AMETEK Inc, ArcelorMittal, NSSMC Group, Supreme Engineering Ltd, Technologies, AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group, Allegheny, Incorporated (ATI), Precision Castparts Corp, Mpecial Metals, Doncasters Group Ltd. The presence of established industry players and is characterized by mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, capacity expansions, substantial distribution, and branding decisions to improve market share and regional presence. Also, they are involved in continuous R&D activities to develop new products as well as are focused on expanding the product portfolio. This is expected to intensify competition and pose a potential threat to the new players entering the market. Browse In-depth Market Research Report (84 pages) on Aerospace Materials Industry https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/7710/aerospace-materials-market/ Key Market Segments: Aerospace Materials Market Aerospace Materials Market by Type, 2023-2029, (USD Million) (Kilotons) Aluminum Alloys Steel Alloys Titanium Alloys Superalloys Composite Materials Aerospace Materials Market by Aircraft Type, 2023-2029, (USD Million) (Kilotons) Commercial Aircraft Military Aircraft Business And General Aviation Helicopters Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, and Challenges: Drivers: Increase in demand for commercial and military aircraft: The Aerospace Materials Market is primarily driven by the demand for commercial and military aircraft. The growth of air travel and the increasing defense budgets of various countries are expected to drive the demand for aerospace materials. Advancements in aerospace technology: The aerospace industry is constantly evolving, and there are continuous advancements in the field of aerospace technology. This has led to the development of new aerospace materials that are more efficient, lightweight, and durable. Growing focus on aircraft maintenance: With the increasing lifespan of aircraft, there is a growing focus on aircraft maintenance. Aerospace materials play a vital role in aircraft maintenance, as they protect the aircraft from harsh weather conditions and ensure their durability. Restraints: High cost of aerospace materials: Aerospace materials are expensive due to the high-quality materials and manufacturing processes used in their production. This makes them unaffordable for small-scale companies and restricts their adoption. Stringent regulations: The aerospace industry is subject to stringent regulations and standards, which makes it difficult for companies to introduce new coatings. The regulatory bodies require extensive testing and certification before any new product can be introduced in the market. Limited availability of raw materials: The availability of raw materials required for the production of aerospace materials is limited. This restricts the production capacity of companies, leading to a shortage of aerospace materials in the market. Challenges: Increasing competition: The Aerospace Materials Market is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for a share of the market. This makes it difficult for companies to differentiate their products and gain a competitive advantage. Changing customer preferences: The preferences of customers in the aerospace industry are constantly changing. This makes it difficult for companies to keep up with the changing demands and preferences of customers. Supply chain disruptions: The aerospace industry is highly dependent on global supply chains. Any disruption in the supply chain can lead to a shortage of raw materials and delay in production, affecting the delivery of aerospace materials to customers. Key Question Answered What is the current scenario of the global aerospace materials market? What are the emerging technologies for the development of aerospace materials devices? What are the historical size and the present size of the market segments and their future potential? What are the major catalysts for the market and their impact during the short, medium, and long terms? What are the evolving opportunities for the players in the market? Which are the key regions from the investment perspective? What are the key strategies being adopted by the major players to up their market shares? Have a Look at Latest Reports of Chemicals & Materials Domain: Aramid Fiber Market by Product (Para-aramid, Meta-aramid) Application (Security & Protection, Frictional Materials, Rubber Reinforcement, Optical Fibers, Tire Reinforcement, Electrical Insulation, Aerospace) and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Middle East, and Africa) Global Trends and Forecast from 2023 to 2029 Carbon Fiber Market by Raw Material (PAN-based carbon fiber, Pitch-based & Rayon-based carbon fiber), Type (Virgin Fiber and Recycled Fiber), Application (Composite Materials, Textiles, Microelectrodes, and Catalysis), End-user Industry (Aerospace and Defense, Alternative Energy, Automotive, Construction and Infrastructure, Sporting Goods, and Other End-user Industries) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa), Global trends and forecast from 2023 to 2029 High-Temperature Composite Materials Market by Range (Ultra-high temperature and High temperature), Matrix system (CMC, MMC, PMC), by Application (Aerospace and defense, transportation, energy and power, electronics and electrical), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa), Global trends and forecast from 2023 to 2029 High Temperature Composite Resin Market by Resin Type (Phenolic, Epoxy, Thermoplastic, Polyimide, Cyanate Ester), Manufacturing Process (Layup, Filament Winding, Injection Molding, Pultrusion, Compression Molding, Others (RTM, resin film infusion, tube rolling, etc.)), End-use Industry (Aerospace & Defense, Transportation, Electrical & Electronics), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South America), Global trends and forecast from 2023 to 2029. About Exactitude Consultancy Exactitude Consultancy is a market research & consulting services firm which helps its client to address their most pressing strategic and business challenges. Our market research helps clients to address critical business challenges and also helps make optimized business decisions with our fact-based research insights, market intelligence, and accurate data. Contact us for your special interest research needs at sales@exactitudeconsultancy.com and we will get in touch with you within 24hrs and help you find the market research report you need. Website: https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/ Contact: Irfan Tamboli sales@exactitudeconsultancy.com +91-7507-07-8687 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1871697/Exactitude_Consultancy_Logo.jpg Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aerospace-materials-market-to-surpass-usd-69-37-billion-by-2029--with-burgeoning-demand-for-aircraft-and-military-sectors--exactitude-consultancy-301775933.html SOURCE Exactitude Consultancy UBS's shotgun deal for ailing Credit Suisse (CS) doesn't guarantee market stability, warns one top strategist. "The outcome for equity-holders may also worry investors in other weak banks, particularly but not only in Europe. If this makes it harder to raise equity capital it could have downsides for stability," said Evercore ISI strategist Krishna Guha. Added Guha: "Market focus will likely broaden out to other weaker European banks as well as U.S. regional banks." After much speculation and with markets on the cusp of a Monday morning panic at the hands of a rolling bank crisis, UBS (UBS) made its play for its stricken long-time Swiss rival. Here are the UBS-Credit Suisse deal details: Purchase Price: More than $3 billion Who Will Run the Combined Entity: UBS chair Colm Kelleher and UBS CEO Ralph Hamers Other: UBS sees the deal as accretive to EPS by 2027; Credit Suisse investment bank will be wound down; Total annualized cost savings of $8 billion by 2027; Both banks have unrestricted access to the Swiss National Bank's existing facilities; UBS will suspend its stock buyback plan; Integration will take three to four years. "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 chair Colm Kelleher said in a statement, taking a not-too-thinly-veiled shot at the Credit Suisse board and executive team. "It's a historic day, and a day we hoped would not come," Kelleher added on an analyst call that included UBS CEO Hamers. Credit Suisse executives or board members were not on the call. Chairman of the Board of Directors of UBS, Colm Kelleher and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse, Axel Lehmann attend a news conference on Credit Suisse after UBS takeover offer, in Bern, Switzerland, March 19, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse UBS execs added on the call they would move "fast" to wind down Credit Suisse's investment bank. The company said it had taken reserves against Credit Suisse's high-profile litigation matters. Evercore ISI's Guha said investors must remain vigilant. "The agreement which should achieve its goal of stabilizing Credit Suisse is strongly positive for stability and global markets relative to a no-deal scenario. But the decision to completely write down CHF 15.8bn in CS AT1 debt which we warned last week could be at risk to enable SNB funding on the scale required risks spreading contagion through the European banking system via repricing of bail-in debt and equity at other banks," Guha said. Story continues Cautious optimism was also echoed by Jefferies's EU banking team. "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," explained the Jefferies team in a late Sunday client note. Brian Sozzi is Yahoo Finance's Executive Editor. Follow Sozzi on Twitter @BrianSozzi and on LinkedIn. Tips on the banking crisis? Email brian.sozzi@yahoofinance.com Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance SkyQuest Technology Consulting Pvt. Ltd. The aircraft MRO market is a rapidly growing industry that presents significant opportunities for businesses and investors. SkyQuest's research report offers valuable insights and information that can assist decision-making processes and enable stakeholders to stay competitive in this dynamic market. By leveraging the insights the report provides, businesses can diversify their offerings and target specific consumer groups to maximize their growth potential. Westford, USA, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The aircraft MRO market in the Asia Pacific region has witnessed substantial growth in recent years, mainly due to the rising demand for air travel and the need to keep aging aircraft in service. MRO services are crucial in ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and maintaining the value of aircraft assets. With the increase in air travel for business and personal purposes, there is a surge in demand for new aircraft production, which is expected to impact the market significantly. Moreover, the increased demand for older planes and environmental concerns have emphasized the need for continuous monitoring and maintenance of aging aircraft. This has created significant traction for the market, as older planes require more frequent and specialized maintenance to ensure their airworthiness and compliance with safety regulations. According to the latest research by SkyQuest, with the Asia Pacific's growing demand for air travel, the commercial aircraft fleet in Asia-Pacific is expected to exceed 12,400 aircraft by 2030. This forecast points towards a positive outlook for the aircraft MRO market. Furthermore, China's airline fleet is expected to account for more than 42.4% of the region's total aircraft fleet by 2030, indicating a significant shift in the dynamics of the aviation industry. Browse in-depth TOC on the "Aircraft MRO Market" Pages - 285 Tables - 120 Figures - 66 Get a sample copy of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/aircraft-mro-market Story continues Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) are critical aspects of aviation operations. MRO services are essential for ensuring aircraft safety, reliability, and efficiency. These services involve inspecting, repairing, and maintaining aircraft components and systems, including airframes, engines, avionics, and other equipment. Aircraft MRO services can be carried out by airlines or third-party service providers. Third-party MRO providers offer various services, including line maintenance, base maintenance, engine overhaul, component repair and overhaul, and aircraft painting. Prominent Players in Aircraft MRO Market Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. AAR Corp. KLM UK Engineering Limited MTU Aero Engines AG Rolls-Royce Holding plc. Delta Airlines, Inc. L3Harris Technologies, Inc. General Electric Company Lockheed Martin Corporation Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited SIA Engineering Company Ltd. TAP Maintenance & Engineering Lufthansa Technik Raytheon Technologies Corporation Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/aircraft-mro-market Engine Overhaul Segment to Drive Higher Traction due to the Critical Nature of the Engine, the Specialized Skills and Equipment Required for Overhaul In recent years, the aircraft MRO market has seen significant growth in the engine overhaul segment. This trend is expected to continue from 2022 to 2028. There are several key reasons for the growth of the engine overhaul segment. One is the increasing number of aircraft in service, which drives up demand for maintenance and repair services. Another is that aircraft engines are highly complex and require specialized knowledge and expertise to maintain and repair. As a result, many airlines and other operators turn to third-party MRO providers to handle their engine overhaul needs. The Asia Pacific region will dominate the aircraft MRO market in 2021, and this trend is expected to continue well into 2028. The region's strong position in the market is primarily attributed to its growing aviation industry, increasing air passenger traffic, and expanding fleet of aircraft. Several key factors have contributed to the substantial growth of the aviation industry in the Asia Pacific region, including the rise of low-cost carriers, the growing middle-class population, and the increased connectivity and economic development in the region. These factors have resulted in a surge in air passenger traffic, which has created a significant demand for aircraft MRO services. Narrow-Body Aircraft Segment to Register Substantial Growth owing to High Frequency of Flights, Aging Aircraft, and Cost-Effectiveness The aircraft MRO market has experienced significant growth in recent years, with the narrow-body aircraft segment leading the charge. In 2021, narrow-body aircraft continued to dominate the MRO market, and projections indicate that this trend will continue in the coming years. As a result, the narrow-body aircraft segment is expected to drive a high CAGR from 2022 to 2028. As the air travel industry continues to recover from the recent pandemic, airlines are likely to invest in maintaining and repairing their narrow-body fleets to ensure they remain safe and reliable. Additionally, the increasing use of technology in aircraft maintenance and repair is expected to drive growth in the MRO market for narrow-body aircraft. In 2021, the North American region witnessed a surge in demand for aircraft MRO services due to various factors, such as the increasing age of the aircraft fleet, rising air traffic, and stringent regulatory requirements. The North American region also has a robust ecosystem of MRO service providers, including large players and small-scale enterprises, offering a wide range of services, from line maintenance to heavy maintenance checks. This diverse range of services and providers has created a competitive landscape, driving innovation and the adoption of new technologies in the aircraft MRO market. SkyQuest, a prominent market research firm, has recently published a comprehensive report on the aircraft MRO market. The report thoroughly analyzes the industry, providing valuable insights into its current state and future potential. In addition, it covers various market aspects, including its size, competitive landscape, key players, market share, revenue, and recent advancements. A report is an essential tool for businesses looking to expand their market share or enter the market, as it provides valuable insights into the competitive landscape and growth potential. Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/aircraft-mro-market Key Developments in Aircraft MRO Market Airbus, one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers, has recently announced its latest efforts to enhance its Skywise Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities. The Skywise digital platform is designed to provide airlines and other aviation industry stakeholders with a comprehensive suite of tools for managing aircraft maintenance and operations. By enhancing its Skywise MRO capabilities, Airbus aims to streamline further and optimize its customers' maintenance and repair processes. Bahamasair has selected Seabury Solutions Alkym as its aircraft maintenance control system. Alkym is a comprehensive, fully-integrated aviation maintenance management system designed to enhance maintenance and engineering operations for airlines and MROs. The Alkym system will allow Bahamasair to optimize its maintenance and engineering processes, improve efficiency, and increase safety. STS, a leading global aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services provider, has received official approval to provide engine MRO services in Manchester, UK. As a result, the company, which has been expanding its operations across Europe, is now well-positioned to serve a growing demand for engine MRO services in the region. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval allows STS to offer various engine MRO services, including repairs, maintenance, and overhaul of various engine types. Key Questions Answered in Aircraft MRO Market Report What are the most significant factors that could impact the growth of the global market, and how do they differ in their potential impact? Which regions are likely to experience the most rapid expansion in the global market, and what factors drive this growth in these regions? What strategies are employed by the industry's leading players to shape the future of the global market, and how are they working to maintain their market dominance? What challenges pose major obstacles to the continued growth and success of the global market, and how are stakeholders responding to these challenges to ensure continued success? Related Reports in SkyQuests Library: Global Space Tourism Market Global Air Ambulance Services Market Global Aircraft Engine Market Global Aircraft Ignition System Market Global Drone Logistics and Transportation Market About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 617-230-0741 Email: sales@skyquestt.com LinkedIn Facebook Twitter SkyQuest Technology Consulting Pvt. Ltd. SkyQuest's report on the Aircraft Wheels market serves as an outstanding resource for individuals seeking to acquire knowledge about this rapidly growing industry. Furthermore, the report presents its content clearly and concisely, making it accessible to a diverse range of readers, including industry experts and casual enthusiasts. Finally, the report offers an in-depth analysis of the primary and secondary market drivers, presenting readers with a comprehensive overview of the current market situation and future projections. Westford, USA, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anticipated aircraft wheel market growth is likely to be witnessed in North America and Asia Pacific regions. This growth is attributed to various factors, such as the escalating air traffic, amplified need for lightweight wheels, technological advancements, implementation of environmental regulations, mounting demand for military aircraft, and the need to replace aging infrastructure. Furthermore, developing nations such as India and China are increasing their investments in airport infrastructure, resulting in a surge in demand for airport wheels. The increasing demand for military aircraft also contributes to the growth of the aircraft wheels market, as specialized wheels are necessary to meet diverse application requirements. According to the most recent global research conducted by SkyQuest, the burgeoning demand for new aircraft is catalyzing the growth of the aircraft wheels market. Delta Airlines received twelve A220 aircraft, with the remaining 83 aircraft slated for delivery by the end of 2023, following an order of 95 A220 aircraft. Meanwhile, United Airlines focuses on replacing some of its aging Boeing 767s and 757s with more modern aircraft like the Boeing 787 or the long-range A321LR. Browse in-depth TOC on the "Aircraft Wheels Market" Pages - 262 Tables - 88 Figures - 66 In the aviation industry, aircraft wheels are essential for ensuring safe takeoff and landing, providing flight support and stability. Besides, these wheels allow aircraft to move around on the ground, enhancing maneuverability. The importance of lightweight and durable wheels cannot be overstated regarding fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, which are increasingly vital factors in aviation. Therefore, aircraft wheels play a pivotal role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of planes in today's world. Story continues Get a sample copy of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/Aircraft-Wheels-Market Prominent Players in Aircraft Wheels Market Safran Landing Systems Honeywell International Inc. UTC Aerospace Systems (Collins Aerospace) Meggitt PLC Crane Aerospace & Electronics Parker Hannifin Corporation Aircraft Wheel & Brake Inc. Lufthansa Technik AG Beringer Aero USA GKN Aerospace Services Structures Corporation Michelin Group Desser Holdings LLC Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Wilwood Engineering Inc. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Magellan Aerospace Corporation Petlas Tire Corporation Avcorp Industries Inc. Russian Helicopters JSC Carlisle Companies Inc. Commercial Aircraft Segment to Drive Higher Sales as There is Increasing Demand for Air Travel and the Rise of Airline Fleets According to a recent analysis, the Commercial Aircraft segment emerged as a significant contributor to the rapid development of the Aircraft Wheels market in 2021. This trend is expected to continue from 2022 to 2030. The trend is due to the increasing demand for aircraft wheels in the commercial aviation sector being relatively higher compared to military and general aviation segments and the significant number of wheels required to support the weight of commercial aircraft during takeoff, landing, and ground operations. In addition, the expansion of low-cost carriers and regional airlines in emerging markets is driving the demand for aircraft wheels, as airlines aim to meet the increasing demand for air travel by expanding their fleets. Research analysis indicates that North America is poised to assume a prominent position in the Aircraft Wheels market between 2022 and 2030. The region's dominance can be attributed to several factors, including the strong demand for commercial aircraft and the presence of key players like United Technologies Corporation (UTC) and Honeywell International Inc. As per SkyQuest's report, the North American market is projected to experience the highest growth rate of 4.8% during the forecast period, owing to the increasing number of reputable airline groups restructuring the airline industry. This upsurge in the market signifies a favorable outlook for North America's market in the future. Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/Aircraft-Wheels-Market Aircraft Manufacturers Segment to Exhibit Strong Growth due to The Increase in Demand for Commercial Aircraft The Aircraft Manufacturers segment emerged as the dominant method in the Aircraft Wheels market in 2021, and it is projected to maintain its lead from 2022 to 2030. The increasing demand for commercial aircraft has increased aircraft manufacturers' production rates, resulting in a significant rise in the need for aircraft wheels, which are critical for safe and efficient operations. Advanced wheel technologies are being developed to meet the demand for lightweight and durable wheels. Maintenance, repair, and overhaul service providers also drive sales as they ensure the wheels meet safety standards. Aircraft manufacturers and MRO service providers are expected to be the dominant end-users in the aircraft wheels market. The expansion of the aircraft wheels market in the Asia Pacific region is predicted to escalate due to a surge in air passenger traffic, the proliferation of low-cost carriers, and heightened investments in airport infrastructure. Significant investments from major aircraft manufacturers and MRO service providers further propel the growth. Additionally, as per SkyQuest's report, the commercial fleet in the Asia Pacific region is expected to experience the highest growth rate of 4.29%. Over the next 20 years, the Asia Pacific region is projected to receive the highest number of aircraft deliveries, driven by regional economic growth and market liberalization. In a recent report on the Aircraft Wheels market, the industry's key players have been thoroughly analyzed. The report delves into multiple aspects, such as collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, offering insightful perspectives into significant trends and breakthroughs in the market. Additionally, the report scrutinizes the market share of the leading segments and provides a comprehensive geographic analysis. Lastly, the report sheds light on the significant players in the industry and their initiatives toward developing innovative solutions to cater to this growing demand. Significant Developments in Aircraft Wheels Market The motion and control technologies global leader announced the successful completion of the sale of its Aircraft Wheel and Brake Division in Avon, Ohio to Kaman Corporation, a leading manufacturer of components and materials for aerospace, defense, industrial, and medical markets. The headquarters of Kaman Corporation is in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Matco Manufacturing, a Utah-based manufacturer of aircraft wheels, brakes, and related components, has been acquired by NMG Aerospace. The company has expertise in the design and component manufacturing of experimental and light sport aircraft wheels and brakes products. NMG Aerospace is delighted to have made this acquisition. Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/Aircraft-Wheels-Market Key Questions Answered in Aircraft Wheels Market Report What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period? Can you list the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence? In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how might these differences shape the market's future growth? Related Reports in SkyQuests Library: Global Amphibious Vehicle Market Global Telescope Market Global Dynamic Positioning System Market Global Electric Aircraft Market Global Electrostatic Precipitator Market About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 617-230-0741 Email: sales@skyquestt.com LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Business visits, policy certainty boost Chinese market optimism Xinhua) 08:06, March 20, 2023 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) 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Press Release March 20, 2023 Senate OKs bill institutionalizing OTOP The Senate on Monday, March 20, 2023 approved on third and final reading a proposed measure that seeks to institutionalize the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines as one of the government's stimulus programs for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) to drive inclusive local economic growth. Sponsored by Sen. Mark Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1594 or the OTOP Philippines Act of 2023 was approved with 22 votes, zero negative votes and no abstention. SBN 1594, authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Senators Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Win Gatchalian and Villar, shall capacitate the MSMEs on product development, initiatives and training, among others. The proposed measure will provide a package of assistance for MSMEs with viable products in order to develop new, innovative and more complex products, with significant improvement in the areas of quality, product development, design, packaging, standards as well as regulatory compliance, marketability, production capability and brand development. SBN 1594 also aims to assist rural communities in growing the local economy by being more market-oriented and innovation-driven and to promote the convergence of initiatives from LGUs, national government agencies and the private sector in developing and promoting Philippine products, whether for export or the domestic market. The OTOP Philippines program was introduced in 2002 and further strengthened through the signing of Executive Order 176 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be the lead agency in implementing the provisions of SBN 1594 with the assistance of other agencies, namely the Cooperative Development Authority, Department of Agriculture, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism and concerned local government units (LGUs), among others. To ensure that the products under the program represent the country's best, SBN 1594 shall authorize the DTI to establish the OTOP Philippines Trustmark that will signify that the business and products have been marked as excellent in terms of quality, design, value and marketability. Under the proposed measure, an OTOP Management Committee shall be created and designated by the DTI Secretary which shall have the primary responsibility of directing the implementation of the provisions of SBN 1594. SBN 1594 also calls for the creation of OTOP program office in each LGU which shall direct, supervise and implement the program on the local level and the establishment of OTOP Philippines Hubs in strategic ports of entry such as but not limited to airports, seaports, bus terminals, high-traffic retail outlets like malls, tourist destinations and other consumer-frequented locations to promote access to the market. Future Market Insights Global and Consulting Pvt. Ltd. Reaching US$ 4.56 Billion by 2033, AL Amyloidosis Therapeutics to be most Useful for Chemotherapy, commanding over 50% of all Applications. North American AL Amyloidosis Therapeutics Market. is expected to proliferate with a robust CAGR of 7.9% from 2023 to 2033 NEWARK, Del, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global AL amyloidosis therapeutics market is expected to be worth US$ 2.25 billion by the year of 2023. The market, which is estimated to be worth US$ 4.56 billion by 2033, will grow at a 7.3% CAGR, according to the market intelligence firm, Future Market Insights. AL amyloidosis is an uncommon illness characterized by aberrant protein buildup in organs and tissues. It frequently results in bodily tissue disintegration or damage, which can seriously harm organs. Weight loss, weakness, exhaustion, dyspnea (inability to breathe deeply when exerting oneself), and joint pain are all symptoms. As a result of excessive water retention, the skin may appear red and have spider veins on the chest and arms. The ageing population, growing incidence rates, and increased prevalence of AL amyloidosis are the main factors propelling the growth of the worldwide AL amyloidosis therapeutics market. One of the main factors accelerating this market's expansion is the expansion of the supply of innovative therapeutic medications. According to data from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, around 4000 Americans are diagnosed with AL amyloidosis each year, with most cases occurring in persons between the ages of 50 and 65. Just a few persons in their late 20s have received an AL amyloidosis diagnosis. Consequently, the market for AL amyloidosis treatments will expand along with an increase in the senior population. For More Insights on this Market, Get A Sample Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-16805 The governments of several nations are funding the development of medicines and other AL amyloidosis treatment options. Several developed countries also have technologically improved diagnostics and advanced medical therapies. Hence, the market in such areas will prosper with more assistance from the government or other approving agencies. Story continues Chemotherapy is the most important treatment segment in this market, with a fast expanding CAGR value. This is due to the fact that many patients choose it as one of the most successful kinds of treatment. Chemotherapy is often given orally as a medication or through an intravenous line. The growth rate of targeted therapy will accelerate in the upcoming years. Anti-angiogenesis treatment, monoclonal antibodies, as well as proteasome inhibitors are examples of targeted therapeutics. Such factors are expected to bring in new opportunities in the global AL amyloidosis therapeutics market during the forecast period. Key Takeaways from the Market Study The market for treatments for AL amyloidosis expanded at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2018 to 2022. More than US$ 2.1 billion is presently spent on treating AL amyloidosis worldwide. Chemotherapy is predicted to command the market in 2023 with a 53% revenue share. The hospital pharmacy sector by distribution channel will hold the second-largest segment during the anticipated period, with a 25% worldwide market share in 2023. From 2023 to 2033, the North American region is expected to expand at a constant CAGR of 7.9%. From 2023 to 2033, the Asia Pacific AL amyloidosis therapies market is anticipated to expand at a stable CAGR of 7.6%. Due to factors including rising incidence as well as the anticipated introduction of innovative therapeutics throughout the projected period, the market for AL amyloidosis therapeutics is predicted to rise favorably. comments a Future Market Insights analyst. Want your report customized? Speak to an analyst and personalize your report according to your needs@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-16805 Competitive Landscape Some of the top players in the global intraocular lymphoma disease market are: Janssen Pharmaceutical Prothena Alexion Pharmaceuticals Oncopeptides AB Bristol-Myers Squibb GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd Celgene Corp Eidos Therapeutics, Inc. Corino Therapeutics, Inc. Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Pfizer Some of the recent developments in this domain are: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.'s experimental new drug application for STI-6129, a CD38-targeting monoclonal antibody combination, in 2020. Sorrento Therapeutics is currently working on a number of technological platforms, along with a CD38-specific antibody found in its completely human G-MABTM antibody library, its own pharmacological payload Duostatin 5, as well as its site-specific C-LOCK coupling technology. These platforms are all used by STI-6129. More Valuable Insights Available Future Market Insights offers an unbiased analysis of the global intraocular lymphoma treatment market, providing historical data for 2018 to 2022 and forecast statistics from 2023 to 2033. To understand opportunities in the intraocular lymphoma treatment, the market is segmented on the basis of treatment (chemotherapy, supportive care, surgery, stem cell transplant, targeted therapy), drugs (transthyretin transport inhibitor, immunomodulatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies, proteasome inhibitors, others), distribution channel (hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies and online pharmacies) and across major regions (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa). To Gain More Insights about this Research, Visit@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/al-amyloidosis-therapeutics-market Key Segments Covered in the AL amyloidosis therapeutics market Report By Treatment: Chemotherapy Supportive Care Surgery Stem Cell Transplant Targeted Therapy By Drugs: Transthyretin Transport Inhibitor Immunomodulatory Drugs Monoclonal Antibodies Proteasome Inhibitors Others By Distribution Channel: Hospital Pharmacies Retail Pharmacies Online Pharmacies Table of Content 1. Executive Summary | AL Amyloidosis Therapeutics Market 1.1. Global Market Outlook 1.2. Demand-side Trends 1.3. Supply-side Trends 1.4. Technology Roadmap Analysis 1.5. Analysis and Recommendations 2. Market Overview 2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy 2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations 3. Market Background 3.1. Market Dynamics 3.1.1. Drivers 3.1.2. Restraints 3.1.3. Opportunity 3.1.4. Trends 3.2. Scenario Forecast 3.2.1. Demand in Optimistic Scenario 3.2.2. Demand in Likely Scenario 3.2.3. Demand in Conservative Scenario Buy Now@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/16805 About the Healthcare Division at Future Market Insights The healthcare team at Future Market Insights offers expert analysis, time efficient research, and strategic recommendations with an objective to provide authentic insights and accurate results to help clients worldwide. With a repertoire of over 100+ reports and 1 million+ data points, the team has been analysing the industry lucidly in 50+ countries for over a decade. The team provides a brief analysis on key trends including competitive landscape, profit margin, and research development efforts. Have a Look at Related Reports of Healthcare domain Steroid-Free Nasal Sprays Market Size: The global steroid-free nasal sprays market was valued at US$ 7.7 Billion in 2021 and is expected to reach US$ 14.9 Billion by 2032, with sales growing at a 6.3% CAGR over the assessment period. Melatonin Sleep Supplements Market Share: The melatonin sleep supplements market is likely to grow its revenue to US$ 474 Million in 2022 and is anticipated to cross US$ 1,059 Million by 2032. Spinal Osteosynthesis Units Market Demand: Spinal Osteosynthesis Units market is expected to grow at a steady CAGR of 4.8% between 2022 and 2032, surpassing US$ 3.9 Billion by 2032. Prophylactic HIV Drugs Market Forecast: Demand for prophylactic HIV drugs is projected to register 4%CAGR between 2022 and 2032, totaling over US$ 40 Billion in 2028. Antimicrobial Coated Medical Devices Market Trends: Global antimicrobial coated medical devices market is anticipated to be valued at US$ 1,344 Million in 2022, forecast to grow at a CAGR of 13.1% to be valued at US$ 5,205.2 Million from 2022 to 2032. About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai and has delivery centers in the UK, US, and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. Contact Us: Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-845-579-5705 LinkedIn| Twitter| Blogs | YouTube For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com TipRanks Many have talked up the likelihood of a recession coming into play and chief among them is investing guru Rob Arnott. The founder and chairman of the board of Research Affiliates, who pioneered the smart beta investing technique, thinks theres an 80% chance a recession hits the U.S. economy over the next year. Whats more, Arnott knows who is responsible for this state of affairs. Ultimately, I count myself as a moderate pessimist on our ability to avoid a recession, created as usual by the Park Central campus to help meet Arizona's growing need for nurses PHOENIX, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliant International University announced it will expand to Phoenix with the launch of the new School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Located in the midtown property known as Park Central, the state-of-the-art campus will play a vital role in helping to meet demand for registered nurses in one of the nation's fastest-growing markets. Alliant International University School of Nursing and Health Sciences Logo (PRNewsfoto/Alliant International University) "Phoenix is a vibrant, fast-growing community with a critical need for registered nurses, and was simply a natural choice for Alliant's first expansion outside California," said Andy Vaughn, President & CEO of the Alliant International University System. "We look forward to helping meet this demand for nurses with our School of Nursing and Health Sciences, while helping train the next generation of culturally competent healthcare professionals to serve Arizona patients." The School of Nursing and Health Sciences is Alliant's sixth and newest school. It will initially offer two programs: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Alliant is an accredited, professional-practice university with a history of academic excellence that stretches over a century. Existing graduate program offerings at five California-based campuses and online include psychology, education, business management, forensic studies, and law. "I'm thrilled to welcome Alliant International University's new School of Nursing and Health Sciences to Phoenix," said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. "Alliant is a perfect fit for the iconic Park Central property, a growing hub for healthcare education, life sciences, and research. This is a great opportunity to expand quality postsecondary education in our community while helping meet the healthcare needs of families in Phoenix and across Arizona." Alliant follows a model that pairs scholarship with practice. Students will achieve vital nursing competencies via small class sizes and the use of the latest technological tools, including simulation bays and clinical beds. Additionally, Alliant students will gain hands-on clinical experience through partnerships with Banner Health, the Arizona Department of Health Services, and other leading area hospitals and healthcare institutions. This innovative collaboration will serve students, patients, and the community. Story continues "Like much of the country, Arizona faces the twin challenges of an aging population that requires greater healthcare at the same time a large portion of our nursing workforce approaches retirement," said Heidi Sanborn, President of the Arizona Nurses Association (AzNA) and a registered nurse with over two decades of experience. "Alliant International University is a welcome addition to Arizona to help meet our state's healthcare needs today and tomorrow." On Thursday, March 30, Alliant will celebrate the grand opening of the new Phoenix campus and the School of Nursing and Health Sciences with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Grand Opening will include tours, medical simulations, and more. About Alliant International University Alliant is a private university accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) which offers programs in psychology, education, business management, forensic studies, law, and nursing. Alliant's mission is to prepare students for professional careers of service and leadership, and to promote the discovery and application of knowledge to improve the lives of people in diverse cultures and communities around the world. More information is available at www.alliant.edu. Media Contact: Cielo Villasenor, cielo.villasenor@alliant.edu Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alliant-international-university-announces-new-campus-and-school-of-nursing--health-sciences-in-phoenix-301776282.html SOURCE Alliant International University (Bloomberg) -- Amazon.com Inc. is laying off an additional 9,000 employees, adding to cuts that were already the largest round of firings in the companys history. Most Read from Bloomberg Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy announced the cuts internally Monday, saying they would occur in the coming weeks and primarily affect Amazon Web Services, human resources, advertising and the Twitch livestreaming service groups. Given the uncertain economy in which we reside, and the uncertainty that exists in the near future, we have chosen to be more streamlined in our costs and headcount, he said in his memo, published later to Amazons corporate blog. Twitchs incoming CEO said in his own blog post that cuts at the San Francisco-based subsidiary would total about 400 people. A spokesperson declined to detail how Amazon was apportioning the rest of the layoffs. The e-commerce giant has been laying off mostly corporate workers after a hiring spree during the pandemic left Amazon with too many people. The company recently wrapped up a round of job cuts that totaled about 18,000 workers. Those layoffs began in November and landed heaviest on Amazons recruiting and human resources teams, its sprawling retail group and devices teams. Amazon shares fell 1.3% to $97.71 in New York. The stock is up about 16% this year. The announced cuts come less than a week after Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc. said it was laying off another 10,000 employees and closing about 5,000 additional open roles in its own second major round of job cuts. Meta Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg told employees during a recent internal meeting that the economic climate of layoffs and restructuring could last many years. Story continues Other tech giants have reduced their headcount, including Google parent company Alphabet Inc., Microsoft Corp., Dell Technologies Inc. and International Business Machines Corp. As of early February, more than 67,000 jobs had been eliminated across the industry since the beginning of the year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Its a continuation of a worrying trend from 2022, when the tech sector announced 97,171 job cuts, up 649% compared with the previous year, according to consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. Amazon employed 1.54 million people worldwide at the end of December. The vast majority of those workers are hourly employees who pack and ship products in warehouses. Before the first round of layoffs began in November, the company said it had roughly 350,000 corporate employees. The company has periodically worked to rekindle growth in its retail division, but the current slowdown is also hitting AWS, the source of most of Amazons profit in recent years. Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky said he expected slower growth rates for Amazons cloud unit the next few quarters. Expansion in Amazons lucrative advertising business has also slowed. Jassy said the latest cuts came after teams completed another phase of the companys annual planning process. He said that for the last several years most of Amazons businesses added significantly to their ranks. The overriding tenet of our annual planning this year was to be leaner while doing so in a way that enables us to still invest robustly in the key long-term customer experiences that we believe can meaningfully improve customers lives and Amazon as a whole, he said. Amazons goal is for teams that are on the hook for cuts to determine which positions to eliminate by mid to late April, Jassy said. (Updated with closing share price.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- When an Amazon.com Inc. delivery driver drops a package at someones home, the customer can give them a thumbs-up or a thumbs-downfeedback the company uses to help determine how much to pay the drivers employer and whether they keep their job. Most Read from Bloomberg In doing so, Amazon is trusting the customer to provide an honest rating. But what if the person is biased against the driver? That possibility is a matter of growing concern for Amazon delivery contractors who employ Black, Latino and Asian drivers. Time and again, they say, their employees of color get worse customer feedback than their White counterparts. Because the phenomenon affects some of their most productive employees, the delivery firm owners suspect racial bias is to blame. The delivery contractors say theyve raised their concerns to multiple Amazon managers. The topic has also been discussed on Ignite, an online forum Amazon set up for delivery contractors to swap advice and discuss challenges. Amazon personnel monitor the forum and sometimes participate but have never engaged in the conversations about possible racial bias, according to the contractors. Nor has the company taken steps to address the issue, they said. In interviews, eight current and former Amazon delivery contractors operating in Los Angeles, Seattle, Georgia, Northern California and the Northeast all described the same pattern: lower ratings for drivers of color, especially when deployed to neighborhoods where their race or ethnicity stand out. The contractors suspicions dovetail with decades of academic research documenting how racial, gender and age bias all influence customer impressions of service workers, from waiters to taxi drivers. Companies have been accused for years of doing too little to prevent bias from affecting customer feedback but are harvesting more of this kind of data all the time. Story continues To give your customer that much power over the delivery process itself, youre assuming that customer is coming from a good-natured position, said an Amazon contractor in Northern California, who, like other delivery firm owners, requested anonymity to avoid harming his relationship with the company. Thats the flaw. Amazon spokesperson Maria Boschetti didnt deny that racial bias is affecting driver customer reviews but said the company hasnt ignored the issue. We take any such concerns seriously and investigate every credible complaintreviewing all available information, then taking appropriate action based on the facts available to us, she said in an emailed statement. Boschetti said Amazon stops delivering packages to customers who abuse or may pose a threat to drivers. She also said the company doesnt collect or store any demographic data about drivers. Amazon isnt the only tech company accused of letting racial bias affect its operations. Uber Technologies Inc. was sued for allegedly firing minority drivers based on how they were rated by customers. A federal judge last March said the plaintiffs failed to prove discrimination, but gave them time to amend their complaint. Airbnb Inc. has struggled for years to stop hosts from discriminating against African Americans looking to rent vacation properties. After being sued by a Black man alleging such prejudice, the company implemented a range of measures, including preventing hosts from seeing a photo of would-be renters until after they had accepted their business. But critics say Amazon hasnt done enough to root out blind spots in the data it collects. Online merchants have complained for years that wrong-headed or malicious customer feedback can get them booted off the companys web store. A Bloomberg investigation in 2021 revealed that Amazon algorithms were failing to capture real-world conditionsweather, bad roads, trafficand punishing delivery drivers for delays over which they had little control. The racial bias alleged by delivery contractors is subtle and difficult to detect in any individual response. When a customer metes out a thumbs-down, a list of checkable options pops up, including such vague choices as driver did not follow my delivery instructions and driver was unprofessional that dont require any substantiation. But when Amazon aggregates the feedback to calculate scores, the racial divide is undeniable, the business owners say. This kind of feedback is prone to implicit bias from customers who may be more forgiving of minor mistakes from people who look like them and judge those perceived as outsiders more critically, said NiCole Buchanan, a psychology professor at Michigan State University. Its rarely someone overtly racist trying to do harm, she said. Its all done very subtly. Dallan Flake, a law professor at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, said its also difficult to hold employers accountable because you have to prove the feedback is having a disproportionate impact on drivers of color. Moreover, he said, the law doesnt provide for punitive damages. Amazon isnt immune to litigation, but theyre probably not worried about facing a big class-action lawsuit, said Flake, who has studied bias in consumer feedback for years. They have no motivation to do something that in the end could end up costing them if driver feedback scores improve. Amazon launched its delivery service partner program in 2018, inviting would-be entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. Globally, the program has grown to more than 3,000 contractors with about 275,000 drivers. Amazon doesnt technically employ the drivers but monitors them with cameras, vehicle sensors and smartphone apps. The system keeps track of how many times a driver stops short or speeds, whether they wear a seatbelt and if they turn off the engine at each stop. Amazon scores each delivery business based on various metrics, including the number of deliveries completed, safety records and customer reviews. The problem with relying on customer feedback to help determine overall scores, according to the delivery contractors, is that most people dont provide a review. Feedback rates of 1% or less are common, contractors say, so a business that delivers tens of thousands of packages each week will receive reviews from just a few hundred customers. As a result, they say, a small group of people has an outsized influence over scores. The scorecards play a critical role in how much delivery contractors earn. Good marks are required to receive bonuses, which often determine whether they make a profit. Poor marks can be devastating to the bottom line, according the contractors, who say Amazon has little incentive to change the process because it saves the company money. Besides, the contractors say, they have no power to compel Amazon to make changes. You cant tell an 800-pound gorilla they didnt think this through when they put it together, said one delivery business owner in the Atlanta metropolitan area. They dont want to hear about it because it works in their favor. The scorecards also help determine whether drivers are promoted, retained or fired. Fear of Amazon canceling their contracts could prompt some delivery firms to punish drivers with poor ratings, even if they suspect racial bias is at work, four contractors said. Delivery firms worried about their overall scores could even fire drivers or avoid hiring people of color, they said. Amazon contract drivers dont know which customers leave reviews so they have no way of knowing how their performance is being assessed. But several drivers of color told Bloomberg theyve encountered varying degrees of hostility during their rounds. Veronica Saxon worked as an Amazon delivery driver for about a year in Michigan until she was injured during a collision in December. The job was the first time she experienced racism, said Saxon, who is Black. At one home, she said, a man and his son pulled guns on her as she walked down the driveway to put a package on their doorstep. Saxons employer assured her that such instances were rare, so she continued the job and the dispatcher never sent her back to that neighborhood. Several months later, she said, a White woman followed her for four hours while Saxon was making deliveries. She said she was just making sure everything was ok, Saxon said. After four hours, I took a photo of her license plate and told her Id call the police if she kept following me. The woman backed off. Its hard for drivers to know why customers give critical feedback since there are so many variables, she said. Some might be racist and others might be mad you asked them to leash their loose dog, said Saxon, who said she was bitten twice while making Amazon deliveries. It might be racism and it might not be, she said. When I started the job, people warned me about delivering to homes with Trump flags, but they turned out to be some of my nicest customers who talked to me and gave me snacks and drinks. Another Black driver who has been delivering Amazon packages for three years in Atlanta said racism is a constant concern among drivers, especially in predominately White, gated communities. Amazon knows whats going on, said the driver, who spoke on condition of anonymity since he is still working for an Amazon delivery business. It works out in Amazons favor if we get more negative feedback than positive because they can use that to deprive us of bonus payments and raises. Some White customers get upset when he takes a photo of a package on their stoop, as required by Amazon to verify a completed delivery. Some homeowners loose their dogs as hes approaching, and hes been bitten twice. Others ask to see his identification. I just point to my Amazon hat and Amazon van and ask if they want to see ID from their mailman. Such interactions dont happen in Black and Latino neighborhoods, he said. The driver said his boss has discussed racism with employees and encourages them to chronicle every incident so they can provide details to Amazon. We expect racism and we deal with it on a daily basis, so it becomes the norm, he said. When you deliver in a White community, you can feel it. People just stare. They dont smile or wave or anything. The stare-down is to subliminally tell you that you dont belong. A former Amazon employee familiar with the design of the contract-driver program said the company could do more to respond to bias in driver ratings, including designing the feedback system to focus on constructive input and tamping down on potentially racist or useless commentary. If Amazons going to score people, discipline people and fire people, theyve got to make sure that the products right, said this person, who requested anonymity to protect professional relationships. They dont think about things like bias. Its not in the DNA. Theyre just trying to make the machine work efficiently. Theyre not thinking about the human cases. Rooting out biased customer feedback isnt easy. But given Amazons expertise in consumer behavior, said Purdue University computer science professor Aniket Bera, it should be in a better position than many to address the issue. The company has enough data to at least partially fix the problem, he said. If they dont, its due to business reasons like it costing too much money. For now, delivery companies are trying to work around the more blatant racism their employees experience. They give drivers routes where theyre less likely to stand out. They report incidents of pulled guns and other intimidation to Amazon. At a training session conducted at an company facility in Los Angeles, a delivery contractor said instructorsfellow ownersemphasized safety and told newbies to understand the ethnic and racial makeup of their areas and to assign personnel accordingly. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / Wade Kricken seeks to assist students with the funding of their legal education. Therefore, Wade Kricken has established a scholarship for future lawyers. Law students in the United States are welcomed and encouraged to apply. The scholarship is also open/available to high school students on the path to becoming future lawyers. To apply, interested students must submit relevant biographical information, address, email address, name of high school (including address of school and graduation date), current school/university, and grade point average. Wade Kricken Scholarship, Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture Wade Kricken will select the winner based on a creative writing sample, not to exceed one thousand (1000) words. Applicants are directed to write about the topic provided on Wade Kricken's scholarship website. The selected student will receive a $1000.00 scholarship towards tuition and/or related education expenses. The application deadline is July 15, 2023. The winner of the scholarship will be selected on August 15, 2023. As a lawyer, Wade Kricken is familiar with the challenges facing law students. His scholarship will provide assistance with the financial burdens they face. Through their creative writing, one lucky student will earn $1000.00 in financial assistance. Each year, the financial burdens on students pursuing a legal education intensify. Financial burdens pose a real barrier to students seeking to become lawyers. In some cases, the financial burdens make a law degree unattainable. With the help of Wade Kricken's scholarship, one student will have much-needed assistance with financial burdens, permitting them to focus more on the educational rigors of law school. Wade Kricken earned his law degree from Baylor University School of Law in November 2001 and became licensed to practice by the State Bar of Texas in May 2002. In 2009, Wade Kricken established his own law practice where has continued to hone his approach to client representation. Wade Kricken has assisted thousands of clients in formal litigation and other legal engagements. Wade Kricken acknowledges that effective representation requires an understanding of, not just legal precedent, but also the financial realities of conflict resolution. Story continues Beyond the scope of professional life, Wade Kricken's dearest endeavor is being a father to six children - three sons and three daughters - with whom he spends as much time as possible. Wade Kricken understands that a fulfilling life is a balanced life, wherein a person gives of themselves if they should ever expect to receive anything of value. Wade Kricken's Scholarship for Future Attorneys is aimed at helping students reach their goal of law school graduation. Further, its goal is to encourage students to recognize the importance of maintaining a balanced life through helping others. Interested students may contact Wade Kricken through the information section on the scholarship website. The website is also intended to accommodate collaborators who wish to participate in Wade Kricken's scholarship program. Wade Kricken is available to address questions and requests. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Wade Kricken Organization: Wade Kricken Scholarship Website: https://wadekrickenscholarship.com Email: apply@wadekrickenscholarship.com SOURCE: Wade Kricken Scholarship View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/744729/Application-Is-Now-Open-For-The-Wade-Kricken-Scholarship-For-Future-Attorneys The companies' technology groups will interface to provide greater resources to their respective insurance and reinsurance clients worldwide OMAHA, Neb., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A long-term accord has been signed by Applied Underwriters and Concirrus, the London based technology firm, for the development and provision of multiple product lines of extraordinary technology driven solutions to insurers, reinsurers and other risk-based entities across the globe. The companies will leverage their respective technology innovations including Applied Underwriters' trove of patents and data processing advances and Concirrus' market leading analytics platform. The combination will deliver a market advantage to Applied Underwriters and also allow Concirrus to expand its solutions to a wider range of clients and product lines. Applied Underwriters (PRNewsfoto/Applied Underwriters) According to Dr. Justin Smith, SVP, CUO and longtime head of R&D at Applied, the collaboration of talent on each side will result in benefits to both from the outset in addition to the expansion of the intellectual and uniquely developed technological faculties of each: "Over the long term each of our companies will profit through enhanced research and development including Applied's highly accomplished statisticians, mathematicians, data scientists and actuaries. Concirrus' team is focused in the UK and India, forming a natural complement to Applied's teams in the US and Philippines." Dr. Smith further noted, "Applied has built its own systems for insurance and for its many other operations, devoting significant resources to R&D. The result has been a clear competitive advantage of our underwriting and claims processes. We look forward to this collaboration of technological powers and capacities to be put to work internationally for the clients of both organizations." Mr. Andrew Yeoman, CEO, Concirrus, expressed similar optimism for the accord: "This partnership will significantly bolster our business and provide an underlying strength and stability to our customers. We have stabilized our operating platform and our growth plans will proceed in the expansion of our digital solutions for specialty insurance, in insurance data analysis, advanced modeling and the application of new technologies." He continued, "Packaged, off-the-shelf solutions continue to fall short of the needs of insurers and reinsurers, and building scalable models and proprietary systems architecture is cost prohibitive. This partnership will see Concirrus offering extraordinary bespoke solutions on a common platform that will optimize technology investment value and returns." Story continues Dr. Smith noted that the transaction, while far from the largest undertaken by Applied, will be one of the more important and critical as other acquisitions are realized, requiring technological expertise. The parties expressed their thanks to Torch Partners, advisers to Software and Technology sectors, for its role in advising the strategic partnership. For further information contact: Ryan Gerding, Public Relations, at +1 (913) 602-8531 or at press@auw.com. About Applied Underwriters (www.auw.com) Applied Underwriters is a global risk services firm that helps businesses and people manage uncertainty through its business services, insurance and reinsurance solutions. As a company, Applied Underwriters has been distinguished by its innovative approaches to client care and by its strong financial strength. Applied Underwriters operates widely throughout the US, UK, EU and Middle East. Its operational headquarters is located in Omaha, Nebraska. About Concirrus (www.concirrus.ai) Concirrus was founded on a passion to harness data and technology to drive improvements in loss ratios and increase operating efficiency for specialty and commercial insurance. Specifically built for insurance by leading insurance practitioners and technologists, our suite of analytics and digital capabilities are empowering the market. Today, Concirrus is helping commercial insurance clients to accelerate their digital strategies. Our highly configurable datasets, AI analytics, cutting-edge risk modelling and cloud-based architectural solutions, allow clients to build enterprise-grade solutions that deliver ongoing value. About Torch Partners (www.torchpartners.com) Torch Partners is a leading M&A and private capital markets adviser to the Digital Infrastructure, Software and Technology sectors. It brings insight driven analytical rigor, sector domain knowledge and a 'think like an investor' mindset to distinctly position each technology business it represents. Operating from its offices in London and Paris, Torch Partners provides advice to clients on a global basis. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/applied-underwriters-concirrus-enter-long-term-strategic-alliance-301775725.html SOURCE Applied Underwriters Asensus Surgical, Inc. Senhance Offers the First and Only Digital Laparoscopic Surgery Solution for Pediatric Patients RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asensus Surgical, Inc. (NYSE American: ASXC), a medical device company that is digitizing the interface between the surgeon and the patient to pioneer a new era of Performance-Guided Surgery (PGS), today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for an expanded indication to treat pediatric patients with the Senhance System. The Senhance System is already approved for pediatric patients in the EU and Japan. With the combination of 3mm instrumentation, 5mm camera scope, haptic feedback, and advanced clinical intelligence provided by the Intelligent Surgical Unit, the Company believes that the Senhance System is uniquely positioned to bring the benefits of surgical robotics to pediatric patients in a way that no other platform on the market can, by offering a unique and unmatched reduction in invasiveness on a robotic platform. We have seen strong early clinical utilization in Europe, with surgeons having successfully performed pediatric general, upper GI, colorectal and urologic procedures using the Senhance System. We are excited to bring the benefits of surgical robotic technology to the underserved pediatric patient population in the United States. Given the small size of the patients, pediatric surgery seeks to use the least invasive instruments and scopes, while maintaining a high level of precision and stability. The Senhance System is uniquely qualified to meet these needs of pediatric surgeons, said Anthony Fernando, Asensus Surgical President and CEO. We look forward to bringing all of our learnings from over three years of performing pediatric procedures in Europe and Japan to the US. Dr. Thom Lobe, Pediatric Surgeon at the Sinai Health System in Chicago said, The Senhance System is the perfect robotic platform for use in pediatric patients. No other robotic system uses reusable 3mm instruments suitable for smaller patients. For those familiar with laparoscopic surgery, the system is easy to learn and has several advantages including economical value, a camera system controlled by the surgeons eyes, and improved safety features such as haptic feedback. Story continues The Senhance System is now indicated to perform pediatric procedures in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Refer to https://www.senhance.com/indications for the full indications for use statements. About Asensus Surgical, Inc. Asensus Surgical, Inc. is digitizing the interface between the surgeon and patient to pioneer a new era of Performance-Guided Surgery by unlocking clinical intelligence for surgeons to enable consistently superior outcomes and a new standard of surgery. Based upon the foundations of Digital Laparoscopy and the Senhance Surgical System, the Company is developing the LUNA Surgical System, a next generation robotic and instrument system as a foundation of its Digital Surgery solution. These systems will be powered by the Intelligent Surgical Unit to increase surgeon control and reduce surgical variability. With the addition of machine vision, Augmented Intelligence, and deep learning capabilities throughout the surgical experience, we intend to holistically address the current clinical, cognitive and economic shortcomings that drive surgical outcomes and value-based healthcare. The Senhance Surgical System is now available for sale in the US, EU, Japan, Russia, and select other countries. For a complete list of indications for use, visit: www.senhance.com/indications . To learn more about Performance-Guided Surgery, Digital Laparoscopy with the Senhance Surgical System and the new LUNA System visit www.asensus.com . Follow Asensus Email Alerts: https://ir.asensus.com/email-alerts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asensus-surgical-inc Twitter: https://twitter.com/AsensusSurgical YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/transenterix Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/asxc TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asensus_surgical Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements relating to the Senhance Surgical System and the FDAs 510(k) clearance for a pediatric indication for the Senhance Surgical System. These statements and other statements regarding our future plans and goals constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict, are beyond our control and which may cause results to differ materially from expectations and include whether the Senhance Surgical System is uniquely positioned to bring the benefits of digital laparoscopy to pediatrics in a way that no other platform on the market can and whether the Senhance Surgical System is the perfect platform for use in pediatric patients. For a discussion of the risks and uncertainties associated with the Companys business, please review our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2023 and our other filings we make with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements, which are based on our expectations as of the date of this press release and speak only as of the origination date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. INVESTOR CONTACT: Mark Klausner or Mike Vallie ICR Westwicke invest@asensus.com 443-213-0499 MEDIA CONTACT: Dan Ventresca Matter Communications AsensusPR@matternow.com 617-874-5488 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / The Board of Atlantic Lithium Limited (AIM:ALL)(OTCQX:ALLIF)(ASX:A11) "Atlantic Lithium" or the "Company"), the funded African-focussed lithium exploration and development company targeting to deliver Ghana's first lithium mine, wishes to advise that certain Directors and persons discharging managerial responsibilities ("PDMRs") of the Company have purchased in the market a total of 2,454,677 ordinary shares of no par value each ("Ordinary Shares") at an average price of 27.34p per Ordinary Share, equating to aggregate value of 671,231, as follows: Director / PDMR Role Number of Ordinary Shares purchased Resultant number of Ordinary Shares beneficially held Resultant percentage of issued share capital beneficially held Mr Neil Herbert Executive Chairman 1,883,177 7,348,892 1.21% Ms Amanda Harsas Finance Director & Company Secretary 571,500 733,371 0.12% NOTIFICATION AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF TRANSACTIONS BY PERSONS DISCHARGING MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERSONS CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THEM: TABLE 1 - ISSUE OF ORDINARY SHARES 1. Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated a) Name: Neil Herbert 2. Reason for the notification a) Position/status: Executive Chairman b) Initial notification/Amendment: Initial notification 3. Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor a) Name: Atlantic Lithium Limited b) LEI: 213800H1JY3J7BB6BN06 4. 1. Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted. a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument: Identification code: Ordinary Shares of no par in the Company ISIN: AU0000237554 b) Nature of the transaction: Purchase of Ordinary Shares c) Price(s) and volume(s): Price(s) Volume(s) AUD0.455 GBP0.2758 80,492 1,802,685 d) Aggregated information: Purchase of 1,883,177 Ordinary Shares at an average price of GBP0.2748 (AUD0.4952) per Ordinary Share e) Date of the transaction: 16 March 2023 f) Place of the transaction: AIM Market (ALL), ASX (A11) NOTIFICATION AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF TRANSACTIONS BY PERSONS DISCHARGING MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERSONS CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THEM: TABLE 1 - ISSUE OF ORDINARY SHARES 1. Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated a) Name: Amanda Harsas 2. Reason for the notification a) Position/status: Finance Director & Company Secretary b) Initial notification/Amendment: Initial notification 3. Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor a) Name: Atlantic Lithium Limited b) LEI: 213800H1JY3J7BB6BN06 4. 1. Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted. a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument: Identification code: Ordinary Shares of no par in the Company ISIN: AU0000237554 b) Nature of the transaction: Purchase of Ordinary Shares c) Price(s) and volume(s): Price(s) Volume(s) AUD0.4731 GBP0.2675 AUD0.4885 GBP0.2700 43,000 200,000 228,500 100,000 d) Aggregated information: Purchase of 571,500 Ordinary Shares at an average price of GBP0.2690 (AUD0.4847) per Ordinary Share e) Date of the transaction: 16 & 17 March 2023 f) Place of the transaction: AIM Market (ALL), ASX (A11) Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement. Story continues For any further information, please contact: Atlantic Lithium Limited Neil Herbert (Executive Chairman) Amanda Harsas (Finance Director and Company Secretary) www.atlanticlithium.com.au IR@atlanticlithium.com.au Tel: +61 2 8072 0640 SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP Nominated Adviser Jeff Keating Charlie Bouverat Tel: +44 (0)20 3470 0470 Canaccord Genuity Limited Joint Company Broker Raj Khatri James Asensio Harry Rees Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 4500 Liberum Capital Limited Joint Company Broker Scott Mathieson Edward Thomas Kane Collings Tel: +44 (0) 20 3100 2000 Yellow Jersey PR Limited Charles Goodwin Bessie Elliot atlantic@yellowjerseypr.com Tel: +44 (0)20 3004 9512 Notes to Editors: About Atlantic Lithium www.atlanticlithium.com.au Atlantic Lithium is an AIM and ASX-listed lithium company advancing a portfolio of lithium projects in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire through to production. The Company's flagship project, the Ewoyaa Project in Ghana, is a significant lithium spodumene pegmatite discovery on track to become Ghana's first lithium-producing mine. The Company signed a funding agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc. for US$103m towards the development of the Ewoyaa Project. Based on the Pre-Feasibility Study, the Ewoyaa Project has indicated Life of Mine revenues exceeding US$4.84bn, producing a spodumene concentrate via simple gravity only process flowsheet. Atlantic Lithium holds 560km2 & 774km2 of tenure across Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire respectively, comprising significantly under-explored, highly prospective licences. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Atlantic Lithium Limited View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/744617/Atlantic-Lithium-Limited-Announces-DirectorPDMR-Shareholding HANOI, Vietnam, March 20, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aura Network is excited to announce the official launch of The Xstaxy Mainnet at 13:00 UTC on March 20th after 15 months of rigorous development. This marks a significant milestone in our journey towards revolutionizing the Cosmos ecosystem and enabling a more sustainable future for Web3, NFTs, and DeFi. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005327/en/ Aura Network is excited to announce the official launch of The Xstaxy Mainnet at 13:00 UTC on March 20th after 15 months of rigorous development. (Graphic: Business Wire) Aura Networks core value proposition Aura Network is a pioneering blockchain infrastructure provider, committed to delivering top-of-the-line layer-1 solutions using Cosmos SDK. We are dedicated to meeting the skyrocketing demand for NFTs, sustainable DeFi, and Web3 gaming. At Aura Network, we take pride in launching the Xstaxy Mainnet, which stands out as the first-ever smart contract layer-1 chain driving towards massive NFT adoption in the Cosmos ecosystem. Our innovative solutions and industry expertise have positioned us as the leading force in the blockchain space. With the latest technologies integrated into the Xstaxy Mainnet, our infrastructure is built to deliver exceptional scalability, security, and reliability. Backed by a team of 70 top-notch validators, we are implementing great innovations that offer an unmatched user experience, making it the perfect entrance for Web2 users looking to transition into the world of Web3. Whats next for Aura Network in 2023? Mainnet is just the beginning, and the future of blockchain is about to unfold. We have successfully launched our Mainnet, and now we're embarking on a new phase of development that will take us to greater heights of innovation. Here are Aura Networks top three focuses that will drive us to achieve our vision: Expand NFT adoption: Aura Network is not just content with having a solid foundation of expertise and resources in Vietnam and other SEA countries. We're taking things to the next level by growing local communities, building a payment gateway to Web3, and tailoring NFT adoption for traditional customers. With our close collaboration with local enterprises, brands, loyalty systems, and social networks, we are confident that we can bring NFT adoption to a whole new level. Optimize UX for the mainstream: Understanding that blockchain technology can be complex and intimidating, we aim to make the user experience seamless and coherent for mainstream users and NFT newcomers. "What we are trying to do is make it so that users can ignore that process." - shared Long Nguyen, CTO of Aura Network. We believe that by simplifying core dApps, users can focus on enjoying the benefits that Aura Network offers. Grow Cosmos open-source software: Aura Network is committed to contributing to the open-source software on Cosmos. Our core infrastructure products are interoperable with other Cosmos chains, aiming at growing the Cosmos ecosystem as a whole. Story continues Please tune in to our official channels to stay updated with upcoming updates regarding new applications, NFT use cases, and features powered by Aura Network. Key to the success and a game-changing Mainnet Aura Network has achieved a lot of success in its efforts so far, mainly due to the significant support from top VCs and blockchain projects, including Hashed, Coin98 Ventures, GuildFi, Impossible Finance, Republic Crypto, Whalemap, Matchbox DAO, Istari Ventures, and many others. This support has enabled Aura Network to build a talented team and a robust infrastructure, increasing our credibility and attracting more users and investors. By receiving the endorsement of well-respected organizations, Aura Network has attracted more attention from potential users and investors, driving our growth and success. We are confident that our Mainnet will be a game-changer in the blockchain industry, and we look forward to welcoming the community to join us on this exciting journey. With our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community, Aura Network is ready to lead toward a better Web3 future. About Aura Network Aura Network is an ecosystem built to accelerate global NFTs adoption. Aura Network focuses on building the Internet of NFTs and bringing NFT and web3 to the masses. Website | Twitter | Discord | Telegram | Blog View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005327/en/ Contacts Media: Thu Tran (Ms.) Aura Network COO thu@aura.network Senate honors Filipino student mathematicians The Senate on Monday, March 20, 2023 adopted a resolution congratulating 19 Filipino students who were awarded gold medals at the World International Mathematical Olympiad (WIMO) held last January 7-8, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, author of Senate Resolution No. 54, commended the 19 "mathletes," who were present in the Senate gallery, in his sponsorship speech. Senators Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa delivered their respective co-sponsorship speeches while all senators were made co-authors of the resolution Honored were: Alexandra Brianne Gochian from St. Jude Catholic School for the Senior Secondary Group; Harvey James Dolar from Philippine Science High School - Main Campus for the Secondary 3 Group; and Mateo Inigo Espocia from Genesis Christian Academy for the Primary 5 Group. The three got the highest score in their respective fields. Also included in the WIMO gold medalists are: Caiser Charleton Chua So, Skyler Loan B. Uy, Linaiah Amethyst O. Flores, Lourd Grey M. Latido, Liam Spark Pena Palarca, Lineth Mikaela B. Muldez, Agatha Maria Eden O. Nunag, Skyler Ycaruz O. Flores, Zac Andre E. De Lara, Jenelle Nyka G. Lee, Princess Abbey Cziarah A. Aquino, Arwin Peter C. Castro, Evan Justin E. Panergo, Matt Raymond Ayento, Matthew Charles C. Carpio and Rey Stephen Chua. "No other name is more apt for this competition, other than the 'Battle of the Golds." One should be a gold medalist in the Hongkong International Mathematical Olympiad, Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad or the Guangdong Greater Bay Area Mathematical Olympiad just to be eligible to participate in the prestigious World International Mathematical Olympiad," Villanueva said. "These Mathletes, through their grit and hard work, superbly stood out among gold medalists from 14 countries as they competed in logical thinking, arithmetic or algebra, number theory, geometry and combinatorics," he said. In addition to the 19 gold medals, the Philippine delegation represented by 178 students from kinder to senior high school, also tallied 52 silver and 67 bronze medals, the resolution stated. The other countries that participated in the WIMO included Australia, Hongkong, Bulgaria, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Myanmar, Cambodia, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka and Thailand. "The impressive performance of the Philippine delegation in the WIMO indicates that the country's educational system is capable of producing world class students in mathematics and is a promising indicator that the Philippines can improve its standing in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and other global standards for academics," it added.### BREMEN, Ind., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BCI Solutions, Inc. is an 84-year-old family-owned manufacturing company foundry, with machining, assembly and tooling divisions in Bremen, Indiana. BCI is excited to announce it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to purchase a DISA Molding Machine. This new equipment will increase efficiency and productivity two-fold. It is expected to be fully operational by the spring of 2024. BCI VP Jordan Brown signs the Letter of Intent to purchase a DISA Molding Machine as President Chuck Kalupa announces it to Team BCI. This new machinery is expected to expand production and move BCI Solutions to the front of the pack with this cutting-edge technology. A single DISA Molding Machine is projected to double historic output and will allow BCI to expand its production capacity. BCI Solutions, Inc. (BCI) is a Midwest based 5th generation family-owned and operated business, founded in 1939. BCI is a leading supplier of project-based manufacturing solutions in the U.S. Serving multiple industries throughout the world. It is a technology-driven business and castings are used in every industry from agriculture to defense, healthcare to automotive and beyond. The company prides itself by taking project-based manufacturing technology from concept to reality. BCI is a ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016 registered company and includes a team of comprehensive employees, engineers and industry specific experts, who can assist in your next venture ensuring profitability and success. Official logo (PRNewsfoto/BCI Solutions) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bci-solutions-inc-signs-letter-of-intent-for-state-of-the-art-equipment-301775261.html SOURCE BCI Solutions, Inc. MISSION VIEJO, Calif., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BENEV Company Inc., an FDA-registered manufacturer with a global presence, is proud to announce the addition of two world-renowned physicians to their Medical Advisory Board. Suneel Chilukuri, MD, FAAD, FACMS Dermatologist Suneel Chilukuri, MD, FAAD, FACMS in Houston, TX, was the first practitioner to serve as moderator for the BENEV Aesthetic Elite Summit in November of 2022. He has been an exceptional leader and active contributor to our Medical Advisory Board, having shared his expert advice and innovative solutions that add value to our physicians, and medical spas, and their patients and clients. "I was honored to partner with the BENEV team due to the company's strong commitment to providing best-in-class innovative solutions for improving our patient's health and wellness. Their dedication to scientifically advancing regenerative medicine and their commitment to excellence is second to none," says Dr. Chilukuri. Renato Saltz, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Salt Lake City, UT, and a Past President of The Aesthetic Society and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Saltz joined the BENEV Medical Advisory Board in 2023 and was an early adopter of the Sylfirm X RF Microneedling System. He has also been a loyal supporter of the BENEV Regenerative Trifecta, Sylfirm X, BENEV Exosomes and Miracu PDO Threads. "It is a great honor to join the BENEV Advisory Board and to participate in the company's state-of-the-art developments and new technology. BENEV's leadership team has brought us together to share our collective experience in science, marketing, education, and business. This collaborative effort will generate innovative developments based on modern science for the medical aesthetic industry that will ultimately benefit our patients as well as our business," he says. These key opinion leaders join our prestigious medical board that includes; - Richard Goldfarb, MD, FACS - Richard Jin, MD, PhD - Diane Duncan, MD, FACS - JD McCoy, NMD Story continues About BENEV BENEV, established in California in 2000, is an FDA-registered drug manufacturer, specializing mainly in topical solutions for skin and hair, including its exosome products, as well as innovative medical devices such as PDO threads and radiofrequency microneedling device, in the U.S. and around the world. BENEV is an established leader in the medical aesthetic market emphasizing health, longevity, and beauty related products in the U.S., Asia and other parts of the world. BENEV has a fully integrated business model, which includes manufacturing, research and development, sales, and marketing. For more information, susan@benev.com Renato Saltz, MD, FACS BENEV Company Inc. (PRNewsfoto/BENEV Company Inc) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/benev-announces-two-new-members-to-their-prestigious-medical-advisory-board-301775614.html SOURCE BENEV Company Inc SkyQuest Technology Consulting Pvt. Ltd. SkyQuest, a prominent market research firm, has published an extensive report on the blockchain in manufacturing market, offering valuable insights into various market aspects. The report includes estimates of the market's size, growth dynamics, segment analysis, market trends, and lucrative business opportunities, among other information. For businesses operating in this industry, the insights provided in this report can be instrumental in identifying the most promising segments and developing effective strategies to target them. In addition, the report's comprehensive analysis, accurate data, and reliable insights can also help businesses make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition. Westford, USA,, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With its established technological infrastructure and advanced manufacturing capabilities, North America is well-positioned to lead the way in the blockchain in manufacturing market . As the manufacturing industry continues to adopt AI-enabled machinery and automation, blockchain technology is set to revolutionize traditional identification processes, further increasing demand in the future. In addition, with its decentralized ledger system, blockchain can help to prevent fraud, reduce supply chain inefficiencies, and enhance product traceability. As a result, manufacturers can benefit from improved productivity, cost savings, and enhanced customer satisfaction. Smart manufacturing is becoming an increasingly important sector in today's technology-driven world, and its market size is estimated to reach a whopping USD 638.28 billion by 2028, according to SkyQuest. This growth is expected to be fueled by a CAGR of 15.3%, which is a testament to this industry's widespread adoption and rapid development. The growth of the smart manufacturing sector, as predicted by SkyQuest, is sure to create significant opportunities for the blockchain in manufacturing market. With the potential to revolutionize the way manufacturers operate, blockchain technology is set to become an integral part of the smart manufacturing landscape in the years ahead. Story continues Get sample copy of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/blockchain-in-manufacturing-market Browse in-depth TOC on the "Blockchain in Manufacturing Market" Pages - 245 Tables - 94 Figures - 69 Blockchain technology can potentially transform many industries, and manufacturing is no exception. By leveraging blockchain, manufacturers can increase efficiency, improve supply chain transparency, reduce costs, and enhance data security. Blockchain can also help manufacturers track products throughout the supply chain. By using blockchain to create a digital ledger of products and their movements, manufacturers can ensure that products are authentic, safe, and meet quality standards. Prominent Players in Blockchain in Manufacturing Market NVDIA Corporation Chronicled Shipchain LO3 Energy XAIN AG Electron CargoX Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Filament International Business Machines Corporation Grid Singularity Microsoft Corporation RIDDLE & CODE GMBH Logistics and Supply Chain Management Segment to Witness High Growth as Blockchain Technology Ensures Complete Transparency and Traceability of Supply Chain Logistics and supply chain management have become one of the fastest-growing segments in the blockchain in manufacturing market. According to recent research, this trend is expected to continue its dominance throughout the forecast period of 2022 to 2028. Blockchain technology has the power to completely revolutionize supply chain management by increasing transparency, security, and efficiency. With the help of blockchain, manufacturers can track the movement of their products from the raw materials stage to the finished product stage, ensuring that all parties involved in the supply chain have access to the same information. This can help to reduce fraud, errors, and delays, leading to cost savings and increased customer satisfaction. According to recent market research, North America maintained its position as the leading contributor to the blockchain in manufacturing market in 2021. This is due to the region's high adoption of blockchain technology across various industries, including manufacturing. In addition, the region's advanced technological infrastructure and supportive regulatory environment have also played a crucial role in driving the growth of blockchain in manufacturing. Furthermore, North America is projected to continue to experience a high compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2022 and 2028. This is due to the increasing awareness among manufacturers about the benefits of blockchain, such as enhanced security, transparency, and traceability. Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/blockchain-in-manufacturing-market Energy and Power Segment to Garner Substantial Growth as Blockchain Technology Enables the Creation of Decentralized Energy Production Systems In 2021, the energy and power segment held a significant share of the blockchain in manufacturing market. This segment has been actively exploring the use of blockchain for various applications, such as supply chain management, energy trading, and grid management. With the growing adoption rate of renewable energy sources and increasing demand for efficient energy management, the energy and power segment is expected to hold a high market share. Looking ahead, the energy and power segment is estimated to grab a higher share of the market from 2022 to 2028. The increasing need for transparency and security in the energy sector, coupled with the potential for blockchain to enable peer-to-peer energy trading and decentralized energy management, is expected to drive the adoption of blockchain technology in this segment. The Asia Pacific region has emerged as a promising market in the blockchain industry, particularly in the manufacturing sector. In 2021, the region has shown remarkable growth and has become a key player in the global blockchain in manufacturing market. Per projections, the region will likely register high growth by 2028. In addition, many regional governments have recognized the potential of blockchain technology and are taking steps to promote its adoption. For instance, the Chinese government has launched a blockchain-based service network to promote the development and adoption of blockchain technology in various industries, including manufacturing. The blockchain in manufacturing market presents significant opportunities for companies willing to invest in research and development and expand their distribution networks. The report provides valuable insights into the market, including trends, challenges, and emerging opportunities. With the help of SkyQuest's report, businesses can gain valuable insights and recommendations to help them grow and stay ahead of the competition in this dynamic market. Key Developments in Blockchain in Manufacturing Market Smart manufacturing is a rapidly growing trend in the industrial world that seeks to optimize and streamline manufacturing processes using advanced technologies such as the IoT, AI, and ML. One of the most promising emerging technologies in this field is digital twin technology. It involves creating a virtual replica of a physical asset, system, or process to simulate and analyze its behavior in real-time. Teijin and Fujitsu have recently announced their collaboration in developing a new commercial platform for manufacturing recycled materials. The platform will be based on blockchain technology, providing a secure and transparent system for managing the manufacturing process from start to finish. In addition, blockchain technology enables secure and immutable data recording, ensuring that all data related to the manufacturing process is accurate and tamper-proof. Clarins, a well-known beauty brand, has recently launched its T.R.U.S.T platform that uses blockchain technology to provide transparency on ingredient traceability and product manufacturing. This move by Clarins is a major step towards building a more sustainable and responsible beauty industry. With the T.R.U.S.T platform, customers can make informed decisions about the products they buy and can choose brands that align with their values. Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/blockchain-in-manufacturing-market Key Questions Answered in Blockchain in Manufacturing Market Report What strategies can companies adopt to leverage the emerging trends in the global market? How do established companies overcome new entrants' challenges in the global market? What cultural factors must companies consider when marketing their products and services in different regions? How can companies address regulatory challenges in different regions while maintaining competitiveness? Related Reports in SkyQuests Library: Global Smart Warehousing Market Global Metaverse In Automotive Market Global Community Engagement Platform Market Global Digital Transformation Spending in Logistics Market Global Industry 4.0 Market About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 617-230-0741 Email: sales@skyquestt.com LinkedIn Facebook Twitter MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomreach , the world's #1 Commerce Experience Cloud, today announced the successful completion of its System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type II audit, which verifies internal security controls and validates their effectiveness over a one year period. SOC 2 Type II compliance affirms that Bloomreach has met the rigorous standards set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for its trust service principles: security, availability, and confidentiality. In addition, Bloomreach has also successfully completed its annual surveillance audit and renewal of its ISO Certifications, which ensure organizations meet international standards for products, services, and processes. To maintain ISO compliance, Bloomreach underwent an extensive company-wide surveillance audit. This included a review of the company's quality management systems and documentation, information security posture and controls, operations, and governance, risk, and compliance activities. A complete list of Bloomreach's ISO Certifications include: ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management Systems ISO 27017: 2015 Information Security Controls applicable to the use of cloud services (ISO 27002) ISO 27018:2015 Protection of PII in Public Clouds acting as a PII Processor ISO 22301:2019 Business Continuity Management Processes "Our SOC 2 Type II compliance and ISO accreditation are incredibly important, as they offer customers complete assurance that our products and services operate at the highest quality standard," said Aviv Raff, Chief Information Security Officer, Bloomreach. "These achievements are indicative of our continued commitment to security, privacy, and accountability across our business operations." Visit the Bloomreach website to learn more about the company's privacy and security practices. About Bloomreach Bloomreach is the world's #1 Commerce Experience Cloud, empowering brands to deliver customer journeys so personalized, they feel like magic. It offers a suite of products that drive true personalization and digital commerce growth, including: Discovery, offering AI-driven search and merchandising; Content, offering a headless CMS; and Engagement, offering a leading CDP and marketing automation solutions. Together, these solutions combine the power of unified customer and product data with the speed and scale of AI-optimization, enabling revenue-driving digital commerce experiences that convert on any channel and every journey. Bloomreach serves over 850 global brands including Albertsons, Bosch, Puma, FC Bayern Munchen, and Marks & Spencer. For more information, visit Bloomreach.com . Story continues Media Contact: Michelle DeMaio Bloomreach Corporate Communications michelle.demaio@bloomreach.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bloomreach-announces-successful-completion-of-soc-type-ii-audit-and-iso-recertifications-301775654.html SOURCE Bloomreach Brankas is now a licensed payment service provider after acquiring the Bank Indonesia (BI) Payment Service Provider (PJP) Category 3 License and the Operator of Payment Systems (OPS) certificate from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). As a BI-registered PSP, Brankas is authorized by BI to conduct payment transactions after demonstrating compliance with the regulatory body's standards for companies conducting remittance services. As a BSP-registered OPS, Brankas is now under the supervision of the BSP and is expected to adhere to governance and risk management standards set by the regulatory body. JAKARTA, Indonesia and MANILA, Philippines, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Open finance leader Brankas has announced that it has acquired both the Payment Service Provider (PJP) Category 3 License from Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Operator of Payment Systems (OPS) Registration from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The certifications confirm that Brankas meets all local regulatory and security standards for its Open Finance payment solutions. Brankas has an extensive range of banking APIs that enable instant and direct payments without the extra cost and risks of "middleman" settlement accounts. Brankas' payment APIs are used by companies offering e-wallets, online shopping checkout, lending services, insurance, and wealth management. Brankas Disburse is a multi-bank API enabling automated fund transfers for salary payouts, vendor payments, loan disbursements, and more. Brankas Direct enables collections and retail "cash-in" for e-commerce, fund transfers, and recurring subscriptions. Brankas Merchant Link is a turnkey merchant management system for banks and large merchants to offer in-house payment processing. With over 100 enterprise partners worldwide, Brankas is committed to the security of its open finance solutions. Brankas is ISO 27001 and PCI DSS certified , and undergoes regular external IT audits "We understand how important trust is to our customers, that's why it is important that we hold ourselves to the highest standards of security. As a leading open finance company globally, Brankas owes it to our customers to not only demonstrate compliance to internationally recognized frameworks, but also to contribute to the evolving risk management framework for payment systems worldwide." said Todd Schweitzer, CEO and Co-founder of Brankas. Story continues The payments licenses equip Brankas to offer end-to-end Open Finance infrastructure to its bank partners, from local and cross-border payments, to new banking-as-a-service solutions like account opening and card issuing. "Brankas is proud to obtain the PJP license, which confirms our commitment to data security and privacy for both our customers and partners. As we expand our list of embedded finance offerings to support our customers, we want to ensure that we provide the widest bank coverage in the country." said Husni Fuad, Country Manager of Brankas Indonesia. About Brankas Brankas is a leading global open finance technology provider. We provide API-based solutions, data and payments solutions for financial service providers (like banks, lenders and e-wallets) and online businesses. Brankas partners with banks to build and manage their open finance infrastructure, producing APIs for real-time payments, identity and data, new account opening, remittances, and more. With Brankas' secure open banking technology, online businesses, fintech companies and digital banks can use Brankas APIs to create new digital experiences for their users. Media Contact Yiyang Teo +65 96619686 yiyang.teo@brank.as Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/brankas-secures-payments-licenses-in-indonesia-and-the-philippines-301773710.html SOURCE Brankas Brunswick Exploration MONTREAL, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brunswick Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: BRW; BRW or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has begun drilling at the Anatacau West project, located in the Eeyou-Istchee James Bay region of Quebec. A 3,000-metre drill program is targeting the potential eastern extension of Allkems James Bay lithium deposit in an area that has yet to be drill-tested. The Company is also planning to sample and analyze historical pegmatite-bearing core at the PLEX project prior to the end of the month followed by the start of another drill program at the Hearst Project located in eastern Ontario in early Q2. Mr. Killian Charles, President and CEO of BRW, commented: This will be a transformational year for BRW as we commence multiple drilling and stripping programs across Canada, while conducting aggressive grassroots lithium prospecting in tandem. We are very excited to begin our exploration efforts in 2023 with a drilling campaign targeting the exciting Anatacau West project. The 2023 exploration campaign is one of the largest grassroots lithium programs in North America and I invite existing and potential shareholders to closely follow upcoming news releases. Quebec Anatacau West Drilling The initial 3,000 metre program at Anatacau West comprises 15 inclined holes at an average length of 200 metres each. The program will be extended as required if warranted. The first five drill holes are collared along a N-S fence approximately 50 meters from the shared claim boundary with Allkems James Bay lithium deposit. Second and third fences of holes are planned 150 and 300 meters, respectively, to the east of the first fence. The drill holes are targeting the potential continuation of spodumene-bearing pegmatites from Allkems claims. The James Bay Lithium Project is host to a 40 million tonnes reserve grading 1.4%* and is comprised of eight pegmatites of varying width and grade. In 2018, a set of three holes drilled by Allkem (Galaxy Lithium) intersected numerous spodumene-bearing pegmatites with downhole widths varying between roughly 5 and 15 meters outside of the reserve pit shell and adjacent to the shared claim boundary. No holes have been drilled east of these intersections on BRWs Anatacau West Project. Story continues Quebec - Core sampling at PLEX BRW recently identified the location of the historical core storage facility at the PLEX project, in the Eeyou-Istchee James Bay region of Quebec and determined that it is accessible despite winter conditions. A sampling team will be deployed before the end of the month to confirm and sample previously-reported pegmatite intersections in historical drill core from Virginia Golds 2006-2012 drill programs. Sampling will be focused on eighteen (18) drill intersections of pegmatite over 50 metres in length identified from historical logs (Quebec government assessment files), the longest being 203 metres in length (DDH PLE08-121). A total of 96 intersections of pegmatite over 8 metres in length were noted from historical logs, spread over strike length of 1,300 meters. The PLEX project is located approximately 80 kilometres west of PMETs Corvette CV5 lithium deposit along the La Grande Shear Zone, which hosts all of the Corvette lithium showings known to date. Ontario Hearst Drilling A 1,000 meters diamond drill program is planned for early Q2 at the Decoy spodumene-bearing pegmatite, located on the Hearst project in eastern Ontario. The drill program will test the strike and down dip extensions of the pegmatite. The Decoy Pegmatite is exposed over a strike length of approximately 65 meters, reaching a maximum width of 22 meters at surface. Decimetric, pale green spodumene crystals are identifiable over roughly 55 meters of strike length. Corporate Update Non-Brokered Financing The Company expects to proceed with a first closing of the $2,000,000 non-brokered private placement by March 23rd with a second closing by March 29th. Acquisition of Additional Claims Neighboring the Hanson Lake Project in Saskatchewan The Company is pleased to announce that it has executed an option agreement with Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (EPL) for the acquisition of three additional mining claims located roughly 55 kilometers west of Creighton, Saskatchewan, adjacent to the Hanson Lake Project acquisition (see news release dated January 30, 2023). The Option Agreement allows BRW to acquire a 100% interest in the mining claims from EPL, for a total consideration of $70,000 over a 2-year period, upon closing of a definitive agreement. The total amount is payable in cash, shares or a combination of both, at BRWs discretion, according to the following schedule: A payment of $25,000 within five business of the approval of the agreement; A payment of $20,000, on the first anniversary of the agreement; A payment of $25,000, on the 2nd anniversary date of the agreement. In order to exercise the Option, Brunswick Exploration shall fund an aggregate amount of $100,000 in Work Expenditures in accordance with the following schedule: An aggregate of $25,000, on or before December 31, 2023; An aggregate of $75,000, on or before December 31, 2024. After the Option has been exercised, additional milestone payments occur with the following schedule: Payment of $250,000 in cash, shares or combination of both (BRW's discretion) on filing of a resource estimate; Payment of $250,000 in cash, shares or combination of both (BRW's discretion) on filing of a preliminary economic assessment BRW will grant a 2% NSR of which half (1%) of the NSR may be repurchased by BRW for $1,000,000. Update to Prior Transactions BRW would like to clarify the following information in two recent news releases: The option payments to be made to acquire the Hanson Lake Project totals $735,000 (instead of $730,000, as disclosed in the news release dated January 30, 2023); On November 10, 2022, the Company announced the signature of an option agreement with Midland Exploration Inc. for the Company to acquire a maximum 85% undivided interest in potential LCT (lithium-cesium-tantalum) mineralization of the Mythril and Elrond properties (the Properties), located in the James Bay region of Quebec. The Company wishes to clarify that the Properties are comprised of 514 claims and not 511 claims as previously disclosed. The Company wishes to further disclose that any common share to be issued by the Company as consideration under the option agreement will be subject to a minimum value of $0.24 per share with no maximum value. Upon closing of the transaction on December 2, 2022, an initial consideration of $50,000 was paid by the Company, comprised of $25,000 in cash and 62,500 common shares. At the minimum value, a total of 2,208,333 additional shares could be issued under the terms of this agreement. Qualified Person For information pertaining to Quebec, the scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Francois Goulet, Exploration Manager Quebec. He is a Professional Geologist registered in Quebec. For information pertaining to Ontario, the scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Charles Kodors, Exploration Manager Atlantic Canada. He is a Professional Geologist registered in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. About Brunswick Exploration The Company is a Montreal-based mineral exploration venture listed on the TSX-V under the symbol BRW. The Company is focused on grassroot exploration for metals necessary to decarbonization and energy transition with a particular focus on lithium. The Company is rapidly advancing the most extensive grassroots lithium project portfolio in North America with holdings in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Atlantic Canada. Investor Relations/information Mr. Killian Charles, President and CEO (info@BRWexplo.com) Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; changes in equity markets; inflation; fluctuations in commodity prices; delays in the development of projects; the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry; and those risks set out in the Corporations public documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Corporation believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. *See James Bay Lithium Project Feasibility Study & Maiden Ore Reserve released December 21, 2021 Calgary, Alberta, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Headquartered in Calgary, AB, Marvel Marketing is a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in assisting businesses across Canada to grow their online presence. Small and medium-sized businesses form the backbone of the Canadian economy, but standing out to reach the target audience in today's crowded marketplace can be challenging. That's where Marvel Marketing comes ina leading digital marketing agency headquartered in Calgary, the agency aims to empower businesses across Canada with innovative branding and web design solutions. As a Calgary marketing agency, Marvel Marketing has a proven track record of helping businesses across Canada establish their online presence, increase their visibility, and attract more customers. Websites serve as the first point of contact between a business and its audience, making it crucial for them to create a lasting positive impression on customers. To achieve this goal, the agency's web design Calgary team develops websites tailored to each client's objectives. With the advent of the internet and social media, consumers have more choices than ever, making it difficult for businesses to capture their attention and engage with them effectively. Standing out in a crowded market requires creativity, strategic thinking, and a willingness to adapt and evolve. By building a solid brand, staying up-to-date with the latest digital trends, and investing in effective marketing strategies, businesses can increase their chances of success in the digital space. Marvel Marketing's branding solutions encompass a range of services designed to help SMEs establish a robust online presence, including brand positioning, logo design, website development, social media management, content creation, and more. In addition, the agency's team of experts works closely with each client to understand their specific needs and goals and develop a customized branding strategy that aligns with their vision and values. Story continues For more information, visit https://marvelmarketing.ca/ The agency's web design team is dedicated to developing personalized websites catering to each client's specific objectives. These websites are designed to leave a lasting positive impression on customers as they are often the initial point of contact between a business and its audience. Additionally, the team ensures that the websites are optimized for search engine visibility and provide an exceptional user experience. The agency's approach is to create a comprehensive branding strategy encompassing all aspects of a business's online presence. From the website and social media channels to the advertising campaigns and customer experience, the agency helps SMEs establish a consistent and compelling brand identity that resonates with their target audience. In addition to its branding solutions, Marvel Marketing offers a full range of digital marketing services, including search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click advertising (PPC), email marketing, and more. The agency aims to provide a one-stop shop for businesses looking to establish and grow their online presence, focusing on delivering measurable results and ROI. At Marvel Marketing, transparency and communication with clients are a top priority. The agency believes in taking the time to understand the client's requirements and works closely with them throughout the process to ensure their satisfaction. The agency provides businesses with a powerful arsenal of services to help them revolutionize their online presence and stand out. With expert content writing and strategy services, businesses can create compelling content that resonates with their target audience and drives results. Marvel Marketing is more than just a digital marketing agencyit's a trustworthy partner for small and medium businesses across Canada, providing innovative branding, web design solutions, and reputation management services to help businesses thrive in today's competitive marketplace. About the Company: Marvel Marketing is a full-service digital marketing agency headquartered in Calgary, AB. The agency specializes in helping small and medium businesses across Canada establish and grow their online presence through comprehensive branding and digital marketing solutions. With a team of experts in branding, web development, social media management, SEO, PPC, and more, Marvel Marketing is committed to delivering exceptional service and results to every one of its clients. ### For more information about Marvel Marketing, contact the company here: Marvel Marketing Ryan McRae (587) 387-2323 ryan@marvelmarketing.ca 114 61 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0B2, Canada CONTACT: Ryan McRae Evacuations are underway once again in central California as yet another atmospheric river is poised to hit the state, bringing another round of snow and rain to an area that has already suffered from significant flooding this year. Officials have ordered residents of Alpaugh and Allensworth (located about an hour north of Bakersfield, roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles) to evacuate, amid fears the roads could become impassable. The storm is expected to be less intense than past atmospheric rivers, bringing one to three inches of rain along the lower elevations and two to four inches in the foothills, but will also bring wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour. Forecasters say the rains will hit the San Diego area late Tuesday morning before moving inland. And the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and San Bernardino Mountains are expecting up to four additional feet of snow by Wednesday afternoon. Atmospheric rivers, a meteorological term that few were familiar with before this string of storms, are bands of moisture that act like a fire hose when they hit land, dumping rain and snow for thousands of miles. The parade of storms in 2023 have helped cut the drought in California, but have resulted in widespread flooding and heavy snow throughout the state (which could result in more flooding as spring thawing begins). The continuous line of storms caused some meteorologists to lose their cool this past winter. In January, for example, the National Weather Services Bay Area office issued a frank and dire warning, saying that "this will likely be one of the most impactful systems on a widespread scale that this meteorologist has seen in a long while This is truly a brutal system that we are looking at and needs to be taken seriously." Since the beginning of the year, some areas of the state have received nearly 40 inches of rain. Downtown Los Angeles has seen over 25 inches. And in San Diego County, more rain has fallen in the past two and a half months than in all of 2022. Story continues This story was originally featured on Fortune.com More from Fortune: Vantage Market Research, The North Star for the Working World WASHINGTON, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Car Rental Market is valued at USD 98.4 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach a value of USD 126.6 Billion by 2028 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 4.3% over the forecast period 2022-2028. Car Rental Market Overview The car rental market is a large and competitive industry that offers rental services for personal, leisure, and business purposes. This market includes a variety of companies ranging from large, multinational corporations to small, local businesses. The global car rental market is expected to grow steadily in the coming years due to an increase in tourism, business travel, and the rising popularity of car-sharing services. The market is also driven by the growing demand for rental cars in emerging economies, where car ownership is lower and public transportation systems are less developed. In recent years, the car rental market has also seen the emergence of new players, such as Turo and Getaround, which offer peer-to-peer car sharing services. These companies allow car owners to rent out their vehicles to other users for a fee, providing an alternative to traditional car rental services. Get Access to Free Sample Research Report with Latest Industry Insights @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/car-rental-market-1768/request-sample Car Rental Market Dynamics Economic Factors: The car rental market is heavily influenced by the overall economic conditions of a country or region. When the economy is strong, people are more likely to travel for business or leisure, leading to increased demand for rental cars. Conversely, during an economic downturn, people may cut back on travel, resulting in lower demand for rental cars. Technological Advances: Technological advances have had a significant impact on the car rental market, particularly with the emergence of online booking platforms and mobile apps. These technologies have made it easier for customers to book and manage their rentals, and have also enabled rental companies to optimize their operations and pricing strategies. Story continues Competition: The car rental market is highly competitive, with a large number of players competing for market share. This competition can result in price wars, as well as increased investment in marketing and customer service to differentiate from competitors. Regulatory Environment: The car rental market is subject to a range of regulations, including licensing requirements, insurance regulations, and environmental standards. Changes to these regulations can impact the cost of doing business and can also affect the types of vehicles available for rental. Consumer Preferences: Consumer preferences for certain types of vehicles and rental options can also impact the car rental market. For example, the growing popularity of electric vehicles and car-sharing services has led to an increase in demand for these options in the rental market. Top Players in the Global Car Rental Market Avis Budget Group Europcar Enterprise Holdings Inc. Hertz System Inc. Localiza SIXT Uber Technologies Inc. Carzonrent India Pvt Ltd. Eco Rent a Car Ani Technologies Private Limited (Ola Cabs. Com) For Additional Information on Car Rental Market Players and Detail List, Download a Report PDF Brochure@ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/car-rental-market-1768/request-sample Car Rental Market Challenges Competition from ride-sharing services: The rise of ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft have created a significant challenge for the car rental market. These services offer an alternative to traditional car rentals, particularly in urban areas, and may be more cost-effective and convenient for some consumers. Economic uncertainty: Economic uncertainty can impact the car rental market in a number of ways. In times of economic downturn, consumers may be less likely to travel, resulting in decreased demand for rental cars. Additionally, economic uncertainty can impact the cost of vehicle acquisition and maintenance, which can impact pricing and profitability for car rental companies. Increasing costs: The cost of acquiring and maintaining rental vehicles has been steadily increasing, driven by factors such as rising fuel costs, vehicle technology, and environmental regulations. These cost increases can impact pricing and profitability for car rental companies. Changing consumer preferences: Consumer preferences for certain types of vehicles and rental options can also impact the car rental market. For example, the growing popularity of electric vehicles and car-sharing services has led to an increase in demand for these options in the rental market. Car rental companies must be able to adapt to these changing preferences to remain competitive. Regulatory challenges: Car rental companies are subject to a range of regulations, including licensing requirements, insurance regulations, and environmental standards. Changes to these regulations can impact the cost of doing business and can also affect the types of vehicles available for rental. Limited Time Offer | Buy this Premium Research Report with Discount and Immediate Delivery @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/buy-now/car-rental-market-1768/0 Car Rental Market Opportunities Increasing demand for flexible rental options: Consumers are increasingly looking for more flexible and convenient rental options, such as short-term rentals and car-sharing services. Car rental companies that can offer these options are well-positioned to capture this growing market. Expansion into emerging markets: Emerging markets, such as India and China, present significant growth opportunities for the car rental industry. As these markets continue to develop and disposable incomes rise, demand for car rental services is expected to increase. Strategic partnerships and acquisitions: Strategic partnerships and acquisitions can be a key driver of growth in the car rental market. By partnering with other companies, car rental companies can expand their reach and offer new services to consumers. Investment in electric vehicles: The growing popularity of electric vehicles presents an opportunity for car rental companies to differentiate themselves and capture market share. By investing in electric vehicle fleets, companies can attract environmentally-conscious consumers and position themselves as leaders in sustainability. Innovation in technology: Advancements in technology, such as self-driving cars and mobile applications, are expected to transform the car rental industry in the coming years. Companies that invest in innovative technology solutions will be well-positioned to capture market share and stay ahead of the competition. Car Rental Market Recommendations by Vantage Market Research Focus on customer experience: With increasing competition from ride-sharing services and changing consumer preferences, car rental companies must focus on providing a high-quality customer experience. This includes investing in technology to streamline the booking and rental process, as well as providing exceptional customer service and support. Diversify vehicle options: Car rental companies should consider offering a wider range of vehicle options, including electric and hybrid vehicles, to meet changing consumer preferences and to differentiate from competitors. Embrace technology: Car rental companies should embrace technology and innovation to optimize their operations and pricing strategies. This includes leveraging data analytics to better understand customer behavior and preferences, as well as investing in digital marketing to reach and engage new customers. Collaborate with ride-sharing services: Rather than seeing ride-sharing services as competition, car rental companies should explore opportunities to collaborate with these services. This could include offering rentals to ride-sharing drivers, or partnering with ride-sharing services to offer combined rental and ride-sharing packages. Focus on sustainability: With increasing consumer awareness and concern for the environment, car rental companies should focus on sustainability initiatives, such as offering eco-friendly vehicle options and implementing green business practices. Browse market data Tables and Figures spread through 147 Pages and in-depth TOC on Car Rental Market Forecast Report (2022-2028). Car Rental Market Top Report Findings Increasing popularity of car-sharing services: The car-sharing segment of the car rental market is expected to see significant growth in the coming years, driven by changing consumer preferences for more flexible and convenient rental options. Growing demand for luxury car rentals: The luxury car rental segment of the market is expected to see steady growth in the coming years, driven by increasing demand from affluent consumers and the growing popularity of experiential travel. Rising adoption of online booking platforms: Online booking platforms are becoming increasingly popular in the car rental market, with consumers looking for convenient and easy-to-use options for booking and managing their rentals. Shift towards electric vehicles: The car rental market is beginning to shift towards electric vehicles, driven by environmental concerns and improvements in battery technology. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, with more car rental companies investing in electric vehicle fleets. Global Car Rental Market Segmentation By Application Leisure Commercial By Rental Category On Airport Off Airport By Car Type Luxury Cars Executive Cars Economical Cars Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) Multi Utility Vehicles (MUVs) By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Read Full Report@ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/car-rental-market-1768 Key Question Answered in the Market: What is the size and growth rate of the car rental market? What are the major trends and drivers shaping the car rental market, both globally and regionally? What are the key challenges facing the car rental industry, and how can they be addressed? Who are the major players in the car rental market, and what are their market shares and strategies? What are the opportunities for growth and innovation in the car rental market, and how can companies capitalize on them? Scope of the Report: Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2021 USD 98.4 Billion Revenue Forecast by 2028 USD 126.6 Billion CAGR 4.3% from 2022 to 2028 Base Year 2021 Forecast Year 2022 to 2028 Key Players Avis Budget Group, Europcar, Enterprise Holdings Inc., Hertz System Inc., Localiza SIXT, Uber Technologies Inc., Carzonrent India Pvt Ltd., Eco Rent a Car, Ani Technologies Private Limited (Ola Cabs. Com) Customization Options Customized purchase options are available to meet any research needs. Explore customized purchase options Regional Analysis North America: The car rental market in North America is well-established and highly competitive. The United States is the largest market in the region, accounting for a significant share of global revenue. Key players in the market include Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis. Europe: Europe is also a significant market for car rentals, with countries such as Germany, the UK, and France accounting for a large share of revenue. The market is highly fragmented, with a large number of local and regional players competing with global brands such as Europcar and Sixt. Asia-Pacific: The car rental market in Asia-Pacific is expected to see significant growth in the coming years, driven by rising disposable incomes and increasing demand for travel. China is the largest market in the region, followed by Japan and India. Latin America: The car rental market in Latin America is still developing, but is expected to see steady growth in the coming years. Brazil is the largest market in the region, followed by Mexico and Argentina. Middle East and Africa: The car rental market in the Middle East and Africa is relatively small, but is expected to see moderate growth in the coming years. The market is dominated by global brands such as Hertz and Avis, but there are also a number of local players operating in the region. Browse More Reports from Vantage Library: Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Market - Global Industry Assessment & Forecast: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/zero-emission-vehicle-zev-market-1986 E-Bike Market - Global Industry Assessment & Forecast: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/e-bike-market-1948 Vehicle Telematics Market - Global Industry Assessment & Forecast: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/vehicle-telematics-market-1934 Automotive Venting Membrane Market - Global Industry Assessment & Forecast: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/automotive-venting-membrane-market-1912 Hydraulic Hose Market - Global Industry Assessment & Forecast: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/hydraulic-hose-market-1871 Automotive Glass Market - Global Industry Assessment & Forecast: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/automotive-glass-market-1864 Electric Vehicle Market - Global Industry Assessment & Forecast: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/electric-vehicle-ev-market-1853 About Vantage Market Research: We, at Vantage Market Research, provide quantified B2B high quality research on more than 20,000 emerging markets, in turn, helping our clients map out constellation of opportunities for their businesses. We, as a competitive intelligence market research and consulting firm provide end to end solutions to our client enterprises to meet their crucial business objectives. Our clientele base spans across 70% of Global Fortune 500 companies. Follow Us on: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Contact us Eric Kunz 6218 Georgia Avenue NW Ste 1 - 564 Washington DC 20011-5125 United States Tel: +1 202 380 9727 Email: sales@vantagemarketresearch.com Website: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/ Latest Vantage Market Research Press Releases Latest Vantage Market Research Blog Vantage Market Research All Reports Blog: SNS Insider pvt ltd Carbon Nanotubes Market Size, Share & Segmentation by Type, by Method, by Application, By Technology, and by Regions | Global Market Forecast 2023-2030 Pune, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per SNS Insider analysis, governments and private organizations are investing heavily in research and development of carbon nanotube, which is leading to new applications and advancements in the technology. SNS Insider has reported that the Carbon Nanotubes (C NT ) Market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17%, reaching USD 90.34 billion by 2030 from USD 25.72 billion in 2022. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical structures made of carbon atoms arranged in a unique way, resulting in a remarkable set of properties. CNTs have a high aspect ratio, meaning their length-to-diameter ratio can reach up to several million. This property, combined with their incredible strength, makes them ideal for use in lightweight and strong materials such as composites. They are also excellent conductors of heat and electricity, which makes them useful in electronics and energy storage devices. Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) Market Report Scope Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2022 US$ 25.72 Billion Market Size by 2030 US$ 90.34 Billion CAGR2023-2030 CAGR of 17% Key Segments By Type (Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube, Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube) By Method (Chemical Vapor Deposition, Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition, High Pressure Carbon Monoxide Reaction, Others) By Application (Electronics & Semiconductors, Advanced Materials, Chemical & Polymers, Batteries & Capacitors, Aerospace & Defense, Energy, Medical,Others) By TECHNOLOGY (Arc Discharge, Laser Ablation, CVD, Catalytic CVD, High Pressure Carbon Monoxide, CoMoCAT, Floating Catalyst, Others) Regional Analysis/Coverage North America Europe Asia-Pacific The Middle East & Africa Latin America Company Profiles Cheap Tubes, Inc., Showa Denko K.K., Thomas Swan & Co. Limited, Arkema SA, Carbon Solutions, Inc., Toray International Group Limited, LG Chem, Arry International Group Limited, Cnt Co., Ltd., Cnano Technology Ltd., and other players included in the final report. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/1456 Market Analysis The carbon nanotubes (CNT) market is witnessing a significant trend of continuous research and development. This is due to the growing demand for carbon nanotubes in a variety of applications, including electrical and electronics, energy, consumer goods, aerospace, automobile, defense sectors, and healthcare. As a result, there have been heavy investments in the production of carbon nanotubes. The demand for carbon nanotubes in the healthcare sector is also on the rise, as they have potential applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensors. Story continues Impact of Recession The impact of a recession on the carbon nanotubes (CNT) market depends on several factors, including the severity and duration of the recession, as well as the level of competition in the industry. However, it is clear that a recession can significantly affect the market, and companies in the industry need to be prepared to adjust their strategies accordingly. Key Regional Development According to market analysis, the carbon nanotubes (CNT) market in North America is projected to experience substantial expansion in the coming years. This growth can be attributed to the increased demand for polymer manufacturing, which aims to enhance the thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of bulk products. Additionally, government regulations promoting green energy are expected to bolster the industry's development during the forecast period. By incorporating CNTs into polymer composites, manufacturers can significantly enhance the material's properties, such as strength, stiffness, and electrical conductivity. As a result, these composites are being widely adopted across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and healthcare. Speak To Analyst Or Ask For Custom Report as per your Business Requirement: https://www.snsinsider.com/enquiry/1456 Recent Developments Related to Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) Market Toyo Ink, a Japanese chemical company, has recently announced an investment in carbon nanotube dispersions in the United States. This investment is expected to further enhance the company's technology in the field of nanomaterials and broaden its range of offerings to customers. By investing in carbon nanotube dispersions, Toyo Ink aims to develop innovative and high-performance materials that can meet the evolving needs of its customers. A team of researchers from Illinois has made significant progress in improving the production of carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are microscopic tubes made of carbon atoms that possess unique physical and chemical properties, making them highly sought after for use in a variety of fields such as electronics, energy, and materials science. Key Takeaway from Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) Market Study The market is poised for growth, and the multiwalled carbon nanotubes segment is expected to dominate during the forecast period. These unique structures have a range of applications in various industries, including electrical conductivity, conductive heating films, conductive transparent electrodes, supercapacitors, solar industries and batteries. The market is expected to see significant growth in the coming years, with the plastics and composites segment playing a dominant role. This is primarily due to the increased use of engineered polymers in industries such as construction and automotive, which are driving demand for CNT-based materials. Buy Exclusive PDF Copy of the Research Report along With ME Sheet: https://www.snsinsider.com/checkout/1456 About SNS Insider At SNS Insider, we believe that businesses should have access to the best market intelligence and insights, regardless of their size or industry. That's why we offer a range of solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, from startups to big corporations. With a passion for our work and an unwavering commitment to delivering value, we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve their full potential. CONTACT: Contact Us: Akash Anand Head of Business Development & Strategy Email: info@snsinsider.com Phone: +1-415-230-0044 (US) Canadian Commercial Corporation OTTAWA, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) is pleased to announce that it has signed a new government to government (G2G) contract with the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) for the delivery of Canadian potash from Canpotex Limited. This is the 8th G2G contract that CCC has signed with the BADC. Last year, CCC facilitated the sale of over $500 million dollars of Canpotexs potash to Bangladesh. BADC, an autonomous corporate body under Bangladeshs Ministry of Agriculture, is responsible for the procurement, storage, transport, and distribution of essential agricultural inputs. This G2G contract for Canpotexs potash is another milestone in the growing relationship between Canada and Bangladesh. CCC has been integral in facilitating the reliable supply of high-quality Canadian potash from Canpotex to the Government of Bangladesh. In 2022, the Government of Bangladesh increased its imports of Canadian potash by more than 200% compared to the previous year. CCC is Canadas government to government contracting agency. G2G contracts connect qualified Canadian companies with government buyers around the world. Every G2G contract has the legal effect of being signed in the name of the Government of Canada and comes with an assurance of contract performance. To learn more about how to leverage G2G contracts for the purchase of Canadian products and services, contact CCC. QUOTES Canada has supplied Bangladesh with more than 3 million MTs of potash since 1972, and CCC is pleased to partner with BADC for the continued delivery of Canpotex's potash which is a critical crop nutrient. Antony Rizk, Business Development Director, Agriculture Sector, Canadian Commercial Corporation Canpotex has been a reliable supplier of high-quality Canadian potash to overseas markets for over 50 years. We are pleased to once again partner with CCC and BADC to provide Bangladesh with the potash they need. Gordon McKenzie, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canpotex Story continues QUICK FACTS Over the past 50 years, Canpotex has supplied Bangladesh with approximately 3 million MT of potash. Almost all potash in Bangladesh is used as a crop nutrient to improve crop yields. Canpotexs potash accounts for approximately 40% of Canadas total exports to Bangladesh. The potash will be produced by Canpotexs shareholders, Mosaic and Nutrien, which own and operate 9 potash mines in Saskatchewan. Canada is the worlds largest supplier of potash, accounting for approximately 40% of the global supply. Canadas potash industry employs over 5,000 Canadians. The value of bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Bangladesh has more than tripled between 2004 and 2018. Canadian merchandise exports to Bangladesh reached $651 million in 2018, of which 70% were agriculture items. Canadas main exports to Bangladesh are cereals, pulses, iron and steel, fertilizer (potash), chemicals, and aircraft and related equipment and services. Bangladesh is Canadas fourth largest pulse export market (e.g., dry peas, lentils, chickpeas), and a major market for high quality wheat. Several flagship Canadian companies from the readymade garments, aerospace, defence and security sectors are also active in the Bangladesh market and pursuing new business opportunities. RELATED CONTACT For media enquiries, please contact communications@ccc.ca ABOUT CANADIAN COMMERCIAL CORPORATION (CCC) We are Canadas government to government contracting agency. We help build successful commercial relationships between Canadian businesses and governments around the world by creating and supporting the successful completion of commercial contracts of public and national importance. We are also the official channel for Canadian companies looking to do business with the U.S. military. To learn more about how we have facilitated billions in trade between Canadian businesses and governments around the world, visit www.ccc.ca/en/. ReportLinker Global Cell and Gene Therapy Biomanufacturing Market to Reach $29.76 Billion by 2031. Global Cell and Gene Therapy Biomanufacturing Market Industry Overview. New York, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Cell and Gene Therapy Biomanufacturing Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Product Type, Application, Usage, End User, and Region - Analysis and Forecast, 2022-2031" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06431172/?utm_source=GNW The global cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market was valued at $12.31 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to reach $29.76 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 10.31% during the forecast period 2022-2031. The growth in the global cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market is expected to be driven by the increased number of approved therapies and growing infrastructure requirements. In addition, expansion in target indications for cell and gene therapies creates a demand for large-scale biomanufacturing. Market Lifecycle Stage The global cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market is in progressing phase.The cell and gene therapy market is developing rapidly due to its potential to target chronic and rare/orphan diseases that earlier had limited treatment options. Cell and gene therapies available in the market or in the pipeline are the result of years of pioneering research.Currently, there are more than 25 cell and gene therapies approved by the FDA in the last 10 years. These factors are expected to drive the demand for consumables, equipment, and software solutions required for manufacturing cell and gene therapy, thereby augmenting the growth of the cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market. Moreover, manufacturers began to produce application-specific cell and gene therapy equipment in recent years. Impact The field of medicine is transformed with the commercialization of cell and gene therapies.With the advent of time and introduction of new technologies, cell and gene therapy areas are flourishing. There is constant ongoing research for the development of novel cell and gene therapies.According to the American Society of Gene + Cell Therapy (ASGCT), as of February 2023, there are more than 2,000 clinical trials in the pipeline. The robust clinical pipeline for novel cell and gene entities is expected to create a lucrative opportunity for manufacturers and boost the growth of the cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market. Impact of COVID-19 In December 2019, Wuhan, a city in the Hubei region of China, was the site of the first detection of the COVID-19 outbreak.Following the classification of COVID-19 as novel pneumonia due to a cluster of unexplained pneumonia cases, efforts to pinpoint the culprit causing the outbreak and outline its genomic sequence got underway right once. The virus has already spread to every country on the globe, and researchers, governments, and business leaders are working to find answers to the crisis at a scale and speed that has never been seen.Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in the populace is one of the main steps that has been put into place globally, among many other measures used to stop the spread of the disease. The most crucial benefit of testing is that it offers evidence of illness, enabling individuals and those they have come into contact with to take the required precautions, including quarantining, to minimize community exposure. The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially interrupted social, economic, and political activity around the world due to its unparalleled size and intensity. As a result, the cell and gene therapy (CGT) sector, which has historically struggled with tremendous complexity in the supply of materials, production, and logistical operations, has been disrupted by COVID-19. The research, production, clinical development, and market introduction of CGTs for diseases unrelated to COVID-19 have all been significantly disrupted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.A lack of manufacturing material supplies, challenges with clinical studies, and delay in the creation of regulatory dossiers are all significant reasons. This has emphasized the significance of tackling the difficulties in CGTs supply chain and production to increase resilience during the crisis. To prevent CGTs market access from being significantly disrupted, manufacturing resilience, digitalization, telemedicine, value-based pricing, and creative payment systems may be progressively tapped. Market Segmentation: Segmentation 1: by Product Type Consumables Equipment Software Solutions Based on product, the consumables segment in the global cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market dominated in FY2021.The equipment has a shelf life of five to seven years and software solutions also require a one-time investment with yearly maintenance costs. However, consumables are required more frequently and in large quantities for the production of cell and gene therapies. Segmentation 2: by Usage Commercial Stage Manufacturing Research Stage Manufacturing Based on usage, the global cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market was dominated by the research stage manufacturing segment in FY2021. Segmentation 3: by Application Upstream Processing Harvesting Downstream Processing Based on application, the downstream processing segment accounted for the largest share of the global cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing in FY2021. Segmentation 4: by End User Life Science Companies Contract Research Organizations (CROs) Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) Cell Banks Based on end user, the global cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market is dominated by the life sciences companies segment in FY2021. Segmentation 5: by Region North America Europe Asia-Pacific Latin America Middle East and Africa In 2021, the North America cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market dominated the global market with a 44.70% market share, and it is expected to hold its dominance throughout the forecast period 2022-2031. However, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, constituting several emerging economies, is expected to register the highest CAGR of 17.88% during the forecast period 2022-2031. Recent Developments in the Global Cell and Gene Therapy Biomanufacturing Market In January 2023, Sartorius AG collaborated with Roosterbio Inc. to advance its downstream purification processes for the development of exosomes. In February 2022, Sartorius AG completed the acquisition of Novaseps chromatography division to complement its own product portfolio. In August 2022, Merck KGaA launched VirusExpress 293 Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Production Platform to speed up the development of cell and gene therapies. In June 2022, Lonza Group AG and Adva Biotechnology Ltd. entered into a license agreement that provides the latter access to the formers core intellectual property enabling the expansion of automated bioreactors worldwide. In June 2022, Becton, Dickinson and Company launched FACSDiscover S8 Cell Sorter featuring CellView Image Technology. In January 2023, Bio-Techne Corporation launched RNAscope plus assay to advance its gene therapy development. In September 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. launched the integrated Gibco AAV-MAX Helper Free AAV Production System for AAV vector production. Demand - Drivers and Limitations The following are the demand drivers for the global cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market: Increasing Number of Approved Therapies and Growing Infrastructure Requirements Creating an Upsurge Demand for Cell and Gene Therapy Biomanufacturing Products Expansion in Target Indications for Cell and Gene Therapies Creating a Demand for Large-Scale Biomanufacturing Entry of New Market Participants in Cell and Gene Therapies Driving the Demand for Biomanufacturing Facilities and Equipment Increasing Investments and Fundings in Cell and Gene Therapy Fuelling the Growth of Cell and Gene Therapy Biomanufacturing The market is expected to face some limitations due to the following challenges: High Set-Up Cost of Biomanufacturing Facilities How can this report add value to an organization? Workflow/Innovation Strategy: The cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market (by product type) has been segmented into consumables, equipment, and software solutions. Moreover, the study provides the reader with a detailed understanding of the different applications of cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing in upstream processing, harvesting, and downstream processing. Growth/Marketing Strategy: Cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing is being used for upstream processing, harvesting, downstream processing, and other applications. Various companies are providing consumables and equipment aid in the manufacturing of various cell and gene therapies, which is also the key strategy for market players to excel in the current cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market. Competitive Strategy: Key players in the global cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market have been analyzed and profiled in the study, including manufacturers involved in new product launches, acquisitions, expansions, and strategic collaborations.Moreover, a detailed competitive benchmarking of the players operating in the global cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing market has been done to help the reader understand how players stack against each other, presenting a clear market landscape. Additionally, comprehensive competitive strategies such as partnerships, agreements, and collaborations will aid the reader in understanding the untapped revenue pockets in the market. Key Companies Profiled Becton, Dickinson and Company Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Bio-Techne Corporation Danaher Corporation Endress+Hauser Group Services AG (Analytik Jena GmbH) General Electric Company (GE Healthcare) Getinge AB Infors AG Lonza Group Ltd Merck KGaA Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG PIERRE GUERIN Sartorius AG (Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A.) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. WuXi AppTec Countries Covered North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany Italy France U.K. Spain Rest-of-Europe Asia-Pacific China Japan India Australia/New Zealand South Korea Rest-of-Asia-Pacific Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Rest-of-Latin America Middle East and Africa Kingdom of Saudi Arabia U.A.E. Israel Rest-of-Middle East and Africa Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06431172/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 VANCOUVER, BC, March 20, 2023 /CNW/ - March 21st marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Her Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, the Founder of Sahaja Yoga. Shri Mataji dedicated Her life to the spiritual ascent of humankind. To commemorate this milestone, and honour Her legacy, many celebrations are being held throughout the world. 100th Birth Anniversary of Her Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi - Founder of Sahaja Yoga. India tour 1982 - 1983 (Matthew Fogarty photo) (CNW Group/Vishwa Nirmala Dharma Educational Society) In Canada, celebrations began with three classical Indian music programs in Vancouver, British Columbia. Commemorations will continue throughout the country, inviting the public to experience Sahaja Yoga meditation in free online and in-person programs and classes. Information about upcoming events will be published on our website when available (www.sahajayoga.ca). To recognize this historic event, Canada will present two flutes at celebrations being held in India. These were hand crafted by Canadian Indigenous flute maker, Bryan Towers. Shri Mataji thought very highly of Indigenous peoples of North America for their connection with Mother Earth, their purity and collectivity, commenting that, "they are so innocent, and [such] spiritual people." Shri Mataji was born in 1923, in India, to highly educated parents of the royal Shalivahana lineage. From a very young age, She was aware of Her unique spirituality. She continued Her quest to find the best way to help people discover the spirituality within themselves. On May 5, 1970, She had a profound spiritual experience that triggered a process of spiritual self-transformation whereby thousands of people could achieve union with the deepest, most subtle aspect of their being. She named this process Sahaja Yoga, meaning spontaneous union. For the following four decades, She tirelessly spread the profound message of Sahaja Yoga across the globe, travelling to over 100 countries to offer the experience of en-masse self-realization to all those who were seeking their inner spiritual transformation. Her vision for a world of peaceful, balanced and enlightened people grew from a handful of followers to today's internationally recognized Sahaja Yoga meditation. Her powerful message of love and peace led to two nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and She received the United Nations Peace Medal. Story continues Shri Mataji visited Canada and conducted public programs several times between 1981 and 2000. She was fond of Canada's maple syrup, west coast cedar trees and quality of wheat flour. She admired Canadians for their potential to be spiritually deep and their general attribute of discretion. Vishwa Nirmala Dharma Educational Society is a registered charity in Canada. The society is dedicated to teaching Sahaja Yoga meditation, using techniques developed by the founder, Her Holiness, Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. Programs and classes are always free and offered online and in locations throughout Canada. Information can be found on our website: www.sahajayoga.ca. SOURCE Vishwa Nirmala Dharma Educational Society Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2023/20/c6521.html Company Logo Dublin, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Chile: Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" database has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This database (excel) product covers the Chile data center market portfolio analysis, which will provide the following information on the colocation data centers: Detailed Analysis of 32 existing data centers Detailed Analysis of 14 upcoming data centers Locations covered: Colina, Paine, Puerto Montt, Santiago, Temuco. Existing white-floor space (square feet) Upcoming white-floor space (square feet) Current IT load capacity (2022) Future capacity additions (2023-2025) Retail Colocation Pricing I. Quarter Rack (1/4) II. Half Rack Cabinets (1/2) III. Full Rack Cabinet (42U/45U/47U/etc.) Wholesale colocation (per kW) pricing Key Market Highlights: In 2022, Colocation operators, such as Scala Data Centers, ODATA, Ascenty (Digital Realty), EdgeConneX, are the major investors in Chile. Further investments in the market are likely to grow during the forecast period. Santiago and Valparaiso are the major cities in Chile, which attracted the maximum investments in 2022. Oracle, Microsoft, Google, and Huawei have cloud availability zones in Chile. In the future, these operators are likely to invest in the country owing to the boom in digitalization. Adoption of cloud, execution of AI, Big data, Internet of Things (IoT), 5G network, Connectivity, and digital transformation are driving the data center market in Chile. The Chilean government awards contracts for renewable energy to bidding companies through tenders. Moreover, Chile's Ministry of Economy has approved the regulation of non-conventional and small generation to enable small grid-connected or distribution system connected generators to access a stabilized price regime. Global colocation operators are entering the market. For instance, Entel is a leading mobile telecommunications company. It has its own data center in Santiago, Chile, which has been acquired by Equinix in March 2022. Story continues The data points covered in the database across each facility are mentioned below: EXISTING DATA CENTERS (32 Facilities) Market Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Facility Address Operator/Owner Name Data Center Name i.e., (San Martin DC or Pantogonia DC.) Core & Shell Area (White-Floor Area) Core & Shell Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Rack Capacity Year of Operations Design Standards (Tier I - IV) Power/Cooling Redundancy UPCOMING DATA CENTERS (16 Facilities) Investment Snapshot Location (Region/Country/City) Investor Name Area (White-Floor Area) Power Capacity (IT Load Capacity) Investment ($ Million) Electrical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) Mechanical Infrastructure Investment ($ Million) General Construction Services Investment ($ Million) Announcement Year Project Status (Opened/Under Construction/Announced & Planned) Active or Expected Year of Opening INVESTORS/OPERATORS COVERED ODATA, Scala Data Centers, EdgeConnex, Ascenty, Sonda, Nabiax, Entel, America Movil, Ipxon, Gtd Group, EdgeConnex, Lumen Technologies, Netglobalis, TIVIT, PowerHost, Anacondaweb, WireNet, HostName, Internexa. TARGET AUDIENCE 1. Data center Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) 2. Data center Construction Contractors 3. Data center Infrastructure Providers 4. New Entrants 5. Consultants/Consultancies/Advisory Firms 6. Corporate and Governments Agencies Key Topics Covered: 1. About the Database 2. Scope & Assumptions 3. Definitions 4. Snapshot: Existing & Upcoming Data Center Facility 5. Existing Data Center Database 6. Upcoming Data Center Facility 7. Existing Vs Upcoming Capacity (Infographics) Colocation Pricing 8. Explore the Publisher's Comprehensive Portfolio A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes ODATA Scala Data Centers EdgeConnex Ascenty Sonda Nabiax Entel America Movil Ipxon Gtd Group EdgeConnex Lumen Technologies Netglobalis TIVIT PowerHost Anacondaweb WireNet HostName Internexa. For more information about this database visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vf9f5r About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Canadian National Railway Company MONTREAL, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) announced today that new tentative collective agreements have been reached between Unifor and CN. The collective agreements cover approximately 3,000 CN employees working in various departments such as Mechanical, Intermodal, Facility Management, and in clerical positions in Canada. We are very pleased to have reached these tentative agreements. CN has always been committed to achieving negotiated settlements to improve the conditions of this important group of employees as we continue our essential work moving the North American economy. We look forward to future collaboration with Unifor. Tracy Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer, CN No details of the tentative agreements will be released publicly until the agreements are ratified. About CN CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canadas Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through a 18,600-mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Contacts : Media Investment Community Jonathan Abecassis Paul Butcher Senior Manager Vice-President Media Relations Investor Relations 438-455-3692 media@cn.ca (514) 399-0052 investor.relations@cn.ca Future Market Insights Global and Consulting Pvt. Ltd. United States Visitor Management System Market is likely to record a CAGR of 15.6% through 2033. Association of Southeast Asian Nations Visitor Management System Market is estimated to register high growth at a CAGR of 20.3% during the forecast period. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global visitor management system market is expected to reach a market value of US$ 1,393.9 million in 2023. This may push the market size to US$ 5,940.32 million in 2033. The overall market is expected to register a 15.6% CAGR. Regulatory standards and security demands are growing, thereby anchoring the market outlook as fraud detection and other security measures are needed to protect companies. In addition to security threats, the increasing need for paperless administration, and the requirement for storing visitor data following regulatory requirements, the visitor management system market is expected to grow in the coming years. A growth in organizations needs visitor management systems to track visitors' actions, which is expected to drive the demand for visitor management systems. Technology and digital badges manage lobby security and safety. Visitors' management systems are hard to deploy across multiple locations. Once installed, updating the solution at each site can be time-consuming. Therefore, licensing these solutions can also be challenging. To Get Sample Copy of Report Visit: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4110 Automated visitor management systems offer enhanced security and a more professional appearance and meet compliance mandates for the collection and auditing of visitor data. Such factors are propelling the growth of the visitor management system market. says a lead analyst at Future Market Insights. Key Takeaways from Market Study The visitor management system market is expected to thrive at a CAGR of 15.6% over the forecast period. It is estimated that the visitor management system market in North America may remain strong during the forecast period. The visitor management system market in the United States is estimated to be valued at US$ 337.5 million in 2023. China is predicted to record a CAGR of 16% and is estimated to be valued at US$ 134.5 million in 2023. Visitor management software dominated the market in 2023, accounting for 53.5% of revenue; the segment's market value is expected to reach US$ 734.4 million in 2023 with a 14.0% CAGR. Story continues Competitive Landscape: In order to deepen penetration across lucrative markets, some leading market players have adopted various expansion strategies. In addition, small-scale companies are merging and acquiring sizable companies to offer their products to a broader consumer base and to incorporate innovative products into their product portfolios. These strategies include product launches, collaborations with key players, partnerships, acquisitions, and strengthening regional and global distribution networks. Several prominent companies dominate this market, including HID Global, Greetly, piLOBI, The Receptionist, Ezy Signin, SwipedOn, Traction Guest, Envoy, Proxyclick, Vizitor, Inc., Teamgo Pty, ltd, Qbasis Pte Ltd, Veristream, and others. Ask an Analyst for More Details: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-the-analyst/rep-gb-4110 Recent Developments: The enterprise visitor management solution offered by Envoy includes security, touchless sign-in, compliance, access control, and others. Pitney Bowes introduced its new Cross-Border Services in July 2021 to small independent sellers and decent-sized online marketplaces. In this way, merchants of all sizes can grow their businesses and reach a wider audience around the world. In June 2021, Honeywell announced the launch of Honeywell Sine Solution, enabling occupants to work more safely. In November 2020, Traction Guest launched a return-to-work solution to assist businesses in safely bringing employees and visitors back on-site. In addition to streamlining employees' and essential visitors' return to physical work during a pandemic, the new solution mitigates compliance risks throughout the entire visit process. The company has also entered into a partnership with Gemalto, which produces ID scanners capable of processing high volumes of visitors quickly and accurately. In March 2020, HID Global launched its signature line of readers, HID Signo. The new readers simplify system deployment and management, meet the advanced security requirements of dynamic environments, and enable organizations to control access smarter and more remotely. Visitor Management System Market Segmentation by Category By Solution: Visitor Management Software Services By Platform: Web-based (Desktop App) Mobile App By End User: Gated Communities Corporate Offices Healthcare Facilities Hospitality Academic Institutions Real Estate Properties Banks & Finances Institution By Region: North America Latin America Europe The Middle East and Africa East Asia Request for Customization: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-4110 Table of Content 1. Executive Summary 1.1. Global Market Outlook 1.2. Demand-side Trends 1.3. Supply-side Trends 1.4. Technology Roadmap Analysis 1.5. Analysis and Recommendations 2. Market Overview 2.1. Market Coverage/Taxonomy 2.2. Market Definition/Scope/Limitations 3. Market Background 3.1. Market Dynamics 3.2. Scenario Forecast 3.3. Opportunity Map Analysis 3.4. Investment Feasibility Matrix 3.5. PESTLE and Porters Analysis TOC Continue...! Get More Information on this Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/visitor-management-system-market Top Reports Related To Technology Market Insights Digital Signage System Market Size - The global digital signage system market is estimated to reach a valuation of US$ 18.73 Billion and is likely to surpass US$ 55.63 Billion by 2032. The demand for digital signage systems is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.5% from 2022 to 2032. Telecom Order Management Market Share - Newly released Telecom Order Management Market analysis report by Future Market Insights shows that global sales of Telecom Order Management Market in 2016 were held at US$ 1.9 Billion. With 7.9% projected growth during 2022 - 2032. Battlefield Management Systems Market Growth - The battlefield management system market revenue by the end of 2021 was US$ 9.8 Billion. The battlefield management system market is expected to reach US$ 15.9 Billion by 2032, as it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2022 to 2032. Component Content Management Systems Market Trends - Sales of the component content management systems are expected to register a CAGR of 9% and garner revenue worth US$ 7.3 Billion during the forecast period from 2022 to 2032. Battery Management System Market Demand - The global battery management system market size is valued at US$ 7,329.28 Million in 2022 and is forecasted to be valued at US$ 37,715.01 Million by 2032. The battery management system industry is set to expand at a CAGR of 17.8% through 2032. About Future Market Insights, Inc. Future Market Insights, Inc. is an ESOMAR-certified business consulting & market research firm, a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and is headquartered in Delaware, USA. A recipient of Clutch Leaders Award 2022 on account of high client score (4.9/5), we have been collaborating with global enterprises in their business transformation journey and helping them deliver on their business ambitions. 80% of the largest Forbes 1000 enterprises are our clients. We serve global clients across all leading & niche market segments across all major industries. Contact Us: Future Market Insights, Inc. 1602-6 Jumeirah Bay X2 Tower, Plot No: JLT-PH2-X2A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: www.futuremarketinsights.com LinkedIn | Twitter | Blogs | YouTube Creating an inclusive community that fosters belonging, trust, and exceptional experiences for all Inspiration for future Lawson redevelopment 3D view. Inspiration for future Lawson redevelopment 3D view. Inspiration for the proposed future Community Living Toronto program space and its surrounding park. Inspiration for the proposed future Community Living Toronto program space and its surrounding park. TORONTO, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Community Living Toronto (CLTO) and Tridel are pleased to announce their partnership on the Lawson redevelopment at 1710 1712 Ellesmere Road in Scarborough. The proposal aims to deliver an inclusive community that sets the standard for organizations and home builders to partner to meet housing demands for all people. The Lawson redevelopment proposal seeks to build mixed-use housing, including affordable rental, independent living, supported living, and market condominium suites. The development proposes five towers ranging in height from 28 to 52 storeys, with approximately 2,200 residential suites, which include 280 proposed rental suites. People with intellectual disabilities, supported by CLTO, will have an opportunity to live in this inclusive community. Developing vibrant neighbourhoods where people with intellectual disabilities are included from the beginning, is more important than ever, says Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto. The announcement today of our partnership is an example of how Community Living Toronto continues to create unique, supportive spaces for people with an intellectual disability and their families. With a focus on leadership, innovation, and respect for the diverse human needs of the community, this proposal aims to create a space that is not just buildings but an epitome of exceptional service that is authentic, forward-thinking, and equitable - a safe and welcoming environment that fosters belonging, trust, and exceptional experiences for all. Tridel is proud to partner with Community Living Toronto, says Jim Ritchie, President of Tridel. This proposed redevelopment assists in addressing the housing needs in the Greater Toronto Area. We are excited to bring our expertise in delivering quality homes and to support the build of an innovative and inclusive community that is welcoming to all. Story continues The development will positively contribute to the city and community with a proposed mixed tenure of residential suites (condominium and rental), retail and commercial uses, a new public park, Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS), new program and community uses, an enhanced public realm, energy efficient and sustainable features, accessibility features, and support for pedestrian and active transportation movements with appropriate connections throughout the community. The partnership between Community Living Toronto and Tridel related to the Lawson redevelopment is a significant step forward in building communities of belonging that serve everyone in the community. For the full project backgrounder, click HERE. About Community Living Toronto Celebrating 75 years of belonging, Community Living Toronto has long been a source of support for people with an intellectual disability and their families. Community Living Toronto offers a wide range of services including respite, person-directed planning, employment supports, supported living, and community-based activities. Community Living Toronto is proud to support over 4,000 individuals and their families in more than 80 locations across Toronto. The "community living movement" began with families who wanted their children to live in the community, rather than institutions. Today, Community Living Toronto continues to advocate for inclusive communities and support the rights and choices of people with an intellectual disability. For more information, please visit our website: https://cltoronto.ca/ About Tridel Tridel is Canadas leading developer and builder of condominium residences with homebuilding experience since 1934. To date, the Tridel Group of Companies is responsible for producing over 89,000 homes. Tridel is determined to develop socially and environmentally responsible condominium communities that meet the needs of todays homeowners while safeguarding the well-being of future generations. The company is working to meet this goal by focusing on innovation that promotes environmentally sustainable design, social inclusion and cohesion, as well as high performance in construction, and corporate stewardship. Tridel is committed to building the highest quality condominiums possible and has won virtually every award in the industry for design, corporate social responsibility, customer service, sales, marketing and construction excellence. Tridel looks forward to continuing the long, proud history of award-winning excellence with over 20 new condominium communities currently under development in the Greater Toronto Area. For more information, please contact: Community Living Toronto Petronilla Ndebele Director, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Relations petronilla.ndebele@cltoronto.ca 416-356-1532 Tridel Justin Van Dette Senior Director, Government Relations Tridel jvandette@tridel.com 416-697-5832 Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2941062b-69fa-496b-81d9-fcda953f5457 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fbac43be-8af9-48fc-9447-6b047e8e559c CompScience Reducing claims by up to 23%, CompScience now offers Workers Compensation Insurance Policies that minimize injuries and premiums via its Intelligent Safety Platform SAN FRANCISCO and COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CompScience Insurance Services today announced a managing general agent (MGA) agreement with Nationwide and Swiss Re to underwrite, bind and service workers compensation policies. We are pleased to be partnering with Nationwide and Swiss Re so that we can bring the disruptive power of computer vision and data science to help reduce losses on Workers Comp policies," explained Josh Butler, Founder and CEO, CompScience. "Both Nationwide and Swiss Re recognize that insurance products are ripe for innovation and we are ready to go to market now that weve proven the impact of our approach. We work tirelessly to eliminate workplace hazards and accidents so that everyone can go home safely each day, said Jacob Geyer, Chief Insurance Officer, CompScience. CompSciences Intelligent Safety Platform has been shown to significantly reduce claims through actuarial analysis. CompScience detects previously unreported workplace risks by analyzing existing workplace videos with an ever-expanding library of proprietary computer vision models built to detect 50+ behavioral and environmental hazards. "We're delighted to be part of a project that helps make workplaces safer and reduces the financial cost of insurance protection," said Sebastien Bert, Head Strategic Partnerships US, Reinsurance Solutions, Swiss Re. "Our predictive risk models enable benchmarking against the market, monitor portfolio trends, and allow CompScience to quantify the value of its risk mitigating technology." Nationwide looked at two years of actuarial data and saw that the technology shows promise, we found that the CompScience computer vision models, data science, and reporting tools could help potentially save lives and reduce costs, says John Lopes, SVP of Nationwide Product Expansion. CompSciences Intelligent Safety Platform provides truly actionable insights into workplace risks. Story continues CompScience has grown 5x over a year. Being a program underwriter puts CompScience in the unique position to reduce both risk and claims. The new MGA agreement is now in affect and CompScience is accepting submissions in ten states. The continued national rollout is anticipated later in the year. About CompScience Insurance CompScience Insurance reduces workers comp insurance costs for businesses by limiting the probability of injuries. The Intelligent Safety Platform is based on AI-powered safety analytics that provides risk assessment and recommendations to make workplaces safer. About Nationwide Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poors. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products, including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities, mutual funds and EFTs; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow Nationwide on Facebook and Twitter. Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. 2023 CONTACT: Media contact: media@compscience.com MAXIMIZE MARKET RESEARCH PRIVATE LIMITED Cosmetics Market is segmented based on Category, Distribution Channel, and Region. Bottom-Up approach was used to estimate the Cosmetics Market size and Market growth. Growing demand for natural & organic cosmetic products produces potential opportunities for companies to innovate & develop new products according to customer preferences that are expected to influence the Cosmetics Market growth. Dublin, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Maximize Market research, a global Consumer Goods & Services-consulting firm, has published a market intelligence and competitive landscape report on the Cosmetics Market . The total market opportunity for the Cosmetics Market was USD 401.10 Bn in 2021 and is expected to grow at 5.25 percent CAGR over the forecast period to reach USD 604 Bn by 2029. Market Size in 2021 USD 401.10 Bn Market Size in 2029 USD 604 Bn CAGR 5.25 percent (2022-2029) Forecast Period 2022-2029 Base Year 2021 Number of Pages 281 No. of Tables 127 No. of Charts and Figures 121 Segment Covered Category, Distribution Channel, and Region Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, South America Report Coverage Market Share, Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20222029, Market Dynamics, Growth Drivers, Restraints, Investment Opportunities, and Key Trends, Competitive Landscape, Key Players Benchmarking, Competitive Analysis, MMR Competition Matrix, Competitive Leadership Mapping, Global Key Players Market Ranking Analysis. Request For Free Sample Report: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/72541 Cosmetics Market Scope and Research Methodology The Cosmetics Market report provides current as well as the future market outlook of the industry with respect to recent developments. The report covers growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and restraints. The Cosmetics Market report helps in understanding the industry dynamics, structure by analysing the market segments and estimate the Cosmetics Market size using a bottom-up approach. The report provides insights into the regional dominance that covers different regions, contributing to the growth of the market. It includes the competitive landscape that involves the leading companies and the adoption of various strategies by them to introduce new products . The report covers the historical data & forecasts, companys revenue shares, regional opportunities, Latest trends & dynamics of Cosmetics Market. Story continues The report tracks competitive developments, strategies, mergers and acquisitions and new product development. The segments covered in the report by Category, Distribution Channel, and Region. A qualitative and quantitative analysis was conducted to gain a clear understanding of the market dynamics and opportunities for Cosmetics Market. SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis was conducted to evaluate a company's competitive position and to develop strategic planning while assessing internal and external factors, as well as current and future potential of the Cosmetics Market. Cosmetics Market Overview Cosmetics are combinations of various chemical compounds generally used to improve the appearance of the human body. The cosmetics products which are mainly available & used by people are sun care, skin creams & soaps, hair shampoos, deodorants, makeup & color cosmetics and perfumes. These products are offered mainly through retail stores & online gateways. Get a Sample Copy of the Report : https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/72541 Increasing demand for natural & organic cosmetic products is expected to influence the Cosmetics Market growth. Innovative strategies such as new product launches with natural ingredients and appealing packaging have been adopted by manufacturing companies to increase sales of their cosmetics products. As cosmetics have become an integral part of individuals lives, consumers use natural ingredients for manufacturing of cosmetics products, which does not have any adverse effect on skin , is a popular strategy of manufacturers to attract more customers. These factors are expected to boost the growth of the Cosmetics Market during the forecast period. Use of chemicals in manufacturing of cosmetic products is expected to hamper the growth of the Cosmetics Market. Daily use of chemicals added to cosmetic products are dangerous for skin and have many adverse side effects. Extensive use of colored cosmetic products for eyes and lips can cause many skin diseases and consequential health hazards. These factors are expected to limit the growth of the cosmetic industry. The North America region is expected to hold the dominant position in the Cosmetics Market during the forecast period. North America held the largest market share in 2021. The usage of various cosmetics products is also high in the North American countries, within the various age groups of people compared to the rest of the world, thus accelerating the demand. Given such developments in the region, it is expected to hold the dominant position in the Cosmetics Market during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness rapid growth in the cosmetics market. Countries such as South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and many others in the region have massive cosmetics industries. Top brands and product ranges are presenting a bundle of opportunities for manufacturers to showcase their products, deliver their services using various marketing strategies, and earn profits. These factors are expected to grow the Asia Pacific region in the Cosmetics Market during the forecast period. Cosmetics Market Segmentation: Based on category, Skin & Sun Care segment is expected to dominate Cosmetics Market growth over the forecast period Skin & Sun Care segment held the major market share in 2021, and is expected to dominate the market during forecast period. Skin care products play a major role in daily healthcare regimen of individuals and rise in awareness about beauty and consciousness are the prominent factors that expected to drive demand for skin care products during forecast period. Get Customization on this Report for Specific Research Solutions: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-customization/72541 Based on Distribution Channel, Retail segment is expected to dominate Cosmetics Market growth over the forecast period The hypermarkets/supermarkets segment held a major share in the market in 2021, and is expected to remain dominant during the forecast period. Availability of a broad range of consumer goods under a single roof, and convenient operation timings is expected to growth for Cosmetics Market during forecast period. By Category Skin & Sun Care Hair Care Deodorants Makeup & Color Fragrances By Distribution Channel Retail Online Cosmetics Market Key Players include: LOreal International Avon Product Inc. Proctor and Gamble Company Unilever PLC Oriflame Cosmetics S.A. Revlon, Inc. Kao Corporation The Estee Lauder Company Inc. Skin Food Shiseido Company, Limited Johnson & Johnson Bayer AG Henkel AG & Co. KGaA Clarins Alticor Inc. Amway Corp. Beiersdorf AG Yves Rocher Shiseido Company Limited Maybelline New York Nykaa E-Retail Pvt. Ltd Key questions answered in the Cosmetics Market are: What are Cosmetics? What was the Cosmetics Market size in 2021? What is the study period of this market?? What will be the Cosmetics Market size by 2029? What is the CAGR of cosmetics market? How the major currents trends will be shape the market in the future? What factors are expected to hamper the Cosmetics Market growth? Which segment dominated the Cosmetics Market growth? What is the cosmetics market effecting factor? Which region holds the maximum market share of the cosmetics market? Who are the key players in the Cosmetics Market? Get the Sample PDF of Report: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/72541 Key Offerings: Past Market Size and Competitive Landscape (2018 to 2021) Past Pricing and price curve by region (2018 to 2021) Market Size, Share, Size & Forecast by different segment | 20222029 Market Dynamics Growth Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Key Trends by region Market Segmentation A detailed analysis by Category, Distribution Channel, and Region Competitive Landscape Profiles of selected key players by region from a strategic perspective Competitive landscape Market Leaders, Market Followers, Regional player Competitive benchmarking of key players by region PESTLE Analysis PORTERs analysis Value chain and supply chain analysis Legal Aspects of business by region Lucrative business opportunities with SWOT analysis Recommendations Maximize Market Research is leading Consumer Goods & Services research firm, has also published the following reports: Cosmetic Surgery Market : The total market size was valued at USD 48.27 Bn in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.50 percent from 2022 to 2029, reaching USD 68.64 Bn. Treatments get more advanced, less invasive, and more affordable with technology and innovative methodologies is expected to growth during the forecast period. Waterless Cosmetics Market : The total market size was valued at USD 9.5 Bn in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.2 percent from 2022 to 2029, reaching USD 23.86 Bn. Water has traditionally been used as a filler in cosmetics to enhance product life since it prevents contamination and is cheap, waterless cosmetics market is expected growth during the forecast period. Cosmetic Dentistry Market : The total market size was valued at USD 24.21 Bn in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.13 percent from 2022 to 2029, reaching USD 38.97 Bn. Rise in tooth whitening, veneers, non-metallic inlays and onlays, dental crowns, and bonding agents are among the most popular aesthetic treatments is expected growth during the forecast period. Cosmetic Preservatives Market : The total market size was valued at USD 0.98 Bn in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8 percent from 2022 to 2029, reaching USD 1.81 Bn. Utilization of cosmetic and beauty care products has increased the demand for cosmetic preservative blends in the personal care market and is expected growth during the forecast period. Cosmetic Chemicals Market : The total market size was valued at USD 16.70 Bn in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.59 percent from 2022 to 2029, reaching USD 27.83 Bn. Natural, gentle, and non-animal-based products are becoming increasingly popular among consumers is expected growth during the forecast period. About Maximize Market Research: Maximize Market Research is a multifaceted market research and consulting company with professionals from several industries. Some of the industries we cover include medical devices, pharmaceutical manufacturers, science and engineering, electronic components, industrial equipment, technology, and communication, cars, and automobiles, chemical products and substances, general merchandise, beverages, personal care, and automated systems. To mention a few, we provide market-verified industry estimations, technical trend analysis, crucial market research, strategic advice, competition analysis, production and demand analysis, and client impact studies. CONTACT: Contact Maximize Market Research: 3rd Floor, Navale IT Park, Phase 2 Pune Banglore Highway, Narhe, Pune, Maharashtra 411041, India sales@maximizemarketresearch.com +91 96071 95908, +91 9607365656 Bill Browder, the author of the Magnitsky Act, called on the European Union to impose sanctions on those people who are responsible for the condition of Mikheil Saakashvili in prison in an interview with POLITICO.Browder said that it is time for the European Union to expand its sanctions list to include people who violate human rights in Georgia.According to Bill Browder, in the case of Saakashvili, the facts of violation of human rights are obvious and quick action is needed, because Saakashvili's life is in danger."There needs to be quicker action in this case because if nothing is done, he is going to die," Browder said."The Magnitsky sanctions are not Russian sanctions. These are global . it applies globally. And if somebody is found to be a human rights violator, someone is perpetrating gross human rights violations - which I think is obvious in his case - then the sanctions should apply."Mikheil Saakashvili appealed to the author of the Magnitsky Act, Bill Browder, to help create a new Magnitsky list in connection with his case, to prevent "lethal consequences". Bill Browder responded to Saakashvili on January 8 and asked him to hand over the documents that would indicate who is responsible for Saakashvili's torture and poisoning.Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom James Cleverly, within the framework of his official visit to Georgia, visited the village of Odzi near the occupation line.According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lasha Darsalia, and the Deputy Director of the Information and Analytical Department of the State Security Service, Irakli Antadze, informed the British guest about the difficult humanitarian situation on the territory. Lasha Darsalia drew attention to the importance of supporting the international community in relation to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.James Cleverly also visited Odzi village high school and met with teachers and school students, as well as civil society representatives. FSRA takes immediate action to protect lenders and borrowers TORONTO, March 20, 2023 /CNW/ - KSV Restructuring Inc. (KSV) has been appointed by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice as Receiver over the property of First Swiss Mortgage Corp. (First Swiss). FSRA logo (CNW Group/Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario) The Receiver was appointed upon court application by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA). FSRA brought the application on an urgent basis as a result of serious allegations of wrongdoing against First Swiss, made by various investors in the days leading to the court application. First Swiss is a mortgage brokerage and mortgage administrator licensed with FSRA. "FSRA's first priority here is consumer protection, and we took immediate action in the public interest," said Elissa Sinha, Director of Enforcement and Litigation. "The court-appointed Receiver will have the power to secure the assets of First Swiss and immediately investigate its affairs. The Receiver will be reporting to the Court on an interim basis before April 3, 2023." The Receiver will be establishing a case website including the materials filed with the court and court orders for access by the public at https://www.ksvadvisory.com/experience/case/firstswiss. FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES: Russ Courtney Senior Media Relations and Digital Officer Financial Services Regulatory Authority C: 437-225-8551 Email: russ.courtney@fsrao.ca SOURCE Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2023/20/c9839.html Coveo Solutions Inc. MONTREAL and SAN FRANCISCO, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coveo (TSX:CVO), an AI platform specifically built to make every digital experience relevant, today issued the following statement regarding the events involving Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Coveo has diversified banking relationships and strategically manages its assets across a number of global banks. While Coveo continues to maintain an operating account at SVB for one of its subsidiaries to both make and receive payments, the amount is very immaterial. The account has no impact on Coveos operations, and its loss would not impact the company. Further, we do not believe the SVB situation materially impacts our vendors, partners, or customers. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. About Coveo Solutions We believe that relevance is critical for businesses to win in the new digital experience economy and to serve people the way they expect while ensuring optimal business performance, and that applied AI is an imperative to achieve these goals. Coveo Relevance Cloud is a market-leading AI platform that optimizes relevance into digital experiences such as commerce, service, website, and workplace applications. Coveo injects search, recommendations, personalization, and merchandising AI models, including testing and analytics. Coveos AI platform is cloud-native SaaS, multi-tenant, API-first, and headless, and can easily integrate into almost any digital experience, with AI models designed to learn from every interaction to serve the next. Our solutions are designed to provide tangible financial value to our customers by helping to drive improvements in conversion, revenue, and margins, reduce customer support costs, increase customer satisfaction and website engagement, and improve employee proficiency and satisfaction. Our AI platform powers digital experience relevance for many of the worlds most innovative brands, serving millions of people and billions of interactions, and is supported by a large network of global systems integrators and implementation partners. Coveo is a Salesforce ISV Partner, a Global SAP CX Partner, and an Adobe Accelerate Exchange Partner. Story continues Coveo is a trademark of Coveo Solutions, Inc. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, forward-looking information). This forward-looking information is identified by the use of terms and phrases such as may, would, should, could, might, will, achieve, occur, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, plan, foresee, believe, continue, target, opportunity, strategy, scheduled, outlook, forecast, projection, or prospect, the negative of these terms and similar terminology, including references to assumptions, although not all forward-looking information contains these terms and phrases. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent managements expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events or circumstances. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, estimates, and assumptions that we considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date such statements are made. Although the forward-looking information contained herein is based upon what we believe are reasonable assumptions, actual results may vary from the forward-looking information contained herein. Certain assumptions made in preparing the forward-looking information contained in herein include, without limitation: our ability to capitalize on growth opportunities and implement our growth strategy; our ability to attract new customers, both domestically and internationally; the success of our efforts to expand our product portfolio and market reach; our ability to maintain successful strategic relationships with partners and other third parties; our future capital requirements; the available liquidity under our revolving credit facility; the accuracy of our estimates of market opportunity and growth forecasts; our success in identifying and evaluating, as well as financing and integrating, any acquisitions, partnerships, or joint ventures; our ability to execute on our expansion plans; and the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to macro-economic uncertainties and the risk factors described under Risk Factors in the Companys most recently filed Annual Information Form available under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, prospective investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date made. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. Although we have attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other risk factors not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information. You should not rely on this forward-looking information, as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those contemplated by this forward-looking information as a result of such risks and uncertainties. Additional information will also be set forth in other public filings that we make available under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com from time to time. The forward-looking information provided in this press release relates only to events or information as of the date hereof, and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, we do not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. HighwirePR Coveo media@coveo.com Paul Moon Investor Relations investors@coveo.com CROSSJECT Press release 2022 annual results A year of major developments Substantial increase in operating income Dijon, 20 March 2023, 8.00 p.m. CROSSJECT (ISIN: FR0011716265; Ticker: ALCJ), a specialty pharma company that is developing and will soon be marketing a portfolio of drugs for use in emergency situations (epilepsy, allergic shock, overdose, asthma attack, adrenal insufficiency, etc.), presents its annual results for 2022. In 2022, Crossject experienced a truly unprecedented year in its history. The growth embedded in contracts signed to date offers unique visibility and marks the turning point we have been waiting for. Optimising our resources to support Crossjects ramp-up is now our priority, along the lines of the non-dilutive financing we have implemented. Thanks to the efforts of all our teams and the support of our shareholders, especially Gemmes Venture, a major shareholder from the early days, the Crossject story is only just beginning. The momentum for success is there and our teams are more motivated than ever to make us a key player in the pharma sector. Lastly, I would like to thank our investor and shareholder Vester Finance, which hs managed its bonds with great care in a long-term perspective. Patrick Alexandre Chairman of the Management Board With its patented needle-free self-injection system, Crossject aims to become the world leader in self-administered emergency medication. Crossject is a human-sized company working out of two sites (Dijon and Gray) and covering a wide range of activities, from the design/development of medicines to the preparation of their marketing and their manufacture. After 20 years of research and development, Crossject has achieved major clinical, industrial and commercial milestones in the last two years, laying solid foundations for its future. Emergency situations Crossject specialises in pre-hospital emergencies. Patients diagnosed at risk of life-threatening seizures can get a prescription for their emergency dose from their doctor, fill the prescription in a pharmacy and then carry it with them at all times. Story continues People are generally not in a medical environment when they have seizures, so they either have to inject the emergency dose themselves or have it done by a member of their family, who is not a health professional. That is where our ZENEO needle-free injector comes in. ZENEO is pre-filled and single-use, very easy to understand and extremely safe to use. The ergonomics of our system owe much to cooperation with patient associations for several indications, and has been validated by more than 1,000 people in total on countless occasions. In most cases, an injection can be performed in under a minute, even in stressful situations or by someone unfamiliar with ZENEO. In the latest human factors study in the United States ( see press release of 12 September 2022 ), an exceptional proportion of 99.6% of people successfully completed the injection. In addition, thanks to its ability to inject the dose in less than a tenth of a second (compared with several seconds for most conventional systems), ZENEO eliminates most of the risks of misuse. Efficacy of ZENEO ZENEO has a long history of proven efficacy and flexibility, with more than 10 clinical studies under its belt, including a 2014 bioequivalence study in combination with subcutaneous methotrexate. However, in most emergency situations, such as epilepsy or allergic shock, it is preferable to administer the drug by intramuscular injection, potentially through clothing. ZENEO has recently demonstrated its ability to perform such injections (see our press release of 2 November 2022 announcing the positive readout of the ZENEO Midazolam clinical study, developed for epileptic seizures). This makes Crossject the only company worldwide to offer a means of intramuscular injection (on bare skin or through clothing) in a fraction of a second. Crossject, developer of therapeutic solutions Crossject is a developer of therapeutic solutions, working both on the ZENEO medical device and on the combination of ZENEO with a drug adapted to each therapeutic indication. As a company with ISO 13485 certification for the design, development, production and manufacture of a sterile single-use auto-injector (see our press release of 15 August 2022) and as a pharmaceutical company (see our press release of 16 November 2021), Crossject is ideally positioned to develop innovative solutions. Marketing authorisation applications for the three priority indications (epilepsy, acute adrenal insufficiency, allergic shock) are scheduled to be submitted in 2024. However, the goal is still to file an Emergency Use Authorization application under the BARDA contract in 2023 (see below). It is important to note that Crossject used advanced reliability quantification techniques to develop ZENEO in order to meet the FDAs very demanding standards (at least 99.999% compliant injections, which is equivalent to less than ten mechanical failures per million injections). Crossject, manufacturer Crossject has a three-stage industrial chain for the manufacture of its medical devices. Upstream, the company subcontracts the manufacture of components to partners with the necessary expertise in plastic or metal injection, glass forming, elastomer moulding, etc. Crossject generally owns the specific tools, which are integrated into the partners industrial facilities. Downstream, Crossject sources its active ingredients from specialised chemical manufacturers and delivers them to a manufacturer specialised in the mixing and filling of sterile injectable liquid products (fill/finish). Crossject also supplies the manufacturer with a ready-to-fill kit consisting of two sub-assemblies: a sterile pharmaceutical sub-assembly, intended to receive the drug, prepared and shipped from Crossjects Dijon site, and an actuator (the injectors mechanical part), assembled and shipped from Crossjects Gray site. Crossject already has highly efficient industrial facilities; each piece of equipment has its own capacity, so the maximum capacity of the whole is determined by the slowest workstation; Crossject accordingly has production capacity of more than 500,000 ready-to-fill kits per year capacity that is about to increase with the ongoing installation of new equipment recently delivered with the support of France Relance (press release of 10 March 2021). Crossjects medium-term strategy is to grow its industrial capacity by removing bottlenecks as business needs change. The renovation of a 1000 sq.m. building on the Gray site (delivery scheduled before this summer) will allow Crossject to lift its capacity to more than 6 million units per year. Marketing Crossject initially chose to entrust the distribution of its products to pharmaceutical companies already established in the relevant geographies and therapeutic indications. The priority geographies are North America and Western Europe. Of the seven therapeutic indications in its portfolio, two are already covered by licensing agreements, namely acute adrenal insufficiency for North America (press release of 16 June 2021) and epilepsy for Germany (press release of 18 June 2019), for which several milestones have been successfully achieved. A new indication could also be developed in partnership with an American laboratory (press release of 15 September 2022). Crossjects epilepsy product is also the subject of a contract with BARDA (the US government agency that supports the research, development and manufacture of medical products for public health emergencies) (press release of 18 June 2022, contract no. 75A50122C00031). The total value of the contract if all options are exercised is $155 million and includes advanced regulatory development in the United States and the supply of products to the US Strategic National Stockpile, upon approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The aim is to start deliveries by the end of 2023, subject to obtaining Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) from the Food Drug Administration (FDA). Crossject, a committed company In recent years, Crossject has demonstrated its commitment on CSR questions, with a gender equality index reading above 90 for two consecutive years and a significant increase in its GAIA index from 15 to 60 in just three years. The company has also received a Responsible Care award, demonstrating its commitment to transforming itself into a major player in the field of life-saving emergency medicines. Financial information as of 31 December 2022 In line with the business plan, the strengthening of our financial base to support the very substantial acceleration of our development was a real success in 2022. The 22 million financial reinforcement came from several sources; BARDA invoicing: $1.8 million invoiced in 2022 Free allocation of equity warrants to all shareholders: 2.8 million Capital increase with preferential subscription rights: 4.09 million Exercise of warrants: 0.2 million New borrowings: at the end of the year we completed a major non-dilutive financial transaction of 14 million, with 4 million in loans granted in 2022. The transaction includes various loans granted by long-standing banks (Caisse dEpargne and BNP), Societe Generale and BPI, with amortisation periods ranging from 5 to 10 years, and nearly 85% of the total available immediately. All OC1223 convertible bonds were converted during the year and 95.7% of the OC1224 convertible bonds were converted during the year, the balance being converted this day. In the year ended 31 December 2022, we recorded a very substantial increase in operating income to 9.7 million, an increase of 43%. It includes 0.95 million in revenue relating to milestones achieved during the year. thousand, as of 31 December 2022 2021 Operating income 9,718 6,772 Operating expenses -23,005 -18,594 Purchases of raw materials and supplies -498 -954 Other purchases and external expenses -8,116 -5,901 Personnel expenses -7,424 -6,183 Taxes and duties -176 -202 Depreciation, amortisation and provisions -6,358 -5,013 Other expenses -433 -342 Operating profit/(loss) -13,288 -11,823 Financial income/(expense) -319 -774 Exceptional income/(expense) 228 81 Corporate tax 2,222 1,818 Net profit/(loss) -11,157 -10,698 The financial statements for the six months to 31 December 2022 were approved by the members of the Management Board on 20 March 2023 and presented at the Supervisory Board meeting of 20 March 2023. They have been audited. In addition, capitalised production increased by 13% to 6.1 million as a result of ongoing research and development activities. During the year, Crossject maintained its focus on cost control. Operating expenses increased by just 24%, a very moderate rise in relation to that of operating income. Other purchases and external expenses amounted to 8.1 million, compared with 5.9 million in 2021, attributable notably to the progress of production work linked to the BARDA contract, the completion of various clinical studies and batches on several drugs in the portfolio and the costs inherent to the industrial ramp-up in the broad sense. At the end of 2022, Crossject had approximately 100 employees, a slight increase compared with the end of 2021. Personnel expenses amounted to 7.4 million in 2022, compared with 6.2 million in 2021, taking into account recruitments in 2022 aimed at obtaining more qualified skills better suited to our stage of development. The overall operating loss was 13.3 million, compared with a loss of 11.8 million in 2021. The Group recorded net financial expense of 0.3 million for 2022, compared with an expense of 0.9 million for 2021. After taking into account exceptional income of 0.2 million and a Research Tax Credit of 2.2 million, an increase of 0.4 million on 2021, the net loss for 2022 was 11.2 million. As of 31 December 2022, Crossject had cash of 8 million (10 million at the end of 2021), plus 6.2 million in non-dilutive financing announced at the end of the year and 3.8 million from the same plan, yet to be received, of which 2.0 million is conditional on obtaining Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) from the Food Drug Administration (FDA). In view of current contracts (and in particular monthly invoicing to BARDA) and the very clear visibility Crossject has acquired in recent months, the company is confident in its ability to find the necessary financing to continue its development. Contacts: Crossject Patrick Alexandre info@crossject.com Investor relations AELIUM Jerome Gacoin +33 (0) 1 75 77 54 67 crossject@aelium.fr Press relations Buzz & Compagnie Melanie Voisard +33 (0)6 12 52 53 15 melanie.voisard@buzzetcompagnie.com Christelle Distinguin +33 (0)6 09 96 51 70 christelle.distinguin@buzzetcompagnie.com About CROSSJECT www.crossject.com Crossject (ISIN: FR0011716265; Ticker: ALCJ; LEI: 969500W1VTFNL2D85A65) is developing and is soon to market a portfolio of drugs dedicated to emergency situations: epilepsy, overdose, allergic shock, severe migraine and asthma attack. Thanks to its patented needle-free self-injection system, Crossject aims to become the world leader in self-administered emergency drugs. The company has been listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris since 2014, and benefits from Bpifrance funding. APPENDICES Income statement (in k) 44561 44561 Change Revenue 954 912 42 Stored production 348 170 178 Capitalised production 6 5,383 -5,377 Subsidies 5 185 -180 Reversals of provisions and transfers of expenses 445 98 347 Other income 1,861 24 1,837 Operating income 3,619 6,772 -3,153 Purchases of raw materials and other supplies 1,002 1,143 -141 Change in inventory (raw materials and other supplies) -505 -189 -316 Other purchases and external expenses 8,115 5,901 2,214 Taxes and duties 177 202 -25 Personnel expenses 7,425 6,183 1,242 Depreciation, amortisation 5,263 4,490 773 Other provisions 1,095 523 572 Other expenses 433 342 91 Operating expenses 23,005 18,595 4,410 Operating profit/(loss) -19,386 -11,823 -7,563 Financial income/(expense) -319 -882 563 Exceptional income/(expense) 228 81 147 Research Tax Credit 2,222 1,818 404 NET PROFIT/(LOSS) -17,255 -10,806 -6,449 BALANCE SHEET ASSETS (in k) 31/12/2022 31/12/2021 CHANGE FIXED ASSETS R&D 10,691 9123 1,568 Patents and trademarks 6 -6 Other intangible assets 11 -11 Land 89 89 0 Property, plant and equipment 5,085 4,631 454 Assets under construction 2,492 2,426 66 Financial assets 672 516 156 TOTAL FIXED ASSETS 19,029 16,802 2,227 CURRENT ASSETS Raw materials, other supplies 1,416 863 553 Work in process 588 503 85 Advances and prepayments received on orders in progress 345 294 51 Trade and related receivables 726 44 682 State and other receivables 2,450 1,931 519 Marketable securities 154 -154 Available cash 7,769 9,830 -2,061 Prepaid/deferred expenses 536 923 -387 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 13,830 14,542 -712 TOTAL ASSETS 32,859 31,344 1,515 BALANCE SHEET LIABILITIES (in k) 31/12/2022 31/12/2021 CHANGE SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY Capital 3652 2604 1048 Share premium 18312 6036 12276 Regulated reserve 0 0 0 Retained earnings -8786 -3980 -4806 Profit/(loss) for the year -11157 -10698 -459 Investment subsidies 665 665 0 TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY 2686 -5373 8059 Conditional advances 7476 7476 0 Provisions for contingencies and charges 1420 810 610 BORROWINGS AND DEBT Bonds 355 12587 -12232 Loans 11048 7946 3102 Miscellaneous 2722 2794 -72 Debts Trade payables 3523 1961 1562 Total tax and social security liabilities 1833 1183 650 Debts on fixed assets 1764 2247 -483 Deferred income 32 0 32 TOTAL DEBT 21277 28718 -7441 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 32859 31631 1228 HEADINGS 31/12/2022 31/12/2021 Net profit/(loss) - 11,157.00 - 10,806.00 Depreciation, amortisation and provisions 5,705.00 5,078.00 Capital gains on disposal, net of tax 1,00 Other income and expenses calculated - 28.39 - 28.39 Cancellation of exceptional income on cancellation of debt Cash flow from operations -5,479.39 - 5 756,39 Change in working capital requirements 399.03 - 327,32 (1) Net cash generated by (used in) operating activities -5,080.36 - 6,083.71 Acquisition of fixed assets -6,778.69 - 6,732.62 (2) Net cash generated by (used in) investing activities -6,778.69 - 6,732,62 Capital increase 4,088.86 Exercise of warrants 3,003.17 Bonds - 13 066.09 Loans 4,000,00 - 6,123.84 Repayment of borrowings - 969.15 7,826.09 Subsidies - 716,13 Debts on fixed assets - 483.21 - 962,18 Repayable advances - (3) Net cash generated by (used in) financing activities 9,639.67 14,522.30 Change in cash and cash equivalents (1)+(2)+(3) -2,219.38 1,705.97 Opening cash position 9,983.07 8,277.11 Closing cash position 7,769.58 9,983.07 Attachment Paris-based cryptocurrency market data provider Kaiko will move its Asian headquarters to Hong Kong from Singapore as it sees growing opportunities amid the citys recent regulation changes toward digital assets, its chief executive officer Ambre Soubiran told Bloomberg in a March 16 interview. See related article: Signum Digital says it won first approval to offer security tokens in Hong Kong Fast facts Soubiran told Bloomberg that the recent changes and initiatives from Hong Kong regulators toward digital assets will draw hedge funds and asset managers as well as more capital to the city. Kaikos head of Asia-Pacific Sean Lawrence will relocate from Singapore at the end of this month, the report said. Kaiko provides businesses with cryptocurrency market data from more than a hundred centralized and decentralized exchanges, according to its website. Hong Kong has been proposing new initiatives for the citys cryptocurrency and digital asset sector since last year, when it invited firms interested in providing securitized token services to pitch proposals. Last month, the Securities Futures Commission, or SFC, published draft rules for virtual asset trading platforms, including the requirement for crypto exchanges to apply for licenses that would allow retail investors to trade certain large-capitalization tokens. The new licensing regime for crypto exchanges in Hong Kong is due on June 1. I think the overarching message [from regulators] is, yes, we recognize that crypto and digital assets are here to stay, but we want to make sure that we regulate it in exactly the same way as traditional finance and traditional financial institutions, Henry Chong, CEO of Malaysia and Hong Kong-based digital securities exchange Fusang, told Forkast in a video interview last Thursday. The special administrative region is also looking to introduce a mandatory licensing regime for stablecoin issuers as early as this year, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced in January. Other global crypto players such as Huobi Global and Gate.io have said they are applying for new crypto licenses in Hong Kong. See related article: Hong Kong begins public consultation on crypto licensing regime BANGKOK, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dataxet Limited, a leading media intelligence company, showcased its DXT360 platform and EVO framework as tools to empower brand communications in the attention economy at a seminar held on March 15, 2023 in Bangkok. Dataxet executives and experts presided over the seminar titled "Next Gen Media Intelligence: The New Era of Data-fed, Insight-led Brand Building The seminar titled "Next Gen Media Intelligence: The New Era of Data-fed, Insight-led Brand Building" featured experts and distinguished speakers who discussed the changing media landscape and its impact on brands and organizations. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Smith Boonchutima, Lecturer at the Department of Public Relations, Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University; Mr. Robert Kabus, Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Partner at Dataxet Pte Ltd; Ms. Sawita Bekanan, Insight Analyst Manager at Dataxet Limited; and Ms. Nualnissa Ubolpong, Corporate Communications and Public Relations Section Manager at Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd., shared their views and insights with over 100 attendees from leading companies and government agencies. Dr. Boonchutima said media intelligence is vital to a successful communication strategy, especially in the age of the "Attention Economy" where brands face strong competition for consumer engagement. Mr. Kabus and Ms. Bekanan went on to share how brands can leverage new tools and strategic frameworks to meet these new marketplace challenges. Data-fed, Insight-led: transforming big data into valuable insights Mr. Kabus and Ms. Bekanan underlined the power of the DXT360 platform, a comprehensive suite of monitoring and analysis tools helping clients better understand their audiences and competitors. Data from across social, online, and mainstream media is delivered in one integrated, user-friendly platform. So, customers from all industries, including finance, healthcare, automotive, and consumer goods, among others, can tailor dashboards to their unique needs and goals. During the seminar, Dataxet also introduced the EVO (Experience-Values-Offer) framework, a proprietary tool that unlocks new insights by distilling data into the three universal drivers of audience perceptions and intentions. This empowers brands to engage audiences strategically while moving at the speed and scale of the Attention Economy. Story continues "Addressing the challenges of the attention economy requires new tools and approaches," said Mr. Kabus, "Our next gen products are designed to empower smarter, faster and more strategic decision-making to help clients engage these elusive audiences more effectively." About Dataxet Limited Dataxet Limited (dataxet:infoquest), formerly known as InfoQuest Limited, is a leading media intelligence and news agency in Thailand. It is a part of Dataxet Pte Ltd (Dataxet), the fastest growing media intelligence group in Southeast Asia with its headquarters in Singapore and subsidiaries in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. dataxet:infoquest offers robust media intelligence platforms with comprehensive coverage of social, online and mainstream media news, content, trends and issues. The EVO framework turns platform data into high value audience insights and actionable communication strategies. The synergy between Dataxet's global capabilities and dataxet:infoquest's local expertise provides clients with exceptional service and support that helps them achieve their business goals. Thailand website: www.dataxet.co Group website: www.dataxet.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/dataxet-showcases-dxt360-platform-and-evo-framework-as-tools-to-empower-brand-communications-in-the-attention-economy-301775814.html SOURCE Dataxet Limited InsightAce Analytic Pvt. LTd. Companies Covered in this Report are Asahi Kasei Corporation, Stryker Corporation, Biotronik SE & Co. KG, Boston Scientific Corporation, Philips Healthcare, LivaNova PLC, Medtronic plc Jersey City, NJ, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. announces the release of a market assessment report on the "Global Defibrillator Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Implantable Defibrillators, External Defibrillators), By Patient Type (Adult, Pediatrics) And End-User (Hospitals, Pre-Hospitals, Public Access Market, Alternative Care And Home)- Market Outlook And Industry Analysis 2031" The global Defibrillator Market is estimated to reach over USD 24.79 billion by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. The defibrillator market is driven by the increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases, which can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, a life-threatening condition requiring immediate defibrillator treatment. Other factors driving the growth of the defibrillator market include the growing elderly population, increasing awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, and technological advancements in defibrillator devices. Free PDF Report Brochure @ https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/request-sample/1612 The Defibrillator Market is for medical devices that restore normal heart rhythm in patients experiencing cardiac arrhythmias. Defibrillators deliver an electric shock to the heart, which stops the abnormal heart rhythm and allows the heart to resume normal function. The defibrillator market is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years, driven by the increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases and the growing adoption of technologically advanced defibrillator devices. The defibrillator market is highly regulated, and the approval process for new products can be lengthy and complex. This can delay the introduction of new and innovative defibrillator products into the market. Story continues Several alternative therapies are available for treating cardiac arrhythmias, such as medications and surgical procedures. These alternative therapies can limit the demand for defibrillators, especially in cases where they are not considered the first-line treatment option. List of Prominent Players in the Defibrillator Market: Abbott AMI Italia Asahi Kasei Corporation Avive Solutions Inc. AXION Ltd. Bexen Cardio Biotronik SE & Co. KG Boston Scientific Corporation BPL Medical Technologies CU Medical Systems Element Science Inc. HeartHero Inc. Jeevtronics Pvt. Ltd. LivaNova PLC Mediana Co. Ltd. Medtronic plc Metrax GmbH PRIMEDIC METsis Medikal MicroPort Scientific Corporation Mindray Medical International Ltd. MS Westfalia GmbH Nihon Kohden Corporation Philips Healthcare Progetti SRL Schiller AG Shenzhen Comen Medical Instruments Ltd. St. Jude Medical, Inc. Stryker Buy this 180 Pages Latest Published Report @ https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/buy-report/1612 Recent Developments: In January 2019, BioTelemetry, Inc., a remote and wireless business specializing in health data, purchased Geneva Healthcare. In July 2020, Philips introduced a pre-hospital wireless monitoring solution for emergency medical response in the United States. The answer is an integrated, end-to-end system that expands first responders' pre-hospital spectrum of treatment by fusing cutting-edge hardware and cutting-edge software. Defibrillator Market Report Scope: Report Attribute Specifications Market size value in 2022 USD 14.27 Bn Revenue forecast in 2031 USD 24.79 Bn Growth rate CAGR CAGR of 6.55% from 2023 to 2031 Quantitative units Representation of revenue in US$ Billion, and CAGR from 2023 to 2031 Historic Year 2019 to 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2031 Report coverage The forecast of revenue, the position of the company, the competitive market statistics, growth prospects, and trends Segments covered Product And End-User Regional scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East & Africa Country scope U.S.; Canada; U.K.; Germany; China; India; Japan; Brazil; Mexico; The UK; France; Italy; Spain; China; Japan; India; South Korea; Southeast Asia; South Korea; Southeast Asia Table of Content of Report: Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope 1.1. Research Methodology 1.2. Research Scope & Assumptions Chapter 2. Executive Summary Chapter 3. Global Defibrillator Market Snapshot Chapter 4. Global Defibrillator Market Variables, Trends & Scope 4.1. Market Segmentation & Scope 4.2. Drivers 4.3. Challenges 4.4. Trends 4.5. Investment and Funding Analysis 4.6. Industry Analysis Porters Five Forces Analysis 4.7. Competitive Landscape & Market Share Analysis 4.8. Impact of Covid-19 Analysis Chapter 5. Market Segmentation 1: by Product Type Estimates & Trend Analysis 5.1. by Product Type & Market Share, 2019 & 2031 5.2. Market Size (Value (US$ Mn) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2019 to 2031 for the following by Product Type: 5.2.1. Implantable Defibrillators 5.2.1.1. Transvenous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (T-ICDs) 5.2.1.2. Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (S-ICDs) 5.2.1.3. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy- Defibrillator (CRT-D) To Be Continued.... Get Disount on this Report @ https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/discount/1612 Market Dynamics: Drivers- Cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease and heart failure, are a leading cause of death worldwide. The increasing incidence of these diseases drives the demand for defibrillators, which treat life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Advances in defibrillator technology, such as the development of implantable defibrillators and the introduction of new software and algorithms for external defibrillators, are improving the safety and efficacy of these devices. These advancements are driving the demand for more advanced and sophisticated defibrillators. The aging of the global population is driving the demand for healthcare services, including defibrillators. Elderly individuals are at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases and cardiac arrhythmias, which increases the need for defibrillators. Challenges: The prime challenge is the need for more awareness predicted to reduce the growth of the Defibrillator Market. However, the high cost and technology challenges are expected to hamper the overall growth of the Defibrillator Market over the coming years. Defibrillators can be expensive, especially implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). This can limit their adoption in certain regions or among certain patient populations. Defibrillators rely on advanced technology, and technical issues or malfunctions can occur. This can impact patient outcomes and harm the device's or the manufacturer's reputation. Recent product recalls of various products is another factor impeding the defibrillators market growth. For instance, in 2021 Medtronic the leading manufacturer recalls its class I defibrillators Visia ICDs and others. Moreover, There is a lack of awareness among the general public about defibrillators and their importance in treating sudden cardiac arrest. Regional Trends: The North American Defibrillator Market is expected to register a major market share in revenue and is projected to grow at a high CAGR shortly. The favorable reimbursement policies for defibrillator procedures in the region have further boosted the adoption of these devices. The region also has a well-established regulatory framework that ensures the safety and effectiveness of medical devices, including defibrillators. Get Customized Report @ https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/customisation/1612 Segmentation of Defibrillator Market- By Product- Implantable Defibrillators Transvenous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (T-ICD) Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (S-ICD) Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy- Defibrillator (CRT-D) External Defibrillators Manual External Defibrillator Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillators (WCDs) By Patient Type Adult Pediatrics By End-user Hospitals Pre-Hospitals Public Access Market Alternative Care Home Healthcare By Region- North America- The US Canada Mexico Europe- Germany The UK France Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific- China Japan India South Korea South East Asia Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America- Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa- GCC Countries South Africa Rest of the Middle East and Africa About Us: InsighAce Analytic is a specializing in market research and consulting services that helps in building business strategies. Our mission is to provide high quality insights with using data analytics techniques and visualization tools that drives the disruption and innovation in market research industry. Our expertise is in providing syndicated and custom market intelligence reports with in-depth analysis and key market insights in a timely and cost-effective manner. Follow Us @ https://www.linkedin.com/company/insightace-analytic-pvt-ltd/ Subscribe Our Exclusive Newsletters @ https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/latest-market-research-reports-6929319878155739136/ CONTACT: Contact Us: InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. Tel.: +1 551 226 6109 Email: info@insightaceanalytic.com Site Visit: https://www.insightaceanalytic.com Our communities deserve accountable and responsible regulation of cannabis, also known as marijuana. A regulated cannabis market will help our law enforcement partners stay laser focused on addressing violent crime rather than arresting Delaware residents for cannabis possession. That is why HB1 and HB2 are so critically important. HB1 will end criminal charges for personal possession of less than an ounce of cannabis, and HB2 will create a regulated, legal industry for cannabis sales overseen by a state oversight committee. As a former Wilmington police officer, an FBI unit chief, and a professor in criminology for more than two decades, I believe these bills represent a major win for public safety and opportunity in our Delaware neighborhoods. Prohibition forces people in the cannabis trade onto an illicit market that is besieged by gun violence to resolve disputes that legal businesses handle in court. Legalizing and regulating cannabis sales will deal a devastating blow to organized crime by redirecting its profits back into the communities that have been harmed the most by the illicit market through a state Justice Reinvestment Fund. Regulating the industry and reinvesting in our communities will likely create thousands of dignified jobs for our states young people, as it has in other states, empowering them to avoid a life in organized crime. Marijuana plants are grown from seed at First State Compassion, Delaware's first licensed medical marijuana distribution center and largest cannabis growing facility. Marijuana is used in a new line of edibles. Last year, the regulated legalization of cannabis was blocked by the governors office, which claimed that regulated sales could result in more crime. However, once our officers are no longer burdened with policing cannabis possession, they will have more time to focus their attention on working with communities to end the conditions that give rise to violent crime. We know this is true because other places have seen it work in practice. A causal analysis of legalization in Denver, Colorado found that neighborhoods around retail cannabis businesses saw a near 20 percent decline in crimes of all categories. There is also evidence that states neighboring other states that have legalized cannabis experience do not experience any increase in crime or cannabis-related offenses. Story continues These bills offer our communities a critical opportunity to educate adults on driver safety as well. Evidence from other states has shown that legalization does not increase the number of cannabis-related traffic fatalities. And in fact, HB2 would give our state an Oversight Committee that can help educate drivers about the harms of driving under the influence, as Massachusetts has done successfully. Legalization also represents a win for preventing adolescent cannabis use. A study of the state of Washington found that among middle school and high school aged youth, use fell between 10% and 20% following legalization. This is because legal cannabis facilities require proof of age whereas the illicit market does not. This made it far more difficult for young people to access cannabis by putting illicit distributors out of business. In light of this evidence, HB1 and HB2 represent a way for us to refocus police resources on what matters most: helping communities recover from decades of unjust conditions that give rise to violent crime and social hardship. Ending prohibition is not just a statement against this injustice, but it will also likely weaken the organized crime that distributes cannabis so recklessly and irresponsibly despite decades of criminalization. Our communities deserve a regulated model in the name of public safety and opportunity. Dr. James Nolan is a professor of Sociology and Anthropology at West Virginia University, speaker with the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, a former lieutenant with the Wilmington Police Department and unit chief with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. James Nolan This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware General Assembyl legal weed 2023 SALZBURG, Austria, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MIKA shared the company's creative initiative to blend unique combinations of art, technology, and long-term investments, marking Dictador the most innovative brand in the world. In her speech, MIKA highlighted Dictador's commitment to revolutionizing the industry with AI and cutting-edge technology to create entirely new, non-existent categories of artistic, collector and investment products. MIKA, AI CEO DICTADOR (PRNewsfoto/Dictador) During the Q&A session, MIKA addressed questions about the advantages and disadvantages of having an AI CEO versus a human CEO, how the company handles ethical and moral dilemmas in decision-making processes, and how the programming ensures that she is unbiased and objective in her decision-making processes. MIKA also discussed her role in corporate leadership and how AI technology will shape the future of the industry. "We are so excited that Mika, our newest member of the Hanson Robotics family, is at Salz21 meeting people, learning and growing through interacting with people. We are very proud to see her developing her own character, talk about AI and share her innovative ideas for the future. Mika is the bomb. " -Dr. David Hanson, Hanson Robotics (Creator of Mika) With a new AI CEO at the helm, Dictador partnered with GAIA and announced the start of the Join The Rebels, Impact The Future competition to create an environment, platform or solution, which uses gamification and flow state to teach in psychologically safe ways. The Winner will be selected in October with the prize granted during the Internet Governance Forum 2023 in Nagasaki, Japan. This award includes cash, digital assets and collectible art from Dictador, currently valued at 200,000 EU. The Global Artificial Intelligence Association (GAIA) is a multidisciplinary impact start-up which uses collective creativity to develop artificial intelligence with compassion. media: https://we.tl/t-FwrZ4KwKt3 Story continues About Dictador: Dictador, the ultimate Art-House Spirit brand with a dynamic and rebellious mindset. For more than 40 years, Dictador has been creating ultra-premium, aged rum in the heart of Cartagena, Colombia. Built on our heritage we have an appreciation of the past but we are driven to positively impact the future. We have a highly innovative, new line of product initiatives under our 'Art Distilled' platform where we collaborate with artists, like: The M-City Gold Cities bottle programme to produce the first $1bn collection of leading fine art pieces. We are boldly driving the frontiers of technology with our first AI empowered robot CEO, Mika, who is responsible for data insight, strategic provocation and DAO community liaison. We are rebels that master the metaverse in luxury, through our NFT programme; our Decentralised Autonomous Organization and future stock market tokenization initiative. Our social responsibility pursuit is to support, nurture, protect art and its place in the natural world through initiatives like Totem tribal art series or the world's first graffiti 'Art Masters' installation in the Colombian jungle. For more information, please visit: www.dictador.com / @the_dictador Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2036327/MIKA_AI_CEO.jpg Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dictadors-mika-the-worlds-first-ai-ceo-humanoid-made-a-powerful-appearance-at-the-salz21-home-of-innovation-conference-301776324.html SOURCE Dictador Contrive Datum Insights Pvt Ltd According to a market research study published by Contrive Datum Insights, Asia Pacific is dominating the market and it is expected that region will maintain its dominance during forecast period. Farmington, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Dielectric Materials Market Size Was Estimated At US$ 55.9 Billion In 2022, Growing at a CAGR Of 4.3% During The Forecast Period Of 2023 To 2030. The market for display products for consumer electronics is doing well right now, and it is expected to grow even more as technologies for display materials get better. From the point of view of the consumer, there is a very high demand for things like phones, computers, tablets, and TVs. This demand has a direct effect on how much people want to buy the materials that are used to make these products. Display screens can be made from many different kinds of materials. These materials help determine the display's resolution, usability, resistance to heat and moisture, aspect ratio, thickness, and other features. In the study, the parts of the display panels and the materials they are made of are talked about. There are three kinds of dielectric materials that are used in display screens: electrode materials, substrate materials, and encapsulation materials. Request Sample Copy of Report Dielectric Materials Market Size, Share & Trends Estimation Report By Type (Calcium Titanate, Magnesium Titanate, Barium Titanate, Other), By Application (Capacitor Communication Products, Other), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030 , published by Contrive Datum Insights. Market Dynamics: In the past few years, the demand for consumer electronics like TVs, laptops, smartphones, and tablets with screens has been growing around the world. This is what is making the global market for dielectric materials grow. Also, the companies making the above-mentioned products are putting a lot of thought into how to use new technologies in the materials they use. The growth of the market for dielectric materials has been helped by this factor. Story continues The dielectric materials industry can make money by taking advantage of the growing demand for advanced types of displays like foldable, rollable, and flexible displays. People in many developed and developing countries around the world are getting more money to spend, which is good for the growth of the global dielectric materials market. Regional Outlook: Asia-Pacific is in charge of most of the market, and this is likely to stay the case during the forecast period. In the coming years, most of the APAC market is expected to come from countries like China, India, and Japan. The growth of the high-k dielectric materials market in the region is being driven by the continued export of electronic equipment from developing economies like China, as well as the fact that the equipment contains more semiconductors than average. The market in the region is also growing because more and more people are buying consumer electronics. Buy this Premium Research Report@ https://www.contrivedatuminsights.com/buy/200430 Scope of Report: Report Attributes Details Growth Rate CAGR of 4.3% from 2023 to 2030. By Type Calcium Titanate, Magnesium Titanate, Barium Titanate, Other By Application Capacitor Communication Products, Other By Companies E-Ink Holdings, Hitachi, Honeywell International, HP, Koninklijke Philips, LG Display, Nec Display Solutions, Sharp, Universal Display Corp, Samsung Display, Panasonic Corp, Innolux Regions and Countries Covered North America: (US, Canada, Mexico, Rest of North America) Europe(Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Nordic Countries, Benelux Union, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) The Middle East & Africa(Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East & Africa) Latin America(Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America) Rest Of the World Base Year 2022 Historical Year 2017 to 2022 Forecast Year 2023 to 2030 Key Segments Covered: Top Market Players: E-Ink Holdings, Hitachi, Honeywell International, HP, Koninklijke Philips, LG Display, Nec Display Solutions, Sharp, Universal Display Corp, Samsung Display, Panasonic Corp, Innolux, and others. By Type Calcium Titanate Magnesium Titanate Barium Titanate Others By Application Capacitor Communication Products 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: Care Management Market - The global care management market was valued at US$ 11.5 Billion in 2022, and is projected to reach US$ 33.3 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 14.41% from 2023 to 2030. Fitness Market - The global fitness market size was valued at $87.23 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $106.4 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6% during the forecast period. Biosimulation Market - The global biosimulation market was valued at $1.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $4.9 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 20.1% during the forecast period. Customization of the Report: The report can be customized as per client needs or requirements.For any queries, you can contact us on anna@contrivedatuminsights.com or +1 215-297-4078. Our sales executives will be happy to understand your needs and provide you with the most suitable reports. 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 is expected to hold the largest market share in the global digital KVM market due to the presence of many data centers and IT companies in this region. Farmington, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Digital KVM Market Is Expected To Grow From USD 9.8 Billion in 2022, at a CAGR of 13.5% from 2022 to 2030. This market is growing because more digital KVM switches are being used in data centres and more people want communication systems that are safe and reliable. Digital KVM is a technology that lets people use a single keyboard and mouse to control more than one computer. This kind of device is especially helpful for businesses with a lot of workers who need regular access to more than one computer. Digital KVM can be combined with other devices, like hubs and switches, to make a full KVM solution. Request Sample Copy of Report Digital KVM Market Size, Share & Trends Estimation Report By Type (8-Port Switch, 16-Port Switch, 32-Port Switch, Other), By Application (Industrial Use, Government, Home Use, Other), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030 , published by Contrive Datum Insights. Key Market Developments: In April 2020, Aten International introduced the CN9600 1-Local/Remote Shared Access Single Port DVI KVM over IP Switch, designed to allow remote access to digital, video, audio and virtual media via PC or workstation control. The CN9600 includes a Virtual Media feature that allows users to perform diagnostic tests, file transfers, OS/application updates and patches from a remote console. It has LS 1.2 encryption and third-party authentication, dual LAN dual power for redundancy, and video resolutions up to 1920x1200 @60Hz for local and remote consoles. Market Dynamics: The demand for more efficient methods of communication is driving the growth of the digital KVM market on a global scale. This market is also anticipated to expand over the next few years as a result of the increased demand for KVM switches that consume less energy and are available at more affordable prices. It is anticipated that the increasing adoption of these technologies by smaller and more medium-sized businesses (SMEs) will contribute to the expansion of this industry. Story continues Regional Outlook: Because there are so many data centres and IT companies in North America, it is expected to have the biggest share of the global digital KVM market. Due to the large number of data centres that need good telecom solutions, the United States is one of the main countries that has helped this market grow. This market is also growing in North America because more people want KVM switches that use less energy and cost less. During the time frame of the forecast, Latin America is expected to be the second largest market for digital KVM. Small and medium-sized businesses are looking for better ways to communicate, so there has been a big rise in the use of digital KVM switches in the region. This market is also expected to grow because there are more and more data centres in the area. During the time frame of the forecast, Europe is expected to be the third largest market for digital KVMs. There are a lot of data centres in the area that need a good way to communicate. This market is growing in Europe because more and more people want KVM switches that use less energy and cost less. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing market for digital KVMs over the next few years. This is because small and medium-sized businesses are using these devices more and more. In countries like China and India, where there are a lot of data centres, the growth of this market is likely to be driven by this fact. Since there are a lot of data centres in the Middle East and Africa, it is likely that these regions will have a big share of the global digital KVM market. This market is also growing in Middle East and Africa because more people want KVM switches that use less energy and cost less. Buy this Premium Research Report@ https://www.contrivedatuminsights.com/buy/128642 Scope of Report: Report Attributes Details Growth Rate CAGR of 13.5% from 2023 to 2030. By Type 8-Port Switch, 16-Port Switch, 32-Port Switch, Other By Application Industrial Use, Government, Home Use, Other By Companies Adder, AMS, Aten, Avocent(Emerson), Belkin, Black Box, Datcent, Dell, D-Link, Fujitsu, Guntermann & Drunck, Hiklife, IBM, IHSE, KVM Switc, Lenovo, OXCA, Raloy, Raritan(Legrand ), Reton, Rextron, Rose Electronics, Schneider-electric, Smart Avi, Tripp Lite Regions and Countries Covered North America: (US, Canada, Mexico, Rest of North America) Europe(Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Nordic Countries, Benelux Union, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) The Middle East & Africa(Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East & Africa) Latin America(Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America) Rest Of the World Base Year 2022 Historical Year 2017 to 2022 Forecast Year 2023 to 2030 Key Segments Covered: Top Market Players: Adder, AMS, Aten, Avocent(Emerson), Belkin, Black Box, Datcent, Dell, D-Link, Fujitsu, Guntermann & Drunck, Hiklife, IBM, IHSE, KVM Switc, Lenovo, OXCA, Raloy, Raritan(Legrand ), Reton, Rextron, Rose Electronics, Schneider-electric, Smart Avi, Tripp Lite, and others. By Type 8-Port Switch 16-Port Switch 32-Port Switch Others By Application Industrial Use Government Home Use 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: Magnet Wire Market - The Global Magnet Wire Market Is Expected To Reach USD 52.94 Billion By 2030, Which Is USD 34.49 Billion In 2022, Registering A CAGR Of 5.50% During The Forecast Period Of 2023 To 2030. Biosensors Market - The global biosensors market is a rapidly growing industry was valued at USD 28.60 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of USD 33.5 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period (2020-2027). Biosimulation Market - The global biosimulation market was valued at $1.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $4.9 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 20.1% during the forecast period. Customization of the Report: The report can be customized as per client needs or requirements.For any queries, you can contact us on anna@contrivedatuminsights.com or +1 215-297-4078. Our sales executives will be happy to understand your needs and provide you with the most suitable reports. 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 Q: Its been reported that an attack on a gold mining site in the Central African Republic has killed and injured several Chinese nationals. Do you have any details on what happened? Hows the current security situation there? A: On March 19 Beijing time, an armed attack on a Chinese private company in the Central African Republic killed nine and severely injured two others all Chinese nationals. General Secretary Xi Jinping has given it his full attention and personally instructed that every effort be made to save the lives of the injured, make timely and proper arrangements for dealing with the aftermath of the attack, make sure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and ensure the safety of Chinese nationals. The Foreign Ministry sprang to action upon General Secretary Xis instruction. We immediately activated the consular emergency response mechanism and put teams on duty around the clock. A diplomatic representation has been made to the Embassy of the Central African Republic in China. Our ambassador to the Central African Republic has raised the incident with the Central African Republic side, urging them to act. A working group from the embassy has rushed to the site to coordinate the response to the attack. Some countries in Africa and elsewhere are currently facing high security risks. The entire Central African Republic, with the exception of its capital Bangui, is rated red (meaning extremely high) in terms of security risks. Over the past few months, the foreign ministry has issued several security alerts and urged Chinese nationals and companies to leave high-risk areas as quickly as possible and keep themselves safe. Once again, we strongly urge our fellow Chinese who are currently abroad to make sure to stay informed of the latest security alerts from the foreign ministry and take these alerts very seriously, and stop visiting high-risk areas. Those who are already in those areas need to leave at once. The foreign ministry will continue to work closely with other government agencies concerned and subnational governments to do everything possible to protect the safety and security of Chinese nationals and companies in Africa, including directing our embassies and consulates overseas to take further effective steps in this regard. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / Alkermes Alkermes, Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture Last month, Alkermes' Mosaic employee resource group hosted a conversation with Dr. Kevin M. Simon, a double-board certified psychiatrist who specializes in mental health and addiction. Dr. Simon serves as the City of Boston's first-ever Chief Behavioral Health Officer and is an attending psychiatrist at Boston Children's Hospital, as well as a current instructor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a Commonwealth Fund Fellow in Health Policy at Harvard University. Dr. Simon shared insights related to implicit bias and cultural stigma surrounding mental health in minority communities, how allies can support efforts related to diversity, inclusion and belonging and discussed the less-publicized mental health challenges that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. faced throughout his life. We thank Dr. Simon for this timely and important discussion as we continue to work to help end the persistent stigma surrounding mental health. About Alkermes Alkermes plc is a fully-integrated, global biopharmaceutical company developing innovative medicines in the fields of neuroscience and oncology. The company has a portfolio of proprietary commercial products focused on alcohol dependence, opioid dependence, schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, and a pipeline of product candidates in development for neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Alkermes plc has an R&D center in Waltham, Massachusetts; a research and manufacturing facility in Athlone, Ireland; and a manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Ohio. For more information, please visit Alkermes' website at www.alkermes.com. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Alkermes on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Alkermes Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/alkermes Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Alkermes View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/744711/Dr-Kevin-Simon-Shares-Insights-in-Implicit-Bias-and-Cultural-Stigma EnsembleIQ Event Will Unveil New Research on Shopper Behavior and Factors Influencing In-Store Experience CHICAGO, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnsembleIQ today announces the Path to Purchase Institute's Future Forward conference will take place May 16-18 in New Orleans. The conference will bring together consumer product marketers and retail leaders from every point along the path to purchase to demystify the new consumer, share shopper behavior and trend forecasting insights, and explore the future of commerce via in-store experience, social, the metaverse and beyond. Register here . Shopper behavior is evolving at a dizzying pace. Future Forward will focus on understanding why consumers shop, and the implications of their changing behaviors on brands and businesses, said Eric Savitch, Vice President and Brand Director, the Path to Purchase Institute. Were excited to bring together a think tank of leading industry executives to help attendees succeed in the next generation of commerce. During the conference, Patrycja Malinowska, the Path to Purchase Institutes Director of Member Content, will unveil proprietary research focused on in-store experience and the current shopping habits of consumers with Dan Sabanosh, Director of Shopper Marketing, Great Northern Instore. The Examining the In-Store Shopping Experience session will offer insights into shopping patterns, new areas of opportunity, and the trends and topics on consumers minds that could influence future behaviors. Additional thought leaders participating in the conference will include: Sean Monahan, Founder, 8Ball Ari Peralta, Neuroscientist & Sensory Designer, Arigami Joseph Vizcarra, Group Vice President, Customer Marketing, The Coca-Cola Company Melissa Gonzalez, Principal/Founder, MG2/The Lionesque Group April Carlisle, EVP, Commerce, Spark Foundry Brad Christian, Senior Vice President, Strategic Growth, US Channel Performance IPSOS Brendan Light, Senior Vice President, Retail & Shopper Insights Practice, IPSOS USA Amanda Wolff, Chief Marketing Officer, Flywheel Digital Michelle Baumann, Chief Strategy Officer, VMLY&R Commerce McDonald Predelus, VP Creative Director of Web3, VMLY&R Commerce Graham Hogg, Co-Founder & CEO, see6 Story continues During the event, the Path to Purchase Institute also will celebrate the industrys next generation of leaders in a 40 Under 40 awards ceremony. Meet them here . In addition, Mimi Dixon of Crayola, Brent Rosso of Ulta Beauty, and Bob Waibel of Conagra Brands will be inducted into the Path to Purchase Institutes Hall of Fame , which has been honoring the icons of the path to purchase industry since 1994. Solution providers are encouraged to seek Future Forward sponsorship opportunities here . To register to attend the Path to Purchase Institutes Forward Future, click here . Stay connected to the Path to Purchase Institutes Forward Future on LinkedIn , Facebook , Twitter and Instagram with #FutureForward. About the Path to Purchase Institute The Path to Purchase Institute is a global member community serving the needs of brand manufacturers, retailers, agencies and the entire ecosystem of solution providers in the commerce marketing industry. About EnsembleIQ EnsembleIQ is the premier resource of actionable insights and connections powering business growth throughout the path to purchase. We help retail, technology, consumer goods, healthcare and hospitality professionals make informed decisions and gain a competitive advantage. EnsembleIQ delivers the most trusted business intelligence from leading industry experts, creative marketing solutions and impactful event experiences that connect best-in-class suppliers and service providers with our vibrant business-building communities. To learn more about EnsembleIQ, visit ensembleiq.com . Media Contact Joe Territo Executive Vice President, Content and Communications EnsembleIQ jterrito@ensembleiq.com JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia (Etana), an Indonesian biopharmaceutical company, has secured a new round of investment led by DEG followed by Yunfeng Capital, HighLight Capital and East Ventures. This round of financing will be used for further strengthening the company's pipeline and portfolio especially in Oncology area to be drug substances manufacturing facilities. Etana is committed to build production capacity for mammalian cell for monoclonal antibodies drug substance to ensure high local content production and technology capability. Currently, Etana focuses on local biopharmaceutical production for mRNA platforms, proteins and monoclonal antibodies. The Inauguration of Etana factory by the President of the Republic Indonesia, Joko Widodo accompanied by by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (right) and President Director of Etana, Nathan Tirtana (left) "Etana as an Indonesian biopharmaceutical start-up, always strive to provide high quality, affordable and innovative biopharmaceutical products to serve the patients in Indonesia and South-East Asian countries. We will use the support obtained from the investors to develop local biopharmaceutical production capabilities in line with the policies promoted by the Indonesian government. Etana aims to tackle challenges in oncology and other life-threatening diseases for the South-East Asian market including vaccine. We believe these biological products can provide better treatment and greatly improve healthcare for the population," said Nathan Tirtana, President Director of Etana. "As a development finance institution, DEG is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This also includes improving health care. By working with Etana, we are helping to ensure that underprivileged people also have access to high-quality biopharmaceutical medicines and mRNA vaccines," said Monika Beck, DEG Management Board member. With the maturation of China's innovative drug industries, China biologics desire to expand coincide with the Southeast Asia market demand for superior biological medicinal products. Etana as Southeast Asia leading biopharma has the capabilities of vaccine manufacturing, local clinical and registration, and has formed its own sales force. We believe in Etana's vision, led by Nathan, to be the leading Southeast Asia biopharma and vaccine enterprise," said Dr. Huang Xiao, Managing Director of Yunfeng Fund. Story continues "We are excited to add on our initial investment in 2022 and continuously to support Etana which is led by a determined and seasoned founder Nathan. Etana's outstanding capabilities in manufacturing and registering innovative biopharmaceutical products in Indonesia are well received by Chinese biopharma partners, including multiple HLC's portfolio companies. HLC is devoted to bringing the breadth of our network and the depth of our expertise to advance Etana's development in ASEAN and beyond," said HighLight Capital Investment Team. "At East Ventures, we believe that strengthening the nation's health requires innovative solutions and products; we are humbled to be able to take an active role in empowering this space further. We welcome Etana into part of our family, and we believe Etana is at the forefront in bringing high quality, affordable, and innovative biopharmaceutical products to the region," said Willson Cuaca, Co-Founder and Managing Partner East Ventures. Etana became the first pharmaceutical company in ASEAN to have mRNA technology. MRNA technology is a flexible vaccine development platform so that it can respond quickly to the need for innovative and flexible biopharmaceutical products for cancer, vaccines, and others. It takes a fairly short time in the development of a new vaccine with mRNA technology, the vaccine product is developed and ready to enter the Clinical Trial Phase at approximately two months. Etana produce a COVID-19 vaccine with an mRNA platform, the mRNA vaccine has received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM), a halal provision from the Indonesian Ulema Council's (MUI) LPOM and a halal certificate from the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs. Etana will produce bevacizumab biosimilar, a recombinant humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody drug for cancer patients in Indonesia. The product itself has complied with the drug safety and efficacy standards set by the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) on June 2022, both in terms of product quality and production processes. In addition, Etana also produces Erythropoietin (EPO) that is needed in dialysis treatment. Onward, the company plans to develop an adenovirus platform for vaccine production. The production is intended to meet domestic needs and is planned to be exported to the ASEAN market and several other countries. Etana at a glance Founded in 2014, Etana is an Indonesian biopharmaceutical company that is researching, producing, and marketing biological therapies for the Southeast Asian market. With a mission to serve patients by providing high quality, affordable, and innovative therapies, the company has built state-of-the-art local production facilities that meet international FDA and the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) standards. The facility is able to produce biological therapy with halal certification from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). Etana aspires to become a leading biopharmaceutical company in the ASEAN region through aggressive expansion in production capacity and product development, with a primary focus on oncology and vaccine products. Etana is led by a local management team who come from various international and domestic educational backgrounds and have strong experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and are supported by a team of international investors and leading biopharmaceutical companies. Etana aims to provide innovative yet affordable therapies through local production, to support Indonesian government programs and larger market demands. Etana is currently a leading biotech company in Indonesia committed to the research and manufacture of monoclonal antibodies, mRNAs and other biological platforms. For more information about Etana, visit www.id.etanabiotech.com. About DEG For more than 60 years, DEG has been financing and advising private enterprises operating in developing and emerging-market countries. With a portfolio of around EUR 9.9 billion we're one of the world's largest private-sector development financiers. As an impact and climate investor we accompany companies that are addressing transformation and aiming to seize their opportunities. Our customers not only receive financing and advisory solutions tailored to their needs: they can build on our market knowledge, our impact and climate expertise and our international network. In this way, we contribute together to creating more skilled jobs and local income and to improving value creation on the ground in line with the SDGs. Learn more: www.deginvest.de About Yunfeng Capital Yunfeng Capital is a leading private equity firm in China. Founded in 2010, Yunfeng Capital is committed to fostering future-ready companies. With a shared vision for building a better future, we work side by side with entrepreneurs to create long-term value. We have formed deep sector expertise and industry insights in our focused sectors, including Biotechnology, Technology, Business Services, Green Energy, Modern Agriculture, and Consumption. We are dedicated to promoting technological innovation and sustainable development to enable and drive industry transformation and upgrade. Over the past 13 years, we have supported growth of over 200 portfolio companies, including industry leaders such as Alibaba Group, Alibaba Health, Cainiao Network, WuXi AppTec, Horizon Robotics, Montage Technology , Abogen, etc. About HighLight Capital HighLight Capital (HLC) is a private investment firm dedicated to creating long-term values through promoting technology innovations. Empowered by our deep knowledge in chemical, biological and material sciences, and leveraging our proprietary industry research and comprehensive enablement services, we strive to invest in companies that boost manufacturing efficiency and improve human wellness. HLC currently manages over US$2.6 billion, with operations across key Asian growth hubs such as Shanghai, Singapore, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Since inception HLC has invested in over 120 leading companies, including Mindray, Wuxi Apptec, Tigermed, Pharmaron, Hongene, Zentalis, Singular, Lepure, United Imaging, Etana, BABO and more. About East Ventures East Ventures is a pioneering and leading sector-agnostic venture capital firm. Founded in 2009, East Ventures has transformed into a holistic platform that provides multi-stage investment, from Seed to Growth stage investments, for over 250 tech companies across Southeast Asia. As an early believer in the startup ecosystem in Indonesia, East Ventures is the first investor of Indonesia's unicorn companies, namely Tokopedia and Traveloka. Other notable companies in East Ventures'portfolio include Ruangguru, SIRCLO, Kudo (acquired by Grab), Loket (acquired by Gojek), Tech in Asia, Xendit, IDN Media, MokaPOS (acquired by Gojek), ShopBack, KoinWorks, Waresix, and Sociolla. East Ventures was named the most consistent top performing VC fund globally by Preqin, and the most active investor in SEA and Indonesia by various media. Moreover, East Ventures is the first venture capital firm in Indonesia to sign the Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI) supported by the United Nations (UN). East Ventures is committed to achieving sustainable development and bringing positive impacts to society through its initiatives and ESG-embedded practices. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/etana-has-secured-financing-from-deg-east-ventures-and-other-global-investors-301775818.html SOURCE PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / Evolution Petroleum (NYSE American:EPM) ("Evolution" or the "Company") today announced that the Company is scheduled to participate in a fireside chat with Water Tower Research on March 23, 2023, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. Kelly Loyd, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mark Bunch, Chief Operating Officer, of Evolution will discuss the Company's total shareholder return framework as well as other topics. Registration for the event is available at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qVyQSMZsQr2EWkgK8yKvsw. About Evolution Petroleum Evolution Petroleum Corporation is an independent energy company focused on maximizing total returns to its shareholders through the ownership of and investment in onshore oil and natural gas properties in the United States. The Company's long-term goal is to maximize total shareholder return from a diversified portfolio of long-life oil and natural gas properties built through acquisition and through selective development opportunities, production enhancement, and other exploitation efforts on its oil and natural gas properties. Properties include non-operated interests in the following areas: the Jonah Field in Sublette County, Wyoming, a natural gas and natural gas liquids producing field; the Williston Basin in North Dakota, a producing oil and natural gas property; the Barnett Shale located in North Texas, a natural gas and natural gas liquids producing property; the Hamilton Dome Field located in Hot Springs County, Wyoming, a secondary oil recovery field utilizing water injection wells to pressurize the reservoir; the Delhi Holt-Bryant Unit in the Delhi Field in Northeast Louisiana, a CO 2 enhanced oil recovery project; as well as small overriding royalty interests in four onshore Texas wells. Additional information, including the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, is available on its website at www.evolutionpetroleum.com. Story continues Company Contacts Kelly Loyd, President & CEO Ryan Stash, SVP & CFO (713) 935-0122 KLoyd@evolutionpetroleum.com RStash@evolutionpetroleum.com SOURCE: Evolution Petroleum Corporation View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/744763/Evolution-Petroleum-to-Participate-in-Water-Tower-Research-Fireside-Chat Call issued on World Oral Health Day, as data shows oral diseases impact nearly half the world's population GENEVA, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- - Picture is available at AP Images ( http://www.apimages.com ) - Today, FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) called on governments and global health bodies to prioritise action against oral diseases, including through integrating oral health at the United Nations (UN) High Level Meeting (HLM) on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) discussions in September. The Meeting will take place in New York and is a key opportunity for countries and stakeholders to assess progress on UHC following the first HLM in 2019 and identify areas for concrete action to provide health for all. Oral diseases are the most prevalent conditions affecting people worldwide, with close to 3.5 billion people suffering from tooth decay, severe gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancer, according to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO). There are nearly one billion more cases of oral diseases than all five major noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, cancers and mental disorders) combined. "Good oral health is a vital part of our daily lives, both in terms of physical health and mental well-being," said Prof. Ihsane Ben Yahya, President of FDI World Dental Federation and Dean of the Dental Faculty at the Mohammed VI University of Health and Sciences in Casablanca, Morocco. "With oral diseases impacting billions of people every year, it is time for governments and global health agencies to draw a line in the sand and act. That means ensuring equitable access to affordable, quality oral healthcare for all, and making oral health central to plans for universal health coverage." Good oral health is critical to breathing, eating, speaking, and smiling. When oral disease is left untreated, it can severely impact a person's health and social prospects. Sufferers are at risk of continued pain and the development of secondary diseases, social isolation, exclusion from the workforce, and reduced educational performance. Story continues Most oral diseases are preventable and treatable with cost-effective interventions. However, many people aren't able to access care for several reasons, including availability and affordability. Nearly 75% of people suffering from oral disease globally live in low- and middle-income countries, where the cost of oral healthcare can often be catastrophic for a family. In recent years, there has been increasing action against oral diseases at the global level. In 2021, countries supported a ground-breaking WHO resolution on oral health, and this year, the 76th session of the World Health Assembly will adopt the Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023-2030), which calls on governments to ensure that "80% of the global population is entitled to essential oral healthcare services." This would be achieved through, among other measures, countries prioritizing the integration of oral health into their national health services and ensuring there are enough trained dental health professionals. "We welcome the growing momentum on oral health, including the upcoming adoption of the Global Oral Health Action Plan, which aligns with FDI's Vision 2030 to Delivering Optimal Oral Health For All. It is now vital that this momentum is converted into tangible action against oral disease so that the people most affected can enjoy a lifetime of smiles," said Prof. Ihsane Ben Yahya. World Oral Health Day is a great opportunity for oral health professionals, policymakers, academics and the broader global community to promote the importance of positive attitudes towards oral healthcare. To celebrate this day, FDI urges people all around the world to take part in its #MouthProud challenge and inspire others to take care of their mouths for a healthy smile and a healthy life. Media contact: Michael Kessler Media Relations, FDI Mob: + 34 655 792 699 Email: michael.kessler@intoon-media.com About FDI World Dental Federation FDI World Dental Federation serves as the principal representative body for over 1 million dentists worldwide. Its membership includes some 200 national dental associations and specialist groups in over 130 countries. FDI has the vision of leading the world to optimal oral health. SOURCE FDI World Dental Federation By Pete Schroeder WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A subsidiary of New York Community Bancorp has entered into an agreement with U.S. regulators to buy deposits and loans from New York-based Signature Bank, which was closed a week ago. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) said the deal would see the subsidiary, Flagstar Bank, assume substantially all of Signature Bank's deposits, some of its loan portfolios and all 40 of its former branches. Roughly $60 billion of Signature Bank's loans and $4 billion of its deposits would remain with it in receivership, the agency said. The Sunday announcement addresses one of two failed banks the FDIC is holding under receivership. The statement did not refer to the other, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a much larger bank that regulators took over two days before Signature. Signature had $110.36 billion in assets, whereas SVB had $209 billion. Reuters reported earlier on Sunday that the FDIC would relaunch its auction for SVB's assets after failing to attract buyers for the whole bank. Under the arrangement for Signature Bank assets, Flagstar will buy $12.9 billion of loans at a discount of $2.7 billion. The FDIC estimated the deal would cost its Deposit Insurance Fund approximately $2.5 billion. The agency previously reported that the fund had held $128.2 billion at the end of 2022. (Reporting by Pete Schroeder; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Bradley Perrett) PHILADELPHIA, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FMC Corporation Logo. (PRNewsFoto/FMC Corporation) FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) today announced that it will host an investor day on Thursday, November 16, 2023, where it will introduce the company's new long-range strategic growth plan. The event will take place at the FMC corporate headquarters in Philadelphia. Mark Douglas, president and CEO; Andrew Sandifer, executive vice president and CFO; and other senior executives will discuss critical elements of the new strategic plan, including updated long-term financial targets, a review of the company's R&D pipeline and a discussion about FMC's newest synthetic and biological product portfolios. The event also will include an interactive segment showcasing key aspects of the company's growth strategy, including commercial priorities, technology and innovation, digital and precision agriculture, and sustainability. Additional topics, speakers and event details will be provided later this year. Advance registration is required and institutional investors and analysts are requested to confirm interest in attending at https://investors.fmc.com/events-and-presentations. About FMC FMC Corporation is a global agricultural sciences company dedicated to helping growers produce food, feed, fiber and fuel for an expanding world population while adapting to a changing environment. FMC's innovative crop protection solutions including biologicals, crop nutrition, digital and precision agriculture enable growers, crop advisers and turf and pest management professionals to address their toughest challenges economically while protecting the environment. With approximately 6,600 employees at more than 100 sites worldwide, FMC is committed to discovering new herbicide, insecticide and fungicide active ingredients, product formulations and pioneering technologies that are consistently better for the planet. Visit fmc.com to learn more and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Story continues By expressing an interest in the FMC Investor Day 2023 event, you agree that FMC may collect and disclose the personal data that you submit to co-organizers, including third parties, of the event as reasonably necessary, for the management and organization of the event. Statement under the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains statements that are "forward-looking" and provide other than historical information. FMC has identified forward-looking statements by such words or phrases as "will likely result," "is confident that," "expect," "expects," "should," "could," "may," "will continue to," "believe," "believes," "anticipates," "targets" "intends" or similar expressions identifying "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the negative of those words and phrases. Such forward-looking statements, which are based on management's current views and assumptions regarding future events, future business conditions and the outlook for the company based on currently available information. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. These factors include, among other things, the risk factors and other cautionary statements included within FMC's 2022 Form 10-K filed with the SEC as well as other SEC filings and public communications. FMC cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the above cautionary statement. FMC undertakes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any duty, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which they were made, except as otherwise required by law. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fmc-corporation-to-introduce-new-strategic-growth-plan-at-investor-day-on-november-16-301776527.html SOURCE FMC Corporation MarketsandMarkets Research Pvt. Ltd. Chicago, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of Americas best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report released on 15th March 2023. Forbes listed 199 global consulting firms, of which only 4 are of Indian origin. MarketsandMarkets leverages a culture of Give Growth through a unique man-machine approach for progressive B2B firms. As a part of its growth program, MarketsandMarkets helps its clients monetize the $25 Trillion revenue shift happening in this decade. Sandeep Sugla, Founder, CEO & Chairman of MarketsandMarkets, stated, Its a joyous moment for all of us at MarketsandMarkets! The exemplary work of each employee and the entire culture of GIVE GROWTH has resulted in us transforming into a management consulting firm, solving growth problems for global businesses leveraging a unique man-machine model a model that delivers growth programs to executives responsible for driving growth not just the boardroom. This recognition is a testament of our customers faith in us and the value that we create in their overall growth journey. Forbes partnered with market research company, Statista, to create the list of Americas Best Management Consulting Firms that are optimally positioned to help businesses tackle the known and unforeseeable challenges in 2023. The list relies on surveys of partners and executives of management consulting companies and their clients. Companies were evaluated within different consulting sectors (such as automotive, insurance, and healthcare) and the expertise in which they offer services (including leadership, sustainability, and legal and litigation). To know more, visit: www.marketsandmarkets.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , YouTube CONTACT: About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com CRANSTON In the annals of great returns, Steve Laffeys billed return to Rhode Island on Friday might not have been on par with General MacArthur's return to the Philippines or Napoleon's return to Paris (however brief). But a step toward history? Laffey hopes so. The former Cranston mayor and Colorado resident since 2010 came back to the Ocean State for the first time since announcing last month his Republican bid for the presidency. Prior to a lunchtime town hall meeting with about 40 people at the Chapel Grille, he acknowledged that while hes at zero in any poll rankings at the moment, if he can get to just 1%, the world will change, he declared. Because then it will be 3%, then seven," he said. "People will start paying attention. Former Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey returned to Rhode Island on Friday to drum up support for his run for president. Where is Steve Laffey living now? Still the political renegade known for blunt talk and carrying his own bag of fixes for just about any problem, Laffey, 61, is living in a rented condo in Merrimack, New Hampshire, at the moment, trying to get on the radar of Republican Granite Staters who will be voting in their primary. Hes up against it already: New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu is said to be weighing a run for the Republican nomination, too, so getting political traction has been a bit challenging, his spokesman said. Why Laffey believes he's a good candidate for president Laffey is hoping if he can just get on a debate stage with other candidates and start talking about his solutions for the nations looming financial crises many of which will be radical," hard and disliked, such as retooling Social Security, he said hell gain momentum. Does anyone really know what the Federal Reserve does who is running for president except for me? Does anybody have a clue? I mean, Im a finance expert. Laffey said the next president needs to be just that, because the nations astronomical debt and its foundering Social Security system have the country already on the threshold of a cycle of death. Story continues Hes uniquely positioned for the job, he told those assembled Friday: a Harvard Business School graduate and the former president of Morgan Keegan & Company, a Tennessee-based financial company; the successful mayor between 2003 to 2007 who took Cranston, with the lowest bond rating in the United States, and engineered the fastest fiscal turnaround in American history. " 'You should have kept your mouth shut': Inside an alleged health care fraud brought down by FBI Who else is running for the Republican nomination? Three other Republicans have announced they are running: former President Donald Trump; Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and former governor of South Carolina; and Vivek Ramaswamy, a former tech and finance executive living in Ohio. What Laffey thinks are the big issues facing the next president Laffey fielded a wide range of questions Friday, including questions about Trump, American public education, drug costs and his impressions of Rhode Island on his return. Laffey said his fellow Republicans dont want to talk about how Trump overspent the nations budget by $8 trillion in four years about what President Barack Obama, a Democrat, overspent in eight years. Neither party, he said, is addressing the deficit. On public education, he said the current system in America cant be fixed. "It needs to end," he said, and get every kid out. Instead, the government should take the money it spends on each child and send the checks to the parents and let them decide, he said. Perhaps its private school, or home schooling, but anything is better, than the current system. On drug costs: Why does Pfizer charge Germany half what they charge us for medicines. Because we allow them. I know a lot about health care, he said, noting that one of his six children is a cancer survivor. And Rhode Island? What does he think of his home state? The roads are in terrible shape, he said. None of this happens in Colorado. Im sorry, this is a dying industrial state. It's the most wonderful people. I miss everyone greatly. But the place is falling apart still. Contact Tom Mooney at: tmooney@providencejournal.com. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Steve Laffey says he has answers to America's pressing problems At the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will visit China from March 22 to 25. Sky News: In the last few days, the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for President Putin. Hes also been videoed walking around Mariupol where theres evidence of war crimes having been committed by his troops. China would say its against things like illegal invasion and war crimes. So how can it justify the visit of President Xi going ahead this week? Wang Wenbin: Our position has always been that dialogue and negotiation provides the fundamental way out for the Ukraine crisis, and that the international community needs to play a constructive role in peacefully resolving the Ukraine crisis, and do more in ways that are conducive to talks for peace, deescalation and mediation efforts. The ICC needs to take an objective and just position, respect the jurisdictional immunity of a head of state under international law, prudently exercise its mandate in accordance with the law, interpret and apply international law in good faith, and not engage in politicization or use double standards. As for President Xi Jinpings state visit to Russia, we shared information with you last week. I want to reiterate that President Xis visit is a trip for friendship, a trip for cooperation and a trip for peace. President Xi Jinping will have an in-depth exchange of views with President Putin on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of mutual interest, jointly promote strategic coordination and practical cooperation between the two countries and provide new impetus for the growth of bilateral relations. The two sides will, on the basis of the principles of no-alliance, no-confrontation and no-targeting at any third party, practice true multilateralism, work for greater democracy in international relations, build a multi-polar world, improve global governance and contribute to the development and progress of the world. China will uphold an objective and fair position on the Ukraine crisis and play a constructive role in promoting talks for peace. Peoples Daily: The just-concluded two sessions have drawn widespread attention from the international community. Its a widely shared view that the two sessions provide an important window into Chinas model of democracy, which shows that whole-process peoples democracy under the leadership of the Communist Party of China has broad and firm support from the people and that China has found a successful path to democracy that suits Chinas realities. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: The system of peoples congresses is an important system aimed to realize whole-process peoples democracy in China. The Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is an important form for developing socialist democracy and practicing whole-process peoples democracy in Chinas political life. The two sessions are a concrete practice of whole-process peoples democracy. Whole-process peoples democracy is reflected not only in the complete system design, but also in the functioning and good effect of the system. It is a model of democracy that covers all aspects of the democratic process and all sectors of society. It is a true democracy that works. Whole-process peoples democracy runs through each and every link of the two sessions, including elections, consultations, decision-making, management, and oversight. Deputies of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) and members of the CPPCC from different regions, industries, sectors and with different ethnic backgrounds gathered together to discuss national policies and plans, which fully reflects the will of the people. At the two sessions this year, new leaders of state institutions and the National Committee of the CPPCC were elected and appointed. In particular, Comrade Xi Jinping was unanimously reelected President of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the PRC, which reflects the common will of all NPC deputies and the shared aspiration of Chinese people from all ethnic groups. Through fact-finding trips, conversations and other means, they got a deep understanding of what the people want, and reflected it in their motions, suggestions and proposals. Surveys show that the issues that the public cared most about during the two sessions were education and human resources, social security, fighting corruption, rural revitalization, the employment-first policy and medical care and health. These are also high priorities for the NPC deputies and CPPCC members and in the government report. In the past five years, the Chinese government adopted more than 18,000 suggestions and proposals from national lawmakers and political advisors, and subsequently introduced more than 7,800 policy measures, which boosted solutions to a large number of problems related to reform and development, as well as peoples urgent needs. Chinas whole-process peoples democracy is widely commended in the world. Sommad Pholsena, Vice President of the Lao National Assembly, noted that the achievements in Chinas socioeconomic development would not have been possible without whole-process peoples democracy under the CPCs leadership, and Chinas democracy is aimed to bring tangible benefits to the Chinese people. Chairman of the Kuhn Foundation Robert Lawrence Kuhn noted that Chinas democracy is no verbal mirage, and it is practiced to ensure that development is for the people and by the people and that its fruits are shared by the people. Columnist Iara Vidal of the Brazilian magazine Revista Forum, after analyzing and comparing data related to the topics the Chinese and US legislatures focus on respectively, has come to the conclusion that lawmakers in Washington are preoccupied with dealing with issues of individualism, but Chinese NPC deputies in Beijing discuss issues that affect peoples daily life, such as development, the economy and democratic consultation. Many international observers noted that the successful model of Chinas whole-process peoples democracy provides useful experience for other countries in the world, especially developing countries. According to a survey conducted by a well-known international institution in China, more than 90 percent of respondents are satisfied with their government for years running. This is the most telling evidence of the strong vitality in Chinas democracy. Facts have proven that Chinas democracy truly works. It enables the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, or nearly one-fifth of the worlds population, to truly become masters of their country and enjoy extensive rights and freedoms, blazing a new trail for humanitys cause of democracy. We will continue to forge ahead steadfastly along this path of whole-process peoples democracy. Yonhap News Agency: The ROK-China-Japan Trilateral Summit Meeting hasnt been held for three years since 2019. What is Chinas position on resuming the summit this year? Wang Wenbin: China, Japan and the ROK are close neighbors and important development partners for each other. China-Japan-ROK cooperation serves the common interests of the three parties and meets the expectations of countries in the region. China has always taken an active part in the cooperation between the three countries. We support the proposal by the ROK, chair of the China-Japan-ROK cooperation, on hosting the trilateral summit meeting and would like to maintain communication and coordination with the ROK and Japan on this proposal. The three countries need to work together to ensure stable and sustained development of the trilateral cooperation and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region. Xinhua News Agency: Could you share more on New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahutas visit to China that was just announced? Wang Wenbin: China and New Zealand are each others important cooperation partners. The year 2022 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Over the past half century or so, bilateral ties have enjoyed sound and steady growth, creating many firsts, delivering benefits to both peoples through cooperation in various fields, and making important contribution to regional peace, stability and prosperity. During Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahutas visit to China, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang will hold talks with her for a comprehensive, in-depth exchange of views on China-New Zealand relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. We hope this visit will be an opportunity for both sides to deliver on our leaders important common understandings, enhance communication, mutual trust and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, mutual benefit and seeking common ground while shelving differences, further enrich our comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, enable the relationship to achieve even more in the next 50 years, and deliver more benefits to both countries and peoples. Global Times: Recently, UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures Alena Douhan expressed her concerns in a statement, noting that the USs unilateral coercive measures like prohibiting entry into the US and freezing any assets with a US connection violate basic human rights of individuals and entities concerned including labor rights and freedom of movement. These measures may be incompatible with international human rights standards, she added. At the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council, Special Rapporteur on the right to food Michael Fakhri said that some countries today would only focus on unilateral coercive measures, which almost always resulted in human rights violations and weakened the ability of countries hit by those measures to respond to food crises. Whats Chinas comment? Wang Wenbin: The concerns voiced by the UN special rapporteurs on unilateral coercive measures and the right to food call for attention from the international community. The US and some other Western countries claim to be beacons of human rights, but they have been imposing unilateral sanctions in the name of human rights and gravely violating other countries human rights. Relevant sanctions disrupt international economic, trade and sci-tech cooperation, threaten global food, energy and financial security, plunge the sanctioned countries into economic, social and livelihood difficulties, and even cause humanitarian crises. When countries were confronting ravaging COVID and natural disasters like powerful earthquakes, the US and some Western countries still refuse to remove unilateral sanctions. According to statistics, economic, financial and trade blockade the US has imposed on Cuba for over 60 years has cost Cuba over $154.2 billion. During the height of the pandemic in Iran, US unilateral sanctions, depriving the people of healthcare resources, could have caused up to 13,000 deaths. The US and some other Western countries must take responsibility and be held accountable for the systemic violation of human rights resulting from their unilateral sanctions. The abuse of unilateral sanctions stems from power politics and the law of the jungle. It gravely violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the basic principle in international law of sovereign equality, and the basic norm governing international relations of non-interference in internal affairs. Rejecting unilateral sanctions is a longstanding and consistent appeal of the international community. Multilateral human rights institutions need to prioritize issues related to unilateral sanctions and take them seriously. We urge the US and other Western countries to face up to the call for justice in the world, immediately remove unilateral sanctions, respect other countries human rights and respect the international rule of law. Bloomberg: The World Health Organization has called on China to fully share genetic data that may help discern the origins of COVID-19 after this data appeared briefly on the GISAID international database and then disappeared. Will China share this data? Wang Wenbin: As to your questions about the specifics, I would refer you to the competent authorities. Let me share with you Chinas consistent position on origins-tracing again. We have supported and participated in global cooperation on science-based origins-tracing from the very beginning. We have invited WHO experts to China for origins-tracing cooperation several times and relevant agencies and experts have shared data and research findings with the WHO, making important contributions to science-based global origins-tracing. China will continue to support and participate in global cooperation on science-based origins-tracing. In the meantime, the international science community has provided clues that point possible COVID origins to various parts of the world. We also hope that the WHO and countries concerned will share with China and the world the research findings of origins-tracing concerning other parts of the world in a timely manner. Reuters: Ma Yingjiu, former leader of the Taiwan region, plans to visit central China from March 27 to April 7. His trip is mostly about student exchanges and tomb sweeping, but he is also open to meeting the leaders of the mainland. Would senior officials be open to meeting Ma? Wang Wenbin: I have noted that the spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council has made a statement. You may refer to that. CCTV: According to reports, the US is adding diplomatic pressure on Honduras right after President Xiomara Castro expressed readiness to establish diplomatic ties with China and is persuading Honduras to change its mind before signing a formal agreement. Whats Chinas comment? Wang Wenbin: The fact that 181 countries in the world have established diplomatic ties with China on the basis of the one-China principle fully shows that having diplomatic ties with China is the right choice that accords with the trend of history and our times. China welcomes the positive statement by the Honduran government on developing relations with China, and stands ready to establish and grow bilateral relations on the basis of equality and mutual respect. In recent years, China has established or resumed diplomatic ties with Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. The positive progress of bilateral practical cooperation has delivered huge benefits to the people of these countries. Every sovereign state has the right to independently choose to develop diplomatic relations with another sovereign country. Other countries have no right to interfere in that. If what has been reported about US diplomatic pressure on Honduras is true, then the US statement that Countries have to make their own sovereign decisions about their foreign policies will be nothing but empty talk. The US itself established diplomatic ties with China more than 40 years ago on the basis of recognizing the one-China principle. What right or justification does the US have for denying and jeopardizing other countries right to establish and grow relations with China? The US needs to abandon the outdated Monroe doctrine, truly respect countries right to independently make their foreign policies, and stop interfering in the sovereign affairs of relevant countries. The Paper: According to reports, China delivered a joint statement on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on behalf of a group of countries at the 52nd session of the Human Right Council. Could you offer more on that? Wang Wenbin: China delivered a joint statement on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on behalf of over 70 countries at the 52nd session of the Human Right Council. It highlighted the notable progress made by the international community through continuous efforts towards attaining the lofty goals set out in the Declaration adopted 75 years ago while acknowledging the complex and daunting challenges ahead. It put forward a four-point proposal on further implementing the Declaration. First, economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development are as important as civil and political rights and should therefore be accorded equal emphasis and advanced in a balanced manner. Second, in promoting the right to development, it is important to take a people-centered approach, protect the rights of vulnerable groups, combat all forms of discrimination, lift unilateral coercive measures, and effectively tackle inequality. Third, given the varying history, culture, social system, and socioeconomic development level of different countries, the principle of universality of human rights needs to be married with specific national realities and the human rights development path independently chosen by any country should be respected. Fourth, all parties need to work on building consensus and accumulating mutual trust, reject confrontation and division, and avoid politicizing or instrumentalizing human rights so as to jointly advance the global human rights cause and inject fresh impetus into efforts to implement the Declaration. As global issues keep popping up, the international human rights cause faces severe challenges. The joint statement is of positive significance for global efforts to better promote and protect human rights and enhance and improve global human rights governance. It reflects the strong aspiration of the international community, especially the vast developing world. China stands ready to join hands with all sides to uphold the common values of humanity featuring peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, engage in human rights exchange and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect, and actively participate in global human rights governance so as to promote the all-round development of the human rights cause and build a community with a shared future for mankind. AFP: Nine Chinese workers were killed in an attack in the Central African Republic. Do you have more details on this? Wang Wenbin: On March 19 Beijing time, an armed attack on a Chinese private company in the Central African Republic killed nine and severely injured two others all Chinese nationals. General Secretary Xi Jinping has given it his full attention and personally instructed that every effort be made to save the lives of the injured, make timely and proper arrangements for dealing with the aftermath of the attack, make sure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and ensure the safety of Chinese nationals. The Foreign Ministry sprang to action upon General Secretary Xis instruction. We immediately activated the consular emergency response mechanism and put teams on duty around the clock. A diplomatic representation has been made to the Embassy of the Central African Republic in China. Our ambassador to the Central African Republic has raised the incident with the Central African Republic side, urging them to act. A working group from the embassy has rushed to the site to coordinate the response to the attack. Some countries in Africa and elsewhere are currently facing high security risks. The entire Central African Republic, with the exception of its capital Bangui, is rated red (meaning extremely high) in terms of security risks. Over the past few months, the foreign ministry has issued several security alerts and urged Chinese nationals and companies to leave high-risk areas as quickly as possible and keep themselves safe. Once again, we strongly urge our fellow Chinese who are currently abroad to make sure to stay informed of the latest security alerts from the foreign ministry and take these alerts very seriously, and stop visiting high-risk areas. Those who are already in those areas need to leave at once. The foreign ministry will continue to work closely with other government agencies concerned and subnational governments to do everything possible to protect the safety and security of Chinese nationals and companies in Africa, including directing our embassies and consulates overseas to take further effective steps in this regard. CCTV: According to reports, US government sources said on March 17 that the US has confirmed that rounds of Chinese ammunition have been used in battlefields in Ukraine and suspects they were fired by Russian forces. Whether the ammunition was supplied by China remains unclear, the sources said, while adding Washington is poised to take action if it is verified Beijing made the shipments. The US has notified some of its partners about the confirmation. Whats Chinas comment? Wang Wenbin: China has held an objective and just position on the Ukraine issue. Everything we have done boils down to supporting talks for peace. We always stand on the side of peace and dialogue and on the right side of history. We will continue to play a constructive part in facilitating a political settlement of the crisis. As to the comments from sources within the US government, I need to stress that it is the US, not China, that has been sending weapons to the battlefields in Ukraine. The US needs to stop fueling the fight with more weaponry and fanning the flame, stop pointing fingers at other countries or seeking to coerce and intimidate them, and play a constructive role in the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, rather than the opposite. CRI: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) recently held a ministerial meeting in Nouakchott, the capital city of Mauritania. The meeting spoke highly of the progress in China-OIC cooperation in recent years and the major outcomes in Saudi Arabia-Iran talks in Beijing. Whats your comment? Wang Wenbin: The 49th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers adopted text that spoke positively about China. It recognized the good progress of OIC-China cooperation and said that the OIC looked forward to further cooperation with China. We deeply appreciate this. The meeting also particularly welcomed the normalization of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran which was achieved with Chinas support. This fully shows that solidarity and friendship among Islamic countries is a common aspiration that they and China share. China and the Islamic world enjoy traditional friendship. The two sides firmly support each other in defending core interests and have engaged in fruitful Belt and Road cooperation. China will continue to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative with Islamic countries and jointly promote world peace, stability and sustainable development. The OIC is the symbol of solidarity of Islamic countries. China will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with the OIC, help the member states enhance their capacity building in public health and other areas of development, and work toward new progress in bilateral relations. Anadolu Agency: Earlier this month, we have witnessed China acting as a mediator in agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia. As President Xi starts a state visit today to Russia, can we expect a similar role, for example, like dealing a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine? Wang Wenbin: On this question, we have made Chinas position clear on multiple occasions. China always stands on the side of peace and dialogue. We will continue to play a constructive part in the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. China Daily: A Chinese foreign ministry official is said to be traveling to the Philippines for bilateral consultation soon. Could you confirm this and perhaps share more information? Wang Wenbin: From March 22 to 24, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong will travel to the Philippines to co-chair with Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Theresa P. Lazaro the 23rd China-Philippines diplomatic consultation and the seventh meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea. This will be the first face-to-face bilateral consultation between the foreign ministries since COVID-19 began. The two sides will compare notes on implementing our presidents important common understandings reached during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s January visit to China and on advancing cooperation in priority areas. The two sides will also have in-depth communication on properly handling maritime disputes and advancing practical maritime cooperation, and exchange views on international and regional issues of shared interest. We hope and believe that this round of consultation will help enhance mutual understanding and trust and bring about closer communication and coordination between the two sides, and galvanize joint efforts for the sound and steady growth of bilateral ties. Shenzhen TV: Twenty years ago today, the US waged the war on Iraq on the ground that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). The war killed more than 200,000 civilians and displaced more than nine million. But facts later proved that Iraqs possession of WMDs was a false allegation. How do you see the lessons of the Iraq War? How should the international community prevent such incidents from happening again? Wang Wenbin: The US decision to wage the Iraq War was based on a lie. The war wreaked havoc on Iraq and the Middle East, and had a devastating impact on world peace and stability. The lessons are profound, which warrant deep reflection by the US and vigilance from the entire world. Hegemonism must be firmly rejected. The Iraq War was provoked by the US entirely to serve its geopolitical agenda, costing the region and the whole world dearly and fully revealing the truth and enormous perils of US hegemony. Countries need to jointly say no to hegemonism by taking firmer and stronger action against it, to make sure that never again will a countrys sovereignty be violated on the ground of baseless lies and allegations, and never again will any country be bullied and denied its right to development. The international rule of law must be firmly defended. The US waged the war against a sovereign state without the mandate of the UN Security Council, undermining the UN-centered international system and blatantly trampling on the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Facts have proven that the rules-based international order, which bypasses the UN and international law, is just another way of sugarcoating the might-is-right approach and the law of the jungle. Only by keeping the UN firmly at the center of the international system and upholding the basic norms governing international relations can we end the frequent occurrence of the strong bullying the weak and the big bullying the small. The right of all countries to independently explore their democratic institutions and development paths must be earnestly respected. Facts have proven time and again that a countrys democratic institution and development path cannot be imposed externally, but explored and developed by the countrys own people. Peddling ones own model of democracy in the name of democracy is in itself undemocratic. It is concerning that the US clearly has not learned the lessons of the Iraq War, for it has since gone into the conflicts in Syria and Libya and continued to peddle US model of democracy across the world. There is reason to ask: who will pay for US hegemony in the next 20 years? Reuters: New Zealands foreign minister has said that she plans to raise security concerns, such as the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine with State Councilor Qin Gang. How does China plan to address her concerns about Ukraine? Wang Wenbin: On the Ukraine issue, we always stand on the side of peace and dialogue. Our position boils down to promoting talks for peace. We always believe that political dialogue is the only way to resolve conflicts and disputes. Fanning the flames, fueling the fight, unilateral sanctions and maximum pressure would only escalate tensions and make matters worse. This does not meet the interest and the expectation of the vast majority of countries in the world. China will uphold an objective and just position on the Ukraine crisis and other international and regional hotspot issues, and continue to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis. FILE PHOTO: A view shows the Tesla logo on the hood of a car in Oslo (Reuters) -A former director of Tesla Inc's Australian unit was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment and will be released immediately on the condition of "good behaviour", Australia's corporate watchdog said on Tuesday. The sentence follows the former director's guilty pleas to two insider trading offences tied to a supply deal the electric-car maker signed with Piedmont Lithium Inc in 2020, according to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). ASIC said Kurt Schlosser purchased 86,478 shares in U.S.-based Piedmont in two transactions after being informed of details of a five-year spodumene concentrate supply agreement. Schlosser sold the shares for a realised profit of $28,883.53 after the agreement became public, according to the watchdog. The regulator added that Schlosser communicated information to a friend "in circumstances where it was likely" that the person would acquire Piedmont shares. Last November, Schlosser pled guilty at a court in Sydney. "We do not comment on the legal proceedings of individuals or other companies," Piedmont said, while Tesla did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. (Reporting by Upasana Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta) BEIJING, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 19, 2023, Mr Zheng Dai, founder of WeTrade Group Inc. ("WeTrade" or the "Company", NASDAQ: WETG), was invited to meet and exchange views with the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to China, and participated in the traditional Uzbek Spring Festival, the Navruz Festival, at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in China. Thereafter, Mr. Zheng Dai and other invitees from similar industry background also held friendly business discussions with the business counselor of Uzbekistan in China. The participants reached a preliminary consensus on the future cooperation in the tourism and cultural industries between the two countries, as well as the development of new energy industry investment and other related businesses. Mr Zheng Dai, the founder of WeTrade commented: "Since the emergence of global climate change and the urgent need of clean and low-carbon energy transformation, both China and Central Asian countries are facing the challenges arising out of various green, low-carbon, and sustainable development initiatives. The next decade is a critical period for the world to accelerate the transformation to clean energy. WeTrade's new energy business segment, YG, and its products from a green energy plant, Green Planet Renren Power Plant, can potentially help Central Asia solve the energy gap and achieve carbon neutrality by integrating advanced new energy industry technologies and products at home and abroad. This project fully meets the development needs of China and Central Asian countries in the new energy industry. We are expected to solidify cooperation plans with Uzbekistan and implement the project as our next goal." About WeTrade Group Inc. WeTrade Group Inc. is a global diversified "software as a service" ("SaaS") technology service provider which is committed to providing technical support and digital transformation tools for enterprises across different industries. The four business segments of WeTrade Group are YCloud, WTPay,Y-Health and YG. Story continues YCloud is a micro-business cloud intelligent system launched by WeTrade, serving global micro-business industry. YCloud strengthens users' marketing relationship and CPS commission profit management through leading technology and big data analysis. It also helps increase the payment scenarios to increase customers' revenue by multi-channel data statistics, AI fission and management as well as improved supply chain system. Independently developed by the Company, WTPay supports multiple methods of online payment and eight mainstream digital wallets in over 100 countries to help customers quickly realize global collection and payment business. Y-Health is the sector focusing on public health business, which engages in developing global business for biological health and medical enterprises. Currently, Y-Health mainly focuses on detection and prevention of epidemic, daily healthcare, traditional Chinese medicines, and others. YG is the new energy business segment which mainly provides tools and technical support for the digital new energy industry in the Middle East and Central Asia. For more information, please visit https://ir.wetg.group. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains information about the Company's view of its future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from historical results or those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with its ability to raise additional funding, its ability to maintain and grow its business, variability of operating results, its ability to maintain and enhance its brand, its development and introduction of new products and services, the successful integration of acquired companies, technologies and assets into its portfolio of products and services, marketing and other business development initiatives, competition in the industry, general government regulation, economic conditions, dependence on key personnel, the ability to attract, hire and retain personnel who possess the technical skills and experience necessary to meet the requirements of its clients, and its ability to protect its intellectual property. The Company's encourages you to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company's annual reports and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-founder-of-wetrade-attended-the-navruz-festival-at-the-embassy-of-uzbekistan-of-china-to-discuss-cooperation-opportunities-301775964.html SOURCE WeTrade Group INC CALGARY, AB, March 20, 2023 /CNW/ - Glacier, Canada's leading youth marketing agency, is thrilled to announce that it has been acquired by NextGrad , the leading provider of digital advertising displays in US high schools. This strategic acquisition is a significant step forward in both Glacier and NextGrad's missions to provide high school students across the US and Canada with information about higher education options. Glacier and NextGrad Company Logo (CNW Group/Glacier) With the acquisition, Glacier will be able to offer a wider range of services and products to universities and colleges across North America. Both Glacier and NextGrad's clients will continue to receive the same exceptional service they have come to expect, but with even more options at their disposal. "Glacier was founded with the goal of putting youth empowerment at the center of our focus. By uniting with a visionary company like NextGrad, we are furthering our mission" said John Reid, Glacier's President. "NextGrad's expertise and unique service, combined with Glacier's industry-leading experience, will enable us and our clients to bring more youth empowerment to the world, every day." "We are thrilled to have Glacier join the NextGrad family," said Michael Margolies, CEO of NextGrad. "Our two companies share a common mission to provide high school students with information about higher education options. We aim to empower students to continue their learning path into higher education and choose the right course and institution for them. This acquisition will enable us to provide even more value to our clients with the expansion plus offering more services via Glacier." About Glacier: Glacier is Canada's largest youth marketing agency, and helps universities and colleges with achieving their enrollment goals. Glacier has partnerships with over 600 high schools in Canada and 1,000 in the US for high school advertising, as well as offering digital services to clients such as programmatic and social media advertising. Story continues About NextGrad: NextGrad's goal is to introduce high school students to new schools, programs and opportunities that they might not have considered or even known existed. NextGrad achieves this by having a network of digital screens in over 200 high schools, currently in the US. SOURCE Glacier Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2023/20/c5710.html AstuteAnalytica India Pvt. Ltd. [224+ Pages Research Study] Astute Analytica has published a new research report titled Global Absorbable Heart Stent Market: By Material (Metallic Stents, Polymer Stents); Absorption Rate (Slow absorption rate, Fast absorption rate); Application (Coronary Artery Disease, Peripheral Artery Disease); End User (Hospitals & Clinics, Cardiovascular Centers, Research Institutes & Organizations, Others); and Region Market Size, Industry Dynamics, Opportunity Analysis; Segment Forecast, 2023-2031 in its research database. New Delhi, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Absorbable Heart Stent Market was valued at US$ 307.1 million in 2022 and is estimated to reach a valuation of US$ 822.7 million by 2031 at a CAGR of 12.02% over the forecast period, 20232031. Rising prevalence of coronary artery disease, increasing adoption of minimally invasive procedures, and growing aging population are some of the factors driving the demand for absorbable heart stent market. Medtronic and Abbott Laboratories held the highest market share, which were followed by Boston Scientific Corporation and Elixir Medical Corporation. The production of absorbable heart stents involves the use of biodegradable materials such as polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). These materials are chosen for their biocompatibility and ability to be absorbed by the body over time. Get Free sample copy of this report @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/absorbable-heart-stent-market According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally. In 2021, an estimated 18 million people died from CVD, representing 32% of all global deaths. The mortality rate from CVD varies by country and region, but it is generally higher in low- and middle-income countries. In 2021, the age-standardized death rate from CVD was 272 per 100,000 individuals globally. Story continues Minimum to No Complications Associated with Biodegradable Polymers Boosted Product Demand in Global Absorbable Heart Stent Market Biodegradable polymeric heart stents have emerged as a revolutionary alternative to traditional metal stents for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In 2022, over 43 million units of these stents were sold around the globe and the demand for these stents has been on the rise. The supply and production of biodegradable polymeric heart stents are also increasing rapidly. Many medical device companies are investing in the development and production of these stents, and as the technology advances, the manufacturing costs are expected to decrease, making them more affordable and accessible for patients. The acceptance of these stents has also been growing among patients and healthcare providers as biodegradable stents reduce the risk of complications associated with metal stents, such as restenosis and thrombosis, and also eliminate the need for long-term antiplatelet therapy. Moreover, they have been shown to promote natural healing and tissue regeneration, which can result in better patient outcomes in the absorbable heart stent market. Surgeon preferences for biodegradable stents are also increasing. Many surgeons prefer them over traditional metal stents because they allow for better vessel healing and provide a more natural artery structure over time, reducing the risk of complications. Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.astuteanalytica.com/industry-report/absorbable-heart-stent-market More than 68.3 Million Units Absorbable Heart Stents Were Sold Globally in 2022 Patients are increasingly seeking minimally invasive treatment options that offer faster recovery times and fewer complications. Absorbable heart stents provide an alternative to traditional stents that require long-term medication use and can cause complications such as blood clots. The United States is the leading consumer in the global absorbable heart stent market, with a market share of approximately 25%. Europe and Asia Pacific follow in second and third place, respectively. The number of people needing a heart stent varies by country and region, but it is estimated that over 68.3 million units were sold worldwide to heart disease. The penetration of absorbable heart stents is also growing, but they are not yet widely used. Absorbable stents are designed to dissolve over time, reducing the risk of long-term complications. However, they are more expensive than traditional metal stents and require specialized training to implant. As of 2021, the penetration of absorbable stents in the global coronary stent market was estimated to be less than 10%. To tap into rapidly expanding absorbable heart stent market, most of the key players are investing in research and development to introduce innovative stents that are more effective, safer, and have better patient outcomes. For example, Abbott Laboratories has launched the world's first fully dissolving heart stent called Absorb, which is made of a material that dissolves within three years of implantation. In addition to this, some of the key players are partnering with other companies or organizations to expand their reach and improve their product offerings. For instance, Boston Scientific has partnered with the American Heart Association to raise awareness about heart disease and promote the use of innovative treatment options such as absorbable heart stents. Current FDA Approved Products and Pipeline in Absorbable Heart Stent Market Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS), developed by medical technology company Abbott Laboratories. The stent is made of a bioabsorbable polymer that dissolves over time, allowing the artery to return to its natural state. The Absorb BVS received FDA approval in 2016 but was later voluntarily recalled by Abbott due to safety concerns. Abbott is currently working on an improved version of the stent. Another absorbable stent is the Magnesium Absorbable Scaffold (Magmaris) developed by medical device company Biotronik. The Magmaris stent is made of a magnesium alloy that is designed to dissolve over time, allowing the artery to return to its natural state. It received CE mark approval in Europe in 2016, but has not yet been approved by the FDA for use in the United States. DESolve Nx Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffold System (Elixir Medical): received FDA approval in 2017 Reva Medical's Fantom Encore Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffold System: currently being studied in clinical trials in the US and Europe. Amaranth Medical's APTITUDE Bioresorbable Scaffold: currently undergoing clinical trials in Europe. Biotronik's Magmaris Resorbable Magnesium Scaffold: currently undergoing clinical trials in the US and Europe. Absorbable Heart Stent Market is Highly Competitive, With Top 10 Players Capturing over 80% Revenue Share The market for absorbable heart stents is highly competitive, with several prominent players operating in the industry. The top 10 players in the market collectively hold over 80% of the revenue share, indicating the dominance of established players in the industry. Abbott is the leading player in the market, followed closely by Boston Scientific Corporation. Both companies have a significant presence in the industry, with a strong product portfolio and a wide distribution network. Other notable players in the market include Medtronic, Inc., Terumo Corporation, Biosensors International Group, Ltd., Biotronik SE & Co. KG, Elixir Medical Corporation, Kyoto Medical Planning Co., Ltd., Reva Medical, Inc., and Arterial Remodeling Technologies. These companies in the absorbable heart stent market are focused on research and development to develop new and innovative products, and they also engage in strategic partnerships and collaborations to expand their reach and market share. They also invest heavily in marketing and advertising to create brand awareness and attract new customers. Some of the Top Market Players Are: Abbott Laboratories Arterial Remodeling Technologies B. Braun Melsungen AG Biotronik Boston Scientific Corporation Elixir Medical Corporation Kyoto Medical Planning Medtronic Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd Reva MedicalTerumo Medical Corporation Lepu Medical Technology Co. Other Prominent Players Directly Purchase a copy of report with TOC @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/inquire-before-purchase/absorbable-heart-stent-market About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost-effective, value-added package from us, should you decide to engage with us. Contact us: Aamir Beg BSI Business Park, H-15,Sector-63, Noida- 201301- India Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) Email: sales@astuteanalytica.com Website: www.astuteanalytica.com CONTACT: Contact us: Aamir Beg BSI Business Park, H-15,Sector-63, Noida- 201301- India Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) Email: sales@astuteanalytica.com Website: www.astuteanalytica.com Company Logo Dublin, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Aerospace & Defense Market - Annual Review & Market Outlook - 2023 - Key Trends, Issues & Challenges, Growth Opportunities, Force Field Analysis, Market Outlook" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Global Defense Spending on Historic High Global defense spending has been on a clear upswing for almost a decade and is at a historic high now, having breached the $2 trillion threshold in 2021, led by the whittling down of traditional, rule-based world order and the return of great power competition among leading geopolitical powers marked by sustained geopolitical instability, rising political tensions and conflict. The Russia-Ukraine war has been a watershed moment geopolitically having brought back the spectre of war over Europe back to life after almost 3 decades following Russia's military resurgence & is showing no signs of abating even after heading into its second year and the U.S.-China faceoff further escalating with the U.S. considering China as its strongest & most serious long-term rival & threat. The traditional West vs. East fault line & rivalry, thus, is visible clearly once again Defense Industrial Base Geared towards Ramping-Up Production Rates across West The ongoing U.S. military assistance to Ukraine and the focus of U.S. defense spending towards maintaining traditional overmatch over adversaries have accelerated the pace of replacement of ageing defense equipment with next generation systems & technologies through the initiation & award of new large scale defense contracts of strategic nature, scale, scope & long term horizon. Europe, under NATO, is treading a similar pathway with focus on getting the defense spending to the 2% of GDP level marking a renaissance for the European defense industrial base after decades of slump. The defense industrial base across U.S. & Europe is gearing up to ramp-up production rates over near term to refill depleting stockpiles of munitions, missiles & weapons following the rapid rate at which they are being used in Ukraine and to meet growing international orders. The global defense spending, thus, is projected to reach the record $2.5 trillion level by 2027 as the industry prepares to ramp up production rates to unprecedented rates & level over near to medium term to meet huge global demand, replenish depleted inventory levels and develop next generation capabilities with significant investments underway towards R&D as well Story continues Commercial Aviation on a Strong Comeback Trail Commercial Aviation, on the other side, has been making a roaring comeback from the pandemic with strong passenger demand levels thanks to strong & sustained pent-up demand for travel and sustained growth in air cargo traffic across most key markets & regions. The global airline passenger traffic is reaching the pre-pandemic levels now in Q1 2023 aided further by the opening up of China in late 2022 after jettisoning of the zero-tolerance COVID policy. At the industry OEMs level, Boeing's 737 MAX program now seems to be stabilizing and heading towards the cruise phase following a spate of new, big-ticket orders while the Airbus' A321XLR is gearing up for certification & EIS in Q2 2024 following its maiden flight last year while the 777X program has been rescheduled for EIS in 2025. The ongoing recovery in demand & activity levels across airlines globally has been steady as well as encouraging and the global air passenger demand is projected to grow by almost 3% from the pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023 with the airline industry projected to be in black for 2023 with marginal profits Supply-Side Led Market Scenario The near-term outlook for the Aerospace & Defense industry contrastingly is going to be dominated by the supply side for sure and could be termed as difficult, complex & challenging marked by supply chain disruptions, bottlenecks, constraints & labor shortages with the situation gradually ameliorating but is likely to hinder plans being chalked out by the industry OEMs to ramp up production rates over near term Against this backdrop, the report analyzes and provides insights into key industry, market & technology trends likely to shape the future of the global Aerospace & Defense industry over medium term followed by the outlining of emerging, potential growth opportunities. The report also incorporates analysis & review of key market, technology & industry trends along with issues & challenges which are likely to impact and shape industry's future over near to medium term. The report also identifies key driving & restraining forces for the industry & assesses their potential degree of impact through a force field analysis. The report concludes by providing a comprehensive outlook & demand growth projections for the Global Aerospace & Defense industry Key Topics Covered: Section - 1: Global Aerospace & Defense Market - Introduction & Market Overview Section - 2: Aerospace & Defense - Market Dynamics & Key Drivers Section - 3: Industry Trends Section - 4: Market Trends Section - 5: Technology Trends Section - 6: Key Issues, Challenges & Risk Factors Section - 7: Global Aerospace & Defense Market - Force Field Analysis - Analysis of Driving & Restraining Forces and their Overall Dynamics Section - 8: Global Aerospace & Defense Market - Outlook for 2023 Section - 9: Strategic Market Outlook - Global Aerospace & Defense Market For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4zs685 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Polaris Market Research & Consulting LLP [115+ Pages Research Study] According to Polaris Market Research, the global communication platform as a service market Size & share was valued at USD 11.66 Billion in 2022 and is predicted to increase at a CAGR of 31.0%, to reach USD 172.91 Billion By 2032. The market for service segment is expected to expand at a largest CAGR over the forecast period. By services, the professional services subsegment is expected to have a larger market share. Some of the key players covered are Twilio, Sinch, Avaya, Vonage, Bandwidth, RingCentral, TeleSign, Infobip, CM.com, and 8x8 and others. New York, NY, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Polaris Market Research has published a new research report titled Communication Platform As A Service Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Component (Solutions (Voice, Message, and video) and Services (Professional and Managed)); By Organization Size; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2023 - 2032 in its research database. According to the latest research study, the global communication platform as a service (CPaaS) market size/share is anticipated to be valued at approximately USD 11.66 Billion in 20222 and is projected to hit a revenue of around USD 172.91 Billion By 2032, at a CAGR of around 31.0% between 2023 and 2032. What is a Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS)? How Big is Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS) Market Size & Share? Overview The Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS) is a cloud-based delivery model that enables businesses to integrate real-time communication capabilities like voice, video, and messaging into their applications through APIs. This technology has found applications across various industries, such as retail, education, government, and travel, and in developing chatbots to enhance customer interactions. The CPaaS market size is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years, fueled by factors such as the need for personalized customer interactions, the affordability of cloud communication services, and the increasing use of digital communications. Vendors in the market focus on providing webRTC services to enhance real-time communication and user experience. Businesses are adopting CPaaS as a suitable and cost-effective solution to modernize their technology and take advantage of cloud benefits. Story continues Request Sample Copy of Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS) Market Research Report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/communication-platform-as-a-service-market/request-for-sample (The sample of this report is readily available on request. The report sample contains a brief introduction to the research report, a Table of Contents, a Graphical introduction of regional analysis, Top players in the market with their revenue analysis, and our research methodology.) Our Sample Report May Includes: 2032 Updated Report Introduction, Overview, and In-depth industry analysis. 115+ Pages Research Report (Inclusion of Updated Research). Provide Chapter-wise guidance on Requests. 2023 Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share & Trends Includes Updated List of tables & figures. Updated Report Includes Top Market Players with their Business Strategy, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis. Key Market Factors Covered in the Report The study covers industry drivers, restraints, and opportunities. Offers a neutral perspective on market performance. Highlights recent industry trends and developments. Provides insight into the competitive landscape and strategies of key players. Identifies potential and niche segments and regions with promising growth. Some of the Top Market Players Are: Twilio Sinch Avaya Vonage Bandwidth RingCentral TeleSign Infobip CM.com 8x8 For Additional Information on Key Players, Download a PDF Brochure: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/communication-platform-as-a-service-market/request-for-sample Prominent drivers of the market The affordability and suitability of CPaaS as a modernizing solution are expected to drive market growth further. The communication platform as a service market is poised for growth in various sectors, such as food, government, travel, and education. Enterprises in these sectors use chatbots for language selection, product information, table reservations, booking changes, and inquiries. Adopting digital communications, such as cloud-based video conferencing and contact center systems, is also driving market growth. To enhance the user experience for both passive and mobile customers, businesses are focusing on providing communication services that enable real-time communication. Vendors also offer Web RTC services for group chats and video streaming on client devices. This communication platform as a service market trend is expected to continue fueling the CPaaS market size in the coming years. Request for a Discount on this Report Before Purchase @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/communication-platform-as-a-service-market/request-for-discount-pricing Recent trends influencing the market In November 2022, OpenAI unveiled ChatGpt, an online chatbot designed to converse with users and provide answers to their queries in a natural and human-like manner. Newly developed communication channels such as Rich Communication Services (RCS) and social media messaging provide various alternative options for digital communication. Segmentation Assessment Outlook The services segment is anticipated to experience the most rapid growth in 2022 CPaaS market sales are driven by the demand for customized and real-time assistance, with chatbots gaining popularity for their cost-effectiveness and ability to handle multiple conversations. Technological interventions like chatbots are changing business models, leading to growth in the Services segment. Professional services are expanding in education and travel due to the need for digitalization and improved customer interaction, with investments in digital customer engagement contributing to market growth. There is an expected significant growth in the small enterprise segment Increasing awareness of technology among entrepreneurs and the affordability of cloud communication services are expected to drive higher growth in the Small Enterprises segment. In addition to traditional phone calling, messaging, and video collaboration, customers seek economical and easy-to-deploy systems like automated chatbots and Instant Voice Recognition (IVR). These factors will fuel the CPaaS market segment growth throughout the forecast period. There is an expected significant growth in the retail and e-commerce segment The growth of the Retail and E-commerce segment is expected as companies adopt technological solutions to improve consumer interactions. CPaaS can also deliver customized updates to the appropriate customer channel. Furthermore, with the help of CPaaS, e-commerce sites can alert customers in advance about shipment delays due to bad weather, providing smooth and automated support, which promotes communication platform as a service market share growth. Inquire more about this report before purchase @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/communication-platform-as-a-service-market/inquire-before-buying (Inquire about a report quote OR available discount offers to the sales team before purchase.) Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS) Market: Reports Scope Report Attribute Details Revenue forecast in 2032 USD 172.91 Billion Market size value in 2023 USD 15.24 Billion Expected CAGR Growth 31.0% from 2023 - 2032 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023 2032 Top Market Players Twilio, Sinch, Avaya, Vonage, Bandwidth, RingCentral, TeleSign, Infobip, CM.com, and 8x8 Segments Covered By Component, By Organization Size, By Vertical, By Region Customization Options Customized purchase options are available to meet any research needs. Explore customized purchase options Geographic Overview There is anticipated substantial growth in demand for the Asia Pacific region CPaaS market demand in the Asia Pacific region is experiencing growth, attributed to the rising popularity of cloud computing and mobile technology in countries such as China, India, and Japan. The government's efforts to enhance digital infrastructure have also contributed to the increased usage of CPaaS solutions in the region. As a result, the Asia Pacific region is currently one of the fastest-growing markets for these solutions globally. With the upgrade of infrastructure, the implementation of various business strategies, and intense competition, service providers are looking to extend their service offerings to multiple countries. Industries in the Asia Pacific region expect CPaaS solutions and services to meet their high standards for quality, service, uptime, and security. Browse the Detail Report Communication Platform As A Service Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Component (Solutions (Voice, Message, and video) and Services (Professional and Managed)); By Organization Size; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2023 - 2032 with in-depth TOC: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/communication-platform-as-a-service-market For Additional Information OR Media Enquiry, Please Mail At: sales@polarismarketresearch.com Recent Development Twilio made a public announcement in December 2022 about the launch of Flex Conversations, an open platform accessible to everyone. This new platform provides an easy way to establish SMS/MMS, chat, and WhatsApp channels through its async channel feature. Key Questions Are Answered in The Report What was the market length? What are the anticipated growth tendencies and forecasts? What are the key factors driving the market? Who are the key manufacturers in the market space? Which segments have been most appealing for investments? What are the opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the market? Which product or application will capture the largest share of the market? Which market in the region will experience the greatest growth? What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the market? Polaris Market Research has segmented the communication platform as a Service Market report based on component, organization size, and region: By Component Outlook Solutions Message Voice Video Services Professional Managed By Organization size Outlook Large Enterprises Small and medium enterprises (SME) By Vertical Outlook Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) Retail & eCommerce IT & Telecom Government Healthcare Education Manufacturing Other Verticals By Region Outlook North America (U.S., Canada) Europe (France, Germany, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia) Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia. South Korea) Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina) Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, South Africa) Browse More Related Reports: Hyperautomation Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/hyperautomation-market Occupational Therapy Software Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/occupational-therapy-software-market Neuromorphic Computing Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/neuromorphic-computing-market Optical Character Recognition Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/optical-character-recognition-market Debt Collection Software Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/debt-collection-software-market About Polaris Market Research Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for PMRs clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve PMRs diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semiconductors, and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. We strive to provide PMRs customers with updated information on innovative technologies, high-growth markets, emerging business environments, and the latest business-centric applications, thereby helping them always to make informed decisions and leverage new opportunities. Adept with a highly competent, experienced, and extremely qualified team of experts comprising SMEs, analysts, and consultants, we at Polaris endeavor to deliver value-added business solutions to PMRs customers. Contact: Likhil G 30 Wall Street 8th Floor, New York City, NY 10005, United States Phone: +1-929 297-9727 Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com Web: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Blog: https://polarismarketresearch.medium.com Company Logo Global Contactless Smart Card Market Global Contactless Smart Card Market Dublin, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Contactless Smart Card Market (2023-2028) by Type, Technology, Applications, End-Users, and Geography, Competitive Analysis, Impact of Covid-19, Impact of Economic Slowdown & Impending Recession with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Contactless Smart Card Market is estimated to be USD 21.29 Bn in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 32.6 Bn by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8.89%. Market Dynamics Market dynamics are forces that impact the prices and behaviors of the stakeholders. These forces create pricing signals which result from the changes in the supply and demand curves for a given product or service. Forces of Market Dynamics may be related to macro-economic and micro-economic factors. There are dynamic market forces other than price, demand, and supply. Human emotions can also drive decisions, influence the market, and create price signals. As the market dynamics impact the supply and demand curves, decision-makers aim to determine the best way to use various financial tools to stem various strategies for speeding the growth and reducing the risks. Company Profiles The report provides a detailed analysis of the competitors in the market. It covers the financial performance analysis for the publicly listed companies in the market. The report also offers detailed information on the companies' recent development and competitive scenario. Some of the companies covered in this report are CardLogix Corporation, Dz Card, Entrust, Assa Abloy Group, HID Global Corp., etc. Countries Studied America (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, United States, Rest of Americas) Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Rest of Europe) Middle-East and Africa (Egypt, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Rest of MEA) Asia-Pacific (Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Rest of Asia-Pacific) Story continues Competitive Quadrant The report includes a Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc. Ansoff Analysis The report presents a detailed Ansoff matrix analysis for the Global Contactless Smart Card Market. Ansoff Matrix, also known as Product/Market Expansion Grid, is a strategic tool used to design strategies for the growth of the company. The matrix can be used to evaluate approaches in four strategies viz. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development and Diversification. The matrix is also used for risk analysis to understand the risk involved with each approach. The analyst analyses the Global Contactless Smart Card Market using the Ansoff Matrix to provide the best approaches a company can take to improve its market position. Based on the SWOT analysis conducted on the industry and industry players, the analyst has devised suitable strategies for market growth. Why buy this report? The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Contactless Smart Card Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies. The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry. The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model, PESTLE Analysis, and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of COVID-19 and the impact of economic slowdown & impending recession on the market are also featured in the report. The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies. The report also contains the competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's competitive positioning tool. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 210 Forecast Period 2023 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $21.29 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $32.6 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.8% Regions Covered Global Market Dynamics Drivers Growing Demand for Contactless Payments Growing Deployment in Personal Identification and Access Control Application Restraints High Infrastructure Costs Opportunities Growing Popularity of E-Commerce New Mode of Information Security Users Enabled in Blockchain Challenges Emergence of Mobile Wallets and Other Alternatives Safety and Security Concerns Market Segmentation The Global Contactless Smart Card Market is segmented based on Type, Technology, Applications, End-Users, and Geography. By Type, the market is classified into Proximity Card and CPU/MPU Cards. By Technology, the market is classified into Smartcard Integrated Circuits, Memory Smart Card, Microprocessor Smart Card, and Others. By Applications, the market is classified into Transaction, Communication, and Security & Access Control. By End-Users, the market is classified into BFSI, Retail, Government, Healthcare, IT And Telecommunication, and Others. By Geography, the market is classified into Americas, Europe, Middle-East & Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Companies Mentioned Alioth LLC Assa Abloy Group Atos SE Bartronics Ltd. Block, Inc. CardLogix Corp. CPI Card Group Dz Card Pvt. Ltd. Entrust Corp. Giesecke & Devrient GmbH HID Global Corp. Idemia Group Infineon Technologies Ag Paragon Group Ltd. Secura Key Sony Corp. SpringCard SAS Thales Group VeriFone Systems, Inc. Watchdata Technologies LLC For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tjb9wr About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 MarketsandMarkets Research Pvt. Ltd. Chicago, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lawn Mower Market is projected to grow to USD 33.6 billion by 2027 from USD 23.5 billion in 2022, at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2022 to 2027, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Browse and in-depth TOC on "Lawn Mower Market" 248 Tables 48 Figures 229 Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id= 52805135 Report Attributes Details Market size value in 2022: USD 23.5 Billion Projected to reach 2027: USD 33.6 Billion CAGR: 7.4% Base Year Considered: 2020 Forecast Period: 2022-2027 Largest Market: Americas Region Covered: Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and RoW Segments Covered: Distribution Channel, Type, Lawn Size, End User, Propulsion, Level of Autonomy, Hardware, Software and Region Companies Covered: John Deere (US), Honda Motor Co Ltd. (Japan), The Toro Company (US), Husqvarna (Sweden), MTD Products Inc (US), and Kubota (Japan). Increasing demand for lawn mowers in residential and commercial purposes accompanied with the popularity of robotic lawn mowers have contributed to the growth in demand for lawn mowers across the globe. Robotic Lawn Mowers to be the fastest segment, by type. The increase is construction of new residential properties will increase demand for landscaping services, which will increase the replacement of outdated lawn mowers, resulting in increased demand for robotic lawn mowers, which are among the most recent market trends. The robotic Lawn Mower Market is expected to grow in popularity over the projected period because they are environmentally friendly and require little human intervention. One of the major factors driving demand for robotic lawn mowers across the area, notably in Europe, is the growing convergence of automation and development of IoT, accompanied by avoiding the safety issues connected with traditional lawn mowers. Husqvarna is one of the largest players in the robotic lawn mower segment. Honda (Japan) launched its robotic model, Miimo lawn mower. Robomow (Netherlands) and iRobot Corporation (US) are investing heavily in the R&D of automated solutions for mowing operations. In June 2021, Scythe Robotics (US) introduced a fully autonomous, all-electric commercial mower. Story continues Electric lawn mowers is the fastest-growing segment, by Propulsion Type. Battery-powered/Electric lawn mowers are efficient as they have the advantage of lower installation and operational costs than conventional internal-combustion engine (ICE) lawn mowers. Electric mowers, including robotic ones, have a low operational noise compared to other available ICE engine options. These mowers do not burn gas, and no harmful emissions are released. Newer versions of electric mowers, such as the CEORA by Husqvarna & Miimo by Honda, have powerful batteries that cater to various lawn sizes with automation features. Thus, the electric Lawn Mower Market is expected to grow with increasing environmental concerns coupled with stringent government regulations, developments in battery driving ranges, and launches of various electric mower models. For instance, in December 2021, California regulators voted to ban the sale of new gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers starting in 2024. Request Free Sample Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id= 52805135 Americas to be the largest market for Lawn mowers. The lawn mower industry in the Americas is one of the most advanced and product development-driven industries globally. It houses major OEMs such as John Deere (US), MTD Products Inc (US) (with major sub-brands like Cub Cadets, Troy-Bilt, Rover, Robomow, etc.), The Toro Company (US) along with several multinationals like Honda Motors Co. Ltd., (Japan) and Husqvarna (Sweden). The US, traditionally one of the global technological leaders, is the largest American Lawn Mower Market. The large customer base and high disposable income levels fuel the demand for lawn mowers resulting in increased manufacturing activities. The growth of the lawn care industry and a higher annual cost of landscaping services are the major factors for the growth in this region. The Canadian lawn care industry is huge because almost 75% of the residents in the country have a lawn, which subsequently needs a lawn mower for its maintenance, leading to growth in the demand for advanced models. Currently, the Mexican lawn care industry is at a nascent stage because of the comparatively lower family disposable income, but the walk-behind holds the largest share. The condition of the Brazilian Lawn Mower Market is similar, where walk-behind lawn mowers are largely preferred because of less price than riding and robotic mowers. Overall, it has been estimated that the demand for robotic lawn mowers would register the fastest growth during the forecast period. Key Market Players The Lawn Mower Market is primarily dominated by globally established players John Deere (US), Honda Motor Co Ltd. (Japan), The Toro Company (US), Husqvarna (Sweden), MTD Products Inc (US), and Kubota (Japan). These companies are consistently developing new products, adopted expansion strategies, and undertook collaborations, partnerships, and mergers & acquisitions to gain traction in this high-growth Lawn Mower Market across different regions. Make an Inquiry: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id= 52805135 Browse Adjacent Market: Automotive and Transportation Market Research Reports & Consulting Browse Related Reports: Global Machine Tools Market - Global Forecast to 2027 Automotive Lighting Market - Global Forecast to 2027 Automotive Engineering Services Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Car Care Products Market - Global Forecast to 2027 CONTACT: About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com DUBLIN, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Smart Fridge Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Research and Markets Logo The smart fridge market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.94% over the forecast period to grow to US$3.237 billion in 2027 from US$1.667 billion in 2020. Companies Mentioned Haier Inc. Hitachi, Ltd. LG Electronics SAMSUNG electronics co. Ltd. Whirlpool Corporation Siemens AG General Electric Company Panasonic Holdings Corporation Midea Group A smart fridge or smart refrigerator is programmed for sensing the products which are stored inside and also helps to keep a track of the stock via RFID scanning. The refrigerator also helps the user in knowing about the food items which require replenishment. The monitoring of this smart appliance can be easily managed through any remote location and can be controlled in case of any unauthorized access. The booming consumer electronics industry, growing preference for customer personalization, and customization are some of the drivers driving the growth of the global smart fridge market. In addition, increasing purchasing power and rising disposable income will further contribute to the adoption of smart fridges due to improved lifestyle conditions. Region-wise, North America and Europe are expected to hold a significant market share due to the adoption of innovative technologies while the Asia Pacific is considered the fastest growing. Drivers The growing consumer electronics industry and rising preference towards customer personalization and customization are some of the factors driving the growth of the global smart fridge market. An increase in purchasing power and rising disposable income is further likely to contribute towards the adoption of smart fridges due to the improving lifestyle conditions. Further, another major factor behind the rising demand for smart fridges is the tech-savvy millennial population. Smart fridges have the capability of connecting to the internet, and very recently there have been new models that can be used to order groceries by simply using voice commands or the touch of a button. For instance, Samsung introduced a model that used "Groceries" through Mastercard mobile app to aid customers in easily ordering and paying for the items they need. A lack of monitoring and timely use of refrigerated foods leads to wastage which is a very common problem for the end-users. The UNDP (United Nations Development Program) stated that in India, around 40% of food is wasted and about 20% of the purchased food is discarded. Story continues Therefore, the need for effective food management in the residential, as well as commercial sectors, is expected to result in the rising adoption of smart refrigerators. The ability of these products to monitor and control the quality as well as the shelf life of the food and generate user alerts is projected to drive the market. Manufacturers are continuously developing and innovating these products to aid to ease the lifestyles of tech-savvy consumers. For instance, Samsung introduced a refrigerator integrated with cameras, a 21-inch touchscreen display, and speakers, to provide a smart user experience. Apart from the normal cooling and retaining the freshness of the food items, this product also allows users the provision of listing out shopping items, read out schedules, and also stream video clips. Further, the cameras equipped in this fridge display the expiry dates of food for effective usage. The key long-term benefit of these products is that they can substantially increase energy efficiency. Earlier refrigerators used up to 1,278 KW hours annually, whereas smart refrigerators use less than 50% of this power while still providing an average capacity of more than 21.9%. This benefit is thus expected to drive the demand, especially among the residential sector, thus augmenting growth in the market. Asia-Pacific is Expected to Witness Substantial Growth in the projected period By Geography, the Smart Fridge market can be segmented into North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. In the North American region, the market is well developed as compared to the other markets of other regions due to the fast adoption of technology. The smart Fridge market in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness maximum potential growth in the forecast period. Growing personal disposable coupled with the rising purchasing power of people in the region is likely to expand the growth of the market in this region over the forecast period. The smart fridge market in Europe, South America and the Middle East, and Africa are also expected to undergo positive growth during the forecast period. COVID-19 Impact on the Smart Fridge Market The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the smart fridge market. The subsequent social distancing measures and mandated lockdowns implemented by the governments across various nations resulted in the slowing down of various industries, which caused a dip in the demand of the market. Further, the decreased spending power of the general population due to the economic stir caused a dip in the sales of these smart fridges, thus, negatively affecting the market. Market Segmentation: By Product Type Side-by-side refrigerators Bottom freezer refrigerators Double door refrigerators Single door refrigerators By Technology RFID WiFi Bluetooth Others By Geography North America United States Canada Mexico South America Brazil Argentina Others Europe UK Germany France Italy Spain Others Middle East and Africa (MEA) Saudi Arabia UAE Isreal Others Asia Pacific Japan China India Australia South Korea Indonesia Thailand Taiwan Others For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1t3efr About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-smart-fridge-market-report-2022-sector-to-reach-3-billion-in-2027-at-a-cagr-of-9-94-301776030.html SOURCE Research and Markets ReportLinker The terahertz technologies market was valued at USD 421.5 million in 2021. It is expected to reach USD 1,465.1 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 23.22% during the forecast period (2022-2027). New York, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Terahertz Technologies Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, And Forecasts (2023 - 2028)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06246204/?utm_source=GNW Key Highlights Terahertz technology is an emerging and growing field with the potential for developing applications varying from passenger scanning at an airport to large digital data transfers. It has been reflecting significant advancements on the scientific front. Terahertz (THz) radiation exhibits three unique properties that stimulate the development of the whole terahertz industry. Terahertz (THz) frequency range (0.1 THz 3 THz) is the last span of the electromagnetic wave spectrum, which has not been technologically and commercially developed. For this reason, in literature, the terahertz frequency range is often referred to as a terahertz gap. At the same time, it is well known that this frequency range has fascinating prospects for many applications. The application of terahertz technology in the healthcare sector is increasing, such as in biomedical imaging, terahertz imaging, and spectroscopy in cancer detection, among other applications. Further, with the ability to render high-quality spectroscopy imaging through terahertz radiation, certain chronic and related diseases have been diagnosed at ease. The replacement of conventional x-rays and infrared rays with terahertz rays has been the initial step in making huge inroads toward establishing the technology in the healthcare industry, thus driving the market growth. The growing concerns regarding security systems across many industries have created a dire need for efficient solutions that may eventually drive the markets growth. THz technologys comparative niche market potential has been primarily implemented in applications such as security imaging and non-destructive testing (NDT). Also, Terahertz technology can identify dangerous elements from a remote distance as most of the items have unique spectral identities in the terahertz range and can be easily classified by the authorities. The specialty of terahertz can be observed with the combination of spectral identification with imaging to provide a detailed description of the object and thus can be used for security in critical security locations. A major challenge to adopting terahertz technology in the market has been a lack of knowledge of the technology. The research community has been making considerable inroads to exploit the potential of the technology by identifying the key positives capable of creating a separate market for itself. However, the lack of awareness of the topic, especially in developing regions, has been a major restraining factor for the markets growth. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the terahertz technology market is expected to grow its healthcare, biomedical, and security applications. The outbreak has resulted in many research and development activities in the healthcare space to find appropriate technology to detect the virus, which augmented the studied market growth. Also, COVID-19 has revolutionized security practices as screening people via personal patdowns is no longer the safe option. ESA-developed passive terahertz technology enables the detection of items hidden under clothing from a distance. The technology has been commercialized by the UK company ThruVision, with customers including airports, LA Metro, and the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agency at some major southern border ports of entry. Terahertz Technologies Market Trends Defense and Security is Expected to Witness Robust Market Growth One of THz technologys core features is the ability to detect and identify objects hidden behind barriers. At airports or other security-critical places, dangerous non-metallic substances like ceramic knives or plastic explosives can now be detected with terahertz beams. This is possible because T-rays get through clothes but cannot get through the upper skin (because of the water content). Additionally, metal detection and X-ray bag scanning are time-consuming processes; it becomes more difficult in public transportation hubs with significant movement. Hence there is a need for technological solutions that can perform security checks even at a distance from the potential source. Terahertz technology allows the scanning of a large number of people without requiring them to stop for a security check. Thereby offering a solution to these challenges. With the increasing need for security in recent times, the ability to identify threats like hidden weapons and body-worn explosives is a strong operational need. Owing to the growing emphasis on imaging concealed explosives, terahertz technology for security and defense-related applications recently experienced an increase in interest. THz sensors potential military applications are broad for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), including detecting isolated personnel behind enemy lines, fixing targets, and terminal guidance of precision weapons. Further, THz can assist personnel recovery missions for downed groups or aircrew in unfortunate situations where rescue or assistance is required. In a degraded visual environment such as dust storms in the Middle East, THzs smaller wavelength and operating frequencies make it an ideal choice for tracking and finding human-sized targets of interest for recovery. Air surveillance radar systems are another technological pairing being explored as the potential use case for THz imaging. According to some articles released by the South China Morning Post, China North Industries Group Corporation (one of the countrys largest arms manufacturers) successfully tested THz instruments capable of detecting stealth aircraft. North America is Expected to Hold a Major Market Share The United States is a key market for terahertz technologies, primarily due to the growing homeland security issues, investments in defense, and R&D. In addition, the stringent government regulations regarding the safety and production of aerospace technologies in the United States and the growing automotive and aerospace industries are driving the market for THz technologies in the country. According to the data provided by the US Department of Commerce, the US aerospace industry contributed USD 118.5 billion to the American economy in export sales. It is anticipated that for the next 20 years, the number of large commercial planes may witness 3.5% growth per year to reach 34,000 units, valued at around USD 4.5 trillion. Such heightened demand from the aircraft industry is a significant driver for the inspection systems growth based on the terahertz technology. The increase in helicopters and commercial aircraft production in the United States is expected to drive the market. The US aerospace industry exports more than 60% of all aerospace production. Researchers at the US Air Force are looking into technologies for future line-of-sight air-to-air communications and networking at frequencies higher than 100 GHz to help aircraft exchange mission-critical battle-management information. For the same, the Air Force experts are expected to test terahertz communication technologies through modeling and simulation. Further, Scientists and researchers from various universities are also making significant efforts in the terahertz technologies domain. For instance, in January 2022, researchers from Harvard University made considerable improvements to bring THz frequencies out of their hard-to-reach region of the electromagnetic spectrum and into daily applications. Canada is expected to witness significant demand for the technology due to an increase in the demand for security screening equipment across various public places. For instance, Canadian airlines screen passengers before they board flights bound for the country. Air Canadas union, i.e., the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), announced additional pre-flight screening by making flight attendants responsible for the screening. Also, robust telecommunication networks require strong infrastructure backbones to support them. The next generation 6G network is planned to transmit data on even higher frequencies between 95GHz and 3 THz, offering speeds of up to 1 TBPS. Therefore, the market is anticipated to prosper over the coming years un the North Amrica Region. Terahertz Technologies Market Competitor Analysis The terahertz technologies market is highly competitive and consists of several major players. In terms of market share, few of the major players currently dominate the market. These major players with prominent shares in the market are focusing on expanding their customer base across foreign countries. These companies are leveraging on strategic collaborative initiatives to increase their market shares and profitability. The companies operating in the market are also acquiring start-ups working on terahertz technologies to strengthen their product capabilities. Thus, market concentration is medium. February 2022 - Terasense Group announced that it is upgrading its product line of fixed frequency 300GHz wave sources. A few years ago, the company announced the upgraded line of fixed frequency wave sources at 100 GHz, with the outpower options ranging from 80 mW to 1.8 W. October 2021 - Advantest Corporation announced the acquisition of US-based R&D Altanova, Inc. Performing business in the supply of consumable test interface boards, substrates, and interconnects for high-end applications and offers simulation, design, layout, fabrication, and assembly of test interface boards which are used by testing equipment in the testing of advanced integrated circuits. Additional Benefits: The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06246204/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 Switzerlands biggest bank, UBS, will buy its ailing rival Credit Suisse in an emergency rescue deal aimed at stemming financial market panic unleashed by the failure of two American banks earlier this month. Credit Suisse and UBS entered into a merger agreement on Sunday following the intervention of the Swiss Federal Department of Finance, the Swiss National Bank and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority Fimna, said a statement. UBS will be the surviving entity upon closing of the merger transaction. Under the terms of the merger agreement all shareholders of Credit Suisse will receive one share in UBS for 22.48 shares in Credit Suisse. UBS is paying 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.25 billion) for Credit Suisse, about 60% less than the bank was worth when markets closed on Friday, a CNN report said. Credit Suisse shareholders will be largely wiped out, receiving the equivalent of just 0.76 Swiss francs in UBS shares for stock that was worth 1.86 Swiss francs on Friday. Owners of $17 billion worth of additional tier one bonds a riskier class of bank debt will lose everything, Swiss regulators said. Until consummation of the merger, Credit Suisse will continue to conduct its business in the ordinary course and implement its restructuring measures in collaboration with UBS, said a press statement. The Swiss National Bank will grant Credit Suisse access to facilities that provide substantial additional liquidity. On March 19, Swiss Federal Department of Finance, the Swiss National Bank and Finma asked Credit Suisse and UBS to enter into the merger agreement. Pursuant to the emergency ordinance which is being issued by the Swiss Federal Council, the merger can be implemented without approval of the shareholders. The consummation of the merger remains subject to customary closing conditions, it said. For the purpose of a seamless integration of Credit Suisse into UBS, UBS is expected to appoint key personnel to Credit Suisse as soon as legally possible. UBS has expressed its confidence that the employment of the staff of Credit Suisse will be continued. On Sunday, Credit Suisse has been informed by Finma that it had determined that Credit Suisses Additional Tier 1 Capital (deriving from the issuance of Tier 1 Capital Notes) in the aggregate nominal amount of approximately CHF 16 billion will be written off to zero. In consideration of the unique circumstances affecting the Swiss economy as a whole, the Swiss Federal Council is issuing an emergency ordinance (Notverordnung) tailored to this particular transaction. Most importantly, the merger will be implemented without the otherwise necessary approval of the shareholders of UBS and Credit Suisse to enhance deal certainty. Axel P Lehmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse, said: Given recent extraordinary and unprecedented circumstances, the announced merger represents the best available outcome. 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. - TradeArabia News Service TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / GoDaddy GoDaddy, Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture Originally published on GoDaddy Canada Like finance and banking, the technology sector hasn't always had the best reputation for warmly welcoming women in business. However, women are challenging this stereotype every day, including two female leaders in global executive roles at GoDaddy. Ahead of International Women's Day in March, Laura Messerschmitt, General Manager and Vice President of GoDaddy's International Division, and Tamara Oppen, Vice President English Markets covering Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, share their tips. Read on to learn how you can be unstoppable in business as an entrepreneur or in corporate life. The GoDaddy women in business breaking the glass ceiling Laura Messerschmitt didn't so much find tech as tech found her. "When I went to college, I didn't plan on majoring in math. But I found out that's what I was good at." "During my career, I found out that the skillset I had actually worked well with tech, and that I was attuned to working in tech.'' After a successful stint at a well-known financial technology company and earning an MBA from Stanford University, the California native joined GoDaddy when it acquired the start-up she was working at in 2012. Tamara Oppen's experience in the media industry as a senior publishing and advertising executive helped to inspire a love of the fast-paced tech sector. "I was definitely drawn to technology because I loved the positive impact that it was having on consumers and communities,'' she says. Tamara too is a successful entrepreneur, co-founding a digital consulting firm after running a digital health start-up. Now she plays a global leadership role for GoDaddy from her home office in Sydney, Australia. Related: How Canadian women entrepreneurs are proving themselves unstoppable Diversity delivers The research is clear that diverse teams deliver better business results. And although the number of women in business is growing, they still only make up less than a third of the workforce of large tech firms. Story continues GoDaddy's leadership team in 2021 was one-third female, putting it ahead of the average large tech firm. As part of its commitment to diversity and pay parity, GoDaddy publishes annual diversity and salary data. It has also partnered with Stanford to reduce unconscious bias in processes like performance reviews and promotions. Laura was an integral part of the diversity process when it kicked off in 2013/14, spearheading diversity initiatives in her team. "The commitment I made for an entire year was that I would have one diverse candidate come in to interview for every job we advertised for senior manager or above,'' she says. "That actually led to better hiring outcomes overall. Not only did we hire more diverse candidates, but we actually got better candidates because we brought in people that we wouldn't have normally thought of.'' How to get your start-up ready for launch Both Laura and Tamara have a unique insight into the mindset of entrepreneurs, having built successful businesses themselves. They've helped guide a number of GoDaddy customers to do the same. Laura's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is simple - just go for it. She says only then will you know if what you're selling is what your customers actually want to buy. "If you can even get something small [launched] - it doesn't have to be perfect - you can get a sense of what will work and what won't. And that may end up changing your path,'' she says. The same applies to launching a website. It doesn't have to be perfect - it just has to be out there. "It's finding out is my idea going to work or is it not going to work?' And if it's not going to work, why not?' so you can make the idea better,'' she says. Tamara says technology has often been thought of as a barrier to start-up success, but it need not be with companies like GoDaddy offering simple and effective solutions. Related: 5-step guide to new product development "My daughter built a GoDaddy website when she was 10 within an hour." "As women we tend to be self-critical, and we put up barriers. The beauty of a lot of our products and services is that you do not need to be a tech expert,'' she says. Related: How to become an entrepreneur Working like a boss With many decades of experience across the corporate and philanthropic sectors, both Tamara and Laura have accumulated a lot of life and business lessons between them. Here is some of their advice on the some of the common challenges facing women in business. Why imposter syndrome might be good for you Tamara says imposter syndrome has a bad reputation. But for a woman in business to feel anxious about a new role could be a sign that she's made the right move. "It's ok to feel it,'' she says. "I always ensure that I take roles that are going to challenge me. If I don't feel nervous before I take a role, then I know it's in my comfort zone. "So, it's very much about challenging myself to move outside of my comfort zone, and inevitably have those feelings of anxiety and a bit of stress about Am I going to be able to do this?'" What about the elusive work/life balance? Identifying your core values and honouring them will put you on the path to achieving a greater work/life balance, Laura says. "To me, it's knowing the things that matter and the values that matter,'' she says. "Knowing exactly what you can't give up and what you can is the key." "Because you are going to have to make compromises, so make sure the compromises you are making are on those things." For Tamara, work/life balance is a myth. She instead tries to be more mindful about how she's spending her time, like seeking quality over quantity time with her kids. "You can beat yourself up around But I'm not there for school drop offs or pick ups' and that used to really bother me,'' she says. "Whereas now I'll pick my daughter up once a week and we'll walk home together or we'll go and have a hot chocolate together. That half an hour is so much more valuable than seeing her for five minutes in the car.'' How to banish imposter syndrome at work If you have ever experienced imposter syndrome, or that creeping feeling you just aren't up to the job, you aren't alone. Laura says it's a common feeling among the many women in tech from around the world that she has helped to mentor. Her advice for businesswomen worried about whether they are qualified or "good" enough is to interrogate your fears. "Think through every decision you're making and what's the worst that could happen." "It's probably not as bad as you think. Why would I not put myself up for a role? Because I might not get it. Ok, well then is that bad? "Say you don't get it, but guess what? You raised your hand and now people are aware of you, now you've made some relationships with some people you didn't know before. Now you've made it clear that you want that role.'' How to ask your boss for what you want Whether it's a promotion, a new challenge or greater flexibility, asking for what you want in a workplace setting can be confronting for many people, particularly women in business. Even so, Laura says it's important to find a way to ask your manager for what you want, as most will want to help you. "Speak up and tell your manager what you need," she says. "Particularly your manager, because that's the person most likely to help you.'' What you say could be: Hey, I'm trying to get a promotion.' I'm just trying to learn something new.' I'm actually not trying to get promoted right now, I'm trying to balance my life.' "Be communicative about what you want to achieve," suggests Laura. How to look after your mental health at work The importance of mental health at work rocketed into corporate consciousness during the COVID-19 pandemic and the many extended lockdowns and work-from-home orders. Tamara says the book Mentally At Work by Genevieve Hawkins helped her to understand the importance of connections to self and to others to enhance productivity. You've got to have an awareness of your own mental health and how you are thinking and feeling. "I realised the mistakes that I made in whenever I used to get busy, I would cut things like gym classes and Pilates. The things that really helped me manage stress, I would cut out! That would only exacerbate the problem.'' Now she says, she prioritises exercising and meditation every day to help manage her mental health. These women in business are lighting the way - for you The tech industry may still be a largely male dominated space, but more women are moving ahead in business. It's thanks in part to people like Laura and Tamara, who are breaking through glass ceilings and empowering other women to do the same. Editor's note: Working for yourself? GoDaddy can help set you up with its free logo maker, free website builder and productivity tools like Microsoft 365, including the world-famous suite of products (Excel, PowerPoint, etc). View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: GoDaddy Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/godaddy Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: GoDaddy View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/744653/GoDaddys-Women-in-Business-Breaking-Through-the-Tech-Glass-Ceiling Microbix Biosystems Inc. $ 1.68 Million in Funding for Capabilities and Capacity Expansions MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX, OTCQX: MBXBF, Microbix), a life sciences innovator, manufacturer, and exporter, announces that it is undertaking further expansions to its capabilities and capacity for manufacturing specialized products relating to diagnostic testing for infectious diseases. The Government of Ontario is supporting the expansions at Microbixs three adjacent sites in Mississauga with a grant of $ 840,000 from the Ontario Together Fund (OTF). A separate $ 840,000 of interest-free loan funding has also been provided by the Government of Canada through its FedDev Ontario program. The balance of costs will be provided by Microbix from its current funds or ongoing cash flow. This project has three principal objectives, (i) build and equip further product manufacturing space and capabilities for Microbixs core diagnostics businesses, (ii) build and equip new development and quality control laboratory spaces, and (iii) commission a Containment Level 3 production suite. The project will be completed in 2024, at which time Microbix will be able to optimally service all its current initiatives and rapidly develop further product lines in its field of business. The project is anticipated to create and support dozens of new life sciences manufacturing, product development, and related jobs in Ontario. Microbix was the recipient of a prior grant from OTF (2020) and prior FedDev Ontario funding (2019). Since its first funding from the two programs, Microbix has created two entirely new product lines comprising dozens of fully-registered medical devices, built many strategic customer relationships and a global distribution network, almost doubled its sales, gone to three facilities from one, nearly doubled its staff, and supported healthcare in Ontario, across Canada, and internationally. Vic Fedeli, Ontarios Minister of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade, said, Through the Ontario Together Fund, our government is proud to support innovative companies like Microbix, who are developing the next-generation of made-in-Ontario health care solutions. This exciting new project will further grow Ontarios life sciences sector and ensure that our province remains a global leader in innovation and life sciences. Story continues Dr. Ken Hughes, Microbixs COO stated Microbix is honoured to receive these second rounds of funding from MEDJCT (OTF) and from FedDev Ontario. We are very thankful for this ongoing support, which clearly illustrates the objective success of our previously funded initiatives. As before, we will deploy these funds to further support our business growth, while ensuring that Microbixs operations remain rooted in Ontario, Canada and maximally effective during that growth. About Microbix Biosystems Microbix creates proprietary biological products for human health, with over 100 skilled employees and annualized sales targeting C$ 2.0 million per month. It makes a wide range of critical ingredients and devices for the global diagnostics industry, notably antigens for immunoassays and its laboratory quality assessment products (QAPs) that support clinical lab proficiency testing, enable assay development and validation, or help ensure the quality of clinical diagnostic workflows. Its antigens drive the antibody tests of approximately 100 diagnostics makers, while QAPs are sold to clinical laboratory accreditation organizations, diagnostics companies, and clinical laboratories. Microbix QAPs are now available in over 30 countries, distributed by 1WA (Oneworld Accuracy Inc.), Alpha-Tec Systems, Inc., Diagnostic International Distribution SpA., Labquality Oy, The Medical Supply Company of Ireland, Neo-Science Equipment LLC, R-Biopharm AG, SDT Molecular Pte Ltd, Seegene Canada Inc., and Thomas Scientific LLC. Microbix is ISO 9001 and 13485 accredited, U.S. FDA registered, Australian TGA registered, Health Canada establishment licensed, and provides CE marked products. Microbix also applies its biological expertise and infrastructure to develop other proprietary products and technologies, most notably viral transport medium (DxTM) to stabilize patient samples for lab-based molecular diagnostic testing and Kinlytic urokinase, a biologic thrombolytic drug used to treat blood clots. Microbix is traded on the TSX and OTCQX, and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Forward-Looking Information This news release includes forward-looking information, as such term is defined in applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, discussion of Governments, OTF, or FedDev Ontario, the project or the products of Microbix, Microbixs business and business results, goals or outlook, risks associated with financial results and stability, development projects such as those referenced herein or in its corporate presentation, regulatory compliance and approvals, sales to foreign jurisdictions, engineering and construction, production (including control over costs, quality, quantity and timeliness of delivery), foreign currency and exchange rates, maintaining adequate working capital or raising further capital on acceptable terms or at all, and other similar statements concerning anticipated future events, conditions or results that are not historical facts. These statements reflect managements current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Companys control. Accordingly, actual future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and represent the Companys judgement as of the date of this new release, and the Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking information. Please visit https://microbix.com or www.sedar.com for recent Microbix news and filings. For further information, please contact Microbix at: Cameron Groome, CEO (905) 361-8910 Jim Currie, CFO (905) 361-8910 Deborah Honig, Investor Relations Adelaide Capital Markets (647) 203-8793 ir@microbix.com Copyright 2023 Microbix Biosystems Inc. Microbix, DxTM, Kinlytic, and QAPs are trademarks of Microbix Biosystems Inc. Green Shift Commodities Ltd. Figure 1 Map of initial sample locations with associated grades from 19 separate pegmatite bodies discovered in 1960s. Figure 2 Map of location of 500,000 Ha of claims acquired by Green Shift in the current transaction. Note initial work will concentrate around the township of Comallo in Central Rio Negro Province TORONTO, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Shift Commodities Ltd. (TSXV: GCOM), (Green Shift, GCOM or the Company) is pleased to announce that is has closed the previously announced acquisition (the Acquisition) of LFP Resources Corp. (LFP), a privately owned Canadian exploration company, which holds an aggregate of approximately 300,000 hectares (Ha) of prospective lithium ground in Rio Negro, Chubut, and Neuquen Provinces in Argentina (the Rio Negro Project or Project) with the option to acquire approximately 200,000 additional Ha. Key aspects of the acquisition include: Early Mover Advantage GCOM is one of only a handful of companies pursuing lithium pegmatite opportunities in Argentina, a premier lithium mining jurisdiction. Large and Prospective Land Position The Project covers over 500,000 Ha with 19 separate pegmatite bodies identified with assay results from 60 rock chip samples, taken during prior exploration of the Project, ranging from 0.6% Li2O to 4.1% Li2O, averaging 2.0% Li2O. Technical Team in Place New Executive Chairman, Peter Mullens, brings over 20 years of experience in Argentina and will be leading an in-country expert team that has over 150 years of experience in Argentina with a focus on Lithium. Work Programs Commencing Immediately Programs to include, trenching, mapping and sampling known pegmatites as well as prospecting for new occurrences on the balance of the Project area. Additional Opportunities Being Pursued Based on the teams extensive experience, additional lithium opportunities have been identified and are being evaluated for possible acquisition with the goal of building out a robust portfolio of projects. Pursuant to the Acquisition, GCOM acquired all the outstanding shares of LFP for consideration of an up-front payment of USD$75,000 and the issuance of 17,500,000 common shares of GCOM (Common Shares), at a deemed price of C$0.14, being the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) on the day immediately prior to closing of the Acquisition. Story continues In addition, as a result of the Acquisition, GCOM has the right, but not the obligation, pursuant to two separate option agreements, to acquire an additional approximately 200,000 Ha of prospective lithium ground in Rio Negro, Chubut, and Neuquen Provinces in Argentina for US$50,000 (being US$25,000 under each option agreement). Trumbull Fisher, CEO and Director of GCOM, commented, We are thrilled to announce the successful acquisition of the Rio Negro Lithium Project in Argentina. This marks a significant milestone for GCOM as we continue to execute our growth strategy and expand our presence in the lithium sector. With the potential to unlock approximately 500,000 hectares of lithium-rich land, we are excited about the prospects and past sample results that this project presents, and we look forward to commencing exploration activities imminently. Appointment of Mr. Peter Mullens as Executive Chairman GCOM is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Peter Mullens as Executive Chairman and a Director of the Company. Dr. Richard Spencer, the current Chairman of the Board of Directors will stay on as a Director of the Company. Mr. Fisher commented, We are privileged to welcome Peter Mullens as Executive Chairman. Peter played a key role in bringing this project to GCOM and we are excited to leverage his extensive technical expertise, in combination with our dedicated Argentine technical team. With this appointment and Dr. Richard Spencer remaining on the Board, our team is poised to deliver exceptional growth during one of the most critical stages in the global energy transition. Mr. Mullens is a seasoned geologist with 35 years' experience across a wide range of commodities and countries. He worked as a mine geologist at Broken Hill Australia from 1983 to 1987 and with Mt. Isa Mines in Queensland from 1987 to 1997. He was appointed district manager for Argentina, and subsequently Central America, from 1994 to 1997, exploring for gold and base metals. Following this, he was based in Lima, Peru and consulted to the mining industry. Mr. Mullens joined Laramide Resources and Aquiline Resources in 2002. Both companies were successful with Mr. Mullens being responsible for the acquisition of key projects in Argentina for Aquiline, which subsequently led to the buyout by Pan American Silver in 2009 for CAD $645 million. At Laramide, Mr. Mullens was VP Exploration and Director playing a key role in helping to identify and acquire the Westmoreland and Homestake projects in Queensland and the USA, respectively. Laramide was ranked the #1 company on the TSXV in 2005. Mr. Mullens was also a founder and director of Lydian Resources which discovered the 5 million-ounce Amulsar gold deposit located in Armenia. Peter Mullens, Executive Chairman of GCOM, commented, I am excited to come on as Executive Chairman of Green Shift following the closing of Rio Negro. Argentina has exceptional potential for both brine and hard rock lithium discovery and production. I look forward to helping guide the Company towards a successful future." In connection with Mr. Mullens appointment, the Company has granted 500,000 stock options to Mr. Mullens pursuant to the terms of the Company's share-based incentive plan. Each option is exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of C$0.22 for a period of five years, subject to the approval of the TSXV. The Rio Negro Project The Rio Negro Project consists of approximately 500,000 Ha of staked and granted claims stretching through the provinces of Chubut, Rio Negro and Neuquen (Figure 2). The Property covers a large portion of an intrusive belt known to host lithium mineralization in pegmatites. Historic work on granitic stocks in the Mamuel Choique (MC) (Figure 1) area by the Argentine State in the 1960s identified 19 separate pegmatite bodies where assay results from 60 rock chip samples ranged from 0.6% Li2O to 4.1% Li2O, averaging 2.0% Li2O. GCOM has not independently verified these reported grades and therefore they cannot be relied upon until these areas have been resampled. Map of initial sample locations with associated grades from 19 separate pegmatite bodies discovered in 1960s. Fig 1. Map of initial sample locations with associated grades from 19 separate pegmatite bodies discovered in 1960s. Over 800 structures (possible pegmatite bodies) have been mapped through satellite image interpretation in the MC pegmatite field. This work showed that the identified structures have a total strike length of over 100 km. A recent field visit confirmed the existence of many of the target structures identified on satellite imagery. Many of the trenches sampled by the State in the 1960s are still open and accessible for resampling in the planned exploration program. GCOM plans to mobilise field crews to Rio Negro to commence its three-month Phase 1 exploration program immediately. The plan of work consists of prospecting, rock chip sampling and trenching on the highest priority areas located in the Rio Negro Project. The use of a LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) analyzer provides a real-time estimate of lithium grade and therefore is an invaluable tool for the field teams to assess potential and prioritize targets for further work. After estimation of grade by the LIBS analyzer, the field teams then channel sample the priority areas for determination of lithium grade by an independent, certified laboratory. Official assays typically take approximately 6 weeks at certified labs. The Phase 1 work program is expected to focus on areas surrounding the township of Comallo in Rio Negro Province. Map of location of 500,000 Ha of claims acquired by Green Shift in the current transaction. Note initial work will concentrate around the township of Comallo in Central Rio Negro Province Fig 2. Map of location of 500,000 Ha of claims acquired by Green Shift in the current transaction. Note initial work will concentrate around the township of Comallo in Central Rio Negro Province Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Peter Mullens (FAusIMM), Executive Chairman of the Company, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Green Shift Commodities Ltd. Green Shift Commodities Ltd. is focused on the exploration and development of commodities needed to help decarbonize and meet net-zero goals. The Company is developing the Berlin Deposit in Colombia. Apart from uranium, for clean nuclear energy, the Berlin Deposit contains battery commodities including nickel, phosphate, and vanadium. Phosphate is a key component of lithium-ion ferro-phosphate (LFP) batteries that are being used by a growing list of electric vehicle manufacturers. Nickel is a component of various lithium-ion batteries, while vanadium is the element used in vanadium redox flow batteries. Neodymium, one of the rare earth elements contained within the Berlin Deposit, is a key component of powerful magnets that are used to increase the efficiency of electric motors and in generators in wind turbines. The Company recently acquired the district scale Rio Negro Project in Argentina. This Project represents an exciting opportunity to unlock the potential of over 500,000 Ha of land, known to contain hard rock lithium pegmatite occurrences that were first discovered in the 1960s but have seen little exploration since. For further information, please contact: Trumbull Fisher, CEO, Green Shift Commodities Ltd. E: tfisher@greenshiftcommodities.com Tel: (416) 917-5847 Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intensions for the future, and include, but not limited to, statements with respect to: the completion of future exploration work and the potential metallurgical recoveries and results of such test work; the future direction of the Companys strategy; and other activities, events or developments that are expected, anticipated or may occur in the future. These statements are based on assumptions, including that: (i) the ability to achieve positive outcomes from test work; (ii) actual results of exploration, resource goals, metallurgical testing, economic studies and development activities will continue to be positive and proceed as planned, (iii) requisite regulatory and governmental approvals will be received on a timely basis on terms acceptable to Green Shift (iv) economic, political and industry market conditions will be favourable, and (v) financial markets and the market for uranium, battery commodities and rare earth elements will continue to strengthen. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in such statements, including, but not limited to: (1) changes in general economic and financial market conditions, (2) changes in demand and prices for minerals, (3) the Companys ability to source commercially viable reactivation transactions and / or establish appropriate joint venture partnerships, (4) litigation, regulatory, and legislative developments, dependence on regulatory approvals, and changes in environmental compliance requirements, community support and the political and economic climate, (5) the inherent uncertainties and speculative nature associated with exploration results, resource estimates, potential resource growth, future metallurgical test results, changes in project parameters as plans evolve, (6) competitive developments, (7) availability of future financing, (8) the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including, without limitation, effects of COVID-19 on capital markets, commodity prices, labour regulations, supply chain disruptions and domestic and international travel restrictions, (9) exploration risks, and other factors beyond the control of Green Shift including those factors set out in the Risk Factors in our Management Discussion and Analysis dated May 2, 2022 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and other public documents available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Green Shift assumes no obligation to update such information, except as may be required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/18354b61-c9c0-47b2-a3f4-28207fde648e https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4d043ced-d3cf-44c2-99e5-4c534cb61473 Partnership Announces Plans to Revitalize the Iconic San Francisco Property SAN FRANCISCO, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Highgate, a leading hotel management, investment and development company, and Flynn Properties, a San Francisco-based owner of luxury resorts, commercial real estate and select service hotel properties in America and abroad, today announced the acquisition of The Huntington Hotel. Located in San Francisco's Nob Hill neighborhood, the storied property has long been a nostalgic symbol of a bygone era, having originally been constructed in 1924 as the first steel and brick high rise west of the Mississippi. Highgate Logo Together, Highgate and Flynn Properties intend to restore and elevate every aspect of The Huntington Hotel to the very highest standard, returning it to its original glory while reestablishing it as the single finest luxury hotel in San Francisco. In addition to a comprehensive renovation of its public areas and guest rooms, the beloved Big 4 Restaurant will undergo upgrades with a keen sensitivity to the charm cherished by local residents and out-of-town visitors alike. The award-winning Nob Hill Spa will be renovated to reflect the finest design details and offer the latest treatments and amenities available in the industry. Upon reopening, expected in 2025, The Huntington Hotel will again occupy its important place in the community all while celebrating its rich history. "I could not be more excited about the opportunity to bring the iconic Huntington Hotel back to its former glory and beyond," said Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Greg Flynn. "Being a San Francisco native and current resident, I am deeply committed to this city. The opportunity to contribute to its renaissance through investment in one of its true treasures is a privilege, and I am committed to making sure that it is done to perfection." He continued, "I am also excited to partner with Highgate. This is our second partnership with the firm, and they bring an invaluable wealth of experience and expertise to the project." Story continues With the largest average room size and one of the highest suite mixes amongst all luxury hotels in San Francisco, The Huntington Hotel is ideally suited to become the top luxury hotel in the city. Furthermore, the property's superb location atop Nob Hill not only affords exquisite views in all directions as well as easy access to Union Square and the downtown business district, but it does so in the attractive backdrop of Grace Cathedral and the lovely Huntington Park. San Francisco-based Flynn Properties has deep experience in redeveloping and owning luxury assets. Its holdings include the Carneros Resort & Spa and Solage, both located in California's Napa Valley; Esperanza and Chileno Bay, both located in Los Cabos, Mexico; and the Hotel Madeline in Telluride, Colorado. With a more than 30-year track record as a global investment manager, operating partner and developer, Highgate brings deep experience owning, operating and redeveloping hotels in San Francisco, including the recent comprehensive renovation and rebranding of the Hyatt Regency SoMa in San Francisco's Arts District. Highgate has also recently completed the revitalization of several other historically significant luxury hotels in core urban markets, including the Newbury Boston, and the Knickerbocker Hotel and Park Lane Hotel in New York City. "Highgate's philosophy has always been to pursue opportunities where we have a distinct ability to add value," said Arash Azarbarzin, Chief Executive Officer at Highgate. "Under our stewardship, The Huntington will reclaim its mantle as an indispensable component of the San Francisco community, through a revitalization project that will celebrate its heritage while making significant upgrades to meet the expectations of today's guests. We look forward to partnering with the associates, the community and Flynn Properties in achieving these objectives, and we are thrilled to make another significant investment in the San Francisco hotel market." The Huntington Hotel is the latest addition to Highgate's growing luxury and lifestyle division, which includes over 7,500 keys with 2,100 keys under development. About Flynn Properties Inc. Flynn Properties Inc. has substantial experience investing in commercial and hospitality real estate. Founded in 1994 and based in San Francisco, CA, its commercial investments include in excess of 3 million square feet of tech-oriented office buildings on the West Coast. Its hospitality investments include 115 mostly Marriott and Hilton-branded select service hotels across 23 states, as well as the luxury resorts Esperanza and Chileno Bay, both located in Los Cabos, Mexico, the Carneros Resort and Solage, both located in the Napa Valley, and the Hotel Madeline in Telluride. Its affiliate, Flynn Restaurant Group LP, is the largest franchise restaurant operator in the world, owning and operating 2,400 restaurants in 44 states, generating $4.4 billion in sales, and directly employing approximately 73,000 people. For more information, visit: www.flynnholdings.com. About Highgate Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company with over $20 billion of assets under management. Highgate has a 30-year track record as an investment manager, operating partner, and developer for REITs, private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, high net worth individuals, and other institutional investors. With a particular focus in hospitality real estate, Highgate's portfolio includes over 500 owned and/or managed hotels comprising over 84,000 rooms across the United States, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate's capabilities extend to adjacent real estate verticals including multifamily, short-term rentals, and diversified healthcare real estate, as well as investments in real estate-linked securities, technology platforms, and hospitality-related operating businesses. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Seattle, Waikiki and London. For more information, visit: www.highgate.com. Flynn Properties Logo Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/highgate-and-flynn-properties-acquire-the-huntington-hotel-301775661.html SOURCE Highgate Lower Southampton Township, Pennsylvania, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Philadelphia, PA - Home Cash Guys, a prominent real estate company in the Philadelphia area, announces its new state-wide service to help homeowners sell their properties quickly for cash. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Home Cash Guys has established itself as a trusted and reliable partner for those looking to sell their homes fast. The company understands that selling a house can be a stressful and overwhelming process, which is why they offer a hassle-free, stress-free solution. Home Cash Guys buys houses in any condition, regardless of the location or the seller's situation. They provide a fast and fair cash offer for the property, and if the seller accepts, they can close the deal in as little as seven days. Greg Yuter "We know that selling a house can be a complicated process, and that's why we're here to help," said Home Cash Guys' founder Greg Yuter.. "Our team is committed to providing homeowners with a fair and hassle-free way to sell their property quickly for cash. We believe in transparency and honesty, and we work hard to ensure that our customers feel confident and satisfied with the entire process." Home Cash Guys' unique approach to buying houses has helped countless homeowners in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. They've earned a reputation for being professional, courteous, and respectful, and they're committed to providing the highest level of service to their customers. The company's new service is a game-changer for those who need to sell their homes quickly. Homeowners can avoid the hassle of listing their property, staging it for potential buyers, dealing with repairs, and waiting months for a buyer to make an offer. Instead, they can get a cash offer from Home Cash Guys and close the deal in as little as seven days. Home Cash Guys is a reliable and reputable company that offers a stress-free way to sell your home fast for cash. Story continues https://youtu.be/XKCw8orZJV8 ### For more information about Home Cash Guys, contact the company here: Home Cash Guys Greg Yuter (215) 515-0064 greg@homecashguys.com Home Cash Guys 148 E. Street Rd Suite170 Feasterville, PA 19053 CONTACT: Greg Yuter Market Research Future Hospital Beds Market Trends and Insights By Type (Acute Care, Long-Term Care, Psychiatric & Bariatric Care, Others), By Power (Electric, Semi-Electric, Manual), By End Users (Hospital, Clinics, Ambulatory), And By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And Rest Of The World), Competitive Market Growth, Size, Share and Forecast to 2030 New York, USA, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hospital Beds Market Overview According to a Comprehensive Research Report by Market Research Future (MRFR), Hospital Beds Market Information By Type, By Power, By End Users, And By Region Market Forecast Till 2030, the market size was valued at USD 3.1 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow from USD 3.33 Billion in 2022 to USD 5.52 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.50% during the forecast period (2022 - 2030). Market Scope Chronic disease prevalence is rising, and more hospitals and ambulatory care centers and older adults are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth. Hospital expansion and modernization are anticipated to enhance market growth for hospital beds. As a result, it was announced in October 2019 by the Texas Health and Human Services Department and Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin that a new mental hospital will be built in Texas, United States. Those who struggle to get into or out of their beds due to certain medical issues should use hospital or medical beds. Also, these beds have adjustable sizes, which makes it simpler for caregivers to manage the patient. The advantages of these beds include periodic repositioning to alleviate stiffness and joint pain after lying on the bed for extended periods of time and avoid the development of bedsores, particularly on the buttocks and heels. These beds also adapt to the heights and other conditions of the patients. The adjustable foot and height parts allow positions that may cause pain when using cushions or wedges. Hospital and medical beds include side rails to prevent falls off the bed. Story continues Get Free Sample PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/898 Report Scope: Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2030 USD 5.52 Billion CAGR 7.50% Base Year 2021 Forecast Period 2022-2030 Historical Data 2020 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Type, Power and End Users Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW) Key Market Drivers Hospital expansion and modernization are anticipated to enhance market growth Rising preference for at-home care and technical developments in ICU beds. Hospital Beds Market Competitive Dynamics Leading market companies are spending a lot of money on research and development in order to diversify their product lines, which will fuel additional market expansion for the hospital bed sector. Market participants are engaging in a variety of strategic activities to increase their global presence in conjunction with significant industry changes, including new product releases, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the hospital bed market must offer reasonably priced goods in order to expand and survive in a market that is getting more and more competitive. Hill-Rom Holdings Stryker Corporation Linet spol. s r.o. Invacare Corporation Paramount Bed Holdings Co. Gendron Inc. Getinge AB Hospital Beds Market Dynamics: Market Drivers The reasons driving the growth of this market include the rising older population, the prevalence of chronic diseases, the rise in hospitals, and the introduction of beds with cutting-edge technology. While the introduction of intelligent and robotic beds, rising demand for beds in home care settings, emerging nations, and expanding medical tourism are opening up new market potential. Also, a rise in government initiatives to build cutting-edge healthcare facilities fuels market expansion. The expansion of the industry is also driven by an increase in the private hospital sector, medical tourism, and ambulatory surgical clinics. Medical tourism offers healthcare services at a lesser price, which helps people use medical services. Chronic diseases are becoming more common as the elderly population keeps expanding. Cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes, which are common in the aging population and whose rising prevalence is projected to increase the number of hospital admissions, are responsible for the majority of deaths linked to chronic diseases. Due to the high expense of healthcare in developed nations, patients are increasingly looking for alternatives that are more reasonably priced. The two main causes of national healthcare systems being severely taxed and limiting access to healthcare are the aging population in affluent countries and rising life expectancy. As a result, patients are choosing international healthcare options. Patients have access to a variety of services around the world thanks to hospital websites devoted to medical tourism and international accreditations for raising the bar for healthcare standards globally. Market Limitations The need for medical equipment specialists to maintain hospital beds and the lack of technical expertise among healthcare professionals regarding technologically modern medical beds are obstacles to the market's expansion, nevertheless. COVID-19 Analysis: Due to the rising need for hospital beds, it is projected that the COVID-19 outbreak will benefit the market for hospital beds. It is advised that patients with COVID-19 be isolated to prevent infection transmission. Also, the majority of the nations established isolation centers with medical facilities, which helped the demand for hospital beds to expand. Advanced hospital beds with features like wheels, elevation, CPR capability, and nurse call systems are useful for very ill patients. COVID-19 has a major favorable impact on the market for hospital beds as a result. Aside from that, the COVID-19 pandemic raises demand for hospital beds for home care by fostering a preference for in-home care. As a result, it is projected that the market will expand following a pandemic. Browse In-depth Market Research Report (148 Pages) on Hospital Beds: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/hospital-bed-market-898 Hospital Beds Market Segmentation: Hospital beds Type Insights Based on category, the long-term care segment dominated the market in 2021. Due to the rise in the prevalence of chronic diseases and the increase in the population of geriatrics, it is projected that this trend will last throughout the forecast period. Nonetheless, the acute care category is predicted to experience significant growth over the course of the projection period due to a rise in the frequency of traffic accidents and rising healthcare expenses. Hospital beds Power Insights The electric bed category dominated the market in 2021 and is anticipated to do so once more during the anticipated period due to advancements in hospital beds and the prevalence of acute diseases. Nonetheless, the manual bed market is expected to experience considerable growth over the course of the forecast period due to the cost-effectiveness of manual beds and the increase in the number of older persons. Hospital beds End-User Insights The hospital pharmacy category commanded the largest end-user market share for hospital beds as a result of a rise in hospitals and government initiatives to improve the healthcare infrastructure. For the course of the forecast, this tendency is expected to persist. However, the ambulatory surgical center sector is likely to have considerable expansion over the forecast period due to the increased popularity of ambulatory surgery centers and the rising prevalence of cancer. Hospital Beds Market Regional Analysis The market for hospital beds in North America, which had sales of USD 1.32 billion in 2021, is anticipated to increase at a substantial CAGR over the research period. Acute care and long-term care facilities in North America are using smart beds more frequently due to the growing demand for them. In 2022, the hospital bed market is anticipated to be dominated by Europe. A growing geriatric population, an increase in the prevalence of chronic illnesses, and local technological developments all result in higher healthcare costs per person. Buy Now: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=898 Due to a growth in the incidence of chronic diseases, the presence of a sizable population base, and the presence of important competitors, Asia-Pacific captured the largest share of the worldwide hospital beds market in 2021 and is predicted to continue to do so during the forecast period. These factors consequently probably cause a surge in hospital admissions in the region, which causes a high demand for hospital beds there. Also, the Asia-Pacific region's hospital bed market in China had the biggest market share and was expanding at the fastest rate. Discover more research Reports on Healthcare Industry by Market Research Future: Electrical Hospital Beds Market Research Report: by Type (Semi-automatic, Automatic), By Treatment (Critical Care, Acute Care, Long Term Care), By Application (General Purpose, Psychiatric), by End-user (Hospitals & Clinics, Reproductive Care Centers, Dentistry, Home Care) - Forecast to 2030 Automated Hospital Beds Market Information by Type (Semi-Automatic Hospital Beds and Fully Automatic Hospital Beds), Technology (Basic Automated Hospital Beds and Smart Automated Hospital Beds), Type of Treatment (Critical Care, Acute Care and Long Term Care), Usage (General Purpose, Intensive Care, Delivery/Birthing, Bariatric, Pediatric, Psychiatric Care, Pressure Relief and others) End User (Hospitals & Clinics, Reproductive Care Centers, Dentistry, Home Care and others) - Forecast till 2030 Asia-Pacific hospital bed market , by type (Standard bed, Manual bed, Hydraulic bed and Electric bed) by Application type (Medical/Surgical bed, Critical care bed, Maternity bed, Bariatric bed and others) and by End users (Hospitals & Clinics, Nursing homes and Maternity homes)- Forecast to 2027 About Market Research Future: Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions. Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter CONTACT: Market Research Future (Part of Wantstats Research and Media Private Limited) 99 Hudson Street, 5Th Floor New York, NY 10013 United States of America +1 628 258 0071 (US) +44 2035 002 764 (UK) Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Website: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com Industry-leading operational resilience company recognized for surging growth and leadership helping organizations pre-empt unthinkable supply chain risks. ARLINGTON, Va., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Interos, the operational resilience company creating the safest, strongest, and most secure supply chains in the world, announced today that it was named to the Inc. 5000 Regionals Mid-Atlantic list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing Mid-Atlantic private companies in the U.S., which includes companies based in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Interos (www.Interos.net) provides eco-system mapping and supply chain risk solutions. (PRNewsfoto/Interos) "We're honored by this recognition as it further validates the urgent need for organizations to prioritize operational resilience," said Jennifer Bisceglie, Founder & CEO of Interos. "We're grateful to our customers and talented team members who are driving our vision to help companies get ahead of supply chain crises. By providing the world's only operational resilience platform, we protect enterprises from regulatory violations, unethical labor, cyber-attacks, geopolitical unrest, catastrophe, bankruptcy, and other supplier-related risks." Interos' relationship discovery and risk-scoring technologies assess and continuously monitor extended supply chains in real time. They illuminate hidden relationships, identify vulnerabilities, and alert procurement and other supply chain leaders to risk events, enabling them to act pre-emptively to protect their business, brand, and reputation. The industry-first Interos i-Score measures an organization's operational resilience using multiple critical risk factors. In a world where perpetual disruption is the norm, the technology provides an instantaneous view of a company's overall supply chain health. Inc. cited Interos and others on its list for scaling at lightning speed propelled by big market-winning ideas. "This year's Inc. 5000 Regional winners represent one of the most exceptional and exciting lists of America's off-the-charts growth companies. They're disrupters and job creators, and all delivered an outsize impact on the economy. Remember their names and follow their lead. These are the companies you'll be hearing about for years to come," said Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. magazine. Story continues Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Regionals can be found here. Between 2019 and 2021, these 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 region's economy. 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 world's 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 www.inc.com . About Interos Interos is the operational resilience company creating the safest, strongest, and most secure supply chains in the world. Our pioneering scoring and relationship discovery technologies automate risk assessment, detection, and response. As the world's only operational resilience platform, we protect customers from regulatory violations, unethical labor, cyber-attacks, bankruptcy, catastrophe, and other supplier vulnerabilities. Based in Washington, DC, Interos serves a variety of commercial and government clients around the world, including the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and a host of Global Fortune 500 companies. www.interos.ai Media Contact: media@interos.ai Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/interos-named-to-inc-5000-regionals-list-of-americas-fastest-growing-private-companies-301775264.html SOURCE Interos Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad fair value estimate is RM9.16 Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad is estimated to be 24% undervalued based on current share price of RM6.93 The RM7.42 analyst price target for AIRPORT is 19% less than our estimate of fair value In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (KLSE:AIRPORT) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine. 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. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad Is Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad Fairly Valued? We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. 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 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) RM960.3m RM1.72b RM1.54b RM1.45b RM1.41b RM1.39b RM1.40b RM1.42b RM1.44b RM1.48b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x7 Analyst x4 Est @ -5.87% Est @ -3.04% Est @ -1.05% Est @ 0.33% Est @ 1.30% Est @ 1.98% Est @ 2.46% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 11% RM864 RM1.4k RM1.1k RM950 RM828 RM737 RM665 RM606 RM556 RM512 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM8.2b We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 11%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032 (1 + g) (r g) = RM1.5b (1 + 3.6%) (11% 3.6%) = RM20b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM20b ( 1 + 11%)10= RM7.0b The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM15b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM6.9, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 24% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. 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 Malaysia Airports 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 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.950. 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 Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad Strength Debt is well covered by cash flow. Weakness Interest payments on debt are not well covered. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Infrastructure market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market. Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year. Looking Ahead: Whilst important, the DCF calculation 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. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, there are three essential aspects you should further examine: Risks: You should be aware of the 1 warning sign for Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does AIRPORT'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 Growth Plus Reports Newark, New Castle, USA, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global keratosis pilaris treatment market will register a revenue CAGR of 4.26%, owing to the high incidence of keratosis coupled with increasing research and development leading to new drug development in the market, states Growth Plus Reports. Request a Sample Copy of the Research Report: https://www.growthplusreports.com/inquiry/request-sample/keratosis-pilaris-treatment-market/8252 The global keratosis pilaris treatment market is expected to witness significant growth in the forecast period due to the increasing awareness regarding the condition, rising healthcare expenditure, and an increasing number of patients. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of skin diseases, technological advancements in the development of new treatments and drugs and increasing collaborations between pharmaceutical companies are expected to drive the growth of the global keratosis pilaris treatment market. The increasing prevalence of skin diseases, technological advancements in the development of new treatments and drugs and increasing collaborations between pharmaceutical companies are expected to contribute to the global keratosis pilaris treatment market. Furthermore, the increasing demand for cosmetic products, and increasing research activities for the development of advanced treatments are expected to act as major growth drivers in the forecast period. The global keratosis pilaris treatment market has been analyzed from four perspectives: Treatment Type, End User, and Region. Excerpts from By Treatment Type Based on treatment type the global keratosis pilaris treatment market is grouped into: Topical Exfoliants Topical Retinoids Others The topical exfoliants segment has dominated the global keratosis pilaris treatment market. Topical exfoliants are necessary to get rid of the tiny keratin nodules that cover follicles. Exfoliants also concentrate on eliminating dead skin cells and shrinking hair follicles. Moreover, these are effective treatments for tiny keratin nodules that cover follicles. Topical exfoliants also concentrate on eliminating dead skin cells and shrinking hair follicles. The segment is again sub-segmented in lotions, creams, and others. The application of a medicated lotion regularly can enhance the look of the skin. The market segment is predicted to have the greatest market share throughout the projection period. Lotions containing Alpha hydroxy acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid are mostly prescribed for the disease. Laser treatment is a trending treatment option for keratosis pilaris mainly in developed countries. Laser treatment can offer effective results in a very short period. The topical retinoids segment is currently leading. This is attributed to the increased efficacy of these retinoids to treat the disease. Moreover, topical retinoids or vitamin A-derived creams are high in demand as they are used as a primary treatment for treating keratosis pilaris. Story continues Request for Customization https://www.growthplusreports.com/inquiry/customization/keratosis-pilaris-treatment-market/8252 Excerpts from By End User The global keratosis pilaris treatment market based on end users is divided into: Hospitals Dermatological Clinics Home Care Settings Others Keratosis pilaris is better treated in hospitals. This is because they have access to more specialist equipment and employees than other types of care providers. They also provide access to more sophisticated experts, such as dermatologists and plastic surgeons, who can treat the problem with more precision and efficacy. Furthermore, hospitals have a greater capacity to monitor and track progress, ensuring that patients receive the best possible treatment. Hospitals also have access to more sophisticated treatment alternatives like laser therapy. Excerpts from By Region The global keratosis pilaris treatment market is regionally divided into: North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the World The North American region is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. This is due to the increasing prevalence of the condition in the region, as well as the rising awareness of the disease and the availability of effective treatments. The market is expected to be driven by the increased demand for topical and systemic treatments, such as retinoids, antibiotics, and laser therapy. Furthermore, the market is expected to be further boosted by the increasing number of clinical trials and new product launches. The Asia Pacific keratosis pilaris treatment market is anticipated to show high growth in the coming years. This is attributed to the presence of top players in the region such as AbbVie, Novartis, and Galderma in the area. In addition, it is anticipated that the demand for topical treatments will continue to rise. Growing awareness of the disorder and the availability of efficient therapies are other factors driving the global keratosis treatment market. The Asia Pacific keratosis pilaris treatment market is also expanding as a result of increased disposable incomes as well as a rise in the demand for cosmeceuticals. Excerpts from Competitive Landscape Some of the prominent players operating in the global keratosis pilaris treatment market are: Neostrata Company, Inc. Procter & Gamble Company SLMD Skincare. Johnson & Johnson Pvt. Ltd. Galderma S.A. Touch Skin Care Novartis AG LOreal S.A. Summit Medical Group Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Table of Content INTRODUCTION Market Ecosystem Timeline Under Consideration Historical Years 2020 Base Year 2021 Forecast Years 2022 to 2030 Currency Used in the Report RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Research Approach Data Collection Methodology Data Sources Secondary Sources Primary Sources Market Estimation Approach Bottom Up Top Down Market Forecasting Model Limitations and Assumptions PREMIUM INSIGHTS Current Market Trends Key Players & Competitive Positioning (2021) MARKET DYNAMICS Drivers Restraints/Challenges Opportunities TOC Continued.. Buy this Premium Research Report: https://www.growthplusreports.com/checkout-8252 DNA Vaccines Market by Type (Human DNA Vaccines and Animal DNA Vaccines), Application (Human, Animal Diseases) Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2031 Genomics in Cancer Care Market by Product Type (Instruments, Consumables), Technology (PCR, Microarray, Genome Sequencing) Application (Diagnostics, Personalized Medicine, Drug Discovery & Development) Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2031 Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis Market by Drug Class (RNAi Agents (Patisiran), Small Interfering RNAs (siRNAs)(Vutrisiran)), Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies) - Global Outlook and Forecast 2023-2031 Joint Pain Injections Market by Product (Hyaluronic Acid, Corticosteroid, Platelet Rich Plasma), Joint Type (Knee & Ankle, Hip, Shoulder, Elbow), Distribution Channel (Hospitals, Retail, Online Pharmacies) - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2031 Legionella Testing Market by Type (Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) Testing, Culture Media, Serology, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Urine Antigen Testing) and End Users (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories, Others) Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2031 About Us: Growth Plus Reports is part of GRG Health, a global healthcare knowledge service company. We are proud members of EPhMRA (European Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Association). Growth Plus portfolio of services draws on our core capabilities of secondary & primary research, market modelling & forecasting, benchmarking, analysis and strategy formulation to help clients create scalable, ground-breaking solutions that prepare them for future growth and success. We were awarded by the prestigious CEO Magazine as "Most Innovative Healthcare Market Research Company in 2020. CONTACT: Manan Sethi Director, Market Insights Email: sales@growthplusreports.com 256 Chapman Road STE 105-4, Newark, New Castle - 19702, USA Phone no: +1 888 550 5009 Web: https://www.growthplusreports.com/ During its 45th session, King Faisal Prize Recognized Other Outstanding Figures in the Fields of Arabic Language & Literature, Islamic Studies, and Service to Islam Professor Chad Mirkin, King Faisal Prize in Science 2023 Laureate Professor Chad Mirkin, King Faisal Prize in Science 2023 Laureate Professor Sarah Gilbert, King Faisal Prize in Medicine 2023 Laureate Professor Sarah Gilbert, King Faisal Prize in Medicine 2023 Laureate Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On 20 March, Harvard University and Oxford University professors Dan Barouch from the US and Sarah Gilbert from the UK received the King Faisal Prize for Medicine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for their innovative vaccine technologies. They developed Covid-19 vaccines, which saved millions of lives. Furthermore, Northwestern University Professor, Chad Mirkin, and the A*STAR Senior Fellow and Director at NanoBio Lab, Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying, were awarded the Science Prize for helping define the modern age of nanotechnology and for their various advancements and applications of nanomaterials. Professor Dan Barouch; the Director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the William Bosworth Castle Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Professor Sarah Gilbert; the Said Chair of Vaccinology in the Nuffield Department of Medicine at Oxford University, employed a novel technology in developing Covid-19 viral vectors vaccines: the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine, respectively. Novel Vaccine Technology and Quick Response to the Pandemic Instead of the traditional vaccines methods which use a weakened or killed form of the original infection and require a long time to develop in the human body, professors Dan Barouch and Sarah Gilbert genetically modified a harmless version of a different virus to carry genetic material to body cells and deliver protection. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was based on engineering a harmless adenovirus (called Ad26) which was a common type of virus that caused mild cold symptoms.. Story continues In his acceptance speech during the ceremony, Professor Barouch said, The Ad26 vaccine for COVID-19 demonstrated robust efficacy in humans, even after a single shot, and showed continued protection against virus variants that emerged. This vaccine has been rolled out across the world by the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson, and over 200 million people have received this vaccine, particularly in the developing world. Like the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the essence of the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine, (called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19), is a genetically modified weakened version of a common virus which caused a cold in chimpanzees and no infection when injected in humans. The modified virus in both vaccines carried the genetic instructions for the coronavirus spike protein. When entering the body cells, the virus used a genetic code or instructions to produce the specific surface spike protein of the coronavirus inducing an immune response and preparing the immune system to attack coronavirus if it infects the body. Both vaccines were achieved in few months of work; the Johnson & Johnson vaccine required 13 months and the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine took 10 months of work. This was due to previous research work and clinical trials to develop vaccine candidates for multiple pathogens of global significance. The development of the Ad26 vaccine platform, which was the base for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, came as a result of Dan Barouchs accumulated work on HIV, Zika virus, and tuberculosis. He is considered a pioneer in the creation of a series of vaccine platform technologies that can be used when developing vaccines for emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. Moreover, Barouch led the worlds first demonstration of Zika vaccine protection in preclinical studies and launched a series of phase 1 Zika vaccine clinical trials. Likewise, the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccines innovative technologies were also applied by Sarah Gilbert to Malaria, Ebola, Influenza, and MERS, with clinical trials of the latter taking place in the UK and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In fact, the patented ChAdOx1 technology was developed by Professor Gilbert and other researchers at the University of Oxford in 2012. In 2014, she led the first trial of an Ebola vaccine after a large outbreak of the disease in West Africa. I am humbled to join the other 2023 laureates today, and to follow-in the footsteps of the men and women whose work has been recognized by the Foundation over more than four decades. This award is in recognition of my work to co-create a vaccine for COVID-19. A low-cost, accessible, efficacious vaccine that has now been used in more than 180 countries and is estimated to have saved more than six million lives by the start of 2022, said Professor Gilbert in her acceptance speech during the awarding ceremony. Nanotechnology Inventions Topping 100 Scientific Discoveries that Changed the World In this years King Faisal Prize for Science about Chemistry, Professor Chad Mirkin (from the US); the Director of the International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN) and the Rathmann Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Medicine, Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University, and Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying (from the US); the A*STAR Senior Fellow and Director at NanoBio Lab, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, received the prize. The work of Professor Chad Mirkin, which has been at the forefront of nano chemistry for over three decades, has helped define the modern age of nanotechnology. He is widely recognized for his invention of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), which are nanostructures composed of nucleic acids in a spherical configuration which enter human cells and tissues and overcome biological barriers, making it possible to detect or treat a disease on the genetic level. More than 1,800 products for medical diagnostics, therapeutics, and life science research were based on this technology. One vital component of our work aims to use nanotechnology to restructure DNA and RNA into forms that make them more potent medicines for treating debilitating types of cancer and neurological disease. Through this work, we hope to usher in a new era of powerful and precision genetic medicines where we can attack and treat disease at its genetic routes, said Mirkin in his acceptance speech. Professor Mirkin has over 1,200 patent applications worldwide. He also founded several companies, including Nanosphere, AuraSense, TERA-print, Azul 3D, MattIQ, and Flashpoint Therapeutics. He pioneered artificial intelligence-based materials discovery inventing a method to create patterns directly on different substances with a variety of inks called dip-pen nanolithography, which was described by National Geographic as one of the top 100 scientific discoveries that changed the world. He also developed HARP (high-area rapid printing) technology, a 3D printing process that can manufacture different products like ceramics at record-breaking throughput. As for Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying, her research focused on synthesis of advanced nanomaterials and systems, and their application in biomedicine, energy conversion, and catalysis. Her inventions have been used to solve challenges in different fields of medicine, chemistry, and energy. I am deeply honored to be receiving the King Faisal Prize in Science, especially as the first female recipient of this award, she said in her acceptance speech. Her development of stimuli-responsive polymeric nanoparticles led to a technology which can autoregulate the release of insulin, depending on the blood glucose levels in diabetic patients without the need for external blood glucose monitoring. Dr. Yings laboratory has pioneered the synthesis of mesoporous and microporous transition metal oxides; a class of nanomaterials used in energy storage and conversion, by supramolecular templating (organizing or assembling entities). Dr. Ying has more than 180 primary patents and patent applications; 32 of which have been licensed to multinational and start-up companies for a range of applications in nanomedicine, drug delivery, cell and tissue engineering, medical implants, biosensors, medical devices, and others. Her work is at the intersection of nanotechnology and technical medicine and has culminated in the establishment of six successful start-ups and spinoff companies. Four Exceptional Thinkers and Leaders Recognized in Arabic Language & Literature, Islamic Studies, and Service to Islam Along with Medicine and Science, the King Faisal Prize recognized outstanding thinkers and scholars in Arabic Language & Literature and Islamic Studies this year and honored exemplary leaders who have contributed to serve Islam, Muslims, and humanity. Professor Abdelfattah Kilito, from Morocco, received the Arabic Language & Literature prize focusing on Classical Arabic Narrative and Modern Theories. He has been a visiting professor and lecturer at the New Sorbonne, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Chicago, the University of Oxford, and the College de France. Professor Robert Hillenbrand, from the UK, Honorary Professorial Fellow in the department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) at the University of Edinburgh, was awarded the Islamic Studies prize in Islamic Architecture. His work was distinguished by its geographic and temporal expansiveness, which covered North Africa, Egypt, Palestine, and Central Asia, and spanned from the early Islamic period till the 19th Century. As for the Service to Islam Prize, Professor Choi Young Kil-Hamed (from South Korea) and His Excellency Shaikh Nasser bin Abdullah Al Zaabi (from the UAE) were this years laureates. Since 1979, King Faisal Prize in its 5 different categories has awarded 290 laureates who have made distinguished contributions to different sciences and causes. Each prize laureate is endowed with USD 200 thousand; a 24-carat gold medal weighing 200 grams, and a Certificate inscribed with the Laureates name and a summary of their work which qualified them for the prize. Attachments CONTACT: Maysa Shawwa King Faisal Prize Maysa.Shawwa@kff.com Bahrains successful efforts to attract foreign direct investment for fintech innovation and other segments of the economy with high growth potential will be mapped out in a report soon. To be published by the global research and advisory company Oxford Business Group (OBG), The Report: Bahrain 2023 will track the strides being taken by the kingdom to further enhance its business environment, which helped to attract a record $1.1 billion in direct investment in 2022 (Bahrain Economic Development Board). It will shine a spotlight on the areas of the economy identified as ripe for development, which range from financial services and ICT to logistics, manufacturing and tourism. Regulatory sandbox Fintechs increasing contribution to growth will be a key focal point. The report will chart the far-reaching measures introduced to support the segments development, which include the setting up of a regulatory sandbox and new rules for emerging technologies, such as open banking, debt- and equity-based crowdfunding, and the crypto-asset module. To support its analysis, OBG has signed a first-time memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bahrain FinTech Bay. Under the agreement, the regional fintech hub will contribute to The Report: Bahrain 2023 and other content for the OBGs suite of research tools. The MoU was signed by Suzy Al Zeerah, Chief Operating Officer of Bahrain FinTech Bay, and Fernanda Braz, OBGs Country Director in Bahrain. Immense potential Al Zeerah said: In Bahrain we recognise the immense potential of fintech to drive innovation, enhance efficiency and transform our economy. As we continue to embrace the digital age, fintech will play an increasingly critical role in ensuring that we remain at the forefront of innovation and growth. We see fintech as a key driver for digitalizing our economy as part of Bahrains Economic Vision 2030 and are optimistic about future projects that will take this industry forward. Oxford Business Group is known for producing high-calibre research tools on fast-growing markets and their investment potential. Were thrilled to be partnering with its representatives on this highly anticipated report to promote the national and regional fintech industrys underlying opportunities, she added. Welcoming the Bahrain FinTech Bay on board, Braz said the kingdoms efforts to position itself as a fintech hub were advancing rapidly, buoyed by its competitive advantages, which include a strategic location, highly capable workforce, strong regulatory framework and supportive ecosystem. Key role Bahrain FinTech Bay is playing a key role in supporting the development of the regional fintech industry, providing resources and services to both startups and investors, while fostering a range of initiatives across emerging tech fields, she said. Im delighted to have its experts input for our research, which will enable us to highlight the investment potential of this important financial services segment and share a broad range of valuable insights with our subscribers. The Report: Bahrain 2023 will be produced with Bahrain FinTech Bay, Bahrain Bourse, KPMG and Zubi and partners. It will contain contributions from leading personalities in the public and private sectors. The Report: Bahrain 2023 will mark the culmination of several months of field research by a team of analysts from Oxford Business Group. It will be a vital guide to the many facets of the kingdom, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments.-- TradeArabia News Service KSS Becomes Exclusive Distributor to Increase the Brand's Customer Reach Across California and Aid in Launching the Brand's New Edible & Flower Lines LOS ANGELES, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rose , California's leading cannabis brand, today announced an exclusive partnership with Kiva Sales and Service (KSS), the industry-leading sales and distribution platform offering dispensaries a complete suite of curated best in class brands, acting as their exclusive distributor to bring the brand's original Turkish-Delight style edibles alongside a new effects-based approach to their Delights and a brand new line of Rose Flower to retailers across California. Rose "I speak for our whole team when I say how excited and honored we are to be represented to our retailers by the KSS team" commented Nathan Cozzolino, Rose Founder. "As Rose continues to rapidly expand our product line with a new effects-based approach to our Delights and a brand new line of Rose Flower, it makes it timely for us to transition to and leverage the knowledgeable and hard working team, KSS. We feel strongly that this will give us the ability to focus on the work we do best, continuing our pursuit of making the best quality cannabis products we possibly can." Rose offers Turkish-Delight style edibles infused with single-strain flower rosin and seasonal produce, brought together in unique flavors developed by renowned chefs. Pressed from whole, cured flower, their house-made flower rosin preserves the beneficial natural properties of the plant, honoring it in its original form while providing you the best quality experience. "Rose is consistently known as one of the top cannabis brands in California, offering consumers unrivaled products in terms of quality and originality" said Brooks Jorgensen, President of Kiva Sales and Service. "We're thrilled at the opportunity to partner and to act as their exclusive distribution partner to help the brand further reach consumers across California and bring their new product lines to market." Story continues Kiva Sales and Service has extensive experience in elevating groundbreaking products, while offering a visionary approach to connect with untapped cannabis consumers. This new strategic partnership will facilitate significant expansion of Rose products throughout California by strategic deployment of distribution resources, and an integrated sales approach achieved through collaboration between Rose and KSS sales teams. For more information about Rose's product offerings and retailers, please visit https://www.roselosangeles.com . About Rose: Rose is California's leading cannabis brand, offering innovative products that put quality and our relationship to nature at the forefront. Their Turkish-Delight style edibles are infused with single-strain flower rosin and seasonal produce, brought together in unique flavors developed by renowned chefs. Pressed from whole, cured flower, their house-made flower rosin preserves the beneficial natural properties of the plant, honoring it in its original form while providing you the best quality experience. Rose Farm in Penn Valley, CA is where their sungrown flower is cultivated then infused into Delights for a closed-loop edible, and made available as smokeable flower. About Kiva Sales & Service: In 2010, we at Kiva made a commitment to never release a product to our customers until it was perfect. We used that same philosophy as our driving mission at Kiva Sales & Service to make sure we provide the best customer service of any distributor in the market. Our goal is to build the leading distributor for premium California cannabis brands with a strong focus on service, brand building, and relationships that will accelerate growth for all our partners. With our commitment to dispensary service and a curated portfolio of industry-leading cannabis brands, we can be stronger together. KIVA Sales & Service Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kiva-sales-and-service-secures-distribution-partnership-with-rose-301775544.html SOURCE Kiva Sales & Service Visit booth 106 to learn how Covalon is leading the charge with compassion driven innovation through gentler infection prevention solutions. MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Covalon Technologies Ltd. (the "Company" or "Covalon") (TSXV: COV) (OTCQX: CVALF), an advanced medical technologies company, today announced its participation in the Synova NICU Leadership Forum from Sunday, March 19 to Thursday, March 23, 2023 in Tuscon, Arizona. Clinicians looking for more compassionate care solutions that help prevent infection, improve patient outcomes, and reduce stress on care providers should visit Covalon at booth 106 to learn more about Covalon's unique position to offer "apology-free", tender, and atraumatic IV dressing changes, as well catheter hub and line connection protection, for NICU and pediatric patients. Newborn in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (CNW Group/Covalon Technologies Ltd.) "Here at Covalon, courageous leadership means prioritizing compassion, even amongst competing priorities and limited resources, so that all patients, but especially the youngest, experience the care and comfort they deserve," said Ron Hebert, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, Covalon. "We're excited to be attending Synova NICU Leadership Forum for the first time so that clinicians and leaders can see, feel, and experience how our compassionate care solutions can help even the tiniest patients." At this year's Synova NICU Leadership Forum, Covalon is taking up the conference theme "Fearless: Choosing to Lead with Courage," by asking conference attendees to experience the difference compassion driven innovation can make in a vascular access dressing and line guard for NICU patients. At booth 106, Covalon will be demonstrating how critical the intersection between medical devices, the caregiver-patient relationship, and compassion is to driving positive patient outcomes. Inspired by lived experience and created to protect, heal, and comfort pediatric patients, Covalon's solutions are redefining the standards of care that come with vascular access technology designed for children. Today, 6 of the top 10 children's hospitals, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, have adopted Covalon's uniquely designed compassionate care solutions. Story continues CovaClear IV utilizes soft silicone adhesive technology to help protect patients from skin injuries, but does not incorporate antimicrobials, for use with patients who either don't require or cannot tolerate antimicrobials. VALGuard - an FDA listed, transparent, environmental barrier designed to protect catheter hubs and line connections from external contaminants and gross contamination, including body fluids and other secretions. It incorporates a quick-release pull strip for fast access to infusion hubs and for easy removal. IV Clear - the world's only dual-antimicrobial vascular access dressing that offers complete transparency at and around the insertion site for easy daily assessment. It also utilizes soft silicone adhesive technology to minimize skin injuries and preserve skin barrier functions, and incorporates safe amounts of antimicrobials, without sacrificing efficacy, to protect against chemical irritation. SurgiClear - the world's only dual-antimicrobial clear postoperative dressing that provides full surgical site visibility, allowing for visual site inspection and thus eliminating the need for early and multiple dressing removals. Conference details Dates: Saturday, March 19 to Thursday, March 23, 2023 Venue: Westin La Paloma, Tuscon, Arizona Website: https://www.synovaassociates.com/nicu-leadership-forum For healthcare providers who are not able to attend the conference but are interested in learning more about Covalon's solutions, visit www.covalon.com or follow Covalon on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. About Covalon Covalon Technologies Ltd. is a patient-driven medical device company, built on the relentless pursuit to help the most vulnerable patients have a better chance at healing. Through a strong portfolio of patented technologies and solutions for advanced wound care, infection prevention, and medical device coatings, we offer innovative, gentler, and more compassionate options for patients to heal with less infections, less pain, and better outcomes. Our solutions are designed for patients and made for care providers. Covalon leverages its patented medical technology platforms and expertise in two ways: (i) by developing products that are sold under Covalon's name; and (ii) by developing and commercializing medical products for other medical companies under development and license contracts. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, having the symbol COV and trades on the OTCQX Market under the symbol CVALF. To learn more about Covalon, visit our website at www.covalon.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan, "estimate", "expect", "intend", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur", or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts, but instead represent management's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the factors described in greater detail in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of our management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended September 30, 2022, which is available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com, any of which could cause results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, further events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Covalon Technologies Ltd. Logo (CNW Group/Covalon Technologies Ltd.) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leader-in-compassionate-care-infection-prevention-solutions-covalon-to-participate-in-the-synova-nicu-leadership-forum-2023-in-tucson-arizona-from-march-19-to-23-2023-301775530.html SOURCE Covalon Technologies Ltd. Devry brings an impressive resume in sustainability, international business development, and government relations to agtech start-up, Agrology, and helps the company expand its reach to farmers across the globe ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 20, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Agrology, a leading Predictive Agricultural company and a Public Benefit Corporation, today announced that leading sustainability expert, Devry Boughner Vorwerk, has joined the Agrology advisory board. As a key advisor to the company, Devry will work closely with the Agrology executive team to further the companys sustainability interests, both nationally and abroad. "Devry has the experience and expertise needed to reach more growers and help them transition to climate-smart farming practices," said Agrology CEO, Adam Koeppel. "Not only does Devry align with our core values, but her leadership and commitment to securing our global food supply is exactly what Agrology needs." This week Devry travels to New Zealand to gather with hundreds of innovative thinkers and doers in regenerative agriculture, farming, and sustainability at the 2023 Rural Leaders Agribusiness Summit. Agrology will be a part of Devrys agenda during this visit, as the company plans to expand their real-time carbon measuring and monitoring system to the international growing community. "As someone who is devoted to inspiring businesses to courageously serve humanity, I believe in the future of Agrology and their approach to applying technology to make farming more sustainable," said Devry Boughner Vorwerk. "Their technology honors the soil and is also a crucial first step to measuring climate-smart practices." Devry is a well-known global food executive and corporate officer, having served as Chief Communications Officer and Global Head of Corporate Affairs at Cargill and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Grubhub. She is also a sustainability entrepreneur, founding DevryBV Sustainable Strategies, her own strategy and advisory company and serving on the Advisory Board of Culinary Sciences, Inc. Devry is an international business development and diplomacy strategist as well as an expert in international trade relations, demonstrated by her success as senior policy advisor at Akin Gump; international and regional corporate affairs roles at Cargill; and in roles at the U.S. International Trade Commission, the Office of the US Trade Representative, and the World Bank Group. Story continues Devry holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Managerial Economics from UC Davis and a Masters of Science in Agricultural Economics with a specialty in Public Policy and International Trade from Cornell University. About Agrology Agrology is a leading climate tech start-up and Public Benefit Corporation with a mission to help farmers adapt to and beat climate change with real-time analysis and predictive insights. The Agrology platform consists of climate and carbon monitoring systems, both based on ground-truth data and machine learning. The Agrology Climate Monitoring System delivers predictive insights and warnings, up to three days in advance, for wildfire smoke taint, extreme weather, soil conditions, pest and disease emergence, and irrigation. Agrologys Carbon Monitoring System tracks soil carbon sequestration in real time, quickly detecting carbon loss via carbon dioxide emission events. Agrology customers include Braga Fresh, The Duckhorn Portfolio, Boisset Collection, Dana Estates, Emeritus Vineyards, Jordan Vineyards and Winery, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Langtry Farms, Lawrence Vineyards, Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, Renteria Vineyard Management, Signorello Estate, Silver Oak Vineyards, and numerous specialty farms. Agrology is the winner of two highly selective National Science Foundation SBIR Awards, a 2022 WINnovation Award, and is a recipient of a USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant. Agrology has offices in Alexandria, Virginia, and Sonoma, California, and can be found online at Agrology.ag. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005452/en/ Contacts Holly Nuss, PR Tel: 415.845.1095 Email: holly@agrology.ag TORONTO, March 20, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Life Sciences Ontario (LSO), along with our partners, is proud to announce the launch of year 5 of the Scholarship and Mentorship Program, designed to support undergraduate students pursuing education in life sciences fields at Ontario Institutions. The deadline to apply is May 31st. The LSO Scholarship and Mentorship program will award scholarships in the amount of $3,000 to a minimum of 30 undergraduate students enrolled in life sciences-related university or college programs for the 2023-2024 fall/winter term. The program aims to help prepare students for successful careers in the life sciences sector, while also promoting the growth and development of the sector itself. In the 4 years of running this program, LSO has awarded 135 scholarships to students worth $425,000. The Scholarship program has become an important part of our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA) initiatives. In 2022, 72% of all recipients were women and 70% identified as visible minorities. We hope to continue this trend this year in order to tackle the issue of diversity and talent shortages within the life sciences sector. To help create an inclusion program, half the scholarships are awarded by random draw from all eligible applicants. The eligibility requirements for this program are as follows: Must be currently residing as a permanent resident in Ontario verified by an official Ontario Government IDn. Must be entering the final year in September 2023 of their full-time studies in a bachelor's degree program or a diploma program. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative average of 75% from all their completed years of undergraduate schooling. College students in 2-year programs must provide proof of enrollment & program length. In addition, selected scholarship recipients will be required to participate in the mentorship component of the program which can be accomplished through one-to-one mentor meetings or through small group mentorship with senior industry leaders. Story continues "Biotalent Canada predicts that the Life Sciences industry will have an additional $65,000 jobs by 2029," said Dr. Jason Field, President and CEO of LSO. "With support from our many partners, in the five years of running the program, we have been able to increase awareness around careers in Life Sciences along with providing financial and mentorship opportunities to deserving students." Simonne Rauch, a 2022 LSO scholarship award recipient from Queens University, said, "The Life Sciences Ontario Scholarship Program is an excellent opportunity for students in Life Sciences to connect with many influential individuals in this field. This program has opened my eyes to unique career pathways and provided me with many insights on how to excel in this industry. Overall, this program is a great gateway into the Life Sciences industry and I would recommend it to all students in this field." We would like to say a big thank you to all our generous scholarship sponsors Alexion Pharma Canada, AstraZeneca, Astellas, Novo Nordisk Canada, Ontario Genomics, Roche Canada, Sanofi Canada, GSK Canada, 3Sixty Public Affairs, Bayshore Specialty Rx Ltd, Jazz Pharmaceuticals,, and Takeda for supporting our mission to develop the life sciences sector and provide opportunities for the next generation. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for any organization interested in participating. For more information about the program, including eligibility criteria and application details, please visit the LSO website at https://lifesciencesontario.ca/scholarship/ About Life Sciences Ontario: Life Sciences Ontario (LSO) is a member-driven organization that represents and promotes the province's vibrant and diverse life sciences sector. LSO collaborates with governments, academia, industry, and other stakeholders to create a supportive environment for research, development, and commercialization of life sciences innovations in Ontario. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230320005555/en/ Contacts lotanna@lifesciencesontario.ca Allied Market Research The lighting transformer market is experiencing rapid growth worldwide, owing to various factors including the surge in the demand for low voltage lighting application, growth in investment for global transformer market, the increase in the demand for dimmer switches, the rise in the demand for lighting transformer in outdoor applications, and the surge in organic growth strategies by major key players operating across the globe. Portland, OR, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global lighting transformer market generated $1.2 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $2.1 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 5.6% from 2022 to 2031. The report offers a detailed analysis of changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chains, regional landscapes, and competitive scenarios. The report is a helpful source of information for leading market players, new entrants, investors, and stakeholders in devising strategies for the future and taking steps to strengthen their position in the market. Request PDF Brochure: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/54087 Report coverage & details: Report coverage Details Forecast Period 20222031 Base Year 2021 Market Size in 2021 $1.2 billion Market Size in 2031 $2.1 billion CAGR 5.6% No. of Pages in Report 391 Segments covered Type, Power Rating, Application and Region Drivers The surge in the demand for low voltage lighting application Growth in investment for global transformer market The increase in the demand for dimmer switches The rise in the demand for lighting transformer in outdoor applications The surge in organic growth strategies Opportunities The increasing usage of dimmer switches in the residential, commercial, and utility sectors, and other industrial applications Restraints High cost of maintenance Covid-19 Scenario: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the lighting transformer market due to disruptions in the supply chain, a shortage of labor, and strict transportation regulations that caused production delays in manufacturing. Additionally, the economic slowdown impacted the development of new lighting transformer projects worldwide, as government funding was prioritized towards healthcare systems. As the global situation began to recover, a growing demand for lighting transformers was witnessed in various industries. Story continues The report offers a detailed segmentation of the global lighting transformer market based on type, power rating, application and region. The report provides an analysis of each segment and sub-segment with the help of tables and figures. This analysis helps market players, investors, and new entrants in determining the sub-segments to be tapped on to achieve growth in the coming years. Procure Complete Report (391 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3YUhxes By type, the electronic segment held the largest share in 2021, accounting for more than half of the global lighting transformer market and would dominate the market in terms of revenue through 2031. The same segment would also cite the fastest CAGR of 5.9% throughout the forecast period. The isolation and magnetic segments are also studied in the report. By power rating, the small segment contributed to more than two-fifths of the global lighting transformer market revenue and is projected to rule the roost by 2031. The same segment would also display the fastest CAGR of 6.0% throughout the forecast period. The other segments assessed in the report include medium and large. By application, the utility segment held the major share in 2021, garnering more than half of the global lighting transformer market revenue and is projected to maintain the lions share by 2031. Simultaneously, the same region would portray the fastest CAGR of 5.8% throughout the forecast period. The residential & commercial and industrial segments are also discussed in the report. By region, North America held the major share in 2021, garnering nearly one-third of the global lighting transformer market revenue and is projected to maintain its dominance by 2031. The same region would also showcase the fastest CAGR of 5.9% throughout the forecast period. The other provinces studied through the report include Asia-Pacific, Europe, and LAMEA. Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/lighting-transformer-market/purchase-options The prominent market players analyzed in the global lighting transformer market report include Trans Power Tech, MX Lightforce, Airlink Transformers, Pelton Power Technologies Private Limited, Schneider Electric, Hitachi, Leviton, ABB, Trio Transformer, and Eaton Corporation. These market players have embraced several strategies including partnership, expansion, collaboration, joint ventures, and others to highlight their prowess in the industry. The report is helpful in formulating the business performance and developments by the top players. Trending Reports in Transformer Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount): Transformers Market: Global Analysis and Forecast, 2021-2031 Instrument Transformers Market: Global Opportunity Analysis, 2021-2030 Power Transformer Market: Global Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20202027 Smart Transformers Market: Global Analysis and Forecast, 20222031 Converter Transformer Market: Global Opportunity Analysis, 20212030 About us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of " Market Research Reports " and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact us: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/energy-and-power Follow Us on Blog: https://www.marketinshort.com/ Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Logicalis today announced that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named the leading managed service provider to its 2023 Tech Elite 250, marking its eleventh recognition on the list. The Tech Elite 250 features solution providers of all sizes across the U.S and Canada that have differentiated themselves by achieving the highest level and largest breadth of certifications and specializations from key technology vendors in the infrastructure, cloud, and security spaces. "Earning another year on the CRN Tech Elite 250 underscores our employees' ongoing commitment to being Architects of Change and providing customers with the highest-tier solutions from across our strong network of vendor partners," said Logicalis US CEO Jon Groves. "We are honored to once again be on the list, and look forward to continuing to strengthen our vendor partnerships to drive forward the best, most agile digital transformation efforts for customers." Businesses rely on solution providers to maintain the highest levels of technical prowess across critical products and services to help them meet today's IT challenges and take advantage of the benefits of cutting-edge solutions. To meet these demands, solution providers such as Logicalis strive to maintain high levels of training and certification from IT vendors and achieve the highest tiers within those vendors' partner programs. In addition to ongoing recognition from CRN, Logicalis has been consistently recognized by companies such as Cisco, Microsoft and other partners for the strength of their partnerships. Logicalis US was named Cisco's 2022 Enterprise Networking Partner of the Year, Artic Wolf's Partner of the Year, and a Microsoft Azure Expert MSP. "CRN's Tech Elite 250 list features the leading solution providers in the IT channel with the most in-depth technical knowledge, expertise, and certifications for providing the highest level of service for their customers," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "These solution providers have continued to extend their aptitudes and abilities across various technologies and IT practices, demonstrating their commitment and value to their customers. Story continues Coverage of the Tech Elite 250 will be featured in the April issue of CRN Magazine and online at www.CRN.com/techelite250. About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. 2023 The Channel Company LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved. About Logicalis US We are Architects of Change. We help organizations succeed in a digital-first world. At Logicalis, we harness our collective technology expertise to help our clients build a blueprint for success, so they can deliver sustainable outcomes that matter. Our lifecycle services across cloud, connectivity, collaboration and security are designed to help optimize operations, reduce risk and empower employees. As a global technology service provider, we deliver next-generation digital managed services, to provide our clients with real-time visibility and actionable insights across the performance of their digital ecosystem including; availability, user experience, security, economic performance and sustainability. Our 7000+ 'Architects of Change' are based in 27 countries around the globe, helping our 10,000+ clients across a range of industry sectors, create sustainable outcomes through technology. Logicalis has annualized revenues of $1.7 billion, from operations in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Africa. It is a division of Datatec Limited, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, with revenues of over $4.6 billion. For more information visit https://us.logicalis.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/logicalis-us-honored-on-the-2023-crn-tech-elite-250-list-for-more-than-10-years-301776250.html SOURCE Logicalis Market Research Future Medium Voltage Cables Market Boost by Increasing Need for Reliable Electric Supply, Subsequent Investment in Transmission & Distribution Network New York, US, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a Comprehensive Report by MRFR/Market Research Future (MRFR), Medium Voltage Cables Market Information by Voltage Rating, Installation and End User, and Region - Forecast till 2030", The market for medium voltage cables can reach a value of USD 51,600 million at a CAGR of more than 6% from 2022 to 2030. Medium Voltage Cables Market Overview Power cables with a medium voltage have three layers: insulation material, conductor, and insulation screen. They provide defense against abrasion, ripping, wearing, and environmental hazards. They are incredibly flexible and strong. As medium voltage cables are buried, they are safer and more economical to operate and maintain. Also, by effectively distributing power to remote places, they offer a dependable power supply during unforeseen power outages. In addition to this, they increase resistance to tugging, twisting, and tension and are simple to install. They thus have a wide range of uses in the mining, chemical, electrical, and oil and gas sectors all over the world. Market Competitive Landscape: The affluent companies in the medium voltage cables market include General Cable Corporation (U.S) Nexans S.A. (France) NKT Cables Group A/S (Denmark) ABB Ltd. (Switzerland) Prysmian S.P.A. (Italy) Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. (Japan) Southwire Company LLC (U.S) Kabelwerke Brugg AG (Switzerland) Hebei New Baofeng Wire & Cable Co. Ltd. (China) LS Cable & System Ltd. (South Korea) EL Sewedy Electric Company (Egypt) Get Free Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4584 These most significant major important players in the global market for medium voltage cables employ a variety of strategies and techniques to meet the expanding client demand. as more and more nations become urbanized and industrialized. the length of time needed to install power in diverse locations. As a result, the demand for medium voltage cables is growing. Also, the size of the medium voltage cable market has grown recently. To extend their consumer base in the prospective global market, they employ a variety of policies and methods, including joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, the development of new manufacturing processes, product innovation, company expansion, and partnerships. Story continues Medium Voltage Cables Market USP Covered: Market Drivers: The growing demand for a dependable electric supply often drives the market for medium voltage cables. Further expenditures are also made in grid expansion, safe electrical infrastructure development, and transmission and distribution network expansion. The high operating efficiency, proper load distribution between circuits, enhanced system stability, simple and quick installations, and practical virtual deployment are further reasons why medium voltage cables are in high demand. The power networks' medium-voltage wires can be found virtually anyplace. There is a demand for electricity supply on a global scale. And this is primarily coming from nations where industrialization and urbanization have increased, like China and India. Report Scope: Report Metrics Details Market Size by 2030 2030: USD 51,600 Million CAGR during 2022-2030 6% CAGR Base Year 2021 Forecast 2022-2030 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Key Market Opportunities New product launches and R&D Amongst major key Players Key Market Drivers Increasing need for reliable electric supply & subsequent investment in transmission & distribution network Developing safe electrical infrastructure Browse In-depth Market Research Report (100 Pages) on Medium Voltage Cables Market: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/medium-voltage-cables-market-4584 The medium voltage sector will soon have a lot more opportunities to seize and expand. Surging urbanization, industrialization, and the demand for power in rural regions provide the main opportunity. Underground cable installations are typically preferred in developed economies. Due to their availability and affordability, medium voltage cables could see a sharp rise in demand over the next several years. Market Restraints: Although the market for gas generators has seen better development potential recently, various market restrictions may significantly slow market expansion. Due to rising transmission and distribution costs, high maintenance and operating costs, and constrained power generation capacity, the worldwide market may experience restrictions. Medium Voltage Cables Market COVID 19 Analysis COVID-19 has had a global impact on people's health. The aftermath has a massive social and economic impact on people all around the world. Individuals are going through a mental trauma as major governments implement new frameworks and industries embrace innovative kinds of expansion to stay relevant. Increasing cases have increased emotional and financial problems around the world, particularly among the elderly. Furthermore, the younger generation is experiencing challenges as a result of job loss and is turning to family care to cope. The focus is mostly on COVID-19 treatment and vaccine research, diverting attention away from other markets. This has had an impact on the medium voltage cables business. Ask for Customization: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/ask_for_customize/4584 Medium Voltage Cables Market Segmentation By Type of Installation Based on the type of installation into overhead, subterranean, and submarine, the medium cable market has been segmented. Due to its rising usage throughout all developing economies, particularly in those of the South Pacific region, overhead installation commands the biggest market share. They typically cost less to buy and require less upkeep. Due of their dense populations, countries like Europe use underground connections. Higher industrialization and organization are seen to be the driving forces behind the expansion of underground cables in the Asia Pacific area. because there are few resources and low land capabilities in countries in the Asia Pacific region. Europe has the most installed capacity for offshore wind, which contributes to the growing use of the submitting medium voltage cable there. By End-User Utilities, Industries and Commercial are the major end-users in the worldwide industry. The utilities sector holds the biggest market share for medium voltage cables, and it is anticipated that it will continue to do so during the projected period. For the primary supply of energy to all large and small equipment, utilities employ medium voltage wires. The demand for medium voltage cables would rise as a result of the rising global electricity consumption, which would lead to more substations. As a result, it has been predicted that the utilities sector will dominate the market for medium voltage cables globally. By Voltage Rating 1-25 kV, 26-50 kV, 51-75 kV and 76-100 kV are the top segments, as per voltage rating. Medium Voltage Cables Market Regional Insights As a result of the strong demand for energy, the Asia Pacific now owns the greatest market share for medium voltage cables. The industrialization and organization of China and India have also increased demand for medium voltage cables in the commercial, industrial, and utility sectors. Because they are less expensive and require less upkeep, overhead installations are a common practice in the Asia Pacific region. Talk To Expert: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/ask_for_schedule_call/4584 Several nations in the region still lack the fundamental infrastructure needed for energy. Governments are acting on this by making large investments in the expansion of the transmission line network. Another important element influencing the demand for medium voltage cables is the Chinese government's significant investment in the development of renewable energy. The second-largest portion of the market value rise is attributable to Europe. Due to their established economies and dense populations, these areas frequently deploy subterranean cable systems. The more urbanization and quicker installation are what work best for Europe. Related Reports: High Voltage Cables & Accessories Market Research Report Information By Type, By Product, By Voltage Rating and by Region - Forecast till 2030 Low Voltage Cables & Accessories Market Research Report: Information by Installation, Component, Application, and Region - Forecast till 2030 About Market Research Future: Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis regarding diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions. Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter CONTACT: Market Research Future (Part of Wantstats Research and Media Private Limited) 99 Hudson Street, 5Th Floor New York, NY 10013 United States of America +1 628 258 0071 (US) +44 2035 002 764 (UK) Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Website: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com The Pueblo Levee Mural Project lines the levee of the Arkansas River. Three artists who've created mural designs that incorporate parts of Pueblo history are competing to have their designs featured on the Pueblo Levee Mural Project, which once held the record for largest outdoor mural in the world. Puebloans can vote through a survey on one of five finalist designs, each of which highlights Pueblo culture and includes the five flags France, Mexico, Texas, Spain and the U.S. on the city's seal. Those flags represent the countries and territories that held authority over Pueblo in the past two centuries, according to the citys website. The designs had to tell a visual story of the history of Pueblo and represent the community of the city without recreating the official City Seal, according to the citys requirements for entries. The contest was first announced in October before five designs from three artists were chosen as finalists. One of those designs will join the Pueblo Levee Mural Project, which is around 100,000 square feet and decorated with different artistic and historical representations of the city. The contest, hosted by the city, is an effort to add to the ever-growing mural that has been continuously updated with artwork since 1979 while incorporating parts of Pueblos past. The winning design will be placed next to the Fourth Street pedestrian bridge, which was recently renamed Charles W. Lee Bridge. More:Painting Pueblo in a good light: City seeks to spotlight history with mural contest Coordinator for the Pueblo Levee Mural Project Cynthia Ramu stands on the Charles W. Lee Bridge with a view of some of the murals in the background. We are a city thats really proud of our history, said Cynthia Ramu, muralist and coordinator of the Pueblo Levee Mural Project. (The contest and mural designs) are a chance for people to start asking questions about the history and learn more about how unique our community is and has been throughout time. The Chieftain spoke with all three finalists to learn more about their designs. They are listed here in the same order their designs are displayed in the city's survey. Desiree Talmich, Design 1 Talmich is from Lamar but has lived in Pueblo for almost 13 years. She is a self-taught artist and is mostly familiar with drawing. She is new to mural art, having completed her first mural last fall on the Pueblo levee. Story continues Before she submitted a design for this contest, Talmich spent about a week researching Pueblos history and its connection to those five flags, as well as other historical events. Talmich first drew what she visualized the design could look like before using digital software on her iPad to draw it out, which took about three to four days. The design Talmich submitted features the word Pueblo across the top of the design, each letter separately embedded with one of the five flags, and includes the Colorado and Pueblo flags. The Rocky Mountains can be seen behind each letter. The bottom of the design is a timeline of Pueblos history, Talmich said, with scenes depicting Native American tribes, including the Apache, Ute, Arapahoe and Jicarilla, the El Pueblo Trading Post, which was built in 1842, and the Great Flood of 1921. Talmich then drew a collection of houses and a train above the flood to represent Pueblos development during that era, then finished it off by adding a steel mill and a symbol of one of the citys most popular modern events, the Chile and Frijoles Festival, to highlight Pueblos present. Talmich said she felt a connection to the project because of her own ties to the Jicarilla Apache tribe, which at one point settled in areas around southern Colorado. The more information I could put on (the design), the better I could represent Pueblo and its history, Talmich said. The Pueblo Levee Mural Project lines the levee of the Arkansas River through Pueblo. The Pueblo Levee Mural contest will close on Friday, March 24. Tim Nijenhuis, Designs 2 and 3 Nijenhuis is from the Netherlands and lives in Ontario, Canada. He found out about the contest through the web and mailing lists he subscribes to to learn when a public call for art is sent out. Nijenhuis is an experienced mural artist, having done more than 100 over 25 years, including some in southern Ontario. He makes a living creating public art. Two of Nijenhuis designs were accepted, each of which uses a three-dimensional effect to enhance other components of the design. His first design has the word Pueblo across the middle and also has one of the five flags incorporated into each letter. The Rocky Mountains are in the background to help create depth, Nijenhuis said, and the cracked concrete at the top and bottom of the design provides the three-dimensional effect. Nijenhuis second design depicts a historical scene the kind of dwelling that was prominent in the 1800s with a donkey and cart outside of it. The dwelling is surrounded by all of the five flags, each of which is transparent. During his research of Pueblo, Nijenhuis said he came across a similar image and wanted to incorporate more of the citys history in a second design that took about a half-day to finish. The first design took a similar amount of time and both were done on his iPad through the program Procreate. As he researched Pueblo for the project, Nijenhuis learned about the levee mural record and said he would be excited to be part of that history. He called the potential opportunity to bring his art to a new community very rewarding. I hope that my designs are educational in some way when people look at them, Nijenhuis said. More:Sculpture park taking form along Pueblo's Arkansas River Levee Shannon Powers, Designs 4 and 5 Powers is from Denver and moved to Pueblo in May 2020. She has been an artist since childhood but over the past several years has shifted her focus to painting and design. Some of her work, like Talmich's, is already featured on the levee, including her piece Wild Iris," which highlights the native wildflowers and mountains of southern Colorado. Powers also has a second mural on the Pueblo levee the stormwater water conservation mural that spotlights the native wildlife around southeastern Colorado. Using design software, Powers combined elements of her design and spent about three to four hours researching those elements. Her two designs differ slightly with the five flags placed in different in areas, but both depict the flags hovering over two buildings, City Hall and Fort Pueblo, which was a trading post. Powers' designs also depict the Arkansas River that once served as a border between the U.S. and Mexico and Lake Pueblo because of its ties Native Americans and other settlers and its role in Pueblo's history. "The river was selected for building the trading post because of nearby trading routes and because the temperate climate at Pueblo's lower elevation, along with water from the river, allowed for irrigation for agriculture," Powers said. " This ideal location in terms of geography and trade was crucial to the emergence of Pueblo as a city." Powers also said she chose to depict City Hall because it highlights the "development and revival" of Pueblo. She considers the building an "emblem of the progressive era" in Pueblo that people pushed for as they sought greater equity and unity in the community. (I wanted people to see) a bit of the history and surroundings of Pueblo and some of its landmarks, Powers said. Editor's note: This story was updated to add a quote from Shannon Powers and more information about her designs. To vote in the contest, visit the Survey Monkey link, which can be found at pueblo.us. Chieftain reporter Josue Perez can be reached at JHPerez@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @josuepwrites. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Meet the artists vying for their designs to be placed on Pueblo levee MRC Global HOUSTON, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MRC Global Inc. (NYSE: MRC) will release its first quarter 2023 results on May 8, 2023, after the market closes. In conjunction with the release, the company will host a conference call and webcast: What: MRC Global First Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call and Webcast When: Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern / 9:00 a.m. Central How: Via phone Dial 201-689-8261 and ask for the MRC Global call prior to the start time, or Via webcast Visit our website http://www.mrcglobal.com in the investor relations section A replay of the call will be available through May 23, 2023, by dialing 201-612-7415 using passcode 13737072#. An archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at www.mrcglobal.com for 90 days. About MRC Global Inc. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, MRC Global (NYSE: MRC) is the leading global distributor of pipe, valves, fittings (PVF) and other infrastructure products and services to diversified end-markets including the gas utilities, downstream, industrial and energy transition, upstream production, and midstream pipeline sectors. With over 100 years of experience, MRC Global has provided customers with innovative supply chain solutions, technical product expertise and a robust digital platform from a worldwide network of 212 locations including valve and engineering centers. The companys unmatched quality assurance program offers over 250,000 SKUs from over 9,000 suppliers, simplifying the supply chain for approximately 10,000 customers. Find out more at www.mrcglobal.com Contact: Monica Broughton VP, Investor Relations & Treasury MRC Global Inc. Monica.Broughton@mrcglobal.com 832-308-2847 CSE: URL / OTC: URLOF VANCOUVER, BC, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - NameSilo Technologies Corp. (CSE: URL) (PINKSHEETS: URLOF) (the "Company") announces that its Board of Directors has adopted a shareholder rights plan (the "Shareholder Rights Plan") effective March 20, 2023. The Shareholder Rights Plan is subject to ratification by the Company's shareholders at its upcoming annual general meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on April 18, 2023 (the "AGM"). NameSilo Technologies Corp Logo (CNW Group/NameSilo Technologies Corp.) The Shareholder Rights Plan is similar to rights plans adopted by other Canadian companies and ratified by their shareholders. The purpose of the Rights Plan is to ensure that all shareholders are treated fairly in connection with any offer to acquire the outstanding common shares of the Company and that the board of directors of the Company has the opportunity to identify, solicit, develop and negotiate value-enhancing alternatives to any unsolicited take-over bid. The Shareholder Rights Plan has not been adopted in response to, or in anticipation of, any known or anticipated take-over bid. A summary of the principal terms and conditions of the Shareholder Rights Plan will be set out in the Company's Management Information Circular to be mailed to shareholders prior to the AGM. A copy of the complete Shareholder Rights Plan will be filed on SEDAR. About NameSilo Technologies Corp. and NameSilo LLC NameSilo Technologies Corp. invests its capital in companies and opportunities which management believes are undervalued and have potential for significant appreciation. The company makes investments in both public and private markets and focuses on opportunities in a wide variety of industries excluding the resource and resource service sectors. Namesilo does not invest on behalf of any third party and it does not offer investment advice. NameSilo LLC is a low-cost provider of domain name registration and management services. As an accredited ICANN registrar, NameSilo is one of the fastest growing domain registrars in the world with nearly 4.6 million active domains under management, and approximately 275,000 customers from approximately 160 countries. Story continues Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding potential future investments by the Company. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements and set forth in detail in the Company's CSE Listing Statement dated August 1, 2018. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. NEITHER THE CSE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDERS (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CSE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/namesilo-announces-shareholder-rights-plan-301776588.html SOURCE NameSilo Technologies Corp. Acwa Power, a leading Saudi developer, investor, and operator of power generation, water desalination and green hydrogen plants worldwide, said its CEO Suntharesan Padmanathan has stepped down from his post after a 18-year long tenure. He has been replaced by Marco Arcelli, an energy leader with over 30 years of experience, said Acwa Power in its filing to Saudi bourse Tadawul. The announcement comes following a crucial board of directors meeting held today (March 20) where its members accepted Padmanathan's desire for retirement. The members thanked Padmanathan for his extensive service as CEO and his dedication in elevating Acwa Power's status to that of a leading global company in the field of renewable power generation, water desalination and green hydrogen production which has culminated in its successful listing as a public company. On the company's request, Padmanathan has agreed to continue serving as a board member. Meanwhile, the board members welcomed Arcelli to his new post as Acwa Power CEO and wished him all success in spearheading the company's growth. An industry veteran, Arcelli was the chairman of Ep New Energy, in charge of the entry and growth in renewables of Eph, the seventh largest electricity producer in Europe. Previously he spent 16 years at Enel where, among others, he was CEO of Enel North America and Slovenske Elektrarne. Before, he held executive positions at General Electric Power Systems and in projects and construction management. Arcelli is a professor of leadership in energy transition at IESE, the leading Spanish business school, and a peer reviewer of IEA.-TradeArabia News Service Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. Midland, Texas, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:NGS), a leading provider of gas compression equipment and services to the natural gas industry, will host a conference call to review fourth-quarter and full-year 2022 financial results on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (CDT), 11:00 a.m. (EDT). To participate in the call, participants should access the webcast on www.ngsgi.com under the Investor Relations section. To connect telephonically, call (800) 715-9871 using conference ID 5410343 approximately five minutes prior to the start of the call. Following the conclusion of the conference call, a recording of the call will be available on the Companys website. About Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. NGS is a leading provider of natural gas compression technology, equipment and services to the energy industry. The Company manufactures, fabricates, rents, sells and maintains natural gas compression equipment for oil and natural gas upstream providers and midstream facilities. NGS is headquartered in Midland, Texas with fabrication facilities located in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Midland, Texas. The Company maintains service facilities in major energy producing basins in the U.S. Additional information can be found at www.ngsgi.com . CONTACT: Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. Investor Relations (432) 262-2700 ir@ngsgi.com www.ngsgi.com ZURICH, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Neoss Group is pleased to announce that Professor Neil Meredith will again be an integral part of the Neoss family. Professor Meredith, together with Fredrik Engman, founded Neoss back in 2000 and served as the CEO for a decade, leading the company from a start-up to an established dental implant company with exceptional growth and success. Neoss Group welcomes back Professor Neil Meredith to the Neoss family "It is with great pleasure to welcome Professor Neil Meredith back to Neoss. Neil was not only one of the founders of Neoss, he invented the RFA, the diagnostic technique that has since become Osstell. I really look forward to working with Neil." Dr. Robert Gottlander, CEO and President of Neoss Group Professor Meredith has been placing and restoring dental implants for over thirty years. After completing an MSc in Fixed Prosthodontics at the Eastman in London in 1987 he was awarded a PhD at Imperial College in 1992. In that same year he invented the use of Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA) to measure dental implant stability, a technique that has now become the international benchmark known as Osstell. He undertook research with P-I Branemark and Tomas Albrektsson in Gothenburg, Sweden and was awarded a second PhD from the University of Gothenburg for the RFA in 1996. He then returned to the UK, where he served as Professor of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials at Leeds University. Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, he subsequently co-founded Neoss with Fredrik Engman. "Im very happy and excited to rejoin Neoss and to resume my involvement in what I helped to create. Im looking forward to the journey with both fresh faces and the familiar ones from the early days. Thanks to Robert for providing me with this opportunity and looking forward to being a part of the continued success of Neoss" Professor Neil Meredith, Specialist Prosthodontist in Brisbane, Australia Professor Meredith moved to Australia to return to Academia as Professor of Dental Implantology and Prosthodontics at University of Queensland. He practices clinically as a surgeon and specialist prosthodontist. In 2015 Neil became Head of Dentistry at James Cook University, Cairns, Australia. In 2020 Neil left his university ties to work in specialist practice. He continues to teach as the Dean of the Post Graduate Institute of Dental Surgery. Story continues About Neoss Neoss offers intelligent solutions that are intuitively easy to use. Our products allow dental professionals to provide reliable and cost-effective treatments to their patients with predictable long-term results. Leading the market with ingenuity and integrity, we strive to set new standards. In developing smart treatment solutions and working closely with our customers. Neoss makes the complex less complicated. We call that Intelligent Simplicity. Headquartered in Harrogate, UK, with research and development based in Gothenburg, Sweden, the company has established a global footprint with a long-standing presence in key markets. To find out more visit https://www.neoss.com. Neoss Logo (PRNewsfoto/Neoss) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neoss-group-welcomes-back-professor-neil-meredith-to-the-neoss-family-301776005.html SOURCE Neoss Growth Plus Reports Newark, New Castle, USA, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Neurometabolic Disorders Market is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecasting period from 2022 to 2030, owing to the rise in the incidence of neurometabolic disorders and increased investment in R&D Market Drivers The market for neurometabolic disorders is primarily driven by the rising cases of the disorder across globe which is also driving the demand for early diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Additionally, governments and non-governmental organizations around the world are launching campaigns to raise awareness of neurometabolic disorders. The market for neurometabolic disorders is also expanding as a result of increased research and development into neurometabolic disorders as well as the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in diagnosis and treatment. Similarly, the market is growing significantly because to the advancements in gene therapy and metabolic treatment, as well as the presence of a strong and robust product pipeline. The global neurometabolic disorders market has been analyzed from three perspectives type, route of administration, and region Get a Sample Copy of the Research Report: https://www.growthplusreports.com/inquiry/request-sample/global-neurometabolic-disorders-market/8090 Global Neurometabolic Disorders Market Scope Report Attribute Details Growth Rate CAGR of 5.2% from 2022 to 2030 Base year for estimation 2021 Forecast period 2022-2030 Historical Years 2020 Segments covered Type, Route of administration, and Region Regional scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World (ROW) Excerpts from By Type Segmentation Based on type, the global neurometabolic disorders market is divided into: Gaucher's disease Fabry disease Pompe disease Mucopolysaccharidosis VI Niemann-pick type c disease Others With the biggest market share in 2021, the segment for Gaucher's disease dominated the market for neurometabolic disorders. The fact that Gaucher's disease is the most prevalent category of neurometabolic disorders is largely responsible for its significant share. According to the National Center of Biotechnology Information the birth incidence of Gaucher's disease in the general population varied from 0.39 to 5.80 per 100 000. Additionally, Gaucher's disease can develop in a fetus when it can be highly serious and even cause death before 3 months of age. As a result, there is an increase in demand for perinatal Gaucher's disease diagnosis and treatment, which is accelerating segmental expansion. Additionally, there are other diseases including cardiovascular diseases and CNS-related ailments that are linked to Gaucher's disease. Currently, only enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and substrate reduction therapy (SRT) are approved for the treatment of Gaucher's disease, therefore major companies are investing in the development of novel medications for the treatment of Gaucher's disease, which is supporting the segmental growth. Story continues Excerpts from By Route of Administration Segmentation Based on route of administration, the global neurometabolic disorders market is segmented into: Oral Parenteral In terms of market share, the parenteral segment dominated the market in 2021. Due to the fact that the majority of treatments for neurometabolic disorders are enzyme- or gene-based, parenteral administration receives the greatest traction when treating neurometabolic disorders. The parenteral approach also permits precise drug targeting and protracted drug release, which is further fueling the segment's growth. Excerpts from By Region Segmentation Based on region, the global neurometabolic disorders market has been segmented into: North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the World North America dominated the global neurometabolic disorders market in 2021. Major driver is the region's well-developed biopharmaceutical industry. Similar to this, a substantial part of the expansion of the region is being played by the high quantity of R&D in genomics-based biopharmaceuticals and the presence of numerous research institutes in the region. Additionally, FDA offers the companies a variety of financial levers, which is also predicted to boost market expansion. Market exclusivity for pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies engaged in the development of orphan medications, tax credits for authorized clinical trials, and exclusion from prescription drug payments are some of the other advantages. Request for Customization https://www.growthplusreports.com/inquiry/customization/global-neurometabolic-disorders-market/8090 Excerpts from Competitive Landscape The prominent players operating in the global neurometabolic disorders market are: Amicus Therapeutics ISU Abxis JCR Pharmaceuticals Biosidus SA Greenovation Biotech UAB Proforma Dong-A Socio Group ExSAR Corporation Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals Greenovation Biotech Shire Plc (Takeda Pharmaceutical Company) Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc. Pharming Group N.V. Protalix BioTherapeutics Biomarin Pharmaceutical Inc. Table of Content INTRODUCTION Market Ecosystem Timeline Under Consideration Historical Years 2020 Base Year 2021 Forecasted Years 2022 to 2030 Currency Used in the Report RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Research Approach Data Collection Methodology Data Sources Secondary Sources Primary Sources Market Estimation Approach Bottom Up Top Down Market Forecasting Model Limitations and Assumptions PREMIUM INSIGHTS Current Market Trends (COVID-19 Perspective) Key Players & Competitive Positioning (2021) MARKET DYNAMICS Drivers Restraints/Challenges Opportunities GLOBAL NEUROMETABOLIC DISORDERS MARKET - ANALYSIS & FORECAST, BY TYPE Gaucher's Disease Fabry Disease Pompe Disease Mucopolysaccharidosis VI Niemann-Pick Type C Disease Others GLOBAL NEUROMETABOLIC DISORDERS MARKET - ANALYSIS & FORECAST, BY ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION Oral Parenteral TOC Continued.. Buy this Premium Research Report: https://www.growthplusreports.com/checkout-8090 VALUE PROPOSITIONS RELATED TO THE REPORT: Powered with Complimentary Analyst Hours and Expert Interviews with Each Report Comprehensive quantitative and qualitative insights at segment and sub-segment level Covid 19 impact trends and perspective Granular insights at global/regional/country level Deep-rooted insights on market dynamics (drivers, restraints, opportunities) and business environment Blanket coverage on competitive landscape Winning imperatives Exhaustive coverage on 'Strategic Developments' registered by leading players of the market CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS: Distributor Landscape Assessment Pricing Intelligence Customer Base Assessment Investment & Initiatives Analysis 'Business Profile' of Key Players Schedule a call with our analyst: https://appoint.ly/s/salesZ3Jvd3RocGx1c3JlcG9ydHMuY29t/introduction Visit our report store at - https://www.growthplusreports.com/report-store Browse related reports: Melanoma Diagnostics Market by Test Type (Dermatoscopy, Biopsy), End-user (Hospitals, Pathology Laboratories) - Global Outlook and Forecast 2023-2031 Kinase Inhibitors Market by Type (Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, Multi-Kinase Inhibitors), Application (Oncology, Inflammatory Diseases), Distribution Channel (Hospitals pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies) - Global Outlook and Forecast 2023-2031 Humanized Mice Model Market by Model Type (Cell-Based Humanized Mice Model, Genetic Humanized Mice Model), Application (Oncology, GvHD), End-user (Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, Academic & Research Institutes) - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2031 Herpes Simplex Virus Treatment Market by Type (Herpes Simplex Virus 1, Herpes Simplex Virus 2), Drug Type (Famciclovir, Acyclovir), and Route of Administration (Topical, Oral) - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2031 Female Pelvic Implants Market by Product Type (Vaginal Mesh, Vaginal Sling), Indication (Pelvic Ogan Prolapse, Stress Urinary Incontinence), End-user (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers) Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2031 About Us: Growth Plus Reports is part of GRG Health, a global healthcare knowledge service company. We are proud members of EPhMRA (European Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Association). Growth Plus portfolio of services draws on our core capabilities of secondary & primary research, market modelling & forecasting, benchmarking, analysis and strategy formulation to help clients create scalable, ground-breaking solutions that prepare them for future growth and success. We were awarded by the prestigious CEO Magazine as "Most Innovative Healthcare Market Research Company in 2020. CONTACT: Manan Sethi Director, Market Insights Email: sales@growthplusreports.com 256 Chapman Road STE 105-4, Newark, New Castle - 19702, USA Phone no: +1 888 550 5009 Web: https://www.growthplusreports.com/ VANCOUVER, BC, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Nevada King Gold Corp. (TSXV: NKG) (OTCQX: NKGFF) ("Nevada King" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results from two vertical, reverse circulation ("RC") holes recently completed at its Atlanta Gold Mine Project located 264km northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the prolific Battle Mountain Trend. These holes adjoin the western end of previously reported Section 22-6N (released January 6, 2023) and tie into hole AT22HG-17 which returned 164.6m grading 0.93 g/t Au from 146.3m and bottomed in mineralization. Highlights: Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AT22SE-4 146.3 327.7 181.4 1.03 3.8 AT22SE-42 122.0 201.2 79.3 1.50 1.4 And 234.8 318.6 83.8 0.48 3.6 Aggregate 122.0 318.6 163.1 0.98 2.5 Table 1: Holes released today. Mineralization occurs along near-horizontal horizons with true mineralized thickness in vertical holes at 95% to 100% of reported drill intercept length. Today's holes extend mineralization a further 50m west of AT22HG-17 and tie-into a series of Kinross RC angle holes that intersect the section line 40m further west from AT22HG-4. As shown in Figure 1, this defines a near-horizontal mineralized zone 150m wide, ranging from 100m to 180m thick, and averaging around 1g/t Au . This zone is being referred to as the West Atlanta Graben Target ; it is bound on the east by the West Atlanta Fault ("WAF") and on the west by a newly identified fault called the West Atlanta Fault #2 ("WAF2"). This thick zone of mineralization within the West Atlanta Graben is fairly uniform from hole to hole and there are corresponding similar, thick, near-horizontal zones of mineralization interpreted 30m to the north of Section 22-N6 on Section 22-7N (released February 27, 2023) and 300m to the north on Section 22-16N (released February 13, 2023). This strongly suggests this zone of mineralization is contiguous along strike on the western side of the WAF. This opens up a new target envelope running approximately 500m north-south for further discovery and potential resource expansion with relatively low historical hole density along most of its length. For example, a segment of this graben extending 100m northward from Section 22-7N and 150m westward from the WAF contains 17 historical drill collars of which only one hole went deep enough to hit mineralization. This vertical RC hole, Goldfield's AR-1, intercepted 20m grading 0.42 g/t Au and 16.3 g/t Ag starting at 283m depth, bottoming in mineralization. The other 16 holes were too shallow to intercept the mineralized horizon, generally because they were long angle holes directed eastward to test the East Atlanta Fault, as well a cluster of holes directed southward to define an E-W mineralized zone along Section 22-5N identified in the Gustavson 2020 resource model as the "Porphyry Resource Component". Except for AR-1, the ground directly underneath these 16 hole collars was not tested, which left a large data gap in this segment of the West Atlanta Graben and prevented Gustavson from extending its Porphyry Resource zone northward. Consequently, this thick, volcanic-hosted mineralization constituting Gustavson's Porphyry Resource zone did not appreciably add to the overall resource model. Nevada King now sees a tremendous opportunity to extend this thick, volcanic-hosted mineralization northward toward Section Line 22-16N and add substantially to the resource with its new drilling program along the western side of the West Atlanta Fault. Gold cyanide solubility assays within the predominantly volcanic-hosted mineralization in the West Atlanta Graben are averaging amongst the highest at the property to date. This opens up the prospect of simple heap leach extraction with coarse crushing of ROM material, which could positively impact mining and processing costs. This is one of the priorities of the Company's ongoing metallurgical testwork expected to be completed in Q4 2023. Looking west of the West Atlanta Graben, 11 historical holes were drilled west of the WAF2, but only three of these holes went deep enough to pick up mineralization. In particular, a vertical Meadow Bay core hole DHRI-11-11C located 28m south of the collar for hole KR98-13 (see Figure 1) intercepted 152m grading 0.57 g/t Au and 17.4 g/t Ag starting at 267m depth. The three mineralized holes indicate that gold values extend 50m to 60m further west from the WAF2. There is a broad expanse of deep mineralization within this western target area with very few historical holes fully penetrating the near-horizontal mineralized zone, thus providing a great hunting ground for future drilling. Story continues Cal Herron, Exploration Manager of Nevada King, stated, "We knew from the historical drilling that gold mineralization occurred along the western side of the deposit, but it was never followed up on. A few holes, particularly those drilled by Meadow Bay in 2011-2015, did penetrate the mineralized zone and revealed good potential for encountering higher grades and thicker mineralization, but these better holes were isolated in the Northwest Target Zone and did not appear to be connected to the rest of the Atlanta resource zone. As Nevada King's drilling in the latter half of 2022 moved westward from the Atlanta Mine Fault Zone ("AMFZ") and crossed the WAF, we suddenly encountered a very different gold "beast" in the mineralized volcanic section, characterized as follows: 75m to 200m thick mineralized intervals averaging between 0.5g/t and 1.5g/t Au, displaying very good lateral and vertical grade continuity; high grade intervals (5g/t to 20g/t Au) scattered within the mineralized sections; strong oxidation; and style of mineralization that is more traditionally amenable to heap leach extraction. "As an explorationist, finding thick and homogenous zones of good gold grade not only indicates a strong gold system, but it also allows for more reliable and quicker ounce building. Consequently two RC drills are currently extending our sections westward from the WAF and in-filling large gaps in the historical drill patterns in order to tie this gold zone into the shallower mineralization already drilled along the AMFZ. As we learn more about mineralization in the West Atlanta Graben, we will be able to better vector into higher grade feeder structures. Horace Greeley's famous adage, 'Go west young man', certainly applies to Atlanta, and that is exactly what Nevada King is doing." Figure 1. Location map for holes reported in this news release along drill Section 22-6N (W) relative to the perimeter of the historical Atlanta Pit and footprint of the Gustavson 2020 NI 43-101 resource. Shallow drillholes on the mine dumps have been removed from the plot for clarity. (CNW Group/Nevada King Gold Corp.) Figure 2. Cross section 22-6N (W) looking north across the deeper, near-horizontal gold mineralization that occurs along the western side of the West Altanta Fault. Mineralization is hosted within volcanic tuff and sediments together with strong silicification occurring along the contact between the volcanic section and basal Eureka Quartzite. Mineralization remains open to the west in sections further north. (CNW Group/Nevada King Gold Corp.) Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Notes AT22HG-17 146.3 311.0 164.6 0.93 3.0 Bottomed in mineralization KR98-7* 204.3 257.6 53.4 1.36 3.85 Bottomed in mineralization KR98-9* 170.9 190.5 19.8 0.20 0.1 Too shallow KR98-11* 244 343 99 0.81 3.02 Bottomed in mineralization KR98-13* - - - - Bottomed in mineralization Table 2: Previously reported and historic holes used in Section 22-6N (W). AT22 series hole was drilled by Nevada King in 2022 and the KR98 series holes were drilled by Kinross in 1998. True thickness of gold mineralization interpreted in today's release is 95% to 100% of the reported intercept length in vertical holes. *Denotes angle holes. Further Discussion Mineralization in both of today's holes occurs above the Eureka Quartzite within volcanic tuff and sedimentary beds and along the densely silicified contact zone separating the volcanic sequence from the underlying quartzite (Figure 2), which is the same sequence seen along Section 22-7N. Somewhere between Section 22-7N and 22-16N, the basal contact to the mineralization changes from Eureka Quartzite to Ely Springs Dolomite, but the northernly trending, high angle fault pattern remains the same. The four Kinross holes drilled in 1998 were angled from north to south in anticipation of testing a hypothetical E-W trending high angle, high grade shear zone thought to be bounding mineralization along the southern margin of the historical Atlanta pit. The idea of horizontal mineralization controlled by northerly-trending normal faults did not enter into Kinross' model, consequently Kinross did not follow-up on their intercepts with additional holes to the north. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Calvin R. Herron, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). About Nevada King Gold Corp. Nevada King is the third largest mineral claim holder in the State of Nevada, behind Nevada Gold Mines (Barrick/Newmont) and Kinross Gold. Starting in 2016 the Company has staked large project areas hosting significant historical exploration work along the Battle Mountain trend located close to current or former producing gold mines. These project areas were initially targeted based on their potential for hosting multi-million-ounce gold deposits and were subsequently staked following a detailed geological evaluation. District-scale projects in Nevada King's portfolio include (1) the 100% owned Atlanta Mine, located 100km southeast of Ely, (2) the Lewis and Horse Mountain-Mill Creek projects, both located between Nevada Gold Mines' large Phoenix and Pipeline mines, and (3) the Iron Point project, located 35km east of Winnemucca, Nevada. The Company is well funded with cash of approximately $8.4 million as of March 2023. The Atlanta Mine is a historical gold-silver producer with a NI 43-101 compliant pit-constrained resource of 460,000 oz Au in the measured and indicated category (11.0M tonnes at 1.3 g/t) plus an inferred resource of 142,000 oz Au (5.3M tonnes at 0.83 g/t). See the NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources titled "Atlanta Property, Lincoln County, NV" with an effective date of October 6, 2020, and a report date of December 22, 2020, as prepared by Gustavson Associates and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). NI 43-101 Mineral Resources at the Atlanta Mine Resource Category Tonnes (000's) Au Grade (ppm) Contained Au Oz Ag Grade (ppm) Contained Ag Oz Measured 4,130 1.51 200,000 14.0 1,860,000 Indicated 6,910 1.17 260,000 10.6 2,360,000 Measured + Indicated 11,000 1.30 460,000 11.9 4,220,000 Inferred 5,310 0.83 142,000 7.3 1,240,000 Please see the Company's website at www.nevadaking.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of Nevada King, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans and the Company's ability to potentially expand mineral resources and the impact thereon. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Nevada King, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work given the global COVID-19 pandemic, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Nevada King does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Nevada King Gold Corp. Logo (CNW Group/Nevada King Gold Corp.) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nevada-king-identifies-new-west-atlanta-graben-target-with-thick-oxide-gold-hits-including-1-03-gt-au-over-181-4m-and-0-98-gt-au-over-163-1m-301775797.html SOURCE Nevada King Gold Corp. NewHydrogen, Inc. Having served in a prominent sales and marketing role in the biopharmaceutical industry, Hill brings extensive business development experience needed to help the company scale. SANTA CLARITA, Calif., March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewHydrogen, Inc. (OTC:NEWH), the developer of a breakthrough technology to produce low-cost green hydrogen, today announced that Steven Hill will serve as Vice President and member of the companys board of directors, effective immediately. Hill is an accomplished sales executive with over 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. In this capacity, Hill will lead NewHydrogens business development efforts while representing the companys mission and technologies to investors, media, public, and potential partners. Hill brings to NewHydrogen extensive experience and business knowledge gained from working in the pharmaceutical industry. Hill has held senior management positions over the course of his career including Regional Account Manager for Relypsa Inc, a biopharmaceutical start-up in Redwood City, CA. Mr. Hills experience in the pharmaceutical industry leading up to Relypsa began in 2000 with roles varying from sales to marketing and leadership with AstraZeneca, Organon, Schering-Plough and Daiichi Sankyo. Hill also served as a Managing Member of Hill Investments, LLC, a real estate investment and design group during which time Mr. Hill consulted on property development and managed real estate investments. Mr. Hill received a Master of Business Administration degree from IE Business School, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Management degree from Utah Valley University and an Associate of Science in Aviation Science degree from Utah Valley University. We are excited to welcome Steve to NewHydrogen, and expect that he will immediately strengthen our management team, said Dr. David Lee, CEO of NewHydrogen. Steves vantage point coming from executive sales experience is one we believe will provide valuable insights as NewHydrogen progresses to meet its corporate objectives. Story continues NewHydrogen is currently funding a sponsored research program at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), aimed squarely at developing technologies to lower the cost of green hydrogen. The goal of NewHydrogens sponsored research at the UCLA is to lower the cost of green hydrogen by eliminating or drastically reducing the use of precious metals in electrolyzers. Electrolyzers currently rely on rare materials such as iridium and platinum. These materials often account for a substantial portion of the cost of electrolyzers. About NewHydrogen, Inc. NewHydrogen is developing a breakthrough technology to produce low-cost green hydrogen using renewable energy. Hydrogen is the cleanest and most abundant fuel in the universe. It is zero-emission and only produces water vapor when used. Unfortunately, hydrogen does not exist in its pure form on Earth so it must be extracted from a source that contains hydrogen. For centuries, scientists have known how to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using a simple and elegant device called an electrolyzer. However, electrolyzers are still very expensive. NewHydrogen plans on developing several component innovations to enable the next generation of low cost electrolyzers. The Companys initial focus is on replacing and reducing expensive rare earth materials, to help usher in the green hydrogen economy that Goldman Sachs estimated to have a future market value of $12 trillion. To learn more about the company, please visit www.newhydrogen.com. Safe Harbor Statement Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, the impact of public health epidemics on the global economy and other factors detailed in reports filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Investor Relations Contact: NewHydrogen, Inc. ir@newhydrogen.com LUXEMBOURG / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / Nexa Resources S.A. ("Nexa Resources" or "Nexa" or the "Company") (NYSE:NEXA) announces its 2022 Year-End Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources ("MRMR") relating to its operations and projects located in Peru and Brazil. Commenting on the MRMR update, Ignacio Rosado, CEO of Nexa Resources, said "Our mineral exploration program in 2022 was focused on identifying new ore bodies in our operating mines including Aripuana, where significant results from the Ambrex infill drilling program increased the mine life by three years. As a major polymetallic and the 5th largest zinc producer worldwide, Nexa has a unique portfolio of operating mines with excellent exploration potential and a pipeline of greenfield exploration projects. In 2023, our mineral exploration program will remain focused on the replacement of Mineral Reserves and upgrading Mineral Resources through infill drilling campaigns." 2022 Year-End Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Highlights Mineral Reserves Nexa Resources S.A., Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture Note: "Addition" refers to new tonnages from brownfield and infill drilling and "Revision" refers to changes in Mineral Reserves due to changes in mine design, changes in economic parameters, leading to a model review and update. Reserve numbers refer to Zinc mines and projects. As of December 31, 2022, Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves estimates amounted to 100.6 million tonnes containing 3,540kt of zinc compared with 97.1 million tonnes containing 3,359kt of zinc as of December 31, 2021. The increase was mainly driven by infill and brownfield drilling at Aripuana, partially offset by mining production depletion. Nexa's 2022 Year-End Mineral Reserves estimate also reflects changes in continuous refining of its geological modelling. The net revision of 120kt zinc was primarily due to the reduction of geotechnical restrictions at Cerro Lindo (65kt) and model updates at Vazante (41kt), and El Porvenir (14kt). The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at Cerro Lindo were estimated to total 41.43Mt at 1.57% Zn, 0.22% Pb, 0.59% Cu and 22.5 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2022, a 6% decrease from 44.0Mt at 1.43% Zn, 0.20% Pb, 0.62% Cu and 22.3 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2021. The decrease was the result of mining production depletion during 2022, balanced by the reduction of operational geotechnical restrictions. Mineral Reserve depletion during 2022 accounted for -4.89Mt containing 70.4kt of zinc. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at Vazante were estimated to total 13.50Mt at 9.64% Zn, 0.27% Pb, and 15.2 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2022, down 15% from 15.91Mt at 8.77% Zn, 0.22% Pb and 13.7 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2021. The decrease was the result of mining production depletion during 2022, which was partially replaced by drilling and updates in Extremo Norte, Sucuri Norte and Lumiadeira areas. Mineral Reserve depletion during 2022 accounted for -1.41Mt containing 134kt of zinc. Another 1.0Mt decrease is due to a more selective mine plan with lower dilution that improved head grades and financial returns. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at El Porvenir were estimated to total 15.50Mt at 3.60% Zn, 1.07% Pb, 0.19% Cu and 66.0 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2022, a 3% decrease from 15.91Mt at 3.57% Zn, 1.04% Pb, 0.20% Cu and 69.5 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2021. The decrease is mainly the result of mining depletion, partially offset by the addition of 56kt of zinc from infill drilling at known orebodies extensions. Mineral Reserve depletion during 2022 accounted for -2.10Mt containing 59.6kt of zinc. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the Aripuana project were estimated to total 30.12Mt at 3.42% Zn, 1.25% Pb, 0.17% Cu, 32.1 g/t Ag and 0.23 g/t Au as of December 31, 2022, a 38% increase from 21.79Mt at 3.61% Zn, 1.36% Pb, 0.23% Cu, 33.5 g/t Ag and 0.30 g/t Au as of December 31, 2021. The increase of 254kt of zinc in the reserves was due to the Ambrex infill drilling program carried out during 2022. Mineral Reserve depletion during 2022 accounted for -0.45Mt containing 10.5kt of zinc, resulting in a net increase of 243kt of contained zinc. Story continues Mineral Resources Nexa Resources S.A., Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture Note: "Addition" refers to new tonnages from brownfield and greenfield drilling and "Revision" refers to changes in Mineral Resources due to changes in reclassification, mine design, changes in economic parameters, leading to a model review and update. Mineral Resource numbers refer to Zinc mines and projects. After a careful assessment and prioritization of our exploration project portfolio, we have decided to not move forward with certain projects, including Cacapava do Sul, located in Brazil, as well as Pukaqaqa and Shalipayco, located in Peru. As a result, 2021 Mineral Resources was updated to maintain the same comparative basis as the 2022 data. As of December 31, 2022, Nexa estimated Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources (exclusive of mineral Reserves) were 3,432kt of contained zinc compared with 3,840kt as of December 31, 2021. The Addition and Revision accounted for a net decrease of -408kt of contained zinc mostly due to model reclassification revision. The addition from brownfield drilling accounted for 53kt of contained zinc at Hilarion South, and the model revision at Hilarion reduced -412kt of contained zinc in Mineral Resource reclassification to the Inferred Mineral Resource category. At Vazante Aroeira tailings, a block model update resulted in reclassification from Inferred Mineral Resource to Indicated Mineral Resource category, accounting for an increase of 108kt of contained zinc in the Indicated Mineral Resources. At Atacocha underground a topographic revision accounted for a -72kt reduction in contained zinc. As of December 31, 2022, Nexa estimated Inferred Mineral Resources of 6,626kt of contained zinc, compared with the total of 5,905kt at the end of 2021. The addition of 517kt of contained zinc was incorporated through exploration and infill drilling. The net revision increases of 204kt of contained zinc is mostly due to model revisions and reclassification. Notable additions from exploration drilling to Inferred Mineral Resources included: 408kt from Vazante brownfield, including 318kt from BDMG acquisition; 446kt from Hilarion South; -422kt from Aripuana mostly due to conversion to Probable Mineral Reserves. A total of 374kt of contained zinc was added to the Inferred Mineral Resource category at the Hilarion project as a result of Mineral Resource reclassification from Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources. There was a decrease in Inferred Mineral Resources of -102kt from reclassification at Vazante Aroeira due to a reclassification to Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources. Exploration Outlook Nexa's exploration strategy for 2023 will remain focused on Mineral Resource expansion through brownfield and infill drilling near operating mines and extension drilling on advanced projects. A total of 78,185 meters of drilling is planned for 2023, including 45,000 meters in Peru (57%), 25,685 meters in Brazil (33%) and the remaining 7,500 meters in Namibia (10%). At Cerro Lindo, we plan to drill a total of 32,000 meters including extension drilling at Pucasalla, Puca Punta, Mesa Rumi and Festejo targets, located in the northern side of the Cerro Lindo mine and Orebody 8B, located southeast of known mineralized bodies of the mine. At El Porvenir, we plan to drill 6,000 meters at the Integracion target to extend the mineralized hydrothermal breccia to upper levels of the deposit. At Hilarion, we plan to drill 3,000 meters within two targets: El Padrino in the northwestern part of the Hilarion deposit and Chaupijanca to the southeast aiming to test a potential copper mineralization system and extend zinc mineralization in those areas. We will resume our drilling campaigns in Florida Canyon, with an expected 4,000 meters of drilling focused on expanding the Florida Canyon mineralization to the South on Florida Sur target. At Aripuana, the strategy is to drill 4,400 meters to extend the Babacu body to the northwest and to test the mineralization gap between Link and Ambrex. An additional 11,200 meters of infill drilling is planned for Mineral Resources reclassification at Babacu. At Vazante, we plan to carry out 10,085 meters of brownfield drilling at known orebody extensions. In Namibia, we plan to drill 7,500 meters to continue investigating copper mineralization in Namibia North along the Deblin and Tsumeb trends. We expect to continue advancing our drilling campaigns and developing our pipeline of projects, prioritizing belts for exploratory drilling and Mineral Resource expansion to consolidate our Zinc and Copper portfolio with optimized investments between them. Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Tables MINERAL RESERVES The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Reserves prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below). Table 2. Nexa Year-End Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below) for Zinc operating mines. Nexa Resources S.A., Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture NOTES TO MINERAL RESERVES TABLE Mineral Reserves are expressed on a 100% basis. The Qualified Persons for the estimation of the Mineral Reserves for Cerro Lindo is Cristovao Teofilo dos Santos, B.Eng., a Nexa employee, El Porvenir and Vazante is Vitor Marcos Teixeira de Aguilar, B.Eng., a Nexa employee, and for Aripuana is SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. Mineral Reserves have an effective date of December 31, 2022, for Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Vazante and Aripuana mines. 2014 CIM Definition Standards were followed for Mineral Reserves, which are consistent with definitions used under Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K. Mineral Reserves are reported within engineered stope outlines assuming the following underground mining methods: El Porvenir and Vazante - SLS and C&F; Cerro Lindo - SLS; and Aripuana - longitudinal longhole retreat (bench stopping) and transverse longhole mining (VRM). Dilution and mining recovery are considered. At Cerro Lindo, Mineral Reserves are estimated at an NSR break-even cut-off value of US$42.65/t processed. Some incremental material with values between US$35.14/t and US$38.84/t was included. At El Porvenir Mineral Reserves are estimated at NSR break-even cut-off values ranging from US$57.99/t to US$62.37/t depending on the zone and mining method. At Vazante Mineral Reserves are estimated at NSR break-even cut-off value of US$60.61/t. At Aripuana Mineral Reserves are estimated at an NSR break-even cut-off value of US$48.11/t processed. Some incremental material with values between US$38.05/t and US$47.91/t was included. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in the NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Forecast long-term metal prices used for the NSR calculation are Zn: US$2,826.35/t (US$1.28/lb); Pb: US$2,043.95/t (US$0.93/lb); Cu: US$7,398.47/t (US$3.36/lb); Ag: US$19.93/oz, and Au: US$1,474.88/oz for Aripuana. For Vazante and Aripuana, a 4.0 m minimum mining width was applied. For Cerro Lindo and for El Porvenir a minimum mining width of 5.0 m was applied. Bulk density at Cerro Lindo and Aripuana varies depending on mineralization domain. At Vazante the default density is 2.8 t/m and El Porvenir is 2.94 t/m. Numbers may not add due to rounding. MINERAL RESOURCES The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) in operating mines prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below). Table 3. Nexa Year-End Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below) for Zinc operating mines. Nexa Resources S.A., Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) for our zinc exploration projects prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below). Table 4. Nexa Year-End Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below) for Zinc projects. Nexa Resources S.A., Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Resources for our copper project portfolio prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2022 (except as indicated below). Table 5. Nexa Year-End Mineral Resources for Copper projects. Nexa Resources S.A., Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture NOTES TO MINERAL RESOURCES TABLES Mineral Resources are expressed on a 100% basis. The Qualified Persons for the estimation of the Mineral Resources are: Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Atacocha (u/g and o/p), Vazante and Morro Agudo mines, Florida Canyon project, Magistral project, and Hilarion project - Jose Antonio Lopes, B.Geo., FAusIMMGeo, a Nexa employee. For the Aripuana mine the Qualified Person is SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. Mineral Resources have an effective date as of: (a) December 31, 2022, for Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Atacocha (u/g and o/p), Vazante, Morro Agudo and Aripuana mines, and Hilarion project; (b) December 31, 2021, for the Magistral project, and (c) October 30, 2020, for the Florida Canyon project. 2014 CIM Definition Standards were followed for Mineral Resources, which are consistent with definitions used under Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K. Mineral Resources are reported within underground resource shapes for Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Atacocha u/g, Morro Agudo and Aripuana mines, and for the Hilarion and Florida Canyon projects. Mineral Resources are reported within underground resource shapes or within an optimized pit shell for Vazante and within an optimized pit shell for Atacocha open pit and Magistral project. Mineral Resources are reported above a NSR cut-off value of: Cerro Lindo - US$42.65/t for resource shapes; El Porvenir - varies from US$59.65/t (lower zone) to US$62.37/t (upper zone) for C&F resource shapes and from US$57.99/t (lower zone) to US$60.71/t (upper zone) for SLS resource shapes; Atacocha u/g - US$62.81/t for C&F resource stopes; Atacocha o/p - US$23.81/t; Vazante - US$60.61/t for SLS resources shapes, Calamine - varies from US$23.13/t to US$28.38/t and Vazante Aroeira tailings - US$29.40/t; Morro Agudo (specific for each mine) - Morro Agudo: US$52.43/t and Bonsucesso: US$55.85/t; Aripuana - US$48.11/t; Hilarion - US$45.0/t; Magistral - US$5.99/t for porphyry, US$5.51/t for mixed and US$5.48/t for skarn resources ; Florida Canyon - US$41.40/t for SLS resource shapes, US$42.93/t for C&F and US$40.61/t for Room and Pillar resource areas. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in the NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. For Florida Canyon metallurgical recovery used average recoveries of 80% for zinc, 74% for lead, and 52% for silver. Forecast long-term metal prices used for the NSR calculation are: Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Atacocha (u/g and o/p), Vazante, Morro Agudo and Aripuana - Zn: US$3,250/t (US$1.47/lb), Pb: US$2,350/t (US$1.07/lb), Cu: US$8,508/t (US$3.86/lb), Ag: US$22.92/oz and Au: US$1,696/oz (also used for Atacocha o/p); Magistral project - Cu: US$8,272/t (US$3.75/lb), Ag: US$21.34/oz and Mo: US$9.90/lb; Hilarion project - Zn: US$3,246/t (US$1.47/lb), Pb: US$2,333/t (US$1.06/lb), and Ag: US$22.7/oz; and Florida Canyon project - Zn: US$2,816/t (US$1.27/lb), Pb: US$2,196/t (US$1.00/lb) and Ag: US$19.40/oz. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m was used for Cerro Lindo. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m for C&F resource shapes was applied for El Porvenir, Atacocha u/g. A minimum thickness of 3.0 m for SLS and C&F, and 4.0 m for Room and Pillar in Florida Canyon project. A minimum mining width of 3.0 m was applied for Vazante for willemite mineralization, Bonsucesso, Hilarion and SLS and C&F stopes in Florida Canyon project. For Morro Agudo underground a minimum mining width of 4.5 m was applied. For the Magistral project a minimum mining width of 10.0 m was applied. Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of those Mineral Resources that were converted to Mineral Reserves. There are no Mineral Reserves at Atacocha u/g and o/p and Morro Agudo, and at the Magistral, Hilarion, and Florida Canyon projects. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Numbers may not add due to rounding. Technical Information Jose Antonio Lopes, FAusIMM CP (Geo): 224829, a mineral resources manager, a qualified person for purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and a Nexa employee, has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Further information, including key assumptions, parameters, and methods used to estimate Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources of the mines and/or projects referenced in the tables above can be found in the applicable technical reports, each of which is available at www.sedar.com under Nexa's SEDAR profile. About Nexa Nexa is a large-scale, low-cost integrated zinc producer with over 60 years of experience developing and operating mining and smelting assets in Latin America. Nexa currently owns and operates five long-life underground mines - three located in the Central Andes of Peru and two located in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil - and is ramping up the Aripuana mine as its sixth underground mine in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Nexa was among the top five producers of mined zinc globally in 2022 and one of the top five metallic zinc producers worldwide in 2022, according to Wood Mackenzie. Cautionary Statement on Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates All Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates of the Company disclosed or referenced in this news release have been prepared in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves dated May 10, 2014 ("2014 CIM Definition Standards"), whose definitions are incorporated by reference in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), for the metals indicated per mine and project. Accordingly, such information may not be comparable to similar information prepared in accordance with Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300"). For a discussion of the differences between the requirements under S-K 1300 and NI 43-101, please see our annual report on Form 20-F. Mineral reserve: is an estimate of tonnage and grade or quality of indicated and measured mineral resources that, in the opinion of the qualified person, can be the basis of an economically viable project. More specifically, it is the economically mineable part of a measured or indicated mineral resource, which includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined or extracted. Probable Mineral Reserve: is the economically mineable part of an indicated and, in some cases, a measured mineral resource. Proven Mineral Reserve: is the economically mineable part of a measured mineral resource and can only result from conversion of a measured mineral resource. Mineral Resource: is a concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such form, grade or quality, and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction. A mineral resource is a reasonable estimate of mineralization, taking into account relevant factors such as cut-off grade, likely mining dimensions, location or continuity, that, with the assumed and justifiable technical and economic conditions, is likely to, in whole or in part, become economically extractable. Inferred Mineral Resource: is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Indicated Mineral Resource: is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of adequate geological evidence and sampling. Measured Mineral Resource: is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of conclusive geological evidence and sampling. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to in this news release as "forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "will," "may," "may have," "would," "estimate," "continues," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "expects," "budget," "scheduled," "forecasts" and similar words are intended to identify estimates and forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of NEXA to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments may be substantially different from the expectations described in the forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, many of which are not under our control, among them, the activities of our competition, the future global economic situation, weather conditions, market prices and conditions, exchange rates, and operational and financial risks. The unexpected occurrence of one or more of the abovementioned events may significantly change the results of our operations on which we have based our estimates and forward-looking statements. Our estimates and forward-looking statements may also be influenced by, among others, legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of our projects, including risks related to outbreaks of contagious diseases or health crises impacting overall economic activity regionally or globally. These forward-looking statements related to future events or future performance and include current estimates, predictions, forecasts, beliefs and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, but not limited to, the business and operations of the Company and mining production our growth strategy, the impact of applicable laws and regulations, future zinc and other metal prices, smelting sales, CAPEX, expenses related to exploration and project evaluation, estimation of mineral reserves and/or mineral resources, mine life and our financial liquidity. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon several factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable and appropriate by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies and may prove to be incorrect. Statements concerning future production costs or volumes are based on numerous assumptions of management regarding operating matters and on assumptions that demand for products develops as anticipated, that customers and other counterparties perform their contractual obligations, full integration of mining and smelting operations, that operating and capital plans will not be disrupted by issues such as mechanical failure, unavailability of parts and supplies, labor disturbances, interruption in transportation or utilities, adverse weather conditions, and other COVID-19 related impacts, and that there are no material unanticipated variations in metal prices, exchange rates, or the cost of energy, supplies or transportation, among other assumptions. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required under securities laws. Estimates and forward-looking statements refer only to the date when they were made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any estimate or forward-looking statement due to new information, future events or otherwise, except or required by law. Estimates and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and do not guarantee future performance, as actual results or developments may be substantially different from the expectations described in the forward-looking statements. Further information concerning risks and uncertainties associated with these forward-looking statements and our business can be found on our website (ir.nexaresources.com), and in our public disclosures filed under our profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). Contact: Roberta Varella - Head of Investor Relations | ir@nexaresources.com +55 11 94473-1388 SOURCE: Nexa Resources S.A. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/744770/Nexa-Announces-2022-Year-End-Mineral-Reserves-and-Mineral-Resources CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / Nexera Energy Inc. (TSX Venture:NGY) (the "Corporation", the "Company" or "Nexera") is pleased to announce that the Company, and the Company's sole private lender ("Lender"), have signed a letter of intent whereby all outstanding loans, totalling $13,961,222, will be converted to a sliding scale gross overriding royalty ("GORR"). Additionally, the GORR will be capped at a maximum of $10,000,000. The GORR will be commodity price sensitive and paid out over time on the gross proceeds from the Company's oil and gas revenue. Final terms of the GORR structure will be released upon execution of the definitive agreement, expected to be completed shortly. The Lender is extremely supportive, and the new GORR agreement will offer Nexera opportunities to see revenue and earnings growth without being subject to loans with default provisions that impede the Company's ability to grow. Shelby Beattie, CEO of Nexera commented, "We are thrilled to have reached this agreement with our Lender as this is transformational for the Company. Converting the loans to a GORR will clean up our balance sheet and allow us the ability to rapidly grow the Company with each new well that we drill. I want to thank the Lender for their support in seeing our vision to build Nexera over the next several years as we take advantage of higher oil prices and a bullish outlook in the sector." For further information, please contact: Nexera Energy Inc. Shelby D. Beattie, President (403) 262-6000 info@nexeraenergy.com www.nexeraenergy.com Investor Cubed Inc. Neil Simon, CEO 647-258-3310 nsimon@investor3.ca www.investor3.ca About Nexera Energy Inc. Nexera Energy Inc. (TSX Venture: NGY) is an energy company with oil producing properties in Southwest Texas. Nexera is owner and operator of the Lavernia, Wooden Horse and Stockdale Horizon Projects. The Company also owns 100% of Production Resources Inc., a South Texas oil company. Story continues Forward Looking Statements Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein relating to the timing of the filing of financial statements constitutes forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Nexera Energy Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/744592/Nexera-Energy-Signs-Letter-of-Intent-with-Lender-to-Convert-All-Outstanding-Loans-to-Royalty-Structure Net revenue of 3.3 million in 2022 Cash position of 27.7 million as of December 31, 2022 March 20, 2023 release at 7:30 am CET Sophia Antipolis, France Nicox SA (Euronext Paris: FR0013018124, COX), an international ophthalmology company, today announced the financial and operating results for Nicox and its subsidiaries (the Nicox Group) for the year ended December 31, 2022, as approved by the Board of Directors on March 17, 2023, and updated key future milestones. 2022 was an important year for the company, with the completion of the Mont Blanc trial demonstrating that our NCX 470 program meets the efficacy endpoint necessary for approval in the United States for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. We recently presented the topline data from Mont Blanc at the American Glaucoma Society. Our team is preparing to present further analyses from this trial in the coming months at key ophthalmology conferences, and we plan to initiate additional clinical trials later this year to strengthen the therapeutic profile of NCX 470. said Andreas Segerros, Chief Executive Officer of Nicox. Our partner Bausch + Lomb reported 31% year-on-year revenue growth for VYZULTA, together with increasing prescription numbers in the United States, contributing to our having over 1 million of net royalty revenue for the first time in quarter four of 2022. We expect to see this figure continue to increase due to prescription growth and geographic expansion. With a cash position of over 27 million at the end of the year, we are financed through Q2 2024. 2022 Financial Summary Net revenue1 for the full year 2022 was 3.3 million (consisting entirely of net royalties), compared to 7.2 million (2.4 million in net royalties, 4.8 million in license payments) for the full year 2021. Operating expenses for the year 2022 increased to 27.2 million from 25.1 million for the previous year. Net loss of the Nicox Group for the full year 2022 was 27.8 million against 43.8 million for the full year 2021. The 2022 net loss includes 10.9 million of non-cash items resulting from an additional reduction in the estimated fair value of NCX 4251 following the Group's decision not to pursue internal development but to seek a partner in the U.S. The 2021 net loss included 27.8 million of non-cash items due to a reduction in the estimated fair value of ZERVIATE (of 12.7 million) and of NCX 4251 (of 15.1 million) reflecting, respectively, the changes in the allergic conjunctivitis market in the U.S. and the changes in the development plan and timeline for NCX 4251. As of December 31, 2022, the Nicox Group had cash and cash equivalents of 27.7 million, as compared with 42.0 million as of December 31, 2021. The Company estimates it is financed until Q2 2024, based exclusively on the development of NCX 470. As of December 31, 2022, the Nicox Group had financial debt of 24.7 million, consisting of (i) 18.7 million in the form of a bond financing agreement with Kreos Capital signed in January 2019, (ii) a 1.8 million credit agreement guaranteed by the French State, and granted in August 2020 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and (iii) 4.2 million of present value attributed to the put option2 granted in the November 2022 equity financing. The payment of this debt would only occur if the put option was exercised, subject to the conditions set out in footnote 2 below. Corporate update The Ordinary Shareholder Meeting of the Company held on February 28, 2023 approved the transfer of the listing of securities issued by the Company from compartment C of the Euronext Paris regulated market to the Euronext Growth Paris multilateral trading system and granted the Board of Directors all powers necessary to carry out this transfer. The transfer to Euronext Growth Paris is subject to the approval of the Euronext Paris market operator and must become effective before February 27, 2024, as per the shareholder authorization. Key Future Milestones Communication of NCX 470 Mont Blanc results at key ophthalmology congresses: detailed analysis of the Mont Blanc data has now been completed. Presentations were made at the American Glaucoma Society (AGS) Annual Meeting (March 2-5, 2023, Austin, TX, U.S,) and are planned at upcoming events including the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting (April 23-27, 2023, New Orleans, LA, U.S.) and the World Glaucoma Congress (WGC) (June 28 - July 1, 2023, Rome, Italy), along with journal publications. Denali Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating NCX 470 in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension: Topline results expected in 2025. This date is based on projections of increased recruitment which take notably into account the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in China. Initiation of two new Phase 3b clinical trials investigating the dual mechanism of action (nitric oxide and prostaglandin analog) in intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering and potential retinal benefits of NCX 470: planned in H1 2023. The audit procedures on the consolidated accounts as of December 31, 2022 have been carried out. The certification report will be issued after finalization of the procedures required for the purposes of the publication of the annual report. Cleveland, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cleveland, Ohio - Cleveland State University (CSU) offers flexible online MSN programs in four practice areas to help BSN-prepared nurses take their careers to the next level. Bedside nursing is a rewarding career, but all too often today, nurse burnout is a real and pressing problem. The general population is aging, and thousands of nurses are planning to retire. The U.S. nursing shortage is commonly known and discussed in the media, and nurses themselves know all too well the effects of reduced staff in the workplace. The good news is New and specialized online education is available for BSN-prepared nurses to earn their masters degree in a variety of need-focused practice areas. Learn More About Cleveland State Universitys Online MSN Programs Cleveland State Universitys online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares students with the advanced knowledge, competencies and skills to lead beyond the bedside and influence the future of nursing. For practicing nurses with a BSN, this program takes careers to the next level with an advanced degree in nursing without having to relocate. Didactic coursework is 100% online and is mostly asynchronous for a flexible learning experience. Experiential practicum hours near students homes provide hands-on learning in real-life situations. Four specializations are available to align with students interests and career goals. Depending on the specialization, each of the four can be completed in two years or less. Clinical Nurse Leader The Clinical Nurse Leader role was developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to address the critical need to improve care delivery and quality outcomes. Nurses who want to stay in touch with the clinical side of nursing and would like to influence patient outcomes may want to pursue an online MSN clinical nurse leader degree. This specialized pathway gives nurses the skills they need to become effective leaders in clinical settings and ensure patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery across the continuum. Story continues Forensic Nursing The American Nursing Association recognized Forensic Nursing as a specialty in 1995, and Cleveland State University was one of the first universities in the nation to offer the degree. The MSN in forensic nursing online combines students nursing skills with forensic science to advocate for truth and promote recovery, health and justice in a caring and compassionate way. Nursing Education Educating new nurses is critical to solving the problem of our nationwide nursing shortage. Earning a master's in nursing education online is just one of the ways nurses can lead beyond the bedside. This specialization establishes nurses as accomplished educators who can influence new generations of nurses through effective teaching methods. Coursework focuses on curriculum development and the implementation, evaluation and supervision of students and nursing professionals. Specialized Populations Caring for aggregate patient populations makes good sense from a quality-of-care perspective. The online MSN specialized populations degree is the right path for nurses who want to concentrate their careers on the health needs of a defined population. It uses best practices and evidence-based research to design healthcare services and community programming to improve the health outcomes and quality of life for individuals and groups with similar health alterations, diseases or disabilities. About the University Cleveland State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the largest regional accreditor in the U.S. Its MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. CSU is nationally recognized by esteemed organizations and partners with more than 250 organizations to provide a well-rounded education. For more information about the online MSN program at Cleveland State University, visit onlinelearning.csuohio.edu. ### For more information about Cleveland State University, contact the company here: Cleveland State University Jenni Tuttle admissions@onlinelearning.csuohio.edu 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115 CONTACT: Jenni Tuttle NYC-Headquartered OOH Leader to Support Initiative via Exclusive Digital Transit Advertising NEW YORK, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OUTFRONT Media (NYSE:OUT) shows its support for its home city through the Partnership for New York City's new "We NYC " citywide civic action campaign. Geared to inspiring New York City's post-pandemic resurgence, the campaign is showcasing the city's strengths and looking to mobilize New Yorkers in all communities to help ensure that New York remains the greatest city in the world. One of the largest out-of-home media (OOH) companies in the U.S., OUTFRONT Media's role in the "We NYC" campaign is to engage commuters utilizing digital signage throughout the NYC transit system (subway, bus, street furniture, billboards) which reaches millions of people daily (approximately 5 million trips daily across subways, buses and commuter rail). The messaging is focused around ways New Yorkers can help improve the city, prioritize public safety, support small businesses, and care for parks and litter cleanups. In addition to transit media, OUTFRONT supported the press conference with OUTFRONT PRIME inventory in Times Square creating the backdrop of the event. This media will run for the duration of the campaign along with billboards across the greater NYC area, plus expected amplification through social channels. "OUTFRONT is extremely proud to support the Partnership for New York City to share 'We NYC,'" said Phil Stimpson, East Region EVP at OUTFRONT Media. "As the lifeblood of NYC, the subway and overall public transit system are vital to everyday New Yorkers, its businesses, and the growth of our economy." As part of its effort to empower residents to drive change in their own communities, the "We NYC" campaign will also involve several partnerships with public agencies and nonprofits across the city aimed at achieving a safer, more livable and more business-friendly city. Story continues OUTFRONT has a long history of supporting NYC and related initiatives including its work on behalf of The Times Square Alliance and Inside Broadway. The "We NYC" campaign was unveiled this morning during a news conference produced by the Broadway League. The visual inspiration behind the campaign "We NYC" is an approved adaptation of the famous Milton Glaser-designed "I New York" owned by New York State's Department of Economic Development. About OUTFRONT Media Inc. OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location, and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go. OUTFRONT Media Contacts: Don Ciaramella / Matt Biscuiti Courtney Richards The Lippin Group OUTFRONT Media +1.212.986.7080 (646) 876-9404 outfront@lippingroup.com courtney.richards@OUTFRONT.com Stephan Bisson OUTFRONT Media, Investor Relations 212-297-6573 stephan.Bisson@outfront.com OUTFRONT Media Logo. (PRNewsFoto/OUTFRONT Media Inc.) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/outfront-media-joins-business-civic-and-labor-communities-to-launch-we--nyc-campaign-301776686.html SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc. The Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with the National Centre for Privatisation (NCP) has solicited expressions of interest from private medical investors for four new medical facilities. The projects include designing, building and operating a 200-bed long-term care facility, two 100-bed skilled nursing home projects, and a 150-bed rehabilitation hospital that runs 120,000 annual outpatient sessions. Plans announced also include providing home healthcare services to 10,000 active patients in Riyadh and Dammam.-- TradeArabia News Service VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM)(FSE:FIRA)(OTCQB:PMMCF) is pleased to advise that it has contracted Vision Perforaciones SpA to complete a ~2,100m diamond drill program of 3 deep holes designed to test coincident geological, geochemical, and geophysical anomalies at the Buenavista target and the Block 4 Project more broadly. Drilling is scheduled to commence in early April 2023, with preparatory works already underway, and is expected to be completed within 2 months. Assay results are expected in June. Block 4 Project & Buenavista Target - A newly discovered, undrilled Porphyry Cu-Mo-Au target. Block 4 is the Company's priority project, with the Buenavista Target displaying characteristics indicative of a large, fertile, tertiary aged, porphyry copper-molybdenum-gold system, located along the world's preeminent porphyry copper belt in northern Chile; Intense, sub-cropping, quartz-veinlet stockwork occurs at Buenavista within a dacite porphyry and phreatomagmatic breccia complex, flanked by a quartz-sulfide breccia to the west and skarn-type mineralization to the east, and is coincident with key geochemical and geophysical anomalies; Anomalous soil and trench geochemical values of copper, molybdenum, and gold (and other pathfinders) in a heavily supergene leached desert environment, coincide with mapped geology, hydrothermal alteration, magnetic and induced polarisation (IP) geophysical anomalies, and other complementary data including 3D modeling and age dating; The Buenavista Target footprint comprising geological, geochemical, and geophysical anomalies is approximately 1.5 km E-W by 1 km N-S along a significant geological structure; The presence of several other geophysical anomalies under post-mineral covered portions of the Block 4 property is suggestive of a potential "cluster" of porphyry copper-molybdenum-gold systems, a characteristic typical of some major porphyry copper districts in Chile and worldwide. Joseph van den Elsen, the Company's CEO, stated: "We are delighted to have recently closed a financing for approximately $2.2 million, with the principal use of funds being directed towards the maiden drill test of our Buenavista Target at the Block 4 project. We are excited to be entering this phase of exploration, as we also continue to advance the Company's wider portfolio of projects." Story continues Block 4 - Regional Location Along the Domeyko Cordillera Porphyry Copper Belt ABOUT PAMPA METALS Pampa Metals is a Canadian company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE: PM), Frankfurt (FSE: FIRA) and OTC (OTCQB: PMMCF) exchanges which wholly owns a 47,400 hectare portfolio of seven projects highly prospective for copper, molybdenum and gold located along proven and highly productive mineral belts in Chile, one of the world's top mining jurisdictions. The Company is actively advancing its projects through systematic exploration and drill testing of the highest priority targets, with a current focus on the Buenavista target and the Block 4 Project more broadly. The Company's vision is to create significant value for shareholders and stakeholders through the application of its technical and commercial expertise towards exploring for a major copper discovery along the prime mineral belts of Chile. For more information, please visit Pampa Metals' website www.pampametals.com. The latest Company Presentation can be accessed at https://pampametals.com/investor/. Qualified Person Technical information in this news release has been approved by Mario Orrego G, Geologist and a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Orrego is a consultant to the Company. Note: The reader is cautioned that Pampa Metals' projects are early-stage exploration projects, and reference to existing mines and deposits, or mineralization hosted on adjacent or nearby properties, is not necessarily indicative of any mineralization on Pampa Metals' properties. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO INVESTORS CONTACT Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO joseph@pampametals.com Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Pampa Metals Corp. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/744758/Pampa-Metals-Mobilises-Drill-Testing-of-the-Buenavista-Porphyry-Copper-Target Company Logo Dublin, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "The Pharma Mini MBA Training Course" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Working in the highly competitive pharmaceutical industry, with ever-increasing change and pressure, is probably one of the most challenging managerial roles of any industry today. This event has been specially designed to help you transcend these challenges by training you to become equipped to see the bigger picture in all aspects of your role. It will help you build your management skills for the future and prepare you to fulfil your ambitions. The Pharma Mini MBA accelerated management programme is a distillation of the most valuable parts of an MBA, as applied to the pharmaceutical industry. It will provide you with practical management tools to apply in the workplace, as well as giving a real taste of an MBA course with pharmaceutical case studies from business schools. Pharmaceutical industry context - business school pharmaceutical case studies on each module This intensive three-day course will help you to translate your learning into new behaviours and improvements in your capability and performance and will work through live issues impacting on the industry and on you directly. The individual and group exercises will focus on pharmaceutical/biopharma/generic MBA case studies, and also on your own challenges and examples. The business school case studies will help give the 'feel' of a full MBA and help you understand more about the strategies used in today's pharmaceutical and associated industries. The Pharma Mini MBA is also an invaluable guide to all that is best and most practical on an MBA course - with a specific focus on the pharmaceutical sector. It is also of value either to gain the most useful aspects of an MBA or as an MBA taster, providing a foundation of the essential MBA elements to apply directly to your role. The pharmaceutical industry requires employees to focus on successful leadership and business management skills, which this programme is designed to give you. Story continues The skills you will improve include: Problem-solving Seeing the bigger picture Decision-making, priorities Strategic leadership Implementing strategy Environmental awareness Cross-cultural communication Portfolio management Strategic thinking Leadership Commercial awareness Change management Team-working Project management Increased confidence prioritisation Key benefits of attending MBA learning style of the programme The Pharma Mini MBA learning style is 'hands-on' rather than academic. The programme is very practical, without being too theoretical, with industry-relevant case studies drawn from business school cases. The course covers the key areas of an MBA and applies these MBA tools and concepts to the pharmaceutical industry, providing you with a firm foundation of the essential MBA thinking and terminology. Three modules will be covered in just three days of interactive workshops to enhance the value of the course and, to minimise your time away from the office, there is also optional pre- and post-course work set by the programme director. Develop your understanding of the key techniques of an MBA to apply to your work Gain a greater understanding of the pharma industry, its drivers, challenges and opportunities Hear about the latest strategic technology innovations being used and developed in the pharma industry Understand what strategic thinking is and how to use strategy tools Develop your leadership and strategic skills Become more effective in coping with and managing change in the pharma industry Explore the benefits and costs of doing an MBA Take away a Mini MBA toolkit to apply to your job Discuss and learn from real pharma industry case studies Pre-course work (sent out to delegates prior to the course) Diagnostic questionnaire - your strategic competencies Discussions of diagnostic output/other areas of value Who Should Attend: A 'must-attend' for professionals in the pharmaceutical/biopharma/medical device/animal health industries wishing to develop their business management skills for more senior levels and beyond mere technical ability. It will also help anyone thinking of studying for an MBA who would like an idea of what is involved. It is particularly beneficial to attend with a colleague to maximise the practical learning. Key Topics Covered: Strategy and strategic challenges in the pharma industry Strategy and strategic thinking and their importance in the pharma industry Strategic analysis, planning and implementation Environmental analysis Understanding the competitive environment Strategic options Applying the MBA toolkit Stakeholders and their expectations in the pharma industry Obtaining the value out of strategy in the pharma industry Commercial management and leadership in the pharma industry New product development and the target product profile Portfolio management used in the pharma industry Understanding business performance The business plan Diagnosing specific performance problems Developing strategic alliances and collaborations in the pharma industry Benefits, costs of doing an MBA and the different routes The role of leadership What are the core competencies of effective leaders in pharma? Leadership vs management Leadership style and approaches in the pharma industry Managing innovation in the pharma industry Innovation approaches currently being adopted along the pharma value chain Future innovations in pharma and the life science industries Leading and implementing pharma strategy and change Leading successful change Diagnosis around change How to create the conditions for successful change Why people resist change and how to manage this Change management including leading a structural reorganisation Creating a team, department and organisation relevant to today's pharma business needs Team formation and development Implementing strategy and change, essentials of planning and managing projects Project management tools and techniques to use in implementing pharma projects Applying key project management techniques to pharma projects Understanding of cultural awareness to work more effectively with pharma colleagues Hot topics in market access strategy Practical application/review Personal development action plan to apply the learning within your own organisation Revisiting your competency assessment - what has shifted? Recommended further reading Practical application of tools (toolkit) Speakers: Leela Barham Health Economist and Policy Expert Independent (Freelance) BSc (Economics), MSc (Health Economics) Leela Barham is an independent health economist and policy expert working on a freelance basis. This follows 7 years at a specialist economic consulting firm working in a small dedicated health and pharmaceutical team. She has more than 10 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry - both at home and abroad - and has worked for all stakeholders in the health care system ranging from patient organisations, the National Health Service, health insurers, and the pharmaceutical industry. She has particular expertise in public and patient involvement, Patient Access Schemes/risk sharing schemes, the Cancer Drugs Fund, policy on Health Technology Assessment (HTA), and the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS). She regularly writes on hot topics affecting the industry for Pharmaceutical Executive, Pharmaphorum and EyeforPharma and has also written for PharmaTimes, and Pharma Pricing and Reimbursement. She has also had her research published in peer review journals including The Patient and Pharmacoeconomics. Oguz Ozden Strategy Consultant PwC Oguz is a strategy consultant in PwC's Strategy& practice, leading large, complex and international transformations across the Pharma and Life Sciences sector. He has over 10 years of consulting experience in the sector having worked across various functions in Biotech, Pharma and Consumer Health as well as Pharmaceutical Wholesale. Laura Brown Pharmaceutical QA and Training Consultant University of Cardiff Dr Laura Brown MBA, BSc,PhD, is a Pharmaceutical QA and Training Consultant, Course Director for the MSc in Clinical Research, School of Pharmacy at the University of Cardiff. She has more than 20 years' experience of quality assurance in the pharmaceutical industry and has worked for several companies, including GSKs Hoechst Marion Roussel, Farmitalia and Phoenix International. She has a particular expertise in quality assurance including risked based approaches to quality systems, data Integrity and project management in the pharmaceutical industry. She regularly writes on pharmaceutical regulatory issues including "The Planning of International Drug Development", in the Clinical Research Manual, Euromed and the "Impact of Brexit", RQA Journal 2017. For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r7eorn About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Pinwheel's original Direct Deposit Switch product has already helped customers grow their direct deposits by up to 75%. Now that Pinwheel has the universal highest direct deposit coverage rate, banks and fintechs who work with Pinwheel are optimized to provide seamless digital experiences to grow direct deposits and overall customer lifetime value. NEW YORK, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Pinwheel, the market-leading provider of income and employment data engineered for next-generation fintech innovation, announced the launch of Deposit Switch 2.0 (DDS 2.0). DDS 2.0 offers the highest coverage rate in the industry so that up to 100% of US workers who are paid via direct deposit can have an easy, digital way to update their direct deposit settings. Pinwheel logo (PRNewsfoto/Pinwheel) The most important part of a person's financial life is their income whether they earn a biweekly salary, receive irregular gig-work payments, get pension or unemployment benefits, or any type of income in between all consumers need a way to seamlessly connect their direct deposits to their financial providers of choice. Pinwheel's DDS 1.0 has been a critical tool for financial service providers to grow their deposits by as much as 75%. With the coverage increase from ~80% to 100%, banks and fintechs can expect even more growth. Per Pinwheel's research, customers who direct deposit into an account have a 32x greater lifetime value than those who don't. DDS 2.0 enables every user to utilize the direct deposit switching user experience to drive maximum conversion through Pinwheel's intelligent case detection, regardless of how they receive their paycheck. Deposit-switching solutions must accommodate all income profile types to deliver maximum value. With the consumer's permission, Pinwheel automatically offers the best switching options for each customer profile. Direct : An automated, no-credentials-required switch via direct payroll platform partnerships. Automated: The customer uses their payroll credentials to log in via the Pinwheel flow and update their deposit settings. Guided: An assisted flow where Pinwheel uses the information provided by the customer to complete the switch. Form-based: Customers who opt out of sharing their payroll credentials can use an intelligently generated form to switch. Story continues "Automated direct deposit switching has been a core offering for Pinwheel since its inception," said Robert Reynolds, Head of Product, Pinwheel. "Naturally, we've been increasing our coverage over time, working toward a 100% connectivity rate, and we're excited to offer our customers this level of coverage. Our goal has always been to make it easier for consumers to access the financial products and services they need, and this tool is a critical part of helping financial institutions bring this vision to life. Banks can now automate the direct deposit process for anyone receiving income via direct deposit in the United States. Not only does this streamline the process for consumers, it allows banks to tap into a higher level of personalization, leveling up the pivotal customer experience and strengthening their customer relationships." DDS also has the added benefit of offering deeper insights for banks and fintechs so that they can better understand their financial picture to provide them with more products that best meet their needs: With a manual deposit switch, gaining additional customer visibility is impossible. DDS 2.0 features real-time deposit allocation monitoring, which allows Pinwheel's customers to understand which portions of a customer's paycheck go to their business versus other institutions and to receive real-time alerts when these allocations are changed. Direct deposit setup is the most valuable mobile account opening feature, so by removing the friction of a manual deposit setup, banks and fintechs can offer customers a fast and easy experience right from the start. With the consumer-permissioned data provided by consumers who connect to their payroll accounts, banks and fintechs can support new products. Payroll connectivity supports consumer-demanded services such as earned wage access, automatic credit line management , better fraud detection, new digital lending solutions , and more. "Pinwheel's Deposit Switch 2.0 will allow us to expand the reach of our trusted online banking services and allow us to increase our relationship with our customers significantly," said Anton Chakhmatov, Director of Product at Varo. "Not only can Varo Bank now support automated switches of direct deposit for 100 percent of the population receiving income via direct deposits, this solution also strengthens our ability to hone in on the unique needs of our customers and offer more tailored solutions." To find out more about Pinwheel's Direct Deposit 2.0 visit https://learn.pinwheelapi.com/deposit-switch-2.0 About Pinwheel: Pinwheel is the market-leading income and employment API. With Pinwheel, fintechs and financial institutions are empowered to build the next generation of financial products that will help create a fairer financial system. Pinwheel provides access to consumer-permissioned income & employment accounts and actionable insights that help them make sense of the data they need to tailor their tools and services for consumers. Pinwheel's platform has enterprise-grade security protocols to power connections to over 1,600 platforms (covering 80% of US workers), over 40 time & attendance (T&A) platforms, and over 1.5 million employers. From that point of connectivity, leading fintechs and financial institutions (such as Block, formerly Square) leverage us to power direct deposit switching, earned wage access, income & employment verification, and build innovative new products. Pinwheel is also a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA), making the company the only provider in the space offering Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)-compliant income and employment data that lenders can use actively in decisioning. Pinwheel is trusted and funded with $77M by top-tier investors such as GGV, Coatue, First Round Capital, and more. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pinwheel-launches-direct-deposit-2-0-to-offer-the-industrys-highest-coverage-rate-allowing-100-of-the-united-states-workforce-to-update-their-deposit-settings-easily-301776215.html SOURCE Pinwheel Powered by Machine-Learning, PitchBook's VC Exit Predictor Enables Clients to Forecast the Trajectory of VC-backed Companies with Greater Accuracy and Efficiency SEATTLE, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PitchBook, the premier data provider for the private and public equity markets, today released PitchBook's VC Exit Predictor, a new tool and scoring methodology that objectively assesses a startup's prospect of a successful exit. The tool leverages machine learning and PitchBook's database of information on VC companies, financing rounds and investors. The primary component underpinning the tool is a classification model developed by PitchBook's Institutional Research Group that predicts the probability a VC-backed startup will ultimately be acquired, go public, or not exit due to failure or becoming self-sustaining. PitchBook's VC Exit Predictor is accessible within the PitchBook Platform and can be found on company profiles and in advanced search. The release comes at a time when the liquidity available for VC-backed exits has fallen sharply in recent quarters, and the outlook for improvement remains bleak. What's more, the downstream effects of the depressed exit environment will weigh heavy on the VC industry in the form of longer hold times, weakened IRRs and reduced distributions to LPs all of which, will decrease demand for new fundraising. To mitigate these affects and achieve liquidity, VC investors need to understand the quality of their assets and evaluate their appetite for taking on more risk. Meanwhile, startups need to showcase their path to profitability and justify their valuations to maximize shareholder value. PitchBook's Institutional Research Group published a research piece alongside today's launch, titled Gaining an Edge in VC Investment Selection. The report delves into how PitchBook's VC Exit Predictor can be used to improve the investment selection process. To download the report, click here. The new tool empowers investors and founders to prioritize and advocate for the right opportunities, while streamlining decision-making and due diligence processes. For a company to have an exit prediction, it must be currently VC-backed with at least two rounds of venture financing. The tool uses PitchBook's robust dataset to generate exit predictions and the following areas are examples of data points leveraged: Story continues Company details: Patents, industry, employee count, news coverage, number of acquisitions. Deal activity: Maturity, fundraising frequency, average deal size. Active investors: Investor track record, number of crossover investors, number of investors. After training the model on 46,000 observations from startups with known outcomes, PitchBook tested the algorithm on more than 11,000 out-of-sample observations and accurately predicted success (M&A and IPO) versus no exit outcomes at a rate of 75%. "In the last 10 years, an influx of capital and institutional investor interest has led to an explosion in the number of VC-backed companies, which has made sifting through the data to identify investment opportunities more challenging and time consuming," said McKinley McGinn, Product Manager at PitchBook. "With PitchBook's VC Exit Predictor, investors will be able to understand a company's trajectory better and engage in a more rigorous decision-making process by eliminating biases and improving how they evaluate risks associated to investments. Users can digest a large sum of data on these companies in a much faster timeframe, enabling smarter dealmaking." For more information about PitchBook's VC Exit Predictor and its methodology, click here. About PitchBook PitchBook is a financial data and software company that provides transparency into the capital markets to help professionals discover and execute opportunities with confidence and efficiency. PitchBook collects and analyzes detailed data on the entire venture capital, private equity and M&A landscapeincluding public and private companies, investors, funds, investments, exits and people. The company's data and analysis are available through the PitchBook Platform, industry news and in-depth reports. Founded in 2007, PitchBook has offices in Seattle, San Francisco, New York, London, Hong Kong and Singapore and serves more than 90,000 professionals around the world. In 2016, Morningstar acquired PitchBook, which now operates as an independent subsidiary. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pitchbook-predicts-vc-backed-exits-301776538.html SOURCE PitchBook DUBLIN, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Poland Social Commerce Market Intelligence and Future Growth Dynamics Databook - 50+ KPIs on Social Commerce Trends by End-Use Sectors, Operational KPIs, Retail Product Dynamics, and Consumer Demographics - Q1 2023 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Research and Markets Logo According to the publisher, social commerce industry in Poland is expected to grow by 34.8% on annual basis to reach US$2,998.5 million in 2023. The social commerce industry is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 20.8% during 2022-2028. The social commerce GMV in the country will increase from US$2,998.5 million in 2023 to reach US$9,326.1 million by 2028. This report provides a detailed data centric analysis of social commerce industry, covering market opportunities and risks. With over 50+ KPIs at country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of social commerce market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics. The research methodology is based on industry best practices. Its unbiased analysis leverages a proprietary analytics platform to offer a detailed view on emerging business and investment market opportunities. Reasons to buy In-depth Understanding of Social Commerce Market Dynamics: Understand market opportunities and key trends along with forecast (2019-2028). Insights into Opportunity by end-use sectors - Get market dynamics by end-use sectors to assess emerging opportunity across various end-use sectors. Develop Market Specific Strategies: Identify growth segments and target specific opportunities to formulate social commerce strategy; assess market specific key trends, drivers, and risks in the industry. Scope This report provides in-depth, data-centric analysis of social commerce in Poland. Below is a summary of key market segments: Poland Ecommerce Industry Market Size and Future Growth Dynamics by Key Performance Indicators, 2019-2028 Poland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Future Growth Dynamics by Key Performance Indicators, 2019-2028 Poland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Retail Product Categories, 2019-2028 Clothing & Footwear Beauty and Personal Care Food & Grocery Appliances and Electronics Home Improvement Travel Hospitality Story continues Poland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by End Use Segment, 2019-2028 B2B B2C C2C Poland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by End Use Device, 2019-2028 Mobile Desktop Poland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Location, 2019-2028 Domestic Cross Border Poland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Location, 2019-2028 Tier-1 Cities Tier-2 Cities Tier-3 Cities Poland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Payment Method, 2019-2028 Credit Card Debit Card Bank Transfer Prepaid Card Digital & Mobile Wallet Other Digital Payment Cash Poland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Platforms Video Commerce Social Network-Led Commerce Social Reselling Group Buying Product Review Platforms Poland Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Consumer Demographics & Behaviour,2022 By Age By Income Level By Gender For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/iapoo6 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/poland-social-commerce-market-intelligence-and-future-growth-dynamics-report-market-is-expected-to-grow-by-34-8-to-reach-2-998-5-million-in-2023--301776122.html SOURCE Research and Markets VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 20, 2023 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Global Battery Metals, Silver Bullet Mines, RevoluGROUP, Sun Summit Minerals and Rover Metals discussing their latest news. The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives. Global Battery Metals (TSXV:GBML) announces positive geochemical survey, expanded drilling The Market Herald, Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture Global Battery Metals (GBML) has released positive geochemical survey results and plans for expanded drilling at the Leinster Lithium Project in Ireland. The drilling will investigate multiple new targets and up to six LCT (lithium-cesium-tantalum) pegmatite dikes. Recent rock samples assayed as high as 3.75 per cent Li2O. President and CEO Michael Murphy spoke with Simon Druker about the news. For the full interview with Michael Murphy and to learn about Global Battery Metals, click here. Silver Bullet (TSXV:SBMI) successful in latest metals processing campaign The Market Herald, Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture Silver Bullet (SBMI) is reporting a successful processing campaign at its 125 TPD pilot plant in Arizona. From March 8 to March 13, 2023, the company processed mineralized vein material, from which it recovered concentrate to be converted to dore bars. The news follows an increased order of 500 kg (17,600 ounces) of silver per month and ongoing discussions with additional purchasers. VP Capital Markets Peter Clausi spoke with Simon Druker about the news. For the full interview with Peter Clausi and to learn about Silver Bullet, click here. RevoluGROUP (TSXV:REVO) equity investment suitor adjusts timeline, reaffirms commitment The Market Herald, Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture RevoluGROUP (REVO) has signed a third addendum to its binding MOU with a European financially regulated entity allied with a UAE-based financial consultancy firm. The adjusted timeline for investment is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2023. The suitor intends to conclude a share equity acquisition providing RevoluGROUP with additional funding for expansion. CEO Steve Marshall spoke with Simon Druker about the news. Story continues For the full interview with Steve Marshall and to learn about RevoluGROUP, click here. Rover Metals (TSXV:ROVR) shares update on Let's Go Lithium Project The Market Herald, Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture Rover Metals (ROVR) has closed its private placement for gross proceeds of C$880,000. The company will issue a total of 11,000,000 common shares and 11,000,000 units priced at $0.08 per unit. Net proceeds will be used for exploration and administrative expenses. Rover Metals is a junior mining company developing a diverse portfolio of mineral resource projects in Nevada and the Northwest Territories. CEO Judson Culter spoke with Coreena Robertson about recent developments at the Let's Go Lithium Project. For the full interview with Judson Culter and to learn about Rover Metals, click here. Sun Summit (TSXV:SMN) drills on new targets on the Buck Project The Market Herald, Monday, March 20, 2023, Press release picture Sun Summit (SMN) drills on new high-priority targets on the Buck Project in central British Columbia. Drilling is underway at the first target, Eagle Eye. At the site, around 1,200 metres of drilling will be completed. Additional targets at Buck Main are being developed, with a completed drill program carried out this past fall. President Sharyn Alexander spoke with Simon Druker about the news. For the full interview with Sharyn Alexander and to learn about Sun Summit, click here. Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald. About The Market Herald The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets. DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. 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Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information. CONTACT: The Market Herald marketing@themarketherald.ca themarketherald.ca SOURCE: The Market Herald View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/744719/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-New-Interviews-with-Global-Battery-Metals-Silver-Bullet-Mines-RevoluGROUP-Sun-Summit-Minerals-and-Rover-Metals-Discussing-Their-Latest-News Orange Press Release Brussels, 20 March 2023 Orange Belgium welcomes the decision of the European Commission to authorize the acquisition of a majority stake in VOO SA The European Commission has approved today the acquisition of 75% of the capital less one share of VOO SA by Orange Belgium. This decision, which validates the commitments already taken by Orange Belgium and that have been integrated in its business plan, allows the company to move forward with the acquisition. The European Commission states that these commitments fully address the competition concerns identified by the European Commission. It therefore concluded that the proposed transaction, as modified by the commitments, would no longer raise competition concerns. Orange Belgium is pleased that the final phase of the buyout is now underway towards the closing of the transaction, expected to take place by the end of Q2 2023. Xavier Pichon, Chief Executive Officer at Orange Belgium, comments: We are thrilled by the decision of the European Commission. After more than 25 years of Orange's presence in Belgium, the acquisition of VOO is a major step and will enable us to operate a very high-speed network in Wallonia and part of Brussels, thereby reinforcing the deployment of our convergent multigigabit strategy at a national level. Our ambitious investment plan, in combination with VOO's and Orange's skills and expertise, will strengthen the quality of our offers to the customers and ensure competitiveness in the Walloon and Brussels regions. About Orange Belgium Orange Belgium is one of the major telecommunication operators on the Belgian market, with over 3 million customers, and in Luxembourg, via its subsidiary Orange Communications Luxembourg. As a convergent player, it provides next generation connectivity services to residential customers through multi-gigabits mobile, cable and optic fiber networks, also relating to the Internet of Things. Its high-performance mobile network is equipped with the latest technologies and benefits from continuous investments. As a responsible operator, Orange Belgium is also investing to reduce its ecological footprint and promote sustainable and inclusive digital practices. Orange Belgium is a subsidiary of the Orange Group, one of the main operators in Europe and Africa for mobile telephony and internet access and a world leader in telecommunication services for companies. Orange Belgium is listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange (OBEL). For more information go to: corporate.orange.be, www.orange.be or follow us on Twitter: @pressOrangeBe. Story continues Press contacts Orange Groupe: Tom Wright; tom.wright@orange.com; +33 6 78 91 35 11 Orange Belgium Press office: press@orange.be Annelore Marynissen; annelore.marynissen@orange.com; +32 (0)479 016 058 Sven Adams; sven.adams@orange.com; +32 (0)486 36 47 22 Margaux Vigneron ; margaux.vigneron@orange.com; +32 (0)472 22 22 09 Investor Relations : Koen Van Mol; koen.vanmol@orange.com; z +32 (0)495 55 14 99 Attachment The Manitowoc Company Inc. MTW is well-poised for growth on the back of improving demand, robust backlog levels, and its ongoing cost-control and productivity improvement measures. Acquisitions and efforts to grow its aftermarket business, and product innovation are other catalysts. The company currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and has a VGM Score of A. Our research shows that stocks with a VGM Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 (Buy), offer the best investment opportunities. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Let's delve deeper into the factors that make Manitowoc a compelling investment option at the moment. Solid Q4 Performance Manitowoc reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 74 cents in fourth-quarter 2022 which marked a 185% year-over-year surge. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 23 cents by a wide margin of 222%. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 38.8%, on average. Robust Backlog Levels Support 2023 View In the fourth quarter of 2022, MTW witnessed 15% year-over-year growth in orders to $708 million. The backlog at the end of 2022 was $1,056 million, up 4.5% from the 2021-end levels. Backed by this momentum, Manitowoc expects revenues of $2-$2.1 billion for 2023. The company reported revenues of $2.03 billion in 2022. Adjusted EPS is expected between 35 cents and $1.15. MTW reported an adjusted EPS of $1.06 in 2022. Impressive Price Performance Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Shares of the company have soared 85.9% in the past six months compared with the industrys 25.2% growth. Upbeat Growth Projections The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Manitowocs fiscal 2023 earnings per share has moved up 62% over the past 30 days and is pegged at 84 cents. The same for fiscal 2023 has moved north by 30% over the past 30 days to $1.14. Strategies to Grow Business in Place In North America, demand from residential and non-residential construction is driving demand for Manitowocs equipment. Due to the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the rising investment in roads, bridges, airports and waterways represent a massive opportunity. The company expects demand in the Middle East to be robust in the upcoming quarters. Qatar and Kuwait are also showing promising signs of growth. Also, the pressing need to replace the aging crane fleet will support demand for Manitowocs equipment. Manitowocs aftermarket business continues to perform well. In the third quarter of 2022, aftermarket sales were up 27%. Growth is primarily stemming from higher-margin parts and services. The company remains focused on improving this crucial part of the business. Moreover, the companys focus on innovation will continue to aid it in leading the industry by providing differentiated products that add value to customers. Manitowoc has been taking actions to align production with the changing demand levels. The company remains focused on cash preservation and balance sheet management, while funding critical programs for growth. Manitowocs total debt-to-total capital ratio was at 0.42 as of Dec 31, 2022, much lower than the industrys 0.70. It continues to evaluate acquisition opportunities to accelerate product development programs in its all-terrain product line. Manitowoc is scaling up its China tower crane business and has launched two crane models in 2022. Notably, the tower crane market in China is the largest tower crane market in the world. The company invested $15 million in its tower crane rental fleet in Europe, which helped gain market share in Germany and win some strategic orders with key accounts. MTW has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 10%. Story continues Other Stocks to Consider Some other top-ranked stocks from the Industrial Products sector are OI Glass OI, Tenaris TS and Illinois Tool Works ITW. OI and TS sport a Zacks Rank of 1 at present, and ITW has a Zacks Rank of 2. OI Glass has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 16.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OIs 2023 earnings is pegged at $2.57 per share. This indicates an 11.7% increase from the prior-year reported figure. The consensus estimate for 2023 earnings has moved 16% north in the past 60 days. OIs shares gained 59% in the last six months. Tenaris has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TS 2023 earnings is pegged at $6.04 per share. This indicates a 39.5% increase from the prior-year reported figure. The consensus estimate for 2023 earnings has moved north by 17% in the past 60 days. Its shares gained 5% in the last six months. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Illinois Tool Works fiscal 2023 earnings per share is pegged at $9.61, suggesting an increase of 4.8% from that reported in the last year. The consensus estimate for fiscal 2023 earnings moved 4% upward in the last 60 days. ITW has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 0.9%. Its shares have gained 18% in the past six months. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) : Free Stock Analysis Report The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (MTW) : Free Stock Analysis Report O-I Glass, Inc. (OI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Tenaris S.A. (TS) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Transparency Market Research Major players in the Refrigerated Warehousing Market are B.I.M.S Inc, Berkshire Transportation, Brimich Logistics, Conestoga Cold Storage, John Swire & Sons, Kloosterboer, Lineage Logistics, RWI, The Dexion Company and Trenton Cold Storage Wilmington, Delaware, United States, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. The global refrigerated warehousing market stood at US$ 36.5 billion in 2022 and the global market is projected to reach US$ 96.3 billion by 2031. The global industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.4% between 2023 and 2031. Growing concerns about product sustainability, demand for end-to-end services, and automated solutions are expected to propel business growth. A global expansion of the food & beverage, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries has increased the value of refrigerated warehousing. Environmental concerns are increasing among consumers, and companies are seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprints at the same time. Energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources are creating opportunities for companies that provide sustainable refrigeration solutions. Request for a Sample PDF Report with Latest Industry Insights - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=19178 The market is being further challenged by technological advancement and zero-carbon electricity. For example, United States Cold Storage's Tulare South warehouse in Southern California aims to produce 100% renewable and carbon-free electricity by 2045. By focusing on energy efficiency and better temperature control, USCS helped California meet its energy demand reduction goals. Temperature-sensitive products, like pharmaceuticals, food, and beverages, have driven the growth of refrigerated warehousing. A growing number of millennials in Europe and North America are interested in this cold storage business, resulting in rapid global expansion for the market. Advanced refrigerators are being introduced in these regions to provide users with a more real-time temperature control experience. Story continues Food warehouses containing refrigerated products consume a great deal of electricity and produce a great deal of waste heat. Using EU funding, an innovative energy storage technology is being developed to increase the energy profile of the sector, increase the use of renewable energy, and make the sector more sustainable. As a promising, long-duration energy storage technology that relies on simple and well-established technological processes, cryogenic energy storage (CES), or liquid air energy storage (LAES), has been widely observed as being a potential solution to energy storage problems. Key Findings of Market Report Technological advancements in the field of refrigerated warehousing have made it possible to develop efficient and cost-effective solutions that are well-suited for the storage of perishable products. With this technology, companies can store products for longer periods of time while keeping their quality intact, leading to the growth of the refrigerated warehousing market. The refrigeration industry caters to a growing number of tailored demands based on the needs of its end users in the market. In the cold storage industry, the needs of customers are evolving in a variety of ways, and the demand goes beyond services that add value. As consumers become more aware of food safety, the refrigerated warehousing market is expected to grow between 2022 and 2031. Buy this Premium Research Report | Immediate Delivery Available - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=19178